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Top 10 PhD in Education Programs

Karla Ibarra is a content writer at Scholarships 360. She has worked as an English teacher and writing tutor. As a writing tutor, she has experience editing scholarships and college application essays. Karla graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in Communication and a minor in English.

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Maria Geiger is Director of Content at Scholarships360. She is a former online educational technology instructor and adjunct writing instructor. In addition to education reform, Maria’s interests include viewpoint diversity, blended/flipped learning, digital communication, and integrating media/web tools into the curriculum to better facilitate student engagement. Maria earned both a B.A. and an M.A. in English Literature from Monmouth University, an M. Ed. in Education from Monmouth University, and a Virtual Online Teaching Certificate (VOLT) from the University of Pennsylvania.

Earning a PhD in any field is both time intensive and expensive. While the required time to earn a PhD is a given, paying for one is not! Fully funded PhD programs offer students a chance to focus on their studies without worrying about going into debt long (sometimes decades) after graduation. With the average cost of a PhD at nearly $100,000 , potential PhD students should do everything possible to secure a spot in fully funded programs. Keep reading to learn about some of the top fully funded PhD programs in Education! 

Related: Top scholarships for teachers

First, exactly what is a “Doctorate of Philosophy” degree?

A PhD, which is the abbreviated form of “doctorate of philosophy,” is among the highest level degrees one can earn in the United States. Students earn a  PhD after the completion of a lengthy research and writing project known as a “dissertation.” While most students earn PhDs in the humanities or social sciences, they can earn a PhD in a variety of fields. 

Further reading: What is a PhD?

How we chose the fully funded PhD in Education programs on this list

All of the programs on the following list have stellar reputations in the education space. It is not surprising that the most reputable programs offer plentiful resources that are invaluable to PhD students. PhD students are able to fully focus on their studies in well stocked and up-to-date libraries. Students have access to the most distinguished education professors in their respective specialty fields. Upon graduation, students will have strong connections to help launch their own careers. 

All of the fully funded programs included offer full tuition coverage. Most offer living stipends and health insurance as well. Make sure that you read the details of exactly what to expect from each program. Students may be required to contribute to their education by becoming a graduate assistant or working in some capacity at the school they are enrolled in. 

Let’s take a look at some of the top fully-funded PhD in Education programs, which are in no particular order. 

Columbia University Teachers College PhD program in Education Policy 

Columbia University Teachers College PhD program in Education provides students with rigorous academic training and research opportunities. The program offers a range of specializations, including curriculum and teaching, educational leadership, higher education, international and comparative education, psychology in education, and special education.  

• Location: New York City, New York
• Focus of study : Curriculum and teaching, education policy and social analysis, health education, and cognitive studies in education.
• What is included : Tuition coverage for the first, second, and third year

Harvard University PhD in Education

Harvard University offers a PhD program in Education through the Harvard Graduate School of Education (HGSE). The program offers students specializations in three concentrations: Culture, Institutions, and Society; Education Policy and Program Evaluation; and Human Development, Learning and Teaching.  

• Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts
• Focus of study : Human development, instructional practice, institutions and society, learning and teaching, and policy analysis and evaluation
• What is included : Full financial support for tuition, health insurance fees, and basic living expenses for a minimum of five years

Stanford PhD Program in Education

The Stanford Graduate School of Education PhD program in Education prepares scholars to advance knowledge about learning and education, with a focus on improving educational outcomes for all students. Academic areas students can focus on include curriculum studies and teacher education (CTE), developmental and psychological sciences (DAPS), social sciences, humanities, and interdisciplinary policy studies in education (SHIPS), and other cross-area specializations. 

• Location: Stanford, California
• Focus of study : Educational leadership, education policy analysis, learning and teaching, and quantitative and qualitative research methods
• What is included : Full tuition aid, fellowship stipend, and assistantship salary

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign PhD program in Education

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign offers a Ph.D. program in education that provides students with a strong foundation in educational theory, research methodologies, and practical applications. Students may specialize in a variety of different areas of study. These include educational policy, leadership and administration, curriculum and instruction, educational psychology, and human development. 

• Location: Champaign, Illinois 
• Focus of study : Curriculum and instruction, educational policy, educational psychology, higher education, learning sciences, and special education
• What is included : Full tuition waiver, a partial fee waiver, and a stipend in the first five years of enrollment

University of Michigan PhD program in Educational Studies  

The University of Michigan offers a Ph.D. program in Education through its School of Education. Students have the opportunity to specialize in diverse fields such as educational psychology, curriculum and instruction, educational leadership, and policy. Additionally, the University of Michigan provides a vibrant intellectual community and a wide range of resources, including libraries, research centers, and partnerships with local schools and educational organizations. 

• Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan
• Focus of study : Cross-specialization concentration, educational foundations and policy, educational policy, leadership, and innovation, learning technologies, literacy, language, and culture, mathematics education, science education, and teaching and teacher education
• What is included : Full tuition waiver, health insurance, and a generous stipend package 

University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education PhD program in Education

The University of Pennsylvania offers an interdisciplinary and prestigious Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) program in Education housed within the renowned Graduate School of Education (GSE). Students can choose one of the five programs available: 1) educational linguistics 2) human development & quantitative methods 3) literacy, culture, and international education 4) policy, organizations, leadership, and systems and 5) teaching, learning, and leadership. The GSE also has numerous research centers and institutes, providing opportunities for collaboration and engagement with experts. 

• Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• Focus of study : Educational technology, language and literacy, higher education, policy analysis, teacher education, and urban education
• What is included : A full scholarship, a stipend, and student health insurance for the first four years of study

Vanderbilt University Ph.D. program in Learning, Teaching, and Diversity

Vanderbilt University offers a Ph.D. program in Learning, Teaching, and Diversity through its Peabody College. The program aims to place a strong emphasis on research and provides students with numerous opportunities for professional development and networking. The program offers four areas of specialization: language, literacy, and culture; justice and diversity in education; mathematics and science education; and learning and design. 

• Location: Nashville, Tennessee
• Focus of study : higher education, learning and instruction, language and literacy, educational policy, and more
• What is included : Full tuition support, health insurance, and graduate assistantships that cover living expenses

The University of Texas at Austin College of Education PhD

Within the College of Education at UT Austin , the Curriculum and Instruction department includes a variety of PhD programs to choose from like bilingual education, cultural studies in education, early childhood education, language and literacy studies, learning technologies, social studies education, and more. Other departments in the college of education include: Curriculum and Instruction; Educational Leadership and Policy; Educational Psychology; Kinesiology and Health Education; and Special Education.

• Location: Austin, Texas
• Focus of study : Bilingual/Bicultural Education; Cultural Studies in Education; Early Childhood Education, Language and Literacy Studies; Learning Technologies; Physical Education Teacher Education; Social Studies Education; STEM Education; and Urban Teachers Program
• What is included : Full tuition waiver, a stipend for living expenses, and health insurance for up to five years

New York University Steinhardt

The Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development at New York University offers many PhD programs in the field of education. Popular concentrations include learning sciences, literacy education, educational psychology, policy studies, and teaching and learning. A PhD in education from New York University offers students a variety of specializations with the added bonus of a fully funded program.  

• Focus of study : Bilingual Education; Childhood Education; Early Childhood Education; Education and Jewish Studies; Educational Communication and Technology; and more
• What is included : Tuition coverage for required course work, an annual stipend, and health insurance through the fifth year 

Washington University in St. Louis, PhD in Education

Washington University in St. Louis offers a Ph.D. in Education through its Graduate School of Arts & Sciences. PhD students may choose from two major strands of study; educational policy studies and educational psychology. Students in the Educational Policy Studies concentration focus on analysis of educational policy, address systemic inequities, and study qualitative, quantitative projects. The Educational Psychology program helps students in their focus on psychological research and theories relating to learning and motivation. 

• Location: St. Louis, Missouri
• Focus of study : Educational Policy Studies and Educational Psychology
• What is included : Full tuition remission and a monthly stipend five to six years

Don’t miss: Top education scholarships

Frequently asked questions about fully funded PhD programs in education

How do i know which phd program in education is right for me.

• If you had to pick one, what would be your main professional goal?
• What’s the reputation of the faculty?
• What research options are available?
• What environment is right for me?

Does a fully funded PhD in education include housing?

Is there an age limit for earning a phd in education, can i earn an online fully funded phd program in education, scholarships360 recommended.

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Teach.com / Online Education / Education Degrees / Explore the Best Online EdD Programs for You / Scholarships for Doctor of Education (EdD) Students

Education Doctorate (EdD) Scholarships and Grants Guide

Developing your knowledge as an educator with a Doctor of Education (EdD) may help you grow your career. A doctorate is the most advanced degree you can earn in the education field. 

If you’re considering this degree path, you may be wondering, can you get a scholarship for a doctorate? Yes, as you’ll see in this guide, there are grants and doctoral scholarships in education that may help you cover the expenses of your doctoral program.

Tuition for a Doctorate in Education Program

EdD program tuition to earn a Doctor of Education may vary depending on a variety of factors, including your school of choice, whether or not you reside on campus, whether the school is private or public, and other factors. For example, according to the National Center for Education Statistics, private nonprofit school tuition tends to cost more than private for-profit school tuition and tends to cost much more than public school tuition.

Students may pay for their EdD education in a variety of ways. Some EdD programs may provide a stipend through an assistantship. There may also be financial aid options like grants, which are funds given to students from the federal government for education based on financial need. 

EdD scholarships may also be available, based on factors like financial need, experience and achievements. Since each program may differ, you may use this guide to explore grant and scholarship options for EdD students.

Grants for Doctor of Education Students

Grants are a form of gift aid that come from the federal government, state governments, colleges, universities, career schools, private organizations and nonprofits. “Gift aid” means the grant generally doesn’t have to be repaid.

Most grants from the government are based on financial need. You’ll want to make sure you fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA ® ) form to be eligible for federal grants for doctoral students in educational leadership.

• One federal grant is the Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant, which provides grants of up to $4,000 a year. You’re required to complete a teaching service obligation to receive the funds as grant money, which generally requires teaching in a high-need field and serving as a teacher at a school or educational service agency that serves low-income students. If you don’t fulfill the grant requirements, the financial aid may be converted to a loan with interest.
• The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Office of Planning, Research & Evaluation also offers various grants, which support research in areas including childcare, Head Start and Early Head Start, child welfare and other topics. Criteria vary depending on the grant category.
• The AFT Robert G. Porter Scholars Program provides 10 one-time $1,000 grants to members of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT). The grants are solely merit-based and center on academic excellence while also considering volunteerism and activism at school and in the community.
• For graduate students working on their dissertation, the American Educational Research Association (AERA) Grants Program provides research funding and professional training and development. Students working on a variety of education-related research may apply.
• Another EdD grant awarded to support research related to a dissertation is the Children’s Literature Association (ChLA) Hannah Beiter Graduate Student Research Grants program. These grants are available for individual awards ranging from $500 to $1,500. To be eligible, winners must either be members of the ChLA or join before they receive the funds.
• For students focused on autism research, the Organization for Autism Research offers a $2,000 grant for doctoral candidates. Applicants must send a request for proposal in order to qualify.
• The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi has a Literacy Grants program, with grants of up to $2,500 to Phi Kappa Phi members who are working on ongoing literacy projects or are creating new initiatives.
• The SHAPE America Research Grant Program provides one or more annual awards of up to $2,000 for graduate students who are members of the Society of Health and Physical Educators. Primary consideration goes to the study of physical activity in natural environments, like schools, parks and home settings.
• Every month, the STEM education company Pitsco awards a $350 grant for education students who are focused on integrating engineering or technology in the classroom. Similarly, the International Technology and Engineering Educators Association (ITEEA) and its Foundation for Technology and Engineering Educators (FTEE) offer a variety of grants focused on the advancement of engineering and technology education.
• For EdD students who are also math teachers, the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) offers a variety of math-focused grants with award amounts ranging from $1,500 to $24,000. Applicants generally need to be NCTM members to qualify.
• Various schools may also have grant programs for EdD students. One such grant is the Esther Katz Rosen Fund Grants program at Duke University. These grant amounts range from $1,000 to $5,000. Graduate students may be eligible when they do research or work related to the psychological understanding of gifted youth and children.
• Sigma Alpha Iota (SAI) has a grant program presented by SAI Philanthropies, Inc. Grants are available to SAI members, and most are focused on supporting music education.  
• The Steven A. Stahl Research Grant comes from the International Literacy Association (ILA) and is a $1,000 award granted to one recipient annually. Applicants must be graduate students conducting classroom research in reading to qualify.
• There are numerous TOEFL® grants and awards available for graduate students who are working in international higher education or foreign or second language assessment, research and teaching.

Guide to Scholarships for EdD Programs

Doctor of Education scholarships may be available based on financial aid, your particular career experience , your teaching goals, what type of research you want to do and other factors. Scholarships for EdD students generally don’t have to be repaid. 

Some EdD students may be able to supplement most or even all of their education by securing scholarships they’re eligible for. Consider the following:

• The A. Harry Passow Classroom Teacher Scholarship is available for teachers of grades K–12 who are dedicated to developing their teaching skills, particularly related to teaching gifted youth in a variety of educational settings. The scholarship application requires letters of recommendation and a summary of coursework and how it relates to the scholarship.
• For Rhode Island residents, the Antonio Cirino Memorial Scholarship from the Rhode Island Foundation comes in award amounts ranging from $2,000 to $12,000. Applicants must be graduate students focused on arts education or currently working in the arts with a desire to teach.
• For teachers in California, the California Teachers Association (CTA) offers scholarships for up to $5,000 for CTA members. Applicants should demonstrate high academic achievement in their college coursework.
• The Carmelita K. Williams VSRA Scholarship, up to $1,000, is available to EdD students studying at an accredited university or college in Virginia that has a degree program focused on the field of reading. Applicants must be members of a local council, the Virginia State Reading Association and the International Reading Association for at least a year prior to application.
• The Donald and Verna Duncan Special Education Scholarship is offered through the PDK Educational Foundation. The scholarship is for graduate students whose field of study has a major emphasis in special education/rehabilitation and mental health counseling. The award amount may vary.
• The Larry E. Frase Memorial Scholarship for Educational Research is a $1,000 award for doctoral students who are PDK members and who are pursuing study of the motivational factors in education. Requirements include a recommendation letter, an application form and official transcripts.
• For African American and Hispanic students who are interested in teaching at universities and colleges in the state of Florida, the McKnight Doctoral Fellowship Program covers up to $5,000 in annual tuition for each of three academic years, plus an annual stipend of $12,000, for fellowship members who study at one of nine participating Florida universities.
• The NAEd/Spencer Dissertation Fellowship Program provides $27,500 fellowships for EdD students whose dissertations show unique perspectives on formal or informal education anywhere in the world. In 2022, 35 dissertation fellowships will be awarded.
• The PDK Educational Foundation makes more than 100 scholarships available to educational students. You’ll be considered for all scholarships you’re eligible for with only one application. One-time and renewable awards range from $500 to $4,000. Applicants must be pursuing a career in public education, be enrolled for the fall semester of the application year and be a member of at least one of the following associations: Educators Rising, Pi Lambda Theta, Educators Rising Collegiate and/or PDK Association.
• AASA, the School Superintendents Association, offers Educational Administration Scholarships to graduate students who are pursuing an educational administration degree in order to become school superintendents. Applications require essays and letters of endorsement.
• The Intercollegiate Studies Institute offers fellowships of up to $15,000 for graduate students who intend to teach. Up to 15 fellowships are available for students pursuing advanced study in the social sciences or humanities.
• Pi Lambda Theta offers student support scholarships for up to $2,000 each. Applicants must be Pi Lambda Theta members in good standing.
• The Ruth Crymes TESOL Fellowship for Graduate Study is a $1,500 scholarship for TESOL members who are graduate students currently enrolled in a TEFL/TESOL graduate program. Applicants must plan on working on a graduate study project that’s relevant to TEFL or TESOL in an upcoming academic year.
• The AFCEA Educational Foundation offers STEM Teacher Graduate Scholarships with awards of $2,500 each to students who are pursuing graduate degrees for the purpose of teaching STEM to students in grades K–12. Applicants must be U.S. citizens who live in and intend to teach in the United States.

Last updated in March 2022

20 Great Doctoral Scholarships in Education

• Published February 28, 2016
• Last Updated October 4, 2023

Earning a PhD in education or an EdD can be expensive. Doctoral scholarships in education can help make these programs affordable.

A doctorate in education requires four to six years of full-time graduate study. It is most common to earn a master’s in education before earning your doctorate in education. The first step for doctoral students is to choose a specialization. Next is:

• completing advanced coursework
• internships
• comprehensive exams,
• dissertation research.

EdD programs tend to be lighter on research than PhD programs.

Those with a PhD in education tend to teach at the college level or go into administration. A PhD in education qualifies you for jobs in

• education supervision
• administration\ policy making.

The following are 20 great doctoral scholarships in education. These scholarships are offered by a variety of sources. All have the goal of helping nurture leaders in education.

Reviewing the Best Scholarships for Doctorate Students in Education

1. a. harry passow classroom teacher scholarship.

Deadline: April 18th

The A. Harry Passow Classroom Teacher Scholarship is awarded every year. The award is administered by The National Association for Gifted Children. The scholarship is awarded to two licensed K-12 educators training in gifted education at the master’s or doctoral level. Eligible members must display excellence in teaching gifted youth in diverse classrooms. Applications must include:

• two letters of recommendation
• evidence of enrollment

A. Harry Passow Classroom Teacher Scholarship 1331 H Street NW Suite 1001 Washington, DC 20005 (202) 785-4268 [email protected] Scholarship Link

2. AERA Minority Dissertation Fellowship

Deadline: November 2nd

The American Educational Research Association (AERA) offers the $20,000 Minority Dissertation Fellowship. This scholarship is for students who aree:

• Pacific Islander

Eligible U.S. doctoral students must be starting their dissertation on an education research topic. Topic examples include:

• STEM development
• high stakes testing
• curriculum design

Fellows may present their research at the AERA Annual Meeting.

AERA Minority Dissertation Fellowship 1430 K Street NW Suite 1200 Washington, DC 20005 (202) 238-3200 [email protected] Scholarship Link

3. Antonio Cirino Memorial Art Education Award

Deadline: April 29th

The Antonio Cirino Memorial Art Education Award ranges from $2,000 to $12,000. The scholarship is awarded by the Rhode Island Foundation to artists pursuing a master’s or PhD degree in art education. Recipients must intend to teach at the K-12, undergraduate, or graduate level. Qualified applicants must live in Rhode Island and exhibit financial need. They must also be active in the artistic community and provide five artwork samples. Students attending the Rhode Island School of Design aren’t eligible.

Antonio Cirino Memorial Art Education Award 1 Union Station Providence, RI 02903 (401) 427-4011 [email protected] Scholarship Link

4. Carmelita K. Williams Graduate Scholarship

Deadline: December 15th

The Carmelita K. Williams Graduate Scholarship exists to honor the past IRA president. The $2,500 scholarship is awarded by the Virginia State Reading Association. Students must be enrolled in master’s or doctoral level programs for reading education. Eligible applicants must have been VSRA members for at least one year. They must be state licensed teachers. They must work in a K-12 position where reading is an instructional focus. And they must seek extra reading endorsements and exemplify professionalism.

Carmelita K. Williams Graduate Scholarship 48 Crooked Spur Road Millboro, VA 24460 (804) 287-6678 [email protected] Scholarship Link

5. Donald H. and Verna S. Duncan Fellowship

Deadline: June 1st

Phi Delta Kappa International offers the Donald H. and Verna S. Duncan Fellowship to support PDK members. Members must be enrolled full-time in an accredited educational leadership program. The program must be either master’s or PhD level. Candidates must intend to become elementary, secondary, or university public school administrators. Applications must include:

• graduate transcripts
• a position paper.

Donald H. and Verna S. Duncan Fellowship 1525 Wilson Blvd. Suite 705 Arlington, VA 22209 (800) 766-1156 [email protected] Scholarship Link

6. Education Pioneers Fellowship Program

Deadline: February 12th

The Education Pioneers Fellowship Program has helped over 3,000 teachers afford graduate school. To be eligible, students must be working toward an MEd, PhD, or EdD. The focus must be on transforming student development. Eligible candidates must hold a bachelor’s degree in education. They must be enrolled at an accredited U.S. university. They are required to have at least two years of full-time teaching experience. Finalists must complete an in-person or phone interview with an EP staff member.

Education Pioneers Fellowship Program 360 22nd Street Suite 220 Oakland, CA 94612 (510) 893-4374 [email protected] Scholarship Link

7. Esther Katz Rosen Fund Grant

Deadline: March 1st

The Esther Katz Rozen Fund Grant is the product of a generous bequest. It is administered by the American Psychological Association. The grant provides up to $50,000 per year. Eligible PhD students must be researching education for gifted and talented children. Qualifying majors include:

• child psychology
• school psychology

Research proposals must include:

• the abstract
• methodology
• IRB approval.

Esther Katz Rosen Fund Grant 750 First Street NE Washington, DC 20002 (202) 336-5843 [email protected] Scholarship Link

8. Finis E. Engleman Scholarship Award

Deadline: October 15th

The Finis E. Engleman Scholarship Award gives $2,500 per year to an outstanding scholar. The student must be pursuing a graduate degree in educational administration. The end goal of the recipient must be to become a school superintendent. Applicants will submit:

• three essay responses
• two letters of endorsement
• official transcripts.

Other AASA doctoral scholarships in education include the Forrest E. Connor Award and Paul B. Salmon Award.

Finis E. Engleman Scholarship Award 1615 Duke Street Alexandria, VA 22314 (703) 875-0723 [email protected] Scholarship Link

9. Hollis L. Caswell Laureate Scholarship

Deadline: May 1st

Kappa Delta Pi has established several PhD scholarships in education for active members. These include the Hollis L. Caswell Laureate Scholarship. Candidates for this $2,000 award must be pursuing a PhD in curriculum and instruction. The student must be attending a participating U.S. university full-time. The application requires:

• an official transcript
• reference letter

The essay topic must describe how they plan to positively influence school curriculum.

Hollis L. Caswell Laureate Scholarship 3707 Woodview Trace Indianapolis, IN 46268 (800) 284-3167 [email protected] Scholarship Link

10. Larry E. Frase Scholarship Fund

The Larry E. Frase Scholarship Fund is another PhD scholarship in education from the PDK International. The $2,500 per year scholarship is available to teachers in a qualifying U.S doctoral program. Candidates must have a teaching license. Professional classroom experience is also required. Students must maintain a GPA of 3.5. Three recommendation letters must be submitted as part of the application process. Students must show a commitment to improving academic performance among students.

Larry E. Frase Scholarship Fund 1525 Wilson Blvd. Suite 705 Arlington, VA 22209 (800) 766-1156 [email protected] Scholarship Link

11. L. Gordon Bittle Memorial Scholarships

Deadline: February 5th

The L. Gordon Bittle Memorial Scholarships are awarded by the California Teachers Association. Three $5,000 scholarships are awarded to full-time graduate students. Their program must lead to teacher credentials in public education. Eligible master’s or PhD students must be CTA members. They must be enrolled full-time at an accredited California college. Students must also maintain a GPA of 3.0. The highest scoring applicants receive the Philip Vera Cruz Pacific Asian American Scholarship.

L. Gordon Bittle Memorial Scholarships P.O. Box 921 Burlingame, CA 94011 (650) 552-5446 [email protected] Scholarship Link

12. McKnight Doctoral Fellowship Program

Deadline: January 15th

The McKnight Doctoral Fellowship Program awards $17,000 to Black and Hispanic PhD students. The annual scholarship is administered by the Florida Education Fund. Students must be attending one of nine participating Florida universities. Eligible candidates must be Florida residents and hold U.S. citizenship. Applicants must already have a regionally accredited bachelor’s degree. The award is only available to students who plan to become college professors. Preference is given to students working on a PhD in:

• agriculture education.

McKnight Doctoral Fellowship Program 201 East Kennedy Blvd. Tampa, FL 33602 (813) 272-2772 [email protected] Scholarship Link

13. Nadeen Burkeholder Williams Music Scholarship

Deadline: April 1st

Pi Lambda Theta awards the Nadeen Burkeholder Williams Music Scholarship each year. The $1,000 goes to to outstanding K-12 music teachers in a graduate education program. The master’s or PhD program must be for music education. To be eligible, teachers must hold valid education certification. At least one year of full-time classroom experience is also required. Students must maintain a GPA of 3.5 and write a 1,000-word essay titled “The Qualities of an Excellent Music Teacher.”

Nadeen Burkeholder Williams Music Scholarship P.O. Box 7888 Bloomington, IN 47407 (812) 339-1156 [email protected] Scholarship Link

14. NAEd Spencer Dissertation Fellowships

Deadline: October 1st

Each year, the National Academy of Education (NAEd) awards 35 Spencer Dissertation Fellowships. These fellowships award $27,500 each to extraordinary scholars. The awards go to researchers studying the history, theory, analysis, or practice of formal education. Eligible recipients must have completed all pre-dissertation requirements. They must attend a graduate school in the United States. They must submit a research proposal and be supported by two reference letters. Finally, their goal must be to have a career in education research.

NAEd Spencer Dissertation Fellowships 500 Fifth Street NW Washington, DC 20001 (202) 334-2341 [email protected] Scholarship Link

15. PDK Past Presidents’ Graduate Fellowship

The PDK Past Presidents’ Graduate Fellowship is open to active Phi Delta Kappa members. They must be enrolled in an accredited graduate program leading to a master’s, PhD, or EdD degree in education. Applicants must submit an online application with graduate transcripts. A one-paragraph summary of their PDK involvement is also required. Applicants will need two recommendations. Applicants must write a 1,000-word paper highlighting their professional goals in education.

PDK Past Presidents’ Graduate Fellowship 1525 Wilson Blvd. Suite 705 Arlington, VA 22209 (800) 766-1156 [email protected] Scholarship Link

16. Pi Lambda Theta Graduate Student Scholar Award

Since 1993, the Pi Lambda Theta Graduate Student Scholar Award is offered every year. The $1,000 award is offered to members and non-members alike. They must be pursuing a master’s, specialist, or doctoral degree in education. Eligible nominees must have completed at least 12 graduate credits of their program. They must also maintain GPA of 3.5 or higher. Students must display potential for leadership and attend a U.S. college. They are looking for those who have made significant contributions to local or national education efforts.

Pi Lambda Theta Graduate Student Scholar Award P.O. Box 7888 Bloomington, IN 47407 (812) 339-1156 [email protected] Scholarship Link

17. Richard M. Weaver Fellowship Program

Deadline: January 23rd

The Intercollegiate Studies Institute (ISI) hosts the Richard M. Weaver Fellowship Program. This annual program provides 15 awards for $5,000, $10,000, and $15,000 to U.S. citizens who are enrolled in a doctoral program. Students must be enrolled full-time and plan to teach at the university level. Applicants must be a current ISI member. Applicants must submit a five-page autobiography and 10-page writing sample. The program also requires:

• three letters of recommendation.

Richard M. Weaver Fellowship Program 3901 Centerville Road Wilmington, DE 19807 (800) 526-7022 [email protected] Scholarship Link

18. Ruth Crymes TESOL Fellowship for Graduate Study

Deadline: November 1st

The Ruth Crymes TESOL fellowship gives students $1,500 to help pay for their degree. The fellowship is for members of the TESOL International Association. Members must be enrolled in an accredited master’s or doctoral ELL interventions program. The award is specifically to help with ELL related research. Applications must include a 1,250-word project proposal. Students must also submit a letter of recommendation and brief personal statement.

Ruth Crymes TESOL Fellowship for Graduate Study 1925 Ballenger Avenue Suite 550 Alexandria, VA 22314 (703) 836-0774 [email protected] Scholarship Link

19. STEM Teachers for America’s Future Scholarship

Deadline: April 22nd

The AFCEA Educational Foundation awards the STEM Teachers for America’s Future Scholarship. $2,500 to $5,000 are awarded each year. Eligible students must be pursuing a master’s, specialist, or doctoral degree for teaching STEM subjects in K-12 schools. Candidates must be U.S. citizens and attend an accredited college on-campus. Students must take at least two classes per semester and maintain a minimum GPA of 3.5.

STEM Teachers for America’s Future Scholarship 4400 Fair Lakes Court Fairfax, VA 22033 (800) 336-4583 [email protected] Scholarship Link

20. Women in Geographic Education Scholarship

Deadline: February 1st

The Women in Geographic Education Scholarship is offered by the NCGE. The $1,000 award goes to women who are pursuing a master’s or PhD degree in geography education. Recipients must intend to teach at the secondary or higher education level. Qualified recipients must attend an accredited U.S. college. They must have completed at least nine graduate credits in geography and maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.5. The applicants will also submit two letters of recommendation.

Women in Geographic Education Scholarship 1101 14th Street Suite 350 Washington, DC 20005 (202) 216-0942 [email protected] Scholarship Link

What are some other sources of funding for my doctoral degree?

The federal government is your best bet. This article focuses on third party scholarships for people earning their doctoral degree. This is because federal student aid for doctoral degrees is pretty scarce. Federal student aid for those earning doctoral degrees is often awarded for specific research. Your doctoral program may have a list of the kinds of funding available, so that would be a great place to check.

Financial assistance at this level often comes through research grants. This is a primary source of government funding at this level. Research assistantships are also sometimes available through your school of education. These can help provide for your living expenses if your doctorate degree is not research focused. We would advise you to check with your school of education for research grants and other forms of financial support.

Financial aid is harder to come by the higher you go in academia. One of the best ways to pay for your doctorate degree is to apply to teach at the school you plan to attend. If you have your master’s degree in education, this is a great option. Often you get discounted or free tuition for pursuing your doctorate if you teach in the same school of education. It is, after all, possible to teach undergraduate students if you have a master’s degree. With financial aid being tough to come by, this is likely your best option.

Any advice on choosing a school?

There are many things to consider when choosing a school to earn your education degree. Financial aid, living expenses, and more should be considered when choosing a doctorate degree. Location is also a factor. It’s no secret teachers don’t make a lot of money. It might be better to aim for a college in an area with lower cost of living. Paying for graduate degrees out of pocket or through loans can be brutal.

Since financial aid is hard to come by, you may end up having to take a job teaching in higher education for the discount. It can also be difficult for international students with all the visa struggles involved. So working as a professor can pull double duty in that regard. If you want to do research, make sure the school’s research areas align with yours. Ask directly about what research grants might be available to you. Make sure you are confident in your school’s intention to help when it comes to financial support.

Is it best to get my doctorate in the same subject as my master’s or should I pick a different subject?

Generally speaking this doesn’t matter so much. It mostly depends on what your aims are. If you want to work in curriculum research or educational research, then curriculum design is a good choice. If you want to become a principle or college administrator, educational leadership is a good choice. In education your graduate degrees don’t really affect which doctoral programs are open to you.

You should be able to gain sufficient financial assistance as long as you use the strategies talked about earlier. So, you won’t hurt yourself by choosing a different area of study from your master’s degree. However, you may be able to cut out some coursework if you do select a doctorate in the same subject.

So really the question is, do you want to pivot to a different area of education, or dive deeper into your area of expertise?

Is student health insurance available to doctoral students?

Student health insurance coverage is available to graduate students. What insurance coverage you have access to may differ depending on your status. Graduate students who work as teaching assistants or professors are employees. So they would likely qualify for employee insurance. Those who are students only are usually provided student health insurance coverage. However, this may only be the case if the school requires students to have it. You should check with your school to be sure.

There’s one thing that most doctoral candidates have in common whether they’re studying:

• business education
• school administration

Dedicating four or more years to PhD or EdD study without a full-time teaching salary is financially draining. Taking on graduate assistantships can help afford tuition while fine-tuning your teaching skills in the college classroom. Scholarships and fellowships will also provide free gift aid to minimize your student loan debt. Let your teacher leadership career grow by funding your degree with these great doctoral scholarships in education.

Related to top scholarships for doctorate in education:

• 50 Best Deals on Competitive Small Colleges
• Top 50 Great Deals on Bachelor’s Degrees Online
• Top 20 Deals on Small Colleges in Texas
• Top 50 Best Colleges in Texas
• 20 Best Deals on Colleges that Don’t Require SAT
• 20 Best Deals: Small Colleges for Athletic Types
• 20 Highest Paying Bachelor Degrees
• 20 Great PhD Scholarships and Doctoral Grants for Minorities

This concludes our listing of the best scholarships for doctorate in education.

50 Best Scholarships for Ph.D. Students

Reviewed by David Krug David Krug is a seasoned expert with 20 years in educational technology (EdTech). His career spans the pivotal years of technology integration in education, where he has played a key role in advancing student-centric learning solutions. David's expertise lies in marrying technological innovation with pedagogical effectiveness, making him a valuable asset in transforming educational experiences. As an advisor for enrollment startups, David provides strategic guidance, helping these companies navigate the complexities of the education sector. His insights are crucial in developing impactful and sustainable enrollment strategies.

Updated: February 23, 2024 , Reading time: 29 minutes

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“First, you get your bachelor’s degree, and you think you know everything. Then, you get your master’s degree, and you realize you don’t know anything. Then you get your doctorate, and you find out that nobody knows anything.”

While we can’t find information on who said these words, we can’t help but laugh! You, a student pursuing your doctoral degree, may even laugh at it because there’s a grain of truth to it. Your doctoral dissertation, after all, will likely be about creating new knowledge or building on old knowledge because “nobody knows anything,” in a manner of speaking. 

But why are you pursuing a doctoral degree when your master’s degree will suffice for most jobs? There are even people who believe that it’s a waste of time and money for many reasons. Some people push for it because of the numerous benefits that it brings.

So which one’s a better perspective? A doctoral degree is about contributing to the existing body of knowledge through original research. It is considered an introduction to independent research in your chosen field with your doctoral dissertation as the first of many intellectual masterpieces.

Let’s first take a look at the unfavorable view because there’s also some merit to it. For one thing, there’s the cost of doctoral education that, in U.S. universities, can range from $28,000 to $40,000 per year in tuition and fees. In Ivy League universities, the cost can be higher – at Harvard University, for example, the full tuition needed for the first two years of study is $49,448, exclusive of health insurance, housing, books and supplies, and food expenses. 

Yes, indeed, it isn’t cheap to get a doctoral degree in the United States, not even in one of the lesser-known universities!

In addition, there’s a sense of dissatisfaction among doctoral students. You may feel, at one point, that you’re doing slave labor, no thanks to the 10-hour workdays, and low pay during your research.

Your employment prospects may also seem uncertain, considering the competition due to the oversupply of Ph.D. holders . The number of Ph.D. holders exceeds the number of employment opportunities for them, too! Such a disconnection partly stems from the high degree of specialization required in getting a doctoral degree, not to mention that Ph.D. holders have high employment expectations.

Still, the number of doctoral degree holders in the U.S. has more than doubled between 2000 and 2018! In 2000, there were 2 million Ph.D. holders, and by 2018, there were already 4.5 million. Why do people pursue doctoral degrees despite the myriad of challenges that come with them?

Here’s why.

• You have a clear edge in getting higher positions and, thus, higher pay. Studies have shown that a Ph.D. is a contributing factor toward earning over 20% more than people with master’s degrees.   The Chronicle of Higher Education revealed instructors of Legal Professions and Studies without a doctorate earned $64,785, while those with doctorate degrees earned $91,828 per year (2011). In a PayScale comparison , Ph.D. holders earned $98,300 per year, on average.
• Your specialized knowledge and skills are highly marketable. You will likely enjoy a flexible career path, whether you choose a career in public service or the private sector. Your career will also be characterized by the highest lifetime earning potential and the lowest unemployment rate! Your Ph.D. training will also strengthen your critical thinking and complex problem-solving skills, which are highly sought after by employers. 
• You will be a recognized knowledge creator, a rare skill sought after by society and employers, too. You have gained both the discipline and ability to search for, introduce, and defend new knowledge, even under the most stringent scrutiny. Your competencies will lead to a leadership position as you gain respect and prestige.

Are you still worried about the financial expenses of getting a Ph.D. in your field? We completely understand since $50,000-plus per year plus the difficulties of juggling work, studies, and family responsibilities will break a lesser person. But you can achieve your doctoral degree through scholarships and grants!

This isn’t a new concept either as millions of Ph.D. holders have also achieved such a lofty goal. Many of them have been scholars and fellows for most, if not all, of their studies – and it’s a path you can take, too, with plenty of planning and networking.

You have dozens, if not hundreds, of scholarship and fellowship opportunities in your field of study, not to mention the ones offered without restrictions as to the field of study. The trick here is in diligently looking for these opportunities, applying to as many as you are qualified for, and complying with the requirements.

You may have to apply every semester or academic year for a new scholarship or fellowship, but it’s worth the time and effort. You could be lucky and be one whose studies were financed through scholarships and grants from year one; although, luck has little to do with it because you spent time looking and qualifying for the scholarships you deserve!

Here, we present you with 50 of the Best Scholarships and Fellowships for Doctoral Students that we think are worthy of your consideration.

The Rotary Foundation Global Grant Scholarships

Type of Scholarship: Annual Amount: $30,000 up to 400,000 (international coursework or research of up to 4 years) Deadline of Application: Rolling (depends on the country)

The Rotary Foundation Global Grant Scholarships program is open to full-time Ph.D. students involved in peace and conflict prevention or resolution, disease prevention and treatment, and water and sanitation. Applications can be made via a local Rotary Club chapter, and the chapter must sponsor non-Rotarians applying for the scholarship. The chapter creates the applicants’ initial application, and the latter then completes the online scholar profile.

The amount can be used for various costs, including passport/visa, travel expenses, tuition, and other fees, vaccinations, school supplies, room and board, and household supplies.

Newberry Consortium in American Indian Studies Faculty Fellowship

Type of Scholarship: Annual Amount: $5,000/month (Long-term fellowship for 4-9 months); $5,000/month (Short-term fellowship for a month only) Deadline of Application: November 1, 2023 (Long-term fellowship); January 15, 2024 (Short-term fellowship)

The American Indian Studies Faculty Fellowship is intended for scholars in the early stages of their careers who are involved in American Indian studies, specifically research in the Newberry Consortium collections. Doctoral students are welcome to apply. The monthly stipend can be used for a wide range of education-related expenses, too.

Fellows receive the NCAIS research carrel and other fellowship privileges, as well as perform responsibilities related to their research. These include research presentation, seminar participation, and consultation with other NCAIS Graduate Student Fellows.

AIA Fellowship for Study in the U.S.

Type of Scholarship: Annual Amount: Varies Deadline of Application: November 1, 2023

The Archaeological Institute of America (AIA) offers post-doctoral research fellowships for archaeologists working at Deutsches Archäologisches Institut (DAI) or its project collaborators. The fellowships are for either fall 2024 or spring 2025 in selected universities, including the University of Cincinnati, the Joukowsky Institute at Brown University, or the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA).

Fellows are provided with financial support for travel expenses, a stipend for living expenses, and residency at a university housing or rental housing, as well as library privileges. The residency lasts for 2-3 months only, and during which time, the Fellows are expected to give a minimum of one lecture at their respective host university. 

Applications should include a duly filled-up online application form, a curriculum vitae, and two references, among others.

NSF Graduate Research Fellowship

Type of Scholarship: Annual Amount: $50,000 (This represents the total dollars awarded every year. The actual amount given to fellows vary depending on their program) Deadline of Application: November 1, 2023

The NSF Graduate Research Fellowship is for doctoral students pursuing NSF-supported STEM disciplines in accredited universities. If you wish to apply, follow the recommended application templates and formats to be considered. The application should include an essay, a recommendation letter, a personal statement, an official transcript, and a completely filled-up application form.

Note the different dates for submission to the National Science Foundation of the full proposal depending on the type of grant: 

• October 16, 2023 – Life Sciences
• October 17, 2023 – Computer and Information Science and Engineering, Materials Research, Psychology, Social Sciences, STEM Education and Learning
• October 19, 2023 – Engineering
• October 20, 2023 – Chemistry, Geosciences, Mathematical Sciences, Physics and Astronomy

AWWA Abel Wolman Scholarship

Type of Scholarship: Annual (Renewable) Amount: $30,000 for one year (If necessary, a fellow can apply and be approved for the second year of financial support) Deadline of Application: Opens September to December 2023 for the 2024 awards 

Students who are pursuing advanced training and research, including doctoral studies in water supply and treatment and its related fields, can apply for the Abel Wolman Fellowship. The doctoral fellowship provides financial support for up to two years to an outstanding student. Applications can be sent to the American Water Works Association (AWWA), and more information can be seen on its site.

AWWA Larson Aquatic Research Support Scholarships

Type of Scholarship: Annual Amount: $7,000/student Deadline of Application: Opens September to December 2023 for the 2024 awards 

Made in honor of Dr. Larson, the Larson Aquatic Research Support (LARS) scholarship is available for outstanding doctoral students engaged in the fields of science and engineering. The selection committee chooses one doctoral student every year for the scholarship, with an emphasis on excellent academics and leadership potential.

Applications must include a resume, official transcripts, three recommendation letters, and GRE scores as well as a course of study. Be sure to submit your research plans, too, with your application.

YIVO – Joseph Kremen Memorial Fellowship

Type of Scholarship: Annual Amount: $5,000 Deadline of Application: Opens in September 2023 for the 2024-2025 fellowship period

The Joseph Kremen Memorial Fellowship is available for postgraduate researchers studying Eastern European Jewish arts, theater, and music. Keep in mind that only one exemplary scholar will be chosen annually, so it’s highly competitive. The chosen fellow can spend the stipend on expenses related to his/her research in YIVO’s archives and library collections.

Every fellow is also required to deliver a public lecture regarding his/her research. The research period should be between 2 and 3 months only. Interested applicants should submit a written summary of their respective research on acceptable topics.

YIVO- Dora and Meyer Tendler Fellowship

Yet another sought after YIVO scholarship is the Dora and Mayer Tendler Endowed Fellowship, a scholarship program for individuals in doctoral and post-doctoral research. Only one exemplary fellow is chosen every year.

The research should focus on American Jewish history with the selection committee giving preferential consideration to research proposals related to the Jewish labor movement. As with all YIVO fellowships, the selected fellow should conduct 2-3 months of research in YIVO’s archives and library, as well as make a public lecture.

AERA Minority Dissertation Fellowship

Type of Scholarship: Annual (Non-renewable) Amount: $25,000 Deadline of Application: November 1, 2023

The American Educational Research Association Dissertation Fellowship is open for doctoral students belonging to the minorities. These include African Americans, American Indians, Alaskan Natives, Hispanics, Asians, and Pacific Islanders. Both U.S. citizens and permanent residents in the U.S. can apply for as long as they are in a doctoral program in an accredited university.

Since this is a write-up fellowship, applicants should be working full-time on their course requirements and be writing their dissertations. There are three components to the award: a $25,000 stipend that can be used for tuition and fees, books and supplies, equipment and software, living expenses and travel, and other direct research-related expenses; a research presentation at the 2025 AERA Annual Meeting; and participation in the AERA Minority Fellows Mentoring and Career Development Workshop. 

National Gem Consortium Ph.D. Science Scholarship

Type of Scholarship: Annual Amount: $16,000 living stipend plus a paid summer internship Deadline of Application: November 10, 2023

The National Gem Consortium’s PhD Science Scholarship is exclusive for students belonging to the minority in their first year of doctoral studies. Applicants should be pursuing a natural science discipline, such as earth science, chemistry, biology, mathematics, physics, and computer science. The scholarship applies to an accredited GEM member university.

Eligibility requirements include U.S. citizenship or legal residency, as well as be able to maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA and get promising GRE scores.

NAEd Spencer Dissertation Fellowships

Type of Scholarship: Annual Amount: $27,500/fellow (Up to 35 fellowships are awarded every year) Deadline of Application: October 5, 2023 at 5pm Eastern Time

The National Academy of Education (NAEd) awards its Spencer Dissertation Fellowships to exemplary doctoral students pursuing studies in the history, theory and analysis, and practice of formal education. The amount should be used in the completion of each fellow’s dissertation and should be spent within two years and under the proposed work plan.

Eligible candidates must have completed all pre-dissertation requirements and be enrolled in a graduate school in the U.S. Applicants are required to submit their respective research proposal and two reference letters, as well as demonstrate an interest in education research.

National Gem Consortium Ph.D. Engineering Fellowship

Type of Scholarship: Annual Amount: $16,000 living stipend for the first academic year plus a paid summer internship Deadline of Application: November 10, 2023

The National GEM Consortium in Engineering Fellowship is open to Ph.D. students belonging to the minority, and who have been accepted into a doctoral program straight from a bachelor’s degree program or who have earned a master’s in Engineering. Fellows can be enrolled in any of the participating GEM member universities. 

The above-mentioned stipend applies to the first academic year of fellowship for a Ph.D. Engineering/Science Fellow. After that, the fellow will enjoy continued living stipend up to the fifth year of Ph.D. studies through a combination of alternative funding sources. The fellow will also have his tuition and fees paid for by the GEM university member.

Michael J. Barrett Doctoral Dissertation Grant

Type of Scholarship: Annual Amount: $10,000 (Up to two awards are granted every year) Deadline of Application: October 15, 2023 (Winners are announced by December 15, 2023)

The Michael J. Barrett Doctoral Dissertation Grant is exclusively for doctoral candidates pursuing accounting, auditing, and business programs in accredited colleges and universities. Only complete applications will be accepted with the required submissions, including the dissertation proposal, detailed cover letter, and two letters of recommendation from relevant professors.

Applicants should also demonstrate an intention to teach auditing for a minimum of two years, attend a relevant doctorate program, have either completed or within a year of completion of pre-dissertation requirements, and be in the dissertation writing stage.

Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) Doctoral Award

Type of Scholarship: Annual Amount: $20,000 annual stipend and a maximum of five years of full tuition and fees coverage (Except when the university/college disallows fee waivers) Deadline of Application: Opens in January 2024 for the 2024 DSP Fellowship

The SREB Doctoral Award is a package consisting of two components. First, the scholar will get three years of direct support. Second, he/she will also get two years of institutional support from his/her college/university – a $20,000 annual stipend. During these five years, he/she will also enjoy full coverage of tuition and fees, with some exceptions as needed.

Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) Dissertation Award

Type of Scholarship: Annual Amount: $20,000 annual stipend, maximum of five years of full tuition and fees coverage (Except when the university/college disallows fee waivers) and $500 research allowance Deadline of Application: Opens in January 2024 for the 2024 DSP Fellowship

The SERB Dissertation Award is a short-term program (only one year), but it’s among the most generous programs we’ve come across. The scholar will be provided with direct financial support, as mentioned above, as well as professional development support and an invitation to the Compact for Faculty Diversity Institute on Teaching & Mentoring.

Eligible applicants should have completed all their required coursework and exams, as well as either will defend or have successfully defended their respective dissertation prospectus before the academic year starts. Enrollment in a participating college/university in a participating state is a must.

(ISC)² Graduate Cybersecurity Scholarship

Type of Scholarship: Annual (Renewable but applicant must go through the process again) Amount: $1,000 – $5,000 (Up to 20 awards will be given for this cycle) Deadline of Application: Opens January 15, 2024 and closes February 29, 2024 11:59 pm EST

The (ISC)² Graduate Scholarship program is offered to individuals planning to pursue or pursuing doctoral degrees in cybersecurity or information assurance. Eligibility requirements include a minimum of 3.5 GPA or equivalent, may be enrolled in face-to-face or online classes, maybe a part-time or full-time student, and maybe attending a school in the U.S. or abroad. Non-U.S. citizens may also apply. 

Submissions should include either the most recent or current unofficial transcripts, a letter of recommendation, an updated curriculum vitae, and an essay. Take note that funds will only be disbursed upon proof of enrollment and receipt of official transcripts.

ASA Minority Fellowship Program

Type of Scholarship: Annual Amount: $20,000 stipend for a full academic year (August 1 – July 31) Deadline of Application: Opens on November 5, 2023 and ends on January 31, 2024

The American Sociological Association (ASA) established its Minority Fellowship Program (MFP) to provide financial support for sociologists of color, particularly in the pursuit of advanced studies or specialization. Candidates can be U.S. citizens or permanent residents or eligible under DACA rules, and they should either be attending or have completed a full academic year in a sociology doctorate program.

Aside from the annual stipend, ASA also makes arrangements for tuition payments to the concerned departments or universities. Funds for travel to the ASA annual meetings are also available, albeit limited.

YIVO – Fellowship in East European Jewish Studies

Type of Scholarship: Annual Amount: $20,000 stipend  Deadline of Application: Opens in September 2023 for the 2024-2025 fellowship period

The combined Professor Bernard Choseed Memorial Fellowship and the Natalie and Mendel Racolin Memorial Fellowship come with many benefits. Aside from the financial stipend, its recipient has three months of free access to the YIVO Library and Archives for his/her research. He/she, on the other hand, will be required to deliver at least two public lectures on Jewish studies.

YIVO – Fellowship in Baltic Jewish Studies

Type of Scholarship: Annual Amount: $4,000 stipend Deadline of Application: Opens in September 2023 for the 2024-2025 fellowship period 

This is a combination of scholarships with a $4,000 combined stipend. The scholarship supports original doctoral research in Baltic Jewish studies for 2-3 months. The research should be conducted at the YIVO Library and Archive and the recipients are required to give a public lecture.

YIVO – Fellowship in Polish Jewish Studies

Type of Scholarship: Annual Amount: $4,000 stipend Deadline of Application: Opens in September 2023 for the 2024-2025 fellowship period  

The Fellowship in Polish Jewish Studies is also a combined scholarship with a cumulative $4,000 stipend for 2-3 months. The recipient should spend the scholarship duration on research at the YIVO Library and Archives, and the dissertation should touch on Polish-Jewish history, relations, and cultural exchanges. He/she will also be required to give a public lecture on the topic.

YIVO – Fellowship in East European Jewish Literature

The Fellowship in East European Jewish Literature is also a combined scholarship with a specific focus on Eastern European Jewish literature. The recipient can focus his/her research on the Jewish diaspora regardless of location. As with the other YIVO scholarships, it comes with a stipulation for 2-3 months of research at YIVO’s library and archives, as well as a public lecture.

YIVO – The Dina Abramowicz Emerging Scholar Fellowship

Type of Scholarship: Annual Amount: $3,000 stipend Deadline of Application: Opens in September 2023 for the 2024-2025 fellowship period

This is a fellowship for post-doctoral research on Eastern European Jewish studies. The research should result in a notable scholarly publication on the topic, although the fellowship can also be applied to doctoral dissertation revision. The fellowship, which has the same 2- to 3-month research at the YIVO library and a public lecture, can be awarded as is or combined with other YIVO fellowships.

YIVO – The Workers Circle

Type of Scholarship: Annual Amount: $10,000 stipend Deadline of Application: Opens in September 2023 for the 2024-2025 fellowship period   

The Workers Circle/ Dr. Emanuel Patt Visiting Professorship in Eastern European Jewish Studies may also be combined with other fellowships, or it can be awarded separately. It’s also designed to provide financial support for up to three months of post-doctoral research by the visiting faculty member/recipient who, in turn, is required to give a public lecture.

Nurses Educational Funds, Inc. (NEF)

Type of Scholarship: Annual Amount: Varies  Deadline of Application: Opens October 2, 2023 and ends on February 1, 2024

NEF offers several scholarship opportunities for doctoral students in the field of nursing, many of which are the result of endowments by notable nursing practitioners who want to support the continued education of professional nurses. 

• The NEF/Johnson and Johnson Health Equity Scholarship program promotes the research, advocacy and clinical practice of nursing professionals interested in underrepresented groups and addressing the health inequalities and disparities in these populations. 
• The AJN/Thelma Schorr Scholarship program has a preference for nurses with nursing leadership potential. 
• The Cynthia Davis Sculco Scholarship permanent program awarded scholarships to nurses studying nursing education at the doctoral level. 
• The M. Elizabeth Carnegie African American Scholarship program is for black nurses in doctoral degree programs. 

Intercollegiate Studies Institute Graduate Fellowships

Type of Scholarship: Annual Amount: $5,000 to $15,000 Deadline of Application: January 19, 2024   

ISI awards up to 15 graduate fellowships for doctoral students pursuing degrees in either the social sciences or humanities. Applicants must be U.S. citizens with plans of full-time enrollment in the 2024-2025 academic year and intend to teach at the post-secondary level. Applicants who weren’t granted fellowships in their previous application can reapply; previous fellows are ineligible for application. 

Application requirements include 1,250- to 2,500-word original essay on the topic of, “What is the relationship between liberal education and a free society?”; autobiography; academic writing sample, and two academic letters of recommendation.  

Fellowship amounts can be used for tuition, books, and living expenses, among other program-related expenses at the awardee’s discretion. Fellows must attend annual weekend colloquium with their expenses paid for by ISI. 

Newberry Consortium National Endowment for the Humanities Fellowships

Type of Scholarship: Annual Amount: $5,000/month  Deadline of Application: November 1, 2023 

The long-term fellowship lasts between four and nine months during which time the recipient will perform scholarship activities relevant to the collections owned and maintained by The Newberry Consortium. Applicants must possess a PhD degree or its equivalent on or before the application deadline, as well as be either a U.S. citizen or a foreign national with at least three years of continuous residence in the country. 

NCTM & AMTE Early Career Research Grant

Type of Scholarship: Annual Amount: $10,000 each, maximum  Deadline of Application: November 1, 2023 

Granted in partnership with Eugene P. & Clara M. Smith Mathematics Education Research Fund, the Early Career Research Grant accepts applications from doctoral candidates pursuing math education degrees. The grant must be used in supporting their doctoral research project, preferably projects that bridge research and practice. 

Note that early career math educators, or those who have completed either an EdD or PhD in math education or other related fields within the past five years, are eligible to apply. Doctoral students will only be considered if they have advanced to candidacy status in accredited programs. 

Midwest Nursing Research Society  (MNRS) Seed Research Grant

Type of Scholarship: Annual  Amount: One $5,000 maximum  Deadline of Application: October 18, 2023 

The MNRS Seed Grant will support researchers engaged in quantitative and qualitative research in nursing science-related topics. Applicants must perform their research in the Midwest. Nursing researchers are eligible to apply regardless of their time from dissertation and previous funding history. Current and active membership in the MNRS is a must to be considered for eligibility. 

Zonta International Amelia Earhart Fellowship

Type of Scholarship: Annual (Non-renewable)  Amount: $10,000 with up to 30 awardees  Deadline of Application: November 15, 2023

Established in 1938, the Amelia Earhart Fellowship promotes equal access to resources for women in the fields of aerospace engineering and space sciences. Awardees are chosen based on their superior academic record and applied research in aerospace engineering and space sciences. 

Applicants must be women pursuing doctoral degrees in these fields with the award amount allowed for use at any accredited college or university and for postgraduate courses and degrees. Strict eligibility requirements, such as club members and their family members as well as previous fellows being disqualified, are implemented. 

Wenner-Gren Foundation Dissertation Fieldwork Grant

Type of Scholarship: Annual (Non-renewable)  Amount: $25,000  Deadline of Application: November 1, 2023 

While the Dissertation Fieldwork Grant doesn’t have any particular preferences for research topics, methodology and location, the Wenner-Gren Foundation welcomes interdisciplinary proposals. Applicants must demonstrate their capacity and passion for the advancement of anthropological knowledge that increases the depth and breadth of our understanding of being human. The award amount should be used for doctoral research in this regard. 

Applicants must be doctoral students and must designate a dissertation advisor on their application. Previous applicants may reapply via a resubmission. 

MNRS Step-Up Grant 

Type of Scholarship: Annual  Amount: $2,500 Deadline of Application: October 18, 2023

The MNRS will select one awardee for the Step-up Grant from funds generated through its MNRS Foundation Annual Walk-a-Thon. The award amount can be used for qualitative and quantitative research in any nursing-related topic, but there’s a preference for research into the health inequalities and discrepancies in the Midwest. 

Doctoral students will only be considered for dissertation grants. Strict policies are in place for the use of the grant amount. 

MNRS Founders Circle Dissertation Grant

Type of Scholarship: Annual Amount: $2,500 Deadline of Application: October 18, 2023

The MNRS Founders Circle Dissertation Grant will be awarded to just one doctoral student but can only be used as a dissertation grant. The grant is intended for the promotion of nursing science and practice including quantitative and qualitative research among researchers in the Midwest. 

Only current and active MNRS members will be considered during the application and selection process.

MNRS Joseph & Jean Buckwalter Dissertation Grant

Established in honor of the husband-and-wife duo, the Joseph & Jean Buckwalter Dissertation Grant supports researchers in the Midwest whose interests are in mental health and chronic illnesses. 

MNRS/Council for Advancement of Nursing Science (CANS) Dissertation Grant

Type of Scholarship: Annual  Amount: Up to $5,000  Deadline of Application: October 18, 2023

Only one awardee will be selected for the MNRS/CANS Dissertation Grant. Applicants, who must be current and active MNRS and CANS members to be considered, will be evaluated based on their quantitative and qualitative research into the advancement of nursing science and practice. 

Stantec Scholarship

Type of Scholarship: Annual  Amount: $10,000 Deadline of Application: Opens September to December 2023 for the 2024 awards

Stantec Inc., a well-known provider of engineering consulting services with specializations in construction management, architectural and environmental services, offers the Stantec Scholarship in partnership with the American Water Works Association (AWWA). The scholarship supports a student pursuing a PhD in water treatment science and engineering. 

Note that the AWWA-Stantec Scholarship is part of the Stantec Equity and Diversity Scholarship, which promotes equity, diversity and inclusion for positive impact in the industry. 

The Mellon Foundation Fellowship

Type of Scholarship: Annual  Amount: $5,000/month Deadline of Application: November 1, 2023 

This is a long-term fellowship offered by The Newberry with fellows getting financial support for a period between four and nine months. Fellows must be engaged in scholarship in any field pertaining to its collection. 

Richard H. Brown/William Lloyd Barber Felowships

The long-term fellowship program welcomes applicants with a PhD degree on or before the application deadline. The Richard H. Brown/William Lloyd Barber Fellows must spend between four and nine months on studying American history, particularly on topics related to The Newberry’s collection. 

The Evelyn Dunbar and Ruth Dunbar Davee Fellowship

The long-term Evelyn Dunbar and Ruth Dunbar Davee Fellowship program offered by The Newberry supports scholarships in its music-related collection. Fellows will be awarded the monthly stipend for 4-9 months. 

Lloyd Lewis Fellowships in American History

Past fellows of the Lloyd Lewis Fellowships in American History offered by The Newberry performed scholarly activities related to American history as it pertains to its collection. The long-term fellowship program requires commitment for 4-9 months and a PhD degree to be considered. 

The Audrey Lumsden-Kouvel Fellowship

Yet another long-term fellowship program offered by The Newberry, the Audrey Lumsden-Kouvel Fellowship supports scholars-researchers studying the history and literature of Romance cultures and the colonial Americas from the late medieval to the early modern periods. Fellows have a PhD degree and receive a monthly stipend during the duration of the fellowship, usually 4-9 months. 

The Monticello College Foundation Fellowship for Women

The Newberry-administered Monticello College Foundation Fellowship for Women supports one female fellow who must hold a PhD on or before the application deadline. The fellow receives a monthly stipend for 4-9 months and must demonstrate scholarly productivity during her in-residence tenure at the Newberry. 

Rudolph Ganz Fellowship

Named in honor of American pianist, conductor, composer, and music educator Rudolph Ganz, The Newberry-administered long-term fellowship provides financial support for researchers engaged in the study of Ganz’s papers in its collection. These include Ganz’s musical compositions as well as lectures, speeches, essays and recordings. 

Most of the long-term fellowships (4-9 months’ duration) are open for scholars regardless of their nationality; the notable exception is the National Endowment for the Humanities-funded program. International scholars possessing the J-1 visa are also eligible for long-term fellowships. 

The Newberry Short-Term Residential Fellowships for Individual Research

Type of Scholarship: Annual  Amount: $3,000 for one month only Deadline of Application: December 15, 2023 

Eligible applicants are scholars and researchers in any field. Applicants who are in their graduate studies must have completed their academic requirements except for their dissertation (All But Dissertation or ABD) by December 15, 2023 to be considered. 

The Newberry Fellows’ Fellowship

The Newberry Fellows’ Fellowship program supports researchers/scholars with a demonstrated need for scholarly activities related to the Newberry collection. The short-term program welcomes scholars from all fields of study but graduate students who submit their application must be on ABD status by application deadline. 

The Newberry The John S. Aubrey Fellowship

The John S. Aubrey Fellowship is also a short-term program designed for scholars/researchers interested in studying the Newberry collection. Again, graduate student applicants must have completed academic requirements except for their dissertation. 

The Newberry The Charles Montgomery Gray Fellowship

PhD candidates who have yet to finish their doctoral dissertations but have complied with academic requirements are welcome to apply for the short-term fellowship. Note that postdoctoral scholars are also eligible. While the fellowship welcomes scholars/researchers from all fields of study, the Newberry gives preference to research projects related to the Renaissance and early modern periods, as well as legal history, European history, and English history. 

The Newberry The Adele Hast Fellowship in American History

The short-term Adele Hast Fellowships is particularly intended for scholars/researchers engaged in the study of American history as it relates to the Newberry collections. Both PhD students on ABD status and postdoctoral scholars are welcome to apply. 

The Newberry The Arthur and Janet Holzheimer Fellowship in the History of Cartography

Postdoctoral scholars and PhD students who have yet to complete their dissertation can apply for the short-term fellowship. But their research projects must be specifically related to cartography including its history, evolution and materials. 

The Newberry The Anne Jacobson Schutte Fellowship in Early Modern Studies

The short-term fellowship invites PhD students on ABD status and postdoctoral scholars to apply for the short-term fellowship. Preference is for researchers/scholars engaged in the study of the culture, society and other aspects of the early modern period (1300s-1700s). Scholars whose research projects are related to spirituality, Venice, and/or women’s studies are highly preferred. 

For most, if not all, of the short-term fellowship programs administered by The Newberry, the application materials include a project abstract, project description and bibliography as well as a curriculum vitae and letters of recommendation. The letters of recommendation have a 10-day grace period for recommenders (i.e., up to December 25, 2023 only). Notices to applicants will be sent by late April or early May 2024. 

For the long-term fellowships, The Newberry provides a ten-day grace period for the letters of recommendation (i.e., up to November 10, 2023 only). Applicants will be sent notification notices (accepted/rejected) in either late February or early March 2024. 

MNRS/Sigma Research Grant

Type of Scholarship: Annual  Amount: Up to $3,500  Deadline of Application: April 1, 2024

Qualified nurses who are enrolled in doctoral programs are eligible to apply for the MNRS/Sigma Research Grant. The selected awardee must implement and complete their research projects within one year after receiving the funds and must agree to the terms in a Research Grant Agreement.

Are scholarships for Ph.D. applicants easy to obtain?

The availability of scholarships for Ph.D. applicants varies depending on the program and school. Generally, scholarships are more difficult to obtain than grants or fellowships, as there is often a limited amount of funds available and a more significant number of applicants competing for them.

However, several scholarships are available specifically for Ph.D. applicants, so it is worth researching what is available and applying for those that are a good fit.

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Doctoral programs.

The goal of the GSE PhD in Education is to prepare the next generation of leading education researchers. The cornerstone of the doctoral experience at the Stanford Graduate School of Education is the research apprenticeship that all students undertake, typically under the guidance of their academic advisor, but often with other Stanford faculty as well.

In this apprenticeship model, doctoral students are provided with a multi-year funding package that consists of opportunities each quarter to serve as teaching and research assistants for faculty members' courses and research projects. By this means, and in combination with the courses they take as part of their program, students are prepared over an approximately five-year period to excel as university teachers and education researchers.

The doctoral degree in Education at the GSE includes doctoral program requirements as well as a specialization, as listed below, overseen by a faculty committee from one of the GSE's three academic areas.

Doctoral programs by academic area

Curriculum studies and teacher education (cte).

• ‌ Elementary Education
• ‌ History/Social Science Education
• ‌ Learning Sciences and Technology Design
• ‌ Literacy, Language, and English Education
• ‌ Mathematics Education
• ‌ Science, Engineering and Technology Education
• ‌ Race, Inequality, and Language in Education
• ‌ Teacher Education

Developmental and Psychological Sciences (DAPS)

• ‌ Developmental and Psychological Sciences

Social Sciences, Humanities, and Interdisciplinary Policy Studies in Education (SHIPS)

• ‌ Anthropology of Education
• ‌ Economics of Education
• ‌ Education Data Science
• ‌ ‌Educational Linguistics
• ‌ Educational Policy
• ‌ Higher Education
• ‌ History of Education
• ‌ International Comparative Education
• ‌ Organizational Studies
• ‌ Philosophy of Education
• ‌ Sociology of Education

Cross-area specializations

Learning sciences and technology design (lstd).

LSTD allows doctoral students to study learning sciences and technology design within the context of their primary program of study (DAPS, CTE, or SHIPS).

Race, Inequality, and Language in Education (RILE)

RILE trains students to become national leaders in conducting research on how race, inequality, and language intersect to make both ineffective and effective educational opportunities. RILE allows students to specialize within their program of study (DAPS, CTE, or SHIPS).

Other academic opportunities

• ‌ Concentration in Education and Jewish Studies
• ‌ PhD Minor in Education
• ‌ Stanford Doctoral Training Program in Leadership for System-wide Inclusive Education (LSIE)
• ‌ Certificate Program in Partnership Research in Education
• ‌ Public Scholarship Collaborative

“I came to Stanford to work with faculty who value learning in informal settings and who are working to understand and design for it.”

Doctoral graduates were employed within four months of graduation

of those employed worked in organizations or roles related to education

For more information about GSE admissions and to see upcoming events and appointments:

To learn more about the Academic Services team:

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Doctor of Education Leadership

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America needs transformative leaders in preK–12 education whose passion for education quality and equity is matched by a knowledge of learning and development, the organizational management skills to translate visionary ideas into practical success, and a firm grasp of the role of context and politics in shaping leadership. Graduates of the three-year, multidisciplinary Doctor of Education Leadership (Ed.L.D.) Program at the Harvard Graduate School of Education will be prepared to become those leaders.

The Ed.L.D Program — taught by faculty from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, the Harvard Business School, and the Harvard Kennedy School — will train you for system-level leadership positions in school systems, state and federal departments of education, and national nonprofit organizations. Ed.L.D. is a full-time, three-year program built on a cohort learning model. Cohorts consist of up to 25 students from diverse professional backgrounds (including district/charter management leaders, nonprofit directors, principals, teachers, and policy researchers) who progress through the program together.  

All Ed.L.D. students receive a full tuition funding package plus stipends, work opportunities, and a paid third-year residency at a partner organization. 

The Ed.L.D. Program prepares graduates to do work for the public good in the American public education sector, whether that be at the system or state level. Specifically, the program is designed to accelerate the progress graduates make toward achieving meaningful impact in influential roles and/or crossing boundaries in the following spaces in the public education sector: 

• PreK–12 district or CMO leadership roles : superintendent of schools, chief academic officer, and/or deputy superintendent
• Foundation/philanthropy roles:  director, president and CEO, senior fellow
• Education nonprofit roles : president or executive director of backbone or collective impact organizations which support preK–12 schools. Ed.L.D. graduates will lead education nonprofits that explicitly focus on improving outcomes and opportunities for children, families, and communities.
• State or federal education leadership roles : commissioner or deputy commissioner roles. Could also include public education advocacy or education policy advisers to senior government officials.
• Social Entrepreneurship and Innovation roles:  Founder, CEO, president

Curriculum Information

The Ed.L.D. curriculum is a balance of multidisciplinary coursework and practice-based learning. Core courses and electives are taught by recognized leaders from across Harvard’s graduate programs in fields like data-based education reform, organizational change and innovation, and effective leadership strategies for urban schools. You will develop and test your leadership skills through team projects and an immersive third-year residency.

All students in the cohort take the same classes in four foundational content areas: learning and teaching, leadership and organizational change, politics and policy, adult development, and leadership inside and out (including one-on-one executive coaching). Courses taken during the first-year focus on practice-based learning and serve as the framework of your first-year experience.

Sample HGSE Courses

• Leading Change
• How People Learn
• Ed.L.D. Proseminar
• Leadership, Entrepreneurship, and Learning
• Race, Equity, and Leadership
• Practicing Leadership Inside and Out
• Sector Change
• The Workplace Lab for System-Level Leaders

View  all courses  in the Academic Catalog.

Each cohort member works with program advisers to choose an individualized sequence of electives from any of the Harvard graduate schools. You will work closely with the program faculty and staff during your second year to determine the best match with a partner organization for your third-year residency. Matches are driven by mutual interest between the resident and the partner organization, and each student's career and learning goals and geographic preferences.

• Second Year Practicing Leadership Inside and Out
• Driving Change 
• Education Sector Nonprofits
• Negotiation Workshop
• Coaching with Equity in Mind
• Ethnic Studies and Education
• Deeper Learning for All:  Designing a 21st Century School System
• Institutional Change in School Organizations, Systems, and Sectors

You will take part in a 10-month paid residency at one of our partner organizations. There, you will work on a strategic project which synthesizes your experience and learning into a written Capstone project. You will stay connected to your Ed.L.D. cohort and HGSE through technology and by returning to Harvard periodically for intensive workshops.

Paid Residency 

Our partner organizations include school systems and departments of education, as well as some of the nation's most influential and dynamic nonprofit, mission-based for-profit, and philanthropic organizations.

You will be intentionally pushed out of your comfort zones and asked to work systemically and make a significant contribution to the partner organization. In addition, the residency will provide you with the professional mentoring, practical experiences, and network of connections they need to position themselves as future leaders in the education sector. 

Strategic Project 

You will define (with supervisors from your partner organization) a strategic project on which to focus. You will have the opportunity to lead one or two major efforts on behalf of the organization, such as the creation or implementation of current initiatives. The project allows you to practice and improve leadership skills, add important value to the mission and strategy of the partner organization, work systemically, and hold high-level accountability.

During the residency period, you will produce a written Capstone. The Capstone is a descriptive, analytic, and reflective account of your third-year leadership contributions to a strategic project within an Ed.L.D. partner organization. It is a demonstration of your ability to engage others, develop strategy to successfully address and diagnose challenges, work toward a vision and goals, and learn from the results.

Sample Topics

• Accountability, Coherence, and Improvement: Leadership Reflection and Growth in the Los Angeles Unified School District
• Leadership Development for Entrepreneurial Education Leaders Working to Build Public & Private Sector Support
• Disrupting Teacher Preparation: Lessons in Collaboration and Innovation Across the Learning to Teach Community of Practice
• Pursuing Educational Equality for English Language Learners

Sample Summaries 

• Breaking Down Silos in a School District: Findings from an Ed.L.D. Project in Montgomery County
• Expanding Students' Access to Meaningful STEM Learning Opportunities Through Strategic Community Partnerships
• Developing a New Teacher Leadership and Compensation System in Iowa: A Consensus-Based Process
• Finding Great Teachers for Blended-Learning Schools

GSE Theses and Dissertations from Digital Access to Scholarship at Harvard (DASH)

Program Faculty

Ed.L.D. students learn with renowned faculty from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, Harvard Business School, and Harvard Kennedy School. Faculty from the three schools share their individual expertise in the Ed.L.D. Program and work collaboratively to provide a challenging and coherent experience for students. Faculty who teach in the Ed.L.D. core curriculum and advise Ed.L.D. students include:

Faculty Director

Frank D. Barnes

Frank Barnes is faculty director of the Doctor of Education Leadership Program. He has over 30 years experience as an educator, researcher, and organizer. As a chief accountability officer, he led turnaround efforts for large public school districts, including Boston Public Schools and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools.

Kathryn Parker Boudett

Ebony N. Bridwell-Mitchell

Jennifer Perry Cheatham

Elizabeth City

Candice Crawford-Zakian

Marshall Ganz

Adria D. Goodson

Deborah helsing.

Monica C. Higgins

Deborah Jewell-Sherman

Lisa Laskow Lahey

Mary Grassa O'Neill

Irvin Leon Scott

Catherine Snow

Michael L. Tushman

Martin west.

How is the third third-year residency determined? Will I get to choose where I go and for whom I work?

You will work closely with Ed.L.D. Program faculty during your second year to determine the best partner organization match for your third-year residency. In ascertaining a match, faculty take a number of factors into account, including a students' career goals and geographic preferences. The program expects that the current list of partners will continue to grow based on organizational and student interest.

The Ed.L.D. Program has partnered with organizations that are pushing the boundaries of what is possible in American preK–12 education. The partners are school systems, nonprofit organizations, mission-based for-profit organizations, and government agencies, all pursuing a common goal of ensuring that every child has the opportunity to achieve their full potential. You will work directly with partner organizations in the third-year residency and have some exposure to partner representatives in the first two years of the program. Your work with our partner organizations will be encapsulated in a Capstone, which is descriptive, analytic, and reflective account of the your leadership and contributions to a strategic project. Summaries of Capstones by several members of the first cohort of Ed.L.D. graduates are available in the curriculum section.

Partner Organizations

Below is a sample list of current and/or previous Ed.L.D. partner organizations:

• Bellingham Public Schools
• Big Picture Learning
• Boston Public Schools
• Denver Public Schools
• Education First
• Harlem Children's Zone
• Jobs for the Future
• John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation
• Madison Metropolitan School District
• New Haven Mayor’s Office 
• New Schools for Baton Rouge
• New Schools Venture Fund
• New York City Department of Education
• The Leadership Academy
• Phi Delta Kappa/Educators Rising
• Providence Public Schools
• Rhode Island Department of Education
• South Carolina Public Charter School District
• Virginia Department of Education

Student Directory

An opt-in listing of current Ed.L.D. students with information about their interests, research, personal web pages, and contact information:

Doctor of Education Leadership Student Directory

Introduce Yourself

Tell us about yourself so that we can tailor our communication to best fit your interests and provide you with relevant information about our programs, events, and other opportunities to connect with us.

Program Highlights

Explore examples of the Doctor of Education Leadership experience and the impact its community is making on the field:

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Math, the Great (Potential) Equalizer

How current practices in math education around tracking and teaching can be dismantled to achieve the promise of equity in math classrooms

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•       Financial Aid       PhD Scholarships and Financial Aid

PAYING FOR YOUR PHD Expert Tips, Scholarships Opportunities and Resources for Financing an Advanced Degree

The average yearly tuition for a PhD program is slightly above $16,000, which means students will invest about $80,000 in tuition fees alone for a five-year program. Add in fees, cost-of-living, travel expenses and the figure can easily surpass six figures. Yet, it is possible to fund a PhD program without breaking the bank and going into debt.

Featured Online Schools

• PhD Cost Breakdown
• PhD Financial Aid Options
• Expert Spotlight: Lawrence Burns, PhD
• Earning Outlook for Phd Students
• Most Lucrative PhD Careers
• Expert Spotlight: Darren Pierre, PhD
• PhD: By The Numbers
• Additional Financial Aid Resources

PHD COST BREAKDOWN

The value of a college education should not be understated, but neither should its actual cost. Earning a doctoral degree can be an expensive proposition. According to the latest data from the National Center for Education Statistics, the average tuition and fees for a graduate program of study was $16,435 in 2012-2013. The table below outlines the 2012-2013 graduate tuition and fees by academic institution.

• All Institutions $16,435
• Public $10,408
• Private Non-Profit $23,698
• Private For-Profit $14,418

Source: National Center for Education Statistics

A rough calculation of the number of years it takes to complete a doctoral program, multiplied by the average 2012-2013 tuition and fees from the NCES, reveals the following total cost figures by academic field of study.

A five- to six-figure education is something to take seriously as there are debt implications after leaving finishing a PhD program. Graduating doctoral students in 2013 left school with an average debt of just over $15,000, according to the National Science Foundation. By field, students in the Social Sciences, Education and Humanities graduate with the highest levels of student debt:

• Education: $26,566
• Social Sciences: $26,222
• Humanities: $21,485

Conversely, the science and technology fields graduate students with the lowest debt figures:

• Physical Sciences: $6,342
• Engineering: $7,031
• Life Sciences: $11,905
• Physical Sciences 78.2%
• Engineering 75.1%
• Life Sciences 67.2%
• Humanities 48.4%
• Social Sciences 46.5%
• Education 44.1%

Source: National Science Foundation, Survey of Earned Doctorates, 2013

While these figures may seem alarming, a deeper dive into survey data from the National Science Foundation actually paints a more positive picture. Overall, more than 62 percent of all doctoral recipients graduate from school without a single dollar of debt.

Prospective students can use the table below to get a better sense of the percentage of students who take on debt at incremental levels in each field of academic study. A majority of students graduate with $10,000 or less in debt after finishing their doctoral degree.

PhD Cost Factors

The total cost of earning a doctoral degree is variable because of the sheer number of different factors involved. Tuition is not the only cost to consider when thinking about applying to a PhD program.

Typically, students pay full tuition rates during their first three years of doctoral study and receive reduced tuition rates for the remainder of the program. However, the actual cost of tuition does vary and may be dependent on the student’s actual degree program.

Graduate students pay a range of fees, with the most common including:

• Health Services (access to health facilities on campus)
• Health Insurance (personal health insurance)
• Student Activity (subsidizes athletics and other clubs)
• Student Recreation (access to recreational facilities on campus)

Some programs estimate students should be prepared to pay between $3,000 and $4,500 per academic year in student fees and health insurance costs.

Students with a master’s degree or coursework in a similar graduate program may be able to transfer credits into their doctoral program. That can lower the total number of credits required to graduate, which can lower the total cost of the degree. However, some institutions do limit the amount of tuition credits that can be applied for graduate work done in a related field at other institutions.

Whether or not the student has an assistantship does not affect the cost of textbooks and other academic materials. Books are a revolving charge, one a student should plan upon each semester or quarter.

Housing, utilities and food are considered indirect expenses students incur during their education. PhD students should plan on anywhere from $12,000 to $25,000 and up for living expenses each year. Again, this figure is highly variable based on the location of the university and the cost-of-living in that area.

Owning a car means additional budgeting for insurance, car payments and gas. Additionally, students may need to travel for conferences and research. Without funding from a graduate student association or grant program, the student will have to cover these costs individually.

PhD students with children may have to account for childcare costs. Purchasing a new computer and other supplies may also be required. This type of budgeting will vary from individual to individual, program to program.

Most PhD programs allow students to progress at their own pace, requiring them to complete and defend their dissertation within a certain time period (e.g. six years). However, the time it takes to complete a dissertation depends on the student, area of study, research, etc. This can impact cost of attending a doctoral program.

Example Cost of Attendance

A student’s budget should include the total cost of attendance—that is both direct (tuition and fees) and indirect costs (e.g. housing). This budget is the starting point for determining the student’s financial need, how much financial aid they require, and if they can afford to attend a doctoral program. Below is a sample five-year total cost of attendance chart based on an in-state tuition program, with a budget that assumes fixed costs for fees and indirect costs, such as housing. It also does not take into account assistantships and tuition waivers for assistants.

Based on a figure that’s slightly below the 2012-2013 average graduate tuition cost, the total cost of attendance can still produce sticker shock. An average student in a program that charges $12,000 per year in tuition could have to pay between $30,000 and $45,000 year in total costs.

PhD FINANCIAL AID OPTIONS

Prospective PhD candidates have an abundance of financial aid options to help fund their graduate studies. Typically, students are fully funded by a combination of sources, including scholarships, fellowships, research assistantships, teaching assistantships, or student loans.

It is important for students to note that most sources of aid are awarded by individual academic programs, so they should follow-up with their department for up-to-date information.

Below is a high-level overview of the common types of graduate financial aid.

Prospective PhD candidates can turn to a variety of funding sources, including scholarships, grants, and fellowships to support their education financially. As discussed, most students use a combination of one or more of these funding sources to finance their degree program and research.

PhD students can apply for a variety of scholarships that award students with funds that can be used to help cover the cost of tuition, books and other fees.

Grants are similar to scholarships and are academic-based awards that can be used to augment other sources of financial aid.

Fellowships are a different type of funding that may encompass a scholarship or grant and can be used to fund research, study and teaching in the US and internationally. Many fellowships provide full tuition and a yearly stipend to students.

A PhD should never be an end in itself but rather a means to an end. The path to a PhD is an arduous one and should never be undertaken without serious thought to what it will bring the student. That said, there is money available for graduate study in most fields, and a student in the humanities should be very careful to apply to appropriate programs which fund their grad students.

• Engineering
• Physical Sciences

The SMART program is designed to support graduate students studying in STEM disciplines and offers a range of other benefits, including supplies and health insurance allowances and employment placement services with the DoD after graduation.

The National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate Fellowship is a three-year graduate fellowship that is designed to support doctoral students across fifteen engineering disciplines.

This three-year fellowship program supports the research efforts of doctoral students in STEM-related fields of study and allows them to pursue their work at any accredited graduate program in the country.

Renewable award for graduate students enrolled in a full-time APA-accredited doctoral program of study in psychology. Underrepresented, minority students are encouraged to apply.

This fellowship is open to female scholars and is designed to help offset the doctoral student’s living expenses during her final year of working on a dissertation.

This fellowship is a single-year of funding that is designed to support the doctoral research of a student working in child psychology.

The Javits Fellowship is provided on a needs- and competitive-basis to graduate students pursing graduate degrees in the humanities, social sciences, and the arts.

Two fellowships are awarded to support doctoral students who plan to study at the American School of Classical Studies in Athens, Greece for a year.

The Richard M. Weaver Scholarship is open to graduate student members of the Intercollegiate Studies Institute and supports the academic work of scholars pursuing teaching careers at the college level.

The AICPA fellowship is designed for minority students pursuing or planning to pursue a doctorate in accounting.

Five scholarships are available to provide financial assistance to graduate students pursuing studies in accounting and plan on earning CPA licensure.

This fellowship provides financial support to female scholars conducting research and economic analysis into natural resource, food, or agricultural issues.

This renewable, four-year fellowship is designed to support a scholar’s work in the field of stewardship science: nuclear science, high density physics, and materials under extreme conditions and hydrodynamics.

This multi-year fellowship supports doctoral research in several fields, ranging from chemistry to geology, materials science to physics and connects fellows with NPSC employer partners.

The NWRI fellowship program is open to full-time doctoral students conducting water-based research in areas such as water quality, water treatment and technologies, water supplies and water resources.

Really think about your reasons for getting a PhD. Critically exam the support systems you have in place to get you through the journey: 50 percent of doctoral students suffer from depression. Utilize services like the counseling center on your college/university campuses to help you respond to the stressors that may occur with the transition.

ASSISTANTSHIPS, FELLOWSHIPS AND LOANS

Graduate assistantships.

Graduate assistantships are a form of academic appointment and are provided by individual departments. Competitive in nature, they are typically awarded on the basis of the student’s academic accomplishments and potential in the graduate program of study. Most programs provide appointments for one year at time and students receive a tuition credit or waiver and monthly stipend. There are three types of assistantships: Teaching Assistantships, Assistant Lecturers, and Research Assistants.

Teaching assistants perform a range of support duties for faculty members at a university, including grading papers and teaching classes.

Lecturers may serve as instructors in the academic department where they are studying.

Research assistants conduct and assist faculty members with research projects in the student’s area of interest.

Fellowships

Fellowships are short-term funding opportunities (typically 9- to 12 months) provided to students in the form of tuition credits and/or stipends. They support a student’s graduate study in their field of choice, may assist them in their research, or gain professional training in an area of interest. Fellowships are competitive and are available in two types: University-based and External.

Individual schools, colleges, and departments at a university (e.g. College of Science, Department of English) may have endowed fellowships. Students are either nominated for an award by their department or may be open to an application process.

External fellowships are funded by foundations, government agencies and other groups and provide opportunities to study both in the US and abroad. For example, the Department of Defense offers the National Defense Science & Engineering Graduate Fellowship to engineering students studying in one of sixteen engineering specialties.

Corporations

Many companies and businesses have created scholarship, fellowship, and tuition reimbursement programs for their employees. Depending on the company, there may be a possibility it supports the graduate school efforts of its employees. Speak to the Human Resources department to learn more about the potential funding avenues available.

Graduate students may borrow funds from the federal government under two loan programs: William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program and the Federal Perkins Loan Program.

Private financial institutions, including banks and credit unions, offer unsecured educational loans to graduate students. These loans must be repaid with interest. The interest rates, loan amount, and repayment terms are based on the credit worthiness of the borrower.

Federal work study provides students with demonstrated financial need part-time job opportunities that allow them to earn income while they are in graduate school. The program focuses on placing students in community service situations related to the student’s academic course of study. A majority of jobs are on-campus, but some schools may have some off-campus jobs with nonprofit agencies and other groups. It is important to note that some universities may not allow students to use their federal work study for tuition, but other related expenses (e.g. books, fees).

EXPERT SPOTLIGHT: Lawrence Burns, PhD

What should a future phd student consider when selecting a program of   study .

Speaking in the humanities, a student is best advised, I think, to select the faculty member with whom he or she wishes to study rather than simply a program. This faculty member becomes the student’s mentor, a relationship that lasts well beyond graduate school years. Because the mentor becomes the student’s primary reference, his or her standing in the field can and does have an impact on pre- and post-doctoral grants a student might win as well as on the student’s success on the academic job market.

It is a delicate balance though, because one must also look at programs that have standing in a particular field and at institutions that can afford to fund their PhD students throughout their graduate years.

Much is made about the saturation of PhD graduates and not enough   positions — both in academic and the private sector. Should that dissuade   a student from pursuing a PhD?

Yes, of course. Again, a PhD is not something that comes easily, and it should not be pursued without a reason for it. On the other hand, for students who are committed to their fields, and for whom that field is a career choice, the PhD is still the only way into the university job market. 

There is a catch-22 in the world of post-graduate education. Research universities need to turn out research, and researchers often depend on their grad students to assist them–in all fields–and departments on their PhD candidates to teach many undergraduate courses. PhD students are thus recruited regardless of the job market for the PhD holders.

The challenges in funding the PhD for me were less about how am I going to pay for this degree, but making the adjustment from being a full-time salaried employee to now, taking a significant pay cut to serve as a graduate assistant.

EARNING OUTLOOK FOR PHD STUDENTS

Potential career earnings should be a significant part of the discussion when considering whether or not to pursue a doctoral degree. Completing an advanced program of study could increase an individual’s earning potential with their current or future employers.

Research from the Bureau of Labor Statistics reveals a direct correlation between educational attainment and career success—both in employment opportunities and annual salaries. Doctoral degree holders are some of the highest paid professionals in the country. The table below outlines the difference in earnings by degree level in 2014.

source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Earnings and Unemployment by Educational Attainment

• Industry or Business $97,700
• Government $82,000
• Nonprofit Organizations $72,500
• Other $70,000
• Academia $60,000

Source: National Science Foundation, Survey of Earned Doctorates

In turn, prospective students should consider how their sacrifice of time and money will pay off when they embark in their careers. Some professional fields have a higher return on investment than others. A majority of PhD candidates endeavor to become tenured-track faculty members, but they should realize that academia is one of the lowest paying sectors for individuals with a doctoral degree.

A review of National Science Foundation survey information shows that the best paying professional areas for PhD graduates include Industry and Business—with an average salary of $97,700. At the bottom of the list? Academia.

MOST LUCRATIVE PHD CAREERS

So, which PhD degrees pay the best?

According to the NSF, business, economics, and engineering are consistently among the best earning academic fields regardless of industry. The following tables outline the highest paying academic fields by professional area of work after graduation.

• Business Management and Administration $110,000
• Economics $82,000
• Engineering $79,000
• Health Sciences $70,000
• Education $60,000
• Business Management and Administration $135,000
• Economics $115,000
• Mathematics and Computer Information Sciences $115,000
• Geosciences $110,000
• Engineering $98,000
• Economics $112,500
• Business Management and Administration $96,590
• Engineering $96,500
• Mathematics and Computer Information Sciences $95,300
• Health Sciences $94,000
• Business Management and Administration $105,000
• Economics $100,000
• Mathematics and Computer Information Sciences $100,000
• Health Sciences $98,000

At the occupational level, 2012 employment research from the Bureau of Labor Statistics revealed the best paying doctoral career was Physicist ($109,600), followed by Astronomers ($105,410), and Engineering Professors ($94,130).

Overall, the top 10 most lucrative PhD careers include the following:

• 1 Physicists $109,600
• 2 Astronomers $105,410
• 3 Engineering Professors $94,130
• 4 Economics Professors $90,870
• 5 Health Specialties Professors: $90,210
• 6 Agricultural Sciences Professors $86,260
• 7 Biochemists and Biophysicists $84,940
• 8 Forestry and Conservation Science Professors $84,090
• 9 Physics Professors $80,720
• 10 Medical Scientists $79,930

EXPERT SPOTLIGHT: Darren Pierre, PhD

How has earning a phd impacted you personally and professionally.

Personally, the PhD was an incredibly introspective process. I believe for many, they go into the PhD thinking one thing, and come out transformed by the experience. I learned and grew personally in how I harness my self-worth, I grew professionally in my ability to humble myself and authentically listen to the feedback given about my work.

Professionally, I move with a greater level of confidence, I have more insight into my own potential in ways I could have never imagined, and all of that propelled me to write my book, The Invitation to Love.

Through your own experience, what are the biggest mistakes   prospective PhD students make when choosing and/or funding their PhD?

The biggest mistake that perspective students make is doing the degree for the wrong reason. If you are doing the degree for any other reason that self-motivated factors, you will falter. Doing the PhD to cover areas of insecurity, or low self-worth; doing the PhD for the prestige or title sake, those reasons will have you floundering and faltering when the psychological stressors being to weigh heavy.

Did you create a roadmap--financially or academically--to stay on track to   completing your PhD?

Absolutely, you have to have a plan and work that plan. Each Sunday, I would develop the week's action plan, I would carve out everything from when I was doing assignments/research to when I would work out, everything was on a schedule so that even when the fog of the process set in, I had headlights (my schedule) that allowed me to drive consistently when the road ahead was hard to see.

PHD: BY THE NUMBERS

Doctoral education in the U.S. is a varied and broad system, one that has been growing in popularity. In the 2013-2014 academic year, more than 178,000 doctoral degrees were conferred to students nationally, according to data from the National Center for Education Statistics.

• Doctoral Education Continues to Grow
• Engineering and Physical Sciences Dominate
• STEM Fields are the Most Popular
• Only Half of Students Earn a PhD in the Same Academic Field as their Master’s Degree
• Doctoral Degrees are an Investment in Time
• Primary Source of Funding Varies by Program

In its survey of earned doctorates, the National Science Foundation learned the number of doctoral recipients increased by nearly 30 percent between 2003 and 2013.

The most popular academic areas of study were Engineering and the Physical Sciences.

• Engineering 69.80%
• Physical Sciences 59.30%
• Health Sciences 53.60%
• Life Sciences 44.60%
• Other 38.90%
• Social Sciences 19.90%
• Humanities 9.10%
• Education -25.70%

Within the engineering and physical sciences disciplines, multiple sub-fields have been experiencing explosive interest and enrollments, with some programs (e.g. physics, materials science engineering) growing by more than 70 percent between 2003 and 2013.

• Other engineering 127.5%
• Materials science engineering 86.5%
• Aerospace, aeronautical, and astronautical engineering 74.5%
• Mechanical engineering 70.5%
• Electrical, electronics, and communication engineering 53.6%
• Chemical engineering 46.0%
• Computer and information sciences 119.1%
• Mathematics 83.0%
• Physics and astronomy 76.7%
• Geosciences 28.8%
• Chemistry 22.0%

According to NSF, the science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields are the most popular doctoral areas of study.

• Life Sciences 23.3%
• Physical Sciences 17.6%
• Engineering 17.0%
• Social Sciences 15.9%
• Humanities 10.7%
• Education 9.4%

Interestingly, slightly more than 56 percent of graduate students continue into a doctoral program in the same field as their master’s degree. Rates are highest in the humanities, engineering, and social sciences fields.

• Humanities 67.6%
• Engineering 65.7%
• Social Sciences 65.6%
• Education 61.5%
• All Fields 56.1%
• Physical Sciences 53.4%
• Life Sciences 35.5%

It requires approximately 7.5 years of study for the average graduate student to complete a doctoral degree after enrolling in graduate school. Education takes the longest — more than 11 years, while the physical sciences and engineering fields only require 6.5 to 6.6 years of study to complete.

• Education 11.7
• Humanities 9.2
• Social Sciences 7.7
• All Fields 7.5
• Life Sciences 6.9
• Engineering 6.6
• Physical Sciences 6.5

According to the NSF, the most common source of funding for doctoral students are teaching and research assistantships. The table below details the primary source of funding for students by academic area of study.

• Life Sciences Fellowships/ Grants
• Physical Sciences Research Assistantships
• Social Sciences Teaching Assistantships
• Engineering Research Assistantships
• Education Own Resources
• Humanities Teaching Assistantships
• All Fields Research Assistantships

The following table includes a breakout of the primary funding source by major field of study, according the National Science Foundation.

Source: http://www.nsf.gov/statistics/sed/2013/data-tables.cfm

ADDITIONAL FINANCIAL AID RESOURCES

The ultimate financial goal of any PhD student should be to complete their program successfully and move into a professional career with as little debt as possible. The resources below are available to help students locate scholarships and other funding sources that can help make that goal a reality.

Unigo offers a selection of financial assistance resources for graduate students, including a scholarship directory, a scholarship match tool, educational information on student loans and funding options, and more.

Scholarships.com is a website that provides a selection of financial aid information, including a searchable scholarship directory, insights into funding trends, financial aid calculators, and information about grants and fellowships.

Peterson’s is an educational resource site that includes a searchable scholarship database, articles and advice columns, and a catalog of graduate school profiles.

FinAid.org is an educational resource site that focuses on financial aid and offers information about student loans, federal financial aid, financing a doctoral education, and includes a scholarship search option.

An office of the U.S. Department of Education, Federal Student Aid is the country’s largest provider of financial aid. Graduate students can learn about and pally for loans, grants, and work-study funds to pay for their doctoral education.

FastWeb is a financial aid-focused website that offers a searchable scholarship directory that allows students to focus their search to their major area of study, work experience, and personal and professional activities.

Chegg is an online educational portal that not only offers used textbooks, but a scholarship database as well.

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How to Find PhD Scholarships and Grants

Financing your PhD studies can be challenging, but it's essential to your academic journey. Scholarships and grants can ease this burden, although finding and securing them may seem daunting. 

Navigating your financial prospects can present a challenge, but scholarships and grants are there as available resources. In this blog, we will explain the opportunities to fund your PhD. We’ll also provide practical advice to help you find the right funding options for your PhD. Our guidance aims to give you a strong foundation for success.

Finding Doctoral Scholarships and Grants

Finding funding for graduate studies can be stressful, but scholarships and grants are available if you know where to look. 

• University Funding: Universities often offer scholarships and research grants to PhD students. For instance, the SMU provides various funding options for doctoral students through the Moody School for Graduate and Advanced Studies.
• Professional Associations: Depending on your field of study, grants are often available from professional associations. Have a look at your specific discipline’s association website or reach out to them directly.
• Government and Non-Government Organizations: Both government and non-government organizations offer grants to encourage research in various fields. Explore resources like Grant.gov and The National Science Foundation.
• Industry Partners: Companies often work with universities to fund research in their industry, supporting specific projects or areas of study.
• International Scholarships: International students can find PhD scholarships in the USA, like Fulbright and DAAD .

Essential Scholarship Application Tips

• Start Early: Keep in mind that securing funding takes time, so don’t wait to start your search. The application deadline is often way before the program application deadline.
• Be Thorough and Organized: Keeping track of deadlines, application components and other details can be overwhelming. Create a system that helps you keep everything organized and in one place.
• Tailor Your Applications: Tailor each application to the specific sponsor to maximize its appeal. Remember to show why you’re a perfect fit for their funding.
• Leverage Your Network: Don't hesitate to use your academic network. Professors, colleagues, and alumni can be valuable resources for scholarship and grant opportunities.

Grants and Scholarships for PhD Students vs. Other Forms of Aid

Initially, most students think of scholarships as a lifeline for PhD funding , but it's surprisingly uncommon for students to fund their PhD with scholarships alone. Can you get a scholarship for a PhD? Absolutely. But scholarships for doctoral students can be quite competitive.

In reality, most PhD students utilize a variety of funding sources. PhD programs commonly offer doctoral assistantships and fellowships, which are typically more widely available. Some students even explore additional routes like postgraduate loans, employer support, crowdfunding, and research council grants.

Knowing the ins and outs of each type of funding can help you make a decision that best suits your academic and financial needs. 

Scholarships

Scholarships, financial awards you don't need to repay, often reward merit or specific factors like demographics or career aspirations.

• Doesn't require repayment
• No obligation to perform services

Potential drawbacks:

• High competition
• May need exceptional qualifications

Grants operate much like scholarships in that they do not need to be repaid. They are frequently awarded based on need, although some may also take into consideration academic merit or field of study.

Benefits: 

• Doesn’t require repayment
• Can offset a significant amount of educational expenses

Potential drawbacks: 

• Competition can be fierce
• May have to meet eligibility criteria or conditions

Assistantships & Fellowships

Assistantships and fellowships are also common ways to pay for a PhD.  Assistantships involve providing services to the university by undertaking teaching or research roles, usually in exchange for a stipend and tuition waiver. Fellowships, like scholarships, are merit-based and don't require repayment or work in return. Fellowships usually offer generous resources and are specific to the student's field of study.

• Provide hands-on experience in teaching or research (assistantship)
• Accompanied by generous funding and resources (fellowship)
• Fellowships often provide greater freedom for research compared to assistantships
• Time commitment can impact personal studies (mainly assistantships)
• High competition may require exceptional qualifications or research proposals

While fellowships, assistantships, grants and scholarships for PhD programs aim to reduce the financial burden, they’re understandably different in their commitments, benefits, and application process. 

Discover PhD Funding at SMU

Finding and securing the right funding for your PhD is crucial in shaping a stress-free and productive doctoral journey. Remember, scholarships and grants, while beneficial, are just pieces of a wider resource puzzle that may include assistantships or fellowships. 

These funding options are aimed to ease your financial commitments, so explore opportunities for each, align them with your academic goals, and pave your way towards a rewarding PhD experience .

For more helpful resources or information about SMU's Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies, contact us — we're here to help you on your academic journey!

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Funding Your Graduate Education

YOUR GRADUATE EDUCATION

Explore Costs & Financial Aid

The list of options and opportunities below is not comprehensive, but it is a great start to learn more about options for funding your graduate education.

If you have questions about tuition and fees or need support regarding financial aid, contact the GSEHD Tuition Support Team at [email protected] .

For additional information and support regarding financial aid, visit the Office of Student Financial Assistance >

Jump To Section:

Scholarships

Fellowships & awards.

Campus Employment

Additional Programs

Tuition & Fees

To gather an understanding of the cost for your degree, review the current tuition rates and additional fees on your program's page or GW’s Graduate Tuition page (select GSEHD). Tuition is charged per credit, and program fees may vary based on delivery/campus. Additional fees may apply. Gain a comprehensive view of fees on the Student Accounts page .

For planning purposes, the Office of Financial Aid provides a COA worksheet to create an estimated Cost of Attendance based on a specific loan period, tuition rate and campus of attendance.

Download Worksheet and Estimate Cost of Attendance >

FAFSA Support

In order to apply for financial aid from GW, you must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) . The form is available each year on October 1.

GW’s Office of Student Financial Assistance  should be your main point of contact for all questions related to the FAFSA. Be sure to follow the steps outlined on their  How To Apply page.

Once you've completed your online application, the data is transferred electronically to schools, based on the school code included on your application.

Plan Your Funding Search

The best time to start thinking about funding your graduate program is NOW! After you've reviewed the funding opportunities available at GW and determined your cost of attendance, it's time to make a plan to find funding. Many external and internal award competitions open up to one year before funding is dispersed, so interested students should begin looking for opportunities as soon as they consider pursuing graduate studies, even if they have not been admitted to GW yet. 

Newly Admitted Students: Schedule a Financial Aid Advising Appointment

Have questions about funding your education? Admitted students are invited to schedule a virtual meeting with Director of Admissions, Rebecca Vander Schaff.

Schedule Appointment

Not available during allotted times? Register to attend an " Ask Me Anything: Financial Aid " virtual session.

Merit scholarships are awarded to a competitive pool of new and continuing students on the criteria of academic merit, contributions to the GSEHD community, and input from a committee of reviewers, including program faculty members. GSEHD merit scholarships are limited and are typically one-year, nonrenewable, partial tuition scholarships.

Please note: Merit Scholarships are managed by GSEHD. For questions or support, contact the GSEHD Tuition Support Team at [email protected] .

Scholarship Awarding Process and Timeline

• You will be notified via your acceptance letter if you have received a merit scholarship.
• The deadline for the Fall 2024-Spring 2025 Merit Scholarship was March 1, 2024. Late applications  will not  be considered.
• Please apply only  after  your Fall 2023 grades have posted.
• Please review all qualifications and conditions below to determine whether or not you are eligible to apply for GSEHD merit scholarships.
• Awards decisions will be announced beginning in May.

Merit Scholarship Eligibility

• Merit is determined based on a holistic application review.
• Whether or not you received an award in previous years has no bearing on your eligibility for future awards.
• Students who received a multi-year award upon admission that includes the upcoming academic year are not eligible to receive additional GSEHD merit scholarships.
• Certificate, Post-Master’s Certificate, and Education Specialist candidates are not eligible to receive GSEHD merit scholarships.
• GW employees receiving employee tuition benefits are not eligible for merit scholarships.
• Awardees must not have outstanding financial obligations to the University.
• Awardees must be registered for the minimum required number of on-campus credit hours per semester as outlined in the scholarship award letter they receive.

Conditions of Merit Scholarships

• Students will only receive an award if they are enrolled in at least 6 credits for both semesters of the following academic year.
• Awardees must maintain a good academic standing.
• Merit scholarships cannot exceed the cost of tuition.
• Once an applicant accepts an award, they must meet and maintain the conditions specified in the award letter. If any of these conditions are not met, the award will not be posted to the Student Account or may be revoked.  
• DEADLINE:  The deadline for Summer 2024 scholarship applications was  February 15, 2024.  Late applications  will not  be considered. 
• Awards decisions will be announced beginning in mid-March.

Summer Scholarship Eligibility

• GW employees receiving employee tuition benefits are not eligible for additional GSEHD scholarships.

Conditions of Summer Scholarships

• Scholarships cannot exceed the cost of tuition.

Minority Serving Institution (MSI) Scholarship for Incoming Students

Students who graduated from a Minority Serving Institution (MSI) are eligible to be considered for GSEHD’s MSI Scholarship at the time of admission. A limited number of MSI Scholarships provide a tuition discount of 20%. It is possible to be awarded additional scholarship based on the strength of the application.

To be considered, indicate in your application for admission that you graduated from a MSI and that you are interested in receiving funding.

MSI Scholarship Eligibility

• All applicants from an approved MSI are eligible regardless of race, ethnicity, or national origin.
• Certificate, Post-Master’s Certificate, and Education Specialist candidates are not eligible to receive GSEHD scholarships.
• GW employees receiving employee tuition benefits are not eligible for GSEHD scholarships.
• Part-time study is considered at least 6 credits.
• Full-time study is considered at least 9 credits.  

The list of external scholarships below is not a comprehensive list of all available scholarships, but it does include opportunities that have been vetted by our GSEHD staff and are available for graduate students.

Open to All Students

Scholarships that do not require enrollment in a specific program or are exclusive to a specific demographic

Dolores Zohrab Liebmann Fund Program: Any Humanities or Social Sciences

NACA Foundation Graduate Scholarships Program: Any

Violet and Cyril Franks Scholarship Program: Any  

Specific to Area of Study

Scholarships that indicate they are specific to a program/area of study (i.e., just for students in counseling)

American Psychological Association (APA) Grants, Awards and Funding Programs: CNSL

The Melanie Foundation Scholarship Programs: Doctoral or Master’s in the Mental Health Field

PDK Educational Foundation Scholarship Program Programs: EDUC

BHD Endowed Scholarships for Teachers Programs: EDUC, SPED

James Madison Graduate Fellowships Programs: Ed Leadership

Demographic or Identity-Specific

Scholarships that indicate they are specific to a particular demographic (women, BIPOC, LGBTQIA, first gen student, etc.) 

American Association of School Personnel Administrators Leon Bradley Scholarship Program Program: EDUC Student Identity: Minority candidate seeking initial teaching certification endorsement

Asian American Leaders in Mental Health Scholarship Program: Counseling Licensure Programs Student Identities: Asian, Pacific Islander, or Asian Multiracial ethnicity

Katharine Scallan Scholarship Program: Any Student Identities: American Indian tribal and Alaska Native graduate students

NWSA Graduate Scholarship Program: Any Student Identity: Women

Point Foundation LGBTQIA BIPOC Scholarship Program: Any Student Identities: Black, Indigenous, or People of Color (BIPOC) communities and LGBTQ

Research and Dissertation Grants and Scholarships

Scholarships that support graduate student research or conference involvement, especially dissertation research

- - Check back soon - - 

We encourage you to explore additional funding opportunities. GW subscribes to two national databases, Grant Forward and Pivot , for GW graduate students. We recommend that you use specific search terms (e.g., relevant to your background, program of study, career path) when searching to narrow your results.

Outside of these databases, we recommend you utilize the various search engines below to discover funding that can support your study and goals while at GW.

• Foundation Center
• GW National Fellowship Search
• National Fellowship Databases

Student Scholarship Search

SuperCollege.com's Free Scholarship Search  

The Office of Graduate Student Assistantships and Fellowships (OGSAF) has compiled the following list of external resources for finding funding for international students. The list is not comprehensive of all available resources, but they have been vetted by GW staff.

• African Students: The Clinton Global Initiative
• Education USA
• EduPass: The SmartStudent Guide to Studying in the USA
• International Financial Aid College Scholarship Search
• International Scholarships for International Students
• International Education Institute
• MPOWER Financing  

The Office of Graduate Student Assistantships and Fellowships (OGSAF) has compiled the following list of external resources for finding funding for undocumented students. The list is not comprehensive of all available resources, but they have been vetted by GW staff.

• Resource Guide from the Department of Education
• Scholarships for Undocumented Students
• Financial Aid and Undocumented Students  

Endowment awards allow the best and brightest students to attend GW, regardless of financial situation, and provide students the freedom to pursue the career of their choice after graduation.

Though GSEHD endowments are competitive, students from all backgrounds and from around the world may receive scholarships. Many return the favor, building a legacy of support that spans generations. Awardees are encouraged to meet or write a letter to their donor.

New and continuing students may apply for up to three (3) endowment funds each academic year. A list of available endowments is provided below. Some endowments are available to all GSEHD students, while others are awarded to students in specific fields of study.

Selection of awardees may consider:

• Endowment's relevance to student's experience;
• Articulation of need, which can describe any hardships faced;
• Student's professional commitments and interests reflecting maturity and self-awareness;
• and Potential contributions to the chosen field of study.  

Apply for 2024-2025 Endowments

• Please review the eligibility requirements and conditions below to determine whether or not you are able to apply for GSEHD endowment awards.
• DEADLINE:  The deadline for new and continuing students to submit their endowment application was  February 15, 2024 . Late applications  will not  be considered.   

Endowment Eligibility

• Students enrolled in online and off-campus programs are not eligible to receive GSEHD endowments.
• Full-time study is considered at least 9 credits.

Conditions of the Award

• Awards are granted for both the fall and spring semesters. Funds cannot be used in one semester only or extend into subsequent semesters.
• Students should only apply if they plan to be enrolled in at least 6 credits for both semesters of the following academic year.
• Endowment awards cannot exceed the cost of tuition.

The Angeline E. Anderson Scholarship Fund Eligible Programs of Study: School Counseling, Secondary Education or Special Education

Established in 1990 by a gift from Angeline E. Anderson (BA '41, MA '44), to assist outstanding future classroom teachers. Ms. Anderson, the recipient of a scholarship to attend GW, enjoyed a career that included university and secondary school teaching and counseling. The scholarship in her name perpetuates her devotion to assisting students who can improve the quality of classroom teaching. The Fund is used to support full-time or part-time students in financial need who plan teaching careers in U.S. schools.

The Corey Hansen Scholarship Endowment Eligible Programs of Study: Secondary Education

Established in 2000 by Walter Hansen and Marilyn Jackson. The Fund is a memorial to Mr. Hansen's son, Dr. Corey James Hansen, a School alumnus and GW secondary education faculty member and program director. This fund is used to support secondary education students who exemplify Dr. Hansen's values and dedication to the field of teaching and administration.

The Dr. Dorothy A. Moore Graduate Scholarship Endowment for International Education Eligible Programs of Study: International Education

Established in 2002. The income from this fund awards scholarships to GSEHD students pursuing degrees in international education. The award is merit based.

The Eaves-Carden Scholarship Fund Eligible Programs of Study: Elementary Education

Established in 1993 with gifts from the estate of Ruth Anderson Eaves and from Mr. and Mrs. Robert Wendell Eaves, Jr. The Fund honors the memory of family members who attended GW: Robert Wendell Eaves (MA '33, EdD '40), Ruth Anderson Eaves, Samuel Poe Carden (BA '18, MA '29), and Mary Stuart Anderson Carden (BAE '35, MAE '45). This distinguished family of educators leaves a lasting legacy by supporting outstanding students entering elementary school administration. The Fund helps support a student pursuing a graduate degree with an elementary school administration emphasis.

The James Harold Fox Scholarship Fund Eligible Programs of Study: Elementary Education, Secondary Education or Special Education

Created in 1984 by a gift from Angeline E. Anderson in honor of James Harold Fox, Dean of the School of Education from 1938 to 1963. Ms. Anderson and Dr. Fox were dedicated to improving the quality of the classroom experience. The Fund is to be used for scholarships for full or part-time educators planning careers in public or private school teaching. Students with disabilities and financial need are given preference.

The Mary H. Futrell Scholarship Fund Eligible Programs of Study: Classroom instructors and counselors

Honors Dr. Futrell (MA '68, EdD '92), for her service in a precedent-setting six-year term as President of the National Education Association (NEA). The Fund recognizes her many contributions to human rights and public service. Colleagues and NEA chapters across the nation contributed to the Fund. This scholarship is for full- or part-time students with modest resources pursuing or continuing careers as classroom teachers or counselors.

The Vest Family Fellowship Fund Eligible Programs of Study: Higher Education Administration, Education Policy Studies, Curriculum & Instruction, Elementary Education, Secondary Education, or School Counseling

Created in 1996 by a gift from Edward N. Vest (BA '59, MA '65, EdD '72), distinguished educator and school administrator, to honor his parents, Edward Harrison and Mildred Grimes Vest, and his wife Lucia Johnson Vest and himself, provides tuition scholarships for educators preparing for, or engaged in, a career in administration, teaching, or counseling in public schools.

The Griffith Family Scholarship Fund

Created in August 2000 by a gift from the estate of Lera Evelyn Griffith (AB '52, MA '55), elementary teacher and school principal, and by gifts from Griffith family descendants and their families to honor the family members who were GW alumni. Interest from the Griffith Family Endowment will provide need-based support for students planning a career in education.

The Mary-Margaret Cashell Kellogg Scholarship Fund

Established in 1997 by Mrs. Kellogg to provide tuition assistance for a Graduate School of Education and Human Development degree candidate with financial need. Her father and nephew both received GW medical science degrees, and she earned an M.A. in education in 1955. A private school teacher and dean of students at Dickinson College, she serves on Simon's Rock College (MS) Board of Overseers.

The Mildred Green Scholarship Fund

Created in 1959 by a gift from the GW Chapter of Pi Lambda Theta, a professional education sorority, to honor Ms. Green, the Chapter's founder and first president. She created the national school-crossing guard program which is credited with saving the lives of countless school children. This fund is used to recognize an educator with great potential.

The National Council for Education and Human Development Endowed Scholarship Fund

Available to any Graduate School of Education and Human Development student.

The Ruth Ann Parker Wells Scholarship (Wells 1)

Established by a gift from Mrs. Wells in 1996. She and her mother both graduated from The Graduate School of Education and Human Development. Her mother taught business courses at Hine Junior High School and she worked for the Electric Institute of Washington, demonstrating the use of electric equipment, which helped revolutionize the way housework was done.

The Ruth Anne Parker and David Leonard Wells Scholarship (Wells 2)

The Vincent De Angelis Scholarship Fund Eligible Programs of Study: Any - with special consideration for applicants with previous study or experience in the Physical Education field

Created in 1983 by a gift from Eleanor V. De Angelis in memory of her husband, Vincent J. De Angelis, an outstanding athlete, GW administrator and faculty member, mentor of students and Department Chair in Physical Education. Eleanor De Angelis has taken many leadership roles in Columbian Women and at the University. Through lifetime contributions to GW, the De Angelis's typify those special members of the GW community whose lives continue to benefit students and enhance the School and the University. This fund is used for GSEHD full-time or part-time master's or doctoral students. Preference is given to those students who have earned an undergraduate degree in Physical Education.  

AmeriCorps Matching Award   - For incoming students who are recipients of an AmeriCorps Award.

Grad2Grad   - For talented graduating GW seniors who want to continue their studies at GW by providing a 10% reduction in tuition.

The Paul and Daisy Soros Fellowships   - Provides "New Americans" (either naturalized citizens, children of naturalized citizens, or green card holders) with a maintenance grant of $20,000 and a half-tuition award for graduate study in the United States. Candidates should possess creativity, originality, and initiative; commitment to and capacity for accomplishment; and commitment to the values expressed in the US Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

Phi Delta Gamma Scholarship Fund  - Current GW graduate students who have completed at least 9 credits in a graduate degree program based on the Foggy Bottom campus.

Scottish Rite Fellowships   - For graduate students affiliated with the Scottish Rite except law and M.D. students.

Walter Green Fellowships   - For graduate students who intend a career in public service or government and will be working in a job or internship, paid or unpaid.  

The Ronald E. McNair Graduate Fellowship is only available for students who were McNair Scholars as undergraduates at other universities, and are accepted for graduate study at GW in CCAS, ESIA, GSEHD, GWSB and SEAS. Students in GWSPH, SMHS, and Law are not eligible. Online degree programs and executive programs are also not eligible. Students should hold a minimum 3.0 GPA.   Candidates are prospective first time doctoral students. Current master’s students who were McNair Scholars and were not previous GW McNair Award recipients will also be considered. Master’s nominees should have demonstrated plans to continue in a doctoral program after completion of their master’s degree.

Expected Awards for the Academic Year

• Doctoral awards: Inclusive of up to 18 credits in tuition and a $25,000 stipend for full-time study. Awards are renewable for up to two years (for a total of three years ). These awards do not cover summer sessions. Doctoral McNair Fellowships should be supplemented with School/College graduate assistantships (GA or GRA) for two additional years (beyond the three year McNair award).
• Master’s awards: Inclusive of up to 20 credits in tuition for full-time study. These awards do not cover summer sessions and are non-renewable.

Application Process

Candidates must be nominated by the school/college via email to  [email protected]  with:

• A ranked list of up to 3 applicants (doctoral and/or master’s)
• Student’s Application for Admission
• Nomination letter from the chair of department or director of the program (or designee) supporting applicants preparation for success in graduate study and specifies that doctoral nominees will receive two additional years of support (assistantship/fellowship)
• master’s applicants plan of study and/or expressed intent demonstrates expectation to pursue a doctoral program  

Human Resources Research Organization (HumRRO) Fellowship in Educational Measurement and Evaluation -  A non-renewable stipend of $18,000 will be awarded to a graduate student demonstrating exceptional research skills. To be eligible for consideration, an applicant must be a doctoral candidate in educational measurement and evaluation or a closely related discipline whose dissertation topic has been proposed and approved. Deadline to apply: July 1, 2024  

The Office of Graduate Student Assistantships and Fellowships (OGSAF) is the best place to start to learn more about available fellowships. Learn more about internal fellowship opportunities  and external fellowships . 

Campus Employment Opportunities

The George Washington University has two graduate assistantship (GA) options, which are: graduate assistantships (GA) and graduate research assistantships (GRA). GA and GRA positions vary in terms of payment and duties. Academic departments within the schools and colleges make appointments for these positions. These positions are limited, highly competitive and not available in all departments. Interested candidates will want to indicate their interest in a GA position on their admissions application, if applicable. New GSEHD doctoral candidates are automatically considered for available GSEHD Graduate Assistantships and will be contacted directly if the faculty see alignment of research interests and skills. Learn more about assistantships >  

Graduate students have opportunities to engage in part-time or full-time work to fund their studies. Be sure to take note of the time and hours a given job requires, as many positions may not be compatible with full-time graduate level study or class schedules. Please note that international students are typically restricted from working more than 20 hours per week, and may not be eligible for some job opportunities that require U.S. citizenship or permanent residency.

The  GW Jobs site , maintained by GW Human Resource Management and Development, provides information about full-time and regular part-time positions. The University offers faculty, staff, and research personnel in a benefit-eligible position (both full- and part-time) an outstanding benefit that covers a portion of tuition expenses. The tuition benefit is available to employees enrolled in undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs, as well as non-degree-seeking employees. Under the benefit, up to 90 percent of tuition and expenses are paid, with no repayment obligation, for eligible employees. Furthermore, spouses, domestic partners, and dependent children also receive substantial remission coverage, which increases with tenure.

Graduate students employed full- or part-time on a research grant may use their tuition benefits immediately if they begin their employment before the first day of classes.

For additional information, please contact the  GW Benefits Call Center .  

The Federal Work Study Program is a federally-funded work program that allows students who qualify to earn money while working at a pre-approved organization: GW departments, local nonprofits, government agencies, and community service employers. The university does not place students in specific jobs but assistance is available from the  Center for Career Services . Please contact the  Office of Student Financial Assistance  for questions about Work-Study.  

Additional Options/Programs

Current undergraduate students at the George Washington University (GW) may be eligible to participate in the  Grad2Grad program  to continue graduate study (master's and graduate certificate programs) at GW. Students eligible for Grad2Grad who are admitted to GSEHD will receive a 10% reduction in the cost of your tuition. It is possible to receive additional funding from a GSEHD’s Merit Scholarship based on the strength of the application.

If you have any questions about the program, please contact the Office of Graduate Student Assistantships and Fellowships at  [email protected]  or 202-994-6822.  

GW recognizes that there are times during which a student will need emergency support, whether for personal expenses, textbooks or additional Campus Cash for meals. The University offers a number of funds, in the form of loans and grants, to help address emergencies that arise. Learn more about emergency funding >

For students who have a hold for tuition charges between $1,000-$2,000:

The University has three emergency loan funds which can be used to reduce a student’s account balance by up to $1000. This will enable a student to have a hold lifted so that he or she may register for the next semester.   They are:

• Jessie B. Martin Emergency Loan Fund
• Peter and Doris Firsht Student Loan Fund
• Barney Plotnick, MD, Student Loan Fund

Submit Application >

If you have questions, please contact  [email protected] .

Once the student completes the application, the monies are applied directly to the student accounts bill. This does not reduce the debt that the student owes to the University, but redistributes it, giving the student the ability to register.

For repayment, funds are charged to the applicant’s student account once the student has registered for the desired semester or after 30 days, whichever comes first. Charging the funds back increases the balance to the original amount owed. This loan fund does give the student some extra time to come up with the funds to pay the student account balance down to zero.

The George Washington University is committed to providing our student veterans, dependents, and military personnel with both student support services and student administrative services.  The Office of Military and Veteran Student Services  can assist and answer questions related to both Post 9/11 and Yellow Ribbon awards. GW will match Yellow Ribbon awards that are made.

Active duty military personnel may also use the Department of Defense (DOD) Tuition Assistance (TA) Program at GW. Students should confer with the education office of their service branch for information on TA procedures.  

• Federal Direct Loans
• Federal Direct Graduate Plus Loans
• Private Alternative Loans for Graduate and Professional Students
• Private Alternative Loans for International Students

If you are applying for federal student loans, you will need to complete the GW Graduate Loan Questionnaire in addition to the FAFSA.  

GW’s Office of Student Financial Assistance should be your main point of contact for all questions related to the FAFSA and loan process.

Loan Forgiveness

• Employed by a government or not-for-profit organization
• Teaching in a low-income school
• Income-Based Loan Repayment (IBR) : This plan caps your required monthly federal student loan payments at an amount intended to be affordable based on your income and family size. Under the IBR requirements, you might be eligible for the ten-year Public Service Loan Forgiveness  

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List of PhD Scholarships, Grants, and Fellowships for International Students

Fulbright foreign student program in usa.

Deadline: varies, Feb-Oct 2024 Study in:  USA Course starts AY 2025-2026

Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship Programme

Deadline: 31 Mar 2024 (annual) Study in:  any Country Course starts 2023

Australia Awards Scholarships

Deadline: 30 April 2024 (annual) Study in:  Australia Course starts 2025

Türkiye Scholarships for International Students

Deadline: 20 Feb 2024 (annual) Study in:  Turkey Course starts 2024

JFUNU Scholarships for PhD in Sustainability Science

Deadline: 3 March 2024 (annual) Study in: Japan Course starts September 2024

Singapore International Graduate Award

Deadline: 1 June 2024 (annual) Study in:  Singapore Next course starts Jan 2025

Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships for International Students

Deadline: 29 Feb 2024 (annual) Study in:  New Zealand Next course starts 2024

University of Waikato International Excellence Scholarship

Deadline: Any time (Annual) Study in: New Zealand Course starts AY 2024

Taiwan International Higher Education Scholarship Program

Deadline: 15 March 2024 (annual) Study in: Taiwan Course starts September 2024

Heinrich Boll Scholarships in Germany for International Students

Deadline: 1 Mar/1 Sep (annual) Study in:  Germany Next course starts 2024

University of Manitoba Graduate Fellowships

Deadline: varies (annual) Study in: Canada Course starts 2024

• Top 15 International Scholarships for Developing Country Students
• Top 10 Prestigious Scholarships for the Best International Students
• Germany Tuition Free Universities and Scholarships for International Students
• 20+ Tuition Scholarships offered by Universities for International Students
• Top 10 Scholarships for Study in Any Country or Anywhere
• Top 25 Foreign Government Scholarships for International Students
• 10+ Scholarships in Australia for International Students
• Top 10 Scholarships in New Zealand for International Students
• Top 75 International Scholarships to Watch out for in 2024
• Top 20 UK Scholarships for International Students
• Top 25 Scholarships in Sweden for International Students
• Top 10 Scholarships in Belgium for International Students

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• 02 April 2024

How can we make PhD training fit for the modern world? Broaden its philosophical foundations

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You have highlighted how PhD training assessment has stagnated, despite evolving educational methodologies (see Nature 613 , 414 (2023) and Nature 627 , 244; 2024 ). In particular, you note the mismatch between the current PhD journey and the multifaceted demands of modern research and societal challenges.

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Is a Doctorate Degree Worth It?

Know before you read At SNHU, we want to make sure you have the information you need to make decisions about your education and your future—no matter where you choose to go to school. That's why our informational articles may reference careers for which we do not offer academic programs, along with salary data for those careers. Cited projections do not guarantee actual salary or job growth.

Earning a doctorate takes time, money and discipline. Like many things worth doing, the process is challenging but also rewarding. Becoming an expert in your subject area and immersing yourself in your chosen area of study makes the process of earning a doctorate important to many people. Certain professions require or value a doctorate for promotion potential.

In fact, career advancement, love of the subject matter and personal satisfaction are three of the top reasons why Dr. Bridgitte Kiprop '23 , Dr. Jennifer Barry ’23 and Dr. Torialyn Draper Crook earned their doctorates.

• For Kiprop '23, part of her motivation for earning a doctorate in International Business was setting an example for her six children.
• For Barry, ’23, who earned a doctor of education degree in educational leadership, part of her motivation was to prepare for success in meeting her long-term career goal to become a university president.
• And for Crook, earning her doctorate in education was a commitment that she undertook to honor her family’s legacy of valuing education.

How Difficult is Earning a Doctorate?

For Kiprop, time management was her key to success. With six children, she had to make the most of any time in the day that she could find. “If I had … five minutes, I would use the five minutes,” she said. “Other times, I was luckier (and had) two hours.”

Despite the time-management  challenges of earning an advanced degree while raising her family, Kiprop feels that the process of earning that degree was a way to inspire her children to work hard to meet their own goals.

“I really hope that my children will ... know that whatever it is they feel called to do, whatever their ambitions, their goals are achievable,” she said.

To manage the challenge of advanced studies, having the right people around you as you work on your degree is essential, according to Crook. “Surround yourself with family, friends, colleagues and mentors who can provide encouragement during challenging times,” she said.

Crook stresses that everyone’s journey to earning their doctorate is unique. She recommends being prepared for the unexpected, and remaining flexible in adjusting your path as you work toward completing your degree.

How Long Does a Doctorate Take?

Students may have family commitments, health challenges or need to work full or part-time while attending school . Many students face all of these circumstances. Crook managed to complete her doctorate in 5 years, though it wasn't easy for her. She faced a significant personal health challenge and was raising two children while also attending school.

For Barry, earning her doctoral degree is part of an educational path that started with her bachelor’s degree at SNHU (formerly New Hampshire College) in 2000. She then continued her education to earn a master's degree throughout several jobs and geographic moves.

Barry views her entire educational journey as part of the process that led to meeting her ultimate goal of earning a doctorate.

What Skills Are Needed to Earn a Doctorate?

While every academic program is different, Crook finds certain skills and competencies necessary for success, regardless of field. These skills include:

• Building relationships
• Organizational skills
• Self-motivation
• Writing skills

Crook finds building relationships particularly important. While working on her degree, the strong relationship that she developed with her dissertation chairperson proved essential. She also built positive relationships with other doctoral students, which led to a strong peer support network throughout her program.

Kiprop echoes the importance of building relationships in her field as well. For her, building new relationships is a way to open your mind to new experiences and opportunities.

Find Your Program

What types of jobs can you get with a doctorate.

While a doctorate is helpful for working in leadership roles at colleges and universities, there are many opportunities for doctoral degree holders to work at the highest levels in their profession outside of higher education as well.

Some of the top professions that require a doctoral or professional degree and have a faster-than-average predicted growth rate, according to the BLS, are:

• Astronomers* (SNHU does not currently offer graduate degrees in astronomy or physics)
• Biochemists and biophysicists* (SNHU does not currently offer graduate degrees in biochemistry or biophysics)
• Clinical and counseling psychologists* (SNHU does not currently offer doctorates in psychology, but you could start with a bachelor's in psychology , followed by a master's in psychology )
• Higher education teachers and professors — particularly business, computer science and engineering teachers*

Two more examples of areas where a doctorate can help prepare you for advancement in your career are educational leadership and international business.

A doctorate in educational leadership can be a Doctor of Philosophy degree, known as a PhD, or a Doctor of Education degree, known as an EdD. The PhD in Education Leadership  typically leads to higher education roles in teaching and research. The EdD in Educational Leadership , which Barry earned, typically leads to leadership and strategy roles in an education setting that may be at the higher education or secondary school level.

A PhD in International Business  may include addressing a gap in an existing body of knowledge by conducting research. Kiprop, who earned her doctorate at SNHU, plans to use her degree to research entrepreneurship in small business finance.

Motivated by being from a developing country — Kenya — she has a personal interest in helping grow small businesses in similar developing areas. “I can also use that same knowledge at the New Hampshire level because the issues there perhaps are different but still … relevant,” she said.

Regardless of your program field, the process of earning a doctorate can help you explore ways of applying your newfound and existing knowledge that you may not have considered prior to starting your program.

Is it Better to Have a Master’s or Doctorate?

Both a master’s degree  and a doctorate offer opportunities for career advancement. Choosing which to earn, or whether to earn both, is a highly personal decision based on your personal and professional goals and aspirations, according to Crook.

Before deciding which degree is right for you, consider your goals. Speaking with a career counselor  or graduate admissions counselor to learn about career options and pathways toward earning the degree can be a helpful step toward making this decision.

In many fields, a master’s degree is enough  to move forward in your career. But, earning a doctorate is an opportunity to take your career a step further, according to Crook. That step “gives one the opportunity to direct their career trajectory specifically through research and other specialized skills and knowledge,” she said.

How Valuable is a Doctorate?

A doctorate isn’t for everyone, but it can be right for you depending on your chosen field and career path.

For many people, earning a doctorate is just as important as a personal accomplishment as it is a professional one. “I (always) understood the significance of progressing in my career and staying connected to my field of higher education,” Crook said. “My doctoral journey was worthwhile as it aligned with my career goals  and personal aspirations,” she said.

For Barry, the doctorate was worth it because she believes strongly in the power of education . “You see how (education) transforms people’s lives and … gives people opportunities that they didn’t see before,” she said.

She has seen many people earn degrees only for their family members to then continue in their footsteps. “I just think that generationally, (education) is creating pathways for people,” she said.

Deciding whether to pursue a doctorate is ultimately a very personal decision, but one that can lead you to build new relationships and a new knowledge base while helping you reach or exceed your career goals.

A degree can change your life. Find the SNHU doctorate degree  that can best help you meet your goals.

*Cited job growth projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth. Actual salaries and/or earning potential may be the result of a combination of factors including, but not limited to: years of experience, industry of employment, geographic location, and worker skill. 

A former higher education administrator, Dr. Marie Morganelli  is a career educator and writer. She has taught and tutored composition, literature, and writing at all levels from middle school through graduate school. With two graduate degrees in English language and literature, her focus — whether teaching or writing — is in helping to raise the voices of others through the power of storytelling. Connect with her on LinkedIn .

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Is a Bachelor's Degree Worth It?

Is a Master’s Degree Worth It?

Is an Associate Degree Worth It?

About southern new hampshire university.

SNHU is a nonprofit, accredited university with a mission to make high-quality education more accessible and affordable for everyone.

Founded in 1932, and online since 1995, we’ve helped countless students reach their goals with flexible, career-focused programs . Our 300-acre campus in Manchester, NH is home to over 3,000 students, and we serve over 135,000 students online. Visit our about SNHU  page to learn more about our mission, accreditations, leadership team, national recognitions and awards.

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Jonas Nursing & AACN Announce a Call for Applications for the New Cohort of Doctoral Nursing Scholars

WASHINGTON, D.C., April 8, 2024 – Today, Jonas Nursing , a leading supporter of doctoral nursing education in the U.S., and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) announce the launch of the eighth cohort of the Jonas Scholars program. Nursing schools seeking support for exceptional doctoral students with an interest in teaching after graduation are encouraged to apply for funding. Under next-generation family leadership, Jonas Nursing will bolster this initiative with a redesigned curriculum focused on preparing future nursing faculty leaders through four key pillars: mentoring, leadership development, policy, and teaching. Jonas Nursing is the signature impact area of Jonas Philanthropies, whose other impact areas include Vision Health, Children’s Environmental Health, and Nature-Based Climate Solutions.

“By revamping the Jonas Scholars program with a greater focus on the skills that doctoral nursing students need to successfully transition into faculty roles, we will achieve real results that enhance the faculty pipeline and lessen the nursing shortage across the country,” said Lendri Purcell, Co-President, Jonas Philanthropies. “We are thrilled to partner with AACN to provide a comprehensive learning and leadership experience for tomorrow’s leaders in nursing education.”

“AACN commends the Jonas family for their continued support of doctoral nursing education and their commitment to addressing unmet needs in health care,” said Dr. Deborah Trautman, AACN President and Chief Executive Officer. “Our partnership around the Jonas Scholars program is critically important to supporting doctoral students who will transition to professional teaching roles, which will help to alleviate the nationwide faculty shortage. We are excited to roll out an enhanced leadership development program tailored to prepare nursing faculty with the expertise needed to teach, mentor, advocate, and inspire.”

The eighth cohort of Jonas Scholars will elevate the remarkable impact of Jonas Philanthropies, which has distributed over $27 million in scholarships since 2008 to doctoral nursing students. For the first time in the history of Jonas Nursing, upon completion of their doctoral program, Scholars will be eligible to receive an additional award after moving into a faculty role. “By increasing our investment in the Jonas Scholars program, we are able to reward the Scholars who successfully obtain faculty roles and expand the capacity of nursing schools to prepare more students,” Purcell said. “We are proud to offer continued financial support to our Scholars who are directly contributing to our mission of addressing the nursing shortage and expanding the population of doctorally-prepared nurse leaders.”

“We are committed to magnifying the beneficial impact we can have on the nation’s most vulnerable populations through increased healthcare access,” said John Jonas, Co-President, Jonas Philanthropies. “This meaningful work aligns with the legacy of Jonas Philanthropies’ founders, the late Donald and Barbara Jonas, and their dedication to creating positive social change. We are committed to ensuring the makeup of Jonas Scholars will continue to reflect historically underserved populations in nursing.”

Sixty doctoral nurse scholars will be selected to receive $12,000 each over two years, matched by the university, and an additional $6,000 award if they serve in a faculty role for at least a year post-graduation. With $1,080,000 in scholarship funds allocated to the upcoming cohort of students and supporting students for a national leadership conference from Jonas Nursing, those selected will join more than 1,400 distinguished Jonas Alumni Scholars across all 50 states who have achieved success as faculty, clinical leaders, and researchers.

Applications are open and will be accepted through May 17, 2024 . The refreshed scholar experience will feature content in these focus areas: Environmental Health, Gerontology, Health Policy, Integrative Care, Psychiatric/Mental Health, Pediatrics, Preventative Care, Rural Health, School Nursing, Underserved Populations, Vision Health, Women’s Health, and Veterans’ Health. A technical assistance webinar will be offered on April 30, 2024 at 12:00 pm (ET), to help answer any questions you may have about the application. To register for this webinar, click here . For more details about the Jonas Scholars program, visit AACN’s website or contact Noah Brown, Jonas Grant Manager, at [email protected] .

About Jonas Nursing The mission of Jonas Nursing is to enhance the nursing profession by developing nurse leaders who will address the nursing shortage by educating the future nursing workforce and by investing in the health and well-being of our most underserved communities.

About Jonas Philanthropies Jonas Philanthropies is transforming our communities for the better by investing where it matters most, in solutions that can be scaled for the greatest impact. Its programs address high-need issues and audiences with high-impact solutions: promoting leadership in nursing, promoting vision health, protecting our children’s environmental health, and taking care of our climate. For more information about Jonas Philanthropies, visit jonasphilanthropies.org , follow us on LinkedIn , like us on Facebook , or follow us on X .

About the American Association of Colleges of Nursing AACN is the national voice for academic nursing representing more than 875 schools of nursing nationwide. AACN establishes quality standards for nursing education, influences the nursing profession to improve health care, and promotes public support of baccalaureate and graduate nursing education, research, and practice. For more information about AACN, visit aacnnursing.org and connect with us on LinkedIn , Facebook , and X .

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Funding accelerates R&D and supports workforce development in essential STEM fields

WASHINGTON, D.C. —  The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today announced more than $19.1 million to support nuclear energy research and development, university nuclear infrastructure, and undergraduate and graduate education. Projects will help expand access to nuclear energy, moving the nation closer to meeting the Biden-Harris Administration’s goal of net-zero emissions by 2050. 

"U.S. universities and colleges are critical incubators of groundbreaking ideas that can move us toward a clean energy future,” said Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Energy Dr. Kathryn Huff . "These awards invest in the next generation of nuclear scientists and engineers who will continue to advance nuclear energy as a solution to tackling the climate crisis."

Since 2009, DOE’s Office of Nuclear Energy has awarded almost $1 billion to advance nuclear energy research and support the education and training of future nuclear energy visionaries and leaders. Awards being announced today include: 

Distinguished Early Career Program ($2.5 million) - Invests in the innovative research and education programs of four outstanding early career university faculty poised to pave new lines of inquiry and advance mission critical research directions in nuclear energy.

University Nuclear Leadership Program ($6.6 million) - Provides scholarships and graduate fellowships to students pursuing nuclear engineering and other degree programs relevant to nuclear energy. The awards include 93 scholarships and 34 fellowships for students at 42 U.S. trade schools, colleges and universities. 

The Innovations in Nuclear Energy Research Development Student Competition ($34,500) - Recognizes 11 graduate and undergraduate students for their innovative nuclear energy research publications. 

Consolidated Innovative Nuclear Research (CINR) Phase II Research and Development ($4.7 Million) - Six awards enable established teams to extend and build upon previously funded nuclear energy research and development projects.

Scientific Infrastructure Support for CINR ($5.2 Million) - 18 awards will assist universities with acquiring the best resources and equipment available to educate the next generation of nuclear energy leaders.   

To learn more about these awards, visit the Nuclear Energy University Program website. CINR R&D awards will be announced later this spring. 

Media Inquiries: (202)-586-4940 | [email protected]

Affordability

Affordability is a top concern for students these days, and Adelphi University’s Gordon F. Derner School of Psychology offers a number of ways to make the psychology degree you need accessible to you.

Ways to Save on Your Education

Take a look at our tuition and costs for psychology students, and then review a complete list of available scholarships and grants. We’ll work with you to help make your Adelphi education affordable.

Financial Aid Packages

Adelphi University in New York on Long Island is dedicated to helping every student secure funding, and we offer a wide variety of financial assistance programs in addition to the various state and federal programs.

Merit Scholarships and Other Assistance

Adelphi awards merit-based scholarships to qualified accepted students based on many factors. Depending on family need, you may also be eligible for additional grants, loans and the work-study program.

Graduate and Doctoral Assistantships

Graduate assistantships play a crucial role in making your advanced studies more accessible and affordable, while also providing valuable professional development opportunities and support for academic and career goals in the psychology field. We encourage you to explore the assistantship details provided for each program.

Aid for Veterans and Students on Active Duty

As a Yellow Ribbon school, Adelphi University is ranked in the top 20 percent of colleges that offer exceptional benefits and resources for veterans and active duty military. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs determines the type of benefits (Chapter) for which the veteran is eligible.  All questions about your eligibility should be directed to the VA for resolution.

Employer Tuition Reimbursement

Adelphi currently provides a discounted tuition rate for employees of certain agencies and healthcare organizations. Students should check with their employer to see if they are current participants.

Scholarship Opportunities

Derner School of Psychology students are eligible for a range of awards.

Patrick L. Ross Fellowship Fund  for doctoral students from groups underrepresented in the profession.

George Stricker Fellowship Award for doctoral students who show outstanding research productivity and ability, especially in the area of psychotherapy integration.

Kupferman Levine Family Endowed Scholarships for Mental Health Professionals support students in the PhD in Clinical Psychology program, as well as students in the MA in Mental Health Counseling program.

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MBA Scholarships That Help Pay for School

There are many opportunities for scholarships, fellowships and other sources of money that you don't have to repay.

MBA Scholarships

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Most universities with business schools offer in-house scholarships; some also provide a list of external sources of aid to pay for school.

Multiple scholarships, fellowships and grants are available for students enrolling in a Master of Business Administration program. Since these funds do not need to be repaid, they are basically free money to help pay for your degree.

Some awards are national while others are college-specific. Some are merit-based, often depending on GMAT scores , while others are for minorities. The amounts vary, and some even offer a stipend.

Sam Weeks, an MBA admissions consultant, says that although lenders tend to be happy to finance MBAs, “a scholarship allows you to be more flexible because you don’t have that debt to pay back.”

Without an MBA scholarship, business majors whose hearts were leading them toward social impact or entrepreneurship may get forced into careers like management consulting or investment banking, Weeks says, adding that "you can’t go out and start your own business if you are $200,000 in debt. The scholarship enables them to follow more interesting post-MBA career paths.”

Here are some sources of scholarships and other funding for an MBA that don't have to be repaid.

National Sources

Military mba merit scholarship.

Veterans and active members of the military who are U.S. residents may apply for the Military MBA Merit Scholarship . The scholarship is offered to attend one of 27 partner schools throughout the U.S., and award amounts vary.

A bachelor’s degree and a record of military service are required, along with other application materials, and demonstrated leadership is a plus. Applicants cannot be already in an MBA program or a graduate of one.

Goldman Sachs MBA Fellowships

First-year MBA students seeking a summer associate position at the multinational investment bank can apply for the Goldman Sachs MBA Fellowship . The program is geared toward students interested in investment banking or private wealth management at Goldman.

Recipients receive $35,000 plus a summer associate salary. Upon successful completion of that summer internship and acceptance of a full-time offer at Goldman, fellows receive an additional $40,000 and possibly a full-time associate signing bonus.

Knight-Hennessy Scholars

This program fully funds up to three years of graduate study at Stanford University in California. To qualify, applicants must complete the MBA application for Stanford's Graduate School of Business and file a separate Knight-Hennessy Scholarship application. Instructions for the scholarship application are on the program's website .

National Black MBA Association

This professional organization, which has a membership level for undergraduate and grad students, offers MBA scholarships to qualifying members who are U.S. citizens. Recipients attend a partner university, and additional award criteria, deadlines and amounts may vary.

College-Specific MBA Scholarships

Most universities with business schools offer in-house scholarships; some also provide a list of external sources of aid to pay for school, experts note.

For example, the University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management and the University of North Carolina—Chapel Hill Kenan-Flagler Business School are among schools that offer scholarships, fellowships and stipends in varying amounts for academic achievement, including to specific populations such as university alumni, women, state residents, veterans and international students.

Weeks advises applicants from traditional backgrounds to aim for a GMAT score above the class average. “All schools publish their class averages. When you apply to business school you submit your application, and you receive your scholarship offers either immediately or within a few weeks if your profile is strong."

However, what applicants tend to not know is that "there is a chance you can go back to the school and negotiate a scholarship,” Weeks says, giving the following scenario: “If you receive offers from two great schools, one of them with a nice scholarship and one with no scholarship, we work with our clients to tell the school with no scholarship, ‘Hey, I have an offer from another top school with a scholarship, but I’d like to join you guys. Are there any other scholarships that I’m eligible for to help close that difference in cost?’”

Applicants are often reluctant to do this because they don’t want to seem pushy, he says. But remember that you are applying to business school, and "good negotiations are part of the process,” he says, stressing that politeness is key.

Weeks also says a one-time scholarship given at the start of your program is not always the end, since sometimes you can apply for scholarships during your first year of school to cover your second year.

Smaller MBA Scholarships

Experts also encourage prospective MBA students to go for smaller scholarships, which can add up. They sometimes are offered by departments within a business school.

“As part of your MBA application, most schools will consider you for a host of merit scholarships or fellowships,” says Candy Lee LaBalle, an MBA application consultant and owner of LaBalle Admissions. “Often all you need to do to be considered is click a box that says, ‘I would like to be considered.’”

A merit scholarship is "based on the strength, or merit, of your application," LaBalle explains. "So, the stronger your profile, the higher your chances to secure one of these. This is one reason to push as hard as you can for a top test score, either GMAT or GRE . It is a nice surprise when you get an admit from a school that includes a hefty scholarship award.”

Some schools consider applicants for scholarships if they write an additional essay as part of the application process.

“Definitely write these essays and give them as much care and consideration as you do to your general application essays,” LaBalle advises.

She says there are also many private scholarships available, although they can be difficult to track down because many are offered by small organizations and target specific demographic groups. She says one comprehensive listing of outside funding is curated by UCLA's Anderson School of Management .

"Don’t limit yourself to just one scholarship," she says. "Apply for as many relevant scholarships as possible. Remember that even smaller scholarships can add up and contribute to your overall funding.”

Some countries offer scholarships for their citizens that will cover full tuition, LaBalle adds, such as Spain's La Caixa and Indonesia’s Endowment Fund for Education.

More Tips For MBA Scholarship Seekers

Experts suggest paying careful attention to rules when applying for scholarships.

“Some scholarships, such as those from Fulbright , must be applied for well before you apply to an MBA," LaBalle says. "Others, you apply after you are admitted. Websites like Scholarships 360 and GoGrad provide comprehensive lists of MBA scholarships along with application details."

Keep track of application deadlines, required documents and follow-up steps so that your scholarship applications are complete and submitted before deadlines, LaBalle suggests.

Weeks, who says he helped clients win more than $2.5 million in scholarships in 2023, cautions that a scholarship from the school is seldom awarded based just on the application essay.

“Your whole application has to be good,” he says. “If you have a good profile overall – good GMAT score, good undergrad GPA, good work experience – you are more likely to get a scholarship on the basis that the school wants you to join.”

How to Find Money to Pay for an MBA

Tags: MBAs , business school , graduate schools , scholarships , education , students

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How to Finance Your Master's Degree or Continuing Education

• Leigh Perkins
• January 19, 2022
• Professional Development
• Text-based Story

Don’t assume grad school or continuing education is out of reach for your budget. Paying for your post-grad or professional courses can be a challenge, but it’s completely doable. Put a little research, creative problem solving, and our easy tips into the task, and you’ll figure out how to finance your master’s degree or continuing education .

Financing Higher Education

According to Sallie Mae, almost a quarter of school costs are paid by grad students’ earnings or personal savings. If you don’t have that kind of cash flow, though, consider other options for financing higher education.

Start With Free Money

Loans may need to be part of your equation, but it’s best to begin your calculations with financial aid that doesn’t have to be repaid.

An estimated $2.6 billion in financial aid was left on the table in 2018 because students failed to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) from the U.S. Department of Education. And FAFSA is not just for undergraduates. It can help you land federal aid based on financial need for graduate school, too. The application is free, and there are several free-money options available to you when your FAFSA is complete, such as federal work study programs.

Grants and Fellowships

Federal aid is applicable to some continuing education programs, such as grants for medical residency or the Pell Grant for postbaccalaureate teacher certification, but federal aid in the form of grants does not apply to most graduate programs.

For graduate school, grants and fellowships are almost interchangeable terms, the main difference being what the institution bestowing the funding prefers to call it. There are government-backed grants, from organizations like the National Institutes of Health or the Department of Energy, and fellowships funded by private organizations, such as the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation or the American Economic Association. The best place to begin searching for grants and fellowships is through the websites of the schools you’re considering, in particular the programs you are targeting for grad school. You can also check out online scholarship search tools.

Most grants and fellowships are competitive, so do your homework, complete your applications carefully, and submit early. Preferably, you’ll be ready to hit send on your application the day you learn you’re accepted into your grad school program of choice.

Scholarships

Graduate tuition can cost tens of thousands of dollars each year. Because graduate students are considered independent, you will report your own income on the FAFSA, which could make you eligible for more need-based scholarships. Grad students can check out USF’s STARS Scholarship database to read about USF Foundation Scholarships and many other scholarships to students enrolling in master’s programs . There are millions of dollars available to grad students for national and niche scholarships .

Can you qualify for specific scholarships that take your background, interests, or undergrad degree into account?

• Your heritage: There are scholarships designated just for Hispanic grad students, Native Americans, Korean Americans, Pacific Islanders, and more.
• Your alma mater: You may qualify for a discount if you apply to graduate school where you earned your bachelor’s degree.
• Your area of specialization: Check into field-specific graduate scholarships, such as a master’s in education, women in technology, accounting scholarships, and MBA scholarships.

Assistantships

Graduate assistantships allow you to work in a support role at a university under the supervision of a faculty member. You may teach, be a research assistant, do clerical tasks, or help with grading. USF graduate assistants earn a stipend and are eligible for tuition payment and some additional benefits, such as health insurance.

Employee Benefits

Under U.S. tax code, employers may offer up to $5,250 per year in tuition reimbursement for college courses, which is deductible for your company and not counted as taxable income for you. More than half of employers are estimated to currently offer tuition assistance. If yours isn’t one of them, make a sales pitch. One possible incentive: Signing a contract to commit to working for the company for a minimum term after receiving your graduate degree.

College Savings Account

If you didn’t run through your entire 529 plan in undergraduate school, you can apply what’s left to your graduate school costs. Though the time horizon is shorter to save for graduate school, it is also possible to set up a 529 plan dedicated just for graduate school.

Take a Look at Loans

Although they account for only 25 percent of all students in higher education, graduate students account for nearly half of student debt . Because there is no cap for graduate school borrowing – up to the full cost of attendance charged by the college – nearly a quarter of graduate borrowers take out more than the lifetime limit for undergraduate borrowers in just a single year of grad school.

It is one thing to compare the average undergraduate debt ($28,950) to an MBA ($66,300). But it is a whole new level of payback stress for a law degree ($145,000) or a medical degree ($201,490). Add the fact that interest rates are higher for grad school than for undergrad, and the debt can turn into a long-term burden.

Wondering how to minimize the hit to your financial future when you really need a loan for graduate school? Take out only what is absolutely necessary, access every tax benefit available, and pull out all the stops to save pennies and earn cash while in grad school.

These are the types of loan programs available for graduate students:

• Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans: Sometimes called Stafford Loans, these are not based on financial need and do not require a credit check. You are responsible for paying all interest on these loans, which begins accruing while you’re still in school and during your grace period or deferment. It is best to max out these loans before you sign on to PLUS or private loans.
• Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loans: These loans are for expenses not covered by other financial aid offered by your school. They require a credit check and carry a higher fixed-interest rate than federal direct loans.
• Private Loans: Depending on your credit score or a co-signer’s endorsement, you could qualify for a competitive rate on a loan from a private bank or other lender, usually without the origination and processing fees associated with federal programs. The downside is they don’t offer long forbearance periods. If you are planning on law school, medical school or business school, it’s likely you’ll find a lender offering a loan specific to your degree.

Paying for Continuing Education

While there are not as many options to finance your continuing education, the upside is that career training, certifications, and continuing ed programs are much less expensive than graduate school.

Philanthropic organizations, private agencies, state education departments, and the schools themselves often offer scholarships for continuing education and certification programs. For example, there are specific scholarships available for paralegal students .

State societies, clubs, and professional groups often subsidize travel and attendance at conferences, CEU courses, and training programs. If you’re in a regional human resources group, for example, they might underwrite your tuition for SHRM certification .

Federal student loans only apply to full-time graduate students, so stand-alone certification courses or part-time professional development programs don’t qualify. However, several private lenders do offer loans for career training programs. Sallie Mae’s Career Training Smart Option Student Loan is designed specifically for nondegree-seeking students, professional certifications, and culinary and technical school students.

If you’re confident the return on your investment will be adequate (and fairly immediate), you can also consider paying for a course with a credit card, but do so cautiously. Interest rates and fees for credit cards are often triple or quadruple a student loan rate.

The good news is that the IRS allowance for employer tuition reimbursement applies to career training and continuing education. The bad news is that only about half of employers offer this in an employee’s benefits package. If yours does not include the $5,250 that can be deducted by your company for courses, make a suggestion to your boss and to HR to add it. If it’s not a formal perk but there is a program that will help you perform your job better, write a letter to your supervisor explaining the benefits to your business. In your letter, ask if the company would be willing to pay for the program or at least approve paid time off for instruction.

USF Can Help You Reach Your Next Goal

No matter where you’re headed in your career, USF Corporate Training and Professional Education is here to guide you. Thinking of graduate school? We offer exceptional GMAT and LSAT prep courses. Planning a big pivot? Navigate a career change with our business, technology, and leadership training. Browse our programs to see if they can point you in the right direction for continuing education.

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Rostov State Medical University

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Rostov State Medical University scholarships for international students, 2024-25

International scholarships, fellowships or grants are offered to students outside the country where the university is located. These are also called as financial aid and many times the financial aid office of the Rostov State Medical University deals with it. Rostov State Medical University scholarships are offered by Rostov State Medical University to study or research there.

There are various Rostov State Medical University scholarships for international students. Apart from the university-based scholarships, there are many other organizations including foundations, trusts, corporates etc. Who offer scholarships for international students. To help, we list out the latest international scholarships, fellowships and grants information. The Rostov State Medical University scholarships application form is also available to apply online for the scholarships.

Quick links for Rostov State Medical University scholarships:

• Rostov State Medical University Bachelors scholarships (also known as Rostov State Medical University undergraduate scholarships)
• Rostov State Medical University Masters scholarships
• Rostov State Medical University PhD scholarships

As you see, these Rostov State Medical University scholarships can be taken for various degree levels. Explore Rostov State Medical University courses/ degree programs offered for Rostov State Medical University bachelors courses (also known as Rostov State Medical University undergraduate courses), Rostov State Medical University Masters courses and even for Rostov State Medical University PhD courses or research programs.

Apply for Rostov State Medical University education loan

Send your application documents to Rostov State Medical University using the DHL student offer

Apply to USA scholarships for International students

Below is the list of top 10 Rostov State Medical University scholarships for International students:

• Education Future International Scholarship - USA & Non-USA 2024

Education Future International Scholarship - USA & Non-USA 2024 is a Partial Funding international scholarship offered by the Education Future for international students. Students eligible for this scholarship are: Open to Indian nationals

This scholarship can be taken for pursuing in All courses offered by the universities. Deadline varies is the deadline to send applications for Education Future International Scholarship - USA & Non-USA 2024. The value of the scholarship is INR 2 lakhs to INR 10 lakhs. This scholarship can be taken at Universities in all the countries, except India . You may apply on Education Future International Scholarship - USA & Non-USA 2024 application form .

Check out other international Fellowships and Grants and Scholarships offered by Education Future.

• Wellcome Career Development Awards 2024

Wellcome Career Development Awards 2024 is a Full Funding international scholarship offered by the Wellcome Trust for international students. Students eligible for this scholarship are: Open to all nationals

This scholarship can be taken for pursuing in Discovery Research, Climate & Health, Infectious Disease, Mental Health. 25 Jul is the deadline to send applications for Wellcome Career Development Awards 2024. The value of the scholarship is salary + research expenses. This scholarship can be taken at Universities/Research Institutions in the UK, Republic of Ireland, Low- or middle-income countries (apart from India and mainland China) . You may apply on Wellcome Career Development Awards 2024 application form .

Check out other international Fellowships and Grants and Scholarships offered by Wellcome Trust.

• Royal Society International Exchange Programme 2024

Royal Society International Exchange Programme 2024 is a Partial Funding international scholarship offered by the The Royal Society for international students. Students eligible for this scholarship are: Open to all nationals

This scholarship can be taken for pursuing in Natural Sciences. 05 Jun is the deadline to send applications for Royal Society International Exchange Programme 2024. The value of the scholarship is Travel allowances + Research expenditure. This scholarship can be taken at UK and overseas institutions . You may apply on Royal Society International Exchange Programme 2024 application form .

Check out other international Fellowships and Grants and Scholarships offered by The Royal Society.

• Healthcare Graduate Studies Awards, 2024

Healthcare Graduate Studies Awards, 2024 is a Partial Funding international scholarship offered by the Ministry of Health (Singapore) for international students. Students eligible for this scholarship are: Open to Singapore nationals

This scholarship can be taken for pursuing in Audiology, Biostatistics, Clinical Psychology, Epidemiology, Health Economics, Medical Informatics, Public Health and Speech Therapy. 01 May is the deadline to send applications for Healthcare Graduate Studies Awards, 2024. The value of the scholarship is Tuition fee+Maintenance allowance+Pre-Studies Allowance+Return economy airfare. This scholarship can be taken at Overseas universities. . You may apply on Healthcare Graduate Studies Awards, 2024 application form .

Check out other international Fellowships and Grants and Scholarships offered by Ministry of Health (Singapore).

• Ramboll Scholarships, 2024

Ramboll Scholarships, 2024 is a Partial Funding international scholarship offered by the Ramboll for international students. Students eligible for this scholarship are: Open to Denmark

This scholarship can be taken for pursuing in Engineering, Natural Science, Political Science, Economics and Architecture. 01 Jun is the deadline to send applications for Ramboll Scholarships, 2024. The value of the scholarship is DKK 25,000. This scholarship can be taken at Anywhere across the world . You may apply on Ramboll Scholarships, 2024 application form .

Check out other international Fellowships and Grants and Scholarships offered by Ramboll.

• Damak Technical Education Foundation Scholarships 2024

Damak Technical Education Foundation Scholarships 2024 is a Partial Funding international scholarship offered by the Damak Technical Education Foundation for international students. Students eligible for this scholarship are: Open to the citizens of Nepal

This scholarship can be taken for pursuing in All subjects offered at the university. Deadline varies is the deadline to send applications for Damak Technical Education Foundation Scholarships 2024. The value of the scholarship is Varies. This scholarship can be taken at Can be taken in any country . You may apply on Damak Technical Education Foundation Scholarships 2024 application form .

Check out other international Fellowships and Grants and Scholarships offered by Damak Technical Education Foundation.

• National overseas scholarship for SC and ST candidates 2024

National overseas scholarship for SC and ST candidates 2024 is a Partial Funding international scholarship offered by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment for international students. Students eligible for this scholarship are: Open to nationals of India (Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes)

This scholarship can be taken for pursuing in All the subjects offered at the university. Deadline varies is the deadline to send applications for National overseas scholarship for SC and ST candidates 2024. The value of the scholarship is varies. This scholarship can be taken at The course can be taken in any of the top 500 universities in QS ranking . You may apply on National overseas scholarship for SC and ST candidates 2024 application form .

Check out other international Fellowships and Grants and Scholarships offered by Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.

• IMU Breakout Graduate Fellowship Program, 2024

IMU Breakout Graduate Fellowship Program, 2024 is a Full Funding international scholarship offered by the International Mathematical Union (IMU) for international students. Students eligible for this scholarship are: Open to developing countries

This scholarship can be taken for pursuing in Mathematical sciences. 31 May is the deadline to send applications for IMU Breakout Graduate Fellowship Program, 2024. The value of the scholarship is Tuition fee and other benefits. This scholarship can be taken at Any developing countries . You may apply on IMU Breakout Graduate Fellowship Program, 2024 application form .

Check out other international Fellowships and Grants and Scholarships offered by International Mathematical Union (IMU).

• Wellcome Early-Career Awards 2024

Wellcome Early-Career Awards 2024 is a Full Funding international scholarship offered by the Wellcome Trust for international students. Students eligible for this scholarship are: open to the UK, Ireland, and , Low or middle income country nationals

This scholarship can be taken for pursuing in All subjects offered by the institutions. 21 May is the deadline to send applications for Wellcome Early-Career Awards 2024. The value of the scholarship is salary + research expenses. This scholarship can be taken at Universities/Research Institutions in the UK, Republic of Ireland, Low- or middle-income countries (apart from India and mainland China) . You may apply on Wellcome Early-Career Awards 2024 application form .

• Boehringer Ingelheim Fonds MD Fellowships 2024

Boehringer Ingelheim Fonds MD Fellowships 2024 is a Partial Funding international scholarship offered by the Boehringer Ingelheim Fonds (BIF) for international students. Students eligible for this scholarship are: Open to Germany nationals

This scholarship can be taken for pursuing in Biomedicine. Deadline varies is the deadline to send applications for Boehringer Ingelheim Fonds MD Fellowships 2024. The value of the scholarship is monthly stipend + other benefits. This scholarship can be taken at Renowned research laboratories all over the World except their home institution and city. . You may apply on Boehringer Ingelheim Fonds MD Fellowships 2024 application form .

Check out other international Fellowships and Grants and Scholarships offered by Boehringer Ingelheim Fonds (BIF).

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Rostov State Medical University Scholarships for international students 2024-25

List of russian federation universities and scholarships for international students 2024-25.

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