Verified funding opportunities for future speech-language pathologists

Speech Pathology Scholarships

Graduate, undergraduate, state, university, and specialized funding opportunities selected for clear relevance to speech-language pathology and communication sciences and disorders.

A focused guide to SLP funding

Start With Scholarships That Actually Fit

Scholarship searches often mix genuine speech-language pathology awards with broad listings that may not apply. This directory prioritizes opportunities created for SLP, communication sciences and disorders, communicative-disorders, and speech-and-hearing students.

Programs shared with other health or education fields appear in their own section only when the official eligibility rules expressly include speech-language pathology or speech therapy.

Last verified: September 1, 2026. Deadlines and rules can change. The official sponsor page controls whenever its current information differs from this guide.

Plan ahead by application season

SLP Scholarship Application Calendar

Use these recurring application windows to plan ahead, then jump to the permanent listing for eligibility details and the official sponsor link. Exact dates can change from one cycle to the next.

Late Summer and September

October and November

Winter and Spring

State, University, and Variable Windows

Planning note: These are typical or recently published windows, not guaranteed dates. The detailed listings remain available year-round, including after an application cycle closes. Always confirm the current cycle on the sponsor’s official page.

SLP and CSD-specific opportunities

Graduate Speech Pathology Scholarships

These awards were created specifically for students in speech-language pathology, communication sciences and disorders, communicative disorders, or closely defined speech-and-hearing programs.

ASHFoundation Graduate Student Scholarship

Status: Annual graduate scholarship

Amount: $5,000 per award

Deadline: Typically returns with a spring application cycle

Up to 15 general scholarships and additional category awards support full-time graduate CSD students. Master’s SLP applicants must attend a CAA-accredited program or one holding candidacy status.

National NSSLHA Graduate Scholarships

Status: Annual

Amount: $5,000

Deadline: Typically opens in spring

For eligible active National NSSLHA members, including undergraduate seniors beginning graduate study and qualifying current master’s or doctoral students. The ASHFoundation administers the award.

Sertoma Communicative Disorders Scholarship

Status: Annual

Amount: $1,000

Deadline: Applications are typically accepted November 1 through March 31

For U.S. citizens pursuing a graduate SLP or audiology degree at a U.S. CAA-accredited institution with at least a 3.5 cumulative GPA. Funds help offset tuition, books, and fees.

CAPCSD Frances J. Laven and Research Scholarships

Status: Annual

Amount: $3,000 to $5,000 for applicable student programs; separate PhD awards can be larger

Deadline: Typically uses a fall deadline; review the current program cycle

Supports exemplary service, student research, and advanced CSD scholarship. Students must carefully review member-institution and nomination requirements.

NBASLH Scholarships

Status: Annual scholarship and award programs

Amount: Varies by award

Deadline: Cycle and deadline vary by award

Programs have supported medical SLP interests, culturally responsive practice, leadership, academic resilience, and convention participation. Degree level, identity, membership, and attendance rules vary by award.

PDS Opening Doors Scholarship

Status: Annual

Amount: $1,500

Deadline: Typically closes around November 1

A private scholarship for SLP graduate students based on the sponsor’s application and essay prompt.

Bilingual Therapies Graduate Scholarship

Status: Recurring fall and winter cycles

Amount: Up to $7,000

Deadline: Typically July 15 for fall and November 15 for winter

For bilingual SLP graduate students entering their final academic year and preparing for school-based work with bilingual and bicultural children.

Review the required one-year post-graduation employment commitment before accepting the award.

Oklahoma Graduate Student Scholarship

Status: Annual

Amount: Varies; confirm the current amount with the sponsor

Deadline: Typically closes in late September

For full-time graduate students in CAA-accredited Oklahoma speech-language pathology programs. Review the current application for transcript, recommendation, and enrollment requirements.

Funding before graduate school

Undergraduate SLP and CSD Scholarships

Undergraduate opportunities are fewer and often tied to membership, location, identity, or a university department. These programs expressly include undergraduate CSD, SLP, or qualifying SLPA students.

National NSSLHA Undergraduate Scholarships

Status: Annual

Amount: Six $1,000 junior awards and four $500 sophomore awards

Deadline: Typically open September through December

Applicants must be current National NSSLHA members, be sophomores or juniors in a CSD program, hold at least a 3.25 cumulative GPA, and not be previous recipients.

Oklahoma Undergraduate Student/SLPA Scholarship

Status: Annual

Amount: Not stated by the sponsor

Deadline: Typically closes in late September

For full-time undergraduate students in an Oklahoma CSD program or an Oklahoma speech-language pathology assistant program. Transcripts and two recommendations are required.

AKSHA Beirne Scholarship

Status: Annual

Amount: $1,000

Deadline: Typically closes in mid-September

For eligible Alaska residents pursuing accredited undergraduate or graduate education in speech-language or hearing fields.

API Speech-Language-Hearing Caucus Scholarship

Status: Annual

Amount: $500 in the current directory listing

Deadline: Review the sponsor page for the current cycle

For eligible Asian or Pacific Islander caucus members accepted to or enrolled in undergraduate or graduate CSD study. Membership and heritage requirements apply.

NBASLH Student Scholarships and Awards

Status: Annual scholarship and travel-support programs

Amount: Varies by program

Deadline: Cycle and deadline vary by award

Offerings may include scholarships and travel support for qualifying undergraduate and graduate students in SLP, communication sciences and disorders, and speech-and-hearing sciences. Review each cycle for identity, academic, membership, and convention requirements.

Related fields, explicit SLP eligibility

Additional Scholarships That Include SLP Students

These are not exclusively SLP scholarships. They are included separately because the official sponsor expressly identifies speech-language pathology, speech therapy, or speech pathology as an eligible field.

AMBUCS Scholarships for Therapists

Status: Annual

Amount: $600 to $1,500, plus one two-year $6,000 award

Deadline: Applications are typically accepted February 1 through April 1

Graduate SLP students are expressly eligible alongside PT, OT, and audiology students. Awards consider financial need, community commitment, character, and career goals. Local chapter sponsorship receives priority consideration.

AMN Care Champions Scholarship

Status: Annual

Amount: $5,000

Deadline: Typically opens around September; review the current cycle for the closing date

Speech-language pathology is expressly listed with several related professional programs. Verify the new cycle’s degree-level requirements and closing date on the application page.

HIE Help Center Therapy Scholarship

Status: Annual

Amount: $1,000

Deadline: Typically uses a summer deadline

For eligible undergraduate or graduate students pursuing speech, occupational, or physical therapy at a U.S. institution. Recent programs required at least a 3.25 GPA and an essay or creative project.

National Association of Junior Auxiliaries Graduate Scholarship

Status: Annual

Amount: Varies

Deadline: Applications are typically accepted September 1 through February 1

Speech pathology is expressly included among eligible fields serving children and youth. Applicants must meet citizenship, residence, study, and child-service requirements in a state with a Junior Auxiliary chapter.

State and regional funding

Scholarships Close to Home

State associations and regional foundations may attract fewer applicants than national programs. Eligibility is often based on where a student lives, studies, or intends to practice.

Texas Speech-Language-Hearing Foundation

Status: University and criteria-specific awards

Amount: Varies

The foundation administers numerous endowed awards connected to Texas universities and professional interests. Many candidates are selected through their university rather than a public application.

California Speech Hearing Association Foundation

Status: Annual graduate scholarship program

Deadline: Typically opens in November and closes December 15

For qualifying CSHA student members enrolled in advanced SLP, CSD, communicative-disorders, or audiology programs in California.

Delaware Speech-Language Pathologist Scholarship

Status: Annual

Amount: Determined by funding and the applicant pool

Deadline: Typically opens in December and continues into spring

For Delaware residents attending an eligible Delaware institution full time in a graduate speech-language pathology program.

Michigan Speech-Language-Hearing Foundation

Status: Annual

Amount: Varies by cycle

Deadline: Review the sponsor page for the current cycle

Recent programs served qualifying final-year, full-time master’s SLP or AuD students studying in Michigan and planning to work in Michigan.

Colorado Scottish Rite Foundation Graduate Scholarships

Status: Annual; handled through participating programs

Amount: Confirm with the current participating university

Deadline: Typically uses a June 15 deadline

Supports qualifying graduate SLP students at participating Colorado universities. Ask the department how applications or nominations are managed.

Find Your State Association

Status: Research tool

Use ASHA’s state-by-state directory, then search the association’s website for student scholarship, foundation, award, and conference scholarship opportunities.

Often the largest source of support

University Scholarships, Assistantships, and Tuition Support

Many of the most valuable funding opportunities never appear in a national scholarship search. They are offered through the university, graduate school, CSD department, clinic, or faculty research project.

Ask Every Program

  1. Are admitted students automatically considered for department awards?
  2. Is there a separate scholarship application?
  3. Are assistantships, stipends, traineeships, or tuition waivers available to master’s students?
  4. When are awards decided relative to the enrollment deposit?
  5. Does the program nominate students for CAPCSD or state foundation awards?
  6. Can institutional aid and outside scholarships be combined?

Tip: Some programs automatically consider admitted students, while others require a university-wide application. Ask the graduate coordinator and financial-aid office separately because they may know about different funding pools.

Know what the award actually pays for

Research, Conference, and Service-Linked Support

These opportunities can be valuable, but they are not ordinary tuition scholarships. Confirm whether the award pays for research, conference participation, or education tied to future service or employment.

ACPA David P. Kuehn Scholarship

Status: Professional-development award

Amount: $1,500

Deadline: Typically opens in September and closes in October

Helps an eligible graduate CSD or related-field student attend the American Cleft Palate Craniofacial Association annual meeting. Support may cover registration, travel, or lodging and includes student membership.

ACPA John Riski Speech Scholarship

Status: Professional-development award

Amount: $1,000

Deadline: Typically opens in September and closes in October

Supports an eligible SLP graduate or doctoral student interested in cleft and craniofacial care, or an eligible early-career SLP, with meeting expenses, membership, and mentoring.

NYC Jose P. Graduate Scholarship Program

Status: Service-linked tuition support

New York City Public Schools includes speech-language pathology among covered shortage-area clinician fields. Eligibility and future employment or service requirements apply.

Review the service length, placement, salary, licensure, and repayment provisions before accepting funding.

California Foundational Firsts

Status: Undergraduate support program, not a formal scholarship

Supports eligible California undergraduates preparing for SLP or audiology graduate study through mentoring, convention participation, and possible assistance with graduate-application costs.

Prepare once, tailor every application

Build a Strong Scholarship Application

Create a reusable core packet early, then customize each essay and supporting statement to the sponsor’s actual mission.

1. Build Your Core Packet

  • Official and unofficial transcripts
  • A focused one-page resume
  • Proof of admission or enrollment
  • FAFSA information when need is considered
  • Membership records when required

2. Prepare Recommenders

Identify two or three people who can discuss your academic, clinical, employment, research, or community work. Give them the eligibility rules, your resume, and the actual submission deadline.

3. Tailor the Essay

Connect specific experiences and future goals to the sponsor’s stated purpose. A precise example of service, leadership, research, bilingual practice, or perseverance is stronger than a generic statement that graduate school is expensive.

4. Verify Before Submitting

Reopen the official sponsor page. Confirm the cycle, deadline, time zone, accreditation rule, membership status, permitted use of funds, and whether an employment or service obligation applies.

A SpeechTherapy.com scholarship

Clinical Pathways Graduate Scholarship

SpeechTherapy.com created the Clinical Pathways Graduate Scholarship to support students who bring meaningful professional experience into advanced speech-language pathology training.

This directory helps students find outside opportunities. The Clinical Pathways page remains the official source for our scholarship’s eligibility, award process, recipients, and future cycles.

Frequently asked questions

Understanding SLP Scholarship Eligibility

Use the sponsor’s official rules for final decisions, especially when accreditation, enrollment format, or permitted expenses affect eligibility.

Are there scholarships specifically for speech-language pathology students?

Yes. National organizations, professional associations, private sponsors, state foundations, and universities offer awards specifically for SLP or CSD students. Some carefully selected programs shared with related fields also expressly include SLP students.

Can online SLP graduate students apply?

Sometimes. Eligibility depends on the award, enrollment status, and the program’s accreditation. Confirm the current rule directly with the sponsor rather than assuming online study is included or excluded.

Can undergraduate students use this guide?

Yes. The undergraduate section identifies national, state, caucus, and association opportunities for CSD, speech-language pathology, and qualifying SLPA students. University department awards are also especially important at the undergraduate level.

Does SLPA or clinical experience strengthen an application?

It can demonstrate commitment, clinical insight, leadership, and service. The strongest application explains how that experience connects to the specific sponsor’s mission.

Can scholarship money cover living expenses?

It depends on the award. Some permit broad educational or living expenses, while others send funds directly to the university for tuition and fees or reimburse only research and travel costs.

Can several scholarships be combined?

Often, but university financial-aid rules and individual award terms may affect how outside aid is applied. Report outside awards to the financial-aid office and ask whether institutional aid will change.

What does CAA-accredited mean?

The Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology accredits eligible graduate programs. Some scholarships require attendance at an accredited program or one holding candidacy status.

Help keep the guide current

Know of an SLP Scholarship We Should Verify?

Send us the official sponsor link. We review opportunities before adding them and do not list programs that charge an application fee. Submission does not guarantee inclusion, and SpeechTherapy.com cannot answer questions on behalf of outside sponsors.

Scholarship updates

Stay Informed About Future Opportunities

We share occasional updates when verified scholarships open and when the Clinical Pathways program develops.

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