Don’t miss out on free money!
Not only can they help you attend college, but winning a scholarship is an accomplishment that you can share on your resume for life. Fortunately, there are thousands of scholarships available for high school seniors to apply for.
In this post, we tell you all the tricks for high school seniors to find and win scholarships.
We even put together a list with the 88 best scholarships for high school seniors to get you started!
So read on, and good luck in your scholarship search!
- Types of scholarships available for high school seniors
- How to find scholarships that fit you
- Where to find more information about scholarships
- 88 scholarships for high school seniors
- The RIG Future Academy Scholarship
- The Providence Real Estate Diversity Scholarship
- The WebXd Scholarship
- Good Life’s Community Scholarship
- Tips for writing a winning scholarship essay
- Recycle those college application essays
- How to fill out a scholarship application
- When should I start applying for scholarships?
- Don't forget to apply for local scholarships
- Your parents' employers or your part-time job may have scholarship programs
- Don't forget about public university and community college scholarships
- Featured Scholarships
Types of scholarships available for high school seniors
As a high school senior, you are likely aware of the numerous opportunities available to you for financial aid. But did you know that there are more than just one type of scholarship for you to pursue?
Beyond the scholarships provided by public and private colleges based on academic excellence, athleticism and financial need, there are numerous other awards that are accessible to nearly everyone courtesy of various organizations who are committed to offer financial assistance to students.
Scholarships provided by these organizations come in various forms ranging from merit-based and need-based grants to college-specific awards gifted through local and national organizations.
Often these scholarships focus on academic achievement and test scores, leadership ability, community service, extracurricular activities, demonstrate financial need and specific career goals.
Special scholarships even exist for various groups that college students may belong to such as LGBTQ+, undocumented students, single mothers, Hispanic students, Black women, Native American students, and many other communities. High school seniors should consider all of the groups they belong to when they start their scholarship search.
In recent years, there have been more scholarship available to female high school seniors like the Fiverr Logo Maker Scholarship.
These types of scholarships help open the door to higher education and honor each candidate’s unique background, talents, accomplishments, and academic performance. By granting access to a college education for all students regardless of their circumstances, these awards are invaluable in creating an equitable future.
How to find scholarships that fit you
With so many scholarships on the market, it can be hard to find one that matches your individual needs and interests.
High school seniors should take some time to research suitable scholarships to apply for, as it is important to apply for ones you are qualified for but also those that you are genuinely interested in. For example, some scholarships offered by colleges are tailor-made for a certain field of study or area of specialization.
On the other hand, national organizations might provide funding for those who plan to pursue a career in activism or government roles.
No matter what aspirations an individual may have, there is a good chance that there exists a scholarship for you out there. It only takes a bit of digging around and utilizing search engines and various college websites. Our Scholarship Search Engine has thousands of scholarships available for high school seniors, but you should also check with your college of interest and learn about local awards through your high school guidance counselor.
Doing this will open up more doors of opportunity and serves as an alternative pathway to finance your future education endeavors.
Where to find more information about scholarships
You can find more scholarships for high school seniors using our Scholarship Search Engine.
Here are 88 scholarships to get you started on the search:
88 scholarships for high school seniors
The RIG Future Academy Scholarship
NACON is accepting applications for The Rig Future Academy Scholarship.
The company will award three $5,000 scholarships this year.
To apply, those interested must write an essay of 300 words or more, or create a 2-minute video and share it on social media, describing how gaming has helped them in academics.
Application Deadline: October 9, 2023
Award: $5,000 each (3 awards)
Eligibility:
- Must be high school seniors and current undergraduate and graduate students in accredited U.S. colleges and universities
- Must reside in the United States
Click here to apply for the RIG Future Academy Scholarship.
The Providence Real Estate Diversity Scholarship
Providence Real Estate is accepting applications for its Providence Real Estate Diversity Scholarship.
The company is looking to award one $5,000 award this year.
To apply, those interested must submit an essay of 500 words or more on why they are interested in a real estate career.
Application Deadline: December 31, 2023
Award: $5,000
Eligibility:
- Must be a high school senior, undergraduate or graduate student in accredited U.S. colleges and universities
- Must identify as Black, Latinx, Asian American, Native American, or Pacific Islander American
- Must reside in the United States
- Must be at least 17 years old
- Must plan to attend a post-secondary institution in the United States in the upcoming academic year when applying
- Must be interested in exploring a career in real estate
According to the eligibility requirements, while residents of Providence Real Estate communities may apply for this scholarship, employees (and/or their dependents) of Providence Real Estate and their affiliates are not eligible for this scholarship.
Click here to apply for the Providence Real Estate Diversity Scholarship.
The WebXd Scholarship
WebXd is currently accepting applications for its WebXd Scholarship.
The company will award $2,500 to the winner.
To apply, students must write an essay of at least 350 words reflecting on a specific instance where a campaign, website, or social media post resonated with them, inspired them, or challenged them to think differently about a particular subject.
Application Deadline: April 30, 2024
Award: $2,500
Eligibility:
- Must be a high school senior or high school graduate who will be enrolled, or a current undergraduate or graduate student enrolled, full-time at an accredited U.S. college or university for the 2024-25 academic year
- Must reside in the United States
Click here to apply for the WebXd Scholarship.
Good Life’s Community Scholarship
Good LIfe Property Management is currently accepting applications for its Good Life’s Community Scholarship.
The company will award $2,500 to the winner.
To apply, students must write an essay of at least 350 words on any one of five given prompts, all of which are centered around their community. Students can write about what community means to them, the lessons they’ve learned from being part of a community, how their community helped them overcome a challenge, how they discovered community through a team or part-time job they were involved with, or how they have contributed to a community through volunteerism.
Application Deadline: May 1, 2024
Award: $2,500
Eligibility:
- Must be a high school senior or high school graduate who will be enrolled, or a current undergraduate or graduate student enrolled, full-time at an accredited U.S. college or university for the 2024-25 academic year
- Must reside in the United States
Click here to apply for Good Life’s Community Scholarship.
Kitchen Cabinet Kings Entrepreneur Scholarship
Amount: $5,000. About: The Kitchen Cabinet Kings Entrepreneur Scholarship is designed to help young entrepreneurs afford the rising costs of education….
Women Marines Association Scholarship Program
Amount: $1,500-$5,000. About: The Women Marines Association annually awards a range of scholarships to eligible students. Applicants need to be sponsored…
Norma Ross Walter Scholarship
Amount: $2,000-$3,000. About: The Norma Ross Walter Scholarship is an annual prize awarded to female graduates of Nebraska high schools who…
Evans Scholarship
Amount: Full tuition and housing. About: Offered by the Western Golf Association Evans Scholars Foundation, the Evans Scholarship Program covers full…
Watson-Brown Foundation Scholarships
Amount: $5,000. About: Watson-Brown Foundation Scholarships are annual awards meant to provide need-based and merit-based aid to undergraduate students in Georgia…
Washington State Opportunity Scholarship – Career and Technical Scholarship
Amount: Up to $1,500 each quarter. About: The Washington State Opportunity Scholarship is a program intended to prepare students in Washington…
Washington State Opportunity Scholarship – Baccalaureate Scholarship
Amount: Up to $22,500. About: The Washington State Opportunity Scholarship is a program intended to prepare students in Washington State to…
Vermont John H. Chafee Education and Training Scholarship
Amount: $1,000-$5,000. About: The Vermont John H. Chafee Education and Training Scholarship is offered to recent high school graduates in Vermont…
VFW Scout of the Year Scholarship
Amount: $1,000-$5,000. About: The Veteran of Foreign Wars offers the Scout of the Year Scholarship to Scouts who are registered, active…
VFW Voice of Democracy Program
Amount: $30,000. About: Each year, the Veteran of Foreign Wars (VFW) runs its Voice of Democracy Program, which gives high school…
Vinson & Elkins Scholarship Foundation
Amount: $10,000. About: The law firm Vinson & Elkins annually awards scholarships to minority students from Texas who are interested in…
Fry Scholarship
Amount: Full tuition, housing, books and supplies. About: The Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship (Fry Scholarship) is meant for…
USDA 1890 National Scholars Program
Amount: Full tuition, room and board. About: The USDA 1890 National Scholars Program is a full-tuition and employment track program offered…
Unico Foundation Undergraduate Awards Scholarship
Amount: $6,000 (disbursed over 4 years). About: The Unico National Foundation annually awards four scholarships to Italian American college-bound high school…
UCT Heaston Scholarship
Amount: Up to $6,000 per year (renewable for 4 years). About: Each year, United Commercial Travelers (UCT) awards three separate scholarships…
Tupelo Elvis Presley Fan Club Scholarship
Amount: $5,000, $3,000, $2,000. About: Each year, the Tupelo Elvis Presley Fan Club offers scholarships to musical high school seniors in…
Two Ten Footwear Design Scholarship
Amount: $4,000-$5,000 (renewable for 3 years). About: The Two Ten Footwear Design Scholarship is a renewable award for students studying design…
Trapshooting Hall of Fame College Scholarships
Amount: $5,000 (5 awards), $1,000 (2 awards). About: The Trapshooting Hall of Fame offers seven scholarships, available only to members of…
Tombow’s Create Your Best Work Art Scholarship
Amount: $5,000. About: Tombow, a Japanese stationery company, offers a scholarship for graduating high school seniors, college freshmen, and college sophomores…
Family Fellowship Scholarship Program
Amount: Up to $12,000 per year (for up to 5 years). About: Offered by nonprofit Together We Rise, in partnership with…
Tobener Ravenscroft Student Scholarship
Amount: $1,000. About: Tobener Ravenscroft LLP offers annual scholarships to students interested in social justice. Applicants must be living in the…
HOPE Scholarship TN
Amount: Up to $1,600 for freshmen & sophomores at 2-year institutions; Up to $2,250 for freshmen & sophomores at institutions with…
Tennessee Promise Scholarship
Amount: Varies. About: Awarded since the academic year 2015-16, the Tennessee Promise Scholarship is meant for high school seniors who graduate…
Tennessee Ned McWherter Scholars Program
Amount: $24,000. About: The Tennessee Ned McWherter Scholars Program helps high-achieving high school seniors afford college in Tennessee. Applicants must be…
Thermo Fisher Scientific Antibody Scholarship
Amount: $10,000 (1 Award), $5,000 (5 Awards). About: The Thermo Fisher Scientific Antibody Scholarship is awarded to students pursuing life science…
Gates Scholarship
Amount: Full Cost of Attendance. About: The Gates Scholarship is annually awarded to minority, college-bound high school seniors from low-income households….
Opportunity Scholarship
Amount: Up to $80,000 maximum over 4 years. About: Dream.US, a nonprofit organization, created its Opportunity Scholarship to help undocumented students…
TheDream.US National Scholarship
Amount: Up to $33,000 per year (renewable of each year). About: Dream.US refers to its National Scholarship as a “Pell Grant…
Vicki Soto Memorial Scholarship
Amount: $12,000. About: Victoria Soto Memorial Scholarship is a four-year renewable scholarship offered to four students per year. Two scholarships are…
Traub-Dicker Rainbow Scholarship
Amount: $3,000 or $1,500. About: Administered by the Stonewall Foundation, the Traub-Dicker Rainbow Scholarship is annually awarded to college-bound high school…
Sub Pop Loser Scholarship
Amount: Up to $7,500. About: Offered by Sub Pop Records, the Sub Pop Loser Scholarship is annually awarded to three high…
Hope Scholarship
Amount: $6,519 (Grades K-5), $6,815 (Grades 6-8), $7,112 (Grades 9-12). About: Administered by Step Up For Children, a Florida nonprofit organization,…
Family Empowerment Scholarship
Amount: Varies. About: The Family Empowerment Scholarship (formerly, the Gardiner Scholarship) is available to Florida students – ages 3 through 12th…
Step Up Scholarship
Amount: Varies. About: Step Up For Students, a Florida nonprofit scholarship funding organization, helps administer four scholarships for Florida schoolchildren, which…
Stamps Scholarship
Amount: $5,400-$75,000. About: Launched in 2006 at the University of Michigan and Georgia Tech, the Stamps Scholars Program is now available…
Gus Archie Memorial Scholarship
Amount: $5,000 per year (for up to 4 years). About: Offered by the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE), the Gus Archie…
National Space Club and Foundation Keynote Scholarships
Amount: $10,000. About: The National Space Club and Foundation names one student of each year a keynote scholar. This student is…
Southern Automotive Women’s Forum Scholarship
Amount: $1,000-$5,000. About: The Southern Automotive Women’s Forum (SAWF) Scholarship is offered to women who are enrolled or enrolling in a…
SMUD Powering Futures Scholarships
Amount: $1,000-$5,000. About: The Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) annually offers scholarships to local students. Applicants must be enrolled in or…
Harold Johnson Law Enforcement Scholarship
Amount: Up to $5,000. About: Administered by the Silicon Valley Community Foundation, the Harold Johnson Law Enforcement Scholarship is annually awarded…
SFM Foundation Scholarship
Amount: Up to $10,000 (renewable for 2 years for 2-year program and up to 5 years for undergrad). About: The SFM…
Fukunaga Scholarship Foundation
Amount: $20,000. About: Each year, the Fukunaga Scholarship Foundation awards scholarships to local high school seniors who want to pursue careers…
San Diego Community Foundation Common Scholarship Application
Amount: Varies. About: Each year, the San Diego Community Foundation rewards community-minded students with college scholarships. Applicants must show proof of…
Scholarshippoints $10,000 Scholarship
Amount: $10,000. About: The ScholarshipPoints program was created in 2006 by Edvisors to help students plan and pay for college. The…
Science Ambassador Scholarship
Amount: Full Tuition (for up to 4 years). About: The Science Ambassador Scholarship is a full-tuition scholarship available to women in…
Scarlett Family Foundation Scholarship
Amount: $2,500-$15,000. About: The Scarlett Family Foundation, an organization that promotes education in Middle Tennessee, offers scholarships open to graduating high…
Bridging the Dream Scholarship Program for High School Seniors
Amount: $10,000. About: In 2021, the Sallie Mae Fund partnered with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund to expand the Bridging the…
SAE/Ford Partnership for Advanced Studies Scholarship
Amount: $5,000. About: SAE International (formerly the Society of Automotive Engineers) and the Ford Motor Company jointly offer the SAE/Ford Partnership…
Roller Skating Foundation Roller Skating Athlete Scholarships
Amount: $1,000. About: Each year, the Roller Skating Foundation awards scholarships to high school roller skaters in the disciplines of artistic,…
Ron Brown Scholar Program
Amount: $40,000 (over 4 years). About: The Ron Brown Scholar Program awards community minded and intellectually gifted African Americans who come…
Rezvan Foundation for Excellence
Amount: Up to $100,000 (over 4 years). About: Each year, the Rezvan Foundation awards scholarships to students who have spent time…
Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation Scholars Program
Amount: Varies. About: The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation Scholars Program rewards high school seniors in Ventura, California, who exemplify traits of…
GE-Reagan Foundation Scholarship Program
Amount: $10,000 per year (for up to 4 years). About: Each year, the GE-Reagan Foundation Scholarship Program awards a $10,000 scholarship…
Questbridge College Match Scholarship
Amount: Full tuition. About: The Questbridge College Match Scholarship is a national program that connects high school seniors from low-income backgrounds…
DEED Lineworker and Technical Education Scholarships
Amount: $2,000. About: The American Public Power Association’s Demonstration of Energy & Efficiency Developments (DEED) program provides various grants and scholarships…
Project Yellow Light/Hunter Garner Scholarship
Amount: $1,000-$8,000. About: The Project Yellow Light/Hunter Garner Scholarship was created to commemorate the life of Hunter Garner, a teenage student…
PPEF Four-Year College Scholarship for High School Seniors
Amount: $9,000 (need-based scholarship), $5,000 (merit-based scholarship). About: Promotional Products Educational Foundation (PPEF) is a nonprofit organization that helps fund the…
Posse Scholarship
Amount: Full tuition. About: The Posse Foundation, a nonprofit organization, provides four-year, full-tuition scholarships for students from 20 recruitment cities to…
Richard A. Ash Scholarship
Amount: $1,000-$5,000 (renewable). About: Offered by the Philadelphia Foundation, the Richard A. Ash Scholarship is annually awarded to high school seniors…
Joseph E. Coleman, Esq. and Jessie L. Coleman Scholarship Fund
Amount: Up to $10,000. About: Offered by the Philadelphia Foundation, the Joseph E. Coleman, Esq. and Jessie L. Coleman Scholarship Fund…
GSK Opportunity Scholarship
Amount: Up to $5,000 (renewable). About: Offered by the Philadelphia Foundation, the GSK Opportunity Scholarship is open to high school seniors,…
Feinstein Fund for Philadelphia Scholars
Amount: $10,000 (over 4 years). About: Offered by the Philadelphia Foundation, the Feinstein Fund for Philadelphia Scholars is open to high…
D. Colman Witte Scholarship
Amount: $500-$6,000. About: Offered by the Philadelphia Foundation, the D. Colman Witte Scholarship is annually awarded to high school seniors and…
Print and Graphics Scholarship Foundation
Amount: $1,000-$5,000 per year (for up to 4 years). About: The Print and Graphics Scholarship Foundation awards annual renewable scholarships to…
Better Together STEM Scholarship Program
Amount: $2,500, $10,000. About: Each year, the PG&E Corporation Foundation offers the Better Together STEM Scholarships of $2,500 or $10,000 to…
Patsy Takemoto Mink Foundation Education Support Awards
Amount: Up to $5,000. About: The Patsy Takemoto Mink Foundation, named for the trailblazing Japanese American politician from Hawaii who was…
Palumbo Family Foundation Scholarship
Amount: Up to $11,000. About: The Palumbo Family Foundation, a nonprofit organization in Chicagoland, annually awards scholarships to local students. Scholarships…
Francis Ouimet Scholarship Fund
Amount: Up to $65,000 (over 4 years). About: The Francis Ouimet Scholarship Fund awards need-based scholarships to students who have worked…
Oregon Music Hall of Fame Scholarship
Amount: Varies. About: The Oregon Music Hall of Fame offers annual OMHOF College Scholarships to local college-bound seniors pursuing undergraduate degrees…
New York Water Environment Association Environmental Career Scholarship
Amount: $12,000. About: The New York Water Environment Association (NYWEA) annually offers scholarships to local students interested in pursuing environment-related careers….
Maureen L. and Howard Blitman, P.E., Scholarship to Promote Diversity in Engineering
Amount: $5,000. About: The National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) offers the Maureen L. and Howard Blitman Scholarship to Promote Diversity…
Northern Star Scouting Eagle Scout Scholarship
Amount: Varies. About: The Northern Star Scouting Eagle Scout Scholarship is an annual prize awarded to Eagle Scouts in the Northern…
Nitro College Scholarship
Amount: $2,000. About: The $2,000 Nitro Scholarship is a monthly sweepstakes due at the end of each month. The application is…
National Honor Society Scholarship
Amount: $25,000 (National Winner), $5,625 (24 National Finalists), $3,200 (575 National Semifinalists). About: The National Honor Society Scholarship is annually awarded…
National Italian American Foundation Scholarships
Amount: $2,500-$12,000. About: The National Italian American Foundation (NAIF) awards many scholarships to students of Italian American descent. Students fill out…
National Federation for the Blind Scholarships
Amount: $3,000-$12,000. About: The National Federation for the Blind (NFB) awards $120,000 annually to blind students studying in the U.S. through…
NROTC Scholarship
Amount: Tuition & fees, or room & board, with up to $400 per month for living expenses + $750 per year…
NC Opportunity Scholarship
Amount: Up to $6,492. About: Administered by the North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority (NCSEAA), the Opportunity Scholarship is an income-based…
NGA Foundation Scholarships
Amount: Varies. About: Each year, the National Grocers Association (NGA) Foundation awards scholarships to students pursuing careers with independent grocers. The…
Arkansas Scholarship Lottery
Amount: 4-Year Institutions: $1,000 for freshmen, $4,000 or sophomores & juniors, $5,000 for seniors. 2-Year Institutions: $1,000 for freshmen, $3,000 for…
Anthony Muñoz Scholarship Fund
Amount: $20,000. About: The Anthony Muñoz Scholarship is annually awarded to seniors graduating from select high schools in Kentucky, Ohio, and…
MTS Marine Studies Scholarship
Amount: Up to $3,000. About: Offered by the Marine Technology Society (MTS), Marine Studies Scholarships are annually awarded to students studying…
MATE/MTS ROV Scholarship
Amount: Up to $8,000. About: Offered by the Marine Technology Society (MTS), the ROV Scholarship is open to students who are…
MPOWER Women in STEM Scholarship
Amount: Up to $6,000. About: Offered by MPOWER Financing, which provides private student loans to international and DACA students in the…
MPOWER Monthly Scholarships for International Students
Amount: Up to $2,000. About: Offered by MPOWER Financing, which provides private student loans to international and DACA students in the…
MPOWER Refugee Scholarship
Amount: Up to $3,000. About: Offered by MPOWER Financing, which provides private student loans to international and DACA students in the…
MPOWER Global Citizen Scholarship
Amount: Up to $10,000. About: Offered by MPOWER Financing, which provides private student loans to international and DACA students in the…
Morehead-Cain Scholarship
Amount: Full tuition, room and board. About: Established in 1945 and inspired by the Rhodes Scholarship at Oxford University, the Morehead-Cain…
The scholarships listed above are just some of the best scholarships we’ve found for high school seniors.
There are many other scholarships out there for high school seniors and college students that you can find by using our Scholarship Search Engine to find more scholarships for you. Also, here are some upcoming scholarships for high school and college students to consider.
To keep on top of new scholarships as they are offered, be sure to join the TUN Community. We will let you know about scholarships that you qualify for.
In addition to the scholarships listed here, check out our blog article on scholarships for high school seniors.
Tips for writing a winning scholarship essay
Writing a scholarship essay is something that is new to most high school students. But this should be a piece of cake for most high school seniors if you follow these scholarship application tips:
Eligibility matters
To submit an essay that stands out from the rest, it’s important to consider the application requirements and make sure that you can satisfy the eligibility criteria. If you don’t meet the eligibility requirements like the minimum GPA, don’t waste your time applying.
Start with an outline
Even though there is no guaranteed winning formula, some tips may help you craft a more effective essay. Start by forming an outline of your key points and focusing on clear, concise text that supports your argument.
Get specific
Make sure to use specific examples of how you qualify for this specific scholarship and double-check your grammar.
Start strong
Scholarship committees read a lot of essays. So, make sure you start your scholarship essay with a powerful sentence that will make the reader want to read more. Don’t be afraid to showcase the extent of your creativity and individuality throughout your writing process.
Be authentic with your scholarship essays!
Don’t use Chat GPT do this for you. The scholarship committee will be able to tell if you did. Make sure your essay is authentic and speaks in your own voice. By speaking in your own voice from the heart, you can write a convincing story of why you deserve to win the scholarship! If you were to look at the winning essays of many scholarship recipients, as we have, you would see first-hand the power of being authentic and true.
Recycle those college application essays
If the scholarship prompt is something you have already written about in one of your college essays, this would be a great opportunity to repurpose that essay. High school seniors don’t have a lot of free time, so repurposing something you have already done will give you more time to apply to other scholarships.
Embrace your strengths and search for scholarships that align with them!
For example. if you already wrote a powerful college essay about being a woman in STEM, you should repurpose that essay for scholarships like the Hyundai Women In STEM scholarship, or the Lariat STEM Scholar Program.
If you have already written an essay about your community service, you should look for scholarships that reward students for community service and activism.
By applying to scholarships that match your experiences, you can save yourself time and increase your chances of winning!
How to fill out a scholarship application
It’s important to pay careful attention to the requirements and deadlines spelled out by the scholarship organization, while also taking the time to ensure that your application is honest and well-rounded.
Make sure to read each of the questions carefully and answer them completely; if a section does not apply to you, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t fill it in! Instead, write something about why it’s not applicable for your situation or why you chose not to answer that particular question. With dedication and thoroughness, completing even the most rigorous of scholarship applications can be an experience that allows for reflection and personal growth.
Finally, make sure to proofread your application before submitting it. This way, you can ensure that all of the information is accurate and that there are no typos or errors in your writing. Taking the time to double-check your application can be a crucial factor in increasing your chances of getting accepted!
When should I start applying for scholarships?
High school senior year is a busy time. But if you want to win scholarships, you need to start early.
Researching potential scholarship opportunities and understanding deadlines should come first before the application process begins.
It is not always necessary to wait until senior year to apply; some scholarships may even be available to students as early as sophomore or junior year. Taking time beforehand to organize dates and documents will help create a streamlined and efficient application process that can potentially lead to more scholarship awards.
High school students who plan on applying for scholarships should knock out as much of their college applications the summer before senior year, so that they have more time to apply for scholarships. Many of the bigger scholarships have deadlines pretty early in high school senior year, so you don’t want to miss them.
For students who don’t have the time to apply to scholarships until the second half of their senior year in high school, they should still spend a little time before that on searching for scholarships that are relevant to them and have later application deadlines. Also, you should talk to your school counselor. They may be able to provide guidance and resources to help you find scholarships that still have late application deadlines.
As you get closer to being a graduating high school senior, there are still some scholarships left in late spring, so apply for them too!
Don’t forget to apply for local scholarships
Applying for local scholarships can be a great way to help make your dream school a reality.
These awards are usually less competitive than nationwide scholarships and have sponsors that are invested in their local community. The best way to find these high school senior scholarships is to talk to your guidance counselor about them.
Some of these local scholarships may be based on your academic record or your SAT score or ACT score. But often these scholarships are based on your contribution to the community or family need.
Your parents’ employers or your part-time job may have scholarship programs
It’s important to remember that scholarships can come from all sorts of sources. Your parents’ employers may have a scholarship program that current high school seniors can take advantage of. And many companies even offer scholarship programs for their part time employees. So it is important that you thoroughly research and apply for as many opportunities as possible to maximize your chances of winning. This is a hunt for free money, so it is best to look everywhere!
Don’t forget about public university and community college scholarships
You should also look at public university and community college scholarships. These institutions may offer more generous financial aid packages than private schools, so make sure to explore your options!
Most public universities offer a better tuition for in-state students, which is basically a scholarship for living in the right place!
New York, for example has the Excelsior Scholarship, which awards students with financial need free tuition for up to four years at a public college or university. New York also has the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP), which is a state-funded program designed to support tuition costs for New York students attending approved colleges and universities within New York State.
Additionally, many community colleges offer “last dollar” scholarships. These awards are designed to cover any remaining tuition costs at the community college after other forms of aid (such as grants and loans) have been applied. Community colleges often provide more affordable options for students seeking a quality education, making them an excellent place to look for potential scholarships.
For more scholarship application tips, check out TUN’s interview with Sarah Chomette, an eAdviser with the College Advising Corps, or watch the video below.
Featured Scholarships
The Andy Miller Georgia Tech Scholarship
About BRPH BRPH, an architectural and engineering firm, has established The Andy Miller Georgia Tech Scholarship…
BRPH Future Achievers Scholarship
About BRPH BRPH is a technically focused, creative architecture, engineering and construction company with six…
The Ingenovis Health Graduate Nursing Student Scholarship
About Ingenovis Health Ingenovis Health is a family of forward-thinking healthcare companies with established expertise…
The Ingenovis Health RN to BSN Student Scholarship
About Ingenovis Health Ingenovis Health is a family of forward-thinking healthcare companies with established expertise…
The Sean Loring ASN/BSN Student Scholarship
About Ingenovis Health Ingenovis Health is a family of forward-thinking healthcare companies with established expertise…
The Ingenovis Health Veteran Nursing Student Scholarship
About Ingenovis Health Ingenovis Health is a family of forward-thinking healthcare companies with established expertise…
The Hyundai Women in STEM Scholarship
About Hyundai Hyundai exists to make a richer journey possible for all by investing in…
Fiverr Logo Maker Scholarship
Amount: $5,000 (2 awards). About: The Fiverr Logo Maker Scholarship, which has three rounds of…