Davidson Fellows Scholarship: Win $50k for College

Aspiring college students looking to cut down on college costs have access to a wide array of scholarship opportunities. According to Debt.org, private sources such as corporations, associations and individuals annually award approximately $3.3 billion in gift aid for college tuition. And while many of these awards are relatively small, ranging from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars each, some scholarships offer more substantial amounts. High-achieving students looking to earn money for college may want to consider the Davidson Fellows Scholarship, which annually awards between $10,000 and $50,000 in college funding to accomplished young individuals.

Apply for the Davidson Fellows Scholarship

Sponsored by the Davidson Institute, the Davidson Fellows Scholarship celebrates the achievements of extraordinary young people across the country. Open to U.S. citizens aged 18 and under, the scholarship provides an award of $50,000, $25,000, or $10,000 to students who have made great strides in a given area of study. Recipients are required to attend Congressional meetings and a special reception in Washington, D.C.

Not every work qualifies for a Davidson Fellows Scholarship. To be considered, a project must have the potential to have a positive impact on society. For example, a submission may apply current knowledge in an exceptionally creative way, provide an innovative solution to a long-standing problem, or advance a field or area of study. Additionally, students can submit evidence of a performance or demonstrate an accomplishment. Currently, applicants can submit significant works in the following categories:

• Science
• Technology
• Engineering
• Mathematics
• Literature
• Music
• Philosophy
• Outside the box

Designed for students whose work rivals that completed at the collegiate or graduate level, the scholarship boasts a positive reputation. In fact, U.S. News & World Report named the Davidson Fellows program one of the seven most prestigious undergraduate scholarships.

Tips on Securing College Scholarships

The Davidson Fellows Scholarship is just one of the many programs offering funding for college-ready students. One of the best tips for securing college scholarships is to apply for a range of awards in multiple categories. Just because you’re a math whiz, that doesn’t mean you should only apply for STEM scholarships. Pursuing opportunities based on merit, need, sports, and art, as well will help you to maximize your chances–you never know which scholarships you’ll wind up winning!

Additionally, aspiring college students shouldn’t be afraid of scholarship programs that require a little extra work. The fact is that a large percentage of students avoid opportunities that require them to submit essays, videos, or other time-consuming projects. By targeting these scholarships, you can boost your odds of earning the money needed to attend your dream school. It’s worth noting that you can and should submit the same essay to multiple contests to save time; just be sure to tweak the content enough that it suits the question being asked.

Want access to expert college guidance — for free? When you create your free CollegeVine account, you will find out your real admissions chances, build a best-fit school list, learn how to improve your profile, and get your questions answered by experts and peers—all for free. Sign up for your CollegeVine account today to get a boost on your college journey.