Lately we've received some Facebook posts from discouraged prospective college students worried about applying for scholarships so late in the game. But even though many scholarship deadlines are already past, there are plenty of organizations out there still looking to give you money for college as soon as this upcoming fall semester. It just requires a little digging to find them.
We've uncovered some excellent essay contests and scholarship opportunities available both to high school students and current college students. And to the overachievers out there—you don't have to stop turning out scholarship applications just yet! There are plenty more scholarship opportunities available.
[Explore the U.S. News guide to paying for college.]
To give you a nice head start, we did some preliminary digging for you and discovered these generous awards, listed in alphabetical order:
1. Abbott and Fenner Business Solutions gives away a $1,000 scholarship based on responses to their essay question. You must be currently registered at an accredited postsecondary institution to win. Deadline June 18.
2. Antique Trader is holding a 500-1,000-word essay contest, which will be scored primarily on originality and depth of content. One high school senior or college freshman will be awarded a $3,000 scholarship. Deadline July 15.
3. Ayn Rand Institute sponsors annual essay contests that offer 680 prizes and more than $99,000 in prize money every year. You can still submit essays for three of the four contests. The essay contests are open to both American and international students. Deadlines vary.
[Read more about scholarship sources for international students.]
4. DoSomething.org and AT&T are teaming up to offer $35,000 in scholarships to students who are committed to rethinking what's possible and making a difference. Deadline April 26.
5. Financial Service Centers of America awards a minimum of $2,000 to at least two college-bound high school seniors, but the deadline is fast approaching, so hurry up and apply. Deadline April 15.
6. Flag Manufacturers Association of America (FMAA) is giving away two $1,000 awards to high school seniors. Applicants must submit five copies of a video explaining what the United States flag means to them, as well as a statement of your future plans. Deadline June 1.
7. Nordstrom is awarding 80 $10,000 scholarships to high school juniors who live and attend school in one of the 28 participating states designated by Nordstrom. Deadline May 16.
8. Zinch.com hosts a three-sentence essay contest every week. All you have to do is write three sentences based on the weekly essay contest, and you are eligible to win $1,000. One winner is selected on a weekly basis. Deadline varies.
Michelle Showalter joined Scholarship America in 2007 and is an alumna of Luther College in Decorah, Iowa.
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