Top Scholarships for College

California Middle Class Scholarship
Amount: Varies by Need
Deadline: March 2

This grant is provided by the California Student Aid Commission for undergraduates and students who are pursuing a teaching credential who intend upon attending a University of California or California State University campus. It is awarded to students whose families make less than $171,000 a year. Students must maintain satisfactory academic progress and can receive the grant for up to four years.

Burger King Scholars
Amount: $1,000 to $50,000
Deadline: December 15

This scholarship is for graduating seniors who have a 2.5 or greater GPA that are U.S. or Canadian residents. The applicant must work on average 15 hours per week and also do community service work. The scholarship funds can be used at an accredited two- or four-year college or at a vocational school. It is not required that the applicant be a Burger King employee.

Carson Scholarship Fund
Amount: $1,000
Deadline: January 9

The students who are awarded Carson Scholarships maintain a 3.75 GPA or greater and engage in community service. They are nominated for the scholarship by their school, and each school may only nominate one student per year. Nominees can be as young as in the 4th grade but must be committed to attending a college or university upon graduation from high school. Students who are awarded a scholarship are invited to compete for a scholarship in subsequent years, as long as they maintain their community service and GPA requirements. The goal of the program is to groom young leaders.

Coolidge Scholarship
Amount: Full Tuition, Room & Board, and Fees
Deadline: Varies

The Coolidge Scholarship is in memory of former president Calvin Coolidge. Students must apply in their junior year of high school. Students chosen are humble leaders that demonstrate academic excellence and are interested in public policy. This scholarship is unique in that it is a full scholarship for tuition, fees, books, and living expenses for a full four years of college. The application process includes submission of an essay, high school transcripts, a resume, and two letters of recommendation.

Dell Scholars Program
Amount: Varies
Deadline: December 1

This scholarship is bestowed upon students who have demonstrated financial need, have overcome challenges and hardships, and are highly motivated with strong goals for their future. Scholarship recipients must be attending a college readiness program. They must have a minimum GPA of 2.4.

Foreclosure.com Scholarship
Amount: $2,500 (Winner); $500 (2nd & 3rd Place)
Deadline: December 15

This scholarship is for any student aged 13 or older that is currently attending post-secondary education. The application process involves writing an essay from 800 to 2000 words that provides creative and realistic solutions to solving the housing crisis in the U.S. Each year, the exact topic of the essay changes.

G.E./Reagan Foundation Scholarship Program
Amount: $10,000 (Can be renewed up to $40,000)
Deadline: January 4 (OR when the foundation has received 25,000 applications)

Every year, the Ronald Reagan Foundation and General Electric team up to award 18 scholarships of $10,000 each to students who demonstrate financial need, leadership, integrity, and a drive to succeed. The applicants need to have a 3.0 or greater GPA and can renew their scholarship over a six-year period four times.

Horatio Alger Association Scholarships
Amount: Up to $25,000
Deadline: October 25

The Horatio Alger Society is one of the country's largest providers of scholarships that are need-based. Students who are awarded these scholarships have demonstrated leadership and academic excellence and have financial need. Their preference is that families who apply for these scholarships make less than $55,000 per year. Applicants must be involved in community and extra-curricular activities.