Difference Between Fellowship and Scholarship

Main Difference – Fellowship vs Scholarship

The two terms fellowship and scholarship are often used interchangeably to describe a financial aid given to a student to further his or her education. However, there is a slight difference between fellowship and scholarship. The main difference between fellowship and scholarship is that fellowship is always based on merit whereas scholarship can be based on other factors as well. In this article, we’ll examine the difference between fellowship and scholarship by discussing the meaning, characteristics and features of the two.

This article looks at the,

1. What is a Fellowship? – Meaning, Criteria, Commitment

2. What is a Scholarship? – Meaning, Criteria, Commitment

3. What is the Difference between Fellowship and Scholarship?

What is a Fellowship

The term fellowship is often used interchangeably with scholarship. This is because fellowship is a type of scholarship. To be more specific, it is a graduate level, merit-based form of funding which does not need to be repaid. Fellowship grants often include an internship or other service commitment, often for a period of one or more years. It is important to note that most fellowships are based on merit, not on need or any other factor. It is on the basis of their academic or research achievement that a student is granted a fellowship. A student’s skills, GPA, and qualifications to work in a certain field are considered before granting a fellowship. In the United States and Canada, a person who has received a fellowship from a graduate school is called a fellow.

What is a Scholarship

Scholarship refers to a financial aid granted to a student in order to further their education. It is not expected to be repaid. A scholarship may be based on various factors. Merit and need are two of the commonest of these factors.

Merit-based scholarships are based on a student’s academic, athletic or artistic abilities. These types of scholarships are usually granted by academic institutions. Need-based scholarships are granted to students who are in need of financial aid. Some scholarships are student-specific, i.e., students are chosen according to many student-specific factors such as gender, race, nationality, religion, family and medical history, etc. Minority scholarships are an example of this category.