40 National Scholarships That Will Make College More Affordable (And How to Apply!)

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

Scholarship Basic Requirements
Acis Financial need
Amazon Future Engineer Scholarship Program Academic standard
Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship All
Bold Financial need
Bright Futures Scholarship Geographic location
Burger King Scholarship All
Dell Scholarship Financial need
Elks National Foundation "Most Valuable Student Scholarship" Financial need + Academics
Excelsior Scholarship Financial need
Foot Locker Scholar Athletes Certain area (athletic/arts/etc)
Fulbright Scholarship Program Academic standard
Going Merry All
Hispanic Scholarship Fund Ethnicity gender or heritage
Hope Scholarship Financial need
Horatio Alger Scholarship Financial need + Academics
Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Scholarship Financial need + Academics
Jeffrey D Sollender College Scholarship Financial need + Academics
Marshall Scholarship Leadership / Community involvement
McKay Scholarship Geographic location
NextStepU Scholarships Financial need
CSS Profile (Non-Federal Aid) Financial need
Questbridge  Financial need + Academics
Raise Me All
Scholarships.com Financial need
Sean M Cleary Scholarship Academic standard
Society of Exploration Geophysicists Scholarship All
Shawn Carter Scholarship All
SME Education Foundation Certain area (athletic/arts/etc)
Stephen J. Brady Stop Hunger Scholarship Leadership / Community involvement
The Coca-Cola Scholarship Academic standard
The Dr. Lynette Robinson Scholarship for Inclusive Education Certain area (athletic/arts/etc)
The Gates Millennium Scholars Program Ethnicity, gender, or heritage
The Gates Scholarship Ethnicity, gender, or heritage
The Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholarship Academic standard, ethnicity, gender, or heritage
The Posse Foundation  Academic standard
The Princeton Prize in Race Relations Leadership / Community involvement
The Dream National Scholarship Ethnicity, gender, or heritage
UNCF/Best Buy Scholars Program Ethnicity gender or heritage
Wendy's High School Heisman Scholarship Certain area (athletic/arts/etc)
William Male Foundation Grant Certain 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.

Guide Outline

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