Best Higher Education Grants in Arizona

Students pursuing diesel or heavy equipment mechanic programs in Arizona and nearby states can receive up to US $2,500 toward tuition and expenses. Scholarship America’s WM Four Corners Scholarship Program supports high school seniors, graduates, and current undergraduates attending accredited two-year colleges or vocational-technical schools in Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, or Texas.

Arizona higher education students in interior design can receive merit-based scholarship support for full-time junior or senior study through the Lake Design Foundation Scholarship. Focused on nurturing future design talent, Arizona Community Foundation supports residents attending Arizona State University or Northern Arizona University campuses who maintain at least a 3.0 GPA and plan interior design careers.

Law students from Yavapai County enrolled at the University of Arizona can receive scholarship support for higher education costs through the Judge Paul Rosenblatt Scholarship. Grants from Arizona Community Foundation help Arizona higher education students pursue law studies, with one online application matching them to this and other eligible scholarship opportunities.

Focused on higher education, Arizona Community Foundation invites Arizona first-generation college students to seek help covering gaps between cost of attendance and financial aid at public post-secondary institutions. The renewable Genung Scholarship supports students with GPAs between 3.0 and 3.5, with preference for Phoenix Union High School District and metro-Phoenix West Valley residents.

Arizona high school seniors from eligible central Minnesota schools planning to attend a four-year college outside Minnesota and neighboring states can receive $5,000 for higher education costs. CommunityGiving’s Ernest Morgan Memorial Scholarship supports student leaders or student athletes enrolling full time at U.S. colleges, which may include institutions in Arizona.

U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofits working in higher education, adolescent education, adult vocational training, or health and mental health access, including those in Arizona, can apply for grants of US $10,000 - US $75,000 to expand proven programs. The L B Research and Education Foundation favors small to medium organizations addressing opportunity gaps for underserved populations.

Students ages 16–25 in Arizona whose parent was permanently disabled or killed in a work-related incident can apply for Kids' Chance of Arizona scholarships supporting higher education costs. Funding may cover tuition, fees, books, room and board, and approved miscellaneous expenses at accredited trade schools, community colleges, or undergraduate and graduate institutions.

Arizona students with financial need attending public community colleges or universities can receive higher education scholarship support, with preference for those who have experienced foster care. Arizona Community Foundation provides these need-based ACF General Scholarships through a single online application that matches applicants to available donor-funded awards across Arizona.

With a mission to create a more equitable and vibrant Hawai‘i, Hawai'i Community Foundation provides Arizona higher education students in health-related fields with scholarship support. Hawai‘i residents attending accredited colleges in Arizona or elsewhere, who demonstrate financial need and meet GPA requirements, may receive awards to pursue medical and healthcare careers.

Arizona humanities-focused college-bound seniors from BASIS Charter Schools or Brophy College Preparatory planning to attend Arizona post-secondary institutions can receive merit-based scholarship support for higher education costs. Arizona Community Foundation provides these scholarships through its online system, where eligible students complete one application and are matched to opportunities like the AKN Family Scholarship.

San Diego County residents pursuing higher education in technology or finance can receive scholarship support for full-time study at colleges or universities in Arizona, California, or Colorado. The San Diego Foundation provides this Evotek Giving Foundation Technology Scholarship for students majoring in finance (San Diego only), computer science, or information technology, with a 2.5+ GPA and interest in tech careers.

Arizona higher education students who are DACA or undocumented and eligible for in-state tuition can receive up to US $5,000 through the Adelante Scholarship to pursue associate or bachelor’s degrees. Supported by Education Forward Arizona, this program also offers holistic coaching, peer networking, and campus resource connections, with awards renewable for one year.

Arizona high school seniors of Hispanic heritage planning full-time higher or vocational education in Arizona can receive scholarship support for college costs. Arizona Community Foundation provides Arizona higher education students with funding through the Valle del Sol’s Rosa Carrillo Torres Memorial Scholarship, prioritizing Phoenix Union High School District graduates who are low income, first-generation, and interested in health care or communications.

Arizona high school seniors planning full-time study at Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University, or University of Arizona can apply for the Thunderbirds Scholarship, a four-year, full-ride opportunity. Awarded through Arizona Community Foundation, it supports students with strong academics, leadership, community service, and demonstrated resilience, and is renewable if criteria are maintained.

Arizona women pursuing bachelor’s degrees in higher education fields can access funding through the Morfessis Family Scholarship, a program of the Arizona Community Foundation. Need-based awards support junior and senior female students in Arizona studying areas such as education, medicine/nursing, engineering, advanced manufacturing, information technology, or entrepreneurship at eligible public universities or community colleges.

Arizona higher education institutions and public charities can seek funding for education, STEM programs, and environmental stewardship projects that benefit communities where Vulcan operates. Vulcan Materials Company Foundation prioritizes proposals from colleges, universities, and public schools, especially those in science and engineering or improving public education, and gives added weight to projects involving employee engagement.

Arizona Native American students pursuing higher education can receive $1,500 to $15,000 per year for community college, tribal college, university, graduate, or trade programs. Focused on higher education, Freeport-McMoRan Foundation invites enrolled members of specified tribal communities who meet GPA and full-time enrollment requirements to apply and participate in Education Forward Arizona’s Success Services Program.

Arizona high school seniors who are student athletes and planning to attend an in-state college can apply for Desert Financial Foundation’s Arizona Breaking Barriers Scholarship, awarding up to US $3,000. This scholarship supports resilient athletes with financial need pursuing higher education in Arizona for their freshman year.

Dependents of Blue Cross Blue Shield Arizona and Prosano Health Services employees pursuing higher education in Arizona can receive scholarship support for full-time undergraduate study. Arizona Community Foundation provides funding for need-based students attending any Arizona State University campus, helping cover costs at accredited two- or four-year colleges, universities, or vocational-technical schools.

The Caris Charitable Fund Scholarship, established by the Arizona Community Foundation, honors the late Richard Caris and is designed to assist students in biology, engineering, mathematics, and STEM fields. With a minimum GPA requirement of 3.0, this renewable scholarship aims to help students from Eastern Arizona College or Gila Community College achieve their educational goals. Annually, millions are awarded to deserving students in partnership with generous donors.

Catholic high school seniors in the Diocese of Phoenix planning to study social work, peace, or justice at a four-year Arizona college can receive tuition support through this scholarship. With a mission to assist the underserved, Catholic Community Foundation provides a one-time US $5,000 award paid directly to the institution for freshman-year tuition.

Spinoso Masters Scholarship

Created through the generosity of John and Vivian Spinoso, this Pass Through Fund provides scholarship support for up to $10,000 to deserving students to cover tuition costs of post-undergraduate studies. Eligible applicants must have graduated from a DeKalb County high school but do not need to currently live in DeKalb County, IL.

Scholarship amounts vary depending on the scholarship applied for. Applicants are encouraged to apply for as many awards as they are eligible to increase the likelihood of receiving one or more awards.

Scholarships can be used for cost of attendance, direct education expenses, including tuition, books, and/or other school-related fees.

If you receive an award, be sure to complete your scholarship acceptance form (online portal). Scholarship awards are paid directly to the academic institution by the end of August.

Virginia Larsen Nursing Scholarship Fund

Started in 2001 by Sycamore resident Virginia Larsen, the Virginia Larsen Nursing Scholarship is open to students who are residents of DeKalb County seeking a college-level nursing degree. Applicants must be full-time students.

Scholarship amounts vary depending on the scholarship applied for. Applicants are encouraged to apply for as many awards as they are eligible to increase the likelihood of receiving one or more awards.

Scholarships can be used for cost of attendance, direct education expenses, including tuition, books, and/or other school-related fees.

If you receive an award, be sure to complete your scholarship acceptance form (online portal). Scholarship awards are paid directly to the academic institution by the end of August.

Suter Family Scholarship Fund

Provides an annual award to graduates at both DeKalb and Sycamore high schools. The Charles & Helen Suter Memorial Scholarship award will honor the late Charles and Helen Suter, their love for education and learning, and the family’s ongoing service to the community.

As with many funds at the Community Foundation, the Suter Family Scholarship Fund honors the legacy of a loved one. Recipients of the award will know it as the Charles & Helen Suter Memorial Scholarship award. Eligibility criteria for the award speaks to the values and ideals held by the family, holding academic achievement, volunteerism and service club involvement as preferred.

Currently there are over 65 scholarship funds at the Community Foundation, all with a desire to provide impact in the pursuit of education.

Samardzija-Gutesha Family Fund

The Field of Interest Fund reflects the Samardzija-Gutesha family’s values and commitment to giving back. It supports education and hands-on learning in farming, soil health, and water conservation, with a focus on FFA members and associate-level college students.

Scholarships benefit graduating seniors and second-year post-high school students who are originally from DeKalb County high schools with FFA programs.

The Samardzija-Gutesha Family Fund provides scholarships for post-high school students pursuing education in agriculture or conservation, as well as paid internships with local farmers, and conservation professionals. It also supports educational seminars on topics such as sustainable farming and agricultural business, and provides grants to local organizations that align with the donor’s values.

In its first year, the Fund awarded $65,000 in scholarships to eight graduating seniors from DeKalb, Genoa-Kingston, Indian Creek, Somonauk, and Sycamore high schools (pictured above). Each student attending a two-year college received a $5,000 scholarship, while students planning to attend a four-year university received $10,000.

Scholarship amounts vary depending on the scholarship applied for. Applicants are encouraged to apply for as many awards as they are eligible to increase the likelihood of receiving one or more awards.

Scholarships can be used for cost of attendance, direct education expenses, including tuition, books, and/or other school-related fees.

If you receive an award, be sure to complete your scholarship acceptance form (online portal). Scholarship awards are paid directly to the academic institution by the end of August.

Renaissance Education Scholarship Fund

This Fund was created in 2007 by retired Sycamore teacher Yvonne Johnson and provides scholarship support to an individual who has been in the work force and desires to return to the academic world in pursuit of a college degree. The award is renewable up to three consecutive years following the initial award and can be used for tuition at any accredited university or community college for expenses associated with undergraduate study. The recipient can seek a degree in any field of study, but must demonstrate evidence of interest in the chosen field. This scholarship is administered by the Community Foundation.

Scholarship amounts vary depending on the scholarship applied for. Applicants are encouraged to apply for as many awards as they are eligible to increase the likelihood of receiving one or more awards.

Scholarships can be used for cost of attendance, direct education expenses, including tuition, books, and/or other school-related fees.

If you receive an award, be sure to complete your scholarship acceptance form (online portal). Scholarship awards are paid directly to the academic institution by the end of August.

Palmer Family Music Education Scholarship Fund

Dee Palmer, his brother, parents, and grandparents have contributed to the musical pleasure of thousands of people in DeKalb County for over 160 years. The establishment of the Palmer Family Music Education Scholarship Fund is in their honor and provides an award for a high school senior who resides in DeKalb County and is pursuing a career in music. This scholarship is administered by the Community Foundation.