Scholarships for Psychology Majors
Updated April 12, 2024 · 4 Min Read
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Psychology scholarships have helped put a dent in rising tuition costs. According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), the average student received $2,039 in state and local grants and scholarships, and $4,740 in institutional grants and scholarships in 2020-21.
Discover more about psychology scholarships, including where to find them, how to apply, and what scholarships might be available to you.
Popular Online Psychology Bachelor's Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Where to Look for Psychology Scholarships
Researching the thousands of scholarships from companies, individuals, nonprofits, and schools requires time and effort. High school students can start the scholarship discovery process by talking to school counselors, who typically hold extensive knowledge about scholarships. Counselors can offer suggestions about where to find them, when to apply, and how to put together the best application.
Many candidates find that the best place to explore psychology scholarships is on the American Psychological Association (APA) search page, which lists dozens of opportunities for graduate and undergraduate students. Other places to look include college financial aid offices and the U.S. Department of Labor's free scholarship search tool.
Common Requirements for Psychology Scholarships
When applying for psychology scholarships, students usually need to meet several requirements to qualify. Sponsors often set eligibility criteria based on factors like academic achievement, identity, and membership in professional organizations. The scholarship application process typically requires submission of supporting materials and documentation. Below are examples of possible eligibility and submission criteria.
Eligibility Requirements
- Hold a minimum 3.0 GPA
- Be an undergraduate or graduate student pursuing a degree in psychology
- Be a member of the student chapter of the APA
- Belong to an ethnic minority group
Submission Requirements
- College transcripts
- Resume or CV
- Letters of recommendation
- Essay or personal statement
Available Psychology Scholarships
The list below includes undergraduate psychology scholarships, graduate psychology scholarships, and scholarships for psychology students at any degree level. Although not exhaustive, this list provides a good starting point for psychology majors looking for scholarships for college.
Undergraduate Psychology Scholarships
Psi Chi Undergraduate Scholarships
- Eligibility: Applicants must be members of Psi Chi, the International Honors Society of Psychology, and in pursuit of an undergraduate degree in psychology.
- Award Amount: $3,000
- Deadline: June
Inez Beverly Prosser Scholarship for Women of Color
- Eligibility: This scholarship is awarded to members of Psi Chi who are women of color and in pursuit of a psychology degree at the undergraduate or graduate levels.
- Award Amount: $3,000
- Deadline: June
Sharon Stephens Brehm Undergraduate Psychology Scholarship
- Eligibility: Awarded by the American Psychological Foundation, this scholarship goes to undergraduate students in pursuit of a psychology degree who possess a minimum 3.5 GPA and demonstrate financial need.
- Award Amount: $5,000
- Deadline: July
National Institutes of Health (NIH) Undergraduate Scholarship
- Eligibility: The NIH awards this scholarship to undergraduate applicants in the biomedical, behavioral, and social science fields. Candidates must also attend university full time, have a minimum 3.3 GPA, and demonstrate financial need.
- Award Amount: Up to $20,000
- Deadline: March
American Psychology-Law Society Award for Best Undergraduate Paper
- Eligibility: These scholarships go to applicants who submit the top research papers in a topic related to psychology and law. Eligible candidates must be the primary writer and researcher of the submitted work.
- Award Amount: Up to $500
- Deadline: June
Grace Lynn Ross Memorial Scholarship
- Eligibility: Candidates must be in pursuit of an undergraduate degree in criminal justice, child psychology, or grief counseling. The winning applicant must also demonstrate why they chose the field and what they hope to accomplish.
- Award Amount: $500
- Deadline: June
Graduate Psychology Scholarships
Council of Graduate Departments of Psychology Graduate Student Scholarships
- Eligibility: The American Psychological Foundation awards these scholarships to graduate students in the process of completing a thesis or dissertation project. Winners will be judged primarily on their research proposals.
- Award Amount: Up to $5,000
- Deadline: June
American Psychological Foundation Queen-Nellie Evans Scholarship
- Eligibility: Candidates must be graduate psychology students who are minorities or members of an underrepresented demographic. They must also demonstrate financial need and a commitment to improving racial and cultural disparities.
- Award Amount: $4,000
- Deadline: January
National Register of Health Service Psychologists Credentialing Scholarship
- Eligibility: Applicants must be within 10 years of graduating a doctorate program and in pursuit of professional licensure with the National Register. The scholarship covers the cost of the licensure application.
- Award Amount: Up to $500
- Deadline: May and November
Beth N. Rom-Rymer Scholarships
- Eligibility: The American Psychological Foundation awards applicants in a clinical psychopharmacology graduate program. Practicing licensed psychologists may also qualify, and preference goes to candidates working with underserved populations.
- Award Amount: $5,000
- Deadline: February
George C. Thornton, III Graduate Scholarship
- Eligibility: Awarded by the American Psychological Association, this scholarship goes to doctoral students in industrial and organizational (IO) psychology programs. Candidates must have a master's in IO psychology and be members of a student Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology.
- Award Amount: Varies
- Deadline: June
The Melanie Foundation Scholarship
- Eligibility: Candidates must be enrolled in an accredited doctoral or master's program in mental health and demonstrate a commitment to the field outside of class, such as through volunteer, research, or professional work.
- Award Amount: $2,500
- Deadline: March
Scholarships for Undergraduates and Graduates
Kay Wilson Presidential Leadership Award
- Eligibility: The International Honor Society in Psychology awards undergraduate and graduate students who demonstrate exemplary leadership as president of their Psi Chi chapter. Candidates must be nominated by their chapter members or officers.
- Award Amount: $1,200
- Deadline: March
Indian Health Service Health Professions Scholarship
- Eligibility: Applicants must be American Indian or Alaska Native graduate or undergraduate students enrolled in a health program. They also need a minimum 2.0 GPA and be committed to serving Indigenous people. Winners must complete a clinical practice commitment after graduation.
- Award Amount: Varies
- Deadline: February
Society for the Psychology of Religion and Spirituality Research Award
- Eligibility: This award goes to applicants completing a master's thesis or dissertation related to the psychology of religion and spirituality. Candidates will be evaluated based on their research and project proposals. Undergraduates may also qualify.
- Award Amount: $2,500
- Deadline: September
Application Strategy for Psychology Scholarships
Filling out applications can be time-consuming and hard work, so applicants must strategize about how to apply for psychology scholarships. Degree-seekers can limit their search to scholarships for psychology majors or even those devoted to their specialization or concentration. Psychology majors can also prioritize applying for scholarships based on aspects of their identity, such as gender, religion, or ethnicity.
Other factors that impact which scholarships to apply for include deadlines, award amount, and the difficulty or ease of applying. Students may also want to consider the way scholarships can impact financial aid eligibility and vice versa.
How Psychology Scholarships Differ from Other Aid
A variety of other types of financial aid for psychology majors can help pay for school, including federal and private loans, work-study, grants, and fellowships. Below, we explain other types of financial aid available for college besides scholarships.
Federal Loans
The U.S. government helps students pay for college by offering federal student and parent loans, including benefits typically not available with private loans. Benefits of some federal loans include low and/or fixed interest rates, deferred payment while in school, and income-driven repayment plans.
Work-Study
The federal work-study program subsidizes part-time employment for students while in school to help pay for their degrees. Off-campus and on-campus jobs exist for undergraduate, graduate, and professional students with demonstrated financial need. When possible, work-study jobs relate to the student's field of study.
Grants
Like scholarships, grants are a type of financial aid that do not require repayment. Grants tend to be need-based, while scholarships often include a merit-based component. Grants may also fund specific projects or research efforts, unlike scholarships which can help pay for tuition, books, and related fees. The federal government, state governments, nonprofit organizations, and universities all award grants.
Fellowships
Typically, merit-based and competitive fellowships provide financial support to subsidize graduate students' academic work. Fellowships often cover tuition and may include a cost-of-living stipend or pay for expenses like travel to an academic conference.
Private Loans
College students can apply for private loans from banks with terms set by the lender. Private loans typically cost more than federal loans and may require repayment before graduation. Interest rates can be fixed or variable.