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Questbridge is a scholarship program aimed at assisting students of all backgrounds with low incomes in the United States. Hence, this makes the Questbridge scholarship one of the best scholarships for high school students that are based on need. Consequently, Questbridge is a very competitive scholarship, as you might imagine. And this is why you may want to consider applying to other scholarships like QuestBridge, which are not only helpful but also have a lower competition ratio.
Luckily, apart from QuestBridge, there are several other organizations that are committed to supporting low-income students, helping them access and pursue the education they deserve.
Furthermore, such scholarships like QuestBridge work tirelessly to ensure that students of low-income families are not treated differently when it comes to education by updating school policies, partnering with students to develop strategies, identifying scholarship options, encouraging good grades, and even campaigning for equal opportunity.
Today, we will highlight seven outstanding scholarships like QuestBridge that have a passion for equity, success in college, and bright students.
1. Dell Scholars Program
The Dell Scholars Program that started in 2004 aims to inspire students as they seek higher education. Also, the program assists students with a customized college completion program, in addition to financial support. So far, more than 4,800 Dell scholars have been funded by the Dell Scholarship.
Specifically, Dell Scholars Program will offer “ongoing support and assistance to address all of the emotional, lifestyle, and financial challenges,” in addition to $20,000, a laptop, and textbook credits. In short, this is a significant opportunity for students who are looking to receive both financial assistance and a support system to help them excel in college.
This scholarship like QuestBridge is available to candidates who are:
- Proven need for financial assistance and support,
- Earning a 2.4 GPA minimum,
- Eligible in the first year of college to earn a federal Pell grant,
- Graduating this academic year from an accredited high school,
- Participating in a college readiness program accredited by the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation in grades 11 and 12,
- Planning to enroll in a bachelor’s degree program full-time at an accredited higher education institution immediately after your high school graduation in the fall.
2. Gates Millennium Scholarship
Actually, for high-achieving, Pell-eligible minority students, the Gates Millennium Scholarship is an excellent chance. Through this program, Gates Scholars receive support for the maximum cost of tuition that exceeds other financial assistance and the planned family contributions. It is, by default, using FAFSA or another particular approach used as a guide by a scholar’s college or university.
On top of that, Scholars will receive support for the full cost of attendance that, as calculated by FAFSA, is not already supported by other financial aid and the planned family contribution (FAFSA). Thus, for high-achieving, mature, and inspired students, this scholarship is the opportunity of a lifetime.
This scholarship like QuestBridge is available to candidates who are:
- S. citizens, national, or permanent residents,
- From at least one of the following ethnicities: African-American, American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian & Pacific Islander American, and/or Hispanic American,
- High school seniors,
- In good academic standing with a minimum cumulative weighted GPA of 3.3 on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent),
- Pell-eligible.
3. Greenhouse Scholars Scholarship
Basically, the Greenhouse Scholars Scholarship ensures that low-income students continue to excel in college and beyond, who have shown the ideals of leadership, citizenship, responsibility, and relentlessness in high school. Besides, the Greenhouse Scholars program allows students to be permanent change catalysts.
Each year, scholars may apply for two forms of financial support; a four-year, renewable scholarship award of up to $5,000 per year and grants of up to $2,000 per award for ‘flex funding.’ In particular, grants from Flex Funding help a wide variety of initiatives and perspectives related to the Greenhouse Scholars’ vision and values.
Also, this scholarship like QuestBridge is available to candidates who are:
- Graduating high school seniors planning to attend a four-year accredited academic institution
- S. citizens or permanent residents and legal residents of Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, or North Carolina.
- Demonstrating financial need (annual household income no greater than $70,000)
- Having a cumulative, unweighted GPA of 3.5 or above
- Possessing excellent leadership skills, the ability to persevere through difficult circumstances, and a strong interest and commitment to their community
4. Horatio Alger National Scholarships
The Horatio Alger Association funded need-based college scholarships for financially disadvantaged students for the first time in 1984. Specifically, the Horatio Alger National Scholarships are available for eligible high school seniors.
Basically, this scholarship, which also seeks to assist students with proven financial assistance, is available for students interested in co-curricular and community events. All in all, the Horatio Alger National Scholarships honor students who display honesty and perseverance in facing adversity.
These scholarships like QuestBridge are worth $25,000 each. In reality, the best thing is that applicants are given 106 scholarships, meaning the odds of getting one if you completely qualify are higher than others. Particularly, National Scholars receive a paid trip to Washington, D.C. for all expenses to participate in the National Scholars Conference during the spring of their senior year. Thus, all winners must attend the National Scholar’s Conference.
These scholarships like QuestBridge are available to candidates who are:
- Enrolled full time as a high school senior in the United States, progressing normally toward graduation in the Spring/Summer 2021, with plans to enter college no later than the fall following graduation,
- Having a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale,
- Holding a United States Citizenship,
- Having a strong commitment to pursuing and completing a bachelor’s degree at an accredited institution located in the United States (students may start their studies at a two-year institution and then transfer to a four-year institution),
- In critical financial need ($55,000 or lower adjusted gross family income required).
5. Ron Brown Scholarships
In memory of Ron Brown, the first African-American named to the Cabinet position of Secretary of Commerce and the first to serve as Chairman of the Democratic National Committee, the Ron Brown Scholarship was established. Actually, Brown was internationally known for his intellect and leadership at the time of his death (in a plane crash) in 1996.
In fact, Ron Brown Scholarship winners receive $40,000 scholarships for four years ($10,000 per year). Consequently, acceptance into the program ensures that, in ways beyond the monetary reward, the scholars are important. Thus, in college and beyond, the scholarships will provide scholars with the nurturing and mentorship to excel and prosper.
These scholarships like QuestBridge are available to applicants who are:
- Black/African American,
- Current high school seniors at the time of application,
- Demonstrating financial need,
- Excellent academically,
- Exhibiting exceptional leadership potential,
- Participating in community service activities,
- U.S. citizens or holding permanent resident visa cards.
6. Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship
Each year, the American Correctional Association (ACA) funds Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship to commemorate the conviction of Dr. King that we can achieve change by collaboration rather than confrontation, engagement rather than partisanship, and rather than animosity and discrimination, compassion and understanding. In particular, the college or university of the recipient will receive the scholarship amount of $2,000.
Hence, this scholarship like QuestBridge is available to applicants who are:
- Accepted or currently attending an undergraduate program of a four-year college,
- Excellent academically and demonstrating commitment to the principles of Dr. King,
- Having demonstrated financial need,
- Majoring in a career in the criminal justice field,
- Minority students.
7. Scholarship America Dream Awards
In fact, the Scholarship America Dream Awards enable students from around the nation beyond high school to reach their second year of higher education. Moreover, regardless of race, creed, faith, sexual orientation, age, sex, disability, or national origin, the recipients can receive the awards.
Plus, students win scholarships ranging from $5,000 to $15,000 if they are the winners. Specifically, awards are perpetual for up to three additional years or until a bachelor’s degree. Furthermore, in a full-time course of study, a renewal depends on adequate academic results. Also, the reward rises by $1,000 for each year of qualifying renewal.
These scholarships like QuestBridge are available to applicants who are:
- At least 17 years of age,
- Completing or expect to successfully complete a minimum of one full year of postsecondary education by June 2021,
- Demonstrating financial need,
- Having a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (or its equivalent),
- Planning to enroll in full-time undergraduate study at the sophomore year level or higher at an accredited two- or four-year college, university, or vocational-technical school in the United States for the entire 2021-2022 academic year,
- Receiving a high school diploma or the equivalent from a U.S. school by September 2020,
- Studying to obtain an Associate’s or first Bachelor’s degree,
- S. citizens, U.S. permanent residents (holders of a Permanent Resident Card), or individuals granted deferred action status under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Program (DACA).
