Scholarship & Fellowship Opportunities
While the goal in pursuing a highly competitive award is to win, the true value in applying comes from the process of preparing your application and working with a mentor. This is a process of personal discovery and exploration that will enhance your education and the development of your scholarly interests. Self-exploration and personal discovery are important aspects of the application.
The following list describes prestigious scholarships and awards and Cornell-specific awards, while listing the faculty or staff advisor for each award. Specifc requirements for each of these awards can be found by following the link to each scholarship website. You should be thinking about these awards as you move through your coursework at Cornell College.
Prior to Applying
Before you complete an application or seek advice from Cornell faculty or staff, be sure to read the Code of Ethics for Scholarship/Fellowship Applicants and the Tips for Applying pages. It is never too early to meet with the faculty or staff advisor, another mentor and/or Laura Farmer in the Center for Teaching and Learning to begin work on your personal statement and other materials. It is the goal of Cornell College to support each applicant in presenting the strongest and most complete impression of her/himself. Begin the process early, work diligently, revise often, and be in contact with your mentors!
Prestigious Awards and Fellowships
Scholarship Opportunities for Undergraduate Study Abroad
Cornell Scholarships for Off Campus Study
Prestigious Awards and Fellowships
Boren Scholarship
Purpose: Boren Scholarships provide up to $20,000 to U.S. undergraduate students to study abroad in areas of the world that are critical to U.S. interests. Boren Scholars represent a variety of academic backgrounds but all are interested in studying less commonly taught languages, including but not limited to Arabic, Chinese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, and Swahili.
Eligible majors: Fields of study related to national security interest
Who can apply: Undergraduates/Graduates
Deadline: February 13, 2013
Faculty advisor: Robert Givens, History
Carnegie Endowment for International Peace Junior Fellows Program
Purpose: The Junior Fellows Program provides graduating seniors or students who have graduated during the last academic year with the opportunity to conduct research for books, co-author journal articles and policy papers, participate in meetings with high-level officials, contribute to congressional testimony, and organize briefings attended by scholars, journalists and government officials. Junior fellows are given a full benefits package and a $36,000 annual salary.
Eligible majors: All majors
Who can apply: Nominated seniors
On-Campus deadline: December 1
Advisor: Laura Farmer, Writing Studio Director
Fulbright Scholar Program Grant
Purpose: Fulbright is the largest U.S. international exchange program, offering opportunities for students, scholars, and professionals to undertake international graduate study, advanced research, university teaching, and teaching in elementary and secondary schools worldwide. The competition is open to U.S. citizens who will have a bachelor’s degree by the beginning date of the grant. All grants include round-trip transportation to the host country, a monetary living stipend, and limited health benefits.
Eligible majors: All majors
Who can apply: Seniors/Graduates
Deadline: October, 2012
Faculty advisor: Robert Givens, History
Gates Cambridge Scholarship
Purpose: Gates Cambridge Scholarships are highly competitive, full-cost scholarships awarded to outstanding applicants from outside the UK to pursue a full-time graduate degree in any subject available at the University of Cambridge. Established through the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, 90 new scholarships are awarded each year: 40 to US citizens and 50 to citizens of all countries (excluding the UK).
Eligible majors: All majors
Who can apply: Seniors
Deadline: October 15, 2013
Faculty advisor: Robert Givens, History
Goldwater Scholarship
Purpose: Goldwater Scholarships are given to outstanding students who intend to pursue careers in mathematics, the natural sciences, or engineering. Each scholarship covers eligible expenses for undergraduate tuition, fees, books, and room and board, up to a maximum of $7,500 annually.
Eligible majors: Mathematics, natural sciences, and engineering
Who can apply: Sophomores and Juniors
Deadline: January 27, 2012
Faculty advisor: Craig Tepper, Biology
Harry S. Truman Scholarship
Purpose: The Truman Scholarship provides up to $30,000 in funding to students pursuing graduate degrees in public service fields. Students must be college juniors at the time of selection. The Foundation also provides assistance with career counseling, internship placement, graduate school admissions, and professional development.
Eligible majors: All majors
Who can apply: Juniors
Deadline: November 3, 2012
Faculty advisor: Robert Sutherland, Politics
Jack Kent Cooke Scholarship
Purpose: The Jack Kent Cooke Scholarship provides up to $50,000 per year for up to three years to college seniors and recent graduates with significant financial need who will pursue a graduate or professional degree in the visual arts, performing arts, or creative writing. To be eligible, candidates must be nominated by the faculty representative at their undergraduate institution.
Eligible majors: Visual arts, performing arts, creative writing
Who can apply: Seniors
Deadline: February 9, 2012
Faculty advisor: Christina Penn-Goetsch, Art History
James Madison Fellowship
Purpose: The James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation offers $24,000 to be used towards pursuit of a master’s degree in either American history or political science. After receiving the master's degree, each Fellow must teach American history, American government, or social studies in grades 7–12 for one full year for each academic year of aid received under a fellowship, preferably in the state from which the recipient won the fellowship.
Eligible majors: All majors, but the applicant must plan to become a teacher of American history, American government, or social studies
Who can apply: Seniors
Deadline: March 1, 2012
Faculty advisor: Phil Lucas, History
Marshall Scholarships
Purpose: Marshall Scholarships enable young Americans of high ability to study for a degree in the United Kingdom. Up to 40 Marshall Scholars (with a minimum GPA of 3.7) are selected each year to study at graduate level at an UK institution in any field of study. Scholars receive grants for cost of living, books, research, and daily travel; fares to and from the United States and, where applicable, support for a dependent spouse is also included.
Eligible majors: All
Who can apply: Seniors/Graduates
Deadline: Early October
Faculty advisor: Robert Givens, History
McElroy Trust Fellowship
Purpose: The fellowship carries a stipend of $10,000 per year for students pursuing a Ph.D. in any field immediately after graduation. The stipend may be renewed for two additional years.
Eligible majors: All majors
Who can apply: The applicant must be a senior at one of the following nine participating colleges: Clarke, Coe, Cornell, Loras, Luther, Mt. Mercy University, University of Dubuque, University of Northern Iowa, Wartburg College.
Deadline: January, 2013
Faculty advisor: Jim White, Philosophy
George J. Mitchell Scholarship
Purpose: 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, and a sustained commitment to community and public service. The Mitchell Scholars Program provides tuition, accommodations, a living expenses stipend, and an international travel stipend.
Eligible majors: All majors
Who can apply: Undergraduates/Graduates
Deadline: October 2, 2013
Faculty advisor: Chris Conrad, Economics & Business
Rhodes Scholarship
Purpose: Established in 1904, the Rhodes is the oldest and among the most celebrated international fellowships in the world. Rhodes Scholars are provided full financial support to pursue a degree or degrees at the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom. Rhodes Scholars are chosen not only for their outstanding scholarly achievements but for their character, commitment to others and to the common good, and for their potential for leadership in whatever domains their careers may lead.
Eligible majors: All majors
Who can apply: Seniors/recent graduates
Deadline: Early October
Faculty advisor: Robert Givens, History
Udall Scholarship
Purpose: The Foundation awards 80 scholarships of up to $5000 and 50 honorable mentions of $350 to sophomore and junior level college students committed to careers related to the environment, tribal public policy, or Native American health care. Scholars will spend four days in Tucson, Arizona meeting with other Scholars, elected officials, environmental and tribal leaders. Scholars will also have access to a network of environmental, Native American health and tribal policy professionals through the Udall Alumni listserv.
Eligible majors: For sophomores and juniors in fields related to the environment, and for Native American and Alaska natives in fields related to health care or tribal policy
Who can apply:
Sophomore or junior students who are committed to a career related to the environment OR tribal public policy OR Native American health care.
- Students pursuing environmentally related careers do not need to be Native American, nor do they need to demonstrate commitment to tribal public policy or Native health.
- Only Native Americans and Alaska Natives are eligible to apply in tribal public policy or Native American health care.
- Native American students studying tribal public policy or native health do not need to demonstrate commitment to the environment.
Deadline: March 5, 2012
Faculty advisor: Craig Allin, Politics
Scholarship Opportunities for Undergraduate Study Abroad
Gilman International Scholarship
Purpose: The program aims to diversify the kinds of students who study abroad and the countries and regions where they go by supporting undergraduates who might otherwise not participate due to financial constraints. 2,300 scholarships of up to $5,000 will be awarded each year. The award must be used to defray study abroad costs, including program tuition, room and board, books, local transportation, insurance and international airfare.
Students who apply for and receive the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship to study abroad are then eligible to receive an additional $3,000 Critical Need Language Supplement from the Gilman Scholarship Program for a total possible award of up to $8,000.
Eligible majors: All majors
Who can apply: Undergraduates who recieve a Federal Pell Grant or can provide proof that he/she will be receiving a Pell Grant at the time of application or during the term of his/her study abroad.
Deadline: October and April
Faculty advisor: Gayle Luck, Associate Dean/Office of International and Off Campus Study
DAAD (German Academic Exchange Program)
Purpose: Scholarships for study in Germany. Successful applicants may pursue an internship, independent study, master’s program, or undergraduate research.
Eligible majors: All majors
Who can apply: Undergraduates/Graduates
Deadline: November – February (varies by program)
Faculty advisor: Gayle Luck, Associate Dean/Office of International and Off Campus Study
Cornell Scholarships for Off Campus Study
Class of ‘55
Purpose: To support Cornell students who wish to study off campus
Eligible majors: All majors
Who can apply: Any Cornell College student in good standing with the College
Deadline: February, 2013
Advisor: Kelsi Kautzky, Office of International and Off Campus Study
Levy Award
Purpose: To support Cornell students who wish to study off campus
Eligible majors: Fine Arts and Humanities
Who can apply: Any Cornell College student in good standing with the College
Deadline: February, 2013
Advisor: Kelsi Kautzky, Office of International and Off Campus Study