Paying for Graduate School

Scholarships

We are committed to helping you identify resources to fund your education.

Many USC Rossier students have successfully obtained scholarship resources. For your reference, and when information is available, we’ve noted in the scholarship listings when other students have successfully obtained a particular scholarship.

Tonantzin Oseguera

“The world-class faculty… assisted me in honing my skills.”

Tonantzin Oseguera, EdD '13

VP for Student Affairs, California State University-Fullerton

“The diversity of folks in [my] program allowed me to really open up my mind.”

Rosalind Conerly, EdD '16

Associate Dean, Stanford University

Filter and Search Scholarships

Both general and program-specific scholarships are available. While you may be automatically considered for some USC Rossier scholarships upon application, other scholarships require a separate application. To receive priority consideration for a scholarship, you must apply by the priority and regular deadlines.

Visit Paying for Graduate School for more information on funding your studies.

ACS-Hach Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Scholarship

Details

The ACS-Hach Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Scholarship is awarded to recent graduates and graduate students with limited work experience and an interest in becoming secondary chemistry teachers. Recipients must be pursuing a master’s degree in education or becoming certified as a chemistry/science teacher.

Eligibility

  • Have a bachelor’s degree or higher in chemistry or chemistry-related discipline
  • Have less than one year work experience outside of obtaining undergraduate and graduate degrees
  • Demonstrate an interest and commitment to becoming a secondary educator
  • Be accepted into an education master’s program or teacher certification program
  • Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident

More Information
Amount
Up to $6,000
Deadline
May 25, 2025

ACS-Hach Second Career Teacher Scholarship

Details

The ACS-Hach Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Scholarship is awarded to recent graduates and graduate students with limited work experience and an interest in becoming secondary chemistry teachers. Recipients must be pursuing a master’s degree in education or becoming certified as a chemistry/science teacher.

Eligibility

  • Have a bachelor’s degree or higher in chemistry or chemistry-related discipline
  • Have less than one year work experience outside of obtaining undergraduate and graduate degrees
  • Demonstrate an interest and commitment to becoming a secondary educator
  • Be accepted into an education master’s program or teacher certification program
  • Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident

More Information
Amount
Up to $6,000
Deadline
May 25, 2025

AFCEA Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Teachers Scholarship

Details

The AFCEA Educational Foundation is offering competitive-based scholarships to students actively pursuing a graduate degree or credential/licensure for the purpose of teaching science, technology, engineering or math (STEM) subjects at a U.S. school in grades K-12.

To be eligible, students must be U.S. citizens and living in the United States. Graduate candidates must be attending an accredited U.S. college or university (online students are eligible) and majoring in education for the purpose of teaching STEM subjects in a U.S. school in grades K-12.

Graduate-level candidates must be currently taking at least two semester-equivalent classes at an accredited U.S. college or university at the time of application. Current credential and licensure students must have completed a bachelor’s of science degree or graduate degree in a STEM major.

Eligibility

Current graduate students who are U.S. citizens and have completed a B.S. degree in a STEM major; current overall GPA of 3.5 or higher.

More Information
Amount
$2,500
Deadline
May

American Association of University Women (AAUW)

Details

A variety of grants and fellowships for graduate women students.

More Information
Amount
Varies
Deadline
November

American Council of the Blind (ACB)

Details

The American Council of the Blind (ACB) in partnership with other organizations and individuals offers educational scholarships ranging from $2,000 to $7,500 for entering freshman, undergraduate and graduate students, and those attending technical college.

To be eligible for a scholarship, applicants need to be legally blind, maintain a 3.0 GPA to be eligible for most scholarships, be a full-time student or a part-time student who works at least 32 hours per week, and be involved in their school and local community.

Eligibility

Legally blind, full-time student or working part-time student, involved in school/local community.

More Information
Amount
$2,000 – $7,500
Deadline
February

Applegate-Jackson-Parks Future Teacher Scholarship

Details

One $1,000 scholarship is awarded annually to the education student who best exemplifies the dedication to the Right to Work principles and the high professional standards of Carol Applegate, Kay Jackson, and Dr. Anne Parks.

Individuals seeking to attend or individuals attending a United States institution of higher learning (undergraduate or graduate) with a major in education may apply. This could include a current teacher pursuing an advanced education degree such as a master’s degree through a qualified college, university, or other qualifying educational institution.

The scholarship is awarded based on scholastic ability and a demonstrated interest in the National Institute of Labor Relations Research’s work.

Eligibility

Attending or will attend a United States institution of higher learning with a major in education.

More Information
Amount
$1,000
Deadline
January

Association of American Educators Foundation Teacher Scholarship

Details

Teacher scholarships are available to all full-time educators who have not received a scholarship or grant from AAE in the past two years. AAE members receive additional weight in the scoring rubric.

Eligibility

Full-time educators.

More Information
Amount
$500
Deadline
March/October

California Association of Bilingual Education (CABE)

Details

The CABE Annual Bilingual Teachership (Scholarship) Program is an endowment fund established by CABE to award $2,000 scholarships to college and university students seeking a teaching career and pursuing a bilingual teaching credential.

All candidates must:

  • Be a CABE member
  • Be a resident of California
  • Be enrolled in a bilingual authorization/credential program
  • Be enrolled in a college/university with a declared major leading to a bilingual teachership credential/authorization (BILA, elementary/secondary) and/or have completed a minimum of 15 college credits and/or be enrolled in a bilingual teachership preparation program

Eligibility

Resident of California pursuing a bilingual teaching credential; member of CABE.

More Information
Amount
$2,000
Deadline
November

CAMFT’s Educational Foundation Scholarships & Grant

Details

CAMFT (California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists) offers the following scholarships and grant. Preference may be given to applicants who have expressed their commitment to the profession through membership in CAMFT. Applicants may apply to ONE of the following:

  • Educational Foundation Scholarship
  • Clinton E. Phillips Scholarship
  • Ronald D. Lunceford Scholarship
  • Scott Hamilton and Frank Galassi Scholarship
  • Gerry Grossman Scholarship
  • Educational Foundation Grant

Eligibility

MFT

More Information
Amount
$2,500 – $4,000
Deadline
November

Central Scholarship

Details

Central Scholarship helps determined Maryland students build better lives and fulfilling careers by providing crucial support enabling them to complete an accredited college degree or career-training program.

Eligibility

U.S. citizen or permanent resident; Maryland resident; plan to attend an accredited college, university, or community college in the upcoming academic year.

More Information
Amount
Varies
Deadline
May

Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) American Indian Scholarship

Details

This scholarship is awarded once a year to a Native American college and technical student of any age, any tribe and in any state.

Applicants must be Native Americans and must be able to prove membership in a tribe that is recognized at a state and/or federal level. Students must demonstrate financial need and have a minimum GPA of 3.25.

Preference is given to undergraduate applicants. More than one may be awarded each year.

Eligibility

Native American enrolled full time at a college or university, demonstrate financial need, academic achievement and have a 3.25 GPA or higher.

More Information
Amount
$4,000
Deadline
January

ETS Internship, Fellowship, and Visiting Scholar Programs in Research

Details

ETS values candidates with diverse experiences and encourages all who are eligible to apply. We’re especially interested in applications from students from underrepresented groups and backgrounds.

Doctoral students who have completed at least 2 years in one of these areas or a related field are encouraged to apply.

  • AI/machine learning
  • Assessment, measurement, psychometrics, psychometric modeling
  • Cognitive or learning sciences
  • Education
  • Linguistics and applied linguistics
  • Process data and analysis
  • Psychology
  • Qualitative research methods
  • Statistics and data science, computational statistics
  • User experience/user interface
  • Workforce

Eligibility

Current full-time doctoral students who have completed at least 2 years of coursework toward the doctorate.

More Information
Amount
Varies
Deadline
January/February

Fred Scheigert Scholarship Program

Details

To be qualified to receive a scholarship award, applicants must be a full-time (12 units undergraduate/9 units graduate) college/trade/vocational student for the academic year. Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.2.

Scholarships are offered to students with low vision from 20/70 in the better eye with best possible correction, or a field no greater than 30 degrees and to those who are legally blind and have some usable vision.

Eligibility

Full-time student with low vision or legally blind with cumulative 3.2 GPA.

More Information
Amount
$3,000
Deadline
March

Golden State Teacher Grant (GSTG) Program

Details

The Golden State Teacher Grant (GSTG) Program awards up to $20,000 to students currently enrolled in a professional preparation program approved by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) and working towards earning their preliminary teaching or pupil personnel services credential.

Applicants pursuing a teaching credential who are already in process of clearing a teaching credential, already hold a clear teaching credential, or are in an induction program are ineligible for the GSTG.

Eligibility

Currently enrolled in a professional preparation program approved by the CTC and working toward earning a preliminary teaching or PPS credential.

More Information
Amount
Up to $20,000
Deadline
April

Hawai’i Community Foundation

Details

Each scholarship has specific eligibility criteria defined by the donor when the fund is established. General criteria that apply to most scholarships include:

  • Be a resident of the State of Hawai’i
  • Demonstrate financial need
  • Maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA (unless otherwise stated)

Eligibility

Hawai’i resident, financial need, minimum 2.0 GPA.

More Information
Amount
Varies
Deadline
February

Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF)

Details

Every year, HSF selects ~10,000 outstanding students as HSF Scholars from a broad and talented pool of applicants. Applicants must:

  • Be of Hispanic heritage
  • Be a U.S. citizen, permanent legal resident, or DACA recipient
  • Have a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent) for high school students and a minimum GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent) for college and graduate students
  • Plan to enroll full-time in an accredited, public or not-for-profit, four-year university, or graduate school, in the U.S.
  • Submit the FAFSA or state-based financial aid forms (if applicable)

Eligibility

Be of Hispanic heritage, U.S. citizen, permanent legal resident, or DACA recipient, demonstrate academic merit and financial need.

More Information
Amount
$500 – $5,000
Deadline
February

Josephine De Karman Fellowship Trust

Details

The de Karman fellowships are open to PhD students in any discipline, including international students who are currently enrolled at one of the following universities:

  • California Institute of Technology
  • University of California, Berkeley
  • University of California, Davis
  • University of California, Irvine
  • University of California, Los Angeles
  • University of California, San Diego
  • University of California, Santa Barbara
  • University of California, Santa Cruz
  • University of Southern California
  • Stanford University

Undergraduate students, master’s degree students, and postdoctoral scholars are not eligible for consideration. Special consideration will be given to applicants in the humanities.

Eligibility

PhD students enrolled at specific California universities.

More Information
Amount
$25,000
Deadline
January

Kelsey P. Dresser Memorial Scholarship

Details

This scholarship was established in memory of Kelsey P. Dresser, a promising first-year Master of Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) student who was dedicated to helping others.

The scholarship recipient will be notified upon admission; no application is necessary.

Eligibility

The scholarship is awarded to one MFT student each year, based on merit.

Amount
$30,000
Deadline
N/A

Korean American Scholarship Foundation (KASF)

Details

KASF scholarships (which range from $500 to $5,000) are offered to qualified Korean American students (including foreign students from Korea). All applicants must be enrolled in a full time program in the U.S. during the scholarship application year. If extra funds are available, other students (non Koreans) may qualify for scholarships. Specifically, descendants of American veterans who served during the Korean War may qualify for scholarships (applicable to selective regions).

To apply for KASF scholarships, it is very important to follow the specific requirements and instructions of the region where the applicant’s school is/will be located during the scholarship application year as the type and amount of available scholarships may differ from region to region.

Note: Applicants can only apply to the region in which their school is located.

Applicants are evaluated based on financial need, scholastic achievement, recommendations, an essay, and community service/extracurricular activities.

Eligibility

Of Korean heritage (American or international), or descendant of American Veteran who served in the Korean War, full-time student, financial need, academic merit, and community service/extracurricular activities.

More Information
Amount
$500 – $5,000
Deadline
June

Learn.org Master’s Degree Scholarship in Psychology & Counseling

Details

This scholarship program is open to students pursuing master level degrees related to community counseling, marriage and family counseling, counseling psychology, guidance counseling, mental health counseling, and clinical psychology.

Selection is based on academic history, extracurricular activities, and employment history. Eligible students must be full-time students during the academic year the scholarship is received. Financial need is not considered.

Eligibility

Pursuing master’s degree related to community counseling, marriage and family counseling, counseling psychology, guidance counseling, mental health counseling, and clinical psychology.

More Information
Amount
$500
Deadline
April

Leo F. Buscaglia Endowed Fellowship

Details

In 2024-2025, 3 USC Rossier students were awarded the Leo F. Buscaglia Endowed Fellowship.

Named for a well-respected scholar and USC alumnus, the Buscaglia Fellowship is awarded to qualified admitted MAT students who attended a Title I high school and plan to begin their teaching career in an urban school. USC Rossier’s Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) applicants are eligible to apply. The scholarship application will be sent once the MAT program application is complete.

Eligibility

Admitted MAT students who attended a Title I high school and plan to begin their teaching career in an urban school.

Amount
Up to $50,000
Deadline
March

Pass the Torch Teacher Scholarships

Details

In the 2020-2021 academic year, 1 USC Rossier student was awarded this scholarship.

Teachers Test Prep awards a total of $10,000 to aspiring K-12 educators: one $5,000 scholarship to a recipient planning a career in elementary education and one $5,000 scholarship to a recipient planning a career in secondary education.

To qualify, applicants must be enrolled in a teacher preparation program in the US for the upcoming academic year and be able to demonstrate financial need.

Eligibility

Enrolled in a teacher preparation program in the US and be able to demonstrate financial need.

More Information
Amount
$5,000
Deadline
July

Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans

Details

The Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans program is intended for immigrants and children of immigrants who are pursuing full-time graduate degrees at United States institutions. The Fellowship supports one- to two-years of graduate study in any field and in any advanced degree-granting program in the United States.

To be eligible, your birth parents must have both been born outside of the US as non-US citizens, and both parents must not have been eligible for US citizenship at the time of their births. Eligible applicants must be 30 or younger as of the application deadline.

Executive graduate programs, joint bachelor’s/master’s programs in which both degrees are awarded simultaneously, certificate programs, post-baccalaureate programs, graduate programs that are not in the United States, and graduate programs that are not fully accredited are not eligible for Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships funding.

Eligibility

Immigrants and children of immigrants 30 years old or younger pursuing full-time graduate degrees.

More Information
Amount
Up to $90,000
Deadline
October

The Harry Frank Guggenheim Foundation Grants & Fellowships

Details

The Foundation awards research grants and fellowships to scholars studying the origins and effects of violence in the United States and abroad.

Priority is given to work that addresses urgent, present-day problems of violence — what produces it, how it operates, and what prevents or reduces it.

Eligibility

Scholar studying the origins and effects of violence in the United States and abroad.

More Information
Amount
$10,000 – $45,000
Deadline
February/March/August

The International Research Foundation for English Language Education (TIRF)

Details

Since 2002, TIRF has supported students completing their doctoral research on topics related to the foundation’s priorities. Each year, applicants who have been advanced to candidacy in legitimate PhD or EdD programs are invited to submit proposals for Doctoral Dissertation Grants (DDGs).

Eligibility

Completing doctoral research on topics related to the foundation’s priorities.

More Information
Amount
Up to $5,000
Deadline
May

The Ron Chang Lee Award for Excellence in Classroom Technology

Details

Created in 2018, this award honors three TESOL members who have achieved excellence through the implementation of technology in ELT.

TESOL members in good standing who have been a classroom teacher for a minimum of two years and have personally designed and used the materials for this award may apply.

Eligibility

Any TESOL member in good standing.

More Information
Amount
$500 – $1,000
Deadline
September

The Roothbert Fund

Details

Albert and Toni Roothbert established the Roothbert Fund to assist those in need of financial aid to further their education. Based in New York City, the Roothbert Fund operates as a volunteer organization. Through scholarship, the Fund supports fellows’ graduate or undergraduate study at an accredited institution based in the United States. The Fund seeks candidates motivated by spiritual values.

The Fund seeks candidates whose daily actions are guided by spiritual motives, with preference for graduate and undergraduate students with one year of college completed.

Eligibility

Preference for students with one year of college completed, guided by spiritual motives.

Preference to candidates who reside in or attend schools in these states: Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Maryland, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia.

More Information
Amount
$5,000 – $7,000
Deadline
February

The Tillman Scholar Program

Details

The Tillman Scholar program is open to applicants who are veterans and active duty military service members from all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces, including the National Guard, who have served in both pre-and post-9/11 eras and current spouses of veteran or active service members, including surviving spouses. Child dependents are not eligible to apply.

Spouses, veterans and service members who apply must be a full-time student pursuing an undergraduate degree (bachelor’s), a graduate, or professional degree at a public or private, U.S.-based, accredited institution for the upcoming fall/spring academic year.

Strong applicants for this military scholarship demonstrate clear academic goals, extraordinary leadership potential and a deep desire to create positive change. They believe their best years of service to our country are still ahead of them, and they are committed to strengthening communities at home and around the world.

Eligibility

Veterans and active duty military service members from all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces or their spouses.

More Information
Amount
$10,000
Deadline
February

TOEFL® Young Students Series Research Program

Details

The TOEFL YSS Research Grants for graduate students are offered to students enrolled in master’s and doctoral programs in institutions around the world in language testing, language education, applied linguistics or related fields.

Priority for the Research Grants for Graduate Students will be given to TOEFL YSS-related research or foundational research related to young students of English as a Foreign Language (EFL).

Eligibility

Graduate students enrolled in program focused on language testing, language education, applied linguistics, or related fields.

More Information
Amount
Up to $10,000
Deadline
April

Town and Gown of USC

Details

In 2024-2025, 7 Rossier students were awarded scholarships through Town and Gown of USC.

Applicants are required to:

  • Demonstrate academic strengths, leadership, and community involvement.
  • Be a citizen of the United States.
  • Be a permanent resident of Southern California
  • Be unrelated to any member of Town and Gown of USC who is currently actively involved in the selection and funding of scholarships at the time of the scholarship application.
  • Not be a current member of Town and Gown of USC.
  • Not be receiving tuition remission, i.e., a Trustee Scholarship (full-tuition), Presidential Scholarship (half-tuition), or any other combination of scholarships totaling 50% of tuition.
  • Be a full-time student

Eligibility

Full-time USC students, must be a United States citizen and a Southern California permanent resident.

More Information
Amount
Up to $15,000
Deadline
December

Union Plus Scholarship Program

Details

The Union Plus Scholarship awards are presented annually to union members or members of their families who want to begin or continue their post-secondary education.

Applicants are evaluated according to academic ability, social awareness, financial need and appreciation of labor. A GPA of 3.0 or higher is recommended.

Eligibility

Current and retired members of unions that participate in any Union Plus program, their spouses and their dependent children (as defined by IRS regulations).

More Information
Amount
$500 – $4,000
Deadline
January

United Negro College Fund

Details

UNCF manages various scholarship programs and each program has its own eligibility criteria, open/close dates and required documentation. To apply for a UNCF scholarship, you must apply through the online application process.

Eligibility

Each program has its own eligibility criteria.

More Information
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Varies

USC Asian Pacific Alumni Association

Details

In 2023-2024, 3 Rossier students were awarded scholarships through the USC Asian Pacific Alumni Association.

USC Asian Pacific Alumni Association (APAA) scholarship applicants must be a full-time student enrolled in a USC degree program or who will be enrolled for the entire academic year.

Applicants of all ethnic backgrounds are eligible for consideration. Positive consideration may be given in the selection process to students to promote diversity or to students who advocate for Asian Pacific Islander communities. Scholarships are awarded using both merit and need-based criteria.

Eligibility

Full-time USC student with a minimum 3.0 GPA.

More Information
Amount
$1,000 – $3,000
Deadline
February

USC Black Alumni Association

Details

In 2023–2024, 2 USC Rossier students were awarded a scholarship through the USC Black Alumni Association.

Applicants for awards must be an admitted or continuing USC student. Undergraduates must be enrolled for full-time coursework. Graduate students should also be enrolled full-time, but part-time coursework will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

The minimum cumulative G.P.A. for this scholarship is 2.5. Applicants should exemplify commitment and identification with the African-American community. Recipients will be selected on the basis of academic, personal merit and demonstrated involvement within the African-American community.

Eligibility

USC students with demonstrated academic and personal merit and involvement within the African-American community.

More Information
Amount
$1,000
Deadline
February

USC Lambda LGBT Alumni Association

Details

In 2022-2023, 1 USC Rossier student was awarded a scholarship through the USC Lambda LGBTQ+ Alumni Association.

The scholarship is available to an undergraduate or graduate student in any academic program of study whose creative work, scholarship and/or community engagement has earned outstanding achievement and recognition within the LGBTQ+ community.

Eligibility

USC students with demonstrated academic achievement and a strong commitment to the LGBTQ+ community.

More Information
Amount
Varies
Deadline
February

USC Latino Alumni Association

Details

In 2024-2025, 7 Rossier students were awarded scholarships through the USC Latino Alumni Association.

The LAA Scholarship Committee considers a number of factors in a student’s application, including USC activities and service. The committee may give positive consideration to students who are advocates for the Latino/Hispanic community, as well as leadership aptitude and exceptional academic and professional potential.

Scholarship applicants must be enrolled as full-time students. Scholarships are awarded on the basis of need and/or merit.

Eligibility

Full-time USC students who promote and/or advocate for the Latino/Hispanic community.

More Information
Amount
$500 – $5,000
Deadline
March

USC Norman Topping Student Aid Fund (NTSAF)

Details

In 2024-2025, 6 Rossier students were awarded scholarships through the USC Norman Topping Student Aid Fund.

The purpose of the NTSAF is to assist students with high financial need who demonstrate an extraordinary level of community awareness in their pursuit of higher education at USC. First-generation college students and local area applicants are given primary consideration in the scholarship selection process. However, the scholarship is not limited to these populations.

Eligibility

Students with high financial need who demonstrate an extraordinary level of community awareness; must apply for USC admission in an on-campus program.

More Information
Amount
Up to $10,000
Deadline
March/June

USC Rossier Scholars

Details

In 2023-2024, 193 Rossier students were awarded USC Rossier scholarships.

Scholarship recipients are selected by USC Rossier faculty and staff from a competitive pool. Recipients are selected based on academic achievement, demonstrated dedication to advancing educational equity and other distinguishing characteristics.

Amount
Varies
Deadline
N/A

USC Staff Assembly

Details

In 2024-2025, 5 Rossier students were awarded scholarships through the USC Staff Assembly.

Established in 2016, the USC Staff Assembly offers scholarships aimed to support those staff members who best represent the USC staff community while simultaneously dedicating themselves to earning a degree at USC.

Applicants must be in good academic standing with the university, a Tuition Assistance Benefit-eligible staff member, and be currently enrolled in any USC degree-granting program. The applicant may not have previously received a Staff Assembly Scholarship and may not be a current Staff Assembly Member. Applicants must demonstrate a strong commitment to the University in two areas — service and staff excellence. The scholarship is not awarded on a financial need basis.

Eligibility

Enrolled, Tuition Assistance Benefit eligible USC staff member with strong commitment to service and staff excellence.

More Information
Amount
$1,000 – $5,000
Deadline
May