What are full scholarships for high school students and how can I find them?

I'm a high school junior trying to figure out how to afford college, and I've heard about full scholarships that cover tuition and maybe even room and board. How do I find these types of scholarships? Are there specific criteria that I should be aware of, like grades, extracurriculars, or something else? I also wonder if they’re super competitive and what makes a strong application. Anyone who has been successful in getting one, I'd love to hear your advice!

Full scholarships are indeed awards that can cover the entire cost of a student's tuition, and in some cases, additional expenses like room and board or books. Some of the most well-known full scholarships include the Gates Scholarship, Coca-Cola Scholars Program, and the Regeneron Science Talent Search, although there are many others, each with their own unique criterias.

Typically, these scholarships are incredibly competitive, with thousands of high achieving students applying for a limited number of spots. Good grades and a strong academic profile are essential, but they are not enough alone. Involvement in meaningful extracurricular activities, particularly those where you've shown leadership or made a significant impact, can give you an edge. For example, if you started a non-profit or led an impactful project, those could be strong selling points.

Written components such as essays also carry significant weight. Avoid common and cliché topics and instead focus on experiences unique to you that reveal your individuality and future potential. For example, instead of writing about how you overcame adversity in a challenging class, you could focus on an experience where you exhibited personal growth or developed problem-solving skills. Remember to ensure that your personality and passion shine throughout your essays.

Remember to start your search early and mark deadlines on your calendar so nothing slips through the cracks. Most importantly, don't be discouraged if you don't win one. There are plenty of scholarships that are not full-ride but can still significantly reduce your tuition.

Additionally, you can search for scholarships using databases like Appily, or Fastweb, which do a good job of organizing scholarships by different categories and deadlines. You should also check out your school's counseling office, as they might be aware of local scholarships that don't get as much attention but might have less competition.

As for advice on being successful in earning a scholarship, one key point is to pay close attention to the application instructions. The judges will look for any reason to remove applications from the large pool, and overlooking a detail in the instructions is an easy way for your application to be dismissed. Other than that, sincerity and passion in your writing can go a long way. Be authentic in your essays, and judges will be more inclined to invest in you. Lastly, don’t hesitate to apply even if you feel you may not have a chance. You never know what a scholarship committee is looking for in their candidates. Best of luck in your scholarship hunt!