The leaves aren't the only things dropping over the next few months: you've got college deadlines, standardized test dates, college visits, and scholarship application deadlines. Yes, all of the things are happening at once, but we're here to make it simpler for you. Below are all of the reasons you should be applying for scholarships now – as well as which scholarships are worth you're precious time.
The personal statement that you're including in your college application? Use it for a scholarship application. Asking your school counselor for transcripts? Request extra.
Plus, many of the most prestigious and lucrative scholarship application deadlines occur in the fall. To miss them now is to miss out on thousands of dollars in potential scholarship winnings.
Furthermore, many students do not consider applying to scholarships until after they've received their financial aid packages, and paying for college becomes a more final concept in the college application process. Applying now may mean less competition and more time dedicated to winning scholarships.
For instance, if your dream college is a financial reach for you and your family, but you secure an outside scholarship, you can apply early decision to that school without worrying about whether you can afford it. By applying for and winning scholarships in the fall, your college decision is less about what you can afford and more about what you really want for your ideal college experience.
Available to: High School Seniors The National Honor Society Scholarship is awarded to high school seniors who have been inducted into the National Honor Society. You must be nominated through your high school NHS chapter to be eligible for this award.
Available to: Undergraduate & Graduate Students The Future of Connectivity Essay Scholarship is open to undergraduate and graduate students. To be considered for this award, you must be majoring in computer science, cybersecurity, data analytics, IT Management, network systems administration, software application development, business administration, marketing, or a related field. You must also submit a short bio and a 1,000-word essay that responds to the prompt: "You're living in the year 2035, how have Internet-enabled devices impacted your life or the world around you?"
Available to: High School & College Students The ServiceScape Scholarship is available to students who are 18 years of age and older. To be considered, you must submit a 300 - word essay on the following topic: "How does writing impact today's world?"
Why Fall is a Good Time to Apply for Scholarships
As a high school senior, you probably feel like your plate is really full right now, and it is, especially if you're applying early decision or admission. Many early decision and early admission deadlines fall in October and November. So why add one more thing? Because college and scholarship applications go hand-in-hand. Oftentimes, the requirements you must meet for a college application are the same needed for a scholarship application: a form, a personal statement, transcripts, and more. Essentially, you can streamline both processes by making them one.How Getting Scholarships Early Can Support Early Decision Applications
Applying for scholarships earlier rather than later helps to provide students with a more complete picture of how much college will cost. Along with early decision acceptance letters often comes merit aid – or academic scholarship – notifications from the school. Between outside scholarships and merit scholarships offered by the school, students can see how much financial aid is necessary to pay for a particular school. Depending on whether you win scholarships, this could also lead to less reliance on student loans. Squaring away your funding now means less need later, which ultimately impacts your final college decision.Military and Veteran Journalism Fund Grant
Amount: $10,000 Deadline: 11/11/25 Available to: Undergraduate & Graduate Students The Military and Veteran Journalism Fund Grant is open to those over the age of 18. You must be a U.S. citizen, and be involved in one of the following groups: Freelance journalists, veterans/active members, military family members, journalism students, and those working in industries/non-profit/government supporting military/veterans are encouraged to apply.Jack Kent Cooke Foundation College Scholarship Program
Amount: $25,000 Deadline: 11/12/25 Available to: High School Seniors The JKCF College Scholarship Program is open to high school seniors who intend to enroll in a four-year college in the fall. You must have a minimum GPA of 3.5 and demonstrate significant financial need to qualify for this award. Selection is also based on persistence, leadership, and a desire to help others.Future of Architecture Scholarship
Award Amount: $2,500 Deadline: 11/14/25 Available to: Undergraduate & Graduate Students The Future of Architecture Scholarship is open to undergraduate and graduate students. You must be enrolled in a U.S.-based college or university and be majoring in architecture or a closely related field, such as urban planning, interior design, or environmental design.Arizona Breaking Barriers Student-Athlete Scholarship
Award Amount: $3,000 Deadline: 11/14/25 Available to: High School Seniors The Arizona Breaking Barriers Student-Athlete Scholarship is open to high school seniors who reside in the state of Arizona. You must participate on a high school or other organized sporting team, such as a league or club, plan to attend an in-state college or university in the fall, have a minimum 3.0 GPA, and demonstrate financial need to be eligible for this award.Sustainability Scholarship for Rising College Seniors
Award Amount: $2,500 Deadline: 11/15/25 Available to: College Juniors The Sustainability Scholarship for Rising College Seniors is available to full - time college juniors who are passionate about environmental stewardship and committed to building a more sustainable world. You must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 to be considered for this award.Edvisors $2,500 Monthly Scholarship
Award Amount: $2,500 Deadline: 11/15/25 Available to: High School & College Students One $2,500 scholarship is awarded each month. No GPA, no essay, and no hassle needed to win this scholarship. Simply sign up to be automatically entered into the scholarship.Aspiring Therapists Scholarship
Award Amount: $1,000 Deadline: 11/15/25 Available to: Graduate Students The Aspiring Therapists Scholarship is available to graduate students. You must be pursuing licensure as a professional counselor or marriage and family therapist to be eligible for this award. Students who are passionate about trauma-informed and inclusive care, plan to work in private practice, are committed to affirming LGBTQIA+ and underrepresented communities or pursuing second careers are encouraged to apply.National Honor Society Scholarship
Award Amount: $3,200 - $25,000 Deadline: 11/24/25Available to: High School Seniors The National Honor Society Scholarship is awarded to high school seniors who have been inducted into the National Honor Society. You must be nominated through your high school NHS chapter to be eligible for this award.
Future of Connectivity Essay Scholarship
Award Amount: $2,500 Deadline: 11/25/25Available to: Undergraduate & Graduate Students The Future of Connectivity Essay Scholarship is open to undergraduate and graduate students. To be considered for this award, you must be majoring in computer science, cybersecurity, data analytics, IT Management, network systems administration, software application development, business administration, marketing, or a related field. You must also submit a short bio and a 1,000-word essay that responds to the prompt: "You're living in the year 2035, how have Internet-enabled devices impacted your life or the world around you?"
ServiceScape Scholarship
Award Amount: $1,000 Deadline: 11/29/25Available to: High School & College Students The ServiceScape Scholarship is available to students who are 18 years of age and older. To be considered, you must submit a 300 - word essay on the following topic: "How does writing impact today's world?"