Updated 3/17/2025

One of the most frustrating challenges for many high school seniors is the search for college scholarships. There is no single source for scholarship information, but there are key places to look.

First, seniors should check their applicant and accepted student portals to search for competitive scholarships at their colleges. There also may be academic scholarships posted with a major or department. Some schools will connect accepted students with large scholarship platforms; for example, in our area, the following schools employ Scholarship Universe: Purdue University, University of Louisville, University of Kentucky, Kent State University, University of Cincinnati, University of Louisville, and the Ohio State University. After a student is accepted to one of these schools, they will have the login credentials to use Scholarship Universe.

Next, talk with family members to understand your eligibility for possible employer sponsored scholarships, family legacy scholarships (ie. organizations like Masons or alumni scholarships from parents and grandparents), or credit union scholarships. Military families should explore the scholarship opportunities listed by Fisher House as well as local scholarships from Wright Patterson Air Force Base.

Local and regional scholarships offer smaller application pools and generous awards. Class 101-Dayton hosts these two scholarship programs for all students.

101 Scholar (national and local scholarship application)
Application due 4/1/2025
https://www.class101.com/101scholar/

Jamison Find Your Voice Scholarship (sponsored by Class 101-Dayton and the DeRosa family)
For students in the performing arts
Application due 4/1/2025
https://forms.gle/V542Eu7MFE4ongGe6

Here are the local and community foundations that list several scholarships for seniors in our area.
Middletown Community Foundation
Application Due 2/1/25
https://mcfoundation.org/scholarships-for-high-school-seniors/

Northern Cincinnati Foundation
Application Due 2/7/25
https://northerncincinnati.foundation/scholarships

Dayton Foundation
Application Due 3/7/25
https://www.daytonfoundation.org/scholarshipsGreene Co. Community Foundation. This site provides a list of local scholarships for Beavercreek, Bellbrook, Fairborn, and  Xenia Seniors: https://greenegiving.org/scholarships/

Cincinnati Foundation
Application Due 5/15/2025
https://cincinnatischolarshipfoundation.org/

Anthony Munoz Foundation
Application Due 4/25/2025
https://munozfoundation.org/scholarship-fund/

There is no magic formula for scholarships, so we recommend a regular cadence of research and applications. Class 101 – Dayton will post several scholarships on social media channels (Instagram and Facebook), and area high schools post local scholarship applications in February and March for their students.