Philosophy Scholarships
Study Aristotle and Plato, Great for Pre-Law
Interested in studying some of the most intellectually important texts in history? Like to craft a stimulating argument? A major in Philosophy may be just what you're looking for. But what does one do with a Philosophy degree?
Students majoring in Philosophy are engaged in a wide array of disciplines and issues both current and historic. In fact, many students use the major as a Pre-Law degree. Pre-law students learn to evaluate and analyze information, present cogent arguments that uniquely prepare them for law studies.
However, students may also pursue more advanced degrees in Philosophy preferring instead to consider academic careers. But Philosophy majors are prepared also to pursue business, education, medicine and a host of other fields that demand professionals be roundly educated and able to think and argue critically.
Scholarship Programs
Students pursuing Philosophy studies at the California State University-Long Beach have the chance at up to half-a-dozen scholarships, including a handful of Friends of Philosophy scholarships. Awards are usually $500, but the number of recipients varies based on annual funding. The program specializes in religion, modern philosophy and cognitive science. Students may earn undergraduate degrees or a Masters and it is not uncommon for students to engage in the program as part of a Pre-Law program.
Hardin Simmons University in Texas is a small, private college recognized for a number of outstanding qualities, including its selection of students and size. Students interested in studying Philosophy have access to two scholarships specifically awarded to Philosophy students:
- Truett Walton Endowed Scholarship is given annually to outstanding students in the department. Walton Scholars are recognized for their academics as well as talent in the major.
- Hurst Endowed Scholarship for Philosophy is also awarded to scholarly students in the department.
Eastern Michigan University offers Philosophy students the competitive Philosophy Prize awards and the Esther Walker Barnard Philosophy Scholarships. Both are awarded to scholastically advanced Philosophy majors.
Washington State University Department of Philosophy provides Potter Scholarships to upper-class students of merit and Young Philosophers Scholarships to underclassmen. Students must show career promise as well as academic excellence. Recommendation from faculty is a plus. Students may also compete for the annual $500 cash award for the Philosophy Essay Contest.
Students studying Philosophy at Illinois State University have a couple of scholarships directly available to them through the Department: Kennard Memorial Scholarship and the Outstanding Senior Scholarship. By far the bigger opportunities are for awards administered by the larger College of Arts and Sciences:
- Redbird 4 Scholarships are given to academically excellent students with demonstrated financial need. Award varies depending on needs.
- John and Susan Freed Scholarship is funded in memory of their daughter. Qualified applicants must prove that a disability, especially a learning disability, is no reason not to excel.
- College of Arts and Sciences Undergraduate Scholar Fund is administered to those academically talented students who require travel expenses for national meetings and professional conferences. In most cases recipients must have research to present.
The University of Louisiana-Lafayette awards a small scholarship directly to its outstanding Philosophy students. The Walter Craddock Endowed Scholarship gives $200 awards to academically talented and involved students. Applicants must be upperclassmen to be considered. Students who hold top grades in the major may also compete for cash prizes for the John Vigorito and Robert Kirkpatrick Essay Prizes in Philosophy.
Missouri State University offers students in the Philosophy program the following scholarships:
- William Brown Scholarship awards an annual $500 prize to an upperclassman scholastically at the top of his or her class.
- Robert Foster Scholarship is given based on academic performance, in combination with economic disadvantage. Recipient must be at least in their junior year of studies in the major.
- Philosophy Department Scholarship is given to an outstanding student. Awards are up to $500 and depend on funding.
