The Dunham Scholars Program at Aurora University

The Dunham Scholars program is a premiere honors program designed to provide unique experiences for high-achieving students during their four-year undergraduate education. The Dunham Scholars program is open to select incoming freshman students that will be pursuing a major within the College of Liberal Arts and Business.

Dunham Scholars receive a $5,000 annual undergraduate scholarship, which is renewable up to three years*, along with a stipend for travel in a university-approved program.

Reach Your Full Potential

In the Dunham Scholars program, you’ll participate in an immersive professional development experience while completing a degree that will help prepare you to become a leader in your field upon graduation.

Build a Strong Foundation

As a Dunham Scholar, your four-year experience will include:

• Personalized advising, mentoring, and career coaching.
• Building your professional network through job shadowing, internships, executive panels, real-world experiences, and networking events.
• A stipend for travel in a university-approved educational program.
• Preferred consideration for graduate programs offered at Aurora University.
• A peer mentorship program.
• Social activities with Dunham Scholar students and faculty.

Discover Opportunities

You'll work with distinguished faculty who are experts in their field and can help you build your professional network. You'll find our graduates working at top companies throughout the Chicagoland area.

Interested in applying?

The application for the 2024-2025 Dunham Scholars program is closed. Information regarding the 2025-2026 academic year will be available in the fall. 

Application criteria includes:

• Admittance to Aurora University.
• 3.5 GPA or higher (on 4.0 weighted scale).
• Completed essay.
• A major within the College of Liberal Arts and Business, including Accounting, Behavioral Neuroscience, Business Administration, Communication, Criminal Justice, English, Environmental Studies and Sustainability, Finance, Graphic Design, History, Marketing, Music, Political Science and Public Policy, Psychology, Sociology, Spanish, and Theatre.
• Attend Dunham Scholars Interview Day, where you will meet faculty, participate in a seminar-style interview/discussion with peers, and tour campus.

Questions?

Please contact your admission counselor for additional information or schedule a meeting with Mark Petersen, Dunham Scholar program director.

*After the first year, students must maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA or higher (on 4.0 scale) and meet other program requirements to be eligible for the scholarship.