Best Graduate School Scholarships to Apply to

Any parent would be proud to have a graduate school scholar in the family. It's a mark of your persistence and intelligence, and better yet, significantly raises your base salary and job prospects. Even so, it can be a daunting task both in terms of academic rigor and finances— grad school isn't easy, or free.

Unlike an undergraduate degree, graduate school and doctoral programs come with their own set of unique costs, like application fees, interview prep, and other enrollment expenses. Compared to your undergrad degree, graduate school is a different beast altogether. The application process is grueling, and so are the classes if you're lucky enough to get into the grad program of your choice.

It's common practice for an aspiring graduate student to take a gap year. This can be for a variety of reasons: medical school students, for example, often use this time to gain clinical experience. In general, work experience in the field you intend to study will make you a more competitive applicant when you're ready to take the plunge and apply for graduate school.

A gap year can also give you time to stock up a budget for your tuition. By taking the time to earn some money first, you can shift your attention to studying and paying attention in class after you enroll. Many students continue part-time work after being accepted to graduate school, but building up a nest egg is a good way to plan ahead regardless.

Another way to save up is through scholarships—Bold.org offers plenty of options for grad students seeking financial support. Our scholarships stand out because they are real opportunities created by real donors who want to make a difference in students' lives.

We’ve compiled a list of these scholarships for both graduate students and postgraduate learners. Whether you’re looking to ease tuition costs or need a little extra for books, keep reading to find the right scholarship to support your graduate education!

Sign up for a free Bold.org profile today to help reduce the costs of furthering your education!

The Best Scholarships for Graduate School Students

For graduate students wanting to pursue a graduate degree, there are plenty of scholarship opportunities that can help them achieve higher education without having to worry too much about finances or being able to afford it.

Merit Based Scholarships for Graduate Students

Students with high test scores or GPAs can apply for these merit-based scholarships. Be sure to read the requirements as different scholarships may have different GPA cutoffs, or may ask for documents like transcripts and academic projects.

Minorities Scholarships for Graduate Students

Students of color seeking a master's or other higher degree may apply to these financial aid opportunities. As scholarships for minorities have more specific requirements for who can apply, eligible candidates may face less competition.

Medical Scholarships for Graduate Students

Medical School Scholarships

Medical Assistant Scholarships

Nursing Scholarships

Medicine is one of the most popular fields in which students seek a higher degree. There are several paths students can take when it comes to the medical field: technicians, surgeons, medical assistants, and nurses are all viable options, and there are different scholarships depending on your occupation goals.

Law School Scholarships for Graduate Students

Pre-law is another popular undergraduate track that naturally leads students to graduate school. Check out these exclusive scholarships if you're inclined to working in a legal field.

Different Forms of Financial Aid for Graduate Students

Paying for graduate school can add a lot of stress to an already busy life. Balancing school, work, and family is challenging enough without the added financial strain of grad school tuition on top of your undergrad expenses. Luckily, there are scholarships specifically designed to help with these costs.

Graduate school scholarships can help cover tuition fees and even assist with federal student loans, easing the financial burden and letting you focus more on your studies. These scholarships can come from a variety of sources, including universities, private organizations, government agencies, and professional associations. They can be merit-based, need-based, or awarded based on specific criteria such as field of study, demographic factors, or research interests.

Undergraduate students interested in graduate school programs like law school or med school should explore funding opportunities and application resources to achieve their academic goals. Apply today!

Graduate programs are pretty different from undergraduate programs, and there are different types of degrees you can earn depending on the school, department, or program you get accepted into. Earning scholarships is a great way to offset the cost of tuition and other expenses, but there are many types of scholarships that are exclusive to graduate students, which should help your chances. 

Fellowships and Grants 

Fellowships and grants are financial awards you’re more likely to find at the graduate level. Grants usually depend on your financial need and can come from federal, state, or private sources. Fellowships, on the other hand, are often awarded based on your potential and are meant to support your research or career goals.

Teaching Assistantships

Teaching assistantships offer financial support by requiring students to take on teaching responsibilities or assist professors with their courses. In addition to a stipend, these positions often come with tuition coverage, making them a valuable option for funding your education. Teaching assistants may lead discussion sections, grade assignments, or provide support during lectures, gaining valuable experience in teaching and academia.

Graduate Assistantships

Graduate assistantships provide financial aid in exchange for work that supports research, administrative tasks, or other functions within the academic department. These roles often include a stipend and may also offer tuition remission. Responsibilities can vary widely, from conducting research and managing data to assisting with departmental activities or student services. This type of assistantship allows you to gain hands-on experience relevant to your field while receiving financial assistance.

Federal Student Aid

Graduate students interested in federal student aid can explore various options to help fund their graduate degree programs. The Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant is a valuable Federal Student Aid program designed for graduate students pursuing a career in education. It provides financial support to those committed to teaching in high-need fields and low-income schools. To qualify, you must meet specific eligibility criteria, including agreeing to teach in a designated shortage area for a specified period after graduation.

Academic Merit-Based

These scholarships are all about your academic achievements. They might consider your GPA, standardized test scores (like the MCAT or LSAT), or other academic accomplishments. Some schools offer these scholarships as part of their admissions process, while others might require separate applications. If you’re awarded a merit-based scholarship, you might need to maintain a certain GPA to keep receiving the funds each year.

Athletic

If you’re a standout athlete, you might be able to snag an athletic scholarship, although these are rarer for grad students. Coaches might scout you during your sport’s season and offer scholarships based on your performance. The NCAA has a postgraduate scholarship program, so it’s worth checking out if you’re involved in sports.

Identity-based

These scholarships are aimed at supporting students from specific backgrounds or communities. They might be geared toward those who are part of marginalized groups or who share characteristics with individuals honored by the scholarship. These awards are intended to help create more opportunities for diverse student populations.

Department or Concentration-based

These scholarships are financial awards only available to students a specific department has accepted in their graduate school. These scholarships can be as broad as any STEM department or transparent and only open to those studying in neurology departments. 

How to Apply for Graduate School Scholarships

Locating Scholarships for your Graduate Degree

Looking for scholarships can be complex and lengthy, especially if you don’t know where to look. But, many resources are available to help students look for scholarships. 

Start with Online Resources

The internet is an excellent starting point for finding scholarships. Numerous websites specialize in listing and filtering scholarships based on various criteria, like Bold.org. These platforms allow you to search for scholarships tailored to your field of study, location, or personal background. You can also save scholarships that aren’t currently applicable but might be relevant in future semesters.

Consult Your Academic Network

Your academic advisor, department staff, and fellow students can be invaluable resources for discovering scholarships. They often have insights into lesser-known scholarships sponsored by your school or specific to your field. Advisors are especially useful as they are dedicated to your success and can guide you or refer you to other resources if needed.

Explore Local Opportunities

Don’t overlook local businesses and organizations, which may offer scholarships to students in their community. This is particularly useful if your college has a strong local presence. Community-based scholarships can be less competitive and more accessible.

Applying for Graduate Degree Scholarships

After you earn your undergraduate degree, or even during your undergrad studies, you can find and apply for scholarships to help pay for your graduate program. It's never too early to begin applying for graduate scholarships.

Generally, the application process for graduate school scholarships will consist of these steps:

1. Choose scholarships to apply for
2. Fill out a form with basic personal information
3. Attach documents, such as transcripts, if requested
4. Write a personal statement, if required

Read the criteria carefully for each scholarship to make sure you're eligible to apply. Otherwise, you won't be considered no matter how good your grades are or how compelling your essay is.

Certain scholarships may request specific documents in the application. These might be your transcripts, letters of recommendation, or a portfolio of some kind. Make sure to prepare these documents ahead of time to avoid missing the deadline.

Not all scholarships will ask for a personal statement. But for those that do, keep in mind the essay will be a deciding factor in whether you win or not. Be sure to take your time crafting a well-written response that directly relates to the prompt. The essay should help the donor understand who you are, what your goals are, and why you deserve to win this scholarship.

The essay is often the most difficult part of the scholarship application. Check out this article on how to write a personal statement for an in-depth guide on the scholarship essay!

Tips for Winning Graduate School Scholarships

Finding where to look for scholarships is just the first step; increasing your chances of winning requires strategic effort.

Consider applying for scholarships with smaller award amounts. While larger scholarships might seem appealing, they often attract a high volume of applicants, increasing competition. Smaller scholarships typically have fewer applicants, improving your chances. Accumulating several smaller awards can add up to a substantial amount over time, so don’t shy away from these opportunities.

Additionally, target scholarships with specific eligibility criteria. Scholarships tailored to niche fields or unique applicant profiles generally face less competition. For example, a scholarship exclusively for undergraduate art students specializing in realistic digital art will likely have fewer applicants compared to one open to all art students. By focusing on these more specialized scholarships, you can further improve your odds of success.

Most importantly, apply to as many scholarships as you can. this will increase your odds of winning across the board, as many scholarships are highly competitive. It's free money, after all—you won't be the only one trying to win.

Additional Resources for Graduate Students

National Science Foundation

The U.S. National Science Foundation offers fellowships, internships, postdoc application resources, and grants to graduate students. Each type of opportunity is dependent on your experience level and field of study, so make sure to look for grants or fellowships that match your academic interests.

Grad Resources

Grad Resources is an online platform that connects grad students with mentors, coaches, and interpersonal support. They organize lists of free resources to help with anything from mental stress to dissertation critiques, and can be a good starting point for grad students looking to get extra help in multiple areas.

American Historical Association

The American Historical Association provides free academic papers, research, and other guides for grad students on navigating higher education. Aside from purely academic resources, they also have outlines and plans for how grad students can successfully run dissertation lightning rounds, career fairs, and other events.

Frequently Asked Questions About Graduate School Scholarships

How many grad school scholarships can you get?

There is no limit to the number of scholarships you can get as a graduate student, so you don’t have to limit yourself when applying. Graduate students enrolled in grad school can accept any number of graduate school scholarships to pursue their graduate degree.

Are grad school scholarships taxable income?

Generally, no, grad school scholarships are not considered taxable income. However, this is only true if you are enrolled at an eligible college, in a program, and are using the funds for school-related expenses. These expenses include but are not limited to tuition, textbooks, parking fees, and lab fees.

If it is found out that you have used scholarship funds for expenses unrelated to your degree or college expenses, then these funds may be considered taxable income. Check the description and other fine print of the scholarships you apply for to see if there is a requirement for how the awarded funds are used.

What’s the best way to apply for graduate school scholarships?

The easiest way to apply for graduate school scholarships is through an online scholarship platform like Bold.org. This scholarship platform allows students to access hundreds of unique scholarships. It'll also be easier to keep track of your applications and deadlines as they'll all be in one place.

Start applying to graduate school scholarships now and sign up for a free Bold.org profile today!