Easy Scholarships for College & Beyond [updated for 2019]
Kristine Thorndyke | Last Updated November 26, 2019
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Millions of unclaimed scholarship money is wasted every year, meanwhile the average college graduate carries about $30,000 in student loans. Sounds like a problem that needs solved. If you are planning on attending college, you need to be filling out the FAFSA as well as applying to scholarships, both local and nationwide. 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.
There are various kinds of scholarships that you can apply for and the kinds we are going to cover only make a dent in what is available today, but hopefully after going through all the scholarship information as well as provided links, you will be able to find a few that resonate with you! Before we dive into local and nationwide scholarships that you should be seeking out, we first want to highlight merit-based grants and aid you may be able to receive from colleges and universities, as many students overlook these kinds of automatic scholarships that colleges are willing to give to its student body if you meet the criteria:
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 from Colleges
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
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.
Here are a few scholarships that you can try to apply for locally:
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:
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. CollegeSTEPS Sweepstakes
6 students ages 14 and up are randomly selected at various intervals to win this scholarship, which is sponsored by Wells Fargo. These scholarships are worth $5,000 each and can make a pretty good dent in your tuition. Applicability for this scholarship is open for those applying for college as well as those already enrolled in college.
Award Amount: $5,000
Deadline: Various
8. 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
9. 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
10. “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
11. 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
12. 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
13. 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
14. 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
15. 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
16. Golden Key International Honour Society Scholarships
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
17. 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
18. Howtostartablog.com Scholarship
For those who are interested in building a website, you can follow the criteria listed on this scholarship. On this blog, you will need to post a video discussing how you believe the blogging world will impact work in America.
Award Amount: $2,500
Deadline: Rolling Admissions, winner announced on March 31 each year
19. Best Review Designs Scholarship
This scholarship is for anyone who will be enrolled in college or is currently enrolled. To win this scholarship, you will need to submit an essay of the impact of product design. Winners are chosen twice a year.
Award Amount: $2,000
Deadline: June 1 and December 1
Scholarships with Fall Deadlines [ July – October ]
19. 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
20. Resume Companion Scholarship
This is a fun scholarship, as it involves being a bit creative. To apply, you must put together a resume of a fictional character. More details can be found on their website.
Award Amount: $1,000
Deadline: July 14
Calling all data-minded sports fans! This is a really exciting scholarship that allows you to marry your passion for sports and data in order to apply for this scholarship. Enjoy!
Award Amount: $1,000
Deadline: July 31
22. Redfin Scholarship
This scholarship is open to high school seniors as well as college freshman through juniors with at least a 3.0 GPA.
Award Amount: $2,500
Deadline: July 31
23. 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: $18,000 per year
Deadline: August 14
24. 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
25. “Hit the Books” Scholarship
College students between ages 18 and 25 can apply for this scholarship by Coffeeforless.com. Application for this scholarship requires a short essay of about 500 words about why education is important to you.
Award Amount: $500
Deadline: August 25
26. 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
Scholarships for Winter Deadline [October to December]
27. Create Real Impact Contest
This scholarship offers those with a creative mind to create a solution to reckless and distracted driving. You can compete in one of four categories including writing, painting, video, or music.
Award Amount: $500 or $1,500
Deadline: March 22
28. 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
29. 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
30. 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
31. 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 by 2024. 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
32. Annual CGTrader Scholarship
This scholarship, brought to you by CGTrader, awards 3 scholarships to high school seniors, current college students, or graduate students with at least a 2.5 GPA. An essay with a lenght of 500 to 1,000 words is required in the application
Award Amount: $500 – $3,000
Deadline: December 14
33. 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
34. 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
35. 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
36. 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
37. Groza Learning Center Education Scholarship
To win this scholarship, applicants must complete a short essay and be planning on graduating high school in 2018 or are currently enrolled in undergraduate or graduate studies.
Award Amount: $1,000
Deadline: December 31
38. 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
39. Community College Scholarship
This easy scholarship is open to anyone planning or currently enrolled in community college.
Award Amount: $500
Deadline: December 31
40. 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
Scholarships with Spring Deadline January – March
41. 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
42. 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
43. “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
44. 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: March 30
45. 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
Scholarships with Summer Deadline [April – July]
46. 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: April 30
47. 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: May 31
48. 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
49. Triple-Impact Competitor Scholarship
This scholarship, brought to you by The Positive Coaching Alliance, gives scholarships to student athletes based on their response to questions about self-improvement and teamwork. Eligibility is open to high school juniors who play a sport with at least a 2.5 GPA.
Award Amount: $1,000 – $2,000
Deadline: May 31
50. 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
Kristine Thorndyke
Kristine Thorndyke is the founder of Test Prep Nerds and a seasoned educator. She has spent years writing test prep advice and tips for students and has been featured on Business Insider, CEO Blog Nation, and Insider.
