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:
- Continuous Scholarships
- Fall Scholarships
- Winter Scholarships
- Spring Scholarships
- Summer Scholarships
Local 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
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
For questions, contact: applications@wgaesf.org
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.
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
National 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
Deadline: Monthly
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
Deadline: Monthly
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
Award Amount: $1,000
Deadline: Monthly
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.
Award Amount: $2,000
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.
Award Amount: $500
Deadline: Quarterly
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
Deadline: Quarterly
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
Deadline: Varies
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
Deadline: Quarterly
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.
Award Amount: $2,000
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.
Award Amount: $500
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.
Award Amount: $1,000
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
Deadline: October 31
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.
Award Amount: $500
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.
Award Amount: $5,000
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.
Award Amount: $1,000
Deadline: December 15
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
Deadline: December 15
29. Culinary Scholarship
For those interested in studying culinary arts at culinary school, high school students may apply for this scholarship on Niche.
Award Amount: $500
Deadline: December 31
30. Nursing Scholarship
For those interested in studying nursing, high school and college students may apply for this scholarship on Niche.
Award Amount: $500
Deadline: December 31
31. Community College Scholarship
This easy scholarship is open to anyone planning or currently enrolled in community college.
Award Amount: $500
Deadline: December 31
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.
Award Amount: $1,000
Deadline: December 31
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.
Award Amount: $10,000
Deadline: December 31
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.
Award Amount: $1,000
Deadline: December 31
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.
Award Amount: $1,000
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.
Award Amount: $1,000
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.
Award Amount: $1,000
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.
Award Amount: $1,000
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.
Award Amount: $1,000
Deadline: June 15
44. Gen and Kelly Tanabe Scholarship
This scholarship is merit-based and is awarded to incoming or current college students.
Award Amount: $1,000
Deadline: July 31
