45 Superb Scholarships for Graduate School Every Student Needs to Know About
Graduate Student Scholarships and Grants
Advanced degree programs are demanding enough on their own without added financial stress.
Which is why:
The sooner you figure out how to pay for graduate school, the better. Funding your postgraduate degree with scholarship money is one route you can take. The beauty of scholarships and grants is that you don’t have to pay back a single dollar.
Not to mention, there are plenty of opportunities that would help you go to grad school for free. The main hurdle is finding the time to sort through them all.In this post, you’ll find a list of current scholarships for graduate school.
Some only accept applications from graduate students and others are open to students at all levels. Just know that you can use any of the awards to pay for grad school.
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Graduate School Scholarships 2023
NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship – Fall
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Eligibility: Must be in final season of NCAA athletics eligibility or must have completed athletic eligibility and have performed with distinction as a varsity team member in the sport in which the student-athlete is being nominated. Must also be in final year of undergraduate academic work or received an undergraduate degree and have a minimum GPA of 3.2. Must be enrolled in a graduate degree granting program within one-year after the academic year the scholarship was awarded.
Submit: Online application, official transcripts, and 4 letters of recommendation.
Dr. Meme Heineman Scholarship
Boren Fellowships for Graduate Students
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Eligibility: Applicants must be U.S. citizens; a high school graduate, or have earned a GED; at least 18 years old; planning an overseas program in a country of which they are not a citizen and outside of Western Europe, Canada, Australia, or New Zealand. Boren Fellowships applicants may be matriculated in or applying to a graduate degree program located within the United States.
Eligible graduate degree programs include master’s (MA, MS, MBA, LLM and others), juris doctor (JD), or doctoral (PhD, MD and others) programs. Boren Fellows must have a serious language component in their overseas study proposals. The Boren Awards give preference to applicants who will be in the fields of study listed here.
Submit: Online application.
Supermom Scholarship
Niche Graduate School Survey Scholarship
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Eligibility: Open to current graduate students and alumni who have graduated within the last 4 years.
Submit: Online application.
ANS Graduate Scholarships
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Eligibility: Open to full-time graduate students in a program leading to an advanced degree in nuclear science, nuclear engineering, or a nuclear-related field.
Submit: Online application, 500 words or less personal statement, 2 references, and current transcripts.
Society of Women Engineers Upperclassmen Scholarships
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Eligibility: The SWE’s Scholarship Program is open to both SWE members and non-members; however, some of the scholarships do require SWE membership. Upperclassmen scholarships are open to sophomore undergraduates through PhD students who identify as a woman, have a 3.0 GPA or higher, and are planning to attend full-time (exceptions are made for reentry and non-traditional applicants).
Undergraduate/community college applicants must be planning to study an ABET-accredited program in engineering, technology, or computing. Masters and PhD candidates must be enrolled or accepted at a school with ABET-accredited programs in engineering, computing, or technology.
Submit: Online application, unofficial transcripts, resume, and 2 references.
Derrick Richardson Law Student Scholarship
The Harry S. Truman Scholarship
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Eligibility: Candidates must be US Citizens, US National residents of American Samoa, or expecting their citizenship by the date of the award; currently enrolled; in their junior year of school (for candidates graduating in four years or more) or in their final year of school (for candidates graduating in three years or fewer); and planning to attend grad school in pursuit of a career in public service. Applicants can be pursuing any major likely to lead to a public service career and interesting in any graduate degree other than the MBA.
Submit: Online application, 3 letters of reference, and academic transcripts.
Elvira Alonso Soto Hispanic Women in Architecture Scholarship
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Eligibility: Any female Hispanic student who is a high school senior, undergraduate, or graduate studying architecture may apply for this scholarship.
Submit: 400 – 600 word essay on what being a Latina in architecture means to you and how you plan to make a difference through your career.
Side Hustlin’ Student Scholarship Opportunity
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Eligibility: Applicants must either be enrolled or actively applying for enrollment to an undergraduate or graduate program. Students at technical, community, and four-year colleges are welcome to apply.
Submit: 1,000+ word essay about how you are earning extra income on the side while going to school.
Albert W. Dent Graduate Student Scholarship
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Eligibility: Open to racially/ethnically diverse students enrolled in a healthcare management graduate program – MHA, MPH, MBA in Healthcare Administration or similar. Must be in your final year of full-time study and expect to graduate between Sept. 1, 2023, and Aug. 31, 2024. Applicants must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or Canadian citizen.
Submit: Online application, current resume or curriculum vitae, official transcripts, 3 letters of recommendation, and essay including information about your reason for pursuing a career in healthcare management, history in the field, financial need, and community engagement.
Foster G. McGaw Scholarship for Grad Students
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Eligibility: Open to students enrolled in a healthcare management graduate program – MHA, MPH, MBA in Healthcare Administration or similar. Must be in your final year of full-time study and expect to graduate between Sept. 1, 2023, and Aug. 31, 2024. Applicants must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or Canadian citizen.
Submit: Online application, current resume or curriculum vitae, official transcripts, 3 letters of recommendation, and essay including information about your reason for pursuing a career in healthcare management, history in the field, financial need, and community engagement.
AMT Scholarship
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Eligibility: Open to American Medical Technologist members attending undergraduate/graduate programs and to high school graduates pursuing medical technology, medical assisting, dental assisting or phlebotomy studies.
Submit: Online application, 2 letters of reference, and a 500+ word essay describing why you have chosen your career path.
Financial Women of San Francisco Scholarship
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Eligibility: Open to undergraduate and graduate-level San Francisco Bay Area women pursuing careers in the fields of accounting, finance and/or the financial services industry.
Submit: Current transcripts and 2 letters of recommendation.
PAC: Diversity Matters Scholarship
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Eligibility: BIPOC undergraduate and graduate students are eligible to apply if they are pursuing a career as a physician assistant.
Submit: 400 – 600 word essay on an aspect of your identity and how it will influence your interactions in the healthcare setting and your goals as a future PA.
NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship – Winter
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Eligibility: Must be in final season of NCAA athletics eligibility or must have completed athletic eligibility and have performed with distinction as a varsity team member in the sport in which the student-athlete is being nominated. Must also be in final year of undergraduate academic work or received an undergraduate degree and have a minimum GPA of 3.2. Must be enrolled in a graduate degree granting program within one-year after the academic year the scholarship was awarded.
Submit: Online application, official transcripts, and 4 letters of recommendation.
Gloria Barron Wilderness Society Scholarship
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Eligibility: Open to graduate students. Must be currently enrolled in an accredited graduate institution in North America; have strong academic qualifications; and have academic and/or career goals focused on making a significant positive difference in the long-term protection of wilderness in the United States.
Submit: A two-page cover letter, a 3-5 page proposal including the description of the proposed work, a current resume or curriculum vitae, 2 letters of recommendation, and your most recent transcripts.
Richard E. Merwin Student Scholarship
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Eligibility: Open to undergraduate and graduate students in electrical or computer engineering, computer science, or a well-defined computer related field of engineering who are active IEEE members of a student branch of chapter are eligible to apply. Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 2.5, and be enrolled in full-time study.
Submit: Online application, most recent transcripts, and one or more letters of recommendation.
EFWA Graduate Scholarships
ScholarSHPE Graduate Scholarship
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Eligibility: Must be Hispanic; an active SHPE Member; a full-time graduate student; pursuing a STEM degree; have a GPA of 2.5 or higher; and are currently attending a college or university in the United States or Puerto Rico.
Submit: Online application – common application.
ScholarSHPE PhD Scholarship
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Eligibility: Must be Hispanic; an active SHPE Member; a full-time PhD student; pursuing a STEM degree; have a GPA of 2.5 or higher; and are currently attending a college or university in the United States or Puerto Rico.
Submit: Online application – common application.
ScholarSHPE Helen Cuesta Scholarship
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Eligibility: Must be Hispanic; female; an active SHPE Member; a full-time graduate student; pursuing a STEM degree; have a GPA of 2.5 or higher; and are currently attending a college or university in the United States or Puerto Rico. This scholarship will be awarded to a deserving student who has demonstrated the ability to overcome life’s obstacles and who doesn’t give up.
Submit: Online application – common application.
ScholarSHPE PRIDE Scholarship
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Eligibility: Must be Hispanic; be part of the LGBTQ community; an active SHPE Member; a full-time Graduate student; pursuing a STEM degree; have a GPA of 2.5 or higher; and are currently attending a college or university in the United States or Puerto Rico.
Submit: Online application – common application.
Hsiao Memorial Social Sciences Scholarship
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Eligibility: Applicants must be graduate students; have a GPA of 3.0 or higher; be pursuing a degree in the social sciences (economics preferred); be a US citizen, resident, or foreign national; and demonstrate financial need. Preference for Asian heritage, though not required.
Submit: Online application, most recent transcripts, resume, and 2 letters of recommendation.
Charles Cheesman’s Student Debt Reduction Scholarship
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Eligibility: Open to African American and Hispanic/Latino first-generation students who are currently enrolled in undergraduate or graduate degree studies or have already graduated. Must have student loan debt.
Submit: 400 – 600 word essay about yourself, your educational pursuits, career/life aspirations, community involvement, and major accomplishments.
The CIRI Foundation General Scholarship
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Eligibility: Applicant must be a CIRI original enrollee or direct lineal descendant; have a high school diploma or GED; enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate degree program at an accredited college or university; and have a 2.5 GPA or higher.
Submit: Completed online application, letter of reference, proof of acceptance at your college, official transcripts, proof of eligibility for Lineal Descendants, Statement of purpose, and current or upcoming class schedule.
Cap Lanthrop Scholarship
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Eligibility: Applicant must be an Alaska Native original enrollee of a regional or village corporation or a direct lineal descendant of an original enrollee. Must also be enrolled or accepted at a college or university as a full-time student; be a declared major in a 2-year, 4-year, or graduate degree program with a major in broadcast, telecommunications, business, engineering, journalism, and other media-related fields; and have a 3.0 GPA or higher. Must intend to work in Alaska in the broadcast/telecommunications industry.
Submit: Completed online application, letter of reference, proof of acceptance at your college, official transcripts, proof of eligibility for Lineal Descendants, Statement of purpose, and current or upcoming class schedule.
NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship – Spring
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Eligibility: Must be in final season of NCAA athletics eligibility or must have completed athletic eligibility and have performed with distinction as a varsity team member in the sport in which the student-athlete is being nominated. Must also be in the final year of undergraduate academic work or received an undergraduate degree and have a minimum GPA of 3.2. Must be enrolled in a graduate degree granting program within one-year after the academic year the scholarship was awarded.
Submit: Online application, official transcripts, and 4 letters of recommendation.
Stop-Painting Scholarship
Rockefeller State Wildlife Scholarship
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Eligibility: Applicants must be U.S. citizens, national, or eligible non-citizens, and must be registered with Selective service if required; Louisiana residents for at least 1 year prior to July 1st of the award year; enrolled as a full-time undergraduate or graduate student in a Louisiana Public College or University majoring in forestry, wildlife, or marine science. Graduate students must have a minimum GPA of 3.0.
Submit: FAFSA and completed application form.
Chang Heaton Scholarship for Music Excellence
@ESPDaniella Debt Grant
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Eligibility: Any current undergraduate senior, graduate school student, college graduate, or previous student who dropped out of college and has student loan debt may apply for this scholarship.
Submit: Quick online application. (If selected as a finalist, students must show proof of student loan debt.)
“$$$ Isn’t Everything” Scholarship
Don’t Text and Drive Scholarship
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Eligibility: You must be a high school freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior or a current or entering college or grad school student of any level. Must also be a U.S. citizen or legal resident.
Submit: Online application and short personal statement.
Richard E. Merwin Student Scholarship
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Eligibility: Open to undergraduate and graduate students in electrical or computer engineering, computer science, or a well-defined computer related field of engineering who are active IEEE members of a student branch of chapter are eligible to apply. Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 2.5, and be enrolled in full-time study.
Submit: Online application, most recent transcripts, and one or more letters of recommendation.
Dr. Ifeoma Ezebuiro Ezeobele Africans in Nursing Scholarship
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Eligibility: Any Black undergraduate or graduate student who is pursuing nursing may apply for this scholarship.
Submit: 400 – 600 word essay on why you chose to pursue nursing and why it’s important to you.
Chick-fil-A Leadership Scholarship
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Eligibility: Applicant must be employed as a Chick-fil-A Team Member at the time of application and award; have minimum GPA of 2.5; and will enroll in undergraduate or graduate study for the upcoming academic year.
Submit: Online application, transcript, and Operator recommendation.
Chick-fil-A True Inspiration™ Scholarship
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Eligibility: Applicant must be employed as a Chick-fil-A Team Member at the time of application and award; have minimum GPA of 3.0; demonstrate financial need; and will enroll in undergraduate or graduate study for the upcoming academic year.
Submit: Online application, transcript, and Operator recommendation.
Upsilon Pi Epsilon Honor Society Award
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Eligibility: Open to graduate and undergraduate students who are IEEE Computer Society members and full-time students at an academic institution.
Submit: Online application, transcripts, and letters of recommendation.
Lance Stafford Larson Student Award
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Eligibility: Open to all IEEE student members. There will be one award for undergraduates and a second for graduate students.
Submit: Online application, and a paper of 20 pages or less concerning computer-related subjects that have been presented at a computer-related conference or publication.
Keep Going Forward No Essay Scholarship
Stop-Painting Scholarship
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Eligibility: Any graduate student, graduate certificate or executive education student currently enrolled at an accredited college, university, or related technical program may apply.
Submit: Online application and an essay of at least 750 words.
ACES Scholarships
Rockefeller State Wildlife Scholarship
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Eligibility: Applicants must be U.S. citizens, national, or eligible non-citizens, and must be registered with Selective service if required; Louisiana residents for at least 1 year prior to July 1st of the award year; enrolled as a full-time undergraduate or graduate student in a Louisiana Public College or University majoring in forestry, wildlife, or marine science. Graduate students must have a minimum GPA of 3.0.
Submit: FAFSA and completed application form.
Car Covers Scholarship
AWWA Scholarships
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Eligibility: Students must be enrolled at colleges or universities in the U.S., Canada, Guam, Mexico or Puerto Rico. Scholarships are offered for undergraduate and graduate studies in water research, engineering, finance, IT, legal, communications and policy. Multiple awards available, different requirements for each scholarship.
Submit: Online application and 3 letters of recommendation,
Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarship Program
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Eligibility: Open to U.S. citizens and permanent residents who are pursuing or intend to pursue a masters or doctoral level degree in oceanography, marine biology, or maritime archaeology—this can include, but is not limited to, ocean and/or coastal: engineering, social science, marine education, marine stewardship, and resource management disciplines. Must maintain full-time status and have a 3.3 GPA or higher.
Submit: Online application, statement of intent, letters of recommendation, and statement of financial need.
Unigo $10k Scholarship
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Eligibility: Must be a legal U.S. resident living in the 50 United States or the District of Columbia. Open to applicants who are 14 years of age or older.
Submit: 250 word or less statement.
Niche Graduate School Scholarship
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Eligibility: Open to current graduate school students, college students, and adults planning to enroll in graduate school.
Submit: Online application.
Grad School Scholarships Recap
Final thoughts on scholarships for grad school
So that concludes this post on scholarships for graduate school.
Do you know of any other graduate student scholarships? Drop a comment below and I’ll add to this list of scholarships for grad school!
Related grants for graduate students:
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About Charlie
Charlie is the co-founder of College Life Made Easy and author of the book 175+ Things to Do Before You Graduate College. She’s a 2015 graduate who teaches overwhelmed students and parents of students how to confidently navigate the whole college thing. As a former broke college kid, she’s passionate about helping students develop the skills they need in order to thrive (instead of just survive), stress less, and actually enjoy the full college experience.