Horatio Alger Scholarship | National and State Programs

The Horatio Alger Scholarship Program, one of the nation’s largest college financial aid programs, aid high school students who have faced and conquered enormous hurdles in their young lives. The association has over 70 scholarship programs for students. Check below to see how you can apply for them.

About Horatio Alger Scholarship

The Horatio Alger Scholarship Program, as one of the nation’s largest need-based college scholarship programs, aid high school students who have experienced and overcome significant challenges in their lives. While many programs focus on academic success or leadership potential, the Horatio Alger Association selects individuals who have demonstrated dedication, honesty, and resilience in the face of adversity, as well as significant financial needs.

 Horatio Alger Scholarship Programs

Career & Technical Scholarships

Dennis R. Washington and Jim F. Dicke II, members of the Horatio Alger Association, have generously financed the Career & Technical Scholarship Program. Scholarships are given to students who have overcome significant challenges in their lives and want to pursue a career or technical education at an accredited non-profit post-secondary institution in the United States.

Number of awards: 500

Scholarship amount: $2,500

Tuition, fees, books, supplies, transportation, and other personal expenses are all acceptable uses for funds. All scholarship payments are sent directly to the institution on the recipient’s behalf.

Eligibility Requirements

1. US citizen
2. Below 35 years
3. Have completed high school (or earned a high school equivalency credential) by July 1
4. Be enrolled in an associate’s degree, certificate, or diploma program by September that will lead to employment
5. May not be enrolled in pre-requisite courses
6. Attend a not-for-profit post-secondary institution
7. Demonstrate financial need; applicants must either show family income of $55,000 or less OR prove Pell Grant eligibility

Deadline: June 15

National Scholarships

The National Scholarship is available to qualified students in each of the fifty states and the District of Columbia. National Scholars receive all-expenses-paid travel to Washington, D.C., during their senior year to attend the National Scholars Conference.

Number of awards: 105

Scholarship amount: $25,000

Eligibility Requirements

1. US citizen
2. Be enrolled full time as a high school junior in the United States
3. Demonstrate a strong desire to pursue and complete a bachelor’s degree at a non-profit public or private university in the United States. (students may start their studies at a two-year institution and then transfer to a four-year institution)
4. Demonstrate critical financial need ($55,000 or lower adjusted gross family income)
5. Be involved in co-curricular and community service activities
6. Display integrity and perseverance in overcoming adversity
7. Maintain a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0

Application period: Opens on December 1

State Scholarships

State scholarships are available to eligible students in all fifty states and the District of Columbia. The program primarily aids high school youngsters who have endured and overcome significant challenges in their young lives. The scholarships are provided by Horatio Alger Members who, like the scholars, overcame obstacles to become great business and civic leaders.

Number of awards: N/A

Scholarship amount: $10,000

Eligibility Requirements

1. US citizen
2. Be enrolled full time as a high school junior in the United States
3. Demonstrate a strong desire to pursue and complete a bachelor’s degree at a non-profit public or private university in the United States. (students may start their studies at a two-year institution and then transfer to a four-year institution)
4. Demonstrate critical financial need ($55,000 or lower adjusted gross family income)
5. Be involved in co-curricular and community service activities
6. Display integrity and perseverance in overcoming adversity
7. Maintain a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0

Application period: Open on December 1

Targeted Scholarships

The association has numerous scholarship programs that require applicants to either pursue a specific degree or attend a specified university. Individual Horatio Alger members contribute to the funding of these specialized programs.

Eligibility Requirements

1. US citizen
2. High school senior
3. Critical financial need ($55,000 or less adjusted gross income per family)
4. Integrity and perseverance in overcoming adversity

Targeted Scholarship programs

• Montana Scholarship
• Mel Klein Scholarship
• Patricia Cole Scholarship

How to Apply for Horatio Alger Scholarships

1. Go to the Horatio Alger Scholarship website.
2. Click on Scholarships.
3. Select the program you want t apply for.
4. Scroll down and click on Apply Now.

Horatio Alger Scholarship Contact Details

Address: 99 Canal Center Plaza, Suite 320

Alexandria, VA 22314

Phone: (844) 422-4200

Email: scholarships@horatioalger.org

Related Scholarships

• Palmetto Fellows Scholarship Program Application | Up to $29,200
• Minnesota Indian Scholarship Program Application | Up to $30,000
• Earl Warren Scholarship Application | Up to $45,000
• Goldman Sachs Scholarship for Excellence | Up to $15,000
• Sachs Foundation Scholarship | Graduate & Undergraduate Grant