Top College Scholarships to Apply for This Fall

The fall semester brings a return to classes. College students tackle papers and exams. They dive back into clubs and sports. Life is busy, and for many, there’s an added responsibility:

Finding a way to pay for tuition.

Scholarships can be a great way to reduce the cost of an education. Unlike student loans, they don’t need to be paid back. They’re highly competitive, but qualified students stand to take home tens of thousands of dollars.

When applying for scholarships, it’s important to find the ones that match your qualifications. That’s why we organized these 15 great opportunities according to eligibility requirements. From financial need to extracurriculars, there’s something for everyone.

Take a look!

Top scholarships by race and ethnicity

5 Strong Scholarship

Award: $50,000

Deadline: December 1, 2020

How to apply: Submit an application to the 5 Strong Scholarship

Eligibility: Minority students who reside in Atlanta

The 5 Strong Scholarship Foundation is dedicated to building cohorts of five college-ready scholars from Atlanta and the surrounding areas, placing them on the campuses of HBCUs, and providing full tuition and support from matriculation through graduation. Applicants must be residents of the Atlanta, GA, metropolitan area and meet GPA and test score requirements.

Haz La U Educational Grant Program

Award: $2,000-$15,000

Deadline: December 6, 2020

How to apply: Submit an application to the Haz La U Educational Grant Program

Eligibility: High school seniors of Hispanic heritage

A partnership between Colgate-Palmolive and the Hispanic Heritage Foundation, the Haz La U Program encourages Hispanic youth to pursue higher education by providing financial relief. The 31 educational grants offer a total of $100,000. Applicants must be high school seniors of Hispanic heritage (including Spain, Brazil, and the Philippines) and either a U.S. permanent resident, a U.S. citizen, or qualify under DACA.

Illustrating Awesomeness Scholarship

Award: $750

Deadline: December 1, 2020

How to apply: Submit an application to the Illustrating Awesomeness Scholarship

Eligibility: Women or gender nonconforming individuals of color

The Illustrating Awesomeness Scholarship awards students who are working to change the world. Applicants must self-identify as a woman or gender noncomforming individual of color and must be high school seniors or undergraduate students. To apply, submit an essay of up to 500 words or a 5-minute video on the following prompt: “Who are you and how are you going to change the world?”

Top scholarships for LGBTQIAP+

Jonathan Lax Scholarship Fund for Gay Men

Award: $5,000-$10,000

Deadline: November 2, 2020

How to apply: Submit an application to the Jonathan Lax Scholarship Fund for Gay Men

Eligibility: Gay men who reside in or attend school in Philadelphia

Established by the late entrepreneur and inventor Jonathan R. Lax, the Jonathan Lax Scholarship encourages gay men to pursue higher education, aspire to socially conscious careers, be vocal about their sexual orientation, and act as role models for other gay men in their communities. Applicants must be gay men who are either from the Philadelphia area and attending an accredited professional program, or are from elsewhere and attending a professional program within the Philadelphia region.

Top scholarships for military

Tonalaw Veteran’s Scholarship

Award: $1,000

Deadline: November 30, 2020

How to apply: Submit an application to the Tonalaw Veteran’s Scholarship

Eligibility: Veterans of any branch of the Armed Forces of the United States

The Tonalaw Veteran’s Scholarship is open to all U.S. veterans of any branch in the military. Applicants must have served in the U.S. military and must attend a U.S. institution. The award is distributed in both the fall and spring — the next deadline is November 30.

Top scholarship for disabled persons

The Anne Ford Scholarship

Award: $10,000

Deadline: November 2021

How to Apply: Submit an application to the Anne Ford Scholarship

Eligibility: High school senior with a documented learning disability

The Anne Ford Scholarship is granted to a graduating high school senior with a documented learning disability and/or ADHD who articulates their challenges and demonstrates the importance of self-advocacy in their plans to pursue a four-year degree. Applicants must meet certain academic requirements; demonstrate financial need; provide current documentation of an identified learning disability (LD) and/or ADHD; and have utilized services, supports, and/or accommodations. As a note, LD and ADHD can co-occur with other issues such as speech/language, hearing, and vision.

Top scholarship by extracurriculars

DoSomething.org Easy Scholarships

Award: Varies

Deadline: Varies

How to Apply: Apply for a campaign to the DoSomething.org Easy Scholarships

Eligibility: Students 25 years or younger

Are you a volunteer-minded student, under 25 years of age? Then check out DoSomething.org. The global nonprofit encourages young people to complete community service for a chance to win scholarship money. No essays required. Browse the different campaigns — all with varying requirements and deadlines — and enter in order to win money. Not ready to attend college yet? DoSomething will hold on to your winnings without a time limit, so this is a great opportunity for high schoolers to start applying early.

Foot Locker Scholar Athletes Program

Award: $20,000

Deadline: January 2021

How to Apply: Submit an application to the Foot Locker Scholar Athletes Program

Eligibility: High school senior athletes

The Foot Locker Scholar Athletes program rewards student-athletes for balancing academics and leadership in sports. Applicants must demonstrate leadership in three areas: within a sport, school, and community. If you’ve created a positive impact on those around you, apply now.

The UncommonGoods Scholarship

Award: $1,000

Deadline: December 15, 2020

How to Apply: Submit a portfolio to the UncommonGoods Scholarship

Eligibility: Undergraduate and graduate student artists

Students pursuing a creative field of study should apply to the UncommonGoods Scholarship. This scholarship rewards student-artists who are just starting out. Undergraduate and graduate students can apply. Submit an application including an artist’s statement and three examples from your portfolio that show creativity, art, or design within your major. One winner is chosen each fall and spring — the next deadline is December 15.

NCWIT Award for Aspirations in Computing

Award: Varies

Deadline: November 5, 2020

How to apply: Submit an application to the NCWIT Award for Aspirations in Computing

Eligibility: High schoolers who self-identify as women, genderqueer, or nonbinary

The NCWIT Award honors 9th-12th grade students for computing-related achievements. Applicants must self-identify as women, genderqueer, or nonbinary and must demonstrate aptitude for technology and computing. There is a multi-tiered reward structure, including a winner, honorable mention, rising star, and certificate of distinction designations.

USBC Chuck Hall Star of Tomorrow

Award: $6,000

Deadline: December 1, 2020

How to apply: Submit an application to the USBC Chuck Hall Star of Tomorrow

Eligibility: High school and college male bowlers

The USBC Chuck Hall Star of Tomorrow award recognizes male bowlers. Applicants must be high school seniors or college students. Winners must demonstrate a distinguished certified bowling performance at the local, regional, state, and national levels.

Top scholarships for financial need

Horatio Alger Scholarships

Award: $2,500 - $55,000

Deadline: Varies

How to apply: Submit an application to the Horatio Alger Scholarships

Eligibility: High school seniors with financial need

The Horatio Alger Association assists students with a demonstrated financial need who have overcome adversity. Applicants must be high school seniors with a gross family income of $55,000 or lower. There are state scholarships, a national scholarship, a career and technical school scholarship, and targeted scholarships available. Check the website for specific deadlines and eligibility requirements.

Top scholarship for open eligibility

CC Bank’s Young Scholars Scholarship

Award: $2,000

Deadline: December 31, 2020

How to apply: Submit an application to the CC Bank’s Young Scholars Scholarship

Eligibility: High school seniors and college students

CC Bank awards an annual scholarship to five students in order to help young scholars achieve their potential. Applicants must be under 30 years old, have a minimum GPA of 3.0, and be enrolled in a U.S college at the time of award.

Equitable Excellence Scholarship

Award: $2,500-$25,000

Deadline: December 15, 2020

How to apply: Submit an application to the Equitable Excellence Scholarship

Eligibility: High school seniors

The Equitable Excellence Scholarship is open eligibility and awards students for their positive and lasting impact on their communities. Applicants must demonstrate their drive, determination, and strong character. Each year, the scholarship awards over $1.8 million to students across the country. So what are you waiting for? Apply now.