Dreaming of a fully funded graduate education in the arts or humanities? Then I am sure the Beinecke Scholarship program is one of the most prestigious scholarships in the United States. It is helping students turn academic passion into graduate success. The Beinecke Scholarship is a nationally recognized award that supports high-achieving students in the humanities, social sciences, and arts. If you’re a college junior with academic excellence and financial need, this could be your path to graduate school funding.
About Beinecke Scholarship
The Beinecke Scholarship Program was established in 1971 by the Sperry and Hutchinson Company. Company created an endowment fund to provide scholarships for the graduate education of highly motivated young men and women. The scholarship is provided for the graduate course of study in the arts, humanities and social sciences. Each awarded scholar receives $5,000 immediately prior to entering graduate school and another $30,000 during the course. There are no geographic restrictions on the use of the scholarship, and recipients are allowed to supplement the award with other scholarships, assistantships and research grants.
Beinecke Scholarship at Glance
| Feature | Details |
| Scholarship Name | Beinecke Scholarship |
| Award Amount | $35,000 total ($5,000 pre-grad + $30,000 during grad school) |
| Eligible Fields | Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences |
| Ineligible Programs | Professional degrees (e.g., Law, Medicine, Business, Clinical Psychology) |
| Who Can Apply | U.S. college juniors at participating institutions |
| Citizenship Requirement | U.S. citizen or U.S. national |
| Financial Need | Must have history of need-based aid (Pell Grants, institutional/state aid) |
| Application Method | Must be nominated by college/university |
| Application Materials | Personal statement, transcripts, recommendations, Financial Aid Data Sheet |
| Typical Deadline | Late February (campus deadline); Late March (national deadline) |
| Administered By | The Sperry Fund |
Beinecke Scholarship Requirements
To get selected for Beinecke Scholarship Program, a scholar must be
- Scholar should be a U.S. citizen or U.S. national from American Samoa or the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
- Scholars must show strong thinking skills, excellent grades, and clear potential for success in the future.
- Scholars must have a documented history of receiving need-based financial aid during college—such as Pell Grants or state/federal aid—with preference given to those for whom the Beinecke Scholarship would make graduate school financially possible.
For example, a student who received a Pell Grant and institutional aid throughout college would meet this requirement.
- Students should plan to join a master’s or Ph.D. program that focuses on research or creative work in the arts, humanities, or social sciences.
Note: Truman Scholarship holders will not be awarded the Beinecke Scholarship.
Participating Institutions
Top 10 notable institutions are –
- Harvard University (Cambridge, MA)
- Stanford University (Stanford, CA)
- Yale University (New Haven, CT)
- Princeton University (Princeton, NJ)
- Columbia University (New York, NY)
- University of Chicago (Chicago, IL)
- Brown University (Providence, RI)
- Cornell University (Ithaca, NY)
- Dartmouth College (Hanover, NH)
- Amherst College (Amherst, MA)
Check official site for all the institutions list
Required Documents
- Certification of Eligibility Form (completed and signed)
- Beinecke Application Form (completed)
- Current Curriculum Vitae (C.V.)
– Includes all collegiate activities, awards, and honors. - Personal Statement (1,000 words or less)
– Describes: Research or creative interests for graduate study, Career goals beyond graduate school, Influential academic, personal, or professional experiences - Endorsement Letter
– Written by the Beinecke campus liaison, explaining why the student was nominated. - Three Letters of Recommendation
– From faculty or academic advisors
– Should discuss the nominee’s intellectual ability, character, and graduate potential - Unofficial Transcript
– (An official transcript will be required later if selected) - Financial Aid Data Sheet
– Completed and submitted by the nomination deadline.
Artist’s Supplement
Depending on the field, submit one of the following:
- Creative Writers: Up to 5 pages of double-spaced text (or appropriate format for poets/playwrights)
- Visual Artists: Digital portfolio with up to 10 images (300 dpi resolution)
- Performing Artists / Filmmakers: Video samples (maximum 5 minutes total)
Beinecke Scholarship Application Process
- Contact Your Campus Liaison where you are opting for admission and follow the instructions given by him/her.
- Gather all the application materials and submit it to the Liaison officer of the institution.
- The Campus Liaison will review all submitted documents and may nominate the student if they meet the required standards.
- Upon nomination, the student must email the Financial Aid Data Sheet within 72 hours of the official deadline.
Beinecke Scholarship Deadline
The general deadline for the Beinecke Scholarship is the last Friday in March by 5 PM EST. The Campus liaisons must email all nomination materials as a single PDF by this date.
Nominated students must also email the Financial Aid Data Sheet within 72 hours after the deadline.
⚠️ Note: Each school sets its own earlier internal deadline, so students should contact their campus liaison.
Only official nominees should submit materials—do not send applications directly unless your school has nominated you.
More: Coca Cola Scholarship USA
Beinecke Scholarship 2025 (Status)
March 28, 2025 (Friday) by 5:00 PM ET
This is the official deadline for campus liaisons to submit their institution’s nomination to the Beinecke Scholarship Program. Click here to download official announcement.
Institution wise Deadline
Each participating institution sets its own internal deadline to select and endorse a nominee. These deadlines are typically earlier than the national deadline. Here are examples from some universities:
- Harvard University: February 27, 2025
- University of Pennsylvania: March 3, 2025
- Emory University: March 6, 2025
- Stanford University: February 27, 2025
- Columbia University: February 20, 2025
If you missed the deadline, you may explore other prestigious scholarships like the Fulbright, Rhodes, Marshall, or Ford Foundation Fellowships, here is the top 10 US Scholarships with details of application. Keep pushing forward — your journey is just beginning.
FAQ
Who is eligible for the Beinecke scholarship?
Students should be a U.S. citizen or U.S. national from American Samoa or the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
What is the Beinecke Scholarship acceptance rate?
The Beinecke Scholarship is a highly competitive national award. Scholarship is provided up to 20 students out of 145 nominations
How many institutions are affiliated with the Beinecke scholarship?
There are approximately 145 U.S. colleges and universities affiliated with
Conclusion
For exceptional students in the humanities, arts, or social sciences who require financial assistance, the Beinecke Scholarship program is a suitable option. It enables academics to pursue higher education without worrying about money thanks to excellent funding and access to prestigious graduate programs. Be sure to connect with your campus liaison early and prepare a strong, thoughtful application.
