There are two types of scholarships:
1. Merit-based scholarships that may be awarded when a student meets or exceeds certain standards or criteria set forth by the scholarship provider. This may include academic, sports, musical talent or a particular trait; or, a combination of criteria.
2. Need-based scholarships, which are given based on financial need. Scholarships are gifts and are not paid back.
The number of scholarships available nationwide is vast. No single complete list exists anywhere, not even in the U.S. Office of Education. This is due to the sheer volume of available scholarships, but also because new scholarships can crop up at any time and old ones are withdrawn at any time by their sponsors.
There is no simple answer to the question of whether or not an individual student may qualify for financial aid or a scholarship, since eligibility is determined by a number of factors, including income, assets, liabilities, number of children attending college, scholarship, school and community activities.
Each college has its own special and ever-changing list of scholarships available to entering students. It is helpful to contact the financial aid office at the college for more information on available scholarships. In addition, students should research other sources of scholarships such as parents’ employers, private clubs that parents belong to, religious affiliations, and school clubs.
Some scholarships require a letter of recommendation. Students can complete a resume form to include school and community activities as well as information on college and career plans to help recommenders write a letter. Ask community members or teachers if they would be willing to write a letter of recommendation for you. If they agree, offer them a copy of the resume to assist them in writing it. A minimum of 3 weeks should be allowed. Write a thank you to anyone who writes a letter.
Be careful of scholarship scams! While the information you enter in the FAFSA is secure and encrypted, you should not be asked to provide personal information for scholarships. This includes your bank account numbers, driver’s license number, social security number, or credit card information. Also, you should not have to pay a processing fee to apply for a scholarship or agree to pay for any services that cost money, especially if they offer “guarantees” for a high price. If you are ever unsure, please speak with a school counselor or visit your college and career center with questions or concerns.
Scholarships are organized by Deadline
Check back every month for new scholarships
Award: Scholars will receive funding for the full cost of attendance* that is not already covered by other financial aid and the expected family contribution, as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), or the methodology used by a Scholar’s college or university.
Application: https://www.thegatesscholarship.org/scholarship
Criteria/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.
Deadline: Sept 15, 2022
Award: A full–tuition scholarship for a woman in science, technology, engineering, or math.
Application: https://www.scienceambassadorscholarship.org/
Criteria/Eligibility: To apply, film a three–minute 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.
Deadline: Fall Coming soon
Award: $1,000
Application: http://www.digitalresponsibility.org/dont-text-and-drive-scholarship
Criteria/Eligibility:
You must be a high school freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior or a current or entering college or graduate school student of any level. Home schooled students are also eligible. There is no age limit. You must also be a U.S. citizen or legal resident.
Complete the application form including a 140-character message about texting while driving. The top 10 applications will be selected as finalists. The finalists will be asked to write a full length 500- to 1,000-word essay about texting while driving.
Deadline: September 2022
Award: (4) $500
Application: https://cedaredlending.com/scholarship/
Criteria/Eligibility:
How it works- The $500 “Because College is Expensive” Scholarship is open to all students and those planning on enrolling within 24 months. The winner will be determined by random drawing and then contacted directly and announced on this Scholarship page. One entry per person is all that is necessary. Read the official rules for additional information.
Who can Apply? High school juniors & seniors, adults looking to head back to school, current college students and anyone else looking to attend college or graduate school.
Deadline: End of each quarter (March, June, September & December!) at 11:59PM EST.
Award: 2x $500
Application: https://www.skincareox.com/scholarship/
Criteria/Eligibility:
Must be a graduating high school senior (in final semester) or current college undergraduate or graduate student studying at a 4-year, 2-year, vocational, or technical institution in the United States.
Must be a U.S. Citizen or permanent legal resident
Must be a woman.
All majors are encouraged to apply.
All GPAs will be considered.
Deadline: January 1, March 31, June 30, September 30 of every year
Award: $2,500
Application: https://www.opploans.com/oppu/scholarship/
Criteria/Eligibility:
Be enrolled full time in high school or at least part time in college, graduate, professional, or trade school.
Possess a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0/4.0.
Essay: In 500 words or fewer, please tell us why you’re an achiever. How have you created opportunity for yourself? How have you created opportunity for others? Did you start a small business? Are you the founder of a community program? How did you overcome the odds and make your dreams—or the dreams of others—come true? Please include links to any relevant material that demonstrates your accomplishments.
Deadline: Winners for the OppU Achievers Scholarship are selected four times a year, with submission deadlines on September 30, December 31, March 31, and June 30.
Award: $1,500
Application: https://www.onlinecprcertification.net/scholarship.php
Criteria/Eligibility:
Any student currently enrolled in, or applying to enroll within the next academic year, in a degree program in the fields of healthcare or education, at an accredited U.S. university, is eligible to apply.
You must provide your school GPA.
You must be at least 18 years old.
We take a broad view of what counts as a “healthcare field,” and that can include students pursuing mental health degrees or occupations, as well as administrative and non-profit programs. Applicants will have the opportunity to make their case for why their chosen field of study can be classified as healthcare or education-focused as part of their essay.
Deadline: October 1, 2020
Award: Varies
Application:https://greenhousescholars.org/our-scholars/become-a-scholar/
Criteria/Eligibility:
Be a graduating high school senior planning to attend a four-year accredited academic institution
Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and a legal resident of Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, or North Carolina.
Have a cumulative, unweighted GPA of 3.5 or above
Demonstrate financial need (annual household income no greater than $70,000)
Possess excellent leadership skills, an ability to persevere through difficult circumstances, and a strong interest in and commitment to their community
Deadline: November 5, 2021
Award: $10,000
Application: https://goodtidings.org/?id=7
Criteria/Eligibility:
High School Senior graduating in 2020
A resident of one of the following California counties: Alameda, Contra Costa, Lake, Marin, Monterey, Napa, Sacramento, San Benito, San Francisco, San Joaquin, San Mateo, Santa Cruz, Santa Clara, Solano, Sonoma, Stanislaus, Yolo
Winners must volunteer a minimum of 1 shift (~2-4 hours) at our Good Tidings' Winter Wonderland Toy Giveaway Program between 12/5 - 12/23/19 in Burlingame, CA.
Winners must attend GT's Holiday Event on 12/8/19 in Millbrae, CA.
Must plan on attending college, vocational, or continuing education.
Deadline: November 12, 2021
Award: $1,000-$12,500
Application: https://www.elks.org/scholars/scholarships/MVS.cfm
Criteria/Eligibility:
Any child or grandchild (or step-child, step-grandchild, or legal ward) of a living Elk who joined the order on or before April 1, 2017, or a charter member of a Lodge that was instituted on or after April 1, 2017, is eligible to apply. The Elk must also be a paid-up member through March 31, 2020. Great-grandchildren are not eligible.
The applicant must be a high school senior.
Deadline: November 15, 2021
Award: up to $50,000
Application: https://www.elks.org/scholars/scholarships/mvs.cfm
Criteria/Eligibility:
Current high school seniors, or the equivalent, who are citizens of the United States are eligible to apply.
Applicants do not need to be related to a member of the Elks.
High school graduates are not eligible to apply.
Applicants must be citizens of the United States on the date their applications are submitted; permanent legal resident status does not qualify.
Deadline: November 15, 2020
Great Value Colleges Community Service Scholarship (Spring)
Award: $1,500
Application: https://www.greatvaluecolleges.net/community-service-scholarship/
Criteria/Eligibility:
Be attending or accepted at an accredited post-secondary U.S. institution (undergraduate or graduate).
Be a U.S. Citizen
Have a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher.
Submit one (1) cover letter and resume with two current letters of recommendation and a 1000-1500 word essay that describes your favorite community project, your involvement in this project, and how this project enhanced and/or added value to your college education.
Have completed at least 40 hours of community services.
Deadline: November 15, 2020
Award:
Five (5) Digital SLR Cameras will be awarded to five (5) high school students. (High school applicants should only submit still photographs. The video awards are for college and graduate students only.)
Five (5) $2,500 scholarships will be awarded to five (5) college or technical school students, payable to their school. Four awards will be for video work while one will be for still photography.
One (1) $2,500 scholarship will be awarded to one (1) graduate student, payable to their school, for video work.
Application: https://www.jamesalancoxfoundation.org/apply/
Criteria/Eligibility:
Portfolio:
High school applicants should only submit still photographs.
Deadline: November 15, 2020
Jack Kent Cook Foundation
Award: Up to $55,000 (varies per student)
Application: https://www.jkcf.org/our-scholarships/college-scholarship-program/
Criteria:
Graduate from a U.S. high school in spring 2023
Intend to enroll full time in an accredited four-year college beginning in fall 2023
Earn a cumulative unweighted GPA of 3.5 or above
Demonstrate unmet financial need. We will consider applicants with family annual gross income up to $95,000. During the selection process, the Foundation will conduct a full financial review which will take into account all income and assets of the student and the student’s parents.
Deadline : November 17th, 2022
Award: $500-$1,000
Application: http://www.ushli.org/dr-juan-andrade-scholarship-for-young-hispanic-leaders/
Criteria/Eligibility:
Any field of study
Enrolled or accepted full-time in an accredited 4-year or 2-year institution in the U.S.
At least one parent must be of Hispanic ancestry
Demonstrate financial need
Deadline: November 30, 2021
SIXT Scholar Program Scholarship
Award: (5) $5,000
Application: https://www.sixt.com/sixt-scholars/#/
Criteria/Eligibility:
Graduating high school seniors in the United States
Plan to enroll in a full time undergraduate study at an accredited two year or four year college or university for the entire 2019-2020 academic year
Have a minimum grade point average of 3.7 on a 4.0 scale (or its equivalent)
Deadline: November 2021 (TBD)
Award: $5,000-$10,000
Application: https://www.ashrae.org/communities/student-zone/scholarships-and-grants/engineering-technology-scholarships
Criteria/Eligibility:
Five one-year scholarships available to full-time undergraduate Engineering Technology students pursuing either a bachelor or an associate degree in a course of study that has traditionally been a preparatory curriculum for the HVAC&R profession. Qualified applicants must have a minimum cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 3.0 on a scale where 4.0 is the highest and/or a class standing of no less than the top 30% and meet at least one of the following criteria:
the institution has an active ASHRAE student branch on campus ASHRAE Student Branches
the program is accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) www.abet.org or the Partnership for Air Conditioning, Heating, & Refrigeration Accreditation (PAHRA) www.pahrahvacr.org or
an agency outside the USA that is a signatory of The Sydney Accord
Gordon V. R. Holness Engineering Technology Scholarship (1) - $10,000
Scholarship was established by Presidential Member, Gordon Holness, who served 2009-2010
Lynn G. Bellenger Engineering Technology Scholarship (1) - $5,000
available to a qualified female undergraduate engineering technology student. Scholarship was established in memory of ASHRAE’s first woman president who served 2010-2011.
Engineering Technology Scholarships (3) - $5,000 each
Deadline: December 1, 2021
Award: up to $48,000
Application: https://haganscholarships.org/
Criteria/Eligibility:
ACT and SAT scores are not required.
Must attend an Eligible Public High School.
Must be a U.S. Citizen.
Must have achieved a 3.75 cumulative grade point average.
Must enroll at an eligible four-year college or university the first semester following high school graduation.
Must work 240 hours in the twelve months prior to the start of college.
FAFSA EFC must not exceed $6,500.
Must apply for Federal and State grants if eligible.
Must not have a felony conviction.
Deadline: December 1, 2021
Award: $10,000
Application: https://buildyourfuture.withgoogle.com/scholarships/generation-google-scholarship/
Criteria/Eligibility:
Intend to be enrolled in or accepted as a full-time student in a Bachelors, Masters, or PhD program at an accredited university or college in the United States or Canada for the 2022-2023 academic year
Be studying computer science, computer engineering, or a closely related technical field
Demonstrate a strong academic record
Demonstrate financial need
Exemplify leadership and demonstrate passion for improving representation of underrepresented groups in computer science and technology
Deadline: December 10, 2021
Award: Up to $1,000
Application: https://www.colgatepalmolive.com/en-us/core-values/community-responsibility/make-the-u
Criteria/Eligibility:
Are Hispanic or Latino descent
Are a Rising Senior (student graduating in the Spring)
Plan to enroll in college in the Fall of next year
Have a minimum 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) or 7.5 (on a 10.0 scale)
Are U.S. citizen, legal permanent resident or DACA eligible.
Deadline: December 6, 2020
Award: $3,500
Application: https://hhfawards.hispanicheritage.org/2020/forms/welcome.php
Criteria/Eligibility:
Be currently enrolled in high school and graduating in the spring of 2021
Must have a minimum unweighted 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale or 7.5 on a 10.0 scale
Must enroll at an accredited higher education institution in 2021-2022
Be of Hispanic heritage (includes Spain, Brazil, Philippines)
If selected, attendance to virtual regional awards ceremony is mandatory
Be a U.S. permanent resident, U.S. citizen, or qualify under the DACA
Deadline: November 14, 2021
Award: Full Tuition!
Application: https://www.scienceambassadorscholarship.org/#apply
Criteria/Eligibility:
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 examples of applications, 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.
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.
Uploaded to YouTube and marked ‘public.’
Deadline: December 13, 2021
Award: Up to 3 scholarships of $50,000
Application: https://burgerking.scholarsapply.org/information.php
Criteria/Eligibility:
Citizens of the United States or Canada
Students who are seniors at a high school or home school in the United States, Canada or Puerto Rico
Students who are applying as a full time freshman to a four-year accredited college or university that is located in the United States or Canada and is exempt from taxation under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code
Students who have a cumulative unweighted grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.3
Students who have a minimum ACT Composite score of 25 or a minimum combined SAT score of 1220
Students who demonstrate an active leadership role in community service, athletics, and/or similar co-curricular activity (such as student government, team sports, fraternal life, etc); and
Students who demonstrate substantial work experience and financial need
Deadline: December 15, 2021
Award: (369) $25,000, $10,000 and $2,500.
Application: https://learnmore.scholarsapply.org/equitableexcellence/
Criteria/Eligibility:
Be United States citizens or legal residents living or claiming residency in one of the 50 U.S. states, District of Columbia, or Puerto Rico.
Be current high school seniors who reside and attend high school in the U.S., Puerto Rico, or Washington D.C.
Plan to enroll full-time in an accredited two-year or four-year college or university in the United States** by Fall 2021.
**Enrollment at an accredited postsecondary institution outside of the United States may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Be willing to provide a release to publicize their identities and information about their achievements along with photographs for use in program promotion and information.
Deadline: December 17, 2021
Award: $1,000
Application: https://www.derricklawfirm.com/library/scholarship.cfm
Criteria/Eligibility: Students applying must submit an essay where you explain, present, inspire, or otherwise convince us as to why you deserve to win this scholarship. There are no conditions or outside requirements for this essay. Please keep submissions to 5 paragraphs and 600 words at the absolute maximum.
Deadline: December 15, 2021
Award: (4) $500
Application: https://cedaredlending.com/scholarship/
Criteria/Eligibility:
How it works- The $500 “Because College is Expensive” Scholarship is open to all students and those planning on enrolling within 24 months. The winner will be determined by random drawing and then contacted directly and announced on this Scholarship page. One entry per person is all that is necessary. Read the official rules for additional information.
Who can Apply? High school juniors & seniors, adults looking to head back to school, current college students and anyone else looking to attend college or graduate school.
Deadline: End of each quarter (March, June, September & December!) at 11:59PM EST.
Award: $1,000
Application: https://www.carhp.com/news/all-american-1000-car-review-essay-scholarship
Criteria/Eligibility:
The candidate should be 18 years or older during admission.
The candidate has to secure admission in any approved undergraduate/ Postgraduate course in any reputed US educational institute.
The candidate should submit a non-plagiarized Review or an Essay of a Car that is on sale in the USA in 2020.
The Review/Essay should between 1200-1500 words.
The Top 10 entries will be featured on the website and the Best Review wins the $1000 Scholarship.
Deadline: September 30, 2020
California’s Wine Grape Growers Foundation Scholarship
Award: $2,000 - $8,000 (two 4-year scholarships and four 2-year scholarships)
Application: https://cawgfoundation.org/scholarship-eligibility-requirements/
Criteria:
Be graduating from high school & planning to attend a California four-year university/state college or a two-year community college in the fall;
Have a parent or legal guardian who was employed by a California winegrape grower during the current or past growing season;
Complete the application;
Attach an official high school transcript;
Provide a letter of recommendation from an instructor, school principal or counselor that includes their signature and provides the address, telephone number and position held at the school;
Submit a 500 word essay (approximately 2 pages, see application for details);
OPTIONAL FOR 2022: Attach a copy of your SAT or ACT results if you are applying for a 4-year scholarship
Deadline: March 4th
Award: (4) $500
Application: https://cedaredlending.com/scholarship/
Criteria/Eligibility:
How it works- The $500 “Because College is Expensive” Scholarship is open to all students and those planning on enrolling within 24 months. The winner will be determined by random drawing and then contacted directly and announced on this Scholarship page. One entry per person is all that is necessary. Read the official rules for additional information.
Who can Apply? High school juniors & seniors, adults looking to head back to school, current college students and anyone else looking to attend college or graduate school.
Deadline: End of each quarter (March, June, September & December!) at 11:59PM EST.
Award: 2x $500
Application: https://www.skincareox.com/scholarship/
Criteria/Eligibility:
Must be a graduating high school senior (in final semester) or current college undergraduate or graduate student studying at a 4-year, 2-year, vocational, or technical institution in the United States.
Must be a U.S. Citizen or permanent legal resident
Must be a woman.
All majors are encouraged to apply.
All GPAs will be considered.
Deadline: January 1, March 31, June 30, September 30 of every year
Award: (4) $500
Application: https://cedaredlending.com/scholarship/
Criteria/Eligibility:
How it works- The $500 “Because College is Expensive” Scholarship is open to all students and those planning on enrolling within 24 months. The winner will be determined by random drawing and then contacted directly and announced on this Scholarship page. One entry per person is all that is necessary. Read the official rules for additional information.
Who can Apply? High school juniors & seniors, adults looking to head back to school, current college students and anyone else looking to attend college or graduate school.
Deadline: End of each quarter (March, June, September & December!) at 11:59PM EST.