Key Takeaways
- Scholarships for Applied Behavior Analysis Bachelor’s Degrees:
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- Kansas Promise Act Scholarship
- Hope for Tomorrow Medical Scholarship
- Helen Mader Scholarship
- Applied Behavioral Analysis Scholarship Program
- Psi Chi Undergraduate Scholarships
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- Types of Scholarships:
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- Merit-Based Scholarships
- Income-Based Scholarships
- Unique Population-Based Scholarships
- African-American Scholarships
- Asian Student Scholarships
- Women-Focused Scholarships
- Disability-Based Scholarships
- Single Parent Scholarships
- Career-Specific Scholarships
- STEM Scholarships
- High-Need Field Scholarships
- Corporate-Sponsored Scholarships
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- How to Find ABA Scholarships:
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- Universities and colleges
- Professional ABA boards and nonprofit organizations
- Explore financial aid
- Scholarship search engines
Before stepping into a 4-year long commitment for an applied behavior analysis bachelor’s degree, it’s important to consider important aspects such as the financial assistance options. In this guide, we take an in-depth look at the top scholarship programs for undergraduate ABA degrees.
Overview of Top Scholarships for Applied Behavior Analysis Bachelor’s Degrees
|
Scholarship Name |
Offered by |
Features |
| Kansas Promise Act Scholarship | Created by the Kansas Legislature |
|
| Hope for Tomorrow Medical Scholarship | Agape Eye Foundation |
|
| Helen Mader Scholarship | Behavior Frontiers |
|
| Applied Behavioral Analysis Scholarship Program | Autism Recovery Foundation |
|
| Psi Chi Undergraduate Scholarships | The International Honor Society In Psychology |
|
How to Find a Scholarship for my Applied Behavior Analysis Bachelor’s Degree?
Finding relevant scholarships for your bachelors journey is a very important step. You need to look into the right places to find a scholarship program that you are eligible for. To help you get started, we have listed a few sources of scholarship programs that you can explore, including:
| Universities and colleges | Merit or need-based scholarships that you can find on college websites or by visiting campus |
| Professional ABA boards and nonprofit organizations | Field-specific scholarships by organizations such as Behavior Frontier, Autism Recovery Network, and ABAI |
| Explore financial aid | Subsidized and need-based financial grants provided by the state or national level government, requiring FAFSA review and other documentation |
| Scholarship search engines | Easy and quick way of discovering relevant scholarships near you with tools such as: |
Different Types of Scholarships
There are several types of scholarships offered to groups and categories of people based on different characteristics. Some common types of scholarships are:
|
Scholarship Type |
Who It Is For |
| Merit-Based Scholarships | Students with high grades, scores, and top school performance |
| Income-Based Scholarships | students from low-income household — the income standards vary by state |
| Civic Engagement Scholarships | Students who demonstrate good civic participation and contribution to the community |
| Unique Population-Based Scholarships | Students from unique ethnic or racial backgrounds, often from underrepresented communities |
| African-American Scholarships | African-American students meeting academic and/or financial criteria |
| Asian Student Scholarships | Asian or Asian-American students based on merit and need |
| Women-Focused Scholarships | Female students, particularly in male-dominated fields |
| Disability-Based Scholarships | Students with physical or intellectual disabilities |
| Single Parent Scholarships | Students who are raising children while wishing to pursue higher education |
| Career-Specific Scholarships | Students pursuing specific degrees tied to industries or professions |
| STEM Scholarships | Students majoring in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics fields |
| High-Need Field Scholarships | Students pursuing professions that have a rather increasing need and shortage of qualified workforce, such as nursing |
| Corporate-Sponsored Scholarships | Students funded by employers and companies |
Top Scholarships for Applied Behavior Analysis Bachelor’s Degree
Here is an in-depth look at the top scholarships for ABA bachelor’s degrees.
Hope for Tomorrow Medical Scholarship by Agape Eye Foundation
The Hope for Tomorrow program is a medical-focused scholarship and is one of the most generous programs, driven by the motivation to improve human lives around the country. The scholarship is for any student who is enrolled in a medical or health-related field, including psychology and behavior therapy, nursing, and so on.
Moreover, the scholarship does not only look at academic capabilities as the criteria, but also how motivated a student is towards human services. Furthermore, some of the costs that this scholarship may cover for you include the tuition fees, books, and other costs associated with the degree. The best part about this scholarship program is that it accepts and reviews applications all year, so you don’t have to worry about missing the dates.
Behavior Frontiers Helen Mader Scholarship
Behavior Frontiers is one of the leading solutions providers based in the USA, and currently serves children and adults with autism and related disorders in over 24 different locations. This care and service center is focused on ensuring quality services and solutions for affected people, and therefore aims to bridge the gap by enabling more students to become qualified practitioners.
For that, the Behavior Frontiers Helen Mader Scholarship plays a crucial role. This scholarship program provides financial assistance to students who:
- Are enrolled in a university/college in California
- Are enrolled in Wayne State College in Detroit, MI
- Are majoring in Child Development, Special Education, Psychology, or minoring in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
Moreover, the program can grant you generous awards of up to $1,500 for your academic year. This can cover essential costs such as housing and tuition, or academic resources and materials.
Kansas Promise Act Scholarship
The Kansas Promise Act scholarship is a program by the Kansas Legislature that focuses on providing financial assistance to students enrolled in 2-year degree programs. This is an ideal scholarship for someone who is currently enrolled in the community college, continuing college. In this way, the first 2 years will be covered by this scholarship program.
However, it is important to note that students who get this scholarship program must commit to working as ABA professionals in Kansas for at least 2 years. Moreover, the scholarship program is for students who:
- Are enrolled in board-approved institutes; find the list here
- Are enrolled in high wage and high in demand professions
Applied Behavioral Analysis Scholarship Program by Autism Recovery Foundation
There are several nonprofit and charitable organizations that are working tirelessly towards treating autism and related disorders. One way to ensure accessible treatment and a consistent availability of qualified ABA therapists is to provide education for aspiring professionals. Therefore, the Autism Recovery Foundation scholarship program is focused on providing financial assistance to students who:
- Are enrolled in ABAI and BACB-accredited coursework
- Are planning to pursue a BCAB or BCaBA certification
- Pursue a career in Minnesota, specializing in autism behavior therapy
Keep in mind that the scholarship is not available all-year round, so there are particular deadlines that you must keep check of. Moreover, you can apply for this scholarship even if you are a part-time student, and balancing another job along with it.
Read more: A Complete Guide to Preparing for Your BCaBA/BCBA Exam
Psi Chi Undergraduate Scholarships
Psi Chi, the International Honor Society in Psychology, is an organization made up of several members, donors, and beneficiaries that work towards the betterment of the psychology field. Moreover, this organization is also a renowned member of the Association of College Honor Societies, making it further reliable.
The Psi Chi undergraduate scholarship is particularly made for psychology majors or related degree students, with an aim to cover essential tuition costs and other fees such as study materials. Moreover, the program offers financial assistance to at least 8 students every year, with a generous allowance of $3,000 for each student.
In addition to this, the only important criteria that makes you eligible for this is that you are an enrolled student with a vision and deduction that aligns with Psi Chi’s mission statement.
Take a look at the list of people who have already received the benefits of this scholarship.
Best ABA-Aligned College Programs
Most of the scholarships mentioned above require you to be an actively enrolled student in an ABA-aligned program. So, here is a list of colleges and programs you can begin with:
|
College and program |
Tuition cost per academic year |
| Ball State University — Bachelor’s Degree in Applied Behavior Analysis |
(source) |
| University of Nevada, Reno — B.S. in Psychology (Behavior Analysis) |
(source) |
| Florida Tech University — Applied Behavior Analysis, B.A. |
(source) |
| University of North Texas — Applied Behavior Analysis (BS) |
|
| University of Nebraska Omaha — Psychology, Bachelor of Arts with a Concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis |
(source) |
| Mississippi State University — B.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis |
(source) |
| Saint Joseph’s University — Bachelor of Science in autism behavioral studies |
(source) |
| Health Sciences, B.S. Behavior Analysis — University of West Florida |
(source) |
Complete Guide to Top ABA Degrees |
|
Note: All data is as of December 2025.
Best Applied Behavior Analysis Bachelor’s Degrees Online
If you are a working student or a parent who needs to continue their higher education, you can also explore ABA-approved online programs for applied behavior analysis bachelor’s degree.
|
College and Program Name |
Tuition Cost |
| Purdue Global — Bachelor’s in Psychology in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) | $13,356 per academic year
(Source) |
| Capella University — Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a specialization in Applied Behavior Analysis | $38,920 for 45 months
(Source) |
| University of West Florida — Health Sciences, B.S. – Behavior Analysis | In-state: $218.98 per credit
Out-of-state: $648.37 per credit (source) |
| University of Arizona Global Campus — Bachelor of Arts in Applied Behavioral Science | $460 per credit
(Source) |
| University of New Hampshire — Applied Psychology: Applied Behavior Analysis Option (B.S.) | $330 per credit
16 credits per academic year (source) |
| Mississippi State Online — Bachelor of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis | $435.75 per credit
(source) |
| Mary Baldwin University — Applied Behavior Analysis & Autism Studies (BA) | Average cost of $22,173 per academic year
(Source) |
| Florida International University — Bachelor of Arts | In-state: $235.57 per credit
Out-of-state: $648.87 per credit (Source) |
| Central Methodist University — Bachelor of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) | $275 per credit hour
(source) |
Complete Guide to Online ABA Degrees |
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Note: All data is as of December 2025.
Final Thought…
In conclusion, there is an excellent variety of different types and categories of state-funded, college-specific, as well as privately-run scholarship programs for any students wishing to pursue an applied behavior analysis bachelors program. However, using the right tools and platforms for searching the top scholarship programs is essential. Keep in mind that most of these scholarship programs require you to complete your certifications approved by the BACB.
Read more: Levels of Applied Behavior Analysis — RBT vs. BCaBA vs. BCBA | Complete Comparison
So, gather all the necessary information and apply for a good scholarship as it can help you cover lots of significant financial costs associated. A scholarship program also ensures you stay motivated and on the right track.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are scholarships renewable each year?
Yes, fortunately! Most scholarships, whether offered by a private organization or offered by the state college, are renewed. However, in most cases, the renewal is not automatic and is granted after you meet certain criteria.
For example, there may be a minimum GPA level or a requirement for hands-on work experience for you to get a renewal. In addition to this, some scholarships are also specifically one-time. Therefore, make sure to dig into these details for the specific scholarship program you are applying to.
Should I apply for more than one scholarship program?
Yes, in fact, it is a smart strategy to apply for more than one scholarship program. This increases your chances of getting awarded with the financial rewards. Moreover, no single scholarship is guaranteed, and most scholarships offered by private organizations are often very competitive. Applying to multiple programs increases your odds of success.
How can I improve my chances of qualifying for an ABA scholarship?
Winning an ABA scholarship isn’t just about grades, but it’s also about your story and determination to work in such a meaningful field.
Many private nonprofit organizations such as Behavioral Frontiers, lay a lot of emphasis on the applicant’s dedication towards making a positive contribution to this field of work. This is an important eligibility criteria that you must fulfill. So, write an application essay that demonstrates your determination for working in this field.
Other ways to enhance your chances of success are:
- Maintaining a strong GPA, especially in psychology or education courses
- Volunteering or working in autism support and related fields
- Creating an impressive personal statement
- Including strong recommendation letters in your application
- Ensuring every form and documentation requirement is fulfilled
- Highlight real experiences and back them up with evidence
Can I get a scholarship for an ABA bachelor’s degree as a returning student?
Yes, you can get a scholarship as a returning student with an ABA degree. More importantly, some particular scholarships are specifically designed for returning students, such as single parents, career changers, and adult learners who want to give higher education another chance.
Who is eligible for an undergraduate scholarship in the USA?
While the eligibility criteria for scholarships can vary based on several factors, there are general requirements that you should know of. College-funded scholarships, state-funded, and private scholarships all have different criteria. The general requirements for eligibility are:
- A U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or eligible non-citizen
- Enrolled or planning to enroll in an accredited college
- Pursuing a bachelor’s degree
- Studying relevant and accredited coursework
- Meeting academic, financial, or demographic criteria
In addition to this, scholarships are designed for specific types and backgrounds of people, including categories or groups like:
- Ethnic minorities
- Gender-based
- Age-based
- Program-based
- Low-income students
- Specially abled students