Because of their importance, these scholarships require much advance preparation. You are most competitive if you begin to think about these scholarships in your first year of college.
For more information about how to apply, contact the dean. Also, The Honors College Distinguished Scholarships Council is composed of faculty members from a variety of disciplines who can help.
Distinguished Undergraduate Scholarships
Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship
Established 1986 in honor of Barry M. Goldwater to provide a continuous source of highly qualified scientists, mathematicians, and engineers by awarding scholarships to sophomores and juniors pursing bachelor's degrees in natural sciences, mathematics, or engineering and intending to earn a graduate degree in those fields and pursue a career in research and/or college level teaching.
The Gates Millennium Scholars
Funded by a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and administered by the United Negro College Fund and partners. This initiative is aimed at expanding access and opportunity to higher education to those citizens who will help reflect the diverse society in which we live. Foundation seeks to increase the number of African-Americans, Native Americans/Alaska Indians, Asian Pacific Americans, and Hispanic Americans enrolling in and completing undergraduate and graduate degree programs.
UNCF/Merck Science Initiative
Established to increase the number of African Americans in the pipeline of biomedical science education and research. Applied for during junior year for the following year. Must be African American (black, non-Hispanic), a junior who will be a degree candidate in the 2003-2004 academic year, a life or physical science major interested in biomedical research (First professional committed to two 10-12 week summer internships at a Merck research facility. Each award consists of scholarship up to $25,000 and two summer internship stipends totaling a minimum of $10,000.
Jacob K. Javits Fellowships in the Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences
Established to honor Jacob K. Javits, these fellowships are awarded to students pursing terminal graduate degrees in the arts, humanities, and social sciences. Students pursuing law school or medical school or pre-professional study in such areas as education, social work, speech pathology, and audiology are not eligible.
Harry S. Truman Scholarships
Established to honor Harry S. Truman and supports training for persons pursuing "careers in government or elsewhere in public service." Juniors (determined by prospective graduation date) are solicited to apply for this very competitive scholarship. Award: $27,000 for graduate school and up to $3,000 for the senior year of the undergraduate degree. Students must be in the upper quarter of the class and must have an established record of public service. No amount of academic achievement alone will substitute for such a record.
The Morris K. Udall Scholarship
Established to honor the legacy of Congressman Morris K. Udall in public service. The scholarship supports undergraduates who intend to pursue careers related to environmental public policy; and to Native American and Alaska Native undergraduates who intend to pursue careers in health care and public policy. Institutional nomination required. Applied for during sophomore and junior year (unsuccessful sophomore applicants can be re-nominated as juniors). Award up to $5,000, not renewable. Requires an essay citing the achievements of Congressman Udall. Approximately 55 scholarships awarded annually.
Distinguished Post-baccalaureate Study Scholarships
Fulbright Grants
Fulbright Grants are available to graduating students who propose a clear program of study to be carried out in a particular academic setting abroad. The location must be essential to the research project. Fluency in the host language is preferred, and a strong background in American culture and host current events are critical for selection.
Gates Cambridge Scholarships
The Gates Cambridge Scholarship was new in 2000. It is similar to the Rhodes and Marshall, except the age limit is 30. Please check the website for specifics about eligibility and the application process.
The George J. Mitchell Scholarship
Established in 1998 by the U.S.-Ireland Alliance to "educate future American leaders about the island of Ireland (North and South) and to provide tomorrow's leaders with an understanding about, an interest in, and an affinity with, the island from which 44 million Americans claim descent." It is named in honors of former Senator George J. Mitchell who served as Chairman of the peace negotiations in Northern Ireland in the mid-1990s. Applicants must complete the Bachelor's degree before they begin study in Ireland. Institutional endorsement required.
James Madison Fellowships
The James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation awards fellowships to future and current secondary school teachers of American history, American government, and social studies in grades 7-12 to support their graduate study of the roots, principles, framing, and development of the United States Constitution. Apply in senior year. Junior Fellows will be eligible for a maximum of $24,000 for up to two years of full-time study. Fellowships do not support study toward doctoral degrees or teacher certificates.
Marshall Scholarships
A highly competitive scholarship, the Marshall provides for two years of study at a university in Great Britain. All tuition and fees, a living stipend, and travel cost to and from Britain. (The best way to think of this scholarship is as a Rhodes Scholarship for students interested in studying at a British university other than Oxford.) Application made during senior year. Minimum GPA of 3.7 after the freshman year. Candidates must be evaluated by a University committee in September.
The Association of Commonwealth Universities
The website, http://www.acu.ac.uk/ , also enables students to search universities throughout the commonwealth. You can also access a national accreditation report to see which universities have the top-ranked departments in each field.
The Mellon Fellowships
One-year, entry level of graduate school, portable fellowships of approximately $12,500 plus tuition and standard fees. Fields eligible are the traditional humanistic disciplines, including history, but not the creative and performing arts. American studies, other area studies, and certain social science programs are also eligible if the emphasis in subject and method is substantially humanistic. Education, law, library science and social work are not eligible. The fellowships seek to identify and encourage persons who are committed to teaching and have a large vision of learning. Candidacy must be initiated by a nomination from a faculty member. Students interested in competing should seek out a faculty member early in the fall semester and request nomination. Senior/US citizen.
National Science Foundation
Three-year graduate research fellowships in science, mathematics, engineering and social sciences are awarded for study and research leading to master's or doctoral degrees in mathematical, physical, biological, engineering, and behavioral and social sciences, including the history of science and the philosophy of science, and to research-based PhD degrees in science education. The stipend is $14,000 for a twelve-month tenure and tuition waiver at US institutions. A $1,000 international research travel allowance is also available. Senior/US citizen/US national/Resident alien.
NSEP (National Security Education Program)
All study under NSEP Graduate International Fellowship support must be part of a U.S. graduate degree program. Must be a US citizen and either enrolled in a graduate degree program at an accredited U S college or university located within the United States or applying to a graduate degree program at a US college or university located within the United States. These fellowships are for one to six semesters (24 months) with an international focus and service requirement. Supports a wide range of fields of study. See website for detailed information.
The Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans
Provide opportunities for continuing generations of New Americans to achieve leadership in their chosen fields. Eligible seniors may apply for grants for up to two years of graduate study in the United States; thirty are awarded each year. A New American is an individual who (1) is a resident alien; i.e. holds a Green Card (must have more than one year of IRS filings), or (2) has been naturalized as a US Citizen, or (3) is the child of two parents who are both naturalized citizens.
The Rhodes Scholarships
Established by Cecil J. Rhodes, a British colonial and statesman, for bringing potential leaders from around the world to study at his alma mater and one of the most eminent universities in the world, Oxford. All tuition and fees, and additional maintenance allowance (currently 6,900 pounds sterling, per year), plus travel costs to and from Oxford. GPA minimum 3.7; no "C" grades. Applicants must be between 18-23 years old, have senior standing, superior academic ability, and a history of service and leadership; be well informed on global issues and competent in a sport, and complete Bachelor's degree before they begin study at Oxford. Apply in senior year. Institutional endorsement required.
Rotary International Ambassadorial Scholarships
Three types of Rotary International Ambassadorial Scholarships are offered: Cultural, which are for 3 or 6 months of intensive language study and cultural immersion in another country, Academic-Year, which provide funding for one year of study in another country, and Multi-Year, which are for two or three years of degree-oriented study in another country.
Ford Foundation Pre-doctoral and Dissertation Fellowships for Minorities
Available to seniors who are U.S. citizens planning to enroll in research-based Ph.D. or ScD programs in a wide variety of fields and are also members of any of the following ethnic groups: Alaskan native, Native American Indian, Black/African American, Mexican American/Chicanos, Native Pacific Islander, or Puerto Rican.