Candidates apply through their institution, the Vice-Chancellor of which will nominate up to two candidates on behalf of the institution. If there are more than two applicants who have submitted their application, the Vice-Chancellor shall choose which ones the institution will put forward as candidates.

Out of all candidates put forward, two nominees will be chosen following the interviews, along with one reserve. The reserve will only be offered one of the scholarships if either of the first choice nominees is unable to take up the award.

The Grant

The monetary value of each Scholarship will be up to $45,000, to be applied in the first instance to payment of tuition fees.

The Selection Committee has discretion to allow the grant to be applied wholly or mainly towards the cost of travel or accommodation, if they are satisfied that tuition fees will be paid (or waived) by the host university or by another grant-giving body.

There is no formal means test, but account will be taken of any other scholarship, bursary, grant or waiver of fees awarded in connection with the candidate’s proposed course of study in the United States.

It is the responsibility of candidates to ensure that they have fully researched the total likely cost of studying in their chosen university, as well as the cost of travel and accommodation. Neither the Society nor the Carnegie Trust can offer further financial assistance beyond the amount of the Scholarship.

Applicants are advised that, once an application has been accepted by an American university, a deposit will need to be paid to the university to secure the place offered. The payment of the deposit may be required before the final outcome of the selection process for the St Andrew’s scholarships is known.

The St Andrews Scholarship grant is insufficient to fund all the costs of a year’s study in the US. Information about other possible sources of funding can be found at www.fundingusstudy.org.

The Duration and Location

The Scholarship will be tenable from August 2025 to May 2026 at a university in the United States within a radius of 250 miles from New York City, or within the area of Washington DC.

Where a student cannot find a course for his/her special subject of study within the geographical area indicated above, the Society will consider allowing the Scholarship to be held at another university in the United States.

Candidates are strongly advised to apply to more than one university in the United States. In previous years highly qualified candidates have failed to gain a place at the university of their choice, and have then found it difficult or impossible to find a place elsewhere.

Scholars' Involvement with the Society

The Society will invite its scholars to be its guests for its annual St Andrew’s Day Banquet in New York Cityand the reception the Society holds during the New York Tartan Week in April.

Scholars are expected to send to the Society at least two informal written reports, one in the first semester and the other in the second, addressing their personal and educational experiences during their time in the United States.

The scholars will be asked to stay in contact with the Society, so that they may continue to receive information about the Society and Society events, and so that the Society may learn of their progress as they advance their careers.