Applying for scholarships is an important part of the college process, as it helps reduce some of the financial burden associated with higher education. The ideal time to begin applying for scholarships is before December of one’s senior year in high school. It’s important to apply early because many scholarship deadlines fall prior to December and may even have earlier deadlines. Additionally, many scholarship opportunities become available as the year progresses and it’s important to stay up-to-date on these new options. There are a variety of ways to search for scholarships including using online search engines or consulting with college or guidance counselors. It is also helpful to create an organized list of all active scholarship applications, so that you can track their progress and make sure to meet the deadlines. It is never too early to begin your search!
December Scholarships
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Showing 1–25 of 92 results
Ohio Northern University Merit Scholarship
Ohio North University Merit Scholarship awards from $5,000 to $28000 to exceptional students in law school to complete their undergraduate degrees.
OU Academic Achievement Scholarship
The University of Oklahoma awards the OU Academic Achievement Scholarship, ranging from $2,000 to $8,000, to incoming freshmen who possess exceptional academic achievements in Oklahoma pursuing undergraduate studies of choice.
New Hampshire Charitable Foundation Four-Year Scholarship
The New Hampshire Charitable Foundation offers the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation Four-Year Scholarship of up to $7,500 to college students to further their education.
New Hampshire Charitable Foundation Two-Year Scholarship
The New Hampshire Charitable Foundation offers the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation Two-Year Scholarship, ranging from $500 to $3,500 to college students to further their education, annually.
The Advocates Scholarship
The Advocates Injury Attorneys offer the Advocates Scholarship to two college students in the U.S., one each semester to further their education at accredited post-secondary institutions in the U.S.
NACME Scholars (Block Grant) Program
NACME partners with like-minded entities to provide the NACME Scholars (Block Grant) Program of up to $16,000 for high-achieving, underrepresented minority college students pursuing careers in engineering and computer science.
Grow Your Own Teachers
The Grow Your Own Teachers Scholarship is available to a school employee to enable the person to enroll in a teacher preparation program in New Mexico.
Diane McCloskey Memorial Fund
Annually, the Nursing College at Kent State University offers the Diane McCloskey Memorial Fund to support a sophomore student pursuing a nursing degree program and interested in oncology.
UMKC Academic Excellence Award
The University of Missouri-Kansas City annually awards the UMKC Academic Excellence Award to incoming freshmen who are high school graduates from Kansas.
American Nurses Association/OJIN Nursing Scholarship Fund
Kent State University offers the American Nurses Association/OJIN Nursing Scholarship Fund of $2,500 to deserving college sophomore students pursuing an undergraduate degree program in nursing.
District High School Award
The District High School Award of $1,500 is offered to incoming freshmen who are high school graduates from Kansas City Public School District or North Kansas City Schools.
College is Power Scholarship
The College is Power Scholarship offers one U.S. citizen a $1,000- scholarship to go to college.
Courage to Grow Scholarship
Courage To Grow provides a $500 scholarship for high school juniors, seniors, and college students.
Yoost & Crawford Fundamentals of Nursing Scholarship
Kent State University annually awards the Yoost & Crawford Fundamentals of Nursing Scholarship of $500 to a qualified nursing student demonstrating academic excellence in their junior year at the College of Nursing.

Dell Scholarship
The Dell Scholarship pitches itself as "more than just a check", and it's easy to see why. Scholars also receive support throughout their degrees to help them achieve success.
Gordon V. R. Holness Engineering Technology Scholarship
The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers awards one Gordon V.R. Holness Scholarship worth $10,000 for a bachelor’s or associate degree in an HVAC&R profession.
Willis H. Carrier Scholarships
The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers awards two undergraduates the Willis H. Carrier Scholarship worth $10,000 each to complete their engineering degree with a focus on HVAC&R.
Reuben Trane Scholarships
The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers awards three students the Reuben Trane Scholarships valued from $5,000 to $10,000 for their undergraduate studies in engineering.

American Indian Medical Scholarship Program
The NSDA offers the American Indian Medical Scholarship of up to $6,000 to an eligible student studying a healthcare-related field.
ASHRAE James R. Bullock Scholarship
The James R. Bullock Scholarship, administered by the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), offers one $5,000 scholarship to an undergraduate mechanical or architectural engineering student.
ASHRAE Region IV Benny Bootle Scholarship
The ASHRAE Region IV Benny Bootle Scholarship of $5,000 is an annual scholarship for qualified undergraduate pre-engineering, engineering, or architecture students attending a post-secondary educational institution.
ASHRAE Rusty & Debbie Hoffman Family Scholarship
The $5,000- scholarship is for an undergraduate mechanical or architectural engineering student enrolled at or graduated from a school in ASHRAE Region IV (North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia).
Lynn G. Bellenger Engineering Technology Scholarship
The Lynn B. Bellenger Engineering Technology Scholars Program offers a $5,000- scholarship for undergraduate students.
ASHRAE Central New York Chapter King-Traugott Scholarship
ASHRAE offers the ASHRAE Central New York Chapter King-Traugott Scholarship of $3,000 to engineering students interested in the field of heating, ventilation, refrigerating, and air conditioning.
ASHRAE Region I Setty Family Foundation Scholarship
ASHRAE Setty Family Foundation Scholarship annually awards a $3,000- scholarship to an undergraduate student studying mechanical or architectural engineering at a post-secondary educational institution within ASHRAE Region I.
About December Scholarships
Cost of College in December
The cost of college in December can vary greatly depending on the school you choose. However, some schools are more affordable than others. The three most affordable colleges in December include University of California–Los Angeles (UCLA), University of California–Berkeley (UCB) and Santa Monica College (SMC). UCLA has a tuition and fees rate of $12,834 for California residents, UCB charges $13,512 and SMC has a rate of only $1,344. On average, the cost of college in December is slightly higher than during other times of the year due to holiday expenses and other end-of-the-year costs associated with college tuition. However, with some research and comparison shopping, it is possible to find affordable college options in December. This can help make the dream of obtaining a college degree more achievable for many students.
Students should also keep in mind that there are other expenses associated with attending college such as books and living costs. Financial aid may be available to help cover some of these expenses, so it is important to research all of the options available for funding higher education. Additionally, there are many scholarships and grants available that can help defray the costs associated with college tuition. With careful planning and research, students can make college more affordable in December.
Best 12 scholarships with December deadlines
There are more than 94 scholarships available in December – so we narrowed the list down to the 12 top ones. These are open to students across the country and have few application requirements.
Scholarship | Award Amount |
---|---|
Burger King Scholars | $1,000-$50,000 |
SMART Scholarship for Service | $25,000-$30,000 |
AWWA Abel Wolman Fellowship | $30,000 |
Daniel B. Goldberg Scholarship | $20,000 |
Woodward Scholars | $4,000-$16,000 |
Oracle Corporate Scholars | $10,000 |
Willis H. Carrier Scholarship | $10,000 |
Gordon V.R. Holness Engineering Technology Scholarship | $10,000 |
Stephen J. Brady Stop Hunger Scholarship | $5,000-$10,000 |
Reuben Trane Scholarship | $5,000-$10,000 |
Lynn G. Bellenger Engineering Technology Scholarship | $5,000 |
James R. Bullock Scholarship | $5,000 |
December scholarships for college students 2023
December is a perfect time for college students to apply for scholarships because it marks a new academic year. This means that there are more scholarship opportunities available and some may even have earlier deadlines than other times of the year. Plus, since many organizations offer their scholarships at this time, you will be able to compare different scholarship options side-by-side to more easily find the one that is the best fit for you. Furthermore, starting the scholarship search early can help you avoid feeling rushed or overwhelmed if they wait until later in the year. Applying for scholarships during December gives you an opportunity to plan your college funding strategy and begin your journey towards earning the degree you want.
December scholarships for high school seniors 2023
If you are a graduating high school senior, applying for college scholarships in December is best. You are now done with the first semester of your senior year and are likely more focused. Make use of your winter break and apply for scholarships during this time to get an edge against other applicants, increasing the chances of being selected as a recipient. Furthermore, it is beneficial to get these applications out of the way early in order to focus on college and career plans later in the year. Applying in December can also be a great way to start off the new year with positive news, as many scholarship notifications are received in January or early February. High school seniors should take advantage of this opportunity to make their college dreams a reality.
Tips for WInning Scholarships in December
1. Start Early: It’s never too early to start planning for scholarships in December. Begin researching scholarship opportunities as soon as possible and create a timeline of when applications will open, deadlines, and any other important information associated with the scholarship opportunity. Starting early can help you stay organized, submit your best application, and increase your chances of winning a scholarship.
2. Set Goals: Setting clear goals can help you stay motivated and focused throughout the process of applying for scholarships in December. Break down your goal into smaller, achievable tasks such as researching scholarship opportunities, filling out applications, requesting letters of recommendation, and writing essays. This will help keep you on track to reach your goal of securing a scholarship.
3. Utilize Resources: There are many resources available to help you find and apply for scholarships in December. Take advantage of online search engines, websites, books, and school or community resources that can provide helpful information about scholarships specific to your background, interests, or career goals. Additionally, consider seeking guidance from counselors, mentors, or family members who may have experience applying for scholarships.
Frequently asked questions
Are there any December scholarships for high school seniors?
There are about 18 scholarships for high school seniors with December deadlines. There are 4 that are full-ride scholarships available for high school seniors too – the Science Ambassador Scholarship, First Year Engineering Scholarship, Presidential Scholarship New Mexico Scholarship, and Burger King Scholars. If you’re interested in pursuing engineering, there are at least 29 scholarships available such as the Oracle Corporate Scholars Program, Generation Google Scholarship (North America), and National Space Club Keynote Scholarships.
Which semester ends in December?
The fall semester starts around August and ends in December. The winter break lasts from December to late January. Spring semester then starts. The academic year starts with the fall semester, it’s the first semester of the year.
When can I use scholarships with December deadlines?
Many of the December scholarships are for the next fall semester. They will use the two months after the deadline to evaluate applications and select the scholarship recipients. Winning applicants will be notified usually between February and April. Before awards can be disbursed, recipients will often need to confirm their school, declared major, and financial aid status. This is why scholarships for each semester usually open at the beginning of the previous semester.