Scholarships every USC student should apply for
By Jamie Wu ‘18
For the third consecutive year, the Academic Honors & Fellowships office hosted their annual USC Research and Fellowships Week. The office is committed to educating the USC community about university awards and nationally competitive fellowships. That’s why during this week-long session, students were able to learn about different research and scholarship opportunities available to them at USC and nation-wide. Although some programs are aimed at upperclassmen and graduate students, there are multiple scholarships available to underclassmen as well! Here are the top 5 that every student should apply for!
1. USC Academic Achievement Award
This award provides a tuition benefit to undergraduate students who are pursuing two or more majors or a minor in addition to their major. That means they can register for up to 21 units at the cost of 18 units (3 free units!) However, students have to at least be at sophomore standing and have earned a cumulative USC GPA of 3.75.
This award provides support for undergraduate and graduate students studying or researching abroad in countries of national security interest to the U.S. Those countries can be any country outside of the United States, Western Europe, Canada, Australia, or New Zealand. Some of the areas available include Africa, Asia, Central & Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Latin America, and the Middle East. It is also required that students undergo rigorous language study and commitment for at least one year and commit to working in the federal government for at least one year after graduation. The only caveat is that students have to first find a study abroad program and propose that program within their Boren Scholarship application.
Maximum scholarship awards are:
$8,000 for a summer program (special initiative for STEM students only; 8 weeks minimum)
$10,000 for a semester
$20,000 for a 6 - 12 months
This scholarship offers grants for undergraduate students receiving a Federal Pell Grant to pursue study abroad and internship opportunities worldwide. Sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, it enables students of limited financial means to study or intern abroad, thereby gaining skills critical to the U.S.’ national security and economic competitiveness. The max award amount is $5,000 and is good for one academic year of study. Gilman Scholarship funds can cover program tuition and fees, room and board, books, local transportation, health insurance and international airfare.
4. Fulbright U.S. Student Program
This grant provides provides grants for individually designed study/research projects in one of over 150 countries. It also offers English Teaching Assistant grants in over 70 countries. Research ideas can include studying the effects of global warming in certain areas of sub-saharan Africa or studying machine learning in different world-renowned universities. On the other hand, ETA allows students to help teach english in a completely different culture and environment.
This program provides internship placement based on professional interest, background and qualifications in one of 15 countries/regions in East and Southeast Asia, plus India and Nepal. It seeks to develop an awareness of Asia among potential leaders in American society who have limited or no prior experience with the continent. The placement offers a stipend and language training. The requirements include having earned a bachelor’s degree by July 1st of the year they are awarded the scholarship.
These are only 5 of the scholarships and fellowships offered at and through USC. But check out these other USC specific fellowships here!
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