Undergraduate scholarships are available to prospective students pursuing an associate or bachelor’s degree. An undergraduate degree in almost any subject is an important step toward a career with higher earning potential. However, earning a bachelor’s degree alone can take at least four years, which is a costly undertaking. Undergraduate scholarships can help ease pain of paying for college and reduce the amount of debt to repay after college.
Eligibility Requirements
Scholarships at this level are often geared toward students with specific backgrounds or cultural affiliations, those pursuing a major in a relevant field or industry, or students with stellar academic records. For example, a student planning to pursue a degree in chemical engineering might be eligible for a scholarship from a professional organization for chemical engineers. Undergraduate scholarships are available to virtually any type of student, from returning or adult students to traditional students entering college right out of high school. Eligibility requirements for undergraduate scholarships can vary considerably, but generally include some of the following requirements:
- Are pursuing a high school diploma or GED, or already hold a high school diploma or GED
- Are affiliated with a cultural or ethnic community related to the scholarship
- Meet specific GPA, SAT or ACT score, or other academic requirements
- Are pursuing a major related to the scholarship, such as Engineering or Design
- Participate in activities related to the scholarship, such as FFA (Future Farmers of America)
- Eligible to attend a two- or four-year university
- Be a legal U.S. resident
- Participate in activities related to the scholarship, such as FFA (Future Farmers of America)
- Participate in community service or volunteer activities
The above list of requirements are not all-inclusive and each undergraduate scholarship will come with a different set of eligibility criteria. Undergraduate scholarships in particular are quite diverse in terms of subject matter and monetary reward. Below are just a few undergraduate scholarships to demonstrate spectrum of scholarships available at this level:
Types of Undergraduate Scholarships
- The Nordstrom Scholarship: This undergraduate scholarship from the luxury retailer awards up to $10,000 over four years to high school juniors who participate in extracurricular activities, plan to attend an accredited institution for four years, and plan to apply for financial assistance.
- RMHC U.S. Scholarships: Ronald McDonald House Charity offers four undergraduate scholarships, including one general scholarship program and three heritage scholarships.
- Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund: The Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund awards scholarships to impoverished single parents living in various counties in Arkansas.
- Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarships: Rotary International offers scholarships and grants in various amounts to undergraduate and graduate students who plan to study abroad.