Best Scholarships for High School Seniors in Every Field

Planning for college is tougher than it used to be. Not only is competition more fierce, but the cost of attendance has soared. It’s a shame to see students step back from their goals because they can’t afford to go to school. We’ve put together this list of scholarships for high school seniors to help keep the dream alive.

Top Scholarships for High School Seniors

These awards are available to most or all high school seniors who plan to continue their education. Some require applicants to submit an essay or meet other criteria. Before applying, be sure to read the guidelines carefully.

“College Here I Come” Essay Scholarship for High School Seniors

Amount: $1,000
Eligibility: Open to all high school seniors
Deadline: January 31

CollegeXpress “No Essay” Scholarship

Amount: $1,000
Eligibility: Open to all high school students
Deadline: November 30

“Commencing at Community College” Essay Scholarship

Amount: $1,000
Eligibility: High school seniors accepted to community college
Deadline: January 31

Beacon Scholarship for Rural America

Amount: $1,000
Eligibility: Low-income high school students from rural backgrounds
Deadline: November 15

Nitro College Scholarship – No Essay

Amount: $2,000
Eligibility: High school, college, community college, and graduate students
Deadline: November 30

“No Essay” College Scholarship

Amount: $2,000
Eligibility: High school and college students
Deadline: November 30

Student-Led Virtual Tours Scholarship

Amount: $2,000
Eligibility: Open to all students
Deadline: December 31

$2,500 November ScholarshipPoints Scholarship

Amount: $2,500
Eligibility: High school students and college students
Deadline: November 30

$10,000 CollegeXpress Scholarship

Amount: $10,000
Eligibility: Open to all high school students
Deadline: May 1

JFK Profile in Courage Essay Contest

Amount: 15 awards ranging from $100 to $10,000
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9-12 attending public, private, parochial, or home schools
Deadline: January 13

Sloane Stephens Doc & Glo Scholarship

Amount: $26,000
Eligibility: Open to high school seniors and college students
Deadline: February 20

$40,000 BigFuture Scholarships

Award: Up to $40,000
Eligibility: Open to U.S.-based high school students
Deadline: November 30

Niche $50,000 “No Essay” Scholarship

Amount: $50,000
Eligibility: High school, college, and graduate students
Deadline: December 14

Merit-Based Scholarships for High School Seniors

These scholarships are awarded based on a student’s GPA, college entrance exam scores, or other qualifying factors. The eligibility is often very specific, so read the guidelines carefully before applying. Be sure to review our comprehensive list of Merit-Based Scholarships for High School Seniors.

Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation

Amount: $20,000
Eligibility: Based on academic performance, volunteer work, and leadership skills
Deadline: 2023 applications now closed; check website

Dell Scholars

Amount: $20,000 plus money for books and a new laptop
Eligibility: Applicants must qualify for a Pell Grant based on household income.
Deadline: December 1

Scholarships for STEM Fields

High school students planning to pursue studies in STEM fields may be qualified for scholarships in this category. Take a look at the opportunities below. Plus, check out these STEAM scholarships for minority students.

Amazon Future Engineer Scholarship Program

Amount: $40,000 and a paid programming internship at Amazon
Eligibility: High school students interested in computer science
Deadline: January 25

Buick Achievers Scholarship

Award: Up to $25,000
Eligibility: Must be studying engineering, technology, or related subjects
Deadline: February 27

Geraldine Polly Bednash Scholarships

Amount: $5,000
Eligibility: High school seniors, college, and graduate students majoring in nursing
Deadline: Quarterly (July 31, October 31, January 31, April 30)

Lounge Lizard Web Design Scholarship

Amount: $1,000
Eligibility: High school seniors and college students with an interest in web design
Deadline: October 3 and February 19

Annual Prevounce Preventive Health Scholarship Program

Amount: $1,000
Eligibility: High school seniors interested in healthcare fields
Deadline: October 15

Medical Scrubs Collection Scholarship

Amount: $1,000
Eligibility: High school seniors and college students pursuing careers in medical fields
Deadline: December 15

Scholarships for Arts

Many students who intend to study the arts will find great scholarship opportunities by searching their specific field or interest. Here are a few examples.

ServiceScape Scholarship

Amount: $1,000
Eligibility: High school seniors must submit an essay about how writing impacts the world.
Deadline: November 29

Betty Harlan Memorial Art Scholarship

Amount: Varies
Eligibility: Students pursuing a degree in visual arts
Deadline: February 1

Food Dreams Scholarship

Amount: $20,000
Eligibility: Pell-eligible high school graduates interested in culinary arts
Deadline: Rolling

Scholarships for Minorities

These financial awards are for students from diverse backgrounds. While these types of scholarships were once very rare, they are becoming more common.

Alex Austin’s Overcoming Adversity Scholarship

Amount: $500 – $1,000
Eligibility: U.S. high school and college students, including DACA recipients, who identify as part of a minority or who will be first-generation college students
Deadline: September 1