Social science scholarships are abundant for college students who have chosen to study elements of human behaviour. Social science degrees provide an interdisciplinary exploration into various disciplines that focus on analyzing humanity’s impact on the world to improve the lives of our world’s citizens.
From anthropology and political science to sociology and economics, social science majors learn about what separates humans from other primates from a wide range of different perspectives. Graduates of social science programs are able to unlock a variety of in-demand career options, such as market research analyst, social worker, public relations specialist, foreign service officer, case manager, teacher, human resources specialist, and more.
If you have a passion for studying what makes humans tick and wish to work in any people-oriented career, the following are 10 of the most lucrative scholarships available in the social sciences.
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1. William Y. and Nettie K. Adams Fellowship
Funded by the School of Advanced Research (SAR), the William Y. and Nettie K. Adams Fellowship is offered annually to doctoral-level graduate students from the social sciences who are interested in pursuing research that promotes understanding of human behaviour, culture, society, and the history of anthropology. Interested individuals must submit a 150-word abstract of their goals, a four-page research project proposal, a short bibliography of sources, a current curriculum vitae, and contact information for three professional references. Selection for the seven-week summer fellowship will be based on candidates’ publication record, academic achievement, research competence, proposal presentation, and professional promise.
2. VIP Fishing Charters Annual Scholarship
To relieve some financial stress for hard-working individuals, the VIP Fishing Charters Annual Scholarship is granted for $500 annually on merit to lower tuition expenses for undergraduate programs centred on an emphasis in applied social sciences. Eligible students must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents, be currently enrolled or planning to enrol full-time in an accredited university, possess a minimum overall GPA of 3.0, and exhibit a need for financial support. Application forms must include a current transcript and a maximum 800-word blog post that expresses applicants’ opinions on what factors contribute to a successful day of fishing.
3. Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowships
As part of the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation, the Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowships are presented annually for up to $37,500 to undergraduate and/or graduate students in the social sciences who have a sincere interest in pursuing a career in foreign service with the U.S. Department of State. Qualified candidates must be United States citizens, attending an accredited American college, have attained at least junior standing, carry a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.2, and be available to fulfil summer internship obligations. Applications must include unofficial transcripts, proof of citizenship, SAT/ACT scores, a current resume, financial aid reports, income tax forms, and a 600-word personal statement.
4. The Beinecke Scholarship Awards
Since 1975, the Beinecke Scholarship Awards have been presented annually by the Sperry and Hutchinson Company to support the graduate-level education of college juniors who plan to enrol in a master’s or doctoral program in the arts, humanities, or social sciences. Eligible applicants must be U.S. citizens or lawful residents, be currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree full-time, attend an accredited American college, have a history of receiving need-based institutional aid, demonstrate superior intellectual ability, and be dominated by a faculty member. Recipients will receive $4,000 immediately upon their selection and an additional $30,000 while attending graduate school.
5. Smithsonian Minority Internship Program
Every semester, the Smithsonian Minority Internship Program is available for students from underrepresented ethnic minority groups who are pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree in the social sciences, including animal behaviour, anthropology, archaeology, ecology, environmental science, folklife history, and sociology. Qualified applicants must attend an accredited U.S. institution, maintain a minimum overall GPA of 3.0, have U.S. citizenship or permanent residency, and exhibit research competence. Interns will earn a $550 stipend each week with travel allowances to work full-time at any Smithsonian museum for ten weeks.
6. NSF Graduate Research Fellowships
As a national program that encourages students to enter STEM fields, the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowships are also available for students in the social sciences, who are studying archaeology, anthropology, communications, economics, geography, history, international relations, linguistics, political science, public policy, sociology, or urban planning. To qualify for receiving the 12-month stipend of $32,000, candidates must enroll full-time in a research master’s or doctoral program. They must also attend an accredited institution in the United States, demonstrate research competence, submit three letters of reference, be U.S. citizens, and have not completed more than 24 credits of graduate studies.
7. New Leader Scholarship Program
Now in its 15th year, the New Leader Scholarship Program is hosted by the Marin Community Foundation each year to provide up to $8,000 to upper-division undergraduate students who are planning to pursue advanced education in the social sciences or human services to fulfil their commitment to serving others. Qualified candidates must come from financially disadvantaged backgrounds, demonstrate leadership potential, have high academic achievement, and carry a minimum overall GPA of 3.2. Recipients must attend California State East Bay, San Francisco State, San Jose State, Sonoma State, or the University of California at Berkeley in the Bay Area.
8. Morris and Lenore Mandelbaum Scholarships
At the University of Iowa, the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences offers the Morris and Lenore Mandelbaum Family Scholarships annually to award up to $3,000 to three currently enrolled social science students who have declared a major in anthropology, geography, political science, history, sociology, economics, social work, psychology, or international studies. All applicants must have graduated from a Des Moines area high school, demonstrate financial need, be seeking their first bachelor’s degree, carry six or more credit hours per term, and exhibit great academic promise. Online applications must include one faculty letter of recommendation and an essay highlighting educational goals.
9. Mellon Mays Predoctoral Research Grants
Administered through the Social Science Research Council (SSRC), the Mellon Mays Predoctoral Research Grants are designed to provide $1,500 to $3,000 to outstanding graduate students who are pursuing a doctoral degree in anthropology, archaeology, art history, geography, environmental science, film studies, history, linguistics, political science, religion, sociology, or other social science fields. To qualify, candidates must enrol in a PhD program in the United States. They must also have financial needs, and maintain good academic standing.
10. ISF National Scholarship Program
Annually, the Islamic Scholarship Fund (ISF) hosts a National Scholarship Program to award $2,000 to $10,000 to Muslim students who are majoring in an ISF supported social science field, including political science, law, human rights, criminal justice, public policy, international affairs, anthropology, sociology, and Arab studies. Students must be active members of the Muslim community. Also, they must be enrolled at an accredited U.S. college, maintain a minimum overall GPA of 3.0, have U.S. citizenship or permanent residency, and have attained at least sophomore standing. Recipients must agree to complete a certain number of hours of community volunteer service in their respective fields.
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How to Get a Scholarship to Study Abroad
Here are some tips that will help you find the right scholarship for your studies overseas.
– Track Down Top Scholarship Countries
For the applicant asking how can I get scholarships to study abroad? One hack to note is that if you want to know how to get a study abroad scholarship, then you should directly check those top countries that offer cheap and affordable study opportunities for international students like you.
While searching for how to get an international scholarship, some countries for your consideration are any of the top countries for studies on our list:
Top Countries For Studies:
- Germany
- Spain
- France
- Italy
- Sweden
- Netherlands
- Finland
- Poland
- Denmark
- Ukraine
- Hungary
- United Kingdom
- Canada
- United States
- Australia
- Argentina
- Taiwan
– Visit a Reliable Scholarship Website
Most times, scammers can take advantage of students by offering them fake financial assistance; that is why you should follow a reliable site like afterschoolafrica for tips on how to find legit scholarships.
The good thing about using a scholarship site like ours when looking for funding is that these sites usually have the best and latest scholarships for international students.
We also clearly indicate if the scholarship is partial, fully funded if it’s a loan or grant, and the duration of sponsorship. Or the country /institution of study and if it is international or national (home-country).
Basically, we simplify the process of how to search for scholarships online and even show you how to find good scholarships. Another good thing about using our site is that you can apply for scholarships online for free.
You can also visit other reputable scholarship websites for international students who already have all the study opportunities available. Subscribe to these websites, check your email daily, and be sure to check your daily scholarship updates on how to get a scholarship online.
Conclusion
Conclusively, although social science programs aren’t well-known for leading to top-paying careers, they do offer inquisitive students the chance to explore the relationships among people and potentially create changes that better our society. Depending on your chosen social science, you could spend anywhere from four to 10 years in post-secondary education to become an expert in one of the field’s many branches. Make sure you apply to some of these great social science scholarships to supplement your funding and cover the tuition costs for delving into fascinating topics on human nature.
Start With Us
Do you want to study abroad? Note that obtaining a bachelor’s degree or a master’s degree in this field helps to improve your chances in the labor market. Studying abroad is no joke for international students due to the cost. However, you can achieve your dreams without breaking the bank by applying for student loans, which you can pay for as long as 10 years. MPower Finance and Prodigy Finance are some of the best student loan providers for international students. They also do not require a cosigner or collateral before an application. Reach out to us today, and let’s help you begin the process.