Need-Based Scholarships

High-achieving U.S. high school seniors graduating in spring 2027 who plan to enroll full-time at an accredited four-year college, have a minimum 3.75 unweighted GPA, and demonstrate financial need (families with annual gross income up to $95,000 considered) may apply via the Common App. Scholarships provide up to $55,000 per year toward tuition, living expenses, books, fees, and required costs at the nation's top colleges and universities. Submit academic recommendations, counselor recommendation, school report, and transcripts through the Common Application. The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation offers the largest undergraduate scholarship for high-achieving students with financial need.

Top community college students in the United States who are sophomores by January 1 or recent graduates since spring 2022, plan to transfer full-time to a four-year college, hold at least a 3.5 GPA, and demonstrate financial need may apply for the Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship through the Common App. Awards provide up to $55,000 per year as last-dollar funding toward completing a bachelor's degree. The selection process is rigorous and considers academics, financial need, perseverance, leadership, and community commitment. Recipients also receive college advising, transition support, and access to internship and graduate scholarship opportunities through the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation.

Students with strong academics, meaningful community service, and financial need who plan to attend an accredited college, university, or vocational/technical school may apply for the Chick-fil-A Community Scholars program. At least thirteen recipients receive $25,000 scholarships annually for tuition, fees, books, and other education-related expenses. Recipients also participate in a one-year leadership and mentoring program. Submit a completed application with transcript, detailed answers about your achievements and service, and a recommender's recommendation before the deadline.

Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander undergraduate students enrolled at a U.S. accredited college or university may apply. Applicants must be U.S. citizens, nationals, or legal permanent residents, including citizens of the Marshall Islands, Micronesia, and Palau. Trade and vocational students are not eligible. Scholarships range from $2,500 one-year awards to $20,000 multi-year awards. Priority goes to low-income, first-generation students and those underrepresented within the APIA community. Complete the online APIA Scholarship Program application and file a FAFSA for the upcoming academic year. Applications close January 15. APIA Scholars supports underserved APIA students with a focus on community service, leadership, and academic achievement.

Single mothers pursuing a human-resources-related bachelor's degree who demonstrate financial need and have at least one dependent child under 14 may apply. One recipient receives $20,000 per year for tuition and childcare for up to four years, with the first two years at community college followed by transfer to a four-year school. The award also includes a paid flexible internship, a Melita Group mentor, and consideration for full-time employment after graduation. Submit a 700-word essay and proof of income with your application.

Texas residents in Aransas, Bee, Goliad, Karnes, Kleberg, Nueces, Refugio, San Patricio, or Victoria counties who attended high school or were homeschooled in those counties and demonstrate challenging family circumstances, financial need, and academic success may apply. College or university awards reach up to $16,000. Trade or technical school awards reach up to $10,000. Applicants must attend accredited Texas institutions. The Dennis Henneke Foundation honors Dennis Henneke's spirit of mentoring and helping others pursue education despite hardship.

Rising law students entering their first or second year of full-time study at an accredited U.S. law school who demonstrate commitment to racial justice may apply for the Earl Warren Scholarship from the NAACP Legal Defense Fund. Scholars receive $15,000 per year for up to three years, provided they remain in good academic standing and meet scholarship criteria. Applicants must demonstrate financial need and submit a completed FAFSA with the application. Include two recommendation letters with the application. Final decisions are made in mid-August or early September. The scholarship is named for Chief Justice Earl Warren, whose court helped end school segregation.

High school seniors with at least a 3.5 GPA who rank in the top 20% of their class and demonstrate financial need may apply for the Gordon A. Rich Memorial Scholarship if their parent or guardian has or had a career in the financial services industry. Dependent children of employees with five years of current experience, or ten years of prior experience ending no more than five years before the deadline, are eligible. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or legal residents planning full-time study at an accredited four-year U.S. college. Up to seven recipients receive up to $15,000 per year, renewable for up to three additional years. Awards are for undergraduate study only. Submit via Scholarship America with SAT or ACT scores, transcript, counselor appraisal, online recommendation, and a 500-word essay on how you embody the passion and ideals of Gordon A. Rich.

Underrepresented high school seniors and college students attending full time at Brighthouse Scholar Connections partner schools in the Charlotte, North Carolina area may apply. Awards provide up to $10,000 per year, renewable for up to four years with reapplication, for a maximum of $40,000. Applicants must demonstrate financial need and maintain at least a 2.7 GPA. Submit a personal statement, writing sample, resume, academic transcripts, and a letter of recommendation. High school seniors also submit a college acceptance letter. Brighthouse Scholar Connections, Inc. supports first-generation students, historically underrepresented groups, and students from schools with low graduation rates or funding.

Transfer students with 60 to 90 credits planning to major in biology, biotechnology, computer science, computer information technology and security, data science and AI, chemistry, or mathematics at Elms College may apply for NSF-supported Elms STEM scholarships. Awards are up to $10,000 per year. Five scholarships are available. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents with FAFSA-documented financial need and admission to Elms. Pre-med and education-only tracks are not eligible. The ElmSTEMs program, funded by the National Science Foundation, provides scholarships and programming for STEM majors with demonstrated need.