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Employer-sponsored scholarships may provide funding for your masters degree studies. Graduate students may earn tuition waivers as well as stipends or payments and collaborate on research projects with professors.
An advanced degree can be an investment for the future, especially in fields that feature competitive job markets. Luckily, there are scholarships for graduate school available to help cover costs associated with it.
Fee waivers
Masters degrees can be an expensive undertaking both financially and otherwise, taking many years of effort and dedication from both student and teacher alike to complete. Tuition fees alone can run into thousands of dollars; then there are other costs such as test preparation fees for colleges to send standardized tests out or the cost of an on-campus visit; some schools even provide fee waivers which reduce costs further, giving applicants more school options and increasing school applications.
Graduate student scholarships can provide invaluable funding for a masters degree. Scholarships provide tuition coverage or help cover living expenses; they can be awarded by both private organizations and universities alike – for instance, Fulbright Anne Wexler Scholarship provides two year Master’s degrees to Australian and American postgraduates who are passionate about public policy with both stipends and tuition waivers included as part of this award package.
Many schools waive application fees for students accepted to their programs, so students should inquire before submitting applications; otherwise they could end up paying more than necessary. Depending on their school of choice, some might require them to present evidence from guidance counselors or teachers that there are special circumstances requiring consideration.
Some schools provide application fee waivers to students participating in early recruitment programs such as Harvey Mudd College’s FAST Program; in addition, other campuses may grant application fee waivers to visitors attending college fairs on campus or visiting campus visits.
There are also many service-based scholarships for master’s degrees available. These scholarships aim to encourage graduates from service-based organizations such as Teach for America, Peace Corps, Americorps/VISTA and CityYear to continue impactful work within underserved communities through further graduate study. These scholarships cover tuition, living stipends and travel costs; typically given to students with excellent academic records or those who demonstrate leadership through community service projects. Women and minorities tend to benefit more often from these opportunities; those interested should contact their school’s financial aid office to determine the requirements.
Academic scholarships
Scholarships for master’s degrees can provide significant funds to cover tuition, living costs and research costs as well as confer a level of prestige that impresses college admissions boards and future employers. But to gain one will require hard work and dedication – that is why it is recommended that research begin well ahead of application.
Most universities provide postgraduate students with their own scholarships, from small bursaries for disadvantaged students to fully-funded Masters scholarships that cover all fees, living costs and research costs. Most scholarships are awarded on academic merit alone; others may even open to undergraduates; although these may only apply in specific fields of study.
Other scholarships provide awards based on financial need. These may target specific groups or fields of study; the Frederic G. Melcher Scholarship provides $7,500 to two graduate students pursuing masters of library science with plans to work as children’s librarians, while the American Speech-Language-Hearing Foundation awards similar sums for graduate students studying communication disorders.
Some scholarships are only open to a select few students, such as Stanford University’s Knight-Hennessy Scholars program. This full-funded fellowship aims to increase diversity across STEM disciplines as well as prepare students for leadership in these areas and beyond.
Scholarships can help high-achieving students afford their master’s degrees without taking out debt, opening up many educational options as Ivy League schools may only admit scholarship recipients; scholarships also give access to top colleges so you can receive the education you deserve while leaving with minimal debt.
Employer-sponsored scholarships
Employer-sponsored scholarships are one of the best ways to pay for a master’s degree, especially for nontraditional students such as working adults. Employer-sponsored scholarships also help employers attract and retain talent, though these programs aren’t open to everyone. To secure one of these grants, first ensure you understand its rules and regulations – having a clear plan with confidence when asking your employer will increase the odds that your request will be granted if well written, sincere requests show they have your company’s interests at heart.
Many companies provide tuition assistance to employees and their children, with amounts varying by company. Best Buy for example provides active, full-time employees up to $5,250 annually as tuition assistance; this money can go toward tuition costs, textbook purchases and fees – typically tax-free!
These scholarship programs are closely monitored by the IRS to prevent abuse. To be tax-exempt, foundations that sponsor them must first apply for prior approval and detail the structure, selection criteria and decision-making process of their scholarship programs; additionally they must demonstrate that these scholarships do not constitute extra pay or employment incentives nor can they be used to recruit or dissuade employees from leaving companies; furthermore they cannot enrich corporate executives and shareholders or promote an employer’s line of business.
Employee-sponsored scholarship programs have proven highly effective at improving employee morale and increasing productivity, regardless of their strict requirements. Such programs serve as a direct and visible way for companies to demonstrate that they care about their employees’ educational success, which experts advise should be handled through independent administrators to avoid perceptions of favoritism or nepotism.
Employer-sponsored scholarships typically target specific fields of study; popular examples are law, health care, business and social work. Furthermore, most scholarships can be renewed annually with certain grade point average requirements to maintain them.
Scholarships for specific courses
Scholarships for specific courses can help lower the total costs associated with your degree. They typically depend on your field of study and can cover tuition fees, living costs or both. In order to be eligible for one of these scholarships, however, certain eligibility requirements must first be fulfilled such as writing an essay detailing why you should receive it or being accepted into your course (depending on its requirements).
Additionally, students may apply for scholarships that reward academic performance or extracurricular involvement. Because certain scholarships have more selective application pools, such as medical degree or law school scholarships having fewer applicants than general graduate student scholarships, it’s essential to do your research prior to applying. You might even find scholarships specifically targeted toward women or minorities which will make obtaining a Masters degree less intimidating!
SWE offers a fellowship program which provides stipends and tuition reduction for women studying engineering, computer science and technology programs accredited by ABET. The application process for these fellowships can be competitive; including writing an essay, interviewing with interviewer(s), reference letters as part of application requirements; renewal will depend on whether student continues being suitable fit within program.
One alternative for financing your Masters education is through the University itself. Many universities provide partial or full scholarships for those who completed their undergraduate degree at that institution, in addition to alumni discounts of up to 10% off course fees. Scholarship values differ significantly; some cover only part of your fees while others could cover your living costs entirely.
There are also need-based bursaries available for students without sufficient financial means to fund their Masters education, including tuition fees, living stipend and travel costs. These scholarships may be open to both Australian and U.S. citizens.
