16 Essay-Free Scholarships to Apply for
Scholarships are a fantastic way to save money on your college tuition and to avoid being stuck with loads of student debt after graduation. But, let’s face it, the process of applying for scholarships can be time-consuming and, sometimes, it would be nice if it was just a little easier.
The good news is that easy scholarships and scholarships without essays do exist. Some require as little effort as simply entering your name and email address while others require only a short video rather than an essay.
However, it’s important to keep in mind that, while these offers for easy scholarships and no essay scholarships are legitimate, your chances are much lower than with traditional scholarships. You also run the risk of being spammed with loads of emails. In fact, many scholarship sweepstakes are created with the sole idea of getting your email address in mind.
We recommend using scholarship sweepstakes and easy scholarships as a secondary option for paying for college and using the majority of your time applying for scholarships that you find on reputable scholarship sites or ones recommended to you by your high school guidance counselor or financial aid advisor.
2019 Update: Looking for more scholarships? Check out an updated list of No Essay Scholarships for 2019.
Avoiding Scholarship Scams
While these scholarship offers are legitimate, scammers will sometimes offer too-easy-to-be-true scholarship opportunities in an effort to get money or your information. You should proceed with caution and follow the tips below to avoid getting scammed.
Scam Tip #1: Say “No!” to Upfront Fees!
A scholarship shouldn’t cost anything at all to apply for (except postage). Be wary of any company or scholarship provider who requires you to pay an upfront fee in order to apply. Chances are they have nothing to offer you!
Scam Tip #2: Do The Paperwork Yourself
Some scammers will try and lure you in by telling you that they’ll take care of all the scholarship paperwork for you. You can just sit back, relax, and wait for the money to start rolling in. It almost seems too good to be true, doesn’t it? We hate to break it to you, but that’s because it is. It might be painful, but filling out your own applications will save you loads of trouble!
Scam Tip #3: Guaranteed Scholarships Don’t Exist
If scholarships were guaranteed, student loans would be a thing of the past. Avoid any company claiming to offer you a guaranteed scholarship. It’s a guaranteed scam.
Scam Tip #4: Avoid Dodgy Offers
If you receive an email from an unknown and unprofessional-looking company claiming to offer an amazing scholarship if you enter personal information on their site, it’s best to avoid it. If you’re unsure, simply do a quick Google Search and see if others have reported it as a scam before.
Scam Tip #5: Do Your Research!
Doing a quick search can save you tons of trouble in the end. Unfortunately, easy scholarships are too good to be true a lot of the time. We just want to reiterate that using trusted sources, like Going Merry or your counselors/advisors, is always the best option when it comes to scholarships.
Now that we’ve got that out of the way, here’s our list of 25 scholarships without essays:
1. C.I.P. Scholarship
Amount: $1,000
Provider: College is Power
While this scholarship technically has an essay, it’s only a short 150 words, so we’re adding it in! To apply, just fill out the super short application form and write a mini-essay about the goals you have for your university education.
2. Beliz Law Firm Scholarship
Amount: $500
Provider: The Beliz Law Firm
If you love getting behind the camera and bringing ideas to life, apply to this scholarship by creating a short video (3 minutes or less) detailing three important bicycle safety tips.
3. HeadSetPlus.Com College Scholarship
Amount: $1,000
Provider: HeadSetPlus.Com
HeadSetPlus.Com wants to help you pay for college…no essay needed! Be creative and create a video with a maximum length of five minutes detailing why you deserve the scholarship and what inspired you to pursue a degree in your field.
4. $2,000 No Essay College Scholarship
Amount: $2,000
Provider: Niche
Niche awards a $2,000 scholarship to a lucky student twice a month…and all you have to do is create a free account! These scholarships without essays are open to all high school and college students planning to attend college within the next year!
5. $5,000 Course Hero Scholarship
Amount: $5,000
Provider: Course Hero
In order to win one of these no essay scholarships, simply review a college course on CourseHero.com. If you have more than one college class you’d like to review, you can improve your chances by leaving as many reviews as you’d like!
6. $5,000 VIP Voice Scholarship
Amount: $5,000
Provider: VIP Voice
VIP Voice offers points in exchange for completing online surveys. Once you’ve completed two surveys, you can use your points to enter for this scholarship and more. The more surveys you complete, the higher your chances of winning!
7. School Survey Sweepstakes
Amount: $1,000
Provider: Niche
Just one of the many scholarships without essays offered by Niche, you can enter for a shot at this $1,000 scholarship by creating a free account and reviewing your school. A new winner is drawn each month.
8. The $1,000 SuperCollege Scholarship
Amount: $1,000
Provider: SuperCollege.com
In order to ease the pain of paying for college, SuperCollege offers a monthly drawing for a $1,000 scholarship. All you need to be eligible is to fill out the exceptionally short application form and you’re good to go!
9. Local Survey Scholarship
Amount: $1,000
Provider: Niche
Yet another of the no essay scholarships from Niche, all that this scholarship requires is that you review your neighborhood or town. A new winner is selected on a monthly basis.
10. Opinion Outpost $10,000 Quarterly Drawing
Amount: $10,000
Provider: Opinion Outpost
Entering to win $10,000 has never been so easy! All you need to do is fill out at least one survey on the Opinion Outpost website. If you have more time, you can fill out as many surveys as you’d like. Each survey gets you another entry into the drawing.
11. Digital Responsibility E-Waste Scholarship
Amount: $1,000
Provider: Digital Responsibility
If you’re excellent at fitting your feelings and opinions into a Tweet, this easy scholarship just might be the perfect one for you. To enter, just fill out a short application form and submit a Tweet-length message about e-waste.
12. Tetherbox Creative Video Challenge Scholarship
Amount: $1,000
Provider: Tetherbox
Put your creative talents to the test to be eligible for this no essay scholarship from Tetherbox. Create a short commercial (between one and four minutes) for Tetherbox to be entered to win.
13. Make a Recycling Bin Scholarship
Amount: $5,000
Provider: DoSomething.org
DoSomething.org wants to inspire people to recycle their used beauty and personal care products in order to promote environmental sustainability. To apply for one of these scholarships without essays, unleash your creative side and design a recycling bin that will make people want to recycle.
14. Christian College Scholarship
Amount: $2,500
Provider: The Christian Connector Inc
If you’re planning on attending a two- or four-year Christian college, you’re eligible to enter the drawing for this $2,500 Christian College Scholarship. Simply fill out a short online survey and you’re good to go!
15. AFSA High School Senior Contest
Amount: $2,000
Provider: AFSA Scholarships
If you’re ready for an extra $2,000, simply fill out the online entry form on the AFSA website and be registered to win one of 10 prizes. This scholarship is open to high school seniors during the school year and deadlines change on a yearly basis, so head to the scholarship website for the most up-to-date information.
15. AFSA Second Chance Scholarship
Amount: $1,000
Provider: AFSA Scholarships
If you didn’t have the luck of winning the AFSA High School Senior Contest, try your luck again after graduation with the AFSA Second Chance Scholarship. This $1,000 award is awarded to five high school graduates during the summer months. Deadlines change on a yearly basis, so check out the scholarship website for the most up-to-date information.
16. Scholarship 4 Moms
Amount: $10,000
Provider: Scholarships 4 Moms
If you’re a mom who is planning on heading back to school, you’re already halfway done applying to win one of these scholarships without essays. The next step is to simply register for the site and cross your fingers!
Soon you’ll be able to apply to all of these scholarships without essays on Going Merry (let us know in the comments section if there are others we should include). In the meantime, we already have thousands of scholarships which you can apply for directly.
Just fill out your profile, see what we match you with, and click apply! It’s that easy.
