Human Resources Scholarships

Pursue your education in HR with help from scholarships

HR Management is a fixture of modern-day business operations. As the world of business becomes more complicated, with businesses growing into new territories and hiring a greater amount of people, the necessity for highly skilled HR professionals who may act as a conduit between labor and management becomes crucial. The HR Manager of today is a major player within any company’s continued success in a competitive market.

The role of the HR Manager has changed significantly over time. Starting primarily as a clerical position, Human Resource Management currently requires a broad variety of interpersonal, legal, and clerical skills. Today’s Human Resource Manager has to be ready to recruit and interview top flight staff, solve workplace conflicts, implement and understand government regulations, process injury claims, terminations and retirement packages, act as a liaison with the business’s legal department and implement and administer management’s policy decisions. Far from a secretarial position, Human Resource staff today has the job of maintaining the corporation’s optimal performance.

Students who are majoring in HR Management will discover that their educational journey intersects with a variety of diverse disciplines. Human Resource Management majors have to have a strong background in all things from economics to psychology; marketing to business administration. Corporations want to employ graduates who have several skill sets, and applicants who have an impressive college history are going to be the most desirable.

Pursuing an HR Management degree may be pricey, and the majority of students will have to rely upon some type of financial aid to assist them in covering the expenses of their college tuition. Thankfully, opportunities for scholarships abound for students who are majoring in all aspects of Human Resources Management and Business Administration. Typically, these scholarships are supported by universities and colleges, professional associations, and corporations.

Scholarships from Professional Organizations

The business world is an excellent scholarship source for students who are majoring in HR Management. Professional associations and corporations regularly sponsor scholarships as a method of supporting and encouraging the next generation of Human Resources professionals. Eligibility requirements for the scholarships are going to greatly vary from one program to another, and not all students will fit all scholarship profiles. Some scholarships might target students who have certain HR career goals, whereas other students might target students from certain economic or social backgrounds. Before you apply for a private sector scholarship, students must thoroughly research the program in order to make sure that they meet the requirements of eligibility.

Society for HR Management Foundation

Award amount: $750 to $2,000 multiple scholarships

SHRM provides 100 scholarships per year for its student members. The scholarships are available for graduate and undergraduate students alike. The Society for Human Resources Management Foundation sponsors eighty $750 scholarships for the ones who are enrolled in a certificate program in an accredited community college, and twenty $2000 scholarships for the ones who are enrolled in a degree program in an accredited 4-year university or college.

Visit scholarships

Business & Professional Women’s Foundation

Award amount: $5,000

The foundation provides a yearly $5000 scholarship for females who are from disadvantaged backgrounds working to further their education, so they can advance their careers. All applicants have to be 25 years and up and have to be within 2 years of finishing their bachelor’s degree.

Visit scholarship

International Public Management Association for HR

Award amount: $1,000

IPMA-HR provides a $1000 scholarship for all dependent children of International Public Management Association for Human Resources members. Applicants have to currently be enrolled in a HR degree program in an accredited university or college. Awards are usually determined upon the basis of academic merit.
Visit scholarship 

National Business Association Scholarship Program

Award amount: $1,000

This scholarship from the National Business Association is to support students who want to own their own business at some point post-graduation. They look for young people who are optimistic, have a strong work ethic and are disciplined and their scholarship is open to everyone.

Visit scholarship

State HR Scholarships

Depending upon where you live, you may be eligible for additional HR scholarships through either a local college or university or a state human resources organization. Take a look at these localized scholarships to see if there is one in your area.

Allen E. Grotke Scholarship Fund

Award amount:
This scholarship was established in 2010 to honor the memory of Allen E. Grotke. Current or past graduates of Johnson County high schools who plan to study either business, human resources or legal studies in a higher education institution.
Visit scholarship

California State University’s College of Business Administration

Award amount: Between $1,000 and $5,000

CSU offers a massive amount of scholarship opportunities for all of its attending students. Scholarships are available for graduate and undergraduate students alike and target all aspects of business administration from human resources to marketing. Among the multiple scholarship programs that are provided by California State University’s College of Business Administration include the Jane M. Klausman Women in Business Scholarship, Edna Davis Hobbs Scholarship, and the Business-Bachelor Degree Scholarship. Amounts of awards range from between $1000 and $5000.

Visit scholarships 

Fred Foulkes Scholarship Award

Award amount: $5,000

Students who are enrolled full-time in a graduate program at a New England college or university are eligible for this annual award, in honor of Fred Foulkes, a senior advisor to NEHRA. The award is given out at the annual NEHRA conference.

Visit scholarship

Hershey Entertainment & Resorts Scholarships

Award amount: $1,000

The Hershey Entertainment and Resorts Company awards five annual scholarships to students entering state system schools in Pennsylvania who are pursuing degrees in human resources and other fields. Students may be juniors or seniors and must meet all other scholarship eligibility requirements.
Visit scholarship: https://thepafoundation.scholarships.ngwebsolutions.com/CMXAdmin/Cmx_Content.aspx?cpId=1095

J.C. Cote Human Resources Scholarship

Award amount: $1,000

This award is an annual award for one college student who has demonstrated scholastic achievement and has committed to a career in human resources. This award is given out by the Arkansas State SHRM Council in honor of J.C. Cote, a longstanding member with the Council. Students must have over a 3.5 GPA and have achieved at least Junior standing.

Visit scholarship

Jim Roberts Scholarship Fund

Award amount: $1,000

The Human Resource Association of Central Connecticut established an annual $1,000 scholarship in honor of Jim Roberts, a former director. Applicants must be enrolled in a Connecticut college or university and must complete an application. There is an opportunity for multiple recipients to receive scholarships.

Visit scholarship

New York Compensation Association Human Resources Management Scholarship

Award amount: Varies

Provided by Baruch College, this award is for a graduate student either in the MBA or MS program who is interested in compensation and benefits management. You must agree to participate in NY Compensation Association networking opportunities and attend one or more of the organizations events.

Visit scholarship 

WCASHRM Scholarship

Award amount: $500

The West Central Arkansas Society for Human Resource Management sponsors at least one scholarship per year in the amount of $500 to Juniors, Seniors or graduate students who have at least a 3.0 GPA and are attending school in the West Central Arkansas region. You must submit two written letters of recommendation, a college transcript, a resume and a fully completed application to apply.

Visit scholarship 

Graduate HR Scholarships

Some HR scholarships are only for students enrolled in a graduate program with an emphasis in Human Resources.

Anthony C. Russo Scholarship

Award amount: $3,000
The National PELRA Foundation is a nonprofit subsidiary of the National Public Employee Labor Relations Association (LPELRA). The Foundation provides scholarships to graduate students committed to studying labor and employee relations or a closely related field, who are interested in a career in public sector labor and employee relations.

Visit scholarship

IPMA-HR Graduate Study Fellowships

Award amount: $2,000
Recipients of IPMA-HR Graduate Study Fellowships can pursue education in business administration, public administration or related fields. Awards are renewable for a maximum of one academic year, provided you maintain a 3.0 GPA or better and remain a member of the IPMA-HR in good standing.
Visit scholarship

NAHR SHRM Scholarship

Award amount: $5,000
Visit scholarship 
The National Academy of Human Resources Foundation partnered with the SHRM Foundation to establish the NAHR Graduate Student Scholarship, a five-year, $5,000 per year scholarship. Graduate student winners must be enrolled in a master’s degree program pursuing an emphasis in Human Resources. Judging criteria is based on academic achievement, additional leadership or service activities, SHRM student chapter involvement and commitment to the HR profession.

Susan R. Meisinger Graduate Fellowship

Award amount: $10,000

Visit scholarship

First-time master’s degree students in Human Resources can win a $10,000 fellowship by applying with a combination of recommendation letters, an online application, career aspirations and proof of attendance or acceptance into a master’s program. Letters should provide insight into character, volunteer and career accomplishments, values, work ethic and need for the scholarship.

HR Scholarships for Minority Students

Diversity and inclusion is a crucial part to any HR department, and representation of diverse backgrounds in the field only helps to improve processes and understanding across the industry. These scholarships for minority students help to align these goals.

Excellence in Human Resources Scholarship

Award amount: Varies
The National Association of African Americans in Human Resources (NAAAHR) – Atlanta gives out scholarships to students who self-identify as African American and/or Black, live in Metro Atlanta and are pursuing a graduate or undergraduate degree. You will receive career coaching from a successful HR leader, a paid membership for 1-year to NAAAHR plus a scholarship paid directly to you.

Visit scholarship

Exxon Mobil Scholarship Program/Hispanic Scholarship Fund

Award amount: $2,500

This scholarship is awarded to outstanding Hispanic-American students pursuing degrees in technology, business, engineering or science. Applicants have to be enrolled full-time in an accredited university or college and have to have a minimum GPA (grade point average) of 3.2.

Visit scholarship

Oracle Corporate Scholars Program

Award amount: Varies
Visit scholarship

This scholarship is awarded to African-American/Black students with a minimum of 3.0 GPA with a major in Accounting, Business, Human Resources or related field. Sophomore or Juniors may apply, and applicants must have attended high school in the U.S. Students must submit a completed application, a letter of recommendation and a one-page personal statement essay on their career interest, along with a current resume and transcript.

Wells Fargo American Indian Scholarship

Award amount: Varies
Visit scholarship
The American Indian Graduate Center presents the Wells Fargo American Indian Scholarship for graduates and undergraduates belonging to federally-recognized American Indian and Alaska Native communities. Undergraduate students must meet Pell Grant requirements and graduate students must be able to demonstrate financial need. Applications must include evidence of extracurricular activities, community engagement activities, leadership roles and more.

Miscellaneous HR Scholarships

Karl B. Zimmerman Memorial Scholarship

Award amount: $1,000

Recipients must meet criteria for scholastic achievement, community service recognition, human resource involvement, achievement or work experience and be active members of AHRMA or SHRM.

Visit scholarship

Larry Burk Undergraduate Scholarship

Award amount: $2,500

Larry Burk was a past SHRM employee and volunteer who served as a Regional Director for SHRM after 23 years in the HR department for the Boy Scouts of America.

Visit scholarship

Walter Vaughn Human Resources Scholarship

Award amount: $2,500
Visit scholarship
Full-time students working toward a degree in human resource management or a related field can apply for this $2,500 scholarship. Applicants must have a 3.0 GPA or better, be involved in extracurricular activities and have excellent written and oral communication skills. Winners can be undergraduate or graduate students attending an accredited four-year institution.