Getting into the school of your dreams can feel bittersweet when you’re not sure how to pay for it. Parents, teachers, and guidance counselors will emphasize how much scholarship money there is up for grabs, but the abundance of websites to sort through threatens to leave us frustrated and saying, “show me the money!”
It’s true that there are hundreds of scholarships for students like you. In order to lighten your load a little bit, we’ve listed 10 here to get your started. You’ll find that quick and easy applications aren’t as rare as you think.
1. Healthy Lifestyles Scholarship
Whether you love yoga and shop at Whole Foods, or have a killer gym regimen, you probably have a good grasp on what it means to have a healthy lifestyle. This scholarship looks for high school seniors and college freshmen who can articulate the importance of keeping a healthy mind and body. There is no formal application, and you won’t need to talk about your GPA or finances, just express yourself to the best of your ability in two short essays.
Eligibility: High school seniors, college freshmen
Deadline: May 30, 2012
Award: $5,000
Apply Now
2. Big Dig Scholarship
Do you think out of the box? Then you might be perfect for this scholarship, with the thought-provoking prompt: “In 200 years, one of your relatives is going to be digging in what is now your backyard. They are going to find something that you buried in 2012 and it is going to put any financial worries they have to rest.” Blow the judges away with your creativity and forward thinking! Just remember, the item has to be sold in the store and can’t cost more than $500.
Eligibility: High school seniors, college freshmen and sophomores
Deadline: June 1, 2012
Award: $3,000
Apply Now
3. Frame My Future Scholarship Contest
You really can’t go wrong with this contest, which lets you enter any image or essay along the theme of “This is how I frame my future.” Grab your paints, pens, and scrapbooking shears and show the judges that you have personal and professional goals for your life after college.
Eligibility: High school seniors
Deadline: March 6, 2012
Award: $1,000, and $1,000 to the school endowment of the Grand Prize winner
Apply Now
4. American Society of Naval Engineers
Are you a woman studying engineering? This male-dominated field has been increasingly opened up by brilliant collegiettes like yourself. The American Society of Naval Engineers wants to encourage students who are excited by the prospect of working with submarines, cutters and pretty much every other vessel under the sun. If you’ve ever wanted to put your skills to work in the shipyard, apply for financial support from the ASNE scholarship.
Eligibility: Students with an interest in naval engineering who are about to enter their final year of an undergraduate engineering program. (Candidates should apply for support in their final yearof an engineering program.)
Deadline: February 17, 2012
Award: $3,000 a year
Apply Now
5. College Prowler “No Essay” Scholarship
This scholarship is just as easy to apply for as it sounds! No essays, personal statements or recommendations needed—just a quick form to fill out. The best part about this scholarship is that there is a new winner every month, so you can keep entering for a chance at that $2,000.
Eligibility: All college students or those students planning to enroll in college within the next year
Deadline: Rolling
Award: $2,000
Apply Now
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6. Scholarships for Military Children
If your parent is currently serving, or has served, in the military you might be eligible for this scholarship. The scholarship is sponsored by local Defense Commissaries (grocery stores for military families), but eligible collegiettes can also mail in an application.
Eligibility: High school seniors or undergraduates who are the children of active duty personnel, reserve/guard and retired military members, or survivors of service members who died while on active duty or survivors of individuals who died while receiving retired pay from the military. Must have at least a 3.0 unweighted GPA.
Deadline: February 24, 2012
Award: Varies
Apply Now
7. Campus Safety, Health, and Environmental Management Scholarship
Have you noticed a lack of lighting on one stretch of campus when you walk home at night? Do you wish your school would make recycling more of a priority? The CSHEMA scholarship asks you to “describe a health, environmental, or safety issue” relevant to your campus and to “discuss what actions and/or programs are needed to solve this issue.” This is the perfect opportunity to turn your observations into a reward—and hopefully a solution.
Eligibility: All undergraduates
Deadline: March 1, 2012
Award: $2,000
Apply Now
8. WyzAnt College Scholarship
With even just a semester of college under your belt, it’s hard not to feel older and wiser. Tell WyzAnt “What is the most important lesson you have learned in your life” and you could win $5,000 dollars. Three hundred words is a breeze compared to that literary analysis you’ve been putting off. Also, visitors to the site have a hand in who wins, can you say Facebook timeline blitz?
Eligibility: Anyone who plans to be enrolled in a four-year college or university sometime between August 1, 2012 and November 1, 2014
Deadline: April 1, 2012
Award: $5,000, $3,000, or $2,000
Apply Now
9. Viral Video Scholarship Contest
Collegiettes watch enough TV and movies to know what a good advertisement looks and feels like, so have a hand at creating the next viral PSA video!
Not all Public Service Announcements are boring, and the strength of videos such as this one can be the difference between life and death. A PSA done right can elicit a reaction—whether tears or laughter—and you’ll remember it next time you debate wearing your seatbelt or checking the batteries in your fire alarm.
Eligibility: High school students or college undergraduates
Deadline: March 31, 2012
Award: $10,000, $3,000, or $1,500
Apply Now
10. Odenza Marketing Scholarship
The Odenza Marketing Scholarship is completely essay-based. Luckily, the questions are fun! The first asks which city anywhere in the world you would visit to benefit your future career. The second question asks why you should get the scholarship. Hardly a stumper.
Eligibility: Any student between the ages of 16 and 25 with a 2.5 GPA or greater
Deadline: March 30, 2012
Award: $500
Apply Now
Some of these scholarships are worth more than others, but when it comes to tuition every bit counts! With a little time and creativity, you could be well on your way to a scholarship win… and doing this.
Want to broaden your scholarship search? Check out these databases!
www.fastweb.com
www.discusawards.com/list-of-scholarships
education-portal.com
www.scholarships.com