Full Tuition Scholarships

Full-tuition scholarships are the holy grail of college scholarships, one-off prizes that will cover the majority of your college costs over the course of four years. These scholarship awards can cover anything from just your tuition to all of your living expenses, depending on the terms set out by the provider. While these scholarship opportunities are rarer than others and tend to involve tougher competition, they are definitely out there.

Universities, states, and even several cities offer full-tuition scholarships based on varying criteria. The most common of these are merit-based academic scholarships, awarded based on SAT or ACT score, high school GPA, community service experience, or other criteria by a college, university, or state higher education agency. Local scholarships, funded publicly or privately and offered to students from a certain geographic area, are also gaining popularity. Many such scholarships require students to attend a specific college or one of several colleges in a state or other geographic area.

Additionally, several corporate scholarships and foundation scholarship awards cover a student’s full tuition for anywhere from one to four years. Corporate and foundation scholarships typically give students more freedom to attend college where they choose, including private colleges or out-of-state schools while still receiving scholarship money to cover most, if not all, of their tuition expenses. These awards tend to have strong merit or need requirements, or sometimes both. A number of scholarships for minorities fall into this category, as well.

While there might not be a full-tuition scholarship opportunity for everybody, it’s still worth taking the time to look. You can find full-tuition scholarships and other large dollar amount scholarships when you conduct a free college scholarship search on Scholarships.com. And remember, even if you don’t find one full-tuition scholarship that solves all your financial woes, you should still apply for scholarships! Awards of $1000 or $2000 can add up quickly, and every dollar you receive in scholarships is a dollar you won’t have to pay back in student loans.

Chick Evans Caddie Scholarship
Application Deadlines: September 30, Annually
The Chick Evans Caddie Scholarship is a grant that covers tuition and housing (when applicable) in an Evans Scholarship House and may be renewed for up to four years at the Foundation's option. Applicants must meet the following requirements: - Caddie - Academic - Financial Need - Character Applicants must have caddied for a minimum of two years at a WGA-affiliated club, rank in the upper [...] More

Hatton W. Sumners Law Scholarship
Application Deadlines: February 15, Annually
The Hatton W. Sumners Scholarship is a prestigious, nationally-recognized full scholarship program. Oklahoma City University School of Law is one of only two programs in the country to offer these awards. The award includes a renewable full-tuition scholarship, an annual book allowance and a small living stipend. Sumners scholarships are designed to foster and encourage excellence in legal [...] More

Hertz Foundation Graduate Fellowship
Application Deadlines: October 31, Annually
The Hertz Foundation's Graduate Fellowship award, which is based on merit (not need) consists of a cost-of-education allowance and a personal-support stipend. The cost-of-education allowance is accepted by all of the tenable schools in lieu of all fees and tuition. Hertz Fellows therefore have no liability for any ordinary educational costs, regardless of their choice among tenable [...] More

USDA/1890 National Scholars Program
Application Deadlines: February 01, Annually
The USDA/1890 National Scholars Program is a partnership between of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and 1890 Historically Black Land-Grant Universities. The program awards scholarships to students attending one of 1890 Historically Black Land-Grant Universities, pursuing a bachelor degree in agriculture, natural resources, food science, nutrition, or related academic [...] More