In this pilot episode of the Fully Funded Grad podcast, we break down what it really takes to become a fully funded graduate student, how to overcome common non-traditional application hurdles, and the step-by-step strategy for choosing the right program for your goals.

Key highlights from this episode

If you’re short on time, here’s your TL;DR version.

• What “Fully Funded” Actually Means: Full funding isn’t just tuition coverage. A true fully funded offer covers 100% of tuition plus additional financial support - such as a living stipend, health insurance, or guaranteed housing.
  

• The “Program First” Framework: Avoid picking a school based solely on aesthetic, location, or prestige. Start with why you are going to grad school, identify the specific field or skill set you need, and then find the programs that align with those goals.
  

• Accounting for Real-Life Constraints: Non-traditional students, working professionals, and those with families often face unique constraints (relocation limits, low undergrad GPAs, lost contact with former professors). A successful application strategy honors these boundaries rather than ignoring them.
  

• Mind the Opportunity Cost: Grad school requires an investment of years. Weighing the long-term career returns against the time taken out of the workforce is essential… especially for multi-year degrees.

Okay, that sounds great… but HOW?

Fair enough.

How do we do it?

How do we go to grad school without going into debt?

(Or, MORE debt for those of us who incurred debt during our undergraduate degrees)

It starts before you apply anywhere.

This is the exact same blueprint my sister and I are each independently using for our own unique paths, to do our programs without taking on debt.

Your Pathway to a Debt Free Degree

1. Define Your “Why”

   • Action: Uncover the root motivation driving your graduate school search.

   • Core Question: Am I seeking career growth, upskilling, or a total pivot?
     

2. Identify the Field

   • Action: Determine the precise program type and curriculum required to reach your target outcome.

   • Core Question: What specific knowledge or degree credential do I actually need?
     

3. Establish Constraints

   • Action: Map out your non-negotiables before compiling a school list.

   • Core Question: What are my geographical, financial, family, or academic limits?
     

4. Secure Your Funding

   • Action: Target fully funded graduate positions, assistantships, external grants, and scholarships.

   • Core Question: Does this program cover tuition plus stipends or essential expenses?

I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Always feel free to send me a DM on Instagram over at @fullyfundedgrads on Instagram.

I’m trying my hand at TikTok Live today!

It’s been so fun growing with all of you over there.

We can talk travel planning to historic sites, or I can search and pull up a fully funded grad school program for you.

See you there!

https://www.tiktok.com/@brittany.everyday2

There ARE opportunities out there for fully funded law school!

Are they at top schools? Yup.

Does that mean they’re hard to get? OF COURSE.

But impossible? No!!

And remember: don’t rule yourself out before you apply.

Many people who are eligible for these kinds of opportunities don’t apply because they think, “Surely, there’s someone out there who’s more qualified than me, and they’re going to apply.

But sometimes, they don’t!

So if you’re not qualified yet, don’t get discouraged.

Use these opportunities as motivation to upskill and uplevel so you can apply next year, or the year after next.

And if you are qualified?

Then OMG you better apply lol

And if you get it, let me know so I can celebrate with you!

Frank Rothman Scholarship - Juris Doctor at USC

If you (or someone in your network) are applying to law school, the USC Gould School of Law offers one of the premier full-ride JD funding opportunities in the country: the Frank Rothman Scholarship.

Here is everything you need to know about it:

What’s Included?

• Full Tuition Covered
  100% full-tuition scholarship for all 3 years of law school (~$240,000 value).
  

• Stipend Included
  An extra $6,000 annual stipend for living and educational expenses.
  

• Mentorship & Networking
  Direct 1-on-1 career guidance from top legal practitioners via the Rothman Alumni Mentorship Committee, helping open doors in your target legal market.

Who is Frank Rothman?

Named after legendary litigator and USC Gould alumnus Frank Rothman (’51)… a top entertainment/sports lawyer, former Chairman & CEO of MGM/UA, and antitrust partner at Skadden Arps.

Who Should Apply & Selection Criteria

• Selection is holistic, looking for high-achieving applicants with strong LSAT scores (like 170+, so keep retaking it if you want to be considered for this and you don’t have that yet), top-tier undergraduate GPAs, and sharp writing abilities.
  

• USC looks for candidates who demonstrate extraordinary initiative outside the classroom (e.g., founding a business, publishing, or leading impactful research).

Key Details & Deadline

• Deadline: January 1 (must submit the law school application and the additional Rothman prompt statement).
  

• Eligibility: Open to Regular Decision 1L applicants. (Note: Early Decision and 3+3 accelerated applicants are not eligible).

Click here to learn more and apply.

Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program at Stanford University

Imagine getting ALL THREE YEARS of law school covered, at STANFORD.

The Knight-Hennessy Scholars program is one of the premier fully funded leadership fellowships in the world.

What’s Included?

• Full Tuition Covered
  Financial support covering tuition for up to 3 years, depending on the length of your Stanford graduate degree.
  
  

• Living & Travel Stipends
  A stipend covering living and academic expenses, plus a travel grant for one annual round-trip flight to and from Stanford.
  
  

• Leadership Development & Community
  Multidisciplinary programming focused on preparing scholars to lead in academia, industry, government, and non-profits, along with access to Denning House and a collaborative global network.
  

What is Knight-Hennessy Scholars?

It is a fully endowed, multidisciplinary graduate fellowship designed to develop visionary, courageous, and collaborative leaders capable of tackling the world’s most complex challenges across Stanford’s seven graduate schools.

Who Should Apply & Selection Criteria

Selection focuses on three primary qualities across all academic disciplines:

• Independence of Thought: Visionary thinkers who are curious, open-minded, analytical, and eager to address global challenges creatively.
  

• Purposeful Leadership: Courageous, ethical, and resilient leaders driven to inspire others and effect positive change at scale.
  

• Civic Mindset: Collaborative community members who are humble, empathetic, service-oriented, and passionate about contributing to the greater good.

Key Details & Eligibility

• Target Cohort: Currently accepting applications for the 2027 cohort.
  

• Eligibility: Open to prospective graduate students applying to any of Stanford’s seven schools (e.g., JD, MD, MBA, PhD, MA, MS). Applicants must apply to both the Knight-Hennessy Scholars program and their specific Stanford graduate degree program.

Click here to learn more and apply.

Fall 2026 Campus Tour

I’m personally touring these campuses this year!!

While I’m there, I plan to interview students, professors, and admission reps to learn what’s actually working as students are applying in 2027 and beyond.

We’ll be at these universities:

• Yale

• Harvard

• Fordham

• Stanford

And possibly others.

Coming Soon

I’m planning content specifically and exclusively for paid subscribers on this upcoming tour.

Paid subscribers will be able to join the live recording of these interviews, and there will be time for live Q&A afterwards.

Some content won’t be live, but it will only be available to paid subscribers.

Everyone will see what I share on Instagram and TikTok, though!

The ability to subscribe to paid content is coming soon.

And when it does, the monthly pledges will start at $8 per month, $80 annually, and $150 annually for founding members.

Right now, you can pledge in advance to be one of our first to lock in forever rates at:

• $5 monthly

• $50 annually, or -

• $100 annually for founding members

If you’re not sure yet, no worries; you can wait.

But if you’d like to lock in those rates, go ahead and pledge now.

Follow Us On Social Media

• Follow Everyday Historian on TikTok

• Follow Fully Funded Grads on TikTok

• Follow Everyday Historian on Instagram

• Follow Fully Funded Grads on Instagram

• Join our free Facebook Group to find fully funded programs others share

• Join THIS free Facebook Group if you’re building a career as a historian

When I first started Everyday Historian, it was to document my own process getting to and through grad school.

If I’m totally honest, I still feel really self-conscious even calling myself a historian… because it’s something I’m exploring.

But I thought, hey - maybe if I could share more about the beautiful places I go to, people would join me on some tours.

I started sharing fully funded grad school programs because it was (and still is!!) something I needed myself.

My sister is also currently preparing to go to law school… so when I say I’m on the hunt for these programs, I mean it!!

I should have known with the state of education being what it is today, just how big the need is.

So I’ve made a free Facebook Group for us!!

This will be a way for all of us to engage with each other in a private, yet less formal setting.

Right now, I love that I can share programs with you.

But there’s really no way for ya’ll to share between each other.

I’ll officially launch the group once we have at least 25 requests, so nobody feels awkward about being in a small group.

*Since you’re already here on Substack, when you request to join the group, just say SUB and I’ll know you’re coming from here.

The Future of Education in America

I have many thoughts, and if I’m honest - WORRIES about the future of education for U.S. citizens.

I believe that NOBODY should have to go into crippling debt for higher learning!!

And especially for a master’s degree, or a PhD??

Where the universities FINANCIALLY BENEFIT from us being there?

Absolutely not.

It’s especially felt now that the arts, humanities, and social sciences are under attack.

I’m hoping I can help in some small way with what I’m doing here for Fully Funded Grads and Everyday Historian.

So thank you for being here, truly.

I really do feel that we’re starting a movement together.

Help Me Plan My Next Few Videos

I have a list of universities and programs to search for already, for sure!

But I’d love to know more about what you’re looking for.

Feel free to answer this poll, or send me a DM on Instagram at @youreverydayhistorian and lemme know your thoughts!

And in case you missed it:

Come join us in our free Facebook Group.