Subject Based Scholarships for College Students

Private corporations and government agencies offer scholarships for undergraduate and graduate degree students in their specific fields of study.

Scholarships That Support Research or Your Career

No matter what your field of study, there is probably a scholarship program specifically designed to assist research and career development in your major. Corporations, government agencies, and colleges themselves often offer a wide range of general scholarships and fellowships to provide need-based financial aid or aid for those who have demonstrated outstanding academic achievement. But for many, the subject-based scholarship offers the best solution to pay for educational expenses.

Subject-based scholarships also offer the advantage of being available to a limited number of applicants because the scholarships are awarded along strict academic requirements, rather than for generalized need. For example, the number of applicants for a national scholarship based solely on financial need is significantly larger than the number of students applying for a plant biology grant in the state of Indiana.

Direct Research Benefits with Subject Scholarships
When you apply for a scholarship in your field, you are seeking aid for undergraduate educational expenses in a specific discipline or funding for a graduate-level research project. Research grants can pay for a variety of educationally-related expenses as well as for research-related equipment or travel.

Application requirements can be further narrowed based on the student's year in school, grade point average, gender, ethnic background, and financial need. Awarding institutions and organizations often fit the scholarship to career development, and many include internships with government agencies or private corporations.

Broad Range of Financial Aid Opportunities
Here are some scholarships for both undergraduate and graduate students:

  • Boeing Company Undergraduate Scholarships. Offered to all science undergraduates.
  • United States Senate Youth Program. William Randolph Hearst Foundation funded program to pay tuition for college-bound high school students interested in government service.
  • Atlas Shrugged Essay Contest. Open to any undergraduate or graduate student in journalism with awards up to $10,000.
  • Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Graduate Scholarship. For undergraduates or grad students up to $50,000 per year.
  • National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate Fellowship. Supports some 8,000 scientists and engineering students.
  • Microsoft. Awards for undergraduates in computer science or computer engineering, graduate students in computer science (tuition, expenses, internships).
  • American Association for Cancer Research. Scholarships of $60,000 per year up to three years for research or clinical work.
  • Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship Program. Supports students in mathematics, the natural sciences, or engineering.
  • U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Undergraduate and graduate fellowships and scholarships for studies or research in mathematics, computer science, or science policy.

With all of the funding available, it's well worth taking the time to apply for as many scholarships or fellowships as you can find.

About the Author
Gabby Hyman has created online strategies and written content for Fortune 500 companies including eToys, GoTo.com, Siebel Systems, Microsoft Encarta, Avaya, and Nissan UK.