October 2025 Scholarships

This month’s scholarship and contest opportunities are available for students from kindergarten through college. It’s never too early to start saving money for higher education expenses. And, the great thing about contests is that often the money is not tied to college, so it could be used to defray the costs of college credit in high school!

Scholarship search engines are easy enough to find. But what is each one like? Which are worth the time? In an effort to help you sort through the myriad of these sites, I am highlighting one each month. Last month I reviewed Unigo.com. This month, I would like to spotlight MoolahSPOT.com. If desired, you can create an account, or you can search without creating an account. An advantage to creating an account is that all of your profile choices are saved, and you can choose to have them send a monthly list of scholarships that match the profile. They have a search box where you can type in a specific search, for example: “Scholarships for women engineering students.” To complete the search, various questions, beyond basic information like DOB and gender, can be answered to help filter scholarships. Some of the items asked include: heritage, religious affiliations, disabilities, college they may attend, college status, future career possibilities, sports, interests, special circumstances. Many of these fields allow for multiple submissions.

I created a search using my son’s information (11^th grader with aspirations to become a pilot). I received about 20-25 results, however, most were scholarships that anyone could apply for, and many were ‘lottery’ style, no essay scholarships. When I changed the parameters, and put a female, adopted, student looking at education or auto mechanics, it generated over 80 scholarship matches. Here are several found through MoolahSpot with October deadlines:

Scholarships found from other sites (jlvcollegecouseling, AI copilot search, The Scholarship System):

#100for100 Scholarship
Sponsor: DoSomething
Amount: $1,000.00
Closing Date: October 1, 2025
Description: Did you know that from Memorial Day to Labor Day the roads get way more dangerous for teens? It’s called the 100 Deadliest Days—and during this time, teen crash rates go way up. Pledge to drive distraction-free by downloading the Safe Summer Driving Kit, choosing a favorite safety tip (glove-box phone stash, Do Not Disturb mode, passenger DJ…), and recording your very own 30 second road-safety PSA and pledge to share with your crew.

Community Service Scholarship
Sponsor: Anidjar & Levine
Amount: $2,500.00
Closing Date: October 1, 2025
Description: Scholarship is open to current college students with at least a 3.0 who have a history of serving their community in a volunteer role. Applicant must submit an essay on a given topic related to community service or leadership.

ConnectHer Film Festival Scholarship
Sponsor: ConnectHer Film Festival
Amount: $2,500.00
Closing Date: October 1, 2025
Description: Scholarship is open to middle school and high school students, as well as college undergraduates who are under the age of 25. Applicant must submit a 3-6 minute short film that raises awareness about critical issues affecting women and girls around the world OR propose solutions to critical challenges faced by women.

Price It Here, Inc. Scholarship Program
Sponsor: Price It Here, Inc.
Amount: $1,000.00
Closing Date: October 1, 2025
Description: Scholarship is open to full-time U.S. undergraduate students who are actively pursuing a degree in marketing, business management, sales or a related field. Applicant must have at least a 3.5 GPA. Student must submit an essay on given topics related to technology and business.

Rosy Salon Software Scholarship
Sponsor: Professional Beauty Association
Amount: $250.00
Closing Date: October 1, 2025
Description: Scholarship is open to students currently enrolled in a cosmetology, barber or esthetics program in the U.S. or Canada resulting in a cosmetology, barber or esthetics license. At least half of the scholarships will be awarded to minority students.

What Do You Want To Be When You Grow Up Annual Art Contest
Sponsor: Nvigate
Amount: Up to $1,000
Closing Date: October 3, 2025
Description: Contest is open to students attending a public, private, religious, charter or home school located within the State of Nevada and who are enrolled in Pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten, or 1st through 12th grades. Applicant must submit a piece of art on the prompt: “What do you want to be when you grow up?”

AES Engineering Scholarship
Sponsor: AES Engineering
Amount: $500.00
Closing Date: October 8, 2025
Description: Scholarship is open to high school seniors and current college students. Applicant must submit an essay on a given topic related to a successful life. Scholarship is open to all majors.

Fight Against Domestic Violence Scholarship
Sponsor: Attorney John T. Fields Family Law Attorney
Amount: $2,000.00
Closing Date: October 8, 2025
Description: Scholarship is open to students enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program at a U.S. college or university. The student must have been impacted by domestic violence that was committed against them or a family member, or they must have a substantial interest in providing solutions to prevent domestic violence in the United States.

AmericanMuscle Automotive Scholarships
Sponsor: AmericanMuscle
Amount: $2,500.00
Closing Date: October 15, 2025
Description: Scholarship is open to high school seniors and current college students who are pursuing an automotive degree or related field of study.

AmericanTrucks Student Scholarships
Sponsor: AmericanTrucks
Amount: $2,000.00
Closing Date: October 15, 2025
Description: Scholarship is open to graduating high school seniors and students currently enrolled full-time in an accredited United States technical institute, secondary votech or tuition bearing apprenticeship program in he traditional building trades (e.g. carpentry, HVAC, electrical or related fields of study.

Bill Kane Undergraduate Scholarship
Sponsor: Society of Health and Physical Educators (SHAPE)
Amount: $1,000.00
Closing Date: October 15, 2025
Description: Scholarship is open to undergraduate health education majors who attend an accredited college/university in the United States or a U.S. territory.

ExtremeTerrain’s Student Scholarship
Sponsor: ExtremeTerrain
Amount: $2,500.00
Closing Date: October 15, 2025
Description: Scholarship is open to students who are/will be pursuing a degree in Environmental Studies, Environmental Research, Land Use, Earth & Atmosphere Studies, Sustainable Land Management, Parks and Recreation, or Sustainable Agriculture Systems during the spring term.

Going Abroad Scholarship
Sponsor: Going
Amount: $1,500.00
Closing Date: October 15, 2025
Description: Scholarship is open to current undergraduate and graduate students in the United States who will be studying abroad.

NSCA Foundation Scholarships
Sponsor: National Strength & Conditioning Association (NSCA) Foundation
Amount: $2,000.00
Closing Date: October 15, 2025
Description: Scholarships are open to high school seniors and college students who are or will be pursuing careers in strength and conditioning. The foundation offers multiple scholarships.

Pretty Photoshop Actions Scholarship Program
Sponsor: Pretty Photoshop Actions
Amount: $500.00
Closing Date: October 15, 2025
Description: Scholarship is open to high school seniors and current college students in the United States or Canada. Applicant must submit an essay on a topic related to Photoshop.

Ruth Abernathy Presidential Scholarship
Sponsor: Society of Health and Physical Educators (SHAPE)
Amount: Up to $1,750
Closing Date: October 15, 2025
Description: Scholarship is open to undergraduate and graduate students majoring in a field related to one of the disciplines represented by SHAPE (health education, physical education, physical activity, dance, sport).

Stantec Equity & Diversity Scholarship
Sponsor: Stantec
Amount: Up to $10,000
Closing Date: October 15, 2025
Description: Award is open to students enrolled in a college, university, or post-secondary institution in the 2026-27 academic year in pursuit of an undergraduate degree or Technical/Vocational degree. Applicant must be pursuing a STEAM major, as well as education majors planning to teach STEM.

Women in Aviation International Scholarships
Sponsor: Women in Aviation International
Amount: Varies
Closing Date: October 15, 2025
Description: Scholarships are open to current college students who are studying aviation (or a related field) and who are members of Women in Aviation International. While some scholarships require applicants to be women, there are some scholarships open to both women and men.

Prevounce Preventive Health Scholarship
Sponsor: Prevounce Preventive Health
Amount: Up to $3,000
Closing Date: October 17, 2025
Description: Scholarship is open to current undergraduate and graduate students pursuing a career in healthcare or a health related field.

Sustainability Essay Contest
Sponsor: Graitec
Amount: Up to $1,500
Closing Date: October 17, 2025
Description: Contest is open to students in their last two years of high school. Young innovators should share their ability to grasp sustainability in the construction industry.

Marching Band Scholarships
Sponsor: Music for All
Amount: Up to $2,000
Closing Date: October 21, 2025
Description: Scholarship is open to graduating high school seniors who participate in marching band. Applicant must be nominated by the directors of bands performing at a Bands of America Regional, Super Regional, or Grand National Championship.

Steel Intern Scholarships
Sponsor: Association for Iron & Steel Technology
Amount: Varies
Closing Date: October 26, 2025
Description: Scholarship is open to students enrolled full-time in a four-year undergraduate program at an accredited North American university. Applicant must be majoring in engineering/engineering technology majors and have at least a 2.5 GPA.

Congressional App Challenge
Sponsor: Internet Education Foundation
Amount: Varies
Closing Date: October 30, 2025
Description: Challenge is open to U.S. students in middle school or high school who live in a Congressional district that is participating (check website for details). Applicant must create any type of app they like on any platform they like.

U.S. Bank Scholarship Program
Sponsor: U.S. Bank
Amount: Up to $20,000
Closing Date: October 30, 2025
Description: Scholarship is open to legal residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia who is at least 16 years of age or older and are enrolled as a current undergraduate student as of September 1, 2026. Applicant must complete financial lessons to be entered.

International High School Essay Contest
Sponsor: Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
Amount: Up to $5,000
Closing Date: October 31, 2025
Description: Scholarship is open to college-bound high school seniors. Applicant must submit an essay on the following prompt: “In a world powered by artificial intelligence, what does it mean to lead with integrity and purpose?”

Patriot’s Pen Competition
Sponsor: Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States
Amount: Up to $5,000
Closing Date: October 31, 2025
Description: Competition is open to students in grades 6-8 in the United States, its territories and its possessions. Applicant must submit an essay on the following theme: “How Are You Showing Patriotism and Support for Our Country?

PinkRose Foundation Scholarship
Sponsor: The PinkRose Foundation, Inc.
Amount: $1,000.00
Closing Date: October 31, 2025
Description: Scholarship is open to individuals who are legal residents of the United States of America and under the age of 25 who have lost a parent or legal guardian to breast cancer. Applicant must have a high school diploma or equivalent and must be pursuing post-secondary education or certificate training.

St. Pierre Alliance Resiliency Scholarship
Sponsor: The St. Pierre Alliance
Amount: At least $1,000
Closing Date: October 31, 2025
Description: Scholarship is open to graduating high school seniors and college students enrolled in an Associates degree program, Bachelor’s degree program, or technical degree program. Applicant must have at least a 3.0 GPA and have overcome an adversity or challenge in life.

Video Contest Scholarship for Creative Students
Sponsor: IvyPanda
Amount: Up to $1,000
Closing Date: October 31, 2025
Description: Scholarship is open to current high school, college, and university students worldwide. Applicant must submit a video on a given topic related to ChatGPT, AI, or tips for creating a productive study environment.

Voice of Democracy Scholarship Competition
Sponsor: Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States
Amount: Up to $35,000
Closing Date: October 31, 2025
Description: Program is open to students in grades 9-12 who are enrolled in a public, private or parochial high school or home study program in the United States, its territories and possessions. Applicant must submit a 3-5 minute essay on this year’s theme: “How Are You Showing Patriotism and Support for Our Country?”

Zombie Apocalypse Scholarship
Sponsor: Unigo
Amount: $2,000.00
Closing Date: October 31, 2025
Description: Scholarship is open to students 14 years of age or older who are legal residents of the 50 United States or the District of Columbia who are currently enrolled (or plan to enroll in the future) in an accredited post-secondary institution of higher education. Applicant will need to submit a short response to a given prompt related to zombies.