Scholarships

"Where do I start looking for scholarships?"

This is a common question students ask. While there are a lot of national scholarship search websites (listed in the "Quick Reference Guide for Scholarship Resources"), we also encourage students to reference the following:

SchooLinks 

Scholarship information can be found on Schoolinks! You should also use the MHS Scholarship list with scholarships specifically for MHS seniors. Because our donors decide when they will make the scholarship available, this list is updated throughout the year. Most scholarships for seniors, however, open in the spring.

Identity-based scholarships

The "Quick Reference Guide for Scholarship Resources" has a list of scholarship search pages for underrepresented students, female students, etc. However, there are also scholarships for holding an identity such as being left-handed, ascribing to a specific faith background. You can also find scholarships specific to a major or field of study.

Private Sources

Ask at your local library, your employer, your parents' employer, foundations, places of worship, community organizations, etc. about scholarships they may offer. 

The Financial Aid Office at the College/University Where You Applied

After you have applied to and been accepted to your future school, look into their scholarship options for newly admitted students.  Some scholarships are automatic based on specific factors that are a part of your application, but there are almost always more options that you can find and apply to separately after you have been admitted!

Federal and State Agencies

One final point: the best way to help yourself receive scholarship funds is to perform well academically and get involved.  A high GPA with a transcript full of demanding coursework, along with a complete resume of activities including volunteer hours and leadership experience will afford you many more options when scholarship opportunities become available.

Before Senior Year

Keep in mind that the greatest source of scholarships and grants will come from the government and from the college or university you choose to attend. Both of these entities will receive your household income information through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and determine your eligibility for need-based federal and state funds. Some institutions will also use the CSS Profile to gain a more detailed understanding of your family's financial circumstance.

Beyond that, colleges and universities will look at your grades, SAT/ACT scores, and involvement to determine your eligibility for merit scholarships. The best way to help yourself receive scholarship funds is to perform well academically and get involved. A high GPA with a transcript full of demanding coursework, along with a complete resume of activities including volunteer hours and leadership experience will afford you many more options when scholarship opportunities become available. 

While it is true that most scholarship applications open your senior year, there are some scholarships that are available for underclassmen. The resource on the left breaks down scholarship opportunities by grade level that can serve as a starting point for your scholarship search. The more practice you have completing scholarship applications, the stronger your applications will be.

Below are some common components of a scholarship application:

  • 1-2 letters of recommendation from a teacher, counselor, coach, employer, etc.
  • An essay response to a prompt
  • Your resume detailing a list of your involvements
  • Your high school transcript which consists of the courses you have taken and your final grades

Quick Reference Guide For Scholarship Resources

Scholarships By Month

The list below contains a month by month breakdown of common scholarships that typically open around that time each year. It is worth checking that scholarship sponsor's website for updated information or to be notified of when the scholarship will open. The CCRC will send individual email reminders for scholarship applications that are awarded to a graduating MHS senior.

Scholarships Guaranteed to go to MHS Seniors