Quill & Compass Scholarships
The Quill & Compass Scholarships are awarded to incoming first-year students with demonstrated interest and achievement in history, American studies, politics, and other related fields.
Quill & Compass Scholarship applications will open on December 1, 2026, with a deadline of February 1, 2027.
For assistance with the application process, please contact
Shannon Carter in Washington College's Admissions Office,
410.778.7700 or swhitaker2FREEwashcoll.%C2%A0
The Quill and Compass program is a premier merit-based community of Washington College students who have a shared interest in history, politics, American studies, museum studies, pre-law and related social science and humanities disciplines. The name of the program symbolizes the Starr Center’s experiential approach to learning. The quill signifies the power of the written word, the commemoration of the past, and engaged critical thinking. The compass, in turn, represents the inspiration to seek beyond the present moment, the embrace of adventure, and the trust in human ingenuity and curiosity.
Each year, applicants are selected to join a cohort of 10-15 students, dependent upon expressed interests or career paths demonstrated in their first-year application. In each of these larger cohorts, a smaller selection of seven students is offered a scholarship of $6000, spread over their four years ($1500 annually), typically combined with their existing financial aid package. Students are again offered the chance to join the program (though they cannot apply for additional funding) once they have declared their major and/or minor.
The Quill & Compass Scholars are invited by the Starr Center to join an optional, free two-day sailing trip aboard an 18th-century schooner the week before freshman year starts. Throughout their first months of college, they enjoy regular “family dinners” at the Starr Center or in the dinning hall, including informal conversations with faculty members and special guests.
The Starr Center for the Study of the American Experience has incorporated a more
global understanding of American history. To that end, in consultation with scholars
and staff at the Global Education Office, the Quill and Compass program includes an
optional “Experiential Learning Spring Break Trip.” Though the trip locations vary,
each is designed to connect the history of the Chesapeake region with the larger world.
Trips thus far have focused on the Caribbean region, but with plans on expanding to
other regions of the world. These trips are significantly subsidized, thanks to the
generosity of Starr Center supporters and friends.
During the academic year, Q&C students have multiple opportunities to explore the
region, with annual experiences at Mt Vernon, on board the Schooner Sultana, at the National Outdoor Show and working with experts in the field. Q&C students
are also given special consideration for other Starr Center opportunities. Foremost
among those are the Explore America Summer Internships, which match students with full-time, paid summer jobs at the Smithsonian Institution,
the Library of Congress, the National Archives, the Apollo Theater, the U.S. House
of Representatives, and more.
Quill & Compass Scholarship applications will open on December 1, 2026, with a deadline of February 1, 2027.For assistance with the application process, please contact
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The Quill and Compass scholarships at Washington College
are made possible through the generosity of
the National Endowment for the Humanities; the Colonial Dames of America, Chapter
I;
and other supporters and friends.