The end of the semester is right around the corner and I’m sure you've been pulling all-nighters (or pulling your hair out, like me) in attempts to get those last big assignments in. While it may be hard to see past the looming challenge of finals, we have to keep in mind the steps that still need to be taken to get next semester lined up, which means finding ways to pay for another year of classes. If you haven’t already filled out a ton of scholarship applications, then you’re missing out on some easy potential free money that’s just waiting out there for someone to claim. Due dates for many scholarships are fast approaching, but there are still a few that you can get done in no time and submit before it’s too late.
1. MoolahSPOT, $1,000
MoolahSPOT is an online database that links students to potential scholarship opportunities and offers a scholarship of their own for a cool grand. The essay component is the archetypal “tell us why you rock” situation, but the word cap is a mere 400, and they don’t mind if you copy and paste an essay that you’ve already written for another scholarship or even a previous class assignment.
2. PFLAG National Scholarship Program, $5,000
PFLAG (previously know as Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) is an organization created to promote unity between the LGBTQ community and allies. They offer scholarship awards that start at $1,000 and max at $5,000. This opportunity is aimed toward LGBT high school students looking to enter higher education. The essay requires students to show their interest in service to the LGBT community.
3. Mattress Clarity Scholarship, $1,000
The Mattress Clarity scholarship breaks up a bit of the monotony of the scholarship process. Instead of an essay, students are asked to film a two to five minute video. It is available to high school seniors and currently enrolled college students. Video applications should show how students plan to impact the online media industries of their respective fields of study after graduation. Applicants should accurately describe the ways that their education will help them make this impact, as well as the factors that have motivated them up to this point.
4. Harbor Breeze Cruises Advertising and Social Media Scholarship, $1,000
This scholarship recognizes the pivotal role that a good social media presence can have on the marketing success of any given business. The essay asks students to consider how social media may evolve over the next couple of years and predict what the next generation of consumers may expect from advertising via social platforms. Students should propose thoughtful ways that companies can stand out and proceed to reach a broader audience of millennials. Students are also asked to submit a photo of themselves, as well as a letter of recommendation from one of their teachers, which may help to add a dimension of academic merit to their applications.
5. WyzAnt College scholarship, $10,000!
Wyzant is offering a unique opportunity for this kind of scholarship. The first place winner will receive $10,000 and finalists will be decided by a popular vote. This means that in order to win this huge sum of cash, all you have to do is write a 300-word essay on a person who has inspired you and spread it on social media! The highest rated applicants will be reviewed for consideration.
All in all, this list racks up almost $20,000 in scholarship funds. None of these applications should take much time to complete, and some of them can even be consolidated to use the same general essay response. The important thing to remember about scholarships is that you are guaranteed to get nothing if you don’t fill out any. So set aside a few hours this weekend and treat yourself to some free college cash!
