Whether you’re pursuing an undergraduate degree, a graduate degree, or a doctorate, higher education can be extremely expensive, especially if you’re attending a private university. According to US News & World Report, the average cost of tuition at a private university is $38,185 per year. This is why applying for biology scholarships is a great way to alleviate the financial burden that comes with higher education.
In this article, we’ll provide you with ten of the best biology scholarships available to those pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree in biology. Whether you want to learn molecular biology, biochemistry, biomedicine, or biotechnology, these scholarships will help you fulfill your academic goals. We’ve also included some biology scholarships for high school students and provided tips on how to get a biology scholarship.
What Is a Biology Scholarship?
A biology scholarship is a financial award that’s given based on the applicant’s interest in biology, community representation, GPA, and merit. These scholarships are offered to students interested in medical science, physical science, healthcare, biotechnology, and biology. Some biology scholarships are awarded by need, although academic standing is often still taken into consideration.
Getting a biology scholarship can help ease your financial stress and student loan debt. According to Data USA, the average tuition for biology majors is $8,505 for in-state public colleges and $38,570 for out-of-state private colleges. A biology scholarship award can go as high as $30,000 and provide great financial aid to students who need them.
Common Biology Scholarship Requirements
- Proof of Enrollment. A common requirement for biology scholarships is your proof of enrollment in an accredited university’s department of biology. Applicants need to major in biology, health sciences, medical sciences, biotechnology, or another relevant STEM major to qualify.
- Minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average. Merit-based scholarships often have a minimum cumulative grade point average requirement for their applicants. This can range from 3.0 to 3.75.
- Letter of Recommendation. Most biology scholarship applications require a letter of recommendation. Getting a recommendation letter from a member of your school’s biology faculty can greatly increase your chances of being selected.
- Personal Statement. A personal statement is another common requirement across scholarship applications. In this essay, you’ll need to put your career goals and vocational goals in the biology field on display.
- Official Transcript. Scholarships require applicants to submit their official transcripts from high school or college. They also require SAT or ACT score submissions from applicants who are high school students.
How to Find Biology Scholarships
Finding the best biology scholarships is easier than ever thanks to the Internet. You can look up internal and external scholarships through your educational institution’s website, as well as from third-party search engines. Below are a few tips you can use to easily find top biology scholarships.
Use Free Scholarship Finder Tools
There are plenty of online search tools you can use to find biology scholarship opportunities, including the free Scholarship Finder tool offered by the US Department of Labor. You can also simply conduct a google search. Remember to check the applicant eligibility requirement as you shortlist your top scholarships.
Contact Your University’s Financial Aid Office
Universities offer tons of internal tuition assistance and scholarship opportunities to their students. Get in touch with your school’s Financial Aid Office about any potential opportunities and their eligibility criteria. Typically, universities offer scholarships to students with high GPAs and severe financial needs.
Ask Your University’s Department of Biology
Universities also often offer scholarships within the department of biology. If you have a good cumulative GPA and are in good academic standing, you may be eligible for the scholarships they offer. Get in touch with any of your biology professors or research faculty to ask them about any potential scholarship opportunities.
Apply for Open Teaching Assistant or Graduate Research Assistant Positions
This tip applies to graduate students or undergraduate juniors or seniors needing financial assistance. You can ask your biology professors about any open assistant positions. You’ll need to have aced the course and maintain a high cumulative GPA to qualify for any work-study assistance.
Tips to Find Biology Scholarships for High School Students
You don’t have to wait until you’re in university to look for biology scholarships. If you’re a high school senior or graduate looking to get a biology scholarship, university fairs, online search engines, and your high school counselor are all great tools you can use to your advantage.
Attend University Fairs
Consider attending the university fairs hosted by your school. You can use these events to network with university recruiters and enquire about biology scholarship opportunities. This networking event can also help you impress the admissions committee and increase your acceptance chances.
Talk to Your High School University Counselor
You can talk with the career or university counselor at your high school about potential biology scholarship opportunities. Their knowledge will help you determine your potential scholarship eligibility and help you find a list of the top biology scholarships you can apply for. They can also guide you through filling out financial assistance forms in your scholarship application.
Use Online Search Tools
A quick search on the Internet will help you learn about the numerous scholarships offered to biology students across the United States. You can look for internal scholarships in your top college choices and find general biology scholarships available for high school students offered by companies or government bodies.
10 Best Biology Scholarships in 2022: Overview
| Scholarship Name | Who Is Eligible | Amount Covered |
| ABC Humane Wildlife Women In STEM Academic Scholarship | Prospective STEM majors who identify as female | $1,000 |
| American Association of University Women American Fellowships | Full-time graduate or postgraduate dissertation or research US citizens or permanent residents who identify as female | $6,000 to $30,000 |
| Boster Scholarship | Students interested in pursuing or currently enrolled in two to four-year degree programs in biology or biotechnology | $1,000 |
| Creative Biolabs Scholarship Program 2022 | Outstanding students enrolled or accepted in a university degree program in bioengineering or antibody production fields | $1,000 |
| Hoshizaki Ice Maker Supporting STEM Scholarship | High school senior or undergraduate student with a 3.0 cumulative GPA enrolled in full-time college terms at a US university while being a US citizen residing in the country | $1,000 |
| Novus Biologicals Scholarship Program | Students pursuing a college degree in biological sciences | $1,500 |
| R&D Systems Scholarship | Students pursuing a college degree in biological sciences | $1,500 |
| RTK Scholars Program | High school senior or college freshman, sophomore, or junior students with 3.0 GPA enrolled in environmental sciences, biology, or engineering majors | $1,500 |
| The Gladys Carol Scholarship Program, Inc | High school and undergraduate applicants interested in STEM fields with a 3.75 GPA and 1290 SAT or 28 ACT scores | $2,500 up to $5,000 |
| The Heinlein Society Scholarship Program | Students enrolled in a four-year engineering, biological sciences, physical sciences, or math majors | $4,000 |
Top 10 Biology Scholarships: In Detail
1. ABC Humane Wildlife Women In STEM Academic Scholarship
- Awarded by: ABC Wildlife, Inc.
- Deadline: July 1st, 2022
If you are a woman interested in a STEM field focusing on environmental science and planet sustainability goals, then the ABC Humane Wildlife scholarship is worth applying to. You can get a STEM degree in biology or environmental biology to qualify for the application process. You will also need to submit proof of enrollment and a letter of recommendation along with your application submission email.
2. American Association of University Women (AAUW) American Fellowships
- Awarded by: AAUW
- Deadline: November 1st, 2022
This scholarship award is for female scholars pursuing a research publication program or graduate program. You can use your molecular biology, human biotechnology, or other biological sciences graduate degree program to apply for this scholarship. The AAUW offers scholarships ranging between $6,000 to $30,000 to female American researchers on the basis of their merit, letters of recommendation, and academic performance.
3. Boster Scholarship
- Awarded by: Boster Antibody and ELISA Expert
- Deadline: June 30th, 2022
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, job growth for biological technicians is projected to grow by seven percent between 2020 and 2030. The Boster scholarship is offered to undergraduate students in biotechnology or biology majors. High school graduates with excellent academic credits interested in majors in biology or biotechnology can also apply.
4. Creative Biolabs Scholarship Program
- Awarded by: Creative Biolabs
- Deadline: Opens May 2022, Deadline To Be Announced
This scholarship allows students to pursue some of the best Bachelor of Science in Biology programs. Biology scholarships are a great way to aid your financial journey and get a high-quality biology education. This Creative Biolabs scholarship is open to biology undergraduates and full-time graduate students specializing in antibody production and bioengineering subjects.
5. Hoshizaki Ice Maker Supporting STEM Scholarship
- Awarded by: Hoshizaki Ice Maker
- Deadline: June 30th, 2022
This STEM scholarship is offered to current or aspiring full-time undergraduate students enrolled or enrolling in a STEM major with a minimum GPA of 3.0. This is offered for both the fall and spring semesters and requires letters of recommendation, enrollment verification, and official transcripts. High school seniors with good SAT or ACT scores wanting to enroll in Biology majors should consider applying.
6. Novus Biologicals Scholarship Program
- Awarded by: Novus Biologicals
- Deadline: July 20th, 2022 for Fall 2022, December 8th, 2022 for Spring 2023
The Novus Biological Scholarship Program is open to both undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in biological, life, medical, or health science degrees. You need to be a full-time student and submit a personal statement displaying your dedication toward biological and physical sciences along with your application.
7. R&D Systems Scholarship
- Awarded by: R&D Systems
- Deadline: July 20th, 2022 for Fall 2022, December 8th, 2022 for Spring 2023
The R&D Systems scholarship is another $1,500 award offered to undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in medical, health, or life sciences. You can qualify for this scholarship if pursuing a degree in the department of biology. The required application materials are your proof of enrollment, a degree declaration document, a personal statement, and a written statement.
8. RTK Scholars Program
- Awarded by: RTK Environmental Group
- Deadline: May 31st, 2022
If you have excellent essay-writing skills and are enrolled in an accredited college or are a high school senior in good academic standing, then this scholarship is worth looking into. This RTK scholars program offers $1,500 to eligible applicants with an outstanding academic record enrolled in biology, environmental sciences, engineering, or environmental studies subjects.
9. The Gladys Carol Scholarship Program, Inc
- Awarded by: Gladys Carol
- Deadline: March 31st, 2022
There are numerous advantages to getting a STEM education. This includes high compensation rates, job security, and many lucrative career growth opportunities. This scholarship is available for high school seniors or graduates or undergraduate students accepted or enrolled in a STEM program. The application form requires you to submit your SAT scores, official transcripts, acceptance letter or proof of enrollment, and a personal essay.
10. The Heinlein Society Scholarship Program
- Awarded by: The Heinlein Society
- Deadline: April 1st, 2022
The Heinlein Society scholarship offers $4,000 to female STEM undergraduate students. You need to be a full-time student enrolled in a Bachelor of Science degree to apply. The application materials required include a personal essay, proof of enrollment, and your career goals.
Should I Apply for a Biology Scholarship?
Yes, you should apply for a biology scholarship if you need financial assistance to pay for your undergraduate studies or graduate studies in biology. A scholarship fund helps reduce your student loans and allows you to complete your education with less debt. There are plenty of competitive scholarships that provide financial assistance to female and minority students, as well as students with high scholastic achievements.
Biology Scholarships FAQ
The selection criteria for a biology scholarship will vary based on the specific scholarship you’re applying for. Some common criteria include good academic standing, proof of enrollment in a biological sciences program, an impressive personal statement, and at least one letter of recommendation.
The majors that can fall under a biology scholarship are healthcare, life sciences, medical sciences, marine biology, biotechnology, environmental biology, and physical sciences.
The common requirements for biology scholarships are American permanent residency or citizenship, a GPA of 3.0 or more, the high academic accomplishment of previous courses, current enrollment in biological sciences, and a letter of recommendation.
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You can find biology scholarships by researching online, contacting your financial aid office, speaking to your university counselor, or consulting the professors in the biology department at your school.
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