Individual Scholarships
Rhodes Scholarship
Rhodes Scholarships
Overview: The Rhodes Scholarship provides for the pursuit of an Oxford University degree. This scholarship is awarded to the highest quality of student, who seeks the foremost academic standards. This scholarship is guided by academic achievement, strong moral character, strong leadership capabilities, and an energy to use their talents to their fullest potential. The selection process is guided by regional selection and is awarded to thirty-two scholars each year. Students must have completed their bachelor's degree and the tenure of the scholarship generally for two years for the pursuit of a masters degree and three years for a doctoral degree. This is regarded as one of the most prestigious scholarships in the world.
Deadline: The deadline for the Rhodes Scholarship is in October each year. Students are encouraged to begin the application process early. It can take quite a bit of time acquiring documents from the university, letters of recommendation, and a perfected presentation of yourself.
Snapshot Eligibility:
- Completed bachelors degree
- Under 24 years of age
- A citizen of the United States
Advice: "My number one piece of advice is to have really thought about who you are, what you want to do to make the world a better place, and how spending a couple of years at Oxford will help you accomplish that. That doesn't mean you can't ever change your mind — but you have to have a good sense of yourself and how Oxford will help you at this point in your life."
- Dr. Molly Zhan, 2001-2003 Rhodes Scholar
(https://www.usnews.com/education/blogs/the-scholarship-coach/2011/07/14/consider-these-rhodes-scholarship-tips?s)
Fulbright
The Fulbright Program
Overview: The Fulbright International Educational Exchange Program is the leading educational exchange program. Sponsored by the United States Department of State, the Fulbright Program exists to foster mutual understanding between the people of the United States and other countries. The Fulbright Student Program grants are awarded to students for a variety of different programs to study internationally and serve as an ambassador for our culture. This provides the opportunity for individuals to study, teach, research, and exchange ideas internationally. Selection is based upon academic merit and the leadership potential of recipients. The selection committee wants recipients to represent the richness and diversity of their own countries. This program awards approximately 8,000 scholarships on an annual basis to over 155 countries.
Deadline: The application process generally begins 15 months before the anticipated beginning of a Fulbright Grant. Therefore, applications are available in May and are due in October with the start of the grant being the next summer or autumn.
Snapshot Eligibility:
- Completed bachelors degree
- No overall age requirement, but certain Grants do have specific age guidelines.
Advice: It is very helpful if you have an invitation from a school in the country you are seeking entrance to. This can be a surprisingly simple process as contacting someone at a university and asking they send a letter of recommendation for a Fulbright to come to their university.
Barry S. Goldwater
Barry S. Goldwater Scholarship
Overview: The Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Program seeks to provide three hundred scholarships each worth $7,500 to the next generation of outstanding scientists, mathematicians, and engineers. The purpose of this scholarship is to alleviate any current and future shortage of highly qualified specialists in the fields listed above. It is important that students have a desire to pursue research and show commitment to their stated field. Students should have outstanding academic performance. Those who apply as sophomores are eligible for two years of financial research support if they renew their first year's award. Those applying as juniors are eligible for one.
Deadline: Application materials become available in September of each year and are due in January for that year's competition. Applicants are notified of their competition status in late March. Remember, years of eligibility are limited.
Snapshot Eligibility:
- A full time Sophomore or Junior
- College GPA of a 3.0 or higher
- A United States citizen
- A focus in science, mathematics, or engineering
Boren Awards for International Studies
Boren Awards for International Studies
Overview: The Boren Scholarships and Fellowships for International Study provide unique funding opportunities for U.S. undergraduate and graduate students. These provide the opportunity for students to study in areas that are critical to United State's interests. In awarding scholarships, they focus upon the geographical area, language, and fields of study that have a heavy impact upon the United States. Boren Scholarships are designed for undergraduate students and awarded up to $20,000, while the Boren Fellowships are designed for graduate students and awarded up to $30,000. The selection committee looks at academic achievement, a potential to succeed, a commitment to foreign countries, quality and feasibility of one's study abroad goals, and an adaptability to other cultures. A commitment to government service is also valued.
Deadline: The deadline for applications for a Boren Scholarship falls in early February and Boren Fellowship in late January. The application process and deciding upon your desired program of study can take quite a bit of time, so remember to begin early.
Snapshot Eligibility:
- A United States Citizen
- Matriculated in either an undergraduate or graduate program, dependent upon desired scholarship
- A desire to study outside of the United States, Western Europe, Canada, New Zealand, or Australia
Benjamin Gilman International Scholarship
Benjamin Gilman
International Scholarship
Overview: The Gilman Scholarship offers the opportunities for undergraduate students to pursue academic studies abroad. The intent of this scholarship is to provide an opportunity for students to grow in significant ways so they might be more prepared for a world that is becoming increasingly more globally interdependent. By awarding over 2,300 scholarships of up to $5,000, they provide for students to pursue studying abroad. They are committed to students gaining greater understanding of the world by having this availability. Students are encouraged to study outside Western Europe, New Zealand, or Australia. They focus on providing for students who normally would not have the opportunity to study abroad, including high financial need, community college students, those in unrepresented fields such as science and engineering, diverse ethnic backgrounds, and those with disabilities.
Deadline: One should apply in the academic term prior to the start date of one's study abroad program. If between July 15 and October 15, apply for fall application. If starting between December 15 and April 15, apply for the spring program. There are some summer grants provided and begin between May 1 and August 1. Applications for the spring must be completed in October, and summer and fall deadlines are in March.
Snapshot Eligibility:
- Must be receiving a Federal Pell Grant
- Has been accepted into a study abroad program
- Studying for at least four weeks in one country
Gates Cambridge Scholarship
Gates Cambridge Scholarship
Overview: The Gates Cambridge Scholarship, founded by Bill and Melissa Gates, provides full scholarship opportunities for outstanding scholars to pursue a full-time graduate degree from the University of Cambridge. These are highly competitive full-cost scholarships that are awarded on intellectual ability, leadership capability, a desire to contribute to society through the world by applying their gifts to help others, and a desirable fit between the applicant and what the University of Cambridge offers to its students. While at Cambridge, scholars pursue the full range of disciplines spread through the 31 colleges of the University.
Deadline: Applications for United States citizens are due 24 October. The student will be notified by Early February if they are offered a scholarship.
Snapshot Eligibility:
- Apply for a full time course of study and gain acceptance to the University of Cambridge (the application for the Gates program is paired with the application to the Univeristy of Cambridge)
- Citizen outside of the United Kingdom
Fannie and John Hertz Foundation Graduate Fellowship
Fannie and John Hertz Foundation
Graduate Fellowship
Overview: The Fannie and John Hertz Foundation seeks to provide fellowship opportunities to individuals in applied physical, biological, and engineering sciences. They want to provide opportunities for the brightest minds of tomorrow seeking their PhD degree. Students are selected on exceptional intelligence and creativity, technical education, commitment to the physical sciences, quality character, appropriate moral and ethical values, and what impact the fellowship might possibly have.
Deadline: The applications are made available each year in August and a deadline will then be posted. The competition concludes each year in March with awards being announced April 1.
Snapshot Eligibility:
- Student of applied science
- United States citizen
- Commitment to applying skills to United States in time of national emergency
- Seeking a PhD degree
Freeman Awards for Study in Asia
Freeman Awards for Study in Asia
Overview: The Freeman Award seeks to provide undergraduate students who have a desire to study in East or Southeast Asia. The goal of this program is to provide American Students with the opportunity to expand their knowledge of the Asian culture by studying abroad there. Students are expected to share their experiences upon their return home with others and promote the Asian culture. Awards can reach up to $7,000 for a full academic year of study. Participation in a language study is highly recommended.
Deadline: The application for the spring semester becomes available in August with a deadline in October. Applications for the fall semester become available in February with a deadline in April. For summer terms the applications are available in January and due in February.
Snapshot Eligibility:
- United States citizen
- Demonstration of financial need
- Undergraduate student with at least a 2.8 GPA
- Have been accepted at a university in Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Laos, Macao, Malaysia, Mongolia, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, or Vietnam.
- No previous experience in the country one desires to study
Harry S. Truman Scholarship
Harry S. Truman Scholarship
Overview: The Harry S. Truman scholarship seeks out college juniors who display exceptional leadership capabilities with a strong interest in government, nonprofit or advocacy work, or education. For those who meet these qualifications, the Truman scholarship provides financial support for graduate study, leadership training, and building relationships with like minded students. There are roughly 60 scholarships worth up to $30,000 awarded each year to students who have a strong public service record and a public policy proposal that addresses a particular issue in society.
Deadline: The national deadline for scholarships is early February each year. Applications become available during early August each year.
Snapshot Eligibility:
- Junior in college
- Strong public service record
- Applicants will develop a convincing policy proposal
- Academically strong and on campus involvement
Jacob K. Javits Fellowship
Jacob K. Javits Fellowship
Overview: The Javits Fellowship provides opportunities for academically strong individuals who are interested in pursuing a terminal Master of Fine Arts degree or Doctoral degree in the field of arts, humanities, or social sciences. The award lasts for up to 48 months, or until the completion of a degree. Students are evaluated on financial need, demonstrated achievement, and exceptional potential. Twenty percent of awards are given in the field of social sciences, twenty in the arts, and sixty in the humanities.
Deadline: Applications are made available during the middle of August each year, and are due by the end of September. Filling out the FAFSA is also required and is made available in January each year. Awards are announced in March of each year.
Snapshot Eligibility:
- Have not completed first year of one's doctoral program or soon to begin working on their Master of Fine Arts degree
- United States citizen
- Must have taken the GRE General Test
Jack Kent Cooke Graduate Scholarship
Jack Kent Cooke Graduate Scholarship
Overview: The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation seeks to support those students who excel and have made extraordinary contributions to their field of study. They want bright students to reach their full potential and provide funding for over 650 students each year. They focus on helping those who have a financial need. The Graduate Arts Award is awarded up to $50,000 for up to three years for those graduating seniors in college, or recent graduates. They must be pursuing a degree in the visual arts, performing arts, or creative writing. The Dissertation Fellowship is awarded up to $25,000 for advanced doctoral students who need help completing their dissertation. Superior academic ability is required, successful defense of one's dissertation, and unmet financial need.
Snapshot Eligibility:
- Evident financial need
- Academic achievement in the visual arts, performing arts, or creative writing
James Madison Graduate Fellowships
James Madison Graduate Fellowships
Overview: The James Madison Foundation seeks to award those who are working to become the next generation of teachers of American History or Government. The award reaches up to $24,000 over the period of study and must be used towards a Masters Degree in the Arts, Art in Teaching, or Education. As part of the Fellowship, students will attend a six-week summer institute in Washington D.C.
Deadline: The deadline for applications is no later than March 1 each year. To obtain an application one must register through the website and will then be given access to the application.
Snapshot Eligibility:
- United States citizen
- A teacher or planning to become one in the field of American History, American Government, or Social Studies at the secondary education level
- Possess a bachelor's degree, or obtain one no later than August 31 of the year one is applying
- Have a three year gap between being awarded any previous graduate degrees
Marshall Scholarship
Marshall Scholarship
Overview: The Marshall Scholarship provides time for two years for American students to study for a degree in the United Kingdom. Up to forty scholars are selected each year to begin their graduate level work. The Marshall Scholarship seeks to leave a lasting understanding of British society and strengthen the relationship between the two countries. Students must display intellectual ability, a desire to better understand British culture, a desire to contribute in the fields of science, technology, the humanities, and social sciences. The desire is that scholars grow during their time abroad, both intellectually and personally. The scholarship awards University fees, cost of living expenses, annual book grant, thesis grant, research grant, daily travel grant, and travel to and from the United Kingdom.
Deadline: Applications are available online and must be completed by early October of the year preceding tenure. There are 8 regions throughout the United States and students must apply from the area they hold permanent residence.
Snapshot Eligibility:
- United States citizen
- Minimum GPA of 3.7
- Hold a bachelor's degree from a four year institution
George J. Mitchell Scholarships
George J. Mitchell Scholarships
Overview: Supported by the United States, Ireland alliance is designed to introduce and connect future leaders to Ireland. There is a commitment to academic achievement, leadership, and community and public service. There are twelve students who are awarded this scholarship each year between ages 18 and 30. They are awarded one year of post-graduate study in any field offered by higher learning institutions in Ireland. The award provides tuition, accommodations, living expenses stipend, and an international travel stipend.
Deadline: The deadline for application is early October each year and all material must be submitted online.
Snapshot Eligibility:
- United States citizen
- 18 years of age, but not yet 30 years of age by September 30
- Hold a bachelor's degree
Udall Scholarship
Udall Scholarship
Overview: The Udall Scholarship is awarded to 80 individuals for the amount of $5000 to sophomores and juniors in college. These individuals must be committed to careers related to the environment, tribal public policy, or Native American health care.
Deadline: Applicants are able to register beginning October 1 with a deadline March 5th. Scholars are notified of awards in April.
Snapshot Eligibility:
- Actively pursuing a bachelor's or associate's degree
- Only Native Americans are allowed to apply in tribal public policy or Native American health care
- GPA of 3.0 or higher
Oxford/Cambridge - National Institutes of Health and Biomedical Research Scholarship
Oxford/Cambridge - National Institutes of
Health and Biomedical Research Scholarship
Overview: The National Institute of Health Oxford-Cambridge Scholars program is an accelerated doctoral training program. This program focuses on students who have a focus in biomedical research careers. This is a British based system where students perform doctoral research without other formal courses other than those chosen specifically by students for their specific field. They seek out students who already have a developed background in researching as undergraduates. Students choose to research at either Oxford or Cambridge University in the United Kingdom. They then graduate with a PhD or DPhil from one of the universities.
Deadline: Applications are due at the beginning of January each year. Applications for Oxford or Cambridge are completed later in the spring following their acceptance to the program.
Snapshot Eligibility:
- High academic achievements
- Substantial research experience
- Well planned research
National Science Foundation
National Science Foundation
Overview: This Foundation offers a wide variety of large programs that are available for graduate fellowships. They focus on physical, life, or social sciences. There are over 17 scholarships listed for pursuit on their website. Students begin their search with keywords of what they intend to do, whether it be a dissertation or research.
Deadline: Multiple deadlines are available, depending on the funding opportunity one discovers on this site.
Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowship
Thomas R. Pickering
Foreign Affairs Fellowship
Overview: This Foreign Affairs Fellowship provides funding so that participants may prepare academically and professionally to enter the service of the United States Department of State Foreign Service. They encourage women, minorities, and those with financial need to apply. They recruit from students who are pursuing academic areas relevant to international affairs, political and economic analysis, administration, management, and science policy. They want a wide variety of students to have a pool of trained men and women who might one day work for the State Department. This is an award of $40,000 annually for expenses of their senior year of college and first year of graduate study. They seek those with outstanding leadership ability and academic achievement.
Deadline: Applications are due by the beginning of February and are available online upon one registering for the application. They do look at transcripts and ACT or SAT scores.
Snapshot Eligibility:
- United States citizen
- Junior in undergraduate study
- A GPA of 3.2 or higher and this must be maintained through the program
Rotary Peace Scholarships
Rotary Peace Scholarships
Overview: The Rotary Peace Fellowship is designed for leaders with work experience in peace and development. Our fellows are committed to community and international service and the pursuit of peace. Each year, The Rotary Foundation awards up to 50 fellowships for master's degrees and 80 for certificate studies at premier universities.
The ideal candidate is academically strong, has a bachelor's degree in a related field, and has work experience in peace and development. We are looking for early-career candidates who demonstrate a commitment to peace and conflict resolution, are able to undertake extensive reading and research, and are able to participate actively within a diverse cohort of students.
Master's degree candidates must also:
- Be proficient in English
- Have a bachelor's degree
- Have a strong commitment to cross-cultural understanding and peace as shown through professional and academic achievements and personal or community service
- Potential for leadership
- Have at least three years of full-time relevant experience in peace or development work
Deadline: Applications are due by the beginning of February and are available online upon one registering for the application. They do look at transcripts and ACT or SAT scores.
Snapshot Eligibility:
- United States citizen
- Junior in undergraduate study
- A GPA of 3.2 or higher and this must be maintained through the program
Rotary Global Grant
Rotary Global Grant
Overview: Global grants support large international activities with sustainable, measurable outcomes in Rotary's areas of focus. By working together to respond to real community needs, clubs and districts strengthen their global partnerships.
Global grants have a minimum budget of $30,000 and a maximum World Fund award of $400,000. Grant sponsors can use a combination of District Designated Funds (DDF), cash, and/or directed gifts and endowment earnings to fund a global grant. The Foundation will provide an 80 percent World Fund match for all DDF contributions. There is no minimum World Fund match.
Deadline: Applications are accepted throughout the year and are reviewed as they're received. Learn more about the Global Grant Lifecycle.
Snapshot Eligibility:
To be approved, your application must clearly describe how your project, scholarship, or vocational training team:
- Is sustainable — include plans for long-term success after the global grant funds have been spent
- Includes measurable goals
- Aligns with one of Rotary's areas of focus
- Responds to real community needs — any club or district that applies for a global grant to support a humanitarian project or a vocational training team must conduct a community assessment first and design the project based on what they learn through that assessment.
- Actively involves Rotary and community members
- Meets the eligibility requirements in the grants terms and conditions
