Top 100 Scholarships & Grants with May Deadlines

May Scholarships, Grants & Financial Aid Overview

Do graduating seniors still have meaningful opportunities to win scholarships in May?

Yes — far more than most students realize. May almost feels like the “forgotten month” of the scholarship cycle, which oddly makes it one of the best-kept secrets for seniors who are still in the hunt for funding. By this point in the year, a huge percentage of students have shifted their attention toward graduation ceremonies, final exams, summer plans, or simply the relief of being done with applications. That natural drop-off creates a vacuum, and a surprising number of corporate, nonprofit, and niche awards intentionally leave their deadlines in May because they want to support late decision-makers or students who struggled earlier in the year. Many May programs also cater to students who already know their major or career direction, which allows committees to make more informed selections. If you’re finishing high school and feel like you missed your chance, May is almost designed for you. The applicant pool may be smaller, but the opportunities are absolutely still real.

Pro Tip:
Search for scholarships that mention “final-cycle,” “second round,” or “late deadline.” Many of them were extensions added quietly because the first round didn’t receive enough strong applicants.

Are May scholarships usually smaller awards, or can students still find mid- to high-value opportunities?

There’s a misconception that May is full of tiny, “throwaway” scholarships, but that’s not accurate. While some quick-apply programs do appear, May also includes a surprising number of mid-value and even renewable awards. What happens is that organizations planning for their new fiscal year (often starting July 1) still have money earmarked for students entering in the fall, and they need to allocate it before their budgets reset. In addition, a lot of private foundations finalize donor contributions in the spring, which triggers another wave of scholarships that must be awarded quickly. Because of this timing, students can find several awards in the $1,000–$5,000 range, many of which renew for multiple years. Committees also tend to be more flexible as they try to fill remaining scholarship slots. In May, the “quality threshold” for winning can sometimes be lower than earlier months simply because the volume is down and the urgency is up.

Pro Tip:
Prioritize renewable awards in May — they’re the best value long-term, and fewer students are looking for them this late in the cycle.

What makes May scholarships different from earlier-month deadlines?

May deadlines tend to feel more practical, almost grounded. Earlier in the year, many scholarships are philosophical or reflective — committees want essays about long-term goals, big ideas, personal development, or academic achievements. But in May, the tone shifts. Students have committed to colleges, chosen majors, and accepted financial aid packages, so committees often ask more targeted questions: “How will this scholarship help you succeed next semester?” or “What drew you to your major?” or “What challenges do you expect during your first year?” It’s like the narrative becomes more real and immediate. Another difference is that many May applications ask about specific expenses — books, equipment, housing deposits — because organizations want to award funds that will make an immediate impact on a student’s transition. These aren’t abstract essays; they’re practical discussions about real needs and real plans.

Pro Tip:
Write with specificity. Don’t say, “This scholarship will help me with expenses.” Say, “This will pay for my biology lab kit and the mandatory nursing shoes that cost more than I expected.” Committees respond strongly to detail.