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Psychology is also an extremely versatile major. After getting your undergraduate degree you can work in a variety of fields – for example, education, marketing, and many other things in between.
You could also continue studying which is a requirement if you want to be an actual psychologist. In some cases, a master’s degree is enough. But, for most psychology jobs, you need a doctorate degree.
Of course, all the years of schooling it takes to become a psychologist adds up in cost. Many psychology students find themselves graduating thousands of dollars in debt.
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Check for scholarshipsPsychology scholarships are valuable finds as they can ease some of the financial burdens for undergraduate and graduate students. In this guide, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about getting a psychology scholarship.
How Do You Get a Psychology Scholarship?
You can find psychology scholarships from many sources. Private organizations, colleges and universities all award psychology scholarships.
There are not as many psychology scholarships for undergraduate students as there are for graduate students. But, undergraduate psychology students may be eligible for other types of scholarships.
There are merit-based scholarships and need-based scholarships. Students can also apply for scholarships that award healthcare majors. Many of these scholarships regard psychology as a healthcare field.
Unfortunately, undergraduate psychology students can’t apply for STEM scholarships. Psychology isn’t regarded as a STEM major because it’s a social science. Only natural sciences like biology and chemistry, fall under the STEM umbrella.
Graduate students can find more psychology scholarships. There are many professional organizations that collaborate with the mental healthcare industry. They award scholarships to doctorate students conducting research.
Different Kinds of Psychology Programs
If you’re hoping to be a psychologist in the United States, you’ll need to get your doctorate degree. There are two types of doctorate degrees, a Ph.D. and a Psy.d.
Students who want to work in research and academia need a Ph.D. Students who want to diagnose and treat mental health disorders need a Psy.d. (but can get a Ph.D. if they prefer).
Graduate school is very specialized. Before applying to programs, you need to decide what kind of psychologist you want to be.
Psychology is a very broad field that includes many concentrations. It includes clinical psychology, educational psychology, and developmental psychology. It also includes industrial psychology, forensic psychology, and sports psychology.
Your undergraduate studies are a good opportunity to explore different areas of psychology. Use the time to take a variety of classes and speak with psychology professors. Get involved with research projects and get a feel for what you’re interested in.
Undergraduate Scholarships
Undergraduate students won’t find a large number of psychology scholarships. Students can increase their chances of finding scholarships by doing research.
The American Psychological Association awards the Division 53 Achievement Award. This scholarship awards one undergraduate student. They must conduct research on child and adolescent psychology. The award amount is $1,000.
Another big organization to look into is Psi Chi. Psi Chi is an International Honor Society of Psychology Students. They award scholarships and grants to undergraduate students. The Psi Chi Undergraduate Scholarships award eight students with a $3,000 scholarship. They also award research awards and grants.
Here are some other scholarships to apply for:
The University of Minnesota awards the Mortensen Scholarship to students majoring in psychology. The merit-based award is $1,000. Students must be in their sophomore or junior year of college.
NIH Undergraduate Scholarship Program
The NIH awards up to $20,000 to undergraduate students. Applicants must show financial need. They also must have an interest in social science research. Psychology majors can apply.
Behavioral Health Academic Scholarship Program
American Addiction Centers awards three scholarships through this scholarship program. Undergraduate students interested in working in behavioral health and addiction may apply. They must study in a degree program that will lead to a career related to this. Applicants must have at least a 3.2 GPA. They must submit a personal statement.
Franklin D. Boyce Scholarship.
The John Randolph Foundation awards this scholarship. Applicants must be undergraduate students majoring in a health-related field. They must show financial need and have at least a 2.5 GPA. The award amount is $2,500.
Social Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Scholarship
Learn.org awards a $500 scholarship to undergraduate students. They must be majoring in the social sciences field, including psychology. Applicants must be full-time students. The application is very simple and requires one short personal statement.
Gallagher Health Careers Scholarship Program
The Gallagher Health Careers Scholarship awards undergraduate students. They must be entering their junior and senior year. Applicants should show an interest in a healthcare career. They also must show financial need and academic excellence.
Future Counselors of America Scholarship
The Future Counselors of America Scholarship awards $1,000 to undergraduates and graduates. Applicants must be majoring in psychology. They must show an interest in relationship counseling. They must have a minimum 3.5 GPA. They need to write a personal statement on the “Psychology of Online Dating.”
Graduate Scholarships
Pursuing a doctoral degree in psychology is a big commitment. You must take on the financial burden of 4-7 years of full-time tuition. Plus, you’ll have living expenses, and you might even have a family to care for.
If you’re trying to reduce the debt you graduate with, scholarships are imperative. Lucky more scholarships are available for psychology students at this level. Here are some of the best places to look for scholarships.
American Psychological Foundation Graduate Student Scholarships
The American Psychological Foundation awards grants to students. The grants help students with research costs. Students need to complete one application to be eligible for all scholarships.
They currently award 21 graduate student scholarships to students doing research. Award amounts range from $2,000-$5,000.
Applicants must be in a master’s program or doctoral program. Students enrolled in a master’s program must intend to enroll in a Ph.D. program. Graduate departments of psychology nominate students.
American Psychological Association
The American Psychological Association is the largest scientific organization of psychologists. They award many scholarships to graduate students pursuing degrees in psychology. Scholarships range from $1,000-$20,000.
National Register Credentialing Scholarships
The National Register Credentialing Scholarships helps postdoctoral trainees and doctoral students. It covers the application fee cost of getting credentialed. Applicants must study in a doctoral psychology program. They also must be doing an internship or completing their postdoctoral supervised experience.
The National Association of Junior Auxiliaries Graduate Scholarship Program
The National Association of Junior Auxiliaries, Inc. (NAJA) awards graduate students working with children. Applicants must be pursuing graduate-level studies. They must be a resident of a state with a Junior Auxiliary Chapter
Stephanie Nicole Ross Foundation Graduate Scholarship
The foundation awards graduate students who are studying psychology, cognitive or behavioral science. Applicants must live in Florida. The scholarship amount is $1,500.
Services for Transition Age Youth (STAY) Fellowship
The STAY fellowship awards graduate students. Applicants must be training to provide mental health services to minority youth. Applicants must be of ethnic minority backgrounds. They must study full-time in a terminal master’s psychology program. They can win up to $6,000.
Melanie Foundation Scholarship
The Melanie Foundation Scholarship awards graduate students in the mental health field. Applicants must have evidence of extracurricular, volunteer, research, and/or career-related activities. The award amount is $2,500.
NASP-ERT Minority Scholarship Program
The National Association of School Psychologists awards this scholarship to minority students. Graduate students pursuing school psychology are eligible. They must study in a NASP-approved institution and have a minimum 3.0 GPA. The award amount is $5,000.
Navy Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP)
The U.S. Navy awards five scholarships to psychology graduate students. The scholarship covers full tuition. Applicants must be in their first year of an APA-accredited Ph.D. or PsyD program. They must be studying clinical or counseling psychology.
Dr. Hans and Clara Zimmerman Foundation Health Scholarships
The Hawaii Community Foundation awards this scholarship to graduate students. They must be pursuing a health field, including psychology. Applicants must be residents of Hawaii and have financial need. They must have a minimum 3.0 GPA.
Health Professions Scholarship Program
The U.S Army awards scholarships to graduate students. They must pursue clinical or counseling psychology. Scholarship recipients receive full tuition and a monthly stipend of $2,000. Applicants must qualify as a commissioned officer.
Tips For Finding Scholarships
- Start looking for scholarships early. The earlier you look, the better your chances will be to find scholarships. Contact psychology departments at colleges to find out about scholarship opportunities.
- Choose a specialization for graduate school. If you aren’t sure what you want to focus on, do some research. Take a variety of courses in your undergraduate years to see what you’re interested in.
- Pay attention to scholarship eligibility requirements. Scholarships for graduate students are very particular. Don’t apply for scholarships if you aren’t eligible.
- Get organized. Create an excel chart with potential scholarships. Add important information like deadlines and scholarship requirements.
- File the FAFSA. Make sure to do this before you start applying for psychology scholarships. The FAFSA determines your eligibility for financial aid and federal loans.
- Apply for the NHSC Loan Repayment Program after you finish your undergraduate degree. The program helps clinicians in the mental and behavioral health fields. They must practice at an approved NHSC site in a high need or underserved area.
Final Thoughts
Becoming a psychologist is a long and expensive road. Scholarships help relieve students of the high costs involved with getting a degree.
Undergraduate students and graduate students can find psychology scholarships. Undergraduate students can apply for general scholarships that award students majoring in healthcare. Graduate students can win scholarships for the research they do.
If you want to pursue a bachelor’s degree or higher, in psychology, prepare early on. Get involved with research, keep your grades up, and stay organized.
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