Samvid Scholars
This scholarship is for up to $100,000 and two years of study leading to a graduate degree (MD, MBA, JD, MPP, MPH, or MS/MA in social sciences or STEM) at any U.S. university. Seniors, graduate or professional students, and graduates are eligible to apply. U.S. citizens and DACA recipients are eligible. All applicants must apply directly to a graduate degree program and also to Samvid Scholars to be considered for the award.
The scholarship is awarded to students who portray 1) Academic Excellence (3.5 minimum GPA), 2) Leadership, 3) Service Focus, 4) Bias Towards Action, and 5) Grit. They seek candidates who are committed to effecting positive change in society.
Samvid Scholar Information Session
February 20, 2025 from 3:30 to 4:00 p.m. in 514 IUB.
Students are encouraged to submit drafts of their Samvid Scholars application well in advance of the priority deadline to receive feedback from us. Attach your scholarship application materials in an email, along with a few potential meeting times no earlier than 2 business days after your submission to receive feedback. We are willing to work with students through numerous revisions.
March 10, 2025 at 12:00 p.m. (noon)
Samvid Scholars does not formally require a university endorsement process. Thus, an applicant may choose to independently submit application materials. However, if you are interested in obtaining feedback on your Samvid Scholars application from a campus committee, then you need to submit materials by this deadline. University faculty and staff who are familiar with the award will review materials received by this date. If materials are submitted late, only the National and International Scholarships program will provide feedback.
Required information includes:
- A signed Scholarship Waiver (either scanned or in hardcopy).
- Four short answer questions requested by Samvid Scholars.
- A resumé or CV.
Optional information includes A) 1-2 minute video addressing the Samvid prompt "What is your mission and why?" and B) two letters of recommendation that address how you fit the criteria of a Samvid Scholar. Letters should be sent as attachments directly to us at topscholars@illinois.edu.
Deadline April 8, 2024 at 2:00 CST
Complete Samvid Scholars applications must be submitted online by this date (letters of recommendation are due the day before). Note that Samvid also requires you to submit scores from any standardized tests you have taken. We would appreciate a copy of all materials prior to submission.
Samvid Scholars will review and rank top applicants from the scholarships pool and invite finalists for a virtual interview in May.
For official information on Samvid Scholars (which supersedes any information provided here) and access to application materials, please visit their website.