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Need-Based Scholarships for College (2025 - 2026)

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Need-Based Scholarships and College Grants

Need-based scholarships and grants are financial awards given to students based on their family’s financial situation rather than academic merit alone. These programs help make higher education accessible by covering tuition, fees, and other educational expenses for students who demonstrate financial need. Funding comes from federal and state governments, private organizations, and colleges or universities.

What Are Some Federal Grants Based on Need?

Federal need-based grants include several key programs that help low- and middle-income students pay for college, such as:

  • Pell Grant: The largest federal grant program, providing aid to low-income undergraduate students.
  • Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG): Available to students with exceptional financial need, distributed by participating colleges.
  • Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant: Awarded to students whose parent or guardian died as a result of U.S. military service after 9/11.

These grants do not need to be repaid and are often awarded automatically after completing the FAFSA.

Do Need-Based Scholarships Need to Be Paid Back?

No, need-based scholarships and grants are considered gift aid and do not need to be repaid, provided you meet eligibility requirements and use the funds for educational purposes. This financial assistance is designed to make college more affordable and reduce student loan debt.

What Need-Based Scholarships and Grants Are Available for College Students?

Examples of need-based scholarships and grants for college students include:

  • Pell Grant: Federal aid for undergraduate students with financial need.
  • Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Scholarship: Awards high-achieving students with financial need up to $55,000 annually.
  • Horatio Alger Scholarship: Supports students who have overcome adversity and demonstrated financial need.
  • Institutional Aid Programs: Universities like Harvard, Stanford, and Princeton meet 100% of demonstrated need for admitted students.

Many colleges also offer internal need-based grants to bridge remaining gaps after federal and state aid.

What Are the Requirements for Need-Based Scholarships?

To qualify for need-based scholarships and grants, students typically must:

  • Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or a similar institutional form.
  • Demonstrate financial need based on family income, assets, and household size.
  • Maintain satisfactory academic progress as defined by the scholarship provider or institution.

Some programs may also require essays, recommendation letters, or documentation of special financial circumstances.

Are There Need-Based Scholarships for International Students?

Yes, several universities and global organizations offer need-based aid for international students. Examples include:

  • Amherst College, Yale University, and Harvard University: Offer financial aid packages that meet 100% of demonstrated need for international students.
  • Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program: Provides need-based funding for students from developing countries.
  • American University Emerging Global Leader Scholarship: Offers full tuition to international students with financial need and leadership potential.

These programs ensure that qualified international students can attend top universities regardless of financial background.

What Is Need-Based Financial Aid?

Need-based financial aid refers to any form of assistance awarded based on financial need. This can include scholarships, grants, work-study programs, and subsidized student loans. The purpose is to make higher education attainable for students who might not otherwise afford tuition and related costs.

What Are Need-Based Grants?

Need-based grants are financial awards that do not require repayment. Examples include:

  • Federal Pell Grant and FSEOG: Federal programs supporting students with financial need.
  • Cal Grant (California): State-funded aid for low-income students attending college in California.
  • New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP): Provides grants to eligible New York residents attending approved institutions.
  • Institutional Grants: Many universities offer grants to fill funding gaps for qualified students.

Students should check both federal and state options when applying for financial aid each year.

Which Universities Offer Need-Based Scholarships?

Many leading universities in the U.S. offer generous need-based scholarships that meet full demonstrated financial need for admitted students. Examples include:

  • Harvard University: Offers full need-based aid, with many families paying little or no tuition.
  • Yale University: Provides need-based financial aid to domestic and international students.
  • Princeton University: Eliminated student loans from its aid packages, replacing them entirely with grants.
  • University of Chicago and Amherst College: Offer comprehensive need-based aid packages to all admitted students.

These universities ensure that financial barriers do not prevent talented students from pursuing a degree.

Reviewed by CollegeWhale Editorial Team on November, 2025. Content is updated regularly to reflect current scholarship deadlines and verified data from official sources.

Compare Top Need-Based Scholarships (Scholarship FastFind™)

The CollegeWhale Scholarship FastFind™ makes it easy to discover the best Need-Based scholarships — fast. Filter by award amount, deadline month, and estimated time to apply, then instantly download your personalized list. No sign-ups, no personal info, no spam — just real, verified scholarships.

Scholarship Award Deadline Est. Time Renewable
The West Virginia Promise Scholarship  $4,750 Rolling Med (~38 min) No
VFW “Sport Clips Help A Hero” Scholarship $5,000 April Low (~10 min) No
For A Bright Future STEAM Scholarship $10,000 Rolling Med (~83 min) No
Alaska Education Grant (AEG) $16,000 Rolling Low (~23 min) No
West Virginia Higher Education Grant Program $4,750 April Low (~23 min) No
Mondelēz International Scholarship $9,000 Rolling Med (~38 min) No
Panda Express Scholarships $2,500 July Med (~68 min) No
Macy’s Emergency Scholarship Fund $500 Rolling Med (~58 min) No
Emma Bowen Foundation Fellows Program — May Low (~10 min) No
Equitable Excellence® Scholarship $20,000 December Med (~58 min) No
Andrew S. Mathers Scholarship $1,000 September Med (~58 min) No
AAUW of East Mesa Branch Scholarship $1,500 Rolling High (~103 min) No
Nanook Commitment Scholarship $4,000 Rolling Med (~38 min) No
The Pauahi Foundation Scholarships  $5,000 Rolling Med (~88 min) No
Louisiana Scholarship Program (LaSTEM)  $6,000 Rolling Med (~68 min) No
Stephen and Tabitha King Foundation Scholarship  $3,000 Rolling Med (~78 min) No
The Delaware Futures Scholarship Program  — Rolling Med (~88 min) No
Louisiana TOPS Opportunity Award  — Rolling Low (~23 min) No
Hawaii Community Foundation – Native Hawaiian Scholarship $10,000 Rolling Med (~88 min) No
Harold Alfond Foundation Scholarship  $5,000 Rolling Med (~88 min) No
Albert H and Betty L Watenpaugh Scholarship — March Low (~13 min) No
Wyoming Adult Student Scholarship — March Low (~13 min) No
Chief Washakie Memorial Endowment — February Low (~13 min) No
Stephen J. Brady Stop Hunger Scholarship $10,000 Rolling Low (~13 min) No
Vermont Incentive Grant $12,800 Rolling Low (~23 min) No
North Carolina Education Lottery Scholarship $4,000 Rolling Low (~23 min) No
Indiana 21st Century Scholars Program — June Low (~23 min) No
Pass the Torch Teacher Scholarships $5,000 July Med (~38 min) No
Glow Foundation Unmet Need Scholarship — Rolling Low (~13 min) No
Florida Student Assistance Grant Program — July Low (~23 min) No
Florida First Generation Matching Grant Program — July Low (~23 min) No
Children of Veterans Tuition Grant (CVTG) $11,200 July Low (~13 min) No
Michigan Tuition Grant (MTG) $1,500 Rolling Low (~23 min) No
Utah Adult Learner Grant Program $2,500 April Med (~53 min) No
Utah Promise Grant — Rolling Low (~23 min) No
Wisconsin Indian Student Assistance Grant $1,100 Rolling Low (~20 min) No
Arizona Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership (AzLEAP) — Rolling Low (~23 min) No
Alabama Student Grant Program (ASGP) $3,000 Rolling Low (~13 min) No
Wisconsin Talent Incentive Program Grant $1,800 Rolling Low (~10 min) No
Alabama Student Assistance Program (ASAP) $5,000 Rolling Low (~23 min) No
Wisconsin Grant Program $3,150 Rolling Low (~20 min) No
Wisconsin Grant – Private Non-Profit $250 Rolling Low (~10 min) No
Kansas Comprehensive Grant $3,500 Rolling Low (~23 min) No
Alabama Student Grant Program — Rolling Low (~23 min) No
Soroptimist Live Your Dream Award $16,000 Rolling Low (~13 min) No
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG) $4,000 Rolling Low (~23 min) No
Federal Pell Grants $7,395 June Low (~23 min) No
Paul and Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans $90,000 Rolling Med (~48 min) No
The Benjamin A. Gilman International Grant $5,000 Rolling Med (~58 min) No
The AAUW International Fellowships $30,000 Rolling Med (~78 min) No
The Hewlett-Packard (HP) STEM Grants $20,000 Rolling Med (~58 min) No
Massachusetts Public Service Grant — Rolling Low (~13 min) No
Jack in the Box Scholarship $5,000 July Med (~58 min) No
10,000 Degrees Scholarship $1,500 Rolling Low (~10 min) No
Boiler Affordability Grant $70,000 Rolling Low (~23 min) No
Louisiana GO Grant — Rolling Low (~23 min) No
Hathaway Scholarship $1,680 Rolling Med (~38 min) No
Michigan Competitive Scholarship $1,500 July Low (~23 min) No
Colorado Excelsior Scholarship Fund $5,000 February Med (~58 min) No
South Carolina Need-based Grant $3,500 Rolling Low (~23 min) No
Frank O’Bannon Grant — April Low (~23 min) No
José Martí Scholarship Challenge Grant Fund $2,000 April Med (~38 min) No
Delaware Scholarship Incentive Program — May Low (~23 min) No
Delaware Governors Workforce Development Grant — Rolling Low (~13 min) No
Florence Anderson Scholarship — March Med (~88 min) No
Doris and Joel Abramson Scholarship $30,000 March Med (~88 min) No
Connecticut Regional Scholarship $30,000 March Med (~88 min) No
Francis H. Mahon Scholarship $7,500 Rolling Low (~28 min) No
Ambassador Leadership and Scholarship Program $2,500 January Med (~38 min) No
Reisher Scholars Program $15,000 Rolling Low (~28 min) No
Denver Foundation Community Scholarship $5,000 April Med (~48 min) No
Michigan Achievement Scholarship $25,000 Rolling Low (~23 min) No
Carl F. Pollard Scholarship $2 Rolling Low (~23 min) No
Emma E. Buckley Scholarship $10,000 March Med (~78 min) No
WICHE Professional Student Exchange Program — October Low (~13 min) No
Utah Opportunity Scholarship — Rolling Med (~58 min) No
Patsy Takemoto Mink Education Foundation Scholarship $30,000 Rolling Low (~13 min) No
Italian Catholic Federation First Year Scholarship $1,000 April High (~103 min) No
Royal Business Bank Scholarship Program $1,000 April Med (~86 min) No
Arizona First Advised Fund Foster Youth Scholarship $6,000 April Med (~78 min) No
Archer-Ragsdale Arizona Chapter Tuskegee Airmen Inc. Scholarship $2,500 April Med (~78 min) No
Amy Wasserman Scholarship Fund $3,000 April Med (~78 min) No
Alexandra Ryan Swanson Live Your Dream Scholarship $2,500 June Med (~78 min) No
ACF Memorial Scholarship $1,000 April High (~113 min) No
Powered by CollegeWhale Scholarship FastFind™.

All Need-Based Scholarships & Grants for (2025 - 2026)

Below you’ll find a comprehensive collection of Need-Based scholarships and grants for the 2025–2026 school years, curated from our regularly updated databases. To explore all available scholarship matches, visit our Scholarship Database and Grant Database, which both offer easy-to-use filters, current deadlines, and detailed eligibility information to help you discover the best Need-Based scholarship opportunities. You can also download or export our latest Need-Based Scholarship & Grant listings below.

Download Need-Based Scholarships (CSV) Download Need-Based Scholarships (JSON)
1
new scholarship

VFW “Sport Clips Help A Hero” Scholarship

Name: VFW "Sport Clips Help A Hero" Scholarship Award Amount: Up to $5,000 (restricted to tuition and fees only) Information and Eligibility: The...

Deadline: April
2
new scholarship

Macy’s Emergency Scholarship Fund

Name: Macy’s Emergency Scholarship Fund Award Amount: Varies based on need; not to exceed $500 Information and Eligibility: The Macy’s...

Deadline: Rolling
3
new scholarship

Emma Bowen Foundation Fellows Program

Name: Emma Bowen Foundation Fellows Program Award Amount: Paid internships each summer; additional need-based academic scholarships available to...

Deadline: May
4
new scholarship

Equitable Excellence® Scholarship

Name: Equitable Excellence® Scholarship Award Amount: $5,000 per year, renewable for up to four years (total value: $20,000 per recipient) ...

Deadline: December
5
new scholarship

Andrew S. Mathers Scholarship

Name: Andrew S. Mathers Scholarship Award Amount: $1,000 One-time $1,000 award given annually to one student. Information and Eligibility: The...

Deadline: September
6
new scholarship

10,000 Degrees Scholarship

Name: 10,000 Degrees Scholarships Award Amount: Up to $1,500 per academic year Information and Eligibility: 10,000 Degrees is a nonprofit...

Deadline: Rolling
7
new scholarship

Louisiana GO Grant

Name: Louisiana GO Grant Award Amount: Provides a need-based grant with the award amount determined by your financial need and the cost of...

Deadline: Rolling
8
new scholarship

Hathaway Scholarship

Name: Hathaway Scholarship Award Amount: Honors Level: Up to $1,680 per semester. Performance Level: Up to $1,260 per semester. Opportunity...

Deadline: Rolling
9
new scholarship

Michigan Competitive Scholarship

Name: Michigan Competitive Scholarship Award Amount: Up to $1,500 per academic year. Overview: The Michigan Competitive Scholarship (MCS)...

Deadline: July
10
new scholarship

South Carolina Need-based Grant

Name: South Carolina Need-based Grant Award Amount: Up to $3,500 annually for full-time students. Up to $1,750 annually for part-time...

Deadline: Rolling
11
new scholarship

Boiler Affordability Grant

Name: Boiler Affordability Grant Award Amount: Varies; covers the remaining cost of tuition, fees, and estimated book expenses after accounting...

Deadline: Rolling
12
new scholarship

Frank O’Bannon Grant

Name: Frank O’Bannon Grant Award Amount: Varies based on financial need and the type of Indiana institution attended. Information and...

Deadline: April
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