Where can I find information about financial aid as a graduate student?
Candid does not give grants/donations, suggest specific funders, or approach them on your behalf. More about Candid’s mission. Please refer to the tips and websites in this article.
Before seeking foundation grants to help offset the costs of your higher education, you should pursue the following avenues:
- Learn about federal aid opportunities.
- Fill out the online Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to calculate an early estimate of your eligibility.
- Learn about state-level funding from your state's financial aid agency.
- Contact the financial aid office(s) at the school(s) you are considering.
- Explore scholarship sites and directories, like The Ultimate Scholarship Book 2025, which you can borrow for free from our Overdrive eBook collection. If the 2024 edition is unavailable, we also have previous editions of The Ultimate Scholarship Book to borrow.
- Ask about scholarships from other organizations in your personal and professional networks, like the office for your academic program or professional association(s) that you've joined.
- Local or regional alumni groups for the school(s) you are considering.
- Community, civic and religious organizations.
- Businesses or corporations that employ you, your parents, or your spouse.
If you are seeking funding as a undergraduate student, please see our related Knowledge Base article, Where can I find information about financial aid as an undergraduate student?
How to find funders that give to graduate students
To find funders who give grants to graduate students, you can use Foundation Directory Professional, our searchable database of grantmakers.
Perform an advanced search by Transaction Type: Grants to Individuals, in addition to search terms for Subject Area and Geographic Focus.
For more detailed search help, please see our article, Find your next scholarship, fellowship, or grant on Foundation Directory Professional.
Subscribe to search from your own location, or search for free at our Candid partner locations.
Worksheet for scholarship seekers
Answer the questions in these fillable PDF worksheets before you start your scholarship search. Your answers will help you focus your search and suggest words or phrases that you can use in you search to uncover opportunities you might not have considered before. Download the worksheets.
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Ask usStaff-recommended resources for this topic
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Yale Fellowships & Funding
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College Board / BigFuture
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SallieMae
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Find scholarships and get funding planning advice for short or long-term college degrees.
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National Consumer Law Center
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National Consumer Law Center's Student Loan Borrower Assistance Project is a resource for borrowers, their families, and advocates representing student loan borrowers. This site is for people who already have student loans and want to know more about them.
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Michigan State University Libraries
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U.S. Dept of Education
Federal Student Aid
Information on preparing for and funding education beyond high school. Free source of information, guidance, and tools for federal student assistance. Includes online Free Application Form for Student Aid (FAFSA).
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Federal Student Aid [PDF]
Financial Aid for Graduate or Professional Students
A handy guide for prospective and current graduate students is offered by Federal Student Aid, an office of the U.S. Department of Education.
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Peterson's
Graduate Scholarships & Financial Aid
Includes information about awards, state and federal aid, school-based aid, and loans for graduate school.
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GradSchools.com
Graduate School Financial Aid Resource Center
Provides information on many financing options available to graduate students, including fellowships graduate assistantships, scholarships and loans. Also provides answers to frequently asked questions about graduate financial aid and how to get access to the financial aid you need.
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US News & World Report
Paying for Graduate School
Provides information about and links to useful resources on grants, scholarships and fellowships, loans, and other cost defraying strategies.
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Department of Education
State Contacts for Financial Aid Assistance
Many states offer assistance for graduate or professional school. You can find your State Department of Education on this webpage.
Staff-recommended books for this topic
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The Ultimate Scholarship Book 2025: Billions of Dollars in Scholarships, Grants and Prizes
Find: Amazon | Free eBook
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The Ultimate Scholarship Book 2024: Billions of Dollars in Scholarships, Grants and Prizes
Find: Amazon | Free eBook