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scholarship

B2 verb #4,000 most common 12 min read

scholarship

Top 4,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips scholarship in 30 Seconds

Explanation scholarship in your Level:

A scholarship is like a gift of money for school. If you are a very good student or a very good athlete, a school or a club might give you a scholarship. This means you do not have to pay for your classes. You can say, 'I have a scholarship.' It is a very good thing because it helps you learn without worrying about money. Think of it as a prize for doing a great job in your studies. At this level, just remember that scholarship equals 'money for school.' You might see this word on posters at school or in emails from a university. It is a long word, but it is easy to understand if you think of it as 'school' + 'ship' (though it has nothing to do with boats!).

A scholarship is a sum of money that a student receives to pay for their education. Usually, you get a scholarship because you have high grades or you are good at sports. Many students apply for scholarships to go to university. For example, 'She won a scholarship to study in London.' There are different types of scholarships. Some pay for everything (tuition and books), and some pay for only a small part. It is important to remember that you usually don't have to pay this money back. It is different from a loan. If you work hard, you might receive a scholarship from your government or a private company.

In addition to meaning financial aid for students, scholarship can also mean the serious study of a subject. At the B1 level, you should know that a scholarship is an award based on merit (how good you are) or need (how much money you have). You can 'apply for,' 'win,' or 'be awarded' a scholarship. For example, 'He was awarded a full scholarship to Harvard.' However, you might also hear people talk about 'academic scholarship.' This refers to the hard work and research done by experts. If a book has 'good scholarship,' it means the author did a lot of careful research and used many facts. So, it can be both the money you get and the high-quality work you do.

At the B2 level, you should be comfortable using 'scholarship' in both its countable and uncountable forms. As a countable noun, it refers to specific financial awards: 'The university offers several competitive scholarships for international students.' As an uncountable noun, it refers to the standard of academic research and knowledge: 'The professor is known for his meticulous scholarship.' You should also be aware of common collocations like 'merit-based scholarship,' 'athletic scholarship,' and 'rigorous scholarship.' Understanding the distinction between a 'scholar' (the person) and 'scholarship' (the award or the work) is essential for clear communication in academic and professional contexts.

For C1 learners, 'scholarship' is a nuanced term used to describe the collective body of knowledge and the rigorous methods used by academics. It implies a high level of intellectual integrity and depth. When we say 'Modern scholarship suggests...', we are referring to the consensus of experts in a particular field based on their exhaustive research. The word also appears in the context of 'endowed scholarships,' where a wealthy donor provides a permanent fund to support students. You should be able to use the word to critique academic work, noting whether the 'scholarship' is sound, dated, or innovative. It is a hallmark of formal academic discourse and is frequently used in peer reviews and literary criticism.

At the C2 level, 'scholarship' is understood as the pinnacle of academic pursuit and the systematic production of knowledge. It encompasses the entire apparatus of research, from primary source analysis to the critical synthesis of existing literature. You might encounter the term in discussions about the 'democratization of scholarship' or the 'evolution of legal scholarship.' It also carries a connotation of traditional, disciplined learning, often contrasted with more casual or popular forms of information. Furthermore, the rare verb form ('to scholarship a student') might be used in specific institutional contexts. Mastery of this word at C2 involves recognizing its weight as a signifier of intellectual authority and the rigorous standards of the global academy.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

scholarship in 30 Seconds

Scholarship refers to financial aid for students, often based on merit or need, helping them afford tuition and educational expenses without the need for repayment.
The term also describes the quality of academic work and the rigorous research standards maintained by experts and serious students in their respective fields of study.
In formal contexts, it represents the collective body of knowledge within a discipline, often seen in phrases like 'modern scholarship suggests' or 'historical scholarship.'
While primarily a noun, it can rarely function as a verb, meaning to provide a student with a scholarship, particularly in the context of collegiate sports recruitment.

The word scholarship is a multifaceted term that serves two primary roles in the English language, both centered around the pursuit of higher learning and academic excellence. In its most common everyday usage, it refers to a financial grant or award given to a student. This financial support is typically provided by a university, a private foundation, or a government agency to help cover the costs of tuition, books, and living expenses. People use the word in this context when discussing educational opportunities, social mobility, and the funding of degrees. For many, a scholarship is the bridge between a dream of education and the reality of attending a prestigious institution. It is not merely a gift; it is a recognition of potential, often awarded based on merit, athletic ability, or specific demographic needs.

Financial Context: In this setting, scholarship is a countable noun. You can have 'a scholarship' or 'many scholarships.' It is the lifeblood of academic accessibility, ensuring that talent is not wasted due to lack of funds.

Beyond the financial aspect, scholarship refers to the quality of academic work and the collective body of knowledge produced by researchers and experts. This is the 'uncountable' side of the word. When a professor's book is praised for its 'rigorous scholarship,' the speaker is complimenting the depth of research, the accuracy of the citations, and the intellectual integrity of the arguments. In this sense, scholarship is an ideal—a standard of excellence that all serious students and academics strive to achieve. It involves a commitment to truth, a thorough understanding of existing literature, and the contribution of new insights to a particular field of study.

After years of hard work, she finally received a full scholarship to study medicine at Oxford.

The term is also occasionally used as a verb in specific technical or informal contexts, meaning to provide a student with a scholarship. For example, 'The university decided to scholarship the promising athlete.' While this usage is less common than the noun form, it highlights the active process of institutional support. Understanding both the 'funding' and 'intellectual' definitions is crucial for navigating university life and professional academic circles. Whether you are applying for one or producing it through your research, scholarship remains a cornerstone of the global educational system.

Academic Quality: This refers to the standards of research and writing. High-quality scholarship requires peer review, extensive bibliographies, and logical consistency.

The professor was world-renowned for his meticulous scholarship in the field of medieval history.

The Verb Usage: Though rare, 'to scholarship' means to grant financial aid to a student. It is most frequently heard in American collegiate sports recruitment.

The coach promised to scholarship the new recruits if they maintained their grades.

The journal is dedicated to promoting the highest levels of scholarship in the humanities.

She won a prestigious scholarship that covered her entire PhD program.

Using 'scholarship' correctly depends on whether you are discussing a student's funding or an expert's research. When referring to money, it is often paired with verbs like 'apply for,' 'win,' 'award,' or 'lose.' You might say, 'I am applying for a scholarship to help with my tuition.' In this case, the word acts as a goal or a prize. It is common to specify the type of scholarship, such as 'merit-based,' 'need-based,' or 'athletic.' This provides clarity on why the money is being given. For example, 'The university offers several merit-based scholarships to high-achieving high school seniors.'

Action Verbs: Common verbs: Apply for, grant, endow, receive, revoke, maintain, sponsor.

When the word refers to academic work, it is often modified by adjectives that describe the quality of the research. Words like 'meticulous,' 'groundbreaking,' 'flawless,' or 'exhaustive' are frequently used. For instance, 'His groundbreaking scholarship on climate change has influenced international policy.' Here, scholarship is treated as an abstract quality of the work itself. You wouldn't say you 'won' this kind of scholarship; rather, you 'demonstrate' or 'produce' it. It is about the depth of thought and the rigor of the investigative process.

The committee was impressed by the scholarship evident in her doctoral thesis.

In formal writing, 'scholarship' can also describe the community of scholars. You might read a sentence like, 'Modern scholarship generally agrees that the document is authentic.' This means the group of experts who study the topic have reached a consensus. It’s a collective noun for the intellectual output of a generation or a field. Using the word this way elevates the tone of your writing and shows an understanding of how academic discourse functions.

Descriptive Adjectives: Meticulous, rigorous, profound, extensive, contemporary, traditional, legal, historical.

Recent scholarship has challenged long-held beliefs about the origins of the Roman Empire.

The university's mission is to foster a culture of excellence in teaching and scholarship.

Prepositional Phrases: A scholarship 'to' a university; a scholarship 'for' a specific subject; scholarship 'in' a field of study.

He was awarded a full scholarship to the Juilliard School of Music.

The professor’s latest book is a masterpiece of historical scholarship.

You will most frequently encounter the word 'scholarship' in educational and institutional settings. In high schools across the globe, the word is a constant topic of conversation among seniors and their parents. Counselors talk about 'scholarship opportunities,' and students stress over 'scholarship applications.' It is a word associated with hope, competition, and the future. In this context, it is often spoken with a sense of urgency. You might hear it in news reports about the rising cost of college, where journalists discuss the need for more 'private scholarships' to help students manage debt.

The University Campus: In the bursar's office or financial aid department, 'scholarship' is a technical term for a specific type of credit applied to a student's account.

In the professional world of academia, however, the word takes on its more abstract meaning. At university faculty meetings, professors discuss 'research and scholarship' as the two pillars of their career. Academic journals are the primary venue for this kind of scholarship. When experts review a new book or article, they evaluate the 'level of scholarship' it demonstrates. If a work is sloppy or poorly researched, it is dismissed as 'poor scholarship.' In this environment, the word is a mark of prestige and professional validation. It is also common in museum exhibits or historical documentaries, where the narrator might mention that 'modern scholarship has revealed' a new truth about an ancient civilization.

During the graduation ceremony, the principal announced the winners of the local community scholarships.

You might also hear the word in the world of sports, particularly in the United States. 'Athletic scholarships' are a massive part of the college sports industry. Coaches 'offer scholarships' to talented players, and athletes 'sign for a scholarship' during highly publicized recruitment events. Here, the word is synonymous with a career path and a free education. Whether in a quiet library or a loud stadium, 'scholarship' represents the investment of resources and time into human potential and the pursuit of truth.

Academic Journals: Journals are the 'record of scholarship' for a discipline, where new findings are officially documented and debated.

The documentary featured interviews with several experts to provide the latest scholarship on the Renaissance.

Many students rely on private scholarships to avoid taking out high-interest loans.

Legal and Medical Fields: In these professions, 'scholarship' refers to the ongoing study of case law or medical research required to stay current.

The law review is known for publishing the highest quality of legal scholarship.

She was the first in her family to attend college, thanks to a needs-based scholarship.

One of the most frequent mistakes learners make is confusing 'scholarship' with 'scholar.' A scholar is a person (a student or an expert), while scholarship is either the money they receive or the work they produce. You cannot 'be a scholarship,' but you can 'be a scholar.' For example, it is incorrect to say, 'He is a very smart scholarship.' Instead, you should say, 'He is a very smart scholar' or 'He received a scholarship because he is smart.' This distinction is vital for clear communication in academic settings.

Person vs. Concept: Scholar = The human being. Scholarship = The money or the research output.

Another common error involves the pluralization of the word. When you are talking about the quality of academic work (the uncountable sense), you should never use the plural 'scholarships.' For instance, 'The professor's scholarships are impressive' is incorrect if you are talking about his books and research. You should say, 'The professor's scholarship is impressive.' However, if you are talking about the five different financial grants he won, then 'scholarships' is perfectly correct. Always ask yourself: Am I talking about money or the quality of study?

Correct: Her scholarship in the field of linguistics is unparalleled. (Referring to her work quality)

Learners also sometimes use 'scholarship' when they actually mean 'internship.' An internship is a temporary job for work experience, often unpaid or low-paid. A scholarship is money given for education. While you might have a 'scholarship' that funds your 'internship,' they are not the same thing. Finally, be careful with prepositions. You don't get a scholarship 'of' a university; you get a scholarship 'from' a university or 'to' a university. Using 'of' suggests the university is made of scholarships, which makes no sense.

Preposition Errors: Incorrect: A scholarship of Harvard. Correct: A scholarship to Harvard or a scholarship from Harvard.

Incorrect: He is a famous scholarship in biology. Correct: He is a famous scholar in biology.

Correct: I have applied for three different scholarships this year.

Confusion with 'Bursary': In British English, a 'bursary' is often based on financial need, whereas a 'scholarship' is often based on merit. Don't use them interchangeably if the distinction matters.

Incorrect: The book shows great scholarships. Correct: The book shows great scholarship.

Correct: The foundation scholarships students from low-income backgrounds. (Rare verb usage)

When you want to avoid repeating 'scholarship' or need a word with a slightly different nuance, several options are available depending on the context. If you are talking about money for school, 'grant' is a very common alternative. A grant is also money that doesn't have to be repaid, but it is often given by governments or large organizations for specific projects or based on financial need, rather than just academic merit. 'Bursary' is another term, particularly in the UK, often specifically referring to money given to students who have financial difficulties.

Scholarship vs. Grant: Scholarships are usually merit-based (grades, talent). Grants are often need-based or project-based (research, community work).

If you are referring to the quality of academic work, 'erudition' is a sophisticated synonym. Erudition emphasizes deep, extensive knowledge gained from books and study. While 'scholarship' focuses on the research process and output, 'erudition' focuses on the person's vast knowledge base. 'Research' is a more common and direct alternative, though it lacks the connotation of 'high quality' that 'scholarship' carries. You might also use 'academic rigour' to describe the strict adherence to logic and evidence required in professional scholarship.

The student’s erudition was obvious during the debate, as he cited dozens of obscure texts.

In the context of sports, you might hear the term 'full ride.' This is an informal way of saying a 'full scholarship' that covers all expenses, including tuition, room, and board. In more general academic discussions, 'pedagogy' is sometimes confused with scholarship, but pedagogy refers to the method and practice of teaching, not the research itself. Finally, 'intellectualism' is a broader term for the devotion to intellectual pursuits, but it doesn't imply the same level of formal research as 'scholarship'.

Scholarship vs. Fellowship: Scholarship = Undergraduate/General tuition. Fellowship = Advanced research/Graduate support.

He received a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts to finish his novel.

The university is committed to maintaining the highest standards of academic rigour.

Scholarship vs. Bursary: Scholarship = Performance award. Bursary = Financial assistance award.

She was awarded a bursary that allowed her to buy the expensive textbooks required for her course.

The professor's attainment in the realm of classical studies is well-documented.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The root word 'school' actually comes from the Greek word 'skhole', which originally meant 'leisure'. This is because, in ancient times, only those with leisure time could afford to spend it studying!

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ˈskɒl.ə.ʃɪp/

US /ˈskɑː.lɚ.ʃɪp/

Primary stress is on the first syllable: SKOL-ar-ship.

Rhymes With

Partnership Ownership Friendship Leadership Hardship Courtship Township Dictatorship

Common Errors

Pronouncing the 'ch' as in 'church' (it should be 'k').
Putting the stress on the second or third syllable.
Missing the 'r' sound in the American pronunciation.
Confusing the 'o' sound with an 'ou' sound.
Pronouncing 'ship' as 'sheep'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 4/5

The word itself is common, but in academic texts, it refers to complex concepts.

Writing 3/5

Easy to use as 'money', but harder to use correctly in the abstract academic sense.

Speaking 2/5

Commonly used in student conversations; pronunciation is straightforward.

Listening 3/5

Context is key to determining if the speaker means money or research quality.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

Student School Money Study Learn

Learn Next

Fellowship Grant Academic Curriculum Tenure

Advanced

Pedagogy Epistemology Erudition Monograph Dissertation

Grammar to Know

Countable vs. Uncountable Nouns

I have two scholarships (Countable). His scholarship is deep (Uncountable).

Prepositional Collocation

A scholarship 'to' Oxford, not 'of' Oxford.

Passive Voice in Formal Writing

The scholarship was awarded by the committee.

Adjective Placement

He is a 'scholarly' man (Adjective) vs. He has a 'scholarship' (Noun).

Compound Noun Formation

Scholarship application, scholarship fund.

Examples by Level

I want a scholarship for college.

Je veux une bourse pour l'université.

Used as a countable noun.

She has a music scholarship.

Elle a une bourse de musique.

A + [type] + scholarship.

Is this scholarship for me?

Est-ce que cette bourse est pour moi ?

Simple question structure.

He got a scholarship last year.

Il a obtenu une bourse l'année dernière.

Past tense 'got' is common but informal.

My scholarship pays for books.

Ma bourse paye pour les livres.

Subject-verb agreement (singular).

They give scholarships to good students.

Ils donnent des bourses aux bons étudiants.

Plural form 'scholarships'.

The scholarship is very helpful.

La bourse est très utile.

Definite article 'the'.

I need a scholarship to study.

J'ai besoin d'une bourse pour étudier.

Infinitive 'to study' shows purpose.

He applied for a scholarship at the local university.

Il a postulé pour une bourse à l'université locale.

Verb phrase 'apply for'.

Winning a scholarship changed her life.

Gagner une bourse a changé sa vie.

Gerund 'winning' as the subject.

The scholarship covers the cost of tuition.

La bourse couvre les frais de scolarité.

Present simple for a fact.

There are many scholarships for international students.

Il y a beaucoup de bourses pour les étudiants internationaux.

There are + plural noun.

My brother won an athletic scholarship.

Mon frère a gagné une bourse d'athlétisme.

Adjective 'athletic' modifies the noun.

Did you receive your scholarship money yet?

As-tu déjà reçu l'argent de ta bourse ?

Question with 'yet'.

She is studying hard to get a scholarship.

Elle étudie dur pour obtenir une bourse.

Present continuous 'is studying'.

The scholarship was awarded to the best student.

La bourse a été attribuée au meilleur étudiant.

Passive voice 'was awarded'.

The professor's scholarship is respected worldwide.

L'érudition du professeur est respectée dans le monde entier.

Uncountable usage meaning academic work.

You must maintain a high GPA to keep your scholarship.

Tu dois maintenir une moyenne élevée pour garder ta bourse.

Modal verb 'must' for obligation.

Many foundations offer scholarships based on financial need.

De nombreuses fondations offrent des bourses basées sur les besoins financiers.

Participle phrase 'based on'.

His research shows a high level of scholarship.

Ses recherches font preuve d'un haut niveau d'érudition.

Uncountable usage with 'level of'.

The scholarship application deadline is next Friday.

La date limite de dépôt des dossiers de bourse est vendredi prochain.

Compound noun 'scholarship application deadline'.

She was disappointed when her scholarship was revoked.

Elle a été déçue quand sa bourse a été révoquée.

Passive voice 'was revoked'.

Academic scholarship requires a lot of patience and time.

L'érudition académique demande beaucoup de patience et de temps.

Abstract concept as subject.

They established a scholarship fund in memory of their son.

Ils ont créé un fonds de bourses en mémoire de leur fils.

Compound noun 'scholarship fund'.

The university is renowned for the excellence of its scholarship.

L'université est réputée pour l'excellence de son érudition.

Focus on the abstract quality of research.

She managed to secure a full-ride scholarship to an Ivy League school.

Elle a réussi à obtenir une bourse complète pour une école de l'Ivy League.

Idiomatic 'full-ride' used as an adjective.

Meticulous scholarship is the hallmark of a great historian.

L'érudition méticuleuse est la marque d'un grand historien.

Adjective 'meticulous' modifying scholarship.

The scholarship was contingent upon her maintaining an A average.

La bourse dépendait du maintien d'une moyenne de A.

Adjective 'contingent' followed by 'upon'.

He has contributed significantly to the scholarship on Renaissance art.

Il a contribué de manière significative à l'érudition sur l'art de la Renaissance.

Scholarship 'on' a specific topic.

The board decided to scholarship several underprivileged students this year.

Le conseil a décidé d'octroyer des bourses à plusieurs étudiants défavorisés cette année.

Rare verb usage meaning 'to provide a scholarship'.

Her scholarship is characterized by a deep understanding of primary sources.

Son érudition se caractérise par une compréhension profonde des sources primaires.

Passive structure 'is characterized by'.

Private donors often endow scholarships to support specific departments.

Les donateurs privés dotent souvent des bourses pour soutenir des départements spécifiques.

Verb 'endow' used in a financial context.

The monograph was lauded for its rigorous scholarship and innovative methodology.

La monographie a été louée pour sa rigoureuse érudition et sa méthodologie innovante.

High-level academic vocabulary (monograph, lauded, rigorous).

Current scholarship in the field of quantum physics is evolving rapidly.

L'érudition actuelle dans le domaine de la physique quantique évolue rapidement.

Referring to the collective body of research.

The fellowship provides a stipend in addition to the base scholarship.

La bourse de recherche offre une allocation en plus de la bourse de base.

Distinction between 'fellowship' and 'scholarship'.

The depth of his scholarship is evident in the exhaustive bibliography.

La profondeur de son érudition est évidente dans la bibliographie exhaustive.

Abstract noun modified by 'depth of'.

There is a growing body of scholarship dedicated to post-colonial literature.

Il existe un corpus croissant d'érudition consacré à la littérature postcoloniale.

Phrase 'growing body of scholarship'.

The university sought to scholarship the athlete despite his academic shortcomings.

L'université a cherché à octroyer une bourse à l'athlète malgré ses lacunes académiques.

Verb usage in a complex sentence.

The validity of his scholarship was called into question by his peers.

La validité de son érudition a été remise en question par ses pairs.

Idiom 'called into question'.

She was a recipient of the prestigious Rhodes Scholarship.

Elle a été récipiendaire de la prestigieuse bourse Rhodes.

Formal noun 'recipient'.

The publication represents a significant contribution to the scholarship of legal history.

Cette publication représente une contribution significative à l'érudition de l'histoire du droit.

Complex noun phrase as subject.

Critics argue that the work lacks the requisite scholarship to be taken seriously.

Les critiques soutiennent que l'ouvrage manque de l'érudition requise pour être pris au sérieux.

Adjective 'requisite' and infinitive 'to be taken'.

The democratization of scholarship through open-access journals has transformed academia.

La démocratisation de l'érudition via les revues en libre accès a transformé le monde universitaire.

Abstract social concept as subject.

His scholarship is distinguished by its synthesis of disparate historical narratives.

Son érudition se distingue par sa synthèse de récits historiques disparates.

Passive voice with 'distinguished by'.

The endowment ensures that the scholarship will be available in perpetuity.

La dotation garantit que la bourse sera disponible à perpétuité.

Formal legal/financial vocabulary.

The institution's primary mandate is the advancement of scholarship and public service.

Le mandat principal de l'institution est l'avancement de l'érudition et du service public.

Parallel structure in the predicate.

One must distinguish between mere accumulation of facts and true scholarship.

Il faut distinguer la simple accumulation de faits de la véritable érudition.

Formal 'one' as subject.

The sheer breadth of her scholarship across multiple disciplines is astounding.

L'ampleur même de son érudition à travers plusieurs disciplines est stupéfiante.

Noun 'breadth' and preposition 'across'.

Synonyms

grant bursary fellowship endowment erudition learning

Antonyms

tuition ignorance illiteracy

Common Collocations

Apply for a scholarship

Win a scholarship

Full scholarship

Merit-based scholarship

Rigorous scholarship

Academic scholarship

Scholarship fund

Athletic scholarship

Research scholarship

Meticulous scholarship

Common Phrases

On a scholarship

— Attending school with financial aid. It describes a student's status.

He is currently at Yale on a scholarship.

Awarded a scholarship

— The formal process of giving a student a grant. Used in official announcements.

Ten students were awarded a scholarship this morning.

Scholarship application

— The documents and forms required to ask for a scholarship.

Please submit your scholarship application by noon.

Scholarship committee

— The group of people who decide who receives the financial aid.

The scholarship committee will meet on Tuesday.

Need-based scholarship

— A grant given to students who cannot afford to pay for school.

The university provides several need-based scholarships.

Endowed scholarship

— A scholarship funded by the interest from a large donation.

The Smith family created an endowed scholarship for nursing students.

State of scholarship

— The current level of knowledge or research in a specific field.

The conference discussed the current state of scholarship in AI.

Private scholarship

— Money for school provided by a company or person, not the government.

She won a private scholarship from a local business.

Renewable scholarship

— A grant that can be given again for multiple years if grades are good.

Is your scholarship renewable for four years?

Scholarship requirements

— The rules a student must follow to get or keep the money.

What are the scholarship requirements for this program?

Often Confused With

scholarship vs Scholar

A scholar is a person; scholarship is the money or the work.

scholarship vs Internship

An internship is work experience; a scholarship is money for education.

scholarship vs Loan

A loan must be paid back; a scholarship is a gift.

Idioms & Expressions

"Full ride"

— A scholarship that covers 100% of all college costs. It is highly sought after.

He got a full ride to Stanford.

Informal

"Earn one's stripes"

— In an academic sense, to prove one's scholarship through hard work and research.

She earned her stripes with that groundbreaking paper.

Informal

"Of the old school"

— Refers to a traditional and often very rigorous type of scholarship.

He is a scholar of the old school, focusing on primary Latin texts.

Neutral

"Ivory tower"

— A place or state of mind where people focus on scholarship and ignore the real world.

Some critics say the university is an ivory tower.

Neutral

"Read between the lines"

— In scholarship, to find a hidden meaning in a text or research.

Good scholarship requires you to read between the lines of historical records.

Neutral

"Back to the books"

— To return to intense study or scholarship after a break.

Break is over, time to get back to the books.

Informal

"A mine of information"

— A person or book that contains a huge amount of scholarship and facts.

The professor is a mine of information on Roman history.

Neutral

"The jury is still out"

— In academic scholarship, when experts have not yet reached a conclusion.

The jury is still out on the effectiveness of the new drug.

Neutral

"Hit the books"

— To begin studying hard, often to maintain a scholarship.

I need to hit the books if I want to keep my funding.

Informal

"Knowledge is power"

— A common phrase emphasizing the value of scholarship and education.

He believes that knowledge is power, so he studies every day.

Neutral

Easily Confused

scholarship vs Bursary

Both are financial aid for students.

Scholarships are usually based on achievement (merit), while bursaries are usually based on financial need.

He got a scholarship for his math skills and a bursary because his family is poor.

scholarship vs Fellowship

Both provide money for study.

Scholarships are usually for undergraduates; fellowships are for graduate students or researchers.

After her degree, she applied for a research fellowship.

scholarship vs Grant

Both are 'free' money.

Grants are often for specific projects or from the government; scholarships are for general education.

The government gave the scientist a grant to study bees.

scholarship vs Stipend

Both are money given to students.

A scholarship usually pays the school directly for tuition; a stipend is money given to the student for living costs.

Her scholarship paid for classes, and her stipend paid for food.

scholarship vs Tuition

They are both about school money.

Tuition is the cost you have to pay; a scholarship is the money that helps you pay it.

The tuition was $10,000, but her scholarship covered half.

Sentence Patterns

I have a scholarship.

I have a scholarship for my English class.

She won a scholarship to [Place].

She won a scholarship to study in Paris.

He applied for a [Type] scholarship.

He applied for a merit-based scholarship.

The scholarship covers [Expenses].

The scholarship covers both tuition and housing.

The work is a piece of [Adjective] scholarship.

The work is a piece of impeccable scholarship.

Scholarship on [Topic] suggests that...

Scholarship on the Vikings suggests they were also traders.

The [Noun] endows a scholarship in perpetuity.

The foundation endows a scholarship in perpetuity for local artists.

To scholarship [Someone] for [Reason].

The university decided to scholarship the young prodigy for his piano skills.

Word Family

Nouns

Scholar (a person)

Scholarship (the award or work)

Scholasticism (a medieval system of thought)

Verbs

Scholarship (rarely: to grant a scholarship)

Adjectives

Scholarly (describing a person or work)

Scholastic (relating to schools or education)

School

Schooling

Scholar-athlete

Scholarly journal

Schoolmaster

How to Use It

frequency

Common in academic and student life; less common in general daily labor contexts.

Common Mistakes

I am a scholarship. → I am a scholar. / I have a scholarship.
A scholarship is an object or concept, not a person.
The professor's scholarships are very good. → The professor's scholarship is very good.
When referring to the quality of work, 'scholarship' is uncountable.
He won a scholarship of Harvard. → He won a scholarship to Harvard. / He won a Harvard scholarship.
Use 'to' to indicate the destination university.
I need a scholarship for pay my tuition. → I need a scholarship to pay my tuition.
Use the infinitive 'to pay' to show purpose.
I got a scholarship for my internship. → I got a grant for my internship. / My scholarship funded my studies.
Internships and scholarships are different things; don't confuse the terms.

Tips

Be Specific

In your scholarship applications, don't just say you are a hard worker; show it with specific examples of your projects and results.

Check Deadlines

Scholarship deadlines are often much earlier than university admission deadlines. Start your search at least a year in advance.

Cite Your Sources

Good scholarship always involves giving credit to other researchers. Always use a proper citation style like APA or MLA.

Use 'Scholar'

Remember that you are the 'scholar' (the person), and the money you receive is the 'scholarship'.

Look Locally

Many small, local businesses offer scholarships that have fewer applicants than national ones. Your chances of winning are higher!

Prepare for Questions

If a scholarship requires an interview, be ready to discuss your future goals and how the money will help you achieve them.

Countable vs. Uncountable

Use 'scholarships' for money and 'scholarship' for the quality of study. This is a common test for advanced English learners.

Peer Review

High-quality scholarship is usually 'peer-reviewed,' meaning other experts checked it for mistakes before it was published.

Stay Eligible

For athletic scholarships, you must remain 'eligible' by passing your classes. You are a student first and an athlete second.

Ask Professors

Professors often know about niche scholarships in their specific field that aren't widely advertised.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'Scholar' on a 'Ship' sailing toward a sea of knowledge. The 'Ship' is the support (money) that helps the 'Scholar' (the person) get there.

Visual Association

Imagine a university diploma with a stack of gold coins on one side and a magnifying glass over a book on the other. The coins represent the grant, and the magnifying glass represents the research.

Word Web

University Research Grant Study Education Expert Merit Tuition

Challenge

Write a short paragraph about your dream career. Use 'scholarship' once as a financial term and once as an academic term.

Word Origin

The word 'scholarship' originates from the Middle English word 'scolership', which combines 'scholar' with the suffix '-ship'. The root 'scholar' comes from the Old French 'escoler' and the Latin 'scholaris', meaning 'of or belonging to a school'. The suffix '-ship' is of Germanic origin, used to create abstract nouns denoting a state, quality, or office.

Original meaning: Originally, it referred to the status or condition of being a student or a scholar.

Indo-European (Latin and Germanic roots).

Cultural Context

Be mindful that 'merit-based' scholarships can sometimes be a sensitive topic in discussions about educational equity and privilege.

In the US, 'scholarship' is the most common term for university aid. In the UK, you might hear 'bursary' or 'exhibition' for specific types of awards.

The Rhodes Scholarship (one of the world's most famous and prestigious awards). The Fulbright Program (a major international exchange scholarship). The movie 'Good Will Hunting' (explores themes of raw intelligence vs. formal scholarship).

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

University Admissions

Scholarship criteria
Financial aid package
Letter of recommendation
Personal statement

Professional Research

Peer-reviewed scholarship
Original contribution
Secondary sources
Academic integrity

Sports Recruitment

Athletic grant-in-aid
Signed a letter of intent
Division I scholarship
Redshirt year

Historical Analysis

Revisionist scholarship
Standard scholarship
Documentary evidence
Historiography

Philanthropy

Endowing a scholarship
Donor intent
Scholarship gala
Foundation grant

Conversation Starters

"Have you ever applied for a scholarship to study abroad?"

"What do you think is the most important factor for winning a scholarship?"

"Do you think scholarships should be based only on grades, or on other things too?"

"In your country, is it easy for students to get a scholarship for university?"

"When you read a book, do you care about the level of scholarship the author shows?"

Journal Prompts

Write about a time you worked very hard for an academic goal. Did you receive any recognition or a scholarship?

If you could create a scholarship for any type of student, what would the requirements be and why?

Describe the difference between a 'scholar' and a 'student' in your own words.

How does the availability of scholarships change a society's future?

Reflect on a piece of 'scholarship' (a book or article) that changed how you think about a topic.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, a scholarship is a financial award that does not need to be repaid. This is the main difference between a scholarship and a student loan. However, you might have to pay it back if you fail to meet the requirements, like keeping your grades high.

A 'full ride' is an informal term for a scholarship that covers everything: tuition, books, room, and board. It is the most valuable type of scholarship a student can receive.

Yes! There are scholarships for sports, music, art, community service, and even specific hobbies or backgrounds. These are often called 'specialty' or 'category' scholarships.

'Merit-based' means the scholarship is awarded based on your achievements. This could be high test scores, a high GPA, or being the best player on a sports team.

Scholarship usually refers to the formal research and the body of work produced. Erudition refers to the deep knowledge a person has. You use scholarship to show your erudition.

Most scholarships have requirements, such as maintaining a certain Grade Point Average (GPA) or taking a minimum number of classes each semester. If you don't meet these, you might lose the funding.

Primarily, yes. However, in some contexts, particularly in American sports, it can be used as a verb meaning 'to provide a scholarship to a student.' For example: 'The college decided to scholarship him.'

An endowed scholarship is funded by a large donation that is invested. The scholarship is paid for using the interest earned on that investment, meaning the money lasts forever.

Yes, many universities and organizations offer scholarships specifically for international students to encourage diversity and global learning.

In an academic context, 'poor scholarship' means that a book or article was not researched well, contains errors, or does not follow the proper rules of academic writing.