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Top 51 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.

Learn about our editorial policies

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

US Bank Student Scholarship This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

Offered by U.S. Bank

The US Bank Student Scholarship is a no-essay scholarship opportunity for U.S. residents aged 17 or older who have been accepted to or are enrolled… Show More

The US Bank Student Scholarship is a no-essay scholarship 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 25+, 50+, 100+, and 200+ modules are eligible to receive $2500, $5000, $10,000, and $20,000, respectively. If this scholarship sounds like a fit for you, keep on reading for more application details. 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.

Zombie Apocalypse Scholarship

Offered by Unigo

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

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

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

Morgan Levine Dolan Community Service Scholarship This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

Are you a college-bound high school senior or current post-secondary student from New York, Connecticut, New Jersey, or Pennsylvania? Further, do you have a passion… Show More

Are you a college-bound high school senior or current post-secondary student from New York, Connecticut, New Jersey, or Pennsylvania? Further, do you have a passion for (and prior experiences with) either community service or playing sports? If so, consider applying for the Morgan Levine Dolan Community Service Scholarship! Each year, the scholarship awards $5,000 each to five current or incoming post-secondary students with a history of either playing sports or volunteering in their local community. To apply, interested students must submit an essay detailing how earning this scholarship will help them fulfill their future goals. If you're from New York, Connecticut, New Jersey, or Pennsylvania and love either community service or sports, we encourage you to apply! Keep on reading to learn more. Show Less

$2,000 Annual Catholic College Scholarship This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

Offered by The Christian Connector

Are you a current high school student interested in attending a Catholic college or university? If so, consider applying for the Annual Catholic College Scholarship!… Show More

Are you a current high school student interested in attending a Catholic college or university? If so, consider applying for the Annual Catholic College Scholarship! In order to apply, you simply need to fill out a form with some simple information about yourself, your high school, and your college plans. You will then be entered into a scholarship drawing with the opportunity to win up to $2,000. The scholarship is offered by The Christian Connector, a "one-stop-shop” for receiving free information from Catholic/Christian colleges and Bible colleges.   If you’re a high school student with plans of attending a Catholic college, we encourage you to apply to the Annual Catholic College Scholarship! Show Less

$2,000 Annual Protestant Faith Based College Scholarship This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

Are you a current high school student interested in attending a Protestant, faith-based college or university? If so, consider applying for the Annual Protestant Faith… Show More

Are you a current high school student interested in attending a Protestant, faith-based college or university? If so, consider applying for the Annual Protestant Faith Based College Scholarship! In order to apply, you simply need to fill out a form with some simple information about yourself, your high school, and your college plans. You will then be entered in a scholarship drawing with the opportunity to win up to $2,000. The scholarship is offered by The Christian Connector, a "one-stop-shop” for receiving free information from Catholic/Christian colleges and Bible colleges.   If you’re a high school student with plans of attending a Protestant, faith-based college, we encourage you to apply to the Annual Protestant Faith Based College Scholarship! 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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Easy Scholarships

David Apr 12, 2019

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What are Easy Scholarships?

Applying for scholarships can be a hard and long process. You have to write essays, fill out long applications and much more. Sometimes this can feel overwhelming and with so many students applying for scholarships, you might feel like you don’t have a chance.

But, this is not always the case. There are many easy scholarships out there that have simple requirements (if any) and a quick application process. These opportunities can be great for students who are looking for scholarships without putting in much effort or time. With the easy process, you can submit applications to many scholarships so you’ll have a greater chance of winning. One thing to keep in mind is that many students will apply for these scholarships so there is still a lot of competition.

In this guide, we will look at and explain some of the most common and popular types of easy scholarships.

No-Essay Scholarships

One of the most tedious tasks in scholarship applications is the essay. You may feel like all you do is write essays and that they are getting you nowhere!

The fastest path to earning scholarships

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

Believe it or not, there are scholarships out there which don’t need essays at all! Instead, you may have to submit a quiz, a short text about something interesting and fun or information about your grades in school. In some applications, you may need to learn something new in an online course. In others, you may have to submit information about your plans to play sports in your college or university.

If you want to apply for many scholarships in a short amount of time, finding those which don’t require an essay can be an excellent way to save time and effort. It’s important to make your application perfect because you won’t have a chance to introduce yourself in another way. You also won’t be able to show your writing skills through your essay (which may be a negative aspect for those with excellent writing skills).

Quick Scholarships

Some scholarships that do ask for an essay may want something short or unique. These types of essays may be easier and quicker to write than your typical scholarship applications.

You may have to write a 250 word essay , or 500 word essay about why you deserve to win the scholarship or to write a short essay relating to the topic of the scholarship. For example, for a law school scholarship, you may have to write a short essay discussing the 7th amendment. For a sports scholarship to discuss your career aspirations as an athlete. These short essays are generally not difficult and often interesting to write.

Social Media Scholarships

Today, social media is everywhere and pretty much everything. If you love Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook or other forms of social media, these scholarships are perfect for you. If you want to apply for these scholarships you often just have to show your skills and the process is fun!

Here are some examples of types of entries for social media scholarships:

• Answer a simple question on whichever social media platform you prefer to apply for the scholarship.
• Create a 3-8 minute video on a specific topic relating to the scholarship.
• Submit a 140 character statement relating to technology for a technology scholarship.
• Create a 30-second commercial
• Answer quizzes to test common and general knowledge.

These easy scholarships are great for students who love social media! If this is you, definitely check out these interesting scholarships.

No-GPA Required Scholarships

This is a big one. Sometimes it seems that the only thing that matters when applying to college and scholarships is your  GPA. Extreme emphasis is placed on standardized testing and applications are often numbers games.

For some students, this is a major problem. Some people are unable to succeed in standardized testing, while others seem to thrive in these situations. Lucky for us, many colleges and universities are starting to drop their demands for standardized testing. Instead of focusing on tests, they want to get to know their potential students. They look at your work in high school, extracurricular accomplishments, your application and more.

The good news here is that some scholarships are starting to follow this trend as well. There are more and more scholarships that have no requirements for minimum GPA and have simple application processes. These easy scholarships are an excellent option for students who wish to focus less on the numbers and more on themselves as an individual. By doing this, they can prove themselves in order to receive the scholarship or be accepted to their school of choice.

Some of these scholarships believe that all students should have the chance to go to college or university. This is regardless of their academic accomplishments in high school. For example, there are scholarships which prefer students who once lived in foster care. There are also scholarships for students who went to alternative high schools or special high school programs.

These scholarships may also have themes aimed at supporting students with specific life goals. For example, scholarships for students who want to enter the army or nursing scholarships. If you want to study abroad there are scholarships for that too. Other types are community-service based scholarships, race and gender-focused scholarships and more.

Scholarship Sweepstakes

It doesn’t get much easier than this. Scholarship sweepstakes are easy scholarships that are simply based on luck. Entering them couldn’t be any more simple and everyone has an equal chance to win. Some sweepstakes allow many entries if you perform certain actions (like referring the scholarship to a friend). This gives you an even better chance of winning.

Each of these sweepstakes scholarships has different entry requirements. Some just ask you to enter the contest or sweepstakes, some require a short essay or statement, some require to enter quizzes and more.

Scholarship sweepstakes are an easy way to apply for many scholarships, especially if you don’t meet the requirements of others.

Weird Scholarships

Do you have a strange hobby? An obsession with something that isn’t common? Outstanding knowledge of a subject that others often don’t have? Use these skills to find a weird scholarship!

One of the best ways to win scholarships is to use skills that make you unique and stand out from the crowd. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of scholarships out there which appeal to specific kinds and types of people. These could be unique or strange interests or hobbies. These are amazing and great opportunities for you to win an easy scholarship.

We searched for some of the weirdest scholarships out there and came across many. For example:

• a Zombie Apocalypse scholarship asking students to plan for the apocalypse
• unique and antique dolls scholarship
• Christmas tree scholarship
• scholarships for tall students
• foreclosure scholarship- explain how you would deal with a certain situation
• Zolp scholarship- only for those with the last name Zolp

If you have a unique interest or talent, make sure to look for scholarships in the field. This is an excellent way to isolate yourself and make sure to be rewarded for your special interests.

Interest-Based Scholarships

Even if your interests or skills aren’t unique or strange, there are plenty of scholarships in whatever field you choose or specialize in.

Agriculture and Animals

If you’re looking for a career dealing with animals or agriculture these are great scholarships for you.

Athletics and Sports

There are many sports-based scholarships out there. Some focus on specific sports and some are more general. Many require minimum GPA requirements and often an essay.

These scholarships often ask students to show their management skills and abilities. Sometimes they are based on specific types of business adventures such as real estate.

Food and Drinks

Love food? These scholarships are for you! Some food based scholarships require the winners to work or volunteer in the field, study a relevant subject or have experience in the food industry. Others less involved and you can win just for liking coffee and writing an essay!

Hobbies and Interests Based Scholarships

These scholarships are based on certain hobbies- if you have one of them you’re in luck! Some examples are marbles, ice carving, coin collection and more.

Literature and Writing

Applicants are often asked to submit unique pieces of writing or literature. They are rewarded based on their love and appreciation of this field.

Performing Arts and Music

These scholarships can be for musicians or even revolving around a particular musician. Some require applicants to submit original music or work or a video. Prizes can involve cash or even being featured in music publications.

Photography

These scholarships are for students looking to major in art or become photographers. There are different requirements for different scholarships. Some only want a few pictures and others may want a portfolio including an essay describing your future plans. There are also scholarships available for the film. Some photography scholarships will give you equipment in addition to cash for school.

Travelling and Languages

Do you know a unique language? Use that to your advantage in your scholarship search! Some of these scholarships are also for those who wish to travel internationally or who come from certain countries or places. These may also be particularly relevant if you’re looking for a scholarship to help you study abroad.

Here we have listed just a few interest based scholarships. If you have a particular hobby or interest, it’s always a good idea to look for scholarships in the same field. These scholarships are unique and can be considered easy scholarships for you to win.

Corporate Scholarships

Many major companies offer scholarships for high school students. These corporations like Coca Cola and Burger King give easy scholarships to students who match their criteria. For example, John Deere has a scholarship for students who want to study agriculture, engineering or other related fields.

Many of the corporate scholarships are focused around specific types of business and studies. If you already know what you will be studying and are looking for an easy scholarship- these can be for you!

Conclusions

The scholarship field today is large. There is almost every kind of scholarship imaginable available for future students.

By focusing on easy scholarships, you will be able to submit your application to a large number of scholarships.  This will increase your chances of winning. In addition, you will save time by not slaving over countless long applications and essays.

Many of the unique types of scholarships outlined here are also perfect for those who possess special or unique skills or interests. These scholarships are particularly interesting and worthwhile for relevant students.

We hope that this guide has helped you to understand what easy scholarships are and why they may be worth your time. Good luck!

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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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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

AFCEA STEM Major Scholarship

• Deadline May 1, 2024
• Amount Varies
• Offered By AFCEA
• State Nationwide
• Description Applicants will be considered for all AFCEA STEM Major scholarship opportunities for which they are qualified. Applications will be accepted from current eligible undergraduate and graduate-level students majoring in STEM fields to include Cyber Security, Intelligence and Homeland Security-related disciplines.
• Essay Required :  Yes
• Recommendations Required :  Yes
• Minimum GPA :  3.0
• Major Computer Science, Engineering, Astronomy, Information Technology, Mathematics/Statistics, Physics

Barry & Julia Smith Family Nurse Scholarship Program

• Amount $1,000
• Offered By Scholarship Management Services, Scholarship America
• Description This scholarship is given to nursing students who are at least 25 years of age and interested in a career in hospice or end of life care nursing. They must be current full-time students in their junior year of nursing study.
• Essay Required :  Unknown
• Recommendations Required :  Unknown
• Major Nursing

Central Michigan University Biology Scholarships

• Offered By Central Michigan University
• Description Each year, we award biology scholarships to undergraduate and graduate students. These include awards for incoming freshmen and transfer students who are planning to major in biology at CMU and students taking summer classes or doing research at the CMU Biological Station on Beaver Island.
• Major Biology
• Type Central Michigan University
• Find Student Loans

Charles W. Riley Firefighter and Ambulance and Rescue Squad Member Scholarship Program

• Offered By Maryland Higher Education Commission
• State Maryland
• Description The Charles W. Riley Firefighter and Ambulance and Rescue Squad Member Scholarship Program encourages members of the fire-fighting, ambulance, and rescue organizations serving Maryland communities to pursue credited courses that lead to a degree in fire service technology, emergency medical technology, fire service management, or public safety administration with a minor or concentration in fire service technology or fire service management.
• Minimum GPA :  2.5
• Major Any Major
• Type Maryland Firefighter, Ambulance, or Rescue Squad Member

Class Endowed Scholarships

• Amount $5,000
• Offered By Rutgers University
• Description Rutgers offers several endowed scholarships funded by the generosity of alumni donors. Scholarships may be offered to descendants of the following class years: 1940, 1941, 1949, 1970, 1978, 1982, 1983, and the Rutgers College Class of 1980.
• Type Rutgers University

Educators for Maine Program

• Offered By Finance Authority of Maine
• State Maine
• Description The Educators for Maine Program is a competitive, merit-based, forgivable loan for Maine students enrolling in or pursuing undergraduate or graduate education degrees. Applicants must demonstrate an interest in careers in education or child care and are planning to work in Maine after graduation.
• Minimum GPA :  3.00
• Major Education

Flinn Scholarship Program

• Offered By University of Arizona
• Description The Flinn Scholarship Program, sponsored by the Flinn Foundation, is a highly competitive, merit-based scholarship opportunity to exceptional Arizona resident undergraduate students who enrolling at any of the three state universities upon graduation from high school.

Jacques Avent Scholarship

• Offered By Central Arizona Chapter of the National Forum for Black Public Administrators
• State Arizona
• Description Established by the Central Arizona Chapter of the National Forum for Black Public Administrators to award scholarships valued up to $5,000 to future Black public administrators. The scholarship is named in honor of Jacques Avent, one of NFBPA's original founders. Jacques had a long distinguished public service career. He was the first African American to hold a senior executive position, serving as executive assistant to the City Council and Deputy City Manager with the city of Phoenix, Arizona. Through his trailblazing efforts, he was instrumental in promoting and increasing the number of African Americans in executive and middle management positions throughout the city. More importantly, Jacques served as a mentor and confidant to many CAC-NFBPA members and other city employees.
• Major Public administration/Policy, political science, urban planning, public affairs
• Type African American

Kansas Career Technical Workforce Grant

• Offered By State of Kansas Student Aid
• State Kansas
• Description The purpose of this grant program is to encourage individuals to further their education and provide the benefit of their employment to the State of Kansas to assist in the development of a strong state workforce in high demand, critical industry employment fields. The Career Technical Workforce Grant is available to students enrolled in an eligible career technical education program operated by a designated Kansas educational institution that has been identified as offering a technical certificate or associate of applied science degree program in a high cost, high demand, or critical industry field.

Kansas Ethnic Minority Scholarship

• Amount $1,850
• Description The Kansas Ethnic Minority Scholarship program is designed to assist financially needy, academically competitive students who are identified as members of any of the following ethnic/racial groups: African American; American Indian or Alaskan Native; Asian or Pacific Islander; or Hispanic.
• Type Minority

Kansas Military Service Scholarship

• Description Candidates who served in any overseas military operation after 9/11/2001 for which they received hostile fire pay are eligible to submit the State of Kansas Student Aid Application with a copy of their DD-214 form or active duty orders.
• Type Military Veteran

Kansas Nursing Service Scholarship

• Amount $3,500
• Description The Kansas Nursing Service Scholarship is designed to encourage enrollment in nursing programs by Kansans committed to practicing as a LPN or RN in Kansas.

Kansas Optometry Service Scholarship

• Description Designed to encourage optometrists to establish Kansas practices. Kansas helps to pay the difference between resident and nonresident tuition at eligible out-of-state institutions. Recipients must return one year of practice for each year of assistance.

Pennsylvania Targeted Industry Program (PA-TIP)

• Offered By Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency
• State Pennsylvania
• Description The Pennsylvania General Assembly created PA-TIP in 2012 to prepare students with the skills in high demand by today's employers. Eligible areas of study include energy, health, advanced materials, diversified manufacturing, and agriculture and food production.

Re-entry Woman Scholarship

• Amount $2,000
• Offered By American Association of University Women - Poway-Penasquitos Branch
• State California
• Description Scholarships are awarded to women who are non-traditional students who have experienced challenges in life and education that differ from the traditional 4-year path. Applicants must be 23 years of age or older. Must live or attend school in north San Diego County, including northern city of San Diego.
• Minimum GPA :  2.25
• Type Female

Teacher Scholarship

• Amount $2,500
• Offered By Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority
• State Kentucky
• Description The Teacher Scholarship Program provides financial aid to Kentucky students pursuing initial teacher certification at participating Kentucky colleges.

West Virginia Higher Education Grant Program

• Offered By College Foundation of West Virginia
• State West Virginia
• Description The West Virginia Higher Education Grant is a need-based financial aid program designed to ensure West Virginia students with financial need are given an opportunity to pursue post-secondary education.

West Virginia PROMISE Scholarship

• Amount $5,200
• Description The PROMISE Scholarship is a merit-based financial aid program for West Virginia residents planning to attend one of the state’s public or independent two- or four-year institutions. Students who achieve certain academic goals are eligible to receive funds to help pay for college.

Wildcat Tuition Award

• Amount $12,500
• Description The Wildcat Tuition Award is a highly competitive undergraduate tuition scholarship offered annually to a select number of Arizona resident high school graduates attending college for the first time immediately after high school graduation. Incoming freshmen who are homeschooled will be evaluated for merit aid based on portfolio/course work and ACT or SAT test scores submitted by the admission deadline.

Helping Heroes Grant

• Deadline Varies
• Offered By Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation
• State Tennessee
• Description The Helping Heroes Grant is established and funded from the net proceeds of the state lottery and awarded to US veterans who were honorably discharged or who are a former or current member of a reserve or TN National Guard unit.

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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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Best Essay Scholarships to Apply for in 2024

Overcoming Adversity Cariño Scholarship

Eligibility criteria:.

• State : Washington
• Education Level : High school student
• Ethnicity : Latinx

Sloane Stephens Doc & Glo Scholarship

• Education Level : Must be a current high school senior or undergraduate student
• Schooling : Either studying healthcare or attending an HBCU
• GPA : 2.5 or higher

Ethel Hayes Destigmatization of Mental Health Scholarship

Trees for Tuition Scholarship Fund

• Education Level : High school senior or undergraduate
• State : Georgia (Atlanta preferred)

Concrete Rose Scholarship Award

• Gender : Women
• Race/Ethnicity : BIPOC
• Education Level : High school senior or Undergraduate

Jennifer Gephart Memorial Working Mothers Scholarship

• Background : Mother

Anthony McPherson Memorial Automotive Scholarship

• Field of Interest : Automotive
• Education Level : High school or undergraduate student

TEAM ROX Scholarship

• Education Level : Undergraduate student
• GPA : 3.0 or higher
• Background : Volunteering experience

Rebecca Hunter Memorial Scholarship

• Education Level : Any
• Parental Status : Single parent

God Hearted Girls Scholarship

• Education Level : High school senior
• Gender : Female
• Religion : Christianity

Dimon A. Williams Memorial Scholarship

• Family : Single-parent household

Women in Healthcare Scholarship

• Education Level : High school senior, undergraduate, or graduate student
• Citizenship Status : U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident
• Gender : Female-identifying
• Field of Study : Healthcare

Rainbow Futures Scholarship

• Education Level : High school senior or undergraduate student
• Identity : LGBTQ+
• Background : Financial need

Treye Knorr Memorial Scholarship

• Education Level : Entering a four-year undergraduate degree in the fall of 2024
• Gender : Male-identifying

Ventana Ocean Conservation Scholarship

• Education Level : High school senior, undergraduate, or graduate
• Major : Ocean conservation, marine science, environmental science, marine biology, etc.

Joseph A. Monachino Memorial Scholarship

• Financial Status : Financial need
• State : Nevada

Dr. Edward V. Chavez Athletic Memorial Scholarship

• Background : Has lost one or both parents
• Passion : Sports

Tam and Betsy Vannoy Memorial Scholarship

• State : West Virginia
• Education Level : High school senior, undergraduate, post- secondary trade school

Frederick J. Salone Memorial Basketball Scholarship

• Background : Plays basketball

Lemon-Aid Scholarship

• Financial Status : Low-income

Patriots Path Scholarship

• Involvement : ROTC or JROTC

Walking In Authority International Ministry Scholarship

• Experience : Volunteering

Joseph C. Lowe Memorial Scholarship

• Education : High school senior or undergraduate
• Background : Volunteering or community service
• Major : History

Skylar's Hope Scholarship

• Education Level : High school senior, undergraduate, or trade school student
• Desired Career : First responder (firefighter, police, EMT, etc.)

M.R. Brooks Scholarship

• Family : Single parent or the child of a single parent

Brinley Heckermann Empowering Spirit Scholarship

• Background : Cheerleader and/or stunt-athlete

Jean Ramirez Scholarship

• Education : High school, undergraduate, or graduate
• Background : Immediate family of suicide victim

Alexis Mackenzie Memorial Scholarship for the Arts

• Education Level : High school student accepted to a two or four-year college or an arts institute
• Race/Ethnicity : Black or Latina
• Background : Financial Need

Hamiltonville Farm Scholarship

• Education level : High school senior or trade school
• Field of Interest : Automotive or Diesel repair

Jaimeson Williams Legacy Scholarship

• Majors of Interest : Music or STEM

About essay scholarships 

Essay-based scholarships are the most common and traditional form of scholarships available to students pursuing higher education. Though essay scholarships may seem intimidating at first glance, this type of scholarship can be invaluable to students looking to earn money through scholarships. 

An essay scholarship is a financial aid opportunity that requires students to write a short statement in order to apply. No-essay scholarships, on the other hand, do not require written statements as part of the application process. 

Students tend to gravitate towards no-essay scholarships, as they are easier to apply to in regards to both time and effort. While no-essay scholarships are a great resource as well, students should consider applying to a mix of both no-essay and essay scholarships to have the best chances of winning. 

Since fewer students take the time to apply for essay scholarships, there is less competition for them. This means that students that do apply for essay scholarships will often have higher chances of winning money than students who exclusively apply for no-essay scholarships.

Though no-essay scholarships can save time in the application process, they typically attract a large number of applicants. Both college students and high school students will usually face more competition with this type of scholarship. 

In many cases, it isn’t as difficult to apply for essay scholarships as college students imagine. The written statement is often quite short and usually hovers around 400-600 words. That’s around a page of writing or even a little less. There are even many opportunities that require even shorter essays, such as 100-300 words!

If that still sounds daunting, remember that essay scholarships will provide a prompt to write on. Most scholarships will focus on a certain aspect of a student’s life. For example, a mental health awareness scholarship might ask students to write about their personal struggles with mental health and how they have overcome those challenges in pursuit of a better education. 

Similarly, major-based scholarships, like STEM or arts scholarships, often ask students to write about why they chose to study that particular field. Typically, no additional research needs to be done to write the essay portion of the application. In nearly all cases, donors simply want to hear about who the applicant is. 

To write the essay scholarship, students only need to draw on their personal experiences or life goals to show the donor who they are as a person. High school students might focus more on their goals for the future, while undergraduate and graduate students might talk about their current studies. 

Whatever the case, both high school students, as well as undergraduate and graduate students, should focus on showcasing their talents, goals, and personality in the essay. The more detailed and unique an essay is, the easier it is for the donor to feel a connection with you, making your application stand out from the competition.

Essay scholarships are available to students of all ages and all grade levels. College students and high school students alike can apply for essay scholarships. As long as the scholarship allows applicants of your grade level, you can apply.

Though some essay scholarship prompts may seem better suited towards one age group than another, students should still apply as long as they are eligible. For example, a scholarship that asks applicants to write about their major and why they chose it might seem easier to answer as a college student. 

However, if high school students are eligible, they can likely answer the prompt by writing about their intended major. Both high school students and college students should be able to write most scholarship essays.

The purpose of the essay scholarship is to allow the donor to get a better view of the applicant, so make sure to add personality and detail to your essays. You can also check out  this guide  on writing scholarship essays for exclusive tips!

Best essay scholarships

 The majority of scholarships available are essay-based, so there are plenty of opportunities to choose from. Each scholarship has its own benefits, so it's important to apply for a variety of scholarship opportunities. The highest-value scholarships can be the most helpful when paying your tuition, but they often receive the most competition as a result. To have the best chances of winning, consider smaller scholarships with fewer eligible applicants.

Essay scholarships for high school students

There are plenty of high school scholarships available for students of all grade levels. Additionally, high school students can apply for scholarships specific to their grade level.

Essay scholarships for high school freshmen 

Freshman year is the earliest students can begin applying for scholarships, meaning that applicants who start as high school freshmen can get ahead of the game. The earlier you start applying, the longer you'll have to earn college funding. The following scholarships are a great place for high school freshmen to begin their search!

• Bold Climate Changemakers Scholarship
•   M.R. Brooks Scholarship  
• "Equal Opportunity" Scholarship

Essay scholarships for high school sophomores

There are also plenty of scholarship opportunities for high school sophomores who are looking to get a jump on their scholarship applications. The scholarships below are a great way for sophomores to get started!

• Bold Community Activist Scholarship  
• CollegeXpress No-Essay Scholarship
• Bold Great Books Scholarship  

Essay scholarships for high school juniors

As upperclassmen, high school juniors have even more scholarships available to them than freshmen and sophomores. In addition to scholarships open to all high school students, juniors can also apply for scholarships exclusively open to juniors and seniors. Check out the list below and start applying!

• Cat Zingano Overcoming Loss Scholarship  
• Scorenavigator Financial Literacy Scholarship  
• Janey Mae Memorial Scholarship

Essay scholarships for high school seniors

Senior year of high school is one of the most popular times to apply for scholarships. As a result, there are many scholarships created specifically for high school seniors. Since other grade levels can't apply, there are often fewer eligible applicants for senior scholarships, giving you a better chance of winning! You can check out the scholarships below to begin applying. 

• MJM3 Fitness Scholarship  
• Michael Valdivia Scholarship
• Charlotte Emery Memorial Scholarship   

Essay scholarships for college students

While it's great to start securing scholarship funding in high school, it's never too late to apply! There are plenty of scholarships for those currently in college, such as those listed below.

• Live Your Dash Entrepreneurs Scholarship
• Dr. Sharyn First-Generation in Business Scholarship   
• Chris Jackson Computer Science Scholarship  

Essay scholarships for graduate students

Many graduate students aren't aware of all of the scholarships available to them, meaning that many miss out on available financial aid. If you're a graduate student, consider applying for the scholarships below!

• Jameela Jamil x I Weigh Scholarship
• Derrick Richardson Law Student Scholarship  
• Chang Heaton Scholarship for Music Excellence

Essay scholarships for international students 

International students are often left behind when it comes to earning financial aid. With fewer government resources available, international students pursuing their degrees in the US may have unmet financial needs. The following scholarships for international students in the US are a great place to start!

•   International Studies Scholarship
• Crenati Foundation Supporting International Students Scholarship   

Essay scholarships for women 

Many scholarship donors aim to help underrepresented or disadvantaged students, such as racial minorities, low-income students, LGBTQ+ students, or women. If you're a female student, consider applying for the following scholarships!

• Taking Up Space Scholarship  
• Indigenous Women in STEM Scholarship  
• Charlotte Emery Memorial Scholarship

Frequently asked questions about essay scholarships 

How do i win essay scholarships.

The most important part of the essay application is simply finishing it. Many high school students and college students won’t even bother to apply for essay scholarships. As a result, just turning in an application that meets all of the requirements and answers the prompt places you ahead of a good chunk of your peers. 

Still, it’s good to fine-tune your scholarship essays and make sure you turn in your best work. There are several steps students can take in order to take their scholarship essays to the next level. Click here to read our full guide on how to write a scholarship essay .

First, make sure your essay stays on topic and answers the prompt. Don’t get sidetracked by tangential experiences. Read the question carefully and make an outline of what you want to write before you start writing. This can help make sure your essay is focused and coherent. Make a list of what points you want to include in your answer and in what order. Then, make sure to stick to those points.

One important point is to make sure you maintain your basic writing skills. If grammar is something you struggle with on occasion, make a plan to catch any mistakes you might make. Using a tool like Grammarly or Microsoft Word’s spell check can be very helpful in making sure no minor errors are made. You can also try reading your essay out loud, or asking a friend to look it over. Sometimes two pairs of eyes are better than one. 

Another way to elevate your essay is to open with a hook. Perhaps you have a funny story about your academic experiences that relates to the question asked. Or, you could retell the moment you decided to pursue your current major. Any impactful experience you’ve had that relates to the question asked can be a good way to open your essay. 

Opening with a hook makes your essay more memorable and makes the reader want to keep reading. If your essay sounds generic or uninspired, the donor may pass you over for someone else. Making your essay personal and engaging is a key way to make an impact on your reader and stand out from other competitors. 

Most of the time, when a donor includes an essay question, it’s because they’re looking for a specific type of student. Many donors favor students that are driven, motivated, and willing to work hard to achieve their dreams. Look carefully at the prompt for hints on what qualities the donors are looking for. 

An essay question that asks about a student’s struggle with finances, for example, is likely looking for a high school student or college student that has worked hard to pursue education despite the challenges they faced. A prompt that asks students to talk about their chosen major is likely looking for a student that is inspired and has a special interest in their field. 

A mix of your personal experiences, academic interests, and goals for the future are usually good points to work into your essay. It’s important to both answer the question clearly and help the donor understand who you are as a person. 

How do I apply for scholarships? 

Applying for scholarships is not as difficult as it seems. Most applications give clear instructions and are easy to complete. A good place to start is finding a scholarship search resource that works for you. 

One easily accessible way to find scholarships is through your school. For high school students, the guidance office may be able to connect you with scholarship opportunities. College students, including graduate students, will want to talk to their financial aid office instead. 

The advantage of finding scholarships through your school is that the financial aid or guidance office may be able to find opportunities specifically made for your school. This means the competition pool will be much smaller as you will only be competing with your classmates. 

As for how high school students and college students can apply for these opportunities, the instructions will likely depend on that specific school’s process for applying. Administrators in the financial aid or guidance office will be able to guide students through the application process. 

An alternative is using online platforms to search for and apply for scholarships. High school students and college students alike will benefit from this method, as online platforms typically allow students to apply for multiple scholarships at once. Making a free profile with  Bold.org , for example, will allow high school students and college students to quickly apply with just one click to no-essay scholarships. 

Creating a profile with online scholarship platforms allows the site to submit applications on your behalf. In addition, the information stored in the profile can be used to help find more relevant scholarship search results for each student’s needs.

For example, high school students will automatically be barred from applying to scholarships that only look at college students, and vice versa. This can help save some time and ensure students don’t waste their efforts applying for scholarships that will not consider them. 

In order to apply for a scholarship on an online platform, students simply need to create a free profile and find the scholarships they want to apply for. Their information will be sent to the donors for review. 

If there is an essay requirement, students must prepare a written statement ahead of time. Students can then paste their essays into the application on the online platform. The essay will be submitted along with the student’s personal information from their profile. 

When can I start applying? 

High school students, as well as undergraduate and graduate students, can apply whenever they like. Very few scholarships exist for students below the high school level, and while some opportunities are available to recent college graduates, most are for those still in school. 

Students at any level between high school and graduate school can start to apply for scholarships at any time. High school seniors are the group of high school students that will likely have the easiest time finding scholarships they can apply for. Many donors looking to create opportunities at the high school level view high school seniors as the demographic most concerned with generating funding for college. 

Winning scholarship money while still in high school can help students in their college search. Getting an idea of how much money you will be able to spend on college is a good way to narrow down your search for the perfect school for you. In addition, winning scholarship money might make it possible for high school students to attend a college they previously thought would be too expensive. 

As a result, starting to apply for scholarships as a high school senior or junior would be a reasonable time to begin. 

Applying earlier is typically better than applying for scholarships later on. This is simply because starting to find and apply to scholarships earlier will allow students more time to apply, get their results back, and apply again. The more this cycle is repeated, the more money students typically make. 

Remember that not every scholarship you apply to will yield positive results. Therefore, applying to as many scholarships as possible will increase the possibility that a few of those applications will win. 

However, there’s nothing wrong with trying to find scholarships even before your senior year in high school. In addition, starting to apply as an undergraduate student or a graduate student is completely fine as well. There are many opportunities made specifically for college students, many of which include graduate students as well. 

It may seem counterintuitive to start applying for scholarships after committing to a college. However, winning scholarship money can help not just with creating a budget for college, but also with the expenses of continuing your college education. Each new semester means new textbooks and new school supplies, for example. 

In addition, college is a path to many educational opportunities that are usually not available to high school students. For example, many college students study abroad, whether as undergraduate students or graduate students. Saving up some scholarship money for the costs of continuing your education and taking advantage of college opportunities like studying abroad can be very helpful. 

How do I know if I’m eligible for a scholarship?

Every scholarship posting will clearly state its requirements, so be sure to read the entire description. Remember that your efforts may be wasted if you do not fit the criteria for a certain scholarship. No matter how much you excel in school, you cannot win a scholarship that you are not eligible for. 

Scholarships often tend towards very general requirements or more exclusive requirements. General scholarships are often open to students of any major and any grade level, meaning the vast majority of students will be able to apply.

Exclusive scholarships, on the other hand, are made for a more specific purpose. For example, the donor of an exclusive scholarship might want to use their money to uplift indigenous students in the medical field. As a result, the scholarship might only accept applicants that are indigenous students and focused on nursing or medicine. Students that do not match these criteria will not be considered. 

Some common restricting factors in exclusive scholarships are education level, demographic, income level, academic interest, and GPA. An exclusive scholarship might restrict the applicant pool by all or some of these criteria. 

Certain opportunities might be open to graduate students only, and not high school students or undergraduate students. Some scholarships might require students to study a particular major, such as graphic design. A more general scholarship might use an umbrella term, like the humanities, instead of a specific major. Whatever the case, be sure you have carefully read each of the requirements before applying. 

Many exclusive scholarships will be specific enough that most students will not be able to apply. For example, a scholarship open only to Asian American molecular biology graduate students will receive a lower volume of applications than a scholarship available to all STEM majors. 

However, there’s no need to get discouraged if you find it difficult to locate an exclusive scholarship that matches your needs. The multitude of scholarship opportunities available on sites like  Bold.org  means that there is a scholarship for everyone. New scholarships are created and added each day, meaning students who continuously look for and apply to scholarships are more likely to find relevant opportunities. 

In addition, it’s a good idea to apply for both general and exclusive scholarships. This helps students cast a wider net and hopefully increase their chances of winning money. 

What do I have to do to apply?

The application process for most scholarships is fairly simple, especially if students choose to apply through an online platform. 

Sometimes, the most difficult part of applying for a scholarship is simply qualifying, especially if there are many requirements. Once students find opportunities that match their needs, very little action is required.

Students will need to send some of their personal information to the donor to confirm they match the criteria listed. This is often done automatically through online platforms, or students may need to fill out a form through the appropriate school office if the scholarship is not listed online. 

If the scholarship does not require an essay, then that’s all you need to do. If the scholarship does require a personal statement, then that will be the second and final part of the application. 

The essay question, as we’ve covered, can appear intimidating but is usually answered in a page or less. Since donors simply want to hear about you as a person and your academic pursuits, staying honest and true to yourself is usually the best way to tackle the essay. 

It’s not necessary in most cases to do more research to answer the essay question. Sharing personal experiences that relate to the question can be a good way to start. Students should already have all the information they need to answer the question. The only thing left is presenting that information and any personal experiences in an orderly, coherent manner. 

To summarize, scholarships are relatively low-stress to apply to. Students will only need to submit their personal information and write a short personal essay about themselves to be considered.

Are scholarships counted as income? 

Typically, scholarships are not counted as income. 

Scholarships will remain tax-free as long as the scholarship money is used for necessary educational expenses. Necessary educational expenses include tuition fees, textbook and equipment fees, mandatory course fees, and mandatory enrollment fees. It’s important to note that housing and travel expenses do not count as necessary educational expenses. 

In other words, if failing to pay an expense would obstruct your ability to graduate with a degree, that expense likely qualifies as a necessary educational expense. 

In addition, the following requirements must be met for your scholarship money to be considered tax-free. First, the total money earned from all essay scholarships cannot be greater than the total amount your university or college charges you for your education. This rarely happens and is usually not a problem for most students. 

Secondly, the recipient of the essay scholarship money must be currently completing a degree at an accredited college or university. Third, the money cannot be given in exchange for a service or job provided. Scholarship money is not a payment or a salary; it is gift aid that is given to a student to help them pay for college. 

Lastly, the money cannot be marked for other expenses such as room and board (which are not necessary educational expenses). Typically, donors will not stipulate how the money should be spent, so this is rarely an issue. 

The most important part of the essay application is simply finishing it. Many high school students and college students won’t even bother to apply for essay scholarships. As a result, just turning in an application that meets all of the requirements and answers the prompt places you ahead of a good chunk of your peers. Still, it’s good to fine-tune your scholarship essays and make sure you turn in your best work. There are several steps students can take in order to take their scholarship essays to the next level. Click here to read our full guide on how to write a scholarship essay.

Applying for scholarships is not as difficult as it seems. Most applications give clear instructions and are easy to complete. A good place to start is finding a scholarship search resource that works for you. One easily accessible way to find scholarships is through your school. For high school students, the guidance office may be able to connect you with scholarship opportunities. College students, including graduate students, will want to talk to their financial aid office instead.

High school students, as well as undergraduate and graduate students, can apply whenever they like. Very few scholarships exist for students below the high school level, and while some opportunities are available to recent college graduates, most are for those still in school. Students at any level between high school and graduate school can start to apply for scholarships at any time. High school seniors are the group of high school students that will likely have the easiest time finding scholarships they can apply for. Many donors looking to create opportunities at the high school level view high school seniors as the demographic most concerned with generating funding for college.

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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Articles & Advice > Financial Aid > Articles

The Ultimate List of Easy Scholarships to Apply for Now

No long essays. No recommendation letters. Just lots of scholarships that are easy to apply to and practically anyone can win. Updated for 2024!

by CollegeXpress

Last Updated: Apr 29, 2024

Originally Posted: Jan 22, 2020

These are the easiest-to-win college scholarships out there right now. Most take only a couple minutes to enter, with super simple applications and minimal writing. Awards that require 500+ word essays, letters of recommendation, intense projects, etc. are not included. We’re talking  easy  scholarships ,  people! Many of the scholarships are open to anyone ,  and most winners are chosen totally at random.

Now, before you dive into this list, remember: your scholarship search shouldn’t end here! There are  so many scholarships out there. Also, just because a scholarship isn’t advertised as “easy” doesn’t mean applying for it is hard. It can take a lot of time to find all the awards that fit you and fill out those applications, but it’s so worth it in the end. So enjoy this ultimate (and up-to-date!) list of easy college scholarships—and apply to as many as you can. Yes, they get a lot of entries because they’re so easy to apply to, but you have nothing to lose by trying. After all, somebody has to win these awards. Why not you?

$10,000 CollegeXpress Scholarship Contest

Amount:  $10,000 Awarded:  Annually Deadline: May 1 How to win:  Of course we need to include our  $10,000 Scholarship Contest . All you have to do is  register for free  on CollegeXpress to be entered—and the prize is  $10,000 . Ten. Thousand. Dollars. For filling out a form. We know we’re biased, but it doesn’t get much better than that! This scholarship is open to incoming college freshmen, graduate students, and transfer students at participating institutions each year. If you’ve registered with CollegeXpress, you’re already entered! (And if you haven’t, what are you waiting for?!)

10 Words or Less Scholarship

Amount:  $500 Awarded:  Annually Deadline: April 15 How to win: For the 10 Words or Less Scholarship , you just need to explain why you should get this award in 10 words or fewer. They even let you post it as a comment on their Facebook page, for cryin’ out loud. You’re also required to “like” their Facebook page. In addition, you need to be between the ages of 14–25 and attending college in the fall.

1 st Financial Bank Financial Goals Scholarship

Amount: $2,000 Awarded: Monthly Deadline: Last day of each month How to win: This is a monthly scholarship opportunity sponsored by 1 st Financial Bank and is open to US residents who are 18 or older and planning to enroll or are currently enrolled in a college degree program. This is a random drawing, but it does require you to submit a short essay of 500 words or fewer on pursuing your educational and financial goals. 

Americanism Essay Contest

Amount: Up to $1,500 Awarded:  Annually Deadline:  December 1 How to win:  Every year, the Fleet Reserve Association awards the Americanism Essay Contest scholarship based on a single patriotic theme. They do require an essay, but it’s only 350 words. Last year’s theme was “What Freedom of Speech Means to Me.” In addition to the $1,500 grand prize, there are awards for first, second, and third place ($1,000, $750, and $500, respectively). This scholarship is open to students in grades 7–12.

Ascent Shining Stars Scholarship

Amount: $1,000  Awarded:  Monthly Deadline: First day of the month How to win:  Like many of the scholarships you’ll find on this list, most of the process to enter the Ascent scholarship sweepstakes involves filling out a form and following them on social media. Just complete the short form with your contact information, school, and a few other questions to create an account on their partner website, Kaleidoscope, and log in to finalize your entry. You also have to follow Ascent on one social media platform and tag them in a comment with the hashtag #AscentSponsored, plus be at least 18 years old to enter.

Barbizon’s $100,000 College Tuition Scholarship

Amount: $100,000 Awarded: Once every four years Deadline: December 31, 2024 How to win: As an effort to assist students outside of the classroom, Barbizon Modeling and Acting awards the College Tuition Scholarship 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. 

“Be Bold” No-Essay Scholarship

Amount: $25,000+ Awarded: Annually Deadline: March 1 How to win: The  “Be Bold” No-Essay Scholarship offers $25,000 to bold students. Bold, by their definition, means earnest, determined, and moving. To win, you simply have to build your platform on the website to showcase your goals and achievements. The bolder your profile, the higher the chance you have to win. Although you can only enter once, the earlier in the year you do so, the better your chance to win. 

CampusReel Student-Led Virtual Tours

Amount: $2,000 Awarded: Annually Deadline: December 31 How to win:  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 opportunity is a win-win! Enter a great scholarship opportunity  and learn more about potential colleges to apply to. 

College Is Power Scholarship

Amount:  $1,000 Awarded:  Annually Deadline: May 31 How to win:  Whether you’re a full- or part-time student, whether you’re going to school online or in person, you could snag the College Is Power Scholarship (CIP). You need to be at least 17 years old and a US citizen, and you need to be attending school within the next 12 months. The only application requirements include a short form and a 150-word statement about your primary goal for going to school.

Christian College EDGE Scholarship

Amount:  $1,000 Awarded:  Annually Deadline: May 31 How to win:  Just create an account with this Christian college search site to be entered into the Christian College EDGE Scholarship . You’ll then have a chance to get information from Christian colleges and universities. It’ll enter you in their drawing and help you get recruited by those schools! This is different from their $5,000 Christian College Scholarship Drawing; see below.

Christian College Scholarship Drawing

Amount: $5,000 Awarded:  Annually Deadline: May 31 How to win:  You need to complete the registration form for the Christian College Connector to be entered into their Christian College Scholarship Drawing . Then winners are chosen at random, but they must be planning to enroll as full-time, first-year college students at a “Christ-centered Christian college or Bible college” within 16 months of winning.

CollegeXpress $250 Refer-a-Friend Contest

Amount: $250 Awarded:  Monthly Deadline:  Last day of the month How to win:  For every person who creates a free CollegeXpress account using your unique referral link, you get one entry in our monthly $250 Refer-a-Friend Contest . Winners are then chosen at random. There’s no limit to how many entries you can get—or how many times you can enter. (We’ve had people win more than once!) Just make sure your referrals complete their free registration so you can earn entries; only sharing or clicking the link doesn't count.

CollegeXpress Easy One-Question Scholarships

Amount: Varies Awarded: Monthly Deadline: Last day of the month How to win: New and current registered users on CollegeXpress just have to answer one question to enter this monthly scholarship contest. That's it! The question changes month to month; for example, in previous months, we’ve asked, "What is a good book you'd recommend to a friend for the summer?" and "What is your favorite subject in school?" Check out our Easy Scholarship Winners 2024 blog to see winners from each month this year and the current month's opportunity. 

CollegeXpress Scholarship for Students of Color

Amount: $1,500 (plus $500 donated to a charity of your choice) Awarded: Quarterly Deadlines: March 31, June 30, September 30, December 31 How to win: If you're a POC student who's planning to enroll in college in the fall, you're eligible for the CollegeXpress Scholarship for Students of Color . To apply, just create a free CX account (or log back in) and submit your answer to this question in one sentence: What is your dream career to pursue after high school? The winner will be chosen randomly, and finalists will be contacted via email.

Courage to Grow Scholarship

Amount:  $500 Awarded:  Monthly Deadline:  Last day of the month How to win:  The monthly Courage to Grow Scholarship is awarded to high school juniors, seniors, and college students with a minimum 2.5 GPA. And the only thing you need to do to win is to submit a short 250-word statement about why you deserve the money.

Create-A-Greeting-Card Scholarship Contest

Amount:  $10,000 Awarded:  Annually Deadline: March 1 How to win:  You’re already Snapchatting and Instagramming beautiful shots. Put your skills to work by creating a winning greeting card image for the  Create-A-Greeting-Card Scholarship Contest ! It could snag you $10,000, which is almost as good as getting a bajillion likes. To apply for this scholarship, you also need to be a US citizen and at least 14 years old.

Discover ®  Student Loans Scholarship Award

Amount:  $5,000 Awarded:  Monthly Deadline:  Last day of each month How to win:  Sign up to receive handy college money tips from Discover (you know, the credit card people) and you’re entered to win the monthly Discover® Student Loans Scholarship Award ! Plus, you can earn bonus entries by sharing the giveaway on social media. One winner will be chosen at random each month, but participants may only enter once per year for the overall one-year sweepstakes period. You also need to be a high school or college student at least 16 years old, and you have to go to an eligible college or university (although parents of eligible students can also enter on their behalf).

Doodle for Google

Amount: Up to $55,000 Awarded:  Annually Deadline: March 14 How to win:  Who knew your doodles could earn you tons of scholarship money and money for your school,  plus  get you featured on Google for a day? The Doodle for Google contest is open to all US students from kindergarten to seniors in high school. This year’s theme is “I show kindness by…” You have to include the Google logo, but you can make your doodle using any medium (hand drawn, painted, using software, etc.). The grand prize is a $55,000 scholarship, and the organization will award your school or a charity $50,000 in resources. There are also four national prizes of $5,000—still a lot of money for college!   

DoSomething.org Easy Scholarships

Amount:  Up to $22,000 Awarded:  Varies Deadline:  Varies How to win:  Okay, this isn’t a particular scholarship. That’s because DoSomething.org offers  a lot  of easy scholarships . And they move pretty quickly, with many lasting only a month. But, man, they are fun, creative, and fast. You typically sign up, complete a simple task, and upload a picture proving you did it. Then the winners are chosen at random. No essay, GPA, etc. The best part? These scholarships help you do some good in the world! So check the easy scholarships page at DoSomething.org to see what’s new.

Dr Pepper Tuition Giveaway

Amount:  Up to $100,000 Awarded:  Annually Deadline: January 15 How to win:  To enter Dr Pepper’s Tuition Giveaway  scholarship contest, you need to do a few things. First, describe how you’ll change the world in 350 characters or fewer. Next, get your friends to vote for your entry. If you get 50 or more votes, you’ll need to create an inspiring video. Then comes the crazy part: If you’re a finalist, you’ll compete during a Big Ten, SEC, PAC-12, or ACC football championship game. Yup, it doesn’t get much bigger than that—but neither does the prize: up to $100,000 in tuition money. Talk about the big show. 

Equal Opportunity No-Essay Scholarship

Amount: $500 Awarded: Annually Deadline: March 31 How to win:   As a small way to help create a more equal playing field for disadvantaged students, the Equal Opportunity scholarship supports two motivated high school, undergraduate, or graduate students who want to improve their lives and the lives of the people around them. Just complete an application and you're entered. Students from any field of study who have a 2.0 GPA or higher are eligible to apply.

Forget Your Student Debt No-Essay Grant

Amount: $500 to multiple winners Awarded: Annually to all winners in December Deadline: The first day of each month (rolling deadlines until December 1) How to win: Bold.org offers anyone with student loan payments the  Forget Your Student Debt No-Essay Grant to cancel some of their college debt. The only requirement is to be a student carrying student debt. That’s it! Much like the other scholarships offered by Bold.org, the sooner you apply in the year, the better chance you have to win.

HeadSetPlus.com College Scholarship

Amount:  $1,000 Awarded:  Annually Deadline: December 31 How to win: All you have to do is record a short video talking about who you are, what you’ve achieved, why college is important, and what motivates you. Yeah, that seems like a lot, but since you need to fit it into a video that’s no longer than five minutes, you’ll fly through “applying” for the HeadSetPlus.com College Scholarship ! You need to be at least 16 years old and a high school senior or current college or grad student with a minimum 3.0 GPA to enter.

keep going forward No-Essay Scholarships

Amount: $1,500 Awarded:  Annually Deadline: April 28, August 31, October 30 How to win: The organization keepgoingforward.org sets out to increase opportunities and foster connection by fundraising for disadvantaged youth, advocating for sustainable travel, and amplifying other philanthropic organizations. Students can apply for all three scholarships throughout the year, as there are 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.

Let Grow: Think for Yourself Scholarship

Amount:  Up to $5,000 Awarded:  Annually Deadline: April 30 How to win:  Okay, the  Let Grow: Think for Yourself Scholarship   does require an essay, but they give you nine options, it only has to be between 500-800 words, and it encourages you to speak your mind. What’s easier than sharing your opinion? For instance, one of your options is, “Please write a thank-you note to a jerk you listened to… and learned something from (although perhaps you didn’t think so at the time.” There are a lot of fun places to go with that. And even if you don’t win the big $5,000, three people are chosen for $1,000 runner-up scholarships.

Make Me Laugh Scholarship

Amount:  $1,500 Awarded: Annually Deadline: August 31 How to win:  What if you could win money just by making someone laugh? Well, you can with the Make Me Laugh Scholarship ! Unigo sponsors a $1,500 scholarship where all you have to do is describe a story (in 250 words or fewer) about a funny or embarrassing incident in your life to make them laugh. We all have plenty of stories that come to mind… As long as you’re at least 14 years old, get going on this one!  

New Mexico Legislative Lottery Scholarship

Amount:  Varies  Awarded:  Varies Deadline:  Varies How to win:  If you graduated from a New Mexico high school, you’re continuing your education in New Mexico, and you earned at least a 2.5 GPA your first semester in college, you’ve got New Mexico Legislative Lottery Scholarship in the bag.  There isn’t even an application!  You just need to contact your college or university and ask them about it. It’s that easy. Really!

Nicholas A. Virgilio Memorial Haiku Competition

Amount:  $100 Awarded:  Annually Deadline: March 27 How to win:  $100 may not seem like much against your college tuition payments, but every little bit helps, and the  Nicholas A. Virgilio Memorial Haiku Competition is a pretty fun and fast scholarship. High school students in any grade can submit up to three haikus. A panel of judges will then select six winning poems each year.

Nitro Monthly Scholarship

Amount:  $2,000 Awarded:  Monthly Deadline:  Last day of the month How to win:  Nitro is another college search website that gives away annual scholarships every month . Just complete a short entry form about 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 at least 17 years old, you should apply! 

No Essay CollegeVine Scholarship

Amount:  $2,000 Awarded: Annually Deadline: March 31 How to win:  All high school students have to do to enter for a chance to win this award is create a free CollegeVine account and complete their profile. That's all you have to do! After that, the winner of the scholarship will be chosen based on a lottery system and you'll notified via email if you are the lucky recipient.

No Essay College Scholarship™

Amount:  $2,000 Awarded:  Monthly Deadline:  Last day of the month How to win:  Just create a free profile with Niche to enter their  No Essay College Scholarship™ . And if you already have one, all you need to do is log in each month for a chance to win! One winner is chosen at random every month. The contest is open to all high school and college students (though there are other eligibility requirements). The money can be applied toward any education-related expenses.  

Odenza Marketing Group Scholarship

Amount:  $500 Awarded:  Twice a year Deadline: March and November How to win:  Okay, this might not seem like the simplest scholarship in the world because you technically have to write  two  essays. But they both only call for a maximum of 500 words. So you could write 250 for each prompt—of course, you’d need to really knock them out of the park. The first essay is about where you would go to further your career, and the second is about why you deserve to win the Odenza Marketing Group Scholarship . You also need to be between 16–25 and have at least a 2.5 GPA. Oh, and you need to like their Facebook page too, but that’s easy enough. This scholarship is awarded twice a year in the spring and fall.

Sallie Mae $2,000 Scholarship Sweepstakes

Amount: $2,000 Awarded:  Monthly Deadline:  Last day of the month How to win: Sallie Mae offers a monthly $2,000 Scholarship Sweepstakes that both students and parents can enter each month. This contest is open to legal residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia, or any US Territory who are age 17 or older at the time of entry. To learn more about the rules and policies for this award, you can view their eligibility page here . 

ScholarshipPoints Scholarship Giveaways

Amount: $10,000 and $2,500 Awarded:  Quarterly and monthly Deadline:  Varies How to win:  The “points” in ScholarshipPoints come from completing activities like taking surveys, reading emails, and playing games. Then you can use those points to enter scholarship drawings and improve your chances of winning. Pretty sweet deal, right? Well, in addition to all that pointy goodness, they randomly choose a registered user for a $2,500 scholarship each month and  $10,000 each quarter. Yes, please!

Scholarships 4 Moms

Amount:  $10,000 Awarded:  Five times a year Deadline: Varies (multiple drawings throughout the year) How to win:  Are you or are you about to become a mother? You could win $10,000 for educational purposes with  Scholarships 4 Moms , and all you need to do is register on their site. It’s quick, easy, and free—which is good because goodness knows you have your hands full if you’re a mom! You also need to be 18 years or older and a US citizen.

School Survey Sweepstakes

Amount:  $1,000 Awarded:  Monthly Deadline:  Last day of the month How to win:  Niche gathers reviews for all kinds of schools, from K-12 institutions to colleges and universities. They reward students, parents, and recent alumni for leaving those reviews by offering a $1,000 School Survey Sweepstakes . All you have to do is leave a (legit!) review to be entered. And you know you have lots of feelings about your school anyway.

School Band and Orchestra Magazine Scholarship

Amount:  $1,000 Awarded: Annually to 10 winners Deadline: March 31 How to win:  Do you play in your high school band or orchestra? Can you write 250 words about a music-related essay prompt? (You totally can.) Then you should apply for the School Band and Orchestra  Magazine Scholarship . Sure, learning how to play the clarinet wasn’t easy—but applying for this scholarship is.

ServiceScape Scholarship

Amount:  $1,000 Awarded:  Annually Deadline:  November 30 How to win:  The ServiceScape Scholarship  contest is open to students who are attending or who will attend an accredited college, university, or trade school. Applicants should fill out the application form and submit a super-short statement (no more than 300 words) on the following topic: "How does writing impact today's world?"

Student-View Scholarship

Amount: Up to $10,000 Awarded:  Annually Deadline: April 23 How to win:  No essay. No GPA or test scores. No application, even. All you need to do is complete a 15–25-minute online survey about colleges in your area. Then winners are chosen at random for the Student-View Scholarship . Yes, that’s "winners"— plural . In addition to the $10,000 top prize, two $1,000, and five $500 scholarships are handed out. In terms of scholarships awarded at random, those are pretty good odds!

Tallo Scholarships

Amount:  Varies Awarded:  Monthly Deadline:  Varies How to win:  Tallo is a website that aims to help students network with colleges and employers. To enter the Tallo Scholarship Contests , simply create a profile on their website, go to "Opportunities" and search for "Tallo" under "Organization Name." Several opportunities will be listed, including easy monthly scholarships and their $1,000 Invite-a-Friend Scholarship. Just follow the instructions and answer the questions to be entered!

The $1,000 SuperCollege Scholarship

Amount:  $1,000 Awarded:  Monthly Deadline:  Last day of the month How to win:  Okay, here’s how to enter the $1,000 SuperCollege Scholarship : Fill out their online application. Hit “Submit.” End of instructions. Yup—it’s that easy. It’s open to high school seniors, college students, grad students, and adult learners, and winners are chosen at random.

UNIGO $10K Scholarship

Amount:  $10,000 Awarded:  Annually Deadline: December 31 How to win: For the Unigo 10K Scholarship , you just need to submit an online written response (in 250 words or fewer) to this prompt: Would you rather be smart, funny, or rich? Why? You also need to be a legal resident of the US, at least 14 years old when you apply, and enrolled in an accredited post-secondary institution. 

You Deserve It! Scholarship

Amount:  $1,000 Awarded:  Monthly Deadline:  Last day of the month How to win:  The You Deserve It! Scholarship  only requires you to register on a website to enter. Plus, it’s kind of a meta award. It’s from Scholarship Owl, and creating an account with them also helps you apply to a lot of other scholarships with a single form, so you don’t need to complete a bunch of separate scholarship applications!

Related: Easy No–Essay Scholarships You Need to Know About Right Now

We’ll keep adding to this list as we discover more easy scholarships. (If you have any that we missed, let us know on Twitter  @ CollegeXpress  so we can make this the best and most up-to-date list of easy scholarships anywhere!) Reminder:  Always double-check the scholarship rules and regulations before starting an application. Some of these awards move pretty fast, particularly the monthly scholarships and things like eligibility requirements or deadlines might change.

Find even more scholarships you're eligible for on CollegeXpress using our Scholarship Search tool !

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Scholarships •

March 24, 2022

17 easy scholarships for free college money

Not all scholarships ask you to write a long, thoughtful essay. Check out these easy scholarships that take just minutes to apply for.

Jessica Ancajas

Financial Aid Analyst

Students have a lot to juggle. Any time you can save is incredibly valuable—especially when it comes to financial aid.

Lucky for you, there are tons of easy scholarships that don’t ask for a scholarship essay or other long piece of writing! 

Some might want quick answers to 1 or 2 questions. Others require as little as your name, email address, and year in school.

The great thing about easy scholarships like these is that you could apply to dozens of them in just a day—you just need to be able to find them! To help you in your scholarship search, we made a list of some of the easiest scholarships to apply for.

The top 17 easy scholarships

Scholarships are a form of  financial aid  you don’t have to pay back. It’s free money if you can win it.

But many of them ask you to write essays about all kinds of topics.

If you don’t want to invest as much time into more rigorous scholarships, try some of these easy opportunities. You can likely apply to every single one of them within an hour or so.

1. Cappex’s Easy Money Scholarship

Cappex is a college research and comparison tool. On top of helping you pick a college to attend, Cappex offers an easy scholarship.

The Cappex Easy Money Scholarship is $1,000 and has no GPA or essay requirements. 

All you have to do is fill out information regarding your name, gender, ethnicity, and date of birth, as well as some academic stuff like your current school (or prospective schools if in high school).

There are only two steps to the application, so you could knock it out in about a minute.

You can apply for  Cappex’s scholarship here.

2. Niche.com’s “No Essay” College Scholarship

Niche.com—a site that helps students and their families find good colleges and universities—offers $2,000 through its “No Essay” College Scholarship.

To apply, just create a Niche.com account and quickly fill out their short application.

Niche.com picks the winner by random draw. They’ll contact you if you win and announce you in their newsletter.

The best part? It’s monthly. If you aren’t selected, just wait a month and try again. Do it just once a month while you’re in college, and each time you apply, you’ll be entered to win $2,000!

You can apply for  Niche’s scholarship here.

3. AFSA High School Scholarship

The American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) gives out free money in the form of easy college scholarships to high school students. They give out around 10 of these every year!

It’s also worth noting the AFSA offers 5 $1,000 2nd Chance Scholarships every year as well. Depending on your eligibility, you may be able to enter both scholarship drawings and maximize your potential free money. 

You can apply for  AFSA’s scholarship here.

4. The Dr. Pepper Tuition Giveaway

The Dr. Pepper Tuition Giveaway takes a bit longer to apply for than the other “easy” scholarships. To apply, you have to write a brief statement  and  film a short video about how winning will impact your academic and professional life.

However, Dr. Pepper doesn’t provide super strict rules beyond being passionate.

The prizes larger than other scholarships, though: 

5 $100,000 grand prize giveaways

5 $25,000 runner-up prizes

10 $2,500 consolation prizes

There’s one caveat: from your application, you’re selected to throw a football at a college football game for the prize. You have to make this throw to win.

You can apply for  Dr. Pepper’s giveaway here.

5. Tallo’s “The Nature of Work” Scholarship

Tallo’s “The Nature of Work” Scholarship offers $1,000 to a lucky winner. 

It’s pretty easy to apply for this scholarship. First, you’ll need to sign up for the platform by making a free account.

Once you’ve done so, you’ll follow a few simple steps to enter your name into the drawing. 

You can set up your  Tallo account and apply here .

6. Cedar Education Lending’s Because College is Expensive Scholarship

Cedar Education Lending’s aptly-named Because College is Expensive Scholarship offers a $500 prize to a lucky student every quarter. 

This may be one of the smaller scholarships, but the application asks for nothing but your name, email address, physical address, cell phone number, and grade/class rank.

Anyone who is a US citizen and a high school junior up to a grad student can enter, as long as they plan on enrolling in higher education within 24 months. 

Yes, that means you could lock in some easy college scholarship money barely past the halfway point of high school.

You can apply For  Cedar Education Lending’s scholarship here.

7. CollegeXpress’s $2,000 Monthly Scholarship

All you do for the CollegeExpress monthly scholarship program, aside from filling in basic information, is answer one easy question with just one sentence.

This one’s great because the questions are fun as well.

For example, October 2021’s CollegeXpress scholarship question (titled the “Scaredy Cat Scholarship”) was, “What scares you most about the college admission process?”

CollegeXpress also automatically enters you into their separate $10,000 scholarship drawing as well. Pretty good deal!

You can apply for  CollegeXpress’s scholarship here .

8. ScholarshipPoints’ $10,000 Scholarship

Yep, $10,000 is a good chunk of change for a scholarship. This one doesn’t ask for any essays or test scores—you just have to enter some basic personal information, provide your grade, and create a password.

Students as young as 13 can enter this one, too.

Alongside this big $10,000 drawing, ScholarshipPoints hands out 3 $1,000 scholarships every month as well. That means you have at least 36 chances every year to win some free cash!

You can apply for  ScholarshipPoints’ scholarship here .

9. Bold.org’s “Be Bold” No-Essay Scholarship

Bold.org makes it easy for individuals and organizations to start scholarships for others. The platform also has its own—the “Be Bold” No-Essay Scholarship, which they award once per year.

This year, the scholarship sits at $25,102!

Bold.org says this scholarship has rolling admissions, though. According to their site, earlier applicants have a higher chance of winning.

Also, they pick the winner partly based on who has the  boldest  profile. Basically, if your Bold.org profile is the most moving or inspiring, you could boost your winning chances.

You can apply for  Bold.org’s scholarship here.

10. ScholarshipOwl’s You Deserve It Scholarship

There are plenty of simple scholarships on this list, but this one might take the cake.

ScholarshipOwl asks for nothing more than your first and last name, phone number, and email address. In exchange, they’ll enter you into their giveaway to potentially win $2,222. 

If you win, you’ll also earn 1 month of free access to ScholarshipOwl’s services.

Unfortunately, people from Michigan and Rhode Island are currently ineligible for this scholarship.

You can apply for  ScholarshipOwl’s scholarship here.

11. AccessScholarships’ Too Cool to Pay For School Scholarship

Feel too cool to pay for school? AccessScholarships might agree with you, so they give out $1,000 to 4 lucky winners at the end of every quarter.

Anyone in high school, college, or grad school can enter, as long as they intend to enroll in a higher education institution within 24 months if not already enrolled. 

It looks like you can enter once every quarter. That said, they’ll hand you an extra entry if you follow them on Instagram by using the button on the application page. 

You can apply for  AccessScholarships’ scholarship here.

12. Scholarships360’s $1,000 No-Essay Scholarship

Scholarships360 might help people find scholarships, but it also offers one of its own: the $1,000 No-Essay Scholarship.

Simply sign up by providing the website with a few pieces of information to enter the drawing.

This one’s open to basically any students who make an account. This scholarship is given away periodically based on signups. 

You can apply for  Scholarships360’s scholarship here.

13. Ascent’s Shining Stars Scholarship

Ascent helps students of underserved backgrounds afford college through a variety of means. One of them is the monthly $1,000 Shining Stars Scholarship.

Exact tasks on the application differ each month, but they’re always pretty easy. In general, you first have to read a short Ascent blog post. 

Then, you’ll follow Ascent on Instagram, like a specific post, and leave a comment on that post about something you learned from the blog with a hashtag that Ascent specifies.

Finally, you’ll fill out the scholarship form on the website to enter.

You can start applying for  Ascent’s scholarship here.

14. Sallie Mae’s $1,000 Sweepstakes

Consumer banking giant Sallie Mae helps match high school and college students to thousands of scholarships on its website. To help you start out, they’ll automatically enter you for their own $1,000 giveaway when you sign up.

Sallie Mae will just ask for your name, email, and grade. You’ll then create a username and password to finish creating your account.

From there, you’re entered into their $1,000 giveaway!

You can sign up for  Sallie Mae here.

15. Cirkled In’s “No Sweat” Scholarship

Every quarter, Cirkled In hands $2,500 to a lucky student to use on anything educational. 

You can enter as long as you’re 13, in 8–12th grade, and are a resident of a US state or Washington, DC.

To enter, just create a free account on Cirkled In’s website and complete your profile. Winners are determined based on their profile’s completeness and how many points they have. You can earn points by :

Inviting teachers and friends to the platform

Asking for recommendations from teachers, coaches, and mentors through the platform

Applying for other scholarships on Cirkled In

You can apply for  Cirkled In’s scholarship here.

16. Course Hero’s $4,000 College Giveaway

Course Hero lets students upload notes and documents to help other students around the world study for their own classes.

And now, they’ll hand you $4,000 in scholarships for doing it.

Unlike many scholarships, you can enter this scholarship as many times as you want. Every time you upload 10 study docs, you earn 1 new entry. If you have tons of notes and study guides, it could pay off big time!

You can apply for  Course Hero’s scholarship here .

17. Niche.com’s Review Your School $1,000 Scholarship

Rounding out our list is another Niche.com scholarship that lets you help others  and  potentially earn some cash.

To do so, you’ll review your school.

For this scholarship opportunity, you’ll rate your overall experience at your school out of 5 stars with a quick written review. You’ll then rate several other aspects out of 5 stars and record your year in school or how you’re connected (freshman, parent, etc.).

If selected, you win $1,000.

Easy scholarship FAQs

Got some questions about easy scholarships? Check out our FAQ section below for some answers.

What makes an easy scholarship?

We can say that a scholarship is “easy” if it meets at least one of the following:

Lack of application activity: All you have to do is fill out some basic information about yourself. In some cases, you may have to write something short, such as a paragraph or two, but it’s still pretty easy.

Lack of academic requirements: The scholarship has no or low GPA/test score requirements.

Enjoyable: If there is something you have to do, it’ll be enjoyable for you. For example, if you love creative writing, a scholarship that makes you write a short story will be a breeze.

If a scholarship meets at least one of these attributes, you bet it’s going to be pretty easy.

What is the best strategy for applying for easy scholarships?

For easy scholarships alone, the best strategy is to simply send out as many applications as possible.

Here’s an idea: write down the same basic information, like your name and email address, in a Google doc, so you can just copy and paste that info and save a bit of time. 

However, don’t limit yourself to easy scholarships.

Apply to more traditional types that have written portions—they may have less competition, especially if in narrow subjects.

How can you improve your chances of winning easy scholarships?

Unfortunately, most of these scholarships don’t offer many ways to set yourself apart. That’s what makes them so easy—they’re less “competitions” and more “giveaways.”

You can’t do much unless there is a small written portion, creativity criteria, or place to put your GPA/test scores. 

That said, if the scholarship is available regularly—such as yearly or monthly—keep applying! It’s only a minute or so each time for the chance at free money.

Do easy scholarships have any drawbacks?

With an easier application comes competition. 

You’ll likely be up against plenty of applicants, regardless of how  niche the scholarship  is. This lowers your chances, but at least you can apply to more of these with less effort.

Should I only go for easy scholarships?

Easy scholarships are good, but you shouldn’t rely just on them.

Don’t only depend on scholarships in general, either.

Try to exhaust all financial aid opportunities—scholarships, grants, work-study, military aid (if applicable), and  student loans . 

Make sure to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid ( FAFSA ) to see what federal aid you’re eligible for. 

With all this in mind, prioritize aid you don’t have to pay back to lower your debt. That means you should try and use scholarships and grants first, followed by loans.

Are there easy scholarship scams?

There are thousands of 100% legit easy scholarships. 

But whenever easy money’s involved, there will likely be scammers trying to take advantage. 

Here are a few signs of scams:

Being selected for something you never applied for

Being asked to pay fees or “prepaid taxes” before sending your application

Being asked to deposit a check and send some of the funds back to the payer. This is known as a fake check scam.

Asking for sensitive personal or financial info, like your Social Security number or bank account number

You should do some online research for any scholarships you’re suspicious of. You can also seek help from high school or college counselors or your school’s financial aid office.

How do I find more easy scholarships?

There are plenty of places online you could check out. In fact, you’re already on one of them— Mos can help you  find more straightforward sources of scholarship aid.

Get some quick college money with easy scholarships

Yes, an easier application means more competition. But it also means you can apply to way more of these scholarships in less time.

So send out applications to all of these, but don’t just stick with easy scholarships. Go for some of the essay-based ones where there’s lower competition. You have more ways to set yourself apart from the smaller pool of applicants and potentially win, even if there’s more work involved.

To learn more about scholarships and other forms of financial aid,  check out our blog .

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Top 10 Easy Scholarships To Apply in 2023

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Education debt? Not Anymore.

A list of easy scholarships to apply for. When it comes to students looking forward to higher studies in world-renowned institutions for a brighter future, these are a sign of hope. Balancing coursework and applying to college can feel like a full-time job already; however, when topped with financial obstacles, it's a nightmare. The quick and easy scholarships that a student can apply for in 2023 are necessary to save time and energy. We are here to help you with the easiest scholarship for international students and save you the impending legwork while you choose your college.

TOP 10 EASY SCHOLARSHIPS TO APPLY FOR

Easy scholarships to apply for in 2023 include scholarships that have an easy application process and come with the least number of applications and eligibility criteria. Some of these scholarships also have no-essay requirements, which, we believe, is an unparalleled joy. Below is a list of easy scholarships to apply for:

These 10 scholarships that we have curated and listed below are among the easiest scholarships for international students. Ready to save money on your tuition fees and live your dream life in the best universities in the world? Let’s start scrolling:

1. Burger King James W. McLamore Whopper Scholarship Award

Amount: Up to $50,000

Provider: Burger King Foundation

Eligibility Requirements: Minimum GPA: 2.5, Full-time enrolment in the future, High school senior graduate/graduating

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

Deadline: 15th December, 2023

The scholarship award hands over more than USD 7 million per year. This is a merit-based, easy scholarship to apply for 2023. A student has a chance to win up to $ 50,000. 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. “Be Bold” No Essay Scholarship

Amount: $25,000

Provider: Bold Organisation

Eligibility Requirements: Upcoming full-time enrolment

Application Requirements: None

Deadline: Monthly 

The Be Bold No Essay scholarship is one of the easiest scholarships you need to apply for international students. Being one of the best, quick and easy scholarships to apply to this year, the scholarship is always in high demand. 

3. Taco Bell Live Más Scholarship

Provider: Taco Bell

Eligibility Requirements:   Full-time enrolment in the future, Age Group: 16 - 26, Not an employee of Taco Bell

Application Requirements: Video essay

Deadline: 3rd January, 2024

Fetching the easiest scholarships to get for international students might look like a dream come true. However, sometimes, easy scholarships to apply for come with a little leg work. Taco Bell’s scholarship is one of the easiest scholarships you can look to apply for, but it is only awarded to passionate individuals who want to be change-makers.

4. National GEM Consortium Fellowships

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

Provider: The National GEM Consortium

Eligibility Requirements: GPA: 2.8, Graduate, Black/African American, Hispanic/Latinx, and Native American, Declared study in engineering or computer science, Adherence to a mandatory summer internship with sponsoring company

Application Requirements: Transcript, resume

Deadline: 10th November, 2023

Engineering and computer science degree students can seek the benefits of easy scholarships to apply for. One such easiest scholarship to apply for is the National GEM Consortium Scholarship. It is among the list of quick and easy scholarships to apply in 2023 based on merit and work experience

5. Amber Scholarship 

Amount: Up to £10,000

Provider: Amber Student

Eligibility Requirements: Students applying to UK and Australia-affiliated universities

Application Requirements: SOP, LOA, Marksheets 

Deadline: 31st December 2023

Specially curated for students looking forward to a chance to study in the Best universities in the UK and Australia , the scholarship is one of the easiest scholarships you can take your chances with and requires very minimal effort. The organisation extends the scholarships to more than one student, depending on the merits of the application.

Give wings to your study abroad journey by applying for the upcoming amber scholarship.

Stay tuned for more updates!

6. For A Bright Future Global Scholarship Program

Amount: Up to $10,000

Provider: For A Bright Future Foundation

Eligibility Requirements: GPA: 3.0, Asian American, Black/African American, Hispanic/Latinx, and Native American, Enrolled or planning for higher studies, Declared field of study in a STEAM-related field 

Application Requirements: Transcript, essay, tax return

Deadline: 31st December, 2023

As one of the best and easiest scholarships you must apply for international students, the scholarship helps deserving and needy students of colour pursue their undergrad. To add, this is not among the no-essay scholarships you can immediately apply for, but you will need an essay of 250-300 words. Also, for some of the scholarships, consider your applications during specific intake seasons. For e.g., amber scholarships will be specifically offered during January intakes 2024 in the UK and Australia .

7. Harvard University Presidential Public Service Scholarship

Amount: $8,000

Provider: Harvard University

Eligibility Requirements: Enrolled or planning for higher studies, Good SOP or essay & 30 hours work week commitment

Application Requirements: Transcript & essay

Deadline: 19th January, 2024

The Harvard University awards the candidates with $8,000 scholarships to undergraduate and post-graduate students. The scholarship is awarded basis of your commitment to the work hours and other eligibility criteria. The scholarship is a one-time and can be awarded only to students not falling on the admission list for May 2024 and December 2024.

8. The Earnest Scholarship

Amount: $5,000

Provider: Earnest, LLC

Eligibility Requirements: Enrolled or planning for full-time college/university

Deadline: 31st July, 2024

The earnest scholarship is a very recent addition to the organisation's motivations in helping students overcome their financial struggles in education. It is among the quickest and easy scholarships to apply in the year 2023 and awards students annually. Available for both high schoolers and university students, it has become one of the easiest scholarships to apply for international students, too. 

9. Geraldine “Polly” Bednash Scholarship

Provider: American Association of Colleges of Nursing and CastleBranch

Eligibility Requirements: GPA: 3.2, Enrolled or planning for an AACN member institution, Declared field of study in nursing 

Application Requirements: Essay

The sponsors of one of the quick and easy scholarships to apply for students are the American Association of Colleges of Nursing and CastleBranch. The availability of one of the easiest scholarships to get for students around the globe is for college students and nursing graduation students. 

10. Niche $50,000 "No Essay" Scholarship 

Provider: Niche 

Eligibility Requirements: Legal US Citizen or Holds a US Visa

Deadline: 14 December, 2023

We can say that last but not least, among the easy scholarships to apply for 2023 is also amongst the best and easiest scholarships a student may apply for international students. The award of  $50,000 covers college tuition fees alongside other expenses.

Tips for students applying for easy scholarships

Your journey from doing all the work to getting the scholarship for the college or course of your choice might come with challenges. We have created a list of tips you can follow when you take the task of applying for the easiest scholarships for international students. These tips for easy scholarships to apply for are definitely going to become your friend in need and in deed. Let us scroll below: 

1. Apply early and often

The earlier, the better. The easiest scholarships to get for every international student are definitely a ray of hope. You must always take your chances with the early bird strategy as most of the easy scholarships to apply for by the end of this year.  

2. Signing Up for Emailing-List

You must be ready to sign up for a lot of email listings. The websites of the authorities extending the easiest scholarships to apply for international students involve giving away your information and signing up.

3. No Essay Scholarships are Better

If you are willing to seek financial support but don’t have time to go through the long application process, no-essay easy scholarships to apply for are a better option. 

Additional Scholarships for International Students 

There is no shortage of ways to overcome financial stress and seek support if you look in the right places. In case easy scholarships to apply for are not giving you the expected results, you may try and check out the following scholarships for international students. Below are some of the best scholarships to apply for 2023 and information to follow if you click on the link:

• Commonwealth Scholarships
• British Council Scholarships
• Engineering Scholarships: UK
• Harvard University Scholarships

With this, we come to the end of the list of easy scholarships to apply for within December. However, the journey doesn’t end here. You will have to figure out a lot of things, including visa applications, shortlisting of colleges, checking out the best cities you can add to your list of choices and many other aspects. Oh, hey! We also would love to know if this blog was helpful in the comment section below. 

Frequently Asked Questions

How do i get an immediate scholarship, is it possible to get a 100% scholarship, are there any scholarships that don’t require any essay, what is a no-essay scholarship, what are the best and easiest ways to get a scholarship without spending much time.

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• 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. 

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