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Top Scholarships for Graduate Students

Find a list of current scholarships for grad students. Discover the other methods students use to pay for graduate school and learn the difference between assistantships and fellowships.

Shawna Newman

November 15, 2022

Top Scholarships for Graduate Students
Even after securing a fellowship or assistantship, graduate students can still find a financial gap exists.
Many college graduate students secure fellowships or assistantships as a method of paying for their advanced degree. Grad students apply for an assistantship or fellowship at the program department level, or college level (for instance the College of Science and Technology at XYZ University). Both opportunities help students fund a graduate-level degree while providing practical field experience. Jump to Top Scholarships for Graduate Students

What is a graduate assistantship?

Like work-study programs, an assistantship provides money and/or tuition reimbursement to help grad students pay for college. However, a graduate assistantship program includes work tied directly to your graduate degree or area of interest. A graduate student working an assistantship will, in most cases, be working for the college or university they’re attending. Assistantships are considered part-time paid work.

What is a graduate fellowship?

A graduate student fellowship earns a stipend, or payment, and/or a tuition waiver as they work on a grad-level research project related to their field of study. Many grad students select a faculty member to work alongside on the assigned research project; this is often called their faculty adviser. Fellowship funding could be provided by private organizations or through universities. Even after securing a fellowship or assistantship, graduate students still find a financial gap exists as they plan to pay for their master's degree.

I’m a Graduate Student. Is it too late to apply for scholarships?

There are many scholarship opportunities for graduate students. A first-, second-, third- and even, fourth-year grad student has access to scholarships to help them pay for an advanced degree. Some colleges offer graduate school scholarships specific to graduate programs, too.

What’s the easiest scholarships grad students can apply for?

Between research, thesis proposals, lectures, and reading, students pursuing a master or doctorate degree are busy! Grad students are in survival mode. Yet these advanced-level college students are searching for ways to pay for graduate school so that funding their degree doesn't feel like a full-time job. Fastweb’s Featured Scholarships are some of the easiest scholarships grad students can apply for.
In addition to graduate fellowships and assistantships and/or student loans, there are other forms of financial aid available for grad students. Scholarships are a form of financial aid you’re not required to pay back!

Top scholarships for graduate students with upcoming deadlines

MLA Scholarship for Underrepresented Students

The MLA Scholarship for Underrepresented Students is available to students enrolled in a master's program at an American Library Association (ALA) - accredited library school. You must be pursuing a career in health sciences librarianship to be eligible for this award. Deadline: 11/15/22
Award Amount: $5,000

AECOM Scholarship

The AECOM Scholarship is available to graduate students who are pursuing an engineering degree in innovative solutions to improve drinking water in urban communities. Deadline: 12/20/22
Award Amount: $5,000

El Pomar Fellowship

The El Pomar Fellowship is available to graduates of four - year institutions who have a Colorado connection. You must demonstrate strong leadership potential and capabilities, a strong work ethic, the ability to work as a member of a team, and an interest in community development to be considered for this award. Deadline: 1/10/23
Award Amount: Varies

Wade Scholarship Program

The Wade Scholarship Program is open to Black / African - American graduate students. You must have a bachelor's degree in a STEM discipline from an accredited college or university in the United States or abroad. You must have been accepted to an engineering master's degree program at one of the top 30 graduate schools of engineering in the United States, or an HBCU with a graduate engineering program to be eligible for this award. Deadline: 1/13/23
Award Amount: Full-Tuition

Union Plus Scholarship

The Union Plus Scholarship is available to undergraduate and graduate students. You must be a current or retired member of a participating union, or the spouse or dependent child of a member to be eligible for this award. Deadline: 1/31/23
Award Amount: $4,000

NAJA Graduate Scholarship Program

The NAJA Graduate Scholarship is available to students who are pursuing studies in a field which addresses the special needs of children and youth. You must be a resident of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, or Tennessee to be eligible for this award. Deadline: 2/1/23
Award Amount: Varies

ASNE Scholarship Program

The ASNE Scholarship Program is open to full - time juniors, seniors, and graduate students who are majoring / concentrating in an area related to naval engineering. Selection for this award is based on academic record, work history, professional promise and recommendations. U.S. citizenship is also required. Deadline: 2/6/23
Award Amount: $4,000

Jeanne E. Harris Chrysalis Scholarship

The Jeanne E. Harris Chrysalis Scholarship is available to female graduate students seeking an advanced degree in geoscience and whose education has been interrupted for at least one year. You must be completing your thesis / dissertation during the current academic year and should have contributed and intend to continue contributing to both the geosciences and the larger world community through your academic and personal strengths. Deadline: 3/31/23
Award Amount: $2,000 Find more scholarship matches specific to your field of study, grad-school year, and more by creating a free Fastweb profile.

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