Now that many Schreiber seniors have submitted college applications, the next step of the college process is waiting for admission decisions.  However, after receiving decision letters, choosing which college to attend is arguably the most difficult step of all.  One important factor that plays into deciding on what university to go to is the financial aspect, as tuition costs are more expensive than ever.  To alleviate this, there are many scholarships available for seniors, but these opportunities are sometimes difficult to find.  The Schreiber Times is excited to detail some of the scholarships that are available to students.

One prominent scholarship is the Profile in Courage Essay Contest sponsored by the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum.  This scholarship is geared towards students with a writer’s brain and a niche for history.  The goal of the contest is to keep the memory of John F. Kennedy alive, and applicants are tasked with writing a 700-1000 word essay about any politician who demonstrated an act of courage during or after 1917.  There is no GPA requirement, and any student in grade 9-12 is eligible to apply.  The first-place winner is awarded $10,000, and there are also rewards for eight semi-finalists, five finalists, and the second-place winner.  The deadline is Jan. 13, 2023, and if you are interested in learning more, visit www.jfklibrary.org. 

For students interested in web design and computer science, the Lounge Lizard Web Design Scholarship may be equally beneficial.  Lounge Lizard is an award-winning website design company, and applicants are given a task of building and designing any website of their choice.  This gives students the opportunity to embrace their creative side, while also practicing coding and technological design skills.  The deadline is Feb. 19, 2023, and the reward is $1,000.  To learn more, visit www.loungelizard.com.

For athletes, there is a plethora of scholarships available for simply having an interest in fitness.  The Michael Moody Fitness Scholarship is open to high school seniors who want to pursue a career in athletic training, kinesiology, or anything else fitness-related.  This award is given to one student who demonstrates outstanding achievements in academics and athletics both in and outside of school.  The application includes three essay prompts and a series of questions to fill out.  If selected as a finalist, a school transcript and letter of recommendation are also required.  The reward is $1,500, and the deadline is Aug. 1, 2023.  If you are interested in working in fitness and health in the future, learn more at www.michaelmoodyfitness.com. 

For artsy and creative students, one scholarship that doubles as a fun activity is the Stuck at Prom: Duct Tape Scholarship Contest.  This is offered by Duck Brand: Duct Tape, and applicants are tasked with designing a prom dress strictly out of duct tape.  On top of that, the dress has to be worn at an actual prom event – photo proof is required.  The deadline is July 21, 2023, and students have the opportunity to win up to $10,000 depending on where they place.  If you would like to participate, check out www.duckbrand.com. 

Additionally, there are many traditional scholarships that any type of student can apply for.  The Niche $50,000 No Essay Scholarship is available to all high school seniors in the U.S., and as it says in the name, there is no essay requirement.  All that an applicant has to do is fill out a form with personal information and press submit.  This seems too good to be true, but it has proven reliable, and the simplicity of the application gives students a clear reason to apply.  The winner is determined by a random drawing, and the award is designated to help cover all types of college expenses such as tuition, books, and housing.  The deadline is Dec. 14, 2022.  Niche also offers specific scholarships such as a Culinary Scholarship, Nursing Scholarship, Online Degree Scholarship, and Christian College Scholarship.  To apply for any of these, check out www.niche.com.

These are just a few of the many great scholarships offered to high school seniors.  A trustworthy website that advertises grants and awards is fastweb.com and can be an excellent source for research.  Happy searching!