According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), the average U.S. university charged graduate students $17,868 in tuition, fees, and room and board during the 2015-16 academic year. For most individuals, this figure represents a significant financial investment. As a result, many turn to financial aid to alleviate some or all of their educational expenses.
Graduate students who attend accredited schools may be eligible for certain types of federal aid, such as direct unsubsidized loans, which offer recipients up to $20,500 per school year. Other federal aid opportunities include direct PLUS loans, TEACH Grants, and federal work-study grants. In addition, a variety of private companies, nonprofit organizations, community foundations, and other sources sponsor scholarships for graduate students. Many of these awards are reserved for students who belong to underrepresented minority groups.
Read on to find tips for securing scholarship aid, explore our extensive directory of scholarships for minority graduate students, and learn about other financial aid resources.
As you research scholarship opportunities, it is important to examine the eligibility criteria for each award. Most scholarships maintain requirements such as minimum GPA, enrollment status, and state of residence, along with any stipulations regarding the recipient's gender and/or racial background.
The scholarship amount is another point to consider. Some awards provide a flat amount, such as $100 or $500, while others cover full tuition costs for one year or longer. Candidates should also determine how scholarship money is awarded. While many distribute funds in a single lump sum, some scholarships are disbursed periodically throughout the school year. Renewable scholarships offer recipients funding for each year they remain in school.
Members of minority groups have access to a variety of scholarship opportunities, and many professional organizations, nonprofit groups, cultural foundations, and private companies sponsor awards for minority students. In addition, colleges and universities often provide institutional scholarships and grants that target candidates from underrepresented groups.
Other scholarships assist students pursuing specific careers or degrees. Scholarships based on major, extracurricular activities, volunteer work, and hobbies are widely available. Students may also secure funding based on their family background. For example, many scholarships support candidates with parents in the military.
Below, we've listed scholarship opportunities for graduate students in the following minority groups:
American Indian and Alaska Native Asian and Pacific Islander Black and African American Hispanic and Latino/aWe've also compiled a list of general opportunities, including diversity scholarships. These nonspecific awards are available to members of any underrepresented or minority group.
This page focuses exclusively on scholarships for graduate students belonging to racial and ethnic minority groups. For more information about scholarships for students in other underrepresented demographics, please visit the following GoGrad pages:
The following scholarship directory describes awards for graduate students who are members of minority racial and ethnic groups. Each profile includes the scholarship amount, eligibility information, application deadlines, and whether or not the award is renewable. For more information, please visit the links found in each award profile.
Application Details: This scholarship is open to American Indian and Alaska Native graduate students enrolled full time at any accredited institution. Candidates must hold a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher. Required application materials include a digital photo, proof of tribal enrollment, and an official or unofficial college transcript.
Amount: Varies
Application Details: The AIEF offers competitive grants to American Indian or Alaska Native graduate students who take between six and 18 credits per term. This award is reserved for brick-and-mortar students. Applicants must demonstrate a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher.
Amount: $1,000-$2,000
Application Details: AIGC offers several graduate scholarships for candidates who are enrolled members of federally recognized American Indian tribes or Alaska Native groups. Awards are available for students pursuing degrees in STEM fields, veterinary medicine, public health, nursing, and library science. AIGC also sponsors a graduate fellowship.
Amount: Varies
Application Details: The National Society of Colonial Dames of America offers this scholarship to candidates who claim at least one-quarter Native ancestry. Applicants must be enrolled in a nursing, healthcare or health education program at an accredited institution, and must demonstrate financial need. Funds are distributed in two installments.
Amount: $3,000
Application Details: The AAIA Scholarship is open to full-time students belonging to any federally, state, or non-federally recognized tribe in the contiguous U.S. or Alaska. Required application materials include an official transcript, proof of tribal enrollment and a two- to three-page essay.
Amount: Varies
Application Details: This award funds full-time graduate students who identify as Alaska Natives or members of other minority groups and are enrolled in a civil, chemical, electrical, environmental, or mechanical engineering program. A cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher is required. Applicants must submit a resume, two letters of recommendation, and a 250-word essay.
Amount: $5,000
Application Details: The Cherokee Nation offers two graduate-level scholarships for tribal members. The Graduate Scholarship award funds students pursuing their first master's or doctoral degree, while the Direct Study Scholarship is available to candidates pursuing a postgraduate degree in a field aimed at strengthening the Cherokee Nation government and economy. Residency restrictions apply for both awards.
Amount: Varies
Application Details: The Chickasaw Nation sponsors several financial aid opportunities for tribal members seeking graduate degrees. The General Scholarship is open to part- or full-time Chickasaw students who maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. Master's and doctoral students with at least a 2.0 GPA may apply for additional grants. Additional opportunities include textbook grants and a laptop scholarship.
Amount: Varies
Application Details: This award is available to enrolled members of the Osage Nation who are pursuing a master's or doctoral degree. Recipients must maintain a 2.0 GPA or higher. The Osage Nation also sponsors the Mary E. Tinker Scholarship for graduate students and the Eugene Daniel Scholarship for medical students at any degree level.
Amount: Varies
Application Details: This award from the Intertribal Timber Council supports Native American students pursuing degrees related to natural resources. Applicants must demonstrate financial need, and should submit an application letter discussing their interest in natural resources and commitment to their education, community, and culture.
Amount: $2,500
Application Details: The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants provides this scholarship to full-time graduate-level accounting students. Candidates must belong to an ethnic minority group and plan to obtain CPA licensure after graduation.
Amount: $3,000 to $5,000
Application Details: The Asian/Pacific American Librarians Association offers this award for students earning a master's or doctoral degree in library and/or information science. Candidates may be enrolled full- or part-time, and must claim Asian/Pacific Islander heritage. This award is administered in two equal payments during the fall and spring terms.
Amount: $1,000
Application Details: This award is open to Filipino-American students earning a master's or doctoral degree in any psychology field. Graduating seniors planning to earn a graduate-level psychology degree are also eligible to apply. Applicants must submit an unofficial transcript, two letters of recommendation, and an essay describing their commitment to the Filipino-American community.
Amount: $500
Application Details: This scholarship from the Asian Pacific Fund funds graduate students with a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Candidates claiming Asian heritage who pursue graduate degrees in social science or economics receive preference. U.S. citizens, residents, and foreign nationals may apply.
Amount: $1,000
Application Details: The Hmong American Education Fund offers five individual awards for full-time graduate students. Application materials include an essay of up to 1,500 words, an unofficial transcript, and one letter of recommendation.
Amount: $500-$4,000
Application Details: The JMSA offers multiple scholarships for candidates pursuing medical degrees. Application may qualify for multiple scholarships. Candidates must submit a project proposal related to their academic field and a letter of recommendation.
Amount: Varies
Application Details: These scholarships are intended for full-time Korean American graduate students. Funds are awarded by the organization's seven regional chapters and vary by region. Candidates are evaluated for financial need and scholastic achievement. Applicants must submit letters of recommendation and a personal essay.
Amount: $500 to $5,000
Application Details: The Asian American Journalists Association provides this award to graduate-level journalism students. AAJA membership is encouraged, but not required, and applicants must demonstrate commitment to the organization's mission.
Amount: $2,000
Application Details: This nonrenewable award is open to graduate students pursuing journalism degrees and careers. Candidates who claim heritage from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, and/or Sri Lanka receive preference. Other applicants who express an interest in covering South Asia may also apply for funding.
Amount: $2,000
Application Details: This award is available to students who claim Asian/Pacific Islander ancestry and identify as LGBTQ. Eligible candidates must be high school graduates from one of nine California counties hold a minimum 3.0 GPA. The award is renewable for up to three years.
Amount: Varies
Application Details: This AICPA scholarship is intended for full-time graduate students pursuing an accounting degree. Candidates must identify as black or African American, or belong to other ethnic groups underrepresented in the accounting field. Applicants must also plan to become CPAs after graduation.
Amount: $3,000-$5,000
Application Details: Sponsored by the American College of Healthcare Executives, this award funds graduate students entering their final year of a healthcare management program. Candidates should identify as black/African-American or as members of another minority group, and must be pursuing an MHA, MPH, and MBA in healthcare administration.
Amount: $5,000
Application Details: This scholarship from the National Association of Black Journalists targets graduate students majoring in journalism or communication-related fields. Candidates must provide a record of community service and an essay explaining their reasons for choosing a journalism career. Applicants must hold a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
Amount: $2,500
Application Details: Brown and Caldwell offers this scholarship for students enrolled in civil, chemical, electrical, environmental, or mechanical engineering graduate programs. Candidates must identify as African-American or belong to another minority group. Application materials include two letters of recommendation and a personal essay.
Amount: $5,000
Application Details: The Congressional Black Caucus provides this scholarship to full-time graduate students in any academic field who identify as black or African-American. Candidates should maintain a GPA of 2.5 or higher, demonstrate an interest in leadership and community service, and provide two letters of recommendation and a current resume.
Amount: $500-$8,200
Application Details: This nonrenewable scholarship provides funding for African American, full-time graduate students who are pursuing a degree and career in veterinary medicine. A minimum 3.0 GPA is required. Applicants must submit two sealed letters of recommendation, a resume, and an essay of up to 750 words.
Amount: $2,500
Application Details: The National Association of Black Accountants sponsors three scholarships for graduate students earning degrees in accounting, finance, or business. Candidates must identify as black, African American, or Caribbean. Eligible applicants should hold a 3.0 GPA or higher and current student membership in the NABA.
Amount: $1,000-$5,000
Application Details: The NBNA offers a total of 18 scholarships for graduate-level nursing students with at least one year of school remaining. Candidates must be members of their NBNA local chapter, or direct members if they live more than 50 miles from the nearest chapter location. Required application materials include two letters of recommendation and a personal essay.
Amount: $1,000-$15,000
Application Details: The National Black MBA Association sponsors scholarships for MBA candidates and graduate-level business students at more than 30 schools nationwide. In addition to financial aid, students receive discounts on test preparation and one-on-one mentoring services.
Applicants must be NBMBAA members.Amount: Varies
Application Details: Sponsored by the National Hook-Up of Black Women, Inc., this scholarship funds female African American female students whose education has been delayed or interrupted due to personal reasons. Qualifying candidates must be at least 21 years old, and should provide two letters of recommendation, an official transcript, and a personal statement.
Amount: $500
Application Details: AICPA offers this award to graduate students pursuing accounting degrees. Candidates must identify as Hispanic or Latino, or belong to another ethnic group that is underrepresented in the accounting field. Applicants must be full-time students who plan to obtain CPA licensure.
Amount: $3,000-$5,000
Application Details: The ACAESF provides this scholarship for engineering graduate students claiming Cuban-American or other Hispanic heritage. Candidates must be full-time students who have completed at least 30 credits at an ABET-accredited school. U.S. citizenship or permanent residency status is also required.
Amount: $500-$2,500
Application Details: This award is open to Spanish-speaking graduate-level journalism students who are interested in covering Latin America. Applicants must submit three letters of faculty recommendation, three samples of work published in Spanish, and a 2,000-word personal essay in Spanish.
Amount: $7,000
Application Details: The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities offers multiple scholarships for graduate students enrolled at HACU-member schools. These include the Miller Light and Coors Light scholarships, both of which are valued at $2,500 and open to Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients. Candidates for all awards must demonstrate financial need.
Amount: Varies
Application Details: The HSF is a merit-based scholarship fund that supports graduate students claiming Hispanic heritage. Candidates must hold a 2.5 GPA or higher who plan to enroll full time in an accredited master's or doctoral program. The HSF is open to all majors, but STEM majors receive preference.
Amount: $500-$5,000
Application Details: This scholarship is available to Hispanic and Latino/a graduate students earning their degree in a STEM field. Candidates must be enrolled at a school in Region 6, which comprises the states of Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. Applicants should also hold U.S. citizenship or permanent resident status.
Amount: $2,000
Application Details: The Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund provides financial support for graduate-level law students planning to advance Latino/a rights through their legal career. MALDEF awards up to 15 scholarships annually. Applicants must submit a resume, a personal essay, and one letter of recommendation.
Amount: $5,000
Application Details: Graduate-level nursing students who claim Hispanic heritage may apply for this scholarship from the National Association of Hispanic Nurses. Recipients are chosen based on academic standing and merit, financial need, and NAHN membership status. Winners must attend the NAHN Annual Conference to accept the award in person.
Amount: Varies
Application Details: Sponsored by the Prospanica Foundation, this award is open to Hispanic and Latino/a grad students enrolled in accredited business programs. Candidates must be current Prospanica members with a GPA of 3.0 or higher and at least two years of full-time work experience. U.S. citizenship or permanent resident status is also required.
Amount: $2,000-$5,000
Application Details: The Association of Latino Professionals in Finance and Accounting offers this scholarship to female students of Hispanic origin who are currently enrolled in or planning to enter graduate school. Accepted majors include accounting, finance, business, or engineering. Applicants must be U.S. citizens and maintain a 3.0 GPA or higher.
Amount: $5,000
Application Details: The American Bus Association provides this scholarship for graduate students earning degrees in a travel- or tourism-related field. Candidates should also belong to a traditionally underrepresented group in the industry, including ethnic minority groups. Applicants must submit a 500-word essay describing their career goals in travel and tourism.
Amount: $5,000
Application Details: The Ford Foundation Fellowship provides three years of financial support for full-time graduate students pursuing a doctoral degree in science. American Indian/Alaska Native, Pacific Islander, black/African-American, and Hispanic/Latino receive preference. This award is extended to U.S. citizens, nationals, permanent residents, and DACA recipients.
Amount: $24,000 per year; $72,000 for three years
Application Details: This award from the American Association of Law Libraries is available to students belonging to any minority group who are earning a graduate-level degree in library science or attending law school. Candidates must plan to pursue careers as law librarians. Applicants may also qualify for the George A. Strait Minority Fellowship, which includes a paid fellowship in a law library.
Amount: Varies
Application Details: This scholarship from the American Planning Association is open to grad students pursuing degrees in professional planning who identify as female and/or American Indian/Alaska Native, black/African-American, or Hispanic/Latino. Candidates should also be U.S. citizens, and intend to pursue planning careers in the public sector.
Amount: $2,000-$5,000
Application Details: The Library and Information Technology Association offers this scholarship to American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian/Pacific Islander, black/African-American, or Hispanic/Latino students earning a master's degree in library science. U.S. or Canadian citizenship is required. Candidates who have earned more than 12 credits in their program are ineligible.
Amount: $2,500
Application Details: The National Board for Certified Counselors sponsors three fellowships aimed at students in underrepresented minority groups who are earning graduate degrees in mental health or addictions counseling. Two fellowships are available at the master's level and one is offered to doctoral students. Candidates must be enrolled in a CACREP-accredited program related to the fellowship category. Recipients must attend the Bridging the Gap Symposium prior to and after being named as a fellow.
Amount: $15,000
Locating and applying for scholarships and other forms of financial aid can be a challenging, confusing process. The following list includes guides, student networks, advocacy centers, and other helpful resources for minority grad students seeking scholarship support. The entries are listed alphabetically.
For more information about online graduate degree opportunities, please visit our guides to Online Master's Degree and Programs and Online Ph.D. and Doctoral Programs.