It’s no secret that some of the most prestigious colleges and universities in the world can also have some of the highest price tags attached to them. Fortunately, there are lots of financial aid packages that can make a big-name education affordable, including federal work-study, government and institutional grants and a number of scholarships offered directly at these schools.
In addition to these institutional awards, external scholarships from organizations, foundations and associations can make a big difference in affording an elite education. We’ve compiled several options below and encourage you to take a closer look at these opportunities .
For a rigorous and holistic scholarship experience, check out the Stamps Leadership Scholarship. Funded by the Stamps Foundation, the program is offered at 43 partner schools, which include some of the most prestigious colleges and universities in the U.S.
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Each school has its own set of criteria for the program, but most offer funding for room and board, tuition and enrichment opportunities outside of the classroom. Previous recipients have traveled internationally, accomplished research, completed internships, attended conferences and more.
For example, the University of Chicago offers a full ride for up to five Stamps Scholarship recipients, good for up to four years of undergraduate study, plus an additional $10,000 for outside learning experiences.
Dartmouth College also offers Stamps Leadership Scholar Awards, although its program looks a little different. It’s available to students starting their junior year to design an “experiential learning program.” Recipients can receive up to $10,000 per year for their proposed program.
Each school’s deadline for the program is different. Some deadlines are part of the regular admissions application for freshmen, and others require a separate application. Take time to see what the program looks like at your school of interest. Your research could lead to generous payoffs.
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If you’re studying in the U.S. but dream of traveling abroad, it’s worth seeing if your school or a stateside organization has partnerships with international schools.
The Davies-Jackson Scholarship is one of those partner opportunities, allowing first-generation college students to study at St. John’s College, one of the oldest colleges at the University of Cambridge that boasts alumni like poet William Wordsworth and abolitionist William Wilberforce.
There are hundreds of eligible institutions from which you can apply to study arts, humanities and science subjects at St. John’s. Be sure to keep tabs on the website for updated application dates.
Honing in on your field of interest can also help your scholarship search at prestigious universities. Programs like the Consortium for Graduate Study in Management could be a career-changing opportunity for aspiring MBA students. The consortium supports students who demonstrate a commitment to its mission of promoting the inclusion of African-Americans, Hispanics and Native Americans in American business.
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Prospective students complete an online application for membership, which allows you to apply to six of its member schools. Applicants are then considered for a fellowship — separate from membership — that includes merit-based, full-tuition awards at those schools.
Since just one application is needed for the 18 member institutions — which include top law schools like Yale University, the University of California–Berkeley and Cornell University — the consortium seeks to help save time and money on the application process.
On top of a potential fellowship, members have the chance to network with corporate partners at the consortium’s annual career forum, from which students can jump-start even more career opportunities after graduation. The 2015-2016 application opens in late August.
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Support Your Study at Prestigious Universities With These Scholarships originally appeared on usnews.com
