Scholarships and Grants

Contributors: Ashley Lawson, Richard Haines

The scholarships listed have a variety of application deadlines, so read the criteria carefully. For scholarships with closed deadlines, mark your calendar with a reminder to revisit websites later to check for the next application dates!

Do you have a scholarship opportunity to share with our audience? Submit your scholarship information for review.

Read ahead:

Best Scholarship Picks for Texas Homeschoolers

THSC Patrick Henry Scholarship
Texas Home School Coalition (THSC) has established a donor-funded scholarship fund for Texas homeschool graduates who attend Patrick Henry College (PHC). Deadline beginning of March.

HERO (Home Education Recognition Organization)
HERO offers three, one-time awards of $1,000 each.
Craig Dickinson Memorial Scholarship for academically excellent students.
Mason Lighthouse Scholarship for service-minded students.
State Of The Arts Scholarship for the student who plans to study performing or visual arts past high school. Deadline beginning of March .

LeTourneau University Scholarships
LeTourneau University offers a wide range of scholarships for students, including the Homeschool Endowed Scholarship for incoming freshmen who were homeschooled through high school. Awards is up to $3,000 yearly for up to four years. Rolling deadline corresponds to semester admissions deadlines.

Sonlight
Sonlight homeschool curriculum company offers college scholarships as one of SonlightCares. To be eligible, students must have purchased and used at least five Sonlight history/literature/Bible programs since 2000. Awards 13 scholarships: one $5,000/year, four $2,500/year, and eight $1,000/year renewal for four years if student remains eligible. Deadline December 1.

ABoR (Austin Board of Realtors) Scholarship
Austin Board of Realtors Foundation is another option for college-bound students. The Foundation has awarded more than 300 scholarships since its inception in 1978, including $250,000 in the last five years. More information can be found on the ABoR website. Deadline beginning of February.

Hardin Simmons University
Learn more about scholarships at HSU.

NASA Aerospace Scholarships

Texas VFW Voice of Democracy The VFW (Veteran’s of Foreign Wars) Voice of Democracy audio-essay program provides high school students with the unique opportunity to express themselves in regards to a democratic and patriotic-themed recorded essay. Each year, nearly 64,500 9-12 grade students from across the country enter to win their share of more than $2 million in educational scholarships and incentives awarded through the program. See their site for deadlines and more details.

Other College Scholarships

U.S. Presidential Scholars Program
The U.S. Presidential Scholars Program gives national recognition to students with outstanding scores on the SAT or ACT tests. Details on nomination and awards can be found on the US Department of Education website.

Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation
The Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation encourages leadership and ambition among college juniors. Details on grants and applications can be read at Truman.gov.

James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation
The James Madison Memorial Foundation donates generous grants to those studying to become constitutional teachers and professors. Details can be viewed at JamesMadison.gov.

The Terry Foundation
Unlike many scholarship programs, the selection of a Terry Scholar is not simply based on financial need, test scores or grade point average. Instead, Terry Scholars are chosen because they exhibit a well-rounded personality, grounded in a desire to succeed, and a demonstrated history of community leadership. Learn more at TerryFoundation.org/Future-Scholars.

Horatio Alger Scholarship
This program offers national, state, career and technical, and targeted scholarships. Application deadlines and eligibility criteria vary by scholarship.

National Merit Scholarship Corporation
The National Merit Scholarship Corporation offers two scholarship programs: the National Merit Scholarship Program and the National Achievement Scholarship Program (specifically for African-American students).

The Lawntrepreneur Scholarship
The LawnStarter Lawntrepreneur Scholarship scholarship is open to students who have shown the entrepreneurial spirit by starting a lawn care company. See more details and apply here.

Scholly
Scholly uses a proprietary scholarship matching algorithm to match you with life-changing scholarships based on your interests, accomplishments, and unique traits. Scholly offers a 3-day free trial so you can test out their unique features. Over the trial period, you can search for personalized scholarship matches with Scholly Search, solve unlimited math problems with Scholly Math, and improve your writing with Scholly Editor.

Society of Petroleum Engineers Fort Worth
To encourage the pursuit of careers in the Oil and Gas Industry, the Fort Worth Section of the Society of Petroleum Engineers offers scholarships for students that are either entering their freshman year of college or are an undergraduate student already in college. Undergraduate scholarships of up to $3,000 per year are awarded annually and (once awarded) may be renewed through the recipient’s senior year in college (up to $12,000 in total). Note: Students must be a resident of Tarrant County or the surrounding area. See more details and apply.

Sprinkler Supply Store Scholarship
The Sprinkler Supply Store Scholarship provides a one-time reward of $500 to pay for tuition, books, computers, room, and board, or any education-related expense. Find more details here.

Techie Homeschool Mom
The applicant must be a high school senior currently homeschooling. If you are enrolled in a dual credit program, you must have been homeschooled in the year prior to enrolling for dual credits. Submit a 500-750 word essay explaining how the technology you’ve used for homeschooling has prepared you for your future. What role has technology played in your home education? What computer skills do you foresee yourself using in your future education or career? Before a scholarship is awarded, the winner is required to provide proof of post-high school education or business ownership plans.

SwimSpot scholarship
This scholarship will be open to both undergrad and graduate students who are attending an accredited university within the United States. The SwimSpot scholarship provides a one-time reward of $500 to pay for tuition, books, computers, room, and board, or any education-related expense. There are no GPA requirements and no application forms. This is our way of giving back—supporting individuals who want to pursue their dreams through education. The applicant must write a 300-word essay on how promoting body-positivity improves mental health. Essays must be sent to scholarships@swimspot.com as an attached Word document file, along with the applicant’s full name, address, phone number, school name, and date of birth. Use “SwimSpot $500 Scholarship | Full Name” as the attachment file name and subject line. Only one submission per person is allowed. Applicants must be able to prove their eligibility based on the abovementioned criteria.

University-Specific Scholarships

DBU Scholarships
Houston Baptist University Scholarships
St. Thomas Aquinas Houston Scholarships
Texas Tech Scholarships
Texas A&M University Scholarships
University of Houston Scholarships
Aquinas College Nashville Scholarships
CLT (Classic Learning Test) Scholarships
Hardin-Simmons University Arizona Christian University

University USA Scholarship for Home Schoolers
To qualify for this scholarship, students must show proof they have been homeschooled within the past four years. This $3k scholarship is good for up to 23 general education online courses from 7 mostly Christian universities. There is an application and students are asked to submit one 250 word essay from the prompt, “Please tell us the greatest thing that has ever happened in your life.”

Clemson Institute for the Study of Capitalism offers The Lyceum Scholars Program at Clemson University
The Lyceum Scholars Program at Clemson University offers $10,000 scholarships to study liberty, capitalism, the American Founding, and moral character. Students in the program take eight courses with other Lyceum Scholars in their entering class. These courses range from ancient political thought to the political thought of the American founding to constitutional law.

9% of current Lyceum Scholars were homeschooled prior to coming to Clemson University. The Lyceum Scholars Program values homeschoolers not only for their intelligence and ability to think critically but also for their love of learning. The Lyceum Scholars Program, in turn, is an excellent program for homeschoolers because of its classical, great books curriculum. But what is unparalleled about the program is the individualized attention and mentorship that each professor provides to each Lyceum Scholar. The Lyceum Scholars Program at Clemson University encourages homeschoolers to apply today. Deadlines for submission are typically in December. If you have any questions about the Lyceum Scholars Program, please email lyceum@clemson.edu.

Arizona Christian University scholarships
A merit scholarship is based on a student’s proven scholastic ability. All scholarship offers are subject to final transcript review and continued proven scholastic performance. All merit scholarships are renewable for up to 4 years (8 consecutive semesters) and are reviewed at the end of every Spring semester. Please see the website link for specific details of the variety of scholarships available at Arizona Christian University.

UTSA-Honors College Special Program
Howard and Nancy Terry created the Terry Foundation to help young people help themselves. Their desire to invest in Texas students was born of their belief that a university is only as good as the educated citizens it produces. The legacy of Howard and Nancy Terry lives on in the thousands of Scholars who bear their name and exemplify the Four Pillars of the Terry Scholarship Program every day: Scholarship, Leadership, Service, and Community. Find out more!

The UTSA Top Scholar Program
The UTSA Top Scholar program is a premier scholar program, well-known and highly regarded across the state for developing award-winning, academically talented, and exceptional servant leaders. Those selected to be Top Scholars will receive a comprehensive, last dollar scholarship for up to four-years (eight regular semesters) that includes funding for tuition, fees, and room and board. They also receive support for internships and study abroad programs. Read more details.

Scholarships for College and Graduate Studies

National Health Service Corps (NHSC)
The NHSC Scholarship Program is a competitive federal program that awards scholarships to students in return for a commitment to provide care in underserved communities. The program pays tuition and fees and provides a living stipend to students enrolled in accredited medical (M.D. or D.O.), dental, nurse practitioner, certified nurse midwife, or physician assistant training. Upon graduation, scholarship recipients serve as primary care providers between two and four years in a community-based site in a high-need health professional shortage area (HPSA) that has applied to and been approved by the NHSC as a service site. Awards are made to applicants most committed to serving underserved people and most likely to build successful careers in HPSAs to meet future needs for care throughout the nation. Sign up to be notified when scholarships are available.

Barry Goldwater Scholarship Foundation
The Barry Goldwater Scholarship provides undergraduate college students with scholarships for school and—under certain circumstances—provides grants to medical students who plan to research medical science after graduation. Details on the scholarship rules can be read on their website.

Rick Hope Constitutional Freedom Award – Johnson County
Beginning in 2017, the Texas Patriots Tea Party (TPTP) has awarded a $1000 scholarship to a deserving graduating high school senior in Johnson County, Texas. The award was named after Pastor Rick Hope who was great citizen and member of the TPTP Board.

Al Clements Memorial Scholarship (ARCH Members—Houston)
Two $300 scholarships are awarded by the Apostolate of Roman Catholic Homeschooling (ARCH) to merit-based students each year. Applicants must have completed at least their final two years of high school in a homeschool setting and must be an ARCH member by October 1 to apply by spring deadline. Community outreach and traveling. a transcript and SAT/ACT test scores are considered for the awards. Students will also need to submit a 500-word essay discussing their educational goals and career aspirations.

Mail to:
Al Clements Memorial Scholarship Award
P.O. Box 66602
Houston, TX 77266
information@arch-homeschool.org

Sprinkler Supply Store Scholarship
The Sprinkler Supply Store scholarship provides a one-time reward of $500 to pay for tuition, books, computers, room, and board, or any education-related expense. There’s no GPA requirement and no application forms.

Scholarships for Special Needs Students

The Sleep Family Scholarship
Earning a college degree is more expensive than ever, especially for those with disabilities, who not only have to pay for typical college-related expenses like tuition and books, but other medical-related costs as well. That is why we here at Sleep Family do our best to level the playing field for those with disabilities by providing a $1,500 annual scholarship to one disabled student in need. Find our more at SleepFamily.org.

Ruby’s Rainbow Scholarship
Adults with Down Syndrome age 18 and Older
The mission at Ruby’s Rainbow is to grant scholarships to adults with Down syndrome who are seeking post-secondary education, enrichment or vocational classes. Two awards are:

• Maudie’s Scholarship Award is up to $10,000, awarded to one applicant per year.
• Warriors for Walt Scholarship Award is up to $7,000 awarded to one applicant for 2018.

Apply for Ruby’s Rainbow Scholarship. Deadline is late April.

Cheap Credits: Just as Good as a Scholarship

Scholarships make college cost less, but there are many other ways to accomplish that. These options focus on getting as many college credits outside the regular college or university semester structure, where cost is highest. Most of these options are great for knocking core classes out, but won’t do much for progressing on a major.

Dual credit: Classes in high school that count as college credits

Advanced Placement courses + test: Using an approved online provider, homeschool students can take many advanced placement courses and test at the end of the course for three college credits. Note: This option may require enrolling in a virtual public school.

Credits by Testing: CLEP tests cost just $85. If successful, you just scored three to six college credits for $85!

Special Programs may provide more credits at lower cost, or the same credits at lower cost, and add an element of fun and adventure! This includes certain study abroad programs that can be taken in a gap year before college. Or take a temporary transfer away from a more expensive school to attend a special program.

Arizona Christian University concurrent enrollment information
Arizona Christian University has an exciting opportunity for students to earn college credit and gain college-level academic skills while still in high school! Students may complete ACU classes online or on ACU’s campus for college credit while still in high school.

My pick in this category:
North Lake College’s 2-week, 3-island Hawaii program which earns students 16 credits for $4,000 (in-county resident tuition). Homeschool students are eligible, even in their junior and senior years of high school (ages 16 and up).

Contests

High School
Preply Annual Scholarship

Preply is an online learning platform that connects language tutors and students worldwide. Through April 2, 2020 they are offering $4,500 to the 3 best participants in their annual essay contest. High school and university students (ages 16-35) can use the prize to learn languages on Preply or cover their educational expenses. Visit https://preply.com/en/scholarships for guidelines, to submit essays and vote for the best work.

The Spellman High Voltage Electronics Clean Tech Competition

The goal of this contest is to ask students to develop a clean technology solution to the many problems associated with climate change. Prizes awarded up to $10,000.

• Online registration
• Paper submissions

Middle School and High School
World of 7 Billion Video Contest

The World of 7 Billion student video contest helps bring technology and creativity into your middle and high school classes. The contest challenges students to create a short video connecting world population growth and one of three global challenges: Advancing Women and Girls, Feeding 10 Billion, or Preventing Pollution. Students can win up to $1,000 and participating teachers will receive free curriculum resources. Use this lesson plan to get started now! Full contest guidelines, resources for research, past winners, and more can be found on the World of 7 Billion website.

Contests and Grants for All Age of Homeschool Students

Elementary, Middle School, High School
Rush Revere

The mission of the series is to engage young readers by taking them back through time to witness exceptional events and meet incredible people in American history. We hear from children all over the world who have a newfound love of reading and history after going on adventures with Rush! Find Rush Revere Challenges and Scholarships

Sons of the American Revolution Education Contests/Scholarship Opportunities

These awards and contests are intended to encourage civic responsibility, duty and a deeper understanding of the complicated issues surrounding the American Revolutionary period among students across elementary, middle and high school grade levels. Learn more about Sons of the American Revolution Contests

IvyPanda Video Contest

Earn a $1,000 or $500 scholarship by creating a short video on one of the topics listed.

Beacon Society

The Joel Senter Sr. Memorial Essay Contest is open to students between 4th and 12th grades that have an interest in Sherlock Holmes.The contest is a memorial to the late R. Joel Senter Sr., a wonderful Sherlockian who devoted his life in teaching students and adults alike about the life of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson. The essay contest brings together two worlds that meant so much to R. Joel Senter Sr. – education and the Great Detective. The approximate annual deadline is February.

Visit the Beacon Society website for details.

Stand out on scholarship applications with a Congressional Award.Youth ages 14 to 23 can leverage their interests and public service to earn a bronze, silver or gold medal.

Download this booklet to learn more.

Congressional Award
The Congressional Award is open to all youth ages 14-23, no matter one’s GPA or special needs. Participants must be willing to better themselves and the communities they live in.

Congress established the Congressional Award in 1979 to recognize initiative, achievement and service in young people. The award of gold, silver or bronze is based on goals that participants set and achieve, and it is through fulfilling their goals that participants become better citizens and benefit their communities.

Congressional Art Competition
Each spring, the Congressional Institute sponsors a nationwide visual art competition for high school students. Since the competition began in 1982, more than 650,000 high school students have participated. Winners are recognized both in their district and at an annual awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. The winning works are displayed for one year at the U.S. Capitol.

Congressional App Challenge
Make an app and earn national recognition! Here’s how:

• Think of an app you’d like to create.
• What will it look like? What will it do?
• Work on your own or as a part of a team of up to four students.
• Submit your app and information through the website.

Homeschool Curriculum Grants

FEAST San Antonio Scholarship
Elementary – High School
As a non-profit organization comprised of homeschooling families, the Family Educators Alliance of South Texas (FEAST) awards an annual grant/scholarship for homeschooling families who meet specific income eligibility guidelines to purchase curriculum for their children, K-12. For eligibility guidelines, visit HomeschoolFeast.com/Scholarship. Must live in Bexar, Kendall, Guadalupe, Wilson, Atascosa, Bandera, Comal, Medina or Blanco Counties.

The Homeschool Foundation
This charitable organization offers curriculum grants in special categories such as widows, single mothers, special needs, military and in response to emergencies and natural disasters.

Grants for Special Needs

Check out DontPayFull.com’s massive list of charities and special funds that provide grants and donations for the special needs of families with a student with special needs.

Preparing the Homeschooled Student for College

Good college preparation starts well before senior year. Are you on track to a smooth transition to college? Read 30 signs on the path to college for homeschool students to help you and your student navigate the pre-college waters.

To thrive in a college classroom, students must have the study skills necessary to be independent learners. They must also have assumed responsibility for their education. Additional considerations are preparing your student to manage time well, take notes quickly, write research papers and use reference sources. Read more about thorough college prep in The Homeschool Graduate and College.

Looking for a high-quality Christian college? College Choice has just published its ranking of 50 Best Christian Colleges, six of which are in Texas.

Financial Aid Resources

• FAFSA and Financial Aid Guide
• Financial Aid and Scholarships for Students
• Financial Aid for Women
• Financial Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities
• Financial Aid Options for Online Colleges
• Budgeting 101 for College Students
• Student Renter’s Guide
• Financial Resources and Discounts for Students With Disabilities

Other Information
BestColleges.com publishes an annual report on America’s Best Online Colleges. Their 2018 report ranks the top 50 online colleges in the nation and gives students helpful tips on choosing the right college. They also list the best online colleges by state so that students can find great universities close to home.

MatchCollege is a free site where college seekers and their parents can get their college questions answered. Nearly 8,000 accredited colleges and universities are listed on the site. It includes comprehensive college resources and thousands of free guides, with a guide especially for homeschool students.

OnlineMBA.com offers free college planning resources for prospective business students. Their 10-part guide familiarizes individuals with business school options while guiding students through the selection and application process. They also offer state-specific resources exploring the MBA and business landscape, advising individuals on local options for a quality business education. Additionally, they explore the top MBA programs of 2018.

LendEDU.com offers a guide to Texas student loans, scholarships, and grants to help students find affordable options in lieu of or in addition to taking on student loan debt. LendEDU also offers a Guide to College Scholarships sorted by many categories, including scholarships by brand, state, major, military, trait, race, religion, school and even weird scholarships!

Also check out homeschool friendly colleges and universities in every state.

Internships

THSC Watchmen Program
A THSC Watchmen is a legislative intern who serves within the THSC Public Policy Department as a legislative analyst and lobbyist for the homeschool community. The THSC Watchmen program presents homeschool graduates with opportunities to develop skills such as critical analysis, professional writing, public speaking, networking and teamwork. THSC Watchmen learn practical skills which are useful in a wide variety of professional environments while protecting the God-given right of families to raise their children.

Learn more and apply.

Internship Program

By assisting district staff, interns have the opportunity to gain firsthand experience providing constituent services and interacting with the community through a congressional office. Academic credit may be available for college students participating in the internship program.

Apologia National Scholarship for Christian Service – (Deadline: Fall)

The $2,000 Apologia National Scholarship for Christian Service is granted to home-educated students across the United States. Recipients will join the one-year Christian gap year program at Impact360 to receive training in Christian service for 18 hours of college credit. With selection mostly based on leadership potential and academic excellence, preference is given to students who have been educated on the Apologia curriculum. Apply today!

Senior Year Spring Checklist

• Take college admissions exams one more time. Check out Everything A Homeschooler Needs to Know about College Entrance Exams. Apply now to take the ACT, SAT or the new CLT.
• Apply for scholarships. Concentrate on ones you have the best odds to get.
• Complete the FAFSA. Since the Free Application for Federal Student Aid works on a first-come, first-serve basis, procrastination could mean forfeiting free money! Check out this article to better understand how the FAFSA process works. Federal FAFSA online applications for the current school year begin in early fall of the same school year. State and college deadlines may differ, so check with your preferred college as well. Complete the FAFSA online now.
• Apply to an adequate number of so-called safety schools (these are schools where the student’s score and profile are better than the typically accepted student).
• Apply to your dream schools or stretch schools—the place you really want to go, despite having scores and profile below the typically accepted student and inadequate financial resources. College admissions is somewhat of a numbers game. Colleges want a good distribution of gender, ethnic group, in-state and out-of-state state residents, foreign students, transfer students, intended majors, talents and skills. You never know, but you just might fit the profile your dream school is seeking to attract more of in that given year.
• Take a campus tour of every school you’re serious about.
• Schedule tryouts and auditions which can mean scholarship money for your talents and skills.
• Send your final transcript to all schools you’re seriously considering. THSC members get our free transcript template—one of many great benefits!
• Review financial aid packages and accept the one for your school of choice.
• Put down a housing or enrollment deposit for your school of choice.
• Schedule college orientation session.