May is one of the best months of the year to get free money, freebies, and cash payouts.
Companies use this time to kick off summer promotions—which means you can find:
- Free food and samples
- Gift card giveaways
- Scholarships and grants
- Sweepstakes worth up to $250,000
- Class action settlements paying up to $10,000
This guide breaks down the best free money opportunities available right now, including deadlines, eligibility, and direct links.
Fast Cash & Easy Wins
If you’re short on time or just want the easiest possible wins, start here. These offers take very little effort and can put cash, gift cards, or freebies in your hands quickly.
- Claim a $20 Amazon gift card when you donate blood with the American Red Cross before May 17, 2026. You’ll need to present the offer from their website when you donate, and it’s limited to one per person. Get details here.
- Request a free sample of Pink Zebra fragrance wax melts while the offer is still available. It only takes a minute to sign up, but supplies are limited and it may end without notice. Grab your sample here.
- Take advantage of Free Fishing Days in your state, when you can fish without a license for a limited time in late May or early June. Dates vary, so check your state’s Department of Fish and Wildlife for details.
- Visit National Parks for free on Memorial Day, when many locations waive entrance fees for the holiday. Some parks and nearby retailers may also offer additional promotions that weekend.
Freebies & Limited Time Deals
May is packed with one-day events and short-term promotions, so timing matters here. If you want to grab these freebies, keep an eye on the dates below and plan ahead—some of these are limited to the first people who show up.
- May 2: Grab free comics on Free Comic Book Day at participating local comic shops. Offers vary by location, so check with stores near you to see what they’re giving away.
- May 4–8: Take advantage of Teacher Appreciation Week freebies if you’re a teacher or school staff member.
- Whataburger is offering free breakfast on May 7 and giving away 60 classroom grants worth $1,000.
- Teachers and nurses can also get free tea at McAlister’s Deli during appreciation week, with no purchase required at participating locations.
- May 9: Get a free flower from Lowe’s at 10 AM (local time) if you’re one of the first 150–200 MyLowe’s Rewards members in store. Membership is free, but you’ll want to sign up in advance.
- May 26: Visit National Parks for free on Memorial Day, as many locations waive entrance fees for the holiday. You may also find additional promotions from nearby retailers and attractions.
- May 28: Watch for National Burger Day deals, when chains like Burger King and Wendy’s often offer burgers for $1 or even free with a small purchase through their apps. Check your favorite restaurant’s app or website for current offers.
Sweepstakes & Giveaways
If you’re willing to trade a few minutes for a chance at a much bigger payout, these sweepstakes are worth entering. Most of them allow free entry, and some even let you enter daily to increase your odds.
- The Maverik “Fuel Your Adventure” giveaway offers a chance to win a prize package worth up to $250,000, including a Ford F-250, camper, ATVs, and $30,000 cash. You can enter once per day without a purchase, with the first entry period ending May 21 and a second running through July 2. See rules and enter here.
- The Kodiak Canvas Ultimate Base Camp giveaway offers a chance to win a gear package worth over $3,700, including a tent, awning, sleeping bags, and more. There will be one winner, and entries close on May 29.
- The Walmart Q2 Sweepstakes offers a share of $800,000 in prizes, including 750 $100 gift cards and five $1,000 winners. You can enter through a receipt survey, email invite, or by mailing in a free handwritten entry, with the promotion running through July 31—see full details here.
Help for Families & Kids
If you have kids at home, there are several programs opening up right now that can help cover food, activities, and even summer camps. Many of these are income-based, but some are available to all families.
- Get a free Six Flags Pre-K Season Pass for children ages 3–5 at participating locations, which gives them free admission throughout the season. Registration deadlines are usually in May or June, so sign up soon.
- Access free summer meals for kids under 18 through local school districts as they transition into Summer Food Service Programs. These meals are available to all children with no application required—check your district’s website for “Summer Meal” schedules.
- Apply for free or discounted summer camp through programs like the Salvation Army or YMCA, which often offer tiered pricing or full scholarships for low-income families. Many of these applications close in May, so it’s important to apply early.
- Sign up for Kids Bowl Free or Kids Skate Free programs, which offer free games or sessions all summer long at participating locations. These programs usually open registration in late spring and can save families a significant amount on activities.
- Watch for Summer EBT benefits, which are rolling out soon and provide additional grocery assistance for families with children. See the schedule here.
Students & Graduates
May is a big month for students, teachers, and graduates, with a mix of freebies, grants, and scholarships available for a limited time. If you’re in school—or work in one—this is a great time to take advantage of these offers.
- Graduating seniors may be able to get a free “Graduate” donut from Krispy Kreme by wearing their cap and gown or Class of 2026 gear in-store. Dates are typically announced in May, so watch your local store for participation.
- Apply for the $1,000 Nielsen Rewards No-Essay Scholarship, which is open to students and doesn’t require a written application. The deadline is May 31, 2026—see full details and apply here.
Local Opportunities
Some offers are only available in specific states or regions, so it’s always worth checking what’s available where you live. Here are a couple of current opportunities with limited geographic eligibility.
- South Dakota families can get a free “Go Fourth” state park pass for 4th graders, which provides free access to state parks. This is a limited-time opportunity, so check eligibility and sign up here.
- Single parents in Arkansas or Bowie County, Texas can apply for the Single Parent Scholarship Fund, which is open from May 1 through June 1. This program can help cover education expenses—see full details and apply here.
Settlements & Claims
If you’re looking for actual cash—not sweepstakes opportunities—this is where to focus. These are real payouts you can claim right now, and many don’t require proof.
- Get a free claim review for potential legal cases involving dog bites, gambling or gaming addiction, social media addiction, harmful products, or chemical exposure. You can review eligibility here.
- Claim an estimated $102 payment from the Trader Joe’s settlement if you used a credit or debit card between March 5 and July 19, 2019. No proof is required and the deadline is June 9, 2026. File your claim here.
- Get $50 to $5,000+ from the St. Andrew’s data breach settlement if your information was exposed in the February 2024 breach. You can claim $50 without proof or more with documentation, and the deadline is May 21, 2026. File your claim here.
- Claim a share of a $135 million Google Android settlement if you used an Android device on cellular data since November 12, 2017. Payouts may be smaller due to the number of claims, and the deadline is May 29, 2026. See details here.
We found a lot more opportunities this month, including additional cash payments, credits, and claims you may qualify for. Browse the full list here.
Relief Recap
Finding extra money isn’t always about one big win—it’s often about stacking small opportunities like these over time. A free meal here, a $100 claim there, a scholarship or grant when you need it most… it all adds up. That’s why we put these monthly guides together for you each month. Check for more recent updates here.
