in search of scholarships opportunity? read here!
The “Scholarship Season” myth needs to die. Most students believe that if they didn’t apply for money in September, they are out of luck until spring. This is false. December is actually a “deadline density” month.
Many organizations want to select their winners before the spring semester begins. They also want to close their books for the tax year. This means there are millions of dollars in scholarship funds with deadlines between December 1st and December 31st.
If you are searching for stem scholarships for women 2025 or trade school scholarships closing december, you are in luck. We have curated a list of opportunities that reward creativity, specific career paths, and resilience.
1. The Science Ambassador Scholarship
Deadline: Mid-December 2025
Prize: Full Tuition (up to 4 years)
Funded by the creators of “Cards Against Humanity,” this is one of the coolest scholarships in existence. It is for women and non-binary students in STEM.
There is no essay. You have to record a three-minute video explaining a scientific topic you are passionate about. It could be black holes, mycelium networks, or how wifi works. They are looking for communicators. They want the next Bill Nye or Neil deGrasse Tyson. If you can make science fun and understandable, you can win a full ride.
2. The DeWalt “Grow The Trades” Scholarship
Deadline: Varies (Check specific trade partner deadlines in Dec)
DeWalt has committed millions to closing the skills gap. They partner with various organizations to fund students entering plumbing, electrical, HVAC, and carpentry.
The application is straightforward. They want to know why you chose the trades. They want to hear about your desire to build and fix things. With the “Blue-Collar Boom” happening in 2026, this scholarship not only gives you money but puts you on the radar of major employers.
3. The “Future Women in STEM” Scholarship
Deadline: December 1, 2025
Prize: $1,000 – $2,500
This is a classic niche scholarship. It is targeted specifically to bridge the gender gap in technology and engineering.
The deadline is tight (early December), so you must act fast. The prompt usually asks about a challenge you faced in a math or science class and how you overcame it. It rewards grit and persistence.
4. The Safak Paker-Leggs Science Education Scholarship
Deadline: December 15, 2025
Prize: $2,500
This scholarship honors a legacy of science education. It is open to women pursuing degrees in science-based fields, particularly those interested in teaching or research.
If you are a biology major who wants to be a professor, or a chemistry student who wants to work in a lab, this is for you. It is less competitive than national awards because it is more specific in its criteria.
5. The Rubincam Youth Award (Genealogy)
Deadline: December 15, 2025
Prize: $500 + Publication
Do you love history? This award is for the “Best Genealogy” project. You have to submit a family history report.
This is the ultimate “Long Tail” scholarship. Very few high schoolers are doing genealogy. If you have done a project for history class about your grandparents, or if you have an Ancestry.com account, you can format your findings and submit them. Your odds of winning this are mathematically much higher than a generic essay contest.
6. The Dirk Derrick Car & Truck Accident Injury Scholarship
Deadline: December 15, 2025
Prize: $1,000
Law firms are the unsung heroes of local scholarships. This firm offers an award to a student who has had their life altered by a vehicle accident.
It is a heavy topic, but if you have a story to tell about recovery or how an accident changed your perspective on safety, this is a place to share it. It turns a traumatic event into a funding opportunity for your future.
7. The “TransUnion Smart Move” Scholarship
Deadline: December 31, 2025
Prize: $1,000
This is a very practical scholarship. The prompt is usually about “housing” or “financial literacy.”
They might ask you to describe how you plan to budget for your first apartment. It is a great exercise for real life, and the essay is usually short (under 500 words). It rewards practical thinking rather than academic theory.
8. The Thiel Fellowship (Stop-Out Option)
Deadline: Rolling (End of Year review)
Prize: $100,000
This is the “anti-scholarship.” It pays you $100,000 to drop out of college (or skip it) and build a startup or research project.
While not for everyone, if you are sitting on a massive idea and feel like school is slowing you down, this is the Holy Grail. They look for radical thinkers. Applying at the end of the year is a great way to set up a life-changing 2026.
9. The Unigo $10K Scholarship
Deadline: December 31, 2025
Prize: $10,000
This is the lottery ticket. The prompt is usually fun and creative. “Which historical figure would you trade places with?” or “Make a tweet that explains your life.”
Because it is easy, many people apply. But someone has to win. If you are a creative writer who can be funny in 250 words or less, you have an edge over the thousands of boring entries they receive.
The “Winter Break” Sprint
Here is your game plan.
Week 1 (Nov 24 – Nov 30): Film your video for the Science Ambassador Scholarship. It takes the most time.
Week 2 (Dec 1 – Dec 7): Write the “Why STEM?” essay. Use it for the Future Women in STEM and Paker-Leggs applications.
Week 3 (Dec 8 – Dec 15): Hit the niche ones. Genealogy, Trade School, Law Firm.
You have a month off of school coming up. You can spend it playing games, or you can spend it earning $500 an hour writing essays. The choice is yours. https://job.gterahub.com/scholarships-oppurtunity/