The Top 10 Easy Scholarships to Apply For in 2025: Less Effort, More Rewards!

Securing a scholarship doesn’t always have to mean long applications, complex essays, and intense competition. Balancing coursework and applying to college can feel like a full-time job already; however, when topped with financial obstacles, it's a nightmare. In 2025, plenty of easy scholarships are available that require minimal effort, some even with no essays. Whether you’re a high school senior or a current undergraduate, we’re here to help you with the easiest scholarship to get for international students and save you the impending legwork while you choose your college.

Top 10 Easy Scholarships to Apply For in 2025

Easy scholarships to apply for in 2025 include scholarships that have an easy application process and come with the least number of applications and eligibility criteria. Some of these easy-to-win scholarships also have no-essay requirements, which, we believe, is an unparalleled joy. Ready to save money on your tuition fees and live your dream life in the best universities in the world? Let’s start scrolling:

1. Burger King James W. McLamore Whopper Scholarship Award

Amount: Up to $60,000
Provider: Burger King Foundation
Grade Level: High school seniors
Eligibility Requirements: Minimum GPA: 2.5 & high school senior graduate/graduating
Application Requirements: Transcript, relevant work experience, list of extracurricular activities, tax return
Deadline: 15 December, 2025

One of the easy scholarships, it was created in honor of James W. McLamore, co-founder of Burger King. The scholarship award hands over more than $7 million per year. These easy scholarships are awarded to deserving high school seniors and Burger King employees and their families to support their academic pursuits. A student has a chance to win up to $60,000 based on their GPA, work experience, extracurricular involvement, financial need, and community service. The scholarship application is straightforward and takes very little time — you only have to list your previous work experience and community involvement.

2. “Be Bold” No Essay Scholarship

Amount: $25,000
Provider: Bold Organisation
Grade Level: Any education level
Eligibility Requirements: Upcoming full-time enrolment
Application Requirements: None
Deadline: 1 March 2025 

The Be Bold No Essay scholarship is one of the easy scholarships for international students with the most daring and distinctive profile. Students who are earnest, determined, and inspiring get these easy-apply scholarships. If you’re someone who takes initiative and seizes opportunities without hesitation, then you have a high chance of winning this scholarship. Plus, you don’t need an essay to apply for it! It is open to students of all education levels, fields of study, and GPA ranges.  

3. Taco Bell Live Más Scholarship

Amount: $25,000
Provider: Taco Bell
Grade Level: High school senior & graduates
Eligibility Requirements:  Full-time enrolment in the future, Age Group: 16 - 26, Not an employee of Taco Bell
Application Requirements: Video essay
Deadline: 8 January, 2025

Fetching the easiest scholarships to get for international students might look like a dream come true. However, sometimes, easy scholarships to apply for come with a little leg work. Taco Bell’s Live Más scholarship is one of the easy scholarships you can apply for that is awarded to passionate individuals who want to be change-makers. Students are judged based on their passion (be it food, art, or tech), impact (turning passion into action), storytelling (authenticity is key), and educational goals (exhibit how your chosen field aligns with personal aspirations). To apply, you must submit a two-minute video demonstrating what drives you and how you plan to make an impact.

4. National GEM Consortium Fellowships

Amount: $16,000 minimum stipend + full tuition and fees 
Provider: The National GEM Consortium
Grade Level: MS and PhD students
Eligibility Requirements: GPA: 2.8, Graduate, Black/African American, Hispanic/Latinx, and Native American, Declared study in engineering or computer science, Adherence to a mandatory summer internship with sponsoring company
Application Requirements: Transcript, resume
Deadline: 14 November, 2025

Next on our list of the top easy scholarships is the National GEM Consortium Fellowships awarded to MS and PhD students. These easy-to-get scholarships offer students exceptional opportunities, granting access to top engineering and science firms and leading universities across the nation. These quick and easy scholarships focus on fields like research and development, product innovation, and advanced technical roles. Additionally, you get valuable exposure to academic career paths with these fellowships. 

5. Amberscholar Scholarship 

Amount: Up to $12,000
Provider: Amber Student
Grade Level: Any
Eligibility Requirements: Students applying to UK, USA, Canada, and Ireland
Application Requirements: SOP, LOA, Marksheets 
Deadline: TBA

Specially curated for students looking forward to a chance to study in the best universities in the UK, USA, Canada, and Ireland. The amber scholarship is one of the easiest scholarships for international students. The amberscholar scholarship is a great initiative as it supports student from diverse culture as it is open for all nationalities. The selection process is simple – it’s all about your idea and how well you present it. You just need to provide a statement of purpose explaining why you deserve the scholarship. You can submit a PPT, a video, or a written SOP. Now in its fourth edition for the September 2025 intake, it just requires acceptance letter from a university in the above-mentioned countries. There’s an insider tip: refer the scholarship to your friends to boost your chances of winning!

6. For A Bright Future Global Scholarship Program

Amount: Up to $10,000
Provider: For A Bright Future Foundation
Grade Level: Underserved students
Eligibility Requirements: GPA: 3.0, Asian American, Black/African American, Hispanic/Latinx, and Native American, & declared field of study in a STEAM-related field 
Application Requirements: Transcript, essay, tax return
Deadline: Closed

As one of the best and easiest scholarships to receive, it helps underserved students with passion and potential to pursue higher education in key fields. Each year, the foundation awards these easy scholarships based on financial need, academic excellence, community involvement, and the applicant’s chosen institution. Some of these easy-apply scholarships include the STEM Scholarship, the Dr. Emma Lerew Scholarship, and the Fintech Innovation Scholarship. To add, this is not among the no-essay scholarships you can immediately apply for, but you will need an essay of 250-300 words. 

7. Harvard University Presidential Public Service Scholarship

Amount: $8,000
Provider: Harvard University
Grade Level: Undergraduate and postgraduate students
Eligibility Requirements: Enrolled or planning for higher studies, good SOP or essay & 30 hours work week commitment
Application Requirements: Transcript & essay
Deadline: 21 March 2025

One of the easy scholarships, it awards grants of $8,000 to 12 to 16 applicants every year, supporting innovative projects that serve the public good. Open to students from Harvard College and Harvard’s graduate and professional schools, the program offers funding for impactful summer initiatives across the US. Fellows of this program get to engage in meaningful work that benefits communities, spanning fields such as education, the arts, government, social services, and human rights. The winners of these easy scholarships to apply for contribute to healthcare improvements, environmental sustainability, and justice system reforms, making a lasting difference in society. The scholarship is awarded basis of your commitment to the work hours and other eligibility criteria.

8. The Earnest Scholarship

Amount: $5,000
Provider: Earnest, LLC
Grade Level: High school seniors and university students
Eligibility Requirements: Enrolled or planning for full-time college/university
Application Requirements: None
Deadline: 31 July 2025

The earnest scholarship is a very recent addition to the organisation's motivations in helping students overcome their financial struggles in education. It is among the quickest and easiest scholarships to win in the year 2025, awarded to students annually through a random drawing. Available for both high schoolers and university students, it offers a fair and accessible opportunity for all eligible applicants, helping them achieve their academic goals. Even a parent or guardian can apply on the student’s behalf to help them win $5,000 for books, tuition, and any other college expenses.

9. Geraldine “Polly” Bednash Scholarship

Amount: $5,000
Provider: American Association of Colleges of Nursing and CastleBranch (AACN)
Grade Level: Any
Eligibility Requirements: GPA: 3.2, enrolled or planning for an AACN member institution, & declared field of study in nursing 
Application Requirements: Essay
Deadline: NA

Named after Dr Polly Bednash, a renowned advocate for nursing education and interprofessional collaboration, it is one of the easy scholarships to earn for international students. Students are selected based on their scholarship and notable impact on nursing, healthcare, higher education, and interprofessional education. Awardees of Geraldine Polly Bednash, one of the easy scholarships, are also invited to share practical insights with deans at the AACN Deans Annual Meeting. 

10. Niche $50,000 "No Essay" Scholarship 

Amount: Up to $50,000
Provider: Niche 
Grade Level: High school and college students
Eligibility Requirements: Legal US citizen or holds a US Visa
Application Requirements: None
Deadline: 1 March 2025

Last on our list of easy scholarships is the Niche No Essay scholarship. Awarding the amount of $50,000, it covers tuition, housing, books, and other college expenses. As the name suggests, it does not require an essay – just a single entry per person. Winners are selected through a random drawing and are notified directly, with an announcement in Niche’s e-newsletter and on the Scholarship Winners page.

Common Eligibility Requirements for International Students to Apply for Easy Scholarships

International students must understand the basic eligibility requirements that most US easy scholarships share before applying. While easy scholarship applications may have simplified application processes, they still maintain certain fundamental eligibility criteria to ensure qualified candidates. Below, we’ve listed the common eligibility requirements to apply for easy scholarships.

1. Language Proficiency: TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE.
2. Academic Standing: GPA, academic transcripts, and standardized test scores like SAT or ACT.
3. Enrolment Status: Acceptance letter from a US university or college and valid student visa.
4. Documentation: Valid passport, updated resume, proof of financial need, and financial statements.
5. Age and Level of Study: Age restrictions, specific degree level, and field of study.

Tips for students applying for easy scholarships

Your journey from doing all the work to getting the scholarship for the college or course of your choice might come with challenges. We have created a list of tips you can follow when you take the task of applying for easy-apply scholarships for international students. These tips for easy scholarships are going to become your friend in need and deed. 

1. Apply Early and Often

The earlier, the better. Many of the easiest scholarships operate on a monthly or quarterly basis, offering you multiple chances to win throughout the year. You must always take your chances with the early bird strategy as many students opt for these easy scholarships. Create a simple spreadsheet to track application deadlines and set calendar reminders. 

2. Signing Up for Emailing-List

Email newsletters are your secret weapon in the hunt for easy-to-win scholarships. Many of the major organizations and educational institutions announce new opportunities first through their mailing lists. So, don’t forget to subscribe to newsletters from your intended colleges and professional organizations.   

3. No Essay Scholarships are Better

If you are willing to seek financial support but don’t have time to go through the long application process, no-essay easy scholarships to apply for are a better option. These opportunities often require simple tasks like filling out a form, answering multiple-choice questions, or participating in a sweepstakes-style drawing. Apply to a mix of essay and no-essay scholarships, but use the time saved from no-essay to apply to more opportunities overall.

Additional Scholarships for International Students 

There is no shortage of ways to overcome financial stress and seek support if you look in the right places. In case the easiest scholarships to apply for are not giving you the expected results, you may try and check out the following scholarships for international students. Below are some of the best scholarships to apply for in 2025 and information to follow if you click on the link:

1. Commonwealth Scholarships
‍2. British Council Scholarships
‍3. Engineering Scholarships: UK
4. Harvard University Scholarships

With this, we come to the end of the list of easy scholarships to apply for in 2025. However, the journey doesn’t end here. You will have to figure out a lot of things, including visa applications, shortlisting of colleges, checking out the best cities you can add to your list of choices, and many other aspects.