Scholarships for Liberal Arts Majors

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Updated on June 6, 2023
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Learn about scholarships and financial aid available for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts.

As the traditional basis of academic inquiry in Western higher education, liberal arts encompasses the natural sciences, social sciences, arts, and humanities. Popular majors include anthropology, economics, English, mass communication, mathematics, and psychology. The broad nature of a liberal arts education enables you to pursue a diverse array of careers in the public, private, and government sectors.

The following guide provides an extensive list of scholarships for liberal arts students. You will also learn about the financial aid process and why it is important to minimize student debt. The guide ends with resources for specific types of learners, including single parents, active military and veterans, and individuals with disabilities.

Frequently Asked Questions About Liberal Arts Scholarships

How do you pay for a degree in liberal arts?

To cover the cost of tuition and housing, apply for financial awards you do not need to repay, like grants. After exhausting these options, you can turn to federal loans, which generally carry lower interest rates than money borrowed from banks and other private institutions.

Are there many scholarships available for liberal arts students?

As one of the largest academic domains, liberal arts includes fields like biology, literature, geography, and statistics. This vastness means that you should have no trouble finding liberal arts scholarships. Consult the opportunities featured in this guide before searching for other award programs.

Where can I find scholarships for liberal arts degrees?

You can find scholarships through community organizations, government agencies, professional and industry associations, religious bodies, and private businesses. Your college or university also provides financial aid for liberal arts students. In addition to your major, base your search on common criteria like geographic location, career goals, and ethnicity.

Are there grants for liberal arts students?

Although many people use the terms ‘scholarship’ and ‘grant’ interchangeably, these two forms of financial aid differ. You usually receive scholarships based on merit and grants due to financial need. The federal government provides the majority of grant funding. You can also find liberal arts grants through state agencies and local organizations.

How do I qualify for a liberal arts scholarship?

You can receive scholarships for need and/or merit. The former criterion is based on the projected cost of your higher education and your family’s financial status. Award programs that consider merit generally look at your academic performance, extracurricular and leadership achievements, and professional experience.

Financial Assistance for Liberal Arts Students

As a liberal arts major, you benefit from the same financial aid opportunities as students in the STEM fields. These awards include scholarships, grants, fellowships, assistantships, and loans. You can also access work-study positions, which enable you to find part-time employment on campus or in your community.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is among the best financial aid application tools because it allows you to apply for multiple government awards simultaneously. The FAFSA calculates the amount of aid you are eligible for by analyzing cost of attendance and expected family contribution. For more details on the FAFSA, including how to complete the application, consult the BestColleges guide.

In addition to grants, the FAFSA provides work-study awards that let you earn at least the federal minimum wage while working for a university department or affiliated employer.

As previously mentioned, grants and scholarships are financial awards you do not need to pay back, making them top priority as you find ways to pay for your liberal arts degree. Grants are typically need-based and issued by government bodies. Companies and organizations provide scholarships based on desired qualities like academic strength, work experience, and athletic capabilities. Many awards also consider identity characteristics like ethnicity, gender, religious affiliation, and sexual orientation.

In addition to grants, the FAFSA provides work-study awards that let you earn at least the federal minimum wage while working for a university department or affiliated employer. You may find related opportunities in fellowships and assistantships. These programs not only offer funding, but also enable you to gain hands-on experience in your field by working with professional organizations, government initiatives, and nonprofits.

Lastly, financial aid resources for liberal arts students also include loans (money you will need to repay). You can access federal loans through the FAFSA and find private loans from financial institutions such as banks and credit unions. To learn more about loans, check out our comprehensive guide.

Liberal Arts Grants

The federal government is the largest provider of need-based financial aid, which primarily consists of grants. Through the FAFSA, you can access the Federal Pell Grants, obtaining up to $6,345 each year. The government also funds the TEACH Grants for future educators and the Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant for the children of armed forces members who were killed on duty.

State governments also provide student grants, which you can find through this infographic published by the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators. Criteria differ by program, but generally you must be a state resident, attend college full time, and maintain a minimum GPA.

Liberal Arts Scholarships

You can find liberal arts scholarships for your field of study, whether that be history, gender studies, sociology, or comparative literature. Awards also exist based on what profession you want to pursue and what research you want to conduct. Furthermore, many scholarship programs target a specific demographic, including women, LGBTQ individuals, and students from low-income and underserved communities.

Featured Liberal Arts Scholarships

The following section contains 20 general liberal arts scholarships. Each profile details the award amount and deadline, including information on eligibility and how to apply for the scholarship.

Liberal Arts Scholarships for Minorities

This section features seven liberal arts degree scholarships specifically for minority students, including undocumented individuals. You can find additional award opportunities by looking through this financial aid guide.

Liberal Arts Scholarships for Graduate Students

The section below covers financial aid for liberal arts students pursuing their graduate credentials. If you are considering an advanced degree, consult this ranking of the top online master’s in liberal arts programs.

Additional Financial Aid Resources

An Overview of Financial Aid

Students in the early stages of applying for scholarships and grants typically have a lot of general questions concerning the process. The BestColleges financial aid overview offers concise explanations of the FAFSA qualifications and award types. This guide also provides information on how to project costs for budgeting purposes.

Financial Aid for Online Students

Distance education enables you to earn a college degree while maintaining family and career obligations. By enrolling in an online bachelor of liberal arts program, you enjoy affordable tuition prices that often disregard residency status. You also gain access to many of the same financial aid opportunities as your on-campus peers.

Financial Aid for Students with Disabilities

Disabilities may hinder a student’s ability to attend college full time, which disqualifies them from many conventional awards. Fortunately, liberal arts scholarships and grants exist specifically for these individuals. This BestColleges guide lists scholarships and supporting resources based on types of disabilities and impairments.

Scholarships for Single Parents

Single parents who want to pursue higher education face steep challenges related to course scheduling, accessible childcare, and affordability. In addition to scholarship opportunities, you can consult our guide for single mothers and fathers for information on supportive services like on-campus daycare and employer tuition reimbursement.

Financial Aid for Veterans and Active Military

The U.S. government operates several programs that help active military personnel and veterans earn college credentials. For more information, check out this in-depth guide, which covers the Montgomery GI and Post 9/11 bills, the Yellow Ribbon Program, and Armed Forces Tuition Assistance benefits.

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