Scholarships for high school seniors: how to find and win them

The Michigan Technological University Visual and Performing Arts Talent Award is open to incoming first-year students pursuing any major at Michigan Tech. This scholarship recognizes high school seniors with exceptional talents in the arts, including instrumental or vocal music, visual arts, theatre performance, technical theatre, sound design/audio production, and/or music composition. Awardees must actively participate in musical ensembles and stage productions, take coursework in visual arts, or work toward a degree, second degree, or minor offered through the Visual and Performing Arts Department. Please visit the scholarship's website for more information.

The Alliance of Women Executives Scholarship is open to young women graduating from any Palm Beach County high school. Students must continue their education locally to be considered for this award. Please visit the scholarship's website for more information.

The Balkhi Foundation Higher Education Scholarship seeks to help talented young people make college more attainable through a scholarship. These annual renewable awards are granted to exceptional high school seniors accepted to a US based college or university who demonstrate a financial need. An ideal applicant for a Balkhi Foundation Scholarship is a student who has shown dedication to their academics as well as their personal goals whether that is through community service, creation of a business or invention, or significant dedication to academic pursuits. Students should be self starters who have shown tenacity in the face of challenges and a hunger for success. Previous Balkhi Foundation Scholars have represented a diverse variety of backgrounds and high school experiences including community service, writing and publishing novels, completing university level research or associates degrees in high school, or being identified as leaders within their school and community. Applicants must provide the contact information (including email address) for two teachers that can speak to their academic achievement. Please visit the scholarship's website for more information.

The Colleen Scarisbrick Help America Hear Scholarship is dedicated to empowering students with hearing loss by providing both financial support and advanced hearing technology to help them succeed. This year, ten deserving students will receive a financial award to support their college or vocational education, and a pair of top-of-the-line ReSound prescription hearing aids, custom-fitted to their specific hearing needs. Applicants must be high school seniors who have a hearing loss, which requires the use of hearing aids or Cochlear Implants in their daily life. The purpose of this scholarship is to help students with hearing loss reach their full potential by giving them a financial boost and the gift of sound. This will further allow the students to build confidence and self-esteem as they prepare for college or vocational school. Applicants must submit two letters of reference, one must be from a teacher, a guidance counselor, coach etc., and one must be from an individual outside of the applicant's school and family. A signed photo release and a signed HIPAA form by a parent/legal guardian must be submitted if the student is a minor. Please visit the scholarship's website for more information.

The William A. and Vinnie E. Dexter Endowed Scholarship Fund supports graduating high school seniors in western Massachusetts. Please visit the scholarship's website or contact the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts for more information.

The Bill Pollard Jr. Scholarship was established by Bill and Kimberley Pollard to support young people who are pursuing their passions in the accounting field. Applicants must be a senior at Tracy High School. Applicants must pursue a career in accounting by pursuing a degree in business, finance, or related major. They must provide a letter of recommendation from a teacher, faculty member, or school counselor. Please visit the scholarship's website for more information.

The Mike Wallace Memorial Scholarship will be awarded to a student pursuing a career in television journalism. This scholarship is funded by a grant from CBS News in honor of longtime correspondent Mike Wallace. National scholarships are awarded to outstanding high school seniors who intend to pursue a baccalaureate degree in communications with emphasis on any aspect of the television industry. Please visit the scholarship's website for more information.

The Douglas W. Mummert Scholarship will be awarded to a student pursuing a career in any aspect of the television industry, who has made a positive impact through community service. National scholarships are awarded to outstanding high school seniors who intend to pursue a baccalaureate degree in communications with emphasis on any aspect of the television industry. Please visit the scholarship's website for more information.

The Polar Scholarship initiative is inspired by the film, The Polar Express, offering high school seniors a chance to reach their full potential through education and community service. Applicants must be a high school senior, planning to continue their education at a two- or four-year institution or vocational school. They must have at least 200 community service hours. Please visit the scholarship's website for more information.