American Library Association Scholarship Program
The American Library Association and its units offer more than $300,000 annually for master’s students in library and information science. For 2027, published awards range from $2,500 to $8,000 per student per year. One application covers specialized opportunities in public, children’s, youth, and federal librarianship, technology, and other fields. The general rule is enrollment in an ALA-accredited master’s program in library and information science. A school-librarianship
About American Library Association Scholarship Program
The American Library Association and its units offer more than $300,000 annually for master’s students in library and information science. For 2027, published awards range from $2,500 to $8,000 per student per year. One application covers specialized opportunities in public, children’s, youth, and federal librarianship, technology, and other fields.
The general rule is enrollment in an ALA-accredited master’s program in library and information science. A school-librarianship pathway is also available when a program meets ALA curriculum guidelines for CAEP-accredited units. Some awards focus on particular fields or backgrounds, including people with disabilities, people of color, or library workers who do not yet hold a master’s; each fund may add criteria.
The 2027 cycle is open and closes March 1, 2027. The general application requires an online form, personal statement, official transcripts, and three professional references, which must submit their own forms before the deadline. Applications open annually in September. Listing recommenders is not enough: confirm each person received the message and submitted the reference so the file is complete.
Before choosing a program, verify its accreditation and use ALA’s comparison materials to distinguish each award’s conditions. The published range is per student per year, not one amount guaranteed to every applicant. The association directs questions to its Scholarship Clearinghouse. Ask the college how an award would be applied to tuition or other charges and whether it can combine with institutional aid.
Who it serves and what it can cover: The American Library Association and its units offer more than $300,000 annually for master’s students in library and information science. For 2027, published awards range from $2,500 to $8,000 per student per year. One application covers specialized opportunities in public, children’s, youth, and federal librarianship, technology, and other fields. The general rule is enrollment in an ALA-accredited master’s program in library and information science. A school-librarianship pathway is also available when a program meets ALA curriculum guidelines for CAEP-accredited units. Some awards focus on particular fields or backgrounds, including people with disabilities, people of color, or library workers who do not yet hold a master’s; each fund may add criteria.
How to apply or get help: The 2027 cycle is open and closes March 1, 2027. The general application requires an online form, personal statement, official transcripts, and three professional references, which must submit their own forms before the deadline. Applications open annually in September. Listing recommenders is not enough: confirm each person received the message and submitted the reference so the file is complete. For case-specific questions, contact the program or financial-aid office named on its official page.
College scholarship and financial-aid program