scholarships for phd in educational leadership

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Teach.com / Online Education / Education Degrees / Explore the Best Online EdD Programs for You / Scholarships for Doctor of Education (EdD) Students

Education Doctorate (EdD) Scholarships and Grants Guide

Developing your knowledge as an educator with a Doctor of Education (EdD) may help you grow your career. A doctorate is the most advanced degree you can earn in the education field. 

If you’re considering this degree path, you may be wondering, can you get a scholarship for a doctorate? Yes, as you’ll see in this guide, there are grants and doctoral scholarships in education that may help you cover the expenses of your doctoral program.

Tuition for a Doctorate in Education Program

EdD program tuition to earn a Doctor of Education may vary depending on a variety of factors, including your school of choice, whether or not you reside on campus, whether the school is private or public, and other factors. For example, according to the National Center for Education Statistics, private nonprofit school tuition tends to cost more than private for-profit school tuition and tends to cost much more than public school tuition.

Students may pay for their EdD education in a variety of ways. Some EdD programs may provide a stipend through an assistantship. There may also be financial aid options like grants, which are funds given to students from the federal government for education based on financial need. 

EdD scholarships may also be available, based on factors like financial need, experience and achievements. Since each program may differ, you may use this guide to explore grant and scholarship options for EdD students.

Grants for Doctor of Education Students

Grants are a form of gift aid that come from the federal government, state governments, colleges, universities, career schools, private organizations and nonprofits. “Gift aid” means the grant generally doesn’t have to be repaid.

Most grants from the government are based on financial need. You’ll want to make sure you fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA ® ) form to be eligible for federal grants for doctoral students in educational leadership.

• One federal grant is the Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant, which provides grants of up to $4,000 a year. You’re required to complete a teaching service obligation to receive the funds as grant money, which generally requires teaching in a high-need field and serving as a teacher at a school or educational service agency that serves low-income students. If you don’t fulfill the grant requirements, the financial aid may be converted to a loan with interest.
• The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Office of Planning, Research & Evaluation also offers various grants, which support research in areas including childcare, Head Start and Early Head Start, child welfare and other topics. Criteria vary depending on the grant category.
• The AFT Robert G. Porter Scholars Program provides 10 one-time $1,000 grants to members of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT). The grants are solely merit-based and center on academic excellence while also considering volunteerism and activism at school and in the community.
• For graduate students working on their dissertation, the American Educational Research Association (AERA) Grants Program provides research funding and professional training and development. Students working on a variety of education-related research may apply.
• Another EdD grant awarded to support research related to a dissertation is the Children’s Literature Association (ChLA) Hannah Beiter Graduate Student Research Grants program. These grants are available for individual awards ranging from $500 to $1,500. To be eligible, winners must either be members of the ChLA or join before they receive the funds.
• For students focused on autism research, the Organization for Autism Research offers a $2,000 grant for doctoral candidates. Applicants must send a request for proposal in order to qualify.
• The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi has a Literacy Grants program, with grants of up to $2,500 to Phi Kappa Phi members who are working on ongoing literacy projects or are creating new initiatives.
• The SHAPE America Research Grant Program provides one or more annual awards of up to $2,000 for graduate students who are members of the Society of Health and Physical Educators. Primary consideration goes to the study of physical activity in natural environments, like schools, parks and home settings.
• Every month, the STEM education company Pitsco awards a $350 grant for education students who are focused on integrating engineering or technology in the classroom. Similarly, the International Technology and Engineering Educators Association (ITEEA) and its Foundation for Technology and Engineering Educators (FTEE) offer a variety of grants focused on the advancement of engineering and technology education.
• For EdD students who are also math teachers, the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) offers a variety of math-focused grants with award amounts ranging from $1,500 to $24,000. Applicants generally need to be NCTM members to qualify.
• Various schools may also have grant programs for EdD students. One such grant is the Esther Katz Rosen Fund Grants program at Duke University. These grant amounts range from $1,000 to $5,000. Graduate students may be eligible when they do research or work related to the psychological understanding of gifted youth and children.
• Sigma Alpha Iota (SAI) has a grant program presented by SAI Philanthropies, Inc. Grants are available to SAI members, and most are focused on supporting music education.  
• The Steven A. Stahl Research Grant comes from the International Literacy Association (ILA) and is a $1,000 award granted to one recipient annually. Applicants must be graduate students conducting classroom research in reading to qualify.
• There are numerous TOEFL® grants and awards available for graduate students who are working in international higher education or foreign or second language assessment, research and teaching.

Guide to Scholarships for EdD Programs

Doctor of Education scholarships may be available based on financial aid, your particular career experience , your teaching goals, what type of research you want to do and other factors. Scholarships for EdD students generally don’t have to be repaid. 

Some EdD students may be able to supplement most or even all of their education by securing scholarships they’re eligible for. Consider the following:

• The A. Harry Passow Classroom Teacher Scholarship is available for teachers of grades K–12 who are dedicated to developing their teaching skills, particularly related to teaching gifted youth in a variety of educational settings. The scholarship application requires letters of recommendation and a summary of coursework and how it relates to the scholarship.
• For Rhode Island residents, the Antonio Cirino Memorial Scholarship from the Rhode Island Foundation comes in award amounts ranging from $2,000 to $12,000. Applicants must be graduate students focused on arts education or currently working in the arts with a desire to teach.
• For teachers in California, the California Teachers Association (CTA) offers scholarships for up to $5,000 for CTA members. Applicants should demonstrate high academic achievement in their college coursework.
• The Carmelita K. Williams VSRA Scholarship, up to $1,000, is available to EdD students studying at an accredited university or college in Virginia that has a degree program focused on the field of reading. Applicants must be members of a local council, the Virginia State Reading Association and the International Reading Association for at least a year prior to application.
• The Donald and Verna Duncan Special Education Scholarship is offered through the PDK Educational Foundation. The scholarship is for graduate students whose field of study has a major emphasis in special education/rehabilitation and mental health counseling. The award amount may vary.
• The Larry E. Frase Memorial Scholarship for Educational Research is a $1,000 award for doctoral students who are PDK members and who are pursuing study of the motivational factors in education. Requirements include a recommendation letter, an application form and official transcripts.
• For African American and Hispanic students who are interested in teaching at universities and colleges in the state of Florida, the McKnight Doctoral Fellowship Program covers up to $5,000 in annual tuition for each of three academic years, plus an annual stipend of $12,000, for fellowship members who study at one of nine participating Florida universities.
• The NAEd/Spencer Dissertation Fellowship Program provides $27,500 fellowships for EdD students whose dissertations show unique perspectives on formal or informal education anywhere in the world. In 2022, 35 dissertation fellowships will be awarded.
• The PDK Educational Foundation makes more than 100 scholarships available to educational students. You’ll be considered for all scholarships you’re eligible for with only one application. One-time and renewable awards range from $500 to $4,000. Applicants must be pursuing a career in public education, be enrolled for the fall semester of the application year and be a member of at least one of the following associations: Educators Rising, Pi Lambda Theta, Educators Rising Collegiate and/or PDK Association.
• AASA, the School Superintendents Association, offers Educational Administration Scholarships to graduate students who are pursuing an educational administration degree in order to become school superintendents. Applications require essays and letters of endorsement.
• The Intercollegiate Studies Institute offers fellowships of up to $15,000 for graduate students who intend to teach. Up to 15 fellowships are available for students pursuing advanced study in the social sciences or humanities.
• Pi Lambda Theta offers student support scholarships for up to $2,000 each. Applicants must be Pi Lambda Theta members in good standing.
• The Ruth Crymes TESOL Fellowship for Graduate Study is a $1,500 scholarship for TESOL members who are graduate students currently enrolled in a TEFL/TESOL graduate program. Applicants must plan on working on a graduate study project that’s relevant to TEFL or TESOL in an upcoming academic year.
• The AFCEA Educational Foundation offers STEM Teacher Graduate Scholarships with awards of $2,500 each to students who are pursuing graduate degrees for the purpose of teaching STEM to students in grades K–12. Applicants must be U.S. citizens who live in and intend to teach in the United States.

Last updated in March 2022

Doctor of Philosophy in Education

Additional Information

• Download the Doctoral Viewbook
• Admissions & Aid

The Harvard Ph.D. in Education trains cutting-edge researchers who work across disciplines to generate knowledge and translate discoveries into transformative policy and practice.

Offered jointly by the Harvard Graduate School of Education and the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, the Ph.D. in Education provides you with full access to the extraordinary resources of Harvard University and prepares you to assume meaningful roles as university faculty, researchers, senior-level education leaders, and policymakers.

As a Ph.D. candidate, you will collaborate with scholars across all Harvard graduate schools on original interdisciplinary research. In the process, you will help forge new fields of inquiry that will impact the way we teach and learn. The program’s required coursework will develop your knowledge of education and your expertise in a range of quantitative and qualitative methods needed to conduct high-quality research. Guided by the goal of making a transformative impact on education research, policy, and practice, you will focus on independent research in various domains, including human development, learning and teaching, policy analysis and evaluation, institutions and society, and instructional practice.   

Curriculum Information

The Ph.D. in Education requires five years of full-time study to complete. You will choose your individual coursework and design your original research in close consultation with your HGSE faculty adviser and dissertation committee. The requirements listed below include the three Ph.D. concentrations: Culture, Institutions, and Society; Education Policy and Program Evaluation; and Human Development, Learning and Teaching . 

We invite you to review an example course list, which is provided in two formats — one as the full list by course number and one by broad course category . These lists are subject to modification. 

Ph.D. Concentrations and Examples

Summary of Ph.D. Program

Doctoral Colloquia  In year one and two you are required to attend. The colloquia convenes weekly and features presentations of work-in-progress and completed work by Harvard faculty, faculty and researchers from outside Harvard, and Harvard doctoral students. Ph.D. students present once in the colloquia over the course of their career.

Research Apprenticeship The Research Apprenticeship is designed to provide ongoing training and mentoring to develop your research skills throughout the entire program.

Teaching Fellowships The Teaching Fellowship is an opportunity to enhance students' teaching skills, promote learning consolidation, and provide opportunities to collaborate with faculty on pedagogical development.

Comprehensive Exams  The Written Exam (year 2, spring) tests you on both general and concentration-specific knowledge. The Oral Exam (year 3, fall/winter) tests your command of your chosen field of study and your ability to design, develop, and implement an original research project.

Dissertation  Based on your original research, the dissertation process consists of three parts: the Dissertation Proposal, the writing, and an oral defense before the members of your dissertation committee.

Culture, Institutions, and Society (CIS) Concentration

In CIS, you will examine the broader cultural, institutional, organizational, and social contexts relevant to education across the lifespan. What is the value and purpose of education? How do cultural, institutional, and social factors shape educational processes and outcomes? How effective are social movements and community action in education reform? How do we measure stratification and institutional inequality? In CIS, your work will be informed by theories and methods from sociology, history, political science, organizational behavior and management, philosophy, and anthropology. You can examine contexts as diverse as classrooms, families, neighborhoods, schools, colleges and universities, religious institutions, nonprofits, government agencies, and more.

Education Policy and Program Evaluation (EPPE) Concentration

In EPPE, you will research the design, implementation, and evaluation of education policy affecting early childhood, K–12, and postsecondary education in the U.S. and internationally. You will evaluate and assess individual programs and policies related to critical issues like access to education, teacher effectiveness, school finance, testing and accountability systems, school choice, financial aid, college enrollment and persistence, and more. Your work will be informed by theories and methods from economics, political science, public policy, and sociology, history, philosophy, and statistics. This concentration shares some themes with CIS, but your work with EPPE will focus on public policy and large-scale reforms.

Human Development, Learning and Teaching (HDLT) Concentration

In HDLT, you will work to advance the role of scientific research in education policy, reform, and practice. New discoveries in the science of learning and development — the integration of biological, cognitive, and social processes; the relationships between technology and learning; or the factors that influence individual variations in learning — are transforming the practice of teaching and learning in both formal and informal settings. Whether studying behavioral, cognitive, or social-emotional development in children or the design of learning technologies to maximize understanding, you will gain a strong background in human development, the science of learning, and sociocultural factors that explain variation in learning and developmental pathways. Your research will be informed by theories and methods from psychology, cognitive science, sociology and linguistics, philosophy, the biological sciences and mathematics, and organizational behavior.

Program Faculty

The most remarkable thing about the Ph.D. in Education is open access to faculty from all Harvard graduate and professional schools, including the Harvard Graduate School of Education, the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, the Harvard Kennedy School, the Harvard Law School, Harvard Medical School, and the Harvard School of Public Health. Learn about the full Ph.D. Faculty.

Jarvis R. Givens

Jarvis Givens studies the history of American education, African American history, and the relationship between race and power in schools.

Paul L. Harris

Paul Harris is interested in the early development of cognition, emotion, and imagination in children.

Meira Levinson

Meira Levinson is a normative political philosopher who works at the intersection of civic education, youth empowerment, racial justice, and educational ethics. 

Luke W. Miratrix

Luke Miratrix is a statistician who explores how to best use modern statistical methods in applied social science contexts.

Eric Taylor

Eric Taylor studies the economics of education, with a particular interest in employer-employee interactions between schools and teachers — hiring and firing decisions, job design, training, and performance evaluation.

Paola Uccelli

Paola Ucelli studies socio-cultural and individual differences in the language development of multilingual and monolingual students.

View Ph.D. Faculty

Dissertations.

The following is a complete listing of successful Ph.D. in Education dissertations to-date. Dissertations from November 2014 onward are publicly available in the Digital Access to Scholarship at Harvard (DASH) , the online repository for Harvard scholarship.

• 2022 Graduate Dissertations (265 KB pdf)
• 2021 Graduate Dissertations (177 KB pdf)
• 2020 Graduate Dissertations (121 KB pdf)
• 2019 Graduate Dissertations (68.3 KB pdf)

Student Directory

An opt-in listing of current Ph.D. students with information about their interests, research, personal web pages, and contact information:

Doctor of Philosophy in Education Student Directory

Introduce Yourself

Tell us about yourself so that we can tailor our communication to best fit your interests and provide you with relevant information about our programs, events, and other opportunities to connect with us.

Program Highlights

Explore examples of the Doctor of Philosophy in Education experience and the impact its community is making on the field:

Reshaping Teacher Licensure: Lessons from the Pandemic

Olivia Chi, Ed.M.'17, Ph.D.'20, discusses the ongoing efforts to ensure the quality and stability of the teaching workforce

Lost in Translation

New comparative study from Ph.D. candidate Maya Alkateb-Chami finds strong correlation between low literacy outcomes for children and schools teaching in different language from home

20 Great Doctoral Scholarships in Education

• Published February 28, 2016
• Last Updated October 4, 2023

Earning a PhD in education or an EdD can be expensive. Doctoral scholarships in education can help make these programs affordable.

A doctorate in education requires four to six years of full-time graduate study. It is most common to earn a master’s in education before earning your doctorate in education. The first step for doctoral students is to choose a specialization. Next is:

• completing advanced coursework
• internships
• comprehensive exams,
• dissertation research.

EdD programs tend to be lighter on research than PhD programs.

Those with a PhD in education tend to teach at the college level or go into administration. A PhD in education qualifies you for jobs in

• education supervision
• administration\ policy making.

The following are 20 great doctoral scholarships in education. These scholarships are offered by a variety of sources. All have the goal of helping nurture leaders in education.

Reviewing the Best Scholarships for Doctorate Students in Education

1. a. harry passow classroom teacher scholarship.

Deadline: April 18th

The A. Harry Passow Classroom Teacher Scholarship is awarded every year. The award is administered by The National Association for Gifted Children. The scholarship is awarded to two licensed K-12 educators training in gifted education at the master’s or doctoral level. Eligible members must display excellence in teaching gifted youth in diverse classrooms. Applications must include:

• two letters of recommendation
• evidence of enrollment

A. Harry Passow Classroom Teacher Scholarship 1331 H Street NW Suite 1001 Washington, DC 20005 (202) 785-4268 [email protected] Scholarship Link

2. AERA Minority Dissertation Fellowship

Deadline: November 2nd

The American Educational Research Association (AERA) offers the $20,000 Minority Dissertation Fellowship. This scholarship is for students who aree:

• Pacific Islander

Eligible U.S. doctoral students must be starting their dissertation on an education research topic. Topic examples include:

• STEM development
• high stakes testing
• curriculum design

Fellows may present their research at the AERA Annual Meeting.

AERA Minority Dissertation Fellowship 1430 K Street NW Suite 1200 Washington, DC 20005 (202) 238-3200 [email protected] Scholarship Link

3. Antonio Cirino Memorial Art Education Award

Deadline: April 29th

The Antonio Cirino Memorial Art Education Award ranges from $2,000 to $12,000. The scholarship is awarded by the Rhode Island Foundation to artists pursuing a master’s or PhD degree in art education. Recipients must intend to teach at the K-12, undergraduate, or graduate level. Qualified applicants must live in Rhode Island and exhibit financial need. They must also be active in the artistic community and provide five artwork samples. Students attending the Rhode Island School of Design aren’t eligible.

Antonio Cirino Memorial Art Education Award 1 Union Station Providence, RI 02903 (401) 427-4011 [email protected] Scholarship Link

4. Carmelita K. Williams Graduate Scholarship

Deadline: December 15th

The Carmelita K. Williams Graduate Scholarship exists to honor the past IRA president. The $2,500 scholarship is awarded by the Virginia State Reading Association. Students must be enrolled in master’s or doctoral level programs for reading education. Eligible applicants must have been VSRA members for at least one year. They must be state licensed teachers. They must work in a K-12 position where reading is an instructional focus. And they must seek extra reading endorsements and exemplify professionalism.

Carmelita K. Williams Graduate Scholarship 48 Crooked Spur Road Millboro, VA 24460 (804) 287-6678 [email protected] Scholarship Link

5. Donald H. and Verna S. Duncan Fellowship

Deadline: June 1st

Phi Delta Kappa International offers the Donald H. and Verna S. Duncan Fellowship to support PDK members. Members must be enrolled full-time in an accredited educational leadership program. The program must be either master’s or PhD level. Candidates must intend to become elementary, secondary, or university public school administrators. Applications must include:

• graduate transcripts
• a position paper.

Donald H. and Verna S. Duncan Fellowship 1525 Wilson Blvd. Suite 705 Arlington, VA 22209 (800) 766-1156 [email protected] Scholarship Link

6. Education Pioneers Fellowship Program

Deadline: February 12th

The Education Pioneers Fellowship Program has helped over 3,000 teachers afford graduate school. To be eligible, students must be working toward an MEd, PhD, or EdD. The focus must be on transforming student development. Eligible candidates must hold a bachelor’s degree in education. They must be enrolled at an accredited U.S. university. They are required to have at least two years of full-time teaching experience. Finalists must complete an in-person or phone interview with an EP staff member.

Education Pioneers Fellowship Program 360 22nd Street Suite 220 Oakland, CA 94612 (510) 893-4374 [email protected] Scholarship Link

7. Esther Katz Rosen Fund Grant

Deadline: March 1st

The Esther Katz Rozen Fund Grant is the product of a generous bequest. It is administered by the American Psychological Association. The grant provides up to $50,000 per year. Eligible PhD students must be researching education for gifted and talented children. Qualifying majors include:

• child psychology
• school psychology

Research proposals must include:

• the abstract
• methodology
• IRB approval.

Esther Katz Rosen Fund Grant 750 First Street NE Washington, DC 20002 (202) 336-5843 [email protected] Scholarship Link

8. Finis E. Engleman Scholarship Award

Deadline: October 15th

The Finis E. Engleman Scholarship Award gives $2,500 per year to an outstanding scholar. The student must be pursuing a graduate degree in educational administration. The end goal of the recipient must be to become a school superintendent. Applicants will submit:

• three essay responses
• two letters of endorsement
• official transcripts.

Other AASA doctoral scholarships in education include the Forrest E. Connor Award and Paul B. Salmon Award.

Finis E. Engleman Scholarship Award 1615 Duke Street Alexandria, VA 22314 (703) 875-0723 [email protected] Scholarship Link

9. Hollis L. Caswell Laureate Scholarship

Deadline: May 1st

Kappa Delta Pi has established several PhD scholarships in education for active members. These include the Hollis L. Caswell Laureate Scholarship. Candidates for this $2,000 award must be pursuing a PhD in curriculum and instruction. The student must be attending a participating U.S. university full-time. The application requires:

• an official transcript
• reference letter

The essay topic must describe how they plan to positively influence school curriculum.

Hollis L. Caswell Laureate Scholarship 3707 Woodview Trace Indianapolis, IN 46268 (800) 284-3167 [email protected] Scholarship Link

10. Larry E. Frase Scholarship Fund

The Larry E. Frase Scholarship Fund is another PhD scholarship in education from the PDK International. The $2,500 per year scholarship is available to teachers in a qualifying U.S doctoral program. Candidates must have a teaching license. Professional classroom experience is also required. Students must maintain a GPA of 3.5. Three recommendation letters must be submitted as part of the application process. Students must show a commitment to improving academic performance among students.

Larry E. Frase Scholarship Fund 1525 Wilson Blvd. Suite 705 Arlington, VA 22209 (800) 766-1156 [email protected] Scholarship Link

11. L. Gordon Bittle Memorial Scholarships

Deadline: February 5th

The L. Gordon Bittle Memorial Scholarships are awarded by the California Teachers Association. Three $5,000 scholarships are awarded to full-time graduate students. Their program must lead to teacher credentials in public education. Eligible master’s or PhD students must be CTA members. They must be enrolled full-time at an accredited California college. Students must also maintain a GPA of 3.0. The highest scoring applicants receive the Philip Vera Cruz Pacific Asian American Scholarship.

L. Gordon Bittle Memorial Scholarships P.O. Box 921 Burlingame, CA 94011 (650) 552-5446 [email protected] Scholarship Link

12. McKnight Doctoral Fellowship Program

Deadline: January 15th

The McKnight Doctoral Fellowship Program awards $17,000 to Black and Hispanic PhD students. The annual scholarship is administered by the Florida Education Fund. Students must be attending one of nine participating Florida universities. Eligible candidates must be Florida residents and hold U.S. citizenship. Applicants must already have a regionally accredited bachelor’s degree. The award is only available to students who plan to become college professors. Preference is given to students working on a PhD in:

• agriculture education.

McKnight Doctoral Fellowship Program 201 East Kennedy Blvd. Tampa, FL 33602 (813) 272-2772 [email protected] Scholarship Link

13. Nadeen Burkeholder Williams Music Scholarship

Deadline: April 1st

Pi Lambda Theta awards the Nadeen Burkeholder Williams Music Scholarship each year. The $1,000 goes to to outstanding K-12 music teachers in a graduate education program. The master’s or PhD program must be for music education. To be eligible, teachers must hold valid education certification. At least one year of full-time classroom experience is also required. Students must maintain a GPA of 3.5 and write a 1,000-word essay titled “The Qualities of an Excellent Music Teacher.”

Nadeen Burkeholder Williams Music Scholarship P.O. Box 7888 Bloomington, IN 47407 (812) 339-1156 [email protected] Scholarship Link

14. NAEd Spencer Dissertation Fellowships

Deadline: October 1st

Each year, the National Academy of Education (NAEd) awards 35 Spencer Dissertation Fellowships. These fellowships award $27,500 each to extraordinary scholars. The awards go to researchers studying the history, theory, analysis, or practice of formal education. Eligible recipients must have completed all pre-dissertation requirements. They must attend a graduate school in the United States. They must submit a research proposal and be supported by two reference letters. Finally, their goal must be to have a career in education research.

NAEd Spencer Dissertation Fellowships 500 Fifth Street NW Washington, DC 20001 (202) 334-2341 [email protected] Scholarship Link

15. PDK Past Presidents’ Graduate Fellowship

The PDK Past Presidents’ Graduate Fellowship is open to active Phi Delta Kappa members. They must be enrolled in an accredited graduate program leading to a master’s, PhD, or EdD degree in education. Applicants must submit an online application with graduate transcripts. A one-paragraph summary of their PDK involvement is also required. Applicants will need two recommendations. Applicants must write a 1,000-word paper highlighting their professional goals in education.

PDK Past Presidents’ Graduate Fellowship 1525 Wilson Blvd. Suite 705 Arlington, VA 22209 (800) 766-1156 [email protected] Scholarship Link

16. Pi Lambda Theta Graduate Student Scholar Award

Since 1993, the Pi Lambda Theta Graduate Student Scholar Award is offered every year. The $1,000 award is offered to members and non-members alike. They must be pursuing a master’s, specialist, or doctoral degree in education. Eligible nominees must have completed at least 12 graduate credits of their program. They must also maintain GPA of 3.5 or higher. Students must display potential for leadership and attend a U.S. college. They are looking for those who have made significant contributions to local or national education efforts.

Pi Lambda Theta Graduate Student Scholar Award P.O. Box 7888 Bloomington, IN 47407 (812) 339-1156 [email protected] Scholarship Link

17. Richard M. Weaver Fellowship Program

Deadline: January 23rd

The Intercollegiate Studies Institute (ISI) hosts the Richard M. Weaver Fellowship Program. This annual program provides 15 awards for $5,000, $10,000, and $15,000 to U.S. citizens who are enrolled in a doctoral program. Students must be enrolled full-time and plan to teach at the university level. Applicants must be a current ISI member. Applicants must submit a five-page autobiography and 10-page writing sample. The program also requires:

• three letters of recommendation.

Richard M. Weaver Fellowship Program 3901 Centerville Road Wilmington, DE 19807 (800) 526-7022 [email protected] Scholarship Link

18. Ruth Crymes TESOL Fellowship for Graduate Study

Deadline: November 1st

The Ruth Crymes TESOL fellowship gives students $1,500 to help pay for their degree. The fellowship is for members of the TESOL International Association. Members must be enrolled in an accredited master’s or doctoral ELL interventions program. The award is specifically to help with ELL related research. Applications must include a 1,250-word project proposal. Students must also submit a letter of recommendation and brief personal statement.

Ruth Crymes TESOL Fellowship for Graduate Study 1925 Ballenger Avenue Suite 550 Alexandria, VA 22314 (703) 836-0774 [email protected] Scholarship Link

19. STEM Teachers for America’s Future Scholarship

Deadline: April 22nd

The AFCEA Educational Foundation awards the STEM Teachers for America’s Future Scholarship. $2,500 to $5,000 are awarded each year. Eligible students must be pursuing a master’s, specialist, or doctoral degree for teaching STEM subjects in K-12 schools. Candidates must be U.S. citizens and attend an accredited college on-campus. Students must take at least two classes per semester and maintain a minimum GPA of 3.5.

STEM Teachers for America’s Future Scholarship 4400 Fair Lakes Court Fairfax, VA 22033 (800) 336-4583 [email protected] Scholarship Link

20. Women in Geographic Education Scholarship

Deadline: February 1st

The Women in Geographic Education Scholarship is offered by the NCGE. The $1,000 award goes to women who are pursuing a master’s or PhD degree in geography education. Recipients must intend to teach at the secondary or higher education level. Qualified recipients must attend an accredited U.S. college. They must have completed at least nine graduate credits in geography and maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.5. The applicants will also submit two letters of recommendation.

Women in Geographic Education Scholarship 1101 14th Street Suite 350 Washington, DC 20005 (202) 216-0942 [email protected] Scholarship Link

What are some other sources of funding for my doctoral degree?

The federal government is your best bet. This article focuses on third party scholarships for people earning their doctoral degree. This is because federal student aid for doctoral degrees is pretty scarce. Federal student aid for those earning doctoral degrees is often awarded for specific research. Your doctoral program may have a list of the kinds of funding available, so that would be a great place to check.

Financial assistance at this level often comes through research grants. This is a primary source of government funding at this level. Research assistantships are also sometimes available through your school of education. These can help provide for your living expenses if your doctorate degree is not research focused. We would advise you to check with your school of education for research grants and other forms of financial support.

Financial aid is harder to come by the higher you go in academia. One of the best ways to pay for your doctorate degree is to apply to teach at the school you plan to attend. If you have your master’s degree in education, this is a great option. Often you get discounted or free tuition for pursuing your doctorate if you teach in the same school of education. It is, after all, possible to teach undergraduate students if you have a master’s degree. With financial aid being tough to come by, this is likely your best option.

Any advice on choosing a school?

There are many things to consider when choosing a school to earn your education degree. Financial aid, living expenses, and more should be considered when choosing a doctorate degree. Location is also a factor. It’s no secret teachers don’t make a lot of money. It might be better to aim for a college in an area with lower cost of living. Paying for graduate degrees out of pocket or through loans can be brutal.

Since financial aid is hard to come by, you may end up having to take a job teaching in higher education for the discount. It can also be difficult for international students with all the visa struggles involved. So working as a professor can pull double duty in that regard. If you want to do research, make sure the school’s research areas align with yours. Ask directly about what research grants might be available to you. Make sure you are confident in your school’s intention to help when it comes to financial support.

Is it best to get my doctorate in the same subject as my master’s or should I pick a different subject?

Generally speaking this doesn’t matter so much. It mostly depends on what your aims are. If you want to work in curriculum research or educational research, then curriculum design is a good choice. If you want to become a principle or college administrator, educational leadership is a good choice. In education your graduate degrees don’t really affect which doctoral programs are open to you.

You should be able to gain sufficient financial assistance as long as you use the strategies talked about earlier. So, you won’t hurt yourself by choosing a different area of study from your master’s degree. However, you may be able to cut out some coursework if you do select a doctorate in the same subject.

So really the question is, do you want to pivot to a different area of education, or dive deeper into your area of expertise?

Is student health insurance available to doctoral students?

Student health insurance coverage is available to graduate students. What insurance coverage you have access to may differ depending on your status. Graduate students who work as teaching assistants or professors are employees. So they would likely qualify for employee insurance. Those who are students only are usually provided student health insurance coverage. However, this may only be the case if the school requires students to have it. You should check with your school to be sure.

There’s one thing that most doctoral candidates have in common whether they’re studying:

• business education
• school administration

Dedicating four or more years to PhD or EdD study without a full-time teaching salary is financially draining. Taking on graduate assistantships can help afford tuition while fine-tuning your teaching skills in the college classroom. Scholarships and fellowships will also provide free gift aid to minimize your student loan debt. Let your teacher leadership career grow by funding your degree with these great doctoral scholarships in education.

Related to top scholarships for doctorate in education:

• 50 Best Deals on Competitive Small Colleges
• Top 50 Great Deals on Bachelor’s Degrees Online
• Top 20 Deals on Small Colleges in Texas
• Top 50 Best Colleges in Texas
• 20 Best Deals on Colleges that Don’t Require SAT
• 20 Best Deals: Small Colleges for Athletic Types
• 20 Highest Paying Bachelor Degrees
• 20 Great PhD Scholarships and Doctoral Grants for Minorities

This concludes our listing of the best scholarships for doctorate in education.

Scholarships

College of education scholarships.

Clara McKinney Scholarship  provides a scholarship to a student studying early childhood education with a minimum GPA of 3.0. Consideration will be given to students who reside, or have resided, in the Barstow area.

College of Education Scholarship  provides scholarships to students enrolled in the College of Education.

Dr. Brian E. McDaniel Endowed Education Scholarship  provides support to students pursuing a teaching credential, master's degree or doctorate degree in the College of Education with a minimum 3.0 GPA. Preference will be given to students with financial need and students living in the Coachella Valley.

Dr. Randall Lynn Wright Memorial Scholarship  provides support for students enrolled in a master’s or doctoral degree within the College of Education and who have a 3.0 GPA or higher.

Nicolas D. Ferguson and Sandra J. Ferguson Endowed Education Scholarship Fund  provides support to students enrolled in the College of Education with a minimum 3.0 GPA. Students must demonstrate an interest in Educational Leadership. Financial need considered but not essential.

Pacific Premier Bank Scholarship Honoring Bing Wong for his Leadership in Scholarship Philanthropy is provided to a student enrolled in the master’s program in the College of Education or interested in pursuing a master’s degree, and demonstrates an interest to continue education beyond a master’s degree. Financial need is considered but not essential.

Vairin/Gonzalez Scholarship for the College of Education provides scholarships to students enrolled in the education program with a cumulative 3.0 GPA.

Victress Bower Scholarship  provides support to full-time graduate students pursuing a degree in special education or intending to pursue a career in special education. Students must be permanent residents of Riverside or San Bernardino counties and must have a cumulative 3.0 GPA. Financial need is preferred.

PhD in Educational Leadership Future Faculty Founders: Shape Tomorrow

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Grow Your Teaching and Researching Skills with Liberty’s PhD in Educational Leadership

A successful education system requires outstanding leadership and guidance from the top of the organization. With advanced training in educational leadership and research, Liberty University’s 100% online PhD in Educational Leadership degree program will help you gain valuable communication and problem-solving skills based on empirical research to lead your students, faculty, and staff to success.

Our PhD in Educational Leadership online can provide you with the tools and skills you need to lead an educational administration as well as develop research materials and publications to contribute to the body of knowledge in your field. Through this educational leadership doctorate, you can develop the research-based critical thinking and problem-solving skills necessary to lead at any level of an educational organization.

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Why Choose Liberty’s PhD in Educational Leadership?

Liberty’s online PhD in Educational Leadership can help you build upon your teaching experience and graduate education by developing an in-depth dissertation research topic. You can learn to thoroughly examine literature, design and conduct research, and disseminate said research to other researchers in educational leadership, practitioners, and policymakers.

Furthermore, your educational leadership doctorate is 100% online, which means you are not required to attend courses on campus throughout your degree. We are committed to helping you obtain your degree in a way that is most convenient for you. You will also receive training and instruction from professors who are grounded in their Christian faith and ready to equip you to be a Champion for Christ in the education field.

What Will You Study in Liberty’s PhD in Educational Leadership?

Liberty University’s educational leadership courses integrate theoretical knowledge with the practical skills necessary for effective educational leadership. As you begin our PhD in Educational Leadership degree online, you can learn how to apply organizational theories and models to create and lead higher education organizations and implement best practices. You will also cover issues of effective communication and how to develop productive relationships both inside and outside the school.

Our educational leadership courses teach you how to analyze and evaluate rational and irrational decision-making as it relates to educational leadership and policy formulation. It is important to understand the current issues and trends in educational leadership so you can learn to handle conflict efficiently and effectively.

In addition, you will conduct research and develop your dissertation to contribute to the field of educational leadership. These courses are intense so that you can effectively design and conduct research for your dissertation. This will allow you to take what you’ve gained in your professional degree and apply it to a more focused research doctorate.

Potential Career Opportunities

• College or university administrator
• College or university professor and/or researcher
• District administrator
• Educational change agent
• Educational consultant for an education organization or government agency
• Leadership researcher
• Performance improvement officer
• Principal or assistant principal*

*This will require outside licensure

Featured Courses

• EDUC 701 – Advanced Learning Theory and Research
• EDUC 741 – Theories of Educational Leadership
• EDUC 745 – Organizational Analysis and Problem Solving
• EDUC 840 – Issues and Trends in Educational Leadership

Degree Information

• This program falls under our School of Education .
• View the Graduate Education Course Guides (login required) .
• This is a non-licensure program.

Degree Completion Plan (PDF)

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Eligible current and former military service members and their spouses may qualify for a special rate of $300/credit hour ( learn more ) .

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Admission Information for Our Online PhD in Educational Leadership

Admission requirements.

• A non-refundable, non-transferable $50 application fee will be posted on the current application upon enrollment (waived for qualifying service members, veterans, and military spouses – documentation verifying military status is required) .
• Send official college transcripts (mailed as sealed, unopened copies or sent via a direct electronic transcript system). A regionally or nationally accredited master’s degree with at least a 3.0 GPA is required for admission in good standing.
• An acceptable official college transcript must be issued directly from the institution in a sealed envelope with a signature across the back. If you have one in your possession, it must meet the same requirements. You may also complete the Transcript Request Form to allow Liberty to attempt to request your transcripts on your behalf.
• Applicants whose native language is other than English must submit official scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or an approved alternative assessment. For information on alternative assessments or TOEFL waivers, please call Admissions or view the official International Admissions policy .

Preliminary Acceptance

If you are sending in a preliminary transcript for acceptance, you must:

• Be in your final term and planning to start your doctoral degree after the last day of class for your master’s degree.
• Complete a Master’s Self-Certification Form confirming your completion date. You may download the form from the Forms and Downloads page or contact an admissions counselor to submit the form on your behalf.
• Submit an official transcript to confirm that you are in your final term. The preliminary transcript must show that you are within 6 credit hours of completion for a 30-48 credit hour master’s degree or within 9 credit hours of completion for a 49+ credit hour master’s degree.
• Send in an additional, final official transcript with a conferral date on it by the end of your first semester of enrollment in the new doctoral degree.

Transcript Policies

Official college transcript policy.

An acceptable official college transcript is one that has been issued directly from the institution and is in a sealed envelope. If you have one in your possession, it must meet the same requirements. If your previous institution offers electronic official transcript processing, they can send the document directly to [email protected] .

Admissions Office Contact Information

(800) 424-9596

(888) 301-3577

Email for Questions

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Email for Documents

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Liberty University is dedicated to providing world-class educational experiences to military students across the globe.

Who May Qualify?

• Active Duty
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Military Tuition Discount

We want to help you find the doctoral degree you want – at a price you’ve earned. As a thank-you for your military service, Liberty University offers eligible current and former service members like you or your spouse multiple pathways to earn a doctoral degree for only $300/credit hour . Find out how you can take advantage of this unique opportunity as you work toward your goal of reaching the pinnacle of your profession – for less.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many educational research courses are required in the online phd program.

Our online PhD program requires 18 hours in educational research courses. Completing your PhD gives you a terminal educational credential that shows employers you have reached the academic pinnacle of your field’s achievement.

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Educational Leadership, Research and Technology

Scholarships.

Eligibility criteria for the Department of Educational Leadership, Research and Technology scholarships are listed below.

Award amounts are determined by the endowment and distributed starting the following fall semester.

Application instructions

The scholarship application window is December 1 through February 15 for the following academic year.

To apply for these and other scholarships, please access WMU’s  ScholarshipUniverse system . To be considered for scholarships with financial need criteria, you must have submitted a  FAFSA application  for the upcoming academic year. The federal school code for Western Michigan University is 002330. If you do not complete the FAFSA, you are still eligible to apply for consideration for scholarships without financial need criteria.

To view college and departmental scholarships, use the advanced search to filter by organization (College of Education and Human Development). Submitting one CEHD application will consider you for all college-level scholarships you are eligible for. We recommend completing as many matching questions in the system as possible and completing your FAFSA before applying in order to ensure you are considered for as many scholarships as possible. You can also answer matching questions by clicking into individual CEHD/departmental scholarships before submitting your application.

CEHD scholarship tutorial video:

View the ScholarshipUniverse instructions .

Robert O. Brinkerhoff Endowed Scholarship for organizational change leadership

• Must be pursuing a master’s degree in organizational change leadership, full- or part-time
• Must have a minimum 3.0 GPA at the time of application
• Special consideration given to adult students who have experience living or working in diverse environments
• Preference given to single parents

Scholarship is renewable for a period of up to one year only if the entire award amount was not used in the first year,  provided student remains a full- or part-time student in the M.A. in organizational change leadership program and has satisfactory academic progress.

Van E. Cooley Memorial Scholarship for educational leadership

• Must be a student in the Department of Educational Leadership, Research and Technology, full- or part-time
• Must maintain a GPA of 3.5 or above
• Must engage in meaningful academic research or innovative projects aimed at improving K-12 education
• Must collaborate with a school system similar in nature to which Western Michigan University participates with
• Must utilize technology to link the foregoing for advancing K-12 student learning

Misner Family Endowment for educational leadership

• Must be a first-year graduate student pursuing a master’s degree in educational leadership full- or part-time
• Preference given to students who are current or former public school employees in Southwest Michigan
• Preference given to eligible students who demonstrate financial need

Scholarship is renewable for a period of up to one year only if the entire award amount was not used in the first year,  provided student remains a full- or part-time student in the M.A. in educational leadership program and has satisfactory academic progress.

Pratley Family Scholarship and Schau family endowment for educational leadership

• Must demonstrate demonstrate financial need

Don and Helen Weaver Endowment for community education

• Must be a doctoral student in the educational leadership program
• Must demonstrate their activity and background in the area of school-community relations and other topics related to community education

Scholarship is renewable for a period of up to one year only if the entire award amount was not used in the first year, provided student remains in the Ph.D. in educational leadership program and has satisfactory academic progress.

college of education and human development scholarships

Additional scholarships are available through the College of Education and Human Development .

WMU scholarships and grants

Additional scholarships and grants are available through the WMU Office of Student Financial Aid .

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Top 86 Leadership Scholarships in May 2024

Lisa Freedland is a Scholarships360 writer with personal experience in psychological research and content writing. She has written content for an online fact-checking organization and has conducted research at the University of Southern California as well as the University of California, Irvine. Lisa graduated from the University of Southern California in Fall 2021 with a degree in Psychology.

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Involvement in your community, both at school and more broadly, looks great to colleges. This is especially true if you’ve performed any leadership role – colleges want people who are passionate about making a change. If you fit this description (at all – “leadership” is broader than you think!), keep on reading to learn about how you can fund your college journey with leadership scholarships!.

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The Scholarships360 Research Team reviews all scholarships individually and strives to exclude any scholarship where any of the below applies:

• The scholarship requires a fee to apply
• The scholarship provider’s privacy policy allows for the misuse of student data
• The scholarship requires paid membership in an organization (with certain exceptions for reputable trade organizations and others)
• Student are required to sign up for a site or service to apply*
• The scholarship seems primarily used for lead generation** or idea harvesting purposes***
• The scholarship website has many grammatical errors and/or advertisements
• The scholarship or scholarship providing organization seem untrustworthy
• There is no evidence the scholarship was previously awarded
• The scholarship has not been awarded in the past 12 months
• There is no available contact information

If you believe a scholarship has been published in error, please reach out to [email protected] and we’ll take a look!

* There are certain exceptions to this, for example if the sponsoring organization is a major corporation or nonprofit with its own scholarship application system. ** Lead generation scholarships will require students to sign up for an app or website and require minimal (if any) application requirements. ***Idea harvesting scholarships will require students to submit blog posts or other materials that companies may use for marketing purposes.

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SMYAL LGBT Youth Leadership Awards

Offered by SMYAL (Supporting and Mentoring Youth Advocates and Leaders)

Are you a college-bound high school senior or graduate under the age of 24 who is part of the LGBTQ+ community and from the Washington… Show More

Are you a college-bound high school senior or graduate under the age of 24 who is part of the LGBTQ+ community and from the Washington DC Metro Area? If so, the SMYAL LGBT Youth Leadership Awards may be a great opportunity for you! Each year, the awards grants up to $5,000 to 5-8 LGBTQ+ students from the DC Metro Area who have demonstrated impressive leadership either in their schools or local communities. Leadership may include, but is not limited to, participating in/leading a student club, supporting their community or friends through the pandemic, working in the community to increase education and awareness, involvement in social movements like BLM, climate action, gun control, etc., hosting conversations at a religious or community-based organization, involvement in political advocacy, or arts activism. If you're an LGBTQ+ student leader under the age of 24 who will be starting their undergraduate journey in the Fall, we encourage you to apply! Keep on reading to learn more. Show Less

Niche $25,000 “No Essay” Scholarship This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

Offered by Niche

Easy scholarship open to all high school and college students, as well as anyone looking to attend college or graduate school in the next year!

Stephen Phillips Memorial Scholarship

Offered by The Stephen Phillips Memorial Scholarship Fund

Are you pursuing a bachelor’s degree and are from New England? If so, you might be interested in applying for the Stephen Phillips Memorial Scholarship!… Show More

Are you pursuing a bachelor’s degree and are from New England? If so, you might be interested in applying for the Stephen Phillips Memorial Scholarship! The scholarship is open to permanent residents of New England who are entering or returning to an accredited undergraduate institution and demonstrate financial need. The Stephen Phillips Memorial Scholarship Fund is proud to offer this scholarship to help students attend college without accumulating debt. The scholarship is in honor of Stephen Philips, a Massachusetts family man who was involved in the merchant sailing era of Salem following the American Revolution. Every year, the scholarship awards up to $17,000 to help multiple New England residents cover their tuition costs. If you are a New England resident looking for a scholarship opportunity, we encourage you to apply! Show Less

The General Montgomery (Monty) C. Meigs Scholarship

Offered by The Folded Flag Foundation

The General Montgomery (Monty) C. Meigs Scholarship is annually awarded to a high school or college student who, through excelling both in the classroom and… Show More

The General Montgomery (Monty) C. Meigs Scholarship is annually awarded to a high school or college student who, through excelling both in the classroom and on the field and striving to help others through selfless service, demonstrates the outstanding characteristics of Monty Meigs. General Montgomery Meigs, or Monty to his friends, was an extraordinary leader who was respected and admired. Throughout his life, he was in the army, taught students as a professor, and even served as a military consultant to the Pentagon to reduce the number of US casualties from IEDs. If you're a current or incoming college student who strives to help others, like Monty, we encourage you to apply! Keep on reading to learn more. Show Less

$25k “Be Bold” No-Essay Scholarship This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

Offered by Bold.org

Open to high school students, college students, community college students, and graduate students.

Portland Chinese Scholarship Foundation Scholarship

Offered by Portland Chinese Scholarship Foundation

Are you a college-bound high school senior of Chinese descent (at least 25%) who has been attending an Oregon high school for at least two… Show More

Are you a college-bound high school senior of Chinese descent (at least 25%) who has been attending an Oregon high school for at least two years/four semseters? If so, you may be eligible for the Portland Chinese Scholarship Foundation Scholarship! Each year, the scholarship awards between $500 and $3,000 to Oregon high school seniors of Chinese descent who hold a minimum 2.75 GPA and show excellence in academics, community service, and leadership. The scholarships will be awarded on any or a combination of: academic performance, community service and leadership activities, financial need and work ethic, and athletic achievements. If this sounds like a good opportunity for you, we encourage you to apply! Keep on reading to learn more. Show Less

Against The Grain Artistic Scholarship

Offered by Against the Grain Productions

Are you a high school senior or college student of at least 25% Asian of Pacific Islander heritage who is (or will be) pursuing a… Show More

Are you a high school senior or college student of at least 25% Asian of Pacific Islander heritage who is (or will be) pursuing a major in a performing or visual art field, journalism, and/or mass communications? If so, the Against the Grain Artistic Scholarship may be a great opportunity for you! Each year, the scholarship awards $1,000 to an Asian/Pacific Islander applicant with an impressive artistic portfolio and thoughtful essay about their art. The scholarship is funded by Against the Grain Productions, an organization dedicated to promoting leadership, unity, and artistry in the Asian American community. If you would like to display your artwork while receiving financial help for college, we encourage you to apply! Show Less

$10,000 CollegeXpress Scholarship This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

Offered by CollegeXpress

Annual $10k scholarship from CollegeXpress open to all high school freshmen, sophomores, and juniors.

Mark Neiswander “110” Memorial Scholarship

Introducing the Mark Neiswander "110" Memorial Scholarship, a tribute to the remarkable life of a loving father from Urbana, Ohio. Mark's unwavering commitment to his… Show More

Introducing the Mark Neiswander "110" Memorial Scholarship, a tribute to the remarkable life of a loving father from Urbana, Ohio. Mark's unwavering commitment to his family and community served as his guiding light. Inspired by the electrifying spirit of The Ohio University Marching 110, renowned as the "Most Exciting Band in the Land," this scholarship embodies Mark's tireless work ethic and the essence of the 110%. Mark cherished his tight-knit hometown and believed in giving back. Now, this scholarship aims to empower students from small Ohio towns to pursue higher education. If you're a high school senior or undergraduate student in Ohio who showcases leadership, volunteering experience, or academic excellence, seize this opportunity. To apply, share your pride in being an American, the change you aspire to see in our nation, and how you plan to make that change a reality. Show Less

COF Fraternal Scholarship

Offered by Catholic Order of Foresters

Are you a prospective or current college student and member of the Catholic Order of Foresters (COF)? If so, you might be interested in applying… Show More

Are you a prospective or current college student and member of the Catholic Order of Foresters (COF)? If so, you might be interested in applying for the COF Fraternal Scholarship! The scholarship is open to COF members who host a "Feeding God Children's" event, participate in COF's "Alternative Break", or serve as a religious instructor at any level. The Catholic Order of Foresters, a society of fraternal benefit in the U.S., offers the scholarship to help its members through financial support and service to the Catholic community. Every year, COF selects multiple applicants to receive $1,000 to use toward their college or university of choice. If you're a college student passionate about your Catholic faith, we encourage you to apply! Show Less

$1,000 Appily Easy College Money Scholarship This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

Offered by Appily

This easy scholarship from Appily is open to U.S. high school students (Class of 2025, 2026, 2027) and college transfer students. One scholarship will be… Show More

This easy scholarship from Appily is open to U.S. high school students (Class of 2025, 2026, 2027) and college transfer students. One scholarship will be awarded each month. Show Less

Momeni Foundation Scholastic Achievement Scholarship

Offered by Momeni Foundation

Are you a college-bound high school senior of Iranian descent? If so, consider applying for the Momeni Foundation's Scholastic Achievement Scholarship! Each year, the scholarship… Show More

Are you a college-bound high school senior of Iranian descent? If so, consider applying for the Momeni Foundation's Scholastic Achievement Scholarship! Each year, the scholarship awards $1,000 to at least three (3) college-bound students of Iranian descent who submit the best ~500-word essays describing their goals and plans, and what has motivated them to follow these goals and plans. In addition, interested students must hold a minimum 3.5 GPA and submit a resume and an official copy of their latest transcript. If you're of Iranian descent and are currently enrolled in or will soon be enrolled in an undergraduate program, we encourage you to apply! Keep on reading to learn more. Show Less

Granite Edvance Scholarships

Offered by Granite Edvance

Are you a returning undergraduate student (non-freshman) and New Hampshire resident who is enrolled in college at least half-time? Further, do you have a minimum… Show More

Are you a returning undergraduate student (non-freshman) and New Hampshire resident who is enrolled in college at least half-time? Further, do you have a minimum 2.5 GPA? If so, the Granite Edvance Scholarships may be a great opportunity for you! There are four types of Granite Edvance Scholarships available: The Granite Edvance Community Service Scholarship, The Granite Edvance Academic Excellence Scholarship, The Granite Edvance Leadership Scholarship, and The Granite Edvance Opportunity Scholarship for first-generation college students. To apply, interested students must submit an essay answering one of the types of scholarships' respective prompts. If you're a New Hampshire resident enrolled in an undergraduate program more than half-time, we encourage you to apply! Keep on reading to learn more. Show Less

$5,000 Christian Connector Scholarship This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

Offered by Christian Connector

Students applying to the $5,000 Christian Connector Scholarship must be current high school students (Class of 2025, 2026, or 2027) interested in attending a Christian…

Students applying to the $5,000 Christian Connector Scholarship must be current high school students (Class of 2025, 2026, or 2027) interested in attending a Christian university or college.

L.I.F.E. Scholarships

Offered by Lupus Inspiration Foundation for Excellence

Are you a full- or part-time undergraduate or graduate (excluding PhD) student with a systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) diagnosis? If so, the L.I.F.E. Scholarships might… Show More

Are you a full- or part-time undergraduate or graduate (excluding PhD) student with a systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) diagnosis? If so, the L.I.F.E. Scholarships might be a great opportunity for you! Dedicated to bringing attention to lupus itself and supporting students affected by the disease, the scholarship awards at least $500 to multiple students each year. In order to apply, you must submit an approximately 500-word essay detailing how lupus has affected your life, in addition to other required materials. If you’re passionate about lupus awareness and want some helping pay for college, we encourage you to apply! Show Less

Jim Ott Scholarship

Offered by Sponsors of Musical Enrichment

Are you a current or incoming undergraduate student who is a part of Drum Corps and is or will be majoring in music in college?… Show More

Are you a current or incoming undergraduate student who is a part of Drum Corps and is or will be majoring in music in college? If so, you may be eligible for the Jim Ott Scholarship! This scholarship, named in honor of the legendary Jim Ott, renowned for his brilliant brass arrangements for Drum & Bugle Corps such as the Stockton Commodores, Concord Blue Devils, and Spirit of Atlanta Drum & Bugle Corps, annually awards $5,000 to one impressive current or incoming college student who is part of a Drum Corps. If this sounds like a good opportunity for you, and you'd like to honor Jim's legacy, we encourage you to apply! Keep on reading to learn more. Show Less

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How to win leadership scholarships

Resources for students studying leadership, frequently asked questions about leadership scholarships, other scholarship categories to explore.

As with any type of scholarship, it’s important to put your best foot forward when writing an essay for a leadership scholarship. This is your chance to show scholarship committees what you bring to the table. You should write about your past leadership experiences, what being a leader means to you, and how you plan to evolve as a leader moving forward. And remember to let your personality shine through! Scholarship committees review huge amounts of applications, so it’s important to write something that stands out. 

Fortunately, we have a multitude of resources designed to help you do just that! These include guides on how to write a winning essay , how to write an essay about yourself , and how to start an essay and how to end an essay . Essays are one of the most important parts of your scholarship application, so give them the time and attention they deserve!

For more advice on winning scholarships, check out our ultimate guide to finding and winning scholarships . And don’t forget about local scholarships, either. These scholarships are less competitive, which means they’re easier to win! Our guide on how to win local scholarships will get you started in the right direction. 

As a young student leader, it’s important to find ways to develop your leadership skills. Here are a few resources worth checking out if you’re interested in becoming a better leader: 

Leadership style assessments

Understanding your personal leadership style is the first step to becoming a better leader. Check out the following quizzes to discover your own style:

• USC’s Interactive Leadership Style Assessment
• Leadership Assessment Questionnaire by Optimal Thinking
• How good are your leadership skills? 

The following TED Talks offer some great insights on how to become a better leader:

• Simon Sinek, How great leaders inspire action
• Brené Brown, The power of vulnerability
• Julian Treasure, How to speak so that people want to listen
• Susan Cain, The power of introverts
• Roselinde Torres, What it takes to be a great leader

How do you show leadership for scholarships?

Leadership can show many forms. It could be seen in involvement in your community through service, or leadership positions in school clubs or extracurriculars. Even independent projects which show initiative and innovation can count as leadership. Each leadership scholarship has its own definition of the term. However, it is never a bad bet to find some organizations and take on some responsibility at them.

What is the Chick-fil-A Leadership Scholarship?

Chick-fil-A offers a leadership scholarship to its team members that amounts to $2,500 per year over a maximum of four years. That means that as long as its recipients continue to work at Chick-fil-A, they can earn up to $10,000 in scholarship money. They require that recipients maintain a 2.5 GPA and participate in community service.

• Top scholarships for women
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• No essay scholarships
• Top community service scholarships

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