Featured Scholarships: September 2025

If you’re planning the next steps in your higher education journey, you’ve learned one thing—college isn’t cheap. This month, we’re spotlighting two generous scholarships that will cover up to your full cost of tuition (plus one with a guaranteed employment offer after graduation!) Find out more below, and visit our Browse Scholarships listing to see what’s coming up later this fall!

SMART Scholarship Program

As students focus on their futures and aim to make wise investments in themselves, they want to ensure their postsecondary degrees set them up for success and impact in their fields. The Science, Mathematics, and Research for Transformation (SMART) Scholarship excels in meeting both standards. SMART empowers STEM students to achieve their educational goals without the financial burden by offering full tuition and an accelerated future in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) with the Department of Defense (DoD).

SMART scholar Joshua Castillo says the SMART Scholarship has been nothing short of life-changing. “SMART removed the financial barrier to higher education and gave me clarity and confidence in my career path,” said Castillo, who is pursuing his SMART-funded combined bachelor’s/master’s degree in computer science and engineering at Old Dominion University. He credits the SMART Scholarship with providing an abundance of meaningful professional experience through hands-on internships, mentorship from top engineers, and real-world projects that bridge the gap between theory and national security impact, all before completing his degree.

More than a scholarship, SMART scholars receive full tuition, annual stipends, summer internships, mentorship, and opportunities for research funding. As part of the program, SMART scholars begin their full-time civilian career with the DoD after graduation, working as nonmilitary government employees who solve complex challenges in their fields.

By supporting hundreds of undergraduate and graduate students annually, SMART attracts and retains top technical talent in STEM disciplines that are critical to national security, with impacts beginning as early as a scholar’s first summer internship. “When I got into the labs, I realized that actually tons of the things we did as interns really transferred,” said Nathan Jones, who earned his SMART-funded master’s degree in mathematics and now works as a research mathematician for the Air Force Research Lab Sensors Directorate at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. “You get to see these seedlings of ideas they give you as interns grow into a full program, which is really awesome to see the full lifecycle of that idea’s development,” continued Jones, who has been with the SMART Program since 2021 and has seen how his efforts are used across the department and other agencies. “It’s really cool to actually see that the work you’re doing is making an impact and what you’re doing is really important.”

By helping students like Joshua, Nathan, and hundreds of others, SMART represents the future of DoD innovation and leadership. With over 5,800 scholarships awarded since its inception, SMART empowers the research leaders of tomorrow to focus on their passions and drive the nation’s technological advancements.

SMART awards over 500 scholarships annually to top STEM students across the nation. If you’re interested in becoming a SMART scholar, and you are pursuing a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate in one of the eligible STEM fields, you can apply before December 5 at smartscholarship.org.

Applications are open through December 5. Apply Now >

Chick-fil-A Community Scholars

For more than 50 years, Chick-fil-A, Inc. has invested in the educational goals of its Team Members, awarding more than $215 million in scholarships to more than 122,000 restaurant employees, enabling them to pursue their academic and professional goals at qualifying institutions.

In 2022, the company expanded its scholarship program beyond its restaurants for the first time with the Chick-fil-A™ Community Scholars program. You can meet the most recent class of Community Scholars here—and if you’re a high school senior, college undergrad or graduate student of any age, you are invited to apply now!

Thirteen $25,000 Chick-fil-A Community Scholarships will be awarded, based on academic success, community service, and financial need. Selected Community Scholars will be encouraged to participate in the Chick-fil-A Scholars Program, a one-year engagement that includes mentoring and leadership development alongside the 2026 Chick-fil-A Remarkable Futures Scholarship Winners.

“The Chick-fil-A Community Scholars program is unlike other scholarship programs because it comes with the opportunity for students to participate in a year-long leadership development and mentorship program,” said Brent Fielder, vice president of Global Impact for Chick-fil-A, Inc. “Scholars are paired with a Chick-fil-A Staff leader to mentor them. Scholars also have the chance to meet together virtually each month, creating an environment of collaboration, growth and fun.”

To apply for the Chick-fil-A Community Scholarship, you must be 18 years of age by July 15, 2026, a resident of the U.S. or Canada and be enrolled or planning to enroll at any qualifying institution of the recipient’s choice for the 2026-27 academic year. In addition, you must have a 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale), demonstrate care through community service during the last twelve months, and be recommended by 1-3 teachers, coaches, community leaders, or mentors. (Please note that Chick-fil-A Team Members should apply for the Remarkable Futures Scholarship.)

Applications are open through October 28. Apply Now >