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While many scholarship programs are geared toward undergraduate students, it is possible to find a scholarship for grad school. Read on to learn more about financial resources that can assist you as you’re planning to enter a master’s or doctoral program, including scholarship funds specifically for those attending graduate school.
Start With Your College or University
Contact your school’s financial aid office, which will maintain a listing of the programs they offer specifically for graduate students. Often, alumni endow scholarship funds that can be used for a specific purpose, such as graduate education or study within a particular field. You can usually apply for these awards directly through the financial aid office, either at the time of your acceptance or after you are already enrolled as a student.
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Check Out Scholarship Search Engines
One great online search tool for scholarship funds is maintained by Peterson’s, an educational resource company that has existed in the United States for over 40 years. At its website, you can search for scholarships by type of graduate program you’re entering and whether you’ll be studying on a full-time or part-time basis. Another popular tool is Fastweb. Or, if you’re interested in entering or already in a public service profession, check out the search engine at Idealist.org.
Consider Your Undergraduate Institutions
Many colleges and universities offer special scholarship awards to alumni who are now pursuing graduate studies. While you sometimes need to attend graduate school at the same institution to be eligible for these awards, that’s not always the case. Contact the financial aid office at the school where you received your bachelor’s degree to see if they offer any such scholarship programs for graduates.
Contact Your Professional Organization
If you’re already working with your bachelor’s degree, chances are that you may be a member of a professional organization. Many of these groups offer scholarship opportunities to their members. U.S. News and World Report offers a partial list of these organizations by field. Even if you aren’t a member, you may consider joining to become eligible to apply for scholarships, grants, and other benefits.
In addition to scholarship funds, you may also want to consider alternate ways of paying for graduate school. If you are already in the work force, find out what your employer offers in terms of tuition remission or reimbursement. In many cases, employers offer a benefit in which they will pay for or reimburse you for tuition costs up to a certain amount. These offers are usually contingent upon maintaining a certain grade point average and committing to working at the company for a certain period after receiving your degree. In addition, students who are in a research field may also consider applying for fellowship programs, which fund a portion of your graduate school expenses in exchange for research. Students in all disciplines can also apply for graduate assistantships. By doing your research and utilizing the resources above, it is possible for you to find a scholarship for grad school.
