10 Top-Dollar Spring Scholarships for High School Seniors

Spring is a stressful time for high school seniors. With college acceptances around the corner, any precious time remaining in the semester is spent on final exams, decisions, and campus visits.

Oh, and figuring out how to pay for that looming tuition bill.

The fact is this: College is expensive. But scholarships can help finance a degree. They’re basically free money, so if you can land one, you’re golden. 

Looking to fight your college-search sticker shock? Here are 10 top-dollar scholarships with spring deadlines now accepting applications.

No. 1: ScholarshipPoints $10,000 Giveaway

Award: $10,000

Deadline: Monthly drawing

How to apply: Start by creating a ScholarshipPoints profile 

Eligibility: High school students

ScholarshipPoints awards $10,000 for signing up and earning points — no essay or application needed! Earn points by taking surveys, reading articles, interacting on social media, and playing games. Each point is an entry to win the monthly scholarship drawing. The more points you earn, the more entries you have to win. There’s a new winner each month and multiple chances to score a scholarship.

No. 2: UNCF STEM Scholars Program

Award: $5,000

Deadline: April 2021

How to apply: Submit an application for the UNCF STEM Scholars Program

Eligibility: African-American high school seniors majoring in STEM

The United Negro College Fund (UNCF) created the STEM Scholars Program to offer financial assistance to high-achieving African American students majoring in STEM. Annually, 100 winners are selected to receive either $2,500 for college freshmen and sophomores or $5,000 for juniors and seniors in high school. Winners can earn an additional $5,000 stipend toward a research project or internship related to STEM.

No. 3:  The Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes

Award: $10,000

Deadline: April 15, 2021

How to apply: Submit an application for the Barron Prize

Eligibility: Students between the ages of 8 to 18

Each year, the Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes honors 25 young leaders under the age of 19. Winners are public-spirited leaders from diverse backgrounds across the U.S. who have contributed to their community and environment. Students must be currently working on a service project or have completed a project within the last year. Winners receive $10,000 to be applied toward educational expenses or the continuation of their public service project.

No. 4: BCU Scholarship

Award: $1,500 - $5,000

Deadline: May 2021

How to apply: Submit an application for the BCU Scholarship

Eligibility: High school seniors

BCU credit union offers an annual spring scholarship for high school seniors who attend a college or university. There will be 20 $1,500 scholarship winners, one $2,500 winner, and one $5,000 winner. 

No. 5: Stuck At Prom® Scholarship Contest

Award: $500 - $10,000

Deadline: May 2021

How to apply: Upload a picture for the Stuck At Prom® Scholarship

Eligibility: High school seniors

Looking for an unusual scholarship? Check out the Stuck At Prom® Scholarship Contest, sponsored by Duct Tape. Students must use duct tape to create an original prom outfit with accessories, snap a picture, and vote online for the next winner.

To apply, create and wear an original promwear design using Duck® brand duct tape or crafting tape. Take a high-resolution picture of your outfit. Fill out an entry form and upload the picture of you in your prom wear. Register and vote online for your favorite designs. 

No. 6: Milton Fisher Scholarship for Innovation and Creativity

Award: $1,000 - $5,000 per year

Deadline: May 3, 2021

How to apply: Submit an application for the Milton Fisher Scholarship 

Eligibility: High school seniors living in or attending college in Connecticut or NYC

The Milton Fisher Scholarship is for high school juniors, seniors, and recent graduates who either live in Connecticut and New York City or plan to attend college in Connecticut or NYC.  The scholarship doesn’t focus on rewarding academic achievement or financial need — although financial need will impact the scholarship amount. It rewards innovation and creativity. Students must demonstrate problem-solving by addressing a need in their community in a new or unusual way.

No. 7: Writer’s Digest Annual Writing Competition

Award: $5,000

Deadline: May 7, 2021

How to apply: Submit an original work to the Writer’s Digest Writing Competition

Eligibility: High school seniors

Are you a gifted writer? The Writer’s Digest Annual Writing Competition is your chance to be recognized by editors and agents. Now in its 90th year, the Writer’s Digest competition highlights up-and-coming writers of all genres. Nearly 500 winners will receive either a cash reward or gift card. One grand prize winner will receive $5,000 in cash, an interview published in Writer’s Digest, and a paid trip to the Writer’s Digest Annual Conference, including a Pitch Slam slot.

No. 8: Bryan Cameron Impact Scholarship

Award: Full tuition

Deadline: Early application May 21, 2021

How to apply: Submit an application for the Cameron Impact Scholarship

Eligibility: High school seniors

The Cameron Impact Scholarship is a merit-based undergraduate scholarship awarded each year to 10-15 exceptional high school seniors. The scholarship covers four years of full tuition, fees, and books at an accredited U.S.-based college or university. Recipients must demonstrate high achievement in academics, extracurriculars, leadership, and community service. 

There are two application deadlines: 

• The early application deadline is May 21, 2021.
• The final application deadline is September 10, 2021.

No. 9: CIA Undergraduate Scholarship Program

Award: $18,000 - $25,000 per year

Deadline: June 18, 2021

How to apply: Submit an application for the CIA Undergraduate Scholarship Program

Eligibility: High school seniors

The Undergraduate Scholarship Program is a financial needs-based opportunity for students to receive a scholarship to attend an accredited college or university on a full-time basis and work at the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) during summer breaks. Recipients will be exposed to meaningful work that relates to their college major. For example, a foreign language major might translate documents for U.S. policymakers while a finance major might develop and analyze budgets for a worldwide operation.

No. 10: Huntington’s College Scholarship Sweepstakes

Award: $4,000

Deadline: June 30, 2021

How to apply: Submit an entry for the Huntington’s College Sweepstakes

Eligibility: High school seniors

College-bound students should apply to this easy $4,000 college scholarship sweepstakes. All you have to do is submit an official online entry form by the June deadline. That’s it — good luck!