Grants for Graduate School
Graduate students can access federal grants, teaching assistantships, research funding, fellowships, and loan forgiveness programs that support advanced degree completion. With graduate school costs averaging $30K-$120K, these grants provide essential support for masters and doctoral students. Many programs target specific fields like STEM, education, public health, or social work. Below are 108 verified grant opportunities.
Types of Graduate School Grants
Teaching Assistantships
Tuition waivers plus stipends ($15K-$35K/year) in exchange for teaching undergraduate courses or lab sections. Available across most departments.
Research Assistantships
Full funding packages including tuition, stipend, and research expenses for graduate students working on faculty research projects or dissertations.
Fellowships & Scholarships
Merit-based funding requiring no work commitment. NSF GRFP, Fulbright, Ford Foundation, and field-specific awards for exceptional students.
Service & Loan Forgiveness
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF), TEACH Grant, and profession-specific programs that forgive loans after service commitments.
Major Federal Programs
NSF Graduate Research Fellowship (GRFP)
Award: $37,000 annual stipend + $16,000 tuition allowance for 3 years
Eligibility: US citizens/nationals in STEM fields, early in graduate career (typically first 2 years)
Service: None required
TEACH Grant Program
Award: Up to $4,000/year for graduate education students
Eligibility: Teaching degree programs at participating schools
Service: 4 years teaching in high-need field at low-income school (converts to loan if not completed)
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
Benefit: Remaining balance forgiven after 120 qualifying payments
Eligibility: Full-time employment at qualifying non-profit or government employer
Service: 10 years of qualifying public service employment
Graduate Assistantships (GA)
Award: Tuition waiver + $15K-$35K stipend depending on university and field
Eligibility: Graduate students enrolled at least half-time
Service: 10-20 hours/week teaching or research duties
Eligibility Requirements
Academic Standing
- Enrollment Status: Must be admitted or enrolled in accredited graduate program (masters, doctoral, or professional degree)
- GPA Requirements: Typically 3.0+ undergraduate GPA for most competitive programs
- Academic Progress: Must maintain satisfactory academic progress and program completion timeline
- Field of Study: Some grants target specific disciplines (STEM, education, social work, public health)
Citizenship & Residency
- Federal Programs: Usually require US citizenship, national status, or permanent residency
- State Programs: May have in-state residency requirements (typically 12+ months)
- International Students: Limited to private foundations and university-specific funding
Financial Need
- FAFSA Required: File Free Application for Federal Student Aid annually
- Need-Based vs Merit: Some grants require demonstrated financial need, others are purely merit-based
- Income Limits: Usually assessed through FAFSA Expected Family Contribution (EFC) calculation
Service Commitments
- Teaching/Research: Assistantships require 10-20 hours/week academic work
- Post-Graduation Service: TEACH Grant, PSLF, and profession-specific programs require years of service
- Penalties: Service commitment programs convert to loans with interest if obligations not met
Common Questions
Do graduate students qualify for Pell Grants?
No, Federal Pell Grants are only available to undergraduate students. However, graduate students can access Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans (up to $20,500/year), Graduate PLUS Loans (up to cost of attendance), teaching/research assistantships, fellowships, and profession-specific grants. TEACH Grants (up to $4,000/year) are available to graduate students in teacher preparation programs.
What's the difference between an assistantship and a fellowship?
Assistantship: Provides tuition waiver plus stipend in exchange for 10-20 hours/week of teaching (TA) or research (RA) work. Typical stipends range $15K-$35K annually. Fellowship: Merit-based award providing funding without work requirements, allowing full-time focus on studies and research. Examples include NSF GRFP ($37K stipend + $16K tuition), Fulbright, and Ford Foundation. Fellowships are highly competitive but more prestigious.
How does Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) work?
PSLF forgives remaining federal student loan balance after making 120 qualifying monthly payments (10 years) while working full-time for a qualifying employer (government or 501(c)(3) non-profit). You must have Federal Direct Loans, be enrolled in an income-driven repayment plan, and submit annual employment certification. The forgiven amount is tax-free. Important: Only Direct Loans qualify (not FFEL or Perkins unless consolidated). Track progress through the PSLF Help Tool at StudentAid.gov.
Can I apply for multiple graduate grants?
Yes! Apply to multiple opportunities to maximize funding. You can combine fellowships, assistantships, scholarships, and loans as long as the total doesn't exceed your university's cost of attendance. Some prestigious fellowships (NSF GRFP, Fulbright) may have restrictions on simultaneous awards. Check each program's terms. Most students combine an assistantship (tuition + stipend) with supplemental scholarships for living expenses. Apply broadly—success rates are low for competitive programs.
Are graduate grants available for online programs?
Yes, but eligibility varies by program type. Federal aid: Available for online programs if the university is accredited and participates in Title IV programs (file FAFSA). Assistantships: Rare for fully online programs since they require on-campus teaching/research duties. Fellowships: Most require full-time enrollment which online programs may not meet. Best options: Federal loans, employer tuition assistance, and online-program-specific scholarships offered by the university.
What fields have the best graduate funding?
Best funded: STEM fields (engineering, computer science, physics, chemistry, biology) typically offer full funding through research assistantships and fellowships. PhD programs in sciences often provide 5-year funding packages. Well funded: Economics, psychology, public policy, and education have good TA/RA opportunities. Less funded: Humanities, arts, social sciences outside economics, and professional masters programs (MBA, MPA) rely more on loans and self-funding. Exception: Social work (MSW) has strong HRSA and Title IV-E funding.
How to Apply for Graduate School Grants
File FAFSA Early
Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as possible after October 1st for the upcoming academic year. This determines eligibility for federal loans, need-based grants, and most university aid. Required annually.
Research Department Funding
Contact your graduate program's department directly about teaching and research assistantships. Ask admitted students about funding availability. Many PhD programs guarantee 5 years of funding. Masters programs have less funding but still offer TA/RA positions.
Apply to National Fellowships
Apply to major fellowship programs in your field: NSF GRFP (STEM), Ford Foundation (diversity), Fulbright (international research), NIH F31 (biomedical), DOE SCGSR (energy), Hertz Foundation (applied sciences). Start applications 6-12 months before enrollment.
Explore Professional Organizations
Join professional associations in your field (APA, ACS, IEEE, APHA, etc.) and apply for member scholarships. These range from $500-$10,000 and have less competition than national programs. Also check discipline-specific diversity scholarships.
Consider Loan Forgiveness Programs
If your career path includes public service, education, or non-profit work, enroll in PSLF-qualifying repayment plans from day one. For teachers, apply for TEACH Grants before enrolling. Track service commitment requirements carefully to avoid loan conversion penalties.
Apply Annually & Track Deadlines
Reapply each year for renewable funding. Most assistantships, fellowships, and grants require annual applications or performance reviews. Use a spreadsheet to track deadlines, requirements, and application status. Start applications 3-6 months before deadlines.
Essential Resources
NSF Graduate Research Fellowship
Premier STEM fellowship: $37K stipend + $16K tuition for 3 years. For US citizens in STEM fields early in graduate studies.
PSLF (Public Service Loan Forgiveness)
Forgives federal student loans after 120 qualifying payments while working for government or non-profit. Track progress via PSLF Help Tool.
TEACH Grant Program
Up to $4,000/year for graduate students in teacher preparation programs. Requires 4 years teaching in high-need field at low-income school.
Peterson's Graduate Aid Search
Comprehensive database of graduate scholarships, fellowships, and assistantships. Filter by field, degree type, and demographic criteria.
Available Graduate School Grants (108)
Showing 1-20 of 108 grants