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New in the Glossary of Confusing Words: Scholarship
Russian speakers often understand 'scholarship' as a living allowance for students, and not a full or partial tuition coverage, while a word similar to 'scholarship' in Russian sounds like 'grant'
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A scholarship is one type of financial aid that a student can get. It is free money to cover some portion of tuition, fees or other expenses. A scholarship does not have to be repaid, but can come with conditions, such as maintaining a particular grade point average.
Scholarships can be given out by a school, government, private organization, or individual. Some scholarships are designated for students who have particular characteristics, such as a certain ethnic background, an interest in a certain area of study, a certain level of academic achievement, etc. Others may be simply based on your level of need.
[Read more about how universities determine the amount of financial aid to award you]
In the context of financial aid, a scholarship and a grant are basically the same thing.
Financial aid, then, is the broader term used to describe all types of money given to students to help them cover their educational expenses - this includes free money (scholarships and grants), money you have to earn (work-study awards, fellowships and assistantships), and money you have to repay (loans).
Do you have a word to contribute to our Glossary of Confusing Words? Share words that have confused you or that might confuse others about studying in the U.S. Leave your suggestions in the comments, or use the form below.
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See all News Updates of the Day
Ohio Public Colleges Told to End Race-based Scholarships
Ohio’s attorney general has ordered public colleges and universities to end merit scholarships that incorporate race-based criteria, saying they are unconstitutional.
The attorney general advised education officials that compliance with a 2023 Supreme Court decision on race-based admissions extends to scholarships, according to the Columbus Dispatch. (March 2024)
Greek Parliament Approves Branches of Foreign Universities
The Greek parliament voted to allow foreign universities to establish and operate branch campuses in the country.
According to U.S. News & World Report, the move was made to encourage Greek students to stay in the country for advanced studies, instead of going abroad for an education. (March 2024)
Virginia Bans Legacy Admissions
The state of Virginia has banned legacy admissions to public colleges and universities.
The New York Times reports the state has outlawed the practice of giving preferential admissions status to students based on connections to alumni and donors. (March 2024)
New Texas Law Prohibits Public Colleges, Universities From Having DEI Offices
A new Texas law prohibits public universities from having special programs supporting minority and LGBTQ students. Critics say these diversity, equity and inclusion programs are discriminatory and divisive. But many students say they are needed. Deana Mitchell has the story from the Texas capital.
Here’s What It Feels Like to Find Home Between Two Cultures
Cynthia Jia, a student at the University of Virginia, writes about how Chinese literature helped reconcile her to being part of two cultures. Read her story in The Cavalier Daily. (February 2024)