Imagine this: you’re aiming for a debt-free college experience but don’t want to spend countless hours crafting essays for scholarships. Good news—there are easy scholarships out there that require minimal effort and give you the financial support you need.
But what exactly makes a scholarship “easy”? These are opportunities where the application process is simple and quick, requiring little effort from the applicant. They’re often no-essay scholarships, and many require just a click of a button, while others may ask for an image or a simple sentence. This can make them quite enjoyable to apply for, making them not just easy but fun as well.
It’s no surprise scholarships are important for most college students; even partial scholarships can significantly reduce the financial burden of higher education. According to Bankrate, 61% of families relied on scholarships to help fund their education in the 2022-2023 school year, and 57% relied on grants. With tons of easy scholarship applications available online, students now have a greater opportunity to get free money for their college expenses.
After spending hours researching various scholarship sites, we found that Bold.org scholarships are the best choice for students. Bold.org is user-friendly and offers a wide range of scholarships at different education levels. To make your search easier, we’ve created a list of easy scholarships that take less than a few minutes to apply for, and many of them are available to students at any level of education. Whether you’re a high school student, undergraduate, or graduate student, there’s a scholarship for you!
This list is just a sample of some of the free, easy scholarships you can find. As you’re making plans to start or continue your college education, it’s important to continue to apply for scholarships and score financial aid. Minimizing the financial stress of college can ensure a better educational experience and help give you the foundation you need to achieve your goals.
What Qualifies as an Easy Scholarship?
Generally, an “easy” scholarship requires little effort to apply. These scholarships often have a straightforward application process, meaning you might just need to click “Apply now” instead of dealing with lengthy essays.
They usually come with minimal requirements, so you might not need to meet a high GPA or be involved in specific extracurricular activities to qualify. The application process is designed to be quick, often taking less than a few minutes to complete.
Easy scholarships are often open to a wide range of students, regardless of their background, academic performance, or field of study. This broad eligibility makes it simpler for many students to apply.
No Requirement to do Anything New
One of the best features of an easy scholarship is that you don’t have to go out of your way to do anything new. If the scholarship doesn’t require an essay, you won’t need to spend hours writing a paper or personal statement.
As a high school senior, you might already have experiences or achievements that fit a scholarship’s requirements. For instance, if you’ve already completed 50 hours of community service and have documented it, you can apply for a scholarship that requires this without needing to add any more to your plate.
A Minimal Application Process
A key feature of an easy scholarship is a minimal application process. Typically, you won’t need to submit a lot of paperwork or materials—most of these scholarships only ask for basic details like your name. In some cases, you might even get automatically entered just by creating a free profile on the organization’s website.
Some of these quick and easy scholarships are targeted at specific groups, such as students working toward a bachelor’s degree or those pursuing a career in culinary arts. For these, you might need to provide additional documentation, like proof that you meet the eligibility criteria.
The Award Is Available for What You’re Already Doing
Some easy scholarship applications may require you to submit other materials, such as a poem, video, or photograph. You might already have everything you need for the application.
If so, your current interests and hobbies might already give you a head start. By finding programs related to what you love, you can apply more easily and potentially get paid for pursuing your passions. Sounds like a win!
How to Apply for Easy Scholarships
In most cases, applying is very straightforward:
Find Scholarships
Seek out scholarships that are designed to be straightforward and hassle-free. Browse through scholarship websites, like Bold.org, educational websites, and your school’s resources to find these gems.
Confirm Your Fit
Double-check that you meet the basic requirements for these easy scholarships. They often have relaxed criteria, making it simpler to qualify.
Prepare Your Details
Gather all the basic details you’ll need for the application, such as your contact information and any relevant achievements or records you may need.
Submit With Ease
Fill out and submit the application form, which generally requires just a few key pieces of information and short answers, or simply just a click.
Tips for Winning Easy Scholarships
Here are some top tips for getting money to cover your education-related expenses.
Master the Timing
Keep an eye on scholarship deadlines, which can vary throughout the year. Although spring is typically the peak season, opportunities are available year-round. Set reminders so you don’t miss out on potential awards due to late submissions.
Read Every Detail
Even with straightforward applications, ensure you fully understand the instructions. This helps you avoid mistakes and guarantees you meet all eligibility requirements, reducing the risk of your application being rejected for missing information.
Stay on the Lookout
Scholarship opportunities pop up all the time, so it’s a good idea to search for new awards every month on the best scholarship websites. Even after you’ve filled out your fall and spring applications, keep an eye open for some “late” awards with deadlines in the summer. Also, check your school’s scholarship resources for additional chances.
Cast a Wide Net
Apply for as many easy scholarships as you can. There’s no limit to the number of scholarships you can pursue, and since these typically involve quick applications, it’s worth applying to several to increase your chances of success.
Boost Your Academic Profile
While private tutoring might seem like a big investment, improving your overall academic performance can positively impact your scholarship applications. Stronger grades can make you a more appealing candidate for easy scholarships, even if the application itself doesn’t require a lengthy essay.
Graduate and undergraduate college students receiving financial support can focus more on their studies and extracurricular activities without the burden of financial stress. Apply today to help you relieve the stress of college costs!
How to Avoid Scholarship Scams
There are plenty of legitimate opportunities available, but there are also some fraudulent sites. Here are some tips for avoiding scholarship scams.
1. Watch for Phishing
Most easy scholarships require you to provide basic personal information: name, contact info, and date of birth. Be wary of sites that ask for a lot of sensitive details, such as old addresses, parental information, and bank account data. These types of questions are usually designed to facilitate identity theft.
2. Don’t Pay to Submit Your Application
Scholarship programs are all about giving money away, not taking it. If you have to pay a fee to submit your application, chances are it’s not a legitimate scholarship opportunity.
3. Keep Your Social Security Number Private
While it may seem like you have to write your SSN on a lot of different forms, you shouldn’t need to give it to most scholarship providers. If the application does ask for your Social Security number, be wary.
4. Avoid Companies That Offer to “Find” Opportunities for You
Along with fake awards, there are also fraudulent companies that make money by selling unnecessary scholarship “services.” No legitimate organization has access to programs you can’t find on your own. Don’t pay a fee to any company that says it can find and apply for “secret” scholarships that you can’t access yourself.
Are you in community college? We encourage community college students to apply for scholarships to reduce their educational costs!
Frequently Asked Questions About Easy Scholarships
How Many Scholarships Should I Apply for?
There is no limit to the number of awards you can apply for, so it’s wise to submit as many applications as possible. Maybe set aside time for a monthly scholarship application session.
How Can I Improve My Chances of Winning Easy Scholarships?
The best way to improve your chances of winning scholarships is to apply! There are countless prizes out there for eligible students. The more you can apply, the better your chances of winning.
Are No-Essay Scholarships Legit?
Yes. There are plenty of legitimate scholarships without essays. Some awards are as simple as a random drawing.
What Is the Best Strategy for Applying for Easy Scholarships?
Organization and efficiency are two critical strategies for applying for any scholarship. Once you have an idea of all the easy scholarships you want to apply for, make a list of the due dates so you can prioritize which ones to go for first.
Websites make it easy to use your time efficiently – with just a few clicks. You can apply for a lot of no-essay scholarship awards quickly. Sometimes, you can create a free account to apply for scholarships automatically.
How Easy Is It to Get a Scholarship?
It depends on the scholarship. To get a full-ride athletic or academic scholarship, you need to be at the top of your game or your class. However, scholarships without essays are easier to get because you don’t have to ace standardized tests or break state football records.
How to Find Easy Scholarships?
The internet is the best source of information on free money for college. Along with the awards you can find through an online search, it’s worth looking at a few other potential sources:
- Your employer
- Your parents’ employers
- Your church or religious community, especially if you plan to attend a Bible college
- Your chamber of commerce
- Local charities or community organizations
- State-funded scholarship programs
You can also contact your university directly to see if they have any scholarships for high school seniors, current college students, or graduate students. Use the library to get information on local scholarship winners, like high school athletes or musicians.
Local scholarships are another great resource for students. Browse scholarships by state to find local opportunities near you.
Are Scholarships Taxable Income?
Scholarship money is usually tax-free if used for qualified education expenses such as tuition, required fees, and necessary textbooks or supplies at an accredited college or university. However, according to the IRS, it becomes taxable if used for non-qualified expenses.
For specific guidance, it’s always a good idea to consult a tax professional or refer to the IRS guidelines directly.
What’s the Difference Between a Grant and a Scholarship?
Both grants and scholarships are considered gift aid, which means that you don’t have to pay them back (unlike student loans). However, while many scholarships are usually based on merit, most grants are awarded based on financial need.
Are Scholarships Just for High School Seniors?
No, there are many scholarships for students at any education level, including undergraduate and graduate students. There are also many easy scholarships for high school students who are juniors, sophomores, and freshmen.
College scholarships help students afford higher education. Whether you’re in graduate school or trade school, apply for scholarships today!
Michael Anissimov
Michael Anissimov’s experience with scientific research foundations informs his work at Scholarship Institute, where he leverages his strong research background to provide valuable insights across various fields. Specializing in review articles on scholarships, particularly in STEM, he ensures that students receive well-informed content to effectively navigate their financial options.
