Easy Scholarships for High School Seniors
Before you know it, thousands of high school seniors will be graduating and getting ready to start their next big adventure – college. That also means that admission deposits and tuition bills are right around the corner. If you’re one of those scrambling to find money to help with those upcoming college costs next year, we’ve got your back. Here are 19 easy scholarships for high school seniors that you can apply to before you walk across the stage next year to accept your diploma.
Key Takeaways
There are plenty of fun and easy scholarships available throughout the year.
Be sure to search often and set aside time to apply every month.
Even fun scholarships – like the Zombie Apocalypse Scholarship – can result in big cash!
September Scholarships
Digital Marketing Scholarship
Award: $4,000 | Deadline: September 10
10x Digital is giving away a $4,000 scholarship to a high school senior or undergraduate who is pursuing a business, tech, marketing, or communications degree. Students must plan on taking at least 10 credit hours.
Shout It Out Scholarship
Award: $1,500 | Deadline: September 30
This annual award from Unigo is open to students 14 years or older who are legal U.S. residents and plan to enroll in college. Simply submit an essay (250 words or fewer) addressing the following prompt: “If you could say one thing to the entire world at once, what would it be and why?”
October Scholarships
Voice of Democracy Scholarship
Award: $35,000 | Deadline: October 31
The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) provides several scholarships through its Voice of Democracy program. Open to high school students, awards range from $1,000 to $21,000, as well as a first-place national award valued at $35,000. Students must submit an audio-essay addressing the current year’s topic and an entry form to their local VFW.
Zombie Apocalypse Scholarship
Award: $2,000 | Deadline: October 31
This fun scholarship launched during the inaugural season of The Walking Dead, and it’s still one of our favorites! To win, just explain what five items you would use to survive a zombie outbreak on your school campus. U.S. students 14 and older are eligible to apply.
November Scholarships
Point Foundation Flagship Scholarship
Award: Varies | Deadline: November 20
High school seniors and older who are enrolled full-time (or planning to enroll) in an accredited, not-for-profit college and seeking a degree may apply for this need-based scholarship. Award amounts vary and are renewable for up to four (4) years. The application opens in September.
SmarterCollege Scholarship
Award: $2,000 | Deadline: November 30
Open to U.S. residents who are 17 years or older at the time of application. Limited to one application per month. Yes! This award is offered every month, not just in November. Complete the application online. Monthly winners are selected at random.
Education Matters Scholarship
Award: $5,000 | Deadline: November 30
This award is for U.S. students who are 14 and older. To apply, submit an essay (250 words or less) explaining what you would tell someone who doesn’t think that education matters and college is a waste of time.
December Scholarships
Too Cool to Pay For School Scholarship
Award: $1,000 | Deadline: December 31
This scholarship contest is open to U.S. residents, DACA and undocumented students, as well as international students studying in the United States. The scholarship prize is awarded directly to the winner and not the school. To enter, complete the online form and cross your fingers. One random winner is selected each quarter.
AvaCare Medical Scholarship
Award: $1,000 | Deadline: December 15
The AvaCare Medical Scholarship is open to high school seniors and college students with a GPA of at least 3.0 or higher. Must be planning a career in the medical field. Students may submit an essay (up to 350 words), a video (90 seconds or less), or an image that describes an act of kindness that inspired them.
January Scholarships
Live Más Scholarship
Award: Varies | Deadline: January 6
Taco Bell sponsors this annual video competition that has awarded more than $8 million in scholarships to U.S. students between the ages of 16 and 26. Scholarships range in value from $5,000 up to $25,000 each. Scholarships are renewable for up to three additional years.
I Have a Dream Scholarship
Award: $1,500 | Deadline: January 31
This annual award from Unigo is open to students 14 years or older who are legal U.S. residents and plan to enroll in college. Simply submit a short essay (250 words or less) depicting one of your dreams; funny, scary, or serious – it’s entirely up to you!
February Scholarships
Vegetarian Resource Group Scholarship
Award: Varies | Deadline: February 20
The Vegetarian Resource Group offers six $5,000 scholarships and one $10,000 scholarship annually to graduating high school seniors who have promoted vegetarianism in their schools.
High School Poster Scholarship
Award: $1,000 | Deadline: February 12
Open to U.S. high school students, this contest asks applicants to submit a poster addressing the current year’s prompt. There are up to eight (8) prizes ranging between $100 (honorable mention) and $1,000 (first place).
March Scholarships
DNA Day Essay Contest
Award: Varies | Deadline: March 5
Open to high school students worldwide, this essay contest offers awards ranging from $100 to $1,000 each. A total of 13 prizes are available. Applicants must submit an essay addressing the topic on the scholarship provider’s website.
Superpower Scholarship
Award: $2,500 | Deadline: March 31
Which superhero or villain would you want to switch places with for just one day? Submit a short essay explaining your choice, and you could win. This annual scholarship is open to students 14 and older who are legal residents of the United States.
April Scholarships
Frame My Future Scholarship
Award: Varies | Deadline: April 15
This creative contest is open to any legal U.S. resident who intends to enroll as a full-time student at a U.S. college. Students must submit an original creation (writing, photography, graphic design, mixed media, or painting) that expresses what they hope to achieve in life after college. Prizes range from $1,000 to $5,000 each.
Project Yellow Light Video Design Scholarship
Award: $8,000 | Deadline: April 1
Open to high school and college students. Applicants must submit a video warning of the dangers of using a phone while driving. There is one high school and one college winner for each category (video, billboard, and radio).
May Scholarships
My Impact Challenge
Award: Varies | Deadline: May 3
Awards valued between $1,500 and $10,000 will be awarded to high school students who are legal U.S. residents. Applicants must complete the online entry form and answer the essay question. The contest opens in October.
Fifth Month Scholarship
Award: $1,500 | Deadline: May 31
Ever wonder what’s so special about the number five? Well, if you can conjure up something compelling, it will net you a whole bunch of $5 bills (300 to be exact)! Applicants must be 14 years or older and legal residents of the United States.
FYI, your scholarship search shouldn’t end when high school does, so keep applying throughout the summer and beyond. It’s the best way to keep your student loan debt to a minimum!
