Scholarships
SEE YOUR CHILD SUCCEED
Each year, The Clara Abbott Foundation awards nearly 2,000 need-based scholarships to help the dependent children of Abbott employees attend accredited colleges or universities, community colleges, vocational and trade schools.
Awards may be available to students enrolled in full- or part-time studies to obtain their first undergraduate degree or certificate.
The goal of the Scholarship Program is to help ease the burden of college costs on Abbott families. It is not intended to fully cover the costs of attending a university. Scholarship awards are based on a number of factors including family income and the average cost of public, in-state or in-country college/university tuition. Scholarships are not renewable and award amounts can fluctuate. Scholarships are never guaranteed.
Scholarships provided by The Clara Abbott Foundation can help with:
The costs of tuition, fees, books and supplies at these accredited schools:
- College (must qualify as a university [or equivalent]) / Post-secondary / Tertiary
- Community College
- University
- Vocational School
- Trade School
Scholarships can’t help with:
- Primary/elementary, middle/intermediate and high school/secondary costs
- A student’s second bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) or advanced degrees such as master’s, doctorate, specialist, etc.
- Audited courses or seminars not required as part of an undergraduate degree
- Additional costs for study abroad
- Any courses not associated with an accredited institution
Please review the following eligibility and program information before applying for a scholarship. Your country’s application availability and deadline information can be found here.
Employee Requirements
You must be a current Abbott employee with at least one year of continuous Abbott service as of The Clara Abbott Foundation’s application deadline date.
- Employees on FMLA (Family and Medical Leave Act), or equivalent, remain eligible. Employees on an unpaid leave of absence are not eligible.
- Employees on disability must be receiving disability pay as of The Foundation’s application deadline date.
- Contractors and temporary workers are not eligible to apply.
Any employee who is no longer with Abbott, but whose student received a scholarship, may continue to be eligible for additional scholarships for that student only.
Former Employee/Retiree Requirements
You must be a former Abbott employee who, upon separation from Abbott, met one of the following criteria. These employees may retain lifetime eligibility for Foundation services.
- Between 50–60 years of age, with a minimum of 10 years of continuous Abbott service
- 61 years of age with nine years of continuous Abbott service
- 62 years of age with eight years of continuous Abbott service
- 63 years of age with seven years of continuous Abbott service
- 64 years of age with six years of continuous Abbott service
- 65+ years of age with five years of continuous Abbott service
Student Applicant Requirements
As an Abbott employee or former employee/retiree, you must certify that the student is the following:
- A legal dependent
- Unmarried
- Age 17–24 as of the application deadline date
- Not employed by Abbott
- Academic status
- Student is or will be a graduate of high school/secondary school, or otherwise attending an eligible school (see below) during the next school year.
- Student is pursuing his/her first university degree, certificate, or equivalent.
Additional Information
- Awards are for undergraduate study only and are granted without regard to race, color, creed, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or national origin.
- Awards are not renewable. Scholarships are never guaranteed.
- Abbott employees and their spouses are not eligible for Foundation scholarships.
- The Foundation reserves the right to review the conditions and procedures of this scholarship program and make changes at any time, which may include termination of the program. The Foundation may deny any request for assistance at its sole and entire discretion.
If you choose to apply, be sure to submit your application and all the required documents prior to your country’s deadline. Late applications are not accepted. Required documents include:
- All applicants: Annual income statement or tax document for both employee and spouse. Scholarship Income Document Examples
- United States applicants: FAFSA Submission Summary (FSS) and 1040
- Puerto Rico applicants: Planilla
If you have any questions, email clara.abbott.scholarship@abbott.com.
Application Availability and Deadline Dates
We offer need-based scholarships in every country where Abbott operates, however, administration of the program varies depending on the country where you live. Please select your country to see application and deadline information, and for more information on how scholarships are administered in your country.
COUNTRY
Online applications will be available in March 2025
Application deadline – April 15
Award notifications sent in August
The Clara Abbott Scholarship Program is administered differently depending on the country. Information about the US and Puerto Rico Program is below:
- The Clara Abbott Foundation offers need-based scholarships to help the dependent children of Abbott employees attend accredited colleges or universities, community colleges, vocational and trade schools.
- The goal of the Scholarship Program is to help ease the burden of college costs on Abbott families, not fully cover the costs of attending a university.
- Scholarship awards are based on a number of factors including family income and the average cost of public, in-state or in-country college/university tuition.
- Awards may be available to students enrolled in full- or part-time studies to obtain their first undergraduate degree. Scholarships can be applied towards expenses such as tuition, fees, books, and supplies.
- Scholarships are not renewable (students in your country must apply each year) and award amounts can and do fluctuate. Scholarships are never guaranteed.
- In order to be eligible for future scholarships, recipients must continue to meet all the eligibility requirements and U.S. students must provide proof of a 2.0/4.0 (or equivalent) cumulative GPA.
Online applications will be available in January 2025
Application deadline – February 15
Award notifications sent in May
Applying for a Scholarship? In addition to providing your student’s information, employees will be required to submit household income documentation. Click to see examples of acceptable income documents.
The Clara Abbott Scholarship Program is administered differently depending on the country. Information about your country’s Program is below:
- The Clara Abbott Foundation offers need-based scholarships to help the dependent children of Abbott employees attend accredited colleges or universities, community colleges, vocational and trade schools.
- The goal of the Scholarship Program is to help ease the burden of college costs on Abbott families, not fully cover the costs of attending a university.
- Scholarship awards are based on a number of factors including family income and the average cost of public, in-state or in-country college/university tuition.
- Awards may be available to students enrolled in full- or part-time studies to obtain their first undergraduate degree. Scholarships can be applied towards expenses such as tuition, fees, books, and supplies.
- Scholarships are not renewable (students in your country must apply each year) and award amounts can and do fluctuate. Scholarships are never guaranteed.
- In order to be eligible for future scholarships, recipients must continue to meet all the eligibility requirements.
Online applications will be available in January 2025.
Application deadline – February 15
Award notifications sent in May
Applying for a Scholarship? In addition to providing your student’s information, employees will be required to submit household income documentation. Click to see examples of acceptable income documents.
The Clara Abbott Scholarship Program is administered differently depending on the country. Information about your country’s Program is below:
- Need-based scholarships are offered to help the dependent children of Abbott employees attend accredited colleges or universities, community colleges, vocational and trade schools. Awards may be available to students enrolled in full- or part-time studies to obtain their first undergraduate degree.
- Students will be eligible to receive one scholarship award during their academic career. Therefore, students who have received a prior Clara Abbott scholarship will not be eligible to reapply for additional scholarships from The Foundation.
- Students who are not selected to receive a scholarship, and continue to meet the eligibility requirements, can apply for their one-time scholarship award the following year.
- The goal of the Scholarship Program is to help ease the burden of college costs on Abbott families, not fully cover the costs of attending a university.
- Scholarship awards are based on a number of factors including family income and the average cost of public, in-state or in-country college/university tuition.
- Scholarships can be applied towards expenses such as tuition, fees, books, and supplies.
Online applications will be available in May 2025.
Application deadline – May 31
Award notifications sent in August
The Clara Abbott Scholarship Program is administered differently depending on the country. Information about your country’s Program is below:
- The Clara Abbott Foundation offers need-based scholarships to help the dependent children of Abbott employees attend accredited colleges or universities, community colleges, vocational and trade schools.
- The goal of the Scholarship Program is to help ease the burden of college costs on Abbott families, not fully cover the costs of attending a university.
- Scholarship awards are based on a number of factors including family income and the average cost of public, in-state or in-country college/university tuition.
- Awards may be available to students enrolled in full- or part-time studies to obtain their first undergraduate degree. Scholarships can be applied towards expenses such as tuition, fees, books, and supplies.
- Scholarships are not renewable (students in your country must apply each year) and award amounts can and do fluctuate. Scholarships are never guaranteed.
- In order to be eligible for future scholarships, recipients must continue to meet all the eligibility requirements.
Please email Clara.Abbott.Scholarship@abbott.com with any questions.
Online applications will be available in May 2025.
Application deadline – May 31
Award notifications sent in August
The Clara Abbott Scholarship Program is administered differently depending on the country. Information about your country’s Program is below:
- Need-based scholarships are offered to help the dependent children of Abbott employees attend accredited colleges or universities, community colleges, vocational and trade schools. Awards may be available to students enrolled in full- or part-time studies to obtain their first undergraduate degree.
- Students will be eligible to receive one scholarship award during their academic career. Therefore, students who have received a prior Clara Abbott scholarship will not be eligible to reapply for additional scholarships from The Foundation.
- Students who are not selected to receive a scholarship, and continue to meet the eligibility requirements, can apply for their one-time scholarship award the following year.
- The goal of the Scholarship Program is to help ease the burden of college costs on Abbott families, not fully cover the costs of attending a university.
- Scholarship awards are based on a number of factors including family income and the average cost of public, in-state or in-country college/university tuition.
- Scholarships can be applied towards expenses such as tuition, fees, books, and supplies.
Please email Clara.Abbott.Scholarship@abbott.com with any questions.
Online applications will be available in September 2025.
Application deadline – October 15
Award notifications sent in December
Applying for a Scholarship? In addition to providing your student’s information, employees will be required to submit household income documentation. Click to see examples of acceptable income documents.
The Clara Abbott Scholarship Program is administered differently depending on the country. Information about your country’s Program is below:
- The Clara Abbott Foundation offers need-based scholarships to help the dependent children of Abbott employees attend accredited colleges or universities, community colleges, vocational and trade schools.
- The goal of the Scholarship Program is to help ease the burden of college costs on Abbott families, not fully cover the costs of attending a university.
- Scholarship awards are based on a number of factors including family income and the average cost of public, in-state or in-country college/university tuition.
- Awards may be available to students enrolled in full- or part-time studies to obtain their first undergraduate degree. Scholarships can be applied towards expenses such as tuition, fees, books, and supplies.
- Scholarships are not renewable (students in your country must apply each year) and award amounts can and do fluctuate. Scholarships are never guaranteed.
- In order to be eligible for future scholarships, recipients must continue to meet all the eligibility requirements.
Online applications will be available in September 2025.
Application deadline – October 15
Award notifications sent in December
Applying for a Scholarship? In addition to providing your student’s information, employees will be required to submit household income documentation. Click to see examples of acceptable income documents.
The Clara Abbott Scholarship Program is administered differently depending on the country. Information about your country’s Program is below:
- Need-based scholarships are offered to help the dependent children of Abbott employees attend accredited colleges or universities, community colleges, vocational and trade schools. Awards may be available to students enrolled in full- or part-time studies to obtain their first undergraduate degree.
- Students will be eligible to receive one scholarship award during their academic career. Therefore, students who have received a prior Clara Abbott scholarship will not be eligible to reapply for additional scholarships from The Foundation.
- Students who are not selected to receive a scholarship, and continue to meet the eligibility requirements, can apply for their one-time scholarship award the following year.
- The goal of the Scholarship Program is to help ease the burden of college costs on Abbott families, not fully cover the costs of attending a university.
- Scholarship awards are based on a number of factors including family income and the average cost of public, in-state or in-country college/university tuition.
- Scholarships can be applied towards expenses such as tuition, fees, books, and supplies.
If you have any questions, email clara.abbott.scholarship@abbott.com.
Scholarship Recipient Requirements
Applicants will be notified of their scholarship status approximately three months after the deadline date. Those who are selected to receive a scholarship will be required to submit the following:
1. Submit School Grade Report(s)/Transcript
- At the conclusion of the school year, scholarship recipients will need to submit a school grade report(s) or transcript. Recipients will receive instructions on how to complete this required activity.
- School grade reports must include first and second semester grades for the school year in which the scholarship was awarded. Recipients may need to submit more than one document if their report/transcript does not show a full school year of grades.
Click to see examples of acceptable school grade reports.
2. Notify The Foundation of any enrollment changes
If your student’s school choice or status changes after receiving a scholarship, recipients will need to notify us accordingly. Scholarships can only be used towards the school year in which the scholarship was awarded (as stated in your decision letter).
School change
-
- United States and Puerto Rico: Complete the School Change form found in the student’s account, or contact Scholarship America at claraabbott@scholarshipamerica.org
- All other countries: Send an email with updated school information to clara.abbott.scholarship@abbott.com.
Enrollment change
- You are required to notify The Foundation of any changes to your student’s enrollment status. This includes, moving from full-time to part-time, no longer attending, etc. Depending on the situation, a refund may be required. Please send an email detailing the enrollment change(s) to clara.abbott.scholarship@abbott.com.
Application and Deadline Questions/Answers
Q: How are awards determined?
A: Awards are based on a number of factors including family income and the cost of in-state/in-country, public school tuition. These costs are evaluated on an ongoing basis.
Q: Does The Foundation provide scholarships to employees seeking higher education?
A: No, scholarships are not available to Abbott employees. Scholarships are available to dependents of eligible employees and retirees worldwide.
Q: What happens if I miss the application deadline?
A: Late applications are considered incomplete and will not be accepted. If you miss the deadline, you must wait until the following application year to reapply.
Q: Whose income statement should be submitted with the application?
A: Annual income statements for the Abbott employee and the spouse related to the student (parent and step-parent) from the most recent year completed must be submitted along with the application. Examples of acceptable income documents.
Awards and School Grade Reports
Q: Why is my award different than what I received last year?
A: Award amounts can and do fluctuate, and scholarships are never guaranteed. Awards are based on a number of factors including family income and the cost of public, in-state tuition. These costs are evaluated on an ongoing basis.
Q: In the US/PR, how are payments sent?
A: In the US and Puerto Rico checks are made payable to the school and sent in two installments (fall semester and spring semester).
Q: Outside the US/PR, how are payments sent?
A: In most countries, funds are provided via wire transfer in one lump sum shortly after you receive your award letter.
Q: Is a Clara Abbott scholarship considered taxable income to the Abbott employee?
A: Possibly. Taxable income requirements vary by country. Please seek the advice of a local tax professional to determine if you must report the Clara Abbott scholarship as income.
Q: When do I have to submit my school grade report?
A: The student’s School Grade Report is not due until the following year after receiving the scholarship from the Foundation. School grade reports are required for 2 semesters from all those who receive an award. An email will be sent to you to remind you that this requirement is due. Scholarship School Grade Report Examples
Q: What if I don’t have a full year of grades when the school grade report is due?
A: You can submit your student’s first semester grades and proof of enrollment in the second semester. You are still required to submit the second semester grades when available (must be within 12 months of receiving the award). Scholarship School Grade Report Examples
When can I apply?
Scholarship application availability and deadlines vary by country.
Click to learn how the program is administered in your country.