External Scholarships

The Office of Financial Aid regularly receives information on fellowship and scholarship programs administered and managed by organizations and institutions external to William Paterson University. We want to give your scholarship search a jump-start with a categorized, easy-to-browse list. We provide a link to each scholarship application or website, the award amount, and the application deadline. For full details on eligibility requirements and directions on how to apply, you must click on the link provided and read through the instructions carefully. 

Our directory is categorized according to program of study:

Scholarships offered regardless of program of study may be found on the General Requirements page. Below, you may browse through our list of Scholarship Searches and Local Scholarships.

Please note that a link to an external website does not constitute an endorsement by William Paterson University. The information is simply being provided as a resource for students and their families. We encourage you to carefully read through all instructions before providing information to an external scholarship website. You should never be asked to provide confidential information such as a Social Security Number, or be asked to pay for a scholarship service.

For information on scholarships provided by William Paterson University, visit the following links: Institutional Scholarships, Departmental Scholarships and Foundation Scholarships. 

7 STEPS TO WRITING A WINNING SCHOLARSHIP ESSAY

Scholarship Searches
Local Scholarships
  • AAUW Greater Wayne Area (NJ) Branch Scholarships: Annual scholarships for women returning to college to complete their first undergraduate degree. Eligible applicants must be female NJ residents, living in Bergen, Morris, Essex, Passaic, Sussex, Hudson, Union or Warren County, at least twenty-five years old, and enrolled at an accredited college or university seeking an initial undergraduate degree. Application Deadline: April 9, 2021.
  • AAUW Medford (NJ) Branch Scholarships: The AAUW Medford Branch Scholarship Committee will award a $1,000 scholarship for a non-traditional female college student. Applicants must be residents of Burlington County, NJ, enrolled in an undergraduate degree program, with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0.  Application Deadline: March 31, 2021.
  • Account Spark STEM Scholarship Fund: This scholarship supports undergraduate first or second-generation Arab Americans studying Data Science or Data Analytics program (including Computer science with a focus on machine learning). University GPA must be 3.4 or higher (high school seniors must have a GPA of 3.6 or higher). Application Deadline: June 16, 2021.
  • Bubba Wallace Live to Be Different Scholarship:  The Live To Be Different Foundation, led by NASCAR driver Bubba Wallace, was formed in 2017 to lift up individuals seeking a means to fulfill their potential, no matter their age, skin color, disabilities, or ambitions.  Live To Be Different strives to empower and support disadvantaged individuals with educational, medical, social, or other types of assistance needed to help make their dreams reality. To enter, please share an experience of a time when you encountered adversity, and what you did to overcome it. The scholarship is open for high school seniors and undergraduate students. Application Deadline: May 31, 2021.
  • The Earnest Scholarship: To give back to the community, Earnest launched a scholarship fund that will help 50 students take on less debt. The Earnest Scholarship Fund awards $5,000 to 50 deserving students. There are no essays to write and no fees, to ensure every student has the opportunity to enter the scholarship. Applicants must be enrolled, or soon be enrolled, as a full-time student at an accredited U.S. college or university in Fall 2021. There are no minimum GPA, residency, or major requirements. Applicants can be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident (including DACA students). Application Deadline: June 30, 2021.
  • Elevate Black Entrepreneurs Scholarship: While entrepreneurship is one of the most impactful ways to move communities and the country forward, the pipeline of funded entrepreneurs does not reflect the diversity of our country. The Elevate Black Entrepreneurs Scholarship will be awarded each year to a Black undergraduate or graduate school entrepreneur who is currently building or who aspires to build a new business. Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident. There is no GPA minimum requirement and students of all majors are encouraged to apply. Application is submitted through the scholarship platform, Bold.org. Application Deadline: July 31, 2021.
  • John W. Hairston Jr., Memorial Scholarship Program: This nonrenewable scholarship program selects high school seniors and current college students who plan to be enrolled full-time for the 2021-2022 academic year. Must be a citizen or eligible non-citizen, with a minimum GPA of 2.6. Submission must include completed linked application, high school or college transcript, 2020 Federal Income Tax Return (or other Official Income Verification), and required essay submission. Application Deadline: August 6, 2021.
  • The Governor’s STEM Scholars: The program selects student leaders who are interested in STEM. Through a series of four conferences held during the school year, as well as trips to STEM organizations across the state, the Governor’s STEM Scholars provides students with opportunities to closely interact with New Jersey STEM professionals, research organizations, and state policymakers. Application Deadline: June 11, 2021.
  • The Hyundai Women in STEM Scholarship: Hyundai is offering five scholarships in the amount of $10,000 each for high school seniors and college undergraduates who identify as female, reside in the United States, and wish to pursue a STEM-related field of education. Applicants must submit an essay of 500 words or more on how your achievements, both present and future, in your chosen STEM-related field will improve people’s journeys. Application Deadline: June 30, 2021.
  • The Land Conservatory of New Jersey Scholarship Program: The Land Conservatory of New Jersey will be awarding four scholarships of $7,500 to students pursuing degrees in environmental science, natural resource management, conservation, park administration, and related fields. Student must be a New Jersey resident, currently enrolled in (and in good standing at) an accredited college or university, with at least 15 credits completed and must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Application Deadline: April 1, 2021.
  • Leon Bradley Scholarship Program: The American Association of School Personnel Administrators (AASPA) will annually award up to two scholarships to assist a minority candidate seeking his/her initial teaching certification endorsement from the as part of the Leon Bradley Scholarship Program. Each scholarship will be given in the amount of $3,500.00.  Candidates will be eligible for the award if they are in their final year of completing certification/endorsement requirements, including student teaching if applicable. Application Deadline: May 31, 2021.
  • Lighted Pathways Scholarship: Light a pathway to a successful future working as an investment, asset, or financial manager! This opportunity has been broken into two parts: a scholarship and an internship. You may apply to both here. You must be an African-American rising sophomore or rising junior, with a minimum 2.7 GPA or higher. Deadline: June 1, 2021.
  • New Jersey State Golf Association (NJSGA) Caddie Scholarship Foundation: Caddie scholars are selected based on their academic performance, financial need, and length and quality of service as a caddie. Scholarships are renewable for up to four years of undergraduate study.  Application Deadline: March 1, 2021.
  • The New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants (NJCPA) Scholarship Fund: The NJCPA Scholarship Fund provides scholarship funds for High School Seniors, College Juniors and Seniors, and Minority College Students. Awards range from $6,000 to $7,000 and are given based on academic achievement. Applicants must be enrolled in, or planning to enroll in, an accounting program. Application Deadline: March 1, 2021.
  • The OZY Genius Awards: The OZY Genius Awards can help you launch your dream. Life’s too short not to dream big. OZY is selecting ten college students to receive grants of up to $10,000 to help them pursue their dreams. Your application requires a project proposal of your genius idea. Your proposal must fall into these categories: Social Justice, Access, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion; Science, Health & Wellness; Innovative Technology; Government Policy; Media, Communications & Film; Education; Fine Arts, Music & Culture; New Business or Not-for-Profit; Climate Change or Sustainability; Finance & Investing; Interdisciplinary or Multiple Categories (Specify). Application Deadline: April 30, 2021.
  • UNICO National Scholarships: Unico National offers a variety of scholarships to undergraduate and graduate students. The Rutherford chapter of UNICO is now accepting applications. Applicant must be a high school student of Italian descent, who is a resident of Rutherford. Click here for a letter from the Rutherford Chapter. Or click here for their scholarship webpage.  Application Deadline: April 15, 2021