Scholarships for high school seniors are financial awards given to graduating students to help pay for college. They are typically based on academic merit, financial need, or a combination of both. Scholarships can come from a variety of sources, including colleges and universities, private organizations, and government agencies.
Scholarships can be a significant help in paying for college. The average cost of tuition and fees at a four-year public college is over $20,000 per year. For many families, this cost is simply unaffordable. Scholarships can help to make college more affordable, and they can also help students to reduce their debt burden.