Top 10 Scholarships For High School Seniors

Graduating senior year of high school is both terrifying and exciting. A wonderful high school journey is about to end, and an exhilarating undergraduate journey is about to start. With tons of memories and amazing friendships ending, it’s time to reorient yourself and start planning for your bright future. 

To cover the rapidly increasing expenses of colleges and universities, high school senior students should consider applying for some scholarships to reduce the financial burden from their parent’s shoulders. Scholarships are surely a part of your high school bucket list, as they are too good of an opportunity to miss. You can find scholarships based on specific courses, such as nursing, music, mechanical engineering, etc., or according to states or countries like Florida, etc. 

In this article, we have curated a list of some top scholarships for high school seniors to make their scholarship-hunting process easy and manageable. 

Top Scholarships for High school seniors

Scholarship hunting can be overwhelming at times. Assessing the eligibility criteria, preparing the required documents, and going through a long application process. Our curated list will help you understand the basics and eligibility criteria of some top high school senior scholarships. 

1. Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation Scholarship

Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation is a leading foundation working towards making an impact and improving our society. Coca-Cola Scholar Foundation has its scholars nationwide, bringing positive changes and inspiring others. The foundation provides three nationally recognized programs annually. The programs are- The Coca-Cola Scholars Program Scholarship, The Coca-Cola Community College academic team program, and Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise. 

 Under The Coca-Cola Scholars Program Scholarship, 150 scholars are granted up to $20,000 annually. The Coca-Cola Community College academic team program supports two-year community colleges and funds at various levels. For example, 50 gold scholars are awarded up to $1,500, 50 silver scholars are awarded up to $1,250, and 50 bronze scholars are awarded up to $1000. Lastly, 200 scholars are awarded $1,000 under The Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise to support community college funds. 

2. Jackie Robinson Foundation scholarship 

JRF, or Jackie Robinson Foundation, was established in 1973 and is still standing tall to help children receive the top education and is inspiring youth for a better world. The scholarship program by Jackie Robinson Program is an essay-type scholarship, and if you are a US citizen and a graduating minor high school senior, this is a perfect opportunity for you. The scholarship is awarded to only children planning to achieve a four-year college degree within the US.

All you need is one recommendation letter, four essays, and some documents related to personal information, and you are all set to apply for the JRF and enjoy its benefits. Some other benefits or requirements of JRF are mandatory involvement in community service throughout the college years, hands-on mentoring services, internship or job placement, fellowships, etc. Oh! And don’t forget to visit JRF Museum in New York for an exceptional educational experience. 

3. William Randolph Hearst Foundations Scholarship

William Randolph Hearst Foundation scholarship programs are other great scholarship programs for high school students based in the United States and making impacts in many areas, such as culture, health, education, and social services. The foundation provides scholarships to students under two programs: the United States Senate Youth Program and Hearst Journalism Award Program. 

High school seniors, this is your chance to grab an opportunity to build a career in public service and win a scholarship of up to $10,000 for your undergraduate studies. Some selected children will also get an opportunity to work under the national government, learn from the experts, and watch the working of the national government.  

4. Horatio Alger Scholarship Award

Taking care of the high cost of college can be burdensome for parents, especially those with low financial income. Horatio Alger Scholarship Program is for children under financial constraints and in high school junior or senior with a GPA of 2.0 or above. You must be a US resident to apply for this scholarship, and your family’s gross income should be below $55,000. 

One hundred six students are awarded $25,000 at the national level, and scholarships worth $10,000 for all 50 states of the US, including the District of Columbia, are awarded at the state level. Apart from this, there are career & technical scholarships and targeted scholarship programs for US children. 

5. Gates Scholarship

Gates scholarship is a wonderful opportunity for minority high school senior students to win a scholarship that covers the full cost of a four-year college degree. To be eligible for the Gates scholarship, you must be a citizen of the United States, with a minimum 3.3 GPA on a 4.0 GPA scale, and you should aim to pursue a four-year degree in your desired field. The scholarship is available for students from the following ethnicities- African-American, American-Indian/ Alaska Native, Asian & Pacific Islander American, or Hispanic American. 

A brilliant academic record is necessary if you apply for the Gates scholarship. Though, this is not the only requirement. You must possess exceptional leadership qualities and personal success skills and should be active in community services or extracurricular activities. 

6. American Legion National High School Oratorical Contest

If you can impact through your words and inspire people with your commendable speech, the American Legion National High School Oratorical Contest is the right fit for you. Since 1938, the program has supported young orators from high school senior grades and helped them build a strong career by supporting their education in United States universities.

The contest winner at the national level is awarded a scholarship amount of $25,000, the second runner-up wins up to $22,500, and the third-position winner gets up to $20,000. Additionally, every state-level winner who made it to the national level is awarded $2,000, and the students who passed the first round of the national level are awarded another $2,000. 

7. Engebretson Foundation Scholarship 

All you need is outstanding aptitude, leadership qualities, and a brilliant academic record to qualify for Engebretson Foundation Scholarship. Of course, there are other requirements, such as SAT/ACT scores and a plan to pursue a four-year college degree. But those two are the most important and definitely the deciding factors. 

Founded in 2006, the foundation has always worked for the needs of children and provides them with the best resources. Under the scholarship program, a student will receive $5,000 per semester to cover the tuition fees. The student applying for the scholarship can re-apply the scholarship every year. 

8. Jack Kent Cooke Foundation College Scholarship Program 

Receiving a massive scholarship award along with the guidance and counseling related to career choices and navigation, what else a person wants from a scholarship program? Jack Kent Cooke Foundation College Scholarship Program is a complete package of financial assistance and support for successful college years to make the college journey fun and worthwhile. 

If you are a high school senior with a minimum GPA of 3.5 and your family gross income is $95,000 or below, this is a perfect opportunity for you to pave the way toward a bright future. The program offers up to $55,000 per academic year to cover tuition and other college expenses. Some important factors influencing selection are exceptional academic skills, achievement levels, aptitude, leadership skills, persistence, desire to help others, will, and financial need. 

9. Davidson Fellows Scholarship Program 

Davidson Fellows Scholarship Program is a wonderful opportunity for all the gifted children who wish to pursue a college graduate-level degree in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, literature, music, outside-the-box, and philosophy. Children under 18 (high school seniors) can apply for the scholarship.

Davidson Fellows Scholarship program grants the winners up to $50,000, $25,000, and $10,000. The program is open to gifted children who have the potential to bring meaningful changes and positively contribute to society. Innovation, prodigious performance, interdisciplinary discoveries, novel ideas, etc., are factors being assessed while considering the winner. 

10. Elks Most Valuable Student Scholarship 

Another great scholarship opportunity for all high school seniors is the Elks Most Valuable Student scholarship program. Under the program, twenty children are awarded yearly scholarships for covering their full-time undergraduate degree. The program’s finalists also get an opportunity to spend a fully-paid weekend in Chicago, networking and serving at a local veterans hospital. 

If you are a graduating high school senior, apply for the EMV today and take your higher-education dreams to the next level. The amount awarded under the program is as follows:

• Two children are awarded $50,000.
• Two children are awarded $40,000.
• Two children are awarded $30,000.
• Fourteen children are awarded $20,000. 

Wrapping up 

Now that you have a complete list of some top high school senior scholarship programs, what are you waiting for? It is your time to shine and make your parents proud. Scholarships bring a sense of accomplishment and reduce the financial burden, resulting in better focus on academics and shaping your career in the best possible ways. Apply to the best-suited scholarship and enjoy your graduate degree in the best universities worldwide.