Check your future college’s admission and aid pages to learn about priority deadlines, specialty scholarship opportunities, and any important application dates to ensure consideration. Don’t miss out - some colleges award scholarships to incoming first-year students based on high school academic performance or financial need. You might see terms like “merit-based” and “need-based” scholarships. Take a moment to learn what they mean.

Pro Tip: Track scholarships and program deadlines by setting alerts of key dates on your phone.

Your future college or institution will likely publish internal, departmental, and private scholarship opportunities. Find financial aid and scholarship information links for Arizona’s public and tribal universities and colleges here.

If you are already in your college/trade program you can connect with your program advisor and financial office and see what internal scholarships are available.

Pro Tip: Apply for scholarships every year of your program to help pay down your college or vocational program tuition. There is no limit to how many scholarships you can apply for each semester or academic year.

Some sites may ask you to create a profile to help you find scholarships available to you. Here’s a list to get you started:

Arizona Community Foundation (opportunities posted in January)

Arizona Promise Program (an Arizona grant for senior students to our state universities)

BigFuture Scholarship Directory & Scholarship Search

College Depot (Arizona-focused scholarships list) Scholarship search suggestions: Aliento Get There Scholarship, Dorrance Scholarship, Earn to Learn, Education Forward Arizona scholarship, Phoenix Union Foundation, and Unigo!

College Connect Tempe (scholarships for students in Tempe, Arizona and beyond)

Flinn Foundation (application opens the summer before your Senior year)

theDream.us (scholarship for undocumented high school students)

RaiseMe (micro-scholarships for your activities and achievements)

Red Kite Financial Aid: Basics, scholarships, and student info for college, career, and military.

Highlighted Scholarships from Ask Benji Partners :

Resolution Copper Scholarships for students of Superior High School, Globe High School, Miami High School, Apache Junction High School, Ray High School, or Hayden High School

Resolution Copper General Scholarship Program

Resolution Copper Industrial Trades Scholarship

Resolution Copper Steven L. Besich Grant (Globe and Superior only)

Resolution Copper John Rickus Scholarship

Many scholarships ask for a FAFSA to be submitted as part of the application criteria. Complete your FAFSA early in your senior year of high school is essential! Many colleges have priority FAFSA dates, and you should submit by the date for priority consideration of financial aid (school scholarships, need-based or merit programs, grants, and non-loan funding).

Students who are undocumented students who are not eligible to complete the FAFSA form will need to complete the CSS application for ASU, NAU, and U of Arizona. Our three state universities will accept the CSS application for undocumented immigrant students to calculate internal school financial aid.

Myth: The FAFSA form is only for federal loans. False. Students who complete the FAFSA form can get loan information, but scholarships and grants are a great alternative to loans. For example, you need your FAFSA to be eligible for the Arizona Promise Program.

Pro Tip: Don’t complete the CSS application for our state universities if you are eligible to complete the FAFSA form. ASU, NAU, and U of Arizona financial offices will require the FAFSA form from eligible students.

Your high school counselor will know about scholarship opportunities. Also, your family and friends may know of scholarship opportunities through their work and community connections.

Pro Tip: Contact your college or vocational program admission office for more opportunities, like the honors program or the ROTC route. Ask about unique program opportunities that apply to your background and life goals.

Don’t let scholarship myths keep you from applying to as many scholarship as possible. You can learn more about common myths here. Applying for scholarships as a high school or college student is a valuable way to ease the financial burden of education while also building a stronger résumé and network. Many students mistakenly believe scholarships are only for top athletes or academic performers, but there are opportunities for a wide range of talents and backgrounds. Need-based scholarships focus on financial need rather than grades, while others reward community service, leadership, or unique skills. Students should not let their GPA deter them, as there are countless scholarships available that align with their individual strengths and circumstances.