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Whether you're a freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior, there are literally hundreds of scholarships open to you. All that cash for college is just waiting to be scooped up, and all you have to do is apply!
If you're an underclassman, applying for scholarships is the best way to prepare for the workload of college applications. After writing a dozen scholarship essays, the Common Application will feel like a breeze. And, for seniors, the scholarship process offers plenty of opportunities to reuse all of the college application essays you worked so hard on.
So, with that positive mojo in mind, let's get to the good stuff: our March round-up of scholarships for high school students.
1. Bay Alarm Medical – Seniors Helping Seniors Scholarship
Deadline: March 31, 2018
Eligibility: Open to graduating seniors in high school or students enrolled in college for the 2018-19 school year.
Awards: 3 awards of $3500, $2000, and $1,000.
Requirements: Write a heartfelt 500-1,000 word essay about working with the elderly, either as a volunteer in the community or as a caretaker for an elderly family member living in your home. Your essay will answer the following three questions:
- What is the most important lesson you’ve learned from the senior you work with?
- How has working with seniors impacted your life/inspired you?
- How would you encourage others to spend more time with their grandparents or seniors in the community?
Our Strategy: We predict that the stand-out submissions will include compelling stories about the applicant's relationship with the seniors in their lives. Try including at least one vivid anecdote in your essay, then use that anecdote as a jumping-off point for discussing what you've learned.
2. VIP Women in Technology Scholarship Program
Deadline: April 1, 2018
Eligibility: Female students who will be enrolled at, or accepted into, a two or four-year college or university within the US for the 2018-19 school year. Applicants must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, be involved in extracurriculars/community service, and be planning a career in computer science, information technology, management information systems, or another related field.
Awards: Multiple $2,500 awards.
Requirements: Applicants must write a 200-500 word personal statement as well as an essay responding to the following prompt: "In your own words, what is information technology? Then, with your definition in mind, please identify a specific problem in your local community and recommend a thoughtful, information technology-related solution that is likely to make an immediate impact on the problem."
Our Strategy: The best essays will provide a clear and thoughtful potential solution to a real problem. Remember, that problem can be big or small. Don't limit yourself to strict "technology-related" problems – after all, information technology can make a difference in almost all areas of society. Make sure to explain both the problem and your solution clearly, and demonstrate your knowledge of the information technology field throughout your essay.
3. Humanity Rising Scholarships
Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: All current high school students (ages 13 and up).
Awards: Multiple awards ranging from $500 - $2000.
Requirements: Register online with Humanity Rising here, then pick a cause and participate in – or lead – a related community service project. Submit an essay (400 words or less) with the theme "My Service Story."
Our Strategy: According to the judges: "There are no minimum hours required and no specific activity that is more or less compelling in the eyes of our judges. We’re looking for service that was impactful and meaningful to you and those who benefitted from your volunteerism or innovative service project. A good rule of thumb is at least ten (10) hours of overall engagement."
4. Signet Essay Contest
Deadline: April 14, 2018
Eligibility: U.S. high school students aged 16-18.
Awards: 5 awards of $1000, plus a Signet Classics library for each winner’s school.
Requirements: Read Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl by Harriet Jacobs, then write a 2-3 page essay responding to one of five prompts about the book.
Our Strategy: Your English teacher must mail your submission, and each teacher can nominate only one junior and one senior. Snag the nomination by letting your teacher know as soon as possible that you intend to apply for this scholarship.
5. Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes
Deadline: April 15, 2018
Eligibility: Permanent U.S. residents between the ages of 8 and 18 who are currently residing in the U.S. or Canada. Applicants must be working on service project individually (no team applications) now or within the past 12 months.
Awards: Up to 20 winners will receive $5,000.
Requirements: Applicants must submit a project summary and an essay explaining the inspiration for your project, what you've accomplished, and what you learned from the process (1500 words or less). The application also requires 3 letters of recommendation, including one from a lead reference who will answer questions on the application.
Our Strategy: Your project summary and essay should provide detailed information about your project and your accomplishments. Include plenty of descriptive details, but give quantitative information about your project's accomplishments as well.
6. Jane Austen Society of North America Essay Contest
Deadline: May 20, 2018
Eligibility: Open to students worldwide in high school, college, or graduate school.
Awards: 3 winners in each of 3 divisions (high school, college, and graduate school): $1,000, $500, $250. First place winners receive lodging and registration for the JASNA Annual General Meeting in Kansas City, Missouri; all winners receive a free membership to JASNA.
Requirements: Write a 6-8 page essay responding to the following prompt: “The trio of faith, hope and charity all feature in Jane Austen’s novel Persuasion. Discuss how possessing or lacking these qualities affects a character's behavior and drives the plot. You may focus on one quality or examine the interplay of two or all three. You may include more than one character in your discussion."
Our Strategy: This scholarship's requirements include specific formatting guidelines that must be followed. Read them carefully and be sure that your essay adheres to every guideline before you submit your application. Nobody likes getting disqualified because of a formatting error!
Looking for more personalized scholarship support?
Meet with a Zen Admissions scholarship coach. Your coach will work with you to create a personalized scholarship list, then support you through the application process to maximize your chances of success.
Prefer your services a la carte? Submit your scholarship application essay our Insta-Edits Essay Review service for detailed edits and feedback. Or check out our Essay Coaching service: you'll work one-on-one with an expert editor to craft a polished application essay for the scholarship of your choice.