What are some good scholarships for high schoolers?

Hey everyone! I'm a high school junior exploring different scholarship options to help with college expenses. I've come across a bunch of opportunities but it's a bit overwhelming. Are there any scholarships that high school students should definitely be aware of or prioritize applying for? I'd love to hear about any less-competitive ones too or any that might be off the beaten path.

You're on the right track in seeking out scholarship opportunities early on, and indeed there are many national scholarships that high school students can apply for. Here are a few that get less attention than the big merit scholarships, yet still offer significant assistance:

1. The Elks National Foundation Scholarships: This isn't just one scholarship - it's a program offering multiple scholarships, including the Most Valuable Student contest which has 500 awards valued between $1,000 and $7,500 per year, and the Legacy Awards for children and grandchildren of Elk members with 350 awards of $4,000 each.

2. The Doodle for Google Contest: If you're artistically inclined, this could be a fun and rewarding opportunity. The scholarship amount can be up to $30,000.

3. The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Scholarships: These are highly selective scholarships awarded annually to high-achieving high school seniors with financial need.

4. The Coca-Cola Scholars Program: This is a merit-based scholarship for high school seniors with 150 awards of $20,000 each.

For some less competitive and possibly less known scholarships, consider:

1. The Zombie Apocalypse Scholarship: Yup, you read that right. It's an essay competition about surviving a fictional zombie apocalypse. The award amount is $2,000.

2. Create-A-Greeting Card Scholarship: Submit original photo, artwork or computer graphics for the front of a greeting card to win a $10,000 scholarship.

Remember to also look at local scholarships since they typically have fewer applicants, increasing your chance of winning. Bunche by your high school's guidance office or check out online databases for more information about opportunities near you. Plus, always remember to apply early and follow the application instructions very carefully. Good luck with your scholarship search!