Study-In-USA Masters of Library And Information Science MLIS SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

MLIS students are eligible for numerous scholarships from national and regional organizations and businesses. Deadlines vary and details may change, so please consult each scholarship’s website for more information.

AALL Scholarships

Scholarships for individuals pursuing Law Librarianship.

Amount: Varies

Approximate Deadline: April 1

Alaska Library Association Scholarship

The stated purpose is to provide financial assistance to worthy students pursuing graduate studies leading to a Masters Degree in Library and Information Studies and to encourage graduates to return to Alaska to work in professional library positions.

Scholarships may be awarded for both on-campus and/or distance education programs. Preference will be given to an individual meeting the federal definition of Alaska Native ethnicity.

Amount: $4,000

Approximate Deadline: Mid-January

Limited To: Alaska resident planning to be enrolled in a graduate school library media specialist certificate program during the academic year, semester, or academic quarter for which the scholarship is received.

Recipients must make a commitment to work in an Alaska library for a minimum of one year after graduation as a paid employee or a volunteer, or for two semesters for one semester’s financial assistance.

Alice L. Halton Educational Fund

The fund provides research grants, seminar support and other funding for projects related to information and records management.

Amount: $2,000

Approximate Deadline: May 1

American Indian Library Association Scholarships

The purpose of the Virginia Mathews Memorial Scholarship shall be to provide tuition to an American Indian individual who lives and works in the American Indian community, and who is enrolled, or has been accepted and will enroll, in a master’s degree program at a university with a library and/or information sciences program accredited by the American Library Association.

Amount: $4,000

Approximate Deadline: June 15

American Library Association Scholarship Program

The American Library Association (ALA) is committed to promoting and advancing the librarian profession.

To demonstrate this commitment, the ALA and its units provide more than $300,000 annually for study in a master’s degree in library and information studies from an ALA accredited program, or for a master’s degree with a specialty in school librarianship

That meets the ALA curriculum guidelines for a Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) accredited unit. 

ALA provides a number of scholarships for special populations including: Spectrum Scholarships for diversity, Century Scholarships for people with disabilities as well as scholarships for current library employees and for people interested in working with children or youth services.

ALA Spectrum Scholars receive an additional scholarship from the School.

Amount: Varies

Limited To ALA and its units provide more than $300,000 annually for study in a master’s degree in library and information studies from an ALA-accredited program, or for a master’s degree with a speciality in school librarianship that meets the ALA curriculum guidelines for a Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) accredited unit.

Art Libraries Society of North America (ARLIS/NA)

Sponsored by the Art Libraries Society of North America (ARLIS/NA) provides a number of scholarships and awards in the area of art librarianship. Awards are available for research and publications, conference attendance, and an internship in architecture.

Amount: varies

Approximate Deadline: varies

Limited To: Paper or project must have been written for a course in the preceding 18 months.

Association for Library Service to Children Scholarships

Scholarships for MLIS students who plan to work in the area of library service to children.

Amount: Varies

Approximate Deadline: Varies

Beta Phi Mu

These awards recognize and encourage scholastic achievement among library and information studies students. 

Amount: Varies

Approximate Deadline: March 15

California Library Association Scholarships

The Reference Service Press Fellowship is open to (1) college seniors or college graduates who have been accepted in an accredited master’s degree program in library/information studies (documentation is required) or (2) graduate students currently enrolled in an accredited master’s degree program in library/information students (full or part time) who will have completed no more than eight credits when the award is given.  

Amount: $2,500-$3,000

Approximate Deadline: Nomination period opens Sept. 1

Limited To: Applicants must be U.S. citizens (or permanent U.S. residents) and permanent California residents.

Chinese Library Association

CALA provides a number of awards, grants and scholarships for students of Chinese descent.

Amount: Varies

Approximate Deadline: April 5

E.J. Josey Spectrum Scholar Mentorship Program

Awarded by the Black Caucus of ALA. Students submit an essay on a topic designated each year.

Amount: $2,000

Approximate Deadline: Dec. 1

IBM Award for Women in Data Science

IBM has committed to providing support to female participants in the Galvanize Data Science Immersive program, from tuition assistance to mentorship, to internships and employment opportunities.

Amount: Varies

Approximate Deadline: Varies

International Education Financial Aid

IEFA is the premier resource for financial aid, college scholarship and grant information for US and international students wishing to study abroad.

At this site, you will find the most comprehensive college scholarship search and grant listings plus international student loan programs and other information to promote study abroad.

Amount: Varies

Approximate Deadline: Varies

Limited To: Open to international students.

Karen Gersten-Sternheim Memorial Scholarship

The $1,500 Karen Gersten-Sternheim Memorial Scholarship is awarded annually by the SLA-SCC to a student member pursuing a career in special librarianship.

Amount: $1,500Approximate Deadline: End of February

Limited To: Must be a member of the SLA-SCC, must demonstrate an interest in a career in special libraries, must be currently enrolled and taking classes in an ALA-accredited master’s program.

Lucille M. Wert Student Scholarship

American Chemical Society provides a scholarship designed to help persons with an interest in the fields of Chemistry and Information to pursue graduate study in Library, Information, or Computer Science.

Amount: $1,500

Approximate Deadline: Feb. 1

McKinstry Fellowship

Underrepresented MLIS students from Native American, Hispanic American, African American, Asian American and Hawaiian/Pacific Islander heritage.

A unique fellowship offered through the UW Libraries, the successful fellow receives a scholarship for tuition and educational fees and a paid work assignment in a University Libraries unit(s) based on the recipient’s interests.

Amount: $10,000

Limited To: Underrepresented MLIS students from Native American, Hispanic American, African American, Asian American and Hawaiian/Pacific Islander heritage.

Medical Library Association Scholarship

Awarded to a student who demonstrated excellence in scholarship and potential for accomplishment in health sciences librarianship.

Amount: Up to $5,000

Approximate Deadline: Dec. 1

Music Library Association Scholarships

Awards for achievement in music librarianship, publication and research supporting music research.

Amount: Varies

Approximate Deadline: Varies

NASIG and SISAC Fritz Schwartz Serials Education Scholarship

The North American Serials Interest Group (NASIG) awards a $3,000 scholarship to a library/information science graduate student who demonstrates excellence in scholarship and the potential for accomplishment in a serials career.

Approximate Deadline: Mid-February

Limited To: Applicant must be entering an ALA-accredited graduate library program (or Mexican equivalent) or must have completed no more than twelve hours of academic requirements towards the graduate degree at the time of enrollment.

Paul Evan Peters Fellowship

The Paul Evan Peters Fellowship was established to honour and perpetuate the memory of Paul Evan Peters (1947-1996), founding executive director of the Coalition for Networked Information (CNI).

The fellowship will assist students pursuing graduate studies in the information sciences, librarianship, or closely related field, that advance the frontiers of digital information and technology.

Amount: Varies

Limited To: U.S. citizen or permanent resident, entering or enrolled in a master’s or doctoral program in information science.

PMI Educational Foundation Scholarships

PMI Educational Foundation’s Scholarships and Awards Program supports the development of the best and brightest future project management professionals worldwide through learning opportunities.

The scholarship program was established to assist students in obtaining degrees from accredited institutions of high learning in the field of project management or a project management related field.

Amount: $1,000-$7,500

Approximate Deadline: May 1

Limited To:  PMI Educational Foundation’s Scholarships and Awards Program supports the development of the best and brightest future project management professionals worldwide through learning opportunities. The scholarship program was established to assist students in obtaining degrees from accredited institutions of high learning in the field of project management or a project management related field. The program is open to any student preparing to enter or already attending an accredited degree-granting college or university. Scholarships are available for students at the bachelors, masters or doctoral level.

REFORMA Scholarship

Since 1971, REFORMA has supported the active recruitment of bilingual and bicultural librarians to meet the information needs of the Spanish-speaking community.

The REFORMA Scholarship provides financial assistance to encourage and enable Spanish speakers to pursue or advance a career in Library and Information Science. (Other scholarships also available)

Amount: Up to $1,500

Approximate Deadline: Mid-March

Limited To: Any current or newly entering graduate library school student [M.L.S. or PhD] may apply for its scholarships. Must provide proof of enrollment to an accredited library school. Full-time status is not a requirement.

Society for American Archivists Scholarships

Awards provided for outstanding contribution to the archives profession.  

The awards are given for work produced (publications, advocacy, a new method of search, etc.) rather than straight scholarship funding.

Amount: Varies

Approximate Deadline: End of February

Soros Fellowships for New Americans

Paul and Daisy Soros, Hungarian immigrants and American philanthropists, established their fellowship program for New Americans in December 1997 with a charitable trust of fifty million dollars.

Amount: Up to $25,000 in maintenance grants and $20,000 a year in tuition

Approximate Deadline: Oct. 29

Limited To: Permanent residents or naturalized citizens if born abroad; otherwise children of naturalized citizen parents. Recipients must be in a residential program

Theatre Library Association

TLA awards a scholarship each year to acknowledge outstanding professional accomplishments of promising students currently enrolled in MLIS or archival training programs specializing in performing arts librarianship.

Amount: $500 and TLA membership

Approximate Deadline: Unknown

United Negro College Fund Scholarships (Multiple)

To close the educational attainment gap between African Americans and the majority population, UNCF helps promising students attend college and graduate by administering 400 scholarship and internship programs.

So that even students from low- and moderate-income families can afford college tuition, books and room and board.

Amount: $500-10,000

Approximate Deadline: Varies

Limited To: Each program has its own eligibility criteria, open/close dates and required documents. In order to apply for a UNCF Program Services Scholarship, you must apply through the online application process.

UW Fellowships and Awards (Multiple)

The Office of Fellowships and Awards coordinates and administers regional and federal fellowship and scholarship programs which require Graduate School involvement.

We also administer and monitor fellowship moneys from private gifts; coordinate Fulbright and other international and research abroad programs for students and faculty; and administer and allocate fee waivers to departments and individuals.

Amount: Varies

Approximate Deadline: Varies

Limited To: Graduate students

Washington Library Association (WLA) Scholarships

The Washington Library Association awards a number of scholarships annually to WLA members.

Amount: Varies

Approximate Deadline: Early July

Limited To: Individual Washington Library Association members.