Private scholarships are funds you research and apply for on your own. We’ve compiled a list of places that provide scholarships for graduate study.
Also, check your local library, employer (yours and your parents), and clubs to find other funding.
Lesley University is not responsible for the actions or claims of outside organizations.
Alpha Kappa Alpha Educational Scholarships
Merit and need-based scholarships for students who demonstrate community service and involvement.
American Association of University Women
Grants for graduate women pursuing a certificate or degree to advance or change their career, or reenter the workforce.
American Foundation for the Blind
Scholarships to assist persons who are blind or visually impaired.
American Indian College Fund
Need-based and merit scholarships for American Indian/Alaska Native students attending tribal, public, or private colleges and universities.
American-Scandinavian Foundation
Grants and fellowships for U.S. students interested in pursuing research, study, or creative arts projects in Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, or Sweden, for up to a year.
AmeriCorps
AmeriCorps serves communities with critical needs. Qualified members receive awards to use toward college, graduate school, or loan repayment.
Art Deadlines List
A list for art students, art teachers, and artists. Find scholarships, grants, and fellowships; art competitions; jobs and internships; and festivals.
AT&T's Internet and Education Scholarship
Tackle AT&T’s challenge related to technology. The best submission wins a small, one-time scholarship to use toward undergraduate or graduate education.
Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation
Manages more than 50 scholarships, with some awards available to graduate students.
Big Y Educational Scholarships
Merit-based scholarships for high school seniors, undergraduate, graduate, community college, and non-traditional students in the Big Y supermarket area (Massachusetts and Connecticut). Open to Big Y employees as well.
Bodie McDowell Scholarship
Scholarships for students pursuing outdoor communication fields, including print, photography, film, art, or broadcasting. Open to undergraduates entering their junior or senior years, and graduate students.
College Net
A scholarship search tool for undergraduate and graduate study.
Davis-Putter Scholarship
Need-based grants for undergraduate and graduate students working for peace and social justice.
Families of Freedom Scholarship Fund - Scholarship America
A need-based scholarship awarded to a child, spouse, or domestic partner of a Sept. 11, 2001 victim.
Finance Authority of Maine (FAME)
A search tool for Maine scholarships, for high school and college students, and postgrads.
Ford Foundation Fellowship Program
Fellowships for students with superior academic achievement who are pursuing a doctoral degree in an eligible field of study.
Gates Millennium Scholars
Undergraduate scholarships for outstanding African American, American Indian/Alaskan Native, Hispanic American, and Asian Pacific Islander students, for study in any area. Continuing Scholars can request funding for graduate study in a few areas, including education.
Hispanic Scholarship Fund
Merit-based awards to assist students of Hispanic heritage. Open to high school seniors, undergraduate and graduate students, and community college students transferring to 4-year universities. For all majors and fields.
Jack Kent Cooke Foundation
The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation is dedicated to advancing the education of exceptionally promising students who have financial need.
James Madison Fellowship Foundation
Fellowships for graduate students studying to become American history, government, or social studies teachers. Specifically, applicants are committed to teaching full-time about the U.S. Constitution in grades 7–12.
Japanese American Citizens League Scholarships
Offers one-time scholarships to entering college freshman, undergraduate, and graduate students of any ethnic background who are members of the Japanese American Citizens League.
National Federation of the Blind
Awards merit-based scholarships to legally blind persons. Scholarships are based on academic excellence, community service, and leadership.
New England Switzer Fellowships
One-year fellowships for graduate students whose studies or career goals are to improve the environment. Open to students in New England or California.
New Hampshire Charitable Foundation
Administers more than 300 need-based scholarships. Open to students from New Hampshire pursuing professional certificates, licensure, 2- and 4-year undergraduate degrees, and graduate school.
The Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans
Supports immigrants and children of immigrants who are under 30 years old and are pursuing a graduate degree.
P.E.O. International Peace Scholarship
The International Peace Scholarship Fund, established in 1949, is a program that provides scholarships for selected women from other countries for graduate study in the United States or Canada. Members of P.E.O. believe that education is fundamental to world peace and understanding.
Peterson's
Scholarship search tool for undergraduate and graduate study. Has more than 5,000 scholarship providers with access to 1.5 million scholarships, grants, prizes, and loans.
The Point Foundation: The National LGBTQ Scholarship Fund
Need-based scholarships for members of the LGBTQ community enrolled in a degree-granting undergraduate, graduate, or doctoral program. For students with a record of leadership and community involvement.
Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation Scholarship
Scholarships are provided to eligible PBPN tribal members to obtain a bachelor’s degree or master’s degree in their chosen field.
Rhode Island Foundation
Administers 150 scholarships, each with different criteria and application procedures. Open to students from Rhode Island for undergraduate or graduate study.
The ROOTHBERT Fund
Grants for students entering a range of fields, with an emphasis on careers in education. The fund seeks to support persons motivated by spiritual values.
Scholarship America
Manages thousands of scholarships created by communities, companies, and foundations.
Scholarship Experts by Unigo
Has its own scholarship and a scholarship search tool.
Student Scholarship Search
Has a large database of scholarships, with a matching tool to help you find funding for undergraduate or graduate education.
South Norfolk County ARC
Offers scholarships to college students who will be juniors, seniors, or graduate students studying in Special Education or a related field.
Truman Scholarship Foundation
Scholarships for graduate study for students who want to be change agents in government agencies, nonprofits, or in educational institutions serving the public. Undergraduate juniors or seniors can apply; students enrolled in grad school are not eligible.