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You're a high school senior and college is on your mind. As everyone begins to talk about their college choices, you begin to think about one important question:
How am I going to pay for this?
The answer to your question may involve one of the best ways to fund your college education: scholarships for high school seniors.
Learn how to start funding your college experience while in your final year of high school!
Did you know?
One scholarship can't cover the entire cost of your college career. However, you can always apply for more than one scholarship or other financial aid options to reduce your total cost.
What Is a Scholarship?
A scholarship is a form of financial aid that is awarded to a student based on certain qualities that a student meets. It doesn't need to be paid back. The money awarded through a scholarship can be used for tuition, room and board, supplies, books, and more!
This is money that is available for you to use for your college education. There are lots of scholarships for high school seniors out there, but you need to know the different types and what you qualify for.
Did you know?
There are lots of scholarships that can be found for high school seniors only!Be sure to check your eligibility and requirements for those you are interested in.
Different Types of Scholarships
Merit-based Scholarships
These scholarships are based on different criteria, such as athletics, academics, hobbies, community service,and career interests.
Examples:
Concrete Rose Scholarship Award
Need-based Scholarships
These scholarships are awarded based on financial need, which is usually determined by your family's yearly income (usually less than $150,000).
Examples:
Most scholarships for high school seniors will require a personal statement or essay as part of the application, especially scholarships that are based on writing.
However, there are options for scholarships that don't require writing, known generally as, "no essay" scholarships. Keep in mind that you still have to fill out an application form for any type of scholarship.
Quiz
What can help you get a merit-based scholarship? Select all that apply:
Merit-based scholarships look at a variety of criteria when making their scholarship award decisions. These include athletics, academics, community service, etc. Needs-based scholarships are solely based on financial need.
What Scholarships Apply to YOU?
While there are lots of scholarships for high school seniors available, you don't want to apply for a scholarship that doesn't represent you.
For this, you have to reflect on who you are as a person and as a student! Ask yourself the following questions:
What is my favorite subject in school?
What are my hobbies?
What do I plan on studying in college?
How were/are my grades in my classes?
Let's take a look at two students to see their scholarship options:
Jake
Jake is a high school senior who's been taking art classes since his freshman year of high school. Outside of school, he paints murals around town and volunteers as an art teacher for younger kids on the weekend.
Scholarship options: Jake should look for scholarships for high school seniors that have an art focus. He could also look for scholarships that require an art piece submission so that he can show off his work!
Marla
Marla is a high school senior who is on the volleyball team. She has won 2 Player of the Year awards, and 4 Scholar-Athlete awards (one for each year that she's been on the team). She wants to continue her volleyball career in college but needs help finding the money.
Scholarship options: Marla should keep an eye out for scholarships high school seniors who have excelled in academics while on a sports team. She can also look for scholarships specific to volleyball.
Quiz
Katie is a high school senior and has maintained a 4.0 grade point average (GPA) for her entire high school career. She has volunteered to tutor her classmates and is a teacher's assistant. What scholarships should she apply for? Select all that apply:
Katie should search for academic-based scholarships due to her high grade point average (GPA). She also could apply for community service scholarships, since she is active in that area.
Where To Find Scholarships
Now that you know about the different types of scholarships, it's time to start your search!
You can find scholarships for high school seniors through:
Online scholarship hubs (listed below)
Your school's college/guidance counselor
College websites
Check out these online scholarship hubs below:
Take Action
This Byte has been authored by
Marciela Saunders Bibbins
Secondary Education Social Studies Teacher