With average annual tuition and fees reaching $11,260 for in-state students at public four-year colleges and $41,540 for private universities, covering college expenses can feel overwhelming. Scholarships for high school juniors may be just what you need to make college more affordable.
Whether you’re aiming for a four-year university or a community college, there are plenty of scholarships designed specifically for high school juniors in the class of 2026. Unlike student loans, scholarships are free money for college and don’t need to be paid back.
Keep reading to learn about some of the best scholarships available for high school juniors and how they can help you take that next step toward your college career.
How Do I Qualify for High School Junior Scholarships?
To qualify for scholarships as a high school junior, start by maintaining strong academic performance, since many scholarships are merit-based and require a minimum GPA.
Research scholarships that match your interests, background, or intended college major. You should also try to participate in extracurricular activities, leadership roles, and community service, which are often key factors for many scholarship applications.
Some scholarships may also consider financial need, requiring you to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Additionally, sign up and prepare for standardized tests like the SAT or ACT, because scores can be a qualifying factor for many awards. Keep deadlines in mind and apply early.
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How to Find Scholarships for High School Juniors
While you’re completing your junior year, there are plenty of resources to help you find scholarships, including:
• The financial aid office at the college or career school you’re considering
• Organizations and professional groups connected to your interests
• Federal agencies that offer financial aid
• Free scholarship search tools, like the Scholarship Search Tool by SoFi
• Local organizations, such as libraries, businesses, nonprofits, and other community groups
It’s important to understand that not all scholarship opportunities are legitimate. For example, it’s probably a red flag if someone asks you to pay to apply or find scholarships. Remember that you should never have to pay to enter a scholarship, so it’s best to avoid those kinds of offers.
What Is the Easiest Scholarship to Get in High School?
While some scholarships require a good amount of work, like writing essays or gathering recommendation letters, others are much easier to apply for. For example, no-essay scholarships are often the easiest to apply for because they typically have minimal requirements, such as being a certain age.
There are two main types of no-essay scholarships: sweepstakes and video scholarships. With sweepstakes scholarships, you don’t typically need to submit grades, test scores, or essays. Instead, you might just need to fill out a short form, provide some basic information about yourself, or answer a few questions.
Keep in mind that since these scholarships are easier to apply for, there’s often more competition, which can lower your chances of an award. Even though junior year is busy, it’s a good idea to apply to as many as you can to boost your chances of receiving a no-essay scholarship.
On the other hand, video scholarships require you to create something, like a five-minute video explaining why you deserve an award. For some, this may be easier than writing an essay and gives you a different way to showcase your strengths.
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Best Scholarships for High School Juniors
Here are some of the best scholarships for high school juniors to apply for in 2024 and 2025:
1. United States Senate Youth Program
Award: $10,000
The United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP) is open to high school juniors and seniors interested in a career in public service. Applicants must demonstrate leadership skills by serving in an elected or appointed role, such as student government, education, public affairs, or community service.
2. G2 Overachievers Student Grant
Award: $15,000
The G2 Overachievers Student Grant is for middle and high school honor roll students between the ages of 13 and 19. To apply, you must submit a 1,000 to 2,000 word handwritten essay about how you (or the person you’re nominating) are making a difference in your community and deserve to be recognized for it.
3. The Christophers High School Poster Contest
Award: $1,000
U.S. high school students, from freshmen to seniors, can enter the Christophers 35th Annual Poster Contest. To apply, simply create a poster featuring the phrase “You can make a difference” and illustrate how one person can positively impact the world.
4. Create a Greeting Card Scholarship Contest
Award: $10,000
The Create-a-Greeting Card Scholarship Contest is open to all U.S. high school and college students that are 14 years and older. To enter, simply create an original greeting card design. Your design can be a Christmas card, holiday card, birthday card, or an all-occasion greeting card.
5. Voice of Democracy Scholarship Competition
Award: $35,000
High school students can win the Voice of Democracy award by submitting a three- to five-minute audio essay on the topic “Is America Today What Our Forefathers Imagined?” The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) also offers other scholarships, with awards ranging from $1,000 to $21,000.
6. We the Future Contest
Award: $2,000 – $5,000
High school students starting in freshman year can win the We the Future Contest by creating a 500-700 word essay, song, STEM project, short film, social media video, or public service announcement (PSA) on a Constitution-related topic.
7. Carson Scholars Fund
Award: $1,000
The Carson Scholars Fund is for students in grades four through 11 who do well in school and are committed to making a difference in their communities. To apply, you need a GPA of at least 3.75 and must show a strong commitment to community service.
8. International Public Policy Forum (IPPF)
Award: $10,000
The Brewer Foundation and New York University (NYU) offer the International Public Policy Forum award to teams of at least three students from the same school. As a team, you’ll write a 3,000-word essay on “Resolved: Equitable access to pharmaceuticals should be prioritized over protecting intellectual property rights.” The top 64 teams will move to a written round, and the top eight teams will compete in a final oral debate.
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The Takeaway
Kicking off your scholarship applications during junior year gives you a head start and helps you find more options to pay for college. The more scholarship money you earn, the less you’ll need to pay in tuition and other expenses.
In addition to scholarships, students can pay for college with cash savings, grants, federal student loans, and private student loans.
If you’ve exhausted all federal student aid options, no-fee private student loans from SoFi can help you pay for school. The online application process is easy, and you can see rates and terms in just minutes. Repayment plans are flexible, so you can find an option that works for your financial plan and budget.
FAQ
Should you start applying for scholarships as a junior?
Even though your junior year is a good time to apply for scholarships, you don’t need to wait until then. You can start anytime in high school, which gives you a jumpstart and can open up more scholarship opportunities.
What is the youngest age you can get a scholarship?
You might be able to find scholarship opportunities for kids as young as the age of four. While this may seem a tad early, starting as soon as possible gives you more time to plan for future college costs.
What are the most sought after college scholarships?
Some of the most sought-after scholarships include The Gates Scholarship and the Coca-Cola Scholars Program. However, these popular scholarships are usually available only to high school seniors and can be pretty competitive. So, to increase your chances of winning, it’s a good idea to apply for a mix of different scholarships.
Photo credit: iStock/shapecharge
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