If you’re planning to attend graduate school, you’ll need a plan to pay for it. Grad school financial aid works a bit differently than undergrad, with more loans available from the federal government and additional opportunities such as fellowships and teaching assistantships. You can learn more about paying for grad school in our article, How to Pay for Graduate School.
One thing that doesn’t change from undergrad to grad degrees: the availability of private scholarships. Companies, foundations, associations, and other entities offer free money to help students pay for grad school. Don’t miss out on applying for as many of these scholarships as you can. We compiled a list of some opportunities below. Make sure you adhere to all deadlines for full consideration.
Gertrude M. Cox Scholarship
How to Apply: Write a personal essay on why you are enrolled in your present academic program and how you intend to use your technical training, and provide examples of acts of leadership, community service, and/or mentoring you have performed. In addition, provide three reference letters, all academic transcripts, and a headshot.
Eligibility: Open to women who are admitted to full-time study in a graduate statistics program by July 1, 2026; women in or entering the early stages of graduate training (MS or PhD) are especially encouraged to apply
Amount: $1,000
Deadline: March 1, 2026
Website: https://www.amstat.org/your-career/awards/gertrude-m-cox-scholarship
Foster G. McGaw Graduate Student Scholarship
How to Apply: Complete the online application and write an essay on your reasons for pursuing a career in healthcare management, your career aspirations and goals, your engagement in healthcare-focused societies, your history in the field, your financial need, and your community/civic engagement and volunteerism.
Eligibility: Must be entering your final year of a full-time healthcare management graduate program: MHA, MPH, MBA in Healthcare Administration, or similar
Amount: $5,000
Deadline: March 31, 2026
Website: https://www.ache.org/membership/student-resources/dent-and-mcgaw-graduate-student-scholarship
Andrew Lopez Anesthesia Scholarship
How to Apply: Complete the online application and write an essay describing your background, your journey in nursing, and the experiences that have prepared you to thrive in your profession. In addition, submit a picture or pictures that show your personality and/or things you value in your life.
Eligibility: Open to students pursuing a doctorate in nurse anesthesia; must be currently enrolled or accepted, and preference will be given for minority students, first-generation college students, and those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds
Amount: Two winners of $500 each
Deadline: April 15, 2026
Website: https://bold.org/scholarships/andrew-lopez-anesthesia-scholarship/
Bulkthreads.com’s “Let’s Aim Higher” Scholarship
How to Apply: Write an essay of 300–500 words, responding to the following prompt: “Tell us about something you want to ‘build. This can be a physical product, a personal goal, a commitment, a relationship . . . how are you hoping to build your future? How will this make a positive impact on you and your community?”
Eligibility: Open to undergraduate or graduate students
Amount: $515
Deadline: June 16, 2026
Website: https://bulkthreads.com/pages/copy-of-bulkthreads-com-scholarships
Edwards Scholarship
How to Apply: Write an essay of 400–600 words, responding to the following prompt: “Please tell us a bit about yourself, any obstacles you have had to overcome, and how you plan to make a positive impact on the world through your studies in the United States.”
Eligibility: Open to undergraduate or graduate students in the U.S. who are international and first-generation college students
Amount: $500
Deadline: November 17, 2026
Website: https://bold.org/scholarships/edwards-scholarship/
Please note, most scholarship recipients receive $2,500 or less, and only 0.1% of undergraduate students receive $25,000 or more in scholarship funds. Scholarships are one of many sources of funding for college, including savings, current income, and federal and private loans. To learn about the variety of ways to pay for college, visit our Paying for College webpage.
Jenni Espinal is a sophomore at Cristo Rey Boston High School with a strong interest in psychology and neuroscience. She hopes to build a career helping people better understand themselves and the way their minds work. Jenni joined MEFA as an intern in the fall of 2025.
