Top Scholarships for Needs Based Aid

If you’re a student with financial needs seeking college scholarships, our curated scholarship list and content provide you with accessible options to fund your education! Needs based aid scholarships focus on assisting students who require financial support to pursue their academic goals.

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Understanding Needs Based Aid

Needs based aid scholarships are designed to assist students who demonstrate financial need. These scholarships aim to bridge the gap between the cost of higher education and what students can afford to pay. Institutions and organizations assess individual financial situations to determine eligibility.

Types of Needs Based Aid

Needs based aid can come in various forms including federal grants, institutional scholarships, and private scholarships. Financial aid officers typically evaluate family income, student savings, and other relevant factors to calculate needs.

Scholarships

IES Abroad Scholarships & Aid

Amount

Varies

Deadline

No deadline

Effort

<15 min

Bonner Program

Amount

Varies

Deadline

No deadline

Effort

60+ min

CTC Scholarship

Amount

Varies

Deadline

No deadline

Effort

60+ min

Christian A. Herter Memorial Scholarship Program

Amount

Varies

Deadline

25 days

Effort

60+ min

Independent Living Act (Foster Care Tuition Waiver)

Amount

Varies

Deadline

No deadline

Effort

<15 min

National College Match

Amount

Varies

Deadline

No deadline

Effort

60+ min

Stokes Scholarship Program

Amount

Varies

Deadline

No deadline

Effort

60+ min

California Community Colleges Scholarship Endowment (CCCSE) Osher Scholarship Program

Amount

Varies

Deadline

No deadline

Effort

<15 min

The Club's Education Scholarship

Amount

Varies

Deadline

No deadline

Effort

15–30 min

Cooke Young Scholars Program

Amount

Varies

Deadline

2 days

Effort

60+ min

Daniels Scholarship

Amount

Varies

Deadline

No deadline

Effort

60+ min

Life Lessons Scholarship Program

Amount

$4100k

Deadline

26 days

Effort

30–60 min

General College Scholarship

Amount

$40k

Deadline

14 days

Effort

30–60 min

Special College Scholarship

Amount

$40k

Deadline

14 days

Effort

30–60 min

2026 Bank of the Sierra Scholarship Program

Amount

$28k

Deadline

76 days

Effort

30–60 min

Baccalaureate Scholarship (BaS)

Amount

$22.5k

Deadline

23 days

Effort

60+ min

Dell Scholars Program

Amount

$20k

Deadline

12 days

Effort

30–60 min

Undergraduate Scholarship Program (UGSP)

Amount

$20k

Deadline

56 days

Effort

60+ min

Earl Warren Scholarship

Amount

$15k

Deadline

87 days

Effort

30–60 min

Stein Family Scholarship

Amount

$15k

Deadline

26 days

Effort

30–60 min

ABA Legal Opportunity Scholarship

Amount

$15k

Deadline

71 days

Effort

30–60 min

SFM Foundation Scholarship

Amount

$15k

Deadline

56 days

Effort

30–60 min

Dr. Aurelio M. Caccomo Memorial Scholarship

Amount

$12k

Deadline

No deadline

Effort

60+ min

Create Healthy Adult Learner Scholarships

Amount

$10k

Deadline

No deadline

Effort

30–60 min

AICPA Foundation Scholarship for Future CPAs

Amount

$10k

Deadline

40 days

Effort

30–60 min

The Stephen Phillips Memorial Scholarship

Amount

$10k

Deadline

56 days

Effort

60+ min

Mrs. Patty Shinseki Spouse Scholarship Program

Amount

$10k

Deadline

No deadline

Effort

15–30 min

AbbVie Immunology Scholarship

Amount

$10k

Deadline

No deadline

Effort

30–60 min

Deblinger Family Scholarship

Amount

$10k

Deadline

66 days

Effort

30–60 min

Muslim Youth Leadership Awards (MYLA)

Amount

$10k

Deadline

56 days

Effort

60+ min

HCF's 2026-2027 Common Scholarship

Amount

$10k

Deadline

56 days

Effort

30–60 min

The Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award

Amount

$10k

Deadline

71 days

Effort

60+ min

AWS Foundation National Scholarships

Amount

$10k

Deadline

26 days

Effort

60+ min

Mariann Dana and Charles Jacob Younger Scholarship

Amount

$10k

Deadline

No deadline

Effort

15–30 min

Lawrence Strader Boy Scouts of America Scholarship Fund

Amount

$9k

Deadline

40 days

Effort

30–60 min

Real Estate Education Scholarship Program

Amount

$5k

Deadline

86 days

Effort

15–30 min

Helping Hands for Single Moms Scholarship - Dallas

Amount

$5k

Deadline

No deadline

Effort

60+ min

Helping Hands for Single Moms Scholarship

Amount

$5k

Deadline

No deadline

Effort

30–60 min

2026 Mega Bank Scholarship Program

Amount

$5k

Deadline

76 days

Effort

30–60 min

Albert W. Dent and Foster G. McGaw Graduate Student Scholarships

Amount

$5k

Deadline

56 days

Effort

60+ min

Fontana Transport Inc. Scholars Program

Amount

$5k

Deadline

38 days

Effort

30–60 min

The Richard H. Pierce Memorial Scholarship

Amount

$5k

Deadline

57 days

Effort

30–60 min

NJCL Scholarships

Amount

$5k

Deadline

4 days

Effort

30–60 min

OCCACC Foundation Scholarship

Amount

$5k

Deadline

56 days

Effort

60+ min

Fukunaga Scholarship Foundation

Amount

$5k

Deadline

No deadline

Effort

15–30 min

Chafee Education and Training Voucher Program

Amount

$5k

Deadline

No deadline

Effort

30–60 min

Gilman-McCain Scholarship

Amount

$5k

Deadline

30 days

Effort

30–60 min

Vermont John H. Chafee Education and Training Scholarship

Amount

$5k

Deadline

8 days

Effort

30–60 min

Media Fellows Scholarship

Amount

$5k

Deadline

145 days

Effort

60+ min

Women With Promise Scholarship Program

Amount

$5k

Deadline

No deadline

Effort

60+ min

Neysa Fanwick Memorial Scholarship

Amount

$5k

Deadline

35 days

Effort

60+ min

Colorado Second Chance Scholarship Program

Amount

$5k

Deadline

No deadline

Effort

30–60 min

Sharon Stephens Brehm Undergraduate Psychology Scholarships

Amount

$5k

Deadline

157 days

Effort

60+ min

Gilman Scholarship Program

Amount

$5k

Deadline

30 days

Effort

30–60 min

Chafee Education and Training Voucher Program

Amount

$5k

Deadline

No deadline

Effort

15–30 min

Pinnacol Foundation Scholarship

Amount

$5k

Deadline

12 days

Effort

60+ min

Career and Technical Training (CTT) Scholarship

Amount

$4k

Deadline

No deadline

Effort

15–30 min

2026 Chao Family Foundation Scholarship Program

Amount

$4k

Deadline

76 days

Effort

30–60 min

Mesothelioma.com Scholarship

Amount

$4k

Deadline

56 days

Effort

30–60 min

Candace Mast Veterinary Medicine Scholarship Fund

Amount

$4k

Deadline

40 days

Effort

30–60 min

TechForce Foundation Scholarships

Amount

$3.5k

Deadline

No deadline

Effort

15–30 min

Murphy Scholar

Amount

$3.5k

Deadline

240 days

Effort

60+ min

Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society Education Assistance

Amount

$3k

Deadline

73 days

Effort

30–60 min

American Indian Endowed Scholarship

Amount

$3k

Deadline

27 days

Effort

30–60 min

Jewish Community Foundation College Scholarships

Amount

$3k

Deadline

101 days

Effort

30–60 min

Emily Lester Vermont Opportunity Scholarship

Amount

$3k

Deadline

8 days

Effort

30–60 min

PAF's Scholarship for Survivors Undergraduate Scholarship

Amount

$3k

Deadline

30 days

Effort

60+ min

The Herbert Lehman Education Fund Scholarship

Amount

$3k

Deadline

57 days

Effort

30–60 min

Usha and Umesh Gulati Scholarship

Amount

$2.5k

Deadline

34 days

Effort

30–60 min

Cathay Bank Foundation Scholarship Program

Amount

$2.5k

Deadline

76 days

Effort

30–60 min

Brian Thiele Memorial Scholarship

Amount

$2.5k

Deadline

26 days

Effort

15–30 min

Spenser F. Powell Memorial Law Scholarship Fund

Amount

$2.5k

Deadline

40 days

Effort

30–60 min

Cummins First Generation Women of Color

Amount

$2.5k

Deadline

No deadline

Effort

15–30 min

ASABE Foundation Engineering Scholarship

Amount

$2k

Deadline

40 days

Effort

30–60 min

Aspire Scholarship

Amount

$2k

Deadline

55 days

Effort

15–30 min

JCCC Scholarships

Amount

$2k

Deadline

57 days

Effort

30–60 min

Finish Line Scholars Program

Amount

$2k

Deadline

No deadline

Effort

15–30 min

Maryland Resident Success Grant

Amount

$1.5k

Deadline

No deadline

Effort

<15 min

NWCA, Inc. Members Scholarship

Amount

$1.5k

Deadline

56 days

Effort

15–30 min

EFWA Graduate Scholarship

Amount

$1.5k

Deadline

No deadline

Effort

<15 min

AMBUCS Scholarships for Therapists

Amount

$1.5k

Deadline

57 days

Effort

30–60 min

Amery Woman's Club Scholarship for Non-Traditional Female Students

Amount

$1k

Deadline

115 days

Effort

30–60 min

Kappa Alpha Theta Foundation Scholarship

Amount

$1k

Deadline

29 days

Effort

30–60 min

180 Medical Scholarship Program

Amount

$1k

Deadline

118 days

Effort

15–30 min

Community Foundation of Hancock County Non-Traditional Scholarships

Amount

$1k

Deadline

No deadline

Effort

15–30 min

American Dream Scholarship

Amount

$1k

Deadline

55 days

Effort

15–30 min

Peter and Clare Kalustian Award

Amount

$1k

Deadline

No deadline

Effort

15–30 min

Educating for Change Scholarship

Amount

$1k

Deadline

118 days

Effort

15–30 min

Coudret Trust Scholarship

Amount

$1k

Deadline

No deadline

Effort

60+ min

The Husband & Wife Law Team Scholarship

Amount

$1k

Deadline

No deadline

Effort

15–30 min

Get Educated Online College Scholarship Program

Amount

$1k

Deadline

40 days

Effort

60+ min

2026 Royal Business Bank Scholarship Program

Amount

$1k

Deadline

76 days

Effort

30–60 min

The Vegetarian Charity Grant

Amount

$700

Deadline

No deadline

Effort

60+ min

Student Emergency Grant

Amount

$615

Deadline

No deadline

Effort

<15 min

Keenan Insurance Scholarships

Amount

$600

Deadline

270 days

Effort

15–30 min

Weber Specialties Company Scholarship

Amount

$500

Deadline

26 days

Effort

15–30 min

Jim Strehlow Scholarship

Amount

$500

Deadline

26 days

Effort

<15 min

Macy’s Emergency Scholarship Fund

Amount

$500

Deadline

No deadline

Effort

30–60 min

Douvas Memorial Scholarship

Amount

$500

Deadline

86 days

Effort

15–30 min

Kick-Start Program

Amount

$250

Deadline

No deadline

Effort

15–30 min

Tips for Applying for Needs Based Aid

To maximize your chances of securing needs based aid, ensure you complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) early, and provide accurate financial information. Check eligibility criteria for each scholarship thoroughly, and gather all necessary documentation to support your application.

Eligibility Requirements

Eligibility for needs based aid varies by scholarship provider, but often includes requirements such as a demonstrated financial need, enrollment status (full-time or part-time), and academic standing. Stay organized and monitor deadlines to ensure a successful application process.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is needs based aid?
Needs based aid refers to financial assistance awarded to students based on their financial circumstances. It helps cover educational expenses for those who might not otherwise afford it.
How is financial need determined?
Financial need is typically calculated based on factors such as family income, household size, and the cost of attendance at the chosen institution.
What types of scholarships fit into needs based aid?
Types of scholarships under needs based aid include federal Pell Grants, institutional scholarships, and many private sector scholarships focused on financial need.
When should I apply for needs based aid scholarships?
It's best to apply for needs based aid scholarships as early as possible. Many scholarships have deadlines that align with FAFSA submissions, so be sure to check individual deadlines.
Can I apply for needs based aid if I don't have a high GPA?
Yes, many needs based aid scholarships focus primarily on financial need rather than academic performance. However, each scholarship has specific criteria; check the eligibility requirements.