These scholarships have expired. We’ll be updating this article soon. Please visit our other scholarship articles to see current scholarships you can apply for.
College scholarships aren’t just for college students and high school seniors. Many contests are open to students in elementary and middle school, and earning prize money now can help ease the burden of college cost down the road. We highlight six scholarships below for students in younger grades. Review the details of each one, and encourage any interested students you know to apply on time.
Action for Nature Eco-Hero Award
How to Apply: Submit an application describing an environmental project you completed that concerns environmental health, advocacy, research, or protection of the natural world
Eligibility: Open to students ages 8-16
Amount: $500
Deadline: February 28, 2024
Website: https://actionfornature.org/eco-hero-awards/apply
Stossel in the Classroom Essay Contest
How to Apply: Write a 500-1,000-word essay about one of four topics: the housing shortage, presidential campaign priorities, ticket dynamics, or U.S. energy policy
Eligibility: Open to students ages 10-18 who live in North America
Amount: Ranges from $50 to $2,500
Deadline: March 22, 2024
Website: https://stosselintheclassroom.org/essay-contest/
SBO Essay Contest
How to Apply: Write an essay of 250 words or less about a music teacher that changed your life and why they had an impact on you
Eligibility: Open to students in any type of public, charter, or private K-12 school instrumental or vocal program
Amount: Ten winners of $1,000 each
Deadline: March 31, 2024
Website: https://sbomagazine.com/2024-sbo-essay-contest/
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, 2024
Website: https://barronprize.org/apply/
My Impact Challenge
How to Apply: Write an essay of up to 1,200 words on a project you have completed that furthers at least one principle and one virtue as defined in the Bill of Rights Institute’s “Principles and Virtues,” and write a report of up to 2,000 words detailing your civic engagement project, including your inspiration and project plan.
Eligibility: Open to any U.S. middle or high school student between the ages of 13 and 19
Amount: Prizes range from $250 to $10,000
Deadline: May 19, 2024
Website: https://billofrightsinstitute.org/my-impact-challenge
Ocean Awareness Contest
How to Apply: Think about climate issues and solutions and consider how they have affected you or your community. Find something that resonates deeply with your experiences and share your personal climate story. 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 $1,000
Deadline: June 10, 2024
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.
