Scholarships for High School Seniors
245 scholarships · Updated November 2026
Senior year is when most private scholarships open to you. This page lists awards that accept graduating high school seniors, from national programs to state and local awards, sorted by deadline.
Deadlines run from early fall through spring. Several large national programs close in September and October, while community foundations and local groups open around January and close by March or April. Build a calendar early, reuse your strongest essays and ask for recommendation letters at least a month before they're due. File the FAFSA in the fall too, since many sponsors ask for it.
Jefferson Scholarship
Offered by Jefferson Scholars Foundation (University of Virginia)
Robertson Scholars Leadership Program Last Chance
Offered by Robertson Scholars Leadership Program (Duke University and UNC-Chapel Hill)
Jack Kent Cooke College Scholarship Program Last Chance
Offered by Jack Kent Cooke Foundation
Miguel A. Loya Scholarship (UTEP)
Offered by The University of Texas at El Paso, Miguel A. Loya College of Engineering
SFM Foundation Scholarship (Kids' Chance of Minnesota and Iowa)
Offered by SFM Foundation
NESA Eagle Scout Scholarships Opening Soon
Offered by National Eagle Scout Association (Scouting America)
Ron Brown Scholar Program
Offered by Ron Brown Scholar Fund / CAP Charitable Foundation
GE-Reagan Foundation Scholarship Program
Offered by Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation
Farm Credit Foundation for Agricultural Advancement Scholarship
Offered by Farm Credit Foundation for Agricultural Advancement (Horizon Farm Credit)
Rochester Area Community Foundation Scholarships Opening Soon
Offered by Rochester Area Community Foundation
Christian Missionary Scholarship Foundation Scholarship
Offered by Christian Missionary Scholarship Foundation
Distinguished Young Women Scholarship Program
Offered by Distinguished Young Women (America's Junior Miss)
Scholarship Foundation of Indian River County
Offered by Scholarship Foundation of Indian River County
FIRST Scholarship Program
Offered by FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology)
Equitable Excellence Scholarship
Offered by Equitable Foundation (administered by Scholarship America)
Governors' Scholarship for Foster Youth Opening Soon
Offered by College Success Foundation
William C. Doherty Scholarship Fund
Offered by National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC)
Barbara Lotze Scholarship for Future Physics Teachers
Offered by American Association of Physics Teachers
EAA Aviation Foundation Flight Training Scholarships
Offered by EAA Aviation Foundation (Experimental Aircraft Association)
AOPA High School Flight Training Scholarship
Offered by AOPA Foundation (Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association)
WREC Educational Foundation Scholarship
Offered by Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative
California-Hawaii Elks Undergraduate Scholarship Program for Students with Disabilities Opening Soon
Offered by California-Hawaii Elks Major Project, Inc.
SPIE Optics and Photonics Scholarships
Offered by SPIE, the international society for optics and photonics
Collaboratory Scholarships (Southwest Florida)
Offered by Collaboratory (formerly Southwest Florida Community Foundation)
WoodmenLife Focus Forward Scholarship
Offered by WoodmenLife (Woodmen of the World Life Insurance Society)
Northwestern Mutual Childhood Cancer Sibling Scholarship Opening Soon
Offered by Northwestern Mutual Foundation
Northwestern Mutual Childhood Cancer Survivor Scholarship Opening Soon
Offered by Northwestern Mutual Foundation
Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee Scholarships Opening Soon
Offered by Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee
W.H. "Howie" McClennan Scholarship
Offered by International Association of Fire Fighters
CICF Scholarship Collaborative Application
Offered by Central Indiana Community Foundation / The Indianapolis Foundation
PCCA Scholarship Program Opening Soon
Offered by PCCA Education & Research Foundation (Power & Communication Contractors Association)
Washington CPA Foundation Accounting Scholarships
Offered by Washington CPA Foundation (Washington Society of CPAs)
Greater Worcester Community Foundation Scholarships Opening Soon
Offered by Greater Worcester Community Foundation
Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region Scholarships Opening Soon
Offered by Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region
Hampton Roads Community Foundation Scholarships Opening Soon
Offered by Hampton Roads Community Foundation
Create-A-Greeting-Card Scholarship Contest
Offered by The Gallery Collection (Prudent Publishing Co.)
Dr. Aura-Lee A. and James Hobbs Pittenger American History Scholarship
Offered by National Society Daughters of the American Revolution
Robert G. Porter Scholars Program Opening Soon
Offered by American Federation of Teachers (AFT)
San Antonio Area Foundation Common Scholarship Application Opening Soon
Offered by San Antonio Area Foundation
UNICO Foundation Undergraduate Awards (Gentile, Miele, Davini, Mazza) Opening Soon
Offered by UNICO Foundation (UNICO National)
Kids' Chance of Louisiana Scholarship Opening Soon
Offered by Kids' Chance of Louisiana (Louisiana Bar Foundation)
AFFCF Foster Care Scholarship Program
Offered by Arizona Friends of Foster Children Foundation (AFFCF)
First Tech Federal Credit Union STEM Scholarship Opening Soon
Offered by First Technology Federal Credit Union
Tri-County Electric Cooperative Scholarship Program (Texas)
Offered by Tri-County Electric Cooperative (Texas)
Community Foundation Santa Cruz County Scholarships
Offered by Community Foundation Santa Cruz County
BECU Foundation Scholarship Opening Soon
Offered by BECU Foundation (administered by College Success Foundation)
Community Foundation of West Texas Scholarships Opening Soon
Offered by Community Foundation of West Texas
Community Foundation of Henderson County Scholarships Opening Soon
Offered by Community Foundation of Henderson County
Community Foundation of the Rappahannock River Region Scholarships Opening Soon
Offered by The Community Foundation of the Rappahannock River Region
Grand Rapids Community Foundation Scholarships Opening Soon
Offered by Grand Rapids Community Foundation
National Catholic Committee on Scouting (NCCS) Scholarships
Offered by Catholic Scouting America – National Catholic Committee on Scouting
University of the Aftermarket Foundation Scholarships
Offered by University of the Aftermarket Foundation
CTCPA Accounting Scholarship Foundation Scholarships
Offered by Connecticut Society of CPAs Accounting Scholarship Foundation
Greater Kansas City Community Foundation Scholarships Opening Soon
Offered by Greater Kansas City Community Foundation
NFMC Michael R. Edwards Graduating Senior Performance Award
Offered by National Federation of Music Clubs
Community Foundation of Northern Illinois Scholarships
Offered by Community Foundation of Northern Illinois
NCRLA Foundation Hospitality Scholarships
Offered by North Carolina Restaurant & Lodging Association Foundation
CollegeCounts Scholarship Opening Soon
Offered by Office of the Alabama State Treasurer (CollegeCounts 529)
American Paint Horse Foundation Academic Scholarships Opening Soon
Offered by American Paint Horse Foundation
Georgia Transplant Foundation Academic Scholarship
Offered by Georgia Transplant Foundation
1891 Financial Life College Scholarship
Offered by 1891 Financial Life (formerly National Catholic Society of Foresters)
Iowa United Methodist Foundation Westmar Scholarship Opening Soon
Offered by Iowa United Methodist Foundation
Pest Management Foundation Scholarships
Offered by Pest Management Foundation (National Pest Management Association)
Wisconsin Arborist Association Arboriculture Scholarships
Offered by Wisconsin Arborist Association (ISA Wisconsin Chapter)
Alltricity Scholarship Foundation Scholarships
Offered by Alltricity Scholarship Foundation (Alltricity Network, formerly RMEL)
PMA Educational Foundation Scholarships and Tooling Awards
Offered by Precision Metalforming Association Educational Foundation (PMAEF)
James Alan Cox Foundation Student Photojournalism Scholarships Last Chance
Offered by The James Alan Cox Foundation for Student Photojournalists
Georgia Thespians Scholarships
Offered by Georgia Thespians (Georgia Chapter, Educational Theatre Association)
Berks County Community Foundation Scholarships Opening Soon
Offered by Berks County Community Foundation
NFPA Fluid Power Scholarship
Offered by NFPA Education and Technology Foundation (National Fluid Power Association)
Truman Heartland Community Foundation Scholarship Program Opening Soon
Offered by Truman Heartland Community Foundation
NBAA William M. Fanning Maintenance Scholarship
Offered by NBAA Charities (National Business Aviation Association)
Kiwanis Children's Fund Key Club Scholarships
Offered by Kiwanis Children's Fund (Kiwanis International)
MTNA Senior Performance Competitions (Brass and Voice)
Offered by Music Teachers National Association
Southeast Emmy Scholarship Program
Offered by NATAS Southeast (Southeast Chapter, National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences)
Nebraska Corn Growers Association FLAGship Program Scholarship
Offered by Nebraska Corn Growers Association
NLBRA Wrangler Academic & Performance Scholarships
Offered by National Little Britches Rodeo Association
Minnesota Credit Union Foundation Scholarship
Offered by Minnesota Credit Union Foundation (Foundation Scholarship Council)
ANA Summer Seminar Member Scholarships (Lecce, Browne & Hull) Last Chance
Offered by American Numismatic Association
ANA Young Numismatist Summer Seminar Scholarships Last Chance
Offered by American Numismatic Association
Dr. Juan Andrade Jr. Scholarship for Young Hispanic Leaders
Offered by United States Hispanic Leadership Institute (USHLI)
Wisconsin Laborers' District Council Scholarship Fund Last Chance
Offered by Wisconsin Laborers' District Council (LIUNA)
AGC of Missouri Trade Apprenticeship and Technical Education Scholarship
Offered by AGC of Missouri Education Foundation
Indiana State FOP State Lodge Scholarship Program
Offered by Indiana State Fraternal Order of Police
Scholarships for High School Seniors By The Numbers
- Jefferson Scholarship
Based on the 245 listings above. Typical award is the median top amount each sponsor publishes.
A Senior-Year Scholarship Timeline
Start in the fall with the large national programs, many of which close in September and October, and file the FAFSA as soon as it opens. Community foundations and state programs open their common applications around December and January.
Spring belongs to local awards from clubs, employers and credit unions. They pay less, but far fewer students compete for them, and many close in March or April.
Where Local Scholarships Come From
Your school counselor's office keeps the best list of local awards. Beyond that, check your community foundation, your parents' employers and unions, your bank or credit union, your place of worship, and civic clubs like Rotary, Kiwanis and the Elks.
Frequently Asked Questions
When Should High School Seniors Apply For Scholarships?
Start in the fall. Several large national programs close in September and October, and many local awards close between February and April.
Can Juniors Apply For These Scholarships?
Most awards on this page require senior status. Juniors can use this list to plan, since most programs reopen on a similar schedule each year.
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Why Trust The College Investor
The College Investor has helped millions of readers navigate paying for college and student loans since 2009. Every scholarship in our database is individually reviewed by our team before it goes live, and re-checked regularly so deadlines and links stay current.
Our Scholarship Standards
A listing here means our team checked that the award is real, currently active, and actually pays out. We won't list a scholarship that:
- Charges any kind of fee to apply
- Makes you join a paid membership, or sign up for an app or service, just to be eligible
- Has a privacy policy that would let the sponsor sell or misuse your information
- Collects essays, ideas, or contact details mainly to feed the sponsor's marketing
- Can't show a winner from the past 12 months, or offers no way to reach the sponsor
One nuance: established companies and nonprofits that run applications through their own systems may still be listed, even though creating an account there is part of applying.
Spot a listing that doesn't meet this bar? Email [email protected] and we'll review it. You can also read our editorial guidelines.