Need-Based Scholarships: What You Need to Know

What are Need-Based Scholarships?

Need-based scholarships are generally awarded to students and families who can demonstrate financial need. The scholarship application process usually requires proof of income or financial hardship.

Financial-Need Scholarships and Grants

STEM to Flowers Scholarship

Deadline: 5/31/25
Award Amount: $500 The STEM to Flowers Scholarship is available to female high school seniors and college freshmen. You must be pursuing a degree in a STEM field and demonstrate financial need to be eligible for this award.

Texas CattleWomen High School Scholarship

Deadline: 6/1/25 Award Amount: $1,000 The Texas CattleWomen High School Scholarship is available to high school seniors residing in Texas. You must have a minimum 3.0 GPA and enroll in an agricultural related program at a Texas college or university to be eligible for this award. Selection may also be based on financial need, potential for continuing education, participation in school activities, leadership and interest in the production and consumption of beef.

Cnect Scholarship

Deadline: 6/1/25
Award Amount: $5,000 The Cnect Scholarship is available to undergraduate students. You must demonstrate financial need and a commitment to leveraging technology and innovation to create meaningful change to be considered for this award.

Oregon Opportunity Grant

Deadline: Rolling Award Amount: $900 - $7,500 The Oregon Opportunity Grant is available to students of all ages who are pursuing their first associate or bachelor's degree at an eligible public or private institution. To be eligible for this award, you must demonstrate financial need, have been a resident of Oregon for at least one year, be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen, and be enrolled on at least a half-time basis (six credit hours).

GHF Emerge Scholarship

Deadline: Rolling Award Amount: $1,000 The GHF Emerge Scholarship is available to students interested in pursuing a career in Nursing. You must demonstrate financial need and be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen to be considered for this award.

Boundless Opportunity Scholarship

Deadline: Rolling Award Amount: Varies The Boundless Opportunity Scholarship is open to non-traditional students residing in Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming. You must demonstrate financial need, academic promise, strength of character, leadership potential, a well - rounded personality, and willingness to give back to the community to be eligible for this award.

CIA Assistance Grant

Deadline: Rolling Award Amount: $1,000 - $5,000 The CIA Assistance Grant is available to students in a degree program at Culinary Institute of America. You must demonstrate financial to be eligible for this grant.

Alice Belkin Memorial Scholarship

Deadline: Rolling Award Amount: $4,000 The Alice Belkin Memorial Scholarship is available to graduate students at UCLA. You must be from an underrepresented cultural, racial, linguistic, geographic or socioeconomic background. You must have an interest in international relations and globalization and have at least a 3.0 GPA. You must demonstrate financial need and be a US citizen or permanent resident to be eligible for this award. A statement of interest and two letters of recommendation are required with your application.

The Gates Scholarship

Deadline: Deadline Passed – Check back for the 2025 scholarship details. Award Amount: Full-Tuition The Gates Scholarship is available to African - American, American Indian / Alaska Native, Asian / Pacific Islander American, and / or Hispanic American high school seniors. You must have a minimum 3.3 GPA and be Pell-eligible to be considered for this award.

Who Qualifies for Need-Based Scholarships?

To qualify for need-based scholarships, a student must submit their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Some scholarship providers may require prior-year tax information from the student's parents or legal guardians.

Types of Need-Based Scholarships

There are a variety of need-based scholarships. Such as the following: • Federal Need-Based Scholarships • State Need-Based Scholarships • Nonprofit and Private Need-Based Scholarships • College and University Need-Based Scholarships It's important to understand that financial aid and scholarships are not the same thing. Both terms can often be used incorrectly. Students apply for need-based scholarships and are asked to prove their need for financial support. Federal and state financial aid cannot be given if a student has not s their FAFSA and meets the qualifications to receive financial aid.

Writing a Financial Need Scholarship Essay

If you're applying for a need-based scholarship that requires an essay. Be sure to follow the essay prompts. Some need-based scholarship applications may want the student applicant to explain their financial situation and/or struggles to pay for an education. Meanwhile, other need-based scholarship application prompts may not be financially focused.

Additional Financial Resources

Consider checking out the following resources for more information related to financial support and opportunities to help you pay for school: Public Service Careers that Will Pay for Your College Degree What’s the FAFSA? And Why Should You Care? Are Financial Aid and Scholarships the Same Thing? 10 Ways to Pay for College That You May Not Have Considered Billions in Financial Aid Goes Unclaimed Every Year Save time by getting scholarship matches that fit YOU; create your free Fastweb profile today!