Each year, many New Hampshire residents who wish to attend college face the challenge of affording rising tuition prices. High costs limit the dreams of many students and prevent them from achieving their goals of higher education. Students with financial needs often resort to taking out student loans to cover the rapidly increasing tuition costs.
Student loans provide many low-income students with the opportunity to attend college, but the growing reliance on loans has led to a student debt crisis in the United States. Each year, more students are forced to delay significant life goals like buying a home or starting a business because of their student debt.
Scholarships are a valuable resource to help promote college attendance for New Hampshire students. These scholarships offer much-needed financial assistance to support the academic achievements of students in the state.
10 Scholarships for New Hampshire Students
- New Hampshire Charitable Foundation Scholarships
- Provides various scholarships based on need, merit, and area of study.
- Open to New Hampshire residents attending in-state or out-of-state institutions.
- Horatio Alger New Hampshire Scholarship Program
- For high school seniors who have overcome adversity.
- Provides up to $10,000 in scholarship funds.
- New England Institute of Technology Presidential Scholarship
- Available to New Hampshire students with a strong academic record.
- Offers up to $5,000 annually.
- Cheshire County Ladies’ Charitable Society Scholarship
- For students from Cheshire County demonstrating financial need.
- Award amounts vary.
- Stephen Phillips Memorial Scholarship
- Focuses on students with financial need and academic excellence.
- Can provide up to $18,000 per year.
- Griffin Family Trust Scholarship
- For students from the Lakes Region of New Hampshire.
- Awards are based on academic merit and financial need.
- NHHEAF Network Organizations Scholarships
- Offers various scholarships for New Hampshire residents.
- Includes scholarships for different fields of study and career goals.
- Maine Society of Women Engineers Scholarships
- Open to female New Hampshire residents pursuing engineering degrees.
- Awards range from $500 to $2,000.
- Kiwanis Foundation of New England Scholarships
- For students involved in community service.
- Provides multiple awards annually.
- Stonyfield Farm Scholarship Program
- For New Hampshire residents studying agriculture or environmental science.
- Offers up to $5,000 in scholarships.
New Hampshire Students and Student Debt
Federal student aid and other forms of financial aid often leave large gaps that students are expected to cover. When they can’t pay these expenses out of pocket, they turn to student loans. Scholarships aim to meet students’ financial needs and help prevent them from taking on the burden of large student debt.
High School Education in New Hampshire
New Hampshire has a population of 1,355,244, and 27.3% of that population has no higher education beyond a high school diploma. There is room for improvement in promoting academic achievement among New Hampshire students. In 2020, the graduation rates of high school students in New Hampshire were as follows: 75.4% Native American, 79.4% Hispanic, 86% Black, 88.5% Asian, and 93.9% White.
Colleges in New Hampshire
Despite the stressful prospect of debt, many New Hampshire residents still choose to attend college. 65.9% of New Hampshire’s population aged 25 and older has a college education. The average graduation rate of New Hampshire colleges is 64.81%.
Being awarded a college degree can significantly increase future earnings. The average salary for a New Hampshire resident with just a high school diploma is $37,919. For residents with a bachelor’s degree, that average increases to $57,785.
There are 41 colleges in New Hampshire, with 14 public and 27 private schools. The University of New Hampshire System includes six universities in the state: The University of New Hampshire at Durham, the University of New Hampshire at Manchester, the University of New Hampshire Franklin Pierce School of Law, Plymouth State University, Keene State College, and Granite State College. Other notable schools include prestigious universities like Dartmouth College and smaller, less competitive schools like Saint Anselm College.
New Hampshire College Demographics
New Hampshire colleges have a total of 189,349 students, including 155,282 undergraduates and 34,067 graduate students. The majority of students are female, with 62.30% of the student population being female and 37.70% male.
There is not much diversity in New Hampshire colleges, as 110,655 students are White, 21,646 Black, 4,484 Asian, 17,043 Hispanic, and 871 Native American.
Cost of a College Education in New Hampshire
The average total cost of attendance at a public four-year institution in New Hampshire is $28,734 for in-state students. Students at private institutions pay almost double that, with an average cost of attendance of $47,517.
This cost is expected to rise. From the 2018-19 academic year to 2019-20, tuition increased by 2.14%.
The most expensive postsecondary school in the state is Dartmouth College, with a cost of attendance of $77,131. The University of New Hampshire is the most expensive public university in the state, with students expected to pay $31,180. NHTI – Concord’s Community College is the most expensive two-year college in the state, with a cost of attendance of $17,402.
Student Debt in New Hampshire
The high cost of college can leave many students struggling to afford tuition. The financial aid package they receive from their universities is often not enough to cover the full cost of their higher education. Often, New Hampshire students are forced to turn to loans to help them pay for college.
In New Hampshire, the average student loan debt is $39,928, the highest average student loan debt in the United States. 70% of college graduates in New Hampshire have taken on student debt. To decrease the rate of student debt in the state, New Hampshire residents should turn to scholarships as an essential method of funding their college education.
Additional Scholarships New Hampshire Students Should Consider
There are hundreds of scholarships awarded every day to students who need extra monetary support to pursue their goals. Whether or not you have a high amount of demonstrated financial need or you know what field you want to work in, there is sure to be a scholarship available to you. Finding college scholarships with narrow eligibility requirements, such as a scholarship specifically for a student interested in civil engineering who knows a foreign language, can be the best bet at securing a scholarship award.
Scholarships for High School Students in New Hampshire
New Hampshire students can begin applying for scholarships as soon as they turn fourteen years old and enter high school. It can be extremely helpful to begin applying for scholarships in high school to secure financing for your college education early. Underclassmen might find it even better to apply for scholarships now before the stress of college applications during their senior year.
Here are some great scholarships for New Hampshire high school students:
- Great Minds Scholarship
- Empowering Women Through Education Scholarship
- Megan Springsteel Memorial Cosmetology Scholarship
- Snap Finance Young Women for STEM Scholarship
Scholarships for High School Seniors in New Hampshire
High school seniors have an abundance of scholarships available to them. Many scholarships are created specifically for high school seniors preparing for their college careers.
- Juquel K. Young Memorial Scholarship
- RESILIENCE Scholarship
- Indigenous Women in STEM Scholarship
- Carl’s Music Matters Scholarship
- Charlotte Emery Memorial Scholarship
- ESOF Academic Scholarship
- Michael Valdivia Scholarship
- Scorenavigator Financial Literacy Scholarship
Scholarships for Current College Students in New Hampshire
Students enrolled in college can still find and apply for scholarships. Applying for scholarships as a college student is sometimes easier, as the experiences you have gained during your undergraduate education can inspire great application materials.
- Financial Freedom Scholarship
- Great Books Scholarship
- Electronic Shark Scholarship
- Hasanovic American Dream Scholarship
- “$$$ Isn’t Everything” Scholarship
- Graduate School No-Essay Scholarship
- Collegiate Golf Scholarship
- Chris Jackson Computer Science Education Scholarship
- Sentant Interdisciplinary Technology Scholarship
- Minority/Women in STEM Scholarship
- Sloane Stephens Doc & Glo Scholarship
Frequently Asked Questions About Scholarships in New Hampshire
How to apply for scholarships in New Hampshire?
Applying for scholarships is a straightforward process. Begin by researching available scholarships that fit your qualifications and interests. Many scholarship applications are available online, and you can apply directly through the scholarship provider’s website.
When can I start applying?
It’s best to apply for scholarships as early as possible. Many scholarships are open to high school students, so starting your search and applications early can give you a head start in securing funds for your education. Scholarships are available year-round, so there is no perfect time to apply. Keep an eye on deadlines and apply whenever you find a suitable opportunity.
How do I know if I’m eligible for a scholarship?
Each scholarship will list its eligibility requirements in its description. These requirements will vary from scholarship to scholarship. Some scholarships may require outstanding academic achievement, while others may focus on financial need, community service, or specific fields of study. Make sure to read the requirements carefully before applying.
Are scholarships counted as income?
Scholarship awards sent directly to the institution and applied towards educational expenses are typically not counted as taxable income. However, if you receive more scholarship funds than your total educational expenses, the excess amount may be counted as income.
Applying for scholarships can significantly reduce the financial burden of higher education and help New Hampshire students achieve their academic and career goals. Start your search early and take advantage of the many opportunities available to support your education.