Top Scholarships for Graduate Students

One of the biggest misconceptions about student debt is that it is mostly impacting college students. The reality is that the graduate school student debt is growing at an even more rapid pace. Luckily there are a number of great graduate student scholarships available! So whether you are a masters student or a doctoral student you can receive funding to help pay for college (and also eliminate your student debt burden).

Jump ahead to:

Is graduate school worth it?
Paying for graduate school
- Need-based financial aid for grad school
- University-specific merit scholarships
Top scholarships for graduate students in 2020
Summary of scholarships for graduate students
Expired grad school scholarships

Is graduate school worth it?

Because of the cost, students who are considering graduate school need to give it serious thought before making the commitment. Primarily, students should ask themselves: “is graduate school necessary or worth it for me?”

Assessing return on investment (ROI) is an extremely important part of the grad school search and selection process. In some cases, it is better for students to go to the more expensive grad school if the payoff is higher. Employment statistics and average starting salaries are important metrics to look at when comparing different masters and doctoral programs.

As far as the necessity of graduate school, you should figure out whether your aspirations require it. If you want to become a doctor, lawyer, or professors, then yes, graduate school will be required.

If your aspirations are unclear or you are interested in a field that does not absolutely require a master’s degree or doctoral degree, then you may want to hold off on grad school. For many students, work experience will be more valuable than a graduate degree.

Paying for graduate school

The majority of graduate school funding for students will come specifically from the colleges themselves. This can include need-based financial aid, college-specific merit scholarships, as well as full funding for doctoral students who are pursuing their PhD.

There are also some great private organizations that offer scholarships for students pursuing their masters or doctoral degrees! Keep on reading to learn more about these options.

Need-based financial aid for grad school

For need-based graduate school financial aid, students must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid or FAFSA. This allows students to be considered for both need-based grants and federal student loans. Some colleges may also require additional forms, so always check with your specific graduate program for more details about their financial aid process.

University-specific merit scholarships

Many graduate schools will also offer university-specific scholarship opportunities. You should check with the graduate programs that you are applying for for more information about scholarship opportunities that you may be eligible for.

There are also some great private organizations that offer scholarships for students pursuing their masters or doctoral degrees! Keep on reading to learn more about these private scholarship options.