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

Qualified high school juniors or seniors must show demonstrated leadership by serving in elected or appointed positions in which they are actively representing a constituency in organizations related to student government, education, public affairs and community service. They must be actively serving in qualified leadership positions, enrolled in high school and living in the state (and for these purposes, the District of Columbia) that they will represent for the entire academic year. The college scholarship and attendance at the Washington Week program are one inseparable award. Delegates must participate in the Washington Week program in accordance with all program rules and policies in order to receive the financial scholarship. The USSYP scholarship is designated for undergraduate college study only at an accredited United States college or university. All students are encouraged to include history, political science or related subjects in their undergraduate program. The scholarship is designated for the specified student's education expense and must be used within four years after enrollment. Students may obtain a USSYP application through their high school principals, school counselors and social studies teachers; or they may inquire directly to their state selection contacts online. Please visit the scholarship's website for more information.

The Maguire Foundation Endowed Scholarships are open to incoming first-year students who are graduating from a Maguire Foundation partner high school. Applicants must actively participate in school, community, volunteer, or extracurricular activities and demonstrate financial need on their FAFSA. This scholarship awards to up to three incoming Widener first-year students. Please visit the scholarship's website for more information.

The Gold Scholarship is open to first-year students admitted to the University. Applicants must have a high school GPA of 93 and above. Candidates must be first-time college students entering directly from high school. Students may contact the Financial Aid Office for more information.

The John E. Veneklasen Full-Tuition Scholarship is open to an outstanding incoming first-year student. Candidates are required to attend an on-campus competition during their senior year. Recipients of the John E. Veneklassen award are automatically admitted into the Insignis Honors Program. This scholarship supersedes the prior merit scholarship the student receives. Please visit the scholarship's website for more information.

This award is open to first-time new freshmen students with a filed FAFSA, Pell-eligible, and AGI $85K or less, and Texas residents. This scholarship may be combined with Honors College or donor-funded scholarships. This scholarship is available for up to 8 long semesters (fall and spring) or graduation, whichever comes first. Students must be admitted to the university and enter East Texas A&M in the calendar year of graduation from high school. Applicants must be Texas residents for tuition purposes. Please visit the scholarship's website for more information.

The Mississippi State University Freshman Mississippi Resident Academic Scholarship will be automatically awarded to a student upon their admission to MSU based on their 9th-11th grade high school GPA and test scores. Mississippi State accepts the SAT/ACT through the February test date of a student's senior year of high school. The scholarship is renewable annually for up to 8 semesters at MSU. MSU has a rolling admissions policy. The application for each semester will remain open until the 10th day of classes. Please visit the scholarship's website or contact the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships for more information.

The Maria Nieves Edmonds Scholarship is available to students graduating from Pinellas County High Schools. Applicants must have a standard high school diploma, be US citizens or permanent resident aliens, and have a weighted cumulative grade point average of at least 3.00 at the end of the seventh semester of high school. High school students who meet these qualifications will be notified in writing in the spring term of their senior year. Upon notification of receiving the scholarship, you will need to: 1. Follow the Getting started at SPC steps to apply for admission. 2. Provide proof of Florida residency. 3. Provide proof of U.S. citizenship or permanent resident alien status. 4. Begin classes at SPC no later than the fall term immediately following high school graduation. 5. Enroll in a minimum of six credit hours as a degree-seeking student. 6. Check your SPC student email and MySPC Checklist regularly for updates. Please visit the scholarship's website for more information and contact Financial Assistance Services for inquiries about the application.

The Gwynedd Mercy University Dual Enrollment Program Scholarship is available to students who participate in GMercyU's Dual Enrollment program while in high school and then enroll as a full-time bachelor's degree-seeking student at GMercyU. Recipients of this award will receive a full-tuition scholarship for the final semester of their senior year. When added to any other scholarships and grants, this scholarship will bring tuition costs down to $0 in the final semester of a student's senior year. Submission of test scores is not required. The university offers a test-optional admission.

The Better Business Bureau believes it is never too early to introduce and emphasize the importance of ethics. At the high school level, students begin to face ethical decisions that may impact the rest of their lives. They serve as role models whose moral compass not only guides their actions, but also influences those around them. The BBB seeks to honor ethical students for doing the right thing with the BBB Ethical Torch Essay Scholarship, available in Greater Arizona and Southern California. Five students in Greater Arizona, five students in Orange County, California, and five students in San Diego County, California to be awarded with scholarship prizes. Students in grades 9-12 (graduating classes of 2025-2028) residing and enrolled in school in eligible counties are invited to apply for this scholarship opportunity. Essays should analyze what ethics has taught the students and themselves. Note that the most engaging essays often reflect on a meaningful experience or lesson learned in one's life that focuses on an ethical reflection. Essays should be written by students without the use of AI. Essays written with the assistance of AI will be disqualified from the contest. San Diego and Imperial County students must submit their application on August 11, 2025. Orange County students must submit their application on September 22, 2025. Greater Arizona students must submit their application on October 20, 2025. Please visit the scholarship's website for more information.