List of National Scholarships for High Schoolers

3 min readLast Updated on July 11, 2024

Common National Scholarships

Basics of Applying for Scholarships

National scholarships are just one option to help with the financial side of college. These scholarships are usually focused on high school seniors, but many also include high school juniors and younger to apply. Many scholarships are open to everyone, with very few requirements, however some are focused on those in financial need, or other factors such as students aspiring to be teachers or students who want to go into medicine. All of these factors are important to the application, along with academic standing, essays, or interviews you must complete. Here are some helpful tips for interviews, not only for scholarships but for college as well. One of the most common forms of national scholarships is the National Merit, check out this article that covers, in depth, everything you need to know about the National Merit Program.

Want more information about scholarships check this detailed article about the process of applications and how to start your scholarship search

40 National Scholarships for College

ScholarshipBasic Requirements
AcisFinancial need
Amazon Future Engineer Scholarship ProgramAcademic standard
Benjamin A. Gilman ScholarshipAll
BoldFinancial need 
Bright Futures ScholarshipGeographic location
Burger King ScholarshipAll
Dell ScholarshipFinancial need
Elks National Foundation "Most Valuable Student Scholarship"Financial need + Academics
Excelsior ScholarshipFinancial need
Foot Locker Scholar AthletesCertain area (athletic/arts/etc)
Fulbright Scholarship ProgramAcademic standard
Going MerryAll
Hispanic Scholarship FundEthnicity gender or heritage
Hope ScholarshipFinancial need
Horatio Alger ScholarshipFinancial need + Academics
Jack Kent Cooke Foundation ScholarshipFinancial need + Academics
Jeffrey D Sollender College ScholarshipFinancial need + Academics
Marshall ScholarshipLeadership / Community involvement
McKay ScholarshipGeographic location
NextStepU ScholarshipsFinancial need
CSS Profile (Non-Federal Aid)Financial need
Questbridge Financial need + Academics
Raise MeAll
Scholarships.comFinancial need
Sean M Cleary ScholarshipAcademic standard
Society of Exploration Geophysicists ScholarshipAll
Shawn Carter ScholarshipAll
SME Education FoundationCertain area (athletic/arts/etc)
Stephen J. Brady Stop Hunger ScholarshipLeadership / Community involvement
The Coca-Cola ScholarshipAcademic standard
The Dr. Lynette Robinson Scholarship for Inclusive EducationCertain area (athletic/arts/etc)
The Gates Millennium Scholars ProgramEthnicity, gender, or heritage
The Gates ScholarshipEthnicity, gender, or heritage
The Jackie Robinson Foundation ScholarshipAcademic standard, ethnicity, gender, or heritage
The Posse Foundation Academic standard
The Princeton Prize in Race RelationsLeadership / Community involvement
The Dream National ScholarshipEthnicity, gender, or heritage
UNCF/Best Buy Scholars ProgramEthnicity gender or heritage
Wendy's High School Heisman ScholarshipCertain area (athletic/arts/etc)
William Male Foundation GrantCertain area (athletic/arts/etc)

This is just the basic list of the most common scholarships, but it is important that you continue to research and find scholarships that fit you so you are able to create the best college scholarship list, personalized for you. If you want to learn more about your financial standing, check out how to calculate your financial aid needs and the checklist for important financial aid deadlines and applications.

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