30 Great Scholarships for Online Graduate Students

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Updated September 25, 2023

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On the hunt for online grad school funding? Check out our list of 30 scholarships for master's degrees.

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For many students, attaining a bachelor's degree is just the first step on their academic journey. Depending on career goals, many students continue on to graduate school to earn their master's degree.

Demand for graduate degrees is rising as more universities develop programs for those wanting to earn an online master's degree — but so is the need for financial aid. Whether on campus or online, tuition for a graduate degree is still a considerable expense.

The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) reports the median graduate tuition for public institutions is around $12,394, while for private colleges and universities, it is $26,621. Tuition for online programs is similar to what you would pay to attend on campus.

One of the best ways to cover this expense is through graduate school scholarships or grants. While grants don't need to be paid back, only 43% of graduate students receive grants of any type. We've rounded up a list of 30 scholarships for master's degrees to get you started.

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General Scholarships for Online Graduate Students

These scholarships are open to all students, even a few that accept undergraduate applicants. The list has scholarships for master's degrees, doctoral degrees, and other accredited degree programs.

Alpha Kappa Alpha Educational Advancement Foundation Financial Need Scholarship

  • Amount: Not stated
  • Application Deadline: August 15
  • Eligibility:
    • Open to full-time graduate students enrolled in an accredited degree program
    • Minimum 2.5 GPA
    • Demonstrate community service and involvement

These one-year scholarships, sponsored by Alpha Kappa Alpha, are awarded to graduate students based on financial need. Applicants must submit a financial need analysis along with their application form, three letters of recommendation, official transcripts and a written explanation of the applicant's project or research.

Alpha Kappa Alpha Educational Advancement Foundation Merit Scholarships

  • Amount: Not stated
  • Application Deadline: August 15
  • Eligibility:
    • Must be a full-time graduate student enrolled in an accredited degree-granting institution
    • Minimum 3.0 GPA
    • Demonstrate community involvement and service

This merit-based scholarship sponsored by Alpha Kappa Alpha Educational Advancement Foundation is open to full-time graduate students at any accredited institution. This one-time award will be given to a student who demonstrates exemplary service to his or her community.

The Beinecke Scholarship Program

  • Amount: $4,000 immediately prior to entering graduate school; an additional $30,000 while attending graduate school
  • Application Deadline: January 20
  • Eligibility:
    • Open to graduate students studying at an accredited university

The prestigious Beinecke Scholarship Program rewards graduate students who show outstanding promise in subjects relating to the arts, humanities and social sciences. Students must use their funding within five years.

Don't Text and Drive Scholarship

  • Amount: $1,000
  • Application Deadline: September 30
  • Eligibility:
    • Open to high school, undergraduate and graduate students
    • Must be a citizen or legal resident of the United States

The purpose of the Don't Text and Drive Scholarship is to bring further awareness to the dangers of texting while driving. Selection of award recipients is based on a 140-character text message and a 500-1,000-word essay on the topic of driving and texting.

Gen and Kelly Tanabe Scholarship

  • Amount: $1,000
  • Application Deadline: July 31
  • Eligibility:
    • Open to high school, undergraduate or graduate students
    • Must be a legal resident of the United States

The Gen and Kelly Tanabe Scholarship is awarded to an undergraduate or graduate student on the basis of merit. Students must submit a personal statement. It does not take financial need or standardized test scores into consideration. Applicants are judged by an independent panel.

Return 2 College Scholarship Program

  • Amount of Scholarship: $1,000
  • Application Deadline: January 31
  • Eligibility:
    • Open to college students currently attending a two- or four-year college or graduate school
    • Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent U.S. resident

The Return 2 College Scholarship applicants must submit a three-sentence personal statement describing their reason for pursuing a graduate degree. Applicants can submit multiple submissions if they feel the three-sentence statement doesn't quite cover their response.

School-Specific Scholarships

Most colleges, especially private universities, have generous scholarships for graduate students. Scholarships are a tool for colleges to attract the best grad students to their programs.

Colorado State University Academic Excellence Scholarship

  • Amount: Matches tuition and fees for up to 6 graduate credits
  • Application Deadline: Not stated
  • Eligibility:
    • Open to CSU-Global graduate students
    • Minimum 3.7 GPA — Must have completed a minimum of 6 credits of graduate work

Recognizing the challenges that come with obtaining a college degree online, the Academic Excellence Scholarship honors Colorado State University Global students who have proven themselves unusually focused and dedicated. Money awarded must be used towards required courses.

Colorado Technical University Advantage Grant

  • Amount: $500
  • Application Deadline: Not stated
  • Eligibility:
    • Open to full-time students of Colorado Technical University

Colorado Technical University's Advantage Grant aims to help outstanding students overcome the financial challenges of obtaining a graduate degree. Funds can be used to pay for past, current or future tuition charges. The application includes a 500-word personal statement about how earning a degree at CTU will improve the applicant's life.

Dr. John M. Beckem II Scholarship

  • Amount: $1,000
  • Application Deadline: June 30
  • Eligibility:
    • Open to students enrolled at SUNY Empire State College

SUNY Empire State College students pursuing a master's degree in a subject related to technology are eligible for this scholarship. The scholarship is awarded to the applicant who can best describe the ways in which current or future technologies can be used to improve education.

Edward Gersich Distance Education Scholarship

  • Amount: $1,000
  • Application Deadline: February 1
  • Eligibility:
    • Open to online students of Bemidji State University
    • Must be age 25 or older
    • Minimum 3.0 GPA
    • Must be seeking a degree in education

Bemidji State University's Edward Gersich Distance Education Scholarship alternates each year between a male and female student. Applicants must complete a personal statement in which they describe how the award would help them to reach their academic goals.

Gladys McKinley Distance Learning Scholarship

  • Amount: $1,000
  • Application Deadline: February 1
  • Eligibility:
    • Open to online graduate students at Bemidji State University
    • Must be pursuing an online education degree
    • Must be a resident of northern Minnesota

The Gladys McKinley Distance Learning Scholarship is another monetary award available to graduate students of Bemidji State University. Students must be working toward a graduate degree in education. The application process includes two letters of recommendation and a personal statement.

Jack and Audrey Hatmaker Memorial Endowed Scholarship

  • Amount: Varies
  • Application Deadline: June 1
  • Eligibility:
    • Must be enrolled in or accepted for admission at the University of Alabama
    • Open to graduate students who are residents of Alabama
    • Must be pursuing a major related to business

Graduate students pursuing or planning to pursue an online business degree at the University of Alabama may apply for the Jack and Audrey Hatmaker Memorial Endowed Scholarship. Successful applicants will show a history of academic excellence and prove financial need.

John F. and Marjorie J. Alexander Scholarship

  • Amount: $600
  • Application Deadline: Not stated
  • Eligibility:
    • Open to University of Florida students pursuing an online graduate degree in education
    • Minimum 2.5 GPA

University of Florida's John F. and Marjorie A. Alexander Scholarship is open to students seeking a graduate degree from the College of Education. In addition to the application, students must submit a resume, 500-700-word essay and two recommendation forms.

Kansas State University Maurine Allison O'Bannon Memorial Scholarship

  • Amount: $1,000
  • Application Deadline: Varies
  • Eligibility:
    • Must be enrolled in a degree program at Kansas State University
    • Minimum 3.25 GPA
    • Available to students age 25 and older

Students working toward an online graduate degree from Kansas State University are eligible to apply for the Maurine Allison O'Bannon Memorial Scholarship. Adults who are returning to their education after an absence are especially encouraged to apply.

Oregon State University eCampus Grant

  • Amount: $1,000
  • Application Deadline: Not stated
  • Eligibility:
    • Open to students enrolled in an Oregon State University eCampus degree program

The Oregon State University eCampus Grant is for graduate students pursuing any online degree. Applicants must submit a FAFSA to the university's Office of Financial Aid, which will award the grants to eligible recipients on a first come, first served basis.

Subject-Specific Scholarships

There are many grad school scholarships offered to students pursuing a specific career path like nursing or social work. These can be found by looking at professional organizations, foundations, or degree sites for the career you're interested in.

Army Nurse Corps Association Scholarship

  • Amount: $3,000
  • Application Deadline: March 31
  • Eligibility:
    • Open to students in a graduate nursing or nurse anesthesia program
    • Must be serving, or have served, in any branch of the U.S. Army
    • Army veterans must have received an honorable discharge
    • Must not be receiving any current funding from the U.S. Army

The Army Nurse Corps Association's annual scholarship provides opportunities to current or former U.S. Army members who are studying nursing or nurse anesthesia. Applicants must submit letters of recommendation, a personal statement, college transcripts, and military service documentation.

C200 Scholar Award

  • Amount: Up to $10,000
  • Application Deadline: Not stated
  • Eligibility:
    • Open to female graduate students pursuing an MBA
    • Must be enrolled in an institution that supports the C200 Reachout program

Female MBA students who have proven that they have a unique commitment to leadership and giving back are invited to apply for the C200 Scholar Award. The award is based on both merit and financial need.

Harry and Miriam Levinson Scholarship

  • Amount: $5,000
  • Application Deadline: Not stated
  • Eligibility:
    • Open to students in an interim master's program or doctoral program
    • Must be nominated by a COGDOP-member department of psychology

The Harry and Miriam Levinson Scholarship is sponsored by the American Psychological Foundation to assist students financially with the costs associated with conducting research and completing a thesis or dissertation. All applicants must be nominated by their institution's department of psychology, which must be a member of the Council of Graduate Departments of Psychology (COGDOP).

The LAGRANT Foundation Scholarship

  • Amount: $3,750
  • Application Deadline: February 26
  • Eligibility:
    • Open to minority and/or underrepresented students
    • Must be pursuing a master's degree in advertising, public relations or marketing
    • Must be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident or DACA recipient
    • Minimum 3.2 GPA

The LAGRANT Foundation Scholarship is open to graduate students who are of African American/Black, Asian American/Pacific Islander, Hispanic/Latino or Native American/Alaska Native descent. Successful applicants will submit the required application, along with a detailed resume, a letter of recommendation, official transcripts, three brief personal statements, and a headshot.

Ruth G. and Joseph D. Matarazzo Scholarship

  • Amount: $3,000
  • Application Deadline: Not stated
  • Eligibility:
    • Open to students in an interim master's program or doctoral program
    • Must be nominated by a COGDOP-member department of psychology

The Ruth G. and Joseph D. Matarazzo Scholarship is sponsored by the American Psychological Foundation to assist students financially with the costs associated with conducting research and completing a thesis or dissertation. All applicants must be nominated by their institution's department of psychology, which must be a member of COGDOP.

Demographic-Specific Scholarships

There are many scholarships whose eligibility is based on your identity or demographic — whether that be your gender, ethnicity, community groups, or specific experiences.

AAUW Selected Professions Fellowships

  • Amount: $20,000
  • Application Deadline: November 15
  • Eligibility:
    • Open to female graduate students in historically underrepresented minorities
    • Must be pursuing graduate studies in law, medicine, or business administration
    • Must be a citizen or permanent resident of the United States

The American Association of University Women offers a number of graduate scholarships annually, including the Selected Professions Fellowship. To be eligible for this award, women must pursue a full-time course of study in a designated degree program where the participation of women has traditionally been low.

American Association of University Women Career Development Grant

  • Amount: $2,000-$20,000
  • Application Deadline: November 15
  • Eligibility:
    • Open to female students who have already obtained a bachelor's degree
    • Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident

AAUW's Career Development Grant aims to provide monetary assistance to women pursuing a graduate degree in order to change careers or re-enter the workforce in health and medical sciences, education or physical sciences. Though neither is a requirement, priority for this award is given to women of color and those who are working towards their first master's degree.

American Indian Graduate Center Named Graduate Scholarships

  • Amount: $500-$5,000
  • Application Deadline: June 1
  • Eligibility:
    • Open to full-time graduate students
    • Must be an enrolled member of a federally recognized Alaska Native group or American Indian tribe

The American Indian Graduate Center (AIGC) manages a number of private scholarships based on criteria defined by the program's donor.

Army Women's Foundation Legacy Scholarship Program

  • Amount: $2,500
  • Application Deadline: January 20
  • Eligibility:
    • Open to women who are currently serving or have served in one of the branches of the U.S. Army
    • Open to children of women who are serving or have served in the U.S. Army
    • Must have completed an undergraduate degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA

The Army Women's Foundation Legacy Scholarship is based on a number of factors, including demonstrated leadership, potential, academic merit and history of community service. Applicants must submit an essay, a letter of recommendation, and demonstrate financial need.

Chicana Latina Foundation Scholarship Program

  • Amount: $1,500
  • Application Deadline: March 31
  • Eligibility:
    • Open to female graduate students of Chicana or Latina heritage
    • Be enrolled in an accredited Northern California university
    • Have lived a minimum of two years in select Northern California counties
    • Minimum 2.7 GPA

The Chicana Latina Foundation awards 30-40 scholarships each year. Recipients must agree to volunteer at least 10 hours for the foundation and commit to attending the CLF Leadership Institute for one weekend.

Dr. Angela Grant Memorial Scholarship

  • Amount: Varies
  • Application Deadline: May 1
  • Eligibility:
    • Must be a cancer survivor or an immediate family member of someone diagnosed with cancer
    • Must be a legal resident of the United States

Students who have personally been affected by cancer while trying to earn their graduate degree may apply for the Dr. Angela E. Grant Memorial Scholarship. The number of awards and their amounts vary from year to year. The application process includes two letters of recommendation and a personal statement.

eLearners.com Military Scholarship Essay Contest

  • Amount: $1,000
  • Application Deadline: Not stated
  • Eligibility:
    • Open to veterans or active duty military members and their spouses

Each year, eLearners.com presents multiple scholarships to veterans, active duty service members and their spouses based on a 250-word essay in response to a prompt.

P.E.O. International Peace Scholarship

  • Amount: Up to $12,500
  • Application Deadline: December 15
  • Eligibility:
    • Open to international women pursuing graduate studies in the United States or Canada

Each year, the Philanthropic Educational Organization (P.E.O.) sponsors the International Peace Scholarship, which helps female international students fund their graduate studies in North America. Though this generous scholarship is not meant to fund an applicant's entire education, the amount given can reach $12,500 depending upon individual need.

Ralph W. Shrader Graduate Diversity Scholarship

  • Amount: $3,000
  • Application Deadline: April 30
  • Eligibility:
    • Open to women and minority graduate students at an accredited U.S. university
    • Students must be enrolled in their second semester of graduate study
    • Minimum GPA of 3.5

Open to any student pursuing a master's degree in a STEM-related subject at an accredited U.S. institution, the Ralph W. Shrader Diversity Scholarship rewards students of outstanding academic achievement.

Tillman Military Scholarship Program

  • Amount: Varies
  • Application Deadline: February 28
  • Eligibility:
    • Open to veteran and active-duty military service members and their spouses
    • Must be pursuing a full-time graduate degree

Each year, up to 60 veterans, active military members, and military spouses are chosen to receive a scholarship that can total up to $10,000. To apply, applicants must submit the required application and financial worksheet, a resume, a letter of recommendation, a short personal biography, and two essays on a given topic.

Frequently Asked Questions About Graduate Scholarships

Are there fully funded master's programs?

There are many fully funded graduate programs available for students to apply for. A fully funded program will not only cover tuition and fees but also living expenses. Some even provide a monthly stipend.

If you are pursuing a specialized degree, applying for a selective program, or are working on a specific research project, your chances of getting into a fully funded program are higher. Ph.D. and doctoral programs are also more likely to have fully funded opportunities.

Do companies pay for a master's degree?

A number of employers have tuition reimbursement programs to help fund your graduate degree. Typically, you'll need to have an established tenure with the company and be pursuing a degree that relates to your career. Some companies may also have specific schools or degree programs they partner with.

Can you get FAFSA money for a master's degree?

Yes, graduate students can apply for the FAFSA when pursuing a graduate degree. The process is the same as it is for undergraduates. After applying, you'll receive a list of federal loans, grants, scholarships, and work-study options.

Can I use my Pell Grant for a master's degree?

Graduate students are not eligible for Pell Grant funding. The Pell Grant is a federal grant students can earn after filling out the FAFSA. It's offered to undergraduate students based on their financial need.

Laurie Garrison picture

Laurie Garrison

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Laurie Garrison is a contributing writer who covers higher education, online graduate programs, college planning, and more for Grad School Hub. Her writing has also appeared in The Charlotte Business Journal and the Dallas Business Journal.

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GradSchoolHub.com is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.

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