Written By - Derick de Souza

Reviewed By OMC Staff

Graduate education comes with a hefty price tag, with the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) citing an average cost of $20,368 for a graduate degree from a public university. The good news is that numerous graduate school scholarships cover the entire cost or a significant portion of your degree expenses. While universities are valuable sources of financial aid, many graduate school scholarships are also accessible through private entities, national organizations, and industry-related associations. 

To assist you in navigating this scholarship landscape, we have compiled a comprehensive list of the top and most sought-after scholarships, complete with guidance on the application process. Delve into this resource to gain insights into application timelines and the essential elements required for a successful scholarship application.

Graduate School Scholarships

Table Of Contents

Graduate Scholarships by the Numbers

When considering pursuing a graduate degree, relying on scholarships proves far more advantageous than taking on loans, given that scholarships do not necessitate repayment. According to the Center for American Progress, graduate students have collectively borrowed over $37 billion, contributing to the nation’s staggering $1.4 trillion debt. In contrast, Debt.org reports a counterbalance, with an estimated $53 billion in scholarships awarded annually by the US Department of Education and private sources.

Your university is a prime hub for discovering scholarships, with over 70 percent originating directly from these institutions. Graduate school scholarships are often categorized based on various factors, including

  • Major
  • professional orientation,
  • gender
  • minority status
  • veteran status, and more.

Merit-based scholarships in graduate programs may hinge on the applicant’s exceptional professional and public service experience, academic performance, and potential for future contributions. On the other hand, need-based scholarships consider factors such as student income, family participation, and tuition costs. As you navigate the realm of graduate scholarships, this statistical overview provides insights into the substantial impact scholarships can have on mitigating the financial challenges associated with advanced education.

How to apply for Graduate School Scholarships

The process for obtaining a scholarship begins with the search. We’ve done a lot of work for you already. Be sure to apply to as many scholarships for which you qualify. Here is a timeline for landing graduate school scholarships.

JANUARY THROUGH JULY:

Gain acceptance to graduate school.

AUGUST:

Perform a comprehensive scholarship search

SEPTEMBER:

Visit websites of scholarship-granting institutions to gather application requirements. Note application deadlines for every institution.

OCTOBER:

Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The application establishes your profile that is used to calculate financial eligibility.

NOVEMBER:

Take all required graduate school admission exams if the scholarship requires them.

DECEMBER:

Organize applications for scholarships for graduate students by the deadline, tackling the earliest ones first.

JANUARY:

Compile the supporting documents required for your application (test scores, essays, transcripts, recommendation letters).

FEBRUARY:

Contact former professors and round up recommendation letters.

MARCH:

Complete personal essays required for the scholarship application. Personalize essays for each granting institution.

APRIL:

Begin submitting applications for scholarships with deadlines this month.

MAY:

Continue applications to scholarships with May deadlines.

APRIL-JUNE:

Double-check with the scholarship organization to ensure your application is complete and accepted.

JULY:

Arrange and conduct on-site, telephone, or online interviews if required. That’s it. Now it’s time for the waiting game.

As you step into advanced education, your financial commitments can be significant. Fortunately, many scholarships stand ready to ease this burden, offering financial support and recognizing merit, dedication, and promise. Explore this curated resource to help you through your journey and secure crucial financial backing for your advanced studies. 

Some top popular graduate school scholarships include:

  1. Beinecke Scholarship
    The Sperry and Hutchinson Company established these scholarships in 1971 to support arts, social sciences, and humanities students. The scholarship awards each recipient $5,000 upon graduate school and another $30,000 for the remainder of the program.
  2. Bank of America MBA Diversity Fellowship
    The B of A program provides up to $40,000 towards tuition and fees for students pursuing their Master of Business Administration. Applicants must identify as Black/African American, LGBT+, Hispanic/Latino, Native American, military veteran, woman, or disabled student.
  3. Paul and Daisy Soros Graduate Fellowships for New Americans
    For over 20 years, Soros has offered up to $90,000 in graduate school scholarships to each of the 30 fellows selected annually. Applicants must be both high school and college graduates from United States schools. The fellowships are open to immigrants and children of immigrants.
  4. American Library Association Frederic G. Melcher Scholarship
    These graduate school scholarships are open to students pursuing an MLS degree. They must be committed to working in children’s librarianship for a population of up to 14. Every year, two $8,000 scholarships are offered.
  5. National Health Service Corps
    The NHS Scholarship was created to support graduate students in primary-care health professions. The scholarship pays for up to four years of post-baccalaureate schooling. All recipients must commit to two years or more of healthcare service. The amount is one year of support in exchange for a two-year service commitment.
  6. Nursing School Scholarship, NursingTrack.com
    The $1,000 Nursing School Scholarship Is open to students pursuing a graduate degree in nursing. Students apply online and write a 600–800-word essay describing the most critical challenges in nursing. Selection factors include GPA and relevant experience.
  7. Harry S. Truman Scholarship
    The Truman Scholarship pays for three years of graduate study, including tuition and room and board. Applicants must plan to enter a career in public service for up to 7 years following graduation. This highly competitive scholarship accepts 600 applications for 45 awards.
  8. American Speech-Language-Hearing Foundation (ASHFoundation)
    The ASH Foundation scholarship award is open to graduate students pursuing a communication sciences and disorders program. As many as 15 scholarships of $5,000 are offered annually.
  9. APF Violet and Cyril Franks Scholarship
    The American Psychological Foundation established the Violet and Cyril Franks Scholarship to support graduate research projects to destigmatize mental illness. The graduate scholarship awards recipients $5,000.
  10. National Healthcare Heroes Grant for Nurses
    Scholarship sponsor Bold.org says the median debt for graduating nurses tops $55,000. The scholarship provides $1,000 toward the cost of a graduate degree. Applicants must demonstrate nursing impact and empathy.
  11. (ISC)2Graduate Cybersecurity Scholarship
    The (ISC)2 Graduate Scholarship Program from the Center for Cyber Safety and Education funds 20 annual scholarships ranging from $1,000 – $5,000. Applicants must be pursuing a graduate degree in information assurance or cybersecurity.
  12. Jane M. Klausman Women in Business Scholarship
    Zonta International sponsors 37 annual scholarships of $5,000 awarded to women in graduate programs in accounting, finance, business management, human resources management, entrepreneurship, marketing, or international business.
  13. Foster G. McGaw Graduate Student Scholarship
    This scholarship, funded by the Foundation of the American College of Healthcare Executives, awards $5,000 to applicants enrolled in their financial year of a graduate program in healthcare management (MHA, MPH, MBA in Healthcare Administration).
  14. WayUp $1,000 Aspiring Accountant Scholarship
    The Aspiring Accountant Scholarship was designed to help graduate college students decrease student debt. Scholarship sponsor Bold.org reports that these graduate school scholarships are based on an Essay and supporting materials attesting to “Accounting, Ambition, Impact, and Vision.”
  15. Yanmar/SAE Scholarship
    Diesel engine manufacturer Yanmar awards $2,000 to graduate students studying or researching energy conservation. Applicants are evaluated on their past academic and professional performance.

Top 10 Graduate School Scholarships – Details

This detailed exploration examines the top 10 graduate school scholarships. Delve into the details of each scholarship, understanding eligibility criteria, application processes, and the unparalleled opportunities they offer. Check these top 10 graduate school scholarships popular across the United States:

  1. Fulbright Scholar Program
    This is the pinnacle of scholarship programs for graduate students and is highly competitive. Open to professionals, scholars, and artists, Fulbright grants Distinguished Scholar awards to post-baccalaureate programs in more than 140 countries. Funds provide travel costs, tuition, and language programs; Fulbright offers 8,000 grants annually.
  2. Marshall Scholarships
    The Marshall Scholarship is granted to qualified graduate-level students who want to attend any British University in any subject, including science, the humanities, and technology. Up to 50 American students receive scholarships each year.
  3. Harry S. Truman Scholarship
    The Truman Scholarship pays for three years of graduate study, including tuition and room and board. Applicants must plan to enter a career in public service for up to 7 years following graduation. This highly competitive scholarship accepts 600 applications for 45 awards.
  4. Woodrow Wilson Teaching Fellowships
    The WW Teaching Fellowship is offered to Pennsylvania educators in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. Recipients receive $32,000 at the beginning of their Masters in Education degree program.
  5. Paul and Daisy Soros Graduate Fellowships for New Americans
    For more than 20 years, Soros has offered up to $90,000 in financial support to each of the 30 fellows selected annually. Applicants must be both high school and college graduates from United States schools. The fellowships are open to immigrants and children of immigrants.
  6. National Health Service Corps
    The NHS Scholarship was created to support graduate students in primary-care health professions. The scholarship pays for up to four years of post-baccalaureate schooling. All recipients must commit to two years or more of healthcare service.
  7. National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship
    The NSF awards $46,000 in stipends and tuition coverage for up to three years. Applicants must pursue research in science, mathematics, engineering, and technology (STEM) fields.
  8. The Rhodes Scholarships
    Since 1903, The Rhodes Foundation has offered the single-largest graduate scholarship program in the world. The scholarships pay for tuition, room, and board for up to three years in the participating University of Oxford schools in Britain.
  9. Government Finance Officers Association, Daniel B. Goldberg Scholarship
    This GFOA scholarship is for graduate students seeking a finance career in state and local government. One $20,000 scholarship is awarded each year to qualified applicants. The GFOA offers four other scholarships on its website.
  10. The Churchill Scholarship
    The scholarship pays for travel, tuition, healthcare, and board for students selected to conduct engineering, math, and science graduate studies at The University of Cambridge. Applicants are nominated by the more than 120 institutions participating in the program.

FAQs about Graduate School Scholarships

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there tips on how to apply for scholarships for graduate school?

Apply early and apply to as many scholarships for which you’re qualified. Seek all scholarships, including those from public and private organizations. There is no law restricting you to one scholarship!

Can anyone get scholarships for grad school?

Are there scholarships for graduate students beyond their master’s degree?

Are there scholarships for studying abroad?

Do scholarships require service after graduation?

Do universities have their scholarships?

Can international students apply for graduate school scholarships in the United States?

How important is GPA in securing a graduate school scholarship?

Can I apply for scholarships if I pursue an online graduate degree?

How can I improve my chances of securing a graduate school scholarship?

Can I apply for scholarships after starting my graduate program?

Are there scholarships specifically for research or projects conducted during graduate studies?

Additional Resources for Graduate School Scholarships

  • FastWeb
    Established in May 1995, FastWeb is the pioneering scholarship search organization on the Internet. Boasting a database with over 1.5 million college scholarships, FastWeb provides a comprehensive platform for students seeking financial assistance for their graduate studies.
  • Unigo
    Unigo is a significant resource for exploring online graduate school scholarships. The platform categorizes scholarships based on subjects, offering students a user-friendly interface to discover relevant opportunities aligned with their academic pursuits.
  • Scholarships.com
    Dedicated to facilitating free scholarship searches, Scholarships.com has amassed an impressive 3.7 million scholarship listings. It serves as a valuable tool for students navigating the landscape of graduate school scholarships, providing a vast array of options to explore.
  • Online Masters Colleges Online Masters Colleges offer specialized scholarships catering to various demographics and needs. We offer

In addition, Online Masters Colleges provides expert advice on how to avoid Scholarship Scams.

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