[Page 8] Top 839 Difficult Scholarships in February 2025

Updated Feb 23, 2025

Apply below to the best Difficult Scholarships in February 2025.

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Driver Education Initiative Award (Round 3)

Freshmen • High school • Sophomores • Seniors • Juniors • Graduate Students

Win a $500 Driver Education Initiative Award by submitting an essay on safe driving. Open to high school and college students.

Deadline:

November 30, 2025

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Get Up To $1,000

Physical Therapist/Occupational Therapist Scholarship

Kinesiology/Physical Therapy

Apply for the $1,000 Physical Therapist/Occupational Therapist Scholarship for students in therapy programs.

Deadline:

December 1, 2025

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Get Up To $5,000

Native American Natural Resource Research Scholarship

Natural Resources Management • For Native American / American Indian students • Graduate Students

The Truman D. Picard Scholarship supports Native American students in Natural Resources with awards up to $2,500. Apply now!

Deadline:

December 2, 2025

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Get Up To $5,416

Intellia Therapeutics UNCF Scholarship Program

Biology • Medical/Biomedical Engineering • Chemistry • Physics • Marine Biology/Sciences • For Black and/or African American students • For Asian students • For Hispanic and/or Latino students • For Pacific Islander students • Freshmen • Sophomores • Juniors • Seniors

Intellia Therapeutics offers $5,000 scholarships for minority students in life sciences. Apply with an essay and transcript.

Deadline:

May 31, 2025

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Get Up To $10,000

John J. Nelson Sr. Legacy Scholarship

Interior Design • Architecture • For Black and/or African American students • Freshmen • Sophomores • Juniors • Seniors

The John J. Nelson Sr. Legacy Scholarship offers up to $10,000 for African American undergraduate students in accredited design programs.

Deadline:

October 4, 2025

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Get Up To $15,000

The Legacy Lab Scholarship

For Black and/or African American students • Freshmen • Sophomores • Juniors • Seniors • Graduate Students

The Legacy Lab Scholarship awards $15,000 to Black students committed to creating positive change. Apply with a video response.

Deadline:

October 21, 2025

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Get Up To $2,500

Women in Financial Markets High School Scholarship

Finance • Economics • Operations Management • Law • Business Administration • Accounting • Marketing • For Black and/or African American students • For Hispanic and/or Latino students • For Native American / American Indian students • For Pacific Islander students • For Women • Freshmen

The Women in Financial Markets Scholarship offers $2,500 to female seniors from underserved backgrounds pursuing finance careers.

Deadline:

October 31, 2025

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Get Up To $1,500

Schmidt Kramer Annual Scholarship For Academic Excellence

Pennsylvania • Freshmen • Sophomores • Juniors • Seniors

The Schmidt Kramer Annual Scholarship offers $1,500 to a PA student with a 3.0 GPA at an accredited university. Apply now!

Deadline:

December 1, 2025

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Get Up To $40,000

GE-Reagan Foundation Scholarship

Freshmen

The GE-Reagan Foundation Scholarship offers up to $40,000 for U.S. students with a 3.0 GPA enrolling in full-time undergraduate programs.

Deadline:

January 3, 2026

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Get Up To $6,700

Dennis Coleman Choral Conducting Scholarship

Alaska • Idaho • Montana • Oregon • Washington • Music • For Asexual students • For Bisexual students • For Gay students • For Lesbian students • For Pansexual students • For Queer students • For Transgender students • Sophomores • Juniors • Seniors • Graduate Students

The Dennis Coleman Choral Conducting Scholarship supports LGBTQ+ students in music, promoting social change. Average award: $6,700.

Deadline:

January 10, 2026

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Get Up To $6,700

Bill McKnight and Steve Parsons Legacy Scholarship

Kitsap County • Washington • Alaska • Idaho • Montana • Oregon • Arts • Art History • Arts Management • Studio Arts • Theatre/Performing Arts • Literature • Music • English • Foreign Languages • History • Religious/Theological Studies • Social Sciences • International Relations • Political Science/Government • For Queer students • Freshmen • Sophomores • Juniors • Seniors • Graduate Students

The Bill McKnight and Steve Parsons Legacy Scholarship supports queer students in Arts and Humanities from the Pacific Northwest.

Deadline:

January 10, 2026

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Get Up To $1,000

Public Education and Citizenship Scholarship

Florida • Freshmen

Ten $1,000 scholarships for Florida high school seniors attending state-supported institutions. Apply now!

Deadline:

January 20, 2026

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Get Up To $60,000

NEWH Atlanta Chapter Scholarship

Georgia • Tennessee • South Carolina • Alabama • Interior Design • Hospitality • Restaurant/Culinary/Food Services • Architecture • Sophomores • Juniors • Seniors • Graduate Students • Freshmen

NEWH Atlanta Chapter offers up to $60,000 in scholarships for hospitality students in the Southeast. Minimum GPA of 3.0 required.

Deadline:

October 18, 2025

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Get Up To $1,500

Dr. Maryan and James McCormick Leadership Endowed Scholarship

Minnesota • Freshmen • Sophomores • Seniors • Juniors • Graduate Students

The Dr. Maryan and James McCormick Scholarship offers $1,500 to Minnesota students with leadership skills and a GPA of 3.0 or higher.

Deadline:

November 1, 2025

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Get Up To $1,500

Texas Scholarship of Academic Excellence

Texas • Law • Community Service • Sophomores • Juniors • Seniors • Graduate Students

The Texas Scholarship of Academic Excellence awards $1,500 to students showing leadership and ethics in Texas colleges.

Deadline:

November 30, 2025

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Get Up To $500

ISCA Scholarship

Iowa • Freshmen

Apply for the ISCA Scholarship for Iowa high school seniors. Win up to $500 for outstanding essays about school counselors.

Deadline:

December 1, 2025

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Get Up To $250

Jim McBroom and John H. Weston Charitable Fund of the Oregon Community Foundation Scholarship

Oregon • Arts • Theatre/Performing Arts • Music • Film • Photography • Writing • Literature • Architecture • Studio Arts • For Asexual students • For Bisexual students • For Gay students • For Lesbian students • For Pansexual students • For Queer students • For Transgender students

Scholarship for Oregon residents pursuing fine arts or humanities degrees. Requires three essays. Award: 250+.

Deadline:

January 10, 2026

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Get Up To $250

Robert R. Bergis and Theodore W. Rosenberg Scholarship

Idaho • Washington • Montana • Alaska • Oregon • California • For Asexual students • For Bisexual students • For Gay students • For Lesbian students • For Pansexual students • For Queer students • For Transgender students • For LGBTQIA+ students

The Bergis & Rosenberg Scholarship offers $250 for LGBTQ+ students in CA facing barriers. Apply with three essays.

Deadline:

January 10, 2026

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Get Up To $250

Robert R. Bergis and Theodore W. Rosenberg Need-based Scholarship

Montana • Washington • For Asexual students • For Bisexual students • For Gay students • For Lesbian students • For Pansexual students • For Queer students • For Transgender students • For LGBTQIA+ students

The Bergis-Rosenberg Scholarship aids LGBTQ+ students in Montana and Washington facing financial need. Apply with three essays for $250.

Deadline:

January 10, 2026

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Get Up To $250

Thompson-Wittrock “Pass It On” Scholarship

Pacific County • Grays Harbor County • Ferry County • Washington • For Asexual students • For Bisexual students • For Gay students • For Lesbian students • For Pansexual students • For Queer students • For Transgender students • For LGBTQIA+ students • Community Service • Age

The Thompson-Wittrock Scholarship supports LGBTQ and ally students in specific counties. Apply with three essays for a $250 award.

Deadline:

January 10, 2026

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Get Up To $250

Joe Varano Scholarship

Idaho • Montana • Alaska • Washington • Oregon • Education • Teacher Education • Teaching • For Asexual students • For Bisexual students • For Gay students • For Lesbian students • For Pansexual students • For Queer students • For Transgender students • For LGBTQIA+ students

The Joe Varano Scholarship offers $250 to LGBTQ+ education students in the Pacific Northwest facing various barriers. Apply with three essays.

Deadline:

January 10, 2026

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Get Up To $250

Rosenberg-Ibarra Scholarship

Idaho • For Asexual students • For Bisexual students • For Gay students • For Lesbian students • For Pansexual students • For Queer students • For Transgender students • For LGBTQIA+ students

The Rosenberg-Ibarra Scholarship aids LGBTIQ+ students in Idaho facing barriers. Apply with three essays for a $250 award.

Deadline:

January 10, 2026

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Get Up To $250

Jack D. Motteler Scholarship

Alaska • Idaho • Montana • Oregon • Washington • Arts • Studio Arts • Art History • Photography • For Asexual students • For Bisexual students • For Gay students • For Lesbian students • For Pansexual students • For Queer students • For Transgender students • Freshmen • Sophomores • Juniors • Seniors

The Jack D. Motteler Scholarship supports Northwest residents in visual arts with a $250+ award. Apply by submitting three essays.

Deadline:

January 10, 2026

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Get Up To $1,000

Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum Essay Contest

Oklahoma • High school • Freshmen

Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum Essay Contest invites grades 5-12 students to reflect on the bombing's lessons for a chance to win $1,000.

Deadline:

March 4, 2025

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Get Up To $40,000

Cherokee Strip Community Foundation Scholarships

Cimarron County • Texas County • Beaver County • Harper County • Ellis County • Woodward County • Woods County • Alfalfa County • Major County • Grant County • Kay County • Noble County • Garfield County • Oklahoma • Freshmen

Cherokee Strip Community Foundation offers $1,000+ scholarships for local students in various Texas counties. Apply now!

Deadline:

March 29, 2025

FAQ for difficult scholarships

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.

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