As a scholarship expert and consultant, I’m constantly searching for and studying different scholarship opportunities for students. As every award offered is an opportunity for the recipient to reduce their educational expenses, finding them and sharing them is always exciting for me. I see scholarships as a vehicle to positively transform the future for a person seeking to advance their education. And there’s one scholarship category that every serious seeker should be on the lookout for—a category that can be planned for and can multiply the number of applications a seeker expedites. This category of scholarships is called “non-fixed.”
What are non-fixed scholarships?
Non-fixed scholarships are award opportunities that most (if not all) scholarship seekers can apply for if they plan ahead to qualify. Eligibility is not fixed with a specific gender, ethnicity, demonstrated financial need, academic pursuit, or athletic participation for these opportunities. Rather, non-fixed scholarships offered by companies, organizations, and foundations traditionally require an applicant to create or expedite a project or write about a concept or idea. Non-fixed scholarships are exciting opportunities because most students can apply for them. The key strategies for non-fixed scholarships include:
- Identifying non-fixed scholarships with deadlines three to six months out in order to make a plan of action to expedite the required project or essay.
- Looking at past projects or essays from former award recipients to learn more about what the committee is looking for.
- Connecting with scholarship seekers who are a couple years ahead of you in the educational journey. Their knowledge of non-fixed scholarships they applied for can assist you in your search process.
- Marking the opportunity in your scholarship calendar to repeat your application every year it’s offered. Most non-fixed scholarships are offered for various educational levels. If you don’t have time to apply for it now, you can plan to apply for it in the future.
Related: Why the Scholarship Search Matters, Plus Quick Tips and Tricks
Non-fixed scholarship opportunities
The following are examples of non-fixed scholarship opportunities that you can (and should!) take advantage of to help pay for your college education.
AFA’s Teen Alzheimer’s Awareness College Scholarship
Sponsored by the Alzheimer’s Association of America, the Teen Alzheimer’s Awareness College Scholarship is open to US high school seniors who write an essay of up to 1,500 words describing the impact that Alzheimer’s disease or other dementia-related illnesses have had on themselves, their families, or their communities. The first-place award is $5,000, with additional awards for runners-up. The deadline is April 1 but may change each year.
ASHG DNA Day Essay Contest
Sponsored by the American Society of Human Genetics, the DNA Day Essay Contest is open to students in grades 9–12 worldwide. Applicants must write an essay about genetics; this could be a great opportunity to use ready-to-go materials like essays, papers, or other work you’ve already completed for school. Cash prizes go up to $1,000, and the application deadline falls in early March.
AWM Student Essay Contest
The Association for Women in Mathematics and Math for America’s Student Essay Contest is open to all middle school, high school, and undergraduate students worldwide. You don't have to be a woman to apply, and you don’t have to use the cash prize for educational expenses. Applicants are required to interview an individual who identifies as a woman and is currently working in or retired from a mathematical career. Award amounts vary, and the deadline is February 1 each year.
Science Without Borders® Challenge
The Science Without Borders® Challenge scholarship is open to students ages 11–19. This opportunity inspires students to promote public awareness of the need to preserve, protect, and restore the world’s oceans and aquatic resources through art. This is an international competition open to students worldwide. Awards go up to $500, and the annual deadline falls around the beginning of March.
Vegetarian Resource Group Scholarships
The Vegetarian Resource Group Scholarship is open to high school seniors who have promoted vegetarianism in their schools and/or communities. This scholarship publicly posts how many applications were received in previous years, so use that information to conduct and expedite your application. Awards of up to $10,000 are offered with a deadline of February 20.
Related: The 3 Easiest Steps to Winning Scholarships
Scholarship seekers are never limited by their academic pursuits, GPA, clubs, sports, community service efforts, or demonstrated leadership. Private companies and organizations have created many different awards that are attainable to any scholarship seeker who simply puts in a little effort to meet the requirements. Almost any individual has the opportunity to pursue these non-fixed scholarships, so make a plan to apply for them every year!
Find more great non-fixed scholarship opportunities using our Scholarship Search tool.
