Every college student should be applying for at least a few college scholarships. Scholarships are the best way to get money for college because they don’t need to be repaid! However, every year many students avoid applying for scholarships because they either think they won’t qualify or don’t believe they have the time to complete lengthy essays or complicated applications. The truth is, not all college scholarships are based on academic achievements, and some don’t require hours of effort to apply for.
There are scholarships you can apply for in less than five minutes, and others that are not even based on your Grade Point Average (GPA). Here are five easy scholarships that every college student should take advantage of:
The CollegeVine No-Essay $2,000 Scholarship is a simple, random-drawing scholarship open to U.S. high school students in grades 9–12, as well as students planning to apply to college next year. Applicants must be at least 13 years old, and minors need parental or guardian permission. There’s no essay required—students can enter by creating a free CollegeVine account and completing their admissions “chancing” profile, or by mailing in a handwritten entry with their basic information. Entries must be submitted by September 30, and the winner will be selected and notified by email after eligibility is verified. The odds of winning depend on the total number of entries received.
The College Board BigFuture Scholarships offer students a chance to win $500 or $40,000 via monthly drawings—no essays, GPA requirements, test scores, or citizenship restrictions needed. To qualify, you simply complete any of six college-prep tasks on the BigFuture platform—like building a college list, scholarship list, or completing the FAFSA—and each task earns you one entry; unused entries roll over each month. Students from families earning under $60,000 per year get extra chances to win, and nearly half of the awards are reserved for them. Since 2019, more than 24,000 scholarships totaling over $20 million have been awarded. Winners are notified by email and sometimes surprise their classmates at school assemblies.
The Edvisors $2,500 Monthly Scholarship is a simple, sweepstakes-style scholarship that awards one winner $2,500 each month. It’s open to high school or college students—or those planning to attend a U.S. college—as long as they’re at least 13 years old and a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident. There are no GPA requirements or essays needed—just a quick online entry. You can also boost your chances by completing a short survey or creating a profile. A new drawing is held every month on the 15th. Edvisors has already awarded over $1 million in scholarships to date.
The Scholarships360 $10,000 “No Essay” Scholarship is a sweepstakes-style award open to students at all educational levels—from high schoolers to graduate and adult learners. To enter, U.S. citizens or permanent residents simply need to sign up on the Scholarships360 platform and interact with its scholarship tools and content—no essays, GPA thresholds, or extra documents required. The scholarship awards a single $10,000 prize each year, with finalists potentially interviewed about how they use the platform to fund their education. Interested applicants must submit their entry by June 30.
The Taco Bell Live Más Scholarship is a passion-driven award open to students aged 16 to 26 who are pursuing higher education—whether that’s at community colleges, universities, vocational schools, or trade programs. It’s not GPA-based—instead, applicants submit a two‑minute video expressing their passion, how they plan to make a positive impact, and the role education plays in that journey. The Taco Bell Foundation is distributing up to $14 million through this program, offering awards ranging from $5,000 to $25,000. What sets this scholarship apart is its community: scholars gain access to mentorship, networking opportunities, and even renewal options for ongoing support.
To discover more scholarships for college, visit our Easiest Scholarship Search Ever. No registration is required—just type in some keywords to find scholarships that you qualify for!
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