Ron Brown Scholar Program
Ron Brown Scholar Fund / CAP Charitable Foundation
Open now · due December 1, 2026Renews each year
$40,000 total ($10,000/yr x 4)
- How much
- $40,000 total ($10,000/yr x 4)
- Who qualifies
- Only some students qualify. The official page explains who.
- Current HS senior; academic excellence, leadership potential, community service, and financial need all required
- For high school seniors
- US citizen or permanent resident
- Need-based: your FAFSA decides how much you get.
- When to apply
- Open now · due December 1, 2026 annual; opens after Sep 1, application due Dec 1, recommendations/transcripts due Dec 15; semifinalists mid-February, finalist interviews March, winners posted early May
- How to apply
- Online application only (opens after Sep 1 of senior year), due Dec 1: three ~500-word essays, parent income information, optional test scores
- Two recommendation letters (at least one from a counselor, teacher or principal) and transcript due Dec 15
- Semifinalists (mid-February) verify income
- Finalists are interviewed in Washington, DC in March (expenses paid)
- What you'll need
- essay + recommendation + transcript + interview
- Last checked
- October 5, 2026, against the official page (ronbrown.org)
The details
20 four-year $40,000 scholarships ($10,000 per year) for use at any accredited four-year US college in any major (FAQ says 20-25 per year); undergraduate only. Scholars get lifelong mentoring and the Leaders Network. About 5,000 students apply each year.
More federal and national aid
- QuestBridge National College Matchfull four-year scholarship to a partner college (worth $360,000+; tuition, room/board, no loans)
- Jack Kent Cooke College Scholarship Programup to $55,000/yr for up to 4 years (last-dollar after institutional aid)
- Davidson Fellows Scholarship$100,000, $50,000, or $25,000 (one-time)
- Burger King Scholars Program$1,000 to $60,000 (most general-track awards $1,000 or $5,000; up to three $60,000 James W. McLamore WHOPPER Scholarships)
- NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP)$37,000/yr stipend + $16,000/yr cost-of-education allowance to the school, for 3 years
Keep looking
We list programs; we don't decide who gets them. Always check the official page before you apply. Spot something wrong? Tell us.