27 National Scholarships for High School Seniors in 2024

Campus tours, college applications, financial aid award letters, work-study, student loans. There’s so much to think about before you graduate and prep for your new journey as a college student. It can be hard to find time to search for and apply for scholarships. Let Going Merry do the heavy lifting for you! 

You’ve likely heard us emphasize the importance of applying for local scholarships but there are many big-name foundations and companies you’ve also heard of that award students hundreds and thousands of dollars every year. 🤑

1. Taco Bell Live Más Scholarship

Amount: Up to $25,000

Provider: Taco Bell

The Taco Bell Live Más Scholarship is for young innovators, creators, and dreamers (ages 16-26) who want to share their passion and receive support to pursue this passion through a higher educational outlet. This is not a needs—or obstacle-based scholarship program; it is a passion-based scholarship program. 

Requirements:

• Applicant must be a legal resident of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia.
• Applicant must be at least 16 years of age and no older than 26 years of age
• If an applicant is a minor, they must receive parental consent from their parent/legal guardian to apply.
• Applicant must be on track to apply for, or enrolled in, an accredited post-high school/post-secondary educational program (including accredited two-and four-year colleges, universities, vocational-technical and trade schools).
• Applicant must be willing to work with the Taco Bell Foundation’s Scholarship Management Company throughout the application and award process.

2. The Coca-Cola Scholars Program Scholarship

Amount: Up to $20,000

Provider: The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation

The Coca-Cola Scholars Program scholarship is an achievement-based award given to students in their final year of high school. Students are recognized for their capacity to lead and serve and their commitment to making a significant impact on their schools and communities. Each year, 150 students are awarded $20,000.

Requirements:

• Applicant must be a high school senior attending school in the U.S.(or select DoD schools).
• Applicant must be a U.S. Citizen, U.S. National, U.S. Permanent Resident, Refugee, Asylee, Cuban-Haitian Entrant, or Humanitarian Parolee.
• Applicant must be planning to pursue a degree at an accredited U.S. post-secondary institution.
• Applicant must have a 3.0 GPA or higher.

3. Foot Locker Scholar Athletes Scholarship

Amount: Up to $20,000

Provider: Foot Locker

The Foot Locker Scholar Athletes program honors student-athletes who demonstrate exceptional academic ability and strong leadership skills in sports, in their schools, and within their communities. Twenty (20) $20,000 scholarships are awarded anually.

Requirements:

• Applicant must be a graduating high school senior pursuing an undergraduate degree at a two- or four-year community college or four-year school.
• Applicant must be currently involved in high school sports, intramural sports, or community-based sports.
• Applicant must have a minimum GPA of 3.0.
• Applicant must be a U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident.

4. McDonald’s HACER National Scholarships

Amount: Up to $100,000

Provider: McDonald’s

In 1985, McDonald’s created the McDonald’s HACER Program to assist Hispanic students as they pursue their higher education goals. The McDonald’s HACER National Scholarship is an outstanding opportunity for students who have at least one parent of Hispanic heritage. Awards range from $5,000 up to $100,000.

Requirements:

• Applicant must be a high school senior.
• Applicant must be a legal U.S. resident or a DREAMer/DACA recipient.
• Applicant must be younger than 21 years old.
• Applicant must have a minimum 2.8 GPA.
• Applicant must be eligible to attend a two- or four-year college or university with a full-time course of study.
• Applicant must enroll and attend an accredited institution in the academic year after your selection (verification needed, as scholarship funds are paid directly to the schools).
• Applicant must have at least one parent of Hispanic heritage.
• Applicant must disclose other scholarship programs that they’ve applied for.

5. McDonald’s Black and Positively Golden Scholarship (Prospective Students)

Amount: Up to $15,000

Provider: McDonald’s

The Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF), and McDonald’s are proud to offer financial assistance to outstanding students attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Sixty-three (63) scholars will be selected to receive a scholarship up to $15,000 for the upcoming academic school year ($7,500 per semester), which can only be applied to verifiable costs associated with average tuition and usual fees.

Requirements:

• Applicant must be enrolled full-time as an undergraduate freshman, sophomore, junior or senior attending an HBCU during the upcoming academic school year.
• Applicant must have a GPA of 2.7 or higher.
• Applicant must demonstrate leadership abilities.
• Applicant must demonstrate a financial need.
• Applicant must be a U.S. Citizen or legal permanent resident with a valid permanent resident card or passport stamped I-551.

6. The Generation Google Scholarship

Amount: $10,000

Provider: Google 

The Generation Google Scholarship was established to help aspiring students pursuing computer science degrees excel in technology and become leaders in the field. Selected students will receive $10,000 for the upcoming school year. The Generation Google Scholarship will be awarded based on the strength of each candidate’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, demonstrated leadership, and academic performance.

Requirements:

• Applicant must intend to be enrolled in or accepted as a full-time student in a bachelor’s program at an accredited university in the United States.
• Applicant must be currently enrolled as a full-time student in a bachelor’s program at an accredited university or college OR currently enrolled as a high school senior for the current academic year.
• Applicant must study computer science, computer engineering, or a closely related technical field.
• Applicant must demonstrate a strong academic record.
• Applicant must demonstrate financial need.
• Applicant must exemplify leadership and demonstrate passion for improving the representation of underrepresented groups in computer science and technology.

7. Doodle for Google

Amount: Up to $55,000

Provider: Google

Doodle for Google is an annual contest open to students in grades K-12. Students are invited to create their own Google Doodle for the chance to have it featured on Google.com, as well as win some great scholarships and tech packages for their schools. One national winner’s artwork will be displayed on Google.com for 24 hours. They will also receive a $55,000 college scholarship and $50,000 supplies and tech package for their school or non-profit organization. Five National Finalists who do not become the national winner will have their Doodles featured on the Doodle for Google gallery. Each national finalist will receive a $5,000 college scholarship, Google hardware, and fun Google swag.

Requirements:

• Applicant must be a U.S. citizen or a permanent legal U.S. resident.
• Applicant must be enrolled in a private or public elementary or secondary school (grades K-12) or a home school (grades K-12) in the United States.
• Applicant must be between the ages of 13-20.

8. The Gates Scholarship

Amount: Full Cost of Attendance

Provider: The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

The Gates Scholarship (TGS) is a highly selective, last-dollar scholarship for outstanding, minority, high school seniors from low-income households. Each year, the scholarship is awarded to exceptional student leaders, with the intent of helping them realize their maximum potential. Scholars will receive funding for the full cost of attendance that is not already covered by other financial aid and the expected family contribution, as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®), or the methodology used by a Scholar’s college or university.

Requirements:

• Applicant must be a high school senior.
• Applicant must be from at least one of the following ethnicities: African-American, American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian & Pacific Islander American, and/or Hispanic-American.
• Applicant must be Pell-eligible.
• Applicant must be a U.S. citizen, national, or permanent resident.
• Applicant must have a cumulative weighted GPA of 3.3 or higher.
• Applicant must plan to enroll full-time, in a four-year degree program, at an accredited, not-for-profit, private or public college or university in the U.S..

9. Niche $25,000 Scholarship

Amount: $25,000

Provider: Niche

Covering the cost of college expenses for four years without writing a single essay? Sounds too good to be true. It isn’t with Niche. They are giving one student $25,000 to help pay for tuition, living expenses, books, and other educational expenses.

Requirements:

• Applicant must be a U.S. citizen.
• Applicant must be a high school senior, undergraduate, graduate, or post-graduate student.

10. “Be Bold” No Essay Scholarship

Amount: $25,000

Provider: Bold.org

The $25,000 “Be Bold” Scholarship is a no-essay scholarship that will be awarded to the applicant with the boldest profile. To Bold, boldest does not mean “best”, or “most accomplished”. Being bold means being: earnest, determined, moving. The scholarship will be awarded to the student whose profile is most bold, according to these characteristics. It will also favor students who apply earlier—who are bold and seize the day without procrastinating. Students at any education level, school, field of study, and GPA will be considered.

11. Unigo $10K Scholarship

Amount: $10,000

Provider: Unigo

Unigo’s $10K Scholarship requires applicants to submit a 250-word essay explaining if they’d rather be smart, funny, or rich and why. Submit your answer for a shot at $10,000! 

Requirements:

• Applicant must be a legal U.S. resident.
• Applicant must reside in the 50 United States or the District of Columbia.
• Applicant must be 14 years of age or older to apply.

12. Elks National Foundation Scholarship Programs

Amount: Up to $50,000

Provider: Elks National Foundation

The Elks National Foundation will award 500 four-year scholarships to the highest-rated applicants in the competition. The 20 Top Finalists traditionally participate in an all-expenses paid Leadership Weekend in Chicago during which they’ll interview with the national judges. These 20 Finalists will be vying for two first-place awards of $50,000; two second-place awards of $40,000; and two third-place awards of $30,000. The remaining 14 finalists will receive awards of $20,000. The 480 runners-up will receive fifth-place scholarships of $4,000.  Applicants do not need to be related to a member of the Elks. High school graduates are not eligible to apply.

Requirements:

• Applicant must be a current high school senior.
• Applicant must be a U.S. citizen. 
• Applicant must be pursuing a four-year degree, on a full-time basis (minimum of 12 semester hours), at a U.S. American college or university.

13. GE-Reagan Foundation Scholarship Program

Amount: Up to $40,000

Provider: Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute

Honoring the legacy and character of our nation’s 40th President, the GE-Reagan Foundation Scholarship Program rewards college-bound students who demonstrate exemplary leadership, drive, integrity, and citizenship with financial assistance to pursue higher education.

Each year, the Program selects numerous recipients to receive a $10,000 scholarship renewable for up to an additional three years – up to $40,000 total per recipient. Awards are for undergraduate study and may be used for education-related expenses, including tuition, fees, books, supplies, room, and board. In addition, Scholars are invited to participate in a special awards program and receive ongoing leadership-development support.

Requirements:

• Applicant must demonstrate at school, at the workplace, and within the community the attributes of leadership, drive, integrity, and citizenship.
• Applicant must have a minimum 3.0 GPA. 
• Applicant must be a U.S. citizen.
• Applicant must be a current high school senior attending high school in the United States (students living on U.S. Armed Forces base and homeschooled students are also eligible).
• Applicant must plan to enroll in a full-time undergraduate course of study toward a bachelor’s degree at an accredited four-year college or university in the United States for the entire upcoming academic year.

14. Cameron Impact Scholarship

Amount: Full Cost of Tuition

Provider: Bryan Cameron Education Foundation

The Cameron Impact Scholarship is a four-year, full-tuition, merit-based undergraduate scholarship awarded annually to 10-15 exceptional high school students who have demonstrated excellence in academics, extracurricular activities, leadership, and community service. The Cameron Impact Scholar is unique among their high-achieving peers in their desire to make an impact on their communities and in the world at large. Our Scholar aspires to contribute to positive forces for change and plans to tailor their education to that end. The Cameron Impact Scholarship covers the full tuition, fees, and books at any accredited U.S. based college or university that the recipient chooses to attend.

Requirements:

• Applicant must maintain an unweighted GPA of 3.7 in their high school studies.
• Applicant must be a U.S. citizen.
• Applicant must be a graduating high school senior, planning to enroll in a full-time course of study toward a degree at an accredited four-year U.S. college or university for the full academic year following high school graduation.
• Applicant must demonstrate proven excellence in extracurricular activities, be a motivated leader with a strong work ethic, and demonstrate active participation in community service and/or civic-minded arenas.

15. United States Senate Youth Program

Amount: $10,000

Provider: The United States Senate

The United States Senate Youth Program is a unique educational experience for outstanding high school students interested in pursuing careers in public service. Two student leaders from each state, the District of Columbia and the Department of Defense Education Activity will spend a week in Washington experiencing their national government in action. 

Requirements:

• Applicant must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. Permanent Resident (Green Card).
• Applicant must be a high school junior or senior.
• Applicant must demonstrate leadership by serving in elected or appointed positions related to student government, education, public affairs and community service.
• Applicant must be enrolled in high school and living in the state that they will represent for the entire academic year.

16. CollegeXpress Scholarship

Amount: $10,000

Provider: CollegeXpress

Since 1995, CollegeXpress’s mission has been to help connect students with the right schools for them. By creating an account, you’ll be entered to win their $10,000 scholarship contest.

Requirements:

• Applicant must be 13 years of age or older and a legal resident of the 50 U.S. or D.C.
• Applicant must be currently attending high school as a senior, college, vocational, or any other accredited post-secondary institution.
• Applicant must sign up for a free CollegeXpress account.
• Applicant must plan to enroll full-time for the entire upcoming academic year.

17. Women at Microsoft Scholarship

Amount: Up to $5,000

Provider: The Seattle Foundation 

The Seattle Foundation and Microsoft Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) have established a scholarship program to assist women (self-identifying) students who plan to continue their education in college or vocational school programs pursuing an area of study related to tech, engineering, math, or computer science. Up to 7 recipients are awarded up to $5,000.

Requirements:

• Applicant must be a graduating high school senior who identifies as a woman.
• Applicant must plan to enroll in full-time in a tech, engineering, math, or computer science-related undergraduate study at an accredited two- or four-year college, university, or vocational-technical school, in the United States, for the entire upcoming academic year.
• Applicant must plan to attend an accredited 2-4 year public or private college or university or technical college in the United States (or a US affiliate program).
• Applicant must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
• Applicant must require financial assistance to attend college.

18. Blacks at Microsoft BAM Microsoft Scholarship

Amount: Up to $20,000

Provider: Microsoft

The BAM Scholarship was created to enable Black and African American students to attend college and pursue a career in technology. The goal is to empower future generations to do and be more. This year, BAM will award 50 scholarships totaling $137,500.  Five (5) $5,000 scholarships will be distributed over 4 years ($5,000 per year, renewable). Forty-five (45) $2,500 one-time-only scholarships will be awarded.

Requirements:

• The applicant must be a U.S.-based high school senior of African descent (for example, African American, African, Ethiopian, etc.).
• Applicant must plan to attend a four-year college or university in the U.S. in the fall immediately following your high school graduation.
• Applicant must plan to pursue a bachelor’s degree in engineering, computer science, computer information systems, or select business programs (such as finance, business administration, or marketing).
• Applicant must demonstrate a passion for technology.
• Applicant must demonstrate leadership at school or in the community.
• Applicant must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
• Applicant must require financial assistance to attend college.

19. HOLA at Microsoft Scholarship

Amount: Up to $20,000

Provider: Microsoft

The Microsoft HOLA Scholarship is dedicated to supporting the growth of Hispanic and Latinx communities and encouraging students to pursue careers in technology. This year, the HOLA Scholarship will award five scholarships totaling $85,000. Three (3) $20,000 scholarships will be distributed over four years ($5,000 per year, renewable), and ten (10) $2,500 one-time scholarships will be awarded.

Requirements:

• Applicant must be a US-based high school senior of Hispanic and Latinx descent (for example, Mexican American, Cuban American, Brazilian, etc.) of an accredited organization.
• Applicant must plan to attend a two or four-year college or university in the U.S.
• Applicant must plan to pursue an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in engineering, computer science, business management, marketing, or have a declared major.
• Applicant must demonstrate leadership skills and a passion for helping your community within your school, neighborhood, family or organization.
• Applicant must demonstrate leadership at a school or in the community.
• Applicant must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
• Applicant must require financial assistance to attend college.
• Applicant must be a U.S. citizen, permanent legal resident, or DACA.

20. Microsoft Disability Scholarship

Amount: $5,000

Provider: Microsoft

The Microsoft Disability Scholarship seeks to empower students with disabilities to achieve more through access to education leading to a career in technology. Up to 10 recipients will receive a $5,000 award.

Requirements:

• Applicant must be a current high school senior living with a disability as defined by WHO, including visual, hearing, mobility, cognitive, and/or speech disabilities or other disability.
• Applicant must plan to attend an undergraduate program in a 2 or 4-year University/College or Technical College in the fall of the academic year following high school graduation.
• Applicant must declare an approved major in engineering, computer science, computer information systems, law, business, or a related field (e.g. paralegal, pre-law, finance, business administration, or marketing).
• Applicant must demonstrate a passion for technology.
• Applicant must demonstrate leadership at school and/or in the community.
• Applicant must have a high school cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher.
• Applicant must require financial assistance to attend college.
• Applicant must enroll full-time or half-time.

21. Amazon Future Engineer Scholarship

Provider: Amazon

Amount: $40,000

The Amazon Future Engineer Scholarship Program assists high school seniors who have completed an advanced placement computer science course, or who have taken an advanced placement computer science test and plan to continue their education at an accredited four-year college or university majoring in computer science, software engineering, computer engineering or other computer related field of study.

Winners of the award receive $10,000 per year at an accredited four-year college or university as well as a paid summer internship at Amazon after their freshman year of college.

Requirements:

• Applicant must be a high school senior in the U.S. who has completed or is currently enrolled in a computer science course – dual enrollment courses also count! 
• Applicant must be planning to attain a bachelor’s degree in computer science, software engineering, computer engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, robotics, or other computer science-related field of study from an accredited 4-year college or from a 2-year college with the intent to transfer to a 4-year college.
• Applicant must be authorized to work in the US.
• Applicant must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.3.
• Applicant must demonstrate financial need.

22. Dell Scholars Program

Amount: $20,000

Provider: Michael & Susan Dell Foundation

The Dell Scholars Program was designed to provide a support system for the challenges many students face while pursuing a degree. 500 Dell Scholars are selected each year to receive a scholarship plus lots of non-monetary supports. All Dell Scholars receive a $20,000 scholarship, personalized support for the academic, financial, and emotional life, a laptop, Chegg credits ($500 a year), and access to a Scholars Resource Network.

Requirements:

• Applicant must participate in a program-approved college readiness program in grades 11 and 12 – See list of approved CRPs.
• Applicant must be on track to graduate from an accredited high school in the current academic year.
• Applicant must demonstrate a need for financial assistance.
• Applicant must be eligible to receive a Federal Pell Grant in the first year of college.
• Applicant must plan to enroll full-time at an accredited higher education institution in the pursuit of a bachelor’s degree in the fall directly following high school graduation.
• Applicant must earn a minimum of a 2.4 GPA.

23. Burger King James W. McLamore Whopper Scholarship Award

Amount: $60,000

Provider: BURGER KING Foundation

The BURGER KING℠ Scholars program assists high school seniors in continuing their education. To date, the program has awarded more than $56 million in scholarships to more than 49,000 students. Integrity, high standards, entrepreneurial spirit, good citizenship and education were the values that defined BURGER KING® brand co-founder James W. McLamore.

Requirements:

• Applicant must be a United States citizen.
• Applicant must be a high school senior or home school.
• Applicant must be applying as a full-time freshman to a four-year accredited, college or university that is located in the United States or Canada.
• Applicant must have a cumulative unweighted GPA of at least 3.5 or higher.
• Applicant must demonstrate an active leadership role in community service, athletics, and/or similar co-curricular activity (such as student government, team sports, fraternal life, etc); and
• Applicant must demonstrate substantial work experience and financial need.

24. Burger King Employee Scholarship Program

Amount: Up to $10,000

Provider: BURGER KING Foundation

Burger King also has scholarships for employees, and spouses and children of Burger King employees. To be eligible, employees must be active on the designated employer’s payroll for at least 3 months as of the application deadline date and employed at the time awards are verified.

Requirements:

• Applicant must be a Burger King employee, spouse or domestic partner of employees, or dependent children of employees pursuing a traditional postsecondary education. (See scholarship for more details).

• Applicant must be living in the United States, Guam or Canada.
• Applicant must be a graduating high school senior (in the U.S. and Guam) or have attained a GED, graduating from home school education in the U.S. or Canada, or current college undergraduates or graduate level students in the U.S., Guam, or Canada.
• Applicant must have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher.
• Applicant must plan to enroll for the upcoming academic year at an accredited two- or four-year college, university, or vocational-technical school or in the U.S., Guam, or Canada.

25. Burger King General High School Senior Track Scholarship

Amount: $1,000

Provider: BURGER KING Foundation

Burger King has yet another scholarship for high school seniors, the General High School Senior Track Scholarship. The scholarship is open to all high school seniors who meet the criteria below.

Requirements:

• Applicant must be living in the U.S. or Guam.
• Applicant must be graduating high school seniors or students graduating from home school education in the U.S. or Guam.
• Applicant must have a cumulative high school GPA of 2.0 or higher.
• Applicant must plan to enroll full-time for the entire upcoming academic year at an accredited two- or four-year college, university or vocational-technical school in the U.S., Guam, or Canada.

26. Chick-fil-A Community Scholarship

Amount: $25,000

Provider: Chick-fil-A 

Chick-fil-A, Inc. is expanding its education initiatives by launching the Chick-fil-A Community Scholars program. Through this scholarship initiative, Chick-fil-A will recognize remarkable individuals who share in Chick-fil-A’s dedication to caring for others and caring for their communities. Twelve (12) $25,000 scholarships will be awarded to students every year based on academic success, community service, and financial need.

Requirements:

• Applicant must be a resident of the United States or Canada.
• Applicant must be a postsecondary undergraduate or graduate student or planning to enroll in undergraduate or graduate study at an accredited two- or four-year college, university or vocational-technical school for the upcoming academic year.
• Applicant must be recommended by a teacher, coach, community leader or mentor, addressing the applicant’s personal and/or professional achievement. 
• Applicant must demonstrate care through community service in the twelve (12) months prior to application.
• Applicant must have a minimum GPA of 3.0
• Applicant must demonstrate financial need.

27. Shell High School Senior Scholarship

Amount: $2,500

Provider: Shell Oil Company

The Shell Company Technical Scholarship and Shell Incentive Fund Scholarship have been created to provide financial and career assistance to graduating high school seniors who have expressed an interest in the energy industry and demonstrated an aptitude in mathematics and science.

In each program, Shell will sponsor up to 20 one-year awards of $2,500 for selected graduating high school seniors enrolling in engineering or geosciences at universities identified by Shell.

Requirements:

• Applicant must plan to enroll full-time at a specified institution in the U.S. (see the scholarship for the full list) for the upcoming academic year.
• Applicant must be planning to pursue one of the following majors: geology, geophysics, physics, chemical, civil, electrical, geological, geophysical, mechanical or petroleum engineering.
• Applicant must be lawfully authorized to work on a full-time basis in the United States without any form of sponsorship.

Disclaimer: This blog post provides personal finance educational information, and it is not intended to provide legal, financial, or tax advice.

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Eleanna Garcia

Operations at Going Merry

A first-generation college graduate, Eleanna remembers the importance of applying for scholarships. Having access to scholarships changes the game and it’s inspiring to know there’s help. With Going Merry, education is obtainable. Eleanna earned her bachelor’s degree in Communications from Arizona State University at 19 years old with the help of scholarships. Remember, you can do this!

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