The Horatio Alger National Scholarship is private aid for high-school juniors who plan to pursue a bachelor’s degree. The Association lists 105 scholarships of up to US$25,000 each and focuses on students with financial need who have faced adversity and shown perseverance. It is not a federal program or an automatic award for high grades; selection is competitive and considers financial, academic, and personal materials.
The current page requires full-time enrollment as a junior at a U.S. high school, financial need with adjusted gross family income of US$100,000 or less, at least a 2.0 GPA, participation in school or community activities, U.S. citizenship, and integrity and perseverance through personal challenges. Students should plan to pursue a bachelor’s degree at an accredited public or private nonprofit institution. The Association permits students to begin at a two-year college if credits transfer to a four-year university.
The Association says one application generally considers a student for several of its programs, except for some specialized scholarships. The process includes essays about personal experience and adversity, a high-school counselor certification, a support-form provider over age 21 who is not related to the applicant, a transcript with fall grades, and income verification. The support provider must be able to confirm the application narrative; after that person submits the form, the student cannot edit that section. Ask each reference to check email, since school filters may block automated messages.
There is no application fee, but documents must be submitted through the portal; the FAQ says materials sent by email, fax, or mail are not accepted. The FAQ currently lists a March 1 deadline at noon Eastern for juniors, but does not identify the award-cycle year in that answer. Before planning around the date, confirm that the portal is open for your graduating class and that the deadline applies to your round. The site says winners are notified by email and mail in April or May; only scholarship recipients receive notice.
If selected, students request their funds each year and the award is sent directly to the college for cost-of-attendance charges; recipients must continue meeting renewal rules at an eligible school. The Association’s general rules exclude for-profit and online colleges. Compare the award letter with Pell, other grants, local scholarships, and net price, and notify the Association if other aid covers the full cost. Because adversity is part of selection, describe your experience truthfully and avoid sharing sensitive details outside the secure application.
Undergraduate Scholarships — Horatio Alger Association.
Undergraduate Applicant FAQ — Horatio Alger Association.
Class of 2027 National Scholarship recipients — Horatio Alger Association.
Informational guide based on official sources checked on October 12, 2026. Eligibility, amounts, and dates may change by cohort; confirm the applicable round on the official page before submitting documents.
Prepare records and references early, confirm the round for your graduating class in the portal, and do not mistake “up to US$25,000” for a guaranteed award.
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Horatio Alger National Scholarship Association
99 Canal Center Plaza, Suite 320, Alexandria, VA 22314
The National Scholarship for high-school juniors offers 105 awards of up to US$25,000 each. The current page requires financial need with adjusted gross family income of US$100,000 or less, U.S. citizenship, at least a 2.0 GPA, and perseverance through adversity. One free application covers many programs and requires essays, school certification, a transcript, and income verification.
Education nonprofit offering national need-based scholarships
Sources & references
Sources for the information and reporting discussed in this guide.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
Horatio Alger Association · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
Horatio Alger Association · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
Horatio Alger Association · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official application and program information ↗
Primary source
Horatio Alger Association · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Horatio Alger National Scholarship Association ↗
Primary source
Horatio Alger Association · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Horatio Alger National Scholarship Association ↗
Primary source
Horatio Alger Association · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.