Tips on Scholarship for High School Students

ByFrankbuchi

Since the above data does not account for 2025, it is worth acknowledging that, in the last year or so, the sticker price of attending college does appear to be decreasing, slightly (inflation is rising faster than the sticker prices) and the amount of money that students are receiving through grants is rising, according to USA Today.

Despite this moderately positive outlook for current and prospective college students, it is still crucial to be taking the time to search and apply for scholarships, since any opportunity to lower college costs that students have to pay means less stress, and less debt later on.

Frequently asked questions about scholarships for high school seniors

What is a scholarship?

A scholarship is, to put it simply, free money that you can earn to put towards paying for college.

Unlike other types of financial aid (aka, loans), money that you earn from scholarships doesn’t ever need to be repaid, which is what makes it so awesome.

I’m a high school senior. Is it too late for me to start applying for scholarships?

Where can I find scholarships to apply for?

How do I make my applications stand out?

How can I balance applying for scholarships with my schoolwork AND college applications?

Scholarships for High School Seniors: Tips for Searching & Applying!

Look, the search and application process for scholarships for high school seniors is not always a smooth-sailing process. But, the fact that you’ve made it this far in the post and are taking the initiative to learn more about scholarships is a great start in itself!

Here are a few quick tips to help you along your scholarship journey…

1. Set goals for yourself along the way.

I was a high school senior not too long ago, so I know exactly what it’s like to have to create a balance between your schoolwork, extracurriculars, college applications, and scholarships.

It’s not always an easy task, but that’s why you should work on setting goals for yourself and creating a scholarship strategy!

Your goals should be SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant/Realistic, Timely). Setting goals for things such as how much you are aiming to earn from scholarships and when you will set aside time to search and apply will help you to stay on track with what you want to achieve.

2. Know where to look.

If you’re here and you’re reading this, that means you know one great place to look! The Access Scholarships Search Engine is an awesome resource with tons of scholarships for high school seniors. But beyond Access Scholarships, be sure to…

  • Reach out to your school counselor to discuss some of the local scholarships that are out there for you to apply for
  • Head over to your state’s financial aid website to learn more about their grants and resources
  • Also be sure to fill out your free application for federal student aid (FAFSA).

3. Apply often.

Don’t think of the scholarship process as one that you can engage in only once every few months and see success with.

The scholarship process requires consistency and dedication. If you want to have the best chance at winning scholarships, you need to be dedicated to the process (creating a healthy mix of mostly essay scholarships with some no-essay scholarships is a good strategy) and put in the effort!

4. Be organized, thorough, and on time.

Lots of students find it helpful to organize their scholarship application and search process using a spreadsheet (virtual or physical). These are extremely useful because you can keep track of important deadlines, requirements for each scholarship, and more.

TIP: Click here to view and download a copy of my own scholarship tracker so you can get organized for yourself!

5. Think outside the box.

I have provided you with a ton of great scholarships for high school seniors right here in this post.

In addition to these, don’t be afraid to venture out to find scholarships that are specific to YOU in all aspects! This means thinking critically about your hobbies and interests, and passions outside of academics.

It also means thinking about things that define who you are that you could potentially leverage in your scholarship search. For example, are you a soon-to-be first-generation college student?  Or maybe you’re planning on pursuing a STEM degree? These are just two areas that you can identify and use to search for scholarships!

 

Preparing scholarship essays

Follow directions

Abide by the essay’s guidelines. If an essay has a maximum of 500 words, writing 1,000 words will not give you an edge over other applicants.

Stick to the topic

Don’t try to force an essay you have previously written into a topic that doesn’t match.

Read aloud

Reading your essay aloud helps you determine how your essay will read to its reviewers.

Seek 2nd and 3rd opinions

Share your essay with your parent or guardian. Then, run it by a friend or a mentor for a more objective opinion without familial bias.

Quality over quantity

Focus on depth, not breadth. Immerse yourself in 1-2 clubs or organizations, rather than joining multiple superficially.

Be specific

Include plenty of details; don’t generalize.

Be creative

Stand out from the crowd! Don’t bore the scholarship committee. Be unique, use quotes, references, and be yourself.

 

Preparing your resume

Contact information

Be sure your contact information is up to date, with address, telephone, email, and current school.

Academics

Begin with academics: GPA, academic awards, Dean’s list, math bowl champion, etc.

Community service

Include volunteer activities. Don’t forget to list the dates of service activities.

Extracurricular activities

Music, sports, clubs/organizations, hobbies, academic camps, employment, internships, etc.

References

Make it memorable! Be yourself! Use quotes and references to stand out from the crowd. References are available upon request, with permission obtained beforehand.

Keep in mind

Highlight high school achievements. Exclude pre-high school activities unless they’re exceptional (e.g., National Geography Bee win, early charity founding).

Leadership activities

Leadership is about actions, not titles. It’s not just holding club officer positions or being a team captain. True leaders demonstrate their abilities through their actions.

 

How to ask for recommendation letters

Do

  • Find an educator with whom you can discuss your extracurricular activities, college aspirations, other classes, etc.
  • Provide your recommender with all of the information they will need to prepare and submit your recommendation.
  • Read the application requirements carefully – an application may have a limit of one recommendation, may allow more than one, or may require more than one.
  • Make sure to give friendly reminders weeks before your deadline.
  • Give thanks! Surprise them with a hand-written thank you card (not an email or social media post!).
  • Maintain communication.

 

Don’t

  • Ask for a recommendation at the last minute.
  • List someone as a recommender or reference without their knowledge.
  • Skimp on the information they need to prepare and submit the recommendation.
  • Take it personally if the educator is not able to prepare a recommendation for you.

 

HOW TO GET A SCHOLARSHIP TO STUDY IN THE UK

To get a scholarship in the UK as an international student, focus on high academic achievement, identify relevant scholarships like Chevening or Commonwealth, and meet the specific eligibility criteria for your chosen program and university. Tailor your application to showcase your strengths and align with the scholarship’s goals.

Steps to Secure a UK Scholarship:

  1. Academic Excellence:

Aim for a strong academic record, often a first-class honors degree or its equivalent.

  1. Identify Scholarships:

Explore scholarships like Chevening, Commonwealth, GREAT Scholarships, and those offered by specific universities.

  1. Eligibility Check:

Carefully review the eligibility criteria for each scholarship, including nationality, academic background, and course of study.

  1. Application Process:

Follow the application instructions meticulously, including deadlines and required documents.

  1. Craft a Compelling Application:

Highlight your academic achievements, relevant experience, and how the scholarship aligns with your future goals.

  1. Meet English Language Requirements:

Ensure you meet the English language proficiency requirements set by the university.

  1. Seek Support:

Consider consulting with your university’s international student support or scholarship advisors.

  1. Prepare for Interviews:

If shortlisted, prepare for interviews, demonstrating your suitability for the scholarship.

  1. Apply Early:

Start the application process well in advance of deadlines to allow ample time for preparation.

  1. Be Realistic:

Fully funded scholarships are highly competitive. Consider other funding options like bursaries and loans.

  1. Explore University-Specific Scholarships:

Many UK universities offer scholarships for international students, so explore options on their websites.

  1. Leverage Resources:

Utilize resources like the British Council’s Study UK website and UKCISA for information on scholarships and funding.

Types of Scholarships:

  • Government-Funded:

Scholarships like Chevening and Commonwealth, funded by the UK government and the British Council.

  • University-Specific:

Scholarships offered by individual universities, often based on academic merit or specific criteria.

  • Subject-Specific:

Scholarships targeted towards particular fields of study, such as STEM or the arts.

  • Country-Specific:

Scholarships tailored for students from certain countries, like the GREAT Scholarships for Indian students.

By diligently following these steps and exploring available resources, international students can significantly increase their chances of securing scholarships to study in the UK.

Note:

Getting scholarships for colleges isnt as easy as you think, and that is why information is key.

You need to search for information about recent scholarships and openings in colleges and quickly take advantage of such opportunities.

Thanks for reading and regularly visit this blog about update on scholarships.

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