United States Senate Youth Scholarship Program

Juniors & Seniors

The two delegates will each attend Washington Week in Washington, D.C., and receive a $10,000 undergraduate college scholarship.

The USSYP offers an extraordinary educational experience for high school juniors and seniors with a strong interest in history, political science, or public service. Delegates spend an immersive week in the nation’s capital, meeting with U.S. Senators, cabinet members, Supreme Court justices, and officials from federal agencies and the White House. This prestigious program provides students with unparalleled access to the nation’s political process and leaders.

10/05/25

https://ncdpi.instructure.com/courses/6560/pages/united-states-senate-youth-program

Voice of Democracy

Any high school student that attends a public high school.

10/31/25

Patriots Pen

Any high school student that attends a public high school.

10/31/25

United States Senate Youth Scholarship Program

Juniors & Seniors

The two delegates will each attend Washington Week in Washington, D.C., and receive a $10,000 undergraduate college scholarship.

The USSYP offers an extraordinary educational experience for high school juniors and seniors with a strong interest in history, political science, or public service. Delegates spend an immersive week in the nation’s capital, meeting with U.S. Senators, cabinet members, Supreme Court justices, and officials from federal agencies and the White House. This prestigious program provides students with unparalleled access to the nation’s political process and leaders.

10/05/25

https://ncdpi.instructure.com/courses/6560/pages/united-states-senate-youth-program

Voice of Democracy

Any high school student that attends a public high school.

At least $200

Audio-essay program provides a unique opportunity to express themselves in regards to a democratic and patriotic-themed recorded essay. The national first place winner receives a $35,000 scholarship paid directly to the recipient’s American university, college or vocational/technical school. A complete list of other national scholarships range from $1,000-$21,000, and the first place winner from each VFW Department (state) wins at least a scholarship of $1,000. VFW Post 5886 gives a $200 award to the local winner.

10/31/25

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1E9cAJI-V4NZOYyfNhkxA0MvehzyvnVOh/view?usp=sharing

Patriots Pen

Any high school student that attends a public high school.

At least $500

The essay contest encourages young minds to examine America’s history, along with their own experiences in modern American society, by drafting a 300- to 400-word essay, expressing their views based on a patriotic theme chosen by the VFW Commander-in-Chief. The 2025-26 theme is:“How Are You Showing Patriotism and Support for Our Country?” Winners at the Post level will be invited to an awards ceremony and submitted next at the state level.

10/31/25

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vySqCXl7vLntVvlUdq12K0Xy2Uwd5zTu/view?usp=sharing

NC State Park Scholarship

Have a minimum unweighted GPA of 3.8, be a United States citizen, permanent resident of the U.S. or graduating from a high school located in the U.S. (regardless of citizenship status), apply for fall, first year admission into a baccalaureate program

Four-year scholarship valued at $124,000

The Park Scholarships program brings together students with outstanding accomplishments and potential in scholarship, leadership, service, and character.

11/1/25

https://park.ncsu.edu/apply/

University HQ

general

varies

multiple scholarships

varies

https://universityhq.org/paying-for-college/scholarships/#k12

American Legion

general

varies

multiple scholarships

varies

https://www.legion.org/scholarships

NC Community Foundation Scholarships

general

varies

multple scholarships

varies

https://www.nccommunityfoundation.org/scholarships?nc-counties=johnston

CFNC.org Scholarships

general

varies

multiple scholarships

varies

https://www.cfnc.org/pay-for-college/scholarship-search/

MALDEF Scholarships

scholarships for all students regardless of residency status

varies

multiple sholarships

varies

https://www.maldef.org/resources/scholarship-resource-guide/

The Elks Scholarship

general

$1,000 - $5,000 depending on scholarship

varies by scholarship

varies

https://www.elks.org/scholars/

$2,000 "No Essay" College Scholarship

general

$2,000

The monthly winner will be determined by random drawing. One entry per person, but you can try each month.

monthly

https://colleges.niche.com/scholarship/apply.aspx

Varsity Tutors College Scholarship

general

$1,000

Scholarship is a short essay contest that is offered monthly for students ages 16+. The entry period is the 1st-15th of each month, with the next months prompt being displayed a month in advance. The period from the 16-30th is the judgement period. Students may continue to enter monthly until they win, at which point they are no longer eligible.

monthly

http://www.varsitytutors.com/college-scholarship

NCHSAA Endowment Scholarships

student athletes

varies

multiple scholarships

varies

https://www.nchsaa.org/nchsaa-scholarship-opportunities/

The Hispanic Scholarship Fund

students of Hispanic heritage

$1,000 - $20,000

* GPA 3.0 or higher

* Be a graduating high school senior

* Be a U.S. citizen, legal permanent resident or an eligible non-citizen

* Have plans to enroll FULL-TIME at a two or four year U.S. accredited institution in the U.S., Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands or Guam in the upcoming academic year

varies

https://www.hsf.net/scholarship

NC Reach Child Welfare Postsecondary Support Program

Funds for students who have aged out of NC public foster care OR were adopted from foster care after age 12

Max: Cost of attendance minus other aid

-age 18-25

-enrolled at least half-time at comm college or UNC campus seeking undergraduate degree, diploma, or certificate

-Compliant w/ Selective Service

-not in default w/ any loan or grant programs

rolling deadline

http://www.ncreach.org

TEACH Grant

students interested in teaching

up to $4,000 a year

-Fill out FAFSA and Must agree to teach in a high-need area (ESL, EC, math, science, foreign lang, reading specialist) at a school serving low income population; must enroll at a participating college

varies by scholarship

https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/grants/teach

Kids' Chance of NC Scholarships

NC students whose parents were seriously injured or died on the job

up to $5,000

-Students ages 16-25 whose parents were killed or injured as a result of a compensable work-related injury or illness -Parent’s injury or death must have resulted in a major decrease in family income

no deadline

https://www.kidschancenc.org/scholarships/

Next NC Scholarship

Students whose households make $80,000 or less

varies

The Next NC Scholarship is a financial aid program that helps most North Carolinians from households making $80,000 or less pursue higher education by fully covering tuition and fees at any community college or more than half, if not all, of tuition and fees to attend any public university in the state.

any time after completing your FAFSA

https://nextncscholarship.org/

Equitable Excellence Scholarship® Program

Be a current high school senior that resides in one of the 50 U.S. states, District of Columbia or Puerto Rico, who plan to enroll full-time in an accredited two- or four-year college or university in the United States for the entire upcoming academic year.

Demonstrate ambition and self-drive to be a force for good in their communities by encouraging others to pursue higher education.

Be willing to provide a release to publicize their identities and information about their plans or achievements along with photographs for use in program promotion/information.

Have a minimum grade point average of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale (or its equivalent).

varies

The Equitable Excellence Scholarship® supports students from across the country who strive to be a force for good in their communities. By pursuing a postsecondary degree, these students show fortitude and resilience, and plan to inspire others in their community to pursue higher education.

varies

https://learnmore.scholarsapply.org/equitableexcellence/