Master’s Degree Scholarships and Grants (2026 Guide)

Graduate funding is different from undergraduate funding. NCES reports that 74% of graduate students received financial aid in 2019–20, and graduate aid recipients received an average of $25,300. At the same time, Federal Student Aid says graduate and professional students can borrow only up to $20,500 per year in Direct Unsubsidized Loans, after which many students turn to Grad PLUS loans that can cover the rest of the school’s cost of attendance minus other aid. That is exactly why this page matters: every scholarship, fellowship, or grant you win can reduce borrowing, lower interest costs, and give you more freedom after graduation.

One important reality check: at the master’s level, true “free-money grants” are less common than at the undergraduate level, so the strongest opportunities are often scholarships, fellowships, and foundation awards. For this list, I prioritized official program pages, used the most recent posted deadlines when a cycle is closed, and linked to the real apply/info page rather than a generic roundup or school homepage.

Top 50 Master’s Degree Scholarships and Grants

January

1) DOE Computational Science Graduate Fellowship

Why It Slaps: This is one of the best master’s-adjacent funding opportunities in STEM because it attacks graduate costs from both directions: it offers a serious living stipend and covers tuition and required fees. It is especially strong for students in computational science, applied math, data-heavy engineering, and national-lab-aligned research because the name recognition can help long after graduate school. If your master’s path is research-intensive and you want a program that looks elite on a résumé, this is a heavyweight option.
Amount: $45,000 annual stipend plus full tuition and required fees.
Deadline: January 16 was the most recent posted deadline.
Apply/info: https://www.krellinst.org/csgf/ Official page verified.

2) Boren Fellowship

Why It Slaps: The Boren Fellowship is a standout for graduate students who want to combine a master’s degree with serious overseas language and area study tied to U.S. national-security interests. It is not a casual study-abroad award; it is built for students who want to develop rare language skills and move toward public-service careers. For the right applicant, that combination of funding, language training, and career signaling can be worth much more than the headline dollar amount alone.
Amount: Up to $30,000, depending on program length and domestic language preparation.
Deadline: The 2026–2027 cycle is closed; the official site says the 2027–2028 cycle opens in fall 2026. The most recent graduate-campus deadline was in January 2026.
Apply/info: https://www.borenawards.org/apply-now Official page verified.

February

3) Spencer Educational Foundation Full-Time Master’s Scholarship

Why It Slaps: If you are pursuing a master’s in risk management, insurance, actuarial science, or a closely related field, this is one of the cleanest, most targeted graduate scholarships out there. Spencer has a long track record in the industry, and that matters because employer-facing scholarships often carry real professional credibility in addition to cash. For students trying to break into risk or insurance leadership, this award can help with both tuition and networking momentum.
Amount: $10,000.
Deadline: February 3, 2026.
Apply/info: https://www.spencered.org/scholarships Official page verified.

4) Spencer Educational Foundation Part-Time Master’s Scholarship

Why It Slaps: This is especially strong for working professionals who are doing graduate school the hard way: part time, while holding down a full-time job. That makes it unusually practical because it is built for the reality of mid-career advancement rather than the traditional full-time student model. If you already work in risk or insurance and want a master’s that boosts your earning power without stepping away from your career, this is a smart fit.
Amount: Up to $10,000.
Deadline: February 3, 2026.
Apply/info: https://www.spencered.org/scholarships Official page verified.

5) Ritchie-Jennings Memorial Scholarship

Why It Slaps: This scholarship is a strong play for students moving toward fraud examination, forensic accounting, compliance, auditing, or anti-financial-crime work. It is backed by the ACFE, which means the award speaks directly to the professional community you are trying to enter. That makes it more valuable than a random private scholarship because it can help both with school bills and with your professional identity in a specialized field.
Amount: Awards include $10,000, $7,500, $5,000, and $2,000 levels.
Deadline: February 2, 2026.
Apply/info: https://www.acfe.com/scholarship Official page verified.

6) LAF Honor Scholarship in Memory of Joe Lalli, FASLA

Why It Slaps: Landscape architecture students at the master’s level often have fewer nationally visible awards than students in bigger professional fields, so this one stands out. It is part of a respected Landscape Architecture Foundation scholarship portfolio and is aimed at students entering a profession that blends design, ecology, public space, and long-range planning. For students who want funding plus a credential that resonates inside the design world, this is a strong get.
Amount: $5,000 to $20,000.
Deadline: February 1, 2026.
Apply/info: https://www.lafoundation.org/for-students/awards Official page verified.

7) LAF Honor Scholarship for Inclusive Community Design

Why It Slaps: This award is excellent for students whose design work is rooted in equity, accessibility, and the way communities actually function for real people. That focus makes it more modern and more meaningful than a generic merit scholarship because it rewards design that serves public life, not just studio polish. If your master’s work centers on inclusion and the built environment, this scholarship lines up beautifully with that story.
Amount: One $10,000 award and one $5,000 runner-up award.
Deadline: February 1, 2026.
Apply/info: https://www.lafoundation.org/for-students/scholarships/honor-scholarship-for-inclusive-community-design Official page verified.

8) Kenneth R. Brooks MLA Research Scholarship

Why It Slaps: This is a particularly good match for students in Master of Landscape Architecture programs who want to do real research rather than just check a curricular box. Research-focused scholarships can open doors to thesis quality, faculty mentorship, and later doctoral work because they validate you as a serious thinker, not only a practitioner. That makes this award especially useful for students who want their master’s degree to be intellectually distinctive.
Amount: $7,500.
Deadline: February 1, 2026.
Apply/info: https://www.lafoundation.org/for-students/scholarships/kenneth-r-b-brooks-mla-research-scholarship Official page verified.

9) MIG Scholarship for the Planning and Design of Equitable and Inclusive Environments

Why It Slaps: This scholarship rewards the kind of planning and design work that employers, communities, and grantmakers increasingly say they want: work that is equitable, inclusive, and grounded in human outcomes. That makes it a sharp fit for students whose master’s training crosses planning, landscape architecture, and community design. It is the kind of award that reinforces a professional identity built around public impact rather than just aesthetics.
Amount: $5,000.
Deadline: February 1, 2026.
Apply/info: https://www.lafoundation.org/for-students/awards Official page verified.

March

10) James Madison Graduate Fellowship

Why It Slaps: This is one of the best-known graduate fellowships for students planning to teach American history, government, or civics at the secondary-school level. It combines solid funding with a very clear professional mission, which is great for students who already know they want their master’s degree to translate into classroom impact. It is especially appealing because it supports a real public-purpose career path, not just general academic promise.
Amount: Up to $24,000 total, with no more than $12,000 in a single academic year.
Deadline: March 1, 2026.
Apply/info: https://www.jamesmadison.gov/apply/ Official page verified.

11) David H. Clift Scholarship

Why It Slaps: For future librarians, this is a classic ALA graduate scholarship with a clean amount, a clear deadline, and direct relevance to an ALA-accredited master’s path. That matters because library-school funding is often fragmented, and recognizable ALA awards carry credibility across the profession. It is a smart target for students who want a reputable scholarship without the noise of overly broad national competitions.
Amount: $3,000.
Deadline: March 1, 2026.
Apply/info: https://www.ala.org/scholarships/david-h-clift-scholarship Official page verified.

12) Christopher Hoy Scholarship

Why It Slaps: This is one of the stronger ALA scholarships by dollar amount and is a particularly attractive option for students starting an ALA-accredited master’s in library and information studies. Because it sits inside the American Library Association ecosystem, it also signals serious commitment to the field. For students entering librarianship, awards like this can help reduce costs and strengthen early professional momentum at the same time.
Amount: $5,000.
Deadline: March 1, 2026.
Apply/info: https://www.ala.org/scholarships/christopher-hoy-scholarship Official page verified.

13) Christian Larew Memorial Scholarship

Why It Slaps: Students interested in library technology, information systems, and the digital side of librarianship should pay close attention to this one. It rewards a specialization that keeps getting more important as libraries expand digital services, discovery tools, and tech-centered community access. If your master’s story leans toward information technology inside the library world, this is a highly on-brand application target.
Amount: $3,000.
Deadline: March 1, 2026.
Apply/info: https://www.ala.org/scholarships/christian-larew-memorial-scholarship Official page verified.

14) Julia J. Brody Public Librarian Scholarship

Why It Slaps: Public librarianship is one of the clearest service-driven career tracks in library science, and this scholarship rewards students who know that is where they want to land. That focus is useful because it lets applicants tell a sharper story than a generic “I love books” application. If your master’s goal is to serve communities through public libraries, this one fits beautifully.
Amount: $4,000.
Deadline: March 1, 2026.
Apply/info: https://www.ala.org/scholarships/julia-j-brody-public-librarian-scholarship Official page verified.

15) ALA Spectrum Scholarship

Why It Slaps: Spectrum is one of the most visible diversity-centered scholarships in library and information studies, and its impact goes beyond the check. The award includes leadership-development and network-building opportunities that can matter just as much as the money when you are entering a profession built on associations and service communities. For eligible students, it is one of the smartest master’s-level library awards in the country.
Amount: $5,000, plus leadership-development support tied to the Spectrum Leadership Institute.
Deadline: March 1, 2026.
Apply/info: https://www.ala.org/advocacy/spectrum/apply Official page verified.

16) Bound to Stay Bound Books Scholarship

Why It Slaps: If you want to specialize in children’s librarianship, this is one of those niche awards that can be much more strategic than a broad national scholarship. It rewards a clear specialization inside an ALA-accredited master’s pathway, which can strengthen both your finances and your professional story. Students who know they want to work with children and youth should absolutely keep this on their radar.
Amount: Up to four $8,000 awards.
Deadline: March 1, 2026.
Apply/info: https://www.ala.org/scholarships/bound-stay-bound-books-scholarship Official page verified.

17) Frederic G. Melcher Scholarship

Why It Slaps: This is another excellent library-school award for students focused on children’s librarianship, and that specialization matters. In a crowded scholarship field, awards that map directly onto a future practice area often give applicants a better narrative fit. If your master’s path is about youth literacy, story access, and services for children, this is a very good target.
Amount: Up to two $8,000 awards.
Deadline: March 1, 2026.
Apply/info: https://www.ala.org/scholarships/frederic-g-melcher-scholarship Official page verified.

18) Mary V. Gaver Scholarship

Why It Slaps: This scholarship is a strong choice for students who want to specialize in youth services and make that commitment clear from day one of graduate study. Awards like this can help you build a coherent application story around service, age group, and professional intent rather than trying to sound broadly impressive. For aspiring youth-services librarians, it is practical, credible, and nicely aligned with the field.
Amount: $3,000.
Deadline: March 1, 2026.
Apply/info: https://www.ala.org/scholarships/mary-v-gaver-scholarship Official page verified.

19) Regina U. Minudri Young Adult Scholarship

Why It Slaps: Students who want to work with teens and young adults should not skip this one, because it is aimed at a specific service niche that many general scholarships ignore. That makes it easier to write a focused, credible application that shows you understand the population you hope to serve. It is especially valuable for future public librarians who want their master’s work to point directly toward youth engagement and adolescent services.
Amount: $3,000.
Deadline: March 1, 2026.
Apply/info: https://www.ala.org/scholarships/regina-u-minudri-young-adult-scholarship Official page verified.

20) Tony B. Leisner Scholarship

Why It Slaps: This is a smart scholarship for library support staff who are ready to turn job experience into a master’s degree and a long-term librarianship career. That work-history angle is important because it rewards students who already know the field from the inside. If you have been doing the work and now need the credential to move up, this award makes a lot of sense.
Amount: $3,000.
Deadline: March 1, 2026.
Apply/info: https://www.ala.org/scholarships/tony-b-leisner-scholarship Official page verified.

21) Peter Lyman Memorial/SAGE Scholarship in New Media

Why It Slaps: This award is a very nice fit for students whose library-and-information-studies work leans into digital communication, human-computer interaction, online information, and new-media environments. That specificity helps your application stand out because it is not trying to be all things to all people. If your master’s plan lives at the intersection of information studies and digital culture, this is a strong niche opportunity.
Amount: $2,500.
Deadline: March 1, 2026.
Apply/info: https://www.ala.org/scholarships/peter-lyman-memorialsage-scholarship-new-media Official page verified.

22) REFORMA Scholarship

Why It Slaps: This is one of the clearest master’s-level library scholarships for students committed to serving Latino and Spanish-speaking communities. It is especially appealing because it rewards mission fit and community service orientation, not just broad academic merit. For applicants who want their graduate work in librarianship to connect directly to language access and culturally responsive service, this is a strong match.
Amount: Up to $1,500.
Deadline: March 31, 2026.
Apply/info: https://www.reforma.org/scholarship Official page verified.

23) SWE Society-Selected Scholarships

Why It Slaps: Graduate women in engineering and related fields should take these seriously because SWE’s scholarship ecosystem is large, active, and professionally meaningful. The biggest advantage is that this is not just about winning money; it plugs you into one of the strongest professional communities in engineering. For master’s students, that mix of funding and network value can make this much more powerful than a random private award.
Amount: Varies by scholarship; SWE says it offers more than $1 million in scholarships each year.
Deadline: March 31, 2026.
Apply/info: https://swe.org/scholarships/ Official page verified.

24) Verne LaMarr Lyons Memorial Scholarship

Why It Slaps: This is a particularly meaningful master’s scholarship for social-work students focused on health or mental-health practice in African American communities. It is strong not just because it provides money, but because it rewards a service commitment that is concrete, mission-driven, and socially important. If your MSW path is community-rooted and equity-focused, this is one of the better-fit awards you can chase.
Amount: Two $4,000 scholarships for the 2026–2027 academic year.
Deadline: The program page does not spotlight one big 2026 close date, but NASW says these applications are typically accepted from mid-January to early March.
Apply/info: https://www.naswfoundation.org/Our-Work/Scholarships-Awards/Scholarships/Verne-LaMarr-Lyons-Memorial-Scholarship Official page verified.

25) Lawanna Renee Barron Scholarship Endowment Fund

Why It Slaps: This scholarship is unusually specific in a good way: it supports MSW students, especially those with interest in rural settings and/or health and mental health in African American communities. That kind of mission clarity can make it easier for the right applicant to write an honest, persuasive application. For social-work students whose professional goals line up with those communities and settings, this is a high-value niche opportunity.
Amount: One $2,000 scholarship for the 2026–2027 academic year.
Deadline: NASW says scholarship applications are typically accepted from mid-January to early March.
Apply/info: https://www.naswfoundation.org/Our-Work/Scholarships-Fellowships-Awards/Scholarships/Lawanna-Renee-Barron-Scholarship-Endowment-Fund Official page verified.

26) Neysa Fanwick Memorial Scholarship

Why It Slaps: This is one of the more interesting MSW awards because it is built around students committed to confronting injustice across systems such as criminal justice, foster care, health care, and education. That makes it an especially good fit for applicants whose work and field experience already show advocacy, systems thinking, and social-impact intent. It is not a huge national catch-all; it is a smart, mission-driven award for the right future social worker.
Amount: One $5,000 scholarship each year, contingent on fund earnings.
Deadline: March 10, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. ET.
Apply/info: https://www.naswfoundation.org/Our-Work/Scholarships-Fellowships-Awards/Scholarships/Neysa-Fanwick-Memorial-Scholarship Official page verified.

April

27) BHW Women in STEM Scholarship

Why It Slaps: This is a simple, clean scholarship that is genuinely open to women pursuing a master’s degree in STEM, which is why it keeps making shortlists. It is not life-changing money by itself, but smaller scholarships like this stack well and can cover books, fees, software, or a chunk of living costs. For graduate women in STEM, it is a practical award that is worth the application time.
Amount: $3,000.
Deadline: April 15.
Apply/info: https://thebhwgroup.com/scholarship Official page verified.

28) Prospanica Scholarship

Why It Slaps: Graduate business students should like this one because it is built for Hispanic/Latino talent and tied to a respected professional organization with a real national network. That means the value is not just cash; it can also reinforce community, mentorship, and long-term career visibility. For MBA and other business-related master’s students who fit the criteria, this is one of the better mission-aligned awards out there.
Amount: Up to $5,000 per scholarship.
Deadline: April 19, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time.
Apply/info: https://prospanica.org/scholarships/ Official page verified.

29) EatRight Foundation Scholarships

Why It Slaps: Nutrition and dietetics students often face a patchwork of smaller awards, so a centralized application that automatically considers you for multiple scholarships is a real advantage. The Foundation also allows both full-time and part-time students and includes graduate-level eligibility, which makes it flexible for more adult learners and career-changers. For students in nutrition and dietetics, this is one of the most important annual funding stops.
Amount: Varies; the Foundation says awards range from $500 to $25,000, with many in the $1,000 to $2,500 range.
Deadline: April 2, 2026, at 10 a.m. Central Time.
Apply/info: https://www.eatrightfoundation.org/foundation/apply-for-funding/scholarships Official page verified.

May

30) APA Foundation Scholarship in Planning

Why It Slaps: This is one of the strongest broad scholarships for students in planning-related graduate programs because it is clearly tied to the profession’s national association. That matters: awards backed by your field’s main professional body can help with both financing and future credibility. If you are building a master’s path in urban planning, regional planning, or a closely related program, this is a core scholarship to target.
Amount: For the 2026 cycle, 20 scholarships at $5,000 each.
Deadline: May 15, 2026.
Apply/info: https://www.planning.org/foundation/scholarships/ Official page verified.

31) Charles Abrams Scholarship

Why It Slaps: This is a smaller, highly targeted planning scholarship, and that specificity can be a huge advantage if you are eligible. Because it is tied to a defined group of graduate planning programs and requires nomination, it is less of a mass-market scholarship and more of a focused opportunity. If you are at one of the named schools, you should treat this as serious money with serious prestige.
Amount: $5,000.
Deadline: May 15, 2026.
Apply/info: https://www.planning.org/foundation/scholarships/ Official page verified.

32) Judith McManus Price Scholarship

Why It Slaps: This is one of the more meaningful planning scholarships for women and minority students who intend to pursue public-sector planning careers and can show financial need. It rewards not just academic ability, but the kind of career intent that actually matters in planning practice. If your master’s goal is public-sector impact, this scholarship lines up with that purpose well.
Amount: $5,000.
Deadline: May 15, 2026.
Apply/info: https://www.planning.org/foundation/scholarships/ Official page verified.

33) APA Foundation Environmental Scholarship

Why It Slaps: Students who want to build careers in environmental or conservation planning should like this one because it lets them make that specialization central to the application. In a crowded scholarship field, thematic clarity helps. If your master’s work is about land, resilience, sustainability, or conservation, this is a strong award to match to your academic story.
Amount: $5,000.
Deadline: May 15, 2026.
Apply/info: https://www.planning.org/foundation/scholarships/ Official page verified.

34) ASHFoundation Graduate Student Scholarship

Why It Slaps: Communication sciences and disorders students do not get enough clean, official scholarship options, so this one stands out immediately. It is open to students entering or already enrolled in graduate study and includes multiple funded categories inside the broader program. For master’s students in speech-language pathology and related fields, this is one of the most important annual scholarship deadlines on the calendar.
Amount: $5,000 each; up to 15 general graduate scholarships, plus additional endowed scholarships.
Deadline: May 20, 2026.
Apply/info: https://www.ashfoundation.org/apply/graduate-student-scholarship/ Official page verified.

35) National NSSLHA Graduate Scholarships

Why It Slaps: This is a smart scholarship for students in communication sciences and disorders because it directly supports the jump from undergraduate preparation into graduate training or continued graduate study. The strongest part is that it is built for a specific professional pipeline, which means your field-specific commitment matters. For students already in the ASHA/NSSLHA ecosystem, it is a very logical scholarship to pursue.
Amount: $5,000.
Deadline: May 2026.
Apply/info: https://www.nsslha.org/programs/scholarships/ Official page verified.

36) Rotary Peace Fellowship

Why It Slaps: This is one of the most powerful fully funded master’s opportunities in the peace, development, conflict-resolution, and public-service space. The money is excellent, but the real advantage is the global network and the clear mission orientation built into the program. If your master’s degree is supposed to launch a career in peacebuilding or policy leadership, this belongs near the top of your list.
Amount: Covers tuition and fees, room and board, round-trip transportation, and internship/field-study expenses.
Deadline: May 15, 2026.
Apply/info: https://www.rotary.org/en/our-programs/peace-fellowships Official page verified.

September

37) Schwarzman Scholars

Why It Slaps: This is one of the best-known fully funded master’s programs in the world, and the prestige is real. It is especially strong for students interested in leadership, public policy, international affairs, business, and China-related global engagement. Even beyond the funding, the alumni network and brand recognition make this a genuinely high-upside application.
Amount: Fully funded.
Deadline: September 9, 2026, at 3 p.m. EDT for the U.S./global application cycle.
Apply/info: https://www.schwarzmanscholars.org/admissions/ Official page verified.

38) Marshall Scholarship

Why It Slaps: For U.S. students who want a funded master’s in the U.K., the Marshall is one of the most prestigious options on the board. It covers major costs while also sending a very strong signal about academic quality and leadership promise. If you are competitive for top international scholarships and want a British graduate degree, this is one of the big ones.
Amount: Covers tuition fees plus a personal allowance for accommodation and basic living expenses; total value varies by course and location.
Deadline: The most recent U.S. applicant deadline was September 16, 2025, with institutional endorsement due September 18, 2025; the next cycle is expected to reopen in 2026.
Apply/info: https://www.marshallscholarship.org/apply Official page verified.

39) McCall MacBain Scholarships

Why It Slaps: This is one of the more exciting fully funded master’s scholarships for students considering McGill because it pairs funding with leadership development, mentoring, and a living stipend. That combination makes it feel more like a leadership platform than just a tuition discount. For students who want a high-level North American graduate experience with strong support around it, this is a terrific option.
Amount: Full tuition and fees plus a living stipend of CAD $2,000 per month during academic terms.
Deadline: U.S. and Canada deadline: September 23, 2026, at 4 p.m. ET; international deadline: August 19, 2026, at 4 p.m. ET.
Apply/info: https://mccallmacbainscholars.org/apply/ Official page verified.

October

40) Rhodes Scholarship

Why It Slaps: The Rhodes is still one of the defining international postgraduate awards, and for good reason. It funds Oxford study, carries enormous prestige, and can change the trajectory of a student’s academic and professional life. If you are the kind of applicant who can seriously contend for top-tier global scholarships, this one belongs on the shortlist.
Amount: Covers Oxford course fees and an annual stipend; for 2025–26 the stipend is £20,400 per year.
Deadline: The most recent U.S. closing date was October 1, 2025; the cycle reopens annually.
Apply/info: https://www.rhodeshouse.ox.ac.uk/scholarships/the-rhodes-scholarship/ Official page verified.

41) Fulbright U.S. Student Program

Why It Slaps: Fulbright is broader than many students realize, and that is its superpower. It can fund study, research, or teaching abroad, and for the right master’s applicant it can become the bridge between college and graduate specialization or between a master’s and a global career. It is also one of the most recognizable international awards in the U.S. system, which gives it lasting résumé value.
Amount: Varies by country and award type.
Deadline: The most recent national deadline was October 7, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time; the official site says the 2027–2028 award cycle opens March 31, 2026.
Apply/info: https://us.fulbrightonline.org/ Official page verified.

42) AAUW International Fellowship

Why It Slaps: This is one of the most important graduate funding programs for women who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents and want to study in the United States. That alone makes it unusually valuable, because many major U.S. awards are much tighter on citizenship. For eligible master’s students, it is a major funding opportunity with real institutional recognition.
Amount: $20,000 for master’s study.
Deadline: The most recent posted deadline was October 7, 2025.
Apply/info: https://www.aauw.org/resources/programs/fellowships-grants/current-opportunities/international/ Official page verified.

43) AAUW Selected Professions Fellowship

Why It Slaps: This fellowship is especially powerful for women entering fields where they have historically been underrepresented, because it is designed to push directly against those enrollment patterns. That gives the application a sharper purpose than a generic merit program. For eligible full-time master’s or professional-degree students in the covered fields, it is an excellent mission-plus-money opportunity.
Amount: $20,000.
Deadline: The most recent posted deadline was October 7, 2025.
Apply/info: https://www.aauw.org/resources/programs/fellowships-grants/current-opportunities/selected-professions/ Official page verified.

44) Chevening Scholarship

Why It Slaps: This is one of the biggest names in fully funded U.K. master’s study for international students, and the appeal is obvious: full support plus a global leadership network. It is especially strong for applicants who want a one-year master’s in the U.K. with strong government-backed prestige behind it. If your long-term goals involve leadership, policy, diplomacy, or global careers, Chevening can be a game-changer.
Amount: Fully funded, including tuition, living stipend, and travel-related support.
Deadline: The most recent deadline was October 7, 2025, at 12:00 UTC.
Apply/info: https://www.chevening.org/scholarships/ Official page verified.

45) Knight-Hennessy Scholars

Why It Slaps: This is one of the rare awards that combines full graduate funding with an intentionally designed leadership cohort at a top university. That means the scholarship is not just about paying bills; it is about joining a high-powered community while studying at Stanford. For master’s applicants who are competitive at Stanford and want a leadership-heavy graduate experience, this is about as strong as it gets.
Amount: Funding for up to three years, including tuition, a stipend for living and academic expenses, and a travel stipend for one annual trip to and from Stanford.
Deadline: The application to join the 2026 cohort is closed; the official site says the 2027 cohort application opens in summer 2026. The most recent deadline was in October 2025.
Apply/info: https://knight-hennessy.stanford.edu/admission Official page verified.

46) Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans

Why It Slaps: For New Americans who qualify, this is one of the most exciting graduate fellowships in the U.S. because it is flexible across graduate fields and brings real prestige with substantial funding. It is especially attractive for ambitious students heading into master’s, professional, or doctoral programs who want both financial support and a strong alumni network. The name carries weight, and the money is big enough to materially change graduate-school planning.
Amount: Up to $90,000 over two years.
Deadline: October 29, 2026, at 2 p.m. ET.
Apply/info: https://www.pdsoros.org/apply Official page verified.

November

47) GEM Fellowship

Why It Slaps: The GEM Fellowship is one of the best-known pathways into funded graduate study for students pursuing engineering and applied science fields, especially when industry connection matters. The biggest draw is that it pairs money with a pipeline into graduate training and, for employer fellows, paid summer internships. For master’s students who want both funding and professional traction, GEM is a serious opportunity.
Amount: Minimum $16,000 stipend for master’s students plus full tuition and fees at a GEM university; some fellows also receive paid summer internships.
Deadline: The complete application is typically due on the second Friday in November.
Apply/info: https://www.gemfellowship.org/gem-fellowship-program/ Official page verified.

December

48) SMART Scholarship-for-Service Program

Why It Slaps: Students in STEM who are open to a defense-related service pathway should look hard at SMART because the package is unusually comprehensive. It covers major education costs and also connects scholars to paid internships and post-graduation employment with the Department of Defense. For the right student, that makes it both a scholarship and a launchpad.
Amount: Full tuition, annual stipend, book allowance, health-insurance allowance, internships, and post-graduation employment; stipend materials show a range of roughly $30,000 to $46,000 annually.
Deadline: Applications open in August and close on the first Friday in December by 5 p.m. EST.
Apply/info: https://www.smartscholarship.org/smart Official page verified.

49) Gates Cambridge Scholarship

Why It Slaps: This is one of the most prestigious fully funded international scholarships available for graduate study at Cambridge. The appeal is not just the funding; it is also the strength of the scholar community and the long-term brand value of the award. For students who can compete at the top end of the global scholarship pool, this is a gold-standard opportunity.
Amount: Covers the full cost of studying at Cambridge, including the University Composition Fee, a maintenance allowance, and airfare; the maintenance allowance is listed as £21,000 for 12 months at the 2024–25 rate.
Deadline: For the most recent cycle, deadlines were December 3, 2025, or January 7, 2026, depending on course.
Apply/info: https://www.gatescambridge.org/programme/the-scholarship/ Official page verified.

50) P.E.O. International Peace Scholarship

Why It Slaps: This is a standout award for international women pursuing graduate study in the United States or Canada, especially because it is focused on need-based educational support rather than narrow professional branding. It will not usually cover an entire master’s degree, but it can meaningfully reduce the amount you need to borrow or self-fund. For eligible international students, it is one of the better-known women-centered graduate aid programs to keep on the calendar.
Amount: Maximum award of $12,500.
Deadline: The next application cycle reopens September 15, 2026; the most recent full calendar used a December 15 eligibility-form deadline.
Apply/info: https://www.peointernational.org/educational-support/international-peace-scholarship-fund/ Official page verified.