Applying for college scholarships can be discouraging when you know that thousands of people with the same qualifications as you are in the application pool. Don’t waste too much time applying for these scholarships with impossible odds. Take a different route and find those that are less competitive. Here is a list of 17 college scholarships with under 500 applicants to get you started.
$1,000 scholarship
Deadline: March 1, 2018
This scholarship is meant for those who are pursuing documentary photography in higher education. The application requires a short essay answering the question How can the power of photography change the world? You also must include a photograph of your taking that exemplifies this question.
$1,000 scholarship
Deadline: March 1, 2018
The John Jesensky scholarship is for aspiring musicians who are pursuing higher education in music. The application asks for a short essay in response to the question What kind of impact does music really make on society? People who are currently enrolled in high school or a college program are eligible to apply.
$1,000 scholarship
Deadline: April 1, 2018
This scholarship is awarded to high school seniors or college students intending to pursue a career in finance or other related majors. To apply, you must simply answer a short essay that considers the question Why does economics matter to you?
$1,000 scholarship
Deadline: May 1, 2018
The Summit Shah Scholarship is for high school seniors or college students pursuing any field of academic education. The application asks for a short essay discussing an experience in your life when you failed, how it affected you and what you learned from it.
$1,000 scholarship
Deadline: May 30, 2018
Anyone planning on entering higher education for any academic field is encouraged to apply. The application requires a short essay describing your strengths, personality traits, and plans for the future.
$1,000 scholarship
Deadline: May 31, 2018
The Jason Kulpa Scholarship is meant for high school seniors and currently enrolled college students pursuing any academic field with business-minded or entrepreneurial intent. In order to apply, you must write a short essay that describes an entrepreneurial idea and why you will make an outstanding entrepreneur or leader one day.
$1,500 scholarship
Deadline: July 31, 2018
Any high school senior or college student in any educational field can apply for this scholarship. All you have to do is write a short 1,000 word essay answering questions about state laws related to online crimes.
$1,000 scholarship
Deadline: November 2018
This scholarship is for any student with plans to go to college that can’t afford it financially. Students intending to go into the medical field are especially encouraged to apply. To be considered for this scholarship, you must write a short essay answering the question What technological advancements can change the medical profession?
$1,000 scholarship
Deadline: December 15, 2018
The Xcela Wealth Scholarship is for high school seniors and currently enrolled college students who need help paying for their higher education. The application requires students to write a short essay answering the question What are unique ways people have reached financial stability?
$1,000 scholarship
Deadline: December 31, 2018
This scholarship is specifically for those students pursuing higher education in a business-related field. Applying for this scholarship requires a short essay discussing the primary benefits of choosing to study abroad.
$1,000 scholarship
Deadline: December 31, 2018
Students planning on entering business careers are encouraged to apply for this scholarship. All you have to do to apply is write a 500-word essay responding to the question “What do you think is the most critical component in creating a successful entrepreneurial venture and why?”
$1,000 scholarship
Deadline: December 31, 2018
Anyone with a 3.0 GPA enrolled in a college institution can apply for this scholarship. To apply, you must write a short essay answering the question What is inner beauty to you?
$1,000 scholarship
Deadline: March 16, 2018
Any college student is encouraged to apply for this easy scholarship. To be considered for it, all you have to do is write a 100-word answer to the question What’s the single most creative way you’ve saved money in college?
$5,000 scholarship
Deadlines: May 11 and October 15, 2018
Anyone currently enrolled in a college can apply for this scholarship. The application requires a short essay answering the question What financial challenges have you overcome growing up? How have they shaped your goals and career aspirations?
$2,000 scholarship
Deadline: October 2, 2018
Students currently enrolled in college are eligible for this scholarship. To apply, you must write an essay about frugal shopping and how to save money while in college.
$1,000 scholarship
Deadline: April 30, 2018
Any student who currently owns a small business can apply for this scholarship. You must write a short essay about challenges you have faced running your business and provide your business plan.
$1,000 scholarship
Deadline: May 15, 2018
This scholarship is for students currently enrolled in a higher education institution. The application requires a video essay that responds to a question about legal issues.