10 Best Summer Scholarships of 2020

Sun. Picnics. Bike rides. Summer is known for many things.

But how about scholarships?

With classes over, summer break is actually a great time to nail down funding for the coming year. Students can research scholarships that match their qualifications. They can take the time to craft winning essays. They can even have fun — many scholarships feature creative contests that go well beyond the standard application process.

Ready to get started? Here are 10 of the best scholarships accepting applications in summer 2020.

No. 1: Stuck at Prom Scholarship Contest

Award: $10,000

Deadline: June 8, 2020

How to apply: Submit your creation to the Stuck at Prom Scholarship Contest here

Eligibility: Open to U.S. citizens ages 14 and older

Description: Sponsored by Duck® brand duct tape, this competition requires contestants to design prom wear completely out of tape. Each applicant must create and wear prom attire consisting of either a dress or a tuxedo and accessories made using Duck® brand tape. At least one photo of the ensemble must be submitted along with the application.

Submissions will be judged in the following categories: workmanship, originality, use of colors, and use of duct tape. Start taping!

No. 2: Scholarship Points $10,000 Giveaway

Award: $10,000

Deadline: June 15, 2020

How to apply: Become a member of the Scholarship Points $10,000 Giveaway here

Eligibility: Legal U.S. residents who are at least 13 years of age

Description: The ScholarshipPoints membership program awards more than $100,000 in scholarships to current and future college students each year. Score a scholarship in three easy steps — earn points, enter drawings, and win scholarships.

The only catch is that you have to become a member by filling out the student profile form. (But joining automatically enters you in a $10,000 giveaway.) Once your membership is secured, you can continue racking up points for additional entries by taking surveys, following social media accounts, solving puzzles, and more.

No. 3: Ocean Awareness Student Contest

Award: $1,500

Deadline: June 15, 2020

How to apply: Enter a creative submission to the Ocean Awareness Student Contest here

Eligibility: Students between the ages of 11 and 18 worldwide

Description: The student contest hosted by Bow Seat Ocean Awareness Programs is a great opportunity to add to the global climate change conversation. “Climate Hope: Transforming Crisis” is this year’s contest theme.

Students must create a piece (or pieces) that speak to the theme in one of the following mediums: art, film, interactive and multimedia, music, poetry, or prose. Submissions must include a 100- to 250-word reflection. Tap into your creative side and apply.

No. 4: Delete Cyberbullying Scholarship

Award: $1,000

Deadline: June 30, 2020

How to apply: Submit an application to the Delete Cyberbullying Scholarship here

Eligibility: High school and college students

Description: The Delete Cyberbullying mission is to educate students and parents about cyberbullying and work toward its eradication. The scholarship is an effort to encourage students to commit to the cause.

For entry, students must complete a form and include an essay response to one of two prompts in 500 words or less. Recipient selection is based on the written essay with a focus on creativity, content, and a commitment to the cause of deleting cyberbullying.

No. 5: The John Galt Scholarship for Future Supply Chain Leaders

Award: $10,000

Deadline: July 31, 2020

How to apply: Submit an application to the John Galt Scholarship for Future Supply Chain Leaders here

Eligibility: Current college students who are able to show how their field of study is related to a career in supply chain

Description: John Galt Solutions founded this scholarship to help support the next generation of expert forecasters, demand planners, and supply chain leaders. Applicants must fill out a submission form and detail their qualifications for the scholarship.

Recipients are chosen based on their passion for supply chain, financial need, and dedication to personal growth. The scholarship is distributed in the form of a check made out to the recipient’s educational institution of enrollment.

No. 6: Platt Family Scholarship Prize Essay Contest

Award: $1,500

Deadline: July 31, 2020

How to apply: Email your submission to the Platt Family Scholarship Prize Essay Contest here

Eligibility: Full-time undergraduate students in an American college or university during the spring 2020 semester

Description: The Lincoln Forum is an assembly of people who share a deep interest in the life and times of Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War era. To apply, students submit a 1,500- to 5,000-word essay about the influence of women during Lincoln’s lifetime.

No. 7: SBB Research Group STEM Scholarship

Award: $5,000

Deadline: August 31, 2020

How to apply: Submit an application to the SBB Research Group STEM Scholarship here

Eligibility: STEM students with a GPA of at least GPA of 3.5

Description: SBB Research Group is a Chicago-area investment management firm founded in 2010. This scholarship encourages and empowers students to pursue higher learning through interdisciplinary combinations of science.

Applicants submit an essay that responds to the following question in 500 words or less: What have been your most significant experiences in STEM and how will you use STEM principles to improve the world?

No. 8: The ExpressVPN Future of Privacy Scholarship

Award: $5,000

Deadline: August 31, 2020

How to apply: Submit an application to the ExpressVPN Future of Privacy Scholarship here

Eligibility: High school, college, and graduate students in English-speaking countries

Description: The ExpressVPN Future of Privacy Scholarship was created to raise awareness of internet privacy and security.

To enter, students write a 600- to 800-word essay about whether parents should be able to make privacy decisions for their children. The winner will be featured on their communication platforms.

No. 9: Leaders Save Lives Scholarship Program

Award: $2,500

Deadline: August 31, 2020

How to apply: Find entry information the Leaders Save Lives Scholarship Program here

Eligibility: High school and college students

Description: Partner with the American Red Cross to save lives by coordinating a summer blood drive in your community. Form a recruitment committee and invite friends, family, and community to donate.

To enter the scholarship drawing, your drive needs to bring in 25 pints or more of donated blood. Anything over 25 pints will also automatically score you an Amazon gift card of at least $50. This opportunity is a rewarding way to put your free time to good use this summer.

No. 10: Niche “No Essay” College Scholarship

Award: $2,000

Deadline: End of every month

How to apply: Create an account for the Niche “No Essay” College Scholarship here

Eligibility: High school and college students

Description: Niche is a leading tool to research U.S. colleges, schools, neighborhoods, and companies. Create an account on their website to enter to win their monthly ‘“No Essay” College Scholarship. Could it be any easier?

The winner is selected by random drawing and can use the funds towards any education-related expenses.