Access Exclusive Scholarships by Major

Learn More About Scholarships by Major

Major-specific scholarships refer to scholarships open only to students studying specific topics. In other words, not only is there federal and state funding available to students pursuing degree-specific financial aid, but there are also many scholarships available for individual college majors, funded by colleges and other scholarship providers.

So, whether you’re a biology student, a music major, a math major, or any other particular major, there are sure to be scholarships that can provide you with financial aid.

For students looking to apply to these major-specific scholarships, there are a variety of scholarship funds to choose from, and the requirements vary greatly, so be sure to thoroughly read the directions for the scholarship application process.

Often, scholarships by major will ask applicants to be high school students, undergraduate students, or graduate students and to demonstrate their interest in the major and share their passion. As you go through the scholarship application process to find a source for your college funding, keep these questions in mind and think about what makes you passionate about your college major.

Top Major-Specific Scholarship Opportunities

Scholarships for Nursing Majors

Nursing is an incredibly important medical profession, and it is the second most popular major in the United States. Becoming a nurse does not require receiving a graduate degree; however, the average student loan debt for nurses is still over $20,000. Nursing scholarships provide financial aid to those with a passion for and desire to pursue nursing and/or healthcare.

Scholarships for Law Students

Law school is an important stepping stone for students pursuing careers as lawyers, but it can pose an incredible financial burden. In fact, not only do over 70% of law students graduate with debt, but students borrow an average of $118,400 in loans to afford law school. This financial obstacle can delay marriage, purchasing property, and more. In order to overcome this obstacle, law school scholarships offer financial aid to undergraduate and graduate students pursuing law.

Scholarships for Medical Students

In recent years, the competition and the cost of medical school have grown astronomically. In fact, over the last few decades, tuition rates for medical school have increased disproportionately in relation to the rate of inflation. More college students are planning to pursue degrees in medicine, so even more students are incurring greater debt to fund their education. Scholarships for medical students aim to alleviate that debt for both undergraduate and graduate students pursuing medicine.

Art Scholarships

Art scholarships can be incredibly useful to students pursuing degrees in the arts. While art degrees are equally as expensive as other degrees, they do not often lead to jobs with high starting salaries. This can make paying back student loans a major obstacle in art students' lives and can impede them from pursuing their passions after graduation. Art scholarships exist to fund the academic journey of creatives and to help alleviate the obstacle of higher education tuition.

Scholarships for MBAs

Business is the most popular major in the United States, and there is no shortage of financial aid opportunities for business majors. However, pursuing an MBA can pose an even greater financial burden, so it is important to find sources to fund your pursuit of a master's degree. Tuition for an MBA can be incredibly expensive, even going as high as $70,000 or more, so scholarships can be an important source of financial aid for MBA students.

STEM Scholarships

STEM includes a wide range of subjects under the umbrella of science, technology, engineering, and/or mathematics. Over 20% of student are pursuing degrees in STEM subjects, and the global need for people with expertise in these subjects is only growing. Although these particular majors tend to lead to higher starting salaries, many STEM students still rely on financial aid to help them afford higher education. In order to alleviate some of this struggle, STEM scholarships are geared specifically toward STEM students.

Aviation Scholarships

Aviation scholarships offer aspiring pilots, engineers, and aviation professionals the financial support needed to soar in their careers. These scholarships cater to students pursuing degrees in aviation-related fields, covering expenses from flight training and tuition to research in aerospace technology. These scholarships are offered by a variety of sources, including aviation organizations, colleges, universities with aviation programs, industry groups, and right here at Bold.org.

Scholarships for Future Teachers

Due to the extensive cost of higher education and the low salaries for teachers, students pursuing degrees in education may have lasting student debt. In fact, nearly half of educators have to take out student loans for their college funding, and as a profession, educators owe an average of $58,700. Furthermore, younger educators and minority students are also disproportionately affected, generally incurring even more debt as the cost of tuition steadily rises. Fortunately, these scholarship opportunities exist to help alleviate the cost of college for all college students pursuing educational degrees and/or professions.

Scholarships for Music Majors

For many college students majoring in music, taking out student loans and struggling to pay off debt may feel inevitable. Not only can this increased debt make it difficult for musicians to pursue their passions, but the high costs associated with actually being a musician can also make pursuing a career in music difficult. This poses a major obstacle for any undergraduate or graduate student whose college major is music and also creates a pattern in the music industry where only the most privileged are able to achieve success. Music scholarships hope to provide financial aid to both undergraduate and graduate students majoring in music to help combat this crisis.

Scholarships for Engineering Majors

Engineering is a wide discipline with many different strains within it. With all the different types of engineering, it is a popular major, and the demand for people with engineering degrees has steadily been increasing. Engineering scholarships seek to help fund engineering degrees in order to fulfill the growing demand for engineers and innovators.

Computer Science Scholarships

Computer science is one of the fastest-growing fields within the STEM sector, and there is a major demand for employees with computer science degrees. In fact, recent statistics have shown that while 67% of new STEM jobs are in computer science, only 11% of STEM students study computer science. The sheer volume of job opportunities makes it no surprise that computer science is such a popular major, as the number of computer science degrees awarded has increased by over 75% since 2009. These scholarships are for students interested in pursuing computer science, from high school seniors to new graduates.

Scholarships for Psychology Majors

In the last decade, there has been a 13% increase in mental health conditions and substance abuse disorders. Oftentimes, in order to combat this growing issue, many students pursue psychology degrees. Psychology majors may apply their education to any number of fields, and over 40% of those with a bachelor's degree in psychology pursue graduate degrees. In order to afford the costly tuition of higher education, many psychology majors may look into the scholarship application process as a source of financial aid. These scholarships are specifically for anyone interested in pursuing psychology, including high school students, undergraduate students, and graduate students.

Average Student Debt by Major

The student debt epidemic is rapidly increasing in size. According to a study conducted by the National Endowment for Financial Education, individuals with bachelor’s and graduate degrees experience the greatest exposure to student debt. They concluded by the age of 25, 85 percent of individuals with any type of degree carry debt, and this proportion stays consistent through age 30.

The following is a list of average student debt by major according to the Education Data Initiative. Please note that this list is not exhaustive and represents only a selection of majors.

Bachelor’s Degree Debt by Major

• Education (general): $28,001
• Accounting: $24,086 
• Biology: $23,747 
• Journalism: $23,427
• Psychology: $23,292
• Chemistry: $22,764
• Nursing: $22,592
• Computer Science: $22,283
• Political Science: $22,045 
• Economics: $19,849

Master’s Degree Debt by Major

• Philosophy: $54,260
• Statistics: $53,174
• Sociology: $46,871
• Literature $42,826
• Public Administration: $ 42,154
• History: $40,948
• Anthropology: $40,428
• Marketing: $35,738
• Accounting: $28,212
• Mechanical Engineering: $26,775

Scholarship Interest by Major

There are lots of factors that can influence your interest in scholarships, and your major is definitely one of them. Different fields can lead to jobs with varying salaries, and some majors might require more education beyond your undergrad degree. Here are the top ten majors among Bold.org users who are most interested in applying for scholarships:

1. Psychology
2. Business
3. Marketing
4. Registered Nursing
5. Nursing Administration
6. Computer Science
7. Education
8. Biology
9. Medicine
10. Sports

States with the Highest Scholarship Interest

It's interesting how geography can influence your decision to apply for scholarships. For example, if you're from a state with fewer universities and are applying to out-of-state schools, you're probably more likely to seek scholarships to help cover the higher costs. Here are the top ten states where Bold.org users are most eager to apply for scholarships:

1. Texas
2. California
3. Florida
4. New York
5. Pennsylvania
6. Illinois
7. Georgia
8. Ohio
9. North Carolina
10. New Jersey

Scholarship Winners by Major

Several factors can affect which majors end up winning scholarships. For instance, the sheer number of scholarships available for a specific major can make a big difference. Plus, if a major typically leads to a high starting salary, you might see more students from that field applying for scholarships to help cover their costs. Based on what we’ve seen from Bold.org users, here are the majors that win scholarships most often:

1. Nursing
2. Psychology (general)
3. Computer science
4. Marketing
5. Business
6. Education
7. Political Science and Government
8. Fine and Studio Arts
9. Music
10. Social Work

Scholarship Application Process by Major

The scholarship application process can differ significantly depending on the major. Often, scholarships specific to a major will ask you to submit materials that reflect your passion or experience in that field. For example, a writing scholarship might ask for a short story or poem, while a film major scholarship could require a short film or video submission.

Many scholarships specify a particular school year or grade point average, and essays are a frequent tool for evaluating applicants. No matter what, always carefully read the requirements of a scholarship before applying. Here are some common requirements for various scholarships by major:

Nursing

Like many of the other scholarships by major, nursing scholarships often require essays from applicants. The essay questions generally relate to the applicant's passion for nursing and how they plan to use nursing to help others in the future. Bold.org's list of nursing scholarships includes a variety of both essay and non-essay scholarships to apply for.

Law

Law is a discipline that requires strong reading and writing skills. Consequently, it is no surprise that law scholarships often ask for essays from their applicants. These essays can range from very personal topics to more major-related topics, generally connected to law or legal studies.

Medicine

Medical school or medicine scholarships often have specific and varied application requirements. Some may request an essay detailing your passion for the medical field or your career aspirations. Others might require letters of recommendation from professors or healthcare professionals who can attest to your dedication and skills.

Art

Art scholarships are more likely to have a variety of different application requirements. Some art scholarships may request an essay, while others will ask for an art portfolio, which is a common requirement. Some art scholarships will be open to all types of artwork, while others may be specific to a medium like painting or photography. Be sure to read the requirements of an art scholarship carefully before applying.

Business

Receiving a degree in business can lead to any number of career paths, which can make business scholarships more varied in their scholarship application process. However, business scholarships are also fairly likely to require essays as part of the application. These essays will generally be about your business interests, your experiences with business, and your general passion for it.

STEM

STEM scholarships typically have diverse application requirements. Some may ask for an essay explaining your interest in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics and how you plan to contribute to the field. Others might require a project or research proposal showcasing your skills and innovative ideas.

Aviation

You might need to write an essay detailing your passion for aviation and your career aspirations. Some aviation scholarships may require a pilot’s license or proof of flight training hours to show your commitment and experience. 

Education

The scholarship application process for education majors often requires applicants to submit essays. A major part of teaching is communication and dedication, so scholarship providers seek to use essays to ensure that the winner of the scholarship is, in fact, the right choice.

Music

Applying for a music scholarship typically involves several key steps. An application may require personal details, academic records, and information about your musical background. Additionally, applicants often need to submit a portfolio showcasing their musical skills; this could include recordings of performances, compositions, or both.

Engineering

Although engineering is not a writing-heavy subject, it is not unusual for engineering scholarships to request essays. Many engineering scholarships can be geared toward students studying any type of engineering, but there is no shortage of scholarships for students studying specific types. Applying to a scholarship made for one field of engineering may increase your chances of winning as the applicant pool will likely be smaller.

Education Level Needed per Major

Nursing

A variety of education levels can be had in order to become a nurse. For instance, some schools offer accelerated bachelor's degrees that place you directly in a nursing program. Another option is to obtain a traditional bachelor's degree and then enter a graduate nursing program. You can also choose to go after an associate's degree in nursing. Regardless, anyone planning to become a registered nurse must pass the NCLEX-RN, the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses. Other types of nurses will also have to pass exams specific to their field.

Law

The most conventional pathway to becoming a lawyer is to first obtain a bachelor's degree, then pass the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT), attend a three-year law school and receive a Juris Doctor (J.D.), and then pass the Bar exam. However, in California, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington, aspiring lawyers can take the Bar exam without attending law school, given that they apprentice with a practicing attorney or judge. This option is fairly rare and can pose its own set of obstacles.

Medicine

The most common route students take to pursue medicine is to first complete a bachelor's degree and then go on to medical school, which is generally a four-year program. After medical school, new doctors must complete a residency, a program through which new doctors work in a hospital or an established medical practice in order to gain more experience. Finally, after completing a residency, new doctors must obtain a medical license.

Art

The education requirements for a career in art vary depending on the specific discipline. For instance, a bachelor's degree in fine arts (BFA) is often necessary for those pursuing careers in visual arts, such as painting, sculpture, or photography. Advanced degrees, such as a Master of Fine Arts (MFA), are often pursued by artists aiming for higher-level positions, academic roles, or specialized expertise in their craft. Practical experience, a strong portfolio, and networking within the art community are also crucial for success across all art disciplines.

Business

Pursuing a career in business can benefit greatly from a structured educational pathway. A bachelor's degree in business administration or a related field is typically the foundational requirement, providing essential knowledge and skills in areas such as management, finance, marketing, and entrepreneurship. For those aiming for advanced career opportunities and leadership roles, obtaining a Master of Business Administration (MBA) is highly advantageous, as it makes you a more appealing candidate for jobs and allows you to meet and network.

STEM

A bachelor's degree in a STEM subject is enough qualification to land a job with a good salary. This level of education provides the foundational knowledge and skills needed for many entry-level positions. However, the demand for advanced degrees in STEM has been increasing. Pursuing a master's degree or Ph.D. can open doors to more specialized roles, higher-level research positions, and academic careers. For instance, engineers and scientists often pursue advanced degrees to engage in cutting-edge research or to take on leadership roles. 

Aviation

Typically, becoming a pilot requires specialized training beyond a bachelor's degree. Prospective pilots need to attend an aviation school to obtain their pilot's license, which involves both ground school and flight training. For those interested in other aviation careers, such as air traffic control or aerospace engineering, relevant bachelor's degrees and certifications are necessary. Advanced degrees may be required for higher-level positions.

Education

There are various paths to becoming a teacher, and it is important to research the best option for you; however, there are some general requirements. For instance, all states require a minimum of a bachelor's degree in education to become a teacher, and some states require that teachers obtain a master's degree as well, generally within five years of receiving the bachelor's degree.

Music

A career in music can be pursued through various educational pathways. While formal education is not always necessary, many musicians choose to obtain a bachelor's degree in music to develop their skills and knowledge. Advanced degrees, such as a master's or a doctorate in music, can open up additional career opportunities, such as teaching at the college level or working in specialized areas of music performance and research. Practical experience, auditions, and building a professional network are also critical components of a successful music career.

Engineering

Earning a master's degree in engineering is not necessary to become a successful engineer. However, earning a master's degree can still be useful. Not only will pursuing a master's degree increase your expertise and make you a more appealing job candidate, but engineers with a master's degree make a salary that is, on average, thousands more than that of an engineer without a master's degree, and many jobs look for engineering master's degrees to fill higher positions.