I'm a high school senior and I'm looking for college scholarships and grants I can apply for. Are there specific ones only available to seniors? Would love a list or any advice on where to start applying.
Absolutely, many scholarships and grants are specifically designated for high school seniors, so you're at a great time to start applying. Unfortunately, I cannot provide an exhaustive list here since the scholarships available can depend on a variety of factors. These can include your academic merits, interests, intended field of study, community involvement, financial need, and identity (for example, there are certain scholarships for first-generation college students or students from underrepresented backgrounds).
Some notable scholarships that a lot of high school seniors apply to are the Ford Foundation Scholarship, the Coca-Cola Scholars Program, the Gates Scholarship, and the Ronald McDonald House Charities scholarships. For minority students, the United Negro College Fund and the Hispanic Scholarship Fund are prominent resources.
In terms of how to find these scholarships, going to your school counselor is a good first step. They are likely knowledgeable about local scholarships that you might not find on national databases. Furthermore, you can use online scholarship search platforms.
One of such platforms is Appily, where you input your profile, such as your GPA, standardized test scores, interests, and affiliations, and it will provide you with a list of scholarships that apply to you.
Lastly, don't forget to check out the financial aid websites of the colleges you're applying to, as many have scholarships specifically for incoming freshmen.
Remember that every little bit can help, so apply to as many as you can. Best of luck with your scholarship search!
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