Top college student scholarships to help you pay for school

Since 1979, the National Protein and Food Distributors Association Scholarship Foundation has awarded scholarships to students from NPFDA member families. To apply, the student must be an employee of a NPFDA Member Company, or the child or dependent of an employee of a NPFDA Member Company. They must be enrolled at a US-based college, university, or technical school, or be a high school senior. Graduate students are not eligible to apply. They must be pursuing a college degree. Applicants must provide a letter of recommendation from an advisor or mentor who is not a family member. Please visit the scholarship's website for more information.

The Bettie C. Helis Scholarship will be awarded to students who have completed at least two years or are currently enrolled in the second year of undergraduate study at an accredited college or university. Students must plan a career in the petroleum, energy or allied industry, or research and development of alternative fuels such as coal, electric, solar, wind hydroelectric, nuclear, and ethanol. Such majors as geology, geophysics, petroleum engineering, chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, nuclear engineering and energy management qualify for purposes of this scholarship. This is optional but students may also submit letters of recommendation. Please visit the scholarship's website or contact the Desk and Derrick Educational Trust for more information.

The Lois G. Johnston Scholarship will be awarded to students who have completed at least two years or are currently enrolled in the second year of undergraduate study at an accredited college or university. Students must plan a career in the petroleum, energy or allied industry, or research and development of alternative fuels such as coal, electric, solar, wind hydroelectric, nuclear, and ethanol. Such majors as geology, geophysics, petroleum engineering, chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, nuclear engineering and energy management qualify for purposes of this scholarship. This is optional but students may also submit letters of recommendation. Please visit the scholarship's website or contact the Desk and Derrick Educational Trust for more information.

The Desk and Derrick Educational Trust Founders' Scholarship will be awarded to students who have completed at least two years or are currently enrolled in the second year of undergraduate study at an accredited college or university. Students must plan a career in the petroleum, energy or allied industry, or research and development of alternative fuels such as coal, electric, solar, wind hydroelectric, nuclear, and ethanol. Such majors as geology, geophysics, petroleum engineering, chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, nuclear engineering and energy management qualify for purposes of this scholarship. This is optional but students may also submit letters of recommendation. Please visit the scholarship's website or contact the Desk and Derrick Educational Trust for more information.

Since 1992 the Garden Club of Minneapolis has awarded thousands of scholarships to students of horticulture. Any Minnesota student who is currently working towards a degree and career in horticulture, landscaping, or a related professional area, is encouraged to apply. Applicants may be a first-year student at Hennepin Technical College in the Horticulture and Landscape curriculum who expects to graduate in 2026; a first-year student studying Horticulture and Landscape at Hennepin Technical College who expects to graduate in June of 2026; a freshman studying Sustainable Landscape at Central Lakes College in Brainerd who expects to earn an Associate Degree in the spring of 2026; a first-year student studying Sustainable Landscaping Technology at Central Lakes College who expects to graduate in May of 2026; or a sophomore studying Plant Science-Breeding and Genetics at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities who expects to graduate fall of 2026. Applicants must submit two letters of recommendation from an individual (non-family) with knowledge regarding the applicant's horticultural experience and goals. The letter must be from a college instructor, administrator or advisor knowledgeable about the applicant. Please visit the scholarship's website for more information.

The Chesapeake Energy Corporation Scholarship will be awarded to students who have completed at least two years or are currently enrolled in the second year of undergraduate study at an accredited college or university. Students must plan a career in the petroleum, energy or allied industry, or research and development of alternative fuels such as coal, electric, solar, wind hydroelectric, nuclear, and ethanol. Such majors as geology, geophysics, petroleum engineering, chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, nuclear engineering and energy management qualify for purposes of this scholarship. This is optional but students may also submit letters of recommendation. Please visit the scholarship's website or contact the Desk and Derrick Educational Trust for more information.

The James and Brooke Harhi Endowed Scholarship for First-Generation CAH Students is open to full-time undergraduates or graduates with a declared major in the UCF College of Arts and Humanities. Applicant must be the first in his or her immediate family to attend college. Graduate and undergraduate applicants will be evaluated separately based on criteria considered "excellent" by the scholarship committee. Undergraduate students must demonstrate excellence in academics, service to the commun...

The Gladys Watford Scholarship will be awarded to students who have completed at least two years or are currently enrolled in the second year of undergraduate study at an accredited college or university. Students must plan a career in the petroleum, energy or allied industry, or research and development of alternative fuels such as coal, electric, solar, wind hydroelectric, nuclear, and ethanol. Such majors as geology, geophysics, petroleum engineering, chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, nuclear engineering and energy management qualify for purposes of this scholarship. This is optional but students may also submit letters of recommendation. Please visit the scholarship's website or contact the Desk and Derrick Educational Trust for more information.

The Jean Heinselman/Desk and Derrick Club of Spring Branch Memorial Scholarship will be awarded to students who have completed at least two years or are currently enrolled in the second year of undergraduate study at an accredited college or university. Students must plan a career in the petroleum, energy or allied industry, or research and development of alternative fuels such as coal, electric, solar, wind hydroelectric, nuclear, and ethanol. Such majors as geology, geophysics, petroleum engineering, chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, nuclear engineering and energy management qualify for purposes of this scholarship. This is optional but students may also submit letters of recommendation. Please visit the scholarship's website or contact the Desk and Derrick Educational Trust for more information.