Private School Scholarships with 2025 Deadlines

College is a transformative period of a student's life and is a significant contributing factor to their future success. Private schools can offer a more attentive learning environment than public schools, potentially helping you do well in life.

Whether private schools are worth the cost is dependent on what educational factors are important to you, but anyone considering private school should also apply for private school scholarships. Private schools are sometimes thought of as exclusive to the upper tax brackets, but we wish to make private schools affordable for anyone.

As a trusted resource in scholarships and college funding, we have years of experience helping students find financial aid for private education. For this guide, we've researched the best scholarship opportunities and financial aid programs for private school students. Programs like the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship, Family Empowerment Scholarship, and state vouchers can further help you afford private school.

Keep reading to explore private school scholarships and financial aid options that can help make private tuition more affordable.

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Top Academic Awards to Afford Private School Tuition

1. Merit-Based Scholarships

These scholarships reward student achievement with money for school. As many private schools pride themselves on offering better education than public schools, check the specific private school you're aiming for to find out if they offer merit aid to exceptional students.

2. Full Tuition Scholarships

This is another type of scholarship you may be able to find through a private school's administrative office. Full-ride scholarships pay for 100% of tuition costs, so winning one of these could make private schools instantly affordable.

3. Academic Scholarships

Similar to merit-based scholarships, academic scholarships award money to high-achieving students. Students who want to afford private middle school or high school should apply for these if they have good grades.

You can also browse our full list of scholarship offerings if you want to maximize funds for a private education!

Best Scholarship Programs for Low-Income Families

1. Middle-Class Scholarships

These scholarships aim to address income disparities and make school more affordable for students in middle-class income brackets. Check out these financial aid opportunities if you're struggling to find the money to attend private schools.

2. Scholarships for Military Children

If your parent served in the military, you may be eligible for this special class of scholarships. Apply to win aid for your private school education if you have ties to the military.

3. Scholarships for Immigrants

Immigrant students may also find it difficult to pay for private school. These grants and aid packages attempt to make the American Dream more accessible to anyone. Apply for any you are eligible for.

Top Financial Aid Opportunities to Attend Private University

1. Math Scholarships

Students gifted in math have ample opportunities to find financial aid. Elite universities, in particular, will often value this skill set, so check out this list and apply for anything that interests you.

2. History Scholarships

As this degree often leads to a master's or PhD, you'll want to invest in your education and find the best financial aid you can. Apply for these scholarships to make the academic world more affordable for you.

3. Art Scholarships

Art school can be a little more expensive, especially with all the extra supplies students need to buy. Express your creative side with these art scholarships and attend the private university of your dreams.

Don't see your major above? Check out all of our scholarships by major and apply today!

Portrait of Private School Costs

A private school is a school that is not financed by the government, meaning that these schools often have higher costs than public schools. In the 2019-20 school year, there were about 4.7 million children enrolled in private schools in grades K-12.

The Education Data Initiative offers average tuition benchmarks that may help you decide if private school is worth your while. The average cost of attending private school from grades K-12 is $307,262. The typical tuition for one year at a private school is $12,790.

Older students may also be interested in attending private high schools or universities. The average annual tuition for a private high school is $15,344, while one year of private university is typically $35,248.

If you're a high school or college student who needs financial aid in order to attend a private school, there are scholarship funds that can help. Students who want to attend private high schools should apply for scholarships for high school students.

Those who want to afford a private university have more options. Apply for undergraduate scholarships, or look for scholarships based on your major, like those we've listed above.

How to Qualify for Private School Scholarships

Attend a Private K-12 School

In order to qualify for private school scholarships, you must either intend to apply for private school or attend a private school full-time. If you're in high school, you may be able to use a scholarship to pay for private school tuition. While most private organizations only offer scholarships for college tuition assistance, there may be some scholarships from the government or from specific private schools that can help with tuition.

Attend a Private University

A private school scholarship can also be of interest to students who attend a private college or university. If you're a current or prospective student at one of the private colleges and universities in the United States, you may be eligible for private school scholarships.

Meet Any Other Eligibility Requirements

Some scholarships have additional requirements beyond just being a student in a private school. Students could need to have a certain field of study, education level, or career goals in order to get financial assistance. Student eligibility may also depend on the types of extracurricular activities that a student participates in. Make sure you check all of the eligibility criteria for scholarships before you apply.

How to Apply for Private School Scholarships

Applying for scholarships isn't as hard as it sounds.

1. Fill Out the Application

Every scholarship will ask for different materials. Letters of recommendation, transcripts, and other documents should all be prepared in advance so that you aren't late submitting anything. Give recommenders ample time to write their letters so that they can deliver thoughtful reviews of your character.

2. Write a Stand-Out Essay

Some scholarships will require a personal statement; some will not. If you're asked to write an essay, be sure to do the following:

1. Answer the prompt
2. Express your ambitions or talents
3. Stay true to yourself

Oftentimes, there will be a question you're asked to write off of. Make sure you actually answer whatever is being asked. Then, try to show the donor why you deserve the scholarship award: talk about what your personal or professional dreams are and how getting this money could help you. Lastly, remember that donors want to get to know the real you. Let your personality shine through!

The essay is often the hardest part of scholarship applications. Read here for a step-by-step guide on how to craft a personal statement for a scholarship.

Tips for Applying to Private School Scholarships

1. Keep track of deadlines: As you continue to apply for scholarships throughout the year, the deadlines may overlap. Be sure to keep track of these dates and which materials are going where. Set up a spreadsheet or calendar so you don't fall behind.
2. Consider candidates for recommenders: If asked for a letter of recommendation, consider who would be best to write the letter. This depends on the kind of scholarship; if you've applied to a major-specific scholarship, ask a professor or teacher in that field to write it for you. But above all else, make sure to choose someone who knows you well and can talk about what you have to offer.
3. Highlight personal achievements: In your essay or resume, make sure to draw attention to any personal achievements you have. Any competitions you've participated in, or even volunteer work and personal projects, can all make you a more memorable candidate.

Undergraduate students and graduate students alike can apply for these grants to decrease student loan debt!

Additional Resources to Afford Private School Tuition

1. Florida Tax Credit Scholarship

By incentivizing companies to provide funds for nonprofit scholarship programs, the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship is able to help families in lower income brackets afford education. Money from this program can also be used for private school tuition, provided that the private school is affiliated with the FTC scholarship.

2. Family Empowerment Scholarship

This initiative, available in Florida, allows parents of disabled children to enroll their child in a different public school or receive funds for an education savings account (ESA). Children must be 3 years of age or older and have a diagnosis of a disability from a licensed physician or psychiatrist.

3. School Vouchers

School vouchers redirect public education funds for tuition to K-12 private schools. Not all states offer school vouchers, but vouchers are available in nearly 30 states. These states offer school voucher programs as a way to allow parents to choose what school their child attends. Check the eligibility requirements of your state's program to find out how you can use the money for private school.

Instead of a traditional voucher, money can also be placed into education savings accounts (ESA). States set aside money and put it in individual accounts for students. Parents can use the money to pay for private school tuition. While traditional vouchers can only be used at participating schools, parents who use ESA funds for tuition can “spend” it at whatever school they choose.

Still have questions on how to afford your dream school? Check out our scholarship blog for more free financial assistance and researched guides.