Whether you’re a first-year student or a senior preparing to graduate, choosing which courses to take and which college to attend can be complicated. And that’s especially true if you’re planning to pursue your major in college. It can be tempting to go with the course that is cheapest or easiest to get into, but doing so could lead you down the wrong path.
Instead of making your choice based on cost or availability, choose your majors wisely so that you have a broad range of available scholarships in case one doesn’t suit you. If you narrow down your choices early on, it will reduce the time and resources you need later to finish your degree.
With that in mind, we’ll look at major-based scholarships so you can target your applications toward the ones that will give you the greatest bang for your buck.
Accounting Scholarships
The past decade has been a golden age for accounting students thanks to both rising popularity and increased scholarship funding. With the advent of web-based professional services, the field has seen an explosion in demand, making it an excellent choice for students who enjoy numbers and analyzing data. Another reason accounting is popular is that it’s one of the most affordable majors you can get.
The average tuition and fees at public universities are $9,039, and the average annual income for a recent accounting graduate is $62,400. Accounting is a popular choice for scholarships for several reasons: – It’s a broad major that lets you focus on many different areas of finance. Whether you’re interested in stock trading, auditing, or taxation, you’ll have plenty of options.
Biology Scholarships
If you’re interested in a career in medicine, finding money for a biology degree can be difficult. That’s why many biology scholarships are available to students who want to major in this field. One of the biggest challenges biology students face is the high cost of tuition.
The average cost of attendance at a four-year public university is $19,789. That price tag can make it challenging for students to stay in school and earn their degrees. Fortunately, there are many biology scholarships for those who want to earn a degree but can’t afford it.
Many of these scholarships cover the entire cost of tuition, leaving students with nothing to pay for other than room and board. Biology is a highly transferable field that’s relevant in many different fields. You can pursue a career in research at the pharmaceutical level, work in government or provide healthcare to people in underserved areas.
Business Scholarships
Business is one of the most popular majors among potential students, accounting for about half of all bachelor’s degrees in the US. Business is also a top source of scholarship funding. This field has many options for scholarships, from big-name awards like the John F. Welch Scholarship to smaller scholarships specific to individual departments.
Many business schools also offer student organizations that give scholarships to their members. That way, you can join the group that provides the scholarship you want. Business is excellent for those who want to transition into a high-paying job. It’s also a good choice for those who like working with people, as there are many opportunities to manage an organization.
Computer Science Scholarships
Computer science is another popular major that offers a variety of scholarship opportunities. Students can get scholarships for specific majors, like computer science. They can also get scholarships that cover the entire cost of tuition.
There are many computer science scholarships for women, minorities, and students with a disability. In addition to scholarships that provide funding for your entire college career, many computer science scholarships only last one year.
These scholarships are often for students who need the money to help pay for summer internships or to attend a technical conference. Summer internships are an excellent way to gain experience while earning money. Many internships are paid and often lead to full-time jobs upon graduation.
English Scholarships
If you’re interested in English, don’t discount the many English scholarships available. Most English scholarships are for students who want to pursue their major, not those who want to improve their writing skills. English is one of the most popular majors for people wanting to teach, so many scholarships are for aspiring teachers.
Government scholarships are one of the most common types of English scholarships. Many of these funds are available to students who want to pursue any field of study but offer funding specifically in education, such as teaching, social work, or counseling.
Many English scholarships are open to any student regardless of major. One of the best things about pursuing a degree in English is that it can transfer to other fields, such as journalism, public relations, and many others.
Nursing Scholarships
Nursing is one of the most in-demand fields in the nation, with more than 1.7 million jobs expected to open by the year 2024. That makes it a good choice for anyone who wants to earn a high salary with few barriers to entry in terms of education.
Many nursing scholarships are available to any student who wants to pursue a career in this field, but some scholarships cover specific types of nursing. The most common scholarship types for nursing students include ones for minorities and women, as well as scholarships for students who are a part of a specific group, such as a veteran, a person with a disability, or an LGBTQ student.
There are also many scholarships for people with a specific interest, such as a nursing scholarship for Hispanic students. Most nursing scholarships are for one year only and cover the cost of tuition.
Psychology Scholarships
Psychology is a popular major that offers a variety of scholarships, including those specific to women and minorities. Psychology is also a field that has strong job prospects after graduation, with many jobs being able to support a family. These are good reasons to pursue a psychology degree, as many scholarships are available to help students foot the bill.
The most common type of psychology scholarship is one that covers the entire cost of tuition. Some of these scholarships are specific to a particular school, while others are open to all psychology students. Psychology is a field you can combine with other majors, so it’s also a good choice for students who want to pursue dual degrees.
Math Scholarships
It’s no surprise that mathematics is popular among students. Many of these scholarships are for students who want to pursue a math-related major. But some are also available to any student who wants to study math. Many math scholarships cover the entire cost of tuition. While others last one year only and cover just a portion.
Remember, studying math is often a great way to develop other skills you can apply in fields such as engineering, computer science, and medicine. There are many ways to pursue a math-related degree and still have enough money for everyday expenses.
Communication Scholarships
Communications is a field of study that encompasses many specialties, such as journalism, public relations, advertising, and radio and television broadcasting. Because of the wide range of communications-related disciplines, many different types of scholarships are available to students who wish to pursue a career in this field.
Some communications scholarships are awarded based on academic achievement, while others center around financial need. Some scholarships are specific to one discipline, while others are open to students pursuing a communications degree. There are also many scholarships available to students who are members of minority groups, as well as scholarships for students who are disabled.
With so many different types of communications scholarships available, there is sure to be one that meets your needs. Whether you are looking for a scholarship to pay for tuition or need financial assistance to cover living expenses, a communications scholarship will best suit your needs.
Social Work Scholarships
Social work is another popular major that many students pursue without financial support. That can be challenging, as even a few years in, many students will have to take out loans to cover the cost of tuition. Fortunately, many social work scholarships are available to cover the cost of tuition.
Many social work scholarships last one year only and cover just a portion. Social work is a great way to help people struggling, so it’s a good choice for those who want to pursue a humanitarian career. This field also has strong job prospects, with many jobs being able to support a family.
Bottom Line
In an ideal world, you’d only need to worry about funding your college degree once, but the reality is that you’ll need to fund your studies at least twice. Once when you first start earning money and then again once you graduate. Finding scholarships to cover costs is a great way to ensure you don’t end up broke.
If you have any queries or concerns, please reach us via the comments section below. And for more info on the best scholarships out there, visit our blog.
