Looking for a college education without the college price tag? College scholarships can help with that. Did you know that over 1.7 million scholarships and fellowships are awarded each year? Thousands of students in the U.S. depend on scholarships for college every year to meet rising tuition and living costs.
Luckily, there are tons of scholarships to choose from, even less competitive scholarships. The trick is knowing what's available to you and knowing where to find it. It's crazy to think that a few years ago, there was $2.9 billion in unused federal grant awards. Clearly, students either didn't care to apply or didn't know where to look! But still, in that same year (2015), 72% of students received some sort of financial aid, including grants and scholarships.
Read on to find out about all the different types of scholarships and how to find them on a college scholarships website.
Scholarships by Category
- Athletic Scholarships
- Scholarships for Graduate Students
- High School Scholarships
- Scholarship by Major and Career-Specific Scholarships
- Merit Scholarships
- Full-ride and Full Tuition Scholarships
- Community Service Scholarships
- Minority Scholarships
- LGBTQ
- African American Students
- Hispanic Students
- Scholarships by State
- Scholarships for Specific Life Circumstances
- Scholarships for Undergraduate Students
- Scholarships for Students with Illnesses or Disabilities
- Cancer Scholarships
- Need-Based Scholarships
- Corporate Scholarships
- Creative Contest Scholarships
- Last-Dollar Scholarships
- No-Essay Scholarships
Scholarships come in all shapes and sizes. Knowing and searching the types of scholarships that are out there will help you find scholarships designed just for you! Here are some of the most common types of scholarships.
Scholarships by Category
- Athletic Scholarships
- By Major
- By Organization
- By State
- Company Offered Awards
- Contests & Sweeps
- For Black Students
- For College Students
- For Graduate Students
- For Minority Students
- Grants for College
- Scholarships for High School Students
- Merit Based
- Scholarships for Military Members
- Religious Scholarships
- Types of Scholarships
- Weird & Unusual
Scholarships come in all shapes and sizes. Knowing and searching the types of scholarships that are out there will help you find scholarships designed just for you! Here are some of the most common types of scholarships.
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Just because you’ve already started college doesn’t mean you should stop looking for scholarships. In fact, we suggest that you keep looking every year that you’re in school. This list of undergrad awards will help get you started. Browse and apply online today!
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82
$1.19M
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$172.3K
How Do I Apply for College Scholarships 2026?
Every U.S. student interested in applying for scholarships should first complete the FAFSA. The FAFSA helps qualify you for all forms of federal and state student aid. After that, you should apply directly to schools and organizations that offer scholarships.
Do I Have to Repay My Scholarship?
Scholarships aren’t loans. That’s the beauty of scholarships — you don’t have to pay them back! But, there are some scenarios in which you might be forced to give back the money, including:
- If you drop out of college;
- If you withdraw from a specific program;
- If you don’t spent the money on an agreed-upon purpose;
- If you don’t maintain your GPA requirement; or
- If you’re found guilty of any criminal activities.
Learn more: Do you have to pay back Scholarships?
Conclusion
This year was difficult for many amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Apart from that, college tuition has always been quite expensive, requiring many students to rely on scholarships. Luckily, there are countless scholarships for college available across the country, including less competitive scholarships. Check out college scholarships websites like the College Monk and our Scholarship Match tool, or individual college websites to learn more about specific scholarships.
Top Scholarships for College Students in 2026
The 2026 scholarship landscape includes both well-established programs and new awards targeting STEM, AI literacy, climate, and first-generation students. Here are some of the highest-value, currently active opportunities:
| Scholarship | Amount | Eligibility | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coca-Cola Scholars Program | $20,000 | HS seniors, GPA 3.0+ | Oct 31, 2026 |
| Gates Scholarship | Full cost of attendance | Pell-eligible minority students | Sep 15, 2026 |
| Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Scholarship | Up to $55,000/year | HS seniors, financial need | Nov 13, 2026 |
| QuestBridge National College Match | Full 4-year scholarship | High-achieving low-income | Sep 26, 2026 |
| Davidson Fellows Scholarship | $10,000-$50,000 | STEM/Humanities, under 18 | Feb 11, 2027 |
| Elks National Foundation Most Valuable Student | $4,000-$50,000 | HS seniors, leadership | Nov 5, 2026 |
| Burger King Scholars Program | $1,000-$60,000 | HS seniors, GPA 2.5+ | Dec 15, 2026 |
| Horatio Alger Scholarship | $25,000 | Adversity, financial need | Oct 25, 2026 |
2026 Scholarship Statistics: How Much Can You Actually Win?
According to the latest data updated for the 2026 academic year:
- Average annual scholarship award: $7,400 per student (up from $7,100 in 2024)
- Median private scholarship: $2,000 - $3,500
- Total scholarship dollars awarded annually in the U.S.: ~$46 billion
- Percentage of students receiving scholarships: 58% of full-time undergraduates
- Unclaimed scholarship dollars per year: Approximately $3 billion (mostly from private sources)
- Average number of scholarships students apply to: 7-10 (we recommend 20+ for best results)
2026 Scholarship Trends: AI Literacy, Climate, and First-Generation Awards
Several scholarship categories have grown significantly heading into 2026:
- AI & data science scholarships: Programs like the AWS AI & ML Scholarship, Google Lime, and the new OpenAI Researcher Access Program offer $5,000-$40,000 awards for students studying AI/ML.
- Climate & sustainability scholarships: The Udall Scholarship ($7,000), Brower Youth Awards ($3,000), and EPA Greater Research Opportunities Fellowship are top picks for environmental majors.
- First-generation college students: The Dell Scholars Program ($20,000), Sallie Mae Fund First in My Family Scholarship, and I'm First Scholarship target the 33% of college students who are first in their family.
- Trades & skilled labor: Mike Rowe WORKS Foundation Work Ethic Scholarship and SkillsUSA awards reflect the growing demand for skilled trades.
How to Win More Scholarships in 2026: A 6-Step Action Plan
- Start early. Many top awards have deadlines 9-12 months before college starts. Junior year of high school is not too soon.
- Apply broadly. Don't only target the giants. Local and niche scholarships have far less competition. Aim for 20-30 applications.
- Tailor every essay. Generic essays lose. Read the prompt 3 times, mirror the organization's mission, give one vivid story.
- Get specific recommendation letters. Provide your recommender with a one-page brag sheet so they can write detailed, evidence-rich letters.
- Track deadlines in a spreadsheet. Include scholarship name, amount, deadline, status, and required materials.
- Re-apply each year. Many scholarships are not just for seniors. Sophomores, juniors, and even graduate students have options.
Frequently Asked Questions: College Scholarships 2026
How many scholarships should I apply to in 2026?
Aim for at least 20-30 scholarship applications. The acceptance rate for any single scholarship is typically 10-20%, so casting a wide net dramatically improves your chances. Quality matters - tailor each essay - but a quantity threshold of 20+ applications generally produces 1-3 wins for the average student.
Are college scholarships taxable income in 2026?
Scholarships used for qualified education expenses (tuition, fees, required books, supplies, equipment) are tax-free under IRS rules. However, scholarship money used for room, board, travel, or non-required expenses is taxable. The 2026 reporting threshold and rules continue to follow IRS Publication 970.
Can international students apply for U.S. college scholarships in 2026?
Yes, but eligibility is more limited. International students should target university-specific merit scholarships (Yale, Harvard, Stanford, MIT all award need-based aid to international students), Fulbright Foreign Student Program, AAUW International Fellowships, and country-specific awards. Most federal aid (FAFSA) is not available to international students.
What is the easiest scholarship to win in 2026?
"Easy" scholarships are typically smaller (under $1,000), have minimal requirements (just a short form or essay), and target a narrow audience. Examples include monthly $500 sweepstakes from sites like Niche, ScholarshipPoints, and Bold.org. While the awards are small, their low effort makes them efficient to stack.
Do scholarships affect my financial aid package?
Yes, outside scholarships generally must be reported to your school and may reduce your need-based aid - a process called scholarship displacement. However, federal rules require schools to first reduce loans and work-study before reducing grants. As of 2026, several states (including Maryland and Pennsylvania) have passed anti-displacement laws limiting how much aid can be reduced.
When should I start applying for scholarships?
Start as early as 9th or 10th grade. Many major scholarships open in the summer before senior year, and competitions like Coca-Cola Scholars and QuestBridge accept early applications in September of senior year. For currently enrolled college students, scholarship applications continue year-round - check deadlines monthly.
Can I get a scholarship with a low GPA?
Yes. While many merit scholarships require a 3.0+ GPA, plenty of awards focus on community service (Prudential Spirit of Community), creative talent (Doodle for Google, Scholastic Art & Writing), athletics, leadership, financial need, ethnicity, religious affiliation, or career interests. The Horatio Alger Scholarship explicitly targets students who have overcome adversity.
Do graduate students qualify for scholarships in 2026?
Absolutely. Top graduate scholarships in 2026 include the Fulbright U.S. Student Program ($25,000+), Rhodes Scholarship (full Oxford funding, ~$70,000/yr), Marshall Scholarship (UK study, ~$50,000/yr), Hertz Foundation Fellowship (PhD STEM, $250,000), and field-specific awards like the AAUW American Fellowships and the Boren Awards for international study.
