The 300 Best Scholarships for High School Students in January 2026

High school students lose nearly $3 billion in grant money every year just by not filling out the FAFSA. Leverage Bold.org's 100% free, updated, and exclusive scholarship awards to find money you have a real chance of winning. Don't miss out on funding that could pay for your degree.

Thousands of dollars in scholarship awards go unclaimed every year. Yet hundreds of high school students miss out on scholarships because they think they won't qualify. Bold.org has awarded over $30 million in direct financial aid and continues to connect students with awards that are relevant to their experiences.

Odds of Winning a Scholarship in High School

Financial aid is much more attainable than you realize. According to the Education Data Initiative, tuition aid for college is readily available:

1. $24 billion in scholarships is available to college students every year.
2. There is enough scholarship money available to give every full-time enrolled student $9,744.
3. On average, first-time undergraduates at 4-year colleges receive $15,750 in aid annually.

Whether you're trying to save up for an associate's degree or have plans to attend graduate school eventually, applying for scholarships in high school is a smart investment.

Scholarships can still be competitive; the odds of winning a private scholarship are about 1 in 8. Even so, given the amount of aid that's available—and often goes unclaimed—applying for aid is still one of the smartest steps students can take to attend college.

Here's what Bold.org offers in this guide for High School Students:

If you're looking for a way to make your scholarship search more efficient, you're in the right place. As experts in the scholarship and educational finance niche—we help hundreds of students attend college every year—we can provide tried-and-true strategies to fund your degree.

1. Exclusive scholarships for high school students and high school seniors
2. Advice on how to apply for college scholarships
3. Tips on how to win scholarship opportunities
4. Our top picks for affordable, cost-effective colleges

Don't miss out on the financial support that's already available through free aid money. Take the next step towards a college education and apply now!

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Best Scholarships for High School Students

1. Easy Scholarships

For high school students looking for a simpler route to financial aid, there are plenty of easy scholarship opportunities worth exploring. These scholarships are designed with straightforward applications to make the process less daunting.

2. Athletic Scholarships

Good grades are important, but test scores aren't the only way you can pay for college. Students with outstanding athletic ability can apply for these scholarships to turn their sports wins into financial wins. Plus, colleges may recruit high school athletes to play for collegiate teams. If you're lucky enough to be recruited, you may also receive a hefty discount on your college tuition.

3. Merit-Based Scholarships

Merit scholarships reward students with good grades. If you have a high GPA or impressive test scores, apply for merit financial assistance. These awards are given to students who have dedicated themselves wholeheartedly to their passion!

4. No-Essay High School Scholarships

The most time-consuming part of applying for financial aid opportunities is writing an essay. These scholarships don't require any kind of essay—just fill out the form and apply. Instead, donors may want to see you demonstrate financial need, academic excellence, or an interest in a certain field of study.

5. Dell Scholars Program

Current high school seniors with demonstrated financial need can apply for the Dell Scholarship. Winners will receive up to $20,000 for tuition, as well as a laptop and mentorship resources. Whether you plan to attend a lower-cost community college or have plans for graduate school, this scholarship can make a huge difference in your budget.

6. High School Senior Scholarships

Many high school scholarships are meant for seniors, although other grade levels will also find awards to apply for. These scholarships are focused on helping graduating seniors afford their college bills as they prepare to move on campus.

Best College Scholarships by Major

1. Chemistry Scholarships

If chemical reactions are your thing, apply for these college scholarships that support future chemists, pharmacists, and engineers. With highly specialized areas of study like these, you may even need to continue your studies as a graduate student. Apply for multiple scholarships at once to improve your odds of winning and build up a budget for undergraduate and graduate school.

2. Culinary Scholarships

Academic achievement is important, but so are your hobbies. Cooking might be your passion, and if so, you should have the tools to pursue it as a career. These culinary scholarships can help you pay for cooking programs at an accredited college of your choice.

3. Computer Science Scholarships

Computer science has become one of the most popular majors in recent years, and for good reason. With many of our world's services becoming digitalized, having a mind for the web can make you a very attractive candidate for many fields.

4. Finance Scholarships

Graduating high school seniors with a passion for making and managing money will want to check out these college scholarship opportunities. A degree in finance means you'll be able to become an investment banker, risk analyst, or accounting manager. These are all careers that will require more than just a high school diploma, so apply for college tuition aid now.

Scholarships for the Most Expensive Types of Higher Education

1. Law School Scholarships

Planning for law school means financial aid for both undergraduate and graduate students. Apply for pre-law and law school scholarships to build up a budget and prevent yourself from accumulating debt. Even if you're just a recent high school graduate, looking ahead to what bills you'll face as a graduate student is a good idea.

2. Medical School Scholarships

Attending medical school after a four-year university program means a uniquely expensive degree. Doctoral students will likely need to apply for federal financial aid, medical school scholarships, and research grants to afford their education. Start with these scholarships for medical school students and consider other STEM or life sciences scholarships for your major, or occupation-related scholarships.

3. Graduate School Scholarships

It's not too early to start thinking about grad school, whether you're a high school freshman or in your senior year of undergraduate school. Apply for grad school scholarships to keep going on your educational journey. Grad school scholarships may be a bit more competitive than undergrad and high school scholarships; these may look for demonstrated leadership, higher minimum GPAs, and more experience in your area of study.

How to Apply for High School Scholarships

Applying for high school scholarships can feel overwhelming, but breaking it down into clear steps can make the process more manageable—whether you're a high school senior, an international student, or a minority student seeking financial support. Follow this guide to maximize your chances of securing scholarships that cater to your unique background and goals.

1. Find Scholarships Effectively

Begin your scholarship search as early as your freshman or sophomore year of high school. Use platforms to discover scholarships catered specifically to college students, high school seniors, and even students enrolled in summer programs. Be sure to filter opportunities based on eligibility, such as GPA, standardized test scores, extracurriculars, or demographic-specific criteria.

Make sure to consider these avenues to help you find scholarships:

1. High school counselors: Some high schools have scholarships that are awarded annually to current students. Ask around and see if there are any exclusive and local scholarships for your school.
2. College or university financial aid offices: Similarly, some scholarships' eligibility requirements may include attending a specific college or university. In that case, be sure to apply, as anyone who doesn't attend your school can't apply. This will limit your competition drastically.
3. Online scholarship platforms: In your quest to pay for your bachelor's degree, leave no stone unturned. Online scholarship platforms provide you with the easiest way to access a large volume of scholarships, though they will be more competitive.
4. Extracurricular or organizational scholarships: High school and undergraduate students who are involved in clubs can apply for club-specific scholarships. This also applies if you're a volunteer for a local organization or part of a sports team. Ask your advisor, superior, or coach if your activity has scholarships available.

2. Stay Organized and Track Scholarship Deadlines

Each scholarship has a specific deadline, and missing it could mean missing out on free college money. Create a spreadsheet or use a digital calendar to track application dates, required documents, and essay prompts. Prioritize scholarships that cater to your strengths, identity, or academic interests, such as awards for minority students, students involved in summer programs, or those with strong standardized test scores.

3. Personalize Your Applications

When applying, tailor each application to the scholarship’s mission. Whether you're applying as a high school senior aiming for STEM, an international student pursuing the arts, or a first-generation college applicant, highlight how your goals align with the scholarship provider’s values. Strong essays, letters of recommendation, and a polished resume can help you stand out.

Ask a professor or advisor who knows you personally and understands the meaningful impact you'll have on society to write your recommendation letter. Someone who's able to demonstrate both why you're a good candidate for award money and how you'll contribute positively in the future is ideal.

4. Apply to Many Scholarships, Frequently

The more scholarships you apply to, the greater your chances of receiving aid. Some scholarships cater to niche interests or specific communities, so don’t overlook smaller awards—they can add up and help reduce the financial burden of college.

The award amounts for each scholarship vary drastically. Annual scholarships may have higher dollar amounts, while non-renewable scholarships from smaller donors may be just a few hundred dollars. Either way, apply to anything you're eligible for.

Tips for Applying for High School Scholarships

1. Start Early

Begin researching scholarships as early as your freshman year in high school. This allows ample time to understand the requirements and deadlines. Make sure not to miss priority deadlines, as submitting applications early can help boost your chances with any available scholarships.

2. Complete the FAFSA

Filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is crucial, as it's often a prerequisite for state-funded scholarships and grants. Many public schools also determine acceptance package scholarship amounts based on the FAFSA.

3. Seek Guidance from School Counselors

High school counselors can provide valuable information about state-specific scholarships and grants, as well as application processes and deadlines. Oftentimes, there are scholarships only available within a university system, so ask your financial aid office about school-exclusive opportunities.

4. Review and Revise Applications

Before submitting any scholarship application, review all materials carefully. Only students who demonstrate effort in their applications will have a chance of winning, so double-check the scholarship description for hints on what the donor wants to see from you.

Other students who aren't as meticulous may be qualified for the award but miss out due to simple mistakes in their applications. Ensure essays are well-written and free of errors and that all application components meet the program's requirements.

Additional Resources for High School Seniors and Students

1. National Merit Scholarship Program

The National Merit Scholarship Program rewards students with outstanding PSAT and SAT scores. The process is competitive and has many tiers, including commended students, semifinalists, finalists, and finally, scholars.

Only those who are deemed outstanding students receive National Merit Scholarships, but commended students and finalists still benefit by reporting their status on college applications. Any eligible students should apply for a chance to win.

2. Fulbright Program

This international educational exchange program, sponsored by the U.S. government, is designed to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and those of other countries. It offers scholarships for U.S. citizens to study, conduct research, and teach abroad, as well as for non-U.S. citizens to do the same in the United States. As it takes academic performance into account, it can be considered a merit scholarship program, though it's far more comprehensive than the average scholarship.

3. Hispanic Scholarship Fund

This high school scholarship for Latina and Latino students funds a significant portion of the bills associated with a post-secondary education. Hispanic students who demonstrate outstanding academic achievement and intent to enroll in an accredited college can apply for financial assistance from the HSF fund.

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