Scholarships

At SAFS, we recognize that financially secure students are able to take full advantage of their learning opportunities. To help SAFS majors attain financial security to pursue their academic goals, we have provided some guidance and information about scholarships, financial aid, and other financial resources available to you.

SAFS Academic Scholarships

SAFS is very fortunate to have a large number of generous scholarship donors. Peruse our donors, scholarships, and recipients honored in our endowment plaques. Scholarships are awarded to students who exhibit exceptional academic achievement, demonstrated by overall GPA and other measurable academic merit. In some cases, financial need may also be considered.

The School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences (SAFS) scholarship application period is now closed for the 2025-26 academic year. Applications will open again in spring 2026.

Scholarships for Prospective SAFS Majors

The UW School of Aquatic & Fishery Sciences is pleased to announce the availability of SCHOLARSHIPS FOR PROSPECTIVE MAJORS (includes high school students and transfers applying for Admission to UW in 2025-26)

Application deadline: April 10, 2025

AWARD AMOUNTS: Varies widely—annual amounts typically range from $1,000 to $6,000
ELIGIBILITY
Applicants must be incoming undergraduate transfers intending to major in AFS, and planning to register for at least one quarter in the 2025-265 academic year.
HOW TO APPLY
Complete the online application form: https://forms.gle/XmE5VfK1GNmftK5H7
To access the form, log in using your @uw.edu address (enter full UW email address and password on Google login screen). If you do not have an @uw.edu address or a UW Net ID, follow the instructions here to set one up or contact the Undergraduate Adviser for an alternative application form.
DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION
April 10, 2025 – online application will close at 11:59pm on 4/10/25.
Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.
DECISIONS
Award notifications will be made by early May.
QUESTIONS & CONTACT If you have questions about your application or about your eligibility for this award, please contact Samantha Scherer at safsadv@uw.edu.

Scholarships for Current SAFS Majors

SCHOLARSHIPS FOR CONTINUING SAFS MAJORS/UW STUDENTS:

SAFS Major Scholarship (currently declared AFS majors, with or without double majors or degrees in other units)
SAFS/MARBIO Double Major Scholarship (currently declared MARBIO majors who add AFS as a double major)
Galloway Applied Fishery Sciences Scholarship (rising Juniors only)
Melvin Anderson Endowed Scholarship in Fisheries (rising Juniors only)

Application deadline: April 10, 2025

AWARD AMOUNTS: Varies widely – annual amounts typically range from $1,000 to $6,000, with some larger awards available

HOW TO APPLY: Complete the online application form: https://forms.gle/XmE5VfK1GNmftK5H7
To access the form, log in using your @uw.edu address.

QUESTIONS & CONTACT
If you have questions about your application or about your eligibility for this award, please contact Samantha Scherer at safsadv@uw.edu

SAFS Travel Scholarships

SAFS has some travel funding available to support SAFS undergraduate majors who are attending professional conferences to present their SAFS-related research.

SAFS Travel Scholarship Application

Eligibility

Matriculated UW student pursuing a BS degree in SAFS
Presenting first-authored research (oral or poster) at a professional conference
Travel must be within 2–6 months after application date and must take place while student is active at UW (i.e., not on-leave or after graduation)

Funding

Up to $500 for conference travel expenses—students are encouraged to seek additional funding from other sources (i.e., Undergraduate Research Program, College of Environment Student Travel Fund, faculty adviser, etc.)
SAFS Student Travel Funds may be used for: conference registration fees, airfare, ground transportation, lodging
SAFS Student Travel Funds may not be used for: meals, alcohol, stipends/salary, membership dues
Students are limited to one award per fiscal year, at a maximum of $500. The fiscal year begins on July 1 and ends on June 30.

How to Apply

To apply, submit a completed application form to SAFS Student Services, safsadv@uw.edu. Electronic applications are preferred, but paper form will be accepted in FSH 116.

SAFS Travel Scholarship Application Form

Deadline

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and should be submitted at least two months ahead of departure date, when possible. Funding is for future travel—applications will not be accepted for travel that occurred prior to submission.

UW Office of Student Financial Aid

We recommend all students consider applying for financial aid, even if not sure of eligibility. Some scholarships may require submission of the FAFSA. For more information, contact the UW Office of Student Financial Aid. SAFS is unable to advise on financial eligibility.

UW Short-term Loan Program

The Office of Student Financial Aid has funds available for short-term loans to assist students with temporary cash flow problems. For more information, review eligibility, borrowing amounts, and terms here. Students should be sure to familiarize themselves with the terms of the loans before borrowing. For more information, contact the UW Office of Student Financial Aid.

Childcare Assistance Program

The Childcare Assistance Program is designed to assist UW Seattle Campus students in covering the costs of licensed childcare for their children (ages birth – 12 years old) while enrolled in an eligible program of study. The website also provides a list of other resources student parents may find useful.

UW Scholarships

College of the Environment Scholarships and Funding, of special note:
Office of Merit Scholarships, Fellowships & Awards
- Search the Scholarship Database
- Subscribe to the Scholarship Newsletter
- Read Scholarship Guides for specific identities and fields of study
Martin Family Foundation Scholarships for transfer students from WA community colleges
Undergraduate research funding
Study Abroad Funding
Bonderman Travel Fellowship

External Scholarships

There are thousands of scholarships available to US undergraduates; below is a partial list that may be relevant to students studying Aquatic and Fishery Sciences. SAFS does not verify or endorse any funding opportunities external to UW. We recommend that students do their own research on academic scholarships and research funding.