Too Cool to Pay for School Scholarship 1000$ Reward
The Too Cool to Pay for School Scholarship is a $1,000 no-essay scholarship designed to help high school, college, and graduate students reduce the financial burden of higher education. Sponsored by Access Scholarships, this award is offered quarterly and selected through a random drawing process.
This easy scholarship is open to U.S. residents, DACA recipients, undocumented students, and international students currently studying in the United States.
Award Details
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Award Amount | $1,000 |
| Number of Winners | Up to 4 per year |
| Scholarship Type | No Essay / Random Draw |
| Deadline | March 31, June 30, September 30, December 31 |
| Application Limit | One entry per person per quarter |
Who Can Apply? (Full Eligibility Breakdown)
Age Requirement
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Must be 13 years or older
Education Level
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High school freshman
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High school sophomore
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High school junior
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High school senior
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Community college student
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4-year college student
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Graduate student
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Doctorate student
Enrollment Status
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Must be enrolled full-time OR
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Planning to enroll within 24 months at an accredited university
Residency & Legal Status
Eligible applicants include:
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U.S. Citizens
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U.S. Permanent Residents (Green Card holders)
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Temporary Student Visa holders
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Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipients
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Refugees
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Asylum granted individuals
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Parolees
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Undocumented students studying in the U.S.
What Can the $1,000 Be Used For?
The scholarship funds may be used toward:
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Tuition
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Textbooks
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Housing
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Technology (laptops, software)
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Student loan payments
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Other education-related fees
How Are Winners Selected?
Unlike merit-based scholarships, this is a random drawing scholarship.
Selection process:
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Applicants submit the online form.
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Entries are verified for eligibility.
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One winner is randomly selected per quarter.
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Winners are notified by email.
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Winners are announced on the official website.
This transparency helps avoid scholarship scams.
Important 2026 Deadlines
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March 31, 2026
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June 30, 2026
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September 30, 2026
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December 31, 2026
Apply before 11:59 PM local time.
Is the Too Cool to Pay for School Scholarship Legit?
Yes. It is administered by Access Scholarships Foundation.
For additional financial aid verification resources, students can consult:
These are authoritative sources to confirm how private scholarships interact with federal student aid.
Will This Scholarship Affect FAFSA?
According to the U.S. Department of Education:
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Scholarships may reduce your unmet financial need.
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They typically reduce loans or work-study before grants.
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You must report outside scholarships to your financial aid office.
You can verify official guidance at FAFSA’s website.
Is This Scholarship Taxable?
Under IRS guidelines:
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Scholarship funds used for tuition and required course materials are typically NOT taxable.
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Funds used for housing or non-qualified expenses may be taxable.
Students should consult IRS Publication 970 or a tax advisor.
Cost of College Context (Why This Scholarship Matters)
According to federal education data:
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Average annual tuition at public 4-year colleges exceeds $10,000 (in-state).
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Private institutions can exceed $30,000 annually.
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Student loan debt continues to impact millions of graduates.
Even a $1,000 scholarship can reduce borrowing costs.
How to Increase Your Chances of Winning
Even random draw scholarships have best practices:
✔ Apply early each quarter
✔ Double-check eligibility
✔ Use consistent contact information
✔ Monitor your email (including spam folder)
✔ Set reminders for quarterly deadlines
Essay vs No-Essay Scholarships (Comparison)
| Feature | No Essay (Too Cool Scholarship) | Essay-Based Scholarships |
|---|---|---|
| Time Required | 2–5 minutes | 1–3 hours |
| Selection | Random | Merit-based |
| GPA Required | No | Often yes |
| Competition | High | Moderate |
| Skill-Based | No | Yes |
Scholarship Scams – How to Stay Safe
To avoid scams:
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Never pay an application fee.
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Verify sponsor legitimacy.
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Check official website.
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Cross-reference with federal aid resources.
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Avoid guaranteed win claims.
FAQs
Is this a no-essay scholarship?
Yes. No essay is required.
Can I apply more than once?
Yes. One entry per quarter is allowed.
Is it renewable?
No. You may reapply each quarter, but it is not automatically renewable.
Do I need a GPA?
No GPA requirement is specified.
Is it open to undocumented students?
Yes.
How many winners per year?
Up to 4 winners annually.
Is this scholarship need-based or merit-based?
Neither. It is randomly selected.
