Are you a high school senior who has encountered, persevered, and overcome enormous life challenges? Do you want to further your studies and make meaningful contributions to the world? If this sounds like something you’d be interested in, the Horatio Alger Scholarship is here to make your dream come true!
Every year, the Horatio Alger Association offers over $18 million in scholarships for about 1,900 students who have critical financial needs and have overcome adversity. Today, the Horatio Alger Association is welcoming young individuals whose financial restraints and other adversities have limited. This award is worth about $10,000 to $25,000 and is renewable for four years of undergraduate studies.
Additionally, the Association provides academic, personal, and professional support to enable its Scholars to excel in their lives and professions. Therefore, if you come from an underserved background you’ve overcome adversity, and want to enroll for an undergraduate education, you should consider enrolling for the Horatio Scholarship.
Meanwhile, the Horatio Alger Scholarship is a very competitive award with a thorough evaluation procedure. Thus, to stand a chance at getting in, you must present a brilliant and appealing application. This post will show you all you need to know about applying for the Horatio Scholarship and making your dream a reality.
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Scholarship Summary
Summary
About the Host of the Horatio Alger Scholarship
The Horatio Alger Association is a nonprofit organization based in Alexandria, Virginia. It was founded in 1947 to honor the achievements of outstanding students who have shown resilience despite adversity. The association is named for Horatio Alger, who became famous for his novels that depicted the rags-to-riches stories of individuals overcoming adversity through hard work and perseverance.
Furthermore, the association offers the annual Horatio Alger Award to people who meet its requirements. It also grants scholarships and describes itself as the largest provider of need-based scholarships in the United States. The Horatio Alger Scholarship aims to support students who have achieved remarkable success despite facing challenges like financial hardship, personal tragedy, or physical disabilities.
Since its inception, the Horatio Alger Association has awarded $245 million to 35,000 promising students to enable them to overcome significant challenges and pursue their dream of higher education.
Additionally, beyond financial support, the Horatio Alger Scholarship aims to foster a sense of community and mentorship among its recipients. Hence, scholars benefit from networking opportunities and mentorship programs provided by the association. All of these will assist you in realizing your dream and making meaningful contributions to the world.
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Why Apply for The Horatio Alger Scholarship?
The Horatio Alger Scholarship is a valuable opportunity to achieve your educational goals without worrying about the cost of study. This scholarship can cover tuition fees, traveling costs, accommodation, and other costs related to education. Similarly, being a Horatio Alger Scholar can open doors to a supportive community and mentorship opportunities. Additionally, being a recipient of the Scholarship can offer you access to a supportive network and tools to help you succeed in your educational journey.
How Much is the Horatio Alger Scholarship Worth?
The Horatio Alger Association offers various types of scholarship awards, and their worth differs. Generally, the Horatio scholarship ranged from $10,000 to $25,000. It is renewable for four years of undergraduate studies and it depends on recipient performance for every year. Similarly, the scholarship covers tuition, housing, travel expenses, and other essential educational costs.
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How Many People Are Going to Win the Award?
Every year, the Horatio Alger Association awards scholarships to deserving students in the US. Each of these scholarships has a specific number of students that they selected for the award. Therefore, we can not state the actual number of students that are going to win the award. However, we know that only a good number of students are going to be chosen.
What is the Acceptance Rate of the Horatio Alger Scholarship?
We can not tell the exact number of students who will win the Horatio Alger Scholarship because it offers various types of scholarship programs. However, we do know that they offer a reasonable number of scholarships per year. Therefore, it’s a moderately selective scholarship award.
Eligible Nationality
The Alger Scholarship is open to high school seniors, who are citizens of the United States.
Host Nationality
The Horatio scholarship is hosted in the United States.
Eligible Institutions
The Horatio Alger Scholarship is accessible at any accredited institution in the United States, including universities, colleges, and vocational/technical schools.
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Which Course of Study is Eligible for the Horatio Alger Scholarship?
The Horatio Scholarship supports students pursuing a bachelor’s degree at an accredited institution in the United States. Hence, the scholarship is available in courses that are offered by the accredited institution.
Which Level is Eligible for the Horatio Alger Scholarship?
The Horatio Scholarship is available for students at the Undergraduate level of study.
Horatio Alger Scholarship for the Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible to apply for the Horatio Alger Scholarship, applicants must meet the following criteria:
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Age Requirements
To be eligible for the Horatio Alger Scholarship, applicants must be 23 years old or younger.
How to Apply for the Horatio Alger Scholarship?
The Horatio Alger Scholarship is an invaluable opportunity for high school seniors who are facing financial adversity to pursue higher education. Interestingly, this scholarship also fosters a sense of community, creating opportunities for recipients to thrive academically and personally. If you’re eligible for this award and want to give it a shot, below are steps you can take to apply.
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Steps To Apply for the Horatio Alger Scholarship
Time Needed : 2 hours 0 minutes
To apply for the Horatio Alger Scholarship, you should follow these steps:
Check Eligibility
Ensure you meet the scholarship’s eligibility criteria, typically based on financial need, commitment to pursue higher education, and U.S. citizenship.Create an Account
Visit the official Horatio Alger Scholarship website and create an account.Write Essays
Fill in your personal details, including your personal experiences, academic history, educational goals, and how you’ve overcome challenges.Financial Information
Submit financial information, and provide details about your family’s income.Transcripts and Letters of Support
Upload your academic transcripts and letters of support, typically from teachers, counselors, or community leaders who can attest to your character and achievements.Submit Application
Fill out the scholarship application form accurately. Once satisfied, submit your application through the scholarship portal.Review and Notification
After submitting your application, the scholarship committees will review all applications and announce selected applicants. The scholarship recipient will be notified of their offer.
Tools
- Laptop or mobile phone
Materials
- Online Application
How Long Does the Horatio Alger Scholarship Last for Winners?
The Horatio Alger Scholarship is typically awarded for the duration of the recipient’s undergraduate studies, up to four years. However, the Scholarship is awarded for one academic year. Hence, recipients will have to reapply for the scholarship each year.
What are the Documents Required For Horatio Alger Scholarship Application?
The following are the documents required to apply for the Horatio Alger Scholarship:
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Types of Horatio Alger Scholarship
#1. State scholarships
The State Scholarships are valued at $10,000 each and they are awarded to eligible students in all fifty states and the District of Columbia. The scholarships are funded by Horatio Alger Members who, like the Scholars, have experienced challenges but ultimately overcame them to become successful business and civic leaders. Thus, the program specifically assists high school students who have faced and overcome great obstacles in their young lives.
#2. Career & Technical Scholarships
The Career & Technical Scholarship Program offers up to 500 scholarships for up to $2,500 each. Typically, the scholarship is funded through the generosity of Horatio Alger Association Members, Dennis R. Washington and Jim F. Dicke II. Likewise, the scholarships are awarded to students who wish to pursue a career or technical education at an accredited non-profit post-secondary institution in the United States.
#3. Targeted Scholarships
The Association offers several scholarship programs that either require an applicant to pursue a specific degree or attend a specific university. These specialized programs are funded through the generosity of individual Horatio Alger Members.
#4. National Scholarships
The Horatio Alger National Scholarships is one of the nation’s largest college financial aid programs in the country. This Program is one of the major scholarship programs that specifically assists high school students who have faced and overcome great obstacles in their young lives. Similarly, the National Scholars receive an all-expenses paid trip to Washington, D.C., during the spring of their senior year to participate in the National Scholars Conference.
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Is the Horatio Alger Scholarship Application Ongoing Now?
As of the time of this publication, application for the 2025 Horatio Alger Scholarship is about to commence. Therefore, we encourage you to prepare and apply as soon as the application window opens.
What Can I Do To Win the Horatio Alger Scholarship This Year?
The Horatio Alger Scholarships has stringent application requirements, making it a very competitive award to win. Hence, to improve your odds of winning, you need to present a comprehensive and authentic picture of yourself that aligns with the values of the Scholarship. Here are some tips to increase your chances of winning the scholarship:
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Application Deadline
The application for the 2025 Horatio Alger Scholarship application will commence on December 1, 2024. Hence, prepare all the necessary documents and jump in immediately when they start accepting applications.
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Selection Procedures
The Horatio Scholarship Foundation’s selection procedure involved assessing applicants based on financial need, academic achievement and demonstrated perseverance. After the submission of a scholarship application, the scholarship panel will review the application. If applicable, they’ll invite the selected applicants for an interview. Following that, the scholarship panel will make their final decision and notify the selected applicants of the award.
Does The Horatio Alger Scholarship Have Past Questions?
Well, the Horatio Alger Scholarships is a need-based award. As a result, it seeks applicants who have demonstrated transparency and persistence in the face of adversity, as well as significant financial needs. Therefore, you have to craft and submit a compelling application that demonstrates the challenges you’ve overcome, your career goals, and how the scholarship will contribute to your educational and professional aspirations.
What Should I Do If I Don’t Win the Horatio Scholarship
If you don’t win the Horatio Alger Scholarship, kudos for the attempt. You can also win another time. While you look up other opportunities and scholarship programs. You will find thousands of them in the US and Canada.
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International Scholarships You Should Check Out
Check out various scholarship opportunities available for you to apply to study in any country of your choice. Whether you seek a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, or Ph.D., you will find a scholarship in any of the countries you choose. Learn more about available scholarships in each country by visiting the respective scholarship links below;
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Frequently Asked Questions About the Horatio Alger Scholarship
Is the Horatio Alger Scholarship fully funded?
Well, the Horatio Scholarship is a need-based scholarship program, and the amount awarded varies based on individual financial need. Generally, it may cover full or partial tuition.
When is the deadline for submitting applications?
The Horatio Scholarship is generally available annually from December 1 to March 15.
Do I have to be a United States citizen to apply for a scholarship?
Yes, you must be a United States citizen to apply for the Horatio scholarship program.
Is there a minimum SAT or ACT score requirement for the Horatio Alger scholarship?
No, there is no SAT or ACT requirement for any of the Horatio Alger scholarships.
Conclusion
Since its inception, the Horatio Alger Scholarship program has aided young people who have shown fortitude and tenacity in the face of adversity. This scholarship encourages personal and academic growth in recipients, assisting them in navigating the challenges of higher education. Additionally, the scholarship is renewable for the four years of undergraduate studies. Hence, to be eligible for the award, you must continue to meet its eligible conditions each year.