Biology Department Scholarships

The Biology Department has multiple scholarship funds to support Biology majors in their junior and senior years. Each scholarship is awarded for a period of one academic year and students must reapply to receive a second year of funding. Announcements of the scholarship competition are typically send out by the department in early February and the scholarship application forms are due in late February or early March. The applications are not reviewed until mid-term grades are posted and awardees are usually announced at the Biology Club’s end-of-year senior send-off picnic event. Scholarship awards vary across year and have ranged from $500 to $2000.00.

The Reddish-Morgan Scholarship is usually awarded to rising Junior or Senior Biology majors who exhibit outstanding accomplishments in and commitment to the biological sciences at Elon University.

The R.D. Rao Scholarship is awarded to a rising Junior or Senior Biology major who exhibits the ideals of Dr. R.D. Rao who was a much beloved Biology Department professor whose generosity, love of teaching, and wonderful sense of humor touched all who met him. This scholarship is awarded to a student who best personifies the ideals of Dr. R. D. Rao. The award is based upon the following criteria: outstanding academic accomplishments, a commitment to the biological sciences at Elon University, a sense of camaraderie, and financial need.

The Jerry W. Lawson Biology Scholarship was endowed by an Elon alumnus and the R. J. Reynolds Nabisco Company. This scholarship is awarded annually to a deserving student majoring in Biology who is a rising junior or senior.

The Watts Biology Scholarship was endowed by Watts family. This scholarship is awarded annually to a deserving student majoring in Biology who is a rising junior or senior. Preference is given to students from a farming background.

How to apply: Students fill out a single form and may apply for any of these that they qualify for. This form can be obtained through Patty Rooney (prooney@elon.edu) starting in mid-February when the call goes out and are due on the stated deadline (usually mid-March). All applicants must complete the FAFSA form in the Financial Aid Office so that financial need can be assessed.

In addition to these scholarships awarded by the Biology Department, Biology majors who are interested in careers in the Health Professions are also eligible to apply for the Lincoln and Edmund Scholarships which are awarded by the Elon University Health Professions Advisory Committee. The announcement and call for applications for these scholarships are also posted in the lobby of the McMichael Science Center in February.