This snapshot is built from CollegeWhale’s own scholarship database and planning tools. It shows how many awards are available for Social Science majors, how much money is on the table, and what early-career pay and typical college costs can look like.
We currently have 18 Social Science scholarships available in our database. These awards may come from professional associations, nonprofit organizations, and private sponsors. We’re actively adding scholarships tied to Social Science. Check back often or use our main scholarship search to uncover more awards that fit your profile.
Across these listings, the total advertised award value comes to roughly $184,750. Many scholarships for this major list flexible or renewable award amounts. As we continue to add additional Social Science scholarships, this section will show an estimate of the total dollars currently available in our database.
Graduates with a Social Science degree commonly see early-career median pay around $70,000 per year, depending on location, employer type, and experience.
Social Science ROI Snapshot:
We estimate a typical 4-year net cost of college at about
$108,584.
First-year median earnings are roughly 64% of that total cost. At that pace, it would take about 1.6 years of early-career earnings to “earn back” your degree investment (before taxes and living costs).
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 Social Science 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 Gilder Lehrman Institute Civil War Essay Prize is an annual writing contest encouraging students to engage deeply with the history, causes, legacy, and continuing impact of the American Civil War. This competition invites high school and college students to
Award: Varies Deadline: March Est. Time: Med (~43 min)
The Hollings Scholarship provides significant financial support and professional development opportunities for undergraduate students interested in the oceanic, atmospheric, environmental, and related sciences, engineering, technology, and education fields. The program aims to expand undergraduate training in areas relevant to the
Award: $9,500 Deadline: January Est. Time: Med (~48 min)
The Ford Foundation Predoctoral Fellowship is designed to increase the diversity of the U.S. academic faculty by supporting individuals pursuing research-based doctoral study (Ph.D. or Sc.D.) in eligible fields such as the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, engineering, and mathematics.
Award: $27,000 Deadline: December Est. Time: Med (~48 min)
The Charlotte W. Newcombe Doctoral Dissertation Fellowship supports Ph.D. candidates in the humanities and social sciences whose dissertations address questions of religious understanding, ethics, or values. Applicants must be in the final stage of writing their dissertation and enrolled at
Award: $31,000 Deadline: November Est. Time: Med (~58 min)
The Charles L. Hebner Memorial Scholarship honors the former Speaker of the Delaware House of Representatives. It is awarded to high school seniors in Delaware who demonstrate academic excellence and plan to pursue a major in the humanities or social
Award: $1,250 Deadline: February Est. Time: Low (~23 min)
The Smithsonian Big Ten Academic Alliance Fellowship is available to doctoral students from universities in the Big Ten Academic Alliance. Eligible applicants must have completed all degree requirements except the dissertation. The fellowship provides the opportunity for independent research in
Award: $45,000 Deadline: October Est. Time: Low (~13 min)
The ACLS Fellowship provides funding for advanced graduate students and early-career scholars working on research projects in the humanities and related social sciences. The goal of the fellowship is to advance the scholarly contributions of the recipient and support their
Award: $50,000 Deadline: Rolling Est. Time: Med (~33 min)
The National Institutes of Health Undergraduate Scholarship Program offers competitive scholarships to students from disadvantaged backgrounds who are committed to careers in biomedical, behavioral, and social science health-related research. The National Institutes of Health Undergraduate Scholarship can award up to
Award: $20,000 Deadline: March Est. Time: Low (~13 min)This comprehensive collection of Social Science 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 Social Science scholarship opportunities.
Students pursuing degrees in social sciences — such as sociology, anthropology, psychology, political science, or economics — can access a variety of scholarships and grants to support their studies. These awards come from universities, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies committed to helping students understand and improve society. Many scholarships reward leadership, academic excellence, and research that addresses social issues and human behavior.
The National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Scholarship supports graduate students pursuing advanced degrees in the social sciences. To qualify, applicants must:
Recipients receive up to $37,000 per year to help cover tuition, research expenses, and living costs while completing their graduate studies.
Numerous scholarships encourage and empower women to pursue higher education and research in social sciences. Notable programs include:
These programs aim to increase women’s representation in social research, policy, and leadership roles.
The Harry S. Truman Scholarship is one of the nation’s most prestigious awards for students planning careers in public service. Applicants must:
Recipients receive up to $30,000 toward graduate studies in public service, policy, or social research, along with access to mentorship and leadership training.
High school students planning to major in the social sciences can apply for early opportunities such as:
These programs encourage promising students to pursue degrees focused on understanding society and human behavior.
The ASA Minority Scholarship Program supports underrepresented graduate students earning advanced degrees in sociology. Eligibility includes:
Recipients receive financial assistance for tuition, research, and conference participation to help them succeed in academic and professional sociology careers.
Several major foundations and companies offer scholarships for students studying social sciences. Examples include:
These awards often include mentorship, career development, or internship opportunities in related industries.
Many universities provide internal scholarships specifically for social science majors. Examples include:
Most universities list social science scholarships on their department websites or financial aid portals, often combining merit-based and need-based criteria.
Programs promoting diversity in the social sciences include:
These scholarships aim to build inclusion in the social sciences and encourage diverse perspectives in research and policy-making.
To apply successfully for social science scholarships and grants:
Applying to multiple scholarships — including university, corporate, and nonprofit programs — increases your chances of funding success.
Fact: Many interdisciplinary scholarships include social sciences within their eligibility criteria, especially those related to data analytics, public health, and behavioral science. Students who demonstrate how their work connects social research with technology or quantitative analysis often qualify for STEM-related awards.
Reviewed by CollegeWhale Editorial Team on November, 2025. Content is updated regularly to reflect current scholarship deadlines and verified data from official sources.
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