Don’t Let Cost Hold You Back: Explore Scholarship Options

Scholarships are one of the best ways to finance your college education. Unlike loans, this debt-free option doesn’t require repayment. Scholarships generally fall into two categories: need- and merit-based.

Need-based scholarships are awarded based on your family’s financial need, often calculated based on the information you provide on financial aid forms such as the FAFSA and the CSS Profile. Merit-based scholarships are based on academic or other achievements and may or may not be need-based.

Individual colleges and organizations like the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation and the National Merit Scholarship Corporation award scholarships. Many colleges automatically consider applicants for their institutional scholarships. External scholarships, on the other hand, usually require a separate application. These scholarships have specific requirements. Some are targeted toward specific demographics or students from particular backgrounds. Some have great flexibility, allowing you to use the funds at any school, while others have strict limits.

External scholarships range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars. These scholarships might be good for one year, whereas others may invite you to renew over the course of your studies. Applications might include a quick and easy form, while others require a scholarship application essay.

Feeling a little overwhelmed? No worries! Let’s review a few common types of scholarships and examples of each.

Academic scholarships

Academic scholarships are the most common type of merit scholarship and are based primarily on academic record, although some may have additional requirements.

• Coca-Cola Scholars Program Scholarship: Offers $20,000 scholarships each year to 120 outstanding students with demonstrated achievements in leadership, academics, and service.
• National Merit Scholarship Program: Offers $2,500 scholarships to finalists entering the competition by taking the PSAT/NMSQT.
• Paul Tsongas Scholarship: Offers scholarships of varying amounts to in-state students with a minimum of 3.75 GPA and 1200 SAT score and planning to attend Massachusetts state universities.
• Cameron Impact Scholarship: Offers a four-year, full-tuition scholarship to students with a minimum 3.7 GPA and demonstrated excellence in leadership and service.

Athletic scholarships

While not all high school student-athletes will win D1 athletic scholarships, many can qualify for smaller athletic scholarships.

• Zack Zolin Scholarship Foundation: Offers $500 - $2,000 scholarships to collegiate student-athletes.
• Varsity Athletics Scholarship of the Pride Foundation: Offers scholarships of varying amounts to LGBTQ+ students playing collegiate varsity-level sports in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, or Washington.
• MHSAA Scholar-Athlete Scholarship: Offers $2,000 scholarships to student leaders who have earned a varsity letter in a Michigan High School Athletic Association-sponsored sport.
• BBB Ethical Athlete Scholarship: Offers $1,000 - $2,500 scholarships to students who have participated in AIA-sanctioned sports and displayed ethical and positive behavior.

Field-specific scholarships

If you already know what you want to study in college, look for scholarships specifically for your major. Many organizations offer scholarships promoting the study of a specific field.

• AIAA Lockheed Martin Marillyn Hewson Scholarship: Offers one $10,000 scholarship to a female high school student interested in aerospace and pursuing a degree in engineering or another related field.
• Doris Gregory Memorial Scholarship: Offers $1,000 scholarships to residents of New Mexico planning to pursue a degree in journalism or another related field at an in-state college or university.
• CBC Spouses Performing and Visual Arts Scholarship: Offers $5,000 scholarships to Black students pursuing a visual arts degree.
• Dr. Aura-Lee A. and James Hobbs Pittenger American History Scholarship: Offers one $2,000 scholarship that can be renewed annually over four years to a student pursuing a degree in American History/Government.

Diversity scholarships

Diversity scholarships target students of a specific ethnicity, gender, background, or other identity. Some are general and apply to students studying various topics, whereas others are field-specific or even school-specific.

• Hispanic Scholarship Fund: Offers scholarships between $500 - $5,000 to Hispanic students.
• USPAACC College Scholarship: Offers scholarships between $3,000 - $5,000 to APIDA students (East, South, Southeast Asian, or Pacific Island heritage).
• Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholarship: Offers a scholarship of up to $35,000 to minority students attending a JRF-approved four-year college or university.
• MPOWER Women in STEM Scholarship: Offers scholarships between $1,000 - $6,000 to female international/DACA students pursuing a STEM degree.

Community involvement scholarships

Many scholarships recognize students actively working to better their communities. Some community involvement scholarships may have a specific focus, while others may be location-specific.

• Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes: Offers $10,000 scholarships to students involved in an inspiring service project.
• Diller Teen Tikkun Olam Awards: Offers $36,000 scholarships to Jewish students leading a project or initiative benefitting the Jewish or general community.
• BAFTX Community Service Award: Offers $5,000 scholarships to low-income students in Texas or the UK who have led a community service project.
• Youthlinc Utah Young Humanitarian Award: Offers scholarships ranging from $1,500 to $7,500 to high school students in Utah who have performed outstanding humanitarian service.

Project or essay-based scholarships

Some scholarships are awarded based on an original work, like an essay, research project, or another type of creation. 

• U.S. Stockholm Junior Water Prize: Offers a $10,000 scholarship to a student who has completed an outstanding water-related research project. 
• Doodle for Google: Offers a $55,000 scholarship to a student who crafts an original doodle, along with five $5,000 scholarships offered to national finalists.
• Regions Riding Forward Scholarship Contest: Offers $8,000 scholarships each quarter to students who submit a written or video essay about an individual who has inspired them.
• Davidson Fellows Scholarship: Offers scholarships ranging from $25,000 to $100,000 to students who have created an exceptionally meaningful or significant work.

Local scholarships

These scholarships are dedicated to providing financial support to local students. Applications can be state- or county-specific, and many require students to attend college in-state. 

• Henry O. Peabody Scholarship Program: Offers renewable scholarships between $1,000 - $5,000 to women in Norfolk County, Massachusetts.
• Roy F. and Joann Cole Mitte Foundation Scholarship Program: Offers renewable scholarships of $10,000 to four-year institutions and $5,000 to two-year institutions to Region 13 Texas residents.
• Gary S. Wilmer/RAMI Music Scholarship: Offers scholarships of varying amounts to residents of Boone, Ogle, or Winnebago counties in Illinois pursuing a music degree.
• PG&E Better Together STEM Scholarships: Offers scholarships between $2,500 - $10,000 to California residents (and customers) pursuing a STEM degree in-state.

National scholarships

National scholarships are available to students all over the country. Eligibility varies by scholarship, though most are offered to students with strong academic records.

• QuestBridge National College Match: Offers full four-year scholarships to high-achieving, low-income students who are matched with a participating college or university.
• Burger King Scholars Program: Offers scholarships between $1,000 - $60,000 to low-income students based on their financial need and achievements in academics, service, and extracurriculars.
• Equitable Excellence Scholarship: Offers $5,000 scholarships that can be renewed annually over four years to students who have been a force for good in their community.
• Hilton Cares Scholarship Program: Offers scholarships of up to $5,000 to students interested in hospitality and other fields.

Where to look for scholarships

This list is just a small sample of the thousands of available scholarships representing more than $1 billion in financial aid annually. The best part? Finding scholarships isn’t as difficult as you might think. Here are a few online resources to help kickstart your scholarship search.

• College Board’s Scholarship Search database includes thousands of scholarship opportunities.
• Going Merry can help you find everything from state-specific scholarships to national scholarships.
• Scholarship America administers scholarships from hundreds of organizations nationwide.
• For more targeted opportunities, check out CollegeAdvisor’s list of 42 scholarships for high school juniors and TeenLife’s list of scholarships for Hispanic students and the performing & visual arts. 

Want more tips and insights? Check out our full Guide to College Admissions here.