College Scholarships and Contests
SM has compiled a comprehensive list of college scholarships and contest opportunities for our students.
We are constantly updating, adding, and revising this list. If you have an opportunity to be added or updated,
please email collegecounselors@smhs.org.
Eligibility
Jan-May Deadlines:12th Grade -Class of 2025, 11th Grade -Class of 2026, 10th Grade -Class of 2027, 9th Grade -Class of 2028 June-July Deadlines:12th Grade GRAD-Class of 2025, 12th Grade-Class of 2026, 11th Grade-Class of 2027, 10th Grade-Class of 2028, 9th Grade-Class of 2027 August-December Deadlines: 12th Grade -Class of 2025, 11th Grade -Class of 2026, 10th Grade-Class of 2027, 9th Grade -Class of 2028 *Scholarships denoted in BOLD are local scholarship offered to Orange County students only.January Deadlines
- 12th Grade - GE-Reagan Leadership Scholarship
- 12th Grade-Edison Scholars/STEM
- 12th Grade - Engineering Majors
- 12th Grade -Eagle Scouts
- 12th Grade - WCF/Intended Careers in Govt Service
- 12th Grade-Business Majors
- 12th Grade-Diagnosed Mental Illness
- 12th Grade - JMJ Phillips -STEM Majors
- 12th Grade-Minority Service
- 12th Grade-Love Your Career
- 11th Grade - Coolidge Scholars (Academics/Service)
- 11th Grade-Hamilton Award-Service
- 10th-12th-Video About Favorite Topic
- Age: 15-17 years - RISE (Projects)
- 9th-12th Grade-Science Competition
- 9th-12th Grade -DAR (Long List)
- 9th-12th Grade-Environmental Film Project
- 9th-12th-STEM Project/Research
- 9th-12th-Red Cross-Host a Blood Drive
- 9th-12th-CSPAN Documentary
- 9th-12th-Profiles in Courage Essay
- 9th-12th-Technology Addiction
February Deadlines
- 12th Grade - Significant Challenge
- 12th Grade-Optimism Essay
- 12th Grade-STEM, Engineering, Aviation
- 12th Grade-Parent Works in Finance/Banking
- 12th Grade-Meteorology, Oceanic or Hydrologic Majors
- 12th Grade-Taekwondo Student
- 12th Grade - Mental Health Reform Essay
- 12th Grade-Plan on Attending Women's College
- 12th Grade -Journalism Major
- 12th Grade -CA Senior
- 12th Grade-Speaking Up Essay
- 12th Grade - Female Cybersecurity
- 12th Grade - Vegetarians
- 12th Grade -Financial Need
- 12th Grade - Love of Animals
- 12th Grade-Engineering
- 11th-12th-Original Music Composition
- 9th-12th -Resilience Essay
- 9th-12th -Duck Stamp-Art Contest
- 9th-12th - Gratitude Essay
- 9th-12th -Optimism Essay
- 9th-12th -Population Growth Video
- 9th-12th -Make a Difference Poster
- 9th-12th-Art, Teaching or Interested in Small Business
- 9th-12th -Importance of Sleep Video
- 9th-12th -Live Deliberately Essay
- 9th-12th -Music/Disability Video
- 9th-12th-Music Composition
March Deadlines
- 12th Grade - BMW/SAW Engineering
- 12th Grade - Children of Warriors
- 12th Grade-Relative of Air Force Service
- 12th Grad - Hagen/Need-Based Merit
- 12th Grade -Italian Descent
- 12th Grade -OC Justice Essay
- 12th Grade-Law Enforcement Essay
- 12th Grade-CA Athlete/Academics
- 12th Grade-Academics/Extracurricular
- 12th Grade - Chemists
- 12th Grade-Food Sciences/Culinary Arts
- 12th Grade-Music Majors/Minors
- 12th Grade-Cybersecurity Major
- 12th Grade - Automotive Industry
- 12th Grade-OC African American Female
- 12th Grade-Food Related Major
- 12th Grade - Safe Driving Essay
- 12th Grade-Eng. or Geoscience Major
- 12th Grade-Engineering/Physics
- 12th Grade - Geophysics
- 12th Grade - Tall Club
- 12th Grade-African American Student
- 12th Grade-Academics/Character
- 12th Grade-Disability and Tech Majors
- 12th Grade - Female OC Soccer Player
- 12th Grade-Female Golfer
- 12th Grade -Financial Need
- 12th Grade -SAE Engineering
- 12th Grade-Dental Related Career
- 12th Grade-Relative of Veteran
- 12th Grade -Mechanical Engineering
- 12th Grade -California Senior
- 12th Grade-Catholic/Scouting
- 12th Grade -Beauty/Wellness Majors
- 12th Grade - Mission Viejo Scholarship- Community Service
- 11th-12th - Safe Driving PSA
- 10th-12th - Google Doodle (Art)
- 9th-12th -Mental Health Video
- 9th-12th -Be Bold
- 9th-12th-Sci Fi Writer or Illustration
- 9th-12th-Greeting Card Artwork
- 9th-12th-Essay
- 9th-12th-Drinking Water Essay
- 9th-12th-Video Contest
- 9th-12th-Genetics Essay
- 9th-12th-Classical Music/Fin.Need
- 9th-12th-Art Contest
April Deadlines
- 12th Grade - OC Junior League
- 12th Grade -Female/Service Hours
- 12th Grade -OC Golf
- 12th Grade -Italian Catholics
- 12th Grade-OC Student/CA College
- 12th Grade-CA Student-Legal Field
- 12th Grade-Female/Likes to Golf
- 12th Grade-Rare Disease
- 12th Grade-Essay Contest
- 12th Grade-College Survey
- 12th Grade-Education Essay
- 12th Grade-Substance Abuse Essay
- 12th Grade-STEM, Diversity, Fin. Need
- 12th Grade-CA Resident/Disability
- 12th Grade-Communications Majors
- 12th Grade-Technology Ethics Essay
- 12th Grade-Asian Student
- 12th Grade - Catholic College
- 12th Grade-Knights of Columbus/Catholic
- 12th Grade-Creative Submission/Future
- 12th Grade-STEM
- 12th Grade-Chronic Medical Condition
- 12th Grade-Building/Construction Major
- 12th Grade-International Thespian
- 12th Grade - Male Student
- 12th Grade-Fin.Need, Attend CA College
- 12th Grade -Careers That Care
- 12th Grade -Learning Challenges and/or ADHD - 2 Year College
- 12th Grade - Learning Challenge and/or ADHD - 4 Year College
- 11th-12th-Texting & Driving Video
- 11th-12th-The Fountainhead Essay
- 11th Grade-Student Athlete
- 9th-12th-Distracted Driving Contest
- 9th-12th-Distracted Driving
- 9th-12th-Think For Yourself Essay
- 9th-12th-Western Art Competition
- 9th-12th - Inspiring Service Project
- 9th-12th-EWaste Solutions
- 9th-12th-Ayn Rand Essay
- 9th-12th -We the People Essay
- 9th-12th-Funny Poetry Contest
- 9th-12th-Int. Relations Essay
- 9th-12th-Environmental Change
May Deadlines
- 12th Grade - Human Trafficking Video
- 12th Grade-Love of Having a Pet
- 12th Grade-Italian Descent
- 12th Grade-Life Science Major
- 12th Grade-Female Engineers
- 12th Grade-Character/Virtue
- 12th Grade-Community Involvement
- 12th Grade-Inspirational Essay
- 12th Grade-Overcoming Obstacles
- 12th Grade-Healthcare Majors/Essay
- 12th Grade-Movie Review Essay
- 12th Grade-Texts=Wrecks
- 12th Grade-Female Business Majors
- 12th Grade-Visible/Invisible Disability
- 12th Grade-Visual Arts
- 12th Grade-Female Writer/Journalism
- 12th Grade-Good Deeds Essay
- 12th Grade-Female/Why College Essay
- 12th Grade-Debt/Bankruptcy Essay
- 12th Grade-Disability/Media Major
- 12th Grade-Engineering Essay
- 12th Grade-Culinary Arts/Hospitality
- 12th Grade-Food Science Majors
- 12th Grade-Senior Care/Aging
- 12th Grade-Printing/Graphic Design
- 12th Grade-Suicide Prevention Essay
- 11th-12th-Community Service Focus
- 11th-12th-Leadership Essay
- 11th Grade - Cameron Impact -Extracurricular Excellence/Leadership
- 9th-12th-Creative Problem Solving
- 9th-12th-"Why College" Essay
- 9th-12th-Civic Engagement
June Deadlines
- 12th Grade GRAD -Scholarship
- 12th Grade GRAD - Golf Related Majors
- 12th Grade GRAD-College Bound
- 12th Grade GRAD-Essay
- 12th Grade GRAD-Bike Essay
- 12th Grade GRAD-Elec. Eng.
- 12th Grade GRAD-Health Essay
- 12th Grad GRAD-Nursing
- 12th Grade GRAD-STEM Major
- 12th Grade GRAD-STEM Major
- 12th Grad GRAD-Safe Roads Essay
- 12th Grade GRAD-Strengths and Weaknesses Essay
- 12th Grade GRAD-CIA
- 12th Grade GRAD-Science
- 12th Grade GRAD-Misc List
- 12th Grade GRAD-Essay
- 12th Grade GRAD-Hot Tub Essay
- 12th Grade GRAD-"Others" Focused in Future Career
- 12th Grad GRAD-Hospitality
- 12th Grade GRAD-Engineering
- 12th Grade GRAD-Alcohol Addiction Essay
- 12th Grad GRAD-Female in PR/Communications Major
- 12th Grade GRAD-Female Cybersecurity Major
- 12th Grade GRAD-Intended Career with Animals or Pets
- 12th Grade GRAD-Entrepreneurial Major
- 12th Grade GRAD -Creative Contest
- 12th Grade GRAD-Biology or Env. Science Major
- 12th Grade-Leadership Essay
- 12th Grade GRAD-Traffic Stop PSA Video
- 12th Grade GRAD-Female-Career in Automotive Industry
- 12th Grade GRAD-Academics and Engagement
- 12th Grade GRAD-Distracted Driving Video
- 12th Grade GRAD-Drunk Driving Essay
- 12th Grade GRAD-Film School
- 12th Grade GRAD-Healthcare Impact
- 12th Grade GRAD-Technical Major
- 12th Grade GRAD -Digital Marketing
- 12th Grade GRAD -Sustainability Major
- 12th Grade GRAD-Advertising Contest
- 12th Grade GRAD-Small Business Impact
- 12th Grade-Women of Color
- 12th Grade-Asian-Media Majors
- 12th Grade-Sports
- 12th Grade-Water Eng. Field
- 11th-12th -Educational Goals Essay
- 9th-12th -Duck Tape Art
- 9th-12th-Science Topic Video
- 9th-12th-Creative Writing
- 9th-12th-Digital Profile Essay
- 9th-12th-Jane Austen Essay
- 9th-12th-Why College Essay
July Deadlines
- 12th Grade GRAD-Cybersecurity Major
- 12th Grade GRAD-Women in STEM
- 12th Grade GRAD-Vaping PSA
- 12th Grade GRAD-Science Major
- 12th Grade GRAD-Criminal Justice
- 12th Grade GRAD-Supply Chain Mgmt
- 12th Grade GRAD-College Student
- 12th Grade GRAD-Essay- Educ.Goals
- 12th Grade GRAD-Food Science
- 12th Grade GRAD-Giving Essay
- 12th Grade GRAD-Essay
- 12th Grade GRAD-Essay
- 12th Grade GRAD-Financial Essay
- 12th Grade GRAD-Driving Essay
- 12th Grade GRAD-Goals Essay
- 11th-12th-Literature/Writing Submission
- 10th-12th-Summer Plans Essay
- 9th-12th -Peace Poetry Contest
- 9th-12th-Dental Health Video
- 9th-12th-Saving Money Video
- 9th-12th-College Plans Submission
- 9th-12th-Change in Community
- 9th-12th-Overcoming Loss
August Deadlines
- 12th Grade GRADS- Education Majors
- 9th-12th -Host a Blood Drive
September Deadlines
- 12th Grade-Leadership/GPA
- 12th Grade-Beauty School Apps
- 12th Grade-Dr. Pepper Tuition Giveaway
- 12th Grade-Atlas Shrugged Essay
- 9th-12th-Free Speech Video
- 9th-12th-US Constitution Theme
- 9th-12th-Jack Cooke Young Artist
- 9th-12th-Science Education
- 9th-12th-Ethical Business Essay
- 9th-12th-Female Entrepreneur
- 9th-12th-Text and Drive Essay
October Deadlines
- 12th Grade - Coca-Cola Scholars
- 12th Grade - Importance of Rice Video
- 12th Grade-Women in STEM
- 11th-12th -Future Pilot/Mechanic
- 11th/12th - Biographical Book Review
- 9th-12th - VFW Patriotic Themed Essay
- 9th-12th - Zombie Essay
- 9th-12th-Environmental Essay
November Deadlines
- 12th Grade - Elks Club
- 12th Grade-Selfless Parent Essay
- 12th Grade-TikTok Video-Future
- 12th Grade - Space/STEM
- 12th Grade - Atlas Shrugged Essay
- 12th Grade - Hispanic Heritage Awards
- 12th Grade -Jack Kent Cooke
- 12th Grade - Female Tech/Entrepreneur
- 12th Grade-Leadership Skills, Community Commitment, Perseverance
- 12th Grade-Compelling Personal Story
- 9th-12th - Poetry, Fiction or Nonfiction Entries/Awards
- 9th-12th - STEM Research
- 9th-12th-Fight Against Hunger
- 9th-12th-Stop Hunger
- 9th-12th - Religious Essay
- 9th-12th - Sustainability Essay
- 9th-12th - Education Matters Essay
- 9th-12th-Mental Health Importance
- 9th-12th -Essay
- 9th-12th - Safe Driving Essay
December Deadlines
- 12th Grade-Hagan Foundation (3.5+ GPA)
- 12th Grade - Aerospace Engineering Majors
- 12th Grade-Women in STEM
- 12th Grade-Education/Determination
- 12th Grade-Innovative Idea
- 12th Grade - Eagle Scout
- 12th Grade-Medical Field
- 12th Grade-Engineering/Computer Science
- 12th Grade - CSF Scholarship
- 12th Grade - Courage Essay
- 12th Grade - Positive Change Essay
- 12th Grade -Burger King
- 12th Grade -Female-Science Ambassador
- 11th-12th -Leadership (US Senate)
- 9th-12th-Curiosity in Studying the Universe
- 9th-12th -Patriotic Essay
- 9th-12th -Power of Resilience Essay