Psychology Scholarships for College

Students pursuing degrees in psychology can apply for a wide range of scholarships and grants from universities, professional associations, nonprofit foundations, and private donors. These programs support future psychologists, counselors, researchers, and mental health professionals who are committed to advancing human understanding and well-being.

Psychology is a broad field with many specializations, including clinical psychology, counseling, developmental psychology, school psychology, industrial-organizational psychology, forensic psychology, and behavioral neuroscience. Because of this diversity, students can find funding options designed for both general psychology majors and those pursuing specific concentrations or research interests.

CollegeWhale Tip: The easiest way to avoid “generic scholarship copy” is to pick a focus and stick to it in every application. Choose one or two areas (clinical mental health, child development, neuro, school psych, etc.), then tie your coursework, volunteering, and research to that theme.

Quick Match: Which Psychology Scholarships Fit You?

Use this as a “what should I apply for first?” shortcut. Then use the sections below for details.

American Psychological Association Graduate Student Scholarship

The APA Graduate Student Scholarship provides financial support for graduate students enrolled in accredited psychology programs. It is designed to assist future psychologists who have demonstrated academic excellence and a strong commitment to research, clinical practice, or community service in psychology.

• Open to master’s and doctoral students pursuing psychology degrees.
• Scholarship amounts commonly fall in the $1,000 to $5,000 range (varies by award).
• Applicants typically need strong academic performance and a clear research/clinical focus.

This type of award can also strengthen a student’s profile for competitive internships, fellowships, and advanced training.

Psi Chi International Honor Society in Psychology Scholarships

The Psi Chi Scholarship is available to members of the International Honor Society in Psychology who demonstrate strong academic performance and service to the field. Psi Chi offers a variety of support, including scholarships, research grants, and travel awards for conferences.

• Active Psi Chi membership in good standing.
• High achievement in psychology coursework.
• Common application items include an essay and faculty recommendations.

In addition to the money, Psi Chi awards often provide recognizable credential value on graduate school and job applications.

Scholarships for Women Pursuing Degrees in Psychology

Several programs provide dedicated financial aid for women studying psychology. These scholarships promote representation within the profession, especially in research, counseling, and leadership roles.

• APA Committee on Women in Psychology Scholarships: Often aligned with women’s issues, equity, identity, and gender-related psychological research.
• Jeannette Rankin Women’s Scholarship Fund: Supports low-income women aged 35 and older returning to school (can fit psychology/counseling paths).

American Psychological Foundation Graduate Student Scholarship

The American Psychological Foundation (APF) Graduate Student Scholarship supports graduate students who show strong potential for psychological research. APF awards can cover many areas of psychology, including developmental, clinical, cognitive, social, and health psychology.

• Usually requires enrollment in an eligible graduate program and a strong academic record.
• Many awards prioritize research innovation and a clear proposal or project plan.
• Award amounts can vary widely across different APF programs.

CollegeWhale Tip: For research-based scholarships, write a proposal you can reuse. Keep a “core” 1–2 page project summary (question, method, why it matters, expected outcomes). Then tailor the intro and impact paragraph to match each scholarship’s mission.

Psychology Scholarships for High School Seniors

High school students planning to major in psychology can find early opportunities that recognize academic potential and interest in human behavior.

• Davidson Fellows Scholarship: Recognizes exceptional student projects and original work (including behavioral science themes).
• Psychology-focused school or local awards: Some regions and schools offer early scholarships tied to social science interest, research, or service.

APA Minority Fellowship Program

The APA Minority Fellowship Program provides financial assistance and mentorship to psychology graduate students from underrepresented backgrounds. The program’s goal is to strengthen culturally informed mental health services and improve outcomes in diverse communities.

• Often aligned with clinical, counseling, or school psychology training.
• May include funding support plus professional development and mentorship.
• Typically emphasizes service impact and commitment to addressing disparities.

Scholarships for Students Specializing in Mental Health

Students focused on clinical mental health and counseling can look for targeted awards that support training in therapy, clinical practice, and behavioral health.

• NBCC Foundation Scholarships: Often supports counseling-focused graduate students, sometimes with an underserved/rural emphasis.
• Child and developmental psychology research awards: Some scholarships support graduate research tied to child outcomes, learning, and development.

Corporate and Private Scholarships for Psychology Students

Private foundations and corporate programs sometimes include psychology students, especially when the scholarship is tied to health, service, or first-generation support.

• Tylenol Future Care Scholarship: A healthcare-oriented scholarship that can include psychology and related fields depending on eligibility.
• First-generation scholarships: Many national and local awards accept psychology majors as part of broader social science eligibility.

University-Based Scholarships for Psychology Majors

Universities frequently offer scholarships specifically for psychology majors. These can be some of the best odds because fewer students apply compared to national awards.

• Department scholarships: Merit, need, leadership, or “best paper” awards within the psychology department.
• Research stipends: Funding for honors theses, lab work, or faculty-led projects.
• Travel awards: Support for presenting posters or attending conferences.

CollegeWhale Tip: Ask your department for a list of “small internal awards” and “student travel funds.” These are often the easiest wins, and stacking a few smaller awards can beat a single big scholarship.