Discover Cards Tribute Award Scholarship
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
HIGH SCHOOL JUNIORS only (this is a junior-year award — seniors are not eligible). Best fit: B/B+ students with adversity-overcome stories and active leadership.
What they actually look for
Discover picks 10 winners/yr at $30K each — well-known but very competitive. They want kids who've OVERCOME something significant (academic struggle, family hardship) AND demonstrate ongoing service/leadership. If your story is 'I had a tough year but improved' + 'I now lead a service project,' that's the exact profile they pick.
What you'll need
- Be a HS junior (only juniors are eligible — not seniors)
- 2.75+ GPA
- Demonstrated leadership, community service, AND ability to overcome significant obstacles
- Two essays (personal + about service)
- Two recommendations
- Online application
When to start
Application opens January of junior year. Deadline late January. Award is paid out senior year if you win — but you apply as a junior.
Watch out for
JUNIOR-year award only. Lots of seniors waste time applying — there's no senior-year version. If you're a senior, look at Horatio Alger National instead (similar 'adversity + service' profile, $25K, senior-eligible).