Scholarships and Awards

The Department of Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies offers several scholarships for undergraduate students. Applications are available in the early spring.

Apply for a WGSS Scholarship


Abbie Jane Bakony Scholarship

This award recognizes an outstanding undergraduate major in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. Candidates will be evaluated based on overall quality of their academic work, their commitment to learning, and their potential for further academic achievement. The award is to honor the memory of Abbie Jane (White) Bakony, CIA agent, real estate broker and teacher, who came out as a lesbian at age 70. Read her story and see a photo here.


Award amount: $1,150  

Number of awards: 2 – 3


Disbursement: 3 equal payments (1 per term)


Deadline: May 27, 2024, 11:59 pm.  

Award announcement: You will be notified via email if you are selected for an award.


Eligibility:


  • UO Undergraduate students majoring in WGSS

  • Returning for at least one more year of study


Application: https://oregon.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_e3fjJxHSWbcmeJo

Applications open now. Details on how to apply and what to include are below.



Miller Family Scholarship

The Miller Family Scholarship supports an outstanding student in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, and may be awarded either to an undergraduate major or minor or a graduate certificate student. Candidates will be evaluated based on the overall quality of their academic work, their commitment to learning and their potential for further academic achievement.


Award amount: $1,500


Number of awards: 1


Disbursement: 3 equal payments (1 per term)


Deadline: May 27, 2024, 11:59pm


Award announcement: You will be notified via email if you are selected for an award.


Eligibility:


  • UO Undergraduate students majoring or minoring in WGSS or Queer Studies

  • UO Graduate students completing a Graduate Certificate in WGSS

  • Returning for at least one more year of study


Application: https://oregon.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_e3fjJxHSWbcmeJo

Applications open now. Details on how to apply and what to include are below.

You will be asked to provide:

  • Basic contact and student information

  • A 750–1000-word essay answering the question: How has majoring in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies influenced your intellectual development or how you act in the world?
  • A writing sample up to 10 pages. The writing sample is separate from the essay. It may be a paper from a class, for example.

  • A copy of your unofficial transcript

  • The names and information of two faculty members to serve as recommenders/references

Note: If you wish to apply for both scholarships simply select the option to apply to “Both” at the same time on the online application.


CAS Hands-on Learning Scholarship

The College of Arts and Sciences invites undergraduate students to apply for scholarships to support them in pursuing experiential learning opportunities. The scholarship will provide financial support up to $5,000 to assist students in completing an unpaid internship, research opportunity, or service-learning experience. The application period opens in spring for the following year.

Eligibility: Preference will be given to applicants with financial need, as determined by the Office of Student Financial Aid & Scholarships. We will consider assistance for paid internships if the case can be made that the compensation will not be adequate to cover living expenses.

Award: Up to $5,000

Apply for a Scholarship


Additional Scholarship Opportunities

If you’ve graduated from a high school in Oregon, you may qualify for additional financial support from the state. Learn more about this option.

To find additional funding opportunities relating to women’s, gender, and sexuality studies and the LGBTQ* community, consult the following resources:

Scholarships for Hispanic Women

College Grants for Women

Scholarships for Women

LGBTQ+ Student Scholarship Database


College of Arts and Sciences Scholarships

The College of Arts and Sciences awards various scholarships to both incoming students and those who are already attending the UO, including donor-supported scholarships and fellowships; inclusion scholarships to support students coming to the UO from underrepresented communities; and financial support to assist students in completing an unpaid internship, research opportunity, or service-learning experience.

CAS Scholarships


Financial Aid Department Scholarships

University-wide scholarships are offered centrally through the Office of Admissions or the Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships.

UO Scholarships


McNair Scholars Program

The McNair Scholars Program (TRiO) prepares qualified juniors and seniors for graduate study leading to PhD degrees. UO McNair Scholars receive comprehensive support to earn undergraduate degrees, complete research projects in their fields of study, and apply to graduate schools. The program’s limited size provides a close-knit community while helping students gain a broad understanding of research and university culture.

McNair Scholarships