DeadlineMarch 1 st; Next year's application will be available September 1, 2026
Award amount$2,500; $5,000; $3,000; $8,000; $6,500; $1,500; $6,000; $7,000
Last checkedJun 24, 2026
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ALA Scholarship Program
Official portal for the American Library Association scholarship program, providing information on master's degree funding, application requirements, and FAQs for library and information science students.
More than $300,000 annually in total scholarship funding
Eligibility
Applicants must be admitted to a formal program of library and information studies leading to a master's degree; Program must be ALA-accredited or a master's degree with a specialty in school librarianship meeting ALA curriculum guidelines for a CAEP accredited unit; Applicants must not have completed more than 1/3rd of the credit requirements toward their degree by June 1st (with exceptions for specific scholarships)
Requirements
Academic excellence; Leadership potential; Evidence of commitment to a career in librarianship
Application materials
Completed online application; Personal statement (maximum 300 words); Three professional references (submitted via official online form); Official academic transcripts from bachelor's degree-granting institutions and relevant master's level work
How to apply
Complete the single online application form; Provide contact information for three professional references who will receive an automated email to complete the reference form; Mail official transcripts in a sealed envelope to the ALA Scholarship Clearinghouse by the March 1st deadline
Important dates
Application cycle: September 1st - March 1st; Transcript and reference submission deadline: March 1st
Documents
Scholarship Requirements at a Glance (PDF); Financial Aid Directory (PDF)
