Apply below to the best Difficult Scholarships in February 2025.
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New Jersey • For Asian students • For Black and/or African American students • For Hispanic and/or Latino students • For Middle Eastern students • For Native American / American Indian students • For Pacific Islander students • For students of color • Graduate Students
NJLA Scholarships offer up to $8,500 for diverse students in New Jersey attending ALA-accredited library schools. Apply with an essay and recommendations.
Deadline:
March 15, 2025
California • Medicine • Healthcare-Related • Pre-Med • Nursing • Seniors • Juniors • Sophomores
The Honey Lake Hospice Scholarship offers $1,500 to Northern California students in nursing or health care with a focus on gerontology.
Deadline:
March 15, 2025
California • Finance • For Women • Juniors • Seniors • Graduate Students
FWSF Scholarships offer $10,000 for undergraduates and $15,000 for graduates in finance. Must be enrolled in a Bay Area college.
Deadline:
March 21, 2025
Indiana • Freshmen
The Diane Lewis Scholarship offers $1,000 to high school seniors in Gary, Merrillville, or Hammond, IN with a C+ GPA. Apply with an essay.
Deadline:
March 25, 2025
California • Freshmen • Sophomores • Juniors • Seniors
Scholarship for Contra Costa residents enrolled in trade or college programs. Up to $10,000 awarded. GPA requirements apply.
Deadline:
March 30, 2025
Engineering • Chemistry • Industrial Engineering • Materials Science • Science • Other Trades/Crafts • Manufacturing/Production • Journalism • Communications • Mechanical Engineering • Physics • Graduate Students • Seniors
The Lew Erwin Extrusion Division Scholarship offers up to $6,000 for PhD or Senior-Masters research in polymer extrusion.
Deadline:
April 1, 2025
Conservation • Environmental Engineering • Environmental Science • Natural Resources Management • Climate Sciences • Geological & Earth Sciences • Test Scores • Freshmen • Sophomores • Juniors • Seniors
The Wood Studies Scholarship offers $1,000 for students in forestry with a 3.0 GPA and specific test scores. Apply with resume, essay, and recommendation.
Deadline:
April 1, 2025
New Jersey • Pennsylvania • Delaware • Athletic • Freshmen
The Lou Manzione Scholarship offers $1,000 to high school seniors in NJ, PA, or DE involved in travel hockey. Apply now!
Deadline:
April 1, 2025
Medicine • Juniors
Herbert W. Nickens Medical Student Scholarships provide $5,000 to third-year medical students addressing minority health care needs.
Deadline:
April 5, 2025
New York • Environmental Science • Conservation • Environmental Engineering • High school • Freshmen
The Dave Sauer Memorial College Scholarship offers up to $1,000 for NY high school seniors pursuing environmental studies.
Deadline:
April 5, 2025
Pennsylvania • High school • Freshmen
Washington Area Federal Credit Union offers a $1,000 scholarship for local high school students. Apply with an essay and recommendation.
Deadline:
April 7, 2025
Illinois • Indiana • Iowa • Michigan • Wisconsin • For Christian students • Juniors • Seniors • Graduate Students
The O’Brien-Vrba Scholarship Trust supports rural students in the Midwest with financial aid for undergraduates and graduates.
Deadline:
April 8, 2025
High school • Freshmen • Juniors • Sophomores • Seniors
The Brower Youth Award grants $3,000 to North American youth (ages 13-22) for environmental protection efforts. Apply now!
Deadline:
April 8, 2025
South Dakota • Aerospace • Chemical Engineering • Civil Engineering • Computer Engineering • Construction Engineering • Electrical Engineering • Engineering • Environmental Engineering • Industrial Engineering • Materials Science • Mechanical Engineering • Medical/Biomedical Engineering • Nuclear Engineering • STEM • Freshmen
The Central Chapter offers two $1,000 Engineering Scholarships for South Dakota seniors attending local universities. Apply by April 8th.
Deadline:
April 8, 2025
Maryland • Virginia • West Virginia • District Of Columbia • Freshmen • Sophomores • Juniors • Seniors
Dunkin' offers a $2,500 scholarship for students in the Baltimore/Metro DC area with a 3.0 GPA. Apply now!
Deadline:
April 15, 2025
Religious/Theological Studies • Graduate Students
The David Pohl Scholarship aids those pursuing UU ministry with a $250+ award. Apply with an essay, resume, FAFSA, and recommendations.
Deadline:
April 15, 2025
California • Freshmen
The Rotary Club of Santa Cruz Sunrise offers up to $1,000 scholarships for college-bound seniors from local high schools.
Deadline:
April 19, 2025
Education • Teacher Education • Teaching • Freshmen • Sophomores • Juniors • Seniors • Graduate Students
The American Montessori Society offers $1,250 scholarships for aspiring Montessori teachers in AMS-affiliated programs. Apply now!
Deadline:
April 19, 2025
South Carolina • Engineering • Technology • Aerospace • Chemical Engineering • Civil Engineering • Computer Engineering • Construction Engineering • Electrical Engineering • Environmental Engineering • Industrial Engineering • Materials Science • Mechanical Engineering • Medical/Biomedical Engineering • Nuclear Engineering • Food Sciences & Technology • Health/Medical Technology • IT/Information Technology • Freshmen
The Charleston Engineers Joint Council offers a $500 scholarship for Lowcountry seniors pursuing engineering or technology with a 3.0 GPA.
Deadline:
April 21, 2025
Massachusetts • Aviation/Aeronautical • Marine Biology/Sciences • Transportation/Logistics • Business Administration • Finance • Management • Accounting • Architecture • Engineering • Human Resources • For Asian students • For Black and/or African American students • For Hispanic and/or Latino students • For Middle Eastern students • For Native American / American Indian students • For Pacific Islander students • For students of color • Freshmen
Diversity STEM Scholarships for high school seniors of color in Boston area. $5,000 award for those pursuing transportation-related degrees.
Deadline:
April 28, 2025
New York • New Jersey • Connecticut • Freshmen • Sophomores • Juniors • Seniors
The New York Community Trust offers $1,000 scholarships for Armenian students in NY, NJ, and CT with a 3.4 GPA and community involvement.
Deadline:
April 28, 2025
Pennsylvania • Meteorology • Environmental Science • Geological & Earth Sciences • Science • Technology • Freshmen • Sophomores • Juniors • Seniors
The PA Land Surveyors' Foundation Scholarship offers up to $5,000 for PA residents in Surveying programs. Essay and references required.
Deadline:
April 30, 2025
The Colvin Scholarship offers $7,500 for undergraduates pursuing degrees in beef-related fields. Apply with essays and recommendations.
Deadline:
April 30, 2025
Agriculture • Freshmen • Sophomores • Juniors • Seniors • Graduate Students
The Colvin Scholarship Fund offers $7,500 for students dedicated to production agriculture. Apply with essays, videos, and recommendations.
Deadline:
April 30, 2025
The Spirits Grant Initiative Scholarship offers $250+ for HBCU students pursuing careers in the spirits industry. Apply now!
Deadline:
May 1, 2025
In your personal statement, include your academic achievements, career goals, relevant experiences, and why you are a strong candidate for the scholarship. Make sure to convey your passion and commitment to your field of study.
Difficult scholarships are often very competitive, with many applicants vying for a limited number of awards. This competition can be intense, so it's crucial to present a strong application.
Some difficult scholarships may require interviews as part of the selection process, especially if they are highly competitive. It's important to prepare for potential interviews by practicing common questions and articulating your goals.
To apply for difficult scholarships, you typically need to complete an application form, submit required documents such as transcripts and letters of recommendation, and sometimes write essays or personal statements. Check the specific application process for each scholarship.
To increase your chances, focus on maintaining a strong academic record, getting involved in extracurricular activities, crafting a compelling personal statement, and ensuring that your application is complete and submitted on time.
Many difficult scholarships do require a high GPA, as they are competitive and seek to reward students with strong academic records. However, some may consider other factors such as leadership or community service.
Eligibility criteria for difficult scholarships can vary widely but often include academic performance, specific fields of study, extracurricular involvement, and sometimes demographic factors. Always check the specific requirements for each scholarship.
Yes, difficult scholarships are legitimate and are offered by various organizations, institutions, and foundations. However, it's essential to research each scholarship to ensure its authenticity.
You can find difficult scholarships on platforms like Mos, which aggregates various scholarship opportunities tailored to your needs and qualifications.
Difficult scholarships are competitive financial aid opportunities that often have stringent eligibility criteria, a rigorous application process, and may require exceptional academic performance, unique talents, or specific achievements.
This guide explains what a niche scholarship is, how to get a niche scholarship, and the best niche scholarships for fall 2022.
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