Difference between scholarship and fellowship: An overview
The National Postsecondary Student Aid Study (NPSAS) says the USA awards about 1.7 million scholarships each year. This covers about 8% of undergraduate students in the country.
For fellowships, the Fulbright Program grants about 1,900 each year. The National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) awards about 2,000 fellowships across 140 countries.
Scholarships and fellowships are both financial aids. They help an individual complete their education or research. However, students often confuse these two options while researching their study abroad journey.
If you want to fund your education abroad with scholarships or fellowships, you must understand the difference between scholarship and fellowship.
What is a scholarship?
A scholarship is a financial award that helps students pay for their education. Unlike education loans, a scholarship recipient doesn’t have to repay the amount. Scholarships can majorly be divided into two categories: need-based and merit-based.
A merit-based scholarship is awarded to those who have demonstrated academic excellence in the past. Many scholarships require recipients to maintain their GPA during the award. If one fails to do so, they may lose the award.
Many scholarships offered by universities automatically consider every incoming student for the award. If specific govt or public organizations offer the scholarships, students must apply separately.
Also Read: Types of Scholarships to Study Abroad for International Students
What is a fellowship?
Fellowships are financial grants. They help students fund advanced study or research in a specific field. Fellowship recipients are usually those who have finished basic education. They seek to deepen their expertise through specialized research.
Fellowships cover the cost of research and often come with a stipend as well. This stipend helps the recipients cover their living expenses. Fellowships generally tend to be more competitive in nature than scholarships.
Key differences between scholarships and fellowships
Here are some key differences between a scholarship and a fellowship that you must know. Please note that the table below contains general information, and the specific details may vary.
| Characteristics | Scholarships | Fellowships |
| Purpose | Scholarships are financial aid or awards that students receive to support their educational expenses, including tuition fees, books, accommodation, transportation, and food. | Conversely, fellowships support advanced research, study, professional development, etc, in a specific field. |
| Award amount | The average scholarship amount in the USA is approximately $7,400. However, this may vary greatly depending on the university, department, student profile, etc. | Depending on the field of research and the university’s budget, fellowships usually have a higher award amount than scholarships. For instance, the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) offers an education allowance of $12,000 and a yearly stipend of $37,000. |
| Eligibility | Scholarships are generally awarded to students pursuing undergraduate or graduate degree programs. Selection criteria include excellent academic merit and background, financial need, and other factors. | Students who are at a more advanced stage in their professional or academic careers—postdoctoral students, graduate students, or professionals—generally qualify for a fellowship. |
| Funding source | Government programs, educational institutions, and private organizations typically fund scholarships. | Research organizations, academic institutions, government agencies, or foundations typically fund fellowships. |
| Duration | Usually covers the entire duration of an academic program (e.g., 1-4 years), depending on the scholarship terms. | Depending on the fellowship’s scope, it may last for a short period (e.g., a few months) or extend to several years. |
| Award coverage | Scholarships can cover a part of your tuition to your entire education cost. Generally, the award can cover tuition, accommodation, food, books, etc. | A stipend or salary through fellowships covers your research costs, living expenses, and additional expenses like health and travel insurance. The terms and conditions may vary. |
| Focus area | Scholarships generally have a broad focus and include various fields of study. However, social sciences, health, business, and STEM students may have more scholarship options. For instance, more than 33% of private scholarships are awarded to STEM students in the USA. | Since fellowships are given to students from research-intensive fields, STEM programs are the main focus. For example, more than 70% of NSF GRFP fellowships are dedicated to STEM fields. |
| Application process | Scholarships, if offered by a university, don’t generally require separate applications. | Fellowships may require students to prove their professional achievements and provide a detailed research proposal, statement of purpose, references, etc. |
| Selection criteria | Merit-based scholarships judge applicants based on their past academic performance and future potential. Need-based scholarships, on the other hand, judge candidates based on their financial situation. Some scholarships, like the Rhodes Scholarships, also require students to excel in extracurricular activities and have leadership qualities. | Fellowships judge applicants based on their professional experience, research potential, and goals. |
| Outcome | Students can complete their programs through scholarships without financial burden. This often leads to them either directly joining the workforce or opting for a degree. | Fellowships lead to the career advancement of a fellow. According to ACLD (American Council of Learned Societies), 65% of fellowship recipients in the humanities receive either a promotion or job offer within one year of completing the fellowship. |
| Commitment to the sponsor | Once the scholarship period ends, scholarships don’t generally require recipients to engage in formal commitments with a sponsoring organization. | Fellowships often require recipients to take on specific commitments, such as working in a particular field, publishing findings, completing a research project, etc. |
Also Read: Study Abroad Guide for Indian Students 2024
Choosing between a scholarship and a fellowship
You must research various scholarships and fellowships. Then, choose one that fits your needs. Have a look at the facts and tips below that you must consider to make an informed decision.
Factors to consider while choosing a scholarship vs fellowship
Career goals
Scholarships, like the Gates Millennium Scholars Program, aim to help students pay for their UG or graduate degrees. Fellowships, on the other hand, are more suited for students who have already pursued or are interested in pursuing a degree in a specific field. Fellowships help them conduct their research and enhance their career prospects.
Academic stage
Scholarships are often suited for students who are just beginning their academic journey or are in the middle of it. Scholarships are the right option for undergraduate students. Fellowships suit students who are more advanced in their education or career. A fellowship is better for students in a graduate or postdoctoral program.
Award coverage
An average scholarship amount in the United States is about $7,400 per year. A scholarship can potentially cover the entire cost of education. A fellowship, on the other hand, usually covers a student’s research costs. It may also offer a stipend through teaching or assistantships. The amount for a fellowship in the STEM fields may be up to $37,000 per year or higher.
Research interests
Scholarships are often flexible with research. They can be the best aid for students focused on coursework, not research. Fellowships would be ideal for students pursuing research-based degrees or a career in that field. For example, the ACLS Fellowships for humanities students require a clear research agenda from the fellows. This helps them advance in their academic careers.
Tips for selecting a scholarship vs fellowship
Using the key factors above, here are some tips. They will help you decide if a scholarship is better than a fellowship.
1. Evaluate the financial benefits
Compare the financial benefits of a scholarship vs a fellowship. Also, various scholarships and fellowships can be compared with other similar aids. Some scholarships, like the Rhodes, may cover your entire education and give you a stipend. Others may just cover a percentage of your tuition for a few years.
Similarly, some fellowships may award you an amount to cover your education cost and pay you a yearly stipend on top of that, whereas some fellowships may not. You must properly research and understand your options and then make an informed decision.
2. Asses the level of competition
Suppose you’re opting for a fellowship or scholarship offered by the university you are applying to. In that case, you don’t only need to think about the university’s acceptance rate but also the difficulty level for that financial aid.
Generally, fellowships tend to be more competitive than scholarships as they only include a limited number of awards but have bigger requirements. However, this can vary.
For instance, the Rhodes Scholarships only have an acceptance rate of 0.7% and are awarded to less than 200 students per year. On the other hand, the U.S. Department of Education says that about 1.7 million scholarships are offered to students in the country every year.
3. Understand the commitment required
Some scholarships, like Georgia’s HOPE Scholarship, require you to maintain your GPA and excel in extracurriculars. Others have no such requirements after your application is approved. Some fellowships, like the Fulbright, expect international recipients to return home to share their experiences.
4. Look at geographic considerations
Some scholarships and fellowships are specific to a country, university, or department. So, it’s important that while researching an option, you find out if it applies to your university/ country. For instance, the Commonwealth Scholarship is for poor students from Commonwealth countries who want to study in the UK. Similarly, the Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree is offered to students from different European countries. The Rhodes Scholarships are for students who want to study at the University of Oxford for graduate programs.
5. Seek guidance and mentorship
Last but not least, consult with mentors, advisors, previous scholars, or fellows. Many universities have a department advisor to help students with financial aid options. For instance, universities like Stanford and Harvard offer fellowship advising services to help students receive personalized guidance. Most of the scholarship or fellowship-related information is on the university’s website.
How to increase your chances of securing a scholarship or fellowship?
Here are three ways you can increase your chances of securing a scholarship or fellowship to study abroad:
Strengthen and tailor your application
Every scholarship or fellowship has a specific requirement. For example, the Rhodes Scholarship requires an excellent academic record. It also judges your leadership skills and public service. The NSF GRFP usually favors applicants with research experience, strong recommendations, and publications. You must read the requirements and customize your application. For instance, if you can produce excellent letters of recommendation and have experience publishing critically acclaimed papers, you could make a strong candidate for the NSF GRFP.
Focus on your personal statements and LORs
Most scholarships and fellowships require LORs (Letters of Recommendation) and personal statements. Personal statements help the committee know your true self. They show why you’re a good fit for the program. LORs, on the other hand, show your academic skills and potential in extracurriculars. You must approach your mentors or professionals carefully. Their recommendations as referees may make or break your applications.
Choose SelectRight
With so many factors to consider, the process of finding and applying for scholarships can feel overwhelming. For most students, the best strategy is to apply for relevant scholarships while also selecting universities that offer their own scholarships. However, with so many options available, choosing universities that fit all your criteria can be challenging. That’s where SelectRight can help.
SelectRight uses an AI-driven algorithm to analyze over 8 million data points from more than 40,000 programs across 4,000+ universities in the USA. It matches these programs to your academic, personal, and professional profile, ensuring that you apply to universities where you have a high chance of acceptance, a good return on investment, and scholarship opportunities. Here’s how it works:
- Create a free profile on SelectRight and provide detailed information about your academic background, test scores, and preferences.
- The algorithm processes your details and generates a shortlist of the best-suited universities and programs for you.
- Compare the shortlisted universities using advanced criteria such as alumni networks, recent placements, and faculty quality.
- Receive guidance from an expert advisor at any stage of your application process.
- Stay informed about relevant scholarship opportunities that align with your selected universities and programs.
Your dedicated SelectRight expert will also help you stay aware of scholarship opportunities, ensuring you don’t miss out on any potential financial aid.
FAQs – Difference between scholarships and fellowships
Certain fields that emphasize professional and research development tend to offer more fellowships. These areas include:
– Science
– Technology
– Engineering
– Mathematics
– Humanities
– Social Sciences
– Health and Medical Sciences
– Public Policy
– International Relations
– Education
– Environmental Studies.
Fellowships generally offer a higher overall financial support, along with a monthly stipend. In contrast, the scholarship amount can be as low as $4,000 per annum.
Yes, fellowships typically include additional benefits like health insurance or housing. Apart from that, a fellowship may also cover your travel insurance, loan forgiveness, etc.
Yes, there are many fellowships that international students can opt for.
Some of these fellowships are mentioned below:
– Schwarzman Scholarship
– Gates Cambridge Scholarship
– DAAD German Academic Exchange Service
– AAUW International Fellowships
– ADB-Japan Scholarship Program
– Luce Scholars Program
– UNESCO/Keizo Obuchi Fellowships
– Princeton in Africa Fellowship.
The specific rule for each fellowship varies. However, it is generally a requirement for an applicant to be proficient in the host country’s language.
