Carson Scholars Fund
Before you spend hours on this
Will this scholarship actually lower your cost?
Not always. Many colleges reduce your financial-aid package when you win an outside scholarship — sometimes dollar-for-dollar — so the money can end up saving the school instead of you. It's called scholarship displacement. Two free tools tell you where you actually stand:
General guidance, not financial advice — your school's financial aid office is the only authority on how they treat outside awards. Always confirm with them before deciding.
Best fit for
Middle schoolers (4-8) and early HS (9-11) with strong grades + service involvement. NOT for HS seniors — Carson is explicitly NOT a senior-year scholarship.
What they actually look for
Carson Scholars Fund (named for Ben Carson) is one of the only major scholarship programs aimed at MIDDLE SCHOOL and EARLY HIGH SCHOOL students. Awards $1,000 per scholar deposited into a college savings account — stackable across multiple years if you re-win. ~500 winners/yr nationally. The applicant pool is small because most kids don't think to apply until senior year — applying as a middle schooler or 9th-10th grader has dramatically better odds.
What you'll need
- Current student in grades 4 through 11 (yes — middle schoolers and rising 11th graders eligible; not for HS seniors)
- Minimum 3.75 unweighted GPA
- Demonstrated involvement in community service
- Nomination by your principal (one student per school per year)
- Essays on academic achievement, service, and goals
- Recommendations from teachers
When to start
Nomination process happens in fall of each year (principals nominate one student per school). Award announcements in spring. Re-apply each year — students who win in 6th grade can re-win in subsequent years.
Watch out for
Your school's principal must nominate you — students cannot self-nominate. Many principals don't know about Carson — bring the program description (carsonscholars.org) to your principal in September and ask them to consider nominating you. Schools that have never had a Carson Scholar may need this prompt.