Scholarships

• Gen Z Under Pressure: ScholarshipOwl’s 2025 Survey Reveals the Financial Hardship Reality Students Face [2025-12-04]

  The narrative of the American student often centers on academic competition, but for Gen Z, the central tension is increasingly about financial hardship. As inflation drives up costs for everything from tuition to groceries, how are students and their families truly coping?

   

   

  In November 2025, ScholarshipOwl surveyed 14,646 high school and college students on our platform to gain a clear, unvarnished perspective on the financial hardship facing the next generation of college attendees. The results reveal a population navigating persistent economic headwinds, but also one deploying strategic and resourceful measures to secure their education. This data paints a vivid picture of the current economic reality and underscores the critical importance of financial aid and scholarships.

   

  Who Participated in the Survey?

  In November 2025, ScholarshipOwl surveyed 14,646 high school and college students on the ScholarshipOwl scholarship platform to learn more about financial hardship that Gen Z students and their families are facing.

   

  Among the respondents, 62% were female, 34% were male, and 1% identified themselves as a different gender identity or preferred not to respond to the question. Over half (51%) were Caucasian, 18% were Black, 18% were Hispanic/Latino, 6% were Asian/Pacific Islander, 2% were American Indian/Native American and 6% selected “other” or preferred not to respond to the question.

   

  Nearly two-thirds (62%) of the respondents were high school students, with the overwhelming majority high school seniors; more than one-quarter (28%) were college undergraduate students, primarily college freshmen and college sophomores; 5% were graduate students and 3% identified themselves as adult/non-traditional students.

   

  In thinking about how things are going financially for yourself and your family, which of the following statements best describes your financial situation?

   

  • 57% selected “We are struggling more this year than last year.”
  • 35% selected “It’s about the same as last year.”
  • 8% selected “We are doing better this year than last year.”

   

  Which of the following has adversely impacted you OR your immediate family in 2025?

  Students were asked to select all that applied, and most selected multiple responses.

   

   

  • 63% selected “Difficulty affording the cost of college.”
  • 76% selected “Higher costs for everyday things (groceries, etc.)”
  • 26% selected “Difficulty affording rent / mortgage.”
  • 14% selected “Stagnant wages.”
  • 13% selected “Job loss.”
  • 15% selected “Unemployed and having difficulty finding a job.”
  • 11% selected “Underemployed and having difficulty finding a better job.”
  • 19% selected “Difficulty affording medical expenses and/or health insurance.”
  • 38% selected “Unable to save / living paycheck to paycheck.”
  • 56% selected “Stress / anxiety related to financial situation.”
  • 6% selected “None of the above.”

   

  What steps are you taking or have you taken to help mitigate the financial challenges you are experiencing?

  Students were asked to select all that applied, and most selected multiple responses.

   

   

  • 83% selected “Submitting the FAFSA to apply for federal and state grant aid.”
  • 91% selected “Prioritizing applying for scholarships.”
  • 26% selected “Taking out federal student loans.”
  • 12% selected “Taking out private student loans.”
  • 61% selected “Working part-time or full-time to help pay for college and everyday expenses.”
  • 34% selected “Taking on a side hustle to help pay for college and everyday expenses.”
  • 50% selected “Purchasing groceries/necessities at stores known for lower prices.”
  • 14% selected “Participating in food assistance programs (SNAP, WIC, food banks, or food pantries).”
  • 5% selected “Participating in utility assistance programs (LIHEAP, state/local programs, etc.)”
  • 11% selected “Accessing financial counseling / credit counseling services.”
  • 34% selected “Practicing meditation / mindfulness etc. to reduce my stress.”
  • 1% selected “None of the above.”

   

  Key Takeaways: Analyzing Gen Z’s Financial Hardship Landscape

  The survey results point to significant and widespread financial distress, forcing students to adopt aggressive strategies to mitigate rising costs and fund their education.

   

  The Majority is Struggling, and Inflation is the Primary Driver

   

  Financial Erosion

  The data reveals that 57% of respondents feel they are struggling more this year than last year, indicating a sharp decline in financial stability for the majority of families. Only 8% reported improvement.

   

  The Cost-of-Living Crisis

  The top-cited challenge was “Higher costs for everyday things (groceries, etc.),” selected by 76% of students. This demonstrates that day-to-day inflation is having a more pervasive and direct impact on family budgets than even housing or job loss.

   

  Widespread Impact

  High costs are compounded by the difficulty of affordability across the board: 63% cited difficulty affording college, 38% reported being unable to save/living paycheck to paycheck, and 26% noted difficulty affording rent/mortgage.

   

  Financial Stress is a Mental Health Crisis

   

  Pervasive Anxiety

  The emotional toll of financial instability is alarmingly high, with 56% of students reporting stress/anxiety related to their financial situation. This highlights that financial hardship is not just an economic issue, but a critical mental health challenge for Gen Z.

   

  Active Coping

  In response to this stress, 34% of students reported actively practicing meditation or mindfulness to reduce their anxiety, suggesting a significant portion of this generation is self-managing their stress through proactive mental health techniques.

   

  Students are Resourceful and Prioritizing Free Money

   

  Scholarships as the Lifeline

  When asked how they mitigate financial challenges, prioritizing applying for scholarships was the single highest response, selected by 91% of students. This shows students overwhelmingly recognize scholarships as the most vital and primary tool for closing the financial gap.

   

  Maximizing Federal Aid

  A robust 83% reported submitting the FAFSA, indicating strong engagement with federal and state grant opportunities.

   

   

  Working to Bridge the Gap

  The need for earned income is clear: 61% are working part-time or full-time, and 34% are taking on side hustles. This suggests many students are making difficult choices that may compromise study time in order to cover immediate expenses.

   

  Avoiding Debt (Where Possible)

  Compared to earning and applying for aid, fewer students selected debt as a mitigation step: only 26% plan to take out federal loans, and a mere 12% are opting for private student loans, underscoring a strong collective desire to minimize debt.

   

  Need for Support

   

  Necessity Shopping

  Half of the respondents (50%) report purchasing necessities at lower-priced stores, a common tactic for families under budget pressure.

  A concerning but necessary finding is that 14% are participating in food assistance programs (SNAP, WIC, food banks), and 5% are accessing utility assistance programs, illustrating that basic needs are being threatened for a significant minority of students.

   

  Accessing Assistance

  A concerning but necessary finding is that 14% are participating in food assistance programs (SNAP, WIC, food banks), and 5% are accessing utility assistance programs, illustrating that basic needs are being threatened for a significant minority of students. In addition, 11% are accessing financial counseling credit counseling services, demonstrating that families are taking positive steps to help mitigate their circumstances.

   

  Strategic Action in the Face of Adversity

   

  The data from the ScholarshipOwl survey confirms that Gen Z is facing an unprecedented convergence of high educational costs and rising daily expenses. Yet, the overwhelming response from these students is not surrender, but strategic action.

   

   

  The fact that 91% of respondents are prioritizing scholarships is a powerful message: the most effective path out of this financial challenge is through securing non-repayable aid. As the cost of college continues to be impacted by the broader economy, platforms that simplify and maximize scholarship applications are no longer just a convenience—they are a necessity. By diligently applying for scholarships and completing the FAFSA, Gen Z students are turning financial adversity into an organized, proactive search for a debt-free future.

   

  Gen Z students are taking strategic control, with 91% recognizing scholarships as their lifeline. If you’re ready to join the majority who prioritize securing free money, you need a system that ensures efficiency and opportunity. Turn your financial plan into funded reality. We are here to simplify that effort—sign up for your free 7-day trial at ScholarshipOwl.com!

  The post Gen Z Under Pressure: ScholarshipOwl’s 2025 Survey Reveals the Financial Hardship Reality Students Face appeared first on ScholarshipOwl.

• Scholarship Strategies that Put You on an Affordable Path to College [2025-12-02]

  In the quest for a college education, the first question shouldn’t be, “How much debt do I need to take on?” It should always be, “What scholarship strategies can I employ to earn money that I don’t have to pay back?”

   

   

  Adopting a “Scholarships First, Loans Last” mentality is the single most important decision you can make for your financial future. It’s the smart, strategic choice that trades a few hours of work today for years of financial freedom tomorrow.

   

  The Crucial Cost: Why Scholarships Matter Now More Than Ever

   

  The cost of higher education is a persistent, upward curve that shows no sign of slowing down. For many students, this isn’t a fixed price tag; it’s a moving target:

   

  Year-Over-Year Increase

  Even if you secure grants and scholarships for your freshman year, the tuition and fees at your institution will likely increase every single year you attend. The aid package you needed your first year will often be insufficient for your second, third, and fourth years.

   

  The Burden of Debt

  Graduating with debt—even small federal loans—means starting your career with an automatic monthly payment obligation. This debt limits freedom, delays major milestones like buying a home, and often traps young adults in jobs they hate simply because they need the income to cover payments. Scholarships eliminate this burden entirely.

   

  The Bottom Line

  Scholarships don’t just cover tuition; they protect your future.

   

  Understanding the Sticker Price and the Net Price

   

  Before you can create a winning financial plan, you need to understand the true cost of attendance. The “sticker price” is the advertised price, but the “net price” is what you actually pay after grants and scholarships are applied.

   

  The sticker price for a university today is significant:

   

  Public, In-State University

  Approximately $28,000 per year (includes tuition, fees, room, and board).

   

  Public, Out-of-State University

  Approximately $49,000 per year (includes tuition, fees, room, and board).

   

  Private University

  Approximately $60,000 or more per year (includes tuition, fees, room, and board).

   

  Your strategy is to systematically reduce this sticker price to your net price using two primary forms of “free money”: need-based grants (like the Pell Grant) and scholarships (merit-based or unique). Anything not covered by this free money must be covered by your family, your personal income from a job, or, as a last resort, student loans.

   

  Why FAFSA Aid Isn’t Enough

   

  The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is crucial—you must complete it to access any federal funds. However, relying solely on FAFSA need-based aid is insufficient for covering the high cost of college.

   

  The largest federal grant is the Pell Grant, which, while highly valuable, currently maxes out at around $7,395 per year. Even if your financial need qualifies you for the maximum Pell Grant, you are still left with a massive gap – for an in-state public university costing $28,000, you would still be $20,605 short of covering costs, per year.

   

  This funding gap proves that federal aid is only a starting point. To make college truly affordable, you must aggressively pursue external and institutional scholarships to bridge the remaining distance to a debt-free degree.

   

  Where to Find Your Funding: A Strategic Overview

   

  The scholarship landscape can seem overwhelming, but it’s really divided into three main hunting grounds. Maximize your chances by focusing time and effort on the places where you have the highest likelihood of winning.

   

  Local Community Scholarships

   

  These are the unsung heroes of college financing. Local scholarships consistently have the highest ratio of awards to applicants because the eligibility pool is small—often limited to students from a specific high school, county, church group, or local business.

   

  Take Action

  Your first stop must be your high school counselor or career center staff. They compile binders and lists of local opportunities that never reach national search engines. These awards are often smaller ($500–$2,000), but winning some would definitely help you cover some expenses!

   

  Institutional Scholarships

  The largest scholarships usually come directly from the colleges themselves, and they fall into two categories: merit-based that reward you for strong academics or special talents, and institutional need-based aid which relies on the results of your FAFSA and CSS Profile, if the college accepts the CSS Profile as part of your financial aid application. To qualify for these scholarships, you’ll need to either already be a student at the college OR you’ll need to be in the process of applying to attend.

   

  NOTE: If you are offered institutional scholarships from multiple colleges, you can only receive the scholarships that are offered by the college you choose to attend.

   

  Take Action

  Don’t rely solely on the Financial Aid or Admissions office. You must actively research the department you plan to major in. Engineering, Nursing, and Art departments often have scholarships dedicated to students in that field, funded by alumni, which fly under the radar of the main administrative offices. These often have different deadlines and specific requirements.

   

  Scholarships Offered Through the ScholarshipOwl Platform

   

  For maximizing efficiency and access to a massive national pool, a dedicated scholarship platform is non-negotiable. Using the ScholarshipOwl platform enables you to transform tedious searching into unparalleled opportunity!

   

  Smart Matching

  ScholarshipOwl matches your unique profile to a database of thousands of vetted, legitimate scholarships. This eliminates hours of searching.

  AI-Powered Recommendations

  Each week, ScholarshipOwl will send you three weekly scholarship recommendations powered by the AI and proprietary technology built into our platform. These recommendations are customized just for you, based on your profile data, as well as based on your habits in our platform. The more scholarships you apply for, the more you’ll train our system to hone-in on the scholarships that interest you most! Over time, your recommendations will be more and more relevant to you!

   

  Streamlined Universal Application

  No need to fill out repetitive applications over and over again. With ScholarshipOwl, our platform automatically populates each application with your profile data so that you don’t have to submit individual applications! Plus, we manage all of your applications from a single dashboard, dramatically speeding up the application process.

   

  The Ultimate Advantage – Automatic Application

  ScholarshipOwl truly works on your behalf by automatically submitting applications for “no requirement” scholarships. This means you can be applying for dozens of opportunities while you sleep, freeing up your time to focus on high-reward, high-effort applications.

   

  Powerful Tools that Make the Difference

  ScholarshipOwl offers outstanding tools you won’t find anywhere else:

  • • AI Essay Assistant to help you get started on your application essays, speeding your process to free up time to apply for more scholarships than you thought possible!
    • Credibility Scores to help you focus on scholarships truly worth your time and effort
    • Number of Applicants enables you to see how many other students on the ScholarshipOwl platform have applied to each scholarship

  More details about these tools can be found later on in this blog post! Not yet a member of ScholarshipOwl? Start your free 7-day trial at www.ScholarshipOwl.com!

   

  Unusual and Unique Scholarships for the Win

   

  Beyond the academic and national awards, a plethora of strange and wonderful scholarships exist for unique talents, interests, and even physical characteristics (e.g., the Tall Clubs International Scholarship for those over a certain height, or specialized awards for duck calling or making duct tape attire).

   

  Why They Matter

  Unusual scholarships often receive far fewer applicants than general awards, instantly boosting your odds of winning. If you are a good match for a unique requirement, take the time to research and apply. A simple web search for “weird scholarships” or “unique scholarships for [Your Hobby]” is a great start.

   

  Understanding Requirements: Applying Smarter, Not Harder

   

  Scholarships fall into several categories based on their requirements. Understanding the time-to-reward ratio is key to working strategically.

   

  No Requirement Scholarships

  Requires completion of an application form, but nothing else. And if you apply via the ScholarshipOwl platform, your profile serves as a universal application, so you’ll just need to hit one button to apply!

   

  These scholarships maximize speed and minimize effort, meaning that you can apply for them quickly; however, there will be many applicants to compete against. As a result, your odds of winning will be lower.

   

  Survey Scholarships

  Survey scholarships require you to respond to survey questions that are typically multiple-choice. Similar to “no requirement” scholarships, the application is quick and easy to submit; however, you’ll be competing against a high number of applicants which reduces your odds of winning.

   

  Goal  / Action Scholarships

  Scholarships that require you to complete a goal or action are popular offerings from businesses and organizations. The time it takes to complete may take less than a minute – and if you complete the goal, you’ll be able to apply for the scholarship! Typical goal / action requirements might include subscribing to the scholarship provider’s newsletter, downloading their app, following them on social media, etc. These scholarships typically have better odds of winning than a “no requirement” or survey scholarship, so if you are looking for easy scholarships that take minimal time and effort, give this type of scholarship a try!

   

  Essay Scholarships

  Essay scholarships do require more time and effort, but your reward is a far smaller applicant pool! Your odds of winning essay scholarships are much higher because students are less interested in taking the time to apply to essay scholarships.

   

  But what you might not know is that the ScholarshipOwl platform offers the option of utilizing our AI Essay Assistant to get you started on your essay! You’ll find it is much faster and easier to respond to essay scholarships with our AI Essay Assistant, and as a result, you’ll be able to apply to many more essay scholarships than you would without it. This streamlines your effort while maximizing your scholarship chances!

   

  Video Scholarships

   

  Did you know that video scholarships get far fewer submissions than other types of scholarships?? If you’ve avoided video scholarships due to fear of being on-camera, or because you assumed that these scholarships were super popular, push those concerns aside. The fact is that video scholarships attract fewer applicants than most other scholarships on the ScholarshipOwl platform! What this means is that if you prioritize applying for video scholarships, you’ll significantly improve your chance of winning!

   

  • • • Lighting

  No need for professional video lights. Just make sure that you or your subject are well-lit. Shooting outside during daylight can solve this problem naturally. If shooting inside, just make sure that the interior lights are on, and/or shoot near a window.

   

  • • • Audio

  If someone will be talking on-camera, make sure that the person can be easily heard. Shoot in a quiet location that limits ambient noise. If you have access to a mic, use it – but if not, it’s okay as long as you have chosen a quiet location.

   

  • • • Editing / Effects

  Search online for easy tips to help you edit or trim your video, or add effects. If you don’t want to edit your video, that’s okay – just be prepared to shoot your video several times to get a full take that you’re happy with, and that also meets any length requirements.

   

  • • • Style / Attitude

  Make sure that you and/or anyone appearing on your video projects the attitude, mood, and expression that best suits the theme of the scholarship. Wear clothing that is appropriate and not distracting, and take a few minutes to consider hair, makeup, etc. Scholarship providers who offer video scholarships often plan to share applicant videos and/or the winning video on their website or social media, so you’ll want to be sure that what you are sending is something that the provider would want to share.

   

  Scholarships that Require Letters of Recommendation

  Students often instinctively avoid applying for scholarships that require a letter of recommendation – it’s not that they don’t have someone they can ask; it’s that they don’t want to have to actually ask. And they don’t want to have to wait for their recommender to provide the letter. While these types of scholarships can be inconvenient, the good news is that ALL students find them inconvenient, which means that if you proceed and apply, you’ll be competing against a much smaller applicant pool! And that means you have much better odds of winning these kinds of scholarships!

   

  Prioritize Low-Competition Scholarships

   

  Here is the secret known by seasoned scholarship hunters: The harder the application is, the better your odds of winning.

   

  Why? Because most students gravitate towards the effortless “no requirement” or “survey” scholarships. While those are quick to apply for, they often have tens of thousands of applicants, making your chance of being randomly selected incredibly low.

   

  The Power Play

  You must prioritize scholarships that require time and effort (essays, videos, letters of recommendation). Your competition shrinks drastically because 90% of students won’t do the work. By investing a few hours in one quality essay, you have a vastly higher chance of winning $2,000 than by spending five minutes on fifty low-effort applications.

   

  ScholarshipOwl Gives You Insight

  The ScholarshipOwl platform gives you a critical edge here: it is the only platform that shows you how many other students have applied to each scholarship. This means you can actively sort your match list by “fewest applicants” and focus your precious time exclusively on low-competition scholarships, maximizing your personal winning ratio.

   

  Work While Applying for Scholarships

   

  To achieve a debt-free degree, your strategy must include earning income from a variety of sources. Because even if you are able to earn need-based grants and merit scholarships, you might still not have enough funds to cover full college costs. Getting a job is not a distraction from your studies; it is a critical component of financial stability.

   

  Part-Time During School

  Working part-time (10-15 hours per week) during the school year provides necessary cash flow for living expenses, books, and personal costs, reducing the amount you need to borrow for cost of attendance.

  Full-Time During Breaks

  Maximizing earnings during summer and winter breaks allows you to build significant savings that can be applied directly to tuition and fees the following semester. Every dollar you earn is a dollar you don’t have to seek in loans.

   

  Be Aware of Scholarship Scams

   

  Sadly, wherever money is involved, scams are sure to follow. Scholarship scams target students who may not always know what to look for to avoid being drawn in. If you have received an email or text that seems suspicious, make sure you don’t click any links in the message. Instead, examine the message you’ve received, and see if you notice any of the following:

   

  • Words or phrases that are written or spelled in a way that looks as if the email or message came from outside the United States
  • Requests for money, bank details, or credit card details
  • Requests for sensitive personal data, such as your social security number, driver’s license number, or date of birth
  • Promises or “guarantees” that you’ll win a scholarship
  • The sender is from a company or organization you aren’t familiar with, and who claim you’ve applied to a scholarship that you don’t recall applying for

   

  Access Verified Scholarships with ScholarshipOwl

  ScholarshipOwl offers a safety net by providing vetted scholarships with credibility scores. This ensures the opportunities you spend your time on are legitimate, allowing you to focus your energy on submitting applications to verified and credible scholarships.

   

  Confirming You’ve Won a Scholarship

  If you receive a notification that you’ve won a scholarship, but worry that it might be a phishing attempt, don’t click any links in the message or email. Instead, call the scholarship provider directly to confirm your win. Or, if you won a scholarship that you applied for via the ScholarshipOwl platform, contact our customer support team and ask us to confirm your win for you!

   

  Conclusion: Scholarships and Jobs—Your Only Two Options

   

  The path to a debt-free degree is clear: prioritize grants, scholarships, and earned income.

   

  In today’s economy, taking out a loan should be considered a catastrophic failure in planning, not a rite of passage. By dedicating time to local, institutional, and platform-based scholarships, and by prioritizing the high-effort, low-competition awards, you invest in your future self. Avoid the debt, secure the job, and start your adult life on the strongest financial footing possible.

  The post Scholarship Strategies that Put You on an Affordable Path to College appeared first on ScholarshipOwl.

• UC Application Emergency: Your 5-Day Strategy to Submit Before the November 30th Deadline [2025-11-26]

  The scenario is a familiar one: You’re applying to University of California campuses, and you planned to submit the UC application weeks ago, but school, sports, work, and life got in the way. Now, the deadline—November 30th—is just around the corner, and your Thanksgiving break is looking less like relaxation and more like a high-pressure essay writing marathon.

   

   

   

  If you’re scrambling to finalize your application to UC Berkeley, UCLA, UC San Diego, or any of the nine UC undergraduate campuses, you must transition from casual planning to emergency triage. With just five days left, every hour counts. You can still submit a strong application, but only if you work strategically and efficiently.

   

  Here is your 5-day action plan to conquer the UC application and hit ‘Submit’ before the deadline.

   

  Triage and Prioritization: Day 1 – Today / Tuesday

  The UC application is comprehensive, but under a time crunch, you need to focus on sections that require the most time and reflection first.

   

  Create Your UC Account and Complete Application Basics

  If you haven’t yet, create your account on the UC system’s application portal. Log in and immediately fill out the factual, non-essay sections. These require raw data, not creativity.

   

   

  Personal Information

  Basic biographical data, residency status (crucial for financial aid/tuition).

   

  Academic History

  Manually input or verify all high school courses and grades. While tedious, this is non-negotiable and must be 100% accurate.

   

  Campus Selection

  Immediately select all the UC campuses you plan to apply to. Be sure to discuss this with your family, as there is a cost for each application you submit, so the more campuses you apply to, the more fees you’ll need to pay. Note that you may be able to qualify for a fee waiver, but you won’t know for sure until you get further along in the application.

   

  When selecting campuses, be mindful of the average accepted GPA at each campus. The most selective campuses such as UCLA and UC Berkeley often only accept students with a GPA of 4.0 or higher. As such, if your GPA is significantly lower than the campus’ typical accepted GPA, you may want to focus on campuses where you have a better chance of acceptance, especially if you are concerned about application fees.

   

  Need help deciding which campuses are best-fit for you? Checkout our blog about building your college short list!

   

  Select Your Personal Insight Questions (PIQs)

  You must choose 4 out of the 8 available PIQ prompts, with a maximum of 350 words per response. Do not waste time drafting essays until you have chosen your four prompts.

   

   

  Go through the prompts and select the four that allow you to cover the widest range of your strengths and experiences. Think of the 4 PIQs as telling 4 distinct stories about yourself that could look something like:

   

  • • Story 1: How you overcame an academic challenge
    • Story 2: Your leadership skills, as demonstrated by a specific situation and/or your community service
    • Story 3: A unique creative talent or ability in your sport
    • Story 4: How you overcame a personal or homelife challenge OR you could share a special achievement or unique project that is meaningful to you

   

  These are just examples, but it is important to understand that each PIQ response should showcase a unique facet about you, rather than writing four essays that all talk about something similar, such as your interest and experience as a performer in your school’s musical productions.

   

  Conquering the PIQs: Days 2 & 3 / Wednesday & Thanksgiving Day – The Writing Blitz

  The PIQs are not traditional creative essays. They are direct, reflective, and designed to reveal your thinking process and character. Under this time crunch, follow the “Outline First, Edit Later” rule.

   

   

  Outline for Speed

  For each of your four chosen PIQs, spend no more than 30 minutes creating a bulleted outline:

   

  Hook/Opening

  Start directly with the situation/problem. Example: “Working 20 hours a week at the grocery store taught me more than any textbook.”

   

  Context/Action

  Describe the concrete actions you took, the skills you applied, and the challenges you faced. Use strong action verbs and quantification.

   

  Reflection/Learning

  This is the most crucial part. What did you learn about yourself? How did this experience prepare you for college? Note that UC application readers prioritize reflection.

   

  Word Count Check

  Ensure your outline structure fits the 350-word limit. If you have too many points, trim it down.

   

  Looking for more essay writing tips? Checkout our blog post about our top 10 strategies for writing winning application essays!

  Repurpose Existing Content

  If you’ve already written essays for the Common App or scholarships, you have a massive advantage.

   

   

  Find Overlap

  Look for themes: a challenge you overcame, a leadership role, or a commitment to a job.

   

  Reformat, Don’t Rewrite

  Copy the content, but aggressively cut the fluff and rephrase the topic sentences to directly answer the UC prompt. The UC reader wants a straight answer, not flowery prose.

   

  The 350-Word Gold Standard Don’t Write Your PIQ Responses Directly Into the Application

  This is crucial. Far too many students have composed their essays within the online application form, only to lose what they wrote because the application timed-out on them, or because their laptop battery died. Always write your essays outside of the application form, in Google Docs, Microsoft Word, or other text editing application.

   

  Aim for Responding to Two PIQs Per Day

  Write the first draft for PIQs 1 and 2 on Day 2, and PIQs 3 and 4 on Day 3. Remember, 350 words is short. Be concise. Do not waste space summarizing the prompt or using a long introduction. Get straight to the action.

   

  Quantify and Polish: Day 4 – Friday

  Dedicate one intense block of time to finalizing the activities section of the UC Application as well as reviewing and editing your essays.

   

  Maximize the Activities Section

  This section requires specific details about how you spent your time outside of class. UC readers scrutinize this section because it validates the experiences you mention in your PIQs.

   

   

  Quantify Everything

  Don’t just list “Volunteer.” Instead: “Volunteered 150 hours at the local food bank over two years, organizing inventory and supervising 4 new volunteers.”

   

  Use Allotted Space

  Utilize the space provided to describe your impact, not just your role. If you had a part-time job, tie it back to the transferable skills.

   

  The Final Essay Review Read Aloud

  Read each PIQ out loud to catch awkward phrasing, typos, and confusing sentence structures.

   

   

  Check the Prompts

  Did you actually answer the entire question asked? This is the most common PIQ mistake.

   

  The Clarity Check

  Ask a trusted person (parent, teacher, counselor, or friend) to read your PIQs in isolation and tell you what three adjectives describe you based on the writing. If the words are “clever, resilient, leader,” you succeeded. If the words are “confused, vague, unfocused,” you need to edit.

   

  Submission Day: Day 5 – Saturday

  Do not wait until November 30th at 11:00 PM PST. Submission delays are common, and server crashes happen.

   

   

  Final Fee Waiver Check

  If you qualify for a fee waiver, which covers the $70 application fee for up to four UC campuses, you must ensure this is completed before you submit.

   

  Review and Submit Campus Selection Review

  Check one last time that you have selected all the UC campuses you intended to apply to.

   

  The PIQ Review

  Copy/paste your four PIQ responses into the text boxes in the application, if you haven’t already done so. Be sure to review them and check your formatting to be sure that everything looks as you intended.

   

  Ask a Parent or Other Trusted Adult to Review

  Having an adult review your entire application is so important. They may spot something you missed, or may be able to clarify something that you found confusing that could impact your application success.

   

  Hit Submit

  Submitting the application well before the 11:59 PM deadline on November 30th ensures that a technical glitch won’t derail your hard work. We recommend that you submit your applications no later than November 29th, just to be sure you won’t run into any submission issues. And besides, many of you might ALSO be working on Common App applications that are due on December 1st, so it’s best to get the UC applications done as soon as you can so that you’ll be able to focus on the next application deadline!

   

  Claim Your Holiday Back

   

  You have five days to secure your future. By focusing ruthlessly on the PIQs and the Activity section first, you can craft a compelling narrative that showcases your full potential to the UC system.

   

  Once that application is submitted—whether it’s Friday afternoon or Saturday morning—you can finally enjoy your Thanksgiving leftovers and truly be thankful for your resilience and commitment. You deserve that break. Now, get to work!

  The post UC Application Emergency: Your 5-Day Strategy to Submit Before the November 30th Deadline appeared first on ScholarshipOwl.

• Deck the Halls, Not the Debt: Celebrating the Holidays on a Student Budget [2025-11-24]

  The holidays are here, and after months of dorm living and late-night study sessions, you’re ready to celebrate and reconnect. There’s a warmth that comes with seeing family and catching up with friends that you just can’t get through video calls. But let’s face it: between the cost of tuition, textbooks, and that necessary emergency coffee fund, your wallet might be feeling a little thinner than usual, making it harder to celebrate the holidays on a student budget.

   

   

  It’s easy to feel pressure to celebrate “in style,” especially when it comes to gifts or contributing to a potluck. You want to show loved ones how much you care, but you’re also trying to enjoy the holidays on a student budget that requires you to be cautious with spending, and to plan ahead so that you’ll have funds to carry you into the beginning of the next term. The good news is, celebrating in style doesn’t require spending big bucks. It requires creativity, time, and heart. This guide is all about maximizing the joy and minimizing the cost this holiday season.

   

  Low-Cost Gifts with a High Reward

  The best gifts are thoughtful, personal, and reflective of the time and effort you put into them. Shift your focus from buying something expensive to creating something memorable. This will make it both inexpensive and joyful to celebrate the holidays on a student budget. Check the Food Network or other popular recipe websites for ideas.

   

  Culinary Creations

   

  Baked goods or homemade treats are always a hit. They’re relatively cheap to make in bulk, and who doesn’t love a delicious homemade gift?

   

  Custom Spice Blends

  Buy inexpensive spices in bulk – such as paprika, oregano, and chili powder – and mix up a signature dry rub for grilling or a versatile Italian seasoning. Put them in small, recycled jars with a hand-written label.

   

  No-Bake Fudge or Truffles

  These require simple ingredients like chocolate chips, condensed milk, and butter, and can be easily flavored with peppermint, vanilla, or nuts. Package them neatly in a reusable tin.

   

  Hot Cocoa Mix

  Layer sugar, cocoa powder, mini marshmallows, and crushed candy canes in a clear mason jar. Attach instructions: “Add 6 oz. hot water or milk.”

   

  Jarred Cookie or Brownie Mix

  Layer the dry ingredients (flour, sugar, baking soda, etc.) for a favorite recipe in a clear jar. Attach a tag with the recipe for the wet ingredients (eggs, butter, oil) and the baking instructions. Visually appealing and highly functional!

   

  Herb-Infused Olive Oil

  Buy a large, inexpensive bottle of olive oil and infuse smaller, decorative bottles with dried rosemary, garlic cloves, or chili flakes. This requires time and adds a gourmet touch to kitchen staples.

   

  Homemade Vanilla Extract

  While it takes several weeks to steep, this gift is pure luxury. You only need a few vanilla beans and a small bottle of inexpensive vodka. Divide the mixture into small, labeled bottles and include a note that it will be ready to use in about six weeks.

   

  Artsy and Crafty Gifts

   

  A quick trip to your local crafts store for inexpensive supplies can fuel so many ideas for personalized gifts that have a double reward – you’ll get to have fun while making something special for someone you care about! Obvious sources for supplies include Michaels and Hobby Lobby, and of course Amazon or other online retailers. But don’t forget about checking your local thrift store or dollar store – ideal sources for supplies when celebrating the holidays on a student budget.

   

  Custom Jewelry

  The jewelry-making section of craft stores or online retailers offers all the supplies you’ll need to create custom jewelry personalized to your friends and family. Choose from a a wide variety of beads, charms, pendants, jewelry clay, crystals, chains and more that are perfect for creating earrings, necklaces, bracelets and more! Add some jewelry basics like a clasp, earring hooks, stringing materials, etc. and you’ll be all set!

   

  Personalized Mugs

  Buy plain ceramic mugs from your local dollar store and a ceramic paint marker. Write an inside joke, a favorite quote, or draw a simple design, then bake the mug according to the marker instructions to set the design. For some added fun, fill the mug with fun-sized candies or a bag of hot cocoa mix and marshmallows.

   

  Hand-Written Recipe Booklets

  Collect 5-10 favorite family or personal recipes. Write them out beautifully on nice index cards or in a small, decorated hand-bound booklet. This is a deeply personal gift that preserves memories.

   

  Repurposed T-Shirt Tote Bags

  Turn old, sentimental, or unused T-shirts into simple, no-sew tote bags by cutting and tying the bottom edges. This is an eco-friendly gift with a lot of personal meaning.

   

  Painted River Rock Paperweights

  Collect smooth river stones (free!) and use inexpensive acrylic paint to create simple, modern designs like geometric patterns, mandalas, or motivational words. They create the perfect vibe for a friend’s dorm room desk, or a fun paperweight for your parent’s office desk.

   

  Framed Poetry or Lyrics

  Find an inexpensive frame from a thrift store or dollar store. Print or beautifully hand-write a favorite poem, song lyric, or short, meaningful message on nice cardstock sized to the frame. Your gift will look elegant and costs almost nothing.

   

  DIY Roll-On Essential Oil Cologne

  Crafting a personalized scent is easy and budget-friendly. You’ll need small roller bottles that you can get at craft stores or online, as well as a carrier oil such as fractionated coconut oil or almond oil, and essential oils.

   

  General Recipe:

  Fill a roller bottle 3/4 full with carrier oil, then add 15-20 drops of essential oils for your desired scent.

  A Quick Note on Scents: When buying oils at a craft store, look for bottles specifically labeled “100% Pure Essential Oil.” Avoid bottles labeled “Fragrance Oil.” Fragrance oils are synthetic and often contain harsh chemicals designed for use in candles or soap, not for application directly on the skin. Pure essential oils offer a truer, more complex scent that is safer for topical use when properly diluted with a carrier oil.

   

  Essential Oil Mixture for a Bright & Floral Feminine Scent

  Use a mix of bergamot for a citrusy top note, combined with geranium for a floral middle note, and sandalwood or patchouli to provide a warm, earthy base note for staying power.

   

  Essential Oil Mixture for a Spicy & Woodsy Masculine Scent

  Use a mix of cedarwood for a deep base note with sweet orange for a brightening top note, and cinnamon or clove for a spicy and warm middle note.

   

  Gifts that Grow

   

  Plants bring life into a home and are surprisingly affordable to create, making it easy to celebrate the holidays on a student budget. You can purchase seeds or small starter plants from your local nursery, hardware store, or online retailers.

   

  Potted Herb Garden

  Buy inexpensive seeds such as basil, mint or thyme or small starter herb plants. Pot them in a clean, recycled container like an old soup can covered in twine or decorated with paint, or you can purchase inexpensive pots from a thrift store or dollar store. Fresh herbs are useful year-round and brighten up any kitchen windowsill.

   

  DIY Garden Bulb Kit

  Buy a bag of bulbs, along with a pair of inexpensive garden gloves or trowel and gift it to family or friends who have a yard. They can plant the bulbs and see your gift grow over time, or you could offer to plant their new bulbs in their yard while you are home during your winter break.

   

  The Gift of Service

   

  This is the ultimate high-value, zero-cost gift. Create attractive, personalized “coupons” that your friends or family can redeem. Make them specific and tailored to the recipient, and also tailored to your own unique skills and talents.

   

   

  Low-Cost Recipes for the Holiday Potluck

   

  Attending a party is fun, but showing up empty-handed is a no-no. You don’t need to splurge on a prime rib; you need a dish that’s filling, looks great, and is ingredient-friendly.

   

  Festive Hummus and Veggie Platter

  Make hummus from scratch (chickpeas are dirt cheap!). Garnish it with a drizzle of olive oil, a dash of paprika, and some fresh parsley to make it look professional. Pair it with carrots, celery, and pita bread.

   

  Slow-Cooker Chili or Soup

  This scales easily. Ingredients like beans, canned tomatoes, and inexpensive ground beef or turkey keep costs low, but the rich flavor is perfect for a cozy gathering.

   

  Brownies or Cookies

  Standard brownie or chocolate chip cookie recipes use staple ingredients that your family likely has on-hand, such as flour, sugar, butter, eggs, cocoa powder, etc. Chances are, your family won’t mind you pilfering their pantry while you’re home on break, making this a nearly cost-free option for a potluck. You can also get creative by adding your own mix-ins for added flair, such as chocolate chunks, toffee chips, M&Ms, chopped pretzels, crushed candy canes, and more.

   

  Dorm and Home Decor on a Dime

   

  Creating a festive atmosphere doesn’t require buying expensive lights or custom wreaths. Remember, you’re aiming for cozy ambiance and personal charm, key for celebrating the holidays on a student budget.

   

  Natural Elements

  Go for a walk and collect pine cones, small branches, and winter berries if safe and legal in your area. Arrange them in a bowl or a jar for a rustic, free centerpiece.

   

  DIY Photo Ornaments

  Print small photos of your friends or family and glue them onto circles of inexpensive cardstock or small wooden discs. Punch a hole and loop a ribbon through for a meaningful, custom ornament.

   

  Mood Lighting Magic

  Use string lights to frame your dorm room window or bookshelf. Choose battery-operated candles to create warmth without violating dorm fire codes.

   

  Festive Garland

  Cut simple holiday shapes such as stars and snowflakes from colored paper or felt and string them together with twine or dental floss.

   

  Wrapping It Up

   

  You’ve poured time and love into crafting the perfect budget-friendly gift; don’t ruin the financial plan by overspending on expensive wrapping paper! Getting creative with materials you already have on hand is more sustainable, cheaper, and often results in a more memorable presentation. You’ll not only be celebrating the holidays on a student budget; you’ll also be celebrating in style!

   

  Newspaper

  Use the comics section for bright, whimsical fun, or flip to the black-and-white print pages for a sophisticated, minimalist look. Use thick twine or baker’s string instead of plastic ribbon for an elegant touch.

   

  Butcher Paper Canvas

  Butcher paper or plain brown craft paper is available in large, inexpensive rolls, enabling you to wrap gifts with a blank canvas. Use sharpies or paint pens to draw festive designs, use stencils, or personalize it with the recipient’s name, enabling you to avoid using gift tags. You can even use potato stamps dipped in ink to create a repeating pattern.

   

  Old Maps or Sheet Music

  If you have any old, damaged atlases, road maps, or musical scores lying around, these make beautifully textured and unexpected wrapping materials, especially great for a friend who loves travel or music.

   

  Fabric Scraps

  If you or your family has fabric scraps, scarves, or handkerchiefs, learn the Japanese art of Furoshiki, using fabric for wrapping. It’s elegant, reusable, and a gift in itself!

   

  Repurposed Paper Bags

  Cut up clean, brown grocery bags to create rustic wrapping. Add twine or string and attach a sprig of pine or a small cinnamon stick for a festive scent and color pop. Similar to the butcher paper suggestion above, you can also draw or write on the wrapping.

   

  Smart Festive Fun: Celebrating Without Spending

   

  Beyond gifts and food, focus on the low-cost activities that maximize connection and joy.

   

  Holiday Movie Marathon

  Host a movie night with friends or family. Ask everyone to bring a snack or beverage of their choice (potluck snacks!), and make your own popcorn. Cozy blankets and hot cocoa (from your homemade mix, perhaps!) make the atmosphere perfect.

   

  Game Night Revival

  Dust off those old board games, card games, or download a free party game app. Competition is great for bonding and requires zero spending.

   

  Ugly Sweater Swap

  Instead of buying new holiday apparel, host an event where everyone swaps, re-gifts, or creatively decorates an “ugly sweater” they already own. The decorations can come from a thrift store or old craft supplies.

   

  Volunteer Together

  Give the gift of time. Spend an afternoon volunteering at a local food bank, animal shelter, or community center. It’s a free way to celebrate the spirit of generosity and creates meaningful memories together.

   

  The Holiday Hangover: Three Financial Traps to Avoid

   

  You’ve been strategic all season long. Don’t let your guard down in the final weeks! The biggest financial stressors for students often hit right after the New Year when they least expect it. Avoid these three common traps:

   

  The Credit Card Debt Trap

  Never pay for gifts or travel using a credit card if you cannot pay the balance in full immediately. Spending $100 on gifts only to pay 25% interest on it for three months means those thoughtful, low-cost presents just became very expensive debt. Don’t start the new year with a financial hole.

   

  Splurging Your Last Dollar

  It’s easy to feel generous and over-contribute to holiday expenses, depleting your savings. The stress of watching your bank account dwindle is intensified as you return to school for the next semester. Always maintain a small financial cushion (at least $500) dedicated to essential living costs until your next scheduled income or aid check arrives.

   

  The Aid Delay Panic

  Financial aid—especially student loans or federal grants—rarely arrives on the first day of the new semester. These funds are usually disbursed after the add/drop period, which may mean that these funds don’t arrive until February. If you overspent during the holidays, panic may set in about covering immediate costs like rent, groceries, and transportation while waiting for those funds to process.

   

  The Best Gift You Can Give Yourself: Financial Peace

   

   

  Celebrating the holidays on a student budget isn’t about deprivation—it’s about focusing your scarce resources of time and money on what truly matters: love, generosity, and shared experiences. By getting creative, you can make this the most memorable, and most financially responsible, holiday season yet!

   

  Prioritize Applying for Scholarships

  Here’s how to truly maximize the season: While you’re enjoying this peaceful downtime, use the quiet weeks of winter break to crush your financial goals. Prioritize applying for scholarships with the ScholarshipOwl platform! Devoting just a few peaceful hours each week of your break is the ultimate gift you can give your future self, as you work to eliminate taking on thousands in debt later.

   

  Let the joy and generosity of the holiday season inspire your application efforts—write about the service you volunteered for, or the creative gift you made. The ScholarshipOwl platform offers a streamlined system that matches you to countless opportunities, and you can even opt-in to be automatically applied to “no requirement” scholarships, turning tedious work into efficient effort. That frees up more time for board games, movie marathons, and quality time with the friends and family you missed while you were at school, while simultaneously maximizing your scholarship efforts!

   

  Obtain Seasonal Work to Build-Up Your Bank Account

  Beyond seeking free money through scholarships, boost your earning potential during the long break by working. Many retail stores, fulfillment centers, and service industries desperately need temporary holiday help, often offering seasonal bonuses and flexible shifts.

   

  You can also further pad your savings by taking on a side hustle, such as delivering meals or groceries, working for a ride share app, offering to pet-sit or house-sit for a family, etc.

   

  Picking up extra hours now isn’t just about covering holiday costs; it’s about strategically boosting the cash reserve that keeps your bank account healthy in January and February. When you return to campus with more cash saved, you eliminate the stress of tight budgets and are less likely to rely on costly credit card float while waiting for your spring semester financial aid or first paycheck.

   

  The beautiful thing about making smart choices during the holiday season is that you’re also giving a priceless gift to your future self: financial breathing room. That feeling of stability as January rolls around, knowing you have a financial cushion while everyone else is panicking over credit card bills and delayed aid disbursements, is a huge win. You are building positive financial habits now that will reduce stress for the entire new term and set you up for success long after the decorations are packed away.

   

  Smart Spending, Smarter Saving: The Joy of a Debt-Free New Year

   

  Celebrating the holidays on a student budget isn’t about deprivation—it’s about focusing your scarce resources of time and money on what truly matters: love, generosity, and shared experiences. By getting creative, you can make this the most memorable, and most financially responsible, holiday season yet!

  The post Deck the Halls, Not the Debt: Celebrating the Holidays on a Student Budget appeared first on ScholarshipOwl.

• Fueling Your Future: 10 Major Corporate Scholarships to Transform Your College Funding (2025 / 2026) [2025-11-20]

  In the quest for a debt-free degree, corporate scholarships are a powerhouse resource every student should tap into. Far from being simple marketing campaigns, these programs represent multi-million dollar investments by America’s largest businesses, demonstrating a powerful commitment to cultivating future talent, fostering diversity in key industries, and giving back to the communities they serve. Companies—ranging from massive tech giants to global food chains—are actively looking to empower tomorrow’s leaders by backing their education.

  Below is an updated list of ten robust corporate scholarship programs available in the 2025 and 2026 application cycles. These awards recognize everything from community service and academic merit to financial need and technical passion, offering substantial funding that can dramatically reduce your need for loans.

  10 Top Corporate Scholarship Programs (2025 / 2026) Amazon Future Engineer Scholarship

  The Amazon Future Engineer Scholarship is a highly sought-after program that supports students pursuing careers in computer science.

  • Awards: Up to $40,000 ($10,000 per year, renewable) plus a paid summer internship at Amazon after their freshman year of college. The program awards 400 students annually.

  • Eligibility: High school seniors pursuing a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field (Software Engineering, Data Science, etc.). Applicants must demonstrate financial need and have a minimum cumulative 2.3 GPA.

   

  Coca-Cola Scholars Program Scholarship

  The Coca-Cola Scholars Program Scholarship is one of the most prestigious achievement-based awards in the nation.

  • Awards: $20,000 non-renewable scholarship. 150 students are selected each year.

  • Eligibility: Graduating high school seniors who exhibit exceptional leadership, dedication to community service, and a strong commitment to making a positive impact. Requires a minimum 3.0 GPA.

   

  Dell Scholars Program

  The Dell Scholars Program focuses on supporting highly motivated, low-income students who have demonstrated grit and determination.

  • Awards: $20,000 over four years, a Dell laptop, textbook credits, and personalized academic, financial, and emotional support. 500 winners selected annually.

  • Eligibility: High school seniors who participate in an approved college readiness program, are eligible for a Pell Grant (demonstrate financial need), and have a minimum cumulative 2.4 GPA.

   

  Taco Bell Live Más Scholarship

  The Taco Bell Live Más Scholarship is a unique scholarship that prioritizes passion and creativity over traditional metrics like GPA or test scores.

  • Awards: $5,000 to $25,000 per student. The program commits millions in funding annually.

  • Eligibility: Students (ages 16–26) pursuing any type of post-secondary education (college, vocational, trade school). Applicants must submit a video (30 seconds–2 minutes) or a short essay describing their life passion and how they use it to make a positive change.

   

  Burger King Scholars Program

  The Burger King Foundation offers the Burger King Scholars Program, which includes substantial awards to recognize academic excellence and community dedication.

  • Awards: Scholarships range from $1,000 up to $60,000 (the James W. McLamore WHOPPER® Scholarship) to support future leaders.

  • Eligibility: High school seniors who have a minimum cumulative 2.5 GPA and demonstrate a commitment to community service. The program also offers scholarships specifically for Burger King employees and their families.

   

  Equitable Excellence Scholarship

  The Equitable Excellence Scholarship is a renewable scholarship offered to students dedicated to community service and positive change.

  • Awards: $5,000 renewable scholarships for all four years of undergraduate study, totaling $20,000 in financial support.

  • Eligibility: High school seniors who reside in the U.S. and plan to enroll full-time at an accredited two- or four-year college. The program places emphasis on courage in the face of challenges and commitment to being a “force for good” in the community.

   

  Google Lime Scholarship

  Supported by Google and administered by Lime Connect, the Google Lime Scholarship aims to empower students with disabilities to pursue careers in the tech sector.

  • Awards: $10,000 for students in the U.S. (or $5,000 for students in Canada).

  • Eligibility: Undergraduate or graduate students with a visible or invisible disability who are pursuing a degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or a closely related technical field.

   

  Microsoft Disability Scholarship

  Created by Microsoft employees, the Microsoft Disability Scholarship supports students with disabilities entering the technology industry.

  • Awards: Renewable scholarships (up to three years).

  • Eligibility: High school seniors with a disability planning to pursue a degree in an eligible field (Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Information Systems, Business, or Law). Requires a minimum 2.5 GPA and demonstrated financial need.

   

  Black at Microsoft (BAM) Scholarship

  The Black at Microsoft (BAM) Scholarship, driven by Microsoft employees, seeks to increase diversity in technology fields.

  • Awards: Renewable scholarships (up to three years).

  • Eligibility: High school seniors planning to enroll full-time at a four-year institution in a field such as Engineering, Computer Science, Business Administration, or Finance. Requires a minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA and demonstrated financial need. (Note: While named for the employee resource group, the scholarship is open to all applicants who meet the eligibility requirements.)

   

  Women at Microsoft (WAM) Scholarship

  The Women at Microsoft (WAM) Scholarship aims to encourage students pursuing degrees in technology, engineering, or math.

  • Awards: One-time scholarships (amount varies).

  • Eligibility: High school seniors planning to enroll full-time in an undergraduate study related to technology, engineering, math, or computer science at a two- or four-year U.S. institution. Requires a minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA. (Note: This scholarship is open to applicants of all genders who meet the requirements.)

   

  Maximize Your Corporate Scholarship Potential

   

  Corporate scholarships can be large and exciting! They often focus on specific criteria like major, background, or life experience rather than test scores or high GPA. Don’t dismiss these opportunities. Every $10,000 award secured from a corporation like Amazon or Coca-Cola is $10,000 you don’t have to borrow. Research the eligibility for these top 10 programs, utilize platforms like ScholarshipOwl to manage your applications efficiently, and harness the financial power of the corporate world to realize your educational ambitions.

  The post Fueling Your Future: 10 Major Corporate Scholarships to Transform Your College Funding (2025 / 2026) appeared first on ScholarshipOwl.

• The Impact of Social Media on Relationships [2025-12-11]
  Social media has become one of the main places where people talk, connect, argue, and observe each other. It did not replace real-life interaction, but it changed how people experience it. The shifts are sometimes subtle and sometimes obvious, but they show up in almost every kind of relationship. How Connection Happens Now People stay [...]
• 18  Global Opportunities for Professionals Across Various Sectors – December 11, 2025 [2025-12-11]
  1. Prince Claus Fund Seed Award 2026.  Each year, the Prince Claus Fund offers a Seed Award to 100 emerging artists working in contexts where cultural expression is under pressure.The Seed Award provides recipients with the space and support to deepen their artistic interests and inquiries and amplify their practice – helping spark a new [...]
• 22 Hot Jobs Currently Open – December 11, 2025  [2025-12-11]
  Opportunity Desk has just released 22 exciting job openings across diverse sectors, offering young professionals a chance to step into high-impact roles. Whether you’re building your career or seeking your next big leap, these opportunities are designed to help you grow, lead, and contribute meaningfully. 1. Project Manager, Conflict-Related Sexual Violence Survivors Engagement in Syria [...]
• GSK Scholarships for Future Health Leaders 2026-2027 (Fully-funded) [2025-12-11]
  Deadline: March 4, 2026 Applications are open for the GSK Scholarships for Future Health Leaders 2026-2027. Three scholarships are offered to support the training and development of the next generation of leaders in global health and strengthen the capacity of health systems and health-related research in Africa. These highly competitive scholarships are available to applicants [...]
• Prince Claus Fund Seed Award 2026 (up to €5,000) [2025-12-11]
  Deadline: January 8, 2026 Applications are open for the Prince Claus Fund Seed Award 2026. Each year, the Prince Claus Fund offers a Seed Award to 100 emerging artists working in contexts where cultural expression is under pressure. The Seed Award provides recipients with the space and support to deepen their artistic interests and inquiries [...]

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PhD & Academia

• 01/15/21 PHD comic: 'NEW BOOK! Out of Your Mind!' [2022-01-31]
  Piled Higher & Deeper by Jorge Cham www.phdcomics.com title: "NEW BOOK! Out of Your Mind!" - originally published 1/15/2021

  For the latest news in PHD Comics, CLICK HERE!

• 08/31/23 PHD comic: 'New Book! Oliver's Great Big Universe!' [2021-12-14]
  Piled Higher & Deeper by Jorge Cham www.phdcomics.com title: "New Book! Oliver's Great Big Universe!" - originally published 8/31/2023

  For the latest news in PHD Comics, CLICK HERE!

• 10/22/21 PHD comic: 'Current Status' [2021-10-25]
  Piled Higher & Deeper by Jorge Cham www.phdcomics.com title: "Current Status" - originally published 10/22/2021

  For the latest news in PHD Comics, CLICK HERE!

• 09/24/21 PHD comic: '...Said No Academic Ever.' [2021-09-27]
  Piled Higher & Deeper by Jorge Cham www.phdcomics.com title: "...Said No Academic Ever." - originally published 9/24/2021

  For the latest news in PHD Comics, CLICK HERE!

• 09/17/21 PHD comic: 'The COVID-19 Virus Explained' [2021-09-18]
  Piled Higher & Deeper by Jorge Cham www.phdcomics.com title: "The COVID-19 Virus Explained" - originally published 9/17/2021

  For the latest news in PHD Comics, CLICK HERE!

• The Global Decline of Research Communications in the Disinformation Field [2025-11-18]

  In recent years, academic research has become a target of political hostility. Governments and partisan movements have delegitimized, defunded, or discredited entire scholarly fields, while those working on topics that intersect with politics, media, or technology have faced escalating scrutiny. This has been observed particularly in environments where research findings challenge powerful…

  Source

• The invisible orchestrator: How ChatGPT-5 redefines scientific reproducibility [2025-10-09]

  Following considerable anticipation, ChatGPT-5 has arrived. Instead of the much-touted artificial general intelligence (AGI), OpenAI has delivered a more intelligent, orchestrator model that now internally selects the appropriate sub-model to perform a given task. For a simple request, it will choose a smaller, faster model. For a complex one, it will employ models that require more computational…

  Source

• Populism, platforms, and the challenges of science communication [2025-07-07]

  What is disinformation and how does the spread of disinformation affect liberal democracies worldwide? I notice, the longer I work on this topic, that “disinformation” is really an umbrella term—in the sense that it covers many different phenomena, each of which may have its own logic, but they are all grouped under the same label. I find this relevant because I’m particularly interested in a…

  Source

• When scientists are targeted, what helps? [2025-06-30]

  A researcher receives anonymous death threats after appearing on TV. A climate scientist is publicly discredited by a powerful politician. A young academic switches research topics to avoid online harassment. Such stories are increasingly shared by the research community and could signal growing hostility towards science. In June 2025, a co-creative workshop was organised by the KAPAZ project…

  Source

• There is a Model for That: Science and Public AI Infrastructures [2025-02-26]

  This article argues that the culture and institutions of science are a central pillar for developing and institutionalizing public AI infrastructures. By fostering an environment where AI technology is permanently accessible and accountable, science organizations navigate the complexities of integrating this technology into specific social contexts, thus serving as a blueprint for other…

  Source