Dickinson-Sandia Scholarship

Dickinson is a nationally recognized liberal-arts college chartered in 1783 in Carlisle, Pa. Our distinctive approach translates into a competitive edge—95% of graduates are in a job, internship, graduate school or pursuing meaningful service within one year. And we are committed to making a Dickinson education affordable and accessible to all. 

Two full-tuition scholarships 

The Sandia Foundation was established by Hugh and Helen Kisner Woodward, both class of 1908. This scholarship is awarded to students who reside or attend school in the Southwest (Southern California*, Arizona, New Mexico) who have demonstrated community-service or community-leadership experience. 

There is no additional scholarship application. The scholarship is available to incoming students starting in fall 2023, and consideration is based on residency. Applicants must complete the Common App and submit the FAFSA and CSS Profile by the application deadline. You can estimate your family's need using our cost calculators. 

*Imperial, Kern, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo and Ventura counties

The daughter of a Carlisle physician and a member of Pi Beta Phi, Helen was a commuter student, and Hugh was a campus resident who was involved with Phi Beta Kappa and Sigma Alpha Epsilon. They graduated in 1908 and married three years later—just after Hugh’s graduation from law school. 

Hugh’s career took the couple from Pennsylvania to Colorado and then to New Mexico, where he amassed a fortune in real estate and served as U.S. attorney and lieutenant governor. Hugh, an impassioned conservationist, served on the boards of the National Wildlife Federation and the National Wildlife Federation Endowment, and he was awarded the Presidential Citation for Public Service, the U.S. Attorney General’s Certificate of Appreciation and the National Conservation Award. 

One year after he and Helen flew to Carlisle to attend their 50th class reunion, Hugh received another high honor: an honorary doctor of laws degree from Dickinson. And when he passed away in 1968, Hugh left the Sandia Foundation half of his estate under the terms of his will. By the time Helen passed in 1974 at age 90, the remainder of their estate was transferred to the Sandia Foundation. At that time, the estate was valued at $8 million. 

While the Sandia Foundation has realized Dickinson educations for many students over the years, the Woodwards’ presence also is felt in Dickinson’s first coed dormitory. Completed in 1969, Kisner-Woodward Hall was funded through a $750,000 bequest by the Woodwards, the largest bequest to Dickinson up to that date. 

The Woodwards left an incredible legacy through the Sandia Foundation, which has provided millions of dollars in scholarship grants for Dickinson students and a like amount to University of New Mexico students.