For high school students with a dream to attend college or university, it is important that you set and achieve academic goals early on. You need to show that you’ve challenged yourself academically and have what it takes to succeed in your dream school.

You should also understand that college can be expensive, costing an average of $35,331 per year. Student loan debt has hit an all-time high of $1.59 trillion in January 2022, with borrowers graduating with an average debt of $28,950.

Don’t let finance stand in the way of your college dreams. Look to maximize your financial aid and apply for scholarships while you’re in high school. Scholarships are not only a great way to pay for college, but scholarship winners also stand out in the college application process. 

High school is the best time to look for scholarships, as there are many scholarships available for high school students. Some scholarships are open only to freshmen, sophomores, juniors or seniors in high school, others are available for all high school students.

Here is a list of scholarships for high school students.

Jacoby & Meyers Latinx Community Scholarship

Jacoby & Meyers, a personal injury law firm in Los Angeles, is accepting applications for its Jacoby & Meyers Latinx Community Scholarship.

The company will award $5,000 to the winner.

To apply, those interested must write an essay of 350-500 words on how their Hispanic background influenced their goals for higher education and submit an unofficial copy of their transcript.  

Application Deadline: August 15, 2024

Award: $5,000

Eligibility: 

• Must be high school seniors or first- and second-year college/trade school students
• Must be of Latinx descent
• Must reside in California
• Must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0
• Must be actively involved in community service activities within the Latinx community 

Click here to apply for the Jacoby & Meyers Latinx Community Scholarship.

Banzai Life Literacy Scholarship

Banzai is accepting applications for its Banzai Life Literacy Scholarship.

The company will award five scholarships of $2,000 each.

To apply, those interested must write an essay of 350-500 words on why financial literacy is important or how they plan to use what they’ve learned about financial literacy in the future.

Application Deadline: March 31, 2025

Award: $2,000

Eligibility: 

• Must be a high school junior or senior
• Must reside in the United States
• Must be at least 16 years of age
• Must have played through at least two Banzai games
• Must plan on enrolling either full- or part-time at an accredited college, university or a trade, vocational or technical school in the United States by the 2029-2030 academic year

Click here to apply for the Banzai Life Literacy Scholarship. 

Good Life’s Community Scholarship Orange County

Good LIfe Property Management is currently accepting applications for its Good Life’s Community Scholarship. 

The company will award $2,500 to the winner.

To apply, students must write an essay of at least 350 words on any one of five given prompts, all of which are centered around their community. Students can write about what community means to them, the lessons they’ve learned from being part of a community, how their community helped them overcome a challenge, how they discovered community through a team or part-time job they were involved with, or how they have contributed to a community through volunteerism.

Application Deadline: May 1, 2025

Award: $2,500

Eligibility: 

• Must be a high school senior or high school graduate who will be enrolled, or a current undergraduate or graduate student enrolled, full-time at an accredited U.S. college or university for the 2025-26 academic year
• Must reside in the United States

Click here to apply for Good Life’s Community Scholarship.

The scholarships listed above are just some of the best scholarships we’ve found for you. There are many other scholarships out there for high school students.

Use TUN’s Scholarship Search Engine to find more scholarships for you.

To keep on top of new scholarships as they are offered, be sure to join the TUN Community. We will let you know about scholarships that you qualify for. 

When to apply for scholarships 

Each scholarship has a specific deadline. These deadlines occur throughout the year, so you can find one for any time of the year. Keep in mind, however, that some scholarship deadlines may fall months, even a year, before the start of the academic year for which you’re seeking a scholarship.  

So, if you’re a high school student looking to get a scholarship for your freshman year of college, you should start the search process early. While you don’t necessarily have to apply for scholarships in your freshman or sophomore year, you will develop a sense of scholarships that are available so you can apply when you’re ready. 

And when you apply, be sure to meet the deadline for each specific scholarship. 

How to apply for scholarships

Each scholarship has its own unique requirements and qualifications. The first step to successfully applying for any scholarship is reading the details carefully. Make sure that you fit the eligibility criteria and fill out the application completely. 

Pay attention to what’s required of you. For example, if you need a recommendation letter, you should request one way ahead of time so you have one by the time you apply. If an essay is required, start writing weeks before the deadline so you have an essay you can be proud of before the due date.

Aim to send in your application at least a few days before the deadline. This way, you avoid the risk of getting sidelined by technical glitches, tests, heavy homework load, or illness. 

And don’t forget to submit everything required of you as part of your application. 

For more tips on how to apply for scholarships, check here.

How to find scholarships

Colleges may offer either merit-based or need-based scholarships or both. You can usually find most of the information by clicking on their “financial aid” page. If you have questions, don’t hesitate to email or call their financial aid office.

There are also outside scholarships — like the ones listed above — that are sponsored by companies, organizations, foundations, and individuals as a way to give back to their communities. The awards can cover your entire tuition or a portion of it. Some scholarships have a GPA requirement or are based on financial need, while others embrace a cause or emphasize community involvement, athletic achievement, diversity, passion, and much more. 

So, how do you find outside scholarships like these?

Start your search with TUN’s Scholarship Search Engine to find scholarships that are ideal for you. You can search by grade level, GPA, major, state of residency, scholarship name, or deadline month. You can also browse through our featured scholarships, some available only through TUN, and a collated list of scholarships for specific groups of students. 

You should also check with your high school to see if they have a list of scholarships. Your guidance counselor may have the list or point you to someone who can help you. They may also be in the know about scholarships sponsored by local stores or organizations.

Your family is yet another good source of scholarships. Your parents or guardians may work for a company that offers scholarships for dependents of employees. 

If you work while in high school, you may also qualify for an employee scholarship. 

For more tips on how to find scholarships, check here.

How to get scholarships

Scholarships, especially ones with high awards, can be very competitive. In some cases, you may be competing against thousands of students. 

So, how do you increase your chances of winning a scholarship?

First, make sure you meet the eligibility criteria and submit all the information required of you, including recommendation letters, transcripts, and resume.

Second, be sure to distinguish yourself from the other applicants. Your essay, if that’s required, is what makes you unique so let your personality and creativity shine through. How do you do that? 

You can achieve that “by showing instead of telling,” according to Sarah Chomette, an eAdviser with the College Advising Corps. 

“When answering a creative prompt or inputting your personal statement, it’s important to provide the reader with a story instead of just telling them about your goals and accomplishments,” she said. “That can be kind of boring and it makes you get lost in the crowd.”

A successful essay must include four major components, Chomette explained. First, make sure that you convey your personal values. Second, be open and honest to help the reader feel a connection with you. Third, let the reader know why your story is important. Fourth, your writing must show that you put time and effort into it. 

If a scholarship asks for a video or infographic instead of an essay, the same principle applies.

To summarize, always put thought and effort into your whole application and submit your best work. There should be no obvious errors or typos. And if you need to submit a recommendation letter, reflect on who knows you best and whose recommendation would help your application the most. 

Are scholarships taxable?

Typically, scholarships are not taxable. However, it can depend on how the scholarship money is being used, according to federal tax laws. 

Scholarship dollars are tax-exempt if they are going to a degree-seeking candidate and are being used to pay for tuition and fees required for enrollment, books, supplies, and other educational expenses. 

Scholarships are not tax-exempt, and you must report them as “gross income,” if they are used to pay for room and board, travel, or optional equipment. 

If you have additional questions, you should reach out to the financial aid office of your prospective college or university. 

Featured Scholarships