Application timeline: Varies

The Defensive Driving Scholarship is a scholarship awarded to a high school senior or college student based on meeting specific eligibility criteria.
The Defensive Driving Scholarship is one-time check-dispensed award to assist tomorrow’s leaders with their financial responsibilities with regards to furthering their education. Only one winner will be selected out of all applicants per scholarship year.

Application timeline: Applications open Fall 2026

While white students still comprise a large portion of college enrollments, the increasing percentages of minority students enrolling each year are beginning to reshape the higher education landscape. According to the Education Data Initiative, about 15% of all college students are Black, 20% are Hispanic/Latino and about 7% are Asian/Pacific Islander. Native Americans make up less than 1% of college students currently.
An influx of minority scholarships aimed at helping minority students attend college without incurring massive debt has greatly aided this demographic shift. But navigating the new scholarship landscape can be tricky. Read below to see how minority scholarships work, how to find the best options and how to apply.

Application timeline: Varies

JRF Scholars receive college scholarships of up to $35,000 over four years and are financially sponsored to attend JRF’s annual, four-day “Mentoring and Leadership Conference“ in New York City and other events throughout the year. Aside from generous financial support, Scholars benefit from a comprehensive, four-year program that includes career guidance, internship and permanent job placement, travel abroad, and leadership and practical life skills training.