Fellowship V/S Scholarship Programmes

The government has various programmes in place to help underprivileged and meritorious students pursue their higher education. These programmes are based on particular criteria that the student must meet in order to be eligible. Scholarships and fellowships are two such programmes that are frequently misunderstood in this respect. A scholarship is a money given by the government or another organisation to students who meet the conditions established by the awarding authorities. While comparing a fellowship vs scholarship, a fellowship is a grant given to scholars to help them in their studies. To pursue higher education, all students must understand the distinction between a fellowship vs scholarship, since both give financial aid to applicants.

Definition Of Scholarship

The term scholarship refers to financial assistance provided by the government, institution, or any other organisation to students in order to fund their study. The scholarship money can be used to cover tuition, books, and other expenditures. Unlike an education loan, it does not generate interest and does not need repayment.

The grantor, which may be a government agency or an organisation, establishes the criteria for receiving a scholarship, which could include academic excellence, category, needs, and so on. The criterion for selecting awardees indicates the government’s goal. The grantor also specifies the application process for the scholarship.

Types Of Scholarships For Higher Education

1. Need-Based Scholarships: These scholarships are designed to support economically disadvantaged students who face financial hardships in pursuing their studies. Applicants must demonstrate their financial need to qualify for this type of scholarship, making it a vital resource for those seeking financial assistance to achieve their educational goals.
2. Merit-Based Scholarships: Students with outstanding academic achievements are eligible for merit-based scholarships. These scholarships are widely available in educational institutions worldwide and are awarded to recognize and encourage academic excellence. Recipients are chosen based on their academic records and achievements.
3. Test-Based Scholarships: Several globally recognized tests play a pivotal role in securing admissions to prestigious institutions and studying abroad. By excelling in these tests, students can become eligible for scholarships. Some examples of such tests include NET, GRE, GMAT, SAT, IELTS, and NMSQT/PSAT.

By having these diverse scholarship opportunities, students from various backgrounds can find support to pursue higher education and fulfil their academic aspirations.

Top Scholarship Opportunities To Study Abroad

Here’s the list of top scholarships to study abroad:

1. Erasmus Mundus Scholarship
2. Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarships
3. Skoll Scholarship
4. Narotam Sekhsaria Scholarships
5. QS Scholarship For Academic Excellence
6. FINCAD Women in Finance Scholarship
7. Generation Google Scholarship
8. Chicago Booth MBA Scholarships
9. CCSE Graduate Scholarship
10. Ritchie Jennings Memorial Scholarship
11. Stuart Hall Scholarship
12. Brokerfish International Student Scholarship
13. Innovation in Education Scholarship
14. Go Clean Scholarship
15. National Overseas Scholarship
16. Hinrich Foundation Scholarship

Definition Of Fellowship

Fellowships are grants given to academics from many areas such as science, agriculture, literature, management, arts, and so on in order to honour their brilliance. It is a stipend granted to research fellows for studying a certain subject under the supervision of an expert faculty member, professor, department head, etc.

The fellowship is a merit-based financial aid award given to an individual to assist him or her in pursuing a high-level degree. It covers tuition and a stipend for cost of living. It is granted for a set period of time upon receipt of the necessary information. The offer of Junior Research Fellow is valid for two years and cannot be extended.

Types of Fellowships

1. Medical Fellowships: Designed for accomplished physicians who have completed their general medicine courses, medical fellowships offer specialized training in specific fields of medicine. These programs cater to various medical niches, empowering medical practitioners to excel and become proficient experts in their chosen areas. In collaboration with medical colleges and universities, these scholars have the opportunity to practice medicine while actively contributing to research initiatives. Furthermore, they receive financial support to advance their research and development endeavours.
2. Doctoral and Post-Doctoral Fellowships: These prestigious fellowships are granted to exceptional research scholars dedicated to exploring specific subjects in-depth. By conducting valuable research, they make significant contributions to the education system. Beneficiaries of these fellowships receive a PhD stipend, temporary employment as lecturers, and gain access to promising career opportunities. Moreover, they attain esteemed recognition within the academic institution where they pursue their degree.

What Is The Difference Between Scholarship And Fellowship?

Scholarship:

• Applicability: Scholarships are available for school-level, college-level, and university-level education, not restricted to higher education. They can be earned by students at various education levels.
• Focus: Scholarships focus on the needs, motives, and financial crises of the students.
• Expenses Covered: Scholarships cover various educational expenses, including tuition fees, accommodation, living costs, utilities, travelling, and study materials.
• Benefit: The scholarship amount is intended to support students with low economic resources, and there is no repayment of the granted funds.

Fellowship:

• Applicability: Fellowships are available only for courses after graduation, such as post-graduation, doctoral, and post-doctoral courses. They focus exclusively on research and development-related fields, not school or undergraduate degrees.
• Focus: Fellowships are based on the merit and research scope of the scholars, recognizing their significant contributions to the education system.
• Benefits: Fellowships may include monetary awards, employment opportunities, research grants, recognition, and status within an academic institution.
• Contribution: Fellowship recipients contribute to research and development, benefiting the education system with their scholarly work.

Fellowship Vs Scholarship: Comparison Chart

BASIS FOR COMPARISON	SCHOLARSHIP	FELLOWSHIP
Meaning	A scholarship is a sort of reward given to students based on their academic performance in order to motivate them to do better.	Fellowship refers to financial assistance given to those who wish to conduct more research on a certain field after passing the required exam.
Awarded To	Students.	Research fellows.
Based On	Need, merit and category.	Merit.
Funded By	Government or any other organization.	Government, research organisations, private companies, etc.
Study	General studies.	Undertaking research.

Difference Between Scholarship And Fellowship

In terms of the distinction between fellowship vs scholarship, the following points are important:

• The scholarship is nothing more than a type of award given to undergraduate students based on their academic qualifications in order to help them in their future studies while also pushing them to perform better. Fellowship, on the other hand, refers to financial help given to those who want to pursue studying abroad in a certain subject after meeting the stipulated conditions.
• While scholarships are available to students, fellowships are solely available to research fellows.
• Scholarships are classified into three types: merit-based (given to deserving students), need-based (granted to poor and needy students), and category-based (awarded to candidates belonging to a specific category). On the contrary, the fellowship is only available to those candidates who are selected as research fellows.
• Scholarships are provided by the government, schools/colleges/universities, or other organisations. Fellowships, on the other hand, are awarded by the government, research organisations, commercial enterprises, universities, and so on.
• The scholarship is given to students to help them with their basic education. The fellowship, on the other hand, is awarded to researchers for undertaking a study on a certain topic.

Conclusion

While comparing fellowships vs scholarships, scholarships are given to students to help them with their pre-graduation studies, fellowships are financial aid given to research scholars to enable them to undertake research in a certain subject after they complete their degree or post-graduation. Some scholarships are renewable, which means students can reapply for them. The fellowship, on the other hand, is for a certain period of time and cannot be extended.

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FAQ’s

1. Who Can Apply For A Scholarship?

Merit-based scholarships are available to all graduate, undergraduate, and prospective students seeking academic aid. Scholarships vary greatly and are awarded based on a variety of criteria specified by the organisation that bestows the prize. Always read any award eligibility conditions carefully, and if you have any particular questions, contact the programme that is giving the scholarship.

2. When Should I Submit My Application?

Begin looking for scholarships as soon as feasible and apply as soon as possible. Scholarships are given out all year and are generally for the future academic year. In general, this means that current sophomores and juniors should apply for scholarships that are only available to juniors and seniors. Scholarships for graduate students often accept applications from current seniors who want to continue their education in master’s or PhD programmes.

3. What Is the Process for Applying for a Scholarship?

The application procedure for a certain scholarship might be easy or difficult. Program websites will provide you with essential insider information, and it is critical that you carefully study the application descriptions and requirements. Some national scholarships require you to be nominated by your academic institution. To be considered for one of these scholarships, you must first be nominated by the UW Bothell campus.

4. What is the meaning of fellowship and scholarship?

Fellowships are grants provided to research fellows so they can study a particular subject under the guidance of a professor, department chair, or other expert academic members. A scholarship is a monetary aid given to students by the state, a college, or any other organisation to help them pay for their education. 

5. What is the difference between a scholarship, fellowship and an internship?

A scholarship covers all fees, including tuition, books, supplies, living expenses, utilities, and travel for a student. A fellowship may involve financial or non-financial awards, and generally offers more money than scholarships. It gives financial assistance, employment, research possibilities, and academic standing. An internship is where you work for an organisation, sometimes without pay to gather experience. 

6. Can you have a fellowship and a scholarship at the same time?

Yes, students are permitted to hold both a fellowship and a scholarship at the same time. Institutions may, however, reduce the scholarship amount from the fellowship funding. Students can get more information from the financial assistance office or department of their college to get more clarity.

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