Prestigious scholarships are well-known, competitive awards that have gained national or even global fame for giving college scholars lucrative amounts of money. Applying for prestigious scholarships is typically a lengthy, demanding process in which students must stand out among hundreds of hopeful applicants. Not only can winning a prestigious scholarship pay off your tuition, but it can also add dazzle to your resume and open doors for internships or jobs.
Three of the most coveted awards in academia today are the Rhodes Scholarship, Fulbright Scholarship, and Marshall Scholarship. They’re traditionally reserved for the “best of the best” students in Ivy League schools with a 3.7 GPA or higher who are studying abroad. Yet the following 25 additional prestigious scholarships offer top-dollar prizes with varying eligibility criteria.
1. Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship for Excellence
Deadline: January 26th
Named after the five-term U.S. Senator from Arizona and 1964 Republican Presidential nominee, the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship for Excellence awards $7,500 to full-time college sophomores or juniors from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and territories like Guam. The prestigious program competitively selects undergrads at two- and four-year schools who are preparing for lab-based research careers in STEM fields with an outstanding GPA above 3.0.
Contact
Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship for Excellence
6225 Brandon Avenue, Suite 315
Springfield, VA 22150
(703) 756-6012
goldwater@scholarshipamerica.org
2. Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship
Deadline: October 3rd and March 7th
Funded by the U.S. Department of State’s, the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship is a prestigious, merit-based grant offering $3,000 to $8,000 annually to over 2,300 citizens nationwide. Eligible recipients must be applying for study abroad trips at least two weeks long, plan to visit countries not under a Travel Warning, and receive the Federal Pell Grant. Priority is given to students learning critical-need languages like Persian or Chinese.
Contact
Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship
809 United Nations Plaza
New York, NY 10017
(212) 883-8200
gilman_scholars@iie.org
3. Boren Scholarship for National Security Education
Deadline: January 31st
Another prestigious award sponsored by the Institute of International Education (IIE) is the Boren Scholarship for National Security Education, which bestows up to $8,000 for summer or $20,000 for year-long study abroad experiences. Interested U.S. citizens holding a high school diploma or GED could apply as full-time undergrads to visit any non-traditional country outside of Western Europe, North America, and Australia. Recipients are tied to a federal government service requirement post-graduation.
Contact
Boren Scholarship for National Security Education
1400 K Street NW, 7th Floor
Washington, DC 20005
(800) 618-6737
boren@iie.org
4. Charlotte W. Newcombe Dissertation Fellowship
Deadline: November 15th
Valued at $25,000, the Charlotte W. Newcombe Dissertation Fellowship is one of the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation’s largest, most prestigious awards given to 20 PhD candidates at accredited U.S. institutions per year. Ideal fellows will have reached ABD status in their humanities or social sciences program to devote 12 months full-time toward writing a dissertation that focuses on ethical or religious values. Recipients have hailed from Georgetown, Arizona State, Columbia, and more.
Contact
Charlotte W. Newcombe Dissertation Fellowship
5 Vaughn Drive, Suite 300
Princeton, NJ 08540
(609) 452-7007
newcombe@woodrow.org
5. Coca-Cola Scholars Program Scholarships
Deadline: October 31st
Celebrating its 28th class, the Coca-Cola Scholars Program is sponsored by the leading soft-drink producer to award prestigious scholarships of $20,000 apiece to 150 students yearly. Any graduating high school seniors who are U.S. citizens, nationals, green card holders, refugees, or asylees could receive assistance from an accredited four-year degree. The Coca-Cola Community College Academic Team Program also awards 200 stipends up to $237,500 total for two-year degrees.
Contact
Coca-Cola Scholars Program Scholarships
P.O. Box 442
Atlanta, GA 30301
(800) 306-2653
scholars@coca-cola.com
6. Davidson Institute Fellows Scholarship
Deadline: February 8th
Founded by CEO Bob Davidson in 1989, the Davidson Institute for Talent Development was applauded for the #2 most prestigious undergrad scholarship on the U.S. News, which has gifted over $6.7 million to 286 brilliant innovators total. For up to $50,000, teens under age 18 across the United States must submit a significant, college-level project for the STEM, Humanities, or Outside the Box categories. Most recipients are profoundly gifted youth with IQ scores in the 99.9th percentile.
Contact
Davidson Institute Fellows Scholarship
9665 Gateway Drive
Reno, NV 89521
(775) 852-3483
davidsonfellows@davidsongifted.org
7. D.C. Leadership 1000 Scholarship
Deadline: February 28th
The College Success Foundation manages the D.C. Leadership 1000 Scholarship, a prestigious aid program offering $5,000 per year for up to $25,000. It’s reserved for graduates of District of Columbia Public Schools who are enrolled at eligible, four-year U.S. colleges with less than 60 quarter credits. Other criteria requires matriculating full-time, possessing a 2.75 GPA or higher, having filed a FAFSA form, and reporting a maximum gross family income of $81,780.
Contact
D.C. Leadership 1000 Scholarship
1805 7th Street NW, Suite 500
Washington, DC 20001
(202) 207-1813
abugayong@collegesuccessfoundation.org
8. Elks Most Valuable Student Scholarship
Deadline: November 30th
Devoted to “Charity, Justice, Brotherly Love, and Fidelity,” the Elks Foundation is a fraternal order with a 141-year legacy and over 2,000 lodges that sponsors the Most Value Student Competition for 500 prestigious scholarships annually. Finalists vie for the first-place awards of $50,000, second-place prizes of $40,000, and third-place gifts of $30,000. Entering the contest requires being a graduating high school senior with U.S. citizenship and full-time higher education hopes.
Contact
Elks Most Valuable Student Scholarship
2750 N. Lakeview Avenue
Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 755-4728
enf@elks.org
9. EPA Science to Achieve Results Fellowship
Deadline: May 26th
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has offered four prestigious funding opportunities, including the Science to Achieve Results Fellowship, since 1995 to over 1,800 budding scientists. Each STAR Fellow receives up to $44,000 yearly, including $12,000 for tuition and $27,000 through monthly stipends. Qualified master’s and doctoral students holding a minimum “B” average at accredited U.S. institutions must be undertaking projects related to environmental sciences, public health, or natural resources.
Contact
EPA Science to Achieve Results Fellowship
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20460
(202) 272-0164
gentry.james@epa.gov
10. Fannie and John Hertz Foundation Fellowship
Deadline: October 28th
Renewable for up to five years, the Fannie and John Hertz Foundation Fellowship is a prestigious, merit-based opportunity for Ph.D. candidates to receive full-tuition coverage with a nine-month personal stipend of $32,000 annually. Post-bachelor’s students who are U.S. citizens or legal residents must be studying scientific disciplines, such as astronautics, bioengineering, organic chemistry, and geology. There are currently 50 participating schools like Stanford, Emory, Johns Hopkins, Princeton, and UC Berkeley.
Contact
Fannie and John Hertz Foundation Fellowship
2300 First Street, Suite 250
Livermore, CA 94550
(925) 373-1642
askhertz@hertzfoundation.org
11. Gates Millennium Scholars Program
Deadline: January 13th
Launching again in 2018, the Gates Millennium Scholars (GMS) Program from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has given $934 million to fulfill unmet financial need for 20,000 low-income students of color. Hispanic, Asian, Native American, and African American high school seniors who permanently live in the U.S. receive a prestigious average award of $12,785. Applicants must carry an unweighted GPA of 3.3 or better, receive the Pell Grant, and participate in community service.
Contact
Gates Millennium Scholars Program
440 5th Avenue N.
Seattle, WA 98109
(206) 709-3100 ext.7100
mary.williams@gmsp.org
12. GE-Reagan Foundation Scholarships
Deadline: January 5th
The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation & Institute partners with GE to award these prestigious scholarships for $10,000 per year or $40,000 total to young leaders who personify Reagan’s values of “leadership, drive, citizenship, and integrity.” Eligibility criteria mandates being a U.S. citizen, finishing a high school diploma, being accepted into a bachelor’s program full-time, possessing a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or stronger, engaging in community activities, and passing the Skype interview.
Contact
GE-Reagan Foundation Scholarships
1455 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Suite 400
Washington, DC 20004
(844) 402-0354
ge-reagan@scholarshipamerica.org
13. Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation
Deadline: February 27th
Since 1975, the Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation has provided a living memorial to the 33rd President of the United States by awarding up to 65 prestigious scholarships worth $30,000 apiece. More than 600 nominations are received yearly from U.S. citizens or nationals who are full-time, high-achieving college juniors interested in graduate study. Funding will help cover service-oriented advanced degrees like a Master of Public Administration, Master of International Relations, or Juris Doctor.
Contact
Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation
712 Jackson Place NW, Suite 3
Washington, DC 20006
(202) 395-4831
office@truman.gov
14. Jack Kent Cooke College Scholarship
Deadline: November 30th
Located in Lansdowne, the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation manages five prestigious programs like the College Scholarship. Each year, 30-40 scholars are selected for up to $40,000 and multifaceted advising to transition into competitive, four-year U.S. universities, such as Yale, Brown, and Dartmouth. Applicants must display academic excellence with a minimum 3.5 GPA, ACT composite score of 26, and SAT combined score of 1200 as well as a maximum family income of $95,000.
Contact
Jack Kent Cooke College Scholarship
44325 Woodridge Parkway
Lansdowne, VA 20176
(800) 941-3300
info@jkcf.org
15. James Madison Memorial Teaching Fellowship
Deadline: March 6th
Called a “life-changing experience” by Fellow Lisa Dishongh, the James Madison Memorial Teaching Fellowship awards $12,000 per year for $24,000 total to U.S. citizens who intend to educate high school students in grades 7-12 about the Constitution. Post-bachelor’s teachers must be enrolling full-time at accredited colleges for advanced degrees like an M.A. in American History, M.A.T. in Social Studies, or M.A. in Government. Recipients also complete a four-week Summer Institute in Washington, DC.
Contact
James Madison Memorial Teaching Fellowship
1613 Duke Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
(800) 525-6928
llarsen@jamesmadison.gov
16. NOAA Hollings Undergraduate Scholarships
Deadline: January 23rd
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) honors Senator Ernest Fritz Hollings’ 38-year tenure by awarding prestigious scholarships of $9,500 apiece to full-time, U.S. undergraduates. Scholarship money is reserved for full-time sophomores and juniors with a GPA of 3.0 or higher in qualifying majors, such as marine biology, atmospheric science, hydrology, environmental studies, geography, engineering, ecology, and meteorology. Over 75 percent of the program’s 1,200 alumni attend graduate school.
Contact
NOAA Hollings Undergraduate Scholarships
1315 East West Highway
Silver Spring, MD 20910
(301) 628-2913
StudentScholarshipPrograms@noaa.gov
17. P.D. Soros Fellowships for New Americans
Deadline: November 1st
Funded by Hungarian immigrants Paul and Daisy Soros in 1997 with $75 million, the P.D. Soros Fellowships for New Americans is a prestigious, merit-based program drawing nearly 1,800 applications per year for the $90,000 award package. Competitive applicants will be U.S. citizens born to immigrants, naturalized citizens, green card holders, or DACA recipients under age 30 who are pursuing advanced master’s, specialist, or doctoral education full-time.
Contact
P.D. Soros Fellowships for New Americans
224 West 57th Street
New York, NY 10019
(212) 547-6927
PDSoros@pdsoros.org
18. Rotary Foundation Peace Fellows Program
Deadline: May 31st
Started in 2013 from the Ambassadorial Scholarship, the Rotary Foundation Peace Fellows Program is a prestigious honor covering full tuition, room and board, round-trip transportation, and field-study costs for 100 post-bachelor’s students worldwide yearly. Candidates endorsed by Rotary Districts must have at least three years of relevant, full-time work experience. Host Peace Centers include Duke University, Uppsala University, Chulalongkorn University, the University of Queensland, and more.
Contact
Rotary Foundation Peace Fellows Program
1560 Sherman Avenue
Evanston, IL 60201
(866) 976-8279
rotarypeacecenters@rotary.org
19. Shelton National Leadership Scholarship
Deadline: October 15th
The General H. Hugh Shelton Leadership Center sponsors one of America’s most prestigious scholarships for full-time, incoming freshmen with a history of leadership experience. Recipients are given $10,000 annually for $40,000 total along with $2,000 for leadership retreats, etiquette training, global service trips, and more. Undergrads must be accepted at North Carolina State University, hold good standing with a 3.0 GPA or higher, exhibit high personal character, and have commitment to leadership growth.
Contact
Shelton National Leadership Scholarship
1101 Gorman Street, Suite 210
Raleigh, NC 27606
(919) 513-0148
bhmulkey@ncsu.edu
20. Siemens STEM Competition Scholarships
Deadline: September 20th
Ranging from $1,000 to $100,000 per winning project, the Siemens STEM Competition has inspired future scientists with prestigious scholarships since 1999. High school students in grades 9-12 from across the U.S. and its territories can compete by submitting innovative individual or team projects related to math, science, and technology. Registration opens each May to submit a maximum 18-page research report with references that displays field knowledge, creativity, and scientific importance.
Contact
Siemens STEM Competition Scholarships
One Discovery Place
Silver Spring, MD 20910
(800) 323-9084
siemenscompetition@discovery.com
21. Stanley E. Michels Health Careers Scholarship
Deadline: July 1st
The City University of New York system initiated the Stanley E. Michels Health Careers Scholarship in 1995 to support Upper Manhattan residents’ job prospects at prestigious facilities like New York-Presbyterian Hospital and Columbia University Medical Center. Winning up to $15,000 requires living in District 9 or 12, enrolling full-time at a CUNY campus for an approved medical program with a clinical internship, and verifying a 2.5 GPA or higher.
Contact
Stanley E. Michels Health Careers Scholarship
555 W. 57th Street, 14th Floor
New York, NY 10019
(646) 664-8806
gabrielle.carletti@cuny.edu
22. Udall Foundation Undergraduate Scholarships
Deadline: March 15th
Enacted by Congress in 1992 in honor of Representative Morris K. Udall’s lasting environmental impacts, the Udall Foundation awards up to 60 prestigious scholarships of $7,000 to financially support full-time college sophomores and juniors. The Tribal Health Care Scholarship suits members of federally recognized Native American tribes who are interested in medical practice in Indian country. The Environment Scholarship helps U.S. citizens of any ethnicity who work to conserve the country’s natural resources.
Contact
Udall Foundation Undergraduate Scholarships
1825 K Street NW, Suite 701
Washington, DC 20006
(202) 540-1040
kbaker@udall.gov
23. Vinson & Elkins, LLP Diversity Scholarship
Deadline: April 15th
Worth $10,000, the Vinson & Elkins, LLP Diversity Scholarship is funded by a Houston-based law firm representing the world’s most prestigious businesses to encourage minority high school seniors into higher education. Eligible students of color must rank in the top 20 percent of their class, score at least 1100 on the SAT or 22 on the ACT, have resided in Texas for 7+ years, demonstrate financial need, and show interest in the legal profession.
Contact
Vinson & Elkins, LLP Diversity Scholarship
1001 Fannin Street, Suite 2500
Houston, TX 77002
(713) 758-2811
kkillion@velaw.com
24. Winston Churchill Foundation Scholarships
Deadline: November 7th
Voted the “Greatest Briton” ever in a 2002 BBC poll, Prime Minister Winston Churchill’s legacy lives on with his Foundation’s prestigious scholarships, which cover up to $60,000 for U.S. citizens studying in the United Kingdom. Qualified college seniors must finish their bachelor’s degree with a GPA between 3.7 and 4.0 before using the funding for graduate-level courses at Cambridge University. Several Churchill Scholars like James D. Watson and George Wald have earned the Nobel Prize.
Contact
Winston Churchill Foundation Scholarships
600 Madison Avenue, Suite 1601
New York, NY 10022
(212) 752-3200
info@churchillscholarship.org
25. Xerox Technical Minority Scholarship
Deadline: September 30th
Xerox Corporation, the Rochester-based Fortune 500 document solutions provider led by CEO Ursula M. Burns, offers the Technical Minority Scholarship for up to $10,000 to support U.S. citizens and visa-holding residents of color. Suitable applicants will be enrolled as full-time bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD students with a minimum “B” average in technical sciences, such as physics, chemistry, engineering, computer science, or information management. Pre-applications must be certified by students’ financial aid office.
Contact
Xerox Technical Minority Scholarship
150 State Street, 4th Floor
Rochester, NY 14614
xtmsp@rballiance.com
Scholarship Link
According to the National Postsecondary Student Aid Study (NPSAS), a total of $5.1 billion is made available through private scholarships each year. However, the 1.3 million bachelor’s students who claimed these funds in 2012 reaped a mean amount slightly below $4,000. For most, scholarships are only part of the financial aid plan added to grants, loans, and work-study income. Top-performing students who compete to win above-average scholarships of prestige could fulfill their entire financial need though. Show off your talents for big bucks by submitting your application for these 25 prestigious scholarships.
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