Top need-based scholarships: Find free money for students

The Joseph Frasca Excellence in Aviation Scholarship was established through the University Aviation Association to encourage others to reach the highest level of achievement in their aviation studies. It is bestowed upon those who demonstrate a commitment and devotion to aviation in the tradition of Joseph Frasca. Applicants must demonstrate evidence of excellence in activities, studies, events, organizations, etc., related to aviation. They must have Federal Aviation Administration certification or qualifications in either aviation maintenance or flight. Applicants must also have membership in at least one Aviation organization such as Alpha Eta Rho, NIFA Flying Team, Experimental Aircraft Association, Warbirds of America, etc. They must demonstrate involvement in Aviation activities, projects, events, etc., which will demonstrate an interest and an enthusiasm for aviation. Applicants must also be currently enrolled in a UAA member institution. Preference will be given to those with demonstrated interest or experience in aviation simulation; have demonstrated interest or experience in aircraft restoration; have demonstrated interest or experience in aerobatics; work experience in aviation; work experience while in school; and/or financial need. An essay is optional and may be submitted. Completion will enhance the student's application packet and noncompletion will not eliminate them from consideration. Please visit the scholarship's website or contact UAA for more information.

Started in 1990, 21st Century Scholars is Indiana's early college promise program. It offers income-eligible Hoosier students up to four years of paid tuition at an eligible Indiana college or university after they graduate from high school. Students enroll in seventh or eighth grade, and in high school they participate in the Scholar Success Program and are connected to programs and resources to help them prepare for college and career success. Once in college, Scholars receive support to complete their college degrees and connect to career opportunities. Please visit the scholarship's website for more information.

The Arnstein Cross Community Scholarship provides support to undergraduate students who demonstrate financial need as determined by the Financial Aid Office. Preference will be given to first-generation college students or those transferring from community colleges.

The Beacon Scholarship for Rural America will award $1,000 scholarships to one winner for the Spring and two winners for the Fall semester, to graduating high school seniors, current college students or adult learners planning to enroll in an accredited college program. Applicants must also reside in a rural area and meet the low-income criteria. Two letters of recommendation from teachers, coaches, counselors, other academic professionals or colleagues must be submitted. The Fall 2025 deadline is June 30, 2025; and the Spring 2026 deadline is November 30, 2025. Please visit the scholarship's website or contact Carrot-Top Industries, Inc. for more information.

The Korean-American Scholarship Foundation Southern Regional Chapter Scholarships will be awarded to students of Korean heritage (i.e., have a Korean parent, grandparent, or great-grandparent, or be adopted from Korea) who will be a student at a school in one of the designated Southern region states during the full 2025-2026 school year. Students who are a direct descendant of a Korean War Veteran who served in Korea from June 25, 1950 - January 31, 1955 (Korean War Era, as designated by the U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs) are also eligible to apply. High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors, current or soon-to-be college students, and current or soon-to-be graduate students may apply for the scholarship. High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors will be awarded based on achievement, not based on financial need. College seniors must submit a letter of acceptance from the graduate or professional school they plan to attend. International students may apply. Current non-students are eligible if they can provide documentation indicating they will be a full-time student in one of the aforementioned categories in the 2025-2026 school year. Students who reside, or will reside, in the US during the 2025-2026 school year, whether US citizens or foreign nationals, are all welcome to apply. There are different application links and requirements for high school students, college students, and graduate students. Please make sure to use and submit what is appropriate for you. Please visit the scholarship's website or contact the Korean American Scholarship Foundation for more information.

The Kimbo Foundation has been one of the largest and oldest scholarship foundations in the United States for the Korean community. The foundation started to give scholarships to Black and Hispanic students to improve racial harmony since 2013. Applicants must be 2024 fall college entering students or college students. Students should apply to certain areas of Korea Daily where the college they are currently attending; 2024 fall college entering students should apply to the area that the high school is located: Los Angeles, New York, Atlanta, San Francisco, Washington D.C., Chicago, and Denver. The foundation chooses scholarship recipients primarily based on academic achievement, essay, recommendation letter, community activity, and financial needs. Applicants must be full-time students, however, part-time students may apply if the applicant takes at least 6 units and works more than 20 hours a week. Applicants must submit a letter of recommendation from either a Professor, Teacher, clergy, etc. The applicants must also submit their parents' 2023 Tax Report. The applicant's Community Volunteer and Internship List and any award winning carrier List must also be submitted. Graduating high school students must submit their college admission letter. Please visit the scholarship's website for more information.

The program has specific scholarships for incoming freshmen and upper-level undergraduate students. All of the scholarships are based on financial needs. Applicants must submit a completed application form indicating a sincere interest in an automotive career. Two letters of recommendation supporting the applicant's automotive interests are also required. A letter of acceptance for an associate, bachelor, or master's program must also be submitted. Students attending a technical training school may also apply. Trade school should equal a two-year associate program. High school seniors may apply. Please visit the scholarship's website for more information.

The Korean-American Scholarship Foundation Northeastern Regional Chapter Scholarships will be awarded to students of Korean heritage (i.e., have a Korean parent, grandparent, or great-grandparent, or be adopted from Korea) who will be a student at a school in one of the designated Northeastern region states during the full 2025-2026 school year. Students who are a direct descendant of a Korean War Veteran who served in Korea from June 25, 1950 - January 31, 1955 (Korean War Era, as designated by the U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs) are also eligible to apply. High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors, current or soon-to-be college students, and current or soon-to-be graduate students may apply for the scholarship. High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors will be awarded based on achievement, not based on financial need. College seniors must submit a letter of acceptance from the graduate or professional school they plan to attend. International students may apply. Current non-students are eligible if they can provide documentation indicating they will be a full-time student in one of the aforementioned categories in the 2025-2026 school year. Students who reside, or will reside, in the US during the 2025-2026 school year, whether US citizens or foreign nationals, are all welcome to apply. There are different application links and requirements for high school students, college students, and graduate students. Please make sure to use and submit what is appropriate for you. Please visit the scholarship's website or contact the Korean American Scholarship Foundation for more information.

The New York State Tuition Assistance Program is available to students who must be a legal New York State resident for 12 continuous months prior to enrolling or qualified under NYS DREAM Act. For academic year 2024-2025, dependent undergraduate students within a household earning under the income limit, independent undergraduate students (married or single) with tax dependents, and undergraduate students who qualified as an orphan, foster child, or ward of the court at any time since the age of 13 must have $125,000 or less net taxable income (NTI); independent undergraduate students (married) without tax dependents must have $60,000 or less net taxable income (NTI); and independent undergraduate students (single) without tax dependents must have $30,000 or less net taxable income (NTI). The scholarship will be awarded for 3 years to students pursuing their associate degree full-time; 4 years to students pursuing their bachelor's degree full-time; and 5 years to students in approved five-year degree programs. Applicants must have graduated from high school in the United States, earned a high school equivalency diploma (GED), or passed a federally approved "Ability to Benefit" test. Applicants must also attend an approved college, be enrolled in a degree-granting program of study and maintain good academic standing, and be charged at least $200 for tuition per year. Please visit the scholarship's website for more information.