Are you up for High School Merit Scholarships? Then you are at the right place. There are a number of them and as you read on, you will find out about them and how may get the advantage to get one of them.
High School Merit Scholarships
To assist you in locating scholarships and grants for your college education, we have curated a selection of some of the finest college scholarships available to high school seniors.
Our selection is based on factors such as availability and the monetary value of the awards.
These scholarships offer considerable flexibility, allowing you to utilize them at any accredited college of your choice.
Moreover, they come without any geographical restrictions, making them accessible to applicants from across the United States.
READ ALSO!!!
- Humboldt Research Fellowship
- Wallace Stegner Fellowship
- Millennium Fellowship
- NSF Graduate Research Fellowship
- Junior Research Fellowship
Here are some of the best High school merit scholarships available.
1. Atlas Shrugged Essay Contest
The Atlas Shrugged Essay Contest encourages students to vie for scholarships by crafting an essay on one of three topics inspired by Ayn Rand’s novel, Atlas Shrugged.
The top winner receives a substantial $10,000 prize, and runners-up also receive prizes. In total, $40,000 in scholarship funds are awarded annually.
Eligibility: Open to high school seniors, college students, and graduate students
Deadline: November 6, 2024
2. Voice of Democracy Scholarship Competition
The Voice of Democracy Scholarship Competition invites students to participate by crafting and recording an audio essay centered around a patriotic theme.
For the 2024-2025 contest, the theme is “What Are the Greatest Attributes of Our Democracy?” The top winner is awarded a substantial $35,000 scholarship that can be used at any American college, university, or technical school of their choice.
This program distributes a total of $2 million in awards and incentives annually.
Eligibility: Open to students in grades 9-12
Deadline: October 31, 2024
3. The Fountainhead Essay Contest
The Fountainhead Essay Contest challenges students to compete by composing an essay on one of three topics related to Ayn Rand’s novel, The Fountainhead.
The first-place winner is granted a significant $5,000 prize, with additional awards for runners-up. Each year, a total of $22,500 is allocated for these scholarships.
Eligibility: High school students ages 13 and above
Deadline: Expected in April 2024
4. American Legion National High School Oratorical Contest
If you possess strong public speaking skills or wish to hone them, the American Legion National High School Oratorical Contest is an ideal competition.
Students compete by preparing and delivering an eight- to 10-minute oration on an aspect of the US Constitution, in addition to giving a three- to five-minute speech on an assigned topic.
Generous rewards await, with the first-place winner receiving $25,000, the second-place winner earning $22,500, and the third-place winner securing $20,000.
State winners also receive smaller awards, resulting in over $203,500 in prize money distributed annually.
Eligibility: Open to US high school students under 20 years of age
Deadline: Varies by state, as contests are organized by local American Legion departments
5. Coca-Cola Scholars Program
The Coca-Cola Scholars Program evaluates applicants primarily based on academic performance, extracurricular involvement, leadership experience, and community service.
This substantial scholarship program awards 150 scholarships worth $20,000 each annually, contributing to a total annual distribution of $3.55 million.
Visit our guide for more information on how to secure the Coca-Cola Scholarship.
Eligibility: Open to US high school seniors; excludes children or grandchildren of Coca-Cola employees (current and former)
Deadline: October 2, 2024
6. Burger King Scholars Program
Applicants for the Burger King Scholars Program are assessed based on their GPA, work experience, extracurricular activities, and community service.
Award amounts vary, ranging from $1,000 to $50,000. Eligible applicants must be Burger King employees or immediate family members of Burger King employees.
Eligibility: Open to employees and their spouses/partners/children, as well as US high school seniors
Deadline: Expected in December 2024 (or until they receive 50,000 applications, so applying early is advisable)
7. Ronald McDonald House Charities Scholarships
Eligibility requirements for Ronald McDonald House Charities Scholarships vary depending on your local chapter, with some chapters having specific ethnic eligibility criteria.
Deadlines and award amounts also differ by location, with some national awards reaching as high as $100,000. Refer to our comprehensive guide to learn more about securing an RMHC scholarship.
Eligibility: Open to high school seniors, with additional requirements varying by scholarship
Deadline: Varies by scholarship but typically in January
8. Horatio Alger Scholarship Award
The Horatio Alger Scholarship Award provides generous need-based scholarships for students who have overcome significant obstacles.
Eligibility requires a gross adjusted family income at or below $55,000. At the national level, 105 awards of $25,000 each are available, and at the state level, scholarships of $10,000 are offered for all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
This single scholarship application also considers applicants for numerous other national, state, and specialized scholarships, streamlining the application process.
Eligibility: Open to US high school juniors with a GPA of 2.0 or higher pursuing a bachelor’s degree
Deadline: Expected on March 15, 2024
9. Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholarship Program
The Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholarship Program evaluates applicants based on their leadership skills and commitment to community service.
To qualify, students must identify as minority students and be US citizens. Up to 60 new scholarships are awarded annually, each spanning four years and totaling as much as $30,000.
Eligibility: US minority high school seniors with a minimum SAT score of 1000 or ACT score of 21, planning to pursue a bachelor’s degree in the US
Deadline: Expected in January 2024 (Note: JRF recognizes the challenges posed by COVID-19 and does not disadvantage students applying without standardized test scores.)
10. Engebretson Foundation Scholarship
The Engebretson Foundation Scholarship, based on financial need, academic aptitude, and leadership capability, is awarded annually to one deserving student.
The recipient receives $5,000 per semester throughout their college journey and can reapply for the scholarship each year.
Eligibility: High school seniors with exceptional GPAs, SAT/ACT scores, and financial need, planning to attend a four-year college
Deadline: Expected in March 2024 (Note: Applications must be submitted via email or regular mail.)
11. Jack Kent Cooke Foundation College Scholarship Program
The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation College Scholarship Program not only offers financial support for college but also provides personal advising on college selection, financial aid, and the transition from high school to college.
Selection criteria encompass academic achievement, financial need, persistence, a desire to help others, and leadership skills.
Scholarships, with awards as high as $55,000 per academic year, are presented to students each year.
Eligibility: High school seniors with an unweighted GPA of 3.5 or higher, demonstrating financial need (family gross income of $95,000 or below), and planning to attend a four-year college
Deadline: November 2024
12. Elks National Foundation Most Valuable Student Competition
The Elks National Foundation Most Valuable Student Competition awards scholarships based on scholarship and leadership qualities.
Each year, 500 scholarships are distributed nationwide, ranging from $1,000 to $2000.
READ ALSO!!!
- Google PhD Fellowship
- Pickering Fellowship
- Ramalingaswami Fellowship
- EMBO Postdoctoral Fellowships
- Branco Weiss Fellowship
Check out other unique articles on our blog for more detailed information and do well to share with your friends and family. Follow us on our Twitter and Facebook to stay updated with premium information.
