[ORLANDO, FL] July 29, 2025 – The Miss America Organization is announcing over $300,000 in tuition scholarships to be awarded at the 2026 Miss America and Miss America’s Teen National Competitions this September, cementing Miss America’s legacy as a century-strong force for empowering women through service-driven opportunity. Also returning this year are the Quality of Life Awards and the Teens in Action Awards—spotlighting the leadership, service, and impact of the 52 state and territory representatives. These young women are more than titleholders; they are change-makers, advocates, and the voices of a generation.
Miss America began awarding academic scholarships in 1945 under National Executive Director Lenora Slaughter, launching what would become the nation’s largest scholarship program for women. Over the decades, millions have been awarded through nonprofit foundations, state-level trusts, banking institutions, and fiduciary partners such as the New Jersey Community Trust, with oversight evolving to meet changing governance standards.
In 2023, Miss America’s Scholarship Foundation, Inc. became the official 501(c)(3) nonprofit administering scholarships nationally. Today, competing on a Miss America stage—local, state, or national—offers not only scholarship funding but also year-round access to a powerful women’s network and a platform to advance philanthropic initiatives.
With every dollar awarded and every story shared, Miss America continues to elevate the next generation of female leaders—those who aren’t just imagining a better world, but building it.
