Scholarships

Smiling Latino graduates of Oregon Institute of Technology
Scholarships are free money for college! Apply to as many as possible.

What are scholarships

A college scholarship is money for college expenses that does not have to be paid back. You can get a scholarship for different reasons: good grades or test scores, a special talent like in music or sports, or a specific characteristic.

Scholarships may range from a few hundred dollars up to the full cost of attendance. You may have to use a scholarship at a specific college or it may be "portable," meaning that you can use the funds at any college.

How to apply for scholarships

Search for scholarships

  • Pay attention to requirements. Only apply for scholarships you are eligible for. Many scholarship search engines let you filter by specific criteria.
  • Focus locally. The more local the scholarship, the more likely you are to win! Check in with your high school's counseling office or college & career center, explore the OSAC scholarship catalog, and use our calendar of Oregon scholarships.
  • Look at your college. Some colleges award scholarships automatically. Others need an extra application.
  • Search nationally. There are many free websites to search for scholarships. For those that need a log in, be aware that they may sell your information.

Stay organized

  • Make a list. Keep track of scholarships and deadlines.
  • Plan ahead. Some scholarships ask for essays, letters of recommendation, or other information from you or your school.
  • Treat it like a part-time job. Set aside time each week and apply to as many scholarships as you can!
  • Start now. Many scholarships are open to younger students.
Scholarship List

Make a copy of our Google Docs template and keep track of scholarships that you want to apply to.

Scholarship calendar

Find Oregon and national scholarships with upcoming deadlines. You can filter results to find ones that fit your needs.

Scholarship deadlines and details are subject to change. Check each scholarship website for the most up-to-date information.

Open to undocumented students
Deadline Scholarship More information
9/17/2026 The Gates Scholarship

Full scholarship for exceptional, Pell-eligible, low-income household, high school seniors with a minimum 3.3 GPA.
10/6/2026 National YoungArts Foundation Scholarship

Up to $10,000 award and long-term professional support for high school artists (grades 10–12 or ages 15–18) with talent in cinematic arts, dance, design arts, jazz, music, photography, theater, visual arts, voice, and writing.
10/12/2026 United States Senate Youth Program Scholarships

$12,500 scholarships for a junior or senior in high school with demonstrated leadership abilities in their community.
10/15/2026 Evans Scholars Program

Full tuition and housing scholarship for high-achieving golf caddies with demonstrated financial need.
10/20/2026 NSHSS Foundation STEM Scholarship

$1,000 scholarships high school students with a 3.0 GPA or higher who plan to study a STEM field.
10/30/2026 National Space Club Keynote Scholarship

$50,000 scholarship and an opportunity to give a keynote address for students who are interested in STEM fields.
10/30/2026 U.S. Bank Student Scholarship

Up to $20,000 for completing a series of financial education online learning modules.
10/31/2026 Delete Cyberbullying Beyond School Walls Scholarship

$1,000 scholarship for a short essay on the impact of cyberbullying. Open to students in grades 9-12.
10/31/2026 Voice of Democracy Scholarship

Up to $35,000 scholarship from the VFW for writing and recording a 3-5 minute broadcast script on a specific theme.
11/1/2026 AGC Workforce Development Scholarship

$2,500 for up to three years for students pursuing associate degrees, technical training or certificates to enter the construction industry.
11/1/2026 Hispanic Heritage Youth Awards

Up to $4,000 open to graduating high school seniors with a minimum 3.0 GPA and of Hispanic/Latino descent who have demonstrated leadership in the classroom and community.
11/11/2026 Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Scholarship

Up to $55,000 renewable scholarships for high-performing high school seniors with financial need who want to go to the nation's best 4-year colleges and universities.
11/12/2026 Elks Most Valuable Student Scholarship

Up to $7,500 per year for high school students planning to pursue a 4-year degree.
11/20/2026 National Honor Society Scholarship

Up to $25,000 for high school seniors who are members in good standing of an affiliated National Honor Society chapter.
11/20/2026 Point Foundation Scholarship

Renewable scholarship for LGBTQ students with a GPA of 3.3. Financial award based on need.
12/1/2026 The Hagan Scholarship

Up to $15,000 scholarship per year, renewable for 4 years, for students with 3.5 GPA and planning to attend a 4-year college.
12/15/2026 Burger King Scholars Program

$1,000 to $60,000 scholarships for high school seniors with a GPA of 2.5 or higher who demonstrate financial need, academic achievement, work experience, and community involvement to attend a college, university, or post-secondary vocational school.
12/15/2026 Science Ambassador Scholarship

A $20,000 scholarship from Cards Against Humanity for women and non-binary students in science, technology, engineering, or math who creates a three–minute video explaining a topic in STEM.
12/16/2026 The Coolidge Scholarship

Full tuition, renewable scholarship that covers a student’s tuition, room, board, and expenses. Students must apply during their junior year of high school.
12/20/2026 North Spore Mycology Scholarship

$2,500 for tuition, housing and other educational expenses for students who plan to study mycology.