Graduate Scholarships
How to Apply
To be considered for a scholarship, you must complete an application for the specific scholarship(s) and meet the scholarship criteria. One form can be used for multiple scholarships. Your completed application and attachments must be submitted to the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders.
Submission
Mail or drop off applications to:
ATTN: Scholarship Committee
Western Washington University
Communication Sciences and Disorders
516 High Street, AI 394 MS 9171
Bellingham, WA 98225
Or, email to csd@wwu.edu
Scholarships
CSD Graduate Scholarship
A department scholarship up to $1000 is available to graduate students who have a history of high scholarship and demonstration of academic and clinical potential as well as financial need.
CSD Diversity, Equity, and Justice Scholarship
The Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) Department established this award using departmental funds for those who historically and presently face inequities and lack accessibility to higher education/ or to a professional career in speech-language pathology or audiology. It is a one-time award up to $2,000 for an incoming or current graduate student (M.A. or Au.D), who identifies with a historically marginalized community and is in financial need.
To apply: Write an essay in 300 words or less, tell us why you would be a good fit for this scholarship.
Dr. Barbara Mathers-Schmidt Scholarship
A scholarship up to $1000 shall be awarded every other year (even numbered years) to a graduate student in speech-language pathology. The Bill and Charlotte Mathers Family Foundation established this endowed scholarship in 2014 in honor of Dr. Barbara Mathers-Schmidt, past CSD department chair and Professor Emeritus. Dr. Mathers-Schmidt joined Western faculty in Fall, 1991 through 2014. She taught undergraduate and graduate courses including speech science, research, social-political-cultural aspects of communication disorders, fluency disorders, and motor speech disorders. She was dedicated to broadening students’ awareness of multicultural issues and to stimulating a more informed global perspective. Dr. Mathers-Schmidt developed the first CSD global studies/international service-learning program, taking a group of undergraduate students to Guatemala in 2013. Preference will be given to a student with demonstrated academic excellence and financial need.
Eva Baharav Memorial Scholarship
A scholarship up to $1,500 is available to SLP graduate students to honor and acknowledge Dr. Baharav's contributions in the area of autism and her dedication to our students and community. Dr. Baharav joined the Western faculty in 2003 through 2016. She was recognized in the North-Sound region as an expert in autism spectrum disorders and parent support. Through her teaching and clinical practice, Dr. Baharav touched the lives of hundreds of students and families.
John D. Blankinship Memorial Fellowship
Scottish Rite Foundation scholarship established in fall 2000 for a first year graduate SLP fellowship in the amount of $6,000 for those interested in scholarly research. Income level of parents will not be considered in the selection process. Preference is given to Washington State residents. History of Scottish Rite Scholarship Foundation of Washington.
Dr. Lina Zeine and Family Scholarship
An endowed scholarship of $2000 was established spring of 2019 by Dr. Lina Zeine, Professor Emeritus, to support the success of SLP graduate students. The scholarship may be used to pay any costs related to educational expenses, including, but not limited to, tuition, books, materials, supplies, etc. The scholarship is renewable and can be awarded to a student who has been accepted into the Speech-Language Pathology Graduate Program for the duration of their graduate program. Dr. Zeine joined the WWU faculty in 1983 through 2013. She taught courses in adult language disorders, voice/laryngectomee, and neurological science and had been the graduate student advisor. Preference will be given to students with financial need and outstanding academic merit on a year to year basis.
Sam Polen Audiology Scholarship
A scholarship up to $1,300 is awarded to a graduate student in Audiology who plans a career working with the hearing impaired. Preference will be given to student with demonstrated academic excellence and financial need.
Dr. Loren Webb Scholarship
A scholarship up to $1,000 is awarded to a graduate student in Audiology who plans a career working with the hearing impaired. Preference will be given to a student with demonstrated academic excellence and financial need. (Currently on hold to allow fund to grow.)
Pechthalt Family Scholarship
A scholarship up to $1,400 is available to a graduate student in speech-language pathology with financial need was established by the Pechthalt family. Diana Pechthalt earned her Bachelor and Master in Speech-Language Pathology from Western. She was also a clinical educator in the Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic at Western supervising graduate student practicum experiences with pediatric clients. Priority will be given to returning parents and/or older students.
Sene and Louella Carlile Communication Sciences and Disorders Scholarship
Two scholarships up to $1,000 shall be awarded to assist students in need whose work is concentrated in the field of Communication Sciences and Disorders, with preference given to graduate level work. Dr. Sene and Louella Carlile arrived at Western in 1947 and taught speech courses. Dr. Carlile later became chair of the Speech Department. The Carlile’s promoted the betterment of Western through their work, lives and beyond. Preference will be given to student with demonstrated academic excellence and financial need.
Sene and Louella Carlile Communication Sciences and Disorders Graduate Fellowship
A fellowship up to $2,700 was established by the Carlile’s to support graduate students studying speech-language pathology. Preference will be given to students with demonstrated academic excellence and financial need.