When is the FAFSA deadline? 

June 1, 2025

Introduction: FAFSA deadlines

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid, more widely recognized by its acronym “FAFSA”, is the key to unlocking federal financial aid that comes in the form of loans, grants (in this case, mostly need-based), work-study programs, and more. One of the most common questions I hear students and parents ask in relation to federal aid is “When is the FAFSA due?” 

While this question does have a concrete answer, it also has a more nuanced one. So, in the spirit of making this as clear as possible, let’s start with the concrete one.

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  • Open to high school students
  • Must be a US resident, have DACA status, or be an international student currently studying in the US
  • 2 annual deadlines - December 31, June 30
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So...When is the deadline for the FAFSA? (The concrete answer)

According to StudentAid.gov, the annual FAFSA deadline is June 30th of each academic year. 

Essentially, June 30th is the very last day that you can have your forms submitted on the Student Aid website for any given year if you want to be considered for federal financial aid. 

My tip? Start your FAFSA earlier in the year, and aim to have it submitted within the first two months of the form becomes available. For reference, the FAFSA goes live on October 1st of each year. 

2025–26 Academic Year

The FAFSA form must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. CT on June 30, 2025. Any corrections or updates must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. CT on Sept. 14, 2025.

College Deadlines

Each college may have its own deadline. Check with the college(s) you’re interested in attending. You may also want to ask your college about its definition of an application deadline. Is it the date your FAFSA form is processed or the date the college receives your processed FAFSA data?

State Deadlines

Each state has its own deadline.

When is the FAFSA due? (The nuanced answer)

Now that you have the straightforward, last possible deadline to submit the FAFSA in your head (and hopefully in your calendar!), let’s discuss the more nuanced answer to the question: When is the FAFSA due?

When you submit the FAFSA, it doesn’t only get utilized by the federal government to help determine how much aid you’re eligible for.

Completing the FAFSA is also what allows you to be considered for state-based aid, as well as specific scholarships offered by each individual college and university that you’re applying to. Because of this, each state and each institution has its own specific deadline (before June 30) that the FAFSA needs to be completed by. 

Some states have their FAFSA deadlines listed on the Student Aid website, whereas other states direct you to find the deadline information on the financial aid portion of your intended or current institution’s website.

Overall, most states indicate that you should try to get your FAFSA in and completed “ASAP after October 1st”.

Why is it important to submit the FAFSA early?

The main reason why it is critical to have your FAFSA completed and submitted as close to October 1st as possible is that most states and institutions don’t have an unlimited amount of financial aid and scholarships to disperse. 

In most cases, this aid is given out on a first-come, first-serve basis, so, by filing your FAFSA as early as you can, you are giving yourself the best chance at receiving the financial aid that you’re eligible for, based on your EFC, merit, and other factors. 

Additional Information about the FAFSA

Expected Family Contribution (EFC) is the number calculated with information from the FAFSA used to determine a student's eligibility for financial aid.

Note: Your EFC is not the amount of money your family will have to pay for college, nor is it the amount of federal student aid you will receive. It is a number that schools use to calculate the amount of federal student aid you are eligible to receive.

Gather Your Basic Personal Information

Expect to provide personal information such as your name, date of birth, address, and social security number. Depending on whether or not you’re a U.S. citizen or tax returns filed, you may need to provide additional information. Either way, have the following information ready when you begin filling out your application:

  • Your Social Security number and your parents’ social security numbers if you are a dependent student.
  • Your driver’s license number or state issued ID if you have one.
  • Your Alien Registration number if you are not a U.S. citizen.
  • Federal tax information or tax returns for you and for your parents if you are a dependent student.
  • Nontaxable income records for you and your parents if you are a dependent student.
  • Checking and savings account balances; investments, including stocks and bonds and real estate (aside from your primary residence).

Where can I find other sources of financial aid, outside of the FAFSA?

In addition to the aid that you can possibly receive by filing the FAFSA, there are a few other potential sources of financial aid that are definitely worth exploring, including private scholarships and even private student loans. 

If you’re looking for some easy places to start with searching for private scholarships, check out some of my popular posts, like Scholarships for High School Juniors, Scholarships for High School Seniors, No-Essay Scholarships, STEM Scholarships, Full-Ride Scholarships, or Scholarships for Minorities.

There are dozens of more posts like these on my blog, so if it’s free money you’re wanting, don’t hesitate to check them out. 

While the words “private loans” tend to be frowned upon and viewed as a last resort in paying for college space, this doesn’t mean that there aren’t viable options out there to be explored. If you have exhausted all of your federal student loan options, organizations like Ascent Funding and MPower offer private loans that are geared towards students. If you have graduated, be sure to check out the best student loan refinance companies.

May Scholarships

Last Updated May 12, 2025

Introduction to May Scholarships 2025

April showers bring May flowers, and ... May scholarships!

I know the school year is starting to wind down, but there are most definitely still tons of awesome scholarships out there for you to apply for in the month of May.

This post highlights nearly thirty scholarships, open to students of all years, ranging from high school to college to graduate school. Whether you're a STEM student, a poet, a future lawyer, or something else, I guarantee there is at least one great opportunity below for you to apply for!

Without further ado, keep scrolling for Access Scholarships' list of May scholarships - you won't be disappointed!

25+ scholarships to apply for in May

  • Niche $15,000 College Scholarship

    Amount: $15,000

    Deadline: May 31

    Eligibility: Open to high school and college students who are US residents. No essay required! 

  • Sallie Mae $2,000 College Scholarship

    Amount: $2,000

    Deadline: May 31

    Eligibility: Open to high school seniors and undergraduate students in the US.

  • Scholarship Points $2,500 Scholarship

    Amount: $2,500

    Deadline: May 31

    Eligibility: This no-essay scholarship is open to all students 13 and older!

  • Christian Connector $2,500 Scholarship

    Amount: $2,500

    Deadline: May 31

    Eligibility: Open to high school juniors and seniors interested in attending a Christian college or university.

  • CollegeXpress' Monthly Scholarship

    Amount: Varies, but it's usually between $1,000 and $2,500!

    Deadline: May 31

    Eligibility: Open to high school, college, and graduate students in the US.

  • Smart Owl $50,000 Scholarship

    Amount: $50,000 total ($1,000 x 4 awards per month)

    Deadline: May 31

    Eligibility: Open to students ages 13 and older. All you need to do to apply is create an account.

  • California Restaurant Association Scholarship

    Amount: $2,000 - $4,000

    Deadline: May 1

    Eligibility: Open to high school seniors and undergraduate students pursuing higher education to work in the foodservice and/or hospitality industries. Must be a California resident but can be attending college anywhere in the US.

  • NY Ramblers Scholarship

    Amount: $2,500

    Deadline: May 1

    Eligibility: Open to student athletes pursuing an undergraduate education who self-identify publicly as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or intersex (LGBTQI), or are demonstrated and committed straight allies.

  • Rover Scholarship

    Amount: $2,500

    Deadline: May 1

    Eligibility: Open to high school seniors, along with college freshmen, sophomores and juniors who are US residents. Must have at least a 3.0 GPA.

  • Print and Graphics Foundation Scholarship

    Amount: $1,000 - $5,000

    Deadline: May 1

    Eligibility: Open to high school seniors or students who are currently enrolled in a printing or graphics program at a technical school, community college or university within the United States. Scholarships also available for part-time and graduate students.

  • WIFLE Scholarship

    Amount: $2,500

    Deadline: May 1

    Eligibility: Open to undergraduate or graduate students who are enrolled in, or will be transferring to, a four-year program in criminal justice, social sciences, public administration, chemistry, physics, computer science, or related studies. Minimum 3.0 GPA.

  • Bay Area Minority Law Student Scholarship

    Amount: $10,000

    Deadline: May 2

    Eligibility: Open to students pursuing law degrees attending one of the California schools listed on the scholarship page.

  • NAAAP Philadelphia Future Leaders Scholarship Program

    Amount: $2,000

    Deadline: May 10

    Eligibility: Open to high school seniors and college students of Asian American descent living in the Greater Philadelphia area. Must have at least a 3.0 GPA.

  • US Foods Scholars Program

    Amount: up to $20,00

    Deadline: May 12

    Eligibility:Scholarship is open to graduating high school seniors and current college students who are pursuing or planning to pursue a two-year, associate degree in the Culinary Arts or a related discipline.

  • Best Foot Forward Scholarship

    Amount: $1,500

    Deadline: May 13

    Eligibility: Open to current high school seniors in Georgia, planning to attend two-year and four-year colleges/universities in the US.

  • Trotter Project Scholarships

    Amount: Up to $10,000

    Deadline: May 15

    Eligibility: Multiple scholarships open to students interested in culinary arts and hospitality - see the scholarship page for more details!

  • LGBTQ+ Safety in Schools Grant & Scholarship Program

    Amount: $2,500

    Deadline: May 30

    Eligibility: Open to self-identified LGBTQ+ members enrolled in a teacher/counseling credential or graduate program who are pursuing a career in public education.

  • For a Bright Future Scholarship

    Amount: Varies, up to $10,000

    Deadline: May 31

    Eligibility: Open to underrepresented students with outstanding achievement and the drive to pursue higher education in select fields. Applicants must be minority high school/college students who reside and study in the United States and come from low-income households and have graduated high school with a minimum 3.0 GPA.

  • Groundbreaker Leadership Scholarship

    Amount: $1,500

    Deadline: May 31

    Eligibility: Open to Asian American college seniors and graduate students who have exhibited exemplary leadership, vision, and passion that is blazing a trail for others to follow and changing lives in the Asian American community. Minimum 3.5 GPA.

  • Asian American Architects and Engineers Foundation Scholarships

    Amount: $5,000

    Deadline: May 31

    Eligibility: Open to students pursuing careers in the AEC Industry (architecture, engineering, construction, etc.), who have demonstrated a measurable level of involvement/ service to the Asian-Pacific Islander community, and are student members of AAa/e. International students are welcome to apply!

  • Betty Stevens Frecknall Scholarship

    Amount: Varies

    Deadline: May 31

    Eligibility: Open to full-time college students (who have completed at least one semester) pursuing degrees in information technology. Must have at least a 3.0 GPA.

  • Girls for Gaming Scholarship

    Amount: $2,500

    Deadline: May 31

    Eligibility: Open to undergraduate and graduate students who are 21 years of age or older. Can be pursuing any major, but must have at least a 3.0 GPA. International students are welcome to apply!.

  • David Malcolm Scholarship

    Amount: $2,500

    Deadline: May 31

    Eligibility: Open to high school seniors and college students who have shown perseverance in pursuing a college degree. Must have at least a 3.5 GPA.

  • AMIA Scholarship Program (multiple awards)

    Amount: $4,000 each

    Deadline: May 31

    Eligibility:The program awards three annual scholarships. These scholarships are given as financial assistance to students of merit who intend to pursue careers in moving image archiving.

  • Audacity to Dream Scholarship

    Amount: Varies, up to $20,000

    Deadline: May 31

    Eligibility: Open to current dental students (D1, D2 or D3) who are members of the SNDA.

50+ Scholarships for College Students to Apply for in 2025

Last Updated July 1, 2025
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    Introduction: Scholarships for College Students

    Scholarships for college students are a fantastic way to alleviate the financial burden of higher education. With the rising costs of tuition, textbooks, and living expenses, many students find themselves struggling to make ends meet. However, there is a glimmer of hope in the form of free scholarships that can help ease the financial strain.

    In this comprehensive list, we have compiled the top 50 free scholarships available for college students in 2024. These scholarships cover a wide range of fields, including STEM, arts, humanities, and social sciences. Whether you're pursuing a degree in engineering, nursing, or journalism, there is a scholarship out there tailored to your specific interests and talents.

    50+ Scholarships for College Students (Current & Incoming!) to Apply for in 2025

    • Niche $10,000 Monthly Scholarship

      Amount: $10,000

      Deadline: Rolling monthly

      Eligibility:

      -Open to all college students! 

    • $2,000 No Essay Scholarship by Sallie

      Amount: $2,000

      Deadline: Last day of each month

      Eligibility:

      Sallie will award $2,000 each month to eligible entrants. No essay or account profiles required.

    • ScholarshipOwl No Essay $1,000 Scholarship

      Amount: $1,000 (4 awards per month!)

      Deadline: Expires on the 28th or 29th of each month

      Eligibility: The ScholarshipOwl Scholarship is a monthly no essay scholarship open to all high school and college students ages 16 and older, who are US residents!

    • CollegExpress Monthly Scholarship

      Amount: $1,000

      Deadline: End of each month

      Eligibility:

      -Open to legal residents of the US who are 13 and older.

    • ScholarshipPoints No Essay $2,500 Monthly Scholarship

      Amount: $2,500 

      Deadline: Expires on the last day of each month

      Eligibility: The ScholarshipPoints Scholarship is a monthly no essay scholarship open to all high school and college students ages 16 and older, who are US residents!

    • $25,000 "Be Bold" No-Essay Scholarship

      Amount: $25,000

      Deadline: Continuous

      Eligibility:

      -Open to all students! The $25,000 “Be Bold” Scholarship is a no-essay scholarship that will be awarded to the applicant with the boldest profile.

    • $1,500 Safe Summer Season Scholarship

      Amount: $500 & $1,000

      Deadline: July 31

      Download and share the Safe Summer Driving Kit to enter to earn a $500 scholarship—or level up by posting a PSA on social for a shot at the $1,000 scholarship.

    • $1,000 Future Focus Scholarship Giveaway

      Amount: $1,000

      Deadline: March 31

      Just answer one question- What’s one reason going to college is important to you and your future?

    • Take a Survey- Help Fund your Education

      Amount: Varies

      Deadline: Continuous

      Although not a scholarship, be sure to take advantage if you're looking to make a few extra bucks this upcoming semester, sign up to take surveys!

    • Too Cool to Pay for School Scholarship

      Amount: $1,000

      Deadline: September 30, December 31, March 31, June 30 

      Eligibility:

      -Open to high school, college, and graduate school students of all years 

      -Must be a US citizen/permanent resident, a student with DACA status, or an international student studying in the US. 

      PS - this is one of our very own easy scholarships. Head over to our no essay scholarships post for more!

    • Niche $2,000 Monthly Scholarship

      Amount: $2,000

      Deadline: Rolling monthly

      Eligibility:

      -Open to all college students! 

    • Employment Boost College Scholarships

      Amount: $1,000

      Deadline: January 1, April 1, July 1, October 1

      Eligibility:

      -Minimum 3.6 GPA 

      -Must be currently enrolled in a US high school or college 

      -One scholarship is specific to STEM students, and the other scholarship is open to students of all majors!

    • Taco Bell Live Más Scholarship

      Amount: Up to $25,000

      Deadline: January 3

      Eligibility:

      -Open to students (ages 16-26) who are passionate about creating a better future and making a positive impact on their community

      -Must be a US citizen/permanent resident

    • Diller Teen Scholarship Awards

      Amount: $36,000

      Deadline: January 5

      Eligibility:

      -Open to US residents ages 13-19

      -Must self-identify as Jewish

      -Must be serving in a leadership role on a project aimed at repairing the world

    • Pride Foundation Scholars Program

      Amount: Varies by scholarship

      Deadline: January 6

      Eligibility:

      -Must be a high school senior or current college student from one of the following states: Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington

      -Must either identify as LGBTQ or be a straight ally

      -Must have demonstrated financial need

    • Print It Scholarship for Aspiring Content Creators

      Amount: $500

      Deadline: January 11

      Eligibility:

      -Must be attending an accredited US college or university

      -Must be a US citizen

    • Boren Scholarship for Undergraduate Students

      Amount: Varies

      Deadline: February 1

      Eligibility:

      -Open to US citizens who are high school graduates, 18 years of age or older

      -Must be planning to study in an overseas program in a country outside of Western Europe, Canada, Australia, or New Zealand

    • Hispanic Scholarship Fund Scholarship

      Amount: $500 - $5,000

      Deadline: February 14

      Eligibility:

      -Open to the following students: high school seniors, undergraduate, transfer, and graduate students

      -Must be of Hispanic heritage

      -Must be a U.S. citizen, permanent legal resident, or have DACA status

      -Minimum of 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent) for high school students; minimum of 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent) for college and graduate students

      -Must submit the FAFSA or state-based financial aid forms

    • 1 for 2 Education Foundation Scholarship

      Amount: Full-tuition (doesn't include books or room and board)

      Deadline: February 15

      Eligibility:

      -Applicants must be living in the United States and the college or university they attend must be located in the United States, however, US citizenship is not required

      -Minimum 3.7 GPA

      -Open to high school seniors and students currently attending four-year colleges and universities

    • Vegetarian Resource Group Scholarship

      Amount: $5,000 - $10,000

      Deadline: February 20

      Eligibility:

      -Must be a graduating high school senior

      -Must promote vegetarianism in your community and show a commitment to a vegetarian diet/lifestyle

    • TLF Undergraduate Scholarships

      Amount: $2,500

      Deadline: February 28

      Eligibility:

      The TLF Undergraduate Scholarships are open to minority students studying advertising, marketing, public relations, or a related field.

    • Chime Scholarship

      Amount: $5,000

      Deadline: March 7

      Eligibility:

      The scholarship annually provides up to $5,000 per year in renewable scholarships to undergraduate students. To qualify, individuals must be eligible for a Federal Pell Grant, have a minimum financial need of $2,500, and have a minimum 2.5 GPA. 

    • Never Drink and Drive Scholarship

      Amount: $1,000

      Deadline: March 11

      Eligibility:

      -Must be between 17 and 35 years old

      -Must attend a 2-year or 4-year college or university

    • Frame my Future Scholarship

      Amount: $2,000 (5 awards)

      Deadline: March 15

      Eligibility:

      -Any legal U.S. resident who will be a full-time student at a U.S. college or university is eligible to apply

      -Applicants must submit their own original short-form video centered around the theme, This Is How I Frame My Future

    • Houzz Women in Architecture Scholarship

      Amount: $2,500

      Deadline: March 31

      Eligibility:

      -Open to female undergraduate and graduate students studying architecture or landscape architecture in the U.S. and Canada 

    • OppU Achievers Scholarship

      Amount: $2,500

      Deadline: March 31, June 30, September 30, December 31

      Eligibility:

      -Be enrolled full-time in high school or at least part-time in college, graduate, professional, or trade school

    • Lockheed Martin STEM Scholarship Program

      Amount: $10,000

      Deadline: April 1

      Eligibility:

      -The scholarship program is designed to provide opportunities to groups that are traditionally underrepresented in STEM: women, people of color, people with disabilities, individuals who identify as LGBTQ, and those that are or will be first-generation college students

      -Must have financial need

      -Current or planned 4-year degree enrollment in the following majors: Aerospace Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or Physics 

    • RealtyHop Scholarship

      Amount: $1,000

      Deadline: April 30, August 1

      Eligibility:

      -Open to current students in an eligible undergraduate program, or  graduating high school seniors in the U.S., working towards a bachelor’s degree or associate’s degree

      -Open to international students studying in the US, as well as students with DACA status

    • Study.com Scholarship for First-Generation Students

      Amount: $500

      Deadline: May 1

      Eligibility:

      -Applicants should be part of the first generation of their family (i.e., parents and grandparents did not attend a college or university) to attend a four-year college program.

      -Must be a U.S. Citizen or Permanent U.S. Resident.

      -Must be enrolled (or accepted) in an accredited college or university and planning on continuing the next year.

    • WIFLE Scholarship

      Amount: Varies

      Deadline: May 3

      Eligibility:

      -Open to college sophomores, juniors and seniors majoring in Criminal Justice or related discipline such as social sciences, public administration, computer science, finance, linguistic arts, chemistry, physics, etc., leading to a four-year degree

    • Trotter Project Scholarships

      Amount: Varies

      Deadline: May 15

      Eligibility:

      -Must have 2.5 or higher G.P.A. (unweighted)

      -Must be a high school senior, incoming, or current college student to qualify for scholarships.

      -Must be majoring in one of the following areas: Culinary Arts, Baking/Pastry, Hospitality Management or Agriculture

      -Must attend college/university in the U.S.

    • Novus Biologicals Scholarship Program

      Amount: $1,500

      Deadline: June 15, December 8

      Eligibility:

      -Open to students pursuing education in a science-related field (Life Science, Medical Science, Health Science)

      -Schools/Colleges/Institutes within the US, Canada, and European Countries only

    • Touchmark Foundation Nursing Scholarship

      Amount: Varies

      Deadline: June 30, December 30

      Eligibility:

      -Open to students pursuing degrees in nursing

      -Must be a resident of one of the following states: Arizona, Idaho, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Washington, Wisconsin

    • GeneTex Scholarship Program

      Amount: $1,000

      Deadline: July 16, December 17

      Eligibility:

      -Student in good standing and enrolled at an accredited college or university

      -Declared STEM major

      -Open to international students

    • MPower Global Citizen Scholarship

      Amount: $5,000

      Deadline: July 20

      Eligibility:

      -Be accepted at, or enrolled in, a full-time degree program at a U.S. or Canadian school that MPOWER supports

      -Be an international student allowed to legally study in the U.S. or Canada (or a student with DACA status)

    • Semper Solaris Scholarship for College Students

      Amount: up to $3,000

      Deadline: July 30

      Eligibility:

      -Open to current freshmen, sophomores, juniors, seniors, graduate students, or students attending a military academy

      -Minimum 3.0 GPA 

    • Trinity Thomas' Uplifting Others Scholarship

      Amount: $1,000 each (3 awards)

      Deadline: July 31

      Eligibility:

      -Open to current undergraduate and graduate school students. 

      -No minimum GPA required!

    • Grademiners Essay Scholarship

      Amount: $1,000

      Deadline: August 1

      Eligibility:

      -Must be a high school senior or undergraduate, graduate, or postgraduate student about to attend or currently attending an accredited college or university in the United States

      -Must be a citizen or a legal resident of the United States

    • Gates Millennium Scholarship

      Amount: Up to the cost of attendance

      Deadline: September 15

      Eligibility:

      To apply, students must be:

      • A high school senior
      • From at least one of the following ethnicities: African-American, American Indian/Alaska Native*, Asian & Pacific Islander American, and/or Hispanic American
      • Pell-eligible
      • A US citizen, national, or permanent resident
      • In good academic standing with a minimum cumulative weighted GPA of 3.3 on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent)
        Additionally, a student must plan to enroll full-time, in a four-year degree program, at a US accredited, not-for-profit, private or public college or university.

       

    • Coca-Cola Scholars Program

      Amount: $20,000

      Deadline: October 2

      Eligibility:

      -Open to currently enrolled high school/home-schooled students attending school in one of the 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, or select DoD schools who will graduate high school during the academic school year.  Award may be used for freshman year of college.

    • Be the Boss Scholarship

      Amount: $2,000

      Deadline: September 15, March 15

      Eligibility:

      -Open to female high school and college students who want to start their own online business

    • We the Future Scholarship Contest

      Amount: up to $2,000

      Deadline: September 17

      Eligibility:

      -Different scholarships open to high school, college, and graduate school students

    • Optimal Community College Scholarship

      Amount: $2,000

      Deadline: September 30

      Eligibility:

      -Applicants for this scholarship should be enrolled at a public community college, junior college, technical college, or city college, and working towards a certificate, diploma, or degree at the associate’s level or a first-time bachelor’s level

      -Must be a US citizen

    • Orangesoft Scholarship for Women in Technology

      Amount: $1,000

      Deadline: October 31

      Eligibility:

      -Be a student who is currently studying at or has been accepted to an accredited college or university in the United States.

      -Be currently enrolled in a Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) degree-granting program OR demonstrate plans to pursue a career in the field of technology after graduation.

      -Identify as a woman.

    • LasikPlus “My Vision” Essay Scholarship

      Amount: $2,500

      Deadline: November 30

      Eligibility:

      -Open to college students attending 2-year and 4-year schools as well as trade/technical schools

      -Minimum 2.5 GPA

      -Must be a US citizen

    • Denny’s Hungry for Education LGBTQ Scholarship

      Amount: Varies

      Deadline: December 10

      Eligibility:

      -Open to college students residing in the US, identifying as members of the LGBTQ community

      -Applicants must be U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents

    • CC Bank’s Young Scholars Award

      Amount: $2,000

      Deadline: December 31

      Eligibility:

      -Applicants must be under the age of 30

      -Applicants must be U.S residents

      Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale

    • Caring.com Student-Caregiver Scholarship

      Amount: $1,500

      Deadline: Varies

      Eligibility:

      -The Student-Caregiver Scholarship provides financial assistance to students who are caring for an elderly loved one while enrolled in college

      -Applicants must be full-time college students at an accredited two-or-four-year college or university in the United States

    • Delete Cyberbullying Scholarship

      Amount: $1,000

      Deadline: December 31

      Eligibility:

      -Open to high school and college students

    • Asian Pacific Fund Scholarship Program

      Amount: Varies ($1,000 - $20,000)

      Deadline: Varies by scholarship

      Eligibility:

      -Scholarships open to Asian/Pacific Islander students in the US 

      -Minimum 3.0 GPA 

      -Applicants must be the first in their family to attend college (more details on APF website)

    • UNCF Scholarships

      Amount: Varies

      Deadline: Varies, but the general application closes annually on March 31.

      Eligibility:

      -Open to students enrolled full-time and attending UNCF member Institutions

      -Must have a demonstrated financial need

      -Minimum 2.5 GPA required

    • Scholarship for Social Impact

      Amount: $1,000

      Deadline: Rolling

      Eligibility:

      -Open to full-time students enrolled in two-year, four-year, or graduate programs

      -All majors welcome

    Additional information about college student scholarships

    One of the most prestigious scholarships on our list is the Gates Millennium Scholarship, which provides full tuition coverage for undergraduate and graduate studies. This highly competitive scholarship is awarded to exceptional students who have demonstrated leadership skills, academic

    For those interested in the arts, the National Merit Scholarship Corporation offers scholarships to high-achieving students who excel in the PSAT/NMSQT exam. This scholarship not only covers tuition but also provides additional funds for books, supplies, and other educational expenses.

    If you're passionate about making a difference in the world, the Coca-Cola Scholars Program is worth considering. This scholarship recognizes students who have shown leadership potential, academic achievement, and a dedication to community service. Recipients of this scholarship receive a substantial financial award to support their college education.

    In addition to these well-known scholarships, there are numerous other opportunities available for college students featured above. The Dell Scholars Program, for example, targets students from low-income backgrounds who have overcome significant obstacles to pursue higher education. This scholarship provides financial assistance, mentorship, and other resources to help students succeed academically and professionally.

    It's important to note that each scholarship has its own eligibility criteria and application process. Some scholarships may require essays, letters of recommendation, or interviews, while others may focus solely on academic achievements. Therefore, it's crucial to carefully review the requirements and deadlines for each scholarship you're interested in.

    Applying for scholarships can be a time-consuming process, but the potential rewards are well worth the effort. Not only can scholarships alleviate the financial burden of college, but they can also open doors to new opportunities and experiences. So, take the time to explore the top 50 free scholarships for college students in 2024 and start your journey towards a brighter future today.

    Frequently asked questions about college scholarships

    Scholarships for College Students are opportunities that you, as a college student, can apply for to help you cover your high education costs.

    Some college scholarships can be put towards anything, whereas others may specify that they can only be put directly towards your tuition. 

    scholarships for college students

    Find college scholarships by grade-level and more

    If searching through this post to find scholarships you're eligible for is not really up your alley, take advantage of our scholarship resource posts that organize opportunities by year in school, ethnicity, gender, and more:

    Scholarships for College Freshmen 

    Scholarships for Community College Students 

    Scholarships for Graduate Students

    Scholarships for Women

    Scholarships for LGBTQ+ Students & Allies

    Scholarships for Undocumented Students

    Scholarships for LatinX and Hispanic Students

    Scholarships for Black Students 

    Scholarships for Minority Students

    Scholarships for college students: where to find more, outside of this post!

    Scholarships offered by your college/university: The vast majority of colleges and universities also offer their own college scholarships to both incoming and current students. These awards are often broken down by area of study, but many schools also offer scholarships for things like studying abroad, student leadership, and more.

     

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    Expert review completed by Stefanie Barlow on 3/4/25
    College Admissions Coach and Consultant at Admissionado.
    Read more about Stefanie Barlow

    The Top Scholarships for High School Seniors with Upcoming Deadlines in 2025

    Last Updated June 26, 2025
    💰🏆⏳📝🧾👨💼 Access thousands of exclusive, fully funded scholarships
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    SCHOLARSHIPS FEATURED BY:
    Scholarships for high school seniors for Harvard University
    Scholarships for high school seniors for University of California, Berkeley
    Scholarships for high school seniors for Columbia University
    Scholarships for high school seniors for University of Texas at Austin
    Scholarships for high school seniors for Northwestern University
    Scholarships for high school seniors for University of Pittsburgh

    Introduction to Scholarships for High School Seniors

    The Best Scholarships for High School Seniors with Upcoming Deadlines

    If you're a high school senior, then first off, congratulations! You're now in your fourth and final year of high school, which means a few different things... First, you're one step closer to becoming a college student - woohoo! Second, you're now officially able to start applying for scholarships for high school seniors. 

    List of Scholarships for High School Seniors with Approaching Deadlines

    • Niche $10,000 Scholarship

      Award Amount: $10,000

      Scholarship Deadline: Monthly

      Details: The Niche $10,000 No Essay Scholarship is open to high school seniors and is awarded monthly. 

    • ScholarshipOwl No Essay $1,000 Scholarship

      Amount: $1,000 (4 awards per month!)

      Deadline: Expires on the 28th or 29th of each month

      Eligibility: The ScholarshipOwl Scholarship is a monthly no essay scholarship open to all high school and college students ages 16 and older, who are US residents!

    • $2,000 No Essay Scholarship by Sallie

      Award Amount: $2,000

      Scholarship Deadline: End of every month

      Details: Sallie will award $2,000 each month to eligible entrants. No essay or account profiles required.

    • $25,000 "Be Bold" No-Essay Scholarship

      Award Amount: $25,000

      Scholarship Deadline: Rolling monthly

      Details: The $25,000 “Be Bold” Scholarship is a no-essay scholarship that will be awarded to the applicant with the boldest profile.

    • CollegeVine No Essay $2,000 Scholarship

      Award Amount: $2,000

      Scholarship Deadline: Monthly

      Details: Open to high school students of all grades in the US. 

    • CollegExpress Monthly Scholarship

      Award Amount: Varies, but usually $1,000 - $2,500

      Scholarship Deadline: Last day of each month

      Details: Answer one question in one sentence- that's it!

    • ScholarshipPoints No Essay $2,500 Monthly Scholarship

      Amount: $2,500 

      Deadline: Expires on the last day of each month

      Eligibility: The ScholarshipPoints Scholarship is a monthly no essay scholarship open to all high school and college students ages 16 and older, who are US residents!

    • A Better Financial Future $2,000 Scholarship

      Award Amount: $2,000

      Scholarship Deadline: Monthly

      Details: Open to high school juniors and seniors, as well as college students.

    • CampusReel $2,000 Scholarship

      Award Amount: $2,000

      Scholarship Deadline: Monthly

      Details:The CampusReel No Essay Scholarship is awarded monthly and all you have to do is sign up on their website. It's that easy!

    • Christian Connector Scholarship

      Award Amount: $2,500

      Scholarship Deadline: Monthly

      Details: The Christian Connector Scholarship is a scholarship for high school seniors (and juniors!) who are interested in or planning to enroll in a Christian college or university. 

    • Scholarships360 No Essay $10,000 Scholarship

      Award Amount: $10,000

      Scholarship Deadline: Rolling monthly

      Details: The Scholarships360 No Essay $10,000 Scholarship is one of the easiest scholarships to enter.

    • Appily Easy Money Scholarship

      Award Amount: $1,000

      Scholarship Deadline: Rolling

      Details: The Cappex Easy Money Scholarship is open to all students - no minimum GPA or essay required.

    • Too Cool to Pay for School Scholarship

      Award Amount: $1,000

      Scholarship Deadline: Quarterly (Last day of the month in September, December, March, and June)

      Details: The Too Cool to Pay for School Scholarship is our own contribution to helping students fund their higher education. Simply fill in some easy info about yourself and you're entered to win!

    • No-Essay Surveys

      Award Amount: $Varies

      Scholarship Deadline: Rolling monthly

      Details: Not a scholarship, but if you're looking to make a few extra bucks this upcoming semester, sign up to take surveys 

    Jump Ahead To...
      scholarships for high school seniors

      Why are Scholarships for High School Seniors Important?

      According to data from the Education Data Initiative / US Federal Reserve (above), total national student debt has grown steadily from 2006 all the way through to 2022. Despite a slight decline in 2023, these numbers are still extremely significant, and are indicative of a wide struggle among US students to pay for college. 

      Since the above data does not account for 2024, it is worth acknowledging that, in the last year or so, the sticker price of attending college does appear to be decreasing, slightly (inflation is rising faster than the sticker prices) and the amount of money that students are receiving through grants is rising, according to USA Today.

      Despite this moderately positive outlook for current and prospective college students, it is still crucial to be taking the time to search and apply for scholarships, since any opportunity to lower college costs that students have to pay means less stress, and less debt later on.

      Frequently asked questions about scholarships for high school seniors

      A scholarship is, to put it simply, free money that you can earn to put towards paying for college.

      Unlike other types of financial aid (aka, loans), money that you earn from scholarships doesn't ever need to be repaid, which is what makes it so awesome. 

      Scholarships for High School Seniors by Deadline Month

      • GE-Reagan Foundation Scholarship Program

        Award Amount: $10,000 - renewable for up to 4 years

        Scholarship Deadline: January 4

        Details: The GE Reagan Foundation Scholarship Program honors the legacy and character of our nation’s 40th President. It rewards college-bound students who demonstrate exemplary leadership (in their community and through extracurricular activities), drive, integrity, and citizenship with financial assistance to pursue higher education.

      • Live Más Scholarship

        Award Amount: $5,000 - $25,000

        Scholarship Deadline: January 11

        Details: The Live Más Scholarship is Taco Bell's contribution to helping students achieve their higher education goals. To apply, students must submit a video telling the story of their real, true passion. 

      • Ted & Holly Rollins Scholarship

        Award Amount: $5,000

        Scholarship Deadline: Two deadlines- Winter & Summer

        Details: Are you a college-bound high school senior with big dreams? If so, consider applying for the Ted & Holly Rollins Scholarship! Each year, the scholarship is awarded to one applicant who writes an essay regarding life story, intended field of study, career and how you specifically will make an impact on the world.

      • Profile in Courage Essay Contest

        Award Amount: $500 - $3,000

        Scholarship Deadline: January 12

        Details: The Profile in Courage Essay Contest is open to all high school students. Essays will be judged on the overall originality of the topic and the clear communication of ideas through language.

      • Sierra Nevada Corporation Women in STEM Scholarship

        Award Amount: $7,500

        Scholarship Deadline: January 18

        Details: Open to female-identifying high school seniors, undergraduate, and graduate school students pursuing non-medical STEM-related degrees.

      • Edison Scholars Program

        Award Amount: $40,000

        Scholarship Deadline: January 23

        Details: The Edison Scholars Program offers $40,000 scholarships to 30 high school seniors planning on pursuing STEM degrees at 4-year colleges and universities. Must live in Edison's service territory in Southern California. 

      • Jet Future Business Leaders Scholarship

        Award Amount: $1,000

        Scholarship Deadline: January 31

        Details: This scholarship is for graduating high school seniors and currently enrolled college students who are interested in pursuing a career in business.

      • Technology Addiction Awareness Scholarship

        Award Amount: $1,000

        Scholarship Deadline: January 31

        Details: The Technology Addiction Awareness Scholarship is designed to help you understand the negative effects that technology and too much screen time can have on our lives. Open to high school students of all years. 

      • EngineerGirl Essay Contest

        Award Amount: $500

        Scholarship Deadline: February 1

        Details: The EngineerGirl Essay Contest is open to all high school students (not just women!), and asks for an essay discussing the vital contribution of engineers in responding to the pandemic.

      • Columbus Citizens Foundation College Scholarship Program

        Award Amount: Varies

        Scholarship Deadline: February 1

        Details: The Columbus Citizens Foundation administers scholarship programs that help hundreds of students every year in elementary school, high school, college, and medical school, and graduate programs in the arts.  

      • Jackie Robinson Scholars Program

        Award Amount: Up to $30,000

        Scholarship Deadline: February 1

        Details: Scholarship for students accepted to accredited four-year colleges or universities. Must be a minority student, United States citizen, involved in community service and demonstrate leadership potential and financial need.

      • McDonald's HACER Scholarship

        Award Amount: Up to $25,000

        Scholarship Deadline: February 3

        Details: Open to high school seniors who have at least one parent with Hispanic heritage. Must be a US resident planning to attend a two or four-year college or university. Minimum 2.8 GPA.

      • Elks National Foundation Legacy Awards Scholarship

        Award Amount: $4,000

        Scholarship Deadline: February 5

        Details: $4,000 four-year scholarships available for children and grandchildren of Elks in good standing. Parent or grandparent must have been an Elk for two years and continue to be a member in good standing. Must be high school senior and apply through the related member’s Elks Lodge.

      • Americanism Essay Scholarship

        Award Amount: $100 - $1,200

        Scholarship Deadline: First Friday in February

        Details: The Americanism Essay Scholarship is open to Illinois high school students and requires an essay on Americanism and good citizenship.

      • AFA Teens for Alzheimer's Awareness College Scholarship

        Award Amount: $5,000

        Scholarship Deadline: February 15

        Details: AFA’s Teens for Alzheimer’s Awareness College Scholarship Essay Contest is an annual competition for college-bound students.  Applicants are asked to write a 1,200 to 1,500-word essay that describes the impact of Alzheimer’s disease on themselves, their families or their communities, and what they have learned in light of coping with the brain disorder.

      • Hispanic Scholarship Fund Scholarship

        Award Amount: up to $5,000

        Scholarship Deadline: February 14

        Details: Merit-based awards for U.S. citizens, permanent residents, eligible non-citizens, or DACA students of Hispanic heritage with plans to enroll full time in an accredited U.S. 4-year university in the upcoming academic year (can be a high school senior, current undergraduate student, community college transfer, or graduate student). 

      • The Vegetarian Resource Group Scholarship

        Award Amount: $10,000

        Scholarship Deadline: February 20

        Details: Three scholarships (one $10,000; two $5,000) will be awarded to graduating U.S. high school students who promoted vegetarianism (includes veganism) in their schools and/or communities. Vegetarians do not eat meat, fish, or fowl. Applicants will be judged on a strong commitment to promoting a peaceful world through a vegetarian diet/lifestyle.

      • Act of Kindness Scholarship

        Award Amount: $1,000

        Scholarship Deadline: February 28

        Details: The Act of Kindness Scholarship supports students who are committed to helping others in their schools or communities.

      • Scholars Helping Collars Scholarship

        Award Amount: $1,500

        Scholarship Deadline: February 28

        Details: P.L.A.Y knows there are plenty of young minds out there that are passionate about helping animals in need. In an effort to encourage students and promote this cause, P.L.A.Y. will be awarding a $1,500 scholarship to a graduating high school student who best exemplifies their core beliefs.

      • Engebretson Foundation Scholarship

        Award Amount: $5,000/semester

        Scholarship Deadline: March 1

        Details:This need-based scholarship is pretty straightforward: it's awarded to one student each year who demonstrates not only financial need but also impressive academic performance and leadership ability.

      • Horatio Alger National Scholarships

        Award Amount: $25,000

        Scholarship Deadline: March 8

        Details: The Horatio Alger National Scholarship Program is one of the major scholarship programs nationally that specifically assists high school students who have faced and overcome great obstacles in their young lives. Open to US high school students with critical financial need. Minimum 2.0 GPA.

      • Executive Women International Scholarship Program

        Award Amount: Varies

        Scholarship Deadline: March 26

        Details: To qualify for the scholarship, a student must be nominated by his/her school counselor or administrator. Students apply and compete at the local Chapter for up to $10,000 in scholarships. The first-place winner from each Chapter will then be submitted to the Corporate level for the opportunity to win the Corporate Scholarship.

      • Bridging the Dream Scholarship Program

        Award Amount: $10,000

        Scholarship Deadline: March 27

        Details: The Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) and The Sallie Mae Fund are proud to offer financial assistance to outstanding students. Twenty-five (25) students completing a two-year, four-year, or trade/vocational certificate/certification program will be selected to receive a scholarship of up to $10,000.

      • E-Waste Scholarship

        Award Amount: $1,000

        Scholarship Deadline: April 30

        Details: The E-Waste Scholarship, sponsored by Digital Responsibility, challenges students to learn about the impact of e-waste and what can be done to minimize it.

      • RealtyHop Scholarship

        Award Amount: $2,000

        Scholarship Deadlines: April 30, August 31

        The RealtyHop Scholarship awards up to $2,000 a year to eligible undergraduate students and high school seniors working towards a bachelor and/or associate degree program in the US who demonstrate the ambition, diligence, leadership, and entrepreneurial spirit that is central to our company culture.

      • Rover Scholarship Contest

        Award Amount: $2,500

        Scholarship Deadline: May 1

        Details: Higher education: that magical time when deadlines are tight and budgets are tighter. Rover would like to help fund your education. Just write a 400-500 word essay for your chance to win $2,500!

      • Visionary Scholarship

        Award Amount: $1,000 - $5,000

        Scholarship Deadline: May 1

        Details: The American College Foundation (ACF) offers the annual Visionary Scholarship program to financially support students in every grade level of high school.

      • Fountainhead Essay Contest

        Award Amount: $500 - $1,000

        Scholarship Deadline: June 7

        Details: The Fountainhead Essay Contest is for high school juniors and seniors and has three essay prompt options.

      • Gen and Kelly Tanabe Scholarship

        Award Amount: $1,000

        Scholarship Deadline: July 31

        Details: The Gen and Kelly Tanabe Scholarship is a merit-based program that helps students fulfill their dreams of a higher education. To apply, students must simply answer one of three essay questions ("feel free to re-use an essay that you wrote in class, for college admission or another scholarship competition.")!

      • Alex Austin's Overcoming Adversity Scholarship

        Award Amount: $500 - $1,000

        Scholarship Deadline: September 1

        Details: Open to all high school and college students in the US, including DACA recipients. Students who identify as part of a minority or who will be first-generation college students are encouraged to apply.

      • Cameron Impact Scholarship

        Award Amount: Full-ride! 

        Scholarship Deadline: September 10

        Details: The Cameron Impact Scholarship is a four-year, full-tuition, merit-based undergraduate scholarship awarded annually to 10-15 exceptional high school students who have demonstrated excellence in academics, extracurricular activities, leadership, and community service. 

        Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.7 to apply.

      • Jack Kent Cooke Scholarship

        Award Amount: $40,000 per year 

        Scholarship Deadline: November 14

        Details:The Jack Kent Cooke Scholarship Program is an undergraduate scholarship program available to high-achieving high school seniors with financial need who seek to attend and graduate from the nation’s best four-year colleges and universities. Minimum 3.5 GPA. 

      • 10x Digital Marketing Scholarship

        Award Amount: $1,000

        Scholarship Deadline: December 1

        Details: 10x digital awards a $2,000 scholarship each year to one talented student (twice a year) who is majoring in (or planning on majoring in) a field related to digital marketing. 

        Undocumented students and international students studying in the US are eligible to apply.

      • Ron Brown Scholars Program

        Award Amount: $40,000

        Scholarship Deadline: December 1

        Details: RBSP competitively awards 45 – 50 four-year $40,000 scholarships ($10,000 each year) to the most talented and economically-challenged high school seniors who demonstrate a keen interest in public service, community engagement, business entrepreneurship and global citizenship.

        Applicants for the Ron Brown Scholarship MUST be Black/African American, US citizens or permanent residents, and a current high school senior at the time of their application.

      • National Honor Society Scholarship Program

        Award Amount: Varies

        Scholarship Deadline: December 1

        Details: The National Honor Society is committed to helping students achieve their secondary education goals, and provides the following resources to students and their families to help with the planning process. 600 scholarships are awarded each year to high school seniors who are members of the NHS.

      • Amazon Future Engineer Scholarship Program

        Award Amount: $40,000

        Scholarship Deadline: December 15

        Details: A serious 2-for-1 scholarship for high school students interested in computer science. Win $40,000 for college AND a paid programming internship at Amazon. 

        Scholarship recipients are selected on the basis of academic performance, experience with computer science, demonstrated leadership and participation in school and community activities, work experience, short answer responses, unusual personal or family circumstances, financial need, racial/ethnic/gender diversity, and an educator appraisal, preferred to be completed by a computer science teacher.

      • Burger King Scholars Program

        Award Amount: $1,000

        Scholarship Deadline: December 15

        Details: Open to high school seniors in the US, Canada, and Puerto Rico. 

      • Equitable Excellence Scholarship

        Award Amount: up to $20,000 over four years

        Scholarship Deadline: December 17

        Details: Open to current high school seniors who plan to enroll full-time in an accredited two- or four-year college or university in the United States for the entire upcoming academic year. 

      • Around the Corner from College Scholarship

        Award Amount: $1,000

        Scholarship Deadline: December 31 (and June 30)

        Details: This scholarship is Access Scholarship's opportunity created just for high school students! Open to high school seniors, but also to students in grades 9-11. DACA/undocumented and international students are also eligible to apply. 

         

      • Cirkledin's No Sweat Scholarship

        Award Amount: $2,500

        Scholarship Deadline: December 31

        Details: Apply in 4 easy steps: Go to www.cirkledin.com, create a free Cirkledin account, hit the “Apply Now” button, and tell us “What is one thing that, if it were in the Olympics, you would win gold in?”

      • Careers Through Culinary Arts Program Cooking Competition for Scholarships

        Award Amount: Varies (up to full-tuition)

        Scholarship Deadline: Varies 

        Details: Applicants must be a senior in a C-CAP designated partner high school in Arizona; Prince George’s County, Maryland; Tidewater, Virginia; or the cities of Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia, or Washington, DC. Applicants must be accepted into the cooking competition for scholarships. Check the CCAP website for local coordinator’s contact information. 

      • United States Senate Youth Program

        Award Amount: $10,000

        Scholarship Deadline: Varies by state

        Details: The United States Senate Youth Program is a scholarship for high school seniors (and juniors!) holding elected student offices. Two students are selected from each state.

      Image of Stefanie Barlow
      Expert review completed by Stefanie Barlow on 3/4/25
      College Admissions Coach and Consultant at Admissionado.
      Read more about Stefanie Barlow

      Scholarships for High School Seniors: Tips for Searching & Applying!

      Look, the search and application process for scholarships for high school seniors is not always a smooth-sailing process. But, the fact that you've made it this far in the post and are taking the initiative to learn more about scholarships is a great start in itself!

      Here are a few quick tips to help you along your scholarship journey...

      1. Set goals for yourself along the way.

      I was a high school senior not too long ago, so I know exactly what it's like to have to create a balance between your schoolwork, extracurriculars, college applications, and scholarships. 

      It's not always an easy task, but that's why you should work on setting goals for yourself and creating a scholarship strategy! 

      Your goals should be SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant/Realistic, Timely). Setting goals for things such as how much you are aiming to earn from scholarships and when you will set aside time to search and apply will help you to stay on track with what you want to achieve.

      2. Know where to look.

      If you're here and you're reading this, that means you know one great place to look! The Access Scholarships Search Engine is an awesome resource with tons of scholarships for high school seniors. But beyond Access Scholarships, be sure to...

      • Reach out to your school counselor to discuss some of the local scholarships that are out there for you to apply for
      • Head over to your state's financial aid website to learn more about their grants and resources 
      • Also be sure to fill out your free application for federal student aid (FAFSA).

      3. Apply often.

      Don't think of the scholarship process as one that you can engage in only once every few months and see success with.

      The scholarship process requires consistency and dedication. If you want to have the best chance at winning scholarships, you need to be dedicated to the process (creating a healthy mix of mostly essay scholarships with some no-essay scholarships is a good strategy) and put in the effort!

      4. Be organized, thorough, and on time.

      Lots of students find it helpful to organize their scholarship application and search process using a spreadsheet (virtual or physical). These are extremely useful because you can keep track of important deadlines, requirements for each scholarship, and more.

      TIP: Click here to view and download a copy of my own scholarship tracker so you can get organized for yourself!

      5. Think outside the box.

      I have provided you with a ton of great scholarships for high school seniors right here in this post.

      In addition to these, don't be afraid to venture out to find scholarships that are specific to YOU in all aspects! This means thinking critically about your hobbies and interests, and passions outside of academics.

      It also means thinking about things that define who you are that you could potentially leverage in your scholarship search. For example, are you a soon-to-be first-generation college student?  Or maybe you're planning on pursuing a STEM degree? These are just two areas that you can identify and use to search for scholarships! 

      Top 50 Scholarships for Graduate School (April 2025)

      Last Updated April 29, 2025
      💰🏆⏳📝🧾👨💼 Access thousands of exclusive, fully funded scholarships
      4.9/5
      Rated by over 10,000 students
      SCHOLARSHIPS FEATURED BY:
      Scholarships for high school seniors for Harvard University
      Scholarships for high school seniors for University of California, Berkeley
      Scholarships for high school seniors for Columbia University
      Scholarships for high school seniors for University of Texas at Austin
      Scholarships for high school seniors for Northwestern University
      Scholarships for high school seniors for University of Pittsburgh
      Scholarships for graduate school
      Jump Ahead To...

        Introduction to Scholarships for Graduate School

        Throughout my time running Access Scholarships, I have spoken to students of all kinds about scholarships that fall into all sorts of categories. One of those categories is scholarships for graduate school students.

        Depending on your area of study and intended career path, graduate school can range from being an absolute necessity to simply being a helpful addition to an already earned undergraduate degree.

        Regardless of where graduate school stands for you on this spectrum, it's important to know that scholarships for graduate school are out there to help you fund your journey.

        While graduate scholarships tend to be slightly less common than college scholarships (for undergraduate students), that doesn't mean there aren't some great opportunities out there for you to apply for! Further down in this post, we'll highlight some great scholarships for graduate school students. Keep reading for the good stuff!

        Types of Graduate Degrees

        There are many different types of graduate degrees out there. I recently published this blog post which outlines most, if not all, of the various types of undergraduate and graduate degrees that are out there.

        One important callout I want to make is that some graduate scholarships will specify if they are open to all graduate students or only masters students, whereas others will not. If you're a doctoral student and you are not sure if a scholarship is open to you, I highly recommend reaching out to the provider directly to clarify if you're eligible before starting your application.

        Now, back to the topic at hand!

        Without further ado (as I always say in these posts), keep reading for our short yet diverse list of great scholarships for graduate school students.

        Scholarships for Graduate School

        Scholarships for Graduate Students: Conclusion

        At the end of the day, I hope that one or more of these scholarships is up your alley! If not, it's no sweat! The best way to find scholarships for graduate school is to head over to our scholarship search. Using this tool, you can get more personalized results based on your area of study, home state, and more.

        If you’re still in the process of applying to graduate school and comparing programs, I also recommend checking out each program’s financial aid page. That way, you can see what scholarship opportunities each may offer and also compare costs while you're there.  Be sure to have someone look over your scholarships essay or you can hire a cheap scholarship essay writing service to help you finalize your submission.

        Finally, if you’re looking to head into law, a medical field, or business, and you need scholarships for graduate school, be sure to check out these resources:

        LSAT Prep Courses Scholarship

        MCAT Prep Hub Medical School Scholarship

        MBA Insight Scholarship

        Image of Stefanie Barlow
        Expert review completed by Stefanie Barlow on 3/4/25
        College Admissions Coach and Consultant at Admissionado.
        Read more about Stefanie Barlow

        Top 20 No Essay Scholarships to Apply for in 2025

        Last Updated June 20, 2025
        💰🏆⏳📝🧾👨💼 Access thousands of exclusive, fully funded scholarships
        4.9/5
        Rated by over 10,000 students
        SCHOLARSHIPS FEATURED BY:
        Scholarships for high school seniors for Harvard University
        Scholarships for high school seniors for University of California, Berkeley
        Scholarships for high school seniors for Columbia University
        Scholarships for high school seniors for University of Texas at Austin
        Scholarships for high school seniors for Northwestern University
        Scholarships for high school seniors for University of Pittsburgh

        Introduction: No essay scholarships

        Let's talk about no-essay scholarships. Whether you've been applying to scholarships for a while or you're completely new to the scholarship process, chances are, at some point you've felt tired, frustrated, or even fully on fed-up with writing all of those essays. Finding financial aid can be a lot of work - I feel you!

        A smart strategy when applying for scholarships is to mix up the types of scholarships you're applying for. But what does this actually mean?

        Well, if you're familiar with the world of scholarships, you've probably discovered that there are scholarships out there of all sorts, shapes, and sizes.

        Some scholarships are for small amounts (think: anywhere from $100 to a few thousand dollars) while others go for larger amounts (sometimes even full-tuition!). Some scholarships have long lists of application requirements, while others only ask you to write a sentence, upload your transcript, or fill out a form.

        So, when I say "mix up the types of scholarships you're applying for", I'm saying that it's important to consider things such as scholarship type (is there an essay required?), amount (generally, scholarships with bigger awards are harder to earn), and category (how specific does the scholarship get in terms of matching your unique profile?).

        This post covers one specific type of scholarship that I'm sure you'll enjoy incorporating into your scholarship strategy: a no-essay scholarship!

        Most of these no essay scholarships are open to high school, college, and graduate school students, be sure to get those easy applications in, and keep your toes crossed while you get to work on some of those other more labor-intensive opportunities.

        *Pro-tip - While some of these no essay scholarships currently have specific deadlines, keep them bookmarked because they often renew monthly, quarterly, or yearly!

        Jump Ahead To...

          20 No essay scholarships to apply for ASAP!

          no essay scholarships

          Frequently asked questions about no essay scholarships

          • Are no essay scholarships legit?

            No essay scholarships are 100% legit!

            No essay scholarships are created to be more like contests or sweepstakes. Generally, all you have to do to be considered is enter some information on an application page and you're good to go. This is in contrast with other more labor-intensive scholarships, that require a greater amount of work and time commitment (think: essays, letters of recommendation, videos, interviews).

            The fact that no essay scholarships don't require a whole lot of effort (they're definitely the easiest opportunities out there!) doesn't mean that they aren't just as real as other scholarships that do have more detailed eligibility and application requirements to apply. In fact, no essay scholarships can sometimes be just as competitive as full-ride scholarships, given the fact that so many students apply for these opportunities.

            At the end of the day, each and every scholarship we feature in our database and in our blog posts aims to guide students in the direction of legitimate opportunities to help you navigate the journey of paying for college.

          • What are some common qualities of a no essay scholarship?

            The most identifiable quality of a no essay scholarship is the fact that it doesn't require an essay! Rather than asking students to upload an essay on the application page, these scholarships generally will ask for the completion of a form, or for students to upload a photo, video, or other unique type of submission. The fact that these scholarships can often be completed much more quickly and easily than other scholarships is what makes them so great.

            You'll also find that the majority of no essay scholarships are open to a wide variety of students, and they usually won't have any specific eligibility requirements such as only being open to students in certain majors or with a certain minimum GPA.

          • Who is eligible to apply for no essay scholarships?

            When it comes to eligiblity, as I mentioned just above, no essay scholarships are usually open to a wide range of students. For example, a no essay scholarship might be open to students ages 13 and older in the US, or maybe it's open to all high school students in the US. These eligibility criteria are very generous and intended to give all (or nearly all) students who want to apply an opportunity to do so.

          • How difficult is it to win a no essay scholarship?

            Because no essay scholarships are usually open to so many different types of students, along with the fact that they often require very little effort on the part of the student (and run more like sweepstakes than real in-depth scholarships), means that they are difficult to win, and the process is unpredictable.

            Luckily, because these scholarships require so little time commitment to apply, not winning one of these types of scholarships doesn't necessarily indicate that you've wasted your time applying, since it likely didn't take that much time in the first place!

          • How can I increase my chances of winning no essay scholarships?

            No essay scholarships are open to such a wide variety of students in terms of eligible areas of study, state residency, and year in school. This, in combination with the fact that the winners for these scholarships are generally always selected at random, means that increasing your chances of winning one of these scholarships is very, very difficult.

            In the spirit of full-transparency: the only way that you can actually increase your chances of winning no essay scholarships is by applying for all of them and not missing any deadlines.

            For example, take Tallo's monthly no essay scholarships. They pick at least 12 winners each year, usually at the end of each month. If you want to maximize your chances of winning one of Tallo's no essay scholarships, you should set a reminder to make sure that you apply for them every month, so that you don't miss out on an opportunity to win.

          • Most of the no essay scholarships I've come across are for small amounts, such as $1,000. Why is this the case?

            Most no-essay scholarships are for small amounts (think: $500 - $2,000) because, in comparison to other scholarships that have lots of application requirements, no-essay scholarships tend to run more like contests.

            Organizations love to give back to students in any and all ways possible, and they also like to try to make student's lives easier by offering easy scholarship opportunities.

            However, from the perspective of private organizations, many of them would rather save their scholarships of higher amounts to be distributed through competitive opportunities where they can select students on the basis of merit, leadership, and other qualities. That's why you'll probably never come across a full-ride scholarship that doesn't require an essay or extra submission of some sort!

          • Where can I find more scholarships to apply for?

            There are tons of resources and places out there that you can use to find "harder" scholarships to apply for to pair with your efforts in applying to the easy ones.

            The first place I recommend you go is over to the Access Scholarship Search Engine or Blog, where you can find all types of scholarships based on criteria such as home state, area of study, ethnicity, and more.

            After that, I recommend you also do some surfing of the web, as well as outreach to your guidance counselor or financial aid office to help you find local scholarships and even more nuanced opportunities.

          Important tips and things to keep in mind with no essay scholarships

          • Tip #1: Apply often.

            Many of these scholarships run continuously on a monthly or quarterly basis.

            Set a reminder for yourself to revisit these scholarships each month and reapply to give yourself the best chance at winning one!

          • Tip #2: Find ways to get a leg up.

            Scholarships with no essays that have any sort of additional component (like an art or video submission) will tend to give you a "leg up" because they involve more than some luck.

            Take full advantage of scholarships like these by putting your best foot forward with that extra submission!

          • Tip #3: Make no essay scholarships one piece of the puzzle.

            Scholarships with no essays should be a key component of your scholarship application strategy because of how easy they are to apply for.

            However, it's important to remember they should be balanced with other scholarships that have more specific and stringent requirements.

            When you apply for essay-based scholarships, you're given the opportunity to tell the committee about you, who you are and why you should be selected for the opportunity. The winners for these scholarships, unlike their no-essay counterparts, are not chosen at random, so if you choose these scholarships carefully, apply for ones that are specific to your qualities, and write strong essays, you'll have the best chances of winning at the end of the day!

          General tips for applying for all kinds of scholarships

          Navigating the world of scholarships can be stressful and confusing to say the least. Follow these tips to make sure you’re covering all of your bases and giving yourself the greatest possible chance at success!

          • #1: Get yourself organized before you dive right in.

            Just like with any other part of the college / financial aid process, organization is crucial to success when it comes to searching and applying for scholarships.

            My top organization-related recommendation for students is to start by creating a readily-accessible folder on your computer where you can then create subfolders for your scholarship essays, transcripts, and other application materials. This is also the place where you’ll want to house your scholarship tracker, which will help you keep track of scholarships you find, upcoming deadlines, and your overall progress.

          • #2: Do your brainstorming.

            You likely wouldn’t start an essay on the American Revolution without doing some initial brainstorming and planning first. The same rule should apply for when it’s time to search for scholarships.

            Sit down with a pen and paper or a blank word document open, and start to bullet out a list of traits and things that you feel make up who you are as a person. These things should be both academic and personal. To give you an idea of what I’m talking about, here’s a sneak peek into what my own personal list might look like:

            -I am from New Jersey

            -I am a business student with an interest in marketing

            -I like to play sports (tennis, basketball, etc)

            -I hold leadership positions in my extracurriculars

            -I identify as female

            -I am a twin

            -I am left-handed

            -I enjoy doing crossword puzzles

            -I go to college in Wisconsin

            I could go on and on with this list, but I won’t bore you! What I’m trying to get at though is that creating a list like this to track your hobbies, academic pursuits, and other things that make up who you are can be incredibly helpful in allowing you to find scholarships that are highly specific to you.

            PS - For some students, this may also fall under the initial organization step of the process, but ultimately it doesn’t matter when you do it as long as it gets done.

          • #3: Know where to look.

            Knowing what types of scholarships you want to search for doesn’t really matter if you don’t know where to actually search for them! Here are a few ideas on where you can get started in searching for scholarships:

            -Scholarship search engines like AccessScholarships.com, which allow you to search through thousands of scholarship opportunities all in one place

            -Normal search engines, such as Google (the more specific you can be here, the better)

            -Your school’s college prep, guidance, or financial aid page/website

            -Social media (you can follow scholarship accounts and hashtags that might be relevant to help you discover local scholarships)

            -Family, friends, teachers, coaches, and other people in your community who might know of local or community-based scholarships that you’re eligible for

          • #4: If a scholarship has an essay or additional type of submission, make sure you put your absolute best foot forward.

            This is, in my opinion, the biggest key to help students see success in actually winning scholarships.

            You can have a 4.0 GPA and solid letters of recommendation, but if you don’t also take the time to carefully craft, edit, and perfect the essay (or other additional submission), you’re missing out on giving the scholarship committee the opportunity to learn more about who you are as a person and why you’re a great fit to win the award.  Be sure to have someone read over your essay or enlist an essay writing service to make sure your essay is the best it can be.

          • #5: Keep those grades up.

            Although this eligibility requirement can definitely vary, many scholarships require students to have at least a 2.5 or 3.0 GPA. Sometimes, the minimum requirement can be even higher, such as a 3.75/4.0.

            While grades certainly aren’t the end-all-be-all, keeping your GPA up (as high as you possibly can!) will make sure that you are opening yourself up to as many opportunities as possible.

          • #6: Apply often.

            Unfortunately, applying for scholarships is not a “one and done” process. To give yourself the highest chance at seeing success, you should apply for scholarships as often as you can, or whenever you come across an opportunity that you think is worth applying for.

            Many students find it helpful to set specific goals in this area, like to apply for 3 scholarships each month. Ultimately, the goal you set should be one that is specific and realistic, based on all of the other things that you’re juggling!

          • #7: Ask for feedback along the way.

            If you don't ever take the time to assess your weak spots, how can you possibly improve?

            Asking for feedback throughout the scholarship process, whether it be from a committee, a teacher, or someone who is helping you along the way, is crucial to helping you grow and becoming a stronger applicant. 

            Getting feedback is especially important when it comes to the scholarship essay piece of the puzzle. When we write and edit, we tend to overlook our own mistakes because we're so used to making them. Sometimes it takes an extra set of eyes on an essay to help lead you in the direction of success.

          No-essay scholarships: To conclude...

          To summarize, no-essay scholarships can be a great addition to any overall scholarship strategy for high school, college, and graduate students.

          Since no-essay scholarships often operate on a monthly or quarterly basis, you can give yourself a better chance at winning these scholarships if you enter in every application period that you're eligible for.

          Although no-essay scholarships usually aren't for large amounts, the process of entering to win is usually an easy one, so there's no harm in applying for these scholarships to round out your strategy and yes, give you a break from all those essays!

          Image of Stefanie Barlow
          Expert review completed by Stefanie Barlow on 3/4/25
          College Admissions Coach and Consultant at Admissionado.
          Read more about Stefanie Barlow

          Top 50 Scholarships for High School Juniors to Apply to in 2025/26

          Last Updated June 30, 2025
          💰🏆⏳📝🧾👨💼 Access thousands of exclusive, fully funded scholarships
          4.9/5
          Rated by over 10,000 students
          SCHOLARSHIPS FEATURED BY:
          Scholarships for high school seniors for Harvard University
          Scholarships for high school seniors for University of California, Berkeley
          Scholarships for high school seniors for Columbia University
          Scholarships for high school seniors for University of Texas at Austin
          Scholarships for high school seniors for Northwestern University
          Scholarships for high school seniors for University of Pittsburgh

          Introduction: Scholarships for High School Juniors

          For most high school students, junior year is a year of big-time transitions, studying, and decisions, because it's generally the time where students start to think about all things college-related.

          When you're a junior, hopping on this college journey includes things like taking the PSAT (and even the SAT or ACT), researching colleges (maybe even going on some tours), preparing for college applications, and speaking with your family and guidance counselor about what options might be right for you. 

          Since this is the year where you're discussing college (and likely also discussing how to pay for it), leaving scholarships out of the picture would be doing yourself a disservice!

          It's important to know that it is almost NEVER too early to begin applying for scholarships. There are tons of great scholarships for high school juniors to apply for.

          In this post, we have highlighted some of the best scholarships for high school juniors to apply for in 2024. 

          Jump Ahead To...

            Top Scholarships for High School Juniors in 2025

            Niche $10,000 No Essay Scholarship

            Amount: $10,000

            Deadline: Monthly

            Eligibility: Open to high school juniors - no essay required!

            CollegeVine No Essay $2,000 Scholarship

            Award Amount: $2,000

            Scholarship Deadline: Monthly

            Open to high school students of all years who are residents of the US.

            ScholarshipPoints No Essay $2,500 Monthly Scholarship

            Amount: $2,500

            Deadline: Expires on the last day of each month

            Eligibility: The ScholarshipPoints Scholarship is a monthly no essay scholarship open to all high school students ages 16 and older, who are US residents!

            ScholarshipOwl No Essay $50,000 Scholarship

            Award Amount: $1,000 (4 awards per month)

            Scholarship Deadline: Last day of each month

            Open to high school students of all years who are residents of the US.

            Scholarships360 No Essay $10,000 Scholarship

            Award Amount: $10,000

            Scholarship Deadline: Rolling

            Open to high school juniors in the US.

            Christian Connector $2,500 Scholarship 

            Award Amount: $2,500

            Scholarship Deadline: Monthly

            The Christian Connector scholarship is open to high school juniors and seniors who are interested in or planning to enroll in a Christian college or university.

            CampusReel $2,000 No Essay Scholarship 

            Award Amount: $2,000

            Scholarship Deadline: Monthly 

            The CampusReel No Essay Scholarship is awarded monthly and all you have to do is sign up on their website. It's that easy!

            Community Impact Scholarship

            Amount: $1,000 each (5 awards)

            Deadline: April 30

            Eligibility:

            -Open to high school students of all years

            -No transcript or minimum GPA required to apply!

            CollegExpress Monthly Scholarship 

            Award Amount: usually $1,000

            Scholarship Deadline: Last day of each month

            Answer the question:  If you could have any celebrity or influencer visit your school, who would it be?

            $2,000 No Essay Scholarship by Sallie

            Amount: $2,000

            Deadline: Monthly

            Eligibility: Open to high school juniors - no essay required!

            Be Bold $25,000 No Essay Scholarship 

            Award Amount: $25,000

            Scholarship Deadline: Rolling

            Bold.org has a lot of great scholarships, but while you're there, make sure you enter to win this $25,000 scholarship they have going on!

            A Better Financial Future $2,000 Scholarship

            Award Amount: $2,000

            Scholarship Deadline: Monthly

            The Scholarship is awarded monthly and open to high school juniors and seniors, as well as college students.

            College Confidential Goals Fund $1,000 Scholarship

            Award Amount: $1,000

            Scholarship Deadline: May 31

            Just leave a comment sharing how you’d use the $1,000 scholarship toward your education and future goals.

            Too Cool to Pay for School Scholarship

            Award Amount: $1,000

            Scholarship Deadline: Quarterly

            The Too Cool to Pay for School Scholarship is our own contribution to helping students fund their higher education. Simply fill in some easy info about yourself and you're entered to win!

            Appily Easy Money Scholarship

            Award Amount: $1,000

            Scholarship Deadline: Continuous  

            The Cappex Easy Money Scholarship is open to all students - no minimum GPA or essay required.

            Humanity Rising Scholarships 

            Award Amount: $500 - $2,000

            Scholarship Deadlines: Rolling

            Humanity Rising awards scholarships to high school students who tell their stories with community service through a video.

            Survey Junkie Brand Influencer No Essay

            Award Amount: Varies

            Scholarship Deadline: Rolling 

            Survey Junkie invites students to share their opinions on topics they care about, with the potential to earn big rewards $.

            Distinguished Young Women Scholarship 

            Award Amount: Varies 

            Scholarship Deadline: Continuous 

            The Distinguished Young Women Scholarship program is for female high school juniors and seniors.

            United States Senate Youth Program

            Award Amount: $10,000

            Scholarship Deadline: Varies by state

            The United States Senate Youth Program is a scholarship open to high school juniors and seniors holding elected student offices. Two students are selected from each state.

            Live Más Scholarship

            Award Amount: $5,000 - $25,000

            Scholarship Deadline: January 11

            The Live Mas Scholarship is Taco Bell's contribution to helping students achieve their higher education goals. It's not a full-ride, but it's certainly something! To apply, students must submit a video telling the story of their real, true passion.

            Carson Scholars Program

            Award Amount: Varies

            Scholarship Deadline: January 13

            The Carson Scholars Program is a merit-based scholarship program that is open to high school students who excel academically and are committed to serving their communities.

            Profile in Courage Essay Contest

            Award Amount: $500 - $3,000

            Scholarship Deadline: January 12

            The Profile in Courage Essay Contest is open to all high school students. Essays will be judged on the overall originality of the topic and the clear communication of ideas through language.

            Coolidge Scholarship

            Award Amount: Full-ride!

            Scholarship Deadline: January 18

            The Coolidge Scholarship is a full-ride scholarship that covers a student’s tuition, room, board, and expenses for four years of undergraduate study.

            Hamilton Award/Scholars Program for High School Juniors

            Award Amount: $1,000

            Scholarship Deadline: January 31

            The Hamilton Award is open solely to underserved high school juniors in the US. Students do not need to be US residents.

            Technology Addiction Awareness Scholarship 

            Award Amount: $1,000

            Scholarship Deadline: January 31

            The Technology Addiction Awareness Scholarship is designed to help you understand the negative effects that technology and too much screen time can have on our lives. Open to high school and college students, along with graduate school students.

            EngineerGirl Essay Contest

            Award Amount: $500

            Scholarship Deadline: February 1  

            The EngineerGirl Essay contest is open to high school students and asks for an essay discussing the vital contribution of engineers in responding to the pandemic.

            Americanism Essay Scholarship 

            Award Amount: $100 - $1,200 

            Scholarship Deadline: First Friday in February  

            The Americanism Essay Scholarship is open to Illinois high school students and requires an essay on Americanism and good citizenship.

            Be the Boss Scholarship

            Award Amount: $2,000

            Scholarship Deadline: March 15

            The "Be the Boss" Scholarship is designed to empower entrepreneurial women to give their business ideas a go!

            E-Waste Scholarship 

            Award Amount: $1,000

            Scholarship Deadline: April 30 

            The E-Waste Scholarship, sponsored by Digital Responsibility, challenges students to learn about the impact of e-waste and what can be done to minimize it.

            Think for Yourself Scholarship 

            Award Amount: up to $5,000

            Scholarship Deadline: April 30 

            This scholarship, open to all high school students in the US, asks students to consider the value of free speech, curiosity, and open mindedness in their everyday lives.

            Brower Youth Awards

            Award Amount: $3,000

            Scholarship Deadline: May 20 

            Scholarship is open to environmental change leaders ages 13 to 22 (as of the application deadline) living in North America (including Mexico, Canada, and some Caribbean Islands) and U.S. Territories.

            A Voice for Animals Contest

            Award Amount: up to $500 (20 awards)

            Scholarship Deadline: May 31 

            Contest is open to students between the ages of 14 and 18 years of age. Applicant must submit an essay on a given topic related to animals.

            Altruism + All Good Deeds Scholarship

            Award Amount: $1,000 

            Scholarship Deadline: May 31 

            Scholarship is open to high school juniors and seniors, as well as undergraduate and graduate students. Applicant must have at least a 2.5 GPA and have a commitment to volunteering and making a difference in their communities.

            Fountainhead Essay Contest 

            Award Amount: $500 - $1,000

            Scholarship Deadline: June 7

            The Fountainhead Essay Contest is for high school students in their junior and senior years and has three essay prompt options.

            Stuck at Prom Scholarship

            Award Amount: up to $10,000

            Scholarship Deadline: June 9

            The Stuck at Prom Scholarship is open to high school students in the US and Canada who are 14 and older.

            Delete Cyberbullying Mental Health Awareness Scholarship

            Award Amount: $1,000

            Scholarship Deadline: June 30

            Scholarship is open to high school juniors. Applicant must submit an essay on a topic related to mental health and cyberbullying.

            Prudential Emerging Visionaries Award

            Amount: up to $15,000

            Deadline: November 4

            Eligibility: Open to young leaders ages 14-18 who are bringing powerful vision and real change to their communities. Must be legal residents of the US or Puerto Rico.

            Around the Corner from College Scholarship

            Award Amount: $1,000

            Scholarship Deadlines: December 31, June 30

            This is another one of Access Scholarship's ways of giving back! The Around the Corner from College Scholarship is an easy opportunity that is open to all high school students, including international students who are planning to attend college in the US.

            National High School Poetry Contest

            Award Amount: $1,000

            Scholarship Deadline: December 31

            Gen & Kelly Tanabe Scholarship

            Award Amount: $1,000

            Scholarship Deadline: December 31 and July 31

            The Gen and Kelly Tanabe Scholarship is a merit-based program that helps students fulfill their dreams of higher education.

            Cirkled In’s “No Sweat” Scholarship

            Award Amount: $2,500

            Scholarship Deadline: December 31

            WiseGeek Mental Health Well-Being No-Essay Scholarship

            Award Amount: $500

            Scholarship Deadline: December 31

            The WiseGeek Mental Health Well-Being Scholarship is meant to provide awareness to mental health challenges and assist those who have had to face those issues with a $500 award to help pay their tuition.

            Quick Links - Scholarships for High School Juniors

            Scholarships for high school juniors

            Frequently asked questions about scholarships from high school students

            What is a scholarship?

            A scholarship is, to put it simply, free money that you can earn to put towards paying for college.

            Unlike other types of financial aid (aka, loans), money that you earn from scholarships doesn't ever need to be repaid!

            Can juniors in high school even apply for scholarships?

            As you can see from the scholarships listed above, high school juniors certainly can apply for scholarships!

            If you're a junior and you haven't started yet, don't worry, because you're definitely not too late. In fact, you're quickly approaching one of the prime times to be applying, since junior year is the time where lots of scholarships tend to become available for high school students.

            One major pro of starting to apply for scholarships as a high school junior is that, by the time senior year rolls around, you will already be familiar with the process, and ready to go out there and submit applications for even more opportunities.

            Where can I find scholarships for juniors to apply for?

            In addition to this post and the entire Access Scholarships platform, there are tons of other places and resources you can check out to help you search for scholarships for juniors.

            You'll want to start by heading over to the website(s) run by your state that outlines state-based financial aid and scholarship opportunities.

            Then, you'll want to reach out to your school counselor (and do research on Google) to learn about local scholarship and merit scholarship opportunities.

            Another more unique way to find potential scholarship opportunities that are specific to you is actually through utilizing social media (Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, even Pinterest!). You can follow hashtags on Instagram such as #TexasScholarships (if you live in Texas) so that anytime an organization posts a relevant scholarship with that hashtag, you can see it and apply if you're interested!

            How do I make my scholarship applications stand out?

            One of the best ways that you can stand out through your application is through the extra requirements that you submit.

            Whether it's an essay, a video, letters of recommendation, or other additional submissions, these are all places where you will want to dedicate extra time and effort to make sure that what you're sending in is authentically YOU, unique, eye-catching, and memorable.

            Applying for scholarships while juggling high school and extracurriculars is a lot of work. Is it worth it?

            In my opinion, ABSOLUTELY! While the process can be a long one, it can certainly pay off if you are able to earn a few thousand dollars (or even more!) in scholarships to help you pay for school. Think about how many hours of time you'd have to work at a part-time job to earn a few thousand dollars. Probably quite a lot!

            Additionally, not only is the process a humbling one (mostly everyone who applies will get rejected from at least one scholarship at some point) but it also helps you to refine key skills along the way, such as organization, essay-writing, and professional communication.

            For more tips on navigating the process of writing essays for scholarships, check out our blog post on How To Write a Winning Scholarship Essay.

            Image of Stefanie Barlow
            Expert review completed by Stefanie Barlow on 3/4/25
            College Admissions Coach and Consultant at Admissionado.
            Read more about Stefanie Barlow

            Weird Scholarships to Apply for in 2025

            Last Updated June 10, 2025
            💰🏆⏳📝🧾👨💼 Access thousands of exclusive, fully funded scholarships
            4.9/5
            Rated by over 10,000 students
            SCHOLARSHIPS FEATURED BY:
            Scholarships for high school seniors for Harvard University
            Scholarships for high school seniors for University of California, Berkeley
            Scholarships for high school seniors for Columbia University
            Scholarships for high school seniors for University of Texas at Austin
            Scholarships for high school seniors for Northwestern University
            Scholarships for high school seniors for University of Pittsburgh
            Jump Ahead To...

              Introduction: Weird Scholarships

              Students often think that you need to have straight-A's or demonstrated financial need in order to qualify for scholarships. This couldn't be further from the truth! In this post, we're diving into unusual and weird scholarships!

              Let's dive in with a bit more detail!

              The reality is that there are tons (and I mean TONS!) of unusual scholarships out there to help you fund your college education. These scholarship awards vary greatly in their requirements; some are essay contests, others are artistic challenges.

              Despite these differences, there is one main connector among these opportunities. They seek to award money for school based on your involvement with hobbies, your passions, or other unique aspects of your personality. It's important to note that some of these scholarship programs may also ask that you meet certain academic requirements as well, such as a minimum GPA. If you’re facing an essay-based application and need a boost, you might consider seeking someone to write my essay to strengthen your submission and improve your chances.

              There are so many weird scholarships out there for you to explore. To get you started with this piece of the process, below is a starting point for your search for unique scholarships. Keep reading for our list of some of the most unconventional, crazy and unique scholarship opportunities that are out there for you to apply for.

              Weird Scholarships - Stuck at Prom 2021
              One of two winners of the 2021 Stuck at Prom scholarship!

              Weird scholarships - THE LIST!

              • Too Cool to Pay for School Scholarship

                Amount: $1,000

                Deadline: Quarterly (March 31, June 30, September 30, December 31)

                Eligibility: Open to high school students, college students, and graduate students of all years in the US!

                Details: Not a weird scholarship, just a shameless plug! This is our own scholarship fund contribution to helping students fund their higher education. 

              • Do Something Scholarships

                Amount: Varies (usually $500 - $2,000)

                Deadline: Ongoing 

                Eligibility: Open to all US students ages 26 and under. 

                Details:All scholarships by Do Something involve performing acts of community service and activism in exchange for being entered to win scholarships! 

              • Doodle for Google Scholarship

                Amount: Varies ($5,000 - $30,000)

                Deadline: February 26

                Eligibility: Open to students from kindergarten through grade 12. 

                Details: This scholarship requires you to enter an original doodle and explain how it represents your inner strength. Doodles will be judged on artistic merit, creativity, and theme communication. National finalist winners receive $5,000 each, and the grand prize winner receives $30,000. 

              • Vegetarian Resource Group Scholarship

                Amount: $5,000 - $10,000

                Deadline: February 20

                Eligibility: Open to graduating U.S. high school seniors who promote vegetarianism (includes veganism) in their schools and/or communities.

              • Tall Clubs International Foundation Scholarship

                Amount: $1,000

                Deadline: March 1

                Eligibility: Open to ~vertically gifted~ students. This means women over 5'10" and men over 6'2".

              • The American Society for Enology and Viticulture Scholarships

                Amount: Varies (up to $12,500)

                Deadline: March 1

                Eligibility: Open to students studying Enology/Viticulture, otherwise known as the wine and grape industry.

              • Create a Greeting Card Scholarship

                Amount: $10,000

                Deadline: March 2

                Eligibility: Open to high school and college students who are aged 14 and older.

                Details: This scholarship contest asks students to submit an original photo, piece of artwork, or computer graphic for the front of a greeting card. 

              • Sub Pop Loser Scholarship

                Amount: $6,000

                Deadline: March 19

                Eligibility: Do you attend a high school in Oregon or Washington? The Loser Scholarship is looking for art-enthused misfits to help them pay for college. Sub Pop stands proudly with and support the misfits, weirdos and losers, because we believe that when we’re able to proudly be nothing other than our true selves, we have the ability to make the world stronger, smarter and better.

              • BrightSprout Crossword Scholarship

                Amount: $1,000

                Deadline:  April 30

                Details: Are you a current (or soon to be) college student who loves crosswords? Put your cruciverbalist skills to the test and participate in our Crossword Contest! Create and submit your best newspaper-style puzzle for review by our panel of judges. The winner will receive a $1,000 scholarship, paid directly to their school’s financial aid office.

              • John Kitt Memorial Scholarship

                Amount: $2,500

                Deadline: May 15

                Details:Are you a Current college sophomore, junior, or senior status and have a demonstrated interest in confectionery technology.  Your demonstrated interest in confectionery technology can include many activities including but not limited to research projects, work experience, and formal study.

              • Ornament Shop Scholarship

                Amount: $1,000

                Deadline: June 1

                Details:The Ornament Shop Scholarship is available to high school seniors and current college students. You must be a U.S. citizen and have a minimum 3.0 GPA to be eligible for this award. To be considered, you must browse the sponsor's website then answer a 20 - question quiz. A short essay is also required.

              • Stuck at Prom Scholarship

                Amount: Varies ($500 - $10,000)

                Deadline: June 8 

                Eligibility: Open to students ages 14 and older. Must be a legal resident of the United States and the District of Columbia. This excludes residents of Maryland, Vermont, and Colorado and residents of the Province of Quebec). 

                Details: The Stuck at Prom Scholarship is open to Students are challenged to create their own prom outfits made entirely from Duck Tape® (Duck Brand). Award amounts vary from $500 for runner-ups to $10,000 for two grand-prize winners.

              • Flavor of the Month Scholarship

                Amount: $1,500

                Deadline: July 31

                Details:Are you simple and sweet like vanilla, classic yet unpredictable like chocolate chip, or a little nutty like pistachio? Whatever the flavor or reasons may be, we want to know what ice cream flavor best reflects your personality and why.

              • Rodeo Enthusiast Scholarship

                Amount: $500

                Deadline: August 15

                Eligibility: Open to incoming and current college students.

                Details: Simply write a short essay on your rodeo story for the chance to win a $500 scholarship.

              • Zombie Apocalypse Scholarship

                Amount: $2,000

                Deadline: October 31

                Details:Unigo is giving one successful survivor $2,000 towards his or her college education. Do you think you have what it takes to make the cut?

              General scholarship tips 

              Since we're talking about scholarships in this post, it wouldn't be right to not include a few quick tips for applying.

              1. Be UNIQUE, Be YOU! One of the most important pieces of advice I impart on students as they work on their applications is to unleash their individuality. This advice holds true even more for these weird and unusual scholarships! When writing essays for these opportunities, the goal is to make them stand out from the rest.  Consider having a friend or family member read over your essay or hire essay writing services to look it over.
              2. Make sure you're eligible (and aware of all application requirements) before you apply. This tip should go without saying, but I will say it here anyway! It is crucial to double check eligibility and application requirements for each and every scholarship you find before you dive into applying. Doing so will minimize the likelihood that you apply for an opportunity you're not eligible for, or apply without all of the necessary requirements!
              3. Ask for help when you need it. I'll be the first to admit that the process of searching and applying for scholarships can be confusing. So, whether you have questions along the way or would like an extra set of eyes to read over an essay, don't be afraid to seek out your resources and ask for help!

              Weird scholarships - To conclude...

              There you have it-  my running list of wacky, weird, and unusual scholarships!

              There may not be a scholarship on my list above that applies to you. However, the important message that I want you to walk away with is that there truly are scholarships out there for everything!

              Not all scholarships (like some students are led to believe) are awarded solely for being an A+ student or a star athlete. So, as you apply for scholarships and other forms of financial aid, make sure you consider all of your unique qualities and interests. You never know when they can help you along the way!

              Image of Stefanie Barlow
              Expert review completed by Stefanie Barlow on 3/4/25
              College Admissions Coach and Consultant at Admissionado.
              Read more about Stefanie Barlow

              Scholarships for High School Sophomores in 2025

              March 3, 2025
              💰🏆⏳📝🧾👨💼 Access thousands of exclusive, fully funded scholarships
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              Rated by over 10,000 students
              SCHOLARSHIPS FEATURED BY:
              Scholarships for high school seniors for Harvard University
              Scholarships for high school seniors for University of California, Berkeley
              Scholarships for high school seniors for Columbia University
              Scholarships for high school seniors for University of Texas at Austin
              Scholarships for high school seniors for Northwestern University
              Scholarships for high school seniors for University of Pittsburgh
              Jump Ahead To...

                Introduction: Scholarships for High School Sophomores

                It’s no secret that many of the scholarships out there for high school students are geared towards high school juniors and high school seniors. After all, juniors and seniors are rapidly approaching the start of college, an endeavor which is, all too often, not cheap! However, despite this being the case, there are still scholarships for high school sophomores who are eager to get started early with the process of finding free money for college. 

                So, in this blog post, we dive into nearly two dozen awesome scholarship opportunities for high school sophomores. After highlighting those scholarships, we’ll answer some frequently asked questions about scholarships and highlight some tips for applying before leaving you with a list of great reading resources to keep bookmarked as you make your way through your scholarship journey.

                The list: 20+ Scholarships for High School Sophomores

                Frequently asked questions about scholarships for high school sophomores

                What is a scholarship?

                A scholarship is free money that you can apply for and earn to help you pay for your higher education.

                Unlike other types of financial aid (aka, loans), money that you earn from scholarships doesn't ever need to be repaid!

                Can high school sophomores even apply for scholarships?

                While the pool of scholarship opportunities opens up significantly once you enter your junior year, there are still scholarships out there for high school sophomores to apply for!

                A big benefit of starting the scholarship process as a sophomore is that, since you’re starting earlier than most, you can take your time in getting familiar with the world of scholarships (what you need to apply, where to find opportunities, how to write strong essays, etc!). This, in turn, will put you in a prime position to be a successful applicant for many of the bigger scholarships that are available for high school juniors and seniors. 

                As a sophomore, where can I find scholarships to apply for?

                In addition to this post, and the entire Access Scholarships platform (search engine, blog posts, scholarship directory), there are tons of other places and resources you can check out to help you search and apply for scholarships.

                You'll want to start by heading over to the website(s) run by your state that outline state-based financial aid and scholarship opportunities.

                To learn about local opportunities, the best place to start is with your school counselor or your high school’s website. You can also find potential scholarship opportunities that are specific to you through social media (Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, even Pinterest!). You can follow hashtags on Instagram such as #TexasScholarships (if you live in Texas) so that anytime an organization posts a relevant scholarship with that hashtag, you can see it and apply if you're interested!

                How can I make my scholarship applications stand out?

                One of the best ways that you can stand out through your application is through the extra requirements that you submit.

                Whether it's an essay, a video, letters of recommendation, or other additional submissions, these are all places where you will want to dedicate extra time and effort to make sure that what you're sending in is authentically YOU, unique, eye-catching, and memorable. 

                If writing scholarship essays is not something you feel confident with yet, don’t worry! Our blog post How To Write A Winning Scholarship Essay will give you everything you need to get things started on the right foot.  If you still need help, look into hiring a top rated scholarship essay writing services to review your entry.

                Tips for high school sophomores applying to scholarships

                Get organized. The process of searching and applying for scholarships can get overwhelming, so to put yourself in the best position to succeed, you’ll want to get organized before diving in.

                Use our scholarship tracker (feel free to make changes so it works for you!) to keep track of the opportunities you find and apply for. Create a folder on Google Drive or on your computer to house your tracker, application materials (transcripts, FAFSA information, etc) and essays.

                Read ALL of the eligibility requirements before starting an application.

                The last thing you want is to put all of your effort into applying for a specific scholarship, only to later discover that you aren’t actually eligible to apply! So, before you dive in, make sure you read through all of the eligibility requirements to double check that the opportunity is a good fit.

                Look at rejections as opportunities for improvement -  If you’re applying for competitive scholarships (ones that are high in value or receive many applicants) this is something that you’ll probably experience once or twice! But hey, it happens to the best of us!

                Rather than viewing rejections as failures, view them as opportunities to learn where you may have gone wrong and improve for next time. Our blog post How To Deal With Rejection has more tips on navigating this!

                Image of Stefanie Barlow
                Expert review completed by Stefanie Barlow on 3/4/25
                College Admissions Coach and Consultant at Admissionado.
                Read more about Stefanie Barlow

                Full-Ride Scholarships to Apply for in 2025

                Last Updated June 10, 2025
                💰🏆⏳📝🧾👨💼 Access thousands of exclusive, fully funded scholarships
                4.9/5
                Rated by over 10,000 students
                SCHOLARSHIPS FEATURED BY:
                Scholarships for high school seniors for Harvard University
                Scholarships for high school seniors for University of California, Berkeley
                Scholarships for high school seniors for Columbia University
                Scholarships for high school seniors for University of Texas at Austin
                Scholarships for high school seniors for Northwestern University
                Scholarships for high school seniors for University of Pittsburgh
                Jump Ahead To...

                  Introduction to Full-Ride Scholarships

                  Full-ride scholarships are, without a doubt, every college student’s dream to receive. To put it plainly, a full-ride scholarship is one that generally covers most of, if not all, of your college expenses.

                  These scholarships are amazing because they help provide support with paying for college while greatly reducing (or even completely eradicating) the need to take out student loans.  

                  Full-ride scholarships fall into a few different categories: ones that are merit-based, ones that are need-based (these two are both generally offered by the colleges/universities themselves), and ones from private organizations. 

                  The fact that full-ride scholarships can pay for not only tuition but also cover the cost of textbooks, room and board, and other expenses, is amazing.

                  However, since these scholarships are so significant (and honestly life-changing), it also means that they are extremely difficult to win. They may be difficult, but it’s important to remember that they’re by no means impossible! 

                  In this article, I will highlight some of the best full-ride scholarships (along with some that are hopefully less known - less well-known = higher chance of winning, right?) and even leave you with some tips on how you can put your best foot forward when applying for these types of scholarships.

                  But first...a few easy scholarships

                  I also want to highlight two EASY scholarships we currently have running here at Access Scholarships, that you should apply for ASAP before diving into the full-ride opportunities below (which definitely require a lot more time and effort!).

                  These scholarships do NOT require essays, letters of recommendation, OR submission of a transcript/GPA (phew!) so make sure you apply now to be considered for the next round!

                  • Too Cool to Pay for School Scholarship

                    This $1,000 scholarship is open to high school, college, and graduate school students. Students with DACA status and international students who plan to or who are currently studying in the US are also eligible to apply.

                    The deadline is quarterly, meaning we award four $1,000 scholarships each year, and that you can pretty much apply all year round! 

                  • Around the Corner from College Scholarship

                    This scholarship, also worth $1,000, is open to high school students of all years, freshman through senior. Just like with the Too Cool scholarship, students with DACA status and those who are preparing to study in the US are also eligible to apply. 

                    The deadlines for this scholarship are December 31 and June 30, and it takes only a few minutes to apply. 

                  Now that we have those No ESSAY SCHOLARSHIPS out of the way...onto the BIG MONEY SCHOLARSHIPS!

                  Full-Ride Scholarships by Private Organizations

                  • Coolidge Scholarship

                    Application deadline: January 18

                    Details: The Coolidge Scholarship is a full-ride scholarship that covers the full cost of tuition, room, board, and expenses for four years of undergraduate study.

                    The Coolidge Scholarship may be used by recipients at any American university. Anyone of any background, pursuing any academic discipline of study, may apply to this non-partisan, need-blind, program.

                    Eligibility: Must be a current high school junior

                  • USDA 1890 National Scholars Program

                    Application deadline: February 15

                    Details: The goal of the USDA/1890 National Scholars Program is to increase the number of minorities studying agriculture, food, natural resource sciences, and related disciplines.

                    Eligibility: 

                    1. Be a U.S. citizen
                    2. Have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better (on a 4.0 scale)
                    3. Have been accepted for admission or currently attending one of the nineteen 1890 Historically Black Land-Grant Universities.
                    4. Study agriculture, food, natural resource sciences, or other related academic disciplines
                    5. Demonstrate leadership and community service

                  • Thomas G. Labrecque Smart Start Program

                    Application deadline: January/February time 

                    Details: The Smart Start Program is for analytical New York City high school students who are ready to get a head start on a career in financial services.

                    You’ll gain real-world experience working in our industry-leading businesses while attending university on a scholarship that covers the full cost of college.

                    Eligibility: Must be a high school student living in New York City interested in business / financial services.

                  • Cameron Impact Scholarship

                    Application deadline: September 8

                    Details: The Cameron Impact Scholarship is a four-year, full-tuition, merit scholarship. 

                    It's awarded annually to 10-15 exceptional high school students who have demonstrated excellence in academics, extracurricular activities, leadership, and community service.

                    The Cameron Impact Scholarship covers the full cost of attending any accredited U.S.-based college or university that the recipient chooses to enroll in (includes personal expenses such as books).

                    The applicant must:

                    1. Maintain a minimum, cumulative, unweighted GPA of a 3.7/4.0 scale or equivalent in their high school studies;
                    2. Be a full citizen of the United States of America;
                    3. Be a current high school junior planning to enroll in a full-time course of study towards a degree at an accredited four-year U.S. college or university following graduation
                    4. Show proven excellence in extracurricular activities, be motivated leaders with a strong work ethic, demonstrate active participation in community service and/or civic-minded arenas

                  • The Gates Scholarship

                    Application deadline: September 15

                    Details: The Gates Scholarship (TGS) is a highly selective, last-dollar scholarship for outstanding, minority, high school seniors from low-income households.

                    Each year, the scholarship is awarded to 300 students.

                    An ideal candidate will have:

                    1. An outstanding academic record in high school (in the top 10% of his/her graduating class)
                    2. Demonstrated leadership ability (e.g., as shown through participation in community service, extracurricular, or other activities)
                    3. Exceptional personal success skills (e.g., emotional maturity, motivation, perseverance, etc.)

                    Eligibility: To apply, students must be:

                    1. A high school senior
                    2. From at least one of the following ethnicities: Black/African-American, American Indian/Alaska Native*, Asian & Pacific Islander American, and/or Hispanic American
                    3. Pell-eligible
                    4. A US citizen, national, or permanent resident
                    5. In good academic standing with a minimum cumulative weighted GPA of 3.3 on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent)

                  • Questbridge National College Match

                    Application deadline: September 26

                    Details: “We are looking for high school seniors who have shown outstanding academic ability despite financial challenges. We take a holistic approach to reviewing applications, and we do not have absolute criteria or cut-offs for GPA, standardized test scores, income, or other factors.”  

                    Questbridge encourages students who feel they have faced significant financial hardship to review these financial criteria carefully to see if they may qualify.

                    Eligibility: Must be a current high school senior

                  • Flinn Scholars Program

                    Application Deadline: October 18

                    Details: Flinn Scholars have excelled in their high-school classrooms while maintaining purposeful involvement and leadership in extracurricular activities, whether in the arts or athletics, in laboratory research, or in community service. 

                    Eligibility: To be awarded the Flinn Scholarship, an applicant must:

                    1. Be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident (Green Card holder) by the time of application;
                    2. Be an Arizona resident for two full years immediately preceding entry to the university.
                    3. Attain at least a 3.5 grade-point average (unweighted);
                    4. Rank in the top 5 percent of their graduating class (if the school reports class rank);
                    5. Participate and demonstrate leadership in a variety of extracurricular activities

                  • Jack Kent Cooke College Scholarship Program

                    Deadline: November 16

                    Details: The Cooke College Scholarship Program is an undergraduate scholarship program available to high-achieving high school seniors with financial need who seek to attend and graduate from the nation’s best four-year colleges and universities.

                    Each award is intended to cover a significant share of the student’s educational experience – including tuition, living expenses, books, and required fees.

                    This highly competitive scholarship includes:

                    1. Up to $40,000 per year to attend a four-year accredited undergraduate school.
                    2. Ability to pursue any area of study.
                    3. Personal advising about selecting a college and navigating financial aid.
                    4. Multifaceted advising about how to transition to college and maximize the student experience.

                    Eligibility: To be eligible to apply to the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation College Scholarship Program you must:

                    1. Earn a cumulative unweighted GPA of 3.5 or above
                    2. Demonstrate unmet financial need. Last year’s cohort of new college scholarship recipients had a median family income of approximately $35,000.

                  • Act Six Scholars Program

                    Application deadline: November 28

                    Details: Act Six is a leadership and scholarship program that connects local faith-based community affiliates with faith- and social justice-based colleges to equip emerging urban and community leaders to engage the college campus and their communities at home.

                    To be eligible, a student must:

                    1. love their community and want to use their college education to make a difference as a leader on campus and at home;
                    2. not be currently enrolled at a four-year college (students at two-year colleges may apply);
                    3. live in one of their seven Act Six program sites; and
                    4. want to attend at least one of the Act Six partner colleges in their program site.
                    5. be a US citizen

                  • 5 Strong Scholarship Program

                    Deadline: December 1

                    Details: The 5 Strong Scholarship Foundation, Inc. Partners with Historically Black Colleges and Universities to provide full-tuition scholarships and ongoing support to promising student leaders from “Matriculation to Graduation.”

                    Eligibility: To be considered, you must...

                    1. Reside in the METROPOLITAN ATLANTA, Georgia AREA (surrounding Fulton County areas)
                    2. Have a minimum GPA of 2.8 and minimum ACT: 19 / SAT: 990 (Verbal & Math only)
                    3. Have the potential to be a leader in the classroom and on campus
                    4. Be available to attend all College Ready Prep Sessions in Atlanta (twice a month) if accepted.

                  • DoD SMART Scholarship

                    Deadline: December 1 

                    Details: SMART is a scholarship-for-service program that provides full tuition and other financial benefits to individuals in exchange for a period of post-graduation civilian service in a DoD facility.

                    Another benefit of the program comes in the form of internships that allow for broadly relevant hands-on research and work experiences in DoD facilities.

                    Eligibility: Individuals applying for this scholarship must be:

                    1. A citizen of the United States, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, or the United Kingdom
                    2. Applicants MUST be pursuing a technical degree in one of the 21 STEM disciplines.
                    3. Able to participate in summer internships at a DoD facility
                    4. Willing to accept post-graduate employment with the DoD
                    5. A student in good standing with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale at the time of award
                    6. Pursuing a technical undergraduate or graduate degree in one of the disciplines listed on the “About SMART” page

                  • Science Ambassador Scholarship

                    Application Deadline: December 13

                    Details: The Science Ambassador Scholarship is a full-ride scholarship for undergraduate women studying science, technology, engineering, or math, funded by Cards Against Humanity. To apply, applicants must submit a three-minute video explaining a scientific topic they’re passionate about.

                    Eligibility: The Science Ambassador Scholarship is open to female undergraduate students and high school seniors. All fields within science, technology, engineering, and math are eligible.

                    Open to international students! You do not need to be a U.S. citizen to apply. You do need to attend college (or plan to attend college) in the United States or a United States Territory.

                  • Air Force ROTC (Type 1 High School) Scholarship

                    Application Deadline: December 31

                    Details: Pays full (100 percent) college tuition and authorized fees at any public or private institution with an Air Force ROTC detachment.

                    Type 1 selectees will also receive a monthly living expense stipend and an annual book stipend. 

                    Eligibility: Applicants must have...

                    1. An SAT composite of 1240 or ACT composite of 26
                    2. A GPA of 3.0 or higher for high school student applicants
                    3. Must be a current high school student.
                    4. For college applicants, the Air Force ROTC Commander will determine the minimum GPA and test scores, if applicable, for scholarship eligibility. 

                  • Posse Scholars Program

                    Application deadline: Varies by location

                    Details: The Posse Scholars Program is a full-tuition scholarship offered to students in these 10 cities that the Posse community operates. High school students must be nominated for through their high school or community-based organization to be eligible. 

                    To be eligible, a high school senior must:

                    1. Be nominated by their high school or a community-based organization
                    2. Be in the first term of their senior year in high school
                    3. Demonstrate leadership within their high school, community, or family
                    4. Demonstrate academic potential
                    5. Apply on time; depending on the Posse city, nominations are accepted in the spring and summer before senior year begins (contact your local Posse office for specific deadlines)

                  US Colleges & Universities with Full-Ride Scholarships

                  Most top-ranked universities do not offer full-ride merit based scholarships. However, plenty of great schools offer full-ride scholarships!

                  Be sure to look on each college or university's website for additional details on the full-ride scholarships that they offer and if you are eligible to apply. 

                  • Agnes Scott College
                  • American University 
                  • Clemson University 
                  • Drake University 
                  • Duke University 
                  • Fordham University 
                  • Furman University 
                  • Indiana University Bloomington
                  • Knox College
                  • Lewis and Clark College 
                  • Louisiana State University 
                  • Loyola Marymount University 
                  • Miami University 
                  • Michigan State University 
                  • Morehouse College
                  • North Carolina State University 
                  • Northeastern University 
                  • Oberlin College
                  • Ohio State University 
                  • Purdue University 
                  • Rhodes College
                  • Saint Louis University 
                  • Salem College
                  • Southern Methodist University 
                  • St. Lawrence University 
                  • Stevens Institute of Technology
                  • Syracuse University 
                  • Texas Christian University 
                  • The Catholic University of America
                  • The George Washington University 
                  • University of Alabama 
                  • University of Buffalo
                  • University of Chicago
                  • University of Delaware
                  • University of Georgia
                  • University of Illinois 
                  • University of Kentucky
                  • University of Maryland, College Park
                  • University of Miami 
                  • University of Mississippi
                  • University of North Carolina, Charlotte
                  • University of Pittsburgh 
                  • University of Richmond 
                  • University of Texas at Austin 
                  • University of Texas at Dallas 
                  • University of Wisconsin 

                  Tips for Applying for (and winning!) Full-Ride Scholarships

                  1. Be realistic!

                  The majority of full-ride scholarships are extremely competitive because of the amount of money that is awarded.

                  So, don't plan to attend a certain college or plan your scholarship searching/applying around the hope that you will be the recipient of a full-ride scholarship.

                  2. Vary the types of scholarships you're applying for.

                  Sure, applying to every full-ride scholarship that you are eligible for can't hurt you, but it's important to make sure that you are varying the types of scholarships you are applying for.

                  Applying for a mix of small amount and bigger amount scholarships will leave you more likely to walk away with some cash.

                  3. Be ready for interviews.

                  Most of these scholarships, as I stated, are extremely competitive. Therefore, the organization (or college) running the scholarship program likely will require an interview at some stage in the process to get to know you better. 

                  4. Be strategic with your letters of recommendation.

                  While this goes for any scholarships you are applying for, it is especially important to consider this when applying for the big full-ride scholarships.

                  Make sure you ask people who know you well and can attest to all of your wonderful qualities and potential.

                  5. Get involved in your community.

                  So many of the full-ride scholarships specify that leadership skills and experience, along with community outreach, are some of the most important and decisive factors in who wins and who doesn't.

                  So, if you know early on in high school that you want to apply for some of these scholarships, be sure to find personally rewarding ways to get involved in your community as early as possible.

                  6. Choose courses that challenge you.

                  If you're in high school, and you're applying to merit-based full-ride scholarships, then it's very likely that the judges will be determining winners based on the types of classes you have taken and how well you have performed in them.  Be sure to have someone read over your essays and if you need additional help, enlist the best scholarship essay writing service possible to look it over.

                  These scholarships often look for students who take on rigorous course loads and succeed in doing so.   

                  Image of Stefanie Barlow
                  Expert review completed by Stefanie Barlow on 3/4/25
                  College Admissions Coach and Consultant at Admissionado.
                  Read more about Stefanie Barlow