Nationally Competitive Scholarships
Search for Scholarships and Request Information
Click the button below to find scholarships you are eligible for and to request information about specific scholarships!
Nationally Competitive Scholarships Information Request Form
New to Nationally Competitive Scholarships?
Nationally Competitive Scholarships differ from regular scholarships in that they don’t just pay for your tuition, they also offer you unique opportunities and experiences that allow you to develop yourself personally and professionally. Nationally Competitive Scholarships are among the highest honors that undergraduate students or recent graduates can achieve, and they make you stand out in the eyes of future employers or graduate school admission committees. The application process is detailed and intense, but it offers unparalleled opportunities to build your network and develop a plan for your future. If you have even a passing interest in a Nationally Competitive Scholarship, we would encourage you to apply. As long as you’re a full-time, degree-seeking student, it’s not too late for you to win one of these scholarships.
Check out the information in the buttons below to find out what the typical application process looks like for one of these scholarships and to find more general information if you think you might be interested in applying.
List of Nationally Competitive Scholarships
The form at the top of the page breaks down these lists to help you find the specific types of scholarships you might be interested in, but you can also find all of these scholarships listed below for your convenience. The list is organized so that you can view all scholarships that you can apply for at different levels of undergraduate credit completion. Certain scholarships do accept international student applicants, and can be found in the international students category. We encourage you to use the form for the best experience, and to request information about specific scholarships that might interest you!
- FreshmanYou've just started your college journey, but it's never too early to start thinking about major scholarships that interest you, especially if you plan to study abroad or go to grad school in the future. Nationally comptetitive scholarships do not accept applications from undergraduate freshman students, but a number of scholarships begin to accept applications at the sophomore level.
- Sophomore
The central objective of the Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation is identifying and supporting a significant pool of highly-qualified undergraduates who will be obtaining advanced degrees and becoming leading scientists, engineers, and mathematicians. Barry Goldwater Scholarships are awarded to outstanding undergraduates who plan to pursue a research career in one of these fields.
Humanity in Action Fellowship
https://www.humanityinaction.org/fellowship/
The HiA Fellowship seeks to educate, connect, and inspire the world's future leaders in the fields of human rights and social justice. Fellows participate in two week or month-long virtual and in-person fellowship programs.
Udall Undergraduate Scholarship
www.udall.gov
The Udall Scholarship Program awards merit-based scholarships to college sophomores and juniors pursuing studies leading to a public service career in tribal health, tribal public policy, or the environment.Boren Scholarship for International Study
https://www.borenawards.org/Boren Scholarships, an initiative of the National Security Education Program, provide unique funding opportunities for US undergraduate students to study less commonly taught languages in world regions critical to US interests and underrepresented in study abroad programs, including Africa, Asia, Central and Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Central America, and the Middle East. Boren Scholars represent a vital pool of highly motivated individuals who wish to work in national security. In exchange for funding, Boren Scholars commit to working in the federal government for at least a year after graduation.
Critical Language Scholarship (CLS)
https://clscholarship.org/
The Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program, created by the US Department of State, provides fully-funded short-term intensive language instruction and cultural enrichment overseas each summer. The CLS program seeks applicants from a variety of fields, backgrounds, and career paths with the goal of building a cadre of Americans who can speak critical languages at high levels in government, business, art and culture, science and engineering, health and medicine, research, and other fields.
German Academic Exchange Service Scholarship
https://www.daad.org/en/
The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) invites highly qualified undergraduate students to apply for funding to study, pursue senior thesis research, or internships in Germany. Scholarships are available either as part of an organized study abroad program or as part of an individual, student-designed study abroad semester or academic year. The goal of the program is to support study abroad in Germany and at German universities.
Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship
https://www.gilmanscholarship.org/
The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program aims to diversify the kinds of students who study and intern abroad and the countries and regions they go by offering awards to US undergraduates who are receiving a Federal Pell Grant to participate in study abroad and internship programs worldwide. The program aims to support students who might otherwise not participate in study abroad opportunities due to financial constraints. - JuniorBarry Goldwater Scholarship
https://goldwaterscholarship.gov/The central objective of the Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation is identifying and supporting a significant pool of highly-qualified undergraduates who will be obtaining advanced degrees and becoming leading scientists, engineers, and mathematicians. Barry Goldwater Scholarships are awarded to outstanding undergraduates who plan to pursue a research career in one of these fields.
Humanity in Action Fellowship
https://www.humanityinaction.org/fellowship/
The HiA Fellowship seeks to educate, connect, and inspire the world's future leaders in the fields of human rights and social justice. Fellows participate in two week or month-long virtual and in-person fellowship programs.
Udall Undergraduate Scholarship
www.udall.gov
The Udall Scholarship Program awards merit-based scholarships to college sophomores and juniors pursuing studies leading to a public service career in tribal health, tribal public policy, or the environment.Boren Scholarship for International Study
https://www.borenawards.org/Boren Scholarships, an initiative of the National Security Education Program, provide unique funding opportunities for US undergraduate students to study less commonly taught languages in world regions critical to US interests and underrepresented in study abroad programs, including Africa, Asia, Central and Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Central America, and the Middle East. Boren Scholars represent a vital pool of highly motivated individuals who wish to work in national security. In exchange for funding, Boren Scholars commit to working in the federal government for at least a year after graduation.
Critical Language Scholarship (CLS)
https://clscholarship.org/
The Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program, created by the US Department of State, provides fully-funded short-term intensive language instruction and cultural enrichment overseas each summer. The CLS program seeks applicants from a variety of fields, backgrounds, and career paths with the goal of building a cadre of Americans who can speak critical languages at high levels in government, business, art and culture, science and engineering, health and medicine, research, and other fields.
German Academic Exchange Service Scholarship
https://www.daad.org/en/
The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) invites highly qualified undergraduate students to apply for funding to study, pursue senior thesis research, or internships in Germany. Scholarships are available either as part of an organized study abroad program or as part of an individual, student-designed study abroad semester or academic year. The goal of the program is to support study abroad in Germany and at German universities.
Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship
https://www.gilmanscholarship.org/
The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program aims to diversify the kinds of students who study and intern abroad and the countries and regions they go by offering awards to US undergraduates who are receiving a Federal Pell Grant to participate in study abroad and internship programs worldwide. The program aims to support students who might otherwise not participate in study abroad opportunities due to financial constraints.The goal of the PPIA Junior Summer Institute Fellowship is to help students achieve a master's or joint degree, typically in public policy, public administration, international affairs, or a related field and pursue a career in public service. JSI provides students with intensive study through partnerships with universities across the country and connects students with an alumni network of nearly 4,000 individuals who share the same interest in public service.
Truman Scholarship
www.truman.gov
The Truman Scholarship is a highly competitive, merit-based award offered to US citizens and US nationals from the Pacific Islands who want to go to graduate school to study for a career in public service. - SeniorCritical Language Scholarship (CLS)
https://clscholarship.org/The Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program, created by the US Department of State, provides fully-funded short-term intensive language instruction and cultural enrichment overseas each summer. The CLS program seeks applicants from a variety of fields, backgrounds, and career paths with the goal of building a cadre of Americans who can speak critical languages at high levels in government, business, art and culture, science and engineering, health and medicine, research, and other fields.
German Academic Exchange Service Scholarship
https://www.daad.org/en/
The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) invites highly qualified undergraduate students to apply for funding to study, pursue senior thesis research, or internships in Germany. Scholarships are available either as part of an organized study abroad program or as part of an individual, student-designed study abroad semester or academic year. The goal of the program is to support study abroad in Germany and at German universities.
Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship
https://www.gilmanscholarship.org/
The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program aims to diversify the kinds of students who study and intern abroad and the countries and regions they go by offering awards to US undergraduates who are receiving a Federal Pell Grant to participate in study abroad and internship programs worldwide. The program aims to support students who might otherwise not participate in study abroad opportunities due to financial constraints.This program provides outstanding graduate students with financial support, mentoring, and professional development to prepare them academically and professionally for a career in the Department of State Foreign Service. The program funds students as they complete a two-year master's degree.
Samvid Scholarship
https://www.samvid.ventures/samvid-scholars/
The Samvid Scholarship is a new scholarship created by Samvid Ventures to invest in the graduate education of future leaders in STEM fields and the social sciences. In addition to funding for graduate school, Samvid Scholars also receive two years of leadership development programming and additional support after graduation.
Soros Fellowship for New Americans
www.pdsoros.org
Every year, the Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans awards thirty fellowships to immigrants and the children of immigrants who are pursuing graduate education in the US. Awards support up to two years of full-time graduate study in any field, including the visual and performing arts, and at any degree-granting institution in the US, with the exception of online programs.
Woodrow Wilson Teaching Fellowship
https://citizensandscholars.org
The Woodrow Wilson Teaching Fellowship (WWTF) seeks to attract talented, committed individuals with backgrounds in the STEM fields - science, technology, engineering, and mathematics - into teaching at high-need secondary schools in Pennsylvania.The Fulbright US Student English Teaching Assistant (ETA) Program offers teaching opportunities in over 140 countries to recent graduates and graduate students. Fulbrighters provide classroom assistance to local English teachers while serving as cultural ambassadors for the US.
Fulbright: National Geographic Digital Storytelling Fellowship
https://us.fulbrightonline.org/
Utilizing a variety of of storytelling tools -- including text, photography, video, audio/podcasts, public speaking, maps, graphic illustrations, and/or social media -- Storytellers will share their stories and the stories of those they meet and publish their work on National Geographic platforms, including a dedicated program blog.
Fulbright: Open Study/Research Program
https://us.fulbrightonline.org/
The Fulbright US Student Open Study/Research Program offers opportunities in over 140 countries to recent graduates and graduate students. Applicants design their own projects and typically work with advisors at foreign universities or other institutions of higher education. Grants fund project and living expenses for an 8-12 month period.
Gates Cambridge Scholarship
https://www.gatescambridge.org/
The Gates Cambridge Scholarship seeks intellectually outstanding postgraduate students with a capacity for leading and a commitment to improving the lives of others. Scholarships are awarded to outstanding applicants from countries outside the UK to pursue a full-time postgraduate degree in many subjects available at the University of Cambridge.
Marshall Scholarship
https://www.marshallscholarship.org/
Marshall Scholarships finance young Americans of high ability to study for a graduate degree in any field at an institution in the United Kingdom. Both one-year and two-year Marshall Scholarships are available.
Rhodes Scholarship
www.rhodesscholar.org
Rhodes Scholars are chosen not only for their outstanding scholarly achievements, but also for their character, commitment to others and the common good, and potential leadership in whatever domains their careers may lead to. The scholarship covers tuition and fees while the student completes a two year master's degree, a three year Doctor of Philosophy program, or even a second bachelor's degree at Oxford University.
Schwarzman Scholars Program
www.schwarzmanscholars.org
Scholars chosen from around the world for this highly selective, fully-funded program will have an unrivaled opportunity to live in Beijing for a year of study and cultural immersion. The Schwarzman Scholars Program is designed to build a global community of future leaders who can deepen the understanding between China and the rest of the world.Humanity in Action Fellowship
https://www.humanityinaction.org/fellowship/The HiA Fellowship seeks to educate, connect, and inspire the world's future leaders in the fields of human rights and social justice. Fellows participate in two week or month-long virtual and in-person fellowship programs.
- Graduate Students
The Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program, created by the US Department of State, provides fully-funded short-term intensive language instruction and cultural enrichment overseas each summer. The CLS program seeks applicants from a variety of fields, backgrounds, and career paths with the goal of building a cadre of Americans who can speak critical languages at high levels in government, business, art and culture, science and engineering, health and medicine, research, and other fields.
Fulbright: English Teaching Assistantship (ETA)
https://us.fulbrightonline.org/
The Fulbright US Student English Teaching Assistant (ETA) Program offers teaching opportunities in over 140 countries to recent graduates and graduate students. Fulbrighters provide classroom assistance to local English teachers while serving as cultural ambassadors for the US.
Fulbright: National Geographic Digital Storytelling Fellowship
https://us.fulbrightonline.org/
Utilizing a variety of of storytelling tools -- including text, photography, video, audio/podcasts, public speaking, maps, graphic illustrations, and/or social media -- Storytellers will share their stories and the stories of those they meet and publish their work on National Geographic platforms, including a dedicated program blog.
Fulbright: Open Study/Research Program
https://us.fulbrightonline.org/
The Fulbright US Student Open Study/Research Program offers opportunities in over 140 countries to recent graduates and graduate students. Applicants design their own projects and typically work with advisors at foreign universities or other institutions of higher education. Grants fund project and living expenses for an 8-12 month period.The Samvid Scholarship is a new scholarship created by Samvid Ventures to invest in the graduate education of future leaders in STEM fields and the social sciences. In addition to funding for graduate school, Samvid Scholars also receive two years of leadership development programming and additional support after graduation.
Soros Fellowship for New Americans
www.pdsoros.org
Every year, the Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans awards thirty fellowships to immigrants and the children of immigrants who are pursuing graduate education in the US. Awards support up to two years of full-time graduate study in any field, including the visual and performing arts, and at any degree-granting institution in the US, with the exception of online programs.
Woodrow Wilson Teaching Fellowship
https://citizensandscholars.org
The Woodrow Wilson Teaching Fellowship (WWTF) seeks to attract talented, committed individuals with backgrounds in the STEM fields - science, technology, engineering, and mathematics - into teaching at high-need secondary schools in Pennsylvania.Humanity in Action Fellowship
https://www.humanityinaction.org/fellowship/The HiA Fellowship seeks to educate, connect, and inspire the world's future leaders in the fields of human rights and social justice. Fellows participate in two week or month-long virtual and in-person fellowship programs.
- International StudentsThe Gates Cambridge Scholarship seeks intellectually outstanding postgraduate students with a capacity for leading and a commitment to improving the lives of others. Scholarships are awarded to outstanding applicants from countries outside the UK to pursue a full-time postgraduate degree in many subjects available at the University of Cambridge.
German Academic Exchange Service Scholarship
https://www.daad.org/en/
The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) invites highly qualified undergraduate students to apply for funding to study, pursue senior thesis research, or internships in Germany. Scholarships are available either as part of an organized study abroad program or as part of an individual, student-designed study abroad semester or academic year. The goal of the program is to support study abroad in Germany and at German universities.
Humanity in Action Fellowship
https://www.humanityinaction.org/fellowship/
The HiA Fellowship seeks to educate, connect, and inspire the world's future leaders in the fields of human rights and social justice. Fellows participate in two week or month-long virtual and in-person fellowship programs.
Public Policy and International Affairs Fellowship (PPIA)
https://ppiaprogram.org/
The goal of the PPIA Junior Summer Institute Fellowship is to help students achieve a master's or joint degree, typically in public policy, public administration, international affairs, or a related field and pursue a career in public service. JSI provides students with intensive study through partnerships with universities across the country and connects students with an alumni network of nearly 4,000 individuals who share the same interest in public service.
Schwarzman Scholars Program
www.schwarzmanscholars.org
Scholars chosen from around the world for this highly selective, fully-funded program will have an unrivaled opportunity to live in Beijing for a year of study and cultural immersion. The Schwarzman Scholars Program is designed to build a global community of future leaders who can deepen the understanding between China and the rest of the world.
Scholarship Advisor
Always seek advising before applying to a nationally competitive scholarship. The current advisor for ALL nationally-competitive scholarship applicants at UAA is:
Mychal Machado
mmachado2@alaska.edu
Please email for all queries and appointments.