I'm glad I'm past college age. When I went to university in the UK it was essentially free - we lived off grants that we didn't have to pay back! US (and now UK) students not only have to go through the anguish of hoping to get into a preferred school but also have the stress of how to pay for it. There are however, more scholarships out there than you may realize and so many go unclaimed. And they are not all about grades. There are scholarships with some pretty way out qualifying criteria if you look. Here are some - mostly general ones.
couragetogrowscholarship.com
A monthly scholarship award of $500 available to high school students and college students with a GPA of 2.5 or higher. Entry is via a short essay due on the last day of the month.
colleges.niche.com
A free-to-enter monthly draw for $2,000 open to any student planning to enroll in college within 12 months.
A free-to-enter monthly draw for $2,000 open to any student planning to enroll in college within 12 months. This scholarship offers a fantastic opportunity for future college students who may not have strong writing skills but still need financial support. All it requires is a quick online application, making it accessible and straightforward. What’s more, Niche.com ensures that the process is stress-free, focusing on helping students meet their educational goals without the added pressure of composing lengthy essays. Whether you're a busy high school senior or someone returning to education, this scholarship can be a significant financial boost.
dosomething.org
Volunteer your time for any of DoSomething.org’s campaigns and you could win $10,000. Entry is via submission of pictures of your campaign work. There is also a quarterly draw for a seasonal scholarship for $10,000.
DoSomething.org is a great organization for teenage girls who are looking for ways to give back to their community. Their campaigns are designed to help those in need, and volunteers have the chance to win a $10,000 scholarship for their dedication. Not only that, but DoSomething.org also offers a quarterly draw for a seasonal scholarship of $10,000. This is a great opportunity for teenage girls to make a difference in their community while also earning money for college.
coffeeforless.com
There's a requirement to write an essay and so much the better if you can work into it your love of coffee. Grant ($500) is awarded once in spring and once in fall.
CoffeeForLess.com offers a $500 scholarship twice a year for female high school students. The scholarship requires a 500-word essay that must incorporate the applicant's love of coffee. The scholarship is open to all female high school students in the United States and is awarded in the spring and fall. The scholarship is a great opportunity for female high school students to gain financial assistance for college while also expressing their love of coffee.
careers.geico.com
If you're a college sophomore or junior with a 3.0 GPA, you can apply to GEICO for a scholarship award of $2,500. Entry is by a resume, letter of recommendation, unofficial transcript and short essay. Deadline February 15.
societyofwomenengineers.swe.org
SWE offers a host of scholarships to female undergraduates and graduate students in engineering, engineering technology or computer science in the U.S. or Mexico. Awards range from $1,000 to $10,000 with application deadlines of February 17 for returning college students and May 15 for incoming freshmen.
alaforveterans.org
The American Legion offers five scholarships annually to students returning to school after a gap or to mature students starting higher education later in life. Deadline for applications for $2,000 is March 1.
framemyfuture.com
Entry for this $1,000 scholarship is by submission of a piece of art or a creative piece together with a short essay on your professional ambitions.
Encouraging diversity within the creative industries, the For Creative Girls scholarship opens doors for aspiring female artists and designers who face financial barriers to education. This opportunity not only provides monetary relief but also an invaluable platform for showcasing talent. The competition motivates participants to reflect on their journey and future goals, thereby rooting their creative pursuits in personal growth and professional development. Eligibility extends to all young women with a passion for bringing their imaginative visions to life, and the desire to carve out a career in the arts.
pba.com
Yep! If you love to knock down pins and have a 2.0 GPA you could strike it lucky and gain a $1,000 award.
mpa.org
If you can write an outstanding essay about intellectual property and copyright, submit it to The Music Publishers Association of the United States for a chance to win $5,000. Deadline May 29.
cvs.com
There are 39 scholarships of $2,500 for nurse practitioners and 5 scholarships of $5,000 for doctors of nursing practice. You need to be enrolled in a relevant program and have a GPA of 3.2, Deadline - March 16.
With ambitions towards advanced nursing roles, securing financial support can be paramount. The scholarship offered by CVS presents an opportunity for future nurse practitioners and doctors of nursing practice to alleviate some educational expenses. Eligibility requires enrollment in an accredited program and academic excellence. This financial boon can prove instrumental in empowering young women on their journey through the rigorous demands of nursing education. Remember, the early application could be an edge, so mark your calendars and prepare your application materials well before the deadline.
owaa.org
At least three awards from $1,000 to $5,000 are available each year to undergrads and graduate students studying journalism or communication. Deadline April 1.
The Outdoor Writers Association of America champions young women with aspirations in the dynamic field of media. These scholarships are a boon, especially for those with a penchant for environmental, outdoor, or conservation communication. If you dream of crafting influential stories through video, print, or online channels and are passionate about the great outdoors, this is your chance to gain financial support and become an integral voice in the realm of media and journalism. Don't let financial hurdles dim your spotlight; apply early and uncage your storytelling prowess!
tourismcares.org
Open to American and Canadian students (High school seniors, undergraduates and graduates) studying or planning to study travel, tourism or hospitality. There are 30 annual scholarships from $1,000 to $4,000. Deadline: April 1.
thiswaytocpa.com
Four awards of $10,000 each year available to undergrad and graduate students of accounting with a GPA of 3.0. Deadline: April
afsascholarship.org
This is an example of the weird and wonderful world of college scholarships. To apply to win one of 10 scholarships of $2,000 you have to be a high school senior. You will read an essay about fire sprinklers and complete a 10-question, open-book, multiple choice test. Each correct test answer gives you one entry into the scholarship drawing. Deadline: April 6
This scholarship is offered by afsascholarship.org and is open to all high school seniors. To be eligible, applicants must submit an essay about fire sprinklers and complete a 10-question, open-book, multiple choice test. Each correct answer gives the applicant one entry into the scholarship drawing. The scholarship offers 10 awards of $2,000 each. The deadline for applications is April 6th. This scholarship is a great opportunity for female students who are looking for additional financial support to pursue their college education.
zonta.org
$1,000 awards open to students of business or business-related programs. Entry is via local Zonta clubs by July 1.
horatioalger.org
If you have a 2.0 GPS, participate in the community and can demonstrate financial hardship you can apply for awards of $6,000-$21,000. Entry is via recommendation, transcript and essay. Deadline: April 15
penguin.com
Five scholarships of $1,000 are open to high school juniors and seniors. Application is via an essay about the year’s chosen literary classic from a list of provided topics submitted by your teacher. Deadline usually mid-April.
optimist.org
If you have a talent for engaging an audience, you can enter local competitions to win scholarships of $1.000-$2,500. Deadline is usually mid-May.
us.axa.com
$10,000 is available to an outstanding student in every state + Puerto Rico and Washington DC. High school seniors must demonstrate ambition and drive, determination, respect, and academic potential.
Plus, 10 of each year’s winners are selected as national winners with an additional $15,000 scholarship. Applications are usually due in fall.
To qualify, applicants must showcase a strong commitment to leadership roles within communities or schools, embody a spirit of entrepreneurship, or have made a mark in extracurricular activities. It's a magnificent opportunity to fuel educational dreams and professional aspirations, fostering a generation of empowered women. Emphasis is placed on personal triumphs over adversity and the courage to forge a path of excellence. Additionally, mentorship opportunities accompany the scholarship, providing recipients with invaluable guidance and networking to further their ambitions. Deadline vigilance is key, as the application window opens annually.
google.com
Not only the chance to design a Doodle for Google but also the opportunity to win a $30,000 scholarship. Four finalists can win $5,000. Applications open in early fall.
sodexofoundation.org
Students up to age 25 can apply for a $5,000 scholarship. Each of the several winners also receive a matching grant in their name to a hunger-related charity.
Applicants must demonstrate a history of volunteer work relating to efforts to end hunger in the United States. Applications by December 5.
scholarsapply.org
Yes, there's a Rihanna Scholarship. Only recently announced, her Clara Lionel Foundation has awards for applicants who are residents of Barbados, Cuba, Brazil, Jamaica, Guyana, Haiti or the
United States. You must have already been accepted on to a bachelor’s
degree program at any accredited four-year university or college in the United
States for the upcoming 2016-2017 academic year. Deadline - June 10.
These are annual scholarships so if the deadline has already passed for this year, earmark them for application next year.
I recommend visiting colleges.niche.com as they have a fantastic list of scholarships available.