Zina Kumok Image Written By: Zina Kumok | Edited By: Kevin Ladd | Updated: October 9, 2024

Full-Tuition Scholarships

Key takeaways:

  • Vanderbilt University awards around 250 full-tuition scholarships each year. If you are accepted to Princeton University, most families with an income of under $100,000 per year qualify for full financial aid, which covers tuition, housing, food, books, and personal expenses.
  • Full-tuition scholarships are offered by a wide range of institutions, including public and private universities, private organizations, and government programs.

With student loans being a very undesirable alternative, more and more students want to avoid taking out tens of thousands of dollars in debt. Among the more appealing ways to avoid student loans is by receiving a full-tuition scholarship. However, as you might suspect, full-tuition scholarships may be somewhat easy to find, but they are hard to win.

Continue reading the article below the scholarship list.

25 Full-Tuition Scholarships with Approaching Deadlines

  • 1

  • WGA Evans Scholars Program

  • Amount$120,000
  • DeadlineOctober 15, 2024

The Evans Scholarship is a full tuition and housing college scholarship for high-achieving caddies with limited financial means. To qualify, caddies must meet the requirements of having a strong caddie record, excellent academics, demonstrated financial need and outstanding character. Scholarship applications are accepted at the beginning of an applicant’s senior year of high school, as well as

  • 2

  • Taylor University Academic Scholarships

  • Amount$80,000
  • DeadlineOctober 15, 2024

Scholarships are a type of financial aid that does not need to be repaid, and are awarded based on merit—your grades, ability, or talent. The following scholarships are available to Taylor University students. Merit-based aid is provided through university scholarship awards based on your test scores and GPA. This is where your hard work in high school pays off! Students interested in academic

  • 3

  • Flinn Scholarship

  • Amount$135,000
  • DeadlineOctober 21, 2024

To be awarded the Flinn Scholarship, an applicant must be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident (Green Card holder) by the time of the application, and be an Arizona resident for two full years immediately preceding entry to the university. As a general rule, Flinn Scholarship applicants should also have a 3.5 GPA, rank in the top 5 percent of their graduating class (if the school reports

  • 4

  • BAEF Fellowships for Belgians

  • Amount$100,000
  • DeadlineOctober 31, 2024

Are you looking to study or undergo research in a well-known university in the United States, but lack the financial support? If so, you have come to the right place. The BAEF encourages application for fellowships to talented Belgian individuals in the early years at each stage of their education. Every year, BAEF offers more than 65 Fellowships to Belgian students and researchers. This will

  • 5

  • University of Miami Ronald A. Hammond Scholarship

  • Amount$242,880
  • DeadlineNovember 1, 2024

The Ronald A. Hammond Scholarship is awarded to high school seniors who have demonstrated academic excellence and who intend to continue their academic pursuits through graduate education. Hammond Scholars receive the full cost of tuition for four years of undergraduate study at UM. A Hammond Scholar must complete a full-time undergraduate program of study with no fewer than 12 credit hours

  • 6

  • University of Miami Weeks Scholarship

  • Amount$242,880
  • DeadlineNovember 1, 2024

The Weeks Scholarship is one of the premier scholarships available to students at the University of Miami. This scholarship is awarded to exceptional and academically accomplished high school seniors. Weeks Scholars receive the full cost of tuition for four years of undergraduate study at UM. Selected candidates for the Weeks Scholarship are prompted to submit an essay for consideration as

  • 7

  • University of Miami Stamps Scholarship

  • Amount$242,880
  • DeadlineNovember 1, 2024

The Stamps Scholarship is UM's most prestigious merit award available to exceptional and academically accomplished high school seniors. Stamps Scholars receive a merit award equivalent to the full cost of attendance for four years of undergraduate study. Stamps Scholars must complete a full-time undergraduate program of study with no fewer than 12 credit hours during each of the fall and spring

  • 8

  • University of Southern California Trustee Scholarship

  • Amount$266,560
  • DeadlineNovember 1, 2024

For the University of Southern California Trustee Scholarship, candidates are selected by USC faculty and staff from an extremely competitive national pool. Applicants pursue the most demanding curriculum and achieve at the highest level. This award is open to incoming freshmen, and it covers full tuition. Applicants will be at the top of the applicant pool with respect to academic achievement.

  • 9

  • University of Southern California Presidential Scholarship

  • Amount$133,280
  • DeadlineNovember 1, 2024

For the University of Southern California Presidential Scholarship, competitive applicants will be at the top of the applicant pool with respect to academic achievement. In addition to academic criteria, candidates’ talent, perseverance, innovation, involvement and leadership are considered. Applicants will pursue the most demanding curriculum and achieve at the highest level. This award is open

  • 10

  • University of Miami Isaac Bashevis Singer Scholarship

  • Amount$242,880
  • DeadlineNovember 1, 2024

The Isaac Bashevis Singer Scholarship is awarded to exceptional and academically accomplished high school seniors. Selected candidates for the Singer Scholarship are prompted to submit an essay for consideration as finalists. The Selection Committee will review all essay submissions and identify the finalists whom they recommend to receive the Singer Scholarship. A Singer Scholar must complete a

  • 11

  • Virginia Commonwealth University Presidential Scholarship

  • Amount$114,356
  • DeadlineNovember 1, 2024

Scholarships are funds that are awarded to students to use toward their education, and don’t need to be repaid. Some scholarships and funding opportunities are given based on merit (academic achievement), some are based on need, and some are awarded for athletics and other skills. Virginia Commonwealth University considers all outstanding first-year applicants for university-level scholarships if

  • 12

  • University of Houston Tier One Scholarship

  • Amount$109,928
  • DeadlineNovember 1, 2024

The Tier One Scholarship is offered to incoming freshmen at the University of Houston. Tier One Scholars are offered a generous financial assistance package, the opportunity to live on campus, and access to enrichment opportunities to help them prepare for their future. To compete for the Tier One Scholarship, incoming students should complete the Tier One Scholarship application and the

  • 13

  • University of Alabama Out-of-State Merit Scholarships

  • Amount$112,000
  • DeadlineNovember 1, 2024

The University of Alabama offers some of the most generous scholarship opportunities in the country for qualifying students. As a first-time freshman applicant, you must submit the following to be considered for admission to the university: an application for admission, and an official high school transcript. There is also an optional submission of official ACT or SAT test scores. To maximize

  • 14

  • Ohio State University Morrill Scholarship Program

  • Amount$219,040
  • DeadlineNovember 1, 2024

The Morrill Scholarship Program is Ohio State's premier diversity/merit scholarship program, rewarding academically talented students who are actively engaged in diversity-based leadership, service and social justice activities. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents of the United States. MSP seeks academically talented high school seniors who will contribute to campus

  • 15

  • Sam Houston State University Honors College Scholarships

  • Amount$80,000
  • DeadlineNovember 1, 2024

The Elliott T. Bowers Honors College offers several scholarships to incoming Honors freshmen every fall semester, including The Elliott T. Bowers Scholarship (two per year) and the Honors Scholarship (23 per year). These competitive scholarships are selected from the qualified applicant pool on a first-come, first serve basis. Therefore, incoming freshmen are encouraged to apply to the Honors

  • 16

  • SLAS Graduate Education Fellowship Grant

  • Amount$100,000
  • DeadlineNovember 4, 2024

This SLAS grant facilitates educational opportunities for outstanding students pursuing graduate degrees related to life sciences R&D. This program helps to realize a fundamental tenet of SLAS’s mission: to advance the fields of laboratory science and technology by nurturing the next generation of professional scientists. SLAS will award one grant (up to $50,000) per year, for a maximum of

  • 17

  • Regeneron Science Talent Search Scholarship

  • Amount$250,000
  • DeadlineNovember 7, 2024

Each year, nearly 1,900 students enter the Regeneron STS, submitting original research in critically important scientific fields of study. Unique among high school competitions, the Regeneron STS focuses on identifying, inspiring, and engaging the most promising scientists among the nation’s high school seniors. All Regeneron STS entrants must follow the official rules of entry, which outline

  • 18

  • University of Oregon Stamps Scholarship

  • Amount$175,000
  • DeadlineNovember 13, 2024

The Stamps Scholarship—the University of Oregon’s most prestigious and generous undergraduate scholarship—is awarded competitively to outstanding incoming domestic freshmen. Approximately twenty students, ten Oregon residents and ten out-of-state students, will be awarded this merit-based scholarship annually. This scholarship is provided by the University of Oregon in partnership with the Stamps

  • 19

  • Catawba College Socratic Scholarship

  • Amount$133,600
  • DeadlineNovember 15, 2024

The Socratic Scholarship is the most prestigious scholarship award at Catawba. Qualified students will be invited to compete for a full-tuition scholarship on the basis of their high school grade point average, the rigor of their coursework and standardized test scores. To be considered, students must have a weighted GPA of 4.0 or greater or an unweighted GPA of 3.5 or greater and the student

  • 20

  • Levine Scholars Program

  • Amount$172,000
  • DeadlineNovember 15, 2024

The Levine Scholars Program is UNC Charlotte's most prestigious merit scholarship program. Levine Scholarships are awarded to extraordinary high school seniors (including homeschooled students) based on scholarship, ethical leadership, and civic engagement. Students must be applicants for freshman enrollment at UNC Charlotte in a baccalaureate program for the fall term immediately following their

  • 21

  • Georgia State University Presidential Scholarship

  • Amount$125,224
  • DeadlineNovember 15, 2024

The Georgia State University Presidential Scholarship is a premier academic award given to a select group of exceptional students. Eligible applicants must be incoming freshmen who apply by November 15. All Presidential Scholars are required to maintain a 3.5 GPA, full-time status (12 credit hours or more) and attend the yearly Founders Lecture, Induction & Welcome Ceremony, and other Honors

  • 22

  • University of South Carolina Alumni Scholars Award (Nonresidents)

  • Amount$120,000
  • DeadlineNovember 15, 2024

The University of South Carolina Office of Undergraduate Admissions offers a generous array of scholarships for non- South Carolina resident freshmen. Only one Admissions Merit Award per individual is allowed for nonresidents, with the exception of the Provost Scholars Award, which can be added to any other award listed in this section. Numerous scholarships for non-resident freshmen are offered,

  • 23

  • Marquette Urban Scholars Program

  • Amount$200,280
  • DeadlineNovember 15, 2024

As a Catholic, Jesuit university located in an urban environment, Marquette University is committed to educating talented students from its surrounding community. Inspired by this commitment, the university proudly sponsors the Urban Scholars Program, which provides up to 45 full-tuition scholarships to high school seniors from the Milwaukee area. The Urban Scholars Program seeks but is not

  • 24

  • Ohio State University Eminence Fellows Program and Scholarship

  • Amount$219,040
  • DeadlineNovember 15, 2024

The Ohio State University Eminence Fellows Program and Scholarship is one of Ohio State's premier merit awards. The award amount is the full cost of attendance at Ohio State for four years, plus an enrichment grant accessible after the first year of successful study. Only U.S. citizens and permanent residents are eligible to apply. All applicants must apply to the Ohio State University Honors

  • 25

  • Illinois Tech Camras Scholars Program

  • Amount$202,544
  • DeadlineNovember 15, 2024

Candidates competing for the Camras scholars program—one of Illinois Tech's highest undergraduate academic honors—satisfy very high selection standards. Students must demonstrate outstanding academic abilities, involvement in extracurricular activities, and dedication to leadership. Applicants must be U.S. citizens, permanent residents or Dreamers who are enrolling as full-time students at

What are full-tuition scholarships?

A full-tuition scholarship is a scholarship that covers either your entire cost of attendance or just the tuition cost. Many full-tuition scholarships have a combination of both financial and academic requirements. Some full-tuition scholarships are also known as last-dollar scholarships, which means they pay for any amount not covered by other types of financial aid.

For example, to qualify for the Gates Scholarship, you must be eligible for the Pell Grant, which means you have demonstrated financial need. You must also be part of a minority group, have a minimum 3.3 GPA and plan to attend college full-time at a four-year school.

Many full-tuition scholarships are institutional and require demonstrated financial need. If you are accepted to Princeton University, most families with an income of up to $100,000 per year qualify for full financial aid, which covers tuition, housing, food, books, and personal expenses. Families with a household income of up to $120,000 will qualify for full-tuition. Vanderbilt University awards around 250 full-tuition scholarships each year.

Some full-tuition scholarships may still require that students pay for room and board, as well as books and other incidental expenses. Full-tuition scholarships may renew every year, for a certain number of years, while others may only be given on a one-time basis. If a full-tuition scholarship is renewable, you usually have to maintain a certain GPA to stay eligible.

For example, Ohio State’s Stamps Eminence Scholarship Program is a full-tuition scholarship program available for eight semesters or four years. Students must have a strong record of academic success. Those from Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary High School will receive preferential treatment.

Full-tuition scholarships often have higher GPA requirements than other scholarships. In general, scholarships have a minimum GPA of 3.0, but full-tuition scholarships are often more selective.

For example, the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation College Scholarship Program has a minimum GPA requirement of 3.75. However, the average GPA among winners is 3.97, almost perfect.

GPA isn’t the only common requirement. Many also require recommendation letters from one or more adults, as well as a history of extracurricular activities or community service. Some full-tuition scholarships may only be open to current high school seniors, while others may be available to students who are currently in college.

Where to find full-tuition scholarships

Full-tuition scholarships may be offered by third-party organizations or through a school directly. For example, Penn State’s Millennium Scholars Program provides a full-tuition scholarship for both in-state and out-of-state students. Only students studying STEM will be eligible for this award.

When you apply to college, you may be in the running for any full-tuition scholarships the school offers. However, some schools require you to submit an extra form or application to be considered for more potential scholarships. Contact the school’s financial aid department to see if you need to fill out additional forms.

Also, some states provide full-tuition grants or scholarships if you’re a local student planning to remain in-state. For example, the Excelsior Scholarship lets students from the state of New York attend a State of New York (SUNY) or City of New York (CUNY) school for free. The student’s household income must be less than $125,000.

Visit your state’s Department or Bureau of Education to see what grants and scholarships are available for local students.

How to apply for full-tuition scholarships

The first step to applying for any scholarship, including a full-tuition scholarship, is to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA is the only form that gives you access to all types of federal financial aid, including grants and work-study.

However, many schools also require the FAFSA to be eligible for their own internal awards, including potential full-ride scholarships. Even third-party scholarships may require that students complete the FAFSA.

Even if you don’t win a full-tuition scholarship, filling out the FAFSA will make you eligible for other grants and scholarships. And you can rely on federal student loans for the rest. Just remember, you should submit the FAFSA as soon as possible.

You should always apply as soon as possible, instead of waiting until the deadline. It's only natural to procrastinate, but if you start sooner, you will allow yourself more time to submit a better application. That, and some scholarships have a maximum number of applications they will accept.

For example, organizers of the Cameron Impact Scholarship say they only have the bandwidth to read the first 3,000 applications. If you submit your application past that point, you won’t be eligible, even if you submit your application prior to the deadline date. This scholarship is only given to 10 to 15 students each year.

Full tuition scholarship FAQs

A full tuition scholarship is like a Powerball ticket with the right numbers - everyone wants it. And when everyone wants to win a scholarship, the odds of winning it are lower.

Instead of only focusing on full-tuition scholarships, you should keep applying for smaller awards. Less lucrative scholarships have fewer applicants and may be easier to win, especially if you’re a good candidate and are looking for niche awards.

In some cases, you can rack up enough individual scholarships to cover the entire cost of your tuition. And many small scholarships can renew for multiple years, while some full-tuition awards are only given on a single-year basis.

Each scholarship is different. Some full tuition scholarships are available to students attending any school, as long as they’re full-time students.

However, some scholarships may be limited as to where you can go. For example, the Questbridge National College Match Scholarship is only given to students who are attending one of the 50-plus partner schools, including Yale University, Vassar College and the University of Notre Dame. If you want to attend a school not affiliated with Questbridge, you won’t be eligible for this award.

Questbridge is a four-year scholarship that covers tuition, room and board, transportation and textbooks. The scholarship is worth up to $325,000 for four years.