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.
Quick Facts
Status
Applications OpenFunding
Partial FundingDeadline
Mid-December (applications accepted mid-September through mid-December for the following academic year)
Country
About the P.E.O. International Peace Scholarship
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.
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.
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.
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
Eligible Fields
Why Choose This Scholarship?
Long-established program (since 1949) with a strong, credible track record
Open to any graduate field, unlike many narrowly-focused fellowships
Renewable for a second year, providing continuity beyond a single award cycle
Backed by a large, active volunteer network of P.E.O. chapters that can offer mentorship alongside funding
Legitimate supplementary funding source specifically built for international women graduate students
What the Scholarship Covers
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.
Eligibility Requirements
5 requirements
Documents Checklist
6 documents required
How to Apply - Step by Step
Step 1: Confirm enrollment at an accredited U.S. or Canadian college or university with at least one year of study remaining
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)
Step 3: Submit the completed application, transcripts, financial documentation, and recommendation letters within the September-December window
Step 4: Application is reviewed by local/state P.E.O. committees before being forwarded to the national IPS committee
Step 5: Award decisions are communicated in the spring ahead of the funded academic year
Step 6: Continuing students may reapply for a second year of funding if still eligible
Application Timeline
Mid-September
Application window opens
Mid-December
Application deadline
Winter
Local/state committee review
Spring
National award decisions
Insider Tips & Pro Tips
Apply only once you have a confirmed graduate enrollment/admission letter, since this is a strict prerequisite
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
Be thorough and honest in the financial need documentation, since award decisions are explicitly need-based
Treat IPS as a supplementary award to combine with university assistantships or other scholarships, given the $12,500 cap
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
Apply within the September-December window each year rather than waiting, since late applications are not typically considered
Important Links & Contacts
๐ Official Links
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions - click any to expand
No, it is a need-based supplementary scholarship with a maximum award of $12,500 per year, meant to be combined with other funding.
Yes, applicants must be enrolled full-time at an accredited U.S. or Canadian institution with at least one year of study remaining.
Yes, it can be renewed for a second year for continuing students who remain eligible and reapply.
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.
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