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Top 60+ Scholarships for College Students in May 2023
One of the biggest misconceptions about scholarships is that they are only for high school students. In fact, there are numerous lucrative scholarship opportunities that current college students can apply for. These scholarships for college students can help you pay for tuition, room, board, fees, and other expenses like books and laptops.
If you are able to win scholarships as a college student you can lessen the amount of student loans that you need to take out. This can literally pay off after you graduate as you will have a lower student loan burden.
In this guide we will be covering:
- Top scholarships for college students in 2023
- College scholarships by grade-level
- How to win scholarships as a college student
- Financial tips for college students
- Frequently asked questions
- Explore these other scholarship categories
Whether you are a college freshman interested in chemistry or a student interested in criminal justice, there is a scholarship for you! Keep on reading to learn more!
The Scholarships360 Research Team reviews all scholarships individually and strives to exclude any scholarship where any of the below applies: 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.
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… Easy scholarship from Nitro College open to all high school, college, community and graduate students. Open to all high school and college students, as well as anyone looking to attend college or graduate school in the next year. No essay scholarship open to all students who are at least 18 years of age. Open to high school students, college students, community college students, and graduate students. Are you a high school senior or college undergraduate who identifies as female, resides in the United States, and wishes to pursue a STEM-related field of education? If so, you… The CIA Undergraduate and Graduate Scholarships are funded by the Central Intelligence Agency, a U.S. government agency that provides objective intelligence on foreign countries and global issues to the president,… The Tylenol Future Care Scholarship is funded by Tylenol, a pharmaceutical company dedicated to providing its customers with care. Each year, their Tylenol Future Care Scholarship awards up to $10,000… Are you a STEM major in college or university looking for help to pay off your degree? If so, consider applying for the GeneTex Scholarship! The scholarship is open to… Are you a high school or college student with a love for Minecraft? If so, we may just have the perfect opportunity for you: the Minecraft Scholarship! Each year, the… The James W. Lewis Global Leader Scholarship has been established to encourage and recognize young leaders who exemplify the values to which Mr. Lewis has dedicated his life and work.… Are you a high-achieving student academically? You might consider applying for the College JumpStart Scholarship! The College JumpStart Scholarship is open to students in grades 10 to 12, as well… The US Bank Student Scholarship is funded by U.S. Bank, a banking institution that works to meet its customers’ business and personal banking needs through a wide array of competitive… 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… Are you a high school senior, undergraduate, or graduate student with a passion for reading, writing, and Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand? If so, we may just have the perfect… Are you a current college student interested in pursuing a research career in a STEM field? If so, consider applying for the Barry Goldwater Scholarship! The scholarship is open to… Are you a rising junior majoring in a STEM field at a Minority Serving Institution? These include Hispanic Serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Tribal Colleges and Universities, Alaskan-Native… Are you an undergraduate or graduate student interested in studying abroad? If so, consider applying for the Boren Awards! The Boren Awards are open to postsecondary U.S. students interested in… The TLF Undergraduate Scholarships are open to minority students studying advertising, marketing, public relations, or a related field. This scholarship is funded by The LAGRANT Foundation, an organization dedicated to… Every year, the American Chemical Society Scholars Program awards renewable scholarships to high school seniors and college undergraduates from historically underrepresented groups. Well-informed about the costs of hefty university tuition…1333 Scholarships for College Students in June 2023
** 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
$2,000 Nitro College Scholarship – No Essay
Niche $15,000 No Essay Scholarship
Shining Stars Scholarship
$25k “Be Bold” No-Essay Scholarship
Hyundai Women in STEM Scholarship
CIA Undergraduate and Graduate Scholarships
Tylenol Future Care Scholarship
GeneTex Scholarship
Minecraft Scholarship
NSHSS James W. Lewis Collegiate Global Leader Scholarship
College JumpStart Scholarship
US Bank Student Scholarship
Zombie Apocalypse Scholarship
Ayn Rand Institute Novel Essay Contest (Atlas Shrugged)
Barry Goldwater Scholarship
José E. Serrano Educational Partnership Program with Minority Serving Institutions
The Boren Awards
TLF Undergraduate Scholarships
American Chemical Society (ACS) Scholars Program
College scholarships by grade level
Whether you are a college freshman or a transfer student, we have specific guides to help you find and apply for scholarships:
- College Freshmen
- Community College Students
- College Sophomores
- College Juniors
- Transfer Students
- College Seniors
How to win scholarships as a college student
Here are a few tips for finding and winning scholarships and financial aid as a current college student.
Apply for need-based financial aid
Don’t forget about need-based financial aid, which includes Pell Grants, Federal SEOG Grants, and work study. To apply for need-based financial aid from the government or from your college, you will need to apply for financial aid.
The two major financial aid applications that students will come across are the FAFSA and the CSS Profile. These applications serve to assess your financial need. Both of these applications have specific deadlines, so make sure that you get everything in on time!
Additionally, financial aid is only offered on an annual basis, so you will need to reapply for financial aid in subsequent college years.
Apply to many scholarships to increase your odds of winning
A key part of any scholarship strategy should be applying to a broad array of scholarship opportunities. The more you apply to, the more you can win! Remember, this can take the form of video scholarships, local opportunities, and scholarships based on your major or your background.
Check your college’s financial aid office for scholarships
Your college’s financial aid office should be your first stop for college scholarships since they may be able to offer other forms of aid as well (like grants or work study programs). If you are not currently on campus, you can consult their website and reach out to a representative via email.
Look for departmental scholarships
Many colleges, such as the University of South Carolina, offer scholarships to current students on a departmental basis. Students who show particular promise in one field of study may be eligible to receive funding from their department for their additional years of schooling. You can try consulting your professors, your advisor, or the chair of the department you’re majoring in to see what opportunities are out there.
Study abroad scholarships
If you plan on studying abroad, you may be eligible for scholarships! There are many places to look for study abroad scholarships. These include your school’s study abroad department, the organization running the program you’re enrolling in, and our very own list of scholarships for students who are studying abroad! As studying abroad can often end up being expensive for students, it’s a good idea to pursue these options to reduce your costs.
If you win a scholarship, check to see if you must re-apply each year
Certain scholarships may require students to maintain a certain GPA, or provide proof of enrollment each year. Check the details of any scholarship you win to see if these rules apply.
Don’t forget local scholarships
Local scholarships are often some of the best bets for students looking to fund their higher education. Many local organizations, like Boy Scouts, Elks Clubs, and religious institutions, run scholarship programs or can put you in touch with other local opportunities. These can work out very well for students because they are typically more niche than national scholarships. This means they receive far fewer applications and each applicant has a higher chance of winning.
If you are involved in extracurriculars in your community or in the community of your college, including volunteer work and community service, be sure to inquire whether the programs run any scholarship funds and find out what the application process entails.
Look into fellowships
Programs such as summer fellowships can be a great way to help cut down on college costs while gaining valuable expertise in your field of interest. Fellowships can be part-time or full-time and adjust to your needs in case you want to study or work another job on top of them.
Additional financial tips for college students
As a college student, one great way to lessen the financial burden is to apply for scholarships. But remember, there are other ways to cut down on your costs! Whether you are looking for affordable housing, wondering how to make some money on the side, or just looking to reduce your spending, we’ve got you covered.
You can check out our guide on how to find online tutoring jobs, our guide to work-study, and our guide on how to make money in general as a college student.
It’s also important to begin building a good financial history when you are in school. One great way to do this is to apply for your first credit card. We can help you choose the best option for students who are just beginning to open credit.