What History Scholarships Are Available for College?
History majors study the past to make sense of today’s society and its issues. To get a deeper point of view, you may take courses in humanities, political science, eras and languages. Studying these areas may also hone skills in analysis, research and writing. Therefore, a history scholarship could help you pay for a history degree. Unlike a student loan, it provides financial aid that you don’t repay.
There are many history college scholarships available based on financial need. And, ones that take into account your grade point average (GPA). You may also find awards if you are majoring in these specific areas:
American History
Art History
European History
Historic Preservation
U.S. Constitution / Government
Museum Studies / Archival Management
If you’re selected, you could use the money to pay the tuition and fees of your school. The award could also help with travel and living expenses.
10 Scholarships for History Majors You Should Apply in 2021
Check out this list of scholarships for history majors. Fill out an application form if you qualify!
AMS Graduate Fellowship in the History of Science
James Madison Senior Fellowship Program
James Madison Junior Fellowship Program
W.F. Albright Research Fellowships
Enid Hall Griswold Memorial Scholarship
Lucinda Beneventi Findley History Scholarship
Michael T. and Mary L. Cloyd Scholarship
DAR Centennial Scholarship
Dr. Aura-Lee A. and James Hobbs Pittenger American History Scholarship
ALBA George Watt Memorial Essay Contest
Scholarships in History for High School Students
Many high school students file a FAFSA when applying to a four year accredited college for an undergraduate degree in history. Doing so may help you access need based scholarships for incoming first year freshmen.
But don’t stop there. If you also have a GPA of 3.25, you could check out DAR. DAR offers the Lucinda Beneventi Findley History Scholarship. It awards two scholarships of $2K each to high school seniors.
As a history major, you likely have to write a lot of papers. Why not put your skills to use in the National High School Essay Contest? The American Foreign Service Association also offers two awards each year. You may qualify if in grades 9 to 12 and are able to write about issues of peace and conflict.
Are There History Scholarships for Graduate Students?
Yes. So, graduate students pursuing a master’s or PhD may find scholarships to fund a degree or research project. Research could play a big role in the study of history at the graduate levels.
Using a history degree as part of a plan to teach the Constitution at the secondary school level? One to check is from the James Madison Foundation. They offer a Senior Fellowship Program. It also enables teachers to pursue a master’s degree in history in exchange for one full year of teaching for each academic year you receive funding. The maximum amount of each award is $24,000 or $12,000 for up to two years.
Who Provides Scholarships for History Majors?
There are scholarships for history from various groups and nonprofits. DAR, IIE, and Phi Alpha Theta provide awards for history students. Check out the various history scholarships they offer below.
Daughters of the American Revolution
DAR offers a number of scholarships for students of American history. The Michael T. and Mary L. Cloyd Scholarship is an example. It awards $3,000 each to two undergraduate students with a 3.0 GPA. If your major is historic preservation, there’s also the Dar Centennial Scholarship. These two awards of $2,500 are for outstanding graduate students.
The Institute of International Education
IIE is a nonprofit that runs the Boren Scholarships and Fellowships for the National Security Education Program. Applicants must be U.S. citizens and a high school graduate. Boren Awards could also fund your study abroad program. History is one of several eligible majors. It’s also for undergrad and graduate fellows.
W.F. Albright Institute of Archaeological Research
Each year the Albright provides up to $200,000 in fellowships to about 20 recipients. From doctoral students to senior scholars. These tend to go to those studying Near Eastern studies from pre history to the Ottoman period as well as art history, and historical geography.
Phi Alpha Theta History Honor Society
An honor society for those who major in history. Both undergraduate and graduate scholarships may be available each year. If you missed the March deadline, keep it on your calendar.
Do College Department of History Offer Scholarships?
Scholarship funds may be available from your college’s history department. Princeton offers the Stone / Davis award of $6,000 for undergraduates for their research project.
Not an Ivy League student? Arizona State University also offers several scholarships for history students. Applicants to the Friends of History Scholarship may receive $1,000 for a winning essay on why they chose to major in history. Missouri State University’s junior and senior students also have a few options too. One is the Robert Anthony Foster History Scholarship Fund. Eligible applicants must also major in non US history and have a 3.0 GPA in these classes.
Why You Should Become a History Major in College?
Those who major in history could yield the critical thinking skills needed in many related fields. Like law, policy analysis, business, teaching, research or journalism. If your goal is to stick with history, historians tend to need a master’s degree or PhD. They also face a steady demand for their services albeit lots of competition.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there could be 3% more jobs for Historians by 2029. These jobs could be with historical societies, government and consulting. Those who have a few practical skills such as fundraising or exhibit design may fare best. Salaries for these positions varies. But if working in the federal government, are the most lucrative. In May 2019, the median annual wage for these positions was $97,850 compared to the average which was $63,680.
List of History Scholarships
Check out our list of 30 history scholarships worth [get-scholarship-subgroup-total-
Missouri State University offers financial need based Robert Anthony Foster History Scholarships to eligible history majors with a 3.0 GPA in history courses.
The Western History Association offers a graduate student award of $500 for an MA or PhD minority student who is doing research on the North American West.
Arizona State University awards a $2,000 Wallace E. Adams Memorial Award for Excellence in European History Scholarships to support undergraduate students of European history.
Arizona State University awards the $500-$1,000 Thomas H. Critchlow Scholarship to undergraduate and graduate students interested in the study of the history of political liberty and economic freedom.
The Kenneth E. Hasbrouck Memorial Scholarship, administered jointly with the Hasbrouck Family Association, is a $1,000 award that may be divided if necessary. Applicants must be undergraduate students studying historic preservation, architecture, the conservation of artifacts and manuscripts, and/or the education of the public about local history in accordance with HHS’ mission.
The Western History Association offers a $3500, one-month research fellowship at The Huntington Library to an eligible doctoral student in the dissertation stage or a PhD degree holder.
