Scholarships for General Studies
Interdisciplinary Studies are Often Designed for Non-Traditional Students
Students interested in programs in General Studies, often called Interdisciplinary Studies, are focused on earning the most all-around liberal arts degree available. General Studies majors are exposed to all liberal arts disciplines and therefore gain an insightful education that prepares them for more focused graduate studies, including Law or Medicine, or for a range of entry level jobs in any number of career fields, including business, education, or the arts.
General Studies programs are often designed to achieve one of two goals: either to tend the unique needs of non-traditional students or to provide an organized introduction to majors and career tracks for undecided undergrads.
Adult learners and distance learners often want an interdisciplinary program that affords them a more all-around degree and gives them the flexibility to specialize later on if they choose. In comparison, undergraduate students may use a General Studies program to plumb the depths of liberal arts majors before settling on a career track and declaring a more focused major.
Scholarship Programs
The University of Texas-Dallas School of General Studies offers students opportunity to specialize in Gender Studies, American Studies or remain true to an interdisciplinary curriculum. UT-D provides scholarships specifically designed for GS students:
- Henry DuBois Scholarship is awarded to academically accomplished students in the major. Applicants are also selected based on faculty recommendation and an essay that offers insight into their career goals and reasons for choosing a Gen Studies major.
- Carolyn Galerstein General Studies Scholarships are awarded based on similar criteria including financial need.
- Carolyn Galerstein Internship Scholarships.
Indiana University-Purdue University-Fort Wayne now offers General Studies majors a new scholarship opportunity. The General Studies Scholarship is a welcome relief for students because it is designed to reward distance learners and weekend college students besides the traditional full-time campus student. Qualified applicants are awarded scholarships based on academic merit and financial need.
Columbia University in New York is one of the most outstanding universities in the country. Students in the General Studies program have the opportunity to qualify for department scholarships up to $15,000 based on academic record and financial need. Students enrolled in the CU program often have their sights set on Med School and other upper level career programs. The program is tailor made for adult, non-traditional students who have been displaced from a college environment for a variety of reasons.
The Bread Upon the Waters Scholarships through the University of Pennsylvania are designed with the non-traditional woman in mind. Women beyond 30 years old who are enrolled at least part-time in the General Studies program are encouraged to apply. Awards are generously funded by GS alumni.
The Center for Continuing Studies at the University of Connecticut offers the non-traditional adult student the opportunity to pursue a Bachelors in General Studies. Scholarships provide one more reason to keep students engaged:
- Gall/Roper Scholarship and Norris Memorial Awards are given to the most academically outstanding continuing education students in the GS program who can also demonstrate a significant financial need. Awards are up to $1,000.
- The Class of 1944 Scholarship is funded by alumni and designed to reward those students whose college career has been interrupted due to circumstances outside their control. Eligible applicants must demonstrate academic excellence and financial need.
- Morrison Scholarship recognizes the outstanding achievements of a female student in the GS program who best characterizes the woman-who-overcomes-obstacles.
- Alexinia Baldwin Altrusa Memorial Scholarships are also awarded to women, but in this case they must be recognized for their contributions to the community. Selection criteria also considered are academics and financial need.
Montana State University-Bozeman offers a constantly changing menu of scholarships many of which are suited to their General Studies majors. The main goal of the MSU General Studies program is to provide a survey of liberal arts disciplines as a means to introduce undergraduate students to potential careers and interesting majors. It is not uncommon for students to spend the first year or so in the General Studies track before declaring a more focused major. MSU automatically requests academic and financial information from students so they can be matched to scholarships that most exactly fit their personal criteria and future goals. Scholarship selections are made on the basis of academic performance, financial need, extracurricular activities and career goals, among other things.
