National and International Scholarship Office

The Office of National and International Scholarship Opportunities operates within the University Honors Program. This office provides mentoring, resources, and networking directed towards maximizing students' potential, culminating in the pursuit of prestigious, nationally-competitive merit awards. We work with undergraduate, graduate, and professional students, as well as with recent alumni, from all disciplines. Students who work with this office are usually highly motivated, academically ambitious, and involved in community engagement both on and off campus.

For assistance with these and other nationally competitive awards, contact Dr. Bethany Smith at 502.852.0024 or via email at  to schedule an appointment. The Office of National and International Scholarship Opportunities is located on the first floor of the Honors House, the office is in the small two-story brick building between Stevenson Hall and the Interfaith Center.

Scholarships for Undergraduates

Scholarships for Graduating Seniors, Graduate/Professional Students, and Recent Alumni

Scholarships for Undergraduates

Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship

For students who demonstrate strong evidence of contributing to the technological advances of the United States. Current junior or exceptional sophomore students who are U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, or resident aliens are eligible to apply. Applicants should be committed to a Ph. D. in the research fields of mathematics, sciences, or engineering. Each scholar receives $7,500 per year for undergraduate expenses. For more info see: http://www.act.org/goldwater/

Udall Scholarship

Scholarships of up to $5,000 and 50 honorable mentions to sophomore and junior level college students are granted to students committed to careers related to the environment. For more info see: http://www.udall.gov/

Harry S.Truman Scholarship

One year funding for students pursuing graduate degrees in public service fields. U.S. citizen college juniors with a record of community service and a commitment to a career in public service are eligible. Public service includes government, uniformed services, public interest organizations, non-governmental research or educational organizations, public and private schools and other public service-oriented non-profit organizations. Each scholar receives $30,000 towards graduate study. For more info see: http://truman.gov//

Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship

The Gilman Scholarship Program offers awards for undergraduate study abroad and was established by the International Academic Opportunity Act of 2000. This scholarship provides awards for U.S. undergraduate students who are receiving Federal Pell Grant funding at a two-year or four-year college or university to participate in study abroad programs worldwide. For more info see: http://www.iie.org/en/Programs/Gilman-Scholarship-Program

U.S.-U.K. Summer Fulbright Program

Offers access to special Summer Institutes for U.S. citizens to come to the U.K. These summer programs provide the opportunity for U.S. undergraduates (aged over 18), with at least two years of undergraduate study left to complete, to come to the U.K. on a three, four, five or six week academic and cultural summer program. For more info see: http://www.fulbright.org.uk/

English-Speaking Union (ESU) Scholarship

The scholarship, open to juniors, provides tuition and room and board for one week in London followed by a three-week summer school program for studies in English literature, art history, creative writing, medieval studies, Shakespeare, history, politics, and society at Oxford, Cambridge, or Edinburgh. For more info see: http://www.esuus.org/kentucky/

Critical Language Scholarship (CLS)

The CLS Program offers intensive summer language institutes overseas in thirteen critical need foreign languages. The programs last 7 to 10 weeks—all expenses paid—and are at universities around the world. Neither U of L nomination nor campus endorsement is required. CLS recipients often go on to win Fulbrights and graduate Boren fellowships, among others. For more info see: http://www.clscholarship.org/

***Arabic, Azerbaijani, Persian, Korean, Urdu, Turkish, Indonesian, Russian, Japanese, Bangla, Hindi, Punjabi, Chinese

NSEP Boren Scholarship

Open to freshmen through seniors for study in a non-western country. U.S. citizens who study areas of the world critical to the future security of the United States (including Africa, Asia, Central & Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Latin America & the Caribbean, and the Middle East) are encouraged to apply. Each scholar receives up to $20,000 for an academic year abroad. For more info see: https://www.borenawards.org/scholarships/program-basics/boren-scholarship-basics

Scholarships for Graduating Seniors, Graduate/Professional Students, and Recent Alumni

Gates-Cambridge Scholarship

One to four years of study leading to a degree at Cambridge University, England. Seniors, graduate/professional students, and graduates are eligible to apply. U.S. and non-U.S. citizens are eligible. All applicants must apply directly to Cambridge and fill out a supplemental portion of the Cambridge application form to be considered for the fellowship. For more info see: http://www.gatescambridge.org/

George J. Mitchell Scholarships

One year of graduate study in the Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland. Seniors, graduate/professional students, and graduates are eligible to apply. Must be under the age of 30 and a U.S. citizen. For more info see: https://www.us-irelandalliance.org/scholarships

Marshall Scholarships

One to three years of study leading to a degree at any British university. Seniors, graduate or professional students, and graduates are eligible to apply within two years of their undergraduate graduation. Must be a U.S. citizen with an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.7. For more info see: http://www.marshallscholarship.org/

Rhodes Scholar Program

One to three years of study leading to a degree at Oxford University, England. Seniors, graduate or professional students, and graduates are eligible to apply. Must be under the age of 24 and a U.S. citizen. Non-U.S. citizens are eligible to apply from their home country on the basis of degrees from U.S. universities. For more info see: http://www.rhodesscholar.org

Fulbright Awards

One year of study or research in any country where there is a Fulbright Commission. The two primary grants are for conducting independent research/study/internships and English teaching at all levels. Seniors, graduate/professional students, and graduates are eligible to apply. Must be a U.S. citizen. For more info see: http://us.fulbrightonline.org/

NSEP Boren Fellowships

Intended for graduate study in a non-western country; U.S. citizens who study areas of the world critical to the future security of the United States (including Africa, Asia, Central & Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Latin America & the Caribbean, and the Middle East) are encouraged to apply. May include domestic language and cultural study with overseas study or all overseas study in a non-western country. For more info see:https://www.borenawards.org/scholarships/program-basics/boren-scholarship-basics