Where do I start looking for scholarships as a high school senior?

Start with the money that almost everyone qualifies for: file the FAFSA, check your state's grants, and ask your school counselor about local scholarships. Then apply to national scholarships that fit you. The guide below lists each with its official page.

Do I have to pay to apply for a scholarship?

No. A real scholarship does not charge an application fee. If someone asks for money to apply, to "guarantee" an award or to release winnings, treat it as a scam and see the warning signs below.

Are there scholarships for students who will be the first in their family to go to college?

Yes. The first-generation and need-based section lists real programs, each with its official page. Your school counselor and the college's financial aid office also know about aid for first-generation students.

Are there scholarships for starting a business?

There are scholarships and competitions for student entrepreneurs, listed below. The U.S. Small Business Administration, however, does not give grants to start a business. The entrepreneur section explains the difference.

Earlier than you think. Many deadlines fall in the fall and winter of senior year, and some are earlier. Each official page lists the current deadline, so check it before you plan. Details change every year.

Free guide · checked October 20, 2026

Scholarships for high school seniors, with the real links.

Federal and Ohio college aid, national scholarships, first-generation programs and student entrepreneur programs. Every one links to its own official page, and nothing here asks you to pay.

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How to use this

Start with the money most people qualify for

Aid that nearly every senior can get comes first. Then the scholarships that match you.

Step 1
File the FAFSA. Gather your FSA ID, a parent's or spouse's email as a contributor, and income information if required. Your own section takes about 12 minutes.
Step 2
File the FAFSA again every year, because Pell and Ohio aid like the Ohio College Opportunity Grant use it.
Step 3
Collect the usual scholarship materials: the application, essays, letters of recommendation from teachers, coaches, counselors or mentors, honors, a transcript or GPA, and a résumé.
Step 4
Start early and keep looking all year, because deadlines vary. Set aside time every few weeks.
Step 5
Apply only to scholarships you are eligible for. Local ones tend to have fewer applicants, and your counselor and a college's financial aid office can point you to them.
Step 6
Check each program's official page for its current deadline before you plan.

Start here

Federal and Ohio college aid

The money almost everyone should apply for first. It does not depend on a scholarship essay.

FAFSA (2027-28 form)
The free federal aid application. Ohio also uses it for state aid.
Who can apply
Any student who wants federal, state or school aid.
Amount
Free to file
Deadline
The 2027-28 form opened September 23, 2026. State and school deadlines vary, so check the state deadline tool on the page.
Official page
Federal Pell Grant
A federal grant that usually does not have to be repaid.
Who can apply
Undergraduates with exceptional financial need who have not earned a bachelor's degree, based on the FAFSA.
Amount
Up to $7,395 for 2026-27
Deadline
Recurring: file the FAFSA each year.
Official page
Ohio College Opportunity Grant (OCOG)
Ohio's need-based grant, run by the Ohio Department of Higher Education.
Who can apply
Ohio residents in an associate, first bachelor's or nursing diploma program at an eligible school, with a Student Aid Index of $3,750 or less and household income of $96,000 or less. Apply through the FAFSA.
Amount
2026-27 full-time: $4,000 at other public main campuses, $492 at regional campuses, $0 at community colleges. Private school amounts vary.
Deadline
Recurring: file the FAFSA.
Official page
Governor's Merit Scholarship (Ohio)
A state scholarship for top Ohio high school graduates who attend an Ohio college.
Who can apply
Ohio residents in the top 5% of the class at a public or chartered nonpublic high school. There is no application at those schools: the school nominates the student.
Amount
Up to $5,000 a year for up to four years
Deadline
Recurring. Homeschool and dropout-recovery students apply through the state portal by October 1.
Official page
College Credit Plus (Ohio)
Free college courses for Ohio middle and high school students that earn high school and college credit.
Who can apply
Students in grades 6 to 11. A counseling session is required first.
Amount
No cost to students at public colleges.
Deadline
Recurring: notice of intent is due April 1 and may be filed as early as February 15.
Official page
Choose Ohio First
State-funded STEM and STEM-teaching scholarships awarded by participating Ohio colleges.
Who can apply
Ohio residents new to an eligible STEM program. Each school sets its own criteria, and there is no central application: contact the school.
Amount
The average 2024 award was $4,151 at four-year schools and $2,619 at two-year schools.
Deadline
Set by each school.
Official page
Ohio Work Ready Grant
A state grant for skilled-trades and technician programs that lead to in-demand credentials.
Who can apply
Ohio residents who filed the FAFSA and are Pell-eligible at community and technical colleges, Ohio Technical Centers or regional campuses. Students in priority technician programs need the FAFSA but not Pell eligibility.
Amount
Up to $6,000 a year for full-time students in priority technician programs
Deadline
Recurring: the page states no date.
Official page

National scholarships

National scholarships open to seniors

Free to apply, competitive, and worth a look if you fit. Several deadlines for this cycle have passed, and each lists when it opens again.

Jack Kent Cooke Foundation College Scholarship
A need-based scholarship for high-achieving seniors, applied for through the Common App.
Who can apply
Graduating spring 2027, a 3.75 unweighted GPA or higher, and family income up to $95,000. Citizenship is not required.
Amount
Up to $55,000 a year
Deadline
November 11, 2026
Official page
Elks Most Valuable Student
A national scholarship contest, open to students who are not Elks members.
Who can apply
A current high school senior and U.S. citizen, headed to a full-time accredited four-year program.
Amount
The top 20 national finalists receive $30,000 each.
Deadline
November 12, 2026
Official page
Ron Brown Scholar Program
A selective four-year scholarship.
Who can apply
Black or African American, a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, a current high school senior, with academic excellence, leadership, community service and financial need.
Amount
20 scholarships of $40,000 each
Deadline
Final application December 1
Official page
Burger King Scholars
Scholarships administered by Scholarship America.
Who can apply
Living in the U.S., Puerto Rico, Guam or Canada, with a 2.0 GPA or higher, planning to enroll full-time in 2027-28.
Amount
$1,000 to $60,000
Deadline
December 15, 2026. Only the first 30,000 applications are reviewed, so apply early.
Official page
Horatio Alger National Scholarship
A scholarship for students with critical financial need who show perseverance through adversity.
Who can apply
Adjusted gross family income of $100,000 or less. A counselor form and an adversity section are required.
Deadline
Seniors: December 1 to February 15
Official page
BigFuture Scholarships (College Board)
Drawings for scholarships. Students earn entries by completing college-planning steps, with no purchase or payment necessary.
Who can apply
High school class of 2027.
Amount
$500 and $40,000 scholarships
Deadline
The class of 2027 program ends November 30, 2026.
Official page
Coca-Cola Scholars Program
150 scholars are chosen each year.
Who can apply
Current seniors who are U.S. citizens, nationals, permanent residents or similar, with a 3.0 GPA or higher.
Amount
$20,000
Deadline
Recurring: opens early August and closes September 30. The 2027 cycle has closed.
Official page
The Gates Scholarship
A last-dollar scholarship for outstanding low-income seniors.
Who can apply
Pell-eligible, a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, with a 3.3 weighted GPA or higher, headed to a full-time U.S. four-year nonprofit college.
Amount
The full cost of attendance not covered by other aid
Deadline
Recurring: opens mid-July. The 2027 cycle has closed.
Official page
National Merit Scholarship Program
Entry is automatic by taking the PSAT/NMSQT. There is no separate application.
Who can apply
A U.S. high school student who takes the qualifying test by the third year of grades 9 to 12.
Deadline
Recurring each October. The October 2026 test is for the class of 2028.
Official page

Check the date before you plan: Coca-Cola, Gates and QuestBridge closed for this cycle and recur next fall.

First in the family

First-generation and need-based programs

For students who will be the first in their family to go to college, or who need the most help paying for it.

QuestBridge National College Match
A free application to 55 college partners. Matched students receive full four-year scholarships.
Who can apply
High-achieving seniors from low-income households, about $65,000 or less for a family of four with minimal assets.
Amount
Full four-year scholarships
Deadline
Recurring: the match deadline is October 1. This year's has passed, and Regular Decision is a separate route.
Official page
Barberton Community Foundation First Generation Scholarship
A four-year award for the first in the family to attend college or trade school. Six are given each year.
Who can apply
Graduating seniors who are first in their family to attend college. Apply through the foundation's portal. The page does not say whether it is limited to Barberton residents, so check.
Amount
$1,500 in the first year, rising to $3,000 in the fourth
Deadline
Senior applications open in January.
Official page
Federal TRIO Programs (Upward Bound, Student Support Services, Talent Search)
Free federal outreach and student services run through schools and colleges. Students are accepted into a program rather than applying for a grant.
Who can apply
Low-income and first-generation students, and students with disabilities, in an area or school a program serves. Ask your school counselor.
Amount
Services, not cash
Official page

For young entrepreneurs

Business and entrepreneurship programs

Competitions and scholarships for students who want to start something. DECA and FBLA scholarships require paid club membership.

Veale Youth Entrepreneurship Forum: thinkBIG! Challenge
An online business plan competition for Northeast Ohio high school students, run through Case Western Reserve University. Finalists receive executive coaching and a live pitch.
Who can apply
Teams of one to four high school students in Northeast Ohio, with an executive summary of five pages or fewer in one of three tracks.
Amount
Over $9,000 in prizes across the tracks
Deadline
Executive summary due January 26, 2027. The live summit is March 2, 2027.
Official page
Young Entrepreneur Institute: National Pitch Contest
A 30 to 90 second video pitch contest for grades K to 12, in three age groups.
Who can apply
Individual students or teams. Open to individuals as well as classrooms.
Deadline
Registration through December 18, 2026. Entries due February 12, 2027.
Official page
DECA scholarships
Merit scholarships for DECA members. DECA says its scholarship program provides over $200,000 a year.
Who can apply
DECA members only, and membership has dues. Apply through the DECA scholarship site.
Deadline
Applications close January 11, 2027.
Official page
FBLA x Futures (Pearson) Scholarship
Three scholarships for FBLA members.
Who can apply
An active FBLA member who is a current junior or senior, or an undergraduate, planning courses at an accredited U.S. college.
Amount
$2,000 each, three awards
Deadline
Recurring: check the page for the current cycle.
Official page
FBLA Dressed to Impress
A need-based professional-attire grant.
Who can apply
FBLA members and chapters in good standing. Middle and high school members apply with their adviser.
Amount
$300
Deadline
Opens October 15 and is due November 15. Confirm the year on the page.
Official page

Close to home

Local Ohio scholarships

Local awards often have fewer applicants. These are community foundation scholarships near Akron and Barberton.

Akron Community Foundation student scholarships
Many separate funds, each with its own rules. Several are limited to specific high schools.
Who can apply
Varies by fund.
Amount
Varies by fund
Deadline
Applications open December 1. Deadlines vary by fund.
Official page
Barberton Community Foundation Cum Laude Scholarship
A renewable award for graduating Barberton High School seniors, based on GPA and class rank. Up to 20 are awarded each year.
Who can apply
Barberton High School graduating seniors. Apply through the foundation's portal.
Amount
$1,500 the first year, then $2,000, $2,500 and $3,000
Deadline
Senior applications begin in January.
Official page

Starting a business

What about grants to start a business?

The SBA's own page says it does not provide grants for starting and expanding a business. Its grants go to nonprofits, resource partners and educational organizations for counseling and training. For a young person starting a business, the real options are the student competitions above, free counseling, and saving your first revenue. U.S. Small Business Administration

Free help is real, though. Start with how to start a business in Ohio and the free Business 101 course.

Stay safe

How to spot a scholarship scam

Never pay to apply for a scholarship. Walk away from any processing cost or redemption fee. Source
Be wary of "guaranteed or your money back", "you're a finalist" for a contest you never entered, "I just need your credit card or bank number to hold this scholarship", and "we'll do all the work, you just pay a fee". Source
The FAFSA is always free. Only you and your family should complete it, and never share your FSA ID. Source
You never have to pay for help with federal student aid or the FAFSA. Do not give a card or bank number to an organization you cannot confirm is legitimate. Source
Do not pay at a scholarship seminar. Only scammers say "pay now or lose out". Source

Five questions to ask your teenager about what is next

A one-page guide for the kitchen table, then a few short emails about exploring careers. For parents. No spam, and you can stop any time.

Questions

Straight answers

Where do I start looking for scholarships as a high school senior?: Start with the money that almost everyone qualifies for: file the FAFSA, check your state's grants, and ask your school counselor about local scholarships. Then apply to national scholarships that fit you. The guide below lists each with its official page.
Do I have to pay to apply for a scholarship?: No. A real scholarship does not charge an application fee. If someone asks for money to apply, to "guarantee" an award or to release winnings, treat it as a scam and see the warning signs below.
Are there scholarships for students who will be the first in their family to go to college?: Yes. The first-generation and need-based section lists real programs, each with its official page. Your school counselor and the college's financial aid office also know about aid for first-generation students.
Are there scholarships for starting a business?: There are scholarships and competitions for student entrepreneurs, listed below. The U.S. Small Business Administration, however, does not give grants to start a business. The entrepreneur section explains the difference.
When should I apply?: Earlier than you think. Many deadlines fall in the fall and winter of senior year, and some are earlier. Each official page lists the current deadline, so check it before you plan. Details change every year.

Launch League does not run any program listed here, was not paid to list any of them, and is not a scholarship provider. Amounts, deadlines and rules change, so confirm each on its official page. Checked October 20, 2026.