I'm currently a high school junior and I'm looking for scholarships that help low-income students pay for college. Are there any specific scholarships or programs out there that support students with financial needs like mine?
There are numerous scholarships available specifically for low-income students. Below are a few examples:
1. Pell Grants: This isn't a scholarship per se, but it's free federal financial aid you don't have to pay back. They're typically for undergraduate students who haven't earned a bachelor's degree. The maximum award for the 2024-2025 academic year is $7,395, but your award could be less depending on your financial need, the cost of attendance at your school, and your enrollment status (full time versus part time)
2. The Horatio Alger Scholarship: This scholarship is for high school seniors who have overcome great obstacles. The national level scholarship provides up to $25,000 assistance for students with financial need.
3. The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Scholarship: The foundation has multiple scholarships for low-income students. The Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship, for instance, provides up to $55,000/year for low-income community college students transferring to a four-year university.
4. Gates Millennium Scholars Program: This scholarship is specifically for African American, American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian Pacific Islander American, and Hispanic American students with significant financial need.
5. QuestBridge National College Match Scholarship: This unique program is designed for high-achieving, low-income students. It matches students with top colleges that cover full cost of attendance, including tuition, room and board, and other expenses.
Remember that applying for multiple smaller scholarships can potentially also result in a big sum, so don’t overlook local or less-prominent scholarship sources. Also, every college on your list will have its own set of need-based and merit-based scholarships or grants, so be sure to check out each college's financial aid office for information about these opportunities and applications. Finally, it's critical to submit the FAFSA as soon as possible in your senior year as colleges, states, and the federal government use it to determine eligibility for financial aid.
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