Prestigious Scholarships

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UC Berkeley’s Scholarship Connection office administers the application process for the ten prestigious scholarships described below. Most of these awards require a campus endorsement before the applications can be forwarded to the final levels of competition. To help students prepare competitive applications, Scholarship Connection offers workshops and individual advising on selecting recommenders, preparing compelling personal statements, interviewing, and developing project proposals or proposed programs of study.

Advance preparation for these awards is essential. Eligible candidates should arrange an advsing appointment early in the process.

Other prestigious scholarships, such as the Fulbright Grants for Graduate Study Abroad and Mellon Fellowships in the Humanities, are administered in UC Berkeley’s Graduate Division Fellowships Office, 316 Sproul.

The Rhodes Scholarship funds two or three years of study at Oxford University in England. Scholars can pursue either a second bachelor’s or a higher degree. Candidates must demonstrate a record of academic excellence and leadership potential. Graduating seniors or recent graduates who are U.S. citizens, ages 18-23, in all majors are eligible to apply. A minimum 3.6 GPA is typical.

The Marshall Scholarship funds two or three years of study at any one of nearly 100 colleges and universities in the United Kingdom (England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland). Recipients can pursue either a second bachelor’s or a graduate degree. An outstanding academic record is essential. Graduating seniors or recent graduates who are U.S. citizens and have a minimum 3.7 GPA are eligible to apply.

The George J. Mitchell Scholarship funds one year of post-bachelor research or study in the Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland. The award also includes a stipend for European travel. Candidates must have demonstrated academic excellence, a commitment to service, and leadership. Graduating seniors or graduates who are U.S. citizens, ages 18-29, are eligible to apply.

The Winston Churchill Foundation Scholarship enables American students to conduct graduate work in engineering, mathematics, or science at Cambridge University in England. Applicants must hold a bachelorís degree by the beginning of the academic year for which the scholarship is awarded. Selection is based on academic record, GRE scores, capacity for original work, character, demonstrated concern for the critical problems of society, and good health. Seniors and recent graduates who are U.S. citizens, ages 19-26, are eligible to apply.

The Harry S. Truman Scholarship awards $30,000 for graduate study to students committed to public service. U.S. citizens of any age who are in the upper quarter of their class (usually a minimum 3.5 GPA) are eligible to apply. Applicants must have outstanding academic and service records and plan to pursue graduate programs geared toward public service. Students must apply during their junior year. (Exception: students who plan to enroll as fifth-year seniors may apply during their fourth year.)

The Merage Foundation for the American Dream awards $10,000 stipend annually for two years towards the efforts of fostering education, traveling and learning, securing mentors, and supporting internship opportunities. Students must illustrate a solid academic record, leadership, a commitment to hard work, creativity, initiative, and consistent ethical behavior. Applicants must be immigrants to the United States and must have become a citizen since arriving in the U.S. or hold Permanent Resident Card (Green Card). Applicants must be graduating seniors.

The Goldman Sachs Global Leaders Program seeks to train and develop tomorrow's educators, policy makers, business leaders, research scientists, social entrepreneurs, and other professionals and to create an international network through which they can share ideas, work collaboratively, and begin to change the world, together.

The Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship provides up to $7,500 per year for undergraduate educational expenses. Sophomores and juniors majoring in mathematics, sciences, and engineering who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents in the upper quarter of their class (typically a minimum 3.5 GPA) are eligible to apply. The Goldwater Foundation seeks students who demonstrate a strong commitment to advanced degrees and careers in these fields, display intellectual curiosity and intensity, and possess potential for significant future contributions in their chosen fields.

The Beinecke Scholarship provides $34,000: $4,000 upon completion of the bachelor’s degree and $15,000 per year for two years of graduate study at any university or college. Juniors planning to attend graduate school in the arts, humanities, or social sciences who are U.S. citizens and possess superior intellectual ability are encouraged to apply. Applicants must have demonstrated financial need. A minimum 3.5 GPA is typical.

The Strauss Scholarship provides $10,000 for educational expenses during the senior year. Juniors who want to initiate a public service project during their senior year are encouraged to apply. A project proposal is a major focus of the selection process. Applicants must be in the upper third of their class (typically a minimum 3.3 GPA) and have demonstrated leadership potential and an interest in public service.

The Morris K. Udall Scholarship provides up to $5,000 for educational expenses to sophomores and juniors who either 1) study the environment and related fields; or 2) are Native Americans or Alaska Natives in fields related to health care or tribal public policy. The Udall Foundation seeks outstanding students with a minimum 3.0 GPA who demonstrate, through their areas of study and public service activities, a commitment to and potential for making significant contributions in their fields. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.

The Jack Kent Coke Graduate Scholarship Program awards up to $50,000 annually for up to six years. The scholarship seeks to support exceptional students with financial need who are enrolling graduate school. Applicants must have a cumulative 3.5 GPA or better and plan to attend graduate school in Fall 2008. Graduating seniors or college graduates who are enrolling in graduate school within five years of completing an undergraduate degree are encouraged to apply.