Last updated on December 2, 2024

Middle Class Scholarships to Apply for in 2024

The Best Middle Class Scholarships with Upcoming Deadlines

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princeton universityvanderbilt universityuniversity of michiganberkeley university of californiageorgetown universitysyracuse university
30 SCHOLARSHIPS
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  1. "A Daring Path" No-Essay Scholarship

    Funded by
    Calvin Rosser
    This scholarship exists to support a bold person who wants to get the most out of this world.
    All students are eligible
    Amount:$1,000
    Deadline is Approaching! 29 days left
    One Click Apply
    1
  2. Digital Hall Scholarship

    Funded by
    The Digital Hall
    This scholarship seeks to support students who are pursuing fields in science, technology, engineering, arts, or mathematics.

    Eligibility Criteria:

    • Education Level: Four-year undergraduate student
    • State: Virginia
    • Field of Study: STEAM
    • Background: Community service experience
    Amount:$1,000
    Deadline:Jan 31, 2025
    One Click Apply
    2
  3. Hester Richardson Powell Memorial Service Scholarship

    Funded by
    Angela R. Powell
    This scholarship seeks to honor the life of Hester Richardson Powell by supporting students who share her spirit of love and service.

    Eligibility Criteria:

    • Education Level: High school senior
    • Race: African American
    • Gender: Female
    • GPA: 2.7 or higher
    Amount:$2,500
    Deadline:Feb 28, 2025
    One Click Apply
    3
  4. Bear Fan Scholarship

    Funded by
    Bold.org
    This scholarship seeks to support fans of "The Bear" who have a vision for the characters' futures!
    All students are eligible
    Amount:$500
    Deadline is Approaching! 30 days left
    One Click Apply
    4
  5. NYT Connections Fan Scholarship

    Funded by
    Bold.org
    This scholarship seeks to support avid players of The New York Times' "Connections" puzzle who have an idea for their own puzzle!
    All students are eligible
    Amount:$500
    Deadline is Approaching! 30 days left
    One Click Apply
    5
  6. Love Island Fan Scholarship

    Funded by
    Bold.org
    This scholarship aims to support students who are fans of "Love Island" and are invested in the stories on screen.
    All students are eligible
    Amount:$500
    Deadline is Approaching! 30 days left
    One Click Apply
    6
  7. CREATIVE. INSPIRED. HAPPY Mid-Career Writing Scholarship

    Funded by
    CREATIVE. INSPIRED. HAPPY
    This scholarship seeks to support aspiring writers so they can go on to professional writing careers and find happiness.

    Eligibility Criteria:

    • Field of Study: Writing
    • Background: Experience in the workforce
    Amount:$2,000
    Deadline is Approaching! 29 days left
    One Click Apply
    7
  8. Team USA Fan Scholarship

    Funded by
    Bold.org
    This scholarship aims to encourage students to root for Team USA and share their appreciation for their favorite athletes!
    All students are eligible
    Amount:$500
    Deadline is Approaching! 30 days left
    One Click Apply
    8
  9. LeBron James Fan Scholarship

    Funded by
    Bold.org
    This scholarship seeks to support students who are fans of LeBron James and have been inspired by his career.
    All students are eligible
    Amount:$500
    Deadline is Approaching! 30 days left
    One Click Apply
    9
  10. GUTS- Olivia Rodrigo Fan Scholarship

    Funded by
    Bold.org
    This scholarship is perfect for students who have been impacted by Olivia Rodrigo's "Guts" album!
    All students are eligible
    Amount:$500
    Deadline is Approaching! 30 days left
    One Click Apply
    10
  11. Sabrina Carpenter Superfan Scholarship

    Funded by
    Bold.org
    This scholarship seeks to support fans of Sabrina Carpenter who have been impacted by her career.
    All students are eligible
    Amount:$500
    Deadline is Approaching! 30 days left
    One Click Apply
    11
  12. Billie Eilish Fan Scholarship

    Funded by
    Bold.org
    This scholarship aims to support students who are fans of Billie Eilish and have been impacted by her music.
    All students are eligible
    Amount:$500
    Deadline is Approaching! 30 days left
    One Click Apply
    12
  13. Wicked Fan Scholarship

    Funded by
    Bold.org
    This scholarship seeks to support fans of Wicked who are excited about the new movie adaptation of the story!
    All students are eligible
    Amount:$500
    Deadline is Approaching! 30 days left
    One Click Apply
    13
  14. Joe Gilroy "Plan Your Work, Work Your Plan" Scholarship

    Funded by
    Smart Boy Studios
    This scholarship aims to support any student who has dreams and a detailed plan on how to pursue and achieve them.

    Eligibility Criteria:

    • Background: Anybody pursuing further education
    Amount:$2,075
    Deadline:Feb 28, 2025
    One Click Apply
    14
  15. Redefining Victory Scholarship

    Funded by
    Chris & Mary Carnduff
    By embracing diverse avenues for personal growth, anyone can conquer the challenges of life and attain the pinnacle of success.

    Eligibility Criteria:

    • Education Level: Any
    Amount:$20,000
    Deadline:Apr 01, 2025
    One Click Apply
    15
  16. NBA 2K25 Fan No-Essay Scholarship

    Funded by
    Bold.org
    This scholarship seeks to support dedicated fans of the iconic NBA video game series.
    All students are eligible
    Amount:$500
    Deadline is Approaching! 30 days left
    One Click Apply
    16
  17. Taylor Swift ‘1989’ Fan Scholarship

    Funded by
    Bold.org
    This scholarship aims to let Swifties show off their love for their favorite album to make the road to higher education more affordable.
    All students are eligible
    Amount:$1,989
    Deadline:Aug 01, 2023
    One Click Apply
    Scholarship is awarded to
    1 winner
    17
  18. Cazares Family Trade Scholarship

    Funded by
    Cazares
    This scholarship aims to support students interested in attending a trade school and welcomes students wanting to go into all industries.

    Eligibility Criteria:

    • Interests: Trade School
    • Education level: High school senior or current trade school students
    Amount:$1,500
    Deadline:May 07, 2023
    One Click Apply
    Scholarship is awarded to
    1 winner
    18
  19. Szilak Family Honorary Scholarship

    Funded by
    Szilak Family
    This scholarship will support a student who has had direct or indirect experience with cancer.

    Eligibility Criteria:

    • Education Level: High school junior or senior, undergraduate, or graduate student
    • Background: Directly or indirectly affected by cancer
    Amount:$500
    Deadline:Jul 15, 2023
    One Click Apply
    Scholarship is awarded to
    1 winner
    19
  20. Anthony McPherson Memorial Automotive Scholarship

    Funded by
    Denese McPherson
    This scholarship seeks to honor the life of Anthony McPherson by raising awareness about drunk driving and supporting students pursuing careers in the automotive industry.

    Eligibility Criteria:

    • Field of Interest: Automotive
    • Education Level: High school or undergraduate student
    Amount:$1,000
    Deadline:Nov 08, 2024
    Scholarship is in review
    20
  21. Phoenix Opportunity Award

    Funded by
    Long John Nguyen
    This scholarship will support first-generation college students from low-income backgrounds.

    Eligibility Criteria:

    • Education Level: High school senior or undergraduate
    • Background: First-generation college student and low-income
    Amount:$500
    Deadline:Jun 15, 2023
    One Click Apply
    Scholarship is awarded to
    1 winner
    21
  22. 'Once Upon a Time in Hollywood' Insight Scholarship

    Funded by
    Violin Wood
    This scholarship seeks to support high school seniors with a deep appreciation for the narratives that shape our society.

    Eligibility Criteria:

    • Status: U.S. citizen
    • GPA: 3.0 or higher
    • Education Level: High school senior or undergraduate
    Amount:$2,000
    Deadline:Dec 13, 2023
    One Click Apply
    Scholarship is awarded to
    2 winners
    22
  23. Above the Peak - Ama Dablam Kesel Family Scholarship

    Funded by
    Aaron Kesel
    To honor the memory of a beautiful life that was lost, this scholarship intends to support high school seniors or undergraduate students that have lost a family member due to suicide.

    Eligibility Criteria:

    • Education level: High School Senior or Undergraduate student
    • Background: Experience with suicide in the family
    • Financial Status: Low-income
    Amount:$1,500
    Deadline:May 15, 2023
    One Click Apply
    Scholarship is awarded to
    1 winner
    23
  24. HM Family Scholarship

    Funded by
    HM Family Scholarship
    This scholarship seeks to support ambitious BIPOC students who are exploring educational and professional STEM opportunities in New York.

    Eligibility Criteria:

    • Education Level: High school senior or undergraduate student
    • Race: BIPOC
    • State: New York
    • Field of Interest: STEM
    Amount:$2,000
    Deadline:Jun 28, 2024
    One Click Apply
    Scholarship is awarded to
    2 winners
    24
  25. Tri-Lams Family Scholarship

    Funded by
    Lam Family
    This scholarship seeks to support middle-class students so they can afford higher education with less reliance on loans.

    Eligibility Criteria:

    • Education Level: High school senior
    • State: California (Alhambra Unified School District preferred)
    Amount:$5,000
    Deadline:May 01, 2022
    One Click Apply
    Scholarship is awarded to
    5 winners
    25
  26. JDT Ventures Scholarship Fund

    Funded by
    We Clean and Azcany Brand
    This scholarship supports immigrants or international students from low income households.

    Eligibility Criteria:

    • Education Level: High school senior
    • Background: Low-income household
    • Citizenship: International (not U.S.)
    Amount:$1,000
    Deadline:Apr 19, 2023
    One Click Apply
    Scholarship is awarded to
    2 winners
    26
  27. Godi Arts Scholarship

    Funded by
    Mark Godi
    This scholarship aims to support students who are pursuing the arts so they can afford to complete their college degrees.

    Eligibility Criteria:

    • Education Level: Four-year undergraduate student
    • Field of Study: Arts - music, dance, visual arts, theatre, etc.
    Amount:$1,000
    Deadline:Nov 15, 2023
    One Click Apply
    Scholarship is awarded to
    1 winner
    27
  28. Dr. Rajesh Aggarwal Scholarship for Scientific Studies

    Funded by
    The Aggarwal Family
    This scholarship seeks to support the next great minds of science by helping low-income high school students in Massachusetts and New Jersey afford their college education.

    Eligibility Criteria:

    • Education Level: High school junior or senior
    • Financial Status: Low-income
    • GPA: 3.0 or higher
    • Field of Interest: Science
    • Location: Massachusetts, New Jersey
    Amount:$6,000
    Deadline:Jul 09, 2024
    One Click Apply
    Scholarship is awarded to
    4 winners
    28
  29. Gomez Family Legacy Scholarship

    Funded by
    Gomez Family
    This scholarship seeks to support underserved Hispanic students in Texas so they can have the resources they need to pursue higher education.

    Eligibility Criteria:

    • Education Level: High school junior or senior
    • Background: First-generation and/or low-income
    • Ethnicity: Hispanic
    • State: Texas
    Amount:$1,500
    Deadline:Apr 10, 2024
    One Click Apply
    Scholarship is awarded to
    1 winner
    29
  30. Harvey and Geneva Mabry Second Time Around Scholarship

    Funded by
    April Mabry
    This scholarship aims to support adult learners who carry on Geneva Mabry’s legacy of determination when pursuing an education.

    Eligibility Criteria:

    • Race: BIPOC
    • Education Level: Undergraduate student
    • Age: At least 30 years old
    • Status: Returning student
    Amount:$500
    Deadline:Aug 11, 2023
    One Click Apply
    Scholarship is awarded to
    1 winner
    30

When preparing to attend college, you may be worried about how much financial aid money you will get. Many middle-income families do not qualify for a lot of need-based aid or financial grants, but many are also unable to pay for rising tuition costs without taking out loans.

In calculating a student's federal student aid eligibility, the government uses the Expected Family Contribution (EFC), which measures a household's financial situation. The EFC also considers family income, assets, and many other factors. Colleges and universities see the amount of federal aid that an applicant has available to them and devise a payment plan to present to the applicant.

The limited amount of federal or university federal aid can make college payments difficult for middle-class students. A student's financial aid status may fluctuate throughout their enrollment, but middle class families who cannot afford to pay out of pocket may feel like they have limited options.

Middle class students and their families may have an income that's too high to benefit from many need-based student aid offerings, but that doesn't mean you have to pay full tuition prices that higher-income students and their families can afford. Middle-class students at any stage of the college process can find funding options that can help make earning a degree possible below.

Several options include scholarships, work study, federal loans, private loans, and private scholarships. Students must be informed about their options to pay for college tuition.

On Bold.org's website, you can find plenty of scholarship options and blog articles to help you determine how to make college more affordable. Create a profile and start applying for our scholarships on our website.

What types of scholarships are there for middle class students?

What types of scholarships are there for middle class students?

Most scholarships for middle class students are either need-based or merit-based scholarships. Some scholarships may even combine these criteria to get applicants from even more specific demographics.

Need-based scholarships are intended to support students whose background or personal circumstances might make it harder to get a degree. These scholarships are usually based on family income or family makeup, so if you are from a nontraditional family, for example, a single-parent household, you may be eligible for need-based scholarship aid. Because of their income level, though, many middle class students eligible for financial aid may not get as many need-based scholarships.

Merit-based scholarships are intended to help the students with the most academic or extracurricular ability complete their education. To win one of these, you need to be amongst the best students who apply based on your transcripts, GPA, or extracurricular experience.

How to qualify for scholarships for middle class students

Be middle class or come from a middle class family

To get a middle class scholarship, applicants must be undergraduate or graduate students in the middle class. Undergraduate students may be middle class if the applicant or their families have taxable income for the preceding year that exceeds 150 percent of the poverty level amount.

Meet any other eligibility requirements

Some scholarships have additional requirements beyond just being a middle class student. Students could need to have a certain field of study or career goals to get financial assistance. Ensure you check all the eligibility criteria for scholarships before applying.

How do you get a middle class scholarship?

How do you get a middle class scholarship?

At most colleges and universities, there are grants and scholarships that students can apply for. Most federal financial aid is based on your financial need, but private scholarships can also help.

Scholarships are incredibly competitive, so you will have to stand out to be chosen for scholarship programs. You can do this by writing compelling essays or applications that will impress the scholarship committees.

If you are worried about the competitiveness of financial aid for middle class students, Bold.org has a variety of scholarships for any student. You can easily apply for scholarships on Bold.org. Just make sure that you have a strong profile before you apply.

How to apply for a middle class scholarship

Applying for financial aid can be daunting, but it is an important step for your college education. Many schools have scholarships you can apply for through the FAFSA or your university. If you want to find scholarships with an easy application process, though, Bold.org is the perfect place.

On Bold.org, it is extremely easy to find and apply for scholarships. Once you have a profile, you can apply for scholarships in only a few clicks. Applying for scholarships typically requires an essay submission, but no-essay scholarships often just require a few minutes to apply. Each scholarship will have relevant instructions or essay prompts in the description, making the application process simple.

When you apply for scholarships, remember that there are certain ways to increase your chances of winning, such as having a detailed profile, earning as many bold points as possible, and writing impressive essays.

How to find scholarships for middle class students

How to find scholarships for middle class students

You can find plenty of scholarships on Bold.org. You can explore exclusive scholarships for your state, major, year, demographic, and more. You can even bookmark scholarships you're interested in so you can return to them later and apply.

For middle class students who may need scholarships, it can help to find scholarships without an income level requirement. You can find these scholarships by using the scholarship search feature. The "general" category has scholarships available to most students regardless of income level.

If you are getting your trade certification in a certain field, you can also find specific scholarships by going to the "education" category or by searching for scholarships by major. There, you will find scholarships that apply to specific programs.

When to start applying for middle class scholarships

When it comes to securing financial aid for your college degree, it's never too early to start. You can begin applying for scholarships as early as high school so that you can apply for a larger range of scholarships and minimize your need for student loans. Many students begin applying for scholarships as high school seniors, but applying earlier will give you a head start on tackling your college costs.

However, don't worry if you're already in college and just starting to apply. Many scholarships are geared towards students pursuing college degrees or even graduate students, so you have plenty of time to apply. Bold.org has college scholarships for high school, undergraduate, and graduate students.

Frequently asked questions about middle class scholarship

Frequently asked questions about middle class scholarship

Can middle class get financial aid?

Yes, middle class students do get financial aid. They can get financial aid through the government or their university. Students often skip filling out the FAFSA because they think their families make too much money to qualify for aid, but filling out the FAFSA is important to get financial aid to cover at least some college costs.

If federal financial aid is insufficient, middle class students can also get scholarships from private sources, including non-profits and online scholarship websites.

How do middle class families afford college?

Some middle class families can afford to pay for at least some of their college tuition out of pocket. Despite this, most families must find a form of financial aid to cover their tuition, whether scholarships and grants or student loans.

With a student loan, you will need to deal with repayment and debt. Therefore, the best option for families trying to afford college is scholarships, especially private scholarships that do not rely on how much money the government can give to each student.

Can I get FAFSA if my parents make a lot of money?

You can still fill out the FAFSA if your parents make much money. Once you get your financial aid offer, though, you may get a lower amount of money given to you than you need. The family's income level determines a student's total cost, so if your family makes enough money, your final award amount may not cover much of your tuition.

How much income is too much for FAFSA?

How much income is too much for FAFSA?

There is no income limit for eligibility to qualify for financial aid through the FAFSA website. You may need a certain income level to get certain kinds of financial aid.

Some federal financial aid is distributed only to low-income students, including Pell Grants, Direct Subsidized Loans, and sometimes state and institutional aid like scholarships. Work study is also only awarded to low-income students.

The federal student aid website will only gift aid in large amounts to students who cannot pay only with parent contributions. Dependent students may need to consider how their family's income will affect their financial aid amount.

How much do you get for a middle class scholarship?

For a middle class scholarship program, usually, students get up to 40% of their families' income in financial aid. Government or university scholarships may make up most of this funding allocated to the student.

Beyond federal student aid, though, you can get up to $25,000 dollars in scholarships on Bold.org. Large scholarships like the "Be Bold" No-Essay Scholarship are open to any student regardless of income level. You can apply for these scholarships by making a profile on our website.