Over $500K in Late Summer Scholarships You Still Have Time to Win

If you thought scholarship season ended when the school year did, think again. There are still late summer scholarships worth over $500,000 open for applications right now, that you can still win before fall classes start.

Between graduation parties, move-in prep, and back-to-school shopping, it’s easy to assume the scholarship window has closed. However, many organizations release funding specifically for students who are still finalizing their college plans in August, which means this is a great time to apply for late summer scholarships with less competition.

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Why Late Summer Scholarships Are a Hidden Goldmine

It is a common myth that all financial aid is handed out by April. Not true, private foundations, local businesses, and national organizations offer continuous awards with deadlines stretching right up to the start of the school year.

Why late summer is the best time to apply:

Drastically Lower Competition

The majority of students stop applying once high school graduation wraps up. Fewer applicants mean your odds of winning skyrocket.

Faster Award Notifications

Committees offering late summer scholarships move quickly. They know tuition bills are due soon, so approval and disbursement timelines are often far shorter than early spring awards.

Flexible Funds

Late-stage funding often comes in cash awards or direct grants that can cover last-minute gaps like lab fees, expensive textbooks, meal plans, or housing deposits.

Where to Find $500K+ in Scholarships Right Now

Here are the most common late summer scholarships:

No-Essay and Quick-Apply Scholarships

Perfect if you’re short on time. Many of these late summer scholarships take less than 15 minutes to apply for and don’t require a full essay.

Merit-Based Scholarships

These are awards based on GPA, test scores, or achievements. These scholarships often have later deadlines than need-based aid, making them ideal scholarships for college students heading into their first or upcoming semester.

First-Generation and Need-Based Scholarships

Designed for students who need extra support navigating the financial side of college, and a core focus if you’re a first-generation or underrepresented student building a debt-free path forward.

Major-Specific Scholarships

Many departments and industry organizations open funding rounds over the summer for students entering specific fields of study this fall.

Local and Community Scholarships

Often overlooked, these college scholarships from local businesses, civic groups, and foundations tend to have smaller applicant pools and less-known deadlines, meaning less competition for you.

Top 64 Late Summer Scholarships

Antibodies-Online Annual Scholarship

Open to: Incoming freshmen, undergraduate, and graduate students
Majors: Life Sciences or related field
GPA Minimum: 3.0
Amount: $1,000
Deadline: August 3

Ultrafabrics Inc. Scholarship Award

Open to: High school seniors, undergraduate, or graduate students
Majors: Design or Engineering
GPA Minimum: 3.0
Amount: $10,000
Deadline: August 3

Blossom Law Caregiver Scholarship

Open to: Undergraduate and graduate students
Majors: Open
GPA Minimum: 3.0
Amount: $1,000
Deadline: August 10

Empowering Families Scholarship

Open to: Undergraduate students interested in becoming a family law attorney
Majors: All
GPA Minimum: None
Amount: $1,000
Deadline: August 12

Animal Rescue Scholarship

Open to: Students currently enrolled in an accredited community college, undergraduate, or graduate program
Majors: All
GPA Minimum: 3.0
Amount: $2,500
Deadline: August 15

Capital Auto Auction Annual Scholarship

Open to: College students
Majors: STEM
GPA Minimum: None
Amount: $1,000 and $250 (2 Awards for runners-up)
Deadline: August 15

Calvin Carrithers Aviation Scholarship

Open to: Currently enrolled full-time in an accredited university aviation program — Commercial Aviation, Professional Pilot, Aviation Management, or similar
Majors: Aviation
GPA Minimum: None
Amount: $1,000 (4 Awards)
Deadline: August 15

Carlile Law Firm Scholarship

Open to: Accepted or enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program
Majors: Law, Pre-Law or related field
GPA Minimum: 3.0
Amount: $1,000
Deadline: August 15

Fielding Law Group Scholarship for College Students

Open to: College students
Majors: Open
GPA Minimum: None
Amount: $1,000
Deadline: August 15

HPFY Scholarships

Open to: High school seniors, undergraduate and graduate students with a documented disability
Majors: All
GPA Minimum: None
Amount: $1,000
Deadline: August 15

Inclusion in Digital Marketing Scholarship

Open to: Minority undergraduate students entering junior or senior year in the coming Fall
Majors: Digital Marketing, Communications, UX, Graphic Design, Web Development, or Business with plans to open a digital agency
GPA Minimum: None
Amount: $2,500
Deadline: Open until 100 applications are received or August 15th, whichever comes first

Race Entry Student Scholarship

Open to: College students
Majors: All
GPA Minimum: None
Amount: $500
Deadline: August 15

Rodeo Ticket Student Scholarship

Open to: Must be enrolled in college for the fall semester and have an interest in rodeos
Majors: All
GPA Minimum: None
Amount: $500
Deadline: August 15

Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile Jr. Scholarship Program

Open to: HBCU students who reside in Boone County, Kentucky; Campbell County, Kentucky; Kenton County, Kentucky; Brown County, Ohio; Butler County, Ohio; Clermont County, Ohio; Hamilton County, Ohio; Warren County, Ohio; Dearborn County, Indiana; and Franklin County, Indiana
Majors: Education or STEM-related field
GPA Minimum: 3.0
Amount: $5,312.50 (Renewable)
Deadline: August 17

Project “Investing in the Black”: Future Community Leaders Scholarship

Open to: Michigan high school seniors and undergraduate students
Majors: Disciplines that contribute to understanding, creating opportunity, and positive outcomes, including economics, public policy, public health, education, business, urban planning, and social sciences
GPA Minimum: 3.5
Amount: $500
Deadline: August 17

Turco Munoz Supporting Domestic Violence Survivors Scholarship

Open to: Students who are enrolled in law school or an undergraduate program with a genuine intention to focus your career after graduation to serving survivors of domestic violence
Majors: All
GPA Minimum: None
Amount: $1,000
Deadline: August 18

Breaking New Ground Scholarship

Open to: First-generation college student who exemplifies academic excellence and demonstrates a strong work ethic
Majors: Pursuing a career in Business, Transportation, or Liberal Arts and Sciences
GPA Minimum: None
Amount: 1,500
Deadline: August 19

LawnStarter Lawntrepreneur Scholarship

Open to: High school seniors and college students enrolled in a two-year, four-year, or graduate program and currently own a lawn care business, ran a lawn care business in the past, or plan on starting a business upon graduating from college
Majors: All
GPA Minimum: None
Amount: $1,000
Deadline: August 20

Harris Injury Scholarship

Open to: High school seniors and college students who have suffered a serious injury and are committed to demonstrating a determination to rebuild their lives, pursue higher education, and achieve career success
Majors: All
GPA Minimum: None
Amount: $1,000
Deadline: August 21

Probo Medical Scholarship

Open to: High school seniors and undergraduate students
Majors: All
GPA Minimum: 3.0
Amount: $500
Deadline: August 21

AROC AI/ML Scholarship

Open to: African American High school or undergraduate students
Majors: STEM
GPA Minimum: None
Amount: $5,000
Deadline: August 27

Global Perspectives Scholarship

Open to: High school and college students
Majors: All
GPA Minimum: None
Amount: $1,000
Deadline: August 27

Teria Onwuaduegbo Black Women in STEM Scholarship

Open to: Undergraduate Black females
Majors: Computer Science, Mathematics, or Engineering
GPA Minimum: None
Amount: $1,083 (3 Awards)
Deadline: August 30

$2,000 No Essay Scholarship

Open to: High school seniors and college students
Majors: All
GPA Minimum: None
Amount: $2,000
Deadline: August 31

$2,500 August Sweepstakes

Open to: High school seniors
Majors: All
GPA Minimum: None
Amount: $2,000
Deadline: August 31

$50,000 Scholarship Owl No Essay Scholarship

Open to: High school seniors, undergraduate and graduate students
Majors: All
GPA Minimum: 3.0
Amount: $1,000
Deadline: August 31

2nd Chance Scholarship

Open to: Incoming freshmen, current college and trade school students
Majors: All
GPA Minimum: None
Amount: $1,000 (5 Awards)
Deadline: August 31

Achieve Today Scholarship

Open to: College students
Majors: All
GPA Minimum: None
Amount: $1,000
Deadline: August 31

Apprentice Ecologist Initiative Scholarship

Open to: High school juniors and seniors
Majors: All
GPA Minimum: None
Amount: $1,750
Deadline: August 31

Building Tomorrow’s Bridges Scholarship

Open to: U.S. citizens and non-citizen students (including DACA recipients, asylees, refugees, TPS holders, and undocumented students) who are currently high school seniors, vocational students, college students, or graduate students
Majors: All
GPA Minimum: 3.0
Amount: $1,000
Deadline: August 31

Drivers Education Initiative Award

Open to: Applicants must be currently enrolled in either high school, university, or college
Majors: All
GPA Minimum: None
Amount: $500 (2 Awards)
Deadline: August 31

Florida Rentals annual Dream Vacation Scholarship

Open to: College students
Majors: All
GPA Minimum: None
Amount: $1,000
Deadline: August 31

Franchise.Law Entrepreneur Scholarship

Open to: Incoming freshmen and current college students
Majors: All
GPA Minimum: 3.0
Amount: $1,000
Deadline: August 31

Healing Journey Scholarship

Open to: Current undergraduate and graduate students who have received a life-changing medical diagnosis
Majors: All
GPA Minimum: 3.0
Amount: $2,500
Deadline: August 31

J.L. Tillman Endowed Scholarship

Open to: High school seniors and college students
Majors: Preference for majoring in Risk Management, Insurance, Business, Math, Actuarial Science, Computer Technology, Marketing, an associated field of study or be interested in pursuing a career in the insurance industry.
GPA Minimum: 2.5
Amount: $5,000 (10 awards)
Deadline: August 31

Make Me Laugh Scholarship

Open to: Students who are at least 14 years of age
Majors: All
GPA Minimum: None
Amount: $1,500
Deadline: August 31

Merel Future of Chicago Family Law Scholarship

Open to: Undergraduate students who plan to enroll in law school. An intention to practice family law after obtaining a Juris Doctorate is preferred but not required.
Majors: All
GPA Minimum: 3.5
Amount: $5,000
Deadline: August 31

MoolahSpot Scholarship

Open to: Students at least 16 years or older who plan to attend, or are currently attending, college or graduate school
Majors: All
GPA Minimum: None
Amount: $1,000
Deadline: August 31

Moral Responsibility and the Application of Law Scholarship

Open to: Undergraduate and graduate students
Majors: All
GPA Minimum: 3.0
Amount: $2,500
Deadline: August 31

Niche Graduate School Survey Scholarship

Open to: Current graduate students and alumni who have graduated within the last 4 years
Major: Law
GPA Minimum: 3.0
Amount: $1,000
Deadline: August 31

Questbridge Graduate School Match: MBA Scholarship

Open to: QuestBridge Alum who have several years of professional work experience
Major: MBA
GPA Minimum: N/A
Amount: Full tuition
Deadline: August 31

RealtyHop Scholarship

Open to: High school seniors and college students
Majors: All
GPA Minimum: None
Amount: $1,000
Deadline: August 31

Summit Physical Therapy Scholarship

Open to: College students
Majors: All
GPA Minimum: 3.0
Amount: $500
Deadline: August 31

The White Coat Investor Medical School Scholarship

Open to: Professional students enrolled full-time in a professional school located in the United States and who are verified to be in good academic standing are eligible. That means medicine, osteopathic medicine, podiatry, dentistry, law, pharmacy, optometry, physician assistant, nurse practitioner, CRNA, anesthesiologist assistant, or veterinarian. We will also consider physical therapy and occupational therapy students if the program leads to a doctorate degree.
Majors: Medical-related fields
GPA Minimum: None
Amount: Varies (10 Awards)
Deadline: August 31

Voice of The Future Scholarship

Open to: Graduate, undergraduate, and high school seniors who will be enrolled in university, community college, or trade school programs in the Fall
Majors: All
GPA Minimum: 3.0
Amount: $1,000
Deadline: August 31

Who Inspired You Scholarship

Open to: Current high school seniors, vocational students, college students, or graduate students
Majors: All
GPA Minimum: 3.0
Amount: $1,000
Deadline: August 31

Jesus Baez-Santos Memorial Scholarship

Open to: New York 1st Gen BICOP High school seniors or freshmen students
Majors: All
GPA Minimum: None
Amount: $1,000
Deadline: September 1

Rosa A. Wilson Scholarship

Open to: Undergraduate female African American students from Alabama and Georgia
Majors: Helping professions (social work, nursing, pre-med, education, etc.)
GPA Minimum: 3.0
Amount: $1,000
Deadline: September 5

Concrete Rose Scholarship

Open to: First-generation BIPOC women who are high school seniors or undergraduate students (African American and Latinx women will be given preference)
Majors: All
GPA Minimum: 2.0
Amount: $500
Deadline: September 9

Love Your Career Scholarship

Open to: College students
Majors: N/A
GPA Minimum: None
Amount: $1,000
Deadline: September 10

Rising Stars Scholarship

Open to: Students who have been attending an undergraduate program for at least one year and have improved their GPA by at least one point at any time while attending college
Majors: N/A
GPA Minimum: None
Amount: $1,000
Deadline: September 10

The Harold and Muriel Berkman Marketing Scholarship

Open to: College sophomores, juniors, seniors, and graduate students
Majors: Marketing
GPA Minimum: None
Amount: $2,000
Deadline: September 10

Christian Myles Pratt Foundation Fine Arts Scholarship

Open to: BIPOC high school seniors and undergraduate students
Majors: Areas of interest are Ceramics, Computer Animation, Game Design, Drawing, Animation, Graphic Design, Illustration, Painting, and Sculpture
GPA Minimum: None
Amount: $1,300
Deadline: September 11

The Goostree Law Group Bright Futures Scholarship

Open to: College students
Majors: N/A
GPA Minimum: 3.0
Amount: $1,000
Deadline: September 14

Financial Education PSA Scholarship

Open to: Current and incoming undergraduate and graduate students
Major: Open
GPA Minimum: None
Award: $1,500
Deadline: September 15

GoSkills Scholarship

Open to: Young women with a business idea or a newly launched business
Major: Open
GPA Minimum: 3.0
Award: $2,000
Deadline: September 15

Headway Scholarship for Book Lovers

Open to: High school, undergraduate, and graduate students
Major: Open
GPA Minimum: 3.0
Award: $1,500
Deadline: September 15

McGuire Law Firm Scholarship

Open to: Pre-law undergraduates or students entering law school in the fall
Majors: Pre-Law or Law
GPA Minimum: 3.0
Amount: $1,000
Deadline: September 15

The Gates Scholarship

Open to: African-American, American Indian/Alaska Native*, Asian & Pacific Islander American, and/or Hispanic-American high school seniors
Majors: All
GPA Minimum: 3.3
Amount: Full cost of attendance (Up to 5 years)
Deadline: September 15

The May Firm Scholarship Fund

Open to: Current college students
Majors: N/A
GPA Minimum: None
Amount: $1,000
Deadline: September 15

Varsity Tutors College Scholarship Contest

Open to: Students aged 16 years old and older
Majors: N/A
GPA Minimum: None
Amount: $200
Deadline: September 15

Justice For All Scholarship

Open to: Current undergraduate, graduate, and law students
Majors: Individuals pursuing careers in legal, law enforcement, pre-law, or government and exhibit a passion for justice and equality
GPA Minimum: 3.0
Amount: $1,000
Deadline: September 16

Innovation in Education Scholarship

Open to: High school, undergraduate, and graduate students
Majors: N/A
GPA Minimum: 3.0
Amount: $500
Deadline: September 21

How to Apply to Late Summer Scholarships Fast Without Burning Out

Summer is coming to an end soon, and we know you don’t want to spend all your free time applying for scholarships. You can continue to enjoy your summer while winning money for college. You don’t need to start from scratch on every application. Use these three strategies to submit high-quality applications in a fraction of the time:

Build a scholarship starter kit

Keep your transcript, a general-purpose essay, your brag sheet or resume, and a short bio in one folder on your desktop or Google Drive so you can copy and paste quickly.

Repurpose your essays

Many prompts overlap, so don’t start from scratch. Adapt one strong essay for multiple applications instead of writing new ones every time.

Time-block your applications

Set aside a single afternoon to knock out five to ten quick-apply scholarships at once.

You can benefit from these strategies whether you’re a rising high school senior or a current college student. Applying for late summer scholarships will put you one step closer to eliminating or avoiding student debt.

Red Flags to Avoid

Watch out for scholarship scams

Late summer is unfortunately also when scam “scholarships” tend to target students in a rush. Legitimate scholarships never ask for payment to apply or guarantee a win. When in doubt, verify the organization directly before submitting any personal or financial information.

What If You Miss a Deadline?

Prioritize by deadline

Group your application list into three waves: Due in 48 hours, Due this week, and Due by end of month. Focus on the urgent items first to maximize your submissions.

Don’t panic

Scholarship opportunities don’t stop in September. Fall pipeline programs and new award cycles open throughout the school year, so missing one deadline doesn’t mean missing out for good.

Summer isn’t over, and neither is your shot at free money for college. With over $500,000 in late summer scholarships still open, now is the time to build your list, get your materials ready, and start applying before these last-chance opportunities close for good. Get on our email list to receive our weekly scholarship alerts so you never miss a deadline again.