Graduate School Scholarships

Have you recently finished your undergraduate degree and are looking to continue your studies? Maybe you’ve been in the workforce for a few years and have decided to go back to school. After financing your undergraduate degree, graduate school payments can be difficult. In this guide we will discuss the different kinds of scholarships available. These depend on what you want to study and at what level, your background, location and more. There are many scholarships available so it’s important to be able to narrow down your search as much as possible.

Scholarships for Master’s Degrees

Studying for a master’s degree after undergraduate studies is becoming more and more popular today. Many professions require a master’s in order to advance in the workplace. Just like for undergraduate degrees, there are many scholarships available for graduate studies. Many master degree scholarships are available according to field, location and more. We will break down the different fields and ways to find master’s degree scholarships later in this article.

Scholarships for PHD/Doctoral Students

If you’ve arrived at the point that you are applying for PhD studies, you clearly know the ins and outs of being a student. If you’re a PhD student, you are most likely very busy. You have your studies, dissertation and more which won’t leave you time to work. The first place to look when hoping to fund your PhD is to the institution you plan to be studying at. Many places provide scholarships and stipends for their own students. Many times this includes being a teacher’s assistant or teaching different classes.

Postdoctoral Scholarships

If you’ve completed your doctoral studies, you may be interested in continuing onto a postdoc. This is typically time that you work on academic research. You can find scholarships and fellowships for postdoctoral research through organizations and universities.

We’ll get into more details about different types of scholarships for different students later in this guide.

Do Graduate Students Qualify For Grants?

The simple answer is: yes! For many students the ability to receive grants for their graduate degree is essential. Without these grants, they can’t make the decision to continue their studies. What are grants? They provide you with money (similar to scholarships) that can be used for your studies. You do not need to pay the money back like with a loan. Many times, grants are given based on need. This means that you will receive the grant if your financial situation warrants it. Grants are not given based on your grades or previous achievements.

In addition to grants, you may be eligible for federal loans. This money is a loan and must be paid back during or usually after your studies.

Grants (and other scholarships) often focus on particular fields of study, for example health care. Additionally, there are grants available for certain groups of the population such as minorities or women. If you’re an army veteran, you can also look for grants available to you.

Focusing on groups you belong to and subjects is a good way to find relevant scholarships and grants for your studies. We will break this down according to groups of people, field of study, location and more.

Graduate School Scholarships for Groups of People

In this section we will discuss applying for and receiving scholarships for certain groups of people. You may be eligible for a scholarship just for being who you are. That could mean being a woman, belonging to a certain ethnicity or religion, or identifying with a particular group of people.

Scholarships for Female Graduate Students

Various scholarships are available today for female students looking to get advanced degrees. One type of scholarship available for women today is in fields that are typically male-dominated. In order to encourage females to join these fields, various companies and institutions will fund their studies. This often includes sciences, business, etc..

Scholarships for women are also available in other fields. Many organizations and institutions exist to encourage women to continue their education. If you’re looking to study education, social work, nursing and you’re a woman, make sure to look for relevant scholarships for you!

Scholarships for African American Graduate Students

There are many scholarships available for African American graduate students. Some are specifically for females but many are available for men as well.

These scholarships for African American students are meant to encourage graduate studies. Many organizations want to encourage African American students to continue onto advanced studies. Some scholarships may focus on a certain field like science, political science or healthcare. The goal of many of these scholarships is to create a more diverse and equitable society. Having more minority students in advanced degree programs is a good first step. Many of the same types of scholarships for African Americans are also for other minorities. These include Hispanics and Native Americans.

Scholarships for Disabled Graduate Students

Being disabled can be challenging and even more so when you’re a student. In addition to your medical bills, treatments and equipment you’ll now have to pay for school. Luckily, there are many scholarships available for students with disabilities.

Scholarships for students with disabilities are often given depending on the type of disability. For example, there are scholarships available for students with wheelchairs and also for the blind. Disabled war veterans and those with less common disabilities can also apply. It is also worthwhile to check with relevant nonprofits and organizations. Many times they have awards and money available to help fund students through graduate studies.

Scholarships for LGBTQ Graduate Students

Do you identify with the LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning) community? Looking to go to graduate school and need financing options? We’ve got good news for you. There are many scholarships available for LGBTQ students.

Being an LGBTQ student can come with many challenges. Many campuses have become more progressive and open in welcoming LGBTQ students on to campus. However, discrimination and harassment still exist. Many universities, colleges and organizations provide scholarships to help LGBTQ students.

Scholarships are available for LGBTQ students in a wide variety of fields. These include the arts, life and physical sciences, community and social sciences.

If you are a minority LGBTQ student there are certain scholarships available. Even more opportunities to receive funding are available if you plan on giving back to the LGBTQ community eventually.

In order to apply for these scholarships there are certain criteria. Often you will need to show that you are in treatment for your illness. You may also have to write an essay. If you are bipolar, this essay will often be related to being bipolar and your studies. You also may have to discuss the reasons for wanting to continue your education.

Graduate Scholarship By Location

There are many colleges and universities all over the world. Students often travel far and wide in order to go to the best program. This can present financial difficulties. In this section we will discuss scholarships for international students.

Graduate Scholarships for International Students in the U.S.

There are many types of scholarships for international students who want to study in the U.S. One type is government scholarships. These scholarships are for international graduate students and can often cover full tuition. They can also cover books, airfare, and more. Some government scholarships are also available for post-graduate studies and professional enrichment.

Many universities and colleges provide scholarships for international students. These scholarships may be merit-based (your grades in undergraduate studies). Others provide funding for partial or entire tuition and sometimes also travel. When applying to schools, make sure to check the international scholarships available at each one.

Graduate Scholarships for International Students in Canada

The number of scholarships for students who want to study in Canada is limited, but they do exist. Almost all of these scholarships are through the specific universities. If you’re an international student who wants to study in Canada, speak to the institution. They should be able to guide you in applying and receiving the best scholarships available.

Graduate Scholarships by Discipline

One of the most popular and successful ways to get scholarships is by discipline. In each field there are often multiple types of scholarships. We recommend searching by the specific degree you want to receive. We’ll detail some of the most popular below.

Scholarships for Graduate Nursing Students

Being a nurse is a wonderful and important career. Unfortunately, schooling can be very expensive. Some scholarships are merit based while others are random. There are many national scholarships available in this field. The awards can be as high as $10,000. Once you’re accepted to nursing school, make sure to look for these scholarships.

Scholarships for Graduate Students in Education

In order to become school administrator or take on a teacher leadership role, you often need a graduate degree. This may be an M.A., M.S., or M.Ed. You may also need to have completed an internship or teaching practicum. An advanced degree will definitely help you in the growing field of education. Scholarships are widely available to help you finance your advanced degree. Some scholarships are based on a specific field of teaching such as health or science. Other scholarships are aimed at those without a teaching background who want to join the field.

Scholarships for Graduate Students in Social Work

Being a social worker is a rewarding and important job. Financing your M.S.W. (Masters of Social Work) can be difficult. There are many resources available to help in this situation.

Scholarships for social work students are available from many places. First, you should look for scholarships through the schools you wish to attend. Second, you should look for organizations that provide scholarships for M.S.W. students. For example, the American Cancer Society has a social work scholarship as does the the American School Health Association.

Scholarships for Accounting Graduate Students

Looking to get your master’s in accounting? You’re already good at math so you know you’ll need a lot of money to finance your new degree. Most of these scholarships won’t cover the entire cost of tuition. However, they will help you to get started on funding your studies. Scholarships for accounting students often come from large companies and corporations. They are looking to invest in the next generation of accountants. Some of these scholarships may be local. Another good source may be professional organizations and government scholarships.

Grants and Scholarships for Graduate Students in Psychology

Psychology degrees can be highly rewarding, both financially and emotionally. Being a psychologist, or something related, is a competitive field. Those with higher-level degrees will often be more successful. You will also have a better chance of receiving a high-paying job. If you’ve decided to go for your graduate degree in psychology, you’ll certainly want to look for relevant scholarships.

Many organizations in the field provide scholarships for graduate studies for psychology students. These include the American Psychological Association and the National Science Foundation. These scholarships provide funding for tuition and sometimes for research in the field as well.

Final Thoughts on Graduate Scholarships

Making the decision to study for a graduate degree is a big step in advancing your career. Receiving your master’s or PhD can often increase your chances of getting a high paying job later on.

In this article, we’ve outlined some of the top ways to find scholarships available for graduate students. There is no shortage of available financial aid, in the form of scholarships, grants and loans. If you’re nervous about covering the costs of schooling, make sure to check out all of the resources available to you. Good luck!

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