Graduate School Grants

Earning a master's, doctorate, or graduate certificate is a great way to expand your career opportunities, but it isn't cheap. Luckily, there are multiple sources of grants and other funding opportunities that can help you pay for your education.

Through the federal government, students can acquire loans for graduate studies. This isn't the only option for graduate students, however. There are also non-traditional sources of financial aid. Many private institutions and programs offer fellowship and grant opportunities.

Some grant programs offer funding specifically for minorities in graduate programs. Examples include the American Indian Graduate Center, Cornell University Graduate School Fellowships for Minorities, and the National Consortium for Graduate Degrees for Minorities in Engineering and Science.

If you are enrolled in an online program, you are still eligible for financial aid. The University of Phoenix provides some grants to its students. The most notable program is Project Reach, which helps fund a master's in education for those who are willing to commit to teaching in needy areas.

List of Graduate School Grants

• Phi Kappa Phi Fellowship — Fellowship awards for students who are entering their first year of graduate school or professional studies.

Paying for school is not easy, but we are here to help. OEDb's student finance section will help you find the money you need to pay your tuition and other college expenses. We cover scholarships, college grants, and student loans. Scholarships and grants are both forms of "free money", meaning they don't need to be paid back. Scholarships are typically awarded by businesses or individuals, with the money being earmarked specifically for tuition. They can be awarded based on a student's location or by religious affiliation, such as Catholicism or Islam. Grants are typically awarded by governments or non-profit organizations and the money often can be applied to several different expenses a student may incur, not solely tuition. They can be awarded based on location or ethnicity, for instance African American or Hispanic. Loans are not considered "free money", because unlike scholarships and grants, they do need to be paid back after graduation. Common federal loans include Perkins and Stafford. Loans are also available by location.