Did you know there are literally thousands of outside scholarships you can apply for? Some of them have serious requirements like GPA requirements or essays while others are more fun and involve being creative, like putting together a video PSA or creating a greeting card. Here is a list of 25 scholarships open to high school seniors with application deadlines this winter and spring—and even a few into the summer, for those of you who need a little extra time.
Don’t forget to also check out PUC’s scholarships at puc.edu/scholarships!
The Christophers Annual Poster Contest Scholarship
Deadline: February 18, 2019
Award amount: $1,000
Another scholarship for artistic students, this scholarship asks students to create a poster interpreting the theme of “One Person Can Make a Difference.” There are also monetary prizes for second and third place, as well as up to five honorable mentions.
The Vegetarian Resource Group Scholarship
Deadline: February 20, 2019
Award amount: $10,000
To apply for this scholarship, applicants need to have demonstrated “compassion, courage, and a strong commitment to promoting a peaceful world through a vegetarian diet/lifestyle.” Two runners-up will receive $5,000 each.
DoSomething.org’s Not-So-Secret Admirer Scholarship
Deadline: February 21, 2019
Award amount: $5,000
It only takes one person to help someone follow through on their passions. That person could be you! Send one friend an encouraging message about pursuing their passion, and you’ll be entered to win a $5,000 scholarship.
The Taco Bell Live Más Scholarship
Deadline: February 21, 2019
Award amount: $25,000
This creative scholarship only requires you to submit a video (two minutes or less in length) that tells the story of your life’s passion. It could be a short film, animation, or just a simple testimonial. Awards range from $5,000 to $25,000.
The Asian Pacific Fund Scholarship
Deadline: February 26, 2019
Award amount: $5,000
For this scholarship, applicants must be of Asian and/or Pacific Islander ethnicity (as defined by the U.S. Census); be the first in their immediate family to attend college; have a minimum GPA of 2.80; demonstrate financial need; and be a resident of California, with preference given to Bay Area residents. Two second place winners receive $2,500.
The Spirit of Anne Frank Scholarship
Deadline: February 28, 2019
Award amount: $5,000
To commemorate what would have been Anne Frank’s 90th birthday, this scholarship asks applicants to write a 1,000-word essay sharing how Anne’s legacy inspired them to take action in their community, school, or among peers.
The Toyota Teen Video Challenge
Deadline: February 28, 2019
Award amount: $15,000
If you’re into making videos, this is the scholarship for you! Create a video encouraging teens to drive safer, and you could win $15,000. Another sweet perk? If you win, you also get to work with a film crew to reshoot your video entry into a PSA to be aired on TV! Second place also nets you $10,000, and third place receives $7,500.
Unigo’s Sweet and Simple Scholarship
Deadline: February 28, 2019
Award amount: $1,500
Applicants are asked to respond to the following writing prompt: “Not every gift has to be expensive or extravagant. In fact, sometimes it’s the sweet and simple things that make a real difference in our lives. Think back and tell us about something you received as a gift and why it meant so much to you.” Entries must be 250 words or less.
The Create-A-Greeting-Card Scholarship
Deadline: March 1, 2019
Award amount: $10,000
Calling all artists! It’s worth taking the time to apply for this scholarship. Applicants must submit a design for the front of a Christmas card, holiday card, birthday card, or all-occasion card and the winning entry will be made and sold as a real greeting card!
The Project Yellow Light Scholarship
Deadline: March 1, 2019*
Award amount: $5,000
In honor of Hunter Garner, who was killed in a car accident, this scholarship asks students to create a video to encourage teens not to drive distracted. The winner receives a $5,000 scholarship, while the second place winner receives $2,000. Third place gets you $1,000. There are additional scholarships students can enter if they create a billboard or radio spot on the same topic. (*Note: Billboard entries are due March 1 while the video and radio entries are due April 1)
The Doodle for Google Scholarship
Deadline: March 18, 2019
Award amount: $30,000
Perhaps one of the coolest scholarships out there, the Doodle for Google scholarship asks applicants to create a doodle using any materials they want for a chance to win a $30,000 scholarship! Applicants also have to write a statement about their doodle and how it represents something that inspires them. In addition to the $30,000 scholarship, the grand prize winner has their doodle displayed on Google’s website for a day; earns a trip to Google headquarters in California; receives fun Googley swag, and their school receives a $50,000 technology package. Four national finalists are also chosen and each receives a $5,000 scholarship.
DoSomething.org’s Supplies, Sealed, Delivered Scholarship
Deadline: March 31, 2019
Award amount: $5,000
On any given day, there are almost 600,000 people experiencing homelessness in America. About one-quarter of them are teenagers or children. Now you can join the movement by providing daily essentials (like toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, and nonperishable foods) to a local homeless shelter. Plus, you’ll be eligible to win a $5,000 scholarship!
Unigo’s Superpower Scholarship
Deadline: March 31, 2019
Award amount: $2,500
How many of us have daydreamed about what we would do if we had a superpower? The possibilities are endless. This short essay contest asks students to answer the question “Which superhero or villain would you want to change places with for a day and why?”
The Frame My Future Scholarship
Deadline: April 1, 2019
Award amount: $5,000
Applicants must submit a collage, drawing, graphic design piece, painting, photograph, poem or another creative entry discussing what they hope to achieve in both their personal and professional life after college. The grand prize winner receives a $5,000 scholarship while the first runner-up receives a $1,000 scholarship, and the second runner-up receives a $500 scholarship.
The Sports Unlimited Annual Scholarship
Deadline: April 25, 2019
Award amount: $1,000
Write an essay between 500 and 1,000 words about what changes to sports and/or sports equipment you think we will see in the next 10 years and why for a chance to win a $1,000 scholarship.
Unigo’s All About Education Scholarship
Deadline: April 30, 2019
Award amount: $3,000
One of the largest scholarships Unigo offers, this one asks you to write a short essay (250 words or less) in response to the question “How will a $3,000 scholarship for education make a difference in your life?”
A Voice for Animals Scholarship
Deadline: April 30, 2019
Award amount: Varies
For this scholarship, you can write an essay or submit a photo or video to promote the humane treatment of animals. Awards vary by tier, with the top award being $500.
The Momentrix College Scholarship
Deadline: May 15, 2019
Award amount: $1,000
For this scholarship, you write an essay of 2,000 characters or less (approximately 400 words) about what test preparation practices work best for you and why. There are first, second, and third place prizes of $1,000, $500, and $250, respectively.
The Krylon Clear Choice Art Scholarship
Deadline: May 31, 2019
Award amount: $1,000
This scholarship awards five winners $1,000 each, as well as gives each winner’s school a $500 grant and Krylon supplies. To apply, you must submit a portfolio, an artistic statement, a letter of reference, and your transcripts.
Unigo’s Fifth Month Scholarship
Deadline: May 31, 2019
Award amount: $1,500
In celebration of the fifth month of the year, this short scholarship essay asks you to write a response to the following, in 250 words or less: “May is the fifth month of the year. Write a letter to the number five explaining why five is important. Be serious or be funny. Either way, here’s a high five to you for being original.”
Unigo’s Do-Over Scholarship
Deadline: June 30, 2019
Award amount: $1,500
This scholarship asks you to write a short essay (250 words or less) in response to the question “If you could get one ‘do-over’ in life, what would it be and why?”
The Stuck at Prom Scholarship
Deadline: July 9, 2019
Award amount: $10,000
This scholarship is probably one of the most famous college scholarships! To enter, students must create outfits made entirely of Duck brand duct tape to be worn to prom. Two entries will be chosen for the grand prize of $10,000; one for the dress category and the other for the tux category. Eight runners up will receive $500 apiece.
The Harold G. Henderson Haiku Contest
Deadline: July 31, 2019
Award amount: Varies
If you have a way with words, this scholarship may be for you. Created in memory of Harold G. Henderson, the co-founder of the Haiku Society of America, applicants must submit five unpublished haikus. The winner receives $150, and their haiku will be published in the Frogpond magazine and on the Haiku Society of America’s website. Second prize receives $100 and third prize $50. Hey, every little bit helps!
Unigo’s Flavor of the Month Scholarship
Deadline: July 31, 2019
Award amount: $1,500
Another short essay scholarship, this one asks you to write in 250 words or less a response to the question “If you were an ice cream flavor, which would you be and why?”
Unigo’s Make Me Laugh Scholarship
Deadline: August 31, 2019
Award amount: $1,500
Another great scholarship from Unigo, this one asks you to write in 250 words or less a response to the following writing prompt: “OMG… finding and applying for scholarships is serious business, but it’s time to lighten things up a little. We don’t want to know why you deserve $1,500 or how great your grades are, we simply want to LOL. Describe an incident in your life, funny or embarrassing (fact or fiction), and make us laugh!”
If none of these scholarships are appealing to you, simply do a little Google search to see what more you can find! There’s bound to be a scholarship available in your field of interest. And as always, our Student Finance team is here to help if you have questions about other places you can look to find additional scholarships to help make college affordable. Call (800) 862-7080, option 1 or email studentfinance@puc.edu to get connected with a financial aid counselor now.