Important Updates

The 2025-26 Continuing Undergraduate Scholarships application is now open! Get started on your application today!
While awaiting your 2024-25 financial aid offer, we encourage you to utilize the UC Davis Financial Aid Estimator to estimate your potential aid.
The 2025-26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the California Dream Act Application (CADAA) will open on December 1, 2024.

National Scholarships

The prestigious scholarships listed in this section represent opportunities for students with an interest in remaining in the United States. Programs below provide funding and some also provide other opportunities such as internships, professional networking, post-graduate employment, and scholar programming. Eligibility varies by program, but includes opportunities for students in any undergraduate year. Explore the individual program pages for more information about eligibility, what makes a strong candidate, and the application process. Students who are interested in programs outside of the United States should check the International Scholarships listing.

International Scholarships

Recipients

Four Year Plan

Prestigious Scholarships FAQs

Prestigious Scholarships Events

Webinar: Donald A. Strauss Scholarship

Overview of the Donald A Strauss Scholarship which funds $15,000 to implement year-length, sustainable public service projects. The webinar will cover the funding provided, application components, as well as the process and

Webinar: David L. Boren Scholarship

Overview of the David L Boren Scholarship that provides up to $25,000 for study abroad programs that include language learning outside of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and Western Europe. The webinar will include information abo

Foundation Deadline: Science, Mathematics, and Research for Transformation (SMART) Scholarship

Deadline to apply for the SMART Scholarship that funds tuition and a stipend for scientific research leading to employment with the U.S. Department of Defense.

Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship

Purpose

1-2 year scholarships that recognize outstanding students who plan to pursue research careers in mathematics, natural sciences, or engineering.

Eligibility

U.S. Citizen or permanent resident
Sophomores or Juniors
3.0 or greater GPA

Application Information

Beinecke Scholarship

Purpose: $35,000 for two years of graduate study in arts, humanities, or social sciences.

Eligibility:

U.S. citizen or national from American Samoa or the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands
Junior at the time of application
Have a history of need-based financial aid
GPA of 3.5 or greater

Application Information

Harry S. Truman Scholarship

Purpose

1-2 years of graduate funding for a degree pertaining to public service.

Eligibility

U.S. Citizen
Junior

Application Information

James C. Gaither Junior Fellows Program

Purpose:

1 year paid program to work as research assistants to senior endowment associates in one of the Carnegie areas of focus for the year.

Eligibility:

Graduating seniors or graduated in prior year and not started grad school
Eligible to work in the U.S. for 12 months

Application Information

Knight-Hennessy Scholarship

Purpose

Full funding to pursue any graduate program at Stanford University (JD, MA, MBA, MD, MS, or PhD)

Eligibility

Citizens of any country
Graduating seniors or graduated in previous 4 years
Must be admitted to Stanford graduate program separately from scholarship application

Application Information

National Institute of Health (NIH) Undergraduate Scholarship

Purpose

1 year scholarship for students pursuing research careers related to NIH interests

Eligibility

U.S. Citizen or permanent resident
Undergraduate students
GPA of 3.3 or greater or top 5% of class
Have exceptional financial need

Application Information

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Ernest F. Hollings

Purpose

2-year scholarship to prepare students for careers pertaining to oceanic and atmospheric science, research, technology, and education.

Eligibility

U.S. Citizen
2nd year of 4-year program or 3rd year of 5-year program
Majors related to NOAA’s mission including sciences, mathematics, engineering, physical and social sciences, and teacher education

Application Information

Samvid Scholars

Purpose

Up to $100,000 for the first two years of an MD, MBA, JD, MPP, MPH, EdD, or MS/MA in a social science or STEM program

Eligibility

U.S. Citizen or DACA recipients
3.5 or greater GPA
Will enter the first-year of a graduate program in the year applying for the scholarship

Application Information

SMART (Science, Mathematics & Research for Transformation) Scholarship

Purpose

1-year scholarship to pursue a degree in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM).

Eligibility

U.S. Citizen
Undergraduate and graduate students
GPA of 3.0 or greater

Application Information

Paul and Daisy Soros Fellowship

Purpose

1-2 years of graduate funding in any field at a U.S. university.

Eligibility

U.S. Permanent residents, naturalized citizens, or children of naturalized citizens
Graduating seniors and first-year graduate students

Application Information

Donald A. Strauss Scholarship

Purpose

1 year of funding to perform a public service project.

Eligibility

Sophomores or Juniors
GPA in top 1/3 of class
Submit a public service proposal

Application Information

Udall Scholarship

Purpose

1-year scholarship for careers relating to the environment (not just environmental studies), tribal public policy, or Native American health care.

Eligibility

U.S. Citizen, national, or permanent resident
Sophomores or Juniors
Pursuing a career related to the environment or Native American and Alaska Native students can pursue careers in tribal public policy or Native American health care

Application Information

Voyager Scholarship for Public Service

Purpose: 2-year scholarship along with leadership development and travel funding for sophomores planning to enter public service careers

Eligibility:

U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or DACA recipients
Sophomores enrolled full-time with GPA’s of 3.0+
Demonstrated financial need.
Demonstrated commitment to public service and plans for a public service leadership career.

Application Information

Other National Prestigious Scholarships

Charles B. Rangel International Affairs Graduate Fellowship - Up to $84,000 in funding towards a 2 year graduate degree leading to U.S. Foreign Service Employment.
Charles B. Rangel Summer Enrichment Program - Fully-funded undergraduate summer program at Howard University to prepare for careers in international affairs.
James Madison Memorial Fellowship - Up to $24,000 towards a graduate degree leading to fellows becoming secondary teachers specializing in the U.S. Constitution.
National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program - Up to $48,000/year for three years of research based Master’s or Ph.D. programs in STEM or STEM education.
Thomas R. Pickering Graduate Foreign Affairs Fellowship - Up to $84,000 in funding towards a 2 year graduate degree leading to U.S. Foreign Service Employment.
USAID Donald M. Payne Fellowship - Up to $96,000 in funding towards a 2 year graduate degree leading to USAID Foreign Service Employment.