With over 53 billion dollars in funding available for graduate students to support the careers of their dreams, it can be a challenge to find the perfect scholarship match. Opportunities are growing in the world of higher education and beyond, as the choice to enroll in graduate school is often the catalyst for better employment opportunities and a higher salary. But many students find themselves asking, “at what cost?”
With so many unique and substantial funding options available, earning a graduate degree is a privilege that everyone deserves if you have the drive and are ready to put in the time commitment.
To help fund your graduate degree, follow our guide and use the interactive tool to sort through over 150 scholarship opportunities for graduate students based on your field of study and award amount.
There are hundreds of scholarships for graduate students, which are awarded by local organizations, private companies, societies and more.
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Grants
Grants don’t need to be paid back and are based on your financial circumstances. They are usually funded by the federal government, your state or college.
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Fellowships
While scholarships usually fund tuition, fellowships typically cover graduate study, research projects and abroad experiences without needing to be paid back.
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Student Loans
You can borrow money from the government or a bank, but it needs to be paid back with interest. The federal government offers many loan options—fill out the free application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to see if you qualify for financial aid. If you need help, use our interactive guide to learn how to answer every question.
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Federal Work-Study Program
Provides part-time jobs for undergraduate and graduate students with financial need, allowing them to earn money to pay education expenses.
If you’re just beginning the process of finding suitable scholarships, make sure you’re prepared for the application process by starting a folder with the assets below.
Start early and do your research. The application process for graduate school can be lengthy. A great way to start is with broad research, networking and visits to help narrow down the search. Once you determine your top 5-10 schools, you can better organize the specific application deadlines throughout the process.
Not all scholarships are based off of your GPA, but most need to verify your education credentials to qualify. Try to get certified copies of your undergraduate transcript early, so you have plenty of time to meet the deadline.
Many graduate programs require applicants to send test scores with your application. The most common standardized test is the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) test, but depending on your field of study, other standardized tests such as the LSAT, MCAT, or GMAT may be required.
Letters of recommendation are a true judgement of your character—something that can’t be revealed through your test scores or transcript. Reach out to former teachers, counselors or managers, so that they can speak to your qualifications. Determine the specific guidelines for each letter of recommendation and provide these specifications, to make this as easy as possible for your letter writers.
This is typically a short statement of intention, in which you explain your academic background, your goals and how the graduate program will help you reach those goals. Admissions committees like to see developed research as it pertains to your area of interest, so try to be as clear and concise as possible.
This is your opportunity to get creative and show your personality as more than just an application candidate. Find ways to express your background, your challenges, goals, motivations and passions.
Scholarship Opportunities for Graduate Students
Instructions: Click through the dropdowns below to sort by your intended major, award amount or if you’re looking for need-based aid. Click the box for a larger view.
American Baptist Financial Aid Program
Amount: $3,000
Deadline:
April 30, 2020
Student must be a member of an American baptist church for a minimum of one year to be eligible. Must be preparing to enter an accredited university or graduate program in the United States or Puerto Rico as a full-time student with a GPA of 2.75 for consideration.
Bradford-Sullivan Forest Landowners' Association Scholarship
Amount: $1,500
Deadline:
April 30, 2020
The scholarship is for a student majoring in forest management, forest products, or a closely related field. Applicants must have graduated from a high school or lived in one of the following counties in Pennsylvania: Bradford, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Tioga, Wyoming, Pike, Wayne, Lackawanna, or Luzerne.
Wayne K Latham Project Management Scholarship
Amount: Varies
Deadline:
May 1, 2020
Applicants must be Dallas or Forth Worth residents enrolled in or applying to a project management related degree program or a field benefiting from project management, the Dallas/Fort Worth area. Students in Texas, USA attending or planning to attend a college in the USA are also eligible to apply.
Harold Bettinger Scholarship
Amount: $4,000
Deadline:
May 1, 2020
This scholarship is intended for horticultural students majoring in business and/or marketing with the intent to apply their education to a horticulture-related career or business for consideration.
Dr. Harold Kerzner Scholarships
Amount: Varies
Deadline:
May 2, 2020
The scholarship is open to all students who are pursuing degrees in Project Management or related fields of study. Undergraduate, Graduate and Doctoral students are eligible to apply. There are four academic scholarships valued at up to the US $7,500 each which are offered to students who fulfil the criterion.
Dwaraka R. Iyengar PMI Dallas Chapter Area Scholarship
Amount: Varies
Deadline:
May 2, 2020
The scholarship is open for applicants who are enrolled in or applying to a project management related degree program or a field benefiting from project management.The eligible students must be attending or planning to attend an accredited degree program that lives and goes to school in the PMI Dallas Chapter area.
James Rankin Memorial Scholarship
Amount: Varies
Deadline:
May 2, 2020
Applicants must be Dallas or Forth Worth residents enrolled in or applying to a project management related degree program or a field benefiting from project management, the Dallas/Fort Worth area. Students in Texas, USA attending or planning to attend a college in the USA are also eligible to apply.
WomenIn Scholarship
Amount: $2,500
Deadline:
May 31, 2020
Both undergraduate and graduate women pursuing a career in video game development or the business of video games are eligible. Various majors qualify such as game design, law, business, programming and marketing.
Science Post Graduate Scholarship Fund
Amount: Varies
Deadline:
June 1, 2020
The specific purpose of this program is to provide financial assistance to eligible American Indian and Alaska Native undergraduate, graduate and professional degree candidates to promote Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) research.
Cap Lathrop Scholarship
Amount: Varies
Deadline:
June 1, 2020
The Cap Lathrop Scholarship is offered to Alaska Natives with preference given to descendants of Cook Inlet Region, Inc. (CIRI) who are majoring in broadcast, telecommunications, business, engineering, journalism, and other media-related fields.
Immigration Scholarship Essay Contest
Amount: $500
Deadline:
July 1, 2020
Any U.S. resident that has been accepted to an accredited university can apply. Applicants are asked to answer questions on immigration for a chance to win.
Jason Pettigrew Memorial ARE Scholarship
Amount: Varies
Deadline:
July 12, 2020
This scholarship helps defray the costs associated with the Architect Registration Examination (ARE). Applicants must be a current Associate AIA member, holding an active National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) record and be eligible to sit for the Architect Registration Examination (ARE).
Isaacs & Isaacs Scholarship Awards
Amount: $1,000
Deadline:
August 1, 2020
Scholarship is available to students in Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana (one from each state).Students must be seniors in high school or current college students. Application includes (but is not limited to) a short bio of yourself, a photo of yourself, as well as an essay (promt can be found on their website).
Florida Stormwater Association Educational Foundation's Scholarship
Amount: $2,000
Deadline:
August 7, 2020
The scholarship awards financial aid to qualified students attending Florida colleges and universities who are interested in pursuing stormwater research, management or finance. Graduate student applicants in colleges or schools of engineering, natural science, public administration (or closely related fields) are eligible to apply.
$1,000 September Scholarship
Amount: $1,000
Deadline:
September 20, 2020
All high school, college and graduate students are encouraged to enter. The winner will be chosen at random.
Motorola Solutions Foundation Public Safety Explorer Scholarship
Amount: $2,000
Deadline:
September 30, 2020
The National Exploring Committee will award five scholarships to students studying in the public safety, health, law enforcement or aviation fields. Applicants should demonstrate leadership, character education and experiences. Must also provide three letters of recommendation.
Don't Text and Drive Scholarship
Amount: $1,000
Deadline:
September 30, 2020
Students of any age and field of study may apply. Applicants will complete an essay on texting and driving, and the top 10 finalists will be chosen based on creativity and content of the essay.
MBA Insight Scholarship
Amount: $500
Deadline:
September 30, 2020
Open to all currently enrolled MBA students and students planning to enroll within the next 12 months as well as a legal U.S. citizen. The winner will be determined at random.
Radcliffe Institute Research Fellowship
Amount: up to $77,500
Deadline:
October 1, 2020
Special interest goes to applicants focused on local, national and global citizenship, and interest in women and gender studies. The institute seeks to build a community of fellows that is diverse in every way.
GreenPal Scholarship for Tomorrow's Entrepreneur
Amount: $2,000
Deadline:
October 15, 2020
This scholarship supports and advocate entrepreneurial spirit of today's generation. Final winner of scholarship will receive four awards of $500 for each semester completed. Applicant must be graduating High School's Senior with a declared major or minor in the college of Business, Economics, or Finance.
The Doc Cohen Franchising Scholarship
Amount: $1,500
Deadline:
October 31, 2020
This scholarship will support a student majoring in business, finance, marketing, food service, hospitality or entrepreneurship. Must be a US citizen attending an accredited university. Must submit a 10-page business plan on a franchise concept.
Lance Stafford Larson Student Award
Amount: $500
Deadline:
October 31, 2020
Award is given to the applicant who submits the best paper on a computer-related topic. There will be one award for undergraduates and a second for graduate students.
Thomas J. Watson Fellowship
Amount: $30,000
Deadline:
November 1, 2020
The fellowship is a one-year grant for independent exploration outside the United States, awarded to graduating seniors which are nominated by campus advisors of one of 40 participating partner colleges. All majors and fields of inquiry are eligible. Please ask the respective campus advisor about internal deadlines. The national selection process begins in November. Awards are announced in mid-March.
Charlotte W. Newcombe Dissertation Fellowship
Amount: Varies
Deadline:
November 15, 2020
All applicants must be candidates for Ph.D. or Th.D. degrees in an American doctoral program at a graduate school in the U.S. Must have all pre-dissertation requirements fulfilled by the application deadline, and be in the writing stages of the dissertation upon applying. Must also expect to complete dissertation between April 1-August 31 2021. Must be enrolled in humanities or social science departments, writing on topics where ethics and religious values are of central concern. Must be a new applicant to the program for consideration.
Comcast NBC Universal Scholarship
Amount: Varies
Deadline:
December 6, 2020
Comcast NBC Universal is offering a scholarship program for sophomores and juniors attending an HBCU. Candidates must have the desired interest in entertainment and media and must be U.S. Citizen, U.S. national or permanent resident to qualify for the scholarship.
APA Judith McManus Price Scholarship
Amount: $2,000
Deadline:
January 1, 2021
This scholarship is awarded annually to students intending to pursue careers as practicing planners and who are able to demonstrate a genuine financial need and enrolled in or accepted at Columbia Uniersity, Harvard University, Massachussets Institute of Technology, New School University, or University of Pennsylvania.
Center for Alcohol Policy National Essay Contest
Amount: up to $5,000
Deadline:
January 15, 2021
The contest is open to all over the age of 18 as of December 2019. Students, academics, policymakers and inspired individuals are encouraged to submit their essays on temperance as it would apply in today's alcohol marketplace.
Walter Byers Graduate Scholarship
Amount: $24,000
Deadline:
January 15, 2021
The scholarship is a means of recognizing academic performance by student-athletes who have competed in intercollegiate athletics as a member of a varsity team at an NCAA member institution. Every year one male and one female student-athlete are awarded a the scholarship. The applicant must have undergraduate cumulative grade-point average of 3.500 or better. Be a graduating senior or be enrolled in graduate study at an NCAA member institution.
Certified Angus Beef Colvon Scholarship Fund
Amount: $6,000
Deadline:
January 15, 2021
Applicants must be working towards their MBA for eligibility. Students will be asked to discuss distribution methods for the Angus Beef corporation.
Baer Reintegration Scholarship
Amount: Varies
Deadline:
January 15, 2021
Students diagnosed with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or schizoaffective disorder are eligible candidates. Candidates must be U.S. citizens planning to attend higher education.
Mildred Sylvester Scholarship
Amount: $1,000
Deadline:
January 31, 2021
The scholarship is available to an outstanding 1st, 2nd or 3rd year veterinary student who is a current or past resident, high school or college graduate with a connection to the state of New Jersey.
Pride Foundation Scholarship
Amount: Varies
Deadline:
January 31, 2021
Pride Foundation provides essential financial resources and community support to LGBTQ+ and allied student leaders in the Northwest—particularly those who face barriers due to race, economic circumstances, identity, ability, location, or lack of family support. Applicants must be pursuing post-secondary education, including community college, four-year public or private college or university, certificate programs, vocationa/technical/trae porograms, law school, medical/dental/veterinary school, or graduate education.
Asparagus Club Scholarship
Amount: Varies
Deadline:
January 31, 2021
Recipients of the scholarship must maintain full-time student status with a 2.5 GPA or higher for consideration. Graduate students pursuing a career in business and related fields are preferred.
a/e ProNet David W. Lakamp AIA Scholarship
Amount: $5,000
Deadline:
February 1, 2021
he a/e ProNet David W. Lakamp scholarship is awarded annually to fourth-year students in a NAAB accredited degree program or Foruth-year student of a fourh-year pre-professional degree program in architecture accepted for direct entry to a two-year NAAB-accredited M.Arch program or First-year student in an NAAB-accredited M.Arch degree program.
