Full-ride scholarships cover everything related to your college expenses, from tuition to books. These awards are worth tens of thousands of dollars, if not more. Below, we highlight what you need to know about full-ride scholarships, how rare they are, how they compare to full-tuition awards, tips on applying, and some scholarships to get you started.
What Are Full-Ride Scholarships?
Flickr user Monash University
Full-ride scholarships are financial awards for college that cover all of a student’s college expenses, including tuition, housing, meals, books, supplies, fees, and other costs. Depending on the college, these can be worth anywhere from $20,000 to $100,000, or even more! Other types of scholarships may only cover tuition or a fraction of the cost of a college education.
As with other types, these awards can come from colleges, the federal government, state, individuals, organizations, and businesses. Scholarships, unlike loans, don’t need to be paid back.
How Rare Are They?
Full-ride scholarships are extremely rare – only around 0.1% of students receive one – so you shouldn’t stake your college education on winning a full-ride. However, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t apply to them alongside other scholarships and grants. You never know. You might just come home with the prize.
Full-Ride Vs. Full-Tuition
A full-ride scholarship covers all of your college expenses, while full-tuition only covers the tuition. It won’t cover room and board, meals, books, and other costs. Some full-tuition awards cover fees, but not all.
Full-tuition scholarships aren’t quite as rare as full-rides, but they’re not common. Only 1.5% of students win one a year.
Types of Full-Ride Scholarships
Full-ride scholarships generally fall into four different types:
- Merit: Merit scholarships are based on achievements, such as high grades, high SAT/ACT scores, and/or extracurricular participation.
- Athletic: Only Division I and II schools hand out full-ride scholarships. Unlike many other types of full-ride awards, these are often only one-year agreements. Some students receive multi-year agreements, or they can renew the scholarship after one year.
- Need: Need-based scholarships and grants are for low-income families and students. Some private colleges and universities give full rides to all accepted students who earn below a certain amount.
- Government: The federal government offers the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) scholarships for students who commit to joining the military for a certain number of years after college graduation. Some states also offer full rides to their residents.
Tips to Increase Your Chances of Winning
Although full-ride scholarships are exceedingly rare, it doesn’t mean you can’t win one! After all, students do win. If you don’t try, you’re not even in the running.
Follow these tips to increase your chances of winning a full ride to college.
Do Well in School
Many full-ride awards are based on merit, so you must do well in school to win. Study, complete your assignments, and always put your best foot forward. Aim high on the ACT or SAT. When creating your class schedule, focus on academic rigor.
Get Involved
Colleges and scholarship hosts want to see well rounded students. Get involved in extracurriculars, clubs, volunteer work, and your community. Grab leadership experience where you can and work closely with mentors. They’ll be able to write you stellar letters of recommendations later.
Start Your Search Early
Full-ride scholarships tend to have very early deadlines, so you need to start applying for them as soon as possible. In some cases, you might need to be thinking about them years in advance! Start your search early to make sure you don’t miss important deadlines or other requirements.
Apply To as Many as You Can…
The more scholarships you apply to, the more likely you’re to win. Create a spreadsheet where you can track awards, their requirements, and their due dates to make priority to-do lists. If you’ve applied to all of the ones on your list, start searching for more.
…But Take Your Time
Applying to as many scholarships as you can doesn’t mean rushing them. You really only increase your chances of winning them if you take your time. Always put in effort into your applications, from making sure your contact information is correct to writing a standout essay. You don’t want to hand in something that looks like you completed it the night before.
Double-Check Requirements
Make sure you meet all of the requirements for the scholarship and supply all of the relevant application materials. Depending on the award, you might be asked to supply your transcripts, ACT/SAT scores, essay, personal statement, letters of recommendation, or other documentation. Missing something could put you out of the running.
Awards that last more than four years may also require you to meet certain benchmarks or responsibilities to maintain the scholarship.
And although it’s a lot of money and it might be tempting, don’t lie on your scholarship applications. If you’re caught, you could have to pay back any money you received.
Ask for Help
Your parents can’t complete your scholarship applications for you, but they can help. Ask them to review your essay. If you can’t think of a topic to write about, ask them to brainstorm with you. You can also get with friends, teachers, or other mentors for additional assistance.
Complete the FAFSA
If you want to be considered for need-based full-ride scholarships, you need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Some schools also require you to complete the CSS Profile. If you don’t turn these applications in, you won’t be in the running for any need-based aid. Many colleges also require the FAFSA for their merit-based awards! Finish it as soon as you can when it becomes available on October 1 to maximize your potential financial aid.
Apply To Other Awards
A full-ride scholarship would be amazing, but don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Very few students win one. By applying to other scholarships, completing the FAFSA, and researching state grants, you might just be able to get the money through multiple avenues rather than one. You may even receive a full-tuition scholarship and with other financial aid offers get enough to pay for most or even all of your college expenses.
How To Find Full-Ride Scholarships
You can find full-ride scholarships through colleges, private organizations, nonprofits, government agencies, and more. However, it’s a lot to sift through as you need to make sure you meet the requirements of each scholarship that catches your eye.
We recommend using a Scholarship Search Tool. These databases identify awards you qualify for and help you apply quickly to them. You can even save the scholarships to your account to apply to at a later date. If new awards pop up that fit your criteria, you’ll receive a notification.
To get you started, we listed 5 colleges that offer full rides for some students and additional scholarships through other sources below!
5 Colleges That Offer Full Ride Scholarships
1. HARVARD UNIVERSITY
At Harvard University, accepted students whose families make $100,000 or less a year with typical assets will have all of their billed expenses and more covered by the school. The program includes tuition, fees, housing, health insurance, travel costs, and more. Students also receive a $2,000 grant the first year and a $2,000 grant during junior year.
In addition, Harvard has “Free Tuition Plus” for families who make $200,000 or less with typical assets, which can cover tuition, fees, food, and housing.
Ivy League schools, including Harvard, don’t offer merit and athletic scholarships.
2. UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA
The University of Arizona partners with the Stamps Scholars Program to offer the Stamps Scholarship, an award that covers four years of tuition, room, and board, with additional money for some activities, such as study abroad.
Students interested in Stamps need to apply by early December, have a 3.75 unweighted GPA or higher, and be an Arizona resident and US Citizen. It’s also only open to first-time students.
If they’re considering you for the program, the school contacts you to complete an additional application. You may have to attend one to three interviews, too.
3. UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA TECH
Virginia Tech also partners with the Stamps Scholars Program. Those selected live in student-led Honors communities and receive a full-ride for four years. Virginia Tech highly recommends applying to the school through Early Action (November 15th) to be considered.
4. CLEMSON UNIVERSITY
Clemson University offers the National Scholars Program, which covers the full cost of attendance for selected students. Participants also have access to development opportunities, including academic and professional, and live in the Honors Residential College.
Applicants need to apply to Clemson by their Early Action deadline and complete the Honors College admissions application. The school is looking for students who excel academically, show intellectual curiosity, demonstrate leadership capabilities, and have potential to make an impact globally and locally.
5. MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
Similar to Harvard University, MIT meets all of a student’s financial need if their family makes less than $100,000 (with typical assets). The school covers tuition if your family makes less than $200,000. Students have to complete the CSS Profile to apply, and merit scholarships aren’t offered.
5 Full Ride Scholarships
1. THE COOLIDGE SCHOLARSHIP
- Deadline: Early December
The Coolidge Scholarship covers four years of undergraduate study for selected students. Awarded annually, it pays for tuition, room, board, and other costs. Finalists attend a finalist weekend in Vermont to participate in interviews. Those who aren’t selected receive a one-time scholarship for a smaller amount.
The award is open to anyone who meets these criteria:
- Junior in high school
- Intend to enroll full-time at an accredited college or university within the United States
- U.S. citizen or permanent resident
- Showcase academic excellence and leadership
- Have demonstrated interested in public policy
2. USDA 1890 NATIONAL SCHOLARS PROGRAM
- Deadline: Early March
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) with their Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement (OPPE) offer the 1890 National Scholars Program. It’s open to minorities who are pursuing degrees in agriculture, food, natural resource sciences, and similar majors at a participating 1890 Historically Black Land-Grant Universities (HBCU).
Applicants must also:
- Be a U.S. citizen
- Have a GPA of 3.0 or higher
- Have a minimum 21 ACT or 1080 SAT
- Participate in community service
- Demonstrate leadership
- Write an essay answering one of the supplied questions
3. JACK KENT COOKE COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
- Deadline: Mid-November
The Jack Kent Cooke College Scholarship Program is a merit- and need-based award. Winners receive up to $55,000 a year for four years to cover the cost of college, advising, mentorship, and networking opportunities. If you’re attending an expensive school, this scholarship might not cover all of your costs.
High school seniors who meet the following criteria are invited to apply:
- Have a 3.75 unweighted GPA or higher
- Demonstrate financial need
- Plan on attending a four-year accredited institution in the fall
The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation looks for students who have stellar recommendations from teachers, demonstrate leadership, and showcase determination in the face of challenges.
4. FLINN SCHOLARS PROGRAM
- Deadline: Mid-October
For students in Arizona, there’s the Flinn Scholarship, which covers tuition, fees, meals, and housing at an Arizona public university for four years. The award also covers study abroad. Only around 20 students are selected each year as Flinn Scholars.
Applicants need to meet the following criteria:
- Be a U.S. Citizen or permanent resident
- Have lived in Arizona for at least two years immediately prior to college
- Have a 3.5 unweighted GPA or higher
- Rank in the top 5% of their class
- Have a minimum 26 ACT or 1230 SAT score
- Participate in extracurriculars
- Demonstrate leadership
5. QUESTBRIDGE NATIONAL COLLEGE MATCH
- Deadline: Late September
High-achieving students from low-income households can apply to various colleges through QuestBridge’s National College Match. When you submit your application to the program, you apply to all participating colleges. Finalists select 15 schools, ranking them as far as preference. Winners then receive a full ride to one of their selected colleges (the highest ranked on their list).
Applicants must be high school seniors in the United States, U.S. citizens or permanent residents, and plan to attend college after graduation. Winners usually have academic rigor, earn high grades, rank in the top 10% of their class, and demonstrate financial need.
If you manage to win one, full-ride scholarships are a fantastic way to pay for college. They don’t need to be paid back! To increase your chances of winning, make sure to read over the requirements, terms, and conditions carefully. Take your time and put your best foot forward on each of your applications.
Want to discover more full-ride scholarships and other awards you can apply for? Our Scholarship Search Tool helps you quickly find scholarships you qualify for. Sign up here to learn more.
