Scholarships With No GPA Requirement

U.S. high school seniors in their final year who have not previously entered the competition may submit original STEM research to the Regeneron Science Talent Search, the nation's oldest pre-college science competition. The top award is $250,000. The top 300 scholars each receive $2,000, and 40 finalists receive at least $25,000. Nearly 2,600 students enter annually. Submit a research report, essays, recommendations, and transcripts following official rules between June 1 and November 5. Regeneron STS identifies and inspires promising young scientists across critical scientific fields.

Young people under age 23 with innovative project ideas who are willing to work full time on their ventures and skip or stop out of college may apply for the Thiel Fellowship. Fellows receive a $250,000 grant over a two-year program, plus access to the Thiel Foundation network of founders, investors, and scientists. Complete the online application with details about your project and background. Shortlisted candidates participate in interviews. A short deck or prospectus helps state your work clearly. Rolling applications are accepted with no fixed deadline. Peter Thiel founded the fellowship in 2011 for young people who want to build new things.

Global sustainability competition for high schools in six world regions. Student-led school teams propose a scalable project addressing health, food, energy, or water challenges to be implemented within 12–24 months. Winning schools receive up to $150,000 USD to fund the proposed solution (at least 80% must go to project costs); finalist schools receive $25,000. The 2026 cycle closed June 22, 2026; the next cycle typically opens in January with submissions due the following June.

Journalists with at least five years of full-time professional journalism experience (internships do not count). The program is not open to PR, government communications, or degree-seeking applicants. Fellows spend nine months at Stanford with a $130,000 stipend plus tuition and health coverage. Apply through the John S. Knight Journalism Fellowships site when the cycle opens.

The Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation's Gifted Tuition Scholarships support exceptionally talented music students with a passion for Latin music who have financial limitations. Applicants must be 17-25 years old and admitted to start or continue a four-year bachelor's degree in music at the accredited institution of their choice in the fall. Three Gifted Tuition Scholarships of up to $120,000 each are awarded, covering tuition and housing over four years of full-time study, plus wrap-around services from the foundation. Recipients must maintain strong academic standing each semester. Apply online with two audition videos, two letters of recommendation, two essays, and a university acceptance letter; materials may be in English, Spanish, or Portuguese. Applications open in December and closed April 10 for the 2026 cycle.

The Heald Scholarship is Illinois Institute of Technology's primary automatic merit award for domestic first-year undergraduates. Every eligible applicant is considered upon admission without a separate scholarship form. Awards range from eighty thousand to one hundred twenty thousand dollars over four years of full-time undergraduate study, applied toward tuition. Illinois Tech replaces the Heald award with a higher institutional scholarship if a student qualifies for a named full-tuition program such as Camras or Duchossois. Recipients must maintain good academic standing and full-time enrollment to renew the scholarship each year through degree completion.

U.S. residents ages 18 to 24 who are enrolled in or planning to attend an accredited college or university may enter the Dr Pepper Tuition Giveaway. Tuition funds must be used exclusively for college tuition at an accredited institution. Finalists compete on the field during a college football Conference Championship Game for up to $100,000 in tuition assistance. Eight winners are selected through the annual program. Create a Pepper Perks account on the official Dr Pepper Tuition Giveaway website, complete your profile, and submit a 60-second video in MP4, MOV, or WMV format describing your academic and career goals and how tuition help would impact your future.

Currently enrolled students at accredited colleges or universities who are at least 18 years old may compete in Microsoft Imagine Cup by building AI-powered startup ideas. Teams of up to four students are welcome. Prize funding reaches up to $100,000 through competition paths such as Scale and Launch, along with Azure credits, mentorship, and access to Microsoft's AI tools. Specific funding levels and round dates are set in the official rules each season. Register online, develop a minimum viable product, and advance through semifinals toward the World Championship. Imagine Cup connects student founders with technology, guidance, and a global community focused on real-world problem solving.

Mid-career U.S. journalists employed as opinion writers or as reporters focused on analytical or public-service journalism may apply, including freelancers who devote most of their time or income to that work. Applicants need at least three years of relevant experience, strong writing and analytical ability, and a plan to publish within six to 12 months. Work must be in English. The SPJ Foundation fellowship provides up to $100,000 for study, research, and travel on a public-interest project. More than one fellow may be selected in a year, with funding divided at the judges' discretion. Fellows do not have to leave their jobs. Submit a cover letter with project purpose, timeline, and stipend plan; an editor endorsement (including for self-employed applicants); a one-page biography; and five samples of opinion or analytical writing.

World's largest pre-college science and engineering competition for high school students in grades 9–12. Finalists qualify by winning a top prize at a Society-affiliated local, regional, or state science fair, then compete at the annual ISEF finals. More than $7 million in grand and special awards is distributed annually, including a $100,000 top prize and category awards from $600 to $6,000 plus dozens of sponsor special awards.