College of Liberal Arts & Sciences Scholarships

The College of Liberal Arts & Sciences is pleased to announce several scholarships and awards available to students pursuing a major in the College. We invite you to take advantage of this opportunity by submitting an online application. Brief descriptions of the scholarships and awards can be found below.

 

Betty Wahlstedt Student Memorial Scholarship

For outstanding undergraduates majoring in Psychology, Sociology or Anthropology. Awarded to one or more students up to an amount of $1,500.

Robert M. Sharp Memorial Scholarship

For outstanding undergraduates in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences who are from Illinois. Awarded to one student.  Award amount is $2,000 annually for three years.

Hilden Gibson Scholarship

For outstanding juniors who are studying in the social sciences, preparing to enter their senior year. Awarded to one or more students up to an amount of $7,000.

John Ise Award

For outstanding undergraduates majoring in Economics, Political Science, History, or Sociology.  Awarded to one student. Award amount is $3,500.

Edward L. Ruhe Scholarship

For outstanding undergraduates majoring or minoring in Anthropology, Visual Art, Art History, English, or Film & Media Studies. Awarded to one or more students up to an amount of $3,500.

Paul B. Lawson Scholarship

For outstanding juniors preparing to enter their senior year. Awarded to one or more students up to an amount of $1,200.  

Burghart-Perreault and Greenman Scholarship

For outstanding in-state undergraduate students pursuing a BA or BFA in Visual Arts or a BA in English with a concentration in Creative Writing.  Awarded to two students.  Award amount is the total yearly costs of the recipient’s tuition, books, fees, and living expenses. 

L.A. Hollinger, M.D. Pre-Medicine Memorial Scholarship

For outstanding undergraduates with a GPA with at least a 3.0 entering their Junior or Senior year minoring in pre-medicine.  Awarded to one student.  Award amount is $6,000.

Van Eekeren Family Scholarship

For undergraduates with GPA between 2.5 and 3.2 and no withdrawals. Awarded to one or more students up to an amount of $9,000.

Veta B. Lear Award

For a freshman who has earned a 4.0 in their first semester at KU. Awarded to three students. Award amount is $500.

 

 

How To Apply:

  1. Navigate to KU Academic Works.
  2. Click the red sign in button at the top right.
  3. Sign in with your KU credentials.
  4. Complete the General Application if you have not done so already.  It is simply typing your name and today’s date.
  5. Once you have completed the general application then complete the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences Scholarships & Awards Application.
  6. Click the red apply button at the bottom right corner.
    1. You will apply for all of the above awards/scholarships with one application.  The system will then automatically match you with those in which you are eligible. 
  7. Complete and submit your application.

 

All application materials are due by 5 p.m. on March 27, 2026. 

 

If you have any questions, please contact Rachel Decorie at collegeawards@ku.edu.

 

We look forward to receiving your application!