25 Speech Pathology Scholarships for Graduate Students
Speech-language pathologists, also known as speech therapists, diagnose and treat patients’ communication disorders. These disorders include but are not limited to the effects of physical injury or Autism Spectrum Disorder. As so many medical conditions can impede people’s communication skills, speech therapists must complete a rigorous master’s program and earn a license in their home state. From starting a program to receiving a license, the process can take four or more years (i.e., two years to earn a degree and two or more years to meet a state’s experience requirement).
Earning a graduate degree can be a heavy financial burden, and as a result, many speech therapists-in-training turn to scholarships to reduce their debt burden. This article highlights 25 scholarship opportunities that might help you pay for your degree should you qualify and be selected. Each scholarship includes a brief description, the award amount, and a link to the scholarship website. As you read, please keep in mind that some information may have changed since this article’s publication (November 2019)
Advanced Travel Therapy Scholarship
Amount: $5,000 (two awards)
Description: Advanced Travel Therapy accepts applications from current physical therapy, speech-language pathology, and occupational therapy graduate students. Applicants need only submit a single form by the Dec. 5 deadline. Graduate students can explore other financial aid programs on the Advanced Travel Therapy website.
To Apply: Visit the Advanced Travel Therapy Website to Apply
American Speech-Language-Hearing Foundation Graduate Student Scholarship
Amount: $5,000 (up to 15 awards)
Description: The American Speech-Language-Hearing Foundation boasts multiple scholarship opportunities on its website. The Graduate Student Scholarship accepts applications from master’s and doctoral students pursuing degrees in the communication sciences. Students earning a clinical or research degree can apply.
American Speech-Language-Hearing Foundation Minority Student Scholarship
Amount: $5,000 (up to 15 awards)
Description: The American Speech-Language-Hearing Foundation sets aside special funding for minority students earning a master’s or doctoral degree in communication sciences. The Minority Fund underwrites this scholarship. Applicants submit academic transcripts and three letters of recommendation. Applicants who received other funding from the ASH Foundation cannot apply.
American Speech-Language-Hearing Foundation Student With a Disability Scholarship
Amount: $5,000 each (up to 15 awards)
Description: One of four special scholarships the ASH Foundation awards each year, the Student With a Disability Scholarship helps students reach their educational and professional goals. Besides submitting official paperwork detailing the disability, applicants follow the same application steps as all other ASH Foundation scholarships on this ranking.
EBS Healthcare Scholarship Program
Amount: $7,500 (multiple awards)
Description: The EBS Healthcare Scholarship Program invites graduate students to apply to one of its three scholarship opportunities. EBS Healthcare partners with specific universities to awards School-Based Scholarships. Bilingual students can apply for a Bilingual Scholarship. Finally, EBS Healthcare awards funding to students planning to work with minorities in urban settings. Each scholarship uses slightly different application requirements.
Frederick J. Krause Scholarship on Health and Disability
Amount: Less than $1,000 (multiple awards)
Description: The American Association on Health and Disability awards the Frederick J. Krause Scholarship on Health and Disability to undergraduate and graduate students pursuing degrees related to disability. The application committee prefers students with a history of community or public service. Also, applicants must be U.S. citizens or legal residents and attend a U.S. college or university.
Amount: Less than $1,000 (multiple awards)
To Apply: Visit the AAHD Website to Apply
Indian Health Service Health Professionals Scholarship
Amount: $700 for full-time students; $350 for part-time students.
Description: The Indian Health Service, a division of the Federal Health Program for American Indians and Alaska Natives, awards funding to students in both of these cultural groups earning an undergraduate or graduate degree. Applicants must hold membership in a federally recognized tribe and can major in any field.
Amount: $700 for full-time students; $350 for part-time students.
To Apply: Visit the IHS Website to Apply
National Black Association for Speech-Language and Hearing Student Research Award
Amount: $1,000
Description: African American graduate students who produce original research can submit it to NBASLH for consideration. Applicants must attend an ASHA-accredited school and hold NBASLH membership. NBASLH considers the submitted essay’s completeness, appropriateness, and significance. The scholarship winner receives funding during the NBASLH annual convention in Washington, D.C.
To Apply: Visit the NBASLH Website to Apply
Plural Publishing Research Scholarships
Amount: $3,000 Research Scholarship (two awards)
Description: The Council of Academic Programs in Communication Sciences and Disorders (CAPCDS) awards the Plural Publishing Research Scholarship to one master’s and one doctoral student each year. Application requirements include majoring in speech-language pathology or audiology. Applicants submit a research proposal, the budget of which the scholarship would cover. CAPCDS uses a Nov. 15 application deadline.
To Apply: Visit the CAPCDS Website to Apply
Sertoma Communicative Disorders Scholarship
Amount: $1,000 (multiple awards)
Description: Graduate student earning a degree in speech-language pathology and/or audiology can apply to this competitive scholarship. Other application requirements include attending an ASHA-accredited school, possessing a minimum 3.5 GPA, and being a U.S. citizen. The application window opens in November.
To Apply: Visit the Sertoma Website to Apply
Voice Aerobics Speech-Language Pathology Student Scholarship
Amount: $500
Description: Graduate student earning a master’s or doctoral degree in speech-language pathology can apply. Students must attend an ASHA-accredited school. The scholarship uses a March 1- April 30 application window, and in the application, students provide brief answers to three questions concerning their professional aspirations.
A Place for Mom Scholarship
Amount: $2,000 (multiple awards)
Description: A Place for Mom awards this scholarship to undergraduate and graduate students who plan to work with senior citizens. Applicants can be either U.S. or Canadian citizens. Other application requirements include a 400-700-word essay and a video interview. Finally, interested speech-language pathology students should apply by the May 1 deadline.
Teachers-Teachers.com Aspiring Educator Scholarship
Amount: Varies (five awards per year)
Description: Teachers-Teachers.com inviites aspiring educators — including spech-language pathology students — to apply for this scholarship opportunity. Application requirements include enrollment in a bachelor’s or master’s program. Licensed speech-language pathologists earning continuing education credits can also apply. Finally, the scholarship does not use an application deadline.
Autism Science Foundation Pre- and Postdoctoral Training Awards
Amount: Varies
Description: Graduate students, medical students, and postdoctoral students can apply for this scholarship opportunity. Speech-language pathologists planning to work with children with autism qualify. Applicants submit a research proposal that emphasizes autism’s medical comorbidities or appearance in multiple family members. The scholarship uses a Dec. 2 application deadline.
To Apply: Visit the Autism Science Foundation Website to Apply
Dwight A. Hamilton Scholarship in Speech-Language Pathology
Amount: $5,000
Description: Colorado residents earning a master’s or doctoral degree can apply for the Dwight A. Hamilton Scholarship in Speech-Language Pathology. Application materials include transcripts, proof of residency, a statement of purpose, professional resume, and two recommendation letters. The scholarship uses a June 15 application deadline.
Charles A. Frueauff Foundation Scholarship
Amount: Up to $10,000 (multiple awards)
Description: Graduate students studying health, education, or human services can apply for the Charles A. Frueauff Foundation Scholarship. Application requirements include demonstrating financial need and possessing a minimum 3.25 GPA. Although Sales University hosts the scholarship, students attending any ASHA-accredited institution are eligible.
InSpeech, Inc. Tuition Reimbursement Scholarship
Amount: $2,500
Description: Although Duquesne University hosts contact information for this scholarship, recent graduates who possess a master’s degree in speech-language pathology from any accredited university can apply. Applicants must work in a speech-language pathology-related position. Finally, InSpeech, Inc. awards a separate tuition reimbursement scholarship for graduates who have yet to find employment.
VOCES Bilingual Speech Pathology Scholarship
Amount: GRE Fee Reimbursement (three awards)
Description: VOCES awards this scholarship to college students and graduates applying to master’s programs in speech-language pathology. Besides the scholarship, recipients benefit from counselors who critique application essays and guide prospective learners throughout the application process. Application requirements include a minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA and U.S. citizenship or permanent residency.
To Apply: Visit the VOCES Bilingual Speech Pathology Website to Apply
AMBUCS Scholarship
Amount: $500-$1,500 (multiple awards)
Description: AMBUCS invites graduate students earning a degree in speech-language pathology, occupational therapy, audiology, or physical therapy to apply. The scholarship committee considers financial need, as well as applicants’ personal statements. Applicants should submit all materials by the May 5 deadline.
To Apply: Visit the AMBUCS Website to Apply
Bilingual Therapies Graduate Scholarship
Amount: $2,500-$5,000 (multiple awards)
Description: The Bilingual Therapies Graduate Scholarship awards funding to graduate students who plan to work with bilingual students in school settings. Applicants must be fluent in a second language. Application requirements include a short essay, resume, and interview. Interested students can request an application at any point throughout the year.
Frances J. Laven Scholarship
Amount: $5,000 (multiple awards)
Description: CAPCSD awards the Frances J. Laven Scholarship to graduate students earning a degree at a CAPCSD-member institution. The scholarship process differs from others on this list as schools nominate one student each year. Applicants submit a short essay, resume, and nomination letter by the Nov 15. Deadline. CAPCSD selects scholarship recipients in early March.
To Apply: Visit the CAPCDS Website to Apply
Health Resources and Services Administration Scholarship for Disadvantaged Students
Amount: Up to $30,000 (multiple awards)
Description: The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services invites students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds to apply for this scholarship. Undergraduate and graduate students earning a degree in a health-related field can apply. Applicants submit income statements and FAFSA results. This scholarship opportunity does not use an application deadline.
To Apply: Visit the HRSA Website to Apply
Sam and Millie Hilburn Scholarship
Amount: Up to $10,000 (multiple awards)
Description: Graduate students earning a degree in childhood language disorders can apply to the Sam and Millie Hilburn Scholarship. Other application requirements include U.S. citizenship or permanent residency, as well as membership in a Masonic Youth organization or the Scottish Rite. Non-members can apply if a spouse or sibling is a member. Applicants submit transcripts and 3-4 recommendation letters by the April 3 deadline.
To Apply: Visit the Scottish Rite Website to Apply
American Speech-Language-Hearing Foundation International Student Scholarship
Amount: $5,000 (multiple awards)
Description: The ASH Foundation awards a special scholarship to students earning a speech-language pathology master’s degree at a U.S. university. Only non-U.S. citizens can apply. Applicants must meet all other application requirements the ASH Foundation uses for its graduate student scholarships.
American Speech-Language-Hearing Foundation NSSLHA Student Scholarship
Amount: $5,000 (up to 15 awards)
Description: The ASH Foundation invites graduate students who are members of the National Student Speech-Language-Hearing Association (NSSLHA) to apply. Part- and full-time students can join NSSLHA, which requires only one form. This scholarship cannot combine with the ASH Foundation’s International Student Scholarship, Minority Student Scholarship, or Student With a Disability Scholarship.