Alumni Scholarship

For over 40 years, Gonzaga University's Office of Alumni Relations has been awarding scholarships to the children, grandchildren, or siblings of Gonzaga alumni.

Geographic Scope: Gonzaga University (Spokane, WA)

Award Amounts:

• Leppek Award: $10,000 (top rising senior applicant)
• Schafer Family Award: $7,500 (top junior applicant)
• Additional scholarships: $2,500 based on same criteria, until all funds are expended

Eligibility Requirements

• Must be a child, grandchild, or sibling of a Gonzaga alum
• Must apply for the award
• Must have a current FAFSA on file in the Financial Aid Office
• Scholarship awards are only applicable to Gonzaga University undergraduate studies
• Recipients must be enrolled full-time (at least 12 credits per semester)
• Open to rising seniors, juniors, and incoming freshmen who meet the criteria
• If a student received an Alumni scholarship the previous year and still meets required criteria, the scholarship will be renewed and resubmission is not required

Selection Criteria

A committee of Alumni advisory council members review applications based on:

• Completed online application form
• Impact statement (300 words or less)
• Academic performance
• Financial need
• Community service activities
• Composition, grammar, and presentation quality

How to Apply

1. Complete the online application form - All sections must be completed; partial applications will not be saved in the system
2. Prepare your impact statement - Write a 300-word or less essay describing the impact that receiving the Alumni Scholarship would have on you and your future dreams. Consider composition, grammar, and presentation as these will be evaluated by the Alumni selection committee.
   • Tip: Write your application separately and then cut and paste the essay into the online scholarship form
3. Ensure current FAFSA is on file - Contact the Financial Aid Office to verify
4. Submit all materials by the application deadline

Required Materials

• Completed online application form
• Impact statement (300 words or less)
• Current FAFSA on file
• Academic performance documentation (automatically reviewed)
• List of community service activities

Important Dates (2026-27 cycle)

• Application Opens: October 31, 2025
• Deadline: December 19, 2025 at midnight
• Notification: Late March – April, 2026 (all applicants will be notified, even if they did not receive an award)