By CVO Staff
Key Takeaways:
- College Values Online offers 50 scholarships for high school students, focusing on academics, extracurriculars, and financial need.
- Scholarships include major-specific, merit-based, and support for underrepresented groups.
- These scholarships help reduce student debt with opportunities for significant financial aid.
A whopping 70% of undergraduate college students take out student loans to pay for college, and that percentage is only expected to go up as tuition rates continue to rise across the country.
For high school students intending to earn a university degree, scholarships may make a significant difference in the amount of debt with which they graduate. For some lucky high school seniors, scholarships may even allow them to graduate from college debt-free.
We’ve got a whole guide designed to get you the scholarships you need to defray those student loan costs.
With the aim of helping high school seniors find the money for college, College Values Online has rounded up 50 great scholarships. While some scholarships on our list require certain test scores or GPAs, others require high school students to be studying a certain subject or to have a certain interest. Still others don’t require anything other than a desire to be college students, making it easy to apply for scholarships.
Keep scrolling for 50 great scholarships for high school students. If you’re considering a state school, see our article on merit scholarships for out-of-state students.
Adobe Design Circles Scholarship
Scholarship Amount: $100,000
Deadline: March 11, 2022
Abode sponsors the very generous Adobe Design Circles Scholarship. The award aims to support high school students who are planning to attend college for a degree in a design-related major. Winners of the scholarship receive up to $25,000 per year for four years, plus a variety of mentorship opportunities for college students, such as internships and networking.
To be eligible for the Adobe Design Circles Scholarship, applicants must be high school seniors who are planning to major in product design or experience design-related majors (industrial design, web design, etc.).
Amazon Future Engineer Scholarship Program
Scholarship Amount: $10,000
Deadline: Varies
In an effort to diversify the future of computer science professionals, Amazon sponsors the Future Engineer Scholarship Program. The scholarship provides high school students $10,000 each year (up to $40,000), plus a paid internship and connections with industry mentors.
To be eligible for the scholarship, applicants must be U.S. citizens and high school seniors. They must have completed a high school computer science course and must also plan on pursuing a bachelor’s in computer science. Winners are chosen based on academic performance, demonstrated leadership, financial need, and short-answer responses.
American Legion National High School Oratorical Contest
Scholarship Amount: $2,000 – $25,000
Deadline: Varies
The American Legion sponsors a number of scholarships for high school seniors, one of which is the National High School Oratorical Contest. This challenging scholarship contest begins at the local level, and winners advance to a national speech competition. National winners can win between $20,000 and $25,000 to use at their choice of university.
To be eligible, you must be a high school student and under the age of 20. Orations must be on some aspect of the Constitution, and students must first compete within their region.
APIA (Asian Pacific Islander) Scholars
Scholarship Amount: Varies
Deadline: January 2022
APIA Scholars provides a number of scholarships each year to high school students of Asian or Pacific Islander descent. The scholarships aim to reward underserved APIA students for their academic achievements.
To be eligible for an APIA Scholars award, high school students must be residents of the United States, the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, or the Republic of Palau. The application process includes a 500-word essay on an assigned topic.
Ayn Rand Institute “Atlas Shrugged” Scholarship
Scholarship Amount: $500 — $10,000
Deadline: September 27, 2021
The Ayn Rand Institute, a non-profit think tank that promotes Rand’s philosophy, sponsors a number of scholarships each year, including the “Atlas Shrugged” Scholarship. The scholarships are book-specific, with this one focusing on Rand’s classic novel “Atlas Shrugged.” The scholarship winner receives $10,000, while three second-place winners and five third-place winners receive $2,500 and $500, respectively.
Applicants must be high school seniors, undergraduate, or graduate college students. Winners are chosen based on their 800-1600-word essay on one of three “Atlas Shrugged” prompts.
Ayn Rand Institute “The Fountainhead” Scholarship
Scholarship Amount: $25 — $5,000
Deadline: April 28, 2022
“The Fountainhead” Scholarship is a college scholarship sponsored by the Ayn Rand Institute, a 501 non-profit think tank that promotes the philosophy of author and philosopher Ayn Rand. Specifically, this scholarship is for those who have read Rand’s novel “The Fountainhead.” Although the top prize is $5,000, three $1,250 awards, five $250 awards, twenty-five $100 awards, and 50 $25 awards will also be given out.
To be eligible for “The Fountainhead” Scholarship, applicants must be high school students in 11th or 12th grade. Applying for the scholarship requires reading Ayn Rand’s “The Fountainhead” then write an 800-1600 word essay on one of three assigned topics. Winners will be chosen based solely on the quality of their essays.
Bridging the Dream Scholarship Program for High School Seniors
Scholarship Amount: $10,000
Deadline: March 8, 2022
The Bridging the Dream Scholarship Program for High School Seniors is sponsored by the Sallie Mae Fund. Its purpose is to help high school seniors from minority or other historically underserved communities realize their dream of attending college. For 2021, 2022, and 2023, the Sallie Mae Fund is partnering with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund to award 75 scholarships of $10,000 each.
To be eligible for the Bridging the Dream Scholarship, a high school student must be diverse in gender, race, ethnicity, or disability; be a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident. The application process includes an application form and the submission of transcripts and references.
Winners will be chosen based on financial need, demonstrated leadership, and good moral character.
Buick Achievers Scholarship
Scholarship Amount: Up to $25,000
Deadline: February 28, 2022
The Buick Achievers Scholarship is a $25,000 award sponsored by the GM Foundation. The purpose of the scholarship is to reward high school students who have proven themselves to be successful both inside and outside of the classroom and to help those who would not be able to attend college without some financial help.
To be eligible for the Buick Achievers Scholarship, applicants can be high school seniors, high school graduates, or current college undergrads. Preference is given to those interested in studying STEM subjects, and special consideration is given to female students, minorities, military veterans, and first-generation college students.
Burger King Scholarship
Scholarship Amount: Varies
Deadline: December 15, 2021
Burger King’s McLamore Foundation sponsors the Burger King Scholarship to support Burger King employees and their partners and children in continuing their education. Since its establishment in 2005, the Foundation has awarded more than $44 million in scholarship money.
Applicants of the Burger King Scholarship should be high school seniors living in the United States, Canada, or Puerto Rico. A minimum GPA of 2.5 is required, as is an activity in one’s local community. Applicants should also be Burger King employees or connected to an employee in some way.
Cameron Impact Scholarship
Scholarship Amount: $60,000
Deadline: May and September 2022
The Cameron Impact Scholarship is a four-year, full-tuition scholarship offered by the Bryan Cameron Education Foundation. Established in 2015, the Foundation is a private family foundation dedicated to investing in and fostering the development of those likely to make a positive impact on society.
Eligibility for this scholarship is reserved for U.S. citizens who are current high school seniors at the time of application. Though applicants may demonstrate leadership in any number of ways, the Foundation allocates approximately 25% of its scholarships for those pursuing education, military, or nonprofits. Applying for the Cameron Impact Scholarship requires an online application, an academic transcript, and two letters of recommendation.
Carol S. Comeau Environmental Scholarship
Scholarship Amount: $2,000
Deadline: April 1, 2022
The Carol S. Comeau Environmental Scholarship was established to support high school seniors who are planning to pursue degrees and careers in environmental studies. The $2,000 scholarship is specifically for students in Washington state, and four winners are announced each year.
To be eligible for the Carol S. Comeau Environmental Scholarship, applicants must be high school seniors from the state of Washington. To apply, a student should submit an essay introducing him- or herself and describing how they hope to change the world through environmental studies.
Carrington-Philbert U.S. Undergraduate Scholarship
Scholarship Amount: $2,500
Deadline: May 1, 2022
The Carrington-Philbert U.S. Undergraduate Scholarship was established by Sherwin Bridgewater and Malcolm Carrington in memory of their grandparents. The scholarship supports students who exhibit their grandparents’ same values — pursuing knowledge and achieving excellence regardless of circumstance.
The Carrington-Philbert U.S. Undergraduate Scholarship is open to African-American students who are planning to attend either a two- or four-year college. The application requires the submission of a letter of recommendation, academic transcript, and photo.
Applicants will also need to compose a 250- to 500-word essay detailing their passion for pursuing higher education.
Coca-Cola Scholars Program Scholarship
Scholarship Amount: $20,000
Deadline: October 31, 2021
The Coca-Cola Scholars Program has been supporting exceptional college students for more than three decades. Each year, 150 new Coca-Cola Scholars are chosen, and each receives a $20,000 scholarship to put toward their education.
Coca-Cola Scholars are chosen for their “capacity to lead and serve, as well as their commitment to making a significant impact on their schools and communities.” To be eligible, an applicant must be a current U.S.-based high school senior with an overall GPA of 3.0 or better. An online application is required.
Colgate-Palmolive Haz la U Educational Grant Program
Scholarship Amount: $1,000
Deadline: November 14, 2021
Colgate-Palmolive, in partnership with the Hispanic Heritage Foundation, sponsors this annual scholarship. The $1,000 scholarship aims to reward students of Hispanic or Latino descent for their academic achievements.
To be eligible, applicants must be high school seniors planning to enroll in college. They must have a minimum 3.0 GPA and have demonstrated participation in community service and leadership. Students must also be of Hispanic or Latino descent and can be U.S. citizens, residents, or DACA-eligible.
CollegeVine Scholarships
Scholarship Amount: $500
Deadline: Weekly
The CollegeVine Scholarship is a $500 award that is given out weekly by the website of the same name. The scholarship is open to high school students who are U.S. residents.
Uniquely, students must earn the opportunity to apply for the CollegeVine Scholarship by joining CollegeVine’s Community Forums and volunteering to review their peers’ admissions and scholarship essays. Once they can apply, the application process consists of a simple online application.
Create-a-Greeting Card Scholarship
Scholarship Amount: $10,000
Deadline: March 2, 2022
The Gallery Collection, a leading maker of greeting cards for all occasions, sponsors the annual Create-a-Greeting Card Scholarship. The designer of the winning greeting card will receive a $10,000 scholarship award, plus an additional $1,000 for his or her school.
The contest is open to all high school and college students in all U.S. states and territories. To be considered, design your greeting card for any occasion, then submit a photo, computer graphic, or original artwork. Finalists for the scholarship are chosen by popular vote.
Davidson Fellows Scholarship
Scholarship Amount: $50,000
Deadline: February 12, 2022
The Davidson Fellows Scholarship is sponsored by the Davidson Institute for Talent Development. The non-profit foundation aims to “nurture and support profoundly intelligent young people” who have been largely neglected and underserved. To do this, they offer a number of scholarships, including the Fellows Scholarship.
To be eligible for the Davidson Fellows Scholarship, an applicant must be age 18 or younger at the time of the deadline. They should also be a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident. Applicants should choose a category to apply to, the choices for which include technology, music, and “Outside the Box,” along with a few others. Winners will be chosen based on “significant work” completed in their chosen category.
D.C. Leadership 1000 Scholarship
Scholarship Amount: Up to $25,000
Deadline: April 2022
The D.C. Leadership 1000 Scholarship is sponsored by the College Success Foundation. Funded by various foundations and businesses, this scholarship provides D.C.-based students the opportunity to attend college. The scholarship awards a student $5,000 yearly for up to five years of school.
To be eligible for the D.C. Leadership 1000 Scholarship, applicants must be high school seniors living in the District of Columbia. They must have a GPA of at least 2.75 and be able to prove financial hardship. To apply, submit an online application, an unofficial transcript, and a letter of recommendation.
Dell Scholars Program
Scholarship Amount: $20,000
Deadline: December 1, 2021
The Dell Scholars Program is a scholarship sponsored by the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation. Initially established to provide “a support system for the challenges many students face while pursuing a degree,” the scholarship fund provides $20,000 in scholarships, laptops, textbook credits, and personalized support to 500 Dell Scholars each year.
To be eligible for the generous Dell Scholars Program, applicants should be on track to graduate with a minimum GPA of 2.4. Applicants must also have participated in a program-approved college readiness program in either 11th or 12th grade. A demonstrated need for financial assistance is also required.
Doodle 4 Google
Scholarship Amount: $30,000
Deadline: March 2022
Anyone who has ever visited the Google homepage is familiar with Google Doodles. Each year, Google allows students to create their own Google Doodle for the chance to win a $30,000 scholarship and a $50,000 technology award for their school. Finalists are also given a college scholarship of $5,000.
The Doodle 4 Google scholarship is open to students from Kindergarten through grade 12. Students must be U.S. citizens, and each participant may only submit one doodle.