Top need-based scholarships: Find free money for students

This scholarship is for Maine's nontraditional students who want to change their life for the better through education and training. The scholarship supports a range of training, including attending two- and four-year colleges and universities, completing a certificate and other non-degree programs, or attempting a self-directed learning experience with a clear goal. The Maine Community Foundation, Inc. Long-term Scholarship Award will last more than a full semester. At the end of the program the applicant will have a one- or two-year certificate or a two- or four-year degree. Graduate study is not supported by this scholarship. Deadlines are June 15 and November 15. Beginning in 2024, recipients may apply for renewal for a maximum of 5 years or 10 semesters of scholarship support. Current recipients who have already reached this maximum will be offered a grace period of one year (up to two semesters). The committee has a preference for applicants who have not previously attained a Bachelor's degree. Please visit the scholarship's website or contact the Maine Community Foundation, Inc. for more information.

The Roberto Reyes Memorial Scholarship was established to honor Roberto Reyes, a former student of Piner High School. Applicants must be graduating seniors of Piner High School in Sonoma County, California. Please visit the scholarship's website or contact the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation for more information.

The WLA Library Education Scholarship is available to librarians who are admitted to a master's degree program in library and information science or in library media at a Wisconsin school during the coming academic year beginning with the fall term. Applicants will be evaluated on the basis of experience and background in library and library-related work; career plans in the library profession; need and desire for the scholarship; and past academic performance. Affirmative action and equal opportunity principles will be applied. Racial or ethnic minorities, women and disabled persons are encouraged to apply and may identify themselves as such if they wish. Applicants must submit a completed application form. If any information requested cannot be submitted via the online form, please submit them through mail. Please visit the scholarship's website or contact the Wisconsin Library Association for more information.

The Third Marine Division Association Memorial Scholarship will be awarded to qualified students who have consistently demonstrated excellence in colleges and universities across the United States. The mission in 1969 was to provide assistance to dependents of Third Marine Division members who lost their lives in Vietnam or whose post service death had been certified by the Department of Veterans Affairs to be the result of hostile enemy action or other disabilities incurred. Applicants may either be (1) a child, grandchild, great-grandchild or legal dependent of any personnel who lost their lives as a result of hostile enemy action while a member of or attached to a unit of the Third Marine Division in "Military Operations"; (2) a child, grandchild, great-grandchild or legal dependent of any honorably discharged personnel deceased or retired having been a member of or attached to a unit of the Third Marine Division in Military Operations whose post service death has been certified by the Department of Veterans Affairs to have been the result of hostile enemy action or other disabilities incurred and were not the result of any misconduct by the veteran; or (3) a child, grandchild, great-grandchild or legal dependent of a deceased member of the Association or the spouse of such member, provided the deceased member had held Association membership for a period of at least two consecutive years immediately prior to his or her death; (4) child, grandchild, great-grandchild or legal dependent of a living member (sponsor) of the Association, provided the sponsoring member has held Association membership for a period of at least two consecutive years immediately prior to the date of the eligible applicant's first application for assistance; or (5) any personnel who has been recently honorably discharged having been a member of or attached to a unit of the Third Marine Division provided the person has held Association membership for a period of at least two consecutive years immediately prior to the date of the first application, be current on all annual dues payments and who continues his or her membership for the entire period of their financial assistance. Scholarships may be awarded for any approved course of study in an accredited college or university, or for any approved course of study in an accredited and approved post-high school trade school institution. Applicants must be enrolled in each semester for not less than 12 credit hours. Awards will not be given in excess of four years of undergraduate study with some exceptions. Applications may be submitted through mail or email. Please visit the scholarship's website for more information.

The WLA Sally Davis Scholarship is available to librarians who are admitted to a master's degree program at the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Library and Information Studies during the coming academic year beginning with the fall term. Applicants will be evaluated on the basis of experience and background in library and library related work; career plans in the library profession; need and desire for the scholarship; and past academic performance. Affirmative action and equal opportunity principles will be applied. Racial or ethnic minorities, women and disabled persons are encouraged to apply and may identify themselves as such if they wish. Applicants must submit a completed application form. If any information requested cannot be provided via the online submission form, please submit them through mail. Please visit the scholarship's website or contact the Wisconsin Library Association for more information.

The Phyllis Ames Cox Fund is one of the scholarships established by the Brooksville Education Foundation in order to expand educational opportunities available to the people of Brooksville, Maine. Students who are Brooksville residents taking their education beyond high school and could use financial aid are encouraged to apply for a scholarship. If living elsewhere for work or school, a student will continue to be considered a resident up to the age of 26, if they have family still living full time in Brooksville. Applicants must have been admitted to or be enrolled in an accredited post-secondary education program leading to an associate's, bachelor's, or graduate degree, or occupational certificate or license. If funds were insufficient to award full scholarships to all applicants in a given year, preference will be given to returning undergraduate students or those pursuing occupational certificates or licenses, then to new undergraduates, and finally to graduate candidates. There is no age limit for Brooksville residents. Adults returning to school or changing careers, as well as recent high school graduates, are encouraged to apply. Two recommendations must be submitted. Please visit the scholarship's website or contact the Brooksville Education Foundation for more information.

The Isabel Grindle Condon Fund is one of the scholarships established by the Brooksville Education Foundation in order to expand educational opportunities available to the people of Brooksville, Maine. Students who are Brooksville residents taking their education beyond high school and could use financial aid are encouraged to apply for a scholarship. If living elsewhere for work or school, a student will continue to be considered a resident up to the age of 26, if they have family still living full time in Brooksville. Applicants must have been admitted to or be enrolled in an accredited post-secondary education program leading to an associate's, bachelor's, or graduate degree, or occupational certificate or license. If funds were insufficient to award full scholarships to all applicants in a given year, preference will be given to returning undergraduate students or those pursuing occupational certificates or licenses, then to new undergraduates, and finally to graduate candidates. There is no age limit for Brooksville residents. Adults returning to school or changing careers, as well as recent high school graduates, are encouraged to apply. Two recommendations must be submitted. Please visit the scholarship's website or contact the Brooksville Education Foundation for more information.

The Michael McMillen, Jr. Fund is one of the scholarships established by the Brooksville Education Foundation in order to expand educational opportunities available to the people of Brooksville, Maine. Students who are Brooksville residents taking their education beyond high school and could use financial aid are encouraged to apply for a scholarship. If living elsewhere for work or school, a student will continue to be considered a resident up to the age of 26, if they have family still living full time in Brooksville. Applicants must have been admitted to or be enrolled in an accredited post-secondary education program leading to an associate's, bachelor's, or graduate degree, or occupational certificate or license. If funds were insufficient to award full scholarships to all applicants in a given year, preference will be given to returning undergraduate students or those pursuing occupational certificates or licenses, then to new undergraduates, and finally to graduate candidates. There is no age limit for Brooksville residents. Adults returning to school or changing careers, as well as recent high school graduates, are encouraged to apply. Two recommendations must be submitted. Please visit the scholarship's website or contact the Brooksville Education Foundation for more information.

The Faye Austin Cosentino Fund is one of the scholarships established by the Brooksville Education Foundation in order to expand educational opportunities available to the people of Brooksville, Maine. Students who are Brooksville residents taking their education beyond high school and could use financial aid are encouraged to apply for a scholarship. If living elsewhere for work or school, a student will continue to be considered a resident up to the age of 26, if they have family still living full time in Brooksville. Applicants must have been admitted to or be enrolled in an accredited post-secondary education program leading to an associate's, bachelor's, or graduate degree, or occupational certificate or license. If funds were insufficient to award full scholarships to all applicants in a given year, preference will be given to returning undergraduate students or those pursuing occupational certificates or licenses, then to new undergraduates, and finally to graduate candidates. There is no age limit for Brooksville residents. Adults returning to school or changing careers, as well as recent high school graduates, are encouraged to apply. Two recommendations must be submitted. Please visit the scholarship's website or contact the Brooksville Education Foundation for more information.