The Journal News in Dayton, Oh., referred to them as members of the “$100,000 Scholarship Club.” In May, 25 high school seniors in the mid-western community of Badin were recognized for receiving $100,000 and more in scholarships. The students, many of whom plan to study engineering disciplines, aren’t alone. Those interested will find information for college grants helpful as they progress.

Shayla Price of Thibodaux, La., and Matthew Lee of Pacolete, S.C., searched and applied for scholarships for college online and also ended up with $100,000 and more. Where Price received scholarships in increments of $100 to $40,000, high school senior Matthew Lee was one of 10 finalists in a Proton Energy Scholarship competition to walk away in May with a single $100,000 scholarship. The scholarship is supported and paid for by Lumber Liquidators founder Tom Sullivan, who owns the global Proton hydrogen energy company, and it recognizes students for their achievements and promise in science and technology. Additional scholarship programs that pay high dividends include:

Siemens Competition in Math, Science and Technology: Awards up to $100,000 scholarships for high school students entering research projects individually or in teams. Regional winners move on to national finals. The Competition in Math, Science and Technology, which is administered by the College Board, offers in the areas of math education, science, engineering and technology over $7 million each year.

Distinguished Young Women (formerly America’s Junior Miss): Women can vie for cash and college-granted scholarships in this national pageant in which nearly 200 colleges and universities participate. Idaho’s Madison Leonard, in claiming the first Distinguished Young Woman of America title in June 2010, earned $40,000 in scholarship money that she plans to use to pursue a degree in journalism. Leonard won state and local program prizes of $9,100 – plus an additional $41,000 in cash and scholarships by claiming a preliminary talent competition.

Jack Kent Cook Foundation: The Jack Kent Cook Foundation offers educational programs for students as early as middle school and provides scholarships at the undergraduate and graduate level. Undergraduates and transfer students at two-year institutions in 2010 competed in financial needs-based scholarship programs that provide up to $30,000 a year, while graduate students vied for up to $50,000 as part of a separate scholarship initiative. Philanthropist Jack Kent Cook, who had to forego an athletic scholarship himself after helping to support his family during the Great Depression, went on to become a media mogul, sports team owner and owner of New York City’s Chrysler building. The foundation was established in 2000, after he died and was included it in his will.

Ronald McDonald House Charities: A national scholarship program for Hispanic high school students in 2008 awarded recipients $25,000 a year for four years. Ronald McDonald House Charities also offers local scholarship programs for African-Americans, Hispanic-Americans, high school seniors in general and students with an Asian-Pacific heritage in instances where chapters are located in the areas where they live. Local chapters provide minimum $1,000 scholarships, according to the Ronald McDonald House Charities website.

The Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation: Through this federal memorial to the late U.S. President, full-time students in four-year colleges can receive $30,000 toward graduate or professional school studies that can lead careers in government and other areas of public service. Truman scholars, who must be nominated by a faculty representative at the institution where they’re studying, are also provided opportunities to participate in leadership development activities and gain federal government internships and employment. Past scholarship recipients have majored in a variety of subjects, from economics and engineering to environmental science. Information on graduate school scholarships may save you time and money.

Experts recommend that students also apply for smaller scholarships in the $100 range. These scholarships can be used for online degrees. By applying for many scholarships in many different award ranges, students might find that they never have to worry about paying for their accredited degree online.