National Scholarship Advising

Get coaching and support to earn prestigious accolades! 

Pitt has a strong record of top scholarship winners. Work with an expert Scholar-Mentor to improve your application.

Pitt's Scholar-Mentors work directly with scholarship committees, and have expert insights about what judges are looking for. Your Scholar-Mentor can:

• Provide guidance and feedback on your essays
• Coach you through practice interviews
• Help you work with your mentors to get better recommendations

You don't have to be an Honors student to work with a Scholar-Mentor. But you do have to start early — several awards require you to get official endorsement from the University, so you have to meet the campus deadlines before the national deadlines. 

Top scholarships: 

Beinecke Scholarship

$34,000 for a research focused graduate school degree in the arts, humanities, and social sciences for juniors. Candidates must demonstrate financial need and exceptional academic promise. Apply for the Beinecke Scholarship.

Boren Scholarship

Up to $25,000/year for summer, semester, and year-long immersive study abroad, focused on languages critical to US national security. Requires a one-year federal government service commitment after graduation. Open to undergraduate and graduate students. US citizenship is required. Apply for the Boren Scholarship.

Churchill (Winston) Foundation Scholarship

Funding for 1 year of STEM graduate study/research at the University of Cambridge, including living expenses and travel allowances. Based on academic achievement, proven skills in research, and talent outside of academic pursuits. Apply for the Churchill (Winston) Foundation Scholarship.

Critical Language Scholarship

Fully paid language immersion program (from a list of languages ‘critical’ by the federal government) in the country where that language is spoken. Undergraduates of any year can apply. Contact: Josh Cannon, Scholar Mentor, at JWC70@pitt.edu. Visit the Critical Language Scholarship website for more information.

DAAD Graduate Opportunities

For graduate study or research in Germany in all fields. German language proficiency not required. U.S. citizenship is NOT required. Contact: Lesha Greene, Scholar Mentor, LEG78@pitt.edu. Visit the DAAD website for more information.

Fulbright Scholarship

Research, study, or teach English abroad in over 140 countries. For seniors, graduate students and alumni. U.S. citizenship is required. Apply for the Fulbright Scholarship.

Gilman Scholarship

For Pell Grant recipients, this scholarship pays up to $5,000-8,000 for a 1-term study abroad. Contact: Josh Cannon, Scholar Mentor, JWC70@pitt.edu. Visit the Gilman Scholarship website for more information.

Goldwater (Barry M.) Scholarship

$7500 awarded to sophomores and juniors who demonstrate excellent potential for research in the STEM fields. Open to U.S. citizens and permanent residents. Visit the Goldwater Scholarship website for more information.

Knight-Hennessy Scholars

For graduate study at Stanford. You must have received your undergraduate degree within the seven years prior to applying (or be in your final year). International students can apply. Awards are granted based on independence of thought, purposeful leadership, and a civic mindset. Apply for the Knight-Hennessy.

Marshall Scholarship

For post-baccalaureate study in the United Kingdom, in almost any discipline. Marshall Scholars are future leaders who will strengthen the relationship between the United Kingdom and America. Graduating seniors and recent graduates can apply up to 3 years after receiving their first undergraduate degree. U.S. citizenship is required. Apply for the Marshall Scholarship.

Mitchell (George J.) Scholarship

Funds post-baccalaureate study in Ireland or Northern Ireland in a variety of disciplines. Candidates younger than 30 with a record of leadership and a commitment to public service can apply. U.S. citizenship is required. Apply for the Mitchell Scholarship.

National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowships

For seniors and 1st and 2nd year grad students in STEM and Social Science fields, this fellowship pays $37,000 a year for 3 years. Contact: Josh Cannon, Scholar Mentor, JWC70@pitt.edu. Visit the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowships website for more information.

Rhodes Scholarship

For post-baccalaureate study at Oxford University. The Rhodes is the most celebrated international scholarship for graduate-level study or for pursuing a second undergraduate degree. Rhodes Scholars are chosen for their outstanding scholarly achievements, character, commitment to the common good, and potential for leadership in their fields. Graduating seniors and recent graduates aged 23 or younger can apply. U.S. citizens, green card holders and DACA recipients can apply.

• Deadline: Early October every year
• Contact Aidan Beatty at aidanbeatty@pitt.edu by August at the very latest to discuss the process for endorsement
• Students cannot apply without institutional endorsement
• Applicants generally require a GPA of 3.7 or higher

Visit the Rhodes Scholarship website for more information.

Schwarzman Scholars

Global leadership master's program in Beijing, China. Students can focus on Public Policy, International Relations, or Economics and Business. U.S. citizenship is NOT required. Apply for the Schwarzman Scholars.

Truman (Harry S.) Scholarship

Up to $30,000 for graduate study for juniors who demonstrate promising academic potential, outstanding leadership, and a commitment to public service. Apply for the Truman Scholarship.

Udall Scholarship

$7,000 to sophomores and juniors who have demonstrated a commitment to environmental issues. Native American or Alaskan native students are also eligible for fields related to tribal health care or tribal policy. Apply for the Udall Scholarship.

More resources: Search for other national scholarships.