Pursuing higher education often comes with the daunting challenge of managing finances. Scholarships offer a vital lifeline, helping students from various backgrounds afford tuition, living expenses, and other associated costs. However, many scholarships operate under strict application timelines, making it difficult for students who miss deadlines or need flexibility. Fortunately, a growing number of scholarships now offer rolling deadlines, meaning they accept applications throughout the year until funds are exhausted or all spots are filled.
In this article, we will explore scholarships with rolling deadlines in 2025, their benefits, and how to strategically approach them to increase your chances of success.
What Are Rolling Deadlines?
A rolling deadline means that the scholarship program does not have a fixed closing date. Instead, applications are reviewed and accepted on an ongoing basis—often until the available funding is distributed or all spots are filled. Unlike scholarships with hard cut-off dates, rolling scholarships offer more application flexibility, making them ideal for students who might have missed other opportunities.
Advantages of Scholarships with Rolling Deadlines
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Increased Flexibility
Rolling deadlines allow students to apply at any time during the year, which is particularly useful for those planning their education outside of the traditional academic calendar. -
Second Chance Opportunities
Students who missed major application deadlines still have access to funding. -
Less Competition at the Start
Early applicants often have a better chance before funds or spots are fully claimed. -
More Time to Prepare
Applicants can use the extra time to build a stronger application, gather documents, and craft thoughtful essays.
Top Scholarships with Rolling Deadlines in 2025
1. MPOWER Financing Scholarships
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Eligibility: International students studying in the U.S. or Canada.
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Deadline: Monthly—scholarships awarded every month.
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Benefits: Up to $10,000 in funding.
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Focus: Empowering global citizens and promoting diversity in education.
MPOWER is well-known for supporting international students who don’t have access to traditional U.S. co-signers or credit histories. Their rolling scholarship program accepts applications throughout the year and awards funds monthly.
2. American Association of University Women (AAUW) Career Development Grants
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Eligibility: U.S. women pursuing professional development or career advancement.
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Deadline: Accepted year-round for some awards.
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Benefits: Up to $12,000 depending on the program.
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Focus: Encouraging women in nontraditional fields and those re-entering the workforce.
While some AAUW programs have fixed deadlines, others accept applications year-round depending on fund availability.
3. Fastweb and Scholarships.com Scholarship Databases
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Eligibility: Varies by scholarship.
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Deadline: Continuous updates; new scholarships added regularly.
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Benefits: Ranges from $500 to $50,000.
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Focus: Provides a hub for rolling-deadline scholarships across categories.
These scholarship platforms offer curated lists of programs, many of which have rolling deadlines. Students can filter by major, location, level of study, and more.
4. Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Scholarships (College Planning)
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Eligibility: U.S. high school students, undergraduates, and community college students.
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Deadline: Some initiatives accept applications on a rolling basis, especially advising and planning programs.
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Benefits: Up to $55,000 per year.
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Focus: Supporting high-achieving students with financial need.
Though the main scholarships have set deadlines, the foundation’s other initiatives and guidance programs offer rolling application windows.
5. United World Colleges (UWC) Scholarships
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Eligibility: High school students from across the globe.
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Deadline: Varies by country; many operate on rolling admission systems.
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Benefits: Full or partial scholarships for international pre-university education.
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Focus: Promoting peace, cultural understanding, and leadership.
Each UWC national committee handles its own scholarship deadlines, and many allow applications throughout the year.
6. Zolve Global Scholarship
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Eligibility: International students accepted to U.S. or Canadian universities.
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Deadline: Monthly evaluations and awards.
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Benefits: Up to $10,000.
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Focus: Supporting the financial journey of newcomers, particularly international students.
Zolve offers financial products and support for international students, including a rolling scholarship program.
Tips to Maximize Success with Rolling Scholarships
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Apply Early
Even with rolling deadlines, early applications are often favored. Scholarships may close once they meet their funding limit or fill available spots. -
Keep Documents Ready
Maintain updated versions of your resume, transcripts, recommendation letters, and personal statements. This ensures you can apply quickly when opportunities arise. -
Set Reminders and Alerts
Use scholarship platforms and tools like Google Alerts to notify you of new rolling-deadline programs in your field of study. -
Tailor Your Application
Even though the window is open longer, you must still present a well-crafted and personalized application. Avoid generic essays. -
Track Your Applications
Maintain a spreadsheet or tracker of scholarships applied to, their deadlines (even rolling ones), and outcomes. This keeps your efforts organized.
Field-Specific Rolling Scholarships to Explore
STEM Scholarships
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Generation Google Scholarship (occasionally rolling)
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Microsoft Tuition Scholarships
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Society of Women Engineers (SWE) Scholarships
Medical and Health Sciences
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Tylenol Future Care Scholarship
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National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Scholarships (for U.S. students; ongoing acceptance in some categories)
Creative and Performing Arts
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YoungArts National Arts Competition (rolling for some mentorship and workshop opportunities)
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BMI Foundation Scholarships (music and songwriting)
Why More Scholarships Are Moving to Rolling Deadlines
Educational institutions and private foundations are increasingly shifting toward rolling application systems for several reasons:
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Greater accessibility for non-traditional students, adult learners, and international applicants.
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Year-round enrollment models at universities and online programs demand more flexible funding options.
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Improved fund utilization, as rolling models allow programs to distribute funds gradually.