Merit Awards and Scholarships
The Rollins School of Public offers approximately 45 merit awards and scholarships annually to outstanding applicants, who will be attending RSPH on a full-time basis. All applicants, including international applicants, are eligible and considered for these awards if their complete application is received at the Rollins School of Public Health by the application deadline.
Note: Courtesy scholarship applicants and those who plan to enroll part-time are not eligible for these awards.
The Departments nominate their top applicants for award consideration by mid-February. Deferrals from the previous year may be re-considered at the discretion of the nominating department. The applications are then reviewed by the Merit Award Committee. The applications are evaluated and ranked on the following criteria:
- Academic excellence and/or promise,
- Leadership potential,
- Service to others, and
- “Potential contribution to the rich exchange of ideas and viewpoints that should characterize a diverse student body.” (An Essential Guide to Graduate Admissions: A Policy Statement, Council of Graduate Schools, 2005)
Finalists are notified of their selection by the second week of March via their preferred e-mail address and are encouraged to attend Visit Emory Open House in late March to meet faculty and staff. Additionally, all finalists will be called by current scholars and alumni to have a chance to gain insight on the opportunties available to Merit Scholarship recipients.
The merit awards and scholarships vary in amount from assistantships to full-tuition & fee scholarships. Some recipients may receive stipends and/or research assistantships. Research assistantships at the Rollins School of Public Health do not automatically include tuition waivers. Awards will be packaged for Merit Scholarship recipients by late March. This process will be facilitated by the Office of Enrollment Services at the Rolllins School of Public Health.
All selected merit scholar recipients are included in the Public Health Academy “Scholars in Action” program, connecting scholars across disciplines with faculty and senior administration through planned events, activities and lectures. To learn more about some of the activities of the scholars program, please see this article from the Rollins School of Public Health magazine and Association of Schools of Public Health newsletter.
Merit Awards for Incoming Students
Robert W. Woodruff Fellowships
Five Woodruff Fellows are awarded each year. The Woodruff Fellow award is the most prestigious award offered by the RSPH. This award covers all tuition and fees toward an MPH or MSPH degree plus a $5,000 stipend.
Dean's Council Scholarship
One Dean's Council Scholar is named each year. This award covers all tuition and fees toward an MPH or MSPH degree.
Thomas F. Sellers Jr. Scholarship
One is awarded per year to a student participating in the MD/MPH program at Emory University. The Thomas F. Sellers Jr. Scholarship honors Sellers, former chair of the Department of Community Health in the Emory School of Medicine, who paved the way for the establishment of the master of community health program, forerunner of the master of public health program. This award covers tuition and fees for the MPH or MSPH degree.
William Randolph Hearst Scholarship
One is awarded per year. The William Randolph Hearst Scholarship provides financial support to mid-career candidates from Georgia who are focusing careers on providing public health services to Georgians with the greatest needs.
Charles C. Shepard Scholarship
One is awarded per year. The Charles C. Shepard Scholarship was established by family and friends to honor a distinguished scientist and early, enthusiastic supporter of the MPH program at Emory. Internationally recognized for his breakthroughs in leprosy research, Shepard also added significantly to the world's knowledge of Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Q fever, and Legionnaires' disease. This award is given to an outstanding applicant to the Department of Epidemiology.
Sallie B. Lee Scholarship
Given by Robert Freeman in honor of his aunt, the Sallie B. Lee Scholarship provides an award covering approximately half tuition for an MPH or MSPH degree.
RSPH Merit Scholarships
Several are awarded each year. The scholarship provides approximately half tuition and fees for the MPH or MSPH degree.
Public Health Traineeship Award
Several awards are made each year. The U.S. Public Health Service provides the funding for these awards which are given to support areas of critical shortage in public health. Currently these areas are: biostatistics, environmental and occupational health, and epidemiology. These awards will provide up to $8,000 support for incoming students.
Mary Ansley Miller Scholarship
Given to promising students whose studies and career will result in the improvement of the quality of life among the populations in developing parts of the world, this covers half tuition for the MPH or MSPH degree.
Irene K. Woodruff Scholarship
Given to promising students with exceptional credentials, this provides approximately half tuition and fees for the MPH or MSPH degree.
Marian Woodward Ottley Scholarship
Given to promising students with exceptional credentials, this provides approximately half tuition and fees for the MPH or MSPH degree.
Charles and Sue Hardman Scholarship
Given to deserving students selected on the basis of outstanding promise, this provides approximately half tuition and fees for the MPH or MSPH degree.
For additional information regarding merit scholarships, please contact the following offices:
If you are a prospective applicant or current applicant and need general information on merit scholarships, please contact the Office of Admissions, admit@sph.emory.edu, (404) 727-3956.
If you have been notified that you are a finalist, please contact Kristin Unzicker, MPH, CHES, Director of Leadership and Community Engaged Learning at kunzick@emory.edu or 404-712-0672.
If you are a recipient of a merit award and need information concerning the posting of the award or financial aid, please contact the Office of Enrollment Services, cstrate@sph.emory.edu, (404) 727-3933.