What Scholarships are Available for ABA Students?
ABA scholarships are available through universities, professional associations, autism nonprofits, and state organizations. Award amounts range from $100 to more than $40,000. Most require graduate enrollment in an applied behavior analysis, psychology, or special education program. Eligibility criteria vary by GPA, residency, and research focus. Many students qualify for multiple scholarships at the same time.
- Criteria and Other Considerations When Applying for a Scholarship
- Finding Scholarships for Applied Behavior Analysis Master’s Degree Programs
- Finding Scholarships for Graduate Degrees in Psychology and Education
- National Scholarships and Scholarships Organized by State
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Key Takeaways
Even with strong demand for qualified applied behavior analysts, the path to BCBA certification comes with real educational requirements and tuition costs to match.
Qualifying for BCBA certification through the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) requires at least a master’s degree and graduate-level coursework that meets current BACB eligibility standards. Those requirements have evolved over the years, so it’s worth confirming the latest standards with your program advisor or checking the BACB website directly before you enroll. Either way, meeting the education requirements for board certification doesn’t come cheap.
Getting a good scholarship, or several, can cut your costs dramatically and may be the difference between being able to afford a degree or not.
Because applied behavior analysis is both a relatively new field and a relatively small one, it isn’t always easy to find dedicated scholarships for graduate programs in ABA. Many options are restricted to residents of particular states, and many are for a relatively small dollar amount.
You do have options, though. Whether you have your eyes on a master’s in ABA specifically, or a degree in education or psychology with an emphasis on ABA, we’re here to help you find them.
Here we provide an overview of scholarship options available, where you might find more like them, and what you can expect in terms of qualifying.
Criteria and Other Considerations When Applying for a Scholarship
All scholarships have eligibility criteria you’ll need to meet to be considered.
In some cases, requirements might even relate to the organization or person who created the scholarship and may be surprisingly specific.
The Cynthia E. Morgan Scholarship Fund offers grants of $1,000 and is a good example of the kind of options you’ll find at the state level. This scholarship is only available to individuals who:
- Are current residents of the state of Maryland.
- Are juniors, seniors, or recent graduates of a Maryland high school with plans to attend an accredited Maryland post-secondary school.
- Are the first in their immediate family to go to college.
- Plan to enter a medical or medical-related field.
Basic criteria and other considerations you’ll need to keep in mind when looking and applying for scholarships include:
Scholastic Performance and GPA
“C” students need not apply.
You need to be an ace to be considered for virtually any scholarship. You become a de facto representative of the organization that sponsors your education, and they only want top performers. Expect any sponsor to be very selective when it comes to academic performance.
This is particularly true for scholarships restricted to graduate programs. A minimum grade point average is typically required, frequently above 3.5.
Residency Requirements
Location matters.
Many scholarships have residency requirements and are only available to residents of a particular state. Sometimes location requirements are even more specific, with some scholarships limited to graduates of certain high schools.
Others may be based on where you plan to work after getting your degree.
The Autism Recovery Foundation, for example, offers a scholarship only for ABA students who intend to pursue careers in the state of Minnesota. This is a good example of the kind of opportunity available in other states. Look for professional associations for certified and state-licensed ABAs in your state to see what they have to offer.
Timing
No procrastinating.
Most scholarships have deadlines for filing and applying. But sometimes there is also a specific time range in which the scholarship can be used. Don’t expect to score a scholarship and then delay enrolling by taking time off, unless you can make it work with your class schedule.
There may also be rules on what years of your program are eligible to be covered, with some only applying to your first year as a grad student.
Number of Scholarships Awarded
Improve your odds.
One benefit to some of the lower dollar value grants is that there may be plenty of slots available, which could improve your odds. You and a group of other applicants may all receive a small slice of a larger financial pie.
When researching your options, check to see how many awards will be made at each level to get a better feel for your chances.
Don’t limit yourself to just one scholarship or one type, either. The more you apply for, the better your odds of getting one, or more than one.
Finding Scholarships for Applied Behavior Analysis Master’s Degree Programs
As demand for qualified applied behavior analysts has grown, more and more scholarships have been coming online specific to the field of ABA.
Look for options through the university you’re considering enrolling in, local ABA clinics, and nonprofits and professional associations:
University Direct
Scholarships may be offered through the graduate school department offering the ABA program, as is the case with Michigan State University’s ABA program, which offers full scholarships for up to seven students. This is a good example of what’s out there at the university level.
You may be deciding between a few colleges in your state or surrounding states, or if your net is wider because you’re looking at online programs, you may have several schools to consider. Take the time to see if they offer options like the one through MSU. This might help you make a final decision on which program to enroll in.
ABA Providers
Clinics and other providers of ABA services are another possible source of scholarships. It’s worth looking through providers in your area to see what scholarships they may be promoting on their website.
Even if you don’t find anything locally, this is still beneficial footwork. Getting an idea of the professional landscape in your area gives you a feel for the type of practice you’d like to work in once you earn your degree and become certified. You might even end up talking to the provider you eventually do your practicum or field experience with, laying the groundwork for your career.
Nonprofits and Industry Groups
The field of applied behavior analysis has been growing in parallel with the rise in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnoses. Since ABA therapy is one of the few scientifically validated treatments for ASD, a number of autism support groups and research-oriented nonprofits now offer ABA scholarships. A couple of the biggest players are:
There are also ABA industry groups that either provide direct grants to ABA graduate students or offer resources for finding such grants:
- The Society for Advancement of Behavior Analysis (SABA) tops the list in terms of dollar figures, with individual grants reaching $12,000 or more to support student research projects.
- Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) is a great resource for tracking down grants available from various chapters. The grants are not administered through ABAI directly, but the association provides a consolidated list of member chapter grants and links to where you can apply. These can run up to $1,000 and have various criteria depending on the chapter or special interest group offering the grant.
Finding Scholarships for Graduate Degrees in Psychology and Education
Of course, you don’t necessarily need to earn a master’s in applied behavior analysis specifically, which means you aren’t limited to scholarships available strictly for ABA programs.
Many ABA students come to the field through advanced degrees in two closely related fields: psychology and education. In these fields, the scholarship prospects tend to be considerably better.
Psychology Scholarships
If you cast a wider net to include psychology programs with behavior-analytic coursework that meets BACB certification requirements, you’ll still meet the requirements for board certification, plus you’ll find more scholarship opportunities.
These can range from small grants like the $1,000 American Psychological Foundation grants, all the way up to $25,000 fellowships like the Elizabeth Munsterberg Child Psychology Graduate Student award.
The American Psychological Association has a large database of scholarship and research grant programs that is easily searchable for specific topics of study and possible recipients.
Education Scholarships
For most teachers, an advanced degree is the surest route to better pay and is often strongly recommended or even required to meet state licensing requirements. If you’re looking at a master’s in special education with a concentration in ABA, programs with that focus are likely on your radar.
Good news: there are a large number of well-funded scholarship opportunities designed to assist master’s degree candidates in the field of education.
The federal TEACH (Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education) Grant remains one of the most popular options for teachers, and it does include graduate programs in special education as one of the qualifying subject areas. Service commitment terms and income requirements apply, so check the current eligibility details at the Federal Student Aid website before applying.
There are also other scholarships specifically for teachers earning a degree in special education, such as the Dorothy B. Lewis Special Education scholarship.
Other Scholarships Not Specific to Any Degree Field
You may also have opportunities on the basis of your ethnicity, gender, income level, or location that will help support your master’s degree.
Most colleges also have financial aid offices that are happy to walk through available opportunities with you and help navigate the application process.
You can even stack up multiple scholarships from multiple sources if you’re willing to put in the work. You might be surprised how many you qualify for.
National Scholarships and Scholarships Organized by State
Here you’ll find scholarships available to ABA students nationwide and by state. Start by taking a look at options at the top that don’t have any state residency requirements, then see what’s going on at the state level. Remember, qualifying for one scholarship isn’t likely to make you ineligible for another, so go after any and all options that work for you.
Find Info for Your State
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Non-State-Based ABA Scholarships
Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (ABCT) Graduate Student Research Grant
Benefit: Up to $1,000
Eligibility:
- Must be a graduate student and a member of ABCT
- Must be seeking funding for an unfunded thesis or dissertation research project approved by your faculty advisor
- Must include letter of support from faculty advisor
Other details:
- Grant is awarded based upon a combination of need and merit
- See scholarship website for current deadlines.
APA Division 25 Innovative Student Research Award
Benefit: $250
Eligibility:
- Must be a current student or within one year of graduation
- Must be a member of APA Division 25 (Behavior Analysis)
- Must submit original student research in behavior analysis
Other details:
- Annual award; see scholarship website for current deadlines.
Autism Science Foundation Pre- and Postdoctoral Training Awards
Benefit: Varies
Eligibility:
- Open to doctoral students, medical students, and postdoctoral fellows pursuing basic or clinical research relevant to autism spectrum disorders
- Must be enrolled in a research doctorate program (Ph.D., Sc.D., or M.D./Ph.D.) at an accredited institution
- U.S. citizens enrolled in programs inside or outside the United States are eligible; non-U.S. citizens at U.S.-based institutions are also eligible
- Must spend 80% of professional time on autism research during the award period
Other details:
- Annual fellowship; one-year awards; see scholarship website for current deadlines.
Autism Speaks Predoctoral Fellowship for Autistic Scientists
Benefit: $40,000 per year for two years ($28,000 stipend plus $12,000 annual allowance for research costs, professional travel, and tuition)
Eligibility:
- Must be an autistic doctoral student enrolled in a program leading to a research doctorate (Ph.D., Sc.D., or combined degree such as M.D./Ph.D.)
- Must have at least two years remaining in the program
- Open to applicants from U.S. and international institutions
Other details:
- This fellowship is specifically designed to support and elevate autistic voices in autism research
- See scholarship website for current cycle deadlines.
Behavioral Gerontology SIG Student Researcher Award
Benefit: $50
Eligibility:
- Must be a graduate or undergraduate student who is first author on a behavioral gerontology or age-related talk or poster
Other details:
- Must present winning presentation at the Association of Behavior Analysis International annual conference
- See scholarship website for current deadlines.
Berkshire Association for Behavior Analysis and Therapy (BABAT) Student Paper Award
Benefit: $1,000
Eligibility:
- Must be a current undergraduate or graduate student or recent (less than one year) graduate
- Must have conducted the research described in the paper as a student
- Paper must be 25-50 typewritten pages in APA format
Other details:
- Must agree to present paper at the annual BABAT conference in Amherst, MA in October
- See scholarship website for current deadlines.
Benefit: $500
Eligibility:
- Must be a current undergraduate or graduate student or recent (less than one year) graduate
- Must submit a poster based upon research the student conducted as the first author
- Poster must be accompanied by a letter from student advisor
Other details:
- Must be able to attend the annual BABAT conference in Amherst, MA in October
- See scholarship website for current deadlines.
B.F. Skinner Foundation/BABAT Student Research Award
Benefit: $500
Eligibility:
- Must be a graduate student in behavior analysis
- Must submit a student-driven research proposal approved by your department head
Other details:
- Must be able to attend the annual BABAT conference in Amherst, MA in October
- See scholarship website for current deadlines.
Chris Anderson Research Grant of the Organizational Behavior Management (OBM) Network SIG
Benefit: Varies
Eligibility:
- Must be a graduate psychology student submitting a research proposal in the OBM area of ABA
- Both the researcher (applicant) and sponsoring faculty mentor must be a member of the OBM Network
Other details:
- Must agree to present winning research at the OBM Network Conference held every other spring
- Must agree to submit winning research manuscript to the Journal of Organizational Behavioral Management for review and possible publication
- See scholarship website for current deadlines.
Council for Children with Behavioral Disorders Eleanor Guetzloe Undergraduate Scholarship
Benefit: Varies
Eligibility:
- Must be a student enrolled in undergraduate or graduate studies related to working with children with behavioral needs
- Must be a current member of the Council for Exceptional Children
Experimental Analysis of Human Behavior SIG Student Paper Award
Benefit: Complimentary ABAI conference registration and a small monetary award
Eligibility:
- Must be a recent graduate (one year) or a current undergraduate or graduate ABA student
- Must be first author on a paper concerning basic experimental research issues
- Paper must have gone through a peer review process
- Paper must be no longer than 30 pages and adhere to APA guidelines
- Must also submit a letter from faculty sponsor
Other details:
- Must be available to present winning paper at the ABAI conference
- See scholarship website for current deadlines.
John R.Z. Abela Student Dissertation Award/ABCT
Benefit: $500
Eligibility:
- Must be a doctoral student and a member of ABCT
- Dissertation research topic must be related to cognitive behavioral therapy, specifically the development, maintenance, and/or treatment of depression in children under 18
- Dissertation must have been successfully proposed
- Must include letter of recommendation from dissertation advisor
Other details:
- See scholarship website for current deadlines.
Leonard Krasner Student Dissertation Award/ABCT
Benefit: $1,000
Eligibility:
- Must be a doctoral student and a member of ABCT
- Dissertation research topic must be related to cognitive behavioral therapy
- Dissertation must have been successfully proposed
- Must include letter of recommendation from dissertation advisor
Other details:
- See scholarship website for current deadlines.
Organization for Autism Research Graduate Research Grant
Benefit: $1,000 for master’s degree students conducting autism research; $2,000 for doctoral or post-doctoral students
Eligibility:
- Must be a master’s, doctoral, or post-doctoral student conducting independent autism research
Other details:
- See scholarship website for current deadlines.
Pass the Big ABA Exam (PTB) Scholarship
Benefit: Free PTB ABA Exam Study Manual plus free admission to the PTB Big Exam Prep Workshop (a six-week BCBA/BCaBA exam preparation course)
Eligibility:
- Must be a BCBA or BCaBA candidate and a first-time PTB student
- Must submit an essay as part of the application
Other details:
- Multiple scholarship cycles per year (Spring, Summer, Fall); see scholarship website for current deadlines.
Penn State World Campus Scholarship
Benefit: Varies
Eligibility:
- Must be enrolled in a Penn State World Campus behavioral health and analysis program and have completed at least 24 credits
- Must have a 3.2 GPA (cumulative)
- Must file a FAFSA with the Office of Student Aid
Other details:
- Include personal statement, recommendation letter, and essay with your completed application
- See scholarship website for current deadlines.
SABA Innovative Student Research Grant
Benefit: Up to three doctoral dissertation grants of $5,000 each; up to two master’s thesis grants of $2,000 each; one additional grant of up to $1,000
Eligibility:
- Must be enrolled or accepted in a doctoral or master’s program in psychology, education, behavioral science, or an allied discipline with behaviorally oriented faculty
- Must have at least one full academic year remaining in the program
- Supports applied or basic research in the experimental analysis of behavior
- Applicants may not apply for both this grant and the Bijou Grant in the same year
Other details:
- Annual competitive process; recipients recognized at the SABA Awards Ceremony at the ABAI Annual Convention
- See scholarship website for current deadlines.
SABA Innovative Student Research Grant in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Benefit: Varies
Eligibility:
- Must be a graduate student submitting research relevant to diversity, equity, and inclusion in behavior analysis
- Must be enrolled in a behavior analysis or closely related doctoral or master’s program
Other details:
- Active grant; 2024 award confirmed; see scholarship website for current cycle details and deadlines.
SABA International Development Grant
Benefit: $1,000
Eligibility:
- Must be interested in developing and promoting behavior analysis on an international scale
- Winners are expected to present their winning ideas at the annual SABA convention
SABA Senior Student Presenter Grant
Benefit: SABA will pay for the winner’s registration to present at the SABA annual conference
Eligibility:
- Must be a student member of ABAI by the grant application deadline
- Must be the first author of a submission (paper, poster, symposium, or panel)
SABA Sidney W. & Janet R. Bijou Grant
Benefit: Up to $12,000
Eligibility:
- Must be involved in doctoral research designed to improve understanding of child development based on ABA concepts
- Applicants may not apply for both this grant and the Innovative Student Research Grant in the same year
Other details:
- Annual award; 2024 recipient confirmed; see scholarship website for current deadlines.
Benefit: Varies
Eligibility:
- Must be a full-time student enrolled in a high-needs field (ABA is one of them)
- Must be a U.S. citizen/eligible non-citizen
- Must show financial need
- Must maintain a 3.25 GPA
Other details:
- Must commit to teaching in this field in a low-income school upon graduation
- Check current eligibility requirements and service commitment terms at the Federal Student Aid website before applying.
Verbal Behavior SIG Student Grant
Benefit: Up to $500
Eligibility:
- Must be a graduate or undergraduate student in verbal behavior ABA
- Must submit a proposal relevant to any topic in verbal behavior with humans or non-human animals
- Must submit letter of support from advisor
Other details:
- See scholarship website for current deadlines.
Virginia A. Roswell Student Dissertation Award/ABCT
Benefit: $1,000
Eligibility:
- Must be a doctoral student and a member of ABCT
- Dissertation research topic must be related to cognitive behavioral therapy
- Dissertation must have been successfully proposed
- Must include letter of recommendation from dissertation advisor
Other details:
- See scholarship website for current deadlines.
Alabama ABA Scholarships
Graduate Assistantship, Jacksonville State University M.S. in Psychology with Concentration in ABA
Benefit: Varies
Eligibility:
- Must be a graduate student in Jacksonville State University’s MS in Psychology/ABA program
Alaska ABA Scholarships
No scholarships currently listed. Check with local ABA organizations and universities for current opportunities.
Arizona ABA Scholarships
No scholarships currently listed. Check with local ABA organizations and universities for current opportunities.
Arkansas ABA Scholarships
Pam Biesiot Memorial Scholarship/Arkansas Support Network
Benefit: Varies
Eligibility:
- Must be an employee of Arkansas Support Network, Inc. or immediate family member
- Must be pursuing an educational endeavor that will benefit ABA/autism/disabilities
Other details:
- Scholarship may be used for a one-day conference, college tuition, or anything educational
- See scholarship website for current deadlines.
California ABA Scholarships
CalABA Student Research Awards
Benefit: Four awards of $500 each, presented at the CalABA annual conference
Eligibility:
- Must be a graduate student or within one year of graduation from a graduate ABA program in California
- Must be a member of the California Association for Behavior Analysis (CalABA)
- Must submit student-driven behavior-analytic research (thesis, dissertation, or other original project approved by your department)
Other details:
- These awards consolidate the legacy B.F. Skinner Foundation Research Award and the Julie Vargas Research Award into a single unified program
- See scholarship website for current deadlines.
Autism Research Postdoctoral Training Program — University of California Davis
Benefit: $30,000
Eligibility:
- Must have a doctorate in behavioral science
- Must be planning a career in autism research
- Must submit a sample of written work
- Must submit three letters of recommendation
Other details:
- See scholarship website for current deadlines.
Colorado ABA Scholarships
Benefit: Up to $10,000
Eligibility:
- Must be a graduate student or postdoctoral researcher at Colorado University and an investigator on a translational or communications research study
- Must register for and present a poster at the annual Butcher Symposium
Other details:
- Award is for one year
Connecticut ABA Scholarships
No scholarships currently listed. Check with local ABA organizations and universities for current opportunities.
Delaware ABA Scholarships
Daniel and Lois Gray Memorial Scholarship/Autism Delaware
Benefit: $1,000
Eligibility:
- Must be a full-time graduate or undergraduate student at the University of Delaware pursuing a career in ABA/autism
- Must submit a description of your career plans
- Must submit a faculty recommendation
Other details:
- See scholarship website for current deadlines.
District of Columbia ABA Scholarships
No scholarships currently listed. Check with local ABA organizations and universities for current opportunities.
Florida ABA Scholarships
B.F. Skinner Foundation Florida Graduate Student Research Award
Benefit: $500
Eligibility:
- Must attend a graduate-level program in Florida
- Must be a member of FABA (Florida Association for Behavioral Analysis)
- Must submit a proposal for a student-driven ABA research project, dissertation, or thesis that has been approved by your department head
- Must submit a faculty letter of support
Other details:
- Must submit cover letter, abstract, introduction, methods, and references electronically to FABA; faculty letter of support must be emailed directly from the faculty member
- See scholarship website for current deadlines.
Benefit: Varies
Eligibility:
- Must be a member of the Florida Association for Behavior Analysis
- Specific criteria and amounts vary by grant cycle
Other details:
- See scholarship website for current opportunities and deadlines.
Project MABAS (Masters in Applied Behavior Analysis and Social Work)/University of South Florida
Benefit: Full in-state tuition, monthly stipends, and support for conference attendance and travel during school-based fieldwork
Eligibility:
- Must be admitted into the USF MS in Applied Behavior Analysis program
- Federally funded interdisciplinary personnel-preparation grant for students planning to work with children with challenging behavior in school settings
Other details:
- Trains ABA and social work scholars in an interdisciplinary model; see scholarship website for current availability.
Benefit: Three semesters of in-state tuition, out-of-state tuition waivers for non-residents, and stipends for three semesters, plus conference and travel support
Eligibility:
- Must be admitted into the USF campus ABA MS program
- Trains ABA and school social work students to serve children with emotional and behavioral disorders in educational settings
Other details:
- See scholarship website for current availability.
Georgia ABA Scholarships
Jan L. Branham Scholarship/University of Georgia College of Education
Benefit: Varies
Eligibility:
- Must be a currently enrolled graduate student studying ABA/autism at the University of Georgia
Hawaii ABA Scholarships
M.Ed. SPED: Ho’olako Grant Cohort/University of Hawai’i at Manoa College of Education
Benefit: Tuition stipend for 33 credits, initial $1,400 stipend at beginning of program, $600 registration and travel stipend to attend regional or state conference to present research
Eligibility:
- Must already hold a Hawaii teaching license and have two years of experience with ABA/autistic students in a rural, remote, or disadvantaged area within the state of Hawaii
- Must have a 3.0 GPA and a bachelor’s degree
Other details:
- See scholarship website for current deadlines.
Idaho ABA Scholarships
Dr. Stephen S. & Susan Feit Scholarship/Idaho State University
Benefit: Varies
Eligibility:
- Must be an Idaho State University student in the Department of Counseling
- Must write an essay on your educational aims and career choices
Other details:
- See scholarship website for current deadlines.
Illinois ABA Scholarships
Loyola University Chicago MEd in Applied Behavior Analysis Scholarship
Benefit: 25% scholarship off graduate tuition for eligible students
Eligibility:
- Must be enrolled in Loyola University Chicago’s MEd in Applied Behavior Analysis program
- Specific eligibility criteria and application details available through the program office
Other details:
- See scholarship website for current availability.
The Chicago School of Professional Psychology Merit Scholarship
Benefit: Up to $10,000, renewable up to three years for full-time five-year degree programs and up to two years for full-time programs of four years or less
Eligibility:
- Must be a new, incoming, domestic student of The Chicago School of Professional Psychology
- Must have a cumulative GPA of 4.0 or a combined GRE score of 315 (taken after 8/1/11)
Other details:
- Must maintain full-time student status and a cumulative GPA of 3.5 to keep the scholarship
- See scholarship website for current deadlines.
The Chicago School of Professional Psychology President’s Scholarship
Benefit: Up to $7,000, non-renewable
Eligibility:
- Must be a new, incoming, domestic student of The Chicago School of Professional Psychology
- Must have a cumulative GPA of 3.3 for post-bachelor’s programs or 3.5 for post-master’s programs
Other details:
- Must maintain full-time student status and a cumulative GPA of 3.2 to keep the scholarship
- See scholarship website for current deadlines.
The Chicago School of Professional Psychology Dean’s Scholarship
Benefit: Up to $5,000, non-renewable
Eligibility:
- Must be a new, incoming student of The Chicago School of Professional Psychology
- Must have demonstrated prior academic excellence, service contributions, and achievements
Other details:
- Must maintain full-time student status and a cumulative GPA of 3.0 to keep the scholarship
- See scholarship website for current deadlines.
The Chicago School of Professional Psychology Global Impact Scholarship
Benefit: $1,000, non-renewable
Eligibility:
- Must be a new or returning international student of The Chicago School of Professional Psychology enrolled in an on-campus program
- Must submit an essay sharing your journey to The Chicago School and how your education will help you impact the ABA field
Other details:
- See scholarship website for current deadlines.
The Chicago School of Professional Psychology International Student Grant
Benefit: Between $1,500 and $14,500 (non-renewable)
Eligibility:
- Must be a new, international student accepted into The Chicago School of Professional Psychology enrolled in an online or on-campus program
Other details:
- Must maintain full-time academic status in good academic standing to remain eligible
- See scholarship website for current deadlines.
Indiana ABA Scholarships
Ball State University Graduate Assistantship/Masters in ABA program
Benefit: Varies; includes stipend and a majority waiver of tuition cost
Eligibility:
- Must be a student in Ball State’s Masters in ABA program
- Must agree to work 20 hours/week (full-time) or 10 hours/week (part-time)
Iowa ABA Scholarships
No scholarships currently listed. Check with local ABA organizations and universities for current opportunities.
Kansas ABA Scholarships
University of Kansas Scholarships
- ASD-EBD Partnership Grant
- Benefit: Approximately $10,000 for full-time master’s students; approximately $26,000 for full-time doctoral students
- Eligibility:
- Must be a full-time master’s or doctoral student at the University of Kansas in an applied behavioral science program
- Must submit a resume and statement of your work with ASD students
- Other details:
- Upon acceptance of grant, you must sign a contract with the U.S. Department of Education stating that you are committed to maintaining full-time employment for two years with ASD students
- Helen Jedlicka Mandigo Student Scholarship
- Benefit: $500
- Eligibility:
- Must be enrolled at University of Kansas in an applied behavioral science program
- Must be currently receiving financial aid/assistance
- Other details:
- See scholarship website for current deadlines.
- Harley S. Nelson Family Scholarship
- Benefit: $1,500
- Eligibility:
- Must be enrolled in humanities or social sciences at the University of Kansas
- Merit-based award
Kentucky ABA Scholarships
Janet Johnson Memorial Scholarship/Northern Kentucky University
Benefit: Varies
Eligibility:
- Must be a special education/ABA major at Northern Kentucky University
- Must have a 2.5 GPA
- Preference given to candidates with experience working with children with special needs
- Must include recommendation by education professor
Louisiana ABA Scholarships
McNeese State University Graduate Assistantship — MA in Psychology with Concentration in ABA
Benefit: Varies; includes monthly stipend and 50% tuition reduction
Eligibility:
- Must be a student in the school’s MA in Psychology/ABA program
- If selected, must agree to work in the McNeese Autism Program
Maine ABA Scholarships
No scholarships currently listed. Check with local ABA organizations and universities for current opportunities.
Maryland ABA Scholarships
Bridgers-Moore Autism Studies Scholarship/Towson University
Benefit: Varies
Eligibility:
- Must be in the Towson University Post-Baccalaureate Certificate Program in Autism Studies and plan to pursue a career in ABA/autism
- Must possess a master’s or doctoral degree in a related field
- Must write an essay
- Must have a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0
Other details:
- See scholarship website for current deadlines.
Project EnRICH/Johns Hopkins University School of Education
Benefit: Full tuition for the ABA Post-Master’s Certificate program plus additional stipends for professional development and experiences
Eligibility:
- Must apply and be accepted to the JHU Post-Master’s Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis
- Must demonstrate financial need through FAFSA
- Program specifically prepares multilingual scholars to serve children with disabilities from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds
Other details:
- Federally funded through the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs; see scholarship website for current cycle availability.
Massachusetts ABA Scholarships
ABA Positive Outcomes Scholarship/William James College
Benefit: $10,000
Eligibility:
- Must be admitted to William James College’s MA in Applied Behavior Analysis program
- All applicants are automatically considered; no separate application required
- Merit-based; notification included in admission letter
Other details:
- See scholarship website for current details.
Michigan ABA Scholarships
Michigan State University ABA Scholarships
Benefit: Scholarships covering up to 18 credit hours for some students in the fully online program
Eligibility:
- Must be a permanent Michigan resident
- Must have a master’s degree in behavior analysis, education, or psychology
- Must have a supervisor for fieldwork hours to be completed along with coursework
Other details:
- Must submit a statement of why you want to be a behavioral analyst
- Must state what you plan to do with the credential
- Must state how you plan to accumulate the required supervised fieldwork hours
- Must submit two letters of recommendation and transcripts from any undergraduate and graduate courses taken
- See scholarship website for current deadlines.
Minnesota ABA Scholarships
Applied Behavior Analysis Scholarship Program/Autism Recovery Foundation
Benefit: $1,000 per year for BCBA candidates; $500 per year for BCaBA candidates; recipients may re-apply
Eligibility:
- Must intend to pursue a career in ABA and autism in Minnesota (preference given to those planning to work with underserved populations or in rural areas)
- Must be admitted to or enrolled full- or part-time in a course program accredited by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board
Other details:
- Submit application online
- See scholarship website for current deadlines (typically July 1 for fall; November 1 for spring).
Mississippi ABA Scholarships
Pine Belt Mental Healthcare Resources Scholarship/University of Southern Mississippi
Benefit: Varies; includes an internship with a monthly stipend
Eligibility:
- Must be a student in the University of Southern Mississippi Department of Psychology’s Applied Behavior Analysis master’s program
Missouri ABA Scholarships
Missouri State University Scholarships:
Benefit: Varies
Eligibility:
- Must be at least an undergraduate sophomore or enrolled in the Master of Science in Psychology program at MSU
- Must submit two letters of recommendation
Bryan Scot Schowengerdt Memorial Scholarship
Benefit: $550 per academic year
Eligibility:
- Must be at least a sophomore full-time student at MSU with a major in psychology
- Must have a 3.0 GPA
- Must show financial need
Other details:
- Preference given to Missouri resident from Bates County
Jennifer L. Stewart Memorial Psychology Scholarship
Benefit: $2,000/year
Eligibility:
- Must be an MSU graduate student in the master’s program in psychology
- Must plan to work with children and/or young adults
- Must have a 3.25 GPA
Other details:
- See scholarship website for current deadlines.
Larry and Meredith Bass Memorial Scholarship
Benefit: $250
Eligibility:
- Must be a sophomore or greater psychology student at MSU
- Must have a cumulative and departmental GPA of 3.3
- Must have a desire to seek a Ph.D. or Psy.D. in psychology
- Must demonstrate financial need
Other details:
- See scholarship website for current deadlines.
Montana ABA Scholarships
Graduate Assistantship/Montana State University Billings
Benefit: $2,500/semester
Eligibility:
- Must be a graduate student in MSU’s Special Education/ABA program
Nebraska ABA Scholarships
Ph.D. in Applied Behavior Analysis Funding Package/University of Nebraska Medical Center
Benefit: Annual stipend of approximately $28,700 plus full tuition remission (up to 12 credits per semester), free health insurance, and conference travel support
Eligibility:
- Must be enrolled full-time in the ABAI-accredited Ph.D. in Applied Behavior Analysis program at UNMC’s Munroe-Meyer Institute
- Must maintain a 3.0 GPA and remain in good academic standing
- Must have completed at least 12 months as a Ph.D. student before some funding components activate
Other details:
- Funding combines research assistantship, clinical training, and conference participation; see program website for current details.
Building Better Behaviors Grant/University of Nebraska Omaha
Benefit: Full tuition, fees, and a monthly stipend
Eligibility:
- Must be applying to or enrolled in a graduate degree program in Applied Behavior Analysis at UNO
- Must be interested in supporting school teams serving students with high-intensity needs
- Funded through the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs
Other details:
- Participating students receive approximately 20 hours per week of grant-related training activities in addition to regular coursework; see scholarship website for current availability.
Nevada ABA Scholarships
Student Research Presentation Award/Nevada Association for Behavior Analysis
Benefit: Complimentary NABA membership and conference registration; modest stipend (often cited as $100)
Eligibility:
- Must be an undergraduate or graduate student or recent graduate (six months) of an ABA program
- Preference is given to students/graduates conducting research in or near Nevada
- Presentation may be single (one student for 50 minutes) or dual (two students each speaking for 25 minutes)
Other details:
- Must present winning presentation at a NABA event
- See scholarship website for current deadlines.
New Hampshire ABA Scholarships
No scholarships currently listed. Check with local ABA organizations and universities for current opportunities.
New Jersey ABA Scholarships
ABA Graduate Assistantship at Caldwell University
Benefit: 100% tuition up to 9 graduate credits/year
Eligibility:
- Given to an ABA student chosen by department chairs at Caldwell University
New Mexico ABA Scholarships
University of New Mexico Graduate Assistantship
Benefit: Varies
Eligibility:
- Must be a graduate student in UNM’s Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis program taking at least six hours of graduate course work
- Must have and maintain a 3.0 GPA
- If selected, must agree to work 10 to 20 hours/week
New York ABA Scholarships
Endowed Teaching as Applied Behavior Analysis Scholarship/Teachers College Columbia University
Benefit: Varies
Eligibility:
- Must be accepted into the Teachers College of Columbia University
- Must complete general scholarship application with admissions application
- Must indicate ABA major on application
Other details:
- See scholarship website for current deadlines.
Foundation for Empowering Citizens with Autism, Inc. Scholarship
Benefit: Varies (usually $500)
Eligibility:
- Must be a resident of New York or enrolled in a New York college or university in a continuing education program involving ABA/working with children with autism
North Carolina ABA Scholarships
Student Scholarship Award/North Carolina Association for Behavior Analysis
Benefit: $100 plus complimentary NCABA conference registration
Eligibility:
- Must be a student member of NCABA
Other details:
- Contact NCABA for details and current deadlines.
North Dakota ABA Scholarships
North Dakota Counseling Association Graduate Scholarship Program
Benefit: $1,000
Eligibility:
- Must be enrolled as a full-time student in a graduate ABA program in a North Dakota college or university
Other details:
- See scholarship website for current deadlines.
Ohio ABA Scholarships
No scholarships currently listed. Check with local ABA organizations and universities for current opportunities.
Oklahoma ABA Scholarships
No scholarships currently listed. Check with local ABA organizations and universities for current opportunities.
Oregon ABA Scholarships
Education Scholarship/Southern Oregon University M.Ed. Program with Emphasis in ABA and ASD
Benefit: Varies
Eligibility:
- Must be a student in Southern Oregon University’s M.Ed. program with Emphasis in ABA and ASD
Other details:
- See scholarship website for current deadlines.
Pennsylvania ABA Scholarships
CHOP (Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia) Psychology Internship Program
Benefit: $28,352 for one year, distributed bi-weekly
Eligibility:
- Must be a doctoral-level student studying psychology with an emphasis on ABA/autism
- Must commit to work for one year
East Stroudsburg University Scholarships
Class of… Endowed Scholarships
Benefit: Varies
Eligibility:
- Must be a special education student at East Stroudsburg University
- Must have completed at least 30 credits
- Must have a 3.0 GPA
- Must demonstrate financial need
Dr. John Kovalkoski Memorial Endowed Scholarship
Benefit: Varies
Eligibility:
- Must be a special education student at East Stroudsburg University
SOAR (Success: Opportunity + Ambition = Reality) Annual Scholarship
Benefit: Varies
Eligibility:
- Must be a special education student at East Stroudsburg University
- Must have a 3.0 GPA
- Preference is given to full-time students who are single parents
Roger Dunlap III Scholarship/Slippery Rock University
Benefit: $1,000
Eligibility:
- Must be a junior or senior special education major with service or involvement working with autism
Rhode Island ABA Scholarships
Alfred and Mark Kosowski Fund — University of Rhode Island
Benefit: Varies
Eligibility:
- Must be a full-time graduate student at the University of Rhode Island in a behavioral science program
South Carolina ABA Scholarships
South Carolina Autism Society Scholarship — University of South Carolina Department of Education
Benefit: Varies
Eligibility:
- Must be an undergraduate or graduate student in the University of South Carolina Department of Education wishing to study autism disorders
Other details:
- See scholarship website for current deadlines.
South Dakota ABA Scholarships
No scholarships currently listed. Check with local ABA organizations and universities for current opportunities.
Tennessee ABA Scholarships
Benefit: Grant will pay tuition for two years of full-time study in the school’s special education and ABA program
Eligibility:
- Must be enrolled in Vanderbilt’s M.Ed. Program studying special education and ABA
- Must have a 3.0 GPA
- Must have three letters of recommendation
- Must have strong GRE scores
- Preference given to applicants with teacher licensure in special education
Texas ABA Scholarships
Grace of a Miracle Scholarship in Behavior Analysis/University of North Texas
Benefit: $1,000
Eligibility:
- Must be a bachelor’s or master’s student in Behavior Analysis at UNT
- Must have a minimum 3.0 GPA
- Must aim to dedicate your career to research or practice in behavior analysis related to family enhancement
- Must submit a project-based letter of interest
Other details:
- See UNT Department of Behavior Analysis for current details.
Benefit: Tuition scholarship plus monthly stipend; all admitted ABA-concentration students are also considered for a significant scholarship on graduate tuition
Eligibility:
- Must be admitted to the MSEd in Educational Psychology with ABA Concentration at Baylor University
- Project PEACE specifically supports students developing expertise in managing challenging behavior in school settings
Other details:
- Funded by the Office of Special Education Programs; see program website for current availability.
TxABA Student Conference Support/Texas Association for Behavior Analysis
Benefit: Conference registration support; limited travel assistance in some years
Eligibility:
- Must be a full-time student member of TxABA
- Priority given to students who are presenting at the TxABA annual conference
Other details:
- See scholarship website for current deadlines.
Texas Higher Education Education Coordinating Board – Autism Grant Program
Benefit: Varies
Eligibility:
- Must be a potential doctoral student in the ABA/autism field
- Must have experience working with people with autism and plan to have a career in autism/ABA
Texas Tech Burkhart Center Autism Studies Scholarship
Benefit: Varies
Eligibility:
- Must be a master’s or doctoral student involved in ABA/autism education research
Utah ABA Scholarships
University of Utah Department of Special Education Leadership Training Grant
Benefit: $30,000/year
Eligibility:
- Must be a full-time University of Utah doctoral student in ABA
- Must participate in research assistant activities for at least 20 hours/week
- If not already certified, must sit for the Board Certified Behavior Analyst exam
Vermont ABA Scholarships
Vermont State University Scholarship
Benefit: Up to $1,440 per semester
Eligibility:
- Must be a licensed, working K-12 educator
- Must be continuing your education at Castleton University in the Master in Education/ABA program
- Must maintain a 3.0 GPA
Virginia ABA Scholarships
Benefit: $500 each (three awards)
Eligibility:
- Giri Hegde Research Award: for empirical research at the intersection of speech-language pathology and ABA
- Barbara Esch Application Award: for applied projects at the SLP/ABA intersection
- Nikia Dower Dissemination Award: for dissemination or education projects across the two disciplines
- Must be a member of SPABA SIG (Speech Pathology and Applied Behavior Analysis Special Interest Group); announced via VABA
Other details:
- See scholarship website for current deadlines.
Deborah Braffman Schroeder Research Scholarship/Virginia Commonwealth University
Benefit: Varies
Eligibility:
- Must be a graduate student in VCU’s psychology/ABA program
- Must pursue research in psychology
- Must submit a letter of recommendation from faculty advisor
Other details:
- See scholarship website for current deadlines.
Donald D. Hammill Scholarship/Lynchburg College
Benefit: Varies
Eligibility:
- Must be enrolled in Lynchburg College’s graduate special education/ABA program
Dr. Peter Zucker Scholarship/Virginia Commonwealth University
Benefit: Varies
Eligibility:
- Must be a graduate student in VCU’s psychology/ABA program
- Must have a GPA of 3.5
Other details:
- See scholarship website for current deadlines.
KOVAR Scholarship/University of Lynchburg
Benefit: Varies
Eligibility:
- Must be a graduate student in University of Lynchburg’s special education/ABA program
Other details:
- Funded by the Knights of Columbus
Buckley Moss Scholarship/University of Lynchburg
Benefit: Varies
Eligibility:
- Must be a graduate student in University of Lynchburg’s special education/ABA program
Powell Foundation Scholarship/University of Lynchburg
Benefit: Varies
Eligibility:
- Must be from Campbell or Pittsylvania counties in Virginia
- Must be a graduate student in University of Lynchburg’s special education/ABA program
Other details:
- Funded by the Powell Foundation of Altavista
Washington ABA Scholarships
ABA Online General Scholarship/University of Washington College of Education
Benefit: Up to $8,000
Eligibility:
- Must be admitted to the University of Washington ABA Online program
- Evaluated on admission materials, personal essay, and financial need
- Invited to apply after admission
Other details:
- See scholarship website for current deadlines.
ABA Online Fieldwork Scholarship/University of Washington College of Education
Benefit: Up to $6,000, paid as $1,000 per quarter
Eligibility:
- Must be enrolled in the UW ABA Online program
- Offsets tuition during BACB-compliant supervised fieldwork (EDSPE 500 and EDSPE 601)
Other details:
- See scholarship website for current deadlines.
Washington Behavioral Health Conditional Scholarship
Benefit: Up to $41,000 total for two- to three-year graduate programs; up to $15,500 for one-year programs
Eligibility:
- Must be a student in an eligible behavioral-health graduate program in Washington state
- Service obligation required in Washington’s behavioral-health system after graduation
- ABA-specific eligibility depends on whether a given ABA program qualifies as an eligible behavioral-health program at the time of application; confirm with WSAC before applying
Other details:
- See scholarship website for current cycle details and deadlines.
Benefit: Varies
Eligibility:
- Must be a Washington resident
- Must be a graduate student in the MS ABA program at Central Washington University
- Must submit a 300-word essay on your career goals for working with autistic/special needs children/adolescents
Other details:
- See scholarship website for current deadlines.
West Virginia ABA Scholarships
Graduate Assistantship — West Virginia University Ph.D. in Psychology-Behavior Analysis program
Benefit: Varies; includes stipend, health insurance, and partial tuition waiver
Eligibility:
- Must be enrolled in WVU’s Ph.D. in Psychology-Behavior Analysis program
- Must remain in academic good standing
- If chosen, must agree to work 20 hours/week
Wisconsin ABA Scholarships
Som N. Ghei and Ram Kaur Ghei Scholarship/University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh
Benefit: $1,500
Eligibility:
- Must be an undergraduate or graduate student in psychology/ABA at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh
Wyoming ABA Scholarships
No scholarships currently listed. Check with local ABA organizations and universities for current opportunities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best scholarships for ABA graduate students?
The strongest scholarships for ABA graduate students include the SABA Sidney W. & Janet R. Bijou Grant (up to $12,000), the Autism Speaks Predoctoral Fellowship for Autistic Scientists ($40,000/year for two years for qualifying autistic doctoral researchers), and university-direct options like the University of Kansas ASD-EBD Partnership Grant (up to $26,000 for doctoral students) and the University of Washington ABA Online General Scholarship (up to $8,000). The right fit depends on your degree level, research focus, identity, and state of residence.
Can I apply for more than one ABA scholarship at a time?
Yes, and you should. There’s generally no rule preventing you from holding multiple scholarships simultaneously, especially when they come from different organizations. Stacking a national grant with a state-level or university-specific award is a common strategy for covering a meaningful portion of tuition costs.
Do I need to be in a dedicated ABA program to qualify?
Not always. Many scholarships are open to students pursuing degrees in psychology or special education with an ABA focus. If your program prepares you for BCBA certification, it’s worth applying to ABA-specific scholarships even if your degree is in a related field. Read eligibility criteria carefully since some specify a particular degree type.
What GPA do I need to qualify for ABA scholarships?
Most competitive scholarships require a GPA of at least 3.0, with many graduate-level awards setting the bar at 3.25 to 3.5 or higher. A few scholarships also factor in need-based criteria alongside academic performance, so strong financials alone won’t rule you out if your GPA falls in the middle range.
Where can I find additional ABA scholarship opportunities not listed here?
Good starting points include your university’s financial aid office, the ABAI Student Committee’s chapter and SIG awards portal, state-level ABA professional associations, and autism nonprofits in your region. The American Psychological Association’s awards database is also searchable by field of study.
Key Takeaways
- Award amounts vary widely, from small $50-$250 presenter awards to $40,000+ fellowships and full-tuition federally funded training grants. Apply to several to maximize your total funding.
- You don’t have to be in a dedicated ABA program to qualify. Degrees in psychology or special education with an ABA concentration open the door to a large pool of scholarships.
- Most competitive scholarships require a GPA of 3.0 or higher, with graduate-level awards often requiring 3.25 to 3.5.
- Residency requirements are common. Always check whether an award is limited to your state before investing time in an application.
- Scholarship deadlines and eligibility terms change. Verify current requirements directly on each scholarship’s website before applying.
- University financial aid offices, state ABA associations, the ABAI Student Committee portal, and autism nonprofits are all strong sources for finding opportunities beyond this directory.
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