If you’re a high school senior with your sights set on college, you might be worrying about how you’re going to afford it. The good news is that thousands of scholarships are out there just waiting to help cover the cost of tuition and textbooks—provided that you meet all the eligibility requirements. In this guide, we’ll take a look at 10 scholarships specifically designed for high school seniors, as well as how to find other similar scholarships and fill out the application forms properly.
1) The Abigail Adams Scholarship
The Abigail Adams Scholarship is a $500 scholarship that will be awarded to one high school senior who demonstrates outstanding leadership and commitment to causes of social justice. Applicants can submit a personal essay, extracurricular activities, or community service in order to demonstrate their commitment. The deadline is May 1st. There are many other scholarships out there for college bound students but these are some specific ones just for high school seniors!
2) The American Legion Auxiliary Scholarship Program
The American Legion Auxiliary Scholarship Program is a scholarship fund that has been in existence since 1926. It provides scholarships to dependents of enrolled members of the American Legion and Sons of The American Legion up to $2,000 per year. Candidates must be under the age of 25 and have completed at least one semester or more of college-level work, as well as meet all requirements outlined in the scholarship application. To apply, you can download an application on their website or send a letter requesting an application be mailed out with all requirements filled out.
3) The American Numismatic Association Scholarship
The American Numismatic Association (ANA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to building awareness and understanding of numismatics – the study or collection of currency, coins, medals and paper money. The ANA has established an annual scholarship award in honor of one of their own – Richard P. Smith – known as Mr. ANA. To be eligible for this award, you must be a high school senior with plans to pursue post-secondary education in fields related to numismatics or numismatic studies; have a good record as an ANA member or supporter; and have demonstrated community service through volunteer work. The winner will receive $1,000.00 and also will be honored at the World’s Fair of Money in Chicago each August during the ANA Convention.
4) The American Society of Women Accountants Student Award
The American Society of Women Accountants Student Award is given annually in recognition of the outstanding achievements of a female student enrolled in an accredited four-year college or university program who, while pursuing a degree, has maintained a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale and been active in the field of accounting. An ASWA member or candidate may not apply for this award.
The selection committee will consider each applicant’s academic performance, community service and career goals. The committee will also take into account any obstacles that the applicant has overcome to achieve success. The ASWA Student Award Committee will select the recipient by April 30th and notify her by June 15th with the results.
5) Be An Angel Competition, Canadian Women’s Foundation
Be An Angel is a competition that helps families in need. All you have to do is create and decorate an angel from any material you like and submit it by November 15, 2017! The winners will receive a $500 cash prize and will be displayed at the A Christmas Story House in Cleveland, Ohio through December 24. Enter today! – Canadian Women’s Foundation: Canada’s Women’s Foundation is helping women live with dignity and respect.
– Posse Scholars Program: Posse provides funding and leadership development programs so that underprivileged youth can make their way into the Ivy League Schools. – Poetry Contest: Share your original poem on how one or both of your parents changed your life or your perspective on life, on any topic (family, career, education) as long as it’s no more than 150 words per poem.
6) Best Buddies Challenge Scholarships
The Best Buddies Challenge is a national program that brings together people with and without intellectual disabilities. It was founded in 1989 by Anthony Kennedy Shriver, who wanted to create a way for people of all abilities to have the opportunity to experience friendship. In the years since, more than 1 million students from all 50 states have participated in the Challenge, which has become the nation’s largest school-based volunteer program.
In order to apply for a Best Buddies Challenge Scholarship, you’ll need an application from your local Best Buddies chapter. Once you’ve got that, it’s important to make sure your application is stellar. Essays and extracurricular activities are especially important here; look at other students’ applications for inspiration and incorporate what works into yours. Remember, each scholarship has its own guidelines, so follow them carefully so your entry doesn’t get disqualified! A couple of other things: In order to be considered for a Best Buddies Challenge Scholarship, you must have been directly affected by intellectual disabilities in some way.
7) Citizen Schools College Success Awards
Citizen Schools College Success Awards, also known as the Citizen Schools CSAs, have been awarded since 2000 to three graduating high school seniors from each of the 50 U.S. states, D.C., and Puerto Rico who are committed to becoming college-ready. The awards provide $5,000 scholarships for high school seniors in grades 10-12 who are first-generation college students or economically disadvantaged and demonstrates a strong desire and ability to complete a four-year degree program. Application deadline is December 1st annually. In order to be eligible you must:
• Be a graduating senior in grades 10-12 at an accredited public, private, or charter high school.
• Have a minimum GPA of 2.5 (on 4 point scale) on either junior year courses or senior year courses completed by June 30th of current year
• Attend full time undergraduate programs at least 12 credit hours per semester with at least one academic term remaining after graduation
• Be planning to enroll as a full time undergraduate student at any accredited postsecondary institution (including two and four year institutions) following completion of secondary education
8) Eileen Fisher Foundation Scholarship
The Eileen Fisher Foundation Scholarship is a great opportunity for creative and talented high school seniors who are interested in pursuing a career in the fashion industry. The scholarship, which was established by designer Eileen Fisher and her husband, Stephen Jones, offers $5,000 to one recipient per year. Applicants must submit a letter of intent and résumé along with their application materials.
Applicants can apply on behalf of themselves or on behalf of someone they have mentored. Applications will be accepted starting September 1st annually through the end of December 31st.
9) Ernie’s Heroes National Veterans Essay Contest
The Ernie Pyle National Veterans Memorial and Museum is sponsoring the first Ernie’s Heroes National Veterans Essay Contest. This contest invites high school seniors in America, who have a parent or guardian who served in the Armed Forces, to submit essays of up to 500 words about their parent’s military service and its impact on their lives. Up for grabs are three scholarships worth $1,500 each and a $500 prize package. The winners will be announced this summer at the ceremony and reception held during Veteran’s Day weekend at the Ernie Pyle National Veterans Memorial and Museum in Downtown Knoxville.
10) Girls Who Code Summer Immersion Program
The Girls Who Code Summer Immersion Program is a residential program that empowers girls from across the country to learn how to code and connect with mentors in technology. The immersive summer program runs from June 18th – July 27th and is open to high school seniors. Participants are eligible if they are female, identify as female, have completed or will complete the 10th grade by June 17th, 2017 and have an interest in computer science or engineering. They must be available to spend the entire summer onsite at a Google office in either Mountain View, CA; New York City; Los Angeles; Chicago; Cambridge/Boston; Austin or Atlanta. Students will also need to show financial need.
