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 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, 2025; women in or entering the early stages of graduate training (MS or PhD) are especially encouraged to apply
Amount: $1,000
Deadline: February 23, 2025
Website: https://www.amstat.org/your-career/awards/gertrude-m-cox-scholarship
ISC2 Graduate Scholarship
How to Apply: Write a response to the six essay questions on cybersecurity and your educational background, and include one letter of recommendation and transcripts.
Eligibility: Must be pursuing a master’s degree or doctorate with a focus on cybersecurity or information assurance and have at least a 3.5 GPA
Amount: Between $1,000 and $5,000
Deadline: March 3, 2025
Website: https://www.iamcybersafe.org/s/graduate-scholarships
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 history in the field, 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, 2025
Website: https://www.ache.org/membership/student-resources/foster-g-mcgaw-graduate-student-scholarship
Albert W. Dent 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 history in the field, and your community/civic engagement and volunteerism.
Eligibility: Must be a racially/ethnically diverse or LGBTQ student 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, 2025
Website: https://www.ache.org/membership/student-resources/albert-w-dent-graduate-student-scholarship
Thermo Fisher Scientific Antibody Scholarship Program
How to Apply: Complete the online application and write a short essay that discusses the role of spatial biology in understanding cellular interactions and tissue organization.
Eligibility: Open to U.S. citizens who are college or graduate students
Amount: Awards range from $5,000 to $10,000
Deadline: April 30, 2025
Website: https://www.thermofisher.com/us/en/home/life-science/antibodies/thermo-fisher-scientific-antibody-scholarship-program.html
National Hispanic Health Professional Scholarship
How to Apply: Complete the online application, including a transcript, recommendation or references, resume, and an essay.
Eligibility: Open to U.S. citizens with a 3.0 minimum GPA in a full-time accredited graduate program in one of the following fields: allopathic or osteopathic medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, nursing (including BSN), or similar
Amount: 15 winners will receive $5,000 each
Deadline: September 13, 2025
Website: https://accessscholarships.com/scholarship/hispanic-health-scholarship/
Dr. Jade Education Scholarship
How to Apply: Complete the online application, including an essay of 400 to 600 words answering the prompt: “Imagine yourself living the life of your dreams. What does that look like for you?”
Eligibility: Must be a Black/African American woman who is earning a graduate degree while also working full-time
Amount: Five winners will receive $500 each
Deadline: January 1, 2026
Website: https://bold.org/scholarships/dr-jade-education-scholarship/
Scholarships should be considered a small—yet still important—source of revenue for college. Data shows that most families pay for college using parent and student income, savings, and loans. Most scholarship recipients receive $2,500 or less, and only 0.1% of undergraduate students receive $25,000 or more in scholarship funds. In addition to looking for scholarships to help pay for college, families should apply for financial aid and consider saving in a dedicated college savings account.
