Next deadline: April 2024
The Samvid Scholars Program seeks to empower future leaders and changemakers by providing financial support for graduate study and leadership development. Scholars receive $50,000 for tuition and fees each year for two years in an eligible graduate program; two years of leadership development programming; and access to an active alumni community.
Prospective applicants should make an individual advising appointment with Keila Diehl in the OURS National Scholarships Office.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must:
• be a U.S. citizen or DACA recipient
• be starting one of the following graduate programs in 2024: MD, MBA, JD, MPP/MPA, MPH, or MA/MS in Social Sciences or STEM*
• have a 3.5 minimum GPA
• maintain good academic standing to remain eligible for the second year of the scholarship
* If starting a PhD program, the MA portion of the degree must take two years.
Selection Criteria
Applicants will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
• Academic Excellence: You have an excellent academic record, reflecting your critical thinking ability, your drive, and your interest in your academic field.
• Leadership: You have an outstanding track record of leading efforts that deliver results. When you see problems, you not only seek to understand them, you take action to drive change. You also have a leader’s mindset: you are optimistic, self-reliant, and strive to learn from and inspire those with whom you work.
• Service Focus: You are committed to driving change for society through your leadership; you are focused on the impact of your achievements principally on others.
• Determination: You have worked steadfastly over the long term to make an impact on the issues and/or communities that matter to you, even in the face of setbacks.
Application Requirements
• Transcripts from all degree-granting higher education institutions (unofficial acceptable)
• Standardized test scores (only if required by graduate program you are applying to)
• Information about planned graduate study
• Three 500-word essays, plus an optional diversity statement
• Two recommendations (academic or professional)
For more information about this opportunity, visit the Samvid Scholars website.