Scholarships & Fellowships

There are several scholarships that can assist with paying for graduate studies, teaching, and/or research abroad.

These are typically awarded to academically distinguished individuals who are U.S. citizens. Read more about each scholarship below, and if you have questions, please contact Shelley Fairbairn (shelley.fairbairn@drake.edu), the designated faculty member available to assist students with their applications.

Fulbright U.S. Student Scholarship

Rhodes Scholarship

The Rhodes Scholarships are the oldest and most celebrated international fellowship awards in the world.

Each year 32 young Americans are selected as Rhodes Scholars, through a decentralized process representing the 50 states and the District of Columbia. Applicants from more than 300 American colleges and universities have been selected as Rhodes Scholars.

Rhodes Scholars are chosen not only for their outstanding scholarly achievements, but for their character, commitment to others and to the common good, and for their potential for leadership in whatever domains their careers may lead. The Rhodes Trust, a British charity established to honor the will and bequest of Cecil J. Rhodes, provides full financial support for Rhodes Scholars to pursue a degree or degrees at the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom. The first American Rhodes Scholars entered Oxford in 1904.

Rhodes Selection Criteria

The selection criteria, as found in the Will of Cecil Rhodes, govern selection across all Rhodes constituencies. They are:

literary and scholastic attainments energy to use one's talents to the full truth
courage
devotion to duty
sympathy for and protection of the weak
kindliness
unselfishness and fellowship
moral force of character
instincts to lead
to take an interest in one's fellow beings

In general, committees will select applicants of outstanding intellect, character, leadership, and commitment to service.

Learn More

The Rhodes Trust warmly welcomes applications from talented young women and men of diverse backgrounds. Selection of Rhodes Scholars is made without regard to gender, gender identity, marital status, sexual orientation, race, ethnic origin, colour, religion, social background, caste, or disability.

Eligibility criteria for the Rhodes Scholarship

The following eligibility criteria apply to all applicants for the Rhodes Scholarships:

Citizenship & residency: Each applicant must fulfil the citizenship and residency requirements of the Rhodes constituency for which they are applying. Please check the detailed information carefully via the country links.

Age: Age limits vary between constituencies and range from a minimum age limit of 18 to a maximum of 28 by 1 October of the year following selection. In most constituencies, the age limit is 24 or 25. Please check carefully the specific age requirements for your constituency before applying. Successful candidates will arrive in Oxford the October following the selection process. The Scholarship may not normally be deferred.

Education: All applicants must have achieved academic standing sufficiently advanced to assure completion of a bachelor's degree by the October following election. Academic standing must be sufficiently high to ensure admission to the University of Oxford, which has very competitive entry requirements, and to give confidence that Rhodes Scholars will perform to a high academic standard in Oxford. Individual constituencies may specify a 1st or equivalent. Please check the detailed requirements via the country links. Some constituencies require an undergraduate degree to have been taken within the constituency of application.

For more information about The Rhodes Scholarship, please contact Shelley Fairbairn at shelley.fairbairn@drake.edu.