A common misconception among high school students is that they have to wait until their senior year to begin applying for scholarships. While some scholarships require you to be a senior to be eligible, countless merit, financial need, interest, and talent-based scholarships are currently open to juniors. Why not get started now so you can relish your final year of high school?
Here are some scholarships I’ve compiled that are open now to the class of 2021:
- A Voice for Animals Contest—Up to $500
Application Deadline: May 31, 2021
“The contest provides you with an opportunity to raise awareness about an animal welfare issue you care deeply about and to offer solutions—maybe even showcase what you are doing now to help make animal lives better. Multiple cash prizes are awarded for essays, photo essays, or videos that explore strategies to mitigate animal suffering and protect species.”
2. AES Engineering Scholarship—$500
Application Deadline: October 5, 2020
“Students must submit an essay of between 500 and 1000 words in answer to the following question: When you look back on your life in 30 years, what would it take for you to consider your life successful? What relationships or accomplishments will be important on this journey?”
3. BigSun Athletic Scholarship—$500
Application Deadline: June 19, 2020
“The BigSun Organization is proud to be able to help young athletes succeed in their academic pursuits. All student athletes are eligible regardless of the sport they are engaged in or the capacity in which they participate.”
4. 1,000 Dreams Scholarship —$1,000
Application Deadline: April 1, 2021
“The 1,000 Dreams Scholarship provides one-time educational assistance for currently enrolled high school or college-aged women throughout the United States.”
5. Carson Scholars Fund,—$1,000
Application Deadline: January 1, 2021
“The Carson Scholars Fund awards $1,000 college scholarships to students in grades 4-11 who excel academically and are dedicated to serving their communities. Carson Scholars must have a minimum GPA of 3.75 and display humanitarian qualities through community service.”
6. College JumpStart Scholarship—$1,000
Application Deadline: October 17, 2020
“Hard work. Perseverance. Love of learning. These are the traits that the College JumpStart Scholarship rewards. If you are a high school, college or adult learner and are looking for ways to pay for college, then the College JumpStart Scholarship may be for you.”
7. Survey Junkie Brand Influencer Scholarship—$1,000
Application Deadline: June 29, 2020
“Do you love sharing your opinions on products and services that are meaningful to you? Survey Junkie helps you earn rewards and get paid for taking surveys on products and services that are matched to your interests.”
8. GreenPal’s Scholarship for Tomorow’s Entrepreneur—$2,000
Application Deadline: November 15, 2020
“The purpose of The GreenPal Small Business Scholarship is to assist a motivated, driven student and future business leader. We believe that the generation of today’s students are the future employers of tomorrow. The future of our county will be forged by the entrepreneurial spirit of today’s generation.”
9. HireAHelper Skilled Trade & Technology Scholarships—$2,000
Application Deadline: July 17, 2020
“Growing demand and lack of qualified workers in skilled trades like the moving industry means it’s a great time to go back to school and enter these lucrative and fast-growing industries. To help keep up with demand and assist the next generation of professionals, HireAHelper will award a $2,000 scholarship four times a year to eligible students. “
10. Minecraft Scholarship—$2,000
Application Deadline: July 31, 2020
“All interested students will be required to write a short essay about their opinion on how Minecraft can be a positive influence within their education and career development. Minecraft has been used in many different facets of education and we want to know how you believe that the game can be further utilized to enhance learning and development.”
11. NSHSS Activism and Advocacy Scholarship—$2,000
Application Deadline: November 1, 2020
“NSHSS will award three students with a demonstrated passion for activism and advocacy $2,000 to be utilized towards their education. Do you have a passion for bringing about social, political, and/or civil change in your community? Does a particular cause or idea have your attention? Do you hope to apply these skills to your college education?”
NOTE: The National Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS) offers a variety of scholarships, from those planning to attend trade school to young entrepreneurs.
12. Straight “A” Scholarship —$2,000
Application Deadline: February 26, 2021
“This scholarship awards high school students who are pursuing Academic excellence, Athletic Achievement, is Actively serving in the community while possessing a strong Ambition, a winning Attitude and the ability to overcome Adversity.”
13. American Red Cross – Leaders Save Lives Scholarship Program—$2,500
Application Deadline: August 31, 2020 or January 15, 2021
“Sign up to host a blood drive while school is out of session and join the impressive group of youth across the nation who are helping save lives with the American Red Cross! You could earn leadership skills, volunteer hours, a gift card and be entered to win a scholarship.”
14. Prudential Spirit of Community Award—Up to $5,000
Application Deadline: TBD for 2021
“The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program is the United States’ largest youth recognition program based exclusively on volunteer community service. Created in 1995 by Prudential and the National Association of Secondary School Principals, the program honors middle level and high school students for outstanding service to others at the local, state and national level.”
15. ConnectHER Film Festival—$5,000
Application Deadline: January 20, 2021
“High school and college students submit original short films focused on critical women’s issues such as girls’ education, ending violence against women, poverty & economic independence, and authentic beauty/body image and more!”
16. Jack Scura Fund—$5,000
Application Deadline: May 30, 2021
“It is designed to recognize students with a special need who are of good standing in school and in their communities. We are a business that runs on helping others and giving chances and the Jack Scura Fund would wish to offer a $5000 scholarship for the Fall Semester of 2020 and Spring Semester of 2021 to those with Disabilities who are incoming or, are in an Undergraduate Program.”
17. Simplr Artificial Intelligence and Technology Scholarship —$7,500
Application Deadline: June 30, 2021
“Simplr is offering a $7,500 scholarship to a passionate and deserving student who submits a winning essay in our specialized scholarship contest encompassing artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), Blockchain technology and Intellectual Property (IP) law.”
18. Gold Medal Portfolio Award— Up to $10,000
Application Deadline: Varies by region
“The Portfolio Awards, made possible by generous individual donors and other supporters, provide 16 Gold Medal Portfolio recipients with $10,000 scholarships and 30 Silver Medal with Distinction Portfolio recipients with $1,000 scholarships.”
19. Vegetarian Resource Group Scholarship— Up to $10,000
Application Deadline: February 20, 2021
“The Vegetarian Resource Group each year will award $20,000 in college scholarship money to graduating U.S. high school students who have promoted vegetarianism in their schools and/or communities. Applicants will be judged on having shown compassion, courage, and a strong commitment to promoting a peaceful world through a vegetarian diet/lifestyle.”
20. Stuck At Prom: Duct Tape Attire Scholarships—Up to $10,000
Application Deadline: July 21, 2020
“Create and wear your original & unique promwear using Duck® brand duct tape and/or Duck® brand crafting tape. Remember to take a high resolution pic of the big moment!”
21. ScholarshipPoints $10,000 Scholarship Program—$10,000
Application Deadline: Last day of every month.
“Complete the form to be automatically entered into our $10,000 scholarship!”
22. ACT Scholarship Giveaway—$15,000
Application Deadline: June 26, 2020
“A total of 14 students will be awarded both a $15,000 scholarship and a $5,000 technology package to celebrate ACT’s national test dates, with half of the awards reserved for students from low-income families eligible for a fee waiver on the ACT test.”
23. Coca-Cola Scholars Program Scholarship—$20,000
Application Deadline: October 31, 2020
“The Coca-Cola Scholars Program scholarship is an achievement-based scholarship awarded to graduating high school seniors. Students are recognized for their capacity to lead and serve, as well as their commitment to making a significant impact on their schools and communities.”
24. American Legion National High School Oratorical Contest—Up to $25,000
Application Deadline: Varies
“The American Legion Oratorical Contest exists to develop deeper knowledge and appreciation for the U.S. Constitution among high school students. Since 1938, the program has presented participants with an academic speaking challenge that teaches important leadership qualities, the history of our nation’s laws, the ability to think and speak clearly, and an understanding of the duties, responsibilities, rights and privileges of American citizenship.”
25. Horatio Alger National Scholarship —$25,000
Application Deadline: October 25, 2020
“As one of the nation’s largest college financial aid programs in the country, the Horatio Alger National Scholarship Program is one of the major scholarship programs nationally that specifically assists high school students who have faced and overcome great obstacles in their young lives.”
26. GE-Reagan Foundation Scholarship Program—Up to $40,000
Application Deadline: TBD in October 2020.
“Honoring the legacy and character of our nation’s 40th President, the GE-Reagan Foundation Scholarship Program rewards college-bound students who demonstrate exemplary leadership, drive, integrity, and citizenship with financial assistance to pursue higher education.”
27. Burger King Scholars Program—Up to $50,000
Application Deadline: December 15, 2020
“Scholarship grants range from $1,000 to $50,000 and are intended to help students offset the cost of attending college or post-secondary vocational/technical school. Recipients are selected based on their GPA, work experience, extracurricular activities and community service.”
28. Davidson Fellows Scholarship—Up to $50,000
Application Deadline: February 10, 2021
“The Davidson Fellows Scholarship awards $50,000, $25,000 and $10,000 scholarships to extraordinary young people, 18 and under, who have completed a significant piece of work. Application categories are Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, Literature, Music, Philosophy and Outside the Box.”
29. Cameron Impact Scholarship—$50,000
Application Deadline: September 11, 2020
“The Bryan Cameron Education Foundation awards four-year, full-tuition, merit-based undergraduate scholarships to exceptional high school students who have demonstrated excellence in academics, extracurricular activities, leadership, and community service.”
30. National Merit Scholarship Program—Varies
Application Deadline: Varies
“High School students who meet published program entry and participation requirements enter the National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) at the specified time in the high school program, usually as juniors.”
Didn’t find what you were looking for? Here are some websites you can use to find the best scholarship for you:
The High School Grind 