SOCIOLOGY SCHOLARSHIPS

Sociology scholarships are available nationwide for both undergraduate and graduate students who are fascinated by studying the inner workings of human social relationships.

While it can be slightly more difficult to find scholarships for sociology majors than other social sciences, plenty of national organizations and professional associations have handed over money to inspire the next generation of sociologists. After all, studies in sociology are essential for better understanding human culture to solve pressing global societal concerns, including crime, international conflict, social injustice, gender inequality, and more.

Resource: Top 10 Cheap Online Sociology Degree Programs (Bachelor's)

Sociology majors are primed to enter an exciting profession that is growing faster than average at 15% according to the BLS. If you're ready to channel your inner Emile Durkheim, Max Weber, Harriet Martineau, or W.E.B. Du Bois to address future societal issues, below we've highlighted 20 scholarships to cut costs for your sociology degrees.

1. A Place for Mom Senior Care Scholarship

Deadline: April 15th

As North America's largest senior living referral provider, A Place for Mom has created the Senior Care Innovation Scholarship to award $1,000 to five college students who are pursuing a major in nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, sociology, social work, or gerontology. Eligible applicants must be citizens of the United States or Canada, be currently enrolled at an accredited four-year university, have work/volunteer experience with seniors, and plan to build a career in aging or gerontology. Candidates must write a maximum 900-word essay discussing new innovations for improving the quality of life for seniors.

Contact

A Place for Mom Senior Care Scholarship
701 Fifth Avenue Suite 3200
Seattle, WA 98104
(206) 285-4666

Scholarship Link

2. Alpha Kappa Delta Undergraduate Student Paper Award

Deadline: March 1st

Ranging in value from $100 to $1,000, the Alpha Kappa Delta Honor Society hosts an annual Undergraduate Student Paper Competition to provide multiple awards to current student members who are enrolled in an approved bachelor's degree program for sociology in the United States. Qualified participants must submit a maximum 35-page single-authored scholarly essay exploring any aspect of a sociological topic. Along with the scholarship, recipients will receive travel expenses to attend the annual meeting of the American Sociological Association (ASA) and the chance to publish their work in the "Sociological Inquiry."

Contact

Alpha Kappa Delta Undergraduate Student Paper Award
1419 Salt Springs Road
Syracuse, NY 13214
(315) 445-5452

Scholarship Link

3. ASA Minority Fellowship Program

Deadline: January 31st

With the goal of supporting the training of sociologists of color in any sub-specialty area, the American Sociological Association (ASA) offers the Minority Fellowship Program to minority doctoral students who are enrolled in an accredited program that leads to a Ph.D. in Sociology degree. Eligible candidates must be U.S. citizens or legal residents, have completed one full academic year of graduate studies, exhibit academic excellence, and be aiming for a career in sociological research. Recipients will be granted an $18,000 stipend for 12 months to help cover costs of their doctoral training and research projects studying important societal issues.

Contact

ASA Minority Fellowship Program
1430 K Street NW Suite 600
Washington, DC 20005
(202) 383-9005 ext. 322

Scholarship Link

4. Beth B. Hess Memorial Scholarship

Deadline: April 1st

Annually, the Society for the Study of Social Problems (SSSP) distributes the Beth B. Hess Memorial Scholarship for up to $15,000 to outstanding graduate students who are currently pursuing an accredited Ph.D. program in sociology within the United States. Eligible recipients must have began their studies at a two-year community college or vocational school, have a commitment to teaching at a community college, be pursuing high-quality research in sociology, and show active involvement in community service. Applications must include one letter of recommendation, verification of enrollment, a current curriculum vitae, and a one-page personal statement.

Contact

Beth B. Hess Memorial Scholarship
901 McClung Tower
Knoxville, TN 37996
(865) 689-1531

Scholarship Link

5. Boren Awards for International Study

Deadline: February 5th

Through the National Security Education Program, the Boren Awards for International Study are granted annually to provide up to $20,000 to undergraduate students in the United States who wish to study abroad in Africa, Asia, Central or Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Latin America, and the Middle East to better understand global problems. Sociology students can use this opportunity to study societal challenges, such as population growth, migration, sustainable development, global disease, hunger, economic competitiveness, environmental degradation, and more. All applicants must be U.S. citizens, have graduated from high school, and be matriculated in an accredited four-year institution in undergraduate studies.

Contact

Boren Awards for International Study
1400 K Street NW 7th Floor
Washington, DC 20005
(800) 618-6737

Scholarship Link

6. Cheryl Allyn Miller Scholarship Award

Deadline: April 1st

Sponsored by the Sociologists for Women in Society (SWS), the Cheryl Allyn Miller Scholarship Award is presented annually for $500 to graduate students or recent doctorates whose research or social activism has made outstanding contributions to the field for women. Eligible applicants must be currently enrolled in an accredited Ph.D. program for sociology or graduated with a Ph.D. within the last two years, have SWS membership, and be U.S. citizens. Before the deadline, sociologists must submit a three-page curriculum vitae, a personal cover letter, and a scholarly research paper focused on women or gender studies.

Contact

Cheryl Allyn Miller Scholarship Award
501 Crescent Street
New Haven, CT 06515
(203) 392-7714

Scholarship Link

7. Dr. Alma S. Adams Scholarships

Deadline: April 30th

Through the American Legacy for Health Foundation, the Dr. Alma S. Adams Scholarships are given each year for $5,000 to two students pursuing undergraduate or graduate studies in public health, social work, sociology, education, communications, or a related field to raise awareness of tobacco's harmful impact. Qualified candidates must be U.S. citizens or permanent legal residents, attend an accredited American institution, exhibit financial need, maintain a minimum overall GPA of 3.0, display evidence of community service activities in an underserved community setting, and create a public message that conveys culturally appropriate health messages aimed at tobacco prevention.

Contact

Dr. Alma S. Adams Scholarships
1724 Massachusetts Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20036
(202) 454-5560

Scholarship Link

8. Gina M. Finzi Memorial Summer Fellowship

Deadline: March 31st

As part of the Lupus Foundation of America, the Gina M. Finzi Memorial Student Summer Fellowship Program is hosted each year to award $4,000 to undergraduate or graduate students in the United States who are interested in conducting basic, clinical, behavioral, sociological, translational, or epidemiological research relevant to lupus. Interested students must submit a completed application with a cover letter, project proposal, letter of support, and single-spaced proposal narrative. Recipients will receive financial support for a summer research project, LFA professional mentoring opportunities, and exclusive membership to LFA-sponsored LinkedIn groups.

Contact

Gina M. Finzi Memorial Summer Fellowship
2000 L Street NW Suite 410
Washington, DC 20036
(202) 349-1155

Scholarship Link

9. Herbert Scoville Jr. Peace Fellowship

Deadline: October 1st and April 1st

Since 1987, the Herbert Scoville Jr. Peace Fellowship has been a highly competitive national program that provides recent college graduates the opportunity to spend six to nine months in Washington, DC as junior staff members before continuing to graduate school. Eligible candidates must have completed a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution, be U.S. citizens or foreign nationals, be considering a career working on international peace issues, and display experience with public interest activism or advocacy. Recipients will receive $2,700 per month with a $1,000 scholarship in exchange for working full-time at one of the 27 participating governmental organizations.

Contact

Herbert Scoville Jr. Peace Fellowship
322 4th Street NE
Washington, DC 20002
(202) 446-1565

10. Islamic Scholarship Fund

Deadline: April 14th

With the mission of increasing Muslim American representation in professions that influence public policy or opinion, the Islamic Scholarship Fund was created to award $2,000 to $5,000 to Muslims currently earning a degree in film, media studies, communication, journalism, writing, law, criminal justice, public policy, international relations, sociology, non-profit management, religious studies, or anthropology. Qualified applicants must be active members of the Muslim community, attend an accredited U.S. institution, maintain a minimum overall GPA of 3.0, have U.S. citizenship or permanent residency, have attained at least sophomore status, and submit two letters of recommendation.

Contact

Islamic Scholarship Fund
2140 Shattuck Avenue Suite 706
Berkeley, CA 94704
(650) 995-6782

Scholarship Link

11. J.W. Saxe Memorial Scholarship

Deadline: April 1st

Annually, the J.W. Saxe Memorial Fund bestows one or more scholarships for up to $2,000 apiece to undergraduate or graduate students in accredited U.S. universities who are seeking support for an unpaid or low-paying internship related to public service. Eligible students must have significant unmet financial need, demonstrate a clear commitment to domestic or international public service, and exhibit strong integrity. Interested sociology majors must submit a completed application with a resume, two letters of reference from faculty members or public service professionals, and a 1,000-word essay addressing their career aspirations.

Contact

J.W. Saxe Memorial Scholarship
1524 31st St. NW
Washington, DC 20007

Scholarship Link

12. Jane Addams Sociology in Practice Award

Deadline: January 31st

In honor of a pioneering sociologist who became the first woman from the Americas to receive the Nobel Peace Prize in 1931 for her work advancing human rights, the Jane Addams Sociology in Practice Award is granted each year for $4,000 by the Jane Addams Peace Association (JAPA). Qualified candidates must be graduate students pursuing a degree in sociology, attend an accredited U.S. institution, have a clear ability to apply sociological ideas to solving pressing social problems, and display academic excellence. JAPA also gives the Johanna Muench Fox Scholarship to female sociology students in the environmental movement.

Contact

Jane Addams Sociology in Practice Award
777 United Nations Plaza 6th Floor
New York, NY 10017
(212) 682-8830

Scholarship Link

13. Minoru Yasui Memorial Scholarship

Deadline: March 1st

In honor of a civil rights advocate who challenged the imprisonment of Japanese Americans during WWII, the Minoru Yasui Memorial Scholarship is awarded each year for $2,000 by the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) for college students studying sociology, law, or education. Eligible candidates must be active members of the JACL, be from Japanese descent, attend an accredited U.S. institution full-time, and showcase a strong interest in human rights. Applicants must submit proof of JACL membership, one letter of recommendation, official college transcripts, a brief personal statement, and two copies of the completed application.

Contact

Minoru Yasui Memorial Scholarship
1765 Sutter Street
San Francisco, CA 94115
(415) 345-1075

Scholarship Link

14. NFRW National Pathfinder Scholarships

Deadline: June 1st

Initially founded in 1985 in honor of First Lady Nancy Regan's efforts to prevent drug and alcohol abuse, the National Federation of Republican Women (NFRW) offers the National Pathfinder Scholarships annually for $2,500 apiece to female students seeking a degree in sociology, social work, psychology, pharmacology, counseling, or a related field. Eligible women must have attained at least sophomore-level standing, attend an accredited U.S. college, be enrolled full-time in a bachelor's or master's program, and wish to build a career focused in addictions. Applications must be accompanied by three letters of recommendation, official college transcripts, a professional photograph, and a one-page typed personal essay.

Contact

NFRW National Pathfinder Scholarships
124 North Alfred Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 548-9688

15. Olaf Larson Graduate Student Paper Award

Deadline: March 15th

Sponsored by the Rural Sociology Society (RSS), the Olaf Larson Graduate Student Paper Award is given annually for up to $1,000 to outstanding graduate student members who are currently enrolled full-time in an accredited master's or doctoral program for sociology in the United States. Interested students must submit a 20 to 30-page scholarly paper delving into a sociological topic with a current curriculum vitae and one letter of support from a faculty advisor. Recipients will also be granted a free one-year membership in RSS and be invited to present their papers at the RSS Annual Meeting.

Contact

Olaf Larson Graduate Student Paper Award
2040 JFSB
Provo, UT 84602
(801) 422-7386

Scholarship Link

16. Rieger Thesis/Dissertation Scholarship

Deadline: February 21st

First established in 2012, the Rieger Thesis/Dissertation Scholarship is designed to provide $1,000 annually in honor of an accomplished sociologist, Jon Rieger, who was one of the founders of the International Visual Sociology Association (IVSA) in 1980 and studied the image of rural residents across the U.S. Midwest. The scholarship is focused on recognizing outstanding graduate students for their master's thesis or doctoral dissertation research in the visual sociology discipline. Along with the scholarship funding, recipients will be given a certificate of merit from IVSA and the opportunity to publish their work on the website.

Contact

Rieger Thesis/Dissertation Scholarship
One Shields Avenue
Davis, CA 95616
(530) 752-1930

Scholarship Link

17. Society Farsarotul Financial Awards

Deadline: February 1st

Within the largest Vlach society within the United States devoted to inspiring people to study the unique cultural perspectives of the Vlachs in the southern Balkan Peninsula, the Society Farsarotul Financial Awards are presented for $1,000 apiece each year to students majoring in sociology, European history, anthropology, linguistics, or Eastern Romance languages. Qualified applicants must attend an accredited U.S. institution, have one parent or grandparent who was Arumanian, have finished at least four semesters of full-time undergraduate study, maintain a minimum overall GPA of 3.0, submit three letters of recommendation, and be members of Society Farsarotul.

Contact

Society Farsarotul Financial Awards
799 Silver Lane
P.O. Box 753
Trumbull, CT 06611

Scholarship Link

18. Stanford Lyman Memorial Scholarship

Deadline: August 10th

Administered by the Mid-South Sociological Association (MSSA), the Stanford Lyman Memorial Scholarship is presented annually for $1,000 to a deserving Ph.D. candidate who is currently working on dissertation research related to sociological theory, symbolic interaction, race relations, law, or ethics. Eligible applicants must be attending an accredited graduate school within the MSSA member states of Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Florida, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, or Virginia. Applications must include a brief letter of introduction, dissertation project proposal, letter of recommendation from a dissertation committee, and current curriculum vitae.

Contact

Stanford Lyman Memorial Scholarship
100 Pioneer Trails Drive
Mitchell, IN 47446

Scholarship Link

19. Sydney S. Spivack Congressional Fellowship

Deadline: February 15th

Offering up to $66,000, the Sydney S. Spivack Congressional Fellowship program is hosted annually by the American Sociological Association (ASA) to advanced graduate students at the Ph.D. level interested in working as a staff member on a congressional committee for 12 months in Washington, DC. Fellows will receive an intensive year-long experience exploring the usefulness of sociological data in the public policy making process. Applicants must submit a personal letter of interest, a current curriculum vitae, no more than three recommendation letters, and essay responses addressing their policy-related experiences.

Contact

Sydney S. Spivack Congressional Fellowship
1430 K Street NW Suite 600
Washington, DC 20005
(202) 383-9005 ext. 322

Scholarship Link

20. Udall Undergraduate Scholarship

Deadline: March 4th

Each year, the Morris K. and Stewart L. Udall Foundation offers the Udall Undergraduate Scholarship to award up to $5,000 to sophomores and juniors who are majoring in urban planning, social work, sociology, healthcare, economics, business, public policy, education, or other related fields. Qualified candidates must be pursuing a career related to Native American justice or cultural preservation, show outstanding leadership abilities, have good academic achievement, attend an accredited four-year U.S. institution, and be actively involved in community service. All recipients must agree to attend a four-day scholar orientation in Tucson to expand their professional network and meet other scholars.

Contact

Udall Undergraduate Scholarship
130 South Scott Avenue
Tucson, AZ 85701
(520) 901-8500

Scholarship Link

Although salary potential is lower for graduates in the social sciences, sociology degree holders can earn a very high annual salary of up to $129,870 a year as a sociologist. However, you'll first need to put in an investment to cover four to eight years of post-secondary schooling to reach your career goals in sociology. Since tuition isn't going anywhere but up, it's advised that you hunt down numerous sources of financial aid to cover the costs, especially those that won't add to student loan debt. Consider applying to some of these great sociology scholarships to finance your academic endeavors into studying social behavior.