In today’s world, where the rising cost of education has become a significant burden for many students, scholarships are a lifeline. While millions of students apply for scholarships annually, some opportunities come with hidden costs such as application fees, which can discourage or prevent students from applying. Fortunately, there are numerous scholarships that require no application fee, allowing students to pursue funding opportunities without spending a dime.
This article highlights the Top 10 Scholarships with No Application Fee in 2025 that are open to high school, undergraduate, and graduate students across the globe.
1. Coca-Cola Scholars Program
Eligibility: U.S. high school seniors
Award Amount: $20,000
The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation offers one of the most prestigious merit-based scholarships in the United States. It selects 150 high-achieving high school seniors each year who demonstrate leadership, community service, and academic excellence. The application process is online and completely free of charge.
Why It’s Great:
It’s one of the largest corporate-sponsored scholarships, and the selection process includes an enriching scholar community.
2. The Gates Scholarship
Eligibility: U.S. high school seniors from minority backgrounds with financial need
Award Amount: Full cost of attendance
Funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, this highly selective scholarship covers the full cost of tuition, room, board, books, and transportation for students attending a U.S. college or university. It’s geared toward exceptional minority students and does not require any application fee.
Why It’s Great:
It is a comprehensive scholarship that removes financial barriers completely, offering both financial and mentoring support.
3. Knight-Hennessy Scholars at Stanford University
Eligibility: Graduate students applying to Stanford University
Award Amount: Full tuition, stipend, and academic support
Knight-Hennessy Scholars is one of the most generous graduate-level scholarships in the world. Open to students of all nationalities, the program covers tuition and living expenses at Stanford for any graduate degree. The scholarship has no application fee, even for the Knight-Hennessy component, although students must still apply separately to their chosen Stanford program.
Why It’s Great:
Combines academic excellence with leadership training and cross-disciplinary learning.
4. Davidson Fellows Scholarship
Eligibility: U.S. students under the age of 18
Award Amount: $10,000–$50,000
For extraordinary young individuals who have completed a significant piece of work in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, literature, or music, the Davidson Fellows Scholarship offers large, fee-free scholarships. Students submit original work demonstrating exceptional skill and creativity.
Why It’s Great:
It celebrates young prodigies and thinkers, helping them continue their academic journey early.
5. Chevening Scholarships (UK)
Eligibility: International students applying for a master's degree in the UK
Award Amount: Full tuition, living allowance, airfare
Funded by the UK government, Chevening Scholarships are offered to outstanding emerging leaders from over 160 countries. The application is online, free, and includes a rigorous selection process that assesses leadership potential and academic strength.
Why It’s Great:
Fully funded and offers students a chance to study in top UK universities while networking with global leaders.
6. DAAD Scholarships (Germany)
Eligibility: International students pursuing graduate studies in Germany
Award Amount: Tuition, monthly stipend, travel allowance
The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) offers numerous scholarships for international students at no cost to apply. DAAD covers full or partial tuition and provides a generous monthly stipend for living expenses in Germany.
Why It’s Great:
Germany is known for its tuition-free universities, and DAAD further supports students financially for a smooth academic experience.
7. Elks National Foundation Most Valuable Student Scholarship
Eligibility: U.S. high school seniors
Award Amount: $1,000–$12,500 per year
The Elks Foundation awards scholarships based on leadership, financial need, and academic performance. The application process is free, and students do not need to be related to an Elks member to qualify.
Why It’s Great:
The program supports hundreds of students annually and emphasizes community involvement.
8. Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Undergraduate Scholarship
Eligibility: U.S. high school seniors with financial need
Award Amount: Up to $55,000 per year
This highly competitive scholarship supports high-achieving students from low-income backgrounds. It covers tuition, living expenses, books, and other education-related costs. The application is done through the Common App, with no additional fee for the scholarship itself.
Why It’s Great:
It is one of the most generous undergraduate scholarships in the U.S., with comprehensive academic and career support.
9. UNESCO Fellowships and Scholarships
Eligibility: International students and researchers
Award Amount: Varies by program
UNESCO offers fellowships and scholarships in partnership with universities and governments, focusing on education, science, and cultural development. All of its applications are completely free, making them highly accessible for students from developing nations.
Why It’s Great:
The programs support global mobility, cultural exchange, and educational advancement without financial barriers.
10. Burger King Scholars Program
Eligibility: U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico high school seniors
Award Amount: $1,000–$50,000
Funded by the Burger King Foundation, this scholarship is open to students pursuing a traditional four-year degree or vocational/technical education. The application process is entirely free and conducted online.
Why It’s Great:
It offers multiple award tiers and supports both college-bound and career-track students.
Tips for Applying to No-Fee Scholarships
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Start Early: Deadlines can come quickly, and early applications often have an advantage.
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Organize Documents: Prepare your transcripts, recommendation letters, and essays in advance.
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Customize Your Essays: Even though there's no fee, invest time in personalizing your applications.
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Beware of Scams: A legitimate scholarship will never ask for payment to apply.
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Use Scholarship Search Engines: Platforms like Going Merry, Fastweb, and Bold.org let you filter scholarships by fee status.