The 10 Most Desirable Scholarships in the World

<p>Roughly two-thirds of students rely on financial aid to pay for college. While loans are a necessity for many individuals, scholarships offer free-and-clear money that can soften the financial impact of tuition bills and campus living costs. The following are some of the most highly coveted academic awards for college students. </p> <h3 id="section---1.RhodesScholarship">1. Rhodes Scholarship</h3> <p>Each year 32 American students are selected to study for two to three years at Oxford University in the United Kingdom. The Rhodes Trust covers tuition, fees and living expenses - about $50,000 a year in total. Applicants, who must be within a year of completing a bachelor's degree program, go through a vigorous selection process to qualify for this elite scholarship. Awardees are determined after an interview process with the strongest candidates. </p> <h3 id="section---2.CocaColaScholarsFoundationScholarship">2. Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation Scholarship</h3> <p>Coca-Cola awards 150 scholarships of $20,000 to high school seniors with a minimum grade point average of 3.0. Several smaller scholarships are also available. Semifinalists are chosen in November and must complete a secondary application that includes essays. Two letters of recommendation are also required. In February, 250 finalists are interviewed either in person or through a video conference, with winners being announced by the end of March. </p> <h3 id="section---3.NationalHonorSocietyScholarshipProgram">3. National Honor Society Scholarship Program</h3> <p>The National Honor Society has awarded over $12 million in scholarships over the past seven decades. Many students across the country receive scholarship awards of $1,500 or $3,000. One national winner receives a $15,500 scholarship package. Students must be nominated by a local chapter of the National Honor Society. A list of active chapters is available on the organization's website. </p> <h3 id="section---4.GatesMillenniumScholarsProgram">4. Gates Millennium Scholars Program</h3> <p>Funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, this scholarship awards an average of $12,492 to students of color who demonstrate commitment to volunteer service or work experience for community improvement. Applicants must also have at least a 3.3 grade point average. Semifinalists are notified in March, at which time they must submit a high school transcript and additional information. </p> <h3 id="section---5.AXAAchievementScholarship">5. AXA Achievement Scholarship</h3> <p>One high school senior from each U.S. state - as well as Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia - is awarded $10,000 for outstanding achievement in school, the community or the workplace. Of these 52 award recipients, ten especially exemplary individuals receive an additional $15,000 toward the cost of college. </p> <h3 id="section---6.NationalMeritScholarshipProgram">6. National Merit Scholarship Program</h3> <p>Students with high scores on the Preliminary SAT (PSAT) are automatically qualified for the National Merit Scholarship. The test is administered in the fall, and qualified students will be notified in September of the following year. Semifinalists must submit an application to be considered for one of the $2,500 scholarships. Being a National Merit Scholar may also qualify you for many corporate- and college-sponsored merit scholarships. </p> <h3 id="section---7.BorenScholarship">7. Boren Scholarship</h3> <p>Up to $20,000 is given by the National Security Education Program to high school graduates applying to a study abroad program in a country outside of Western Europe, Canada, Australia or New Zealand. Preference is given to students applying for a full year in a program that contributes to U.S. national security. Award recipients are required to work in a national security position within the federal government for at least one year after graduation. </p> <h3 id="section---8.IntelScienceTalentSearch">8. Intel Science Talent Search</h3> <p>High school students may apply for scholarships in three categories: basic research, global good, and innovation. Applicants must come up with original solutions to current issues, and project topics and material vary each year. First prize in each category gets a $150,000 scholarship, and second and third in each category earn $75,000 and $35,000, respectively. All other finalists earn a $7,500 scholarship. </p> <h3 id="section---9.ArmyROTCFourYearScholarship">9. Army ROTC Four-Year Scholarship</h3> <p>The U.S. Army awards full-tuition scholarships, including a stipend for books and living expenses. Students must agree to serve full time in the Army for at least four years after college graduation to be eligible. Other requirements include a high school diploma, at least a 2.5 GPA and a minimum 920 SAT score or 19 ACT score. Applicants must also pass a physical evaluation. Two- and three-year scholarships are also available. </p> <h3 id="section---10.2000NoEssayCollegeScholarship">10. $2,000 'No Essay' College Scholarship</h3> <p>At the end of every month college-search provider College Prowler randomly selects one person to receive a $2,000 scholarship. This no-strings-attached award is open to any U.S. citizen planning to enroll in a postsecondary institution within 12 months. The online application requests only basic personal information and can be completed very quickly. Students can apply each month. </p> <p><i>Want more opportunities for free college money? Learn about <a href="https://learn.org/articles/5_Strange_Scholarship_That_Could_Help_You_Pay_for_College.html">five unusual scholarships that can help pay for school</a>.</i></p>