August is often the time we start gearing up for school. As you and your teens work on scholarships, it’s a good idea to get some organization prepared. I want to share some ideas I have gleaned from numerous sources over the past several years of preparing these scholarship posts:
- Set aside dedicated time on a regular basis with your student to find scholarships that your student can apply for.
- Create a calendar of scholarship due dates to apply for.
- Create a spreadsheet to keep everything organized. Include columns for: Scholarship Name (a hyperlink here is useful), Award Amount, Deadline, Essay (Yes/No, word count, topic, whatever notes you need for this column), Date Submitted, Notes.
I did not start the suggested spreadsheet when my son started applying for scholarships. This resulted in the experience of repeatedly reminding him to apply for a certain scholarship; him “thinking” he already did, but the only record he had of it was the date he saved the essay on his computer. Therefore, he assumed he had applied for the scholarship. Lesson learned.
Having all of the items I listed in a spreadsheet will reduce confusion, allow student and parent to easily see the scholarships applied for, and keep this often chaotic process, due to the number of scholarships available, manageable and organized.
To get you started, here are some scholarships available with August deadlines:
Mahoney Family Foundation Scholarship
Sponsor: Mahoney Family Foundation
Amount: $5,000
Closing Date: August 1, 2026
Description: Supports individuals in nursing or teaching professions pursuing CEUs or advanced degrees.
Patsy Takemoto Mink Foundation Scholarship
Sponsor: Patsy Takemoto Mink Foundation
Amount: $5,000
Closing Date: August 1, 2026
Description: For low‑income women pursuing education or training.
Sponsor: Port to Promise
Amount: $2,000
Closing Date: August 1, 2026
Description: Supports students pursuing higher education with demonstrated community involvement.
Shirley Ann Steinback-Hawthorne Scholarship
Sponsor: Steinback-Hawthorne Foundation
Amount: $2,000
Closing Date: August 1, 2026
Description: For students demonstrating academic achievement and financial need.
Korea Defense Veterans Association Impact Scholarship
Sponsor: KDVA
Amount: $1,000
Closing Date: August 1, 2026
Description: For students connected to U.S.–ROK military alliance communities.
Transformer Association Scholarship Program
Sponsor: Transformer Association
Amount: $2,500
Closing Date: August 1, 2026
Description: For students pursuing engineering or technical fields related to power systems.
Visas for Future Annual Scholarship
Sponsor: Visas for Future
Amount: $1,000
Closing Date: August 1, 2026
Description: For students committed to sustainability and global citizenship.
Forté Future Leaders Scholarship
Sponsor: Forté Foundation
Amount: $1,000
Closing Date: August 5, 2026
Description: For women pursuing business careers and demonstrating leadership potential.
Mrs. Prindables Future Educator Scholarship
Sponsor: Mrs. Prindables
Amount: $1,000
Closing Date: August 1, 2026
Description: For incoming or current college students majoring in education. Requires an essay on why you want to be an educator.
Access to Achievement Scholarship
Sponsor: National Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS)
Amount: $500 (5 awards available)
Closing Date: August 13, 2026
Description: This opportunity is open to high school members graduating in the classes of 2027 or 2028. It honors students who demonstrate significant academic determination and leadership potential within their schools.
Sponsor: Access Scholarships
Amount: $1,000
Closing Date: August 15, 2026
Description: This scholarship is open to high school seniors and current undergraduate students living with a documented disability. Applicants are asked to share how their unique experiences have shaped their goals.
Calvin L. Carrithers Aviation Scholarship
Sponsor: GlobalAir.com
Amount: $1,000
Closing Date: August 15, 2026
Description: Open to high school seniors and college students who are actively pursuing a career in aviation. Applicants must maintain a regular blog on the sponsor’s site detailing their flight training journey.
Race Entry Student Scholarship
Sponsor: Race Entry
Amount: $500
Closing Date: August 15, 2026
Description: Submit a 1,000–2,000‑word essay about your experience running a race and what you learned.
NSHSS Hometown Hero Scholarship
Sponsor: National Society of High School Scholars
Amount: $2,000 (3 awards available)
Closing Date: August 18, 2026
Description: Open to all high school grade levels (graduating classes 2026-2029). Students are required to submit an essay celebrating a frontline worker, volunteer, or local leader who has made an outstanding impact in their community.
Sponsor: Perfect Plants Nursery
Amount: $1,000
Closing Date: August 20, 2026
Description: Designed for high school seniors and college students pursuing a degree in horticulture, agriculture, landscape design, or a closely related green industry field.
James W. Lewis Global Leader Scholarship
Sponsor: NSHSS Foundation
Amount: $5,000 (3 awards available)
Closing Date: August 25, 2026
Description: Open to high school students of all grade levels who exemplify a commitment to leadership, public service, and global awareness. Requires an essay outlining your vision for global change.
Global Perspectives Scholarship
Sponsor: Rustic Pathways
Amount: $1,000
Closing Date: August 27, 2026
Description: Write a 500‑word essay about your most meaningful summer experience and follow Rustic Pathways on Instagram. Open to high school and college students.
Joe Gilroy “Plan Your Work, Work Your Plan” Scholarship
Sponsor: Bold.org
Amount: $1,315
Closing Date: August 30, 2026
Description: Describe your goals and detailed plans for achieving them. Open to anyone pursuing further education.
Sponsor: Bold.org
Amount: $1,000
Closing Date: August 30, 2026
Description: For female, low‑income undergraduate engineering students. Requires an essay on long‑term career goals.
Apprentice Ecologist Initiative Scholarship
Sponsor: Nicodemus Wilderness Project
Amount: Up to $1,750
Closing Date: August 31, 2026
Description: Complete an environmental stewardship project and submit a photo and essay describing your work.
Sponsor: Unigo
Amount: $1,500
Closing Date: August 31, 2026
Description: Submit a short, humorous response to a prompt. Open to U.S. students 14 and older.
In the Driver’s Seat Scholarship
Sponsor: National Driving and Traffic School
Amount: $500 (2 awards available)
Closing Date: August 31, 2026
Description: Open to high school and college students. Applicants must submit an essay discussing the importance of driver education in reducing the number of traffic-related fatalities.
Cyberbullying Awareness Scholarship
Sponsor: McCready Law Injury Attorneys
Amount: $1,000
Closing Date: August 31, 2026
Description: Open to high school seniors entering college and current undergraduates. Requires a minimum 3.0 GPA and an essay exploring the impacts of cyberbullying and how digital spaces can be made safer.
Voice of the Future Scholarship
Sponsor: The Kryder Law Group, LLC
Amount: $1,000
Closing Date: August 31, 2026
Description: Open to high school seniors and current undergraduate students. Applicants must submit a 500 word essay that shares a personal statement that highlights their individual journey. We want to know about the challenges you have overcome, how those experiences have shaped your character, and your aspirations for the future. This is your opportunity to show us your resilience and your vision for the road ahead.
A Better Financial Future Scholarship
Sponsor: Financial Future Initiative
Amount: $2,000
Closing Date: August 31, 2026
Description: Open to all students aged 17 and older. Applicants must complete a short questionnaire or brief response regarding personal finance and budgeting habits for young adults.
