Student-centric advice and objective recommendations
Higher education has never been more confusing or expensive. Our goal is to help you navigate the very big decisions related to higher ed with objective information and expert advice. Each piece of content on the site is original, based on extensive research, and reviewed by multiple editors, including a subject matter expert. This ensures that all of our content is up-to-date, useful, accurate, and thorough.
Our reviews and recommendations are based on extensive research, testing, and feedback. We may receive commission from links on our website, but that doesn’t affect our editors’ opinions. Our marketing partners don’t review, approve or endorse our editorial content. It’s accurate to the best of our knowledge when posted. You can find a complete list of our partners here.
Top 66 May Scholarships in 2023
The fifth month of the year means that summer vacation is just around the corner. You may be taking SATs, ACTs, or AP exams. If you are a high school junior, you are probably working hard to end the year strong so you can put yourself in the best possible position for the admissions process. Another great way to end the year strong is to apply for some May scholarships!
We’ve gathered the best vetted May scholarships for you, right in this list. Read on to find some opportunities to fund your education:
Jump ahead to…
- Top May scholarships
- How to win May scholarships
- May checklist for students
- Frequently asked questions
- Additional resources for students
Top 69 May Scholarships in 2023
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.
$10,000 “No Essay” Scholarship
Scholarships360 Exclusive
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…
Show More$2,000 Nitro College Scholarship – No Essay
Sponsored
Easy scholarship from Nitro College open to all high school, college, community and graduate students.
$25,000 No Essay Scholarship
Sponsored
Easy scholarship from Niche open to high school and college students, as well as anyone looking to attend college or graduate school in the next year.
Jerry Alexander Gorman Foundation “The Passion to Succeed” Student Scholarship
Offered by Beauty Changes Lives
The Jerry Alexander Gorman Foundation “The Passion to Succeed” Student Scholarship is funded by Beauty Changes Lives, an organization focused on empowering the next generation of beauty professionals through scholarships,…
Show MoreFull Circle & Tribal College Scholarships
Offered by American Indian College Fund
The Full Circle & Tribal College Scholarships are funded by the American Indian College Fund, an organization that invests in Native students and tribal college education to transform lives and…
Show MoreOPI’s “Round Yourself in Color” Student Scholarship
Offered by Beauty Changes Lives
Are you on the road to becoming a nail technician? If so, consider applying for OPI's "Round Yourself in Color" Student Scholarship! This scholarship is an excellent opportunity for students…
Show MoreArmed Forces Communications and Electronics Association (ACFEA) War Veterans Scholarship
Offered by Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association (ACFEA)
The Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association (ACFEA) War Veterans Scholarship is funded by the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association (ACFEA), an international organization striving to be the premier…
Show MoreFirst Responders Children’s Foundation Scholarships
Offered by The First Responders Children’s Foundation
Are you the child of a first responder? If so, you may be eligible for some of the The First Responders Children’s Foundation Scholarships! The scholarships are open to children…
Show MoreL’oréal Professionnel Inspiration Through Education Scholarship
Offered by Beauty Changes Lives
Are you a student pursuing a career in cosmetology? If so, consider applying for the L'Oréal Professionnel Inspiration Through Education scholarship! This scholarship is open to students accepted to or…
Show MoreSTEM Teacher Scholarships
Offered by AFCEA & ManTech International
Are you an aspiring teacher pursuing a graduate degree to teach STEM to K-12 students? If so, consider applying for the STEM Teacher Scholarships! These scholarships are open to students…
Show More$25k “Be Bold” No-Essay Scholarship
Sponsored
Open to high school students, college students, community college students, and graduate students.
Annual Catholic College Scholarship
Sponsored
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…
Annual Protestant Faith Based College Scholarship
Sponsored
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…
Sage Michaela Lucas “Timing is Everything” Scholarship
Offered by Beauty Changes Lives
Are you a BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, or Person of Color) student pursuing a career in esthetics? If so, consider applying for the Sage Michaela Lucas "Timing is Everything" Scholarship! This scholarship…
Show MoreLily Pabilona Emerging Entrepreneur Scholarship
Offered by Against the Grain Productions
The Lily Pabilona Emerging Entrepreneur Scholarship is funded by Against the Grain Productions, an organization that finds unconventional, innovative, and entertaining ways to promote leadership, positive identity, unity, and artistry…
Show MoreKate Somerville + Foster Nation “Defy Impossible” Esthetics Student Scholarship
Offered by Beauty Changes Lives
The Kate Somerville + Foster Nation “Defy Impossible” Esthetics Student Scholarship is funded by Beauty Changes Lives, an organization focused on empowering the next generation of beauty professionals through scholarships,…
Show MoreElevate Salon Institute (ESI) Cosmetology Student Scholarship
Offered by Beauty Changes Lives
Are you a prospective or current cosmetology student at an Elevate Salon Institute partner school? If so, consider applying for the Elevate Salon Institute (ESI) Cosmetology Student Scholarship! The scholarship…
Show MoreAmerican Postal Workers Union (APWU) Scholarships
Offered by American Postal Workers Union (APWU)
Are you a high school senior whose guardian or grandparent is a current or a former member of the American Postal Workers Union (APWU)? Better yet, are you looking to…
Show More$10,000 CollegeXpress Scholarship
Sponsored
Annual $10k scholarship from CollegeXpress open to high school students in the class of 2024, 2026, and 2026.
Niche $2,000 “No Essay” College Scholarship
Sponsored
Easy scholarship from Niche open to all high school, college, and graduate students.
- 1
- 2
- 3 ...
- 4
-
Next
How to win May scholarships
May is an important time as the school year draws to a close, and you’re beginning to think about the next one. Financial aid and scholarships are a big part of planning for school, so you should start applying! Make sure you’re acing your final exams, and try to get peers, mentors or your family to take a look at your scholarship essay. Some of the ways you can make your application stand out are:
- Starting your essay off well
- Highlighting your skills on your resume
- Ending your application on a positive note
May checklist for students
High school seniors
- Even though “senioritis” may be kicking in, it is important to end your year strong! Colleges will require end of year transcripts and low grades will not be well-received.
- Remember, there are many people who have helped you get to this point. Write a written thank you note to your recommenders, guidance counselor, and mentors–they will certainly appreciate it!
- In a few short months you will be college students! Being a college student means more independence, but also more responsibility, particularly financially. If you don’t have a bank account, now is the time to start investigating options for a savings and checking account.
High school juniors
- Make sure that you secure your letters of recommendation! Here are some tips for getting the best possible recs from your teachers.
- Demonstrated interest is a factor for many colleges in the admissions process. You should learn more about how to demonstrate interest (and which colleges require it).
- One of the best tools for financial aid is the Net Price Calculator. Before the end of junior year, sit down with your family and complete the Net Price Calculator for some colleges on your list. This will give you a good estimate of the need-based financial aid you can expect to receive.
