Securing funds for school is a top priority for nearly all students that plan on applying to a college or university. Luckily, there are plenty of opportunities available for free money in the form of scholarships and grants. One type of financial aid that students–namely those at the graduate or post-graduate level–should pay particularly close attention to are fellowships.
What is a Fellowship?
A fellowship offers a chance for a student to gain experience by working directly in their field of interest (usually in a research type of setting). A majority of fellowship programs come with a monetary award attached, which may be distributed in the form of a stipend. However, the details vary from program to program.
The benefits of getting this type of financial aid include having the opportunity to continue a serious study of one’s field without the need for taking out student loans or worrying about taking a break from school. Fellowships are specially arranged for a specific period of time, which can range from a few weeks to a few months or even a year.
Smithsonian Fellowship Program
Amount: $4,500 – $40,000
Who is Eligible: Graduate, Predoctoral and Postdoctoral scholars
# of Awards Given: Varies
Relative Areas of Study: Anthropology, Biology, History, Humanities, Astrophysics and Art Studies
Additional Info: Applicants must be planning on pursuing research in areas that the Smithsonian is interested in. Individuals accepted into the fellowship program will work alongside Smithsonian professional research staff on independent research projects for a certain period of time.
INEEL Undergraduate Fellowship Program
Amount: $1,500 – $3,000
Who is Eligible: Undergraduate students from all states that have finished their freshman year and are actively enrolled, full-time status.
# of Awards Given: N/A
Relative Areas of Study: Engineering, Mathematics, Technology and Science
Additional Info: Applicants must have a 3.0 GPA. The summer program lasts from 10-16 weeks, while the academic semester program lasts for a minimum of 15 weeks.
PA House of Representatives Legislative Fellowship Program
Amount: $3,648 (minimum)
# of Awards Given: N/A
Who is Eligible: College seniors and juniors in their second semester who attend any college or university in Pennsylvania.
Relative Areas of Study: Open to all majors.
Additional Info: Students accepted into this program will spend 13 weeks in a full-time fellowship position, where they will be immersed in projects/activities related to the structure and history of legislature.
Frank L. Howard Undergraduate Fellowship Program
Amount: $1,000 (minimum)
# of Awards Given: N/A
Who is Eligible: All undergraduate students.
Relative Areas of Study: Plant Pathology and Biological Sciences.
Additional Info: Applicants must be full-time undergraduate students planning on pursuing a degree in Plant Pathology or another related field. Fellowships programs last a minimum of one summer or one academic year, in which students will participate in plant-related research activities/projects.
Winterthur Museum – Faith Andrews Fellowship Program
Amount: $1,500 (minimum)
# of Awards Given: N/A
Who is Eligible: Undergraduate and Graduate students.
Relative Areas of Study: Shaker Life and Material Culture.
Additional Info: This fellowship program lasts one (1) month and is designed to allow students to continue their research efforts on Shaker Life and Material Culture.
