Hood College to Award Full Graduate Scholarships to Miss America's Top Three Finalists

The Miss America’s Scholarship Foundation is proud to announce a historic new partnership with Hood College, creating an unprecedented graduate scholarship opportunity for the top three finalists in the Miss America Competition. Beginning with the 2026 competition, the newly crowned Miss America, First Runner-Up, and Second Runner-Up will each receive a scholarship covering full tuition toward an eligible graduate degree or certificate program at Hood College.  Witness this landmark announcement and the crowning of the next Miss America live on September 6, 2026, from West Palm Beach, Florida, by tuning in to the livestream on the Miss America YouTube channel, @MissAmericaOfficial.

“At Miss America, we believe education is one of the most powerful tools for creating opportunity and transforming lives,” said Robin Fleming, CEO of Miss America and Chairman of the Board of Miss America’s Scholarship Foundation. “This partnership with Hood College represents an exciting new chapter for the Miss America Organization, ensuring that Miss America’s top three finalists have access to advanced educational opportunities that will shape the next generation of leaders, innovators, and changemakers.”

Earlier this year, the Miss America’s Scholarship Foundation and Hood College announced an undergraduate scholarship partnership benefiting the winner of Miss America’s Teen 2027. Through that agreement, the recipient will be eligible to receive a four-year, full-tuition scholarship to Hood College.

“As a former Miss Maryland, I experienced firsthand the impact scholarships can have on a young woman’s future,” said Sonia Amir-Bowie of Hood College. “It has been especially meaningful to help connect Hood College with the Miss America’s Scholarship Foundation and create new opportunities for future leaders.”

A private, coeducational liberal arts college located in Frederick, Maryland, Hood College offers an academically rigorous environment designed to prepare students for leadership, professional success, and lifelong learning. With a strong emphasis on mentorship, experiential learning, and career preparation, Hood College serves as a launchpad for high-achieving students ready to turn ambition into impact.

Together, Hood College and the Miss America’s Scholarship Foundation are strengthening Miss America’s longstanding commitment to education by expanding access to meaningful scholarship opportunities and investing in the future success of exceptional young women across the country.

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