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.
3
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.
Dairy Management Inc. Scholarship Program
Amount: $3,500
Deadline:
April 22, 2018
Students will be chosen based on academic performance, courses related to Dairy, evidence of leadership ability, initiative, and character. Must be a student at an accredited university for consideration.
Albertson & Davidson College Scholarship
Amount: $500-$1500
Deadline:
April 26, 2018
Available to students enrolled in an accredited university can apply by submitting an infographic that addresses the topic of elder abuse for a chance to win.
Emerging Voices Scholarship
Amount: $2,000-$3,000
Deadline:
April 30, 2018
Ford Motor Company Fund supports female graduate students receive funding towards their degree in journalism and media studies. This scholarship includes the opportunity to contribute content to the AWMF website and attendance at the “Women In” event at the National Association of Broadcasters Conference.
Asparagus Club Scholarship
Amount: $8,000
Deadline:
April 30, 2018
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.
AGBU Fellowships for US Based Study
Amount: $7,500
Deadline:
April 30, 2018
Applicant must be of Armenian heritage, be a full-time graduate student at a top tier American university and have a minimum of 3.5 GPA to apply.
All About Education
Amount: $3,000
Deadline:
April 30, 2018
Must be currently enrolled in accredited university and be a U.S. citizen. Applicants are asked to explain how this scholarship would change their life for a chance to win.
E-Waste Scholarship
Amount: $1,000
Deadline:
April 30, 2018
Students of any age and field of study may apply. Applicants will complete an essay on e-waste, and the top 10 finalists will be chosen based on creativity and content of the essay.
Irene Adler Prize
Amount: $1,000
Deadline:
April 30, 2018
Eligible candidates are women entering or continuing their pursuit of a bachelor's, master's or PhD degree in creative writing, journalism or literature at an accredited institution in the U.S. or Canada. A short essay is required along with an application.
Harold Bettinger Scholarship
Amount: $4,000
Deadline:
May 1, 2018
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.
WIFLE Scholarship Program
Amount: $25,000
Deadline:
May 2, 2018
Women attending an accredited university full-time are eligible for this award. Must have completed at least one year of academic work in social sciences or criminal justice to be considered, as well as a GPA over 3.0.
Support Creativity Graduate Scholarship
Amount: $1,000
Deadline:
May 5, 2018
Applicants must attend graduate school in the New York Tri-state area, and must demonstrate passionate creativity. Students will be asked to submit creative work that illustrates their passion for their specific creative field. Financial need will also be considered.
Diversity conference scholarship
Amount: upt to $10000
Deadline:
May 5, 2018
To be eligible, students must be enrolled in a full-time bachelor's degree program at a university in the U.S, Canada, or Mexico. Must show satisfactory progress towards a degree in computer science or related fields. Must maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA.
Against the Grain Artistic Scholarship
Amount: $1,000
Deadline:
May 7, 2018
This scholarship provides financial assistance and promotion of Asian American college students pursuing a major in the performing, visual arts, journalism and/or mass communications. Must be at least 50% Pacific Islander and/or Asian ethnicity, and enrolled full-time at an accredited U.S. institution. A GPA of 3.0 or higher is preferred.
NACIS Student Dynamic Map Competition
Amount: $500
Deadline:
May 31, 2018
Applicants are asked to create a map for one of the two competition categories: animated maps and interactive maps. Any student enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program from North America who has not previously won first prize in this contest may enter.
American Baptist Financial Aid Program
Amount: $3,000
Deadline:
May 31, 2018
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 as a full-time student with a GPA of 2.75 for consideration.
Fifth Month
Amount: $1,500
Deadline:
May 31, 2018
Applicant must be currently enrolled in accredited university and be a U.S. citizen. Applicants are given a creative writing prompt all about the number five for a chance to win.
Helen Brett Scholarship
Amount: $5,000
Deadline:
June 1, 2018
The purpose of the scholarship is to assist individuals enrolled in a four-year degree program with focus on exhibition and event management. Must be a full-time student enrolled in accredited college with a minimum 3.0 GPA for consideration.
AT&T Education Scholarship
Amount: $1,000
Deadline:
June 15, 2018
Students must be U.S. citizens to apply with a GPA of 2.5 or higher. Applicants are asked to create an infographic showing how apps are helping students learn outside of the classroom for a chance to win.
The Future is Female
Amount: $3,000
Deadline:
June 29, 2018
Eligibility based on enrollment in college with a GPA or 3.0 or above. Must be a U.S. citizen and an awesome female. Applicants will share their story for what makes them exceptional, trailblazing, and fearless females for a chance to win and be featured in the True&Co Journal.
Because College is Expensive
Amount: $500
Deadline:
June 30, 2018
Open to all students or students planning on enrolling within 12 months. Winners will be chosen at random.
Express Medical Supply Scholarship
Amount: $500
Deadline:
June 30, 2018
Must be currently enrolled in accredited university. Applicants are asked to tweet a picture that represents the heart of your hometown to be considered for this scholarship.
Do-Over Scholarship
Amount: $1,500
Deadline:
June 30, 2018
Must be currently enrolled in accredited university and be a U.S. citizen for consideration. Applicants are asked what they would do if they were given one do-over for a chance to win.
Immigration Scholarship Essay Contest
Amount: $500
Deadline:
July 1, 2018
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.
Alba George Watt Memorial Essay Contest
Amount: $250
Deadline:
July 1, 2018
This annual essay competition seeks students who can produce an original, research driven presentation under 12,000 words. Submissions may be in English or Spanish.
ABC Humane Wildlife Control & Prevention, Inc. Academic Scholarship
Amount: Varies
Deadline:
July 1, 2018
Applicants must be currently enrolled at a university or college recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Awards are granted to female students studying, or planning to study, the fields of engineering, mathematics, technology or science (excluding the social sciences).
Jen and Kelly Tanabe Scholarship
Amount: $1,000
Deadline:
July 31, 2018
The goal with this scholarship is to create an even-playing field where students are not given an advantage for standardized test scores, GPA, financial need or academic circumstances. Applicants must be a U.S. resident enrolled in an accredited university.
Flavor of the Month
Amount: $1,500
Deadline:
July 31, 2018
Student must be currently enrolled in accredited university and be a U.S. citizen. Applicants are given a creative writing prompt about their ice-cream flavor alter-ego for a chance to win.
Chuan Ai Lu Engstrom Memorial Scholarship
Amount: $1,000
Deadline:
August 1, 2018
Any full-time graduate or undergraduate accredited student with a GPA of 2.5 or higher is welcome to apply. Applicants are asked to discuss their vision for electronic design, engineering and manufacturing in the global economy.
Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program
Amount: Varies
Deadline:
August 28, 2018
The Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program awards scholarships to women who desire to teach science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) at the K-12 level.
Health and Wellness Scholarship
Amount: $2,500
Deadline:
August 31, 2018
Any full-time graduate or undergraduate accredited student with a GPA of 3.4 or higher is welcome to apply. Medical students may provide proof of pass/fail classes.
$1,000 September Scholarship
Amount: $1,000
Deadline:
September 20, 2018
All high school, college and graduate students are encouraged to enter. The winner will be chosen at random.
MBA Insight Scholarship
Amount: $500
Deadline:
September 30, 2018
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.
Don't Text and Drive
Amount: $1,000
Deadline:
September 30, 2018
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.
Shout it Out
Amount: $1,500
Deadline:
September 30, 2018
Applicants must be currently enrolled in accredited university and be a U.S. citizen. Applicants are asked what they would say to the whole world, if they could, for a chance to win.
The Doc Cohen Franchising Scholarship
Amount: $1,500
Deadline:
October 31, 2018
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.
Zombie Apocalypse
Amount: $2,000
Deadline:
October 31, 2018
Students must be currently enrolled in accredited university and be a U.S. citizen. Applicants are asked how they would survive a zombie apocalypse for a chance to win.
American Bullion Scholarship
Amount: $1,000
Deadline:
October 31, 2018
Applicants must be currently enrolled as a full-time graduate student at an accredited university in the United States to apply. Applicants will be asked to discuss IRA/401K for the chance to win.
Education Matters
Amount: $5,000
Deadline:
November 30, 2018
For eligibility, students must be currently enrolled in accredited university and be a U.S. citizen. Applicants are asked to defend the importance of education for a chance to win.
Car Covers Scholarship
Amount: $1,000
Deadline:
December 15, 2018
Applicants must be enrolled in an accredited graduate program. Students will be given a creative writing prompt to determine the winner of the scholarship.
Burger King Scholars Program
Amount: $1,000-$50,000
Deadline:
December 15, 2018
Applicants must have strong academic performance with a minimum GPA of 2.5. Must be passionate about serving the community, and be an employee/spouse/partner of an employee for graduate consideration.
$500 Graduate Student Scholarship
Amount: $500
Deadline:
December 31, 2018
Current graduate students, adults, and college students planning to enroll in graduate school and/or any college offering a post-secondary degree are eligible. Must be currently enrolled in an accredited university to be considered.
Top 10 List
Amount: $1,500
Deadline:
December 31, 2018
Applicants must be enrolled in accredited university and be a U.S. citizen. Applicants are asked to create a list of the top 10 reasons why they want to win the scholarship.
Unigo Scholarship
Amount: $10,000
Deadline:
December 31, 2018
Applicants must be currently enrolled in accredited university and be a US citizen. Applicants are asked to create 140-character tweet for a chance to win.
Technology Addiction Awareness
Amount: $1,000
Deadline:
January 30, 2019
Scholarship is open to students of any age and field of study. Applicants will complete an essay on technology addiction, and the top 10 finalists will be chosen based on creativity and content of the essay.
ASA Minority Fellowship Program
Amount: $18,000
Deadline:
January 31, 2019
Applicants can be new or continuing graduate students, but preference will be given to students entering doctoral programs or students enrolled in strong mental health programs. Fellows will be selected on their commitment to research in mental health.
Vincint and Catherine Sansalone Scholarship
Amount: Varies
Deadline:
February 1, 2019
Students must be enrolled in a math or science program at an accredited U.S. university. Must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher for consideration. Preference for students of Italian descent.
Beyonce Formation Scholars Scholarship Program
Amount: $25,000
Deadline:
In celebration of the anniversary of “Lemonade,” Beyonce Knowles-Carter's Formation Scholars program supports young women who are pursuing careers in the entertainment, creative arts, music, literature or African American studies. Participating schools include Berklee College of Music, Howard University, Parsons School of Design and Spelman College.
Goldman Sachs MBA Fellowship
Amount: $25,000
Deadline:
The MBA Fellowship is designed to increase interest in financial services among black, hispanic and native american business school students.
NEHA/AAS Environmental Health Scholarship
Amount: $2,000
Deadline:
This scholarship is available to students enrolled in a graduate program with a declared curriculum in Environmental Health Sciences. Must have at least one semester of classes remaining for eligibility.
Pedro Zamoro Public Policy Fellowship
Amount: Varies
Deadline:
Candidates should have strong research, writing and organizational skills and willingness to work in a professional office. Fellows must commit to working a minimum of 30-hours per week for 16 weeks. Proof of eligibility to work in the U.S. required for acceptance.
PIRG Fellowship
Amount: $25,500
Deadline:
The PIRG Fellowship is available to recent college graduates who are interested in the public interest movement. Must demonstrate academic excellence, leadership experience, top-notch written and verbal skills and an eagerness to learn.
NACME Scholars Program
Amount: Varies
Deadline:
To be eligible for the NACME Scholars Program, students must be currently enrolled in an engineering program at a partner university and maintain a 2.5 GPA or higher. Transfers must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.7 to be eligible.
NASA Harriett G. Jenkins Predoctoral Fellowship Project
Amount: $18,000
Deadline:
Applicants must be a U.S. citizen and be classified as a member of an underrepresented group. Students must be within the first three years of graduate study and maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 for consideration.
