Office of Nationally Competitive Awards (ONCA)
Awards Listings
Graduate and/or Doctoral Study for Exceptional Undergraduates
Please Note: Students who exhibit excellence in academics, interpersonal skills and leadership qualities should consider applying for these prestigious national awards for graduate study. Applicants for these awards must plan ahead and commit to spending the time and effort necessary to submit a competitive application. Contact ONCA if you have questions about a specific award or would like to speak with the ONCA director, who advises WU students applying for nationally competitive awards.
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British Marshall Scholarship
Description: In 1953, the British government established the Marshall
Scholarships as a gesture of gratitude for the assistance received from the
United States through the Marshall Plan. Awards are granted to graduates of
four-year institutions to cover all expenses for two (and sometimes three) years
of study at any university in the United Kingdom. The objective of the Marshall
Scholarships is to bring intellectually distinguished young Americans to the
United Kingdom for academic study, thereby establishing long-lasting bridges
between the United States and Britain. The
scholarships are named after General George C. Marshall, who originated the
post-World War II program for European recovery.
Marshall
Scholarships finance young Americans of high ability to study for a degree in
the United Kingdom. At least forty Marshall Scholars are selected each year to
study either at graduate or occasionally undergraduate level at an U.K.
institution in any field of study. As future
leaders, with a lasting understanding of British society, Marshall Scholars
strengthen the enduring relationship between the British and American peoples,
their governments and their institutions. Marshall Scholars are talented,
independent and wide-ranging, and their time as Scholars enhances their
intellectual and personal growth. Their direct engagement with Britain through
its best academic programmes contributes to their ultimate personal success.
Each scholarship is held for two years. The award
covers living expenses, tuition, books, and airfare for two years, with a
possible renewal for a third year.
Eligibility: U.S. citizen under 26 years old who has graduated from a U.S.
college or university; GPA of 3.7 on academic coursework taken after the
freshman year.
Application:
Includes a description of proposed study, two letters of reference, and a
university endorsement.
Information: http://www.marshallscholarship.org/
ONCA Deadline:
September 15
Gates Cambridge Scholarships
Description:
In October 2000, the
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation of Seattle,
Washington, USA announced a donation to the University of Cambridge of $210
million to establish the Gates Cambridge Trust. This benefaction created an
international scholarship programme to enable outstanding graduate students from
outside the United Kingdom to study at the University of Cambridge. The Trustees
are required to award scholarships on the basis of a person's intellectual
ability, leadership capacity and desire to use their knowledge to contribute to
society throughout the world by providing service to their communities and
applying their talents and knowledge to improve the lives of others. The Trust
seeks to elect approximately 100 new scholars annually.
Scholarships cover University and College fees for
graduate study or a second bachelor's degree at the University of Cambridge in
England, a maintenance allowance, a contribution toward return airfare, and
other discretionary allowances.
Eligibility:
Applicants must hold, or expect to be able to obtain before October of year of
application, a first class or exceptionally high second class honors degree;
gain admission to the University of Cambridge and to a constituent college; and
be able to meet the conditions set by the University for admission.
Application:
Applicants must first apply to and be accepted to the University of Cambridge.
Upon acceptance, students will be sent a Gates Cambridge application form.
Information: www.gatesscholar.org.
ONCA Deadline:
September 15
Mitchell Scholarships
Description:
The George J. Mitchell Scholarships provide tuition
and room for graduate study at one of several institutions of Ireland and Northern
Ireland. A stipend to cover additional expenses and a travel stipend is also provided.
Eligibility:
Applicants must be U.S. citizens, aged 18 or over but not yet 30 on October 1 in
the year of application. They must also have academic standing sufficient to
assure completion of a Bachelor's degree before they begin study under the
Mitchell Scholarship.
Application:
Includes an institutional endorsement, academic transcript, birth certificate,
1000-word essay, description of activities during college years, and at least
five letters of recommendation.
Information: https://www.us-irelandalliance.org/mitchellscholarship
ONCA Deadline:
September 15
Phi Kappa Phi Graduate Fellowship Program
Description:
From its humble beginnings in 1929, the Phi Kappa
Phi Graduate Fellowship Program has become one of the largest and most respected
scholarship programs in the country. Every year,
the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi awards fifty-seven Fellowships of $5,000 each and
three of $15,000 each to members entering the first year of
graduate or professional study. Each Phi Kappa Phi chapter may select one
candidate from among its local applicants to compete for the Society-wide
awards.
Eligibility: To apply
for a Phi Kappa Phi Fellowship, you must: (1) Be an active member of Phi Kappa
Phi (annual dues paid by March 31 of the application year) or have accepted
invitation to join. Applications will be accepted from individuals
selected for membership but not yet initiated; see the application
form for details; (2) Have applied to enroll as a full-time student
in a post-baccalaureate program of study for the following academic year, preferably at an accredited American Institution of
higher learning. Accredited international institutions are acceptable. (3)
Students registering in all professional and graduate fields are eligible.
Applicants who have already earned credit for a full term of graduate study or
its equivalent before the 2009-10 academic year are not eligible. Selection is
based on the applicant's promise of success in graduate or professional study,
as evidenced by: (1) Academic achievement, including transcripts, honors and
awards, relevant research experience, standardized test scores, and samples of
creative work; (2) Service and leadership experience, on and off campus;
(3) Letters of recommendation; (4) Personal statement and career goals;
(5) Acceptance at an approved graduate or professional program.
Application: http://www.phikappaphi.org/grants-awards/undergraduate-students/fellowship#.W-2lqehKi70://www.phikappaphi.org/grants-awards/undergraduate-students/fellowship#.W-2lqehKi70
ONCA Deadline:
March 15
Rhodes Scholarship
Description:
The Rhodes is one of the most competitive and
prestigious awards available to students in the world. It includes all fees,
travel expenses, and a yearly stipend for two years of study at Oxford, with a
possible renewal for a third year. 32 Rhodes Scholars are awarded
annually - winners must undergo interviews at the state and regional level.
Eligibility:
U.S. citizen between 18 and 24 years old at time of application; must have
graduated by October of the year in which study at Oxford is begun.
Application:
Includes a 1,000-word personal essay, five to eight recommendations and a
university endorsement.
Information:http://www.rhodesscholar.org
ONCA Deadline:
September 15
The Paul and Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans
Description: The purpose of
The Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans is to provide opportunities
for continuing generations of able and accomplished New Americans to achieve
leadership in their chosen fields. The Program is established in recognition of
the contributions New Americans have made to American life and in gratitude for
the opportunities the United States has afforded the donors and their family.
The Fellowships are grants for up to two years of graduate study in the United
States. The recipients are chosen on a national competitive basis. Thirty
Fellowships will be awarded each year. Fellows receive a maintenance grant of
$20,000 per year and one half the tuition cost of the program.
Eligibility:
Must be a New American, defined as: an individual who is a resident alien (holds
a Green Card), has been naturalized as a U.S. citizen or has two parents who are
naturalized citizens; must have bachelor's degree or be in final year of
undergraduate study; must be no older than 30 years of age as of 11/30/99.
Application: http://www.pdsoros.org
ONCA Deadline:
October 15