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Graduate School Scholarships Tips
Department of Homeland Security Graduate School Fellowship Program
The US Department of Homeland (DHS) security offers scholarships for graduate students through the DHS Scholarship and Fellowship Program. Applicants must be pursuing a Master’s or Doctoral degree that has a thesis or dissertation requirement within the following disciplines: Computer and Information Sciences, Engineering, Life Sciences, Mathematical Sciences, Physical Sciences, Psychology, the Social Sciences.
Awards are made for a period of up to three years (pending funding availability and satisfactory academic progress), and cover all tuition and mandatory fees for recipients and provide a year-round stipend.
Eligibility Requirements Include:
Willingness to accept employment with DHS (should such be offered) following completion of highest degree
Must be enrolled as full-time student at accredited institution of higher learning in the US or its territories
Participation in a 10-week externship at the Department of Homeland Security or an affiliated facility during the summer following the first year of award
Applications are reviewed by a panel of experts within the supported fields. Candidates are rated based on:
Academic performance
References
GRE scores
Student written essays (research experience, research interests, professional goals)
Potential to contribute to DHS
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Resources for Finding Graduate Scholarships
While not as plentiful as undergraduate scholarships, there are graduate scholarships out there. Many colleges will offer grants for students who go straight from undergraduate to graduate programs in the same college.
Many scholarship search engines have a separate category for graduate studies and professional organizations offer grants and scholarships to professionals to help off set the price of an advanced degree.
When planning to enter graduate school, conducting a thorough search for scholarship money can help you identify many different sources for educational funding. Most institutions offer various types of scholarships for graduate students in the form of fellowships and assistantships. Some schools even receive grant funding that is designated for use as financial assistance for graduate students. Many government agencies and provide corporations fund graduate study scholarships for students pursuing training in areas that are in particularly high demand.
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National Society of Collegiate Scholars Graduate Scholarship Opportunities
The National Society of Collegiate Scholars (NSCS) administers the NCS-GEICO Graduate Scholarship program. Under this program, four graduate level scholarships are available annually to NCS members who are entering Master’s, Ph.D., or post-baccalaureate professional programs (such as law school or medical school). Application procedures, requirements, and deadlines are announced each February. NSCS has chapters at 230 campuses spread across all 50 states.
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Graduate School Assistantships and Fellowships Can Help Fund Graduate Study
Many colleges and universities offer graduate school scholarships for post-baccalaureate students in the form of graduate teaching assistantships, fellowships, and research assistantships. There are many different types and value of graduate school scholarships, and they can vary greatly from one school to another and even among different departments within the same institution.
Some scholarships for graduate students are funded by external grants, and some are funded by the institutions themselves. Many graduate school scholarships cover tuition and a stipend for living expenses. Some do not cover tuition but include a waiver of out-of-state tuition fees. Some require recipients to teach undergraduate classes or assist professors with research or educational duties.
When researching graduate school options, you should communicate directly with the academic departments at the schools that interest you regarding the types of assistantship and fellowship programs available to graduate students. Make sure to follow procedures carefully and submit all necessary materials prior to application deadlines.
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Fulbright Program for U.S. Students Funds Overseas Graduate Study
The Fulbright Program for U.S. Students provides graduate scholarships for US citizens who wish to study overseas. Fulbright graduate education scholarships fund one academic year of overseas study in one of the more than 140 participating countries. Fulbright scholarships are available in all fields of study, and over 1,300 grants are awarded each year.
Applicants must have earned a Bachelor’s degree and must not yet have completed a Ph.D. in order to be eligible. Fulbright awards may cover one or more of the following: coursework and/or teaching assistantship, independent research, or the pursuit of professional training in the arts.
The program is open to those who have recently completed baccalaureate degrees, candidates for Master’s and Doctoral degrees, and young professionals who hold B.A. or Master’s degrees or higher in fields such as journalism, business, the law, writing, etc.
Applicants should be able to demonstrate proficiency in the language of the country in which they will study. Typically, preference is given to those whose collegiate studies were completed at institutions within the US, and who have not previously lived or studied in the country to which they are applying for a period of more than six months, unless such residence was related to military service.
The Fulbright Program’s graduate study scholarships are funded through an annual congressional appropriation to the US Department of State along with financial contributions from participating governments and host institutions.
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The Graduate... School Dilemma
I just finished school...what do you mean I need more?? It may come as a nasty shock, but sometimes advanced degrees are required to continue up the career ladder. Before jumping into a graduate program sit down and think it through.
• Will your employer be subsidizing your education? • If not, are you in a financial place to pay or it yourself or take out the loans needed? • Will the job you get with the advanced degree put you in a significantly better place?
Weigh the pro and cons before you decide to commit to another course of study.
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The Joy of Deferment
You've asked you employer, you've saved all your pennies and applied for scholarships, and you're still short on funds. It's time to go back to the good ole standby...loans. The good news is that, while you are working towards your advance degree, you can place your undergraduate loan (if you have any) into deferment.
Deferment is basically putting your loans on hold so that the monthly payments are not required until such time as you finish your advanced degree. Some lending companies require a fee to put the loan on deferment and others require that the interest be paid quarterly. Check with your lender to see what they require, but all will allow deferment.
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American Cancer Society Funds Graduate Degree Scholarships in Cancer Nursing
Individuals seeking graduate degrees in the area of cancer nursing may apply for graduate degree scholarships from the American Cancer Society (ACS). Each year, the organization awards graduate degree scholarships for Master’s and Doctoral degree candidates in the field of cancer nursing.
ACS Master’s degree scholarships in cancer nursing are awarded for a period of up to two years, and provide an annual stipend of $10,000. Applications are due February 1 of each year.
The ACS cancer nursing Doctoral scholarships are awarded for a two-year period and provide a stipend of $15,000 per year. They may be renewed for an additional two years through a competitive renewal process. October 15 is the annual deadline for application.
Unites States citizens, nationals, and permanent residents are eligible for ACS scholarship programs. Applications must be submitted electronically and on paper.
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Fulbright Foreign Student Program Funds Graduate Scholarships for International Students
The Fulbright Foreign Student Program provides graduate scholarships for international students wishing to pursue Master’s or Doctoral level study in the United States. Each year, more than 1,800 international students from 144 different countries enter graduate programs in the US with the support of this program.
The Institute of International Education (IIE) works closely with Fulbright Foreign Student Program award recipients, arranging academic placement and providing supervision during their tenure in the US. Funding is provided through a combination of an annual congressional appropriation to the US Department of State and contributions from participating governments and host institutions.
Eligibility criteria and selected criteria are determined by each country and so may vary based on each applicants country of origin. Interested individuals may apply for Fulbright Fellowships through either the Fulbright Commission/Foundation or the US Embassy within their home countries.
