History is always being made, and so are new opportunities to win scholarships! Whether you’re most interested in studying ancient civilizations, world wars, or modern day relations, there are plenty of scholarships for history majors available.

Jump ahead to:

• Top history scholarships
• Frequently asked questions
• Summary of history scholarships
• Recently expired scholarships

Make your debt a thing of the past, and keep on reading to learn about the top scholarships for history majors!

Top Scholarships for History Majors

Catherine W. Pierce Scholarship

• Eligibility: Full-time students at a 4-year university within the U.S. with a minimum 2.5 GPA. Applicants must be pursuing Art or Art History
• Amount: Up to $3,600
• Deadline: May 19, 2021 (11:59 pm EST)

George Watt Essay Contest

• Eligibility: Students from anywhere in the world may apply; Applicants must submit an essay or thesis chapter about the Spanish Civil War, fascism in the 1920s/30s, or volunteers of the Spanish Republic between 1936 and 1938
• Amount: Varies
• Deadline: July 5, 2021

Platt Family Essay Contest

• Eligibility: Full-time undergraduates at an American university for the Spring 2021 semester
• Amount: Up to $1,500
• Deadline: July 31, 2021

Colonial Ghosts Scholarship

• Eligibility: Students majoring in history or marketing at accredited colleges
• Amount: $1,000
• Deadline: December 15 (of each year)

American Legion National High School Oratical Contest

• Eligibility: High school students under age 20; those that graduated high school can also apply so long as they are not yet enrolled in a post-secondary institution
• Amount: Up to $25,000
• Deadline: See contest dates 

Frequently Asked Questions 

What jobs can I get if I study history?

History majors can get a variety of jobs, most of which lie in the research, academia, or consulting fields. Some of these specific positions include: academic researcher, heritage manager, academic librarian, or teacher. For a more complete list of jobs you can get with a history degree, check out this site.

What university is best for (studying) history?

Looking for the best college to pursue history at? As of 2020, some of the top-ranked universities for history include: Harvard University, the University of Oxford, the University of Cambridge, and Yale University. QS Top Universities provides a more complete list of the top universities for studying history.

Summary of history scholarships

1. Catherine W. Pierce Scholarship
2. George Watt Essay Contest
3. Platt Family Essay Contest
4. Colonial Ghosts Scholarship
5. American Legion National High School Oratical Contest

These scholarships are closed, but will open soon!

Dr. Aura-Lee A. and James Hobbs Pittenger American History Scholarship

• Eligibility: Graduating high school students who will pursue an undergraduate degree in American History or American Government. Winners must maintain a 3.25 GPA or higher
• Amount: $2,000/yr. (renewable up to four years) 
• Deadline: TBA

Michael T. and Mary L. Cloyd Scholarship

• Eligibility: Students with a minimum 3.0 GPA in the field of Archives Management; preference will be given to those specializing in American History
• Amount: $3,000
• Deadline: TBA

DAR Centennial Scholarship

• Eligibility: Graduate students pursuing historic preservation as their course of study at university
• Amount: $2,500
• Deadline: TBA

Enid Hall Griswold Memorial Scholarship

• Eligibility: College juniors or seniors pursuing history, political science, government, or economics
• Amount: $5,000
• Deadline: TBA

Lucinda Beneventi Findley History Scholarship

• Eligibility: Graduating high school seniors that have demonstrated interest in history and are planning to major in or pursue history at college. Applicants must have at least a 3.25 GPA
• Amount: $2,000
• Deadline: TBA

Graydon A. Tunstall Undergraduate Student Scholarship

• Eligibility: Undergraduate members of Phi Alpha Theta History Honor Society who are entering the Fall Semester of their Senior Year and majoring in Modern European History (1815 – present)
• Amount: $1,000
• Deadline: TBA