Girls Write Now mentees have earned scholarships including Posse, Questbridge, Capstone, CAGNEY, Ascend Educational Fund, Samuel H. Scripps, the Presidential Scholarship and many more—including awards directly through the colleges they attend! Pro tip: Call colleges and ask what kind of funding they provide. You can still get scholarships after you’ve matriculated and started college.
Scholarship Essay Writing & Tips
- Learn how to write a scholarship essay here
- Tips on finding and getting scholarships
- Students and Financial Literacy
Scholarships for High School Students
Scholarships for Students of Color
- Sallie Mae Bridging the Dream Scholarship Program: For high school seniors helps make the dream of higher education a reality for outstanding students from marginalized and other historically underserved communities.
- The Gates Scholarship: For outstanding BIPOC high school seniors from low-income households.
- Soar Over Hate: Bright Futures Scholarship: $2000 essay-based scholarship for five incoming Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) 12th graders in New York City who demonstrate financial need (Application due July 15)
Scholarships & Resources for Undocumented Students
For undocumented students with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status who are not eligible for federal student aid funds, but may be eligible for financial aid from the state government or the college, depending on where they live or go to school. Play close attention to eligibility requirements.
- MALDEF Scholarship Resource Guide: The MALDEF Scholarship Resource Guide contains dozens of scholarship and contest opportunities, many of which are available to undocumented students. Some of our favorites are included in this list.
- QuestBridge College Prep Scholarship: For Academically outstanding high school juniors from families earning less than $65,000/year for a family of four. (Applications opens in February of your junior year and are due in March)
- QuestBridge National College Match Scholarship: For academically outstanding high school seniors from households earning less than $65,000/year for a typical family of four. (Applications due September 28)
- The Dream National Scholarship: For highly motivated undocumented students with significant, unmet financial need, enrolled or intending to enroll in a bachelor’s degree program. Must have graduated or will graduate high school by the end of 21-22′ academic year. (Applications due February 28)
- Hispanic Scholarship Fund: For graduating high school senior and undergraduate students of Hispanic heritage planning to enroll full-time in university. Applicants must be U.S. citizens, permanent legal residents, or DACA recipients (Applications due March 15)
- Ayn Rand Fountainhead Essay Contest: For 11th and 12th grade students worldwide (Applications due April 28)
- Ayn Rand Anthem Essay Contest: For 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students worldwide aged 13 or older (Applications due April 28)
- The Dream Opportunity Scholarship for Locked-Out Dreamers: For undocumented students who live in states where they effectively have no access to college. Must have graduated high school or will graduate high school in 21-22′ academic year. (Applications due January 31)
- The HOPE Scholarship with Bard High School Early College: Offers financial assistance towards the cost of tuition and books at the transfer school of the BHSEC student’s choice.
- Ascend Educational Fund Scholarship: For immigrant students and children of immigrants who are graduating from a New York City high school and planning to enroll in college in 2022-2023. (Applications due February 4)
- DREAM Act Application for CUNY and SUNY
- Guide for Undocumented Students
- BestColleges Guide for DACA and Undocumented Students
- Undocumented Student Tuition Overview
Arts-Based & Creative Writing Scholarships
- John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Essay Contest (Applications due January 14)
- “Be Bold” No-Essay Scholarship: The $25,000 “Be Bold” Scholarship is a no-essay scholarship that will be awarded to the applicant with the boldest profile. Open to students of all ages. (Applications due Feb 1)
- Grow My Ads $1,000 Scholarship Program: For current undergraduates or high school seniors accepted into a university program for the upcoming summer. (Applications due February 28, 2022)
- ABPA Harrington-Arthur Memorial Scholarship Essay Competition (Applications due March 15, 2022)
- Ayn Rand Fountainhead Essay Contest: For 11th and 12th grade students worldwide (Applications due April 28)
- Ayn Rand Anthem Essay Contest: For 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students worldwide aged 13 or older (Applications due April 28)
- YouthPLAYS New Voices One-Act Competition for Young Playwrights (Applications due May 1)
- 2022 Changemakers Award (Applications due May 1, 2022)
- Greater than Gatsby Annual Scholarship: For undergraduate, graduate and recently-accepted high school students majoring in any type of art, communications, english, film, fine arts, journalism, multimedia, photography and visual arts. (Applications due May 1)
- Elevate Mental Health Awareness Scholarship (Applications due June 31, 2022)
- Right Channel Radios Scholarship: For current college students and high school seniors 18 years of age or older. (Applications due July 31, 2022)
- Love Your Career Scholarship: Open to any student who will be enrolled in a college or University at the time of the next deadline (Applications for Winter semester due January 10, applications for Fall semester September 10)
- Penguin Random House U.S. Creative Writing Awards (Applications accepted beginning October)
- Voice of Democracy Scholarship (Applications due October 31)
- Young Writers Awards (Applications due November 1)
- Patricia Grodd Poetry Prize for Young Writers (Applications accepted November 1 through November 30)
- Scholastic Scholarships: Multiple arts-based scholarships of varying award amounts for high school students.(Applications due beginning December 1)
- Unigo 10K Scholarships (Applications due December 31)
Scholarships for Students from Low-Income Backgrounds
- Dell Scholars: For grade 11 and 12 students who have completed a college-readiness program and demonstrate a need for financial assistance. (Applications due December 1)
- Jack Kent Cooke College Scholarship: 12th graders must apply by October of their senior year; family income must be <$95,000.
ASAP, EOP, HEOP, TAP and SEEK Programs (NY-Based and for NYS Residents)
- Accelerated Study in Associate Programs (ASAP Program) with CUNY Community Colleges
- Education Opportunity Program (EOP) with SUNY
Scholarships for LGBTQIA+ Students
- New York Ramblers Scholarship: For student athletes grade 12 or higher pursuing an undergraduate education who self-identify publicly as LGBTQ+ or demonstrated and committed straight allies. (Applications due Mar 1)
- Scholarships for LGBTQ Students: Study.com has compiled a list of scholarships for LGBTQ+ students.
- Scholarships and Resources for LGBTQIA+ Students
Big-Time Scholarships
Among the most competitive, and largest, scholarships
- The Coolidge Scholarship For America: For high school juniors intending to enroll full-time at an accredited U.S. college or university as an undergraduate for the first time in fall 2023. (Applications due January 26)
- QuestBridge College Prep Scholarship: For academically outstanding high school juniors from families earning less than $65,000/year for a family of four. (Applications opens in February of your junior year and are due in March)
- Cameron Impact Scholarship: For high school juniors. (Applications available in February, early decision deadline in early May, regular decision deadline in early September)
- QuestBridge National College Match Scholarship: For academically outstanding high school seniors from households earning less than $65,000/year for a typical family of four. (Applications due September 28)
- Posse Scholarship: High School students must be nominated.
- Stamps Scholarship: Apply through their partner universities/colleges.
Tuition Free Colleges & Scholarship Opportunities for Low-Income Students
- Excelsior Scholarship (CUNY and SUNY)
- Amherst College (Private)
- Berea College (Private)
- Brown University (Private)
- Columbia University (Private)
- Macaulay Honors College at CUNY
- Princeton University (Private)
- Stanford University (Private)
- Swarthmore College (Private)
- Webb Institute (Private)
- University of Pennsylvania (Private)
- Vanderbilt University (Private)
Scholarships & Opportunities Specific to Field-of-Study
- Robertson Scholars: Joint program between UNC Chapel Hill and Duke for students who have demonstrated potential to become great leaders in college and beyond (Applications for High School applicants due November 15, applications for current Duke and UNC First-Year students due January 2)
- E-Regan Scholars: Applicants must demonstrate attributes of leadership, drive, integrity, and citizenship at school, at the workplace, and within the community. For high school students planning to enroll in a full-time undergraduate course of study toward a bachelor’s degree at an accredited four-year college or university in the United States for the entire upcoming academic year.(Applications due January 6)
- Princeton Prize in Race Relations: For high school students who have undertaken significant efforts to advance racial equity and understanding in their schools and communities. Winners will receive an award of $1,000 and are invited to participate in a Symposium on Race. (Applications due January 31)
- Nicholas J. Bartilucci Environmental Scholarship: For high school students living in New York Enrolled full-time in a B.S. or B.E. degree program with an emphasis on public service. (Applications due February 28)
- CodeWizardsHQ Educational Scholarship: Priority given to students applying to STEM programs. Must be a high school senior or incoming college freshman. (Applications due May 1)
- Intel Science Talent Search: Prestigious science and mathematics competition for high school seniors. (Applications open June 1-November 10)
- ISN Skilled Trade and Technology Scholarships: For high school seniors and college students pursuing a degree that enables yourself or others to learn a new trade and develop technology. (Applications accepted on a rolling basis)
NYS Resident & NY-Based Scholarships
For students who are New York residents attending a school in New York.
Scholarships for College Students & Young Professionals
Scholarships for Students of Color
- Apple HBCU Scholars Program: The Apple HBCU Scholars Program is for outstanding students attending a Historically Black College or University. (Applications accepted on a rolling basis)
- The LAGRANT Foundation (Applications due February 28, 2022)
- Study.com Scholarship for Indigenous Students: $500 Scholarship opportunity open to Indigenous students currently earning their undergraduate degree or accepted and planning to next year. (Applications due May 1, 2022)
- Study.com Cherokee Nation Scholarship: $500 scholarship open to any Cherokee student currently earning their undergraduate degree or high school seniors accepted and planning to next year. (Applications due May 1, 2022)
- Study.com Navajo Nation Scholarship: $500 scholarship open to any Navajo student currently earning their undergraduate degree or high school seniors accepted and planning to next year. (Applications due May 1, 2022)
- Future Black Leaders Scholarship: The Future Black Leaders Scholarship will be awarded to one Black undergraduate student who has large ambitions for their college and working careers.
- Pearson Scholarships guide for people of color
Scholarships & Resources for Undocumented Students
For undocumented students with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status who are not eligible for federal student aid funds, but may be eligible for financial aid from the state government or the college, depending on where they live or go to school. Play close attention to eligibility requirements.
- MALDEF Scholarship Resource Guide: The MALDEF Scholarship Resource Guide contains dozens of scholarship and contest opportunities, many of which are available to undocumented students. Some of our favorites are included in this list.
- Radio Television Digital News Association Scholarship: For full time sophomore, junior and senior college students pursuing careers in radio, television, or digital journalism. Open to non-US citizens that hold a US Taxpayer Identification Number. (Applications due January 12)
- Elie Weisel Prize in Ethics: For registered undergraduate full-time Juniors or Seniors at accredited four-year colleges in the U.S. (Applications due January 18)
- The Dream National Scholarship: For highly motivated undocumented students with significant, unmet financial need, enrolled or intending to enroll in a bachelor’s degree program. Must have graduated or will graduate high school by the end of 21-22′ academic year. (Applications due February 28)
- Hispanic Scholarship Fund: For graduating high school senior and undergraduate students of Hispanic heritage planning to enroll full-time in university. Applicants must be U.S. citizens, permanent legal residents, or DACA recipients. (Applications due March 15)
- The Dream Opportunity Scholarship for Locked-Out Dreamers: For undocumented students who live in states where they effectively have no access to college. Must have graduated high school or will graduate high school in 21-22′ academic year. (Applications due January 31)
- Davis Putter Scholarship Fund: Need-based scholarships awarded to students who are able to do academic work at the college or university level or are enrolled in a trade or technical program and who are active in the progressive movement. (Applications due April 1)
- DREAM Act Application for CUNY and SUNY
- Guide for Undocumented Students
- BestColleges Guide for Undocumented Students
- Undocumented Student Tuition Overview
Arts & Writing-Based Scholarships
- Love Your Career Scholarship: Open to any student who will be enrolled in a college or University at the time of the next deadline (Applications for Winter semester due January 10, applications for Fall semester September 10)
- Unigo Education Matters Scholarship (Applications due November 30)
- Unigo 10K Scholarships (Applications due December 31)
- Unigo 10 Things You Love About You Scholarship (Applications due December 31)
- “Be Bold” No-Essay Scholarship: The $25,000 “Be Bold” Scholarship is a no-essay scholarship that will be awarded to the applicant with the boldest profile. Open to students of all ages. (Applications due Feb 1)
- Grow My Ads $1,000 Scholarship Program: For current undergraduates or high school seniors accepted into a university program for the upcoming summer. (Applications due February 28, 2022)
- Greater than Gatsby Annual Scholarship: For undergraduate, graduate and recently-accepted high school students majoring in any type of art, communications, english, film, fine arts, journalism, multimedia, photography and visual arts. (Applications due May 1)
- 2022 Changemakers Award (Applications due May 1, 2022)
- Elevate Mental Health Awareness Scholarship (Applications due June 31, 2022)
- Right Channel Radios Scholarship: For current college students and high school seniors 18 years of age or older. (Applications due July 31, 2022)
Scholarships for Students from Low-Income Backgrounds
- P.E.O. Program for Continuing Education (PCE): A need-based grant program providing one-time financial assistance of up to $3,000 to women whose education has been interrupted and who find it necessary to return to school to complete a degree or certification that improves their marketable skills for employment to support themselves and/or their families.
Scholarships & Resources for LGBTQIA+ Students
- Scholarships and Resources for LGBTQIA+ Students
- Point Foundation Scholarship: For LGBTQ-identifying students enrolled or intending to enroll at an accredited college or university based in the United States, including Hawaii and Alaska, in the fall of 2022. (Applications due January 23)
- New York Ramblers Scholarship: For student athletes pursuing an undergraduate education who self-identify publicly as LGBTQ+ or demonstrated and committed straight allies. (Applications due Mar 1)
- Scholarships for LGBTQ Students: Study.com has compiled a list of scholarships for LGBTQ+ students.
Big-Time Scholarships
Among the most competitive, and largest, scholarships
- Sorpotimist Live Your Dream Award (Applications due November 15)
- Adobe Research Women-in-Technology Scholarship: A $10,000 scholarship will be given to outstanding female undergraduate and master’s students studying artificial intelligence/machine learning, data science, computer science or mobile/web development at North American universities. First year undergraduate students are not eligible.
- Thomas J. Watson Fellowship: For graduating college seniors at a Watson partner institution who wish to conduct research abroad for a year following graduation.
- National Institutes of Health (NIH) Undergraduate Scholarship Program (UGSP): For students from disadvantaged backgrounds who are committed to careers in biomedical, behavioral, and social science health-related research. Must be enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a full-time student at an accredited 4-year undergraduate institution located in the United States of America. (Applications due March 17)
- Davis Putter Scholarship Fund: Need-based scholarships awarded to students who are able to do academic work at the college or university level or are enrolled in a trade or technical program and who are active in the progressive movement. (Applications due April 1)
Scholarships Specific to Interest or Field-of-Study
- Robertson Scholars: Joint program between UNC Chapel Hill and Duke for students who have demonstrated potential to become great leaders in college and beyond (Applications for High School applicants due November 15, applications for current Duke and UNC First-Year students due January 2)
- Islamic Scholarship Fund National Scholarships: For Muslim U.S. citizens enrolled at an accredited university by August 2022 and majoring in media, politics or another ISF supported major. (Applications due March 21)
- Women in STEM Scholarship: A $3000 award will be given to a woman who is pursuing an undergraduate or master’s degree and are majoring in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics during the 2022 school year. (Applications due April 15)
- CodeWizardsHQ Educational Scholarship: Priority given to students applying to STEM programs. Must be a high school senior or incoming college freshman. (Applications due May 1)
- A Pup Above $1000 Scholarship Program: For students of veterinary medicine, postgraduate students in veterinary science studies, or another closely related field. (Applications due July 15)
- Adobe Research Women-in-Technology Scholarship: A $10,000 scholarship will be given to outstanding female undergraduate and master’s students studying artificial intelligence/machine learning, data science, computer science or mobile/web development at North American universities. First year undergraduate students are not eligible.
- ISN Skilled Trade and Technology Scholarships: For high school seniors and college students pursuing a degree that enables yourself or others to learn a new trade and develop technology. (Applications accepted on a rolling basis)
NYS Resident & NY-Based Scholarships
For students who are New York residents attending a school in New York.
Big-Time Scholarships
Big-Time Scholarships for High School Students
- The Coolidge Scholarship For America: For high school juniors intending to enroll full-time at an accredited U.S. college or university as an undergraduate for the first time in fall 2023. (Applications due January 26)
- QuestBridge College Prep Scholarship: For Academically outstanding high school juniors from families earning less than $65,000/year for a family of four. (Applications opens in February of your junior year and are due in March)
- Cameron Impact Scholarship: For high school juniors. (Applications available in February, early decision deadline in early May, regular decision deadline in early September)
- QuestBridge National College Match Scholarship: For academically outstanding high school seniors from households earning less than $65,000/year for a typical family of four. (Applications due September 28)
- Posse Scholarship: High School students must be nominated.
- Stamps Scholarship: Apply through their partner universities/colleges.
Big-Time Scholarships for College Students
- Sorpotimist Live Your Dream Award (Applications due November 15)
- Adobe Research Women-in-Technology Scholarship: A $10,000 scholarship will be given to outstanding female undergraduate and master’s students studying artificial intelligence/machine learning, data science, computer science or mobile/web development at North American universities. First year undergraduate students are not eligible.
- Thomas J. Watson Fellowship: For graduating college seniors at a Watson partner institution who wish to conduct research abroad for a year following graduation.
- National Institutes of Health (NIH) Undergraduate Scholarship Program (UGSP): For students from disadvantaged backgrounds who are committed to careers in biomedical, behavioral, and social science health-related research. Must be enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a full-time student at an accredited 4-year undergraduate institution located in the United States of America. (Applications due March 17)
- Davis Putter Scholarship Fund: Need-based scholarships awarded to students who are able to do academic work at the college or university level or are enrolled in a trade or technical program and who are active in the progressive movement. (Applications due April 1)
ASAP, EOP, HEOP, TAP & SEEK Programs (NY-Based and for NYS Residents)
Provide academic and financial assistance to students who are financially and academically disadvantaged. Students must also be New York residents and attend college in New York.
- Accelerated Study in Associate Programs (ASAP Program) with CUNY Community Colleges
- Education Opportunity Program (EOP) with SUNY
- Arthur O. Eve Higher Education Program (HEOP) with NY-Private Colleges
- Search for Education, Elevation, and Knowledge (SEEK) with CUNY
- Tuition Assistance Program (TAP)
Online Scholarship & Federal Grants Resources
- Bankrate 5 best scholarships for Latino students
- Best Colleges Financial Aid Opportunities for Students of Color
- Best Colleges Financial Education Resources
- Best Colleges Scholarships for Hispanic and Latino/a Students
- Study.com Scholarship Resources for Students of Color
- Study.com Student Scholarships
- Scholarships & Online Resources for Public Health Students
- fastweb.com
- Scholarships.com
- Daughters of the American Revolution Scholarships
- NYS Higher Education Services – Types of Financial Aid
- Unigo.com
- Scholarshipmonkey.com
- uncf.org
Don’t forget to call colleges and ask what kind of funding they provide. You can still get scholarships after you’ve matriculated and started college.
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