It’s your final year of high school, and you’re ready to take on a new adventure, college! As high school senior, you still have hundreds of college scholarships for high school seniors opportunities available to you. So, as you’re making plans on what college you want to attend and what major you want to study, be sure to add these scholarships for high school seniors 2022 to your college to do list.
What Types Of College Scholarships Can High School Seniors Apply For?
There are many different types of high school senior scholarships that you can apply for. Some scholarships are based on your academic achievement, while others consider your extracurricular activities, community service, or even your financial need. Here are some of the most popular college scholarships for high school seniors:
Academic Scholarships
Athletic Scholarships
Merit-Based Scholarships
Need-Based Scholarships
Minority Scholarships
Community Service Scholarships
It’s worth looking into each program individually because not alone may be available at any given time but knowing what type they offer could help when it comes down deciding whether this opportunity suits YOUR needs best.
10 High School Senior Scholarships for 2024
We’ve created a short list of college scholarships for high school seniors. Apply by the application deadline and make sure you meet all the eligibility requirements.
The Horatio Alger Scholarship Program
The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation College Scholarship Program
The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation Scholarship Program
The Gates Millennium Scholars Program
The Golden Key International Honour Society Scholarship Program
The Jeannette Rankin Women’s Scholarship Fund
The National Merit Scholarship Program
The Posse Foundation Scholarship Program
The QuestBridge National College Match Scholarship Program
The Ronald McDonald House Charities Scholarships
How Do You Find High School Senior Scholarships?
In order to find scholarship opportunities for high school senior, you may want to look at local, state and national sources. Military, private organizations, and nonprofits may also provide scholarships for seniors.
Local
If you are starting with a local search, you may want to ask your high school counselor or see whether any student organization offer college scholarships for high school seniors. Your place of worship, community center or local businesses may extend scholarships to eligible residents.
Schools
During your senior year, you’re probably searching and applying to your perfect college. While you’re searching, you might contact the financial aid office of these prospective schools. Many may offer scholarships for college students once you are admitted. These tie to academic achievement and grade point average.
Military
Do you come from a military family or interested in pursuing a military career? There are a wide range of colleges that partner with ROTC programs. For example, ARMY ROTC scholarships are for high school students attending a four year college program. You may also serve on the Army full time. Some military awards could also be for children of active duty service member or Veterans.
Scholarship Organizations
Do you have specific interests or a minority student? There are many professional organizations like The Elks that offer scholarships to high school students. You typically need to be an exclusive member. Many minority organizations like UNCF also fund scholarships to make higher education more affordable.
Businesses and Nonprofits
Many businesses and non profits offer annual scholarships. These may be open to high school seniors who plan to pursue a bachelor’s degree. You may also show qualities of leadership and advocate for a good cause. If your parent works for a big company, they may also offer scholarships as a benefit to employees’ dependents.
When Should I Start Applying for Scholarships?
You should start your search for scholarship opportunities for high school senior as early as possible. Many high school seniors wait until the last semester to start the process. By this time, many deadlines have already passed. You want to give yourself enough time to gather materials and fill out applications completely.
Scholarship Application Tips for Seniors in High School
Applying for scholarships can be a daunting task. High school seniors often wonder how to stand out among the competition. Here are some tips:
Start early: You should start your search as early as possible. This way, you can ensure that you don’t miss any deadlines.
Get organized: Create a system to keep track of deadlines, requirements and materials. This way, you can ensure that you’re completing everything on time.
Follow directions: Many providers disqualify late and incomplete application. Follow the scholarship rules, word count, essay topic and don’t omit any required documents.
Gather references and letters of recommendation: Many scholarships providers ask for at least one recommender. It could be a teacher, mentor, employer, or coach. Cultivate a relationship and have one recommendation letter ready.
Ask for help: If you’re having trouble with any part of the application process, don’t be afraid to ask for help. You can ask your guidance counselor, teachers or parents for assistance.
List of Scholarships for High School Seniors
Check out our list of scholarships worth .
Scholarships for High School Seniors for 2024-2025 2025 List
High school seniors planning to enroll full time in an ABET-accredited engineering program in Texas are eligible for this award. Students must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher and an SAT score of 1150 or higher OR an ACT math score of 29 or higher and an ACT English score of 25 or higher.
High school students who are 13 to 18 years of age and have a grade point average of 2.0 or higher are eligible for this award. Students must live or work in the California counties of Santa Clara, San Mateo, Alameda, Contra Costa, San Francisco or in Pima County in Arizona, or be members of the Meriwest Credit Union.
This scholarship is available for international and U.S. students who are either residents of Arkansas attending an in-state or out-of-state postsecondary institution or are from out-of-state and attending a postsecondary education institution in Arkansas. Students must plan to be enrolled in a postsecondary institution for the following academic year.
The TOPS Honors Award pays the TOPS Award Amount set by the administering agency for a student at a particular institution during the academic year unless increased by Act of the Legislature plus an annual stipend of $800. If a student attends a college within the Louisiana Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, the award amount will be the weighted average award amount that was set for public colleges and universities during the 2016-2017 academic year plus an annual stipend of $800.
To apply, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA is available online at www.fafsa.ed.gov, at high school guidance offices, and at college financial aid offices.
Please note: Students who can verify ineligibility for federal grants may complete the TOPS online application instead of the FAFSA. However, students should be aware that in the event of a budget shortfall, students who complete the online application will be the first to lose their TOPS award.
Students are strongly encouraged to submit their FAFSA by July 1 immediately following their high school graduation. The final deadline to submit the FAFSA without a reduction in award is July 1 following the one-year anniversary of the student’s high school graduation
This award is available for Tennessee resident undergraduate students who are attending a public or an eligible non-public postsecondary educational institution in Tennessee. Students must enroll on a half-time basis or greater and must demonstrate financial need of having and EFC of $2,100 or less.
This award is available for Tennessee resident students who are planning to attend a Tennessee public or private college or university. Students must be the dependent child of a Tennessee law enforcement officer, fireman, or an emergency medical service technician who has been killed or totally and permanently disabled due to an incident that occurred in the line of duty while employed in Tennessee.
This award is for U.S. and international students who have a minimum of one parent or grandparent who has been an SME member in good standing for the last two years (includes step-mothers and step-fathers). The applicant must be a high school senior or current undergraduate student who has completed no more than 30 college credit hours and have a 3.0 grade point average or higher.
This award is for U.S. and international undergraduate students who are majoring in manufacturing engineering at a college in Arizona, New Mexico, or southern California. The applicant must have a grade point average of 3.5 or higher to be eligible.
This award is for students who plan on attending or are currently attending a four-year, accredited, public or private college or university within the state of Wisconsin. The applicant must have a 3.0 grade point average or higher, and be accepted or enrolled in a manufacturing, mechanical or industrial engineering program to be eligible.
