no essay scholarships

No Essay Scholarships

If you ask the average student why they don’t apply for scholarships, many will say it's because they don't think they can win. However, another common reason dissuading them is that it can be a big hassle to apply. Not only do you have to complete an application, but you also often have to meet other requirements, like getting a letter of recommendation, submitting your official transcript and writing an essay . The essay is one key reason that many students put off applying for a scholarship. It’s time-consuming and exhausting, especially when you have to juggle homework, extracurriculars, and more. That's where no-essay scholarships come in. These scholarships do not require written essays so students can apply without wringing their hands. Read below to learn more about no-essay scholarships, where to find them, and how to apply.

Continue reading the article below the scholarship list.

25 No Essay Scholarships with Approaching Deadlines

Niche $2,000 no essay scholarship.

• Amount $2,000
• Deadline August 31, 2024

The $2,000 No Essay Scholarship is open to high school student all the way up to, and including, graduate school students. Scholarship Details $2,000 No Essay Scholarship for tuition and any other college-related expenses No essay requirement. Eligibility High school, college or grad school students. Specific criteria can be found in the official scholarship

$2,000 Sallie Mae Scholarship

Sallie Mae is offering a straightforward monthly scholarship opportunity, awarding $2,000 to eligible entrants. No essays or account sign-ups are required—just a simple scholarship for individuals seeking financial assistance for their education. Scholarship Details Monthly award of $2,000. No essay or account sign-ups needed. Eligibility Criteria Open to individuals seeking financial

$25,000 Be Bold No-Essay Scholarship

• Amount $25,000
• Deadline September 1, 2024

This is your chance to win the $25,000 "Be Bold" Scholarship, a no-essay scholarship designed for individuals with bold profiles. Designed for students like you, who are pushing yourselves to succeed and educate yourselves, this scholarship celebrates determination and ambition. By joining the platform, you can spotlight your goals, accomplishments, and drive directly to scholarship panels

Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award

• Amount $10,000
• Deadline September 2, 2024

The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation supports talented musicians from limited financial backgrounds through its scholarship programs and sponsorship of the Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award. The Foundation recognizes that musically talented youth from low-income families often lack the funding for private lessons, master classes, quality instruments, summer programs, and performance experiences. These

Edvisors $2,500 Scholarship

• Amount $2,500
• Deadline September 15, 2024

Edvisors offers resources on everything from planning & paying for college to creating your first budget. Let us start to help you on your journey through one of our monthly scholarship opportunities! Applicant Requirements: At least thirteen (13) years of age or older on the date of entry A U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident of the fifty (50) united States or District of

L. Ron Hubbard Illustrators of The Future Contest

• Amount $5,000
• Deadline September 30, 2024

L. Ron Hubbard’s Illustrators of the Future Contest is an opportunity for new science fiction and fantasy artists worldwide to have their work judged by some of the masters in the field and discovered by a wide audience. Scholarship Details A historic and influential contest in the fields of science fiction and fantasy art. Open to new science fiction and fantasy artists worldwide.

$2,000 No Essay CollegeVine Scholarship

CollegeVine is dedicated to becoming the trusted source of lifelong guidance for the next generation, assisting millions of families in finding paths toward better life outcomes. The CollegeVine platform not only helps you secure admission to your dream school but also supports you in financing your education by connecting you with advisors, current college students, peers, and admissions

ConnectHER Film Festival

• Deadline October 1, 2024

The ConnectHER Film Festival welcomes submissions that focus on issues that affect the lives of women and girls with a special emphasis on amplifying BIPOC voices. Films, be they animated, documentary or narrative, must be related to any of the following themes, all centered around women’s issues: refugees/IDPs, war and conflict, political enfranchisement and power, gender inequality, ending

VFW Voice of Democracy Competition

• Amount $35,000
• Deadline October 31, 2024

Since 1947, the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) has dedicated itself to fostering patriotism and nurturing the potential of the future generation. The Voice of Democracy audio-essay program, initiated by the VFW, provides a remarkable platform for high school students (grades 9-12) to express their thoughts on democratic and patriotic themes through recorded essays. The national first place winner

National Rice Month Scholarship Contest

National Rice Month is a time to celebrate the harvest of the small but mighty grain that has captivated Americans’ hearts and stomachs for more than 300 years. Nearly 85 percent of the rice consumed in the United States is grown right here on family farms across six states: Arkansas, California, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, and Texas. That’s a fun fact that not many people are aware of and

Cards Against Humanity Science Ambassador Scholarship

• Amount $160,000
• Deadline December 13, 2024

The Science Ambassador Scholarship aims to empower and recognize the academic contributions of women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math). To apply, prospective candidates are required to create a three-minute educational video showcasing their passion for a STEM topic. The scholarship emphasizes creativity, accuracy, and a demonstrable enthusiasm for the chosen subject.

Taco Bell Live Más Scholarship

• Deadline January 3, 2025

The Live Más Scholarship is for students who are pursuing higher education, preparing for the workforce, or channeling their passion into transformative changes in their communities and beyond. Our belief in your potential is unwavering and we support you at every stage of your journey, whether you're just beginning to recognize your strengths, or you're already making strides in bringing your

Virginia Arts Festival Model NATO Challenge

• Deadline January 12, 2025

The Model NATO Challenge is a scholarship competition in which the top applicants along with alternates are chosen to participate in a mock global crisis simulation, confronting issues facing today’s NATO Alliance. Student Diplomats are chosen to represent each of the NATO Member Nations. Student Diplomats must work together to address a crisis scenario such as piracy, immigration, or another

SCAD Challenge Film Scholarship Competition

• Amount $4,000
• Deadline February 12, 2025

The SCAD Challenge Film Competition offers high school juniors and seniors the opportunity to screen their short films in an online showcase and connect with their filmmaker peers. Winning films will demonstrate originality, craftsmanship and creative use of technical tools. Students who do not have access to high-quality film equipment should view this limitation as an opportunity to demonstrate

Master of Fine Arts Scholarship Competition and Exhibition

• Deadline March 1, 2025

This competition, targeting MFA students in visual arts from universities in Washington, Oregon, and Idaho, offers a unique opportunity to showcase artistic talents. Eligible students must have completed at least one term and have one remaining in their program. The selection focuses on artistic merit, and the competition includes an exhibit opportunity with the Allied Arts Association. This is

ISF Film Scholarship

• Deadline March 21, 2025

To be eligible for the ISF Film Scholarship, applicants must: be Muslim or active members of the Muslim community; be enrolled full-time at an accredited university in the U.S. by August (or employed full-time in an ISF Supported Field and a part-time student at an accredited university in the U.S); be an undergraduate (at least an incoming junior or senior) or of graduate standing (master's,

Doodle for Google Scholarship

• Amount $55,000

Google has always been known as a champion for creativity and for creating environments where ideas blossom into innovations, but with the Google for Doodle Scholarship, this philosophy is extended to the arts. Through this competition, artistic students have the opportunity to craft an original "doodle" that brings their personal goals and creativity to life - on a global stage. This year's

The Joseph M. Fannell Creative and Performing Arts Scholarship

• Deadline March 31, 2025

Through its Scholarships and Grant the Joseph M. Fannell Memorial Foundation hopes to be able to meet a portion of the financial need of those young people who are pursuing a career in the Creative and Performing Arts. For those interested in applying for a scholarship or grant, applications are open from February 11th and will remain open until April 30th, the deadline for

The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences National Scholarships

• Amount $20,000

The academy awards memorial scholarships for Univision, McKenzie Family, Jim McKay, Douglas W. Mummert, Mike Wallace, The NATAS Trustees Scholarship and the NATAS' Inclusion scholarship. Scholarship Details Univision Memorial Scholarship: For students passionate about Spanish-language television McKenzie Family Memorial Scholarship: For students pursuing a degree in communications Jim

Stuck At Prom Scholarship Contest

• Amount $15,000
• Deadline June 5, 2025

Submit your Duck Tape® promwear from now until 12pm ET (noon) June 5th for a chance to win up to $15,000! Create and wear your original promwear using Duck® Brand Duct Tape and/or Duck® Brand Crafting Tape. Remember to take a high resolution pic of the big moment! See official rules for details. Eligibility Criteria Open to high school students or those in a home school association (at the

One Earth Film Festival Young Filmmakers Contest

• Amount $1,000
• Deadline June 25, 2025

One Earth Young Filmmakers Contest is open to students from third grade through college. Each film submission is based on one or several of the following topics: water, waste, food, transportation, energy, open space, and ecosystems. All entries must be between 3 and 8 minutes in length. Submissions are open to Elementary, Middle School, High School, Undergraduate and Graduate, as well as

Barbara Caras Memorial Scholarship for Film Studies

• Deadline July 31, 2025

To be eligible for the Barbaras Caras Memorial Scholarship for Film Studies, applicants must be residents of Sarasota or Manatee County, Florida who have completed at least one full year at an accredited Florida college. Must be currently enrolled in one of the following majors: Computer Animation, Creative Writing, Motion Design, Illustration or Film and must provide at least one sample of their

What Is a No-Essay Scholarship?

Like the name suggests, a no-essay scholarship is a scholarship that does not require a written essay. However, that doesn't mean that you won’t have to provide some information about yourself. Sometimes you will have the choice of recording a video instead of submitting a written essay.

For example, the Stuck at Prom Scholarship is awarded to a student who creates an inspiring and creative dress or tux using Duck Tape. One $10,000 scholarship will be awarded to each winner from the dress and tux category, and there are several runner-up awards too. Applicants have to describe their creation in either a written essay or in video form.

Types of No-Essay Scholarships

There are several kinds of no-essay scholarships that students can apply for. Here are the most popular types:

Scholarship Sweepstakes

A scholarship sweepstakes is a type of no-essay scholarship. Scholarship sweepstakes are scholarships where students are chosen randomly, like a lottery. For example, the Niche $2,000 No Essay Scholarship chooses a winner at random. As long as you complete the application by the due date and meet the basic requirements, you’ll have a shot at winning.

Applicants usually don't have to submit other common scholarship requirements, like transcripts or letters of recommendation. Some sweepstakes scholarships are given out more than once a year. For example, College Board's BigFuture Scholarship is given out every month. Students can win either $500 or $40,000. There is no essay required. Instead, the College Board requires that you complete several steps that will help your overall college application process.

You have to enter every month to be considered, so don't think that one application is enough. Set a recurring reminder in your calendar so you don’t forget.

Video Scholarships

Some no-essay scholarships may not necessarily be easier to apply for than a scholarship that requires an essay. If a video contest scholarship wants a 5-minute video about why you deserve to win it may take just as much time to write, create, and edit as an essay would.

It also depends on what your skills are. If you’re a budding YouTuber, then submitting a video might be a more appropriate fit for you than writing an essay would be. If you prefer writing or feel you are better at putting pen to paper, feel free to go that route. A lot of these scholarships are fairly flexible regarding which medium you use for creative expression.

Where to Find No-Essay Scholarships

You can find no-essay scholarships on Scholarships.com, which has a large database of no-essay scholarships.

You can also search for no-essay scholarships on Google and other search engines. You can try to narrow down the search by being more specific. For example, if you're comfortable creating video, you can search for “no-essay video scholarship.”

Sometimes your school will also offer no-essay scholarships. In fact, many colleges will automatically consider you for a scholarship when you apply. If you want to be considered for other awards, you may have to submit an essay. However, this depends on your school.

How to Apply for a No-Essay Scholarship

No matter what kind of scholarship you're applying for, you should read through all the rules and requirements beforehand. Make sure you are actually eligible to apply. You may be surprised at how many students submit scholarship applications when they're not actually qualified.

Also, always submit your application before or by the deadline. If you submit your application late, it will almost invariably be automatically rejected.

Some no-essay scholarships will have other components you have to submit. For example, the BigFuture Scholarship requires that you submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) .

No-Essay Scholarship FAQs

No-essay scholarships have a lot of benefits and drawbacks, and it can be hard to decide if they’re worth spending time on. Keep reading to learn more about no-essay scholarships and how they work:

If I win a no-essay scholarship, what can the funds be used for?

Rules around how you can spend money from a no-essay scholarship are usually similar to those for a traditional scholarship. As such, we recommend reading the description and rules thoroughly and contacting the scholarship provider directly if you can't find the answers to all of your questions on this topic.

For example, winners who receive the Taco Bell Live Más Scholarship can only use the funds for qualified education expenses, including tuition, textbooks, fees, and other necessary supplies.

If you win a no-essay scholarship, you should read through the terms and conditions to understand what you can use the funds for. Some scholarships may have more generous rules than others.

Are no-essay scholarships easier to win?

No-essay scholarships may be easier to apply for, but your chances of winning may be slimmer than with traditional scholarships that require an essay. If a no-essay scholarship has fewer requirements, taking less time and effort than others, there are likely to be more students who apply. When more people are competing for the same award, it automatically decreases each applicant's odds of winning.

What is the GPA requirement for a no-essay scholarship?

No-essay scholarships may still have academic requirements, like a minimum GPA. These can vary depending on the scholarship provider.

Some no-essay scholarships may not even ask what your GPA is. For example, the $2,000 Sallie Mae Scholarship only asks what college you plan to attend or are attending, what year in school you’re in, and your high school graduation year. Both current and prospective college students are eligible.

Are no-essay scholarships legitimate?

Sometimes something seems too good to be true, such as being able to enter to win a $5,000 or even $50,000 scholarship without having to put in dozens of hours of work. However, there are plenty of awards that do not require a traditional essay and are 100% legitimate. Just remember that you should never have to pay to apply for a scholarship.

Even no-essay scholarships that operate like sweepstakes do not have an application fee. If you are being told that you have to pay money to apply for a scholarship, then you are likely being scammed.

Many students believe that no-essay scholarships are scams because they don’t end up winning them. It’s important to remember that no-essay scholarships often have huge applicant pools, which makes winning seem impossible.

If you seriously need scholarship funds to pay for college, you should focus on scholarships that match your academic major , school year , interests, skills, special attributes , qualifications, and more. You can also find scholarships designed for someone with your background.

Is there a good time to apply for a no-essay scholarship?

Deadlines for no-essay scholarships are variable, so there’s no “season” or perfect time to apply for one. Unlike college applications, which generally have a standardized time frame, scholarship deadlines vary.

You should start applying for scholarships as soon as possible, whether they require an essay or not. High school is a busy time and you’ll increase your odds of winning a scholarship if you submit as many applications as possible.

Can I apply for multiple no-essay scholarships?

There is no limit on how many scholarships you apply for, including no-essay scholarships. Even if you applied for a scholarship before and didn’t win, it doesn't mean you're prohibited from applying again.

Winning scholarships is partially a numbers game. The more scholarships you apply to, the greater your chances are of winning. Apply for as many scholarships as you are eligible for and don't get discouraged if you don't win. Applying for scholarships is difficult, especially if you're focused on awards with few requirements.

How much are no-essay scholarships worth?

The amount you can win from a no-essay scholarship truly depends on the award. Some awards may be as little as $500, while others may give out $50,000.

For example, the Niche $25,000 "No Essay" Scholarship gives out - you guessed it - $25,000. In general, you should expect that generous scholarships that don't require essays will be highly competitive. A basic rule of thumb is that if it's easy to apply for, it will be harder to win.

Are no-essay scholarships harder to find?

With so many students attending college and struggling to afford it these days, scholarship providers are often overwhelmed when trying to choose a winner. That's why essays are so effective in sorting out the right candidate.

No-essay scholarships may be harder to find than scholarships that require a written essay. However, that doesn't mean they’re impossible to find.

Are video scholarships easier to apply for than no-essay scholarships?

In the era of TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and Snapchat, it’s easier for some students to create videos instead of writing essays. However, many students don't realize you still have to write a script if you're applying for a scholarship with video components.

Creating a video script from scratch is not that dissimilar from writing an essay. Plus, you may have to do several takes before you get one that is usable.

Should I prioritize no-essay scholarships over scholarships that require an essay?

If you're someone who's not confident in their writing skills, you may feel like looking for no-essay scholarships is the better plan. But, don’t give up. Scholarship providers aren't necessarily looking for the most well-written essay. Instead, they are looking for the student who best fits what they’re looking for. The essay is just one tool to sell yourself.

Plus, you can always ask someone, like a teacher, parent, or another adult, to read through your essay before you submit it. You can also ask them to help you brainstorm what you should write before you start crafting it. There are multiple ways to get around not having the best writing skills.

Do I have to be in college to apply for a no-essay scholarship?

One of the easiest things you can do to win more scholarship money is to start applying for awards early. Some middle school students may even be eligible for scholarships. You should at least start looking while you’re a high school freshman .

Some students also have the opposite problem and think that just because they're already enrolled in college, they no longer qualify for scholarships. Unless you have graduated from college, you can still apply for scholarships.

Can current college students apply for no-essay scholarships?

Many students think that you must be a high school student to be eligible for a scholarship. However, that’s a common misconception. In fact, current college students can still qualify for undergraduate scholarships , even no-essay scholarships.

Are graduate students eligible for no-essay scholarships?

While some students believe that only undergraduate students are eligible for no-essay scholarships, graduate students may be eligible for dozens of different no-essay scholarships.

For example, the Science Go Seek Scholarship is available to high school students, undergraduate students, and even graduate students. Awards are given out monthly. There is no essay required. DoSomething.org has a variety of monthly no-essay scholarships available.

Are there scholarships with in-between essay requirements?

If you’re not inherently opposed to writing essays, you will find a larger number of awards you can apply for. Remember, while no-essay scholarships may seem enticing, there are plenty of scholarships that have low essay requirements.

Many scholarships asks for one essay that is 250 words or less. That’s a fairly small essay requirement, compared to other essay scholarship requirements.

Top 20 No Essay Scholarships to Apply for in 2024

Introduction: No essay scholarships

Let's talk about no-essay scholarships. Whether you've been applying to scholarships for a while or you're completely new to the scholarship process, chances are, at some point you've felt tired, frustrated, or even fully on fed-up with writing all of those essays. Finding financial aid can be a lot of work - I feel you!

A smart strategy when applying for scholarships is to mix up the types of scholarships you're applying for. But what does this actually mean?

Well, if you're familiar with the world of scholarships, you've probably discovered that there are scholarships out there of all sorts, shapes, and sizes.

Some scholarships are for small amounts (think: anywhere from $100 to a few thousand dollars) while others go for larger amounts (sometimes even full-tuition!). Some scholarships have long lists of application requirements, while others only ask you to write a sentence, upload your transcript, or fill out a form.

So, when I say "mix up the types of scholarships you're applying for", I'm saying that it's important to consider things such as scholarship type (is there an essay required?), amount (generally, scholarships with  bigger awards  are harder to earn), and category (how specific does the scholarship get in terms of matching your unique profile?).

This post covers one specific type of scholarship that I'm sure you'll enjoy incorporating into your scholarship strategy: a no-essay scholarship!

Most of these no essay scholarships are open to high school , college , and  graduate  school students, be sure to get those easy applications in, and keep your toes crossed while you get to work on some of those other more labor-intensive opportunities.

*Pro-tip - While some of these no essay scholarships currently have specific deadlines, keep them bookmarked because they often renew monthly, quarterly, or yearly!

20 No essay scholarships to apply for ASAP!

Too cool to pay for school no essay scholarship.

Award Amount:  $1,000

Scholarship Deadline:  Quarterly (last day of the month in September, December, March, and June)

PS - this is one of no essay scholarships awarded by Access Scholarships (that's us!). It's open to high school, undergraduate, and graduate students studying in the United States, and is an easy way to win $1,000. 

Niche $10,000 No Essay Scholarship

Award Amount:  $10,000

Scholarship Deadline:  Rolling

ScholarshipPoints No Essay $2,500 Monthly Scholarship

Amount : $2,500 

Deadline : Expires on the last day of each month

Eligibility: The ScholarshipPoints Scholarship is a monthly no essay scholarship open to all high school and college students ages 16 and older, who are US residents!

Smart Owl No Essay $1,000 Scholarship

Amount : $1,000 (4 awards per month!)

Deadline : Expires on the 28th or 29th of each month

Eligibility: The Smart Owl Scholarship is a monthly no essay scholarship open to all high school and college students ages 16 and older, who are US residents!

Sallie Mae College Scholarship

Award Amount : $2,000

Scholarship Deadline : Monthly

Eligibility- Open to high school juniors & seniors and all college students

CollegeVine No Essay $2,000 Scholarship

Award Amount:  $2,000

Scholarship Deadline:  December 31

Open to high school students of all years (must be a US resident).

Scholarships360 $10,000 Scholarship

Scholarship Deadline:  Rolling 

Open to high school sophomores, juniors & seniors in the US. 

Bold $25,000 Scholarship

Amount:  $25,000

Deadline:  Continuous

CollegExpress Monthly Scholarship

Award Amount:  $2,500

Scholarship Deadline:  Last day of each month

Niche No Essay Scholarship

Appily easy money scholarship, around the corner from college scholarship.

Award Amount : $1,000

Scholarship Deadline : December 31, June 30

Open to all high school students, including students with DACA status and international students who are planning on attending a higher education institution in the US! 

Be Bold No-Essay Scholarship

Award Amount:  $25,000

Scholarship Deadline: Rolling

Christian Connector Scholarship

Eligibility:  Open to high school juniors and high school seniors who are interested in or planning to enroll in a Christian college or university.

Direct Textbook Photo Essay Scholarship

Award Amount:  $500

Discover Student Loans Scholarship Contest

Scholarship Deadline:  January 4

Lounge Lizard Web Design Scholarship

Scholarship Deadline:  February 27 and October 10

Create A Greeting Card Scholarship

Scholarship Deadline:  March 9

Frame My Future Scholarship

Award Amount:  $2,000 each (5 awards)

Scholarship Deadline: March 15

ULoop Dorm Survey Scholarship

Scholarship Deadline:  June 30

Frequently asked questions about no essay scholarships

Are no essay scholarships legit.

No essay scholarships are 100% legit!

No essay scholarships are created to be more like contests or sweepstakes. Generally, all you have to do to be considered is enter some information on an application page and you're good to go. This is in contrast with other more labor-intensive scholarships, that require a greater amount of work and time commitment (think: essays, letters of recommendation, videos, interviews).

The fact that no essay scholarships don't require a whole lot of effort (they're definitely the easiest opportunities out there!) doesn't mean that they aren't just as real as other scholarships that do have more detailed eligibility and application requirements to apply. In fact, no essay scholarships can sometimes be just as competitive as full-ride scholarships , given the fact that so many students apply for these opportunities.

At the end of the day, each and every scholarship we feature in our database and in our blog posts aims to guide students in the direction of legitimate opportunities to help you navigate the journey of paying for college.

What are some common qualities of a no essay scholarship?

The most identifiable quality of a no essay scholarship is the fact that it doesn't require an essay! Rather than asking students to upload an essay on the application page, these scholarships generally will ask for the completion of a form, or for students to upload a photo, video, or other unique type of submission. The fact that these scholarships can often be completed much more quickly and easily than other scholarships is what makes them so great.

You'll also find that the majority of no essay scholarships are open to a wide variety of students, and they usually won't have any specific eligibility requirements such as only being open to students in certain majors or with a certain minimum GPA.

Who is eligible to apply for no essay scholarships?

When it comes to eligiblity, as I mentioned just above, no essay scholarships are usually open to a wide range of students. For example, a no essay scholarship might be open to students ages 13 and older in the US, or maybe it's open to all high school students in the US. These eligibility criteria are very generous and intended to give all (or nearly all) students who want to apply an opportunity to do so.

How difficult is it to win a no essay scholarship?

Because no essay scholarships are usually open to so many different types of students, along with the fact that they often require very little effort on the part of the student (and run more like sweepstakes than real in-depth scholarships), means that they are difficult to win, and the process is unpredictable.

Luckily, because these scholarships require so little time commitment to apply, not winning one of these types of scholarships doesn't necessarily indicate that you've wasted your time applying, since it likely didn't take that much time in the first place!

How can I increase my chances of winning no essay scholarships?

No essay scholarships are open to such a wide variety of students in terms of eligible areas of study, state residency, and year in school. This, in combination with the fact that the winners for these scholarships are generally always selected at random, means that increasing your chances of winning one of these scholarships is very, very difficult.

In the spirit of full-transparency: the only way that you can actually increase your chances of winning no essay scholarships is by applying for all of them and not missing any deadlines.

For example, take Tallo's monthly no essay scholarships . They pick at least 12 winners each year, usually at the end of each month. If you want to maximize your chances of winning one of Tallo's no essay scholarships, you should set a reminder to make sure that you apply for them every month, so that you don't miss out on an opportunity to win.

Most of the no essay scholarships I've come across are for small amounts, such as $1,000. Why is this the case?

Most no-essay scholarships are for small amounts (think: $500 - $2,000) because, in comparison to other scholarships that have lots of application requirements, no-essay scholarships tend to run more like contests.

Organizations love to give back to students in any and all ways possible, and they also like to try to make student's lives easier by offering easy scholarship opportunities.

However, from the perspective of private organizations, many of them would rather save their scholarships of higher amounts to be distributed through competitive opportunities where they can select students on the basis of merit, leadership, and other qualities. That's why you'll probably never come across a full-ride scholarship that doesn't require an essay or extra submission of some sort!

Where can I find more scholarships to apply for?

There are tons of resources and places out there that you can use to find "harder" scholarships to apply for to pair with your efforts in applying to the easy ones.

The first place I recommend you go is over to the Access Scholarship Search Engine or Blog, where you can find all types of scholarships based on criteria such as home state, area of study, ethnicity, and more.

After that, I recommend you also do some surfing of the web, as well as outreach to your guidance counselor or financial aid office to help you find local scholarships and even more nuanced opportunities.

Important tips and things to keep in mind with no essay scholarships

Tip #1: apply often..

Many of these scholarships run continuously on a monthly or quarterly basis.

Set a reminder for yourself to revisit these scholarships each month and reapply to give yourself the best chance at winning one!

Tip #2: Find ways to get a leg up.

Scholarships with no essays that have any sort of additional component (like an art or video submission) will tend to give you a "leg up" because they involve more than some luck.

Take full advantage of scholarships like these by putting your best foot forward with that extra submission!

Tip #3: Make no essay scholarships one piece of the puzzle.

Scholarships with no essays should be a key component of your scholarship application strategy because of how easy they are to apply for.

However, it's important to remember they should be balanced with other scholarships that have more specific and stringent requirements.

When you apply for essay-based scholarships, you're given the opportunity to tell the committee about you, who you are and why you should be selected for the opportunity. The winners for these scholarships, unlike their no-essay counterparts, are not chosen at random, so if you choose these scholarships carefully, apply for ones that are specific to your qualities, and write strong essays, you'll have the best chances of winning at the end of the day!

General tips for applying for all kinds of scholarships

Navigating the world of scholarships can be stressful and confusing to say the least. Follow these tips to make sure you’re covering all of your bases and giving yourself the greatest possible chance at success!

#1: Get yourself organized before you dive right in.

Just like with any other part of the college / financial aid process, organization is crucial to success when it comes to searching and applying for scholarships.

My top organization-related recommendation for students is to start by creating a readily-accessible folder on your computer where you can then create subfolders for your scholarship essays, transcripts, and other application materials. This is also the place where you’ll want to house your scholarship tracker , which will help you keep track of scholarships you find, upcoming deadlines, and your overall progress.

#2: Do your brainstorming.

You likely wouldn’t start an essay on the American Revolution without doing some initial brainstorming and planning first. The same rule should apply for when it’s time to search for scholarships.

Sit down with a pen and paper or a blank word document open, and start to bullet out a list of traits and things that you feel make up who you are as a person. These things should be both academic and personal. To give you an idea of what I’m talking about, here’s a sneak peek into what my own personal list might look like:

-I am from New Jersey

-I am a business student with an interest in marketing

-I like to play sports (tennis, basketball, etc)

-I hold leadership positions in my extracurriculars

-I identify as female

-I am a twin

-I am left-handed

-I enjoy doing crossword puzzles

-I go to college in Wisconsin

I could go on and on with this list, but I won’t bore you! What I’m trying to get at though is that creating a list like this to track your hobbies, academic pursuits, and other things that make up who you are can be incredibly helpful in allowing you to find scholarships that are highly specific to you.

PS - For some students, this may also fall under the initial organization step of the process, but ultimately it doesn’t matter when you do it as long as it gets done.

#3: Know where to look.

Knowing what types of scholarships you want to search for doesn’t really matter if you don’t know where to actually search for them! Here are a few ideas on where you can get started in searching for scholarships:

- Scholarship search engines like AccessScholarships.com, which allow you to search through thousands of scholarship opportunities all in one place

- Normal search engines , such as Google (the more specific you can be here, the better)

-Your school’s college prep, guidance, or financial aid page/website

- Social media (you can follow scholarship accounts and hashtags that might be relevant to help you discover local scholarships)

- Family, friends, teachers, coaches, and other people in your community who might know of local or community-based scholarships that you’re eligible for

#4: If a scholarship has an essay or additional type of submission, make sure you put your absolute best foot forward.

This is, in my opinion, the biggest key to help students see success in actually winning scholarships.

You can have a 4.0 GPA and solid letters of recommendation, but if you don’t also take the time to carefully craft, edit, and perfect the essay (or other additional submission), you’re missing out on giving the scholarship committee the opportunity to learn more about who you are as a person and why you’re a great fit to win the award.

#5: Keep those grades up.

Although this eligibility requirement can definitely vary, many scholarships require students to have at least a 2.5 or 3.0 GPA. Sometimes, the minimum requirement can be even higher, such as a 3.75/4.0.

While grades certainly aren’t the end-all-be-all, keeping your GPA up (as high as you possibly can!) will make sure that you are opening yourself up to as many opportunities as possible.

#6: Apply often.

Unfortunately, applying for scholarships is not a “one and done” process. To give yourself the highest chance at seeing success, you should apply for scholarships as often as you can, or whenever you come across an opportunity that you think is worth applying for.

Many students find it helpful to set specific goals in this area, like to apply for 3 scholarships each month. Ultimately, the goal you set should be one that is specific and realistic, based on all of the other things that you’re juggling!

#7: Ask for feedback along the way.

If you don't ever take the time to assess your weak spots, how can you possibly improve?

Asking for feedback throughout the scholarship process, whether it be from a committee, a teacher, or someone who is helping you along the way, is crucial to helping you grow and becoming a stronger applicant. 

Getting feedback is especially important when it comes to the scholarship essay piece of the puzzle. When we write and edit, we tend to overlook our own mistakes because we're so used to making them. Sometimes it takes an extra set of eyes on an essay to help lead you in the direction of success.

No-essay scholarships: To conclude...

To summarize, no-essay scholarships can be a great addition to any overall scholarship strategy for high school, college, and graduate students.

Since no-essay scholarships often operate on a monthly or quarterly basis, you can give yourself a better chance at winning these scholarships if you enter in every application period that you're eligible for.

Although no-essay scholarships usually aren't for large amounts, the process of entering to win is usually an easy one, so there's no harm in applying for these scholarships to round out your strategy and yes, give you a break from all those essays!

The Best No-Essay Scholarships to Apply for in 2024

Apply below to No-Essay scholarships with upcoming deadlines. Exclusive Scholarships found only in Bold.org!

Sallie Mae No-Essay Scholarship

By: Sallie Mae

"Be Bold" No-Essay Scholarship

Anthony mcpherson memorial automotive scholarship, eligibility criteria:.

• Field of Interest : Automotive
• Education Level : High school or undergraduate student

Conscious Consumer Scholarship

Males in nursing scholarship.

• Education Level : Undergraduate student
• State : Florida
• School Name : FVI School of Nursing and Technology
• Field of Study : Nursing
• Gender : Male-identifying

Nursing Scholarship for Single Parents

• Background : Single parent with one or more child(ren)

"$$$ Isn't Everything" Scholarship

"a bold life" no-essay scholarship, best faith-based colleges no-essay scholarship, 400 bold points no-essay scholarship, bold.org no-essay community scholarship, survey junkie brand influencer no-essay scholarship, nitro pay for college no-essay scholarship, 1000 bold points no-essay scholarship, survey rewards no-essay scholarship, shape the news no-essay survey scholarship, 500 bold points no-essay scholarship, 200 bold points no-essay scholarship, 300 bold points no-essay scholarship, surveys and savings no-essay scholarship, catholic colleges no-essay scholarship, 100 bold points no-essay scholarship, attend your dream school scholarship, best catholic colleges no-essay scholarship, collegevine dream school scholarship.

• Education Level : Must be a high school student

Great Games No-Essay Scholarship

Christian colleges no-essay scholarship, collegexpress no-essay scholarship, lisa and josh world scholarship.

• Background : First-generation college student
• Citizenship Status : U.S. citizen
• Future Plans : Accepted into a study abroad program

CapCut Meme Master Scholarship

Frequently asked questions.

Due to the ease of no-essay scholarships, they can seem too good to be true and you may worry about scholarship scams. Luckily, no-essay scholarships on Bold.org are all legit! Just make your free account and start funding your college tuition.

Although no-essay scholarships can be some of the easiest scholarships to apply for, it can feel impossible to make yourself stand out from the other students. To increase your chance of winning more scholarships, try applying for scholarships with limited eligibility, such as scholarships for high school juniors or scholarships with minimum GPA requirements.

There is no limit to the number of scholarships you can win on Bold.org. Since no-essay scholarships typically take just a few minutes to apply for, you can apply for many so you can win as much money as possible.