Last-minute scholarships
By Vincent Elliott · Published · Updated
Every scholarship we track with a confirmed deadline in the next 30 days. This page refreshes itself, so what you see here is what is still open today.
17 scholarships are due in the next 30 days, 5 of them within the next week. 4 of them need no essay or very little work, which makes them the realistic ones to finish at the last minute.
Due in the next 7 days (5)
- Fashion Scholarship FundAmount varies
Fashion Scholarship Fund (FSF)
This combines a case study competition with scholarship money for undergrad and grad students in fashion design, merchandising, or business, and there's a separate track for community college students too.
Apply by Oct 12, 2026Last verified Sep 28, 2026 - ANNA ScholarshipsAmount varies
American Nephrology Nurses Association (ANNA)
Nursing students and practicing nurses working toward further education in nephrology nursing can apply for these scholarships and awards.
Apply by Oct 15, 2026Last verified Sep 28, 2026 - Blood Cancer United Scholarship for Blood Cancer SurvivorsAmount varies
Blood Cancer United (formerly the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society)
Students who've been diagnosed with a blood cancer, leukemia, lymphoma, or myeloma, can apply, judged on academic achievement and a personal essay.
Apply by Oct 15, 2026 - Evans Scholars Program$125,000
Western Golf Association Evans Scholars Foundation
Golf caddies with at least two years of strong service, a 3.0 GPA or better, financial need, and demonstrated leadership can win full tuition and housing worth more than $125,000 over four years.
Apply by Oct 15, 2026Last verified Sep 28, 2026 - PayrollOrg Money Matters Scholarship$1,000–$5,000
PayrollOrg (formerly American Payroll Association)
PayrollOrg gives out one $5,000 scholarship and two $1,000 scholarships to students ages 17-25 attending or planning to attend college in the U.S. or Canada. Winners are picked based on personal essays rather than any specific major.
Apply by Oct 16, 2026
Due in 8 to 30 days (12)
- Chick-fil-A Remarkable Futures Scholarship$1,500–$25,000
Chick-fil-A, Inc.
Awards range from $1,500 to $25,000, but you have to be working as a Chick-fil-A Team Member at a franchised, company-owned, or affiliated restaurant when you apply. It's not open to the public, but the money can go toward any accredited college, university, or vocational school.
Apply by Oct 27, 2026Last verified Sep 28, 2026 - NCWIT Aspirations in Computing AwardAmount varies
National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT)
Young women, and gender-diverse and non-binary students in grades 9-12 pursuing computing and technology, can earn National or Regional Affiliate Winner, Honorable Mention, or Rising Star recognition, opening doors to further scholarships, internships, and community. There's no fixed cash award at the high school level; the prize structure and perks vary by year and region.
Apply by Oct 27, 2026Last verified Sep 28, 2026 - U.S. Bank Student ScholarshipUp to $20,000
U.S. Bank
U.S. Bank runs this sweepstakes-style program with awards up to $20,000, open to high school seniors and current college students who register during the entry period, no essay required, though eligibility rules still apply. It's not merit- or need-based; winners are picked at random. Your entry comes from learning modules in the Zogo app, and the award tier scales with how many you finish: 25+ modules for up to $2,500, 50+ for $5,000, 75+ for $10,000 and 150+ for $20,000.
Opens Jul 1, 2026 · Due Oct 30, 2026Last verified Oct 11, 2026 - American Culinary Federation Education Foundation Scholarship$2,500
American Culinary Federation (ACF) Education Foundation
Graduating seniors with at least a 3.0 GPA heading into a culinary, pastry, or foodservice program can get $2,500 a year for up to four years. There's a separate $2,500 award for students already enrolled, with a slightly lower 2.75 GPA requirement.
Apply by Oct 31, 2026Last verified Sep 30, 2026 - Mike Rowe Works Foundation Work Ethic Scholarship$1,000–$20,000
mikeroweWORKS Foundation
This $10 million fund hands out awards from $1,000 to $20,000 for tuition, tools, and fees to graduating seniors, grads, or GED recipients headed into a trade certification or associate degree program at an accredited technical or vocational school.
Apply by Oct 31, 2026Last verified Sep 28, 2026 - VFW Patriot's Pen Youth Essay Contest$500–$5,000
Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)
This patriotic essay contest is only open to students in grades 6-8, not high schoolers, and you submit it through a local VFW Post. There's $55,000 in national awards up for grabs, with $5,000 going to the national first-place winner and at least $500 to each state winner.
Apply by Oct 31, 2026 - VFW Voice of Democracy Scholarship$1,000–$35,000
Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)
High schoolers in grades 9-12 record an audio essay on a patriotic theme for this VFW competition, which hands out more than $1.6 million nationally to winners every year.
Apply by Oct 31, 2026Last verified Oct 11, 2026 - ACI Foundation Fellowships and ScholarshipsAmount varies
American Concrete Institute (ACI) Foundation
Covers a full academic year for undergrad and grad students studying civil engineering with a focus on concrete materials and construction.
Apply by Nov 1, 2026Last verified Sep 28, 2026 - Regeneron Science Talent Search$2,000–$250,000
Society for Science, presented by Regeneron
Regeneron backs the nation's oldest and most prestigious science research competition for high school seniors. Every one of the 300 scholars named walks away with at least $2,000 (and their school gets $2,000 too), while finalists compete for a top prize of $250,000 out of $3.1 million awarded overall. You'll need to submit an original, independently conducted research project, this isn't a simple open application.
Opens Jun 1, 2026 · Due Nov 5, 2026Last verified Oct 11, 2026 - AWWA Scholarship ProgramAmount varies
American Water Works Association (AWWA)
Undergrad or grad students studying an environmental, civil, or chemical engineering field tied to drinking water treatment and distribution can apply, plus there are separate section-level scholarships available.
Apply by Nov 6, 2026Last verified Sep 30, 2026 - Toyota Scholarship Program$7,500–$30,000
Toyota Financial Services, administered by Scholarship America
High school seniors, graduates or current undergraduates with at least a 2.0 GPA who plan to study full-time can get up to $30,000 over four years ($7,500 a year) through Toyota Financial Services. You have to be a member, or a former member within the last three years, of one of Toyota's listed non-profit partner organizations, and a representative of that organization signs a verification form for you.
Apply by Nov 6, 2026Last verified Oct 11, 2026 - Jack Kent Cooke Foundation College ScholarshipUp to $55,000
Jack Kent Cooke Foundation
High-achieving high school seniors with financial need can get up to $55,000 a year plus ongoing advising all the way through college.
Apply by Nov 11, 2026Last verified Oct 11, 2026
How to find last-minute scholarships you can actually win
Start with the deadline, then check what the application asks for. A scholarship due in three days that needs two recommendation letters is not a last-minute scholarship, however good the award. The effort score on each card adds up the essays, letters and extras so you can see the real work before you start.
Check the sponsor's own page before you apply. Deadlines can move, and some close at a specific time of day, not midnight. Stay away from anything that asks for a fee or for your bank details; our scam guide explains the warning signs. Want to hear about deadlines before they are last-minute? Make a free account and we will email you when one you qualify for is coming up. You can also try the no-essay scholarships.