When it comes to academic scholarships for high school seniors, there’s a reason why so many students aggressively pursue all means available. College is expensive. We get it. With an overwhelming number of young people leaving college with exorbitant student loan debt, finding a way to afford college can be a daunting task and unfortunately lack of affordability keeps many high school students from pursuing higher education when there are scholarship opportunities out there for them.
In the past decade, college loan balances have jumped to an all-time high, exceeding credit card debt for the first time. According to The Institute for College Access & Success, 68% of bachelor’s degree recipients graduated with student loan debt with the average of that debt being around $30,100.
Student loans can be a nightmare for those just out of college and what many younger students don’t realize is how they can affect your credit and financial future. We understand that loans are inevitable for some students, but it’s best to do everything you can to lower the price tag on your loan.
Scholarships Keep Tuition Costs Lower
Many students write off searching for scholarships to fund their education because they think most scholarships are too small and not worth their time. Though a $1,000 scholarship may not seem like much in comparison to your $20,000 a year education, you can accumulate quite a few of those and may find yourself skimming $3,000, $5,000, or even $10,000 off the top of your tuition costs. The reality is that any dollar earned in scholarship is a dollar you won’t have to pay for in interest on your loan later on in life.
You ideally should begin searching for scholarships in your junior year of high school since many scholarships will have deadlines midway through your senior year to be paid out for the following year of your tuition. If you plan ahead and really focus your time and energy on applying to two or three dozen scholarships, you may be able to rack up quite a bit of money to help with your first year of college.
Rewarding Scholarships for High School Seniors
At NSHSS, we understand the crippling effect that tuition costs can have on those pursuing higher education which is why we award over $2,500,000 in scholarships annually. We want every student, no matter their financial background, to have the opportunity to seek higher education and attain their dreams. As a member, you’ll have access to many scholarships ranging in amounts and requirements to NSHSS members. Here’s a look at just a few of our academic scholarships for high school seniors:
THE CLAES NOBEL LEGACY AWARDS 2018
DEADLINE: Friday, March 30, 2018
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS: NSHSS high school seniors and college freshmen who have a minimum GPA of 3.5 and who have demonstrated in an outstanding manner the values of NSHSS Co-founder Mr. Nobel. College freshmen must be enrolled in an accredited university. Scholarship funds will be sent to the university where the recipients are enrolled or will enroll upon entering college.
SCHOLARSHIP AWARD: Two $5,000 scholarships. One scholarship for a high school senior and one scholarship for a college freshman.
NSHSS-DECA ENTREPRENEURIAL SCHOLAR AWARDS 2018
DEADLINE: Friday, January 19, 2018
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS: High school junior and senior NSHSS members who are also DECA members and who intend to pursue a college major in marketing, finance, hospitality or business.
SCHOLARSHIP AWARD: Three $1,000 scholarships for high school junior and senior NSHSS members with a minimum GPA of 3.5. Applicants may be U.S. or international students.
GEORGETOWN COLLEGE TUITION SCHOLARSHIPS 2018
DEADLINE: Thursday, February 01, 2018
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS: NSHSS members that apply and have been accepted to the Georgetown College by February 1st of senior year. Must possess a 3.6 unweighted high school grade point average and a minimum ACT composite of a 25 (or equivalent on SAT).
SCHOLARSHIP AWARD: Georgetown College offers a scholarship to all NSHSS members that apply and have been accepted to the College. This academic scholarship is valued at $18,000 - $22,000 and is renewable for four years.