Vilas Scholarship
Scholarship Sponsored by St. Lawrence University
Overview
The Vilas Scholarship supports U.S. (domestic) first-year students who plan to pursue a St. Lawrence University liberal arts education as preparation for careers in business. While recipients are encouraged toward business-related opportunities and networks, declaring a Business in the Liberal Arts major is not required.
History
Created in 1976 by the Bodman Foundation of New York City, the scholarship honors Homer A. Vilas, Class of 1913. Vilas was a prominent Wall Street financier, corporate director, and businessman who also gave generously to charitable organizations and his alma mater, St. Lawrence University.
Eligibility
- Open only to domestic (U.S.) first-year applicants.
- International applicants should consult the International Admissions website for separate merit scholarship opportunities.
Application process and deadlines
- Regular Decision applicants must upload the Vilas Scholarship essay along with their completed Common Application or St. Lawrence application by February 1.
- Early Decision and Early Action applicants must submit the Vilas Scholarship essay at the time they submit their application.
- Submit the essay via the link provided on this page.
Essay prompt and requirements
You have $1,000,000 to allocate toward a business. Choose one of the two tracks:
Option 1 — Investment: Put the money into an existing, for-profit business (non-profit organizations are not eligible).
- Describe the business you would invest in.
- Explain why you selected this business.
- Describe how your investment would serve the community and/or industry.
Option 2 — Entrepreneurship: Use the funds to launch your own venture.
- Outline your business plan.
- Explain your motivation for starting this business.
- Describe how your business would be distinct from competitors.
- Explain how the venture would benefit the community and/or industry.
Minimum length: 250 words (roughly a half-page single-spaced or a full page double-spaced). Essays shorter than 250 words will not be considered.
Selection process and timeline
- From all submissions, six applicants are chosen as semifinalists. These students will be invited to New York City as guests of St. Lawrence University for interviews with an alumni and trustee selection committee, typically held in late February or early March.
- Semifinalists will be notified of their status in mid-February. Applicants who are not selected as semifinalists will not receive a notification.
- Those who attend the NYC interviews will receive final scholarship decisions in their admission letter, which is mailed in March.
- Typically, two or three finalists are awarded the Vilas Scholarship and are named Vilas Scholars.
If you have questions about the application or the essay submission, please use the contact link on this page or refer to the admissions office for further guidance.