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The Walter D. Head Foundation provides two types of higher education grants:

1. Graduate scholarships must be for a full academic year and must be part of a degree program.

2. Undergraduate scholarships for the junior and senior years of study. The course of study must be for a full academic year and must be part of a degree program.

Guiding Principle

The Foundation's guiding principle in providing graduate scholarship assistance is to send graduate American students abroad as ambassadors to enhance international understanding and goodwill, or to study at the graduate level in this country. The Foundation does not discriminate based on race, creed, religious beliefs, national origin or any other factor other than academic criteria, language proficiency, ambassadorial skills and an ability to provide financial resources to satisfy the complete financial requirements the full year of study. 

Geographic Restrictions

1. The applicant, or parent, must have a principal residence within the territorial limits of District 7490. The term of residence must be more than one year prior to application, or
2. The applicant or parent must be a Rotarian in District 7490, if the applicant resides outside our district.
3. A student at an out-of-district college or university must have a principal residence or significant connection to the territory of District 7490 (see #1 and #2 above).
4. A student living on campus within the territory of District 7490, unless otherwise qualified by the standards above, would not be eligible for a fellowship - unless he or she met the criteria above prior to becoming an on-campus resident.

Application Due Date

Application Procedures

1. Application Process.

   The student is to prepare the application below, including both personal and academic references and transcripts of grades by March 28th.

   The completed application is to be submitted to a Rotary Club within District 7490 for their consideration. That club must agree to become the applicant's sponsor, and may require an interview. It is recommended that the student contact the Rotary club president early. Contact any Foundation Trustee to obtain the name and telephone number of the president of the nearest Rotary club.

   The student is to call the president of the Rotary club to confirm that the application was received and that it will be submitted to the Foundation's Selection Committee.

   The chair of the Foundation Selection Committee will schedule an interview with the student in early spring .  This personal interview is mandatory.

2. If selected to proceed, the student is to submit a budget showing all related academic expenses and funding sources available, such as savings, other fellowships, loans and family resources available. While the foundation fellowship is not need-based, it is not intended to provide full funding, and the student must prove the ability to pay for the entire academic year. The Foundation Trustees must be satisfied that other sources of funding are available to close any financial gap.

   Submit a letter of acceptance from the designated college or university following the interview, if the applicant is selected as a finalist. No payments will be made until the Foundation has received an original letter of acceptance from the designated institution. Following the completion of these steps, the Foundation Trustees will consider the funding that it will approve to assist the student with the course of study to be pursued.

   When an applicant reaches this stage, he or she should provide the Foundation Treasurer detailed instructions with respect to payment arrangements required by the institution. The Foundation will need complete name and address, student Identification number, whether dollars or local currency is required, etc. The Foundation Trustees reserve the right to make final determinations about an applicant's qualifications, financial need, or other matters, and may change any of these procedures, or requirements without notice to anyone.