College is a fantastic opportunity for students from low-income homes to advance up the socioeconomic ladder. As a result, schools have experienced an increase in the number of kids from low-income households on their faculties. Regrettably, for many students, federal financial aid has not kept up with the escalating expense of higher education. Scholarships—particularly grants for low-income students—are one option for students to cover the difference between accessible financial aid and the cost of college. Regardless of cost, student problems, or difficulty, one thing stays true: the more education you receive beyond high school, the better your chances are. The figures are startling. “On general, those with a bachelor’s degree receive a discount of nearly $30,000 each year contrasted to those with only a high school education,” according to ReUp Education. A university graduate with a bachelor’s degree would receive more than $1 million more in a lifetime of work than someone with only a high school diploma.” A bachelor’s degree is worth a million dollars. (A postgraduate degree adds to your earning potential; even an associate’s degree has an impact.) The advantages of higher education are numerous. But not everyone will be able to afford it. That’s where scholarships come into play. These are the top 10 scholarships for hardships.
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1. Horatio Alger National Scholarship
Eligible students from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico are eligible for the National Scholarship. National Scholars are awarded all-expenses-paid travel to Washington, D.C. during their final year to attend the National Scholars Conference. To obtain the honour, candidates must participate in the National Scholars Conference. The Horatio Alger National Scholarship Program, as one of the country’s largest college financial assistance programmes, is one of the key scholarship programmes that specifically aid high school seniors who have experienced and conquered enormous hurdles in their young lives. The scholarships are supported by Horatio Alger Members who, like the Scholars, have overcome obstacles to become a great business and civic leaders. The Horatio Alger Scholarship helps approximately 5,000 low-income students attend over 900 various universities, making a significant difference in their lives. Even more amazing, National Scholars (the program’s highest distinction) have a 76 per cent graduation rate, which is a huge accomplishment when you realize that the national pass rate for low-income children is only 20%.
Provided By: Horatia Alger Association
Amount: 25,000
Education: High School
Deadline: Yet to be updated
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2. JuJu Foundation Scholarship
JuJu Smith-Schuster, a former University of Southern California wide receiver for the Pittsburgh Steelers, is committed to providing his all on and off the field for his teammates and his society. He founded The JuJu Foundation in 2019, a non-profit dedicated to supporting youth activities and elevating the spirits of people in need. JuJu and his organisation are teaming up with Bold.org today to help students achieve their academic objectives. The JuJu Foundation Scholarship will provide $5,000 to four people who are facing financial difficulties in order to help them pay for their education. All current high school and undergraduate students in the United States who are struggling to pay for their education are encouraged to apply.
Provided By: Juju Foundation
Amount: 5,000
Education: High School or Undergraduate
Deadline: Yet to be updated
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3. Gates Scholarship
TGS is an extremely selective, last-dollar fellowship for exceptional minority high school seniors from low-income families. The fellowship is given to 300 of these student leaders each year with the goal of assisting them in reaching their full potential. Recipients will obtain payments for the full cost of the program* that is not covered by other financial assistance, as well as the expected family contribution, as assessed by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the institution or university’s approach. Tuition, fees, accommodation and board, books, and transportation are all included in the cost of attendance, as well as other personal expenses. Applicants must be a high school senior and of one of the below races to apply: African-American, American Indian/Alaska Native*, Asian & Pacific Islander American, and/or Hispanic American. The candidate must also be a native, national, or permanent resident of the United States. They must also be in good academic standing, with a total weighted GPA of at least 3.3 on a scale of 4.0. (or equivalent)
Provided By: The Gates scholarship
Amount: Varies
Education: High School senior
Deadline: Yet to be Updated
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4. Hagan Scholarship
The Hagan Grant is a need-based excellence fellowship that aims to help rural students graduate debt-free from college. The scholarship covers up to $48,000 in education expenses and additional services over four years. Applicants must have graduated from one of the nearly 6,300 public high schools that are eligible. Hagan Scholars are now enrolled in 378 colleges and universities throughout 43 states. For many winners, receiving a Hagan Scholarship has changed their lives. In April 2022, almost 600 more scholarships will be available. The Hagan Scholarship is designed to help graduates complete a four-year college degree while remaining debt-free. This programme includes, in conjunction with scholarship money, workshop attendance, investment portfolio management services, and study-abroad opportunities, all of which allow beneficiaries to develop vital life skills not included in a college curriculum.
Provided By: Hagan Scholarship Foundation
Amount: 48,000 USD
Education: High School graduates
Deadline: December 1st
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5. Ron Brown Scholarship
The Ron Brown Scholarship pays tribute to its namesake by supporting community-minded, intellectually bright, and economically disadvantaged African Americans. This very competitive award is given to high school seniors who are passionate about Ronald Brown’s purpose to elevate people of different ethnicities, cultures, and nationalities via public service, community engagement, business innovation, and international understanding.
Provided By: Ron Brown Scholar Program
Amount: 40,000 USD
Education: High School Senior
Deadline: January 9
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6. QuestBridge College Match Scholarship
The QuestBridge National College Match Grant is one of the most lucrative grants for low-income learners. For this prize, QuestBridge collaborates with some of the country’s most famous universities to cover the entire cost of education, covering fees, room and board, textbooks, materials, and travel. The award does not need parental or student loan payments, but it may demand student contributions through work-study, summer employment, or student savings. Matching Scholarship for College Each recipient receives a full, four-year grant worth over $200,000 from one of QuestBridge’s college partners. Their college partners finance the scholarships using a mixture of their own monies as well as state and federal funding. The QuestBridge college partner is offering this scholarship as part of a significant financial assistance package that covers the cost of attendance.
Provided By: QuestBridge
Amount: Over 200,000 USD
Education: High school graduates
Deadline: Yet to be Updated
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7. The Greenhouse Scholars Program
With a college degree, a child born in the bottom quintile of the income distribution has a more than 50% probability of improving their socioeconomic status. Statistics like these motivated the formation of the Greenhouse Scholars Program. This programme aims to find the next generation of leaders who will influence the course of their neighbourhood and friends while also contributing to a larger global goal. Greenhouse Scholars is a varied group of individuals that use education to help neglected areas both locally and globally. They provide young talented students with the social, intellectual, and economic support they need to make a positive difference in their own and others’ lives, regardless of their circumstances. They think that education has the capacity to eliminate the opportunity gaps that limit people in underserved places.
Provided By: Greenhouse Scholars
Amount: 5000 USD
Education: High school Graduates
Deadline: November 5
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8. Davis-Putter Scholarship
They give out need-based scholarships to individuals who can complete college-level academic research or are engaged in a trade or technical school and are actively fighting for peace and justice. Davis-Putter fellows can be graduate or undergraduate students, and they must live in the United States and plan to attend a recognised school. For the time period specified by their award, grantees must earn college credits. Those who received the award early on campaigned for civil rights, against McCarthyism, and for peace in Vietnam. Grantees have recently been involved in the fight against racism, sexism, homophobia, and other systems of discrimination, as well as growing the financial justice issues and promoting peace via worldwide, anti-imperialist cooperation.
Provided By: Davis-Putter Scholarship Fund
Amount: 15,000
Education: High School Graduate
Deadline: March 31
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9. Dell Scholars
To obtain a college education, more than only financial assistance is required. That’s why the Dell Scholars programme was created to help students overcome the obstacles they confront while obtaining a degree. Despite this, we understand that college prices can be a major financial strain for many students and their families. Each year, 500 Dell Scholars are chosen from across the country to earn a scholarship as well as a variety of non-monetary benefits.
Provided By: Dell
Amount: 20,000 USD
Education: High school graduates
Deadline: December 1st
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10. ABA Legal Opportunity Scholarship Fund
An annual Legal Opportunity Scholarship is awarded by the American Bar Association (ABA) to first-year law students. The program’s objective is to encourage individuals from racial and ethnic minorities to enroll on law school and to give financial aid to help them study and finish law school. The ABA Legal Opportunity Scholarship provides $15,000 in financial aid to 10 to 20 incoming diverse law students throughout the course of their three years in law school. Since its inception, the ABA Legal Opportunity Scholarship has been awarded to over 400 students from all over the nation.
Provided By: ABA
Amount: 15,000 USD
Education: First-year Law Students
Deadline: Yet to be updated
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