May Scholarships: 42 to Help Students Pay for College
College scholarships due in May
All the May scholarships broke students need to know about this month!
Related: 47 College Scholarships Due in April
Along with flowers, May also brings the end of spring.
Warmer weather and sunnier days are ahead, which is why applying for scholarships now is imperative. Well, only if you want to have more free time to enjoy the summer months that is.
Plus even if you aren’t taking any summer classes, fall will be here before you know it!
In this post you’ll find a list of scholarships with May deadlines in 2023.
Not a college student yet? These are the best May scholarships for high school seniors.
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May Scholarships
- Deadline: May 1st
- Award: $10,000
Eligibility: Must be 13+ and a legal resident of the 50 U.S. or D.C.
Submit: Short online form. (no essay)
- Deadline: May 1st
- Award: $2,500
Eligibility: Applicant must be African-American and plan to attend a U.S. two-year community college or four-year college.
Submit: 250 – 500 word essay, 1 letter of recommendation from a teacher/principal/counselor, a copy of your high school transcript, and a head shot photo.
- Deadline: May 1st
- Award: $1,000
Eligibility: All applicants must be currently enrolled, or due to be enrolled, as a full-time student at an accredited US college or university for the semester that they are applying to receive the scholarship.
Submit: Copy of your school transcript and 500 word essay.
- Deadline: May 1st
- Award: $500 – $5,000
Eligibility: Open to sophomore through graduate-level college students pursuing degrees in floriculture and horticultural fields only. Multiple awards available with varying requirements.
Submit: Online application, 2 letters or recommendation, resume, and transcripts.
- Deadline: May 1st
- Award: $1,000
Eligibility: Open to students who are passionate about gaming and ready to turn their hobby into a lucrative profession. All students interested in attending William Peace University are eligible to apply for this scholarship.
Submit: N/A
- Deadline: May 1st
- Award: $1,000
Eligibility: Must be a current high school senior; or be transitioning from high school to a college or university; or be already enrolled as an undergraduate in a college or university inside the United States or Canada.
Submit: 800 – 100 word essay and a head shot photo of yourself.
- Deadline: May 1st
- Award: $9,650
Eligibility: Open to minority and BIPOC service workers in the coffee and food industry who have balanced education with the demands of a day job.
Submit: 150 – 1000 word essay on your story and why you’d be a good candidate.
- Deadline: May 1st
- Award: $1,000
Eligibility: Must be enrolled or accepted in an accredited U.S. undergraduate or graduate program with a GPA of 3.0+ and have performed an act of kindness for another person.
Submit: 750 – 1000 word essay.
- Deadline: May 1st
- Award: $2,500
Eligibility: Any female-identifying undergraduate or graduate student at an accredited US institution who is pursuing a STEM-related field may apply for this scholarship.
Submit: 400 – 600 word essay.
- Deadline: May 2nd
- Award: $3,000
Eligibility: Incoming and current undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in an accredited college or university during the fall 2023 semester are eligible to apply. Applicants must be legal residents of the United States and at least 16 years old.
Submit: Completed online form and a 500 – 800 word essay.
- Deadline: May 5th
- Award: $1,000
Eligibility: Open to any college-bound teen in grades 9th-12th.
Submit: A short online form.
- Deadline: May 5th
- Award: $5,000
Eligibility: Any BIPOC high school senior or undergraduate student pursuing a STEM degree may apply for this scholarship.First-generation students are preferred.
Submit: 400 – 600 word essay.
- Deadline: May 6th
- Award: $5,000
Eligibility: Applicants must be an African American or Hispanic student, have a minimum 3.0 unweighted grade point average, have been accepted as a full-time student at a four-year institution of higher education, and pursuing a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM).
Submit: Online application.
- Deadline: May 10th
- Award: $1,000
Eligibility: Any low-income student who is passionate about helping their community may apply for this scholarship.
Submit: 400 – 600 word essay.
- Deadline: May 13th
- Award: $5,000 per semester
Eligibility: Applicants must have been adopted or exited foster care to permanent guardianship at or after the age of thirteen (13) and be incoming college freshmen under the age of twenty (20). 2.5 GPA or higher.
Submit: Completed application that includes four short answer/essays, 3 letters of recommendation, copy of your Student Aid Report (FAFSA), copy of your adoption or legal guardianship paperwork, most recent high school transcript and a copy of first semester’s grades.
- Deadline: May 14th
- Award: $3,000
Eligibility: Open to youth environmental change leaders ages 13 to 22 (as of May 14, 2023) living in North America (including Mexico, Canada, some Caribbean Islands) and US “Territories”.
Submit: An online application and a photograph of yourself.
- Deadline: May 15th
- Award: $1,000
Eligibility: Open to graduating high school seniors who will entering college to study Fine & Performing Arts.
Submit: Short video (3 minutes) or sample of your highlighted performances or artwork, resume of your musical, theatre, art, or chorus background, up to 3 letters of reference, and a copy of the acceptance letter from the college you will be attending in the fall.
- Deadline: May 15th
- Award: Varies
Eligibility: Candidates must be female, U.S. citizens or permanent residents, be at least 20 years of age, have a high school diploma or GED, and be a resident of Delaware OR be currently employed in Delaware for at least the past 12 months.
Submit: Completed application, official transcript, 1 letter of recommendation, 2 references, and a personal statement.
- Deadline: May 15th
- Award: $1,500
Eligibility: Must be an existing college student or incoming freshman (to be enrolled in the Fall of 2023 in good academic standing) and attending any 2 year or 4 year accredited college or university as a full-time student.
Submit: 1000 word essay on why aging matters to the applicant.
- Deadline: May 15th
- Award: $500
Eligibility: Open to high school seniors who have a 3.0 GPA or higher. Must be planning on attending an accredited United States college or university in 2023.
Submit: 250 word essay.
- Deadline: May 15th
- Award: $1,000 – $5,000
Eligibility: Open to women who are pursuing a PhD degree in accounting.
Submit: Online application, current curriculum vitae, official transcript, 2 letters of reference, statement of personal career goals, copy of any cases or materials you have developed (either single- or co-authored), and copy of the abstract and citations of articles published and/or presented at academic conferences.
- Deadline: May 16th
- Award: $1,000
Eligibility: Must be pursuing a graduate degree in the social sciences (economics preferred but not required). Minimum GPA: 3.0. Preference for Asian heritage, though not required.
Submit: Completed application by mail, 4 short essays (150 – 500 words each), most recent transcripts (unofficial okay), resume, and 2 letters of recommendation.
- Deadline: May 18th
- Award: $5,000
Eligibility: Open to all students at any education level.
Submit: 400 – 600 word essay.
- Deadline: May 20th
- Award: $500
Eligibility: Open to any high school or college student within the U.S. or Canada with a cumulative GPA of 3.0+.
Submit: Online application, letter of recommendation, self-photo, and an essay describing the goal of the particular project and provide supporting documentation (no min or max word/page count).
- Deadline: May 27th
- Award: $2,500
Eligibility: Open to graduating high school seniors who have at least 2 years experience as a swim coach. GPA of 3.0 or higher.
Submit: Completed application, 2 reference letters (1 swimming related), copy of SAT/ACT scores, official high school transcript, and proof of acceptance to college.
- Deadline: May 29th
- Award: $1,000
Eligibility: Applicants must be a U.S. citizen or are lawfully living in the United States and at least 13 years of age on the date of their entry.
Submit: Your email address. Selection is based on the quality of students’ MyMozaic profile.
- Deadline: May 29th
- Award: $3,000
Eligibility: Open to female-identifying undergraduate students pursuing a two or four-year degree and studying STEM.
Submit: 400 – 600 word essay.
- Deadline: May 31st
- Award: $1,000
Eligibility: Must be 13+ and a legal resident of the 50 U.S. or D.C.
Submit: Quick online form and one sentence response to the question: what’s one thing that makes you smile?
- Deadline: May 31st
- Award: up to $20,000
Eligibility: Applications are welcomed from female citizens of all countries who are enrolled in a post-graduate program (Master’s or PhD) in Finance at an accredited university. You must be enrolled and attending the program on a full-time basis during the 2023 – 2024 academic year.
Submit: Online application.
- Deadline: May 31st
- Award: $5,000
Eligibility: Must have a parent/guardian serving in law enforcement, EMS, or the armed forces (i.e. active duty, retired, volunteer, etc.). Open to seniors graduating high school in 2023 or full-time students currently enrolled in an accredited technical school, college, or university in the United States with a minimum 3.0 GPA.
Submit: 500+ word essay, copy of transcript, proof confirming attendance at the accredited institution (high school seniors must include verification of enrollment), and documented proof confirming parent and/or guardian’s military, law enforcement, or first responder status.
- Deadline: May 31st
- Award: $3,500
Eligibility: Must be a minority student in his/her final year of teacher preparations, which includes student teaching.
Submit: Completed online application, copy of your transcript, letter from the Dean of the College of Education or a designated representative and a letter from a character reference.
- Deadline: May 31st
- Award: $10,000
Eligibility: Open to any Native American U.S. citizen that is a member or descendant of a state or federally recognized tribe with at least a 2.0 grade point average, and enrolled as a full-time student.
Submit: Completed online application, tribal affiliation, most recent transcript, and a photo of yourself.
- Deadline: May 31st
- Award: $2,500
Eligibility: Open to undergraduate and graduate students whose intention is to work as scientists, engineers or technicians in the field of mine land reclamation.
Submit: Completed application, transcripts, and 1 letter of recommendation.
- Deadline: May 31st
- Award: $1,000
Eligibility: Applicant must have a GPA of 3.0+ and be enrolled in one of the following areas of study: Insurance/Compliance/Risk Management, Finance/Accounting/Actuarial Science, Business Information, or Information Technology. Open to full-time students and part-time students who are working.
Submit: Completed online application, transcripts, and 1 letter of recommendation.
- Deadline: May 31st
- Award: $1,515
Eligibility: Open to all students and non-students in any stage of life or field of study, the only requirement is that you are moving forward toward something new.
Submit: N/A
- Deadline: May 31st
- Award: $2,500
Eligibility: Open to those who identify as women intending to pursue or working as an early professional in a tech career in game development including: art, animation, programming, and engineering.
Must be a full-time undergraduate student or a graduate student attending an accredited college or university during the 2023-24 academic school year OR or working as an early professional (within their first two years in the industry). GPA: 3.3 minimum on a 4.0 scale. Applicants do not need to be a US citizen or permanent resident to apply.
Submit: Online application, 2 page (maximum) personal statement, 2 letters of recommendation, online transcript/proof of enrollment or proof of employment.
- Deadline: May 31st
- Award: $2,500
Eligibility: Open to those who intend to pursue a career or working as an early professional in any aspect of game development including but not limited to: art, animation, programming, engineering, game direction, game design, sound design, law, marketing, and business administration.
Must be a full-time undergraduate student or a graduate student attending an accredited college or university during the 2023-24 academic school year OR or working as an early professional (within their first two years in the industry). GPA: 3.3 minimum on a 4.0 scale. Applicants do not need to be a US citizen or permanent resident to apply.
Submit: Online application, 2 page (maximum) personal statement, 2 letters of recommendation, online transcript/proof of enrollment or proof of employment.
- Deadline: May 31st
- Award: $2,500
Eligibility: Applicants must discuss their impact in helping empower and educate girls and young women on the various roles within the gaming industry with the purpose of driving and normalizing gender diversity within gaming. Must also intend to pursue a career or be working as an early professional in any aspect of the business of game development.
Must be a full-time undergraduate student or a graduate student attending an accredited college or university during the 2023-24 academic school year OR or working as an early professional (within their first two years in the industry). GPA: 3.3 minimum on a 4.0 scale. Applicants do not need to be a US citizen or permanent resident to apply.
Submit: Online application, 2 page (maximum) personal statement, 2 letters of recommendation, online transcript/proof of enrollment or proof of employment.
- Deadline: May 31st
- Award: $25,000
Eligibility: Open to students at any education level. Students at any education level, school, and field of study will be considered. No GPA requirement.
Submit: N/A
- Deadline: May 31st
- Award: Varies
Eligibility: Must be enrolled with your respective Tribe, either federally recognized or non-federally recognized Tribe, from the continental US or Alaska, have a 2.5 GPA or higher, and be enrolled as a full-time student.
Submit: Online application, copy of Tribal enrollment, current class schedule, transcript, and 300 word essay responses.
- Deadline: May 31st
- Award: $1,000
Eligibility: Open to legal residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia, age 13 or older at the time of entry, and and currently planning to enroll in an accredited post-secondary institution of higher learning (college, university or trade school) located in the United States within four years.
Submit: A quick online form (no essay or minimum GPA requirement).
- Deadline: May 31st
- Award: Varies
Eligibility: Must be of at least 25% Asian and/or Pacific Islander ethnicity; a citizen, national or legal permanent resident of the U.S.; either a high school senior or a college student currently enrolled full-time at college; and have a 3.0 GPA or higher.
Submit: Online application, transcript, resume, letter of recommendation, 500 word essay, and your artistic portfolio (audio/visual recording demo, pictures, sketches).
Concluding thoughts on scholarships in May
That’s what I was able to find for May scholarship opportunities being offered this year.
I sure hope you can find some to apply for and win. Everything little bit helps when you’re paying for college on your own!
Related posts:
- The Best June Scholarships of 2023
- Apply for these 60 no essay scholarships right on your phone!
- Women’s scholarships: 85+ available this year
- 49 scholarships for graduate students
- 25 Extremely Easy Scholarships to Apply for Right Now
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About Charlie
Charlie is the co-founder of College Life Made Easy and author of the book 175+ Things to Do Before You Graduate College. She’s a 2015 graduate who teaches overwhelmed students and parents of students how to confidently navigate the whole college thing. As a former broke college kid, she’s passionate about helping students develop the skills they need in order to thrive (instead of just survive), stress less, and actually enjoy the full college experience.