Undocumented Students

For undocumented students specifically, there are many resource guides available to guide you in the direction of scholarships that do not take status into consideration (or do not require U.S. Citizenship). 

• PDF of Undocumented Student Scholarships 

• GetSchooled Guided for Undocumented Students 

• ImmigrantsRising.org List of Scholarships

Undocumented Students are also eligible to complete the Senator Jose Peralta New York State DREAM Act as a part of New York State aid only for SUNY and CUNY schools. For more information the link is HERE.

American United Student Contest

DEADLINE: November 03, 2025

AU's annual contest encourages students to reflect on why religious freedom and church-state separation are important to them and their communities. Students must explain what they can do to ensure religious freedom is a shield that protects the rights of everyone to practice religion according to their own beliefs, or not practice at all, as long as they don't harm others. AU is looking to award 12 individuals with a $1,500 scholarship. 

Eligibility Criteria: HS students, original work by the student, submit one essay or video

Application Linked HERE

Burger King Scholars

DEADLINE: Opens October 15, 2025-December 15th, 2025 (or 30,000 applicants)

Created in memory of Burger King Co-Founder James “Jim” W. McLamore, the Burger King℠ Scholars program provides scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $60,000 to high school students and BK employees and their families. Scholarships are intended to offset the cost of attending college or post-secondary vocational/technical school. Recipients are selected through an application process that takes into consideration their grade point average (GPA), work experience, extracurricular activities, and community service. In 2022 alone, the Foundation awarded over $4.6 million in scholarships to nearly 4,000 students.

Eligibility Criteria: HS Senior, GPA of 2.0 or higher, U.S. Citizen, enrollment in a 4 or 2-year college, university, or technical school in the US.

Application Linked HERE

Optimum Hispanic Heritage Essay Contest

DEADLINE: October 31, 2025

Opportunities to connect culturally with others occur each day, whether through media and entertainment, experiences, or relationships with people in your community.

In 500 words or less, choose a person, group of people, or cultural experience (TV show, movie, music, app, event) that has helped you to connect to Hispanic culture and what that means to you.

Eligibility Criteria: HS Student, Short Response (500 words or less).

Application Linked HERE

Voice of Democracy Scholarship - Theme "How Are You Showing Patriotism and Support for Our Country?”

DEADLINE: October 31, 2025

Established in 1947, our Voice of Democracy audio-essay program provides high school students with the unique opportunity to express themselves in regards to a democratic and patriotic-themed recorded essay.  Each year, nearly 25,000 ninth through 12th-grade students from across the country enter to win their share of more than $1 million in educational scholarships and incentives awarded through the program.

The national first-place winner receives a $35,000 scholarship paid directly to the recipient’s American university, college or vocational/technical school. A complete list of other national scholarships range from $1,000-$21,000, and the first-place winner from each VFW Department (state) wins at least a scholarship of $1,000. Before submitting your essay, find your sponsoring local VFW at this address  https://www.vfw.org/find-a-post 

Eligibility Criteria: HS Senior, US Citizen, audio recording and essay

Application LINKED HERE

Buy-Rite's Annual Beauty School Scholarship

DEADLINE: November 1, 2025

Buy-Rite Beauty has always made a point to promote the hairstylist, cosmetology & beauty industry as a growing career field. From working directly with local salons to donating products to beauty schools, supporting the industry has always been a staple of our business.

Buy-Rite Beauty will be awarding a $1,000 scholarship to a hairstylist or cosmetology student who best exemplifies our core beliefs. We want to hear about their most meaningful achievement and how it relates to your future within the beauty industry.

Eligibility Criteria: HS Senior, US Citizen, enrolled or applied to a cosmetology program, and essay emailed to Scholarship@buyrightbeauty.com 

Application LINKED HERE

Most Valuable Student Scholarship

DEADLINE: November 12, 2025

Students pursuing a four-year degree can apply to this scholarship by the Elks National Foundation. They will be awarding 500 students scholarships for four years, ranging from $1,000 to $7,500. The top 20 scholarship applicants will participate in an all-expenses paid trip to Elks National Foundation's Leadership Weekend, where they are eligible to win even more money for college.

Eligibility Criteria: HS Senior, U.S. Citizen, Plan to enroll in a 4-year institution upon graduation, and demonstrated financial need (Pell grant recipient).

Application Linked HERE

The Jack Kent Cooke College Scholarship 

DEADLINE: November 12, 2025

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. Awards vary by individual, based on the cost of tuition as well as other grants or scholarships they may receive. This highly competitive scholarship includes:

• Up to $55,000 per year to attend a four-year accredited undergraduate school.

• Ability to pursue any area of study.

• Personal advising about selecting a college and navigating financial aid.

• Multifaceted advising about how to transition to college and maximize the student experience.

Eligibility Criteria: HS Senior, attend college in Fall of 2026, 3.75 GPA minimum, demonstrated financial need (gross family income maximum of $95,000 for 2024).

Application Linked HERE

AWS Welder Training Scholarship

DEADLINE: November 30, 2025

The AWS Welder Training Scholarship is for students seeking welder training in a certificate program less than two years in length through a trade school, community college, or other facility providing welder training. The scholarship cannot be used toward an associate or bachelor's degree program.

Up to 800 - $1,000 Welder Training Scholarships will be awarded annually.

Eligibility Criteria: HS Senior, Planning to attend a trade school or community college for welder training.

Application Linked HERE

UNIGO Education Matters Scholarship

DEADLINE: November 30, 2025

As a scholarship seeker, you're probably already well-aware of the importance of an education. But, what about the naysayers? Have you come across someone who's tried to talk you out of college, saying that it's not worth it?

While continuing your education takes time, and money, there's a certain value that everyone is hoping to achieve. Our Education Matters Scholarship is giving you the chance to state why education matters. Why does education matter to you? What is the value you hope to receive from college? What would you do to convince the college cynics? In order to be eligible for this scholarship, you must answer the question "What would you say to someone who thinks education doesn't matter, or that college is a waste of time and money?" (250 words or less) 

Speaking up for education could lead to helping you pay for your own. One applicant will be awarded our $5,000 Education Matters Scholarship.

Eligibility Criteria: HS Sophomore, Junior or Senior, U.S. Citizen, Short Answer Submission.

Application Linked HERE

Empowering Women in Tech- Essay Scholarship by Designli

DEADLINE: November 30, 2025

Designli is excited to award a $3,000 scholarship to a female high school, college, or graduate student from the U.S. interested in technology and entrepreneurship. While we have the privilege of working with many amazing female entrepreneurs and are successful in no small part due to the women working within our own company, we recognize that women are underrepresented in the field of technology and want to do our part to change that. Greater diversity of perspectives breeds more innovative ideas, so in our minds, creating more opportunities for women in technology is a no-brainer.

In 1,000 words, tell us what motivates and inspires you to pursue a career in technology or as an entrepreneur, and discuss the challenges, benefits, and opportunities for women in technology.

Eligibility Criteria: HS Senior, U.S. Citizens, HS Transcript, Essay, Intended field of study in undergrad.

Application Linked HERE

Overcoming the Impossible Scholarship

DEADLINE: November 30, 2025

No one can put a price on someone’s life or well-being. The struggle and challenges that surround a traumatic event, like a traffic collision or a personal injury, can leave them in a shadow of themselves. Overcoming that tragedy makes you stronger for yourself and others who hear your story.

We are proud to announce the return of our scholarship, the Overcoming the Impossible Scholarship. We want to hear how people face the impossible and how others can learn from their experiences.

The candidate must submit a 750-1,000 word essay response to the prompt: Describe how you or someone you know has faced a traumatic event and found a way to overcome the struggle to better shape themselves.

Eligibility Criteria: HS Senior, U.S. Citizens, GPA 3.0 or higher, Answer the Essay Question, Resume, & Transcript

Application Linked HERE

Ron Brown Scholarship

DEADLINE: December 1, 2025

The Ron Brown Scholarship honors the legacy of Ronald H. Brown through a selective scholarship program that advances higher education for community-minded and intellectually gifted African Americans. 

RBSP competitively awards 20-25 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 – the four pillars of the late Ronald H. Brown’s mission to uplift people of all races, cultures and ethnicities – especially our disadvantaged youth.

Eligibility Criteria: HS Senior, US Citizen, Identify as Black/African American, excel academically, leadership potential, participated in community service activities, demonstrate financial need (Pell recipient).

Requirements: 

• Two letters of recommendation

• Demographics

• High school information including an unofficial high school transcript

• Two essays each 500 words

Application Linked HERE

Barbara Lotze Scholarship for Future Physics Teachers

DEADLINE: December 1, 2025

The AAPT Board of Directors offers scholarships for future high school physics teachers. These scholarships, supported by an endowment funded by Barbara Lotze, are available only to U.S. citizens attending U.S. schools.

Undergraduate students enrolled, or planning to enroll, in physics teacher preparation curricula and high school seniors entering such programs are eligible. Successful applicants receive a stipend of up to $3,000 and a complimentary AAPT Student Membership for one year. The scholarship may be granted to an individual for each of four years.

Eligibility Criteria: HS Senior, US Citizen, plan to teach physics in a HS in the US, show promise of success in your studies

Application Linked HERE

Hagan Scholarship

DEADLINE: December 1, 2025

The Hagan Scholarship is a nationwide need-based merit scholarship, providing recipients “regardless of nationality” with the opportunity to achieve their goals and graduate college debt-free. The scholarship provides up to $7,500 each semester for up to 8 consecutive semesters. Applicants must graduate from a high school located in the United States. Eligible high schools include public, private, charter, magnet, and STEM schools. The Applicant’s Adjusted Gross Household Income reported for 2024 Federal Income Tax Purposes must not have exceeded $100,000. Free workshops, Free Schwab Brokerage Accounts, and Free Study Abroad provide recipients with a practical understanding of important life skills not typically covered in the school curriculum. Hagan Scholars have attended 637 colleges and universities located in 49 states and the District of Columbia.

Hagan Scholars who graduate college while in the Hagan Scholarship Program can apply for a Hagan Graduate Scholarship good for up to four additional semesters in college receiving up to $7,500 each semester.

Eligibility Criteria: HS Senior, 3.0 GPA or higher, plan to enroll in a 4-year non-profit institution in the Fall of 2026,  work 240 hours from January 1-September 1 2026, Adjusted gross income that does not exceed $100,000.

Application Linked HERE

Lamber-Goodnow Scholarships

DEADLINE: December 1, 2025

Lamber Goodnow Injury Lawyers (an award-winning personal injury law firm serving Phoenix, Denver & Chicago) awards several academic scholarships to students pursuing undergraduate and graduate degrees in a range of programs and schools.

There are 8 scholarships available in a range of fields: College Scholarship (general), Nursing, law school, med school, PT/OT scholarship, and summer scholarships

Eligibility Criteria: Each individual scholarship has an essay that varies. Check the website for each listings requirements.

Application Linked HERE

Denny's Hungry for Education Scholarship

DEADLINE: December 8, 2025

Denny’s is awarding more than $200,000 in scholarships to high school and college students in the United States and Puerto Rico. Denny’s Hungry for Education scholarship program is awarding deserving high school and college students and helping in the fight against childhood hunger. 22% of U.S. children under age 18 live in poverty and struggle every day with hunger, which impacts their ability to do their best in school. Denny’s HFE scholarship program is partnering with USHLI to award deserving high school and college students for their ideas to help in the fight against childhood hunger.

Question: Students must provide a 300-word essay on how Denny’s can unite communities.

Eligibility Criteria: HS Senior, U.S. Citizens, GPA 2.5 or higher, Answer the Essay Question, photo, Resume, & Transcript

Application Linked HERE

Denny's Hungry for Education Scholarship

DEADLINE: December 8, 2025

Denny’s is awarding more than $200,000 in scholarships to high school and college students in the United States and Puerto Rico. Denny’s Hungry for Education scholarship program is awarding deserving high school and college students and helping in the fight against childhood hunger. 22% of U.S. children under age 18 live in poverty and struggle every day with hunger, which impacts their ability to do their best in school. Denny’s HFE scholarship program is partnering with USHLI to award deserving high school and college students for their ideas to help in the fight against childhood hunger.

Question: Students must provide a 300-word essay on how Denny’s can unite communities.

Eligibility Criteria: HS Senior, U.S. Citizens, GPA 2.5 or higher, Answer the Essay Question, photo, Resume, & Transcript

Application Linked HERE

Rise Above Scholarship

DEADLINE: December 13, 2025

It is a great feeling to be a part of a team working towards a common goal. Working for a good company instills essential values and develops people socially and professionally. At Silberman & Lam LLP, we advocate for the everyday employee. Our firm works on cases primarily regarding Workers’ Compensation law, and we are very familiar with seeing employees being taken advantage of by their employers. Often, people are uninformed of their rights as employees, allowing managers or executives to exploit their labor and time.

That is why we created the Rise Above Scholarship to hear from students across the nation about any similar experience that shaped them. As a workers’ compensation firm, we hope this scholarship will create helpful discussions between students to instill confidence as an employee. 

Essay (750-1,000 words): share a time when they were being taken advantage of as employees, interns, or group members. How did this experience affect your professional relationships with those involved? Has your experience helped you look for future or current employment red flags? How did a negative, professional situation turn out to be a positive one in the long run, and how did you learn from it?

Eligibility Criteria: HS Senior, US Citizen, 3.0 GPA or higher, transcripts, priority given to people either from or attending school in CA.

Application Linked HERE

Science Ambassador Scholarship

DEADLINE: December 15, 2025

The Science Ambassador Scholarship is a full–tuition scholarship for women and non-binary students in STEM.

Film a three–minute educational video of yourself explaining a STEM topic you're passionate about. You must be a high school senior or an undergraduate college student to apply. To view videos we've liked in the past, check out our previous winners. Your video should be:

• A mini–lecture, not a personal statement. Pretend you're a lecturer speaking to a class. Teach us something.

• Clear, creative, accurate, and a demonstration of your passion for the subject. We value novel, memorable approaches to topics. Your video doesn't need to be fancy or high–tech. Production value is not a factor.

• Three minutes or less in length. Videos longer than this will not be considered. No exceptions!

• About any STEM topic, not necessarily your field of study. Pick a topic that excites and fascinates you. We don't need to hear about the latest thing in science news (unless that's your jam).

• Scientifically accurate. We encourage you to cite the sources used to research your topic. Ideally, this would be in a slide or frame at the end of your video. You can use any citation format you'd like.

• Uploaded to YouTube and marked ‘public.’ No exceptions!

Undocu-Friendly!

Eligibility Criteria: HS/Undergraduate Student, Video Submission, Identify as a women or non-binary individual, STEM Major

Application Linked HERE

The Science Ambassador Scholarship

DEADLINE: December 15, 2025

An annual scholarship funded by Cards Against Humanity for undergraduate women and non-binary students in science, technology, engineering, or math.

It's easy! Film a three–minute educational video of yourself explaining a STEM topic you're passionate about. Your video should be:

• A mini–lecture, not a personal statement. Pretend you're a lecturer speaking to a class. Teach us something.

• Clear, creative, accurate, and a demonstration of your passion for the subject. We value novel, memorable approaches to topics. Your video doesn't need to be fancy or high–tech. Production value is not a factor.

• Three minutes or less in length. Videos longer than this will not be considered. No exceptions!

• About any STEM topic, not necessarily your field of study. Pick a topic that excites and fascinates you. 

• Scientifically accurate. We encourage you to cite the sources used to research your topic. Ideally, this would be in a slide or frame at the end of your video. You can use any citation format you'd like.

• Uploaded to YouTube and marked ‘public.’ No exceptions!

Eligibility Criteria: HS/Undergraduate Student, identify as a woman or as non-binary, plan on studying STEM for your undergraduate career, Video Submission.  Undocu friendly! 

Application Linked HERE

Unigo $10,000 Annual Scholarship

DEADLINE: December 31, 2025

Being funny can get you far in life - it makes people like you and may open up a lot of doors. Smart people are generally always in demand, and they can usually command high salaries. Rich people are more likely to be able to focus only doing things they enjoy.

It's important to be happy with who you are, regardless of your wealth or intelligence level. So tell us, would you rather be smart, funny or rich...and why?

Our Unigo $10K Scholarship could help increase your education with $10,000 to use towards school.

Eligibility Criteria: HS Junior/Senior, US Citizen & Short Answer response.

Application Linked HERE

Power of Resilience Scholarship

DEADLINE: December 31, 2025

Scott has devoted his career to advocating for the rights of insurance policyholders and fighting for them to receive what they deserve- justice in the face of terrifying situations. Since beginning his career defending insurance companies, Scott now understands the strategies that may be used to completely deny, underpay, or delay policyholders’ claims. Further, Scott knows how to stay one step ahead of the insurance companies and will fight for your rights, helping you to feel secure and alleviate the worry, fear, and pain typically associated with these situations. To this end, Scott has established a $1,000 scholarship with the purpose of supporting a student.

Eligibility Criteria: HS Senior, 3.0 GPA or higher, and 1,000 max word essay about a serious life challenge you've encountered, and how you overcame it.

Application Linked HERE

MileMark Media Legal Scholarship

DEADLINE: December 31, 2025

Are you a high school student, undergrad or grad student interested in learning more about law, forensics or criminal behavior?

MileMark Media is proud to offer a $1000 scholarship for those interested in learning more about the law and our legal system. 

Please write a 500 word essay telling us why you are interested in the law, criminal justice or forensics.  Your essay can include life events and other key influences, career plans or anything else that contributes to your interest.

Eligibility Criteria: Current HS/Undergraduate student, minimum of 3.0 GPA, transcript and essay sent to scholarships@milemarkmedia.com 

Information and Submission Linked HERE

FOSSI Scholarship

DEADLINE: January 15, 2026

Apply for the $40,000 FOSSI Scholarship

Are you a high school student looking to make the world or your community a better place?

Do you plan to attend an HBCU next year?

Do you have an interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math?

If you answered yes, FOSSI may be for you. Learn where a FOSSI scholarship can take you.

Eligibility Criteria: US Citizen or legal resident, 3.0 GPA or higher, plan on attending an HBCU in Fall of 2025, demonstrate financial need, Pursue studies in a pertinent chemical and engineering industry STEM field (preferred majors listed), and have interest in pursuing a career in chemical manufacturing, engineering, environmental health and sustainability or other related chemical-industry fields.

Application LINKED HERE

Mas Family Scholarships

DEADLINE: January 31, 2026

The Mas Family Scholarships program is dedicated to celebrating Cuban heritage and empowering future generations of Cuban Americans.  Our mission is to recognize and reward outstanding academic achievement, leadership potential, and a strong commitment to community service.  We are passionate about supporting talented individuals who embody the spirit of our Cuban community.

Eligibility Criteria: HS Senior, 3.5 GPA, born in Cuba or of Cuban descent, personal statement, resume, additional essay.

Application LINKED HERE

New Year, New Opportunity

DEADLINE: January 31, 2026

Since 1995, our mission has been to help connect students with the right schools for them. Carnegie Dartlet, the organization that houses CollegeXpress, is an educational publisher and higher education marketing agency. Every year, thousands of students across the United States and around the world discover their colleges using our websites, magazines, and services.

Eligibility Criteria: legal resident or US Citizen.

Application LINKED HERE

American Public Servant Scholarship

DEADLINE: January 30, 2026

Students interested in careers such as teaching, law enforcement, and public health are not only badly needed, but represent the true American spirit of contribution to their fellow citizens. This line of work requires meticulous study, sacrifice, and altruism to create meaningful change. It is essential that talented, interested students understand the importance of public service and the role they can play in shaping our nation’s 

future.

As a way to help encourage the next generation of public servants throughout the nation, our law firm is proud to announce a scholarship opportunity open to eligible students nationwide.

This scholarship aims to incentivize students to enter public service careers and make the difference that is needed. Our hope is the 2025 American Public Service Scholarship’s financial assistance can help kick-start that process and encourage students to brainstorm their potential career pathways in public service.

Essay: 750 – 1,000 word essay response to the prompt: Detail your efforts and aspirations to help your community as a public servant. Describe what experiences inspired you to choose this path and how you plan to make a difference.

Eligibility Criteria: HS Senior, US Citizen or permanent resident, complete application, resume & essay.

Application Linked HERE

Native American Scholarships

DEADLINE: January 31, 2026

The Native American Scholarships endowment fund was established in 1988 to foster a sense of shared purpose and positive interaction between archaeologists and Native Americans. Since 1998, the SAA has used endowment income to award the Arthur C. Parker Scholarship. In 2009, the Society added two new awards to support undergraduate and graduate education in archaeology. These scholarships are funded through individual donations, a silent auction held at the SAA Annual Meeting, and external grants. The following competitive scholarships are currently offered:

• SAA Arthur C. Parker Scholarship for Archaeological Training for Native Americans supports archaeological training for Native Americans who are students or employees of tribal, Alaska Native, or Native Hawaiian cultural preservation programs. Amount award is up to $6,000 with one scholarship available each year. Any form of archaeological training may be funded, not just limited to field schools. Learn more about Arthur C. Parker (1881–1955). (One available for 2026)

• SAA Native American Undergraduate Archaeology Scholarship supports undergraduate studies for Native American students. For 2024, funding includes: tuition, travel, food, housing, books, supplies, equipment, family and dependent care, medical expenses, on-line archival research costs, and archaeology related analysis costs. Amount awarded is up to $6,000 with one scholarship available each year. (One available for 2026)

• SAA Native American Graduate Archaeology Scholarship supports graduate studies for Native American students. Funding includes: tuition, travel, food, housing, books, supplies, equipment, family and dependent care, medical expenses, on-line archival research costs, and archaeology related analysis costs. Amount awarded is up to $10,000 with one scholarship available each year. (One available for 2026)

• Bertha Parker Cody Award for Native American Women supports undergraduate and graduate studies, including but not limited to tuition, travel, food, housing, books, supplies, equipment, and child care. All Native American, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian women, including gender non-conforming individuals, who are undergraduate or graduate students in the fields of archaeology and museum studies, are eligible for this award. This award is partially funded by the Autry Museum of the American West. One scholarship available each year. Learn more about Bertha Parker Cody.  (1907–1978). (One available for 2026)

Eligibility Criteria: Scholarships are open to all Native peoples from anywhere in the Americas, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, and Indigenous Pacific Islanders. See scholarship descriptions above for any other eligibility requirements. 

Application LINKED HERE

Vegetarian Resource Group Scholarships

DEADLINE: Feb 20, 2026

Due to the generosity of an anonymous donor, The Vegetarian Resource Group each year will award $50,000 in college scholarship money to graduating U.S. high school students who have promoted vegetarianism in their schools and/or communities. Vegetarians do not eat meat, fish, or fowl. Vegans are vegetarians who do not use other animal products such as dairy or eggs.

Applicants will be judged on having shown compassion, courage, and a strong commitment to promoting a peaceful world through a vegetarian diet/lifestyle. 

Eligibility Criteria: vegan or vegetarian, HS Senior, recommendations, documentation related to the students promotion of vegetarianism and veganism in high school and/or community including photographs, newspaper stories, etc.

Application LINKED HERE