50 Scholarships for College Students You Can Apply for Today

Unlock the funding you need to pursue higher education — without debt!

Scholarships can be transformative for learners seeking financial support. This comprehensive guide outlines 50 top scholarships for college students — including merit-based, need-based, international, STEM, minority, and niche opportunities — you can apply for right now.

Whether you’re a current undergraduate, aspiring graduate student, or international applicant, this guide will help you find funding opportunities that match your profile. Let’s dive in!

What Are Scholarships for College Students?

Scholarships for college students are financial awards that don’t need to be repaid. Unlike student loans, they provide free money for education — covering tuition, living expenses, books, travel, research, and more. Scholarships are offered by governments, universities, private foundations, corporations, nonprofits, and international organizations.

How to Use This List

• See the award value and eligibility first to determine best matches.
• Look for application deadlines and requirements (essays, transcripts, GPA, recommendations).
• Many scholarships are renewable each year.
• Use scholarship search platforms like Scholly to personalize matches. (Wikipedia)

Top 50 Scholarships for College Students (2025–26)

1–10: Major Merit & National Scholarships

1. Coca-Cola Scholars Program – $20,000+ for leadership and service students. (scholarshipinstitute.org)
2. Jack Kent Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship – Up to $40,000/year. (Wikipedia)
3. Jefferson Scholarship (UVA) – Full tuition, room & board for elite scholars. (Wikipedia)
4. National Merit Scholarship – Prestigious award based on PSAT/SAT results. (Midland Reporter-Telegram)
5. Fulbright Foreign Student Program – Full funding for graduate study. (The Global Posts 24)
6. Knight-Hennessy Scholars (Stanford) – Up to $100,000+ for graduate students. (OYA Opportunities)
7. Stamps Scholarship – Full tuition + enrichment funds at partner universities. (OYA Opportunities)
8. Be Bold No-Essay Scholarship – $25,000 with minimal requirements. (Scholarships360)
9. GeneTex STEM Scholarship – $2,000 for STEM majors. (Scholarships360)
10. Donald A. Strauss Scholarship – Awards leadership & academic excellence.

11–20: Need-Based & Financial Need Scholarships

11. P.E.O. International Peace Scholarship – Up to $12,500 for women. (Scholarships360)
12. Margaret McNamara Education Grants – $15,000+ for global women leaders. (Scholarships360)
13. MPOWER Global Citizen Scholarship – $1,000–$8,000 for international students. (Scholarships360)
14. International Student Scholarship (MPOWER Women in STEM) – Up to $5,000. (Scholarships360)
15. Minority Access Alumni Scholarship – Need-based support for underrepresented groups.
16. Laredo Spirit Scholarship – Competitive scholarship for high school to college transitioners. (Laredo Morning Times)
17. HCCF Scholarships – $100,000+ distributed through multiple awards. (Huron Daily Tribune)
18. MyMichigan Healthcare Scholarships – Covers various healthcare degree paths. (Midland Daily News)
19. PTDF Undergraduate Scholarship (Nigeria) – Funding for students in oil and gas-related engineering. (Nigeria University)
20. Agbami Medical and Engineering Scholarship (Nigeria) – Up to N200,000 annually. (Nigeria University)

21–30: STEM, Business & Specialized Fields

21. Dell Scholars Program – $20,000 + support and a laptop. (PALS Learning Center North Edison)
22. Barry Goldwater Scholarship – Up to $70,000 for STEM research. (Reddit)
23. Amazon Future Engineer Scholarship – Scholarship for CS & engineering majors. (Reddit)
24. Science Ambassador Scholarship – Full tuition for women in STEM. (Reddit)
25. NSF Graduate Research Fellowship – $34,000/year for STEM grad students.
26. Hispanic STEM Scholarship – Support focused on science and mathematics careers.
27. Google Generation Scholarship – Up to $10,000 for underrepresented CS students. (Reddit)
28. Society of Manufacturing Engineers Scholarship – $20,000 for manufacturing majors. (Reddit)
29. Vegetarian Resource Group Scholarships – Promotes nutrition advocacy. (Reddit)
30. Environmental Studies Scholarships – Awards for earth sciences and sustainability majors.

31–40: Diversity & Inclusion Scholarships

31. Ron Brown Scholar Program – $40,000 for African American leaders. (Reddit)
32. Gates Scholarship – Full funding for minority students. (Reddit)
33. Ronald McDonald House Charities Scholarships – Regional awards for need.
34. Hispanic Scholarship Fund Awards – Up to $5,000. (Reddit)
35. First-Generation College Student Grants – Support for trailblazing scholars. (Plainview Herald)
36. Women in Leadership Scholarships – Funding for future female leaders.
37. LGBTQ+ Academic Scholarships – Inclusive awards for LGBTQ+ students. (Project Success)
38. Students of Integrity Scholarship – $2,500+ based on overcoming challenges. (Project Success)
39. Burger King Scholars Program – $1,000–$50,000 for community leadership. (Project Success)
40. National Honor Society Scholarship – Up to $25,000. (Reddit)

41–50: International & Global Opportunity Scholarships

41. Fulbright Foreign Student Scholarships – Fully funded study abroad. (The Global Posts 24)
42. AAUW International Fellowships – Awards up to $25,000 for master’s/PhD. (OYA Opportunities)
43. Mandela Rhodes Scholarship (Africa) – Leadership and postgraduate support. (Reddit)
44. Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC) – Full coverage in China. (Reddit)
45. Japanese MEXT Scholarship – Japan government funding for degrees. (Reddit)
46. Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program – Covers tuition, travel, and more. (Reddit)
47. OAS Academic Scholarship Programs – Up to $10,000 for Caribbean students. (Scholarships360)
48. American University Emerging Global Leader Scholarship – Full tuition for global changemakers. (The Global Posts 24)
49. Wien International Scholarship (Brandeis) – Meets full demonstrated need. (The Global Posts 24)
50. Global Citizen Scholarships – Support for multicultural student leaders. (Scholarships360)

Tips to Maximize Your Scholarship Success

1. Start Early & Stay Organized

Create a calendar with deadlines, requirements, and submission statuses. Many scholarships close months before the academic year begins.

2. Tailor Every Application

Customize essays and recommendation requests for each scholarship — admissions officers can tell when it’s generic.

3. Strong Essays Win

Focus on your unique story, leadership, impact, and challenges you’ve overcome.

4. Ask for Help

Teachers, mentors, and college counselors can give invaluable feedback on essays and applications.

5. Use Scholarship Tools

Platforms like Scholly, Scholarships360, and ScholarHive match you to scholarships based on your profile. (Wikipedia)

FAQs About Scholarships for College Students

Q: Do I have to repay scholarship money?
A: No — scholarships do not have to be repaid, unlike student loans.

Q: Can I apply for multiple scholarships?
A: Yes! Applying to many increases your chance of winning funding.

Q: Are there scholarships for international students?
A: Absolutely — many programs are tailored for global applicants (see #41–50 above). (Scholarships360)

Final Word

Scholarships are one of the smartest ways to fund your college education without the burden of debt. With 50 high-impact opportunities listed above, you now have a roadmap to finding financial support that aligns with your goals and profile.

Start applying today, stay persistent, and remember — every application brings you one step closer to your dream education!