Scholarships for Undergraduate vs. Graduate Students: A Comparative Analysis
When considering higher education in the United States, students often wonder about the availability of scholarships for undergraduate versus graduate programs. This article seeks to shed light on this question, examining the nature and distribution of scholarships and financial aid across these two educational levels.
Overview of College and University Education in the US
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, as of fall 2016, approximately 20.5 million students attended full-time colleges and universities. This can be broken down into 12.7 million full-time undergraduate students and 7.9 million full-time graduate students. On the part-time side, there were about 7.9 million undergraduate students and 1.6 million graduate students.
The Nature of Scholarships
Scholarships, while valuable, are not uniformly defined across institutions, making it challenging to provide a precise count. Scholarships for undergraduate students are typically in the form of grants or non-loan financial aid, whereas graduate students often receive stipends, teaching assistantships, research assistantships, and fellowships. These types of support are meant to cover various expenses, including healthcare and supplies.
Scholarship Requirements and Definitions
Scholarships for undergraduate students may come with service requirements, such as teaching commitments or military service, which must be repaid if not fulfilled. Conversely, students with independent means might receive unreported scholarships. Additionally, students might also receive grants or federal work-study programs.
Federal Aid and Scholarships
The terms scholarship and grant are often used synonymously in the context of financial aid, encompassing various forms of non-repayable assistance. Based on data from the College Board's Report of Student Aid, in 2015-16, undergraduate students received an average of $14,460 in financial aid, with $8,390 of that coming from grants. For graduate students, the figure was $27,740, with $9,300 in grants. Overall, a significant portion of financial aid is in the form of grants and scholarships, highlighting their importance in supporting both undergraduate and graduate students.
Financial Aid and Grant Distribution
According to the College Board, in 2015-16, undergraduate students received an average financial aid package of $14,460 per full-time equivalent (FTE) student. This broke down into $8,390 in grants from all sources, $4,720 in federal loans, $1,290 in education tax credits and deductions, and $60 in Federal Work-Study (FWS). For graduate students, the total financial aid was $27,740 per FTE student, with $9,300 in grants, $17,460 in federal loans, $890 in tax credits and deductions, and $90 in FWS.
Conclusion
In summary, while scholarships and financial aid are abundant, the nature and distribution differ between undergraduate and graduate programs. Undergraduates typically receive more grants, whereas graduate students often benefit from research and teaching assistantships. Both types of students can benefit significantly from scholarships, financial aid, and grants in their pursuit of higher education.