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
For women interested in pursuing or furthering a career in communications.
​Multiple scholarships for students pursuing communications.
For students interested in communications in the food service industry.
For graduate students pursuing advanced degrees in audiology or speech-language pathology.
For undergraduate and graduate students with disabilities who are pursuing communications, media, or entertainment.
For incoming and current undergraduate students to pursue marketing, communications, or business.
For current undergraduate students pursuing a career working with youth (social work, education, medical, etc).
- MediaSmack Scholarship
For incoming and current undergraduate students who plan to use their education to make a social impact. Open to International Students and non-U.S. citizens studying at U.S. schools.
$10,000 award for students pursuing a career in live entertainment.
$5,000 award for current undergraduate students to pursue any communications-related field.
Journalism Scholarships
For students pursuing broadcast or digital journalism.
For undergraduate and graduate students pursuing photojournalism.
For students pursuing a career in journalism.
For Massachusetts residents pursuing over-the-air broadcasting.
For undergraduate and graduate students pursuing journalism with a focus on LGBT issues.
For incoming and current undergraduate students who are residents of New Hampshire and plan to pursue broadcasting.
Visual and Media Arts Majors Scholarships
For undergraduate and graduate students pursuing photojournalism.
Multiple scholarships for incoming and current undergraduate students pursuing art and design.
- Dina Reis Film & Media Scholarship
For incoming and current undergraduate and graduate students to pursue film and media.
For incoming and current undergraduate students to pursue visual art.
$10,000 award for junior and senior undergraduate students who identify as female, to pursue a career in any aspect of live entertainment.
For incoming and current undergraduate and graduate students who identify as part of an underrepresented group (including but not limited to first-generation, person of color, disability status, economic status, gender, or sexual orientation) to pursue any field, with special preference given to students who plan to pursue any sort of design work.
$10,000 award for students pursuing a career in live entertainment.
Writing, Literature, and Publishing Scholarships
Multiple scholarship contests for screenplays and short stories.
For graduate students pursuing poetry.
Multiple scholarships for students pursuing creative writing and poetry.
- Kate Kerzog Scholarship
For students pursuing creative writing.
For incoming and current undergraduate students pursuing creative writing. Must submit a chapter of an original novel.
For incoming and current undergraduate students with an interest in writing.
Performing Arts Scholarships
For students from Charlotte, North Carolina to pursue a career in performing arts, technical theatre, and teaching.
For undergraduate students pursuing a career working with youth (including the field of education).
For incoming and current undergraduate students to pursue the field of performing arts.
$10,000 award for students pursuing a career in live entertainment.
For incoming and current undergraduate and graduate students who identify as part of an underrepresented group (including but not limited to first-generation, racial or ethnic minority, disability status, economic status, gender, or sexual orientation) to pursue any field, with special preference given to students who plan to pursue any sort of design work.
$10,000 award for junior and senior undergraduate students who identify as female, to pursue a career in any aspect of live entertainment.
Scholarships for Special Interests
Cultural Scholarships
For ethnically diverse undergraduate and graduate students pursuing marketing, advertising, or PR.
Mentorship, leadership, and scholarship program for African American Students.
Multiple scholarships for students of Asian and/or Pacific Islander Heritage.
Multiple scholarships for undergraduate and graduate students of Hispanic Heritage.
For women pursuing communications.
Multiple scholarships for undergraduate and graduate students of Native American Heritage.
Multiple scholarships for African American, American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian Pacific Islander American, and Hispanic American students.
For LGBT undergraduate and graduate students pursuing journalism with a focus on LGBT issues.
For students with clinically significant bilateral hearing loss.
For undergraduate and graduate students with disabilities to pursue communications, media, or entertainment.
For undergraduate and graduate students pursuing journalism with a focus on LGBT issues.
Multiple scholarships for students of Alaska Native Heritage
Multiple scholarships for students of Italian American descent.
For students who are legally blind.
For LGBTQ undergraduate and graduate students.
Multiple scholarships for students of all ethnic backgrounds.
For undergraduate and graduate students who are surviving spouses or children of a deceased Veteran.
For incoming and current undergraduate students age 19 and under who identify as Jewish and are deeply involved in community service work.
For incoming and current undergraduate and graduate students who are British citizens and plan to study film, TV, or media arts. *International students with British citizenship may apply.
- AdoreMe Scholarship
For women who are incoming or current undergraduate students planning to pursue entrepreneurship or a creative business venture.
For college sophomores and juniors with demonstrated leadership, public service, and commitment to issues related to Native American nations or the environment.
For undergraduate juniors and seniors who are members of the United Methodist Church, identify as ethnic minority students, and plan to pursue communications.
For juniors in college who plan to attend graduate school to pursue careers in community service, education, public advocacy, or other community-serving work.
For incoming and current undergraduate and graduate students who identify as part of an underrepresented group (including but not limited to first-generation; racial or ethnic minority; disability status; economic status; gender; or sexual orientation) to pursue any field, with special preference given to students who plan to pursue design work.
$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 incoming and current undergraduate and graduate students whose lives have been impacted by knowing someone who was injured due to someone else's negligence.
For incoming and current undergraduate students who have suffered a traumatic brain injury.
For incoming and current undergraduate students who have a parent who has been convicted of a felony.
- My Military Savings Scholarship
For incoming and current undergraduate students who are familiar with the challenges military families face.
For incoming and current undergraduate and graduate students who have been personally affected by Leukemia.
Income-Based Scholarships
For students receiving the Federal Pell Grant to study abroad.
Multiple scholarships for incoming and current undergraduate students with financial need. Contact local chapters for eligibility requirements.
For undergraduate students who demonstrate financial need and excellent academic potential.
For incoming and current undergraduate students to cover the costs of attending college and/or costs of a study abroad program.
For incoming and current undergraduate students who are Boston residents and demonstrate financial need.
For incoming undergraduate students who demonstrate financial need, leadership potential, and a dedication to community service.
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
For students receiving the Federal Pell Grant to study abroad.
Varies by Scholarship
For incoming and current undergraduate students to cover college costs and/or costs of study abroad programs.
For current undergraduate students who plan to travel or study abroad. Open to International Students and non-U.S. citizens studying at U.S. schools.
Veterans Scholarships
State-Based Scholarships
California
For incoming and current undergraduate and graduate students who attended high school in Santa Barbara County, and who demonstrate financial need.
For incoming and current undergraduate students who are residents of San Diego County.
Colorado
Multiple scholarships for incoming and current undergraduate students from the Roaring Fork Valley area.
Connecticut
For incoming and current undergraduate students from Connecticut.
For graduating high school seniors from Connecticut.
District of Columbia
For incoming and current undergraduate students from the District of Columbia.
Florida
Multiple scholarships for undergraduate and graduate students from Florida.
For graduating high school seniors from Palm Beach County and Northern Broward County, Florida.
Maine
Multiple scholarships for Maine residents.
Massachusetts
For incoming undergraduate students from Western Massachusetts.
For incoming undergraduate students from Beverly, Massachusetts.
For incoming and current undergraduate students who live in the city of Boston, Massachusetts.
For incoming and current undergraduate students who are Boston residents and demonstrate financial need.
For incoming and current undergraduate students from Barnstable, Dukes, and Nantucket counties.
New Hampshire
For incoming undergraduate students from New Hampshire.
For incoming and current undergraduate students who are residents of New Hampshire and plan to pursue broadcasting.
Multiple scholarships for incoming and current undergraduate students who attended Laconia, Gilford, or Belmont High School, and who are residents of Laconia, Gilford, or Belmont.
New York
Multiple scholarships for students from the Adirondack region of New York.
North Carolina
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
For graduating high school seniors from Stark County, Ohio.
Rhode Island
For incoming and current undergraduate students from Rhode Island.
Multiple scholarships for incoming and current undergraduate students who demonstrate financial need and academic achievement.
For current undergraduate students who are permanent residents of Rhode Island to pursue nontraditional academic advancement through travel, internships, or public service programs.
For incoming and current undergraduate and graduate students pursuing communications who are Rhode Island residents and who identify as one or more of the following: Hispanic, Latino, American Indian, Alaskan Native, Black, African American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander
International Student Scholarships
Monthly scholarship contest for incoming and current undergraduate students who've created an innovative project that made a positive impact on others.
$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 current undergraduate juniors and seniors pursuing careers in the five 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 and graduate students who've participated in volunteer work.
- Insignia SEO College Scholarship
For incoming and current undergraduate and graduate students to pursue any field.
$5,000 award for current undergraduate students to pursue any communications-related field.
- The Protoly Scholarship
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 incoming and current undergraduate students with an interest in writing.
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.
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Insignia SEO College Scholarship
For incoming and current undergraduate and graduate students to pursue any field.
For incoming and current undergraduate students to pursue any field.
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The Maptive $2,500 Scholarship
For incoming and current undergraduate students with an interest in creative industries, technology, or business.
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The Protoly Scholarship
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
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MediaSmack Scholarship
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
- Scholarships.com Scholarships for Undocumented Students
- College Board Big Future Resources for Undocumented Students
- NitroCollege.com 40 Scholarship Opportunities for Undocumented Students
*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
For students pursuing any field.
Multiple scholarships for undergraduate and graduate students pursuing any form of public speaking.
For students pursuing any field.
For students pursuing any field.
For students who live in the city of Boston.
Multiple scholarships through various city/state chapters. Check your local chapter for eligibility.
For students who've overcome great obstacles.
For students pursuing any field.
Multiple scholarships for financially needy dependents of those killed or injured in the 9/11 attacks and rescue efforts.
Multiple scholarships for students pursuing a career in education.
For senior undergraduate students planning to pursue a public service project prior to attending graduate school.
For students who have promoted vegetarianism in their high schools or communities.
For students pursuing any field.
For students pursuing any field.
For students pursuing any field.
For students pursuing any field.
For students pursuing any field.
Multiple essay contests for undergraduate and graduate students.
For undergraduate students who are running their own business.
Multiple scholarships for incoming and current undergraduate students to pursue any field.
For incoming and current undergraduate and graduate students who are passionate about entrepreneurship.
For incoming and current undergraduate students to pursue any field.
Monthly scholarship contest for incoming and current undergraduate students who've created an innovative project that made a positive impact on others.
For incoming and current undergraduate students to cover regular college expenses and/or study abroad expenses.
For incoming and current undergraduate students to pursue any field.
For students under age 25 who are residents of the U.S. or Canada and are willing to participate in small campaigns for social good in exchange for entries to win scholarship dollars.
- Credit Soup Scholarship
For incoming and current undergraduate students to pursue any field.
For incoming and current undergraduate and graduate students who've participated in volunteer work.
Crossword design contest for incoming and current undergraduate students.
$10,000 scholarship for incoming and current undergraduate and graduate students to pursue any field.
- TurboTenant Housing Scholarship
For current undergraduate students who are living off-campus and renting from an independent landlord.
- Insignia SEO College Scholarship
For incoming and current undergraduate and graduate students to pursue any field.
Multiple monthly scholarships ranging from $5,000 to $10,000 for incoming and current undergraduate students to pursue any field.
- The Maptive $2,500 Scholarship
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.
Multiple quarterly scholarships for incoming and current undergraduate students to pursue any field.
- Ownage's 'Make Us Laugh Scholarship 2019'
For incoming and current undergraduate and graduate students to pursue any field.
For incoming and current undergraduate students who are interested in entrepreneurship.
For undergraduate and graduate students to pursue any field. Open to international students.
For undergraduate and graduate students who have lost a parent or guardian.
For incoming and current undergraduate and graduate students to pursue any field. Open to international students.
For incoming and current undergraduate and graduate students to pursue any field. Open to international students.
For incoming and current undergraduate and graduate students to pursue any field.
- Kapuza Lighty Scholarship
For incoming and current undergraduate students to pursue any field
Scholarship Search Engines
- FastWeb Scholarship Search - Varies by scholarship
- CollegeBoard Scholarship Search - Varies by scholarship
- College Scholarships.org - Varies by scholarship
- Scholarship America.org - Varies by scholarship
- College Affordability for Minority Students - Varies by Scholarship
- Student Scholarships - Varies by Scholarship
- Unigo - Varies by Scholarship
- Studyabroadfunding.org - Varies by Scholarship - Study Abroad Programs
*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:
- IRS
- Contact Accounts Payable at 617-824-8520
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.