Fellowships Frequently Asked Questions

The fellowships we advise on are provided by numerous sources outside of the university, including government agencies, charitable foundations, or professional organizations. We do not control or set criteria for any of the external awards on which we advise.

Our role varies from award to award, but generally, we provide advising to Drexel students and alumni on identifying available awards that might fit with their goals and constructing a strong application for those awards in which they are interested and for which they are eligible. For some awards, we also manage the campus nomination process as required by the award commissions, which involves identifying university nominees for these awards and then supporting those nominees in their applications for these awards. We do not control or set criteria for any of the external awards on which we advise. We do not advise on any fellowships or scholarships internal to Drexel University.

While fellowships often include monetary awards, most are based on outstanding merit or potential rather than need. They tend to fund enrichment experiences such as study/research abroad, professional development, etc. rather than regular tuition and educational costs. We suggest you work with Drexel Central for help with loans and other need-based aid.

That said, to the extent that your financial need is an obstacle, it can help strengthen a fellowships application if you share your experiences in an honest and well-told narrative.  

While competition varies by program, these awards aim to find the brightest and most engaged students in a particular field or area of interest. They are, almost by definition, the most competitive student awards out there—understandably, lots of students are interested in receiving additional funding and opportunities! 

Consider that you might be one of these outstanding students. Plenty of Drexel students and alumni have won these awards in recent years, and you might be next. A fellowships advisor can help you determine your competitiveness for a specific award. Request an advising meeting by submitting a Fellowships Interest Form.

While different awards focus on different interests and have somewhat different criteria, fellowships are awarded to committed, motivated students who are able to articulate a strong vision of who they are, where they want to go, and how the award will help them get there. The application process is often intense, requiring time, reflection, and revision, but through the process of working with our office, many applicants find that they are able to grow personally and professionally, clarify their goals, and strengthen their writing skills. We strongly encourage all students to consider applying for fellowships for these benefits alone.

There are many scholarships listings out there, and it can quickly get overwhelming. Start by searching our fellowships database. You should also ask your faculty mentor(s) if they know of awards you might apply for, and search for professional associations in your discipline.

Maybe. It’s often the case that one of the most valuable parts of the fellowship application process is the self-exploration that it requires. Reflecting on your goals will help you focus your search on fellowships that could be a good fit for you. You might consider visiting the Steinbright Career Development Center, which offers career counseling and assessments to help students figure out a path that makes sense for them.

No. Deadlines are non-negotiable in the fellowships world. Look for other awards with later deadlines, or try again next year if you are still eligible. And in the future, keep your eyes open for upcoming opportunities! 

Fellowships timelines vary, but most have deadlines 6-12 months prior to when funding would start. If you are in a crunch, you may be able to find some smaller awards on short notice by using other databases.

Yes. If your application is otherwise excellent, you may be able to explain limited exceptional circumstances somewhere in your application such as in a letter of recommendation or nomination.

Generally speaking, yes, you can apply for as many awards as you have time for, and it often gets easier after you’ve done this once or twice. We encourage it!

If you do receive multiple awards, you may or may not be able to accept them all. While many organizations allow you to receive multiple awards as long as they are designated for different expenses, federal grants frequently have some limitations. Read the details of the award(s) you’ve received and contact the award’s program managers with any questions.

The best letters come from people who know you best, who have seen firsthand how dynamic, brilliant, committed, passionate, or effective you are. Their position or title is less important than their ability to give detailed examples of just how fantastic you are.

The letter writer should have the experience to speak authoritatively about how remarkable your qualities are. A graduate student, for example, is rarely qualified to do this.

Be sure to follow the individual program’s guidelines for the number of required letters and how many of those must come from faculty.

You should contact potential recommenders as soon as you think you are going to pursue an application. Ask for the recommendation at least a month in advance of the deadline. Schedule a meeting with the recommender and come prepared with a description of the fellowship and a draft of your application.

Maybe you’re an online student, or maybe you’re just shy. Maybe you’re in a program with enormous lecture classes and no real opportunity to work in smaller groups. In all these cases, you will need to work a little harder to forge relationships with faculty as far in advance as you can. Visit potential faculty recommenders during office hours or set up appointments to meet with them. Explain what you are thinking of doing and ask for their honest assessment of your candidacy. You might ask, too, whether they would feel comfortable supporting you in your efforts.

If you don’t have other options, you might acknowledge that to the recommender, and ask if there are ways that you can help them feel comfortable writing a stronger letter.

Be sure to include non-faculty members in your pool of potential recommenders. Depending on the award rules and criteria, a work supervisor or student activities advisor could be an appropriate choice.

Each program has its own rules, but generally speaking you may only submit the number of letters that are requested. Look carefully at the program website for clarification.

Congratulations! Please submit an external reporting form to notify relevant offices at Drexel and be sure it is processed in a timely manner. Depending on the type of award and program, you may be contacted for additional information or to verify the details of your award.  

All external funding for educational support must be reported and any additional arrangements with sponsoring agencies or organization may require approval. The appropriate Drexel office will work with the sponsoring organization on any financial details of your award. Further negotiations regarding tuition and fees will be handled by the relevant school or college.  

It depends. Many fellowships and scholarships are designed to provide additional funds for educational expenses or to complement your existing loans and awards. Depending on the type of award you received, it could affect your financial situation and change your current financial aid and scholarships. Drexel's Financial Aid office will work with you and your department to determine if any changes to your award status are needed to reflect your external support.

Please submit an external reporting form and the appropriate Drexel office will work with you and the sponsoring organization on any financial details of your award. If needed, further negotiations regarding tuition and fees will be handled by the relevant school or college.

Failure to report your external funds in a timely manner could result in unnecessary fees or delayed processing of your award.