As students head back to school and get busier, it’s easy to let the scholarship search fall by the wayside—but there are plenty of scholarships with deadlines in September you should be applying for. And if other students pass them up, that means you could have a better chance of winning them with a less competitive applicant pool. So start scrolling, researching, and applying for awards you’re eligible for to help you pay for your higher education. Good luck!
Scholarships for high school students
- College Greenlight Summer Challenge: Sponsored by Cappex, this contest awards you for working on your college search! Applicants must be members of the high school Class of 2023 and part of a college access organization, college readiness program, or charter school. Just complete your Cappex profile, add five colleges to your list, then submit the entry form to apply to win one of two scholarships. Awards: $500; Deadline: September 1
- Cameron Impact Scholarship: Sponsored by the Bryan Cameron Education Foundation, this award is available for high school Class of 2023 students with a minimum 3.7 GPA who are US citizens and plan to make a significant impact on the world. This is not a need-based scholarship. Award: Full tuition for four years; Deadline: September 9
- QuestBridge National College Match: This program is for low-income high school seniors who have excelled academically but feel the nation’s best colleges are financially out of reach. The Match Scholarship offers a generous financial aid package provided by a partner college that covers the full cost of attendance, including tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, and travel expenses. Recipients are also granted early admission along with the four-year scholarship. Awards: Over $200,000; Deadline: September 27
- No Sweat Scholarship: Sponsored by Cirkled In, this opportunity is a cash scholarship you can use for any educational purpose from books to summer camp. US residents 13 years and older in grades eight to 12 can apply by signing up for a Cirkled In account and completing their profile. Accounts are completely free, and there are no GPA or need-based requirements. Award: $2,500; Deadline: September 30
Scholarships for high school and undergraduate students
- MagellanTV Women in STEM Scholarship: Sponsored by MagellanTV, this opportunity is open to college or university students who identify as women and are seeking a higher education in STEM. Applicants must be 18 or older, a US citizen or legal resident, accepted or enrolled as a full-time student, and have a 3.0 GPA or higher. You must submit an essay or video submission on what you’re studying in STEM, why you’re passionate about your area of study, and what you hope to use your education for in the future. Five awards are offered. Awards: $1,000; Deadline: September 1
- 1st Financial Bank Financial Goals Scholarship: This is a monthly scholarship open to US residents who are 18 or older and planning to enroll or are currently enrolled in a college degree program. This is a random drawing, but it does require you to submit a short essay of 500 words or fewer. Award: $2,000; Deadline: September 30 (last day of every month)
Scholarships for undergraduate students
- MaxHome Scholarship: This annual scholarship opportunity is open to US undergraduate students pursuing Business, Marketing, Advertising, Business Management, or other related fields. Applicants must have a minimum 3.5 GPA and submit an essay between 1,000–1,500 words on how technology will influence the future of customer service. Award: $1,500; Deadline: September 1
Scholarships for undergraduate and graduate students
- Joseph and Sonya Landholm Scholarship: This scholarship is for enrolled college students from Nebraska who are pursuing Veterinary Medicine or already licensed practitioners who are NVMA members. Applicants must be planning to obtain or already have certification in Veterinary Acupuncture. Awards: Up to $4,500; Deadline: September 1 (and January 1)
- Horticulture Research Institute Scholarships: The Horticulture Research Institute offers numerous scholarship opportunities for students in undergraduate or graduate Landscape or Horticulture programs. Application requirements vary by award but include state residency, GPA minimum, and area of study within the industry. Applicants must submit a statement of financial need, a personal essay, a résumé, transcripts, and two letters of recommendation. Awards: Up to $5,000; Deadline: September 2
- Margaret McNamara Education Grants, South Africa Program:These educational grants are awarded to women who intend to work to improve the lives of women and children in South Africa. Applicants must be at least 25 years old and a national of a country listed on the MMEG Country Eligibility List. Awards: Up to $15,000; Deadline: September 14
- The Injury Scholarship:This opportunity from The May Firm is for enrolled community college or university students. Applicants must write about a traumatic experience they experienced and how they overcame it. Award: $1,000; Deadline: September 15 (and January 15)
- AfterCollege-AACN Scholarship Fund:Sponsored by AfterCollege and the American Association of College of Nursing, this scholarship is for students pursuing a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate degree in Nursing. Special consideration is given to grad students working to become a nurse educator; completing an RN-to-BSN or MSN program; or enrolled in an accelerated Nursing program. Award: $2,500; Deadline: September 30 (as well as December 31, June 30, and March 31)
- SBB Research Group STEM Scholarship: With 12 scholarships awarded throughout the year, this opportunity is for full-time students who are pursuing STEM fields. Applicants must have a minimum 3.5 GPA and write a short essay about their most significant STEM experiences. This scholarship is open to students worldwide and there are no age restrictions. If chosen, you must accept the award by email within one week of being notified. Award: $2,500; Deadline: Awarded on a rolling basis
Scholarships for graduate students
- HaPI Measurement Scholarship: US-based graduate students pursuing health or psychosocial sciences such as Psychology, Counseling, Sociology, Social Work, Nursing, or Public Health are eligible for this award sponsored by Behavioral Measurement Database Services. Applicants must be in at least the second year of their program. The award is to be used to fund a master thesis, dissertation, or other graduate research project. Award: $500; Deadline: September 1
- AOTF Scholarship: This scholarship is open to full-time students pursuing Occupational Therapy programs. Applicants must have completed at least one full year of coursework related to occupational therapy and answer a short essay question. More than 50 different scholarships are available with only one application form required. Awards: Up to $5,000; Deadline: September 29
Scholarships for (basically) everyone
- Employment BOOST Academic Scholarship: High school seniors as well as two-year and four-year college students in the US with a GPA of 3.6 or higher are eligible for this award. One scholarship is awarded to an applicant who’s pursuing any major or currently undecided, and a second scholarship will be given to a student pursuing a business or STEM field. Applicants in any major must submit an essay on the poem “Howl,” while Business and STEM applicants must submit one on how technology will change their life in 15 years. Awards: $1,000; Deadline: Accepted year-round on a rolling basis
- BELDON Scholarship: Students seeking a degree in Business, Management, Communications, Marketing, or another related field are eligible for this opportunity. Students must have a minimum GPA of 3.5 and submit an essay between 1,500–2,000 words on the top qualities new business partners should maintain for high-quality products and services. Two winners are chosen annually. Award: $1,000; Deadline: September 1
- Environmental Awareness Scholarship: In association with ReuseThisBag.com, this scholarship is open globally to high school students and college students of any age. There are also opportunities for student groups and classrooms to apply. Award: $1,000; Deadline: September 1 (and February 1)
- Show Your Mettle—Women In STEM Scholarship: In the spirit of the sponsor’s goal to help women in STEM shine, any female student pursuing IT or STEM may apply for this award. Applicants must submit an essay of 400–600 words on why you’re pursuing STEM and what obstacles you may face along the way. Award: $1,500; Deadline: September 1
- Scholly Relief Fund: This opportunity from Scholly offers cash assistance for vital expenses that may not come as easy as a result of the pandemic. Winners can use the prize for day-to-day necessities, tuition, debt, or anything else they may need. New disbursements are offered weekly, and applicants must be 18 years or older and a resident of the US. Awards: $1,000; Deadline: September 11
- Fulbright US Student Program: Fulbright is an extremely prestigious program open to high school seniors, undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, and professionals with up to five years of professional study or experience in their field. This award covers all expenses, including travel and a living stipend, for students doing open study/research, serving as an English teaching assistant, or going into in public health or National Geographic Award: Amounts vary; Deadline: September 15
- GoSkills Scholarship:Female high school and college students who are pursuing any career field with the goal of starting their own online business can apply for this scholarship. It’s not based on financial need, GPA, or demographic criteria, and there are no age restrictions. Award: $2,000; Deadline: September 15 (and March 15)
- “We The Future” Contest: This opportunity has various categories for students as young as five years old all the way up to senior citizens over the age of 65. Application submissions (depending on the age of the applicant) can be a poem, holiday card, essay, STEM project, song, PSA, film, or speech. Awards: $100–$2,000; Deadline: September 17
- Innovation in Education Scholarship: This monthly scholarship is open to high school and college students who write an essay on an innovative project they’ve designed that makes a difference in the lives of others. Applicants must have a minimum 3.0 GPA and be a US or Canadian citizen. Award: $500; Deadline: September 20 (same date every month)
- Because College Is Expensive Scholarship: High school juniors and seniors as well as current college students and adults looking to attend college or graduate school are eligible for this scholarship sweepstakes. Award: $500; Deadline: September 30 (plus December 31, March 31, and June 30)
- MyMozaic Scholarship: MyMozaic’s monthly scholarship sweepstakes is open to US citizens who are 13 years and older. All you have to do is provide your email to apply. Award: $1,000; Deadline: September 30 (last day of every month)
- OppU Achievers Scholarship: This scholarship is open to high school seniors as well as college, graduate, professional, and trade school students who are US citizens with a minimum GPA of 3.0. College-aged applicants must be attending at least part-time to be eligible for this quarterly award, which requires all applicants to submit a short essay. Award: $2,500; Deadline: September 30 (as well as December 31, March 31, and June 30)
- Too Cool for School Scholarship: Open to high school, college, and graduate students of all years who are US residents or DACA, undocumented, or international students studying in the US, this scholarship sweepstakes is easy to enter. No essay is required; just submit a simple application form. Award: $1,000; Deadline: September 30 (as well as December 31, March 31, and June 30)
- Shout It Out Scholarship: Applicants must be 14 years or older and a legal US resident to be eligible for this scholarship from Unigo. Just submit a response to this question in 250 words or fewer: If you could say one thing to the entire world at once, what would it be and why? The “loudest” student wins! Award: $1,500; Deadline: September 30
- CollegeXpress Scholarship for Students of Color: If you’re a POC student who’s enrolling in college this fall, you’re eligible for this scholarship. By simply answering the question “Who is your hero?” in just one sentence, you’ll be entered to win a $1,500 scholarship that can be used at any CollegeXpress featured college or university, plus have $500 donated to a charity of your choice. This scholarship is offered once every quarter. Award: $2,000; Deadline: September 30 (as well as December 31, March 31, and June 30)
- CollegeXpress Fall Flavor Giveaway: New and existing CollegeXpress users are eligible for this random drawing starting September 1. To enter, just complete your free CX registration and answer the following question in one sentence: What is your favorite fall flavor or treat? You can find a new mini scholarship contest every month in the Featured Scholarships section of CollegeXpress.com. Award: $500 + $100 coffee shop gift card; Deadline: September 30
If you’re looking for even more opportunities to win monthly scholarships, check out the CollegeXpress Refer-a-Friend Scholarship for a chance to win $500 every month!
