$5,000 Grad School No Essay Scholarship

Current deadline: March 31, 2026*

Application information

* Required information

Previous winners

Over $300K awarded since 2015

Patrick Donovan

Amelia Carnahan

Sophia Paul

Koen-Snyder-Circle

Koen Snyder

2026 Application deadlines*

Current deadline

March 31, 2026

Sallie cares about providing you the resources needed to successfully navigate financing college. That's why we're offering you the opportunity to earn a $5,000 scholarship. We know that college is a big step forward in achieving your goals and we want to help you get there using all the tools Sallie has to offer.

Upcoming deadlines

  • June 30, 2026
  • September 30, 2026
  • December 31, 2026

Frequently asked questions

What is the $5,000 Grad School No Essay Scholarship?

It’s our quarterly $5,000 scholarship contest. We select a winner each quarter and award them a $5,000 scholarship to help pay for their college journey. To apply, all you need to do is fill out a few questions on the scholarship application and submit. No essay is required.

How are winners chosen?

Each quarter, we choose one applicant from the pool of submissions received.

How are the scholarship winnings paid out?

Once the potential winner is selected, US Sweeps, our scholarship administration partner, will contact them to finalize and confirm the win. In partnership with US Sweeps, we will contact the student’s school and send the funds directly to that school, and they’ll be deposited into the student’s account. If the winner hasn't enrolled in a school, we hold the funds until they have enrolled, then send the funds directly to the school.

Is the $5,000 Grad School No Essay Scholarship legitimate?

Absolutely! A winner is randomly selected once a quarter.

Is this scholarship open to international students?

No. The $5,000 Grad School Scholarship Sweepstakes is only open to legal residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia, and any US Territory. They must be age 18 or older at the time of entry and meet certain other eligibility requirements.

What are the eligibility requirements?

The $5,000 Grad School Scholarship Sweepstakes is only open to legal residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia, and any US Territory. They must be age 18 or older at the time of entry and meet one (1) of the four (4) following eligibility requirements at the time of entry:

1. a parent or guardian who currently has a student enrolled in an accredited college or university located within the United States

2. a student who is currently enrolled in an accredited college or university located within the United States

3. a parent or guardian who has a student who will enroll in an accredited college or university located in the United States within three (3) to six (6) months from the Sweepstakes Drawing Date for the applicable Sweepstakes

4. a student who will enroll in an accredited college or university located in the United States within three (3) to six (6) months from the Sweepstakes Drawing Date for the applicable Sweepstakes (each an “Entrant”)

Void outside the U.S. and the US Territories and wherever prohibited by law. Employees of SLM Education Services, LLC (the “Sponsor”) and its parents, members, agencies, affiliates, and subsidiaries, and their immediate family members (spouse, parents, children and siblings, and their respective spouses) and persons living in the household of each are not eligible to participate.

All federal, state and local laws and regulations apply. View full rules.

Can you apply more than once?

Yes, you can enter to win our $5,000 scholarship once each month. We select winners quarterly, so remember to keep applying!

Eligibility

The $5,000 No-Essay Grad School Scholarship Sweepstakes is only open to legal residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and any US Territory age 18 or older at the time of entry, and who meet one (1) of the four (4) following eligibility requirements at the time of entry:

  1. a parent or guardian who currently has a student enrolled in an accredited college or university located within the United States;
  2. a student who is currently enrolled in an accredited college or university located within the United States;
  3. a parent or guardian who has a student who will enroll in an accredited college or university located in the United States within three (3) to six (6) months from the Sweepstakes Drawing Date for the applicable Sweepstakes; or
  4. a student who will enroll in an accredited college or university located in the United States within three (3) to six (6) months from the Sweepstakes Drawing Date for the applicable Sweepstakes (each an “Entrant”).

Void outside the U.S. and the US Territories and wherever prohibited by law. Click here for Official Rules

Employees of SLM Education Services, LLC (the “Sponsor”) and its parents, members, agencies, affiliates, and subsidiaries, and their immediate family members (spouse, parents, children and siblings, and their respective spouses) and persons living in the household of each are not eligible to participate. 

All federal, state and local laws and regulations apply.

* All applications submitted past the current deadline date up till 11:59 PM ET will be considered for the next deadline.

SLM Education Services, LLC does not provide, and these materials are not meant to convey, financial, tax, or legal advice. Consult your own financial advisor, tax advisor, or attorney about your specific circumstances.