What are some scholarships high school seniors should apply for?

A bit close to senior year and starting to freak out about college costs. What are some of the best scholarships that high school seniors can apply for? Someone once told me that some scholarships go unclaimed each year. Any tips on finding and applying for these?

Scholarships can definitely be a lifeline when it comes to managing college costs, so starting your search as a high school senior is a wise measure. There's a wide range of scholarships available, and hunting them down requires a multi-pronged approach.

1. Local Scholarships: Start by looking at local organizations or businesses. Many communities offer scholarships for local students, and these often have less competition than national awards. Reach out to your school's career counselor or do a check online for local scholarships in your area.

2. School-specific Scholarships: These are scholarships offered by the college you plan to attend. Review the school's financial aid website or consult with the admissions office to learn about what's available. Examples include merit scholarships that are based on your GPA and test scores or talent-based scholarships such as athletic or music awards.

3. Major-specific Scholarships: These are scholarships for students who plan to study a specific field. For example, the Microsoft Tuition Scholarships are offered to students pursuing a degree in computer science or related STEM disciplines.

4. National Scholarships: These are scholarships open to all students throughout the country. They tend to be more competitive but often offer larger awards. Examples include the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation or the Doodle for Google Competition.

5. Minority Scholarships: These scholarships are designated for underrepresented communities. Examples include the Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholarships for African American Students or the Gates Millennium Scholars Program for minority students.

6. Special Interest Scholarships: These are scholarships for students with particular interests or characteristics. Examples include the Vegetarian Resource Group Scholarship for vegetarian students or the Left-Handed Scholarship at Juniata College for left-handed students.

In terms of unclaimed scholarships, these can often be hyper-specific (like a scholarship for someone studying a particular subject in a particular part of the country), or they may require a significant amount of work to apply (like a detailed project or essay). It's not always easy to find these scholarships, but typically, they will have less competition due to their restrictive or demanding nature.

Finally, when applying, start early and stay organized. Create a monitored schedule for deadlines and craft each application thoughtfully. Create a set of initial drafting and rewriting dates, being sure to tailor each application to meet the scholarship's specific guidelines. Good luck with your search!