7 scholarships students should consider applying for before 2025 ends

Scholarship Institute reports seven scholarships to consider before 2025 ends, essential for reducing college costs. (Tada Images // Shutterstock/Tada Images // Shutterstock)

By Tara Mier for Scholarship Institute

7 scholarships students should consider applying for before 2025 ends

As college costs soar, securing financial aid has become paramount for students pursuing higher education. Scholarships help reduce the burden of college costs without requiring repayment, making them essential tools for accessing quality education.

For students prepping for college, starting the scholarship application process early is crucial. Many of the most competitive and generous awards have deadlines between September and December of the senior year.

The scholarships featured in this guide represent some of the best funding options available to U.S. students, ranging from full-tuition coverage to substantial monetary awards that can significantly offset college expenses.

Whether you’re a high school senior just beginning your college journey or already exploring financial aid options, Scholarship Institute highlights seven scholarships that offer pathways to achieving academic goals.

Top 7 scholarships for 2025

1. The Gates Scholarship

Award amount: Full cost of attendanceDeadline: September 15, 2025

Eligibility requirements:

  • High school seniors from minority backgrounds.
  • Pell Grant-eligible.
  • U.S. citizen, national, or permanent resident.
  • Minimum 3.3 cumulative weighted GPA.
  • The top 10% of the graduating class is preferred.

Application timeline:

  • Applications open July 15, 2025.
  • Semifinalists announced December 2025 – January 2026.
  • Finalist interviews in March 2026.
  • Scholars announced April 2026.

Tips for success:

  • Emphasize leadership and service.
  • Demonstrate academic excellence and resilience.
  • Show commitment to community impact.

2. Federal Pell Grant

Award amount: Up to $7,395 for the 2025-26 academic yearDeadline: June 30, 2026

Eligibility requirements:

  • U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen.
  • Demonstrated financial need.
  • An undergraduate student without a prior bachelor’s degree.
  • Enrolled in or accepted to an eligible program.

Application process:

  • Complete the FAFSA early.
  • Gather financial documents in advance.
  • Consider state-specific deadlines.

Tips for success:

  • Apply as soon as FAFSA opens.
  • Double-check eligibility.
  • Stay organized with paperwork.

3. Coca-Cola Scholars Program

Award amount: $20,000Deadline: September 30, 2025

Eligibility requirements:

  • High school seniors in the U.S.
  • U.S. citizens, nationals, permanent residents, or qualified refugees/asylees.
  • Minimum 3.0 GPA.
  • Planning to attend an accredited U.S. college.

Application timeline:

  • Opens August 1, 2025.
  • No transcripts or recommendations required initially.
  • 150 scholars selected from ~95,000 applicants.

Tips for success:

  • Showcase leadership and service.
  • Emphasize personal impact and challenges overcome.
  • Keep your story authentic and compelling.

4. Dell Scholars Program

Award amount: $20,000 plus laptop, textbook credits, and support servicesDeadline: December 1, 2025

Eligibility requirements:

  • High school seniors in college-readiness programs.
  • Minimum 2.4 GPA.
  • Pell Grant eligible.
  • Planning full-time enrollment at an accredited college.

Additional benefits:

  • Dell laptop with a 4-year warranty.
  • Textbook credits and emergency funds.
  • Academic and career support.

Tips for success:

  • Share your story of resilience.
  • Clarify your career goals.
  • Emphasize support systems and college prep involvement.

5. Jack Kent Cooke College Scholarship

Award amount: Up to $55,000 per yearDeadline: August 20, 2025

Eligibility requirements:

  • High academic achievers (minimum 3.75 GPA).
  • Demonstrated financial need (household income ≤ $95,000).
  • Planning to attend a four-year college in the U.S.
  • U.S. citizen or permanent resident.

Program features:

  • Advising, career prep, and grad school funding.
  • Exclusive scholar network.

Tips for success:

  • Highlight academic excellence and leadership.
  • Articulate long-term educational goals.
  • Emphasize community contributions.

6. QuestBridge National College Match

Award amount: Full four-year scholarship (worth $325,000+)Deadline: September 26, 2025

Eligibility requirements:

  • High-achieving, low-income high school seniors.
  • Household income is typically under $65,000 for a family of four.
  • U.S. citizens or permanent residents.

Partner colleges:

  • Includes top colleges like Stanford, MIT, Yale, Columbia, and 50+ others.
  • Covers tuition, room, board, and travel.

Application benefits:

  • Simultaneous applications to many of the top-tier colleges.
  • Access to a supportive community.

Tips for success:

  • Showcase your academic performance and drive to take your education further.
  • Write compelling personal essays.

7. Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF) Scholar Program

Award amount: $500 to $5,000 (over $30 million awarded annually)Deadline: Opens fall 2025 for 2026-27 year

Eligibility requirements:

  • Students of Hispanic heritage.
  • U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or DACA recipients.Minimum 3.0 GPA for high school, 2.5 for college students.
  • Must submit FAFSA or state aid forms.

Program benefits:

  • Career and internship opportunities.
  • Mentorship and leadership development.
  • Networking and wellness support.

Tips for success:

  • Emphasize your dedication to promoting and encouraging cultural heritage as well as your academic dedication.
  • Show leadership and community service.
  • Demonstrate career ambition.

Application tips for success

Be early and be organized.

Use a calendar to track deadlines and submission requirements; most top scholarships open by summer and close before the year ends.

Don’t duplicate your application.

Avoid submitting identical applications to multiple scholarships. Scholarship reviewers can tell if you’ve used a stock application. Make sure each application is tailored to the organization to which you are applying.

Demonstrate impact over activities.

Given the high competition, you’ll want to demonstrate your impact and explain why you should get the scholarship.

Make sure you have the right references.

Choose someone who will really showcase what you have to offer.

Proofreading is key.

Review applications thoroughly and ask someone you trust to check for errors and clarity.

Conclusion

The scholarships mentioned above represent some of the most lucrative opportunities available to students pursuing higher education in 2025.

These scholarships, including the widely accessible Federal Pell Grant, offer generous financial support for students pursuing higher education in 2025..

The path to higher education may seem financially daunting, but with persistence, preparation, and strategic application to these and other scholarship opportunities, you can significantly reduce the cost of your college degree and focus on what matters most: your education and future success.

This story was produced by Scholarship Institute and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.