Scholarships for Students with Unique Journeys
These merit-based scholarships highlight opportunities for students with unique journeys to college, ensuring higher education and prestigious scholarships are accessible to all. They offer financial support, mentorship, employment opportunities, and more.
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Robust scholarship opportunities and ongoing support for students with financial need who want to study abroad. Options for summer, semester, or full year programs. One FEA general application opens the door to a number of awards. 80% of FEA scholars are first generation college students.
University Endorsement: No
Deadline: Winter/spring 2027 deadline is mid September
Awards per Year: Two application cycles, about 150 awards per year across both cycles
Award Amount: up to $10,000 for full year programs
Who can Apply: Any year of undergraduate study; maintain undergraduate student status during the program
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Provides up to $5,000 in merit-based scholarships for short- or long-term study abroad experiences to outstanding undergraduate students who demonstrate financial need. Supplemental awards for critical-need languages and STEM are available. A wide variety of programs are accepted; find more information on the Gilman website to ensure what programs and study countries are eligible. Post-program job support and follow-up on service projects are included in the experience.
University Endorsement: No, but requires administrative certification – receive OESF support
Deadline: twice yearly: mid-October and early March
Awards per Year: roughly 3,000
Award Amount: up to $5,000
Who can Apply: Any year of undergraduate study; maintain undergraduate student status during program. Must be recipient of any amount of Pell grant
Dependents of active-duty military members are eligible for the Gilman-McCain Scholarship, which shares the Gilman Scholarship’s mission while expanding eligibility to military dependents to promote greater access to international opportunities.
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The National Institutes of Health undergraduate scholarship supports undergraduate students who demonstrate financial need and are interested in pursuing careers in biomedical, behavioral, or social science research. The award includes two paid service commitments: a ten-week/full-time summer internship at the NIH for each year of scholarship support and one year of full-time employment at the NIH after graduation. The post-graduation service commitment may be deferred until the completion of an advanced degree program.
University Endorsement: No
Deadline: late March
Awards per Year: 13
Award Amount: up to $20,000; can be renewed for a max of 4 years
Who can Apply: Any undergraduate student
GPA: 3.3 minimum
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This fellowship offers financial support for graduate school to new Americans: immigrants, refugees, or the children of immigrants. Fellows also gain access to a vibrant alumni community and a myriad of live events. This is a merit-based fellowship highlighting academic achievement, originality, and initiative. Any area of study is eligible.
University Endorsement: No
Deadline: late October
Awards per Year: 30
Award Amount: Up to $90,000 for up to two years
Who can Apply: Undergraduate seniors who are applying to graduate school or during the first two years of graduate program. Must be 30 years old or younger.
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The Pat Tillman Scholarship Foundation supports students pursuing undergraduate or graduate degrees in any field of study. Recipients receive tuition assistance, an invitation to a leadership summit, and opportunities to build connections with like-minded peers from similar backgrounds. The scholarship is available to active-duty service members across all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces, spouses of service members, and veterans.
University Endorsement: No
Deadline: February
Awards per Year: up to 60
Award Amount: up to $10,000 per year for up to 4 years
When to Apply: Any full-time student pursuing an undergraduate, graduate, or professional degree; active-duty member of armed forces and their spouses, veterans
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In addition to the awards listed on our website, Immigrants Rising is a nonprofit organization made by immigrants for immigrants. They have compiled an extensive collection of scholarships that do not require US citizenship:
https://immigrantsrising.org/resource/list-of-scholarships-and-fellowships/
