If you’re interested in studying speech-language pathology (SLP) at the graduate level, you’re in good company. In addition to a 19% projected growth rate by 2032, the number of awarded master’s degrees in speech pathology has been steadily rising due to increasing demand. In fact, the total enrollment for speech-language pathology master’s programs reached a high in the 2022-2023 academic year at 24,320 — that’s a 60.5% increase from the previous decade.
For some aspiring speech pathologists, SLP master’s degree program costs can be the single biggest limiting factor to earning the degree. The good news is that there are plenty of financial aid opportunities, especially scholarships, available to make the financial burden a bit easier.
The purpose of this guide is to focus on these forms of merit-based aid by providing an overview of what’s available and advice on how to improve your chances of earning a scholarship and taking the next steps towards your goals. Get started by applying to these scholarships below.
Available Scholarships for Speech Pathology Graduate Students
Becoming a licensed speech pathologist takes about six to eight years of post-high school education. Fortunately, there are various forms of financial aid available to offset the cost, such as scholarships, grants, and fellowships. These are ideal because they don’t need to be paid back. Besides helping students save money on the cost of pursuing their degrees, these awards may help to open up more potential job opportunities after graduation, as there will be less pressure to earn a specific salary to begin paying back student loans. Here’s a list to get you started.
General Scholarships for Speech Pathology Students
AAHD Frederick J. Krause Scholarship on Health and Disability
- Organization: American Association on Health and Disability
- Description: Graduate or undergraduate students with a disability recognized by the Americans with Disabilities Act can apply for this scholarship. They must also be pursuing a degree in public health, disability studies, audiology, special education, rehabilitation engineering, or other fields that have an impact on individuals with disabilities.
- Amount: Up to $1,000
- Deadline: March
AASEA Legacy Scholarship
- Organization: Arkansas Association of Educational Administrators
- Description: Graduate and undergraduate students working toward a degree that will allow them to provide services to special needs children, including speech pathology, may apply. Individuals who intend to work in Arkansas will be given special preference during the selection process.
- Amount: Varies
- Deadline: April
Allied Healthcare Scholarship Program
- Organization: California Department of Health Care Access and Information
- Description: Applicants must be taking at least six credits, have a GPA of at least a 2.0, and commit to working in an underserved area of California for at least one year. Students must be enrolled in a qualified healthcare program which includes speech pathology.
- Amount: Varies
- Deadline: October
AMBUCS Scholarship Program
- Organization: National AMBUCS, Inc.
- Description: This scholarship is open to graduate students earning a degree in speech language pathology, hearing audiology, physical therapy, and occupational therapy.
- Amount: $600 to $6,000
- Deadline: May
Autism Science Foundation Pre- and Postdoctoral Training Awards
- Organization: Autism Science Foundation
- Description: This award goes to graduate students or postdoctoral fellows who want to conduct research into almost any research area, including speech and communication disorders, as long as they relate to autism.
- Amount: $35,000 (for predoctoral students) or $50,000 (for postdoctoral students)
- Deadline: December
The Bilingual Therapies Graduate Scholarship Program
- Organization: Bilingual Therapies
- Description: This scholarship program focuses on students who want to become speech pathologists and work with clients who are culturally and linguistically diverse. It’s also open to students who want to become bilingual school psychologists.
- Amount: Up to $7,000
- Deadline: July and November
CSHA Foundation Scholarship Program
- Organization: California Speech-Language Hearing Association
- Description: Individuals interested in this scholarship must be enrolled in a graduate speech-language pathology program (or related field) in the state of California. They must also be a CSHA student member.
- Amount: Varies
- Deadline: December
DotCom Therapy Scholarship
- Organization: DotCom Therapy
- Description: DotCom Therapy funds three scholarships for student members of the National Black Association for Speech-Language and Hearing. To be eligible, applicants must be enrolled in a program that will lead to a career as a speech-language pathologist, show an interest in practicing as a teletherapist, and discuss why diversity is important in telehealth.
- Amount: $1,000
- Deadline: January
Dr. Helen Dittman Beirne Scholarship
- Organization: Alaska Speech Language Hearing Association
- Description: Students must be Alaska residents who are pursuing a graduate or undergraduate degree in speech/language or hearing communication from an accredited institution. Preference will be given to applicants who are Alaska Native or plan to work with Alaska Native populations.
- Amount: $1,000
- Deadline: September
Dwight A. Hamilton Scottish Rite Foundation of Colorado Graduate Scholarship in Speech-Language Pathology
- Organization: Scottish Rite Foundation of Colorado
- Description: Graduate students studying speech pathology can apply to this scholarship if they are also students at the University of Northern Colorado or the University of Colorado at Boulder. Applicants must be Colorado residents and remain in the state to help children with language disorders.
- Amount: $5,000
- Deadline: June
Graduate Student Scholarship
- Organization: American Speech-Language-Hearing Foundation
- Description: Any student who’s enrolled in a graduate-level communication science and disorders program may apply. A select number of scholarships will be reserved for certain types of applicants, such as international, disabled, and minority students.
- Amount: $5,000
- Deadline: May
Karlind T. Moller Cleft/Craniofacial Scholarship for Speech Pathology/Audiology Students
- Organization: American Cleft Palate Craniofacial Association
- Description: The scholarship helps graduate and undergraduate speech-language pathology and audiology students fund their research projects that involve patients with cleft lip/palate or other craniofacial conditions.
- Amount: $1,000 + 1 year student membership
- Deadline: Varies
Med Travelers Scholarship
- Organization: AMN Healthcare – Med Travelers
- Description: An applicant must be a current student in a physical therapy, occupational therapy, school psychology, or speech-language pathology graduate program.
- Amount: $5,000
- Deadline: Varies
NAJA Scholarship Program
- Organization: National Association of Junior Auxiliaries
- Description: Students interested in this scholarship should have completed at least one year of graduate studies in a field that relates to special needs children, including speech pathology, special education, and counseling. Applicants must also have plans to work directly with children after graduation.
- Amount: Varies
- Deadline: February
NBASLH Student Research Scholarship
- Organization: National Black Association for Speech-Language and Hearing
- Description: Full-time students conducting research on linguistically and/or culturally diverse groups while enrolled in an ASHA-accredited program are eligible for this scholarship. Applicants must be members of the NBASLH and studying speech-language pathology, audiology, or another field in the speech-language-hearing sciences.
- Amount: $1,000
- Deadline: March
Plural Publishing Research Scholarships
- Organization: Council of Academic Programs in Communication Sciences
- Description: Two research scholarships are available, with one going to master’s degree students and the other going to doctoral students. Applicants must be engaged in research relating to audiology, speech-language pathology, or speech-language-hearing sciences.
- Amount: Varies
- Deadline: September
Preparing Students for Academic Research Careers (SPARC) Award
- Organization: American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
- Description: The primary goal of this scholarship is to help students who want to engage in a research-oriented career in a field relating to communication sciences and disorders. This scholarship is only open to graduate students and upper-class undergraduates.
- Amount: $1,000
- Deadline: April
Scott Harris Award
- Organization: University of Alabama
- Description: This scholarship is designed to reward one minority speech language pathology graduate student from the University of Alabama who demonstrates exceptional personal and academic qualities. One scholarship is awarded each year.
- Amount: Varies
- Deadline: Varies
Sertoma Communicative Disorders Scholarship
- Organization: Sertoma, Inc.
- Description: Funded by the Sertoma Annual Fund, this scholarship is intended for graduate students enrolled in an accredited audiology or speech-language pathology program. Applicants must be U.S. citizens and have at least a 3.5 GPA.
- Amount: $1,000
- Deadline: March
Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Scholarship and Endowment
- Organization: Loma Linda University
- Description: This scholarship goes to a student who shows financial need and is enrolled in a speech-language pathology or similar program at the Loma Linda University School of Allied Health Professions
- Amount: $2,000
- Deadline: Varies
Speech-Language Pathology Graduate Student Scholarship
- Organization: Voice Aerobics
- Description: Anyone who’s enrolled in a graduate speech-language program that’s ASHA-accredited is eligible to apply.
- Amount: $500
- Deadline: April
Thomas J. Hixon Student Research Award
- Organization: University of Arizona
- Description: This award is open to undergraduate or graduate students from the University of Arizona who are engaged in research relating to speech science and communication disorders. Preference is given to graduate students working on research relating to a thesis or dissertation.
- Amount: Up to $500.00
- Deadline: Varies
VOCES Bilingual Speech Pathology Scholarships for Undergraduate Students
- Organization: VOCES Bilingual Speech Pathology, LLC
- Description: While only undergraduate students may apply, only applicants who are enrolling in a graduate program relating to speech or communication disorders will be eligible to receive the award. The award includes GRE fee reimbursements and guidance during the graduate school application process.
- Amount: Varies
- Deadline: Rolling
Von Drach Memorial Scholarship
- Organization: Pennsylvania Speech-Language-Hearing Association (PSHA)
- Description: This scholarship is available to full-time students working towards a degree that will result in professional-level certification in speech-language pathology, audiology, or educating the hearing impaired within Pennsylvania. Applicants must be a member of the PSHA.
- Amount: $1,000
- Deadline: February
23 Resources for Speech Pathology Master’s Students
While your speech pathology master’s degree program will provide you with resources and guidance to assist you in your studies, there are additional resources that can help you make it to graduation. The following list of resources can help you in a range of contexts, from the classroom to the workplace.
Podcasts/Blogs/Books
- Bilingual Speechie: This is another speech language blog, but it’s dedicated to offering bilingual resources in Spanish and English. Available resources can be used in both the research and clinical setting.
- Busy Bee Speech: Another great blog on tips and advice for speech language pathologists. The website also resources, some of which are available for free after signing up.
- The Dabbling Speechie: In addition to a blog, this website has a host of other resources that speech language professionals will find useful, such as a newsletter, podcast, and an online shop of special worksheets that can be used in conjunction with toys used for speech therapy.
- Nice Speech Lady: More than just a blog, this website contains tons of other resources, such as videos, worksheets, job listings, and testing tools.
- Playonwords.com: Besides its speech therapy-oriented blog, this website is a great place for reviews of toys that can be used for speech therapy.
- Speech Time Fun: Managed by a speech language pathologist, this website provides a laid-back online resource for finding new ideas for treatments and interacting with fellow professionals. Resources include an online retreat, blog, and podcast.
- Speech Room News: This well-established blog discusses all things relating to speech therapy. Additional resources include online courses and reviews of tools often used by speech language pathologists.
- Super Power Speech and Education: This blog is designed to inspire speech language professionals and educators. Some resources are available for sale, but many are free, although signing up is required.
Organizations
- American Academy of Private Practice in Speech Pathology and Audiology (AAPPSPA):The mission of this organization is to help audiologists and speech language pathologists in private practice by offering advocacy, networking, and professional guidance.
- American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA): When it comes to communication, speech, and audiology professions, the ASHA is the preeminent and most well-known professional organization. Members can contribute to the development of professional standards, advancing research, and cultivating professional relationships.
- Dysphagia Research Society (DRS):DRS works towards supporting research, educational initiatives, and charitable causes connected to the understanding and treatment of swallowing and related processes.
- National Student Speech Language Hearing Association (NSSLHA):This major student organization helps individuals working toward a degree in communication sciences and disorders. It’s the only student organization in this field that’s recognized by the ASHA.
Research Websites
- APA PsycNet: Available from the American Psychological Association, this website contains a variety of full-text journals on multiple topics, such as The Journal of Speech and Language Pathology – Applied Behavioral Analysis.
- ASHAWire: This website serves as the research and journal arm of the ASHA. This is a wide variety of speech-language pathology journals and special collections.
- The Informed SLP: This website offers digests and summaries of recent research relating to speech-language pathology and similar fields.
- Journal of Laryngology & Voice: This is a peer-reviewed journal of original research on all topics having to do with voice disorders and laryngology. Full articles may be accessed for free online.
- National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD): Part of the National Institutes of Health, the NIDCD engages and supports speech, language, hearing, and related research.
- ScienceDirect: This is a massive online database of scientific journals on practically any topic, including speech pathology. Users can search based on journal name, author, and keyword. Abstracts are readily available and full copies of journals may be ordered or accessed through a user’s educational institution.
- University of Texas Libraries – Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences: Much of the scholarly research information is only available to University of Texas students, but there are other informative resources available to the public, such as a list of speech-language pathology websites and organizations.
Additional Resources
- Connecticut Children’s Medical Center – Speech-Language Pathology Resources for Patients and Families: This is a great resource for anyone just learning about speech pathology and would appreciate basic, foundational knowledge about issues with speech and swallowing, as well as the treatment options available.
- Kidmunicate – 100+ Best Speech and Language Websites and Blogs: Kidmunicate offers speech therapy services, but also has a great list of online resources relating to speech language pathology and therapy.
- Speech-Language Resources for Education Professionals: This is a collection of online resources for teachers who are looking for extra tools to help students with literacy and language challenges.
- SpeechPathology.com – State SLP Licensure Boards: This is a commercial site for continuing education, but offers several useful state-based resources, including licensure boards, professional organizations, and state licensing requirements.
Applying for Scholarships & Increasing Your Chances
Scholarships are typically the most sought-after forms of financial aid and for good reason: The money received doesn’t need to be paid back. However, because scholarships are so popular, it can be challenging to receive one. Here are some tips to boost your chances of receiving a scholarship and ways to ensure you get the highest award possible.
Preparing Your Scholarship Applications
- Follow the scholarship guidelines carefully. Simply following the scholarship’s requirements won’t guarantee an award, but it can help avoid an automatic rejection. Students may ruin their chances to receive a particular scholarship because they don’t follow instructions, and their application is never even considered.
- Meet all application requirements. It’s bad enough to get rejected from a scholarship you put a lot of time and effort into. It’s even worse to learn that you applied for a scholarship you weren’t even eligible to receive. To avoid this mistake, double check the eligibility requirements before spending significant time and effort on a scholarship application.
- Customize your applications. Most scholarships are awarded based on financial need, academic achievement, and/or professional accomplishments. Meeting all these requirements will usually get you into final consideration, but you want your application to be memorable and different, so highlight aspects of yourself that you don’t think the scholarship selection committee will expect.
- Focus on your achievements, skills, and experience. The type of scholarship and its eligibility requirements will help dictate what achievements, skills, and experience you choose to focus on. If you have clinical experience, that’s something you’ll want to make sure to mention. Practical experience offers unique views and learning moments that can help you provide different perspectives and talking points in your scholarship application or selection process.
- Obtain letters of recommendation. Get started on making these requests as quickly as possible. When your recommender finishes writing the letter of recommendation can potentially be the limiting factors as to how quickly you submit your application. Find a recommender who can vouch for your experience and interest in speech pathology. The more concrete details they can provide about you and your work, the better.
Increase Your Chances of Winning a Scholarship
- Apply for as many scholarships as possible. It makes sense that the more scholarships you apply to, the more chances you have of winning a speech pathology scholarship. Just make sure that you don’t overemphasize quantity over quality. Finishing that one extra scholarship application means nothing if your submission doesn’t show you in the best light.
- Go for the bigger amounts. If you’re limited to the number of scholarships you can apply to, try to focus on those that have higher monetary awards. Not only does this provide a higher return on your time investment, but these types of scholarships often receive fewer applications. This is because the scholarships with the higher dollar values tend to require more work from applicants.
- Show your passion. Individuals and organizations have created a speech pathology scholarship because they want to help people who are passionate about this career field. If it relates to the theme or objectives of the scholarships, try and emphasize what your professional goals are. And if there’s a compelling origin story for those goals, be sure to mention it.
- Build professional relationships. Winning a scholarship is a lot like getting a job in that who you know is sometimes as important as what you know. Depending on where they are and who they know, a speech pathologist can put in a good word for you to the scholarship committee. At a minimum, they can offer advice for your applications and potentially write a recommendation letter for you.
- Seek help from mentors and advisors.If you find someone who works in a speech pathology or similar job, don’t be afraid to ask for their help when applying for a scholarship. They might have suggestions on what to include or omit on your application, as well as bring to your attention other financial aid opportunities you might not be aware of. And depending on their skillset, they might be able to help you prepare certain parts of your application, such as an essay or interview.