Apply below to the best Difficult Scholarships in February 2025.
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St. Paul • Minnesota • Computer Engineering • Aerospace • Chemical Engineering • Civil Engineering • Construction Engineering • Electrical Engineering • Engineering • Environmental Engineering • Industrial Engineering • Mechanical Engineering • Nuclear Engineering • Mathematics • Marine Biology/Sciences • Medical/Biomedical Engineering • Biology • Physics • Agricultural Science • Animal Sciences • Food Sciences & Technology • STEM • Computer Science • Information Sciences • Materials Science • Climate Sciences • Environmental Science • Geological & Earth Sciences • Meteorology • Science • Health/Medical Technology • IT/Information Technology • Technology • For Asian students • For Black and/or African American students • For Hispanic and/or Latino students • For Native American / American Indian students • For Pacific Islander students • Freshmen • Sophomores
The UNCF 3M Scholarship offers up to $25,000 for underrepresented students pursuing STEM degrees. HBCU preference applies.
Deadline Passed
Business Administration • Management • Operations Management • Marketing • Finance • Accounting • Business (MBA) • IT/Information Technology • Human Resources • Cybersecurity • Information Sciences • Computer Science • For Black and/or African American students • Sophomores • Freshmen
Nationwide Future Leadership Scholarship offers $12,000/year for Black undergraduates in business-related fields with a 3.0 GPA.
Deadline Passed
For students with disabilities • Cosmetology/Beauty • 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 Asexual students • For Bisexual students • For Gay students • For Lesbian students • For Pansexual students • For Queer students • For Transgender students • Age • Freshmen • Sophomores
PCA Skin offers a $5,000 scholarship for diverse esthetics students. Apply with a video if you meet eligibility criteria.
Deadline Passed
Arts • Film • Radio & Television • Theatre/Performing Arts • Music • Freshmen • Sophomores • Juniors • Seniors • Graduate Students
The Princess Grace Scholarship awards $10,000 to U.S.-based emerging artists in theater, film, dance, and playwriting.
Deadline Passed
Cosmetology/Beauty • For Asexual students • For Bisexual students • For Gay students • For Lesbian students • For Pansexual students • For Queer students • For Transgender students • Age • Freshmen • Sophomores
The amika LGBTQIA+ Scholarship offers up to $20,000 for cosmetology students. Apply now if you're 18+ and identify as LGBTQIA+.
Deadline Passed
Fredericksburg • Caroline County • King George County • Spotsylvania County • Stafford County • Virginia • Freshmen
The Community Foundation offers scholarships for high school seniors in Fredericksburg and surrounding counties, with awards starting at $250.
Deadline Passed
Tennessee • Freshmen
The Trade Scholarship offers $250+ for TN seniors and non-traditional students pursuing trade or certificate programs.
Deadline Passed
Massachusetts • Public Health • Freshmen • Sophomores • Juniors • Seniors • Graduate Students
Catherine E. Philbin Scholarship offers $500+ for MA students in public health. Requires recommendation letter and personal statement.
Deadline Passed
Ohio • Freshmen
Ohio State Society DAR Wings of Eagles Scholarships offers $1,000 to Ohio high school seniors with local DAR sponsorship.
Deadline Passed
Florida • STEM • Animal Sciences • Animal-Related • Climate Sciences • Conservation • Environmental Science • Veterinary • Freshmen • Sophomores • Juniors • Seniors • Graduates • Graduate Students
The Cruickshank Research Scholarship offers $2,500 for research on wild birds in Florida for students and nonprofits.
Deadline Passed
Vermont • Agriculture • Agricultural Science • Horticulture • Biology • Conservation • Juniors • Seniors • Graduate Students
The Federated Garden Clubs of Vermont offers a $1,000 scholarship for students in gardening, landscape design, and related fields.
Deadline Passed
Indiana • Journalism • Radio & Television • Juniors • Seniors • Sophomores • Freshmen
Indiana Broadcasters Association offers $5,000 scholarships for college students with a 3.0 GPA in broadcasting or telecommunications.
Deadline Passed
History • English • Political Science/Government • High school
Texas History Essay Contest offers up to $4,000 for high school seniors' essays on Texas history. Research and originality are key.
Deadline Passed
American Studies • History • Literature • Social Sciences • Sociology • World Studies • Graduate Students
ACOR offers fellowships for graduate students in humanities and sciences focused on Middle Eastern studies. U.S. citizenship required.
Deadline Passed
Science • American Studies • History • Literature • Social Sciences • Sociology • World Studies • Mathematics • Engineering • Psychology • Biology • Chemistry • Physics • Teacher Education • Teaching • Graduate Students
Ford Foundation Dissertation Fellowships offer $28,000 for Ph.D. or Sc.D. candidates completing research-based dissertations.
Deadline Passed
Science • Technology • Engineering • Mathematics • For Women • Graduate Students
Community Action Grants fund innovative programs promoting education and equity for women and girls, offering up to $10,000.
Deadline Passed
Environmental Science • Conservation • Environmental Engineering • Freshmen • Sophomores • Juniors • Seniors • Graduate Students
AIHF offers $1,000-$4,000 scholarships for Industrial Hygiene students. Apply with transcripts, CV, photo, and recommendations.
Deadline Passed
Illinois • Wisconsin • Michigan • Arizona • Colorado • Environmental Engineering • Environmental Science • Conservation • Natural Resources Management • High school • Freshmen
Peters Foundation Scholarship offers up to $20,000 for high school seniors in environmental studies or education at select colleges.
Deadline Passed
Law • Seniors • Graduates • Graduate Students
The James E. Beckley Securities Arbitration and Law Writing Competition is a writing contest open to all students who attend a law school in the United States.
Deadline Passed
Technology • High school • Seniors • Freshmen • Juniors • Sophomores • Graduate Students
Apply for the Technology Addiction Awareness Scholarship to win $1,000 by addressing technology addiction in a short message and essay.
Deadline Passed
Denton • Huntsville • San Marcos
The Sharon Murphy Scholarship offers $3,000 for students in Denton, Huntsville, or San Marcos, Texas pursuing vocational studies.
Deadline Passed
Iowa • Music • Freshmen
Scholarship for high school seniors in Polk and surrounding counties pursuing instrumental music degrees. $2,000 award available.
Deadline Passed
Education • Graduate Students
The ISI Graduate Fellowship offers up to $15,000 for graduate students in liberal arts, education, or social sciences intending to teach.
Deadline Passed
High school
Join the Exploravision National Science Competition for high school teams to win up to $10,000. Collaborate and innovate in science!
Deadline Passed
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.
Here are our absolute favorite big-money and largest scholarships, hand selected from tens of thousands, to help you pay for college without loans.
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