This guide is meant to be an informal resource for graduate students to help identify and apply for funding outside of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). It is not exhaustive.
This document includes funding opportunities for individuals from identified underrepresented demographics. It is not our intention to exclude individuals from groups not listed. If you are aware of funding opportunities not listed for individuals like you or from other backgrounds, please email ohsgrad@uw.edu so that it can considered for addition to this document.
Databases
UW Students: Graduate Funding Information Service (GFIS) maintains a funding blog that posts both UW-specific and external funding opportunities appropriate to new or continuing graduate students, including tuition, travel, conference, and research funding options.
Opportunities are posted on a rolling basis, approximately 4-6 weeks before the relevant deadlines, so keeping up with the blog will ensure you are aware of major graduate funding sources.
Some sections of the GFIS website and linked resources are available only to currently enrolled students, including the large GrantForward database. However, GFIS also connects users to publicly accessible funding databases, such as the UCLA Graduate and Postdoctoral Extramural Support (GRAPES) database and the MSU Grants to Individuals site.
The WashBoard.org helps connect Washington state students with in-state scholarship opportunities.
Funding by Demographic
General
- Mortar Board Alumni/Tolo Foundation Scholarships
- UW Multicultural Alumni Partnership Scholarship
- UW Graduate School’s Office of Fellowships and Awards
Diversity Awards, international-student eligible and doctoral-specific awards are noted on their List of Fellowships
Asian American
BIPOC
- UW Graduate School’s Office of Graduate Student Equity & Excellence
- UW Office of Fellowships and Awards -Diversity Awards: List of Fellowships
Black Female-Identifying
Iranian American
Jewish
- Hillel at the UW offers scholarships for Jewish students with established ties with Hillel at the UW
Korean American
Latinx
- Hispanic Scholarship Fund
- UW Latino/a Scholars Graduate School Fellowship
- La Unidad Latina Foundation Scholarships
LGBTQIA+
- The Greater Seattle Business Association (GSBA) Scholarship Fund awards scholarships to LGBTQ and allied students who exhibit eadership potential, demonstrate strong academic abilities, and are actively involved in school and community organizations.
- The Out to Innovate Scholarships focus on STEM or STEM-related and bioscience undergrad and graduate students.
- The Point Foundation Scholars Program offers funding to promising lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer students in financial need so that they can achieve their full academic and leadership potential.
- The Pride Foundation offers over 50 different types of scholarships to students who are residents of a Northwest state through a single application. All funds promote leadership and diversity in the LGBTQ community.
- STEPS offers scholarships and resources for LGBTQ students to explore
- Stonewall Community Foundation Traub-Dicker Rainbow Scholarship supports lesbian women pursuing higher education, including graduate school.
Muslim
- The Dr and Mrs. Amir-Hossein Naini Graduate School Scholarship Fund exists to assist those who are seeking a U.S. graduate degree in any discipline who have shown the potential for great vision, leadership and professionalism in serving Muslim and non- Muslim communities.
Native American/Alaska Native
- American Indian College Fund
- American Indian Graduate Center
- American Indian Higher Education Consortium
- Cobell Scholarship
- American Indian Endowed Scholarship
- Morris K. Udall and John S. McCain III Native American Graduate Fellowship for students pursuing advanced degrees in health care fields
New Americans
Students Living with Disabilities
- The American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) and American Council of the Blind (ACB) have partnered together to offer educational scholarships ranging from $2,000 to $7,500 for those attending university as an entering graduate student.
- The Fred Scheigert Scholarship Program Awarding three (3) students an individual prize of $3,000, this competitive scholarship is available to full-time college students with low vision, chosen from among those who meet the visual acuity and academic guidelines.
- Incight Scholarships are available for grad students living with various disabilities; limited to WA, OR and CA residents.
- Honoring those living with cystic fibrosis, the AbbVie CF Scholarship Program offers Master’s level scholarships.
Veterans & Active-Duty Military Service Members
- Tillman Military Scholars Program supports our nation’s active-duty service members, veterans and military spouses by investing in their higher education. The scholarship covers tuition and fees, books and living expenses for FT students.
- Veterans United Foundation Scholarship is for surviving spouses or children of military killed in action and veterans with service-connected disabilities.
Women
- Alpha Kappa Alpha Educational Advancement Foundation, Inc.
- American Association for University Women (AAUW): dissertation, postdoctoral, and short-term research publication grant opportunities American Fellowships – AAUW : Empowering Women Since 1881
- Soroptimist International of Seattle Avys Hathaway Scholarship Endowment Award
- Patsy Mink Foundation Education Support Award
- Washington State Business and Professional Women’s Foundation Scholarships
- MPower Financing’s Women in STEM Scholarship supports international/DACA female students in the sciences.