Difference between fellowship and scholarship

Understanding the difference between fellowship and scholarship programs has become a priority for students who get confused about the two concepts. If you want to understand the process of fellowships and scholarships and also know the meaning of fellowship in education, then you need to read this article to the end as we will be providing you with the required information.

Many students believe that anything that funds their academics, be it loans, grants, or any form of financial aid, is a scholarship. However, due to intellectual implications, it is important to know the difference between a scholarship and a fellowship.

The only thing that is common between a scholarship and a fellowship is that both of them are financial aid. Apart from that, there are many distinctive differences between them.

With that being said, let’s proceed with the answer to the question: what is the difference between a scholarship and a fellowship? And what is the meaning of fellowship in education? We will also take time to provide a list of questions about fellowships and scholarships.

What is a Fellowship?

The term “fellowship” means different things to different groups of people. Conventionally, people understand fellowship to be a group of people who have gathered together to commune. However, in the context of education, fellowship refers to a form of financial aid that is meant mostly for graduate and postgraduate students to pursue their academic goals.

Some other fellowships include internship programs or related service commitments that last one year or more.

Fellowship Meaning in Education

Basically, fellowships are financial aid mostly meant for graduate or postgraduate students and are considered merit-based opportunities. Winners are selected based on long-term considerations, where contributions made by the students are taken into account.

The winner of a fellowship is called a fellow.

What is the Meaning of Fellowship in Education?

Unlike scholarships, which cannot be used outside the educational context, fellowship can mean different things to different groups of people or settings. In this context, we are referring to fellowship as it pertains to education. The meaning of fellowships in education is that it is a form of financial award that offers postgraduate students the opportunity to gain more experience in graduate and postgraduate research without having to spend their own money.

Some fellowships have little or no special work requirements, while others function more like internships for postgraduate students. These opportunities can strengthen the resume and financial standing of a postgraduate student, so every postgraduate candidate should apply for such an award. Fellowships are usually merit-based awards, preferably for people with a high GPA and a promising future career.

Also Read: Notable Difference between Scholarship, Grant and Bursary

What is a Fellowship Program?

While the term “fellowship” has other meanings in different contexts, it is also used by various programs, even as a scholarship. Fellowships are generally short-term opportunities that last from a few months to several years. They focus on the professional development of the fellowship winner and are sponsored by specific organizations that aim to develop and expand leadership in that area.

How Do You Become a Fellow?

To become a fellow, you must be a member of a learned society, academy, or a group of learned individuals (a fellowship) who work together in pursuit of mutual knowledge or practices. There are many types of fellowships awarded in academia and industry for various reasons, often indicating a different level of scholarship.

How Does a Fellowship Work?

Fellowships are more competitive than general scholarships, so you need to prepare an impressive application that won’t get lost in the stack. Organizations usually look for candidates with high academic performance, heads of charitable services, dedicated honorary students, and experienced researchers.

Let your motivation and self-direction shine. Do not be surprised if it takes at least two months to complete the application and collect the supporting documents. The most important things needed are a curriculum vitae, an official transcript, letters of recommendation, and a research proposal. Participation in an interview with the selection committee members is also common.

Are There Undergraduate Fellowships?

This is why there are more postgraduate and graduate fellowships than undergraduate fellowships. However, many undergraduate institutions offer fellowships to their students, and each winner is called a fellow. The process of an undergraduate fellowship is similar to that of a typical scholarship.

Fellowships are considered very competitive, merit-based opportunities, which is why winning a fellowship is considered difficult. They are always offered to aid research programs that help develop the student and broaden their horizons in their field of study.

What is a Scholarship?

The word scholarship is very conventional among students and is easier to understand. It is considered a form of financial aid offered by colleges for students to pursue their academic dreams without worrying about repayment.

Scholarships are offered to students based on different criteria, which may include financial need, merit, or any form of qualification requirement chosen by the academic institution. The good thing about scholarships is that they have many sponsors, including governmental organizations, non-governmental organizations, individuals, institutions, and other bodies interested in helping students financially achieve their academic goals.

This implies that there are many more scholarships than fellowships. Students can easily find scholarships, whereas fellowships are fewer and have more stringent eligibility requirements.

Also Read: What’s the Difference Between College and University?

Difference between Fellowship and Scholarship

There are some clear, distinctive differences between a scholarship and a fellowship, some of which explain why an institution might call an opportunity a scholarship and another a fellowship.

One of the most notable differences is that a scholarship implies financial aid for students. However, a fellowship does not necessarily imply financial opportunity. A fellowship might be an opportunity for students in a particular course of study that aids their studies or research. It might afford the beneficiary the use of facilities that would advance their studies.

Another significant difference is that scholarships are open to virtually all levels of study. There are scholarships for undergraduates, postgraduates, and even high school students. Fellowships, however, are meant for advanced levels of study. There are no fellowships for high school students. Scholarships are awarded based on different eligibility requirements or criteria, which might be based on financial needs or academic performance. Fellowships, on the other hand, are merit-based and very competitive.

Another strong difference is that scholarships can be offered to students in a wide range of study fields, while fellowships are strictly for students undertaking research. This explains why the few undergraduate fellowships available are for students involved in undergraduate research programs.

What Are the Types of Fellowships?

To better understand the distinction between scholarships and fellowships, let’s look at the major kinds of fellowships offered by government and research organizations:

• Postdoctoral fellowships
• Doctoral fellowships
• Medical fellowships

Conclusion

Scholarships are generally easier to obtain compared to fellowships. There are many scholarships available for all levels of study, while fellowships are mostly offered to graduate students for research-related programs.

You may need to pay tax to receive a scholarship or fellowship that covers extra expenses such as room and board. It is easier to win a fellowship or scholarship if you adequately meet its criteria or eligibility requirements.

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Frequently Asked Questions about the Difference between fellowship and scholarship