Deciding to attend graduate school is a big step. It requires commitment, time, life changes, and let’s face it — money. At Saybrook, we are committed to helping you find ways to invest in yourself and in your future. Continue reading to learn more about the scholarship opportunities we offer to help students achieve their educational goals.
Permission: Scholarship recipients agree to have their name and other information, including images, shared publicly in announcements that recognize their achievement and the impact of the scholarship and its founder.
New Student Scholarships
Presidential Scholarship: $500 – $1000 / Semester
The Presidential Scholarship is only available to new/incoming students. It is awarded based on academic merit and/or financial need. Every applicant will be considered for our Presidential Scholarship awards, which typically range from $500 to $1,000 per semester. Because there is a limited amount of funding for these scholarships each semester and they are awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis, we recommend you apply and complete your application as soon as possible.
How to Apply
Your eligibility for a scholarship and the amount that is awarded will be determined based on three factors:
- Financial need
- Academic merit
- Full-time enrollment (based upon program requirements, typically 6 credits or more per semester)*
The first step is to submit your FAFSA so that your financial need can be calculated. Additionally, as part of the admissions requirements, you’ll compose a personal statement and submit your prior transcripts, and these will be used to consider your financial need and academic merit as well. We do not require a written essay or any documentation beyond what you’re already required to submit as part of your application file. All Saybrook applicants will be considered for this award.
*See the Scholarship and Discount Policy in the catalog for more details on eligibility.
Dr. Michael Horowitz & Dr. Jeannie Gutierrez Immigrant/First Generation Scholarship
The Dr. Michael Horowitz & Dr. Jeannie Gutierrez Immigrant/First Generation Scholarship was established at each of the colleges and universities within The Community Solution Education System to support students who self-identify as first-generation undergraduate or graduate student; or immigrant to the U.S. or child of immigrant(s) to the US (“First Generation American”). This scholarship was established to enable Immigrant and/or First-Generation students to blaze a new trail of success for their families and in their communities. This scholarship is available for both online and on ground degree programs; scholarship funding will be applied to tuition expenses.
This award is only available to new, incoming students, with two (2) recipients selected in the Fall, one (1) recipient selected in the Spring, and one (1) recipient selected in the Summer. Each award shall carry a total value of $2,500, divided equally over the recipient’s first two semesters. Scholarship funding will be applied directly to the recipient’s student account and will go toward tuition expenses.
Eligibility Requirements
- Candidates must have applied for admission to Saybrook University at least 30 days prior to the start of the semester.
- Recipients are selected based on their academic promise and dedication to serving a diverse community.
- Scholarship recipients must maintain full-time academic status with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 and satisfactory academic progress to remain eligible.
- Awards are disbursed over two semesters in equal installments and applied directly to the recipient’s account.
How to Apply
Applicant should submit a letter to their Admissions Counselor at least 30-days prior to their term start date. The letter should be a maximum of three (3) pages and must include the following information:
- Your name
- Your academic goals and career goals
- A statement demonstrating that you are the first in your family to attend graduate school, or are an immigrant to the United States, and are pursuing higher education for the first time in the U.S.
- A statement detailing how this scholarship will assist you in achieving your goals and support your education. This statement should include information on prior community service contributions and academic achievement in addition to future aspirations.
- This letter will be reviewed along with your admissions application supplemental materials
Recipients will be notified by email.
JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion) Scholarship
$500 One-Time, First Semester Award
The Saybrook JEDI Scholarship was established to ensure that Saybrook University promotes and maintains a culture committed to the justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion principles that support students and their communities through their education at Saybrook.
Eligibility Requirements
- Candidates must be a new, incoming student who has been accepted to Saybrook University in the semester for which they are applying for this scholarship
- Recipients are selected based on their dedication to serving a diverse community
- Scholarship recipients must maintain full-time academic status with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 and satisfactory academic progress to remain eligible.
- Written request should be submitted prior to the semester start date
- Award will be disbursed during the student’s first semester
- Scholarship amount is a one-time disbursement of $500
How to Apply
Applicants should inform their Admissions Counselor in writing (email is acceptable) that they would like to be considered for this scholarship at least 30-days prior to their term start date. Please include the following information:
- Degree program and semester of admission acceptance
- Brief (7-10 sentence) personal statement on how the applicant contributes to and maintains a culture of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion in their personal and professional endeavors.
Applicants will be notified of their award prior to the semester start date.
The JEDI Scholarship may be combined with the Presidential Scholarship.
Alumni Scholarship
The Alumni Tuition Rate will represent a 25% reduction in the published tuition rate for a given program in a given semester. The rate does not apply to institutional fees or other charges.
The Alumni Tuition Rate applies to future terms only and is not retroactive to current or prior terms. Saybrook alumni who have earned a Saybrook M.S., M.A., or Ph.D. may be eligible for the Alumni Tuition Rate. Award decisions will be determined at the time of admission to a subsequent M.S., M.A., or Ph.D. program.
To be eligible for this special rate, alumni of such programs must be admitted to a new, eligible program for the first time. The Alumni Tuition Rate does not apply to alumni enrollments in certificate programs. The special rate will not apply to those already receiving a separate special rate, and rates cannot be combined with Saybrook-issued scholarships. Current enrolled alumni who withdraw from the university will not be considered for the Alumni Tuition Rate upon readmission.
Students must also meet the following conditions each semester of enrollment to maintain eligibility:
- Good financial aid and academic standing and meet all satisfactory academic progress requirements.
- Full-time enrollment (based upon program requirements, typically 6 credits or more per semester)
Segal AmeriCorps Matching Grant
As part of its commitment to foster positive transformative change on an individual, organizational and community level, Saybrook University is proud to offer a Segal AmeriCorps Matching Grant to qualified AmeriCorps students.
This award will provide a 100% dollar-for-dollar match up to a lifetime maximum of $4,000. Students must be admitted to Saybrook, attending on a full-time basis, and submit a copy of their voucher prior to being awarded a Segal AmeriCorps Matching Grant.
Continuing Student Scholarships
Submissions for 2023 Continuing Student Scholarships are now closed. Submissions will reopen in Spring 2024.
The Rollo May, Alan Watts, Leonard Shlain, Marc Pilisuk, Nancy Anne Moss, and Alumni Association scholarships are available for continuing students who are enrolled full time and in good academic standing. Each award is applied directly to the recipient’s student account in the fall semester of the award year. Students will be notified of the submission deadlines and guidelines in advance. Typically, a call for submissions will be sent out in the spring to all students. Students may apply for only one scholarship per academic year. Students may only win a specific scholarship once during their lifetime. If students are awarded up to their cost of attendance, their loans will be reduced.
Students may feel free to consult with the Saybrook University Writing Center to improve the quality of writing in their submission.
Alan Watts Student Scholarship Award: $2,000 – $5,000
The Alan Watts Student Scholarship Award is only available to continuing students. It is named in honor of British philosopher Alan Watts, who was associated with Saybrook University in its formative years. The scholarship is awarded to an accomplished student interested in the work and teachings of Alan Watts. Recipients seek to go beyond simplistic notions of what is, or of what should be, recognizing the need for exploration of oneself through various modalities ranging from meditation to humor, and the impact such practices have on our lives, on the continuing development of humanistic/transpersonal psychology and on our social order.
How to Apply
Applications should include six to 8 double-spaced pages of the student’s Saybrook writings, which establish the relationship between the work/areas of interest of Alan Watts and the student. Material for submission may consist of excerpts from the student’s dissertation proposal, candidacy essays, or papers from Saybrook courses, integrated into one document. Relevant publications by Alan Watts and related scholars should be cited. If students are awarded up to their cost of attendance, their loans will be reduced.
Leonard Shlain Student Scholarship Award: $1,500
The Leonard Shlain Student Scholarship Award is only available to continuing students. This award, which is named in honor of former Saybrook trustee Leonard Shlain, MD, provides two awards of $1,500 to accomplished students interested in the work and research of Dr. Shlain. These areas include the following:
- Creativity
- The development of the human brain and neuroscience
- Art and science
- Human sexuality
- The effects of word and image on the human brain
“This scholarship has allowed me to buy some of the equipment that was needed for my study … I can dream bigger. I am now looking into continuing my research in a post-doctorate. In future research I hope to make a difference in health care and understanding testosterone when used as a supplement to aid in transitioning from female to male, or for other gender identification reasons.”
– Taylor Williams, student in the Ph.D. in Psychology, Psychophysiology Specialization
How to Apply
To be considered for the scholarship, a student must be in good academic standing as defined in the 2022-2023 Saybrook University catalog and must be a current degree-seeking student in either the College of Social Sciences or College of Integrative Medicine and Health Sciences. A student’s application should be between six and eight pages and should include the following: A brief bio of the student, a brief description of the student’s interests, life work, and academic studies, a statement of the student’s interest in studying Dr. Shlain’s research and/or related research interests, and a statement regarding the candidate’s financial need.
Nancy Anne Moss Integrative Medicine and Health Sciences Scholarship Award: $2,500
The Nancy Anne Moss Integrative Medicine and Health Sciences Scholarship is created in memory of Nancy Anne Moss, beloved partner of Donald Moss, Ph.D., who currently serves as the founding dean of the College of Integrative Medicine and Health Sciences. Nancy Anne Moss was a lifelong educator, working with students from elementary to graduate levels. In honor of her commitment, this scholarship is dedicated to Saybrook University Mind-Body Medicine students to support their pursuit of their master’s or doctoral degrees.
How to Apply
To be considered for the scholarship, a student must be in good academic standing as defined in the 2022-2023 Saybrook University catalog and must be a current degree-seeking student in the College of Integrative Medicine and Health Sciences.
A student’s application should be from six to eight pages and should include the following: A brief bio of the student, a brief description of the student’s interests, life work, and academic studies, a completed statement of the student’s philosophy emphasizing an interest in humanistic values, a mind-body-spirit approach, specifically as they apply to integrative healthcare and complementary therapies, and a statement regarding the candidate’s financial need.
Rollo May Student Scholarship Award: $5,000
The Rollo May Student Scholarship of $5,000 is funded each year through the generosity of our donors. The scholarship is available only to continuing students and is awarded to students whose graduate work explicitly applies to and carries forward the existential-humanistic contributions of Rollo May, Ph.D. Applicant’s work may include scholarship in the following areas:
- Personality theory
- Psychotherapy
- Art and literature
- Cultural criticism
- Existential encounters
- Other topics clearly connected to the Rollo May tradition
“My research is about bringing the understanding of human vulnerability to the divorce professionals who are instrumental in setting up the space in which people can decide what kind of agreement they want to make for their future family, including their children. … I would like to publish and talk about what I have discovered. This scholarship has eased my fears of using the time required to transform my understanding into something that people can read.”
– Dominique Walmsley, student in the Ph.D. in Psychology, Existential, Humanistic, and Transpersonal Psychology Specialization
How to Apply
Applications should include six to 8 double-spaced pages of the student’s Saybrook writings, which establish the relationship between the work of Dr. May and the student. Materials for submission may consist of excerpts from the student’s dissertation proposal, candidacy essays, or papers from Saybrook courses, integrated into one document. Relevant publications by Dr. May should be cited. If students are awarded up to their cost of attendance, their loans will be reduced.
Saybrook Alumni Association Scholarship Award: $2,500
This fund was created to support Saybrook students who are working on their dissertation, thesis, or capstone project and need financial assistance to successfully complete the rigorous research required for their program. Generous donations from alumni “pay it forward” to ensure future Saybrook graduates can inspire transformational change in individuals, organizations, and communities toward a just, humane, and sustainable world.
How to Apply
To be considered for the scholarship, a student must be in good academic standing as defined in the 2022-2023 Saybrook University catalog and plan to enter the dissertation/thesis/project phase of their degree program within the year. A student’s application should be between six and eight pages and should include the following: A brief bio of the student, a brief description of the student’s interests, life work, and academic studies, the expected date that the student will commence a doctoral dissertation or master’s thesis, project, or capstone essay, a statement of the student’s intended topic for their doctoral dissertation or master’s thesis, project, or capstone essay, and a statement regarding the candidate’s financial need.
Dr. Marc Pilisuk Transformative Social Change and Leadership Scholarship Award: $2,500
The Dr. Marc Pilisuk Transformative Social Change and Leadership Scholarship is created to honor the life and work of Marc Pilisuk, Ph.D., whose research, and experience has led to significant advancements in the areas of peace and social justice. His work is aligned with the work of countless Saybrook students and faculty across multiple disciplines, inspiring and promoting positive social change in organizations and communities around the country. Recipients demonstrate a deep passion and commitment to humanistic values, as evidenced through their work as scholars and/or practitioners. Recipients also demonstrate a dedication to humanistic values through academic work or on-the-ground efforts to promote peace and/or social justice.
This award is applied directly to the recipient’s student account in the fall semester of the award year and will go toward tuition expenses.
How to Apply
Submit a philosophy statement that outlines an interest in humanistic values specifically as they apply to non-violent practices, structural inequality, and community empowerment. Also, explain the application to a specific discipline or articulated research/scholarly focus and how this will be or is currently being applied to one’s practice, organization, or community, specifically in advancing peace and/or social justice. Also include future career goals and how these goals will foster efforts to advance a more just, humane, and sustainable world.
Marlene Chance Creativity and Innovation Scholars Program
The Marlene Chance Creativity and Innovation (MCCI) Scholars program is created to both honor the life and work of Marlene Chance, beloved sister of trustee and Saybrook alumna, Gloria Chance, Ph.D., and to advance cutting-edge work across creativity, innovation, mental health, and wellness. Marlene Chance was a devoted member of her New York City community, a beloved neighbor, devoted mother, daughter and sibling, colleague, and friend to many. In honor of her life, cut tragically short as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the MCCI Scholars program is dedicated to her memory with the primary purpose of supporting graduate students who demonstrate a passion and commitment to research and scholarship in the areas of expressive arts therapies, innovation, mental health, and creativity.
The submission period will open in spring 2023. This award is available to continuing students for the fall semester.
How to Apply
Submit a completed action agenda, research focus, and philosophy statement that outlines an interest in humanistic values specifically as it applies to holistic health practices. The action agenda should outline creation and deployment of a project that is impactful within the community the student is currently serving and include the definition of the community to be served; project overview leveraging creative approaches; type of project (i.e., short film, book, website, mobile app, gaming experience, AR/VR experience, etc.); a timeline for creation and deployment; and an identified mentor and/or support team who will help guide the student through the process. The application of research and scholarly focus to one’s practice, organization, or community should advance innovation and improve mental health or creativity. Also, discuss future career goals and how these goals will support a more just, humane, and sustainable world.
Learn more about Saybrook External Scholarship Opportunities here.
Additional Information
To apply for some of our scholarships you may need to complete the Federal Application for Federal Student Aid first. Of course, we’re happy to help with that! Please contact our Financial Aid Office for additional information.