What is a national scholarship?
A national scholarship or fellowship is one that accepts applications from students across the United States. Typically, the term “scholarship” refers to undergraduate awards and “fellowship” refers to graduate awards. These awards are usually very specific in their scope. Some of them fund undergraduate research; some fund study, research, or teaching abroad; and some provide support for future leaders. Some awards are funded by government agencies, and others by private foundations, but all are “external” awards that must be reported to the Office of Financial Aid at the institution where you intend to use the award.

When do I apply?
The deadline will depend on the scholarship to which you are applying. Please see our Scholarships page for more information on the programs.

What are the odds?
The odds vary, but most national scholarships are extremely competitive.

Will a scholarship affect my financial aid?
Most scholarships will be factored into your financial aid package, and your total award may not exceed the cost of your education. If you have no financial need, you will benefit from a scholarship’s prestige value, but you may not be able to collect the full monetary value of the scholarship.

How important is GPA?
GPA requirements vary by competition; always read the criteria to determine whether you are eligible. Viable applicants typically have a GPA of 3.7 or higher, but these programs use a holistic approach, one in which GPA is just one factor in the review process.

What else do I need to be competitive?
Specific criteria vary by competition, so read the rules. Generally, reviewers are looking for strong academic records and rigorous academic plans, previous honors and awards, research experience, community involvement, leadership, creativity, and strong support from faculty. Most importantly, though, they are looking for applicants whose goals and values align with their mission. A program devoted to leadership, like the Truman, is looking for different kinds of applicants than a program devoted to research, like the Goldwater.

Who should write my letters of recommendation?
Your recommenders should be people who know you well. It is better to have a good, detailed letter from an associate professor than a generic letter from a dean or a senator. For some scholarships, letters from employers or professionals associated with public service can be useful. For others, it is important that the recommenders are research faculty. So, be sure to read the criteria the scholarship provides on selecting recommenders. In all cases, though, when you ask for a letter of recommendation, be sure to describe the scholarship and its selection criteria. Your recommender should be able to write a one-to-two-page letter with specific examples of how you meet (or exceed) the stated criteria.

Will there be an interview?
Many scholarships require an interview, especially those that require nomination like the Rhodes, Marshall, and Truman. The Fulbright has a campus “interview” with members of our Fulbright Committee (mostly devoted to providing feedback on your application), and some host countries require an interview for semi-finalists. There are some scholarships, however, that are evaluated solely on the basis of the application materials.

Can I get help with my application for nomination?
Yes! We are here to help you through the process.

Do I need to be in Honors?
No, you do not need to be an Honors student to apply for a national award.

Some of my letter writers asked for guidance. What should I tell them?
First, tell them “Thank you”! Letters of recommendation are extremely important parts of these applications, because every candidate is a great student who is doing interesting things. Then, send them a link to the recommendation criteria set out by the program to which you are applying (many of the programs have particular things they would like to the recommenders to address in their letters). In general, the best letters explain in detail, with specific examples and concrete comparisons, how and why you are the best of the best. Be prepared to provide your referees with whatever materials they need to write a detailed, thoughtful letter. Then, encourage them to visit Penn State’s online module on “Writing Recommendation Letters.” And we recommend that letter writers share their letters with us ahead of time, so that we may provide feedback on them.