This snapshot pulls from CollegeWhale’s scholarship database and planning tools to show how many scholarships are available for Environmental Studies majors, the total dollars listed, and how early-career pay compares to typical college costs.
We currently list 23 active scholarships tied to Environmental Studies programs, sourced from professional groups, nonprofits, and private sponsors. New awards are added regularly.
The scholarships currently listed total approximately $165,000 in advertised award value. Many programs offer renewable or variable awards, so available funding may be higher over time.
Early-career median pay for Environmental Studies graduates is about $75,000 per year. We estimate a typical 4-year net college cost around $108,584.
That means first-year earnings are roughly 69% of total college cost, with an estimated payback period of 1.4 years (before taxes and living expenses).
The average cost of in-of-state college in the United States is $27,146 per student per year, including books, supplies, and daily living expenses. Out-of-state students pay $45,708 per year. Private, nonprofit university students pay $58,628.
According to data provided by educationdata.org as of 8/2025. Our ROI calculation is based on in-state average tuition. Median pay statistics are provided by bls.gov
The CollegeWhale Scholarship FastFind™ makes it easy to discover the best Environmental Studies scholarships — fast. Filter by award amount, deadline month, and estimated time to apply, then instantly download your personalized list. No sign-ups, no personal info, no spam — just real, verified scholarships.
The Bonnie Cardone Memorial Scholarship is offered through the Women Divers Hall of Fame (WDHOF) to support women pursuing higher education or advanced research in marine science, oceanography, environmental conservation, or related aquatic fields. This scholarship honors the legacy of
Award: $2,000 Deadline: October Est. Application Time: Med (78 min)The Graduate Marine Conservation Scholarships are offered through the Women Divers Hall of Fame (WDHOF), a nonprofit dedicated to honoring and supporting outstanding women in diving and marine professions. These scholarships provide financial support for graduate students conducting independent research,
Award: $2,000 Deadline: October Est. Application Time: Med (48 min)The Captains Preferred Products Annual Marine Science Scholarship is an annual merit-based award designed to support students who are pursuing higher education in marine science, marine biology, oceanography, or other closely related marine-focused disciplines. Sponsored by Captains Preferred Products—a company
Award: $1,000 Deadline: March Est. Application Time: Med (83 min)The Collier-Keys Marine Science Scholarship is offered through United Women of Collier County and the Collier-Keys chapter to support students pursuing education and careers in marine science, environmental science, oceanography, aquatic biology, coastal ecology, or related STEM fields. This scholarship
Award: $5,000 Deadline: Rolling Est. Application Time: Med (78 min)The NOAA Ernest F. Hollings Undergraduate Scholarship Program is a prestigious, mission-focused award funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) that supports undergraduate students who are preparing for careers in oceanic and atmospheric science, research, technology, education, and
Award: $9,500 Deadline: January Est. Application Time: Low (28 min)The NOAA National Marine Sanctuaries Scholarships are part of a broader suite of education funding opportunities supported by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and its Office of National Marine Sanctuaries. While specific scholarship amounts and individual program details
Award: Varies Deadline: January Est. Application Time: Med (78 min)The Flavor’s Future Go Green Scholarship is a national scholarship opportunity designed to support students who are passionate about environmental sustainability, green innovation, and careers that contribute to a healthier planet. Hosted on the Kaleidoscope scholarship platform, this award encourages
Award: $1,000 Deadline: January Est. Application Time: Med (78 min)The American Fisheries Society (AFS) Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program is a nationally recognized education and career-pathway initiative designed to introduce high school students to the field of fisheries biology and aquatic science. The program focuses on increasing diversity, inclusion,
Award: Varies Deadline: January Est. Application Time: Med (63 min)The Perfect Plants South East Regional Scholarship Program, offered by Perfect Plants Nursery, supports students pursuing a career in the horticultural industry. Established in 2016 by this family-owned nursery, the scholarship encourages further interest and education in horticulture. The $1,000
Award: $1,000 Deadline: August Est. Application Time: Med (86 min)The NSHSS Nobel Good Earth Sustainability Scholarship is awarded by the National Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS) to honor students demonstrating outstanding leadership in environmental conservation and sustainability. This scholarship is available to NSHSS high school members graduating in
Award: $2,000 Deadline: September Est. Application Time: High (128 min)The ESA Marsh Scholarship Program is a long-standing education award offered by the Eastern Surfing Association to support student members pursuing higher education. Established in the early 1980s, this program is recognized as the largest and longest-running scholarship initiative within
Award: Varies Deadline: July Est. Application Time: High (103 min)Name: Behavioral Changes for a Better Climate Scholarship Award Amount: Up to $2,500, depending on region and program specifics. Overview: The...
Award: $2,500 Deadline: Rolling Est. Application Time: High (111 min)This comprehensive collection of Environmental Studies scholarships and grants for the 2026 - 2027 school years, curated from our regularly updated databases. To explore all available scholarship matches, visit our Scholarship Database and Grant Database, which both offer easy-to-use filters, current deadlines, and detailed eligibility information to help you discover the best Environmental Studies scholarship opportunities.
Environmental studies scholarships support students preparing for careers in sustainability, conservation, environmental policy, renewable energy, and climate research. Because the field spans science, public policy, advocacy, and engineering, funding sources are diverse. Scholarships may reward academic research, fieldwork, leadership in environmental organizations, community impact, or long-term commitment to ecological problem-solving.
Funding is provided by federal agencies, universities, private foundations, conservation nonprofits, and energy-sector organizations. Some awards are merit-based, while others prioritize leadership, environmental justice work, or service in underserved communities.
Students majoring in environmental studies, environmental science, sustainability, ecology, or related disciplines can access awards at both the undergraduate and graduate level. Eligibility often includes:
Because environmental studies is interdisciplinary, applicants should clarify whether their focus is scientific research, public policy, renewable energy systems, conservation biology, or environmental justice.
The Udall Scholarship is one of the most recognized undergraduate awards in the environmental field. It supports students committed to careers in environmental policy, natural resource management, or related public service pathways.
Recipients receive up to $7,000 for tuition and academic expenses. The Udall Scholarship is particularly competitive and favors applicants with measurable impact in environmental leadership.
CollegeWhale Tip: Competitive environmental scholarships favor documented impact. Quantify your work—acres restored, policies drafted, research published, energy reductions achieved, or community initiatives led.
Graduate funding in environmental studies often comes through fellowships tied to research.
Graduate applicants are typically evaluated on research design, methodological rigor, and alignment with environmental policy or scientific advancement.
Women-focused environmental scholarships aim to strengthen representation in science, conservation leadership, and environmental policy.
Applicants are often evaluated on leadership, mentorship involvement, and commitment to advancing sustainability initiatives.
Students entering college with an environmental focus can begin applying for funding early.
High school applicants are strongest when they demonstrate initiative—such as organizing clean-up programs, launching sustainability campaigns, conducting citizen science research, or participating in environmental competitions.
Students focusing on renewable energy systems, sustainable infrastructure, or energy policy can access specialized awards.
Applicants in this category benefit from highlighting technical skills, modeling experience, data analysis, or engineering coursework.
Students pursuing conservation biology, wildlife management, or ecosystem restoration may qualify for funding from environmental nonprofits.
Field experience, GIS skills, ecological research, and documented volunteer service often strengthen applications.
Most environmental studies departments administer internal scholarship funds that are not widely advertised outside the institution. These awards are often supported by alumni, private donors, sustainability initiatives, or affiliated research centers. While individual award amounts may be smaller than national fellowships, internal scholarships are statistically more attainable because the applicant pool is limited to enrolled students.
University-based environmental scholarships commonly support:
Many departments also prioritize students who:
Because some internal scholarships require faculty nomination, students should build relationships with professors early and communicate research interests clearly. Departmental awards are often recurring, meaning students can apply annually.
Corporate and nonprofit foundations increasingly invest in environmental education as part of workforce development, sustainability strategy, and climate innovation initiatives. Unlike traditional academic scholarships, these programs frequently combine financial awards with mentorship, internships, or applied project experience.
Corporate and foundation-based environmental funding typically falls into three categories:
These programs often evaluate:
Some awards include structured internship placements, executive mentorship, research collaboration, or networking events with industry leaders. Students pursuing careers in renewable energy, corporate sustainability, environmental consulting, or climate policy should prioritize these opportunities.
Environmental scholarship committees evaluate both academic performance and demonstrated impact. Strong candidates show depth of involvement rather than broad interest.
Competitive applications typically include:
Applications are strongest when they quantify involvement. Instead of stating general interest in sustainability, applicants should demonstrate measurable outcomes such as emissions reductions achieved, habitat restored, policy initiatives supported, research findings published, or sustainability programs implemented.
Environmental scholarship committees respond to evidence of impact, analytical rigor, and sustained commitment to solving ecological challenges.
Data & content oversight by Lauren Nichols
Co-Founder of CollegeWhale, specializing in scholarship data systems and financial aid research.