For many college students, the thought of going to graduate school or getting a graduate degree is always on their minds. It’s a great way to continue their education and gain skills at a higher level.

However, for some grad students, the financial side of pursuing further education can be stressful. Graduate school and doctoral programs come with their own set of costs, like application fees, interview prep, and other enrollment expenses.

The good news? There are scholarships available for graduate students to help with these costs. After thoroughly researching numerous scholarship opportunities, we believe Bold.org offers the best options for grad students seeking financial support. Their scholarships stand out because they are real opportunities created by real donors who want to make a difference in students’ lives.

We’ve compiled a list of these scholarships for both graduate students and postgraduate learners. Whether you’re looking to ease tuition costs or need a little extra for books, keep reading to find the right scholarship to support your graduate education!

Apply for grad student scholarships today to help reduce the costs of furthering your education!

Top Scholarships for Graduate Students with Upcoming Deadlines

Browse fully-hosted graduate student scholarships, awarded directly by Bold.org. Updated regularly with new, exclusive opportunities.

Byte into STEM Scholarship

Byte into STEM Scholarship

This scholarship seeks to support Black learners pursuing STEM across traditional and non-traditional pathways so they can overcome any hurdles they face.

Award Amount: $4,250
Deadline: October 8, 2025
Winners Announced: November 8, 2025
Kim Beneschott Creative Arts Scholarship

Kim Beneschott Creative Arts Scholarship

Today, with high-quality phone cameras readily accessible and the rise of online platforms for creators like YouTube, Instagram, Dribbble, and others, creative pursuits are becoming more and more readily available.

Award Amount: $2,000
Deadline: August 25, 2025
Winners Announced: September 25, 2025
Niche College No-Essay Scholarship

Niche College No-Essay Scholarship

This scholarship is perfect for students interested in college and grad school tips and resources.

Award Amount: $1,000
Deadline: August 1, 2025
Winners Announced: August 1, 2025
Ultrafabrics Inc. Scholarship Award

Ultrafabrics Inc. Scholarship Award

This scholarship aims to support the next generation of designers who are committed to prioritizing environmental and social sustainability.

Award Amount: $10,000
Deadline: August 15, 2025
Winners Announced: September 1, 2025
Cariloop’s Caregiver Scholarship

Cariloop’s Caregiver Scholarship

This scholarship seeks to support student caregivers so they can afford to pursue their dreams of higher education.

Award Amount: $8,500
Deadline: September 1, 2025
Winners Announced: October 1, 2025
Charlene K. Howard Chogo Scholarship

Charlene K. Howard Chogo Scholarship

This scholarship seeks to honor the life of Charlene Howard by supporting students who share her commitment to education.

Award Amount: $500
Deadline: August 15, 2025
Winners Announced: September 15, 2025
Bulkthreads.com's "Let's Aim Higher" Scholarship

Bulkthreads.com's "Let's Aim Higher" Scholarship

This scholarship seeks to support students who are pursuing higher education in order to make a marked difference in the world.

Award Amount: $515
Deadline: June 16, 2026
Winners Announced: July 16, 2026
Dr. Sami Shafiq-Barker Memorial Scholarship

Dr. Sami Shafiq-Barker Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship aims to honor the memory of Dr. Sami Shafiq-Barker by supporting students who are following in her footsteps.

Award Amount: $2,000
Deadline: September 22, 2025
Winners Announced: October 22, 2025
OMC Graduate Scholarships

OMC Graduate Scholarships

This scholarship aims to empower the next generation of professionals by supporting students who are dedicated to making a difference through their graduate studies.

Award Amount: $500
Deadline: July 25, 2025
Winners Announced: August 25, 2025
Bassed in PLUR Scholarship

Bassed in PLUR Scholarship

This scholarship aims to support students who find inspiration in EDM and festival culture and who are passionate about furthering their education.

Award Amount: $1,000
Deadline: December 14, 2025
Winners Announced: January 14, 2026
$25,000 "Be Bold" No-Essay Scholarship

$25,000 "Be Bold" No-Essay Scholarship

The world will be shaped by the bold—the fighters, the risk-takers, the earnest overachievers who won’t take no for an answer. The $10,000 “Be Bold” Scholarship is a no-essay scholarship that will be awarded to the applicant with the boldest profile.

Award Amount: $25,030
Deadline: August 1, 2025
Winners Announced: December 1, 2025
Sweet Dreams Scholarship

Sweet Dreams Scholarship

This scholarship aims to support students who embody the spirit of community and hope so they can complete their education and become leaders.

Award Amount: $5,000
Deadline: August 12, 2025
Winners Announced: September 12, 2025
Alger Memorial Scholarship

Alger Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship aims to support students who display the qualities of stellar work ethic, dedication to volunteerism, and eagerness to excel academically.

Award Amount: $550
Deadline: October 1, 2025
Winners Announced: November 1, 2025
A Man Helping Women Helping Women Scholarship

A Man Helping Women Helping Women Scholarship

This scholarship seeks to support women who are pursuing higher education in order to uplift other women.

Award Amount: $1,050
Deadline: November 30, 2025
Winners Announced: December 30, 2025
ACHE Southern California LIFT Scholarship

ACHE Southern California LIFT Scholarship

This scholarship aims to lift up the next generation of healthcare professionals so they can access the positions of their dreams.

Award Amount: $1,800
Deadline: September 10, 2025
Winners Announced: September 30, 2025
Manny and Sylvia Weiner Medical Scholarship

Manny and Sylvia Weiner Medical Scholarship

This scholarship seeks to support students who are striving to become medical doctors and require financial assistance.

Award Amount: $6,117
Deadline: November 30, 2025
Winners Announced: December 31, 2025
Charles Cheesman's Student Debt Reduction Scholarship

Charles Cheesman's Student Debt Reduction Scholarship

This scholarship will provide for college students or adults currently in a career, who have student debt. Students must be African American or Hispanic/Latino and first-generation students in order to apply.

Award Amount: $10,240
Deadline: November 30, 2025
Winners Announced: December 31, 2025
Dr. Jade Education Scholarship

Dr. Jade Education Scholarship

This scholarship will help support African American women attending graduate school.

Award Amount: $2,500
Deadline: January 1, 2026
Winners Announced: February 1, 2026
LGBTQIA+ in Cybersecurity Scholarship

LGBTQIA+ in Cybersecurity Scholarship

This scholarship seeks to support the next generation of cybersecurity experts so they can overcome the obstacles they face.

Award Amount: $6,000
Deadline: July 24, 2025
Winners Announced: August 24, 2025
Dr. Alan V. Lee Memorial Scholarship

Dr. Alan V. Lee Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship aims to honor the memory of Dr. Alan V. Lee by supporting students who will be the medical professionals of the future.

Award Amount: $2,500
Deadline: July 20, 2025
Winners Announced: August 20, 2025
Hannah Dollick Memorial Scholarship

Hannah Dollick Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship seeks to honor the life of Hannah Dollick by supporting aspiring female pilots who are self-motivated and dedicated to aviation.

Award Amount: $15,000
Deadline: September 17, 2025
Winners Announced: October 17, 2025
ADP Scholarship

ADP Scholarship

This scholarship aims to support students who have big dreams of attending college but don’t have the family resources necessary to afford tuition.

Award Amount: $500
Deadline: July 20, 2025
Winners Announced: August 20, 2025
Charles E. Nettles Continued Education Scholarship

Charles E. Nettles Continued Education Scholarship

This scholarship aims to make higher education more accessible by supporting students who are passionate about expanding their minds.

Award Amount: $500
Deadline: July 22, 2025
Winners Announced: August 22, 2025
Charles Brown Culinary Scholarship

Charles Brown Culinary Scholarship

This scholarship seeks to honor the memory of Charles Brown by supporting the dreams of students who share his passion for cooking.

Award Amount: $500
Deadline: July 25, 2025
Winners Announced: August 25, 2025
Robin G. Thomas Sizemore Memorial Scholarship

Robin G. Thomas Sizemore Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship aims to honor the life of Robin G. Thomas Sizemore by supporting students who are pursuing careers in healthcare.

Award Amount: $1,000
Deadline: July 25, 2025
Winners Announced: August 25, 2025
Debra S. Jackson New Horizons Scholarship

Debra S. Jackson New Horizons Scholarship

This scholarship seeks to honor the legacy of Debra S. Jackson by supporting students who are making the brave decision to return to school later in life.

Award Amount: $5,000
Deadline: July 26, 2025
Winners Announced: August 26, 2025
Minority Women in STEM

Minority Women in STEM

This scholarship seeks to support and encourage female and minority students to pursue STEM majors in college or tech schools so that they can focus on their studies rather than worrying about the costs of attendance.

Award Amount: $5,000
Deadline: July 29, 2025
Winners Announced: August 29, 2025
LGBTQ+ Wellness in Action Scholarship

LGBTQ+ Wellness in Action Scholarship

This scholarship aims to support and empower LGBTQ+ students who exemplify the importance of self-care and well-being.

Award Amount: $1,000
Deadline: July 29, 2025
Winners Announced: August 29, 2025
Abran Arreola-Hernandez Latino Scholarship

Abran Arreola-Hernandez Latino Scholarship

This scholarship will be awarded to a Latinx student who is pursuing higher education and who believes in the power of community!

Award Amount: $500
Deadline: July 31, 2025
Winners Announced: August 31, 2025
Tracey Johnson-Webb Adult Learners Scholarship

Tracey Johnson-Webb Adult Learners Scholarship

This scholarship seeks to honor the efforts of Tracey Johnson-Webb by supporting adult learners who are handling the responsibilities of work or parenting while pursuing higher education.

Award Amount: $2,500
Deadline: July 31, 2025
Winners Announced: August 31, 2025

About Graduate School Scholarships

Paying for graduate school can add a lot of stress to an already busy life. Balancing school, work, and family is challenging enough without the added financial strain of grad school tuition on top of your undergrad expenses. Luckily, there are scholarships specifically designed to help with these costs.

Graduate school scholarships can help cover tuition fees and even assist with federal student loans, easing the financial burden and letting you focus more on your studies. These scholarships can come from a variety of sources, including universities, private organizations, government agencies, and professional associations. They can be merit-based, need-based, or awarded based on specific criteria such as field of study, demographic factors, or research interests.

Undergraduate students interested in graduate school programs like law school or med school should explore funding opportunities and application resources to achieve their academic goals. Apply today!

graduate school scholarship

Types of Graduate School Scholarships Available

Graduate programs are pretty different from undergraduate programs, and there are different types of degrees you can earn depending on the school, department, or program you get accepted into. Earning scholarships is a great way to offset the cost of tuition and other expenses, but there are many types of scholarships that are exclusive to graduate students, which should help your chances. 

Fellowships and Grants 

Fellowships and grants are financial awards you’re more likely to find at the graduate level. Grants usually depend on your financial need and can come from federal, state, or private sources. Fellowships, on the other hand, are often awarded based on your potential and are meant to support your research or career goals.

Teaching Assistantships

Teaching assistantships offer financial support by requiring students to take on teaching responsibilities or assist professors with their courses. In addition to a stipend, these positions often come with tuition coverage, making them a valuable option for funding your education. Teaching assistants may lead discussion sections, grade assignments, or provide support during lectures, gaining valuable experience in teaching and academia.

Graduate Assistantships

Graduate assistantships provide financial aid in exchange for work that supports research, administrative tasks, or other functions within the academic department. These roles often include a stipend and may also offer tuition remission. Responsibilities can vary widely, from conducting research and managing data to assisting with departmental activities or student services. This type of assistantship allows you to gain hands-on experience relevant to your field while receiving financial assistance.

Federal Student Aid

Graduate students interested in federal student aid can explore various options to help fund their graduate degree programs. The Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant is a valuable Federal Student Aid program designed for graduate students pursuing a career in education. It provides financial support to those committed to teaching in high-need fields and low-income schools. To qualify, you must meet specific eligibility criteria, including agreeing to teach in a designated shortage area for a specified period after graduation.

Academic Merit-Based

These scholarships are all about your academic achievements. They might consider your GPA, standardized test scores (like the MCAT or LSAT), or other academic accomplishments. Some schools offer these scholarships as part of their admissions process, while others might require separate applications. If you’re awarded a merit-based scholarship, you might need to maintain a certain GPA to keep receiving the funds each year.

Athletic

If you’re a standout athlete, you might be able to snag an athletic scholarship, although these are rarer for grad students. Coaches might scout you during your sport’s season and offer scholarships based on your performance. The NCAA has a postgraduate scholarship program, so it’s worth checking out if you’re involved in sports.

Identity-based

These scholarships are aimed at supporting students from specific backgrounds or communities. They might be geared toward those who are part of marginalized groups or who share characteristics with individuals honored by the scholarship. These awards are intended to help create more opportunities for diverse student populations.

Department or Concentration-based

These scholarships are financial awards only available to students a specific department has accepted in their graduate school. These scholarships can be as broad as any STEM department or transparent and only open to those studying in neurology departments. 

grad school scholarships

How to Find Graduate School Scholarships

Looking for scholarships can be complex and lengthy, especially if you don’t know where to look. But, many resources are available to help students look for scholarships. 

Start with Online Resources

The internet is an excellent starting point for finding scholarships. Numerous websites specialize in listing and filtering scholarships based on various criteria, like Bold.org. These platforms allow you to search for scholarships tailored to your field of study, location, or personal background. You can also save scholarships that aren’t currently applicable but might be relevant in future semesters.

Consult Your Academic Network

Your academic advisor, department staff, and fellow students can be invaluable resources for discovering scholarships. They often have insights into lesser-known scholarships sponsored by your school or specific to your field. Advisors are especially useful as they are dedicated to your success and can guide you or refer you to other resources if needed.

Explore Local Opportunities

Don’t overlook local businesses and organizations that may offer scholarships to students in their community. This is particularly useful if your college has a strong local presence. Community-based scholarships can be less competitive and more accessible.

Tips for Winning Graduate School Scholarships

Finding where to look for scholarships is just the first step; increasing your chances of winning requires strategic effort. While there are no guarantees, you can enhance your likelihood of success. When applying for scholarships that require essays, ensure your response thoroughly addresses all parts of the prompt.

Avoid irrelevant information and focus on delivering clear, engaging writing. An essay that is dull or difficult to read risks losing the sponsor’s interest. If your application involves discussing research, highlight the most compelling aspects of your results and their potential applications.

Consider applying for scholarships with smaller award amounts. While larger scholarships might seem appealing, they often attract a high volume of applicants, increasing competition. Smaller scholarships typically have fewer applicants, improving your chances. Accumulating several smaller awards can add up to a substantial amount over time, so don’t shy away from these opportunities.

Additionally, scholarships should be targeted with specific eligibility criteria. Scholarships tailored to niche fields or unique applicant profiles generally face less competition. For example, a scholarship exclusively for undergraduate art students specializing in realistic digital art will likely have fewer applicants compared to one open to all art students. By focusing on these more specialized scholarships, you can further improve your odds of success.

grad school work

Frequently Asked Questions About Graduate School Scholarships

How Can I Improve My Chances of Winning Graduate School Scholarships?

You can do several things to improve your chances of winning college student scholarships.

  • Go for scholarships with smaller dollar amounts
  • Apply for scholarships that are looking for a specific type of applicant 
  • Fully answer the prompt when an essay is required 
  • Check the format requirements for written responses 
  • Make sure you meet all the eligibility requirements 
  • Make yourself stand out in your response 
  • Apply earlier than the deadline  
  • Look for awards that give awards to multiple winners 

How Many Grad School Scholarships Can You Get?

There is no limit to the number of scholarships you can get as a graduate student, so you don’t have to limit yourself when applying. Graduate students enrolled in grad school can accept any number of graduate school scholarships to pursue their graduate degree.

Are Grad School Scholarships Taxable Income?

Generally, no, grad school scholarships are not considered taxable income. However, this is only true if you are enrolled at an eligible college, in a program, and are using the funds for school-related expenses. These expenses include but are not limited to tuition, textbooks, parking fees, and lab fees.

If it is found that you have used scholarship funds for expenses unrelated to your degree or college expenses, then these funds may be considered taxable income. Check the description and other fine print of the scholarships you apply for to see if there is a requirement for how the awarded funds are used.

What’s the Best Way to Apply for Grad School Scholarships?

Applying online is likely one of the easiest ways to apply for scholarships. You can find and filter the scholarships you apply for and keep track of these scholarships after you use them. Other students applying simultaneously can also share links to scholarships they think you would have a good chance of winning.

Another strategy that gives you the best chances when applying is to put more effort into a handful of scholarships that you feel confident about using rather than applying to a lot of scholarships that you only put minimal effort into. This is especially true for longer extended responses. If you feel like you have a story that could set you apart from other applicants, you may find it beneficial to spend more time on that in the application versus other shorter ones that aren’t specific to your experiences.

After you earn your undergraduate degree, or even during your undergrad studies, you can find and apply for scholarships to help pay for your graduate program. It’s never too early to begin applying for graduate scholarships.

Our Editorial Team, with a rich background in educational content creation, prioritizes accuracy and quality in every article. We are committed to producing expert content tailored to meet the academic needs of college and high school students, ensuring they receive well-researched and trustworthy information for their educational journey.

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