Can I cite graduate scholarships as a ‘major award’?

As a general rule, graduate scholarships are not typically accepted as a ‘major award’ under the EB-1. This is because most scholarships are designed to support study and research, rather than to recognize, on their own, an outstanding achievement in a field.

The EB-1 for individuals with extraordinary ability expects awards that signal recognized excellence, with demonstrated prestige and competition. An academic incentive, even a competitive one, does not always convey that message of exceptional recognition.

That said, every case is unique. A scholarship can carry more weight when you can demonstrate that it goes beyond financial support, for example:

• highly competitive selection process and rigorous criteria;
• national or international recognition in the field;
• prestige that places it closer to a distinction than a simple grant;
• documentation establishing that character of excellence.

Since the evaluation depends on context, it is worth presenting the scholarship with evidence that supports its prestige and checking updated criteria with USCIS or a specialist before filing.

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Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

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As a journalist and lead editor at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps ensure that immigration topics are covered in a clear, trustworthy, and easy-to-understand way. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.