These scholarships have expired. We’ll be updating this article in the spring. Please refer to our article, Finding Scholarships with MEFA Pathway, to search for current scholarships you can apply for.
Between visiting colleges, obtaining letters of recommendation, and writing college essays, high school juniors are busy. But there’s one more task they should make time for as they prepare for college: applying for scholarships. Every scholarship you receive, no matter how small the amount, will reduce your out-of-pocket cost and help ease your mind as you plan for college. To provide some help, we’ve compiled a list of five scholarships that high school juniors can apply to right now. Many of these scholarships are open to grades even younger than high school juniors. Review the details of each one and set aside some time to submit your applications before the deadlines.
Stossel in the Classroom Essay Contest
How to Apply: Write a 500-1,000-word essay about one of three topics: the constitution, inflation, or economics
Eligibility: Open to students ages 10-18 who live in North America
Amount: Ranges from $50 to $2,500
Deadline: March 31, 2023
Website: https://stosselintheclassroom.org/essay-contest/
Superpower Scholarship
How to Apply: Write a short essay answering the question “Which superhero or villain would you want to change places with for a day and why?”
Eligibility: Open to legal U.S. residents 14 years of age or older
Amount: $2,500
Deadline: March 31, 2023
Website: https://www.unigo.com/scholarships/our-scholarships/superpower-scholarship
Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes
How to Apply: Submit an online application, including a letter from a nominator
Eligibility: Open to children ages 8-18 who are currently working on an inspiring service project or have done so within the past 12 months
Amount: Multiple winners receive $10,000 each
Deadline: April 15, 2023
Website: https://barronprize.org/apply/
E-waste Scholarship
How to Apply: Students must complete the application and write a short essay about e-waste. The top 10 applications will be selected as finalists, and finalists will be asked to write a 500- to 1,000-word essay about e-waste
Eligibility: Open to high school, college, and graduate students who are U.S. citizens
Amount: $1,000
Deadline: April 30, 2023
Website: http://www.digitalresponsibility.org/ewaste-scholarship
Ocean Awareness Contest
How to Apply: Research and choose an inspirational scientist, activist, artist, educator, or other hero who is working to solve climate change issues. Create a submission that highlights their efforts, organizations, and/or positive impacts. Submissions are accepted as visual art, creative writing, film, interactive & multimedia, performing arts, poetry, and spoken word
Eligibility: Open to students ages 11 to 18. Students must provide the contact information for an adult sponsor (teacher, parent, mentor, etc.)
Amount: Multiple awards of up to $1,500
Deadline: June 13, 2023
Website: https://bowseat.org/programs/ocean-awareness-contest
Scholarships should be considered a small—yet still important—source of revenue for college. Data shows that most families pay for college using parent and student income, savings, and loans. Most scholarship recipients receive $2,500 or less, and only 0.1% of undergraduate students receive $25,000 or more in scholarship funds. In addition to looking for scholarships to help pay for college, families should apply for financial aid and consider saving in a dedicated college savings account.
