It’s late spring, and you officially survived the college application season. Last fall, you worked tirelessly to craft and submit your applications, and now all the decisions are in. After an emotional few months, you’ve made the final choice about where you’ll be attending in the fall. Phew! It’s easy to feel like the biggest hurdle is behind you. Smooth sailing until graduation, right?
But then, as you prepare to enroll and submit your registration, the reality of the cost sets in: college is a major investment. Now is the time to focus on finding college scholarships to cover the bill that’s coming your way.
Don’t panic yet. To help you with this, we’ve compiled a list of top college scholarships with deadlines in April and May 2026. These funding opportunities are still open for submission, so let’s explore them and secure a college funding plan.
The secret to spring wins: knowing where to look
If you want a list of scholarships that’s customized to you, you’ll need to go a little deeper than the surface level. But it can be worth it to beat the crowds. Consider working with a professional student counseling service, like Empowerly, to find opportunities you’re uniquely eligible for. Our researchers are up-to-date on the latest trends and news in college admissions (including open scholarship contests), and ready to provide you with an evidence-backed response that synthesizes multiple sources into an approachable plan you can put into action right away.
April scholarships: rewards for efficient action
These scholarships are due at the end of this month, so you do need to move now. A few weeks can pass in the blink of an eye. With a focused strategy, you still have time to put together a strong application.
This article provides a great “quick-start” crash course for writing scholarship essays quickly. A few top tips include:
- Organize your thoughts first.
- Use common themes for structure.
- Write efficiently (avoiding excessive nit-picking).
- Revise and edit as time allows.
- Take advantage of support resources.
To put it simply, though, the best way to stay on track is to work from a simple outline and stick to the prompt. It doesn’t need to be overly complicated. If you’re aiming for 500 words, allocate roughly 100 for your introduction, 300 for your body, and 100 for your conclusion. This macro structure helps prevent unnecessary tangents that distract from your main message.
Take a deep breath–you got this! These applications will likely be easier to construct because you’ve already completed the entire college application process. Moreover, some of the materials you’ve already prepared (like letters of rec, personal essays, and your transcripts) are still extremely useful.
List of top scholarships with deadlines at the end of April
| Name + Link | Deadline | Amount | Eligibility Information |
| Tzu Chi Scholarship Program | April 15, 2026 | $1,500 | Outstanding college-bound high school graduates and returning undergraduate scholars within selected regions of the United States. Scholars are selected based on financial need, academic pursuit (commitment to continuing education at a college or university), and a strong commitment to community involvement |
| Cathay Bank Foundation Open — Asian Pacific Community Fund | April 20, 2026 | $2,500 | High school seniors residing in the Bank’s service counties in the states of California, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Texas, and WashingtonPlan to attend a U.S. accredited 4-year college/university or community college as a 1st year student in the Fall of 2026 (if selected, must provide college acceptance letter for verification)A minimum cumulative unweighted high school GPA of 3.0A household income at or below the Low-income level for the county of residence (if selected, must provide 2024 or 2025 tax return for verification) |
| Valerie Rabb Academic Scholarship | April 21, 2026 | $500 | Any high school senior who participates in at least one extracurricular activity may apply for this scholarship opportunity if they have at least a 2.5 GPA and experience with non-profit or volunteering experience. |
| Google Generation Google Scholarship | April 23, 2026 | $10,000 | Resident of the U.S. or CanadaHigh school senior or undergraduate studentSeeking a bachelor’s degreeStudying computer science, computer engineering, or a related fieldFulltime studentAttending or planning to attend school in the U.S. or CanadaExhibits a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion |
| “The Math Gift” Scholarship for High School Students | April 24, 2026 | $500 | Any high school senior who has at least a 3.0 GPA may apply for this scholarship opportunity if they plan to use math in their career, even if indirectly. |
| Big Picture Scholarship | April 29, 2026 | $1,000 | With this in mind, the Big Picture Scholarship will support students driven to pursue higher education with a quest to expand their knowledge. All high school seniors pursuing a 4-yr college degree are welcome to apply for this scholarship. |
| $25k “Be Bold” No-Essay Scholarship | April 30, 2026 | $25,000 | The $25,000 “Be Bold” Scholarship is a no-essay scholarship that will be awarded to the applicant with the boldest profile. To us, boldest does not mean “best”, or “most accomplished.” Being bold means being:• Earnest• Determined• MovingThe scholarship will be awarded to the student whose profile is most bold, according to these characteristics. |
| $2,026 ScholarshipOwl No Essay Scholarship | April 30, 2026 | $2,026 | Ages 16+ and a US resident |
| DoSomething Project STEM Heroes | April 30, 2026 | $1,500 | If you are between the ages of 13 and 25 years old and live in the U.S. (or are a U.S. citizen living abroad), you are eligible for the opportunity to earn any of our scholarships. We never require an essay, GPA, or recommendation to apply. Just be sure to record and submit your 60-second video about what you’re passionate about, excited by, or interested in STEM by April 30, 2026 at 11:59 PM PT. |
| CollegeXpress No-Essay Scholarship | Bold.org | April 30, 2026 | $500 | Exclusive scholarship for high school students or college transfer students who are interested in college resources. |
| Lyndsey Scott Coding+ Scholarship | April 30, 2026 | $5,000 | LGBTQIA+, Women, and/or BIPOC students who are majoring in computer science and are also pursuing other interests may apply. To apply, write about your computer science goals, your non-computer science goals, and how you might combine these goals in the future. |
| Sallie $2,000 No Essay Scholarship | April 30, 2026 | $2,000 | Sallie will award $2,000 each month to eligible entrants. No essay or account sign-ups, just a simple scholarship for those seeking help paying for school. |
| Anthem Essay Contest | April 30, 2026 | $2,000 | Write about Ayn Rand’s novel Anthem for a chance to win up to $2,000 in scholarship prizes. The contest is free to enter and is open to all students in 8th through 12th grade. |
| ScholarshipOwl No-Essay Scholarship | Bold.org | April 30, 2026 | $500 | High school students, transfer students, college students, and current or prospective graduate students. |
| The Fountainhead Essay Contest | April 30, 2026 | $25,000 | Write about Ayn Rand’s novel The Fountainhead for a chance to win up to $25,000 in scholarship prizes. The contest is free to enter and is open to all students in 8th through 12th grade. |
| Think for Yourself Scholarship | April 30, 2026 | $8,000 | Applicants must be at least sixteen (16) years of age or older at the time of application, be legal residents of the fifty (50) United States, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, or Guam, and be currently a senior (12th grade) or equivalent in an accredited high school or alternative program such as a micro-school or homeschool, and must enroll no later than the fall of 2028 in a post-secondary institution of higher education (2 or 4 year college or university, trade school, online or vocational school program). |
| Thermo Fisher Scientific Antibody Scholarship | April 30, 2026 | $35,000 | Eligible applicants must be U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or international students with a valid F-1 visa. Candidates should be pursuing an Associate, Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD in biology, chemistry, or related fields and enroll in a U.S. college for fall. A minimum GPA of 3.0 is required for undergraduates and graduates. |
May scholarships: quality over quantity
If you need more time to prepare your application, there’s no need to fear. Plenty of excellent student scholarships have later deadlines. Just don’t wait too long.
The good news is that with a little more time to write, you can be more strategic about your application process.
The best time-saving tip of all? Apply with purpose. When choosing which scholarships to pursue, consider your chances of being awarded the money and whether the amount is worth the effort needed to complete the application. Not all scholarships, grants, and awards are created equal. Stay on your toes to avoid wasting precious time applying for scholarships that won’t pay off in the end.
List of top scholarships with deadlines in May
| Name + Link | Deadline | Amount | Eligibility Information |
| Apply | CalHOPE Courage Award Scholarship | May 1, 2026 | $2,500 | Must be a California high school senior graduating in 2026, participate in varsity athletics, and show personal adversity. The story matters more than athletic accomplishment alone. |
| BrightSprout Crossword Scholarship Contest | May 1, 2026 | $1,000 | Any successful applicant may be required to show proof that they are enrolled in or have been accepted to an accredited university, commencing or continuing studies for the Fall 2026 semester. |
| Scholarship – Bryan Cameron Education Foundation | May 1, 2026 | Full tuition | Maintain a minimum, cumulative, unweighted GPA of a 3.7/4.0 scale or equivalent in their high school studies;Be a full citizen of the United States of America;Be in the high school graduating Class of 2027, planning to enroll in a full-time course of study towards a degree at an accredited four-year U.S. college or university for the full academic year following high school graduation;Show proven excellence in extracurricular activities, be motivated leaders with a strong work ethic, demonstrate active participation in community service and/or civic minded arenas; andSubmit the following three components by the Application Deadline:Online Application;Two required Letters of Recommendation (one must come from current school affiliated personnel); andTranscript certifying academic performance – unofficial copy is acceptable. |
| Chi Changemaker Scholarship | May 1, 2026 | $1,000 | Applicants must be current high school students or 2026 graduates between the ages of 14-18, have a GPA of 3.5 or above, and demonstrate community service and leadership. ?This scholarship is supported by Bold.org, which facilitates the application and selection process. |
| The East Coast Admissions Scholars Award | May 1, 2026 | $5,000 | Graduating high school senior (starting with the Class of 2026 and every year after that)Planning to attend a 2-year or 4-year accredited college in Fall 2026Demonstrates character, leadership, and personal growthNo GPA or test score requirement |
| Bill of Rights Institute MyImpact Challenge | May 3, 2026 | $8,000 | Submission is open to students ages 13-19 in all U.S. states, territories, and Armed Forces Schools Abroad. |
| Science Saves Scholarship | May 4, 2026 | $10,000 | All United States high school seniors entering college in Fall 2026 or Spring 2027. |
| Chopin Foundation Scholarship for Young Pianists | May 15, 2026 | $4,000 | The Scholarship Program is open to all qualified American pianists (US citizens or legal residents*) not younger than 14 and not older than 17 years of age on May 15 of their first year of application. |
| Ted & Holly Rollins Scholarship | May 15, 2026 | $10,000 | Scholarships will be awarded to high school seniors based on the most compelling stories — regarding their life stories, their intended fields of study, careers and how they will make an impact on the world. |
| Milton Fisher Scholarship for Innovation and Creativity | May 16, 2026 | $20,000 | Currently a high school senior, orCurrently a first-time college student in the first year of an undergraduate degree programAnyone else planning to start the first year of an undergraduate degree in the next fall or spring semester after the scholarship deadline |
| Comics are LIT! Scholarship Contest | May 20, 2026 | $5,000 | Legal residents of the US, Puerto Rico and District of Columbia High school seniors or GED students who plan to enroll in college or university within the next academic year College freshmen (30 credits or less) |
| Tawkify Meaningful Connections Scholarship | May 28, 2026 | $2,000 | Any high school, undergraduate, or graduate student who understands human connection may apply for this scholarship opportunity. Single parents and children of single parents are encouraged to apply. |
| We The Future Contest – Categories, Rules & Deadlines – Constituting America | May 31, 2026 | $1,000 | The High School Contest is open to all United States citizens or legal residents who are students in grades 9-12 and are 14 to 19 years old at the time of entry, attending public, private, religious, home school programs, and charter schools. |
| Nitro College Scholarship | May 30, 2026 (monthly) | $5,000 | They must be age 16 or older at the time of entry and meet one (1) of the four (4) following eligibility requirements at the time of entry: 1. a parent who currently has a child enrolled in an accredited college or university located within the United States; 2. a student who is currently enrolled in an accredited college or university located within the United States; 3. a parent who currently has a child enrolled as a high school senior or junior located within the United States; 4. a student who is currently enrolled as a high school junior or senior who intends to enroll in an accredited college or university located within the United States, within a year of graduating high school (“Entrant”). |
April and May: time to move on spring scholarships
While this list highlights some of the excellent scholarship opportunities with deadlines in April and May, it is by no means comprehensive. This is merely meant to be a springboard for your search. The key takeaway, and the most crucial step you can take right now, is to act immediately while these high-volume deadlines are fast approaching. Many students overlook this period, giving you a competitive advantage if you move quickly.
Ready to find more and secure your spring funding?
Stick to trusted, comprehensive resources and keep your scholarship momentum going strong. If you can, stay organized by tracking deadlines and application requirements.
And don’t be afraid to ask for support from the experts. Empowerly College Counseling is a team of experienced college counselors, ready to help you make the most of your education. That includes every step of the process, from getting in to figuring out how to finance your degree. Book a free consultation to learn more about how our program can help you!
