Over 30 September Scholarship Opportunities to Apply For

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

• Stafford R. Ultsch Legacy Scholarship: This scholarship seeks to honor the memory of Stafford R. Ultsch by supporting suicide survivors and those affected by suicide—in particular, Texas high school seniors who plan to work in mental health. To apply, share how you’ve been affected by suicide and why you’re pursuing this type of career. Award: $1,500; Deadline: September 1
• Cameron Impact Scholarship: Sponsored by the Bryan Cameron Education Foundation, this award is available for high school seniors 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 8
• 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 26
• 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

• Bright Lights Scholarship: This scholarship is open to high school and undergraduate college students who are first generation and/or are an underrepresented minority. To apply, just share your plans for the future and how this scholarship will help you get there. Two recipients will be chosen. Awards: $500; Deadline: September 15
• CollegeXpress Scholarship for Students of Color: If you’re a POC student who’s enrolled in college this fall, you’re eligible for this scholarship. By simply answering the question “What is your dream career to pursue after high school?” 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)

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
• Stephen W. Cavanaugh Scholarship: Full-time students studying an insurance-related field at a college, university, or community college in Louisiana can apply for this scholarship. The award is given over the course of four years at $1,000 per semester for eight consecutive semesters. Award: $8,000; Deadline: September 1
• ABSFE National Scholarship Program: The American Board of Funeral Service Education offers several scholarships for college students enrolled in Funeral Service or Mortuary Science programs. Applicants may be US citizens, permanent residents, international F1 student visa holders, or students in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. Awards: Up to $2,500; Deadline: September 1 (and March 1)
• Goostree Law Group Bright Futures Scholarship: This scholarship is open to current college students with demonstrated financial need and leadership, determination, and passion in their academic studies and personal lives. Applicants must be US citizens enrolled at an accredited college or university for the fall semester with a minimum 3.0 GPA. A 500–1,000-word essay is also required. Award: $2,500; Deadline: September 28
• The New York Pass Education Scholarship: Go City is helping students enrolled at any US college and university by offering the chance to visit major attractions in New York City for free and providing a one-time academic/travel scholarship. US citizens, permanent residents, and those with current student visas are all eligible. Just look over the New York Pass website and share the attractions you'd love to experience most and why in 280 characters (the length of a tweet). Award: 6 1-day passes for 100+ New York City attractions and a $4,000 scholarship; Deadline: September 29
• Mediation & Conversations Scholarship: The team at Dolan Divorce Lawyers created this scholarship to promote mindfulness and maturity in the communicative sphere, whether between family members and friends, in the workplace, or simply through daily life. Recent high school graduates, undergraduates, and graduate students pursuing any degree may apply if they are US residents and enrolled in a two-to-five-year post-secondary institution for the fall semester. A 750-1,000-word essay about a time you helped mediate a conflict is required. Award: $1,000; Deadline: September 30
• The Justice Solutions Group “Future Mentors” Scholarship: This opportunity is open to domestic, international, and undocumented students enrolled full-time at accredited colleges and universities, including online schools. There is no GPA requirement, but applicants must write an essay between 800–1,500 words on mentorship. Award: $2,500; Deadline: September 30

Scholarships for undergraduate and graduate students

• SBB Research Group STEM Scholarship: With 12 scholarships awarded throughout the year, this opportunity is for full-time students enrolled at colleges and universities and 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: None; applications accepted on a rolling basis
• Dr. 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)
• 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)
• 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)
• First Responders Scholarship: Sponsored by McGraw Law Group, this scholarship is open to enrolled undergraduate, graduate, or law students who have a unique perspective and appreciation of first responders. Applicants must have a minimum 3.0 GPA and can be from outside of Texas, but preference is given to students in McKinney, Denton, Frisco, and Wylie. A 500–1,000-word essay on the role of first responders and your experience as one or with them is required. Award: $1,000; Deadline: September 30
• The Opportunity for Change Scholarship: This scholarship is open to full- and part-time undergraduate and graduate students excelling in any field of study who have had an experience with addiction. Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.0, submit a letter of recommendation, and write an essay that details their personal connection to addiction, their intended career path, and how they hope to make a difference with their education. Award: $500; Deadline: September 30
• Outstanding Citizen Scholarship: This opportunity is open to enrolled community college, undergraduate, graduate, and law school students who possess a proven commitment to community service and citizenry. Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.0, write a 500–1,000-word essay, and provide a letter of recommendation from someone who can attest to their great work on a community service project. Award: $1,000; Deadline: September 30

Scholarships for graduate students and professionals

• Fulbright US Scholar Program: Fulbright offers over 400 awards in more than 135 countries for US citizens to teach, conduct research, and carry out professional projects around the world. College and university faculty as well as artists and professionals from a wide range of fields are eligible to apply. Awards: Amounts vary; Deadline: September 15

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 lives in 15 years. Awards: $1,000; Deadline: None; accepted year-round on a rolling basis
• Survey Junkie Brand Influencer No-Essay Scholarship: Bold.org has partnered with Survey Junkie for this easy contest that’s open to students of all education levels. By sharing your opinions, you’ll earn rewards that you can cash out via PayPal or gift cards. To apply, just join Survey Junkie, earn 500 points, and redeem those points for an eligible reward. Award: $1,000; Deadline: September 1
• BELDON Scholarship: Students seeking degrees in Business, Management, Communications, Marketing, or other related fields are eligible for this opportunity. Applicants 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. Awards: $1,000; Deadline: September 1
• GoSkills Scholarship: Female high school and college students who are pursuing any career field with the goal of starting their own 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 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. You can receive two extra weeks to apply by watching at least one segment of their all-day “pre” Constitution Day program. Awards: $100–$2,000; Deadline: September 17 (with potential extension to September 29)
• DDSRank Dental Scholarship: This scholarship is open to high school seniors, undergrads, and graduate students pursuing dental careers. Applicants must be US residents and submit an 800-word essay on how the internet is reshaping the field of dentistry. Award: $500; Deadline: September 18
• 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, permanent resident, or active student visa holder. Award: $500; Deadline: September 20 (same date every month)
• Because College Is Expensive Scholarship: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors as well as current college and graduate students are eligible for this scholarship sweepstakes. Award: $500; Deadline: September 30 (plus December 31, March 31, and June 30)
• MyMozaic Scholarship: This 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)
• Too Cool for School Scholarship: This quarterly scholarship sweepstakes is easy to enter and open to high school, college, and graduate students of all years and backgrounds, including US residents and DACA, undocumented, or international students studying in the US. 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
• Book Lovers Scholarship: This is the perfect opportunity for students at any education level with a passion for reading. To apply, just answer this question: If you could have everyone in the world read one book, what book would you choose and why? Award: $500; Deadline: September 30
• Don’t Text and Drive Scholarship: This scholarship is open to high school students, undergraduates, and graduate students of all ages. Homeschooled students are also eligible to apply, but applicants must be US citizens or legal residents. Just complete the application form and write a 140-character statement that completes this sentence: I pledge to not text and drive because... Award: $1,000; Deadline: September 30
• CollegeXpress Back-to-School Scholarship: New and existing CollegeXpress users are eligible for this random drawing starting September 1. To enter, just complete your free CX registration (or log back in) and answer the following question in one sentence: What is your favorite subject in school? You can find a new mini scholarship contest every month in the Featured Scholarships section of CollegeXpress.com. Award: $2,000; Deadline: September 30

If you’re looking for even more opportunities to win money for school, check out the CollegeXpress Refer-a-Friend Contest for a chance to win $250 every month!