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

Cultural Scholarships

Income-Based Scholarships

  • Benjamin A Gilman International Scholarship: For students receiving the Federal Pell Grant to study abroad.
  • Dollars for Scholars: Multiple scholarships for incoming and current undergraduate students with financial need. Contact local chapters for eligibility requirements.
  • The Stephen Phillips Memorial Scholarship: For undergraduate students who demonstrate financial need and excellent academic potential.
  • Edwards Scholarship Fund: For incoming and current undergraduate students who are Boston residents and demonstrate financial need.
  • The Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholarship: For incoming undergraduate students who demonstrate financial need, leadership potential, and a dedication to community service.
  • Ron Brown Scholarship Program: For incoming undergraduate students who identify as Black or African American and who demonstrate academic excellence, community leadership interest, and financial need.

Study Abroad Scholarships

Veterans

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

Scholarships & Resources for Students Who are Undocumented or Who Have DACA Status

Available Scholarships

This is a list of private scholarships that are open to students who are undocumented or who have DACA status. It is updated monthly and will continue to grow. This not an exhaustive list of the private scholarship opportunities available to you. Many more can be found in the Search Engines and Resources section below.

Miscellaneous and Special Interest Scholarships

For incoming and current undergraduate students to pursue any field.

For incoming and current undergraduate students to pursue any field.

Crossword design scholarship contest for incoming and current undergraduate students to pursue any field.

$10,000 award for undergraduate juniors and seniors who identify as female, to pursue a career in any aspect of live entertainment.

$10,000 award for students pursuing a career in live entertainment.

$10,000 award for undergraduate juniors and seniors pursuing careers in the fire core areas of the Live Nation business: concert and venue promotion; sponsorship and advertising; ticketing; e-commerce; and artist management.

For incoming and current undergraduate students to pursue any field.

For incoming and current undergraduate students and graduate students who've participated in volunteer work.

For incoming and current undergraduate and graduate students to pursue any field. 

For incoming and current undergraduate students to pursue any field. 

For incoming and current undergraduate students with an interest in creative industries, technology, or business. 

For incoming and current undergraduate students to pursue any field.

For undergraduate and graduate students to pursue any field. 

For incoming and current undergraduate and graduate students to pursue any field.

For incoming and current undergraduate and graduate students to pursue any field.

For incoming and current undergraduate and graduate students to pursue any field.

Study Abroad

For current undergraduate students who plan to travel or study abroad to pursue any field.

Marketing/Communications/Communication Disorders

For incoming and current undergraduate students who plan to use their education to make a social impact.

$10,000 award for undergraduate juniors and seniors who identify as female, to pursue a career in any aspect of live entertainment.

$10,000 award for students pursuing a career in live entertainment.

$10,000 award for undergraduate juniors and seniors pursuing careers in the fire core areas of the Live Nation business: concert and venue promotion; sponsorship and advertising; ticketing; e-commerce; and artist management.

$5,000 award for current undergraduate students to pursue any communications-related field. 

Theatre & Performing Arts

$10,000 award for undergraduate juniors and seniors who identify as female, to pursue a career in any aspect of live entertainment.

$10,000 award for students pursuing a career in live entertainment.

$10,000 award for undergraduate juniors and seniors pursuing careers in the fire core areas of the Live Nation business: concert and venue promotion; sponsorship and advertising; ticketing; e-commerce; and artist management.

Writing, Literature, and Publishing

For incoming and current undergraduate students with an interest in writing. 

Search Engine and Resources

The following links will bring you to scholarship search engines and resource guides for college affordability and support for students who are undocumented or who have DACA status. Many of these resources will also apply to students with Temporary Protected Status.

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

*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.

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)
PO 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.