The Harold C. Case Scholarships were established in 1967 by contributions from the Boston University community in honor of President Case's years of achievement and devotion to the University. Harold C. Case (STH '27) served as president of Boston University from 1951 to 1967. His tenure is noteworthy for his commitment to keeping "religious idealism at the heart of the educational program," for the establishment of the College of Engineering, the School for the Arts, and Metropolitan College, and for the construction of the West Campus dormitories, Warren Towers, the Law Tower, Mugar Memorial Library, and George Sherman Union.

What he was most proud of, however, was his creation of the "University-at-Home" program, through which he hosted students at the Castle (then the President's residence) for informal discussion sessions. In 1959, the program won a Freedoms Foundation medal.

The Harold C. Case competition is open to full-time students at Boston University who have junior status as determined by the Office of the University Registrar and a cumulative GPA of 3.50 or higher. Candidates must also expect to graduate in May of the year following the application deadline. Winners must study full time on the Charles River Campus or in a Boston University Overseas Program during the year of award funding. Seven-year medical students may apply during their second year of study if they have earned a minimum of 64 credits including transfer and advance placement credits by the time of application. Students with less than three semesters of study at Boston University will not be considered. Summer Term study at Boston University counts as a semester. Harold C. Case Scholarships are available to juniors regardless of financial aid status.

Candidates will be judged on their scholarly accomplishment and potential, and their participation in extracurricular activities that contribute to the University.

The specific amount of the scholarship to be distributed in the senior year is determined by need, starting with a minimum of $1,000. Recipients who already hold full-tuition scholarships will receive the minimum award.

Application Procedure:

A completed application for a Harold C. Case Scholarship will include the following items:

• a completed application form
• three letters of recommendation [Using the recommendation request forms found with the application form you should secure two letters of recommendation which describe your achievements of academic excellence from members of the Boston University faculty who have taught you (e.g., professors, preceptors, or lecturers) and a third letter from a faculty member, advisor, activity director, or other person who can affirm your positive involvement in the community. Reference letters from students or family members are not acceptable.]
• an unofficial transcript from the Office of the University Registrar (transcripts printed from the Student Link are not acceptable)
• curriculum vitae - a succinct pertinent list of principal activities and honors in college (including prizes, scholarships, offices held; athletic record; extracurricular interests and substantial activities) with dates. This must not exceed two pages in length, and should be set in a typeface no smaller than 10 points.
• a short personal statement describing your academic and other interests. This statement should also describe your plans after graduation and address your scholarly accomplishments and potential, and participation in extracurricular activities that contribute to the University. This essay must not exceed 1,000 words in length and should be written in as simple and direct a manner as possible. It should be set in a 12-point typeface.

The University Fellowships and Scholarships Committee, One Sherborn Street, 8th floor, Boston, Massachusetts 02215 must receive all application materials. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.

Be sure to request letters of recommendation well in advance of the deadline. Applications that are missing letters of recommendation will not be considered. Consequently, candidates should contact the Office of Fellowships and Scholarships at bufellow@bu.edu a week before the deadline to ensure that all letters have been received. Candidates should give very careful thought to the preparation of their essay. The Boston University Fellowships and Scholarships Committee will consider applications and recommend candidates for selection. Winners will be announced in April.

Women may apply for both the Harold C. Case and Dean Elsbeth Melville Scholarships. Although the application forms are similar, a complete set of application materials including recommendations will be required for each competition. Please note that the essay requirements for each competition are different. Candidates may submit similar essays, but they should focus on each award’s respective criteria. Women who win both the Dean Elsbeth Melville and Harold C. Case Scholarship will receive a minimum award of $2,000.