The world’s #1 Guide to Scholarships and Financial Aid

9.1. Scholarships for Graduate Students

Scholarships aren’t just for undergrads—graduate students have their own pool of opportunities. They’re often merit-based, tied to your field, or aimed at specific groups.

• What They Are: Cash awards for tuition, fees, or living costs—no repayment needed. Sponsors include universities, foundations, and professional organizations.

• Who Qualifies: 

  • Students with strong academic records (e.g., 3.5+ GPA in undergrad).

  • Those in specific disciplines (e.g., psychology, engineering).

  • Underrepresented groups or those with unique traits (e.g., veterans, women in STEM).

• Examples: 

  • Fulbright U.S. Student Program: Funds a year abroad for research or teaching—up to $30,000+.

  • American Psychological Association Scholarships: $1,000–$5,000 for psych grad students.

  • University Merit Awards: Many grad schools offer $5,000–$20,000 based on your application strength.

• How to Find Them: 

  • Check your grad school’s financial aid page—some awards are automatic with admission.

  • Search field-specific organizations (e.g., American Chemical Society for chemistry).

  • Use databases like Fastweb or GradSchools.com, filtering for “graduate.”

• How to Apply: 

  • Tailor essays to your research or career goals—show passion and purpose.

  • Submit undergrad transcripts, GRE scores (if required), and recommendation letters.

Tip: Apply early—grad scholarships often align with admission deadlines (December–February).