This snapshot pulls from CollegeWhale’s scholarship database and planning tools to show how many scholarships are available for Social Science majors, the total dollars listed, and how early-career pay compares to typical college costs.
We currently list 11 active scholarships tied to Social Science programs, sourced from professional groups, nonprofits, and private sponsors. New awards are added regularly.
The scholarships currently listed total approximately $220,750 in advertised award value. Many programs offer renewable or variable awards, so available funding may be higher over time.
Early-career median pay for Social Science graduates is about $70,000 per year. We estimate a typical 4-year net college cost around $108,584.
That means first-year earnings are roughly 64% of total college cost, with an estimated payback period of 1.6 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 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 Beinecke Scholarship Program is one of the most prestigious and competitive scholarships in the United States for students pursuing graduate study in the arts, humanities, and social sciences. Established to encourage highly motivated undergraduates to pursue advanced education, the
Award: $34,000 Deadline: March Est. Application Time: Med (78 min)The Alpha Kappa Delta (AKD) Sociology Honor Society Scholarships support outstanding undergraduate and graduate students who demonstrate excellence in sociological study, research, and community engagement. As the international honor society for sociology, AKD promotes academic achievement, rigorous scholarship, and the
Award: $500 Deadline: March Est. Application Time: Med (78 min)The Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship (MMUF) is one of the most prestigious national programs supporting students from underrepresented backgrounds who aspire to become scholars, researchers, and college professors in the humanities and humanistic social sciences. Established by The Andrew W.
Award: Varies Deadline: February Est. Application Time: High (103 min)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. Application 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. Application 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. Application 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. Application 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. Application 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. Application Time: Low (13 min)The American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS) Fellowship is one of the most respected and competitive research fellowships available to scholars in the humanities and related social sciences. Designed to support individuals who are making significant contributions to their academic
Award: $50,000 Deadline: Rolling Est. Application Time: Med (33 min)The National Institutes of Health Undergraduate Scholarship Program is a highly competitive federal scholarship designed to support students from disadvantaged backgrounds who are committed to pursuing careers in biomedical, behavioral, or social science health-related research. Administered by the The National
Award: $20,000 Deadline: March Est. Application Time: Low (28 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 are offered by universities, nonprofit organizations, research foundations, and government agencies committed to advancing public policy, behavioral research, and social impact.
Because many social science careers require graduate education, research experience, or public service commitments, targeted scholarships can significantly reduce long-term educational costs.
CollegeWhale Tip: Many high-value social science scholarships prioritize research proposals or demonstrated leadership in community service — not just GPA. Strong personal statements and public impact goals matter.
The NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) supports graduate students pursuing advanced degrees in social science disciplines including sociology, anthropology, economics, and political science.
Recipients receive up to $37,000 annually plus tuition support.
The Harry S. Truman Scholarship is awarded to college juniors committed to careers in government, nonprofit leadership, or public policy.
Awards up to $30,000 for graduate education.
These programs support women pursuing undergraduate, graduate, or doctoral degrees in social research and policy.
This fellowship supports underrepresented doctoral students in sociology.
Funding may cover tuition, research expenses, and professional conference participation.
Some corporate programs include mentorship, internships, and policy exposure.
These awards recognize leadership, research, and community impact.
Many universities offer departmental awards for students majoring in sociology, economics, anthropology, and political science.
Check department websites and financial aid portals for internal funding opportunities.
Some fellowships include research stipends to offset these additional costs.
Applying across graduate, undergraduate, and leadership-based programs increases funding opportunities.
Data & content oversight by Lauren Nichols
Co-Founder of CollegeWhale, specializing in scholarship data systems and financial aid research.