Last updated on June 30, 2025

Top Need-Based Scholarships to Apply for in 2025

The Best Need-Based Scholarships with Upcoming Deadlines

Apply for 150 scholarships0% Spam. 
100% Free.
150 scholarships
Sort by:
  1. Austin Hays Scholarship

    Funded by
    Austin Hays
    This scholarship seeks to support Ohio students who need a helping hand, ensuring that they have the resources necessary to access a proper educational path.
    • State: Ohio
    • Education Level: High school or undergraduate student
    • Financial Status: Low-income
    $20,000
    Deadline:Aug 12, 2025
    One Click Apply
    1
  2. Bright Lights Scholarship

    Funded by
    Bria Alexander
    This scholarship aims to support students who have had to overcome obstacles in order to pursue a college education.
    • Education Level: High school or undergraduate student
    • Identity: Underrepresented minority and/or first-generation college student
    $1,200
    Deadline:Dec 12, 2025
    One Click Apply
    2
  3. Thomas Griffin Wilson Memorial Scholarship

    Funded by
    Wilson Family
    This scholarship seeks to uplift underserved youth who otherwise might not have a chance to pursue higher education.
    • Education Level: High school senior or Undergraduate
    • State: California or Oregon
    • GPA: 2.7 minimum (high school)
    • Background: Financial need and/or experience with the foster care system
    $15,000
    Only 3 days left!
    3
  4. SigaLa Education Scholarship

    Funded by
    Karina Sigala
    This scholarship seeks to support minority students who are pursuing careers in STEM in order to make a difference in the world.
    • Education Level: Undergraduate student
    • Field of Study: STEM
    • Identity: Underrepresented minority
    $2,000
    Only 1 day left!
    One Click Apply
    4
  5. Alger Memorial Scholarship

    Funded by
    Lily Rannacher
    This scholarship aims to support students who display the qualities of stellar work ethic, dedication to volunteerism, and eagerness to excel academically.
    • Education Level: Undergraduate or graduate student
    • GPA: 3.5 or higher
    $550
    Deadline:Oct 01, 2025
    One Click Apply
    5
  6. Slater Miller Memorial Scholarship

    Funded by
    Miller Family
    This scholarship seeks to honor the life of Slater Miller by supporting trade school students with financial need.
    • Education Level: Trade school student
    • Financial Status: Low-income
    • Background: Non-profit or volunteering experience
    $3,950
    Deadline:Oct 24, 2025
    One Click Apply
    6
  7. Mema and Papa Scholarship

    Funded by
    The Cheetah Fund
    This scholarship seeks to support students who are preparing to finish high school and embark on their pursuit of higher education.
    • Education Level: High school senior
    • State: Pennsylvania
    $600
    Deadline:Apr 12, 2026
    One Click Apply
    7
  8. ACHE Southern California LIFT Scholarship

    Funded by
    ACHE of Southern California
    This scholarship aims to lift up the next generation of healthcare professionals so they can access the positions of their dreams.
    • Education Level: Undergraduate or graduate student
    • State: California
    • Field of Study: Health administration, public health or nursing
    $1,700
    Deadline:Sep 10, 2025
    One Click Apply
    8
  9. Ben Bonner Memorial Scholarship

    Funded by
    Bonner
    This scholarship aims to honor Ben Bonner’s legacy by supporting low-income students who are interested in pursuing careers in the trades.
    • Education Level: High school senior or trade student
    • Financial Status: Low-income
    $2,500
    Only 14 days left!
    One Click Apply
    9
  10. Manny and Sylvia Weiner Medical Scholarship

    Funded by
    Mezaros / Weiner Family
    This scholarship seeks to support students who are striving to become medical doctors and require financial assistance.
    • Financial Status: Must demonstrate financial need
    • Education Level: Must be in medical school or an undergraduate student in a pre-med program
    • Career Goals: Must be working towards becoming an M.D.
    $6,117
    Deadline:Nov 30, 2025
    One Click Apply
    10
  11. Liz & Wayne Matson Jr. Caregiver Scholarship

    Funded by
    Matson
    This scholarship seeks to recognize student caretakers by supporting individuals who are pursuing higher education while caring for others.
    • Education Level: Undergraduate student
    • Background: Is a main caregiver for a loved one
    $3,200
    Deadline:Oct 25, 2025
    One Click Apply
    11
  12. Chef Marco “Gabby” Pantano Memorial Scholarship

    Funded by
    Elizabeth Schmaltz
    This scholarship seeks to honor the memory of Chef Marco Pantano by supporting aspiring chefs who plan to spend their careers in the culinary arts field.
    • Field of Study: Culinary arts
    • Education Level: High school senior or undergraduate student
    $1,000
    Deadline:Sep 04, 2025
    One Click Apply
    12
  13. First Generation College Scholarship

    Funded by
    James Hong
    This scholarship aims to support first-generation immigrants who are paving a new path in their families through their pursuit of higher education.
    • Education Level: High school senior or undergraduate student
    • Background: First-generation college student and immigrant
    • Financial Status: Financial need
    $4,000
    Only 18 days left!
    One Click Apply
    13
  14. “I Matter” Scholarship

    Funded by
    The O’Neal Family
    This scholarship seeks to support minority students and students with financial need so they can afford to pursue higher education.
    • Education Level: High school student
    • Background: Low-income and/or BIPOC
    $775
    Only 8 days left!
    One Click Apply
    14
  15. Beacon of Light Scholarship

    Funded by
    Christina Judd
    This scholarship seeks to support students who are pursuing higher education so they can afford to complete their degrees and go on to make a difference in the health and wellness of others.
    • Education Level: High school or undergraduate student
    • Field of Study: Healthcare or medicine
    • Background: Non-profit or volunteering experience
    $700
    Deadline:Aug 19, 2025
    One Click Apply
    15
  16. Albert "Bert" Howie Memorial Scholarship

    Funded by
    Howie Family
    This scholarship seeks to honor the memory of Albert Howie by supporting students who are pursuing higher education.
    • Education Level: High school senior, high school graduate, or undergraduate student
    • Current or Future School: Del Mar College
    $2,725
    Deadline:Mar 22, 2026
    One Click Apply
    16
  17. Cariloop’s Caregiver Scholarship

    Funded by
    Cariloop
    This scholarship seeks to support student caregivers so they can afford to pursue their dreams of higher education.
    • Background: Current student who is or was the main caregiver in their family and/or community
    • Background: Low Income
    $8,500
    Deadline:Sep 01, 2025
    One Click Apply
    17
  18. Dr. Jade Education Scholarship

    Funded by
    The Dr Jade Brand, LLC
    This scholarship will help support African American women attending graduate school.
    • Education Level: Graduate student
    • Race/Ethnicity: Black/African American
    • Gender: Woman
    • Experience: Currently working full-time
    $2,500
    Deadline:Jan 01, 2026
    One Click Apply
    18
  19. José Ventura and Margarita Melendez Mexican-American Scholarship Fund

    Funded by
    Borders Family
    This scholarship seeks to honor the memory of José Melendez by supporting students who are currently pursuing or looking to begin an undergraduate degree.
    • Education Level: High school graduate currently pursuing or looking to begin an undergraduate degree
    • Identity: Mexican or Mexican-American
    • Background: First-generation college student
    • Experience: Work or significant volunteer experience
    $3,000
    Deadline:Dec 01, 2025
    One Click Apply
    19
  20. Beacon of Opportunity Scholarship

    Funded by
    Hannah Pence
    This scholarship aims to support underserved students who may not have the resources or guidance they need to reach their full potential.
    • Education Level: High school senior or high school graduate
    • Background: First-generation college student
    • State: Indiana resident
    • GPA: 2.8 GPA or higher
    • Experience: Community service experience
    $1,000
    Deadline:Aug 23, 2025
    One Click Apply
    20
  21. Servela Theodore Memorial Scholarship

    Funded by
    Theodore Family
    This scholarship aims to honor the legacy of Servela Theodore by supporting students who are pursuing careers in human services.
    • Education Level: High school or undergraduate student
    • Gender: Female
    • Financial Status: Low-income
    • Desired Career Field: Human services
    • Background: Caribbean-descent
    $900
    Deadline:Nov 01, 2025
    One Click Apply
    21
  22. Willie Mae Rawls Scholarship

    Funded by
    Freddie L Brown Jr.
    This scholarship seeks to honor the legacy of Willie Mae Rawls by supporting students pursuing an education at an HBCU who plan to make a positive impact on the world through their studies and future career goals.
    • Experience: Must have community service experience
    • Education: High school senior interested in attending an HBCU or current undergraduate student at an HBCU
    $1,500
    Deadline:Sep 16, 2025
    One Click Apply
    22
  23. Gladys Ruth Legacy “Service“ Memorial Scholarship

    Funded by
    Angela King
    The Gladys Ruth Legacy “Service” Memorial Scholarship was made to support an African American student who is unapologetically themselves and supports others through acts of service.
    • Ethnicity : African American
    • Community Service Participation : In the last 5 years
    • Background : First-generation college student
    • Education Level: Undergraduate student
    • GPA: 2.5 or above
    $1,000
    Only 1 day left!
    One Click Apply
    23
  24. 1st Generation People Of Color Patrick Copney Memorial Music/Arts Scholarship

    Funded by
    Robin Copney
    This scholarship will honor the memory of Patrick Copney and help support first generation students who are pursuing a music or arts degree.
    • Education Level: High school or undergraduate
    • Race/Ethnicity: Black/African American
    • Background: Low-income and will be or is a first-generation student
    • Major/Field: Music or Arts
    $1,000
    Only 2 days left!
    One Click Apply
    24
  25. McEntee Memorial Scholarship for Lifelong Learning

    Funded by
    Earl Family
    This scholarship seeks to honor the legacy of William McEntee by supporting individuals dedicated to pursuing higher education and personal growth.
    • State: Tennessee
    • GPA: 3.0 GPA or higher
    • Background: Financial need
    • Education Level: Warren County High School student
    $1,000
    Only 4 days left!
    One Click Apply
    25
  26. Begin Again Foundation Scholarship

    Funded by
    Begin Again Foundation
    This scholarship seeks to support sepsis survivors and those whose families have been affected by it so they can overcome the experience.
    • Education Level: High school, undergraduate, or graduate student
    • Background: Impacted by sepsis, either personally or through a loved one
    $5,000
    Only 6 days left!
    One Click Apply
    26
  27. Lancheros Scholarship

    Funded by
    Maria Lancheros
    This scholarship aims to encourage younger generations to explore alternatives to college, such as vocational or trade schools.
    • Education Level: High school senior
    • State: New Jersey
    • Financial Status: Financial need
    • Background: Volunteering or extracurricular experience
    • Education Plans: Vocational or trade school
    $1,000
    Only 8 days left!
    One Click Apply
    27
  28. William Lacy Phillips Memorial Scholarship

    Funded by
    Phillips
    This scholarship seeks to award the most improved student who may not have started out with the highest GPA but who has put in the work to make progress.
    • State: North Carolina or South Carolina
    • Education Level: High school senior
    $1,715
    Only 8 days left!
    One Click Apply
    28
  29. Pastor Thomas Rorie Jr. Furthering Education Scholarship

    Funded by
    Family and Friends of Pastor Thomas Rorie Jr.
    This scholarship aims to help students prepare for the next step in their journeys by making higher education more affordable.
    • Education Level: High school senior, student finishing a GED program, current undergraduate, graduate or trade school student
    $1,500
    Only 8 days left!
    One Click Apply
    29
  30. Mississippi First Scholarship

    Funded by
    Gulf Coast Heart Institute
    This scholarship aims to support students who need financial assistance in order to pursue their dreams of higher education.
    • Education Level: High school senior
    • State: Mississippi
    • Financial Status: Financial need
    • School Name: Pascagoula High School, Gautier High School, Ocean Springs High School, Vancleave High School, Moss Point High School, St. Martin High School
    $4,500
    Only 10 days left!
    One Click Apply
    30
Next Page
30 / 150 scholarships shown

About Need-Based Scholarships

When it comes to pursuing higher education, the cost can often be a major obstacle for many students. However, need-based scholarships provide an opportunity to alleviate some of the financial burden and make college more accessible. In the U.S. alone, borrowers collectively owe $1.75 trillion.

For many low-income students, loans open the door to higher education and the bright futures that can come from it, but these loans can also be difficult to pay off. It takes an average of 20 years for a borrower to finish paying off the student debt. Additionally, high interest rates can make the total amount paid far higher than the initial balance, and many borrowers actually see an increase in their balance during the first five years. 

Need-based scholarships seek to solve this problem by providing financial aid to the students who need it most. These scholarship opportunities are not awarded solely based on merit but also on financial need. Since low-income students have the fewest family resources to pay for college, they often have to rely on student loans to cover costs if federal aid and merit scholarships don't cover their total expenses. 

Let's explore what need-based scholarships are, the best options available, how to apply for them, and tips for qualifying.

Make a Bold.org profile to access hundreds of exclusive scholarships, with more added daily.

Need-Based Scholarships Image 1

What Is a Need-Based Scholarship?

A need-based scholarship is a type of financial aid that is awarded to students based on their demonstrated financial need. Unlike merit-based scholarships, which are awarded based on academic or extracurricular achievements, need-based scholarships take into consideration the financial circumstances of the student and their family.

These scholarships are designed to bridge the gap between the cost of attendance and the amount of financial resources available to the student. They aim to provide assistance to students who would otherwise be unable to afford the full cost of tuition and other expenses associated with pursuing higher education.

It's important to note that the availability and criteria for need-based scholarships can vary widely depending on the institution or organization offering the scholarship. Some scholarships may be funded by the government, while others are provided by private donors or foundations with specific eligibility requirements.

Here at Bold.org, we have tons of scholarships and even grants for student loans.

Are Need-Based Scholarships Only for Undergraduate Students?

No, there are need-based scholarships available for undergraduate, graduate, and even doctoral students. Each scholarship program may have its own specific eligibility criteria.

Best Need-Based Scholarships

There are many need-based awards that low-income students should consider when searching for financial aid. No matter what education level you're pursuing, what demographic you're from, or what career field you're entering, there are need-based scholarships out there for you. Consider applying for the scholarship opportunities below to reduce your need for student loans.

Need-Based Scholarships for High School Students

High school students should consider beginning their scholarship search as early as possible to maximize their earnings. The early years of high school are often less overwhelming than your junior and senior years, so it can be a great time to pursue scholarship opportunities. 

As soon as you're in high school and at least fourteen years old, you can begin applying for scholarships on Bold.org. There are plenty of opportunities that all high school students are eligible to apply for, but high school seniors, in particular, can benefit from grade-level scholarships. 

Need-Based Scholarships for College Students

Whether you're continuing your scholarship search or just beginning, college is a critical time to find financial support. Federal student aid often doesn't go far enough when paying for college, so scholarships can be essential, especially for students with financial need.

Low-Income Scholarships for College Students

If you qualify for need-based scholarships, you'll likely also be able to apply for these need-based scholarships. Some may ask you to demonstrate financial need, while others may not. Give it a shot and earn free money for your college expenses.

Need-Based Scholarships Image 2

Need-Based Scholarships for Graduate Students

Graduate students often don't think to look into scholarships since they're so far into their education journey. Though applying for scholarships while in high school and/or college can help students get ahead, it's never too late to begin applying. The high costs of the average graduate degree program make it difficult for graduate students to afford their tuition without turning to loans.

Recent college graduates or graduate students enrolled in current programs can also consider scholarships and grants to pay off student debt.

Need-Based Scholarships for International Students

International students often can't receive federal financial aid, making it difficult for them to afford higher education. International students who are now college students enrolled in the U.S. can apply for scholarships directly through Bold.org.

How to Qualify for Need-Based Scholarships

Qualifying for need-based scholarships typically depends on the applicant's financial situation. Here are some factors that scholarship committees may consider when determining eligibility:

  1. Family income: Scholarships often have income thresholds, and students from lower-income families may have a higher chance of qualifying for need-based scholarships.
  2. Financial assets: Besides income, scholarship committees may also consider the value of a student's financial assets, such as savings, investments, and property.
  3. Number of dependents: If a student is part of a larger family with more dependents, their chances of qualifying for need-based scholarships may increase.
  4. Academic performance: Some scholarships may take academic achievements into account as a secondary factor for eligibility.

Applicants should pay attention to the specific application requirements for each scholarship. Some scholarships may require essays, letters of recommendation, test scores, or proof of exceptional financial need. Meeting all the necessary documentation and deadlines is essential to maximize the chances of receiving need-based scholarships.

Every scholarship you apply for on Bold.org will have detailed instructions and eligibility requirements in the description, making it easy to verify whether or not you're an eligible applicant. If you qualify for Federal Pell Grants or other aid from the Federal Government, you'll likely qualify for some need-based scholarship aid.

Additionally, scholarships for financial need may have other non-financial eligibility criteria that you must meet in order to apply. These requirements can include your education level, academic excellence, GPA, first-generation status, or even your state location. 

Every scholarship is different, but you can use scholarship filters and categories to find relevant opportunities. Make sure your profile is completely filled out and accurate so that you know whether or not you should qualify. Once you've double-checked the eligibility requirements, you should be all set to begin applying!

Need-Based Scholarships Image 3

How to Apply for Need-Based Scholarships

The application process for need-based scholarships may vary depending on the scholarship program. However, there are some general steps that students can follow:

Research Scholarship Programs

Start by researching and identifying scholarships that are specifically designed for students with financial need.

Gather Required Documents

Most scholarships require applicants to submit financial documents such as tax returns, income statements, or FAFSA reports. Make sure to gather all the necessary paperwork.

Complete the Application

Carefully fill out the application form, ensuring that all the information is accurate and complete.

Write Compelling Essays

Many scholarships require applicants to write essays that highlight their personal experiences, goals, and aspirations. Take the time to craft well-written essays that effectively communicate your story.

Submit the Application

After reviewing and double-checking all the information, submit your application before the deadline.

It is important to note that in addition to the steps mentioned above, students should also consider reaching out to their school's financial aid office for guidance on need-based scholarships. These offices often have valuable resources and can provide assistance in identifying relevant scholarship opportunities.

Furthermore, when writing essays for need-based scholarships, applicants should not only focus on their financial need but also emphasize how receiving the scholarship would impact their academic and career goals. Demonstrating a clear connection between the scholarship and their aspirations can significantly strengthen their application.

Need-Based Scholarships Image 4

Applying for Scholarships on Bold.org

After checking all eligibility requirements for a scholarship, you can start the application. Scholarships on Bold.org are designed to be quick and easy to apply for, but you will still have to spend some time on each application in order to put your best foot forward. 

Most scholarship opportunities require applicants to submit a short essay in order to apply. These essays typically range from 400 to 600 words, and some can be even shorter. When writing a scholarship essay, there will always be a prompt with one or more questions or topics for you to focus on in your response. Keep reading for our best scholarship essay tips!

Other types of scholarships may require that you submit another type of work, such as videos, photos, or portfolios. These scholarships may require an essay to supplement your creative work, but often, there's no essay requirement for these options.

The final type of scholarship is the easiest and quickest to apply for. These scholarships don't require any type of submission, whether written or creative, but can instead be applied for with just a few clicks! These scholarships may sound too good to be true, but there are plenty of easy, no-essay scholarships available to all students. 

While easy and broad scholarships are good options when you have limited time to spend on your scholarship applications, you should try to apply for a variety of scholarship types. Since no-essay scholarships are so simple to apply for and often have little to no eligibility requirements, they normally receive the most applications. With so many other students applying and no submission allowing you to make a connection with the donor, no-essay scholarships can be very competitive.

Even though many students apply for no-essay scholarships, someone will always win, and it could be you! Since these scholarships take so little effort to apply for, they're low-risk and high-reward.

Need-Based Scholarships Image 5

Frequently Asked Questions