Top 20 Private Scholarship Opportunities for October 22nd – October 26th, 2026
CAP’s Weekly Private Scholarship List for October 22nd – October 26th, 2026
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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 October 22nd – October 26th, 2026
Amount: $1,000
Closing Date: October 22, 2026
Description: The Michele Clark Fellowship is RTDNA Foundation’s first fellowship and named for Michele Clark, the CBS News correspondent who was killed in a plane crash while on assignment in 1972. This fellowship is awarded to a young, promising minority professional in television, radio or digital news. In addition to the monetary award, winners of the Michele Clark Fellowships are invited to attend the RTDNA conference. Applicants must submit the URL links to 3-5 work samples. Links should be broadcast (television/radio) or online news pieces, and should be uploaded to a host site like YouTube, Vimeo, SoundCloud, etc. Applicants must also submit a cover letter, which discusses the applicant’s current and past journalism experience, describes how the applicant intends to use the funds, and discusses the applicant’s choice to pursue a career in journalism. Applicants must also submit a letter of recommendation from a professor, advisor or supervisor. Please visit the fellowship’s website or contact the Radio Television Digital News Association for more information.
Philadelphia Association of Black Journalists College Multimedia Scholarship Challenge:
Amount: $5,000
Closing Date: October 22, 2026
Description: The Philadelphia Association of Black Journalists is offering scholarships to Philadelphia area college students pursuing a career in journalism or multimedia arts. Students must be enrolled in a four-year accredited college in the Philadelphia region (Philly, South Jersey, Delaware). Applicants must be pursuing an undergraduate degree in journalism or communications (i.e. television, radio, print, new media) or in another major working toward a journalism career. All applicants must submit a minimum of two examples of their work. Applicants must also submit a letter of recommendation from a journalism or media professor. Please visit the scholarship’s website for more information.
Amount: $10,000
Closing Date: October 22, 2026
Description: The Ed Bradley Scholarship was established by Ed Bradley, who is best known for his award-winning work in 26 years on CBS News’ 60 Minutes and as the first African American White House TV correspondent. He passed away in 2006. Since then, 20 young, aspiring journalists of color have received the award created by the late CBS News and 60 Minutes correspondent. The recipient of the Ed Bradley Scholarship will receive monetary award and an invitation to the RTDNA conference. Applicants must be students pursuing careers in radio, television, or digital journalism. They must plan on continuing their undergraduate education in the Fall semester to be eligible. This scholarship is open to students of color. Applicants must submit the URL links to 3-5 work samples. Links should be broadcast (television/radio) or online news pieces, and should be uploaded to a host site like YouTube, Vimeo, SoundCloud, etc. Applicants must also submit a cover letter, which discusses the applicant’s current and past journalism experience, describes how the applicant intends to use the funds, and discusses the applicant’s choice to pursue a career in journalism. Applicants must also submit a letter of recommendation from a professor, advisor or supervisor. Please visit the scholarship’s website or contact the Radio Television Digital News Association for more information.
Amount: $2,000
Closing Date: October 22, 2026
Description: Carole Simpson is a former RTDNA Foundation trustee and the 1996 recipient of the Leonard Zeidenberg First Amendment Award in recognition of her work to protect First Amendment Freedoms. She established the Carole Simpson Scholarship in 1991 to encourage and help minority students to overcome hurdles along their career path in electronic journalism. The recipient of the Carole Simpson Scholarship will receive a monetary award and an invitation to the RTDNA conference. Applicants must be pursuing careers in radio, television, or digital journalism. They must plan on continuing their undergraduate education in the Fall semester to be eligible. This scholarship is open to students of color. Applicants must submit the URL links to 3-5 work samples. Links should be broadcast (television/radio) or online news pieces, and should be uploaded to a host site like YouTube, Vimeo, SoundCloud, etc. Applicants must also submit a cover letter, which discusses the applicant’s current and past journalism experience, describes how the applicant intends to use the funds, and discusses the applicant’s choice to pursue a career in journalism. Applicants must also submit a letter of recommendation from a professor, advisor or supervisor. Please visit the scholarship’s website or contact the Radio Television Digital News Association for more information.
Pete Wilson Journalism Scholarship:
Amount: $2,000
Closing Date: October 22, 2026
Description: The Pete Wilson Journalism Scholarship was established in 2007 to honor the late Pete Wilson, a San Francisco television and radio journalist. The scholarship is granted to an undergraduate or graduate journalism student from the San Francisco Bay Area or attending a college or university in the Bay Area who shares Wilson’s commitment to ethical, responsible journalism. The recipient of the Pete Wilson Journalism Scholarship will receive a monetary award and an invitation to the RTDNA conference. Applicants must submit the URL links to 3-5 work samples. Links should be broadcast (television/radio) or online news pieces, and should be uploaded to a host site like YouTube, Vimeo, SoundCloud, etc. Applicants must also submit a cover letter, which discusses the applicant’s current and past journalism experience, describes how the applicant intends to use the funds, and discusses the applicant’s choice to pursue a career in journalism. Applicants must also submit a letter of recommendation from a professor, advisor or supervisor. Please visit the scholarship’s website or contact the Radio Television Digital News Association for more information.
Amount: $2,500
Closing Date: October 22, 2026
Description: The RTDNA Presidents Scholarship will be given each year in honor of former RTDNA Presidents Theodore Koop, Bruce Dennis, James McCulla, John Salisbury, Bruce Palmer, Dick Cheverton, Jim Byron, Ben Chatfield and John Hogan. The recipients of the Presidents Scholarship will each receive a monetary award and an invitation to the RTDNA conference. Applicants must be pursuing careers in radio, television, or digital journalism. They must plan on continuing their undergraduate education in the Fall semester to be eligible. Applicants must submit the URL links to 3-5 work samples. Links should be broadcast (television/radio) or online news pieces, and should be uploaded to a host site like YouTube, Vimeo, SoundCloud, etc. Applicants must also submit a cover letter, which discusses the applicant’s current and past journalism experience, describes how the applicant intends to use the funds, and discusses the applicant’s choice to pursue a career in journalism. Applicants must also submit a letter of recommendation from a professor, advisor or supervisor. Please visit the scholarship’s website or contact the Radio Television Digital News Association for more information.
Lou and Carole Prato Sports Reporting Scholarship:
Amount: $1,000
Closing Date: October 22, 2026
Description: Louis F. Prato dedicated more than 30 years to RTDNA and the RTDNA Foundation. The Lou and Carole Prato Sports Reporting Scholarship was established in 2001 in recognition of Lou’s service to RTDNA and the RTDNA Foundation and his commitment to excellence in journalism. It is awarded to a journalism student who brings Lou’s journalism values to cover sports. The recipient of the Lou and Carole Prato Sports Reporting Scholarship will receive a monetary award and an invitation to the RTDNA conference. Applicants must be pursuing careers in radio, television, or digital journalism. They must plan on continuing their undergraduate education in the Fall semester to be eligible. Applicants must submit the URL links to 3-5 work samples. Links should be broadcast (television/radio) or online news pieces, and should be uploaded to a host site like YouTube, Vimeo, SoundCloud, etc. Applicants must also submit a cover letter, which discusses the applicant’s current and past journalism experience, describes how the applicant intends to use the funds, and discusses the applicant’s choice to pursue a career in journalism. Applicants must also submit a letter of recommendation from a professor, advisor or supervisor. Please visit the scholarship’s website or contact the Radio Television Digital News Association for more information.
George Foreman Tribute to Lyndon B. Johnson Scholarship:
Amount: $6,000
Closing Date: October 22, 2026
Description: The George Foreman Tribute to Lyndon B. Johnson Scholarship was established because George Foreman was inspired by President Lyndon Johnson and by RTDNA Foundation founder Barney Oldfield. In his autobiography By George, Foreman credits LBJ’s Job Corps for rescuing him “from the gutter.” The recipient of the George Foreman Tribute to Lyndon B. Johnson Scholarship will receive a monetary award and an invitation to the RTDNA conference. Applicants must be pursuing careers in radio, television, or digital journalism. They must plan on continuing their undergraduate education in the Fall semester to be eligible. Applicants must submit the URL links to 3-5 work samples. Links should be broadcast (television/radio) or online news pieces, and should be uploaded to a host site like YouTube, Vimeo, SoundCloud, etc. Applicants must also submit a cover letter, which discusses the applicant’s current and past journalism experience, describes how the applicant intends to use the funds, and discusses the applicant’s choice to pursue a career in journalism. Applicants must also submit a letter of recommendation from a professor, advisor or supervisor. Please visit the scholarship’s website or contact the Radio Television Digital News Association for more information.
Amount: $1,000
Closing Date: October 22, 2026
Description: Mike Reynolds, who died in 1988 of a brain tumor at age 45, was assignment editor and then managing editor at KCCI-TV in Des Moines, IA. This scholarship is awarded to a journalism student with good writing ability, excellent grades, a dedication to the news business, a strong interest in pursuing a career in electronic journalism and a demonstrated need for financial assistance. The recipient of the Mike Reynolds Scholarship will receive a monetary award and an invitation to the RTDNA conference. Applicants must be pursuing careers in radio, television, or digital journalism. They must plan on continuing their undergraduate education in the Fall semester to be eligible. Applicants must submit the URL links to 3-5 work samples. Links should be broadcast (television/radio) or online news pieces, and should be uploaded to a host site like YouTube, Vimeo, SoundCloud, etc. Applicants must also submit a cover letter, which discusses the applicant’s current and past journalism experience, describes how the applicant intends to use the funds, and discusses the applicant’s choice to pursue a career in journalism. Applicants must also submit a letter of recommendation from a professor, advisor or supervisor. Please visit the scholarship’s website or contact the Radio Television Digital News Association for more information.
Amount: $2,500
Closing Date: October 22, 2026
Description: The N.S. Bienstock Fellowship was established in 1999 by Richard Leibner and Carole Cooper, the original owners of N.S. Bienstock. Acquired by United Talent Agency in 2014, the firm now known as Bienstock, a UTA Company has been a leading talent agency in news and reality-based programming for more than 50 years and is a long-time member of RTDNA. This award recognizes a promising minority journalist in radio, television or digital news. In addition to the monetary award, winners are invited to attend the RTDNA conference. Applicants must submit the URL links to 3-5 work samples. Links should be broadcast (television/radio) or online news pieces, and should be uploaded to a host site like YouTube, Vimeo, SoundCloud, etc. Applicants must also submit a cover letter, which discusses the applicant’s current and past journalism experience, describes how the applicant intends to use the funds, and discusses the applicant’s choice to pursue a career in journalism. Applicants must also submit a letter of recommendation from a professor, advisor or supervisor. Please visit the fellowship’s website or contact the Radio Television Digital News Association for more information.
Vada and Col. Barney Oldfield National Security Reporting Fellowship:
Amount: $1,000
Closing Date: October 22, 2026
Description: The Vada and Col. Barney Oldfield National Security Reporting Fellowship was established by the RTDNA Foundation Board of Trustees in honor of Vada and Col. Barney Oldfield. This fellowship is awarded to a reporter or producer in radio, television or digital news engaged in covering national defense and security. In addition to the monetary award, winners are invited to attend the RTDNA conference. Applicants must submit the URL links to 3-5 work samples. Links should be broadcast (television/radio) or online news pieces, and should be uploaded to a host site like YouTube, Vimeo, SoundCloud, etc. Applicants must also submit a cover letter, which discusses the applicant’s current and past journalism experience, describes how the applicant intends to use the funds, and discusses the applicant’s choice to pursue a career in journalism. Applicants must also submit a letter of recommendation from a professor, advisor or supervisor. Please visit the fellowship’s website or contact the Radio Television Digital News Association for more information.
Amount: $2,000
Closing Date: October 22, 2026
Description: Lee Thornton was the first African-American woman to cover the White House for a major news network (CBS) and the first African-American host of All Things Considered on National Public Radio. Ms. Thornton passed away in 2013 at age 71 and endowed in her estate the Lee Thornton Scholarship in her name. The recipient of the Lee Thornton Scholarship will receive a monetary award and an invitation to the RTDNA conference. Applicants must be pursuing careers in radio, television, or digital journalism. They must plan on continuing their undergraduate education in the Fall semester to be eligible. Students from the University of Maryland and Howard University will be given preference. Applicants must submit the URL links to 3-5 work samples. Links should be broadcast (television/radio) or online news pieces, and should be uploaded to a host site like YouTube, Vimeo, SoundCloud, etc. Applicants must also submit a cover letter, which discusses the applicant’s current and past journalism experience, describes how the applicant intends to use the funds, and discusses the applicant’s choice to pursue a career in journalism. Applicants must also submit a letter of recommendation from a professor, advisor or supervisor. Please visit the scholarship’s website or contact the Radio Television Digital News Association for more information.
Northwest Journalists of Color Scholarship:
Amount: $1,200
Closing Date: October 23, 2026
Description: The Northwest Journalists of Color Scholarship will be awarded to students who are aspiring journalists. The scholarship will include a $1,200 cash award, and a mentor who works as a journalist in the Pacific Northwest. Applicants do not need to identify as a student of color to apply for this scholarship. Strong preference will be given to applicants who demonstrate an understanding of and commitment to the importance of diverse cultural backgrounds and experiences in newsrooms. Students are eligible for these scholarships if they are either on the path to graduating from or have graduated from a Washington state high school; or attending a public or private college in Washington state. Please visit the scholarship’s website for more information.
Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology Grants-in-Aid of Research:
Amount: $30,000
Closing Date: October 24, 2026
Description: The Grants-in-Aid of Research program was established in 1996 to provide supplemental awards to graduate students in support of their research in the fields of integrative and comparative biology. Previous recipients of any SICB award are not eligible. Awards are limited to graduate students currently enrolled in degree programs who are active members of SICB. Non-members must become members for the current grant year to be eligible to receive awards. If two or more applicants are working on part of a larger project but are applying separately for support, each one should identify the other applicant(s) of the project. Applicants must submit a Proposal. The proposal is the most critical part of the proposal. This should be written by the applicant. The SSC recommends that the applicant distribute her/his proposal well in advance to receive feedback from their major professor, graduate committee, peers, or others willing to provide a constructive review. Please visit the award’s website for more information.
Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology Grants-in-Aid of Research:
Amount: $3,000
Closing Date: October 24, 2026
Description: The Fellowship of Graduate Student Travel provides student funds for travel and other expenses at distant research laboratories, museums, or field sites. The primary purpose is for travel to “distant” research sites to conduct field work, learn specialized techniques or to use unique equipment or collections. The competition is open to student members of all SICB divisions. Previous recipients of any SICB award are not eligible. Awards are limited to graduate students currently enrolled in degree programs who are active members of SICB. If two or more applicants are working on part of a larger project but are applying separately for support, each one should identify the other applicant(s) of the project. The proposed investigation is the most critical part of the proposal. This should be written by the applicant. The SSC recommends that the applicant distribute her/his proposal well in advance to receive feedback from their major professor, graduate committee, peers, or others willing to provide a constructive review. Please visit the fellowship’s website for more information.
NC CPA Foundation Undergraduate Program Scholarship:
Amount: $2,000
Closing Date: October 24, 2026
Description: The NC CPA Foundation Undergraduate Program Scholarship will be awarded to four-year college or university students who are enrolled in a program that will allow them to either achieve the accounting concentration required to sit for the CPA Exam; or to earn the undergraduate hours needed to enroll in a graduate program in order to achieve the concentration. All applicants must be NCACPA members to apply for a scholarship. Applicants must be either enrolled in a North Carolina college or university and attending on campus; or enrolled in an online program provided by a North Carolina college/university and residing in North Carolina. Prior award winners are eligible to apply. The foundation encourages applications from students who are future CPAs and who have strong interpersonal skills, are technologically adept, highly disciplined, and equally productive whether working alone or in collaboration. Additional factors such as financial need, background and experiences will be considered as well. Applicants must provide a reference of someone who knows them well, for example, a faculty member, a supervisor, and/or CPA. The applicant’s reference should be able to speak to their academic performance, leadership potential, involvement in activities beyond the classroom, and commitment to becoming a CPA. Relatives or peers may not serve as references. Applicants must also answer essay questions. If they prefer, applicants also have the option to upload a recording (voice only) of their response. Please visit the scholarship’s website or contact the NC CPA Foundation for more information.
NC CPA Foundation Community College Scholarship:
Amount: $1,500
Closing Date: October 24, 2026
Description: The NC CPA Foundation Community College Scholarship will be awarded to students enrolled in community colleges who are pursuing a two-year associate degree with the intent to enroll in a four-year program and have the potential to become a CPA. All applicants must be NCACPA members to apply for a scholarship. Prior award winners are eligible to apply. The foundation encourages applications from students who are future CPAs and who have strong interpersonal skills, are technologically adept, highly disciplined, and equally productive whether working alone or in collaboration. Additional factors such as financial need, background and experiences will be considered as well. Applicants must provide a reference of someone who knows them well, for example, a faculty member, a supervisor, and/or CPA. The applicant’s reference should be able to speak to their academic performance, leadership potential, involvement in activities beyond the classroom, and commitment to becoming a CPA. Relatives or peers may not serve as references. Applicants must also answer essay questions. If they prefer, applicants also have the option to upload a recording (voice only) of their response. Please visit the scholarship’s website or contact the NC CPA Foundation for more information.
NC CPA Foundation Graduate Program Scholarship:
Amount: $2,500
Closing Date: October 24, 2026
Description: The NC CPA Foundation Graduate Program Scholarship will be awarded to students enrolled in a graduate accounting program that will allow them to achieve the accounting concentration required to sit for the CPA Exam. All applicants must be NCACPA members to apply for a scholarship. Applicants must be either enrolled in a North Carolina college or university and attending on campus; or enrolled in an online program provided by a North Carolina college/university and residing in North Carolina. Prior award winners are eligible to apply. The foundation encourages applications from students who are future CPAs and who have strong interpersonal skills, are technologically adept, highly disciplined, and equally productive whether working alone or in collaboration. Additional factors such as financial need, background and experiences will be considered as well. Applicants must provide a reference of someone who knows them well, for example, a faculty member, a supervisor, and/or CPA. The applicant’s reference should be able to speak to their academic performance, leadership potential, involvement in activities beyond the classroom, and commitment to becoming a CPA. Relatives or peers may not serve as references. Applicants must also answer essay questions. If they prefer, applicants also have the option to upload a recording (voice only) of their response. Please visit the scholarship’s website or contact the NC CPA Foundation for more information.
Sigma Theta Tau International – American Association of Critical Care Nurses Critical Care Grant:
Amount: $10,000
Closing Date: October 25, 2026
Description: The Sigma/American Association of Critical-Care Nursing (AACN) provides this grant to encourage qualified nurses to contribute to the advancement of nursing through critical care nursing practice research. Applicants must be a registered nurse with current license; have earned their master’s degree; and be a member of AACN and/or Sigma. Grant proposals must be relevant to critical care nursing practice and address one or more of AACN’s research priority areas. Applicants must submit a cover letter describing how their proposed research addresses one of AACN’s research priority areas. Applicants must also submit letters of support from: (A) one person, such as a colleague, manager or mentor, who can address your ability to complete the project; (B) the institution(s) or unit(s) where your project will be conducted; (C) your advisor or committee if funding is to be used for academic work, dissertation or thesis. Please visit the award’s website for more information.
APSA Diversity Fellowship Program:
Amount: $5,000
Closing Date: October 26, 2026
Description: Each fall, the APSA Diversity Fellowship Program (DFP) awards fellowships to students applying to doctoral programs in political science. Each spring, the program also offers fellowships to graduate students in the pre-dissertation stage of their doctoral program. Fall cycle applicants must be undergraduate seniors, graduates, or students enrolled in a master’s program who plan to apply for a PhD in political science. Spring applicants must be 1st or 2nd year PhD students in good standing in a political science program. All applicants must be engaged in or planning to pursue political science research and scholarship primarily focused on race, ethnicity, gender, systemic racism, LGBTQ politics, disability politics, indigenous politics, or tribal sovereignty and governance. They must also be a US citizen, US national, US permanent resident (holder of a Permanent Resident Card), or an individual granted deferred action status under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Program (DACA) at the time of application. Applicants must also be able to demonstrate an interest in teaching and potential for research in political science. Three letters of recommendation must be submitted. First generation students/scholars and individuals from the following historically under-represented racial/ethnic groups such as African Americans, Asian and Asian Pacific Americans, Latinos/as, American Indians or Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians and scholars of MENA descent are strongly encouraged to apply. Please visit the fellowship’s website 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.
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