After you’ve filled out endless college applications, no essay scholarships can be attractive options for securing financial aid. Traditional scholarships usually entail spending hours perfecting an essay that highlights your talents and achievements. But if writing isn’t your strongest skill, scholarship essays can be an overwhelming task. Luckily, there are scholarships without an essay requirement that are easier to apply for. Some simply requireView Page filling out an online form listing your qualifications. Others will involve using your creativity to design:
- a poster
- video
- other project on an assigned topic
Make applying for free tuition money more enjoyable by considering the following no essay scholarships.
Top No Essay Scholarships Available
1. AFSA High School Scholarships
Deadline: April 6th
The American Fire Sprinkler Association offers 10 annual $2,000 no essay scholarships. They’re for high school seniors who are U.S. citizens or legal residents. They must be planning to enroll full-time at an accredited college this fall. Rather than write one, students read the short “Fire Sprinkler Essay.” They then take a 10-question, multiple-choice quiz. The number of questions participants answer correctly equals the number of times their name is entered for the drawing.
Contact
AFSA High School Scholarships
12750 Merit Drive Suite 350
Dallas, TX 75251
(214) 349-5965
scholarship@firesprinkler.org
Scholarship Link
2. American Legion National Oratorical Contest
Deadline: Varies
The American Legion hosts a National Oratorical Contest each year. It grants over $138,000 in scholarships, including a first place $18,000 award. Eligible are:
- U.S. citizens under 20 years old
- students enrolled in a public or private high school
Young orators must prepare an eight to 10-minute speech about the United States Constitution and our civic responsibilities. The speech is presented to five judges.
Contact
American Legion National Oratorical Contest
700 North Pennsylvania Street
Indianapolis, IN 46206
(317) 630-1200
oratorical@legion.org
Scholarship Link
3. Castle Ink Paperless Scholarship
Deadline: July 1st
The Castle Ink Paperless Scholarship was created by a leading printer cartridge supply store. It’s available to college-bound U.S. residents. They must be enrolling as undergraduates at an accredited two- or four-year institution. For the $1,000 prize, candidates must create a social media post about recycling and share it on one of these:
- YouTube
- Tumblr
It must have the hashtag #CastleInk. Applicants could also design something unique using recycled printer parts and take a picture for the company’s Pinterest board.
Contact
Castle Ink Paperless Scholarship
37 Wyckoff Street
Greenlawn, NY 11740
(800) 399-5193
Scholarship Link
4. CollegeWeekLive No Essay Scholarships
Deadline: Monthly from January to June
CollegeWeekLive LLC offers the $5,000 No Essay Scholarships for U.S. and non-U.S. high school juniors or seniors. They must be planning to enroll full-time at accredited post-secondary institutions. To apply, students simply register online with CollegeWeekLive. They login to their account, and visit five colleges that interest them for up to 11 entries.
There’s also a National Society of High School Scholars Partner Scholarship for NSHSS members to earn $2,500.
Contact
CollegeWeekLive No Essay Scholarships
100 Crescent Road
Needham, MA 02494
(888) 697-0050
support@collegeweeklive.com
Scholarship Link
5. Courageous Persuaders Video Contest
Deadline: February 11th
Funded by StateFarm, the Courageous Persuaders Video Contest is held every February by the Detroit Auto Dealers Association. It grants scholarships from $500 to $3,000. Eligible high school students in grades 9-12 must create a 30-second commercial. It must warn about the risks of underage drinking and/or texting behind the wheel. Finalists will be placed on the Courageous Persuaders YouTube channel. There is voting first, second, and third place. If you like public speaking, this could be one of the most enjoyable no essay scholarships for high school students.
Contact
Courageous Persuaders Video Contest
1900 West Big Beaver Road
Troy, MI 48084
(248) 283-5138
sherp@dada.org
Scholarship Link
6. Create a Greeting Card Scholarship Contest
Deadline: February 25th
High school and college students at least 14 years of age can enter the Create a Greeting Card Scholarship Contest by The Gallery Collection. They can win $10,000 plus $1,000 for their school. Rather than scholarship essays, applicants from the United States or Puerto Rico must design an original Christmas, holiday, birthday, or all-occasion greeting card. Judges will select 10 finalists based on:
- creativity
- quality
- suitability
- attractiveness
It concludes with public voting.
Contact
Create a Greeting Card Scholarship Contest
P.O. Box 150
Ridgefield Park, NJ 07660
(800) 950-7064
scholarshipadmin@gallerycollection.com
Scholarship Link
7. Doodle 4 Google Scholarship Competition
Deadline: December 7th
The Doodle 4 Google Scholarship Competition is open to U.S. citizens or lawful residents.They must be enrolled in a public or private K-12 school and have a legal guardian’s permission. The National Winner for each age group wins a $30,000 college scholarship and Chromebook. The four semifinalists each receive a $5,000 scholarship. Applicants must create a one-page doodle that reflects their unique interpretation of the competition theme “What makes me…me.”
Contact
Doodle 4 Google Scholarship Competition
1600 Amphitheatre Parkway
Mountain View, CA 94043
(877) 355-5787
doodle4google@google.com
Scholarship Link
8. Dr. Alma S. Adams Scholarship
Deadline: April 30th
The Truth Initiative offers the Dr. Alma S. Adams Scholarship for $5,000. Eligible are college students who are pursuing a degree in:
- public health
- social work
- education
- health science
- communications
- liberal arts
Eligible applicants must:
- exhibit financial need
- maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA
- attend an accredited U.S. university full-time
- actively engage in community service
To raise awareness on tobacco’s dangers, entrants must use:
- visual art
- film
- music
- creative writing.
Contact
Dr. Alma S. Adams Scholarship
900 G Street NW 4th Floor
Washington, DC 20001
(202) 454-5555
info@truthinitiative.org
Scholarship Link
9. FMAA Scholarship Program
Deadline: May 30th
The Flag Manufacturers Association of America offers a one-time scholarship valued at $3,000. Students must create a 90-second video answering the question: “How do you make sure the American flag you’re buying online is made in America?” Eligible participants must be graduating high school seniors. They are continuing their education in for associate or bachelor’s degree at an accredited U.S. institution. Winning videos are posted on YouTube and the FMAA website.
Contact
FMAA Scholarship Program
994 Old Eagle School Road
Wayne, PA 19087
(610) 971-4850
hope@mmco1.com
Scholarship Link
10. Frame My Future Scholarships
Deadline: March 8th
Church Hill Classics, a leading diploma frame manufacturer, offers the Frame My Future Scholarships. It awards $1,000 to five finalists who create an original:
- photograph
- collage
- drawing
- painting
- graphic design
The piece showcases “How I Frame My Future.” Qualified applicants must be success-driven high school seniors and U.S. residents. They must intend to enroll full-time at an accredited university. Although they’re scholarships without an essay requirement, students must write a brief photo description fewer than 500 characters.
Contact
Frame My Future Scholarship
594 Pepper Street
Monroe, CT 06468
(203) 477-9005
info@diplomaframe.com
Scholarship Link
11. Microsoft Imagine Cup Competition
Deadline: Varies
The Microsoft Imagine Cup Competition offers up to $50,000. It’s open to high school and college students around the world. They must be at least 16 years old and accepted at an accredited post-secondary institution. Students form four-person teams to create an original application for one of these:
- Windows
- Windows Phone
- Windows Azure
Budding software engineers can apply their high-tech skills in three main competitions:
- Games
- Innovation
- World Citizenship.
Contact
Microsoft Imagine Cup Competition
One Microsoft Way
Redmond, WA 98052
(800) 642-7676
scholars@microsoft.com
Scholarship Link
12. National YoungArts Foundation Scholarships
Deadline: October 16th
The National YoungArts Foundation annually selects around 800 high school students under 19. They take master classes in:
- Miami
- New York
- Los Angeles
They compete for scholarships up to $10,000 for furthering their education. Eligible U.S. citizens or legal residents are accepted in 10 disciplines:
- cinematic arts
- dance
- design arts
- jazz
- music
- photography
- theatre
- visual arts
- writing
Instead of scholarship essays, students must prepare an audition or art portfolio.
Contact
National YoungArts Foundation Scholarships
2100 Biscayne Blvd.
Miami, FL 33137
(305) 377-1140
info@youngarts.org
Scholarship Link
13. New Mexico Legislative Lottery Scholarship
Deadline: None
The New Mexico Legislative Lottery Scholarship program doesn’t require writing an essay or even submitting an application! State residents who have graduated from accredited public or private New Mexico high schools with a minimum cumulative 2.5 GPA are automatically considered. For a maximum of seven semesters, the scholarship will cover a percentage of tuition for taking:
- 12 credits at in-state community colleges
- or 15 credits at four-year universities.
Contact
New Mexico Legislative Lottery Scholarship
2044 Galisteo Street Suite 4
Santa Fe, NM 87505
(505) 476-8400
Martha.Estrada2@state.nm.us
Scholarship Link
14. NPG Photography Scholarship Contest
Deadline: April 8th
The Negative Population Growth Photography Scholarship Contest annually awards three prizes. The prizes range from $500 to $1,500. Participants submit original photos of 250 to 300 dpi resolution. They must show a threatened U.S. environmental treasure that’s worth protecting. Candidates must be high school seniors, college freshmen, sophomores, or juniors living legally in the United States. Photographs are evaluated based on:
- creativity
- critical thinking
- relevance to world population growth.
Contact
NPG Photography Scholarship Contest
2861 Duke Street Suite 36
Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 370-9510
NPGPhotoScholarship@gmail.com
Scholarship Link
15. Stuck at Prom Scholarship Contest
Deadline: May 31st
Duck Brand has created perhaps the most unique scholarships without an essay requirement in its Stuck at Prom Scholarship Contest. To compete for up to $10,000, U.S. high school students or couples must create complete prom attire, including accessories, using only Duck tape. Entrants must submit one to five color photographs wearing the outfit for community voting on the company’s website. Excluded are residents of:
- Maryland
- Vermont
- Colorado.
Contact
Stuck at Prom Scholarship Contest
32150 Just Imagine Drive
Avon, OH 44011
(800) 321-0253
Scholarship Link
16. Taco Bell Live Más Scholarships
Deadline: January 31st
Taco Bell awards 220 Live Más Scholarships each year for $2,500 to $25,000 each. These are for the next generation of young innovators and creators who need financial assistance to achieve their post-high school dreams. Students do not submit essays and test scores. They create a two-minute video telling the story of their talents and passions. Eligible entrants must be U.S. residents between 16 to 24 years old who are applying for accredited colleges or trade schools.
Contact
Taco Bell Live Más Scholarships
1 Glen Bell Way
Irvine, CA 92618
(949) 863-3915
info@livemasscholarship.com
Scholarship Link
17. The Christophers Annual Poster Contest
Deadline: February 17th
The Christophers Annual Poster Contest is available to high school students grades 9-12 living in the United States. They must have a valid social security number. They must plan attend an accredited two- or four-year college. Contestants must design a 16×20 poster that creatively illustrates the statement “You Can Make a Difference.” Judges will evaluate originality and artistic merit to award scholarships for $1,000, $500, and $250.
Contact
The Christophers Annual Poster Contest
5 Hanover Square 22nd Floor
New York, NY 10004
(212) 759-4050
s.holinski@christophers.org
Scholarship Link
18. U.S. Bank Financial Genius Scholarship
Deadline: September 30th
The U.S. Bank Financial Genius Scholarship program provides five $5,000 no essay scholarships annually. Eligible are permanent U.S. residents who are accepted or enrolled full-time at an accredited two- or four-year college. Qualified applicants at least 14 years old must register for eight interactive online tutorials. The tutorials must pertain to key financial topics like credit scores and savings. Winners are randomly selected from the sweepstakes’ entrant pool.
Contact
U.S. Bank Financial Genius Scholarship
1420 Kettner Blvd. 7th Floor
San Diego, CA 92101
(800) 934-9555
Scholarship Link
19. Voice of Democracy Scholarship
Deadline: November 1st
The Voice of Democracy Scholarship program was established in 1947 by the Veterans of Foreign Wars It gifts $1,000 to $30,000 for high school students in grades 9-12. They must write and deliver an oratorical speech expressing “My Responsibility to America.” To apply, students must be:
- lawful U.S. residents
- under 20 years old
- enrolled full-time in a public or private school
- supported by a VFW Post
Entrants must record their three to five-minute speech on an audio CD or flash drive.
Contact
Voice of Democracy Scholarship
406 West 34th Street
Kansas City, MO 64111
(816) 756-3390
kharmer@vfw.org
Scholarship Link
20. Williams Chorale Bacardi Fallon Scholarship
Deadline: March 14th
Young musicians can apply for the Williams Chorale Bacardi Fallon Scholarship competition to win awards ranging from $500 to $5,000. Eligible high school juniors and seniors must plan to pursue a bachelor’s degree in vocal or instrumental studies at an accredited U.S. music school. Applications must include a five-minute recording playing two pieces of contrasting style on a CD. At least 12 finalists will be chosen to perform for the judges panel.
Contact
Williams Chorale Bacardi Fallon Scholarship
P.O. Box 3267
South Attleboro, MA 02703
(508) 285-2354
contact@thewilliamschorale.org
Scholarship Link
Many legitimate scholarships don’t require an essay. However, be cautious when applying for scholarships that seem too good to be true. Con-artists have created numerous scholarship scams to target college students struggling to afford tuition. Protect your finances by doing ample research on advertised Internet scholarships. Beware of any organizations:
- asking for bank account numbers
- requiring fees
- giving unsolicited offers
- guaranteeing wins
Websites that don’t list contact information or previous scholarship winners are also red flags. Start your search with these 20 reputable no essay scholarships for thousands of dollars in college funding.
GCD Staff
You might also like:
- Top 20 Deals on Small Colleges in Texas
- Top 50 Best Colleges in Texas
- Top 50 Great Deals on Bachelor’s Degrees Online
- 20 Best Deals on Colleges that Don’t Require SAT
- 20 Best Deals: Small Colleges for Athletic Types
- 20 Highest Paying Bachelor Degrees
- 20 Best College Deals for Conservative Christians