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Grants and Scholarships for Grad School

If you want to attend graduate school or are interested in getting a graduate degree or PhD in your field, you may be able to finance your education with the help a graduate school scholarship. Graduate and PhD grants are awarded to students who have demonstrated academic excellence and shown that they are committed to furthering their education. They typically cover the costs of tuition, research materials and other college-related expenses, and may be granted based on financial need or merit. If you want to find scholarships for graduate students, you will need to work with your college advisor and do some research online.

Getting Graduate Degree Scholarships

When you are planning to attend graduate school to get a Master's Degree or a PhD, you may be eligible to receive scholarships and grants to pay for the costs of your education. Thousands of scholarships are awarded by individual colleges, universities, corporations and private entities over the year.

Many colleges offer their own set of scholarships and grants for graduate degree-seeking students. The college or university that you completed your undergraduate studies from may offer tuition discounts for those pursuing graduate studies, as well as traditional grants, scholarships and fellowship opportunities. Some schools also offer free graduate-level classes to students who have failed to find a job within six months of their graduating year.

Some graduate students are able to find career-specific scholarships. Students who are enrolled in programs in healthcare, business, law, journalism and other fields may be able to apply for a career-specific scholarship.

Look to local organizations and community groups for information about scholarships. Many local and regional professional organizations offer opportunities for students who are interested in furthering their education beyond their undergraduate degree. Organizations such as honor's society's, professional associations and community leadership organizations offer several types of scholarships and grants based on scholastic achievement, community service and in some cases, financial need.

Information about Graduate School Grants

If you are interested in attending graduate school to achieve a master's degree, PhD, graduate certificate or other type of degree, you may be eligible for a grant. Graduate grant programs are typically offered by colleges and universities, and privately-held entities to support the student throughout their educational career. Some graduate grant programs are awarded only to students, while others are extended to non-traditional students. If you are a working adult and need financial assistance, you may be eligible.

Types of Graduate Degree Scholarships

When you begin searching for grants, you'll find that there are dozens of scholarship opportunities available from the federal government, non-profit organizations, corporate foundations and private entities. Some of the most readily available sources of funding for graduate and PhD students include scholarships from the:

  • Federal Cyber Service
  • National Health Service Corps Scholarships
  • EPA STAR Graduate Education Fellowships
  • Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation
  • Bureau of Health Professions Student Assistance Scholarships
  • Ford Foundation Dissertation Fellowships
  • American Association of University Women
  • Osher Foundation Scholars and Fellows Scholarship Program
  • Paul and Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans
  • GEM Fellowships
  • Spencer Foundation Dissertation Fellowship Program Grants
  • Fulbright Fellowships

Getting a PhD Scholarship and PhD Grants

The application process for getting doctoral scholarships and grants is usually much more competitive than the application process for graduate degree scholarships and grants. Getting a PhD degree is a very prestigious accomplishment and requires academic excellence and perseverance. Only those students who can prove that they are committed to a lifelong career in learning and research in their field, and those that have a very strong track record receive these types of scholarships.

Many university graduate schools offer fellowships alongside their PhD scholarship and PhD grants. These allow students to gain hands-on experience and advanced skills in their field of study, and being employed as a teacher's assistant or intern can pay for a portion of the tuition. Most PhD scholarship opportunities are awarded to students who are pursuing an educational career in a very concentrated area of academics and for high-level research opportunities.

If you are a woman or part of a minority group, you may also be eligible to receive a PhD scholarship or PhD grants from organizations such as the:

  • Hispanic Scholarship Fund
  • Association for Women in Science
  • Society for Women Engineers
  • Pharmaceutical Companies
  • United Negro College Fund

 

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