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Top 64 Writing & Essay Scholarships in May 2024

Will Geiger is the co-founder of Scholarships360 and has a decade of experience in college admissions and financial aid. He is a former Senior Assistant Director of Admissions at Kenyon College where he personally reviewed 10,000 admissions applications and essays. Will also managed the Kenyon College merit scholarship program and served on the financial aid appeals committee. He has also worked as an Associate Director of College Counseling at a high school in New Haven, Connecticut. Will earned his master’s in education from the University of Pennsylvania and received his undergraduate degree in history from Wake Forest University.

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Writing is an extremely important part of success in high school, college, and life in general. For some students, writing is also an intricate part of who they are and how they express themselves. If you are someone who loves English class and is genuinely excited about a new creative writing assignment, then you should keep reading! Writing scholarships, creative writing scholarships, and essay scholarships are great ways to put your talent to use.

Whether you are planning on attending community college, a four-year program, or graduate school, we’ve got opportunities for you. Keep on reading to learn about the top scholarships for writers and creative writers including eligibility, award amounts, and deadlines!

Why choose Scholarships360

We helped over 4 million students find scholarships in 2023

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The Scholarships360 Research Team reviews all scholarships individually and strives to exclude any scholarship where any of the below applies:

• The scholarship requires a fee to apply
• The scholarship provider’s privacy policy allows for the misuse of student data
• The scholarship requires paid membership in an organization (with certain exceptions for reputable trade organizations and others)
• Student are required to sign up for a site or service to apply*
• The scholarship seems primarily used for lead generation** or idea harvesting purposes***
• The scholarship website has many grammatical errors and/or advertisements
• The scholarship or scholarship providing organization seem untrustworthy
• There is no evidence the scholarship was previously awarded
• The scholarship has not been awarded in the past 12 months
• There is no available contact information

If you believe a scholarship has been published in error, please reach out to [email protected] and we’ll take a look!

* There are certain exceptions to this, for example if the sponsoring organization is a major corporation or nonprofit with its own scholarship application system. ** Lead generation scholarships will require students to sign up for an app or website and require minimal (if any) application requirements. ***Idea harvesting scholarships will require students to submit blog posts or other materials that companies may use for marketing purposes.

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RECENT SCHOLARSHIPS360 WINNERS

Danielle Emretane

Winner of the Scholarships360 $10,000 “No Essay” Scholarship

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Morgan Breitschuh

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Connor Godoy

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Winner of the “Outstanding Undergraduate” Scholarship

$10,000 “No Essay” Scholarship This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

Offered by Scholarships360

The Scholarships360 $10,000 “No Essay” Scholarship is open to all students who want some extra help paying for their education. Whether you are a high… Show More

The Scholarships360 $10,000 “No Essay” Scholarship is open to all students who want some extra help paying for their education. Whether you are a high school student who hopes to go to college, a graduate student who’s in a master’s program, or an adult learner who wants to return to school, you are eligible for our no essay scholarship. This scholarship will be awarded to students who get the most out of Scholarships360 scholarships and content. You will be a strong applicant if you apply to scholarships with the Scholarships360 platform. Finalists for this scholarship will be interviewed about their process for funding their education. Show Less

$2,000 Sallie Mae Scholarship This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

Offered by Sallie Mae

Sallie Mae will award $2,000 each month to eligible entrants. No essay or account sign-ups, just a simple scholarship for those seeking help paying for…

Sallie Mae will award $2,000 each month to eligible entrants. No essay or account sign-ups, just a simple scholarship for those seeking help paying for school.

“Mom to Scholar” Scholarship for Mothers This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

Offered by Maria Geiger

The “Mom to Scholar'' Scholarship for Mothers is open to mothers who want to begin or resume their journey towards earning a technical or college… Show More

The “Mom to Scholar'' Scholarship for Mothers is open to mothers who want to begin or resume their journey towards earning a technical or college degree. This scholarship is funded by Scholarships360’s own Maria Geiger, who started her journey toward a B.A. at the same time that her oldest son Will started college. Maria knows firsthand how challenging it is to raise a family, have a job outside the home, and attend college, but would not change the way she did things for the world. Mothers who have a desire to earn their college degree bring unique perspectives that greatly enhance their learning experiences; for some, motherhood is a vocation that enlightens like no other. If you are a mother over the age of 35 who feels that the time is right to begin your academic or career journey, please apply! Please note that applicants will be reviewed based on both the quality of their essay and quantity of scholarships applied for on the Scholarships360 platform. Scholarships360 users who are more active on the platform will be given higher consideration. We look forward to reading your application! Show Less

$40,000 Build a College List Scholarship This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

Offered by The College Board

Create a college list with six schools you're considering - no minimum GPA or essay required!

“Gutsy Graduate Student” Essay Scholarship This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

Ok, so first question–why is this scholarship named the “Gutsy” Graduate Student Essay Scholarship? If you are enrolled in graduate school (during the 2024-25 academic… Show More

Ok, so first question–why is this scholarship named the “Gutsy” Graduate Student Essay Scholarship? If you are enrolled in graduate school (during the 2024-25 academic year) or have heard stories from those enrolled, you already know! “Gutsy” means courageous and determined, which nearly all successful graduate students are. Why else would one continue on with rigorous academics while often living on a shoestring? The rewards of graduate school are numerous, especially the more focused and advanced level of specialized study in your chosen field. Learning with like-minded people who share your passion is fulfilling, and the networking is awesome. The flipside of graduate school is the costly student loans to fund it. With this in mind, the "Gutsy" Graduate Student Essay Scholarship aims to help out a passionate graduate student who is actively looking for ways to fund their higher education journey. Please note that applicants will be reviewed based on both the quality of their essay and quantity of scholarships applied for on the Scholarships360 platform. Scholarships360 users who are more active on the platform will be given higher consideration. Good luck on your educational journey, and we hope to read your application!  Show Less

Niche $25,000 “No Essay” Scholarship This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

Offered by Niche

Easy scholarship open to all high school and college students, as well as anyone looking to attend college or graduate school in the next year!

“College Here I Come” Essay Scholarship for High School Seniors This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

The "College Here I Come" Scholarship for Class of 2024 is open to just who you think: high school seniors graduating in the class of… Show More

The "College Here I Come" Scholarship for Class of 2024 is open to just who you think: high school seniors graduating in the class of 2024! Here at Scholarships360, scholarships are our passion–we know that you can never have enough of them! After all, scholarships are essentially “free money” to help fund your education. We want to help out a lucky high school senior who is just starting out on their higher education journey and actively looking for ways to fund it. Please note that applicants will be reviewed based on both the quality of their essay and quantity of scholarships applied for on the Scholarships360 platform. Scholarships360 users who are more active on the platform will be given higher consideration. We hope that you apply and look forward to reading your application! Show Less

“Making Waves” Scholarship for Women This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

Are you a woman in high school, college, or graduate school enrolled during the 2024-25 academic year? If so, let us help you! Our $500… Show More

Are you a woman in high school, college, or graduate school enrolled during the 2024-25 academic year? If so, let us help you! Our $500 “Making Waves” Scholarship for Women aims to help women cover the costs of pursuing their dreams. Whether that dream is starting a business, learning a foreign language, or attending college on the path to fulfilling your dream, the scholarship will cover those costs and make your journey a little easier. No matter your goals, we want to help out a woman who is passionate about their higher education journey and actively looking for ways to fund it. In order to apply, simply write an essay about how the $500 “Making Waves” Scholarship for Women will help you fulfill your dreams. Please note that applicants will be reviewed based on both the quality of their essay and quantity of scholarships applied for on the Scholarships360 platform. Scholarships360 users who are more active on the platform will be given higher consideration. We encourage you to apply and look forward to reading your essay. Good luck! Show Less

$25k “Be Bold” No-Essay Scholarship This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

Offered by Bold.org

Open to high school students, college students, community college students, and graduate students.

“Tuition Solution” Scholarship for STEM Students This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

Do you like figuring out solutions to difficult problems? Well, if you’re a current or aspiring STEM major, we have one for you! Our $500… Show More

Do you like figuring out solutions to difficult problems? Well, if you’re a current or aspiring STEM major, we have one for you! Our $500 “Tuition Solution” Scholarship is meant for high school juniors and seniors (graduating class of 2024 or 2025), as well as undergraduate and graduate students enrolled during the 2023-24 academic year who are looking for ways to fund their postsecondary education in STEM. In order to apply, you must write an essay about how your passion for STEM started and how the scholarship will help you fulfill your dreams. No matter which STEM field ignites your interest, we look forward to reading your essays. Please note that applicants will be reviewed based on both the quality of their essay and quantity of scholarships applied for on the Scholarships360 platform. Scholarships360 users who are more active on the platform will be given higher consideration. Apply today - it’s time to cell-e-brate you! Show Less

“A Helping Hand” Scholarship This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

At Scholarships360, we know how hard it can be to pay off the hefty costs of a college tuition. Oftentimes, this is even more difficult… Show More

At Scholarships360, we know how hard it can be to pay off the hefty costs of a college tuition. Oftentimes, this is even more difficult for students coming from low-income backgrounds or for those who demonstrate financial need. This is where our “A Helping Hand” Scholarship comes in! We're offering a $500 scholarship to help out a low-income student who is passionate about their higher education journey and is actively looking for ways to fund it. This award is open to high school juniors and seniors (graduating class of 2024 and 2025), as well as undergraduate and graduate students enrolled during the 2024-25 academic year. In order to apply, students should submit an essay detailing how winning the scholarship would help you fulfill your dreams. Please note that applicants will be reviewed based on both the quality of their essay and quantity of scholarships applied for on the Scholarships360 platform. Scholarships360 users who are more active on the platform will be given higher consideration. We look forward to reading your application! Show Less

$10,000 CollegeXpress Scholarship This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

Offered by CollegeXpress

Annual $10k scholarship from CollegeXpress open to all high school freshmen, sophomores, and juniors.

“Follow Your Own Path” Essay Scholarship This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

At Scholarships360, our mission is to help students find and fund their postsecondary education. We know that students have a variety of educational and career… Show More

At Scholarships360, our mission is to help students find and fund their postsecondary education. We know that students have a variety of educational and career interests and aspirations. That is why we are offering the “Follow Your Own Path” Essay Scholarship. This scholarship aims to support all current postsecondary students, regardless of the type of education they are pursuing. Thus, no matter your own unique educational path, we hope you apply for this $500 scholarship. In order to apply for the “Follow Your Own Path” Essay Scholarship, students must submit an essay about their career ambitions. Please note that applicants will be reviewed based on both the quality of their essay and quantity of scholarships applied for on the Scholarships360 platform. Scholarships360 users who are more active on the platform will be given higher consideration. We look forward to reading your application! Show Less

“Commencing at Community College” Essay Scholarship This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

Community college, also known as two-year college, is a golden opportunity for the right student. These schools offer an affordable education to a diverse range… Show More

Community college, also known as two-year college, is a golden opportunity for the right student. These schools offer an affordable education to a diverse range of students in a wide range of majors. If starting your postsecondary education at a community college is right for you, we have a scholarship just for you! The “Commencing at Community College” Essay Scholarship aims to financially support community college students who are passionate about their higher education journeys and actively looking for ways to fund it. In order to apply for the “Commencing at Community College” Essay Scholarship, students must submit an essay explaining how earning their degree at community college will help them achieve their educational and career goals. Please note that applicants will be reviewed based on both the quality of their essay and quantity of scholarships applied for on the Scholarships360 platform. Scholarships360 users who are more active on the platform will be given higher consideration. We look forward to reading your application!  Show Less

$1,000 Appily Easy College Money Scholarship This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

Offered by Appily

This easy scholarship from Appily is open to U.S. high school students (Class of 2025, 2026, 2027) and college transfer students. One scholarship will be… Show More

This easy scholarship from Appily is open to U.S. high school students (Class of 2025, 2026, 2027) and college transfer students. One scholarship will be awarded each month. Show Less

“Outstanding Undergraduate” Essay Scholarship This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

The U.S. is home to over 2,000 four-year universities offering bachelor’s degrees. However, attending such universities can sometimes come with hefty costs that can deter… Show More

The U.S. is home to over 2,000 four-year universities offering bachelor’s degrees. However, attending such universities can sometimes come with hefty costs that can deter students from attending. If you’re in a situation similar to this, we may just have the perfect scholarship opportunity for you: the “Outstanding Undergraduate” Essay Scholarship! With this scholarship, we aim to help out a lucky undergraduate student (enrolled during the 2024-25 academic year) who is passionate about their higher education journey and actively looking for ways to fund it. The scholarship is open to any U.S. citizen who is enrolled as an undergraduate at a four-year university in the U.S. during the 2023-24 academic year. In order to apply, submit an essay explaining how earning your bachelor’s degree will help you achieve your educational and career goals. Please note that applicants will be reviewed based on both the quality of their essay and quantity of scholarships applied for on the Scholarships360 platform. Scholarships360 users who are more active on the platform will be given higher consideration. We look forward to reading your application! Show Less

Ocean Awareness Art Contest This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

Offered by Bow Seat Ocean Awareness Programs

Are you an 11–18 year old passionate about the creative arts and/or the environment? Consider applying for Bow Seat's Ocean Awareness Contest! The 2024 Ocean… Show More

Are you an 11–18 year old passionate about the creative arts and/or the environment? Consider applying for Bow Seat's Ocean Awareness Contest! The 2024 Ocean Awareness Contest – Tell Your Climate Story – encourages students to become climate witnesses and creatively share their personal experiences about our changing climate reality. Submit works of visual art, creative writing, poetry, spoken word, music, dance, film, and more for a chance to win cash awards of up to $1,000 and to join the world’s largest environmental youth community for the creative arts! Show Less

$5,000 Christian Connector Scholarship This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

Offered by Christian Connector

Students applying to the $5,000 Christian Connector Scholarship must be current high school students (Class of 2025, 2026, or 2027) interested in attending a Christian…

Students applying to the $5,000 Christian Connector Scholarship must be current high school students (Class of 2025, 2026, or 2027) interested in attending a Christian university or college.

Ayn Rand Institute Novel Essay Contest (Atlas Shrugged) This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

Offered by Ayn Rand Institute

Are you a high school, undergraduate, or graduate student with a passion for reading, writing, and Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand? If so, we may… Show More

Are you a high school, undergraduate, or graduate student with a passion for reading, writing, and Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand? If so, we may just have the perfect opportunity for you: the Ayn Rand Institute Atlas Shrugged Essay Contest! Each year, the contest asks its applicants to write an 800 - 1,600 word essay in which they analyze and make an argument about an aspect or plot point of the novel Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand. Nine prizes of varying amounts are awarded each year, with a grand prize of $25,000! If you’re familiar with Atlas Shrugged, can make a convincing argument, and want to make some cash, we encourage you to apply! Show Less

Minecraft Scholarship

Offered by Apex Hosting

Are you a high school or college student with a love for Minecraft? If so, we may just have the perfect opportunity for you: the… Show More

Are you a high school or college student with a love for Minecraft? If so, we may just have the perfect opportunity for you: the Minecraft Scholarship! Each year, the scholarship offers $2,000 to one applicant who best writes about how Minecraft can positively influence one’s education and career development. The scholarship is offered by Apex Hosting, a Minecraft server provider dedicated to supporting both new and experienced server administrators. If you’re a high schooler or college student with a love for Minecraft, it’s time to put your passion to good use and apply to the Minecraft Scholarship! Show Less

Top 10 essay scholarships in 2024

Our editors hand-picked the following 10 essay scholarships with an eye for large awards, prestigious organizations, and scholarships that are open to a wide variety of students. Apply with confidence to the following essay scholarships:

• Jack Kent Cooke College Scholarship – For high school seniors with financial need, worth up to $55,000 per year
• Questbridge College Match – For high school seniors with financial need, offers a full ride to college
• The Gates Scholarship – For low-income minority high school seniors, offers a full ride to college
• Tylenol Future Care Scholarship – For students enrolling in medical, nursing, or pharmacy school, worth $5,000-$10,000
• Regeneron Science Talent Search – For high school seniors interested in pursuing an individual STEM research project. Worth anywhere between $2,000 and $250,000
• Blacks at Microsoft Scholarship – For high school seniors pursuing a bachelor’s degree in engineering, computer science, computer information systems, or a business field. Worth up to $20,000
• Horatio Alger Undergraduate Scholarships – For high school students with high financial need, worth up to $49,000
• Amazon Future Engineer Scholarship – For high school seniors with high financial need who plan to study computer science in college. Worth $10,000 per year
• Ron Brown Scholarship – For Black high school seniors who plan to study global entrepreneurship and/or community engagement. Worth $10,000 per year
• Dream.US Opportunity Scholarship – For undocumented high school seniors and college freshmen with high financial need living in a state where public colleges do not offer in-state tuition to undocumented students. Worth $20,000 per year

Creative writing scholarships

Are you a writer who loves fiction, poetry, and screenplays? If so, you can put those talents to use by applying for creative writing scholarships.

Creative writing scholarships are a subset of writing scholarships that support students who enjoy writing poetry, fictional stories, plays, and generally using their imagination to guide their writing.

Here are the top creative writing college scholarships that you can apply for:

HelpTeaching.com Scholarship

• Eligibility: High school and college students who submit a educational short story or informational article (400-800 words) for young students
• Amount : $1,000
• Deadline: June 1st of every year

Cancer Unwrapped Teen Writing Contest

• Eligibility: Teens aged 9-12 who write about their own cancer journey or a family member in a maximum of 1,500 words.
• Deadline: Late March

YouthPLAYS New Voices One-Act Competition for Young Playwrights

• Eligibility: Students 19 years old or younger who submit an original one-act play between 10-40 minutes in length (10-page minimum). Multiple winners may receive up to $250 and publication by YouthPLAYS.
• Amount: $250 and publication by YouthPLAYS
• Deadline: Early May

National High School Poetry Contest

•   Eligibility:  U.S. high school students who submit a poem 20 lines or less that is unpublished, the sole work of the entrant, and not entered in any other concurrent contest.
• Amount: Up to $500.
• Deadline:  Rolling

The Narrative Prize

• Eligibility: Students who submit a short story, novel excerpt, poem, one-act play, graphic story, or work of literary nonfiction.
• Amount: $4,000
• Deadline:  Mid-June

Also see:  Top writing summer programs for high school students

College-specific creative writing scholarships

Some colleges and universities may also offer specific scholarships and financial aid to students with a talent in creative writing! Check with the colleges on your list for these college-specific creative writing opportunities!

Note that some of these scholarships may have requirements for winning students that stipulate that they take a certain number of creative writing classes when enrolled in the college.

Kenyon Writing Award

High school seniors can apply for this scholarship program at Kenyon College which offers up to $15,000 per year of merit based aid. It is based off of your portfolio and does not take into account financial need, high school GPA , or other factors. Submissions typically have to be in by January of your senior year.

Related:  How to answer scholarship essay questions about your career goals

Barbara Caras Memorial Scholarship for Film Students

The scholarship is open to students in Sarasota or Manatee County, Florida who have completed at least one full year at an accredited Florida College and are majoring in Film, Computer Animation, Creative Writing, Motion Design, or Illustration. Five recipients will earn a $2,000 award. The application deadline is July 31st of the current year.

Lycoming College Creative Writing Scholarship

The scholarship is open to students majoring in Creative Writing at Lycoming College, Williamsport, PA and must submit five poems and/or a short story not to exceed ten pages. Six recipients will be selected and can earn up to $3,000. The scholarship deadline for the Fall 2023 Class is March 1, 2023.  

Arkansas Tech University Gwaltney Scholarship

The scholarship is open to ATU students who submit individual works of fiction to the Department of English. Recipients earn a one-time cash award every year. The deadline to submit your entry is 2 weeks before the end of the spring semester.

Lake Forest College Carnegie English Essay Contest

The contest is open to first-year students of Lake Forest College who plan to study English either through the literature or creative writing track and submit an essay, between 500 and 1,000 words answering a designated prompt. Four winners will be awarded $2,500 annually. Submission deadline is March 1, 2023.

Austin Peay State University Creative Writing Scholarships

The scholarships are open to undergraduate and incoming APSU students who email a 10-20 page manuscript of fiction, poetry, or creative non-fiction, to Lakota Withrow at [email protected] . Awards are for $600 or $1,200. The deadline to apply is March 18th.

Scholarship essay resources

When it comes to writing and essay scholarships, your writing skills will be put to the test. You’ll have to adapt your writing to specific styles in order to effectively and succinctly communicate your ambitions and potential. We have a host of resources to help you perform well in this arena and stand out from the crowd.

• How to start your scholarship essay (with examples)
• How to write a “why do you deserve this scholarship?” essay
• What’s the best scholarship essay format?
• How to write a 250 word essay
• How to write a 500 word essay
• How to write an essay about yourself

Frequently asked questions about writing scholarships

Do i have to major in english to earn a writing or essay scholarship, where can i get help proofreading my scholarship essays, how much should i write if there is no word limit on the application, explore these other scholarship categories:.

• Scholarships for English majors
• Easy scholarships
• Top scholarships for high school seniors
• Top creative writing scholarships
• Top scholarships for journalism students
• Top short story scholarships

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Best Writing Scholarships in 2024

Showing 159 scholarships that match your search.

Immerse Education

The Immerse Education Essay Competition provides the opportunity for students aged 13-18 to submit essay responses to a pre-set question relating to their chosen subject. 10 winners will receive a 100% scholarship, with runner-up prizes also awarded. 100% Scholarship Award For Cambridge, Oxford, Sydney & London Summer School Essay Competition.

Categories: Critical Essay

Organization: Immerse Education.

Deadline: January 04, 2025.

Additional awards: Runner-ups: 50% of scholarship.

Categories: Critical Essay.

Apply now →

Creative Writing Award

The winner will be offered the opportunity to occupy during her or his first academic year the residence room where J. D. Salinger lived; and Leadership standing in the Ursinus writing community. The winner will be expected to join the previous award winners in reading subsequent creative portfolios, and will help the Office of Admission in selecting the next winner. Award winners are also expected to be prominent members of Ursinus’ Literary Society, The Lantern, and the creative writing community.

Categories: Critical Essay, Journalism, Nonfiction, Novel Writing, Personal Essay, Playwriting, Poetry, Portfolio, Research, Screenwriting, and Short Fiction

Organization: Ursinus College.

Deadline: January 15, 2025.

Categories: Critical Essay, Journalism, Nonfiction, Novel Writing, Personal Essay, Playwriting, Poetry, Portfolio, Research, Screenwriting, and Short Fiction.

The Sub Pop Loser Scholarship

Sub Pop Records is extremely proud to offer a grand total of $15,000 in college scholarship money to three eligible high school seniors. To apply you must submit a one-page essay using any combination of our questions as a guide (or write something completely your own, be inspired and creative!). Applicants must be residents of Washington or Oregon in pursuit of higher education.

Categories: Personal Essay

Organization: Sub Pop Records.

Deadline: March 23, 2025.

Additional awards: Second place scholarship of $5,000, third place scholarship of $3,000.

Categories: Personal Essay.

Islamic Scholarship Fund Program

Students who are Muslim or active members of the Muslim community may apply for the Islamic Scholarship Fund. The ISF awards multiple scholarships each year ranging from $3,000-$10,000, though the amounts and number of recipients will vary. Students must submit applications including essay questions, work samples, and letters of recommendation, and must also be majoring in an ISF-supported field related to media or politics.

Organization: Islamic Scholarship Fund.

Deadline: March 21, 2025.

Additional awards: Multiple awards of varying amounts will be given.

BBB Torch Talk Scholarship

BBB Foundation is a 501(c)3 organization dedicated to educating consumers on a variety of marketplace issues; this scholarship is in pursuit of that goal. Applicants must attend high school in Alaska, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington or Western Wyoming, and will submit a 500-word essay for BBB’s online magazine Torch Talk on one of the given topics.

Organization: Better Business Bureau.

Deadline: March 16, 2025.

Flag House Scholarship Award

Do you know of an unsung history-maker in your community? Is there an organization in your community working to keep the legacy of a historically significant, but often overlooked, individual alive and relevant? Identify a person living or from the past whose professional work, activism, or personal story has made a significant impact on you or your community. Describe why their story is unique and explain how they have changed history. Response should be limited to 350 words.

Categories: Research and Critical Essay

Organization: The Star-Spangled Banner Flag House.

Deadline: March 26, 2025.

Categories: Research and Critical Essay.

Unpublished Writer's Award

The winner of this award receives $1,000, an invitation to accept the award at our annual awards ceremony, promotion on our website, and a feature of their work in our Magajournal and quarterly newsletter. Applicant must email an original, unpublished fiction work (short story or novel excerpt) not to exceed 2,000 typed words on double-spaced pages

Categories: Short Fiction and Novel Writing

Organization: Go On Girl! Book Club.

Deadline: March 31, 2025.

Additional awards: Invitation to awards ceremony, promotion through website and publications.

Categories: Short Fiction and Novel Writing.

Marguerite Young Endowment Fund

The Marguerite Young Endowment Fund was established at The Pittsburgh Foundation to provide scholarships for students who plan to study theology. Candidates must be attending a Protestant seminary as a master of Divinity candidate, preparing for full-time ministry and/or be a seminary intern at a Protestant Church. Application must includes proof of this, as well as a personal essay.

Organization: The Pittsburgh Foundation.

Christine B. Dexter Scholarship

The Christine B. Dexter Scholarship was established in honor of Christine B. Dexter after her passing from stomach cancer in 2008. This scholarship awards undergrad students a $2,000 scholarship towards their fall tuition. All recipients demonstrate a history of community service and resilience through their cancer journey.

Organization: Christine B. Foundation.

Incight Scholarship

The INCIGHT scholarship is open to students in Washington, Oregon, and California who have a documented disability. Applicants must complete two detailed essay responses (video essays also welcome) in order to be eligible. The number of awards and total amount awarded will be determined during the selection process, and winners will be notified in June.

Organization: INCIGHT.

Deadline: April 01, 2025.

The AAF-Greater Evansville Scholarship

The AAF-Greater Evansville awards scholarships to deserving high school and/or college students yearly in April. To be eligible, students must plan to pursue a career in advertising, marketing, public relations or graphic design. Application varies yearly but includes various education details and personal statements.

Categories: Journalism

Organization: American Advertising Federation of Greater Evansville.

Categories: Journalism.

Aspiring Literary Scholar Award

The winner of this award receives $1,000, an invitation to accept the award at our annual awards ceremony, promotion on our website, and a feature of their work in our Magajournal and quarterly newsletter. Candidate must submit an essay not to exceed 800 words on the topic "The Power of The Written Word."

Dr. Jerry Pournelle Scholarship

The Dr. Jerry Pournelle Scholarship may be awarded to a candidate of any gender majoring in engineering, math, biological or physical sciences, or “science fiction as literature” as an eligible field of study. Applicants must submit a 500-1,000 word essay on one of several scientific topics.

Categories: Research, Personal Essay, and Critical Essay

Organization: The Heinlein Society.

Categories: Research, Personal Essay, and Critical Essay.

Dr. Yoji Kondo Scholarship

The Dr. Yoji Kondo Scholarship may be awarded to a candidate of any gender majoring in engineering, math, biological or physical sciences, or “science fiction as literature” as an eligible field of study. Applicants must submit a 500-1,000 word essay on one of several scientific topics.

Jack & Julie Narcolepsy Scholarship

Project Sleep’s Jack & Julie Narcolepsy Scholarship is a national scholarship program to support students with narcolepsy and idiopathic hypersomnia. Students must complete an application form that includes a response to the esssay question: "If you could go back in time and speak to yourself on the day you were diagnosed, what would you say? Write a letter to yourself on that day."

Organization: Project Sleep.

What are writing scholarships?

Writing scholarships are financial awards given to students based primarily on written work, though other factors are usually taken into consideration as well. Most writing scholarships involve a prompt or series of prompts to which applicants must respond. Some writing scholarships — especially those that award large amounts of money — require applicants to submit past writing samples, or even a full portfolio.

The good news is that, with so many writing scholarships to choose from, you don’t have to apply for any that are “out of your league.” Indeed, though most students have heard of writing scholarships, you may not realize just how many different varieties there are! Here are five of the most common types of writing scholarships, all of which you can find in this directory.

1. Personal essay scholarships

Personal essay scholarships involve writing on a topic related to your own experience. You’ll often see personal essay prompts like, “How have your experiences influenced your choice of major?” and “What are your career aspirations and how do you plan to achieve them?” Other prompts may ask you to write about a role model, a life-changing event, an aspect of your identity, etc. Suggested length is usually about 500-1,000 words, but varies depending on the level of detail requested and how many essay questions are provided.

Just about every scholarship these days has a personal essay component of some kind. This is because personal essay responses both demonstrate writing skills and give the judges a clear sense of each applicant’s goals. No one wants to throw away money on an aimless student — so if you’re applying for a personal essay scholarship, make sure to convey both your writing abilities and your ambitions in your work!

2. Critical essay scholarships

Critical essay scholarships are more in line with what students might consider  “academic” essays. The prompts typically ask applicants to analyze works of literature. However, unlike open-ended English class essays, most critical essay scholarships provide a very specific prompt (e.g. “Examine The Great Gatsby in the context of its World War II-era revival”).

Critical essay scholarships can also involve non-literary subject matter. Some may ask applicants to evaluate a historical event or figure; others may ask them to defend their stance on a political or legal issue. Though the line between critical and personal essays can sometimes blur, for the purposes of this directory, we define critical essays as those that use evidence from an external source to prove a point.

3. Short fiction scholarships

Short fiction scholarships include scholarships for short stories, one-act plays, poetry, and any other form of fiction that isn’t a novel or full-length script. Short fiction scholarships tend to be easier to find than long-form fiction scholarships, since most judging panels don’t have time to read more than a few thousand words per entry. Therefore, if you write fiction and you’re hoping to nab yourself a scholarship, this category is the way to go! (That said, if you’re a hardline novelist, some places will accept a sample chapter or two as short fiction entries.)

4. Journalism scholarships

Journalism scholarships are for students interested in pursuing a career in news, magazine, and/or online journalism. These scholarship applications almost always ask for writing samples to show the candidate’s interest. Depending on the organization, they may prefer topical news reports, informative articles, thinkpieces, or a mix. Some journalism scholarships provide a prompt and ask applicants to write a new article, but the focus is usually on samples. Speaking of which…

5. Portfolio scholarships 

Portfolio scholarships are the most rigorous kind of writing scholarship, requiring a substantial body of work from each applicant — usually 5-10 pieces of writing, if not more. The upside is that awards for portfolio scholarships tend to be pretty sizable, and may even cover your entire tuition!

If you decide to apply to a portfolio scholarship, make sure you have several strong pieces of work in your oeuvre, and consider writing a few new pieces as well. What you shouldn’t do is rush through a dozen new pieces to throw together as a portfolio. If you don’t have samples at the ready from previous assignments or projects, you’ll be better off applying to a less intensive writing scholarship.

Why apply to writing scholarships?

Applying to writing scholarships is a huge undertaking, especially if you’re pursuing multiple scholarships at once. It can sometimes feel like the effort isn’t worth it, or that you have little chance of actually winning any awards. But in truth, submitting to writing scholarships is one of the best investments you can make in your education, your creative writing skills, and your professional life.

Scholarships for larger amounts do attract more applicants, but that doesn’t mean they’re impossible to land — only that you have to work a little harder to stand out. And you can definitely sway the odds in your favor by applying to lots of small scholarships ($500 or less) for which you’ll have fewer competitors. Remember that every little bit helps! For example, if you plan on taking out student loans, even a $500 scholarship could save you much more in interest down the line.

Another compelling reason to apply to writing scholarships is that oftentimes, you’ve already done the work, or the work required is minimal. For scholarships that require writing samples, you’ll simply submit what you’ve already written in the past — and even for scholarships with specific prompts, you rarely have to write more than a couple of pages. If you were seriously committed, you could apply to a scholarship every day, spending a single concentrated evening on each application.

Jumping off that thought, as English majors love to say: the more writing scholarships you apply for, the better a writer you’ll become. Writing tons of scholarship essays will make you a much more creative and efficient writer. Not only will this help with your personal writing projects, but it will also be invaluable to your education and even your career! Writing is a crucial skill for every major — you’ll always have to write papers and emails to professors, after all — and even if you don’t plan to pursue a writing-based job, you'll still need writing skills to polish your résumé.

Finally, remember that there’s a writing scholarship out there for everyone, no matter what your interests or intended field. This directory includes plenty of creative writing scholarships, yes; but there are also personal essay scholarships for future doctors, lawyers, salespeople, and so much more. You have nothing to lose by giving it a shot, so why not start searching for your dream writing scholarship today? (And if you’re unsure about your writing skills, you might benefit from some of the resources below.)

Resources to strengthen your writing skills

• 20 Writing Tips to Help You Become A Better Writer Today
• How to Stop Procrastinating and Build A Solid Writing Routine
• What is Creative Nonfiction? Memoirs, Literary Journalism, and More!
• How to Write a Memoir: Tell Your Amazing Story in 9 Steps
• How to Write a Fantastic Short Story In 7 Steps
• How to Self-Edit Your Manuscript Like a Pro
• 700+ Creative Writing Prompts to Inspire You
• 100+ Creative Writing Exercises for Authors

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30 Best Scholarships for High School Seniors in 2023

What’s covered:, overview of scholarships, 30 best scholarships for high school seniors, tips for applying for scholarships.

The final two years of high school are filled with classes, activities, and friends. It’s also time to think about post-graduation and college. As you look at different colleges, you need to consider how you are going to pay for your education. It’s important to think realistically about what your school will offer in financial aid and how you will pay for your share of the cost. 

The difference between scholarships and loans is huge. Scholarships don’t require repayment and loans must be repaid, with interest. Sometimes, student loans are unavoidable. However, you want to ensure that you minimize the amount of student loan debt that you take on.  

Start your scholarship search early in your high school career. Create a calendar with deadlines for each scholarship that you will apply for. Add notes for the different requirements for each application, such as an essay, your latest transcript, or financial information. Some scholarships are available for you in your junior year and many deadlines will land in the summer before your senior year.  

There are scholarships based on merit and academic performance. Others are most interested in meeting financial needs. Some organizations are looking to support students who are interested in certain fields of study. Others are open to students from the same community or geographic region. Check with your high school guidance office as they will have information on opportunities that are unique to your school or community. Your employer may also have a scholarship program. Starbucks, Burger King, and McDonald’s are just a few businesses that support their employees in this way. There’s almost certainly something for every student.

Now, let’s get into some amazing scholarship opportunities.

General Opportunities

1. equitable excellence scholarship.

Amount: $2,500-5,000 (plus a $500 donation to the high school of winners)

Deadline: N/A

Eligibility:  

• High school seniors who demonstrate positive qualities such as courage and determination shown in community volunteer work 
• U.S. citizen, legal resident, or current resident in the U.S., District of Columbia, or Puerto Rico 

Application Requirements: Transcript

The Equitable Excellence Scholarship is awarded to driven and determined students of high character, with recipients coming from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. In addition to a scholarship, recipients are also provided with development opportunities such as mentoring, networking, and skill-building programs. 

2. Live Más Scholarship – Taco Bell Foundation

Amount: Up to $25,000

Deadline: January 11 

• Employed in a restaurant position with Taco Bell
• On track to apply to a post-high school or post-secondary program (both two- and four-year programs are eligible)
• Have not previously won a Live Más Scholarship

Application Requirements: A two-minute video describing your passion 

The Live Más Scholarship selects winners a little differently than the traditional scholarship award winners. The Taco Bell Foundation is less concerned with academic and athletic excellence and more interested in finding passionate students who blaze their own paths, pursue their dreams, and inspire others. Students who have already been awarded a Live Más Scholarship can apply for a renewal.

3. Too Cool to Pay for School  

Amount: $1,000

Deadline: Last day of the months of March, June, September, and December

Eligibility: Full-time high school, college, or graduate students

Application Requirements: Short application form 

The Too Cool to Pay for School Scholarship is Access Scholarships’ contribution to help four lucky students each year cover school-related expenses. The scholarship can be used to cover any education-related expenses, such as tuition, textbooks, housing, and other fees. This scholarship is super quick and easy to enter (no essay required!), making it a great opportunity to apply for each quarter. 

4. GE-Reagan Foundation Scholarship Program

Amount: Up to $40,000

• U.S. citizen
• A high school senior
• Demonstrated leadership, integrity, drive, and citizenship within the community, school, and workplace
• Planning on enrolling full-time in a bachelor’s degree program at an accredited four-year college or university

Application Requirements:

• Minimum 3.0 GPA 
• Personal statement 

Sponsored by General Electric (GE) and the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation, this scholarship is dedicated to honoring the legacy of the 40th President of the United States, Ronald Reagan. Awarded to skilled and successful students, the scholarship promotes principles important to its namesake: individual liberty, economic opportunity, global democracy, and national pride. The GE-Reagan Foundation Scholarship Program is looking for students with demonstrated leadership, drive, and citizenship. 

See our blog post on GE-Reagan Foundation Scholarship Program for more information.

5. VFW Voice of Democracy Scholarship

Amount: Up to $35,000 

Deadline: October 31 

Eligibility:  

• 9th-12th grade students
• Enrolled in a public, private, or parochial school, or home study program in the U.S., its territories, or its possessions

Application Requirements: Three-five minute audio-essay

The VFW works to promote patriotism while investing in future generations, particularly “democracy-loving” high schoolers. Dating back to 1947, the Voice of Democracy Competition is an audio-essay program giving students the chance to express their thoughts through a recorded essay about democratic- and patriotic-themed principles. Essays are judged on three criteria: originality, content, and delivery. Applicants can win awards ranging from $1,000 to $35,000, making this an exciting scholarship opportunity.

6. Doodle 4 Google Competition

Amount: $30,000 for the student and $50,000 technology grant for their school

Deadline: March 7

• K-12 students
• U.S. citizen or legal resident 
• Enrolled in a U.S.-based school (including homeschool or a school in Puerto Rico, Guam, or the U.S. Virgin Islands)

Application Requirements: Unique doodle that includes the letters G-O-O-G-L-E

The Doodle 4 Google Competition gives applicants the opportunity to create one of the doodles that graces Google’s homepage every day. The competition’s themes change yearly (this year’s theme is to share what you appreciate the most) and the only requirement for them is that they must include the letters G-O-O-G-L-E. Applicants are encouraged to express themselves through whatever medium they desire—although if you create a 3D doodle, you’ll need to submit it in a 2D format. 

7. Atlas Shrugged Essay Contest

Amount: Up to $10,000 

Deadline: November 6

Eligibility: High school senior, undergraduate, or graduate student (no citizenship requirements)

Application Requirements: Original essay between 800 and 1,600 words

Applicants for the Atlas Shrugged Essay contest are tasked with writing an essay about one of three provided topics on Ayn Rand’s novel, Atlas Shrugged . Judges of the contest are looking for clear, articulate writing; well-organized thoughts; and an exceptional grasp of the philosophy underlying Rand’s book. 

8. Create-A-Greeting Card Scholarship

Amount: $10,000 (plus a $1,000 donation to the winner’s school)

Deadline: March 2

Eligibility: 

• 14 years of age or older
• High school, college, or university student enrolled in an academic program designed to conclude with a diploma or degree
• Legal resident of one of the 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the U.S. Virgin Islands, or Puerto Rico
• International students who have a student visa to attend school in the United States are considered legal residents and are also eligible

Application Requirements: Submit a design for the front of a greeting card

Express your artistic side for a chance to win a $10,000 award from the Create-A-Greeting-Card Scholarship. Submit a photo, artwork, or computer graphic for use as the front of a greeting card that will both wow judges and win votes on the scholarship’s Facebook page for the chance to win this generous award. 

9. Tall Clubs International (TCI) Foundation Academic Scholarship  

Deadline: March 1

• Entering the first year of higher education 
• Meet height requirement: over 6′ 2″ for men and 5′ 10″ for women (in stocking feet) 
• Sponsorship from a TCI member club 
• Transcript 
• Essay between 550-650 words
• Two letters of recommendation 

This scholarship is aimed at students with their heads in the clouds, literally. Men must stand over 6′ 2″ and women 5′ 10″ in their stocking feet to qualify for the scholarship. In addition to meeting the height requirement, applicants must demonstrate merit in fields like academics, athletics, and community service to earn this award.

10. Niche $25,000 No Essay Scholarship

Amount: $25,000 

Deadline: March 29

Eligibility: High school senior, undergraduate, or graduate student 

Application Requirements: Create a Niche account 

You can enter for a chance to get a $25,000 scholarship in just minutes without the need to write an essay—all you need to do is create a Niche account for your chance to win. 

Scholarships for Academic Merit

11. cameron impact scholarship.

Amount: Full tuition 

Deadline: September 8

• High school seniors 
• Demonstrated excellence in leadership, activities, and community service or civic affairs
• Planning on enrolling full-time at an accredited four-year college or university
• Minimum 3.7 GPA 
• Letters of recommendation

This scholarship is awarded to high school seniors who have demonstrated excellence in numerous pursuits—academics, extracurricular activities, and community service—with a desire to make a positive change in their communities and the world. Left intentionally broad, the scholarship welcomes students with the aspiration to make a positive impact in both the private and public sectors, and through any number of professional careers. A quarter of scholarships are allocated to students pursuing careers in education, nonprofits, government, and the military who have a goal of public service.

12. Coca-Cola Scholars Program

Amount : $20,000 

Eligibility:

• High school senior
• U.S. citizen, U.S. national, U.S. permanent resident, asylee, Cuban-Haitian entrant, or Humanitarian Parole as defined by the U.S. Department of Education for Federal Financial Eligibility
• Planning to pursue a post-high school education
• Minimum 3.0 GPA
• Complete an eligibility quiz
• Must provide information on academic performance, leadership, and service

The Coca-Cola Scholars Program Scholarship is awarded to exceptional students with a thirst for knowledge and a desire to make a difference in the world. Coca-Cola Scholars are high achievers and demonstrate leadership, service, and a commitment to change in their school and community. 

13. Davidson Fellows Scholarship

Amount: $10,000-$50,000

Deadline: February 15

• 18 years old or younger
• U.S. citizen or permanent resident
• Created a significant piece of work
• Nominations from two individuals who are not family members
• Available to attend an in-person or virtual awards ceremony 

Davidson Fellows are gifted students who experts believe have the potential to make significant contributions to society. These students have completed a significant and meaningful piece of work in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, Literature, Music, Philosophy, or “Outside the Box”. This can include the creative application of existing knowledge, a high-impact new idea, an innovative solution with a broad range of implications, or a remarkable performance, just to name a few examples. 

14. National Elks Foundation Most Valuable Student (MVS)

Amount: $4,000-$50,000

• Plan to be a full-time student pursuing a four-year degree at an accredited U.S. institution of higher learning

Applicants work through the ranks of local, district, and state levels to be considered for the MVS. The Foundation selects the top 500 students from these applications for the national semi-finalist competition. The top 20 students from the semi-final competition will participate in a Leadership Weekend with in-person interviews. The top two students (one male and one female) are awarded $50,000 scholarships. Runners-up receive $40,000 and $30,000 scholarships. The remaining 14 students receive $20,000. The additional 480 of the top 500 applicants earn a $4,000 scholarship.   

Opportunities for Students with Significant Financial Need

15. horatio alger association – targeted scholarships.

Amount: Up to $52,000

Deadline: Varies

• Critical financial need (defined as $55,000 or less gross adjusted household income)
• Demonstrated integrity and perseverance through overcoming adversity

Horatio Alger scholarships are awarded to promising young students from low-income families. These targeted scholarships are endowed by members of the Horatio Alger Association at several different universities and colleges. Some are also targeted to specific fields of study. 

16. Jack Kent Cooke Foundation

Amount: Up to $55,000 per year

• Cumulative, unweighted GPA of 3.5
• Demonstrated unmet financial need—applicants with a family annual gross income up to $95,000 are considered 
• JKCF uses the Common App (include JKCF as one of your “schools”)
• Common App asks for a recommendation from your school counselor and two teachers
• Several short essays
• Household financial information

The Cooke College Scholarship Program offers scholarships to high-achieving high school seniors with financial need. JKCF Scholars join a nationwide community with ongoing personal and professional support and development opportunities. Recipients can use their scholarship funds to cover tuition, living expenses, books, and required fees. 

17. Engebretson Foundation Scholarship

Amount: $5,000 per semester

• In need of financial assistance 
• Planning to attend a four-year college

Application Requirements: 

• Minimum 3.75 GPA and/or in the top 5% of graduating class
• Score of 28 or higher on the ACT 
• Teacher recommendation 

The Engebretson Foundation Scholarship is aimed at high-achieving, academically talented students with financial need. One winner is chosen annually to receive a $5,000 per semester scholarship. 

18. Dell Scholars Program

Amount: $20,000, a laptop, and $500 of textbook credits annually for four years 

• Enrolled in an approved college-readiness program, like College Possible or Upward Bound
• On track to graduate from high school in the coming academic year
• Demonstrated financial need 
• Pell-eligible

Application Requirements: Minimum 2.4 GPA

This program is for students with “grit, potential, and ambition” to strive for a college degree. Dell Scholars are also provided with wrap-around support for academic success, financial matters, and teletherapy professional counseling.

Opportunities for First-Generation Students 

19. colgate-palmolive haz la u educational grant program.

Amount: Up to $100,000

• Of Hispanic heritage (includes Spain, Brazil, Philippines)
• High school senior 
• Planning to enroll in an accredited institution of higher education 
• U.S. citizen, resident, or DACA-eligible
• 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale

This scholarship program is designed for Hispanic students who have maintained academic excellence throughout high school, participated in community service, and demonstrated leadership. Colgate-Palmolive offers this program in partnership with the Hispanic Heritage Foundation in support of higher education for Hispanics.

20. Fontana Transport Inc. Scholars Program

Amount: N/A

Deadline: March 18

• Planning to enroll in an accredited four-year higher education institution 
• Demonstrated financial need
• First-generation college student 
• Planning to study: Transportation Management, Math, Science, Engineering (any field), Architecture, Environmental Design, Pre-Med, Psychology, or Spanish Language/Literature
• Minimum 3.5 GPA
• Teacher/advisor letter of recommendation (optional, but highly recommended)

This scholarship seeks to support first-generation, underrepresented college students studying in select fields. The intent of the award is to help students who are passionate about pursuing higher education overcome barriers—like lack of resources and hardships encountered in their communities—and achieve successful futures.  

For more info, check out our list of first-gen scholarships . 

Opportunities for Students of Color

21. ron brown scholarship.

Amount: $40,000

• African American 
• Academically excellent  
• Community service participation 
• Two essays 

This scholarship program provides awards for academically gifted African Americans who are active within their communities. Applicants should have demonstrated an interest in public service, community engagement, business entrepreneurship, and global citizenship—the four pillars of the late Ronald H. Brown’s mission to uplift people of all races, cultures, and ethnicities. 

22. McDonald’s HACER National Scholarship

Amount: $5,000-$100,000

• U.S. resident or a DREAMer/DACA recipient
• Under 21 years old 
• Have at least one parent of Hispanic heritage
• Minimum 2.8 GPA
• Letter of recommendation 
• List of community service projects

This scholarship program provides 30 college-bound students of Hispanic heritage awards ranging from $5,000 to $100,000. Recipients are selected based on a variety of factors including academic achievement, community involvement, and financial need.

23. APIA (Asian Pacific Islander) Scholars

Amount: $2,500-$20,000

Deadline: January 19

• Asian or Pacific Islander ethnicity, heritage, or ancestry 
• Citizen, national, or permanent resident of the U.S
• Citizens of the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of Palau are also eligible
• Planning to enroll or continue in an accredited undergraduate program in the U.S.
• Minimum 2.7 GPA

This scholarship is an excellent opportunity for students of Asian or Pacific Islander descent to receive valuable funds for college. APIA Scholars works to support underserved APIA students through their scholarships—a special focus is given to students who live at or below the poverty line, students who will be the first in their family to attend college, and students from backgrounds underrepresented in higher education. Strong applicants will have also demonstrated leadership and community service. 

24. Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholars

Amount: Up to $35,000 over four years 

Deadline: January 11

• High school seniors
• U.S. citizen 
• Excellent academic performance 
• Plan on attending a four-year, accredited college or university in the U.S.
• Four essays 
• Standardized test scores
• Household information

The Jackie Robinson Foundation goes beyond sponsoring scholarships, to guide minority students through the process of higher education. JRF Scholars have access to many benefits, including networking and mentorship, internship and employment opportunities, an annual conference, and year-round programming. 

25. National Society of High School Scholars STEM Scholarship

Deadline: October 13

• Planning to pursue a degree in a STEM field
• List of STEM activities

The NSHSS STEM Scholarship provides support for students from groups underrepresented in STEM fields. The goal is to increase diversity in STEM-related professions through college and university education. Check out the other NSHSS scholarship opportunities for high school and post-secondary students.

26. Native American Education Undergraduate Scholarship–American Indian Education Fund

Amount: Up to $2,000

Deadline: April 4

• Native American, Alaska Native, or Native Hawaiian
• All future undergraduate students in a two- or four-year college, university, vocational, or technical school are encouraged to apply
• Personal summary 
• Tribal enrollment card/documentation
• There is an essay of no more than four, double-spaced pages typed in 12-point font

The American Indian Education Fund believes that “education is one of the most important cornerstones of self-sufficiency and quality of life.” With that in mind, the AIEF works to end the cycle of poverty by providing scholarships, literacy programs, and school supplies to Native American students. A GPA between 2.0 and 3.5 is desirable—as is an ACT score of 14 or above—however, all current or future undergraduate students are encouraged to apply.

Opportunities for Student-Athletes

27. foot locker scholar athletes.

Amount: Up to $20,000 

Deadline: January 30

• U.S. Citizen or Permanent Legal Resident
• Entering an accredited four-year institution for an undergraduate degree
• Involved in high school sports, intramural sports, or community-based sports
• Minimum GPA of 3.0
• Two essays—one written and one video

Unlike most athletic scholarships, the Foot Locker Scholar Athletes Program is as likely to reward the student who kept team spirit high as it is the student who led the state in scoring. This scholarship honors athletes exhibiting excellence and leadership cultivated on the field and in the locker room to positively change the lives of others. 

28. Sara Scholarship

Amount: $2,000 per year—renewable for four years for a total of $8,000

Deadline: April 30 

• Female high school seniors 
• Active engagement with the sport of golf as a hobby, as a member of a team, working as a caddy, or at a golf course
• Minimum 3.3 GPA 
• Standard application
• Personal essay
• Student Aid Report (SAR)

Established in 2012, the Sara Scholarship was founded in memory of Sara Sheehan through the Henry & Sara Sheehan foundation. This scholarship grants awards to high-achieving female high school seniors who demonstrate financial need, excellence of character, a passion for golf, and a plan to pursue a college degree.

29. Lindsey Vonn Foundation Scholarships

Amount: $5,000

Deadline: March 31

• Ages 10 to 18 
• Passion and promise in a sport
• Essay about you and your sport (students are encouraged to create submissions that will stand out)

The Lindsey Vonn Foundation provides scholarships, programs, and mentorship in order to support future generations by helping them pursue their passion, overcome obstacles, and achieve their goals. Applicants that are 200% below the Federal Poverty Line are prioritized. 

30. United States Tennis Association

Deadline: May 1

• High school seniors  
• Involved in community service or volunteering
• Participant in National Junior Tennis and Learning
• Two letters of recommendation
• Recent photo
• FAFSA student report

There are several endowed scholarships available through USTA and students are encouraged to apply to all those that they are eligible to receive.

31 (Bonus). CollegeVine Scholarships

Amount: $2,000

Deadline: Quarterly

Eligibility: high school student and US resident

Application Requirements: create a free CollegeVine account or fill out chancing profile if you already have an account.

CollegeVine provides a quarterly, no-essay scholarship of $2,000. All you have to do is sign up for a free account, which allows you to see your chances of acceptance at 1,600+ schools, get your essays reviewed by a peer, ask questions in our community forum, and more. If you already have an account, just make sure your chancing profile is filled out.

Awards will be paid out directly to students to help them cover any educational costs. Learn more about the CollegeVine scholarships .

More work = fewer applicants

The more work applying for a scholarship is, the smaller the applicant pool will likely be. Scholarships involving video production, such as the Live Más Scholarship, or a well-thought-out essay, like the Dell Scholars Program, all demand a healthy amount of hard work which keeps the competition at bay. 

Apply to a mix of larger and smaller awards

All the above scholarships are relatively well-known, so they will still be incredibly competitive even if they involve a lot of work. Don’t limit yourself to applying for huge national awards—look for local groups who may have smaller awards, but also smaller pools of candidates.

Research past winners

Scholarship committees tend to have an idea of “what they’re looking for.” To present yourself in the best light, research past winners to get a better sense of what scholarship committees want to see. Most scholarship pages will have a section dedicated to past winners, what their application was like, and where they are now. If not, you can always Google the name of the scholarship and “past winners.”

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Overcoming Adversity Cariño Scholarship

Eligibility criteria:.

• State : Washington
• Education Level : High school student
• Ethnicity : Latinx

Sloane Stephens Doc & Glo Scholarship

• Education Level : Must be a current high school senior or undergraduate student
• Schooling : Either studying healthcare or attending an HBCU
• GPA : 2.5 or higher

Ethel Hayes Destigmatization of Mental Health Scholarship

Kenyada Me'Chon Thomas Legacy Scholarship

• Education Level : High school senior
• Race/Ethnicity : BIPOC

Trees for Tuition Scholarship Fund

• Education Level : High school senior or undergraduate
• State : Georgia (Atlanta preferred)

Brandon Repola Memorial Scholarship

• State : Arizona
• Field of Interest : Videography, digital marketing, computers, and/or automotive technology
• Education Level : Undergraduate

Concrete Rose Scholarship Award

• Gender : Women
• Education Level : High school senior or Undergraduate

Anthony McPherson Memorial Automotive Scholarship

• Field of Interest : Automotive
• Education Level : High school or undergraduate student

TEAM ROX Scholarship

• Education Level : Undergraduate student
• GPA : 3.0 or higher
• Background : Volunteering experience

Rebecca Hunter Memorial Scholarship

• Education Level : Any
• Parental Status : Single parent

God Hearted Girls Scholarship

• Gender : Female
• Religion : Christianity

Dimon A. Williams Memorial Scholarship

• Family : Single-parent household

Rainbow Futures Scholarship

• Education Level : High school senior or undergraduate student
• Identity : LGBTQ+
• Background : Financial need

Treye Knorr Memorial Scholarship

• Education Level : Entering a four-year undergraduate degree in the fall of 2024
• Gender : Male-identifying

Ventana Ocean Conservation Scholarship

• Education Level : High school senior, undergraduate, or graduate
• Major : Ocean conservation, marine science, environmental science, marine biology, etc.

Joseph A. Monachino Memorial Scholarship

• Financial Status : Financial need
• State : Nevada

Tam and Betsy Vannoy Memorial Scholarship

• State : West Virginia
• Education Level : High school senior, undergraduate, post- secondary trade school

Dr. Edward V. Chavez Athletic Memorial Scholarship

• Background : Has lost one or both parents
• Passion : Sports

Frederick J. Salone Memorial Basketball Scholarship

• Background : Plays basketball

Walking In Authority International Ministry Scholarship

• Experience : Volunteering

Joseph C. Lowe Memorial Scholarship

• Education : High school senior or undergraduate
• Background : Volunteering or community service
• Major : History

Skylar's Hope Scholarship

• Education Level : High school senior, undergraduate, or trade school student
• Desired Career : First responder (firefighter, police, EMT, etc.)

M.R. Brooks Scholarship

• Family : Single parent or the child of a single parent

Jennifer Webb-Cook Gameplan Scholarship

• Involvement : Athlete
• Background : From a single-parent household

Brinley Heckermann Empowering Spirit Scholarship

• Background : Cheerleader and/or stunt-athlete

Jean Ramirez Scholarship

• Education : High school, undergraduate, or graduate
• Background : Immediate family of suicide victim

Alexis Mackenzie Memorial Scholarship for the Arts

• Education Level : High school student accepted to a two or four-year college or an arts institute
• Race/Ethnicity : Black or Latina
• Gender : Female-identifying
• Background : Financial Need

Hamiltonville Farm Scholarship

• Education level : High school senior or trade school
• Field of Interest : Automotive or Diesel repair

Jaimeson Williams Legacy Scholarship

• Majors of Interest : Music or STEM

Future Planner Scholarship

• Education Level : High school student or two or four-year undergraduate student
• Background : Leadership or event planning experience
• Race : BIPOC

About essay scholarships 

Essay-based scholarships are the most common and traditional form of scholarships available to students pursuing higher education. Though essay scholarships may seem intimidating at first glance, this type of scholarship can be invaluable to students looking to earn money through scholarships. 

An essay scholarship is a financial aid opportunity that requires students to write a short statement in order to apply. No-essay scholarships, on the other hand, do not require written statements as part of the application process. 

Students tend to gravitate towards no-essay scholarships, as they are easier to apply to in regards to both time and effort. While no-essay scholarships are a great resource as well, students should consider applying to a mix of both no-essay and essay scholarships to have the best chances of winning. 

Since fewer students take the time to apply for essay scholarships, there is less competition for them. This means that students that do apply for essay scholarships will often have higher chances of winning money than students who exclusively apply for no-essay scholarships.

Though no-essay scholarships can save time in the application process, they typically attract a large number of applicants. Both college students and high school students will usually face more competition with this type of scholarship. 

In many cases, it isn’t as difficult to apply for essay scholarships as college students imagine. The written statement is often quite short and usually hovers around 400-600 words. That’s around a page of writing or even a little less. There are even many opportunities that require even shorter essays, such as 100-300 words!

If that still sounds daunting, remember that essay scholarships will provide a prompt to write on. Most scholarships will focus on a certain aspect of a student’s life. For example, a mental health awareness scholarship might ask students to write about their personal struggles with mental health and how they have overcome those challenges in pursuit of a better education. 

Similarly, major-based scholarships, like STEM or arts scholarships, often ask students to write about why they chose to study that particular field. Typically, no additional research needs to be done to write the essay portion of the application. In nearly all cases, donors simply want to hear about who the applicant is. 

To write the essay scholarship, students only need to draw on their personal experiences or life goals to show the donor who they are as a person. High school students might focus more on their goals for the future, while undergraduate and graduate students might talk about their current studies. 

Whatever the case, both high school students, as well as undergraduate and graduate students, should focus on showcasing their talents, goals, and personality in the essay. The more detailed and unique an essay is, the easier it is for the donor to feel a connection with you, making your application stand out from the competition.

Essay scholarships are available to students of all ages and all grade levels. College students and high school students alike can apply for essay scholarships. As long as the scholarship allows applicants of your grade level, you can apply.

Though some essay scholarship prompts may seem better suited towards one age group than another, students should still apply as long as they are eligible. For example, a scholarship that asks applicants to write about their major and why they chose it might seem easier to answer as a college student. 

However, if high school students are eligible, they can likely answer the prompt by writing about their intended major. Both high school students and college students should be able to write most scholarship essays.

The purpose of the essay scholarship is to allow the donor to get a better view of the applicant, so make sure to add personality and detail to your essays. You can also check out  this guide  on writing scholarship essays for exclusive tips!

Best essay scholarships

 The majority of scholarships available are essay-based, so there are plenty of opportunities to choose from. Each scholarship has its own benefits, so it's important to apply for a variety of scholarship opportunities. The highest-value scholarships can be the most helpful when paying your tuition, but they often receive the most competition as a result. To have the best chances of winning, consider smaller scholarships with fewer eligible applicants.

Essay scholarships for high school students

There are plenty of high school scholarships available for students of all grade levels. Additionally, high school students can apply for scholarships specific to their grade level.

Essay scholarships for high school freshmen 

Freshman year is the earliest students can begin applying for scholarships, meaning that applicants who start as high school freshmen can get ahead of the game. The earlier you start applying, the longer you'll have to earn college funding. The following scholarships are a great place for high school freshmen to begin their search!

• Bold Climate Changemakers Scholarship
•   M.R. Brooks Scholarship  
• "Equal Opportunity" Scholarship

Essay scholarships for high school sophomores

There are also plenty of scholarship opportunities for high school sophomores who are looking to get a jump on their scholarship applications. The scholarships below are a great way for sophomores to get started!

• Bold Community Activist Scholarship  
• CollegeXpress No-Essay Scholarship
• Bold Great Books Scholarship  

Essay scholarships for high school juniors

As upperclassmen, high school juniors have even more scholarships available to them than freshmen and sophomores. In addition to scholarships open to all high school students, juniors can also apply for scholarships exclusively open to juniors and seniors. Check out the list below and start applying!

• Cat Zingano Overcoming Loss Scholarship  
• Scorenavigator Financial Literacy Scholarship  
• Janey Mae Memorial Scholarship

Essay scholarships for high school seniors

Senior year of high school is one of the most popular times to apply for scholarships. As a result, there are many scholarships created specifically for high school seniors. Since other grade levels can't apply, there are often fewer eligible applicants for senior scholarships, giving you a better chance of winning! You can check out the scholarships below to begin applying. 

• MJM3 Fitness Scholarship  
• Michael Valdivia Scholarship
• Charlotte Emery Memorial Scholarship   

Essay scholarships for college students

While it's great to start securing scholarship funding in high school, it's never too late to apply! There are plenty of scholarships for those currently in college, such as those listed below.

• Live Your Dash Entrepreneurs Scholarship
• Dr. Sharyn First-Generation in Business Scholarship   
• Chris Jackson Computer Science Scholarship  

Essay scholarships for graduate students

Many graduate students aren't aware of all of the scholarships available to them, meaning that many miss out on available financial aid. If you're a graduate student, consider applying for the scholarships below!

• Jameela Jamil x I Weigh Scholarship
• Derrick Richardson Law Student Scholarship  
• Chang Heaton Scholarship for Music Excellence

Essay scholarships for international students 

International students are often left behind when it comes to earning financial aid. With fewer government resources available, international students pursuing their degrees in the US may have unmet financial needs. The following scholarships for international students in the US are a great place to start!

•   International Studies Scholarship
• Crenati Foundation Supporting International Students Scholarship   

Essay scholarships for women 

Many scholarship donors aim to help underrepresented or disadvantaged students, such as racial minorities, low-income students, LGBTQ+ students, or women. If you're a female student, consider applying for the following scholarships!

• Taking Up Space Scholarship  
• Indigenous Women in STEM Scholarship  
• Charlotte Emery Memorial Scholarship

Frequently asked questions about essay scholarships 

How do i win essay scholarships.

The most important part of the essay application is simply finishing it. Many high school students and college students won’t even bother to apply for essay scholarships. As a result, just turning in an application that meets all of the requirements and answers the prompt places you ahead of a good chunk of your peers. 

Still, it’s good to fine-tune your scholarship essays and make sure you turn in your best work. There are several steps students can take in order to take their scholarship essays to the next level. Click here to read our full guide on how to write a scholarship essay .

First, make sure your essay stays on topic and answers the prompt. Don’t get sidetracked by tangential experiences. Read the question carefully and make an outline of what you want to write before you start writing. This can help make sure your essay is focused and coherent. Make a list of what points you want to include in your answer and in what order. Then, make sure to stick to those points.

One important point is to make sure you maintain your basic writing skills. If grammar is something you struggle with on occasion, make a plan to catch any mistakes you might make. Using a tool like Grammarly or Microsoft Word’s spell check can be very helpful in making sure no minor errors are made. You can also try reading your essay out loud, or asking a friend to look it over. Sometimes two pairs of eyes are better than one. 

Another way to elevate your essay is to open with a hook. Perhaps you have a funny story about your academic experiences that relates to the question asked. Or, you could retell the moment you decided to pursue your current major. Any impactful experience you’ve had that relates to the question asked can be a good way to open your essay. 

Opening with a hook makes your essay more memorable and makes the reader want to keep reading. If your essay sounds generic or uninspired, the donor may pass you over for someone else. Making your essay personal and engaging is a key way to make an impact on your reader and stand out from other competitors. 

Most of the time, when a donor includes an essay question, it’s because they’re looking for a specific type of student. Many donors favor students that are driven, motivated, and willing to work hard to achieve their dreams. Look carefully at the prompt for hints on what qualities the donors are looking for. 

An essay question that asks about a student’s struggle with finances, for example, is likely looking for a high school student or college student that has worked hard to pursue education despite the challenges they faced. A prompt that asks students to talk about their chosen major is likely looking for a student that is inspired and has a special interest in their field. 

A mix of your personal experiences, academic interests, and goals for the future are usually good points to work into your essay. It’s important to both answer the question clearly and help the donor understand who you are as a person. 

How do I apply for scholarships? 

Applying for scholarships is not as difficult as it seems. Most applications give clear instructions and are easy to complete. A good place to start is finding a scholarship search resource that works for you. 

One easily accessible way to find scholarships is through your school. For high school students, the guidance office may be able to connect you with scholarship opportunities. College students, including graduate students, will want to talk to their financial aid office instead. 

The advantage of finding scholarships through your school is that the financial aid or guidance office may be able to find opportunities specifically made for your school. This means the competition pool will be much smaller as you will only be competing with your classmates. 

As for how high school students and college students can apply for these opportunities, the instructions will likely depend on that specific school’s process for applying. Administrators in the financial aid or guidance office will be able to guide students through the application process. 

An alternative is using online platforms to search for and apply for scholarships. High school students and college students alike will benefit from this method, as online platforms typically allow students to apply for multiple scholarships at once. Making a free profile with  Bold.org , for example, will allow high school students and college students to quickly apply with just one click to no-essay scholarships. 

Creating a profile with online scholarship platforms allows the site to submit applications on your behalf. In addition, the information stored in the profile can be used to help find more relevant scholarship search results for each student’s needs.

For example, high school students will automatically be barred from applying to scholarships that only look at college students, and vice versa. This can help save some time and ensure students don’t waste their efforts applying for scholarships that will not consider them. 

In order to apply for a scholarship on an online platform, students simply need to create a free profile and find the scholarships they want to apply for. Their information will be sent to the donors for review. 

If there is an essay requirement, students must prepare a written statement ahead of time. Students can then paste their essays into the application on the online platform. The essay will be submitted along with the student’s personal information from their profile. 

When can I start applying? 

High school students, as well as undergraduate and graduate students, can apply whenever they like. Very few scholarships exist for students below the high school level, and while some opportunities are available to recent college graduates, most are for those still in school. 

Students at any level between high school and graduate school can start to apply for scholarships at any time. High school seniors are the group of high school students that will likely have the easiest time finding scholarships they can apply for. Many donors looking to create opportunities at the high school level view high school seniors as the demographic most concerned with generating funding for college. 

Winning scholarship money while still in high school can help students in their college search. Getting an idea of how much money you will be able to spend on college is a good way to narrow down your search for the perfect school for you. In addition, winning scholarship money might make it possible for high school students to attend a college they previously thought would be too expensive. 

As a result, starting to apply for scholarships as a high school senior or junior would be a reasonable time to begin. 

Applying earlier is typically better than applying for scholarships later on. This is simply because starting to find and apply to scholarships earlier will allow students more time to apply, get their results back, and apply again. The more this cycle is repeated, the more money students typically make. 

Remember that not every scholarship you apply to will yield positive results. Therefore, applying to as many scholarships as possible will increase the possibility that a few of those applications will win. 

However, there’s nothing wrong with trying to find scholarships even before your senior year in high school. In addition, starting to apply as an undergraduate student or a graduate student is completely fine as well. There are many opportunities made specifically for college students, many of which include graduate students as well. 

It may seem counterintuitive to start applying for scholarships after committing to a college. However, winning scholarship money can help not just with creating a budget for college, but also with the expenses of continuing your college education. Each new semester means new textbooks and new school supplies, for example. 

In addition, college is a path to many educational opportunities that are usually not available to high school students. For example, many college students study abroad, whether as undergraduate students or graduate students. Saving up some scholarship money for the costs of continuing your education and taking advantage of college opportunities like studying abroad can be very helpful. 

How do I know if I’m eligible for a scholarship?

Every scholarship posting will clearly state its requirements, so be sure to read the entire description. Remember that your efforts may be wasted if you do not fit the criteria for a certain scholarship. No matter how much you excel in school, you cannot win a scholarship that you are not eligible for. 

Scholarships often tend towards very general requirements or more exclusive requirements. General scholarships are often open to students of any major and any grade level, meaning the vast majority of students will be able to apply.

Exclusive scholarships, on the other hand, are made for a more specific purpose. For example, the donor of an exclusive scholarship might want to use their money to uplift indigenous students in the medical field. As a result, the scholarship might only accept applicants that are indigenous students and focused on nursing or medicine. Students that do not match these criteria will not be considered. 

Some common restricting factors in exclusive scholarships are education level, demographic, income level, academic interest, and GPA. An exclusive scholarship might restrict the applicant pool by all or some of these criteria. 

Certain opportunities might be open to graduate students only, and not high school students or undergraduate students. Some scholarships might require students to study a particular major, such as graphic design. A more general scholarship might use an umbrella term, like the humanities, instead of a specific major. Whatever the case, be sure you have carefully read each of the requirements before applying. 

Many exclusive scholarships will be specific enough that most students will not be able to apply. For example, a scholarship open only to Asian American molecular biology graduate students will receive a lower volume of applications than a scholarship available to all STEM majors. 

However, there’s no need to get discouraged if you find it difficult to locate an exclusive scholarship that matches your needs. The multitude of scholarship opportunities available on sites like  Bold.org  means that there is a scholarship for everyone. New scholarships are created and added each day, meaning students who continuously look for and apply to scholarships are more likely to find relevant opportunities. 

In addition, it’s a good idea to apply for both general and exclusive scholarships. This helps students cast a wider net and hopefully increase their chances of winning money. 

What do I have to do to apply?

The application process for most scholarships is fairly simple, especially if students choose to apply through an online platform. 

Sometimes, the most difficult part of applying for a scholarship is simply qualifying, especially if there are many requirements. Once students find opportunities that match their needs, very little action is required.

Students will need to send some of their personal information to the donor to confirm they match the criteria listed. This is often done automatically through online platforms, or students may need to fill out a form through the appropriate school office if the scholarship is not listed online. 

If the scholarship does not require an essay, then that’s all you need to do. If the scholarship does require a personal statement, then that will be the second and final part of the application. 

The essay question, as we’ve covered, can appear intimidating but is usually answered in a page or less. Since donors simply want to hear about you as a person and your academic pursuits, staying honest and true to yourself is usually the best way to tackle the essay. 

It’s not necessary in most cases to do more research to answer the essay question. Sharing personal experiences that relate to the question can be a good way to start. Students should already have all the information they need to answer the question. The only thing left is presenting that information and any personal experiences in an orderly, coherent manner. 

To summarize, scholarships are relatively low-stress to apply to. Students will only need to submit their personal information and write a short personal essay about themselves to be considered.

Are scholarships counted as income? 

Typically, scholarships are not counted as income. 

Scholarships will remain tax-free as long as the scholarship money is used for necessary educational expenses. Necessary educational expenses include tuition fees, textbook and equipment fees, mandatory course fees, and mandatory enrollment fees. It’s important to note that housing and travel expenses do not count as necessary educational expenses. 

In other words, if failing to pay an expense would obstruct your ability to graduate with a degree, that expense likely qualifies as a necessary educational expense. 

In addition, the following requirements must be met for your scholarship money to be considered tax-free. First, the total money earned from all essay scholarships cannot be greater than the total amount your university or college charges you for your education. This rarely happens and is usually not a problem for most students. 

Secondly, the recipient of the essay scholarship money must be currently completing a degree at an accredited college or university. Third, the money cannot be given in exchange for a service or job provided. Scholarship money is not a payment or a salary; it is gift aid that is given to a student to help them pay for college. 

Lastly, the money cannot be marked for other expenses such as room and board (which are not necessary educational expenses). Typically, donors will not stipulate how the money should be spent, so this is rarely an issue. 

The most important part of the essay application is simply finishing it. Many high school students and college students won’t even bother to apply for essay scholarships. As a result, just turning in an application that meets all of the requirements and answers the prompt places you ahead of a good chunk of your peers. Still, it’s good to fine-tune your scholarship essays and make sure you turn in your best work. There are several steps students can take in order to take their scholarship essays to the next level. Click here to read our full guide on how to write a scholarship essay.

Applying for scholarships is not as difficult as it seems. Most applications give clear instructions and are easy to complete. A good place to start is finding a scholarship search resource that works for you. One easily accessible way to find scholarships is through your school. For high school students, the guidance office may be able to connect you with scholarship opportunities. College students, including graduate students, will want to talk to their financial aid office instead.

High school students, as well as undergraduate and graduate students, can apply whenever they like. Very few scholarships exist for students below the high school level, and while some opportunities are available to recent college graduates, most are for those still in school. Students at any level between high school and graduate school can start to apply for scholarships at any time. High school seniors are the group of high school students that will likely have the easiest time finding scholarships they can apply for. Many donors looking to create opportunities at the high school level view high school seniors as the demographic most concerned with generating funding for college.

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29+ Excellent Scholarships for High School Seniors

Secure some funding!

Planning for college is tougher than it used to be. Not only is competition more fierce, but the cost of attendance has soared. It’s a shame to see students step back from their goals because they can’t afford to go to school. We’ve put together this list of scholarships for high school seniors to help keep the dream alive. 

Top Scholarships for High School Seniors

These awards are available to most or all high school seniors who plan to continue their education. Some require applicants to submit an essay or meet other criteria. Before applying, be sure to read the guidelines carefully. 

“College Here I Come” Essay Scholarship for High School Seniors

• Amount: $1,000
• Eligibility: Open to all high school seniors
• Deadline: January 31

CollegeXpress “No Essay” Scholarship

• Eligibility: Open to all high school students
• Deadline: November 30

“Commencing at Community College” Essay Scholarship

• Eligibility: High school seniors accepted to community college 

Beacon Scholarship for Rural America

• Eligibility: Low-income high school students from rural backgrounds
• Deadline: November 15

Nitro College Scholarship – No Essay

• Amount: $2,000
• Eligibility: High school, college, community college, and graduate students

“No Essay” College Scholarship

• Eligibility: High school and college students

Student-Led Virtual Tours Scholarship

• Eligibility: Open to all students
• Deadline: December 31

$2,500 November ScholarshipPoints Scholarship

• Amount: $2,500
• Eligibility: High school students and college students

$10,000 CollegeXpress Scholarship

• Amount: $10,000
• Deadline: May 1

JFK Profile in Courage Essay Contest

• Amount: 15 awards ranging from $100 to $10,000
• Eligibility: High school students in grades 9-12 attending public, private, parochial, or home schools
• Deadline: January 13

Sloane Stephens Doc & Glo Scholarship

• Amount: $26,000
• Eligibility: Open to high school seniors and college students
• Deadline: February 20

$40,000 BigFuture Scholarships

• Award: Up to $40,000
• Eligibility: Open to U.S.-based high school students

Niche $50,000 “No Essay” Scholarship

• Amount: $50,000
• Eligibility: High school, college, and graduate students
• Deadline: December 14

Merit-Based Scholarships for High School Seniors

These scholarships are awarded based on a student’s GPA, college entrance exam scores, or other qualifying factors. The eligibility is often very specific, so read the guidelines carefully before applying. Be sure to review our comprehensive list of Merit-Based Scholarships for High School Seniors . 

Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation

• Amount: $20,000
• Eligibility: Based on academic performance, volunteer work, and leadership skills
• Deadline: 2023 applications now closed; check website

Dell Scholars

• Amount: $20,000 plus money for books and a new laptop
• Eligibility: Applicants must qualify for a Pell Grant based on household income. 
• Deadline: December 1

Scholarships for STEM Fields

High school students planning to pursue studies in STEM fields may be qualified for scholarships in this category. Take a look at the opportunities below. Plus, check out these STEAM scholarships for minority students .

Amazon Future Engineer Scholarship Program

• Amount: $40,000 and a paid programming internship at Amazon
• Eligibility: High school students interested in computer science
• Deadline: January 25

Buick Achievers Scholarship

• Award: Up to $25,000
• Eligibility: Must be studying engineering, technology, or related subjects
• Deadline: February 27

Geraldine Polly Bednash Scholarships

• Amount: $5,000
• Eligibility: High school seniors, college, and graduate students majoring in nursing
• Deadline: Quarterly (July 31, October 31, January 31, April 30)

Lounge Lizard Web Design Scholarship

• Eligibility: High school seniors and college students with an interest in web design 
• Deadline: October 3 and February 19

Annual Prevounce Preventive Health Scholarship Program

• Eligibility: High school seniors interested in healthcare fields
• Deadline: October 15

Medical Scrubs Collection Scholarship

• Eligibility: High school seniors and college students pursuing careers in medical fields
• Deadline: December 15

Scholarships for Arts

Many students who intend to study the arts will find great scholarship opportunities by searching their specific field or interest. Here are a few examples. 

ServiceScape Scholarship

• Eligibility: High school seniors must submit an essay about how writing impacts the world.
• Deadline: November 29

Betty Harlan Memorial Art Scholarship

• Amount: Varies
• Eligibility: Students pursuing a degree in visual arts
• Deadline: February 1

Food Dreams Scholarship

• Amount: $20,000 
• Eligibility: Pell-eligible high school graduates interested in culinary arts
• Deadline: Rolling

Scholarships for Minorities

These financial awards are for students from diverse backgrounds. While these types of scholarships were once very rare, they are becoming more common. 

Alex Austin’s Overcoming Adversity Scholarship

• Amount: $500 – $1,000
• Eligibility: U.S. high school and college students, including DACA recipients, who identify as part of a minority or who will be first-generation college students
• Deadline: September 1

Gates Millennium Scholars Program

• Eligibility: Outstanding minority students with significant financial need
• Deadline: September 15

Scholarships for Student Athletes

These financial awards are offered in support of high school students who were active in sports and/or plan to pursue a career in athletics. 

Big Sun Scholarship

• Amount: $500
• Eligibility: Student athletes who are high school seniors or in college
• Deadline: June 19

Michael Moody Fitness Scholarship

• Amount: $1,500
• Eligibility: High school seniors planning to pursue a career in health and fitness
• Deadline: August 1

Heisman High School Scholarship

• Amount: $500 to $5,000
• Eligibility: High school senior athletes
• Deadline: October 20

More Scholarships for High School Students

Looking for more? Check out the scholarship opportunities below.

Scholarships for Future Teachers

Scholarships for Women

How To Get a Full-Ride Scholarship

What’s been your experience with scholarships for high school students? Share in the comments below!

Want more suggestions check out  the ultimate guide to college scholarships.

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25 Scholarships for High School Seniors

In 2022, 55% of public university students graduated with student loan debt —about $28,950 per student on average. That kind of debt can be a serious burden when you’re new in your career and trying to build a life for yourself. The good news is that there are many types of financial aid that could dramatically reduce your debt before you even start college. Scholarships are one of them.

Some people assume that college scholarships are just for current college students, but high school students are eligible to apply for many awards. In fact, all 25 scholarship programs on this list are geared specifically toward graduating high school seniors. Start applying now to begin your college career on the right foot. 

25 Scholarships for high school seniors 

Scholarships can be a great way to pay for college without having to take out costly student loans. With that in mind, we’ve put together this comprehensive list of high-dollar scholarships that you can apply for during your senior year of high school. Each one is at least $2,000, and you’ll find all types of scholarships — from artistic and athletic awards, to merit-based programs for high academic achievers.

1. Jack Kent Cooke Foundation College Scholarship

Amount: Up to $55,000

Provider: Jack Kent Cooke Foundation

Eligibility Requirements:

• Minimum GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale
• Planning to enroll full-time in a four-year college/university
• High school senior

Application Requirements: Transcript, two letters of recommendation, completed FAFSA®, tax returns, essay, list of extracurricular activities, list of honors and awards

Endowed by and named for Jack Kent Cooke, a Canadian-American broadcasting mogul, the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation College Scholarship is a needs-based opportunity for high-achieving high school students. The number of recipients varies each year, but the Foundation generally awards around 100 scholarships annually — at up to $55,000 per student. There are no required fields of study, but this program prioritizes applicants with unmet financial need, so you’ll need to fill out the FAFSA® to apply. (Not sure where to start? Get help from our complete guide to the FAFSA® .)

2. Men’s College Scholarship

Amount: $50,000

Provider: Foundation for Fraternal Excellence

Application Requirements: Letter of recommendation, essay, list of extracurricular activities

According to the Pew Research Center , more women are now attending college than men. To help encourage men to pursue undergraduate degrees, the Foundation for Fraternal Excellence funds the Men’s College Scholarship . You don’t have to be a member of a fraternity to be eligible for this award, but you must identify as a male. Demonstrating a commitment to public service and leadership will go far with this selection committee, so use your essay to highlight your experiences in these areas. 

3. Most Valuable Student Scholarship

Amount: Up to $50,000

Provider: Elks National Foundation

• Current high school senior

Application Requirements: Transcript, completed FAFSA®, essay, resume

The Elks National Foundation, which fosters community and public service, sponsors one of the most lucrative scholarships on this list: the Most Valuable Student Scholarship . This merit-based award is only open to current high school students, but you don’t have to be a member of the Elks to apply. The foundation awards 500 scholarships each year, ranging from $1,000 to $12,5000 each. Finalists are invited to be a part of a virtual leadership conference where they can win additional awards. 

4. Terry Crews “Creative Courage” Scholarship

Amount: $20,000

Provider: Terry Crews

• High school student

Application Requirements: Essay, work sample

Terry Crews has spent his career breaking down barriers as an African American athlete and artist. To help students pursue their own creative aspirations, he’s created the Terry Crews “Creative Courage” Scholarship . To be eligible, applicants must be currently enrolled as high school students and have a demonstrated love for the arts. This scholarship application is more fun than most: Students must submit an original piece of art, which can be anything from a sculpture to a song. You’ll also have to write a 300-word essay about your artistic dreams and how your life experiences have shaped your goals for the future. 

5. Little Bird Scholarship for LGBTQI Immigrants

Amount: $18,000

Provider: Stonewall Community Foundation

• New York City resident
• Enrolled full-time as a high school junior or senior 
• Lack a U.S. citizenship, green card, or F-1 visa
• Identify as LGBTQ+

Application Requirements: Transcript, letter of recommendation, essay

The Stonewall Community Foundation is a public entity that works to strengthen the LGBTQ+ community. One of the ways they do this is through scholarship awards, including the Little Bird Scholarship for LGBTQI Immigrants . This scholarship fund offers winners $18,000 for up to two years of school. The eligibility criteria for this program are pretty specific — you have to live in New York City and can’t be a U.S. citizen — but those who do qualify will be relieved to hear there’s no minimum GPA requirement.

6. Eon Essay Contest Award

Amount: Up to $15,000

Provider: Eon Essay Contest

• Enrolled in a high school or college/university
• Thirteen years of age or older 

Application Requirements: Essay

If you’re interested in philosophy or post-apocalyptic literature, the Eon Essay Contest Award might be right up your alley. This essay scholarship asks students to read a book about the future of humanity called The Precipice and write a 1,200-word essay about it. There’s a different essay question for each age bracket; the one for high school students, for example, is about inventing a transformative technology and describing how you’d use it to help preserve humanity. Both American and international students are invited to apply. (Note: If you don’t have access to this book via your high school or local library, you can apply for a free copy on the Eon’s scholarship application webpage.)

7. Scholastic Art and Writing Portfolio Award

Amount: Up to $12,500

Provider: Scholastic Art and Writing Awards

Application Requirements: Personal statement, portfolio

If you’re a high school student with artistic aspirations, consider the prestigious Scholastic Art and Writing Portfolio Award , which has a few different tiers. Winners of the “Gold Medal Portfolio” category will receive $12,500 in funding, and “Silver Medal with Distinction Portfolio” winners will take home $2,000 each. To apply, you’ll need to submit six pieces of original artwork along with a personal statement. To help your personal statement stand out, give the jurors a glimpse into your creative process and the motivations behind your work. 

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8. Build a Better Future Scholarship

Amount: $10,000

Provider: Honors Graduation

• Graduating high school senior 
• Planning to enroll full-time in a college/university

Application Requirements: Work sample

You can make an impact on your world at any age. To help encourage young changemakers, Honors Graduation, a graduation apparel company, has endowed the Build a Better Future Scholarship just for high school students. For this merit-based award, each applicant must produce and implement a public service project designed to improve their community. (If you’re not sure where to begin, review these guidelines .) Five winners will each receive a $10,000 college scholarship. Bonus: The top-placing student will receive an additional $5,000 award to fund their project. 

9. Heisman High School Scholarship

Amount: Up to $10,000

Provider: Acceptance Insurance and the Heisman Trophy Trust

• Minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
• Participate or have participated in at least one sport recognized by the International Olympic Committee in the Summer or Winter Olympic Games, the Paralympic Games, or the National Federation of State High School Associations

Application Requirements: Transcript, SAT and/or ACT scores, list of extracurricular activities

The Heisman Trophy, awarded to an outstanding college football player each year, is a national symbol of athletic excellence. Sponsored by Acceptance Insurance and the Heisman Trophy Trust, the Heisman High School Scholarship is the high-school equivalent. To qualify, you must be a high school student-athlete with a passion for community service. You’ll also need to ask a school official to review your application before submission. Your reviewer can be a teacher, coach, counselor, or a member of your school’s administrative staff.

10. Next Steminist Scholarship Program

Provider: Navisite

• Planning to enroll in a college/university
• Under the age of 25
• Declared field of study in computer science, engineering, or another STEM-related major

Application Requirements: Transcript, SAT and/or ACT scores, video essay

Navisite, an information-technology software company, wants to support women in STEM. To that end, the Next Steminist Scholarship Program awards $10,000 each to three female-identifying students pursuing undergraduate degrees in STEM fields. (STEM, short for “science, technology, math, and engineering,” can include anything from computer programming to healthcare research.) A key part of the application is the video essay. To win over the reviewers, be sure to describe your dream career, including what your job would look like and your biggest dreams for the future of technology. This award is merit-based, which means you can apply regardless of financial need. 

11. Bridging the Dream Scholarship Program for High School Seniors

Provider: Sallie Mae Fund

• Minimum GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale
• Black/African American, Hispanic/Latinx, Native American, Asian American, and/or Pacific Islander
• Planning to enroll in a vocational/trade school, community college, or four-year college/university
• Pell Grant eligible 

Application Requirements: Transcript, completed FAFSA®, video essay

The Bridging the Dream Scholarship Program for High School Seniors is a need-based scholarship for minority students and students from historically underserved communities. Provided by the Sallie Mae Fund — a bank that helps students access college via student loans and scholarships — this program gives out 25 awards each year. While it prioritizes students with outstanding academic achievement, candidates must also be eligible for the Pell Grant to apply. (If you’re not sure if you qualify, check out our guide to student financial aid .) 

12. Find Your Drive Scholarship Program

Provider: Pep Boys

• Minimum GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale 
• Enrolled or planning to enroll in a vocational/trade school or college/university
• Declared pursuit of an automotive technician degree program or certification

Application Requirements: Transcript, one letter of recommendation, essay

Pep Boys, a nationwide provider of auto supplies and services, sponsors the Find Your Drive Scholarship Program to support aspiring automotive technicians. Applicants can either submit a written essay or a video essay describing their desire to become a top technician. Be sure to highlight your leadership skills, problem-solving ability, and passion for teamwork. Each year, Pep Boys gives out two $10,000 scholarship awards and six $5,000 awards.

13. The ASME Auxiliary Lucy and Charles W.E. Clarke Scholarship

Amount: $7,000

Provider: The American Society of Mechanical Engineers

• Graduating high school senior
• Active on a FIRST Robotics Team
• Declared field of study in mechanical engineering

Application Requirements: Transcript, letter of recommendation, completed FAFSA®, resume, relevant work experience, list of extracurricular activities

The American Society of Mechanical Engineers is passionate about encouraging the next generation of thinkers. In support of robotics-loving high school graduates, they sponsor the ASME Auxiliary Lucy and Charles W.E. Clarke Scholarship . This scholarship program will consider your academic performance, financial need, and history of participation on a robotics team. Students will also need to find an ASME member to nominate them for this award. The nominating member can be any ASME member who is current on their dues, including student members.

14. Ride of Your Life Scholarship

Amount: $6,000

Provider: South Carolina State Fair

• South Carolina resident
• Planning to enroll in a college/university in South Carolina

Application Requirements: Transcript, essay, list of extracurricular activities

The South Carolina State Fair exists to bring local communities together. To help further that mission and support the state’s young people, the fair sponsors an annual scholarship contest called the Ride of Your Life Scholarship , which it awards to 50 deserving high school graduates. Each award totals $6,000 and is distributed over the course of four years. To choose the winners, the judges look at each student’s academic performance, financial need, community service, and communication skills. (Undergraduate students must maintain a GPA of 3.0 and be enrolled in at least 30 hours of courses to retain their scholarship from year to year.)

15. Worldstudio AIGA Scholarships

Amount: $5,000

Provider: AIGA

• Minimum GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale
• Declared field of study in graphic design, illustration, or photography

Application Requirements: Transcript, two letters of recommendation, completed FAFSA®, personal statement, portfolio

AIGA, a membership association for designers, sponsors the Worldstudio AIGA Scholarships to empower high school students pursuing degrees in the arts. This selection committee wants to award a diverse group of students, so be sure to highlight what makes you and your perspective unique. The personal statement portion of the application is a great place to do this. Take care to communicate your artistic purpose and vision, as well as what you hope to accomplish during your college education. (If you need help crafting the perfect personal statement, Going Merry has some helpful pointers here .)

16. Northwestern Mutual Childhood Cancer Survivor Scholarship

Provider: Northwestern Mutual

• Minimum GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale
• Enrolled or planning to enroll full-time in a college/university
• 25 or younger

Application Requirements: Personal statement

Battling cancer is difficult at any age, but young survivors — and their family members — face a unique set of challenges. To recognize those hardships and help cancer survivors and their families move forward, Northwestern Mutual offers the Northwestern Mutual Childhood Cancer Survivor Scholarship . Both cancer survivors and their siblings are eligible; after all, the disease doesn’t just take a toll on the patient, but on the whole family. Northwestern Mutual has committed $500,000 total to the scholarship program so far, and will give up to 25 scholarship awards worth $5,000 each year. To apply, write a personal statement about the impact cancer has had on your life. You’ll also need to provide documentation from your oncologist.

17. Richard G. Zimmerman Journalism Scholarship

Provider: National Press Club

• High school senior 
• Declared field of study in journalism

Application Requirements: Transcript, essay, resume

This scholarship comes from the National Press Club, a Washington, DC-based organization that works to protect and support a free and independent press. Named in honor of the organization’s former president, the Richard G. Zimmerman Journalism Scholarship recognizes high-achieving high school seniors pursuing careers in journalism. This memorial scholarship is only available to high school seniors who are currently going through the college admissions process. 

18. Cirilo McSween Scholarship

Provider: PUSH Excel

• Declared field of study in business or accounting 

Application Requirements: Transcript, completed FAFSA®, essay, relevant work experience, list of extracurricular activities, list of honors and awards

PUSH Excel, an education-focused nonprofit, maintains that higher education can help all students pursue a better life. That said, they’re particularly interested in expanding educational access for minority students. To make that happen, they’ve endowed the Cirilo McSween Scholarship , a merit scholarship that goes to one incoming college freshman pursuing a degree in accounting or business. To win, you’ll need to prove a strong record of academic performance and demonstrate an ability to overcome obstacles. 

19. The Allman Family Business Development, Marketing, and Sales Scholarship Endowment

Provider: Foundation for Outdoor Advertising Research & Education

• Enrolled or planning to enroll in a college/university

If you’re pursuing a career in advertising or marketing, this scholarship could help pave your way. Named for and sponsored by a family of advertising professionals, the Allman Family Business Development, Marketing, and Sales Scholarship Endowment is open to high school graduates, undergraduates, and graduate students alike. Winners are chosen based on their academic performance and passion for a career in the field.

20. Don’t Mess with Texas Scholarship

Amount: Up to $5,000

Provider: Don’t Mess with Texas

• Texas resident
• Planning to enroll in a college/university in Texas 

Application Requirements: Relevant work experience, list of extracurricular activities, list of honors and awards

If you’re a high school senior and a proud Texan, be sure to add the Don’t Mess with Texas Scholarship to your list. The award’s founding organization exists to reduce litter across the state, so it makes sense that this program awards students with an affinity for the environment. 

Applicants will need to demonstrate their commitment to keeping their communities clean and write about the ways they’ve done their part to reduce litter. Since this scholarship opportunity is based entirely on community service, you can apply regardless of your academic achievement or test scores. (If you’re a Texan but don’t feel like you’re a good match for this scholarship, take a look at this list of other scholarships for Texas students.) The program gives out one $5,000 award and two $2,000 awards each year. 

21. EnergyUnited Empowering the Future Scholarship

Provider: EnergyUnited

• North Carolina resident 
• Planning to enroll in a college/university in North Carolina

EnergyUnited may be the largest energy provider in North Carolina, but it recognizes that power comes in many forms. That’s why it sponsors the EnergyUnited Empowering the Future Scholarship . The qualifications for this senior scholarship are pretty specific: You must be attending a North Carolina university, and your home must be powered by EnergyUnited. You can also apply if you attend one of the following local high schools: Central Davidson, Davie County, Davie County Early College, Hopewell, Ledford, North Iredell, South Davidson, West Iredell, or William Amos Hough. The good news is that if you meet the eligibility requirements, the rest of the application is simple. Just answer two short essay questions about your future goals and how a college education will help you achieve them. 

22. Aziz Jamaluddin Scholarship

Amount: $4,000

Provider: Islamic Society of North America

• Declared field of study in journalism or political science

Application Requirements: Transcript, two letters of recommendation, completed FAFSA®, student aid report, essay

Muslims are underrepresented in the field of journalism — which is where the Islamic Society of North America comes in. The Aziz Jamaluddin Scholarship award is open to Muslim minority students of any grade level who are pursuing degrees in either journalism or political science. This essay is a fun one: The application leaves it up to the student to provide both the question and the answer, which means you can take it in any direction that plays to your strengths. Aside from a creative response, this selection committee is looking for proof of academic achievement, public service, and leadership experience, so be sure to touch on these topics, too.

23. Digital Vidya Scholarship Program

Amount: Up to $4,000

Provider: Digital Vidya

Application Requirements: Proof of acceptance/enrollment

Digital Vidya provides online courses to equip students of all grade levels for a career in digital marketing. Of course, getting a good pre-college education isn’t the only obstacle to earning a degree. That’s why DV sponsors the annual Digital Vidya Scholarship Program , which awards three students up to $4,000 each. There are a few steps to this scholarship application. For the first, students must complete an aptitude test. For the second round, students will record a video answering a series of imaginative questions about AI, the future, and their problem-solving approaches. 

24. Renaissance Scholars Program

Provider: The Renaissance Foundation

• Illinois or Oregon resident
• High school senior or recent graduate 
• First-generation college student

Application Requirements: Transcript, two letters of recommendation, completed FAFSA®, student aid report, financial aid award letter, tax returns, SAT and/or ACT scores, essay, resume, list of extracurricular activities

The Renaissance Scholars Program is a fantastic resource for first-generation college students looking to fill gaps in their financial aid. Through this award, the Renaissance Foundation, an education-access nonprofit, provides winners with a $4,000 lump sum that’s renewable for up to four years. To qualify, students must be the first member of their familiy to receive a bachelor’s degree. This program prioritizes prospective college students who demonstrate great financial need, so you’ll need to provide proof of your finances if you’re living on your own — and proof of your parents’ income if you’re a dependent.

25. MHSAA Scholar Athlete Award

Amount: $2,000

Provider: Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA)

• Michigan resident
• Earned a varsity letter in a MHSAA-sponsored sport 

Application Requirements: Transcript, two letters of recommendation, essay, list of extracurricular activities

The MHSAA Scholar Athlete Award exists to uplift student-athletes from Michigan. Sponsored by the Michigan High School Athletic Association, this program gives out 32 scholarship awards each year to students with both great academic performance and at least one varsity letter. Leadership is important to this selection committee, so be sure to use your list of extracurricular activities to highlight any leadership positions you held on your team. You can also emphasize your leadership ability in the written portion of the application: It includes a 500-word essay on the value of good sportsmanship. 

Get scholarships delivered to you with Going Merry

For many high school students, navigating the college admissions process can feel like enough of a hassle without also having to worry about scholarship applications. But college scholarships can be a crucial source of funding, especially if you’d otherwise have to take out student loans to cover your higher education. The good news is that there are many types of scholarships out there, and high school seniors are prime candidates for many of the most lucrative programs. 

You can further streamline your scholarship search by using Going Merry’s fast, intuitive platform. All you have to do is create a profile, and we’ll automatically match you to scholarships suited to your strengths. Going Merry also provides a wealth of other resources for everyone ranging from high schoolers to college graduate students. Whether you need an application checklist to make sure you’re on the right track, or advice on how to craft the perfect essay , Going Merry has you covered. Sign up today to kick your college application process into high gear. 

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Find Education Scholarships for High School Students

Get started funding your college education while you're in high school by using the U.S. News Scholarship finder. Search our database and apply for money now.

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2020 Opportunity to Grow Scholarship

Williams Law Group, LLC

What You'll Need

• Application Form
• Need-based Aid
• Merit-based Aid

Description

The scholarship is open to any current high school senior, college student or graduate student who is a legal resident of the United States residing in one of the 50 states or the District of Columbia and who is enrolled in a two to five year post-secondary institution A minimum GPA is not required

The Anhelo Project Dream Scholarship

League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC)

The Anhelo Project is a Chicago based non-profit organization that works to support undocumented students pursuing a post-secondary education within the State of Illinois. Since 2011 The Anhelo Project has awarded over $200,000 to more than 60 recipients pursuing their dream to achieve an education beyond high school. Students do not need to have DACA status, and we strongly encourage undocumented students from all racial/ethnic backgrounds to apply. The 2021 Anhelo Project Dream Scholarship will be awarded to eligible high school seniors, undergraduate, graduate and/or vocational training students who demonstrate leadership, academic competitiveness, community involvement, and financial need.

Point Foundation

Region: National

eQuality Scholarship Collaborative

eQuality Scholarship Collaborative awards scholarships to honor and encourage California students for their service to the lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgender community. Scholarships may be used for post-secondary education at accredited institutions - colleges, universities, and trade schools. Some of the scholarships are specifically for nursing or graduate school.

Affinity Plus Foundation: Annual Scholarship Program

Applicant must be an Affinity Plus primary member. Planning to or already be enrolled in an undergraduate/ graduate program at accredited non-profit, public, private, community, or technical college.

UAA Alumni Scholarship - Community & Technical College

UAA of University of Alaska, Fairbanks

To provide financial assistance for tuition, registration fees, books and related educational expenses. Recipient must be maintaining progress toward a degree program either beginning or continuing college education. Recipient must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0. Recipient must be enrolled full-time. Preference will be given to students who are Alaska High School graduates. Keywords: University of Alaska Anchorage; UAA; University Advancement; Alumni Relations

Walter J. Kubon Engineering Scholarship

University of Alaska, Fairbanks

The Walter J. Kubon Engineering Scholarship provides financial assistance through scholarships to full-time engineering students attending the University of Alaska. Requirements: enrolled in a bachelor’s degree program; a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0; be an undergraduate student. Preference will be given to Alaska high school graduates.

Coalition of Student Leaders Alaska Advantage Incentive Program (AAIP)

• Demonstrated Financial Need

The Coalition of Student Leaders Alaska Advantage Incentive Program (AAIP) provides needs-based scholarships on behalf of the Coalition of Student Leaders at the University of Alaska. Applicants should either be returning or applying to college after having been out of high school for at least two years. Requirements: completed at least two semesters at UA and/or have successfully completed at least nine credits; a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5; a demonstrated financial need vetted by UA Financial Aid; filed a FAFSA; accepted to any UA university; no class grades lower than a C.

Banatao Family Filipino American Education Fund College Scholarship

Academic Level: High School Senior

Robert Sheppard Leadership Awards 2019

National Society of High School Scholars

• Recommendation

Eligibility Requirements: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors Scholarship Award: USD $2,500 scholarship for the first place winner and USD $1,000 scholarship from NSHSS for the TOP finalists who demonstrate an outstanding commitment to community service and initiative in volunteer activities. Application Requirements: Personal statement of 500 words describing a volunteer project which you feel most benefited both you and the recipients, and also how and why you became involved in the project, what it entailed, and what have been the results List of service activities Transcript Resume Educator Recommendation Color headshot suitable for website posting. Open Date: January 2, 2019. Close Date: March 15, 2019 *Scholarship funding is sent to recipients' college or university during the freshman year. If you receive this scholarship as a high school sophomore or junior, your scholarship funding will be held until you enroll in college.

Choose Your Test

Sat / act prep online guides and tips, the best scholarships for juniors in high school.

Financial Aid

Many students think that they should begin looking at college scholarships once they actually start applying to college—so some time early in their senior year. Although it's true that many big-name scholarships require applicants to be high school seniors, there are some great awards out there for younger students as well .

So why not get a head start on applying for scholarship awards? You could win money for college, sure, but you'll also get experience with the scholarship application process before submitting even more applications during your senior year .

We've compiled a list of scholarships for high school juniors. This list will be a great place to start, but you might also want to search for more targeted awards (e.g., by geographic area). You can browse the scholarships below based on whether they're competitions or merit-based scholarships. And be sure to read to the end for tips and strategies on getting the most scholarship money possible!

Essay- and Project-Based Scholarships for Juniors

If you have a competitive side, these scholarship programs might be just the thing to get you motivated! Whether you're a debate pro or a lover of politics, you're sure to find a competition right up your alley.

Are you ready for a little (friendly) competition? It's a win-win! You can get application practice, scholarship funding, or both!

Voice of Democracy Scholarship Competition

To compete for this scholarship, applicants write and record an audio essay on an annual patriotic theme. The 2022-2023 theme for the competition is "Why is the Veteran Important?"  The first-place winner walks away with a $35,000 scholarship , but runners-up receive awards, too. A total of $2 million in funding is given out annually in the form of additional, smaller awards between $1,000-$16,000.

• Eligibility: Students in grades 9-12
• Deadline: October 31, 2022

American Legion National High School Oratorical Contest

Similar to the Voice of Democracy Scholarship Competition, students compete for this scholarship by writing and performing an eight- to 10-minute oration on some aspect of the US Constitution, in addition to giving a three- to five-minute speech on an assigned topic. First place takes home $25,000 , second place gets $22,500 , and third place wins $20,000 . Smaller prizes are also awarded to state winners. You can check out this year's topics on the official website.

• Eligibility: US high school students under 20 years of age
• Deadline: Varies by state , as contests are arranged by local American Legion departments

The Fountainhead Essay Contest

Are you an Ayn Rand fan? Or have you read The Fountainhead for school? Then you've already done the lion's share of the work for this scholarship competition! Students compete for this award by writing an essay on one of three topic s related to The Fountainhead . The first-place winner is awarded a grand prize of $5,000 , though runners-up also get prizes. This is a cash prize, so you'll receive the money directly.

• Eligibility: Students in grades 11-12
• Deadline:  April 27, 2023

Gen and Kelly Tanabe Scholarship

This is a smaller scholarship, but it's also pretty easy to compete for—all you have to do is write a 250-word personal statement. You can even reuse an essay you wrote for class, another scholarship, or a college application. Even if your grades aren’t great, it doesn’t matter—this scholarship is all about the quality of your writing. The applicant who submits the highest-quality essay will win a $1,000 scholarship.

• Eligibility: US students in grades 9-12
• Deadline: July 31 and December 31

John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Essay Contest

Do you follow US politics? Then this competition might be the one for you. Students compete by writing an essay that demonstrates their understanding of political courage as described by JFK. For the 2023 contest, applicants are asked to describe and analyze an act of political courage by a US elected official who served during or after 1917. For inspiration, read past winning essays to get an idea of what's expected of applicants. Award amounts range from $100 all the way up to $10,000.

• Deadline:  January 13, 2023

Like most things in life, you'll be most successful with your scholarship applications if you employ some solid long-term strategies.

3 Tips for Getting the Most Scholarship Money Possible

If you're starting the scholarship application process in 11th grade, you've got a long road ahead of you. But this is a good thing! Scholarship programs have varying requirements, deadlines, and expectations , so the earlier you get started, the better chance you'll have of winning some money.

Below are our top three tips to help you get the most scholarship money you can as a junior.

#1: Do Your Own Research

It's great to get started with larger national scholarships, but as you might imagine, competition gets pretty fierce when it comes to such prestigious programs. You could be a very strong applicant for a particular scholarship and still not make the cut–not for lack of merit or lack of effort, but simply because so many other people applied.

The more independent research you do into smaller, tailored scholarship programs, the better your chances will be of getting funding for school. That isn't to say you shouldn't apply to the big scholarships—you definitely should!—but you should also keep some smaller "safety" awards on hand. The more niche a scholarship program is, the better your chances of winning (assuming you're a qualified applicant).

Therefore, do your own research on scholarship programs that operate in your area or are offered to students with your particular interests and passions. The easiest way to do this is to search online for scholarships in your area. If you have a particular talent, skill, interest, or identity, look for scholarships that are offered to students based on those criteria.

You can also talk with your school's guidance counselor, who should have more information about local scholarships and how to apply for them.

#2: Apply Broadly

This is another strategy to increase your odds of earning some extra college money in your pocket. Basically, apply for as many scholarships as possible .

Many scholarship applications ask similar questions and require similar information, so if you apply to one program, you might as well apply to several . It's free to apply for most scholarships, so all it takes from you is a few hours of your time.

For example, the Gen and Kelly Tanabe Scholarship listed above will let you use a personal statement from class or even another application, meaning you can kill two birds with one stone!

#3: Make Note of Deadlines

Many scholarships are due before college applications . As such, it's better to start your scholarship search earlier rather than later, so you don't miss out on any great opportunities .

This is especially true for scholarships geared toward high school seniors . If you're looking into scholarships now, this is the perfect time to get a jump-start on some of the bigger scholarships for 12th graders.

You can keep track of application deadlines by maintaining a spreadsheet that you update regularly. This is especially helpful if applications require you to ask for letters of recommendation . In that case, be sure to give your teachers and mentors plenty of advance notice to write you a letter .

What's Next?

Want to get a head start on scoping out scholarships? Then check out our comprehensive guides to winning some of the most competitive national scholarships available. Learn more about the Coca-Cola Scholarship , the Gates Scholarship , the Walmart Scholarships , and the McDonald's Scholarships .

Got a super high SAT or ACT score? Then you might be interested in learning how to apply for college scholarships based on your SAT/ACT scores .

Francesca graduated magna cum laude from Harvard and scored in the 99th percentile on the SATs. She's worked with many students on SAT prep and college counseling, and loves helping students capitalize on their strengths.

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Top 60+ Scholarships for High School Seniors to Apply for in 2024

Introduction to Scholarships for High School Seniors

If you're a high school senior, then first off, congratulations! You're now in your fourth and final year of high school, which means a few different things... First, you're one step closer to becoming a college student - woohoo! Second, you're now officially able to start applying for scholarships for high school seniors. 

Scholarships are an AMAZING way to help you pay for college because the money you earn through scholarships does not ever need to be repaid.

Despite this, most students make the mistake of waiting to apply for scholarships until the very end of their senior year in high school, if not later, and miss out on so many great opportunities. 

To ensure maximum success, I suggest starting as early in the year as possible.

However, even if you're a little late to the game, luckily there are scholarships for high school seniors that are open and running throughout the entirety of the school year, and even into the summer after you graduate.

If you're completely new (or even relatively new) to the scholarship space, that's okay! I know from experience that the process of finding and applying for scholarships can be an overwhelming one. 

That's why, in this post, I have gathered some awesome scholarships for high school seniors that you can search through and apply for to get you started in attending college. 

But first...some frequently asked questions about scholarships for high school seniors

A scholarship is, to put it simply, free money that you can earn to put towards paying for college.

Unlike other types of financial aid (aka, loans), money that you earn from scholarships doesn't ever need to be repaid, which is what makes it so awesome. 

Nope, not at all! In fact, you're in a prime position when it comes to applying for scholarships because not only can you apply for scholarships that are open to high school students, but you can also begin to prepare for scholarships that are open to college students.

By starting the process as a senior in high school, you can get fully acquainted and comfortable with what it entails, so that once you get onto campus in the fall, you know exactly what you have to do to secure the bag! 

In addition to Access Scholarships , there are tons of other places and resources you can check out to help you search and apply for scholarships. 

You'll want to start by heading over to the website(s) run by your state that outline state-based financial aid and scholarship opportunities. 

Then, you'll want to reach out to your school counselor (and do research on Google) to learn about local scholarships that you can apply for. 

Another more unique way to find potential scholarship opportunities that are specific to you is actually through utilizing social media (Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, even Pinterest!). You can follow hashtags on Instagram such as #TexasScholarships (if you live in Texas) so that anytime an organization posts a relevant scholarship with that hashtag, you can see it and apply if you're interested!  

Great question! One of the main ways that you can stand out through your application is through the extra requirements that you submit.

Whether it's an essay , a video, letters of recommendation, or other additional submissions, these are all places where you will want to dedicate extra time and effort to make sure that what you're sending in is authentically YOU, unique, eye-catching, and memorable. 

As a senior, I know that you must have a lot on your plate that you're trying to balance. My number one tip to get it all done (and be as successful as possible in the process) is to set goals AND stay organized - more on this in the tips section below the scholarships!

Easy Rolling Scholarships for High School Seniors 

Niche $25,000 scholarship.

Award Amount:  $25,000

Scholarship Deadline:  Monthly

Details: The Niche $25,000 No Essay Scholarship is open to high school seniors and is awarded monthly. 

ScholarshipPoints No Essay $2,500 Monthly Scholarship

Amount : $2,500 

Deadline : Expires on the last day of each month

Eligibility: The ScholarshipPoints Scholarship is a monthly no essay scholarship open to all high school and college students ages 16 and older, who are US residents!

Smart Owl No Essay $1,000 Scholarship

Amount : $1,000 (4 awards per month!)

Deadline : Expires on the 28th or 29th of each month

Eligibility: The Smart Owl Scholarship is a monthly no essay scholarship open to all high school and college students ages 16 and older, who are US residents!

CollegeVine No Essay $2,000 Scholarship

Award Amount:  $2,000

Details: Open to high school students of all grades in the US. 

$2,000 Sallie Mae Scholarship

Scholarship Deadline:  End of every month

Details: Sallie Mae offers a $2,000 scholarship every month, open to high school juniors & seniors and current college students. To be considered, all you need to do is fill out the application form on their website.

CollegExpress Monthly Scholarship

Award Amount:  Varies, but usually $1,000 - $2,500

Scholarship Deadline:  Last day of each month

Details:  CollegExpress offers a monthly scholarship for high school seniors and students of other years in school. What's great is that when you enter for their monthly scholarship, you will also be automatically entered for their $10,000 scholarship!

CampusReel $2,000 Scholarship

Details: The CampusReel No Essay Scholarship is awarded monthly and all you have to do is sign up on their website. It's that easy!

Christian Connector Scholarship

Award Amount:  $2,500

Details:  The Christian Connector Scholarship is a scholarship for high school seniors (and juniors!) who are interested in or planning to enroll in a Christian college or university . 

Be Bold Scholarship

Scholarship Deadline:  Rolling monthly

Details:  The $25,000 “Be Bold” Scholarship is a no-essay scholarship that will be awarded to the applicant with the  boldest  profile.

Niche $2,000 Scholarship

Details: The Niche $2,000 No Essay Scholarship is open to high school seniors and is awarded monthly. 

Appily Easy Money Scholarship

Award Amount:  $1,000

Scholarship Deadline:  Rolling

Details:  The Cappex Easy Money Scholarship is open to all students - no minimum GPA or essay required.

Too Cool to Pay for School Scholarship

Scholarship Deadline: Quarterly (Last day of the month in September, December, March, and June)

Details:  The Too Cool to Pay for School Scholarship is our own contribution to helping students fund their higher education. Simply fill in some easy info about yourself and you're entered to win!

No-Essay Surveys

Award Amount:  $Varies

Scholarship Deadline: Rolling monthly

Details: Not a scholarship, but if you're looking to make a few extra bucks this upcoming semester, sign up to take surveys 

Scholarships for High School Seniors by Deadline Month

Uplifting others scholarship.

Award Amount : $1,000 (3 awards)

Scholarship Deadline : July 31

Details:  Open to high school students of all years. 

GE-Reagan Foundation Scholarship Program

Award Amount : $10,000 - renewable for up to 4 years

Scholarship Deadline : January 4

Details: The GE Reagan Foundation Scholarship Program honors the legacy and character of our nation’s 40th President. It rewards college-bound students who demonstrate exemplary leadership (in their community and through extracurricular activities), drive, integrity, and citizenship with financial assistance to pursue higher education.

Live Más Scholarship

Award Amount:  $5,000 - $25,000

Scholarship Deadline:  January 11

Details:  The Live Más Scholarship is Taco Bell's contribution to helping students achieve their higher education goals. To apply, students must submit a video telling the story of their real, true passion. 

Profile in Courage Essay Contest

Award Amount:  $500 - $3,000

Scholarship Deadline:  January 12

Details:  The Profile in Courage Essay Contest is open to all high school students. Essays will be judged on the overall originality of the topic and the clear communication of ideas through language.

Sierra Nevada Corporation Women in STEM Scholarship

Award Amount:  $7,500

Scholarship Deadline:  January 18

Details:  Open to female-identifying high school seniors, undergraduate, and graduate school students pursuing non-medical STEM-related degrees .

Edison Scholars Program

Award Amount:  $40,000

Scholarship Deadline:  January 23

Details:  The Edison Scholars Program offers $40,000 scholarships to 30 high school seniors planning on pursuing STEM degrees at 4-year colleges and universities. Must live in Edison's service territory in Southern California. 

Foot Locker Scholar Athletes Program

Award Amount:  $20,000

Scholarship Deadline:  January 30

Details:  The Foot Locker Scholar Athletes program honors student-athletes who demonstrate exceptional academic ability and strong leadership skills in sports, in their schools, and within their communities.

Jet Future Business Leaders Scholarship

Scholarship Deadline:  January 31

Details: This scholarship is for graduating high school seniors and currently enrolled college students who are interested in pursuing a career in business.

Technology Addiction Awareness Scholarship

Details:  The Technology Addiction Awareness Scholarship is designed to help you understand the negative effects that technology and too much screen time can have on our lives. Open to high school students of all years. 

EngineerGirl Essay Contest

Award Amount:  $500

Scholarship Deadline:  February 1

Details:  The EngineerGirl Essay Contest is open to all high school students (not just women !), and asks for an essay discussing the vital contribution of engineers in responding to the pandemic.

Columbus Citizens Foundation College Scholarship Program

Award Amount: Varies

Scholarship Deadline: February 1

Details: The Columbus Citizens Foundation administers scholarship programs that help hundreds of students every year in elementary school, high school, college, and medical school, and graduate programs in the arts.  

Jackie Robinson Scholars Program

Award Amount: Up to $30,000

Details: Scholarship for students accepted to accredited four-year colleges or universities. Must be a minority student , United States citizen, involved in community service and demonstrate leadership potential and financial need.

McDonald's HACER Scholarship

Award Amount: U p to $25,000

Scholarship Deadline: February 3

Details: Open to high school seniors who have at least one parent with Hispanic heritage. Must be a US resident planning to attend a two or four-year college or university. Minimum 2.8 GPA.

Elks National Foundation Legacy Awards Scholarship

Award Amount : $4,000

Scholarship Deadline : February 5

Details: $4,000 four-year scholarships available for children and grandchildren of Elks in good standing. Parent or grandparent must have been an Elk for two years and continue to be a member in good standing. Must be high school senior and apply through the related member’s Elks Lodge.

Americanism Essay Scholarship

Award Amount: $100 - $1,200

Scholarship Deadline : First Friday in February

Details: The Americanism Essay Scholarship is open to Illinois high school students and requires an essay on Americanism and good citizenship.

AFA Teens for Alzheimer's Awareness College Scholarship

Award Amount: $5,000

Scholarship Deadline: February 15

Details: AFA’s Teens for Alzheimer’s Awareness College Scholarship Essay Contest is an annual competition for college-bound students.  Applicants are asked to write a 1,200 to 1,500-word essay that describes the impact of Alzheimer’s disease on themselves, their families or their communities, and what they have learned in light of coping with the brain disorder.

Hispanic Scholarship Fund Scholarship

Award Amount: up to $5,000

Scholarship Deadline : February 14

Details: Merit-based awards for U.S. citizens, permanent residents, eligible non-citizens, or DACA students of Hispanic heritage with plans to enroll full time in an accredited U.S. 4-year university in the upcoming academic year (can be a high school senior, current undergraduate student, community college transfer , or graduate student). 

The Vegetarian Resource Group Scholarship

Award Amount: $10,000

Scholarship Deadline : February 20

Details: Three scholarships (one $10,000; two $5,000) will be awarded to graduating U.S. high school students who promoted vegetarianism (includes veganism) in their schools and/or communities. Vegetarians do not eat meat, fish, or fowl. Applicants will be judged on a strong commitment to promoting a peaceful world through a vegetarian diet/lifestyle.

Scholars Helping Collars Scholarship

Award Amount : $1,500

Scholarship Deadline : February 28

Details: P.L.A.Y knows there are plenty of young minds out there that are passionate about helping animals in need. In an effort to encourage students and promote this cause, P.L.A.Y. will be awarding a $1,500 scholarship to a graduating high school student who best exemplifies their core beliefs.

Engebretson Foundation Scholarship

Award Amount:  $5,000/semester

Scholarship Deadline:  March 1

Details: This need-based scholarship is pretty straightforward: it's awarded to one student each year who demonstrates not only financial need but also impressive academic performance and leadership ability.

Horatio Alger National Scholarships

Award Amount : $25,000

Scholarship Deadline : March 8

Details:  The Horatio Alger National Scholarship Program is one of the major scholarship programs nationally that specifically assists high school students who have faced and overcome great obstacles in their young lives. Open to US high school students with critical financial need. Minimum 2.0 GPA.

Executive Women International Scholarship Program

Award Amount : Varies

Scholarship Deadline : March 26

Details: To qualify for the scholarship, a student must be nominated by his/her school counselor or administrator. Students apply and compete at the local Chapter for up to $10,000 in scholarships. The first-place winner from each Chapter will then be submitted to the Corporate level for the opportunity to win the Corporate Scholarship.

Bridging the Dream Scholarship Program

Award Amount : $10,000

Scholarship Deadline : March 27

Details: The Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) and The Sallie Mae Fund are proud to offer financial assistance to outstanding students. Twenty-five (25) students completing a two-year, four-year, or trade/vocational certificate/certification program will be selected to receive a scholarship of up to $10,000.

E-Waste Scholarship

Award Amount : $1,000

Scholarship Deadline : April 30

Details: The E-Waste Scholarship, sponsored by Digital Responsibility, challenges students to learn about the impact of e-waste and what can be done to minimize it.

RealtyHop Scholarship

Award Amount: $2,000

Scholarship Deadlines : April 30, August 31

The RealtyHop Scholarship awards up to $2,000 a year to eligible undergraduate students and high school seniors working towards a bachelor and/or associate degree program in the US who demonstrate the ambition, diligence, leadership, and entrepreneurial spirit that is central to our company culture.

Rover Scholarship Contest

Award Amount : $2,500

Scholarship Deadline : May 1

Details: Higher education: that magical time when deadlines are tight and budgets are tighter. Rover would like to help fund your education. Just write a 400-500 word essay for your chance to win $2,500!

Visionary Scholarship

Award Amount: $1,000 - $5,000

Details: The American College Foundation (ACF) offers the annual Visionary Scholarship program to financially support students in every grade level of high school.

Fountainhead Essay Contest

Award Amount: $500 - $1,000

Scholarship Deadline : June 7

Details: The Fountainhead Essay Contest is for high school juniors and seniors and has three essay prompt options.

Gen and Kelly Tanabe Scholarship

Scholarship Deadline:  July 31

Details:  The Gen and Kelly Tanabe Scholarship is a merit-based program that helps students fulfill their dreams of a higher education. To apply, students must simply answer one of three essay questions ("feel free to re-use an essay that you wrote in class, for college admission or another scholarship competition.")!

Alex Austin's Overcoming Adversity Scholarship

Award Amount:  $500 - $1,000

Scholarship Deadline:  September 1

Details: Open to all high school and college students in the US, including DACA recipients . Students who identify as part of a minority or who will be first-generation college students are encouraged to apply.

Cameron Impact Scholarship

Award Amount:  Full-ride! 

Scholarship Deadline:  September 10

Details: The Cameron Impact Scholarship is a four-year, full-tuition , merit-based undergraduate scholarship awarded annually to 10-15 exceptional high school students who have demonstrated excellence in academics, extracurricular activities, leadership, and community service. 

Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.7 to apply.

Jack Kent Cooke Scholarship

Award Amount:  $40,000 per year 

Scholarship Deadline: November 18 

Details: The Jack Kent Cooke Scholarship Program is an undergraduate scholarship program available to high-achieving high school seniors with financial need who seek to attend and graduate from the nation’s best four-year colleges and universities. Minimum 3.5 GPA. 

Heisman High School Scholarship

Award Amount:  $1,000 - $10,000

Scholarship Deadline:  October 19

Details:  Open to high-achieving high school seniors in the US with at least a 3.0 GPA who participate in a wide range of sports as well as school and community activities.

Imagine America High School Scholarship

Scholarship Deadline:  December 1

Details: Imagine America, sponsored by the Imagine America Foundation (IAF), is a $1,000 career education award that is available to recent high school graduates who are pursuing postsecondary education at participating career colleges across the United States.

10x Digital Marketing Scholarship

Details: 10x digital awards a $2,000 scholarship each year to one talented student (twice a year) who is majoring in (or planning on majoring in) a field related to digital marketing. 

Undocumented students and international students studying in the US are eligible to apply.

Ron Brown Scholars Program

Details: RBSP competitively awards 45 – 50 four-year $40,000 scholarships ($10,000 each year) to the most talented and economically-challenged high school seniors who demonstrate a keen interest in public service, community engagement, business entrepreneurship and global citizenship.

Applicants for the Ron Brown Scholarship  MUST  be Black/African American , US citizens or permanent residents, and a current high school senior at the time of their application.

National Honor Society Scholarship Program

Award Amount:  Varies

Details: The National Honor Society is committed to helping students achieve their secondary education goals, and provides the following resources to students and their families to help with the planning process. 600 scholarships are awarded each year to high school seniors who are members of the NHS.

Amazon Future Engineer Scholarship Program

Award Amount: $40,000

Scholarship Deadline : December 15

Details: A serious 2-for-1 scholarship for high school students interested in computer science. Win $40,000 for college AND a paid programming internship at Amazon. 

Scholarship recipients are selected on the basis of academic performance, experience with computer science, demonstrated leadership and participation in school and community activities, work experience, short answer responses, unusual personal or family circumstances, financial need, racial/ethnic/gender diversity, and an educator appraisal, preferred to be completed by a computer science teacher.

Burger King Scholars Program

Scholarship Deadline:  December 15

Details:  Open to high school seniors in the US, Canada, and Puerto Rico. 

Equitable Excellence Scholarship

Award Amount: up to $20,000 over four years

Scholarship Deadline:  December 17

Details:  Open to current high school seniors who plan to enroll full-time in an accredited two- or four-year college or university in the United States for the entire upcoming academic year. 

Around the Corner from College Scholarship

Scholarship Deadline:  December 31 (and June 30)

Details:  This scholarship is Access Scholarship's opportunity created just for high school students! Open to high school seniors, but also to students in grades 9-11. DACA/undocumented and international students are also eligible to apply. 

Cirkledin's No Sweat Scholarship

Scholarship Deadline:  December 31

Details: Apply in 4 easy steps: Go to www.cirkledin.com, create a free Cirkledin account, hit the “Apply Now” button, and tell us “What is one thing that, if it were in the Olympics, you would win gold in?”

Careers Through Culinary Arts Program Cooking Competition for Scholarships

Award Amount:  Varies (up to full-tuition)

Scholarship Deadline:  Varies 

Details: Applicants must be a senior in a C-CAP designated partner high school in Arizona; Prince George’s County, Maryland; Tidewater, Virginia; or the cities of Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia, or Washington, DC. Applicants must be accepted into the cooking competition for scholarships. Check the CCAP website for local coordinator’s contact information. 

United States Senate Youth Program

Scholarship Deadline: Varies by state

Details: The United States Senate Youth Program is a scholarship for high school seniors (and juniors!) holding elected student offices. Two students are selected from each state.

Scholarships for High School Seniors: Tips for Searching & Applying!

Look, the search and application process for scholarships for high school seniors is not always a smooth-sailing process. But, the fact that you've made it this far in the post and are taking the initiative to learn more about scholarships is a great start in itself!

Here are a few quick tips to help you along your scholarship journey...

1. Set goals for yourself along the way.

I was a high school senior not too long ago, so I know exactly what it's like to have to create a balance between your schoolwork, extracurriculars, college applications, and scholarships. 

It's not always an easy task, but that's why you should work on setting goals for yourself and creating a scholarship strategy ! 

Your goals should be SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant/Realistic, Timely). Setting goals for things such as how much you are aiming to earn from scholarships and when you will set aside time to search and apply will help you to stay on track with what you want to achieve.

2. Know where to look.

If you're here and you're reading this, that means you know one great place to look! The  Access Scholarships Search Engine is an awesome resource with tons of scholarships for high school seniors. But beyond Access Scholarships, be sure to...

• Reach out to your school counselor to discuss some of the local scholarships that are out there for you to apply for
• Head over to your state's financial aid website to learn more about their grants and resources 
• Also be sure to fill out your free application for federal student aid (FAFSA).

3. Apply often.

Don't think of the scholarship process as one that you can engage in only once every few months and see success with.

The scholarship process requires consistency and dedication. If you want to have the best chance at winning scholarships, you need to be dedicated to the process (creating a healthy mix of mostly essay scholarships with some no-essay scholarships is a good strategy) and put in the effort!

4. Be organized, thorough, and on time.

Lots of students find it helpful to organize their scholarship application and search process using a spreadsheet (virtual or physical). These are extremely useful because you can keep track of important deadlines, requirements for each scholarship, and more.

TIP: Click here to view and download a copy of my own  scholarship tracker so you can get organized for yourself!

5. Think outside the box.

I have provided you with a ton of great scholarships for high school seniors right here in this post.

In addition to these, don't be afraid to venture out to find scholarships that are specific to YOU in all aspects! This means thinking critically about your hobbies and interests, and passions outside of academics.

It also means thinking about things that define who you are that you could potentially leverage in your scholarship search. For example, are you a soon-to-be first-generation college student?  Or maybe you're planning on pursuing a STEM degree ? These are just two areas that you can identify and use to search for scholarships! 

#FutureSTEMLeaders - Wiingy's $2400 scholarship for School and College Students

What do you want to learn?

Scholarships

Best Scholarships for High School Seniors – 2024 [With Application Tips]

Written by Medha Pandey

It is the final year of high school, so you are a step closer to becoming a college student. This year is crucial as you prepare for college-level courses. You might feel excited and anxious at the same time. 

Along with the demanding syllabus of college, comes the steep difference in the cost of education. However, securing academic scholarships can be a practical approach to meet the educational cost of college up to a certain extent. There are four major types of scholarships that you, as a High School senior can apply for:

• Merit-based scholarships are awarded based on academic achievements.  
• Essay-writing scholarships are awarded to students demonstrating unique views and ideas on a topic through impressive essays. 
• Athletic scholarships are for students excelling in sports. 
• Art or creative scholarships are for students with exceptional talent in visual arts, music, dance, theater, or creative writing. 

In this article, we will list the best scholarships for high school seniors and provide helpful tips for applying.

Why are scholarships important for High School seniors?

Scholarships mainly provide financial aid to help high school students achieve their academic goals stress-free. The two major ways scholarships help High School seniors are:

• Scholarships provide Financial-aid

Upon reaching high school students might go through some mixed feelings. Students at this stage prepare themselves for college. Some students might have also decided about the colleges they want to be in, but the families can’t afford the finances for college, and for those students, full-ride scholarships come across like a magic wand. They cover their entire college degree expenses from books to food.

The scholarships with a financial aid program for students to help pay for their college degree expenses, either fully or partially. 

Many scholarships come with prize-money rewards that help the students meet their educational need expenses at the moment.

• Scholarships encourage students to develop professional skills

Specific scholarships also fund academic research, educational travel, and internships for students. This encourages the students to follow their field of study passionately with money being the least of their worries. Getting hands-on experience in their fields develops professional skills in the students. 

Best merit-based scholarships for High School seniors

A student can get a scholarship based on merit from his/her school directly. Or they can search for merit-based scholarships at colleges or universities from online resources based on their skills and field of interest. 

Here’s a list of top merit scholarships for high school students: 

1. QuestBridge Match Scholarship  

Award amount .

A full 4-year scholarship will be provided with a scholarship of $200,000.

Eligibility 

• You should be a high school student. 
• Eligibility depends on your academic results. The test scores, writing ability, and class rank regarding financial need are considered.  

Deadline 

Last week of September.

Click to Apply

2. The Burger King Scholars Program                              

Award amount.

$1000 to $60000.   

 Eligibility 

• You must be a citizen of the U.S. or a Canadian citizen living in the U.S. 
• The students must acquire a minimum GPA of 2.0 to qualify for a scholarship. Other skills, community services, and work experience are also considered.  

 Deadline

 Mid-December

3. The Gates Scholarship          

Full cost of attendance that includes tuition fee, transportation, and more.  

• An American Indian, African American, Asian American, Hispanic American, or Pacific Islander American with a minimum of 3.3 GPA can enroll. 
• A high school student getting in the top 10% of the graduating class is eligible for the scholarship.  

15th September.

4. The Elks National Foundation Most Valuable Student Scholarship              

• The award of $1,000-$4,000 is given to the student per year in his full college career.
• Weekend interviews are set for students who can participate and win a chance to get an award of $5,000 to $12,500 per year.
• You must be a U.S. citizen. Apply with financial information and an essay. 
• You are qualified based on academic achievements, financial needs, community services, and leadership skills.

15th November.

Click To Apply

5. The GE-Reagan Foundation Scholarship  

Amount award.

A scholarship of $10,000 is given for an additional 3 years. (total $40,000).

• Must be a U.S citizen with a 3.0 GPA. 
• Must also have leadership qualities. 
• Must be committed to civic engagement.
• Must be in high school, graduating in 2024.

Early January. Click to Apply

6. Davidson Institution Fellows Scholarships

$10,000,$25,000, and $50,000 are awarded to students who have performed well and accomplished a good piece of work. 

• You must be a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident. 
• No minimum age eligibility is required. 
• The application process must be nominated by at least 2 people.

14th February Click to Apply

7. The Carson Scholars Fund

The Carson Scholars award an amount of $1,000.

• A minimum 3.75 GPA is required for eligibility. 
• Direct application is not available for this scholarship. A student must be nominated by the educator from your school. The overall process is provided here . 

12th January 2024

❓Feeling clueless about your target GPA? Read: How to calculate GPA ?

8. The Barry Goldwater Scholarship

 award amount.

 A $ 7,500 scholarship is awarded to college students and juniors. 

• You must be a U.S. citizen with a minimum of 3.0 GPA. 
• Your goal must be to graduate in mathematics, natural sciences, or engineering. A
•  Goldwater Campus representative must nominate you for the scholarship. 
• You also have to submit transcripts and recommendation letters with research essays. 

The last Friday of January each year is the deadline for application.

9. Cameron Impact Scholarship

A merit scholarship of 4 years is awarded to the student. It covers full tuition fees, fees, and books of the college or universities they are studying in.

• A minimum of 3.7 GPA is required. 
• You must have qualities to have an impact on the global community. You must have a positive impact in and after college.

Applications start from 1st February 2024 for 2025 classes.

10.  The Equitable Excellence Scholarship

This merit-based scholarship program has replaced the AXA Achievement Scholarship.

Amount Award

• The authorized distribution for new awards is up to $750,000, with 100 renewable awards of $5,000 each. 
• 100 one-time awards of $2,500 each. 
• The top 100 applicants receive renewable awards for up to four years or until a bachelor’s degree is earned. 
• The next 100 applicants receive non-renewable awards. 
• A $500 gift card will be provided to each recipient’s teacher of choice.
• High School seniors in the 50 US states, DC, or Puerto Rico are encouraged to enroll in an accredited college or university for the upcoming academic year. 
• They must demonstrate ambition and self-drive, provide a release to publicize their achievements, and have a 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale. 
• They must also provide photographs for program promotion and information.

Click To Apply  

🏆Achieving academic excellence? Navigate the Best Merit-based scholarships for more options.

💡Need to improve your GPA to secure the best merit-based scholarship? Read: How to improve your GPA?

Best essay-writing scholarships for High School seniors

Essay writing contests or scholarships award writers through financial aid as well as publication. Writing scholarships recognize your work and provide a platform for future writing. Winners’ names are exposed to judges and can be used as publishing credit. Here are the top essay-writing scholarships for high school seniors:

1. Scholastic Art &Writing Awards

Up to $12500

Eligibility

Students of middle school and high school from grades 7 to 12 can enter this competition. There are 28 different categories of art and writing to get yourself enrolled in.

Between December and January depending on your region.

Click to Apply  

2. Wiingy Future STEM Leaders Scholarship

• Scholarship Amount of up to $1200. 
• Publication of the winner’s essay and bio on their official site.
• Even if your essay didn’t make the winning list, Wiingy features its choicest essays on its official page!
• Applicants must be currently enrolled as a school or college student in a recognized institution.
• Applicants must be majoring in or intending to major in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) subject.
• Must be able to submit an essay of 400-600 words on a given topic.

Starting from Oct 2023 till Mar 2024, Wingy will select one student each month for Wiingy’s Future STEM Leaders Scholarship. The deadline is the 31st of every month.

3. Bennington Young Writers Awards

• Scholarship Amount of up to $1000.
• Second place wins $500. 
• The third-place winner gets $250.
• Also, students are eligible for scholarships at Bennington College.
• Each year students from 9 to 12 grade participate in any one category of poems, non-fiction, or fiction. There is no entry fee.
• Both U.S. and international students are invited.

             See eligibility details

Deadline details

4. Youth Scholarships- Patriot’s Pen

• $500 is the prize for a winner who comes first at the state level. 
• $5000 for the winner at the national level.
• Get published as the winner of the session you participate in.
• It is open to students in grades 9-12.
• Middle and high school students can participate in this essay writing competition.
• Not necessarily have to be a U.S. citizen but a lawful permanent resident of the U.S.

             See eligibility details  

Midnight 31st October.

Click to Apply.

5. The Adroit Journal

• The winners get an award of $200. 
• The work of the winner and the runner-up from the secondary and undergraduate categories is published in the Androit Journal.

The students in secondary and undergraduate can participate in the competition. International students who have passed a year earlier can also participate.

15th December.

6. John Locke Institution

• The prize for the Junior category and subject category is a scholarship of $2000 for attending any John Locke Institution program.
• For receiving the prize the winners are called for an academic conference and an award dinner. But these are paid.
• An e-certificate is given to the winners who are unable to attend. Others who attend the ceremony get a signed copy of the certificate. 
• The overall best essay winner gets a fellowship with US $10,000 for attending summer school for a year or more or getting courses for the year.
• Students from around the world can participate in this competition.
• Candidate must be 18 years old, or younger on that date.

March 16 – April 15, 2024

7. We the Student’s Essay Contest

• Must be U.S.-based citizens. 
• Students who study in middle or high school from 13 to 19 years of age can participate in this competition. 

See details

8. Jane Austen Society Essay Contest

• The award for the first-place winners is a $1000 scholarship. 
• The first-place winners also get free registration along with two nights lodging for the Annual General Meeting.
• The second-place winner gets a $500 scholarship.
• The winner who stands 3rd gets $250 as a scholarship.
• Along with these prizes, the winners get a membership in JASNA. Their essays are published on the institution’s website too.

Students from all over the world are invited to compete in 3 divisions:

• High School
• College/University
• Graduate School

9. SPJ/JEA High School Essay Contest

• The first prize winner gets $ 1,000 a scholarship.
• The second prize winner gets $ 500 a scholarship.
• The third prize winner gets a scholarship of $300.
• Winners’ names are posted on the association’s website.

Students from 9-12 grade studying in private or public schools in the US can participate. 

19th February, 2024

10.  Calibre Essay Price

• High School seniors can apply. See eligibility details

22nd January, 2024

💡Read the December 2023 winning essay of Wiingy’s Future STEM Leaders Scholarship Program and find the top student essays for reference.

Best Athletic Scholarships for High School Seniors

A student can get an athletic scholarship from his/her school directly. Or they can search for athletic scholarships at colleges or universities from online resources based on their skills and field of interest. 

Here is the list of top athletic scholarships:

1. U.S. Sports Scholarships 

Offers 50 sport-specific spots annually to ensure every player receives personalized attention in finding a suitable American school with the best financial package.

• All high school students from their junior year and senior year can apply for this scholarship. 
• Besides, students with a minimum GPA are also eligible for this scholarship program.

Depends on upcoming trials. Please see the details .

Click to apply 

2. Athlete Honors Scholarship Program

Every year the winner from high school students across any part of the country is awarded with the amount of $500.

• Students with a minimum GPA are also eligible for this scholarship program.
• The students applying for this scholarship program must acquire a good knowledge of Visual & Performing Arts and Dance. 

May 1, 2024

To apply for this scholarship you need to submit a 500-word essay and Letters of Recommendation while filling out the application before the deadline.

3. Heisman High School Scholarship

This scholarship program will choose 101 high school athlete students and will award them up to $10,000.

• This program applies to high school students in their senior year only.
• The student must hold US citizenship.
• They must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 or above.
• During the 2023–2024 academic year, students must be seniors, graduating with the class of 2024.

October 17, 2024

To apply, visit the homepage of this scholarship program and sign up to create an account.

4. Markus Paul Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship is fully sponsored by the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) for high school seniors planning to pursue sports-related fields in college. 

The scholarship provides a $5,000 tuition scholarship annually to Black American students preparing to coach in the Strength & Conditioning profession.

• A current student with Black American heritage must complete the application.
• Applicant must enroll in a major in Physical Education, Exercise Science, Strength and Conditioning, or similar, to become a Strength and Conditioning Coach at the collegiate or professional level. 
• The applicant must not be a current member of the NSCA Foundation Board of Directors, Scholarship Committee, or an affiliate employee.

The application starts on August 1, 2024, and continues till Oct 15, 2024.  

To apply for this scholarship program submit your written essay, Proof of enrollment, Academic transcript, Resume or CV, and Letter of Recommendation while filling in the application details.

⭐ Explore more NSCA scholarships

 5. TrophyCentral Sportsmanship Scholarship 

The winning student will be awarded with the sum of  $1,000.  

Note: The scholarship will be paid directly to the college or university in which the winner is enrolled.

• The applicant must be a high school student of a public or private school in the US.
• The student must have a GPA of at least 3.25 out of 4.0 in the junior high school year or the first semester.
• They must show amazing sportsmanship and start college in September 2024.

September 2024

6. Massachusetts Youth Soccer Scholarship Program

Two award winners will be announced, one male and one female. They will receive a scholarship of $1,000 each. 

• The applicant must be a High School senior.
• The applicant must be a player registered with Massachusetts Youth Soccer for a minimum of two years.
• The student should be residing in Massachusetts.
• Often, the task requires a comprehensive essay of no more than 500 words.

 7. Michael Moody Fitness Scholarship

The winner will get a scholarship of $1,500 which they have to use in the 2024 fall semester. The student may use the scholarship to carry out academic expenses like tuition fees, books, and supplies.

• The applicant must hold the citizenship of the United States or hold the residence in one of the 50 states, Washington, D.C., or Puerto Rico.
• They must be a high school student in their senior year, undergraduate, or graduate students.
• The student must acquire a good knowledge of Athletics, Biology, Behavioral Science, Sports/Exercise Science, Psychology, Healthcare, Dental Health/Services, Pharmacy, Therapy/Rehabilitation, Nursing, Medicine

August 1, 2024

8. MFMA Scholarship Program

This program will announce 5 winners who will get a scholarship of $1,250. 

• The applicant must be a High School senior and College Student.
• They must be a US citizen or hold permanent citizenship of the country.
• They must be athletes.
• The applicant must hold an interest in Environmental Science, Architecture, Engineering, Biology, and Sports Flooring.

Click to apply  

9.   The BigSun Scholarship 

The winner will be awarded with the sum of $500. 

• The applicant must be a high school senior or must be attending a post-secondary institute.
• All senior high-school student-athletes are eligible.

June 19, 2024

Email a short essay of around 500-1000 words to their official mail account [email protected]. 

10. Brian Pearson Memorial Scholarship

A scholarship of $1,000 will be awarded to one male and one female high school student annually.

• The 2023 scholarship is open to students in their junior or senior year of high school during the 2023-2024 school year. 
• Students aiming to pursue post-high school education.  

April 1, 2024

📱Calculating your GPA? Read: How to calculate GPA ?

Best art scholarships for High School seniors

Whether a student is a freshman or a senior set to graduate from high school, there are various art scholarships available. As soon as you turn fourteen, you may begin applying for high school scholarships! The top art scholarships for high school seniors are:

1. Dwain and Polly Wright Educational Scholarship

• Graduating seniors from Macon High School.
• Students who have completed at least two English, Language Arts, or Vocational classes. 
• Students who are accepted to a two or four-year college, university, or technical school for further education.
• For detailed eligibility criteria please click here .

May 1, 2024.

2. Be Bold Scholarship

• Based on these attributes, the student whose profile is the boldest will receive the scholarship.

Feb 1, 2024

3.  American Classic Homes Scholarship   

• You must be a junior, sophomore, or graduating senior from high school.
• Your age should be between 16 to 22 while in college or graduating high school.

Jan 12, 2024

4. Hunter Dean Temple Art Scholarship  

$1,800 each is given to 4 winners

• You must be an undergraduate student from North Carolina.
• The field of study should be the Arts.

June 11, 2024

5. Reginald Kelley Scholarship

$1,500, 3 winners each get a sum of $500

• Subjects must include Music, arts, or science.
• You must be a high school senior or an undergraduate student.

 June 20, 2024

6. Valley Humanities Review High School Scholarship

• Students who study at Lebanon Valley College are enrolled in undergraduate humanities.
• High school students who are doing research in the humanities.

 Dec 15, 2024

7. Zinggia Art Scholarship  

• A high school senior with a minimum of 3.0 GPA.
• A student of the U.S. or a resident of Ohio state.
• Aims to build a career in visual arts.

 May 3, 2024

8. FormSwift Scholarship Program

• You must be a U.S. citizen or Canadian citizen.
• International students can also apply. 

Aug 15, 2024

9. The Kress Foundation Interpretive Fellowships at Art Museums  

• Must be pursuing art-related professional courses.
• Must have a degree in art education, art studio, or art history.

Clic k to A pply

10. Visual Arts Scholarship   

• The student must be a U.S. citizen who has attended a private or public school in the past two years.
• Plans to study two to four years of visual arts major.
• The students who have already won the scholarship earlier are ineligible.

✏️Wish to get ample room to exhibit art skills? Find out the Best Art Scholarships for more options.

Best scholarships for summer for High School seniors

According to the Education Data Initiative research, 84% of students receive some form of financial aid . If not financial aid, scholarships for summer sessions can fund educational research, trips, and projects to help you achieve the finest of your academic potential.

Here you go with the best scholarships for summer programs to apply for:

1. Washington University in St. Louis 

High School Summer Scholarship Program

Assistance with scholarships is available based on need. A 10% discount is available to returning students and children of WashU staff. Here are more specifics on costs, need-based scholarships, and savings.

• You must be a current junior high school graduate.
• You should have an IELTS Academic score of at least 6.5 or a TOEFL iBT score of at least 90 as an overseas student.

Further guidelines about international students can be found here .

The High School Summer Scholars Program has two application deadlines: 

Early (March 1, 2024) and regular (April 1, 2024). 

• The early deadline and income documentation for need-based scholarships ends on March 1, 2024. 
• The regular deadline is April 1, 2024
• The scholarship application section and income documentation are a must for need-based scholarships. Decisions will be made by April 8, 2024.

Click to apply for the summer program

2. University of Notre Dame

Office of Pre-college Programs

Students can get financial aid for their studies under the Office of pre-college programs.

Summer Scholars program dates are June 8-22, 2024, and June 29-July 13, 2024. High school students must be:  

• Current sophomores and juniors, have strong academic standing and be self-motivated, self-disciplined, and mature. 
• They must express a desire to be part of the Notre Dame community and be at least 16 by August 1, 2024.

Further application guidelines can be found here .

• Applications Live: October 16, 2023
• Application Deadline: February 20, 2024
• Financial Aid Request Form Deadline: February 12, 2024

To access the financial aid request form for Summer Scholars Session I, click this link .

To access the financial aid request form for Summer Scholars Session II, click this link .

✍️Kindly ensure that a parent or guardian fills out the form by February 12, 2024.

3. Rice University

Summer Session Financial Aid

Rice undergraduates who received academic year need-based aid are eligible for institutional aid equivalent to 50% of summer tuition.

• You must be a current graduate. 
• As long as you are enrolled in Rice undergraduate courses, the Summer Rice Grant is only available for two summers. (Each summer, up to nine credit hours). 

✍️Note : The Summer Rice Grant is exclusively for Rice online, in-person, or “Rice in country” coursework and other faculty-led overseas programs during the summer, not for non-Rice summer programs.

Email [email protected] with any inquiries you may have about your eligibility for a summer grant.

Usually, the summer request form deadline spans around the last week of May.

  Click to apply for the summer program

4. Yale University

Summer Session Financial Aid Program

Summer 2024’s maximum YSS financial assistance award per student is $5,070, with students not exceeding this limit within a 10-week summer.

• You should be an undergraduate student for the Summer Pell Grant Program.
• Yale College students with a Safety Net percentage of 80% or higher will receive an application fee waiver, similar to the ISA percentage in YaleHub. 

Session A: May 27 – June 28

Session B: July 1 – August 2

5. Stanford University

Summer Session

 Standford’s Summer Session offers need-based funds for students. 

• You must be a high school or university student at a recognized educational institution. 
• Available to students who missed a standard quarter or will graduate at the end of summer.

Mostly, the last week of May. 

6. Carleton College

Summer Liberal Arts Institute

The Summer Liberal Arts Institute (SLAI) is a summer learning community for high school students in Northfield, Minnesota, allowing them to explore the liberal arts at a top 10 private residential college. Students learn from top-ranked faculty, earn college credit, and develop research skills.

• You must be an undergraduate with a strong inclination toward discovering your discipline and the practical applications of your courses.

Round 1 Deadline: February 5, 2024

Round 2 (Final) Deadline: March 11, 2024

7. University of Pennsylvania

Penn Summer Abroad Fellowship and Scholarship Program

Under the Penn Summer Abroad Fellowship and Scholarship Program, students can get funds to study abroad, exponential learning, and exploration of their disciplines. 

• You must be an undergraduate pupil at Penn or another US university with accreditation.
• You should be able to fill out the online application form which includes 
• An essay application
• Letter of recommendation
• Application to more than one program (if needed)
• Additionally, for each type of scholarship program, there are specific requirements which you can find here . 

Deadlines vary depending on the scholarship program you choose. 1. The William A. Levi Travel Fellowship – January 31st, 2024

2. Fund for Education Abroad – Application opens: Mid-November

                                                  Application closes: Early January

                                                  Scholars announced: Early April

Click to apply for the summer scholarship

8. Emory University

Pre-college Program

Award amounts cover tuition, granted on a rolling basis, with notifications sent via email to applicants. Acceptances must be returned via email.

• You must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident.
• International students are not allowed.
• You must complete the Pre-College Financial Aid application, application items, and application fee, and submit your parent’s current tax return.

Financial Aid applications usually close by April 15.

Click to apply for the summer scholarship  

🎗️Pursuing higher education? Read Best Scholarship for College Students .

Scholarship application tips for High School seniors

Looking for a perfect scholarship program for High School seniors is a task. But no worries, here are some tips that might be helpful to you in your scholarship journey.

Start looking early

Somehow, at some point in time, we all end up in this last-minute situation. You should not wait to become a high school senior and then start looking for scholarships. Ideally, you should start looking for opportunities as soon as you enter grade 8 of middle school. 

So that the rest is planned well. You will also have enough time to filter the scholarship and find the perfect one for yourself.

Know where to look

Finding a scholarship can be like exploring a treasure map, and this article will help you to navigate the journey. Just like you found this article through an online search, you can: 

• Seek advice from your school counselors about some local scholarships.
• Learn about grants and resources from the State’s financial aid website .
• Search in your local area for scholarships.

Create your target list

Again, a more important piece of advice will be: Stay organized. Keep track of the deadlines for all the scholarships you are considering applying for. To keep yourself organized and on top of the application process, make a calendar or spreadsheet.

Looking for a scholarship is not a one-time process. Students must be consistent and dedicated to this process. To have the best chance at winning a scholarship students must keep searching, apply often, and be updated.

Think outside the box

In this article information about a variety of scholarships is provided, that are suitable for High School seniors. But, don’t be limited to them, explore and find scholarships that are suitable and specific to your hobbies and requirements.

Personalize and proofread your application

That personal touch is as important as other application items for your scholarship. Your skills, views, ideas, needs, and goals should underline your personality. Besides, do proofread your application without fail. Pay attention to every detail. Who knows if you’ve made the silliest of mistakes only to ruin your chances!

Starting early is crucial for finding high school scholarships. Seek advice from school counselors, State’s financial aid website, and local area websites for local scholarships. Stay organized by tracking deadlines and using a calendar or spreadsheet. Explore scholarships specific to your hobbies and requirements. Personalize and proofread your application to highlight your skills, views, ideas, needs, and goals. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the best buy scholarship for high school seniors.

The Best Buy Children’s Foundation is offering $1,000 scholarships to high school students in grades 9-12, aiming to support post-secondary education, solid grades, and community service or work experience, as part of the Best Buy Scholarship Program.

What is the easiest type of scholarship to get?

The scholarship that aligns with your interests and best potential is the easiest to get for you. For example, if you’re good at writing essays, the Wiingy Future STEM Leaders Scholarship is very easy to apply for.

Also, Merit-based scholarships, awarded during the acceptance process, are often the easiest to obtain for colleges, especially private schools, as they don’t require a separate application.

Which scholarship gives the most money?

Elks National Foundation and Davidson Fellows Scholarship program offer up to $50000 in scholarships in the USA.

Is senior year too late for scholarships?

No, senior year is not too late for a scholarship! Many universities and institutes offer scholarships to high school seniors as discussed in this article.  This is the year when you brush up on your major skills and prepare to get into a good college for university studies. Yes, had you been able to begin your hunt a little early, it would have been much easier to secure a scholarship, but be “better late than never!” 

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10 Essay Scholarships For High School Seniors To Apply

Are you a high school senior who loves to put pen to paper? Do you dream of being the next J.K. Rowling or Ernest Hemingway? Well, get ready to grab your writing utensils, because we’ve got some fantastic news for you! 

There are numerous essay scholarships available exclusively for high school seniors. That’s right, you could earn money for college just by showcasing your writing skills. From creative writing to persuasive essays, the possibilities are endless. So, if you’ve got a way with words and a desire to earn some cash for college, it’s time to get cracking on those scholarship applications. Who knows, your writing could be the ticket to your college education and your future success!

Essay scholarships for high school seniors

1. afsa high school essay contest.

Are you a high school student with a passion for international affairs? Do you love to express your thoughts through writing? Then the AFSA Essay Contest is perfect for you! This scholarship challenges high schoolers to write an essay on a selected topic related to American foreign policy and global issues. Whether you’re interested in politics, economics, or human rights, this contest is an excellent opportunity to showcase your knowledge and writing skills.

The winners will receive a cash prize and an all-expense-paid trip to Washington D.C. to meet with government officials and tour international landmarks. Plus, it’s a chance to meet other talented young writers and make lasting connections. So, don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to share your voice and earn some scholarship money!

2. Interface “Tech for Good” Scholarship 

If you’re a tech enthusiast and have a passion for making a positive impact in the world, then the Tech for Good Scholarship is perfect for you! Interface Systems is offering a one-time grant of $5,000 to a high school senior or college student who can write an outstanding essay on the topic of how technology can be used for the greater good of humanity.

You can explore topics like sustainability, accessibility, social justice, healthcare, and education. The essay should be no more than 750 words and demonstrate your passion for both technology and making a positive impact in society. So, if you have some big ideas for how technology can be used to make the world a better place, then this scholarship is an excellent opportunity to showcase your creativity and passion!

3. WCF National Scholarship 

Do you have a passion for entrepreneurship and a desire to make a difference in the world? The WCF National Scholarship Competition is just for you! This essay scholarship is open to high school seniors and college undergraduates who have innovative business ideas and want to create a positive impact. The winner of the competition will receive a $20,000 scholarship to help them pursue their entrepreneurial dreams.

The application requires you to submit a business proposal outlining your idea, a personal statement, and two letters of recommendation. So, put on your thinking cap and let your creativity run wild! Who knows, you might just be the next big thing in the world of entrepreneurship.

4. AEL Collegiate Essay Competition Scholarship

Are you passionate about education and leadership? Do you want to make a positive impact in your community? If yes, then Pepperdine University’s Aspiring Education Leaders (AEL) scholarship program might be just for you! This scholarship is designed for individuals who are interested in pursuing careers in education leadership and who are committed to making a positive difference in the lives of others.

The AEL scholarship provides selected candidates with financial assistance to attend Pepperdine’s prestigious Graduate School of Education and Psychology, where they will receive exceptional training and mentorship from experienced educators and leaders.  Just submit an essay with a word count between 1,500 and 2,000. The winners get three $1,000, $1,500, and $2,500 essay prizes. If you have a strong passion for education, leadership, and community service, this scholarship could be an excellent opportunity to help you achieve your goals and make a meaningful impact in the world. 

5. America’s 911 Foundation College Scholarship  

Are you passionate about serving your community and helping others? America’s 911 Foundation is offering a scholarship that aims to support students who demonstrate a commitment to community service and patriotism. To apply, students are asked to write a 500-word essay on a given topic related to the 9/11 attacks and how they have affected their lives and worldview. The foundation awards scholarships to multiple students each year, with amounts ranging from $2,000 to $3,000.

This scholarship is a great opportunity for students to not only receive financial support for their education but also to reflect on the impact of one of the most significant events in American history. If you’re a student who is passionate about making a positive difference in the world and honoring the memory of those who lost their lives on 9/11, this scholarship is for you!

6. Life Lessons Scholarship Program  

Life can be unpredictable, and sometimes it throws unexpected events our way. To raise awareness about the importance of life insurance, Life Happens has created the Life Lessons Scholarship Program. This scholarship aims to support students who have faced a loss due to the death of a parent or guardian who did not have life insurance.

By sharing their experiences and lessons learned, applicants can win a scholarship of up to $15,000 to help them achieve their academic goals. It’s an opportunity to transform a difficult experience into a source of motivation and inspiration. So, if life has dealt you a tough hand, use your story to win this scholarship and show the world that you can turn a tragedy into a powerful life lesson.

7. Arts for Life Scholarship  

Are you a high school senior in Florida with a passion for the arts? Look no further! The Arts for Life Scholarship is here to help fund your future artistic endeavors. All you need to do is submit an original piece of art, along with a written essay on how the arts have impacted your life, for a chance to win up to $3,000 in scholarship money.

The scholarship is open to all graduating high school seniors in Florida who plan to pursue further education in the arts. So, whether you’re a painter, dancer, musician, or something in between, let your creativity soar and apply for this unique scholarship opportunity!

8. DAR Good Citizen Scholarship 

The DAR Good Citizens Award and Scholarship Contest was created in 1934 with an aim to reward students who have the qualities of a good citizen, specifically for students who have demonstrated qualities of dependability, service, leadership, and patriotism in their homes, schools, and communities.

In the first stage, the eligible students are selected by teachers and peers. The student does not have to be a US citizen but accredited with their state board of education to be eligible for this award. The DAR awards one student per year.

9. Maxwell Foundation Scholarship  

The Maxwell Scholarship was created to help Washington high school seniors who want to pursue higher education in colleges of their choice. The Foundation provides students entering a four-year private college program throughout the academic year with the financial aid of up to $5,000 each year.

To be eligible for this scholarship, students have to be a resident of Western Washington, have an SAT or ACT score of 1200 or above, pursue a four-year degree at a recognized private university in the United States, and demonstrate financial need.

10. Voice of Democracy Audio Essay Scholarship  

Looking for a scholarship that will test your writing skills and reward you for your creativity and knowledge? The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) has you covered with their youth scholarship program. Open to high school students, the VFW scholarship program challenges you to write an essay on a patriotic theme.

From exploring the meaning of the U.S. Constitution to discussing the importance of American democracy, this scholarship gives you the opportunity to express your ideas and learn about American history and values. Plus, there’s the added bonus of a chance to win some cash for college! Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to show off your writing skills and love for the country.

What kind of essays do scholarships want?

Experts caution that writing an essay for a scholarship is different from writing an essay for a high school class. There are thousands of candidates each year, making it an extremely difficult process to submit an essay for a scholarship. Students will have to make sure to write an essay that convinces the scholarship program board that they deserve the money up for grabs, as many scholarship applications call for one. 

From mechanical engineering scholarships to environmental scholarships to even scholarships for nursing , different scholarships have different formats and word limits, the first thing to keep in mind while submitting an essay is to adhere to the format as specified by the scholarship. It is essential to keep your essay within the allotted word count and make sure you are responding to the question that has been posed. Even though the essay prompt appears to be somewhat open-ended, your essay should nonetheless have a distinct beginning, middle, and end.

In essays and scholarship applications, students frequently feel pressure to present a particular persona or aspect of themselves. However, this is not always required. The essay should feel real and true to the student’s life. Above all, what the scholarship essay seeks is for the essay to stand out in a sea of academic writings by providing genuine insights into who the candidate is on a deeper level.

In conclusion, scholarships are a fantastic opportunity for students to fund their education and pursue their dreams. It’s essential to keep in mind that scholarship committees are looking for applicants who stand out, who have a unique perspective, and who are willing to put in the effort to craft a well-written and thoughtful essay.

So take the time to research the scholarships you’re interested in, brainstorm ideas, and write a compelling essay that showcases your strengths, passions, and achievements. Remember, your essay is your chance to make a lasting impression and persuade the scholarship committee that you are the best candidate for the award.

So go ahead, put pen to paper, and show the world what makes you extraordinary! However, if you wish to go for a scholarship without an essay too, a non-essay scholarship should work fine for you!

Sananda Bhattacharya, Chief Editor of TheHighSchooler, is dedicated to enhancing operations and growth. With degrees in Literature and Asian Studies from Presidency University, Kolkata, she leverages her educational and innovative background to shape TheHighSchooler into a pivotal resource hub. Providing valuable insights, practical activities, and guidance on school life, graduation, scholarships, and more, Sananda’s leadership enriches the journey of high school students.

Explore a plethora of invaluable resources and insights tailored for high schoolers at TheHighSchooler, under the guidance of Sananda Bhattacharya’s expertise. You can follow her on Linkedin

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Rochester high school senior awarded scholarship

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — A character-based scholarship was presented to a local high school senior preparing for college Friday.

School leaders tell News 8 Anthony Diaz, a three sport athlete and senior at World of Inquiry School No. 58, was awarded the scholarship by Bob Johnson Automotive Group and Primetime 585.

An accomplished athlete, scholarship organizers say Diaz is headed to West Point in the fall and plans on using the money for college expenses.

“This is just one stepping stone to something bigger in life that I want to do when hopefully I make it big to the leagues,” Diaz said. “I just want to do things to make the community of Rochester better.”

The $500 scholarship is given each month. There are over 700 student athlete applicants in the running.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to RochesterFirst.

Here's where to look for billions of dollars in scholarships | College Connection

Students and their parents, who are looking toward a college education in the near future, need to look beyond the “sticker price” when identifying best-fit colleges. There are a multitude of opportunities to greatly reduce college costs, even for families who do not qualify for need-based aid.

The average published 2023-24 sticker price for tuition and fees at private four-year institutions is $42,540. At public four-year out-of-state colleges and universities, it is $29,150, and at public four-year in-state schools it is $11,260. These statistics are reported in College Board’s “Trends in College Pricing and Student Aid,” and do not include room and board, which can more than double the cost of tuition at some institutions.

Merit scholarships can greatly reduce these costs, allowing students to attend their dream school without incurring life-altering debt. For some students, their hobby or talent is the key to success. More than $3.6 billion in athletic scholarships are awarded each year to more than 180,000 student athletes, according to the NCAA. Other students receive merit scholarships for their talents in music, dance, community service, golf caddying, chess playing, video gaming, and even bird watching. The best way for students to access these funds is to make a list of all their activities and then search on free scholarship websites for relevant grants.

More: Are AP courses worth it? | College Connection

Discover.com, for example, offers a free scholarship search database that includes 4 million scholarships that are collectively worth more than $22 billion. It provides information on a wide range of scholarships in fields including aviation, band, business, choir, civil rights, community service, computers, cooking, dance, entrepreneurship, environment, esports, fashion, feminism, film/TV/radio, gardening, health, LGBT rights, literature, mock trial, music composition and performance, journalism, camping, performing arts, photography, playwriting, poetry, politics, robotics, scouting, debate, student government, technology, volunteer fire fighting, and youth ministry.

Another free scholarship-matching database is College Board’s Big Future website. Students complete a profile, and this tool matches them with 6,000 scholarships providing $4 billion per year. Additional sites are Scholarships.com and Scholarships360.org.

As viewers of “Shark Tank” likely know, Scholly is a free app that has helped students gain more than $35 million in scholarship awards since it was launched nine years ago by a Drexel University student.

More: Which NJ high schools have the highest SAT scores? | College Connection

Of course, students shouldn’t overlook resources that are right before their eyes. High school guidance offices have applications for a gamut of scholarships from local organizations such as the Rotary, Lions Club, Women’s Club, political organizations, and memorial scholarships. These are significantly less competitive than those offered by national organizations.

Susan Alaimo is the founder & director of Collegebound Review, offering PSAT/SAT® preparation & private college advising by Ivy League educated instructors. Visit CollegeboundReview.com or call 908-369-5362 .

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60 Senior Project Ideas for High School Students – 2024

May 13, 2024

Many high school students look forward to the exciting moment of choosing a senior project. This makes sense since senior projects provide opportunities for students to direct what they’ve learned into something they care about, and to take their academic interests beyond the classroom. At the same time, deciding what to pursue can be nerve-wracking. After all the anticipation, when it finally comes time to decide on a project, students might ask themselves, now what ? If you find yourself in this dilemma, or if you could just use some further inspiration, continue reading for a list of 60 senior project ideas for high school students. Once you find a senior project idea that catches your eye, you can always put your own spin on it, or use it to inspire projects on topics outside this list.

What is a senior project?

Put simply, a senior project is a semester-long project you take on in your final year of high school. So, what counts as a senior project? This can vary widely. While different schools have different requirements (for example, some high schools expect students to focus specifically on internship experiences), the assignments tend to be pretty flexible. In the senior project ideas listed below, you will find suggestions ranging from assisting a science researcher, to interning at a local museum, to organizing an academic tutoring program, to helping with community voter registration. The final outputs for senior projects may also vary in form, from guidebooks, to plays, to research papers, and apps.

Considerations when choosing a senior project

Because a senior project is often seen as the culmination of your high school experience, you should choose a topic that reflects your passions and interests. At the same time, it’s an opportunity to develop new skills and challenge yourself as you prepare for your next steps after graduation. Whether you have plans to begin a 4-year university program, enroll in a 2-year degree program , take a gap year , or start a new job, a senior project can prepare you with experience that you wouldn’t receive in your high school classes in an ordinary semester.

Here are a few questions you can ask yourself when thinking of a senior project idea:

• What field or career do you wish to pursue? If you’re not sure, what are 2-3 fields that you could possibly see yourself pursuing at this point in your life?
• What world issues do you care most about? Climate change? LGBTQIA+ rights? Accessible healthcare? If thinking about a particular issue sparks a passion, this could be a great place to start.
• Based on your high school coursework experience, could you see yourself spending extra time on an artistic project? A science-based one? A research paper with a political theme?
• What do you enjoy doing in your free time? Volunteering with kids? Hiking and camping? Dancing? Cooking? Perhaps you can orient your senior project to something that you already know brings you joy.

60 senior project ideas

Below you can find 60 high school senior project ideas, divided into some general categories that might help you focus your search. As you read through, feel free to stick to these exact ideas or use them to inspire other ones.

Business – Senior Project Idea

• Write a printed or virtual guidebook to small local businesses in your area, including descriptions, photographs phone numbers and social media accounts.
• Help a local business with an advertising campaign, through local news outlets and social media.
• Develop a mentorship program to help those who are searching for jobs with resumes, interviews, and cover letters.
• Intern at a start-up based in your area.
• Write a research paper about models for sustainable businesses.
• Organize an after-school program that helps students learn financial literacy.

Community service

• Organize a ride service to bring elderly community members to and from doctor’s appointments, or to provide them with groceries and other needs.
• Volunteer at a local soup kitchen.
• Organize a food drive at your school.
• Create a social media campaign for a local animal shelter to raise awareness.
• Collaborate with a local charity or non-profit with a mission you believe in to organize a fundraiser.
• Collect school supplies and art supplies for families in need.

Creative writing – Senior Project Ideas

• Write and illustrate a children’s book.
• Create a handmade poetry book.
• Intern at a small local publisher or magazine.
• Work to translate a short story or poem to another language.
• Write a screenplay for a short film.
• Start a school literary magazine that accepts student submissions of poems, essays, and short stories. Organize a team so that the magazine can continue after you graduate.
• Organize a peer tutoring program at your school for students who need extra help with writing, languages, or math.
• Construct a free library box in your neighborhood so that more people have access to books.
• Volunteer at a local elementary school to help children with their homework after school.
• Work with a local senior center to teach a foreign language to residents.
• Develop a website or app for students to match with language partners for practicing conversation skills.
• Start a visual or performing arts class for children in your community.

Environmentalism- Senior Project Ideas

• Design and build a sustainable garden.
• Organize a community clean-up day, or a series of community clean-up days, at a local park or waterfront.
• Organize an Earth Day festival at your school. This could involve live music and performance, environmental art displays, local vegetarian food, and sustainable clothing swaps.
• Write a research paper on one thing that contributes to climate change, as well as potential solutions.
• Write a guidebook to local parks and hiking trails so that locals and visitors alike can appreciate these outdoor spots.
• Create a fashion line with all reused materials.
• Research historic sites in your neighborhood or town, and write a printed or online guidebook to these points of local history.
• Record a podcast on the history of one of your hobbies (fashion? sports?) Contact an expert on this history to ask if you can interview them on the podcast.
• Write a research paper on the history of a particular protest movement.
• Write and direct a short play with a contemporary take on a historical event that interests you.
• Create a documentary film on the history of your community (school, town, etc.), and organize a community screening.
• Intern at a local history museum.

Performing Arts – Senior Project Ideas

• Write and record an original song.
• Write, direct, and show a one-act play.
• Organize a community dance performance with student choreographers and performers, featuring a range of different styles.
• Volunteer to help with accessibility needs (theater access, live captioning, etc.) at a local theater.
• Organize a school comedy night or talent show that benefits a charity of your choice.
• Research the history of a film genre, and direct a short film that reflects this genre.
• Intern for a local political newspaper or magazine.
• Volunteer on the campaign of a local candidate.
• Create an online blog to write on a political issue you care about, or write a series of op-eds for a local newspaper.
• Write a research paper on a local problem (housing prices, green space, voting access) that discusses possible solutions to this problem.
• Create a Model UN or Mock Trial team at your school if one doesn’t already exist.
• Help teens and other community members register to vote.

Science and medicine – Senior Project Ideas

• Build a Rube Goldberg machine .
• Work in the lab of a STEM professor at a nearby university who works on a topic you’re interested in.
• Research a community health problem (drug safety, air/water quality, nutritional food access) and develop solutions with the help of local politicians and/or medical experts. Create a research paper, blog, or documentary film on your findings.
• Assist at a doctor’s office or hospital by helping to translate for patients who are non-native English speakers.
• Design an architectural structure (for example, a house or bridge) and build a 3D model.
• Organize a technology support group at your school to make technology more accessible and help with easy tech repairs.

Visual arts

• Design a mural for your school to highlight an aspect of the school culture or commemorate an important moment in its history.
• Intern at a local art museum and learn how to give a tour of its current exhibits.
• Organize the collaborative building of a sculpture at your school made of all reused or found objects.
• Offer to take wedding or senior photographs for those who might not be able to afford a professional photographer.
• Study a famous painter, and then create a series of paintings (or art of another medium) based on, or in response to, their works.
• Create a school-wide photography exhibition, with a theme of your choosing.

Senior Project Ideas – Final thoughts

We hope that this list has sparked inspiration for your high school senior project. Remember that while senior projects are important (and hopefully fun) opportunities to culminate your high school experience, you don’t need to do it all in one project! If you’re inspired by more than one of these project ideas, hold onto them for years to come or pursue them as summer internships .

If you’re interested in more project ideas for high school students, we recommend the following articles:

• 100 Examples of Community Service Projects
• 98 Passion Project Ideas
• 100 Best Clubs to Start in High School
• Persuasive Speech Topics
• High School Success

Sarah Mininsohn

With a BA from Wesleyan University and an MFA from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Sarah is a writer, educator, and artist. She served as a graduate instructor at the University of Illinois, a tutor at St Peter’s School in Philadelphia, and an academic writing tutor and thesis mentor at Wesleyan’s Writing Workshop.

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High school senior accepted into 231 schools, awarded $14.7 million in scholarships

Madison Crowell always knew she wanted to go to college.

The 18-year-old from Hinesville, Georgia, will fulfill that dream this fall when she heads off to High Point University in High Point, North Carolina, where she will attend under a full tuition scholarship.

But what makes Crowell's story extraordinary isn't just that she's going to college but that she had applied to hundreds of schools and was accepted into 231 of them and awarded $14.7 million in scholarships to help fund her longtime dream, according to High Point University .

"I wanted to apply to as many schools as I did … because I'm coming from a low-income area of Georgia and so I want to show the kids here in Liberty County that it's possible to get accepted into not only just local schools like Georgia Southern [University] and Savannah [Technical College], but that you can get accepted into schools like the University of Alabama and University of Colorado and [schools] that you think might be out of your reach but is definitely in reach," Crowell, senior at Libery County High School, also in Hinesville, told "Good Morning America."

In a statement , High Point University President Dr. Nido Qubein, celebrated Crowell and her decision to attend the university.

"We welcome you to our HPU family. You're going to do exceptional things right here at The Premier Life Skills University, where we call everybody to be extraordinary," Qubein said. "The sky is not the limit … and when you come here to High Point University, we know you'll be a leader. We know you'll make amazing things happen. We're here to resource her, cheer you on and celebrate you victory."

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Crowell said she and her parents – dad Sgt. 1st Class Delando Langley and mom Melissa Langley – have been preparing for her to go to college ever since she was a young girl but when she was in middle school, their preparations kicked into high gear and they would periodically take road trips and go on college tours whenever they could. She also said she made a commitment to herself, knowing that she wanted to pursue a career in the medical field and major in exercise science, that she would work toward her goal of going to college.

Although she has received so many acceptances and been awarded more scholarships than she initially expected, Crowell also said she knows what it feels like to not receive an immediate yes.

"I know what it's like to be deferred from a dream school and you don't know if you're gonna get the chance to apply again or you're not going to be accepted again," Crowell said, adding that she wasn't accepted into other top schools.

Now, as Crowell gets ready to say goodbye to her high school career and prepare for her next chapter in college, the aspiring physical therapist is sharing her top three tips for the next generation of high school students coming up behind her.

Madison's 3 tips for high school students

"Number one is always prioritize yourself," Crowell said. "Don't make this application process more stressful than it needs to be so always take time for yourself, whether that be self care, hanging out with your friends and family, or playing with your dog, whatever the case may be. Always take time to do things that you enjoy so that you're not getting burnt out."

MORE: Teen who went viral after college acceptance learns he earned a four-year scholarship

Crowell's next strategy is one she implemented with her mom while applying to both colleges and multiple scholarships. The mother-daughter duo would use a shared digital spreadsheet to keep track of Crowell's applications and the contact information for each of the schools and scholarships she was considering so it would be a one-stop resource that was easy to refer to.

"The second thing is to stay organized," Crowell said. "Staying organized is something different to everybody else so [make] sure that you find something that works for you and your family."

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For her final tip, Crowell recommends students stay positive throughout the process, even if it grows larger than expected.

"The third thing is just to always keep a positive sight on these things because it can get a little overwhelming," she said. "That also just goes hand in hand with making sure that you're keeping yourself sane and having outlets to release some energy."

"At the end of the day, I'm just another student," Crowell added. "We're about to graduate, some of us with uncertain futures. And I just want to make it known that nothing is impossible and that the sky is not the limit and that you want to keep pushing for greatness."

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Five Washington Students Named 2024 U.S. Presidential Scholars

Media contact.

Katy Payne   she/her 360-764-0201

Every year since 1964, the U.S. Department of Education (ED) selects high school seniors from across the country for recognition as U.S. Presidential Scholars, one of the nation’s highest honors for high school students.

U.S. Presidential Scholars demonstrate exceptional talent in career and technical education (CTE) fields, in the visual, creative, and performing arts, or on academic assessments. Today, ED announced that five Washington students have earned the distinction.

The Scholars are:

• Ashwin Joshi, Southridge High School, Kennewick School District
• Lexi J. Molnar, Goldendale High School, Goldendale School District (Presidential Scholar in CTE)
• Siddhartha Dylan Pant, Lakes High School, Clover Park School District (Presidential Scholar in CTE)
• Jacob J. Scrupps, Odessa High School, Odessa School District (Presidential Scholar in CTE)
• Kosha Upadhyay, Bellevue Senior High School, Bellevue School District

"While most states had three scholars earn the recognition, Washington has five from across our diverse state––and we couldn't be prouder," said State Superintendent Chris Reykdal. “Washington’s students have worked hard and their accomplishments in academics, leadership, and service speak for themselves. I look forward to their success in the careers and pathways that they choose.”

Up to 161 students are selected for the honor each year. As directed by Presidential Executive Order, the 2024 U.S. Presidential Scholars are comprised of two students from each state, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico, as well as U.S. students living abroad. The recognition is also extended to 15 scholars chosen at-large, 20 scholars in the arts, and 20 scholars in CTE.

Of the more than 3.7 million students expected to graduate from high school this year, more than 5,700 qualified for the 2024 awards. There are three paths for selection as a candidate for the award:

• General program: Candidates are selected based on outstanding performance on the SAT or ACT exams.
• Arts program: Candidates must participate in YoungArts , a national program identifying and recognizing young people demonstrating excellence in visual arts, performing arts, and creative writing. YoungArts nominates students who meet the U.S. Presidential Scholars candidacy requirements.
• CTE program: Candidates are selected based on their accomplishments in CTE fields. Chief state school officers nominate students who meet the candidacy requirements.

Once selected as candidates, students complete essays and self-assessments, as well as submit school evaluations and transcripts. A review committee, comprised of experts in secondary and postsecondary education, evaluates candidates on their academic achievement, personal characteristics, leadership and service activities, and an analysis of their essay. The White House Commission on Presidential Scholars then selects the students who will receive the award.

Scholars are invited to name a teacher they consider to be the most influential in their knowledge, skills, and impact on the school community. These teachers are recognized as Distinguished Teachers as part of the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program. The teachers that Washington’s awarded students selected are:

• Valentina Craciunoiu, Bellevue Senior High School, Bellevue School District (Nominating Scholar: Kosha Upadhyay)
• Heather Gallagher, Goldendale High School, Goldendale School District (Nominating Scholar: Lexi J. Molnar)
• Terri King, Odessa High School, Odessa School District (Nominating Scholar: Jacob J. Scrupps)
• Jannette Salisbury, Southridge High School, Kennewick School District (Nominating Scholar: Ashwin Joshi)
• Randall Wilson, Lakes High School, Clover Park School District (Nominating Scholar: Siddhartha Dylan Pant)

Since the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program was created in 1964, more than 8,200 of the nation’s students have received the honor. The program was expanded in 1979 to recognize students who demonstrate exceptional talent in the arts. The program was expanded again in 2015 to recognize students who demonstrate ability and accomplishment in CTE fields.

This year marks the 60th anniversary of the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program. The 2024 Scholars will be recognized for their outstanding achievement this summer with a U.S. Presidential Scholars medallion and an online recognition program.

For More Information

• U.S. Presidential Scholars Program (ED)
• The Commission on Presidential Scholars (ED)

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