5 Under the Radar Scholarships for High School Seniors

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Seniors, those admissions decisions are right around the corner. While you wait for the big day to arrive, why not work on earning a few scholarships? Those acceptance letters will feel even better with some tuition dollars in your pocket.  Here’s a fresh crop of scholarships with upcoming deadlines just for you.

Our strategy is simple: the more scholarships you enter, the better your odds. That's why we recommend you skip the massive scholarships with time-consuming application processes (unless you know you fit their niche). Instead, focus your time on local scholarship programs, small-scale scholarships that fit your specific niche, and scholarships for which you can recycle essays you've already written. Now, let's get to the good stuff: our latest round-up of under the radar scholarships for high school seniors. 

1. Church’s Community Scholars Program

Deadline: February 15, 2018

Eligibility: Current high school seniors from one of 13 states (AL, AR, AZ, FL, GA, IL, LA, MO, MS, NM, NV, TN, TX). Must have a minimum GPA of 2.7 on a 4.0 scale and be planning to enroll in college in the 2018-19 year.   

Awards: One $1000 award.

Requirements: Submit a transcript and complete the application form, which requires you to list your work experience, extracurricular activities, and honors/awards. Then, write an essay about your educational and career goals (1000 characters) and describe any unusual circumstances that have affected your academic or extracurricular achievement (1000 characters). 

2. Regions Riding Forward Scholarship Essay Contest

Deadline: February 15, 2018

Eligibility: Current high school seniors from a select list of states (AL, AR, FL, GA, IL, IN, OA, KY, LA, MS, MO, NC, SC, TN, TX). Must have a minimum GPA of 2.0 and be planning to enroll in college in the 2018-19 year. 

Awards: 15 awards of $5000 to high school seniors and 15 awards of $3500 to college students.

Requirements: Write a 500-word essay about an African American who has inspired you. The essay should (1) address how an African-American has been an inspiration in your life, and (2) discuss the contributions of the African-American individual who has served to inspire and motivate you.

3. NSHSS Earth Day Award

Deadline: March 15, 2018 

Eligibility: Current high school students with a minimum GPA of 3.0. 

Awards: One $500 award. 

Requirements: Write a response (500 words or less) to the following prompt: “How have you helped the environment in your school and/or community?” Applicants must also submit a resume, a recommender’s name, and a current photograph. Optional materials include scanned artwork, poetry, or a 3-minute video.

4. NSHSS Foundation STEM Scholarship 

Deadline: April 1, 2018 

Eligibility: Current high school seniors with a minimum GPA of 3.0 and a demonstrated desire to major in any STEM area. 

Awards: One $1,000 award.

Requirements: Write an essay (500 words or less) describing your interests and experience as they relate to science, technology, engineering, or mathematics. The essay should also contain "any additional information that you consider relevant to your application, such as financial and family circumstances and why the scholarship is important to you.” 

Applicants must also submit a transcript, a list of STEM activities, the name of an educator recommender, and a current photograph.

5. NSHSS Foundation Business/Public Policy Scholarship 

Deadline: April 1, 2018 

Eligibility: Current high school seniors with a minimum GPA of 3.0 and a demonstrated desire to major in business, economics, or public policy. 

Awards: One $1,000 award. 

Requirements: Write an essay (500 words or less) describing your interests and experience as they relate business, economics, or public policy. The essay should also contain "any additional information that you consider relevant to your application, such as financial and family circumstances and why the scholarship is important to you.” 

Applicants must also submit a transcript, a list of activities related to business, economics, or public policy with descriptions, the name of an educator recommender, and a current photograph.

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