Top 5 scholarships for college seniors overall
We went through all our scholarships for college juniors and hand-selected the opportunities below based on three criteria:
- The scholarship is from a well-known organization that has been offering the opportunity for several years
- The award amount is substantial
- The eligibility information is not too narrow, so many students can apply
Here are our picks for the overall top 10 scholarships for current college seniors:
- Ayn Rand Institute Novel Essay Contest (Atlas Shrugged) – For students who submit an essay about the novel Atlas Shrugged. Worth $25,000
- Elie Wiesel Foundation Prize In Ethics – For college upperclassmen who write an essay about ethics. Worth $10,000
- Stokes Scholarship Programs – For students pursuing fields relevant to work in the CIA. Worth $25,000
- NSHSS James W. Lewis Collegiate Global Leader Scholarship – For college students who show leadership skills and a commitment to diversity. Worth $5,000
- Generation Google Scholarship – For HS seniors, college, and grad students who plan to study computer science or engineering. Worth $10,000. Preference given to women and ethnic minorities
Top 3 scholarships for Black college seniors
- Regions Riding Forward Scholarship Contest – For Black high school seniors or college students, worth $8,000
- Scholar Dollars Essay Scholarship for Black Students – For Black high school upperclassmen, college students, and graduate students. Worth $500
- Generation Google Scholarship – For HS seniors, college, and grad students who plan to study computer science or engineering. Worth $10,000. Preference given to women and ethnic minorities
Top 3 STEM scholarships for college seniors
- Barry Goldwater Scholarship – For college students pursuing a research career in STEM. Worth $7,500
- Generation Google Scholarship – For HS seniors, college, and grad students who plan to study computer science or engineering. Worth $10,000. Preference given to women and ethnic minorities
- Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers Scholarships – For high school seniors and above who are Hispanic and pursuing a STEM degree. Worth $25,000
How to win scholarships for college seniors
Now that you’ve got a list of opportunities to apply for, it’s time to craft your applications. Luckily, we can help you through the process. Check out our guides on how to start a scholarship essay, how to write an essay about yourself, and how to use your essay to show rather than tell. We can also help you tailor your essay to 250 or 500 word limits. If you’re still left with questions, try some of these resources:
- How to write a “Why do you deserve this scholarship?” essay
- How to write a scholarship resume
- Guide to winning local scholarships
Tips for college seniors
You’re a senior, which means you are almost there! Congratulations! There are probably some mixed emotions around the idea of leaving college. But just because it’s almost over, doesn’t mean there isn’t still a lot to do!
If you’re thinking that medical school or graduate school are on your horizon, we’ve got some resources that might come in handy. Check out how to get into graduate school with a low GPA and how to pay for medical school!
Beyond grad school, loans might be something you have some questions about, but we’ve got you covered there too! We can help you answer how grad school will affect your loan payments and how you can start paying off your student loans!
Frequently asked questions
Is senior year of college too late to apply for scholarships?
Can I receive federal financial aid when I go to grad school?
If you are planning to go to grad school, your federal financial aid options will change once you enroll. You will not be eligible for the Pell Grant or Subsidized Direct Loans, but you will be able to take out a much higher quantity of other types of federal loans. These include PLUS loans and Direct Unsubsidized.
Remember, you’ll qualify for these opportunities the same way you did in undergrad – by filling out the FAFSA. Make sure to submit it well before the deadline to ensure that you file in time for any first-come first-served state grants.
Will scholarships affect my financial aid package?
Also see: How to complete the FAFSA for grad school
Explore these other scholarship categories
- Top scholarships for college students
- Top grad school scholarships
- Easy scholarships to apply for
- Top writing and essay scholarships
- Top scholarships for women
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