Full-tuition scholarships are the holy grail of college scholarships- prizes that will cover the majority of your college costs for four years. These scholarship awards can cover tuition costs to all of your living expenses, depending on the terms determined by the provider. While these scholarship opportunities are more rare than others and tend to involve tougher competition, they are readily available for application.
Universities, states, and even several cities offer full-tuition scholarships based on criteria such as merit-based academic scholarships, or on SAT or ACT scores, high school GPA, community service experience, and other criteria. Local scholarships can be funded either publicly or privately and are offered to students from certain geographic areas. Many such scholarships require students to attend a specific college or one of several colleges in a state.
Additionally, several corporate scholarships and foundation scholarship awards cover a student’s full tuition from one to four years of enrollment. 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-based requirements. 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 is still worth the search. 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 do not 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, and every dollar you receive in scholarships is a dollar you will not have to pay back in student loans.
Applicants must be a promising student leader that's a graduating high school senior, have a minimum 2.8 GPA and a minimum ACT: 19/ SAT: 980 (verbal and math only). Applicants must reside in the Metro Atlanta Area (9 Counties surrounding Atlanta) and must commit to attend all of the 5 Strong College Prep sessions (bi-monthly). Applicants must also be very interested in attending a Historically [...] More
The Allen Meyer Family Scholarship provides full tuition assistance to high school students who can demonstrate moderate to significant financial need and who wish to pursue an outstanding, intellectually rigorous, secondary education at Parish Episcopal School. Applicants must be a new or current Parish student entering the 9th grade at Parish Episcopal School and demonstrate moderate to [...] More
Augustana College invites graduating high school seniors who possess strong records of academic achievement and have demonstrated exceptional leadership to their school and community to participate in the Distinguished Scholars Competition, the college's most prestigious scholarship event. Eligible applicants must have an ACT of 27 or SAT of 1260, and a 3.5 GPA. The competition requires an essay [...] More
Case Western Reserve University has made merit-based scholarships available for prospective theater students. Each year, the department of theater awards four full-tuition scholarships to students who intend on majoring in theater, and two $10,000 scholarships to students who intend on minoring in theater, or those interested in pursuing theater as an extracurricular activity at CWRU. For the [...] More
The Center for Women In Technology (CWIT) at the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC) is a merit-based scholarship program for talented female undergraduates majoring in computer science, information systems, business technology administration (with a technical focus), computer engineering, mechanical engineering, chemical/biochemical/environmental engineering, or a related program at [...] More
In honor of their service to the University community and the city, the University of Chicago offers full-tuition scholarships to select children of active firefighters and police officers. To be considered for a full-tuition scholarship, candidates must complete applications to the University of Chicago and be children (including legally adopted children) of sworn City of Chicago firefighters, [...] More
As the nation's largest scholarship program for caddies, we've helped thousands of hardworking young men and women get to college since 1930. Our Evans Scholars Program addresses the barriers to college graduation faced by students and prepares them for a lifetime of success. For more information or to apply, please visit the scholarship provider's website. [...] More
Awarded to approximately five students each year, the Presidential LEEP Scholarship is a prestigious award for students whose academic record and leadership potential places them at the very top of Clark’s applicant pool. This award covers full-tuition, on-campus room and board for all four years, regardless of a family’s financial need. For more information or to apply, please visit the [...] More
Applicants of the Colorado Garden Show Scholarships must major in horticulture, floriculture, landscape design, botany, biology (as it applies to horticulture/agriculture sciences), forestry, agronomy, conservation, plant pathology, environmental concerns, city planning and/or other related subjects. For more information and to apply for one of these scholarships, visit the website above. [...] More
Colorado Mesa University's Distinguished Scholar Award is the most prestigious academic award for incoming freshmen and is valued at full tuition and fees for Colorado Residents and $6,000 per academic year for out-of-state students. To qualify, applicants must satisfy two of the three following criteria: 3.75 GPA, top 5% of graduating class, or a 29 ACT/1340 combined SAT. The scholarship can be [...] More
This top-tier, competitive scholarship is awarded to first-time freshmen based on leadership, academic excellence, and the commitment to explore during college a life of faith-based servant leadership. DLP Fellows receive full tuition plus two on-site mentorships ($6,000 total combined, travel-related expenses) exploring service anywhere in the world. DOC students discerning a call to ordained [...] More
Hyundai Scholarships of up to full tuition (fees excluded) are awarded for the period of one academic year for J-1 or U.S. citizens that are incoming and studying full-time at the PhD or Master's level at GWU in the School of Engineering and Applied Science or the School of Business. Awards are made annually to both South Korean and U.S. citizens. Korean Applicants are expected to return to Korea [...] More
The JWU Business Professionals of America (BPA) Scholarship is available to any accepted incoming student who is a past or present member of BPA. Recipient is selected based upon participation in organization and transcripts. The award is renewable for up to four years and recipient must participate in and give support to JWU's BPA activities. For more information, or to apply, please visit the [...] More
The JWU DECA Scholarship is available to any accepted incoming student who is a past or present member of DECA. Recipients are selected based upon participation in organization and transcripts. The award is renewable for up to four years and students must participate in, and give support to JWU's DECA activities. Award amounts range from $1,000 up to full tuition. Scholarships are awarded on an [...] More
The JWU Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) Scholarship is available to any accepted incoming student who is a past or present member of FCCLA. Recipients are selected based upon participation in organization and transcripts. The award is renewable for up to four years, and recipients must participate in and give support to JWU's FCCLA activities. Scholarships are awarded on [...] More
The JWU Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Scholarship is available to any accepted incoming student who is a past or present member of FBLA. Recipients are selected based upon participation in organization and transcripts. The award is renewable for up to four years and recipients must participate in and give support to JWU's FBLA activities. Scholarships awarded on an ongoing basis. For [...] More
The JWU Junior Achievement (JA) Scholarship is available to any accepted incoming student who is a past or present member of JA. Recipients are selected based upon participation in organization and transcripts. The award is renewable for up to four years and recipients must participate in and give support to JWU's JA activities. Applications received before February will be considered for full [...] More
The JWU SkillsUSA Scholarship is awarded to any accepted incoming student who is a past or present member of SkillsUSA. Recipients are selected based upon participation in SkillsUSA and their transcripts. These awards are renewable for up to four years, and recipients must participate in and give support to JWU's SkillsUSA activities. Scholarships are awarded on an ongoing basis. For more [...] More
The JWU Technology Student Association (TSA) Scholarship is awarded to any accepted incoming student who is a past or present member of TSA. Recipients are selected based upon participation in TSA and their transcripts. This award is renewable for up to four years, and recipients must participate in and give support to JWU's TSA activities. Applications received before February will be considered [...] More
The McConnell Scholars Program is a prestigious enrichment program aimed at Kentucky residents who have demonstrated outstanding leadership potential and are committed to the principles of scholarship, leadership, and service. There are 10 awards given each year, and the program has produced more than 200 successful alumni. The program is open to Kentucky high school graduates with a minimum 3.5 [...] More
The Mercatus MA Fellowship is a two-year, competitive, full-time fellowship program for students pursuing a master's degree in economics at George Mason University who are interested in gaining an advanced degree in applied economics in preparation for a career in public policy. Students who anticipate working in public policy jobs in research, communications or outreach are ideal candidates for [...] More
Students interested in applying for the Posse Foundation Scholarship will need to either nominate themselves, or be nominated by a counselor, a community foundation or a Posse alumnus. Nominated students will undergo a three-step election process. During the first step, the foundation will place them in situations that highlight their public speaking, listening, negotiation and communication [...] More
The Knop Science Scholarship is a prestigious four-year, full tuition scholarship based on the next academic year's tuition figures. This is offered to high-achieving students majoring in the fields of math or science. For more information or to apply, please visit the scholarship provider's website. [...] More
Mount Mercy College is offering the Sister Mary Ildephonse Holland Scholarship to incoming freshmen. Eligible applicants must have an ACT of 26 or an SAT of 1230, a 3.7 GPA, evidence of strong community service and extra-curricular activities, and must live on campus. For more information or to apply, please visit the scholarship provider's [...] More
Starbucks believes in the promise and pursuit of the American Dream. While more than 70 percent of our U.S. partners (employees) are students or aspiring students, we know that only half of Americans who begin college today will actually finish, largely due to financial and work/life barriers. Starbucks is proud to join with an academic institution that recognizes the need for innovation to offer [...] More
The Science, Mathematics, and Research for Transformation (SMART) Scholarship-for-Service Program is an opportunity for students pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines to receive a full scholarship and guaranteed civilian employment with the Department of Defense (DoD) upon degree completion. Applicants must be pursuing [...] More
The Uline Scholarship awards four $5,000 tuition-specific awards to academically-talented college sophomores and college juniors majoring attending Marquette University in any of the following: all majors under the college of business, computer science, advertising, communication studies, or corporate communication majors. A minimum 3.0 GPA is required. Preference is given to students with past [...] More
The PROMISE (Providing Real Opportunities for Maximizing In-State Student Excellence) Scholarship is a merit-based scholarship program that is designed to make college more affordable to all qualified West Virginia students. The program, funded for the first time in 2001, will provide each eligible West Virginia high school graduate a full tuition scholarship to a state college or university in [...] More
ACT, Inc., the college admissions testing company, has agreed to pay out $16 million to 65,728 California students with disabilities to settle a class-action lawsuit. The class-action federal lawsuit filed in California in 2018 alleged that ACT, Inc. violated the Americans with Disabilities Act and California's Unruh Civil Rights Act by disclosing test-takers' disability status to colleges and scholarship organizations on score reports, and denied certain examinees with disabilities an equal opportunity to participate in its Educational Opportunity Service. [...]
In response to the coronavirus pandemic and the way it has made it harder than ever to take the SAT and ACT, many colleges and universities, from large state universities to small liberal arts colleges, have announced that their admissions for next year’s Class of 2025 will be test-optional. Test-optional admissions mean that schools won’t require a submission of a standardized test score as part of the admissions process. But how will admissions officials judge applicants without a score? Will a student who doesn’t submit a standardized test score be penalized in any way? And will a student who does submit a score be chosen over one who doesn’t? [...]
Getting a college degree is part of the American Dream. College graduates generally earn more money and have a better quality of life. So it’s not surprising that students from immigrant families or who are immigrants themselves are making up an increasingly larger percentage of associate’s, bachelors and masters-seeking students in America. [...]
