The Best Scholarships for Seniors Pursuing Online Degrees

Finding information about online degrees can be hard. There are more programs than ever, and it’s easier to find a program that meets you individual needs than ever before. But unlike a traditional college admission process, you’re less likely to meet with support staff or have your “hand held” through the application process. Online degrees are great options for many, but often require more of a “self starter” mentality.

To aid would-be online students who have never attended college before (in this case seniors in high school or those who have graduated and are yet to embark on a path in higher education), we’ve scoured the internet looking for the highest value scholarships for this demographic.

If you’re a high school senior seeking an online degree — and are trying to tackle the financing of your higher education career — you’ve come to the right place! We should also note that many scholarships do not explicitly cater to students studying online or in-person. This means that as a future online student, you may apply for any scholarship for “traditional” entrance into a college or university, greatly enhancing your options for funding your collegiate move.

Golden Apple Scholars of Illinois

• $23000
• This scholarship is geared towards graduating high schoolers in Illinois who are hoping to gain teaching licensure. This large scholarship may be used in community college or four-year universities within the state of Illinois
• Citizens of Illinois
• Spring of Graduating Year
• Either

Coca-Cola Scholars

• $20000
• This scholarship is available to high school seniors who have been accepted into an accredited institution of higher education. Students should show academic and extracuriccular excellence.
• None
• Rolling
• Either

Greenhouse Scholars Scholarship

• $20000
• This scholarship is open to high school seniors who have been accepted to an accredited four-year institution. Successful applicants will show financial need, provide evidence of leadership as well as the desire to work in the community going forward.
• Citizen of Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, or North Carolina
• 44184
• Either

The Marie A. Calderilla Scholarship

• $20000
• This renewable scholarship is for females seeking to attend the San Mateo Community College District. Preference given to candidates with financial need and who excel at academics. First year students preferred.
• Citizens or legal residents of the San Mateo (CA) community college district
• 43914
• Female

Catch a Break! Scholarship

• $10000
• This scholarship is for high school seniors who are seniors in Minnesota. Succesful applicants will be seniors in high school who have been accepted to a public college in the state of Minnesota.
• Citizen of Minnesota
• 43541
• Either

Google Lime Scholarship for Students with Disabilities

• $10000
• This scholarship also comes with an internshship in a computer science related role at Google. Preference given to those with excellent academics within a computer science related discipline and who have a disability.
• Computer Science Students with visible or invisible disability
• 44170
• Either

Pride Foundation Scholarship

• $10000
• This amazing opportunty allows LGBTQ+and allies to apply for close to 60 scholarships with one application.
• For residents of Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, or Washington.
• 43840
• Either

Raytheon Patriot Scholarship

• $10000
• This scholarships is available to students studying any discipline. Preference is given to individuals who have excelled in their chosen course of study, demonstrated commitment ot the community, and who have served in the U.S. Army.
• U.S. Army Veterans
• 43947
• Either

Unigo $10K Scholarship

• $10000
• This merit scholarship is available to students who show excellence in four categories: writing ability, creativity, originality, and overall excellence.
• Resident of the U.S. over 13 years of age
• 44196
• Either

eQuality Scholarship

• $6000
• This scholarship is for current LGBTQ+ students as well as allies who have shown a commitment to helping the LGBTQ+ community. A variety of scholarships are available to students at the community college, undergraduate, and graduate levels, as well as for students studying particular disciplines.
• Residents of California
• Either

The Best Schools Online Learning Scholarship

• $1000
• TheBestSchools.org offers six $1,000 scholarships throughout the year. Recipients are randomly selected one week after an application deadline (which occurs throughout the Spring and Fall semesters).
• None
• Rolling
• Either

The JSSA Educational Scholarship Fund

• $6000
• The JSSA offers a suite of scholarships for future and current students from Maryland, D.C. or Northern Virginia. One scholarship available is for volunteer service directed at the Jewish community, while two others are merit based.
• Jewish residents of Maryland, D.C. or Northern Virginia
• 43954
• Either

ACS Scholars Program

• $5000
• This scholarship program is available to up to 350 undergraduate chemistry-related majors who are from underrepresented minority groups. The award is for up to $5,000 a year for four years.
• Underrepresented Minority Students
• 43525
• Either

Cancer for College General Scholarship

• $5000
• This scholarship is funded for survivors of cancer who are pursuing two or four-year degrees at community colleges or universities. Students who are forced to take time off for school due to health reasons by put their scholarship on a one-time hold for future disbursement.
• Cancer Survivors
• 43496
• Either

Education Matters Scholarship

• $5000
• This unique scholarship is not only available to students attending or about to attend a college or university, but future students. Recipients have until 2023 to enroll in a college or university and recieve their funds. The prompt for this scholarship is “”why does education matter to you?””
• Residents of the U.S. 13 or older.
• 44165
• Either

Kids’ Chance of Michigan

• $5000
• This scholarship is for children whose parents were injured in a work-related accident in the state of Michigan (and who are presently recieving worker’s compensation under Michigan law). The scholarship is primarily offered based on financial need.
• Child of parent receiving worker’s compensation under Michigan Law
• Rolling
• Either

PHCC Educational Foundation Scholarship

• $5000
• This great opportunity for students looking to recieve training in plumbing, heating, and cooling professions allows students to submit an application for up to 57 scholarships at once. Students must be currently enrolled or plan to enroll in a PHC program.
• Current or future PHC student
• 43952
• Either

Prudential Spirit of Community Awards

• $5000
• This selection of scholarships are available to all members of some of the largest youth and community organizations in the world. These are merit-based scholarships that judge initiative, personal growth, impact, and effort.
• Member of 4H, the Red Cross, Girl Scouts of America, the YMCA, or the Points of Light.
• 44140
• Either

The SR Education Group Scholarships

• $5000
• These awards are presented quarterly to students in community college, undergraduate, graduate, and those who are veterans. Criteria varies slightly but application dates and award amounts are the same across categories.
• None
• Rolling
• Either

Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance Scholarship

• $4000
• This annual scholarship is awarded to one student whose life has been impacted by cancer. Students should be enrolled at a community college or university and be in good academic standing. Though students may apply after their first semester.
• Student whose life has been impacted by cancer
• 43921
• Either

FNGA National Foliage Foundation/James H. Davis Scholarship

• $3500
• This program is meant to support students who would like to pursue horticulture-related degrees and join fields related to horticulture in Florida. Students must be in good academic standing in a horticulture program or be planning on enrolling in one.
• Community college through graduate students in Florida
• 43845
• Either

Penn State World Campus Scholarship

• $3000
• These scholarships for returning or first-time students are offered at one of the largest providers of distance degrees: Penn State World Campus. Scholarships are available for a variety of degree levels and may be qualified through a variety of means related to merit, financial need, and demographic concerns.
• Students at Penn State World Campus
• Rolling
• Either

AFCEA Afghanistan and Iraq War Vet Scholarship

• $2500
• This scholarship is available to active duty or veterans operations in Iraq or Afghanistan. Students may be pursuing a degree part of full-time at an accredited four-year institution and be pursuing a STEM major.
• Active Duty or Veteran Status
• 43784
• Either

Allegra Ford Thomas Scholarship

• $2500
• This program is open to graduating seniors with a learning disorder or ADHD. Students may be pursuing academic programs in vocational programs, community colleges, or four-year programs.
• Students with learning disabilities or ADHD
• 43781
• Either

Army Women’s Foundation Legacy Scholarships

• $2500
• This scholarship is available to women who are active duty or honorably discharged in one of the armed forces. It is also available to the children of women who have done such. Scholarship amounts vary based on whether applicants are attending vocational school, community colleges, four-year degrees, or graduate programs.
• Active Dury or Honorable Discharge, Or Child of Either
• 43475
• Female

Christian College Scholarship

• $2500
• This scholarship is available to first-time higher education students who are seeking or have gained admission to a Christian or Bible College (as determined by the Christian Connector Website). Winners are randomly drawn from participants.
• Pursuing a Degree At A Christian School
• 43616
• Either

Herbert and Antoinette Schlater Scholarship

• $2500
• This set of scholarships may be applied for in a general application that takes financial need into account, or in a “”skills”” application that takes into account high-demand skills that one may be studying for. These awards are available to students at the community college through graduate levels.
• Residents or Students in Shelby County, Ohio
• Rolling
• Either

Bemidji State Distance Learning Scholarships

• $2000
• Bemidji State University offers a range of scholarships ranging upwards to $2,000+. A selection of these scholarships are available to students studying online who meet other demographic and major choice criteria. Scholarships are available to students for students at a variety of levels and in a variety of majors.
• Students at Bemidji State University
• 43497
• Either

Career Education Scholarship Fund

• $2000
• This scholarship is available to students at any of the large schools owned by the Career Education Corporation. First dibs are available to students
• Students at schools owned by the Career Education Corporation.
• Rolling
• Either

AAUW’s Re-Entry Scholarship

• $1800
• For North San Diego residents returning to school above the age of 23. Applicants must have a GED or high school diploma and no bachelor’s degree.
• Northern San Diego
• 43525
• Female

Berklee Online Music Scholarships

• $1497
• These scholarships are available to students pursuing undergraduate certificate programs in music online at the Berklee School of Music. Students should have completed their first course in the program and maintained a high GPA.
• Students at Berklee School of Music
• Rolling
• Either

Bohn & Fletcher Scholarship

• $1000
• This scholarship is available to students who have been accepted into an undergraduate program. Students who are awarded the scholarship should be able to show an ongoing as well as future commitment to improving communities and community service.
• None
• 43678
• Either

Botkins Community Fund Scholarship

• $1000
• This scholarship is available to graduating seniors pursuing certificate programs, vocational programs, community college programs, or four-year degrees and who is graduating from Botkins High School. Preference given to students who have not recieved other awards.
• Students in Shelby County, Ohio
• 43509
• Either

Bright Futures Scholarship for Early Childhood Teachers

• $1000
• This $250-$1,000 scholarship is available to any student who has gained admission to an accredited higher education program, can demonstrate a desire to pursue an early childhood education degree, and will be taking coursework in this academic discipline.
• Early Childhood Education Students
• 43625
• Either

Chegg Monthly Scholarship

• $1000
• This scholarship is available to any student willing to write an essay about which founding Father they would invite to a barbeque (and why). Funds may be used for a variety of reasons related to attending school, and applicants must be high school seniors who are 16 years of age or older.
• None
• 43677
• Either

Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise

• $1000
• This scholarship is available to Phi Beta Kappa members who are attending community colleges.
• Community College Students
• Rolling
• Either

College JumpStart Scholarship

• $1000
• This merit scholarship is available to 10-12th graders, non-traditional students, and those currently in college.
• 10th grader+
• 43755
• Either

Arizona BPW Foundation Scholarship

• $Variable
• This program is available to members of the Arizona Business and Professional Women’s association. Applicants must be above the age of 21 and must be returning to school to further their career. Applacants may be endeavoring upon a program at a community college or four-year program.
• Must attend one Arizona BPW Event a YEar
• 43586
• Female

Better Opportunities Through Online Education Scholarship (University of Maryland University College)

• $Variable
• The University of Maryland at University College is one of the larger online schools in the nation, and provides a range of scholarships for seniors in high school who have been accepted depending on major, location the senior lives, and other demographic standards.
• Students at University of Maryland University College, one of the largest online degree providers in the nation, may apply for a wide range of grants and scholarships that are both merit and need based. Students may apply during their application process (as seniors in high school) or throughout their college career.
• Rolling
• Either

Cal Grant A & B Competitive Award Program

• $Variable
• Two pools of applicants may pursue these grants to attend community college in the state of California. One pool is based purely on financial need, while a second is based on merit. Students must have filled out a FAFSA as well as be accepted to California community college.
• California Community College Students may apply for competitive or non-competitive grants. For students who are not awarded an entitlement based on circumstances, competitive grants take a look at a variety of merit-related factors.
• 43710
• Either