International Scholarship ยท United States and Canada

P.E.O. International Peace Scholarship (IPS)

A need-based scholarship from the P.E.O. Sisterhood's International Peace Scholarship Fund supporting women from outside the United States and Canada who are pursuing graduate degrees at accredited colleges and universities in the U.S. or Canada.

Applications OpenDeadline: Mid-December (applications accepted mid-September through mid-December for the following academic year)Official Portal โ†’

Quick Facts

Status

Applications Open

Funding

Partial Funding

Deadline

Mid-December (applications accepted mid-September through mid-December for the following academic year)

Country

๐ŸŒ flagUnited States and Canada
Official Website โ†’
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About the P.E.O. International Peace Scholarship

๐Ÿ• 3 min read

The P.E.O. International Peace Scholarship (IPS) Fund was established in 1949 by the P.E.O. Sisterhood, a U.S.-based philanthropic organization, with the explicit mission of fostering international goodwill and understanding through education. The program provides need-based scholarships to women from outside the United States and Canada who are already admitted to and enrolled in graduate degree programs at accredited institutions in those two countries, on the understanding that recipients will return home to apply their education in service of their communities.

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IPS is intentionally modest in scale compared to large multi-year fellowships - it is designed as supplementary need-based support rather than a full-ride scholarship, and the maximum award is capped at $12,500 for a given academic year. It is renewable for a second year for continuing students who remain eligible and reapply, which sets it apart from many one-time international scholarships.

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Eligibility requires that an applicant have at least one full year of coursework remaining at the time of application, be enrolled full-time and in residence for the entire school year at the U.S. or Canadian institution, and demonstrate genuine financial need alongside strong academic standing. The scholarship is open to women in any graduate field of study, from the sciences to the humanities, with award decisions made locally by P.E.O. chapters and state/provincial organizations before being forwarded to the national IPS committee.

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For Pakistani women who have already secured admission to a graduate program in the United States or Canada and need additional funding to close a financing gap, the P.E.O. International Peace Scholarship is a legitimate, long-established supplementary funding source, though applicants should treat it as one piece of a broader funding plan rather than the sole source of support.

Eligible Levels

Master'sPhD

Eligible Fields

All fields
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Why Choose This Scholarship?

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Long-established program (since 1949) with a strong, credible track record

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Open to any graduate field, unlike many narrowly-focused fellowships

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Renewable for a second year, providing continuity beyond a single award cycle

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Backed by a large, active volunteer network of P.E.O. chapters that can offer mentorship alongside funding

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Legitimate supplementary funding source specifically built for international women graduate students

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What the Scholarship Covers

Need-based scholarship award of up to $12,500 per academic year
Renewable for a second year for continuing eligible students who reapply
Support from local P.E.O. chapters, which often provide additional mentorship and community connection
No restriction on field of graduate study
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Studying in United States and Canada

Funds graduate study at any accredited college or university in the United States or Canada; recipients are expected to return to their home country after completing their studies.

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Eligibility Requirements

5 requirements

Must be a woman who is not a citizen or permanent resident of the United States or Canada
Must be enrolled full-time, in residence, at an accredited U.S. or Canadian college or university for the entire academic year
Must have at least one full year of graduate coursework remaining at the time of application
Must demonstrate genuine financial need
Intends to return to her home country to apply her education there
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Documents Checklist

6 documents required

1Completed P.E.O. International Peace Scholarship application form
2Proof of current graduate enrollment/admission at a U.S. or Canadian institution
3Academic transcripts
4Financial need documentation/statement
5Letters of recommendation
6Personal statement on academic and career goals and intent to return home
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How to Apply - Step by Step

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Step 1: Confirm enrollment at an accredited U.S. or Canadian college or university with at least one year of study remaining

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Step 2: Request application materials through the P.E.O. International Peace Scholarship Fund (often facilitated by a local P.E.O. chapter or the university's international office)

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Step 3: Submit the completed application, transcripts, financial documentation, and recommendation letters within the September-December window

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Step 4: Application is reviewed by local/state P.E.O. committees before being forwarded to the national IPS committee

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Step 5: Award decisions are communicated in the spring ahead of the funded academic year

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Step 6: Continuing students may reapply for a second year of funding if still eligible

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Application Timeline

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Mid-September

Application window opens

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Mid-December

Application deadline

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Winter

Local/state committee review

4

Spring

National award decisions

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Insider Tips & Pro Tips

TIP 1

Apply only once you have a confirmed graduate enrollment/admission letter, since this is a strict prerequisite

TIP 2

Reach out to a local P.E.O. chapter near your U.S. or Canadian university early - many chapters help identify and support applicants directly

TIP 3

Be thorough and honest in the financial need documentation, since award decisions are explicitly need-based

TIP 4

Treat IPS as a supplementary award to combine with university assistantships or other scholarships, given the $12,500 cap

TIP 5

Clearly articulate your plan to return to your home country and apply your degree there, since this is central to P.E.O.'s founding mission

TIP 6

Apply within the September-December window each year rather than waiting, since late applications are not typically considered

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Frequently Asked Questions

4 questions - click any to expand

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No, it is a need-based supplementary scholarship with a maximum award of $12,500 per year, meant to be combined with other funding.

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Yes, applicants must be enrolled full-time at an accredited U.S. or Canadian institution with at least one year of study remaining.

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Yes, it can be renewed for a second year for continuing students who remain eligible and reapply.

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No, it is exclusively for women who are not citizens or permanent residents of the United States or Canada.

Ready to Apply?

Head to the official portal and start your application today.

Apply on Official Website โ†’
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