Graduate school could be the next step in your career—rooted in evidence-based practice, leadership opportunities, and more. However, advanced education is an investment. How do today’s grad students pay tuition? Are there scholarships for graduate school?

Yes—and learning how to get scholarships for graduate school is simple. Below, we will explore the steps future graduates should take to find scholarships, outline a few recurring scholarship opportunities, and break down federal funding changes. The last item is somewhat time-sensitive: Changes to Title IV (the federal law authorizing federal financial aid programs) will take effect July 1, 2026.^[1]

The first step? Understanding your options for financial aid, scholarships, and graduate school funding.

Step 1 — Understand Your Financial Aid Landscape

Financial aid and scholarships are available for prospective graduate and professional degree students. However, to unlock these funding opportunities, most students will need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).^[2]

While you can explore what to know about FAFSA in our complete guide, graduate students should know that:

• FAFSA is required for federal funding opportunities: To qualify for federal student loans (like Graduate PLUS Loans) and work-study programs, students must complete the FAFSA. The FAFSA is your ticket to all federal student aid opportunities, including assistance with tuition and expenses. Understanding why FAFSA is important can help ensure you do not miss out on key funding opportunities.
• Many institutions require FAFSA for school-specific scholarships: For scholarships awarded based on financial need, many institutions require applicants to complete the FAFSA—even if they do not intend on applying for federal financial aid. Completing it also helps determine whether you are eligible for graduate school scholarships or state-funded financial aid for graduate school.

We recommend completing the FAFSA as early as possible to secure available funding and start financial planning in advance for grad school.

Graduate PLUS Loans & Title IV Funding Changes

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act passed on July 4, 2025 will impact Title IV financial aid: the federal law granting funding for student aid programs.^[3] These changes impact federal funding opportunities for graduate students. Specifically, Graduate PLUS Loans will no longer be available after July 1, 2026.^[4]

Prospective graduate degree students must be enrolled and loans disbursed by June 30, 2026. For graduate students enrolling in the 2025 – 2026 academic year, we recommend completing the FAFSA (and, thus, the application for the Graduate PLUS Loan program) as soon as possible to secure funding before this program ends.

Alliant University offers Title IV resources for more information.

Step 2 — How to Find Scholarships

After applying for financial aid via the FAFSA, start searching for additional scholarship opportunities that help reduce costs and expenses. Understanding the difference between Pell Grants vs. FAFSA can also help you determine which types of aid and scholarships you may qualify for before you start applying.

Your chosen college or university likely offers multiple graduate school scholarships:

• Institution-specific scholarships: Many schools offer scholarship awards to graduate students; keep in mind that you may need to complete the FAFSA to qualify for school-wide scholarships.
• Program- or department-specific scholarships: Reach out to your program’s director or department chair (or their scholarship department) to ask about specialized funding opportunities. Both need- and merit-based scholarships may be available.
• Fellowships: Fellowships for research, teaching, or clinical practice may provide direct funding, tuition reimbursement, or earned income to students who perform specific program requirements while completing their degrees. Fellowship programs can also provide opportunities to develop specialized expertise or perform research during their studies.

In addition, explore external sources for scholarships like:

• Professional organizations (e.g., APA, NASP)
• Nonprofit organizations or foundations related to your field of study
• National recurring scholarship funds (more information below)
• Online aggregates like FastWeb, GradSchools.com, and Scholarship.com

Before applying, closely review each scholarship’s individual requirements for:

• GPA and academic standards
• Citizenship or residency status
• Submission materials and deadlines

Notable Recurring Scholarships for Graduate Students

Numerous organizations offer recurring scholarships for graduate students. Some options include:

• APA Minority Fellowship Program: Supports students in psychology fields
• NASP Graduate Scholarships: For students pursuing school psychology degrees
• Fulbright US Student Program: International study or research opportunities
• Soros Fellowships for New Americans: For immigrants and children of immigrants
• NIH or NSF Research Fellowships: For students in health sciences, neuroscience, and STEM fields

These are just a few examples of annual scholarship awards in specific disciplines. Aggregate sites (like the examples listed above) may list additional opportunities.

Step 3 — Prepare a Winning Application

While requirements vary by scholarship, many award programs require students to submit:

• Transcripts from previous academic institutions or certificate programs
• Letters of recommendation from past or current mentors, professors, or colleagues
• Resumes or CVs listing academic history and accolades
• Personal statements or essays describing academic or career goals

Essays are a particularly important component of applications for financial aid alternatives, such as scholarships and grants. When it comes to essays and personal statements, we recommend:

• Tailoring essays to each scholarship: Individual scholarships may have unique writing prompts or requirements (e.g., for word or character count). While writing, review the criteria carefully and demonstrate how your goals and past accomplishments align with the scholarship mission.
• Proofreading and seeking feedback: Asking a friend, colleague, or financial aid professional to review your personal statement can help you identify proofreading errors or potential areas for improvement.
• Tracking applications and deadlines: Creating a spreadsheet, dedicated calendar, or other digital tracking system can help you stay on top of deadlines, automate follow-up messages, and ease administrative burdens related to scholarship applications.

Take Action — Secure Your Graduate Funding Now

While graduate school financial planning is always a must, time is of the essence now more than ever: With the July 1, 2026 changes to Title IV funding, early action is critical. To secure funding for your graduate or professional degree program, complete your FAFSA, identify scholarships, and apply as soon as possible.

Alliant University is dedicated to helping students pursue their career and educational goals. In a changing financial aid landscape, scholarships are the ticket to making your graduate education more affordable. Your funding strategy today determines your graduate success tomorrow: Reach out to our financial aid office to learn more.

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Sources:

^[1] “One Big Beautiful Bill Act Updates.” US Department of Education. October 10, 2025. https://studentaid.gov/announcements-events/big-updates. Accessed October 31, 2025.

^[2] “What Is the FAFSA Form and Why Should I Fill It Out?” US Department of Education. https://studentaid.gov/help/fafsa. Accessed October 31, 2025.,,

^[3] “What Programs Make Up Federal Student Aid?” US Department of Education. https://studentaid.gov/help-center/answers/article/what-programs-make-up-federal-student-aid. Accessed October 31, 2025.

^[4] Carrasco, Maria. “Analysis: Many Will Be Shut Out of Graduate Education Due to One Big Beautiful Bill Act.” National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators. August 13, 2025. https://www.nasfaa.org/news-item/36992/Analysis_Many_Will_Be_Shut_Out_of_Graduate_Education_Due_to_One_Big_Beautiful_Bill_Act. Accessed October 31, 2025.

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Deborah Spindler
University Director of Financial Aid, Financial Aid Administration, Alliant University

In the role of University Director of Financial Aid, Deborah Spindler leads the Alliant University Financial Aid Administration. The financial aid administration is committed to providing assistance to qualified students who would otherwise be unable to pursue their educational and professional goals.

Alliant offers federal financial aid, including Title IV financial aid, and scholarships for U.S. citizens and legal residents. Financing is available through scholarships, grants, part-time employment, and loans. The federal government, state government, Alliant, and private sources finance these programs.