Psychology Scholarships: Everything You Need to Know

According to the American Psychological Association (APA), more than 115,000 students graduate with a bachelor's degree in psychology each year.

Are you interested in pursuing this career path? 

Psychology can be an incredibly rewarding field, but the educational requirements are vast. Thankfully, there are psychology scholarships available that can help you begin and complete your studies. 

Today, we're taking a closer look at how to apply for and earn these scholarships, starting today. 

What Can You Do With a Degree in Psychology?

Students who study psychology learn how to understand human emotions at an expert level. They evaluate feelings and behaviors through a variety of research techniques, seeking to help diagnose and treat mental health issues. 

Studies show that around 45% of students with an undergraduate degree in psychology decide to continue their studies at graduate school. However, even with your bachelor's degree, there are plenty of jobs to pursue!

A few of the most common positions available to students with an undergraduate degree include:

• Child Welfare/Placement Caseworker
• Psychiatric Aid
• Psychosocial Rehabilitation Specialist (PSR)
• Occupational Analyst
• Community Worker

If you do decide to pursue a master's degree or doctorate degree in psychology, the professional doors open even wider. With an advanced degree, you can become a rehabilitation counselor, drug and alcohol specialist, clinical psychiatrist, and much more. 

Yet, there's no denying the costs required to complete these studies.

A scholarship can help make your academic plans more financially feasible, but where should you start when you're ready to apply?

Where to Find Psychology Scholarships

There are many places to look for the best psychology scholarships. Let's take a look at a few of the best resources to check out.

Honor Society Scholarship Database

Of course, we recommend starting right in our online scholarship database!

Here, you'll find many scholarships designated specifically for Honor Society members.

These are not study-specific and are open to students who fit a range of interests and capabilities. While each award has its own application requirements, most are designed to recognize and reward those who have shown exceptional leadership, service involvement, and academic achievement. 

One example is our John Young "Pursue Your Passion" Scholarship. This $1,000 scholarship is designated for a student who wants to make a major impact in their chosen field of study. If your goal is to graduate with a degree in psychology, you'll have plenty of points to talk about in your scholarship essay!

A few other Honor Society scholarships to consider include:

• $1,000 Emerging Leaders Scholarship
• $1,000 Core Values Scholarship
• $1,000 Society Involvement Scholarship

Feel free to check out our full list online and read the details to understand how to apply for each one!

College Psychology Departments

Have you already been accepted at your college or university of choice? If so, it's always smart to see if there are any scholarships available through the academic department you're about to enter. 

In this case, that means reaching out to the psychology program at your future school. Usually, you can find details about financial aid listed on the department's website, but you can also ask the program dean for more information. 

Applying to college and not sure where to begin? This recent list of the best schools for psychology can help you jumpstart your search! From the Ivy Leagues to public universities, the set includes a range of options. 

American Psychological Association

There are a variety of scholarships, grants, and fellowships available through the APA.

Most of these are set aside for students who want to pursue advanced research in the psychological field of their choice. Keep this list handy and refer to it when you've completed your undergraduate degree and are ready to research your doctoral dissertation!

However, there are some scholarships and awards meant strictly for high school students and undergrads. You can find that narrowed-down list online, too! With nearly 60 choices to evaluate, you'll have lots to consider!

Do you plan to attend a psychology conference to learn more about this field before you leave high school? If so, check out the High School Travel Grant Program, available through the APA. This $500 award can help you defray the costs of traveling to such an event. 

Association for Psychological Science

The Association for Psychological Science (APS) also offers grants and awards to psychology students. In addition to a Student Grant Competition, you can also apply for the:

• Student Research Award
• RISE Research Award 
• Travel Assistance

The RISE Research Award is designated for a student who conducts excellent psychological science research related to under-represented populations. It also recognizes students from diverse backgrounds. 

Community and Non-Profit Organizations

Any time you're searching for scholarships, you should also check to see if any local community organizations offer awards to graduating students in your area. Often, you'll find that banks, credit unions, and local major businesses will provide some sort of financial aid opportunity. 

In addition, be sure to research non-profit organizations and foundations in your field of study. One example is the American Psychological Foundation (APF). The APF offers 21 individual graduate student scholarships, all meant to help you further your research. 

Start Pursuing Psychology Scholarships

A psychology degree can open the door to many different career opportunities. This is true whether you stop at an undergraduate degree or go on to complete your master's or doctorate degree. 

Psychology scholarships can help ease the financial burden of your academic journey. When you start your search with our helpful database, you're already on the right track!

Feel free to browse all of the options and learn more about each opportunity. Not a member of Honor Society yet? Go ahead and apply today!