Graduate applicant FAQ

The Dennis Washington Leadership Graduate Scholarship awards up to $250,000 to deserving Horatio Alger Scholar Alumni who are working towards a postgraduate degree. The maximum amount is calculated based on your school’s cost of attendance and your remaining need. 

No, this scholarship will not be awarded for exclusively online programs. However, the Association will permit coursework that can only be obtained through online classes.  

No, you can save your progress and return to your application at any time.

You must pursue the program for which you were awarded the scholarship in order to receive the scholarship. If you are considering changing your program, please contact the Association.

We encourage you to review the FAQ and eligibility requirements to find answers to any questions you may have. If you need additional help, please email [email protected] or call toll‐free at (844) HAA‐4200.

The graduate scholarship application will be open from September 1 to November 1. 

You must apply during the application period to be considered for an award.

No, the scholarship is only available to Horatio Alger Alumni and current Scholars.

Scholars must be enrolled full-time in a graduate program by the fall semester following receipt of this award.  Eligible applicants must demonstrate:

• A minimum 3.0 cumulative undergraduate GPA (or 3.0 cumulative graduate GPA if already in graduate school)
• Evidence of community service and/or civic involvement
• Evidence of leadership skills

Documents: Applicants must upload their most recent official transcript(s), test scores (if applicable), and resume.

Essay Questions: Applicants must write two essays, the first of which is a statement of personal history, including academics, community service, and entrepreneurial and leadership skills. In the second essay, applicants must to explain how they would use their graduate degree and leadership skills to be catalysts for change in their respective fields or disciplines.

References: Applicants must provide two letters of recommendation (one must be from your academic studies).

Interviews: Finalists will participate in a 30-minute in-person interview with the Selection Committee, as well as a 45-minute group interview. The in-person interview will take place in January.

Applicants must attend an accredited institution in the United States or Canada on a full-time basis and pursue an uninterrupted course leading to a Masters, Doctoral or Professional degree in one of the following areas: business-related studies; entrepreneurship; engineering; medical; teaching; law; and applied science (including research and development). Below is a list of eligible programs within each field of study:

Applied Sciences

Doctorate or Master of Science

• Applied Mathematics
• Physics
• Computational Science
• Computer Science
• Data Science
• Applied Science and Technology
• Nanotechnology
• Food Science
• Bioengineering
• Applied Chemistry
• Statistics
• Information Technology
• Technology Management
• Cybersecurity Management

Business

• Master of Business Administration
• Management
• Measurement and Evaluation
• Professional Accounting
• Negotiation and Conflict Resolution
• Organizational Leadership
• Public Administration
• Global Commerce

Education

• Doctor of Philosophy, Education or Higher Education (PhD)
• Doctor of Education (EdD)
• Master’s in Education (MEd)
• Educational Administration
• Educational Leadership
• International Education
• Educational Development and Strategies
• Higher Education and Organizational Change

Engineering

• Doctor of Engineering (D.Eng)
• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Engineering
• Master of Science (M.S.) – Engineering

Medical

• Doctor of Medicine (MD)
• Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO)

Law

• Juris Doctor

Dual Degree Programs

• MBA/MPP (Public Policy)
• MBA/MHA (Health Administration)
• MBA/MD

All applicants will receive a notification. Finalists will be contacted to participate in an in-person interview with the Selection Committee in January. Awardees will be notified within two weeks after the interview.

Disbursement information will be sent to you in May and January of every year. At that time, you will be required to request your funds online for the upcoming semester. Funds will be sent directly to your college or university to be credited to your account. Scholarship funds may be applied to any line-item in your Cost of Attendance.

No, the amount you are allowed to request each term depends on your program length and is calculated based on your school’s Cost of Attendance.

The Horatio Alger Association will review each request before approving it. Once approved, it may take up to 30 days for a check to be sent to your school. In special cases, the Association can send a payment to your school via ACH or wire.

These requests are reviewed on a case-by-case basis and the decision will depend on the new institution, changes to your program, and amount previously disbursed prior to the transfer.

Once your request for funds has been approved online, you are able to download/print an approval letter to share with your school. The letter will state you were awarded a scholarship and a check will be issued to the school in the coming weeks. The Association will not expedite the disbursement of funds to your school.