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How do I pay for my education after high school? This is a great question! There are many options. One of the options that does not require you to pay money back is through scholarships. Below you will find links to scholarship opportunities (both local and national) and search engines. In addition, please check out the Minnesota Office of Higher Education pamphlet on Grants & Scholarships as it is an amazing resource for navigating what it all means. CURRENT SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES: FOR JUNIORS: MN Association of Townships Scholarship Program: Application due June 1, 2026 Current 11th graders who are township residents should plan to apply for this scholarship. Applications, including an essay, due by June 1. Winners of the $2000 scholarships will be notified in writing in September 2026. Find the application HERE; copies also available in Mrs. Sauer's office. FOR SENIORS: P.E.O Local Scholarship: Application due March 30, 2026 Chapter AR, P.E.O. Sisterhood, Faribault, Minnesota, is pleased to offer up to a $1000 scholarship to female high school seniors from Faribault enrolling in a post-secondary program. While GPA and involvement are factors, of greater consideration is the candidate's ability to reflect our P.E.O. values both now and in her future. Application information can be found by clicking HERE. Rice County Farm Bureau Scholarship: Application due March 30, 2026 Rice Country Farm Bureau is offering a scholarship opportunity of $500 dollars to Class of 2026 seniors who are planning on pursuing a two or four-year degree in an agricultural field. Scholarship applicants must be residents of Rice County. Application and letter of recommendation due March 30, 2026. Find the application and more information HERE or pick up a copy in Mrs. Sauer's office. Tri-Lakes Sportsmen's Club 2025 Scholarship: Application due March 30, 2026 Seniors are invited to apply for the Tri-Lakes Sportsmen's Club Scholarship. This scholarship is awarded to area high school students who have an interest in pursuing a career in the outdoors or the environment through a vocational, two, or four-year post-secondary program. The application and one-page essay are due to Mrs. Sauer by March 30, 2026. Find the application and essay prompt HERE or pick up a copy in Mrs. Sauer's office. HomeTown Credit Union Scholarship: Application and video due April 3, 2026 Two $1000 and two $500 college scholarships are available to members of HomeTown Credit Union. Applicants must fill out the online application, assemble an accomplishment list, and create a 1-to-3 minute video exploring advantages and disadvantages of Buy Now Pay Later loans (example companies: Klarna, Afterpay, Affirm, Sezzle, etc.). See the online application for additional video requirements. To be eligible, seniors must be a member of HomeTown Credit Union by January 3, 2026. More information and an online application can be found HERE. Federated Challenge Scholarship/Big Brothers Big Sisters: Application due April 15, 2026 Federated, in partnership with the Big Brothers Big Sister program, is offering a renewable scholarship of $1000-$5000. Scholarship eligibility includes students who are a current or former Big Brothers Big Sisters Little or High School Big (minimum of 18 months), plan to enroll part-time or full-time in a non-four-year program in Minnesota (trade, technical, community college, apprenticeship, certificate, or associate degree), have a minimum GPA of 2.0. Find the application and additional information at this link. Steele-Waseca Cooperative Electric Scholarship: Application due April 17, 2026 Graduating high school seniors who live in households served by Steele-Waseca Cooperative Electric (SWCE) may be eligible for a $1,000 scholarship. To apply, seniors must: 1.) Be a dependent of a Steele-Waseca member, and 2.) Be a 2026 graduating high school senior who will be continuing his/her education full time, ranging from a three-month certificate program to a four-year college or university, and 3.) must submit the application form and a short essay to Mrs. Sauer by Friday, April 178, 2026, prompt found HERE. Vallely Will Scholarship: Application due May 11, 2026 Attending a two-year or four-year college, university, vocational, or technical school, demonstrate financial need (FAFSA), and have minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale. Google "The Center for Scholarship Administration" for additional information and the online application. (Reach out to Mrs. Sauer if having trouble navigating this website.) Horatio Alger Career & Technical scholarship: Application due June 15, 2026 The Horatio Alger Association’s Career & Technical Scholarship is designed for individuals who have faced and overcome significant adversity and are working toward a career or technical education certificate or degree. This need-based award recognizes those who demonstrate integrity, perseverance, and a strong commitment to building a successful future through career-focused training. Eligible individuals with financial need who are enrolled, or plan to enroll, in a career or technical program at a not-for-profit institution should consider applying. Each year, the Association awards scholarships of up to $2,500 to support tuition, tools, supplies, and other program-related expenses. Learn more here: https://horatioalger.org/career-technical-education-scholarships/ SCHOLARSHIP SEARCH ENGINES: Choose a search engine (a few are listed below) and create an account. You can make it as specific as you want. You will be inundated with options! Be sure to spend some time looking through them and keep track of your scholarship applications (and awards) in Naviance. CareerOnestop Scholarship Finder Chegg Scholarship Engine CollegeBaord Search FastWeb Going Merry Scholarships Hispanic Scholarship Fund Minnesota College Scholarship Links Scholarships.com Scholarship America Scholarships & Financial Aid for Minority Students Student Scholarships (link of examples of scholarships found here often provided in Schoology) UNCF Scholarships |