Scholarship is a grant of money or free tuition awarded to a student on the basis of achievement, ability, or financial need. People usually consider a scholarship an honor in recognition of outstanding academic work, as well as financial aid to those who need it. Scholarships are generally awarded as a means of selecting and training capable people so that they may become assets to the community and nation.
Endowed foundations and government agencies often grant funds for advanced study and for research. Such grants are called fellowships. Most scholarships are awarded by universities and colleges, businesses, industries, labor unions, and government sources. See Fellowship ; Foundation (Education) .
The United States government provides billions of dollars in scholarship aid each year. It offers Federal Pell Grants and Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants based on financial need. The U.S. government also provides loans for education, as well as fellowships in selected fields of advanced study.
Private colleges and universities
establish scholarships to attract students of outstanding intellectual ability and from diverse backgrounds. Scholarships also help promote particular fields of study, such as engineering or nursing. Many scholarships are founded for personal reasons and carry the name of the donor. Some of these scholarships are funded by alumni of the institution or by prominent citizens in the community.
State colleges and universities
typically grant fewer scholarships than private institutions. However, state scholarships constitute a growing share of total scholarship funds available to U.S. students. Many state programs offer scholarships to state high school graduates who achieve a certain grade point average or who graduate at the top of their class. Many states set aside funds for need-based scholarships.
Merit scholarships
for students with exceptional ability have been awarded annually since 1956 by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) of Evanston, Illinois. NMSC is a not-for-profit, independently financed organization.
The Merit Program is NMSC’s major activity and is supported by grants from corporations, private foundations, colleges and universities, and other organizations. Students enter the annual Merit Program by taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT), usually during their junior year in high school. Scholarships are awarded on the basis of test scores, academic and extracurricular accomplishments, and other information submitted by the candidates and their schools.
Private-sector scholarships
are awarded by such entities as corporations, foundations, trusts, and religious groups. Students may be required to show financial need or academic achievement to qualify for these scholarships. However, some recipients may just need to promise to work for the donor organization after completing their studies. Many organization scholarships are reserved for members or their children. Many others also have no age requirement and are awarded to students over the age of 25.
Grants to veterans.
Federal grants were given to veterans of World War II for study in any approved college, university, or vocational or trade school. To be eligible, veterans must have had at least 90 days of service and an honorable discharge. Similar grants were made to veterans who served in the Korean War and to all veterans who served after Jan. 31, 1955, and before Jan. 1, 1977, including Vietnam War veterans.
Veterans who have begun active duty after Dec. 31, 1976, receive grant money for education if they have had a certain amount withheld from their pay. The sum that each veteran receives is significantly larger than the amount withheld. See Veterans Affairs, Department of (Benefits and other services) .
International scholarships.
Organizations in the United States and in many other countries award scholarships to allow foreign students to study in the United States. Such organizations also award scholarships to send U.S. students and teachers overseas. The purpose of these scholarships is to promote better international understanding and cultural relations.
The oldest and most famous of the international scholarships are the Rhodes Scholarships (see Rhodes Scholarship ). The most numerous are the Fulbright scholarships, supported by the U.S. federal government (see Fulbright scholarship ). They provide a year’s schooling in the United States for students from other countries, and a year of study abroad for U.S. students and teachers. The U.S. clearinghouse for exchange scholarships and fellowships is the Institute of International Education in New York City. The International Research and Exchanges Board (IREX), based in Washington, D.C., also offers exchange opportunities.
Scholarship programs for students to study in their native country vary throughout the world. In countries where governments provide tuition-free education, few scholarship programs exist. In other countries, many universities offer scholarships and grants based on financial need. The European Union, through its Socrates/Erasmus program, offers scholarships for students to study in European countries.
Applying for scholarships.
Here are some tips for people applying for scholarships: (1) consult one or more of the commercially available guidebooks for scholarship funds; (2) consult websites of organizations that offer scholarship search assistance; (3) consult websites of individual colleges and universities; and (4) apply for multiple scholarships.
See also AFS Intercultural Programs .
