What are the most prestigious merit scholarships for high school students?

I'm a high school junior starting my college application journey and I'm curious about the most prestigious merit scholarships available to students like me. What opportunities should I be looking into to help fund my college education?

There are several highly prestigious merit scholarships that can significantly reduce your college education costs. Here's a look at a few:

1. Coca-Cola Scholars Program: One of the most renowned scholarship programs, it awards 150 scholarships of $20,000 each year to high school seniors based on leadership and service achievements.

2. Buick Achievers Scholarship Program: This scholarship targets students excelling in STEM fields with an interest in automotive industries. It offers up to $100,000 over four years for 50 scholars.

3. Davidson Fellows Scholarships: These scholarships are reserved for prodigious high school students who have completed a significant piece of work in STEM fields, humanities, or the arts. Awards vary from $10,000 to $50,000.

4. Regeneron Science Talent Search: This scholarship is for high school seniors who have undertaken an original research project. Top winner gets $250,000 with smaller awards available down the placings.

5. Gates Scholarship: A highly competitive scholarship for minority students with a strong academic record, it funds the full cost of attending college for 300 students each year.

6. National Merit Scholarship Corporation: Through the PSAT/NMSQT, about 15,000 students each year become finalists, and about 8,200 receive National Merit Scholarships of up to $10,000 per year.

Remember to start researching and preparing for these scholarships early, as they can be competitive and have deadlines that are earlier than college applications. In addition, you should be on the lookout for lesser-known, local scholarships as these can sometimes be less competitive, increasing your chance of being awarded funding.