Application FAQs
1. Do I need to wait for my admission decision from Seattle University before submitting my application?
No. You may apply for the Alfie Scholars Program before your admission decision. In fact we encourage you to submit your application as soon as you have submitted your Seattle University application.
2. Is summer enrollment a requirement of the scholarship?
Yes. The Alfie Scholars Program is a more than a scholarship; it is a comprehensive program designed to cultivate civility leaders who make positive contributions to impact social issues for the common good. The summer program introduces foundational concepts integral to the purpose and vision of the program, includes a research, writing, and presentation component, and fulfils a Seattle University Core Curriculum requirement. Therefore, all students are required to enroll in the Alfie Scholars Summer. For more details on the summer schedule, please see https://www.alfiescholars.org/summer.
3. Can I apply if I plan to start in winter or spring quarter?
No. The Alfie Scholars Program is a more than a scholarship; it is a comprehensive program designed to cultivate civility leaders who make positive contributions to impact social issues for the common good. The summer program is integral to this purpose and vision. Therefore, all scholars are required to begin their studies the summer before their first fall quarter.
4. Is there a required major?
No. Our scholars represent a diverse number of majors, schools, and colleges. To date, our scholars have studied 19 different majors. Read more about our current scholars and their majors.
5. Is the 3.5 GPA requirement negotiable?
No.
6. Can I be considered for the scholarship if I have attended another four-year university?
Yes. We provide support for underrepresented transfer students to obtain a bachelor’s degree and thereby increase diversity and civility on campus and in the professions.
7. Can I be considered for Alfie Scholars if I am a Running Start student?
No. Running Start students who graduate from high school in the same year as they begin their course of study at Seattle University or are attending college for the first time since high school graduation will be considered first-time freshmen for admission and eligibility for financial aid, including freshmen merit-based scholarships. Exceptions may be made for Running Start students who are admitted to the transfer (2-Year) nursing cohort; interested applicants must follow the outlined procedures and meet the requirements to be considered.
8. Can I apply for the scholarship if I am an international student, undocumented, or DACA recipient?
Yes, international students, undocumented, and DACA recipients are welcome to apply to the Alfie Scholars Program.
9. How are recommendations submitted?
A link for your recommender to upload their letter will be provided to you in Slate AFTER you have submitted the rest of your application materials. We have provided helpful tips for writing the recommendation here. Please be sure to share those tips with your recommender.
10. What happens if I receive an invitation for an interview but am unable to make it to campus?
If you are invited to interview for the scholarship but are unable to come to campus, arrangements can be made to conduct the interview online via Zoom or another approved communication application.
11. Can I apply for the Alfie Scholars Program as a senior at Seattle University?
No. The Alfie Scholars Program is a more than a scholarship; it is a comprehensive program designed to cultivate civility leaders who make positive contributions to impact social issues for the common good. This is a 2-year program, with summer and retreat components that are integral to the purpose and vision of this scholars program. Therefore, all scholars are required to begin their studies the summer before the fall quarter of their junior year.
12. What is an ideal Alfie Scholar, or what are you looking for in an Alfie Scholar?
We are looking for students who want to become Civility Leaders in their chosen professions and communities. Civility Leaders are committed to addressing social issues by empowering themselves through personal and intellectual growth; to using their voice to enlighten and speak for the voiceless; and to creating a vision for social change and leading others in making that change.
An ideal Alfie Scholar seeks to learn how to influence decisions about the social issues of our times through conversation and action; to bolster their core confidence through self-reflection and discernment; to ensure their ideas are based on a solid foundation of information with strong research, analytical and critical-thinking, and creative problem-solving skills; and to enhance their verbal and written communication skills.
13. What if I have additional questions?
Please contact us and our staff will answer any questions you may have.