scholarship

A scholarship is a form of financial aid awarded to a student to support the pursuit of education. Unlike loans, scholarships do not have to be repaid. They may cover tuition, fees, books, housing, or stipends and can be awarded for a variety of reasons, including academic merit, financial need, or other criteria such as a field of study or personal background.

Scholarships can be merit-based, need-based, or a mix. Merit-based scholarships reward high academic achievement, standardized test scores, or exceptional talents in athletics, arts, or leadership. Need-based scholarships focus on demonstrated financial need. Some programs combine criteria or target specific groups (for example, underrepresented minorities, first-generation college students, or residents of certain regions).

Eligibility, application, and selection vary by program. Typical requirements include academic records, letters of recommendation, a personal statement or essay, and sometimes auditions or portfolios. Applications may require deadlines, institutional forms, and proof of financial need. Selection is often made by a committee that weighs criteria such as academic performance, potential, community involvement, and fit with program goals.

Funders include universities, government agencies, private foundations, corporations, and nonprofit organizations. Scholarships may be restricted to students enrolled at a particular institution, in a certain program, or of a certain nationality or demographic. Maintenance may require maintaining a minimum GPA or adherence to continuing eligibility terms.

Scholarships can widen access to higher education, reduce debt, and support talent development. However, they can be highly competitive, sometimes unevenly distributed, and may create inequities if access is biased toward those with prior advantages. Some students rely on multiple sources of aid to cover costs.