Top 20 Private Scholarship Opportunities for August 25th – September 4th, 2026
CAP’s Weekly Private Scholarship List for August 25th – September 4th, 2026
💌 Want this list delivered straight to your inbox every Saturday? Subscribe Here!
Looking for scholarships to help fund your education? College Aid Pro presents its latest weekly selection of private scholarships, tailored to meet a wide array of student needs. From high school graduates to current undergraduates and those considering studying abroad, you’ll find potential opportunities here. Act fast, as deadlines are near! Take a look at the list and keep in mind that creating a FREE MyCAP account and see what colleges cost before you commit can significantly decrease the number of private scholarships you’ll need.
Here’s a look at CAP’s curated private scholarship list with scholarship opportunities that have deadlines closing within the next week.
Top 20 Private Scholarship Opportunities for August 25th – September 4th, 2026
NSHSS James W. Lewis High School Global Leader Scholarship:
Amount: $1,000
Closing Date: August 25, 2026
Description: The James W. Lewis Global Leader Scholarship has been established to encourage and recognize young leaders who exemplify the values to which Mr. Lewis has dedicated his life and work: commitment to diversity and inclusion; commitment to helping create educational opportunities for all, including young people identifying with under-represented groups; commitment to encouraging leadership among youth; commitment to community engagement and volunteerism; commitment to global perspective; and commitment to innovation and entrepreneurship. Applicants must be NSHSS members graduating high school in 2025, 2026, 2027, or 2028. Applicants must submit an educator recommendation letter. It is optional but students may submit pictures, videos or media showing their leadership in action. Please visit the scholarship’s website or contact the National Society of High School Scholars for more information.
Massachusetts High Demand Scholarship:
Amount:$1,750 – $17,500
Closing Date: August 30, 2026
Description: The Massachusetts High Demand Scholarship Program was created by the Massachusetts Legislature to support economic growth and development. The purpose is to encourage degree completion in high demand disciplines that will help address the workforce needs of the Commonwealth by providing scholarship assistance to support the educational costs of students pursuing such programs of study. The scholarship will be open to students at Massachusetts public and independent institutions who are pursuing a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math), Health Professions, Education, Social Work, Criminal Justice, Economics, or Business degree. Applicants must not have received a prior bachelor’s degree or its equivalent. New, first-year students may apply for this scholarship. Please visit the scholarship’s website for more information.
Amount: $20,000
Closing Date: August 31, 2026
Description: The OREF Clinical Research Award recognizes outstanding clinical research related directly to musculoskeletal disease or injury. The lead author must be a member (or candidate member) of the AAOS, ORS, Canadian Orthopaedic Association (COA) or Canadian Orthopaedic Research Society (CORS). Manuscripts should be original and represent a large body of cohesive scientific work generally reflecting years of investigation. If the submission reflects a single project, it should be of high significance and impact. Please visit the award’s website for more information.
Mitch Daniels Early Graduation Scholarship:
Amount: $4,000
Closing Date: August 31, 2026
Description: The Mitch Daniels Early Graduation Scholarship will be awarded to students who graduate from a publicly supported high school at least one year early. The scholarship may be used toward tuition and fees and any remaining funds shall be remitted to the student. This scholarship may not be used for remedial course work. Applicants must have had legal settlement in Indiana for at least the last two semesters prior to graduating from high school. Applicants must have attended a publicly supported high school on a full-time equivalency basis for at least the last two semesters before they graduated. They must have been awarded a minimum of a Core 40 high school diploma by the end of grade 11, including any summer course work completed by July 1 of the year of graduation. They must not have been enrolled in a publicly supported high school for any part of a fourth year (grade 12). The Indiana Department of Education uses data reported by the student’s high school to verify their eligibility for the scholarship. The deadline for the applicant’s high school to report this data to the Indiana Department of Education is October 30, 2024. Moreover, the complete list of eligible institutions is available on the Commission’s website. Please visit the scholarship’s website or contact the Indiana Commission for Higher Education for more information.
Gerald Miller Aspiring Criminal Defense Law Student Scholarship:
Amount: $2,500
Closing Date: August 31, 2026
Description: Gerald Miller is thrilled to offer a scholarship to support law students who aspire to become criminal defense lawyers and open their own law firm after graduation. The Aspiring Criminal Defense Lawyer Law Student Scholarship is designed to provide financial assistance and empower future legal professionals to overcome challenges they may encounter during their studies. Applicants must be enrolled, or enrolling, as a student in an accredited law college or university in the United States. They must have a clear vision of opening their own firm or solo law office after graduation; and must comply with IRS rules to qualify for the tax-free benefits of the scholarship. Employees and affiliates of Gerald Miller are not eligible. The applicant’s current college or graduate school transcript or, if not already enrolled, their acceptance letter to a college or graduate school must be submitted. Please visit the scholarship’s website for more information.
I Have a Dream Scholarship in Honor of Mary and Dick Granger:
Amount: $2,500
Closing Date: August 31, 2026
Description: The “I Have A Dream” Scholarship in Honor of Mary and Dick Granger is available to “I Have A Dream” Southwest Washington participants and their children, or an individual that currently or has previously been in formal, informal or spontaneous foster care in Clark County, Washington. Applicants may be graduating high school seniors, current college students or returning students. Scholarship recipients must be one of the following: a “Dreamer” participant of the “I Have a Dream” Southwest Washington program, located in Clark County, WA; or a child of a “Dreamer” participant of the “I Have a Dream” Southwest Washington program, located in Clark County, WA; or an individual that currently or has previously been in formal, informal, or spontaneous foster care in Clark County, WA. This scholarship is renewable. Renewal applicants will have special consideration or priority. Please visit the scholarship’s website or contact the Community Foundation for Southwest Washington award’s website for more information.
Caroline M. Hewins Scholarship:
Amount: $4,000
Closing Date: September 1, 2026
Description: The Caroline M. Hewins Scholarship Fund was established in 1926 as a tribute to one of the great pioneers in American Librarianship in special recognition of her creative work for children throughout the country. The scholarship is open to those who plan to specialize in library work with children; who have received, or are about to receive a four-year undergraduate degree; and who have applied for admission to a library school or are already attending a library school accredited by the American Library Association. Preference will be given to applicants who plan to pursue a career in public library service. Students do not need to reside in the United States to apply; the scholarship is open to everyone. Applicants must submit their transcript of undergraduate college work through senior year (unofficial transcripts are acceptable); proof of acceptance (either acceptance letter or transcripts) into an ALA accredited library school; and two letters of recommendation from someone who can attest to the applicant’s interest or ability in the library field and/or working with youth. Do not fax or email applications. Applications postmarked before July 1st or later than September 1st will not be considered. Please visit the scholarship’s website for more information.
Higher Education Scholarships for Orphans of Veterans:
Amount: $2,500
Closing Date: September 1, 2026
Description: The Higher Education Scholarships for Orphans of Veterans, first established by the Legislature in 1943, provides support to children of New Hampshire service members who died on active duty or of service-connected disabilities to attend New Hampshire public colleges and universities. The funds are to be used for room, board, books, and supplies at New Hampshire public colleges and universities. Since 1981, the Legislature has also allowed qualified children of fallen veterans to receive free tuition through the University System of New Hampshire and Community College System of New Hampshire. Please visit the scholarship’s website for more information.
American Board of Funeral Service Education National Scholarship Program:
Amount: $1,500 – $2,500
Closing Date: September 1, 2026
Description: The National Scholarship Program of the American Board of Funeral Service Education was established to provide financial awards to students enrolled in funeral service or mortuary science programs to assist them in obtaining their professional education. To be considered for an award, a student must have completed at least one semester (or quarter) of study in a program in funeral service or mortuary science education accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education. Students in coordinated programs are only eligible for an award during the period of attendance at the American Board accredited institution. Students must have at least one term or semester remaining in their program which will commence after the award date (April or September) in order to be considered for a full award. Students with less than a full term of study remaining will be considered for partial awards. Applicants must be a citizen of the United States, U.S. Permanent Resident, International Student (F1-Visa holder) or a student in the Deferred Action on Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. Two letters of recommendation must be submitted: one from an employer, community leader or non-family member, and one from a faculty member of the ABFSE School (includes Gen. Ed instructors). Application deadlines are March 1 and September 1. Please visit the scholarship’s website for more information.
Industrial Metal Service Scholarship:
Amount: $500
Closing Date: September 1, 2026
Description: Industrial Metal Service believes in investing in the next generation of innovators, engineers, and industry leaders. To support aspiring students, scholarships will be awarded to a deserving undergraduate student or high school senior entering college for spring or summer semester 2025. Applicants must be a legal resident of the United States or a holder of a valid student visa and be currently enrolled in or accepted to an undergraduate program in an accredited US university or college. Applicants must submit their essay as an attached PDF file along with their full name; the name of their school; their major; and their expected graduation date (for high school seniors only). Please visit the scholarship’s website for more information.
Bow Seat’s True Blue Fellowship:
Amount: $2,500
Closing Date: September 1, 2026
Description: The True Blue Fellowship aims to connect and empower youth around the world to leverage the creative arts to enact change in local communities to safeguard the ocean, waterways, and the climate. The True Blue Fellowship provides mentorship, capacity building, and funding of up to $2,500 for at least 10 youth-led projects that address ocean, waterways, and/or climate change issues in their local communities through a creative arts lens. Creative arts can mean anything from visual arts, film, interactive & multimedia, performing arts, poetry, creative writing, and more. Projects may be of any duration, as long as they utilize the creative arts as the primary method for awareness and/or action; co-create with and engage others in the recipient’s local community; and have a tangible impact on the recipient’s local community and environment. This program is open to young people worldwide; however, applications must be in English. Proof of age, identity, or eligibility may be required after application submission. Applications may be submitted by an individual or by a group of unlimited size. Groups must select one group leader to serve as the primary contact. Projects may be new or emerging (no older than 2 years). Projects must utilize the creative arts as its primary method to enact change. Projects must also be related to safeguarding the ocean, waterways, and/or the climate. Please visit the award’s website for more information.
New Jersey – New York Fraternal Alliance Fraternalist of the Year Award:
Amount: $250
Closing Date: September 1, 2026
Description: The Fraternalist of the Year Award is an honor presented by the New Jersey-New York Fraternal Alliance to recognize an individual within the fraternal benefit system who, through example and accomplishment, provides outstanding volunteer service. The nominee must be a member of a local lodge or council of a NJ-NY Fraternal Alliance member-society and must be living at the time of selection. Officers of member societies and fraternal leaders within the Alliance are not eligible to receive the award. An individual can win the award only once. Applicants must be a resident of New Jersey or New York. Each society is encouraged to sponsor the program within their local lodges and councils. It is suggested that the contest within each society be coordinated and promoted by the fraternal director. Each member-society is eligible to submit one nomination per year. Nominations may be submitted online or mailed to Frederick M. Durso, Chairperson. Please visit the award’s website for more information.
New Jersey – New York Fraternal Alliance Youth Volunteer Award:
Amount: $500
Closing Date: September 1, 2026
Description: One of the most important fraternal programs offered by the New Jersey – New York Fraternal Alliance is its Youth Volunteer Award Program. Each year the NJNY FA chooses deserving students from a member society, based on their volunteer achievements with their society as well as the community at large. Applicants must be a current member for at least one year of a Member Society of the New Jersey-New York Fraternal Alliance. They must obtain a recommendation letter from their Fraternal Benefit Society and sign the Statement of Application. Additional documentation may be submitted. Applications may be submitted to Robert Galdon Jr., Chairperson of the NJNY FA Youth Volunteer Award Committee. Please visit the award’s website for more information.
Hereditary Disease Foundation Research Grants:
Amount: $100,000
Closing Date: September 3, 2026
Description: The Hereditary Disease Foundation accepts Letters of Intent (LOIs) for grants every year. HDF provides funding to researchers to advance the discovery and development of treatments for Huntington’s disease and other brain diseases. The Hereditary Disease Foundation Research Grants provide more experienced researchers with seed funding to enable them to collect the preliminary data needed to obtain major, long-term funding from other organizations, including the National Institutes of Health. The Hereditary Disease Foundation gives highest priority to funding investigators with the most innovative and impactful proposals to advance Huntington’s disease research and therapeutics. Moreover, HDF gives priority to the early career stage investigators, including postdoctoral fellows, who are committed to a career in HD research. The Hereditary Disease Foundation funds applications for grants for researchers working in laboratories around the world. Applicants must submit their Letter of Intent from July 15, 2025 – September 3, 2025. Submission of full application will be from October 17, 2025 – December 2, 2025. Please visit the award’s website for more information.
Hereditary Disease Foundation Postdoctoral Researcher Fellowships:
Amount: $100,000
Closing Date: September 3, 2026
Description: The Hereditary Disease Foundation accepts Letters of Intent (LOIs) for postdoctoral fellowships every year. HDF provides funding to researchers to advance the discovery and development of treatments for Huntington’s disease and other brain diseases. The Hereditary Disease Foundation Postdoctoral Researcher Fellowships are intended to cultivate interest in Huntington’s disease research by encouraging promising early career scientists (postdoctoral fellows or up to 7 years past completion of PhD). HDF awards two-year fellowships of up to $100,000 per year. Awarded postdoctoral researchers cannot apply for additional postdoctoral funding. The Hereditary Disease Foundation gives highest priority to funding investigators with the most innovative and impactful proposals to advance Huntington’s disease research and therapeutics. Moreover, HDF gives priority to the early career stage investigators, including postdoctoral fellows, who are committed to a career in HD research. The Hereditary Disease Foundation funds applications for postdoctoral fellowships for researchers working in laboratories around the world. Applicants must submit their Letter of Intent from July 15, 2025 – September 3, 2025. Submission of full application will be from October 17, 2025 – December 2, 2025. Please visit the award’s website for more information.
The Jacob Blanck New Scholar Award:
Amount: $500 – $1,000
Closing Date: September 4, 2026
Description: The Jacob Blanck New Scholar Award honors Jacob Blanck, editor of the Bibliography of American Literature (1943-1974). This award recognizes bibliographical and book historical scholarship focusing on printed works of writers of the United States and their publishers. Booksellers, librarians, curators, collectors, junior (i.e., untenured) academics, graduate students at the dissertation level, and independent scholars are all welcome to apply. BSA encourages applications from individuals of any race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected class status. BSA membership is not required for New Scholars Program applicants. Applicants are required to provide the name and email address for a recommender who will provide a confidential letter of recommendation. The recommender should be an advisor or colleague who is familiar with the project and who can speak to how the project will make a contribution to the field of bibliography. Doctoral candidates should request a recommendation from their dissertation director. Please visit the award’s website or contact the Bibliographical Society of America for more information.
Amount: $500 – $1,000
Closing Date: September 4, 2026
Description: The Malkin New Scholar Award honors Mary Ann O’Brian Malkin (1913-2005), a book collector and longtime contributor to the Antiquarian Bookman/AB Bookman’s Weekly who pursued bibliographical interests in dance, Americana, and the booktrade. Established by Terry Belanger in 2006. Booksellers, librarians, curators, collectors, junior (i.e., untenured) academics, graduate students at the dissertation level, and independent scholars are all welcome to apply. BSA encourages applications from individuals of any race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected class status. BSA membership is not required for New Scholars Program applicants. Applicants are required to provide the name and email address for a recommender who will provide a confidential letter of recommendation. The recommender should be an advisor or colleague who is familiar with the project and who can speak to how the project will make a contribution to the field of bibliography. Doctoral candidates should request a recommendation from their dissertation director. Please visit the award’s website or contact the Bibliographical Society of America for more information.
The D. F. McKenzie New Scholar Award:
Amount: $500 – $1,000
Closing Date: September 4, 2026
Description: The D. F. McKenzie New Scholar Award supports bibliographical research in any subject, geographic region, time period, and/or discipline. This award is funded by an anonymous donor. Booksellers, librarians, curators, collectors, junior (i.e., untenured) academics, graduate students at the dissertation level, and independent scholars are all welcome to apply. BSA encourages applications from individuals of any race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected class status. BSA membership is not required for New Scholars Program applicants. Applicants are required to provide the name and email address for a recommender who will provide a confidential letter of recommendation. The recommender should be an advisor or colleague who is familiar with the project and who can speak to how the project will make a contribution to the field of bibliography. Doctoral candidates should request a recommendation from their dissertation director. Please visit the award’s website or contact the Bibliographical Society of America for more information.
The Pantzer New Scholar Award:
Amount: $500 – $1,000
Closing Date: September 4, 2026
Description: The Pantzer New Scholar Award honors Katherine F. Pantzer (1930-2005), best known for her work on the revised Short-Title Catalogue of Books Printed in England, Scotland & Ireland, and for English Books Printed Abroad, 1475-1640. This award is funded in part by the Pantzer Bequest. Booksellers, librarians, curators, collectors, junior (i.e., untenured) academics, graduate students at the dissertation level, and independent scholars are all welcome to apply. BSA encourages applications from individuals of any race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected class status. BSA membership is not required for New Scholars Program applicants. Applicants are required to provide the name and email address for a recommender who will provide a confidential letter of recommendation. The recommender should be an advisor or colleague who is familiar with the project and who can speak to how the project will make a contribution to the field of bibliography. Doctoral candidates should request a recommendation from their dissertation director. Please visit the award’s website or contact the Bibliographical Society of America for more information.
The Dorothy Porter Wesley New Scholar Award:
Amount: $500 – $1,000
Closing Date: September 4, 2026
Description: The Dorothy Porter Wesley New Scholar Award supports new bibliographical scholarship conducted by a Black individual. This award was endowed with a lead gift from Lisa Unger Baskin in honor of Dorothy Porter Wesley. Booksellers, librarians, curators, collectors, junior (i.e., untenured) academics, graduate students at the dissertation level, and independent scholars are all welcome to apply. BSA encourages applications from individuals of any race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected class status. BSA membership is not required for New Scholars Program applicants. Applicants are required to provide the name and email address for a recommender who will provide a confidential letter of recommendation. The recommender should be an advisor or colleague who is familiar with the project and who can speak to how the project will make a contribution to the field of bibliography. Doctoral candidates should request a recommendation from their dissertation director. Please visit the award’s website or contact the Bibliographical Society of America for more information.
💡 Final Thought: Scholarships = Free Money.
The best part? Every dollar in scholarships = one less dollar in loans. The earlier you start, the better.
Want a smarter way to plan for college costs and find scholarships that fit your family’s budget? Create your free MyCAP account today and start getting real numbers—because paying for college shouldn’t be a mystery.
✨ 
