Scholarships that reward your service
Real scholarships for high school students who volunteer and lead, with this year's dates. Each one links to the sponsor's own page, so always confirm there before you apply.
Checked Oct 21, 2026. Free to apply; never pay to apply for a scholarship.
11 scholarships
Elks Most Valuable Student
Elks National Foundation
$1,000 to $7,500 a year for four years
Who: U.S. citizens in their senior year. No Elks connection needed.
Rewards: Scholarship, leadership and financial need. 500 four-year awards.
Deadline Nov 12, 2026
LeadershipFinancial needNHS Scholarship
National Honor Society (NASSP)
$2 million shared by 600 seniors
Who: Seniors who are active members of an NHS chapter, with an NHS student account.
Rewards: Scholarship, service, leadership and character.
Deadline Nov 20, 2026
Rewards serviceLeadershipMembers onlyBurger King Scholars
Burger King Foundation
$1,000 to $60,000
Who: High school seniors in North America.
Rewards: Grades, work experience, activities, financial need and community service.
Expected deadline Dec 15, 2026 (last year's pattern; confirm on the official page). Closes early once 30,000 students have applied, so apply soon after it opens.
Rewards serviceFinancial needEquitable Excellence Scholarship
Equitable Foundation (Scholarship America)
$5,000 a year, renewable up to $20,000
Who: Seniors with a 2.5 GPA in the 50 states, DC or Puerto Rico.
Rewards: How you will "pay it forward" and lift others in your community.
Expected deadline Dec 18, 2026 (last year's pattern; confirm on the official page)
Rewards serviceNESA Eagle Scout Scholarships
National Eagle Scout Association
$5,000 to $50,000
Who: Eagle Scouts who are NESA members, from the senior year of high school.
Rewards: Merit and Scouting service.
Expected deadline Jan 31, 2027 (last year's pattern; confirm on the official page)
Rewards serviceMembers onlyHoratio Alger Scholarships
Horatio Alger Association
Up to $25,000
Who: Juniors (December 1 to March 1) and seniors (December 1 to February 15) with critical financial need.
Rewards: Overcoming adversity, financial need and community service.
Deadline Mar 1, 2027
Financial needRewards serviceGloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes
The Barron Prize
$10,000 for each of 25 winners
Who: Ages 8 to 18 in the U.S. or Canada who started and lead a service project.
Rewards: An extraordinary service project that helps people or the planet.
Expected deadline Mar 15, 2027 (last year's pattern; confirm on the official page). Pre-application by March 15, full application by April 15.
Rewards serviceLeadershipRon Brown Scholar Program
Ron Brown Scholar Fund
$40,000 over four years
Who: African American high school seniors.
Rewards: Academic excellence, leadership potential and a commitment to community service.
The 2027 application is open. It usually closes in late fall or early winter; check the date.
Rewards serviceLeadershipStephen J. Brady Stop Hunger Scholarships
Sodexo Stop Hunger Foundation
$10,000 plus a $5,000 grant for your hunger charity
Who: Ages 5 to 25 in the U.S. who volunteer to fight hunger.
Rewards: Unpaid volunteer work against hunger in the last 12 months.
Usually opens in late summer and closes in the fall.
Rewards serviceHeisman High School Scholarship
Heisman Trophy Trust
Up to $10,000
Who: Seniors who play at least one sport, with a 3.0 weighted GPA.
Rewards: Athletes who lead at school and in the community.
Usually opens in August and closes in October.
AthletesRewards serviceCoca-Cola Scholars Program
Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation
$20,000 for each of 150 scholars
Who: Seniors with a 3.0 GPA. Juniors: the class of 2028 applies from August 2027.
Rewards: Leadership and service that made a difference at school and in the community.
Closed Sep 30, 2026. Reopens in August 2027 for the class of 2028.
Rewards serviceLeadership
Your hours are your best application
Most of these ask what you did and the difference it made. In My Award Tracker, log each activity with its hours and proof, add these scholarships to your list with their deadlines, and get a reminder before each one closes. Free to use.