No-essay scholarships
By Vincent Elliott · Published · Updated
Many real scholarships don't require an essay. This isn't a guess based on the description; it's checked against each sponsor's application.
These are usually faster to apply to, which also means more people apply. Check each one's effort score and odds (when a sponsor publishes them) before deciding where to spend your time. A no-essay scholarship with a short deadline and a few thousand applicants can still be a better bet than a harder one with worse odds.
No-essay scholarships open now (108)
- 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 - Burger King Scholars ProgramAmount varies
Burger King McLamore Foundation
Graduating seniors can win merit-based scholarships judged on academics, work experience, and community involvement.
Opens Oct 15, 2026 · Due Dec 15, 2026Last verified Sep 30, 2026 - Imagine America High School Scholarship$1,000
Imagine America Foundation
High school grads with at least a 2.5 GPA heading into postsecondary career education at a participating career college can get a $1,000 award, part of the $10 million the Imagine America Foundation hands out in tuition assistance each year.
Opens Sep 1, 2026 · Due Dec 31, 2026Last verified Sep 30, 2026 - Elks Emergency Educational GrantsUp to $5,000
Elks National Foundation
Undergrad children of an Elks member who died or became totally disabled while in good standing can get renewable one-year grants of up to $5,000.
Apply by Dec 31, 2026Last verified Sep 28, 2026 - Colorado Student Grant$1,000–$5,000
Colorado Department of Higher Education
Colorado resident undergrads at a participating in-state college or university can get roughly $1,000 to $5,000 a year, depending on FAFSA-determined need and how much funding the school has available.
Apply by Jan 1, 2027Last verified Sep 30, 2026 - Foundation of the National Student Nurses' Association Scholarship$1,000–$10,000
Foundation of the National Student Nurses' Association (FNSNA)
Students already enrolled in a state-approved nursing program, whether that's an ADN, BSN, diploma, direct-entry master's, RN-to-BSN/MSN, or accelerated BSN, can win anywhere from $1,000 to $10,000 based on grades, financial need, and involvement in nursing student organizations. Incoming high school seniors don't qualify since you have to already be enrolled.
Apply by Jan 11, 2027Last verified Sep 30, 2026 - AATSP Programs Support AwardAmount varies
American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese (AATSP)
This is actually a teacher-only grant, not a student scholarship: AATSP gives up to five $250 awards to teachers of Spanish or Portuguese to help cover honor-society ceremonies, regalia, or classroom activities. No essay is required.
Opens Oct 1, 2026 · Due Jan 22, 2027Last verified Sep 30, 2026 - Scripps National Spelling Bee$25,000–$52,500
E.W. Scripps Company
Students in grade 8 and under compete in this national spelling competition, where the champion takes home $50,000 (plus $2,500 from Merriam-Webster) and the runner-up gets $25,000.
Opens Aug 18, 2026 · Due Jan 29, 2027Last verified Sep 28, 2026 - AMS First-Year Undergraduate Scholarship$5,000
American Meteorological Society (AMS)
Graduating seniors headed into atmospheric, oceanic, or hydrologic science (marine biology doesn't count) can get $5,000 total, split $2,500 for freshman year and $2,500 for sophomore year. AMS especially wants to hear from women, minorities, and students with disabilities who are underrepresented in the field, and you'll need U.S. citizenship or permanent residency plus a 3.0+ GPA.
Apply by Feb 6, 2027Last verified Sep 30, 2026 - NJCL Scholarships$1,500–$5,000
National Junior Classical League (NJCL)
NJCL gives out ten scholarships between $1,500 and $5,000 to members, based on service to the organization, financial need, academic record, and teacher recommendations. There's also a separate $2,000 Anne B. Covington National Latin & Greek Honor Society Scholarship specifically for Latin Honor Society members. Either way, active NJCL membership is required.
Apply by Feb 7, 2027Last verified Sep 30, 2026 - ASNE Scholarship ProgramAmount varies
American Society of Naval Engineers (ASNE)
Undergrads pursuing a naval architecture, marine, or ocean engineering degree can apply, judged on academic performance and interest in naval engineering.
Apply by Feb 10, 2027Last verified Sep 28, 2026 - American Council of the Blind Scholarship$1,000–$7,500
American Council of the Blind (ACB)
Legally blind students enrolled or planning to enroll full-time in a post-secondary program can get $1,000 to $7,500, judged on academic achievement and community involvement, with no major restrictions.
Opens Nov 1, 2026 · Due Feb 14, 2027Last verified Sep 30, 2026 - $2,000
This one's simple: anyone with a Niche profile who's currently enrolled, admitted, or planning to start college within 12 months can enter, no essay required. It's not merit or need based either, winners get picked at random every month.
Apply by Feb 28, 2027 - IFT Feeding Tomorrow ScholarshipsAmount varies
Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) Foundation, Feeding Tomorrow Fund
Undergrad and grad students studying food science, food technology, or something related can apply, with awards judged on academic performance and genuine interest in the food science profession.
Apply by Feb 28, 2027Last verified Sep 30, 2026 - Blacks In Technology Foundation ScholarshipAmount varies
Blacks In Technology Foundation
Black students pursuing a career in technology can apply for scholarships and free tech-training partnerships, including one with Udacity.
Apply by Feb 28, 2027Requirements could not be foundLast verified Sep 28, 2026 - Maryland Guaranteed Access Grant$100–$18,000
Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC)
Maryland residents with significant financial need enrolled full-time at an eligible Maryland school can get up to $18,000 a year, as long as they file the FAFSA or MHEC One-App by March 1 and keep making satisfactory academic progress.
Apply by Mar 1, 2027Last verified Sep 28, 2026 - California Middle Class ScholarshipAmount varies
California Student Aid Commission (CSAC)
California residents attending a UC or CSU campus can qualify for this need-based award as long as family income is under $217,000. No separate application is needed beyond the FAFSA or CADAA.
Apply by Mar 2, 2027 - California Cal Grant (High School Entitlement Award)$1,648–$14,934
California Student Aid Commission
California high school seniors and recent grads with a 3.0 GPA or better and financial need can get this state grant. Cal Grant A covers up to $14,934 a year at a UC, $6,450 at a CSU, or $9,358 at a private nonprofit college, while Cal Grant B offers a smaller award for students with lower GPAs or income. You'll need to file the FAFSA or CADAA and verify your GPA.
Apply by Mar 2, 2027 - United Methodist GBHEM ScholarshipsAmount varies
General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM), United Methodist Church
GBHEM offers both general scholarships and ones specific to racial-ethnic groups for United Methodist students working toward an undergraduate or graduate degree.
Apply by Mar 6, 2027Last verified Sep 30, 2026 - Army ROTC ScholarshipAmount varies
U.S. Army
The Army covers full tuition and fees, or room and board, plus a book stipend and a monthly living allowance, in exchange for serving as a commissioned officer for a set number of years after graduation. It runs 2-4 years depending on when you apply.
Opens Jun 14, 2026 · Due Mar 8, 2027Last verified Sep 28, 2026
Are no-essay scholarships worth it?
Often, yes, as long as you choose them carefully. Without an essay, an application takes minutes instead of hours, so you can apply to many more. The trade-off is that more students apply, so your odds on each one are lower. The way to win is to apply to a lot of them, and to check that the sponsor is real and never asks for money. Our scam guide lists the warning signs.
Some no-essay scholarships ask for a short answer, a transcript or a recommendation in place of an essay, and each card shows exactly what is required. Also see scholarships with no GPA requirement and last-minute scholarships.