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Full Tuition Scholarships

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.

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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.

WGA Evans Scholars Program

  • Application Deadline: 10/30/2023
  • Amount: $120,000
  • 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 [...] More

The SMART Scholarship-for-Service Program

  • Application Deadline: 12/1/2023
  • Amount: $160,000
  • The Science, Mathematics, and Research for Transformation (SMART) Scholarship-for-Service Program, funded by the Department of Defense (DoD), is a combined educational and workforce development opportunity for STEM students. The SMART Scholarship-for-Service Program enhances the DoD civilian workforce with innovative scientists, engineers and researchers across the United States. SMART creates a [...] More

5 Strong Scholarship Foundation

  • Application Deadline: 12/1/2023
  • Amount: $40,000
  • 5 Strong partners with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to provide promising student leaders with full-tuition scholarships and ongoing mentorship and support from matriculation to graduation. We start with detailed information sessions to figure out if 5 Strong is the right fit for you. For those who apply and are accepted, we build teams of 5 scholars and provide bimonthly [...] More

University of Louisville McConnell Scholars Program

  • Application Deadline: 12/15/2023
  • Amount: $50,528
  • 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

Colorado Mesa University's Distinguished Scholar Award

  • Application Deadline: 12/31/2023
  • Amount: $24,000
  • 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

Case Western Theater Scholarship

  • Application Deadline: 1/15/2024
  • Amount: $244,160
  • The Department of Theater at Case Western Reserve University is one of the first academic theater programs in the United States, founded in the 1930s by Barclay Leathem. We are strongly committed to educating students in the art and technique of theater, developing artists who have a mastery of craft, breadth of vision, and liveliness of thought. The liberal arts education we offer our Bachelor [...] More

Center for Women In Technology (CWIT) Scholars Program at UMBC

  • Application Deadline: 1/15/2024
  • Amount: $88,000
  • The Center for Women in Technology (CWIT, pronounced “see-wit”) is dedicated to increasing the representation of women in creating technology and in engineering and information technology fields. A successful program for female-friendly engineering and information technology education at UMBC will help make UMBC a destination for women (and their allies) interested in technical careers and serve [...] More

Augustana University Distinguished Scholar Competition

  • Application Deadline: 2/1/2024
  • Amount: $92,000
  • To be considered for scholarships at Augustana, students must complete the free Application for Admission and Scholarship. Students must be full-time and in good academic standing to maintain these scholarships. Augustana University scholarships are awarded to assist with direct educational costs for tuition, fees, university-owned housing and board.

    Augustana Academic Scholarships are [...] More

Clark University Presidential Scholarship

  • Application Deadline: 2/1/2024
  • Amount: Varies
  • Awarded to approximately five students each year, the Presidential Scholarship is a prestigious award for students whose academic record and leadership potential places them at the very top of Clark’s applicant pool. Full tuition, on-campus room and board for all four years, regardless of a family’s financial need Requires two additional scholarship essays due Feb. 1 for all applicants. Regular [...] More

Mercatus MA Fellowship

  • Application Deadline: 2/15/2024
  • Amount: $80,000
  • The Mercatus Center at George Mason University is the world’s premier university source for market-oriented ideas—bridging the gap between academic ideas and real-world problems. A university-based research center, the Mercatus Center advances knowledge about how markets work to improve people’s lives by training graduate students, conducting research, and applying economics to offer solutions to [...] More

Mount Mercy University Holland Scholarship

  • Application Deadline: 3/1/2024
  • Amount: $8,000
  • Supercharge your curiosity, and your whole world will open up at Mount Mercy. You'll get more than just well-rounded academic preparation. Mount Mercy is all about you. It's about providing a college experience that enriches your life intellectually, professionally and personally. We make the application process as simple as possible. The cost of your education is an important factor to you—and [...] More

Ripon College Knop Science Scholars Program

  • Application Deadline: 3/1/2024
  • Amount: Varies
  • The Knop Science Scholarship is a prestigious four-year, full tuition scholarship based on tuition figures for the year to which the award money will be applied. The Ripon College Knop Science Scholars Board convenes each year at the beginning of the second semester. The mission of the board is to identify high-achieving students who show the potential to contribute greatly to the science and [...] More

Eureka College Disciples Leadership Program

  • Application Deadline: 3/1/2024
  • Amount: $109,800
  • One of the reasons Eureka College faculty, students and alumni find success is because we are guided by a common purpose greater than our individual goals. All Eureka College members subscribe to and aim to learn, lead and serve in accordance with our vision, mission & values. Eureka College provides a student-centered experience that cultivates the essential skills to serve with passion, lead [...] More

West Virginia PROMISE Scholarships

  • Application Deadline: 3/1/2024
  • Amount: Varies
  • Graduating high school with a 3.0 GPA or better? You may be eligible. Cash in on all your hard work with the Promise Scholarship – and get thousands of dollars every year to pursue your college dream in West Virginia. The Promise Scholarship is a merit-based financial aid program for West Virginia high school graduates planning to attend one of the state’s public or independent two- or four-year [...] More

Colorado Garden Show Scholarships

  • Application Deadline: 3/15/2024
  • Amount: Varies
  • Colorado Garden Foundation is proud to offer its scholarship programs from proceeds generated from the annual Colorado Garden & Home Show and Colorado Fall Home Show, to provide financial aid to students attending a college or university in Colorado. Applicants must major in horticulture, floriculture, landscape design, botany, biology (as it applies to horticulture/agriculture sciences), [...] More

ULINE Scholarship

  • Application Deadline: 4/10/2024
  • Amount: $5,000
  • 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

Posse Foundation Scholarship

  • Application Deadline: Varies
  • Amount: Varies
  • The Posse model works for both students and college campuses and is rooted in the belief that a small, diverse group of talented students—a Posse—carefully selected and trained, can serve as a catalyst for individual and community development. As the United States becomes an increasingly multicultural society, Posse believes that the leaders of the 21st century should reflect the country’s rich [...] More

JWU SkillsUSA Scholarship

  • Application Deadline: Varies
  • Amount: Varies
  • A college education is becoming a requirement for many jobs worldwide -- but it comes with a cost. Yet there are many more ways to afford a college degree than you might think, and JWU is here to help guide you through them. At Johnson & Wales, education goes beyond the four walls of the classroom. Here, you can embrace your curiosity, discover your interests, and dive deep into real-world [...] More

JWU DECA Scholarship

  • Application Deadline: Varies
  • Amount: Varies
  • A college education is becoming a requirement for many jobs worldwide -- but it comes with a cost. Yet there are many more ways to afford a college degree than you might think, and JWU is here to help guide you through them. At Johnson & Wales, education goes beyond the four walls of the classroom. Here, you can embrace your curiosity, discover your interests, and dive deep into real-world [...] More

JWU Junior Achievement Scholarship

  • Application Deadline: Varies
  • Amount: $8,000
  • A college education is becoming a requirement for many jobs worldwide -- but it comes with a cost. Yet there are many more ways to afford a college degree than you might think, and JWU is here to help guide you through them. At Johnson & Wales, education goes beyond the four walls of the classroom. Here, you can embrace your curiosity, discover your interests, and dive deep into real-world [...] More

JWU Technology Student Association (TSA) Scholarship

  • Application Deadline: Varies
  • Amount: $30,000
  • A college education is becoming a requirement for many jobs worldwide -- but it comes with a cost. Yet there are many more ways to afford a college degree than you might think, and JWU is here to help guide you through them. At Johnson & Wales, education goes beyond the four walls of the classroom. Here, you can embrace your curiosity, discover your interests, and dive deep into real-world [...] More

JWU Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Scholarship

  • Application Deadline: Varies
  • Amount: Varies
  • A college education is becoming a requirement for many jobs worldwide -- but it comes with a cost. Yet there are many more ways to afford a college degree than you might think, and JWU is here to help guide you through them. At Johnson & Wales, education goes beyond the four walls of the classroom. Here, you can embrace your curiosity, discover your interests, and dive deep into real-world [...] More

JWU Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) Scholarship

  • Application Deadline: Varies
  • Amount: Varies
  • A college education is becoming a requirement for many jobs worldwide -- but it comes with a cost. Yet there are many more ways to afford a college degree than you might think, and JWU is here to help guide you through them. At Johnson & Wales, education goes beyond the four walls of the classroom. Here, you can embrace your curiosity, discover your interests, and dive deep into real-world [...] More

Chicago Police and Fire Scholarship - UChicago

  • Application Deadline: Varies
  • Amount: Varies
  • UChicago Promise is the University of Chicago’s multi-pronged initiative to help increase college access and readiness for Chicago high school students. UChicago Promise offers special scholarships for students from the Chicago area and also includes resources to help guide Chicago high schoolers to selective four-year institutions, including an Admissions Academy, mentorship, and extensive [...] More

Starbucks College Achievement Plan

  • Application Deadline: Varies
  • Amount: Varies
  • Starbucks is committed to the success of their partners (employees). Every eligible U.S. partner working part- or full-time receives 100% tuition coverage for a first-time bachelor’s degree through Arizona State University’s online program. Choose from over 100 diverse undergraduate degree programs, and have their support every step of the way. Throughout their generosity, Starbucks is offering [...] More
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Last Reviewed: June 2023

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