Top 15 Scholarships in the USA for College Students
Going to college can be a costly endeavor, but scholarships can help ease the financial burden. There are thousands of scholarships available, but not all are created equal. To help you find the best scholarships for your needs, we’ve compiled a list of the top 15 scholarships in the USA.
1. The Rhodes Scholarship
The Rhodes Scholarship is one of the most prestigious and competitive scholarships in the world. It is awarded to 32 American students each year to study at the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom. The scholarship covers all expenses, including tuition, room and board, and a personal stipend. To be eligible, students must have a high GPA and be involved in extracurricular activities, leadership, and community service.
2. The Fulbright Scholarship
The Fulbright Scholarship is a program run by the United States government that offers grants for students, scholars, and professionals to conduct research, study, or teach abroad. The scholarship covers travel, housing, and living expenses for the duration of the grant. To be eligible, students must be U.S. citizens and have a bachelor’s degree.
3. The Harry S. Truman Scholarship
The Harry S. Truman Scholarship is a highly competitive scholarship for students who plan to pursue careers in government, the non-profit sector, or education. The scholarship provides up to $30,000 for graduate study, as well as leadership training and professional development opportunities. To be eligible, students must be in their junior year of undergraduate study and have a GPA of at least 3.0.
4. The Marshall Scholarship
The Marshall Scholarship is a highly competitive scholarship that pays for up to two years of study at any university in the United Kingdom. The scholarship covers all expenses, including tuition, room and board, and a personal stipend. To be eligible, students must be U.S. citizens and have a GPA of at least 3.7.
5. The Gates Cambridge Scholarship
The Gates Cambridge Scholarship is a highly competitive scholarship that pays for graduate study at the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom. The scholarship covers all expenses, including tuition, room and board, and a personal stipend. To be eligible, students must be U.S. citizens and have a high GPA and test scores.
6. The Mitchell Scholarship
The Mitchell Scholarship is a highly competitive scholarship that pays for one year of graduate study in Ireland or Northern Ireland. The scholarship covers tuition, room and board, and a personal stipend. To be eligible, students must be U.S. citizens and have a GPA of at least 3.5.
7. The Churchill Scholarship
The Churchill Scholarship is a highly competitive scholarship that pays for graduate study in science, mathematics, engineering, and technology at the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom. The scholarship covers tuition, room and board, and a personal stipend. To be eligible, students must be U.S. citizens and have a GPA of at least 3.7 and a strong background in the STEM fields.
8. The Goldwater Scholarship
The Goldwater Scholarship is a prestigious scholarship for students who plan to pursue careers in mathematics, the natural sciences, or engineering. The scholarship provides up to $7,500 per year for undergraduate study. To be eligible, students must be in the sophomore or junior year of undergraduate study and have a GPA of at least 3.0 and a strong background in the STEM fields.
9. The National Science and Technology Medals Foundation Scholarship
The National Science and Technology Medals Foundation Scholarship is a scholarship for students who plan to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) fields. The scholarship provides up to $10,000 per year for undergraduate or graduate study. To be eligible, students must be U.S. citizens and have a GPA of at least 3.0 and a strong background in the STEM fields.
10. The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Graduate Scholarship
The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Graduate Scholarship is a highly competitive scholarship that pays for graduate study for the most accomplished students with financial need. The scholarship covers tuition, room and board, and a personal stipend. To be eligible, students must have a high GPA and test scores, as well as financial need.
11. The Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans
The Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans is a scholarship for immigrants and children of immigrants who plan to pursue graduate study in the United States. The scholarship provides up to $90,000 for graduate study, as well as mentorship and professional development opportunities. To be eligible, students must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents and have a high GPA and test scores.
12. The Ford Foundation Predoctoral Fellowship
The Ford Foundation Predoctoral Fellowship is a scholarship for underrepresented students who plan to pursue graduate study in a research-based field. The scholarship provides three years of support for graduate study, including tuition, room and board, and a personal stipend. To be eligible, students must be underrepresented in their field of study and have a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion.
13. The NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program
The NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program is a prestigious scholarship for graduate students who plan to pursue research-based careers in the STEM fields. The scholarship provides three years of support for graduate study, including tuition, room and board, and a personal stipend. To be eligible, students must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents and have a strong background in the STEM fields.
14. The Hertz Fellowship
The Hertz Fellowship is a prestigious scholarship for graduate students in the applied physical, biological and engineering sciences. The scholarship provides full tuition and a living stipend for up to five years of graduate study. To be eligible, students must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents and have a GPA of at least 3.5 and a strong background in the applied physical, biological and engineering sciences. The Hertz Foundation also looks for qualities such as leadership, problem-solving abilities and a strong entrepreneurial spirit as a part of the eligibility criteria.
15. The Gates Millennium Scholars Program
The Gates Millennium Scholars Program is a scholarship program for underrepresented students with significant financial need. The scholarship provides up to $30,000 per year for undergraduate and graduate study. To be eligible, students must be of African American, American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian Pacific Islander American, or Hispanic American ethnicity and have a strong academic record and financial need.
There are many scholarships available for college students in the USA, and this list is by no means exhaustive. However, these 15 scholarships are among the most prestigious and competitive in the country. If you’re a student looking to further your education, be sure to consider these scholarships and apply for those that match your qualifications and needs.
Remember, always start early, research the scholarship requirements thoroughly, and if you fit the criteria, don’t hesitate to apply to as many as you qualify for. Also, remember to keep a lookout for the application deadline, and submit the application in time with all the documents required. You can also take help from your school counselors or online resources, who can guide you through the process.