In celebration of the TSU Writing Center Open House, located in room 229 at the TSU library, 2nd floor, here are $10,000 worth of scholarships that don’t require a GPA.
You can ask about the following scholarships from Mr. Mike Turner, or just click on the links below to discover their details.
1. Ask about the $5,000 Never Satisfied Scholarship?
Writing Help at the TSU Writing Center for Scholarships
or Any Writing Concern
As a Tennessee State University student or faculty/staff member, if you need help with scholarship applications, essays, or any other writing concern, know that the Writing Center at Tennessee State University is here for you!
Spring 2025 hours are Monday-Friday, 8:00 am-4:00pm and Sunday, 6:00 pm-7:30 pm, 615.963.5102.
Writing assistance is available in person in the Writing Center, relocated to room 229, TSU library, or available online.
If you already have an account, log in and make an appointment.
If you don’t have an account, register for an account by clicking on “Register an Account” next to FIRST VISIT? and schedule your appointment!
For help with any writing concern including resumes, applications, or essays for scholarships or internships, you can sign up for any available writing tutor. This includes brainstorming ideas or creating scripts for videos. For assistance with finding scholarships, sign up for Mr. Turner or Ms. Danley.
Scholars & Dollars available for 99 cents as a Kindle book
Ben Kaplan, who won a little over $90,000 to go to Harvard virtually debt free, has released his new book, Scholars & Dollars: How to Get Admitted, Win Scholarships, and Jump-Start Your Future.
It is available for 99 cents in the Kindle store today, and I have already bought a copy. I don’t own a Kindle; I read it on my phone or my computer using the Kindle app that I downloaded for free.
Exclusive Scholarships Found at Bold.org
Scholarships offered by Bold.org are established by people who wish to commemorate individuals and/or address problems they see in the world. Here are three varied scholarships I discovered administered by Bold.org.
It is good to click on the link to read all the information about each scholarship.
$2,000 Security Insurance Corp. Scholarship, D: Feb 28, 2025
High school seniors or undergraduate students, Latin American background – Hispanic, Latino, or Brazilian; Field of study: Business, finance, or economics degree
From web page:
“This scholarship aims to support the next generation of students so they can be equipped with the knowledge and problem-solving skills they need to tackle the pressing insurance crises affecting our nation.
Any Hispanic, Latino, and/or Brazilian high school senior or four-year undergraduate student who is pursuing a degree in business, finance, or economics may apply for this scholarship opportunity.
To apply, write a short essay in response to one of the prompts below.
1. What importance does insurance and insurance agency have in our everyday life? How does it impact our lives in a positive way? What are the downsides?
2. For the past few years, some states, like Florida, California, and Texas, have been experiencing an exodus of insurance companies from their States due to disasters like hurricanes, floods, and fires. As a result, premiums have increased for the homeowners’ insurance, to the point it becomes unaffordable for some folks, especially retirees, and single parents. What solution do you suggest that would solve the insurance crises in these (and other) states in a way that would be good for the insured, the insurance companies and what can an Insurance agency do in the process? (400–600 words)”
$5,000, $2,500, $1,000 and $500 Lyndsey Scott Coding+ Scholarship, D: April 15, 2025
Major: Computer Science; Education Level: High school senior and undergraduate; Identification: LGBTQIA+, Women, and/or BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color)
From web page:
“The Lyndsey Scott Coding+ Scholarship will support the next generation of multi-faceted computer scientists, with a special focus on coders, by providing financial assistance for their degree. The goal is to uplift a diverse group of students who want to combine computer science with their other passions to pave a unique path towards enriching our world and its technology.
LGBTQIA+, Women, and/or BIPOC students who are majoring in computer science and are also pursuing other interests may apply. To apply, write about your computer science goals, your non-computer science goals, and how you might combine these goals in the future.
Essay Topic: Tell us about your computer science goals, non-computer science goals, and how you might combine these goals in the future. (400–600 words)”
$1,000 Jean Ramirez Scholarship, D: Apr 30, 2025, five winners
High school, undergraduate, and graduate students
From web page:
“To commemorate the legacy of Jean Ramirez, this scholarship seeks to provide financial support to students who are immediate family members that have experienced the loss of a loved one to suicide.
Undergraduate and graduate students who are immediate family members of a suicide victim are eligible to apply. In your application, please answer the following essay question.
Essay Topic: Reflect on your journey as a suicide loss survivor, discussing the challenges you’ve faced, the lessons you’ve learned, and how you’ve found resilience and hope in the face of tragedy. (400–600 words)”
You can browse thousands of exclusive scholarships at Bold.org by state, major, or academic year.
Writing Help at the TSU Writing Center for Scholarships
or Any Writing Concern
As a Tennessee State University student or faculty/staff member, if you need help with scholarship applications, essays, or any other writing concern, know that the Writing Center at Tennessee State University is here for you!
Spring 2025 hours are Monday-Friday, 8:00 am-4:00pm and Sunday, 6:00 pm-7:30 pm, 615.963.5102.
Writing assistance is available in person in the Writing Center, relocated to room 229, TSU library, or available online.
If you already have an account, log in and make an appointment.
If you don’t have an account, register for an account by clicking on “Register an Account” next to FIRST VISIT? and schedule your appointment!
For help with any writing concern including resumes, applications, or essays for scholarships or internships, you can sign up for any available writing tutor. For assistance with finding scholarships, sign up for Mr. Turner or Ms. Danley.
$500 Global Girls in STEM Scholarship, D: Feb 8, 2025, three winners
You are involved with STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math); have non-profit and volunteering experience, high school senior or first-year undergraduate student, underrepresented minority student, and female-identifying
$5,000 Whataburger Feeding Student Success Scholarship, 120 students, D: Feb 14, 2025, or “when 1,000 applications are received—whichever comes first.”
From webpage: “Whataburger is proud to offer $600,000 in scholarships for the 2025-2026 academic year through our Whataburger Feeding Student Success program. This opportunity is available to eligible students across our 16-state footprint, including both our Guests and our Family Members (employees).
120 students will each receive a $5,000 scholarship, which can be used for tuition, books, housing, or other educational expenses. The scholarships are open to students attending any college, university, or not-for-profit vocational school.”
ETS Full-Tuition Presidential Scholarship for HBCUs, D: Mar 17, 2025
From webpage:
“The ETS Presidential Scholarship for HBCU Students offers financial assistance to outstanding students attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Eight scholars (four from a private HBCU and four from a public HBCU) will be selected to receive a full tuition-only need/merit scholarship for the 2025–2026 academic school year.
Here are the key details for the 2025-2026 academic year:
Who is eligible to apply?
Any HBCU student who:
• is enrolled full time as a junior or senior during the 2024–2025 academic school year
• has a current grade point average of 3.5 or higher
• demonstrates leadership abilities
• demonstrates a financial need
• is a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident with valid permanent resident card or passport stamped I-551
Timeline:
Application Portal Opens: January 13, 2025.
Application Deadline: March 17, 2025.
Notification: Scholarship recipients will be notified in June 2025”
$20,000 a year Undergraduate Scholarship Program (UGSP) at the National Institutes of Health, D: Mar 26, 2025
Selected criteria from website:
Up to $20,000 per year for “tuition, educational, and reasonable living expenses. Scholarships are awarded for one year and can be renewed for up to four years.”
“This program is for students from disadvantaged backgrounds who are committed to careers in biomedical, behavioral, and social science research.”
“To apply for UGSP, you must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. In addition, you must:
Be enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a full-time undergraduate student at an accredited four-year college or university.
Have a grade point average of 3.3 or greater on a 4.0-point scale, or rank within the top five percent of your class.
Demonstrate exceptional financial need certified by your undergraduate institution’s financial aid office.
You must also be able to pass a federal background check.”
$2,000 RonranGlee Literary Scholarship, D: June 17, 2025; 5 winners
Close reading scholarship, high school seniors, undergraduate students
Essay topic: “Please select a paragraph of your choosing (provide a copy of the paragraph in your response), preferably from an ancient literature or philosophy book, and write a short essay expounding your understanding of the writer’s underlying meaning of the text.
Avoid summarizations and vague language that wanders from your central thesis that should be stated at the beginning of your essay. (600-2000 words)”
Community Foundation Locator—Here you can put your zip code in and find out if any community foundations near your permanent residence offers scholarships; I found one foundation with a scholarship deadline of March 15, 2025, so I would check.
TMCF/McDonald’s Black and Positively Golden Scholarship ($15,000 for the 2025-2026 academic year)—Opens November 11, 2024-Deadline: April 25, 2025 (11:59 pm EST)
All applicants attending an HBCU with a GPA of 2.7 or higher must upload a professional image in your school logo and/or school colors and answer the following video question (2 mins max): “What unique perspective, passion, or curiosity drives your academic interests? How do you envision it shaping your future as a scholar and leader in your field?”
Regions Riding Forward Scholarship ($8,000) Deadline for Quarter 1 contest: March 31, 2025; there are three more opportunities throughout 2025
More criteria can be found at the link above, including the requirement of a GPA of 2.0 or above (and if no GPA is provided by the school, be in “good standing”) and being a legal US resident of one of the eligible states: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas.
More Scholarships and How to Find More Money to Pay for School Handout in the
Blog post from January 10, 2025
If you wish to find more information about more scholarships and how to find more money to pay for school, go to the January 10, 2025 blog post and download the 18 page handout, “Scholarship and Funding Opportunities for Undergraduate and Graduate School.”
Writing Help at the TSU Writing Center for Scholarships or Any Writing Concern
As a Tennessee State University student or faculty/staff member, if you need help with scholarship applications, essays, or any other writing concern, know that the Writing Center at Tennessee State University is here for you!
Spring 2025 hours are Monday-Friday, 8:00 am-4:00pm and Sunday, 6:00 pm-7:30 pm, 615.963.5102.
Writing assistance is available in person in the Writing Center, relocated to room 229, TSU library, or available online.
If you already have an account, log in and make an appointment.
If you don’t have an account, register for an account by clicking on “Register an Account” next to FIRST VISIT? and schedule your appointment!
For help with any writing concern including resumes, applications, or essays for scholarships or internships, you can sign up for any available writing tutor. For assistance with finding scholarships, sign up for Mr. Turner or Ms. Danley.
You can contact Rhonda Kavan, Writing Center Coordinator at Tennessee State University, at rkavan@tnstate.edu; Michael Turner, Writing Instructor/ Tutor at mjturner@tnstate.edu; Lori Danley, Writing Instructor/Tutor at ldanley@tnstate.edu; and Shiloh Carroll, Writing Instructor/Tutor at scarroll@tnstate.edu.
On Wednesday, January 8, 2025, I gave the following Zoom workshop for the 2025 Writing Hub Bootcamp, “Scholarship and Funding Opportunities for Undergraduate and Graduate School Through Scholarships.”
You will find more than $80,000 worth of scholarships and programs to tap into to fund a more money, less debt college degree.
In this 18-page handout, you can find some of the following opportunities:
How to Prepare for the TSU Foundation scholarships
Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee scholarships, Deadline: Feb 1, 2025
How to Find Other Community Foundations to See If There Are Opportunities Tied to Your Permanent Address
$20,000 Sean Carroll’s Mindscape Big Picture Scholarship, D: Jan 20, 2025, two winners; winners announced Feb 20, 2025; this involves writing an essay.
TMCF/McDonald’s Black and Positively Golden Scholarship ($15,000 for the 2025-2026 academic year)—Opens November 11, 2024-Deadline: April 25, 2025 (11:59 pm EST)
$1,000 CREATIVE. INSPIRED. HAPPY Mid-Career Writing Scholarship, D: Dec 31, 2024, two winners
Selected criteria from webpage:
“The CREATIVE.INSPIRED.HAPPY Mid-Career Writing Scholarship is a scholarship for an aspiring writer not currently in a professional writing career, for use toward furthering their education in writing, such as continuing education or community college courses on writing.
This scholarship is open to aspiring writers in any field, including fiction, poetry, and non-fiction.
To apply, tell us what you love about writing and why you want to further your education in the field.
Essay Topic: What do you love about writing? Why do you want to further your education? (400-600 words)”
Click on the link above for more information (will help you in writing your essay).
$1,100 Joe Giloy “Plan Your Work, Work Your Plan” Scholarship, D: Feb 28, 2025, two winners
Selected criteria from webpage:
“This scholarship aims to support any student who has dreams and a detailed plan on how to pursue and achieve them.
Anybody who is pursuing further education of some kind may apply for this scholarship if they have specific goals and experience in the field they’re pursuing. Eligible candidates includes those pursuing trade school, certifications or graduates who are trying to pay down student loan debt.
To apply, tell us about your goals and your plans for achieving them, including as many details as possible.
Essay Topic: Please describe your goals and the plans you have to reach these goals. Please include details, including the resources necessary, a budget, and thorough thought of all the angles. Resources and timing are important in any plan, as well as consideration of all paths for success. (400–600 words)”
Click on the link above for more information (will help you in writing your essay).
“Success can mean different things for different people; from the pursuit of academic excellence to the realization of personal passions and goals, these diverse interpretations of achievement reflect the perspectives that individuals develop as they navigate their unique journeys.
Regardless of their paths, achievers’ lives are marked by passion, perseverance, and self-education, proving that potential is not limited to the traditional academic route. The common thread is a commitment to improvement and a resilience in the face of challenges and hardships. By embracing diverse avenues for personal growth, anyone can conquer the challenges of life and attain the pinnacle of success.
Any student may apply, whether pursuing a community college or university degree, attending a trade school, or completing a certificate program.
To apply, describe what success looks like to you and how this opportunity will help you achieve it.
Previous winners are encouraged to apply; please include how you have progressed in your program.
Essay topic: Describe what success looks like for you and how this opportunity will help you achieve it. (500–800 words)”
Bold.org administers many more easy scholarships. Click on the link above to discover all the scholarships they administer. You can also choose various categories to limit your search based on education level; major or area of interest; status (is the scholarship open, reviewing entries, or awarded); choose scholarships with no-essay; and sort (by newest, oldest, nearest deadline, farthest deadline, highest amount, or lowest amount)
Choose Highest Amount (in Sort by) and Status (Open) to see what scholarships show up. (That is for a future Scholarship Tigers blog, but you can get a head start on finding those scholarships. We can only feature a few here.)
A Little Experiment
Many times in life we don’t pursue endeavors because we have pre-decided what the outcomes will be. And our imaginations run wild, dreaming up all kinds of negative scenarios about ourselves and the world.
I have discovered that if you conduct little experiments, making a small action toward breaking down your resistance, that you can often persevere and continue. Here is a little experiment: if you are reading this, and it is between Dec 19, 2024-Jan 1, 2025– email Mike Turner at mjturner@tnstate.edu, and we can set up a Zoom session for 10 minutes or so to talk about any of the scholarships above or any part of the process of paying for school without amassing large amounts of debt.
A Little More Difficult But Not Too Difficult Scholarship
$10,000 Sean Carroll’s Mindscape Big Picture Scholarship, D: Dec 31, 2024, two winners
Selected criteria from webpage:
“The Mindscape Big Picture Scholarship was created to provide financial support for those who are looking to pursue higher education to understand how the world works.
This scholarship is open to all students who have a deep curiosity in studying the universe for its own sake—whether that be pursuing studies in physics, philosophy, biology, mathematics, literature, or any other field that seeks better understanding of our existence—and will seek to lift up those from underrepresented communities in those fields, and first-generation college students.
Scholarship recipients will receive $10,000, to be put toward the tuition cost of an undergraduate degree.
Essay Topic: Explain why you think it’s important that we work to better understand the nature of our universe, and what ideas and concepts you hope to employ in order to do so. (400–1500 words)”
I found this scholarship by browsing the database of Bold.org using the highest amount and open as my criteria, any education level.
First, a reminder of some easier scholarships that only require less than 500 words (some only a few sentences). These are often not tied to any GPA. Second, another reminder about the Taco Bell Live Mas Scholarship and the Ted and Holly Robbins Scholarship.
500 Word or Less Scholarships and No GPA requirement
Check the links below to discover them. Some I have posted earlier in 2024.
$25,000, $10,000, and $5,000 Taco Bell Live Mas Scholarship, D: Jan. 8, 2025
Create a 2 minute or less [more than 30 seconds] no larger than 500 MB video about your passion and you might earn this scholarship.
Selected criteria from website:
Ages 16-26, legal resident of the U.S. or the dependent child of an active duty member of the U.S. miliary, no third-party infringement (no company logos on clothing or music heard on the video that is not your own creation, for example)
“Submit a video that addresses these questions:
What is your passion and how are you currently pursuing it or planning to pursue it?
How do you plan to use your passion to make your community, country, and/or world, etc. a better place?
What is your education plan (education program, college, or certificate/degree program) and how will it help you pursue your passion and create positive impact?
Please visit the website above to get more information about what to include (and not include) in your video.
$5,000 Ted and Holly Robbins Scholarship, no GPA requirement
$5,000 Ted and Holly Robbins Scholarship, D: Dec 31, 2024 (deadline extended)
“Scholarships will be awarded to high school seniors based on the most compelling stories — regarding their life story, their intended field of study, career and how they will make an impact on the world. Apply for a $5,000 Scholarship awarded Winter 2025!”
The BMI Foundations Offers Several Programs for Performers and Songwriters
BMI Foundation offers awards and has programs for aspiring songwriters and musicians. Don’t forget to explore opportunities outside of scholarships like these programs.
Here are some programs offered to aspiring songwriters and musicians that the BMI Foundation offers by application.
$20,000 Dolly Parton Songwriters Award (for emerging songwriters), D: Jan 15, 2025
Selected criteria from webpage:
All applicants must be “between the ages of 17 and 24 as of February 15, 2025,” “must be in residence in the United States or its territories,” and “may only submit works that have not been assigned to any major music publisher or major record label.”
“The Dolly Parton Songwriters Award is an annual, nationwide competition open to aspiring songwriters. The awards can be used as a career grant for study, instrument purchase, recording costs, or other professional expenses and are not restricted to tuition costs.” The program “offers $20,000 for up to two of the best original song entries in any of the following genres: Americana, blues, bluegrass, contemporary Christian, country, folk, or roots.”
BMI Future Jazz Master Award (for young jazz composer/performers)
Selected criteria from webpage:
All applicants must be “between the ages of 17 and 24 as of February 15, 2025,” “in residence in the United States or its territories,” and “may only submit works that have not been assigned to any major music publisher or major record label.”
Applicants will submit “audio recordings of three (3) songs featuring the applicant, at least one of which must be of an original work. Applications due January 15, 2025.”
“The BMI Future Jazz Master Award is an annual competition open to young jazz composers and creators. The award was established by Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI) in 2015 in honor of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Jazz Masters Fellowship, a lifetime achievement distinction widely considered to be jazz music’s premier accolade, and pays tribute to the artistic excellence of jazz pioneers while providing crucial support for emerging performers.”
Scholarship Resources for Music Students, including college students, high school seniors, and high school juniors as well as helpful links (more scholarships and opportunities)
ASCAP Foundation Scholarships: “ASCAP Foundation Scholarship programs seek to ensure that opportunities for the study of music are available to students at all levels. Unless otherwise indicated, it is the music faculty at each High School, College or University that selects scholarship recipients for their particular school. The scholarship recipient is not selected by The ASCAP Foundation. Check with the financial aid office at your school to see if an ASCAP Foundation scholarship is available and if you are eligible to apply.”
On the right hand of the website, find Email Tiger Scholars and click on the link. Let us know who you are (if you wish), and what major you are pursuing or hope to pursue. What do you like about the website? How could we improve?
In December, we will try to find scholarships that apply toward your majors in future December posts.
160 Scholarships administered by the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee and Other Scholarship Opportunities
The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee (CFMT) administers 160 different scholarships. The application period opens December 1, 2024, and the deadline for applications is February 1, 2025.
The scholarships have different criteria, so to explore the different scholarships, click here for the Scholarship Showcase.
Some scholarships you might explore (there might be more): Teddy Wilburn Scholarship Fund, Emmett H. Turner Scholarship Fund, Mike and Mary Jean Kruse Scholarship Fund, Nashville Academy of Medicine Alliance Scholarship Fund for Nursing, Steve Thompson Scholarship Fund.
CFMT also administers special requirement scholarships.
On this page, go further down to discover scholarships for middle school students in Metro Nashville; scholarships for middle and high school students of Rutherford, Cannon, DeKalb, and Wilson Counties; scholarships for Father Ryan High School and St. Cecilia Academy; and employer based scholarships, such as CoreCivic, Dollar General, Genesco, Metro Nashville Police, Journeys, Tractor Supply Company, and Healthstream (these scholarships may have different deadlines than the general application of February 1, 2025).
One General Application for CFMT Scholarships, Deadline: Feb 1, 2025
CFMT offers one application for all 160 scholarships, informing you if you are eligible for other scholarships “based on the information in your application.”
Community Foundations all Over America Often Administer Scholarships
Find a Community Foundation Close to You—there are many community foundations across the United States and many administer scholarships. Find out if a community foundation near your permanent residence address does.
Other Scholarship Opportunities
The following scholarships and databases are available to explore. I haven’t had time to write them up, so see what you find.
Found done the page, you will find the link to a Dr. Pepper Tuition Sweepstakes: “Want to Make Your Tuition Dreams Come True? Join Pepper Perks and Enter the Tuition Sweepstakes For The Chance To Win $10k In Tuition.”
Here are two opportunities to be found in this Scholarship Resources handout created by Lori Danley and Mike Turner for the TSU Writing Center.
1. TMCF/McDonald’s Black and Positively Golden Scholarship ($15,000 for the 2025-2026 academic year)—Opens November 11, 2024-Deadline: April 25, 2025 (11:59 pm EST)
All applicants attending an HBCU with a GPA of 2.7 or higher must upload a professional image in your school logo and/or school colors and answer the following video question (2 mins max): “What unique perspective, passion, or curiosity drives your academic interests? How do you envision it shaping your future as a scholar and leader in your field?”
2. Cards Against Humanity Science Ambassador Scholarships ($20,000), Deadline: Dec 16, 2024
Cards Against Humanity Science Ambassador Scholarship
Open to high school seniors and college students. “$20,000 each to five women or non-binary high school seniors or undergraduate students who submit a three-minute educational video on a STEM topic they’re passionate about.”
Find below the PDF handout that includes Scholarship Opportunities and Additional Scholarship Databases:
Tennessee State University Writing Center Scholarship Support
The Writing Center is here for any Tennessee State University student or faculty/staff member who needs help with scholarship applications, essays, or any other writing concern! Writing Center tutors can work with you to help you brainstorm ideas for a scholarship essay, revise and develop your essay, and review your final draft before submitting.
Spring 2024 hours are Monday-Friday, 8:00 am-4:30 pm, and Sunday, 6:00-7:30 pm.
If you already have an account, log in and make an appointment.
If you don’t have an account, register for an account by clicking on “Register for an Account” next to FIRST VISIT? and schedule your appointment!
If you have questions about finding scholarship opportunities or applying for scholarships, contact Lori Danley at ldanley@tnstate.edu or Mike Turner at mjturner@tnstate.edu.
For help with any writing concern including resumes, applications, or essays for scholarships or internships, you can sign up for any available writing tutor.
Scholarship Tigers--Students Helping Each Other Find Money for College 