Scholarship opportunities for high school seniors

Financial aid, work-study programs and student loans are available to cover the cost of tuition, but one resource all students should investigate is scholarships. Unlike loans, which must be repaid, scholarships are “free money” awarded on merit, financial need and/or other criteria.

• Start early: Many scholarships have deadlines months before graduation.
• Use scholarship search engines: Websites like Scholarships.com, Appily, and Niche can help you find opportunities, including easy scholarships for high school seniors with no essay required.
• Search for regional and local opportunities: Many states, cities and specific regions offer local scholarships for high school seniors. These can often have less competition and may be easier to win compared to national scholarships. It's worth researching local opportunities through school counselors, libraries, community foundations and civic groups, places of worship or local businesses, like your parents’ employer.
• Check with colleges: Many colleges and universities offer merit-based and need-based scholarships, so don’t forget to research scholarships offered directly by the schools you are applying to.
• Use caution as you search: Some providers may offer help or guidance at a cost. Follow suggested tips any time someone asks you for money to assist in your scholarship or aid process.

By applying for a variety of scholarships, you can increase your chances of receiving money for college.

There are a wide variety of scholarships available to high school seniors, ranging from merit-based to need-based awards, and from general to specific fields of study or interests. Here are some of the most well-known, best scholarships for high school seniors.

Amount: Up to $25,000

Eligibility: National Honor Society (NHS) members who exemplify scholarship, service, leadership and character:

• Active member in good standing of a NHSchapter, meeting all membership requirements and obligations of the local chapter
• NHS student account holder, verified by the NHS chapter adviser

Application: See the National Honor Society website.

Deadline: Typically in November

Amount: Full-ride scholarship for minority high school seniors that covers fees, room and board, books, transportation and a living stipend

Eligibility: High-achieving students who come from low-income backgrounds:

• Underrepresented ethnicity
• Pell-eligible
• U.S. citizen, national or permanent resident
• 3.3 GPA minimum

Application: See the Gates Scholarship website.

Deadline: Typically in September

Amount: $20,000, plus a laptop and book credits

Eligibility: Students who have demonstrated resilience, leadership and determination to succeed in their educational goals, and provides both financial support and mentoring:

• Participating in a program-approved college readiness program in grades 11-12
• Pell-eligible
• 2.4 GPA minimum

Application: See the Dell Scholars website.

Deadline: Dec. 1, 2025

Amount: Up to $55,000 per year

Eligibility: High-achieving high school seniors with financial need who plan to attend a four-year college or university:

• 3.75 GPA minimum
• Family annual gross income up to $95,000

Application: See the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation website.

Deadline: Typical in November

Amount: $10,000-$60,000

Eligibility: The Horatio Alger Association administers over 70 scholarship programs for high school seniors, juniors and college freshmen:

• U.S. citizens who have faced and overcome significant adversity
• Family annual income up to  $65,000 (after taxes)

Application: See the Horatio Alger Association website. By filling out one application, you will be considered for all scholarships for which you are eligible.

Deadline: March 1, 2025

Amount: $20,000

Eligibility: This competitive, merit-based scholarship is open to current U.S. high school students with a 3.0 GPA minimum.

Application: See the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation website.

Deadline: Typically in September

UC offers many scholarships for high school seniors applying to the university. Learn about a few options below. Because most scholarships are based on the admission process, for maximum scholarship consideration, incoming freshmen should have a complete admission application by Dec. 1.

Amount: $1,500 annually up to full tuition, room and board, book allowance

Eligibility: Brightest and most promising freshmen based on each academic program will be offered scholarship awards at multiple levels

Application and deadline: Application for admission, transcript, official test scores (when required) and recommendation must be received by Dec. 1; additional information sent to incoming students who meet criteria

Amount: Full tuition, room and board, book allowance, exclusive programming

Eligibility: Top 10% students in each Cincinnati Public School (CPS) who exemplify the spirit of Marian Spencer

Application and deadline: Invitation sent to incoming CPS students who meet criteria; complete application for admission by Dec. 1; participation in information session and successful completion of interview process

Amount: In-state tuition, fees, and book stipend

Eligibility: Incoming freshmen from an underrepresented group with strong academic performance

Application and deadline: Application for admission, transcript, official test scores (when required), and recommendation must be received by Dec. 1; additional information sent to incoming students who meet criteria

Amount: Varies

Eligibility: Incoming freshmen from select geographic area:

• California, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia or Wisconsin
• 3.85 weighted/3.5 unweighted GPA

Application and deadline: Application for admission, transcript, official test scores (when required), and recommendation must be received by Dec. 1

Amount: Full tuition, some supplemental educational expenses, exclusive programming

Eligibility: 

• Strong academic performance

• Potential for cross-disciplinary innovation and impact

Application and deadline: Invitation sent to incoming freshmen that meet criteria; finalists will be invited to interview or participate in a team-based innovation activity as part of selection process

Amount: $1,500-$5,000 annually

Eligibility:

• Incoming full-time Ohio freshmen entering into engineering, sciences and allied health, mathematics with a focus in actuarial science, medical sciences, or nursing
• 3.25 GPA minimum

Application and deadline: Application for admission, transcript, official test scores (when required), and recommendation must be received by Dec. 1; limited awards determined by college of eligible academic program

Applying to college can require a lot of steps. UC works to eliminate the step of applying for scholarships by seeking you out based on your admission application for scholarship awards.

There is a tile in Catalyst, the UC student information system, for searching scholarships. You can explore UC scholarships as well as many non-UC opportunities via that search once you get your UC log-on credentials after being admitted to UC.

Once you have been admitted to UC, you can use your login credentials to search for scholarships at uc.scholarshipuniverse.com.

You must notify the Student Financial Aid Office of any scholarships you receive that are not already listed on your financial aid award offer. This notification requirement includes scholarships offered by non-UC agencies and foundations. Students should also be aware of the terms of each scholarship offered and the limits of receiving large or multiple awards.

Students are responsible for knowing the UC scholarship limits and terms of any awarded scholarships.

Incoming and continuing students should always search for scholarships. While many scholarships can be designated for incoming freshmen, other opportunities are designed to support transfer students or upper class students. Once you’re admitted, continue your scholarship process throughout your college career.

It takes some ongoing research to find scholarship opportunities, but it can be worth the effort and time required.