The Mega List of Scholarships You Should Apply For

Paying for college can feel overwhelming—but there’s good news: millions of dollars in scholarships are available to help cover the cost of tuition, books, housing, and more. The challenge? Knowing where to start.

That’s where this list comes in.

We’ve rounded up a mega list of scholarships for high school and college students, with opportunities based on academics, leadership, financial need, community service, and more. Whether you’re a first-generation student, an athlete, or just looking for no-essay scholarships, you’ll find real options worth applying to.

Don’t let deadlines sneak up on you—many of these awards renew annually or are due in late summer and early fall. Start now and save thousands on your education with the right mix of planning and persistence.

👉 Looking for more? Check out our other scholarship lists and college affordability resources in the Advice section.

Table of Contents

• Big Brand Scholarships
• No-Essay Scholarships
• Creative & Arts Scholarships
• Community Service Scholarships
• First-Gen & Underrepresented Students
• Writing Scholarships
• Military & Public Service Scholarships
• Athletic Scholarships
• Scholarships for Students with Disabilities or Health Conditions
• Music & Performing Arts Scholarships

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🏢 Big Brand Scholarships

Well-known companies like Coca-Cola, Google, and Starbucks are investing in students’ futures through generous scholarship programs. These awards are often tied to leadership, creativity, community service, or company affiliation, and many are renewable or offer high-dollar awards.

Apply to these trusted brand-name scholarships to ease the cost of college—and boost your resume with a recognizable sponsor.

☕ Starbucks College Achievement Plan

• Award Amount: 100% tuition coverage
• Deadline: Rolling – more information
• Eligibility: Part- and full-time U.S. Starbucks employees (partners)
• Overview: In partnership with Arizona State University Online, Starbucks covers 100% tuition for eligible employees earning a first-time bachelor’s degree. Over 80 degree programs available.

🥤 Coca-Cola Scholars Program

• Award Amount: $20,000
• Deadline: See provider’s site
• Eligibility: U.S. high school seniors with leadership, service, and academic excellence
• Overview: A prestigious achievement-based scholarship recognizing students making a significant impact on their schools and communities.

🌮 Taco Bell Live Más Scholarship

• Award Amount: Up to $25,000
• Deadline: Opens in fall; no essay required
• Eligibility: U.S. residents aged 16–26, not based on GPA or test scores
• Overview: Submit a 2-minute video about your passion for a chance to win. Creativity encouraged—grades not required.

🚗 BMW Engineering Scholarship

• Award Amount: $1,500
• Deadline: See provider’s website
• Eligibility: High school seniors planning to study engineering
• Overview: Offered in partnership with SAE International, this award supports future engineers who demonstrate passion for innovation and technology.

💼 HireAHelper Skilled Trade & Tech Scholarship

• Award Amount: $2,000 (awarded quarterly)
• Deadline: Quarterly
• Eligibility: Students entering skilled trade fields
• Overview: Designed to support students pursuing in-demand trade and tech careers.

🥤 Dr. Pepper Tuition Giveaway

• Award Amount: Up to $100,000
• Deadline: Varies
• Eligibility: U.S. students ages 18–24
• Overview: Create a short video for the chance to win major tuition money—and possibly compete on the field!

🎨 Doodle 4 Google

• Award Amount: $30,000 scholarship + $50,000 school tech grant
• Deadline: See website
• Eligibility: K–12 students
• Overview: Submit a custom Google Doodle and win big for both yourself and your school.

🎩 Duck® Brand “Stuck at Prom” Contest

• Award Amount: $10,000 per grand prize
• Deadline: Typically spring
• Eligibility: High school students in the U.S. and Canada
• Overview: Make and wear prom attire made of duct tape for a shot at scholarship money.

💻 Blacks at Microsoft Scholarship

• Award Amount: $20,000
• Deadline: Typically March
• Eligibility: Black high school seniors pursuing degrees in STEM or business
• Overview: Encourages diversity in tech through financial support and mentorship.

🍟 McDonald’s® HACER® National Scholarship

• Award Amount: Varies (up to $100,000 across four years)
• Deadline: Typically February
• Eligibility: High school seniors with Hispanic heritage; academic achievement, financial need, community involvement
• Overview: Awarded to students who demonstrate leadership, strong academic performance, and a commitment to giving back.

💻 Dell Scholars Program

• Award Amount: $20,000 + support services
• Deadline: Usually opens in October
• Eligibility: Low-income, college-bound students; GPA of 2.4+ and participation in a college-readiness program
• Overview: More than just financial aid—the program offers mentoring, textbook credits, and a laptop to help students succeed.

🇺🇸 GE-Reagan Foundation Scholarship Program

• Award Amount: Up to $40,000 total per student
• Deadline: Opens in October, closes January
• Eligibility: High school seniors with strong leadership, integrity, and citizenship
• Overview: Renewable $10,000/year scholarship for students who embody President Reagan’s legacy of service and excellence.

🛢️ Shell Incentive Fund Scholarship

• Award Amount: $2,500
• Deadline: Typically March
• Eligibility: High school seniors planning to study engineering or geosciences at select institutions
• Overview: Designed to attract diverse talent to STEM fields related to the energy industry.

🚗 Ford Motor Company Fund

• Award Amount: Varies
• Deadline: See website for programs and partners
• Eligibility: Typically tied to nonprofit or school-partnered programs
• Overview: Offers multiple scholarship opportunities through educational partners as part of its $16M+ annual education investment.

💳 Discover Student Loans Scholarship Award Sweepstakes

• Award Amount: $5,000 (12 winners annually)
• Deadline: Rolling
• Eligibility: High school or college students (or their parents)
• Overview: No essay required—just enter to win. Also offers helpful college planning tools.

🧾 Huntington’s College Scholarship Sweepstakes

• Award Amount: $4,000
• Deadline: Varies; see site
• Eligibility: College-bound students
• Overview: A simple entry form gives students a chance to win tuition funds with minimal effort.

🎖️ Google Student Veterans of America Scholarship

• Award Amount: $10,000
• Deadline: Usually opens each fall
• Eligibility: U.S. military veterans pursuing degrees in computer science or a related field
• Overview: A collaboration between Google and SVA to support the next generation of veteran tech professionals.

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📝 No-Essay Scholarships

No GPA. No recommendations. No essays.
These scholarships are some of the easiest to apply for—perfect for students looking to win free money for college without spending hours on applications.

Many of the awards below are sweepstakes-style or quick-entry scholarships, meaning they’re open to a wide pool of students and selected by random drawing. They’re great supplements to more competitive scholarships, and there’s no harm in applying to all of them to increase your chances.

💡 Heads-up: Always read the fine print and avoid scholarships that require a payment to enter.

💸 $2,000 Sallie Scholarship

Award Amount: $2,000
Deadline: Monthly (last day of each month)
Eligibility: Open to U.S. residents enrolling in college within the next 12 months
Overview: Sallie helps students plan and pay for college. This monthly no-essay sweepstakes takes less than 2 minutes to enter and offers 12 chances per year to win.

💳 $5,000 Discover Student Loans Scholarship

Award Amount: $5,000
Deadline: Rolling (12 winners selected throughout the year)
Eligibility: U.S. high school or college students (or their parents)
Overview: Sign up for helpful college tips from Discover and automatically enter to win a $5,000 scholarship. No essay, no fuss.

🎓 College Board “BigFuture” Scholarships

Award Amount: $500–$40,000
Deadline: Monthly actions = monthly drawings
Eligibility: U.S. high school juniors and seniors
Overview: Earn scholarship entries by completing simple college planning steps, like building a college list or submitting the FAFSA. More actions = more chances to win.

🎯 Niche “No Essay” Scholarship

Award Amount: $2,000
Deadline: Monthly
Eligibility: Anyone planning to attend college
Overview: Niche runs a straightforward $2,000 scholarship sweepstakes that takes just a minute to enter. Winners selected randomly each month.

📚 Bold.org “No-Essay” Scholarships

Award Amount: Varies (many $500–$1,000)
Deadline: Ongoing
Eligibility: Varies by listing
Overview: Bold.org offers dozens of no-essay scholarships you can apply for in minutes. Create a free profile and apply to as many as you like.

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🎨 Creative & Arts Scholarships

Calling all artists, performers, photographers, and creatives—there are scholarships out there just for you. Whether you express yourself through brushstrokes, beats, scripts, or stage performances, these awards recognize the power of your creativity. Many allow you to submit portfolios, videos, or artwork in place of traditional essays. So if you’re pursuing an artistic path, don’t miss these opportunities to fund your passion and education.

🎥 2K Annual Drug Rehab USA – Mental Health Scholarship

Award Amount: $2,000
Deadline: December 1
Overview: Submit an essay, video, or artwork sharing your passion for mental health and the difference you hope to make.

📸 KC R. Sandidge Photography Scholarship

Award Amount: $1,000
Deadline: May 1
Eligibility: High school seniors
Overview: Submit 3–5 portfolio images on a selected theme. Open to aspiring student photographers.

🎨 Lewis Hollins Memorial Art Scholarship

Award Amount: $1,000
Deadline: April 30
Overview: For students pursuing art—especially watercolor, LGBTQ+, and underrepresented creatives encouraged to apply. Submit a sample of your work.

🖌️ Doan Foundation Arts Scholarship

Award Amount: 4 awards from $500–$1,000
Deadline: February
Eligibility: Low-income high school seniors in California
Overview: Supports students with a passion for the arts. Optional art submission encouraged.

🌀 Windward Spirit Scholarship

Award Amount: $3,000 (16 awards)
Deadline: April
Overview: Reflect on “Ode to Millennials–Gen Z” and respond through a creative written or artistic submission.

💼 GoSkills Scholarship

Award Amount: $2,000
Deadline: March & September
Eligibility: Women pursuing entrepreneurial goals
Overview: Submit a short business plan and respond to open-ended questions about your ambitions.

🌟 National YoungArts Foundation

Award Amount: Up to $10,000
Deadline: See website
Eligibility: U.S. students ages 15–18
Overview: Recognizes excellence in visual, literary, and performing arts through portfolio or audition-based entries.

🚗 Andrew Flusche Scholarship Contest

Award Amount: $500
Deadline: April
Overview: Submit a short video promoting safe and courteous driving. Open to high school seniors and college students.

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🤝 Community Service Scholarships

If you’ve spent your time in high school giving back—through volunteering, advocacy, or leadership—there are scholarships that want to reward you. These awards recognize students who’ve made a difference in their communities and encourage you to carry that spirit into college and beyond.

🌱 10x Digital Marketing Scholarship

Award Amount: $2,000
Deadline: June 1
Eligibility: High school seniors or college students with a passion for digital marketing and community involvement
Overview: Share how you’ve used digital platforms to promote good causes. Open to students pursuing marketing, communications, or related fields.

🏅 The Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes

Award Amount: $10,000
Deadline: Typically April
Eligibility: Ages 8–18
Overview: Honors inspiring young leaders who’ve made a positive difference through service projects, environmental efforts, and community advocacy.

🕊️ Don’t Text and Drive Scholarship

Award Amount: $1,000
Deadline: September 30
Eligibility: Students committed to promoting safe driving
Overview: Write a short statement about the risks of texting and driving—and your commitment to preventing it.

🧠 Becca’s Closet Spirit of Generosity Scholarship

Award Amount: $1,000
Deadline: Typically spring
Eligibility: High school seniors with outstanding community service
Overview: Recognizes students who demonstrate the generosity, kindness, and volunteerism that defined Becca’s legacy.

✍️ A Voice for Animals Essay Contest Scholarship

Award Amount: $1,000
Deadline: July 1
Eligibility: Students who advocate for animal welfare
Overview: Write about the importance of feline care or animal rescue and how it ties into your personal or academic goals.

🩺 Cirkled In “No Sweat” Scholarship

Award Amount: $2,500
Deadline: Quarterly
Eligibility: Middle and high school students
Overview: No essay required—just create a Cirkled In profile and highlight your extracurricular and volunteer experience.

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🌟 First-Gen & Underrepresented Students

Higher education should be accessible to all, but many students face unique barriers. These scholarships support students from underrepresented backgrounds—including first-generation college students, BIPOC students, and those with financial need—who are working hard to blaze a new trail.

🎓 Dell Scholars Program

Award Amount: $20,000 + laptop and support services
Deadline: Typically opens in October
Eligibility: Low-income, first-generation college-bound students; must participate in a college readiness program and have a GPA of 2.4 or higher
Overview: Beyond financial aid, Dell Scholars receive mentoring, textbook credits, and technology to help them succeed in college.

✊ Courage to Grow Scholarship

Award Amount: $500
Deadline: Monthly
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors or current college students with a GPA of 2.5+
Overview: Write a short essay on why you deserve this scholarship. Aimed at students with financial need and a drive to succeed.

🌎 Hispanic Scholarship Fund

Award Amount: $500 to $5,000
Deadline: Usually February
Eligibility: Students of Hispanic heritage with a GPA of 3.0+ (high school) or 2.5+ (college)
Overview: One of the largest and most well-known scholarships for Latino students. Open to high school seniors, undergrads, and grad students.

🪴 The Gates Scholarship

Award Amount: Full cost of attendance (after other aid)
Deadline: Typically September
Eligibility: High-achieving, Pell-eligible, minority high school seniors
Overview: Covers full unmet need for outstanding minority students pursuing a four-year degree. Highly competitive.

📘 Ron Brown Scholar Program

Award Amount: $40,000 ($10,000/year)
Deadline: January 9
Eligibility: Black/African American high school seniors who demonstrate academic excellence, leadership, and community service
Overview: One of the most prestigious scholarships for Black students in the U.S., supporting both financial and leadership development.

🏅 UNCF Scholarships

Award Amount: Varies
Deadline: Varies by program
Eligibility: Primarily for African American students; must attend a participating college or university
Overview: UNCF offers hundreds of scholarships to support Black students in a wide range of majors and career paths.

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✍️ Writing Scholarships

If you’ve got a way with words, your voice could be your ticket to college funding. These scholarships reward strong writing across formats—from personal essays to poems to persuasive pieces on current issues. Whether you’re a budding journalist, poet, or creative writer, these opportunities can help turn your passion into financial support.

📝 We the Students Essay Contest

Award Amount: Up to $7,500
Deadline: May
Eligibility: U.S. high school students aged 14–19
Overview: Write an essay exploring constitutional principles and civic engagement. Prizes awarded to multiple winners.

🧠 John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Essay Contest

Award Amount: Up to $10,000
Deadline: Typically January
Eligibility: U.S. high school students in grades 9–12
Overview: Submit an original essay describing an act of political courage by a U.S. elected official. Well-regarded and competitive.

🐾 A Voice for Animals Contest

Award Amount: Up to $500
Deadline: Usually April
Eligibility: Students aged 14–18
Overview: Write an essay about animal welfare issues. Contest supports youth engagement in protecting animals and the environment.

🚗 Driver Education Initiative Award – “In the Driver’s Seat”

Award Amount: $10,000
Deadline: March 31, August 1, or November 30, 2025
Eligibility: High school or college students in the U.S., Canada, or abroad
Overview: Submit a 750+ word personal essay on safe driving. Judged for clarity, relevance, and personal insight.

💡 Unigo $10K Scholarship

Award Amount: $10,000
Deadline: December 31, 2025
Eligibility: U.S. students aged 14+ planning to attend a postsecondary institution
Overview: Write a short essay answering whether you’d rather be smart, funny, or rich—and why. Creativity counts!

🩺 NurseRecruiter.com Scholarship

Award Amount: $10,000
Deadline: Varies by semester (Spring, Summer, Fall)
Eligibility: Students accepted to or enrolled in an accredited nursing program
Overview: Submit an essay on why you chose nursing and how you want to make a difference in healthcare.

🎙️ Ed Bradley Scholarship

Award Amount: $10,000
Deadline: January 15, 2026
Eligibility: Undergraduate students of color pursuing careers in journalism
Overview: Requires a cover letter, essay, and 3–5 samples of your broadcast or digital reporting work.

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Military & Public Service Scholarships 🎖️

Whether you’re a service member, veteran, dependent, or public servant—or someone pursuing a career in public service—there are scholarships to help lighten the cost of college. These awards recognize the sacrifices of military and government families and invest in the next generation of changemakers.

🪖 Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation Scholarship

Award Amount: Varies (up to full college funding)
Eligibility: Children of U.S. service members who died in the line of duty
Overview: This foundation provides gap funding between other aid and the total cost of college for eligible children of fallen heroes.

🇺🇸 Freedom Alliance Scholarship Fund

Award Amount: Varies
Eligibility: Children of U.S. military personnel who were killed or permanently disabled in service
Overview: Established to honor the bravery of service members and help their children access higher education.

👩‍🚒 ICMA-RC Public Employee Memorial Scholarship Fund

Award Amount: Varies
Eligibility: Surviving children and spouses of local/state public employees who died in the line of duty
Overview: Open to children of firefighters, police officers, and other public service workers attending an accredited institution.

🎖️ Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation

Award Amount: $2,500+
Eligibility: Children of U.S. Marines and Navy Corpsmen with financial need
Overview: Supports students pursuing a post-secondary education, focusing on those with demonstrated financial need and academic promise.

🛡️ Patriots Path Scholarship

Award Amount: $2,000 total (5 winners)
Deadline: May 1, 2026
Eligibility: High school seniors in JROTC or undergraduates in ROTC with a 3.0+ GPA
Overview: Designed for students preparing for a military career. Applicants must explain their goals and service motivations.

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Athletic Scholarships 🏅

Athletic scholarships reward students not only for their sports performance, but also for their leadership, discipline, and academic balance. Whether you’re a team captain or standout individual competitor, these awards can support your college goals both on and off the field.

🎳 Billy Welu Scholarship

Deadline: July 11, 2025.
Award Amount: $1,000
Eligibility: College students who are active in bowling and maintain at least a 2.5 GPA
Overview: Named after a professional bowler and commentator, this scholarship honors students who show sportsmanship and academic achievement.

🥍 Michael Moody Fitness Scholarship

Award Amount: $1,500
Deadline: August 1, 2025
Eligibility: U.S. high school seniors, undergraduates, or graduate students pursuing health, wellness, or fitness careers
Overview: For students passionate about promoting physical health and fitness—whether through athletics, education, or leadership.

🏌️ Women’s Western Golf Foundation Scholarship

Award Amount: $10,000
Eligibility: Female high school seniors who have played competitive golf
Overview: Based on academic achievement, excellence of character, and involvement in golf. Financial need is also considered.

🏌️‍♂️ Francis Ouimet Scholarship

Award Amount: $10,000
Deadline: January 12, 2026
Overview: For Massachusetts students with two+ years of golf service (as caddies or in course operations). Renewable for four years. Selection is based on academics, leadership, and golf involvement. Includes three required essays.

🎾 Rosalind P. Walter College Scholarship

Award Amount: $10,000
Deadline: May 15, 2026
Overview: For students active in National Junior Tennis and Learning (NJTL). Awarded over four years. Requires academic achievement, community service, and recommendations including one from a tennis mentor.

🎾 Dwight F. Davis Memorial Scholarship

Award Amount: $10,000
Deadline: May 15, 2026
Overview: Honors the legacy of the Davis Cup’s founder. Open to NJTL participants who demonstrate strong academics, community service, and leadership. Four-year award.

⛳ PGA WORKS John & Tamara Lundgren Scholars Program

Award Amount: $8,000
Deadline: February 6, 2026
Overview: Supports students pursuing PGA of America membership through PGA Golf Management programs. Focus on diversity and intent to work in the golf industry. One international-interest award is available.

🎳 USBC Chuck Hall Star of Tomorrow

Award Amount: $6,000
Deadline: December 1, 2025
Overview: Bowling scholarship for high school seniors or college students under age 20. Must be a USBC member. Judged on bowling performance, academics, and extracurricular involvement.