College academic scholarships are as diverse as the students who pursue them. Academic scholarships usually require that applicants have a minimum GPA of 3.0 or above. Many colleges and private foundations seek to provide opportunities to applicants from a range of backgrounds who excel academically. Amounts for academic scholarships vary, but the most prestigious scholarships commonly cover the full cost of your tuition.
Coca Cola Scholars
The generous Coca Cola scholarship fund awards a total of 250 scholarship annually. You may be eligible to receive the Coca Cola scholarship if you have a minimum 3.0 GPA and are planning to attend an accredited college following graduation. As of 2011, 50 national scholars received awards of $20,000 and 200 regional scholars received $10,000 towards the cost of college. The scholarship committee selects 2,200 finalist nationwide to conduct in person interviews at the Coca Cola headquarters before winners are selected.
Gates Millennium Scholarship
The Gates Millennium Scholarship is available to minority students who excel academically. The award was created by the Gates Millennium Foundation in 1999 to support the educational advancement of low-income minority students. To qualify, applicants must have a GPA of 3.3 or above on an unweighted 4.0 scale. The scholarship program does not award minorities from all ethnic backgrounds. You must be African American, Hispanic American, Native Alaskan/Pacific Islander or Native American. The Gates Millennium Scholarship covers the remaining cost of your tuition after all other forms of aid have been received.
SMART Grant
The National Smart Grant is available to college juniors and seniors majoring in physical, life or computer sciences, mathematics, technology, engineering or a critical foreign language. A minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA and demonstrated financial need are both required to obtain this federal grant. As of 2011, the National SMART Grant awards students up to $4,000 per academic year. The amount you receive is based on the cost of your tuition and the amount of your federal Pell Grant. Your combined grants cannot exceed the cost of your education.
Rhodes Scholarship
The 100-year old Rhodes Scholarship is a prestigious award granted to applicants who demonstrate excellence in academics, leadership and community service. Winners receive an opportunity to spend two years studying at Oxford College in England. Tuition, room and board and other related fees are paid on the student's behalf by the Rhodes Trustees. One of the oldest international scholarships available, the Rhodes Scholarship awards 32 U.S. winners each year.
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