Many or all companies we feature compensate us. Compensation and editorial research influence how products appear on a page. Student Loans The Ultimate Guide to College Scholarships: 2025 Edition Updated Aug 28, 2025 18-min read Expert Approved Expert Approved This article has been reviewed by a Certified Financial Planner™ for accuracy. Written by Sarah Sheehan, MAT Written by Sarah Sheehan, MAT Expertise: Tax planning, retirement planning, debt management, student loans, home equity, personal loans, investing Sarah Sheehan is a writer, educator, and analyst who focuses on the impact of health, gender, and geography on financial equity. Her ultimate goal? To live beyond the confines of chasing the next dollar—and to teach everyone else how to do the same. Learn more about Sarah Sheehan, MAT Reviewed by Gail Urban, CFP® Reviewed by Gail Urban, CFP® Expertise: Investment management, financial planning, financial analysis, estate planning, life insurance, student loan management, debt management, retirement planning, saving for college Gail Urban, CFP®, AAMS®, has been a licensed financial advisor since 2009, specializing in helping individuals. Before personal financial advising, she worked as a business financial manager in several industries for about 25 years. Learn more about Gail Urban, CFP® Scholarships are the holy grail of financial aid. You don’t have to pay them back, and they don’t come with any added interest. If you think scholarships are hard to come by, think again—research shows that 58% of families use scholarships to fund all or part of college tuition. We’ve gathered scholarships for students with various GPAs, talents, and even heights. (You read that right: heights.) Keep reading for everything you need to know about college scholarships. LendEDU offers an annual no-essay scholarship for a chance to win $1,000. Table of Contents Merit-based scholarships Scholarships for low GPAs No-essay scholarships Transfer scholarships Scholarships for past-due tuition Service scholarships Scholarships for children of public servants Scholarships for veterans and military families Scholarships for felons Scholarships for athletes Dance scholarships Swimming scholarships Weightlifting Scholarships by height Scholarships for tall people Scholarships for short people Scholarships by hair color Red hair Blonde hair Brown hair Black hair Scholarships for lefties Scholarships for people with glasses Mental health scholarships Scholarships for students with disabilities Scholarships for students with disabled parents Scholarships for women Scholarships for LGBTQ+ students Scholarships for brand loyalists Fast food scholarships Lion’s Club scholarships Weird scholarships What can I do if I don’t qualify for these scholarships? How to apply for a scholarship Tips for scholarship applications Avoid scholarship red flags Merit-based scholarships Merit-based scholarships are awarded based on a student’s achievements—academic, athletic, artistic, or extracurricular. These awards can come directly from the university or from independent organizations that want to support high-performing students. We’ve listed some examples below. ScholarshipAmountDeadlineSt. John’s University Freshman Merit ScholarshipVariesWith admission application; Dec. 1, 2026 for early action or Feb. 1, 2026 for regular decisionSBB Research Group STEM Scholarship$2,500Aug. 31, 2025Daniel G Calugar Foundation Merit Scholarship Program$10,000May 26, 2026 Scholarships for low GPAs You don’t need a perfect 4.0 to get a scholarship. Eligibility for some scholarships isn’t solely tied to your academic performance, making them accessible to a broader range of students. Read more about low-GPA scholarships here, and explore some of our recommendations below. ScholarshipAmountDeadlineEquitable Excellence Scholarship$20,000Jan. 12, 2026Courage to Grow Scholarship$1,000Sept. 30, 2025E-waste Scholarship$1,000April 30, 2026Gen and Kelly Tanabe Scholarship$1,000Dec. 31, 2025 No-essay scholarships Many scholarships don’t require a personal statement or essay at all. With no or minimal GPA requirements and quick, streamlined applications, no-essay scholarships are some of the easiest opportunities to apply for. Learn more about no-essay scholarships and explore options below. ScholarshipAmountDeadlineAppily Easy Money Scholarship$1,000Ongoing (awarded monthly)Niche “No Essay” Scholarship$2,000Aug. 31, 2025The “No Sweat” Scholarship$2,500Sept. 30, 2025 Transfer scholarships Transfer scholarships are designed specifically for students moving from one college or university to another—often from a community college to a four-year institution. These awards can help cover tuition gaps and recognize academic achievement, leadership, or financial need during the transition. ScholarshipAmountDeadlineSt. John’s University Transfer Distinction Award$23,000With admission application; Dec. 1, 2026 for early action or Feb. 1, 2026 for regular decisionSt. John’s University Transfer Merit ScholarshipUp to $26,000With admission application; Dec. 1, 2026 for early action or Feb. 1, 2026 for regular decisionDarrel Hess Community College Geography Scholarship$1,500Nov. 15, 2025Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Undergraduate Transfer ScholarshipUp to $55,000Jan. 10, 2026 Scholarships for past-due tuition Falling behind on tuition payments doesn’t necessarily mean your college journey has to end. Some scholarships and emergency aid programs are designed specifically to help students cover past-due balances. Read more about scholarships and loans for past-due tuition. ScholarshipAmountDeadlineUNCF Emergency Student Aid (ESA)Up to $2,500Contact your college financial aid officeCharles Cheesman Student Debt Reduction Scholarship$3,400Nov. 30, 2025Frederick Douglass Bicentennial Scholarship Awards$10,000Aug. 25, 2025 Service scholarships Service scholarships are awarded to students who serve their communities—or whose family members do. This includes children of police officers, firefighters, EMTs, and military service members. Some awards come from individual colleges, while others are national programs available to anyone who meets the criteria. Scholarships for children of public servants ScholarshipAmountDeadlineSt. John’s University Service Awards (Children of police officers, firefighters, or military service members)Up to $6,000With admission application; Dec. 1, 2026 for early action or Feb. 1, 2026 for regular decisionFirst Responders Children’s Foundation ScholarshipsVariesTBA Scholarships for veterans and military families ScholarshipAmountDeadlineParalyzed Veterans of America (PVA) Scholarship$1,000 – $2,500Spring 2026Kathern F. Gruber Scholarship Program$2,000April 2026CTU Patriot ScholarshipFull tuitionMay 2026 Tip: Even if you don’t see your school listed here, many colleges offer their own scholarships for public service or military families. Always ask your financial aid office what may be available. Scholarships for felons In recent years, federal legislation expanded financial aid access to people impacted by incarceration. Scholarships for people with felonies, like those listed below, continue to be a consistent source of educational funding. ScholarshipAmountsEligibilityThe Prison Education Foundation (PEF) Scholarship4 – 16 credit hoursMust have high school diploma or GEDTranscending Through Education Foundation (TTEF) Scholarship$1,000Must have high school diploma or GEDCharles W. Colson ScholarshipFull tuitionAccepted into Wheaton CollegeWilly the Plumber ScholarshipVariesParent or guardian must have been incarcerated 2+ years Scholarships for athletes Student-athletes can take advantage of a vast pool of scholarships, particularly if they perform well academically while giving it their all during matches and competitions. Whether you’re a star quarterback or captain of the dance team, learn more about athletic scholarships here and check out specific examples below. ScholarshipAmountDeadlineMichigan High School Athletic Association Scholar-Athlete Award$2,000Dec. 6, 2025Women’s Western Golf Association (WWGA) Scholarship$20,000Mar. 2026 (expected)National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) Scholarship$2,000 – $5,000Oct. 15, 2025National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Walter Byers Graduate Scholarship$24,000Jan. 2026 (expected) Dance scholarships Dance scholarships recognize students with exceptional talent, dedication, and potential in dance. Offered by colleges, private organizations, and foundations, they often require an audition, portfolio, or personal statement. These awards help reduce educational costs while supporting artistic growth. ScholarshipAmountDeadlineHope College Distinguished Artist Awards for Dance$3,000/yearMar. 9, 2026National YoungArts Foundation – DanceUp to $10,000Oct. 8, 2025Princess Grace Foundation – Dance Scholarship$15,000Feb. 15, 2025 Swimming scholarships Swimming scholarships recognize student-athletes who excel in academics and competitive swimming. They may be awarded by colleges, athletic foundations, or major scholarship programs, with eligibility often based on GPA, leadership, community involvement, and ongoing participation in the sport. ScholarshipAmountDeadlineUniversity of Georgia Swimming Scholarship Endowment ProgramVariesN/AWalter Byers Postgraduate Scholarships Program$24,000Jan. 2026 (TBA) Weightlifting While few scholarships are exclusively for weightlifters, there are several awards that support students in fitness-related fields or who compete in strength-based events. These scholarships often emphasize personal drive, community involvement, and passion for fitness—whether or not you’re pursuing an athletic major. Read more about options here and check out the example below. ScholarshipAmountDeadlineArnold Sports Festival Columbus Rotary Scholarship$2,000Feb. 15, 2026 Scholarships by height Not all scholarships are based on academics or athletics—some are awarded based on physical traits like height. Whether you’re tall or short, there may be money on the table just for being you. Scholarships for tall people Women around 5’10” or higher and men generally at least 6’2″ may qualify for scholarships meant for tall people. Read more about scholarships for tall people and check out examples below. ScholarshipAmountDeadlineTall Club International (TCI) Memorial Scholarship$1,000Varies by chapterBoston Beanstalks Tall Club (BBTC) Scholarship$1,000Mar. 2026 (TBA) Scholarships for short people Some scholarships support students of shorter stature, often focusing on those with forms of dwarfism or related conditions. These awards typically consider factors like community involvement, academic achievement, and membership in relevant organizations. Read more about scholarships for short people here. ScholarshipAmountDeadlineLittle People of America (LPA) Scholarship$250 – $1,000Apr. 2026 (TBA) Scholarships by hair color Yes—you read that right. Some scholarships are awarded based on your hair color (or at least use it as a quirky theme for eligibility or selection). Whether you’re redheaded, blonde, brunette, or have black hair, these lighthearted awards could give you a financial boost — and a good story to tell. Red hair Read more about scholarships for red-haired students here. ScholarshipValueDeadlineAppily Scholarship$1,000Ongoing (awarded monthly)Frame My Future Scholarship$2,000Mar. 2026 (TBA) Blonde hair Read more about scholarships for blondes. ScholarshipValueDue DateNiche$2,000 – $50,000Varies Brown hair Read more about scholarships for blondes. ScholarshipValueDeadlineCourage to Grow Scholarship$1,000Sept. 30, 2025Odenza Marketing Group Scholarship$500Nov. 15, 2025 Black hair Read more about scholarships for black-haired students. ScholarshipValueDeadlineUrban Outfitters & FujifilmUp to $10,000Oct. 16, 2025Bachus & Schanker, LLC$2,000Nov. 30, 2025 Scholarships for lefties While scholarships exclusively for left-handed students are rare, a few still exist—and they often reward uniqueness, creativity, and personal growth. Whether you’re pursuing culinary arts or simply want to showcase your southpaw story, these scholarships for lefties are a great place to start. ScholarshipAmountDeadlineAndrew Macrina Scholarship Fund$1,000Aug. 31, 2025AACT’s John Kitt Memorial Scholarship$2,500June 2026 (expected) Scholarships for people with glasses You can find scholarships for students with impaired vision, like these. Scholarship AmountDeadlineFred Scheigert Scholarship Program$3,000Jan. 2026 (expected)National Federation of the Blind$8,000Spring 2026 (TBA)American Council of the Blind (ACB) Scholarship$2,000 – $7,500Feb. 2026 (expected) Mental health scholarships Scholarships exist that are specific to students with mental health diagnoses and students who have struggled with their mental health. ScholarshipAmountDeadlineBaer Reintegration ScholarshipVariesJan. 2026 (expected)Jared Monroe Foundation Scholarship$250 – $2,300May 2026The Andrew Q. Peschard Memorial Scholarship$1,000TBA Scholarships for students with disabilities Some scholarships are reserved for students with mental, physical, and intellectual disabilities, including the ones below. Learn more about paying for college for people with disabilities. ScholarshipAmountDeadlineThe Lep Foundation for Youth Education$5,000May 1, 2026 (expected)Jack Scura Fund Annual Scholarship$10,000July 31, 2025Buckfire & Buckfire, P.C. Disability Scholarship Program$1,000Oct. 1, 2025 Scholarships for students with disabled parents Even if you don’t have a disability yourself, you might qualify for scholarships for students impacted by a relative’s disability. ScholarshipAmountDeadlineMesothelioma.com Scholarship$4,000Mar. 31, 2026Millie Brother ScholarshipVariesFeb. 2026 (expected) Scholarships for women Women, too, have historically been barred from pursuing higher education opportunities. These scholarships for women can help make earning a college degree more affordable. ScholarshipAmountDeadlineWomen in STEM Scholarship$3,000April 15, 2026American Association of University Women (AAUW) fellowshipsVariesSept. 30, 2026Rae Lee Siporin Scholarship for Women$1,000TBA Scholarships for LGBTQ+ students Queer and transgender students continue to face barriers to access when it comes to critical needs, like healthcare, housing, and education. Admission to a college or university can help LGBTQ+ students meet those needs, making scholarships for LGBTQ+ students an invaluable funding resource. ScholarshipAmountEligibilityStonewall Community Foundation scholarships$4,000 – $18,000Early 2026 (TBA)LEAGUE Foundation ScholarshipsVariesEarly 2026 (TBA) For additional scholarships, browse the Horizon Foundation LGBTQ+ scholarship directory. Scholarships for brand loyalists While many scholarships come from nonprofit or athletic organizations, you’ll also find several scholarships from big-name companies. You might recognize some of your favorite brands and banks in the list below. ScholarshipAmountDeadlineU.S. Bank Student ScholarshipUp to $20,000June 30 and Oct. 30, 2025Dell Scholars program$20,000Dec. 1, 2025Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation$20,000Sept. 30, 2025Pepsi Community Scholarship Fund$1,000Early 2026 (TBA) Fast food scholarships Working or having ties to the fast food industry can open doors—literally. Several chains offer scholarships to support students pursuing higher education, often rewarding leadership, community service, and resilience. Whether you’re flipping burgers or envisioning a future in management, these programs can provide serious financial flavor. Learn more about fast food scholarships. ScholarshipAmountDeadlineKFC REACH Educational Grant ProgramUp to $20,000Feb. 17, 2026McDonald’s HACER National ScholarshipUp to $100,000Not disclosedTaco Bell Live Más ScholarshipUp to $25,000Jan. 2026 (expected) Lion’s Club scholarships Lions Club scholarships are typically offered by local chapters of Lions Clubs International, aimed at high school seniors who demonstrate academic dedication, community involvement, and good citizenship. Since each chapter sets its own criteria, awards can vary widely—but for students rooted in their communities, these local scholarships are well worth exploring. ScholarshipAmountDeadlineSanibel Captiva Lions Club – Francis Bailey Scholarship$3,000/year (renewable up to 4 years)May 1, 2026Union Lions Club (Northern IL)$1,500Apr. 5, 20254 County Lions Club (MD)Varies; based on applicationMar. 31, 2025 Weird scholarships Sometimes the most unusual paths lead to money for school. If you’re ready to think outside the box—and maybe even outside the realm of logic—here are a few scholarships that reward the delightfully odd. Read our full guide here. ScholarshipAwardDeadlineTheodore Gordon Flyfishers Founders Fund Scholarship$5,000June 30,2025 (expected)The Vegetarian Resource Group Scholarships$5,000 – $10,000Feb. 20, 2026Illustrators of the Future Contest$1,500 – $5,000First quarter—Dec. 31Second quarter—Mar. 31Third quarter—June 30Fourth quarter—Sept. 30 What can I do if I don’t qualify for these scholarships? If you don’t see a scholarship here that you’re eligible for, there are still plenty of options. Check with community service and faith-based organizations in your area, and research professional groups for the degree programs or career fields you’re considering. You might also have luck perusing our list of one-of-a-kind scholarships you probably didn’t know existed. Read More 6 Ways You Can Go to College for Free (and Advice If You Can’t) How to apply for a scholarship Every scholarship has its requirements, and how you’ll apply depends on what kind of organization sponsors the scholarship: Private scholarships: These are offered by corporations, small businesses, and nonprofits. You usually have to apply to these one by one. Institutional scholarships: These are offered by colleges, universities, and trade schools. You may be required to apply to these individually, or your school may automatically consider you for its scholarships when you’re granted admission. You shouldn’t have to complete the FAFSA as part of a private scholarship application. However, your school may require you to submit the FAFSA before it can disburse scholarship awards. If you’re applying for individual scholarships, whether private or school-based, this is what you can expect to do: Understand the scholarship’s requirements. Read through the eligibility and application requirements list and note the deadline. Gather any listed materials well in advance of the due date. Update your resume. You may need to list your academic accomplishments, extracurricular activities, or work or volunteer experience. Request transcripts and letters of recommendation. You might have to show proof of academic achievement or provide character references. If you’re requesting college transcripts, you may have to pay a small processing fee (usually no more than $20). Enter your personal and academic information. You’ll need to provide your name and contact details. You may also need to share what school you’re attending and what you plan to study. Answer application questions or write supporting essays. You may need to convince the selection committee why you’re the best pick or tell them how the scholarship will help further your education. Upload audition tapes, highlight reels, or copies of your work, if needed. This usually only applies to scholarships for musicians, athletes, and artists. Submit your application, and hang tight for a decision. The next step is often getting a yay or nay from the scholarship committee. However, you may be asked to participate in interviews or in-person auditions before finding out if you’re selected. If you’re awarded a scholarship, the selection committee will let you know how it’ll disburse those funds. Usually, your scholarship money will go directly to your school. Sometimes, though, you might get the funds as a paper check or bank deposit. Tips for scholarship applications Scholarships are arguably the most affordable way to pay for college, and they can be competitive. Read through these tips before you apply for scholarships to up your odds of getting free money for school: Start early. Applications take time, especially if you need reference letters or transcripts. Budget a minimum of two weeks to request and receive those documents, and give yourself plenty of time to fulfill any additional requirements in advance of the deadline. Tailor your resume to each scholarship. If you have to submit a resume, draw the committee’s attention to your most relevant extracurriculars, academic achievements, and professional or community service experience. Provide your resume when you request letters of recommendation. When you do this, you’re basically saying, “These are things I want the scholarship committee to know about me.” Don’t assume your recommenders know what to include or what to highlight. Tell your recommenders about the scholarship. The more information your recommenders have about the scholarship and its selection criteria, the better equipped they’ll be to focus on the right things in your letter of recommendation. Submit your documents correctly. Each application may require you to use certain file types or restrict your ability to see your letters of reference. Follow instructions to the letter, or risk your application being denied on a technicality. Be authentic. Unless you’re applying for the World’s Best Rocket Scientist Scholarship (which isn’t a thing, by the way), the scholarship committee isn’t expecting you to be a Nobel Prize-level candidate. They’re looking for real students with real goals and real potential. You don’t need to lie or embellish; you just need to be yourself. Just as importantly, don’t get disheartened if you’re not selected. Some scholarships have thousands of applicants, and others draw winners at random. It’s not a reflection of your ability or value if you aren’t chosen. Continue applying to other scholarships in the meantime, and reapply to any scholarships you missed out on during the next submission cycle. You could even ask the scholarship committee for insight on how to improve your application the next time around. They may or may not be able to provide that feedback, but it’s worth a shot. Avoid scholarship red flags As you apply for scholarships, stay alert for scams. Less-than-reputable scholarship sites can mimic legitimate ones quite well, and other “scholarship opportunities” are just data-mining operations in disguise. If you see any of these red flags, steer clear: Too many pop-ups, and zero privacy disclosures: If a scholarship site flashes ad after ad and doesn’t have an easy-to-find privacy policy, something’s amiss. Sensitive information required: No legitimate scholarship will ask for your Social Security number, bank account details, or credit card information. No contact information listed: If a scholarship application asks for your details but doesn’t provide any of its own, hit the back button immediately. Sounds too good to be true: Scholarships aren’t guaranteed. Any site that makes lofty promises likely isn’t operating on the up and up. Pay to apply: Scholarships don’t cost money—ever. If you’re asked to pay a fee as part of your application, run. Unsolicited contact: If you get a text, call, or email from someone claiming that you won a scholarship you never applied to, it’s likely a scam. This is especially true if the spammer creates a sense of urgency around accepting your “award.” Of course, scholarship green flags exist, too. Here are signs that a potential scholarship opportunity is legit: The website is compliant. The privacy policy, terms of use, and terms and conditions are all accessible and updated within the last year. Eligibility criteria are clearly listed. Even if a scholarship has lenient requirements, awards are financial in nature and subject to regulation. That regulatory information, at the very least, should be readily accessible. The sponsoring organization exists outside of the application page. If you find news articles and active social media accounts for the company funding the scholarship, that’s a good sign. (Bonus points if those articles or posts feature past winners!) You can easily contact the scholarship committee. Working contact information is another indicator that you’ve found a reputable opportunity. When in doubt, reach out. Ask questions about the scholarship, and gauge how helpful the organization’s responses are. A trustworthy scholarship source will be forthright and transparent. If at any point you feel pressured, uncomfortable, or guilty for doing your research, trust your gut and walk away. There are far too many ways to pay for college to risk your information falling into the wrong hands.