The Best Biology Scholarships to Apply for in 2024

About Scholarships for Biology Majors

There are many financial aid resources available for students pursuing a biology major or related life science majors.

Graduating high school seniors, undergraduate students, and graduate students pursuing a biology degree can apply for biology scholarships to aid in financing their higher education pursuits.

There are also scholarships available for people pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering, and math (also known as a STEM degree), as opposed to a biology degree.

Though federal financial aid often does not cover the entirety of student college expenses, it's still important to apply for federal aid via FAFSA. Students should also visit their university's financial aid office for more information. Third-party scholarships, like those listed below, are a great way to make up the difference.

What Is a Biology Scholarship?

Biology scholarships are a form of financial aid available to students pursuing a degree in biological science.

These scholarships may be exclusive to biology majors, but there are also scholarships for biology minors and students studying other fields of science.

Biology scholarships are a helpful tool to support students pursuing a degree in the field.

Can You Get a Scholarship for Biology?

There are many scholarships that you can get for biology. These scholarships can provide financial support to students who want to advance their biology education.

There are scholarships for biology majors, biology minors, and students in related life science fields. Students studying biology may also qualify for other types of scholarships, such as those for students pursuing a STEM degree.

High school students (especially high school seniors), undergraduate students, and graduate students should apply for biology scholarships to help support their pursuit of higher education.

How to Apply for a Biology Scholarship

The exact application and eligibility requirements vary across biology scholarships, so it's important to look over the scholarship description before applying.

Scholarships generally require some type of submission to apply and may include additional materials like transcripts or work samples. Some biology scholarships require students to be pursuing a major or minor in biology, while some may just be biology-related in subject matter.

Additionally, some scholarships require a minimum GPA or submission of a transcript, so students should also be mindful that academic performance can be a factor in scholarships for biology major students.

Every scholarship is different and requires at least a little bit of time and effort, so always check the exact requirements of the biology scholarship for which you are applying to make sure you're eligible!

How to Get a Biology Scholarship

Always reference the application and eligibility requirements of the biology scholarships in which you are interested to make sure you are a good fit and improve your chances of success. Make sure to check before beginning your essay or application so that you don't waste any time on opportunities you don't qualify for.

There are scholarships specific to biology students who wish to enter a specific field, while there are others open to all students. Scholarships are typically awarded based on a writing sample or demonstration of interest. There are also biology scholarships that are only available to applicants who demonstrate financial need or who have a particular identity.

Narrow, specific scholarships will likely have smaller application pools than scholarships for biology majors or those for all STEM majors. The fewer eligible applicants there are, the more likely you'll be to win!

Since there's less competition for narrow scholarships, students should consider scholarships with many criteria, such as scholarships specifically for people with particular identities, financial and educational backgrounds, or fields of interest. There are also scholarships exclusively available to students who attend a particular college or university or who live in a certain state.

Though many biology scholarships are only awarded one time, there are also many opportunities that are awarded annually. Students can apply for these scholarships each year for additional chances to earn financial support.

Best Biology Scholarships

Bold.org is home to many biology scholarships for students seeking financial aid. These biology scholarships are great for students pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree in biology or related life sciences.

Biology Scholarships for High School Students

Students can begin applying for scholarships as early as 14 years old. High school students should begin applying for biology scholarships early to maximize the amount of aid they can apply for and potentially win.

1. Scholarships for High School Freshmen
2. Scholarships for High School Sophomores
3. Scholarships for High School Juniors
4. Scholarships for High School Seniors
5. Scholarships for High School Students

Biology scholarships for high school seniors

There are many biology scholarships for which high school seniors are eligible. High school students can get a head start on gaining financial aid by applying for scholarships during their senior year.

Check out these exclusive high school senior scholarships!

Biology Scholarships for College Students

There are scholarship opportunities for college students at different levels of education, including undergraduate and graduate school. It's never too late for students to start finding scholarship aid.

1. Undergraduate Scholarships
2. Scholarships for College Freshmen
3. Scholarships for College Sophomores
4. Scholarships for Community College
5. Scholarships for College Students

Biology Scholarships for Marginalized Students

Some scholarships require students to have certain identities, especially those who are underrepresented in the STEM field. Because of this, BIPOC/minority students, women, and first-generation or low-income students may be eligible for particular scholarships.

1. Scholarships for Minorities
2. Scholarships for Women
3. First-Generation Student Scholarships
4. Need-Based Scholarships
5. Native American Scholarships

Biology Programs

The National Institutes of Natural Sciences offers a program within the National Insitute for Basic Biology. It's a wonderful opportunity for students to enroll in either a five year doctoral program or a three year doctoral program. NIBB's research spans numerous disciplines within biology, including cell, developmental, neuro, evolutionary, environmental, and theoretical biology, aiming to uncover the fundamental mechanisms behind diverse biological phenomena.

The U.S. National Science Foundation offers funding opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students as well as researchers, educators, and entrepreneurs. The REU (Research Experiences for Undergraduates) program provides undergraduates with research opportunities funded by the NSF. It's a wonderful opportunity for students to explore.

The Furman Scholars Program offers a STEM scholarship for undergraduate students enrolled at Furman University. The Furman STEM Scholars program, supported by a $1,000,000 NSF grant to Furman University. Students can contact Furman University's financial aid office to learn more about this funding opportunity and its eligibility requirements.

How to Find Biology Scholarships

Students can find scholarships for biology by searching through our scholarship search tool or by browsing categories related to biology.

It can be helpful to consider your career goals; for example, students interested in using their biology major to study environmental science could browse the "Environment" category, while those who are interested in related healthcare disciplines may benefit from browsing the "Healthcare" or "Health and Wellness" sections.

All biology majors are eligible for scholarships in the "STEM" category, as biology falls under the umbrella of science, technology, engineering, and math.

Some colleges and universities offer writing scholarships for their students, so remember to check your school's financial aid office for more information.

When Can I Start Applying?

It's never too early to begin funding your higher education. Students over 14 years of age are eligible to begin applying for scholarship aid. High school students, especially high school juniors and seniors, should begin researching and applying for biology scholarships as soon as possible.

It's also never too late to apply for scholarships! College students — whether they are pursuing a bachelor's degree or a more advanced degree — can apply for biology scholarships throughout their college careers.

The sooner you begin researching scholarships for biology majors, the more you will be able to apply for; this will boost your chances of success!

How Do I Know if I'm Eligible for a Scholarship?

Eligibility requirements may vary depending on the biology scholarship. Always check the eligibility requirements of a scholarship before applying to make sure you are a good fit and are eligible to be considered.

Some biology scholarships require that students have a biology major or a major in a related life science field or at least a demonstrated interest in biology. Some scholarship programs award students based on academics and may require a minimum GPA or a transcript submission.

Additionally, other scholarships may be exclusively for students attending a specific college or university majoring in the life sciences.

Always check the specific eligibility requirements of a scholarship before applying.