In 1940 Kaplansky received his M.A. from Toronto, continuing his studies at Harvard University after being awarded a Putnam Fellowship (in fact he was the first recipient of this award).
Sa 1940 Kaplansky natanggap ang kanyang MA mula sa Toronto, magpatuloy sa kanyang pag-aaral sa Harvard University pagkatapos na iginawad ng isang Putnam Fellowship (sa katunayan siya ang unang tatanggap ng award na ito).