We know college is a big investment. Hence, the Siena Guarantee, and of course, the FAFSA. But in addition to Siena aid and federal aid, there are quite a few ways to get additional funding that can actually be pretty fun and thought-provoking. Enter: external scholarships.
Take a look at the ten scholarship opportunities below. It’s not an exhaustive list, but these 10 feel very much in line with the kinds of students who apply to Siena—and they’re also relatively low-lift and unique.
Have fun with ‘em, and good luck!
1. Create-A-Greeting-Card Scholarship
Deadline: March 9, 2021
Award: $10,000
Details: Love to draw, design, or just all around be creative? For the chance to score $10,000 (plus $1,000 for your school!), submit an original photo, artwork or computer graphics for the front of a greeting card. Finalists are chosen by votes!
2. No Essay Required
Deadline: January 31, 2021
Award: $2,000
Details: Open to all high school and college students, this “monthly winner” scholarship can be used toward tuition, housing, books, and more—and you don’t need to write a single word to apply.
3. Fifth Month Scholarship
Deadline: May 31, 2021
Award: $1,500
Details: Aside from May being the fifth month of the year, what makes the number 5 special to you? In 250 words or less, “write a letter to the number five explaining why five is important. Be serious or be funny.” Whatcha got?
4. Delete Cyberbullying
Deadline: June 30, 2021
Award: $1,000
Details: In 500 words or less, answer one of the following two questions: "Why is it important to work to delete cyberbullying?" or "How has cyberbullying personally affected you?"
5. Zombie Apocalypse Scholarship
Deadline: October 31, 2021
Award: $2,000
Details: Put on your post-apocalyptic thinking cap and let the scholarship committee know what your plan is to avoid zombies, where you’d hide, and the top five things you’d utilize to stay alive.
6. Make Me Laugh Scholarship
Deadline: August 31, 2021
Award: $1,500
Details: Put your inner comedian to work and make this scholarship committee LOL with a good joke or funny story. Even something embarrassing—but also hilarious.
7. Shout It Out Scholarship
Deadline: September 30, 2021
Award: $1,500
Details: Have a thought you want to share with the world, or even just a friend? Step away from your TikTok account and let this scholarship committee know what’s on your mind. The “loudest” applicant will grab the $1,500 reward.
8. Flavor of the Month Scholarship
Deadline: July 31, 2021
Award: $1,500
Details: Would you say you’re kinda like vanilla or coconut? Chocolate or peanut butter? Describe which ice cream flavor you relate with and why in 250 words or less. 10/10 a very delicious prompt.
9. The Debt.com Scholarship For Aggressive Scholarship Applicants
Deadline: April 30, 2021 (Deadline resets every two months)
Award: $500
Details: Debt.com wants to reward those of you who can prove you’ve been doing diligent work on the scholarship application front. Come with receipts—forward your confirmation emails, compile everything into a PDF, or paste them into one long email.
10. Superpower Scholarship
Deadline: March 31, 2021
Award: $2,500
Details: From shape-shifting to mind-reading to flying, it’s time to imagine you had superpowers. For this comic book-inspired scholarship submit an online written response to the question: "Which superhero or villain would you want to change places with for a day and why?
We’ve got more ideas where this came from. Connect with our financial aid wizards whenever you’d like to.
