A tall stack of shining gold coins resting beside a large, open academic textbook.

beca

BEH-kah

nounfB1

scholarship?financial aid for academic study,grant?financial aid for research or study

Also:fellowship?usually for post-graduate studies,stipend?a regular fixed payment

📝 In Action

Solicité una beca para estudiar en el extranjero.

I applied for a scholarship to study abroad.

Si obtienes una beca completa, no tendrás que pagar la matrícula.

If you get a full scholarship, you won't have to pay tuition.

Ella vive de una beca de investigación del gobierno.

She lives off a government research grant.

Word Connections

Synonyms

ayuda financiera (financial aid)
subsidio (subsidy)

Common Collocations

solicitar una beca – to apply for a scholarship
ganar/conseguir una beca – to win/get a scholarship
beca deportiva – athletic scholarship
beca de mérito – merit scholarship

💡 Grammar Points

Gender Reminder

Remember that 'beca' is always feminine. You must use 'la beca' or 'una beca' (the scholarship, a scholarship).

❌ Common Pitfalls

Confusing 'Pedir' and 'Solicitar'

Mistake: "Usar 'pedir una beca' (to ask for a scholarship) is less formal and common than 'solicitar una beca'."

Correction: Use 'solicitar una beca' (to formally apply) when discussing the application process.

⭐ Usage Tips

Full vs. Partial

To specify the amount, use 'beca completa' (full scholarship) or 'beca parcial' (partial scholarship).

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: beca

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence correctly uses 'beca'?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

becario(scholarship recipient (m.)) - noun

becaria(scholarship recipient (f.)) - noun

becar(to grant a scholarship) - verb

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 'una beca' and 'un préstamo'?

A 'beca' (scholarship/grant) is money you receive for your studies that you usually do not have to pay back. A 'préstamo' (loan) is money you borrow that you must repay later, often with interest.