Various organizations, private agencies, foundations, community-based organizations, and civic groups award scholarships to help worthy students meet the cost of attending college. If you are awarded private scholarships, you must report them to the Office of Financial Aid.

Below is a list of private scholarships, gathered for your convenience. It is updated approximately once per month. This is not an exhaustive list of private scholarships that may be available. Many more opportunities may be found online or through high school guidance offices and libraries. Since these scholarships are not offered through Emerson College, any questions should be directed to the corresponding scholarship association. Any scholarships in this list that are available to graduate students will be noted in their descriptions.

Scholarships for Specific Programs of Study

Communication Disorders, Communication Studies and Marketing Communication Scholarships

Journalism Scholarships

Visual and Media Arts Majors Scholarships

 

Writing, Literature, and Publishing Scholarships

Performing Arts Scholarships

Scholarships for Special Interests

Income-Based Scholarships

Study Abroad Scholarships

Veterans

  • Student Veterans of America: "Through a network of nearly 1,600 on-campus chapters, Student Veterans of America® ensures that student veterans and military-connected students achieve their greatest potential."
  • SALUTE National Honor Society for Veterans: "SALUTE is the only national honor society in the nation recognizing and honoring the service and the scholastic achievements of this generation’s greatest veterans."
  • Horatio Alger Scholarship: "The Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit educational organization dedicated to the simple but powerful belief that hard work, honesty, and determination can conquer all obstacles."
  • American Veterans National Scholarships
    "AMVETS is proud to offer scholarships/grants to our nation’s Veterans, Active Duty, Guard and Reserves; their Spouses as well as their Children and Grandchildren."
  • Pat Tillman Foundation Scholarship: "The Pat Tillman Foundation identifies remarkable military service members, veterans and spouses, empowering them with academic scholarships, lifelong leadership development opportunities and a diverse, global community of high-performing mentors and peers."
  • Scholarships for Military Children: "Children of active, reserve, and retired military members may receive $2,000 college scholarships."

State-Based Scholarships

California

Colorado

  • Aspen Community Foundation: Multiple scholarships for incoming and current undergraduate students from the Roaring Fork Valley area.

Connecticut

District of Columbia

Florida

Maine

Massachusetts

New Hampshire

New York

North Carolina

  • Mary Doctor Performing Arts Scholarship: For graduating high school seniors from Charlotte, North Carolina who demonstrate promise and plan to pursue a career in the performing arts, technical theatre, or education.

Ohio

Rhode Island

International Student Scholarships

General Scholarships & Scholarship Search Engines

Miscellaneous Scholarships

Scholarship Search Engines

*Please note that any information you provide is subject to terms of use and privacy statements of each site.

*Scholarship search engines often ask that you create a profile with an email address. We recommend creating an email address specifically for your scholarship searches so that you do not have to sort them in your regular email.

*NEVER pay a scholarship search engine site for access to scholarships.

Receiving a Private Scholarship

If you are awarded private scholarships, you must report them to the Office of Financial Aid. Emerson will then adjust your financial aid package accordingly. Your private scholarships will be used to fill any unmet need. If there are additional scholarship funds remaining after your need is met, your aid package will be adjusted in the following order:

  • Federal Work Study, Perkins Loans, No Interest Loans
  • Emerson Grant Funds
  • Any Federal Direct Subsidized or Unsubsidized Loans

Be Cautious

Emerson does not guarantee the validity of the following information or agencies. As with any scholarship you apply for, beware of scams. The Office of Financial Aid warns students to be cautious of scholarship search firms that have any of these elements:

  • You have to pay a fee
  • Money-Back Guarantee
  • Credit Card / Bank Account Information Required
  • Offers Exclusive Information
  • Promises cash if you pay a registration fee
  • Pay a fee and they guarantee you'll win awards
  • Pay a fee and receive a low interest rate education loan
  • Promises to replace loans with grant if you pay a processing fee

Contact us if you have any further questions. Also, you can report scholarship scams to the National Fraud Information Center (NFIC) and file a report online; call their toll-free hotline at 1-800-876-7060 or write to:

National Fraud Information Center (NFIC)
P.O. Box 65868
Washington, DC 20035

Some or all of your award may be subject to taxation in accordance with federal, state and other regulations. For general guidance, you may refer to federal regulations included in IRS Publication 970, available at:

If you are not a U.S. resident, Emerson College may be required to withhold taxes from your award. Please contact either the Payroll Office or Accounts Payable who will instruct you on the documentation needed to determine if you are eligible for any treaty benefits.

Please consult with an outside tax advisor if you are uncertain of the implications of this award on your personal tax situation. Emerson College is not responsible for any taxes that may arise from this award, and does not provide tax advice.