ᰔ Hi girlies! lock in for the holidays with these opportunities

Your go-to newsletter for college guidance, career advice, and confident growth.

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Girls On Campus
November 26, 2025

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🌸 ฅ՞•ﻌ•՞ฅ Hi girlies!

This year has literally flown by so fast — like, blink once and suddenly the new year is knocking right at the door. There’s something so bittersweet about this season. You feel the warmth of the holidays, the coziness, the reflection… but also that little desperation of “omg I need to finish the year strong.”

But here’s what I always remind myself (and all of you):
everything new is good. New months, new seasons, new opportunities. And somehow we’re already heading into the final stretch — December.

Believe it or not, this time of year is actually pretty slow for students applying to programs, scholarships, internships, or anything competitive. Based on what I’ve seen over the past few years running Girls on Campus, summer and early fall are when most students rush to apply for everything.

So if you’re applying now and you feel like…
“Are my applications even being seen?”
or
“Do these opportunities even count if I apply this late in the year?”

YES. They do.
This period is quiet — which means less competition, more room to stand out, and more chances for your application to actually get read carefully.

Think of these weeks as your secret advantage season. While everyone else is slowing down, resting, or waiting until January, you’re getting ahead — planting seeds that will grow by spring.

Use this time to:
• polish your resume,
• apply to the programs you bookmarked but never finished,
• send that one email you’ve been scared to send,
• or even start planning for 2026 opportunities.

Quick reminder!

End the year with intention, not pressure. You’re doing better than you think.

We also launched our own scholarship with educations.com! No GPA requirement, no fee to enter. The Social Science Excellence Scholarship was created to support students pursuing degrees in sociology, psychology, anthropology, political science, economics, and social work. This collaboration combines the global reach of educations.com with the student-led community of Girls on Campus.

We are especially focused on applicants who show strong academic potential, leadership, and a desire to use their education to create positive change.

Amount: $1,500 (paid directly toward tuition or institutional fees).

Eligibility: Open to students worldwide who are applying to a program listed in the educations.com Social Science directory. Both U.S. and international students are welcome.

Make sure to check out the free resources section on our site — just scroll down a little for downloadable templates, guides, and more. if there’s another free resource you’d love for us to create, please comment or email us at [email protected].

and don’t skip the advice column this week — it’s all about how to think like a strategist when applying so your story stands out. 🌸

✨ Advice column ✨

This Week’s Reflection: Star building a good relationship with yourself and money

Lately I’ve caught myself comparing where I stand in life… and honestly, it hit me that I’m getting older. I’ll be scrolling on TikTok searching things like “What should a person in their 20s be doing right now?”
How much should I have saved?
What assets should I own?
Am I behind? Ahead? Lost?

And I know I’m not the only one. Even if you’re in your 20s, in college, in high school, or even older — you’ve probably felt this too. That quiet pressure to “figure it out” before some imaginary deadline.

I’ve even found myself buying crypto lately (lol definitely not financial advice). It’s so easy for these things to get into your head when you’re constantly seeing other people’s highlight reels.

But here’s what I am saying:
You don’t need to compare yourself, but you should start thinking about your foundation.

Ask yourself things like:
• How can I save while I’m in college?
• Should I get a part-time job?
• Even if my parents are supporting me, how can I build something of my own?
• What are the basic things I should have by 18 or early 20s?

And honestly, the basics matter more than anything else:
• a credit card to start building credit,
• a checking and savings account,
• small assets you already own (yes — jewelry counts!),
• and even understanding the value of what you already have.

We look at “assets” like they’re only property or stocks, but your phone is an asset. Your laptop is an asset. Your creativity is an asset. Your pet can literally be an asset if you turn them into an influencer. Your skills, hobbies, and personality are assets too.

The real shift is learning how to utilize what you already have instead of waiting for some magical moment where you “become” successful.

Find ways to welcome money into your life — through work, projects, opportunities, or small income streams. Not in a desperate way, but in a healthy, grounded way. Because whether we like it or not, money touches everything.
The goal isn’t to obsess over it…
The goal is to build a good relationship with it.

And that relationship starts with awareness, not comparison.

All opportunities down bellow divided by section🎀☺️🧸🌸

Scholarships

Click each name to apply. Listed by grade, then deadline.

  • The ScholarshipOwl No Essay Scholarship – $50,000 (Paid Promo)gives students a chance to win one of 161 awards of $1,000—no essay required. Open to U.S. residents, this sweepstakes-style scholarship is easy to enter, but you must apply by November 29, 2025, at 11:59 PM PDT. Winners are announced at the end of each month.

  • All Ages (Students, Educators, Professionals) — some-thing Foundation STEAM Grant — $1,000 (5 awards); deadline Feb 15, 2026.

    A national grant opportunity offering five $1,000 awards, one for each STEAM area: Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics. Open to everyone—students (any level), teachers, researchers, artists, and independent innovators. Applicants must submit one email with a 5-page (max) application including: a personal background section; a clear project proposal (title, purpose, innovation, expected outcomes); a detailed budget explaining how the $1,000 will be used; a timeline with start/end dates and key milestones; and a plan for sharing the project’s results with the STEAM community.

  • High School–Graduate (All Majors) — Education Matters Scholarship — $5,000; deadline Nov 30, 2025.

    For U.S. students age 14+ in high school, college, or graduate school who believe in the value of education. One annual recipient receives $5,000 for submitting the strongest ~250-word essay responding to the prompt: “What would you say to someone who thinks education doesn’t matter, or that college is a waste of time and money?” Open to all majors. Application includes a short online form + 250-word essay. Offered by Unigo, a nationwide student platform with 3.8M+ members.

  • High School–College — Driver Education Initiative Award — $500 (2 winners per cycle); deadline Nov 30, 2025.

    For high school and college students interested in promoting safe driving awareness. Funded by the National Driving and Traffic School and hosted by DmvEdu.org. This scholarship is triannual, with three cycles per year; each cycle awards two $500 scholarships. Applicants must submit an online form, a photo, proof of enrollment, and a 750-word essay on why safe driving is important. Open to U.S. citizens, Canadian citizens, permanent residents, DACA recipients, and others. Suitable for students across all majors, especially those interested in writing or public communication.

  • HS juniors & seniors + Undergrad / Grad — Aaliyah Lee Scholarship — $1,000; deadline Nov 30, 2025.
    Honors the legacy of Aaliyah Lee. Open to high school juniors/seniors and post-secondary students in the U.S. Very short 150-word personal statement on why education is important to you. Great low-key essay scholarship.

  • HS & College — Driver Education Initiative Award (“In the Driver’s Seat”) — 2 × $500; deadline Nov 30, 2025.
    Open to high school and college students in the U.S. Must submit an essay on the importance of driver education, how to reduce driving-related deaths, and your own experiences / ideas for safer driving.

  • HS seniors (need-based, nationwide) — Hagan Scholarship — up to $7,500/semester (8 semesters); deadline Dec 1, 2025. Attend 4-yr not-for-profit; meet need/GPA criteria; FAFSA; EFC limits.

(paid promotion)

✨ We usually don’t promote no-essay scholarships, but I personally spoke with the ScholarshipOwl team and they were really kind. They actually have 4 real winners every month, and students have used the funds for college, food, and even vet school! The $50,000 ScholarshipOwl No Essay Scholarship is open now and super easy to apply for — no GPA, no essay, just a quick form.

💸 50 winners in total |$1000 each | 🗓️ Deadline: November 29, 2025 at 11:59 PM PT
👉 Apply here 

If you're even thinking about applying to scholarships this summer, this is an easy one to try. 💕

Paid Remote/Hybrid opportunities

  1. Finance / Markets — Macquarie Group Financial Services Externship — $1,000 stipend; starts Jan 26, 2026.

    A paid 10-hr/week externship for college freshmen and sophomores in Houston or NYC. Students join one of three business groups:
    • Commodities & Global Markets (CGM)
    • Macquarie Capital (MacCap)
    • Macquarie Asset Management (MAM)
    Externs receive mentorship, build an investment thesis, and present a pitch. Stipend: $1,000.

  2. College Students — CSN Student Leadership Program 2026 (Virtual) — $250 stipend; deadline Jan 10, 2026.

    A 6-week virtual leadership program for college students featuring workshops in Improv, Design Thinking, StrengthsFinder 2.0, Mindfulness, and Crucial Conversations. Students meet Thursdays from Jan 29–Mar 5, 2026 (6:30–8:00 PM EST) and finish by creating a personal “Mini TED Talk.” Participants who complete all sessions are eligible for a $250 stipend.
    Apply: https://lnkd.in/eQs2Q6kd

    NOT DUE THIS WEEK BUT APPLY ASAP:

  • Entrepreneurship / AI — AI2Market Validate Winter 2026 Cohort — $500 stipend; deadline Jan 6, 2026.

    An 8-week, part-time remote program for post-secondary students or recent graduates (within 2 years) in Atlantic Canada with early AI-based business ideas. Participants test assumptions, conduct customer discovery, and refine their concept with structured support. Runs Feb 4–Apr 1, 2026. Open to individuals or teams with an AI-focused idea.

  • Penguin Random House — Summer 2026 Legal Internship (1L, Remote) — $21/hour; deadline Jan 13, 2026.
    Paid remote legal internship for current 1L law students at accredited U.S. law schools. Explore publishing law (defamation, copyright, privacy, trademarks, contracts). Runs June 8–Aug 13, 2026, about 28 hours/week (Mon–Thu). Must be authorized to work in the U.S. for the duration.
    Apply: https://jobsearch.createyourowncareer.com/PRH_US/job/2026-Summer-Remote-Internship-Legal/283119-en_US

  • DemocraShe Spring 2026 Flagship Program — Paid, Virtual; deadline Dec 21, 2025.
    Paid, virtual leadership fellowship for high school girls (grades 9–12) interested in politics and advocacy. About 2 hours/week for 10 weeks starting Feb 2026. Sessions are held online via Zoom, with three cohort options. Program is fully free to join and offers a stipend (amount not listed). Open to female-identifying high school students worldwide.
    Apply: (Google form link in flyer) https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScl-zMka4qdD8kBwbdT0tW-Bmp_2g2m56TJfT4-3U1J5NGK2Q/viewform

Important Ones

Fully funded (travel/housing/tuition covered)

  • Law (2L) — Baker Botts 2027 Summer Associate Program — Summer salary + $25,000 1L stipend; rolling.

    For current 2L law students interested in corporate, litigation, energy, IP, and regulatory work. Selected students spend their full 2L summer as Summer Associates (client work + mentorship + Baker Weekend). Participants also complete a 4-week 1L in-office rotation the prior summer and receive a $25,000 stipend on top of their summer salary. Applications reviewed on a rolling basis; interviews begin after first-semester grades.

  • Canada only (Ages 19–30) — Eco-Action Accelerator (2026–27) — $1,500–$5,000 microgrant; rolling (Dec 19, Jan 30, Feb 20).

    16-week part-time program for Canada Service Corps (CSC) alumni to scale an environmental service project. Open to Canadians ages 19–30 with projects addressing climate change, pollution, overfishing, nature access, or environmental well-being. Participants receive training, mentorship, and $1,500–$5,000 in microgrant funding. Application requires a 750-word or 5-min project proposal + a short funding rationale. One application per project.
    Questions: [email protected]

  •  Native Forward Scholars Fund – Professional Development Assistance (non-STEM) — Dec 2, 2025 (11:59 PM)
    Covers travel, lodging, registration for approved PD.
    Link: https://app.smarterselect.com/programs/105575-Native-Forward-Scholars-Fund

  • APS CU*iP — Conferences for Undergraduate Women & Gender Minorities in Physics — Dec 4, 2025
    Lodging/meals provided; travel assistance available.
    Link: https://aps.org/programs/women/cuwip/

  • LPI Summer Intern Program in Planetary Science (NASA–Houston) — Dec 12, 2025 (11:59 PM CST)
    Stipend + travel + housing.
    Link: https://www.lpi.usra.edu/lpiintern/

  • Housing California 2026 Conference Scholarships (incl. RUN full scholarship) — Dec 15, 2025
    RUN track can include transportation + lodging.
    Link: https://conference.housingca.org/2026-conference-scholarships/

January 2026

  • Undergraduate (U.S.) — SPIRE/ASPIRE Food Systems Research Program (NC State) — $5,000 stipend + housing; deadline Jan 30, 2026.

    A 10-week fully funded summer research program (May 18–July 24, 2026) for undergraduate students interested in agriculture, environmental impact, food systems, and sustainability. Participants receive $5,000, apartment-style housing at NC State, mentorship from faculty + grad students, hands-on research 4 days/week, and 1.5 days/week of professional development in ag careers, leadership, and extension work. Includes post-summer funded travel to a scientific meeting. No prior research experience required.
    Apply: https://cefs.ncsu.edu/academics-and-education/internships/aspire-undergrad/

  • Undergraduate (U.S.) — Summer Research Early Identification Program (SR-EIP) — Fully funded + stipend, housing & travel; deadline Feb 3, 2026.

    A fully funded 8–10 week summer research program for undergraduates interested in pursuing a PhD or MD-PhD. Participants conduct mentored research in life sciences, physical sciences, social sciences, or the humanities at one of 20 research institutions. Includes stipend, housing, travel, faculty mentorship, grad-school prep, and presentation at the Leadership Alliance National Symposium. Open to U.S. citizens, nationals, and permanent residents with GPA 3.0+ and at least one semester remaining.

Do red cars cost more to insure?

You may have heard the myth that red cars cost more to insure, often with varying reasons why. The truth is, the color of your car has nothing to do with your premium. Insurance companies are more interested in your vehicle’s make, model, age, safety features, and your driving history. What’s not a myth, though — is that people really can save a ton of money by switching insurers. Check out Money’s car insurance tool to see if you could, too.

See You Next Week! ❤️

If you ever have questions about accounting, finance, or anything career-related, feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/karlamartinezmora

I’m always happy to help + I accept any invite I get 💼✨

Until next week, take care, apply for these amazing programs, and keep chasing your goals! 💕

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