Funding for Freshmen & Sophomores
Becas Scholarship Program
The Becas Scholarship Program is a program that offers scholarships that range from $4500 to $6030 to CUNY undergraduate and graduate students who meet three criteria: academic excellence, financial need, and commitment to service in the Mexican community. Scholarship recipients participate in a monthly professionalization seminar and complete internships for a total of 200 hours in an affiliated nonprofit institution. Freshmen and Sophomores are eligible to apply. Learn more.
Boren Scholarship
The Boren Scholarship provides up to $20,000 in assistance to study abroad. Preference is given to students who will study abroad for longer periods of time and who are committed to government service. Undergraduate students who are United States citizens and planning to study abroad in a country that is not Canada, Australia, New Zealand or in Western Europe are eligible to apply. Learn more.
Stephen J. Brady STOP Hunger Scholarship
The Stephen J. Brady STOP Hunger Scholarship is a $5,000 scholarship as well as a $5,000 grant in the recipient’s name to a hunger-related charity of the recipient’s choice. Applicants must demonstrate an on-going commitment to their community by performing unpaid volunteer services impacting hunger in the United States within the last 12 months. Freshmen and Sophomores who are 25 years old or younger are eligible to apply. Learn more.
Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute Scholarship
The Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute Scholarship is a one-time scholarship of $2,500 to be used for undergraduate tuition assistance and related educational expenses to assist Latino college students. Freshman and sophomores who are United States citizens with a demonstrated financial need who actively participate in community service activities are eligible to apply. Learn more.
The Critical Language Scholarship Program
The Critical Language Scholarship Program is a program administered by the United States Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. It is a 7 to 10 week summer language program taught in a foreign county. Languages that students may study include: Arabic, Azerbaijani, Bangla, Chinese, Hindi, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Persian, Punjabi, Russian, Turkish, and Urdu. All program costs will be covered by the program. To be eligible, you must be a United States citizen who is at least 18 years old. Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors & Seniors are encouraged to apply for this opportunity. Learn more.
Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) Fellowship
Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) Fellowships Support academic year and summer language programs abroad at the intermediate or advanced level. Proposed language of study must be designated as a priority by the Department of Education. Refer to the Student Grants Database for a list. Eligible: U.S. citizens and permanent residents. Learn more.
Barry Goldwater Scholarship
The Barry Goldwater Scholarship is a merit-based scholarship of up to $7,500 for students who intend to pursue research careers in mathematics, the natural sciences or engineering. The scholarship can be used to cover the costs of tuition, university fees, room and board. Sophomores are eligible to apply. Learn more.
Benjamin A. Gillman International Scholarship
The Gillman Scholarship provides funding for United States undergraduate students who are receiving Federal Pell Grant funding to participate in study abroad programs. Any undergraduate student in good standing who is receiving Federal Pell Grant funding and who is planning to study abroad for at least four weeks is eligible to apply. Learn more.
Humanity in Action Fellowship
Humanity in Action fellows participate in an annual month-long human rights fellowship program held each summer in Amsterdam, Berlin, Copenhagen, Paris or Warsaw. The fellowship covers the full cost of participation in the program and includes housing and most meals. Sophomores are eligible to apply. Learn more.
John Lewis Fellowship
The John Lewis Fellowship is a summer program in Atlanta, Georgia that explores the social and political roots of discrimination, as well as creates a forum where potential solutions can be considered and discussed. Fellows have one year from the end of the fellowship to initiate Action Projects in their own communities. The fellowship covers the cost of the program in Atlanta. Sophomores, juniors and seniors are eligible to apply. Learn more.
Mayo Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship
The Mayo Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship is a 10-week summer program at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota for students interested in pursuing a Ph.D. or M.D.-Ph.D. in biomedical science. Fellows will conduct their own research projects or work as part of an ongoing research investigation. They also will participate in a weekly seminar series. Each fellow will receive a $5,000 stipend for the summer. Sophomores with a 3.0 or higher who are seriously considering a biomedical research career as a Ph.D. or M.D.-Ph.D. are eligible to apply. Learn more.
National Defense Education Program’s Smart Scholarship
National Defense Education Program’s SMART Scholarship is a program that supports an undergraduate or graduate degree in a wide range of areas (including mathematics, engineering, cognitive science, biology, chemistry, and physics) at a U.S. institution and provides mentorship and summer internships. Upon degree completion, awardees are employed through the Department of Defense as civilian researchers. All undergraduates who are U.S. citizens are encouraged to apply. Learn more.
Overseas Press Club Foundation Scholarships and Internships
Overseas Press Club Foundation Scholarships and Internships are programs that provide scholarships and internships to young journalists aspiring to be foreign correspondents Eligible: citizens of any country. Learn more.
Edgar Richards Scholar Award
The Edgar Richards Scholar Award of $1,000 may be used for any education-related expenses. Any student in good standing who self-identifies as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and/or Transgender and has been active in one or more LGBT organizations is eligible to apply. Learn more.
John Jay College-Rubin Museum Writing Competition
The Rubin Museum of Art sponsors an annual writing competition with cash prizes awarded to those who write the top submissions. Any John Jay undergraduate student in good standing may participate in this contest. Essays are due in the Spring. Learn more.
Udall Scholarship
The Udall Scholarship is a scholarship of up to $5,000 to cover undergraduate tuition, room and board, and other educational expenses for students who plan to pursue a career in the environment or in tribal public policy or Native American health care. Sophomores who are United States citizens with a 3.0 GPA or higher are eligible to apply. Learn more.
United States Department of Homeland Security HS-STEM Summer Internship Program
The United States Department of Homeland Security HS-STEM Summer Internship Program is a ten week summer internship at a federal research facility for students majoring in homeland security-related science, technology, engineering or mathematics disciplines. Interns will receive a weekly stipend during the internship. Sophomores who are at least 18 years old and who are United States citizens with a 3.30 GPA are eligible to apply. Learn more.
The U.S.-U.K. Fulbright Commission Summer Institute
The U.S.-U.K. Fulbright Commission Summer Institute is a program for undergraduate students to study between three and six weeks in the summer at a prominent university in the United Kingdom. Those who are selected to participate receive full tuition scholarships, free room and board and complimentary travel to and from the United Kingdom. There are nine different programs at various universities to which undergraduate students may apply. To be eligible, you must have at least two years of college left, be over the age of eighteen and be United States citizen. Freshmen and sophomores are encouraged to apply for this opportunity. Learn more.
Jeannette K. Watson Fellowship
The Jeannette K. Watson Fellowship is a three-year professional development internship program. Each fellow completes three summer internships in New York City. In addition to interning, fellows participate in an orientation session, a seminar program and attend local events. During the school year, fellows are offered career advising services, including short seminars and mock interviews. Participants will receive a monetary stipend during each internship period. To be eligible, you must be a freshman in your second semester or a sophomore, be 25 years old or younger and be a United States citizen (or hold a Green Card). Freshman and sophomores are encouraged to apply for this opportunity. Learn more.
Women’s Forum Education Award
The Women’s Forum Education Award is a $10,000 scholarship for women over the age of 35 who have faced and overcome adversity and now, after an interrupt in their education, have resumed the pursuit of their first bachelor’s degree. Freshmen or sophomores who live in New York and are 35 years of age or older are eligible to apply. Learn more.