Graduate Scholarships

The deadline for scholarship application materials for most institutional scholarships is 5 p.m. (MST) on April 1st. Some scholarships may have different deadlines and those dates will be specified within the description. Also, see scholarship descriptions for detailed information on qualifications and requirements.

All Naropa scholarships are open to international students unless stated otherwise.

Applicants for all scholarships listed in this section must:

  • Apply for financial aid by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA, as discussed below) or International Student Application if applicable by the March 1st deadline.
  • Have a completed admissions application on file for one of the university's degree programs.

Submit scholarship application materials according the requirements listed below for the specific scholarship to which you are applying.

For any scholarship that requires additional materials, please do the following:

  • E-mail application materials to finaid@naropa.edu
  • Include on all application materials: Your full name and either your student I.D. number or the last four digits of your social security number.
  • Please send all materials as a single attachment in the email. (Letters of recommendation may be sent separately.)

Scholarship awards range from $500 to $4,500/year, with a few individual scholarship awards being as high as $15,000/year.  Please note: Receiving more than one institutional scholarship (including Graduate Assistantships) could affect your eligibility for, or the amounts of, other forms of aid, including other scholarship awards.

Naropa Honor Scholarship

Naropa Scholarships for Entering Students are awarded to a limited number of entering, full-time students from all programs. Students must demonstrate outstanding academic merit and financial need.

Naropa Presidential Scholarship

Naropa Scholarships for Entering Students are awarded to a limited number of entering, full-time students from all programs. Students must demonstrate exceptional academic merit and financial need.

The Leslie Scalapino Award

The Leslie Scalapino award will be offered each year to one MFA Writing and Poetics or MFA Creative Writing student attending the Summer Writing program for 6 or more credits.

The Summer Writing Program Scholarship in memory of kari edwards

Beginning Summer 2012, The Summer Writing Program Scholarships in memory of kari edwards will be offered each year to one credit or non-credit student accepted into Naropa University's Summer Writing Program.

International Student Scholarship

Awarded annually to an international graduate or undergraduate student who has financial need and who does not qualify for U.S. Federal aid.

The Ted Berrigan Scholarship

Awarded each year to one or more returning MFA Writing and Poetics students for work in poetry.

The Martha Bonzi Scholarship

Awarded to one entering MA student in the Religious Studies Department per year. The award is renewable.

Robert Creeley Scholarship

Awarded each year to one or more returning or entering MFA Creative Writing and Writing and Poetics students for work in any genre.

The W.E.B DuBois Scholarship

Awarded to one incoming or returning, graduate or undergraduate, student who can demonstrate experience in or working with populations of color. The scholarship is available only to U.S. citizens or permanent residents. The award is not renewable, although students may reapply for subsequent years.

Louise Fabbro Memorial Scholarship

Awarded to one or more Contemplative Psychotherapy students in their third year of study. Application deadline is April 1 for the following school year.

Aimee Grunburger Award

Awarded to one graduate or undergraduate Writing and Poetics student or noncredit Summer Writing Program student who demonstrates excellence in the field of poetry. Applicants must be able to demonstrate their personal, artistic, and professional commitment to furthering respect for the lives and voices of women.

Zora Neale Hurston Scholarship

Awarded to selected students for one session of the Summer Writing Program. Applicants must be able to demonstrate experience in or working with populations of color. Open to students attending SWP for BA or MFA credit, or noncredit.

Anne Waldman Fellowship

Anne Waldman Fellowship is awarded annually to entering MFA candidates in Writing & Poetics:  $25,000 covers full tuition and fees.

Jack Kerouac Fellowship

The Jack Kerouac School of Disembodied Poetics Fellowship is awarded annually to entering MFA candidates in Writing & Poetics:  $25,000 covers full tuition and fees.

Frederick P. Lenz Foundation Merit Scholarship

Awarded to one graduate student entering as a full-time degree candidate in either the Master of Divinity or Master of Religious Studies Program.

Martin Janowitz Scholarship

Awarded annually to an undergraduate in Environmental Studies or to a graduate student in Environmental Leadership.

The Charles B. Edison Jinpa Scholarship

Awarded to one or two returning full-time graduate or undergraduate students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents, and who can demonstrate experience in working with underrepresented populations. The award is not renewable, although students may reapply subsequent years.

The Jack Kerouac Scholarship

Awarded each year to one or more returning MFA Writing and Poetics students for prose or cross-genre work.

Bernie Marek Scholarship for Art Therapy Students

Awarded to one or two incoming Art Therapy student who exhibits academic and artistic ability and who exhibits financial need. Selection will be based upon evaluation of the student’s admission application.

Monastic Scholarship

The Monastic Scholarship is awarded to one or two students each year who are ordained as a monk or nun of any religious order. Both upper-division undergraduates (juniors & seniors) and graduate students may apply; preference will be given to graduate students.

Oso Tinker Wilderness Therapy Scholarship

The scholarship is available to one or two Wilderness Therapy students entering the second year of the program. Awards will be based on departmental recommendations combined with evidence of financial need. Eligible, nominated students will be invited to apply.

Owen Weber-Weinstein Scholarship

Awarded to two incoming or returning students in Wilderness Therapy or Religious Studies. Although preference is given to students in the above two programs, other students who have completed an independent study or religious pilgrimage that will enhance their field of study, or are planning to do so, may also apply.

The Lucien Wulsin Scholarship in the Performing Arts

Awarded to one incoming or returning MFA in Theater or undergraduate BFA student. The scholarship is available only to U.S. citizens or permanent residents. The award is not renewable, although students may reapply for subsequent years.

Corrine Davis Scholarship

To assist with summer housing costs for one 1st year and one 2nd year MA Contemplative Education student. Students must demonstrate financial need to be eligible.

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