The field of psychology addresses complex issues relating to human behavior cognition, biology, and social development. College students who choose to study in the field of psychology have the opportunity of specializing in a broad range of careers. One of the major obstacles these students face, however, is paying for college. Psychology scholarships are a great way for students in strong academic standing to ease this financial burden.
A scholarship fund can substantially cover a good portion of your tuition, books, and other college fees. In this article, you can find a list of psychology scholarships for high school students and college students who demonstrate academic excellence. These can help you choose the right scholarship award for your psychology major. You’ll also find common scholarship requirements and tips for how to get a psychology scholarship.
What Is a Psychology Scholarship?
A psychology scholarship is a type of financial aid for psychology students, including high school students, to cover their tuition and college fees. Psychology scholarship awards are given to candidates who meet the eligibility requirements such as financial need, academic achievement, career interests, and community involvement.
According to NCES, the average tuition cost for four-year public schools was $9,400 and $36,700 for four-year private non-profit institutions in the 2019 to 2020 academic year. The cost of attending college can be a hindrance to students from low-income families who wish to further their education. This is especially true for those getting a degree in psychology as most psych students will often continue into a master’s or doctoral program, too.
Common Psychology Scholarship Requirements
- GPA Requirement. Most scholarships for psychology students require applicants to be in impressive academic standing. Academic excellence is one of the most popular requirements for psychology students, especially if the award will fund a research program. In most cases, eligible students need to meet a minimum grade point average of 3.0.
- Degree or Career Interest Requirement. You may come across restrictions for psychology students with specific career interests such as mental illness, addictions, and psychotherapy. Some scholarships are also aimed at students wanting to practice clinical psychology. Check if the scholarship you’re considering applying to accepts high school seniors, undergraduate psychology majors, or masters and doctoral students pursuing a graduate degree in psychology.
- FAFSA Requirement. Most colleges and universities encourage incoming freshmen to submit FAFSA applications as soon as they are accepted into the psychology department to increase their chances of being considered for financial aid programs. Many external scholarship providers request FAFSA information from scholarship applicants before considering them.
- Online Application Requirement. Just about every scholarship application process is done online nowadays and, in most cases, you’ll be given a strict application deadline. Applicants who fail to meet the deadline for applications are usually not considered. In the online application, you’ll need to provide details about your class standing, social background, work, and educational experiences, as well as a copy of your current transcripts.
- Additional Requirement. Students may need to provide proof of their US nationality and residency, gender, and connection to specific social or ethnic minority groups. An official transcript, resume, personal statement, and letter of recommendation from an academic advisor are often also required. In addition, an applicant may be required to be a full-time student to fulfill eligibility requirements.
How to Find Psychology Scholarships
Finding the right scholarship is easier now than ever thanks to certain resources for psychology students. With the right psychology scholarship, you’ll be closer to achieving your future career plans. Below are some of the best ways to find a scholarship for students interested in careers in psychology.
Consult Your College Financial Aid Office or Faculty Advisor
If you need a scholarship, the financial aid office in your department is the best place to start. This office can help you find and apply for scholarship awards. Alternatively, you can consult your faculty advisor who can help you review scholarship offers based on your current academic performance and future involvement to suit your specific financial needs. You can also check directly with the head of the psychology department.
Become a Student Affiliate for a Psychology Organization
Joining professional organizations is a good way to find psychology scholarships. Organizations such as the American Psychological Association, Association of Psychological Science, Psi Chi, and the National Association of School Psychologists provide annual scholarships, mentorships, professional certification training, and financial support to members at various levels. In addition, professional associations can offer a great learning experience.
Use Scholarship Search Engines
Scholarship search engines can narrow down the search pool. Popular scholarship search engines such as CollegeScholarships.org, Cappex, and Scholly enable you to lower the number of research hours you spend finding scholarships you may be eligible for by offering scholarship matching services. A scholarship search tool can increase your chances of landing scholarship awards and prevent you from falling for scholarship scams.
Tips to Find Psychology Scholarships for High School Students
Get Involved with Community Activities Aligned with Your Career Interests
Getting involved with the communities and platforms that directly relate to your prospective major and career interests can greatly boost your chances of earning scholarships while also creating a positive impact on the world. Real-world experience automatically makes you attractive to scholarship committees and makes it easier for you to draft a compelling personal essay. Your school may even have a psychology club that you can join.
Build Your Grade Point Average
Having a high GPA boosts your chances of securing academic scholarships. Merit-based scholarships often come with strict GPA requirements for their scholarship applicants. As much as possible, try to be in the top 30 percent of your class if you want to apply for scholarships at the college level. You should also take advanced courses to make your school transcript more attractive to reviewers.
Talk to Your School Counselor
As a high school senior prepping for college, your school counselor can help you find scholarships you’re eligible for to help pay for your psychology degree. They can also provide you with constructive feedback on your personal essay and can write or recommend a source for your letter of recommendation. They can even help you pick the right AP courses to take in high school.
10 Best Psychology Scholarships in 2022: Overview
| Scholarship Name | Who Is Eligible | Amount Covered |
| AITCOY Undergraduate Scholarship | High school seniors who are residents of Illinois and are planning to major in psychology, counseling, social work, youth recreation, sociology, and youth prevention | $500 |
| AITCOY Graduate Scholarship | Illinois resident-graduate students of psychology, family therapy, counseling, recreation, and prevention | $1,000 |
| APF Graduate Student Scholarships | Graduate students from interim masters and doctoral psychology programs. | $2,000 to $5,000 |
| CBCF Louis Stokes Health Scholars Program | US African-American high school seniors, undergraduates, and graduates pursuing majors that will lead to careers as primary health care professionals | $8,000 |
| Future Counselors of America Scholarship | Psychology undergraduate and graduate students pursuing related careers in relationship counseling | $1,000 |
| Michael Moody Fitness Scholarship | High school seniors, undergraduate students, and graduate students planning to enroll in psychology, health, and fitness majors in accredited colleges and universities in the US | $1,500 |
| Psi Chi Undergraduate Scholarship | Psi Chi undergraduate members who are or will be pursuing degrees in psychology and have never received the award | $3,000 |
| Psi Chi Graduate Scholarship | Psi Chi graduate members who are or will be pursuing degrees in psychology and have never received the award | $3,000 |
| Psychology Matters No-Essay Scholarship | Students from different college levels majoring in psychology in the United States | $500 |
| Sharon Stephens Brehm Undergraduate Psychology Scholarship | Undergraduates majoring in psychology in US accredited schools | $5,000 |
Top 10 Psychology Scholarships: In Detail
1. APF Graduate Student Scholarships
- Awarded by: American Psychological Foundation
- Deadline: June 30, 2022
The American Psychological Foundation is a major dispenser of psychology scholarship awards in the United States. The Graduate Student Scholarships are designed to aid graduate students with funds for their doctoral dissertation or master’s thesis research. The application requirements include a letter of recommendation, a resume, and a brief outline of the research project.
2. AITCOY Undergraduate Scholarship
- Awarded by: AITCOY Organisation
- Deadline: May 20, 2022
The AITCOY Undergraduate Scholarship is for high school seniors who have or will secure admission into accredited four-year colleges for undergraduate studies in psychology, social work, counseling, sociology, and youth recreation or prevention. Eligibility criteria include being a B student at minimum, as well as an Illinois resident with the ability to demonstrate strong leadership qualities.
3. AITCOY Graduate Scholarship
- Awarded by: AITCOY Organisation
- Deadline: September 16, 2022
This graduate scholarship is reserved for college students in approved master’s degree programs. Interested candidates should be interested in pursuing careers in social work, counseling, psychology, family therapy, and youth prevention or recreation. You should have prior experience with social services involving youth and also need to be an Illinois resident.
4. CBCF Louis Stokes Health Scholars Program
- Awarded by: United Health Foundation
- Deadline: April 30, 2022
The CBCF Louis Stokes Health Scholars Program is for African-Americans students pursuing a career in the healthcare field. To apply, you need a minimum GPA of 3.0 and need to be active in your community. Other requirements include a personal statement, transcript, resume, and letters of recommendation.
5. Future Counselors of America Scholarship
- Awarded by: DatingAdvice.com
- Deadline: June 30, 2022
The Future Counselors of America Scholarship was introduced to encourage an undergraduate or graduate student with an impressive academic achievement background to pursue a career in relationship counseling or field related to it. Applicants should submit a 500 to 900-word essay to the official website addressing the issues in online dating.
6. Michael Moody Fitness Scholarship
- Awarded by: Michael Moody Fitness
- Deadline: August 1, 2022
The Michael Moody Fitness Scholarship is for outstanding students who’ve participated actively in school functions and part-time jobs, and are interested in careers in health and fitness. Applicants must be attending accredited colleges and universities. They must be US citizens or residents and should have achieved academic success and an impressive GPA.
7. Psi Chi Undergraduate Scholarship
- Awarded by: The International Honor Society in Psychology
- Deadline: June 27, 2022
The International Honor Society in Psychology provides annual scholarships for eight undergraduate psychology students to help cover the cost of their education. To qualify for this award, you need to be a member of Psi Chi at your college or university and provide your resume, financial information, and academic transcript, as well as a personal and financial need essay.
8. Psi Chi Graduate Scholarship
- Awarded by: The International Honor Society in Psychology
- Deadline: July 4, 2022
Graduate students who are members of Psi Chi are also eligible to participate in the Psi Chi Graduate Scholarship. Eight psychology graduate students are awarded $3,000 to fund their educational needs. Application materials include a resume, financial information, transcript, financial aid award letter, essays, and a letter of recommendation.
9. Psychology Matters No-Essay Scholarship
- Awarded by: wiseGEEK
- Deadline: April 16, 2022
If you’re a psychology student who’s looking for a casual scholarship to support your college fund, the Psychology Matters No-Essay Scholarship is the right fit for you. This scholarship was launched by wiseGEEK to help prospective and current psychology students cover their tuition or start their loan repayment. To get started, all you need is to submit an online application form.
10. Sharon Stephens Brehm Undergraduate Psychology Scholarship
- Awarded by: American Psychological Foundation
- Deadline: July 1, 2022
This scholarship was initiated to provide financial aid for psychology majors. Seven psychology degree scholarships of $5,000 awards are available to applicants who must be enrolled in college by the Fall of 2022. Winners will receive the funding by the 2023 spring semester. Students need to apply with their resume, personal essay, FAFSA record, and letter of recommendation.
Should I Apply for a Psychology Scholarship?
Yes, you should apply for a psychology scholarship. A psychology scholarship can help fund your psychology degree with which you can access several lucrative careers in a variety of medical fields. Psychologists earn a median pay of $82,180 per year according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Scholarships can be an opportunity for students to evaluate their real-world competence and secure mentorships and internships. Receiving a scholarship award from a top organization can help you boost your professional standing.
Psychology Scholarships FAQ
Yes, psychology is a STEM major. It cuts across core disciplines in science and technology. Psychologists are also scientists, testing hypotheses and contributing their discoveries from research to the scientific field. It is not, however, a pure science discipline, as it draws from social science disciplines such as philosophy, economics, and education.
Yes, psychology is a popular pre-med major for college students who wish to enroll in medical school. Some medical schools give more preference to an applicant with a psychology undergraduate degree. Students who wish to specialize in fields like neuroscience, psychiatry, and behavioral medicine will find a psychology degree useful in their medical career pursuit.
Yes, psychology is a good career. This field of study allows you to understand the human mind and communication patterns. It is considered by many to be a rewarding and engaging career. You’ll find it easy to secure job opportunities and earn a high income with a career in psychology.
Yes, there are fully funded psychology master’s programs. However, securing full funding for your psychology graduate program can be challenging. In fact, most scholarships in this field are very competitive due to the large applicant pool and even then, scholarships that cover full college tuition are few and far in between. Federal student loans are one of the main ways students can pay for their tuition.
"Career Karma entered my life when I needed it most and quickly helped me match with a bootcamp. Two months after graduating, I found my dream job that aligned with my values and goals in life!"
Venus, Software Engineer at Rockbot
About us: Career Karma is a platform designed to help job seekers find, research, and connect with job training programs to advance their careers. Learn about the CK publication.
