External Funding Opportunities

Harry S. Truman Scholars Program

The Harry S. Truman Scholars Program is a competitive scholarship of $30,000 that is awarded to 55 graduate students who intend to pursue a career in service, like teaching. While there is no minimum GPA requirement, applicants typically have a 3.5 GPA or higher and are active in leadership service positions in their schools or communities. 

Horatio Alger Scholarship Program

The Horatio Alger Scholarship Program is a competitive scholarship that awards $22,000 to over 100 students annually at the national level and even more at the state level. Students who have overcome obstacles and want to give back to their communities through professions like teaching are encouraged to apply. 

Thurgood Marshall College Fund

The Thurgood Marshall College Fund award supports students attending an HBCU who are interested in pursuing a service-oriented career, like education. Awards vary and can go up to $6,000.

Paul and Daisy Soros Fellowships

Every year, the Paul and Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans support thirty new Americans, immigrants, or the children of immigrants, who are pursuing graduate school in the United States. Each Fellowship supports one to two years of graduate study in any field and in any advanced degree-granting program in the United States. Each award is for up to $25,000 in stipend support, as well as 50 percent of required tuition and fees, up to $20,000 per year, for one to two years. Applications open in mid-April, for the following academic year, and are due on November 1st. 

Rotary Grants

The Rotary Foundation funds districts and global grants for active Rotary club members. 

Hollyhock Fellowship

The Hollyhock Fellowship Program supports highly-motivated, early-career high school teachers to persist and thrive in the classroom by providing them with rich learning opportunities with colleagues nationwide and mentorship. 

James Madison Graduate Fellowship

The James Madison Graduate Fellowship is a competitive award of $24,000 that supports students who plan to teach the American Constitution at the high school level. This is ideal for graduate students pursuing a master's degree with a concentration in American history or government. 

Knowles Teacher Initiative

The Knowles Teacher Initiative is a highly competitive fellowship opportunity aimed at transforming math and science education in the U.S. Fellows form a national network of collaborative, innovative leaders dedicated to improving education for all students. 

PA Student Teacher Support Program

The PA Student Teacher Support Program encourages committed individuals to prepare for and pursue teaching positions in Pennsylvania’s urban, charter, independent, and private schools. It provides financial assistance to students enrolled in a Pennsylvania Department of Education-approved teacher preparation program who are completing their student teaching requirements. This funding opportunity is available for students applying to the Urban Teaching Apprenticeship program.

Penn-UNESCO Fellowships for Developing Country Scholars

Students accepted into the International Educational Development Program (IEDP) may apply to receive one of two full-tuition international fellowships under the Penn GSE–UNESCO Chair, founded in 2012. This fellowship, under the auspices of the International Educational Development Program, is the first of its kind in the U.S. and is designed to support promising professionals devoted to international education in the developing world.

Coverdell Fellowship

Returned Peace Corps Volunteers (RPCVs) are encouraged to apply for the Paul D. Coverdell Fellows Program, offered by Penn GSE’s International Educational Development Program. This graduate fellowship program recognizes RPCVs and is a way to extend one’s relationship with the Peace Corps while a student at Penn.

All master's degree candidates, regardless of citizenship, are automatically considered for Penn GSE merit-based scholarships, Dean's Scholarships, and assistantships. Likewise, all domestic and international doctoral candidates are considered for Dean's Fellowships and Apprenticeships. Read below for more information on outside scholarships and fellowships available to international students.

Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship Programme

Becas Don Carlos Antonio Lopez Scholarship Program (Paraguayan citizens only)

The Carlos Antonio Lopez Scholarship Program for the Strengthening of Research, Innovation, and Education (CAL Program) is administered by the Ministry of Finance of Paraguay on behalf of the Carlos Antonio Lopez Scholarship Office. This scholarship can cover up to $90,000 of the total cost of a master’s program. 

Inlaks Scholarship (Indian citizens only)

Inlaks Scholarships provide the opportunity to young people with exceptional talent in any field to broaden their vision abroad and improve their skills to operate in society, thus making them a future vehicle of change in their environment. The Inlasks Scholarship is open to all Indian citizens who are residents of India at the time of application. Applicants must receive an offer of admission from eligible university, prior to applying to the Inlaks Scholarship. 

Paul and Daisy Soros Fellowships

Every year, the Paul and Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans support thirty new Americans, immigrants, or the children of immigrants, who are pursuing graduate school in the United States. Each Fellowship supports one to two years of graduate study in any field and in any advanced degree-granting program in the United States. Each award is for up to $25,000 in stipend support, as well as 50 percent of required tuition and fees, up to $20,000 per year, for one to two years. Applications open in mid-April, for the following academic year, and are due on November 1st.