For Students : Sustainability & Scholarships

Students interested in sustainability are often good candidates for scholarships. A passion for what you do and a desire to make a difference in the world can add up to a compelling application for a scholarship.

The Office of Special Scholarship Programs (OSSP) at UIC suggests that to maximize your chances of get a scholarship, you should search far and wide: It is useful to look through a range of different sources to find awards that fit you. Remember as you look that you are a person with diverse potential connections to scholarships. You may find awards based on your major, career interest, public service record, study abroad plans, ethnic background, immigration status and many other criteria.

The Office of Special Scholarship Programs also provides advice on the process of applying and direct feedback on application essays.

Contact OSSP for individualized advice on applications at ssp@uic.edu.

BEST ENVIRONMENTAL SCHOLARSHIP EVER!

The Udall Scholarship is a $5000 scholarship for sophomores or juniors who are planning careers related to the environment. Your focus could be research, activism, science or social science -they just want to find future leaders who will contribute to saving the environment.

DO YOU SEE YOURSELF LEADING THE CHARGE?

The Truman is a scholarship that can support students with environmental interests who aspire to careers in public service at a leadership level. Students apply as juniors and scholars win $30,000 for graduate school.

ARE YOU A SCIENTIST?

The Goldwater is a scholarship for students planning careers in math, science or engineering research. Students apply as sophomores or juniors and get $7500 a year toward remaining undergraduate study.

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION!

UIC students' best bets for scholarships are always UIC scholarships. Get familiar with the list of what's available to you and consider joining the listserv in order to get reminders of upcoming deadlines.

You can search for scholarships based on your area of study or your career interests:

GRADUATE FELLOWSHIPS

Graduate fellowships offer the chance to travel and learn from researchers and professors in other countries or opportunities to fund a portion or all of your graduate studies. Most have deadlines in the fall (of your senior year or first year of graduate/professional school.)

  • National Science Foundation: graduate study in math, science, engineering and most of the social sciences.
  • Fulbright: research, study or teach for one year abroad.
  • Gates Cambridge: graduate program at Cambridge University.
  • Rhodes: one or two years of study at Oxford University.
  • Marshall: one or two years of study at any British university.
  • Merage: offers $20,000 toward graduate study or professional preparation for immigrants.
  • Mitchell: one year of study at any Irish university.