In order to keep yourself organized, create a scholarship spreadsheet now. Customize it however you would like based on your own organizational style. 

I have attached an example of what one might look like:  My Scholarship Spreadsheet

SAFE Scholarships Available:

See this link for more information: https://www.ktsro.org/safe-speaks

Deadline to sign up:  September 30, 2026

Dane Hansen Career & Technical Education Scholarship Information:

There is a Dane Hansen Career & Technical Education Scholarship for those of you who are planning to attend a Technical College or Community College for no more than 2 years. If you are interested in this opportunity, please let me know, and I can get you more information.

The deadline for this scholarship is October 19, 2026.

Wichita State University Distinguished Scholar Invitational:

Are you considering attending Wichita State University? If so, this link https://www.wichita.edu/admissions/undergraduate/scholarship-competitions/dsi.php

contains some important information about some upcoming WSU scholarship competitions. 

A variety of scholarships are awarded to competition participants, including three of the largest scholarships in Kansas! Click on the link below for information and participation requirements for each competition. 

You must have applied for admission to WSU by November 1, 2026.
Deadline to apply for this WSU Distinguished Scholar Invitational:  November 8, 2026.

Class of 1993 Scholarship:

The Class of 1993 Scholarship information is here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1IuQYs3kcHSXLWFf4nwG1LpRejLINTK46FXAEwV2gdQQ/edit?usp=sharing

and the application is attached.

Deadline:  Turn in to Mrs. Eilert no later than 3:30 pm on December 1, 2026.

Kansas Masonic Lodge Essay Contest:
(We have had multiple students earn scholarship money through this contest).

This essay contest is open to juniors and seniors. 
See this link for more information: https://kansasmasonic.foundation/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/2026-Essay-Contest-Brochure.pdf

Deadline:  Turn in to Mrs. Eilert no later than 3:30 pm on October 30, 2026 (The deadline on the paperwork says the deadline is 10/31, but we won't be in school on the 31st, so it is due on the 30th.)
To download a fillable PDF, click on the link above.

VFW Voice of Democracy Essay Contest (We have had multiple students earn money through this competition each year!):

This is a patriotic audio essay competition open to all freshmen through seniors. 
Click on the application attachment https://vfw-org-hqagarhxahbybyd9.z01.azurefd.net/-/media/VFWSite/Files/Community/Youth-and-Education/Voice-of-Democracy-Entry-Form-Fillable.pdf?v=1&d=20260410T233747Z&la=en

to learn more. 

Deadline:  Turn in to Mrs. Eilert no later than 3:30 pm on Friday, October 30, 2026.
(The deadline on the paperwork says the deadline is 10/31, but we won't be in school on the 31st, so it is due the 30th).

Class of 1997 Scholarship:

See the attached document for information on the application process. 
Deadline:  Turn in to Mrs. Eilert no later than 3:30 pm on January 8, 2027.

Coca-Cola Scholarships Available!

Be sure to look into the Coca-Cola Scholars Program!  
Apply at this link: https://www.coca-colascholarsfoundation.org/apply/
Deadline:  September 30, 2026 by 4:00 p.m. CST

Dane Hansen 4-Year Scholarship Qualifying Test Information:

For those of you planning to attend a 4-year university or a 2-year institution and then transfer into a 4-year university:

If you have a minimum 3.5 cumulative GPA and a minimum of a 23 composite score on the ACT (no superscore allowed), then you are eligible to take the Dane Hansen Scholarship qualifying test. 

You must submit your name to me no later than September 3rd (in order for me to put you on our Beloit High School testing list and have that list submitted to them by the deadline of September 4th). Email me, leave me a note, or notify me in person that you are wanting on this list. I will then submit this list to the Dane Hansen Foundation.

Hagan Scholarship Foundation - Scholarships Available:

The Hagan Scholarship is a nationwide need-based merit scholarship, providing recipients with the opportunity to achieve their goals and graduate college debt-free. The scholarship provides $2,000 to help pay for essential items to attend college and up to $7,500 each semester for up to 8 consecutive semesters.

Be sure to read the scholarship particulars (requirements) attached before you start applying to see if you qualify.

Opens:  September 1, 2026 at https://haganscholarships.org/application/
Deadline:  December 1, 2026

2026 Kansas Bison Association Scholarship:

The Kansas Bison Association is offering a $1,000 scholarship to high school seniors or first-year college freshmen planning to pursue a career in an agriculturally related field.

The KBA invites interested applicants to complete an application, provide one letter of reference and a 500-word essay outlining their relationship/interest in bison and why they should receive the scholarship.

The application is linked here: https://www.kansasbuffalo.org/kba-scholarship.cfm

Applications and supporting materials are due by Oct. 15, 2026.

Please mail them to:
KBA Scholarship c/o Kevin Leslie
32846 Block Road
Paola, KS 66071

Questions? Email KevinELeslie@gmail.com

Financial Aid Night 2026 - THIS WEDNESDAY, 9/16

As a reminder, our annual Financial Aid Night is this Wednesday, September 16th!

Time:  6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Where:  BJSHS Commons

We recommend that all seniors and at least one parent attend this meeting; if you do NOT intend to file the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), then you do not need to attend. Remember, however, that we feel it is wise for every single one of you to take the time to fill out the FAFSA. If your parents have recently filed a FAFSA with an older child and feel like they know what they are doing, then it is okay not to attend. With that being said, there have been big changes to the FAFSA over the past few years that we will be going over.

Prior to filing the FAFSA, you and a parent must set up an FSA ID for the student and for one parent (that you currently live with 51% of the time). If your parents already have an FSA ID that they used with an older child, then they do NOT need to create another one. I have attached instructions on how to set up an FSA ID. The student FSA ID and the parent's FSA ID will need to be created prior to filing the FAFSA. The FAFSA will open on October 1, 2026, so creating your FSA ID now is the best preparation.

We hope to see you this Wednesday night!

Elks Legacy Scholarships Available:

Open to high school seniors who are the children or grandchildren of a paid-up Elk member since April 1, 2024.

See the link here for more information: https://www.elks.org/scholars/scholarships/Legacy.cfm

Elks Legacy Scholarships are due no later than 1:59 pm Central Standard Time on February 1, 2027.

FHSU Tiger Day:

Fort Hays State University is excited to host their annual Tiger Day Open House on Saturday, October 17th. Students will learn about academic majors, scholarships, financial aid, student life, clubs and organizations, and much more!

$5,000 in scholarships will be given away!

Why should you attend Tiger Day? Check out all the perks!

FREE ticket to Tiger Football game
Discounted tickets will be available for guests to purchase for $5 (cash ONLY) at registration.
FREE Concession Voucher
FREE FHSU T -Shirt
Chances to win FHSU Tiger Gear & Scholarships

**You will provide your own transportation to and from this event if you choose to attend.  If you would like to attend Tiger Day, you must register at the link here: https://www.fhsu.edu/admissions/events/tiger-day/

Deadline to Register:  Saturday, October 10, 2026

Elks Most Valuable Student Scholarships Available!

Deadline:  November 12th, 2026.

Click on this link to apply: https://www.elks.org/scholars/scholarships/mvs.cfm

Applicants are welcome to choose any Lodge that you'd like, as long as it is one of the five options that populate on the dropdown menu when you enter your home zip code.

CWDAK Scholarships Available:

4 $500 scholarships available

Read through the attached scholarship information to see if you are eligible.

Deadline:  February 1, 2027

Apply at the link here: http://www.cwdak.org/