Check out these top 15 Scholarships For Disadvantaged Students 2023. Education is a powerful tool that can help people overcome various challenges and achieve their goals. However, not everyone has equal access to quality education, especially those who come from disadvantaged backgrounds. Disadvantaged students may face financial, social, cultural, or physical barriers that prevent them from pursuing higher education or limit their choices of schools and programs.
Fortunately, there are many scholarships available for disadvantaged students who want to continue their education and improve their lives. These scholarships can help cover tuition, fees, books, living expenses, and other costs associated with attending college or university. Some of these scholarships are based on academic merit, while others are based on financial need, personal circumstances, or specific fields of study.
In this article, we will highlight some of the most generous and prestigious scholarships for disadvantaged students in 2023. These scholarships are open to students from various backgrounds and disciplines who demonstrate a strong commitment to their education and future careers. We will also provide some tips on how to apply for these scholarships and increase your chances of winning them.
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Top 15 Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students in 2023
1. Horatio Alger National Scholarship
Amount: $25,000
Deadline: March 15, 2023 (next application will opened on December 1, 2023 and deadline not yet announced)
Eligibility: High school junior; Commitment to pursuing a bachelor’s degree; Demonstrate a critical financial need ($55,00 or lower adjusted gross family income); Be involved in co-curricular and community service activities; Display integrity and perseverance in overcoming adversity; Maintain a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0; Be a United States citizen.
Description: The Horatio Alger National Scholarship is one of the largest need-based scholarships in the country. It is awarded to 106 high school juniors who have faced and overcome great obstacles in their lives. The scholarship aims to support students who aspire to pursue higher education and contribute to society. The scholarship recipients also receive access to mentoring, career exploration, financial literacy, and alumni support services.
Website: https://scholars.horatioalger.org/scholarships/about-our-scholarship-programs/national-scholarships/
2. Gates Scholarship
Amount: Full cost of attendance
Deadline: (application will open on July 15, 2023, and deadline is 4th January 2024)
Eligibility: High school senior; African American, American Indian/Alaska Native*, Asian & Pacific Islander American**, or Hispanic American; Pell-eligible; US citizen, national, or permanent resident; Minimum cumulative weighted GPA of 3.3 on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent); Plan to enroll full-time in a four-year degree program at a US accredited, not-for-profit, private or public college or university.
Description: The Gates Scholarship is a highly selective, last-dollar scholarship for outstanding minority students from low-income backgrounds. It covers the remaining cost of attendance that is not already covered by other financial aid and the expected family contribution. The scholarship also provides academic support, leadership development, mentoring, career guidance, and wellness resources to help scholars excel in college and beyond.
Website: https://www.thegatesscholarship.org/scholarship
3. Jack Kent Cooke Foundation College Scholarship Program
Amount: Up to $40,000 per year
Deadline: November 13, 2023 (next year’s application will open on September 1, 2023. 2024 deadline not yet announced)
Eligibility: High school senior; Plan to graduate from a US high school in spring 2023/4; Intend to enroll in an accredited four-year college beginning in fall 2023/4; Earn a cumulative unweighted GPA of 3.5 or above; Receive standardized test scores of either an SAT Total Score of 1200 and above OR an ACT Composite Score of 26 or above (students who are unable to take standardized tests due to COVID-19 are still eligible); Demonstrate unmet financial need (annual income up to $95,000).
Description: The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation College Scholarship Program is one of the most competitive and generous undergraduate scholarships in the nation. It awards up to $40,000 per year for four years of undergraduate study at any accredited college or university. The scholarship also provides comprehensive educational advising, opportunities for internships and study abroad, access to graduate school funding, and a thriving network of nearly 2,800 fellow Cooke Scholars and alumni.
Website: https://www.jkcf.org/our-scholarships/college-scholarship-program/
4. Dell Scholars Program
Amount: $20,000 plus laptop and other resources
Deadline: December 1, 2023
Eligibility: High school senior; Participating in a Michael & Susan Dell Foundation approved college readiness program in grades 11 and 12; Graduating from an accredited high school this academic year; Earning a minimum of a 2.4 GPA; Demonstrated need for financial assistance; Eligible to receive a federal Pell grant in the first year of college; Planning to enroll full-time in a bachelor’s degree program at an accredited higher education institution in the fall directly after your graduation from high school.
Description: The Dell Scholars Program is a college completion program that provides students with the support they need to overcome barriers to higher education. The program awards $20,000 in scholarships to 500 students each year, as well as a laptop, textbook credits, and access to academic, financial, and emotional support services. The program also connects scholars with a network of peers, mentors, and alumni who can offer guidance and encouragement throughout their college journey.
Website: https://www.dellscholars.org/scholarship/
5. Coca-Cola Scholars Program
Amount: $20,000
Deadline: October 2, 2024
Eligibility: High school senior; US citizen, US national, US permanent resident, refugee, asylee, Cuban-Haitian entrant, or humanitarian parolee; Planning to pursue a degree at an accredited US post-secondary institution; Carrying a minimum 3.0 GPA at the end of their junior year of high school.
Description: The Coca-Cola Scholars Program is a merit-based scholarship that recognizes students who have demonstrated leadership, service, and academic excellence. The program awards 150 scholarships of $20,000 each to high school seniors who are planning to attend college in the fall. The program also provides scholars with opportunities for personal and professional development, networking, and lifelong friendships.
Website: https://www.coca-colascholarsfoundation.org/apply/
6. Ron Brown Scholar Program
Amount: $40,000 ($10,000 per year for four years)
Deadline: January 9, 2024
Eligibility: High school senior; Black/African American; US citizen or permanent resident; Excel academically; Exhibit exceptional leadership potential; Participate in community service activities; Demonstrate financial need.
Description: The Ron Brown Scholar Program is a leadership development program that supports African American students who aspire to make significant contributions to society. The program awards 20 or more scholarships of $40,000 each to high school seniors who demonstrate academic achievement, civic engagement, and financial need. The program also provides scholars with mentoring, service opportunities, internships, and access to a network of Ron Brown Scholars and alumni.
Website: https://www.ronbrown.org/section/apply/program-description
7. QuestBridge National College Match
Amount: Full four-year scholarship
Deadline: September 28, 2023 (next year’s application will open on August 1, 2023 and deadline for 2024 is not yet announced)
Eligibility: High school senior; US citizen or permanent resident (or have DACA status); Household income of less than $65,000 annually (for a typical family of four) with minimal assets; Academic achievement that matches or exceeds the admissions standards of QuestBridge partner colleges.
Description: The QuestBridge National College Match is a college admission and scholarship program that connects high-achieving low-income students with full four-year scholarships to the nation’s top colleges. The program allows students to rank up to 12 partner colleges and apply for early admission and financial aid. If matched with a partner college, students receive a full scholarship that covers tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, and travel expenses. If not matched, students can still apply to partner colleges through QuestBridge Regular Decision.
Website: https://www.questbridge.org/high-school-students/national-college-match
8. APIA Scholarship Program
Amount: Up to $20,000
Deadline: January 9, 2024, at 5:00 PM Eastern.
Eligibility: Be of Asian and/or Pacific Islander ethnicity as defined by the U.S. Census; Be a citizen, national, or legal permanent resident of the United States or a citizen of the U.S. Freely Associated States; Be enrolling as an undergraduate student in a U.S. accredited college or university in the fall of 2023; Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.7 on a 4.0 scale (unweighted) or have earned a GED; Must apply for federal financial aid for the 2023-2024 academic year using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by early April 2023; Submit one letter of recommendation online.
Description: The APIA Scholarship Program is a comprehensive scholarship program that supports Asian American and Pacific Islander (APIA) students who have limited access to higher education and resources. The program awards scholarships ranging from one-time $2,500 awards to multi-year $20,000 awards based on financial need and academic merit. The program also provides scholars with access to mentoring, leadership development, community service, and professional networking opportunities.
Website: https://apiascholars.org/scholarship/apia-scholarship/
9. Hispanic Scholarship Fund
Amount: $500 to $5,000
Deadline: February 15, 2023 (2024 deadline yet to be announced)
Eligibility: Must be of Hispanic heritage; Minimum of 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent) for high school students; Minimum of 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent) for undergraduate and graduate students; Plan to enroll full-time in an accredited, not-for-profit, four-year university, or graduate school, during the fall of a scholarship cycle (year); US citizen, permanent legal resident, DACA or eligible non-citizen (as defined by FAFSA); Complete FAFSA or state based financial aid application (if applicable).
Description: The Hispanic Scholarship Fund is the nation’s largest provider of college financial aid for Latino students. The program awards scholarships ranging from $500 to $5,000 based on merit and financial need. The program also provides scholars with access to career services, leadership development, wellness resources, and a network of more than 100,000 alumni.
Website: https://www.hsf.net/scholarship
