Private scholarships are funds you research and apply for independently. We’ve compiled ​​a list of private graduate and undergraduate scholarships for your review. The list of scholarships included here is not comprehensive, and we highly recommend that you consider searching for additional private scholarships as well. In addition to online research, check your local high school library, employer, and clubs to find other funding sources. 

Please note Lesley University is not responsible for the actions or claims of outside organizations offering these scholarships.

Abbott & Fenner Business Consultants Scholarship 
Available to high school juniors and seniors, and students enrolled in an accredited post-secondary institution. 

AES Engineering 
Scholarships are awarded based on character. Open to high school seniors and students attending a post-secondary institution. You don’t need to be taking engineering courses. 

Alpha Kappa Alpha Educational Scholarship 
Merit and need-based scholarships for students who demonstrate community service and involvement. 

American Foundation for the Blind 
Scholarships to assist persons who are blind or visually impaired. 

American Indian College Fund 
Merit and need-based scholarships. Open to American Indian/Alaska Native undergraduate and graduate students attending tribal, public, or private colleges and universities. 

AmeriCorps 
AmeriCorps serves communities with critical needs. Qualified members receive awards to use toward college, graduate school, or loan repayment. 

Alray Scholars Program 
Scholarships and mentorships for graduates of the Boston public schools, Boston charter schools, and METCO (Boston) who took at least a semester break after starting college, and are returning to college to earn a degree. 

ARA Scholarship Foundation 
The ARA Scholarship Foundation is a non-profit organization whose purpose is to promote education through the awarding of scholarships annually to students based on academic achievement.  

Art Deadlines List 
A list for art students, art teachers, and artists. Find scholarships, grants, and fellowships; art competitions; jobs and internships; and festivals. 

Army Emergency Relief 
Assistance for higher education and professional certifications. 

B. Davis Scholarship 
Open to all high school juniors, seniors, and students registered in post-secondary institutions. 

Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation 
Manages more than 50 grants and scholarships created by donors. 

BigSun Scholarship 
Scholarships to assist student-athletes in getting their college degree. Open to high school seniors and students already attending a post-secondary institution. 

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. 

Boston Education Fund (BEDF) 
BEDF is the fiscal and fundraising partner of the Boston Public Schools. They facilitate access to philanthropic opportunities and private resources to invest in crucial programs and strategic educational initiatives. 

Boston Red Sox Foundation Scholarship 
Scholarships for public high school seniors who are committed to community service and have demonstrated strong academic performance. 

Cape Cod Foundation 
Need-based and merit scholarships for graduating high school seniors and continuing college students from Barnstable, Dukes, and Nantucket counties. 

City of Cambridge Scholarship 
Need-based awards for college-bound high school seniors who are residents of Cambridge, Massachusetts. 

Clark Foundation Scholarship  
Scholarships for graduating seniors in 12 New York school districts. 

College Board 
Search tool for undergraduate scholarships, including certificates and non-degree programs. 

Combined Jewish Philanthropies Scholarship Fund 
Need-based grants and interest-free loans for students living in the Greater Boston Combined Jewish Philanthropies service area. Open to undergraduate students attending 2 or 4-year accredited institutions, and vocational certificate programs. Primary consideration for Jewish students. 

Community Foundation of New Britain, Conn. 
The foundation manages more than 50 scholarships. Most awards are for graduating high school seniors from public high schools in specific Connecticut towns. 

Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts Scholarship 
Administers more than 100 scholarships and 2 interest-free loans. Submit one application to be considered for many different awards. Funds are based on a geographical area, area of study, or need. 

Davis-Putter Scholarship 
Need-based grants for undergraduate and graduate students working for peace and social justice. 

Edwards Scholarship Fund 
Scholarships for graduating seniors and GED recipients who live in the City of Boston. 

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. 

Financial Futures Scholarship 
Available to future and current undergrad students majoring in business, accounting, finance, mathematics, management, and others preparing for a career in the personal finance industry. 

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. 

GetCenturyLink.com 
Address the challenge posted on the CenturyLink website to win a small award to use toward your tuition. 

Glamour Top 10 College Women Competition 
Awards for college juniors or seniors who are changing the world or making an impact on campus. 

Golden Door Scholars 
Scholarships for students approved for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and Temporary Protected Status (TPS). 

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. 

IIE Scholarships 
The Power of International Education 

Jack Kent Cooke Foundation 
Offers undergraduate transfer scholarships for top community college students who want to get their 4-year degree. 

Jewish Family & Children's Service 
For more than 150 years, Jewish Family & Children’s Service has been helping individuals and families build a strong foundation for resilience and well-being across the lifespan. 

LA Tutors 123 
LA Tutors grants a $500 Innovation in Education scholarship to students who demonstrate creativity and positive impact. This ongoing monthly scholarship is open to currently enrolled high school, college, and graduate students. 

Lifeworks 
Offers scholarships to college students who will be juniors, seniors, or graduate students studying in Special Education or a related field. 

Lost Coin Women's Fund 
Grants for undergraduate studies or vocational training programs for low-income Massachusetts women. 

Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation 
Scholarships for children of active duty Marines, veteran Marines, and Navy Corpsmen who serve with them, with consideration given to applicants whose parents have been killed or wounded in action. 

Massachusetts Port Authority 
Offers different scholarships for graduating high school seniors who live in the City of Boston, or in a few neighboring communities. 

National Federation of the Blind 
Awards merit-based scholarships to legally blind persons. Scholarships are based on academic excellence, community service, and leadership. 

National Merit Scholarship Corporation 
An academic competition for high school students, resulting in recognition and scholarships. Start by taking the Preliminary SAT / National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT). 

New England Camera Club Council, Incorporated Scholarship 
Scholarships are awarded to students who want to further their studies in imaging. 

New England Graphic Arts Scholarship 
Awards scholarships to New England residents studying graphic arts or printing at a 4-year college or university, or 2-year vocational/technical school. 

New England PGA Foundation 
PGA REACH New England is committed to its mission of impacting lives through golf, specifically under its three pillars: Youth, Military Veterans and their families, and Diverse populations. 

New Hampshire Charitable Foundation 
Administers more than 300 need-based scholarships created by donors. Open to students from New Hampshire pursuing professional certificates, licensure, 2- and 4-year undergraduate degrees, and graduate school. 

One Family Scholars 
Scholarships that combine financial assistance with support services. Recipients are primarily low-income single parents who are at-risk or formerly homeless. 

P.E.O. Program for Continuing Education (PCE) 
The P.E.O. Program for Continuing Education, established in 1973, is a need-based grant program providing one-time financial assistance to women whose education has been interrupted and who find it necessary to return to school to complete a degree or certification that improves their marketable skills for employment to support themselves and/or their families. 

Peterson's 
Search tool for undergraduate and graduate scholarships. 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. 

Samuel Huntington Public Service Award 
A stipend for a graduating college senior to pursue one year of public service anywhere in the world. 

Scholarship Foundation of Wakefield, INC
Need-based awards for students who live in Wakefield, Massachusetts, and are attending school full-time. 

Sallie Mae Scholarship Search 
Search for scholarships open to high school seniors, college students, minority students, and women or single mothers returning to school. 

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. 

Scholarships.com 
A scholarship search tool for high school, college, and non-traditional students. 

Stephen D. Paine Scholarship 
The Stephen D. Paine Scholarship is designed to support students entering their final year in studio art programs at colleges in the City of Boston. 

Stephen Phillips Memorial Scholarship Fund 
Need-based scholarships for students displaying strong academic achievement, a commitment to serving others, and leadership abilities. 

Student Scholarship Search 
Has a large database of scholarships and a matching tool to help you find funding for undergraduate or graduate education. 

Two Ten Footwear Foundation 
Offers a few types of scholarships, all related to the footwear industry. 

uAspire  
Need-based scholarships for graduating high school seniors who live in Boston or the Greater Boston area. 

Udall Foundation 
Undergraduate scholarships for students working toward solutions to issues impacting Indian country—tribal policy, Native American health care, or the environment. 

UNCF Scholarships 
The mind is a terrible thing to waste. Join us in our fight for better futures. 

Union Plus Education Program 
A competitive scholarship for current and retired members of participating unions, their spouses, and dependent children. Applicants are evaluated on academic ability, social awareness, financial need, and their appreciation of labor. 

United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley 
The Marian L. Heard Scholars Program provides first-generation college students up to $10,000 over the four years they attend college. In addition, scholarship recipients get their own “e-Coach,” a United Way volunteer who provides advice and support throughout their collegiate journey. 

United Way of Ulster County 
We believe that it is the right of every individual in Ulster County to have programs and services available to help them achieve their greatest potential. 

Wellesley Scholarship Foundation 
Wellesley Scholarship Foundation is dedicated to fulfilling the dreams of a college education for Wellesley students with aspirations for a promising future. 

West End House 
West End House is the largest youth development agency in the Allston-Brighton community. They provide high-impact programs that ensure young people are succeeding academically, exploring and mastering the arts, developing career readiness skills, and adopting healthy lifestyles. 

William H. Chapman Foundation 
Providing financial assistance to scholars of New London County, CT. 

Wyzant College Scholarship 
Write an essay on the topic posted on the Wyzant website, get votes by sharing it on social media, and win scholarship money for college.

Yawkey Scholars Program 
Renewable scholarships for motivated low-income students from Massachusetts or Georgetown County, South Carolina who have been accepted and plan to attend a 4-year university.

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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 changed 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.

Take the next step

Ready to begin your journey with Lesley? ​Share some basic information by filling out one of the forms below so that we can reach out to you with more information about our programs. Or, email admissions@lesley.edu to connect with a member of our admissions team.

Undergraduate Inquiry Form  |  Graduate Inquiry Form  |  Threshold Inquiry Form