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 2024 List
The Brigadier General John Bissell Scholarship is available for graduating seniors at Seaside High School in Seaside California. Applicants must demonstrate academic achievement, financial need, good character, and a strong potential for leadership. Click here to learn more and apply today!
The R. K. Richey Scholarship is available for graduating high school seniors at Erie High School in Erie, Kansas. Applicants must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher and unmet financial need. Click here to learn more about how to apply today!
The Fauneil J. Rinn Scholarship is available for women who are studying political science or public administration at San José State University. Applicants must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
The John and Agnes McFarlane Scholarship Fund is available for current high school seniors and prior graduates of a high school in Ventura County, California. Applicants must be majoring in or planning to major in a field of public service.
The Bob and Evie Florence Memorial Scholarship Fund is available for high school seniors and current undergraduate students in Ventura County or Los Angeles County who are majoring in or planning to major in music.
The Berenice Barnard Music Education Scholarship Fund is available for graduating high school seniors in Ojai or the city of Ventura who are planning to major in music in college.
Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado (VOC) is the state’s oldest outdoor stewardship nonprofit organization. Since 1984, we have been motivating and enabling people to become active stewards of Colorado’s natural resources.
CRC will select the scholarship winner based on the strength of their total application package. The student will be evaluated on academic performance, extra-curricular activities, and on their essay, response addressing the way they handled the challenges associated with relocating to the Chicagoland area and a new high school.
Applicants must meet all five of these requirements:
Relocated between grades 9 and 12
Relocated more than 50 miles
Changed schools due to relocation to the Chicagoland area
Currently and enrolled Senior in good standing in a Chicagoland area high school (Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, Will counties in Illinois)
Currently have a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a scale of 4.0 (or equivalent achievement on a different scale)
This award is available to U.S. undergraduate students who are children, spouses and financial dependents of deceased firefighters, volunteer firefighters, police officers, peace officers*, and emergency medical service workers who have died as the result of injuries sustained in the line of duty in service to the State of New York. Students must be attending or planning to attend an eligible postsecondary institution in New York.
