Beinecke Scholarship

Campus Deadline: 

Monday, January 20, 2025

Who Should Apply?: 

Juniors, U.S. citizens, with documented financial need

What It's For: 

Graduate degree

Fields of Study: 

Arts and Humanities

Social Sciences

Scholarship Website: 

Beinecke Scholarship Website

The Beinecke Scholarship Program was established in 1971 to provide substantial scholarships for the graduate education of young men and women of exceptional promise. The program seeks to encourage and enable highly motivated students to pursue opportunities available to them and to be courageous in the selection of a graduate course of study in the arts, humanities, or social sciences. Preference is given to candidates for whom the awarding of a scholarship would significantly increase the likelihood of the student’s being able to attend graduate school. Since 1975, the program has selected more than 500 college juniors from more than 100 different undergraduate institutions for support during graduate study at any accredited university.

Each scholar receives $4,000 immediately prior to entering graduate school and an additional $30,000 while attending graduate school. There are no geographic restrictions on the use of the scholarship, and recipients are allowed to supplement the award with other scholarships, assistantships, and research grants. Scholars are encouraged to begin graduate study as soon as possible following graduation from college, and must utilize all of the funding within five years of completing undergraduate studies.

Eligibility Requirements:

• College junior pursuing a bachelor's degree
• Planning to enter a master's or doctoral program in the arts, humanities, or social sciences after graduation
• Able to demonstrate financial need during undergraduate years
• U.S. citizen or United States national from American Samoa or the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands

Candidate Profile:

• Superior intellectual ability and demonstrated academic achievement beyond excellent grades
• Independent projects, extracurricular activities, and/or internships related to the applicant's interests or future goals
• Clear plan for graduate education connected to applicant's career path and future goals

Application Components:

• Application Form
• Resume
• 1,000 word personal statement
• Three letters of recommendation from faculty members
• Certified transcript (or transcripts)

Application Procedure

HFA and SBS Colleges recommend ONSA competitive applicants by December 1, every year. One needs to be recommended by their College. From this pool, ONSA and the faculty committee select one student to nominate to the Beinecke Foundation. For advising or questions, meet with an ONSA advisor.