Prestigious Scholarships for Graduate Students

The Rhodes scholarship covers University and College fees for two years at Oxford. In some cases, a third or fourth year of studies can be underwritten. Students receive an annual stipend, private health insurance, and travel to the U.K. at the beginning and end of the scholarship term.

Eligibility varies by country. In the U.S., applicants must be U.S. citizens, a permanent resident or DACA recipient. Applicants must apply through a U.S. state or territory or the District of Columbia. They must be between the ages of 18 and 24.

Applications are available each year in July. Check annually for specific dates.

Eligible countries are listed online.

Applicants should have the following:

• An endorsement from their college or university
• Between five and eight recommendation letters, with at least four academic references and one character reference
• A 1000-word personal statement that provides a narrative of why you're a good fit for the scholarship
• A list of your extracurricular activities and leadership positions
• Proof of citizenship or lawful permanent resident status
• Certified transcripts
• Head and shoulders photograph

Sixteen committees around the U.S. review materials and select candidates for interviews. Interviews are wide-ranging and designed to test your intellectual ability, character and long-term leadership potential.

The Marshall Scholarships are available for one or two years. The two-year scholarship may be extended on a limited basis for strong academic reasons, subject to availability of funds. Typically up to 40 scholarships are awarded annually, with approximately eight being one-year scholarships. The award covers university fees, living expenses, books, research and travel, round-trip travel from the U.S. to the U.K. and additional support for dependent spouses.

Applicants must be U.S. citizens and have obtained a bachelor's degree with a minimum GPA of 3.7 by the time their U.K. program commences. While there are no age limits, students must be a full-time enrolled student at an accredited U.S. college or university or have graduated within the last 30 months. Candidates should not have studied for or hold a degree from a British University.

Marshall Scholars are typically outstanding students who have shown strong leadership qualities. The online application asks for details of activities, sports, jobs, projects and more. Applicants must also submit essays outlining their program of study, how they'll benefit personally from a fellowship, and how they'll support improved U.S. - U.K. relations.

In addition, four letters of recommendation and certified, official transcripts from all colleges are required. Each aspect of the application process should tie back to the core program goals, and emphasize strong academic performance and leadership potential.

The Fulbright Student Program offers different grants, including traditional research/study grants and English teaching assistant grants. Research and study grants cover travel to and from the host country. The program covers room and board, where applicable, as well as incidental costs depending on your destination's cost of living. In certain cases, it also covers tuition, language programs, books and materials and mid-term enrichment. Candidates should review the country guidelines.

To apply for a Fulbright under the student program, you must be a U.S. citizen who holds a minimum of a bachelor's degree before the start of the grant. For applicants in the creative and performing arts fields, you should have a minimum of four years of training or professional experience. Candidates are required to be in good health and pass a medical exam. Language proficiency is required for many of the 140 countries and destinations covered by the program.

Universities have their own internal deadlines. Applicants should check annually for updated application deadline.

Applicants must be U.S. citizens. Students enrolled at a U.S. college or university must apply through their school's career service office or other designated representative. Those not currently enrolled can apply through their alma maters, provided the school accommodates alumni applications. All other candidates are considered "at-large" and can apply from their state of residence.

Students should begin by contacting their college or university to see what resources are available and familiarize themselves with the destination country's program. Applications involve drafting a statement of grant purpose outlining the proposed project. It's also helpful to have correspondence from the host institution (even if it's not formal acceptance) highlighting its willingness to accept you.

Candidates must draft a personal statement to showcase their accomplishments, who they are and why they're pursuing the Fulbright. Applicants must include three letters of reference, official transcripts for all educational institutions, and if required, language exam results.

The Harry S. Truman Scholarship provides funds for up to three years of graduate studies. The scholarship covers actual expenses for tuition and required fees, the average cost for room and board, and money for books in many programs, as long as there's a strong connection between the area of study and future career in public service.

Applicants must be U.S. citizens and usually, college juniors; however, there is no age limit. Candidates must be planning a career in public service and be willing to work in that sector for 3 of their first 7 years after graduation.

Applicants are advised to check deadlines annually.

The Harry S. Truman Scholarship is available only to U.S. citizens. Candidates need to receive their login criteria to the system from a faculty representative. If their school doesn't have a faculty representative, a willing faculty member may contact the foundation and establish that relationship.

The Truman Scholarship application demands a significant amount of information, including a detailed background on service experience, going back as far as high school.

There are also a number of targeted essay questions within the application, including a personal statement about the candidate's commitment to public service and an explanation of how a graduate degree will make the candidate an "agent of change." Students also must provide a policy proposal on an issue important to the candidate; preferably, focusing on an issue related to past experience and future plans, while integrating research and sources. An institutional letter of support, three recommendations, and official transcripts are additional requirements.

The Churchill Scholarship covers the period of the winner's academic program (typically 9 - 12 months). All university and college fees are covered, as are living expenses. Travel expenses, visas and health fees are also covered. Additional support may be available for special research grants and for married applicants.

Applicants must be U.S. citizens enrolled as a senior at a participating U.S. university or a graduate with a bachelor's degree from one within the past 12 months. When they take up the scholarship, candidates must have a bachelor's degree or equivalent, typically with a minimum GPA of 3.7.

The annual deadline for submission is typically in October.

Currently, over 120 institutions participate in the Churchill program. The full list can be found here.

Each participating institution can nominate two applicants. Your university will provide you with a letter of institutional endorsement. Once applicants have received the university or college's endorsement, they must apply to the University of Cambridge separately from the scholarship program.

Applications include information about which program at Cambridge you intend to study, publications, non-academic interests, career plans, and previous foreign travel. There are three written components: a two-page personal statement, a one-page research and employment experience statement, and a one-page essay on your proposed program of study

The application requires four letters of recommendation from professors in your discipline (e.g. math or physics, for example) with first-hand knowledge of your work. If you've completed research, one letter must be from your supervisor or manager. Finally, you'll be asked to submit transcripts, GRE scores, and MCAT scores, if available.

A committee meets in January and reviews applications. Around twenty finalists are selected and a handful of them are recommended to be Churchill Scholars, with the remaining left as alternates. Finalists are invited to a 20-minute phone interview that plays a minor role in the selection process. The informal phone interview focuses on whether you're a fit for the college and vision of the program.