11 Easy Scholarships you should apply before the end of 2025.
Panic is setting in. It is late November. College applications are due, and the reality of tuition bills is looming. Most students think they have missed the boat on scholarships. They think the big money was awarded back in September.
They are wrong. December is actually one of the busiest months for scholarship deadlines. Many organizations set their deadlines to align with the end of the tax year or the end of the fall semester. These are “quick turnaround” scholarships. They often have shorter prompts and fewer requirements because the judges want to clear their desks before the holidays.
If you are searching for scholarships closing December 2025 or quick scholarships no essay, this list is your lifeline. You can knock many of these out over a single weekend.
1. The Doodle for Google Scholarship
Deadline: Usually early December
Prize: Up to $30,000
This is the big one. You do not need to be Da Vinci. You just need a creative idea. The contest asks students to redesign the Google logo based on a specific theme. The judging is based on “artistic merit, creativity, and theme communication.” If you are a visual thinker, this is high return on investment work.
2. The Burger King Scholars Program
Deadline: Mid December
Prize: $1,000 to $50,000
You do not need to work at Burger King to apply (though it helps). They have a general track for high school seniors. The application focuses on community service and grades. It is a simple application form that does not require a ten page essay.
3. The Rubincam Youth Award (Genealogy)
Deadline: December 15
Prize: $500
This is a niche scholarship for history buffs. It is run by the National Genealogical Society. You have to submit a genealogy project. If you have already done a family tree project for a history class, you can repackage it and submit it. Niche means low competition.
4. The “Equitable Excellence” Scholarship
Deadline: Mid December (or until 10,000 applications are received)
Prize: $5,000 to $25,000
This is a “first come, first served” style scholarship. They often close the portal once they hit a certain number of applicants. This means if you apply now (in late November), you have a massive advantage over the procrastinators. It focuses on students who have made a positive impact in their community.
5. The North American Van Lines Logistics Scholarship
Deadline: December 15
Prize: $1,000
This is for students interested in business, logistics, or supply chain management. The prompt usually asks for a short essay on the future of logistics. With supply chains being a hot topic in 2025, a well researched 500 word essay on “AI in shipping” could easily win this.
6. The Overton Law Firm “Survivor of Divorce” Scholarship
Deadline: Late December
Prize: $1,000
Law firms love local SEO scholarships. This one is for students who come from divorced families. The essay asks how the experience shaped you. It is personal, emotional, and specific. If this applies to you, your story is your asset.
7. The Unigo $10K Scholarship
Deadline: December 31
Prize: $10,000
Unigo runs many contests, but their big $10k winner is often chosen at the end of the year. The prompt is usually very short and fun, like “Imagine a historical figure is brought back to life. Who is it and what is their favorite mobile app?” It rewards wit and humor over academic tone.
8. The “Top of the Mountain” Leishmaniasis Scholarship
Deadline: December 31
Prize: $500
Weird name, real money. This is for students who have overcome a significant obstacle (it does not have to be the disease Leishmaniasis). It is about resilience. “Overcoming adversity” essays are standard, so you likely already have one written that you can tweak for this.
9. The Cirkled In “No Sweat” Scholarship
Deadline: December 31
Prize: $2,500
This is a sweepstakes scholarship. No GPA. No essay. You create a student portfolio on their site (which is free) and you are entered. It is a numbers game, but since it takes five minutes, the “hourly rate” is infinite if you win.
10. The TransUnion “Smart Move” Scholarship
Deadline: December 31
Prize: $1,000
This is for students interested in the rental industry or housing, but it is generally open to almost anyone. The topic is usually about “smart moving” or apartment hunting. It is a very practical, low stress essay topic.
11. Your Local “Community Foundation” Scholarships
Deadline: Vary (Many Dec 31)
Go to Google and type “[Your County Name] Community Foundation Scholarships.”
Community foundations manage dozens of small scholarships for local donors. They often have a single “universal application” due at the end of the year. You fill out one form and are entered for twenty different $500 awards. These are the easiest scholarships to win because you are only competing with kids from your own area.
The “December Sprint” Plan
You have ten days left in November. Use them wisely.
Recycle Your Essays
Do not write from scratch. Your “Community Service” essay for the Burger King scholarship can be cut down and used for the Equitable Excellence scholarship.
Focus on “Quick Wins”
Prioritize the scholarships that require less than 500 words. You can churn out three of these in the time it takes to write one major research paper.
Apply During the Holidays
Most students stop working during Winter Break. If you spend three hours on December 26th applying, you are working while your competition is sleeping. That is how you win. https://job.gterahub.com/grants-closing-2025/