Top 8 New Hampshire Scholarships & Grants for 2026 - 2027

New Hampshire Scholarship & Financial Aid Snapshot

This quick snapshot is built from CollegeWhale’s scholarship database and state-level resources. It shows how many scholarships we currently list for New Hampshire, the total dollars represented, and a short overview of key state aid programs.

We currently have 18 scholarships in our database tagged for New Hampshire. This includes statewide programs, school-specific awards, and private or foundation-based scholarships.

Across our Top 8 New Hampshire Scholarship & Grant listings, the total advertised award value comes to roughly $37,500. Some programs are renewable or stackable, so your real lifetime value could be even higher depending on how long you remain eligible.

New Hampshire students rely heavily on the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, one of the largest statewide private scholarship providers in the country. While New Hampshire offers limited direct state tuition grants, the state does provide targeted incentives for students in trades, healthcare, and education. Community colleges offer strong tuition assistance programs, and private colleges within the state have substantial institutional aid budgets. New Hampshire students should file the FAFSA early, aggressively pursue NHCF scholarships, and compare aid packages across both in-state and regional schools.

Top 8 New Hampshire Scholarships (Scholarship FastFind™)

The CollegeWhale Scholarship FastFind™ makes it easy to discover the best New Hampshire scholarships — fast. Filter by award amount, deadline month, and estimated time to apply, then instantly download your personalized list. No sign-ups, no personal info, no spam — just real, verified scholarships.

1

Veterinary Scholarship Trust of New England (VSTONE) Scholarships

The Veterinary Scholarship Trust of New England (VSTONE) provides financial assistance to students from New England who are pursuing careers in veterinary medicine. Established to support the next generation of veterinarians, the trust awards annual scholarships to help reduce educational

Award: Varies Deadline: Rolling Est. Time: Low (~13 min)
2

Gerbracht Family Scholarship

The Gerbracht Family Scholarship is awarded to undergraduate students who demonstrate exceptional academic performance and a commitment to making a positive impact in their communities. This scholarship is intended to help ease the financial burden of students pursuing their education

Award: Varies Deadline: Rolling Est. Time: Low (~23 min)
3

New Hampshire Alumni Scholarship

The Alumni Scholarship is awarded to incoming undergraduate students who are children or grandchildren of University of New Hampshire (UNH) alumni. This scholarship is designed to foster a strong connection between the university and its alumni while providing financial support

Award: $3,000 Deadline: Rolling Est. Time: Low (~13 min)
4

New Hampshire Dean’s Scholarship

The Dean’s Scholarship is awarded to undergraduate students who demonstrate exceptional academic performance and potential. This scholarship is designed to recognize and support students who have excelled academically throughout their high school years and have shown a strong commitment to

Award: $5,000 Deadline: Rolling Est. Time: Low (~13 min)
5

New Hampshire Presidential Scholarship

The Presidential Scholarship is one of the most prestigious merit-based awards offered by the University of New Hampshire (UNH). This scholarship is designed for academically outstanding students who have demonstrated exceptional potential both in the classroom and in extracurricular activities.

Award: $10,000 Deadline: Rolling Est. Time: Low (~13 min)
6

New Hampshire Trustees Scholarship

The Trustee's Scholarship is the most prestigious merit-based scholarship offered by the University of New Hampshire (UNH). It is awarded to incoming undergraduate students who have demonstrated exceptional academic achievement. This scholarship recognizes students with a strong college preparatory curriculum

Award: $9,000 Deadline: Rolling Est. Time: Low (~13 min)
7

New England FEMARA Scholarship

The New England FEMARA Scholarship is offered to students who are pursuing careers in engineering, manufacturing, or related fields. It is designed to support students from the New England area who demonstrate academic excellence and an interest in advancing the

Award: $2,500 Deadline: March Est. Time: Med (~78 min)
8

Stephen Phillips Memorial Scholarship

The Stephen Phillips Memorial Scholarship is a renewable award designed to assist students from New England who demonstrate financial need, academic achievement and strong character. This scholarship provides significant annual funding—generally ranging from $3,000 to $10,000 per year—to support undergraduate

Award: $3,000 Deadline: March Est. Time: Med (~58 min)

New Hampshire Scholarships, Grants & Financial Aid Overview

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How to Get a Grant for College in New Hampshire?

To secure a grant for college in New Hampshire, students should follow a structured process to maximize state, federal, and institutional aid. Start with the FAFSA, which determines eligibility for most grants. Submitting the FAFSA early ensures priority access to programs that award funds on a first-come, first-served basis.

After completing the FAFSA, students should explore state-specific programs like the New Hampshire State Grant, as well as grants offered by local colleges, universities, and nonprofit organizations. Many students reduce their costs dramatically by combining state grants, Pell Grants, and institutional awards.

Steps to get a grant in New Hampshire include:

  • Submit the FAFSA early: This is required for nearly all grant programs.
  • Apply for state grants: Programs such as the New Hampshire State Grant Program help eligible residents afford college.
  • Explore institutional grants: Schools like UNH and SNHU offer robust need-based and merit-based grants.
  • Look into nonprofit funding: Organizations like the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation offer dozens of grant opportunities.
  • Use NHHEAF resources: The New Hampshire Higher Education Assistance Foundation helps students navigate grant eligibility and applications.

What Is the New Hampshire State Grant Program?

The New Hampshire State Grant Program is the state’s primary need-based financial aid program. It supports low- and moderate-income New Hampshire residents attending eligible colleges in the state or participating regional institutions.

Key eligibility requirements include:

  • New Hampshire residency for tuition and grant purposes.
  • FAFSA completion showing demonstrated financial need.
  • Half-time or greater enrollment in an approved college or university.
  • Enrollment in a degree program leading to a certificate, associate degree, or bachelor’s degree.

Award amounts vary depending on:

  • The student’s financial need
  • Cost of attendance
  • State funding availability

Because the program is need-based rather than merit-based, students with significant financial need stand to benefit the most.

Does New Hampshire Offer Full-Ride Scholarships?

While New Hampshire does not offer a statewide full-ride scholarship, students can access competitive institutional awards that cover full tuition and, in some cases, fees, housing, and additional expenses.

Examples include:

  • Presidential Scholarship at UNH: A full-tuition award for exceptional academic achievers.
  • Local foundation scholarships: Some New Hampshire community foundations provide full-ride or high-value awards.
  • Private donor scholarships: Select philanthropic organizations in New Hampshire offer high-value annual funding to top-performing students.

To be competitive for full-ride programs, students typically need:

  • High GPAs
  • Leadership experience
  • Strong letters of recommendation
  • Community service or extracurricular involvement

Scholarships in New Hampshire for High School Seniors

High school seniors in New Hampshire have many opportunities to earn scholarships based on academic excellence, extracurricular involvement, leadership, and financial need.

Top scholarships include:

  • New Hampshire Scholars Program: Recognizes students completing a rigorous high school curriculum.
  • NH Charitable Foundation Scholarships: A large portfolio of scholarships for New Hampshire seniors.
  • Granite State Scholars Award: Supports students with outstanding academic records.
  • Local community scholarships: Offered by credit unions, rotary clubs, and local organizations.

High school counselors often maintain updated lists of regional awards, making them a valuable resource for students during application season.

Scholarships in New Hampshire for Adults

New Hampshire provides several options for adults returning to school, whether they are finishing a degree, changing careers, or improving their job skills.

Opportunities for adults include:

  • Adult Student Grants: Offered by institutions like SNHU and other New Hampshire colleges.
  • Workforce Development Grants: Support education in high-demand fields such as healthcare, information technology, advanced manufacturing, and education.
  • Employer tuition reimbursement: Many New Hampshire employers help fund employee education.
  • NH Charitable Foundation adult learner awards: Scholarships specifically for non-traditional students.

Adult learners benefit from flexible formats including online degrees, evening classes, and hybrid programs.

University of New Hampshire (UNH) Scholarships

The University of New Hampshire offers generous scholarship programs for both incoming and returning students.

Popular UNH scholarships include:

  • Presidential Scholarship: Full tuition for students with exceptional academic achievement.
  • Dean’s Scholarship: Awarded to students with strong academic performance and leadership potential.
  • Need-based UNH scholarships: Awarded through FAFSA data to reduce tuition for qualifying families.
  • Departmental awards: Scholarships in majors like engineering, business, health sciences, and environmental studies.

UNH encourages early application for maximum consideration.

Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) Scholarships

SNHU offers a variety of scholarships tailored to both campus and online learners.

Programs include:

  • Online Learner Scholarships: Support for students enrolled in SNHU’s online degree programs.
  • Transfer Student Scholarships: Awards for students entering SNHU after attending another institution.
  • Merit-Based Scholarships: For students with strong academic records.
  • Military Discounts and Scholarships: For active-duty service members, veterans, and their families.

SNHU’s flexible formats and robust military benefits make it a top choice for nontraditional learners.

What Is the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation?

The New Hampshire Charitable Foundation is the state’s largest provider of private scholarships, offering hundreds of awards each year.

Key benefits include:

  • One universal application that matches students to multiple scholarships.
  • Funding for all education levels: high school seniors, undergraduates, graduate students, and adult learners.
  • Support for diverse fields: healthcare, trades, STEM, arts, education, and more.
  • Need- and merit-based options: Students of all backgrounds can qualify.

Awards can range from a few hundred dollars to multi-year scholarships worth thousands.

Grants for College in New Hampshire

New Hampshire offers a selection of grants designed to make higher education more accessible. These grants do not require repayment and can be combined with scholarships.

Major grants include:

  • New Hampshire State Grant Program: Need-based funding for qualifying residents.
  • Federal Pell Grant: Awarded to students demonstrating significant financial need.
  • Granite Guarantee: Covers full tuition for Pell-eligible UNH students.

These programs help reduce tuition burdens for low- and moderate-income families.

How to Apply for New Hampshire Scholarships and Grants

Students can maximize their funding by following these steps:

  • Submit the FAFSA: Essential for all federal and most state grants.
  • Explore state programs: Look into the New Hampshire State Grant and Granite Guarantee.
  • Apply through the NH Charitable Foundation: One application unlocks access to many scholarships.
  • Research institutional aid: UNH, SNHU, and community colleges have their own grant and scholarship portfolios.
  • Check local opportunities: Community foundations, employers, and civic organizations offer additional support.

Applying early and keeping documents updated ensures students receive the most financial aid possible.

College Scholarships By Category

Quickly navigate to some of our most popular scholarships, such as state-specific scholarships, major-specific scholarships, and other popular categories. Please search our Scholarship Database to get matched with many more scholarships specific to your personal criteria.