February 2026

City of Fairfax Young Artist Scholarship

Sponsor: City of Fairfax

Amount: $2,000

Closing Date: February 2026 (TBA)

Description: $2,000 cash award for a high school junior or senior enrolled in a northern Virginia high school band or orchestra (or home schooled students who are active and regular participants in a community or youth performing ensemble). Applicant must play a standard band woodwind, brass, or percussion instrument. Applicants are required to submit an a prepared selection in an acceptable audio format. If selected as a finalist, the applicant must be willing to participate in a competition recital. If ultimately selected as a winner, the applicant must be willing to perform with the City of Fairfax Band.

James Madison Centennial Scholars Program

Sponsor: James Madison University

Amount: full Cost of Attendance

Closing Date: February 1, 2026

Description: The Centennial Scholars Program (CSP) at James Madison University provides financial support to talented first-generation Pell Grant-eligible students from the Commonwealth of Virginia. This highly competitive award is open to incoming first-year and transfer students as well as current JMU students. Students who are accepted into CSP (referred to as "Centennials") are awarded a combination of federal, state, and institutional grants totaling the cost of in-state tuition, mandatory fees, housing, and meals. Centennials must meet program-specific need-based eligibility requirements in future years to maintain the full value of the award. To be considered eligible for the Centennial Scholars Program, all applicants must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) no later than February 01, 2026, be subsequently deemed eligible for the Federal Pell Grant, qualify for in-state tuition, and demonstrate exemplary academic performance.

Army Spouses' Club of the Greater Washington Area Scholarship

Sponsor: Army Spouses' Club of the Greater Washington Area

Amount: $2,000

Closing Date: February 1, 2026

Description: Each year ASCGWA awards merit-based scholarships to high school graduating seniors, college students, and military spouses living in the National Capital Region. Scholarships are awarded in three categories: High School Senior, College Student, and Member/Spouse. During the application period, application forms and eligibility requirements can be found on our ASCGWA website: www.armyspousesclub.org. Applicants or applicant’s parents or spouses must be an active member of ASCGWA prior to November 30, 2025, before the application is submitted.

Wings Over America Scholarship

Sponsor: Wings Over America Scholarship Foundation

Amount: $5,000 (may be renewable)

Deadline: February 1, 2026 at 5 PM EST

Description: Open to dependent children/stepchildren and the spouses of active duty, retired, honorably discharged, or diseased Enlisted or Officer U.S. Navy personnel who serve or have served in U.S. Navy Aviation. Available to dependent children candidates who are graduating high school seniors, high school graduates (or homeschooled equivalent), current college or trade school students. Dependent children candidates must be 22 or younger by March 1, 2026 and must ultimately enroll as full-time students during the 2026-27 -school year. Dependent spouse candidates can opt to enroll full-time or part time (with a minimum of 6 credits per semester). Also open to spouses and children of U.S. Navy members who died while on active duty serving within a U.S. Navy aviation command.

SME Education Foundation Scholarships

Sponsor: SME (Society of Manufacturing Engineering) Education Fund

Amount: $2,500 - $20,000

Closing Date: February 1, 2026

Description: Need- and merit-based scholarships open to students pursuing associate’s, bachelor’s, or graduate degrees in Manufacturing, Engineering, or related disciplines. Applicants must have a minimum 2.0 GPA and either be a graduating high school senior or current college student. Applicants must be permanent residents or citizens of the United States or Canada, or have a U.S. or Canadian student visa. Students who have financial need (as measured by Pell Grant eligibility) and/or students who plan to attend a community college are particularly encouraged to apply!

Generation Hope Scholarship

Sponsor: Generation Hope

Amount: $1,200 per year for a 2-year college / $2,400 per year for 4-year college

Closing Date: February 1 (priority) and April 1

Description: Students eligible to be Generation Hope Scholars must be teen parents (defined as pregnant/expecting by age 19) who are 25 or younger at the time of application. Applicants must be raising or actively involved in their child’s life, attending or planning to attend college in Fall 2026 in the D.C. metro area, and seeking an associate's or bachelor’s degree. Additionally, students must be either a U.S. Citizen, a legal U.S. Resident, or have Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status or any other immigration status that allows them in-state tuition and work eligibility. Recipients must continue to meet eligibility criteria to receive all installments of the scholarship.

Dr. Bart Kamen FIRST Robotics Competition Scholarship

Sponsor: FIRST

Amount: $10,000

Closing Date: February 1, 2026 at 11:59 PM

Description: $10,000 scholarship open to high school seniors or high school graduates who have not yet begun full-time undergraduate studies at a college or university who have participated in FRC for at least one year. Applicant must have either applied for admission to or been admitted to a full-time undergraduate program in Biomedical Engineering, Pre-Medical Studies, or a program that allows students to pursue a chosen major while simultaneously completing the standard subset of medical school preparatory courses (e.g. Biology, Chemistry, and Organic Chemistry).

The Roothbert Fund Scholarship

Sponsor: The Roothbert Fund

Amount: varies

Closing Date: February 1, 2026

Description: Scholarships (that are potentially renewable) targeted to candidates whose daily actions are guided by spiritual motives. Available to applicants pursuing an undergraduate or graduate study at an accredited U.S. based college or university. Applicants must have a current or intended residency by March 1st in one of the following states: Virginia, District of Columbia, Maryland, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Rhode Island, Vermont, or West Virginia. Strong preference will be given to graduate students, as well as undergraduates who have completed at least 1 year of study (i.e. sophomore or junior applicants).

Stacey Scholarship Fund

Sponsor: National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum

Amount: $500-$5,000

Closing Date: February 1, 2026

Description: Scholarship open to students between the ages 18-35 who aim to make art their profession.

Northwestern Mutual Childhood Cancer Sibling Scholarship Program

Deadline: February 2, 2026

Amount: $5,000

GPA Requirement: N/A

Description: This need- and merit-based scholarship is for the siblings of individuals who are in current treatment, have survived, or passed away from childhood cancer. Applicants must be US citizens/permanent residents age 25 or under who plan to enroll full-time in undergraduate study at an accredited two- or four-year college, university, or vocational-technical school in the US for the entire upcoming academic year. The application requires a transcript and personal statement. Awards may be renewed for up to one year or until a bachelor’s degree is earned, whichever occurs first. Previous recipients are not eligible to apply.

The Dream Project Scholarship

Sponsor: The Dream Project

Amount: varies

Closing Date: February 2, 2026 at 5:00 PM EST

Open to Virginia high school seniors and college students who were born outside of the United States and whose immigration status (undocumented, DACA, TPS, Asylum Applicant) creates barriers to success in college. Recipients are expected to attend an accredited two- or four-year college or university.

Fund for Education Abroad

Sponsor: Fund for Education Abroad

Amount: varies

Closing Date: February 4, 2026

Description: $5,000 - $10,000 scholarship for current college students intending to pursue study abroad opportunities. The study abroad program must be at least four weeks and offer credits that are transferrable to the student’s home institution

VSGA-VIP Scholarship Foundation

Sponsor: VSGA

Amount: $1,500 -$7,000

Closing Date: February 6, 2026

Description: $1,500 - $7,000 scholarships (some of which are renewable available to high school seniors with an interest in golf. The Foundation intends to award up to 25% of its scholarships to VSGA employees or children of VSGA employees, but applicants are not required to hold this affiliation. Applicants are required to provide a letter of recommendation from a VSGA representative.

AMS First-Year Scholarship Program

Sponsor: American Meteorological Society

Amount: $6,000

Closing Date: February 6, 2026

Description: The American Meteorological Society is pleased to announce the AMS First-Year Undergraduate Scholarship program, open to all high school students and designed to encourage study in the atmospheric and related sciences. To be eligible to apply for this scholarship: Applicants must be U.S. citizens or hold permanent resident status; Applicants must be entering their freshman year of college in the fall of 2026 as a full-time student and plan to pursue a degree in the atmospheric or related oceanic or hydrologic sciences. Marine biology does not meet this requirement; Applicants must have a GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.

Davidson Fellows Scholarship Fund

Sponsor: Davidson Institute

Amount: $10,000 - $50,000

Closing Date: February 11, 2026

Description: $10,000 - $50,000 scholarships awarded to extraordinary young people 18 or younger by the deadline working on high-level projects in the STEAM and Humanities fields. The Davidson Institute is looking for students whose projects are at, or close to, the college graduate level with a depth of knowledge in their particular area of study. Applicants can submit the application individually or as a part of a team of two. Applicants must choose a category and refer to the specific requirements for the selected category. Categories include science, technology, engineering, math, literature, music, philosophy, and outside the box. Projects in the arts including but not limited to photography, sculpture, and film are not eligible for consideration.

 Heroes’ Legacy Scholarship

Sponsor: Fisher House

Amount: Up to $5,000

Closing Date: February 11, 2026

Description: $5,000 maximum scholarships available to dependent unmarried children under the age of 23 of active-duty personnel, Reserve/Guard, and retired military members. Applicants must be the child of a parent who has died or become disabled through their active military service on or after September 11th, 2001. Open to high school and college students who will be enrolled in a full-time undergraduate program leading to a Bachelor’s degree or a community or junior college designed to allow for direct transfer into a four-year program. High school applicants must have a 3.0+ GPA, and college applicants must have a 2.5+ GPA.

Scholarships for Military Children Program

Sponsor: Defense Commissary Agency

Amount: $2,000

Closing Date: February 12, 2026 at 11:59 EST

Description: $2,000 scholarships available to students under the age of 23 whose parents are serving in or retired from the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, or Coast Guard. Open to high school and college students who will be enrolled in a full-time undergraduate program leading to a Bachelor’s degree or a community or junior college designed to allow for direct transfer into a four-year program. High school applicants must have a 3.0+ GPA, and college applicants must have a 2.5+ GPA.

Team DC Student-Athlete Scholarship

Sponsor: Team DC

Amount: $2,500

Closing Date: February 13, 2026

Description: Scholarships are given annually to openly LGBTQ student-athletes from high schools in the greater Washington, DC region who will attend an accredited two-or four-year college or university. The application requires an essay, transcript, and two letters of recommendation.

Vermont Pitch Challenge

Sponsor: University of Vermont

Deadline: February 15

Amount: Up to full tuition at UVM for four years

Description: The Vermont Pitch Challenge gives high school entrepreneurs from across the globe the chance to pitch innovative businesses that make a difference in their communities. Students will compete for cash prizes and scholarships to the University of Vermont. Submit your pitch for a product or service as a video (four minutes maximum), audio recording (four minutes maximum), or written document (five pages maximum). Students in grades 10-12 are eligible to compete in teams of 1-3 students.

HBCU Week Scholarships

Sponsor: HBCU Week

Amount: Varies

Closing Date: February 16, 2026

Description: Scholarships for students planning to attend an Historically Black College or University (HBCU) as a freshman in college in the 2026-27 school year. Students must have a minimum, unweighted high school GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Applicants must demonstrate financial need and be a citizen or legal permanent resident of the United States.

McDonald's HACER Scholarship

Sponsor: McDonald's

Amount: $5,000-100,000

Closing Date: February 17, 2026

Description: Open to high school seniors with 2.8+ GPA who have at least one parent of Hispanic heritage. Applicants must be legal U.S. residents who are younger than 21 years old.

Vegetarian Resource Group Scholarships

Sponsor: The Vegetarian Resource Group

Amount: Up to $10,000

Deadline: February 20, 2026

Description: This merit-based scholarship is for graduating US high school seniors who have promoted vegetarianism in their schools and/or communities and will attend college in the US. The application requires an essay, transcript, three letters of recommendations, and documentation of activism related to vegetarianism.

NVADACA Scholarship 2025

Sponsor: Northern Virginia Athletic Directors, Administrators, and Coaches Association

Amount: $5,000

Closing Date: February 27, 2026 (11:59 PM)

Deadline: Northern Virginia Athletic Directors, Administrators, and Coaches Association (NVADACA) will award scholarships to deserving students who will graduate from high school in 2026 and have participated in one or more of the scholastic sports listed below. The number of scholarships and amounts will be determined by NVADACA in March. Scholarships will be awarded to students whose individual contributions to scholastic sports as well as the school and community can be demonstrated to offer a recognizable impact. Consideration is given to students who have financial needs, have overcome obstacles, and/or experienced unique life experiences. Eligibile students will be graduating from high school in 2026 and have participated in one or more of the following VHSL (Virginia High School League) Sanctioned Sports

• FALL: Competition Cheer, Sideline Cheer, Cross Country, Field Hockey, Football, Golf, Volleyball. 
• WINTER: Basketball, Gymnastics, Indoor Track, Swim and Dive, Wrestling. 
• SPRING: Baseball, Lacrosse, Outdoor Track, Soccer, Softball, Tennis, Crew
• Team Manager
• Athletic Trainer

MARCH 2026

AAU MAD Scholarship Awards

Sponsor: AAU

Amount: $5,000 or $2,000

Closing Date: March 1, 2026

Description: The Middle Atlantic District is dedicated to honoring and financially rewarding graduating high school seniors who have actively participated in AAU events and embody the motto, “Sports For All, Forever." To be eligible, students must be current seniors in high school or homeschool, attending college in the fall AND a member of the Middle Atlantic District of the AAU in the current AAU membership year (September 1-August 31).

VALHEN Scholarship

Sponsor: Valhen Foundation

Amount: $1,000 - $2,500

Closing Date: March 1, 2026

Description: $1,000 - $2,500 scholarships (most of which are renewable) open to Hispanic/Latinx high school seniors and Virginia undergraduate students, including Virginia community college students transferring to a university in Virginia. Students must live in VA and have a 2.5+ GPA. Open to undocumented students and other students who are not eligible to complete the FAFSA.

National High School Essay Contest 

Sponsor: American Foreign Service Association

Amount: $2,500

Closing Date: March 1, 2026

Description: $2,500 scholarship and an all-expense-paid semester at sea for the winner of an essay contest on diplomacy and peace-building. Open to 9th - 12th graders.

American Chemistry Society

Sponsor: American Chemistry Society

Amount: $2,500 (renewable)

Closing Date: March 1, 2026

Description: $2,500 renewable scholarships for underrepresented minority students who want to enter chemistry-related fields; open to current high school seniors as

well as college students.

Akerson Family Foundation Scholarship

Sponsor: Akerson Family Foundation

Amount: $12,500 (renewable for 4 years/$40,000 total)

Closing Date: March 2, 2026

Description: The Akerson Family Foundation Scholarship is awarded annually to a select group of first-generation, college-bound seniors from the local area. Applicant must be a high school senior graduating from Arlington Public Schools, Alexandria City Public Schools, or Fairfax County Public Schools in Spring 2026 with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25 (at end of junior year) and applying for college admission/enrollment in Fall 2025 at any four-year, accredited college/university OR any two-year community college (excluding any for-profit schools). Applicant must be a first-generation college student. For purposes of the AFF scholarship, a first-generation student will be defined as a student whose parents have not earned an undergraduate degree in the United States. Applicant must be FAFSA OR VASA Eligible. Student must have an Student Aid Index (SAI) of no more than $25,000.

Community Foundation for Northern Virginia Scholarship Portals

Sponsor: Community Foundation for Northern Virginia

Amount: varies

Closing Date: March 5, 2026 (for most scholarships)

Description: Scholarships of varying amounts and criteria, most of which are available to graduating high school seniors but also open to high school graduates, GED holders, and college students. Applicants must reside in the Northern Virginia region.

Air Force Officers Spouses’ Club Scholarship

Sponsor: Air Force Officers Spouses' Club

Amount: varies

Closing Date: March 7, 2026

Description: Merit-based scholarships for eligible US Air Force-dependent children who are either graduating high school seniors with a 3.25+ GPA or are current college students with a 3.0+ GPA.

USDA 1890 Land Grant Scholarship

Sponsor: United States Department of Agriculture

Amount: Varies

Deadline: March 8, 2026 

Description: The USDA 1890 National Scholars Program is aimed at bolstering educational and career opportunities for students from rural or underserved communities around the country. USDA 1890 National Scholars are required to study one of the following disciplines: Agriculture, Agricultural Business/Management, Agricultural Economics, Agricultural Engineering/Mechanics, Agricultural Production and Technology, Agronomy or Crop Science, Animal Sciences, Botany, Food Sciences/Technology, Forestry and Related Sciences, Home Economics/Nutrition, Horticulture, Natural Resources Management, Natural Resources Management, Soil Conservation/Soil Science, Farm and Range Management, Other related disciplines, (e.g. non-medical biological sciences, pre-veterinary medicine, computer science). The scholarship provides recipients with full tuition, fees, books, room and board. Scholars attend one of the 1890 land-grant universities and pursue degrees in agriculture, food, natural resource sciences, or related academic disciplines. The scholarship may also include work experience at USDA. To be eligible for the USDA/1890 National Scholars Program scholarship, a student must: be a U.S. citizen, have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better (on a 4.0 scale), have a minimum of 21 ACT, 1080 SAT scores, have been accepted for admission or currently attending one of the nineteen 1890 Historically Black Land-Grant Universities, be planning to study agriculture, food, natural resource sciences, or other related academic disciplines, demonstrate leadership and community service, submit an official transcript with the school seal and an authorized official's signature, submit at least 2 letters of reference, submit completed application.

American Foreign Service Association Merit Scholarship

Sponsor: American Foreign Service Association

Amount: $3,500

Closing Date: March 9, 2026 (merit award) and April 18 2026 (financial need award)

Description: The AFSA Scholarship Fund offers one-time only, competitive merit awards to high school seniors graduating in 2025 that are children of U.S. Foreign Service employees who have at least one parent as an AFSA member. Students can apply for the essay, art merit, or community service award.

Point Foundation BIPOC Scholarships

Sponsor: Point Foundation

Amount: up to $1,500 

Closing Date: March 12, 2026 at 8 PM PST

Description: The BIPOC Scholarship from Point Foundation provides financial and community support to BIPOC students who identify as LBGTQ.

Aero Club Scholarship

Amount: $5,000

Closing Date: March 15, 2026

Description: Scholarships will be awarded to students enrolled in a District of Columbia Metropolitan Area (DC and Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax, Prince George’s and Montgomery Counties) Public or Public Charter school headed to/enrolled in an accredited college, university, technical school, or flight training program with a passion for aviation/aerospace. Applicants must demonstrate financial need and submit an online application form, essay, letter of recommendation, and transcript. Students may reapply for this scholarship each year.

Apple FCU Student Scholarships

Sponsor: Apple FCU

Closing Date: March 15, 2026

Description: Scholarships are awarded to students whose individual contributions demonstrate a recognizable impact on their family, school and/or community. Consideration is given to students who have overcome obstacles, and/or experienced unique life experiences. All eligible applicants will be included in the selection process.

Only applications that are complete and follow all requirements, including deadlines, will be considered. Applications will be evaluated by committees made up of representatives from various segments of the community Apple Federal Credit Union serves. Qualified applicants are members of Apple Federal Credit Union, graduating from high school in 2026 with a 2.5 or above GPA.

UCB Family Epilepsy Scholarship Program

Deadline: March 15, 2026

Amount: Up to $10,000

GPA Requirement: N/A

Description: This scholarship is open to students who have been diagnosed with epilepsy by a physician or are the immediate family member (parent, spouse, child, or sibling) and/or caregiver of a person with epilepsy. Applicants must be legal US residents enrolled in or awaiting acceptance from a United States-based center for higher learning for Fall semester 2026. Students should demonstrate academic and personal achievement, possess a strong record of participation in activities outside of school and serve as a positive role model for others.

Animal Welfare Institute Scholarship

Sponsor: Animal Welfare Institute

Amount: $2,000

Closing Date: March 15, 2026

Description: $2,000 scholarships available to high school seniors with a demonstrated commitment to animal welfare. Applicants will be asked to provide four essays and two letters of recommendation (one of which should come from a reference who is able to verify your involvement in advocating for or working with animals).

North Carolina A&T Washington, DC Alumni Chapter Scholarship

Deadline: March 15, 2026

Amount: Up to $5,000

Description: This scholarship for DC metro area students who are either graduating high school seniors accepted to NC A&T, current college transfer students accepted to NC A&T, or current NC A&T students in good academic standing. Applicants must be US citizens. The application requires a transcript, three letters of recommendation, and short essays.

Cooley-Moore Scholarship

Sponsor: Ivy Foundation of Northern Virginia, Incorporated

Amount: $4,000/renewable/ or one-time $4,000 stipend/or other stipends

Closing Date: March 16, 2026

Description: This award is for high school seniors attending high schools in Arlington and Alexandria, VA, and may be used at an accredited two or four-year college or university. The recipient will be selected based upon a combination of the following criteria: Academic achievement, Financial need, Contribution to school and community, Acceptance to an accredited two or four-year college or university, Letters of recommendation. ALL INFORMATION MUST BE SENT AS A PACKAGE TO THE SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN AND POSTMARKED BY MARCH 16, 2026

EOA Scholarship

Sponsor: Educational Opportunities for Alexandrians

Closing Date: Late March 2026 (Application Opens mid-February)

Amount: Full Cost of Attendance for Northern Virginia Community College

Description: EOA will award scholarships to undocumented students who plan to attend the Northern Virginia Community College in the academic year of the award. This tuition and books/materials scholarship is renewable for the equivalent of two years of full-time study upon submission of documentation indicating the maintaining of a 2.5 grade point average for the semester prior to that requested for renewal.

Student Veteran Scholarships

Sponsor: Student Veterans of America

Amount: varies

Closing Dates: March 24, 2026 (Application Opens Mid-February)

Description: Several scholarships for student veterans to pursue education in many areas.

Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Scholarships

Sponsor: Congressional Black Caucus/Congressional Black Caucus Spouses Foundations

Amount: varies

Closing Date: March 27, 2026

Description: Find descriptions and requirements for all scholarships HERE.

New Futures Scholars Program

Deadline: March 28 

Amount: Up to $7,800

Description: New Futures propels underserved young people through certifications and community college degrees and into rewarding careers across the Washington, DC region. Students must be pursuing an associate degree or professional certification within one of New Futures' Career Pathways: IT, Education, Hospitality & Culinary Arts, Health Sciences, Construction & Trades, Public Service, or Business.

AFCEA-DC Scholarships

Sponsor: AFCEA - DC

Amount: varies

Closing Date: March 29, 2026

Description: Each year, to promote higher education in the STEM fields of computer science, engineering, mathematics, physics, chemistry and management information systems through financial scholarship awards, AFCEA Washington, DC sponsors STEM scholarships for graduating high school seniors.

NoVA NPHC Black Scholars Scholarship Program

Sponsor: NoVA NPHC

Amount: $1,000 (possibility of awards from other organizations - Applications HERE)

Deadline: March 29, 2026

Description: The National Pan-Hellenic Council of Northern Virginia (NoVA NPHC) is seeking your assistance in identifying top students to apply for our annual recognition of Black Scholars. This recognition comes in two parts - (a) an opportunity to apply for one of our annual NoVA NPHC Scholarships and (b) an opportunity to celebrate with the students and their families all that the students have achieved at the Black Scholars Awards program. Black Scholars are defined as African American students who attend high school in the cities/counties of Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax, or Falls Church. Additionally, they must be a high school graduating senior with a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.2 or above (on a 4.00 scale/unweighted) in a college preparation curriculum. 

CommonWealth One Kathryn Coleman Scholarships

Sponsor: CommonWealthOne

Amount: $2,500

Closing Date: March 31, 2026

Description: Two $2,500 scholarships open to current college students and high school seniors who are members of CommonWealth One Federal Credit Union. The Financial Capability Scholarship can be found HERE. The Community Leadership Scholarship can be found HERE.

Automotive Aftermarket Scholarship

Sponsor: University of the Aftermarket Foundation

Amount: varies

Closing Date: March 31, 2026

Description: Scholarship for high school seniors and current college students planning a career in the automotive industry. 

1,000 Dreams Scholarship

Deadline: March 31, 2026

Amount: Up to $1,000

Description: The 1,000 Dreams Scholarship provides one-time financial assistance for women currently enrolled in high school, (two- or four-year) college, or graduate school. This funding cannot cover tuition or recurring bills. Applications must include two letters of recommendation and an essay explaining how the grant would be used. Selection will be based on application contents and financial need. US citizenship is not required.