Rhodes Scholarship 2027 USA

Overview

The Rhodes Scholarship is a fully funded postgraduate award administered by the Rhodes Trust for study at the University of Oxford. This article covers the United States constituency only; Rhodes eligibility and deadlines differ by constituency.

For the 2027 U.S. competition, 16 regional committees each select two scholars, giving a total of 32 U.S. awards. Strong applicants combine academic excellence with leadership, service, character and a coherent reason for their proposed Oxford study.

Eligibility

• Be a U.S. citizen, a lawful permanent resident who maintains that status, or hold active, unexpired DACA status.
• Meet one of the 2027 age routes: normally be aged 18–23 on October 1, 2026; or be under 27 on that date and have completed your first undergraduate degree on or after October 1, 2025.
• Have completed, or be on track to complete, an undergraduate degree by July 2027.
• Meet or exceed the entry requirements of the full-time Oxford course you propose.
• The Rhodes Trust says candidates have a greater chance of successful Oxford admission with a 3.70/4.0 GPA or higher, with no rounding; this is a competitive benchmark, not a substitute for the course’s own requirements.
• Obtain an institutional endorsement from your college or university.

Who should apply? Candidates with sustained academic strength, evidence of leadership or service, strong references, and a clear two-year Oxford academic plan are best positioned to make a credible application.

Funding & Benefits

• University of Oxford course fees for the approved programme.
• An annual living stipend. The latest officially published figure is £20,400 per year (£1,700 per month) for 2025–26; the 2027 rate may be different.
• The Oxford graduate application fee after Rhodes selection.
• Student visa fee and the associated UK Immigration Health Surcharge.
• Two economy-class flights: one to the UK at the start of study and one home at the end.
• A settling-in allowance on arrival in Oxford.
• Support for certain visa-renewal and IHS costs when moving to an approved second course.
• Funding duration depends on the course combination; eligible DPhil routes can receive up to three years of fees and stipend.

Important caveat: the Rhodes Trust states that the stipend is intended for the scholar’s own living costs and is not designed to support a partner or dependents.

How to Apply

1. Confirm that the U.S. constituency is the correct Rhodes route for you.
2. Contact your university fellowship or scholarship office immediately to identify its internal endorsement deadline.
3. Research Oxford postgraduate courses and build a coherent academic plan for the scholarship period.
4. Prepare the Rhodes application materials and register your referees early.
5. Secure institutional endorsement and monitor completion of all reference letters.
6. Submit the application before October 7, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time.
7. If selected as a Rhodes Scholar, apply separately to the University of Oxford; winning Rhodes does not automatically guarantee Oxford admission.

Application Checklist & Required Materials

• Government-issued identification proving age and nationality/status.
• For permanent residents: evidence of lawful permanent residence; for DACA applicants: current DACA documentation and valid employment authorization evidence.
• Official university transcript(s).
• Institutional endorsement from your college or university.
• A full CV of no more than two U.S. letter-size pages, minimum 10-point font.
• A separate head-and-shoulders colour photograph.
• An Academic Statement of Study of up to 450 words.
• A Personal Statement of up to 1,000 words.
• Five to eight referees; at least four should normally be academic referees and at least one should be able to address character, leadership, service or extracurricular engagement.

Important Dates

• July 1, 2026: U.S. applications opened.
• October 7, 2026, 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time: application deadline; institutional endorsement and required references are also due by the official deadline.
• November 13–14, 2026: U.S. district receptions and interviews.
• October 2027: successful 2027 scholars enter Oxford.

Do not use October 7 as your personal planning deadline. Your university may require a campus endorsement application weeks earlier.

FAQs

Is the Rhodes Scholarship fully funded?
Yes. It covers Oxford course fees and provides a stipend, visa-related support, two economy flights and a settling-in allowance, subject to the official Conditions of Tenure.

Can permanent residents and DACA recipients apply through the U.S. constituency?
Yes, if they meet the other eligibility criteria. The official eligibility checker includes lawful permanent residents and applicants with active, unexpired DACA status.

Is a 3.70 GPA mandatory?
The Rhodes Trust describes 3.70/4.0 or higher, with no rounding, as a level that gives candidates a greater chance of successful Oxford admission. Applicants must still meet their proposed Oxford course requirements.

Can international students studying at a U.S. university automatically apply through the U.S. route?
No. The U.S. constituency has specific citizenship, lawful permanent-residence and DACA criteria. Applicants with other national ties should use the official Rhodes eligibility checker for the correct constituency or inter-jurisdictional route.

Does winning Rhodes guarantee admission to Oxford?
No. Scholarship selection and Oxford admission are separate. Selected scholars apply to Oxford afterward and must satisfy the chosen course’s requirements.

How many references are required?
Applicants nominate between five and eight referees. At least four should normally be academic referees.

Last verified: September 6, 2026. ScholarshipHubNow independently verified the U.S. deadline, eligibility, number of awards, funding, endorsement requirement, application materials and interview dates against the official Rhodes Trust U.S. constituency pages, 2027 Information for Candidates, and Rhodes funding guidance. The opportunity was discovered through Scholarships.com, but primary Rhodes Trust sources control the facts in this article. Official U.S. Rhodes page ↗