High school is the best time to start applying for scholarships. Many of the largest awards are only open to high school seniors, and deadlines often fall early in senior year. Here are major national scholarships and a simple plan to win them.
Last checked: October 2026. Most of these are for US citizens or permanent residents; confirm details on each official website.
Major National Scholarships
| Scholarship | Award | For |
|---|---|---|
| Coca-Cola Scholars | $20,000 (150 scholars a year) | Seniors with at least a 3.0 GPA; leadership and service. Applications open in August and close 30 September. |
| The Gates Scholarship | Full cost of attendance | Outstanding, Pell-eligible minority seniors |
| Dell Scholars | $20,000 plus support | Pell-eligible students in approved college-readiness programmes |
| Jack Kent Cooke College Scholarship | Large multi-year awards | High-achieving seniors with financial need |
| QuestBridge National College Match | Full four-year scholarships at partner colleges | High-achieving, low-income seniors |
| Elks Most Valuable Student | $4,000–$30,000 | Seniors; deadline in November. See our guide. |
| Taco Bell Live Más | $5,000–$25,000 | Ages 16–26; video or written response. See our guide. |
Scholarship Timeline for High School Students
- Grades 9–10: build grades, activities and community service.
- Grade 11: take the SAT or ACT, research scholarships, and apply for those open to juniors.
- Summer before Grade 12: draft essays and ask for recommendation letters.
- Grade 12, autumn: many big deadlines (Coca-Cola, QuestBridge, Elks). Complete the FAFSA when it opens.
- Grade 12, spring: apply for local scholarships, which often have fewer applicants.
Tips to Win
- Apply to a mix of large national and smaller local scholarships.
- Show impact: what you did, and what changed because of it.
- Reuse and tailor strong essays.
- Ask your school counsellor about local and school-specific awards.
See also where to find scholarships.
