A scholarship is money for school. If you are a good student, someone might give you money to help you pay for your classes. This makes it easier to learn!
Many students need money to go to university. A scholarship is a gift of money. You do not have to pay it back. It helps you buy books or pay for your room.
A scholarship is a financial award. Universities give them to students who work hard. You can also talk about 'good scholarship,' which means doing very careful and smart research in your studies.
Beyond the financial aspect, scholarship refers to the body of work produced by researchers. It implies a high level of expertise. When you read a book by a professor, you are reading their scholarship.
The term scholarship encompasses both the institutional funding of education and the rigorous pursuit of knowledge. It is a hallmark of academic excellence. Scholars contribute to a field's scholarship by publishing peer-reviewed articles and books that challenge existing theories.
In its most elevated sense, scholarship denotes a lifelong commitment to intellectual inquiry. It is not merely the accumulation of facts, but the critical synthesis of information. Historically, it was reserved for the elite, but today it represents the democratization of knowledge through various funding mechanisms and global research initiatives.
scholarship in 30 Seconds
- A scholarship is money for education.
- It is usually based on merit or need.
- It can also mean serious academic research.
- It is a countable noun.
When you hear the word scholarship, you might immediately think of money for college. That is the most common way we use it! It refers to funds provided by schools, companies, or foundations to help students cover their tuition or living expenses. It is a wonderful way to reward hard work or help those who need it most.
However, there is a second, more intellectual meaning. In the world of universities, scholarship also describes the actual work of being a scholar. It is the deep, careful research that experts do to expand human knowledge. If someone says, 'Her scholarship on ancient history is impressive,' they mean her research and academic writing are top-notch!
The word scholarship comes from the Old English word scolere, which meant a student or learner. This root goes back even further to the Latin schola, meaning 'leisure given to learning.' It is fascinating to think that 'school' and 'scholar' share the same ancient DNA!
By the 16th century, the term evolved to describe the 'condition of being a scholar.' Over time, it came to mean both the act of studying deeply and the financial support provided to those who were doing that studying. It has remained a cornerstone of academic language for hundreds of years, representing the bridge between financial opportunity and intellectual growth.
You will most often see scholarship used in educational settings. We often pair it with verbs like 'apply for,' 'win,' or 'award.' For example, 'She applied for a merit-based scholarship to attend the university.' It is a formal term, so you would use it in applications, essays, or when discussing career paths.
When referring to the intellectual meaning, we use it in phrases like 'academic scholarship' or 'original scholarship.' This is common in professional or university environments. It is rarely used in casual, everyday slang, so keep it for more serious or professional conversations.
While scholarship is a formal word, it appears in several academic idioms:
- On a scholarship: Being supported financially. 'He is attending the program on a full scholarship.'
- A scholar and a gentleman: A traditional phrase for a polite, educated person.
- Academic rigour: Often used alongside scholarship to describe high standards.
- Pushing the boundaries of scholarship: Doing new, groundbreaking research.
- In the interest of scholarship: Doing something purely for the sake of learning.
The word scholarship is a countable noun. You can have one scholarship or many scholarships. It is pronounced /ˈskɒl.ə.ʃɪp/ in British English and /ˈskɑː.lɚ.ʃɪp/ in American English. The stress is on the first syllable: SCHOL-ar-ship.
It rhymes with words like 'worship' and 'friendship' (in terms of the suffix). When using it in a sentence, it often acts as the object of a verb, such as 'The university offered her a scholarship.' It is a standard noun and does not have irregular plural forms; just add an 's' to make it plural.
Fun Fact
The word is related to the Greek 'schole' which meant 'leisure'—the idea being that you need free time to learn.
Pronunciation Guide
- Mispronouncing the 'ch' sound
- Swallowing the 'r' in the middle
- Stress on the wrong syllable
Difficulty Rating
Easy to understand
Commonly used
Useful term
Clear pronunciation
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Countable Nouns
I have two scholarships.
Passive Voice
She was awarded a scholarship.
Prepositional Phrases
Apply for a scholarship.
Examples by Level
She won a scholarship.
won = received
past tense
The scholarship helps her.
helps = supports
subject-verb agreement
I want a scholarship.
want = desire
modal verb
He needs a scholarship.
needs = requires
simple present
The scholarship is big.
big = large amount
adjective usage
They offer a scholarship.
offer = provide
verb usage
Apply for the scholarship.
apply = request
imperative
She got a scholarship.
got = received
informal verb
He applied for a scholarship.
The scholarship covers all fees.
She is a scholarship student.
They offer many scholarships.
I am looking for a scholarship.
The scholarship deadline is soon.
She earned a full scholarship.
The scholarship helped him graduate.
His academic scholarship is very generous.
She is conducting original scholarship on the topic.
The scholarship committee reviewed her application.
He was awarded a prestigious scholarship.
The university's scholarship program is expanding.
She hopes to win a scholarship for her research.
The scholarship requires a high GPA.
His scholarship is funded by a private donor.
The professor is known for her groundbreaking scholarship.
She secured a scholarship to study abroad.
The scholarship is merit-based rather than need-based.
His work adds significant value to the field of scholarship.
They are seeking funding for their scholarship project.
The scholarship application requires three essays.
She dedicated her life to the pursuit of scholarship.
The scholarship provided him with the necessary resources.
The depth of his scholarship is truly remarkable.
She has made a significant contribution to the scholarship on medieval history.
The scholarship of the era was heavily influenced by classical texts.
He was granted a scholarship to pursue his doctoral studies.
The committee praised the rigor of her scholarship.
The scholarship is intended to foster international collaboration.
Her work is a fine example of modern scholarship.
They debated the merits of the new scholarship.
His life's work represents the pinnacle of classical scholarship.
The institution is renowned for its commitment to rigorous scholarship.
She challenged the established scholarship with her new findings.
The scholarship of the Renaissance period remains a subject of intense study.
He was awarded the scholarship for his exceptional intellectual promise.
The monograph is a testament to years of meticulous scholarship.
The scholarship is a bridge between theory and practice.
Her nuanced approach to the subject redefined the existing scholarship.
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"on a scholarship"
receiving financial aid
He is studying on a scholarship.
neutral"a scholar and a gentleman"
polite, educated man
He is a true scholar and a gentleman.
formal"the pursuit of scholarship"
the act of studying
She is dedicated to the pursuit of scholarship.
formal"scholarship of discovery"
original research
His work is a fine example of the scholarship of discovery.
academic"in the name of scholarship"
for the sake of knowledge
They did it in the name of scholarship.
formal"a lifetime of scholarship"
years of study
The book represents a lifetime of scholarship.
formalEasily Confused
Both are money for study
Fellowships are usually for post-grad research.
He got a research fellowship.
Both are financial aid
Grants are often government-based.
The government gave a grant.
Both involve money for school
Loans must be paid back.
She took out a student loan.
Both are payments
Stipends are usually for living expenses.
He receives a monthly stipend.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + won + a + scholarship
She won a scholarship.
Subject + applied + for + a + scholarship
He applied for a scholarship.
Subject + was + awarded + a + scholarship
They were awarded a scholarship.
The + scholarship + covers + [cost]
The scholarship covers tuition.
His + scholarship + is + [adjective]
His scholarship is impressive.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
7/10
-
Using 'scholarship' as a verb
→
Using 'award a scholarship'
Scholarship is a noun, not a verb.
-
Confusing with 'schooling'
→
Use 'scholarship' for money
Schooling is the process of being educated.
-
Thinking it means 'salary'
→
Use 'stipend' or 'grant'
Scholarships are for students, not employees.
-
Pluralizing incorrectly
→
scholarships
It follows standard pluralization rules.
-
Using in casual talk
→
Use 'money for school'
Scholarship is a formal academic term.
Tips
Break it down
Think of 'Scholar' + 'Ship' (the vessel of learning).
Use it in essays
Always use 'scholarship' when writing about tuition aid.
Merit vs Need
Understand that 'merit' means you earned it through grades.
Noun usage
Remember it is a noun, so use 'a' or 'the' before it.
The 'sch' sound
It sounds like 'sk' in 'school'.
Don't verb it
Never say 'I will scholarship him'.
Etymology
It comes from the Greek word for leisure.
Use flashcards
Pair 'scholarship' with 'tuition' on your cards.
Global use
It is used in almost all English-speaking university systems.
Pluralization
Don't forget the 's' for more than one.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Scholar-Ship: A ship that carries a scholar to their destination.
Visual Association
A boat (ship) filled with books (scholar).
Word Web
Challenge
Write a sentence about a scholarship you would like to win.
Word Origin
Old English/Latin
Original meaning: Student/Learner
Cultural Context
None, generally a positive term.
In the US, scholarships are a huge part of the college application process.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
School/University
- scholarship application
- scholarship deadline
- full scholarship
Financial Aid Office
- scholarship eligibility
- scholarship renewal
- scholarship committee
Academic Research
- original scholarship
- academic scholarship
- rigorous scholarship
Career Planning
- scholarship opportunities
- seeking a scholarship
- funded by a scholarship
Conversation Starters
"Have you ever applied for a scholarship?"
"What do you think is the best way to win a scholarship?"
"Do you think scholarships should be based on merit or need?"
"How does a scholarship change a student's life?"
"What kind of research would you like to do if you had a scholarship?"
Journal Prompts
Write about a time you worked hard to achieve a goal.
If you could create a scholarship, what would it be for?
Describe the importance of financial aid in education.
Explain why academic research is important to society.
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsNo, scholarships are grants, not loans.
No, it is a noun.
Scholarships are often based on merit, while grants are often based on need.
Yes, some private schools offer them.
One that covers all costs.
Check with your school counselor or online databases.
It can mean the act of producing knowledge.
Rarely, unless referring to research grants.
Test Yourself 5 questions
She won a ___ to go to college.
Scholarship is money for school.
What is a scholarship?
It is financial support for education.
A scholarship is always a loan you must pay back.
Scholarships are usually gifts, not loans.
/ 5 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
A scholarship is a gift of support for your education or the result of your deep intellectual research.
- A scholarship is money for education.
- It is usually based on merit or need.
- It can also mean serious academic research.
- It is a countable noun.
Break it down
Think of 'Scholar' + 'Ship' (the vessel of learning).
Use it in essays
Always use 'scholarship' when writing about tuition aid.
Merit vs Need
Understand that 'merit' means you earned it through grades.
Noun usage
Remember it is a noun, so use 'a' or 'the' before it.
Example
She worked very hard in high school to earn a full scholarship to a prestigious university.
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