Philomena PaulEmbarking on the journey to higher education brings the question, “What scholarships can I get for college?” Discovering financial support is pivotal, and this guide outlines 20 popular scholarships that can ease the burden of college expenses. Ranging from merit-based to specialized awards, these scholarships cover diverse fields and demographics.
Whether you excel academically, demonstrate leadership, or possess unique talents, there’s a scholarship tailored for you. Explore this comprehensive resource to navigate the array of opportunities, making your college education more accessible and fulfilling.
What Scholarships Can I Get For College
Navigating the realm of college scholarships opens doors to diverse opportunities. Students can access a multitude of financial aid options, spanning merit-based, need-based, and specialized categories. Academic excellence, community involvement, unique talents, and specific demographics often determine eligibility for various scholarships.
Institutions, private organizations, and foundations offer support for a range of fields and pursuits. Exploring scholarship databases, connecting with college financial aid offices, and diligently meeting application requirements unveil a spectrum of possibilities to make higher education financially attainable and rewarding.
Top 20 Popular scholarships for college
1. Program for Fulbright Scholarships
Over the previous 70 years, the Fulbright Scholarship Program—named for its originator, Senator J. William Fulbright—has benefited over 250,000 instructors and students. The Fulbright Scholarships give students the chance to collaborate with universities and other higher education institutions in other nations while also offering them life-changing global experiences. Public health, STEM, communications, and journalism are a few of the fields.
2. Ultimate Scholarship
The Excelsior Scholarship might be the right choice for you if you need help paying for college at SUNY (The State University of New York) or CUNY (City University of New York). SUNY and CUNY include about 89 colleges; eligible programs can receive an Excelsior Scholarship worth up to $5,500. Residency in New York State and a gross income of $110,000 or less are two prerequisites for qualifying.
3. The Scholarship From Coca-Cola
More than 1,450 high school students have been given the chance to attend colleges and institutions for more than 25 years thanks to the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation. Students who have participated in this program have attended Yale, Princeton, Harvard, and other prestigious universities in the nation. A few Cola-Cola Scholars went on to become successful businesspeople, Broadway performers, college administrators, and political leaders.
4. Scholarships of National Merit
The National Merit Scholarship searches through over 1.6 million students nationwide to highlight academic achievement and grants $2500 scholarships. PSAT/NMSQT must be taken by students to compete. The scholarship program consists of many rounds, wherein students who get the greatest marks can advance. 7,500 finalists are awarded after the screening procedure.
5. Hispanic Scholarly Foundation
One initiative aimed at helping families of Hispanic descent pursue higher education is the Hispanic Scholarship Fund. Serving the nation’s Hispanic population since 1975, the Hispanic Scholarship Fund has collaborated with some of the biggest companies, such as Macy’s and NBA Cares, to guarantee that students are provided with funding for books, tuition, and other necessities. Seniors in high school, undergraduate and graduate students, as well as community college students hoping to transfer to a four-year university, are eligible to apply for this grant. Depending on their excellence, scholars may win anywhere from $500 to $5,000.
6. Hope Scholarship
The Hope Scholarship was established in 2001 as a memorial to Valerie Grace Wheeler, a 15-year-old victim of metastatic Ewing’s sarcoma. Valeria was well-known for her artistic talent, athletic prowess, empathy, and intellectual brilliance. The Hope Scholarship is intended to honour those who have persevered through hardships, extended assistance to others, and believed in the transformative potential of education. This scholarship has given out around $700,000 in scholarship money in the last 18 years.
7. The Gates Scholarship
The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is credited with founding the Gates Scholarship, which was established in 2017. By paying for tuition that families are unable to pay and providing financial help, the Gates Scholarship aims to assist minority students from low-income households with their tuition costs. Applicants for this award must be in their last year of high school and members of a minority group. Each year, 300 students are given the Gates Scholarship.
8. The Gates Millennium Scholars Program
Minorities nationwide can now get tuition aid through the Gates Millennium Scholars (GMS) Program, which is supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and removes financial obstacles for them.
Both graduate students and undergraduates studying science, public health, computer science, education, library science, or mathematics will find this curriculum to be quite beneficial. With an average award of $12,785, the Gates Millennium Scholars Program has given $934,092,630 in scholarships since 2010.
9. The Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship
The Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship gives students the chance to study or intern overseas while giving them a global experience. More than 125,000 students have benefited from this scholarship to study in 145 countries. The goal of the Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship is to support intellectually talented students who are struggling financially. Studying overseas enables aspiring professionals to grow professionally and overcome cultural hurdles.
10. The McKay Scholarship
Helping kids with disabilities attend the school that best suits their needs is the goal of the McKay Scholarship program. Parents can choose any public or private school that best suits their kid for years K–12 with the McKay Scholarship, which is located in Florida. The McKay Scholarship made it possible for nearly 31,000 students to attend private schools during the 2016–2017 academic year.
11. Burger King Foundation
To help more than 33,000 students, the Burger King McLamore Foundation was established more than ten years ago and has already raised more than $35 million. To assist employees and their families in pursuing higher education, James W. McLamore, a co-founder of Burger King, established this organization. Serving America, Puerto Rico, and Canada is the Burger King McLamore Foundation’s territory.
12. Marshall Memorial Scholarship
Twelve recipients were selected when the Marshall Scholarship was established in 1954. Students from the United States can study graduate-level subjects in the United Kingdom thanks to this program. In the new millennium, 40 scholars are given the Marshall Scholarship every year. Scholars participating in the program are encouraged to pursue careers as future leaders and US ambassadors.
13. Micheal and Susan Dell Scholarship
The Michael and Susan Dell Foundation established the Dell Scholars program to help future college students pay for their tuition. Many of these students are the first in their families to seek higher education. Dell Scholars offers top achievers as well as a network of knowledgeable mentors. A laptop, textbook credits, and much more are in store for scholars.
14. Bright Futures Scholarship
Bright Futures Scholarship offers financial aid for college tuition to Florida graduates of high school who demonstrate exceptional academic achievement. A high school graduation, completion of the FASFA, and enrollment in at least six non-remedial semester credit hours are a few of the prerequisites. After high school graduation, the scholarship may be awarded for up to five years.
15. Rhodes Scholarship
One of the most prestigious foreign scholarships offered to candidates in the US and its territories is the Rhodes Scholarship. The Rhodes Scholarship, which bears the name of British politician and industrialist Cecil J. Rhodes, offers qualifying candidates complete tuition aid to attend the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom. Thirty-two individuals are chosen annually based on their community involvement, leadership abilities, and academic accomplishments.
16. Jack Kent Cooke Scholarship
The Jack Kent Cooke Scholarship was established in 2000 and provides funding to students ranging from eighth grade to graduate school. More than 2,400 students have received $190 million in grants from the Jack Kent Cooke Scholarship over the past 18 years. Recipients receive financial support as well as advice on how to proceed with their academic pursuits.
17. T.E.A.C.H. Scholarship
The T.E.A.C.H. (Teacher Education and Compensation Helps) Early Childhood Scholarship Program offers support to early care educators in their pursuit of an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree, along with additional early childhood education qualifications. T.E.A.C.H., which receives funding from the Florida Office of Early Learning, works in partnership with over 60 colleges, universities, community-based training centres, and vocational-technical schools. Since costs are split among the beneficiary, the sponsoring childcare facility, and T.E.A.C.H., the program pays for the majority of tuition.
18. Horatio Alger Scholarship
High school students who have overcome significant challenges but are still achievers academically can apply for financial aid through the Horatio Alger Scholarship Program. The Horatio Alger Scholarship Program, one of the biggest in the country, offers approximately 70 different scholarships in 4 categories: State Scholarships, Career & Technical Scholarships, Targeted Scholarships, and National Scholarships. Each scholarship will have its deadlines and standards for eligibility.
19. U.S. Presidential Scholars Program
The U.S. Presidential Scholars Program was established in 1964 to recognize some of the country’s most accomplished high school graduates. The program directors gave support to students who excelled in technical domains as well as the artistic, creative, and performing arts a few decades after the program started. A Presidential Scholar is one of the highest accolades in the country, bestowed upon 161 high school students annually.
20. Stars Scholarship
The South Texas Academic Rising Scholars Scholarship, formerly known as the STARS Scholarship, was established in 2002 to promote education in the South and West Texas regions. Since then, the program has collaborated with hundreds of companies, educational institutions, and organizations to award over $14,500 to students with grants totalling over $30 million. The requirements are determined by academic excellence, financial need, and scholarship.
Conclusion
It is noteworthy that every scholarship has distinct qualifying requirements and an application process of its own. While some scholarships just consider academic accomplishments, others may also demand essays, recommendation letters, or interviews. Consequently, it’s imperative that you thoroughly go over the prerequisites and application dates for any scholarship you’re considering. Although applying for scholarships might take a lot of time, the benefits could be well worth the work.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What Are College Student Scholarships?
As a college student, you have the opportunity to apply for scholarships to assist with the high costs of your education. While some college scholarships have no restrictions and can be used for anything, others could limit their use to only your tuition.
2. Is college enrollment required to apply for scholarships?
No! It is not necessary to be a current student to apply for college scholarships, even though you should and can do so during your stay in school.
I’m presently enrolled in a vocational or community college.
3. Do I still qualify to apply for scholarships to college?
Absolutely! Scholarships are available for all types of students. You will discover that there are a ton of fantastic options out there that meet your profile even if you choose not to attend a four-year college or university.
Amarachi Agwu
Scholars Admin
Utibe Usen
