You ranked #1 in your class and many colleges have valedictorian scholarships to reward high school seniors like you for your hard work. These awards also base decisions on academic performance including grade point average, SAT and ACT scores. Having an above average GPA might also open doors to other sources of financial aid just for high achievers.
Not sure where to start a college scholarship search? Try searching for Valedictorian scholarships at your college, high school, or local community and businesses.
10 Valedictorian Scholarships You Should for Apply Now
You may apply for as many scholarship programs that you may qualify for. Eligibility requirements outline what type of applicant may qualify for the award. Additional information is about the documents you need to send with your complete form. Application deadline is the due date at which time your package must arrive to the committee or person in charge.
Keep in mind, if you have to fill out and send a FAFSA, you must also submit it for academic year that you apply for and the due date is different each year.
Hope College Valedictorian Scholarship
Zell Miller Scholarship
Grace College Valedictorian / Salutatorian Scholarship
Great Bay Community College New Hampshire Valedictorian Scholarship
Clemson Scholars Award
Missouri State University Dean’s Scholarship
UNF Wells Fargo Bank and Wells Fargo Education Scholarship
Aquinas College Valedictorian / National Merit Scholarship
ULL Dr. Ray P. Authement Valedictorian Scholarship
Abilene Christian University Valedictorian / Salutatorian
Does Class Rank Affect Your Scholarship Application?
Class rank does matter if it is a requirement that the provider is looking for. Some do specify an applicant must be in the top 10% of their senior class or ranked number one. But keep in mind, you are going up against many other students from other schools. So, at the end of the day, you have to meet the provider’s requirements for GPA, ACT and SAT scores.
Many colleges may consider you for these Valedictorian scholarships when you are admitted. According to a recent report by the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), the main factors for admissions are:
High school cumulative GPA
Grades in college preparatory classes
Strength of curriculum
Admission test scores
Essay
Counselor and teacher recommendations
Class rank
Extracurricular activities
What Colleges Have Valedictorian Scholarships?
Some colleges do have valedictorian scholarships when you apply for admissions. Aquinas College is a Catholic private school with a Liberal Arts focus. Each year, they offer this $1,000 National Merit scholarship. It is for high school valedictorians and/or National Merit Semifinalists.
All students who graduate with either title receive this award. The award goes above and beyond other ones that the college provides to incoming freshman with high grades. It renews for up to five years provided as long as the student maintains a 3.0 GPA. At the end of each school year, you must also submit a letter that shows your volunteer or community service.
University of Louisiana at Lafayette offers the Dr. Ray P. Authement Valedictorian Scholarship. This $1,000 scholarship is for high school students who graduate as Valedictorian. Selected applicants may receive the funds in two payments of $500 each. If you also have a 3.0 GPA and SAT score of 1330+, you may also qualify for other University of Louisiana scholarships.
What Other Scholarships Can Valedictorians Apply for?
Valedictorians may apply for full ride/full tuition scholarships, National Honor Society, Dean’s List and Presidential awards. Many providers set scholarship funds aside for specific majors (e.g. STEM), minority groups and women. Use your extra talents and interests to help you find scholarships you want to apply for.
National Merit Scholarships
These scholarships are available to U.S. high school seniors who are National Achievement or National Merit finalists or semifinalists. Some colleges offer full tuition scholarships to National Merit Scholars. In order to become a Scholar, you must take the PSAT or NMSQT of your junior year. You must get a high score on the test.
American University National Achievement and National Merit award ranges from $10,000 up to full tuition. It renews for up to three years. It is available to U.S. high school seniors who plan to attend American University, Washington D.C. who are a National Achievement or National Merit finalists or semifinalist.
Full Tuition/Full Ride Scholarships
A full tuition scholarship pays for the cost of tuition and sometimes, the mandatory fees. Full ride scholarships for valedictorian tend to pay for tuition, fees, room and board plus a stipend for books or living expenses. Both kinds tend to go to the most exceptional students and weigh grades as well as community service.
Barclay College Full Tuition Scholarship is for U.S. students who are plan to attend Barclay College full time. To qualify you must meet the minimum admission standards of a grade point average of 2.3 or higher and an SAT score of 430 (writing) or higher or an ACT score of 18 or higher. Award amount is $11,000 and is renewable for a total of $44,000 if you remain in good standing.
Colorado Garden Foundation Full Ride Scholarship awards up to $200,000. It is for CO residents pursuing a degree in a degree in horticulture, landscape design and related areas. To qualify you must be an incoming freshman at a Colorado public college. To keep the scholarship for all four years, you must also maintain an annual GPA of 2.5 or higher.
Presidential Scholarship
A Presidential scholarship tends to be for new freshman in the top 10% of their graduating high school class. As a rule, if you qualify, there is no separate form and the school will notify you upon admission.
Augustana College Presidential Scholarship is for students who plan to enroll in Augustana College in Illinois. If a high school senior in the top 10% of your class, you may qualify. Other criteria are a GPA of 3.8 plus, a very rigorous course load, good character and involvement in activities. In past cycles, eligible applicants also had SAT 1300 and 28 ACT or higher. If you are selected, you could receive $28,000 per year.
Dean’s List Scholarships
This is a type of merit scholarship that colleges may award at the time of admissions. You must achieve a certain GPA in order to be on the Dean’s List. Wilkes University awards a $17,000 Dean’s scholarship during the admission process. It renews for one year if you stay in good standing. To qualify you need an SAT score of 1650 or higher or ACT score of 24 or higher or rank in the top 10% of your graduating high school class. When applying, you must fill in a FAFSA and send transcripts with a completed application form.
Founder’s Scholarship
A Founder’s Scholarship is another merit award. Each school sets the criteria since these awards honor founding members or faculty. As such, you may need to embody certain traits or virtues in addition to meeting a certain GPA.
University of St. Francis offers Founder’s scholarships that depend on academic performance only. To have a chance for one, you must complete an application on file prior to March 1. A complete application automatically qualifies you for consideration. This particular scholarship is for up to $18,000 per year for all four undergraduate years. The minimum requirements are a 3.8 GPA, SAT 1320 and ACT 28.
National Honor Society Scholarship
To be eligible for a National Honor Society Scholarship, you must be a member of the NHS. That takes a GPA of at least 3.0 and a commitment to community service, leadership and moral character. Each affiliated NHS chapter may nominate two seniors to compete for these national awards. Last year, there was one winner ($25,000), 24 finalists ($5,625 each) and 575 semi finalists ($3,200 each).
List of Valedictorian Scholarships
There are 10,534 awards worth $104M below. Apply now to our list of valedictorian scholarships!
The University of Montevallo Valedictorian/Salutatorian Scholarships offer full-tuition scholarships for graduating valedictorians or salutatorians from local Birmingham City Schools. Click to learn more and apply today!
This scholarship is open to U.S. high school seniors who are planning to attend the University of North Florida and have demonstrated financial need. Students must be valedictorian, salutatorian, rank in the top 10 percent of their graduating class, or be National Merit/Achievement/Hispanic Scholars.
The Valedictorian Program Tuition Waiver is designed to attract and enroll Massachusetts high school students who have been designated as valedictorians. Those eligible receive a tuition waiver equal to 100% to attend any approved state public college or university. Click to learn more and apply today!
The Texas Highest Ranking Graduate program provides a tuition waiver for the student graduating at the top of their high school class for their freshman year of college. Recipients get free tuition during their freshman year at a TX public college or university. Click to learn more and apply today!
Each year, University of South Carolina Upstate awards Valedictorian Scholarships of $10,000 (for boarding students) and $5000 (for commuting students) who are ranked first in their class at the time of admission and have minimum SAT score of 1000 or ACT score of 23. Click to learn more and apply today!
Each year, Emporia State University offers new incoming freshman Valedictorian (ranked #1 in the class) with a scholarship of $500 and Salutatorian (ranked #2 in the class with a scholarship of $250. Both awards are one time only.
The Coker University Valedictorian Scholarship is awarded to students who are ranked number one in their class at the end of their junior year or first semester of their senior year of high school and pays $500 per year for four years. Click to learn more and apply today!
The University of Nevada Valedictorian Scholarship is a $1,000 award with the possibility to renew for four years if the student maintains a 2.75 GPA, enrolls in at least 12 credit hours each semester, files a FAFSA each year and meets other conditions. Click to learn more and apply today!
The National Society of High School Scholars offers $1,000-$5,000 scholarships to high school juniors and seniors hoping to make a positive impact on society. Applicants submit an essay, resume, transcripts, recommendation letter and headshot. Click to learn more and apply today!
The NSHSS James W. Lewis Global Leader Scholarship awards 2 high school seniors and college freshmen with $5,000 each. Applicants need a minimum 3.5 GPA and demonstrate the values of James W. Lewis. Click to learn more and apply today!
