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Due to the broad nature of the discipline, scholarships for liberal arts majors are rather easy to locate for those focusing their education in subjects like English, art, political science, religion, philosophy, and foreign language. Degrees in the liberal arts are available at the undergraduate and graduate level to focus on developing the “soft” skills that many employers are seeking.
Although the liberal arts are often given a bad reputation for lack of opportunity in the job market, students in these disciplines possess fine-tuned communication, interpersonal, critical thinking, creative, problem solving, and decision-making skills that can be applied to virtually any career. In fact, one-third of all CEOs for Fortune 500 companies earned a liberal arts degree.
If you’re dedicated to earning a well-rounded liberal arts degree, the following are 25 great scholarships available to reap the highest value from your education.
1. Beinecke Scholarship Program
Deadline: February 19th
First founded in 1971 by the Sperry and Hitchinson Company, the Beinecke Scholarship Program provides $34,000 total to highly motivated undergraduate college seniors who are planning to enroll full-time in graduate degrees for the liberal arts, humanities, or social sciences. Eligible candidates must attend one of the 125 participating universities nationwide, have U.S. citizenship, have received need-based financial aid, demonstrate superior intellectual ability, and be nominated by a campus liaison.
Contact
Beinecke Scholarship Program
8240 Peach Lane
Fogelsville, PA 18051
(610) 395-5560
BeineckeScholarship@earthlink.net
Scholarship Link
2. Bill McKnight Legacy Scholarship
Deadline: January 16th
Through the Pride Foundation, the Bill McKnight Legacy Scholarship is presented annually for $2,000 to undergraduate or graduate students in the LGBTQ community who are enrolled full-time at an accredited post-secondary institution with a major in the liberal arts or humanities. All U.S. citizens and permanent residents from Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, or Washington are welcome to apply, but preference will be given to any candidates who live in Bainbridge Island or Kitsap County of Washington.
Contact
Bill McKnight Legacy Scholarship
2014 East Madison Street Suite 300
Seattle, WA 98122
(206) 323-3318
scholarships@pridefoundation.org
3. Catherine W. Pierce Scholarship
Deadline: September 19th
Sponsored by the United Negro College Fund (UNCF), the Catherine W. Pierce Scholarship will grant up to $5,000 annually to African American college students who are majoring in a liberal arts field, such as anthropology, art, economics, political science, philosophy, communications, history, international relations, or women’s studies. Qualified applicants must be attending a four-year college with UNCF membership, maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5, and have unmet financial need.
Contact
Catherine W. Pierce Scholarship
1805 7th Street NW
Washington, DC 20001
(202) 810-0258
nancy.hughes@uncf.org
4. Davies-Jackson Scholarship
Deadline: November 1st
Annually, the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC) offers the Davies-Jackson Scholarship to cover full tuition costs for graduating college seniors who are interested in attending Cambridge University in England to receive graduate education in classics, economics, English, geography, history, political science, modern languages, music, philosophy, or psychology. To qualify, candidates must attend an eligible private liberal arts college, have U.S. citizenship, maintain an exceptional academic record, and be the first in their family to attend college.
Contact
Davies-Jackson Scholarship
One Dupont Circle NW Suite 320
Washington, DC 20036
(202) 466-7230
sashmon@cic.nche.edu
5. Dorothy Ezell DuPree Scholarship
Deadline: March 12th
Administered through the Arkansas Community Foundation (ARCF), the Dorothy Ezell DuPree Scholarship is awarded for up to $3,000 annually to graduating high school seniors who are planning to major in liberal arts, English, library science, or history this upcoming fall. Eligible applicants must be currently accepted at an accredited four-year U.S. university, reside in Jefferson County of Arkansas, maintain good academic standing, submit two letters of recommendation, and write a one-page goals essay.
Contact
Dorothy Ezell DuPree Scholarship
1400 West Markham Street Suite 206
Little Rock, AR 72201
(501) 372-1116
arcf@arcf.org
6. Dr. John O. McReynolds Memorial Award
Deadline: March 2nd
Ranging in value from $500 to $1,400 annually, the Dr. John O. McReynolds Memorial Award is gifted through the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Texas at Austin for undergraduate students who are enrolled in the liberal arts major and following the pre-medical course sequence. Qualified candidates must have completed at least one semester, be enrolled full-time, carry a minimum university GPA of 3.25, submit two one-page response essays, and show evidence of leadership service.
Contact
Dr. John O. McReynolds Memorial Award
116 Inner Campus Drive
Austin, TX 78712
(512) 475-7586
areyshannon@austin.utexas.edu
Scholarship Link
7. Edith Morgan Liberal Arts Scholarships
Deadline: February 22nd
At California State University Fullerton, the Edith Morgan Liberal Arts Scholarships are given annually for $500 to four currently enrolled undergraduate or graduate students who have demonstrated excellence in liberal arts, musical theatre, design, dance, acting, or directing. Eligible candidates must possess a minimum overall GPA of 3.0, maintain full-time enrollment, have a record of creative accomplishment, be committed to their chosen liberal arts field, and show a need for financial assistance.
Contact
Edith Morgan Liberal Arts Scholarships
P.O. Box 6804
Fullerton, CA 92834
(657) 278-3628
fa@fullerton.edu
8. Faire Elizabeth Virgin Sax Scholarships
Deadline: February 23rd
Each year, the Faire Elizabeth Virgin Sax Scholarships are provided by Arizona State University for $8,000 apiece to two undergraduate students who are receiving a bachelor’s degree in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, including English, history, philosophy, religious studies, geography, urban planning, political science, and more. Applicants must reside in Mohave County of Arizona, be enrolled full-time with at least 12 hours per term, carry a minimum GPA of 2.5, and exhibit financial need.
Contact
Faire Elizabeth Virgin Sax Scholarships
300 East University Drive Suite 145
Tempe, AZ 85287
(480) 965-3391
hannah.a.rosen@asu.edu
9. Gregory Stevens Memorial Scholarship
Deadline: February 14th
In the amount of $2,500, the Gregory Stevens Memorial Scholarship is presented annually at Eastern Michigan University to a deserving undergraduate student who is currently pursuing a major in the liberal arts disciplines of philosophy, communications, theatre, history, or political science. Qualified applicants must be enrolled full-time, have successfully completed at least 12 credits at EKU, carry a minimum overall GPA of 3.0, and be actively involved in school or community service activities outside the classroom.
Contact
Gregory Stevens Memorial Scholarship
701 Pray Harold Building
Ypsilanti, MI 48197
(734) 487-1018
richard.nation@emich.edu
10. HSF/BB&T Charitable Scholarship
Deadline: November 30th
The Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF) has partnered with the BB&T Charitable Foundation to form an annual scholarship program that delivers awards up to $15,000 to U.S. citizens or permanent residents of Hispanic heritage who are enrolled in an undergraduate program for liberal arts, law, or business. Eligible recipients must have at least sophomore standing at an accredited four-year college in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Washington DC, or West Virginia.
Contact
HSF/BB&T Charitable Scholarship
1411 West 190th Avenue Suite 325
Los Angeles, CA 90248
(877) 473-4636
info@hsf.net
11. Institute for Humane Studies Fellowships
Deadline: Varies
For more than 25 years, the Institute for Humane Studies (IHS) has offered fellowships for up to $15,000 apiece to prestigious graduate students who are pursuing a Ph.D. degree in the liberal arts fields of economics, philosophy, law, political science, history, and sociology. Qualified fellows must be enrolled full-time at an accredited university anywhere worldwide, be dedicated to a career advancing the ideas of liberty, wish to work in academia, and conduct stellar research related to a free society.
Contact
Institute for Humane Studies Fellowships
3434 Washington Blvd.
Arlington, VA 22201
(703) 993-4880
Scholarship Link
12. Jeff Iorilla and Roel Hinojosa Scholarship
Deadline: April 30th
As part of the Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG), the Jeff Iorilla and Roel Hinojosa Scholarship is offered annually for $1,000 to graduating high school seniors who will be pursuing an associate’s or bachelor’s degree full-time this upcoming fall. Eligible self-identified members of the LGBT community who have been accepted at an accredited higher learning institution must be majoring in an acceptable liberal arts discipline, such as political science, psychology, peace and conflict studies, history, public service, or journalism.
Contact
Jeff Iorilla and Roel Hinojosa Scholarship
1828 L Street NW Suite 660
Washington, DC 20036
(202) 467-8180
info@pflag.org
13. John L. Carey Scholarship Award
Deadline: April 1st
Offered through the American Institute of CPAs, the John L. Carey Scholarship Award is available to provide $5,000 to undergraduate college seniors who are receiving a liberal arts or non-business degree in preparation for entering a graduate program in accounting this fall. Eligible applicants must have little or no previous accounting education, be accepted at an accredited business school, be committed to receiving CPA licensure, have U.S. citizenship or permanent residency, and be an AICPA student affiliate member.
Contact
John L. Carey Scholarship Award
220 Leigh Farm Road
Durham, NC 27707
(919) 402-4500
scholarships@aicpa.org
14. Kate Stephens Graduate Fellowship
Deadline: January 24th
At the University of Kansas, the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences has created the Kate Stephens Graduate Fellowship to award $1,500 bi-annually to outstanding graduate students who are pursuing a master’s or doctoral degree in the liberal arts disciplines of literature, history, international studies, or ethics. Eligible candidates must have earned their bachelor’s or master’s degree at KU, maintain at least half-time enrollment, showcase academic promise, and possess clear research interests in the liberal arts.
Contact
Kate Stephens Graduate Fellowship
1450 Jayhawk Blvd.
Lawrence, KS 66045
(785) 864-3661
clasdean@ku.edu
15. Margaret Foster Hoff Memorial Scholarship
Deadline: February 2nd
Within the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, the Margaret Foster Hoff Memorial Scholarship is awarded annually at the University of Iowa for up to $3,000 to three undergraduate students who are majoring in the liberal arts, including American studies, anthropology, classics, dance, English, gender studies, geography, history, journalism, linguistics, philosophy, political science, and theatre arts. Candidates must exhibit financial need, carry at least six semester hours per semester, have academic promise, and demonstrate special challenges.
Contact
Margaret Foster Hoff Memorial Scholarship
120 Schaeffer Hall
Iowa City, IA 55242
(319) 335-2633
clas-scholarships@uiowa.edu
16. Marion Maccarrell Scott Scholarship
Deadline: February 19th
Sponsored by the Hawaii Community Foundation, the Marion Maccarrell Scott Scholarship is presented each year for up to $5,000 to graduates of public high schools in Hawaii who are planning to earn a degree in liberal arts, geography, anthropology, economics, history, sociology, psychology, international relations, or philosophy. Qualified applicants must be accepted at an accredited four-year U.S. mainland college, carry a minimum overall GPA of 2.8, and showcase a commitment to working towards achieving world peace.
Contact
Marion Maccarrell Scott Scholarship
827 Fort Street Mall
Honolulu, HI 96813
(808) 537-6333
scholarships@hcf-hawaii.org
17. Michael Marucci Memorial Scholarship
Deadline: March 31st
Through the National Federation of the Blind (NFB), the Michael Marucci Memorial Scholarship is granted for $5,000 annually to a deserving undergraduate student who has overcome visual impairment to study foreign language, comparative literature, history, geography, political science, international relations, or another liberal arts field. Qualified recipients must be legally blind, attend an accredited U.S. post-secondary institution, wish to study abroad, maintain good academic standing, and show foreign language proficiency.
Contact
Michael Marucci Memorial Scholarship
200 East Wells Street
Baltimore, MD 21230
(410) 659-9314
Scholarships@nfb.org
18. Osher Scholarship Program
Deadline: Ongoing
As part of the Maine Community College System, the Osher Scholarship Program is hosted annually for students who have been accepted into an Associate of Arts (A.A.) degree program in liberal arts or general studies and have completed no more than 24 credits at an accredited community college within Maine. Eligible high school graduates and Maine residents can use this opportunity to cover the full costs of tuition, textbooks, and academic fees for one developmental course at the 100 or 200 level in liberal arts.
Contact
Osher Scholarship Program
46 University Drive
Augusta, ME 04330
(800) 868-7000
ucls@maine.edu
19. Penn State Liberal Arts Scholarship
Deadline: March 7th
At Pennsylvania State University, the College of the Liberal Arts has created an annual scholarship to cover tuition-related expenses for full-time undergraduate students at the University Park campus who have declared a major in the liberal arts. To qualify, students must enroll full-time with 12 or more semester credits, maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0, provide proof of significant financial need, agree to complete school or community service, and demonstrate leadership potential.
Contact
Penn State Liberal Arts Scholarship
111 Sparks Building
University Park, PA 16802
(814) 865-7691
lascholarships@la.psu.edu
20. Principal Financial Group Scholarship
Deadline: March 1st
Offering up to $12,000 each year, the Principal Financial Group Scholarship is designed to financially support outstanding undergraduate and graduate students who are enrolled full-time in a degree program for liberal arts, business administration, finance, information systems, or computer science. Eligible individuals must reside in Iowa, attend a UNCF member college or university, represent a minority group, carry a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0, maintain full-time enrollment status, and have leadership roles on- or off-campus.
Contact
Principal Financial Group Scholarship
1805 7th Street NW
Washington, DC 20001
(202) 810-0258
nancy.hughes@uncf.org
21. Stanley Olson Youth Scholarship
Deadline: December 31st
For California residents living in Marin, San Francisco, Santa Clara, San Mateo, or Sonoma counties, the Stanley Olson Youth Scholarship is offered once each year for $2,500 by the Jewish Family and Children’s Services (JFCS) to assist students attending undergraduate or undergraduate school anywhere in the United States. Qualified candidates must be Jewish, have a declared major in the liberal arts or humanities, be 26 years old or under, show academic promise, and have unmet financial need.
Contact
Stanley Olson Youth Scholarship
2150 Post Street
San Francisco, CA 94115
(415) 449-1200
MashaP@jfcs.org
22. StraightForward Media Liberal Arts Scholarship
Deadline: March 31st, June 30th, September 30th, and December 31st
Since 2005, the Internet advertising agency StraightForward Media has awarded the Liberal Arts Scholarship for $500 on a quarterly basis to college undergraduate students who have focused their degree in the liberal arts, such as art history, classics, economics, foreign language, history, humanities, literature, philosophy, political science, psychology, and writing. Applicants must be enrolled at an accredited on-campus or online university, maintain good academic standing, write a personal essay, and demonstrate financial need.
Contact
StraightForward Media Liberal Arts Scholarship
508 7th Street Suite 202
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 348-3042
info@straightforwardmedia.com
23. Thomas G. Labrecque Smart Start Scholarship
Deadline: January 30th
Sponsored by J.P. Morgan, the Thomas G. Labrecque Smart Start Scholarship is offered to provide full-tuition coverage for 10 graduating high school seniors across New York City’s five boroughs who are accepted at a participating college and planning to major in an acceptable discipline, including liberal arts. Qualified applicants must be legal residents of New York, carry a minimum overall GPA of 3.0, have a combined SAT score of at least 1000, and agree to complete a paid internship with J.P. Morgan.
Contact
Thomas G. Labrecque Smart Start Scholarship
277 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10172
(866) 520-2976
smart.start@jpmorgan.com
24. UTLAC Study Abroad Scholarship
Deadline: Varies
Each semester, the University of Texas Liberal Arts Council (UTLAC) awards the Study Abroad Scholarship for $500 to $2,000 to undergraduate students with a major in the liberal arts who are planning to study or conduct independent research abroad in the upcoming term. In order to apply, candidates should maintain a minimum overall GPA of 2.75, have completed at least 15 hours in residence at one of the UT campuses, be actively involved in council activities, and pass a round of interviews.
Contact
UTLAC Study Abroad Scholarship
116 Inner Campus Drive
Austin, TX 78712
utexaslac@gmail.com
25. Virginia Speidel Edwards Scholarship
Deadline: April 21st
Administered by the Kappa Alpha Theta Foundation, the Virginia Speidel Edwards Scholarship is presented for $1,500 each year to junior or senior undergraduate students who are enrolled full-time in an accredited U.S. institution to receive a liberal arts education in literature, writing, communication, history, political science, anthropology, sociology, or related fields. Eligible applicants must reside in Ohio, carry a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0, be members of Kappa Alpha Theta, and exhibit outstanding leadership.
Contact
Virginia Speidel Edwards Scholarship
8740 Founders Road
Indianapolis, IN 46268
(317) 876-1870
gmerritt@kappaalphatheta.org
Scholarship Link
As our nation’s sluggish job market recovers, companies are starting to reinvest in their workforce by hiring liberal arts graduates who have the career-ready skills for success. Based on a report from the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), the most obvious career tracks for liberal arts students have grown by nearly 25 percent in the last year. With this job growth and the availability of scholarships for liberal arts majors, it’s now easier for graduates choosing a broad education to reap a good ROI.
