Lithuanian Foundation Scholarships

Scholarship Sponsored by Lithuanian Foundation

Description
**Purpose and mission**
The Lithuanian Foundation awards scholarships to support students who demonstrate leadership through community involvement, with the aim of sustaining Lithuanian culture and developing future leaders. The program emphasizes volunteerism within both the Lithuanian community and the broader community, and channels resources to candidates whose activities indicate long-term impact. Awards are intended to enable full-time undergraduate and graduate study while encouraging continued community engagement.

Key takeaways
- Supports students with demonstrated leadership and volunteerism.
- Focus on preserving Lithuanian culture and traditions.
- Awards target full-time undergraduate and graduate students.

Funding priorities
**Who is prioritized**
Priority is given to diaspora students studying outside Lithuania, especially members of the Lithuanian Foundation, Inc. Selection emphasizes academic merit, leadership potential, and demonstrated volunteer engagement, with added weight for Lithuanian community activities. The Foundation follows a ranked list of applicant groups to allocate funds fairly and consistently.

Key takeaways
- Diaspora students (outside Lithuania) prioritized.
- Academic merit, leadership, and volunteerism are core criteria.
- LF membership increases priority in funding decisions.

Eligibility
**Who may apply**
Applicants must be of Lithuanian heritage and enrolled full time in an accredited undergraduate or graduate degree program. Priority order includes US citizens and permanent residents, Lithuanian students pursuing advanced degrees in Lithuania, and Lithuanian students pursuing graduate study abroad; bachelor’s study in Lithuania is eligible only by donor-directed exception. Minimum academic requirement is a 2.75 GPA on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent).

Key takeaways
- Must be of Lithuanian heritage and a full-time degree student.
- Minimum GPA: 2.75/4.0.
- Priority categories determine funding order (US citizens/PR, Lithuania grad students, Lithuania students abroad).

Restrictions
**Disqualifying conditions**
Applications will not be considered if the student lacks Lithuanian heritage, is enrolled part-time, is in an associate or certificate program, has not been accepted by an accredited institution, or lacks appropriate citizenship/visa for study in the intended country. Lithuanian students pursuing a bachelor’s degree abroad (e.g., in the US) are ineligible. Incomplete scholarship applications are also disqualified.

Key takeaways
- Part-time students and non-degree applicants are excluded.
- Non-Lithuanian heritage applicants are ineligible.
- Incomplete submissions are not accepted.

Award value
**Amount and duration**
Scholarships are awarded for one academic year at a time, with individual awards of up to $7,500. Recipients must reapply annually if they wish to receive further support in subsequent years. Award decisions reflect available donor funds and the Foundation’s funding priorities.

Key takeaways
- Maximum award: $7,500 per academic year.
- Funding is annual; reapplication required each year.
- Actual award amounts depend on donor funds and priorities.

Donor-directed funds and fields of study
**Special funds and subject focus**
LF members have created donor-directed funds that support specific study areas and, in some cases, particular fields within Lithuania. While applicants do not need to apply separately to those funds, the Foundation gives special attention to candidates studying Lithuanian linguistics, literature, folklore, and history. Familiarize yourself with donor-directed fund descriptions to understand potential alignment with your studies.

Key takeaways
- Donor-directed funds target specific fields and regions.
- Special consideration for Lithuanian language, literature, folklore, and history.
- No separate application needed for donor-directed funds.

How to apply
**Electronic application process**
Applications must be submitted electronically, with all supplementary documentation attached before submission. Completion in Lithuanian is preferred but not required; translations must accompany documents not in Lithuanian or English. To submit, select “submit” in the online form; incomplete forms cannot be finalized and will not be considered.

Key takeaways
- Application is entirely online and must include all attachments.
- Translations required for non-Lithuanian/English documents.
- Use “submit” to remove drafts — partial submissions are invalid.

Required documentation
**Attachments you must provide**
Applicants must attach a photograph; proof of citizenship or residency; valid student visa (if applicable) and I-20 for US study; official transcript showing current GPA; official enrollment verification confirming full-time status; two recommendations (one from a faculty member and preferably one from an affiliated organization) dated no earlier than 2026; an institutional financial aid award letter showing cost of attendance and aid; and, for US residents, a 2026–2027 FAFSA SAR p.1 or equivalent financial forms. Screenshots, generic web tuition statements, or emailed/mailed supplements will not be accepted.

Key takeaways
- Complete, official documents only (no screenshots or web pages).
- Two recommendations required; family/friends’ letters not accepted.
- Financial aid award letter and FAFSA (US) or equivalent required.

Application timeline and deadlines
**Key dates and timing**
The 2026 LF Scholarship Application opens on August 1, 2026. All required documents must be attached by the specified submission deadline (attachments accepted only through the application portal, by 11:45 p.m. CST on the due date). If technical difficulties prevent attaching documents, contact admin@lithfund.org by September 28, 2026 to request an exception; without an exception letter, late or incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

Key takeaways
- Application opens: August 1, 2026.
- Portal-only submissions; deadline attachments by 11:45 p.m. CST on due date.
- Technical exceptions require email contact by Sep 28, 2026.

Support and contact
**Registration and technical help**
Register on the scholarship site before applying; registered users receive official notices by email. For best compatibility with the application software, use the latest Chrome browser. For technical issues or questions, email admin@lithfund.org — but do so by the exception deadline noted above if problems affect timely submission.

Key takeaways
- Register on the portal to receive notifications.
- Use latest Chrome for best experience.
- Email admin@lithfund.org for technical support (respect exception deadline).