Questbridge College Prep Scholars and National College Match: Full Ride
Questbridge is a national non-profit organization based in Palo Alto, California, that offers two distinctive programs: College Prep Scholars for juniors and the National College Match for seniors. The College Prep Scholars program equips juniors with resources such as scholarships, webinars with admission officers, and free fly-in programs. College Prep Scholars are reportedly seven times more likely to get into the National College Match program.
The junior program offers students the opportunity to attend prestigious summer institutions such as Yale Young Global Scholars and the Penn Early Exploration Program cost-free. Moreover, College Prep Scholars can access scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $5,000.
Students who become finalists in the National College Match do not get to apply to colleges through the Common Application unless they are not matched with a school. Rather, applicants may rank up to 15 of Questbridge’s college partners, submitting a binding early admission application to each.
Questbridge was designed to aid first-generation and low-income students with affording top colleges.
To get notified of when their application opens, sign up here.
Matriculate: Free Application Assistance
Matriculate is a free year-long advising program for rising low-income and high-achieving seniors. With an application that takes about five minutes to fill out, high schoolers are matched with undergraduate students from top colleges to receive virtual college application, scholarship, and financial aid assistance.
The match process in Matriculate is an intentional process—pairing fellows to advisors with similar career aspirations and backgrounds.
Students who are unsure of what colleges to apply to, need help with writing supplements, and are looking to find out more about a specific college may find this program a useful guide.
Horatio Alger Scholarship: $10,000-25,000
The Horatio Alger Association awards rising low-income and high-achieving high school seniors, rising college students, and incoming graduate students up to $25,000 off tuition.
For incoming high school seniors, Horatio Alger offers both a national and state scholarship for students who have shown “integrity and perseverance in overcoming adversity.”
Out of over 70 scholarship programs, more than 100 need-based scholarships are granted to students nationwide. All Horatio Alger Scholars attend an annual awards gala sponsored by the association to meet other like-minded students, network, and celebrate their distinction.
Applications for the Class of 2027 open Dec. 1, 2025.
Yale Young Global Scholars: Need-Blind
Yale Young Global Scholars is a two-week intensive summer program for sophomores and juniors. With an application open to international students, this program receives over 10,000 applications annually and is filled with high-achieving and curious students.
The program offers numerous sessions featuring four academic tracks: Innovations in Science and Technology; Politics, Law, and Economics; Solving Global Challenges; and Literature, Philosophy, & Culture.
YYGS offers needs-based and need-blind financial aid, covering up to full tuition for both domestic and international students.
The application date for the Class of 2027 and 2028 has not yet been determined.
The Kiwanis Club of Menlo Park Scholarship: $10,000
The Kiwanis Club of Menlo Park is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that opens its scholarships every year to college-bound seniors. Selecting students with community service, leadership qualities, and character, their scholarships range from $5,000 to $10,000. It is highly recommended that students with financial need apply for this scholarship.
The Kiwanis Scholarship awards only students from M-A, for its connection with the school’s Key Club and football team.
Applications for the class of 2026 open in March.
The Atherton Police Academy Scholarship: $5,000
The Atherton Police Activities League (PAL) scholarship is offered to college-bound seniors who attend an Atherton school like Menlo-Atherton, Sacred Heart, and Menlo School. To be eligible, students must hold a strong activity profile with leadership experience, athletic participation, and a 3.0 GPA or higher.
All applicants must write a 250-word personal statement and receive a letter of recommendation from a teacher.
Applications can be received through the college counselor from either Menlo-Atherton High School, Menlo School, or Sacred Heart Prep.
Contact Jennifer Frew for more information: 650-752-0503; [email protected]
Bank of America Student Leaders Program: $4,000
Bank of America Student Leaders is an eight-week paid summer-intensive program for juniors and seniors who will have the opportunity to intern at the organization’s partner nonprofits. All expenses for this program are covered by Bank of America, and students will be paid $4,000 after program completion.
When applying, students will be competing with other applicants from their region.
Typically, there are 12,000 applicants and 300 chosen for the program. Applications for the class of 2026 and 2027 will open in October.
Dan and Lisabeth Kaplan Scholarship: $5,000
The Dan and Lisabeth Kaplan Scholarship is a local financial grant opportunity for college-bound M-A seniors who plan on attending or transferring to a California public 4-year college to pursue Liberal Arts or Education.
Applications for the class of 2026 open in January and close late March. To be eligible, students must demonstrate financial need, have a minimum 3.0 unweighted GPA, and have overcome adversity. All applicants must submit a letter of recommendation from their school, proof of acceptance to their university, and demonstrated financial need.
