Last updated: September 2026
September is an important month for students searching for scholarships and fellowships. Several high-value opportunities have deadlines this month, making it a good time to review your options, confirm your eligibility, and begin submitting applications.
This month’s guide features seven notable scholarship, competition, and fellowship opportunities with September 2026 deadlines, including national undergraduate scholarships, a major student competition, and funding opportunities for doctoral and postdoctoral researchers.
Before applying, carefully review each program’s official eligibility requirements. Award amounts can be significant, but the best opportunity is one that aligns with your academic level, background, goals, and eligibility.
🎓 Undergraduate Scholarships
1. The Gates Scholarship
Award: Full cost of attendance not already covered by other financial aid or the Student Aid Index
Deadline: September 15, 2026
Who should consider it: High school seniors with significant financial need and strong academic and leadership records
The Gates Scholarship is one of the most selective undergraduate scholarships in the United States. It is a last-dollar scholarship, meaning it covers the student’s remaining cost of attendance after other financial aid and the Student Aid Index are taken into account.
The scholarship is designed for outstanding high school seniors from low-income households. Eligible students must be Pell-eligible, be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, have a minimum cumulative weighted GPA of 3.3, and plan to enroll full-time in a four-year degree program at an accredited, nonprofit U.S. college or university.
The program considers more than academic performance. Gates identifies an ideal candidate as someone with a strong academic record, demonstrated leadership, and personal qualities such as perseverance, motivation, and maturity.
Why it stands out
The value of this scholarship goes beyond tuition. The award can cover tuition, fees, books, housing, food, and potentially other personal costs that remain after other aid is applied.
The Gates Scholarship — Official Website
2. Coca-Cola Scholars Program
Award: $20,000
Recipients: 150 students
Deadline: September 30, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. ET
Who should consider it: High school seniors with strong leadership, service, and academic records
The Coca-Cola Scholars Program is one of the best-known national scholarships for graduating high school seniors.
Each year, 150 students are selected to receive a $20,000 scholarship. The program is achievement-based and looks for students who demonstrate leadership, service, and a commitment to making a meaningful impact in their schools and communities.
For the 2027 scholarship, applicants must be graduating during the 2026–2027 academic year, have at least a 3.0 GPA, plan to pursue a degree at an accredited U.S. postsecondary institution, and meet the program’s citizenship or immigration-status requirements.
What makes this one different?
Coca-Cola Scholars is not simply about having the highest GPA.
The application gives students an opportunity to demonstrate what they have done beyond the classroom and how they have contributed to their communities.
Coca-Cola Scholars — Official Website
3. Regions Riding Forward Scholarship Contest
Award: $8,000
Deadline: September 30, 2026 at 11:59:59 p.m. CT
Who should consider it: Eligible high school seniors and undergraduate students in participating states
The Regions Riding Forward Scholarship Contest offers students the opportunity to win an $8,000 college scholarship by telling the story of someone in their community who has inspired them.
For the third-quarter 2026 contest, applications are open through September 30. Regions awards four $8,000 scholarships during each quarterly contest.
Eligible states include Texas, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. Students must be at least 16 years old and have at least one year—or 18 semester hours—remaining before undergraduate graduation.
Applicants can submit either a written essay of up to 500 words or a video essay of up to three minutes.
Why it stands out
This is a particularly useful opportunity for students in Regions-served states who may not qualify for scholarships restricted to specific majors or academic programs.
Regions Riding Forward Scholarship Contest — Official Website
🔬 A Different Kind of Opportunity
4. Breakthrough Junior Challenge
Award: $250,000 post-secondary scholarship
Submission deadline: September 15, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. PDT
Who should consider it: Students ages 13–18 interested in science, mathematics, video, and communication
The Breakthrough Junior Challenge is different from a traditional scholarship application.
It is a global science video competition in which students create a video of no more than two minutes explaining a difficult concept in physics, mathematics, or life sciences in a way that is engaging, clear, and imaginative.
The winner receives a $250,000 post-secondary scholarship. The prize package also includes a $50,000 award for the student’s teacher and a $100,000 science laboratory for the student’s school.
What makes this opportunity unique?
You are not competing based solely on your transcript.
You are being asked to teach.
If you are good at breaking down complicated ideas, creating videos, storytelling, or making science interesting, this could be an opportunity worth exploring.
Important: After submitting the video, eligible participants must also complete the required peer-review process by September 30 to remain eligible for the $250,000 scholarship.
Breakthrough Junior Challenge — Official Website
🎓 Graduate & Doctoral Fellowships
Graduate funding often looks different from undergraduate scholarships.
Instead of simply paying tuition, fellowships may provide funding that supports research, living expenses, academic work, or dissertation completion.
The following three opportunities are specifically for eligible women pursuing doctoral or postdoctoral work.
5. AAUW American Doctoral Fellowship
Award: $25,000
Deadline: September 30, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. ET
Who should consider it: Women pursuing their first doctoral degree
The AAUW American Doctoral Fellowship provides $25,000 to eligible women pursuing their first doctoral degree.
Applicants must identify as women, be pursuing their first doctoral degree, meet the program’s enrollment requirements, and be U.S. citizens, nationals, or permanent residents.
AAUW particularly encourages applicants in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics and those researching gender issues, although the fellowship is open across fields.
The award may be used toward tuition, fees, books, supplies, housing, food, and other eligible living expenses.
AAUW American Doctoral Fellowship — Official Website
6. AAUW American Dissertation Fellowship
Award: $25,000
Deadline: September 30, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. ET
Who should consider it: Eligible women in the dissertation stage of their doctoral program
The AAUW American Dissertation Fellowship is designed for doctoral candidates who are in the final stages of completing their dissertation.
Unlike a general graduate scholarship, this fellowship is specifically focused on supporting scholars as they complete their doctoral research and dissertation.
Why it matters
The dissertation stage can be one of the most financially challenging periods of graduate school. Students may have completed coursework but still need time and resources to finish their research and writing.
A $25,000 fellowship can provide meaningful financial support during that final stage.
AAUW Fellowships & Grants — Official Website
7. AAUW American Postdoctoral Research Leave Fellowship
Award: $50,000 stipend
Deadline: September 30, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. ET
Who should consider it: Eligible women pursuing postdoctoral research
This is one of the largest funding opportunities featured in this month’s guide.
The AAUW American Postdoctoral Research Leave Fellowship provides a $50,000 stipend to eligible women pursuing independent postdoctoral research for one year. The fellowship is open across fields, with particular encouragement for applicants working in STEM or researching gender issues.
Applicants must meet the program’s degree, citizenship, research, and full-time requirements.
Why it stands out
For an eligible postdoctoral researcher, a $50,000 fellowship can provide substantial support for an important year of research and professional development.
AAUW American Postdoctoral Research Leave Fellowship — Official Website
📅 September 2026 Deadline Calendar
| Deadline | Opportunity | Award | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sept. 15 | The Gates Scholarship | Full cost of attendance | Undergraduate |
| Sept. 15 | Breakthrough Junior Challenge | $250,000 | Student Competition |
| Sept. 30 | Coca-Cola Scholars | $20,000 | Undergraduate |
| Sept. 30 | Regions Riding Forward | $8,000 | Undergraduate |
| Sept. 30 | AAUW American Doctoral Fellowship | $25,000 | Graduate/Doctoral |
| Sept. 30 | AAUW American Dissertation Fellowship | $25,000 | Doctoral |
| Sept. 30 | AAUW Postdoctoral Fellowship | $50,000 | Postdoctoral |
How to Make the Most of This List
A scholarship list is only useful if you turn it into an application plan.
1. Check eligibility first.
Before spending hours on an application, confirm the:
- Citizenship or residency requirements
- Grade level
- GPA requirements
- Enrollment requirements
- Age requirements
- Major or field requirements
- Financial-need requirements
2. Prioritize by potential impact.
Start with opportunities that could make the biggest difference in your education.
That might mean prioritizing a full-cost scholarship or a $20,000 award before spending time on smaller opportunities.
3. Don’t wait until the deadline.
A September 30 deadline does not mean September 30 should be the day you begin.
Give yourself time to:
- Request recommendation letters
- Gather transcripts
- Draft essays
- Prepare your resume
- Review your application
- Proofread
- Submit early
4. Keep a scholarship tracker.
A simple spreadsheet can include:
Scholarship | Award | Deadline | Eligibility | Requirements | Status | Submitted
Once you start applying to multiple scholarships, organization becomes just as important as finding opportunities.
Final Takeaway
You don’t need to apply for every scholarship you find online.
You need to find legitimate opportunities that match your profile, understand what each application is looking for, and give yourself enough time to submit a strong application.
And remember:
Don’t just bookmark scholarships. Apply for them.
Check back each month for the next Level Up Scholarship Guide, featuring newly opened opportunities and upcoming deadlines.
