College Scholarships for Linguistics (2025 - 2026) Majors

Linguistics Scholarships for College Students

Linguistics majors study the structure, history, and function of language — exploring how humans communicate and how language shapes culture and society. To support students pursuing degrees in linguistics, applied linguistics, or language studies, many universities, foundations, and academic organizations offer scholarships based on academic excellence, research interests, and career goals. These awards help students continue their studies in one of the most fascinating and interdisciplinary fields in the humanities and social sciences.

Are There Scholarships for Linguistics Majors?

Yes, many scholarships and grants are available for students pursuing degrees in linguistics, language studies, or related fields. These awards are offered by universities, linguistic organizations, and private foundations to support students interested in language analysis, computational linguistics, sociolinguistics, and more.

What Is the Linguistic Society of America (LSA) Scholarship?

The LSA Scholarship Program provides funding for students pursuing undergraduate and graduate degrees in linguistics. Key details include:

• Open to students specializing in any area of linguistics.
• Scholarship amounts range from $500 to $5,000.
• Applicants must demonstrate academic excellence and commitment to linguistic research.

This scholarship also offers opportunities to attend the LSA Annual Meeting or Linguistic Summer Institute.

What Is the TESOL International Association Scholarship?

The TESOL International Association Scholarship supports students pursuing linguistics, teaching English as a second language (TESOL), or applied linguistics. Eligibility includes:

• Being enrolled in an accredited program in linguistics or TESOL.
• Submitting an essay on language education and its impact.
• Demonstrating academic achievement and leadership potential.

Awards range from $1,000 to $5,000 and often include funding to attend TESOL conferences.

Are There Scholarships for Women in Linguistics?

Yes, scholarships specifically for women in linguistics include:

• Ruth Crymes TESOL Fellowship: Supports female students focusing on applied linguistics or TESOL.
• American Association of University Women (AAUW) Fellowships: Awards for women pursuing advanced degrees, including linguistics.

These scholarships encourage gender diversity and leadership in linguistics and language education.

What Is the Computational Linguistics Scholarship?

The Computational Linguistics Scholarship, often offered by organizations like the Association for Computational Linguistics (ACL), supports students specializing in natural language processing and computational linguistics. Eligibility includes:

• Being enrolled in a linguistics or computer science program with a focus on computational linguistics.
• Submitting research proposals or academic papers on computational linguistics topics.
• Demonstrating strong academic performance in linguistics and technology-related courses.

Awards typically range from $2,000 to $10,000.

Are There Scholarships for High School Seniors Interested in Linguistics?

Yes, high school seniors planning to study linguistics can apply for scholarships such as:

• National Merit Scholarship for Language Studies: Recognizes high school students excelling in language and linguistic studies.
• Young Linguist Scholarship: Supports students interested in pursuing degrees in linguistics or language-related fields.

These scholarships aim to inspire young students to explore the field of linguistics.

What Is the Endangered Languages Scholarship?

The Endangered Languages Scholarship supports students and researchers working to document and preserve endangered languages. Eligibility includes:

• Being enrolled in a linguistics or anthropology program.
• Focusing on research related to language preservation and revitalization.
• Submitting a research proposal and personal statement.

Scholarship amounts vary but typically range from $1,000 to $5,000 annually.

Are There Corporate Scholarships for Linguistics Students?

Yes, several corporations and organizations offer scholarships for linguistics students. Examples include:

• Google NLP Scholarship: Supports students specializing in natural language processing and computational linguistics.
• Microsoft Research Linguistics Fellowship: Provides funding for students working on machine translation, speech recognition, or computational linguistics.
• Rosetta Stone Language Scholarship: Awards for students excelling in language studies or linguistics.

These scholarships often include mentorship and internship opportunities with sponsoring organizations.

What Are Some University-Specific Scholarships for Linguistics Majors?

Many universities offer scholarships tailored to linguistics students, such as:

• University of California, Berkeley Linguistics Scholarships: Funding for undergraduate and graduate students excelling in linguistic research.
• MIT Linguistics Program Fellowships: Merit-based awards for students pursuing advanced degrees in linguistics.
• Stanford Linguistics Graduate Fellowship: Provides financial aid and research opportunities for graduate linguistics students.

Check with your university’s linguistics department for additional opportunities.

How to Apply for Linguistics Scholarships?

To apply for scholarships and grants in linguistics:

• Prepare Research Proposals: Many scholarships require evidence of research interests, such as proposals or academic papers.
• Write a Personal Statement: Highlight your passion for linguistics, career goals, and academic achievements.
• Gather Recommendation Letters: Obtain strong letters of recommendation from professors or mentors familiar with your work.
• Meet Deadlines: Ensure all application materials, including essays and transcripts, are submitted on time.

Applying to multiple scholarships increases your chances of receiving funding for your linguistics education.

Myth: Linguistics Scholarships Are Only for Language Teachers

Fact: Linguistics scholarships are available for students pursuing diverse career paths, including computational linguistics, forensic linguistics, sociolinguistics, and endangered language documentation. Opportunities extend far beyond language teaching roles.