Scholarships for Graduate Students
Explore scholarship opportunities for master’s, doctoral, and professional degree students. Learn how your degree type, field of study, research focus, and funding status can affect scholarship eligibility, and how to find money beyond assistantships and fellowships.
Scholarship Opportunities Across Graduate Programs
Graduate funding looks different depending on the type of program you’re in. Review the requirements for each opportunity, since degree type alone does not guarantee eligibility.
Master’s Students
Students pursuing a master’s degree can look for scholarships tied to their program, field of study, location, or professional goals.
Doctoral (PhD) Students
PhD candidates may find scholarships and grants connected to research focus, dissertation topic, academic discipline, or stage of the program.
Professional Degree Students
Students in law, medicine, business, and other professional degree programs may have access to scholarships tied to their specific field or license path.
Certificate & Post-Bacc Students
Students in graduate certificate or post-baccalaureate programs may qualify for scholarships aimed at continuing education or career-change students.
Scholarships for Different Graduate Fields
Many graduate scholarships are tied to a specific discipline, research area, or professional track. Students should look beyond general scholarships to opportunities connected to their field.
STEM & Research
Scholarships and fellowships for graduate students in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and research-focused programs.
Business & MBA
Opportunities for students pursuing an MBA or other graduate business degree, including part-time and executive programs.
Healthcare & Medicine
Scholarships for students in medical school, nursing graduate programs, public health, and other healthcare fields.
Law
Opportunities for law school students, including scholarships tied to a specific area of legal practice or public interest work.
Education
Scholarships for students pursuing a graduate degree in education, educational leadership, or a related teaching field.
Arts & Humanities
Opportunities for graduate students in the arts, humanities, social sciences, and related advanced degree programs.
Finding Scholarships Beyond Assistantships and Fellowships
Many graduate students rely on funding tied directly to their program, such as teaching assistantships, research assistantships, or departmental fellowships. These typically come from the institution or department and often include a stipend or tuition waiver in exchange for work.
Outside scholarships from professional associations, foundations, employers, and platforms like ScholarDollarz are separate from these program-based awards and can provide additional funding for tuition, research, conference travel, or living expenses.
Since policies on combining outside scholarships with assistantships or fellowships can vary by institution and program, students should check with their graduate program or financial aid office before assuming how outside funding will be applied.
Can International Graduate Students Apply for Scholarships?
Some scholarships are open to international graduate students, while others are restricted to U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Eligibility depends entirely on the individual scholarship, so international students should review citizenship and residency requirements closely before applying.
International students may also find scholarships and fellowships offered directly through their university, their home country’s government or institutions, or organizations focused on supporting international scholars in a specific field of study.
Why Your ScholarDollarz Profile Matters
Two students in the same degree program may qualify for very different scholarships. Graduate scholarship eligibility can depend on a combination of academic, research, career, and background-related criteria. ScholarDollarz uses profile information to help narrow the search toward opportunities that may better fit the student.
How Graduate Students Can Improve Their Scholarship Search
Check professional associations in your field
Many academic and professional associations offer scholarships, grants, or research awards specifically for graduate students in their discipline.
Ask your department about internal funding
Departments often maintain scholarships, travel grants, or research funds that are not widely advertised outside the program.
Understand how outside funding interacts with your aid
Confirm with your program or financial aid office how an outside scholarship may affect an existing assistantship, fellowship, or tuition waiver.
Look for research and dissertation-specific funding
Some scholarships and grants are tied specifically to a research project, dissertation topic, or conference presentation rather than general enrollment.
Keep your profile and CV current
Your research focus, publications, and career goals may evolve throughout your program. Updating your information regularly can help surface new opportunities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are scholarships only for undergraduate students?
No. Many scholarships and fellowships are specifically designed for graduate students pursuing master’s, doctoral, or professional degrees.
Can I get a scholarship while also having an assistantship?
In many cases, yes, though policies vary by institution and program. Check with your graduate program or financial aid office about how outside scholarships interact with an existing assistantship or fellowship.
Are there scholarships for PhD students specifically?
Yes, some scholarships and grants are designed for doctoral students, including funding tied to research, dissertation work, or conference travel.
Can international graduate students apply for scholarships?
Some scholarships are open to international students, while others require U.S. citizenship or permanent residency. Review each scholarship’s eligibility requirements carefully.
Do I need a specific GPA to qualify for graduate scholarships?
Not all graduate scholarships use the same academic criteria. Some require a minimum GPA, while others focus on research potential, publications, career goals, or other program-specific factors.
How often should graduate students search for scholarships?
Students should search regularly, since new opportunities and deadlines appear throughout the year, and eligibility can change as your research focus or program stage evolves.
Does ScholarDollarz show every scholarship publicly?
The ScholarDollarz website provides scholarship information, category guidance, and college-planning resources. An account is required to access scholarship search and matching features available through the ScholarDollarz application.
Find Scholarships That Match Your Profile
Create your free ScholarDollarz account and provide information about your degree program, field of study, research focus, funding status, and other profile characteristics to start discovering scholarship opportunities that may fit you.
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