Axa Scholarship: Eligibility For International Students

The AXA Achievement Scholarship was a competitive scholarship program that awarded high-achieving students with scholarship money for college. The scholarship was previously funded by AXA and named the AXA Achievement Scholarship. However, since 2020, it has been revamped and renamed the Equitable Excellence Scholarship. The eligibility requirements and application process remain similar, but the monetary award amounts have changed, and professional development opportunities and engagement programs have been enhanced. To be eligible for the AXA Achievement Scholarship, applicants were required to be United States citizens or legal residents, current high school seniors, and planning to enroll full-time in an accredited two- or four-year college or university in the United States. Unfortunately, minimal scholarship aid is available to international students in the US, and most of it is reserved for graduate study.

International students' financial aid options

International students typically have to rely on personal and other financial resources to cover their tuition and expenses, as they are not eligible for federal or state aid in the US. However, there are still several financial aid options available to international students.

Scholarships

Scholarships are a great way to fund your education as an international student. While many scholarships are only available to US citizens and permanent residents, there are still plenty of opportunities for international students to obtain scholarships. Some scholarships are merit-based, while others are need-based. Academic departments within universities may have funds allocated to assist international students with exceptional need and/or talent. Additionally, there are free scholarship databases, as well as private, corporate, nonprofit, and government scholarship funds that serve undergraduate international students.

One example of a scholarship for international students is the Howard University Freshman Scholarships, which are available to first-time-in-college international students. These scholarships provide merit-based aid and expire after four years of enrollment.

Another scholarship opportunity for international students is the Equitable Excellence Scholarship, which replaced the AXA Achievement Scholarship. This scholarship is funded by Equitable, a financial services company, and is open to current high school seniors residing in one of the 50 US states, the District of Columbia, or Puerto Rico, who plan to enrol full-time in an accredited two- or four-year college or university in the US for the entire upcoming academic year. Equitable offers 100 $5,000 annual scholarships that are renewable and provide development opportunities and engagement programs in addition to monetary awards.

Loans

International students can also take out private loans to fund their education. However, it is important to consider the amount of debt that will be accumulated and how it will impact future financial decisions. International Student Loans can provide funding for the entire cost of education, minus any other aid received, and can be used for expenses such as tuition, books, and room and board.

Waived Application Fees

Some US institutions may waive application fees for international students, so it is worth consulting with your university to take advantage of any potential savings.

On-Campus Employment

International students can also pursue on-campus employment opportunities, such as serving as a resident assistant (RA), to earn income during their studies.

Transfer Credits

If you have taken International Baccalaureate (IB) or Advanced Placement (AP) courses, you can have these credentials evaluated to see if you can receive transfer credits and reduce the time and cost to graduation.

Work-Study Programs

Work-study programs allow students to earn their degrees while gaining valuable connections and experience in their future career fields.

Financial Aid Forms

To apply for financial aid, international students may need to fill out specific forms, such as the International Student Financial Aid Application (ISFAA) or the CSS Profile, which is used by private colleges. Additionally, some universities may have their own financial aid forms.

In conclusion, while international students may face challenges in securing financial aid, there are various options available, including scholarships, loans, waived application fees, on-campus employment, transfer credits, work-study programs, and financial aid forms. It is important to carefully consider your options and plan your financial strategy before embarking on your studies in the US.

AXA Achievement Scholarship eligibility

The AXA Achievement Scholarship has been replaced by the Equitable Excellence Scholarship. This scholarship is funded by Equitable, a financial services company, through the Equitable Foundation, the charitable-giving arm of the company. The eligibility requirements for applicants are similar to those of the AXA Achievement Scholarship, but Equitable has made changes to the monetary award amounts and enhanced the professional development opportunities and engagement programs.

To be eligible for the AXA Achievement Scholarship, applicants must be United States citizens or legal residents living or claiming residency in one of the 50 United States, Washington, D.C., or Puerto Rico. They must also be current high school seniors who plan to enrol full-time in an accredited two-year or four-year college or university in the United States for the entire academic year. Applicants must demonstrate ambition and self-drive, as evidenced by outstanding achievement in school, community, or work-related activities.

The scholarship committee only accepts the first 10,000 applications, so it is important to apply early. The scholarship is quite competitive, and only 200 scholarships will be awarded. Applicants should allow plenty of time to plan their application and craft a strong essay.

The AXA Achievement Scholarship is not renewable, but students who receive $10,000 or $25,000 scholarships can use their awards over the course of a few school years. Fifty-two students will each receive a $10,000 scholarship, and ten of those will be selected to receive an additional $15,000 scholarship, for a total of $25,000. Approximately 300 students will be selected to receive a $2,500 scholarship.

AXA Scholarship award amounts

The AXA Achievement Scholarship, now known as the Equitable Excellence Scholarship, offers two levels of financial awards. The top level is a $5,000 annual award that is renewable for each of the four years of college, amounting to a total of $20,000 per recipient. The second level is a one-time scholarship in the amount of $2,500. Scholarship winners at both levels are also provided with professional development opportunities and programs, including mentoring, networking, and professional skill development.

Previously, the AXA Achievement Scholarship awarded 52 state winners with $10,000 each, and 10 of those would become national winners, earning an additional $15,000 for a total of $25,000. AXA Equitable also offered the AXA Achievement Community Scholarship program, awarding over 300 high school seniors in the US with $2,000 scholarship awards for college.

The Equitable Excellence Scholarship is funded by Equitable, a financial services company, through the Equitable Foundation, the charitable-giving arm of the company. The scholarship is designed to support and encourage students by providing scholarships for college so that they can continue to provide leadership and achieve positive impacts in their communities.

The scholarship is highly competitive, with only 200 scholarships awarded out of 10,000 applications. Applicants must demonstrate outstanding achievement in community, school, or work-related activities and be high school seniors who are citizens or residents of the United States living in any of the 50 states, Washington D.C., or Puerto Rico.

AXA Scholarship application process

The AXA Achievement Scholarship, now known as the Equitable Excellence Scholarship, is a competitive, merit-based scholarship that supports students who strive to be a force for good in their communities. The scholarship is funded by Equitable, a financial services company, through the Equitable Foundation, the charitable-giving arm of the company.

The AXA Scholarship application process typically involves the following steps:

• Eligibility Criteria: Applicants must be high school seniors planning to enrol in a 2-year or 4-year college or university in the fall after graduation. They should demonstrate outstanding achievement in community, school, or work-related activities.
• Application Window: The AXA Scholarship program usually accepts applications in the fall, between September 1 and December 15. It is important to apply early, as only the first 10,000 applications are considered.
• Application Form: Applicants need to fill out an application form, providing information about their achievements. These achievements can be short-term or long-term and may include community projects, making a difference at school, or other impactful endeavours.
• Finalist Selection: The scholarship committee reviews the applications and selects finalists based on their achievements.
• Additional Information: Finalists are required to submit additional documentation, including high school transcripts and an appraisal from a non-family adult who can vouch for their achievements.
• Winner Announcement: The winners of the AXA Scholarship are typically notified in late December.

It is important to note that the AXA Scholarship program has been replaced by the Equitable Excellence Scholarship. The eligibility requirements and application process remain similar, but Equitable has made changes to the monetary award amounts and enhanced the professional development opportunities and engagement programs offered to recipients.

AXA Scholarship alternatives

The AXA Scholarship, also known as the AXA Achievement Scholarship, has been replaced by the Equitable Excellence Scholarship. The scholarship is funded by Equitable, a financial services company, through the Equitable Foundation, its charitable-giving arm. The AXA Achievement Scholarship was funded by AXA, which owned Equitable until 2020. The scholarship was then revamped and renamed by Equitable.

The Equitable Excellence Scholarship is a competitive merit-based scholarship that supports students from across the country who strive to be a force for good in their communities. It is one of the many merit scholarships in the Scholarship America listings. Scholarship America is an organisation that aims to "help students fulfill their college dreams" by addressing "systemic inequities".

The scholarship is open to current high school seniors who reside in one of the 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, or Puerto Rico, and who plan to enrol full-time in an accredited two- or four-year college or university in the United States for the entire upcoming academic year. Applicants must demonstrate ambition and self-drive to be a force for good in their communities by encouraging others to pursue higher education. They must also have a minimum grade point average of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale (or its equivalent).

Every year, the Equitable Foundation awards a $5,000 scholarship to 100 Equitable Excellence Scholarship winners who best demonstrate "the qualities of leadership, determination, and resilience as critical enablers of their future success". This scholarship is renewable for all four years of college. In addition, the Equitable Foundation also offers a one-time scholarship in the amount of $2,500 to an additional 100 students to help cover immediate college costs. All Equitable Excellence Scholarship winners also receive professional development support during their first year of college.

Frequently asked questions