Graduate Scholarship

The Beinecke Scholarship Program offers a graduate scholarship to college juniors who plan to earn a master's degree in the arts, humanities, or social sciences. Each year close to 100 colleges and universities are asked to nominate one qualified junior fro the Beinecke Scholarship. Approximately 20 of the nominees will be awarded the scholarship.

Qualified candidates for this graduate scholarship will be expected to have received a bachelor's degree in the time between being nominated for the scholarship and beginning study under the scholarship. Students must have a history of academic excellence, strong character, and leadership abilities, along with a specific plan for their future education and career path. Beinecke scholars are also required to be United States citizens. One last prerequisite is that the student must have a verifiable record of receiving need based financial aid while studying as an undergraduate.

There are several materials that must be submitted in addition to the graduate scholarship nomination form. The nominee must fill out an application, get a financial aid officer to fill out a Financial Data Sheet for proof of past aid awarded to the student, obtain three recommendation letters, and write a 1,000 word essay. The essay should consist of personal background information, experiences, interests, and plans for the future; the applicant should demonstrate how their interests and goals have evolved due to personal experiences. A current resume and an official transcript are also requested.

Beinecke scholars are awarded $32,000, with $2,000 of the graduate scholarship being distributed before classes begin. The $2,000 is given to the scholar to cover travel and enrollment expenses. The remaining $30,000 is paid to the school and will be used over the duration of the graduate program, for a maximum of five years. Additional financial aid is allowed to supplement the Beinecke Scholarship.