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.
September Scholarships
Pepsi Stronger Together Scholarship
Award: $25,000 | Deadline: September 21, 2022
Pepsi is giving away four (4) scholarships to students interested in the arts. To apply, you must submit either an essay (100 words or less) or a video (120 seconds or less) that describes why you deserve the money to help further your education in the arts and music.
Shout It Out Scholarship
Award: $1,500 | Deadline: September 30, 2022
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 no later than 2028. Simply submit an essay (250 words or less) addressing the following prompt: “If you could say one thing to the entire world at once, what would it be and why?”
October Scholarships
Pride in Diversity Scholarship
Award: $2,500 | Deadline: October 12, 2022
Bold.org offers this annual scholarship to members of the LGBTQ+ community who are planning to pursue a degree in science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM). To apply, you must create a profile on Bold.org and submit a short video (1-2 minutes) describing your role in the LGBTQ+ community and how this financial support will assist with your educational journey.
Zombie Apocalypse Scholarship
Award: $2,000 | Deadline: October 31, 2022
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
SmarterCollege Scholarship
Award: $2,500 | Deadline: Novenber 30, 2022
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, 2022
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, 2022
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.
Equitable Excellence Scholarship
Award: Varies | Deadline: December 17, 2022
High school seniors who plan to enroll in an accredited two- or four-year college in the U.S. are eligible to apply. Equitable provides 100 $5,000 renewable scholarships (for a total of $25,000 each), as well as 100 one-time $2,500 scholarships. An essay is required. The application opens in October.
January Scholarships
Point Foundation Scholarship
Award: Varies | Deadline: January 2023 (TBD)
The Point Foundation offers several scholarships for high school seniors who identify as members of the LGBTQ community, have a proven track record of leadership and community involvement, a strong academic background, and financial need. Scholarship awards vary in size based on each winner’s financial need. The 2022-2023 application opens on November 1, 2022.
Live Más Scholarship
Award: Varies | Deadline: January 2023 (TBD)
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 24. Scholarships range in value from $5,000 up to $25,000 each. The application opens on November 1, 2022.
I Have a Dream Scholarship
Award: $1,500 | Deadline: January 31, 2023
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 no later than 2028. 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, 2023
The Vegetarian Resource Group offers two $5,000 scholarships and one $10,000 scholarship annually to graduating high school seniors who have promoted vegetarianism in their schools.
Scholars Helping Collars Scholarship
Award: $1,500 | Deadline: February 27, 2023
Open to U.S. high school seniors, this contest is specifically for those who love to help animals. To apply, submit an essay (500 – 1,000 words) detailing your volunteer efforts with animals in need and how that experience has changed your life. Photos must also be included. The application opens on September 1, 2022.
March Scholarships
DNA Day Essay Contest
Award: Varies | Deadline: March 2023 (TBD)
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 ancestry testing topic on the scholarship provider’s website. Submissions open in early January 2023.
Superpower Scholarship
Award: $2,500 | Deadline: March 31, 2023
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 2023 (TBD)
This creative contest is open to any legal U.S. resident who will be in college during the 2023-2024 academic year. 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 $500 to $5,000 each.
We The Students Essay Contest
Award: Varies | Deadline: April 2023 (TBD)
A total of 16 scholarships (ten $500, five $1,500, and one $7,500) 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 mid-December.
The Fountainhead Essay Contest
Award: Varies | Deadline: April 27, 2023
Open to high school juniors and seniors, this writing contest from the Ayn Rand Institute offers several scholarships ranging in value from $25 to $5,000 each. Essays must be no fewer than 800 and no more than 1,600 words in length.
May Scholarships
Fifth Month Scholarship
Award: $1,500 | Deadline: May 31, 2023
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!
