scholarship
SKOL-er-ship
/ˈskɒl.ə.ʃɪp/
A grant or payment made to support a student's education, awarded on the basis of academic or other achievement.
Emphasizes merit, athletic talent, or academic distinction, though financial need may be considered secondary.
The story behind the word. From ancient Greek 'skhole', which originally meant 'leisure'—the free time enjoyed by citizens to reflect and debate. This became 'schola' in Latin, eventually evolving into 'scholar' and combining with '-ship' to denote the financial position or award given to an accomplished student.
Word relationships
- fellowship: 'Fellowship' usually refers to post-graduate or research awards, whereas 'scholarship' primarily targets undergraduates.
- loan: A loan must be paid back with interest, whereas a scholarship is a gift that requires no repayment.
Commonly confused with
- bursary: Scholarships are primarily merit-based, whereas bursaries are primarily need-based.
Word family
- scholar (noun): A learned person or student awarded a scholarship.
- scholarly (adjective): Involving or relating to serious academic study.
Collocations
- full scholarship
- merit scholarship
- scholarship award
- apply for a scholarship
Example sentences
- "She received a full academic scholarship that covered all four years of her undergraduate degree." Academic Achievement
- "True scholarship consists not merely in learning, but in the critical application of knowledge." Historical Citation
Memory hook
A SCHOLAR on a SHIP sailing smoothly through university paid for by an award. Scholarship sails the scholar through school.
When not to use
Do not call a student loan a scholarship; scholarships never require repayment.
Fun facts
- In academic contexts, 'scholarship' also means serious academic study or learning itself (e.g., 'a work of immense scholarship').
Explore more words
erudite, stipend, Grant, meritocracy, intellectual, advancement
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