HORATIO ALGER ASSOCIATION OF DISTINGUISHED AMERICANS
Horatio Alger National Scholarship
partial · bachelors
- $25,000 per recipientAward value
- 106 recipientsAwards per cycle
- ~$23,000 (est.) in EUR termsApprox. EUR value
- Income $55,000 or lowerFinancial-need cap
- Minimum GPA 2.0Academic floor
- All 50 states + DC + PREligible US regions
At a glance
partial
Funding
€23k
Max amount
Oct 25, 2026
Deadline
United States (all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico)
Country
Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans
Provider
The Horatio Alger National Scholarship is one of the largest college financial-aid programs in the United States, run by the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans. Each cycle it awards $25,000 to each of 106 recipients, supporting high-school seniors who have shown perseverance in overcoming significant adversity. The program is funded by business and civic leaders who themselves faced obstacles, and it is open to students from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. To qualify, applicants must be US citizens enrolled full-time as high-school seniors, on track to graduate in spring or summer 2027 and to enter an accredited US college by the following fall, with an adjusted gross family income of about $55,000 or lower, a minimum GPA of 2.0, and a record of co-curricular and community involvement. Recipients also receive an all-expenses-paid trip to the National Scholars Conference in Washington, D.C. during their senior year, attendance at which is required to receive the award. The application is a common application opening on 1 August and closing on 25 October at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Because the award value, recipient count, and closing date are set each cycle, confirm the current 2026/2027 figures and deadline on the official Horatio Alger Scholars page before you apply.
What's covered
- Scholarship award — A grant of $25,000 to each of the 106 recipients, used toward tuition, books, and other education-related costs at an accredited US college.
- Washington, D.C. trip — An all-expenses-paid trip to the National Scholars Conference in Washington, D.C. during the recipient's senior year; attendance is required to receive the award.
- Conference participation — Travel, accommodation, and meals for the National Scholars Conference are covered as part of the program, worth an estimated ~$2,000 (est.) per scholar.
- Education expenses — The $25,000 may be applied to tuition, books, and other related undergraduate expenses at a non-profit public or private US institution.
- Common-application access — A single common application is considered for all Association scholarship programs, so one submission can be reviewed for multiple awards at no cost.
- Total per-scholar value — Combined award and conference support is worth around $27,000 ($25,000 grant plus the conference trip), confirmed each cycle on the official page.
How to apply
Applications are made through the official online Horatio Alger Scholars portal using a single common application during the August-to-October window.
- Confirm your eligibility — Check that you meet all criteria, including US citizenship, senior-year enrolment, the income cap of about $55,000, and the minimum 2.0 GPA.
- Create an account — Go to the official Horatio Alger Scholars website and create an account with your name, address, and email.
- Complete the application — Fill in the common application covering your academic history, extracurricular activities, community service, financial need, and the required short essays.
- Submit supporting documents — Upload transcripts, letters of recommendation, and proof of income to complete your file.
- Review and submit — Check the application for accuracy and submit before the deadline of 25 October at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
Eligibility
Citizenship and enrolmentMust be a US citizen enrolled full-time as a high-school senior in the United States, on track to graduate in spring or summer 2027.
Financial needMust demonstrate critical financial need, with an adjusted gross family income of about $55,000 or lower.
Academic recordMust maintain a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 and plan to complete a bachelor's degree at an accredited US institution.
Adversity and involvementMust show integrity and perseverance in overcoming adversity, and be involved in co-curricular and community service activities.
Students may begin at a two-year institution and transfer to a four-year institution. Attendance at the National Scholars Conference in Washington, D.C. is required to receive the award.
Eligible countries
United States (all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico)
Deadlines
2026/2027 cycle~25 October 2026 (est.)
Selection
Recipients are chosen from US high-school seniors who best combine critical financial need with a record of perseverance through adversity, integrity, community involvement, and academic commitment. Selectors review the common application, essays, transcripts, recommendation letters, and proof of an adjusted gross family income of about $55,000 or lower. Of all eligible applicants, 106 are selected each cycle to receive the $25,000 award, and each must attend the National Scholars Conference in Washington, D.C. to confirm and receive the scholarship.
Verified sources
- Horatio Alger Scholarship Programsscholars.horatioalger.orgofficial
- Horatio Alger Applyscholars.horatioalger.orgofficial
About the provider
The Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans is a US non-profit founded in 1947 that honours achievement against adversity and funds need-based scholarships for high-school students. Its national scholarship program is among the largest college financial-aid programs in the United States.
Frequently asked questions
Answers below are best-effort estimates from the most recent application cycle. Values marked ~ or (est.) may shift year-to-year — confirm specifics on the official scholarship page.
Who can apply for the Horatio Alger National Scholarship?
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US citizens enrolled full-time as high-school seniors in the United States, on track to graduate in spring or summer 2027, with an adjusted gross family income of about $55,000 or lower and a minimum 2.0 GPA.
How much is the scholarship worth?
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Each recipient receives $25,000 toward tuition, books, and other undergraduate costs at an accredited US institution.
How many scholarships are awarded?
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The National program awards the scholarship to 106 recipients each cycle.
Is there a financial-need requirement?
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Yes. Applicants must show critical financial need, with an adjusted gross family income of about $55,000 or lower.
What GPA do I need?
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A minimum grade point average of 2.0 is required, alongside a plan to complete a bachelor's degree at an accredited US institution.
Which regions are eligible?
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Students from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico may apply.
Do I have to attend an event to receive the award?
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Yes. Recipients must attend the all-expenses-paid National Scholars Conference in Washington, D.C. during their senior year to receive the scholarship.
When does the application open and close?
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The common application typically opens on 1 August and closes on 25 October at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
Can I start at a two-year college?
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Yes. You may begin at a two-year institution and then transfer to a four-year institution while keeping the award.
What documents are required?
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You need the completed common application and essays, high-school transcripts, letters of recommendation, and proof of family income.
Is it a single application for multiple awards?
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Yes. It is a common application, so one submission can be considered for several Association scholarship programs.
Where do I confirm the current figures and deadline?
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Always confirm the current award value, number of recipients, and closing date on the official Horatio Alger Scholars page before applying.