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Top 50 Easy Scholarships✅ to Apply For in April 2024

Will Geiger is the co-founder of Scholarships360 and has a decade of experience in college admissions and financial aid. He is a former Senior Assistant Director of Admissions at Kenyon College where he personally reviewed 10,000 admissions applications and essays. Will also managed the Kenyon College merit scholarship program and served on the financial aid appeals committee. He has also worked as an Associate Director of College Counseling at a high school in New Haven, Connecticut. Will earned his master’s in education from the University of Pennsylvania and received his undergraduate degree in history from Wake Forest University.

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Gabriel Jimenez-Ekman is a content editor and writer at Scholarships360. He has managed communications and written content for a diverse array of organizations, including a farmer’s market, a concert venue, a student farm, an environmental NGO, and a PR agency. Gabriel graduated from Kenyon College with a degree in sociology.

Scholarships are one of the best ways for students to pay for college. While many scholarships require extensive applications and essays, others are more straightforward and easy to apply for . While easy scholarships shouldn’t be the only scholarships you apply for, they are a useful part of your scholarship search strategy.

You can apply to easy scholarships quickly, as they have few eligibility requirements and require only a brief essay (if they require any essay at all). Easy scholarships are often offered on a monthly basis, which means you have multiple opportunities to apply.

Why choose Scholarships360

We helped over 4 million students find scholarships in 2023

We've spent over 4,000 hours reviewing 3,000 scholarship programs

13+ years of experience helping students make smart education decisions

The Scholarships360 Research Team reviews all scholarships individually and strives to exclude any scholarship where any of the below applies:

• The scholarship requires a fee to apply
• The scholarship provider’s privacy policy allows for the misuse of student data
• The scholarship requires paid membership in an organization (with certain exceptions for reputable trade organizations and others)
• Student are required to sign up for a site or service to apply*
• The scholarship seems primarily used for lead generation** or idea harvesting purposes***
• The scholarship website has many grammatical errors and/or advertisements
• The scholarship or scholarship providing organization seem untrustworthy
• There is no evidence the scholarship was previously awarded
• The scholarship has not been awarded in the past 12 months
• There is no available contact information

If you believe a scholarship has been published in error, please reach out to [email protected] and we’ll take a look!

* There are certain exceptions to this, for example if the sponsoring organization is a major corporation or nonprofit with its own scholarship application system. ** Lead generation scholarships will require students to sign up for an app or website and require minimal (if any) application requirements. ***Idea harvesting scholarships will require students to submit blog posts or other materials that companies may use for marketing purposes.

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$10,000 “No Essay” Scholarship This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

Offered by Scholarships360

The Scholarships360 $10,000 “No Essay” Scholarship is open to all students who want some extra help paying for their education. Whether you are a high… Show More

The Scholarships360 $10,000 “No Essay” Scholarship is open to all students who want some extra help paying for their education. Whether you are a high school student who hopes to go to college, a graduate student who’s in a master’s program, or an adult learner who wants to return to school, you are eligible for our no essay scholarship. This scholarship will be awarded to students who get the most out of Scholarships360 scholarships and content. You will be a strong applicant if you apply to scholarships with the Scholarships360 platform. Finalists for this scholarship will be interviewed about their process for funding their education. Show Less

$2,000 Sallie Mae Scholarship This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

Offered by Sallie Mae

Sallie Mae will award $2,000 each month to eligible entrants. No essay or account sign-ups, just a simple scholarship for those seeking help paying for…

Sallie Mae will award $2,000 each month to eligible entrants. No essay or account sign-ups, just a simple scholarship for those seeking help paying for school.

$40,000 Build a College List Scholarship This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

Offered by The College Board

Create a college list with six schools you're considering - no minimum GPA or essay required!

Niche $25,000 “No Essay” Scholarship This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

Offered by Niche

Easy scholarship open to all high school and college students, as well as anyone looking to attend college or graduate school in the next year!

$25k “Be Bold” No-Essay Scholarship This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

Offered by Bold.org

Open to high school students, college students, community college students, and graduate students.

$10,000 CollegeXpress Scholarship This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

Offered by CollegeXpress

Annual $10k scholarship from CollegeXpress open to all high school freshmen, sophomores, and juniors.

$1,000 Appily Easy College Money Scholarship This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

Offered by Appily

This easy scholarship from Appily is open to U.S. high school students (Class of 2025, 2026, 2027) and college transfer students. One scholarship will be… Show More

This easy scholarship from Appily is open to U.S. high school students (Class of 2025, 2026, 2027) and college transfer students. One scholarship will be awarded each month. Show Less

$5,000 Christian Connector Scholarship This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

Offered by Christian Connector

Students applying to the $5,000 Christian Connector Scholarship must be current high school students (Class of 2025, 2026, or 2027) interested in attending a Christian…

Students applying to the $5,000 Christian Connector Scholarship must be current high school students (Class of 2025, 2026, or 2027) interested in attending a Christian university or college.

$2,000 No Essay CollegeVine Scholarship This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

Offered by CollegeVine

Easy scholarship open to current high school students and college applicants. A free CollegeVine account with a completed chancing profile required to enter.

$2,000 Niche “No Essay” College Scholarship This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

Easy scholarship from Niche open to all high school, college, and graduate students.

ScholarshipOwl $50,000 No Essay Scholarship This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

Offered by ScholarshipOwl

Easy scholarship open to all US-based high school, college, and graduate students. Each month, 4 winners will be selected to earn $1,000 each. In December… Show More

Easy scholarship open to all US-based high school, college, and graduate students. Each month, 4 winners will be selected to earn $1,000 each. In December 2023, there will be 2 additional winners earning $1,000 each. Applicant must be a resident of any of the 50 United States, District of Columbia or US Territories except for Rhode Island and Michigan. Applicant also must be 16 years of age or older and either be enrolled now, or will be enrolled within three months of registration in the Scholarship Sweepstakes, in a qualified high school, college or university within the United States. Show Less

$2,500 ScholarshipPoints Scholarship This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

Offered by ScholarshipPoints

Easy $2,500 scholarship from ScholarshipPoints open to all students.

Unigo $10,000 Scholarship This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

Offered by Unigo

This easy scholarship is open to all high school students who are at least 14 years of age. To apply, students must respond to the… Show More

This easy scholarship is open to all high school students who are at least 14 years of age. To apply, students must respond to the following essay prompt in 250 words (or less): "Would you rather be smart, funny or rich? Why?" On or about March 31, 2025, a qualified panel of judges will select one (1) potential winner based on the criteria of writing ability (25%), creativity (25%), originality (25%), and overall excellence (25%). Show Less

US Bank Student Scholarship

Offered by U.S. Bank

The US Bank Student Scholarship is an opportunity for U.S. residents aged 17 or older who have been accepted to or are enrolled in a… Show More

The US Bank Student Scholarship is an opportunity for U.S. residents aged 17 or older who have been accepted to or are enrolled in a post-secondary institution to receive help funding their education. Each year, the scholarship awards up to $20,000 to multiple incoming and current undergraduate students who complete some of the U.S. Bank's "financial education lesson" modules. Each module takes approximately 1-2 minutes to complete, and the more that students complete, the more money they become eligible to earn. Applicants who complete up to 35, 100, and 200 modules are eligible to receive up to $2,000, $10,000, and $20,000, respectively. If this scholarship sounds like a fit for you, keep on reading for more application details. Show Less

Zombie Apocalypse Scholarship

Are you a big fan of The Walking Dead, or maybe Z Nation? Ever thought about what you would do in the case of a… Show More

Are you a big fan of The Walking Dead, or maybe Z Nation? Ever thought about what you would do in the case of a zombie apocalypse? If so, we may have the perfect opportunity for you: the Zombie Apocalypse Scholarship! Each year, this scholarship awards $2,000 to the applicant who, in 250 words or less, best describes their escape plan if there were a zombie outbreak at their school. The scholarship is offered by Unigo in hopes of helping some creative, zombie-obsessed students pay off some of their postsecondary education. If you’ve been inspired by the zombie shows and movies from the past few decades and have come up with a plan of your own, we encourage you to apply to the Zombie Apocalypse Scholarship! It’s due exactly when you’d expect: on Halloween. Show Less

Redefining Victory Scholarship This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

Are you a post-secondary student of any kind? This includes, but is not limited to, students pursuing the traditional 2/4 university route, attending a trade… Show More

Are you a post-secondary student of any kind? This includes, but is not limited to, students pursuing the traditional 2/4 university route, attending a trade school or certificate program, completing an online post-secondary program, or any other program that may lead to a post-secondary certificate or degree. If so, consider applying for the Redefining Victory Scholarship! Each year, the scholarship awards $2,500 each to four current post-secondary students pursuing a certificate or degree in any topic of their choice. To apply, interested students must submit an essay detailing "what success looks like to [them] and how this opportunity will help [them] achieve it." If you're a passionate post-secondary student, we encourage you to apply! Keep on reading to learn more. Show Less

Across Cultures No-Essay Scholarship

Offered by Keepgoingforward.org

The Across Cultures No-Essay Scholarship annually awards $1,000 to one student who demonstrates an openness to learning about other cultures and sharing their own. The… Show More

The Across Cultures No-Essay Scholarship annually awards $1,000 to one student who demonstrates an openness to learning about other cultures and sharing their own. The award will be granted to help them continue on their path to traveling and learning. This may include studying new languages, traveling to study in a new place, teaching or learning art styles, musical instruments, or cooking methods from a different culture, or anything else that demonstrates openness to new cultures in your school, work, or hobbies. The scholarship is open to high school graduates and those who have already graduated. It can be used to pay student debt for people who have graduated and aren't even in school anymore. If you're a high school, college, or graduate student curious to learn about other cultures and share their own, we encourage you to apply! Keep on reading to learn more. Show Less

$2,000 CampusReel Virtual Tour Scholarship This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

Offered by CampusReel

Easy scholarship program open to all students who watch a student-led virtual college tour

Return 2 College Scholarship Program

Offered by Return2College.com

Are you a U.S. citizen or legal resident who is currently enrolled in or will be starting a program of higher education (college or graduate… Show More

Are you a U.S. citizen or legal resident who is currently enrolled in or will be starting a program of higher education (college or graduate school) within the next 12 months? If so, the Return 2 College Scholarship Program may be a great opportunity for you! Each year, the scholarship awards $1,000 to the first-place applicant. To be considered for the scholarship, students must be aged 17 or older and submit a three-sentence essay answering the question "Why are you getting your degree?" If this sounds like a good opportunity for you, we encourage you to apply! Keep on reading to learn more. Show Less

$1,000 SuperCollege.com Scholarship

Offered by SuperCollege.com

Are you a current or incoming college student wanting help to pay for tuition, books, computers, room and board, or any education-related expenses? If so,… Show More

Are you a current or incoming college student wanting help to pay for tuition, books, computers, room and board, or any education-related expenses? If so, consider applying for the $1,000 SuperCollege.com Scholarship! Each year, the scholarship awards $1,000 to one high school senior, college student, graduate student, or returning adult student who is currently enrolled in college or plans to start. You can use the scholarship to pay for tuition, books, computers, room and board or any education-related expense. If this sounds like a good opportunity for you, we encourage you to apply! Keep on reading to learn more. Show Less

Top 10 easy scholarships overall

We pick our easy scholarships by finding trustworthy organizations who offer big rewards and have been offering their scholarships for a long period of time. As there are many easy scholarship scams, we have put each of these scholarships through a strict vetting process. Apply with confidence to the following top easy scholarships:

• $10,000 No Essay Scholarship – With a high award and simple sign-up process that matches you with vetted scholarships, our 10k no essay scholarship is our #1 choice for easy scholarships! Open to high schoolers, college students, and grad students
• $2k Sallie Mae Easy Scholarship – Easy scholarship open to high school upperclassmen, college students, and grad students
• $40,000 Big Future Scholarship – Easy scholarship for students who make a 3-entry college list
• Niche $25k No Essay – Easy scholarship open to high schoolers, college students, and grad students
• $25k “Be Bold” Scholarship – Easy scholarship open to high schoolers, college students, and grad students
• $10k College Xpress Scholarship – Easy scholarship open to high school freshmen, sophomores, and juniors
• $1k Appily Easy Money Scholarship – Open to high school students and transfer college students. Awarded every month
• $5,000 Christian Connector Scholarship – Open to high school students planning on attending a Christian college or university
• Zombie Apocalypse Scholarship – For the student looking for an exciting easy scholarship, you must write a 250-word plan for what you’d do in a zombie apocalypse to win this $2k award. Open to all high school and college students
• CampusReel Virtual Tour Scholarship – $2k scholarship for students of any grade level. You are entered if you watch one of their virtual college tours

https://www.tiktok.com/@scholarships360/video/7356976001299254574

Top 3 easy scholarships for high schoolers

• $40,000 Big Future Scholarship – Easy scholarship open to high school sophomores and juniors

Top 3 easy scholarships for grad students

Types of easy scholarships.

There are several different types of easy scholarships to apply to. Here’s what you should know about the most common types of easy scholarships.

No essay scholarships tend to be some of the easiest options when it comes to applying for scholarship money. Applicants usually just fill out some information about themselves, such as their grade level, GPA , contact information, current school, and occasionally their financial need, such as their EFC , and are entered into the competition.

While these scholarships are easy to apply for, they also give applicants less of an opportunity to stand out as an individual. So, if no essay scholarships are part of your scholarship strategy, you should apply to many in order to increase your chances, and be sure to apply to other opportunities as well.

Short essay

Short essay scholarships are not as involved as in-depth opportunities like Posse and Questbridge , but they do give students a chance to use their own voice to appeal to the selection committee. Remember, a short essay is a great opportunity to say a lot with few words. Make sure you have a strong opening sentence , and be sure to check out our guides on writing 250 word  essays to help.

Sweepstakes

Sweepstakes are some of the easiest scholarships to apply to. Winners are chosen at random and contacted through the avenues they filled out on the application. However, because these are the easiest types of scholarships, they are also the ones that receive the most applicants. That means each applicant has a lower opportunity of winning.

Sweepstakes can be great if you win, but the chances of winning are low. Make sure you keep your eye out for scholarship scams when you apply. Although we vet all of our easy scholarships, some sites may post fraudulent ones that do not actually offer awards, or collect information to scam applicants.

Microscholarships

Micro scholarships, such as the scholarships offered on raise.me , offer money for college for things you may already be doing. With raise.me you can earn scholarships for such simple things as completing the FAFSA, uploading your course catalogue, taking the SAT (no matter the score), and more. Only certain colleges accept these scholarships, but be sure to look into it and see if a school you’re considering is on the list.

Institutional scholarships

Many colleges automatically consider students for a wide range of scholarships when they review applications. For example, Kenyon’s Distinguished Academic Scholarship does not require any additional application and can fund $15,000 per year of your education. Talk about an easy scholarship! Since there is no additional application for these scholarships, the best way to apply to opportunities like this is to apply to a wide range of safety schools where your GPA and test scores are above the average admitted student, as well as schools that are known to give strong merit and need-based aid.

Government grants

Although they are not strictly scholarships, government grants like the Pell Grant and state-based grants like the Illinois Monetary Award Program (MAP) are some of the easiest ways to earn money for your education. The difference between these grants and other scholarships is that if you qualify, you will automatically receive them! There is no competition or review board. You don’t have to spend time perfecting your application. This makes them easier and more reliable than any kind of scholarship!

Tips for students applying to easy scholarships

Apply early and often.

The best strategy for applying to easy scholarships is to cast a wide net. You’re less likely to win any given easy scholarship, because the application is “easy” and there are more applicants. So, the best way to help your chances is to apply to a great many opportunities, since each individual application takes minimal time and effort. 

Applying to easy scholarships is great, but you should make sure to spend a good amount of time on more involved applications too. You have a much better chance of winning scholarship money with a well-crafted application to an opportunity that suits you than a random drawing, which is how many easy scholarships pick their winners. If you’re looking for a place to start looking for more specific scholarships, try out our free scholarship search tool to browse custom-matched, vetted opportunities, updated daily!

Expect a lot of email

Easy scholarships are a great way to put your name in the ring for scholarship money without taking too much time on your applications. But keep in mind that each opportunity you apply for will request your contact information. Most of the time, you will be signing up for a mailing list with each application you submit. You might end up getting monthly, weekly, or even daily email from the organization offering the scholarship.

Many people use two separate email accounts: one for personal communication with friends, family, and professional relationships, and another to manage the emails they receive from businesses, from their banks, and from newsletters they subscribe to. Making a separate email can be a great way to manage the influx of mail you will begin to receive if you apply to a lot of easy scholarships.

Consider no essay scholarships

If you’re in the market for easy scholarships, don’t neglect our list of no essay scholarships for college. Our easy scholarships involve little in the way of application materials, but some of them have a short essay or response. These no essay scholarships don’t require any response on your end, and you can easily sit down and apply to many of them.

Be wary of scholarship scams

There are a great many scholarship scams out there, but they are especially common among easy scholarships. Remember to do some investigation before you send off your application to any organization. You should never submit personal information that could be used for identity theft, and never pay an application fee to enter a contest. For more information on the matter, check out our article on how to avoid scholarship scams .

Expert Perspective

Will geiger.

Scholarships360 Co-Founder

Former Admissions Officer

Don’t forget financial aid

One way to pay for college that’s even simpler than easy scholarships is through financial aid like institutional aid, FAFSA funds such as the Pell Grant , and other federal and state grants. Remember, if you are not filling out the FAFSA , you are potentially giving up free money for your higher education. Unlike a scholarship application, the FAFSA does not require essays or personal statements. The application process only takes you and your parents’ financial information such as tax returns and information about assets.

Downsides to easy scholarships

The biggest drawback of easy scholarship opportunities is that many students can apply for them. They are basically like a sweepstakes with free entry, which means that they will get many more applicants than more complex scholarships.

This means that your chances of winning are lower than scholarships with essays and other specific criteria. Many of these scholarships are more similar to a contest than a true scholarship competition based on merit or talent. You may also be opting into receiving marketing materials and offerings from the scholarship providers, so be aware of that if you are asked to opt-in!

Additional scholarship categories

At the end of the day, the easiest scholarship to win is the one you are best qualified for! Let us help you find the perfect scholarship fit with lists tailored to your interests and strengths:

• Scholarships by state
• Top scholarships for Black students
• Top STEM scholarships
• Top scholarships for students with average grades
• Top scholarships for high school seniors
• Top scholarships for women
• Top writing and essay scholarships
• Scholarships that don’t require an essay

Frequently asked questions

What are some of the easiest scholarships, what is the lowest gpa to get a scholarship, are easy scholarships legit, are there easy scholarships for grad students, are easy scholarships available all year, are easy scholarships available more than once a year, are these easy scholarships need-based, are easy scholarships renewable, are easy scholarships a waste of time.

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Choose Your Test

Sat / act prep online guides and tips, the 10 easiest scholarships to apply for.

Financial Aid

Scholarships are awesome resources if you're checking out different ways to pay for college. It's free money after all—what's not to love?

As it turns out, most scholarship programs have application processes that aren't exactly lovable. Students generally have to submit a lot of information about themselves: transcripts, GPAs, test scores, resumes, community service activities, and so on. There might even be a few essays and grade requirements thrown in as well. You don't want to complain—because, again, free money—but these applications sure are tedious when you're working on college apps, high school courses, and financial aid applications all at the same time.

The following easy scholarships have application processes that are a bit more manageable. Some ask you to write short essays, while others don't require any essays at all! The awards might not be as large as some other scholarships out there, but when the application process is so easy, you really don't have much to lose. I'll start off with some words of warning before getting into the good stuff: essay and no-essay scholarships that are so easy to apply for, you might end up applying to all of them!

Caveat: If a Scholarship Seems Too Good to Be True ...

Unfortunately, there aren't too many legitimate "easy" scholarships out there. If a scholarship application sounds too good to be true, be cautious—you don't want to fall victim to a scholarship scam!

Here are some things to look out for:

• A scholarship application that asks for personal information that isn't relevant to the award: Many top scholarship programs ask for personal information (transcripts, SAT/ACT scores, and even financial information for need-based scholarships); however, this info is all relevant to candidate evaluation. If you're ever uncomfortable providing personal info for a scholarship program, dig deeper. Can you verify that the program is legitimate? Does it have its own website, or can you only find info about it through a third party? Try Googling "[award name] scam" to see whether anything suspicious pops up.
• A scholarship that asks you to make payments to enter or win: Scholarship programs are in the business of giving money to students, not taking it. A scholarship program is likely just a scam if the application asks you to make a payment—especially if it asks you to enter credit card information.

Now that we've got that out of the way, it's time to get to the good stuff: all the best easy essay and non-essay scholarships and how to win them!

Essay Scholarships

The scholarships in this section ask students to submit short essays with their applications. Even though you'll have to write an essay, the rest of the application (and the essay itself) should be easy and manageable for all these awards. In fact, most of these applications shouldn't take more than one to two hours to complete.

Bachus & Schanker, LLC Scholarship

This scholarship program is a bit different from most of the other awards included in this post—it's funded by a private law firm in Colorado. Students compete for a $2,000 award by writing an essay (at least 800 words) about the 7th Amendment and how it affects their lives. Scholarships are awarded twice a year, to be paid toward tuition for the upcoming semester.

• Eligibility: High school seniors who have been accepted to a four-year university and university students with a minimum 3.0 GPA
• Deadline:  July 30 (to win a scholarship for the fall semester) and November 30 (to win a scholarship for the spring semester)

Courage to Grow Scholarship

This $500 award is given out to one lucky student every month. To compete for the award, applicants must explain in 250 words why they think they deserve the scholarship, intended to support students who found “courage to forge ahead when sometimes it would be easier to give up.” Past recipients’ essays have discussed overcoming obstacles from bullying to breast cancer.

• Eligibility: US high school juniors and seniors and college students with a minimum 2.5 GPA
• Deadline: Last day of every month 

Odenza Marketing Group Scholarship

Odenza Marketing Group gives away two $500 scholarships each year, once in the spring and again in the fall. To compete for this award, applicants must like the Odenza Facebook page and write two short essays of about 500 words each. Each scholarship must have a clear thesis statement, offer supporting evidence in paragraph format, and be grammatically correct. In other words, these essays should follow the argumentative essay format you've learned in English class.

• Eligibility: Current high school students (US or Canadian citizens) aged 16-25 or students who have at least one year of college remaining. Applicants must also have a minimum 2.5 GPA.
• Deadline March 30 for spring, November 15 for fall

Some of these applications won't take you longer than a few minutes.

No-Essay Scholarships

When it comes to easy applications, you can't get much easier than the following scholarship programs. You'll still have to submit some information about yourself (and, in some instances, complete some brief activities or tasks), but you won't have to write any essays to qualify.

AFSA High School Scholarship

For this scholarship, all you need to do is complete an entry form and answer an eight-question quiz. Five $1 ,000 awards are given out each year. Winners are randomly selected by a computer-generated drawing. Your odds of winning are based on the total number of entries received. Essentially, it’s a scholarship raffle, and you get one ticket per “draw.”

• Eligibility: Current high school seniors (US citizens or legal residents)
• Deadline: June 30, 2023

Too Cool to Pay for School Scholarship

This scholarship has one of the easiest applications out there: just fill out a few questions, and you're done! A $1,000 scholarship is awarded every three months. Winners are selected randomly.

• Eligibility: Current high school, college, and graduate students studying in the US
• Deadline: The last day of every March, June, September, and December

The Annual Haiku Society of America Haiku Award in honor of Harold G. Henderson

This scholarship program gives out three prizes of $200, $150, and $100 , but the application process is fun and easy. Students qualify by simply writing and submitting up to five original haikus. If you win, your haiku also gets published in an anthology and on the HSA website! Note: There is a small fee to apply, but the site is indeed reputable.

• Eligibility: All students in grades 7-12
• Deadline: Open June 1 - July 31

"No Essay" College Scholarship

This $2,000 award is given out monthly. To apply for this scholarship, submit an application that includes basic identifying information, your GPA, and your SAT/ACT scores. Winners are randomly selected, and you can submit a new application every month.

• Eligibility: High school students, adults heading back to school, current college students, and anyone else looking to attend college or graduate school within the next year

Stuck at Prom Scholarship Contest

Do you have a creative side and an eye for fashion? Students can compete for the grand prize of $10,000 (one each for the dress and tux categories) by designing and wearing prom outfits made out of duct tape. Check out the website for fun pictures of past winners!

Eight $500 prizes are given to runners-up (four for dresses and four for tuxes).  Applicants can enter as individuals or as part of a couple. Submissions that get the most votes win prizes, so be sure to recruit your friends to vote for you!

• Eligibility: High school students in the US and Canada (excluding certain states and territories—refer to the official rules for details)
• Deadline: The submission window is generally open from March through June, and winners are announced in July. Check the website for exact dates. 

U.S. Bank Student Union Scholarship

Multiple awards are available through this scholarship. To qualify, you'll need to create an account and complete learning modules about financial education. The more modules you complete, the more money you're eligible to earn. 

One first prize winner and one second prize winner are randomly selected during each of two entry periods. Winners can receive up to $20,000 , depending on how many learning modules they complete 

• Eligibility: Current US undergraduate students
• Deadline: Spring and fall of each year. Check website for more details.

Because College is Expensive Scholarship

This $500 scholarship is awarded to one student four times a year (March, June, September, and December) .If you want to enter, all you have to do is fill out the form on the Cedar Lending website.

• Eligibility : High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors; current college students; anyone else looking to attend college or grad school
• Deadline : March 31st, June 30th, September 30th, and December 31st. One winner is selected by the 15th of each month. 

3 Tips for Winning Easy Scholarships

Just because a scholarship is easy to apply for, that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s easy to win. Since these scholarship applications are so simple to complete, you'll probably have a lot of competition. Here are some strategies to help you submit your best applications possible:

#1: If you have to write an essay, you'll have a better shot at success if your views align with those of the organization awarding the scholarship. To prepare, do some research about the company or charity's mission statement. For instance, don't write an essay about how much you love fossil fuels if the scholarship is offered by an environmental organization! 

#2: Make sure your application is polished. You won't have the opportunity to make more than a first impression (remember, these apps are short and sweet!), so double-check for any grammar, spelling, or punctuation errors.

#3: Last but not least, be sure that your application is complete and on time!

What's Next?

These scholarships are excellent options if you want to churn out as many applications as possible. As you might've noticed, though, the award amounts are a bit underwhelming (though keep in mind that several smaller awards can be just as helpful as one big award!). Larger scholarships and grants are often available through colleges directly and applying for financial aid using the FAFSA .

You'll have to spend more time on your applications if you're gunning for a top scholarship, but the payoff can be more than worth it. To learn more about some of the best scholarships out there, check out our guides to the top scholarships for high school juniors and seniors .

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Francesca graduated magna cum laude from Harvard and scored in the 99th percentile on the SATs. She's worked with many students on SAT prep and college counseling, and loves helping students capitalize on their strengths.

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27 Easy, No Essay College Scholarships

Scholarships are important for most college students; even partial scholarships can significantly reduce the financial burden of higher education. Many partial scholarships don’t have restrictions on how many you can qualify for, so it’s wise to apply for as many as possible.

While some scholarships have an intense application process, there are plenty of options that are far more accessible. We’ve compiled a list of no-essay scholarships that don’t take more than a few minutes to apply for. Some of these easy scholarships are intended for students at any education level, including any high school student, undergraduate, or graduate student.

Every opportunity on this list has a short application with no essay questions. These scholarships don’t have minimum GPA requirements, and most are open to students at every level: high schoolers, undergrads, and graduate students. Take a few minutes to browse the options and apply for the ones you qualify for. You could end up with a much lower tuition payment and a happier bank account!

The Best Easy Scholarships to Apply for in 2022

Here are a few examples of easy scholarships that students can apply to. Some of these scholarships are open to students at any academic level, including one loan forgiveness award for anyone with student debt. 

“Be Bold” No-Essay Scholarship

As students join the Bold.org platform, they get the opportunity to showcase their goals, achievements, and drive to scholarship panels via their student profile. The $25,000 “Be Bold” award is a no-essay award that will be given to the applicant with the boldest profile. For bold.org, the boldest does not mean “best” or “most accomplished.” Instead, bold.org believes that the boldest means to be earnest, determined, and moving. This award will be given to the student whose profile closely matches these characteristics. 

• Deadline: The application deadline is June 1, 2022.
• Award Amount: $25,050
• Time to Apply: 2 minutes
• Winner Announced: November 30, 2022

Nitro Pay For College No-Essay Scholarship

Nitro is a leading financial aid and loan resource platform, guiding students on everything from FAFSA to best practices for federal and private loans. By applying, students will be automatically registered for Nitro. This sets students up for success in funding their education in the most effective way. This award will be given to the applicants who get the most out of the Nitro platform.

• Award Amount: $10,000
• Winner Announced: December 1, 2022

Forget Your Student Debt No-Essay Grant

The Forget Your Student Debt Grant is open to anyone with student debt. Adults who have started their careers and are no longer in school are fully eligible. The only criteria is that you have student debt payments to make. 

• Deadline: The application deadline is June 1, 2022

Informed Consumer Scholarship

The Informed Consumer Scholarship will be awarded to one student in any field of study who is interested in making the smartest financial decisions possible as they fund their education. To apply, students will be introduced to a favorite money-saving tool. Applicants who display excellent habits as informed consumers will have a better chance of winning this award. 

• Award Amount: $1,000
• Winner Announced: February 1, 2023

Verto Semester Abroad Scholarship

With Verto, students can start their college experience abroad in an epic destination while staying on track to graduate in four years. Students can also use their Verto app to gain admission to Verto’s 70+ partner colleges, where course credits will transfer seamlessly. For this award, all high school seniors who have a GPA of 2.5 or higher and a strong interest in studying abroad are eligible to apply. 

• Winner Announced: July 1, 2022

Lifelong Learners No-Essay Scholarship

The Bold Lifelong Learners No-Essay Scholarship exists to support lifelong learners that want to acquire a new skill that will be transformative in their lives, whether it be learning to code, digital marketing, writing, or whatever will have a lasting impact on their lives. All students who have a passion for learning are eligible to apply for this scholarship opportunity. 

• Deadline: The application deadline is May 29, 2022.
• Award Amount: $500
• Winner Announced: June 29, 2022

Pay it Forward No-Essay Scholarship

One of the many ways people give back is by paying it forward; giving an act of kindness to someone in hopes that they will carry the torch onward to someone else. To promote kindness and to encourage students to continue paying it forward, the Bold Pay it Forward No-Essay Scholarship will be awarded to one student from any field of study who is committed to pay it forward. 

• Deadline: The application deadline is May 28, 2022.
• Winner Announced: June 28, 2022

Women’s History Scholarship

In order to offset the wage gap and help women break into male-dominated fields, such as engineering, government, and tech, it’s critical that women have the necessary resources to follow through on their goals. This award seeks to support female students so they can complete their degrees and go on to promising careers. Any high school senior, undergraduate, or graduate student who identifies as female may apply for this award.

• Deadline: The application deadline is August 31, 2022.
• Winner Announced: September 7, 2022

CollegeVine Dream School Scholarship

This award aims to simplify the college application process and help high school students get accepted to their dream colleges. To apply, students will need to sign up with CollegeVine to calculate their chances of getting into their dream school! Students will need to factor their extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more, then they’ll get custom recommendations for how to improve their odds-all for free. By signing up for CollegeVine, students get access to tools that help them discover schools, understand their chances, and get personalized guidance for every step of the admissions process.

• Winner Announced: October 6, 2022

WiseGeek Community Service No-Essay Scholarship

When students find ways to support their community, they contribute to the virtuous cycle of giving that helps individuals and the entire community grow stronger. The WiseGeek No-Essay Community Service Scholarship exists to help current students who go above and beyond to support their school and broader community. This award is open to all students in any field of study.

• Deadline: The application deadline is August 16, 2022.
• Winner Announced: September 16, 2022

The Asian American/Pacific Islander Scholarship

Asian American and Pacific Islanders students are one of the most diverse and vibrant group of students at U.S. colleges and universities, representing families with roots in more than 50 countries and regions and every socio-economic status. While representation on U.S. campuses continues to grow, many AAPI students need help pursuing a college degree. The  bi-annual Asian American/Pacific Islander Scholarship  was created to support those dreams and increase diversity at colleges and universities across the U.S.

• Deadline:  The application deadline is April 16, 2022.
• Award Amount:  $750
• Time To Apply:  2 minutes
• Winners Announced:  May 16, 2022

The Hispanic Empowerment No-Essay Scholarship

Students from Spanish or Latin American backgrounds are attending college in greater numbers than ever before, making up more than one-fifth of American college students. Many are among the first in their families to pursue a college degree and more than 60% of the students who identify as Hispanic need some level of financial aid to complete their studies. The  Hispanic Empowerment No-Essay Scholarship  is meant to encourage students from Hispanic families to attend and stay in college by helping them pay tuition or repay student loans.

The First-Generation College Students Scholarship

Being the first in their families to attend college makes first-generation students among the most motivated and dedicated at their schools. Academically prepared and highly talented, they often serve as role models for younger family members. To help prevent financial challenges from dashing the dreams of their parents and grandparents, the  First-Generation College Students Scholarship  is dedicated to supporting current or aspiring students who are the first in their family to attend college or university.

• Deadline:  The application deadline is Feburary 1, 2022.
• Award Amount:  $500

The Psychology No-Essay Scholarship

A degree in psychology can lead to a wide variety of careers in mental health and other kinds of counseling, social work, and teaching – careers that impact all of society. So it’s important that the diversity of students who major in psychology reflects the diversity of the communities they will serve.  The Psychology No-Essay Scholarship  is meant to support and encourage diversity in the profession of psychology. It is open to current or aspiring psychology majors from all backgrounds.

Entrepreneurship Matters Scholarship

Entrepreneurs challenge the status quo, come up with creative solutions to hard problems, and push advances in every field. And while being a successful entrepreneur can lead to being your own boss and having a career you’re passionate about, it can take a lot of hard work to get there. The  Entrepreneurship Matters Scholarship  is open to bold innovators who want to change the world.

LGBTQ+ Awareness Scholarship

For decades, members of the LGBTQ+ community have been denied the rights and opportunities that others enjoy. While there have been advancements in equality, there are still members of the LGBTQ+ community who face prejudice and other challenges. Designed to combat discrimination, the  LGBTQ+ Awareness Scholarship  is open to all students who identify as members of this community.

WiseGeek Disability Scholarship

In many cases, those with mental and physical disabilities are limited not by their conditions, but by discrimination and lack of opportunities. It’s vital to ensure that every individual has equal rights and access to the same academic and professional options. Students of all grade levels and fields of study are eligible to apply for the  WiseGeek Disability Scholarship .

Recent Immigrants Scholarship

Immigrants built the United States and have been responsible for some of the country’s most profound accomplishments. Unfortunately, many immigrants still face discrimination and stigmatization, making it harder for them to access the same academic and professional opportunities as those born in the county. The  Recent Immigrants Scholarship  is intended to support and encourage immigrants to reach their career goals.

WiseGeek Nurse Appreciation Scholarship

Nurses are essential to the healthcare system, both in the United States and abroad. Despite good job stability and open positions throughout the country, there is a significant shortage of nurses. The  WiseGeek Nurse Appreciation Scholarship  is designed to encourage students to consider this career by providing financial support to nursing students.

The Diversity in Law Scholarship

Lawyers form the backbone of freedom and justice in the U.S., and we believe that diversity in the legal sector is the key to protecting the rights of all Americans. Unfortunately, the legal industry is one of the least diverse professional areas in the U.S. We want to support and encourage minority students who are pursuing legal careers.  The Diversity in Law Scholarship  provides financial assistance to law school students of a racial minority.

”Fight for Equality” Women in STEM Scholarship

Women are significantly underrepresented in the STEM workforce, and we want to help change that. Diversity in any career field is important, and it’s especially vital in STEM industries where different experiences and perspectives can lead to innovative problem-solving. WiseGeek wants to encourage women to pursue degrees and careers in science, technology, engineering, and math with our  ”Fight for Equality” Women in STEM Scholarship .

Mental Health Well-Being Scholarship

While awareness of mental health issues continues to grow in the U.S., it can still be hard for students to find the support they need to deal with emotional challenges, academic pressure, and new responsibilities. It can be especially hard to dedicate time and resources to mental health treatment during college, when schedules and finances are tight. The  Mental Health Well-Being Scholarship  is designed to help students who have faced these issues.

Military Appreciation Scholarship

As Americans, we rely on the men and women in the U.S. military to protect our freedoms and keep us safe. However, it can be easy to forget that serving in the military is a tough job. Service members often have to put their personal goals and educational plans on hold during training and deployments. The  Military Appreciation Scholarship  is intended to honor, support, and thank those who have chosen to serve. It’s open to current, former, and future members of all U.S. military branches.

WiseGeek Nursing No-Essay Scholarship

Nurses have never been more essential. They care for patients at every stage of life, delivering our babies, easing our pain and getting us back on our feet after illness and injury, and comforting our families in the darkest of times. It is one of the toughest – and most fulfilling – careers anyone can choose. To encourage high school students to pursue a nursing career and help while in school, the  WiseGeek Nursing No-Essay Scholarship  helps current and aspiring nurses pay for tuition or repay their student loans.

• Deadline: The application deadline is April 16, 2022.

Community service strengthens our society by improving lives, building connections, and tearing down barriers. The volunteers who give so much back to their communities deserve all the support we can give them, including help paying for a college education. The  WiseGeek Community Service No-Essay Scholarship  recognizes the invaluable contributions of high school and college students who commit their time and energy to lift up their neighbors and neighborhoods.

WiseGeek Cosmetology No-Essay Scholarship

All of us want to look our best for our big events and in our everyday personal and professional lives. The hairstylists, barbers, and estheticians who help us keep our look on point put in thousands of hours of hard work to learn and perfect their craft and to earn the cosmetology licenses they need to work in the beauty industry. Each year the  WiseGeek Cosmetology No-Essay Scholarship  helps a dedicated beauty professional offset some of the costs of that intensive training.

WiseGeek Law No-Essay Scholarship

Earning a law degree requires top-notch organizational, analytical, and communications skills – and a lot of help. Most new lawyers come out of school with a significant amount of debt, which can make it harder to launch their hard-earned careers. The  Wisegeek Law No-Essay Scholarship  is awarded each year to new or aspiring lawyers to help offset some of the costs of pursuing a Juris Doctor degree.

This list is just a sample of some of the free scholarships you can find. As you’re making plans to start or continue your college education, take a few minutes to apply for scholarships. Minimizing the financial stress of college can ensure a better educational experience and give you the foundation you need to achieve your goals.

What qualifies as an easy scholarship?

Generally, easy scholarships have no specific criteria for winning, and they only require minimal effort to apply for. The online application process is quick and simple. Some of these awards can be worth hundreds of dollars, which is a substantial payout for a few minutes of your time. These awards can help students planning to pursue an undergraduate degree in the future, current undergraduate students, and current graduate students looking for ways to pay for college.

No requirement to do anything new

One key aspect of an easy scholarship contest is that it doesn’t require you to do anything new to apply. For awards with no essay, you don’t need to spend hours crafting a paper or a personal statement.

As a high school senior, you may have past work that qualifies for some programs, so you don’t have to do anything else. For example, if you already have 50 hours of community service documented, applying for a scholarship with that criteria doesn’t require you to make any further effort.

A minimal application process

A minimal application form is one of the hallmarks of an easy scholarship – you shouldn’t need to provide a lot of paperwork or other materials. Most of these awards just ask you for basic information, such as your name. Sometimes can be automatically entered by creating a free profile on the organization’s website.

Some quick and easy scholarships cater to specific groups, such as bachelor’s degree students or those pursuing a culinary career. For these applications, you may need to provide transcripts or other evidence that you meet the eligibility requirements.

The award is available for what you’re already doing

Some scholarship applications that don’t include essays may require you to submit other materials, such as a poem, video, or report about a historical figure. But you may already have something to submit thanks to your current interests and hobbies.

Did you spend your time as a high school freshman writing songs or doing science experiments? You might have everything you need for the application. Look for programs related to your hobbies, and submit your application for the chance to get paid for what you enjoy doing.

A small pool of applicants

Other scholarships give you a better chance of winning through sheer probability. For example, there are over 1.5 million high school students hoping for a shot at the National Merit Scholarship, but many students with spectacular grades and test scores will not end up winning the money.

However, many awards have less competition, even those open to all college students. By applying for these, you have a good shot at winning just based on the fact that you are competing with fewer people.

How to apply to easy scholarships

In most cases, applying is very straightforward:

Get organized

Make a list of all the awards you want to apply for along with their due dates. It’s never too early to plan for college – even high school freshmen can start thinking about scholarship applications.

Make a plan

Because there are so many scholarships, it’s essential to plan your time so you can meet the deadlines of all the programs you want to apply for. By casting a wide net, you have the best chance of getting a lot of your tuition covered.

Use your time wisely

Most awards don’t take long to apply for, so you can get a lot of them done at once. Essay-required programs will probably take more time. It’s best to start with the time-consuming applications first and leave the easy ones for later when your brain is ready for a break.

By the time you’re a grad student, you’ll have a very efficient process for applying for scholarships.

Tips for winning easy scholarships

Here are some top tips for getting money to cover your education-related expenses.

1. Pay attention to deadlines.

Deadlines for scholarships can vary wildly, though spring is generally considered the “high season.” Keep track of deadlines, so you don’t miss out on any money due to a late application.

2. Read the entire application.

Even if the award you want has a minimal application form, it’s always good to make sure you understand the entire process. You don’t want to waste time applying for scholarships you aren’t eligible for, and you don’t want your application to get rejected because you missed a step when you were filling it out.

3. Keep checking for new opportunities.

Scholarship opportunities pop up all the time, so it’s a good idea to search for new awards every month on the  best scholarship websites . Even after you’ve filled out your fall and spring applications, keep an eye open for some “late” awards with deadlines in the summer. Check your school’s scholarship winners page for information on additional opportunities.

4. Apply to as many as possible.

There is no limit to the number of awards you can apply for or get, so it’s good to apply for as many scholarships as possible. This is especially true for easy no essay scholarships with applications that don’t usually take more than a few minutes to complete.

5. Work with a private tutor.

Are  private tutors  really worth the money? Is it better to study by yourself than take private lessons? What are private tutors doing that you can’t do on your own? These are questions many students ask themselves, especially when they see how expensive private tutoring is. But do not be fooled – private lessons are definitely worth it. They will teach you the skills you need to succeed at GCSE and A-level exams, as well as help you learn more effectively, which is why private lessons are one of the best ways to boost your grades to increase your chances of winning scholarships.

How to avoid scholarship scams

There are plenty of legitimate opportunities available, but there are also some fraudulent sites. Here are some tips for avoiding scholarship scams.

1. Watch for phishing.

Most easy scholarships require you to provide basic personal information: name, contact info, and date of birth. Be wary of sites that ask for a lot of sensitive details, such as old addresses, parental information, and bank account data. These types of questions are usually designed to facilitate identity theft.

2. Don’t pay to submit your application.

Scholarship programs are all about giving money away, not taking it. If you have to pay a fee to submit your application, chances are it’s not a legit scholarship opportunity.

3. Keep your Social Security number private.

While it may seem like you have to write your SSN on a lot of different forms, you shouldn’t need to give it to most scholarship providers. If the application does ask for your Social Security number, be wary.

4. Avoid companies that offer to “find” opportunities for you.

Along with fake awards, there are also fraudulent companies that make money by selling unnecessary scholarship “services.” There are no legitimate organizations that have access to programs you can’t find on your own. Don’t pay a fee to any company that says it can find and apply for “secret” scholarships that you can’t access yourself.

Frequently asked questions about easy scholarships

Find answers to some of the most common questions about easy college scholarships.

How many scholarships should I apply for?

There is no limit to the number of awards you can apply for, so it’s wise to submit as many applications as possible. Maybe set aside time for a monthly scholarship application session.

How can I improve my chances of winning easy scholarships?

The best way to improve your chances of winning scholarships is to apply! There are countless prizes out there for eligible students. The more you can apply for, the better your chances of winning some of them.

Are no essay scholarships legit?

Yes. There are plenty of legitimate scholarships without essays. Some awards are as simple as a random drawing.

Are there any drawbacks to applying for easy scholarships?

One potential downside to applying for a no essay scholarship is that you may not end up winning it. However, if the application is simple, you don’t have to worry about wasting time, even if you don’t end up winning.

In many cases, easy scholarships award less money than programs with detailed application requirements. If you have a limited amount of time, use it to apply for a wide range of opportunities.

What is the best strategy for applying for easy scholarships?

Organization and efficiency are two critical strategies for applying for scholarships. Once you have an idea of all the easy scholarships you want to apply for, make a list of the due dates so you can prioritize which ones to go for first.

Websites make it easy to use your time efficiently – with just a few clicks, you can apply for a lot of no essay scholarship awards quickly. Sometimes, you can create a free account to apply for scholarships automatically.

How easy is it to get a scholarship?

It depends on the scholarship contest. To get a full-ride athletic or academic scholarship, you need to be at the top of your game or your class. However, scholarships without essays are easier to get because you don’t have to ace standardized tests or break state football records.

How to find easy scholarships?

The internet is the best source of information on free money for college. Along with the awards you can find through an online search, it’s worth looking at a few other potential sources:

• Your employer
• Your parents’ employers
• Your church or religious community, especially if you plan to attend a Bible college
• Your chamber of commerce
• Local charities or community organizations

You can also contact your university directly to see if they have any  scholarships for high school seniors , current college students, or graduate students. Use the library to get information on local scholarship winners, like high school athletes or musicians.

Are scholarships taxable income?

In most cases, scholarship money is tax-free. According to the IRS, there are only a few circumstances when you need to include scholarship funds in your gross income:

When you use the money for incidental expenses, such as travel and equipment If you pay for room and board with the money If the money comes from teaching, research, or other services that you must perform to keep the scholarship

Generally, scholarship funds are tax-free if you use them to pay tuition at an accredited college or university.

What’s the difference between a grant and a scholarship?

Both grants and scholarships are “gift” types of financial aid, which means that you don’t have to pay them back (unlike student loans). However, while scholarships are usually based on merit, most grants are awarded based on financial need.

When to apply for scholarships?

There are three application “seasons”: fall, spring, and summer. Most programs with fall deadlines are for the following school year. For example, a scholarship with a deadline of October 31, 2021, would most likely provide money for the 2022-2023 school year. High school seniors planning to attend college next year should start looking at scholarships in the fall.

Spring is the most crucial time for high school students to look for scholarships – most of these awards have a deadline of May 31. The money applies to the school year starting in the fall.

Additionally, there are some scholarship programs with deadlines over the summer. While these can provide money “immediately” (for the upcoming school year), the application process can feel rushed, especially for students getting ready for their freshman year.

In general, it’s best to apply for scholarships as soon as possible. High school juniors can use the spring and summer before their senior year to start researching the available programs. Current college students can continue to apply for new awards each year.

How many scholarships can I get?

There’s no limit to the number of scholarships you can get. The more gift money you receive, the less student debt you need to take on. However, if you are planning to use financial aid to pay for school, getting a lot of scholarship money can impact the amount of aid you qualify for. If this happens, it shouldn’t affect how much you have to pay for school – it just means that the financial aid money is replaced by the scholarship funds.

Are scholarships just for high school seniors?

No, there are many scholarships for students at any education level, including undergraduate and graduate students. There are also many easy scholarships for high school students that are juniors, sophomores, and freshmen.

• Grades 6-12
• School Leaders

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24 Easy College Scholarships To Apply For Right Now

Great way to cover tuition!

Paying for college isn’t easy, but scholarships can help keep students out of debt. Unfortunately, many of them have strict eligibility requirements, and/or the application process is very time-consuming. The whole process can be pretty discouraging. That’s why we’ve put together this list of easy scholarships to apply for. With just a little effort, applicants could have some extra cash for school! 

Tips for Scholarship Applications

Before you dive into our list of easy scholarships to apply for, check out these tips to help you get started. 

Apply for Everything

OK, maybe not everything , but it’s best to apply for scholarships early and often. When the criteria is simple, these scholarship committees will receive many applications. So, get them in as early as possible and move on to the next one. 

Create a New Email Account

When applying for these easy scholarships, applicants are usually opted in to mailing lists that provide updates on the scholarship. Keep everything well-organized and in one place by having a separate email account just for communications about scholarships. 

Watch Out for Scams

Scammers know that students are desperate for money, so there are some sketchy things going on out there. Always take a few minutes to research an organization before submitting personal information to make sure they are reputable. Also, Scholarships360 has a great article on how to avoid scholarship scams . It’s worth the read!

Don’t Give Up

As we’ve already mentioned, a lot of students apply for these scholarships. Prepare for the fact that many applicants face some disappointment, but keep going!

Find Other Scholarship Opportunities

While exploring these easy scholarships to apply for is a great idea, there are many other financial awards worth considering. We have a lot of great resources to help students cover the cost of tuition:

• Full-ride scholarships
• Merit-based scholarships
• Scholarships for high school students
• Great scholarships for Black students
• Top scholarships for women
• Scholarships for future teachers
• Top STEM scholarships

Top Easy Scholarships To Apply For

Niche $50,000 “no essay” scholarship.

• Amount: $50,000
• Eligibility: High school, college, and graduate students
• Deadline: December 14, 2022

The Happy Holidays Scholarship

• Amount: $1,500
• Eligibility: Open to all high school students
• Deadline: December 31, 2022

Top Ten List Scholarship

• Eligibility: Open to all students who are 14 or older

$2,000 “No Essay” College Scholarship

• Amount: $2,000
• Eligibility: High school and college students

$2,000 Nitro College Scholarship – No Essay

• Eligibility: High school, college/community college, and graduate students

The 1st Financial Bank Financial Goals Scholarship

• Eligibility: Students who are in college and 18+ years old

$2,000 Student-Led Virtual Tour Scholarship

• Eligibility: Open to all students

$2,000 College Repayment Grant

• Eligibility: Open to college graduates (or their parents!) who are paying back student loan debt

$2,500 December ScholarshipPoints Scholarship

• Amount: $2,500
• Eligibility: High school, college, community college, and graduate students

The “No Sweat” Scholarship

• Eligibility: Students who are at least 13 years old

$5,000 Christian Connector Scholarship

• Amount: $5,000
• Eligibility: Current high school students planning to attend a Christian university or college

$5,000 Graduate School Scholarship

• Eligibility: Open to all current and prospective graduate school students

Education Matters Scholarship

Unigo $10k scholarship.

• Amount: $10,000

“Be Bold” No-Essay Scholarship

• Amount: $25,000

$40,000 BigFuture Scholarships

• Award: Up to $40,000 per month
• Eligibility: Open to U.S.-based high school students in the class of 2023—no essay, minimum GPA, test score, or citizenship requirements

I Have a Dream Scholarship

• Deadline: January 31, 2022

Discover Student Loans Scholarship Award

• Eligibility: U.S. residents who are age 16 or older
• Deadline: January 31, 2023

Lounge Lizard Web Design Scholarship

• Amount: $1,000
• Eligibility: High school seniors through graduate students who submit a web design
• Deadline: February 19, 2023, and October 2023

$10,000 CollegeXpress Scholarship

• Deadline: May 1, 2023

Annual Protestant Faith Based College Scholarship

• Eligibility: High school students planning to attend a Protestant university or college
• Deadline: May 31, 2023

Annual Catholic College Scholarship

• Eligibility: High school students planning to attend a Catholic university or college

Young Filmmakers Contest 

• Amount: $200 to $2,000
• Eligibility: Students in grade 3 up through age 25 who submit short films about sustainability
• Deadline: June 25, 2023

$10,000 “No Essay” Scholarship

• Eligibility: U.S.-based high school, college, and graduate students
• Deadline: June 30, 2023

Do you know of any easy scholarships to apply for? Share them below!

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Find College Scholarships - Essay

Search lists of scholarships by choosing a category or get matched to college scholarships you are eligible for.

• By Category
• Your Matches

Niche $25,000 "No Essay" Scholarship

• Deadline May 31, 2024
• Amount $25,000
• Offered By Niche
• State National
• Description Help cover the cost of college without writing a single essay! Niche is giving one student $25,000 to help pay for tuition, housing, books and other college expenses — no essay required! High school seniors will also be eligible to receive acceptances (and scholarships!) from our Direct Admissions partner colleges. Fill out your Niche Profile with key details like your GPA and the high school you attend, and you’ll automatically be considered. Apply below for your chance to win so you can focus on your education, not your finances. Good luck!
• Essay Required :  No
• Recommendations Required :  No
• Minimum GPA :  None
• Major All majors
• Type Generic

HGA Dendel Scholarship

• Deadline April 18, 2024
• Amount Varies
• Offered By Handweavers Guild of America, Inc.
• State Nationwide
• Description The Handweavers Guild of America, Inc., offers scholarships for each academic year through the HGA and Dendel scholarship funds. Applicants will be judged on their skill and dedication to handweaving.
• Essay Required :  Yes
• Major Design

Leiber & Stoller Music Scholarship

• Deadline April 19, 2024
• Amount $2,500
• Offered By The ASCAP Foundation
• Description This scholarship provides assistance to young aspiring songwriters, musicians and vocalists. The scholarship recipient is auditioned by the Young Musicians Foundation in Los Angeles.
• Essay Required :  Unknown
• Recommendations Required :  Unknown
• Major Music

Google Lime Scholarship

• Deadline April 21, 2024
• Amount $10,000
• Offered By Google
• Description Google's education and scholarship programs aim to inspire and help students become future leaders in computing and technology by breaking down the barriers that prevent them from entering these fields. As part of our commitment, we've partnered with Lime Connect, a nonprofit organization that supports students with disabilities while they pursue education and promising careers, to help university students with disabilities work toward their academic goals in the field of computer science.
• Recommendations Required :  Yes
• Major Computer Science
• Find Student Loans

Generation Google Scholarship

• Deadline April 23, 2024
• Description The Generation Google Scholarship was established to help aspiring computer scientists excel in technology and become leaders in the field. The Generation Google Scholarship will be awarded based on the strength of each candidate's commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, demonstrated leadership, and academic performance.

NSA Foundation Scholarship

• Deadline April 28, 2024
• Amount $5,000
• Offered By National Society of Accountants
• Description This year, NSAF will award six $5,000 scholarships to full-time students who have at least a junior status or working on a graduate degree with demonstrated ability in public speaking. Or students who wish to use and/or pursue a career in public speaking. To date, the Foundation has awarded over half-a-million dollars to help students achieve their educational goals while, at the same time, giving back to the communities where they attend class, work and live.
• Major Finance/Accounting

$ 2,000 Sallie Mae No Essay Scholarship

• Deadline April 30, 2024
• Amount $2,000
• Offered By Sallie Mae
• Description Sallie Mae will award $2,000 each month to eligible entrants. No essay or account sign-ups, just a simple scholarship for those seeking help in paying for school.
• Minimum GPA :  No

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

• Amount $ 25,000
• Offered By Bold.org
• Description An easy, no-essay scholarship. Students at any education level, school, field of study, and GPA are eligible to apply.
• Major Any Major

$ 50,000 ScholarshipOwl No Essay Scholarship

• Amount $50,000
• Offered By ScholarshipOwl
• Description Apply for the scholarship that gives you a shot at a total of $50,000. At least 4 Winners will be selected each month to be awarded $1,000. No essay is required. Once you apply, you will be automatically reapplied each month for more chances to win!

$ 2,500 ScholarshipPoints Scholarship

• Offered By ScholarshipPoints
• Description ScholarshipPoints.com will give away over $100,000 in free college scholarships this year including a $2,500 scholarship every month! Apply now!

$1,000 Review Your College Scholarship

• Amount $1,000
• Description Open to all students and recent alumni. Simply log in or create a free account below to apply.

$2,000 No Essay Scholarship

• Description Open to all high school and college students. Simply log in or create a free account below to apply.

$500 Campus Visit Award - Manchester University

• Offered By Manchester University
• Description Visit on campus as a high school senior and earn an extra $500 per year toward your tuition!

$500 Campus Visit Award - Saint Martin's University

• Amount $500
• Offered By Saint Martin's University
• Description Prospective undergraduate students automatically qualify for a $500 visit award by participating in a campus tour.

$500 Christian College Scholarship

• Offered By Christian Connector
• Description For over 20 years, The Christian Connector has provided information about Christian colleges and universities to over 1 million students and their families. Through The Christian Connector, students can apply for various Christian college scholarships, receive information, and apply to 3 Christian colleges/universities for free through one application, all for no cost.
• Major All Majors

10 min/day can save you $10,000 or more for college

• Offered By Everydae
• Description Everydae boosts grades and SAT scores in just 10 minutes a day… so you can access more merit aid for college. Try it today for only $1. Apply code NICHE to save 20%.
• Major Any Majors

AIGA Worldstudio DxD Scholarships

• Amount $3,750
• Offered By AIGA and Worldstudio
• Description AIGA believes all students deserve access to design education. The AIGA Worldstudio D×D Scholarships aim to increase diversity in the design profession by creating equitable opportunities for the next generation of creative talent. Scholarships are awarded annually to students enrolled at colleges and universities in the U.S. who demonstrate a commitment to positive social change, environmental responsibility, and cultural awareness through the practice of visual communication, including photography, illustration or graphic design.
• Minimum GPA :  3.0
• Major Visual Arts, Fine Arts, Art

American Culinary Federation Education Foundation Scholarships

• Amount $1,500
• Offered By American Culinary Federation Education Foundation
• Description The American Culinary Federation Education Foundation, with the support of the American Academy of Chefs (AAC), offers educational scholarships to high school students, college students, professional chefs looking to further their education or become certified and student culinary teams currently competing at ACF regional and national conferences.
• Minimum GPA :  2.75
• Major Culinary Arts

Barbara Rhomberg Excellence in Nursing Scholarship

• Offered By B4 Brands
• Description The Barbara Rhomberg Excellence in Nursing Scholarship, sponsored by B4 Brands, is awarded each year to a non-traditional, fulltime student pursuing undergraduate degrees in nursing. Scholarship winners receive a non-renewable scholarship of $1,000 payable directly to the institution in which they are enrolled.
• Major Nursing

Betty and Glenn Tribe Scholarship

• Amount 1000
• Offered By Community Foundation Southwest Washington
• State Washington
• Description Available to students attending Clark College and Washington State University who are pursuing a degree in Mechanical Engineering.
• Major Engineering

California Military Department GI Bill Award Program

• Offered By California Student Aid Commission
• State California
• Description If you are an active member in the California National Guard, the State Military Reserve, or the Naval Militia you may be eligible for a state-funded program designed to provide an educational incentive to improve your skills, competencies, and abilities.
• Type Active Military Duty

Easiest Scholarships to Get in 2024

Access thousands of exclusive scholarships for free

"Be Bold" No-Essay Scholarship

Identifying Easy-to-Get Scholarships

Application process for scholarships, managing your financial aid, avoiding scholarship scams, frequently asked questions about the easiest scholarships to get.

Are you searching for easy scholarships to ease the financial burden of rising college tuition costs? Look no further! We understand the challenges students face today, and we're here to help. In this article, I'll guide you through the process of finding and applying for easy scholarships, providing valuable tips and strategies. 

As the price of college increases, many students seek out scholarships to fund their college tuition. It can be overwhelming to apply for a variety of scholarships while still in school, especially when they require a lot of work in order to adequately fulfill the requirements. That’s why easy scholarships make the chances of winning a bit easier.

At Bold.org, we’ve helped countless students secure scholarships and achieve their academic goals . By reading on, I'll share how to access valuable scholarship resources and increase your chances of securing financial assistance for your education!

Ready to make your scholarship journey easier? Start by creating your scholarship profile and apply for easy scholarships today ! 

Keep in mind that an easy scholarship application does not necessarily mean that it is easier to get. In fact, scholarships without an essay or requirement open the applicant pool as more people will apply. This will make it much more competitive, as it's hard to stand out on an application.

Typically, the hardest scholarships to attain are those where you can apply with a few clicks and without essays . Since those take much effort, you will have more competition.

You will find that easy-to-get scholarships require a lot more work . These scholarships typically have fewer applicants due to specific criteria or lesser-known application processes. Understanding the criteria for easy scholarships and knowing where to find them can significantly increase your chances of success.

When it comes to finding scholarships , it's important to know that not all of them are created equal. Some scholarships require extensive essays, letters of recommendation , and a high GPA , while others are much easier to apply to.

Easy scholarships, as the name suggests, have simpler application processes and may have more applicants with lower chances of winning . As the scholarship becomes more rigorous, you have more of an opportunity to stand out within your application materials.

Criteria for Easy Scholarships

There are no singular eligibility requirements that create an "easy scholarship." In fact, most will vary amongst each other. By identifying scholarships that align with your profile, you can save time and increase your likelihood of receiving the award.

A platform like Bold.org allows you to build your relationship with the platform by organizing all your information in your profile. There, you can share your place of residence, education level, skills, interests, and expertise.

Get Matched to Thousands of Scholarships

Create your Bold.org profile to access thousands of exclusive scholarships, available only on Bold.org.

This way, scholarships that are catered to you will be more accessible, allowing you to stay up to date on potential prospects. For example, there are scholarships available for students interested in pursuing careers in STEM , art, or community service.

These scholarships are designed to support students who are passionate about these fields and want to make a difference. Taking the time to research these opportunities will give you a competitive advantage and increase your chances of securing financial aid.

Where to Find Easy Scholarships

Now that you know what to look for, it's time to find easy scholarships.

Bold.org is one of the fastest-growing scholarship platforms today. New resources are uploaded daily for students to choose from. There are a variety of different types of college scholarships you can qualify for, some being some of the easiest you will have access to.

While the criteria depend on the scholarship, Bold.org does a great job diversifying the requirements to ensure there is something for everyone . At the same time, most are essay scholarships, and some prompt artistic portfolios as well.

In addition to scholarship platforms such as Bold.org, check with local organizations, community foundations, and even your school's financial aid office for any lesser-known scholarships.

These scholarships are often overlooked by many students, which means there may be less competition for them. Don't underestimate the power of local scholarships – they can be a great way to secure financial aid.

Remember, easy scholarships may not always come with an exorbitant amount of money, but they can still help cover expenses like textbooks or supplies. Every bit counts! So, don't hesitate to apply for as many scholarships as possible, as they can provide valuable support on your educational journey.

Preparing your scholarship application well in advance is imperative to your success. Although every scholarship will vary in its specific requirements, here are a few general tips that will hopefully guide you in crafting a compelling application.

Applying for scholarships can be a highly competitive process, with thousands of high school seniors contending for a large portion of a limited fund. Therefore, it is essential to approach the application process with careful consideration and attention to detail to indicate why you deserve it more than the next candidate.

Preparing Your Scholarship Application

Begin every application by carefully reading and understanding what the scholarship requires. Create a checklist of the necessary documents, which are generally transcripts, recommendation letters, and essays. Getting a head start on obtaining all these materials in advance will save you a lot of time and stress later on.

When writing your essays, make sure you spend enough time reflecting on all your passions, goals, and aspirations in relation to the scholarship. Show the committee why you need this scholarship and the potential it has to change your future direction.

Ensure to be authentic and provide specific examples that highlight your achievements and experiences. This is your opportunity to demonstrate why you are the ideal candidate for the scholarship and differentiate yourself from others.

Consider seeking guidance from mentors, teachers, or professionals in your field of interest. Do not be afraid to have them double-check your work and share what perspective a first-time reader might have. Their insights and feedback can help you refine your application and make it stand out from the competition.

Tips for a Successful Application

Presentation will be critical in order to achieve initial approval from the scholarship panel. As you may already figure, there are probably dozens, if not hundreds, of other applicants that require reading. If the initial read doesn't check off all their boxes, you might risk winning.

Double-check your application for spelling and grammar errors. Neatly organize your supporting materials, following any specific formatting guidelines provided. A well-organized and error-free application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism.

Even consider having a trusted friend or advisor review your application prior to submission . Having new eyes can be great in identifying any mistakes or areas that may need improvement. They may also provide valuable feedback on the overall effectiveness of your application.

Another great tip would be to meet all the deadlines. Staying on top of your reminders can help you stay on track and ensure you never miss an opportunity. Missing the application deadline can result in immediate disqualification, regardless of its quality.

Furthermore, you might want to make sure to only apply for scholarships that align with your interests, goals, and background. Tailoring your application to each scholarship opportunity demonstrates your genuine interest and dedication. Trust me, the committee will be able to vaguely tell if the article is missing that effect.

Lastly and probably the most important, do not be discouraged by rejection. Scholarship applications can be highly competitive, and it is common to face rejection at times. Use each application as a learning experience and an opportunity to improve . Keep refining your skills and seeking out new opportunities.

While securing financial aid through scholarships is an exciting achievement, you must still ensure to manage it effectively to ensure continued funding throughout your college journey. In addition to receiving financial assistance, there are several important factors to consider when it comes to managing your scholarships.

Keeping Track of Your Scholarships

Students are primarily recommended to create a system for keeping track of their scholarships. This can be as simple as creating a spreadsheet or using designated software to organize all the necessary information. Documenting the details of each scholarship, such as the award amount and any responsibilities

Moreover, by keeping track of your scholarships, you have a much more representative overview of your financial situation and how much you owe in education-related expenses.

You can easily see how much funding you have received and how much is left remaining. This knowledge will assist you in budgeting accordingly as well as making informed decisions about your expenses during your college years.

It's worth noting that some scholarships may have additional requirements beyond the initial application. For example, you may need to provide progress reports or documentation of volunteer hours periodically. By including these details in your tracking system, you can stay on top of any necessary updates and ensure that you meet all the scholarship's obligations.

Renewing Your Financial Aid

Many scholarships are renewable, meaning that you can receive funding for multiple years. However, renewal only happens if you continue to meet specific criteria. This will largely differ from scholarship to scholarship but commonly includes maintaining a minimum GPA , completing a certain number of credit hours, or participating in specific extracurricular activities.

To ensure your spot at receiving financial aid throughout your college education, it is critical to familiarize yourself with the renewal requirements (if there are any) for each scholarship you've been given. By staying on top of this earlier, you can proactively plan your academic and extracurricular activities to meet them.

Renewing your financial aid also presents an opportunity for self-reflection and goal-setting. Take the time to evaluate your progress and consider how you can continue to excel academically and personally. By setting goals and working towards them, you not only increase your chances of renewing your financial aid but also enhance your overall college experience.

Additionally, keep in mind any deadlines associated with the renewal process. Mark these dates on your calendar and set reminders to ensure that you submit all required documents and information on time. Being proactive and organized in this aspect will help you avoid any unnecessary stress and ensure a smooth renewal process.

In your search for scholarships, it is important to stay vigilant and protect yourself from scholarship scams . Unfortunately, there are individuals and organizations that prey on unsuspecting students.

When it comes to scholarships, it's important to remember that not all opportunities are real. While there are countless legitimate scholarships available, there are also scams lurking in the shadows, waiting to take advantage of eager students.

One of the key ways to recognize scholarship scams is to be cautious of any scholarship that requires an upfront fee , requires unnecessary personal information, or even guarantees an award. No scholarship should charge a fee to apply, and none should ever require payment of any kind. Always stay vigilant to this red flag and avoid any opportunity that may ask for money in exchange for something.

Another immediate warning sign to really look out for is any website that prompts sensitive personal information, such as your Social Security number. Information like this is highly confidential and should not be shared with just anyone. Before providing any personal details, it's essential to thoroughly research the scholarship provider and ensure their legitimacy.

Now that you have a comprehensive understanding of the easiest scholarship to get and a simple guide to securing financial aid, you're well-equipped to embark on your scholarship journey. Best of luck in finding the scholarships that are a perfect fit for you!

Do easy scholarships offer significant financial awards?

Easy scholarships may offer varying award amounts, but they are typically smaller than more competitive scholarships. However, the cumulative value of multiple easy scholarships can still be significant.

Are easy scholarships worth applying for?

Yes, easy scholarships are worth applying for, as they can provide financial assistance for educational expenses with minimal effort. Every scholarship you receive can help reduce the overall cost of education.

How can I improve my chances of winning easy scholarships?

To improve your chances of winning easy scholarships, make sure to meet all eligibility criteria, submit well-prepared applications, and apply for as many scholarships as possible.

Curious to learn more? Access our Scholarship Blog to learn about student financials, debt, scholarships, and more. Don't miss out!

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50 Easy Scholarships for High School Freshmen

David Oct 8, 2020

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Are you waiting until your senior year of high school to start applying for college scholarships? You’re missing out! 

Many students don’t realize it, but you can start applying for scholarships as early as your freshman year of high school.

Starting early gives you more time to apply for a lot of scholarships. 

Check out our list of 50 scholarships for high school freshmen and get started today.

The fastest path to earning scholarships

Simplify and focus your application process with the one-stop platform for vetted scholarships.

50 scholarships for high school freshman for 2022

$1,000 Easy Scholarship: Ask a Grandparent or Older Adult to Share a Story

DoSomething.org sponsors this $1,000 scholarship for students under 26-years-old, including freshmen students. To apply, swap stories with an older adult to decrease isolation during COVID-19. Either call or video chat with an older adult and ask them to share a story with you.

A Voice for Animals Contest

The ‘A Voice for Animals Contest’ awards up to $500 to students between the ages of 14-18. To apply, submit an essay about animals.

Fifth Month Scholarship

Unigo awards the Fifth Month Scholarship to students 13 years of age and older. To apply, write a letter to the number five explaining why five is important. The award amount is $1,500.

Scholarship Detective Launch Scholarship

The Scholarship Detective Launch Scholarship awards $1,000 to students, including freshmen students. To apply, fill out a short online application and share how you will use the scholarship.

The “Be Bold” No-Essay Community Scholarship

All students can apply for the “Be Bold” No-Essay Community Scholarship, including freshman students. To apply, sign up on Bold.org and invite your friends to join. The scholarship favors applicants who apply earlier. The award amount is $5,000.

Make Me Laugh Scholarship

Unigo’s Make Me Laugh Scholarship invites students above 13 years of age to apply. To apply, share a funny or embarrassing experience you’ve had that will make the scholarship judges laugh. The award amount is $1,500.

Don’t Text and Drive Scholarship

The Don’t Text and Drive Scholarship awards $1,000 to students of all ages, including freshmen students. To apply, fill out a short form and explain why you will not text and drive.

Christian Colleges No-Essay Scholarship

The Christian Colleges No-Essay Scholarship awards high school students, including freshmen students. Applicants must be interested in attending a Christian college or university. The scholarship favors applicants who apply early. The award amount is $1,000.

CollegeXpress $10,000 Scholarship

The CollegeXpress Scholarship awards $10,000 to high school students, including freshman students. All you have to do is sign up and you are entered to win.

The Gen and Kelly Tanabe Scholarship awards all high school students, including freshmen students. To apply, write a short response answering why you deserve to win the scholarship. You can also write about your academic or career goals. The award amount is $1,000.

High School Social Leaders Scholarship

Are you committed to making the world a better place? Write an essay about it for the High School Social Leaders Scholarship. The scholarship awards high school students, including freshmen students. The award amount is $1,000.

$1,000 Easy Scholarship: Take a Quiz to Prep for the Elections in Light of COVID-19

DoSomething.org sponsors this easy scholarship. All you have to do is take an online quiz to educate friends on the impact of COVID-19 on the upcoming elections. It takes less than 2 minutes to complete the quiz. The award amount is $1,000.

I Have a Dream Scholarship

The I Have a Dream Scholarship awards students who are currently enrolled in college or will be enrolled by 2027. Applicants must be above 13 years of age. To apply, write a short essay on your dreams. The award amount is $1,500.

JFK Profile in Courage Essay Contest

The JFK Profile in Courage Essay Contest awards high school students, including freshmen students. To apply, write an essay about a U.S. elected historical figure. The award amount is $10,000.

One Move Ahead Chess Scholarship

The One Move Ahead Chess Scholarships awards chess players of all ages. To apply, write an essay on your history as a chess player, what you’ve learned from chess, and what your life and career goals are. The award amount is $1,000.

The Princeton Prize in Race Relations

Are you working to advance racial equality? Apply for the Princeton Prize in Race Relations. The scholarship awards high school students, including freshmen students. The award amount is $1,000.

Recent Immigrant Scholarship

Did you immigrate to the U.S. on or after January 1, 2010? Apply for the Recent Immigration Scholarship. To apply, write an essay on your background and how the U.S. compares to your home country. The award amount is $1,000.

$1,000 May Scholarship

Niche awards this $1,000 May Scholarship to high school and college students of all ages. To apply, create a free account. You can apply once a month.

ScholarshipPoints $10,000 Scholarship Program

The ScholarshipPoints Scholarship Program awards high school and college students of all ages, including freshmen students. To apply, fill out the quick registration form. The award amount is $10,000.

Selectblinds $1,000 Scholarship

Do you have innovative ideas about window treatments? Apply for the Selectblind Scholarship. $1,000. The scholarship awards students of all ages, including freshmen students. You must have a minimum 2.5 GPA. To apply, you need to write a short essay. The award amount is $1,000.

Taco Bell Live Más Scholarship

The Taco Bell Live Mas Scholarship awards high school students, including freshmen students. To apply, submit a video about your passion in life. The award amount ranges from $5,000-$25,000.

Technology Addiction Awareness Scholarship

The Technology Addiction Awareness Scholarship awards students of all ages, including freshmen students. To apply, complete the application, and write a short message about technology addiction. Finalists will have to write a longer 500-1,000 word essay about technology addiction. The award amount is $1,000.

The Vegetarian Resource Group Scholarships

The Vegetarian Resource Group Scholarships award high school students who are vegetarians or vegans, including freshmen students. There are two scholarships for $5,000 and one scholarship for $10,000.

Unigo Flavor of the Month Scholarship

The Unigo Flavor of the Month Scholarship awards students who will be in college by 2026. Applicants must be above 13 years of age. To apply, write a short essay on what ice cream flavor you would be. The award amount is $1,500.

Innovation in Education Scholarship

LaTutors sponsors this $500 scholarship to students in high school or college. You must have a minimum 3.0 GPA. You also must have designed an innovative project that makes a difference in the lives of others. To apply, submit an essay describing the goal of your project.

Comparing Anthem and The Fountainhead Contest – 8th, 9th and 10th Grade

The Ayn Rand Institute awards a scholarship to students in grades 8-10. To apply, write an essay comparing Anthem and The Fountainhead. The award is up to $2,000.

Novo Nordisk Donnelly Award

The Novo Nordisk Donnelly Award is open to students between 14-21 years of age. You must have diabetes and play tennis competitively or on your high school teams. The award amount is up to $8,000.

Communication Contest for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (CCDHH)

Optimist International awards this scholarship to students through grade 12. You must be deaf or hard of hearing. The award amount is $2,500.

DoSomething.org awards this $1,000. To apply, submit tips on how you’re getting through the COVID-19 outbreak. DoSomething will use your advice to create a new mental health guide for students.

$2,000 “No Essay” College Scholarship

Niche awards a $2,000 “No Essay” scholarship to students of all ages. To apply, create a free account.

$3,000 Easy Scholarship: Complete One Sports-Themed Challenge to Impact COVID-19 Timing

DoSomething.org awards this $3,000 scholarship to students. To apply, join the #oneteam challenge and complete one challenge to enter. The more challenges you complete, the more chances you have to win. Challenges include cheering on your community’s essential workers or serving as your #oneteam dream team captain by hosting an online sports practice or dance party.

School Survey Sweepstakes

Niche awards this $1,000 scholarship to current high school students, including freshmen students. To apply, take a survey on your high school.

JASNA Essay Contest

The Jane Austen Society of North America awards up to $1,000 to students of all ages, including freshmen students. To apply, write an essay on a topic related to a work by Jane Austen.

Ocean Awareness Student Contest

‘From the Bow Seat’ awards up to $1,500 to middle and high school students. Students must be between the ages of 11 and 18. To apply, submit a piece of art, poetry, prose, film, or music according to a specific theme.

Breakthrough Junior Challenge

The Breakthrough Junior Challenge awards up to $250,000 to students between the ages of 13-18. To apply, make a short video explaining a big scientific idea in fundamental physics, life sciences, or mathematics.

Digital Privacy Scholarship

The Digital Privacy Scholarship awards this scholarship to students of all ages, including freshmen students. To apply, fill out a short form and explain in under 140 characters how you’re taking responsibility for your digital profile. The award amount is $1,000.

Do-Over Scholarship

The do-over scholarship awards $1,500 to students 13 years of age and older. To apply, fill out a short form and explain what you would do if you could turn back time.

No Sweat Scholarship

The No Sweat Scholarship awards students 13 years of age and older. To apply, create a free ‘Cirkled In’ account. The award amount is $1,000.

Scholarship Poetry Contest

The Scholarship Poetry Contest awards high school students, including freshmen students. To apply, submit an original poem with 20 lines or less. The award amount is up to $500.

NRA Civil Rights Defense Fund Essay Contest

The NRA Civil Rights Defense Fund Essay Contest invites high school students to submit an essay. You must write about what the second amendment means to you. Award amounts are up to $1,000.

Blue Mountain Arts Poetry Contest

The Blue Mountain Arts Poetry Contest awards students of all ages, including freshmen students. To apply, submit an original poem. Award amounts are up to $300.

We the Students Essay Contest

The ‘We the Students Essay Contest’ invites students in grades 8-12 to apply. To apply, fill out the online application and write an essay on the given topic. Award amounts are up to $5,000.

Visionary Scholarship Program

High school students can apply for the Visionary Scholarship Program, including freshmen students. To apply, submit a copy of your most recent high school transcript and an essay on why college is important to you. The award amount is between $1,000-$5,000.

H&R Block Budget Challenge

The H&R Block Budget Challenge awards high school students, including freshmen students. To apply, you must play an online game that simulates adult life in terms of financial literacy. Award amounts are $10,000.

AutoPets™ Out-of-the-Box Thinking Scholarship

Current high school students can apply for this scholarship, including freshmen students. To apply, write an essay about an innovative pet product idea.

Create-A-Greeting-Card Scholarship Contest

The Create-A-Greeting-Card Scholarship awards students 14-years-old and older. To apply, design a greeting card using a photo, piece of artwork, or computer graphic. The award amount is $10,000.

Marine Band Concerto Competition for High School Musicians

The Marine Band Concerto Competition awards high school musicians, including freshmen students. To apply, you must play a woodwind, brass, or percussion instrument. Submit a recommendation letter and an audio recording of your performance. There is a $500 award and a $2,500 award.

Minecraft Scholarship

The Minecraft Scholarship awards high school and college students, including freshmen students. To apply, you must have a minimum 3.0 GPA. Submit an essay on how Minecraft has a positive influence on education and career development. The award amount is $2,000.

Have you made a positive influence on the people in your community? Apply for the Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes. The scholarship awards students between the ages of 8-18. Award amounts are $10,000.

Kohl’s Kids Who Care Scholarship Program

The Kohl’s Kids Who Care Scholarship program awards students ages 6-18. To apply, you must be nominated by an adult. There are awards for $1,000 and $5,000. 

Final thoughts

It’s never too early to start applying for scholarships! Remember, the earlier you start applying, the more time you have to win money for college. Open a Google Doc, create a list of scholarships you want to apply for, and start applying today!

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David Tabachnikov is the CEO of ScholarshipOwl. Formerly at Waze and Google, David is an experienced CTO/R&D manager with over 10 years of experience of leading tech teams. David fervently believes that students should have greater access to education, and is passionate about using technology to help them achieve that goal.

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26 Easy Scholarships for Busy Students

For high school students, balancing coursework and applying to college can feel like a full-time job. The last thing you want to worry about is filling out lengthy scholarship applications. Plus, the more time you spend applying for college scholarships, the fewer scholarship applications you’ll have time to submit. Ultimately, that leaves you unable to win as many awards.

Applying for a bunch of “easy scholarships” is one way to maximize your chances of winning free money to put toward your tuition. Another is to sign up for a platform that can help you streamline your scholarship application process.

With Going Merry, you can keep all your application materials in one place, get matched to scholarships , reuse documents, learn about financial aid , and apply to multiple scholarships at once. Added bonus: You can even switch on “auto-apply,” and we’ll automatically submit an application to any future No-Essay scholarships you’re eligible for. One of the best parts of Going Merry is that we only feature free scholarships, so it’ll never cost you even a dollar to apply. 

Sign up to simplify your scholarship search.

26 Easy scholarships for higher education

From no-essay scholarships to scholarships with easy application processes, these 28 awards are quick and painless to apply for. None require long essays, and very few require test scores, community service hours, or letters of recommendation. So take a look, find the ones you’re eligible for, and start applying with just a few simple clicks. 

1. Burger King James W. McLamore Whopper Scholarship Award

Amount: Up to $50,000

Provider : Burger King Foundation

Eligibility Requirements :

• Minimum GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale
• Planning to enroll full-time in a college or university
• Graduating high school senior 

Application Requirements: Transcript, relevant work experience, list of extracurricular activities, tax return

Each year, the Burger King James W. McLamore Whopper Scholarship Award gives out over $7 million dollars in free money to academically qualified college students across the United States. Winners can receive between $1,000 and $50,000. The scholarship application is straightforward and takes very little time — you only have to list your previous work experience and community involvement.

2. Doodle for Google

Amount: Up to $30,000

Provider : Google

• Enrolled in kindergarten through twelfth grade 

Application Requirements: Essay, drawing

If you’re a student with artistic flair, the Doodle for Google scholarship program could send you to college with money in your pocket. This scholarship competition includes multiple tiers, which means one winner gets the grand prize of $30,000, and five national finalists receive awards of $5,000. To apply, you’ll need to create a creative, original doodle to be featured on Google.com. Incorporate the Google logo in a unique way, then write a few sentences about what you’ve drawn. 

3. VFW – Voice of Democracy National Audio Essay

Provider : Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)

• Enrolled in high school

Application Requirements: Audio essay

All high school students are eligible to apply for the VFW – Voice of Democracy National Audio Essay scholarship competition. It’s an award created by Veterans of Foreign Wars, the oldest U.S. organization supporting U.S. vets. To apply, record a three- to five-minute audio file that speaks to the scholarship’s annual theme. Applicants will be judged based on originality, content, and clarity. 

4. “ Be Bold” No Essay Scholarship

Amount: $25,000

Provider : Bold.org

• Enrolled or planning to enroll in a college or university

Application Requirements: None

An organization dedicated to fighting student debt, Bold.org created the “Be Bold” No Essay Scholarship giveaway for students who demonstrate boldness and determination. All you need to do to apply is create a profile on Bold.org and explain what makes you unique. This scholarship fund is available to everyone from high school juniors to grad students. There are monthly scholarship deadlines, so check back frequently and re-enter as needed. 

5. Taco Bell Live Más Scholarship

Provider : Taco Bell

• Between 16 and 26 years old 
• Not an employee of Taco Bell

Application Requirements: Video essay

Do you love making TikTok videos? Are you passionate about something? If you answered yes to both questions, check out the Taco Bell Live Más Scholarship . This scholarship award has one simple application step: create a video. Use your film to express your passion and explain how you plan to utilize it to improve your community. Also be sure to describe how higher education will help you achieve your goals. The video can be no longer than two minutes and thirty seconds, so keep your answers short and sweet.

6. National GEM Consortium Fellowships

Amount: $16,000 minimum stipend + full tuition and fees 

Provider : The National GEM Consortium

Eligibility Requirements : 

• Minimum GPA of 2.8 on a 4.0 scale
• Graduate student
• Black/African American, Hispanic/Latinx, and/or Native American 
• Declared study in engineering or computer science 
• Availability to intern with the sponsoring company for two summers

Application Requirements: Transcript, resume

The National GEM Consortium Fellowships are for graduate students pursuing engineering or computer science degrees. Unlike many graduate school scholarship applications, this one is pretty simple. The selection committee wants to see your grades and previous work history. This generous award includes coverage of full tuition and fees. Scholarship winners are also offered internships with a sponsoring company for two summers, which means it could lead to future job opportunities, too. 

7. Sprout Social UNCF Scholarship Program

Amount: Up to $11,000

Provider : Sprout Social

• Minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
• Black/African American
• College senior
• Declared field of study in computer science or software engineering

Application Requirements: Transcript, resume 

The Sprout Social UNCF Scholarship Program is a fantastic option for Black college seniors. All you need to do to apply is submit your transcript and resume. On your resume, be sure to list your extracurricular activities, awards, and level of proficiency in different programming languages. Winners will also get the chance to apply and interview for a full-time position at Sprout Social upon graduation. Students can attend any university in the U.S., but Sprout Social gives some preference to applicants from Howard University, North Carolina AT&T, and Georgia Tech.

8. For A Bright Future Global Scholarship Program

Amount: Up to $10,000

Provider : For A Bright Future Foundation

• Asian American, Black/African American, Hispanic/Latinx, and/or Native American
• Declared field of study in a STEAM-related field 

Application Requirements: Transcript, essay, tax return

The For A Bright Future Global Scholarship Program is a prestigious scholarship fund that supports students of color pursuing undergraduate degrees. The award is merit-based but also takes financial need into account. That means you’ll need to submit your family’s financial information to apply. Otherwise, the only application component is a short, 250- to 500-word essay. Write about overcoming adversity and how education will help you give back to your community. (To take your essay to the next level, check out some of Going Merry’s helpful tips .)

9. Unigo $10K Scholarship

Amount: $10,000

Provider : Unigo

• 14 years old or older

Application Requirements: Essay

To apply for Unigo’s $10k Scholarship opportunity , you’ll need to write a 250-word essay answering this question: Would you rather be funny, smart, or rich? Unigo wants to hear what skill you prioritize and how it can help you in your future. The selection committee will judge your application based on the quality of your answer as well as your creativity and originality, so have fun with it.

10. Scholarship4Moms

Provider : Scholarships4Moms

• 18 years old or older
• A mother or an expectant mother

If you’re a mother or expectant mother with plans to pursue higher education, the Scholarship4Moms has an application that’s easy enough to squeeze into your busy schedule. While this award is a bit niche, the sweepstakes occur five times per year and the only requirement is your contact information. This is one of the easiest scholarships to apply for on our list, and winners can use the cash for any education-related expenses. 

11. No Essay Smart Owl Scholarship

Amount: $7,000

Provider : ScholarshipOwl

• Enrolled or planning to enroll in a high school, college, or university
• 16 years old or older 
• Residing in any state except for Rhode Island or Michigan

The ScholarshipOwl platform helps students apply for many scholarships at once. It charges a fee for this service, but its scholarship sweepstakes is totally free. To apply for the No Essay Smart Owl Scholarship, applicants must register for the ScholarshipOwl website. Anyone who registers is automatically entered into the scholarship contest, which chooses winners at random. The only fine print is that Rhode Island and Michigan residents are not eligible for this award. 

12. The Excelsior Scholarship

Amount: Up to $5,500

Provider : State of New York

• New York State resident 
• Enrolled or planning to enroll in an undergraduate program at a SUNY or CUNY college
• Combined federal income of less than $125,000 

Application Requirements: Proof of acceptance or enrollment, tax returns

The State of New York sponsors the Excelsior Scholarship . Its goal is to help college-bound students from lower-income families pay for education-related expenses. The application process is easy and just requires students to prove their residency in New York state; their intention to attend a SUNY, CUNY, or otherwise affiliated state school; and proof of high school graduation or equivalency. This award is open to students of all ages, though students who have previously enrolled in a college or university are not eligible. 

13. The Earnest Scholarship

Amount: $5,000

Provider : Earnest, LLC

• Enrolled or planning to enroll full-time in a college or university

Earnest offers low-interest student loans to help students fill in gaps in their financial aid as dictated by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®). Recently, the company launched the Earnest Scholarship , which it awards to 50  students annually. To apply, students must complete a simple application that includes their email, mailing address, and college or university name. The competition is open to high school students as well as current college students.

14. Stephen J. Brady Stop Hunger Scholarships

Provider : Stop Hunger Foundation

• Enrolled or planning to enroll in a primary school, secondary school, or college or university
• Between ages 5 and 25 

Application Requirements: Community service history

Named for the passionate founder of the Stop Hunger Foundation, the Stephen J. Brady Stop Hunger Scholarships reward students committed to community service. To apply, you must demonstrate that you’ve been doing unpaid volunteer work for a minimum of twelve months. If you win, you’ll also get free money for a nonprofit of your choice: winners receive $5,000 to put toward education-related expenses and $5,000 for their favorite nonprofit. 

15. Geraldine “Polly” Bednash Scholarship

Provider : American Association of Colleges of Nursing and CastleBranch

• Minimum GPA of 3.2 on a 4.0 scale
• Enrolled or planning to enroll in a college or university at an AACN member institution
• Declared field of study in nursing 

Sponsored by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, the Geraldine “Polly” Bednash Scholarship is a great opportunity for both current college students and those pursuing graduate school in nursing. To apply, you must study or plan to study at an AACN member institution affiliated with CastleBranch, an HR platform for healthcare services. (Applicants can find an extensive list of qualifying schools here .) The only application requirement is a quick, 250-word essay about your future goals and aspirations in nursing. 

16. ABA Diversity Scholarship

Provider : American Bus Association

• Asian American, Pacific Islander, Black/African American, Hispanic/Latinx, and/or Native American 
• Declared field of study in tourism or hospitality

This easy scholarship application is open to undergraduate and graduate students alike. Sponsored by the American Bus Association — which supports the bus and travel industries — the ABA Diversity Scholarship is for students from underrepresented groups interested in pursuing a career in the tourism industry. To apply, write a 500-word essay about your future goals in travel and tourism. If this scholarship sounds niche, don’t discount yourself: the travel industry encompasses everything from hospitality to transportation. 

17. Jungle Scout Scholarship Program

Amount: $2,500

Provider : Jungle Scout

Application Requirements: Video essay, proof of acceptance or enrollment

Jungle Scout provides data to help entrepreneurs grow their businesses on Amazon. As part of that mission to empower the next generation of entrepreneurs, it created the Jungle Scout Scholarship Program . If you have an innovative idea for a new company or want to study business in college, this easy scholarship is worth a look. The only application requirement is a three-minute video expressing your passion for innovation and e-commerce. 

18. Christian College Scholarship

Provider : The Christian Connector, Inc.

• Planning to enroll in a Christian college or university
• 13 years old or older

The Christian Connector assists students around the U.S. as they explore Christian colleges. To help combat the rising cost of student loans, the organization has sponsored the Christian College Scholarship , which awards multiple $2,500 prizes via a random drawing. All you have to do to apply is fill out a short survey about your college aspirations. 

19. Future Designer Scholarship

Amount: $2,000

Provider : CardsDirect

• 17 years old or older 

Application Requirements: Piece of art

If you’re the kind of student who always finds yourself doodling in the margins, the Future Designer Scholarship could put those artistic skills to use. CardsDirect is on the hunt for its next best-selling holiday card design. All you have to do to apply for this scholarship program is submit one piece of original artwork and the name of the college or university where you’re enrolled or planning to enroll. 

20. Zombie Apocalypse Scholarship

Do you love science fiction? Have you ever fantasized about surviving a zombie apocalypse?? If so, Unigo wants to hear about it. The Zombie Apocalypse Scholarship will award one lucky applicant $2,000 to help pay their college tuition. Just write a 250-word essay about how you’ll creatively escape a zombie takeover, and you’ll be entered for a chance to win.

21. Wize USA High School Scholarship 

Amount: $1,000

Provider : Wize Prep

Due on: June 29th 

• Enrolled in high school 

The Wize USA High School Scholarship is open to high school students of all ages, and it has one of the easiest scholarship applications on our list. To apply, just create a profile on Wize Prep, an online education platform, and fill in some basic contact information. That’s it! You’ll be entered to win a $1,000 scholarship you can use to help pay for any education-related expenses, including tuition, textbooks, and school supplies.

22. Going Merry Refer-A-Friend Scholarship

Provider : Going Merry

Application Requirements: Email addresses

The Going Merry Refer-A-Friend Scholarship has two perks. First, it’s a super easy scholarship to apply for. Second, scholarship winners get to share the wealth with a friend. This scholarship contest works like a raffle, which means winners are selected at random. To apply, you just have to refer a friend to Going Merry and encourage them to sign up. Once they do, you and your bud each receive an entry into the scholarship drawing. This competition is open to high school and current college students alike.

23. CareerFitter Scholarship

Provider : CareerFitter

• Minimum GPA of 2.4 on a 4.0 scale

Application Requirements: Transcript, essay

The CareerFitter Scholarship is open to both undergraduate and graduate students — and all you have to do to apply is write a 900-character essay about your dream career. (That’s fewer than 300 words.) Not sure what your dream career is? Try CareerFitter’s career test. The quiz isn’t required for your application, but it could help spark some good ideas.

24. Don’t Text and Drive Scholarship

Provider : Digital Responsibility

Application Requirements: Personal statement

Texting while driving is extremely dangerous and extremely common. To help raise awareness of its risks, Digital Responsibility created the Don’t Text and Drive Scholarship . To apply, students must write a 140-character statement about texting and driving. This contest is open to students from high school to graduate school. If you’re selected as a finalist, you’ll be asked to expand on your original statement. 

25. Going Merry Community Service Scholarship

As a scholarship search and application platform, Going Merry is focused on supporting students.  That’s why we created the Going Merry Community Service Scholarship . This award recognizes students who have dedicated themselves to local community service. To apply, write a compelling 600-word essay about your work and how you plan to continue volunteering in the future. This award is open to current high school seniors and undergraduate students alike.

26. Perfecting The Craft Annual Scholarship

Amount: $500

Provider : Fintech Abrasives

Application Requirements: Transcript, video, or written essay

This scholarship application is another fun and easy one. Fintech Abrasives wants to help students in their journey to pursue higher education through its Perfecting The Craft Annual Scholarship . To win this scholarship money, you’ll need to get creative: The selection committee wants to hear about your passion for your craft in whatever way you want to share it. Feel free to submit a written essay, video, artwork, or whatever format fits your expertise.

Get more easy scholarships on Going Merry 

Applying for scholarships doesn’t have to be overly time-consuming. In fact, there are a ton of easy scholarships out there (like those listed above) that don’t require test scores, letters of recommendation, or super long essays. Some have application processes that take as few as five minutes. The only trick is finding them — which is where Going Merry comes in.

Unlike other scholarship websites , Going Merry makes it easy to apply for scholarships like these. We help students fill the gap between financial aid and student loans with lucrative, high-quality scholarships. With an extensive database, you can also find niche scholarships with less competition to give you a greater chance of winning free scholarships. Going Merry takes the legwork out of the scholarship search process: The platform automatically matches you with relevant awards. All you have to do is create a profile, and we’ll generate a personalized list of scholarship opportunities you’re eligible for.

If you want to win free money to help you pay for your higher education, sign up for Going Merry and complete your profile today. 

Disclaimer: This blog post provides personal finance educational information, and it is not intended to provide legal, financial, or tax advice.

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• 26 Easy Scholarships for Busy Students - August 23, 2022

Ready to find scholarships that are a match for you?

• April 22, 2023

Easy Scholarships for College & Beyond

Millions of unclaimed scholarship money is wasted every year, meanwhile the average college graduate carries about $30,000 in student loans. Sure, applying to all these scholarships takes time, but it’s time that would be well spent assuming you are able to get a scholarship or two as a result.

Many of these scholarships require a high ACT Score – check out our favorite ACT prep books that will help you get there!

Merit-Based Aid for College

Colleges look good when they admit high talent into their incoming classes. With this in mind, they are willing to offer somewhat significant scholarships for those with fairly high GPA and test scores. Assuming you’ve been working hard in high school, these types of scholarships are not too difficult to obtain and often require little to no application, as they are automatic upon admittance.

If you have a high GPA and test scores, you should certainly look at these colleges that offer the best merit-based aid to students, ranging from $15,000 – $30,000 in scholarship for anywhere between 25-50% of its student body.

Table of Contents:

Click on the links to jump straight to the scholarships you’re looking for:

Local Scholarships

National scholarships.

• Continuous Scholarships
• Fall Scholarships
• Winter Scholarships
• Spring Scholarships
• Summer Scholarships

Seeking out local scholarships increases your chances of receiving a scholarship, as the application pool gets smaller. There are local scholarships that students should be applying for, as many students do not seek out scholarships from local organizations or groups and these are generally only applicable to students of the designated region.

Ask your high school counselor

Ask your high school counselor about local scholarships and scholarships students of your school are either applicable for or have won in the past

Community Organizations

You should be searching for organizations in your community that offer scholarships. An easy way to do this online is to search “community foundation” and your city name. Many of these foundations offer significant scholarships only for students in your town or county.

Local Chapters of Larger Organizations

Plenty of larger organizations such as Rotary or Elks Club have local chapters that offer scholarships to students in its designated area.

Scholarships for Military Families

If your parent or family member has served or is currently serving in the military, another good place is to check with the local veteran communities, as they offer scholarships as well. You can find a list of these scholarships for military families here .

Local Governments

Local scholarships can be found for city, county, and state-level applicants. Simply check on your local government website, where they are often listed and updated.

U.S. Department of Labor’s Free Scholarship Search Tool

Your State Grant Agency

Religious Groups

If you regularly attend a religious organization, it’s worth asking if they have offered scholarships to any of its members for education.

Local Library

Oftentimes, your local library website will offer a directory of scholarships for students in your municipality.

Local Scholarship Opportunities

1. evans scholars.

If you are currently a golf caddy (or want to become one after seeing this awesome scholarship), then you must have a look at this scholarship opportunity. There are a few stipulations, such as caddying for a club that participates in this program. These scholarships are full-ride and should be seriously considered to anyone who qualifies or has the time to become a caddy in the future

Information Here

For questions, contact: [email protected]

2. State-College Resident Scholarships

Nearly every state offers scholarships for residents who attend in-state colleges. For example, Florida offers the Bright Futures Scholarship to high merit Florida residents attending an in-state school. Similarly, for Indiana residents, the Lilly Endowment Scholarship is offered to a number of residents per county and offers a full ride to those attending any in-state universities or colleges.

3. PTA Scholarships

Nearly every state has a PTA scholarship that is offered to students of high achievement. A quick search query “your state” + PTA Scholarship should offer what you need to know.

4. Rotary Club Scholarships

The Rotary Club offers scholarships to students whose family members are not currently a member of the club. Students must display an interest in promoting peace as well as other tenants of the Rotary Club mission.

Find your Local Club

5. Elk Club Scholarships

If your parent or grandparent is a current Elk member, you are eligible to apply for a scholarship. Check out more information about these scholarships as well as eligibility:

More Information about Elk Scholarships

We may be biased that local scholarships are the easiest and least competitive method of winning scholarships for college, but that said, there are so many national scholarships available and oftentimes are a bit easier to find and apply for online. Have a look through this list of national scholarships that you can apply for this year!

National Scholarships with Continuous Deadlines

6. mymozaic $1,000 monthly scholarship.

The MyMozaic is a scholarship with very little strings attached beyond the eligibility requirement of 13 or more years of age as well as be a lawful citizen of the USA.

Award Amount: $1,000

Deadline: Monthly

7. Courage to Grow

High school juniors and seniors as well as college students are free to apply to this monthly scholarship! Eligibility requires a 2.5 GPA as well as a short essay to be submitted.

Award Amount: $500

8. United States Senate Youth Program

2 high school juniors and seniors from each state will be chosen each year for this $10,000 scholarship. Applicants will travel to D.C. as delegates for Washington Week and must be involved in student government as well as be able to provide a nomination from a principal or teacher!

Award Amount: $10,000

Deadline: July through November

9. “No Essay” College Scholarship

For those planning on enrolling in college or graduate school in the next year can apply for this monthly drawing. And yes, you heard that right, there is no essay required! Go ahead and apply now!

Award Amount: $2,000

10. Local Survey Scholarship

You simply need to complete a survey about your neighborhood and you will be entered to win this $1,000 scholarship by Niche.com

11. CaptainU Student Athlete Scholarship

This scholarship, organized by CaptainU, allows you to win a scholarship simply by creating a profile on their site and promoting yourself on social media.

Deadline: Quarterly

12. AfterCollege Succurro Scholarship

This scholarship is open to students currently enrolled in any accredited program whether this is undergraduate studies or graduate studies.

13. Beauty + Wellness Scholarship for Women

Filling out a short application and 500 or less word essay on the importance of a healthy lifestyle is required for consideration. You must be a female. To qualify, you either need to be a high school senior on your last semester and planning on attending college or currently enrolled in a college or graduate program. In addition to free money, you will receive an organic goodie basket.

Award Amount: $500 for high school $1,000 for college + organic goodie basket

14. DoSomething.org Campaign Scholarships

Simply volunteering and submitting your photos of the campaign work can make you eligible to win up to $22,000! Winnings must go towards college, so if you are not yet enrolled, the scholarship will be paused until enrollment.

Award Amount: Up to $22,000

Deadline: Varies

15. Golden Key International Honour Society Scholarship

Golden Key has awarded more than $12.5 million in awards to students who exemplify their core values: academics, leadership, and service.

Award Amount: Varies by Scholarship

16. Nitro College Scholarship

Simply filling out a survey and answering 3 short questions makes you eligible for this scholarship. Referring a friend also enters you to win a $1,000 scholarship!

Award Amount: $5,000

College Scholarships with Fall Deadlines [July-October]

17. jane m. klausman women in business scholarship.

Any females studying business or planning to study business is eligible for this scholarship! Simply apply through your local Zonta club.

Deadline: July 1

18. CIA Undergraduate Scholarship

All high schoolers can apply if they meet the financial need as well as test scores. Offered by the CIA, a recipient must plan on attending a four-year university. The scholarship includes a job you will work at in Washington, D.C. over the summer for the CIA.

Award Amount: $32,733 per year

Deadline: June 30

19. Race Entry Student Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded to the student who writes the best essay for their annual “Race to Inspire” essay contest.

Deadline: August 15

20. Clubs of America Scholarship

Eligibility requires applicants to be current college students with at least a 3.0 GPA. In addition, you will write a 600-word essay about career aspirations.

Deadline: August 31

College Scholarships for Winter Deadline [October-December]

21. nsca scholarship.

These scholarships are more geared towards those pursuing a career in sports and fitness. The NSCA offers five different scholarships for students. Some criteria the selection committee will look at include grades, academic achievement, NSCA involvement, community involvement, essay, and letters of recommendation.

Award Amount: $1,500

Deadline: October 15

22. Ivy Panda Video Contest Scholarship

This scholarship is available to current high school, college, or university students from any country.

Award Amount: $1,000 for first place, $500 for runner-up

Deadline: October 31

23. Voice of Democracy

Feeling patriotic? VFW is giving away $30,000 to its first-place recipient as well as other scholarship amounts from $1,000 to $16,000. To apply, you must put together a three to five-minute audio clip about a given topic.  

Award Amount: $1,000 – $30,000

24. Odenza Marketing Scholarship

Two short essays and at least a 2.5 GPA is really all that’s necessary to apply for this scholarship. Americans and Canadians between the ages 16 – 25 are eligible.

Deadline: November 15

25. Unigo Education Matters Scholarship

To apply for this scholarship, you must be at least 13 years old and plan on attending an accredited post-secondary institution of higher education. A written submission of 250 words of less to the question “What would you say to someone who thinks education doesn’t matter, or that college is a waste of time and money?” is also required.

Deadline: November 30

26. Burger King Scholars

This scholarship is pretty easy to apply for, with eligibility requiring a minimum GPA of 2.5, a passion for serving the community, and be a current high school senior, Burger King employee, or a spouse/domestic partner or child of an employee.

Award Amount: $1,000 – $50,000

Deadline: December 15

27. Publicity.ai SEO Content Marketing Scholarship

Eligibility for this scholarship requires you to be a high school or college student as well as an interest for online marketing. An essay regarding marketing is also required for application.

28. Foot Locker Scholar Athletes Scholarship

Each year, Foot Locker awards 20 high school seniors this generous award of $20,000 that will be awarded in increments of $5,000 for each year of college. High school seniors must be entering an accredited four-year U.S. college or university. Selection is based on sportsmanship, involvement and leadership in the community, as well as an unweighted GPA of 3.0

Award Amount: $20,000

29. Culinary Scholarship

For those interested in studying culinary arts at culinary school, high school students may apply for this scholarship on Niche.

Deadline: December 31

30. Nursing Scholarship

For those interested in studying nursing, high school and college students may apply for this scholarship on Niche.

31. Community College Scholarship

This easy scholarship is open to anyone planning or currently enrolled in community college.

32. MoolahSPOT Scholarship

This scholarship is pretty open to anyone pursuing further education, whether you are in high school and planning on attending college, already in college, or planning on pursuing or currently in grad school. This is a competition-based scholarship, so you must write an essay and winners are chosen specifically on writing.

33. Unigo $10K Scholarship

This generous scholarship from Unigo asks for a creative writing prompt (250 words or less) for submission. Applicants must be at least 13 years old, a legal resident of the U.S., and planning on or currently enrolled in an accredited post-secondary institution of higher education by 2024.

34. Scholarship Detective

This is another pretty easy scholarship to apply for. Simply signing up for Scholarship Detective and providing a 140-character or less statement on how you plan to use this scholarship money.

College Scholarships with Spring Deadline [January-March]

35. jackie robinson foundation scholarship.

This scholarship is open to minority high schoolers planning on attending college. Up to 60 of these scholarships are awarded each year and include opportunities for recipients such as mentoring, leadership development, as well as internships!

Award Amount: up to $28,000

Deadline: February 1

36. AWS Foundation National Welding Scholarship Program

For students who plan on pursuing a career in welding, check out this scholarship which is open for U.S. and Canadian students!

Award Amount: $2,500

Deadline: February 15

37. “You Deserve It” Scholarship

This scholarship offered by ScholarshipOwl simply requires you to sign up and you are automatically entered to win this scholarship.

Deadline: March 29

38. Cappex Easy College Money Scholarship

Eligibility for this scholarship requires applicants to be currently in high school or college and planning on being enrolled within the next 12 months.

Deadline: March 31

College Scholarships with Summer Deadline [April-July]

39. college jumpstart scholarship.

Eligibility for this scholarship requires that the applicant is in 10-12th grade of high school or currently enrolled in college or a nontraditional student. Submission requires a personal statement about your goals.

Deadline: April 15

40. Florin | Roebig Scholarship

This essay scholarship is being offered to 3 winners, the award amounts are $750 for 1st place, $500 for 2nd place, and $250 for 3rd place towards college/university. A short essay of under 1200 words is required and winners are announced on June 1.

Award Amount: $750; $500; $250

Deadline: May 1

41. College IS Power Scholarship

This scholarship is open to high school students planning to enroll in college within 12 months or current college students..

Deadline: May 31

43. Boom & Bucket’s Student Scholarship Program

This thousand-dollar scholarship is for students pursuing a heavy machinery themed program. It is available to both currently enrolled students and future students who are planning to attend a program or trade school within the USA or Canada in the next 12 months.

Deadline: June 15

44. Gen and Kelly Tanabe Scholarship

This scholarship is merit-based and is awarded to incoming or current college students.

Deadline: July 31

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Articles & Advice > Financial Aid > Blog

Easy No-Essay Scholarships You Need to Know About Right Now

Essay requirements may prevent you from applying for a lot of scholarships. But these no-essay options can help you win some easy money for college!

by Kelli Dolan Senior Assistant Editor, CollegeXpress

Last Updated: Feb 12, 2024

Originally Posted: Feb 4, 2020

Many scholarships feature long-winded essay questions, and it’s often hard to know where to start. And maybe you just aren’t an essay writer. That doesn’t mean you should lose out on great opportunities for college scholarships. With a little digging around online, you can find great no-essay scholarships that are not only easy to apply for but often fun to do too. These quick and easy contests will have bigger applicant pools and may be harder to win, but somebody has to—and you can’t win if you don’t apply!

Check out the ones below to start and continue to do your own research to find even more no-essay scholarships that could be hiding in all corners of the internet. Before applying to anything, make sure you read all the rules and policies for each scholarship using the links provided!

Register for a website

All of these scholarships just require you to register for a website, and most of them are popular college search sites, so you can get some extra college research done while you’re there.

CollegeXpress $10,00 Scholarship Contest and Monthly Refer-a-Friend Scholarship

If you’re reading this blog, there’s a good chance you already have a CollegeXpress account. Did you know that means you’re automatically entered to win our annual $10,000 scholarship? If you’re not registered, sign up now! It only takes a few minutes and it’s totally free. Once you’re done registering, be sure to tell some friends to do the same. We’ll give you a unique code to share, and for every person who uses your code to create a CollegeXpress account, you’ll gain an entry to win our $250 Refer-a-Friend monthly drawing! If you don’t win this month, there’s always another chance next month. (And you can win this one multiple times!)

Amount: $10,000; $250 Awarded: Annually; monthly Deadline: May 1; last day of each month Check out our  $10,000 Scholarship  and  Refer-a-Friend Scholarship .

Cappex Easy College Money Scholarship

Monthly $1,000 scholarships? Sign us up! No, literally—just sign up and you’re entered for Cappex’s monthly giveaway. In a few short minutes, you’ll be on to your next scholarship.

Amount:  $1,000 Awarded:  Monthly Deadline:  Last day of the month Check out the  Easy College Money Scholarship .

Encourage for Students Sweepstakes

Like everyone else, My College Options and myOptions Encourage offer a monthly scholarship that only requires registering on their website to apply. The winner will be selected randomly, and there's no minimum GPA requirement—although they do still ask you to report it. 

Amount: $500 Awarded:  Monthly Deadline:  Last day of the month Check out the Encourage for Students Sweepstakes .

No Essay Smart Owl Scholarship

With Scholarship Owl, creating an account helps you apply to a lot of scholarships all with a single form. So create an account for the No Essay Smart Owl Scholarship and you won’t need to do a bunch of extra work to apply for more! 

Amount: $1,000 each to four winners (six winners in December) Awarded:  Monthly Deadline:  Last day of the month Check out the No Essay Smart Owl Scholarship .

NextStepU Free College Tuition Giveaway

Register. Register. Register. Just make sure you check the eligibility period and select the opt-in option that says “Win Free Tuition” for the sweepstakes. No essay, no minimum GPA—it's the easiest scholarship you'll apply for!

Amount:  $2,500 Awarded:  Annually Deadline: End of February Check out the NextStepU Free College Tuition Giveaway .

No Essay College Scholarship™

This scholarship from Niche has “no essay” right in the name! Admittedly, this one requires a smidge more work than just registering. But logging in monthly for a chance to win every month is a small task for the cash.

Amount:  $2,000 Awarded:  Monthly Deadline:  Last day of the month Check out the No Essay College Scholarship™ .

Christian College EDGE Scholarship & Christian College Scholarship Drawing

If you’re interested in Christian colleges and universities , do a quick registration on this website for a chance to win $1,000 and learn about great colleges that share your faith. If you end up deciding on a Christian college, for a chance to win even more money, fill out their “Christian College Connector” registration to be entered in their $5,000 giveaway.

Amount: $1,000; $5,000 Awarded:  Annually (both) Deadline: May 31 (both) Check out the EDGE Scholarship and  Christian College Scholarship Drawing .

Ascent Shining Stars Scholarship

Register on Ascent’s website to make an account, follow them on any one of their social media platforms, tag them in a comment with #AscentSponsored, and you’re done. This is a breeze because you’re probably already scrolling through social media anyway.

Amount: $1,000 Awarded:  Monthly Deadline: First of the month  Check out the  Ascent Scholarship Sweepstakes .

Sallie Mae ®  $1,000 Plan for College Sweepstakes

You’re already throwing out registrations left and right. What’s one more? This one could even lead you to more scholarships because to be entered, you have to register for the Sallie Mae scholarship search tool.

Amount:  $1,000 Awarded:  Monthly Deadline:  Last day of the month Check out the  Plan for College Sweepstakes .

Barbizon’s $100,000 College Tuition Scholarship

Barbizon Modeling and Acting awards $100,000 to one lucky winner to make their college dreams a reality. Applicants have a full two years to get entries every time the new scholarship cycle opens. The most recent cycle opened in January of 2023 and will be closing in December of 2024, with winners announced sometime the following year. All students have to do to enter is complete the application, and the winner will be chosen by random drawing. 

Amount:  $100,000 Awarded:  Once every four years Deadline:  December 31, 2024 Check out the College Tuition Scholarship .

CampusReel Student-Led Virtual Tours Scholarship

CampusReel is all about encouraging students to get to know schools through campus tours, even if they can't make it to campus in person. Applicants just have to make a free account on CampusReel's website and watch one student-led virtual tour to enter. This easy opportunity is a win-win! 

Amount:  $2,000 Awarded:  Annually Deadline:  December 31 Check out the CampusReel Student-Led Virtual Tours Scholarship .

keep going forward No-Essay Scholarships

The organization keepgoingforward.org offers three scholarships throughout the year with no set requirements for grade level or academic field. In fact, one of the scholarships doesn't even require applicants to be current students, as long as they are applying for the money with the intent to move forward with something new in life. And they partner with Bold.org—so if you already have an account, you're one step ahead on applying!

Amount:  $1,500 Awarded:  Annually Deadline:  April 28, August 31, October 30 Check out the keep going forward No-Essay Scholarships .

Use your words (but very few)

We said no essays; we never said no words. But have no fear, because these scholarships require very few words and quick answers to easy questions.

CollegeXpress Monthly Mini Scholarships

We're giving away free scholarship money every month! These scholarship contests are super easy to enter—just create a free CollegeXpress account and answer our featured question in one word or sentence. (We're talking stuff like “What’s your favorite color?” with no wrong answer!) Both new and current users are eligible—all you have to do is log back in with the specified link to enter as a returning user.

Amount: Varies Awarded: Monthly Deadline: Last day of the month Check out our latest  monthly scholarship opportunity .

CollegeXpress Scholarship for Students of Color

If you're a POC student who's planning to enroll in college in the fall, you're eligible for this scholarship. To apply, all you have to do is have a CX account and submit your answer to this question in just one sentence: What is your dream career to pursue after high school? Winners are chosen randomly every quarter of the year, and you get to choose a charity to benefit as well!

Amount: $1,500, plus $500 donated to a charity of your choice Awarded: Quarterly Deadline:  March 31, June 30, September 30, December 31 Check out the  CollegeXpress Scholarship for Students of Color .

10 Words or Less Scholarship

You can swing 10 words. All you have to do is tell them why you think you deserve the scholarship in 10 words or fewer. It’s as easy as posting a Facebook comment (which is exactly how you enter). Leave a comment, give them a like on their Facebook page, and you’re in!

Amount: $1,000 Awarded:  Annually Deadline: April 15 Check out the  10 Words or Less Scholarship .

School Survey Sweepstakes

Another one that requires a bit of writing, but it’s certainly no essay. You can be entered into Niche’s monthly $1,000 giveaway just by leaving them a review about your high school.

Amount:  $1,000 Awarded:  Monthly Deadline:  Last day of the month Check out the  School Survey Sweepstakes .

HeadSetPlus.com College Scholarship

This scholarship is great because instead of writing an essay, you just get to talk about yourself. Record a short five-minute video talking about yourself, your achievements, why college is important to you, and what motivates you. As long as you’re authentic, you could be a shoo-in for this one.

Amount:  $1,000 Awarded:  Annually Deadline: December 31 Check out the HeadSetPlus.com College Scholarship .

Use your creativity

Are you better with visuals than you are with words? Well, these scholarships are looking for that creative energy!

Doodle for Google

This is Google we’re talking about, so you know they’ve got big bucks. Not only is this an opportunity to win $55,000 for school, but the winning doodle will be featured on Google for a day and they will donate $50,000 to your school or a charity in your honor! And even if you don’t win the big money, you still have a chance at one of the $5,000 runner-up scholarships.

Amount: Up to $55,000 Awarded:  Annually Deadline: March 14, 2024 (Always early-to-mid March) Check out the  Doodle for Google contest .

Create-A-Greeting-Card Scholarship Contest

If doodling for Google didn’t expend all your creative juices, you can also create a greeting card. Take photographs for it. Design it with artwork. The creative medium is up to you, and the general public votes on the winner in the early rounds, so rally your friends and family to help you with this one.

Amount:  $10,000 Awarded:  Annually Deadline: March 1, 2024 (Always beginning of March) Check out the  Create-A-Greeting-Card Scholarship Contest .

DoSomething.org Easy Scholarships

DoSomething doesn’t have just one easy scholarship—they have a ton! Most of them are creative and require you to make some sort of impact on others, whether big or small. Get your task, complete it, and send in a picture for proof for a chance to be their randomly chosen winner! Then rinse and repeat for their other tasks with coordinating scholarships.

Amount:  Up to $22,000 Awarded:  Varies Deadline:  Varies Check out all of  DoSomething.org's easy scholarships .

Answer some questions

Sometimes websites just want people to fill out their surveys, and they’ll give you money for school just to do it. Or maybe the organization wants you to learn about something that they do. Either way, these scholarships just require answering a few questions to enter.

The $1,000 SuperCollege Scholarship

What’s easier than answering questions about yourself? Fill out an application and tell SuperCollege what you’re going to school for and other academic-related questions, hit submit, and you’re done.

Amount:  $1,000 Awarded:  Monthly Deadline:  Last day of the month Check out the  $1,000 SuperCollege Scholarship .

Nitro Monthly Scholarship

Nitro is another college search website that gives away annual scholarships to students monthly. Just complete a short entry form with info including which college you’ll be attending and when you anticipate graduating. This application even allows parents to enter for their children. As long as you're 17 years old, you should apply to this one now! 

Amount:  $2,000 Awarded:  Monthly Deadline:  Last day of the month Check out Nitro's Monthly Scholarship .

Student-View Scholarship

This one skips the application process and gets right to the questions. Fill out their survey to get entered into their random drawing. The big winner gets $10,000, and if that’s not you, you could still be one of two $1,000 winners or one of five $500 winners.

Amount: Up to $10,000 Awarded:  Annually Deadline: April 23, 2024 Check out the  Student-View Scholarship .

ScholarshipPoints Scholarship Giveaways

As you complete surveys, play games, and read emails from ScholarshipPoints, you’ll gain points. Use the points to enter their scholarship drawings; the more you have, the better your chances of winning. In addition to the points, you could potentially win their monthly and quarterly random winner giveaways just for being a registered user.

Amount: $10,000; $2,500 Awarded:  Quarterly; monthly Deadline:  June; last day of each month Check out the  $10,000 and $2,500 scholarships .

While this may be a long list of easy no-essay scholarships, there could be even more on the internet that we didn’t find, so keep doing your research (and let us know if we missed any on Twitter @CollegeXpress ). You can also check out our  Ultimate List of Easy Scholarships .

Thirsty for more? Use our Scholarship Search tool  to find other scholarships you’re qualified for!

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About Kelli Dolan

Kelli Dolan is the Senior Assistant Editor & Counselor Communications Coordinator for CollegeXpress. Her day-to-day includes editing and writing CollegeXpress articles, running the CollegeXpress Counselors social media platforms, and basically just doing all things CollegeXpress. When she’s not editing other people’s work, she's writing for fun, favoring fiction stories and poetry. You could also potentially find her reading, playing video games, or hanging out with her dog, Athena; cat, Apollo; and red bearded dragon, Freya.

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34 No Essay Scholarships to Save Thousands on College

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What’s Covered:

Are “no-essay” scholarships worth it, where to focus your scholarship search.

• 34 No-Essay Scholarships  

Scholarships play a large role in many students’ plans for how to pay for college, but completing the applications for some scholarships is time-consuming—especially for students who are busy taking challenging courses and involved with extracurricular activities. Luckily, some scholarships are easier to apply for than others, like the no-essay scholarships listed below. 

No-essay scholarships are easier to apply for than other, more involved scholarships, so it doesn’t cost you much in time or effort to apply. However, because they’re easy to apply for, they receive a lot of applications, which means more competition and lower odds of winning. It is also less clear how no-essay scholarship recipients are selected without an essay to set your application apart.  

If you choose to apply for no-essay scholarships, just know that they are just a part of a strategy for winning awards to college and are best-suited as a supplement to local and more niche scholarships. If you don’t like the idea of writing an essay, look for a scholarship with an equivalent task, like making a video or creating a piece of art instead. 

Outside scholarships garner a lot of attention, but colleges and universities are actually the best place to look for scholarships—schools themselves grant $175 billion in scholarship money annually! It’s also worth noting that college awards are often larger than outside awards; 80% of external scholarships are less than $2,000, which looks great on paper but will only put a small dent in the cost of most colleges. 

You have the best chance of winning a merit-based scholarship from a college or university. While super-selective schools with applicants fighting for admission often don’t offer merit-based scholarships—for example, none of the Ivy League colleges do—less selective colleges are often anxious to attract strong applicants. This makes applying to a college where your profile is particularly strong a smart strategy for getting a merit scholarship .

34 No-Essay Scholarships 

1. “be bold” no-essay scholarship.

Amount: $25,000

Deadline: December 31 

Eligibility: Students of any education level, school, field of study, and GPA considered

This scholarship is for bold students who are determined to change the world one step at a time. No essay is required to win this eye-popping award. Instead, create a bold profile highlighting your earnestness, determination, and how you’re moving toward your goals for a chance to win.

2. Scholarships360 No-Essay Scholarship

Amount: $1,000

Deadline: September 30 

Eligibility: All students—including high school students, community college students, undergraduates, and graduate students

No essay is required to win this generous award. Simply sign up for Scholarship360—a scholarship newsletter—for your chance at $1,000 for college. 

3. $2,000 “No-Essay” College Scholarship

Amount: $2,000

Deadline: Monthly  

Eligibility: All high school and college students

The name says it all: no essay is required to receive this $2,000 college scholarship. Simply create an account for a chance to win this substantial award. A winner is chosen monthly and the money can be used to cover tuition, housing, books, or any other education-related expenses.

4. $2,000 Nitro Scholarship

Deadline: Monthly 

Eligibility: 

• Age 17 or older
• A parent with a child enrolled in an accredited college or university in the U.S. 
• A student enrolled in an accredited college or university in the U.S. 
• A parent with a high school senior in the U.S.
• A high school senior located with the U.S. 
• A student or a parent who has graduated from an accredited undergraduate school and is paying back debt from educational expenses

No essay is needed to win a $2,000 Nitro Scholarship. Applicants only need to complete a short application for this chance to win this award and to take a step to control the cost of college. 

5. The Student Loan Hero Smart Money Giveaway

Eligibility: Legal U.S. residents in the contiguous U.S. and Washington, D.C., 18 years of age and older

This scholarship wants you to take control of your college finances so you can focus on your future. Entry is easy—just fill out a short online application. 

6. College Board “Complete Your FAFSA” Scholarships

Amount:   $500

Deadline: October through February 

Eligibility: Current high school seniors in the U.S., Puerto Rico, and U.S. territories

The College Board—the organization that administers the SAT—provides scholarships to students for simply filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The College Board will give out 500 awards every month from October through December and 100 awards in both January and February.

7. College Board “Complete Your Journey” Scholarships

Amount: $40,000

Deadline: February 

Complete the College Board’s six steps of college planning for your chance at one of 25 $40,000 scholarship opportunities. The program is open to students from all financial backgrounds, however, at least half of the scholarships will go to students from families who earn less than $60,000 annually. 

8. ScholarshipPoints Scholarship Program

Amount: $10,000

Deadline: Quarterly 

Eligibility:   

• Age 13 or older
• U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident 
• Attending or planning to attend college in the U.S.

No GPA, no essay, and no hassle! To enter for an opportunity to win one of these impressive awards, simply fill out an online application. In addition to the quarterly $10,000 scholarships, ScholarshipPoints also draws three $1,000 scholarships monthly.

9. Christian Connector Scholarship

Amount: $2,500

Deadline: May 31

Eligibility:  

• Age 13 or older 
• Must enroll for the first time as a full-time student at a Christ-centered Christian college, university, or Bible college

Sign up to receive information about Christian colleges—and for a chance at winning this handsome scholarship award for college. The scholarship is only open to students planning to attend a Christ-centered Christian college, university, or Bible college. The funds are sent directly to the winner’s school of choice. 

10. No Essay ‘You Deserve It’ Scholarship

Amount: $2,222

Deadline: December 29

• Age 16 or older 
• Legal resident of the U.S. or its territories (Rhode Island and Michigan applicants are ineligible)
• Enrolled in a qualified high school, college, or university in the U.S.

Sign up for ScholarshipOwl (a scholarship service) and you’re simultaneously registered for a chance to win a $2,222 award. Your odds of winning are about 1 in 140,000—not too bad considering there is no essay required and sign up is quick. 

11. CollegeXpress $10,000 Scholarship Contest

• Legal U.S. resident 
• Must enter a CollegeXpress member college as a full-time freshman, transfer, or graduate student for the fall term 

Just create a CollegeXpress profile for a chance at $10,000 to use at a CollegeXpress member college . Winners of this no-essay scholarship are selected at random. 

12. Annual Catholic College Scholarship

Amount: $1,500

• Must enroll for the first time as a full-time student at a Catholic college

Sign up to receive information about Catholic colleges—and for a chance at winning this handsome scholarship award for college. The scholarship is only open to students planning to attend a Catholic college, university, or Bible college. The funds are sent directly to the winner’s school of choice. 

13. Discover Student Loans Scholarship Award 

Amount: $5,000

• Resident of the U.S. or its territories
• High school seniors, college students, students who’ve earned a General Education Development (GED), or parent/guardian of an aforementioned person

Sign up to receive emails that provide helpful college tips and useful resources and get entered to win one of 12 annual $5,000 awards. Complete a survey after registering for emails for an additional entry for the scholarship. 

Discover your chances at hundreds of schools

Our free chancing engine takes into account your history, background, test scores, and extracurricular activities to show you your real chances of admission—and how to improve them.

14. Lounge Lizard Web Design Scholarship  

Deadline: Semi-annually (spring and fall)

Eligibility: Attending an accredited school in the U.S. or accepted to an accredited school and set to begin within six months of application

Show off your creativity for a chance to win this no-essay scholarship. To enter, fill out a short application and either submit a web design or attach a link to a webpage. In addition to a scholarship, winners also receive a critique session with Lounge Lizard’s founder and CCO. 

15. Create-a-Greeting-Card Scholarship

Deadline: March 3

• Age 14 or older 
• Legal U.S. resident or international student with a student visa 
• High school, college, or university student 

While you don’t need an essay to win this generous scholarship, you are required to submit an original photo, artwork, or computer graphic for use on the front of a greeting card. Entries are limited to one per person, so send in your best work! 

16. Frame My Future Scholarship Contest 

Amount: $6,000

Deadline: April 1

• Legal U.S.resident
• Planning to enroll at a U.S. college or university in the fall

Show how you frame your future through photography, illustration, painting, or mixed media art for a chance at this ample award. Although no essay is required, applicants are asked to submit a brief overview of their piece (no more than 500 characters). 

17. Annual Faith-Based College Scholarship

• Must enroll for the first time as a full-time student at a faith-based college

Sign up to receive information about faith-based colleges and for a chance at winning this handsome scholarship award for college. The scholarship is only open to students planning to attend a faith-based college, university, or Bible college. The funds are sent directly to the winner’s school of choice. 

18. Sallie Mae $5,432 Sweepstakes

Amount: $5,432

Deadline: December 31

Entering for this scholarship is easy, all you need to do is complete an online registration for your chance at this $5,432 award. 

19. Ascent Scholarships 

Amount: Varies 

• Age 18 or older 
• Legal U.S. resident or DACA student
• Enrolled at least half-time in a degree program or technical skills training program 

Ascent Scholarship giveaways are designed to help students cover school-related expenses such as tuition, books, rent, groceries, parking, and transportation. No essay is required, all you need to do is register for a chance to win one of these awards. 

20. The “No Sweat” Scholarship

• Between 8th and 12th grade 

Create an account and complete a portfolio for your chance at this super scholarship which you can use for any educational purpose—from books to summer camp. The more complete your profile is, the better your odds of winning are. 

21. Too Cool to Pay for School Scholarship

• U.S. residents, DACA and undocumented students, and international students currently studying in the U.S.
• Current high school, college, and graduate students

Paying for school is stressful which is why this scholarship is intentionally low pressure. Complete the online registration to enter. Follow Access Scholarships on Instagram for an extra entry. You can use the scholarship for any educational expense—including tuition, textbooks, housing, and technology. 

22. Cappex Easy Money Scholarship

Eligibility: Current high school or college student 

No need to stress about your GPA or an essay when entering this scholarship contest. Simply answer a few simple questions for your chance at one of these awards. 

23. Scholarships4Moms 

Deadline: December 15

• Age 18 or older
• U.S. legal resident
• Mother or expectant mother 
• Enrolled in a college or university in the U.S. or will enroll in one within three months 

The Scholarships4Moms award is designed to help mothers meet their educational goals. Founded by a group of moms, who understand how busy moms are, signing up is quick and easy. All you need to do is complete a short entry form. 

24. College Survey Scholarship

Eligibility: College undergraduate or graduate student and undergraduate or graduate alumni who graduated within the last four years

All it takes to enter this running for this scholarship is to fill out a college survey on Niche, a ranking, and review website. Your responses are anonymous and are displayed on Niche to help other students to find the right college for them. 

25. Easy Scholarships

• Age 25 years or younger
• Living in the U.S. or Canada (or a citizen of either country but living abroad)

No GPA requirements or essays are required to participate in this scholarship contest. For a chance to win, you simply must sign up for a campaign, complete it, and take a photo to document your participation. Campaigns are quick and completed in under five minutes!  

26. SuperCollege Scholarship

Eligibility: High school, college, or graduate student, or adult planning to go back to school

Just fill out the application and answer a few simple questions about your college plans for the opportunity to win this award. You can use the scholarship to pay for any education-related expenses. For example, tuition, books, computers, or room and board.

27. Debt.com Scholarship For Aggressive Scholarship Applicants

Amount: $500

Deadline: Every other month 

Eligibility: Actively applying for scholarships

This scholarship rewards students with the drive to earn scholarships and the willingness to fight for financial independence. In order to win, you need to send confirmations from all of the scholarships you’ve applied to. Also, while there is no essay, you are required to submit a short biographical letter.

28. MyMozaic Monthly Scholarship Contest

Deadline: Every month 

Eligibility:

• U.S. citizen or legal resident
• Enrolled in high school or college in the U.S.

Simply create a profile at MyMozaic.com and answer a few simple questions—like your graduation year, your GPA, and the major(s) you’re interested in—for the opportunity to win one of these monthly, no-essay scholarships. 

29. WayUp Dream Job No-Essay Scholarship

Deadline: Jun 1 

Eligibility: Current college student

Create a profile at WayUp—a jobsite for college students and recent college graduates—for a  chance of winning a $1,000 scholarship. The stronger your profile and the more internships and jobs you apply for, the better your odds are to receive an award.  

30. College Ave Scholarship Monthly Sweepstakes

• U.S. citizen or permanent resident 
• Enrolled in high school or a post-secondary educational institution or are the parent or legal guardian of a person enrolled in a high school or a post-secondary educational institution 

Earning this $1,000 simply requires filling out a very short entry and a little luck. Winners are chosen monthly!  

31. Give Me Liberty Easy Scholarship

• U.S. citizen 
• High school senior or enrolled in an accredited institution in the U.S.

The intention of this scholarship is to provide every student with an equal opportunity to experience freedom from the burden of tuition and loans. Recipients are selected through a lottery which gives every applicant the same chance of winning—regardless of their academic performance, extracurricular achievements, and essay writing skills. 

32. Because College is Expensive Scholarship

Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors, along with current college students and anyone else looking to attend college or graduate school

If you’re planning to attend college you’ll want to look into this scholarship—all it takes is completing a short application to enter for a chance to win. Only one entry per quarter is allowed. 

33. Return 2 College Scholarship Program

Deadline: January 31

• U.S. citizen or legal resident 
• Starting a program of higher education—either undergraduate or graduate—within the next 12 months or are currently full or part-time students 

While this scholarship doesn’t require an essay it does ask you to compose three sentences answering the question why are you getting your degree? Have a lot to say? Perfect, more than one entry is allowed, but more than a dozen are discouraged. 

34. Project Yellow Light Create a Billboard Scholarship   

Deadline: March 1

• Legal U.S. residents 
• High school juniors and seniors, along with undergraduate and graduate students 

Design a billboard to promote safe driving to a broad audience and draw attention to this important topic. In addition to a scholarship, winners may see their design grace a billboard or used on the web and other digital platforms. 

Related CollegeVine Blog Posts

How to Find and Apply for Scholarships

College board scholarship search, what are scholarships .

Scholarships are a type of financial aid commonly referred to as “free money” or “gift aid.” Scholarships usually require an application and are often awarded to students based on a combination of factors including merit. Merit scholarships tend to have specific requirements and are awarded to applicants based on certain skills and accomplishments and may not be based on financial need. Scholarships may be renewable, meaning you can receive scholarships for more than one year. A new application may be required along with maintaining certain eligibility requirements, such as GPA or a certain major.

Why do I need scholarships?

Scholarships are a great type of financial aid because they do not have to be repaid. Receiving scholarships can help cover the remaining bill and indirect costs, while also minimizing the amount you need to borrow in loans while in college.

What are some common scholarship application requirements?

Many scholarships require similar application materials, which commonly include:

• The application, which can be paper or an online form. 
• Essays, often personal statements, that provide insight into your activities inside and outside the classroom. 
• Letters of recommendation from teachers, coaches, guidance counselors, community members, or other mentors. 
• Honors or awards you have received, academic or otherwise. 
• Information about your high school or college, which may include your transcript, GPA, Student Aid Report, or financial aid offer.
• A résumé that includes any employment, volunteer, or extracurricular experiences.

Specialized scholarships may require additional information and may have a priority deadline. For example, scholarships supporting the arts may require portfolios or writing samples. Be sure to read each application thoroughly for requirements so you don’t miss any.

What should I do before college to increase my chances?

Since many scholarships are merit based, maintaining good grades and increasing your involvement in school and community activities are important. Some scholarships have GPA requirements, so keeping your grades up will help open more opportunities. Additionally, many applicants with varied extracurriculars and volunteer or job experiences may stand out. The more scholarships you’re eligible for and apply for, the better the odds you have of receiving one.

What are the best ways to find and receive a scholarship?

There is no guarantee that you’ll receive a scholarship, but there are a few things you can do to increase your chances while applying. One of the most important things to remember is that the scholarship committee wants to get to know you through the applications—you want to show why your college education is worth investing in. 

There are a few things that you can do to increase your chances, including: 

• Start early and search year-round: No matter what stage in the college process you’re at, you should start looking for scholarships now. There are even scholarships that high school students can receive before senior year. Scholarship deadlines vary, so setting some time aside every few weeks to search and apply will open up more opportunities of securing a scholarship. 
• Use the right search engine: Finding scholarships to apply for can be difficult, but with the right search engine you can narrow your search and find scholarships you’re eligible for. BigFuture’s scholarship search is a great resource to use.
• Find a balance: You should apply for several scholarships—the more you apply for, the better your chances of receiving one. However, it’s important to use your time wisely. You should only apply for those you’re eligible for, based on the requirements. 
• Research local scholarships: Local scholarships tend to have fewer applicants, meaning you may be more likely to get them. Your high school counselor or college financial aid department might have insight about where to find and apply for local scholarships. Be sure to talk to others in your community, and check with local businesses and organizations like banks and churches. 

How do I know a scholarship is legit? 

While plenty of legitimate scholarships are available, some fake scholarships are set up to scam students out of money or personal information. Using reliable search engines, like BigFuture, can help avoid this. Scholarships should always be free to apply. Some may ask for your bank account information after choosing you as a recipient, but they should not ask for this information as an application requirement. If you’re unsure, contact the organization or company providing the scholarship to ensure they are legit. 

Finding and applying to scholarships sounds like a lot of work—how can I make this process easier?

Because scholarships don’t need to be repaid, they can be an important part of making college affordable. However, we know that it might not always be feasible to spend a lot of time applying. There are a few things you can do to simplify the process and save time where possible. 

• Start early: Prioritize getting two or three letters of recommendation, and write your essay/personal statement before you start searching to help save time.
• Time management: Plan to spend a day or two a month searching and submitting applications with your prepared materials to avoid last-minute applications, missed deadlines, and stress.
• Stay organized: Collecting and organizing your application materials and tracking due dates will help you stay on track and avoid missing out on opportunities. 
• Reuse essays when possible: Many scholarship essay topics are similar, so editing one of your previously written essays to fit the scholarship you’re applying for can save you time.

With these tips and resources, you’ll be better prepared for scholarship applications and increase your chances of receiving scholarships to help cover your college costs. Check out your chance to earn $500 and $40,000 scholarships in monthly drawings offered by BigFuture to students who complete the steps to plan for college .

Related Articles

25 college scholarships high school seniors can still apply for

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Prices keep going up for college students. This year, attending some American colleges and universities is expected to cost students more than $90,000 a year.

Granted, that’s based on figures for tuition, room and board and other expenses from some of the country’s most elite private institutions. Even so, the Education Data Initiative reports that the average private college student living on campus actually spends about $55,840 per year, with $38,768 of it going towards tuition and fees). And students at public universities spend an average of about $26,027 per year.

That’s still quite a chunk of change, even if you’ve decided it’s worth the cost . In fact, college prices have risen by 169% since 1980, according to a report from Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce . If you’re a high school senior or college student (or the parent of one) who is trying to figure out how to pay these bills, you may want to consider some of the scholarships available to defray costs.

And while the deadlines of some scholarships have passed, there are still lots of options if you act fast. Here are 25 scholarships for high school seniors.

Scholarships That Award Over $15,000

1. breakthrough junior challenge: $250,000.

Deadline to apply:  June 25, 2024

Who’s eligible : High school students

This generous scholarship is offered by the philanthropists Yuri and Julia Milner, who have a special interest in science and technology. To apply, you create a 2-minute video that explains a scientific or mathematical theory or principle.  Think creatively and incorporate elements like diagrams, simulations and physical demonstrations.

If you submit the most impressive video, you’ll receive a $250,000 scholarship to college. Your teacher will receive $50,000, and your school will receive $100,000 for a science lab. Apply here .

2. Niche ‘No Essay’ Scholarship: $25,000

Deadline to apply:  May 31, 2024

Who’s eligible: High school and college students, as well as anyone looking to attend college or graduate school in the next year

Niche is a ranking and review site that runs a scholarship directory and offers many of its own scholarships. This one couldn’t be easier to apply for. Start by creating a Niche account. Then fill out the online application; the winner will be determined in a random drawing by June 15, 2024. They will contact you if you were selected. Apply here .

3. ‘Be Bold’ No-Essay Scholarship: $25,055

Deadline to apply: May 1, 2024

Who’s eligible: Any student of any age or education level

Bold.org is a scholarship search website. To apply for any of their scholarships, you’ll need to create a free profile on the site. And the site wants to challenge you to create the boldest one.

What does being bold mean to you? The folks at the “Be Bold” Scholarship define it in three words: earnest, determined and moving. If your profile does the best job of matching this description, you could win $25,055 towards your college education. The eligibility requirements don’t mention a minimum GPA. All you need to be is … bold!  Apply here ASAP, as the scholarship favors early applicants for rolling application deadlines.

4. Ayn Rand Scholarship: ‘The Fountainhead’ Essay Contest: $25,000

Deadline to apply:  June 7, 2024

Who’s eligible: High school juniors and seniors

The Ayn Rand Institute offers rolling essay contests three times a year to encourage students to engage with this prominent novelist’s works and ideas. The upcoming summer essay contest for “The Fountainhead” is currently open.

You’ll write a double-spaced essay that’s between 800 and 1,600 words, based on a prompt question (about the book) that The Ayn Rand Institute provides. If you are one of the top three entries, you’ll receive a cash prize of up to $3,000, and the first-place entry from each season will go on to compete against the other seasonal winners for an annual grand prize of $25,000. You can spend the money on college — or anything else you like. Apply here .

5. Ayn Rand Scholarship: ‘Atlas Shrugged’ Essay Contest: $25,000

Deadline to apply:  June 14, 2024

Who’s eligible: High school seniors, college students and graduate students

Another one of The Ayn Rand Institute’s rolling essay contests is based on her novel “Atlas Shrugged.” The upcoming summer essay contest for this novel is currently open.

You’ll write a double-spaced essay that’s between 800 and 1,600 words, based on a prompt question about the book that The Ayn Rand Institute provides. If you are one of the top three entries, you’ll receive a cash prize up to $3,000, and the first-place entry from each season will go on to compete against the other seasonal winners for an annual grand prize of $25,000. You can spend the money on college or anything else. Apply here .

Scholarships That Award Between $5,000 and $15,000

6. stuck at prom scholarship contest: $15,000.

Deadline to apply:  June 5, 2024

Who’s eligible: All high school students

Well, this is a fun one. To win the Stuck at Prom scholarship, you need to make your own prom outfit (a dress or a tux) completely out of Duck Brand duct tape or Duck Brand crafting tape. Then fill out the online entry form, which includes a place for you to upload at least one photo of yourself wearing this DIY prom outfit. You can submit up to five photos.

The entry form will ask you to supply some written details about your creation or to upload a video showing the requested details. The first-place winners for dress and tux will each be awarded $15,000, while four runners-up in each category will win $1,000 each. And this year they will also be handing out “Judges’ Choice” awards worth $1,000 each to three finalists. Apply here .

7. ScienceSaves High School Video Scholarship: $10,000

Deadline to apply:  May 6, 2024

Who’s eligible: High school seniors

Not a big fan of writing essays? This scholarship contest asks entrants to create a 20-30 second video, answering the question, “What has science done for me?” or “What has science done for somebody I know?”

Be creative! You can use photos, video clips and text. Add the hashtag #ScienceSaves to your video before uploading it. While the grand prize winner will receive $10,000, there will also be prizes for 2nd place ($2,000), 3rd place ($1,000), and 4th place finishers ($500). Apply here .

8. Exceptional Youth Scholarship: $10,000

Deadline to apply:  May 17, 2024

Who’s eligible:  high school seniors

This scholarship is offered through The Foundation for Global Sports Development, and it’s indeed designed for an extraordinary young person. To apply, you must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 and have devoted at least 100 hours to some form of community service, volunteerism or mentorship activities.

It’s also need-based, so you’ll be required to submit a completed FAFSA form (which is the application for federal student aid) and other financial materials. You’ll also need two letters of recommendation (one from your school and one from your community). Ten graduating seniors will each receive this $10,000 scholarship. Apply here .

9. Ted and Holly Rollins Scholarship: $5,000

Deadline to apply:  June 1, 2024

Can you write a compelling essay? For this scholarship contest, you’ll submit at least 500 words that tell your life story, describe your interest in your intended field of study, and/or explain how you plan to impact the world. If you write the winning essay, you’ll be notified by July 15, 2024. Apply here .

10. Ryan T. Herich Memorial Scholarship: $5,000

Deadline to apply:  April 15, 2024

Who’s eligible: High school students or college undergraduates who are studying or plan to study political science, cultural anthropology, geography or history

This scholarship was set up in the memory of Ryan T. Herich, who was interested in how history, culture and politics affect our world today. To apply, incorporate these themes in a 400- to 600-word essay about how you intend to make a difference in the world. Three winners (who will each receive $5,000) will be announced on May 15, 2024. Apply here .

Scholarships That Award Between $1,000 and $3,000

11. all about education scholarship: $3,000.

Deadline to apply:  April 30, 2024

Who’s eligible:  U.S. residents ages 14 and up

This scholarship is through Unigo, a college scholarship directory and search site. To apply, you have to sign up for a free account. Then submit an essay of 250 words or less responding to the question: “How will a $3,000 scholarship for education make a difference in your life?” Apply here .

12. There’s Space For Everyone Scholarship: $3,000

Who’s eligible: High school seniors, undergraduates and graduates enrolled in school

Extra Space Storage is in the business of offering self-storage facilities, but they also offer an annual college scholarship. To apply, fill out the online application form, which includes an essay on the following topic: “How have you exhibited a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, or social justice through work, service, or other extra-curricular activities, and how will your education help you continue this commitment during college and beyond?”

The company will give out eight $3,000 scholarships. Five will go to any student attending or planning to attend a college or university in the U.S., and three are reserved for employees or immediate family members of Extra Space Storage. The winners will be announced on June 21, 2024. Apply here .

13. American College Foundation Visionary Scholarship: $2,500

Who’s eligible: High school students

This is a bi-annual award in which five recipients win each time — with a total of 10 scholarships awarded each year. Awards range from $1,000 to $2,500 each. To apply, submit a completed application along with your most recent high school transcript and a 500-word essay on “Why College is Important to Me.”

The site posts photos of past winners along with their essays, so you can see what impresses the judges. The winners are announced on July 12, 2024, and the awards are distributed on July 31, 2024. Apply here .

14. Creativity Leads to Success Scholarship: $2,500

Deadline to apply:  June 15, 2024

Who’s eligible: Students who are 18 years or older and attending college or grad school by fall 2024

The Dixie Belle paint company awards $5,000 in scholarship money every year. The first-prize winner will receive $2,500, while two runners-up will receive $1,250 each.

To apply, fill out their online application and submit an essay of no more than 500 words that answers the question: “How has creativity helped you in problem solving?” If you’re a finalist, you will be notified on or about Aug. 15, 2024. Apply here .

15. Rover Scholarship: $2,500

Deadline to apply:  May 1, 2024

Who’s eligible: High school seniors and college undergraduates

Rover.com is a pet-sitter marketplace that offers a $2,500 scholarship towards higher education. To apply, you must have a 3.0 GPA. Fill out their online form and submit an essay of 400-500 words on the following topic: “How did growing up with a pet in your life (could be a friend’s or family member’s) impact the person you are today?”

The winner will be notified by May 31, 2024. Apply here .

16. Goodwall #ScholarshipNow Challenge: $2,500

Who’s eligible: High school, college and graduate students and those planning to enroll within 12 months

This scholarship is funded by Goodwall, a skills-based social network that prepares young people for careers. To enter this scholarship contest, download the Goodwall app and create a profile. Submit a short video (between 30 seconds and three minutes long) in which you describe how this scholarship can help you reach your educational and professional goals. Make sure to add the hashtag #ScholarshipNow. Apply here .

17. RonranGlee Literary Scholarship: $2,000

Deadline to apply:  April 22, 2024

Who’s eligible: High school seniors and college undergraduate students

If you have a knack for close reading, this is the scholarship for you. The people at the RonranGlee Literary Scholarship want to see how well you can interpret the underlying meaning in texts. To apply, choose a paragraph (preferably from an ancient literature or philosophy book) and write a short essay that is between 600 and 2,000 words, explaining what’s being conveyed between the lines.

Five winners will be announced on May 22, 2024. Apply here.

18. CollegeVine No Essay Contest: $2,000

Deadline to apply:  June 30, 2024

Who’s eligible: Current high school students and college applicants

CollegeVine is a website that provides college admissions guidance. To take part in this scholarship sweepstakes, you will need to sign up for a CollegeVine account and complete your profile. A random drawing determines the winner. If it’s you, you’ll be notified with an email. Apply here .

19. Sallie Mae Scholarship Sweepstakes: $2,000

Deadline to apply: The last day of every month (the current deadline is April 30)

Who’s eligible: High school juniors, seniors and college undergraduates (and parents can apply, too)

Sallie Mae has a search database with lots of scholarship options. But this particular sweepstakes is the easiest: Fill out a form to enter, and a winner is chosen at random every month. There’s no essay and no GPA requirement — just a form that takes less than two minutes to fill out! Apply here .

20. Ayn Rand Scholarship: ‘Anthem’ Essay Contest: $2,000

Who’s eligible:  8th, 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th grade students

To participate, you’ll submit an essay that’s between 600 and 1,200 words, double-spaced. For the topic, you can choose from among three prompt questions related to Ayn Rand’s novella “Anthem.”

This is significantly easier than the Ayn Rand Institute’s other two essay contests since this novella is only about 100 pages long. The top prize is $2,000, and other finalists will receive between $500 and $1,000.  Apply here .

21. Too Cool To Pay For School Sweepstakes: $1,000

Deadline to apply: Quarterly on the last day of March, June, September and December

Who’s eligible: High school juniors, seniors and college undergrads

This sweepstakes is run through Access Scholarships, an online scholarship search engine. Applying for this one couldn’t be simpler — all you need to do is fill out the online form.  Follow them on Instagram , and they’ll enter you twice. A random drawing determines the winner. You’ll get an email from them if you win. Apply here .

22. Gen & Kelly Tanabe Scholarship: $1,000

Deadline to apply:  July 31, 2024

Who’s eligible: High school seniors, undergraduate and graduate students

The scholarship is funded by Gen and Kelly Tanabe, the authors of “ The Ultimate Scholarship Book 2024: Billions of Dollars in Scholarships, Grants and Prizes .” Entrants submit a 250-word personal statement about why you deserve to win this scholarship or about your academic or career goals. You can also write about any topic of your choice. Apply here .

23. ScholarshipOwl No Essay Scholarship: $1,000

Deadline to apply: The last business day of each month (next deadline is April 29, 2024)

Who’s eligible: High school and college students who will be enrolled in school within three months of the award

ScholarshipOwl is an online scholarship matching service. Each month, they hold a random drawing for this $1,000 scholarship, and four students win every time. To participate, sign up for a free account and fill out their online application form, which doesn’t require an essay. The next draw date is May 11.  Apply here .

24. Blaze Your Own Trail Scholarship: $1,000

This scholarship contest is funded by Trail Heads, a company that makes headbands, gloves, hats and other accessories for outdoor sports. To enter, you’ll need to write a 600-800 word essay about a challenge you faced. Describe how you overcame this obstacle and how it affected you going forward. Also, you have to submit your latest transcript with your GPA.

The winner will be announced on the Trail Heads website on Aug. 6, 2024. Apply here .

25. American Heart Challenge Scholarship: $1,000

Who’s eligible: High school juniors or seniors

This scholarship is for juniors and seniors who have shown leadership skills at their school’s American Heart Challenge program, which aims to educate young people about healthy lifestyle habits while raising money to help end heart disease and stroke. To apply,  fill out a short online application and upload a letter of recommendation from a teacher. Apply here .

About the Author

Jennifer has written features and essays for over a dozen magazines, including American Baby, Cosmo, Cosmo Girl, Fit Pregnancy, Good Housekeeping, Health, Marie Claire, Parents, Parenting, Redbook, Self, Teen People, TV Guide, and YM. More.

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How to Find Scholarships

Understanding Scholarships | Why to Apply | Application Requirements | How to Find Scholarships | How to Apply

How To Get Scholarships

Scholarships are a type of financial aid awarded to students based on academic achievements, athletic skills, community involvement, financial need, or other considerations. For many college hopefuls, scholarships can make a huge difference in the college options they have in front of them, and earning scholarships can help make college more accessible and affordable. Dive into our guide for an overview of how to find and apply for scholarships to ease the financial burden of college. 

Understanding Scholarships

Several types of scholarships are available, such as merit-based aid, skill-based, and need-based aid. Every scholarship comes with unique requirements to both receive and keep the funds. Be sure to carefully read the scholarship eligibility requirements, application process, and other details before applying.

Do you have to pay back scholarships? 

College scholarships are a type of financial assistance that you won't need to repay. It’s essentially free money given to help cover your educational expenses like tuition, housing, class supplies, and more. This makes them an excellent option for students looking to reduce the cost of college without worrying about student loan debt. 

How do scholarships differ from grants?

While both grants and scholarships offer financial aid for college, they differ in several important ways. Scholarships are usually merit-based, meaning they're awarded based on achievements like academic excellence, athletic skills, or involvement in community service or clubs. They're often provided by private organizations, colleges, or individuals.

On the other hand, grants are typically need-based and awarded to students who demonstrate a financial need. They are often provided by either state or federal government sources. A well-known example of a government-backed grant is the Pell Grant, which is federal aid given to undergraduate students with significant financial need.

You can visit the official Pell Grants page for more detailed information. This resource details qualifications, application processes, and how Federal Student Aid can help fund your college education. 

Why You Should Apply for Scholarships

Scholarships are an important tool for making your college education more affordable. Despite what many think, there's actually a lot of unclaimed scholarship money out there every year. According to the National Scholarship Providers Association (NSPA), about $100 million worth of scholarships are not awarded annually, mainly because students do not apply for them.

With so many available scholarships going unclaimed, it's important to explore your options thoroughly. Doing well on standardized tests like the ACT is one way to enhance your chances of tapping into this unclaimed scholarship pool. Actively seeking out and applying for scholarships can increase your likelihood of receiving financial support, which not only eases the financial strain of college but also supports your academic and personal growth, smoothing the path to a brighter and more secure future.

Typical application requirements for scholarships

When applying for scholarships, students must meet a variety of requirements to be considered for aid. Common requirements include:

• Academic performance: Keeping up a certain GPA or academic level.
• Extracurricular activities: Being active in clubs, sports, or community service projects.
• Standardized test scores: Some scholarships ask for scores from tests like the ACT to measure your academic readiness.
• Essays: Crafting an essay that reflects your personal achievements or aspirations.
• Letters of recommendation: Securing support from teachers or mentors who can speak to your character and achievements.
• Financial need evidence: Showing that you require financial support to pursue your education. Often this requires you to submit your FAFSA.
• Unique qualifications: Adhering to specific conditions outlined by the scholarship, like studying in a certain field or identifying with a particular demographic. 

Will all scholarships require an essay?

How to find scholarships.

While earning a scholarship isn't guaranteed, there are several steps you can take to increase your chances of securing these valuable funds. Focus on the factors within your control such as timing, research, preparation, organization, and commitment. Taking your scholarship search seriously can help you tremendously in the long run.

Start the process early

It's important to start your scholarship application process as early as possible. Studentaid.gov suggests getting a head start on your research and applications during the summer between junior and senior years of high school. Starting the process early gives you ample time to find opportunities, meet deadlines, and prepare stronger applications.

Utilize scholarship searches

Various lists and resources are available that specialize in helping you find scholarships that fit your needs. One notable option is the  ACT free scholarship list , which includes more than 80 scholarships that require an ACT score. The Department of Labor also provides information for over 9,500 scholarships on their sponsored  scholarship finder . These searches can help you discover a wide range of opportunities that align with your specific academic and extracurricular achievements.

Check local scholarships

Students should also focus on local scholarships, which often have fewer applicants and higher chances of winning compared to larger, national scholarships. Check with local businesses, community and religious organizations, clubs, and your school counselor if they offer any scholarship opportunities. Often the scholarship details and application can be found on their website. You might also consider searching for scholarships through word of mouth, community Facebook pages, or local newspapers

Apply for several scholarships

Increase your chances of receiving financial aid by applying for multiple scholarships. Each application improves your likelihood of success, broadening your range of opportunities. You can enhance your chances for securing a scholarship by applying for a range of scholarship types from many different sources. 

Look out for fake scholarships

Students and parents need to be vigilant to identify fake scholarships. Warning signs include requests for personal financial information or payments, such as application fees or processing charges, no past recipients mentioned, or saying you won a scholarship you don’t recall applying for. Legitimate scholarships will never ask for money or sensitive personal financial details as part of the application process. 

How to apply for scholarships

The process of applying for scholarships will largely depend on the type of scholarship you're pursuing, but several standard steps are involved in most applications. Understanding and following these common steps can help you collect and prepare the documents you’ll need when applying. Here are some ways in which the process may differ:

• Eligibility criteria: Some scholarships are open to all students, while others may target specific groups, such as students pursuing certain majors, belonging to certain demographic groups, or having specific talents or interests. 
• Application requirements: While some scholarships may require essays, others might request video submissions, artistic portfolios, or project proposals, depending on the criteria. 
• Submission method: Methods range from online forms to mail-in or even in-person presentations. Be sure to adapt your approach based on each scholarship’s guidelines. 
• Selection process: Each scholarship committee will assess candidates based on what was submitted. Recipients are typically students who had a well-rounded application, met all the criteria outlines, and demonstrated their readiness for college. 
• ​​ Financial need assessment: Some scholarships are merit-based and don't consider financial need, while others may require financial information and a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine need-based eligibility. 
• Recommendation letters: Some scholarships might ask for multiple letters of recommendation from a teacher, mentor, or community leader.  
• Deadlines: Deadlines can vary significantly. Some scholarships offer multiple application rounds, while others may be once-a-year chances. 

​​It's important to keep track of deadlines for each scholarship and submit your applications promptly, as late submissions can disqualify you even if you’re an outstanding candidate. Try using an online calendar or planner specifically for scholarship deadlines to stay organized and ensure you never miss a submission date. You can also keep a digital folder with all your scholarship materials —essays, recommendation letters, transcripts, and any other required documents. This makes it easier to tailor each application without starting from scratch. 

Explore more resources to help pay for college

To learn more about paying for college and managing your expenses, check out some  additional resources  that offer helpful tips and advice. Starting to look for scholarships that match your interests early in high school gives you plenty of time to set your goals and plan how to achieve them. 

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Apply Today to CIA

Start now—here’s how to apply to the culinary institute of america.

Take hold of your future. If food is your passion, get the best hands-on education here at CIA—whether your aspiration is to be a chef, entrepreneur, hospitality leader, or food innovator.

Food is your… future .

If food is your passion, get the best hands-on education here at CIA—whether your aspiration is to be a chef, entrepreneur, hospitality leader, or food innovator.

Get started by submitting your application. Choose from two online options:

CIA Online App Common App

Next, to complete your application file, we just need three additional items:

1. request official transcripts., 2. submit an essay., 3. ask for a recommendation., master’s and acap candidates, online bachelor’s program, apply for fall 2024—it’s not too late.

Hey seniors—ready to join our Fall 2024 class? There’s no better time to make your move! You’ll receive an expedited admission decision and automatically be reviewed for scholarships —and who doesn’t love scholarships!

Don’t miss out!

CIA Admissions Dates and Deadlines

Apply anytime.

• Apply for admission up to 18 months in advance.
• Our Texas Campus has reached capacity for Fall 2024 and is closed to new applications.

Upcoming Entry Dates:

• April 30, 2024
• September 10, 2024
• January 6, 2025
• April 29, 2025

Enrollment Schedule

Programs enrolling in september only:, schedule a visit to campus.

Scheduling a visit to one of our world-class campuses is easy and convenient. Just choose your campus, and you will see our schedule of admissions tours and events.

Scholarships to the CIA

Don’t let financial concerns stand in the way of your education. The CIA has a variety of scholarships that can help make your dreams a reality.

Alumni Referral Scholarship

If your recommendation letter is from a CIA alumnus, you could qualify for a $1,000 Alumni Referral Scholarship.

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