National Scholarship Office

The Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) aims to increase the number of Americans studying critical foreign languages. The program provides full funding for undergraduate and graduate students to study a critical language abroad during the summer.

Students from all majors, disciplines and backgrounds are encouraged to apply. Program participants are expected to continue language study beyond the duration of their funding, as well as to implement skills gained from their participation in the program into their future professional careers.

The application is open to United States citizens currently enrolled in a U.S. degree-seeking program at the undergraduate or graduate level. Applicants must have already completed their first year of university-level curriculum by the beginning of the program.

Typically CLS has a national deadline of mid-November. The NSO has a campus process to help students through the application process including a self-paced Canvas course and application review panels.

The Boren Scholarships provide financial assistance to undergraduate students (up to $25,000) to study a critical language abroad in areas of the world that are critical to U.S. interests and underrepresented in study abroad, including Africa, Asia, Central & Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Latin America, and the Middle East. Boren recipients must serve one year working for the federal government. Boren Scholars and Fellows must not graduate before concluding their Boren funding period. Applicants must be U.S. Citizens. Typically the Boren Awards have a national deadline of late January or early February. The NSO has a campus process to support students applying for the Boren Awards, including a self-paced Canvas course and campus review panels. You can view a recorded information session on our Kaltura channel. The campus deadline is typically early January.

The Fulbright U.S. Student Program is the nation's largest international exchange program with over 2,000 grants awarded each year. Sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, it is designed to give recent graduates and alumni opportunities to study, conduct independent research, pursue creative projects, or teach English abroad for one academic year. Applicants must be U.S. citizens and hold at least a Bachelor’s degree or the equivalent by the start of the grant. Other country-specific eligibility requirements may apply. The Fulbright program aims to increase mutual understanding between the people of the U.S. and the people of other countries through educational exchange.

There are two major types of student grants:

Academic Study/Research Grant

• Independent research, study, or creative and performing arts projects abroad

English Teaching Assistantships

• 20-30 hours a week at primary/secondary schools or universities helping to teach English and U.S. culture
• Remaining time spent on a community-focused project

The typical national deadline for Fulbright is mid-October. The NSO has a campus process to help students through the application process including workshops and application review panels. The campus deadline is typically mid-August. The NSO Kaltura channel hosts a recorded Fulbright information session and other workshops.

The Fulbright UK Summer Institutes give American first- and second-year undergraduates the opportunity to study at a highly-regarded U.K. university for three or four weeks over the summer.

Applicants must be U.S. citizens with a GPA of 3.7 or higher at the time of application. Applicants must have at least two years of undergraduate study left to complete after completion of their Summer Institute. Preference for this award is given to those applicants who have not previously traveled outside of North America.

The award covers the majority of participant costs, including round-trip airfare, tuition and fees at the host university, accommodation and meals, and in some cases a small daily allowance.

The Gates Cambridge Scholarship offers 80 full-cost scholarships to outstanding applicants from countries outside the UK to pursue a full-time postgraduate degree in any subject available at the University of Cambridge. Approximately two-thirds of these awards will be offered to PhD students, with approximately 25 awards available in the U.S. round and 55 available in the International round.

The scholarship was established in 2000 by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to the University of Cambridge. Applicants can be from any discipline. Those who apply must exhibit outstanding intellectual ability and leadership potential. Applicants must also be dedicated to improving the lives of other people and be a good fit to the program they are applying for at Cambridge.

The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship provides funding for undergraduate students who receive Federal Pell Grants to study abroad. The program aims to increase the number, as well as the diversity, of American students studying abroad by providing funding to undergraduates who might not be able to participate in study abroad programs for financial reasons.

Gilman encourages applicants to study in non-traditional locations, i.e. outside of Western Europe. Gilman also encourages applications from students with diverse ethnic backgrounds, students with disabilities, and students who are enrolled in fields of study that are under-represented in study abroad programs.

The Gilman Scholarship awards students with funding up to $5,000. An additional up to $3,000 is possible for those studying Critical Need Languages. Additionally the Gilman-McCain Scholarships provides awards of up to $5,000 for child dependents of active duty military service members who receive Title IV federal financial aid.
There are two Gilman application cycles each year, the fall cycle with a deadline in early October, and a spring cycle with a deadline in early March. Applications must be approved through VCU’s Education Abroad Office. Check out their website for more information.

The Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Program aims to award exceptional students studying science, technology, engineering, research-based medicine and mathematics with a maximum of $7500 for continuing undergraduate education.

Around 300 scholarships are awarded annually. In order to be considered for the scholarship, students must be either a sophomore or junior, have at least a 3.0 grade point average and be in the upper quarter of his or her class.

Candidates who are juniors at the time of their application can expect to receive funding for up to one academic year. Candidates who are sophomores at the time of their application can expect to receive funding for up to two academic years. Students who receive the Goldwater Scholarship may choose to stay in the United States or study abroad.

VCU can nominate up to four students each year for the Goldwater Scholarship. Students who would like to receive one of these nominations must participate in the NSO's Goldwater campus application process, which generally begins in September, with campus applications due in November.

The Udall Foundation awards scholarships of up to $7,000 to college sophomores and juniors for leadership, public service, and commitment to issues related to Native American nations or to the environment.

Applicants must:

• be interested in conservation and environmental issues or are Native American or Alaska Native interested in healthcare or tribal policy
• be a U.S. citizen, U.S. National, or permanent resident
• have at least a 3.0 GPA

Udall Scholarships may be used for tuition, fees, books, room and board, or other specifically approved expenses. Payments may supplement, but not duplicate, benefits from other foundations, institutions, or organizations. Combined benefits from all sources may not exceed the costs of tuition, fees, books, and room and board as prescribed by the institution.

Students must receive a university nomination to apply for the Udall Scholarship. Therefore, all VCU students interested in applying for this award must participate in the NSO's campus application process. While the application deadline is usually early March, the campus deadline is usually in January.

The Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation awards up to $30,000 to college juniors who plan to pursue graduate study in fields of public service.

The Truman Scholarships are awarded to 60-65 applicants annually. Applicants must aspire to work in fields related to government, education, nonprofits or public interest. Candidates must commit to work in public service for three of the first seven years after completing their graduate degree.

Along with awarding scholarships, the foundation also provides services to its scholars to assist with career counseling, internship placement, graduate school admissions and professional development.

The Truman Scholarship requires a university nomination, which means that applicants must participate in the NSO's campus application process. While the application deadline is usually the first Tuesday in February, the campus deadline usually falls in mid-November.

RISE Germany is a summer internship program for undergraduate students from the United States, Canada and the UK in the fields of biology, chemistry, physics, earth sciences and engineering. It offers unique opportunities to work with research groups at universities and top research institutions across Germany for a period of 2 to 3 months during the summer. RISE interns are matched with doctoral students whom they assist and who serve as their mentors. The working language will be English. All scholarship holders receive stipends from DAAD to help cover living expenses, while partner universities & research institutes provide housing assistance.

The Science, Mathematics And Research For Transformation (SMART) Scholarship is awarded to undergraduate and graduate students pursuing degrees in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). Established by the Department of Defense (DoD), recipients participate in summer research internships at a DoD laboratory and are expected to complete a post-graduation employment service as a DoD civilian.

In addition to these benefits, participants receive:

• Full tuition and education related fees
• Stipend paid at a rate of $25,000-$38,000 depending on degree pursued
• Health insurance allowance up to $1,200 per calendar year
• Miscellaneous supplies allowance of $1,000 per academic year
• Mentoring
• Employment placement after graduation

Applicants must be a citizen of the United States, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, or United Kingdom, 18 years or older, and in good standing with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.

The application deadline for the SMART Scholarship is usually December 1.

The Quad Fellowship sponsors 100 exceptional American, Japanese, Australian, and Indian master’s and doctoral students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) to study in the United States. The fellowship will develop a network of science and technology experts committed to advancing innovation and collaboration in the private, public, and academic sectors, in their own nations and among Quad countries.

Applicants must:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Be a citizen or permanent resident of Australia, India, Japan, or the U.S., have a bachelor’s degree in a STEM field
• Have a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent in a STEM field by the start of the program
• Have a demonstrated record of superior academic achievement at the undergraduate level
• If applicants are currently enrolled in a Master's or PhD program in the United States, they may apply if they will be enrolled in a qualified academic program during their time as a Fellow

Application deadline is typically the end of June.

The Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program funds up to three years of graduate education at Stanford University for 100 scholars each year. A multi-disciplinary experience, Knight-Hennessy Scholars in different disciplines collaborate with one another to confront real-world problems and develop global leadership skills. If your graduate program exceeds three years, your home department will provide funding for the remainder of your studies.

Scholars receive:

• A fellowship applied directly to cover tuition and associated fees
• A generous stipend comprising on-campus room and board; books, supplies, and instructional materials; health insurance and associated fees; travel to and from Stanford; local transportation; and reasonable personal expenses
• Mentoring opportunities with established leaders in area of interest
• Access to leadership development and experiential learning opportunities with your cohort

Citizens of all countries are encouraged to apply. Applicants may pursue any graduate program offered at Stanford that is at least two years in duration and must apply to that program separately. Undergraduate students may apply as long as a bachelor’s degree is completed before enrollment as a graduate student at Stanford. Eligibility to apply lasts for five years after receiving your undergraduate degree.

VCU students interested in the Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program should plan to participate in the NSO's campus application process and be working with the NSO throughout the summer before the national application deadline. While the national deadline usually falls in late September, the campus deadline will be earlier than that.

The Marshall Scholarship awards 40 students with scholarships that allow them to study abroad in the United Kingdom. The amount awarded is enough to cover university fees, cost of living expenses, books, thesis research, daily travel, travel to and from the United States and a contribution towards support of a dependent spouse. The award normally lasts for 1-2 academic years with some candidates eligible for a third-year extension. Those who already hold a British degree are not eligible for the scholarship.

Students selected for the scholarship are expected to take graduate-level classes at a UK institute. This scholarship is open to students who have graduated/will graduate with a 3.7 GPA. Students from any discipline or major are encouraged to apply.

Applicants must receive a campus nomination, which requires them to participate in the NSO's campus application process and be working with the NSO throughout the summer before the national application deadline. While the national deadline usually falls in late September, the campus deadline will be earlier than that.

The Mitchell Scholars Program, named to honor former US Senator George Mitchell's pivotal contribution to the Northern Ireland peace process, is designed to introduce and connect generations of future American leaders to the island of Ireland, while recognizing and fostering intellectual achievement, leadership, and a commitment to community and public service. Up to twelve Mitchell Scholars between the ages of 18 and 30 are chosen annually for one year of postgraduate study in any discipline offered by institutions of higher learning in Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Applicants are judged on three criteria:

• Scholarship
• Leadership
• Sustained commitment to community and public service

The Mitchell Scholars Program provides tuition, accommodations, a living expenses stipend, and an international travel stipend. Undergraduate applicants must receive a campus nomination, which means that any VCU senior interested in applying for the Mitchell Scholars Program must participate in the NSO's campus application process. While the national deadline usually falls in late September, the NSO's campus deadline will be earlier.

The National Science Foundation's Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) aims to support early-career graduate students in science and engineering in the United States in order to ensure the vitality of these fields and reinforce their diversity. The program recognizes and supports outstanding graduate students in NSF-supported science, technology, engineering, and mathematics disciplines who are pursuing research-based master's and doctoral degrees at accredited U.S. institutions. The NSF welcomes applications from all qualified students and strongly encourages underrepresented populations, including women, underrepresented racial and ethnic minorities, and persons with disabilities, to apply for this fellowship.

GRFP Fellows Receive:

• Three years of support
• $30,000 annual stipend
• $12,000 cost-of-education allowance to the institution
• International research and professional development opportunities

Graduating seniors and alumni who have not yet matriculated in a graduate program are particularly encouraged to apply. Once enrolled in a graduate program, eligible students may apply in their first OR second year. US citizens, nationals, and permanent residents are eligible to apply.

Students who would like NSO support should plan to work on their application over the summer, with campus deadlines as early as July. The national deadline is usually the third week in October.

The Rhodes Scholarship provides students with funding to study at the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom. In order to apply, applicants must have a bachelor’s degree before October 1 in the year after acceptance into the program. The applicants must also be 18-23 years old at the application deadline. The Rhodes Trust awards 32 scholarships each year to American students. The recommended length of study is 2-3 years. In addition to academic funding, scholars will be given a stipend. The application is open to students from all disciplines.

Students of any citizenship with a 3.7 GPA are eligible to apply. The Rhodes Scholarship application requires a campus nomination, so all VCU students interested in applying for this award must participate in the NSO's campus application process. While the application deadline is usually the first Tuesday in October, the campus deadline will be earlier.

The Schwarzman Scholars Program was created to increase understanding of China’s role in the geopolitical landscape of the 21st century. Scholars participate in a one-year Master’s Degree at Tsinghua University in Beijing to pursue public policy, economics and business, or international studies.

The award covers:

• Tuition fees
• Room and board at a state-of-the-art facility
• Travel to and from Beijing
• An in-country study tour
• Required course books and supplies
• Lenovo laptop and smartphone
• Health insurance
• A personal stipend of $3500

Applicants must be at least 18 but not yet 29 years of age at of the start of August after they apply. Completion of an undergraduate degree is required before the start of the scholarship. All majors may apply, but applicants must make clear how their participation in Schwarzman Scholars will help develop their leadership potential within their field. While applicants of all citizenships may apply, proficiency in the English language must be demonstrated. There is no minimum GPA requirement.

VCU students interested in applying for the Schwarzman Scholars Program should plan on participating in the NSO's campus application process. While the national deadline is usually in late September, the campus deadline will be earlier.

The Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans program honors the contributions of immigrants and children of immigrants to the United States. Each Fellowship supports one to two years of graduate study in any field and in any advanced degree-granting program in the United States. Each award is for up to a total of $90,000.

Citizenship requirements:

• US Citizen by Birth: You are a US citizen by birth and one of the following is true:
  • Both of your birth parents were born abroad as non-US citizens and were not eligible for US citizenship at the time of their births.
  • You were raised by only one of your birth parents, the parent that raised you was born abroad as a non-US citizen, and your second birth parent was not a part of your life growing up and you have no contact with them.
• Born abroad: You were born abroad as a non-US citizen and one of the following is true:
  • Naturalized Citizen: You have been naturalized as a US citizen either on your own or as a minor child under the application of one of your parents.
  • Adopted: You were born outside of the US or one of its territories and were subsequently adopted by American parents and were awarded US citizenship because of your adoption.
  • Green Card: You are in possession of a valid green card. - Refugee & Asylees: You have been granted asylum or refugee status in the US.
  • If None of the Other Categories Above Apply: Graduated from High School and College in the US: If none of the other categories apply to you and you were born abroad, you must have graduated from both high school and college in the US (this includes current and past DACA recipients).
• Applicants must be pursuing full-time graduate degrees and under the age of 30

The application deadline is typically at the end of October.

The Samvid Scholarship empowers future leaders by providing up to $50K for two years of study in an eligible graduate program, leadership development programming, and a robust alumni network. Applicants must:

• Be pursuing a full-time graduate program of 2 years or longer at a U.S. university in one of the following programs: MD, MBA, JD, MPP/MPA, MPH, EdD, MS/MA in the social sciences or STEM
• Have an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.5
• Be a U.S. citizen or DACA recipient

The application deadline is typically early-April.

The Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Graduate Fellowship Program is a U.S. Department of State program administered by Howard University that seeks to attract and prepare outstanding young people, who represent ethnic, gender, social, and geographic diversity and have an interest in pursuing a Foreign Service career in the U.S. Department of State. The Program encourages the application of members of minority groups historically underrepresented in the Foreign Service, women, and those with financial need.

The Pickering Program plans to award 45 fellowships of up to $42,000 annually for a two-year period for tuition, room, board, books, and mandatory fees for completion of two-year master’s degrees. This includes up to $24,000 per year for tuition and mandatory fees and an academic year stipend of $18,000. To be eligible to participate, you must meet the following criteria:

• Be a U.S. citizen.
• Have a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.2 on a 4.0 scale at the time of application.
• Seek admission to a two-year, full-time, on-campus, master’s degree program at a U.S.-based graduate institution in an academic field relevant to the work of the Foreign Service (public policy, international affairs, public administration, business, economics, political science, management science, organizational development/leadership, sociology, or regional studies).

The Rangel Graduate Fellowship is a program that aims to attract and prepare outstanding young people for careers in the Foreign Service of the U.S. Department of State in which they can help formulate, represent, and implement U.S. foreign policy. The Rangel Program selects outstanding Rangel Fellows annually in a highly competitive nationwide process and supports them through two years of graduate study, internships, mentoring, and professional development activities. This program encourages the application of members of minority groups historically underrepresented in the Foreign Service, women, and those with financial need. Fellows who successfully complete the program and Foreign Service entry requirements will receive appointments as Foreign Service Officers, in accordance with applicable law and State Department policy.

The Rangel Program plans to award 45 fellowships of up to $42,000 annually for a two year period for tuition, room, board, books, and mandatory fees for completion of a two-year master’s degree. This includes up to $24,000 per year for tuition and mandatory fees and an academic year stipend of $18,000. At the conclusion of two years of study, the Rangel Fellow is expected to have obtained a degree in international affairs or another area of relevance to the work of the Foreign Service. Eligibility:

• Applicants must be seeking admission to enter graduate school in the fall for a two-year program at a U.S. university in an area of relevance to the Foreign Service. They can be in the senior year of their undergraduate studies, graduating by the summer before the beginning of the program, or they can be college graduates.
• Applicants must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.2 or higher on a 4.0 scale at the time of application.
• Applicants must be a U.S. citizen.

The Donald M. Payne International Development Graduate Fellowship Program seeks to attract outstanding individuals who are interested in pursuing careers in the Foreign Service of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). The Payne Fellowship, which provides up to $104,000 in benefits over two years for graduate school, internships, and professional development activities, is a unique pathway to the USAID Foreign Service. Eligibility:

• Applicants must be U.S. citizens.
• Applicants must be seeking admission to enter graduate school in the fall for a two-year program at a U.S. university. They can be in the senior year of their undergraduate studies, graduating by the summer before the beginning of the program, or they can be college graduates.
• Applicants must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.2 or higher on a 4.0 scale at the time of application.

The primary goal of the Freeman Awards for Study in Asia (Freeman-ASIA) is to increase the number of U.S. undergraduates who study in East or Southeast Asia. The award provides need-based funding to help recipients with the cost of their study abroad program and related expenses. Upon their return, recipients are expected to share their experiences with their home campuses to encourage study abroad in East and Southeast Asia, and to spread a greater understanding of Asian peoples and cultures within their home communities.

U.S. citizens and permanent residents who are undergraduates at a two- or four-year college or university and who demonstrate financial need are eligible to apply. The award provides up to $7,000.

The Tillman Scholars Program provides active-duty service members, veterans, and military spouses with funds to help cover educational expenses, including tuition, fees, books, and living expenses. Since the creation of the program, there have been over 450 Tillman Scholars at more than 100 institutions nationwide. The program also offers other benefits: access to the Tillman Community and leadership opportunities within the network, invitations to annual conferences such as the Pat Tillman Leadership Summit, research opportunities in the veteran and military community, and volunteering opportunities.

Applicants must be veterans or active-duty military service members, or current or surviving spouses pursuing a degree as a full-time student. The application requires military service history, academic history, enrollment plans, and expected academic/living expenses and income for the upcoming academic year. Each award amount is determined on a case-by-case basis, but Tillman Scholars can anticipate an average scholarship of $10,000 per academic year. Scholarship funding can only be used toward a single post-secondary degree, and is only available to those attending American institutions.

This application generally opens around the first of February, with a deadline at the end of that month.

Project Global Officer, or Project GO, is a Department of Defense initiative aimed at improving the language skills, regional expertise, and intercultural communication skills of future military officers. Project GO comprises a number of individual programs, hosted by U.S. institutions with large ROTC student enrollments, and each program provides scholarships for critical language study and culture training, both in the U.S. and abroad. Since 2007, Project GO institutions have provided over 3,500 summer summer scholarships to ROTC students for critical language study. Project GO supports programs in languages the Department of Defense has designated as "strategic".

Applicants must be U.S. citizens pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree on track to commission through the Army, Naval, or Air Force Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC). Scholarship recipients are selected on the basis of academic merit, language experience, cultural sensitivity, leadership, diversity, and a commitment to the Project GO mission.

Project GO Scholarships provide full funding to students, including tuition, room and board, textbooks, visas, insurance, and some travel expenses. The overseas and hybrid program application deadline is typically mid-January. The domestic program application deadline is typically late February.

Project Global Officer, or Project GO, is a Department of Defense initiative aimed at improving the language skills, regional expertise, and intercultural communication skills of future military officers. Project GO comprises a number of individual programs, hosted by U.S. institutions with large ROTC student enrollments, and each program provides scholarships for critical language study and culture training, both in the U.S. and abroad. Since 2007, Project GO institutions have provided over 3,500 summer summer scholarships to ROTC students for critical language study. Project GO supports programs in languages the Department of Defense has designated as "strategic".

Applicants must be U.S. citizens pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree on track to commission through the Army, Naval, or Air Force Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC). Scholarship recipients are selected on the basis of academic merit, language experience, cultural sensitivity, leadership, diversity, and a commitment to the Project GO mission.

Project GO Scholarships provide full funding to students, including tuition, room and board, textbooks, visas, insurance, and some travel expenses. The overseas and hybrid program application deadline is typically mid-January. The domestic program application deadline is typically late February.