We love a good freebie, and what better freebie than scoring a scholarship to pay for your higher education goals? There are thousands of scholarships posted each year that connect students of all kinds — both recent high school grads and those returning to school later in life — to free money. We’re rounding up the top scholarship opportunities to get you started on your search for free money for college.
Remember, all scholarships should be free to apply for and public knowledge. Don’t ever pay money for a website that claims to have “exclusive scholarship opportunities” or promises to increase your chances of winning. There are many college scholarship scams out there, so be sure to check that you are applying to a legitimate offer.
All of these scholarships have different deadlines. Be sure to mark your calendars for the ones you don’t want to miss!
Here are 20 scholarship listings to get you started on your search:
No-Essay Scholarships 
- SoFi $2,500 Monthly Scholarship – SoFi is giving away $2,500 each month for school, and all you need to do is have a SoFi account and fill out the form.
- Sallie Mae $2,000 Monthly Scholarship – The name behind many college loans, Salle Mae, also gives out a $2,000 no-essay scholarship each month to a lucky individual. You can also apply for their $5,000 no-essay monthly scholarship for grad students.
- “Be Bold” $25,000 Scholarship – To qualify for Bold.org’s scholarship, you will need to create a profile and showcase your goals and achievements.
- Niche $25,000 Scholarship – In the beginning of the year, Niche opens up their scholarship application to high school seniors and current college students. The winner is selected via random drawing.
- FMAA Scholarship – The Flag Manufacturer’s Association is giving away $3,500 in combined scholarship funds to eligible participants who send in a 45 to 60 second video about the American flag. FMAA picks a new topic around the American flag each year.
Unique Scholarship Opportunities
- New Tracks Modeling – Love trains? New Tracks Modeling has three $2,500 scholarships for young railroad modelers who will be pursuing a STEM degree.
- Twin Day Festival Scholarship – Twins can win $1,000 each when they enter this unique opportunity. Recommendation letters, transcripts, and an essay are required from each.
- Chick & Sophie Major Memorial Duck Calling Contest – No quacks about it; students aged 16 to 20 can compete for up to $5,000 in scholarship funds.
- The Vegetarian Resource Group Scholarship – Graduating vegetarian and vegan high school students who have helped promote veganism in their school or community have the chance to win $5,000 to $10,000 in college funds.
- Tall Clubs International Foundation – If height is on your side and you are a high school senior, you are eligible to apply for a $1,000 scholarship. On the other side of the height spectrum? There are scholarships for short people too!
Creative Scholarship Opportunities
- One Earth Film Festival Young Filmmakers Contest – Students in third grade and up are eligible to submit a short nature film. Each age category will be judged and awarded separately. High school seniors, current college students, and recent college graduates can win $1,000.
- L. Ron Hubbard Illustrators of the Future – Fantasy or Scifi illustrators can send three pieces of their original artwork for a chance to win $500. You can submit new artwork every quarter for a chance to win. Quarterly winners will then have the opportunity to win a $5,000 prize.
- WAI Scholarship Program – Woodworking is its own form of creativity and artistry, and the Wood Industry Association wants to help students interested in woodworking or wood science pay for college.
- Create-A-Greeting Card Scholarship – Ever read greeting cards and think you can do better? Now is your chance. Each year, individuals can enter their photography or artwork for a chance to win $10,000.
- Chopin Foundation Scholarship – Young pianists between the ages of 14 and 17 are invited to submit their interpretation of Chopin’s music for a chance at a $1,000 renewable scholarship.
Healthcare and Medical Scholarships
- Hope for Healing Scholarship – The Hope for Healing Scholarship is directed toward students who want to make a difference in the mental and behavioral health fields, nursing, or addiction medicine.
- Power Life Sciences – For those passionate about biomedical and biopharmaceutical innovation, the Power Life Sciences scholarship asks applicants to critically analyze real clinical trial data in the style of our journal. Along with the chance to win $2,000, scholarship winners will be eligible for publication in their journal.
- The Pearl Mae Foundation Scholarship for Healthcare and First Responders – The Pearl Mae Foundation awards 20 $1,000 scholarships for students seeking a career in the healthcare or first-responder fields. Graduate students are also encouraged to apply.
- Amber D. Hudson Memorial Scholarship – For female high school, undergraduate, or graduate students pursuing a degree as a Registered Dietician or other nutrition-related field. Five winners will receive $1,000 scholarships.
- Sonography Student Scholarship – The SDMS Foundation Sonography Student Scholarship Program awards two $2,500 scholarships each year to students pursuing this health field.
How to Find More Free Money for College
There are websites crammed with thousands of scholarships, but the truth is that most of these scholarships are for certain schools or areas. Instead of casting a wide net when searching for free money for college, try narrowing your search for better success. Here are some tips:
- Think locally: What scholarships are your city, county, or state offering? Are there small businesses around you that give away money for locals? Ask your local high school or community college which scholarships are available.
- Your college will have award choices: Not only do many colleges award scholarships to entice you to choose them for your degree, but you might also earn more school money once you are enrolled. Many colleges have private scholarships available to students in specific degree fields that can only be applied for once you are enrolled.
- Check your job connections: Some companies offer their employees or children of employees scholarship opportunities. For example, if Chick-fil-A offers team members scholarships. Your parent’s place of employment might also have opportunities too. Some companies even pay for your tuition!
- Use your membership connections: What are you already a member of? For example, do you attend a specific church denomination or part of an athletic group? Many times these groups will offer scholarships to their members — i.e. some AYSO (American Youth Soccer Organization) regions offer college scholarships to players who have also acted as a volunteer referee.
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