50 Best Scholarships for High School Seniors: Earn up to $449,123!

Are you afraid of student loans? I was too! 

I’ve compiled a list of the 50 best scholarships for high school seniors to make it easy for you. These scholarships total $449,123!

I ranked the scholarships from highest to lowest payouts. So I recommend starting at the top and working your way down. Personally, I was lucky enough to secure $50,000 worth of scholarships for my college education.

The best scholarships for seniors in high school are the Niche $25,000 “No Essay” Scholarship and BigFuture Scholarships. I’ll explain exactly how to qualify for these scholarships and many more in just a moment!

Avoid falling into the trap of paying off debt for the next 20 years. 

Best 50 Scholarships for High School Seniors

One of the best ways to pay for college is with scholarships. Here’s a list of the best scholarships for seniors in high school: 

1. Annual Sphinx Competition

Amount: $50,000

Deadline: October 23, 2023 (check back for 2024 dates!)

Eligibility Details: Black and Latinx classical string players in the US who play the violin, viola, cello, or double bass.

2. $40,000 BigFuture Scholarships

Amount: $500 to $40,000

Deadline: February 29, 2024

Eligibility Details: All class of 2024 students who attend high school or home school in the US. 

3. Ron Brown Scholarship

Amount: $40,000

Deadline: December 1, 2023 (check back for 2024 dates!)

Eligibility Details: Black/African American high school seniors who are US citizens planning to attend an accredited four-year college or university. 

4. Voice of Democracy Scholarship 

Amount: $35,000

Deadline: October 31, 2024

Eligibility Details: High school students in grades 9-12 in the US (do not need to be US citizen, but must be lawful permanent resident). 

5. Isaac Yunhu Lee Memorial Arts Scholarship

Amount: $25,650

Deadline: April 9, 2024

Eligibility Details: Any high school junior, senior, or undergraduate student from a low-income background pursuing a degree in the arts. 

6. $25,000 “Be Bold” No-Essay Scholarship

Amount: $25,015

Deadline: February 1, 2024

Eligibility Details: Students who exhibit the boldest (earnest, determined, moving) profile. Must not be related to employees of Bold.org. 

7. Niche $25,000 “No Essay” Scholarship

Amount: $25,000

Deadline: February 29, 2024

Eligibility Details: All US high school students looking to attend college next year.

8. The Coca-Cola Scholars Program

Amount: $20,000

Deadline: October 31, 2023 (check back for 2024 dates!)

Eligibility Details: High school seniors in the US with a minimum 3.0 GPA overall. Must not be related to employees of Coca-Cola Company. 

9. Martin Simutis Memorial Scholarship

Amount: $20,000

Deadline: June 5, 2024

Eligibility Details: Any high school, undergraduate, trade school, or graduate students of Lithuanian heritage. 

10. Trees for Tuition Scholarship Fund

Amount: $20,000

Deadline: June 1, 2024

Eligibility Details: High school senior or undergraduate students in Georgia (Atlanta preferred). 

11. Ryan Yebba Memorial Mental Health Scholarship

Amount: $18,450

Deadline: May 10, 2024

Eligibility Details: Any US high school junior or senior in the mental health field of study. 

12. $10,000 CollegeXpress Scholarship

Amount: $10,000

Deadline: May 1, 2024

Eligibility Details: Anyone over the age of 13, who signed up for a free CollegeXpress profile. Must be planning to attend a college on the CollegeXpress member list for the first time, the fall term after application is submitted. 

13. Cat Zingano Overcoming Loss Scholarship

Amount: $10,000

Deadline: July 20, 2024

Eligibility Details: Any student who has experienced the loss of a close family member, legal guardian or loved one. 

14. James Lynn Baker II #BeACoffeeBean Scholarship

Amount: $10,000

Deadline: March 29, 2024

Eligibility Details: Any African American, first-generation high school or undergraduate student from Texas. Volunteer experience is preferred.

15. Heisman High School Scholarship

Amount: $1,000 to $10,000

Deadline: October 17, 2024

Eligibility Details: High school students with a minimum cumulative, weighted GPA of 3.0 who participated in a sport recognized by the International Olympic Committee in the Summer and Winter Olympic Games, the Paralympic Games, or the National Federation of State High School Association.

16. JFK Profile in Courage Essay Contest 

Amount: $100 to $10,000

Deadline: January 12, 2024

Eligibility Details: All high school students enrolled in grades 9 – 12 living in the US can apply. Must not be related to employees of John Hancock Financial services. 

17. Sandra West ALS Foundation Scholarship

Amount: $5,358

Deadline: May 31, 2024

Eligibility Details: Current or prospective college student who is a child of a parent with ALS and whose family is facing financial hardship.

18. Ryan T. Herich Memorial Scholarship

Amount: $5,000

Deadline: April 15, 2024

Eligibility Details: High school senior or undergraduate student majoring in political science, cultural anthropology, geography, or history.

19. Geraldine Polly Bednash Scholarships

Amount: $5,000

Deadline: January 31, 2024

Eligibility Details: Students residing in the US with a GPA of 3.2 and higher who are enrolled in or admitted to an AACN baccalaureate nursing program. 

20. Morgan Levine Dolan Community Service Scholarship

Amount: $5,000

Deadline: May 18, 2024

Eligibility Details: High school senior or undergraduate student from New York, Connecticut, New Jersey, or Pennsylvania with experience in volunteering or sports. 

21. Lyndsey Scott Coding+ Scholarship

Amount: $5,000

Deadline: January 15, 2024

Eligibility Details: High school senior or undergraduate student majoring in computer science who identifies as LGBTQIA+, Women, and/or BIPOC (Black, indigenous, and people of color).

22. Joieful Connections Scholarship

Amount: $5,000

Deadline: March 21, 2024

Eligibility Details: Any high school student with a developmental and/or intellectual disability. 

23. Law Family Single Parent Scholarship

Amount: $5,000

Deadline: April 11, 2024

Eligibility Details: Any single parent pursuing their education, but minority students from Kentucky are preferred. 

24. Jiang Amel STEM Scholarship

Amount: $4,000

Deadline: March 15, 2024

Eligibility Details: High school seniors pursuing a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). 

25. Environmental Stewardship Award

Amount: $3,000

Deadline: April 20, 2024

Eligibility Details: High school seniors with a minimum 3.0 GPA or undergraduate students with a minimum 2.8 GPA majoring in environmental science or a related field. 

26. Denny’s Hungry for Education Scholarships

Amount: $1,000 to $3,000

Deadline: Varies

Eligibility Details: High school students under age 18 with a GPA of at least 2.5.

27. Chris Ford Scholarship

Amount: $2,750

Deadline: April 22, 2024

Eligibility Details: Black high school seniors with a GPA of 3.0 or higher majoring in business.

28. ExtremeTerrain’s Student Scholarships

Amount: $2,500

Deadline: October 15, 2024

Eligibility Details: High school seniors in the US pursuing a degree in environmental studies, biology, or related fields. 

29. Rover Scholarship

Amount: $2,500

Deadline: May 1, 2024

Eligibility Details: US student residents with a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Must not be related to Rover staff. 

30. Redefining Victory Scholarship

Amount: $2,500

Deadline: April 27, 2024

Eligibility Details: Any students. 

31. ACFEF Scholarships

Amount: $1,500 to $2,500

Deadline: April 30, 2024

Eligibility Details: High school students planning to study culinary arts.

32. RonranGlee Literary Scholarship

Amount: $2,000

Deadline: April 22, 2024

Eligibility Details: Any high school senior or undergraduate student. 

33. GoSkills Scholarship

Amount: $2,000

Deadline: March 15, 2024

Eligibility Details: Female high school or college students looking to start their own online business.

34. Home Depot Foundation’s Path to Pro Scholarship

Amount: $2,000

Deadline: March 31, 2024

Eligibility Details: High school seniors who plan to study carpentry, electrical, HVAC, construction management, or plumbing at an accredited two-year technical school. Must not be an employee or dependent of a Home Depot employee. 

35. Getting Real About Distracted Driving Scholarship

Amount: $1,500

Deadline: December 31, 2024

Eligibility Details: Undergraduate students who are citizens of the USA or Canada.

36. Skin Grip Diabetes Scholarship

Amount: $1,350

Deadline: February 5, 2024 

Eligibility Details: Any high school senior or undergraduate student with diabetes. 

37. Jose Montanez Memorial Scholarship

Amount: $1,300

Deadline: April 15, 2024

Eligibility Details: High school seniors in the US who plan to attend an undergraduate or trade school. Preference for students from foster care who are interested in studying music or arts. 

38. $1,000 ScholarshipPoints Scholarship Program

Amount: $1,000

Deadline: February 1, 2024

Eligibility Details: Must be a US citizen or permanent resident over the age of 13, already attending or planning to attend college.

39. Smart Owl No-Essay Scholarship

Amount: $1,000

Deadline: January 29, 2024

Eligibility Details: Must be 16 years old and enrolled in high school or college in the US. Rhode Island and Michigan residents are not eligible. 

40. Allied.com Military Scholarship Competition

Amount: $1,000

Deadline: December 15, 2024

Eligibility Details: Students in the US who plan to enroll full-time to an accredited college or university to complete a degree in logistics or a related field. Must also be a child of a current military service member or an honorably discharged veteran. 

41. ServiceScape Scholarship

Amount: $1,000

Deadline: November 30, 2024

Eligibility Details: Students over the age of 13 who will attend or currently attend an accredited college, university, or trade school. 

42. Medical Scrubs Collection Scholarship

Amount: $1,000

Deadline: December 15, 2024

Eligibility Details: High school seniors in the US with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 and who are planning to study nursing, dentistry, medicine, or a related field.

43. North American Van Lines Logistics Scholarship Competition

Amount: $1,000

Deadline: December 15, 2024

Eligibility Details: Students in the US who plan to enroll full-time to an accredited college or university to complete a degree in logistics or a related field. Must not be an immediate relative of a North American Van Lines employee. 

44. Gen and Kelly Tanabe Scholarship

Amount: $1,000

Deadline: July 31, 2024

Eligibility Details: Legal US residents in 9th-12th grade high school, college, or graduate students, including adult students.

45. Mental Health Importance Scholarship

Amount: $1,000

Deadline: November 1, 2024

Eligibility Details: Any US high school senior or undergraduate student that’s passionate about mental health.

46. Amber Joy Lillian Women in Business Scholarship

Amount: $1,000

Deadline: January 1, 2024

Eligibility Details: Female high school seniors living in Pennsylvania who plan to pursue a major in business.

47. Trudgers Fund

Amount: $1,000

Deadline: April 12, 2024

Eligibility Details: High school seniors or undergraduate students who struggled with addiction, but are currently sober.

48. Spirit of West Virginia Scholarship

Amount: $750

Deadline: March 15, 2024

Eligibility Details: High school seniors who attend school in West Virginia, USA. 

49. Carl’s Music Matter Scholarship

Amount: $500

Deadline: February 20, 2024

Eligibility Details: High school seniors aspiring to become musicians. 

50. Desiree Jeana Wapples for Young Women

Amount: $500

Deadline: April 12, 2024

Eligibility Details: Female high school seniors who attend school in Virginia and have a GPA of 3.0 or higher. 

Commonly Asked Questions About Scholarships for High School Seniors

Scholarships for High School Seniors 2024

The best scholarships for seniors in high school in 2024 are the $25,000 “Be Bold” No-Essay Scholarship and BigFuture Scholarships. You can win up to $40,000. Plus, the application process is simple and straightforward. 

Local Scholarships for High School Seniors

The best way to find local scholarships is to head to your school guidance counselor’s office and ask about any scholarships in your area. Your guidance counselor will give you a list of nearby scholarships along with application deadlines and eligibility details.

College Scholarships for Juniors in High School

It’s never too early to apply for college scholarships. So if you’re a high school junior, apply for the Voice of Democracy Scholarship. The deadline is October 31, 2024. You can win up to $35,000! 

Where Can I Find Scholarships to Apply for?

The easiest way to find scholarships is to sign up for a tool like Scholly. In this article we answer the question, “Is Scholly legit?” Scholly offers a searchable database that allows you to apply within minutes. If you’re looking for a free method, visit your school’s guidance counselor and they’ll provide you with a list of scholarships.

What is a Scholarship? 

A scholarship is a type of financial aid students receive to further their studies. Unlike loans, you don’t have to pay scholarships back. Institutions award scholarships based on academic achievements, diversity, athletic skills, and various other skills. 

What is the Easiest Scholarship to Get?

The easiest scholarship for high school seniors to qualify for is the BigFuture Scholarship. There’s no minimum GPA score or citizenship requirements. The award goes as high as $40,000. The BigFuture Scholarship deadline is February 29, 2024.

Are No Essay Scholarships Worth It?

Yes, no essay scholarships are worth it! It’s a super easy (and fast) way to earn scholarship money for minimal effort. They do tend to be more competitive, however take advantage of the quick application process and apply to as many as possible to increase your chances. 

Is Tallo Legit?

Tallo is a legit company. It connects students with $20 billion worth of scholarships. To get started, head to the Tallo website and sign up for a free account. The best part is that Tallo is for everyone, regardless of GPA.

How Many Scholarships Should I Apply for?

You should apply for as many scholarships as you can. Thousands of scholarships for high school seniors are available online, so consider setting 15 to 30 minutes aside each day to apply. This means you’re applying for around three to seven scholarships per week. Worth it to avoid student loan debt!

No Essay Scholarships for High School Seniors

The best no essay scholarship for high school seniors is the Niche “No Essay” Scholarship. Apply for your chance to win up to $25,000!

Scholarships for Female High School Seniors

Female high school seniors should apply for the GoSkills Scholarship. It’s only open to female students and you can win up to $2,000!