If you’ve decided that graduate school is right for you, your next step is to figure out how to pay for it without incurring crippling debt. Graduate school is expensive, so you should aim to get as much free money as possible.

In addition to maximizing aid from the university itself, apply for scholarships awarded by nonprofit organizations and businesses to graduate students such as yourself.

Here are some of the best scholarships for graduate students.

Good Life’s Community Scholarship Orange County

Good LIfe Property Management is currently accepting applications for its Good Life’s Community Scholarship. 

The company will award $2,500 to the winner.

To apply, students must write an essay of at least 350 words on any one of five given prompts, all of which are centered around their community. Students can write about what community means to them, the lessons they’ve learned from being part of a community, how their community helped them overcome a challenge, how they discovered community through a team or part-time job they were involved with, or how they have contributed to a community through volunteerism.

Application Deadline: May 1, 2025

Award: $2,500

Eligibility: 

• Must be a high school senior or high school graduate who will be enrolled, or a current undergraduate or graduate student enrolled, full-time at an accredited U.S. college or university for the 2025-26 academic year
• Must reside in the United States

Click here to apply for Good Life’s Community Scholarship.

Featured Graduate School Scholarships

In addition to the scholarships listed above, here are five competitive scholarships for graduate school that are worth considering:

Goldman Sachs MBA Fellowship

Global financial institution Goldman Sachs offers a fellowship for students pursuing an MBA. In order to qualify, applicants must be Black, Hispanic/Latino, Native American, or women. The fellowship is not a traditional scholarship program. Winning applicants are offered a paid Summer Associate position at Goldman Sachs as well as an additional $35,000 award. Upon successful completion of the summer internship and acceptance of a full-time offer post-graduation, Fellowship recipients are awarded an additional $40,000. The funds do not have to be used toward academics, but for students who need extra funds to pay for their degree, these awards can go a long way and can lead to a full-time position at a leading financial institution upon completion of their MBA.

To apply, interested students must complete an online application through the Goldman Sachs website. Application requirements are given upon after logging into the application portal.

Award: $35,000 plus Summer Associate salary (additional $40,000 award on completion of internship and acceptance of full-time position)

Eligibility

• Must be a first-year MBA student
• Must be Black, Hispanic/Latino, Native American, or a woman
• Must have a minimum 3.0 GPA
• Must live in one of the following cities in the United States: New York City, Washington, D.C., West Palm Beach, Florida, Seattle, San Francisco, Salt Lake City, Philadelphia, Miami, and Los Angeles

PEO International Peace Scholarship

PEO International Peace Scholarships are for women from countries other than the United States and Canada to fund graduate study in the United States and Canada. Applicants are awarded based on demonstrated need but are not intended to cover all academic or personal expenses. Applicants must indicate additional financial resources, including other scholarships, tuition waivers, teaching assistantships, study grants, and personal and family funds.

Scholarships are not given for research, internships, or practical training, unless it is combined with coursework. Awards cannot be used to pay back previous student debt.

To apply, interested students must first send a request for information here.

Award Amount: Maximum of $12,500

Eligibility:

• Must be qualified for full-time graduate study at an accredited college or university in the United States or Canada
• Must be working toward a graduate degree in an accredited college or university in the United States or Canada
• Must have a full year of coursework remaining, be enrolled, and in residence for the entire school year
• Doctoral students who have completed coursework and are working only on dissertations are not eligible as first-time applicants

AAUW American Dissertation Fellowship

The American Association of University Women (AAUW) has scholarships for American women who are pursuing full-time study to complete their dissertation. Fellowships are available for students in any field, however, special preference is given to students pursuing research in science, technology, engineering, and math fields, as well as to those researching gender issues in a variety of fields. In order to qualify, students must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.

To apply, interested students must complete an online application accessible through the AAUW website. Applicants are required to pass an eligibility quiz, upload a CV or resume, submit transcripts for all graduate work, and complete and submit a dissertation certification form verifying the completion of required coursework and qualifying examinations. Applicants will also be required to submit a budget outlining expenses, submit three recommendations from an advisor or colleague closely acquainted with their research 

Award: $20,000

Eligibility:

• Must not have previously received any AAUW fellowship or grant
• Must not be a member of the AAUW Board of Directors, committees, panels, task forces, staff, or a current intern with the AAUW
• Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
• Must identify as a woman
• May be in any field of study
• Must be in final year of writing the dissertation
• Must have completed all coursework, passed all preliminary exams, and had the dissertation research proposal or plan approved by November 1
• Doctoral degree/dissertation must be completed between April 1 and June 30 two years after the application deadline, with degree conferral between April 1 and September 15 of that year
• Dissertation Fellows are not required to study in the United States
• Must not already hold a fellowship or grant supporting their final year of dissertation writing
• May apply up to two times for a fellowship for the same dissertation project
• Award is intended for applicants who are completing their first doctoral degree
• Must be enrolled in a traditional classroom-based course of study at a college or university (distance learning and online programs are not supported)

AAUW International Fellowships

The AAUW also has international fellowships to women who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents. The awards are granted for full-time graduate or postgraduate study at U.S. institutions of higher education. Awards are granted on the basis of academic achievement and demonstrated commitment to the interests of women and girls. 

To apply, interested students must complete an online application. To do so, they must first pass an eligibility quiz to be reviewed by a selection panel. Applicants must also provide the following documentation: three recommendations from professors or professional colleagues; proof of highest degree in the form of a transcript or a letter from the institution including degree completion date; proof of enrollment (for enrolled students); proof of degrees held; proof of English proficiency; a resume or CV; academic information; and a summary of their budget.

Award Amount: $18,000 for master’s and first professional degree students; $20,000 for doctoral students; $30,000 for postdoctoral researchers

Eligibility:

• Must identify as a woman
• Must have demonstrated commitment to the interests of women and girls
• Must not have received an AAUW fellowship or grant in the past (not including branch or local awards or Community Action Grants)
• Must have citizenship in a country other than the United States. or possession of a nonimmigrant visa if residing in the United States
• Must hold an academic degree earned in the United States or abroad equivalent to a U.S. bachelor’s degree, completed as of the application deadline
• Must be committed full-time to academic studies or research
• Must intend to return to her home country after completing program to pursue a professional career
• Must be proficient in English and confirm proficiency by submitting a valid Educational Testing Service’s Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score, International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score or other verification
• Master’s, first professional degree, and doctoral applicants must have applied by November 15 to an accredited institution of study for the period of the fellowship year
• Postdoctoral applicants must provide proof of their doctorate degree and indicate where they will conduct their research
• Master’s, first professional degree, and doctoral applicants must be enrolled in a U.S. accredited institution during the fellowship year (distance learning and online degrees are not supported)

Scholarship Tips

The scholarships listed above are just some of the best scholarships we’ve found for you. There are many other scholarships out there for graduate students.

Some of them may not be graduate-school specific but can still be used to pay for your graduate degree. You can use TUN’s scholarship search engine to find scholarships by gender identity, racial or ethnic background, family and more, or have TUN AI help you with your search.

When to apply for scholarships 

Each scholarship has a specific deadline. These deadlines occur throughout the year, so you can find one for any time of the year. Keep in mind, however, that some scholarship deadlines may fall months, even a year, before the start of the academic year for which you’re seeking a scholarship.  

And when you apply, be sure to meet the deadline for each specific scholarship. 

How to apply for scholarships

Each scholarship has its own unique requirements and qualifications. The first step to successfully applying for any scholarship is reading the details carefully. Make sure that you fit the eligibility criteria and fill out the application completely. 

Pay attention to what’s required of you. For example, if you need a recommendation letter, you should request one way ahead of time so you have one by the time you apply. If an essay is required, start writing weeks before the deadline so you have an essay you can be proud of before the due date.

Aim to send in your application at least a few days before the deadline. This way, you avoid the risk of getting sidelined by technical glitches, tests, or illness. 

And don’t forget to submit everything required of you as part of your application. 

For more tips on how to apply for scholarships, check here.

How to find scholarships

Colleges may offer either merit-based or need-based scholarships or both. You can usually find most of the information by clicking on their “financial aid” page. If you have questions, don’t hesitate to email or call their financial aid office.

There are also outside scholarships — like the ones listed above — that are sponsored by companies, organizations, foundations, and individuals as a way to give back to their communities. The awards can cover your entire tuition or a portion of it. Some scholarships have a GPA requirement or are based on financial need, while others embrace a cause or emphasize community involvement, athletic achievement, diversity, passion, and much more. 

So, how do you find outside scholarships like these?

Start your search with TUN’s Scholarship Search Engine to find scholarships that are ideal for you. You can search by grade level, GPA, major, state of residency, scholarship name, or deadline month. You can also browse through our featured scholarships, some available only through TUN, and a collated list of scholarships for specific groups of students. 

You should also check with your graduate school’s financial aid office to see if they have a list of scholarships. They may also be in the know about scholarships sponsored by local stores or organizations.

Your family is yet another good source of scholarships. Your parents or guardians may work for a company that offers scholarships for dependents of employees. 

If you work, you may also qualify for an employee scholarship. 

For more tips on how to find scholarships, check here.

How to get scholarships

Scholarships, especially ones with high awards, can be very competitive. In some cases, you may be competing against thousands of students. 

So, how do you increase your chances of winning a scholarship?

First, make sure you meet the eligibility criteria and submit all the information required of you, including recommendation letters, transcripts, and resume.

Second, be sure to distinguish yourself from the other applicants. Your essay, if that’s required, is what makes you unique so let your personality and creativity shine through. How do you do that? 

You can achieve that “by showing instead of telling,” according to Sarah Chomette, an eAdviser with the College Advising Corps. 

“When answering a creative prompt or inputting your personal statement, it’s important to provide the reader with a story instead of just telling them about your goals and accomplishments,” she said. “That can be kind of boring and it makes you get lost in the crowd.”

A successful essay must include four major components, Chomette explained. First, make sure that you convey your personal values. Second, be open and honest to help the reader feel a connection with you. Third, let the reader know why your story is important. Fourth, your writing must show that you put time and effort into it. 

If a scholarship asks for a video or infographic instead of an essay, the same principle applies.

To summarize, always put thought and effort into your whole application and submit your best work. There should be no obvious errors or typos. And if you need to submit a recommendation letter, reflect on who knows you best and whose recommendation would help your application the most. 

Are scholarships taxable?

Typically, scholarships are not taxable. However, it can depend on how the scholarship money is being used, according to federal tax laws. 

Scholarship dollars are tax-exempt if they are going to a degree-seeking candidate and are being used to pay for tuition and fees required for enrollment, books, supplies, and other educational expenses. 

Scholarships are not tax-exempt, and you must report them as “gross income,” if they are used to pay for room and board, travel, or optional equipment. 

If you have additional questions, you should reach out to the financial aid office of your prospective or current college or university. 

Featured Scholarships on TUN

Banzai Life Literacy Scholarship

Teradata H.O.P.E. in Tech Scholarship: Helping Outstanding Potential Emerge

The Hyundai Women in STEM Scholarship

The Lariat STEM Scholar Program

Walk On Scholarship

Protected: Golden 1 Scholarship

The Andy Miller Georgia Tech Scholarship

Ramsey Education Scholarship Rules

In addition to the scholarships listed here, check our blog article on scholarships for graduate students.