Scholarships for Graduate Students

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How Do You Get Graduate School Scholarships?

Graduate school scholarships could help pay for your graduate programs and graduate degree. Scholarships for graduate students could cover the costs of law school and medical school. Some scholarship funds are for graduate students pursuing master’s degree programs, and PhDs. These funds often tie into a particular kind of academic program like doctoral studies in physics or MBA in accounting. Many graduate student scholarships also base decisions on financial need or merit. Merit is about academic achievement. Financial need reflects your family’s total income. 

The average graduate tuition and fees was $18,416 per year according to NCES. As a graduate or professional student, you are “independent” according to the FAFSA® . You may still submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. But you are likely to report your own income.

There are also scholarship funds that could help you achieve your higher education goals. Here are a few other places to start your scholarship search: 

• Financial aid office at colleges and universities
• Professional organizations and associations (E.g. engineering, psychology, finance)
• Your current employer who offer tuition reimbursement or employee scholarship program

Many graduate fellowship programs for grad students may come from colleges and universities. Fellowship support research in a certain field. Along with covering tuition, many also provide a monthly sum for living expenses called a stipend.

A graduate assistantship works in a support role at a college/university. You may work under the supervision of a faculty member. Your duties may include research, clerical tasks and grading. Instead of a salary, some graduate assistantships receive a stipend or a discounted rate on tuition.  

10 Scholarships for Graduate School You Should Apply for in 2021

Use our scholarship search engine to find funds for your graduate studies. Make sure to check eligibility requirements and submit your graduate school scholarship application before the deadline. It might be worth earning awards like these than borrowing student loans. 

1. Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarship Program 
2. Bank of America Merrill Lynch MBA Diversity Fellowship Program
3. NSF Graduate Research Fellowship
4. Fulbright U.S. Student Program – English Teaching Assistantship
5. Boren Fellowship Awards for International Study
6. Graduate Nursing Faculty Scholarship
7. Goldman Sachs MBA Fellowship 
8. 1 Hotels Fellowship
9. March of Dimes Graduate Nursing Scholarship
10. Judith C. Kelleher Memorial Scholarship 

How Do I Get a Full Ride to Graduate School?

In order to receive full ride graduate school scholarships, your academic performance is important. You may need to maintain good GPA and grades for every course. You must be a full time grad student for every academic year until you complete your graduate level program. College students could receive full ride to graduate school depending on which two year program they study.

A full ride scholarship for grad school usually pays tuition, mandatory fees and a monthly sum. However, they are usually highly competitive. They may not be easy to receive. Keeping that in mind, you should search for other types of financial aid.

Can Scholarships Pay for a Master’s Degree?

Scholarships for graduate students could help pay for your master’s degree which you typically don’t have to pay back. There are need based and merit based awards. You may also want to search by academic major, occupation or other interests. A nonprofit called Davis Putter Fund supports graduate students working for social change. Davis Putter Scholarship provides up to $10,000. If you are chosen, you may reapply for a second year of funding. The program is open to undergrads and grad students. Eligible applicants must also be activists and show financial need.

Another graduate school scholarship program is from the American Library Association. ALSC Frederic G. Melcher Scholarship awards two students with $7,500 each. You may use the funds at an ALA accredited school. It is for eligible MLS/MLIS degree students. You must pursue full time enrollment. If you are selected, you must work with children for at least one year at a library. 

How Can I Find a Scholarship for PhD?

Doctoral students may find scholarships through their doctoral program and government. Your employer and trade associations may also provide scholarship options. Another place to look for PhD scholarships is through a charity. Scholarships for PhD could cover doctoral research as well as the cost of tuition and fees. Each year about 135 schools take part in the program and may nominate one student. Beinecke Scholarship Program provide a total of $34,000 spread over the course of up to five years. You must also be studying in a research focused master’s / doctoral program in the arts, humanities or social sciences. Eligible applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Meet a high standard for academics and personal promise
• Be U.S. Citizen or a U.S. national from American Samoa or the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands
• Have received need based financial aid as an undergraduate

Hertz Fellowship offers up to $250,000 for five years valued. Fellows also take part in mentoring, symposia and workshops. Eligible applicants must meet the following criteria:

• College senior, first year graduate student or in a gap year preparing to apply to grad school
• U.S. Citizen or permanent resident of the United States
• Plan to pursue a PhD in applied physical and biological sciences, mathematics or engineering
• Intend to focus on understanding and solving major and near term problems in society

Tips to Earning Grad School Scholarships

It is really important to put your best foot forward when filling out a scholarship application. Make sure to first read through what each application process involves. 

1. Apply for as many scholarships for grad school

You could apply for many graduate school scholarships as long as you qualify. This could improve your chances of receiving an award. Check your high school, college, local community and Unigo to apply. 

2. Submit early before the application deadline

Some scholarship opportunities have limited funds. So the earlier you apply, then you may have a better chance in receiving one to help pay for your advanced degree. 

3. Make sure you have your transcripts and test scores

Not all graduate school scholarship programs look at your GPA. But many do ask for transcripts from high school and your undergraduate degree. Gather copies or reach out to schools ahead of time if you misplaced originals. You may need to provide GRE, LSAT, MCAT or GMAT scores.

5. Ask for recommendations

The more helpful letters come from people who know you and what you are capable of.  For instance, ask a teacher, research mentor, counselor, or employer.

6. Write a strong personal statement or essay

This is a chance to speak honestly about your goals and what drives you. You may however have to answer prompted questions and stick to a word count. So, make sure to spell check and follow directions.

List of Graduate School Scholarships

Check out our list of 32,031 scholarships for graduate students worth $174M.