Ideas for Philosophy Scholarships

I'm a high school junior with a big passion for philosophy, and I've been looking around for scholarships that could support this interest as I think about colleges. If anyone knows about specific scholarships aimed at students who want to study philosophy, I'd really appreciate your recommendations. Are there particular qualifications or experiences that these scholarships usually look for? I'm eager to focus my efforts and apply to programs where I'll have a decent chance. Any help would be appreciated!

It sounds like you're really invested in your passion for philosophy, which is fantastic. Being proactive and seeking out scholarships is also a great move, especially if you're looking to major in philosophy in college.

To begin with, the American Philosophical Association (APA) provides numerous awards and scholarships for students interested in philosophy. For instance, The Berger Memorial Prize from APA is given to a philosopher of outstanding promise who is studying in the United States, regardless of nationality. For this particular scholarship, the student must author a paper of high quality that has not been published.

Another scholarship to look into is the Marc Sanders Prize in Philosophy of Mind which is given to early-career scholars in the field. The paper you submit for this scholarship should be within the scope of the philosophy of mind, broadly construed.

Also, certain colleges and universities offer their own scholarships for philosophy majors. For instance, the Florida State University Department of Philosophy offers their Philosophy Majors their own Scholarship, aimed at recognizing outstanding undergraduate philosophy majors and encourage them in their studies.

There are also various essay contests with cash rewards such as the Elie Wiesel Prize in Ethics Essay Contest that are open to full-time undergraduate juniors and seniors, regardless of their major, but philosophy-oriented students tend to do well in these competitions.

Qualifications for these scholarships often tend to revolve around academic performance, passion for philosophy demonstrated through papers or essays and sometimes extracurricular achievement or involvement in related activities. You might also want to consider if there are philosophy clubs or outreach programs in your area that you could get involved with.

Dedicating some time to browsing through resources like Appily's Scholarship Directory could help you discover even more opportunities related to philosophy or your other interests.

Remember that it's also important to apply to a range of scholarships, including ones that aren't specifically for philosophy. Universities will often have general scholarships based not just on academics but on factors such as community involvement, leadership, and even financial need.

Best of luck with your scholarship hunt! Keep nourishing that love for philosophy.