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Horatio Alger Association · Direct application

Horatio Alger National Scholarship

Last updated by Wonaride on September 1, 2026

Eligibility

Location

United States

Education level

High school senior

GPA

2.0 minimum

Need

Critical financial need

About this scholarship

Horatio Alger scholarships go to students who have faced significant adversity and still plan to go to college. National awards can reach $25,000; state programs add more seats. The association looks for critical financial need, perseverance, and a record of work or family responsibility — not a perfect life. U.S. citizens with a 2.0 GPA or higher may apply in the fall of senior year. The essay is the place to be specific about what happened and what you did next. Vague hardship language does not land here.

What else to submit

• Online application
• Essay on adversity and perseverance
• Transcript
• Need documentation

Common questions

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