If applying to college makes your palms sweat, the prospect of funding it can be even more overwhelming.
And yes — student loans are a thing, unfortunately.
Before long, your joy at being accepted can be overshadowed by stress about expenses.
Fortunately, there are thousands of scholarships available that can ease the financial burden of higher education. Whether you’re a high schooler, an undergrad or working on a graduate degree, you may qualify for substantial assistance.
You don’t have to be a straight-A student, come from a low-income household or juggle a dozen clubs to qualify. In many cases, a particular talent or niche interest — even savvy approaches to earning or saving money — can land you funds to cover tuition, room and board, or textbooks.
Below is a long list of great scholarships to kick off your search. Application criteria and dates do change, so read each program’s eligibility details on the sponsor’s site before you apply.
We’ll refresh this roundup throughout the year, so check back periodically for new opportunities.
Good luck on your scholarship hunt!
These organizations award funds multiple times annually — during spring and fall semesters, quarterly or even monthly. If you missed the earliest deadline this year, see whether another window is coming up.
1. AfterCollege/AACN Scholarship Fund
This fund grants a $2,500 scholarship each quarter to students enrolled at an American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) member school. Awards support bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral nursing degrees.
The selection panel tends to favor students pursuing graduate work to become nurse educators, those in RN-to-BSN or RN-to-MSN tracks, and applicants in accelerated programs.
Deadlines: March 31, June 30, Sept. 30, Dec. 31
2. CollegeSTEPS Sweepstakes
Sponsored by Wells Fargo, this award is open to high schoolers ages 14+ and college students. Each year 12 winners — six high school and six college students — are picked at random to receive $5,000 apiece.
Deadline: Rolling — winners selected throughout the year.
3. Courage to Grow
This monthly scholarship of $500 is available to high school juniors and seniors and college students with a minimum 2.5 GPA. Applicants must submit a short essay.
Deadline: Last day of each month.
4. United States Senate Youth Program
Each year two juniors or seniors from every state, D.C. and the Department of Defense Education Activity are chosen for this program, which includes a $10,000 scholarship. The 104 delegates attend Washington Week. Applicants must be active in student government and need a principal or teacher nomination.
Deadlines: Vary by state (typically between July and November).
5. “No Essay” College Scholarship
Yes — there’s a scholarship with no essay required. Niche.com runs this monthly drawing open to high school and college students, and anyone planning to enroll in college or grad school within the next 12 months.
Deadline: End of each month.
6. $1,000 Local Survey Sweepstakes
Share details about your neighborhood with Niche.com to enter a monthly drawing for $1,000. Submitting an entry each month improves your chances.
Deadline: End of each month.
7. CaptainU Student-Athlete Scholarship
CaptainU helps student-athletes promote themselves to college coaches and streamlines recruiting.
High school and junior college athletes planning to transfer to a four-year school can vie for a $2,000 award by completing a profile and promoting themselves and CaptainU on social media.
Deadline: Quarterly.
8. DoSomething.org Campaign Scholarships
Volunteer for any DoSomething.org campaign (examples include food drives or anti-bullying efforts) and you could win up to $22,000. Submit photos documenting your work to enter.
Entrants must be 13–25 years old; if you aren’t in college when you win, the organization will hold the prize until you enroll.
Deadline: Varies by campaign.
9. Golden Key International Honour Society Scholarships
Golden Key has a focus on academics, leadership and service, and annually distributes over half a million dollars in scholarships to undergraduate and graduate members.
Deadline: Varies by award.
10. Nitro College Scholarship
Complete the Nitro College survey and answer three brief questions for a chance to win $5,000. You can also refer a friend — if they win and list you, you’ll each receive $1,000. There are four deadlines each year.
Deadlines: March 31, June 30, Sept. 30, Dec. 31.
11. Howtostartablog.com Scholarship Program
Open to high school seniors, this scholarship asks you to create a blog using the site’s guidance. Publish a video on your new blog discussing how blogging will influence the future of the digital economy and work in America. The prize is $2,500.
Deadlines: Applications accepted year-round; winners announced March 31.
12. Appraisal Institute Education Trust Undergraduate Scholarship
Students enrolled in associate or bachelor’s programs related to real estate can apply for this $1,000 award. Applicants must show academic accomplishment and submit a personal statement, two recommendations, transcripts and a resume.
Deadline: Varies by specific scholarship.
13. The Festivus Scholarship
Students returning to education after a hiatus can earn $250 by succeeding in four rounds of general-knowledge quizzes. Enter via the Common Knowledge Scholarship Fund for the fall quiz (usually in September) or the spring quiz (usually in January).
Deadlines: December and April.
14. Best Reviews Design Scholarship
This scholarship is open to students currently in high school or college, or those with proof of future enrollment. To win $2,000, write up to 500 words on how product design can positively change the world. There are two cycles each year.
Deadlines: June 1 and Dec. 1.
These scholarships are typically open for applications from July through September.
Note: Some awards have multiple cycles and may also appear in the spring list.
1. Jane M. Klausman Women in Business Scholarship
Women studying business or enrolled in a business-related program may apply via their local Zonta club for this scholarship. Zonta awards 12 international scholarships of $7,000 and 32 district/region scholarships of $1,000. Applicants of any age may apply.
Deadlines: Vary by local club; club finalists must be submitted to regional reps by July 1.
2. Resume Companion Annual Scholarship Giveaway
Create a resume for a fictional character to enter this $1,000 scholarship. There’s no GPA requirement.
Deadline: July 14.
3. SportFact’s $1000 Scholarship
If you love sports stats, Sportsfact.org wants to know how you’d apply that passion for sports data in a meaningful way. Apply via this form.
Deadline: July 31.
4. CIA Undergraduate Scholarship Program
This is more of a program commitment than a one-time scholarship. The CIA offers this opportunity to high school seniors planning a four-year college or current college students.
Selected students receive up to $18,000 per year in salary plus full benefits, and work at the CIA in D.C. each summer.
Deadline: Aug. 14.
5. Race Entry Scholarship
Race Entry asks applicants to explain why they run in races. Open to college students, the winner receives a $500 scholarship.
Deadline: Aug. 15.
6. “You Deserve It” Scholarship Sweepstakes
Provided by ScholarshipOwl, creating a free account on the scholarship site enters you to win $1,000. Applicants must be at least 16 and either in high school or college.
Deadline: Aug. 29.
7. Cappex Easy Money Scholarship
Each month Cappex awards $1,000. Any high school or college student can apply by completing the online form.
Deadline: Aug. 31.
8. C.I.P. Scholarship
College is Power awards $1,000 to entering or continuing students in full- or part-time programs. Funds cover tuition, books, room and board and related costs.
Deadline: Aug. 31.
9. Clubs of America Scholarship
College students with a 3.0 GPA can apply for this $1,000 award via Clubs of America. Applicants must submit an essay of at least 600 words about career goals.
Deadline: Aug. 31.
10. MoolahSPOT Scholarship
MoolahSPOT offers a $1,000 scholarship to students worldwide; essays and applications must be written in English. New and returning college and graduate students may apply.
Deadline: Aug. 31.
11. Scholarship Detective Launch Scholarship
Register for free at ScholarshipDetective.com and submit a statement of 140 characters or less to enter a drawing for one of two $1,000 awards.
Deadline: Aug. 31.
12. American Hort Scholarships
HRI administers seven scholarship funds for agriculture and horticulture students, with awards up to $4,000 depending on eligibility.
Deadline: Sept. 8.
13. Muggets Scholarship
Students enrolled in horticulture vocational, undergraduate or graduate programs with a minimum 2.25 GPA can apply for this $1,500 scholarship, which requires two recommendations.
Deadline: Sept. 8.
14. Thomas “Sarge” Johnson Scholarship
These 11 scholarships support active USA Boxing members who’ve competed in at least two sanctioned bouts this year and in each of the prior two years, and who’ve completed at least one semester at a college, technical or vocational school.
Award amounts include two trade school awards of $2,000, seven undergraduate awards of $3,000 each, and two graduate awards of $2,500 each.
Deadline: Sept. 15.
15. CoffeeForLess.com “Hit the Books” Scholarship
College students aged 18–25 can enter to win $500 by writing a 500-word essay about why education matters to them. Essays that cleverly incorporate a love of coffee get bonus points.
Deadlines: Jan. 31 and Sept. 30.
16. Odenza Marketing Scholarship
With at least a 2.5 GPA, applicants ages 16–25 from the U.S. and Canada can submit two short essays to compete for a $500 award. More details at Odenza’s site.
Deadline: Sept. 30.
17. SkinCare Ox: Beauty + Wellness Scholarship
SkinCare Ox offers $500 and a gift basket to a young woman committed to personal wellness. Applicants submit an essay (max 500 words) describing their health and wellness journey.
Deadline: Sept. 30.
18. Top Reveal Scholarship
If you have opinions on the smart home trend, you could win this scholarship. Applicants must have a 3.0 GPA or higher, be enrolled in college, and write a school-level essay on one of three smart-home topics.
Deadline: Sept. 30.
19. AfterCollege Succurro Scholarship
Full-time undergraduate and graduate students with at least a 2.5 GPA can apply for this $500 quarterly scholarship.
Deadline: Sept. 30.
These awards generally accept applications from October through December.
1. Create Real Impact
A creative entry about distracted driving could win you a $500 or $1,500 prize. The judging panel also selects a Spanish-language winner and an American Sign Language winner along with the grand prize recipient.
Deadline: Oct. 6.
2. NSCA Foundation Scholarship
The National Strength and Conditioning Association Foundation awards five scholarships annually to students pursuing careers in strength and conditioning-related fields. Each scholarship is worth $1,500 and applicants must be NSCA members by the deadline. More at NSCA Foundation.
Deadline: Oct. 15.
3. College JumpStart Scholarship
Open to students in grades 10–12, current college students and nontraditional learners, the College JumpStart Scholarship offers various award amounts. Submit a short personal statement about your goals and achievements to apply.
Deadlines: April 15 and Oct. 17.
4. Voice of Democracy
This scholarship judges entrants on a 3–5 minute audio essay. The national first-place winner receives $30,000 for any U.S. college or vocational school, and other awards range from $1,000 to $16,000.
Deadline: Oct. 31.
5. Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation Scholarship
Coca-Cola runs multiple scholarship programs, including a main scholarship that awards 150 recipients $20,000 each, focusing on leadership and service.
Deadline: Oct. 31.
6. MigVapor Essay Contest
Applicants craft an essay proposing viable solutions to help smokers make positive changes in their lives, touching on e-cigarettes and vaporizers. Open to full-time undergraduate and graduate students age 18+. Up to $1,900 in awards; cycles reopen each semester.
Deadline: Nov. 1.
7. Prudential Spirit of Community Awards
U.S. students in grades 5–12 who engaged in community service in the past year can receive a Prudential Spirit of Community Award. National Honorees get $5,000, a medallion, a trophy and a $5,000 grant to a charity of their choice; State Honorees receive $1,000, a medallion and a trip to Washington, D.C.
Deadline: Nov. 17.
8. Unigo Education Matters Scholarship
This scholarship asks current or incoming college students to write a short response about how they would respond to someone who believes education isn’t important. The prize is $5,000.
Deadline: Nov. 30.
9. Groza Learning Center Education Scholarship
To apply for this $1,000 scholarship, students write a brief essay on the theme of redemption. The organization seeks comeback stories to help cover higher-education costs.
Deadline: Nov. 30.
10. Comcast Leaders and Achievers Scholarship
Principals may nominate one student per school for this $1,000 award for students who show commitment to community service, leadership and academics; higher-level scholarships are also available. Since 2000, the program has awarded over $26 million to more than 25,000 students. More at Comcast’s site.
Deadline: Nov. 30.
11. Lawrence A. Golding Scholarship
The American College of Sports Medicine awards one undergraduate at its annual summit with $1,000 in scholarship money plus $1,000 credit at the ACSM store for educational materials. Sophomores, juniors and seniors who’ve contributed significantly to health, fitness or education are eligible.
Deadline: End of November.
12. HomeSecurityList Smart Home Scholarship
HomeSecurityList seeks students fascinated by the “smart home revolution.” Accepted high school seniors and current college or trade-school students may submit a 1,000–2,000 word essay on a relevant topic to compete for a $1,000 scholarship.
Deadline: Dec. 10.
13. Agora Pulse Social Media Management Scholarship
This $1,000 scholarship targets aspiring social media managers in high school or college. Applicants write a brief essay about the best use of social media management they’ve seen.
Deadline: Dec. 15.
14. Burger King McLamore Foundation Scholarship
Burger King offers scholarships between $1,000 and $50,000 to high school seniors or full-time college students who graduated within the past three years. The Burger King Scholarship requires a 2.5 GPA; McLamore requires 3.3.
Deadline: Dec. 15.
15. Publicity.ai SEO and Content Marketing Scholarship
High school and college students with a passion for marketing can apply for this $1,000 scholarship by writing a short essay on excellent examples of content marketing — Publicity.ai is scouting the next generation of marketing leaders.
Deadline: Dec. 15.
16. Foot Locker Scholar Athletes Scholarship
Foot Locker awards $20,000 scholarships to 20 high school seniors each year who plan to attend a four-year accredited U.S. college. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents and active in school or after-school athletics.
Deadline: End of December.
17. $500 Culinary Scholarship
High school students planning to attend culinary school and current culinary students can apply for this $500 award from Niche.com: Culinary Scholarship.
Deadline: Dec. 31.
18. $500 Nursing Scholarship
Prospective and current nursing students can enter to win this $500 scholarship from Niche.com: Nursing Scholarship.
Deadline: Dec. 31.
19. Community College Scholarship
Niche.com offers $500 to current and prospective community college students.
Deadline: Dec. 31.
20. Gen and Kelly Tanabe Scholarship
This $1,000 merit scholarship is open to incoming and current undergraduate and graduate students. Applicants submit a 250-word essay.
Deadline: Dec. 31.
21. Luigi Wewege Foundation Scholarship
Luigi Wewege offers a $1,500 scholarship toward tuition. Applicants complete the linked form and write a short essay on how retail banking might change over the next 25 years.
Deadline: Dec. 31.
22. Unigo $10K Scholarship
Imagine you’ve been elected president — what’s your first tweet? Answer and you could win a $10,000 scholarship. Winners must enroll in college by fall 2023.
Deadline: Dec. 31.
These scholarships typically accept applications from January through March.
1. Princeton Prize in Race Relations
This $1,000 award recognizes students in grades 9–12 who have used service to significantly promote positive race relations in the previous 12 months. Winners also receive an all-expenses-paid trip to Princeton for a symposium. One prize is given in each of the organization’s 27 regions.
Deadline: January.
2. Triple-Impact Competitor Scholarship
Positive Coaching Alliance awards $1,000–$2,000 scholarships to high school juniors who write about improving themselves, their teammates and the game. Applicants must live in the U.S. and play for a high school or club team; at least 62 scholarships are awarded annually.
Deadline: Jan. 1.
3. The Annual CGTrader Scholarship
CGTrader, the 3D model marketplace, offers three scholarships: one $1,500 prize for a first-person-window concept and two $500 awards. Applicants write an essay on “using games for social good and playful learning.”
Deadline: Jan. 15.
4. Ronald McDonald House Charities Scholarships
Ronald McDonald House Charities offers several scholarships to high school seniors who live in areas served by participating RMHC chapters.
Deadline: Jan. 17.
5. Redfin Scholarship
Write up to 800 words about affordable housing to compete for this $2,500 scholarship. Eligible applicants include high school seniors and college freshmen, sophomores and juniors with a 3.0 GPA.
Deadline: Jan. 31.
6. Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholarship
Minority high school students can apply for awards of up to $28,000 over four years, plus mentoring, leadership development and internships. The foundation typically awards about 60 scholarships annually. Apply at Jackie Robinson Foundation.
Deadline: Feb. 15.
7. AWS Foundation National Scholarship Program
The American Welding Society provides more than 30 scholarships to students in the U.S. and Canada pursuing welding careers. Many awards are $2,500 or more and are available to students attending four-year colleges. Applicants create one profile to match with options.
Deadline: Feb. 15.
8. Society of Women Engineers Scholarships
Women studying engineering, engineering technology or computer science in the U.S. or Mexico can apply for numerous scholarships with a single SWE application. Both undergraduate and graduate students are eligible; awards range roughly from $1,000 to $20,000.
Deadline: Feb. 15 (for sophomores and higher).
9. Wear Action Scholarship
Write about how technology helps you stay fit to win a $500 scholarship. High school and college students with a 3.0 GPA are eligible; essays must be at least 700 words on fitness gadgets’ positive impact.
Deadline: Feb. 28.
10. Frame My Future Scholarship Contest
High school seniors and current college students can submit creative work (photo, poem, painting, etc.) plus a 500-word essay about career goals for this contest. Judges pick 24 finalists and public voting determines the top five winners, each receiving $1,000.
Deadline: March 1.
11. American Legion Auxiliary Scholarship for Non-Traditional Students
The American Legion Auxiliary awards five $2,000 scholarships to students returning to school after an interruption or adults beginning higher education later in life.
Deadline: March 1.
12. Life Lessons Scholarship Program
Applicants submit an essay or short video about how losing a parent in childhood affected them. Eighteen scholarships ranging from $5,000 to $15,000 will be awarded. Details at Life Happens.
Deadline: March 1.
13. Headphone Selection Scholarship Program
This $500 essay scholarship asks students to write up to 1,000 words on “The Effect of Sound on Productivity.” The program seeks well-researched, analytical submissions.
Deadline: March 1.
14. Legal Opportunity Scholarship Fund
First-year law students can apply for this American Bar Association award. Both full-time and part-time students are eligible; 20 recipients receive $15,000 spread across three years of law school. More at the ABA site.
Deadline: March 2.
15. Bodie McDowell Scholarship
Juniors, seniors and graduate students studying outdoor communications or journalism may apply for awards ranging from $1,000 to $5,000. See OWAA for details.
Deadline: March 2.
16. Veterans United Foundation Scholarship
Children or surviving spouses of deceased U.S. service members may apply. Submit a typed essay explaining how the loss affected you and what you intend to pursue. More at Veterans United.
Deadline: March 30.
17. Davis-Putter Scholarship Fund
This $10,000 scholarship supports students active in social and economic justice movements. Applicants submit a personal statement, two recommendations, transcript, proof of financial need and a photo.
Deadline: March 31.
Apply for these scholarships between April and June.
1. The Herbert Lehman Education Fund Scholarship
This $8,000 award from the Note: The Herbert Lehman Education Fund scholarship and additional summer-cycle awards will be posted on the sponsor’s site with full eligibility details and deadlines. As you search for scholarships, also consider exploring quirky and lesser-known options like 100 weird college scholarships which can sometimes be less competitive and surprisingly rewarding.
