Difference Between Scholarship and Fellowship
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The scholarship and fellowship both cover a student's expenses related to the cost of living, the cost of studying, study material, and travelling among other things. With the help of these, those with limited financial means can pursue further education in domestic or overseas institutes. There is a subtle difference between a scholarship and a fellowship, but both are differently opted for different purposes. This article will help students understand the difference between fellowship and scholarship and which set of students can choose them.
Also Read: Bursary Vs Scholarship
What is the Difference Between Scholarships and Fellowships?
Check out the difference between scholarships and fellowships and what should be the ideal option for applicants in the table below:
| Scholarship | Fellowship |
|---|---|
| A scholarship is a financial grant offered to students on a merit and need basis. The level of course at which the scholarship is provided is not restricted and students from all levels of their academic education can apply for a scholarship. | A fellowship meaning for students is a monetary/non-monetary grant that is provided to research scholars on a merit basis. Often accompanied by a stipend, a fellowship benefits the education sector more than the awardee. |
| Scholarships ideally cover all aspects of the student's expenses. These include but are not limited to tuition cost, cost of living, study material, utilities, and flights to India and back to name a few. | Fellowships are not restricted to just monetary grants. Fellowship can be provided in the form of financial aid, employment, research opportunities and status in an academic institution |
| Scholarships apply to students at all stages of their education. Students are eligible for scholarships while studying in school, when in college for their higher education (UG / PG) or doing research work at PhD level. All individuals are eligible to apply for scholarships irrespective of their education. | Fellowships are grants that are available across courses after graduation. It is applicable for research post-graduation, doctoral and post-doctoral courses. Candidates in school or pursuing undergraduate studies will not be able to eligible to apply for fellowships. |
| Scholarships are provided for the benefit of the students receiving them. Academically excellent (merit) and financially constrained students (need-based) are most likely to receive scholarships. | The main aim of a fellowship is to bring about development in research and the welfare of the education system. The main aim of a fellowship is to make the education system better with scholars contributing to the education system. |
| Scholarships are provided by public and private universities. Scholarships are also offered by private and government organisations for the welfare of students. | Fellowships are mostly provided by educational institutions or foundations that are associated with the education sector. |
| Scholarships are confined to monetary benefits and no entailing benefits are provided to students. | Fellowships are not limited to only monetary benefits. Fellowships can be in the form of employment, recognition, or status to help research fellows contribute to the education system. |
This contrast was briefly elaborated to help students understand the meaning of scholarships and fellowship meaning so that they can distinguish between the two easily.
Also Read:
- Difference between Scholarship and Freeship
- Common Expenses Covered in Scholarship
- What is a Good Scholarship Amount?
What is a Scholarship?
A scholarship is a kind of grant given to students for their academic achievement, to encourage them to do better in academics. The scholarship is a financial aid granted by the government, university or any other organization to students to pursue their education. This money can be used to pay for different expenses like books, tuition fees, project work or any other expenses incurred on studies. Students need not repay this money as in the case of an education loan. Students can apply for a scholarship even before their undergraduate or graduate studies.
Famous Scholarships for Indian students: Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship Program, Chevening Scholarships, Rhodes Scholarships, Tata Scholarship, QS Undergraduate Scholarship, Gates Millennium Scholarship in the USA.
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Eligibility for a Scholarship
There are various types of Scholarships and are based on many different criteria set by the organization offering the scholarship. The prospective undergraduate and graduate students seeking funds to pursue academics are eligible to apply for merit-based scholarships.
When to apply for a scholarship?
Usually, scholarships are awarded for the upcoming academic year/session. So, students seeking admission in the next academic year to pursue graduate or undergraduate degrees should apply for the scholarship as early as possible.
How to apply for a scholarship?
The application process for scholarships can vary. You need to visit the website of the organization/college/agency offering the scholarship and check the eligibility criteria and the application process of applying for the scholarship. Some popular scholarships require nomination from the candidate's educational institution. Read in detail how to apply for a scholarship here.
Also Read: What are the Chances of Receiving a Scholarship?
What is a Fellowship?
Fellowship meaning in education is that it is a financial aid awarded to students who are going to do research on a specific subject after clearing the qualifying exam. A fellowship can be a grant given to students or scholars from various disciplines like finance, management, science, etc. for pursuing research in a specific area.
Under the Fellowship, the student/scholar doesn't need to receive financial aid, it can be any other benefits which the research fellow will receive under the fellowship. It can be granted as a status in an academic institution and nothing is provided to the scholar, no financial aid, no salary, etc. However, the scholar may be provided with certain benefits like access to the library or any other research facility as a fellow of a certain college.
Usually, a Fellowship is provided while pursuing a graduate degree or above for doing research in any specific area. Financial aid of other benefits provided for research activities is called fellowship.
Famous fellowships for Indian students: Fulbright-Kalam Climate Fellowship, Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowships, Stanford Reliance Dhirubhai Fellowships, Akhtarali H. Tobaccowala Fellowship, and The Indian Trust Fellowship.
Read about one of the most illustrious scholar programmes, the Fullbright Fellowship here
Eligibility for a Fellowship
Every institution may have different eligibility criteria for a fellowship along with its objectives and focus. You need to meet the set requirements and display outstanding capabilities to be considered eligible for a fellowship. You should also demonstrate a strong interest in the research area for which you need a fellowship, leadership skills and some work experience. You also need to be proficient in the language in which you plan to carry out your research.
When to Apply for a Fellowship?
Deadlines for fellowships are already set by the agency or organisation providing them. Keep track of all the important dates on the official websites of those fellowships and apply timely. Some of the fellowships accept applications once annually, therefore commencing their application process a few months before the set application submission date.
How to Apply for a Fellowship?
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This was all about the differences between a scholarship and a fellowship. Avail of Shiksha's Counselling Services for free if you wish to study abroad. Also, you can drop your queries in the comments section below.
Difference Between Scholarship and Fellowship FAQs
Q: Â What is the difference between scholarship, grant and fellowship?
Q: Â Are stipends and fellowships the same?
No, despite having some similarities, stipends and fellowships are not the same. Both the fellowships and stipends are forms of financial support for individuals in academic settings but neither is always considered regular employment compensation. Both can be included in fellowship programs, with stipends often being a component of fellowship funding.
Let us learn about the differences between a fellowship and a stipend below.
| Fellowship | Stipend |
|---|---|
| Support educational experiences | Support living expenses or costs |
| Enhance academic experience and career growth | Provide basic financial support |
| Some may include work expectations | Generally don't expect work in return |
| Can be considered compensation in some cases | Not considered compensation for services |
| Often funded by foundations, NSF, and NIH | Common in fellowships and training grants |
Q: Â What is the purpose of a fellowship?
Fellowships offer several benefits to their recipients. Below are the key purposes of fellowships:
- Financial Support: Fellowships provide funding to cover educational expenses (tuition, fees) or research costs, allowing scholars to focus on their studies or research without financial constraints.
- Professional Development: Fellowships often include workshops, conferences, or networking opportunities, promoting professional growth and career advancement.
- Research and Innovation: Fellowships can support groundbreaking research by providing resources and mentorship to pursue innovative ideas.
- Recognition: Receiving a fellowship is a prestigious honour, acknowledging academic excellence and research potential.
Q: Â What is the difference between scholarship and stipend?
Scholarship is a type of award that is either awarded on a merit basis or a need basis. Students who are good at studies and need financial aid to support their studies are generally considered for scholarships. Scholarships often include a fixed amount of funds/stipend that is provided either once or in different instalments directly/indirectly to the educational institutions. This amount of scholarship can only be used towards university/school expenses requested for. Only a few scholarships also include expenses to cover the living expenses of students putting up in a foreign country.
Stipend on the other hand is a fixed income that is paid regularly to students working on projects or internships.
Q: Â Is fellowship an award?
Yes, fellowships are awards awarded based on merit, either internally or externally. Fellowships are generally awarded to graduate students to support their postgraduate studies or research without having them the need to pay any service (teaching/research assistantship) to the university/institution where they are enrolled.
Q: Â Which is better - scholarship or fellowship?
The decision of which is better out of the scholarship and fellowship depends on some personal requirements, academic & career goals and individual circumstances. Here is the brief comparison of a scholarship and fellowship based on these factors:
- Financial Support: Both scholarships and fellowships offere different types of financial support to the students aiming to get higher education. The scholarships cover (but not all) the cost of tuition, living expenses, travel airfare and sometimes even the cost of standardised English tests. However, fellowships cover a broader range of studying abroad expenses typically after the graduation level. These may include a research grant and also a stipend.
- Purpose and Target Audience: Scholarships are often provided to students who want to ease their financial burdens of studying a higher degree such as an undergraduate or postgraduate degree. However, the fellowship is aimed at promoting research and graduate level studies for professional development. Hence, graduate level students or students pursuing advanced degrees in the field of research benefit more from a fellowship than scholarship.
- Application Process: The process of applying for scholarships to study abroad is pretty simple than that of a fellowship. To apply for a cholarship, one must either fill out a scholarship application form (if applying a scholarship provided by government or external organisation), attach some academic transcripts and/or appear for an interview; or indicate their interest for scholarship within their university application itself. On the other hand, to apply for a fellowship, one may need to attach detailed research proposal, LOR or even go through some interviews.
Q: Â Is university of West of Scotland good for international students?
The University of the West of Scotland has five modern and diverse campuses in United Kingdom. The University has welcomed more than 3,000 international students which are representing 1/3 of the globe. They also have 130 European partners who are actively in global study and exchange options through the Commonwealth universities programmes. The University also offers study abroad opportunities for UWS who are eligible for the same and also have more than 20 transnational education partners worldwide which helps them deliver UWS Bachelors and Masters Degrees around the world.
Q: Â Is Hertfordshire University hard to get into?
With a 70% acceptance rate, the University of Hertfordshire is not hard to get into and follows easy selection criteria during admissions. This does not mean the university accepts all the students applying for different programs. The selection is based on academic performance, English language requirements, references, and many more. Some of the programs at Hertfordshire even demand an experience of 4-5 years. Students must fulfill the eligibility criteria to enroll in any programme at Hertfordshire University. In addition, students with average performance can showcase their relevant experience or extracurricular activities participation to increase their selection probability.
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The differences between scholarship, fellowship and grant based on several parameters are given below.
Supports a specific project, research, or creative endeavour. Can be open to individuals, organizations, or institutions.