Graduate School Scholarships: Your Essential Guide for 2021

There’s no doubt that obtaining a college education can open a world of possibilities and new opportunities, but what about going on to graduate school and getting an advanced degree? On average, around 69.7% of high school graduates enroll in a higher education program. Of that amount, 37% continue to obtain an advanced degree (such as a Master’s or a Doctorate degree). Finding scholarships for graduate students helps fund continuing education.

But is it worth it?

Having an advanced degree can make career goals more attainable and provide the skills needed to reach the next level. However, high tuition prices can make students wonder if continuing their education is worth the cost. The truth is that it isn’t always. Students should reflect on their career goals and what they hope to get from a graduate program to determine if it’s worth it or not.

Firstly, you should be clear on exactly why you are considering a graduate degree. Does it help you get closer to your career goals? Will it help you earn more money? Take the time to reflect on your goals and what you need to reach them.

Another point to consider is how long you plan to work in your field. Do you see it as a long-term option? In that case, a graduate-level degree might be worth it. Do you hate it and hope to leave as soon as possible? If so, it’s likely not worth pursuing an advanced degree, at least not in that field.

A third factor is how your salary will likely change as a result of your graduate degree. This information should be available on the websites of the colleges you are considering and is also usually easy to find with a quick Google search. In general, graduate-level degrees in the STEM fields tend to pay off the most in the end.

Lastly, consider whether your career goals involve field-related research. Many graduate students choose to continue their education for the chance of doing research and working with renowned professionals in their field.

Once you’ve decided to continue your education, you’ll need to decide how to pay for it. The price tag can be scary, but scholarships for graduate students can help.

Benefits of Scholarships & How to Apply

If you were offered free money, you would take it, right? That’s what makes scholarships such a great option for paying for grad school…they never need to be paid back! Plus, there are tons of different scholarships out there for all sorts of people.

The best place to start is Going Merry. How does it work? We match you with the scholarships you qualify for and then you can apply for those scholarships. You can find the full lowdown on the Going Merry platform here.

The next step is to speak with your college financial aid office. They’ll have plenty of info on local scholarships and awards that you qualify for.

For more information on paying for school, check out our comprehensive guide to financial aid and our step-by-step guide on applying for scholarships. Plus, here are tips on making your scholarship essays stand out, as well as some sample essays from past winners (including this grad student).

Here is our list of 29 scholarships for graduate students:

Note that this list is for mostly scholarships earmarked towards graduate students, but many generic outside scholarships are actually open to students from high school, college, or beyond. That’s why we encourage you to also check some scholarship search engines.

1. Rick Guggolz Memorial Scholarship

Provider: Association of Insurance Compliance Professionals

Amount: $1,500

Graduates and undergraduates may apply. The scholarship supports students with studies related to the field of Insurance, Actuarial Science, Economics, Finance, Management, Mathematics, Risk Management, Statistics, or a Business-related field.

2. Jonathan Lax Scholarship fund for Gay Men

Provider: Bread & Roses Community Fund

Amount: $5,000 or $10,000

Created in 1994 by the late entrepreneur and inventor Jonathan R. Lax for the purpose of encouraging gay men to obtain additional education. Tuition scholarships are awarded in amounts of $5,000 and $10,000 to gay men who live or study in the five-county Philadelphia region (Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties) and Camden County.

3. ASH Foundation’s Graduate Scholarship

Provider: American Speech-Language-Hearing Foundation

Amount: $5,000

For students enrolled in a graduate program in communication sciences and disorders. Up to 15 graduate scholarships will be awarded.

4. Support Creativity Scholarship

Provider: Support Creativity

Amount: $1,000

This graduate scholarship helps designers, animators, editors, photographers, artists, illustrators, and painters, who wish to develop their skills at higher education institutions in NY, NJ, CT, or PA.

5. Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowship

Provider: The Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans

Amount: $25,000 stipend and 50% of tuition

As a way to support immigrants and children of immigrants pursuing graduate school in the United States. There is no requirement specific to major of study, university, or

6. Overseas Press Club Foundation Scholarship

Provider: Overseas Press Club Foundation

Amount: $3,000 or funding for student’s overseas assignment

Graduates and undergraduates may apply. In supporting future foreign correspondents, the Overseas Press Club Foundation chooses 12 scholars to award a grant or cover travel expenses.

7. Hertz Foundation Graduate Fellowship

Provider: Hertz Foundation

Amount: Full tuition equivalent + $32,000 9-month personal stipend

The Hertz Foundation Graduate Fellowship aims to provide students with the necessary funding to conduct Ph.D. research. Students also receive the lifelong counseling and network of Hertz Community members. The university must be a participating school or students may petition for a different school to be permitted by the foundation. This award is renewable on an annual basis.

8. Violet and Cyril Franks Scholarship

Provider: American Psychological Foundation

Amount: $5,000

The scholarships was created with a focus on addressing mental illness. The APF Violet and Cyril Franks Scholarship supports graduate-level scholarly projects that use a psychological perspective to help understand and reduce stigma associated with mental illness.

9. Oncology Nursing Foundation Master’s Scholarship

Provider: Oncology Nursing Foundation and Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation

Amount: $5,000

Graduate students must be attending or applying to an NLN or CCNE accredited School of Nursing. Students may be currently licensed as a registered nurse, or posses a degree in another field.

10. Prospanica Foundation Scholarship

Provider: Prospanica Foundation

Amount: up to $5,000

Graduates and undergraduates may apply. The foundation supports individuals of Hispanic heritage pursuing higher education in an accredited university business school. Students must be a United States citizen, legal permanent resident, or DACA recipient. You do need to be a member, but luckily, the student memberships are discounted 50% during the scholarship period.

11. Davis-Putter Scholarship

Provider: Davis-Putter Scholarship Fund

Amount: $15,000

Graduates and undergraduates may apply. The scholarships helps students that are active in social and economic justice. The scholarship is even available to incarcerated student activist.

12. Residential Design Scholarship

Provider: Houzz

Amount: $2,500

Students studying interior design, architecture or landscape architecture, and inspiring to work in residential design professionally are encouraged to apply. Houzz also host other scholarships related to sustainable designs, women, and construction management.

13. Stephen K. Hall ACWA Water Law & Policy Scholarship

Provider: Association of California Water Agencies

Amount: $7,000

Graduate students pursuing a graduate degree in Water Law & Policy or Public Administration can apply for this generous scholarship. Students should have relevant career goals, be attending school full time, and demonstrate academic achievement.

14. Barbara A. Cooley Master’s Scholarship

Provider: SHAPE America

Amount: $1,000 and one-year SHAPE America student membership

Graduate students enrolled in health education programs may apply. Students interested in addressing current and future issues if health education are encouraged to apply.

15. Thomas J. Henry Leadership Scholarship Program (Summer 2020, Fall 2020)

Provider: Thomas J. Henry

Amount: $1,000

Students 18 and over (from high school to graduate school) may apply. Aspiring personal-injury lawyers are encouraged to apply. This scholarship is interested in students motivating others inside and outside the classroom.

Loving these scholarships, but need help applying for your government financial aid? We can help you fill out your FAFSA and state aid.

16. Akin Law Office Academic Scholarship

Provider: Akin Law Office

Amount: $2,500

Graduates and undergraduates may apply. This scholarship supports students pursuing law. Akin Law Office wants students to create a “Distracted Driving Family Plan” about proactively avoiding the chances of distracted driving.

17. Goldman Sachs MBA Fellowship

Provider: Goldman Sachs

Amount: $35,000 + Summer Internship Salary + $40,000 upon program completion

Goldman Sachs offers one of the most competitive scholarships for graduate students who are in their first year of pursuing an MBA. In order to qualify, students be either a woman or a woman or man of Black, Hispanic/Latino, or Native American ethnicity. Students in Atlanta, Boston, Calgary, Chicago, Dallas, Greenwich, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, Salt Lake City, San Francisco, Seattle, West Palm Beach, and Washington D.C. can apply.

18. “Inspire our Future” Teaching Scholarship

Provider: Teacher.org

Amount: $500

Teacher.org aims to inspire the next generation of teachers. This $500 award is available to both aspiring teachers and current teachers who hope to continue their education.

19. (ISC)² Graduate Scholarship

Provider: Center for Cyber Safety and Education

Amount: $5,000

This flexible scholarship for grad students was created to support students pursuing graduate degrees related to cyber security or information assurance. Students can be full-time or part-time students and attend school either online or on campus. U.S. citizenship is not required.

For more information, please visit the scholarship website.

20. AACC International Fellowship Program

Provider: AACC International

Amount: $3,000

For graduate students interested in grain-based food science and technology, this $3,000 scholarship provides money for graduate-level research. Candidates must be full-time students enrolled in a university conducting relevant research as well as current AACCI members.

21. Albert W. Dent Graduate Student Scholarship

Provider: American College of Healthcare Executives

Amount: $5,000

This scholarship for minority graduate students aims to help those enrolled in a healthcare management graduate program. Preference is given to Student Associates of the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE).

22. Foster G. McGaw Graduate Student Scholarship

Provider: American College of Healthcare Executives

Amount: $5,000

Another scholarship offered by the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE), this $5,000 award is for graduate students enrolled in a healthcare management program. Preference is given to Student Associates of the ACHE (American College of Healthcare Executives).

For more information, please visit the scholarship website.

23. AHLEF Graduate Scholarship

Provider: American Hotel & Lodging Educational Foundation

Amount: $5,000

Both full-time and part-time students are eligible for this $5,000 scholarship. Candidates should either be studying for a graduate degree in hospitality OR enrolled in any graduate program after completing a hospitality-related undergraduate degree or having four years of experience in the hospitality industry after undergraduate graduation.

24. Frederic G. Melcher Scholarship

Provider: American Library Association

Amount: $7,500

Students who are pursuing an MLS degree and are interested in working in children’s librarianship are eligible for these scholarships for graduate students. After graduation, recipients must commit to working with children for one year and become members of both the American Library Association (ALA) and the Association for Library Service to Children.

25. Eckenfelder Scholarship

Provider: Brown and Cadwell

Amount: $5,000

College juniors and seniors, as well as graduate students who are pursuing an environment-related career, can apply for this $5,000 scholarship. Students must have a declared major in civil, chemical, mechanical, electrical, or environmental engineering or one of the environmental sciences.

26. Edward C. Bryant Scholarship

Provider: American Statistical Association

Amount: $2,500

This grad school scholarship was created to support graduate students who excel in survey statistics. Students must have experience with survey statistics and demonstrate academic excellence during grad school.

27. Gertrude M. Fox Scholarship

Provider: American Statistical Association

Amount: $1,000

The Gertrude M. Fox scholarship is offered by the ASA Committee on Women in Statistics and the Caucus for Women in Statistics. It was established in 1989 in order to encourage women to pursue statistics-related professions.

28. Jack G. Shaheen Mass Communications Scholarship

Provider: American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee

Amount: $2,500

Arab-American students who are juniors, seniors, or graduate students can apply for this scholarship. Students must be majoring in journalism, television, radio, and/or film to be eligible.

Want more scholarships?

You might also be interested in our list of No Essay scholarships, or in applying for scholarship bundles (multiple scholarship applications with similar essays, bundled into one application).

We’ve got both of those available on Going Merry. Sign up to get matched with eligible scholarships and apply for funding.

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Shalon B

Shalon is a content writer for Going Merry. Our team personally vets every college scholarship listed on our website as your one-stop shop for scholarships. We’re not just one of the best scholarship search engines, but we’re also the only scholarship application platform–all offered to students for free.

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