Key Takeaways
- Graduate students can apply for scholarships in marine science, healthcare, and social justice, among others.
- Awards range from $1,000 to $15,000, depending on financial need and academic focus.
- Some scholarships are open to U.S. citizens, residents, or Canadian students.
- When you submit your FAFSA, you may qualify for other awards. It’s also possible that you may automatically receive a state-based grant.
- Scholarships come in many forms—from merit-based awards to those recognizing community involvement. Applying for scholarships tailored to your background can increase your chances of success.
Flickr user Monash University
Scholarships for Grad Students
Just because you’ve earned your bachelor’s degree doesn’t mean you’re out of scholarship opportunities. In fact, plenty of scholarships are designed specifically for students pursuing graduate degrees. Whether you’re enrolling in a master’s, PhD, or professional program, here are ten graduate school scholarships you can consider. Applying for them may help ease the cost of tuition.
1. BOREN GRADUATE FELLOWSHIP
Award Amount: Up to $30,000
Deadline: January
This fellowship is for U.S. graduate students who want to study languages and cultures that are important to national security. You must be enrolled in a master’s or doctoral program and plan to study abroad. The award can be up to $30,000, depending on your study plans.
The qualifications include:
- U.S citizenship
- Enrollment in a U.S. graduate program
- Study in an approved country (not including Western Europe, Canada, or Australia)
- Focus on learning a less commonly taught language
- Agree to work for the U.S. government one year after graduation
2. MARGARET COMERFORD FREDA GRADUATE NURSING SCHOLARSHIP AWARD
Award Amount: $10,000
Deadline: March
This scholarship supports registered nurses pursuing graduate degrees in maternal-child nursing. If you’re advancing your skills in the care of mothers and babies, this award can help reduce the cost of tuition.
Qualifications include:
- Be a current registered nurse
- Be enrolled in a graduate school or doctoral program in maternal-child nursing
- Have completed at least one academic term
The March of Dimes also offers an undergraduate nursing diversity scholarship.
3. ALBERT W. DENT AND FOSTER G. MCGAW GRADUATE STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS
Award Amount: $5,000
Deadline: March
Are you enrolled full-time in a healthcare management or administration program? You can apply for these graduate student scholarships to provide financial support that can help towards tuition and expenses.
To apply, students must meet these qualifications:
- U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or Canadian citizen
- Full-time enrollment in a qualifying graduate school program
- Expected graduation within specific dates
- Demonstrated financial need
Student associates of the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) are given preference. However, membership is not required. Students from diverse backgrounds are also encouraged to apply.
4. THE BEINECKE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
Award Amount: $35,000 ($5,000 before entering graduate school + $30,000 while attending graduate school)
Deadline: March
If you’re a college junior planning to go to grad school in the arts, humanities, or social sciences—and you’ve received need-based financial aid—this scholarship could be a great fit. Each school can nominate just one student, so it’s a competitive but rewarding opportunity.
You may qualify if you:
- Are a college junior at a U.S. school
- Are a U.S. citizen or U.S. national
- Have a strong academic record
- Received need-based financial aid (like Pell Grants)
- Plan to get a research-based master’s degree or PhD
- Can be nominated by your school
5. DAVIS-PUTTER SCHOLARSHIP FUND
Award Amount: Up to $15,000
Deadline: April 1
Passionate about social justice or community organizing? This scholarship supports students involved in social and economic change. Awards are based on both financial need and a demonstrated commitment to activism.
Qualifications for this scholarship include:
- Enrollment in a graduate, undergraduate, or trade/training program
- Active participation in progressive social change or community organizing
- Demonstrated financial need
6. AMERICAN INDIAN EDUCATION FUND
Award Amount: $500 to $2,000
Deadline: April
This scholarship is for American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian students. It is awarded to students pursuing a master’s, doctorate, or PhD. The award amount will be based on the number of credit hours the student is enrolled in, up to $2000 per school year.
To qualify, you must have:
- Proof of tribal enrollment for applicant or parent(s)
- Enrolled in 6 to 18 graduate-level credit hours
- A minimum GPA of 2.5
- Attendance at an accredited U.S. institution
7. AAUW DISSERTATION FELLOWSHIP
Award Amount: $25,000 stipend
Deadline: September
The American Association of University Women (AAUW) offers this fellowship to support women completing the final year of their doctoral dissertation. It’s designed to help cover expenses so students can focus fully on their writing and research. Fields like STEM or gender studies are especially encouraged, but students from all disciplines can apply.
To qualify, you must:
- Be a woman
- Be completing your first doctoral degree
- Have finished all your coursework and exams
- Be in your final year of dissertation writing
- Attend a U.S.-accredited or eligible international institution
8. PAUL AND DAISY SOROS FELLOWSHIPS FOR NEW AMERICANS
Award Amount: Up to $90,000
Deadline: October
The Paul and Daisy Soros Fellowships support immigrants and children of immigrants who are pursuing graduate or professional degrees in the United States. Each year, 30 fellows are chosen based on their creativity, drive, and contributions to American life. The fellowships offer generous funding, mentoring, and a supportive community of New American leaders from all fields.
Qualifications include:
- 30 years of age or younger (as of the deadline)
- U.S. immigrant or child of a U.S. immigrant
- Pursuing a full-time graduate degree at a U.S. institution
- Be in the application process or the first two years of your graduate program
- Be planning to start or continue graduate school in Fall 2026
- Meet specific eligibility criteria for immigration status
9. FULBRIGHT U.S. STUDENT PROGRAM
Award Amount: Varies by country but usually includes full tuition, travel, living stipend, and health benefits
Deadline: October
This prestigious program offers funding for graduate study, research, or English teaching assistantships in over 140 countries. It’s open to recent graduates, master’s and doctoral students, and young professionals. Whether you’re pursuing research in biology or teaching English in South Korea, Fulbright can give you the chance to build global connections and grow professionally.
You may meet the qualifications if you:
- Are a U.S. citizen
- Hold a bachelor’s degree before the program starts
- Have strong academic or professional experience related to your project
- Want to pursue research, graduate study, or English teaching abroad
- Can demonstrate cultural adaptability and leadership
10. NATIONAL GEM FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM
Award Amount:
- Employer Fellows: $16,000 stipend + full tuition + up to 2 paid internships
- University Fellows: Full tuition + fees
- Associate Fellows: Full tuition + fees + $8,000 minimum stipend per year for master’s student or $16,000 minimum stipend per year for PhD student
Deadline: November
The GEM Fellowship Program supports underrepresented students pursuing graduate degrees in engineering or science. Fellows receive full tuition support, paid internships, and a stipend. Plus, they get access to top universities and employers in STEM fields. GEM’s goal is to connect talented students with high-level industry and research centers.
To apply, you must:
- Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
- Be a senior or graduate student from an accredited engineering or computer science program
- Have a minimum GPA of 2.8
- Apply to at least 3 GEM universities
- Commit to two summer internships (for Employer Fellows)
GRE scores are encouraged but not required.
Finding Graduate Student Scholarships Just Got Easier
These are only ten of the many scholarship opportunities available for graduate students. Keep an eye out for other tuition assistance in the form of awards, scholarships, grants, and fellowships. They can help make your master’s or other graduate degree more affordable.
Finding awards dedicated to graduate students can sometimes be more difficult compared to those available for undergrads, but it’s not impossible. You simply need to know where to look. Scholarship databases can make all the difference—and we have one you can use for free. Explore scholarships with our FREE Scholarship Search tool today.
