If you’re interested in getting a history degree but have reservations about paying off student loans in the future, you should consider applying for history scholarships. History scholarships can help you ease the financial burden that comes with funding your education and can help you graduate with fewer student loans.
There are plenty of history scholarships available offered by historical societies, private foundations, and historical organizations, as well as some government bodies. In this article, we’ll provide you with some of the best history scholarships available for high school students, undergraduate students, and graduate students, as well as tips on how to get history scholarships.
What Is a History Scholarship?
A history scholarship is a type of financial aid in the form of a bursary or grant that is awarded to undergraduate or graduate students pursuing a history major. The goal of scholarships is to help students pay for their schooling expenses. Some scholarships focus on students studying specific areas of history such as American history, European history, or art history, or even those getting a major in historic preservation.
Some scholarships can cover the entire cost of your education, while others are a one-time award of a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. Scholarships for history majors are a great way to reduce student debt. Unlike loans, scholarships are a type of financial aid that does not need to be repaid. Whether you are an undergraduate or graduate student, history scholarships can help you worry less about money and focus more on your studies.
Common History Scholarship Requirements
- Personal essay. Students applying for a history scholarship are often required to submit a one-page personal statement tailored to the specific requirements of the award. If applying simultaneously for more than one scholarship, each application will need to be prepared separately to address the requirements for each individual scholarship.
- Academic transcripts. Aspiring recipients have to submit their academic transcripts when applying. Incoming freshman, or current high school students, will need their high school transcript and SAT or ACT test scores while undergraduate students will have to do a degree audit or submit their unofficial transcript.
- Letters of recommendation. Most schools require at least three letters of recommendation written by history teachers or college professors in the history department when applying for their scholarships. The number of letters will change from scholarship to scholarship, so make sure to check the requirements.
- FAFSA application. The FAFSA, short for Free Application for Federal Student Aid, provides access to financial aid to pay for your college education. Almost all schools use FAFSA applications to determine a student’s eligibility for any scholarships, including history scholarships.
- Research proposal. Research students in the field of history may need to write a research proposal for the scholarship board.
How to Find History Scholarships
Students majoring in history have access to a wide range of scholarships they can apply to. However, they are usually competitive due to the sheer number of applicants every year. Even the process of finding potential scholarships to apply to isn’t always easy. Here are some ways you can find scholarship awards for history students more easily.
Visit the Financial Aid Office at Your School
You can learn about some available scholarships by visiting the financial aid office at your school. They have a database full of scholarships they can recommend to you. Further, they can even help you determine which you have the best chance of winning. University websites are also a great place to check.
Check Scholarship Databases
Rather than go through the time-consuming process of scouring through the Internet on a regular search engine, you can save time and effort by using scholarship websites. These databases have filters you can use to find history scholarships. This will help you find the best scholarships faster as you won’t need to look at scholarships that don’t match your profile. Scholarships.com, FastWeb, Chegg, and Cappex are great examples.
Your High School Website
Most high schools have a scholarship section on their website which contains a list of local scholarships. Local scholarships have less exposure and competition than other scholarships on the national database but also usually offer smaller rewards. Oftentimes, these scholarships are still available to area locals after they have started an undergraduate degree.
Tips to Find History Scholarships for High School Students
Start Early
We recommend that you start your search for a history scholarship as soon as you can. The earlier you start your search for history scholarships, the more time you have to prepare the perfect application. Keep an eye on the application deadline for each scholarship you’re applying to. The sooner you start, the less likely you are to forget to submit a requirement or rush a half-baked application.
Personalize Each Application
The best approach to impressing scholarship committees is to personalize and tailor each of your applications to the individual scholarship requirements and donors. Most history scholarships require candidates to submit a personal statement tailored to the requirements set by the scholarship. You should create a compelling application that matches the objectives of the scholarship.
Apply for Scholarships that Match Your Profile
Be realistic. History scholarships are often very competitive. Even with a strong application and a background of academic excellence, it can be difficult to stand out in the sea of applicants. However, you have a better chance of pursuing scholarships that match your profile. The best scholarships for history majors are offered by less-known historical organizations and societies.
10 Best History Scholarships in 2022: Overview
| Scholarship Name | Who Is Eligible | Amount Covered |
| American 250! Scholarship | College students majoring in American history | $5,000 |
| Dr. Aura-Lee A. and James Hobbs Pittenger American History Scholarship | High school students who intend to pursue a degree in history in American history | $2,000 |
| Enid Hall Griswold Memorial Scholarship | College juniors or seniors currently pursuing a major in history, political science, government, or economics | $5,000 |
| Gregory C. Crampton Memorial Scholarship | Undergraduates at the University of Utah majoring in history | $3,000 |
| Harriet and Leon Pomerance Fellowship | Graduate students pursuing an advanced degree in history, archaeology, and classics | $5,000 |
| History Alumni Undergraduate Scholars Awards | Outstanding students in the department of history at James Madison University | $1,000 |
| Seymour Scheinberg Jewish Studies Award | Undergraduate students at CSUF history department | $500 |
| The Black Family Fellowship in History | Undergraduate and graduate students in history with financial need | $2,000 |
| The Lucinda Beneventi Findley History Scholarship | High school students who intend to pursue a degree in history | $2,000 |
| Warren Beck Outstanding History Student Award | Undergraduate students who have a strong interest in the study of history | $500 to $1,000 |
Top 10 History Scholarships: In Detail
1. American 250! Scholarship
- Awarded by: Daughters of the American Revolution
- Deadline: January 31, 2023
The American 250! Scholarship is an academic scholarship for college students pursuing a major in US history in recognition of America’s 250th year anniversary. Deserving students will receive a one-time payment of $5,000 to help them with education fees.
Undergraduate history majors applying to this scholarship will have to write an essay on the history of America or their personal achievements for the community and country. They must be enrolled in an accredited university in the United States and have a minimum GPA of 3.75.
2. Dr. Aura-Lee A. and James Hobbs Pittenger American History Scholarship
- Awarded by: Daughters of the American Revolution
- Deadline: January 31, 2023
The Dr. Aura-Lee A. and James Hobbs Pittenger American History Scholarship is awarded to high school students looking to pursue a degree in history with a concentration in American history and American government. It is renewable annually under the condition that students maintain a minimum GPA of 3.25.
3. Enid Hall Griswold Memorial Scholarship
- Awarded by: Daughters of the American Revolution
- Deadline: February 15, 2023
This is a one-time $5,000 scholarship awarded by the Daughters of the American Revolution to two exceptional college juniors or seniors pursuing a degree in political science, economics, history, or government at an accredited university in the United States. Interested applicants must be citizens of the United States.
4. Gregory C. Crampton Memorial Scholarship
- Awarded by: University of Utah
- Deadline: August 31, 2022
The Gregory C. Crampton Memorial scholarship is awarded to undergraduate students at the University of Utah majoring in History. Students can receive up to $3,000 from it. Eligible students must have a minimum GPA of 3.3 to qualify for the scholarship.
5. Harriet and Leon Pomerance Fellowship
- Awarded by: Archeological Institute of America
- Deadline: November 1, 2022
The Harriet and Leon Pomerance Fellowship is a $5,000 scholarship awarded to graduate students in history, classics, archaeology, and related fields focussing on the Aegean Bronze Ages. Interested students must be US or Canadian citizens with strong academic prowess currently pursuing a master’s or a doctoral degree in a North American University.
6. History Alumni Undergraduate Scholars Awards
- Awarded by: James Madison University
- Deadline: September 30, 2022
The History Alumni Undergraduate Scholars Awards offered by James Madison University are awarded to undergraduate students who are full-time students and making good academic progress in their studies. Winners get $1,000 which is contributed to their tuition for the next semester. Interested students are required to write a 1,000-word essay on how the James Madison History course has helped shaped their intellectual development.
7. Seymour Scheinberg Jewish Studies Award
- Awarded by: CSUF Department of History
- Deadline: April 4, 2022
The Seymour Scheinberg Jewish Studies award was created in honor of Dr. Seymour Scheinberg, the former chair of the CSUF history department for his work in Holocaust education. Interested applicants need to have a minimum GPA of 3.0 and an interest in Jewish studies.
8. The Black Family Fellowship in History
- Awarded by: CSUF Department of History
- Deadline: April 4, 2022
This is a fellowship program established by Dan Black and Karl Freels with the goal of supporting students in undergraduate or graduate degrees in history with financial assistance to complete their projects. Qualified students will need to submit a biography of 200 words, an introductory essay about their project, and an itemized budget that describes how they will use the award fund.
9. The Lucinda Beneventi Findley History Scholarship
- Awarded by: Daughter of the American Revolution
- Deadline: January 31, 2023
The Lucinda Beneventi Findley History Scholarship is a one-time $2,000 award granted to a graduating high school senior with outstanding personal and academic merit who wants to pursue a degree in history at a four-year university. The student must have a minimum GPA of 3.25 to qualify for the scholarship.
10. Warren Beck Outstanding History Student Award
- Awarded by: Alumni Fund of CSUF Department of History
- Deadline: April 4, 2022
This is an academic scholarship created in honor of Dr. Warren Beck, the former chair of the History Department at California State University Fullerton. It is awarded to students with financial needs who have a minimum GPA of 2.5 and are pursuing a career in history. Eligible students must also write a 250-word essay on how they intend to prepare for their career in history.
Should I Apply for a History Scholarship?
Yes, you should apply for a history scholarship if you intend on pursuing a history degree. History scholarships can greatly contribute to lowering the cost of your tuition. Reducing the financial burden of a university education allows you better to concentrate on your studies. Moreover, scholarships are achievements that can help you to stand out from other students as you can put them on your resume, making you a more attractive job candidate after graduation.
History Scholarships FAQ
The financial aid office at your university, your high school counselor, and your state grant agency are great ways to search for scholarships. You can also use online scholarship search engines.
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, about 83.8 percent of students receive a form of financial aid from the government, state, or private institutions. Overall, you have a decent chance of landing a scholarship, provided you satisfy the academic requirements. We recommend applying to as many scholarships as possible to increase your chances.
No essay scholarships are scholarships that do not require applicants to write an essay. The application forms for these scholarships typically just ask applicants to provide personal and financial information.
As the name implies, need-based scholarships are scholarships for students with financial needs. These scholarships take a student’s academic record less into consideration than a merit-based scholarship. Eligible applicants should be able to demonstrate a level of financial need.
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