25 Summer Scholarships to Fund Any Semester of College
If you’ve been scrolling through scholarship listings for a while now, you’ve probably noticed most applications are due in the fall and winter — even though summer is when many students actually have the time they need to write all those application essays.
If that’s you, you’re smart to be investing that extra time in scholarship apps. In addition to financial aid, scholarships are one of the best ways to reduce your tuition payments, and the amount you may need to borrow in expensive student loans.
Fortunately, there are still many scholarship awards out there with summer deadlines — if you know where to look. Whether you’re looking to pay for summer classes or simply get help covering your next semester of studies, these scholarship opportunities are a great place to start.
Here are 25 summer scholarships worth applying for
All these are all broad-eligibility scholarships that apply to a wide range of students. If you’re looking for options tailored more to your specific background or strengths, sign up for Going Merry. You’ll get full, personalized lists of “matched scholarships” curated just for you.
1. Leroy F. Aarons Scholarship Award
Amount: $5,000
Provider: NLGJA: The Association of LGBT Journalists
Due on: June 5th
Eligibility Requirements:
- Enrolled in a college or university
- Declared study in the field of journalism
Application Requirements: Transcript, proof of acceptance/enrollment, resume, 5 work samples, multimedia news story
Named for Leroy F. Aarons, a groundbreaking journalist who founded the NLGJA: The Association of LGBT Journalists, the Leroy F. Aarons Scholarship Award is for an LGBTQ student who plans to pursue a career in journalism. The award also aims to steer the future of the media industry toward more fair and accurate coverage of the LGBTQ community. So to apply, you’ll need to demonstrate that you’re not just a dedicated journalist, but one who’s informed and passionate about issues facing LGBTQ individuals.
2. The Allman Family Business Development, Marketing, and Sales Scholarship Endowment
Amount: $5,000
Provider: Foundation for Outdoor Advertising Research & Education
Due on: June 17th
Eligibility Requirements:
- Declared field of study in business or marketing
Application Requirements: Transcript, essay
The Allman Family Business Development, Marketing, and Sales Scholarship recognizes one committed business, sales, or marketing student each year. To win, you’ll have to write a compelling essay about your future career goals and any current community service you’re doing. Because Don and Cathy Allman, the scholarship founders, hope to support students at all stages of their academic journeys, this award is open to both undergraduate and graduate students.
3. El Café Del Futuro Scholarship
Amount: $5,000
Provider: Café Bustelo
Due on: July 1st
Eligibility Requirements:
- Latino
- Enrolled full time in a Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) member institution
- 18 years or older
Application Requirements: Essay
In honor of its Latin roots, coffee brand Café Bustelo created the El Cafe Del Futuro Scholarship to reward high-achieving college or graduate students from the Latino community. To apply, write an essay describing your Latino heritage, your intention to pursue higher education, and your plans to give back to your community. Fine print: To be eligible, you must be enrolled in a HACU member school for the upcoming academic year. Not sure if your school counts? Be sure to check — there are more than 100 on the list.
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4. Wize USA High School Scholarship
Amount: $1,000
Provider: Wize Prep
Due on: June 29th
Eligibility Requirements:
- Enrolled in high school
Application Requirements: Completed online application form
Sponsored by the online learning and study tool company Wize Prep, this scholarship opportunity is among the easiest to apply for on this list. Unlike most awards, the Wize USA High School Scholarship doesn’t require an essay, and takes less than five minutes to apply. All high school students — freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors — are eligible, and there’s no GPA or financial need requirement to apply.
5. Korean American Scholarship
Amount: Up to $5,000
Provider: Korean American Scholarship Foundation
Due on: June 30th
Eligibility Requirements:
- Minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
- Korean heritage
- Enrolled full-time in a high school, college, or university
Application Requirements: Transcript, 1 letter of recommendation, essay
The Korean American Scholarship awards Korean and Korean-American students looking to take their education to the next level. For a good shot at winning, your scholarship application should highlight a commitment to community service, pride in your Korean heritage, and academic achievements. This scholarship is open to U.S. citizens as well as international students of Korean descent.
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6. Aviation Program Scholarship
Amount: $2,500
Provider: GatewayJFK
Due on: June 30th
Eligibility Requirements:
- Minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
- Enrolled full-time in a high school, college, university, or trade school
Application Requirements: Transcript, 1 letter of recommendation, proof of acceptance/enrollment
This scholarship opportunity comes courtesy of GatewayJFK. The organization provides community support and advocacy for the neighborhood surrounding New York’s JFK airport. As part of their community focus, GatewayJFK sponsors the Aviation Program Scholarship. The award is need-based and is given annually to one high school senior, college student, or grad student interested in aviation. To apply, you’ll need to write one short essay about your career goals in the field of air transportation. Applicants can be Pell Grant-eligible, but it’s not a requirement.
7. Delete Cyberbullying Scholarship Award
Amount: $1,000
Provider: Delete Cyberbullying
Due on: June 30th
Eligibility Requirements:
- Enrolled full-time in a high school, college, or university
Application Requirements: Essay
Delete Cyberbullying is a project designed to educate students and parents about online harassment. If you’re passionate about ending cyberbullying once and for all, consider this an invitation to get on your soapbox: The biggest application requirement for the Delete Cyberbullying Scholarship is an essay about your passion for making the internet a safe, more inclusive place. This summer scholarship is open to high school, college, and graduate students alike.
8. MyBioSource Learning Disabilities Scholarship
Amount: $1,000
Provider: MyBioSource
Due on: June 30th
Eligibility Requirements:
- Enrolled or planning to enroll in a college or university
- Have a documented learning disability
Application Requirements: Essay
Underwritten by a California-based biotech company, the MyBioSource Learning Disabilities Scholarship was created to uplift students who have overcome learning challenges to pursue their dreams. The award is available to graduate students, undergraduate students, and high school seniors, and you can apply as either a U.S. citizen or an international student. The centerpiece of the online application is a short essay about why you chose your major, and you must have a documented learning disability to apply.
9. Skincare Ox: Beauty & Wellness Scholarship for Women
Amount: $1,000
Provider: Skincare Ox
Due on: June 30th
Eligibility Requirements:
- Female
- Enrolled in high school, college, or university
Application Requirements: Essay
Skincare Ox is committed to supporting clean beauty and healthy lifestyles, both through its products, and its Beauty & Wellness Scholarship for Women. This scholarship contest takes place each quarter, including during the summer. Applicants will need to write an essay about their commitment to a healthy lifestyle and how they prioritize physical and mental wellness in a busy academic schedule. Graduating high school seniors and current college students are welcome to apply. The other good news: There’s no GPA requirement.
10. Probo Medical Scholarships
Amount: $500
Provider: Probo Medical
Due on: June 21st
Eligibility Requirements:
- Minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
- Enrolled full time in a high school, college, or university
- 16 or older
Application Requirements: Transcript, essay
To help combat the rising costs of student loans for medical students, ultrasound provider Probo Medical decided to create its own college scholarship. To apply for the Probo Medical Scholarship, you’ll need to write an essay detailing your aspirations for making healthcare more affordable and accessible. While this scholarship opportunity is targeted toward students studying medicine, students of all majors are welcome to apply.
11. Reef2Leaf Scholarship
Amount: $1,500
Provider: Wildhorn Outfitters
Due on: July 1st
Eligibility Requirements:
- Enrolled in a college or university
Application Requirements: Essay
Wildhorn Outfitters, a mountain sports activewear brand, wants to protect the places we go when we play outside. That’s why it’s championing the Reef2Leaf Scholarship. This college scholarship is essentially an essay contest about the climate crisis. Fortunately, applicants aren’t expected to have all the answers to solving global warming. Instead, you’ll need to write an essay detailing work you’ve done in the past to protect the environment, and outline an idea for a future project. Eligibility is pretty broad: You just have to be currently enrolled in an institution of higher education to apply.
12. Reef2Leaf Aquatic Scholarships
Amount: $1,500
Provider: Seaview 180
Due on: July 1st
Eligibility Requirements:
- Enrolled in a college/university
Application Requirements: Essay
Similar to the Reef2Leaf Scholarship, the Reef2Leaf Aquatic Scholarship is all about the environment, but with a twist.Because this one’s sponsored by Seaview 180, a manufacturer of snorkeling gear, it places its focus on aquatic conservation. For this essay, your biggest asset will be your history of community service, and how that ties into your passion for protecting the world’s waters. Note that you don’t need a plan for solving the climate crisis at large. Instead, this selection committee cares more about your grassroots effort to make an impact on the ocean and marine life.
13. ABC Humane Wildlife Academic Scholarship – Women In STEM
Amount: $1,000
Provider: ABC Humane Wildlife Control & Prevention, Inc.
Due on: July 1st
Eligibility Requirements:
- Female
- Enrolled in a college or university
- Declared field of study in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics
Application Requirements: 1 letter of recommendation, proof of enrollment, essay
Women make up only 13 percent of engineering professionals, and ABC Humane Wildlife wants to change that. To help make it happen, this woman-owned wildlife-control provider created the ABC Humane Wildlife Academic Scholarship to empower women in STEM. This scholarship opportunity is pretty unique in that winners can use funds for anything academic-related, including summer courses, housing, and even medical expenses. To sway the selection committee, your essay should detail your affinity for science, technology, engineering, or mathematics. Also be sure to describe how your future career will make an impact on the world.
14. Collegiate Beef Advocacy Program
Amount: $2,000
Provider: American National Cattlewomen
Due on: July 15th
Eligibility Requirements:
- Enrolled in a college/university
- 24 years of age or younger
- Unmarried
Application Requirements: Resume, headshot, relevant work experience, bio
There’s no better time than summer (i.e. hamburger grilling season) to apply for the Collegiate Beef Advocacy Program. Run by the American National Cattlewomen, this scholarship opportunity is targeted toward students interested in pursuing agricultural studies. However, an agricultural focus isn’t a criteria for eligibility. A unique aspect of this program is that it provides access to career mentors and industry leaders in addition to funding. That makes it a great path to expanding your network both during and after college.
15. Christopher Nohl Scholarship for Diverse Backgrounds
Amount: $1,000
Provider: Christopher Nohl
Due on: July 15th
Eligibility Requirements:
- Enrolled in a college or university
Application Requirements: Essay, bio
This award was created by entrepreneur and venture capitalist Christopher Nohl as a way to help address the rising cost of attendance for undergraduate programs. The Christopher Nohl Scholarship for Diverse Backgrounds aims to help students from historically underserved communities who hope to one day start a business. While not a strict requirement, this scholarship prioritizes students who will be the first in their family to graduate from college.
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16. Crystal Group Innovation Scholarship
Amount: $1,000
Provider: Crystal Group
Due on: July 15th
Eligibility Requirements:
- Minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
- Enrolled full-time in a college or university
- Declared field of study in business, engineering or a related field
- Completed a minimum of 60 semester hours
Application Requirements: 2 letters of recommendation, proof of enrollment, essay, resume
The Crystal Group is a computer hardware manufacturer that strives to develop innovative technology — and wants to encourage students to do the same. That’s why they’ve endowed the Crystal Group Innovation Scholarship. This scholarship opportunity is available to full-time undergraduates who are studying business, engineering, or a similar field. Applicants are welcome to apply each school year, even if they’ve received the award in the past. This selection committee prioritizes leadership and community service, so be sure to highlight related achievements in your application.
17. Avonte Oquendo Memorial Scholarship for Autism
Amount: $5,000
Provider: The Perecman Firm PLLC
Due on: July 31st
Eligibility Requirements:
- Enrolled or planning to enroll in a college or university
- Either you or a close family member has been diagnosed as on the autism spectrum
Application Requirements: Transcript, essay
The Avonte Oquendo Memorial Scholarship for Autism is one of the most generous summer scholarships on our list. It also has a pretty inspiring mission: This scholarship opportunity was first created to honor the memory of an autistic student who tragically disappeared in 2013. Today, the award aims to support upcoming generations of autistic students as they pursue their dreams. To apply, students should either be on the autism spectrum, or have a very close family member who is. Your essay should address your experience with autism, barriers you’ve overcome, and obstacles that remain for people with autism.
18. Design Thinking Scholarship
Amount: $1,000
Provider: American Graphics Institute
Due on: July 31st
Eligibility Requirements:
- Enrolled in a college or university
Application Requirements: Essay
Design thinking can be applied to all disciplines, from math and engineering to social sciences and the humanities. To encourage that kind of thinking, the American Graphics Institute created this essay contest. Your submission should include details about how you plan to think like a designer and apply out-of-the-box thinking to your chosen major. Note: Applicants don’t have to be pursuing design-related majors to apply; any major at a two- or four-year college or university will do.
19. Michael Moody Fitness Scholarship
Amount: $1,500
Provider: Michael Moody Fitness
Due on: August 1st
Eligibility Requirements:
- Enrolled or planning to enroll full-time in a college or university
- Declared study in a health-related field
Application Requirements: Essay, list of extracurricular activities
Interested in fitness or health? Want to make it your career? Founded by a well-known personal trainer and author, the Michael Moody Fitness Scholarship could help you offset the cost of your tuition. This award is open to both undergraduate and graduate students, and boasts a pretty straightforward scholarship application. While there’s no GPA requirement, this scholarship does place some emphasis on students who can demonstrate a history of high academic performance.
20. Plant Mother Scholarships For Women
Amount: $1,000
Provider: Plant Mother
Due on: August 1st
Eligibility Requirements:
- Minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
- Female
- Enrolled in a college or university
Application Requirements: Transcript, proof of acceptance/enrollment, essay
Sponsored by a climate-conscious, zero-waste skincare company, the Plant Mother Scholarship for Women is an essay contest open to both undergraduate and graduate students. To apply, students should write about their passion for the beauty industry and environmental conservation, and how businesses can work to reduce their carbon footprints. You’ll also need to meet the following criteria: identify as female, be currently enrolled in higher education, and have at least a 3.0 GPA.
21. Global Perspectives Scholarship
Amount: $250-1,000
Provider: Rustic Pathways
Due on: August 1st
Eligibility Requirements:
- Enrolled or planning to enroll in a college or university
Application Requirements: Essay
This is a scholarship opportunity from Rustic Pathways, an Ohio-based company that builds international gap-year and summer programs for students. Because their goal is to help students travel the world and earn a well-rounded education, they’ve created an award with that same mission. The Global Perspectives Scholarship is designed for high school or college students who care about making a positive impact on the world. The scholarship application includes an essay (and a stipulation to follow Rustic Pathways on Instagram). Winners will receive the full award amount, as will their college or university.
22. The USRA Scholarship Awards
Amount: $5,000
Provider: Universities Space Research Association
Due on: August 10th
Eligibility Requirements:
- Minimum GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale
- Enrolled full-time as an undergraduate in a college or university
- Declared field of study in science or engineering
- Within two years of earning a degree
Application Requirements: Transcript, 2 letters of recommendation, personal statement, list of extracurricular activities
The Universities Space Research Association sponsors the USRA Scholarship Awards each academic year to support students with an interest in space research, aerospace engineering, or space education. This scholarship opportunity comes with a GPA requirement that’s a bit higher, but the award amount is higher, too. In your personal statement, you’ll need to prove you’re a well-rounded student with a passion for science. Be sure to highlight extracurriculars that demonstrate your commitment to supporting young scientists and advancing the field, like mentorship or tutoring. Fine print: You’re not eligible if you’ve previously won a scholarship from USRA.
23. Clubs of America Scholarship Program
Amount: $1,000
Provider: Clubs of America
Due on: August 31st
Eligibility Requirements:
- Minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
- Enrolled in a college or university
Application Requirements: Essay
As a monthly gift subscription company, Clubs of America is used to thinking, quite literally, out of the box. In your essay for the Clubs of America Scholarship Program, you’ll need to describe how you take that approach to your education and career. This award is open to all undergraduate students who have demonstrated high academic performance, and it’s given to one student each school year.
24. Alex Austin’s Overcoming Adversity Scholarship
Amount: $500-1,000
Provider: Access Scholarships Foundation
Due on: September 1st
Eligibility Requirements:
- Minimum GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale
- Enrolled in high school or a college/university
Application Requirements: Essay
Named for Alex Austin, a standout football player at Oregon State University, Alex Austin’s Overcoming Adversity Scholarship is for students that have overcome hardship throughout their lives. This scholarship opportunity is geared toward students who are either the first in their family to attend college and/or a member of a minority group. In addition to the written essay, applicants will need to follow both Access Scholarships and Alex Austin on Instagram.
25. Be the Boss Scholarship for Female Entrepreneurs
Amount: $2,000
Provider: Skills.com
Due on: September 15th
Eligibility Requirements:
- Female
- Enrolled in high school or a college/university
Application Requirements: Essay, work sample
Endowed by GoSkills, an online platform where students of all ages can learn about a variety of topics, the Be the Boss Scholarship for Female Entrepreneurs was created to empower female students. If you’re a female student who wants to start her own business, this selection committee wants to hear from you. There’s no GPA requirement, and this scholarship doesn’t take need into account. Interested students will need to submit a business plan and passionately describe their vision for a meaningful career.
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