The Matelich Scholarship

The Matelich Scholarship is the University of Puget Sound’s most prestigious honor for students who combine extraordinary promise in academics and leadership. The scholarship, established in 2010 through the generosity of George E. Matelich ’78 and Susan E. Matelich, recognizes students in each entering freshman class who exhibit exceptional drive and focus, as well as promise for outstanding academic and personal achievement while enrolled at Puget Sound. Matelich Scholars demonstrate a capacity for a life of leadership and sustained personal growth. While at Puget Sound they will be recognized campus leaders and will continue on paths of leadership after they become alumni.

Becoming a Matelich Scholar

Selection Process

Selection for the Matelich Scholarship is extremely competitive. Matelich Scholarships are awarded annually to high-achieving members of the incoming freshman class who demonstrate exceptional motivation, excellent academic potential, a commitment to service, outstanding integrity, and unmatched leadership potential.

While many Matelich Scholarships are awarded to students with financial need, all qualified applicants, regardless of need, are considered.

Candidates complete application materials (including personal information and an essay) and furnish letters of recommendation with a list of personal references. The essay and the letters address the candidate’s suitability for the scholarship as informed by the scholarship criteria. A selection committee reviews application materials and selected candidates are invited to campus as guests of the university.

Scope of Award

The Matelich Scholarship covers 100 percent of Puget Sound’s tuition and fees (room, board, and student government fee) for up to four years of undergraduate education at the University of Puget Sound. Freshman recipients may retain the award for up to three additional years of undergraduate study. Scholarship recipients:

• Maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.50 or higher or rank in the top quarter of their class.  Students who lose eligibility for the scholarship for any reason may not apply for reinstatement.
• Demonstrate, in measureable ways, academic, professional, service, and leadership development.
• Exhibit consistent good judgment, discipline, and integrity in their pursuits and activities.
• Participate with the growing and supportive cohort of Matelich Scholars and become involved with the selection process of future scholars.
• Write a report at the conclusion of each academic year detailing their work and pursuits of the prior year as they relate to their qualifications for the Matelich Scholarship and as they relate to their goals for growth for the year.

The university is committed to supporting Matelich Scholars during their enrollment at Puget Sound. The scholarship’s faculty advisor works with each scholar to ensure that she or he is pursuing and attaining the scholar’s ambitious academic, professional, and service/leadership goals. At the start of each semester, the advisor and scholar review goals for the period and set appropriate achievement benchmarks. The advisor reviews with each student his or her annual report before the beginning of the academic year.

Important Dates