Ready to apply for some college scholarships? We rounded up seven different scholarships with October deadlines that feature a diverse range of qualifications and requirements. Whether you’re interested in finance, democracy, or the culinary arts, there’s something for all kinds of students on this list of October scholarships. Prizes top out at $35,000. Find all the details on these scholarships for Fall 2026 below.
Handy Recovery Advisor Scholarship
How to Apply: Complete the application and write an essay (800–1,000 words) on one of the provided topics focused on data storage, backups, and data recovery.
Eligibility: Open to high school seniors (16+) and current undergraduate students (U.S., Canada, Australia, Europe)
Amount: $1,000
Deadline: October 1, 2026
Website: https://www.handyrecovery.com/scholarship/
Chicago Culinary Museum and Chef’s Hall of Fame Scholarship
How to Apply: Complete the application and write a one-page essay evaluating a significant experience, achievement, risk you have taken, or ethical dilemma you have faced and its impact on you.
Eligibility: Open to students enrolled in an accredited culinary or hospitality management program with at least a 3.0 GPA
Amount: Up to $500
Deadline: October 1, 2026
Website: https://www.thechicagoculinarymuseum.org/scholarships/
AES Engineering Scholarship
How to Apply: Submit an essay of 500–1,000 words answering the questions, “When you look back on your life in 30 years, what would it take for you to consider your life successful? What relationships or accomplishments will be important on this journey?”
Eligibility: Open to high school seniors and college students; students do not need to be taking engineering courses to apply
Amount: $500
Deadline: October 8, 2026
Website: http://www.aesengineers.com/scholarships.php
CJ Pony Parts Scholarship
How to Apply: Create a video of no more than 3 minutes on one of five topics related to Mustangs and automotives.
Eligibility: Open to U.S. residents who will be enrolling in postsecondary education in the U.S. in the next semester
Amount: $500
Deadline: October 15, 2026
Website: https://www.cjponyparts.com/cj-pony-parts-scholarship-video-contest
American Bullion Scholarship
How to Apply: Complete the online application, including an essay of 500–1,000 words answering the question, “What factors have caused retirement counselors to increase the recommended percentage of physical precious metal holdings within a retirement portfolio?”
Eligibility: Open to full-time undergraduate college students in the U.S. who are legal residents of the U.S. or who hold a valid U.S. student visa
Amount: $1,000
Deadline: October 31, 2026
Website: https://www.americanbullion.com/about/scholarship/
Voice of Democracy Scholarship
How to Apply: Complete the entry form and submit an essay, both written and audio recorded (3–5 minutes), on the theme, “What a Veteran taught me about America.”
Eligibility: Open to students in grades 9-12
Amount: $35,000 for first place with other prizes ranging $1,000–$21,000
Deadline: October 31, 2026
Website: https://www.vfw.org/community/youth-and-education/youth-scholarships
Financial Goals Scholarship
How to Apply: Complete the entry form and submit an essay in 500 words or less that answers the prompt: “How do you avoid comparing yourself to others financially? Share a time when social media, friends, or others influenced your spending, and explain how you are learning to overcome that pressure.”
Eligibility: Open to U.S. residents 18 or older who are planning to enroll or currently enrolled in a college degree program
Amount: $2,000
Deadline: October 31, 2026
Website: https://www.1fbusascholarship.com/
Please note, most scholarship recipients receive $2,500 or less, and only 0.1% of undergraduate students receive $25,000 or more in scholarship funds. Scholarships are one of many sources of funding for college, including savings, current income, and federal and private loans. To learn about the variety of ways to pay for college, visit our Paying for College webpage.
