Fellowships & scholarships
Outside awards are one part of paying for a degree; most aid comes from colleges and governments (see Ways to pay). We show a listing as open only when its official page shows the current cycle, a future deadline, the study level and who can apply.
Gates Foundation
Full cost of attendance (last-dollar)
Pell-eligible HS seniors, 3.3+ weighted GPA, full-time at 4-year nonprofit college.
Deadline: not confirmed as open · Closed for 2026-27. Next window opens summer 2027.
Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation
$20,000
HS seniors graduating in the current year, min 3.0 unweighted GPA, leadership & service.
Deadline: not confirmed as open · Closed for 2026-27 (5pm ET Sep 30). Reopens Aug 2027.
QuestBridge
Full 4-year scholarship at a partner college
High-achieving HS seniors from low-income backgrounds.
Deadline: not confirmed as open · Closed (Oct 1, 11:59pm PT). Match Day Dec 1.
Morehead-Cain Foundation (UNC-Chapel Hill)
Full cost of attendance at UNC
HS seniors applying to UNC-Chapel Hill; leadership, character, scholarship.
Deadline: not confirmed as open · Class of 2031 closed Oct 1, 2026 11:59pm ET (official). UNC Early Action Oct 15 is separate.
National YoungArts Foundation
$250–$10,000
Artists 15–18 or grades 10–12 in 10 disciplines (visual, music, writing, film, dance, etc.).
Deadline: not confirmed as open · Closed (Oct 6, 8pm ET).
Veterans of Foreign Wars
Up to $35,000
Grades 9–12; 3–5 min audio essay on patriotic theme.
Deadline: not confirmed as open · Submit audio essay to local VFW Post by Oct 31.
mikeroweWORKS Foundation
$10,000–$20,000 (varies)
Students pursuing skilled-trade training; work ethic emphasis.
Deadline: not confirmed as open · Oct 31, 11:59pm PT.
Hispanic Heritage Foundation
Varies (grants)
HS seniors of Hispanic/Latino heritage, 3.0+ GPA typical.
Deadline: not confirmed as open · Reported Nov 1 (moved earlier) — verify on site.
Society for Science
$2,000–$250,000
HS seniors with original independent research.
Deadline: not confirmed as open · Nov 5, 8pm ET.
Official page: “…lion in awards are distributed annually, including the first place prize of $250,000. Application Deadline is November 5, 2026 at 8pm ET. Open Your Application Today! Congratulations to the winners of this year’s Regene” (checked 2026-10-15)
Jack Kent Cooke Foundation
Up to $55,000/year
HS seniors, 3.75+ unweighted GPA, unmet need (income up to ~$95k).
Deadline: not confirmed as open · Nov 11 (via Common App).
Elks National Foundation
$4,000–$50,000
HS seniors; scholarship, leadership, financial need. No Elks affiliation required.
Deadline: not confirmed as open · Approx. mid-November — verify exact date.
Official page: “…rograms at accredited U.S. American colleges or universities. Application: The 2027 MVS application closes on November 12, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time. ---> If prompted, the program code is: ElksMVS The 2027 applica” (checked 2026-10-15)
NASSP / National Honor Society
Varies ($2M total, ~600 awards)
Active NHS members who are HS seniors.
Deadline: not confirmed as open · Nov 20, 5pm ET.
Hagan Scholarship Foundation
Up to ~$60,000 total
Seniors at small/rural high schools, 3.5+ GPA, financial need, work requirement.
Deadline: not confirmed as open · Dec 1.
CAP Charitable Foundation
$40,000 ($10,000/yr)
Black/African-American HS seniors; academics, leadership, service, need.
Deadline: not confirmed as open · Dec 1 (recs due Dec 15).
Calvin Coolidge Presidential Foundation
Full ride (tuition, room, board) 4 years
HS juniors; academic excellence, interest in public policy; need-blind.
Deadline: not confirmed as open · Dec 1, 5pm PT — for HS JUNIORS.
U.S. Department of Defense
Full tuition + stipend + DoD job
STEM students (incl. HS seniors entering college); service commitment.
Deadline: not confirmed as open · Approx. early December — verify.
Burger King Foundation
$1,000–$60,000
HS seniors & some current students in US/Canada/PR, min 2.5 GPA, work/community involvement.
Deadline: not confirmed as open · Opens Oct 15; closes Dec 15 or at 30,000 applications — apply early.
Official page: “…mum of four awards. Is there a deadline date for submitting applications? Yes, the application period is from October 15, 2026, through December 15, 2026. Access to the application will remain open until the deadline. H” (checked 2026-10-15)
Equitable Foundation
Up to $20,000
HS seniors with ambition and self-drive shown in school/community/work.
Deadline: not confirmed as open · Listed Dec 18 — verify.
Michael & Susan Dell Foundation
$20,000 + laptop + support
Pell-eligible HS seniors in a college-readiness program, 2.4+ GPA.
Deadline: not confirmed as open · Opened Oct 1; closes Jan 12, 2027.
Davidson Institute
$10,000 / $25,000 / $50,000
Age 18 or under with a significant project in STEM, literature, music, or philosophy.
Deadline: not confirmed as open · Listed Feb 11, 2027 — verify.
Bryan Cameron Education Foundation
Full tuition, 4 years
HS juniors, 3.7+ unweighted GPA, leadership & service; no income test.
Deadline: not confirmed as open · Opens Feb 1, 2027; closes May 1 or at 3,000 apps. For HS JUNIORS.
Official page: “…cted by law. APPLICATIONS WILL OPEN FOR THE CLASS OF 2028 ON FEBRUARY 1, 2027 *** We review applications on a rolling basis. We accept a total of 3,000 completed and eligible applications, and will close the application” (checked 2026-10-15)
Horatio Alger Association
$25,000
HS seniors who overcame adversity, need ≤ ~$65k income, 2.0+ GPA.
Deadline: not confirmed as open · Typically late October — verify current cycle.
Hispanic Scholarship Fund
$500–$5,000
Students of Hispanic heritage, 3.0+ GPA, FAFSA filers.
Deadline: not confirmed as open · Typically mid-February — verify.
Jackie Robinson Foundation
Up to $35,000 over 4 years + mentoring
Minority HS seniors with leadership and need.
Deadline: not confirmed as open · Typically January — verify.
Official page: “…tober 15 from 7:00-8:00 PM ET DROP-IN Q&A ROOM Apply Now September 1, 2026 Application Open Application opens January 14, 2027 Application Due All materials must be submitted by the due date for an application to be com” (checked 2026-10-15)
Taco Bell Foundation
$5,000–$25,000
Ages 16–26; video about passion; no GPA or essay requirement.
Deadline: not confirmed as open · Typically winter — verify.
Amazon
Up to $40,000 + internship offer
HS seniors pursuing computer science, financial need.
Deadline: not confirmed as open · Typically December–January — verify.
Alliance for Young Artists & Writers
Up to $12,500 (Portfolio)
Grades 7–12 creative work in art and writing categories.
Deadline: not confirmed as open · Regional deadlines Dec–Jan — verify.
United Negro College Fund
Varies by program
Primarily African-American students; many attend HBCUs/UNCF members.
Deadline: not confirmed as open · Many programs, rolling deadlines — verify each.
National Merit Scholarship Corporation
$2,500 + corporate/college awards
HS juniors taking PSAT/NMSQT; Semifinalists named by score.
Deadline: not confirmed as open · Entry via PSAT/NMSQT in junior year (October).
Stamps Scholars (with partner universities)
Up to full cost of attendance + enrichment funds
HS seniors applying to Stamps partner schools; leadership, scholarship, innovation.
Deadline: not confirmed as open · Deadlines set by each partner school (often its early deadline) — verify.
Mastercard Foundation (with partner universities)
Tuition, housing, books, airfare
Academically talented young Africans with financial need.
Deadline: not confirmed as open · Set by each partner university.