Washington University in St. Louis runs two signature merit programmes that international applicants can enter. The Danforth Scholars Program honours students with a passion for helping others, looking for leadership in service and a strong commitment to community. The Annika Rodriguez Scholars Program recognises academic and leadership achievement alongside a record of bringing different groups together and celebrating their cultures.
Both award either full tuition with a $2,500 stipend or partial tuition, renewed each year for the length of the degree as long as the scholar keeps progressing. Housing, board and travel remain the family's cost, so a full-tuition offer still leaves a bill to plan for. Both programmes are open to applicants to any undergraduate school at WashU.
Applying runs in two steps. File the Common or Coalition Application by 16 December 2026 for priority consideration, then write a 250-word short answer for each programme in the WashU Pathway; confirm the supplement deadline in WashU Pathway. The committees also read the counsellor and teacher letters already in your admission file, and you may add one more letter from someone who can speak to your work in the community.
Finalists hear by the end of February and must attend a virtual interview in early March. Scholars are told in March. The third signature programme, John B. Ervin Scholars, is closed to international applicants, so aim at Danforth or Rodriguez.