Updated: Jan 12, 2026 by Leah Kim, chief editor for scholarshipsandgrants.us
30+ General Scholarships for U.S. High School Students (2026)
Freshly updated list of 30+ reputable, nationwide scholarships open to most U.S. high school students. Sorted by deadline month, each entry includes amount, deadline, and a direct, verified apply link.
Monthly Update (September 2025)
We verified every “Apply/info” link below points directly to the scholarship’s official page (no third-party listings). Amounts and deadlines reflect the most recent info available as of September 9, 2025. Some programs publish dates later each cycle; when timing is pending, we note “TBA” and link to the primary program page for confirmation.
January
Equitable Excellence® Scholarship
💥 Why It Slaps: National program awarding students who lead positive change in their communities.
💰 Amount: Up to $20,000.
⏰ Deadline: January 12, 2026 at 3:00 PM CT.
🔗 Apply/info: https://scholarshipamerica.org/scholarship/equitableexcellence/ — ✅ Link verified Sep 9, 2025.
Navy ROTC (NROTC) — Navy Option
💥 Why It Slaps: Up to full tuition (or room & board at some schools), plus stipend and books; leads to a Navy commission.
💰 Amount: Up to full tuition + stipend/book allowance.
⏰ Deadline: January 31, 2026.
🔗 Apply/info: https://www.netc.navy.mil/NSTC/NROTC/ — ✅ Link verified Sep 9, 2025.
Navy ROTC — Marine Option
💥 Why It Slaps: Same NROTC benefits with a path to a Marine Corps commission.
💰 Amount: Up to full tuition + stipend/book allowance.
⏰ Deadline: January 31, 2026.
🔗 Apply/info: https://www.netc.navy.mil/NSTC/NROTC/ — ✅ Link verified Sep 9, 2025.
John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Essay Contest
💥 Why It Slaps: Prestigious national essay competition for high schoolers; strong recognition for writers.
💰 Amount: Up to $10,000.
⏰ Deadline: January 2026 (exact date posted on program page each fall).
🔗 Apply/info: https://www.jfklibrary.org/learn/education/profile-in-courage-essay-contest — ✅ Link verified Sep 9, 2025.
DAR Scholarships (General) — Daughters of the American Revolution
💥 Why It Slaps: Multiple national scholarships across majors; one common portal.
💰 Amount: Varies (many awards).
⏰ Deadline: January 31 (portal open Nov 1–Jan 31 annually).
🔗 Apply/info: https://dar.academicworks.com/ — ✅ Link verified Sep 9, 2025.
February
Toshiba/NSTA ExploraVision
💥 Why It Slaps: Team STEM competition; national recognition and prizes.
💰 Amount: Up to $10,000 (team prizes).
⏰ Deadline: February 10, 2026.
🔗 Apply/info: https://www.exploravision.org/ — ✅ Link verified Sep 9, 2025.
American Legion Oratorical Contest (Constitutional Speech)
💥 Why It Slaps: Classic speech contest with large national awards; great for civics and public speaking.
💰 Amount: Up to $25,000 (national winner); additional state awards.
⏰ Deadline: Varies by state (many local/department deadlines fall Jan–Feb). The American Legion Department of Texas
🔗 Apply/info: https://www.legion.org/oratorical — ✅ Link verified Sep 9, 2025.
March
Create-A-Greeting-Card Scholarship (The Gallery Collection)
💥 Why It Slaps: Simple creative prompt; one of the best-known art/photo contests.
💰 Amount: $10,000.
⏰ Deadline: March 9, 2026.
🔗 Apply/info: https://www.gallerycollection.com/greeting-cards-scholarship.htm — ✅ Link verified Sep 9, 2025.
April
Project Yellow Light — High School Video/Radio PSA
💥 Why It Slaps: Create a PSA to curb distracted driving; winners’ work gets real exposure.
💰 Amount: Up to $8,000.
⏰ Deadline: April 1, 2026 (video/radio); Billboard track typically March 1.
🔗 Apply/info: https://www.projectyellowlight.com/apply/ — ✅ Link verified Sep 9, 2025.
June
BigSun Scholarship (Student Athletes)
💥 Why It Slaps: Short application for seniors involved in athletics (any sport).
💰 Amount: $500.
⏰ Deadline: June 19, 2026.
🔗 Apply/info: https://bigsunathletics.com/ — ✅ Link verified Sep 9, 2025.
September (2025)
Coca-Cola Scholars Program
💥 Why It Slaps: One of the nation’s premier merit scholarships for impact-driven seniors.
💰 Amount: $20,000.
⏰ Deadline: September 30, 2025 (5:00 PM ET).
🔗 Apply/info: https://www.coca-colascholarsfoundation.org/apply/ — ✅ Link verified Sep 9, 2025.
QuestBridge National College Match
💥 Why It Slaps: Full four-year scholarships from top partner colleges for high-achieving, lower-income students.
💰 Amount: Full tuition, room & board at partner schools (via Match).
⏰ Deadline: September 30, 2025. QuestBridge
🔗 Apply/info: https://apply.questbridge.org/ — ✅ Link verified Sep 9, 2025.
The Gates Scholarship (TGS)
💥 Why It Slaps: Last-dollar funding for exceptional, Pell-eligible students through graduation.
💰 Amount: Full cost of attendance not already covered (last-dollar).
⏰ Deadline: September 2025 (date/time posted on portal each cycle).
🔗 Apply/info: https://www.thegatesscholarship.org/scholarship — ✅ Link verified Sep 9, 2025.
October (2025)
YoungArts (Grades 10–12)
💥 Why It Slaps: Top national arts recognition; cash awards and direct pathways to further opportunities.
💰 Amount: Up to $10,000 + national recognition.
⏰ Deadline: October 8, 2025.
🔗 Apply/info: https://youngarts.org/apply/ — ✅ Link verified Sep 9, 2025.
U.S. Bank Student Scholarship
💥 Why It Slaps: Learn personal finance in the app and enter for scholarship drawings.
💰 Amount: Up to $20,000.
⏰ Deadline: October 30, 2025.
🔗 Apply/info: https://www.usbank.com/about-us-bank/community/student-scholarship.html — ✅ Link verified Sep 9, 2025.
VFW Voice of Democracy (Audio Essay)
💥 Why It Slaps: Longstanding national contest emphasizing civic engagement and public speaking.
💰 Amount: Up to $35,000 (national winner).
⏰ Deadline: October 31, 2025.
🔗 Apply/info: https://www.vfw.org/community/youth-and-education/youth-scholarships— ✅ Link verified Sep 9, 2025.
National Rice Month Scholarship (Video)
💥 Why It Slaps: Quick 3-minute video contest with solid prizes; open nationwide.
💰 Amount: Up to $5,000.
⏰ Deadline: October 31, 2025.
🔗 Apply/info: https://www.usarice.com/thinkrice/scholarship — ✅ Link verified Sep 9, 2025.
Army ROTC — National High School Scholarship (Round 1)
💥 Why It Slaps: Up to full tuition + stipend and books; path to an Army commission.
💰 Amount: Up to full tuition + $420/mo stipend + $1,200/yr books.
⏰ Deadline: Round 1 due October 13, 2025; app must be started by March 4, 2026.
🔗 Apply/info: https://www.goarmy.com/careers-and-jobs/find-your-path/army-officers/rotc/scholarships — ✅ Link verified Sep 9, 2025.
November (2025)
Regeneron Science Talent Search (Seniors)
💥 Why It Slaps: America’s most prestigious STEM research competition for seniors.
💰 Amount: Up to $250,000 (top award) + many finalist/semi-finalist awards.
⏰ Deadline: Early November 2025 (exact date on portal).
🔗 Apply/info: https://www.societyforscience.org/regeneron-sts/ — ✅ Link verified Sep 9, 2025.
Elks Most Valuable Student
💥 Why It Slaps: 500 national awards; significant top prizes.
💰 Amount: Up to $50,000 (top national awards).
⏰ Deadline: November 12, 2025.
🔗 Apply/info: https://www.elks.org/scholars/scholarships/mvs.cfm — ✅ Link verified Sep 9, 2025.
Jack Kent Cooke College Scholarship Program
💥 Why It Slaps: Premier need-based award with advising; renewable through graduation.
💰 Amount: Up to $55,000 per year.
⏰ Deadline: November 12, 2025.
🔗 Apply/info: https://www.jkcf.org/our-scholarships/college-scholarship-program/how-to-apply/ — ✅ Link verified Sep 9, 2025.
NHS Scholarship (National Honor Society)
💥 Why It Slaps: Exclusive to active NHS seniors; national recognition and travel for top finalists.
💰 Amount: Up to $25,000.
⏰ Deadline: Late November 2025 (program lists Nov 24–26 windows each year).
🔗 Apply/info: https://www.nationalhonorsociety.org/advisers/the-nhs-scholarship/ — ✅ Link verified Sep 9, 2025.
U.S. Senate Youth Program (by state selection)
💥 Why It Slaps: $10,000 scholarship + intensive Washington Week experience.
💰 Amount: $10,000.
⏰ Deadline: State deadlines typically fall in Oct–Nov.
🔗 Apply/info: https://ussenateyouth.org/ — ✅ Link verified Sep 9, 2025.
December (2025)
Hagan Scholarship
💥 Why It Slaps: Rigorous, renewable award for strong students with financial need; extensive support extras.
💰 Amount: Up to ~$60,000 over 4 years (up to $7,500/semester).
⏰ Deadline: December 1, 2025.
🔗 Apply/info: https://haganscholarships.org/application/ — ✅ Link verified Sep 9, 2025.
Dell Scholars
💥 Why It Slaps: Award plus a robust college-completion support program (advising, resources).
💰 Amount: $20,000 + non-financial support.
⏰ Deadline: Early December annually (date posted each cycle on site).
🔗 Apply/info: https://www.dellscholars.org/students/ — ✅ Link verified Sep 9, 2025.
Air Force ROTC — High School Scholarship Program (HSSP)
💥 Why It Slaps: Tuition scholarship + monthly stipend; path to Air/Space Force commission.
💰 Amount: Full/partial tuition + stipend and books.
⏰ Deadline: December 12, 2025 (application window closes).
🔗 Apply/info: https://www.afrotc.com/scholarships/high-school/application/ — ✅ Link verified Sep 9, 2025.
Burger King℠ Scholars
💥 Why It Slaps: Thousands of awards; very broad eligibility.
💰 Amount: $1,000–$60,000.
⏰ Deadline: December 15, 2025 (or when 30,000 apps received).
🔗 Apply/info: https://burgerking.scholarsapply.org/ — ✅ Link verified Sep 9, 2025.
National Space Club and Foundation — Keynote Scholarship
💥 Why It Slaps: One winner gives the NSCF Goddard Dinner keynote and receives the scholarship.
💰 Amount: $15,000.
⏰ Deadline: December 2, 2025.
🔗 Apply/info: https://www.spaceclub.org/scholarship/ — ✅ Link verified Sep 9, 2025.
Rolling / Multiple Windows & Other Notables
BigFuture Scholarships (College Board)
💥 Why It Slaps: Earn entries for doing college-planning steps; frequent drawings.
💰 Amount: $500 to $40,000.
⏰ Deadline: Multiple monthly drawings; see program page.
🔗 Apply/info: https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/pay-for-college/bigfuture-scholarships — ✅ Link verified Sep 9, 2025.
Amazon Future Engineer Scholarship (CS/Engineering majors)
💥 Why It Slaps: Scholarship + a paid Amazon internship — huge combo.
💰 Amount: Up to $40,000 + internship.
⏰ Deadline: Applications reopen Fall 2025; prior cycles closed in January (exact 2026 date TBA on site).
🔗 Apply/info: https://www.amazonfutureengineer.com/scholarships — ✅ Link verified Sep 9, 2025.
Army ROTC — National High School Scholarship (Later Boards)
💥 Why It Slaps: Additional national review boards beyond October.
💰 Amount: Up to full tuition + stipend/book allowance.
⏰ Deadline: Subsequent boards include January 19, 2026; application must be started by March 4, 2026. goarmy.com
🔗 Apply/info: https://www.goarmy.com/careers-and-jobs/find-your-path/army-officers/rotc/scholarships — ✅ Link verified Sep 9, 2025.
NSA Stokes Educational Scholarship Program (STEM + paid co-op)
💥 Why It Slaps: Tuition + salary + guaranteed summer work — a pipeline into NSA STEM careers.
💰 Amount: Tuition support + salary; multi-year.
⏰ Deadline: Varies by posting cycle; see official NSA student programs page.
🔗 Apply/info: https://www.nsa.gov/Careers/Student-Programs/ — ✅ Link verified Sep 9, 2025.
DAR Good Citizens Award & Scholarship (by school nomination)
💥 Why It Slaps: Recognizes leadership, service & patriotism; local/state/national awards.
💰 Amount: Varies by level (local to national).
⏰ Deadline: Varies by participating school/DAR chapter.
🔗 Apply/info: https://www.dar.org/national-society/scholarships/dar-related — ✅ Link verified Sep 9, 2025.
C-SPAN StudentCam (Documentary)
💥 Why It Slaps: Create a 5–6 minute documentary; great national recognition and prize tiers.
💰 Amount: Up to $5,000.
⏰ Deadline: Typically mid-January each year; exact date on competition site.
🔗 Apply/info: https://www.studentcam.org/ — ✅ Link verified Sep 9, 2025.
