Now that we’ve got your attention, first off, congratulations! As a senior, you are less than a year away from (and one step closer to) becoming a college student! As exciting as that thought is, it’s important to make sure that you’re taking the time to do everything you need to do in order to get to the finish line; this means filling out college applications, writing your essays, and applying for scholarships!
Most students do not start applying for scholarships until the very end of their senior year in high school, if not later. However, to ensure maximum success, we suggest starting as early as possible! So, regardless of how far along you are in your senior year, it is certainly never too late to start applying. To get your search started, we’ve gathered some awesome scholarships for high school seniors to apply for.
Award Amount: $1,000
Scholarship Deadline: Expires on the 29th of each month
Award Amount: $2,222
Scholarship Deadline: Last day of every month
The You Deserve It Scholarship by Scholarship Owl is a monthly scholarship open to all high school and college students.
Award Amount: $1,500
Scholarship Deadline: January 31
Award Amount: $2,500
Scholarship Deadline: May 31
The Christian Connector scholarship is open to high school juniors and seniors who are interested in or planning to enroll in a Christian college or university.
Award Amount: $25,000
Scholarship Deadline: Monthly
Bold.org has a lot of great scholarships, but while you're there, make sure you enter to win this $25,000 scholarship they have going on!
Award Amount: $1,000
Scholarship Deadline: Quarterly
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!
Award Amount: $1,500
Scholarship Deadline: January 31
The purpose of the scholarship is to provide financial assistance to high school graduating students or college students who are going to attend an accredited institution in the US.
Award Amount: $10,000
Scholarship Deadline: Expires every quarter
Each quarter of the year, Scholarship Points awards one $10,000 to a lucky student - enter each quarter for a greater chance at winning!
Award Amount: $1,000
Scholarship Deadline: Beginning of every month
The LeverEdge $1,000 Scholarship does not require an essay, all you need to do is enter your name and email and share it with your friends to be entered.
Award Amount: $1,000
Scholarship Deadline: Rolling monthly
The Next College Student Athlete Scholarship is designed for high school athletes who are looking to compete at the next level.
Award Amount: $2,021
Scholarship Deadline: January 31
CollegExpress offers a monthly scholarship (this month it's the New Year, New You scholarship), but when you enter for their monthly scholarship, you will also be automatically entered for their $10,000 scholarship! Doesn't get much better than that.
Award Amount: Varies
Deadline: Opens January 2021
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.
Award Amount: $2,000
Deadline: April 1
Open to current High School Seniors who want to pursue a college degree or trade school education. Enter for the chance to win 1 of 10 $2,000 College Scholarships.
Award Amount: $2,000
Scholarship Deadline: Rolling monthly
The Niche No Essay Scholarship is awarded monthly and all you have to do is sign up on their website. Doesn't get any easier!
Award Amount: $1,000
Scholarship Deadline: Rolling monthly
Bold.org has partnered with Survey Junkie to challenge students to share their opinions on topics they care about, with the potential to earn big rewards.
Award Amount: $1,000
Scholarship Deadline: January 31
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, college, and graduate school students.
Award Amount: $100 - $1,200
Scholarship Deadline: First Friday in February
The Americanism Essay Scholarship is open to Illinois high school students and requires an essay on Americanism and good citizenship.
Award Amount: $500
Scholarship Deadline: February 1
The EngineerGirl Essay contest is open to high school students and asks for an essay discussing the vital contribution of engineers in responding to the pandemic.
Award Amount: $1,000
Scholarship Deadline: April 30
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.
Award Amount: $1,000
Scholarship Deadline: Continuous
The Cappex Easy Money Scholarship is open to all students - no minimum GPA or essay required.
Award Amount: $500
Scholarship Deadline: Continuous
You can help others become more alert by speaking out against the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse. All eligible high school seniors (see requirements below) may enter the Alert college scholarship essay contest.
Award Amount: $1,000
Scholarship Deadline: October 1
The Fire Memes Scholarship on Bold.org is open to all students - simply submit your favorite memes for the chance to win.
Award Amount: $2,000
Scholarship Deadline: Last day of every month
Nitro cares about providing you the resources needed to successfully navigate financing college. That’s why they're offering you the opportunity to earn a $2,000 scholarship!
Award Amount: $500 - $3,000
Scholarship Deadline: January 15
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
Award Amount: $3,500 - $5,500
Scholarship Deadline: N/A
The Academic Scholars Program, established by the state Legislature and governor in 1988 and operated by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, provides scholarships to academically outstanding students who attend an Oklahoma college or university. Academic Scholars will receive a scholarship to help cover the cost of room and board, tuition, books, and incidental fees for up to eight semesters.
Award Amount: $5,000
Scholarship Deadline: February 15
AFA’s Teens for Alzheimer’s Awareness College Scholarship Essay Contest is an annual competition for college-bound high school seniors. 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.
Award Amount: Varies
Scholarship Deadline: Varies
C-CAP is proud to run the largest independent culinary/hospitality scholarship program in the country, allowing students to further their education without incurring unmanageable debt.
Award Amount: Varies
Scholarship Deadline: February 1
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. Funding for these programs comes from donations made by members, friends, and sponsors of Columbus Celebration events.
Award Amount: $10,000 - renewable for up to 4 years
Scholarship Deadline: January 5
Honoring the legacy and character of our nation’s 40th President, the GE Reagan Foundation Scholarship Program rewards college-bound students who demonstrate exemplary leadership, drive, integrity, and citizenship with financial assistance to pursue higher education.
Award Amount: $10,000
Scholarship Deadline: February 20
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.
Award Amount: $10,000
Scholarship Deadline: Varies by state
The United States Senate Youth Program is a scholarship for high school juniors and seniors holding elected student offices. Two students are selected from each state.
Award Amount: $5,000 - $25,000
Scholarship Deadline: January 20
The Live Mas 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.
Award Amount: $20,000
Scholarship Deadline: January 8
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.
Award Amount: Up to $30,000
Scholarship Deadline: February 1
Scholarship for graduating high school seniors 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.
Award Amount: $2,500
Scholarship Deadline: May 1
Higher education: that magical time when deadlines are tight and budgets are tighter. We’d like to help fund this education. Just write a 400-500 word essay for your chance to win $2500!
Award Amount: $1,500
Scholarship Deadline: February 28
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 them and promote this cause, P.L.A.Y. will be awarding our seventh annual $1,500 scholarship to a graduating high school senior (2020-2021) who best exemplifies our core beliefs.
Award Amount: $1,500
Scholarship Deadline: July 31
The Flavor of the Month Scholarship is open to all students ages 13 years and older.
Award Amount: $1,000 - $5,000
Scholarship Deadline: May 1
The American College Foundation (ACF) offers the annual Visionary Scholarship program to financially support students in every grade level of high school.
Award Amount: $1,000
Scholarship Deadline: April 30
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.
Award Amount: $5,000
Scholarship Deadline: February 15
Merit-based awards for U.S. citizens, permanent residents, eligible non-citizens, or DACA of Hispanic heritage with plans to enroll full time in an accredited U.S. 4 year university in the upcoming academic year.
Award Amount: $4,000
Scholarship Deadline: February 5
$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.
Award Amount: up to $10,000
Scholarship Deadline: N/A
ExploraVision is a perfect STEM learning project for a virtual or in-person collaboration. Each project must include an abstract, description, bibliography, five sample Web pages, and submit online.
Award Amount: $500 - $1,000
Scholarship Deadline: April 29
The Fountainhead Essay Contest is for high school juniors and seniors and has three essay prompt options.
Award Amount: $40,000
Scholarship Deadline: February 18
A serious 2-for-1 opportunity for students like you. Win $40,000 for college and a paid programming internship at Amazon.
Award Amount: $1,000
Scholarship Deadline: December 1
Award Amount: $1,000
Scholarship Deadline: December 1
Award Amount: $500 - $10,000
Scholarship Deadline: December 31
Award Amount: $2,500
Scholarship Deadline: December 31
Award Amount: $2,500 - $25,000
Scholarship Deadline: December 14
Award Amount: $1,000
Scholarship Deadline: December 31
Quick links:
Look, we know that applying for scholarships is not always a smooth-sailing process. But, the fact that you are getting started with it early 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. Your goals should be SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, 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 Directory is an awesome resource with tons of scholarships. But beyond our site, be sure to reach out to your school counselor to discuss local opportunities that are open for you to apply for.
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. If you want to have the best chance at winning scholarships, you need to be dedicated to the process 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.
5.Think outside the box. We have provided you with a ton of great scholarships here in this post. In addition to these, don't be afraid to venture out to find scholarships that are specific to your hobbies, interests, and passions outside of academics.