Rising tuition and college costs have caused student debt in the United States to soar. At this point, national student loan debt has reached nearly $1.6 trillion dollars, surpassing both credit card and auto loan debt. Roughly 70 percent of students have to take out loans to pay for college. And after graduation, the average borrower owes more than $37,000.
So, it’s safe to say students need all the financial help they can get. Luckily, there are many companies and organizations willing to help. There’s a scholarship out there for every student, no matter where they come from or what they’re interested in.
Here are some recently announced scholarships, and a few have upcoming deadlines.
American Marketing Association Houston’s Penny Todd Scholarship
The American Marketing Association (AMA) Houston is now accepting applications for its Penny Todd Scholarship. AMA is looking to award Houston-area undergraduate college students studying marketing or a related field.
To apply, those interested must fill out an application, write a maximum 750-word essay, include a minimum of two letters of recommendation, provide proof of enrollment and an official transcript, and provide samples of marketing coursework.
Application Deadline: April 17, 2020
Reward: $5,000
Eligibility:
- Must either be attending school in the greater Houston area or have graduated from high school in the greater Houston area
- Must have at least a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale
- Must be enrolled in a full-time undergraduate course of study at an accredited 2-year or 4-year college or university
- Must have declared a major in marketing, advertising, graphic arts, media or a related field of study
Apartment Guide’s College Scholarship Contest
Apartment Guide has opened applications for its annual Student Scholarship Contest. U.S. high school seniors and undergraduate students over the age of 17 can apply for their chance to win one of two scholarships. And the money they earn can go towards anything education-related, including books, a study abroad trip, or rent for a campus apartment, among other things.
To apply, those interested must fill out an application and submit a 500- to 600-word essay.
Application Deadline: March 23, 2020
Reward: $2,500
Eligibility:
- Must be at least 17 years old
- Must be a legal resident of the United States
- Must be enrolled in or accepted as a full-time student at an accredited college or university for the Fall 2020 semester
- Must have at least a 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale
- Must be pursuing an undergraduate education
Crystal Group’s Innovation Scholarship
Crystal Group, a leading designer and manufacturer of rugged computer and electronic hardware, is now accepting applications for its Innovation Scholarship. It’s looking to reward a total of two full-time students looking to pursue careers in a business-related field.
To apply, those interested must fill out an application form, attach a resume, write a 500- to 800-word essay, and have two faculty/staff members and/or managers/supervisors write a letter of recommendation.
Application Deadline: April 3, 2020
Reward: $1,000
Eligibility:
- Must be enrolled full-time in an undergraduate business program, engineering program, or related major working toward a bachelor’s degree at an accredited two-year or four-year institution located in the United States
- Must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
- Must have completed at least 60 semester hours
- Crystal Group employees and their family members are not eligible.
Click Intelligence’s SEO Scholarship Program
Click Intelligence, a digital marketing agency based in London, Cheltenham, and the United States, is accepting applications for its Digital Marketing Scholarship. In addition to receiving a $1,000 grant, the winner will have the opportunity to join Click Intelligence for a two-week long internship and receive a reputable digital marketing certification.
To apply, those interested must fill out a brief form and write a 1000-word essay.
Application Deadline: August 31, 2020
Reward: $1,000, plus
- Two-week internship at Click Intelligence
- A reputable digital marketing certification
Eligibility: Must be a current or prospective college student in the United States
Daniel Orfin Scholarship Program
Daniel Orfin, the founder of the insurance and retirement planning company Orfin & Associates, is accepting applications for his scholarship program. He is looking to award a total of three separate scholarships to three students who wish to further their education but lack the funds to do so.
To apply, those interested must fill out an application form and write a 500-word essay. Applicants must also include proof of enrollment in the form of an acceptance letter or class schedule in order to be eligible.
Application Deadline: April 5, 2020
Reward: $2,500, $1,200 & $500
Eligibility:
- Must live in North America
- Must demonstrate financial need
Freestone Capital Management’s Future Leaders Scholarship
The Seattle-based wealth management firm Freestone Capital Management is now accepting applications for its Freestone Future Leaders Scholarship. It’s looking to reward a total of five full-time students from the Pacific Northwest who demonstrate a passion for higher education and future leadership skills.
To apply, those interested must complete an application form, answer two essay questions with responses up to 500 words, and attach a letter of recommendation from a teacher, counselor or community influencer.
Application Deadline: April 1, 2020
Reward: $5,000
Eligibility:
- Must be high school seniors and current undergraduate college students attending an accredited two-year or technical college or university
- Must reside in Washington state, Oregon or California
- Should be involved in community, entrepreneurship or other extracurricular activities
*Note: Previous award winners, along with Freestone employees, clients, partners and their families, are not eligible to apply.
The Michael’s Organization’s Residents Scholarship
The Michaels Organization Educational Foundation, a non-profit affiliate of The Michaels Organization, is now accepting applications for its residents scholarship program. It’s looking to award scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 to an undetermined amount of students living in Michaels’ affordable and military housing communities.
To apply, those interested must fill out an application, write at least one 400-word essay and submit a letter of reference filled out by a teacher, guidance counselor, principal, dean or other school administrator. Proof of community service is also required, though it can be completed after the scholarship is awarded.
Application Deadline: April 15, 2020
Reward: Awards ranging from $1,000 to $10,000
Eligibility:
- High school and undergraduate students who plan on pursuing a degree in a college undergraduate program or trade/professional school
- Must live or have parents who live in one of Michaels’ affordable and military housing communities.
- Must have at least a 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale
- Must demonstrate financial need
mikeroweWORKS Foundation Work Ethic Scholarship Program
Applications are now open for the mikeroweWORKS Foundation Work Ethic Scholarship, supported by the home repair solution company HomeServe USA. It’s looking to award students pursuing careers in skilled trades.
To apply, those interested must fill out an application, enroll in an approved program, join the S.W.E.A.T Pledge, send at least two reference letters, make a short video, provide a high school/college transcript, answer four questions, and submit financial info.
Application Deadline: March 31, 2020
Reward: Undisclosed
*Note: The foundation aims to give away more than $1 million in scholarships this year, though.
Eligibility:
- Must be pursuing a career in the skilled trades, including construction, HVAC, electric technology, and plumbing, among many others
- Must be enrolled in a program that is approved by the mikeroweWORKS Foundation
Pennsylvania American Water’s Stream of Learning Scholarship Program
Pennsylvania American Water is now accepting applications for its 2020 Stream of Learning Scholarship Program for those pursuing careers in the water industry and related fields. A total of 10 winners will be selected by a panel of judges.
To apply, those interested must fill out a brief application form, include a letter of reference from a teacher or community service leader, include an official school transcript, include a copy of a household water bill, and write a one-page essay describing career interests and how they benefit the water or wastewater industries.
Application Deadline: April 3, 2020
Reward: $1,000
Eligibility:
- Must be a high school senior
- Must live in a household served by Pennsylvania American Water
- Must plan to attend a two-or four-year college or technical school
- Must plan to study environmental science, biology, engineering or chemistry
Perecman Law Firm’s Avonte Oquendo Memorial Scholarship
Perecman Law Firm is now accepting applications to its Avonte Oquendo Memorial Scholarship for Autism, in memory of Avonte who passed away at the young age of 14. The law firm is offering a $5,000 scholarship for a student living with autism, or whose loved one is living with autism.
To apply, those interested must fill out an application, submit a 500- to 1,000-word essay, and include an academic transcript.
Application Deadline: July 31, 2020
Reward: $5,000
Eligibility:
- Must either have autism or have a loved one with autism
- Must be an enrolled student or accepted high school senior at an accredited college, university, or vocational school
