Scholarships With Deadlines in January 2027: 7 Big Awards Worth Up to $40,000

January 2027 is one of the busiest scholarship months of the year. At least seven major US scholarships close in January, worth up to $40,000 each, and two of the biggest deadlines fall on the same day: January 5, 2027. If you are a high school senior, this list is your January to-do list. Every award below is verified against its official program page or a current listing, with the deadline, amount, and who can apply.

Quick answer: The biggest scholarships with January 2027 deadlines are the Amazon Future Engineer Scholarship (up to $40,000, January 5), the Taco Bell Live Mas Scholarship (up to $25,000, January 5), the GE-Reagan Foundation Scholarship (up to $40,000, January 7), and the Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholarship (up to $35,000, January 14). Later in the month, the Goldwater Scholarship closes January 29 and the NOAA Hollings and Union Plus scholarships close January 31.

January 5, 2027: Amazon Future Engineer and Taco Bell Live Mas

Amazon Future Engineer Scholarship, up to $40,000. High school seniors planning degrees in Automation Engineering or Software Development Engineering can win up to $10,000 a year for four years, plus a paid Amazon internship. Applications close January 5, 2027, at 3:00 p.m. CT, and teacher recommendations are due January 8. About 400 awards are made each year. Apply through Scholarship America. Read our full guide: Amazon Future Engineer Scholarship 2027.

Taco Bell Live Mas Scholarship, up to $25,000. The Taco Bell Foundation is giving away more than $13 million in awards of $5,000, $10,000, and $25,000 to young people ages 16 to 26. No GPA or test scores are required: apply with a two-minute video or a 250 to 500 word essay. Applications close January 5, 2027, at 5:00 p.m. PT. Read our full guide: Taco Bell Live Mas Scholarship 2027.

January 7, 2027: GE-Reagan Foundation Scholarship, Up to $40,000

The GE-Reagan Foundation Scholarship awards $10,000 a year, up to $40,000 over four years, to high school seniors who show leadership, drive, integrity, and citizenship. Applicants need a minimum GPA of 3.0 and plan to enroll full time at an accredited four-year college in fall 2027. Applications close January 7, 2027, at 3:00 p.m. ET. Apply through the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute, which runs the program with GE.

January 14, 2027: Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholarship, Up to $35,000

The Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholarship gives up to $35,000 over four years to about 60 graduating seniors, plus four years of mentoring, internship help, and leadership training. Applications close January 14, 2027, at 5:00 p.m. ET, and the application, one recommendation, and the CSS Profile (code 4248) must all arrive by then. Read our full guide: Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholarship 2027.

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January 29 and 31, 2027: Goldwater, Hollings, and Union Plus

Barry Goldwater Scholarship, up to $7,500 a year. For college sophomores and juniors planning research careers in science, mathematics, or engineering. The foundation deadline is January 29, 2027, but students must first win their college's endorsement, with campus deadlines as early as November 5, 2026, so check with your university now.

NOAA Hollings Undergraduate Scholarship, up to $19,000. For sophomores studying oceanic and atmospheric science and related fields, with academic support across two years plus a paid summer internship at a NOAA facility. The deadline is January 31, 2027.

Union Plus Scholarship, $500 to $4,000. For current and retired union members, their spouses, and dependent children. Applications opened in mid-June and close January 31, 2027, at 11:59 p.m. ET, with winners notified in early June for fall 2027 enrollment.

How to Handle a Busy January Deadline Month

• Apply in deadline order. The January 5 pair (Amazon and Taco Bell) comes first, then GE-Reagan on January 7, then Jackie Robinson on January 14.
• Ask for recommendations now. Amazon, Jackie Robinson, and Goldwater all need recommendations, and teachers need at least two weeks.
• Reuse your essays. Most of these programs ask about leadership, community service, and your goals, so one strong core essay can be adapted for several applications.
• File the FAFSA too. Our 2027-28 FAFSA guide walks through every step, and the FAFSA state deadlines list covers the state cutoffs that matter alongside these scholarships.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which scholarships have deadlines in January 2027?
Amazon Future Engineer and Taco Bell Live Mas (January 5), GE-Reagan (January 7), Jackie Robinson Foundation (January 14), Goldwater (January 29), and NOAA Hollings and Union Plus (January 31).

What is the biggest scholarship deadline in January 2027?
Amazon Future Engineer and GE-Reagan, both worth up to $40,000, followed by the Jackie Robinson Foundation at up to $35,000.

Can I apply for more than one January scholarship?
Yes. There is no rule against applying for several scholarships at once, and stacking applications is the fastest way to increase your odds of winning.

Do January scholarships need the FAFSA?
Some, like the Jackie Robinson Foundation, need the CSS Profile and financial information. Filing the FAFSA early also unlocks federal grants, so do both.

What happens if I miss a January deadline?
Most of these programs run once a year, so a missed deadline usually means waiting until the next cycle. Set reminders a week before each date.

Where do I apply for these scholarships?
Each program has its own official page: Scholarship America for Amazon Future Engineer, the Taco Bell Foundation for Live Mas, the Reagan Foundation for GE-Reagan, and jackierobinson.org for JRF. Never pay anyone to apply - legitimate scholarships are always free.

Related: Scholarships With Deadlines in December 2026 · How to Complete the 2027-28 FAFSA Step by Step · How to Write a Scholarship Essay That Wins

Sources: Scholarship America - Amazon Future Engineer Scholarship page (deadline January 5, 2027, 3:00 p.m. CT); Taco Bell official newsroom (deadline January 5, 2027, 5:00 p.m. PT); Jackie Robinson Foundation application page (deadline January 14, 2027, 5:00 p.m. ET); GE-Reagan Foundation Scholarship program page (deadline January 7, 2027); University of Oregon deadlines page (Goldwater January 29, 2027; Hollings January 31, 2027); Union Plus Scholarship listing (deadline January 31, 2027). Always confirm the current deadline and requirements on each official program page before applying. Warning: never pay to apply for a scholarship - legitimate scholarships are always free to apply for.