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!
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
Join for exclusive scholarships, personalized matching, and application tracking. 0% Spam, 100% Free.
📝Sample Essay from a Scholarship Winner
Here's a winning scholarship essay from Dimiti M, who won our "Outstanding Undergraduate" Essay Scholarship. Read the essay below and keep scrolling for some commentary on what made this a winner.
Prompt: Please share specific examples of how earning this scholarship will help you achieve your educational and career goals. If applicable, include any proactive steps you have taken to secure funding for your future degree.
Essay
Earning the Outstanding Undergraduate College Scholarship will help me achieve my educational and career goals because it will help alleviate the financial burden of a college education. My short-term goal is to earn a mechanical engineering degree to pursue a Department of Defense job, preferably in Japan. Since my dad is an active duty member of the Navy, I want to follow in his footsteps through engineering. My long-term goal is to create a nonprofit organization to raise awareness for the United Nations' seventeen sustainable development goals. The first step to achieving that is by obtaining my bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering. I want to contribute to the cause directly rather than simply spreading awareness anonymously through social media and behind a screen. I've always lived in small communities, so having the opportunity to compete among thousands of other individuals is a dream of mine. My intense passion for engineering and work ethic will allow me to rise above many challenges and give way to some of the world's most significant innovations once given the proper resources. My persistence to improve not only my field of study – but life itself – will allow me to make great strides in mechanical engineering and eventually – the world.
Why it worked
In only 250 words, Dimiti convinces us that he has thoroughly researched his educational and career path. While not all undergrads have this level of clarity about their future, it's a good idea to be very specific and definite in scholarship applications. This convinces scholarship readers that the student takes their education seriously and that the funds will be put to good use.
Dimiti also does a good job of describing his personal motivations for the path he's chosen. He describes how his father has informed his goals, and he lists the values he believes will help him achieve everything he hopes to.
Will Geiger
Scholarships360 Co-Founder, Former Admissions Officer