As one of the nation’s largest college financial aid programs in the country, the Horatio Alger National Scholarship Program is one of the major scholarship programs nationally that specifically assists high school students who have faced and overcome great obstacles in their young lives. The scholarships are funded by Horatio Alger Members who, like the Scholars, have experienced challenges but ultimately overcame them to become successful business and civic leaders.
The National Scholarship is awarded to eligible students in all fifty states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. National Scholars receive an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C., during the spring of their senior year to participate in the National Scholars Conference. Recipients must attend the National Scholars Conference to receive the award.
| who should apply? | low-income students who have overcome great adversity |
| eligible grade levels | juniors |
| award | $25,000 |
| opens | December 2021 |
| deadline | March 15, 2022, 5 PM EST |
| decisions released | April/May 2022 |
| selectivity | 106 scholarships |
| link | https://scholars.horatioalger.org/about-our-scholarship-programs/ |
application requirements
- be enrolled full time as a high school junior in the US
- exhibit a strong commitment to pursue and complete a bachelor’s degree at an accredited non-profit public or private institution in the US (transfers to 4-years allowed)
- demonstrate critical financial need ($55,000 or lower AGI is required)
- have and maintain a 2.0 or above GPA
application process
Round 1 (Opens Dec. 2021)
- certification form (submitted by counselor)
- adversity section (basically trauma-dumps)
- you need a Support Form Provider (kind of like a recommender except they verify what you say is true. Adult over the age of 21 not related to you.)
notes
- National Scholars receive an all-expenses paid trip to Washington, D.C., during the spring of their senior year to participate in the National Scholars Conference. Recipients must attend the National Scholars Conference to receive the award.