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Scholarships

Scholarship funds are often based on a specific skill or ability, a major of study or a separate application. Scholarships do not need to be paid back. Eligibility requirements and amounts awarded vary. Here, you’ll find the information you need to understand the different types of scholarships offered, including university scholarships, school and college scholarships and scholarships from outside, private sources.

Scholarship Information

Merit Scholarships

Montclair State offers merit based Presidential Scholarships for high achieving incoming first-year students. Presidential Scholarships are highly competitive and awarded based on your academic academic achievement in high school.

If you are awarded a scholarship, notification will be sent along with your notification of admission. No separate application is required. Need-based grants and loans are available for students who qualify by filing the FAFSA.

With more than 72% of our students receiving some form of financial aid, our commitment to affordability will make it easier for you and your family to make a smart and practical financial investment.

Montclair now offers $2,000 scholarships a year for two (2) years exclusively for Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society members. After you apply, please submit your PTK Certification in your admissions portal or to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions at transfermsu@montclair.edu.

For full details visit the Undergraduate Admissions Merit Scholarship web page.

ScholarshipUniverse

As part of our deep commitment to providing our students with a high quality and affordable education, Montclair has partnered with ScholarshipUniverse. This tool brings together external and internal scholarships in one convenient portal for our Red Hawks to access as much funding as possible. The best part? By filling out your ScholarshipUniverse profile, you’ll be matched with best fit opportunities so that you can streamline your efforts to obtain additional aid – all in a matter of minutes.

ScholarshipUniverse Log In Learn More!

Scholarship Search Engines

The following search engines are not affiliated with Montclair State University although they are legitimate search engines and vet their scholarship postings. Before you begin your scholarship search, please protect yourself by reviewing common scholarship scam information.

Private Scholarships

The following scholarships are not affiliated with Montclair State University. Montclair State University also does not endorse any specific lender or vendor. You do not have to be a borrower from any of the lenders listed here to apply for their scholarships.

Scholarships that Do Not Require FAFSA
Name Field of Study/ Major/ Degree Amount Description Deadline
Hancock Injury Attorneys Scholarship N/A $1,000 Applicants must be a student in good standing with a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Seeking either an undergraduate degree or advanced degree at an accredited institution of higher education within the United States. Worked at a part-time job at some point during high school and/or college or anticipated need to work during undergraduate or graduate education. Be accepted to an institution of higher learning. And one of the following applies:
Graduated from high school or are graduating within 9 months. Have received GED or are receiving GED within 9 months. Accepted as a two to four-year college student and enrolled in a US institution for undergraduate or graduate studies.
Employees and vendors of Hancock Injury Attorneys and immediate family members are not eligible for this essay contest.
May 28, 2022
The Law Offices of Daniel Kim Scholarship N/A $5,000 Applicant must be currently enrolled or accepted to a university/college for the 2022 spring semester. Must be in good academic standing with your current educational institution. You have a 3.0 GPA or higher. Must be a citizen of the United States of America. December 21,2021
AED.US Scholarship Program N/A $1,500 Applicants must be high school seniors or enrolled in an accredited college or university to be eligible to receive this scholarship. July 1 and December 1, 2021
HomeLight Scholarship Interior Design, Architecture, Construction, Urban Planning, Real Estate, Business, Social Work, Criminal Justice, Psychology, Economics, Sociology $1,000 Any legal U.S. resident in high school or college who will be attending an accredited university or college in Spring 2022 is eligible to apply.  November 15, 2021
and April 15, 2022
Discover® Student Loans Scholarship Award N/A $5,000 The Discover Student Loans Scholarship Award Sweepstakes (the “Sweepstakes”) is open only to residents of the fifty (50) United States, the District of Columbia and the US territories who are at least sixteen (16) years old at the time of entry. Entrants must also be a) a high school senior student, including a student who attends an alternative school or is home schooled; b) a college student; c) a student who has earned a General Education Development (GED) or equivalent; or d) a parent or legal guardian of a student that meets the requirements of a, b or c Entrants must also be enrolled at least half-time in a Bachelor’s or Associate’s degree program or graduate program at an eligible school. January 31, 2022
Ayn Rand “Atlas Shrugged” Essay Contest N/A $50 – $10,000 This essay contest is for high school seniors, college undergraduates and graduate students worldwide. To participate in this contest, applicants must read the book, “Atlas Shrugged,” by Ayn Rand and write an essay between 800 and 1,600 words in response to one of the prompts listed on the contest website. See website for complete details. This contest has no citizenship requirements. April 28, 2022
National Sculpture Society Scholarship Sculpting $2,000 It is awarded annually to a figurative or realist sculptor who has demonstrated a commitment to sculpting and outstanding ability in his or her body of work. The Ettl Grant is for a mature body of work; sculpture created in workshop or instructional settings should not be submitted. October 4, 2021
The Vegetarian Resource Group Entering Freshmen $5,001 – $10,000 Graduating US high school students who have promoted vegetarianism in their schools or communities. February 20, 2022
SEG Scholarships STEM – entering Freshman-Graduate degree $1,000 – $3,003 Must be a student engaged in STEM field or high school senior planning to study in STEM field – and enrolled in school with curriculum geared toward applied geophysics. March 2022
Golden Door Scholarship Entering Freshman $1,000 – $3,024 Scholarships specifically for DACA/Undocumented Students. October 4, 2021
Byron Hanke Fellowship Master’s, Doctoral, or Law Program $1,000 – $3,036 Studies must relate to community associations. May 1, 2022
MPower Global Citizen Scholarship N/A $5,000 Must have an F-1 Visa, Permanent Residency Status, or current DACA. October 15, 2021
Big Sun Athletics N/A $500 The BigSun Organization is proud to be able to help young athletes succeed in their academic pursuits. In order to do our part, we are offering an annual scholarship to a deserving student. All student-athletes are eligible regardless of the sport they are engaged in or the capacity in which they participate. The student must be a high school senior or be attending a post-secondary institution. June 19, 2022
Nursing Education Scholarship Award

The NLN Foundation for Nursing Education offers scholarships of up to $8,000 each year to support the NLN’s mission to build a strong and diverse nursing workforce to advance the health of the nation and the global community.

Scholarships awarded to nurses pursuing advanced degrees to advance their career as a full-time nurse educator. The funds are for master’s or doctoral students enrolled in accredited programs who have completed at least a year of their academic program. The NLN Foundation wants to encourage more experienced and ethnically diverse nurses to pursue advanced degrees to prepare for full-time positions as nurse educators.

To learn more, visit the Nursing Education Scholarship web page.

Departmental Scholarships by College
Graduate School Scholarships
NJ Scholarship Programs
  • The NJ Higher Education Assistance Authority offers several scholarships based on specific eligibility criteria.  Visit their website for details.
  • Greater Wayne NJ Area Branch AAUW Scholarship. In 2023, AAUW Greater Wayne Area Branch was pleased to award three scholarships totaling $9,000. Inquiries to aauwgwascholarship@gmail.com. You may be eligible to receive one of our scholarships in 2024 if you meet the following criteria:
    • Preference for an adult student at least 25 years of age.
    • Currently pursuing a first bachelor’s degree at an accredited college or university.
    • Enrolling in school during the 2024-2025 academic year.
    • Residing in Northern New Jersey, living in Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Morris, Passaic or Sussex County.