10 Scholarships for Certificate Programs 2025

Certificate programs are a great way to boost your resume and pursue specific career paths. Perhaps you're thinking about pursuing a certificate and are wondering what financial aid options may be available to you. Specifically, you'd like to know if you can get scholarships for certificate programs.

Keep reading as we explore some top scholarships for online certificate programs and in-person programs. We'll also provide general information about these scholarship opportunities and answer some questions you may have.

Can You Use Scholarships for Certificate Programs?

Yes, there are many scholarships available to help students pay for both certificate and degree programs. Many of these scholarships don't specify the type of program you can pursue � they provide funds for certificates, bachelor's degrees, graduate programs, and various other educational experiences.

Scholarships are great because they provide financial assistance that doesn't have to be paid back. The more scholarships you can earn toward your education, the less debt you will accumulate from student loans.

Though certificate programs tend to cost less than full college degrees, they can still cost a pretty penny. College students seeking to improve their credentials through certificate programs are encouraged to explore scholarships as a way to cover some or all of their education costs.

Scholarships For Certificate Programs

If you're ready to explore some top scholarships for certificate programs, keep reading. Below, we'll look at our top 10 list of scholarships for online certificate programs and in-person programs.

1. University of Washington Certificate Scholarship

The University of Washington offers a certificate scholarship program that provides funds for many of its certificate programs. Some of the certificates covered include data science, human resources essentials, and geographic information systems.

To be eligible for the scholarship, students must be Washington residents who have not attended college on a full-time or part-time basis in the last 12 months. They must also demonstrate financial need and not have access to tuition assistance from their employers.

Deadline: TBA

Award Amount: up to $4,000

2. NBCSN 2025 Scholarship Program

The National Board for Certification of School Nurses (NBCSN) provides a scholarship for historically marginalized school nurses to become nationally certified in their field. The scholarship covers various costs related to the Certification Exam for School Nurses.

Applicants must be registered nurses with at least a bachelor's degree in nursing or a master's degree in education with a concentration in school nursing. Other requirements include documentation of hours worked, submission of a personal statement, and a description of what makes them historically marginalized.

Deadline: TBA

Award Amount: covers cost of exam practice bundle, application fee, and review book

3. Diversity Scholarship for CFP Certification

This scholarship is available through the College of Financial Planning - A Kaplan Company. It provides scholarships to cover educational costs for underrepresented individuals hoping to become certified financial planners.

Students must commit to complete the training within two years of receiving the scholarship. They must also hold bachelor's degrees, be U.S. residents, and come from a population that's underrepresented within the financial planning industry.

Deadline: April 30, 2025

Award Amount: $6,550

4. Facet Scholarship for Increased Diversity in Financial Planning

This scholarship from the CFP Board is available for both degree- and certificate-seeking students who identify as Black or African American. It provides funding for these students to complete training in an eligible college program leading to a career in financial planning.

To be eligible, students pursuing a certificate must already hold a bachelor's degree and must not have completed more than six credits toward their certificate. They must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and demonstrate financial need.

Deadline: TBA

Award Amount: up to $5,000

5. Envestnet Scholarship

This scholarship is also available through the CFP Board. It provides funding for students who come from underrepresented populations within the financial planning field in terms of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability.

These students must demonstrate financial need and, if pursuing a certificate, must already hold a bachelor's degree and fewer than six credits toward their certificate. They are also required to pass a background check and demonstrate commitment to the financial planning profession.

Deadline: April 8, 2025

Award Amount: up to $5,000

6. Cherokee Nation Higher Education Scholarships

The Cherokee Nation Foundation provides an array of scholarships to help reduce student debt for citizens of the Cherokee Nation. Students can apply for these scholarships each year between November 1 and January 31.

Though each scholarship has different guidelines, some are available to students who enroll in any postsecondary program at a two-year or four-year college, including certificate programs. Scholarships are available to high school seniors and current college students and often have minimum GPA requirements.

Deadline: January 31, 2026

Award Amount: varies

7. Jeffery Isaiah David Memorial Foundation Education Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded to high school seniors and current college or trade school students pursuing a degree or certificate program. Students attending vocational schools, as well as two-year and four-year colleges and universities, are all welcome to apply.

Multiple scholarships are awarded each year in varying amounts. Students can use the funds they receive to cover tuition, fees, book costs, and any other supplies related to their degree or certificate programs.

Deadline: April 15, 2025

Award Amount: varies

8. USGIF Scholarship Program

The United States Geospatial Intelligence Foundation (USGIF) scholarship program can be used to fund Geospatial Intelligence (GEOINT) certificate programs, in addition to undergraduate and graduate degrees. Students with many different academic goals and interests can apply.

Full-time and part-time students are eligible for this scholarship, which is available to international students as well as U.S. citizens. Any student with a GPA of 2.5 or better and who is attending a U.S. school will be considered.

Deadline: April 18, 2025

Award Amount: varies

9. CHESLA Certificate Scholarship

The CHESLA Certificate Scholarship is available to students in Connecticut who are pursuing an eligible certificate in healthcare, manufacturing, or ARC teaching. The funds will cover both credit and non-credit certificate options.

Students must submit a letter of recommendation and be enrolled at least part-time in their program of choice to be eligible for this scholarship. They must attend a state or private, nonprofit school and not be in default on any CHESLA loans.

Deadline: TBA

Award Amount: $1,250

10. MNLA Foundation for Educational Excellence Scholarship

The Massachusetts Nursery and Landscape Association (MNLA) provides this scholarship for high school and college students interested in studying horticulture and/or landscaping in school. Multiple scholarships may be awarded each year depending on available funding.

Students must enroll in a course of study related to landscaping or horticulture and must be residents of Massachusetts. They must maintain a GPA of at least 2.0 to be eligible for this scholarship.

Deadline: March 31, 2025

Award Amount: $1,000

FAQs About Certificate Program Scholarships

If you still have questions about earning scholarships for your certificate program, you're not alone. Keep reading as we explore some common questions you may be asking.

Are There Scholarships for Graduate Certificates?

Yes, some organizations provide graduate certificate scholarships to help graduate students continue their education. However, it's important to read the eligibility guidelines carefully before applying for any scholarship as some may specify that they are only available for undergraduate students.

Can I Use FAFSA To Pay for a Certificate Program?

In some cases, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid will cover certificate programs. However, it's important to check with your school to learn more about any FAFSA-approved certificate programs it offers, as not all programs are eligible for FAFSA aid.

Can You Get a Grant for a Certificate Program?

Grant programs are often available for certificate programs through nonprofit organizations and state, local, or federal government agencies. These grants may cover degree and certificate programs, depending on the specific eligibility requirements of each program. Check with the organization offering any grant you are considering to find out if your program qualifies you to receive the grant.

Explore Certificate Education Programs

If you're ready to start or continue your college education with a certificate program, explore the schools featured here on Learn.org. Reach out to any of the schools today to learn more about their available certificate programs and find the right one for you.