In recognition of their extraordinary achievements in their chosen area of talent or giftedness, many organizations and universities have established scholarships for gifted students to enrich their learning experiences in post-secondary education.
Due to their high performance capabilities in intellectual, artistic, creative, leadership, or specific academic fields, it is essential that gifted students, or so-called “child prodigies,” receive the best educational opportunities for their individualized intellectual needs. Therefore, read on to learn more about the 25 best scholarships available to help gifted students reach for the stars in advanced college courses.
1. Adelle McClendon Young Leader Scholarships
Deadline: March 1st
In memory of a noted leader in gifted education and the coordinator of gifted programs for developing leadership potential, the Adelle McClendon Young Leader Scholarships are offered annually by the Texas Association for the Gifted and Talented for $2,500. Qualified Texas residents must be gifted graduating high school seniors who will be pursuing post-secondary education at any accredited U.S. institution and have demonstrated outstanding leadership.
Contact
Adelle McClendon Young Leader Scholarships
1524 South IH 35 Suite 205
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 499-8248
tweinberg@txgifted.org
2. Arkansans for Gifted and Talented Education Youth Challenger Award
Deadline: October 26th
Annually, the Arkansans for Gifted and Talented Education (AGATE) presents the Youth Challenger Award for up to $1,500 to recognize a gifted student in grades 7-12 who has risked taking a creative, innovative, or different step in a direction that most people would not even consider, such as the formation of an unusual idea, project, product, or program. Nominees must meet award criteria, be a member or affiliate in good standing, and submit a two-page essay on their innovative contributions to society.
Contact
Arkansans for Gifted and Talented Education Youth Challenger Award
P.O. Box 767
McGehee, AR 71654
(870) 222-5400
awards@agate-arkansas.org
3. California Association for the Gifted Intellectual and Artistic Scholarship
Deadline: Varies
The California Association for the Gifted Intellectual and Artistic Scholarship is offered for $1,000 annually to a gifted high school junior or senior student who is enrolling in advanced higher education at an accredited California university during the next school year. Instead of stressing GPA and financial need, this scholarship is intended to support an individual’s passion for learning or creating with preference given to students who demonstrate outstanding achievement in a chosen area of talent or giftedness.
Contact
California Association for the Gifted Intellectual and Artistic Scholarship
9278 Madison Avenue
Orangevale, CA 95662
(916) 988-3999
cagoffice@aol.com
4. Caroline D. Bradley Scholarship for Exceptional Children
Deadline: May 2nd
Sponsored by the Institute for Educational Advancement (IEA), the Caroline D. Bradley Scholarship for Exceptional Children identifies exceptionally gifted middle and high school students nationwide who have demonstrated high academic excellence and offers them a four-year full-tuition scholarship to an institution that best fits their intellectual needs. In order to qualify for this prestigious and highly competitive award, candidates must score in the 97th percentile or above in one or more major academic areas and exhibit a passion for learning.
Contact
Caroline D. Bradley Scholarship for Exceptional Children
569 South Marengo Avenue
Pasadena, CA 91101
(626) 403-8900
IEAgifted@educationaladvancement.org
5. Davidson Fellows Scholarships
Deadline: February 1st
Recently named as one of the ten biggest scholarships in the world, the Davidson Institute for Talent Development provides the Davidson Fellows Scholarships for $10,000, $25,000, and $50,000 to extraordinary young people who have completed a significant project in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, literature, music, philosophy, or outside the box. Eligible applicants should be 18 or younger, be legal U.S. citizens, and possess a college graduate level of knowledge in their particular area of giftedness.
Contact
Davidson Fellows Scholarships
9665 Gateway Drive Suite B
Reno, NV 89521
(775) 852-3483 ext. 423
DavidsonFellows@DavidsonGifted.org
Scholarship Link
6. Gladys C. Anderson Memorial Scholarship
Deadline: May 31st
Administered by the American Federation for the Blind (AFB), the Gladys C. Anderson Memorial Scholarship grants $1,000 each year to a female undergraduate or graduate student with exceptional giftedness in studying classical and/or religious music at an accredited four-year U.S. institution. For consideration, female candidates must submit a completed online application, an official transcript, two letters of recommendation, proof of legal blindness or visual impairment, and a musical performance on CD.
Contact
Gladys C. Anderson Memorial Scholarship
1000 Fifth Avenue Suite 350
Huntington, WV 25701
(800) 232-5463
tannis@afb.net
7. Graeme Clark Scholarship for Exemplary Honors
Deadline: October 1st
In honor of his pioneering work that led to first implant for the hearing impaired, the Graeme Clark Scholarship for Exemplary Honors is available to Nucleus Cochler Implant recipients around the world with outstanding academic achievement who need financial support to undertake university studies. Eligible applicants for the $2,000 award must be graduating high school seniors, be enrolled in an accredited institution, and demonstrate commitment to the Cochlear ideals of leadership and humanity.
Contact
Graeme Clark Scholarship for Exemplary Honors
13059 East Peakview Avenue
Centennial, CO 80111
(800) 483-3123
8. Jack Kent Cooke Foundation College Scholarship Program
Deadline: January 9th
Each year, the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation hosts a College Scholarship Program to provide undergraduate scholarships for up to $30,000 to high-performing gifted high school seniors with financial need to attend the nation’s best four-year accredited universities. Eligible candidates must plan to graduate from a U.S. high school, earn a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or above, receive standardized test scores in the top 15% of the country, and demonstrate unmet financial need with a family income under $95,000.
Contact
Jack Kent Cooke Foundation College Scholarship Program
44325 Woodridge Parkway
Lansdowne, VA 20176
(703) 723-8000
info@jkcf.org
Scholarship Link
9. Jackie Robinson Foundation Minority Scholarships
Deadline: June 15th
For gifted graduating high school minority seniors, the Jackie Robinson Foundation Minority Scholarships can provide up to $24,000 for four years of undergraduate study at an accredited post-secondary institution within the United States. Eligible students must exhibit outstanding academic achievement, show leadership potential, and demonstrate a commitment to community service. Applicants must attach one letter of recommendation, an official high school transcript, proof of U.S. citizenship, and official SAT or ACT scores.
See also: 25 Great Scholarships for Minorities
Contact
Jackie Robinson Foundation Minority Scholarships
75 Varick St. 2nd Floor
New York, NY 10013
(212) 290-8600
scholarships@jackierobinson.org
10. Jefferson Scholars Foundation for Extraordinary Accomplishment
Deadline: December 1st
The Jefferson Scholars Foundation for Extraordinary Accomplishment awards scholarships for over $26,000 annually in recognition of gifted individuals with extraordinary intellectual range who also possess the highest qualities of leadership, scholarship, citizenship, and service in their communities. Eligible undergraduate and graduate students must be interested in attending the University of Virginia, rank in the top ten% of their class, receive a SAT score of at least 2100, and demonstrate excellence in extra-curricular involvement.
Contact
Jefferson Scholars Foundation for Extraordinary Accomplishment
112 Clark Court
P.O. Box 400891
Charlottesville, VA 22904
(434) 243-9029
jeffsch@virginia.edu
11. Laura Allard Future Vision Scholarship for Gifted Students
Deadline: March 1st
Sponsored by the Texas Association for the Gifted and Talented (TAGT), the Laura Allard Future Vision Scholarship for Gifted Students provides $2,500 annually to one gifted high school senior who has demonstrated outstanding academic performance, possesses a strong sense of purpose, and has a long-term plan for achieving their clearly defined future goals. Scholarships must be utilized for covering the costs of tuition for attending any accredited four-year university in the United States on a full-time basis.
Contact
Laura Allard Future Vision Scholarship for Gifted Students
1524 South IH 35 Suite 205
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 499-8248
tweinberg@txgifted.org
12. Malone Family Foundation Scholarship
Deadline: January 31st
Founded by Dr. John C. Malone as a well-known communications and media executive, the Malone Family Foundation Scholarship provides funding to identified talented and gifted middle or high school students in the United States for 30-100% of tuition costs for attending any educational program that meet their intellectual needs. Preference will be given to gifted students who lack the financial resources needed to access quality education and best develop their unique talents.
Contact
Malone Family Foundation Scholarship
12300 Liberty Blvd.
Englewood, CO 80112
(405) 749-3100
fdtn@malonefamilyfoundation.org
13. Margaret Gosfield College Grant for the Gifted
Deadline: March 31st
In honor of an outstanding educator who has served as the Board of Directors for the California Association for the Gifted (CAG) for two decades, the Margaret Gosfield College Grant for the Gifted offers $1,000 annually to academically gifted students in their junior or senior year of high school who are attending classes at an accredited California university. Candidates must be planning to enroll full-time in post-secondary education during the next school year and demonstrate extraordinary achievement in a chosen area of talent.
Contact
Margaret Gosfield College Grant for the Gifted
9278 Madison Avenue
Orangevale, CA 95662
(916) 988-3999
mary.adamski@gmail.com
Scholarship Link
14. Mensa Education and Research Foundation U.S. College Scholarships
Deadline: January 15th
With an average total of $85,000 in funding available each year, the Mensa Education and Research Foundation provides numerous U.S. College Scholarships to intellectually gifted graduating high school seniors who are Mensa members and will be enrolling full-time in a degree program at an accredited U.S. institution in the following academic year. Applicants must write an original essay of up to 550 words describing their future career, academic, and/or vocational goals and how they plan to achieve them.
Contact
Mensa Education and Research Foundation U.S. College Scholarships
1229 Corporate Dr. West
Arlington, TX 76006
(817) 607-5577
info@mensafoundation.org
15. National Collegiate Inventors Hall of Fame Competition Awards
Deadline: June 15th
As an exciting competition that encourages invention, entrepreneurship, and creativity in gifted students who are working on cutting-edge inventions at their universities, the National Collegiate Inventors Hall of Fame Competition offers over $100,000 in cash awards to the nation’s most innovative undergraduate and graduate students showcasing their emerging ideas. Judges evaluate each invention entry based on originality, inventiveness, scope of use, and potential environmental or economic value.
Contact
National Collegiate Inventors Hall of Fame Competition Awards
3701 Highland Park NW
North Canton, OH 44720
(571) 272-0095
collegiate@invent.org
16. National Merit and Achievement Scholarship Programs
Deadline: June 15th
Since its inception in 1955, the National Merit and Achievement Scholarship Programs have provided awards for $2,500 each in recognition of intellectually gifted high school students who have received the highest Selection Index scores in critical reading, mathematics, and writing on the PSAT/NMSQT examination. Qualified candidates must be U.S. citizens, be enrolled as high school students with normal progression towards graduation, and be planning to enroll full-time in college no later than the fall following diploma completion.
Contact
National Merit and Achievement Scholarship Programs
1560 Sherman Avenue Suite 200
Evanston, IL 60201
(847) 866-5100
nationalscholar@neu.edu
17. Nebraska Association for the Gifted Graduating Seniors Scholarships
Deadline: April 1st
Annually, the Nebraska Association for the Gifted awards multiple scholarships for up to $500 apiece to gifted graduating high school seniors who are planning to pursue post-secondary education by attending any public or private universities in Nebraska. Along with the application, candidates must attach two letters of recommendation, an official transcript demonstrating academic talent achievement, and a personal essay on leadership experiences and involvement in community service or church activities.
Contact
Nebraska Association for the Gifted Graduating Seniors Scholarships
2623 North 145th Avenue
Omaha, NE 68116
(308) 535-7100
ddigiova@nppsd.org
18. Nicholas Green Distinguished Student Award
Deadline: May 30th
Launched by the National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC) in memory of an extraordinarily gifted seven-year-old who was senselessly killed in a drive-by shooting while traveling to Italy in 1994, the Nicholas Green Distinguished Student Award is granted to one gifted student in each state for $500. High-ability talented learners must demonstrate excellence and outstanding accomplishment in visual or performing arts, academic achievement, or leadership for consideration.
Contact
Nicholas Green Distinguished Student Award
1331 H St. NW Suite 1001
Washington, DC 20005
(202) 785-4268
rcoleman@nagc.org
19. Ohio Association for Gifted Children College Scholarship Award
Deadline: April 15th
For any identified gifted or talented student who is accepted to or currently enrolled full-time in their first year of an undergraduate degree program at a four-year accredited institution in Ohio, the Ohio Association for Gifted Children (OAGC) College Scholarship Award presents $500 in tuition assistance. Qualified candidates must have maintained a minimum cumulative high school GPA of 3.5, received an ACT composite score of 27 or better, and have received a SAT composite score of 1200 or higher.
Contact
Ohio Association for Gifted Children College Scholarship Award
501 Morrison Rd. Suite 202
Gahanna, OH 43230
(614) 337-0386
sfreeman@wb.noacsc.org
Scholarship Link
20. QuestBridge College Prep Scholarship for High School Juniors
Deadline: March 26th
With the goal of connecting the world’s brightest students to America’s best universities, the QuestBridge College Prep Scholarship for High School Juniors is designed to provide up to $2,500 to outstanding gifted high school juniors from low-income households in order to prepare for applying to the nation’s leading selective colleges. To qualify, candidates must submit a current high school transcript, any available test scores, a financial need statement, a personal essay, and at least one letter of recommendation.
Contact
QuestBridge College Prep Scholarship for High School Juniors
115 Everett Avenue
Palo Alto, CA 94301
(650) 331-3280
questions@questbridge.org
21. Paul and Heather Elwell Scholarship for the Academically Gifted
Deadline: March 1st
At Kalamazoo Valley Community College (KVCC), the Paul and Heather Elwell Scholarship for the Academically Gifted is granted annually to identified intellectually gifted students who are currently enrolled in the college’s transfer program to a four-year university with the intent of earning a bachelor’s degree in finance or economics. Eligible applicants must have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher, be legal residents of Michigan, be enrolled in at least 12 credit hours per semester, and demonstrate significant financial need.
Contact
Paul and Heather Elwell Scholarship for the Academically Gifted
230 North Rose St.
Kalamazoo, MI 49003
(269) 488-4400
admissions@kvcc.edu
22. Penelope W. and E. Roe Stamps IV Scholar Awards
Deadline: Varies
At 35 participating elite universities nationwide, the Stamps Scholars Family Charitable Foundation sponsors Penelope W. and E. Roe Stamps IV Scholar Awards for up to $5,000 to hard-working academically gifted students who are distinguished for their excellence in leadership, perseverance, community service, innovation, academic success, and giftedness. Along with the scholarship funding, recipients benefit from access to study abroad experiences, leadership building programs, semester gatherings, and national conventions.
Contact
Penelope W. and E. Roe Stamps IV Scholar Awards
11300 NE 2nd Avenue
Miami Shores, FL 33161
(305) 899-3000
info@stampsfoundation.org
23. Scobee College Scholarships for Gifted Students
Deadline: March 1st
In honor of Dick Scobee who was the Commander of the Challenger space shuttle, the Florida Association for the Gifted (FLAG) awards the Scobee College Scholarships for Gifted Students annually for $1,000 to two male and female gifted students who are interested in pursuing an undergraduate degree in math, science, or technology at an accredited U.S. institution. Applicants must submit an online application, a current resume, a brief personal biography on areas of giftedness, and two letters of recommendation.
Contact
Scobee College Scholarships for Gifted Students
600 West College Avenue
Tallahassee, FL 32306
(850) 644-2525
flagifted@gmail.com
24. Ted and Sue Getterman Endowed Scholarship
Deadline: February 12th
Established as a merit-based award by Baylor University in honor of two beloved alumni philanthropists, the Ted and Sue Getterman Endowed Scholarship grants up to $2,500 to academically gifted incoming and current students enrolled in the Honors College as a full-time undergraduate student. Scholarships will be automatically renewed for a maximum of four years for recipients who meet the basic requirements and maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.6 or higher.
Contact
Ted and Sue Getterman Endowed Scholarship
One Bear Place
Campus Box 97050
Waco, TX 76798
(254) 744-3130
Petra_Carey@baylor.edu
25. William E. Macaulay Honors Scholarship Program
Deadline: March 15th
Within the City University of New York (CUNY) school system, the William E. Macaulay Honors Scholarship Program provides prestigious competitive awards for full-tuition to identified academically gifted and talented students with demonstrated passion, creativity, innovation, and initiative. Eligible in-state New York residents must be enrolled full-time in the Macaulay Honors College on one of the eight CUNY campuses.
Contact
William E. Macaulay Honors Scholarship Program
35 West 67th St.
New York, NY 10023
(212) 729-2907
mike.lamb@mhc.cuny.edu
Scholarship Link
With the rising costs associated with earning a college education, it is becoming more important than ever before for outstanding gifted students to rely on scholarship funding to attend some of the nation’s most elite universities. If you have been identified as a gifted child or child prodigy, be sure to check out these 25 scholarships for gifted students to receive financial support for fostering your intellectual capabilities to the fullest potential!
