National Competitive Scholarships
Achieve your postgraduate goals and join the ranks of such leaders as President Bill Clinton and U.S. Senator Bill Bradley, both Rhodes Scholars, when you apply for and earn one of the country's most prestigious scholarships.
Unlike Honors College scholarships, national and international scholarships are funded by government entities and private agencies, making them open to students nationwide. That same factor makes them both competitive and highly distinguished in academic, university and corporate circles. It's not uncommon for thousands of students to compete for just a handful of scholarships each year. However, for those who earn the distinction, the rewards are many.
Do you have an interest in pursuing a competitive scholarship? The abridged list below is an excellent starting point. If you're interested in applying — or think you might be soon — complete a preliminary application for nationally competitive fellowships and grants and submit it to the Honors College.
More information is available in the Honors College and in each semester's orientation programs.
Because application deadlines vary and change each year, please refer to each website for a detailed explanation of due dates.
- James Madison Graduate Fellowships for students interested in high school teaching careers with an emphasis on history, government or social studies
- Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship for undergraduates interested in science, engineering and math research careers
- National Security Education Program Scholarship (NSEP) for study abroad by graduates and undergraduates specifically interested in languages and cultures
- Harry S. Truman Scholarships for undergraduates who desire to improve the way government agencies, nonprofit organizations and educational institutions serve the public
- Morris K. Udall Foundation Scholarships for undergraduates with a commitment to pursuing environment-related careers, and Native American and Alaska Native undergraduates with a commitment to careers related to tribal public policy or health care
- Gilman International Scholarship for study abroad
- Jack Kent Cooke Graduate Scholarships for talented students in need of financial assistance who desire to attend any graduate or professional school
- British Marshall Scholarships for study abroad in the United Kingdom
- Fulbright Scholarships for study abroad
- George J. Mitchell Scholarships for graduate study by American citizens at institutions of higher learning on the island of Ireland
- Gilman International Scholarship for study abroad
- Rhodes Scholarships for study at Oxford University in the United Kingdom
- Gates Cambridge Scholarships for study at Cambridge University in the United Kingdom
- National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowships for outstanding graduate students in the relevant science, technology, engineering and mathematics disciplines who are pursuing research-based master's and doctoral degrees
- The Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for able and accomplished New Americans to achieve leadership in their chosen fields
- Andrew W. Mellon Fellowships in Humanistic Studies for college seniors or gradates whose intended disciplines are in the traditional humanities
- Rotary International Ambassadorial Scholarships for study abroad by undergraduate and graduate students
- National Institutes of Health-University of Oxford Scholars in Biomedical Research Scholarship
National Institutes of Health-University of Cambridge Health Science Research Scholars Programs
The NIH Oxford/Cambridge programs allow students to complete a Ph.D. in any area of biomedical research in three or four years. Roughly half of students' thesis work is done on the NIH campus in Bethesda Maryland and the other half is done at Oxford or Cambridge where they are members of colleges and participate fully in university life. The NIH is the largest biomedical research facility world and has trained over 100 Nobel laureates.
For further information, visit the National Association of Fellowships advisers, of which the Honors College is a member. You'll find valuable information and links to scholarship agencies.
If you are interested in applying for one of the listed scholarships, please download and complete the Preliminary Application for Nationally Competitive Fellowships and Grants and submit it to the Honors College as soon as possible.