Speech Pathology Master’s Program Scholarships

What is the Average Speech Pathology Master’s Tuition?

The first step to becoming a speech pathologist is to attend a master of speech pathology program. The latest research on graduate school costs comes from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). According to NCES data for the 2021-22 school year, average graduate tuition and fees were $20,513. That figure covers graduate programs of all kinds, not speech pathology specifically. ASHA says a speech language pathology master’s generally takes two years of full-time study for students with an undergraduate degree in communication sciences and disorders, and other students may need extra time for prerequisite courses. Two years at the general rate comes to roughly $41,026 in tuition and fees. Treat that as an illustration rather than a measured program total, because it leaves out living expenses, books and other costs.

Across graduate programs of all kinds, costs tend to be higher at private nonprofit institutions (average $29,931) than at public institutions (average $12,596, in-state tuition only). You can offset graduate school costs with scholarships and grants and possibly by choosing a public school in the state you reside in. To weigh these costs against earnings, see our guide on whether a speech pathology degree is worth it.

Federal loans can cover part of the cost, but the limits depend on how your program is classified. Federal Student Aid’s interim professional degree list currently includes speech language pathology. Under the loan limits that took effect July 1, 2026, professional students can borrow up to $50,000 per year and $200,000 in total in Direct Unsubsidized Loans, and Grad PLUS loans are no longer available to new borrowers.

Programs outside the professional category are held to the lower graduate limits of $20,500 per year and $100,000 in total. The list is interim under court orders and may change as the litigation proceeds, so confirm your program’s category with its financial aid office. Students who were enrolled in their program by June 30, 2026 and received a Direct Loan for it before July 1, 2026 may keep the previous limits and Grad PLUS access for up to three academic years or the time remaining in the program, whichever is less. The loan limits FAQ explains each case.

How to use this Scholarship Guide

• Start with your FAFSA and school aid – Fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and talk with your program’s financial aid office about institutional grants, assistantships, and tuition discounts.
• Layer in national and regional scholarships – Use the national and regional lists below to find awards you can apply to, no matter where you’re studying.
• Check state and local opportunities – Many state speech-language-hearing associations and community foundations offer smaller but very helpful awards for residents or in-state students.
• Watch for service obligations – Some programs, especially state or workforce scholarships, are forgivable loans or require you to work in a particular setting or region after graduation. Many of these commitments are in schools, so see our guide to working as a school speech pathologist before you sign one.
• Re-check every year – Even if you don’t win an award this year, you might be eligible again next cycle.

If you are still preparing applications, our guide to applying to speech pathology school walks through the process.

Grants for SLP Students

Here are some master of speech pathology grants students can apply for. There are also school-specific grants, which can be found with a school’s financial aid office.

Tip: Use this guide as a starting point, but always double-check current amounts, deadlines, and eligibility on the scholarship provider’s website.

ASHFoundation Student Research Grant in Early Childhood Language Development

• Amount: Up to three grants of $4,000 each
• Description: Helps full-time master’s and doctoral students in U.S. speech language pathology or speech language science programs fund research on early childhood language development. Speech language pathology master’s programs must be CAA accredited or in candidacy.

Emerson College Fellowships

• Amount: Half or full tuition; awards are capped at the cost of tuition
• Description: Emerson offers half-tuition and full-tuition graduate fellowships, and complete applications are considered automatically. Students enrolling in the online Communication Disorders MS (Speech@Emerson) are not eligible for fellowships or scholarships, so this applies only to eligible Emerson applicants. The awards are not specific to speech language pathology.

National Master’s in Speech Scholarships

These scholarships are open to SLP graduate students across the United States (unless otherwise noted).

AMN Healthcare Care Champions Scholarship

• Amount: $5,000
• Description: For current graduate students in physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech language pathology, social work or school psychology. Applicants submit a 60–90 second video.

AMBUCS Scholarship

• Amount: $600–$1,500, plus one two-year $6,000 award
• Description: For students accepted to or enrolled in accredited graduate programs in physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech language pathology or audiology. Financial need is considered and a FAFSA is required. Applications run from early February through the beginning of April each year.

ASHFoundation Graduate Student Scholarship

• Amount: Up to 15 general scholarships of $5,000 each
• Description: For undergraduate seniors accepted to a master’s program and for current full-time master’s and doctoral students in communication sciences and disorders at U.S. institutions, where speech language pathology master’s programs must be CAA accredited or in candidacy. Applicants who have received an earlier ASHFoundation scholarship are not eligible. The three special categories below are listed separately from the general awards, and applicants can receive only one award.

ASHFoundation International Student Scholarship

• Amount: $5,000 each; up to three awards
• Description: A category of the Graduate Student Scholarship for non-U.S. citizens studying in the United States.

ASHFoundation Minority Student Scholarship

• Amount: $5,000 each; up to three awards
• Description: A category of the Graduate Student Scholarship for U.S. citizens who are members of a racial or ethnic minority group.

ASHFoundation NSSLHA Student Scholarship

• Amount: $5,000 each; up to three awards
• Description: A category of the Graduate Student Scholarship for undergraduate seniors with active National NSSLHA membership who are beginning graduate study.

Bilingual Therapies Graduate Scholarship

• Amount: Up to $7,000, paid as a monthly stipend during the final year
• Description: For bilingual speech language pathology students in ASHA-approved programs who have native or near-native proficiency in a second language and apply before their final year. Applications are accepted twice a year. Recipients must work full time for Bilingual Therapies for one year after receiving the degree, which the provider’s FAQ describes as a school-based assignment.

CAPCSD Frances J. Laven Scholarship

• Amount: Up to ten awards of $5,000 each
• Description: For master’s speech language pathology, audiology or SLP doctoral students at CAPCSD member institutions. Each institution nominates one student, and institutional membership must be current, so ask your program’s CSD office about the nomination window.

Frederick J. Krause Scholarship on Health and Disability (AAHD)

• Amount: Generally $1,000
• Description: For part-time or full-time graduate students at accredited U.S. universities who are U.S. citizens or legal residents and have a documented disability as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act. Confirm the current application window with AAHD.

NBASLH Invo Healthcare Scholarship

• Amount: $1,000 honorarium
• Description: For students enrolled in ASHA-accredited master’s speech language pathology programs who plan to serve children in schools or early intervention settings. A faculty recommendation is required.

NBASLH Scholarships

• Amount: $500–$1,000 per award
• Description: The National Black Association for Speech-Language and Hearing lists several student awards, including ones for master’s and doctoral students and for students of color. Eligibility differs by award, so review each listing and confirm that the next cycle is open.

CAPCSD Plural Publishing Research Scholarships

• Amount: $3,000 each; two awards
• Description: One award supports clinical research by master’s or audiology students and one supports research by PhD students. Applicants must be at CAPCSD member institutions with current membership.

Sertoma Communicative Disorders Scholarship

• Amount: $1,000 per award
• Description: For U.S. citizens in graduate speech language pathology or audiology programs at CAA-accredited U.S. institutions with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher. Applicants who will graduate before the end of August 2027 are not eligible in the current posted cycle. Applications are accepted from November through March each year.

Additional National & Broadly Available Scholarships

These awards are not always SLP-specific but are accessible to communication sciences and disorders students.

National NSSLHA Undergraduate Scholarships

• Amount: $500–$1,000
• Description: For current National NSSLHA members who are sophomores or juniors in CSD programs with a GPA of at least 3.25, helping offset costs before entering graduate school. Six awards are $1,000 for juniors and four are $500 for sophomores.

TAG Scholars Program – Midwestern University Glendale (Arizona)

• Amount: About $22,000, covering one year of advanced training
• Description: For students accepted to the speech language pathology program at Midwestern University’s Glendale campus. Recipients complete a character application and agree to two years of service in Arizona Title 1 schools after graduating.

Regional Master’s in Speech Scholarships

Here are some master’s in speech language pathology scholarships that students in certain regions of the country can apply for.

Southeast

NAJA Graduate Scholarship Program (National Association of Junior Auxiliaries)

• Amount: Not published
• Description: For U.S. citizens who are permanent residents of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri or Tennessee and are pursuing one year of graduate study in a field that serves children and youth, which includes speech language pathology. Applications are accepted from September through early February each year.

State Master’s in Speech Scholarships

Below are examples of state-level scholarships for SLP graduate students. Many state speech-language-hearing associations and local foundations offer similar awards—always search for your state association and “scholarship” to see the latest opportunities. To compare programs in your state, browse speech pathology programs by state.

Alabama

Speech and Hearing Association of Alabama Graduate Student Scholarships

• Amount: Two $500 awards (one in speech language pathology, one in audiology) and seven $100 awards
• Description: For graduate students in Alabama communication sciences and disorders programs. The $500 awards are by application and the $100 awards are by professor nomination. The association’s separate minority student scholarships require membership.

Alaska

Dr. Helen Beirne Scholarship

• Amount: $1,000
• Description: For Alaska residents studying speech language or hearing sciences at an accredited institution, at the undergraduate or graduate level. The committee may prefer Alaska Native students or those who work with Alaska Native populations.

California

Baldwin Scholarship (California Scottish Rite Foundation)

• Amount: $1,000–$6,000 per year (the foundation’s general range)
• Description: For California residents pursuing a master’s or doctoral degree in public-service fields that include speech language pathology, with a minimum 3.0 GPA and plans for full-time enrollment.

Delaware

Delaware Speech-Language Pathologist Scholarship

• Amount: Not yet published; the state announces the amount each cycle and funding depends on General Assembly approval
• Description: For Delaware residents enrolled full time in a graduate speech language pathology program at a Delaware institution who meet the institution’s academic progress policy. The program page lists no service obligation. The award is non-renewable, but recipients may reapply.

Indiana

IUB–Lions Club Scholarship (Indiana University Bloomington)

• Amount: $1,500 each; two master’s awards and one audiology award
• Description: For master’s and audiology students in Indiana University Bloomington’s speech and hearing sciences department who graduated from an Indiana high school and are committed to working with people who have communication differences.

Indiana Speech-Language-Hearing Association Student Scholarships

• Amount: Not published
• Description: The association offers as many as four scholarships each year to Indiana graduate students in speech language pathology or audiology. Recipients must be current members, and the association asks applicants to contact it for details.

Iowa

Iowa Speech-Language-Hearing Association Foundation Scholarships

• Amount: $2,000–$3,000 per award
• Description: For full-time graduate students in audiology or speech language pathology at Iowa programs. Awards are based on merit rather than financial need, and some prefer Iowa residents or volunteers.

Kansas

Margaret Byrne Sarricks Scholarship (KSHA)

• Amount: Not published
• Description: For Kansas Speech-Language-Hearing Association student members who are current or recent master’s, audiology or PhD students in Kansas communication disorders programs, up to one year after graduating. Recipients complete research with a faculty sponsor, register for the KSHA conference and present their research poster there. The deadline falls in June each year.

Kentucky

Steckol and Stanley Memorial Fund Scholarships (KSHA)

• Amount: Not published
• Description: The Kentucky Speech-Language-Hearing Association lists these memorial fund scholarships, but its page does not publish amounts or eligibility. Contact the association before applying.

Maine

Educators for Maine (FAME)

• Amount: $4,000 for graduate students in 2026-27, as a forgivable loan
• Description: A competitive, merit-based forgivable loan from the Finance Authority of Maine for Maine residents with at least a 3.0 GPA who are seeking initial teacher certification, including as a speech pathologist, and who plan to work in Maine. Graduate students must be enrolled at least half time. The loan is forgiven through eligible service; otherwise it must be repaid with interest. The application opens each February.

Massachusetts

General Federation of Women’s Clubs of Massachusetts Speech and Language Pathology Scholarship

• Amount: Starting at $1,000
• Description: For Massachusetts legal residents in graduate study in speech language pathology.

Michigan

Michigan Speech-Language-Hearing Foundation Scholarships

• Amount: Two awards of $1,000 each
• Description: For full-time, final-year master’s speech language pathology or audiology students at Michigan programs who plan to work in Michigan after graduating.

Minnesota

Minnesota Speech-Language-Hearing Foundation Scholarships

• Amount: Not published
• Description: Recognizes outstanding graduate students from Minnesota speech language pathology and audiology programs. The foundation does not publish a deadline, so contact the association office.

New Mexico

Allied Health Loan-for-Service Program

• Amount: Need-based, up to $16,000 per year
• Description: For New Mexico residents of at least 12 months who are enrolled at least half time at a New Mexico public institution in a listed health profession, which includes speech language pathology. Recipients agree to serve in a shortage area, and a portion of the award is forgiven for each year of service. Applications open in May and close in early July each year.

New York

Jose P. Graduate Scholarship Program (Teach NYC)

• Amount: Full or partial scholarship for the master’s degree, depending on funding
• Description: For U.S. citizens or residents with a 3.0 GPA or higher who are not already certified or employed by the city’s Department of Education and are pursuing a master’s in monolingual or bilingual speech language pathology, a shortage area. Recipients commit to two years of service in high-need New York City schools for each scholarship year, and fees and prerequisites are not covered.

Oklahoma

Oklahoma Speech-Language-Hearing Association Graduate Student Scholarship Award

• Amount: Not published
• Description: For full-time master’s or doctoral students in ASHA-accredited Oklahoma speech language pathology or audiology programs. Applicants submit two letters, and one must come from a current association member.

South Carolina

SCSHA Foundation Student Scholarship

• Amount: $1,000
• Description: A competitive, merit-based award for current South Carolina Speech-Language-Hearing Association student members. Graduate students must have completed at least one semester in an accredited South Carolina speech language pathology or communication sciences and disorders program.

Sharonda Coleman-Singleton Memorial Scholarship (same SCSHA page)

• Amount: $1,000
• Description: Honors speech language pathologist and educator Sharonda Coleman-Singleton. For minority students in South Carolina pursuing a bachelor’s or master’s in speech language pathology with a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Graduate students must have completed at least one semester in an accredited South Carolina program.

South Dakota

South Dakota Speech-Language-Hearing Association Scholarship

• Amount: Two $500 awards for incoming graduate students
• Description: For South Dakota undergraduate communication disorders seniors who will begin a graduate speech language pathology or audiology program. The awards are not for current master’s students.

Texas

Sara Haynes Endowed Scholarship Fund (TSH Foundation)

• Amount: Not published
• Description: For full-time students in accredited Texas speech language pathology programs who are committed to clinical work with adults who have neurogenic communication disorders.

Vermont

Elizabeth J. Davis Scholarship

• Amount: $1,000–$3,000
• Description: For Vermont residents in nursing, physical therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy or medical social work who plan to work in Vermont home care after graduating. Financial need is considered but not required.

Virginia

Carilion Health Focus Scholarships (Carilion Clinic Foundation)

• Amount: $250–$5,000
• Description: For residents of the specific localities in the foundation’s southwest Virginia service area (see the provider’s locality list) with financial need and a 3.0 GPA or higher who are earning an associate, bachelor’s or graduate health care degree at an accredited Virginia institution. The page does not name speech language pathology, so confirm that your program qualifies.

Wisconsin

Judith H. and David J. Ward Scholarship

• Amount: $2,000
• Description: For first-year M.S. or M.A. students in accredited Wisconsin speech language pathology programs who are interested in school-based service. The Wisconsin Speech-Language-Hearing Association lists it among its foundation scholarships and presents awards at its spring convention. Its eligibility grid summarizes the criteria.

Risa Mari Otto Scholarship

• Amount: $3,000
• Description: A memorial scholarship listed on the same Wisconsin Speech-Language-Hearing Association page. For students enrolled in a Wisconsin graduate speech language pathology program who speak Spanish and have completed at least 20 undergraduate Spanish credits. Recipients commit to treating Hispanic clients as speech language pathologists.

Eligibility Requirements to Watch For

Scholarships for speech pathology students tend to apply the same few filters. Check these before you spend time on an application.

• Association membership – Several awards require current membership. Examples include National NSSLHA for its undergraduate scholarships and ASHFoundation NSSLHA category, state associations in Indiana, Kansas and South Carolina, and CAPCSD awards that require your institution to be a member.
• State residency or enrollment – Most state awards require residency or enrollment at an in-state program, Educators for Maine also requires Maine residency, and the Alabama, Michigan, Oklahoma and Wisconsin awards are limited to students at programs in those states.
• Minimum GPA – Where providers state a GPA, it is 3.0 for the Baldwin, Coleman-Singleton, Jose P., Carilion and Educators for Maine awards, 3.25 for the NSSLHA undergraduate awards and 3.5 for Sertoma.
• Service commitments – The Jose P. program, New Mexico’s loan-for-service program, the TAG Scholars Program, Bilingual Therapies (one year of full-time work after graduating) and the Educators for Maine forgivable loan tie the award to working in a set place or setting after graduation.
• Language skills – Bilingual Therapies requires near-native proficiency in a second language, and the Risa Mari Otto Scholarship requires spoken Spanish and at least 20 undergraduate Spanish credits.
• Citizenship – Some awards, including Sertoma, the ASHFoundation Minority Student Scholarship and the NAJA program, require U.S. citizenship, while the International Student Scholarship is limited to non-U.S. citizens.

Use Scholarships and Grants to Pay for Speech Pathology School

Scholarships and grants are available for students with all types of backgrounds and experience to help pay for speech pathologist school. Find what you’re eligible for and follow the application directions to qualify. Get financial assistance to help you achieve a career in speech pathology.