An ancient Chinese proverb tells us that “The best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago. The second best time is now”. Many people spend too much time thinking about what they should have done in the past. They don’t focus on ways they can grow for the future. If you like to think that you tend towards the latter category, odds are good that you’re the type of person who’s cut out for entrepreneurship. In the most basic sense, entrepreneurs create and sell products, but more than that, they’re idea people; individuals who marked down a goal and then achieved it. If you combine individuality with a drive for success and an active imagination, entrepreneurship may be for you. Here’s a selection of student entrepreneur scholarships to check out as they make their way towards prosperity:
Grasshopper Entrepreneur Scholarship
Amount: Varies
Deadline: TBD for 2020
Together with LogMeIn, Grasshopper created the Grasshopper Entrepreneur Scholarship. The scholarships support student entrepreneurs in creating socially responsible businesses. Along with an application, students must submit an essay answering a prompt that changes every year.
Tortoise Young Entrepreneurs Scholarship
Amount: $1,000—$3,000
Deadline: TBD
While this scholarship has a narrower scope than others, focusing solely on students in Kansas and Missouri, it provides a fantastic opportunity for budding entrepreneurs in the heartland. The Tortoise Capital Advisors, an energy infrastructure investment company, sponsors and awards this 2012 scholarships to celebrate the firm’s tenth anniversary. The mission statement of the Young Entrepreneurs program “recognizes the challenges and rewards of the entrepreneurial spirit and encourages the next generation of curious, persistent and passionate entrepreneurs.”
The program awards three scholarships, the top prize being $3,000, the second at $2,000, and the third at $1,000. Applicants must be either high school students from Kansas or Missouri or attend college in one of those two states.
NASE Growth Grant
Amount: $3,000
Deadline: Varies
NASE, the National Association for the Self-Employed, has been a leading voice for self-employed business people since their beginning in the early 1980s. By 1988, their membership was skyrocketing, and today, they have over 50,000 members who represent 150,000 business owners. The NASE hones their focus on families who pass their skills in the world of private enterprise down to their children.
The NASE Dependent Scholarship is open to kids of NASE members who are between the ages of 16-24 and are considered based off the following areas: “Leadership abilities, academic performance, teacher recommendations, career and educational background, school and community participation, [and] financial need.” The program is wildly successful, having doled out nearly $2 million in awards since it was started nearly three decades ago.
Looking for more entrepreneur scholarships? In that case, look online and through scholarship databases! Otherwise, talk to your high school counselor or college’s financial aid office. There are plenty of entrepreneur scholarships out there!
Want to be an entrepreneur? Find a great college fit for you with College Raptor’s free match tool!
| Lender | Rates (APR) | Eligibility | |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
5.50%-16.12%* Variable
3.99%-15.61%* Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT CITIZENS |
 |
5.54% - 15.70% Variable
3.99% - 15.49% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT SALLIE MAE |
 |
4.63% - 17.99% Variable
3.49% - 17.99% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT CREDIBLE |
 |
6.00% - 13.75% Variable
3.99% - 13.75% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT LENDKEY |
 |
5.66% - 14.72% Variable
3.69% - 14.56% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT ASCENT |
 |
3.70% - 8.75% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT ISL |
 |
5.62% - 16.85% Variable
3.69% - 16.49% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT EARNEST |
 |
5.00% - 14.22% Variable
3.69% - 14.22% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT ELFI |
