Phi Kappa Phi Fellowship Opening Soon
Offered by The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi
About This Scholarship
The Phi Kappa Phi Fellowship is one of the oldest and largest awards offered by a collegiate honor society, funding members as they enter their first year of graduate or professional school. Established in 1932, the program awards 40 Fellowships of $8,500 each, plus six at $15,000 and two at $35,000, across every academic discipline from law and medicine to the humanities.
Because Phi Kappa Phi inducts the top 10 percent of seniors and top 7.5 percent of juniors at more than 300 chapters, the applicant pool is strong but the award count is generous compared to most national fellowships. Applicants first compete at the chapter level, and each chapter can forward one nominee to the national competition.
The award supports full-time graduate or professional study beginning between May 1, 2027, and February 1, 2028. Students who have already completed more than 9 semester hours of graduate credit by the deadline are not eligible, so this is squarely aimed at seniors and recent graduates making the jump to graduate school.
Eligibility
- Active Phi Kappa Phi member (dues paid through April 15, 2027), or accepted invitation with initiation completed by June 30, 2027 (membership is by invitation; a one-time initiation fee applies, typically around $60 plus any chapter fees)
- Entering the first year of full-time graduate or professional study between May 1, 2027, and February 1, 2028
- No more than 9 semester hours of graduate credit completed by the application deadline
- Not a sitting Society board member, divisional vice president, Fellowship committee member, or Society employee
How To Apply
- Confirm your Phi Kappa Phi membership status or accept a pending invitation through your campus chapter
- Open the application in the online portal when it opens December 15, 2026
- Submit transcripts, letters of recommendation, and personal statement to your chapter (chapter deadlines typically fall about two weeks before the national deadline)
- Chapters forward one nominee to the national competition by April 15, 2027
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to already be a Phi Kappa Phi member to apply?
You need to either be an active member with dues paid through April 15, 2027, or have accepted a membership invitation with initiation completed by June 30, 2027. Membership is by invitation based on class rank.
Can I apply if I am already in graduate school?
Only if you have completed no more than 9 semester hours of graduate credit by the deadline. The fellowship is designed for students entering their first year of graduate or professional study.
How does the chapter nomination process work?
You apply through your local chapter, which sets its own internal deadline (usually about two weeks before the national date). Each chapter selects one nominee to forward to the national competition.