Outside Scholarships

Below is a list of some outside scholarship sites that are not affiliated with Penn, but that may be available to our graduate students. We also encourage students to do their own research, either through the web or the library, for more possibilities. Questions regarding specific scholarship eligibility, status, etc. should be directed to the organization sponsoring the scholarship.

Fastweb.com is as an outside scholarship database. Students will be able to set up their own personalized profile which fastweb.com will use to better determine the outside scholarships they are eligible for. Often these scholarships will vary in type, from something as simple as drawing a name out of a hat to an entire application, portfolio, etc. We recommend applying to as many as possible, you never know what will happen!

Scholarship opportunities are arranged by the following: Discipline, Identity, Region, Community/Social Justice, Academic and Scholarship Resources

Discipline Update

Open to all disciplines:

Providing Support to Young Entrepreneurs Scholarship. $2,500 scholarship awarded by NextLaw Criminal & Injury Attorneys to one student who can impress NextLaw with a description of a business they want to start based on a video submission. The scholarship winner will also receive NextLaw’s support as they launch their business. Deadline to apply is November 30, 2025. https://calldannext.com/scholarship/

Architecture:

The Deborah J. Norden Fund. The Architectural League of New York established the Fund in 1995 in memory of architect and arts administrator Deborah Norden and awards up to $5,000 annually in travel grants to students and recent graduates in the fields of architecture, architectural history, and urban studies.
https://archleague.org/deborah-j-norden-fund-travel-competition/

Gensler Opportunity Scholarships. Range of scholarships for students enrolled at a U.S. not-for-profit educational institution who will begin their final year of an NAAB-accredited architecture program. Opens in January, and deadline to apply is usually in March. http://www.gensler.com/scholarships

Houzz Scholarships. Multiple scholarship programs for students studying architecture, landscape architecture, and sustainable design. Deadline to apply is March 31, 2026. https://www.houzz.com/scholarships

International Facility Management Association Foundation. The IFMA Foundation annually awards individual scholarships ranging in value from $1,500 to $5,000 to students enrolled in facility management or FM related programs (FM related programs include, but are not limited to, construction management, architecture, interior design and some engineering disciplines). In addition to the scholarship value, recipients also receive fully funded travel, accommodations, meals and registration to attend IFMA's World Workplace. https://foundation.ifma.org/students-academics/scholarships/

Projio Future of Architecture Scholarship. Each year, Projio awards $2,500 to one undergraduate or graduate student pursuing a degree in architecture or a closely related field (such as urban planning, interior design, or environmental design) who is passionate about pushing the boundaries of design through innovative, tech-forward thinking. Deadline to apply is November 14, 2025. https://projio.com/annual-projio-future-of-architecture-scholarship/

The Tile Contractors’ Association of America’s Architecture Scholarship for Professional Degree Candidates. Tile Contractors’ Association of America (TCAA) has had the honor of awarding $5,000 annual merit scholarships to outstanding architectural students. TCAA is committed to rewarding high achieving students who will lead their industry, shape the language of design, and create new ways to give shape to their vision for public and private space as art for habitation. https://www.tcaainc.org/scholarships

The Zimmer Gunsul Frasca Architectural Scholarship Fund of the Oregon Community Foundation is intended to recognize and foster students who have a demonstrated talent and passion for architecture. Applicants pursuing a graduate degree in architecture from an NAAB accredited architectural program are eligible for this scholarship. In addition to awarding an annual stipend, a summer internship at one of ZGF’s offices will be offered. https://www.zgf.com/scholarships

The Joseph L. and Vivian E. Steele Architecture Scholarship is available to students who are present or former residents of one of the following Pennsylvania counties: Adams, Bedford, Blair, Centre, Clinton, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Fulton, Huntingdon, Juniata, Lancaster, Lebanon, Lycoming, Mifflin, Montour, Northumberland, Perry, Snyder, Tioga, Union, or York, and studying in the final three years of a NAAB accredited Bachelor of Architecture program OR in a graduate program leading to a Master of Architecture degree. This scholarship can award multiple winners up to $5,000 each and applications will open January 1. The deadline for the application and all supplemental materials is June 1.
https://www.tfec.org/scholarships/steele-architecture/

City Planning:

American Planning Association Scholarships. The APA Foundation scholarships aim to make the planning profession more accessible to individuals with limited means and to attract the best, brightest, and most talented individuals to the planning profession. https://www.planning.org/foundation/scholarships/

Projio Future of Architecture Scholarship. Each year, Projio awards $2,500 to one undergraduate or graduate student pursuing a degree in architecture or a closely related field (such as urban planning, interior design, or environmental design) who is passionate about pushing the boundaries of design through innovative, tech-forward thinking. Deadline is November 14, 2025. https://projio.com/annual-projio-future-of-architecture-scholarship/

Fine Arts:

Artist Protection Fund. The Artist Protection Fund (APF) is a three-year pilot program at the Institute of International Education. With funding from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, APF will make life-saving fellowship grants to threatened artists from any field of artistic endeavor, and place them at host universities and arts centers in safe countries where they can continue their work. http://www.iie.org/Programs/Artist-Protection-Fund

Greater than Gatsby. Open to any visual arts major. Win this annual $1,000 scholarship by submitting 3 photos of your best photography along with a 500 word essay describing your interest in photography and/or the relation of photography to your chosen career or passion. Annual deadline of May 1.
https://www.greaterthangatsby.com/academic-photography-scholarship/

Harriet Hale Woolley Scholarship. Eligible candidates are graduate and post-graduate visual artists and musicians of exceptional talent who wish to pursue advanced artistic studies in Paris, France during the upcoming academic year. Annual deadline of January 31.  https://www.fondationdesetatsunis.org/hhw-scholarship/

Working Artist Org. Provides multiple $1,000 art awards throughout the year to support artists' ongoing art making processes. https://www.workingartist.org/submission-guidelines.html

Historic Preservation:

Mildred Colodny Diversity Scholarship for Graduate Study in Historic Preservation. Provides financial assistance and experiential learning opportunities to individuals preparing for careers in historic preservation. The purpose of the Colodny Scholarship is to increase the diversity of people pursuing degrees and careers in historic preservation in the United States. https://savingplaces.org/colodny-scholarship

Theodore Prudon Fund for Preservation Education Grant Program. One (1) scholarship of $4,000 is awarded annually during the spring semester. The recipient also receives a one-year Docomomo US student membership and complimentary registration for the Docomomo US National Symposium. Must be a US citizen or permanent resident enrolled in an accredited historic preservation or heritage conservation program to be eligible to apply for this grant. Deadline to apply is March 17, 2025. Read more on Docomomo US website.

Landscape Architecture:

American Society of Landscape Architects Fellowships. The ASLA has a listing of scholarships and fellowships for students pursuing degrees in Landscape Architecture. http://www.asla.org/contentdetail.aspx?id=23766

Garden Club of America. Lists various awards for students of Landscape Architecture. https://www.gcamerica.org/scholarships

Houzz Scholarships. Multiple scholarship programs for students studying architecture, landscape architecture, and sustainable design. Deadline to apply is March 31, 2026. https://www.houzz.com/scholarships

The Land Conservancy of New Jersey. For 40 years TLCNJ has been proudly supporting future environmental leaders who are training for careers protecting our natural resources. Six $10,000 scholarships will be awarded. Must be a New Jersey resident to apply. https://www.tlc-nj.org/scholarships

Projio Future of Architecture Scholarship. Each year, Projio awards $2,500 to one undergraduate or graduate student pursuing a degree in architecture or a closely related field (such as urban planning, interior design, or environmental design) who is passionate about pushing the boundaries of design through innovative, tech-forward thinking. Deadline to apply is November 14, 2025. https://projio.com/annual-projio-future-of-architecture-scholarship/

Identity Update

Against All Odds Scholarship. $2,500 scholarship offered by HMW Law—Ohio Trial Attorneys to students in underserved communities based on a video submission. Application deadline is November 15, 2025. https://teamhmwwins.com/scholarship/

Association on American Indian Affairs. AAIA has a long history of providing scholarships to college students, for both graduate and undergraduate students. Funding is made available due to the generosity of donors, therefore the number of scholarships provided varies from year to year. https://www.indian-affairs.org/nativescholarship.html

Baer Reintegration Scholarship. Funded by the Sidney R. Baer, Jr. Foundation to support students with schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, or bipolar disorder. Must be a US citizen or permanent resident. 2026-2027 application will open on October 1, 2025, and applications will be due in January 2026. https://www.reintegration.com/

Buckfire & Buckfire, P.C. Disability Scholarship Program. Provides a $1,000 scholarship to one student with a disability diagnosis (any type of disability, including but not limited to physical disabilities, medical conditions, mental or psychiatric conditions, speech and language, learning disabilities, behavioral conditions, and all other conditions.) Must be a US citizen or permanent resident. Deadline to apply is October 1, 2025. https://buckfirelaw.com/scholarships/disability/

Chalik & Chalik Injury Lawyers Cancer Survivors Scholarship. The $1,000 scholarship will recognize a deserving student who not only survived a devastating illness but now demonstrates a commitment to helping others diagnosed with cancer or another serious illness. Each applicant must submit an essay of 500 to 1,000 words. Deadline to apply is November 15, 2025. https://www.chaliklaw.com/cancer-survivors-scholarship/

Cyprus Children's Fund. This Foundation has a couple of different scholarship options for students who have origins in Cyprus and/or Greece. Please visit their website for application details. http://www.cyprus-childrensfund.org/scholarships.html

From Conflict to Growth Scholarship. $2,500 scholarship awarded by Happy Even After Family Law to a student who can candidly discuss the way their parents’ divorce impacted their trajectory in life in an essay of up to 1,000 words. Must be a US citizen or permanent resident. Deadline to apply is November 30, 2025. https://www.familylawyerct.com/scholarship/

The Healing Journey Scholarship. This $2,500 scholarship supports undergraduate and graduate students who have overcome the challenges of a life-changing medical diagnosis and found strength and purpose through their journey. Deadline to apply is August 31, 2025. https://www.injuredinflorida.com/scholarship/

Hispanic Scholarship Fund. Open to graduate and undergraduate students of Hispanic heritage, who are US Citizens or legal Permanent Residents enrolled full time in a US university. https://www.hsf.net/scholarship

Japanese American Citizens League Scholarships. The JACL National Scholarship and Awards Program offers scholarships to graduate students who are active JACL Members. https://jacl.org/scholarships

John Foy & Associates "Strong Arm" Leukemia Scholarship. $1,000 scholarship will be awarded to one undergraduate or graduate student who has battled leukemia or whose life has been affected by it based on a 2-3 minute video or 500-1,000 word essay. Deadline to apply is October 15, 2025.
https://www.johnfoy.com/about/scholarship/strong-arm-leukemia-scholarship/

The Korean American Scholarship Foundation. The scholarship recipient is selected on the basis of financial need, academic achievement, school activities, and community services. Each applicant must submit an application to the respective KASF region, in which each region is designated by the state where school is located. https://kasf.org/scholarships/

The Kosciuskzo Foundation Tuition Scholarships support American students of Polish descent for graduate studies at colleges and universities in the United States. Scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $7,000 are awarded on a competitive basis for one academic year.
https://thekf.org/scholarship/tuition-scholarships/tuition-scholarships-for-graduate-studies/

LGBTQ Financial Aid Resources provided by LearnHowToBecome.org. https://www.learnhowtobecome.org/career-resource-center/college-financial-aid-for-lgbtq/

MPOWER 追梦永不息 Scholarship. Annual scholarships open to international graduate students with Chinese citizenship admitted to, or enrolled in, a full-time degree program at a U.S. or Canadian school that MPOWER supports. Deadline to apply is August 31, 2025. https://www.mpowerfinancing.com/scholarships/chasing-dreams-scholarship

MPOWER Monthly Scholarships for International Students provides $1,000 monthly scholarships to international students. The essay topic for the scholarship application changes monthly and the deadline is the last Friday in each month.  https://www.mpowerfinancing.com/scholarships/monthly-scholarships

MPOWER Udaan India Scholarship. Annual scholarships open to international graduate students with Indian citizenship admitted to, or enrolled in, a full-time degree program at an MPOWER-eligible U.S. or Canadian school. Deadline to apply is August 31, 2025. https://www.mpowerfinancing.com/scholarships/udaan-india-stem-scholarship

Overcoming Challenges Together Scholarship. $2,500 scholarship awarded by Dellino Family Law Group to a student based on a 2-3 minute video submission discussing their family's resilience. Must be a US citizen or permanent resident. Deadline to apply is November 15, 2025. https://dellinolaw.com/scholarship/

The Path to Perseverance Scholarship. $2,500 scholarship awarded by the Law Offices of J. Price McNamara to a student with a diagnosed disability based on an essay submission discussing their personal journey and the valuable lessons they have learned. Deadline to apply is November 15, 2025. https://jpricemcnamara.com/scholarship/the-path-to-perseverance-scholarship/

The Paul & Daisy Soros Scholarship for New Americans honors the contributions of immigrants and children of immigrants to the United States. Each Fellow receives $25,000 in stipend support a year (all stipend awards are capped at $50,000 per year), as well as 50 percent of required tuition and fees, up to $20,000 per year, for one to two years. To qualify, you must be an immigrant or a child of an immigrant. Application opens in April with a deadline to apply in October each year. https://www.pdsoros.org/apply

The Quell Foundation offers a few scholarship programs for US citizens or permanent residents who have experienced the traumatic loss of a loved one in specific circumstances, or who are being treated for a diagnosed mental health condition. Applications open in January each year to apply for a scholarship for the following academic year. Please see website for more specific information. https://thequellfoundation.org/scholarships/

Rebuilding the Road Ahead: How an Accident Inspired My New Direction Scholarship. $2,500 annual scholarship awarded to one student by Chaikin Trail Group Personal Injury Lawyers based on a video essay submission. Deadline to apply is December 15, 2025. https://www.chaikintrialgroup.com/scholarship/

Sallie Mae and MPOWER's Excellence in STEM Award Program provides $1,000 scholarships each month to international graduate students enrolled in STEM-designated programs. https://www.mpowerfinancing.com/scholarships/stem-awards

Region Update

AIA West Virginia Scholarship. Scholarships awarded to student(s) based on a architectural ability, passion for the profession, and potential for success. Applicants must be residents of West Virginia. Deadline to apply is December 5. https://www.aiawv.org/aia-wv-scholarship

International Education Financial Aid. Requires no marketing information and is a very comprehensive search engine for international scholarships. http://www.iefa.org

The Land Conservancy of New Jersey. For 40 years TLCNJ has been proudly supporting future environmental leaders who are training for careers protecting our natural resources. Six $10,000 scholarships will be awarded. Must be a New Jersey resident to apply. https://www.tlc-nj.org/scholarships

The John R. Mott Scholarship Foundation. Students native to the region of Calabria, Italy who are enrolled in any accredited post-secondary school are encouraged to apply. Scholarships for up to $10,000/year are awarded. https://www.mottscholarship.org/Scholar/eligibility-EN.asp

MPOWER Global Citizen Scholarship. Scholarships awarded annually to international and DACA students enrolled at universities MPOWER supports. https://www.mpowerfinancing.com/scholarships/global-citizen/

Plan NH Fellowship and Scholarship. Students studying Architecture, Interior Design, Studio Art, Mechanical Engineering or a field related to planning, design and development of the built environment are eligible to apply for a Plan NH Fellowship or Scholarship. Students must be residents of New Hampshire. https://plannh.org/programs/scholarship-and-fellowship

The Rowe Fund is an educational loan program of the Organization of American States (OAS) that helps citizens from Latin America and Caribbean OAS Member States finance their studies or research in accredited universities across the United States by awarding interest-free loans of up to $15,000 USD, in addition to $2,000 supplementary scholarships. http://www.oas.org/en/rowefund/

Sir James Lougheed Award of Distinction. Scholarship program for Canadian citizens and permanent residents that reside in Alberta, Canada to support graduate study outside of Alberta. https://studentaid.alberta.ca/scholarships/sir-james-lougheed-award-of-distinction/

The Thouron Award is a leading international scholarship program promoting the relationship between the U.S. and the U.K. Graduates of British universities receive support for up to two years for a graduate (post-graduate) degree program at the University of Pennsylvania. http://thouronaward.org

Community/Social Justice Update

Anidjar & Levine Community Service Scholarship. $2,500 scholarship awarded to a student who best demonstrates the relationship between their community service and future career goals and ambitions through a 500-word essay. Deadline to apply is October 1, 2025. https://www.anidjarlevine.com/about/scholarship/community-service-scholarship/

Byron Hanke Fellowship. Awarded by the Foundation for Community Association Research. Available to graduate students working on topics related to community associations. Applicants must be enrolled in an accredited master's, doctoral, or law program in the United States of America or Canada. Students of all disciplines are welcome to apply for the Hanke Fellowships, provided their studies and the topic of their proposed community associations research project relate to community associations. Application deadline May 1, 2026. https://foundation.caionline.org/scholarships/recent-fellowship-recipients/hanke/

Davis-Putter Scholarship Fund provides financial support for students who are active and emerging organizers in progressive movements for liberation, self-determination, and social and economic justice in their communities. Need-based scholarships up to $15,000 awarded each year. Annual application deadline of April 1. https://www.davisputter.org/apply

DoSomething.org offers scholarship campaigns all throughout the year where you can win a scholarship by participating in various volunteering and social justice related work. https://dosomething.org/take-action

Increasing New York Workplace Safety Scholarship. $2,500 scholarship awarded by O'Connor Law PLLC to a student with a proven record of academic success and community dedication based on an essay submission discussing workplace safety in New York. Deadline to apply is November 15, 2025. https://www.nyworkerslaw.com/scholarship/

Responsify Empowering Others Scholarship. Annual $1,000 scholarship awarded to one student who best demonstrates how their major can be used to empower others through an essay submission. Application deadline is October 5 annually. https://www.responsify.com/scholarship

Samer Habbas & Associates Annual Scholarship. $2,500 scholarship awarded to one US student based on an essay (around 2,000 words) about "an accident you or your loved one experienced and how you faced the aftermath." Application deadline is July 15, 2026. https://www.habbaspilaw.com/scholarship/

The Storage Center Space to Succeed Scholarship aims to empower students who actively contribute to their communities and aspire to pursue higher education. $5,000 scholarships awarded to three students twice per year. Open to US citizens and permanent residents. Application opens on October 1, 2025, and the application deadline is November 30, 2025. https://thestoragecenter.com/self-storage/scholarship/

Strategies for Local Laws Scholarship. One $2,500 scholarship will be awarded to a student who can frankly discuss how changes to local legislation may improve their communities in a 1,000-word essay. Must be a US citizen or permanent resident. Application deadline is October 15, 2025. https://welcomelawfirm.com/scholarships/strategies-for-local-laws-scholarship/

Studybay Essay Contest. Studybay.com holds two essay contests per year with varying essay topics.
https://studybay.com/essay-contests/

There's Space for Everyone Scholarship. Extra Space Storage will award five $3,000 scholarships based on a 500-800 word essay about commitment to inclusion and strengthening your community. Application deadline is May 31, 2025. https://www.extraspace.com/self-storage/scholarship/

Academic

The Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) Fellowship. The Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) Fellowship is a tuition scholarship and a living stipend awarded to meritorious undergraduate students and graduate students undergoing training in modern foreign languages and related area or international studies, or with the international aspects of professional or fields of study. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents of the United States admitted to or enrolled in undergraduate, graduate, or professional programs at the University of Pennsylvania. http://www.sas.upenn.edu/flas

Fulbright Program/Institute of International Education (IIE) contains addresses for Educational/Information Centers and Fulbright commissions around the world administering scholarship programs for national citizens. Contact the center from your country directly to find out the latest information. https://www.iie.org/Programs

Scholarship Resources

By Discipline:

Fine Art:

By Identity:

Scholarships for Asian/Pacific Islander Students:

Scholarships for Hispanic Students:

Scholarships for LGBTQ Students:

Scholarships for Minority Students:

Scholarships for Native American Students: