Zina Kumok Image Written By: Zina Kumok | Updated: May 19, 2025

High School Scholarships

Applying to college represents the pinnacle of your high school career - but it can also be unbelievably stressful. How do you know which schools to choose? What should you major in? And most importantly, how are you actually going to pay for it all? Thankfully, high school scholarships can reduce the cost of tuition and make it possible to graduate with a degree and minimal student loans. Keep reading to learn more about how these scholarships work, how to qualify and when to apply.

Continue reading the article below the scholarship list.

25 High School Scholarships with Approaching Deadlines

  • 1

  • NYCDA Foundation College Scholarship Program

  • Amount$150,000
  • DeadlineMay 19, 2025

The National College Scholarship Audition opportunity is being offered in conjunction with the NYCDA 4-day National Summer Workshop at the Sheraton New York and the Arizona Biltmore. The audition will consist of a ballet class, a jazz class, a contemporary class, and potential interviews. A separate application is needed to audition. All dancers must participate in all three dance

  • 2

  • USTA Foundation Scholarships

  • Amount$80,000
  • DeadlineMay 19, 2025

The U.S. Tennis Association Foundation focuses on serving under-resourced youth. The USTA Foundation awards scholarships to high school seniors who participate in organized youth tennis programs, demonstrate significant financial need, perform community/volunteer service, and who have a minimum 3.0 GPA. Scholarship Details Recipient Requirements: High school seniors involved in organized

  • 3

  • Brower Youth Award

  • Amount$3,000
  • DeadlineMay 20, 2025

Earth Island Institute established the Brower Youth Awards for Environmental Leadership in 2000. We recognize the outstanding leadership efforts of young people with this annual, prestigious award. Scholarship Details Six recipients each receive a $3,000 cash prize A short film is produced about each winner’s environmental work Winners are flown to a recognition event that includes

  • 4

  • Cameron Impact Scholarship

  • Amount$200,000
  • DeadlineMay 21, 2025

There are countless ways to make a positive impact in many professional careers. The Cameron Impact Scholar has both the ability and the intent to make real, tangible contributions in their lifelong dedication to the greater good. The Foundation will allocate approximately a quarter of the scholarships to individuals pursuing careers in education, non-profits, government, and/or military and have

  • 5

  • ASCAP Foundation Leiber and Stoller Scholarship for Songwriters

  • Amount$10,000
  • DeadlineMay 22, 2025

The ASCAP Foundation Leiber & Stoller Scholarship was established by legendary songwriters Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller to support the next generation of musical talent. This scholarship assists high school seniors or recent graduates who aspire to careers as songwriters, musicians, instrumentalists, or vocalists and who plan to major in music at an accredited college or university. The award

  • 6

  • Miss Utility of Maryland/D.C. Scholarship Program

  • Amount$1,008
  • DeadlineMay 23, 2025

Miss Utility of Maryland/D.C. will select eight high school seniors from Maryland and Washington, D.C., to each receive a single-year scholarship. Essay must be a maximum of 500 words, typed in 12-point font, double-spaced and must respond to this prompt: Explain the importance of Miss Utility/District One Call and how it could relate to the career path you plan to pursue in the future. Review

  • 7

  • Louise Tumarkin Zazove Foundation Scholarship

  • Amount$4,200
  • DeadlineMay 23, 2025

To be eligible for the Louise Tumarkin Zazove Foundation Scholarship, applicants must: have significant bilateral hearing loss (We require at least a 50 dB unaided hearing loss in both ears (or cochlear implant(s)), and we accept applicants who have a cochlear implant on an equal basis as those without an implant.); be a citizen or permanent resident of the United States; and be an undergraduate

  • 8

  • Eastern Washington Section (ANS) Scholarships

  • Amount$2,500
  • DeadlineMay 23, 2025

The Eastern Washington Section of the American Nuclear Society is committed to encouraging students to enter the field of nuclear science and technology and to advancing the careers of young nuclear professionals. Selected candidate(s) are eligible to receive a one-year scholarship. Applicants must be high school seniors or existing college students planning a career in nuclear science, nuclear

  • 9

  • Lawrence "Uncle Bo" Campos Scholarship

  • Amount$1,000
  • DeadlineMay 23, 2025

The Lawrence "Uncle Bo" Campos Scholarship is open to Hawaii Island graduating seniors with a 2.5 GPA or higher, who have demonstrated academic achievement, community participation, and have paddled at the club level or high school level in the past three years. In addition to strong academics, the candidate's merit of active volunteerism and leadership in the school, community, church, and/or

  • 10

  • Myra L A Taylor Memorial Scholarship

  • Amount$750
  • DeadlineMay 23, 2025

The Myra L. Austin Taylor Scholarship honors the memory of Myra L. Austin Taylor, a dedicated educator and advocate for her community. This scholarship provides support to students attending Historically Black Colleges or Universities (HBCUs) who are majoring in education/elementary education or are active members of their institution's band. Scholarship Details For students attending or

  • 11

  • New England Community Scholarship

  • Amount$1,000
  • DeadlineMay 23, 2025

The Community Scholarship for New England High Schools is for graduating students throughout New England who write a short essay addressing the prompt: “Give us an example of a personal experience about how diversity, equity and inclusion has affected your life.“ Six scholarships in the amount of $1,000 each will be awarded. The Contest is open to high school seniors in Massachusetts, New

  • 12

  • LGBTQ+ Youth Leadership Awards

  • Amount$5,000
  • DeadlineMay 24, 2025

SMYAL’s scholarships recognize outstanding and unapologetic LGBTQ+ student leaders who have demonstrated personal growth and a commitment to creating change in their school or community. Founded in 2015, SMYAL’s LGBTQ+ Youth Leadership Awards (YLA) provide a total of up to $30,000 to 5-8 student leaders each year. YLA winners receive up to $5,000 each for their extraordinary leadership and

  • 13

  • Sophie’s Live Out Loud Award

  • Amount$5,000
  • DeadlineMay 24, 2025

SMYAL’s Sophie’s Live Out Loud Award (LOLA) is a $5,000 scholarship celebrating a bold and inspiring LGBTQ+ student leader beginning their post-secondary education. Named in honor of Sophie Magerl, a fearless young advocate for self-expression and empowerment, this scholarship supports students in the D.C. Metro area who are making a difference in their schools or communities and plan to continue

  • 14

  • Phi Kappa Tau Foundation Scholarships

  • Amount$4,500
  • DeadlineMay 25, 2025

The Phi Kappa Tau Foundation provides academic scholarships to students pursuing bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees. Scholarship recipients are carefully chosen based upon their academic success, commitment to the ideals of Phi Kappa Tau, and service to their campus, community and Fraternity. Thanks to the generosity of many alumni, parents and friends, the Phi Kappa Tau Foundation is

  • 15

  • Phi Kappa Tau Parents Fund Scholarships

  • Amount$1,000
  • DeadlineMay 25, 2025

Thanks to the generosity of Phi Kappa Tau benefactors through the years, ten named endowed scholarships exist, each currently making $1,250 annual awards. Applicants must be members returning to school the next year as an undergraduate or graduate student. Scholarship Details Several scholarships are awarded annually thanks to the support of alumni, parents, and friends. Scholarships are

  • 16

  • One Earth Film Festival Young Filmmakers Contest

  • Amount$1,000
  • DeadlineMay 25, 2025

One Earth Young Filmmakers Contest is open to students from third grade through college. Each film submission is based on one or several of the following topics: water, waste, food, transportation, energy, open space, and ecosystems. All entries must be between 3 and 8 minutes in length. Submissions are open to Elementary, Middle School, High School, Undergraduate and Graduate, as well as

  • 17

  • Charles B. Staats Memorial Scholarship

  • Amount$14,000
  • DeadlineMay 26, 2025

The mission of the Charles B. Staats Memorial Foundation is to inspire and empower high school seniors to become future leaders and active members of their community by serving as swim coaches to youth and adults in their communities. The Charles B. Staats Memorial Foundation (CBSMF) Scholarship is awarded annually to a graduating high school senior, who is also a swim coach. The Scholarship is

  • 18

  • NASCLA Contractor Scholarship Program

  • Amount$5,000
  • DeadlineMay 26, 2025

The NASCLA Contractor Scholarship Program is designed to help students pursue licenses, certificates, and/or certifications in the construction industry preparing them for gainful employment. These scholarships provide a chance for recipients to receive awards toward program tuition. The scholarship awards include a complimentary invite package to our upcoming NASCLA Annual Conference for each

  • 19

  • Ohio News Media Association High School Journalism Scholarship

  • Amount$1,000
  • DeadlineMay 26, 2025

The Ohio News Media Association High School Journalism Scholarship is offered to Ohio high school students who are graduating seniors interested in studying journalism, advertising, marketing or communications at an accredited college or university during the upcoming academic year. Eligible applicants must have at least a GPA of a 2.5. The following items must accompany the application form: an

  • 20

  • Ohio News Media Association Scholarships

  • Amount$1,000
  • DeadlineMay 26, 2025

The Ohio News Media Foundation, in alignment with its mission of achieving the highest standards of excellence and professionalism in all phases of journalism and newspaper publishing, awards scholarships to high school and collegiate students annually. The foundation provides funding through a variety of events and donations to this fund. Scholarship Details The Ohio News Media Foundation

  • 21

  • National Academy of Television, Arts & Sciences - Pacific Southwest Chapter

  • Amount$5,000
  • DeadlineMay 26, 2025

Since the inception of the Scholarship Program, the Chapter has awarded almost $300,000 in grants to students preparing for television careers. Scholarships are granted for use by undergraduate students enrolled in 9 units or more and graduate students enrolled in 6 units or more at two- or four-year colleges or universities for the coming Fall or Spring school year. Scholarship Details

  • 22

  • Christopher Mark Pitkin Memorial Scholarship

  • Amount$1,000
  • DeadlineMay 27, 2025

To be eligible for the Christopher Mark Pitkin Memorial Scholarship, applicants must: be a person with a bleeding disorder or must have an immediate family member with a bleeding disorder; be accepted into an educational/vocational institution and able to provide proof of enrollment; and be a resident of, or have permanent address in, one of the following Southern California counties: Los

  • 23

  • Community Foundation of Shelby County Scholarships

  • Amount$20,000
  • DeadlineMay 29, 2025

The mission of the Community Foundation of Shelby County is to cultivate, administer and distribute legacy gifts for the benefit of our community. The vision is to be the primary partner for donors who want to advance the community’s quality of life and capacity for excellence. Community Foundations have the unique ability to work with donors of diverse backgrounds and interests. Diversity

  • 24

  • CVBIA Young Designers' Scholarship Competition

  • Amount$1,500
  • DeadlineMay 30, 2025

The Young Designers' Scholarship Competition is a house design contest for high school students interested in drafting, architecture or home building. The competition is open to any student enrolled in a public or private secondary school from eligible cities or counties in Virginia. All public and private high school students are eligible to compete for scholarship money in the Coastal

  • 25

  • John and Abigail Adams Scholarship

  • Amount$6,856
  • DeadlineMay 30, 2025

The John and Abigail Adams Scholarship is a merit-based program that provides a credit toward tuition for up to eight semesters of undergraduate education at a Massachusetts state college or university. For this scholarship, merit is based on student scores on the 10th grade Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) test. Scholarship Details Merit-based scholarship offering

What are high school scholarships?

A high school scholarship is an award given to a high school student to be used for their college education. High school scholarships can be given for two-year or four-year schools. Both community college and vocational school students can find scholarships.

High school scholarships can be granted by a third-party organization or directly by the school. Some for-profit companies and individual states also provide scholarships and grants to eligible high school students.

Requirements for high school scholarships will vary, but many ask for a transcript, a copy of standardized test scores, an essay and at least one letter of recommendation. Some scholarships will have a portfolio or video component requirement.

How to apply for high school scholarships

If you've never applied for a scholarship before, the process can seem daunting and complicated. The first step is to read through all the information on the scholarship’s website, so you understand if you’re eligible to apply and what you need to submit the application.Most scholarship providers have FAQ pages that you can review if you have questions. If you still need help, there’s usually a scholarship coordinator you can contact.

While many popular high school scholarships are available to most students, others will have a specific niche. For example, the Cards Against Humanity Science Ambassador Scholarship is given to a high school senior or college student who can thoughtfully and concisely explain a STEM topic they care about in a three-minute video.

Many schools that offer scholarships require that students fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA is the federal government's official form that lets students qualify for federal aid, including student loans, grants and work-study. Submitting the FAFSA is the best way to ensure you’ll maximize your financial aid opportunities.

Some states also offer grants for students attending school locally. If you're a high school student, start researching how to qualify for these grants. There may be a minimum high school GPA that you must have. These state grants may have an extra application form to fill out, but sometimes submitting the FAFSA is enough.

What are the best high school scholarships?

The QuestBridge Scholarship program is one of the most generous award programs in the country. Winners will receive a full tuition scholarship to one of 50+ schools, including Yale University, Stanford University and Princeton University. This four-year scholarship is worth more than $200,000. High school juniors and seniors are eligible to apply.

The Amazon Future Engineer Scholarship provides a $40,000 award and a guaranteed paid internship at Amazon. High school seniors with a 2.3 GPA or more and an interest in computer science are eligible to apply.

Where can I find high school scholarships?

Our official Scholarship Directory has a general high school scholarship page as well as an exhaustive list of subgroups, where you can find scholarships for all kinds of students.

Make sure to use the filter to discover scholarships that you might be uniquely qualified for. For example, if you play the tuba, look for scholarships for musically inclined students. Pay attention to your teachers if they mention any scholarship opportunities. If you're involved in a local organization, like your church or Girl Scout group, ask if they offer scholarships.

Do I have to be a senior in high school to qualify for a high school scholarship?

High school seniors are usually eligible for most scholarships, but other grade levels can also qualify for significant awards. For example, The Phyliss J. McCarthy Scholarship for Excellence in Writing is open to both high school juniors and seniors. Applicants will have to write a 2,000-word essay to win a $1,000 prize.

Even if you're a high school freshman, you can start looking at scholarship opportunities. Go through the scholarships that you're eligible for and apply for as many as you can. If you find some that you're not old enough for yet, set them aside for later.

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