Snow isn't the only thing 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 and winter. 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 & College Students The Microsoft Office Specialist U.S. National Championship is available to students between the ages of 13 and 22. The competition tests students' skills on Microsoft Office Word, Excel, and PowerPoint applications. Top students are invited to represent their respective states at the U.S. National Championship and compete for financial prizes.
Available to: High School & College Students The My Big Audacious (MBA) Dream Giveaway is open to female students who are planning to pursue an MBA within the next five years. To be considered, you must submit a 250 - word essay explaining what an MBA would mean for you and your career.
Available to: High School & College Students The Fastweb Invite a Friend Sweepstakes is open to registered Fastweb members who are legal residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia, and who are at least sixteen (16) years of age. You must log into your Fastweb account to obtain your personal referral link. For each person who registers for Fastweb via your personal referral link during the Promotion Period, you and your referral will be entered as a pair into the current drawing.
Available to: High School Seniors & College Students The Rove Pest Control Scholarship is available to high school and full - time college students. You must have a minimum 3.0 GPA to be eligible for this award. Special consideration will be given to students pursuing a degree in entomology or a related field.
Available to: High School & College Students The Custom Sock Lab Scholarship is open to high schools and undergraduate and graduate students. You must be pursuing a degree in art, design, fashion, or a related field to be eligible for this award. A 300 to - 500 - word essay is also required.
Why Winter is a Good Time to Apply for Scholarships
Many early decision and early admission deadlines fall in October, November, and some into December. 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.Future Leaders in Technology Scholarship
Amount: $2,000 Deadline: 12/1/25 Available to: High School Seniors & College Freshmen The Future Leaders in Technology Scholarship is available to high school seniors and college freshmen. You must be pursuing a degree in a STEM field to be eligible for this award.DoD SMART Scholarship Program
Amount: Full - Tuition Deadline: 12/5/25 Available to: Undergraduate & Graduate Students The DoD SMART Scholarship Program is available to undergraduate and graduate students. You must be pursuing a technical degree in one of the 21 STEM disciplines, have a minimum GPA of 3.0 and be able to participate in summer internships and willing to accept postgraduate employment at the Department of Defense to be eligible for this award. Recipients of this full - tuition award will also receive an annual stipend of $30,000 to $46,000.Burger King Scholars Program
Amount: $1,000 - $60,000 Deadline: 12/15/25 Available to: High School Seniors The Burger King Scholars Program is open to graduating high school seniors, Burger King employees, and the spouse / domestic partners, and children of employees in the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico. You must have a minimum 2.0 GPA to be eligible for this award.Science Ambassador Scholarship
Amount: $20,000 Deadline: 12/15/25 Available to: High School Seniors & Undergraduate Students The Science Ambassador Scholarship is available to women and non - binary high school seniors and undergraduate students who are pursuing a degree in a STEM field. To be considered, you must submit a three - minute educational video of yourself explaining a topic in science that you are passionate about.Edvisors $2,500 Monthly Scholarship
Amount: $2,500 Deadline: 12/15/25 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.Coolidge Scholarship
Award Amount: 100% of Tuition Deadline: 12/16/25 Available to: High School Juniors The Coolidge Scholarship is available to high school juniors. You must have a distinguished academic record, demonstrate an interest in public policy, and demonstrate a sense of humility and service to be considered for this award.Microsoft Office Specialist U.S. National Championship
Amount: $1,000 - $3,000 Deadline: 12/19/25Available to: High School & College Students The Microsoft Office Specialist U.S. National Championship is available to students between the ages of 13 and 22. The competition tests students' skills on Microsoft Office Word, Excel, and PowerPoint applications. Top students are invited to represent their respective states at the U.S. National Championship and compete for financial prizes.
EK Insurance Scholarship
Amount: $500 Deadline: 12/30/25 Available to: Undergraduate & Graduate Students The EK Insurance Scholarship is available to full - time students. You must submit a 60 - second video essay on the topic of daycare / childcare insurance, flood insurance, or earthquake insurance to be eligible for this award.My Big Audacious (MBA) Dream Giveaway
Award Amount: $1,000 Deadline: 12/31/25Available to: High School & College Students The My Big Audacious (MBA) Dream Giveaway is open to female students who are planning to pursue an MBA within the next five years. To be considered, you must submit a 250 - word essay explaining what an MBA would mean for you and your career.
Fall 2025 Fastweb Invite a Friend Sweepstakes
Award Amount: $1,000 Deadline: 12/31/25Available to: High School & College Students The Fastweb Invite a Friend Sweepstakes is open to registered Fastweb members who are legal residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia, and who are at least sixteen (16) years of age. You must log into your Fastweb account to obtain your personal referral link. For each person who registers for Fastweb via your personal referral link during the Promotion Period, you and your referral will be entered as a pair into the current drawing.
InspireCraft Scholarship
Amount: $500 Deadline: 12/31/25 Available to: Undergraduate & Graduate Students The InspireCraft Scholarship is available to students who are at least 18 years of age. You must demonstrate an interest in arts, crafts, decoration, or a related field of study to be eligible for this award.Signs.inc Scholarship
Amount: $1,000 Deadline: 12/31/25 Available to: Undergraduate & Graduate Students The Signs.inc Scholarship is available to high school seniors and undergraduate students. To be considered, you must submit a 300 - word essay on one of the following topics: "How does signage influence the way we experience spaces — from businesses and schools to cities and communities?" or "The future of signage: How will technology and design shape visual communication in the next decade?" You may also write about a personal project or experience where signage or visual design made a meaningful impact.Financial Goals Scholarship
Amount: $2,000 Deadline: 12/31/25 Available to: Undergraduate & Graduate Students The Financial Goals Scholarship is available to students who are 18 years of age or older. To be considered, you must submit a 500 - word essay on a personal finance topic.Rove Pest Control Scholarship
Amount: $500 Deadline: 12/31/25Available to: High School Seniors & College Students The Rove Pest Control Scholarship is available to high school and full - time college students. You must have a minimum 3.0 GPA to be eligible for this award. Special consideration will be given to students pursuing a degree in entomology or a related field.
Niche $50,000 "No Essay" Scholarship
Amount: $50,000 Deadline: 12/31/25 Available to: High School & College Students Help cover the cost of college without writing a single essay! Niche is giving one student $50,000 to help pay for tuition, housing, books and other college expenses — no essay required!Custom Sock Lab Scholarship
Award Amount: $500 Deadline: 12/31/25Available to: High School & College Students The Custom Sock Lab Scholarship is open to high schools and undergraduate and graduate students. You must be pursuing a degree in art, design, fashion, or a related field to be eligible for this award. A 300 to - 500 - word essay is also required.