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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 JUNIORS AND SENIORS: Horatio Alger Foundation Scholarships: Application due Feb 15, 2026 for Seniors, March 1 for Juniors There are a variety of scholarships available through the Horatio Alger Foundation. On the website you are able to check for scholarship eligibility through a scholarship eligibility form. By filling out this one application, you will be considered for all scholarships for which you are eligible, except for some Specialized Scholarships. There is a national pool of 105 scholarships of $25,000 and 9 state scholarships of $10,000 dollars. FOR SENIORS: Angels Among Us/Darren Leahy Memorial Scholarship: Application due March 15, 2026 The Darren Leahy Memorial Scholarship was created in loving memory of Darren, a cherished child lost to SIDS. This $1000 scholarship reflects his family's wish to transform adversity into a legacy of hope. This scholarship supports a student who embodies the values that define our Angles Among Us spirit: kindness toward others, resilience and strength to overcome adversity during life's challenges, and commitment to strengthen hope within their community. Holy Cross Catholic School attendance preferred but not required. Application and three short essays must be postmarked no later than March 15. Find the application and award information HERE. Angels Among Us/Helping Those in Need Award: Application due March 15, 2026 Sponsored by Angels Among Us, this $1000 award honors graduating seniors who had helped those in need and/or given back to their community. Holy Cross Catholic School attendance preferred but not required. Application and three short essays must be postmarked no later than March 15. Find the application and award information at this link. Catch a Break Scholarship: Application due March 15, 2026 The Catch a Break!® Scholarship Program was established to assist highly motivated Minnesota residents who have faced challenges in life and learned from them, and are now enrolling for the first time in post-secondary education. Scholarships are offered for full-time study at an accredited public four-year college or university in Minnesota for the entire academic year. Scholars must live on campus their freshman year and cannot work during their freshman year. (We want you to focus on academics and the college experience.) The program offers 15 new scholarships available each year. All scholarships are renewable, up to $11,000 per year, up to four years. Click HERE for more information. Southern Heights Dental Scholarship: Application due March 15, 2026 Seniors are invited to apply for the 2026 Southern Heights Dental Scholarship Award, created as a tribute to the life and work of Dr. Ted J. Erickson (1948-2022). The $1000 scholarship is awarded annually to a Faribault Area High School Student who intends to pursue a career as a dental assistant or a dental hygienist. Deadline is March 15 and includes an application, letter of recommendation, essay responses, and transcript. Find the application HERE; apply online 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. 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.) (OLD) Spring 2025 Scholarships (will be updated for the Class of 2026 as information is received) Delta Kappa Gamma Scholarship: Application due April 1, 2025 The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International was founded in 1929 to promote professional and personal growth of women educators and excellence in education. The Faribault-Northfield chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma offers a $1000 competitive scholarship to a Northfield or Faribault High School, or Bethlehem Academy high school senior girl who intends to go to college and pursue a career in education. Applicants are evaluated on the basis of their academic record, desire to become a teacher, leadership and participation, and financial need. Applications are located in the counseling office or can be found digitally HERE. P.E.O Local Scholarship: Application due April 2, 2025 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. 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 |