LinkedIn Wants College Students With Something to Say. Are You One of Them?

For college students stepping out into the professional workforce for the very first time, LinkedIn is a necessary tool.

While the platform is primarily used for networking, there are plenty of other features that young people should be taking advantage of, including the ability to search for jobs, showcase their resumes, research employers, and — perhaps most importantly — market themselves.

And although building credibility by amassing positive reviews and recommendations is a large part of what will make you stand out to potential employers on the networking platform, there’s one thing that many young people are missing out on: The ability to craft their own professional persona and reputation by having their viewpoints, thoughts and ideas published on the Student Publishing Platform.

And that’s because not many students even know it exists.

To fix this issue, LinkedIn launched its Campus Editors program, which appoints promising students as college ambassadors to pitch, write, edit and publish articles — and to encourage other students on campus to participate in the program as well.

Right now, the program is looking for its next class of Campus Editors — and that could include you.

Become a LinkedIn Campus Editor

A LinkedIn Campus Editor is a college student who functions much like a journalist and works with LinkedIn’s editorial team to create, pitch, write, edit and publish content on the site.

Campus Editors also act as ambassadors, and it’s their job to round up (and hype up) other students on campus who want to write about anything that matters to them.

(And LinkedIn is serious about “anything that matters to them.” In the past, students have written about everything from job rejections to dresses.)

Campus Editors work closely with the team at LinkedIn and thus have the opportunity to meet and work with professionals from a variety of industries. This, in turn, often leads to internship and job offers, speaking and engagement opportunities, and article re-publishing offers from big-name media outlets.

Interested yet?

I thought so.

But would you believe me if I told you there was more awesome stuff that comes with this gig?

This year’s class of Campus Editors will also receive a premium upgrade and will be given access to LinkedIn Learning, a collection of courses that help students “learn new skills and gain a competitive advantage.”

To be a successful Campus Editor, you should love coming up with and creating content, enjoy working collaboratively and be passionate, driven and focused on meeting deadlines.

You should also be a person who deeply believes that students’ voices matter and that their perspectives are important (which they do, and they are).

Applications are open until the end of September, so head over here to fill one out.

Good luck! I’m excited to read what you write.

Grace Schweizer is a junior writer at The Penny Hoarder.

This was originally published on The Penny Hoarder, one of the largest personal finance websites. We help millions of readers worldwide earn and save money by sharing unique job opportunities, personal stories, freebies and more. In 2016, Inc. 500 ranked The Penny Hoarder as the No. 1 fastest-growing private media company in the U.S.

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From Rags to Riches to Rags Again: 21 Lottery Winners Who Lost Everything

When I was a repo man, one of my more unusual assignments was repossessing a Cadillac from a recent $1 million lottery winner.

While investigating to determine where the vehicle was hidden, I learned that when the annual lottery checks arrived she quickly spent them partying, leaving her without enough to make her car payments. One night, I drove her car away while she slept.

It’s tough to say how often lottery wins have happier endings. Given the many national lotteries around the world and the 44 state lotteries in the U.S., there have probably been thousands of $1 million-plus winners, and some of them must responsibly manage their winnings.

But sadly, some lottery winners lose it all very quickly.

It’s too easy to find one tragic real-life case after another. Here are 21 of the worst. And what if you win big in the lottery someday? What mistakes should you avoid? The lessons are pretty clear, and they’re right there in the stories if you pay attention.

1. A Typical Story?

Lisa Arcand won $1 million in the Massachusetts lottery in 2004. She bought a house and went on vacations like many winners.

Of course, a million dollars isn’t much after taxes, so she also opened a restaurant to make some additional income. Sadly, within a few years she ran out of money and closed the failing restaurant. In 2007, she said of her lottery experience, “Actually, it’s been very depressing.”

2. From Millionaire to Factory Worker

Michael Carroll was a garbage man in England when, at age 19, he won £9.7 million (about $14.4 million at the time) in the lottery in 2002. A mansion, drugs and gold jewelry ate up the money quickly.

By 2012, Carroll was broke and living off unemployment checks. Now he works in a slaughterhouse, making £400 (about $511) per week.

3. Party Down… and Down, and Down

Gerald Muswagon, of Winnipeg, Manitoba, won $10 million in 1998. He bought cars for friends and family, and made his new house into a “party pad.”

Eventually, he’d spent all his money and he took a minimum-wage job to support his six children and his girlfriend. In 2005, just seven years after his big win, he took his own life.

4. Generous to a Fault

Janite Lee won $18 million in 1993. Although her gambling habit reportedly cost her more than $300,000 per year, she may have spent more on charitable and political donations. Her generosity included $1 million for Washington University to build a new library. In 2001, she filed for bankruptcy.

5. Millionaire or Murderer?

Willie Hurt won $3.1 million in the Michigan lottery in 1989. The money didn’t last long. Within two years Hurt wrecked his marriage, lost custody of his kids and was charged with attempted murder. He spent his winnings on his divorce and drugs, according to his attorney.

6. Big Winner Goes Deep in Debt

Suzanne Mullins won $4.2 million in 1993 in the Virginia lottery. She split the prize with her husband and was supposed to receive 20 annual after-tax payments of $47,778.

But when money got tight, she borrowed from a company that lends cash to lottery winners. In 2000, the lottery rules changed, allowing Mullins to collect the rest of her money all at once. She apparently spent the money rather than pay back what she owed to the lottery lender, and in 2004 a court ruled she still owed the company $154,147.

7. $31 Million Gone in Two Years

Billie Bob Harrell Jr. won $31 million in the Lotto Texas game in 1997, and he no longer had to stock shelves at Home Depot.

He bought a ranch and a few homes, gave money to his church and made loans to friends. Everyone wanted a piece of his money, and soon his marriage was in trouble as he lent and spent all of his winnings. In 1999, less than two years after his big win, Harrell took his own life.

8. Big Spending

Sharon Tirabassi, of Hamilton, Ontario, won $10.5 million in 2004. She treated friends to vacations in Cancun, Las Vegas, California, Florida and the Caribbean. She got married and bought a house for $515,000 — and got a $360,000 mortgage loan rather than paying all cash. She bought numerous cars, including one that cost more than $200,000, and gave millions of dollars to family and friends.

By 2007, half of her money was gone. By 2008, with her husband in jail for a DUI, Tiribassi lost their home. Now, to pay the rent and support her kids, she takes the bus to her part-time job.

9. Living for the Moment

Lou Eisenberg won $5 million in 1981, which at the time was the largest lottery win ever. After taxes, he received payments of $120,000 annually for 20 years. He bought a condo in Florida, took trips to Europe and Hawaii, and gambled. He also gave cash to whoever he figured needed it. Of his spending, he says, “I lived for the day.”

Shortly after cashing his last check in 2001, Eisenberg was broke. Now 81 years old, he lives in a mobile home on social security and pension income that amounts to about $1,000 a month.

10. Elderly Lottery Winner Looking for a Job

Vivian Nicholson, of Castleford, England, won £152,300 in 1961, the equivalent of about £3 million today ($3.5 million). She famously vowed to “spend, spend, spend!” She bought expensive designer dresses, vacations, and a new car every six months.

By the 1970s, Nicholson was broke. In 1998, she received money from “Spend, Spend, Spend,” a musical about her life, and spent it all quickly. By 2007, at age 71, she was living on a pension of £87 weekly ($102), and was looking for a job. After sending out 25 resumes, she still hadn’t found one. She died in 2015.

11. Karmic Lottery Loss

Denise Rossi won $1.3 million in the California Lottery in 1996. But instead of telling her husband of 25 years — who thought they were happily married — she asked for a divorce, and said she wanted it done quickly.

Soon after the divorce, Rossi’s ex-husband discovered her deception. In 1999, a judge determined that she had broken asset disclosure laws, and he awarded her husband every penny of her winnings.

12. “Nightmares”

William “Bud” Post won $16.2 million in 1993, and five years later said, “Everybody dreams of winning money, but nobody realizes the nightmares that come out of the woodwork, or the problems.”

Post’s brother tried to hire someone to kill him and his wife. A landlady forced him to give her a third of his winnings. He was convicted of assault for firing a shotgun at a bill collector, and for passing bad checks. He declared bankruptcy. When Post died in 2006, he left behind little or nothing for his seventh wife and the nine children he had with his sixth wife.

13. Killed for His Money?

Urooj Khan won $1 million in the Illinois lottery in 2012, and opted for the lump-sum payout of $424,500 instead of annual payments. He planned to use the money to expand his dry-cleaning business.

Sadly, Khan died less than a month after winning, the day after his check was mailed. While his death was ruled natural at first, a test later revealed that he had been poisoned with cyanide. The police have not named a suspect, and a subsequent autopsy revealed nothing more.

14. Another Lottery Winner Poisoned

Ibi Roncailoli won a $5 million Lotto prize in 1991, in Ontario, Canada. Soon afterward, she gave $2 million of her winnings to a child she had secretly had with a man who was not her husband.

When her husband, gynecologist Joseph Roncailoli, discovered the truth, he poisoned his wife. He went to jail for manslaughter, but not before reportedly asking Ibi’s family for help in paying for her funeral.

15. Two Lottery Wins, Very Little Money

Evelyn Adams won the New Jersey lottery twice, in 2005 and 2006, collecting $5.4 million in total. Spending sprees, bad investments, gifts to family and a gambling habit all helped her get rid of the money quickly.

16. Defrauded by a Friend

Marva Wilson won $2 million in the Missouri lottery in 2012. Freya Pearson, whom Marva considered a friend, tricked her into giving Pearson unrestricted access to her bank account.

Pearson used the money to travel, gamble and buy cars and an apartment, spending more than $640,000 of Wilson’s winnings. Just two years after cashing in her winning ticket, Wilson was broke.

17. Tax Fraud and Other Problems

Alex Toth won $13 million in the Florida lottery in 1990. He lived well for a few years, then went broke, split up with his wife, got in trouble for filing false tax returns and spent some time in a mental institution. He avoided going to trial for the tax fraud charges by dying, penniless, at age 60 in 2008.

18. Yet Another Lottery Divorce

Lara and Robert Griffith won £1.8 million ($2.1 million today) in the Lotto in 2005. They bought a home for £670,000 ($790,000), along with a Lexus 4×4 and a Porsche convertible. Robert paid for his band to have a record made, and Lara splurged on designer handbags. They set up a beauty salon business.

Then, six years later, Roger disappeared with the Porsche and Lara discovered suspicious emails on his computer. He denied having an affair, but the marriage ended, the money was gone and now Lara is an employee at the salon they used to own.

19. Too Young to Win?

Callie Rogers is perhaps the youngest big lottery winner. At age 16, she won £1.9 million ($2.2 million) in 2003. Her winnings went toward cosmetic surgery, drugs and partying. She says she attempted suicide three times.

Now married and a mother of three, she has only £2,000 ($2,359) left in the bank, but says she is finally happy. She says of the experience, “I was too young to win the lottery — I don’t think 16-year-olds should be eligible.”

20. A $27 Million Spending Spree

David Lee Edwards split a $280 million Powerball jackpot with three others, a win that came while he was unemployed and living in his parents’ basement. After taxes, he received a lump sum of $27 million. He bought a $600,000 house, a $1 million fleet of cars, a $78,000 watch, a $1.9 million jet, 200 swords and other medieval weapons, and a $4.5 million fiber-optics installation company. He also married a woman 19 years younger than he was.

Within a year, he had spent $12 million. The house was soon lost to foreclosure, his wife was arrested for stabbing a boyfriend, and David died at age 58 in 2013.

21. A Millionaire Wins the Lottery

Jack Whittaker was already a millionaire when, on Christmas of 2002, he won $314.9 million, the biggest single-person lottery win in history. He opted for a lump-sum payment, which after taxes, left him with $93 million. His contracting business, which employed over 100 people, provided a great living, but his humble lifestyle meant few people knew how much he made. The lottery winnings were apparently a different kind of income.

Whittaker spent money at strip clubs and casinos. He gave millions to charities. His habit of leaving cash in his car resulted in thefts of $545,000 one time and $100,000 another, and his house was robbed. He showered gifts and cash on his beloved 16-year-old granddaughter, who spent much of the money on drugs. A year later, she was found, apparently murdered.

Whittaker rarely speaks to the press now, and some reports say he is broke. When asked if life was easier before his big win, he said, “Yeah, it was a lot easier then.”

Steve Gillman is the author of, “101 Weird Ways to Make Money” and creator of EveryWayToMakeMoney.com. Of the more than 100 ways he has personally made money, writing is his favorite (so far).

This was originally published on The Penny Hoarder, one of the largest personal finance websites. We help millions of readers worldwide earn and save money by sharing unique job opportunities, personal stories, freebies and more. In 2016, Inc. 500 ranked The Penny Hoarder as the No. 1 fastest-growing private media company in the U.S.

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How to Save 97% at CVS Without Clipping Coupons: 7 Hacks From a Pro Shopper

Some people love the thrill of blackjack, skydiving or drag racing. I love the thrill of saving money at CVS. It’s excitement, disbelief and accomplishment, all rolled into one.

I get such a rush watching a big total reduce to just a few dollars. On a recent visit to the store, I saved 97% while buying stuff I actually need. While the difference isn’t always that dramatic, I generally save at least 60% on my purchases.

But it’s not fair to keep all my CVS saving secrets to myself. Here’s how to save money at CVS, reducing your bill by the double digits every single time you shop.

1. Never Shop When Desperate

The best way to score deep discounts on toiletries at CVS? Never shop when you run out. Instead, shop when the price is right. Just as you should never grocery shop when hungry, you should never drugstore shop when you actually need something.

If you wait until you’re squeezing the very last bit of toothpaste out of the tube, you’ll likely spend more than if you had bought it last week during a great sale.

Keep an eye on the weekly sale flyers and shop when CVS has a great toothpaste deal (which luckily, is often.) Even if you don’t need it right now, having a tube or two of toothpaste on hand is never a bad idea. When you run out, you can “shop” your own medicine cabinet.

2. Throw Brand Loyalty Out the Window

If you insist on buying a particular brand of deodorant, body wash or laundry detergent, you won’t be as successful in hacking your way to CVS savings. For maximum savings, let the sales and special offers drive the brands you buy.

Though you may find a great deal on a product you love, you can save bigger bucks if you’re open to buying any brand. Even if your favorite product is on sale, a competing product might be even cheaper. You’ll save more when you look at every price tag, then go with the lowest one.

3. Get Strategic About ExtraCare Bucks

All pharmacies have rewards cards, but I find the ExtraCare Rewards Program to be the best money-saving card of them all. One big reason: ExtraCare Bucks, or ECBs.

These are essentially CVS gift certificates ranging from $1-10 that print on the bottom of your receipt. They usually expire in 30 days, but you can use them right away. In fact, you can even divide your items into two transactions and use ECBs from transaction one to bring the price down in transaction two.

So how do you get ECBs? Each week, certain items are designated “Extra Buck Offers.” Smart CVS shoppers review the week’s ad before visiting the store and stick to items that have ECB offers.

Once you get going, you can start “rolling” your ECBs. You know you’ve reached true CVS savings nirvana when you hand over a stack of ECBs from your last shopping trip, which gets your price down to just a few dollars. And then even more print out to use next time.

4. Scan Your ExtraCare Card Before and After Every Trip

Every CVS has a red machine that looks like a price checker (and indeed, it is. You can also scan products here to verify their prices.)

The first thing you should do when you walk into a CVS is scan your card at this machine. It will spit out a whole bunch of random coupons. You might get something like “$5 off $15 oral care purchase” or “$3 off $11 personal cleansing.” You never know what you’ll get. Many of these coupons are triggered by what you already buy (and since you’re religiously using your ExtraCare card, CVS knows.)

Use the coupons on the spot or save them for later. These coupons are especially valuable because you can combine them with other offers to save even more money.

Before you check out, don’t forget to hand your card to the cashier. Every three months, you’ll get back 2% of what you’ve spent in the form of ECBs, so you want to make sure every purchase you make qualifies for that 2%. Keep in mind that certain items don’t count, such as gift cards, alcohol and stamps, but almost everything else does.

5. Register for Extra ECB Offers

Snag extra ECBs by taking advantage of additional CVS programs. If you have prescriptions, get them from CVS and sign up for the ExtraCare Pharmacy & Health Rewards. You’ll get $5 ECBs for every 10 prescriptions you fill.

The ExtraCare Beauty Club is another great way to rake in the ECBs. You get $5 ECBs for every $50 you spend, plus $3 ECBs every year on your birthday. Even if you don’t buy a lot of makeup, several other items are included in Beauty Club such as shampoo, body wash and face wash.

Look for one-off ECB offers as well. CVS may ask you to take a survey and reward you with ECBs. Right now, they’re pushing their mobile app and will give you $3 ECBs if you download it.

6. Add Your Email to Your Account

You’ve reviewed the weekly CVS circular and know your plan of action. But wait! Don’t head to CVS until you’ve received this week’s additional email coupon.

Once you’ve registered your ExtraCare card, be sure to go online to add your email address to your account. You’ll soon start receiving additional coupons almost every single week. These coupons tend to be 20% off your entire order, $5 off a $20 purchase or $3 off a $15 purchase.

So when you shop sale items, then use these coupons along with your ECBs, you’ve got potential for huge savings.

7. Stick to Your List

There’s a reason you’ll find such great sales at CVS. Take this popular offer CVS frequently runs as an example: $3 ECBs on a $7.99 razor, cutting the price almost in half. Razors are notoriously expensive, so this is a great way to get customers in the door. And those ECBs are a great way to entice customers to come back.

Once you’re in the store, CVS knows you’ll likely throw other things into your basket besides that razor. Don’t do it! You’ll end up spending more than you need to.

Plan your strategy and know exactly what items you’ll buy before you step foot inside the CVS. Exercise restraint. Just because you can also pick up your favorite candy, a frozen pizza and a carton of milk while you’re trying to maximize your savings doesn’t mean you should. Of course, if those items are part of your shopping list or strategy, go for it.

Putting It All Together

Just one of the above tips can save you some cash. But if you’re strategic in your shopping, keep a close eye on the sales and maximize your ExtraCare Card benefits, you’ll be well on your way to blissful extreme savings at CVS.

Here’s my best score so far: I combined the ECBs I had in my wallet, the weekly email coupon and several coupons that printed off the machine (while only purchasing sale items, of course) to bring down my total from $46.63 to $1.27 before sales tax — a savings of 97%. It was so epic, even the cashier was impressed. And now I’ve got a small stockpile of toiletries I know I’ll need soon. Let me know if you need some toothpaste!

Betsy Mikel is a Chicago-based freelance copywriter. She loves biking all over every city she visits to find its best taqueria.

This was originally published on The Penny Hoarder, one of the largest personal finance websites. We help millions of readers worldwide earn and save money by sharing unique job opportunities, personal stories, freebies and more. In 2016, Inc. 500 ranked The Penny Hoarder as the No. 1 fastest-growing private media company in the U.S.

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This Guy Switched to an Online Bank Account and Unknowingly Saved $800

Banks are not the most popular businesses in the world these days. That’s putting it kindly.

Two of the top five most-hated companies in America last year were well-known banks, with Wells Fargo and Bank of America inviting the ire of customers.

Think of your last interaction with a big bank.

I know I tend to avoid them whenever possible. I know I’ll be stuck on hold with customer service for 45 minutes, waiting to speak to someone who definitely can’t answer my question about the unexpected “maintenance fee” that showed up in my statement.

It’s enough to make you want to stick your money under a mattress… but you know that’s a terrible solution.

Thankfully, a few smart companies have become privy to everything we hate about traditional banks, and they’re starting to offer solutions.

Modern institutions are popping up with online bank accounts seemingly designed in direct response to every complaint we’ve ever had about our traditional banks.

Why Open an Online Bank Account?

Lee Best opened a spending and savings account with Chime on a co-worker’s recommendation. He’d been venting over the proverbial watercooler about his existing bank, and the co-worker suggested the company, which Best had never heard of.

“He spoke so highly of Chime and his experience with them,” Best says, “I decided to check them out. I have been highly satisfied ever since!”

Is Your Money Safe in an Online Bank Account?

Skeptics often worry about the security of an online bank account whose name they don’t know. Something about a brick building with a literal vault inside makes you feel like your money is safe.

To mimic vault-like security online, Chime partners with The Bancorp Bank to offer FDIC-insured accounts — just like your existing bank, and it offers a huge fee-free ATM network.

Chime issues a Visa debit card, which offers protection against unauthorized transactions. Its website and app use 128-bit encryption, two-factor authentication for password protection, as well as Touch ID login to keep your digital information safe.

And then there are all those reasons you were thinking about leaving your old bank in the first place

Eliminate the Inconveniences of Traditional Banks

Samuel Demeny switched from Wells Fargo to Chime to get away from unnecessary fees and restrictive daily spending limits.

The move is already paying off.

When we spoke, Demeny’s sister and her dog were visiting for a couple of weeks, and the poor pup had recently visited the vet.

Demeny’s sister found herself at the vet’s office without a way to pay the $700 bill — not what you want to deal with when you already have a sick pooch. She had the funds in her account, but her card was declined “because of the daily spending limit at her credit union,” Demeny says.

Luckily, he was able to step in and cover the cost with his Chime card. “It was nice that I was able to pay for it right then and there without having to call my bank.”

If he’d still been with Wells Fargo, he’d have been stuck with a $300 limit and an annoying wait on the phone with customer service to raise it.

Though online-only banking is still new and unfamiliar for a lot of people, both Best and Demeny have been pleasantly surprised by their experiences using Chime.

Here’s why they say it works better for them than their old (more well-known) institutions.

1. Save Money Without Thinking About It

One of the most attractive things about this online bank account, both guys said, are the automatic savings options.

Demeny is using both of Chime’s “Automatic Savings” options to build a nest egg — one option is to save every time he spends, and another feature lets him save every time he gets paid.

The app rounds up his Chime card purchases to the nearest dollar and moves the digital change to his savings account. He likes that he doesn’t have to think about these savings, and he doesn’t notice them absent from his budget.

In nine months, he’s saved $800 this way.

He also recently activated Chime’s option to stick 10% of every paycheck into savings. He’s already stashed $450 from three paychecks.

He and his boyfriend Thomas will use the savings for a move to Seattle.

“It’s just so hot down here,” he says of his current home in Houston, Texas. “I want to move up north.”

Demeny and Thomas visited Seattle two years ago and fell in love with the Pacific Northwest. They look forward to calling the area home eventually.

When they move, they’ll be able to put their savings toward all those little moving expenses that add up — like down payments on furniture — instead of using credit cards.

“We can pay for a lot of things up front, because we both use Chime, and the money’s saved,” Demeny explains.

2. Enjoy Great Customer Service (Without Getting on the Phone)

While Demeny’s been able to convert a lot of friends to Chime, Thomas was a harder sell, he says. He had reservations about using an online-only bank account.

Who would he go to with questions?

But Demeny showed Thomas a few chat logs with Chime’s customer service and explained how simple it was to send a message through the app when he had a question

“Their customer service is top-notch,” Demeny told me. “…You can send a text message and within 10 or 15 minutes have a response. With Wells Fargo, it was, like, two or three days.”

Best agreed. Chime reps are “always professional, polite and knowledgeable” he says.

Demeny’s enthusiasm for the company is simple. “The people working for Chime just seem happier, like they like their jobs more.”

3. Get Your Paycheck Up to Two Days Earlier Than Your Co-workers

“I receive my direct deposit a day earlier than all my co-workers who use other banks,” Best says. “I receive mine Wednesdays, they get theirs on Thursdays.”

Demeny gets his paycheck two days ahead of his coworkers — on Wednesday instead of Friday.

Unlike most financial institutions, Chime doesn’t wait to give you access to your money until your pay date. It adds money to your account as soon it receives notification from your employer and immediately posts the funds to your account.

“The fact that I’m paid on Wednesday versus Friday… helps me budget before the weekend even starts,” he explains, “so … I can set up my plans accordingly without overspending.”

4. No More Hidden Fees to Use Your Account

Demeny cited fees as one big reason he left Wells Fargo after opening a Chime account. He was paying $25 a year just to keep his checking account active and would’ve had to pay another $45 a year to add a savings account.

“I don’t want to have to pay to keep a bank account open, especially if I have money in it,” he says.

Chime, in comparison, charges no monthly fees (and has no minimum account balance), no overdraft fees and no foreign transaction fees.

ATMs are fee-free at MoneyPass locations. Demeny uses the ATM at a local Walmart, about a 10-minute drive from home.

On those rare occasions when there’s no fee-free ATM nearby, the app also helps him find businesses where he can get cash back at check out, like a nearby grocery store.

5. Earn Money for Telling People Why You Love Chime

Demeny is an Apple sales associate by day, but he doesn’t rely on salesmanship to convince friends and co-workers to try Chime.

“I don’t feel like I’m upselling a product,” he says. “I feel like I’m talking very happily about something, because I feel for it..”

Lucky for him, Demeny can get paid for those he “happily” converts.

6. Do Your Banking From Anywhere

“The app is user friendly and convenient,” Best says.

Demeny echoed that sentiment, mentioning several times how easy the Chime app is to use. Signing up took just a few steps, and he received his debit card in the mail in four or five days.

You can also link an existing bank account and transfer money back and forth with the Chime app. Once you have direct deposit set up, you can use Chime’s mobile check deposit feature to deposit paper checks via the app.

If you ever need to mail a paper check for those old school payments like your monthly rent, you can enter the payment info into the app, and Chime will cut a check and mail it for you.

Dana Sitar (@danasitar) is a senior writer/newsletter editor at The Penny Hoarder. She’s written for Huffington Post, Entrepreneur.com, Writer’s Digest and more, attempting humor wherever it’s allowed (and sometimes where it’s not).

This was originally published on The Penny Hoarder, one of the largest personal finance websites. We help millions of readers worldwide earn and save money by sharing unique job opportunities, personal stories, freebies and more. In 2016, Inc. 500 ranked The Penny Hoarder as the No. 1 fastest-growing private media company in the U.S.

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Amazon Prime Members Will Get Malware, Not $50 Bonus, From This Spam Email

Attention, Amazon Prime members: Did you buy anything on Prime Day? If so, you might want to check your email.

Unfortunately, I’m not here to tell you there’s a freebie or special deal just because you bought 200 plastic to-go containers for $4. I’m here to tell you you’re being targeted.

A new phishing email is going around, Delish reported on Aug. 23, and it’s aimed at people just like you. Read this before you open it and put your personal information at risk.

How This Amazon Email Scam Puts You at Risk

The email looks official and promises victims a $50 bonus for reviewing their Amazon Prime Day purchases.

However, upon clicking the link, victims land on a fake Amazon look-alike website that asks for their login information.

Kim Komando, a consumer technology expert, told Delish these types of fake emails can lead to malware or ransomware on your computer. Both can encrypt your sensitive information, making it inaccessible.

Even worse, ransomware can freeze your entire computer and demand you pay a fee to unlock it. Sometimes even after paying, you still won’t be able to access your files.

How to Protect Yourself From Amazon Scams

This isn’t the first time scammers have targeted Amazon customers.

The open online marketplace makes it hunting grounds for all types of criminals, including fake sellers who steal your money.

To protect yourself from internet scammers, Amazon offers a few tips on what fake emails often include:

• Order confirmations for purchases you didn’t make.

• Requests for your username and/or password or other personal information.

• Links to websites that look like Amazon, but aren’t.

• Attachments that ask you to install software on your computer.

• Typos or grammatical errors.

• Forged email addresses that make the email look like it’s coming from Amazon.

If you think you’ve received a scam email, Amazon asks you to immediately contact stop-spoofing@amazon.com and include the scam email as an attachment.

As for the other scams out there, just remember: If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Kelly Smith is a junior writer and engagement specialist at The Penny Hoarder. Catch her on Twitter at @keywordkelly.

This was originally published on The Penny Hoarder, one of the largest personal finance websites. We help millions of readers worldwide earn and save money by sharing unique job opportunities, personal stories, freebies and more. In 2016, Inc. 500 ranked The Penny Hoarder as the No. 1 fastest-growing private media company in the U.S.

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This Chipotle BOGO Offer Might Just Be the Trippiest Deal We’ve Ever Seen

Chipotle’s new buy one, get one free gimmick is the fun distraction you need right now.

Because let’s be real — when don’t you need a fun distraction?

Instead of trying to get to the next level of Candy Crush, point your smartphone or browser to Chipotle’s new SAVOR.WAVS promo.

It’s an interactive program that asks you to assemble your favorite Chipotle order by clicking on photos of the ingredients.

The catch: Each ingredient is represented by a sound. Put them together and it’s a beautiful, complex piece of music, much like the flavors Chipotle wants you to enjoy.

Oh, and after you fiddle around with SAVOR.WAVS, you get a coupon for a buy one, get one free offer.

How to Get a Chipotle BOGO Coupon From the Wu-Tang Clan

RZA, of Wu-Tang Clan fame, worked with Chipotle to create beats and sounds associated with each of Chipotle’s 51 ingredients.

(Fun fact: The first Chipotle location opened in 1993, the same year Wu-Tang Clan released its first studio album.)

Choose your favorite combination of ingredients — here is one instance when guacamole does not cost extra — and enjoy the flavorful tune you’ve composed.

Chipotle will play your song back with “beautiful visuals also inspired by the ingredients,” according to a release, which will make you think of a fresh garden (and probably what you’re going to get for lunch).

The promotion is about how food and music can both bring people closer together, but RZA’s full composition — you can see it performed by orchestral musicians — is truly catchy and enjoyable on its own.

Once you’ve enjoyed your tune, enter your phone number to receive a text message with your Chipotle BOGO offer, which is good for burrito, burrito bowl, salad or taco orders.

Chipotle sends you a text message to claim your BOGO offer through a link that opens in your mobile browser, so if you don’t have a smartphone, you are fresh out of luck.

You only have until Aug. 31, 2017, to use your offer link, so don’t forget about it after you spend a few minutes mixing and matching fun sounds.

Lisa Rowan is a writer and producer at The Penny Hoarder.

This was originally published on The Penny Hoarder, one of the largest personal finance websites. We help millions of readers worldwide earn and save money by sharing unique job opportunities, personal stories, freebies and more. In 2016, Inc. 500 ranked The Penny Hoarder as the No. 1 fastest-growing private media company in the U.S.

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3 Easy Ways to Get Off Your Butt at Work (Your Health Will Thank You!)

The most unassuming workplace health hazard just might be your office chair.

Yes. Your chair.

Prolonged sitting may be the most dangerous thing we do daily, say health experts cited in a Bloomberg article.

“When a body sits for an extended time, blood pools in the legs, and the arteries there lose some of their ability to dilate,” the article reads. “Metabolism slows, and with it the healthy functioning of various biochemical operations. That in turn leaves the body more vulnerable to the physical and psychological effects of sedentary living.”

Studies have connected sitting too long with health conditions like diabetes, hypertension, anxiety and cancer, Bloomberg reports. And then there’s the risk of a weakened backside and a greater probability of a shortened lifespan.

Yep, all from simply sitting too much.

So what can you do to combat the negative effects of a sedentary lifestyle? Here are a few tips.

Take Walking Breaks Throughout the Day

The Bloomberg article points to research that shows it’s good to take five- to 10-minute walking break a few times a day — or take even shorter walking breaks hourly.

You can sneak in extra physical activity by walking to speak to someone in the office down the hall instead of emailing, texting or sending a Slack message. Instead of having lunch at your desk, perhaps you could walk to a nearby park to eat.

If you’ve got a competitive streak, you may want to challenge your coworkers to see who logs in the most steps throughout the day using a pedometer or your favorite fitness tracking app or device.

Incorporate Sitting Exercises into Your Day

Even if you’re not walking or standing, you can still find ways to stretch your muscles and avoid the blood pooling in your legs due to inactivity.

Livestrong, Prevention and Fitday give great examples of exercises you can do while sitting. These exercises will make your desk chair work for you, not against you.

Use an Alternative to the Standard Desk

If you’re going to be tied to a desk all day, there are other options to just sitting at a traditional desk.

You can try a standing desk. Bloomberg reports more and more companies are offering this perk, but research also shows prolonged standing can cause muscle fatigue, back pain, swollen ankles and other health issues.

If your office doesn’t have standing desks, look into getting portable equipment that converts your regular desk into a standing desktop.

Or converts your desk chair into one.

This CEO created his own standing desk hack using about $22 in Ikea products.

Nicole Dow is a staff writer at The Penny Hoarder. She sits at work way too much.

This was originally published on The Penny Hoarder, one of the largest personal finance websites. We help millions of readers worldwide earn and save money by sharing unique job opportunities, personal stories, freebies and more. In 2016, Inc. 500 ranked The Penny Hoarder as the No. 1 fastest-growing private media company in the U.S.

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Be Prepared: 5 Strategies for Building a Budget-Friendly Emergency Kit

UPDATED: August 24, 2017

As Tropical Depression Harvey churns in the Gulf of Mexico, deciding whether or not to make landfall, now is a great time to evaluate — or create — your emergency kit.

Are you ready for the worst if disaster strikes? Preparing doesn’t have to be expensive.

How to Build Your Emergency Kit for Less

Sure, you could plunk down more than $200 on a one-size-fits-all emergency kit filled with stuff you probably won’t need.

Or, try the budget-friendly option: build your own customized, cost-effective kit. Here’s how.

1. Decide What You Need

First of all, know what you need.

The Red Cross suggests keeping these bare essentials on hand. They include mostly common-sense items: food, water, extra clothes and medicine.

You definitely need a stash of those. But what other goods make sense for where you live?

In my part of Florida, I can’t think of a disaster scenario that would necessitate the hand chain saw or rope in the $200 kit I mentioned, but maybe I’d feel differently if I had to deal with tornadoes or earthquakes, or if I lived in a wooded area.

Figure out what your kit needs and prioritize those items. And don’t get carried away — you probably just need to be able to feed yourself for a week or so, not build a shelter on a desert island.

2. Prep for Free

Some of your preparation won’t cost you a dime. It’s all about gathering stuff you already have, like important documents, cell phone chargers, maps and spare emergency cash.

Instead of buying it by the flat, consider bottling your own water. Use bleach-purified, leftover two-liter bottles and treated municipal water. Just don’t use milk or juice cartons, which can harbor bacteria. Date your bottles and replace them every six months, and you’re good to go.

If you’ll need water for hygienic purposes, clean your bathtub, then fill it with cold water. It won’t be potable, but you can use it to flush toilets and keep yourself clean.

Don’t forget your protein! Beef jerky is a great survival snack — but it isn’t cheap. You could dehydrate your own and save money and sodium content. Plus, you get to make your beef jerky the way you like. Check yard sales or Craigslist to find a dehydrator on the cheap.

Whenever you’re doing your own food prep, make sure you’re meticulous. Items undergoing long-term storage can get contaminated if they’re not perfectly sanitized and sealed — and you don’t want to discover your food stash is useless when an emergency arises.

3. DIY to Save

In my area, hurricane shutters are important, but expensive.

The good news is you can make your own out of plywood or polycarbonate from Home Depot — just make sure to factor in the cost of waste when you’re doing your comparison. You may not be able to find much use for raw material scraps once you cut out shutters.

4. Collect Cost-Effective Items

When you have to buy items, use coupons and your penny-hoarding knowledge to your advantage: Shop on the right day, use cash-back sites to earn rebates and use hacks to get the best deals at stores like CVS and Walmart.

When you pick up batteries, hydrogen peroxide, bleach and bandages, make sure to buy generic — they’ll work just as well as the brand name stuff. Check out the dollar store for these items, and while you’re there, pick up some emergency entertainment: crayons and coloring books for the kids and a pack of cards for adults.

You probably already know how much you can save by buying in bulk. Emergency rations of paper towels, toilet paper, canned goods, batteries and bottled water are a perfect opportunity to take advantage of those savings.

Finally, consider battery-free emergency additions, like wind-up flashlights and weather radios. If you’re going to be without electricity, you’ll definitely want a handheld cell phone charger, which you can keep charged and prepared beforehand.

5. Plan Ahead

One of the best ways to save money on disaster preparedness is to play the long game: Look for sales in your day-to-day life and stock up, way before your storm season approaches. Cans of tuna on BOGO? Put your “get-ones” into your stash.

The more you can avoid a last-minute disaster-prep rush, the better: Vendors do price gouge. Here in Florida, the price of canned goods and gallons of water goes up in June and falls steeply in December, after hurricane season ends.

In case you do need a last-minute item, include disaster prep in your savings budget. Set aside $20 a month or so, and consider it part of your emergency fund — because that’s exactly what it is.

Stay safe, Penny Hoarders — and don’t forget your can opener!

Disclosure: A toast to savings! Thanks for allowing us to place affiliate links in this post.

Jamie Cattanach is a freelance writer whose work has been featured at Ms. Magazine, BUST, Roads & Kingdoms, The Write Life, Nashville Review, Word Riot and elsewhere.

This was originally published on The Penny Hoarder, one of the largest personal finance websites. We help millions of readers worldwide earn and save money by sharing unique job opportunities, personal stories, freebies and more. In 2016, Inc. 500 ranked The Penny Hoarder as the No. 1 fastest-growing private media company in the U.S.

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12 Weird Mystery Shopping Gigs: Go to Spas, Casinos and Amusement Parks

This is What You Need to Know Before You Take Out a Private Student Loan

Do a quick search for information about student loans, and you’ll find myriad sites offering comprehensive guides… about federal student loans.

This information is great, of course, because millions of undergrads and grad students borrow student loans from the federal government.

But what about the students who rely on private loans to pay for school? That number reached 1.4 million in 2012-13. 

Of the $1.4 trillion in outstanding student loan debt, private loans represent about 8% of that total, or $108.2 billion. 

Private loans represented 10% of the $107 billion in loans taken out by students in the 2015-2016 academic year, according to the latest numbers from The College Board.

The abundance of information about federal loans can be confusing for borrowers who need more than what the Department of Education has to offer.

We decided to untangle the information for you — whether you’re considering borrowing private loans yourself or you just want to know what the heck all this talk about Sallie Mae is about.

Your First Step

To start, before you look into private loans, your first step should always be to fill out a FAFSA to see what you can get through federal grants and loans.

This will show you which grants (free money!) you’re eligible for and whether you’re eligible for work study programs (money you work for, instead of paying back) — two options you don’t have with private lenders.

Federal loans also often come with flexibility that could come in handy in the future, like deferment, income-based repayment and loan forgiveness. These are harder to come by with private loans.

Why Apply for a Private Student Loan?

“I often tell people even if the interest rate’s a little bit lower on the private loans, you might still go with the federal loan,” explains Kevin Walker, VP and Head of Education Loans at LendingTree.

With federal loans, he says, “you have flexibility for deferment, forbearance, income-based repayment. There’s a lot of conditions on federal loans that private loans don’t have.”

With that giant caveat, why should a student even look at private loans? Walker explains two common scenarios.

1. Your Federal Loans aren’t Enough

The traditional reason to apply for private student loans is you simply aren’t eligible for enough in federal loans, grants or work study to cover your college costs.

In your financial aid award notice from schools, you’ll see how much federal aid you’re eligible to receive. If that won’t cover your tuition and other costs, you could consider private loans to fill the gaps.

2. You Can Get a Lower Interest Rate

Increasingly, Walker says, students and parents are able to get a lower interest rate on private loans than federal ones.

This is most often true, he says, of parent PLUS loans, a federal supplemental loan in your parent’s name.

“So there might be some occasions where a student would borrow a private loan or a parent would borrow a private loan instead of a federal loan,” he said.

PLUS loans for parents and grad students tend to have much higher interest rates than other federal loans. So if you or your parents have a strong credit score, a private loan could be a better deal.

To see what kind of interest rate you’d qualify for — to compare with your federal loan options — you can enter your information into a student loan marketplace like Credible.

It’s free, and you don’t have to make any commitment to find your rates. Credible will just show you what you might qualify for from several lenders, so you can pick what works best for you.

Why NOT to Apply for a Private Student Loan

When you consider borrowing a private loan, keep the caveats in mind.

If you anticipate any point in the future when you might struggle to repay your debt, federal loans are much friendlier than their private counterparts.

(You can read about options you get with federal loans here.)

You should also make sure you’ve exhausted your options for scholarships and working through college before deciding to take on more debt.

Giving up four summers to work full time sounds terrible now, but you’ll be thankful when you see all your friends working to pay off $50,000 in student loans for the next 20 years.

How to Apply for a Private Student Loan

Applying for private loans is not the same as applying for federal loans. That comes with pros and cons.

One pro is you don’t have to navigate your way through something like the FAFSA again. Plus, you can probably just go to your bank and ask someone there to help you get started.

The flip side of that is every process will be a little different, so we can’t offer clear guidance.

The major con of applying for a private loan is… your credit score matters.

For a lot of students — like those just leaving high school — that’ll mean you can’t take out a loan without a co-signer (often a parent).

But this comes with a huge benefit down the line. While 43% of federal borrowers are having difficulty repaying, Christine Roberts, head of Student Lending at Citizens Bank, says a majority of private student loan borrowers are successfully keeping up on their payments.

Do You Have to Apply for a New Loan Every Year?

When you accept federal student loans, you sign a master promissory note, which basically lets your loan application and terms roll over from year to year. Heading into each school year, you don’t have to file a full FAFSA again, just update some information to confirm your financial situation.

Most private lenders, Walker explains, don’t have that option. You have to reapply for a new loan to cover your expenses each year. That could be a good thing, though.

“[It’s] an opportunity to shop around again, because there might be a new lender,” he says.

Some private lenders do offer the option, though, so be sure to ask about it.

For example, Roberts says of Citizens Bank, “While applying for aid has historically been an annual process for families, we offer a multi-year approval allowing them to fill out one full application and receive an approval through graduation.”

What Kinds of Loans Are Available?

When you look at federal student loans, you’ll see a variety of loans that come with different repayment conditions. They even have neat names to make them easy to remember (in theory).

Private loans aren’t categorized like that. You’ll qualify for an interest rate and repayment structure based on your (and your co-signer’s) credit history.

“Really the only differences (among private loans) usually are the fixed rate and variable rate,” Walker explains.

Fixed rate means your interest rate will be set when you sign and never change for the life of the loan. Variable rate means the interest rate could fluctuate with the market over the life of the loan.

The Difference Between Private Student Loans and Other Private Loans

So… you apply with a private lender and get a loan (or not) based on your credit history. Does that mean private student loans are the same as, say, your car loan? Or your mortgage?

Kind of.

Private student loans are more like those other private loans than they are like federal loans.

The main difference is the lender consults your school before giving you a student loan.

“The college is intimately involved in the private loan, because they ultimately have to certify the student’s eligibility for the amount that [the student is] looking to borrow on private loans,” Walker explains.

The lender will let the school know the amount you qualify for, and the school will let the lender know whether that makes sense for your needs there.

When Do You Have to Start Repaying the Loan?

Most students know one thing about their federal student loans: You don’t have to start repaying them until six months after you graduate — or leave — college. (Speaking of caveats, this comes with plenty.)

Private lenders often offer that option, too, but it might not be your best bet.

“With most private loans today, you have the option of paying interest during school, [paying] interest and principal [during school], or deferring,” Walker explains. “And lenders will sometimes charge more interest in a situation where the payment is deferred, because it’s taking longer for them to get cash flow.”

You also won’t find a private loan that doesn’t accrue interest while you’re in school (as with federal Direct Subsidized loans).

“Every private loan accrues interest during the in-school period,” Walker says, “and if you’re not making payments, the interest that is accruing is usually capitalized into principal at the time repayment begins.”

How Can You Find Out How Much You Owe?

If you’ve already taken out private student loans, and you’re ready to get serious about repayment, the first step is to know how much you owe… and who gets your payments.

Like application, managing private loans is slightly more complicated than federal loans — only because there’s no one-size-fits-all system.

You’ll have to stay in contact with your lender to find out where you can keep track of the status and terms of your loan. (e.g. Do you have an account on the lender’s website? Is there a special portal for borrowers?)

You can, however, use a site like Free Credit Report to get a quick overview of your student loan debt (and anything else you owe).

These sites show you a simplified credit report, so they’ll let you see how much you owe and to whom, as well as your current interest rates. If you’ve let your student loan debt slip way under the rug for a few years, this is a great way to figure out where you stand and who you should reach out to with issues.

Who Can Answer Your Questions

While the Department of Education is equipped to help you navigate your federal student loans, it’s not the best place to learn more about private loans.

If you have questions about your private loans, start by contacting the lender. This is the best place to look for information to clarify your loan agreement or learn about repayment options.

For general information, you can also ask your school’s financial aid office for guidance — even after graduation. And the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has a whole host of information about student loan repayment.

Can You Postpone Payments on Private Loans?

Federal student loans come with built-in guidelines for deferment or forbearance of your loan payments. The guidelines for private loans are more variable, and the definitions of these terms are a little different.

Here’s what they mean, in regards to private student loans:

• Deferment: A period of postponing or reducing payments while you’re in school, an internship or residency.

• Forbearance: A limited period of postponing or reducing payments due to financial hardship. Rather than being tied to your status (e.g. “in school”), forbearance will be set for a limited time (e.g. 12 months).

With private loans, your options for deferment or forbearance aren’t guaranteed.

“Often they exist internally, meaning that if the borrower got into a difficult situation, they might be able to negotiate forbearance, for example, with a private loan lender,” Walker explains. “But usually the private loan lender doesn’t specify upfront what would be available.”

What qualifies you for either of these options varies among lenders, and it’ll be up to you to negotiate the options with your lender.

What Does It Mean to Default?

Defaulting on a loan means you’ve failed to make payments for several months. The entire balance of your loan becomes due immediately, and the debt could be sent to collections.

A private loan is generally defaulted after 120 days (three months) of missed payments.

When you default on federal loans, the government could start garnishing your wages or withhold your tax refund to collect payment. It’s not so easy for private lenders to get your money.

When you default on a private loan, the lender will have to go to court — and win — before enforcing measures like wage garnishment to collect on the loan.

What is Student Loan Refinancing?

Refinancing will generally mean replacing loans with a new one (or a few) that brings all your student debt under one umbrella.

This could simplify your life with one monthly payment, instead of several. It may also lower your monthly payment, improve your interest rate and/or give you more time to pay.

For some, this could be one of the best ways to pay off student loans.

You could get a lower interest rate on your loans by refinancing with a company like Credible. Other companies offer similar services, but we like that the average Credible user saves about two interest points on their current federal loans.

You can refinance anytime, so don’t hesitate to look into it, even while you’re still in school.

“The earlier you refinance, the more you can save [if you get a lower interest rate] and the faster you can pay off your loan,” Roberts says.

Enter your info at Credible to find out what your new interest rate could be.

Note: If you increase the length of your repayment period, you’ll potentially pay more in interest over the life of your loan — make sure you do the math to figure out how much money you could actually save by refinancing.

Should You Apply for a Private Student Loan?

The biggest mistake students make when applying for private loans, according to Walker, is skipping the FAFSA. He warns against assuming you can’t get federal loans.

Don’t assume your parents make too much money.

Don’t assume you won’t qualify for grants or work study.

Don’t even assume it’s too late to apply.

“You should always [fill out the FAFSA], even if it’s past the deadline,” Walker said. “It’s still worth doing so that you can make sure that you have the option of taking out federal loans.”

Leave yourself open to all options, so you can shop around and get the best deal to pay for your education.

Whatever you do, make sure you’re not desperately applying for that private loan due to lack of planning or research.

“The biggest mistake that people make across the board when it comes to financing an education,” Roberts says, “is not talking about it as a family soon enough.

“[This conversation] needs to start early and cover things like what we as a family can afford, what the student needs to contribute (if anything), debt at one type of school versus another and ability to repay following graduation.”

In a nutshell? We can’t tell you whether a private loan is right for your situation.

But we hope this information sheds light on the complicated process of paying for college — so you can make an informed decision before joining the millions of people struggling to repay student loan debt.

Dana Sitar (dana@thepennyhoarder.com) is a senior writer/newsletter editor at The Penny Hoarder. Say hi and tell her a good joke on Twitter @danasitar.

This was originally published on The Penny Hoarder, one of the largest personal finance websites. We help millions of readers worldwide earn and save money by sharing unique job opportunities, personal stories, freebies and more. In 2016, Inc. 500 ranked The Penny Hoarder as the No. 1 fastest-growing private media company in the U.S.

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Trump Looks to Refocus on Financial Agenda, Economy Hits Huge 3.8% Growth in Q3

President Trump returned to Phoenix, Arizona, last night for a campaign-style rally, urging the nation to come together following the deadly protests in Charlottesville, Virginia.

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100+ Awesome Scholarships That Will Help You Pay for College

If applying to college is a nerve-wracking experience, then I’m not sure how to explain the fear and dread involved in paying for it once you get in.

But wait, it gets worse: student loans, anyone?

Before you know it, your excitement about getting into college can be totally trumped by anxiety about costs.

Luckily, there are thousands of scholarships for college students that can help you pay for school. Whether you’re in high school, college or even graduate school, you’re likely eligible for a fair amount of money.

You don’t need to get straight-A’s, be in dire financial straits or participate in a ton of extracurricular activities every day to earn a scholarship. In some cases, a special skill or interest area — like having creative ways of earning or saving money — can help you win money to use for tuition, housing or textbooks.

Here’s a list of tons of awesome scholarships to get you started on your search. Application rules and deadlines can change, so be sure to read all of the eligibility requirements on the funding organization’s website before applying.

We will be updating this list throughout the year so make sure to check back throughout the year to see if there are any new scholarship opportunities.

Happy scholarship hunting!

Scholarships With Continuous Deadlines

These organizations offer awards several times a year — during spring and fall semesters, quarterly or even monthly. Even if you’ve missed the earliest deadline this year, take a look to see if there’s another one coming up!

1. AfterCollege/AACN Scholarship Fund

This fund awards a scholarship of $2,500 each quarter to students enrolled at an American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) member institution. Awards can be used toward bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degrees in nursing.

The selection committee gives special consideration to students enrolled in a graduate program to become a nurse educator; students completing an RN-to-BSN or RN-to-MSN program; and those enrolled in an accelerated program.

Deadlines: March 31, June 30, Sept. 30, Dec. 31

2. CollegeSTEPS Sweepstakes

Wells Fargo sponsors this award, which is open to high school students ages 14 and up, and all undergraduates. A total of 12 applicants — six high school students and six college students — are selected throughout the year via random drawing to win $5,000 each.

Deadline: None – random selection throughout the year.

3. Courage to Grow

This monthly scholarship award of $500 is available to high school juniors and seniors, and college students with a GPA of 2.5 or higher. You’ll have to submit a short essay.

Deadline: The last day of each month.

4. United States Senate Youth Program

Two high school juniors and seniors from each state, Washington, D.C. and the Department of Defense Education Activity are chosen each year for this program, which includes a $10,000 scholarship. The 104 selected students will travel to Washington, D.C. as delegates for Washington Week. Applicants must be participants in student government. A principal or teacher nomination is required.

Deadlines: Range from July to November, depending on your state.

5. “No Essay” College Scholarship

Yes, there’s a scholarship you can win without writing an essay! Niche.com offers this monthly drawing, which is open to all high school and college students, as well as anyone planning to enroll in college or graduate school within 12 months.

Deadline: End of each month

6. $1,000 Local Survey Sweepstakes

Tell Niche.com about your neighborhood and be entered into a monthly drawing for $1,000. Submit a new entry each month for a better chance of winning.

Deadline: End of each month

7. CaptainU Student-Athlete Scholarship

CaptainU is a site that allows student athletes to promote themselves to colleges and helps college coaches manage their recruiting efforts.

High school and junior college students who play sports and plan to attend a four-year college can apply for this $2,000 award by completing a profile and promoting themselves and CaptainU on social media.

Deadline: Quarterly

8. DoSomething.org Campaign Scholarships

Volunteer your time for any DoSomething.org campaigns (examples include hosting a canned food drive or sharing ways to combat bullying), and you could win up to $22,000. Submit photos of your campaign work to enter.

The only requirement is that you’re between 13 and 25 years old; if you’re not in college when you win, the organization will hold onto your prize until you head to college.

Deadline: Varies by the campaign

9. Golden Key International Honour Society Scholarships

Golden Key International Honour Society is based on three principles: academics, leadership and service. It offers more than half a million dollars in scholarships each year to its undergraduate and graduate members.

Deadline: Varies by scholarship

10. Nitro College Scholarship

To win $5,000, fill out the scholarship survey, and answer three short questions. As an added bonus, you can refer a friend for a $1,000 scholarship. If your friend includes your name on their application and wins, you get a $1,000 scholarship, as well. They have four deadlines this year.

Deadlines: March 31, June 30, Sept. 30 and Dec. 31

11. Howtostartablog.com Scholarship Program

Open to any high school senior, this scholarship requires you to get a bit creative.

Following the website’s guides, create your own blog about something you’re passionate about. Then, on your new blog, post a video and talk about how you see the blogging world impacting the future of the digital age and working in America. The award is $2,500.

Deadlines: Applications are accepted year-round; winners will be chosen March 31

12. Appraisal Institute Education Trust Undergraduate Scholarship

Students who are already enrolled part time or full time toward an associate or bachelor’s degree focusing on real estate may apply for this $1,000 award. You must demonstrate academic achievement. Submit a short personal statement, two recommendations, your transcript and your resume.

Deadline: Varies based on scholarship

13.  The Festivus Scholarship

Students returning to school after a gap in their education can earn $250 by winning four rounds of quizzes on common knowledge facts. Enter by registering at the Common Knowledge Scholarship Fund and entering the fall quiz (typically begins in early September) or spring quiz (typically starts in early January).

Deadline: December and April

14. Best Reviews Design Scholarship

This scholarship accepts any candidate who are either currently studying in high school or college or can prove they are enrolled to start at a future date. To win this $2,000 scholarship, write up to 500 words on how product design can impact the world in a positive way. There are two cycles each year for this one.

Deadlines: June 1 and Dec. 1

Fall Scholarships

You can apply for these scholarships from July through September.

Note: Some of the following scholarships have multiple deadlines so they may be listed in both the fall and the spring lists.

1. Jane M. Klausman Women in Business Scholarship

Women who study business or are enrolled in a business-related program may apply for this scholarship through their local Zonta club, which awards 12 international scholarships of $7,000 and 32 district/region scholarships of $1,000. There’s no age limit to apply.

Deadlines: Varies by local clubs; club-level finalists must be presented to regional representatives by July 1.

2. Resume Companion Annual Scholarship Giveaway

Enter to win this $1,000 scholarship by creating a resume for a fictional character. There is no GPA requirement for this award.

Deadline: July 14

3. SportFact’s $1000 Scholarship

Love sports statistics? Sportsfact.org wants to know how you’re going to use your passion for sports data in a unique and impactful manner. Fill out this application to apply.

Deadline: July 31

4. CIA Undergraduate Scholarship Program

This is more of a program commitment than it is simply a scholarship. This opportunity is offered through the CIA and is open to any high school senior planning to attend a four-year college, or a current college student.

If selected, you’ll receive a salary of up to $18,000 per year, as well as full benefits. In exchange, you’ll work at the CIA in Washington, D.C. every summer.

Deadline: Aug. 14

5. Race Entry Scholarship

Race Entry wants to hear your reason for running in a race. The award is open to any college student. The winner will receive a $500 scholarship.

Deadline: Aug. 15

6. “You Deserve It” Scholarship Sweepstakes

Offered by ScholarshipOwl, simply create an account on the scholarship-finding website, and you’ll be entered to win this $1,000 scholarship.

The scholarship is available to any high school or college student who’s at least 16 years old.

Deadline: Aug. 29

7. Cappex Easy Money Scholarship

Every month, Cappex chooses a winner for its $1,000 scholarship. Any high school or college student may apply. This really is easy money — all you have to do is complete the application on the website, and you’ll be entered to win.

Deadline: Aug. 31

8. C.I.P. Scholarship

College is Power awards $1,000 to entering or continuing students in full- or part-time programs. Funds can be used for tuition, books, room and board, and other related expenses.

Deadline: Aug. 31

9. Clubs of America Scholarship

Any college student with a 3.0 GPA may apply for this $1,000 scholarship. Write an essay of at least 600 words about your career aspirations.

Deadline: Aug. 31

10. MoolahSPOT Scholarship

MoolahSPOT’s $1,000 scholarship is open to students from around the world, but your 400-word essay and application must be submitted in English. New and current college students and graduate students can apply.

Deadline: Aug. 31

11. Scholarship Detective Launch Scholarship

Free registration for ScholarshipDetective.com and a 140-character or less statement are all you need to enter this drawing for one of two $1,000 scholarships.

Deadline: Aug. 31

12. American Hort Scholarships

HRI provides seven scholarship funds for agriculture students. You could be awarded up to $4,000, depending on which scholarships you’re eligible for.

Deadline: Sept. 8

13. Muggets Scholarship

Students who are already enrolled in vocational, undergraduate and graduate programs in horticulture and have at least a 2.25 GPA may apply for this $1,500 scholarship. Two recommendations are required.

Deadline: Sept. 8

14. Thomas “Sarge” Johnson Scholarship

These 11 scholarships are available for active USA Boxing members who have have competed in at least two sanctioned bouts in this year, as well as each of the last two calendar years. Applicants should have completed at least one semester in a college, technical or vocational school.

There are two trade school awards for $2,000 each, seven undergraduate awards for $3,000 each and two graduate awards for $2,500 each.

Deadline: Sept. 15

15. CoffeeForLess.com “Hit the Books” Scholarship

If you’re a college student between ages 18 to 25, you can enter to win $500 by writing a 500-word essay on why your education is important to you. You’ll score bonus points if you can work your love of coffee into your essay.

Deadlines: Jan. 31 and Sept. 30

16. Odenza Marketing Scholarship

If you have at least a 2.5 GPA, submit two short essays on given topics to be considered for a $500 scholarship. This scholarship is open to American and Canadian students ages 16 to 25.

Deadline: Sept. 30

17. SkinCare Ox: Beauty + Wellness Scholarship

SkinCare Ox wants to offer $500 in financial aid as well as a goodie basket to a young woman who strives for personal wellness and a healthier life. Applicants are asked to submit an essay (500 words maximum) about their personal journey with health and wellness.

Deadline: Sept. 30

18. Top Reveal Scholarship

Have thoughts about the smart home trend? They could win you this scholarship! Applicants must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher and be enrolled in a college or university. They will be asked to write a “school caliber essay” relating to one of three smart home topics.

Deadline: Sept. 30

19. AfterCollege Succurro Scholarship

Full-time undergraduate and graduate students with at least a 2.5 GPA can apply for this $500 scholarship that chooses one winner per quarter.

Deadline: Sept. 30

Winter Scholarships

You can apply for these scholarships from October through December.

1. Create Real Impact

Your creative entry about distracted driving could win you a $500 or $1,500 prize. Along with the grand prizewinner of $1,500, the committee also chooses one Spanish language winner and one American Sign Language winner.

Deadline: Oct. 6

2. NSCA Foundation Scholarship

If you’re pursuing a career in strength and conditioning, such as physical therapy, coaching, or personal training, the National Strength and Conditioning Association Foundation awards 5 different scholarships in every year.

Scholarships are worth $1,500 each and students must be current NSCA members by the application deadline.

Deadline: Oct. 15

3.  College JumpStart Scholarship

Open to anyone in grades 10 to 12 or currently enrolled in college, along with nontraditional students, the College JumpStart Scholarship offers various award amounts to students who are committed to their educations and their communities. Submit a brief personal statement about your goals and achievements to apply.

Deadlines: April 15 and Oct. 17

4. Voice of Democracy

This scholarship judges applicants by short essay told via audio in three to five minutes. The national first-place winner receives $30,000 to use at any U.S. college or vocational school; scholarships of $1,000 to $16,000 are also awarded.

Deadline: Oct. 31

5. Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation Scholarship

Coca-Cola has multiple scholarship programs, but its main scholarship offers 150 awards of $20,000 for graduating high school seniors. Applicants will be judged for their capacity to lead and serve.

Deadline: Oct. 31

6. MigVapor Essay Contest

Applicants must write an essay about “a viable solution to help smokers make a positive change in their lives” and include topics such as e-cigarettes and vaporizers. This award is open to all full-time undergraduate and graduate students over age 18.

There are three awards; you could win up to $1,900. The application cycle reopens each semester.

Deadline: Nov. 1

7. Prudential Spirit of Community Awards

U.S. students in grades 5-12 who have participated in community service in the most recent 12 months are eligible to receive a Spirit of Community Award from Prudential.

National Honorees receive a $5,000 award, a medallion, a trophy and a $5,000 grant to a charity of choice. State Honorees receive an award of $1,000, a medallion and a paid trip to Washington, D.C.

Deadline: Nov. 17

8. Unigo Education Matters Scholarship

This scholarship requires current or incoming college students to write a short response to win $5,000. You must write your response about what you would say to someone who thinks education doesn’t matter or that college is a waste of time.

Deadline: Nov. 30

9. Groza Learning Center Education Scholarship

In order to be eligible for this 1000 dollar scholarship students should write a short essay about the word redemption. They want to hear your comeback story and help students pay for higher education.

Deadline: Nov. 30

10. Comcast Leaders and Achievers Scholarship

One student from every school can be nominated by their principal for this $1,000 scholarship for students who show a strong commitment to and involvement in community service, leadership and academics. There are also higher levels of scholarships for eligible winners.

Since the inception of the program in 2000, more than $26 million has been awarded to more than 25,000 students.

Deadline: Nov. 30

11. Lawrence A. Golding Scholarship

The American College of Sports Medicine honors one undergraduate student at its annual ACSM Health & Fitness Summit with $1,000 in scholarship money and $1,000 credit to the ACSM store for DVDs, books or wearables.

Sophomores, juniors and seniors in college who have made a significant contribution to their community in the areas of health, fitness and/or education can apply.

Deadline: End of November

12. HomeSecurityList Smart Home Scholarship

HomeSecurityList is looking for a student interested in the “smart home revolution,” which includes home automation, the internet of things and home security. This scholarship is open to accepted high school seniors or current college and trade school students.

Submit a 1,000- to 2,000-word essay on a relevant topic involving the “smart home revolution” for a chance to win this $1,000 scholarship.

Deadline: Dec. 10

13. Agora Pulse Social Media Management Scholarship

This $1,000 scholarship is for “emerging social media geniuses,” and is open to both high school and college students who have an interest in social media management. To apply, write a brief essay that talks about the best use of social media management you’ve seen.

Deadline: Dec. 15

14. Burger King McLamore Foundation Scholarship

Burger King offers scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $50,000 for high school seniors or full-time college students who graduated high school within the last three years. The Burger King Scholarship requires a 2.5 GPA, while the McLamore requires a 3.3 GPA.

Deadline: Dec. 15

15. Publicity.ai Seo and Content Marketing Scholarship

Open to high school and college students, this $1,000 scholarship requires a passion for marketing. Write a short essay about the best use of content marketing you’ve seen — they’re looking for the “next generation of marketing leaders.”

Deadline: Dec. 15

16. Foot Locker Scholar Athletes Scholarship

For high school seniors entering a four-year, accredited U.S. college or university, Foot Locker awards $20,000 scholarships to 20 students each year.

Students must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents, be a member in good standing of a high school sports team or be involved in an after-school sport.

Deadline: End of December

17. $500 Culinary Scholarship

High school students interested in culinary school, along with current culinary students, can enter to win this $500 award from Niche.com.

Deadline: Dec. 31

18. $500 Nursing Scholarship

Future and current nursing students can apply for this $500 scholarship from Niche.com.

Deadline: Dec. 31

19. Community College Scholarship

Niche.com offers $500 to current and anticipated community college students.

Deadline: Dec. 31

20. Gen and Kelly Tanabe Scholarship

This $1,000 scholarship is a merit-based award open to incoming and current college or graduate students. Applicants must submit a 250-word essay.

Deadline: Dec. 31

21. Luigi Wewege Foundation Scholarship

Luigi Wewege is offering a $1500 scholarship towards academic tuition fees. The applicant would fill out the application linked and write a short essay about how retail banking would change in the next 25 years.

Deadline: Dec. 31

22. Unigo $10K Scholarship

Surprise! You’ve just been elected president. What’s your first tweet? Answer the question, and you could win a $10,000 scholarship. You must enroll in college no later than fall 2023.

Deadline: Dec. 31

Spring Scholarships

You should apply for these scholarships from January through March.

1. Princeton Prize in Race Relations

This cash prize of $1,000 is awarded to students in grades 9-12 who’ve used community service to significantly encourage positive race relations during the past 12 months.

Winners also receive an all-expenses paid trip to Princeton University for its symposium on race. One prize is awarded in each of the 27 regions in which the organization operates.

Deadline: January

2. Triple-Impact Competitor Scholarship

The Positive Coaching Alliance awards high-school juniors $1,000-$2,000 scholarships based on their essays about improving themselves, their teammates and the game.

Students must reside in the U.S. and play for a high school team or in club sports. The organization awards a minimum of 62 scholarships every year.

Deadline: Jan. 1

3. The Annual CGTrader Scholarship

CGTrader is the largest 3D model marketplace. They are giving away a total of 3 scholarships: one $1,500 for a first person window and two $500 scholarships. In order to apply potential winners need to write an essay about “using games for social good and playful learning”.

Deadline: Jan. 15

4. Ronald McDonald House Charities Scholarships

The Ronald McDonald House Charities offers a handful of scholarships open to high school seniors. To be eligible, you just have to live in an area where there is a participating RMHC chapter.

Deadline: Jan. 17

5.  Redfin Scholarship

To win this $2,500 scholarship write up to 800 words on the given prompt, which focuses on affordable housing. The scholarship is open to high school seniors, as well as college freshman, sophomores and juniors with a 3.0 GPA.

Deadline: Jan. 31

6. Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholarship Award

Minority high school students may apply for awards of up to $28,000 over four years to attend college. Scholarships also come with mentoring, leadership development and internship opportunities. The foundation awards about 60 scholarships per year.

Deadline: Feb. 15

7. AWS Foundation National Scholarship Program

The American Welding Society offers more than 30 scholarships to students in the U.S. and Canada who plan to pursue careers in welding. Awards tend to be for $2,500 or more, and many are open to students in attending a four-year college.

Students can create a single profile online through AWS to be matched with scholarship options.

Deadline: Feb. 15

8. Society of Women Engineers Scholarships

By completing a single application, women in engineering, engineering technology or computer science in the U.S. or Mexico can apply for a host of scholarships from SWE. Both undergraduate and graduate students are eligible. Awards range from about $1,000 to $20,000.

Deadline: Feb. 15 for sophomores and higher

9.  Wear Action Scholarship

Do you use technology to help you stay fit? Write an essay about it to win this $500 scholarship. Any high school or college student with a 3.0 GPA is eligible. To apply, you must write at least 700 words on how fitness gadgets can impact your life for the better.

Deadline: Feb. 28

10. Frame My Future Scholarship Contest

To win this scholarship, high school seniors or current college students can submit a piece of art, such as a photograph, collage, poem, painting or other creative piece, along with a 500-word essay about your professional goals.

A panel of judges will select 24 finalists. Students who submit the top five entries, determined by public vote, will receive a $1,000 scholarship.

Deadline: March 1

11. American Legion Auxiliary Scholarship for Non-Traditional Students

The American Legion Auxiliary offers five scholarships of $2,000 each year to students returning to school after an interruption or adults who are starting higher education later in life.

Deadline: March 1

12. Life Lessons Scholarship Program

Applicants for this scholarship must submit an essay or short video about how losing a parent during childhood impacted their lives. Eighteen scholarships ranging from $5,000 to $15,000 will be awarded.

Deadline: March 1

13. Headphone Selection Scholarship Program

Open to any high school or college student, this $500 essay scholarship requires you to write up to 1,000 words on “The Effect of Sound on Productivity.” The scholarship seeks essays demonstrating well-crafted research and analysis.  

Deadline: March 1

14. Legal Opportunity Scholarship Fund

Entering first-year law students can apply for this award from the American Bar Association. Full-time and part-time students are eligible; 20 winners receive $15,000 over their three years of law school.

Deadline: March 2

15. Bodie McDowell Scholarship

Junior and senior undergraduates and graduate students studying outdoor communications or journalism may apply. Awards range from $1,000 to $5,000, and there are three or more awards given each year.

Deadline: March 2

16. Davis-Putter Scholarship Fund

This $10,000 scholarship goes to a student active in the social and economic justice movements. Submit a personal statement, two recommendations, a transcript, evidence of financial need and a photo.

Deadline: March 31

Summer Scholarships

You should apply for these scholarships from April through June.

1. The Herbert Lehman Education Fund Scholarship

This $8,000 award from the NAACP Legal Defense Fund was originally created to help African-American students integrate into formerly segregated schools in the South and to increase their presence in the legal profession.

Any undergraduate student showing financial need, academic achievement and a commitment to public service is eligible to apply.

Deadline: April 1

2. College Success Scholarship

Study.com is offering $1,000 scholarships to high school seniors to apply to tuition. Applicants are required to fill out this application and write about why getting a college degree will help them achieve their goals.

Deadline: April 1

3. Michael Crossland Humanitarian Scholarship

The Golden Key International Honour Society awards its members around the world multiple scholarships, but this $1,000 award is specifically for U.S. students who serve children in need through breaking down barriers in education, sports or assisting families in need.

Deadline: April 1

4. CIA Undergraduate Scholarship Program

This is more of a program commitment than it is simply a scholarship. This opportunity is offered through the CIA and is open to any high school senior planning to attend a four-year college, or a current college student.

If selected, you’ll receive a salary of up to $18,000 per year, as well as full benefits. In exchange, you’ll work at the CIA in Washington, D.C. every summer.

Deadline: August 14

5. Signet Essay Contest

Signet Classics awards five scholarships of $1,000 to high school juniors and seniors. Applicants must write an essay about the year’s chosen literary classic from a list of provided topics; teachers then submit the essays to Signet.

Deadline: April 14

6. The Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes

Each year the Barron Prize honors 15 young leaders, ages 8 to 18, who’ve made a significant positive impact to people and the environment.

Students must reside in the U.S. or Canada and be currently working on an inspiring service project, or have done so in the most recent 12 months to be eligible for this $5,000 award

Deadline: April 15

7.  College JumpStart Scholarship

Open to anyone in grades 10 to 12 or currently enrolled in college, along with nontraditional students, the College JumpStart Scholarship offers various award amounts to students who are committed to their educations and their communities.

Submit a brief personal statement about your goals and achievements to apply.

Deadlines: April 15 and October 17

8. NDS Sophomore Merit Scholarship

The National Dairy Shrine also offers a scholarship for college sophomores pursuing a career in the dairy industry. First prize gets $1,500, and three runners-up get $1,000 each. Leadership, activities and academic performance are evaluated.

Deadline: April 15

9. NDS Junior Merit Scholarship

Undergraduates in their junior year who plan to work in the dairy industry may apply for this award, which has a first prize of $1,500 and three runner-up awards of $1,000 each. Leadership, activities, and academic performance are evaluated.

Deadline: April 15

10. ASHA Youth Scholarships

Exceptional high school students who are involved with American saddlebred horses, may apply. Academic success, financial need, community service and recommendations are considered. Awards amounts vary; a second award of $2,500 is available from the American Saddlebred Association of Alabama.

Deadline: April 30

11. Digital Responsibility E-Waste Scholarship

Write a tweet-length statement about electronic waste recycling to enter this $1,000 contest. The top 10 finalists will be asked to write a 500- to 1000-word essay.

Deadline: April 30

12. American Floral Endowment

AFE provides over 20 scholarships annually to undergraduate and graduate students majoring in floriculture and horticulture. Award amounts vary by scholarship.

Deadline: May 1

13. Paradigm Challenge

For the chance to win up to $100,000, the Paradigm Challenge encourages youth to use STEM skills and collaboration to come up with an original idea. Anyone ages 4 to 18 can enter this competition.

There are 91 prizes awarded ranging from $200 to $100,000.

Deadline: May 1

14. Society of Women Engineers Scholarships

By completing a single application, women in engineering, engineering technology or computer science in the U.S. or Mexico can apply for a host of scholarships from SWE. Both undergraduate and graduate students are eligible. Awards range from about $1,000 to $20,000.

Deadline: May 1 for incoming freshmen

15. Dr. Troy Dreiling Scholarship

If leadership is your strong suit this $1,000 scholarship is for you. Applicants are required to explain how they have exemplified leadership both in and out of school in a 500 word essay.

Deadline: May 1

16. Optimist International Oratorical Contest

Would you engage with an audience from the podium? Winning speakers at the local level can earn scholarships of $2,500, $1,500 or $1,000 at the district level.

Local club competition dates vary, but districts must submit their winner lists to Optimist International by May 15.

Deadline: May 15

17. Ayn Rand Atlas Shrugged Essay Contest

For this scholarship, respond to one of three essay prompts on Ayn Rand’s “Atlas Shrugged.” The contest is open to all students, from high school seniors to grad students. There are 84 winners, with prizes ranging from $50 to $20,000.

Deadline: May 15

18. PRSA Diversity Multicultural Scholarship

The Public Relations Student Society of America gives two awards of $1,500 to minority communications students. Applicants must be full-time students with at least junior status and a 3.0 GPA. PRSSA membership is not required, but applicants must submit a transcript, letter of recommendation and two-page essay on diversity in the public relations industry.

Deadline: May 26

19. Leavitt Machinery Scholarship

Leavitt Machinery’s $500 essay scholarship is open to any currently enrolled students and those expecting to attend college in the fall of 2017.

You must have a 3.0 GPA and respond to an essay prompt about how safety procedures prevented an injury in a situation either you or someone you know was involved in.

Deadline: May 31

20. Chely Wright LIKEME Scholarship

LIKEME is an organization that provides resources for LGBT teens and their communities. This $500 award is open to graduating high school seniors who’ve advocated for LGBT issues through community service and who demonstrate a commitment to the future of the LGBT community.

Deadline: May 31

21. Best Reviews Design Scholarship

This scholarship accepts any candidate who are either currently studying in high school or college or can prove they are enrolled to start at a future date. To win this $2,000 scholarship, write up to 500 words on how product design can impact the world in a positive way. There are two cycles each year for this one.

Deadlines: June 1 and December 1

22. Global Lift Equipment Scholarship

Open to any student with a 2.5 GPA, this scholarship is seriously unique: You apply by writing a 2,000-word essay from the viewpoint of an inanimate object that you choose from the website. The website says to think about the assignment like the Disney movie “Cars,” except it’s a short story about the company’s used equipment. Win $500 for your creative story.

Deadline: June 2

23. American-Scandinavian Foundation Translation Awards

The American-Scandinavian Foundation offers a $2,500 award and a $2,000 award for outstanding translations of Scandinavian works by authors born before 1800.

Deadline: June 15

24. BigSun Scholarship

High school seniors and college students can apply for BigSun Athletics’ BigSun Scholarship.

Students must be engaged in a sport of any kind and apply with an essay describing how their participation in high school sports influenced them.

Deadline: June 19

25. Lift Parts Express Scholarship

The $500 scholarship is open to students ages of 16 to 21 with a 3.0 GPA. You’re required to write an essay about how you plan to pay for college and the job you expect to have once you graduate.

Deadline: June 30

Lisa Rowan is a writer and producer at The Penny Hoarder. 

Editorial assistant Haley Gonzalez contributed research to this post. 

This was originally published on The Penny Hoarder, one of the largest personal finance websites. We help millions of readers worldwide earn and save money by sharing unique job opportunities, personal stories, freebies and more. In 2016, Inc. 500 ranked The Penny Hoarder as the No. 1 fastest-growing private media company in the U.S.

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