Vilas Scholarship

The Vilas Scholarship is awarded to domestic students who want to complete a St. Lawrence University liberal arts education as preparation for a career in business.

The Vilas Scholarship was established in 1976 by the Bodman Foundation of New York City to honor Homer A. Vilas, Class of 1913. Homer Vilas was a successful Wall Street financier, corporate director, and businessman during his life. He also was a generous benefactor to many non-profit organizations, including his alma mater, St. Lawrence University.

The scholarship assists students financially but also guides Vilas Scholars as they establish themselves within the St. Lawrence alumni network, expanding their connections to countless business-related fields. It should be noted that this scholarship does not require students to declare a major in Business in the Liberal Arts, though it does assist and incline them toward the field.

How to Apply

First-year domestic students interested in the Vilas Scholarship and applying Regular Decision must submit the required Vilas Scholarship essay with their complete Common Application or St. Lawrence Application, no later than February 1. Interested first-year domestic students applying Early Decision or Early Action must submit the required Vilas Scholarship essay at the same time as their Common Application or St. Lawrence Application.

The Vilas Scholarship essay, which can be submitted through the link at the bottom of this page, should be in response to the following prompt:

You have $1,000,000 to put towards a business. You have two choices:

Option 1: Invest your money in an existing business (not a non-profit).

Option 2: Use the money to become an entrepreneur and start a business of your own.

If you are choosing the investment track (option 1), please describe:

• The business you are investing in;
• Why you are choosing to invest in this business;
• And how your investment will benefit the community and/or industry.

If you are choosing the entrepreneurship track (option 2), please discuss:

• Your business plan;
• Why you want to start this business;
• How you will differentiate it from similar businesses;
• And how it will benefit the community and/or industry.

Essays must be at least 250 words (a half-page single-spaced or a full-page double-spaced). Shorter essays will not be considered.

Please note, this scholarship opportunity is only for domestic students. International students can learn more about merit scholarship opportunities through our International Admissions website.

How many students receive the scholarship?

Six Vilas applicants are selected as semi-finalists and receive an invitation to New York City as guests of the University in late February or early March. During this event, semi-finalists will interview with an alumni and trustee selection committee. These six students will be contacted in mid-February and notified of their semi-finalist status. Those applicants who are not selected as semi-finalists will not be contacted.

All applicants who attend the NYC semi-finalist interviews will be notified of the scholarship outcome in their letter of admission, which is sent in March. Two or three finalists are typically awarded the Vilas Scholarship, distinguishing themselves as Vilas Scholars.