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Last Dollar Scholarship

Up until this point, you’ve done everything right – filled out your college applications early, applied for scholarships often, submitted your FAFSA as soon as possible – but still college is beyond your reach. Then a last dollar scholarship may be just what you need to cover those minor expenses. These "last dollars" are intended to fill the gap between students' financial aid and the real costs of college, such as computers, books and supplies, room and board and even graduation expenses. A last dollar scholarship is awarded to a student whose official Expected Family Contribution (EFC), located on your Student Aid Report, and financial aid packages totals are less than the cost of tuition and fees. Last dollar scholarships vary greatly from state to state and can be the determining factor, in some cases, as to whether a student will attend college or not.

If college is just an arm’s length away don’t panic, there are countless options available to fund your education. The College Opportunity Resources for Education (CORE) Philadelphia Last Dollar Scholarship offers up to $2,000 to Philadelphia high school seniors to help pay first-year college expenses. The Howard P. Rawlings Guaranteed Access Grant provides an award from the State of Maryland which, when combined with the Federal Pell Grant and the EFC, will help cover the cost of full-time study at a Maryland college or university. Below are just some of the last dollar scholarship awards available to high school and college students. You can find more information on these and other awards by completing a profile and conducting a free college scholarship search on Scholarships.com.

ACHE Police Officers and Firefighters Survivors Educational Assistance Program

  • Application Deadline: Varies
  • Amount: Varies
  • The ACHE Police Officers and Firefighters Survivors Educational Assistance Program is a grant covering tuition, fees, books and supplies for dependents and eligible spouses of Alabama police officers and firefighters killed in the line of duty. There is no limit on the amount awarded to recipients. Awards are available for undergraduate study in public institutions in Alabama. Students who are [...] More

Asparagus Club Scholarship

  • Application Deadline: 4/30/2018
  • Amount: $8,000
  • The Asparagus Club awards a maximum of ten scholarships per year (subject to availability of funds). Each scholarship is $2,000 per semester (fall and spring only) not to exceed four consecutive semesters. Recipients must retain full-time student status and earn at least a 2.5 GPA to earn a scholarship each semester/quarter. Eligible applicants must be rising juniors, seniors, or graduate [...] More

Associated Grocers-Sam S. Politz Scholarship Fund

  • Application Deadline: 3/1/2018
  • Amount: $8,000
  • The Associated Grocers–Sam S. Politz Scholarship Fund was established through the generosity of the members of
    Associated Grocers Inc. of Baton Rouge, La. This scholarship is dedicated to the memory of Sam S. Politz, a former
    president and CEO of Associated Grocers Inc.

    The Fund provides scholarships to assist graduating Louisiana high school students who will enroll fulltime in an [...] More

Scholarship for People with Disabilities

  • Application Deadline: 5/31/2018
  • Amount: $1,000
  • The Scholarship for People with Disabilities program is administered by Courage Center through a Scholarship Committee. Funds are made available through the private donation of Melvin and Sally Mooty. The scholarship monies are to fund tuition, books, and supplies. The program is intended to assist people who have a sensory impairment or physical disability who want to pursue educational goals or [...] More

Sertoma Hard of Hearing or Deaf Scholarship

  • Application Deadline: 5/1/2018
  • Amount: $1,000
  • Sertoma's Scholarship for the hard of hearing or deaf, is the leading funder of scholarships for hard of hearing or deaf students since the program's inception in 1994. Students with a clinically-significant bilateral hearing loss, graduating from high school, or undergraduate students pursuing four-year college degrees in any discipline are eligible for the scholarship. [...] More

Washington Women in Need Education Grant

  • Application Deadline: Varies
  • Amount: $5,000
  • Washington Women in Need (WWIN) makes grants to low-income women in Washington state who are ready for transformation and looking to build a better future for themselves, their families, and their communities for generations to come. The Education Grant provides up to $5,000 in funding over the course of one calendar year. It can be used to pay for tuition, mandatory fees, and required books and [...] More

Last Reviewed: August 2017

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