Question 1

What kind of grant is the Davis-Putter Scholarship Fund?

Accepted Answer

The Fund provides need-based grants to students enrolled in an accredited trade or technical school, community college, college, or university who are actively working toward liberation, justice and social change in their communities.This is a scholarship to support day-to-day educational and living expenses.Davis-Putter scholars are both undergraduate and graduate students. Grantees must receive college credits for the time period covered by their grant, it does not matter if students are attending part-time or full-time, or are attending a two-year or four-year program.

Question 2

What kind of students does Davis-Putter support?

Accepted Answer

Early DPSF grantees fought for civil rights, against McCarthyism, and for peace in Vietnam. More recent grantees are working toward self-determination for all oppressed people and doing work that does/can potentially undermine the US empire. This work is characterized by opposition to capitalism, racism/white supremacy, patriarchy and gender-based violence,  environmental exploitation and/or other forms of systemic harm and oppression. There is a strong preference for applicants who have participated in activities in the US and plan on continuing their work in this country.

We value the labor and leadership that it takes to sustain and grow movements. There are people who do more public-facing work, and others who work behind the scenes to make actions and meetings possible. Others do the necessary and important work of team building and conflict transformation within groups. All these, and more, are crucial and valuable components of what it means to build a team, and to sustain movements through the ebb and flow of our current political climate. We want to find people who are inspired to and willing to commit to this work over the long haul, who are committed to their own individual growth and development, and that of the larger movement.

The Fund seeks to support the development of active and emerging movement leaders, so it is expected that grantees may be new or emerging leaders. The Fund recognizes that not everyone has access to the same resources and networks and particularly encourages folks from under-resourced regions, those in rural communities, and students outside of major cities to apply. We love to receive applications and support student activists who are from leading social change work on the margins of traditional/mainstream movement activism, and would consider applicants who may not have access to other financial support for the radical work they are holding.

Question 3

If I tell you about the type of work I am doing or my specific activities, will you tell me if I should apply?

Accepted Answer

No. You will have to make that judgment yourself. However, we strongly encourage you to review past grantees on the website and the current eligibility information to assess whether your activities are similar in nature. Just because your specific area of activism is not listed in the materials does not mean that you won’t be considered. Each year the trustees look for organizers in diverse communities, organizations and fields who are responding to the needs of the current moment.

Question 4

What if I am not active in the movement for social change but I hope to become involved soon, can I still apply?

Accepted Answer

No. This Fund specifically focused on supporting organizers active in movements for progressive social change. No application will be seriously considered without that piece. We do not consider applicants who only aspire to be in those spaces.

Question 5

I am very involved in the type of activism that you have supported in the past and I am going to school, but I can afford to pay my own way. Am I still qualified for a scholarship?

Accepted Answer

No. The Davis Putter Scholarship Fund is a need-based grant. We look comprehensively at the applicant’s contribution to social justice, ability to perform academically, relevance of educational program, as well as their financial need. Applicants who do not have a financial need will not be selected.

Question 6

I am still in high school, but I am taking college courses. Can I apply for a grant for these courses?

Accepted Answer

Probably not, but you should review the eligibility criteria to check based on your specific context. You must be enrolled at an institution of higher education and be receiving degree credits from that institution. Advanced placement courses while in high school generally do not meet those requirements, though part-time college enrollees who are still in high school may be eligible. For specific questions, please reach out to davisputter@davisputter.org.

Question 7

I have not been accepted by a school yet, but I don’t want to miss out on applying for a scholarship for this year. How can I fill out the application?

Accepted Answer

You should indicate on the application that you have not been accepted yet and use the costs related to the school that you expect to attend for the tuition and expense figures. If you are accepted to and choose to attend a school not listed on your application form, we may ask you to send us new information on educational and living costs.

Question 8

What is considered a graduate program?

Accepted Answer

Students who have completed their undergraduate degrees or are in joint degree or advanced education programs working for a masters, doctorate, or professional degree (medicine, law, architecture, journalism, etc.) are eligible to receive a scholarship from the Fund. Only rarely does the Fund award grants to students seeking multiple or second advanced degrees.

Question 9

I am taking a year off from school to do field work. Can I get a grant for my living expenses for this period?

Accepted Answer

No. You must be enrolled in an educational program and the scholarship must be used at the same time that you are securing college credits for that program.

Question 10

I don’t need money for school, but the community organization I am involved with needs money to pay me for organizing. Can my organization or I get a grant for that purpose?

Accepted Answer

No. The Davis-Putter Scholarship Fund is a need-based educational scholarship to support day-to-day educational and living expenses, so we only give grants to individual students for their educational program at accredited schools.

Question 11

Is US citizenship required?

Accepted Answer

No, but applicants must have participated in activities in the United States and be planning to enroll in an accredited program in the US in order to apply. Because of the goals we have for this scholarship to support the strengthening of movements in the US, there  is a preference to award grants to students who are planning on staying in the United States and building the progressive movement here. Non-citizen applicants do not need to have a social security number or student visa.

Question 12

Is FAFSA required?

Accepted Answer

The Davis-Putter Scholarship Fund is committed to supporting students with financial need and confidentiality. As such, we do not share your personal information with government agencies, nor do we require applicants to do so. Please provide your student aid report (SAR) or if not eligible for federal aid, please complete the FAFSA Form  to the best of your ability, and submit on your Davis-Putter applicaiton. You may also use a state equivalent (such as  CA Dream Act Application if available in your state.

Question 13

Why can’t I apply if I am going to a recognized school abroad?

Accepted Answer

The Davis Putter Scholarship Fund (and its Board) are US based and are thus most familiar with US based movement spaces. While an application under those circumstances may not be automatically rejected, it is extremely difficult for the trustees to judge the activism, quality of the educational program, or soundness of the future plans of applicants working and living in another country, and such applications are much less likely to be approved.

Question 14

Are applications open to students registered in a Canadian/Mexican university? Although I reside in Canada/Mexico, I am involved with issues that straddle the US border.

Accepted Answer

Students whose goals coincide with those of the Fund and who are involved in activism in the United States may apply if they believe they meet the other criteria.

Question 15

Can I apply for a scholarship if I am taking a year to study abroad?

Accepted Answer

Yes, provided that you will earn credits toward a degree at an accredited program in the United States during that year.

Question 16

How large are Davis-Putter grants?

Accepted Answer

The maximum grant is $15,000 and may be considerably smaller depending on the applicant’s circumstances and the amount of money available.The average grant in 2025/26 was about $7,700.  All of the scholarship funds come from the contributions of individual donors.

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