How to Find Summer Scholarships (and Get Ahead)

Want to reduce your college costs and get ahead of the crowd this summer?

Here’s your secret weapon: the summer scholarships window. 

Whether you’re still months away from applying or already enrolled, working on scholarships will help ease the financial burden of your college degree when the bills eventually come due. And that’s nothing to sneeze at, especially during these challenging economic times. While scholarship applications can be demanding, there are hundreds with deadlines during the summer — when students have more free time and flexibility. Still, too many students miss out simply because they’re not looking during these crucial months. 

Let’s change that.

In this article, we’ll show you how to find summer scholarships, how to apply more strategically, and how to win awards that will make a real dent in your tuition bill.

If you’re serious about saving money on college, summer isn’t the time to take a break from the scholarship search. It’s time to lock in, maybe even more than ever before.

Why? Because:

• Scholarships reduce reliance on loans. With tuition, housing, and hidden fees rising every year, applying for scholarships now can save you from long-term debt later.
• A stronger college funding plan makes it easier to afford the enriching experiences you dream about (like internships or study abroad programs) during the year.
• Stability is priceless. Even smaller awards ($500 here, $1,000 there) can help pay for textbooks, lab fees, or your housing deposit, easing stress when bills hit.

Why now, you ask?

We have an answer for that, too:

• Summer scholarships tend to have quicker turnarounds; some even pay out before the school year. With your scholarships and tuition sorted out, you can focus more on your coursework and extracurriculars during the academic year.
• Summer deadlines mean fewer applicants — which means less competition. (It’s not just the heat you’re beating.) Many students stop their scholarship hunt after spring. That’s your opportunity to stand out.
• You have more time to write the apps. Fewer classes and extracurriculars over the summer mean you can finally focus on applying, without burning out. Not only that, if there are opportunities tied to summer programs, travel, or community service, you’ll have time to dive in.

In short, summer is your college funding secret… if you know where to look. 

So, what does a successful scholarship search look like today? 

You guessed it: in today’s day and age, it’s a lot of computer time. But there’s more to it than a simple Google search. According to our research, the best platforms for summer scholarships share a few key traits: 

• Filter for summer-specific deadlines
• Updated databases with recent scholarship listings
• Built-in tools to track and manage your applications

If you’re looking for a short list, we recommend checking out this resource for some of the best scholarship websites in 2025. This roundup includes trusted platforms like Colleges Board, Fastweb, and Going Merry — many of which offer advanced filters for “summer” and “deadline soon.”

Got your favorite beverage and ready to dive in? Let’s talk about what you should do next.

Here’s a video guide to landing more scholarships: 

• Use smart filters with keywords like "summer," "summer internship," or "summer program" to identify relevant opportunities and narrow your list. Most of all, stay focused.

• You’ll need to closely monitor summer scholarship deadlines, as they often have earlier application timelines. Some websites feature monthly or seasonal calendars so you can visualize the deadlines, too. 
• Our advice? Make a master calendar or spreadsheet to keep track of all summer scholarship due dates.

• Some scholarship deadlines may be later in the season, providing opportunities for last-minute applications. 
• Nothing available right now? Keep checking for new scholarship listings throughout the summer months. New scholarships frequently appear, especially from smaller organizations.

• Identify niche or lesser-known scholarship opportunities beyond the big national databases or corporate prizes for better odds of winning.
• If you’re a current student, you can also reach out directly to university financial aid offices or community organizations for local or regional scholarship leads. UDST is a strong option for students interested in gaining international academic experience.

• You’ll want to prepare your application materials efficiently, and sometimes that means reusing or customizing existing essays or recommendations. Keep these core materials close and ready to update quickly.
• No matter what your hurry is, read through everything carefully. Submit well-proofed applications that show you’re a detail-oriented and polished person — even with a tight deadline, mistakes can cost you.

Here’s one counselor’s advice on how to organize your summer scholarship schedule: 

You’ve got the time. You’ve got the tools. Now, let’s talk about strategy. Here’s how to run an efficient, thorough summer scholarship search:

Before diving in, understand the types of scholarships that fit your profile. Some awards are determined by your year (high school junior, senior, college freshman), academic interests (STEM, arts, athletics), personal background (first-generation, BIPOC, LGBTQ+), or even location (state or regional scholarships).

As you work on your applications, be sure you highlight how you fit the individual qualifications or traits that the scholarship organization is looking for in candidates. Customization is key.

Some of the most rewarding scholarships are based on merit or talent — and summer is the perfect time to show off yours. 

What counts as merit?

• Academic excellence (GPA, test scores)
• Extracurricular involvement
• Leadership roles
• Community service
• Unique talents or accomplishments

Any of the above sounds like you? You’re in luck! Empowerly’s merit scholarship guide breaks down how to highlight your strengths and stand out to selection committees.

There’s no one-size-fits-all site. Each platform has different listings, formats, and filters. For the widest range (and the best chance of success), use a combination of:

• Empowerly’s scholarship resource guides
• National databases
• Local high school or community bulletin boards
• College-specific portals (many have summer funding opportunities)
• Word-of-mouth (from counselors, mentors, friends, or classmates)

We wouldn’t just drop you off empty-handed. Here are a few scholarships you can skim through to get a better idea of what you’re looking for as you go.

Write an essay of at least 750 words on the importance of safe and responsible driving, and detail specific steps individuals can take to become safer and more educated drivers.

• Eligibility: Must be currently enrolled in high school or college
• Award: Two winners will each receive $500
• Deadline: August 1, 2025
• Website: https://www.dmvedu.org/scholarship/

Write an essay between 1,000 and 2,000 words explaining what inspired you to run a race, the challenges you faced, and the lessons you learned through the experience.

• Eligibility: Must be enrolled at an accredited U.S. college or university.
• Award: $500
• Deadline: August 15, 2025
• Website: https://www.raceentry.com/race-to-inspire-scholarship

Write an essay of no more than 500 words describing the most meaningful summer experience you have had.

• Eligibility: Open to high school and college students attending an accredited college or university in 2025.
• Award: $1,000
• Deadline: August 27, 2025
• Website: https://rusticpathways.com/students/scholarships/global-perspectives-scholarship

Scholarships can be fun, too! Unigo wants you to embrace the lighter side of life. In 250 words or fewer, describe a funny or embarrassing incident from your life. 

• Eligibility: Must be 14 years of age or older and a legal U.S. resident.
• Award: $1,500
• Deadline: August 31, 2025
• Website: https://www.unigo.com/scholarships/our-scholarships/make-me-laugh-scholarship

Complete the application and write an essay explaining why you want to become an educator and what unique qualities or experiences you can bring to the teaching profession.

• Eligibility: Open to incoming or current college students majoring in education.
• Award: $1,000
• Deadline: August 18, 2025
• Website: https://www.mrsprindables.com/news/education-scholarship/

Don’t forget to create a mix of local and community opportunities that are relevant to you. For instance, local credit union or rotary club scholarships. Some of these may have fewer than 50 applicants, depending on your community size, meaning your odds are much higher. These additional entries in your search will provide you with a necessary counterpart to the big national competitions.

Let’s recap what we’ve covered so far. 

• Summer scholarships are real and worth pursuing
• You have a unique window of opportunity while others are taking a break
• The internet can be a goldmine if you know how to look
• Tools and support services like Empowerly can make the search easier
• A little effort now can save you thousands of dollars later!

Ready to take the plunge and start your summer scholarship today? Block out an hour. Find three scholarships. Submit one application this week. 

Thinking bigger? Set a weekly summer goal (like finding and applying to at least 2 scholarships per week). Your future self will thank you!

Book a consultation with Empowerly today to unlock personalized strategies, curated scholarship matches, and essay support from our expert college counseling team. Last year, our students landed a range of awards and full-ride scholarships to top colleges and universities across the country. We can help you, too!