These 4 Big Scholarships Could Pay Your College Tuition

Imagine heading to college with absolutely no money worries.

Just one college scholarship and you cross that worry off the list and perhaps avoid a fat college loan. Of course, these scholarships are not for the faint of heart. They require some hard work and strong determination, but the end prize will be more than worth your effort. Students who are focused on winning money for college should consider these four opportunities.

Paradigm Challenge

Amount: Up to $100,000

Deadline: May 1, 2016

The Paradigm Challenge is an annual competition that inspires youth innovation to address important social issues. The first annual challenge aims to generate new ideas to prevent injuries and fatalities from home fires. Students compete in three age divisions: ages 7 to 10, ages 11 to 14, and ages 15 to 18

This scholarship competition welcomes all ideas, including posters, videos, inventions, messages, community events, websites, mobile apps or anything else that will help save lives.

The winners will be selected by a panel of judges who evaluate entries based on effectiveness, feasibility, originality, presentation, and collaboration. Members of the public will also vote for their favorite finalist from May 11 to May 25, 2016.

Google Global Science Fair
Amount: Up to $50,000
Deadline: May 18, 2016

Google has partnered with LEGO Education, National Geographic, Scientific American and Virgin Galactic to offer some unbelievable awards. The grand prize winner will be awarded $50,000.

If your Science Fair submission is something you built to solve an engineering challenge, you’ll be eligible to win the Virgin Galactic Pioneer Award or the LEGO® Education Builder Award. If your project offers a new way to look at the world, asking questions and answering them with experimentation, you’ll be eligible to win the National Geographic Explorer Award or Scientific American Innovator Award.

The 16 global finalists, along with a parent or guardian, will travel to Google headquarters in Mountain View, Calif., to present their project to the judges and compete for the awards.

Live Más Scholarship

Amount: Up to $25,000

Deadline: May 27, 2016

The Live Más Scholarship is not based on your grades or how well you play sports. No essays, no test scores, no right or wrong answers. Taco Bell is looking for the next generation of innovators, creators and dreamers.

Applicants must create and submit a two-minute-or-less- video that tells the story of your life’s passion. It could be a short film, animation or just a simple testimonial. This is not about how well you can make a film,Taco Bell just wants you to show off your talents and explain why you should be considered for a Live Más Scholarship.

Cameron Impact Scholarship

Amount: Up to $50,000
Deadline: May 27, 2016

The Cameron Impact Scholarship is awarded annually to approximately 10 to15 high-school seniors (applying late junior year or early senior year in high school). This four-year, merit-based scholarship is intended to cover the full “educational expenses” at the recipient’s chosen collegiate institution, estimated at $20,000 to $50,000 per year. The scholarship is intended to cover tuition, fees, course-related expenses, books, supplies and equipment.

The criterion for the scholarship is broad. There are countless ways to make a positive impact in many professional careers: finance, education, healthcare, technology, military, legal, sports, engineering and art to name a few.

The applicant must have the following criteria: a minimum GPA of 3.7, be a current high school junior or senior, excel in a broad variety of extracurricular activities, be a motivated leader, and demonstrate an active role in community service. An online application is required, along with letters of recommendation and a transcript.

As I said, these are not “easy” scholarship competitions and will most likely have hundreds, if not thousands of applicants.

You need to be able to stand out, set yourself apart from the rest, and demonstrate unique abilities.

But the old adage holds true with these scholarship opportunities: Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

[Looking for more great content from the TeenLife Experts? Here's what to do when your college financial aid letter stinks!]