Scholarships for high school seniors
There are many scholarships available for high school seniors. Here are some common types and resources where you can find scholarships:
1. Merit-Based Scholarships
These are awarded based on academic achievement, extracurricular involvement, and leadership skills. Examples include:
- National Merit Scholarship Program: For high academic achievers based on PSAT scores.
- Coca-Cola Scholars Program: Recognizes students who demonstrate leadership, service, and academic excellence.
- Elks National Foundation Most Valuable Student Scholarship: Aimed at students who have leadership skills and strong academic records.
2. Need-Based Scholarships
These scholarships are awarded based on financial need.
- The Gates Scholarship: A highly competitive, full-ride scholarship for outstanding minority students.
- Jack Kent Cooke Foundation College Scholarship Program: Provides scholarships for high-achieving students with financial need.
3. Diversity Scholarships
These scholarships aim to increase diversity in higher education.
- Ronald McDonald House Charities Scholarships: For students who have shown academic achievement, community involvement, and financial need.
- UNCF Scholarships: Provides numerous scholarships for students of African American descent.
4. Career-Specific Scholarships
Some scholarships are designed for students interested in specific fields of study.
- STEM Scholarships: Offered by organizations like the Society of Women Engineers and Intel Science Talent Search for students pursuing careers in science, technology, engineering, and math.
- Nursing Scholarships: Scholarships for students entering the nursing field, such as the Nurse Corps Scholarship Program.
5. Local Scholarships
Many community organizations, businesses, and local foundations offer scholarships for students from specific geographic areas. Check with your:
- School counselor: They often have a list of local scholarships.
- Public libraries: They may have scholarship resources.
- Local businesses: Companies often offer scholarships for students in their communities.
6. Essay and Video Contests
Many scholarships require submitting an essay, video, or creative project.
- Create a Greeting Card Scholarship: Submit a design for a greeting card and a short essay.
- Scholarships.com Essay Contest: Essay contests for a variety of topics.
7. Scholarship Search Engines
Use these websites to find a wide variety of scholarships:
- Fastweb.com
- Scholarships.com
- Niche.com
- Cappex.com
To apply for these scholarships, make sure to:
- Stay organized and keep track of deadlines.
- Prepare strong essays and gather recommendations.
- Check eligibility requirements for each scholarship carefully.
Would you like help finding scholarships specific to your interests or area?
Fastweb is one of the most popular scholarship search websites for high school seniors and college students. It helps you find scholarships, grants, internships, and other financial aid opportunities based on your profile. Here’s how it works:
Features of Fastweb:
- Personalized Scholarship Matches: After you create a profile, Fastweb uses your information (such as GPA, intended major, extracurricular activities, and other personal details) to match you with scholarships that fit your qualifications.
- Scholarship Database: Fastweb has a large database of scholarships—over 1.5 million scholarships and grants—ranging from small, local scholarships to large, national ones.
- Search Filters: You can filter scholarships by eligibility criteria, such as:
- Major/field of study
- Location
- Financial need
- Academic achievement
- Extracurricular involvement
- And more
- Application Management: You can save scholarships that interest you and keep track of deadlines and application requirements within the platform.
- Other Financial Aid Opportunities: Besides scholarships, Fastweb also provides information about internships, fellowships, and other financial aid resources.
- Scholarship Tips and Advice: Fastweb also offers helpful articles and tips on the scholarship application process, including writing essays, acing interviews, and avoiding common mistakes.
How to Use Fastweb:
- Sign Up: Go to Fastweb.com and create an account.
- Create a Profile: Fill in information about your education, background, interests, and goals. This will help Fastweb recommend scholarships that are a good match for you.
- Browse and Apply: Start browsing scholarship listings and apply to the ones you qualify for. Be sure to follow the application instructions carefully.
Benefits:
- Free to Use: Fastweb is completely free, making it a great resource for students.
- Wide Range of Opportunities: From small, local scholarships to large, national awards, you’ll find scholarships for almost any background or interest.
Would you like help setting up your Fastweb profile, or need recommendations on specific types of scholarships to search for?
Cappex is another popular and useful scholarship search platform that helps high school seniors and college students find scholarships, college matches, and other financial aid opportunities. It offers personalized tools to help students navigate the scholarship and college application process.
Key Features of Cappex:
- Personalized Scholarship Matching:
- After creating a profile, Cappex matches you with scholarships based on your specific information, such as your GPA, test scores, extracurricular activities, intended major, and more.
- Scholarship Database:
- Cappex has a large, constantly updated database with over $11 billion in scholarship opportunities. This includes merit-based, need-based, and major-specific scholarships.
- College Matching Tool:
- Cappex offers a tool that matches you with colleges based on your academic profile. You can filter colleges by location, size, cost, and more, helping you find the best options for your educational goals.
- Scholarship Application Tracking:
- You can keep track of scholarship applications and deadlines. The platform helps you stay organized by allowing you to manage all of your scholarships in one place.
- Scholarship Alerts:
- You can set up notifications for new scholarships that match your profile, ensuring that you don’t miss any opportunities.
- Cappex Scholarships:
- Cappex also offers its own scholarship program, the Cappex Scholarship, which is open to high school seniors and provides a range of award amounts.
- College Reviews:
- Students can access reviews from real college students about their experiences, helping you get an insider’s perspective on different campuses.
- Application Tips:
- Cappex offers advice on writing personal statements, preparing for interviews, and maximizing your scholarship opportunities.
How to Use Cappex:
- Sign Up: Go to Cappex.com and create a free account.
- Create Your Profile: Fill in details like your GPA, test scores, intended major, interests, and extracurricular activities. This will help Cappex generate tailored scholarship recommendations.
- Search Scholarships: Browse through scholarship listings and filter them by eligibility criteria that matter to you (e.g., location, field of study, etc.).
- Apply for Scholarships: Once you find scholarships that fit your profile, follow the application instructions. Some may require essays, letters of recommendation, or other materials.
Benefits of Cappex:
- Free to Use: Like Fastweb, Cappex is free, making it an accessible tool for all students.
- Comprehensive Search: Cappex offers more than just scholarships, including college matching, application tracking, and financial aid advice.
- Personalized Recommendations: The platform uses your profile to suggest scholarships and colleges that are the best fit for you.
Tips for Using Cappex Effectively:
- Be sure to complete your profile with as much detail as possible, including extracurricular activities, awards, and any special talents. The more information you provide, the better the scholarship recommendations will be.
- Set aside time regularly to check for new scholarships and apply well before deadlines.