Full-ride scholarships are, without a doubt, every college student’s dream to receive. To put it plainly, a full-ride scholarship is one that generally covers most of, if not all, of your college expenses. These scholarships are amazing and highly sought after because they help provide support with paying for college while greatly reducing the need to take out student loans.
The fact that full-ride scholarships can pay for not only tuition but also cover the cost of textbooks, room and board, and other expenses, is amazing. However, since these scholarships are so significant (and honestly life-changing), it also means that they are extremely difficult to win. They may be difficult, but it’s important to remember that they’re by no means impossible!
In this article, we will highlight some of the best full-ride scholarships that you can apply to today. So, let's ride!
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The Cameron Impact Scholarship is a four-year, full-tuition, merit scholarship.
It's awarded annually to 10-15 exceptional high school students who have demonstrated excellence in academics, extracurricular activities, leadership, and community service.
The Cameron Impact Scholarship covers the full cost of attending any accredited U.S.-based college or university that the recipient chooses to enroll in.
Deadline: September 8
Award: Full Tuition
Eligibility:
The applicant must:
1. Maintain a minimum, cumulative, unweighted GPA of a 3.7/4.0 scale or equivalent in their high school studies;
2. Be a full citizen of the United States of America;
3. Be a current high school junior planning to enroll in a full-time course of study towards a degree at an accredited four-year U.S. college or university following graduation
4. Show proven excellence in extracurricular activities, be motivated leaders with a strong work ethic, demonstrate active participation in community service and/or civic-minded arenas
THE GATES MILLENIUM SCHOLARSHIP
The Gates Scholarship (TGS) is a highly selective, last-dollar scholarship for outstanding, minority, high school seniors from low-income households.
Each year, the scholarship is awarded to 300 students.
Deadline: September 15
Award: Varies
Eligibility:
An ideal candidate will have:
1. An outstanding academic record in high school (in the top 10% of his/her graduating class) standing with a minimum cumulative weighted GPA of 3.3 on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent)
2. Demonstrated leadership ability (e.g., as shown through participation in community service, extracurricular, or other activities)
3. Exceptional personal success skills (e.g., emotional maturity, motivation, perseverance, etc.)
4. Be a high school senior from at least one of the following ethnicities: Black/African-American, American Indian/Alaska Native*, Asian & Pacific Islander American, and/or Hispanic American
5. Pell-eligible
6. A US citizen, national, or permanent resident
QUESTBRIDGE NATIONAL COLLEGE MATCH
“We are looking for high school seniors who have shown outstanding academic ability despite financial challenges. We take a holistic approach to reviewing applications, and we do not have absolute criteria or cut-offs for GPA, standardized test scores, income, or other factors.”
We seek students who have demonstrated a level of academic achievement that meets or exceeds the admissions standards of our colleges.
Finalists typically come from households earning less than $65,000 annually for a typical family of four and have minimal assets.
Deadline: September 26
Award: $200,000
Eligibility:
1. Must be a current high school senior
2. Type of institution award is open to: four-year college
3. Award is available to U.S. citizens
4. Award is available to Canadian citizens
5. Award is available to citizens of countries other than the U.S. and Canada.
The Coca-Cola Scholars Program scholarship is an achievement-based scholarship awarded to students in their final year of high school. Students are recognized for their capacity to lead and serve, as well as their commitment to making a significant impact on their schools and communities.
Deadline: October 2
Award: $20,000
Eligibility:
1. Open only to U.S. Citizens, U.S. Nationals, U.S. Permanent Residents
2. Only current high school students who will graduate during the 2023-2024 academic school year are eligible
3. High school seniors with a minimum 3.0 unweighted GPA
Dr Pepper awards $100,000 of tuition money (as well as many smaller prizes ranging from $1,000 to $20,000) to five students annually. This money may be used to cover educational expenses or to pay off student loans. You must be between the ages of 18 and 24 in order to qualify.
To apply, you have to create a TikTok explaining why you deserve a full tuition scholarship, how the scholarship will impact your life, and how it will help you meet your goals. Dr Pepper encourages you to be creative, passionate, and authentic. To make sure your TikTok is considered, you must use the hashtag #IDeserveTuitionContest and Dr Pepper’s song.
Award: $100,000
Deadline: October 17
If you’re selected as a finalist, you’ll receive a DM (direct message) with instructions for the next phase of the contest. The top ten students will be invited to compete for the grand prize. They'll go head-to-head in a football throwing competition, where the winner receives $100,000 and the runner up receives $25,000.
Flinn Scholars have excelled in their high-school classrooms while maintaining purposeful involvement and leadership in extracurricular activities, whether in the arts or athletics, in laboratory research, or in community service. They have assumed leadership roles at school and beyond.
Deadline: October 18
Award: $120,000
Eligibility:
To be awarded the Flinn Scholarship, an applicant must:
1. Be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident (Green Card holder) by the time of application;
2. Be an Arizona resident for two full years immediately preceding entry to the university.
3. Attain at least a 3.5 grade-point average (unweighted);
4. Rank in the top 5 percent of their graduating class (if the school reports class rank);
5. Participate and demonstrate leadership in a variety of extracurricular activities
JAKE KENT COOKE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
The Cooke College Scholarship Program is an undergraduate scholarship program available to high-achieving high school seniors with financial need who seek to attend and graduate from the nation’s best four-year colleges and universities.
Each award is intended to cover a significant share of the student’s educational experience – including tuition, living expenses, books, and required fees.
This highly competitive scholarship includes:
- Up to $40,000 per year to attend a four-year accredited undergraduate school.
- Ability to pursue any area of study.
- Personal advising about selecting a college and navigating financial aid.
- Multifaceted advising about how to transition to college and maximize the student experience.
Deadline: November 16
Award: $40,000
Eligibility:
To be eligible to apply to the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation College Scholarship Program you must:
1. Earn a cumulative unweighted GPA of 3.5 or above
2. Demonstrate unmet financial need. (Last year’s cohort of new college scholarship recipients had a median family income of approximately $35,000).
Act Six is a leadership and scholarship program that connects local faith-based community affiliates with faith- and social justice-based colleges to equip emerging urban and community leaders to engage the college campus and their communities at home.
Act Six brings together diverse, multicultural cadres of young people who want to use their college education to make a difference on campus and in their communities at home.
Deadline: November 28
Award: Varies
Eligibility:
To be eligible, a student must:
1. Love their community and want to use their college education to make a difference as a leader on campus and at home;
2. Not be currently enrolled at a four-year college (students at two-year colleges may apply);
3. Live in one of their seven Act Six program sites; and
4. Want to attend at least one of the Act Six partner colleges in their program site.
5. Be a US citizen
SMART — Science, Mathematics & Research for Transformation
The SMART Scholarship-for-Service Program is a combined educational and workforce development opportunity for STEM students. SMART offers scholarships for undergraduate, master's, and doctoral students pursuing a STEM degree. Scholarship recipients receive full tuition, annual stipends, internships, and guaranteed employment with the Department of Defense after graduation
Deadline: December 1
Award: $30,000 - $46,000
Eligibility:
In order to be eligible, you must:
1. Be a US, Australian, New Zealand, Canada, or UK citizen who's at least 18 years old
2. Be an enrolled undergraduate or (admitted or enrolled) graduate student (high school students are ineligible for this scholarship)
3. Have at least a 3.0 GPA
4. Major in an accepted discipline
5. Pass security clearance
6. Be able to participate in DoD internships and work for the DoD after graduation
The 5 Strong Scholarship Foundation, Inc. Partners with Historically Black Colleges and Universities to provide full-tuition scholarships and ongoing support to promising student leaders from “Matriculation to Graduation.”
Deadline: December 1
Award: Varies
Eligibility:
To be considered, you must...
1. Reside in the METROPOLITAN ATLANTA, Georgia AREA (surrounding Fulton County areas)
2. Have a minimum GPA of 2.8 and minimum ACT: 19 / SAT: 990 (Verbal & Math only)
3. Have the potential to be a leader in the classroom and on campus
4. Be available to attend all College Ready Prep Sessions in Atlanta (twice a month) if accepted.
SMART is a scholarship-for-service program that provides full tuition and other financial benefits to individuals in exchange for a period of post-graduation civilian service in a DoD facility.
Another benefit of the program comes in the form of internships that allow for broadly relevant hands-on research and work experiences in DoD facilities.
Deadline: December 1
Award: $38,000
Eligibility:
Individuals applying for this scholarship must be:
1. A citizen of the United States, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, or the United Kingdom
2. Applicants MUST be pursuing a technical degree in one of the 21 STEM disciplines.
3. Able to participate in summer internships at a DoD facility
4. Willing to accept post-graduate employment with the DoD
5. A student in good standing with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale at the time of award
6. Pursuing a technical undergraduate or graduate degree in one of the disciplines listed on the “About SMART” page
SCIENCE AMBASSADOR SCHOLARSHIP
The Science Ambassador Scholarship is a full-ride scholarship for undergraduate women studying science, technology, engineering, or math, funded by Cards Against Humanity. To apply, applicants must submit a three-minute video explaining a scientific topic they’re passionate about.
Deadline: December 13
Award: Varies
Eligibility:
1. The Science Ambassador Scholarship is open to female undergraduate students and high school seniors.
2. All fields within science, technology, engineering, and math are eligible.
3. Open to international students! You do not need to be a U.S. citizen to apply. You do need to attend college (or plan to attend college) in the United States or a United States Territory.
Pays full (100 percent) college tuition and authorized fees at any public or private institution with an Air Force ROTC detachment. Type 1 selectees will also receive a monthly living expense stipend and an annual book stipend.
Deadline: December 31
Award: Full Tuition
Eligibility:
Applicants must have...
1. An SAT composite of 1240 or ACT composite of 26
2. A GPA of 3.0 or higher for high school student applicants
3. Must be a current high school student.
4. For college applicants, the Air Force ROTC Commander will determine the minimum GPA and test scores, if applicable, for scholarship eligibility.
GE REAGAN FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP
The GE-Reagan Foundation Scholarship offers college scholarships of up to $40,000 for high school seniors nationwide who showcase leadership, drive, integrity, and citizenship.
The 2024 GE-Reagan Foundation Scholarship Program will open for applications in October 2023.
CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS
1. Demonstrate the attributes of leadership, integrity, drive, and citizenship within their communities, schools, and workplaces
2. Display strong academic performance (minimum 3.0 grade point average/4.0 scale or equivalent)
3. Be citizens of the United States of America
4. Be current high school seniors attending high school within the United States, (including any U.S. territories or commonwealths), and graduating in winter 2022 or spring 2023. Homeschool applicants and applicants living on a U.S. Armed Forces base and attending high school outside the U.S. are eligible.
5. Plan to enroll in a full‑time undergraduate course of study at an accredited four‑year college or university in the United States for the entire 2023-2024 academic school year
The Coolidge Scholarship is a full-ride scholarship that covers a student’s tuition, room, board, and expenses for four years of undergraduate study. The Coolidge Scholarship may be used by recipients at any American university. Anyone of any background, pursuing any academic discipline of study, may apply to this non-partisan, need-blind, program. ONLY current high school juniors are eligible to apply.
Deadline: February 23, 2024
Award: Varies
Eligibility:
1. Must currently be in high school
2. Type of institution award is open to: four-year college
3. Award is available to U.S. citizens
JACKIE ROBINSON FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP
The Jackie Robinson Foundation provides a multi-faceted experience designed to not only address the financial needs of students who aspire to attend college but to guide them through the process of higher education.
Deadline: January 10, 2024
Award: $30,000
Eligibility:
To be eligible for a Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholarship, an applicant must:
1. Be a graduating, minority high school senior
2. Be a United States citizen
3. Present evidence of financial need
4. Demonstrate a record of academic excellence
5. Demonstrate leadership potential and a dedication to community service
6. Plan to attend an accredited and approved 4-year college within the United States or affiliated with a United States-based college or university
7. Have not accrued more than 25% of credits needed to graduate from college.
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