Beinecke Scholarship Program

Internal deadline: January 21, 2013

National deadline: February 22, 2012

Eligibility requirements:

• Demonstrated superior standards of intellectual ability, scholastic achievement and personal promise as an undergraduate
• Junior
• Plan to enter master's or doctoral program in the arts, humanities or social sciences (excludes neuroscience)
• U.S. citizen or U.S. national from American Samoa or the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands
• Documented history of receiving need-based financial aid as an undergraduate

Award summary and conditions: Award is for $34,000 in support of graduate education to supplement support from graduate school. An initial $4,000 (of the $34,000) will be awarded for costs associated with the graduate application process and to pay for travel expenses directly related to the start of graduate school. 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 completion of undergraduate studies. A scholar is allowed to take a one-year leave of absence immediately following graduation, but is normally expected to enter graduate school and begin receipt of the Beinecke funding in the following year.

Application process: Hard copy submission

Application materials (Original plus 4 copies):

• Certification of Eligibility Form completed by nominating official
• Financial Data Sheet completed by financial aid officer
• Application form
• Current resume
• Personal statement (1,000 words or less) from the nominee describing his or her background, interests, plans for graduate study and career aspirations. The statement should include a discussion of some experiences and ideas that have shaped those interests, plans and aspirations.
• Letter from nominating official summarizing reasons for nominee's selection
• Official transcript
• Three letters of recommendation

Campus Representative:  Keith Raether

Faculty Representative: Scott Elliott

Internal interview: No

Internal nomination required: Yes, Whitman may nominate one student

National committee interview: No

Selection process: 110 colleges and universities are eligible to nominate a student for consideration for a Beinecke Scholarship. 20 scholarships are to be awarded in 2013. Program director and three senior college/university administrators comprise the selection committee.

Announcement date:  May 1, 2013

Contact information: http://foundationcenter.org/grantmaker/beinecke