If you're a college graduate, you know that college is expensive and that thinking about financing graduate school can be stressful. In fact, without scholarship aid, many students would not be able to afford college at all, let alone attend graduate school.
But if you really invest the time to do your research, you can find numerous ways to fund your tuition!
Scholarships vary based on amount awarded, geographic location, and eligibility requirements. Scholarships are also very diverse. There are graduate scholarship opportunities for everyone, no matter your gender, ethnicity, race, or where you attend school. Every year colleges and universities, along with the U.S. Department of Education, award an estimated $46 billion in scholarships and grants.
While finding scholarships that you're eligible for may take some time, here is a list to get you started.
Here are seven scholarships (and fellowships) available to graduate students in 2018.
National Scholarships
1. Captain Jodi Callahan Memorial Scholarship:
For graduate students who are members of the United States Air Force, this scholarship is for you! This is a yearly, national scholarship that is awarded to a graduate student who is full-time Air National Guard, active duty Air Force, or full-time Air Force Reserve (officer or enlisted). Applicants must be working towards a master's in a non-technical field and must possess a minimum 3.0 GPA. The scholarship award is $1,000 and applicants must apply by April 30, 2018 in order to be considered.
2. Archie Motley Memorial Scholarship for Minority Students:
If you’re working toward a future career in archives, be sure to check out this scholarship. This graduate scholarship is awarded to a minority student who will be, or is currently, enrolled in a multi-course program in archival administration. This individual must possess a 3.0 GPA or better and be of African, American Indian, Asian or Pacific Islander, or Latino descent. This graduate student awardee will receive a $750 scholarship and a one year membership to the Midwest Archives Conference. For consideration, applications must be turned in by March 1, 2018.
Local Scholarships
3. Beckley Area Foundation Scholarships:
West Virginia residents who are attending graduate school, pay attention! Each year the Beckley Area Foundation manages an array of scholarships that are available to students in the Beckley, WV region. Some scholarships are designated by field of study being pursued and university to be attended. And while others can be used at any university and towards any program, some are only awarded to students who attended a particular high school in the area.The majority of the scholarships are for recent high school grads or undergraduate students. However, every year there are graduate student scholarships offered as well.
4. Underwood-Smith Teacher Scholarship Program:
If you have plans to become an educator in the West Virginia school system after graduate school, be sure to apply for this scholarship. This scholarship is available to West Virginia residents that are undergraduate and graduate students. Students must be pursuing a teaching degree in pre-school, elementary, middle school, or secondary school and be enrolled in a college in West Virginia. This scholarship can be awarded for up to $5,000 and gives priority to juniors, seniors, and graduate students pursuing a degree in education. Award winners must have an interest in, and agree to, teach in West Virginia upon graduation. The deadline for this scholarship is March 1, 2018.
Additional Funding Sources
5. ProFellow
6. Pivot Funding Opportunities
7. HNet Humanities and Social Sciences Funding Announcements
Consider all of your financial options!
Here at WVU, we know that preparing to fund your graduate education can be stressful, but there are so many options out there for you to consider taking advantage of as long as you make the effort to find them! Graduate student scholarship opportunities in 2018 are available and waiting for your application!
Are you interested in attending graduate school but are concerned about the cost? We invite you to download our free eBook that outlines how to best finance a graduate education.
