Skip to main
Group of students in graduation regalia pose

The Dorsey Scholarship

A Legacy of Opportunity McDaniel’s most prestigious academic scholarship, made possible by a historic gift, continues to shape the lives of exceptional students.

 

The Dorsey Scholarship is McDaniel College’s most prestigious academic scholarship — and it opens the door to an extraordinary college experience. 

In 2013, McDaniel College received a historic gift of approximately $6.7 million from the estate of Philip Henry Dorsey, a member of the Class of 1891. At the time Dorsey was a student, McDaniel enrolled just 154 students, and only 18 earned a bachelor’s degree that year. More than a century later, his legacy continues to shape the future of McDaniel students. 

Today, Dorsey’s generosity funds a life-changing opportunity for some of the college’s most talented and motivated students.

What a Dorsey Scholarship Covers

A Dorsey Scholarship is more than impressive — it’s comprehensive.

Each Dorsey Scholarship recipient receives a scholarship that covers:

  • Full tuition
  • Housing and Meals

In addition, Dorsey Scholarship recipients receive extra support to help them succeed, including:

  • A book stipend of up to $600 per semester
  • A technology stipend of up to $2,000
  • Travel funding of up to $2,000 for McDaniel College’s European campus in Budapest, Hungary

Together, these benefits allow students to focus on learning, growing, and making the most of their college experience.

Dorsey Scholar Seeley and Green Terror
Play/Pause Media

Seeley Ortiz received the surprise announcement that she has been selected as a Dorsey Scholar at McDaniel College. This is the highest academic honor at McDaniel and includes a full four-year scholarship, including tuition, room and board, a value of more than $250,000. Welcome to the Hill!

More Than a Scholarship

The value of a Dorsey Scholarship goes far beyond financial support.

By accepting a Dorsey Scholarship, recipients become part of McDaniel’s history and its tradition of generosity and excellence. Dorsey Scholarship recipients join a community of high-achieving students who are driven, curious, and committed to making an impact — on campus and beyond.

Philip Henry Dorsey’s gift continues to attract exceptional students from around the world, and Dorsey Scholarship recipients play an important role in shaping the future of McDaniel College.

Dorsey Ambassadors

Dorsey Scholarship recipients are leaders on campus and serve as ambassadors for the college.

They work closely with the president of McDaniel College, welcome distinguished guests, and share their experiences with prospective students and visitors. Through their academic excellence, leadership, and character, Dorsey Scholarship recipients represent the very best of McDaniel.

A smiling student holds a microphone while engaging in conversation with classmates at round tables during the annual Scholarship Luncheon

Meet a Dorsey Scholar From Refugee to Green Terror for Life

The opportunities McDaniel has given me have not only transformed my own life but also the lives of my younger siblings and the students I have mentored over the past three years — students who have gone on to create positive change in their communities.

Senior Sana Askari’s mother was not allowed to get an education, so each day at McDaniel, she is proud to honor her mother’s sacrifices by pursuing her own education. Askari grew up as a refugee from Afghanistan with few resources, and today, women in her home country lack access to education beyond sixth grade. Without being named a Dorsey Scholar, Askari may not have been able to change her family’s narrative.

Read Sana's story

Dorsey Scholarship Competition

Eligibility

All first-year students who submit their application for admission by Dec. 15 are automatically considered for the Dorsey Scholarship.

Admissions counselors review applicants based on:

  • Academic achievement and course rigor
  • Character, motivation, and leadership
  • Potential for success at McDaniel

Approximately 20 students — representing the top 2% of the applicant pool — are invited to participate in the Dorsey Scholarship Competition. Students are notified in January by admissions counselors, followed by a print invitation.

The Competition Experience

The Dorsey Scholarship Competition takes place the day before McDaniel’s annual Scholars on the Hill event. Candidates arrive on campus Friday evening for a welcome reception that includes dinner and the opportunity to connect with:

  • Current Dorsey Scholarship recipients
  • The president of the college
  • Senior college administrators

Students who attend both the Friday reception and the Scholars on the Hill event are then invited to participate in a virtual interview with the Dorsey Scholarship Selection Committee the following week. This interview allows candidates to share their achievements, goals, and personal qualities.

The competition results in up to five full scholarships covering tuition, housing, and meals. Scholarship recipients are typically notified in mid-March.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Dorsey Scholarship cover?

The Dorsey Scholarship covers full tuition, housing and meals for up to eight consecutive semesters or until a student completes a bachelor’s degree, whichever comes first. It also includes support for books, technology, and studying abroad at McDaniel College’s Budapest campus.

How many students receive the Dorsey Scholarship each year?

Approximately 20 students are invited to compete for the Dorsey Scholarship each year. Up to five students are selected as final recipients.

How do I apply for the Dorsey Scholarship?

There is no separate application. All first-year students who apply for admission by Dec. 15 are automatically considered.

When will I know if I’ve been selected to compete?

Students invited to participate in the Dorsey Scholarship Competition are notified in January by their admissions counselor and receive a printed invitation.

Do I need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)?

Yes. Dorsey Scholarship recipients must complete the FAFSA every year. International students who are not eligible to submit the FAFSA must document this with the Financial Aid Office.

Does the scholarship cover books and technology?

Yes. Dorsey Scholarship recipients may receive:

  • Up to $600 per semester for books purchased through the McDaniel College Campus Store
  • Up to $2,000 total for approved computer and technology purchases

Does the Dorsey Scholarship cover study abroad?

Yes — for McDaniel College’s European campus in Budapest, Hungary. Tuition and housing are covered for one semester, and recipients may receive additional stipends for meals and travel. Other study abroad programs have different coverage.

Can I live off campus with a Dorsey Scholarship?

No. Students who choose to live off campus do not receive a housing allowance through the Dorsey Scholarship.

Does the scholarship cover summer or January Term classes?

The Dorsey Scholarship covers fall and spring semesters only. January Term courses are not covered, except for the required first-year McDaniel Commitment course, My Design.

Can I receive other scholarships in addition to the Dorsey Scholarship?

Yes. Many Dorsey Scholarship recipients receive additional external scholarships. These are applied according to McDaniel College financial aid policies and may affect refunds.

Scholarship Details & Policies

Because the Dorsey Scholarship is a large investment in an individual student, policies have been developed to govern the award. All incoming Dorsey Scholars will be asked to review the policies and indicate their understanding through their signature.

Dorsey Scholarship Policies

  1. All Scholarships over which the College has discretion must be reviewed in advance of being offered to a Student by the Financial Aid Office to ensure that they comply with applicable federal student aid regulations. A Student’s Total Aid Package cannot exceed the Student’s Cost of Attendance.
  2. The Dorsey Scholarship
    1. The Dorsey Scholarship covers the annual cost of tuition, room and board for eight consecutive semesters or the completion of a bachelor’s degree, whichever comes first.
    2. The purpose of the scholarship is to honor and celebrate outstanding students who will be future leaders at McDaniel College. Dorsey scholarship recipients will serve as Ambassadors of the College, representing the college with integrity.
    3. The Dorsey Scholarship is not one set scholarship amount; rather the scholarship amount reflects the particular financial situation of each individual student, taking into account each student’s eligibility for federal and state aid, and external scholarships earned by the student through other scholarship programs.
    4. The Dorsey scholarship will never exceed the annual cost of tuition, room and board less any federal or state grants applied to the students account. As the student’s costs are paid by federal or state sources, the Dorsey scholarship will change so as to not exceed the cost of tuition, room and board.
    5. Many Dorsey scholarship recipients apply for and are awarded additional external scholarships. External scholarships are applied to the student’s account and may result in a refund. Per McDaniel College financial aid policy, in every case, the maximum refund a student can receive is the difference between the direct charges and the institutional cost of attendance. Refunds are issued approximately 4-6 weeks into the semester.

Eligibility

  1. To be eligible for a Dorsey scholarship, first year students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) annually. International students who are not eligible to submit the FAFSA must have this documented in writing following a meeting with the Financial Aid Office.
  2. To be eligible for the Dorsey scholarship, students must abide by the rules and regulations of the college and maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress. Unless stated explicitly in this document, all McDaniel financial aid policies apply to the Dorsey Scholarship and its recipients. 

Tuition Details

  1. A student must be enrolled at McDaniel College full-time with a minimum of 12 credits per semester in order to receive the Dorsey Scholarship. The scholarship only covers the tuition for undergraduate courses except in the following cases:
    1. where faculty substitute a graduate level class as an independent study for an undergraduate course or;
    2. in the case that an undergraduate student is admitted to a 5-year program that requires undergraduate students to take a minimum of one graduate level class once they are admitted to the graduate program.
  2. Required fees or fees associated with registered courses will be covered by the Dorsey scholarship. 

Room and Board Details

  1. Room is defined as the charge for housing annually; traditionally Dorsey recipients live in standard double rooms or in Honors housing. The maximum scholarship for each Dorsey student’s room is equivalent to the annual cost of a double North Village residential hall room. If a student elects to live in a more expensive housing option in any year, any cost over the maximum scholarship amount is the responsibility of the student.
    1. For example, for the 2022-2023 academic year, the annual cost of a double North Village residential hall room is $8180. If a Dorsey recipient chooses to live in double North Village residential hall room costing $8180, the Dorsey room scholarship would be $8180. If a Dorsey recipient chooses to live in a standard double hall room costing $5682, the Dorsey room scholarship would be $5682.  If the Dorsey recipient is an upper-classmen and chooses to live in a single North Village residential hall room (which costs $9090 annually), the Dorsey room scholarship would be $8180 and the remaining balance for the premium housing option would be $910. This balance would be the responsibility of the student.
    2. If a Dorsey student chooses to live off-campus in non-college housing, they will not receive a housing allowance.
    3. All housing policies, including the policies associated with the college housing lottery, apply to Dorsey recipients. 
  2. The Dorsey Scholarship includes the Gold meal plan, which is the standard meal plan available on campus. If in any year a student chooses to select a smaller plan, such as Silver or Bronze, the cost of that plan will be included, but there is no refund of the difference in plan prices. If in any year a student chooses to live in housing with a kitchen, a meal plan will not be provided.
    1. If a student elects to select a more expensive meal plan option in any year, then the additional cost of the meal plan will be charged to the student’s account. If a student elects to select a meal plan while living in housing with a kitchen, then the additional cost of the meal plan will be charged to the student’s account.
    2. If a Dorsey student chooses to live in housing without a mandatory meal plan, they will not receive a food allowance. 
       

Terms of Enrollment

  1. The Dorsey Scholarship is for Fall and Spring semesters only.
    1.  The Dorsey Scholarship does not cover summer tuition, fees, room, or board. 
  2. January Term
    1. The Dorsey Scholarship does not cover January term courses with the exception of the required McDaniel Commitment January Term course “My Design”, offered between the fall and spring semesters of the first year. 

Book & Technology Stipend

  1. Book Allowance
    1. Dorsey scholarship recipients are eligible to receive up to $600 per semester for books purchased through the McDaniel College Bookstore. The student must notify the financial aid office prior to purchase to coordinate with the college bookstore. 
  2. Computer and Technology Allowance
    1. Dorsey scholarship recipient are eligible to receive up to $2000 in computer and technology equipment purchased through the McDaniel College Bookstore. This one-time request can be made at any point while enrolled in Dorsey Scholarship eligible courses (eight consecutive semesters or the completion of a bachelor’s degree). The student must notify the financial aid office prior to purchase to coordinate with the college bookstore. 

Study Abroad

  1. McDaniel Europe
    1. Tuition and room for one semester are included in the Dorsey Scholarship.
    2. Board is not included. However Dorsey scholarship recipients are eligible to receive a $1000 meal stipend per semester when studying abroad at McDaniel Europe. To receive the stipend in advance, the Dorsey scholarship recipient must notify the financial aid office in writing of their intent to travel abroad at least 30 days prior to travel. In partnership with the Bursar, the student’s stipend will be available for pick-up or mailed to the student’s permanent address one week prior to travel. Due to the winter break, students studying abroad in the spring semester should begin planning early to ensure their stipend is received prior to travel. It is the student’s responsibility to request the stipend in a timely manner. Stipends cannot be mailed internationally and will only be mailed to the student's permanent address.
    3. Dorsey scholarship recipients are eligible to receive a one-time $2000 travel stipend when studying abroad at McDaniel Europe. The stipend can be used for airfare or travel expenses while in Europe. To receive the stipend in advance, the Dorsey scholarship recipient must notify the financial aid office in writing of their intent to travel abroad at least 30 days prior to travel. In partnership with the Bursar, the student’s stipend will be available for pick-up or mailed to the student’s permanent address one week prior to travel. Due to the winter break, students studying abroad in the spring semester should begin planning early to ensure their stipend is received prior to travel. It is the student’s responsibility to request the stipend in a timely manner. Stipends cannot be mailed internationally and will only be mailed to the student's permanent address.
  2. Other Affiliated Exchange Programs
    1. Tuition is included in the Dorsey Scholarship
    2. No other costs are covered by the Dorsey Scholarship
  3. Non-Affiliated Study Aboard Programs
    1. No McDaniel College funds including the Dorsey Scholarship travel with a student in any non-affiliated study abroad program. 
McDaniel College
2 College Hill
Westminster, MD, 21157
© McDaniel College All Rights Reserved