Scholarships for men are increasingly offered by professional associations, fraternities, and sports clubs to address the swinging gender gap in the United States.
Although Harvard opened in 1636, the first women to attend college weren’t admitted until two centuries later. Males have historically dominated college campuses, representing 88 percent of students in 1947. However, enrollment shifts have made men the minority, with females making up over 60 percent of America’s student body since 2000. The U.S. News reported that women aged 25 to 34 are twice as likely to have completed graduate school too.
Financial need could be one obstacle that’s keeping men from success in the collegiate classroom. So, celebrate your manhood by applying for these 25 great money-saving scholarships reserved for men.
1. AAMN Graduate Men’s Health Scholarship
Deadline: June 1st
Sponsored by Johnson & Johnson, the American Assembly for Men in Nursing (AAMN) gifts the Graduate Men’s Health Scholarship for $5,000 to male registered nurses who are completing an MSN, DNP, or PhD in Nursing at accredited U.S. colleges. Applicants must submit a maximum 2,000-word proposal for a research or scholarly project on a medical topic that affects men. Other opportunities include the Caring Men Paying it Forward and Pre-Licensure Nursing Student Scholarships.
Contact
AAMN Graduate Men’s Health Scholarship
1108 Fern Street
Birmingham, AL 35209
(859) 977-7453
info@aamn.org
2. Asfaw Family Foundation Scholarship
Deadline: October 31st
Started in 2006, the Asfaw Family Foundation International (AFFI) awards the “Aim High” Scholarship for $1,200 to financially contribute to the collegiate goals of African-American males. Eligible graduating high school seniors must live in Colorado, intend to study full-time at a public or independent U.S. college, display academic potential with a 2.5 GPA or better, have conducted community service in the last 24 months, and write a two-page personal essay.
Contact
Asfaw Family Foundation Scholarship
135 Quebec Street, Suite 100-135
Denver, CO 80207
(303) 388-1376
norma@asfawfamilyfoundation.org
3. Bernie Varnadore Scholarship Program
Deadline: April 1st
Organized by Commissioner J. Sandy Jones, the Bernie Varnadore Scholarship Program bestows $1,250 awards per year to male high school seniors who have participated in Dixie Boys Baseball, Inc. programs from 13 to 19 years old. Scholarship checks can cover tuition and fees at any accredited U.S. undergraduate school. Interested men must submit a transcript with a minimum 2.0 GPA, IRS form, participation statement, signed essay, photograph, and two recommendations.
Contact
Bernie Varnadore Scholarship Program
P.O. Box 8263
Dothan, AL 36304
(334) 793-3331
jjones29@sw.rr.com
4. Bob Stenander Exemplary Male Scholarship
Deadline: September 7th
Valued at $2,000, the Bob Stenander Exemplary Male Scholarship is presented by the Phi Delta Theta Fraternity to principled men who are accepted as full-time freshmen or transfers at Monmouth College in Illinois. Qualified applicants must finish their high school diploma or GED, carry an unweighted GPA of 3.0 or greater, participate in extra-curricular activities, exhibit outstanding leadership skills, and intend to join any on-campus fraternity.
Contact
Bob Stenander Exemplary Male Scholarship
318 North 9th Street
Monmouth, IL 61462
(630) 862-1554
dfuller@monmouthcollege.edu
5. Dr. Dan J. and Patricia S. Pickard Scholarship
Deadline: May 31st
The Dallas Foundation generously awards over $1.8 million yearly through 600 funds, including several scholarships for men like the Dr. Dan J. and Patricia S. Pickard Scholarship. This merit-based program confers $1,000 to African-American male high school seniors in Dallas County who are accepted for full-time (12 credits or more) enrollment at accredited U.S. colleges with a cumulative 2.5 GPA or higher. Preference is given for significant financial need.
Contact
Dr. Dan J. and Patricia S. Pickard Scholarship
3962 Maple Avenue, Suite 390
Dallas, TX 75219
(214) 741-9898
scholarships@dallasfoundation.org
6. Ed Fund African American Male Scholarship
Deadline: March 6th
Offering $1,500 per year for $6,000 total, the Ed Fund African American Male Scholarship is one of six opportunities benefiting low-income students in California’s West Contra Costa Unified School District. Suitable candidates will intend to graduate this Spring, enroll full-time immediately at an accredited, nonprofit U.S. college, display financial need on the FAFSA, and make positive community impacts. Men could also earn the Andrew Gooden Memorial or Whittier Education Foundation Scholarships.
Contact
Ed Fund African American Male Scholarship
217C W. Richmond Avenue
Richmond, CA 94801
(510) 233-1464
scholarships@edfundwest.org
7. Father Michael J. McGivney Scholarship
Deadline: June 1st
Named after the Knights of Columbus founder who was declared “Venerable” by Pope Benedict XVI in 2008, the Father Michael J. McGivney Scholarship grants $2,500 each year to 35 Roman Catholic males in the United States or Canada. Religious men must attend an ATS-accredited school of theology full-time, study for the priesthood, indicate a cumulative GPA above 3.0, and have unmet financial need. Preference is given to KofC members and their sons.
Contact
Father Michael J. McGivney Scholarship
One Columbus Plaza
New Haven, CT 06510
(800) 380-9995
scholarships@kofc.org
8. F.M. Bistline Memorial Male Scholarship
Deadline: April 15th
At Idaho State University, the F.M. Bistline Memorial Male Scholarship provides men with full-tuition coverage valued at $3,478 per semester to finish their senior year of the political science major and pursue graduate study at any ABA-accredited law school. Eligible full-time scholars must hold U.S. citizenship, have accumulated 90+ credits, possess a minimum “B” average, participate in campus or community politics, and submit at least one faculty recommendation.
Contact
F.M. Bistline Memorial Male Scholarship
921 South 8th Avenue
Pocatello, ID 83209
(208) 282-3315
scholar@isu.edu
9. Gamma Mu Foundation Scholarships
Deadline: March 31st
Ranging from $1,000 to $2,500 apiece, the Gamma Mu Foundation Scholarships are bestowed yearly upon gay men under 35 years old who are pursuing accredited higher education. Chosen recipients must be United States citizens, finish their high school diploma or GED by June, gain full-time admission at a college or trade school, and display active leadership benefiting the LGBT community. Preference is given to men who live or study in rural, underserved areas.
Contact
Gamma Mu Foundation Scholarships
P.O. Box 23520
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33307
(866) 463-6007
scholarships@gammamufoundation.org
10. General Mills Belton Scholars Scholarship
Deadline: May 31st
General Mills, a Fortune 500 food processing company, honors the retired Executive VP Marc Belton by awarding this $5,000 scholarship through the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) in Minneapolis annually. It’s designed for African-American and Hispanic men from Minnesota who are graduating from high school with a 3.5 GPA or better and planning to enter a four-year, accredited college. Applications must include a one-page goals statement and reference form.
Contact
General Mills Belton Scholars Scholarship
1201 S. Marquette Avenue, Suite 300
Minneapolis, MN 55403
(612) 338-5742
david.ray@uncf.org
11. Hubertus W.V. Willems Scholarship
Deadline: April 28th
Administered by the Poise Foundation, the Hubertus W.V. Willems Scholarship awards $3,000 for up to 40 male undergraduate or graduate students who are pursuing STEM degrees in engineering, chemistry, physics, and mathematics. Eligibility criteria includes being a U.S. citizen, attending an accredited, nonprofit college, register for 12+ credits per term, maintain a minimum 2.5 GPA overall, meet federal poverty guidelines, and have NAACP membership.
Contact
Hubertus W.V. Willems Scholarship
603 Stanwix Street, Suite 1700
Pittsburgh, PA, 15222
(412) 281-4967
info@poisefdn.org
12. Iris-Samuel Rothman Scholarship
Deadline: April 20th
The Iris-Samuel Rothman Scholarship offers $500 to $5,000 annually depending on funding availability to support promising young men whose parents have both died or who’ve lost their mother and don’t have a father figure. Accepted applicants must be U.S. citizens who are enrolling full-time at colleges in Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, Rhode Island, or Connecticut. Scholarship judges review students’ one-page essays to determine career goals, financial need, values, and perseverance against adversity.
Contact
Iris-Samuel Rothman Scholarship
P.O. Box 620643
Newton, MA 02462
(617) 686-3556
mrothman@iris-samuelrothmanscholarship.org
13. Joseph Cardinal Bernardin Scholarship
Deadline: May 15th
The Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans (JCCIA) has awarded over $250,000 through three scholarship funds, including the Joseph Cardinal Bernardin Scholarship. Male students of at least 50 percent Italian ancestry who are enrolling full-time at an accredited university in the United States with a cumulative GPA of 3.75 or better could qualify for the $2,000. Don’t forget to submit two recommendation letters, recent transcripts, ACT/SAT scores, and a portrait.
Contact
Joseph Cardinal Bernardin Scholarship
3800 W. Division Street
Stone Park, IL 60165
(708) 450-9050
jcc@jccia.org
14. Lax Scholarship Fund for Gay Men
Deadline: February 2nd
Established by the Bread & Roses Community Fund to honor inventor Jonathan R. Law in 1994, the Lax Scholarship Fund for Gay Men presents $5,000 to $10,000 tuition awards for Pennsylvanians from Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties. Eligible males must be “out” about their sexual orientation, attend an accredited U.S. college or professional school full-time, and aspire to careers that contribute to the LGBT community.
Contact
Lax Scholarship Fund for Gay Men
1315 Walnut Street, Suite 1300
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 731-1107
lax@breadrosesfund.org
15. Lorenzo Felder Scholarship Program
Deadline: March 1st
Since 1998, the CollegeBound Foundation has managed a portfolio of 125 privately-funded scholarships yearly for $2 million total, including the Lorenzo Felder Scholarship Program. Each Spring, this one-time prize of $1,500 is granted to outstanding African-American males who’re graduating from Baltimore City’s 14 public high schools. Interested men must be accepted at accredited colleges, hold a minimum “B” average, have financial need, and write 500 words about their meaningful community service endeavors.
Contact
Lorenzo Felder Scholarship Program
300 Water Street, Suite 300
Baltimore, MD 21202
(410) 783-2905 ext. 208
lsubotich@collegeboundfoundation.org
16. Mabel and Lawrence S. Cooke Scholarship
Deadline: February 28th
The National Eagle Scout Association grants the Mabel and Lawrence S. Cooke Scholarship for $5,000 to $6,250 per year to male students who have attained the Boy Scouting program’s highest rank. Chosen applicants must display leadership ability, be accepted at four-year U.S. universities, and score at least 1290 on the SAT or 28 on the ACT. Other NESA scholarships for men include the Hall/McElwain and Bailey Merit Scholarships.
Contact
Mabel and Lawrence S. Cooke Scholarship
1325 West Walnut Hill Lane
P.O. Box 152079
Irving, TX 75015
(972) 580-2000
nesa@scouting.org
Scholarship Link
17. Mark Collier Caudill Scholarship Fund
Deadline: April 1st
North Carolinians filling out the Winston-Salem Foundation’s one-stop application have access to 118 aid opportunities valued at $900,000 total, including the Mark Collier Caudill Scholarship Fund. Worth $1,000, this merit-based program selects minority males graduating from R.J. Reynolds High School who have participated in varsity athletics. Other qualifications include possessing an unweighted GPA above 2.75, pursuing an accredited bachelor’s degree, and displaying leadership character with good sportsmanship.
Contact
Mark Collier Caudill Scholarship Fund
751 W. Fourth Street, Suite 200
Winston-Salem, NC 27101
(336) 725-2382
Students@wsfoundation.org
18. Mike Hylton Memorial Scholarship
Deadline: August 1st
Matrix Health Group funds the Mike Hylton Memorial Scholarship to gift $1,000 to one or two men affected by bleeding disorders through the National Hemophilia Foundation (NHF). It’s designed for male U.S. residents matriculating full-time at an accredited junior college or university who’ve personally been diagnosed by hemophilia and von Willebrand Disease or touched by an immediate family member’s diagnosis. Applying will involve submitting a doctor’s note, transcripts, three short-answer responses, and two recommendations.
Contact
Mike Hylton Memorial Scholarship
2202 Brownstone Court
Champaign, IL 61822
(217) 840-1033
maria.vetter@matrixhealthgroup.com
19. Robert W. Brightfelt Scholarships
Deadline: June 15th
The Triangle Fraternity-UNL awards the Robert W. Brightfelt Scholarships, which present one $2,000 and three $500 prizes to incoming male freshmen at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln who will join the brotherhood. Funding is restricted to men with STEM majors like chemistry, physics, engineering, mathematics, computer science, and architecture who display academic excellence with a “B” average or better. Also look toward national funds, such as the Rust Scholarship and Kapadia Scholarship, too.
Contact
Robert W. Brightfelt Scholarships
1400 R Street
Lincoln, NE 68588
(402) 806-9086
brad.keller@triangleunl.org
20. Sigma Nu Pursuit of Excellence Scholarship
Deadline: June 1st
Worth $2,500, the Pursuit of Excellence (POE) Scholarship is given each year by the Sigma Nu Fraternity to assist deserving male high school seniors who are entering the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign this Fall. Qualified men must matriculate as full-time freshmen with 12+ credits and a minimum 3.0 GPA. Selection is based on students’ scholastic achievement, integrity, goal orientation, motivation, leadership ability, and altruistic work.
Contact
Sigma Nu Pursuit of Excellence Scholarship
1009 W. Pennsylvania Avenue
Urbana, IL 61801
(815) 210-5672
poe@sigmanuillinois.com
21. Spence Reese Scholarships for Men
Deadline: March 31st
The Boys & Girls Club of Greater San Diego (BGCGSD) created the Spence Reese Scholarships for Men for providing $2,000 to $6,000 each year to four male high school seniors who will study engineering, law, medicine, and political science. Candidates must be U.S. citizens, display academic ability with a minimum 3.5 GPA, and maintain full-time undergraduate enrollment. Studying in California isn’t necessary, but a personal interview in San Diego is.
Contact
Spence Reese Scholarships for Men
4635 Clairemont Mesa Blvd.
San Diego, CA 92117
(858) 866-0591 ext. 212
mroman@sdyouth.org
22. The True Gentleman Scholarship Program
Deadline: April 1st
Sponsored by Brother Bob Austin and Rick Cooper, The True Gentleman Scholarship Program distributes $1,500 yearly from the Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity to worthy male high school seniors who are admitted to Oklahoma State University in Stillwater. To qualify, young men must need financial assistance, matriculate with 12+ credits, obtain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better, exhibit definite interest in Greek life, have leadership skills, and display community service involvement.
Contact
The True Gentleman Scholarship Program
1308 West 3rd Avenue
Stillwater, OK 74074
(405) 744-5000
scholarship@osusae.org
23. Thomas O. Hicks Scholarship Endowment
Deadline: July 10th
The Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity oversees the Thomas O. Hicks Scholarship Endowment to grant $2,000 yearly to honor the University of Texas-Austin 1968 graduate and Life Trustee who owns the Texas Rangers Baseball Club. Five recipients, including one from Texas, who’ve significantly improved their grades at an accredited U.S. college from the freshman to junior year are chosen. Men could also apply for the Frank Rader Memorial Wrestling or Balanced Man Scholarships.
Contact
Thomas O. Hicks Scholarship Endowment
310 S. Boulevard
Richmond, VA 23220
(804) 353-1901
brian.warren@sigep.ne
24. Twin Cities in Motion College Scholarship
Deadline: March 1st
Founded in 1982, Twin Cities in Motion (TCM) is a St. Paul-based nonprofit that promotes 21 race events to fundraise for its College Scholarship program. One male high school senior who is pursuing post-secondary education, participating in track events at least 800 meters long, and maintaining a 3.0 GPA or better will receive $5,000. Applications are only accepted from the 12-county metro, including Anoka, Carver, Hennepin, Ramsey, and Wright counties.
Contact
Twin Cities in Motion College Scholarship
2635 University Avenue W. Suite 190
St. Paul, MN 55114
(651) 289-7700
info@tcmevents.org
25. USBC Chuck Hall Star of Tomorrow Scholarship
Deadline: December 1st
The United States Bowling Congress bestows the Chuck Hall Star of Tomorrow Scholarship for $6,000 annually to a male high school senior or college undergraduate who exhibits distinguished bowling performance at the local, state, or national level. Selected men will be current USBC Youth members in good standing, be admitted at an accredited two- or four-year college, carry a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0, and submit two letters of reference.
Contact
USBC Chuck Hall Star of Tomorrow Scholarship
621 Six Flags Drive
Arlington, TX 76011
(800) 514-2695
bowlinfo@bowl.com
According to CNBC, college students are forced to borrow around $100 billion altogether from public and private loans to cover tuition. It’s estimated that 27 percent of men will graduate with at least $30,000 in student loan debt. Although they’re not as numerous as scholarships for women and minorities, free male-centric scholarships can be found to lower college’s financial burden. Consider these 25 scholarships for men along with gender-neutral programs like the FSEOG Grant or Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant.
See also: Top 20 Online Colleges with High Return on Investment
