Scholarships for College Seniors

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As a college senior, the time has come to start thinking about what’s next. Are you considering continuing your education by pursuing a graduate degree, or perhaps ready to enter the workforce?. Whichever route you choose, one thing is for sure: you will need money to pay for it. One way of securing funding is to apply for scholarships. There are many scholarships available specifically for college seniors, so don’t wait until the last minute to start applying!  

Tips for making your scholarship application stand out   

When it comes to scholarships for college seniors, the competition can be fierce. Here are a few tips to help you make your application stand out: 

1. Start early.   

The sooner you start your application, the stronger it could be. This way, you give yourself adequate time to get everything needed and make a great impression. 

2. Follow directions

Follow the directions carefully and completely. If an application has requested information, make sure to include it. 

3. Be concise.    

Keep your responses clear and concise to make a good impression on scholarship committees. They have many applications to read, so you want yours to stand out. 

4. Proofread.    

After you finish your application, go through it with a fine-toothed comb. Ensure there are no grammar or spelling errors and that all the information is correct. 

5. Seek help.    

If you are struggling with your application or have questions, don’t hesitate to ask for help from a guidance counselor or other trusted individual. 

Frequently Asked Questions

How important is it to seek scholarships early in one’s college career?   

Scholarships are often an important source of financial aid for college students. By definition, a scholarship is a sum of money awarded to a student based on academic achievement or another merit, which may not have to be repaid. Scholarships may come from a variety of sources, including private companies, foundations, and government agencies. 

It may be essential to begin looking for scholarships in your college journey. Scholarship opportunities tend to be more abundant in the freshman and sophomore years of college than in the junior and senior years. Additionally, many scholarships require students to have a GPA above a certain threshold to be eligible. For these reasons, students need to seek out scholarships in their college careers to maximize their chances of receiving financial aid. 

Is it too late to apply for a scholarship? 

No, it is not too late to apply for a scholarship. There are many scholarships available specifically for college seniors, so there is still time to apply. The sooner you start your application, the stronger it could be. Additionally, follow the directions carefully and completely to make a good impression on scholarship committees. Proofread your application before submitting it to ensure there are no grammar or spelling errors. If you are struggling with your application or have questions, don’t hesitate to ask for help from a guidance counselor or other trusted individual. 

How to manage your scholarship money wisely? 

Scholarships may be a great way to help pay for college, but it is important to manage your scholarship money wisely. One of the first things you should do is create a budget. Determine how much money you will need for tuition and other expenses, and then set aside money for each category. Once you have a budget in place, you may want to start looking for ways to save money. For example, you might want to consider living at home or taking online classes instead of commuting or living on campus. You could also look for ways to earn extra money, such as working a part-time job or taking on odd jobs. Finally, ensure you keep track of your spending so that you don’t overspend and end up in debt. By following these simple tips, you could make the most of your scholarship money and avoid financial difficulties down the road. 

Conclusion 

Applying to college can be a challenging process, but it is worth it in the end. A college degree may open many doors for students and help them achieve their goals and dreams. The senior year of college might be tough. Since it is the last year, there is immense pressure to make it count. Additionally, many students are working hard to secure scholarships so they could afford to continue their education after graduation. All this work might feel overwhelming, but it is important to remember that it is often be worth it in the end. A college degree is an invaluable asset, and by persevering through the challenges of senior year, you could be one step closer to achieving your goal. Don’t give up! Persevere and you could be successful. 

Scholarships for College Seniors 2025 List

John Kacala Scholarship

The John Kacala Scholarship is for U.S. college students who are majoring in culinary arts and have a career goal of becoming a chef or pastry chef. The applicant must be enrolled full time in an accredited, postsecondary school of culinary arts, or other culinary training program acceptable to the AAC.
Award Amount

Total:  $12,500

Awards:  5

Deadline

Deadline:  April 30

Ray and Gertrude Marshall Scholarship

This award is available for full-time undergraduate students who are majoring in the culinary arts at an accredited college in the United States. Applicants must have a grade point average of 2.75 or higher and enroll on a full time basis.
Award Amount

Total:  $15,000

Awards:  6

Deadline

Deadline:  April 30

NDS / Kildee Graduate Scholarship

This graduate award is available to current college juniors or seniors who are one of the Top 25 All-American contestants or members of the first- and second-place teams at one of the three most recent National Intercollegiate Dairy Judging contests. Students must pursue advanced study related to the dairy industry.
Award Amount

Total:  $6,000

Awards:  2

Deadline

Deadline:  April 15

NDS / Kildee Undergraduate Scholarship

This award is available for U.S. college juniors and seniors who are majoring in dairy/animal science or has a major emphasis on dairy through another major. Students must have placed in the top 25 at one of the three most recent National 4-H or FFA Dairy Judging Contests.
Award Amount

Total:  $1,000

Awards:  1

Deadline

Deadline:  April 15

Union Plus Scholarship Program

This award is for a U.S. undergraduate and graduate student who is a a member, spouse of a member, or dependent child of a member in a union that is participating in any Union Plus program. The applicant must be accepted into a college, university, or trade program at time of application.
Award Amount

Total:  $36,000

Awards:  3

Deadline

Deadline:  January 31

Stephanie Carrol Scholarship

This award is available for U.S. students who are majoring in nursing with a speciality in geriatrics or long-term care.
Award Amount

Total:  $5,000

Awards:  1

Deadline

Deadline:  April 01

John L. Dales Scholarship

This award is available for active members of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) and the children of active SAG members who are enrolled full time in an accredited college or university. Selection will be based on financial need, the student’s essay response, and academic achievement.
Award Amount

Total:  $300,000

Awards:  75

Deadline

Deadline:  March 15

Northern California Asian Peace Officer’s Association Scholarship

This award is offered to full-time students planning to major in law enforcement or a related field. Students must have a grade point average of 2.0 or higher to apply, and do not have to be of Asian descent.
Award Amount

Total:  $3,000

Awards:  3

Deadline

Deadline:  January 11

ONS Foundation Nursing Bachelor’s Scholarship

This award is for U.S. undergraduate students who are continuing or pursuing a degree as a registered nurse.
Award Amount

Total:  $5,000

Awards:  1

Deadline

Deadline:  January 31

ONS Foundation Master’s Scholarship

This award is for U.S. graduate students who are registered nurses interested in oncology nursing. The applicant must be pursuing a master’s degree in nursing or a post-master’s nurse practitioner certificate.
Award Amount

Total:  $5,000

Awards:  1

Deadline

Deadline:  January 31