The Bell Scholarship is one of the most prominent scholarships in the world. This scholarship is based on excellence and it covers the tuition costs of awardees at tertiary educational institutions.
Moreover, winning a Bell Scholarship holds other interesting benefits.
Thus, this article will provide information about the Bell Scholarship, how to effectively prepare for this scholarship, and other outstanding scholarships you can fall back to if your bell scholarship application is unsuccessful.
What is Bell Scholarship?
The Bell Scholarship is a program that is funded by “The Gloria Willie Bell and Carlos R. Bell Charitable Trust.”
This scholarship program aims to support the education of exceptionally brilliant students pursuing undergraduate degrees in engineering, physics, computer science, mathematics, and any other science-related degree at the University of Michigan.
Moreover, the Bell Scholarship is open to students pursuing a degree in the College of Literature, Science, or Arts. It covers the cost of education, workshop practice, and learning materials of its recipients.
Bell Scholarship Requirements:
The Bell Scholarship is a program that provides academic support to students every year. Nevertheless, you can only win a Bell Scholarship if you satisfy the following requirements;
- A high school graduate with a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 point scale from either New Trier High school in Winnetka, Chicago public, provincial or private school or the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy in Aurora, Illinois
- A citizen of the Michigan, Virginia, or Illinois students; a full-time undergraduate degree student pursuing a degree in any science-related program in the College of Engineering or the College of Literature, Science or Arts
- A US citizen or permanent US resident.
Important things to note about Bell Scholarship
Before applying for the Bell scholarship, take note of the following piece of information.
1. SAT and ACT scores:
SAT and ACT scores are no longer required for the Bell scholarship application. This change has been adopted since the rise of the Covid-19 pandemic.
2. Application time frame:
The time frame for application is two weeks from the date when the application process commenced.
3. Application deadline:
All applications are to be forwarded online before 11.59 pm on the 1st of February each year.
4. How to submit:
All applications and essays must be electronically submitted at the same time.
5. Scholarship criteria:
You can apply for the Bell scholarship even though you are yet to gain admission to the University of Michigan. Nevertheless, you must earn admission to a science-related undergraduate degree program to receive a Bell scholarship.
6. Online application:
All applications must be sent electronically to the appropriate mail. Physical mails are not accepted by the Bell scholarship board.
7. Letter of recommendation:
Unlike most scholarships in the United States, the Bell scholarship does not require any letter of recommendation.
8. Cash support for Virginia or Illinois students:
The total amount of money received by a Bell scholarship Virginia and Illinois awardee is $80,000 under a period of 4 years i.e. $20,000 per year.
Nevertheless, the Bell scholarship board renews the scholarship yearly based on the academic performance of its recipients.
9. Cash support for Michigan students:
$40,000 is the total amount of money awarded to a Bell scholarship Michigan student under a period of 4 years i.e. $10,000 per year.
Nevertheless, an awardee will keep receiving this award only if they maintain an outstanding academic record all through their days in school.
10. Academic accomplishments:
Outstanding awards like special awards, national honours, exceptional publications, and many others should be listed as Top five academic accomplishments.
11. Personal essay:
Applicants are expected to submit a personal essay about themselves explaining the special traits that qualify them for the award.
12. Scholarship application confirmation:
Once your scholarship has been received by the Bell Scholarship selection committee, a confirmation page will be sent to you.
Also, if there is an issue with your application, the Bell Scholarship selection committee will contact you immediately. Moreover, you cannot determine the status of your application till it’s awarded.
13. Number of awardees:
Out of more than 400 Bell Scholarship applications received per year, only 2 to 5 scholarships are awarded per year.
14. Scholarship status:
Winners of the Bell Scholarship award are notified on or before March 15th each year. Hence, failure to receive a notification message no later than March 15th means that you did not earn a scholarship.
15. Level of students:
The Bell Scholarship program is only open to freshers pursuing a science-related degree in the College of Science, Engineering, or the College of literature and arts at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
16. Scholarship acceptance:
The Bell Scholarship awardees must accept or decline the scholarship before the May 1st deadline. Any awardee that declines the award will be replaced with an alternative selected during the application process.
17. UMID number:
A UMID (Unified Multi-Purpose ID) number is required on the application form. However, you can write N/A if in the UMID number box if you have no UMID number.
18. Eligibility for other scholarships:
The Bell Scholarship applicants are not expected to apply for any other scholarship.
However, if you receive another scholarship when you are still a Bell Scholarship awardee, your Bell Scholarship support will be cut down by the scholarship board.
19. Best software:
To enjoy a stress-free registration process, use Firefox 4 and 5 or Internet Explorer 7, 8, or 9.
20. Science degree programs eligible for the Bell Scholarship:
Students pursuing a degree in Astronomy, Biology, Biomedical, Chemistry, Genetics, Geology or any other science-related program are eligible for the Bell Scholarship.
21. Spam folder:
If you have not received an email from the Bell Scholarship selection committee check your spam folder as it could likely be there.
22. Alternates:
You can receive the Bell Scholarship award if you are selected as an alternate. Alternates are replacements for students that decline Bell Scholarship.
How to effectively prepare for the Bell Scholarship
The Bell Scholarship is a very competitive scholarship program. However, you can increase your chances of winning this award by applying the following tips;
Start early:
The Bell Scholarship has a deadline that is never extended and late applications are not considered. Hence, ensure you arrange all required documents on time and forward them to the selection committee before the deadline.
Don’t miss important documents:
Don’t forget to include the documents of your outstanding academic achievements in your application before submitting it as it increases your probability of landing the Bell Scholarship.
Check the prerequisites:
Always check the scholarship requirements before applying to avoid sending an application that won’t be considered.
Other Outstanding Scholarships in the US
The Bell Scholarship is one of many outstanding scholarships in the United States. Hence, if you miss out on a Bell Scholarship award, have a go at the following scholarships;
National Founder’s Graduate Business Student Scholarship:
The National Founder’s Graduate Business Student Scholarship is an award provided by Brown, PC for US graduate business students only.
Although the cash support is $500, winners also enjoy international recognition.
National merit scholarship:
This scholarship program is provided by Washington State University to its students to support their tuition in their selected degree programs. A total of $100,000 is granted to each winner.
Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship:
This scholarship is awarded by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the US Department of State for all undergraduates.
Winners receive cash support of $5000 to fund the cost of lectures, laboratory work, and learning materials in any college of their choice.
The National Physical Science Consortium (NPSC) Graduate Fellowship:
Graduates of science, mathematics, and engineering are eligible to apply for an NPSC graduate fellowship. Winners receive up to $120,000 throughout their scholarship.
Fully Funded Fulbright Scholarships:
Fully Funded Fulbright Scholarships are offered by the American Indonesian Exchange (AMINEF) to bachelor’s degree holders with a CGPA of 3.0 on a scale of 4.0 who want to pursue a master’s degree overseas.
Alpha Omega Epsilon (AOE) Foundation Scholarships:
The AOE foundation scholarship is offered by the Alpha Omega Epsilon National Foundation to support the education of undergraduate women pursuing engineering or technical science degrees.
A recipient of the AOE Foundation Scholarships can receive up to $2000 as cash supports.
Horatio Alger National Career & Technical Scholarship Program:
The Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans is the facilitator of this scholarship program. High school students who are striving to build a professional or technical career are qualified to apply for cash support of $2,500 per person.
RIT Financial Aid & Scholarship:
The RIT Financial Aid & Scholarship is an initiative of the North Arizona University for undergraduates that require a financial need. The total amount a person can receive depends on financial need.
Conclusion:
The Bell Scholarship is an outstanding program in the United States. However, the program is open to only US citizens living in Michigan, Virginia, or Illinois.
Also, the scholarship is only available to high school graduates with a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 point scale from either New Trier High school in Winnetka, Chicago public, provincial, private school or the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy in Aurora, Illinois.
Moreover, full-time undergraduate students pursuing a degree in any science-related program in the College of Engineering or the College of Literature, Science, or Arts are qualified for the scholarship.
Nevertheless, to win a Bell scholarship, start early and submit your application on time.
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