Psychology Scholarships Guide 2024

What’s in this guide?

By PsychologyJobs.com Staff Writer

Our career guides are produced by staff writers in conjunction with our expert career coaches.

Available Psychology scholarships

This guide will cover all the ins and outs of scholarships for psychology students but many of you landing on this page are looking for currently available scholarships to apply for, with this in mind, we thought we would start with a curated list of currently available scholarships as well as links to other resources to help in your search.

Undergraduate scholarships

  1. Sharon Stephens Brehm Undergraduate Psychology Scholarships – $5,000. Apply for this scholarship
  2. Catching the Dream – $5,000. Apply for this scholarship
  3. G.H. DePriest Memorial Scholarship – $500 – Apply for this scholarship
  4. Morris K. Udall Undergraduate Scholarships – $7,000. Apply for this scholarship
  5. Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation. Apply for this scholarship

Graduate scholarships

  1. Early Graduate Student Researcher Award – $1,000. Apply for this scholarship
  2. APF Graduate Student Scholarships – $2-$5,000. Apply for this scholarship
  3. Janet Hyde Graduate Student Research Grant – $500. Apply for this scholarship
  4. Dr. Diana Slaughter Kotzin and Mr. Joseph G. Kotzin Fund Grant – $9,500. Apply for this scholarship
  5. Integrated Health Care Grant Program – $5-$12,000. Apply for this scholarship
  6. APF/Division 54 Lizette Peterson-Homer Injury Prevention Grant – $5,000. Apply for this scholarship
  7. APF Lived Experience Dissertation Research Grant – $1,250. Apply for this scholarship
  8. George C. Thornton, III Graduate Scholarship. Apply for this scholarship
  9. F. J. McGuigan Dissertation Award – $2,000. Apply for this scholarship
  10. Elizabeth Munsterberg Koppitz Child Psychology Graduate Fellowships – $25,000. Apply for this scholarship
  11. APA Award in Support of Conferences and Workshops on Graduate and Postgraduate Education and Training in Psychology – $2,000. Apply for this scholarship
  12. APF Graduate Student Scholarships – $1-$5,000. Apply for this scholarship

We also recommend tools like Bold.org, Scholarships.com and Fastweb.com as a good starting point in your search for scholarships.

What is a Psychology scholarship?

A psychology scholarship is a financial award that is granted to a student or researcher studying psychology to help them cover the costs of their education or research.

Psychology scholarships can come from a variety of sources, including universities, private organizations, government agencies, and non-profit organizations.

There are different types of psychology scholarships available, including those for undergraduate students, graduate students, and postdoctoral researchers. Some scholarships may be based on academic merit, while others may be based on financial need, research interests, or other criteria.

Psychology scholarships can help cover expenses such as tuition fees, textbooks, research materials, travel expenses, and living expenses. Some scholarships may also offer additional benefits, such as mentorship, networking opportunities, or access to research facilities.

Applying for psychology scholarships typically involves submitting an application, which may include essays, letters of recommendation, transcripts, and other supporting materials. The application process and eligibility criteria can vary depending on the scholarship and the organization offering it.

How much is a psychology scholarship worth?

The value of a psychology scholarship can vary widely depending on a variety of factors.

Some psychology scholarships may be relatively small, offering a few hundred dollars to help cover the cost of textbooks or other expenses, while others may be much larger, covering a significant portion of tuition and living expenses for the duration of a degree program.

For example, the American Psychological Association (APA) offers a range of scholarships for psychology students, with award amounts ranging from $1,000 to $5,000. The National Science Foundation’s Graduate Research Fellowship Program offers three years of funding, including an annual stipend of $34,000 and an allowance for tuition and fees.

What can the money be used for?

Any scholarship you successfully receive will have terms and conditions attached to how the money is spent. However in general terms the funds from a scholarship award can be used for the following; tuition, books, supplies, living expenses, research expenses and conference attendance.

How do you apply for psychology scholarships?

The process of applying for scholarships is quite straightforward but can often be a big time commitment and is highly competitive – In 2021, the APA received 2,187 applications for their scholarship programs, and awarded 334 scholarships.

Generally speaking the process is:

  1. Find scholarships to apply to
  2. Review eligibility criteria: many students waste time mistakenly applying for scholarships they are ineligible for)
  3. Prepare the application materials: likely to be the most time consuming part of the process given many scholarships require an essay)
  4. Submit your application
  5. Follow up

What is the difference between a scholarship and other financial aid?

The main difference between a scholarship and other forms of financial aid is that scholarships are typically awarded based on merit or other criteria, while other forms of financial aid such as grants, loans, and work-study programs are often awarded based on financial need.

Scholarships are generally awarded to students who demonstrate exceptional academic achievement, leadership potential, or other qualities that align with the values or mission of the organization offering the scholarship. They may also be awarded based on specific criteria such as ethnicity, gender, or intended field of study.

In contrast, grants are typically awarded to students who demonstrate financial need, as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or other means. Grants do not need to be repaid and are often awarded by the government or institutions to help cover the cost of tuition, fees, and other educational expenses.

Loans, on the other hand, are a form of financial aid that must be repaid with interest. They are often offered by the government or private lenders to help cover the cost of tuition and other expenses.