10 Big Money Scholarships with December Deadlines

Winter break is approaching and if you need money for college, utilize that free time applying for scholarships—and not just any scholarships, big money scholarships.

These 10 scholarships have mid- to late-December deadlines, giving you time to craft essays or meet other criteria, complete the applications, and apply. Who doesn’t want free money for college?

Burger King Scholars Program

Amount: Up to $50,000

Description: This program is open to graduating high school seniors who live in the United States, Canada, or Puerto Rico with a cumulative high school GPA of at least 2.5 planning to enroll full-time, without interruption, for the entire 2016-17 academic year at an accredited two- or four-year college, university or vocational-technical school.

Deadline: Dec. 15

Foot Locker Scholar Athletes Program

Amount: $20,000

Description: U.S. students who are currently involved in high school sports, intramural sports, or community-based sports can apply for this scholarship. Applicant must be entering a four-year college in fall 2016 as a freshman pursuing an undergraduate degree.

Deadline: Dec. 17

AXA Achievement Scholarship

Amount: Up to $25,000

Description: This scholarship is open to high school seniors who have demonstrated outstanding achievement in school activities, community service, or in the workplace.

Deadline: Dec. 15

Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award

Amount: Up to $10,000

Description: This award is not just for high school seniors. It is open to vocalists, classical instrumentalists, and composers between the ages of 8 and 18 who have not yet entered college during the 2015-2016 academic year.

Deadline: Dec. 15, 2015

Unigo Scholarship

Amount: $10,000

Description: Another award for younger applicants—at least 14 years of age or older, a legal resident of the 50 United States and currently enrolled (or enroll no later than the fall of 2021) in an accredited post-secondary institution of higher education.

Deadline: Dec. 31

George S. and Stella M. Knight Essay Contest

Amount: Up to $5,000

Description: Open to students who are U.S. citizens or legal aliens who attend a public, parochial, or private high school (including accredited home schools). Application requires an essay related to the American Revolution, the Declaration of Independence, or the framing of the United States Constitution.

Deadline: Dec. 31

Elie Wiesel Prize in Ethics Essay Contest

Amount: Up to $5,000

Description: Contest is open to registered undergraduate full-time juniors and seniors at accredited four-year colleges and universities in the United States. An essay on a given topic related to an ethical issue is required with the application.

Deadline: Dec. 14

Dietspotlight.com Scholarship Program

Amount: Up to $3,000

Description: Scholarship is open to legal residents of the United States who are 13 years of age or older and currently enrolled in a U.S., accredited, post-secondary institution of higher learning. Requires an essay on a given topic related to obesity.

Deadline: Dec. 31

ShirtSpace Biannual Scholarship

Amount: $2,500

Description: Open to legal residents of the United States who are 13 years of age or older and currently (or have been accepted to enroll) in an accredited post-secondary institution of higher learning. An essay on a given topic related to the vital roles art and design employed in the digital age must be submitted with the application.

Deadline: Dec. 31

Savvy Saver Scholarship

Amount: $2,500

Description: This scholarship is open to U.S. citizens and permanent residents who are at least 18 years of age and attending an accredited two or four-year college or university in the United States. Application requires a tweet about the best way to save money as a college student as well as an essay explaining the tweet.

Deadline: Dec. 13

And don’t stop with this list. Enter the new year with an added determination to make applying for scholarships a daily, weekly, and monthly goal. Need help with your search?

[Check out this post on our blog: 6 Better Ways to Search for Scholarships]