A full ride scholarship is one of the most elite and prestigious awards a student can receive. It’s nearly the stuff of urban legend—a full ride scholarship covers all the expenses associated with attending college. That means tuition, room and board, and often extra costs like textbooks, travel fares, and other necessary educational materials.
While the value can vary between schools, a full ride scholarship is typically worth around $200,000 or more in today’s economy. For families who are concerned about the rising cost of education, securing a full ride scholarship can be a life-changing opportunity. Ready to get started? Let’s start saving.
So, What Qualifies as a Full Ride Scholarship?
There are a few important distinctions to make when talking about these kinds of scholarships. Let’s break them down:
Full Ride Scholarships
This covers the full cost of attending college—from your first day to graduation. Everything is included, which means you won’t pay for tuition, housing, or other essentials.
Full Tuition Scholarships
This covers the cost of tuition but leaves room and board, books, and other expenses up to the student to cover on their own.
100% Financial Aid
This usually refers to aid based on demonstrated financial need, determined through applications like the FAFSA. Colleges may provide a mix of grants, scholarships, work-study programs, and loans to cover your full attendance cost.
While all of these are fantastic opportunities to help reduce the cost of college, for this article, we’ll focus solely on traditional full ride scholarships—the kind that cover everything. Did you know there are also different types of full rides? Let’s break those down next.
Types of Full Ride Scholarships
There are three main sources for full ride scholarships. They each have their own application style, so let’s cover our bases.
Publicly Sponsored
These scholarships are typically funded by state or federal programs and often require students to apply through the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). These might come in the form of federal grants or subsidies from state education programs.
University Sponsored
Colleges or universities themselves may offer full ride scholarships to top applicants. These are often highly competitive, and universities may base these awards on academic merit, athletic ability, or other specific talents. While students may be asked to do an interview during the selection process, the main way to apply for these scholarships is through the regular college application.
Privately Sponsored
These scholarships come from private organizations, businesses, or memorial funds. Typically, students will need to fill out a separate application to qualify for one of these scholarships, and they can be awarded for a variety of achievements—from academic success to community involvement.
What Do I Need to Qualify for a Full Ride Scholarship?
Getting a full ride scholarship is no easy feat. These scholarships are reserved for the top 1% of students, meaning you’ll need to have an impressive combination of academic achievements, extracurricular involvement, and character. Here’s what you typically need to qualify:
- Outstanding GPA: High grades throughout high school, with a challenging course load, are a must.
- High Test Scores: Standardized test scores, like the SAT or ACT, should reflect your top-tier academic ability.
- Extracurricular Achievements: Success outside the classroom is essential. This could include leadership roles, community service, internships, or unique accomplishments.
- Strong Personal Character: Some scholarships also assess character and citizenship, so demonstrating leadership, responsibility, and integrity can set you apart.
- Timely Applications: Most importantly, make sure you meet all application deadlines and follow directions closely. Missing a single deadline could disqualify you.
- Positive Networking and Mentorship: Students often overlook how important networking and mentorship can be for scholarship success. Connecting with teachers and guidance counselors (even past scholarship recipients) can provide valuable insights and sometimes even letters of recommendation.
Top 10 Full Ride Scholarships in 2024
Now that we’ve covered what a full ride is and how you qualify, let’s look at some of the top full ride scholarships available today. These scholarships are prestigious and competitive, offering huge value to students who earn them.
Here’s a list of some of the best opportunities:
1. QuestBridge National College Match
- Sponsor: QuestBridge
- Award Value: Full cost of attendance at partner schools
- Eligibility: High-achieving, low-income students
- Major Requirements: Must apply to one of QuestBridge’s partner colleges through the program.
2. JPMorgan Chase — Thomas G. Labrecque Smart Start Program
- Sponsor: JPMorgan Chase
- Award Value: Full tuition and a paid internship during college
- Eligibility: New York City high school seniors
- Major Requirements: Must maintain academic progress and participate in summer internships.
3. Microsoft Tuition Scholarship
- Sponsor: Microsoft
- Award Value: Full tuition for one year, renewable
- Eligibility: Pursuing degrees in STEM fields
- Major Requirements: Must maintain academic performance and plan to work in tech-related careers.
4. Regeneron Science Talent Search
- Sponsor: Society for Science
- Award Value: $250,000 top prize
- Eligibility: High school seniors with outstanding scientific research
- Major Requirements: Submit original scientific research for consideration.
5. Dr Pepper Tuition Giveaway
- Sponsor: Dr Pepper
- Award Value: Up to $100,000
- Eligibility: Students aged 18-24 who submit compelling videos about their goals
- Major Requirements: Participate in a football-throwing competition at major games.
6. SMART Scholarship — Science, Mathematics & Research for Transformation
- Sponsor: U.S. Department of Defense
- Award Value: Full tuition and a post-graduation job in a STEM field
- Eligibility: U.S. citizens pursuing degrees in STEM fields
- Major Requirements: Must work for the Department of Defense upon graduation.
7. Evans Caddie Scholarship
- Sponsor: Western Golf Association
- Award Value: Full tuition and housing
- Eligibility: Caddies with excellent academic and leadership records
- Major Requirements: Must caddy for at least two years and maintain good grades.
8. ROTC Scholarships (Army, Navy, Air Force)
- Sponsor: U.S. Armed Forces
- Award Value: Full tuition, room and board, and a stipend
- Eligibility: Must commit to serving as an officer in the U.S. military post-graduation
- Major Requirements: Commit to military service in exchange for scholarship funding.
9. Jack Kent Cooke Foundation College Scholarship
- Sponsor: Jack Kent Cooke Foundation
- Award Value: Up to $55,000 per year
- Eligibility: High-achieving, low-income students
- Major Requirements: Maintain academic performance throughout college.
10. Flinn Foundation Scholarship
- Sponsor: Flinn Foundation
- Award Value: Full tuition, room and board, and study abroad funding
- Eligibility: Arizona residents with excellent academic and leadership achievements
- Major Requirements: Must attend one of Arizona’s public universities.
What If I Don’t Get a Full Ride Scholarship?
It’s okay if you don’t get a full ride scholarship—remember, these awards are highly competitive and rare. But there are still many ways to make college affordable without paying the full sticker price. Here are some alternative options to explore:
Partial Scholarships and Grants:
While full ride scholarships are ideal, partial scholarships can still significantly reduce the cost of attending college. These can cover specific expenses like tuition, housing, or even just books and supplies. Many partial scholarships are available based on merit, athletics, artistic talent, or other unique qualities.
Partial grants are available too. Unlike loans, grants don’t need to be repaid. Federal and state governments, as well as private organizations, offer grants based on financial need. The most well-known grant is the Pell Grant, which can award up to $7,395 per year (as of 2024) to eligible students. Other grants, like Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG) and state-specific grants, may also be available.
Work-Study Programs:
If you qualify for federal work-study, you can work part-time while attending school. The income you earn through a work-study job helps cover educational expenses, and these positions are often flexible with your class schedule. You can find jobs on campus or in community service fields related to your major.
Not working on campus? Consider researching tuition reimbursement programs. Some employers offer tuition reimbursement or assistance programs for employees pursuing higher education. This could be an excellent option if you’re working part-time or planning to work after high school. Companies like Amazon, Starbucks, and UPS are known for their educational assistance programs.
Loans:
While it’s important to borrow responsibly, student loans can help fill the gap between the cost of college and your available financial aid. There are federal loans (like Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans), which typically offer lower interest rates and more favorable repayment terms than private loans. Remember to explore all scholarships and grants first before relying on loans.
Advice for the Scholarship Search (Full Rides and Beyond)
We’ll leave you with a few final tips for your scholarship search. These counselor-approved insights will serve you well as you prepare your college funding plan, whether you ultimately secure a full ride, or go a more traditional route.
Build a Strong Application Profile Early:
Encourage students to start preparing for scholarship applications as early as freshman year in high school. Building a competitive profile takes time, and starting early can help students secure leadership roles, volunteer hours, and academic accolades—all of which are crucial for consideration.
Don’t Rely on One Scholarship:
As we mentioned earlier (and you likely already suspected) these full ride scholarships are incredibly competitive. Applying for several can increase your chances of receiving financial aid from multiple sources, even if you don’t secure full coverage from any single source.
Small Scholarships Add Up:
Partial scholarships for specific expenses—like books, housing, or travel—can collectively reduce the burden of college costs. Every little bit counts!
Broaden Your Search:
Look beyond major national scholarships to local, community-based, and niche scholarships. These lesser-known scholarships (some of which are full rides) from smaller sponsors can sometimes be less competitive and easier to win. Seek out scholarships that are less widely advertised to increase your chances.
Need More Help?
Navigating college applications and securing financial aid can be overwhelming. At Empowerly, we specialize in helping high school students tackle these challenges. From personalized college counseling to scholarship guidance, we’re here to support you every step of the way.
Ready to get started? Schedule a free 30-minute consultation with one of our expert counselors today!
