Scholarships

Scholarships are private funds that are made available to students through separate application processes. Scholarship awards do not need to be repaid and can be used to pay for college expenses.

Scholarship opportunities listed below are in due date order. New scholarship opportunities will be added periodically, so check back often!

College Board Big Future Scholarship Opportunities - 11th & 12th graders

College Board Big Future Scholarship

BigFuture rewards you for doing what you already are doing: planning for life after high school. With no essay, minimum GPA, test score, or citizenship requirements, BigFuture makes it easy to enter drawings (yes, plural!) each month. Simply complete unlocked steps on your dashboard, and you'll be automatically entered to win. One step completed = one entry each month . . . the earlier and sooner you complete tasks, the bigger your chances to win. Students whose families earn less than $60,000 a year receive two entries each drawing. Don't wait, get started today!

Award: $500 - $40,000 (multiple awards)

Application Deadline: Dates vary (view website for dates)

CLICK HERE TO APPLY

Assemblymember Lisa Calderon’s annual 56th Assembly District Writing Contest (Due Sept. 10th)

This merit-based scholarship opportunity will assist students in refining their college application personal insight questions, a key part of the application processes. Submissions are open to high school seniors (grade 12).

Assemblymember Lisa Calderon will announce recipients of the $1,000 scholarships during the closing ceremony of the 56th Assembly District College & Career Fair at Rio Hondo College on October 11th at 1:00PM.

Eligibility: Be currently a high school senior.

Award: $1,000

Deadline: Applications are open until September 10, 2025

CLICK HERE TO APPLY

The Gates Scholarship (Due Sept. 15th)

The Gates Scholarship

Eligibility: Applicant must be a US citizen, national, or permanent resident; In good academic standing with a minimum cumulative weighted GPA of 3.3 on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent). Additionally, a student must plan to enroll full-time, in a four-year degree program, at a US accredited, not-for-profit, private or public college or university. An ideal candidate will have: An outstanding academic record in high school (in the top 10% of his/her graduating class), Demonstrated leadership ability (e.g., as shown through participation in community service, extracurricular, or other activities), Exceptional personal success skills (e.g., emotional maturity, motivation, perseverance, etc.). Please click here to learn more.

Deadline: The application will be available July 15-September 15, 2025, for students who will graduate during the 2025-2026 academic year.

CLICK HERE TO APPLY

Coca Cola Scholars (Due Sept. 30th)

The Coca-Cola Scholars Program Scholarship

The Coca-Cola Scholars Program scholarship is an achievement-based scholarship awarded to students in their final year of high school. Students are recognized for their capacity to lead and serve, as well as their commitment to making a significant impact on their schools and communities. 150 Coca-Cola Scholars are selected each year to receive this $20,000 scholarship. Click here for more information.

Eligibility: Applicants must be a current U.S. high school student who will graduate during the 2024-2025 academic school year. Must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. National, U.S. Permanent Resident; Will receive a high school diploma during the current academic year and plan to pursue a degree at an accredited U.S. post-secondary institution.
Award: $20,000 (150 awards)
Deadline: The application will be available August 1-September 30, 2025, for students who will graduate during the 2025-2026 academic year.
CLICK HERE TO APPLY

2025 Hispanic Heritage Youth Awards Now Open! (Due Nov. 2nd)

Hispanic Heritage Youth Awards

Eligibility: Be currently enrolled in high school and graduating in the spring of 2026; Must have a minimum unweighted 3.0 GPA; Must enroll at an accredited higher education institution in 2026-2027; Be of Hispanic heritage (includes Spain, Brazil, Philippines); Be a U.S. permanent resident, U.S. citizen, or qualify under the DACA

The Youth Awards honors Latinx high school seniors who excel in the classroom and community and for their excellence in various categories including: Business & Entrepreneurship, Community Service, Education, Engineering, Green Sustainability, Healthcare & Science, Media & Entertainment, Public Service & Social Justice, Sports & Fitness and Technology. Please click here for more information.

Award: Up to $4,000

Applications are open until November 2nd, 2025

CLICK HERE TO APPLY

Coming Soon - Fall Scholarships - Class of 2026 (Click arrow to view scholarships)

Class of 2026 - It’s never too soon to prepare for scholarships—start now for fall opportunities!

Amazon Future Engineer

You can receive a scholarship of up to $40,000 (up to $10,000/year) towards an undergraduate degree in engineering or computer science and an offer to complete a summer internship at Amazon!

Eligibility: Applicants must be a high school senior with at least a cumulative 2.3 GPA, plan to pursue studies computer science, software engineering, computer engineering, electrical engineering, or other computer science related field of study from an accredited 4-year college or from a 2-year college with the intent to transfer to a 4-year college and show financial need. Click here to learn more.

Application will open this Fall 2025.

Burger King Scholars Program
Eligibility: Applicants must be living in the United States; Be graduating high school seniors; Have a cumulative high school grade point average of 2.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale, or the equivalent; Plan to enroll full-time, without interruption, for the entire 2025-26 academic year at an accredited two- or four-year college, university or vocational-technical school. Please click here for more information.
Application will open in October 2025.

EDISON SCHOLARS
Eligibility: Applicants must be a high school senior with at least a cumulative 3.0 GPA, plan to pursue studies in the STEM fields at a four-year accredited college or university and show financial need. Eligible STEM majors include computer and information systems, engineering, engineering technology, management information systems, mathematics, natural resources and conservation and physical sciences. View their website for more information.

Application will open this Fall 2025.

Equitable Excellence℠ Scholarship Program

Eligibility: Current high school seniors who are United States citizens and plan to enroll full-time in an accredited 2-year or 4-year college or university in the United States by Fall 2026. Academic record, leadership, participation in school and community activities, and work experience will be considered. View their website for more information.

Application will open in October 2025.

McDonald’s HACER National Scholarship

Eligibility: Applicants must be a high school senior with academic achievement and community involvement; Must be a legal U.S. resident. Minimum 2.8 GPA and eligible to attend a two or four-year college or university with full-time course of study; Have at least one parent of Hispanic heritage. View their website for more information.

Application will open this Fall 2025.

FREE Scholarship Search Websites

Free scholarship search websites are a great tool to help students find financial aid opportunities tailored to their background, interests, and goals. To use one, simply create a profile with your academic achievements and extracurricular activities. The website will then match you with scholarships you may qualify for. Some trusted sites are found below.

ALWAYS read the eligibility requirements carefully and NEVER pay to apply or give your social security number or bank account information – legitimate scholarships are free to access.

NOTE: Rowland High School or RUSD is not affiliated with any of the scholarships below. The College & Career Center is providing this information as a courtesy to our students.

UNIGO	BigFuture	NICHE

Beware of Scams

Never pay to apply for a scholarship. If a company promises you a scholarship or grant in exchange for a “processing cost,” “redemption fee,” or other upfront payment, walk away. Sometimes, these companies ask for your checking account or credit card information to “confirm eligibility,” then debit the account without your consent. Do NOT give your social security number or bank account information.

Good Links

RHS Scholarship Organizer