> College Counseling: Scholarships

There are millions of dollars of scholarships available to ensure that everyone has the money they need to attend college. We will continue to list scholarship opportunities throughout the year, so be sure to keep checking this page. Scholarships are organized by due date.

• Resources
• Scholarship Opportunities

Resources

How Do You Qualify for Scholarships?

First, what are your best strengths, talents, and skills? Scholarships are not just for students who have extraordinary talents or grades. 

Many scholarship agencies look for students who exhibit certain traits, while others look for students who belong to certain groups, are of a certain heritage, live in a particular city or neighborhood, or belong to a certain faith. Some scholarships have very particular requirements. (Yes, there is a scholarship for the descendants of postal workers and another for students with the last name “Hudson.”) 

So what are your qualifications?  Start looking at available scholarships to get an idea of what qualifications they need while also thinking about the many qualifications you possess (are you left-handed?).  

Where to Look for Scholarships

Finding scholarships is half the battle. There are thousands upon thousands of scholarships each year and countless types are available – federal, community, state, academic, social, extracurricular, institutional, independent/private, etc. The list goes on and on. So, how do you find ones that match your qualifications?  Here are the best places to look.

• The Internet. There are many internet scholarship search engines including FastWeb and College Board.
• Books. Your College Resource Center has scholarship books available for browsing.
• High School Counselor. Check in with Ms. Lijana to find out which scholarships she knows about.
• Local service-oriented organizations. Two in particular are the Elks and Kiwanis Clubs, but this category also includes religious organizations, churches, local banks, and veterans’ associations.
• Your parent’s or guardian’s employer. Ask your parents or guardians about college scholarship opportunities that their employers offer. Many companies provide scholarships for children of their employees.
• Coaches, teachers, and community leaders. Ask counselors, coaches, teachers, and community leaders about scholarships they know of. It never hurts to ask, but approach people with something in mind. Let them know what your skills, interests, hobbies, and dreams are, so they’ll be better able to connect you to the proper opportunity. 

Scholarships Tips

1. Devote special attention to local or regional scholarships.
2. Adapt college application materials to fit scholarship contests.
3. Use class assignments as an opportunity to create new scholarship essays.
4. Don’t pay for scholarship searches!
5. Start early.
6. Visit your counselor often
7. Pay attention to deadlines.

Scholarship Opportunities

Posse Scholarship

• Leadership scholarship for Bucknell University, Grinnell College, Lafayette College or Sewanee:  The University of the South
• Amount:  $100,000 full tuition scholarship
• Nominations due September 11

Questbridge

• Full four year scholarship for high-achieving high school seniors with financial need
• The student must attend one of the partner colleges, which are some of the nation’s most selective schools. 
• Application due September 30

National Merit Scholarship Program

• Scholarship based on students’ ability, skills, and accomplishments demonstrated on the PSAT exam during grades 9–11
• Amount:  $500–$5,000
• Register and take the PSAT

United States Senate Youth Program

• Scholarship for 11^th & 12^th grade students who take the Senate Youth Qualifying Exam and are active in student government
• Amount:  $5,000
• Application due October 20

The Prudential Spirit of the Community Awards

• Scholarship that celebrates youth volunteerism
• Amount:  $1,000
• Online Application due October 31

The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation

• Scholarships awarded to well-rounded students based on character, personal merit and commitment.  Merit is demonstrated through leadership in school, civic and extracurricular activities, academic achievement, and motivation to serve and succeed
• Amount:  Up to $20,000
• Application deadline October 31

University of Virginia Jefferson Scholars Foundation

• Scholarship that celebrates leadership, scholarship, and citizenship
• Requires a counselor recommendation

Ron Brown Scholar Program

• Scholarships are awarded to students who will make significant contributions to society.  Applicants must excel academically, show exceptional leadership potential and make an impact on their communities through service to others
• Amount:  $10,000
• Application deadline November 1

Drexel University High School Ten-Page Playwriting Contest

• Scholarships awarded to the top 3 plays
• Amount:  1^st Prize—$5,000; 2^nd Prize—$3,000; 3^rd Prize—$1,000
• Application deadline December 1

SAE Engineering Scholarship

• Scholarships for students who intend to earn a degree in engineering or a related science
• Amount:  $1,000-$10,000
• Applications due December 1
• Scholarship Administrator: (724) 776-4970

AXA Achievement Scholarship

• Scholarships awarded to high school seniors who have demonstrated outstanding achievement in their activities in school, the community, or the workplace
• Amount:  $10,000 and $25,000
• Application deadline December 15

Burger King Scholars

• Scholarship for students who demonstrate academic excellence and work part time
• Application deadline December 15

Commerce Bank

• Scholarships to reward academic achievement (3.0+ GPA) and community service or employment
• Amount: $1,000
• Application deadline December 15

Arts Recognition and Talent Search Awards

• Scholarships awarded to students in all disciplines of the performing, literary, and visual arts
• Amount:  $100–$10,000
• Application deadline December 15

Gates Millennium Scholarship

• Scholarships are awarded to African American, American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian Pacific Islander American or Hispanic American students who have demonstrated academic excellence with a 3.3+ GPA; have demonstrated leadership abilities through participation in community service, extracurricular, or other activities; and the student needs to show financial need by being Pell Grant eligible
• Amount:  Fill all unmet need
• Application Deadline December 31 (paper) and January 11 (online)

Washington University Danforth Scholars

• Scholarship for service and leadership and academic excellence
• Requires a counselor recommendation with application

National High School Oratorical Contest

• Scholarship awards are presented to the winners of the Oratorical Contest
• Amount:  National 1^st place—$18,000; 2^nd place—$16,000; 3^rd place—$14,000
• DC winner receives $1,500

Wal-Mart/Sam’s Club Foundation

• Scholarships are awarded to students who are active in their community
• Amount:  $1,000
• Application deadline January 12

National Society of Black Engineers

• Scholarships are awarded to engineering students and students studying related disciplines
• Amount:  $1,500–$15,000
• Application deadline January 15

GAO African American History Month Essay

• Essay contest for 10^th–12^th grade DC students
• Amount:  $300–$1,000
• Applications due January 30

The McKelvey Foundation Entrepreneurial Scholarship

• Scholarships are awarded to seniors who have demonstrated entrepreneurial spirit by owning and operating their own businesses while in high school
• Amount:  Up to $40,000 and an additional $2,500 for a summer study abroad program
• Application deadline January 31

National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa Inc.

• Scholarship for students who plan on entering the field of education
• Amount:  $6,000
• Applications due February 1

Best Buy Scholarship

• Scholarship for students who demonstrate academic excellence and a commitment to their community
• Application deadline February 15

Ronald McDonald House Charities National Scholarship Program

• Scholarships for minority students and scholars
• Amount:  $1,000 +
• Application due February 15

KFC Colonel’s Scholars

• Scholarship for students attending a public university with a cumulative GPA of 2.75 +
• Amount:  $20,000
• Application due February 15

ALL-USA High School Academic Team

• Scholarship awarded to students who demonstrate academic excellence, honors, and leadership
• Amount:
• Application deadline February 20

New Horizons Scholars Program

• Scholarships are awarded to African American and Hispanic students who have hepatitis C or are dependents of someone with hepatitis C and a cumulative GPA of 2.5+
• Amount:  Up to $2,500/year
• Application deadline February 22

Young American Creative Patriotic Art Awards

• Art Scholarship for grades 9–12
• Amount:  $2,500–$10,000

Call Me Mister

• Scholarship for African American males interested in teaching
• The student must attend one of the partner colleges in South Carolina

Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation, Inc.

• Scholarships awarded for academic excellence to seniors who are dependent children of active duty, retired or deceased Marine or Marine Reservist
• Amount:  From $500 to $10,000
• Application deadline March 1

Federal Communications Bar Association Foundation Scholarship

• Scholarship for students who demonstrate academic achievement, school attendance, and service to their school and community
• Amount:  Up to $20,000
• Application deadline March 1

P.E.O Sisterhood District of Columbia Chapter

• Scholarships are awarded to a senior woman who is in the top 50% of their class and 2 essays
• Amount:  $2,500
• Application deadline March 1

USDA/1890 National Scholars Program

• Scholarships to students who exhibit academic excellence (cumulative GPA 3.0+ and ACT scores of 21+ or SAT scores verbal/math/writing of 1500+) and attend one of 1890 Historically Black Land-Grant Universities to study agriculture, food, natural resource sciences or other related fields
• Amount:  Full tuition, employment with the USDA, books, etc.
• Application deadline March 1

Talent Search for Young Black Writers

• Scholarships awarded to top 3 Prose & Scripts pieces and top 3 Poetry winners
• Amount:  1^st—$1,000; 2^nd—$500; 3^rd—$300
• Application deadline March 3

Scholar Athlete Milk Mustache of the Year Award Program

• Scholarship for outstanding scholar athletes
• Amount:  $7,500
• Application deadline March

NAACP Scholarship

• The United Negro College Fund Scholarships & Grants Administration
• Multiple scholarships are managed by UNCF/NCAAP with different criteria
• Amount:  $1,000–$5,000
• Application due on or before the last Friday of March

Naval Officers’ Spouses’ Club of Washington, DC

• Scholarships awarded for academic excellence to seniors who are dependent children of active duty, retired or deceased US Navy service members
• Amount:  $2,000
• Application deadline March 29

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc, Nathaniel A. Murray Scholarship Contest

• Scholarship for talented well-rounded young men who have excellent character, proven leadership skills, and demonstrated academic achievement (Cumulative GPA 2.75+)
• Application due March 31
• (202) 232-1221

Carl T. Rowan Chapter, Blacks in Government

• Scholarships are awarded based on academic potential and an essay.
• Application deadline April 1

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Pearl and Ivy Educational Foundation

• Scholarships awarded to students who demonstrate a potential for success with a cumulative GPA of 2.5+
• Amount:  $1,000 and up
• Application deadline April 7^th

Washington-Lincoln Alumni Association of Dallas, Inc.

• Scholarship for DC students who have demonstrated potential and have achieved a cumulative GPA of 2.8+
• Amount:  $1,000
• Application deadline April 14

Ivy Vine Charities

• Scholarship for DC students who have demonstrated academic achievement (3.0+ GPA) and involvement in their school and community
• Application deadline April 20

Kappa Scholarship Endowment Fund, Inc.

• Scholarship for DC students who have financial need, extracurricular and community involvement, and a cumulative GPA of 2.5+
• Application deadline April 20

Legacy of Life Scholarship

• Essay Contest—“Organ & Tissue Donation:  Persuade Someone to Give the Gift of a Lifetime.” Persuasive fiction or non-fiction argument about organ and tissue donation
• Amount:  Up to $3,000
• Application deadline April 29

AFL-CIO Skilled Trades Exploring Scholarship

• Scholarships awarded to students to help them support their education toward a career in skilled trades
• Amount:  $1,000
• Application deadline April 30

DC Chapter of the National Hampton Alumni Association

• Scholarship for DC seniors who are attending Hampton in the fall
• Based on extracurricular activities, community involvement, and merit
• Application deadline May 1

Educational Communications Scholarship Foundation

• Scholarship for students who demonstrate their academic ability
• Application due May 15

The Washington Post Music & Dance Scholarship Awards

• Scholarship for juniors for their extraordinary achievements in music and dance
• Application due June
• (202) 334-7969

Jackie Robinson Scholar

• Scholarship for graduating minority high school students who demonstrate leadership potential, community service, financial need, and academic excellence (SAT 1000 or ACT 21)
• Application deadline June 15

DC Housing Authority Commitment to Excellence Scholarship

• Scholarship for students living in public housing or those who participate in the Housing Choice Voucher Program (formerly Section 8)
• Application due June 15
• Office of Resident Services (202) 535-2892

Martin Barnes Scholarship Fund

• Scholarships are awarded to students who show a commitment to their community and exhibit academic potential with a cumulative GPA of 2.5+
• Amount: $1,500
• Application deadline July 1

College Success Foundation – DC Achievers Scholarship

• Scholarship for DC students with financial need
• Amount:  Up to $50,000
• DC College Success Foundation (202) 207-1800

The Herb Block Scholarship

• Scholarship for students attending Montgomery Community College, Northern Virginia Community College, Prince George’s Community College, and the University of the District of Columbia (two-year associate’s program)
• Amount:  Up to $5,000
• Application deadline July 7 for fall semester or November 10 for spring semester

Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund

• Scholarships for students who exhibit academic excellence (3.0 +, and SAT math/verbal of 1100+ or ACT score 25+)
• Amount:  $2,200/semester