Applications for 2025/26 are currently open. This page contains full details on eligibility and how to apply.
Eligibility for 2025/26
Candidates must be Scottish by birth or descent, and will be expected to have current knowledge of Scotland and Scottish current affairs, and of the Scottish tradition generally. The Society expects its scholars to be good ambassadors for Scotland.
Candidates must also be:
- either graduates of a Scottish university who have completed their first degree course (so as to be qualified to graduate) not earlier than 2024.
- or students of a Scottish university who expect to complete their first degree course (so as to be qualified to graduate) in 2025.
What you need to know
- The Scholarship is tenable from August 2025 to May 2026 at a university in the United States within a radius of 250 miles of New York City, or within the area of Washington DC. If you can't find a course for your subject of study within this area the Society will consider allowing the scholarship to be held at another university in the United States.
- It is important to apply early as application deadlines for some universities will be before the scholarship deadline. It is highly recommended that you read the advice on the Fulbright Commission website about timelines and other important information on applying for further study in the United States. You can find more useful information in our mini career course on Applying for a Masters.
- It is highly advisable to apply to more than one university in case your application for your first-choice of university is unsuccessful.
- The scholarship is insufficient to fund a year's study in the United States. Information on other sources of funding is available at www.fundingusstudy.org/ . It is the candidate's responsibility to fully research the total likely cost of studying at their chosen university, as well as the cost of travel and accommodation.
- 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 scholarship.
- Although this is a prestigious scholarship if you meet the eligibility criteria and submit a strong application you have a realistic chance of success. A University of Aberdeen graduate was successful in gaining one of the scholarships for 2023/24 and studied at Boston University.
I am grateful for the opportunity to be a scholar for the Saint Andrew's Society of the State of New York this year and to study international law at Boston University. Studying law in the US has expanded my legal knowledge and connected me with friends from across the world. I have actively participated in the Boston Athletics Club and Mooting Society, providing me with a distinctive American college experience. I'm looking forward to tackling the New York Bar exam next year.
Eilidh Cattanach, University of Aberdeen graduate and Saint Andrew's Society of the State of New York Scholar, 2023-24
How to apply/ further information
If you are interested in applying for the scholarship please email careers@abdn.ac.uk and we will send you the application form and further information. The closing date for submitting applications is midnight on Friday 21 February 2025. Please note that deadlines for some US universities will be much earlier than this so please contact us as soon as possible if you are keen to apply.