Top Scholarships for High School Seniors to Apply for This Year

Senior year is undoubtedly one of the most exciting parts of high school, but it also comes with its own challenges and frustrations. High school seniors have to juggle maintaining their academic performance, college applications, and possibly a scholarship search.

Whether graduating high school seniors want to attend a private college, state university, or trade school, most students will likely need to find a way to pay for their education. Before students step into a lecture hall or classroom, they’ll need to pay for their courses, room and board, textbooks, and possibly even plan to pay for meals and other living expenses. Scholarships for high school seniors are one way to help students pay for courses each semester.

Many scholarships go unclaimed each year, so it’s important that high school seniors search for scholarships to help pay for college, including grants, local scholarships, essay scholarships, specialized scholarships, and merit-based scholarships.

In our research, we evaluated several popular scholarship platforms by examining user reviews, expert opinions, and direct feedback from current high school seniors. We assessed each platform for its range of scholarships, ease of use, and the quality of its updates and alerts regarding new scholarship opportunities. Bold.org emerged as the top choice due to its proactive notifications and updates about new opportunities, making it particularly advantageous for students who need timely information to maximize their chances of securing funding. Take a look at our list below to begin applying.

Don’t miss out on funding your future—secure a high school senior scholarship now!

Types of High School Senior Scholarships Available

Scholarships are categorized based on various criteria. They come in various types and award amounts. Whether high school seniors are interested in art, sports, science, or helping the environment, there is likely a scholarship out there that speaks to their individual interests. Take a look at some example types below:

Merit-based Scholarships: These are awarded based on academic achievement, leadership qualities, or artistic talents.

Need-based Scholarships: These scholarships are provided to students who demonstrate financial need.

Community Service Scholarships: If you’ve been actively involved in volunteering, there are scholarships that recognize and reward your community service efforts.

Scholarships for Specific Fields of Study: Many scholarships are targeted at students pursuing specific careers, like engineering, healthcare, or the arts.

Athletic Scholarships: If you excel in sports, athletic scholarships can offer support towards your education as you continue to pursue athletic achievements.

How to Search for Scholarships You Can Apply for as a High School Senior

Finding the right scholarships requires a systematic approach. Here are some steps to help you begin your scholarship search:

Visit Your School’s Guidance Office

Start with your school’s guidance counselor, who can provide information about local and national scholarships.

Use Online Scholarship Search Engines

Websites like Bold.org and the U.S. Department of Labor’s scholarship search tool can be invaluable. These websites help students search for ways to pay for college, and some may include scholarships for high school students, scholarships for current college students, and even scholarship application tips.

Check Local Organizations

Local businesses, community organizations, and foundations often offer scholarships that have fewer applicants.

Research Scholarships Offered by Colleges

Check the financial aid pages of the colleges you are interested in to see their available scholarships.

Extracurricular Activities

Students involved in extracurricular activities may also find ways to pay for college through these activities. Some colleges, whether community college or technical school, may offer scholarships specific to a student’s intended major. Some students could apply for awards based on their interests, whether they enjoy art, sports, music, computer science, or service work. Students should double-check with their club sponsors, organizers, or staff advisers about scholarships.

Additionally, exploring the best scholarships for high school seniors can significantly broaden your options and ensure you’re applying to the most advantageous opportunities available.

Tips for Winning High School Senior Scholarships

Winning a scholarship can be competitive, but with the right approach, you can improve your chances. Here are a few tips for students when it comes to winning high school senior scholarships.

Apply Early and Often

The more scholarships you apply for, the better your chances of winning. Don’t wait until the last minute, as rushing can lead to mistakes in your applications. Some students begin applying for ways to pay for college as high school juniors or sophomores.

Some applications will have deadlines for the summer after a student’s senior year, but high school seniors should look for ways to pay for college well before this. Be sure to pay attention to the scholarship deadline for each scholarship. If high school seniors haven’t started their search before senior year, they should begin looking at scholarship programs and applications in the fall of their senior year.

Apply for Many Different Scholarships

High school seniors should continue to apply for many different scholarships that are relevant to them. If students apply for many different scholarships, they may be pleasantly surprised by the number of awards they receive and more prepared than if they only applied for a few scholarships.

Apply for College Scholarships of Any Amount

Applying for scholarships takes time, but smaller awards can add up and help pay for a large chunk of college expenses. Large awards will be more competitive than smaller ones, and these awards will likely require a lot of a student’s time and attention. Students should certainly apply for large awards, but they should not discount smaller awards in their search for scholarship opportunities.

Tailor Your Applications

Customizing your scholarship applications can significantly enhance your chances of success. Here’s how you can tailor effectively:

1. Understand the Scholarship’s Goals: Research the organization offering the scholarship. Understanding their mission and values can help you align your application to highlight the qualities they are seeking.

2. Reflect on the Scholarship’s Values in Your Essay: Use your personal statement to reflect how your experiences and goals align with the values of the scholarship provider. This can make your application stand out as more thoughtful and relevant.

3. Provide Relevant Examples: Include specific examples of your work, volunteer experience, and achievements that directly relate to the criteria of the scholarship. This shows that you are not only a fit on paper but also in practice.

4. Edit for Each Application: Avoid using a generic essay for all your applications. Tailor each application to address the unique aspects of each scholarship, which shows the reviewers that you have put time and effort into your application specifically for them.

Gather Strong Recommendations

Choose recommenders who know you well and can speak specifically about your qualifications and achievements. Each graduating high school senior should have a couple of letters of recommendation in their back pockets. These can come in handy with the college admission process as well as a scholarship search. Some scholarship applications will allow applicants to attach letters of recommendation to their applications, which will help students set their applications apart from the rest.

Maintain a Strong Academic Record

Many scholarships consider your GPA and overall academic performance as part of their criteria. To keep your options open:

1. Stay Consistent with Your Studies: Aim for consistency in your grades rather than sudden peaks. Regular study habits and seeking help when needed can stabilize and improve your academic performance.

2. Engage in Rigorous Courses: Taking advanced placement or honors courses can not only boost your GPA but also show scholarship committees that you are willing to challenge yourself academically.

3. Seek Academic Support: Utilize tutoring resources, whether through your school or community, to help with subjects that are challenging for you.

4. Balance Your Course Load: While it’s important to challenge yourself, also be realistic about what you can handle so that your GPA doesn’t suffer.

Stay Organized

Lastly, high school seniors need to stay organized. They should consider creating a spreadsheet that allows them to keep track of the following information: scholarship name, organization name, date applied, application due date, scholarship description, and a column for notes. This will help students keep their information organized, so they’re not wondering if they’re looking at a scholarship that they’ve already applied for. 

International students attending college in the U.S. in the near future should get started on their scholarship applications early to help them secure funding. Apply today!

Frequently Asked Questions About High School Senior Scholarships

How Can I Improve My Chances of Winning High School Senior Scholarships?

There are a few things that high school seniors can do to improve their chances of winning scholarships. They should apply early, apply for many scholarships, seek scholarships of any amount, consider attaching letters of recommendation to their applications, and stay organized.

How Many High School Senior Scholarships Can You Get?

There is no limit to how many scholarships students can earn. Scholarships will need to be reported to the financial aid office on the college campus you choose to attend.

Can I Apply for Scholarships If I’m Not Sure Which College I’ll Attend?

Yes, you can and should apply for scholarships even if you haven’t made a final college decision. Most scholarships will allow you to use the award at any accredited institution.

Do Small Scholarships Really Make a Difference?

Absolutely! Small scholarships can add up quickly and reduce the amount you need to borrow or pay out-of-pocket.

What Should I Do If I Don’t Win a Scholarship?

Keep applying! There are thousands of scholarships available to provide you with the financial assistance you need, and new opportunities are always arising. Don’t get discouraged—your persistence can pay off.

When Should I Start Applying for High School Senior Scholarships?

The best time to start is as early as possible, ideally at the beginning of your senior year or even during your junior year. Starting early gives you more time to research opportunities, gather necessary documents, and refine your applications.

Are Scholarships Available for Specific Majors or Careers?

Yes, many scholarships target students entering specific fields of study or careers. These can be particularly advantageous as they often have fewer applicants and cater to your specific interests and career plans.

Plan to attend college soon? Apply for scholarships today to get a head start on your college costs.