How Do I Get Free Scholarships for Low Income Students

How Can I Get Free Scholarships for Low Income Students are financial assistance programs that help to offset the cost of attending colleges. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, approximately 80% of students get help in the form of grants, scholarships, or affordable loans. Scholarships are an attractive type of aid that need not be repaid, unlike loans. While a few scholarships are offered based on the talent or merits of the students, some are need-based that are designed for disadvantaged kids with the utmost financial needs. If the cost of attending a college seems to be a formidable obstacle for you while picking a college, then you can consider applying for scholarships for underserved students. In this guide, we will cover some amazing scholarships for low-income students and how to qualify for them.

Are There Any Scholarships For Low-Income Students?

Low income students can be eligible for different types of scholarships based on their financial needs. Financial need here means the difference between a student’s Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) and their total cost of school attendance. Before heading to different types of scholarships available for low-income students let’s cover the different types of scholarships available for students throughout the country.

Types of Scholarships For Low-Income Students 

There are many viable routes to qualify for scholarships for low-income students such as:

• Merit-Based Scholarships: These scholarships are offered to students with exceptional talents or unusual academic promise. To apply for a merit-based scholarship you need to meet specific criteria related to merits, academic results, GED results, etc.
• Need-Based Scholarships: These scholarships are designed to make education accessible to low-income students. To apply for a need-based scholarship, you need to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), the commonly used form that helps colleges and universities decide applicants for need-based scholarships.
• Ethnicity-Specific Scholarships: A few organizations provide scholarships that target particular ethnic groups for promoting diversity and offering equal opportunities in the field of education.
• Nontraditional/ Single Parent Student Scholarships: A few scholarships are available for nontraditional students like adults returning to school or single parents who face incredible challenges while attaining higher education.
• Field-Specific Scholarships: A few scholarships require students to belong to specific fields of study like STEM (Science, Technological Engineering, Mathematics), healthcare, or the arts.
• Community Service Scholarships: A few scholarships recognize students who have demonstrated a strong commitment to social causes and community service through their volunteer work.
• Corporate or Foundation-sponsored Awards: There are numerous foundations and corporations that offer scholarship programs to uplift underprivileged students and help them attain their educational goals.

Interested to know how to obtain government grants for schools? We have everything covered for you in our next guide.

List Of Top Scholarships For Low-Income Students

It was estimated that nearly 65% of jobs required a college education in 2020. In the below section of the guide, we have covered the best scholarships for underserved students in America.

Scholarships For Low-Income High School Students

Dream U.S. National Scholarship for High School Students

The Dream U.S. National Scholarship for Students helps highly motivated students with unmet financial needs. The program is open to those who qualify for an institutional partner college and provides awards up to $16500 for those working towards an associate degree and a maximum of $33,000 for those working towards a bachelor’s degree. The program offers assistance up to $33,000.

Eligibility For Dream U.S. National Scholarship for High School Students:

• Must have significant unmet financial need
• Must have come to US before age 16
• Must be undocumented and came to the USA before November 1, 2017, and have lived in the USA since then, or have DACA or TPS status.
• Have graduated or will be graduating from a US high school prior to the fall of 2024.
• Must have a minimum GPA of 2.5.

Application For Dream U.S. National Scholarship for High School Students:

• Visit the TheDream.US website and determine if you can apply.
• Complete the application form.
• Submit and monitor the status of your application.
• Look out for the award notification and accept the award by the deadline.

Contact: You can email to [email protected] or call at 1-855-376-7076.

Tzu Chi USA Scholarship

The Tzu Chi Scholarship for low-income students is a need-based, merit-based financial aid that is funded by the Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation. The financial awards are provided to meritorious high school seniors. The program offers assistance up to $1500.

Eligibility For Tzu Chi USA Scholarship

• Must be a high school senior
• Demonstrate strong financial need
• Must enroll in a four-year college.
• Must have a minimum 3.0 GPA
• Must showcase financial need.

Application For Tzu Chi USA Scholarship

• Enter the zip code of your college or institution to find out your corresponding Tzu Chi scholars region on the official website.
• Must fill out the online application form and submit proof of documents like an essay, teacher recommendation autobiography, transcript, etc.
• Must showcase financial need.
• Mail the documents to the Tzu Chi Foundation regional office.

Contact: You can email to [email protected] or call at +1 (909) 447.7799.

Engebretson Foundation Scholarship

The Engebretson Foundation was founded in 2006 by the family of David J. Engebretson, a businessman from South Dakota. The foundation helps high school seniors with a scholarship grant to reduce their financial burden. They offer scholarship awards up to $10,000.

Eligibility For Tzu Chi USA Scholarship

• Must be a senior in a high school senior
• Must enroll in a four-year college
• Must prove financial need.
• Must meet the desired SAT (1240 or higher ) and ACT (28 composite scores or higher) scores.
• Must have a minimum GPA of 3.75 or be in the top 5% of the graduating class.

Application For Tzu Chi USA Scholarship

• Must complete Application for Scholarship and Teacher Recommendation forms on the official website of the foundation. The application deadline is March 1st.
• Must provide relevant documents such as transcript, teacher’s recommendation, Student Aid Report, etc.

Contact: You can email to [email protected].

Elks National Foundation’s Most Valuable Student Competition

The Elks National Foundation offers the Most Valuable Student Competition. The program provides more than 500 scholarships annually to male and female students based on their community involvement or leadership, confidential needs, and academic achievement. The program offers assistance in the range between $1000 to $12,500.

Eligibility For Elks National Foundation’s Most Valuable Student Competition:

• Must be a senior in a high school
• Must be a citizen of America
• Must take admission in a 4-year college.
• Must showcase leadership, community involvement, financial need, and academic achievements.

Application For Elks National Foundation’s Most Valuable Student Competition:

• Visit your local Elks Lodge
• Visit the site here: https://www.elks.org/enf/scholars/mvs.cfm
• Send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to the Foundation at 2750 N. Lakeview Avenue, Chicago, IL 60614-2256
• Top 20 National finalists have to attend the MVS Leadership Weekend in Chicago Illinois where they will be interviewed.

Contact: You can email [email protected] or call at (773) 755-4762. For other inquiries, you can email [email protected] or call at (773) 755-4728.

CollegeVine Scholarships

CollegeVine offers many scholarships to eligible students. The No-essay Scholarships help students up to $2000. The $2500 Monthly No Essay CollegeVine Scholarship is available to current high school students as well as college applicants. These scholarships help students to pursue higher education based on their needs and ambitions.

Eligibility For CollegeVine Scholarships

• Must be a high school student.
• Must be residents of the United States.
• Must showcase financial need and academic criteria.

Application For CollegeVine Scholarships

• You just need to sign up for a free account that will help you access 1600+ schools.
• Complete your profile.
• Apply for the scholarship that aligns your needs before the deadline.

Contact: You can email to [email protected] to learn more about their offerings.

Bezos Scholars Program

The Bezos Scholars Program is designed by the Bezos Family Foundation and invites 17 high school juniors and supportive instructors to participate in the Bezos Scholars Program. The cost of the financial aid for low-income students is covered in full, including housing, transportation, meals, etc. The program offers assistance up to $1000.

Eligibility For Bezos Scholars Program

• Students need to enroll as juniors in the academic year and seniors the following year in order to be considered.
• They need to show leadership in their school and community
• Must attend high school with 30% or more free and reduced lunch rate
• Must be a citizen of the US, a permanent resident, or have DACA status.
• Must take at least one advanced course.

Application For Bezos Scholars Program

• Download the application guide on the official website for more details and instructions.
• Complete the online application form on the Kaleidoscope website
• Nominate an educator from your school to be your Scholar teammate.
• Must submit a short video, three short essays, information about your academic performance, and other details required.

Contact: You can email to [email protected].

Robert F. Lawson Fund for Careers That Care

Low-income high school seniors or undergraduate students who want to pursue a career in social work, healthcare, government education, or a related field can apply for this scholarship.

Eligibility For Robert F. Lawson Fund for Careers That Care

• Must be a high school junior or senior in high school or college student and belong to the low-income category.
• Must have a minimum GPA of 2.5 or better.

Application For Robert F. Lawson Fund for Careers That Care

• Visit the Bold.org website.
• Meet the specific eligibility criteria and fill out the application form.
• Must provide proof of documents and showcase fields of interest in healthcare, education, social work, government, or related fields.

Contact: You can visit the website here.

Hillard L. “Tack” Gibbs Jr. Memorial Scholarship

Hillard L. “Tack” Gibbs Jr. Memorial Scholarship is designed to support students who are pursuing math and science. The program offers assistance up to $1000 for two winners ($500 each).

Eligibility For Hillard L. “Tack” Gibbs Jr. Memorial Scholarship

• Must be a low-income high school senior or undergraduate student
• Must be pursuing a career in the field of math or science.

Application For Hillard L. “Tack” Gibbs Jr. Memorial Scholarship

• Visit the Bold.org website.
• Meet the desired eligibility criteria.
• Provide relevant documents related to your field of study.
• Submit the application within the deadline.

Contact: You can visit the website here.

The Courage To Grow Scholarship

The Courage to Grow Scholarship offers assistance to juniors and seniors in high school and college students who can demonstrate a strong financial hardship. Final candidates will be chosen 2 weeks after the application deadline. The scholarship amount will be distributed to the respective college or university account of this student.

Eligibility For The Courage To Grow Scholarship

• Must be a senior or junior in high school or college.
• Must have a minimum GPA of 2.5.
• Be a citizen of the United States.

Application For The Courage To Grow Scholarship

• Complete the application process online through its official website.
• Submit the required documents needed.

Contact: Email to [email protected].

Scholarships for Low-Income College Students

Unmet Needs Scholarship Program

The Unmet Needs Scholarship for low-income students is a part of the Sallie Mae Scholarship Fund that assists low-income families with coveted college cash. The program offers assistance in the range between $1000 to $3000. The program will offer funding to help meet the last-dollar needs of poor students.

Eligibility for Unmet Needs Scholarship Program

• Student’s family should have a combined annual household income of $30,000 or less.
• Must be U.S. citizens,
• Must be enrolled as full-time undergraduates at an accredited college or university
• Must have a grade point average of at least 2.5.
• Must have an expected family contribution less than $5000.

Application Requirements for Unmet Needs Scholarship Program

• Check the eligibility requirements on the official website
• Submit application form along with required documents like personal photo, financial need analysis, transcript, and test scores.

Contact: You can contact this program by email at [email protected], by phone at 412.566.2760, or by fax at 412.471.6643.

National Medical Fellowships Need-Based Scholarship Program

The mission of the National Medical Fellowships Need-Based Scholarship Program is to boost healthcare access among poor communities. The program also helps to increase the number of minorities in medical fields. The program offers assistance in the range between $500 to $10,000.

Eligibility For National Medical Fellowships Need-Based Scholarship Program

• Open to first and second-year medical students who can demonstrate strong financial need.
• Must demonstrate leadership ability and a commitment to serve medically underserved communities.

Application Requirements For National Medical Fellowships Need-Based Scholarship Program

• Create an account on the National Medical Fellowship website.
• Complete the eligibility form.
• Applicants need to upload financial, academic, and personal documents including other necessary details as a part of the online application process.

Contact: You can contact this program by emailing at [email protected] and by calling at 212.483 8880.

Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholars

The Jackie Robinson Foundation provides scholarships to reduce one’s college costs. You not only get assistance but also job placement, internship, and many other perks. The program offers assistance up to $35,000.

Eligibility for Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholars

• Must be a senior in a high school
• Must have U.S. citizenship
• Must take admission in a four-year college
• Must demonstrate financial need, leadership potential and community service
• Must be a minority.
• Must have academic talents.

Application Requirements for Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholars

• Must review the eligibility requirements on the official website of the foundation.
• Complete the application form and provide relevant documents such as essays, transcripts, teacher’s recommendations, test scores etc.
• Wait for an email confirmation from Infosnap.

Contact: You can contact the Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholars by calling (212) 290-8600 or emailing [email protected].

ABA Legal Opportunity Scholarship Fund

The ABA Legal Opportunity Scholarship Fund is provided by the American Bar Association to needy students attending ABA-accredited law schools. Since its inception, this hardship scholarship for college students has assisted more than 200 minority and low-income law school students. The program offers assistance up to $15,000.

Eligibility for ABA Legal Opportunity Scholarship Fund

• Must demonstrate financial need
• Must attend an accredited law school.
• Must be a first-year law student entering Law School in the current academic year.
• Must also be a member of an underrepresented racial or ethnic minority group like Native American Black/ African-American, Hispanic American, or Asian/Pacific Islander.

Application Requirements for ABA Legal Opportunity Scholarship Fund

• Must submit application through the online portal within the deadline at https://losf.smapply.io/.
• Must submit relevant materials like letters of recommendation, transcript personal statement and Signed release form.
• The committee selects participants after considering their education and family background and participation in community service activities.

Contact: You can contact the ABA Legal Opportunity Scholarship Fund by calling 800.285.2221 or emailing [email protected].

Horatio Alger National Scholarship

The Horatio Alger Scholarship is one of the biggest need-based college scholarship programs in the country that awards nearly 105 students with national scholarships. Horatio Alger members offer scholarship opportunities to students who have overcome financial obstacles to become amazing business and civic leaders. The program offers assistance up to $25,000.

Eligibility for Horatio Alger National Scholarship

• Must be a high school junior with a minimum 2.0 GPA.
• Must be citizens of the US.
• Must demonstrate a strong financial need
• Must have a gross family income of $55,000.
• Must demonstrate dedication, perseverance, and integrity in overcoming adversities.
• Must show commitment to pursue a bachelor’s degree.
• Must demonstrate a strong financial need.
• Must be involved in community service and co-curricular activities.

Application Requirements for Horatio Alger National Scholarship

• The application period for the scholarship runs from Aug 1st to Oct 25th. The deadline is 5 PM Eastern Time and is extended to the next day if it falls on a holiday or weekend.
• Must provide proof of citizenship, financial information, and a Support Form that is completed by an adult who is not related to the applicant and is aware of the adversities mentioned in the application.
• Fill out the application form on the official website and click the ‘Apply Now’ button.

Contact: You can contact the program by calling 844.422 4200 or emailing [email protected].

Gates Scholarship

Looking for financial assistance for minority high school students from low-income households? You can apply for The Gates Scholarship which is known for providing generous financial awards and helping students to cover college expenses not curtailed by expected family contributions and financial aid. The program offers assistance up to $60,000.

Eligibility for Gates Scholarship

• Must be a high school senior.
• Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
• African American, Hispanic American, Asian & Pacific Islander American, and/ or American Indian Alaska Native.
• Must be Pell Grant eligible.
• Must have a minimum 3.3 GPA.
• Be a minority high school student.
• Must plan to enroll full-time in a four-year degree program.
• Must be in the top 10% of their graduating class.
• Must demonstrate leadership and extracurricular activities.
• Must have characteristics like motivation and emotional maturity.

Application Requirements for Gates Scholarship

• Create a myTGS profile on the official Gates Scholarship website.
• Submit documents like a CSS profile, Student Aid Report (SAR), a resume, a headshot photo, and a copy of your recent high school transcript in the first phase of the application.
• Submit an essay and letters of recommendation in the second phase of the application.
• The selection committee will narrow down a large pool of applicants to 2000 semifinalists who complete the application process. The announcement comes on Dec 1.

Contact: Applicants need to visit the official website here.

Hagan Scholarship

Want to apply for scholarships for low-income high school students? Then The Hagan Scholarship will be the right choice. It is a need-based, merit-based program that helps recipients get a four-year college education and complete their graduation easily. The program offers assistance up to $60,000.

Eligibility for Hagan Scholarship

• Must be a citizen of the United States
• Must have worked 240 hours annually
• Must plan to enroll at an eligible 4-year college or university
• Must have a gross household income less than $85,000.
• Must show minimum 3.75 GPA and submit FAFSA SAR showing EFC.

Application Requirements for Hagan Scholarship

• Visit the Hagan Scholarship Foundation website and click the Application Link.
• Click on the New User in red font.
• Create a username and password.
• Prepare relevant documents related to High school graduation, citizenship, state residency, standardized test scores, and high school transcripts.
• Click on the ‘Submit’ button to complete the process.

Contact: You can email to [email protected] or call at 573-875-2020.

QuestBridge College Match Scholarship

QuestBridge partners with prestigious colleges and universities in the country to cover the cost of college like tuition, room and board, books, supplies, and travels. QuestBridge College Match Scholarship helps students to reduce their financial burden. One of the most generous scholarships for low-income students is the QuestBridge National College Match Scholarship. There is no need for a student loan or guardian contribution. However, it may include student contributions for work studies and summer jobs. The program offers assistance over $200,000.

Eligibility for QuestBridge College Match Scholarship

• Must be a senior in a high school
• Must have plans of enrollment in a college
• Must meet the ACT and SAT score criteria
• Mainly A’s in challenging classes such as AP, IB, or honors.
• Must be in the top 5% to 10% of the graduating class
• Must display strong writing ability, determination, and intellectual spark.
• Make have a household income less than $65,000.

Application Requirements for QuestBridge College Match Scholarship

• Interested applicants must fill out the scholarship application online.
• Must submit relevant documents like high school transcripts, letters of recommendation, School Report from current high school counselor, two essays, and short answers along with the application at the end of September.
• Applicants will be notified whether they have been selected to be finalists, later in October.

Contact: You can contact QuestBridge by calling 888.275.2054 or 650.331.3280 or emailing [email protected].

Davis Putters Scholarship

The Davis Putter Scholarship is a need-based scholarship for low-income students who are involved actively in the movements for economic and social justice. The program offers assistance up to $15,000 annually.

Eligibility for Davis Putters Scholarship

• Must demonstrate strong financial need
• Be enrolled at a college or university or in a trade or technical program
• Must plan to stay in the US and work on issues after completing their degree.

Application Requirements for Davis Putters Scholarship 

• Find the application form on the official website in January and submit it online. The application deadline is April 1. Applicants are notified of the decision in July.
• Must provide transcripts, letters of recommendation, FAFSA and Student Aid Report, and a 1000-word statement along with the application form.

Contact: You can visit the site here.

BYU Independent Study

One of the independent student scholarships in America is  BYU Independent Study. This scholarship program provides support to pursue higher education. The assistance amount may vary in size.

Eligibility for BYU Independent Study

• Must be a student in high school.
• Must prove a strong financial need.
• Must have academic achievements.

Application Requirements for BYU Independent Study 

• Select the ‘Apply for Scholarship button’ on the official website.
• Now enter the student’s name in the Student field.
• Select the student’s name from the drop-down list.
• Now click on the ‘Request Scholarship’ tab.
• Must provide proof of financial hardships, achievement and recommendations.

Contact: You can contact BYU Independent Study by calling 800.914 8931 or by emailing [email protected].

Dell Scholars

The Dell Scholars Program offers support for students who are pursuing a college degree. This scholarship for low-income families to help with laptops, help with textbook purchases or rentals, scholars resource network accessibility, and telepathy sessions. The program offers assistance up to $20,000 annually.

Eligibility for Dell Scholars

• Must be Pell Grant eligible
• Demonstrate strong financial need
• Plan to enroll full-time in a bachelor’s degree
• Must participate and complete a program-approved college readiness program in grades 11 and 12.
• Must have a minimum 2.4 GPA.

Application Requirements for Dell Scholars

• The application process for the program is available online.
• The application form includes personal information, extracurricular activities, academic achievements, community involvement, leadership experience, short answer questions, and essays.
• Applicants need to provide a recommendation from a teacher or school counselor, and a Student Aid Report from FAFSA.
• An independent committee will review the application for the final selection.

Contact: You can contact the program by emailing [email protected] or calling 1-800-294-2039.

Jack Kent Cooke College Scholarship Program

The Jack Kent Cooke College Scholarship Program helps students with strong financial needs succeed at the nation’s most prestigious schools. The financial award covers student college expenses, including room and board, tuition, fees, meals, and books. This type of college scholarship program helps undergraduate students with academic support and financial aid. The program offers assistance up to $55,000 annually.

Eligibility for Jack Kent Cooke College Scholarship Program

• Must graduate from US high school in the spring.
• Must enroll in an eligible 4-year college starting in the fall semester.
•  Must demonstrate a strong financial need to be considered for scholarships.
• Must have a family annual gross income up to $95,000.
• Must have a minimum 3.5 GPA.

Application Requirements for Jack Kent Cooke College Scholarship Program

• You can use the Common App to complete the application form.
• Add Jack Kent Cooke Foundation as a school.
• Complete the application form online and invite teachers and your school counselor for submitting recommendations.

Contact: You can contact Jack Kent Cooke Foundation by calling 866.630.9305 by emailing [email protected].

Patsy Takemoto Mink Education Support Awards

Patsy Takemoto Mink Education Support Awards offers financial support and helps low-income women access education, especially mothers. It is named after Patsy Takemoto Mink, the first woman of color elected to the US House of Representatives. The program offers assistance up to $5000 annually.

Eligibility for Patsy Takemoto Mink Education Support Awards

• Must be a woman
• Must be at least 17 years old.
• Must pursue a first degree at the postsecondary level of education.
• Must be low-income, with family income less than $20,000 for a family of two, $24,000 for a family of three, and $20,000 for a family of four.

Application Requirements for Patsy Takemoto Mink Education Support Awards

• To apply for Patsy Takemoto scholarships for low-income students 2024 applicants must fill out an application form online at their official site here.
• Must provide proof documents like Student Aid Report (SAR), official transcript, tuition statement, and proof of admission.

Contact: You can visit the site here.

Jeannette Rankin Women’s Scholarship

The Jeannette Rankin provides scholarships for low-income college students. The program covers non-binary or women who are 35 years old or above. The program was founded in honor of Jeanette Rankin, the first woman elected to the US Congress. The program offers assistance of up to $2000 for each applicant.

Eligibility for Jeannette Rankin Women’s Scholarship

• Students must pursue an undergraduate degree or trade skill certification at an accredited college or university.
• Must demonstrate strong financial need.
• Applicants must be women 35 years of age or above.
• Must plan to obtain undergraduate or vocational education.
• Meet the household income guidelines.

Application Requirements for Jeannette Rankin Women’s Scholarship 

• Visit Jeannette Rankin’s website to confirm your eligibility and get familiar with the application components.
• Provide proof of documents and recommendations.
• Click on the ‘Apply here’ button on the website to create a Submittable account.
• Submit your application before the deadline.

Contact: You can contact Jack Kent Cooke Foundation by calling 706.208.1211 by emailing [email protected].

The Google Scholarship Program

The Google Scholarship Program provides financial assistance to help low-income and underrepresented students to pursue higher education. The program offers assistance up to $10,000 each. Following are a few awards that Google is serving.

Eligibility For The Google Scholarship Program

• Must be studying at an accredited college or university in the US or Puerto Rico for the upcoming academic year.
• Must have a minimum GPA of 3.0.
• Students need to demonstrate financial need and be a citizen of the US.
• They need to maintain a record of strong academic excellence as well.

Application For The Google Scholarship Program 

• Log in and complete the Google scholarship program application.
• Submit relevant documents like a CV, letters of recommendation, academic transcripts, and contact information.
• Visit the official Google scholarship portal or website and applications are accepted.
• Create an account if required or log in using an existing credential. Follow all the instructions to complete the application form and submit it before the deadline.

Contact: You can visit the website here.

Dorrance Scholarship

The Dorrance Scholarship is a need-based financial award that aims to instill college-doing traditions in the future generation of Arizona families. The scholarship offers financial assets and economic support for eligible recipients. The award is renewable for a total of 4 academic years of funding. The scholarship offers 12,000 per academic year for four years and is valued at $100,000.

Eligibility For Dorrance Scholarship

• Must prove your academic standing and display your participation in program activities.
• Must be a resident of Arizona.

Application For Dorrance Scholarship 

• Must complete the application process through the official website.
• Must have recommendations from counselors.

Contact: You can dial (480) 405-2410 or email to [email protected].

College Bound Scholarship

College Bound Scholarship assists low-income residents of Washington State to attend college easily. The scholarship is funded by the Washington Student Achievement Council. The scholarship can be used at more than 60 public and private colleges in Washington. It covers the average cost of tuition, fees, allowance, and other costs.

Eligibility For College Bound Scholarship

• Students who are in public school and qualify for reduced prices or free lunches during the 7th and 8th grades qualify if they want to graduate with at least a C average and no felony conventions.
• Students who are in state foster care, or a dependent of the state between 7th grade and high school graduation.
• Must meet the income requirements.

Application For College Bound Scholarship 

• Fulfill the pledge requirements and also meet the state residency criteria.
• Complete a financial aid application form, FAFSA, or WASFA during senior high school and each year in college.
• Students can use College Bound at more than 65 schools across Washington. 

Contact: You can email [email protected] or mail to College Bound, PO Box 43430, Olympia, WA 98504-3430.

BAFTX Susan Howard Community Service Award

BAFTX Susan Howard Community Service winners assist financially challenged students in Texas to fulfill their academic endeavors by supporting their education. The purpose is to honor and reward talented students from low-income families in Texas or Great Britain provided they have demonstrated leadership skills through their dedication to benefit the community. The program offers assistance up to $5000.

Eligibility for BAFTX Susan Howard Community Service Award

• Must be a resident of Texas or the UK and be in need of financial assistance.
• Be enrolled in full-time education within the Texas or UK education system.
• Must be in age between 11 and 21
• Must maintain a competitive academy and school attendance record.
• Come from a low-income household.
• Must work on inspiring community service project or have participated within the past 12 months
• Must maintain a competitive academy record and excellent school attendance record.

Application Requirements for BAFTX Susan Howard Community Service Award

• Applicants must complete the form online within the deadline along with relevant documents on the official website or email here: [email protected].
• Applicants need to provide reference letter formal letters of recommendation essay evidence of financial need along with their application form.

Contact: You can dial 281-310-0321 or email to [email protected].

Low-income families can also reduce their financial burden by applying for colleges that offer full rides for low-income students.

Scholarships For Low-Income Minority Students

Gates Millennium Scholars

The Gates Millennium Scholars is a need-based scholarship for low-income students that is funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and provides financial assistance to low-income minority families who are preparing to send their children to college. The assistance amount may vary from one applicant to another.

Eligibility for Gates Millennium Scholars

• Must be a citizen of the US.
• Must have a minimum 3.3 GPA.
• Must enroll at an accredited college.
• Be a Pell Grant recipient.
• Must belong to one of the following discipline areas: education, computer science, library science, engineering, public health or science and mathematics.

Application Requirements for Gates Millennium Scholars 

• Create an account on the Gates Scholarship website.
• Applicants need to submit a questionnaire and answer questions about their employment, academic, and leadership history.
• Semi-finalists who are selected from the first round of applicants need to submit a second questionnaire that includes more thorough questions including essays and letters of recommendation.
• Submit relevant documents like High school transcript, GPA, College Enrollment verification, financial aid award letter, and college acceptance letter and submit before the deadline.

Contact: You can contact Gates Millennium Scholars by calling 800.331.2244 by emailing [email protected].

Ron Brown Scholarship

Ron Brown Scholarship for low-income high school students offers financial support to academically gifted, community-minded, and financially challenged African American students. This is a highly selective scholarship program provided to high school seniors who want to uplift people of all ethnicities from all cultures and races for business entrepreneurship, community engagement, public service, and global citizenship. The program offers assistance up to $40,000.

Eligibility for Ron Brown Scholarship

• Must be a high school senior
• Should be exceptional in academics,
• Must be a black or African American and U.S. citizen
• Have to demonstrate financial need, excellent leadership, exceptional academics, and participate in community service.
• Must provide a transcript, a 500-word essay, and two letters of recommendation.

Application Requirements for Ron Brown Scholarship

• Download and fill out applications available on the Ron Brown Scholarship website.
• Must provide high school transcripts, letters of recommendation, School Report, and 500-word essays.
• Finalists will be interviewed by members of the RBSP National Selection Committee. Winners will be notified by April 15th.

Contact: You can contact the program by calling 434.964.1588 or by emailing [email protected].

Henry Bynum, Jr. Memorial Scholarship

Low-income black or African American high school graduates and undergraduate students who are going through financial hardship and unable to access higher education can consider applying for the Henry Bynum, Jr. Memorial Scholarship. The program offers assistance up to $1000.

Eligibility for Henry Bynum, Jr. Memorial Scholarship

• Must be high school, undergraduate, and graduate students belonging to low-income families.
• Students must have an African American background.

Application Requirements for Henry Bynum, Jr. Memorial Scholarship

• Create an account on bold.org.
• Applicants need to confirm their academic enrollment status.
• They also need to provide verification of student ID and recent transcripts.

Contact: Applicants must visit the website here.

Williams Foundation Trailblazer Scholarship

BIPOC high school seniors belonging to the low-income category can qualify for the Williams Foundation Trail Blazers scholarship. The program aims to recognize as well as celebrate young trailblazers who are facing hardship and want to pursue higher education. Those who belong to marginalized and underserved groups can easily qualify. The program offers assistance up to $1000 for two winners ($500 each).

Eligibility For Williams Foundation Trailblazer Scholarship

• Must belong to the low-income category
• Must have a GPA of 2.5 or higher.
• Must be BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, or Person of Colour)
• Applicants must be high school seniors.

Application For Williams Foundation Trailblazer Scholarship

• Visit the website of Bold.org and click Register to complete the registration with the required details.
• Log in to your account and click Apply
• Fill out the application form along with proof of documents.

Contact: You can learn more about the scholarship here.

Cyrilla Olapeju Sanni Scholarship Fund

Immigrants and low-income children of immigrants who are facing challenges to bear the high cost of tuition, lack of mentors, and language barriers can seek support through this scholarship. The program offers assistance up to $1000 for two winners ($500 each).

Eligibility For Cyrilla Olapeju Sanni Scholarship Fund

• Must be low-income African students who have migrated to America from Africa or be the child of a parent who has migrated from Africa to the US.
• Must have a minimum GPA of 3.0.

Application For Cyrilla Olapeju Sanni Scholarship Fund

• Visit the website of Bold.org.
• Create or log in to your account and click on Apply.
• Must also submit an essay telling about the biggest challenge that you and your family have faced while moving to the US and how the challenge impacted you.

Contact: You can learn more about the scholarship here.

Hearts on Sleeves, Minds in College Scholarship

High school senior undergraduate students belonging to the low-income category and belonging to minority groups qualify for this scholarship. The scholarship helps students to pursue their dreams and continue higher education. The program offers assistance up to $1000 for two winners ($500 each).

Eligibility For Hearts on Sleeves, Minds in College Scholarship

• Must be an African American student or indigenous American and have financial need.
• Must have a minimum GPA of 3.0.
• Must be a high school senior or undergraduate student.

Application For Hearts on Sleeves, Minds in College Scholarship

• Visit the website of Bold.org.
• Create or log in to your account and click on Apply.
• Must complete the application form within the deadline and write a compelling essay.

Contact: You can learn more about the scholarship here.

Blacks at Microsoft Scholarship

Students who are high school seniors of African descent and want to attend an accredited 4-year university following their high school graduation can apply for the Blacks at Microsoft Scholarship. BAM awards 50 scholarships worth $137,500.

Eligibility For Blacks at Microsoft Scholarship

• Candidates need to be high school seniors of African descent.
• Must have a minimum 3.0 GPA.
• Must demonstrate strong leadership.
• Must plan to enroll in full-time undergraduate study in computer science, computer information systems, engineering, or business major.
• Must demonstrate a passion for technology.

Application For Blacks at Microsoft Scholarship

• You can apply for the program through the Scholarship America Hub.
• Must provide letters of recommendation, transcript, essay, and other required documents.
• All the documents must be submitted through the online application link.

Contact: You can email to [email protected].

American Institution of Blacks in Energy Scholarship

The American Institution of Blacks in Energy Scholarship supports the academic achievements of students who want to start their careers in their energy sector and avoids low-income students. The program offers assistance up to $3,000 (regional) or $5000 (national).

Eligibility For American Institution of Blacks in Energy Scholarship

• Applicants need to be high school seniors.
• Must belong to an underrepresented minority group.
• Must have a minimum 3.0 GPA.
• Candidates must enroll in an undergraduate program in the semester following their high school graduation and major in STEM.

Application For American Institution of Blacks in Energy Scholarship

• Applicants must visit the AABE website.
• Review the eligibility and submit the application form within the deadline.
• Provide proof of documents along with the application form before the deadline.

Contact: You can email to [email protected] or call at 202-371-9530.

Read our next guide to know how to apply for government grants for college.

How Can I Qualify For Scholarships For Low-Income Students?

Most of the scholarship requirements for low income students require applicants to fulfill the following criteria:

• Must have an estimated family contribution or total family income under specific limits.
• Must complete Free Application For Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or its state equivalent, College Scholarship Survey (CSS) profile, and individual scholarship application.
• Must submit a scholarship essay, personal statement, resume, letters of recommendation, and SAT and ACT scores within the deadline.

You can also qualify for free tutoring programs for low-income families to get a helping hand in your studies.

What Are The Alternate Ways To Fund Your Education?

Besides scholarships for low-income students, there are many other avenues through which low-income students can fund their college education. These are as follows:

• Government Education Grants: Low-income students then consider applying for government grants for education such as Pell Grant, TEACH Grants, etc. These government scholarships for low-income students are not required to be repaid and are based on financial need.
• Military Benefits: If you or any of your family members have served in the military, then there are educational benefits available through a few programs, such as the GI Bill.
• Work Study Programs: A lot of colleges for low income students help candidates with part-time work opportunities that allow them to earn money while studying.
• College Tuition Assistance: A lot of colleges offer free tuition for low-income students or tuition reimbursement to reduce the financial burden of needy students. For instance Harvard, Stanford, and Yale.

Conclusion

To sum up, scholarships for low-income college students are a critical component in bridging the gap between the privileged and the poor and provide an excellent chance for needy students to pursue their career and academic goals. You can be eligible for one of the aforementioned generous scholarships for low-income college students if you have a strong financial need. On the other hand, a few colleges and universities offer scholarships based on the merit or academic talents of the students. By qualifying for these scholarships you can pursue higher education without incurring any student debt.

Are you interested in learning more about assistance programs and grants that can help you improve your living situation? Then check out the rest of our blogs at GrantsBuddy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is Considered Low Income For Scholarships?

Low-income scholarships require students to have less disposable income compared to others and have family income below a specific threshold.

Are There Need-based Scholarships For International Students In The USA?

Yes, international students are eligible to get 100% scholarships for studying in the USA. One of the most popular need-based scholarships for international students is the Fulbright scholarship which offers funding for students all over the world to come and study in the USA.

How Can I Find Scholarships That No One Applies For?

You can ask your respective college or university about their specific low-income scholarships and grants, reach out to businesses in your field of study, seek recommendations from the library, and speak to your high school counselor or religious organizations if they provide any scholarships.

How Can I Get a Full Free Scholarship in the USA?

To get a full free scholarship in the USA, students need to earn good scores in SAT or ACT. They also need to show a high school GPA in order to qualify for scholarship programs.