Institutional
Gift aid received from colleges and universities is referred to
as institutional aid, since the money comes directly from the
school's resources. This type of financial assistance, naturally,
is the most sought-after type of funding and the most difficult
to receive. Scholarships and graduate fellowships may be awarded
on the basis of need, merit, or both.
Most fellowships provide for tuition and stipend. Many cover a
student's full academic career, but some must be renewed each
year. Most fellowship programs are highly competitive and are
designed to attract students with excellent academic records.
They are often limited to doctoral and post-doctoral students,
though there are some that specifically target Master's-level
students in particular fields.
"Portable fellowships" are offered by independent donors or
organizations and can be used at any university. Several
different guides to portable fellowships can be found in your
financial aid office or public library.
Institutional fellowships are awarded through specific
university programs. The financial aid offices of the schools to
which you are applying can give you information on any available
institutional fellowships.
Outside Scholarships and
Grants
Many private grant and scholarship programs exist through
community groups, businesses, and non-profit agencies. Spend time
at the library or on the Internet and investigate free resources.
Kaplan offers you a reliable and affordable
Scholarship Search to provide you with a reputable
scholarship search engine.