What are the differences between scholarships, grants, and fellowships?
Scholarships are financial awards based on merit (such as academic achievement, leadership, or special skills) whose purpose is to assist students with tuition or general educational expenses. Most scholarships are need-blind – meaning that they do not take into account students’ financial need when awarding funds. Grants are forms of financial aid that don’t need to be repaid that are usually based on financial need or for specific projects. Fellowships are prestigious and competitive awards that support graduate or postdoctoral study. They support academic or research advancement in a particular field over a period of time. Students receiving a fellowship often receive a stipend, research funding, and tuition waiver, and may be required to teach or conduct specific research.
Why should I apply for scholarships, grants, and fellowships?
There are numerous reasons why we would recommend applying for these opportunities. First, graduate degrees are expensive! The tuition assistance and stipends associated with these awards can significantly offset the cost of your degree. Second, these opportunities allow you to build important skills as a graduate student that you will need to complete your degree. In some instances, access to a fellowship or scholarship may facilitate faster time to degree completion because you would not have to take on additional work responsibilities during your graduate studies. Third, these opportunities look fantastic to employers, whether you are looking for a faculty job or elsewhere. The fact that you were able to be competitive for these awards, regardless if you end up receiving one, speaks volumes to your talent and skills as a graduate student and future employee.
What are my chances for being selected for these opportunities?
Many awards are open-call, which means that any number of students may apply. Some awards are limited submission calls that only allow a specific number of students per institution to apply. It is true that many of these scholarships, grants, and fellowships are competitive. It may be wise to apply to more than one fellowship in a cycle in order to increase the likelihood of receiving an award.
How do I search for these opportunities?
There are formal and informal channels for you to search for awards. SU subscribes to PIVOT – a searchable database for thousands of awards across all academic disciplines. Simply login to the site with your NetID and password. We have also curated a list of more discipline-specific awards here. You can also reach out to colleagues in your academic department and faculty adviser to learn more about high-profile awards in your discipline. Dan Olson-Bang, Ph.D., Director of Professional and Career Development in the Graduate School, is available to help you tailor your search and support your application submission. To make an appointment, feel free to request a time on Handshake.
When are the typical deadlines or turnaround times for these opportunities?
Deadlines for these opportunities occur year-round, and awards typically have annual calls with deadlines at the same time each year. National awards tend to take 12-18 months to be selected and processed, but smaller awards can take less time. In short, you should be searching and applying for awards about one year in advance.
Do I need to be a US citizen to apply for these opportunities?
No! Many scholarships, fellowships, and grants are available for non-citizens so long as you attend an institution in the United States. There are also many opportunities through international organizations and institutions. Check eligibility requirements for each award via their website. There is a filter in PIVOT that allows you to search by citizenship, or to find fellowships that do not specify nationality or citizenship.
Who can I reach out to for support during the application process?
Feel free to request an appointment with Dan Olson-Bang (Handshake) for support during the application process! We would love to help you seize these opportunities and take the next step in your professional journey.