Psychology Scholarships

What Are Psychology Scholarships?

Psychology scholarships are financial awards specifically for students studying psychology, behavioral science, counseling, or related fields. These scholarships may be offered by universities, psychology associations, nonprofit organizations, community foundations, corporations, or research institutions. Some awards prioritize academic achievement, leadership, or research experience, while others target financial need, diversity, or specific subfields within psychology. Scholarship sizes vary from modest one-time awards to multi-year funding packages.

Psychology Career & Scholarship Mapping Strategy

1. Align Scholarships With Your Psychology Career Path

Psychology is broad. Tailor your scholarship search to your subfield:

1. Clinical & Counseling Psychology — Look for awards tied to therapeutic practice, mental health advocacy, or clinical internships.
2. Research & Cognitive Psychology — Prioritize research support scholarships and foundations that fund experimental work.
3. School & Educational Psychology — Seek awards from education associations or school psychology networks.
4. Industrial-Organizational Psychology — Include business, HR, and organizational behavior funding sources.

Matching awards to your path increases relevance and success.

2. Integrate Research Funding Early

For graduate and doctoral students:

1. Apply for research assistant stipends and conference travel awards
2. Look for scholarships with grant components for thesis or dissertation work
3. Include research impact in personal statements

This elevates your profile and expands funding beyond tuition support.

3. Use Professional Organizations for Network-Driven Funding

Professional psychology associations often have:

1. Member-only awards and scholarships
2. Regional chapter opportunities
3. Annual conference scholarship competitions
4. Mentorship grants

Joining these organizations early can unlock hidden or exclusive scholarships.