Scholarship deadlines vary greatly and there is no single application that can qualify you for all of the awards for which you may be eligible. It can be frustrating to search and search, only to turn up results that are already closed for this year.
Most scholarship providers work on an annual basis. Typically, they accept applications in the fall or spring for the next academic year. You are not likely to find a scholarship you could apply for right now that you could receive the money in time to pay your summer bill or this month’s rent, for example. The scholarships that are open now will be awarded for the 2015–2016 school year starting in August.
We’ve identified 10 scholarships, both on and off campus, that you can apply for today! Act fast, though—some of the deadlines are coming very soon!
May 15 deadlines
This scholarship rewards students who are ISU Credit Union members in good standing for at least six months (or the dependent of a member). There are two categories of scholarships: need-based and merit-based. A total of five $1,000 scholarships will be awarded.
Sponsored by the Culturally Integrated Education for Latinos Organization (CIELO) in Springfield, this program awards three scholarships in the amount of $1,500 each year. Applicants must be of Latino background and live within 60 miles of Springfield, Illinois.
May 31 deadline
Did you ever think your love of pizza could earn you a scholarship? Cottage Inn has an essay writing contest in which applicants should extol the virtues of this go-to late night college snack, “describing how pizza can bring people together for the greater good of improving communities and society as a whole.” There is a 1,500-word maximum. The top prize is a $2,500 scholarship. Second place gets $1,000 and third place gets $500.
June 1 deadlines
These scholarships recognize students who have earned at least 30 hours at Illinois State who have participated in leadership roles in campus activities.
This scholarship seeks to memorialize Olamide Adeyooye and to acknowledge Illinois State students’ commitment to the Illinois State University campus and community through involvement in Illinois State campus service/activities and local community service. Applicants must have earned at least 30 hours at Illinois State.
The Fraser Institute invites students to “showcase your ideas on public policy and the role of markets by entering our essay competition.” There are awards for high school students, undergraduates, and graduate students. First prize for each category is $1,500, second is $1,000, and third is $500.
June 15 deadlines
Applicants for this scholarship must have lost a parent to cancer or survived cancer themselves. Documentation is required. The scholarship is open to incoming and current Illinois State students.
Open to any major and year in school, this $1,000 award is given based solely on the applicant’s essay about their life and career goals.
June 30 deadline
This is a $1,000 scholarship for students of any class level who are committed to ending online harassment.
Remember, if you find a scholarship that seems to fit your credentials but isn’t open right now, add it to your own list of scholarships so you can apply when it is time. Then check back on your list from time to time to make sure you aren’t missing anything.
