Scholarships and Financial Aid for Psychology and Related Fields
Find psychology scholarships and explore funding opportunities for related fields like social work and counseling.
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Updated June 25, 2025
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Scholarships directly reduce your school costs, making them one of the most valuable sources of financial aid. Some providers specifically offer psychology scholarships and awards for students in related human services fields, including social work and counseling.
Save on your education and find a psychology scholarship program aligned with your goals, qualifications, and background.
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Types of Financial Aid for Undergraduate and Graduate Program Students
While scholarships can help, they rarely cover all of your education costs. It’s important to combine scholarship awards with other aid sources, including grants, loans, and work-study positions.
1
Scholarships
Scholarships are non-repayable sources of direct financial aid usually awarded on the basis of need or merit. Many schools offer them internally, and you can also source scholarships from external providers, including:
Professional organizations
Nonprofit groups, charities, and philanthropic organizations
Corporate or private donors
Specific eligibility criteria typically apply. Review terms and conditions carefully to ensure you qualify.
2
Grants
Similar to scholarships, grants are non-repayable sources of direct financial aid that can be applied toward tuition or any other eligible education costs.
Offered through government programs, schools, and some external providers, grants are typically awarded based on financial need. Therefore, you should be prepared to demonstrate financial need in your application.
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Loans
Government and private lenders offer student loan programs. Federal student loans typically offer lower interest rates and more flexible payment plans than private loans.
While terms and conditions vary, student loans usually involve a lump-sum distribution of cash directly to the school to pay for tuition and fees. Any remaining funds are typically disbursed to the student to cover education-related expenses.
Typically, interest accumulates on the money you borrow. However, if you are awarded a Federal Direct Subsidized loan, then interest doesn’t accumulate until after you graduate. Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans and private loans do accumulate interest while you’re in school. You must then repay the borrowed sum plus interest, usually after leaving school.
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Work-Study Jobs
The Federal Work-Study program provides part-time employment to students, usually in jobs directly related to their major or field of study. Schools sometimes offer similar programs internally, matching students with teaching or administrative assistantships that provide hourly wages and/or tuition waivers.
How to Apply for Financial Aid
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is your gateway to all financial aid programs offered by the federal government. By submitting a completed FAFSA form, you will automatically receive consideration for all federal financial aid programs for which you qualify, including scholarships, grants, and federal loans.
The federal government encourages all students to submit a FAFSA form, regardless of their family or personal income. You can complete the form online through the FAFSA application portal. The process takes about 30 minutes and is available to undergraduate and graduate students enrolled at any accredited postsecondary institution.
Scholarships for Psychology Students
Psychology scholarships are available to students at all levels, including those in bachelor’s programs and master’s programs. The sections below profile some specific opportunities for undergraduate and graduate psychology students:
Offered by the American Psychological Foundation (APF), this scholarship recognizes the efforts of high-achieving undergraduate psychology students with demonstrated financial need. The APF offers eight awards annually, and winners can use their funding for tuition, required fees, required texts, or any other qualified expense.
The Psi Chi International Honor Society in Psychology recognizes exceptional undergraduate students with this funding program, which distributes eight awards annually. To qualify, you must hold Psi Chi membership and demonstrate elite academic performance.
Offered by the Worldwide Mental Health Foundation, this scholarship rewards high school or undergraduate students pursuing a degree in a field related to mental health. To qualify, you must demonstrate that you have or are working to overcome a personal mental health challenge.
This APF scholarship program recognizes exceptional graduate students and licensed professional practitioners specializing in psychopharmacology. Funding is intended to bridge financing gaps for learners seeking to complete advanced psychopharmacology training.
Sponsored by APF, this program awards up to 21 prizes annually. To qualify, you must be performing graduate-level psychology research. The award is intended to cover research-related costs.
The Psi Chi International Honor Society in Psychology funding program can cover tuition, required fees, and related graduate school expenses. You must be an academically excellent Psi Chi member actively enrolled in a master’s or doctoral program in psychology.
Provided by APF, this award recognizes graduate psychology students from historically underrepresented or marginalized groups. You must demonstrate financial need and a clear commitment to addressing systemic discrimination and other social issues. Priority is given to Black students and other students of color.
Provided by the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology (SIOP), this program rewards doctoral students who demonstrate exceptional achievement in industrial-organizational psychology. To qualify, your academic work must adhere to the “scientist-practitioner” model embraced by SIOP, which integrates scientific training with applied clinical knowledge.
Amount: $3,000
Scholarships for Social Work Students
Social work scholarships help learners meet the educational costs related to undergraduate or graduate social work degrees. Explore opportunities and connect directly with providers.
The Davis-Putter Scholarship Fund rewards activism among students advocating for systemic equality and social justice. Though not specific to social work, students in social work programs often engage in the antiracist, anti-oppression, anti-patriarchal, anti-exploitation, and environmental justice initiatives the scholarship favors.
The Schepp Foundation Scholarship provides funding to undergraduate or graduate students who display a personal commitment to volunteerism and who plan to work in community-focused human services fields. Undergraduate applicants must be 30 years of age or younger. Character, ability, and financial need represent the three main evaluation criteria.
This National Association of Social Work (NASW) Foundation program aids social work students at the bachelor’s and master’s levels. To qualify, you must be pursuing your degree in a primarily rural area. You also require experience or career goals related to the mental health needs of Black community members.
The National Association of Black Social Workers (NABSW) operates 11 different scholarship programs under various names, all of which are open to NABSW members. Eligibility requirements vary, but in general, you must be a Black student active in both the NABSW and in a social work degree program.
This NASW Foundation program recognizes master of social work students dedicated to working with Indigenous and Hispanic or Latino/a populations in the United States. You can also qualify with a professional or volunteerism background in grassroots organizations, public agencies, and nonprofit groups.
To qualify for this NASW Foundation scholarship program, you must be pursuing a master’s degree in social work and a career in mental health service delivery to Black communities. You must hold NASW membership for consideration and maintain membership for the entirety of the academic period covered by the award.
This NASW Foundation scholarship recognizes exceptional master’s-level social work students planning careers in systems beset with systemic injustice, including criminal justice, education, foster care, and healthcare. The NASW evaluates applications based on how well they match this core criterion.
Amount: $5,000
Scholarships for Counseling Students
Specialized counseling degrees are more common at the graduate level, as aspiring counselors often major in psychology or a related human services field as undergraduates. Learn more about counseling program scholarships below.
This scholarship recognizes exceptional leadership among students training for careers in health-related fields. It includes four annual awards, which are available to undergraduate and graduate students pursuing community-focused studies and professional roles.
To qualify for this program, you must be a member of a historically underrepresented group pursuing a degree leading to a career in a health field. You must also display change-making ability by demonstrating activism or community-focused impact. Three winners share $5,000 in total funding.
Offered by the Network of Behavioral Health Providers’ WREDI program, this funding opportunity is for incoming first-year students in behavioral health programs. Eligible major areas include counseling, nursing, psychology, and social work. To qualify, you must reside in the Houston area’s Fort Bend County.
Offered through the Charlotte W. Newcombe Foundation, this fellowship program offers a generous stipend to doctoral students writing their dissertations. For your dissertation to qualify, it must meaningfully focus on religious, ethical, or values-based themes. The applicant’s academic excellence and the project’s originality are difference-making criteria.
The National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) operates this federally funded program for graduate students in programs leading to careers in addictions counseling. It primarily rewards students of color and other diversity categories who plan to launch careers in underserved locations.
The National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) Foundation offers 12 distinct scholarship and fellowship programs to counseling students, mainly at the master’s and doctoral levels. Award amounts and eligibility criteria vary by program, but programs typically reward students who demonstrate an interest in serving vulnerable population groups.
Amount: Varies
Frequently Asked Questions About Financial Aid and Scholarships for Psychology and Related Fields
Yes, you can submit a FAFSA application even if you already have a degree. You can qualify for federal financial aid as long as your institution and program meet eligibility criteria.
Yes, master’s students can apply for federal financial aid by submitting a FAFSA form. Your program must lead to a master’s degree or other qualifying graduate-level academic award and be hosted at an accredited school.
A master of social work (MSW) degree can help you reach higher earning tiers in licensed social work roles. In many states, you need an MSW or doctoral degree in social work to qualify for the highest-level licensing tiers, which typically offer the highest pay rates.
Yes, if you want to become a licensed counselor. Apart from rare exceptions, you need an accredited degree to qualify for a counseling license. As a licensed professional, you will likely earn a higher salary compared to non-licensed career paths.
