Last-Minute Scholarships with Upcoming Deadlines (2025): Apply Before It’s Too Late

Time is ticking—but that doesn’t mean your chance at free college funding is gone. If you’ve been busy juggling school, work, or other life responsibilities, don’t panic. There are last-minute scholarships with upcoming deadlines still available for 2025. These scholarships are designed for students who need fast funding for tuition, books, and college expenses.

In this guide, we’ve gathered the top last-minute scholarships with deadlines fast approaching, plus tips on how to apply quickly and stand out, even if you’re short on time.

Why Last-Minute Scholarships Matter

Many students miss out on scholarships simply because they don’t apply. Whether it’s because of procrastination, lack of information, or fear of rejection, they leave money on the table. The truth is, scholarships are still available—even in the final hour.

Here’s why last-minute scholarships are a golden opportunity:

• Less Competition: Fewer applicants mean higher chances of winning.
• Quick Awards: Some offer fast decisions and funding disbursement.
• Flexible Requirements: Many don’t require long essays or perfect GPAs.
• Great for Emergencies: Ideal for students facing sudden financial gaps.

Top Last-Minute Scholarships with Upcoming Deadlines (May–July 2025)

Below is a curated list of scholarships closing soon. Be sure to act fast, as many are awarded on a rolling basis or have limited funds.

$2,000 Nitro College Scholarship

• Deadline: May 31, 2025
• Award: $2,000
• Eligibility: Open to high school seniors and current college students.
• Application: No essay required. Just submit basic information online.
• Apply: Nitro College Scholarship

Courage to Grow Scholarship

• Deadline: May 31, 2025
• Award: $500
• Eligibility: U.S. citizens with a minimum 2.5 GPA.
• Application: Short essay (250 words) on why you deserve the scholarship.
• Apply: couragetogrowscholarship.com

Delete Cyberbullying Scholarship

• Deadline: June 30, 2025
• Award: $1,000
• Eligibility: High school and college students (13+ years).
• Application: Write a 500-word essay on how cyberbullying has affected you or someone else.
• Apply: endcyberbullying.net

DoSomething Easy Scholarships

• Deadline: Rolling through June 2025
• Award: $500–$2,500
• Eligibility: Ages 13–25, worldwide
• Application: Take part in short social impact campaigns. No essays or GPA requirements.
• Apply: dosomething.org

Niche “No Essay” College Scholarship

• Deadline: June 30, 2025
• Award: $2,000
• Eligibility: Open to all students.
• Application: Simple sign-up form.
• Apply: niche.com

SchoolHouse Connection Youth Scholarship

• Deadline: July 1, 2025
• Award: $2,500
• Eligibility: Students who have experienced homelessness.
• Application: Essay, transcript, and a letter of recommendation.
• Apply: schoolhouseconnection.org

Christian Connector Scholarship

• Deadline: July 31, 2025
• Award: $2,500
• Eligibility: High school students planning to attend a Christian college.
• Application: Quick online registration.
• Apply: christianconnector.com

Bonus: Additional Fast Scholarships to Apply For

 Unigo $10K Scholarship

Deadline: June 30, 2025

Award: $10,000

Application: Short essay on a creative prompt.

Cappex Easy College Money Scholarship

Deadline: July 15, 2025

Award: $1,000

Application: Quick online form.

Tallo’s Monthly Scholarships

Deadline: Rolling monthly

Award: $500–$1,000

Application: Create a free Tallo profile.

How to Apply Fast — Even If You’re Running Out of Time

Even if you’re starting at the last minute, you can submit a strong application. Here’s how:

Use a Scholarship Tracker

Keep a spreadsheet or checklist of due dates, requirements, and links.

Set Up Autofill on Your Browser

Autofill can save you hours when filling out forms.

Repurpose Old Essays

Reuse your personal statement or scholarship essays and tailor them to fit different prompts.

Ask for Recommendations ASAP

Reach out to teachers or mentors who already know your strengths.

Avoid Perfectionism

Aim for done, not perfect. Submit quality work, but don’t let perfection slow you down.

Tips to Win Last-Minute Scholarships

Even with limited time, you can still submit a strong application. Here’s how:

Focus on Short & No-Essay Scholarships

These require minimal effort and can be completed in minutes. Prioritize them to maximize your chances.

Reuse Essay Content

If an essay is required, repurpose one you’ve already written. Tweak it to match the prompt and ensure it sounds personal and relevant.

Proofread Fast

Use tools like Grammarly or Hemingway Editor to fix grammar and improve readability instantly.

Get a Quick Recommendation

Ask a teacher, coach, or employer for a general recommendation letter you can use for multiple applications.

Apply in Batches

Set aside an hour or two to apply for multiple scholarships in one go. The momentum helps you stay productive.

Common Mistakes to Avoid in Last-Minute Scholarship Applications

• Missing Deadlines: Set alerts on your phone or calendar.
• Submitting Incomplete Forms: Double-check before you click “submit.”
• Not Following Instructions: Stick to word limits, required formats, and application rules.
• Using AI Without Editing: If you use AI for drafts, rewrite them in your own voice to pass detection and maintain originality.

Scholarships Still Open by Type

Type	Examples	Deadline Range
No Essay	Niche, Nitro, Christian Connector	May–July 2025
Essay-Based	Courage to Grow, Delete Cyberbullying	May–June 2025
Social Impact	DoSomething.org Campaigns	Rolling
Based on Hardship	SchoolHouse Connection	July 1, 2025

What to Do If You Miss a Deadline

If a scholarship just closed, don’t lose hope. You can:

• Bookmark the page and apply next cycle.
• Contact the provider and ask if late submissions are accepted (rare but worth asking).
• Use scholarship search engines to find new opportunities (Fastweb, Cappex, Bold.org, Scholarships.com).

Final Thoughts: Your Last Shot is Still a Big Shot

Even if the clock is ticking, there’s still time to earn free college money. Last-minute scholarships with upcoming deadlines can bridge your financial gap or even cover your full tuition if you act fast. Take 30–60 minutes today to apply. You might win funding that changes your life.

Remember, it’s not too late—it’s just in time.