Scholarships can help fund your education with money that does not need to be repaid. Scholarships are often awarded based on academic achievement, athletic ability, or extracurricular involvement. They may come from the government, your college, private organizations, or nonprofits. Research the different scholarship opportunities that you may qualify for and apply by the specified deadlines. Scholarships and grants are gift aid — financial aid that does not have to be repaid. Scholarships are typically merit based, while grants are given based on financial need. Both can come from the government, the university, or a private organization.
Financial aid helps students and their families cover higher education expenses such as tuition and fees, housing and food, books and other coursework supplies, and transportation. You can learn more about financial aid here
You can learn more about scholarships for international students here
Pre- College Scholarships
IB Scholarship
Who: Any secondary school student between the ages of 12 and 19 is eligible to apply. Students are eligible to apply as individuals or groups, but we highly recommend students collaborate whenever possible.
What: As a pathway to action for the Festival of Hope, the IB launched the Global Youth Action Fund in May 2023, an award open to any student or student group ages 12 through 19 who has a project or idea they believe will make an impact in their community.
How: Students can view all details here
Oxford Royale Essay Competition
Where: Leading universities in the UK and US.
Who: Students 13 to 18
What: Each year, an academic essay competition for ambitious students across the world, aged from 13 to 18, takes place. Students can select from a range of pre-defined essay topics, which are split into two categories: ages 13 to 15 and 16 to 18. The 2025 Essay Competition is now closed.
How: Students can view all details here
Financial aid opportunities
Where: Harvard Campus
Who: High school students, grades 9 through 12
What: One of the only pre-college programs in the world that provides need-based financial aid equally to both domestic and international students
How: Students can view all details here
Where: Washington University in St Louis, MO
Who: WashU FLI-In is an application-based program open to rising high school seniors (graduating in spring 2026) who reside in the U.S. or U.S. territories. We will give preference to students who are the first generation in their family to attend college or come from a limited-income household.
What: WashU FLI-In is a special small-group opportunity designed to introduce First-generation and Limited-Income students to the college application process and to WashU. WashU will cover the cost of your roundtrip travel to and from campus, along with housing meals during your stay. In this three-day program, you’ll engage in deeper exploration of an academic area of interest (Arts & Sciences, Business, Engineering, or PreMed) while experiencing campus life and our vibrant community! Learn about the resources and support available to first-generation and limited-income students.
When: The application deadline is 11:59 p.m. CT, May 23, 2025. Program dates vary according to the selected area of study:
Business, June 25-27
Engineering, July 9-11
PreMed, July 16-18
Arts & Sciences, July 23-25
How: Students can view more details in the program's website .
College Scholarships
Where: The candidates should be enrolled in an accredited degree-granting institution.
Who: The applicants of Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA) Undergraduate Scholarships should be enrolled as full-time, sophomores, or beyond. Applicants are expected to have a minimum GPA of 3.0. Candidates applying for Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA) Undergraduate Scholarships demonstrate community service and involvement.
What: Alpha Kappa Alpha Educational Advancement Foundation, Inc. (AKA EAF) is the philanthropic arm of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. We are a 501(c) 3 entity that has been actively working to help students pay for higher education since 1980.
How: Students can view all details here
Where: ABET-accredited college or university
Who: High School graduates
What: The Donald and Barbara Mozley Scholarship provides financial support for students pursuing an engineering degree at an ABET-accredited college or university.
How: Students can view all details here
Where: Universities in the US
Who: This scholarship is designated for a woman who is the primary source of support for her family and is enrolling as an incoming freshman to earn a bachelor’s degree or associate’s degree in accounting. Open to Female US nationals.
What: EFWA Women In Transition Scholarships 2025 is offered for Bachelors degree in the field of Accounting
How: Students can view all details here
Where: All units: Milan, Florence, Paris, London, Dubai and Mumbai
Who: All candidates to undergraduate and postgraduate courses
What: The deduction can be applied to courses at Undergraduate and Postgraduate level offered by Istituto Marangoni.
When: March 23rd, 2025.
How: Students can view all details here
SCAD Challenge
Where: SCAD, Savannah, GA, USA
Who: Most undergraduate scholarships are awarded to degree-seeking students
What: 80% of new SCAD students receive scholarships. A multitude of options are available, such as Distinguished Scholars, Multicultural Student and International Student Scholarship.
How: Students can view further details here
Where: Warsaw, Poland
Who: All candidates to undergraduate and postgraduate courses
What: Vistula Merit Scholarship, which provides significant financial support, covering a substantial portion of tuition fees for the entire duration of their studies. The scholarship is awarded based on students' academic excellence and extracurricular achievements, recognizing their dedication and overall contribution to their personal and academic growth.
When: Deadline for fall: Aug. 15th; Deadline for spring: January 15th
How: Students can view all details in the University's webiste or check out 2025's brochure
Where: Spain, multiple locations
Who: Aplicants must fulfill the following requirements for scholarships:
Have a grade point average of the last two years of high school equal to or higher than 8,5/10 (or the equivalent in their education system) upon being admitted to Esade.
Meet the economic criteria: The overall family economic situation, family income (maximum of €118,000 gross/year considering a family of 4 people) and securities and real estate values will be assessed.
What: Scholarships and Academic Merit Awards. If you’re a good student and enjoy learning, if you like taking on new challenges and responsibilities, if you are motivated by the idea of having a positive impact on others, then you have the talent the Esade Scholarship Programme is looking for, a programme designed to help you access our classrooms and make sure your economic or geographical circumstances don’t get in the way of your dreams.
When: To apply for your scholarship, first complete the application process for your chosen undergraduate programme. If you have been admitted to more than one programme, you do not need to submit a scholarship application for each one; simply apply for your preferred option.
How: Students can view more details in the program's website .