getting started
There are tons of scholarships available to high school students - local and national. While we receive much information about these, please be aware that there are many others that we simply don’t know about. Looking for scholarships can almost be like a part-time job and you have to be willing to put some time and effort into the search. The institutions you will be attending are your greatest resource for financial aid; however, we list below a few scholarships, as well as some links you can use to search for scholarships that might meet your particular situation. We do not endorse any of the websites, but simply provide them for your convenience.
FAFSA - Need money for your education? Start here! All seniors planning on attending 4-year, 2-year, and technical colleges should complete the FAFSA, in order to be considered for scholarships and financial aid available through their future college or university.
Attention! Financial Aid and Scholarship Scams!
Save time! Scholar Snapp allows you to fill out much of the standard content which is requested in many online scholarship applications. Saving this data in one centralized place in the cloud allows you to re-use the content for other scholarship applications without requiring you to retype your personal information for each subsequent application.
Next Steps Idaho has an Idaho specific scholarships search - https://nextsteps.idaho.gov/scholarships/
Check out Idaho Community Foundation's website for many local scholarships! Also, you may want to check out your local school district's website and social media to view their postings.
Interested in career/technical programs? Check out this list of scholarships! Also scroll down for more!
National scholarship websites:
Scholarship resources for students with a learning disability:
FAFSA - Need money for your education? Start here! All seniors planning on attending 4-year, 2-year, and technical colleges should complete the FAFSA, in order to be considered for scholarships and financial aid available through their future college or university.
Attention! Financial Aid and Scholarship Scams!
Save time! Scholar Snapp allows you to fill out much of the standard content which is requested in many online scholarship applications. Saving this data in one centralized place in the cloud allows you to re-use the content for other scholarship applications without requiring you to retype your personal information for each subsequent application.
Next Steps Idaho has an Idaho specific scholarships search - https://nextsteps.idaho.gov/scholarships/
Check out Idaho Community Foundation's website for many local scholarships! Also, you may want to check out your local school district's website and social media to view their postings.
Interested in career/technical programs? Check out this list of scholarships! Also scroll down for more!
National scholarship websites:
- Going Merry
- Cappex - One of our seniors raves about this site!
- FinAid
- Discover (no registration is required)
- CollegeBoard
- Scholarship America
Scholarship resources for students with a learning disability:
- US News Article
- Scholarships.com List
- Nitro College - has search engine / filter options
- Scholarships for Students with ADHD or LD
Idaho Board of Education Scholarships
Opportunity Scholarship
Deadline - 3/1 (must have also completed FAFSA by 3/1)
Need-based aware for students with at least a 2.7 unweighted cumulative GPA
Governor's Cup Scholarship
Notes: Two separate scholarships for those going into a career/technical program and those seeking bachelor and associate degrees
Deadline - 3/1 for Academic and 4/15 for Career/Technical
Requires demonstrated commitment to community service, having a 2.8 GPA, and a 500 word essay
Armed Forces and Public Safety Officer Dependent Scholarship
Open/no deadline
For dependents of fallen or permanently disabled members of the armed forces of public safety
*For more details on Idaho State Board of Education Scholarships, please visit their website.
Deadline - 3/1 (must have also completed FAFSA by 3/1)
Need-based aware for students with at least a 2.7 unweighted cumulative GPA
Governor's Cup Scholarship
Notes: Two separate scholarships for those going into a career/technical program and those seeking bachelor and associate degrees
Deadline - 3/1 for Academic and 4/15 for Career/Technical
Requires demonstrated commitment to community service, having a 2.8 GPA, and a 500 word essay
Armed Forces and Public Safety Officer Dependent Scholarship
Open/no deadline
For dependents of fallen or permanently disabled members of the armed forces of public safety
*For more details on Idaho State Board of Education Scholarships, please visit their website.
Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE)
The Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) is an agreement among WICHE’s 16 members, through which 160+ participating public colleges and universities provide steep nonresident tuition savings for Western students. Click here for the full list of participating WUE schools!
Through WUE, eligible students can choose from hundreds of undergraduate programs outside their home state, and pay no more than 150 percent of that institution’s resident tuition rate.
Since full nonresident college-tuition rates may exceed 300 percent of resident rates, WUE increases affordable higher-education choices for students, and minimizes the adverse impacts of student loan debt.
Through WUE, eligible students can choose from hundreds of undergraduate programs outside their home state, and pay no more than 150 percent of that institution’s resident tuition rate.
Since full nonresident college-tuition rates may exceed 300 percent of resident rates, WUE increases affordable higher-education choices for students, and minimizes the adverse impacts of student loan debt.
Students attending virtual school
The Future of School announces scholarship opportunities for graduating high school seniors in online and blended programs. There are two categories: four year college/university and two year community college, vocational, technical, or trade school. If selected as a recipient, the student will receive a $10,000 award. Up to thirty (30) awards will be granted. Awards may be renewed one time, contingent upon satisfactory academic performance in a full-time course of study and continuation of the program. The Future of School partners with Scholarship America who manages the application process. Applicants must meet the program’s eligibility requirements and submit the appropriate documents by the deadline. Scholarships are accepted for 6-8 weeks in the winter (Dec-Feb). The application review takes about a month, and scholarship winners are notified by Scholarship America near the end of April, once the FoS board approves the recipient candidates. For more details, visit:
https://www.futureof.school/student-scholarship
https://www.futureof.school/student-scholarship
Local scholarships
American Indian Scholarships
Please see attachment at the bottom; this information is specific for Idaho colleges and universities. Please note the deadlines vary for each scholarship.
American Legion Auxiliary
There are a number of scholarships available through the American Legion Auxiliary. Please go online to see a complete list and to access the application
Certificate of Residency
Residents of Idaho may qualify for county support if attending College of Southern Idaho, North Idaho College, or College of Western Idaho. You could receive a $500 per semester benefit with an approved Certificate of Residency. To apply for this benefit, check your college's website for their form, fill it out, and take it to your County Clerk's office.
Gem State Scholarship
Two scholarships in the amount of $1000 each will be awarded to winners as selected by the Gem State Insurance Company Scholarship Committee. Deadline is typically in late March each year.
Hamilton Relay Scholarship
This opportunity is for graduating high school students in Idaho who are deaf, hard of hearing, deaf-blind, or have difficulty speaking to assist in their goals of continuing their education. The deadline is typically in January each year. The scholarship is in the amount of $500. Apply here.
Idaho Association of Counties
Six scholarships in the amount of $1,000 each will be awarded to the winners as selected by the IAC Scholarship Committee. Those who are eligible to apply for the scholarship are children of county employees who are issued a paycheck by the county that work 20 hours or more per week and the children and grandchildren of county elected officials (assessors, clerks, commissioners, coroners, prosecuting attorneys, sheriff, and treasurer). The deadline is typically in late February each year. Visit their website to learn more. If you have questions, you may also call Mindy Linn at (208) 514-0413 or email [email protected].
Idaho Power Scholarship - Academic Excellence
The application may be found online. The Academic Excellence Scholarships provides 10 annual student fee/tuition grants for graduating high school students who live within Idaho Power's service area. Applicants must have a minimum 3.75 unweighted GPA. Deadline is typically March 1st.
Idaho Society of Women Engineers
The Society of Women Engineers (SWE) is a national organization that aims to encourage women to enter engineering. The Southwest Idaho SWE section offers merit-based scholarships to women from anywhere in Idaho planning to pursue a degree in engineering, or another STEM field such as Computer Science, math or a hard science. Qualifications:
Applications typically open in December and close in late January each year.
To learn more, visit: http://swidaho.swe.org/scholarships.html.
Innovia Foundation Scholarships (Various awards for students living in North Idaho)
Innovia Foundation has a wide range of scholarships available to students:
https://innovia.org/students/apply-for-a-scholarship/
The Janice Wymer Higher Education Scholarship
The North Idaho Building Contractors Association, Professional Women in Building Council are offering a $500 scholarship to high school graduating students, MALE or FEMALE entering a building-related field at any Idaho college. Examples of building related field would be: carpentry, drafting, engineering, electrical, plumbing, interior decorating, HVAC etc. If you have questions as to whether a field is related to the building industry, please contact Shelly or Kiauna at the NIBCA, at 208-765-5518. Deadline varies each year (and have been in April and May).
PNACAC Student Scholarship
The Pacific Northwest Association for College Admission Counseling (PNACAC) is pleased to offer scholarships to students in their region! Five students who attend school in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington will be selected for a one-time, non-renewable $1,000 scholarship. Students from diverse backgrounds and all family income backgrounds are encouraged to apply. The deadline to apply is typically in mid-March. Apply here.
Rocky Mountain Section PGA Foundation Scholarship
This Scholarship Program is an academic scholarship awarded based on academic achievement, community and extracurricular activity, financial need, leadership and involvement and contribution to the game of golf. Applications will be ranked based on the following criteria:
https://rockymountainpga.com/junior-golf/scholarships/
Please see attachment at the bottom; this information is specific for Idaho colleges and universities. Please note the deadlines vary for each scholarship.
American Legion Auxiliary
There are a number of scholarships available through the American Legion Auxiliary. Please go online to see a complete list and to access the application
Certificate of Residency
Residents of Idaho may qualify for county support if attending College of Southern Idaho, North Idaho College, or College of Western Idaho. You could receive a $500 per semester benefit with an approved Certificate of Residency. To apply for this benefit, check your college's website for their form, fill it out, and take it to your County Clerk's office.
Gem State Scholarship
Two scholarships in the amount of $1000 each will be awarded to winners as selected by the Gem State Insurance Company Scholarship Committee. Deadline is typically in late March each year.
Hamilton Relay Scholarship
This opportunity is for graduating high school students in Idaho who are deaf, hard of hearing, deaf-blind, or have difficulty speaking to assist in their goals of continuing their education. The deadline is typically in January each year. The scholarship is in the amount of $500. Apply here.
Idaho Association of Counties
Six scholarships in the amount of $1,000 each will be awarded to the winners as selected by the IAC Scholarship Committee. Those who are eligible to apply for the scholarship are children of county employees who are issued a paycheck by the county that work 20 hours or more per week and the children and grandchildren of county elected officials (assessors, clerks, commissioners, coroners, prosecuting attorneys, sheriff, and treasurer). The deadline is typically in late February each year. Visit their website to learn more. If you have questions, you may also call Mindy Linn at (208) 514-0413 or email [email protected].
Idaho Power Scholarship - Academic Excellence
The application may be found online. The Academic Excellence Scholarships provides 10 annual student fee/tuition grants for graduating high school students who live within Idaho Power's service area. Applicants must have a minimum 3.75 unweighted GPA. Deadline is typically March 1st.
Idaho Society of Women Engineers
The Society of Women Engineers (SWE) is a national organization that aims to encourage women to enter engineering. The Southwest Idaho SWE section offers merit-based scholarships to women from anywhere in Idaho planning to pursue a degree in engineering, or another STEM field such as Computer Science, math or a hard science. Qualifications:
- Female student
- Entering a STEM-related field of study
- From anywhere in Idaho
- Going to any ABET accredited university (even out of state)
- Minimum GPA 3.0
- Essay about her desire to enter an engineering or engineering-related field and why that field interests her
Applications typically open in December and close in late January each year.
To learn more, visit: http://swidaho.swe.org/scholarships.html.
Innovia Foundation Scholarships (Various awards for students living in North Idaho)
Innovia Foundation has a wide range of scholarships available to students:
https://innovia.org/students/apply-for-a-scholarship/
The Janice Wymer Higher Education Scholarship
The North Idaho Building Contractors Association, Professional Women in Building Council are offering a $500 scholarship to high school graduating students, MALE or FEMALE entering a building-related field at any Idaho college. Examples of building related field would be: carpentry, drafting, engineering, electrical, plumbing, interior decorating, HVAC etc. If you have questions as to whether a field is related to the building industry, please contact Shelly or Kiauna at the NIBCA, at 208-765-5518. Deadline varies each year (and have been in April and May).
PNACAC Student Scholarship
The Pacific Northwest Association for College Admission Counseling (PNACAC) is pleased to offer scholarships to students in their region! Five students who attend school in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington will be selected for a one-time, non-renewable $1,000 scholarship. Students from diverse backgrounds and all family income backgrounds are encouraged to apply. The deadline to apply is typically in mid-March. Apply here.
Rocky Mountain Section PGA Foundation Scholarship
This Scholarship Program is an academic scholarship awarded based on academic achievement, community and extracurricular activity, financial need, leadership and involvement and contribution to the game of golf. Applications will be ranked based on the following criteria:
- Cumulative Grade Point Average, ACT/SAT scores, high school extracurricular activities, leadership activities, financial need, and involvement and contribution to the game of golf.
- Applicants must have a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA and plan to attend a college or university as a full-time student.
https://rockymountainpga.com/junior-golf/scholarships/
national scholarship
College Board Opportunity Scholarship
The College Board Opportunity Scholarship is open to all juniors and seniors, and it doesn't require an essay, application, or minimum GPA. Instead, it rewards your effort and initiative. Complete key steps along your path to college for a chance to earn scholarships. You could earn money for college by simply building a college list, practicing for the SAT, and applying to college!
Abbott & Fenner Scholarship
The A&F Scholarships are available to all high school juniors and seniors as well as all students currently registered in any accredited post secondary institution. To apply for this scholarship you will need to write an essay. The essay should be between 500 and 1000 words. Deadline is typically in June each year. Essay topic: Describe your educational career and life goals. Explain your plan for achieving these goals. Include your degree/major, why you selected it, and how this degree/major will help you achieve your goals. To learn more and to apply, go here.
Freedom Alliance Scholarship Program
The Freedom Alliance Scholarship fund is for the children of military personnel who have been killed or permanently disabled in an combat mission or training accident. For more details on eligibility and how to apply, please visit their website.
Gates Scholarship
The Gates Scholarship is a highly selective, full scholarship for exceptional, Pell-eligible, minority, high school seniors. Applications open in July and close in September each year.
To learn more, visit: https://www.thegatesscholarship.org/scholarship
Jack Kent Cooke Foundation College Scholarship Program
This scholarship rewards excellence by supporting high-achieving high school seniors with financial need who seek to attend a four-year college or university. Access to online application opens in September and closes in November each year. More information can be found here.
National Honor Scholarship Program
To be eligible to apply, a student must be a current high school senior and a member in good standing of INSPIRE's NHS chapter. Eligible members must request application procedures from their NHS adviser. Applications typically open in October, and the deadline to apply is in December/January. For more information, visit the NHS website.
Odenza Vacations College Scholarship
To be considered eligible for the Odenza Vacations College Scholarship you must:
Deadline: May 1st
Number of Awards: One
Award Value: $500
If you have any questions about the scholarship program, please email the program administrator at: [email protected]
Read more here.
The College Board Opportunity Scholarship is open to all juniors and seniors, and it doesn't require an essay, application, or minimum GPA. Instead, it rewards your effort and initiative. Complete key steps along your path to college for a chance to earn scholarships. You could earn money for college by simply building a college list, practicing for the SAT, and applying to college!
Abbott & Fenner Scholarship
The A&F Scholarships are available to all high school juniors and seniors as well as all students currently registered in any accredited post secondary institution. To apply for this scholarship you will need to write an essay. The essay should be between 500 and 1000 words. Deadline is typically in June each year. Essay topic: Describe your educational career and life goals. Explain your plan for achieving these goals. Include your degree/major, why you selected it, and how this degree/major will help you achieve your goals. To learn more and to apply, go here.
Freedom Alliance Scholarship Program
The Freedom Alliance Scholarship fund is for the children of military personnel who have been killed or permanently disabled in an combat mission or training accident. For more details on eligibility and how to apply, please visit their website.
Gates Scholarship
The Gates Scholarship is a highly selective, full scholarship for exceptional, Pell-eligible, minority, high school seniors. Applications open in July and close in September each year.
To learn more, visit: https://www.thegatesscholarship.org/scholarship
Jack Kent Cooke Foundation College Scholarship Program
This scholarship rewards excellence by supporting high-achieving high school seniors with financial need who seek to attend a four-year college or university. Access to online application opens in September and closes in November each year. More information can be found here.
National Honor Scholarship Program
To be eligible to apply, a student must be a current high school senior and a member in good standing of INSPIRE's NHS chapter. Eligible members must request application procedures from their NHS adviser. Applications typically open in October, and the deadline to apply is in December/January. For more information, visit the NHS website.
Odenza Vacations College Scholarship
To be considered eligible for the Odenza Vacations College Scholarship you must:
- Be between the ages of 17 and 24 on September 1st
- Submit answer to the essay question, which can be found on the application page, prior to the May 1st deadline.
- Have a GPA of 2.5 or greater.
- Be a resident of the United States or Canada
Deadline: May 1st
Number of Awards: One
Award Value: $500
If you have any questions about the scholarship program, please email the program administrator at: [email protected]
Read more here.
Students that are experiencing housing insecurity
EEQUAL Scholarship
This scholarship covers eligible educational expenses, up to $8,000. Selected students can use the scholarship for any type of higher education, including but not limited to community college classes, trade school/trade certifications, bachelor's degrees, and so on. In addition, students are eligible to apply if: they are experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity as defined under the McKinney-Vento Act, are in extreme poverty, or their family is currently going through a transition to attain post-secondary education. You can find a more detailed explanation of eligibility at https://eequal.org/scholarships/. The application typically opens on November 1st and closes on March 1st.
This scholarship covers eligible educational expenses, up to $8,000. Selected students can use the scholarship for any type of higher education, including but not limited to community college classes, trade school/trade certifications, bachelor's degrees, and so on. In addition, students are eligible to apply if: they are experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity as defined under the McKinney-Vento Act, are in extreme poverty, or their family is currently going through a transition to attain post-secondary education. You can find a more detailed explanation of eligibility at https://eequal.org/scholarships/. The application typically opens on November 1st and closes on March 1st.
career and technical scholarships
Horatio Alger National Career & Technical Scholarship Program
This scholarship is for students pursuing a career or technical certificate/degree. There will be 1020 award recipients. Eligibility criteria:
Funds may be used for tuition, fees, books and supplies. All scholarship funds are paid directly to the institution on behalf of the recipient. Application opens in March and the deadline is typically in June. For more information and to apply, please visit the Horation Alger Association website .
Mike Rowe Work Ethic Scholarship
The Work Ethic Scholarship Program doesn’t focus on test scores, grades, or grammar. It’s about the people who share their values and understand the importance of work ethic, personal responsibility, delayed gratification, and a positive attitude. Eligibility requirements:
MORE
Check out this list of scholarships compiled by Idaho Career and Technical Education department! Another great list of trade/vocational scholarships can be found on this post from FastWeb.
This scholarship is for students pursuing a career or technical certificate/degree. There will be 1020 award recipients. Eligibility criteria:
- Have completed high school (or earned a GED)
- Will be enrolled in eligible program the fall after graduating from high school
- Exhibit a strong commitment to pursue and complete a career or technical program at an accredited non-profit post-secondary institution in the United States
- Demonstrated critical financial need (must be eligible to receive the Federal Pell grant as determined by completion of the FAFSA)
- Demonstrated perseverance in overcoming adversity
- Be under the age of 30
- Be a United States citizen
Funds may be used for tuition, fees, books and supplies. All scholarship funds are paid directly to the institution on behalf of the recipient. Application opens in March and the deadline is typically in June. For more information and to apply, please visit the Horation Alger Association website .
Mike Rowe Work Ethic Scholarship
The Work Ethic Scholarship Program doesn’t focus on test scores, grades, or grammar. It’s about the people who share their values and understand the importance of work ethic, personal responsibility, delayed gratification, and a positive attitude. Eligibility requirements:
- Enroll in an approved program.
- Sign The S.W.E.A.T. Pledge.
- Answer 3 questions.
- Write an essay.
- Send at least 2 references from bosses/teachers.
- Make a short video.
- Verify school costs.
- Provide high school/college transcript.
- Submit financial info.
MORE
Check out this list of scholarships compiled by Idaho Career and Technical Education department! Another great list of trade/vocational scholarships can be found on this post from FastWeb.
Other resources
Next Steps Idaho is an excellent resources for all things post-secondary planning-- applying and paying for school, career exploration and professional training, and many more.
Happy researching!
Happy researching!
american_indian_scholarships_-_idaho_colleges.pdf |