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34 No Essay Scholarships to Save Thousands on College

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What’s Covered:

Are “no-essay” scholarships worth it, where to focus your scholarship search.

• 34 No-Essay Scholarships  

Scholarships play a large role in many students’ plans for how to pay for college, but completing the applications for some scholarships is time-consuming—especially for students who are busy taking challenging courses and involved with extracurricular activities. Luckily, some scholarships are easier to apply for than others, like the no-essay scholarships listed below. 

No-essay scholarships are easier to apply for than other, more involved scholarships, so it doesn’t cost you much in time or effort to apply. However, because they’re easy to apply for, they receive a lot of applications, which means more competition and lower odds of winning. It is also less clear how no-essay scholarship recipients are selected without an essay to set your application apart.  

If you choose to apply for no-essay scholarships, just know that they are just a part of a strategy for winning awards to college and are best-suited as a supplement to local and more niche scholarships. If you don’t like the idea of writing an essay, look for a scholarship with an equivalent task, like making a video or creating a piece of art instead. 

Outside scholarships garner a lot of attention, but colleges and universities are actually the best place to look for scholarships—schools themselves grant $175 billion in scholarship money annually! It’s also worth noting that college awards are often larger than outside awards; 80% of external scholarships are less than $2,000, which looks great on paper but will only put a small dent in the cost of most colleges. 

You have the best chance of winning a merit-based scholarship from a college or university. While super-selective schools with applicants fighting for admission often don’t offer merit-based scholarships—for example, none of the Ivy League colleges do—less selective colleges are often anxious to attract strong applicants. This makes applying to a college where your profile is particularly strong a smart strategy for getting a merit scholarship .

34 No-Essay Scholarships 

1. “be bold” no-essay scholarship.

Amount: $25,000

Deadline: December 31 

Eligibility: Students of any education level, school, field of study, and GPA considered

This scholarship is for bold students who are determined to change the world one step at a time. No essay is required to win this eye-popping award. Instead, create a bold profile highlighting your earnestness, determination, and how you’re moving toward your goals for a chance to win.

2. Scholarships360 No-Essay Scholarship

Amount: $1,000

Deadline: September 30 

Eligibility: All students—including high school students, community college students, undergraduates, and graduate students

No essay is required to win this generous award. Simply sign up for Scholarship360—a scholarship newsletter—for your chance at $1,000 for college. 

3. $2,000 “No-Essay” College Scholarship

Amount: $2,000

Deadline: Monthly  

Eligibility: All high school and college students

The name says it all: no essay is required to receive this $2,000 college scholarship. Simply create an account for a chance to win this substantial award. A winner is chosen monthly and the money can be used to cover tuition, housing, books, or any other education-related expenses.

4. $2,000 Nitro Scholarship

Deadline: Monthly 

Eligibility: 

• Age 17 or older
• A parent with a child enrolled in an accredited college or university in the U.S. 
• A student enrolled in an accredited college or university in the U.S. 
• A parent with a high school senior in the U.S.
• A high school senior located with the U.S. 
• A student or a parent who has graduated from an accredited undergraduate school and is paying back debt from educational expenses

No essay is needed to win a $2,000 Nitro Scholarship. Applicants only need to complete a short application for this chance to win this award and to take a step to control the cost of college. 

5. The Student Loan Hero Smart Money Giveaway

Eligibility: Legal U.S. residents in the contiguous U.S. and Washington, D.C., 18 years of age and older

This scholarship wants you to take control of your college finances so you can focus on your future. Entry is easy—just fill out a short online application. 

6. College Board “Complete Your FAFSA” Scholarships

Amount:   $500

Deadline: October through February 

Eligibility: Current high school seniors in the U.S., Puerto Rico, and U.S. territories

The College Board—the organization that administers the SAT—provides scholarships to students for simply filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The College Board will give out 500 awards every month from October through December and 100 awards in both January and February.

7. College Board “Complete Your Journey” Scholarships

Amount: $40,000

Deadline: February 

Complete the College Board’s six steps of college planning for your chance at one of 25 $40,000 scholarship opportunities. The program is open to students from all financial backgrounds, however, at least half of the scholarships will go to students from families who earn less than $60,000 annually. 

8. ScholarshipPoints Scholarship Program

Amount: $10,000

Deadline: Quarterly 

Eligibility:   

• Age 13 or older
• U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident 
• Attending or planning to attend college in the U.S.

No GPA, no essay, and no hassle! To enter for an opportunity to win one of these impressive awards, simply fill out an online application. In addition to the quarterly $10,000 scholarships, ScholarshipPoints also draws three $1,000 scholarships monthly.

9. Christian Connector Scholarship

Amount: $2,500

Deadline: May 31

Eligibility:  

• Age 13 or older 
• Must enroll for the first time as a full-time student at a Christ-centered Christian college, university, or Bible college

Sign up to receive information about Christian colleges—and for a chance at winning this handsome scholarship award for college. The scholarship is only open to students planning to attend a Christ-centered Christian college, university, or Bible college. The funds are sent directly to the winner’s school of choice. 

10. No Essay ‘You Deserve It’ Scholarship

Amount: $2,222

Deadline: December 29

• Age 16 or older 
• Legal resident of the U.S. or its territories (Rhode Island and Michigan applicants are ineligible)
• Enrolled in a qualified high school, college, or university in the U.S.

Sign up for ScholarshipOwl (a scholarship service) and you’re simultaneously registered for a chance to win a $2,222 award. Your odds of winning are about 1 in 140,000—not too bad considering there is no essay required and sign up is quick. 

11. CollegeXpress $10,000 Scholarship Contest

• Legal U.S. resident 
• Must enter a CollegeXpress member college as a full-time freshman, transfer, or graduate student for the fall term 

Just create a CollegeXpress profile for a chance at $10,000 to use at a CollegeXpress member college . Winners of this no-essay scholarship are selected at random. 

12. Annual Catholic College Scholarship

Amount: $1,500

• Must enroll for the first time as a full-time student at a Catholic college

Sign up to receive information about Catholic colleges—and for a chance at winning this handsome scholarship award for college. The scholarship is only open to students planning to attend a Catholic college, university, or Bible college. The funds are sent directly to the winner’s school of choice. 

13. Discover Student Loans Scholarship Award 

Amount: $5,000

• Resident of the U.S. or its territories
• High school seniors, college students, students who’ve earned a General Education Development (GED), or parent/guardian of an aforementioned person

Sign up to receive emails that provide helpful college tips and useful resources and get entered to win one of 12 annual $5,000 awards. Complete a survey after registering for emails for an additional entry for the scholarship. 

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14. Lounge Lizard Web Design Scholarship  

Deadline: Semi-annually (spring and fall)

Eligibility: Attending an accredited school in the U.S. or accepted to an accredited school and set to begin within six months of application

Show off your creativity for a chance to win this no-essay scholarship. To enter, fill out a short application and either submit a web design or attach a link to a webpage. In addition to a scholarship, winners also receive a critique session with Lounge Lizard’s founder and CCO. 

15. Create-a-Greeting-Card Scholarship

Deadline: March 3

• Age 14 or older 
• Legal U.S. resident or international student with a student visa 
• High school, college, or university student 

While you don’t need an essay to win this generous scholarship, you are required to submit an original photo, artwork, or computer graphic for use on the front of a greeting card. Entries are limited to one per person, so send in your best work! 

16. Frame My Future Scholarship Contest 

Amount: $6,000

Deadline: April 1

• Legal U.S.resident
• Planning to enroll at a U.S. college or university in the fall

Show how you frame your future through photography, illustration, painting, or mixed media art for a chance at this ample award. Although no essay is required, applicants are asked to submit a brief overview of their piece (no more than 500 characters). 

17. Annual Faith-Based College Scholarship

• Must enroll for the first time as a full-time student at a faith-based college

Sign up to receive information about faith-based colleges and for a chance at winning this handsome scholarship award for college. The scholarship is only open to students planning to attend a faith-based college, university, or Bible college. The funds are sent directly to the winner’s school of choice. 

18. Sallie Mae $5,432 Sweepstakes

Amount: $5,432

Deadline: December 31

Entering for this scholarship is easy, all you need to do is complete an online registration for your chance at this $5,432 award. 

19. Ascent Scholarships 

Amount: Varies 

• Age 18 or older 
• Legal U.S. resident or DACA student
• Enrolled at least half-time in a degree program or technical skills training program 

Ascent Scholarship giveaways are designed to help students cover school-related expenses such as tuition, books, rent, groceries, parking, and transportation. No essay is required, all you need to do is register for a chance to win one of these awards. 

20. The “No Sweat” Scholarship

• Between 8th and 12th grade 

Create an account and complete a portfolio for your chance at this super scholarship which you can use for any educational purpose—from books to summer camp. The more complete your profile is, the better your odds of winning are. 

21. Too Cool to Pay for School Scholarship

• U.S. residents, DACA and undocumented students, and international students currently studying in the U.S.
• Current high school, college, and graduate students

Paying for school is stressful which is why this scholarship is intentionally low pressure. Complete the online registration to enter. Follow Access Scholarships on Instagram for an extra entry. You can use the scholarship for any educational expense—including tuition, textbooks, housing, and technology. 

22. Cappex Easy Money Scholarship

Eligibility: Current high school or college student 

No need to stress about your GPA or an essay when entering this scholarship contest. Simply answer a few simple questions for your chance at one of these awards. 

23. Scholarships4Moms 

Deadline: December 15

• Age 18 or older
• U.S. legal resident
• Mother or expectant mother 
• Enrolled in a college or university in the U.S. or will enroll in one within three months 

The Scholarships4Moms award is designed to help mothers meet their educational goals. Founded by a group of moms, who understand how busy moms are, signing up is quick and easy. All you need to do is complete a short entry form. 

24. College Survey Scholarship

Eligibility: College undergraduate or graduate student and undergraduate or graduate alumni who graduated within the last four years

All it takes to enter this running for this scholarship is to fill out a college survey on Niche, a ranking, and review website. Your responses are anonymous and are displayed on Niche to help other students to find the right college for them. 

25. Easy Scholarships

• Age 25 years or younger
• Living in the U.S. or Canada (or a citizen of either country but living abroad)

No GPA requirements or essays are required to participate in this scholarship contest. For a chance to win, you simply must sign up for a campaign, complete it, and take a photo to document your participation. Campaigns are quick and completed in under five minutes!  

26. SuperCollege Scholarship

Eligibility: High school, college, or graduate student, or adult planning to go back to school

Just fill out the application and answer a few simple questions about your college plans for the opportunity to win this award. You can use the scholarship to pay for any education-related expenses. For example, tuition, books, computers, or room and board.

27. Debt.com Scholarship For Aggressive Scholarship Applicants

Amount: $500

Deadline: Every other month 

Eligibility: Actively applying for scholarships

This scholarship rewards students with the drive to earn scholarships and the willingness to fight for financial independence. In order to win, you need to send confirmations from all of the scholarships you’ve applied to. Also, while there is no essay, you are required to submit a short biographical letter.

28. MyMozaic Monthly Scholarship Contest

Deadline: Every month 

Eligibility:

• U.S. citizen or legal resident
• Enrolled in high school or college in the U.S.

Simply create a profile at MyMozaic.com and answer a few simple questions—like your graduation year, your GPA, and the major(s) you’re interested in—for the opportunity to win one of these monthly, no-essay scholarships. 

29. WayUp Dream Job No-Essay Scholarship

Deadline: Jun 1 

Eligibility: Current college student

Create a profile at WayUp—a jobsite for college students and recent college graduates—for a  chance of winning a $1,000 scholarship. The stronger your profile and the more internships and jobs you apply for, the better your odds are to receive an award.  

30. College Ave Scholarship Monthly Sweepstakes

• U.S. citizen or permanent resident 
• Enrolled in high school or a post-secondary educational institution or are the parent or legal guardian of a person enrolled in a high school or a post-secondary educational institution 

Earning this $1,000 simply requires filling out a very short entry and a little luck. Winners are chosen monthly!  

31. Give Me Liberty Easy Scholarship

• U.S. citizen 
• High school senior or enrolled in an accredited institution in the U.S.

The intention of this scholarship is to provide every student with an equal opportunity to experience freedom from the burden of tuition and loans. Recipients are selected through a lottery which gives every applicant the same chance of winning—regardless of their academic performance, extracurricular achievements, and essay writing skills. 

32. Because College is Expensive Scholarship

Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors, along with current college students and anyone else looking to attend college or graduate school

If you’re planning to attend college you’ll want to look into this scholarship—all it takes is completing a short application to enter for a chance to win. Only one entry per quarter is allowed. 

33. Return 2 College Scholarship Program

Deadline: January 31

• U.S. citizen or legal resident 
• Starting a program of higher education—either undergraduate or graduate—within the next 12 months or are currently full or part-time students 

While this scholarship doesn’t require an essay it does ask you to compose three sentences answering the question why are you getting your degree? Have a lot to say? Perfect, more than one entry is allowed, but more than a dozen are discouraged. 

34. Project Yellow Light Create a Billboard Scholarship   

Deadline: March 1

• Legal U.S. residents 
• High school juniors and seniors, along with undergraduate and graduate students 

Design a billboard to promote safe driving to a broad audience and draw attention to this important topic. In addition to a scholarship, winners may see their design grace a billboard or used on the web and other digital platforms. 

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Top 20 No Essay Scholarships Currently Ongoing

The idea of writing an essay can seem like an insurmountable hurdle for lots of students, so the idea of penning down those writings might instantly lead to writer’s block. In fact, you might be among the students who have crumpled lots of paper into the waste bin due to the perception that you’re not crafting the best essay for that scholarship.

Don’t worry, so many organizations understand your pain and struggle that’s why they provide lots of no essay scholarships to fasten your application. Yes, most of these scholarships only require you to register and you’ll be entered into the drawing.

But if you’re not scared of trying more essay scholarships, you can try out the Education Matters Scholarship or even the All About Education Scholarship . The bright side of most scholarships that require essays is that it reduces competition. This is also the downside of most no-essay scholarships which have enormous competition, especially for those that provide big funds.

Before we list these scholarships let’s understand what this no-essay scholarship is all about.

Table of Contents

What is a No-essay Scholarship?

Just like the name, these scholarships are exactly what they sound like financial assistance that doesn’t demand any lengthy essay submission. In fact, unlike the “ Do-Over” Scholarship , and the GoTranscript scholarship some of these no-essay scholarships don’t even demand a GPA, you just need to register to apply.

What these organizations usually demand is some basic information like your name, school, email address, contact number, and sometimes academic achievements.

No Essay Scholarships

Let’s tell ourselves the truth, essays can be daunting! These scholarships offer an alternative path to securing financial aid.

1. Niche No Essay Scholarship 

Niche offers varying amounts of no-essay scholarships, ranging from $1,000 to $50,000 which are offered to one student and can be used for tuition, housing, books, or other college expenses. The winner of the scholarship will be randomly selected and then contacted directly and announced in Niche’s email newsletter and on the Scholarship Winners page.

2. “Be Bold” No-Essay Scholarship

Based on the belief of Bold.org, they have created this scholarship to find the applicant with the boldest profile. Boldest here, doesn’t mean a student with the best academic profile or an individual that is most accomplished, it just means a student that is earnest, determined, and always moving.

The $25,000 worth of scholarship is also awarded to one student, and all students are eligible to apply regardless of location.

3. $ 2,000 Sallie Mae No Essay Scholarship

This is a sweepstake scholarship in which the winner is randomly selected, and the scholarship runs for the whole year. The scholarship is only eligible to students who are 17 years or older and are legal residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia, and any US Territory.

Learn More  

4. Liberty University Sweepstake Scholarship  

Liberty University’s Online Program is providing a total of $100,000 worth of no essay scholarships to twenty (20) randomly selected eligible winners. The winners will receive one (1) $5,000 tuition scholarship to study at Liberty University’s Online Program.

Because it’s a sweepstake the chances of winning depend on the number of applicants.

Learn More  

5. $ 50,000 ScholarshipOwl No Essay Scholarship

ScholarshipOwl randomly selects 50 students to award them $1,000 each. To be eligible you need to be 16 years or above and a resident of any of the 50 United States, District of Columbia, or US Territories except for Rhode Island and Michigan.

6. Smarter College Scholarship

This is one of the no essay scholarships provided by Smarter College to all residents of any of the 50 United States, including the District of Columbia. Applying for this scholarship is not just very easy, but you can always come back at the beginning of each month to try another luck of winning the $1,000 worth of scholarship.

7. $ 2,500 ScholarshipPoints Scholarship

ScholarshipPoints awards a monthly $2,500 to random students, all you need to do is register, and you’ll automatically be entered for their scholarship. In fact, once you’ve registered, you will also have the opportunity to apply for additional scholarships and complete activities for points that can be used for further entries into any of their 4-monthly scholarships.

8. The Cirkled In “No Sweat” Scholarship – $2,500

Just like the name, you don’t need to sweat to apply for this scholarship, all you need to do is to apply by signing up for a Cirkled In account and then complete your portfolio. Not only does it not demand an essay, but it also doesn’t demand your GPA or minimum income requirement.

Applicants just need to be 13 years or above, be enrolled in 8th – 12th grade in a school, and be a resident of the U.S. to be eligible.

9. $1,000 College Survey Scholarship

Just like the name, to participate in this scholarship you just need to take a short survey on your college. That also means that for you to participate you must be a current college student or alumni who have graduated within the last 4 years.

By the way, your response will be anonymous, so you don’t need to worry about privacy, and you won’t be writing any essays either.

10. $1,000 Local Survey Sweepstakes

This is another scholarship that doesn’t require an essay, the winner is randomly selected and applicants need to participate in a simple survey. This survey will be regarding your neighborhood or town, and you just need to be a resident of the U.S. who is over 18 years old to participate.

11. Access Missouri Financial Assistance Program

This is among the no essay scholarships but you need to be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and a Missouri resident plus other requirements to be eligible. This financial assistance is determined based on your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) as calculated through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®).

The amount you’ll receive is also determined based on your EFC and the type of school you are attending when you receive the award.

12. $2,000 No Essay CollegeVine Scholarship

CollegeVine doesn’t only help you to get to your dream school, but to help you finance part of your fees. All you need to participate is a free CollegeVine account with a completed profile.

13. CollegeXpress $10,000 Scholarship

To participate in this scholarship you just need to create a free account and complete registration on CollegeXpress.com. To be eligible, you must be attending one of their member colleges as a full-time, first-year undergraduate, transfer, or graduate student for the fall semester of the contest year.

14. CollegeXpress Refer-a-Friend $250 Monthly Scholarship

Just like the name, your chances of winning this scholarship depend on your ability to refer to lots of your friends because, for every friend who registers with CollegeXpress, you’ll get a shot at a $250 scholarship! The scholarship is only open to legal residents of the United States who are 13 years of age or older.

15. CollegeXpress Scholarship for Students of Color

This is one of the no essay scholarships offered to POC (People of Color) students who are planning to enroll in college this fall. You just need to answer the question “What is your dream career to pursue after high school?” in just one sentence then you are entered to win a $1,500 scholarship.

16. The College Mix $3,500 Christian College Scholarship Drawing

This scholarship’s winner is randomly selected and you just need to register to participate. Applicants need to have an interest in attending a Christian college, University, or Bible college, the scholarship runs each year from June 1st through May 31st.

17. $2,000 Catholic College Scholarship Drawing

This scholarship is provided by Catholic College Info to at least 13-year-old students who are or intend to enroll at any Catholic college or university. There is no essay required to participate, you just need to register to join the drawing.

18. $2,000 Protestant Faith Based College Scholarship Drawing

Faith Based College are the providers of this scholarship, and like most of the no essay scholarships we have listed, only your registration is required. Applicants also need to be at least 13 years old.

19. Scholarships360 “No Essay” $10,000 Scholarship

Scholarships360 is providing this “No Essay” scholarship to a high school student who hopes to go to college, a graduate student who’s in a master’s program, or an adult learner who wants to return to school. Applicants need to be U.S. Citizens or Permanent Residents.

20. Appily Easy Money Scholarship

This scholarship just requires you to register at Appily College Search. You need to be at least 13 years old and a resident of the fifty (50) United States.

One winner will be randomly selected for a $1,000 cash prize on the first day of each month.

Are No Essay Scholarships Scam?

We don’t blame anyone who doubts the legitimacy of any scholarship that doesn’t look difficult to enter or doesn’t demand an essay. It just sounds too good to be true, you might say.

Well whether it is a scam or not totally depends on the providers, there are more legitimate “no essay” scholarships than those that are scams so you have the right to deal with them with a healthy dose of skepticism.

Tips to Spot Illegitimate Scholarships  

• First of all, any scholarship that seeks a small payment to enroll is absolutely a scam because all legit scholarships don’t demand any payment from you.
• Secondly, any scholarship that guarantees everyone will win is likely a scam too. Any legitimate no-essay scholarship is very competitive and funds are not distributed to everyone, in fact, most no essay scholarships are offered to only one (1) winner.
• Any scholarship provider that has lots of grammatical errors and typos shows a sign of a red flag.

Tips to Identify Legitimate No-Essay Scholarships

• Ensure that the organization has a positive reputation in the scholarship or education world. The good news is that all the scholarships we provided here are from reputable organizations.
• Also review the scholarship details like their eligibility requirements, the amount awarded, and even their selection process.

Are No Essay Scholarships Worth it?

Thus far, you’ve enjoyed the goodies of no-essay scholarships; their convenience, ease of registering, and, of course, the free money. But, are they really worth your time?

Just like most things in life, the answer to this is “it depends.” Yes, it saves you time and allows you to apply to lots of them as long as you’re eligible, but there are also some drawbacks that you need to consider.

Most of their prizes are low amounts, especially when compared to essay-based scholarships. There is higher competition too because it is easy to apply. Some of them are not legit, so you need to be more wary about them and thoroughly do your research.

In general, you can apply for no-essay scholarships, but it shouldn’t be your only hope, you shouldn’t completely ignore essay-based scholarships. Focus more on reputable sources and organizations regardless of how small or big their amount is.

Key Takeaway 

Even though building/improving your essay skills for scholarships or other necessities is a valuable skill, it shouldn’t be the sole barrier to accessing educational opportunities. You can see that these no essay scholarships offer a welcome alternative, it gives you the chance to easily register for many scholarships you’re eligible for.

Remember, even seemingly small scholarships can make a significant impact on your college journey. So, don’t underestimate the power of these opportunities.

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• Scholarships

The Best No-Essay Scholarships to Apply for in 2024

"Be Bold" No-Essay Scholarship

Powering The Future - Whiddon Memorial Scholarship

Eligibility criteria:.

• Field of Study : STEM
• Education Level : High school, undergraduate, or graduate student
• Background : Financial need

“I Matter” Scholarship

• Education Level : High school student
• Background : Low-income and/or BIPOC

Cody Cochlin Memorial Scholarship

• Education Level : Undergraduate student
• Financial Status : Low-income
• Athletics : Rollerblading, rollerskating, snowboarding and/or skateboarding

Betty and Louie Dicks SCSU Scholarship

• School : South Carolina State University
• Gender : Male
• GPA : 2.75 or higher

Hispanic Achievement Scholarship

• Education Level : High school senior
• GPA : 3.0 or higher
• State : New York
• Identity : Hispanic
• Background : First-generation college student
• Citizenship Status : U.S. citizen, permanent legal resident, or DACA recipient

St.Hilaire Leaders of Tomorrow Scholarship

• State : New Jersey
• Background : Community service or volunteering experience
• Involvement : Student-athlete

In My Mother’s Name Scholarship

• Race/Ethnicity : Caribbean descent
• Major : Nursing
• Education Level : High school senior, undergraduate or graduate

Code Breakers & Changemakers Scholarship

• Education Level : High school senior (2023-2024 school year)
• Race : BIPOC
• Experience : Non-profit or volunteering experience
• Field of Interest : STEM
• GPA : 2.4 or higher
• Residency : US Citizen

Mamie Marie Clay Matthews Memorial Scholarship

• Education Level : High school juniors and seniors
• Ethnicity : African American
• Desired Career Field : Education, Theology, Horticulture or Engineering

Joan Free Thompson Scholarship

• Education Level : High school
• School : Star City High School, Dumas High School, or McGehee High School
• Race/Ethnicity : BIPOC
• State : Arkansas

Grady Reese Memorial Scholarship

• School : Lakeville North High School (MN)

Across Cultures "Expand Your Horizons" Scholarship

Finance Your Education No-Essay Scholarship

Marcus Stroman Scholarship

• Location : The Bronx
• GPA : 3.0 or above

Appily No-Essay Scholarship

Nielsen Rewards No-Essay Scholarship

Survey Junkie Brand Influencer No-Essay Scholarship

Best Catholic Colleges No-Essay Scholarship

CollegeVine Dream School Scholarship

• Education Level : Must be a high school student

Niche College No-Essay Scholarship

Survey Rewards No-Essay Scholarship

Great Games No-Essay Scholarship

Shape the News No-Essay Survey Scholarship

The GIST Women’s Sports Business Scholarship

CapCut Meme Master Scholarship

Bold.org x Checkmate No-Essay Scholarship

100 Bold Points No-Essay Scholarship

300 Bold Points No-Essay Scholarship

200 Bold Points No-Essay Scholarship

About no-essay scholarships.

As an increasing num ber of students enroll in college, student loan debt is reaching unprecedented levels, nearing $1.6 trillion in the United States. Cumulative student debt is now greater than the amount of credit card debt that Americans have, and it is expected to continue growing. 

By the end of 2021, total student loan debt is expected to grow b y $2 trillion as rising college costs continue to outpace inflation. In 2018, tuition at four- year public colleges was twice the amount that it had been in 1988, and financial aid isn't enough for most students.

To make matters worse, federal grants no longer go as far as they used to, with Pell Grants now covering just 29% of the tuition, room, and board costs of a four-year public college, as compared to 79% in 19 75.

For many undergraduate and graduate students, the high price of tuition combined with housing, books, and other college expenses make it impossible to complete their college education without taking out loans. 69% of students who graduated college in 2018 had to take out loans, with the average graduate owing nearly $30,000. 

Scholarships are a great way for high school, college, or graduate school students to reduce their need for student loans. Even though college scholarships are helpful, the process of searching and applying for the right scholarship opportunities can be stressful, especially when students have other responsibilities such as homework, extracurricular activities, and professional work to worry about. 

No-essay, easy scholarships are incredibly useful opportunities for college students who are searching for easy and fast applications and for high school students planning ahead for their college expenses. While you should also consider applying to scholarships with essay requirements to increase your chances of winning, no-essay scholarships on bold.org are a great, quick way to begin your scholarship search, all while still putting your best foot forward.

To help you on your scholarship journey, we’ve created this list of our top no-essay scholarships available for high school, undergraduate, and graduate students on bold.org. You can apply by clicking on any of the scholarships above!

This list is a great place to start your scholarship search, but you can find even more exclusive scholarships on bold.org .

Sign up here and apply to your first scholarship right now.

Why no-essay scholarships?

There is a wide variety of no-essay scholarships available to students across all levels of education. Some no-essay scholarships require creative application materials, however, applying for many no-essay scholarships is as easy as making a few clicks.

No-essay scholarships are easy scholarships that busy students can take advantage of. Since no-essay scholarships are easy scholarships to apply to and not as time-consuming as essay scholarships, you can apply to many no-essay scholarships, making it more likely that you will win some free money towards your mounting college expenses.

What are no-essay scholarships?

No-essay scholarships are any scholarships that don't require an essay to apply! Some no-essay scholarships require alternative application materials, such as a video, picture, or other creative project, while others have no application requirements at all.

What qualifies as a no-essay scholarship?

On Bold.org, you can find a wide variety of scholarship opportunities to help reduce your college costs. No-essay scholarships are particularly easy to apply for and are determined by the following qualifications.

No essay needed

As you can probably guess, no-essay scholarships stand out due to not requiring an essay in order to apply. These simple scholarships seek to make the application process as easy as possible so high school and college students can pursue higher education.

Open eligibility

Many no-essay scholarships have broad eligibility requirements, such as being open to all students, regardless of your field of study. Other scholarships are open to all high school students or all college students, so you should be able to find plenty of scholarships that you're eligible for.

Quick and simple application

No-essay scholarships are also known for being some of the easiest to apply for since you don't need to spend the time and effort necessary to write an essay. Since no-essay scholarships are so effortless to apply for, you can apply for many scholarships with ease!

You can check out more easy to apply for scholarships here.

Types of no-essay scholarships available

Many no-essay scholarships require just a few clicks to apply, with no application materials needed. Other no-essay scholarships include creative scholarships that ask for videos, photographs, or other forms of media to apply.

How to find no-essay scholarships to apply for

You can start finding no-essay scholarships by creating your free account on Bold.org, a scholarship provider dedicated to making college accessible for all students. Bold.org will match scholarships directly to you, and you can even search by category to find scholarships related to your interests, characteristics, and field of study. 

Additionally, you can filter scholarships by your level of education, allowing you to find scholarship opportunities whether you’re in high school, college, or even graduate school. 

When to start applying for no-essay scholarships

You can start applying for scholarships at any point in high school, but many students start the scholarship search as high school juniors or seniors. If you're already in college and just starting to look for scholarships, don't worry! There are plenty of scholarships that don't require essays available for undergraduate and graduate students. Start applying now so you can win as many scholarships as possible.

What to consider when applying for scholarships

Getting an easy scholarship with no essay required is a great way to fund your tuition. However, keep in mind that no-essay scholarships often don't allow for the personal touch of a written essay, so winning scholarships can feel like a random drawing. Luckily, there are several things you can do to increase your chances of winning a scholarship award. Keep reading for our tips on winning no-essay scholarships.

How to apply for no-essay scholarships

Once you've created your Bold.org account, go to the scholarship page to find hundreds of scholarships exclusively available on Bold.org. Then, you can either browse through all of the scholarship opportunities or you can filter the scholarship list by education level or by category to find the best-fitting scholarships for you. You can even choose to only display no-essay scholarships to find our top easy scholarships.

Each scholarship will have eligibility requirements, deadlines, and the award date included in the description. Some no-essay scholarships will require you to submit a link or complete a task, but for many no-essay scholarships, applying is often as easy as just clicking apply!

Who can apply for no-essay scholarships

No matter what level of education you're in, Bold.org has no-essay scholarship opportunities for you. Many scholarships are even open to high school students, so don't wait to apply!

High school students

You can start applying for scholarships on Bold.org as early as your freshman year of high school. Some scholarships are open to high school students of all grades, but there are some exclusively for high school seniors.

College students

Many no-essay scholarships seek to help college students complete their degrees by easing the burden of tuition. Whether you're a current or incoming student, a graduate student, or even a trade school student, there are no-essay, easy scholarships for you on Bold.org.

Tips for winning no-essay scholarships

Seek out more restrictive scholarships.

Scholarships with less broad eligibility will have fewer applicants as a result, increasing your chances of winning one. On Bold.org, you can even filter by category to find scholarships relating to your field of study, hobbies, or identity.

Apply early and often

An additional way to increase your chances of winning a no-essay scholarship is to apply as early as possible. You can check your notifications to find out about the newest scholarships added to the site. Applying for multiple scholarships can also make you more likely to win, so apply for as many as possible to maximize your chances.

Make your profile unique

Since no-essay scholarships don't give you the chance to show off your personality with creative writing, making your Bold.org profile as complete and unique as possible can help you stand out and make the most of your one entry. You can demonstrate your personality by adding personal information to your profile, such as your passions and goals for the future.

Frequently asked questions about no-essay scholarships

Are no-essay scholarships legit.

Due to the ease of no-essay scholarships, they can seem too good to be true and you may worry about scholarship scams. Luckily, no-essay scholarships on Bold.org are all legit! Just make your free account and start funding your college tuition.

How can I improve my chances of winning no-essay scholarships?

Although no-essay scholarships can be some of the easiest scholarships to apply for, it can feel impossible to make yourself stand out from the other students. To increase your chance of winning more scholarships, try applying for scholarships with limited eligibility, such as scholarships for high school juniors or scholarships with minimum GPA requirements.

How many no-essay scholarships can you get?

There is no limit to the number of scholarships you can win on Bold.org. Since no-essay scholarships typically take just a few minutes to apply for, you can apply for many so you can win as much money as possible.

Are no-essay scholarships taxable income?

No-essay scholarships aren't just easy to apply for, they're easy to use too since scholarship money from Bold.org does not count as taxable income. If you win a scholarship, you will be contacted directly and the money will be sent to your current or future college.

How many people apply to no-essay scholarships?

Due to the ease of no-essay scholarship applications, many students apply. So, be sure to apply for as many as possible so you can maximize your chances of winning one. Also, make sure to utilize our no-essay application tips so you can stand out from other applicants and boost your odds of winning.

Are there GPA requirements for no-essay scholarships?

While every scholarship has specific eligibility requirements, most no-essay scholarships do not have GPA requirements.

For example, all of the above scholarships are open to students regardless of GPA, and you can find even more scholarships without GPA requirements on Bold.org.

Can only college students apply for scholarships?

Some scholarships are only available to undergraduate or graduate students, but many are also open to high school students. Some scholarships on Bold.org, such as the College Xpress No-Essay Scholarship , are exclusively open to high school students.

High school is a great time to get ahead on finding scholarships for your college education, but don’t worry if you’re just starting your search in college - there are plenty of scholarships to apply to!

Why has student loan debt increased?

The student loan crisis has spiked in recent years, i ncreasing by 107% since 2008. A factor that has contributed to this increase is the rising tuition rates that wages have not kept up with. The average cost of a Bachelor’s degree has increased by 25% since the 2008 recession.

 In decades prior, it was feasible for students to pay their tuition simply by working, reducing the need for loans. Today, around 70% of full-time college students work, yet 69% of first-year college students in 2019 took out student loans, showing that working doesn't provide enough income for most students to pay for college out of pocket.

On average, people with loans owe nearly $33,000 each, and most owe between $20,000 to $40,000. However, many borrowers owe significantly more than this, with over 3 million people owing more than $100,000, including 800,000 borrowers who owe over $200,000.

Is student loan debt equally distributed?

Average student loans across demographics reflect both racial and gender-based gaps. The average white borrower owes roughly $30,000 as compared to Black borrowers who owe around $34,000 on average. White borrowers also repay loans at more than twice the rate than that of Black borrowers. This difference in the amount of loan debt perpetuates the racial wealth gap, making it easier for white students to repay loans and begin saving post-graduation.

In addition to the racial gap in student loans, there is a prominent gender gap that disadvantages women. While there are currently more women enrolled in colleges than men, making up around 56% of college students, women hold a disproportionate amount of student debt.

As a group, women hold about two-thirds of the national student loans, which equals nearly $929 billion. Since women also tend to make less money than men after graduation, this unequal amount of debt is even harder to pay off.

Due to the discrepancies in student debt distribution, there are many scholarships available exclusively for students from disadvantaged groups. The list above includes scholarships for racial minorities, first-generation students, women, and other underserved groups, and you can find even more scholarships on Bold.org.

30 NO-ESSAY Scholarships for the Class of 2023

With so many application deadlines and SAT test dates piling up, applying for scholarships can quickly become overwhelming. Especially when those scholarships make you jump through hoops by writing essays and submitting transcripts. The stress of writing a scholarship essay on top of keeping up with school can deter students from taking advantage of free money . That’s not the case with these no essay scholarships. From surveys to sweepstakes these easy scholarship applications are a breeze. These programs want to help busy students like you pay for school, without adding extra stress to your life. Calling Class of 2023, these scholarships are looking for you! 

Applying to these scholarships is a no-brainer. Want more opportunities to score free money? 

Check out our other scholarship lists! 

Our Top Scholarship Pick

The $25,000 “be bold” no essay scholarship.

Rolling monthly application deadlines. Next deadline: June 1, 2023

Award: Awards $25,000

Overview: The $25,000 “Be Bold” Scholarship is a no-essay scholarship that will be awarded to the applicant with the boldest profile. No-Essay Scholarship in just a few clicks! Fund your education with verified new scholarships, available only on Bold.org. New scholarships are added daily, and membership is 100% free for students.

$2,000 Nitro Scholarship

Deadline: March 3, 2022 

Award Amount: $23,410 20 winners, $1,170 each

Overview: The Skin Grip Diabetes Scholarship will be awarded to 20 individuals who live fearlessly and fight to make the world a better place despite their diagnosis.

To be eligible for this scholarship, you must be a high school senior or any undergraduate in a 2- or 4-year degree program who has diabetes. To apply, please upload a short video (can be filmed via cell phone, Zoom, etc) two minutes max, answering this question:

How do you live fearlessly with diabetes?

$1,000 Cappex Easy College Money Scholarship

Deadline: December 31, 2023

Award Amount: $2,000

Overview: Apply to Nitro’s monthly No-Essay Scholarship in seconds for a chance to win $2,000!

2022 HireAHelper Skilled Trade & Technology Scholarships

Deadline:  July 17, 2023.

Award: $2,000

Overview: Growing demand and lack of qualified workers in skilled trades like the moving industry means it’s a great time to go back to school and enter these lucrative and fast-growing industries. To help keep up with demand and assist the next generation of professionals, HireAHelper will award a $2,000 scholarship four times a year to eligible students.

Kahoot Live Scholarship

Deadline: May 26, 2023

Award Amount: $500

Overview: Do we have any Swifties in the house? If so, this Kahoot scholarship is just for you! We will quiz you on all things Taylor Swift to test out just how much of a Swiftie you really are.

Hop on our Instagram live on Thursday, May 25 at 9 PM Eastern to join us as we give away another $500 scholarship to the winner of this Swifie-fied Kahoot game!

As always, we must have at least 1,000 viewers on the live stream and 1,000+ players in the Kahoot game to award the scholarship, and you must be a current or future college student with a Bold.org profile to participate.

ScholarshipPoints Scholarships

Deadline: See Website

Award Amount: Up to $10,000

Overview: Complete the form to be automatically entered into our $10,000 scholarship!

Scholly No-Essay Scholarship

Deadline: June 1, 2023

Overview: Are you looking to secure funding for college or graduate school?

We’ve partnered with Scholly to create this exclusive scholarship for high school students, transfer students, college students, and current or prospective graduate students.

CampusReel No-Essay Scholarship

Award Amount:$500

Overview: Are you on the hunt for financial aid for college?

We’ve partnered with CampusReel to create this exclusive scholarship for high school students, transfer students, college students, and current or prospective graduate students.

AFSA High School Senior Contest

Deadline: January 1, 2024.

Overview:  The High School Senior College Scholarship Contest is open to high school seniors who are citizens or aliens legally residing in the USA. Scholarship funds are payable to the winner’s college/university or certified trade school in the United States; winner must enroll for classes beginning no later than Fall 2022 session. Winner selection is NOT based on financial need, GPA or demographic criteria. Home-schooled students may apply as long as course of study is equivalent to that of a senior in high school.

GoSkills Scholarship

Deadline: Fall Deadline: Sept. 15 (11:59PM PST) Fall Award Date: Oct. 15 Spring Deadline: March 15 (11:59PM PST) Spring Award Date: April 15

Overview: Okay, Female high school and college students, here is your time to debut your online business ambitions. There are open-ended questions on the application, but it’s more like a friendly conversation. The questions ask you about your concerns and your role models. Besides the application, you need to provide a link to your business plan (GoSkills provides instructions for your business plan right above the area for the link). If you don’t get excited about writing an essay, try your hand at mapping a business plan

Nitro Pay For College No-Essay Scholarship

Award Amount: $10,000

Overview: We’ve partnered with Nitro to create this exclusive no-essay scholarship for anyone thinking through how to pay for college.

Nitro is a leading financial aid and loan resource platform, guiding you on everything from the FAFSA to best practices for federal and private loans.

By applying, you’ll automatically get registered for Nitro, setting you up for success in funding your education in the most effective way. The scholarship will be awarded to applicants who get the most out of the Nitro platform.

Bold.org No-Essay Community Scholarship

Award Amount: $5,000

Overview: This scholarship is for students who recognize the value of a strong community, and are always on the lookout for ways to help their friends and strengthen their community. It will be awarded to a student who has invited many friends to join Bold.org.

To invite a friend, visit your Invite Friends page on the Bold.org dashboard to copy your unique invite code and text it to your friends. For each friend who creates a profile, your chances of winning the Community Scholarship go up.

AFSA $2,000 College Scholarship

Deadline: January 1, 2024

Overview: The Second Chance College Scholarships Contest is open to citizens and aliens legally residing in the USA with High School Diploma, GED or equivalent. Scholarship funds are payable to the winner’s college/university or certified trade school in the United States; winner must enroll or already be enrolled for Spring 2022 session. Winner selection is NOT based on financial need, GPA or demographic criteria.

Expand Your Horizons Scholarship

Deadline: April 28, 2024

Overview: Getting the most out of life requires both the courage to explore the world, and the kindness and openness to welcome and accept all those you meet along the way.

One student whose profile demonstrates an openness to learning about other cultures and sharing their own will receive $2,000 to help them continue on their path to travel and learn.

This may include studying new languages, traveling to study in a new place, teaching or learning art styles or cooking methods from a new culture, or anything else that demonstrates openness to new cultures in your school, work, or hobbies.

Launchy Web3 Scholarship

Deadline: April 30, 2024

Award Amount: $1,000

Overview: Chain Catalyst by Launchy is a free newsletter for web3 builders and investors.

We’ve partnered with Chain Catalyst by Launchy to create this exclusive scholarship. By applying, you’ll automatically be subscribed to the Chain Catalyst by Launchy newsletter, getting web3 tips, news, and insights delivered directly to your inbox.

The scholarship will be awarded to applicants who get the most out of Chain Catalyst by Launchy.

Scholarships4Moms

Deadline: June 15, 2023

Overview: Over $1.2 million in scholarships given away. You could be the next winner!

CARiD.com Scholarship

Deadline: May 31, 2023

Overview: CARiD is giving away $1,000 to offset your educational expenses for college! Just getting the essentials can add up quickly and CARiD wants to help – books, food, backpacks, some sweet spinners for your commuter vehicle, or whatever else you need to get ready for school! Most importantly – CARiD believes in higher education and wants to help you achieve your goals!

Barbara Lotze Scholarship

Deadline: December 1, 2023

Overview: Undergraduate students enrolled, or planning to enroll, in physics teacher preparation curricula and high school seniors entering such programs are eligible. Successful applicants receive a stipend of up to $2,000 and a complimentary AAPT Student Membership for one year. The scholarship may be granted to an individual for each of four years.

Richard “88 Fingers” Turner, Jr. Music Scholarship

Deadline: August 1, 2023

Overview: Richard “88 Fingers” Turner, Jr. is a beloved husband and talented pianist.

Known for his dexterity and musical talent, Richard has inspired the next generation of aspiring African American musicians. In order to truly thrive in the industry, it’s critical for musicians to have a strong educational foundation, which can often be inaccessible due to the high cost of college.

This scholarship seeks to honor Richard Turner, Jr. by supporting African American musicians in their pursuit of education.

Any African American two or four-year undergraduate student who is pursuing a music degree and career may apply for this scholarship.

Get our guide to helping you narrow down what you want and need in a college

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To apply, submit a 2-3 minute video of yourself performing.

“A Bold Mind” Psychology No-Essay Scholarship

Overview: Psychology is a great career field for students with a deep sense of curiosity about human behavior and the mind.

This scholarship seeks to support students who are passionate about psychology so they can afford to pursue their education.

Any student who is pursuing psychology may apply for this exclusive no-essay scholarship!

“Science for Life” Biology and Health Sciences No-Essay Scholarship

Overview: Biology and health sciences can require significant education which can be difficult for the average student to afford without becoming buried in debt.

This scholarship aims to support students who are pursuing biology and the health sciences so that they can complete their degrees no matter their financial status.

Any student who is interested in studying biology or the health sciences may apply for this no-essay scholarship opportunity!

Milk Road Crypto and Web3 No-Essay Scholarship

Deadline: August 16, 2022

Packed with insights, analysis, and entertainment, The Milk Road helps you get smarter about crypto without ever feeling dumb, regardless of how much you already know.

We’ve partnered with The Milk Road to create this exclusive scholarship. By applying, you’ll automatically be subscribed to The Milk Road, giving you essential crypto insights straight to your inbox.

This scholarship will be awarded to applicants who get the most out of The Milk Road. You will be a strong applicant if you:

• Read The Milk Road every day
• Share The Milk Road with your friends
• Apply what you learn to accelerate your education and career

CollegeXpress No-Essay Scholarship

Award Amount: $1,200

Overview: Are you a high schooler preparing to navigate through your college experience?

We’ve partnered with CollegeXpress to create this exclusive scholarship for high school students who are interested in college resources, an opportunity related to our 30 other no-essay scholarship awards.

This scholarship is also unique in that it will favor students who apply earlier—who are bold and seize the day without procrastinating.

The Discover Student Loans Scholarship Award Sweepstakes

Overview: Sign up for emails to get helpful college tips and resources, and enter for the chance to win a scholarship! Throughout the year, 12 eligible students or parents will be randomly selected to win a $5,000 Discover Student Loans Scholarship Award to help cover college expenses.

Huntington’s College Scholarship Sweepstakes

Deadline: June 30, 2023

Award Amount: $4,000

Overview: Scholarship contest for college-bound students. Simply submit this Official Entry form by the deadline posted in the Official Rules and you could win a $4000 College Scholarship!

Italian Catholic Federation Scholarships

Deadline: See Website 

Award Amount: Up to $1,000

Overview:  Since 1964, the Italian Catholic Federation has awarded over $2,000,000.00 in scholarships to more than 6,000 high school students, of the Catholic faith, attending college. Each spring, the Italian Catholic Federation receives nearly 400 applications for its yearly scholarship awards. Applications are received from students in public as well as Catholic high schools in California, Arizona, Nevada, and Illinois.

No Essay Smart Owl Scholarship

Deadline: May 29, 2023

Award Amount: $7,000

Overview:  Apply Me, Inc. (“ScholarshipOwl”) is pleased to offer this scholarship sweepstakes (“Scholarship Sweepstakes”) in which you can apply for a chance to win a scholarship to be paid by ScholarshipOwl directly to your qualified high school, college or university.

For What It’s Worth Scholarship

Overview: We’ve partnered with For What It’s Worth to create this exclusive scholarship. By applying, you’ll automatically be subscribed to the For What It’s Worth newsletter, getting tips and news delivered directly to your inbox so you can invest in the world that you want.

The scholarship will be awarded to applicants who get the most out of For What It’s Worth. You will be a strong applicant if you:

• Read For What It’s Worth every week
• Share For What It’s Worth with your friends
• Engage with For What It’s Worth’s content

Stuck At Prom Scholarship Contest

Deadline: June 7, 2023 

Overview: We’re giving away $20,000 in cash scholarships to high school students who make the best prom attire out of Duck® Brand Duct Tape! New this year? You can document your journey to prom perfection in a short video or written essay. Plus, once the voting period starts, a live voting counter lets you see the results in real time.

“A Bold Life” No-Essay Scholarship

Deadline: July 31, 2023

Overview: Regardless of where you find yourself today, remember that you only have one life to live, and it’s up to you to make it count. Embracing the world with boldness can help you do that.

To encourage people to create an adventurous and exciting life as they define it, the “A Bold Life” No-Essay scholarship exists to support a student who will do what it takes to live life to the fullest.

The scholarship is open to all students and non-students from any field of study. The only requirement is that you’re committed to overcoming fear and relentlessly pursuing a life that will leave you fulfilled.

More Helpful Guides:

How to Find—and Win—Scholarships: Your Complete Guide

How I Landed My Dream Internship

Make a List, Check It Twice: A College Applications Guide

Three Difficult Conversations to Have About Affording College

Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links to products and services. We may receive commissions for purchases made through these links.

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18 Essay-Free Scholarships to Apply for in 2020-2021

Scholarships are a fantastic way to save money on your college tuition and avoid taking on too much  student debt. But, let’s face it, the process of applying for scholarships can be time-consuming and, sometimes you just want something a little easier.

The good news is that easy scholarships–in particular, scholarships without essays–do exist. Some require as little effort as simply entering your name and email address (a scholarship “sweepstakes”), while other scholarships without essays require you to submit something else (like a short video, social media post, or illustration) rather than an essay. These second group of scholarships rewards effort and creativity. 

Avoiding Scholarship Scams

5 sweepstakes-style scholarships with no essays, 3 easy scholarships with short answers, 10 creative, essay-free scholarships, ready to apply for your own scholarships without essays, it’s important to keep in mind two things about the easiest scholarships without essays:.

• Your chances of winning a scholarship award are much lower than with traditional scholarships. This is because often way more people apply for these easier scholarships. 
• You run the risk of being spammed with loads of emails. In fact, many scholarship sweepstakes are created with the sole idea of getting your email address in mind. We therefore recommend using easy scholarship sweepstakes as a secondary option for paying for college. Consider using the majority of your time applying for scholarships with essays that you find on reputable scholarship sites.

And if you’re mostly worried about saving time, consider using Going Merry to apply for scholarship bundles , which combine multiple scholarships with the same essay prompts into one application. Sign up for Going Merry today to begin applying.

Another thing to keep in mind is that some easy, no essay scholarships are actually scams.  Follow the tips below to avoid getting scammed.

Scam Tip #1: Say “No” to Upfront Fees!

A scholarship shouldn’t cost anything at all to apply for (except postage). Be wary of any company or scholarship provider who requires you to pay an upfront fee in order to apply. Chances are they have nothing to offer you!

Scam Tip #2: Do The Paperwork Yourself

Some scammers will try and lure you in by telling you that they’ll take care of all the scholarship paperwork for you, including answering all the questions. You can just sit back, relax, and wait for the money to start rolling in. It almost seems too good to be true, doesn’t it? We hate to break it to you, but that’s because it is. Doing your own applications will save you loads of trouble!

(Psst – You can, however, save on some of the paperwork and the repetitive form filling by using Going Merry , which auto-fills your scholarship forms with information from your profile. You’ll still need to answer any scholarship application-specific questions yourself though!)

Scam Tip #3: Guaranteed Scholarships Don’t Exist

If scholarships were guaranteed, student loans would be a thing of the past. Avoid any company claiming to offer you a guaranteed scholarship. It’s a guaranteed scam.

Scam Tip #4: Avoid Dodgy Offers

If you receive an email from an unknown and unprofessional-looking company claiming to offer an amazing scholarship if you enter personal information on their site, it’s best to avoid it. If you’re unsure, simply do a quick Google Search and see if others have reported it as a scam before , and talk to your guidance counselor to see if he or she has information or experience working with the company.

Scam Tip #5: Do Your Research!

Doing a quick search (on Google or snopes.com ) can save you tons of trouble in the end.  Unfortunately, easy scholarships are too good to be true a lot of the time.

Get matched to scholarships

See how much money you qualify for. Personalized matches . Click below to get started.

Match me to scholarships

Now that we’ve got that out of the way, here’s our list of 27 scholarships without essays:

These are scholarships that require almost no effort.

1. Going Merry Seasonal Scholarships ( Spring, Summer )

Amount: $1000 per year (one $250 winner each season)

Provider : Going Merry

When you create a free profile on Going Merry, you’re automatically matched with thousands of scholarship opportunities, including the Going Merry No Essay Scholarship, offered four times a year in the Spring , Summer , Fall , and Winter . Simply click “Start application,” and then “Submit application” to apply. It’s that easy!

Bonus: When you first register, we’ll prompt you to apply for our bundle of four no-essay, seasonal scholarships for the next year. This way, you won’t even have to think about submitting a new application each season. It’s our way of welcoming you to our platform! Sign up today to take advantage.

2. Christian College Scholarship

Amount: $2,500

Provider: The Christian Connector Inc

If you’re planning on attending a two- or four-year Christian college, you’re eligible to enter the drawing for this $2,500 Christian College Scholarship . Simply fill out a short online survey and you’re good to go!

Loving these scholarships, but need help applying for your government financial aid? We can help you fill out your FAFSA and state aid.

3. AFSA High School Senior Contest

Amount: $2,000

Provider: AFSA Scholarships

If you’re ready for an extra $2,000, simply fill out the online entry form on the AFSA website and be registered to win one of 10 prizes. The AFSA High School Senior Contest is open to high school seniors during the school year and deadlines change on a yearly basis, so head to the scholarship website for the most up-to-date information.

4. AFSA Second Chance Scholarship

Amount: $1,000

If you didn’t have the luck of winning the AFSA High School Senior Contest, try your luck again after graduation with the AFSA Second Chance Scholarship . This $1,000 award is awarded to five high school graduates during the summer months. Deadlines change on a yearly basis, so check out the scholarship website for the most up-to-date information.

5. Scholarship4Moms

Amount: $10,000

Provider: Scholarships4Moms

The Scholarship4Moms scholarship and its organization was created by a group of mothers who wanted to help bring financial relief to moms who are seeking to further their education. Simply register with your first name, last name, and phone number, and you’ll be entered to win!

Want more scholarships? Get 20 new scholarships delivered to your inbox each week.

These are scholarships that don’t require essays (you know, those longer 500-word type ordeals), but  do  require you to answer a few questions or to write a short piece (e.g. letter, caption, tweet).

6. C.I.P. Scholarship

Provider: College is Power

While the C.I.P Scholarship technically has an essay, it’s only a short 150 words, so we’re adding it in! To apply, just fill out the super short application form and write a mini-essay about the goals you have for your university education.

7. $5,000 Course Hero Scholarships

Amount: $5,000

Provider: Course Hero

In order to win one of the $5,000 Course Hero Scholarships , simply answer a short prompt in 150 words or less, such as “How do you prepare and study to feel confident for your final exams?” If you have more than one college class you’d like to review, you can improve your chances by leaving as many reviews as you’d like!

8. The Customized Girl Annual Scholarship

Provider: Customized Girl

Amount: $500

Submit: An Instagram post

Customized Girl prints bold statements on customized shirts. Naturally, they know an eye-catching quote when they see one. To apply to the Customized Girl Annual Scholarship , post your statement as a caption on Instagram to be chosen as one of two winners, and your statement may be featured on a customized shirt! Check out past winners on the scholarship page for inspiration.

These are scholarships that require you to submit videos, drawings, business plans, etc. instead of essays. Get creative!

9. Two Ten Higher Education Footwear Design Scholarship

Provider: Two Ten Footwear Foundation

Amount: Up to $3,000

Submit: Three design drawings

Sneakerheads can show-off their inner hypebeast/hypebae for th e Two Ten Higher Education Footwear Design Scholarship ! Students studying design with a focus on footwear are encouraged to apply. Provide three design drawings from your portfolio for consideration.

10. MUD Makeup Scholarship

Provider: Beauty Changes Lives, Make-up Designory (MUD)

Submit: A video, a storyboard, or an essay

This glam scholarship allows you to avoid an essay by providing submission options! Students pursuing beauty and wellness careers can apply to win one of 5 prizes from Make-up Designory (MUD). You can ignore the essay and choose between a video or storyboard submission. For the MUD Makeup Scholarship , you need to be a student attending an accredited Cosmetology and/or esthetics school with MUD makeup in their program.

11. Create-A-Greeting-Card Scholarship

Provider: The Gallery Collection

Amount: $10,000 (+$1,000 prize for the school)

Submit: An original photo, art, work, or graphic design

If you have a knack for art and sentiment, apply for the Create-A-Greeting-Card Scholarship with your original art. You can use all art forms. Just upload an example as a JPEG (.jpg) for the application. Students 14 years or older are eligible to send their ideas.

12. Axon Optic’s ‘Migraine Story’ Scholarship

Provider: Axon Optics

Submit: A video, an image, or an essay

Share your story of dealing with migraines or light sensitivity. All full-time students of accredited two- or four-year American universities may apply. Choose from a video (less than 1 minute in length) or an image (photo, drawing, etc.). To qualify for the Axon Optic’s ‘Migraine Story’ Scholarship , the submission must be posted on at least one of the following social media platforms: YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram.

13. #YouAreWelcomeHere Scholarship

Provider: U.S. Higher Education (Led by Temple University)

Amount: At least 50% of tuitio n

Submit: A video or an essay

First-year international students at participating American universities can cut down the cost of education with the #YouAreWelcomeHere Scholarship . The #YouAreWelcomeHere campaign gained nationwide support in creating a scholarship awarding two students per university. The video submission must express ideas of advancing intercultural learning. Check the list of participating universities on the campaign’s scholarship page .

14. “Create Real Impact” Contest

Provider: Impact Teen Drivers

Amount: $500- $1,50 0

Submit: A video, music, creative writing, or graphic design

Students between 14-22 years old may apply to the “Create Real Impact” Contest . The contest seeks original work about a solution and strategy regarding reckless and distracted driving. Choose either video, music, creative writing, or artwork. There are many submission options and contest categories, so make sure to visit the scholarship page for details!

15. GoSkills Scholarship

Provider: GoSkills

Submit: An application and business plan

Calling future girl bosses: Here is your time to debut your online business ambitions. The GoSkills Scholarship (Fall) and (Spring) is open to female high school and college students. There are open-ended questions on the application, but it’s more like a friendly conversation. The questions ask you about your concerns and your role models. Besides the application, you need to provide a link to your business plan (GoSkills provides instructions for your business plan right above the area for the link). Try your hand at mapping a business plan to be your own boss in the future.

16. GloFX Scholarship

Provider: GloFX

Submit: A 3-minute video, a PowerPoint, a PDF,  your own creative measure, or an essay

GloFX wants to hear from students like you with your own creative project. Simply answer their prompt in the format of your choice. The prompt: “Every person has failed at some point in his or her life, and dealing with the outcome is rarely an enjoyable experience. However, failure is how we learn, and it allows us to see our mistakes and make changes. Describe a time in your life you tried your best and still failed. How did this shape your thinking moving forward?” The GloFX Scholarship encourages applicants to post the project on their own social media accounts (this is optional, not required). Applicants must be a current or incoming student at a university in the United States.

17. Live Bearded Academic Scholarship

Provider: Live Bearded

Submit: A video

The Live Bearded team is focused on lending a hand to those building their future through higher education. While the company Live Bearded focuses on grooming products for men, their Live Bearded Academic Scholarship opportunity is open to males, females, high school students, college students, undergraduate, and graduate students. Send a 90-second video sharing your goals, facts about yourself, and why you deserve the scholarship. Upload your video to a social media platform, fill out your application with a link to your video, and you’re good to go!

18. HeadSetPlus.Com College Scholarship

Provider: HeadSetPlus.Com

HeadSetPlus.Com wants to help you pay for college with the HeadSetPlus.Com College Scholarship …no essay needed! Be creative and create a video with a maximum length of five minutes detailing why you deserve the scholarship and what inspired you to pursue a degree in your field.

You can find and apply for scholarships without essays right on our website. You can request letters of recommendation, upload your resume, and apply for scholarships. Sign up for free today .

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