Getting Started with National Scholarships

Getting Started

Four-Year Plan and Helpful Links

Start thinking about competitive scholarships as early as your freshman year!

Check out the four-year guide to start mapping out opportunities for your future.

• Finding Fellowships & Scholarships (ProFellow)

• Gap Year before Graduate School (GoGrad)

• Gap Year Options (Yale University)

• Graduate Fellowships (GoGrad)

Who should apply?

Are you high-achieving, hard-working, enthusiastic and determined?

If so, you have the base qualities required to pursue a nationally competitive scholarship. Many opportunities exist at all stages of your academic career. Peruse the website to identify scholarships that dovetail with your academic and professional goals and that fit your individual profile.

Reasons to Apply

• Gain new perspectives regarding your future.
• Attain knowledge to help further your academic study and future career.
• Increase opportunities to network with people in your field of interest.
• Learn more about yourself as an individual.
• Receive funds to cover tuition and/or research projects.
• Distinguish yourself on a national and international level.
• Earn recognition for yourself and the university.

Make yourself a strong competitor

While there is no formula that determines the “best candidate,” most successful candidates exceed in academics, have leadership experience and are involved in their community.

Other attributes these scholarships look for include:

• extensive experience in research
• conference presentations
• experience developing and/or presenting a thesis
• internship experience
• demonstrated leadership abilities
• commitment to the community via public service projects and opportunities

Students should be able to articulate a future plan that establishes their goals over the course of the next few years. Students must also be able to provide credible references who can expound upon and corroborate the student’s academic, leadership and community service achievements.

Steps to strengthening your application

• Prepare early in your college career.
• Pursue an academically challenging curriculum (such as an Honors curriculum).
• Maintain a high GPA.
• Take on leadership roles within your school and community.
• Be involved with service projects in your community.
• Actively participate in undergraduate or graduate research.
• Participate in summer internships and/or Study Abroad programs.
• Become familiar with the current affairs and leaders in your chosen field of study.
• Talk to your professors; ask for advice.
• Seek out and make an appointment with the  Office of Undergraduate Research & Creative Activity (URaCE).