CAP’s Weekly Private Scholarship List for February 17th – 28th, 2026
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Looking for scholarships to help fund your education? College Aid Pro presents its latest weekly selection of private scholarships, tailored to meet a wide array of student needs. From high school graduates to current undergraduates and those considering studying abroad, you’ll find potential opportunities here. Act fast, as deadlines are near! Take a look at the list and keep in mind that creating a FREE MyCAP account and see what colleges cost before you commit can significantly decrease the number of private scholarships you’ll need.
Here’s a look at CAP’s curated private scholarship list with scholarship opportunities that have deadlines closing within the next week.
Top 24 Private Scholarship Opportunities for February 17th – 28th, 2026:
Tailhook Educational Foundation Scholarship:
Amount: $4,000 – $20,000
Closing Date: February 17, 2026
Open To: High School
Description: The Tailhook Educational Foundation Scholarship may be awarded to a high school graduate and child or grandchild of a current or former Naval Aviator, Naval Flight Officer; or Air-crewman; or children or grandchildren of individuals who served aboard a US Navy aircraft carrier. High school seniors may also apply. The scholarship grants are for undergraduate degrees only at accredited schools or universities. To prove sponsorship eligibility, TEF must receive one of the following documents from the applicant or sponsor: DD214 honorable discharge/ retirement papers with documentation specifying the member was a Naval Aviator; Naval Aviation designation letter itself; Naval Aviation based award listing aviation service or Naval Aviation designator; or Set of orders listing aviation duties or to a USN aircraft carrier or Naval Aviation designator. Please visit the scholarship’s website for more information.
Polish National Alliance of Brooklyn, USA Scholarship:
Amount: $2,000
Closing Date: February 17, 2026
Open To: High School
Description: The Polish National Alliance of Brooklyn, USA Scholarship is awarded to a qualified member of the Polish National Alliance of Brooklyn, Lodge #1903. One scholarship is awarded on a competitive basis by the Kosciuszko Foundation. Graduating high school seniors may apply. Selection is based on application completeness, the recommendations of teachers and professors, academic excellence and achievements, applicant’s interests, motivation, the applicant’s essay, involvement in the Polish American community. Two letters of recommendations are required. Please visit the scholarship’s website or contact the Kosciuszko Foundation for more information.
Frontline Families Scholarship Program:
Amount: $1,000 – 2,500
Closing Date: February 17, 2026
Open To: High School
Description: The Frontline Families Scholarship Fund was established by Dr. Michael Osterholm, world-renowned epidemiologist, to provide educational assistance to the surviving family members of frontline healthcare workers and volunteers who lost their lives in the fight against COVID-19. Because of the inequitable impact of COVID-19, priority will be given to families who are historically underserved and those who have demonstrated financial need. Applicants must be high school seniors, high school graduates or current college undergraduates. They must be planning to enroll at an accredited two- or four-year college, university or vocational-technical school for the entire upcoming academic year. Children are defined as biological, step- or legally adopted children age 26 and under as of the application date. The Frontline Families Scholarship Program is not competitive; all eligible applicants will receive awards. Applicants that do not demonstrate financial need, or do not provide financial information, will be eligible to receive a $1,000 award. Applicants who demonstrate financial need will be eligible to receive a $2,500 award. Awards are not renewable; however, students may reapply to the program each year they meet eligibility requirements and funds are available. Applicants can receive the award a maximum of four times. Please visit the scholarship’s website or contact the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation for more information.
National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Northwest Foundation Scholarship:
Amount: $5,000
Closing Date: February 17, 2026
Open To: High School
Description: National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences – Northwest Chapter awards up to three scholarships a year: two general scholarships and a third honoring Tricia Moen. The goal of the NATAS Northwest Scholarship Program is to sustain promising college/university students in the pursuit of their studies in the field of television and broadcast. Applicants must be college or high school seniors headed to college in the fall. They must be living or attending college in NATAS NW’s five-state regions. The scholarship is limited to students studying or participating in a TV/video program or projects. Applicants must submit a Faculty Letter of Endorsement. Submission of applications may be done by uploading it to the Dropbox link or submitting it through mail to NATAS NW. Please visit the scholarship’s website for more information.
Archibald Rutledge Scholarship Program:
Amount: $2,000
Closing Date: February 19, 2026
Open To: High School
Description: The Archibald Rutledge Scholarship Program offers twelfth-grade students, enrolled in a public school in South Carolina, the opportunity to compete for a scholarship in creative writing, dance, music, theatre, or visual arts as well as encourages and recognizes academic and artistic excellence among South Carolina students. Students may only apply for one scholarship. For Creative Writing, an entry is defined as an original composition, created by the applicant, utilizing any form of creative writing including but not limited to journals, diaries, letters, memoirs, essays, poetry, storytelling, speeches, and free writing. For Dance, an entry is defined as an original creation of dance choreography timed at three to six minutes created for solo dancer or ensemble in any appropriate movement style. The applicant must perform in the recording of his or her creation. For Music, an entry is defined as an original vocal or instrumental composition created by the applicant timed at four to ten minutes for solo performer or small ensemble utilizing any appropriate compositional technique. Arrangements of existing works will not be permitted for this competition. For Theatre, an entry is defined as an original one-act script created by the applicant with a runtime of eight to fifteen minutes. For Visual Arts, an entry is defined as original artwork that must be a completed, rendered visual creation, produced by the applicant. Art is limited to two-dimensional work such as drawing, painting, mixed media, printmaking, and collage. Artwork must not be copies of master artworks or comic art. Entries may be submitted electronically, in-person, or postmarked. Please visit the scholarship’s website for more information.
Gordon A. Rich Memorial Scholarship:
Amount: $12,500
Closing Date: February 20, 2026
Open To: High School
Description: The Gordon A. Rich Memorial Foundation was created to honor the memory of Gordon Rich. GAR’s mission is to award grants to support the higher education goals of its recipients. Applicants must be dependent children of full-time employees in the financial services industry (commercial banks, investment banks, securities brokerage firms, insurance companies, fund and asset management companies, credit card and finance companies and similar businesses as determined by the Foundation). Employees must be presently employed with five years of experience OR no longer employed in this field but had ten years of experience which ended no longer than five years prior to the program closing date. Applicants must be currently enrolled as high school seniors who plan to enroll at an accredited four year college or university in the U.S. They must also rank in the top 20 percent of their class. Awards may be renewed for up to three additional years or until a bachelor’s degree is earned, whichever occurs first. One online recommendation form must be submitted no later than February 25, 2025. Please visit the scholarship’s website or contact the Foundation for more information.
Meg Graham Scholarship:
Amount: $10,000
Closing Date: February 21, 2026
Open To: High School
Description: The Junior League of Washington is pleased to announce the application process for the 2025 Meg Graham Scholarship: Celebrating Service and Leadership. The scholarship is open to any high school senior who is a DC resident; attends a public, charter, private, or parochial high school in DC; and is matriculating to an accredited, four-year postsecondary institution in the Fall of 2025. Applicants must have an outstanding volunteer service record, be in good academic standing with a minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA on a 5.0 scale, and show the promise of continued success. Applications must be submitted by February 21, 2025. Finalists will be notified by Monday, March 17, 2025 via e-mail or telephone. In accordance with DC public safety and health requirements, finalists will be required to attend a 30-minute, in-person interview, held at JLW Headquarters on April 5, 2025 or April 6, 2025. 3. Two letters of recommendation are required: one letter from a faculty member of your high school and one letter from a supervisor or sponsor of a volunteer service project, preferably the project discussed in your essay. Please visit the scholarship’s website for more information.
The Valley Alliance of Mentors for Opportunities Scholarship:
Amount: $3,000 – $20,000
Closing Date: February 22, 2026
Open To: High School
Description: The Valley Alliance of Mentors for Opportunities Scholarship (VAMOS) Scholarship program supports exceptional graduating high school seniors from the Rio Grande Valley in Texas. High school students must be graduating seniors in the Rio Grande Valley, Texas, specifically Hidalgo, Cameron, and Starr counties. Students must be Pell Grant recipients. Selected students attending the University of Texas at Rio Grande Valley will receive $3,000 per year, for four years ($12,000 total). All other selected students attending other institutions will receive $5,000 per year, for four years ($20,000 total). All majors are accepted. Please visit the scholarship’s website for more information.
UDT-SEAL Association Scholarship-High School Seniors:
Amount: $5,500
Closing Date: February 25, 2026
Open To: High School
Description: The UDT-SEAL Association is pleased to offer scholarship opportunities to dependents of our veteran or currently serving members who strive to pursue higher learning and help them achieve their dream of a college education. This year the UDT-SEAL Association is offering competitive merit-based scholarships. “Well-rounded” students with the highest GPAs who are involved in extracurricular activities and sports will be given preference. The High School Senior Scholarship is for graduating high school seniors who must be seeking a vocational degree, associates degree, or bachelor’s degree. Applicants must be a Dependent child of a UDT-SEAL Association member who have served in or are currently serving in the Naval Special Warfare community. Please visit the scholarship’s website for more information.
Scholars Helping Collars Scholarship:
Amount: $1,500
Closing Date: February 26, 2026
Open To: High School
Description: P.L.A.Y. has always made a point to promote compassion towards animals in both our personal and professional lives. We know there are plenty of young minds out there that are equally passionate about helping animals in need, so in an effort to encourage them and promote this cause, P.L.A.Y. will be awarding our annual scholarship to a graduating high school senior (2023-2024) who best exemplifies our core beliefs. No purchase necessary. Immediate family members of P.L.A.Y. employees are excluded from this contest. Two to three photos of the applicant’s volunteer efforts to help animals in need must be submitted. Please visit the scholarship’s website for more information.
Charles L. Hebner Memorial Scholarship:
Amount: $1,250
Closing Date: February 28, 2026
Open To: High School
Description: The Charles L. Hebner Memorial Scholarship is for high school seniors attending an accredited institution in an undergraduate program. Applicants must have an unweighted cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 and a combined score of at least 1290 on the SAT or the equivalent score on the ACT. This scholarship is renewable for up to three additional years. Please visit the scholarship’s website or contact the Delaware Higher Education Office for more information.
Optimist International Essay Contest:
Amount: $2,500
Closing Date: February 28, 2026
Open To: High School
Description: The Optimist International Essay Contest aims to give young people room to develop their views around a central idea. In addition to the opportunity for written expression, participants have the chance to win a college scholarship. The Optimist International Essay Contest is divided into two levels of competition: Club and District. Interested students should submit essays on the assigned topic to their local Optimist Club. The contest is open to contestants under the age of 19 as of October 1st of the current Optimist International contest year. Club winners may advance to the District contest to compete for a $2,500 college scholarship. Contestants must compose an original essay with limited guidance from others. The deadline for Clubs to submit their winning essay to the District Chair is February 28, 2025. The deadline for Districts to submit their winner’s information to Optimist International is April 15, 2025. Please visit the award’s website for more information about the contest and the eligibility requirements.
National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America, Inc. Annual Scholarship:
Amount: $5,000
Closing Date: February 28, 2026
Open To: High School
Description: The 2024 NCBFAA Annual Scholarship program is open to any regular member employee or a child of a regular member employee of NCBFAA who is pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree at an accredited U.S. college or university for their professional advancement in our industry. Applicants must be currently enrolled and pursuing either an undergraduate or graduate degree in industry-related studies at an accredited U.S. college or university. This includes high school seniors, as well as students or employees, pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree with an accredited college or university. The applicant should be intending to or already pursuing a career in Customs Brokerage, Freight Forwarding or a related field, such as international trade and supply chain management. All candidates must submit their applications via mail. They may email their essay; however, they must provide a hard copy of the supporting materials before their application will be considered. Please visit the scholarship’s website for more information.
NABJ Visual Task Force Scholarship:
Amount: $3,000
Closing Date: February 28, 2026
Open To: High School
Description: The NABJ Visual Task Force Scholarship will be awarded to students with a genuine passion for visual journalism. Qualified candidates will be chosen based on the quality of their portfolio work and their demonstrated commitment to academic excellence. Applicants must be a current NABJ student member in good standing. Eligible applicants include high school juniors, seniors, and college students with at least one full academic year remaining at an accredited U.S. college or university at the time of application and disbursement of funds. At least three work samples are required. Three references are also required. Please visit the scholarship’s website or contact NABJ for more information.
California Wine Grape Growers Foundation Scholarship:
Amount: $2,000
Closing Date: February 28, 2026
Open To: High School
Description: Only the children with a parent or legal guardian employed by a California vineyard during the current or previous winegrape growing season are eligible to apply. However, children with a parent or legal guardian employed by a California winegrape grower may request a waiver from this eligibility requirement based upon financial need.
Distinguished Raven FAC Memorial Scholarship:
Amount: $2,000 – $2,500
Closing Date: February 28, 2026
Open To: High School
Description: This scholarship program is meant to provide educational assistance to the descendants of those the Ravens supported in their fight for the defense of their country. Scholarships are presented annually to qualifying descendants or legal wards of a Lao or Lao-Hmong individual who served in the Royal Laotian Military or Hmong forces in defense of the Kingdom of Laos between 1960 and 1975. Applicants must be a high school senior or graduate, and must be enrolled or actively seeking to enroll full time in the coming academic year in an undergraduate program of studies leading to a Bachelor or Associate Degree at an accredited college, junior college, or university or a Technical/Trade School in the United States. Selection will be based on an overall evaluation of the applicant’s academic achievement, goals, character, service beyond self, and the quality of their essay. Apparent need is also an important factor. For applicants planning to attend a Technical/Trade School, academic achievement is not a key determining factor. Two letters of recommendation are required. Please visit the scholarship’s website for more information.
$2,000 No Essay College Scholarship:
Amount: $2,000
Closing Date: February 28, 2026
Open To: High School
Description: Niche is giving a scholarship, no essay required. All high school and college students, as well as anyone looking to attend college or graduate school in the next year may apply. Applicants must be either: (1) at least 18 years of age or older (except in the case of legal residents of certain states or commonwealths where the legal age of majority is greater than 18 years of age, then such legal age of majority) at the time of entry; or (2) at least 13 years of age at the time of entry and have a parent’s or legal guardian’s consent and supervision to use Niche and enter this Sweepstakes. Applicants must currently attend, or within the next 12 months plan to enroll in, a high school or college listed on Niche, or be the parent of a student who falls into one of those categories. Please visit the scholarship’s website for more information.
Willard G. Plentl Sr. Aviation Scholarship Program:
Amount: $3,000
Closing Date: February 28, 2026
Open To: High School
Description: The Willard G. Plentl Sr. Aviation Scholarship Program will be awarded to a Virginia High School senior who is planning an aviation career in a non-engineering area. A certification of acceptance into a non-engineering, aviation-related postsecondary education program is required. Examples of non-engineering aviation careers include, but are not limited to, pilots, aviation maintenance technicians, aviation managers, etc. Applicants must attach no more than three recommendation letters and a typed sheet listing both school-related and extracurricular activities demonstrating accomplishments and leadership capabilities. Applicants must have their guidance counselor or other high school official sign all required certifications. Please visit the scholarship’s website or contact the Virginia Airport Operators Council for more information.
Florida PTA/PTSA University Scholarship:
Amount: $2,000
Closing Date: February 28, 2026
Open To: High School
Description: The Florida PTA/PTSA University Scholarship will be awarded to a high school senior student graduating from a PTSA high school, who will pursue their education at a university. This scholarship will be awarded to a worthy student who is interested in getting a start in life through higher education. Students must be a PTSA member. Please visit the scholarship’s website or contact Florida PTA/PTSA for more information.
Florida PTA/PTSA Community College Scholarship:
Amount: $2,000
Closing Date: February 28, 2026
Open To: High School
Description: The Florida PTA/PTSA Community College Scholarship will be awarded to a high school senior student graduating from a PTSA high school, who will pursue their education at a community college. This scholarship will be awarded to a worthy student who is interested in getting a start in life through higher education. Students must be a PTSA member. Please visit the scholarship’s website or contact Florida PTA/PTSA for more information.
Florida PTA/PTSA Fine Arts Scholarship:
Amount: $2,000
Closing Date: February 28, 2026
Open To: High School
Description: The Florida PTA/PTSA Fine Arts Scholarship will be awarded to a high school senior student graduating from a PTSA high school. This scholarship will be awarded to a worthy student who is interested in getting a start in life through higher education. Students must be a PTSA member. Please visit the scholarship’s website or contact Florida PTA/PTSA for more information.
Florida PTA/PTSA Vocational/Technical Scholarship:
Amount: $2,000
Closing Date: February 28, 2026
Open To: High School
Description: The Florida PTA/PTSA Vocational/Technical Scholarship will be awarded to a high school senior student graduating from a PTSA high school, who will pursue their education at a vocational or technical school. This scholarship will be awarded to a worthy student who is interested in getting a start in life through higher education. Students must be a PTSA member. Please visit the scholarship’s website or contact Florida PTA/PTSA for more information.
Antonette Willa Skupa Turner Scholarship:
Amount: $1,000
Closing Date: February 28, 2026
Open To: High School
Description: The purpose of the Antonette Willa Skua Turner Scholarship is to provide financial assistance to graduates of Nebraska high schools who plan to enroll as English or history majors in accredited colleges or universities. Applicants must be high school seniors. Selection is based on the intellectual promise, creativity, and character of the applicant. A letter of recommendation from the applicant’s English or History teacher must be submitted. Please visit the scholarship’s website or contact the Willa Cather Foundation for more information.
Sweet and Simple Scholarship:
Amount: $1,500
Closing Date: February 28, 2026
Open To: High School
Description: The Sweet and Simple Scholarship is open to all U.S. students who are currently enrolled or will enroll no later than Fall of 2027 in an accredited postsecondary institution of higher education. Please visit the scholarship’s website for more information.
💡 Final Thought: Scholarships = Free Money.
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