One of the biggest misconceptions about scholarships is that they all require an essay. This is not true. In fact, there are many great scholarships that don’t require an essay at all. These no essay scholarships can range from quick scholarships that you can apply to in a few minutes to other scholarships that are focused on students with a specific talent.
Some no essay scholarships focus on art or other creative achievements. Still other no essay scholarships focus on students with a talent in more specific areas, such as filmmaking, physics achievement, or even duck tape prom creations! Whether you are a prospective high school, college, or graduate student, there are sure to be some “no essay” scholarships that are right up your alley!
Tips for students applying to no essay scholarships
Look for competitions rather than randomized drawings
No essay scholarships are alluring because they do away with the pressure that comes with writing an essay for your application. Between your other academic responsibilities, extracurriculars, and other commitments, these essays can present a big roadblock for applicants.
However, you should bear in mind that you are not the only student with this idea. Many applicants are attracted to opportunities that are easy to apply to, and since many no essay scholarships are essentially scholarship sweepstakes, that means you have a very low chance of actually winning.
This is not to say that you should not apply to these opportunities, but that you should seek out scholarship opportunities that assess some materials submitted by applicants. Whether this is a video submission, a portfolio, or a photograph you took, it can help your chances greatly.
Be wary of scholarship scams
No essay scholarships are very popular with students because they typically don’t take much time to apply to. Unfortunately, this makes them all the more popular with scammers.
Before applying to any scholarship, and especially no essay scholarships, ensure that you are not giving away any personal information that could be used to steal your identity. Additionally, you should never pay a fee to enter a scholarship competition. For more information on how to avoid scholarship scams, check out our article on how to spot them.
If at first you don’t succeed…
Many no essay scholarships, especially the random drawings, select a winner each month and then reopen. To maximize your chances of winning, make sure to check back each month to throw your hat back in the ring.
Check out similar scholarship categories
If you are looking to apply for scholarships without putting too much time into essays, check out our lists of video scholarships and easy scholarships. While some of these may include short essays, they are generally much less of a commitment than typical scholarship applications.
Don’t over-rely on no essay scholarships
No essay scholarships can be a great no-effort way of applying for educational funding, but make sure that your overall scholarship strategy makes use of all potential funding sources. Make sure especially to seek out local scholarships through community organizations and your high school counselor.
Don’t forget financial aid
If you have demonstrable financial need, there is one source of free funds for your higher education that is even easier to get than no essay scholarships. This is federal financial aid, including the Pell Grant. Make sure to fill out the FAFSA on-time and send your results to your school in order to gain eligibility for federal, state, and institutional financial aid.
Frequently asked questions about no essay scholarships
Are “no essay” scholarships legit?
However, students should always be on the lookout for scholarship scams when they are on the scholarship hunt. Never send personal information that could be used for identity theft, and never pay a fee to enter a scholarship competition. If you are unsure about an opportunity, check out our guide on how to avoid scholarship scams.
How can I increase my chances of winning a no essay scholarship?
- For scholarships with a creative or artistic element, make sure that you put all of your effort into your project! Remember, your application will be completely assessed on your creative project as there is no essay required.
- For scholarships that have minimal requirements, you should apply to them as often as possible to increase your odds. However, these types of scholarships should not be the only part of your application strategy.
Who can apply for no essay scholarships?
What qualifies as a no essay scholarship?
Are there GPA requirements for no essay scholarships?
Also see: How to write a scholarship resume
Explore these other scholarship categories:
- Top easy scholarships
- Scholarships for high school seniors
- Top scholarships for college students
- Top STEM scholarships
- Scholarships for women
Join for exclusive scholarships, personalized matching, and application tracking. 0% Spam, 100% Free.