Winter break is a great time to explore scholarships — whether you’re a senior actively applying to college or a 9th–11th grader getting a head start. Scholarships are available from 9th grade all the way through college.
Check out the High School Counseling page on the PRA website for a list of scholarships, our favorite search engines, and other helpful resources.
Tips for Finding & Winning Scholarships
Use the scholarship search sites on the Counseling webpage. Do not pay for a scholarship search service.
If you’ve been accepted to a college, start by applying for any scholarships you qualify for. Not all schools automatically place students in their scholarship pools, so it’s important to take the initiative.
Apply widely—big, small, quirky—they all add up.
Don’t skip scholarships with essays; the time investment can pay off better than a part-time job.
Highlight strengths, experiences, and interests, not just grades.
Search locally: city or county programs, utility companies like United Power, parent workplaces, your own workplace, your capstone mentor, and other community connections.
Staying in-state? Register for the Colorado Opportunity Fund (COF). The amount changes, but as of today, a full-time student can save $696/semester at a private college or $1392/semester at a public college.
Report Your Scholarship Offers
Please report any scholarship offers you recieve on PRA's scholarship offers reporting form.