50 Best Scholarships for High School Juniors: Earn over $506,050!
By Maddy Scheckel Already stressing about college? What about how you’re going to pay for it?
Getting an early start to figure out how to pay for college can make the process much easier.
Even better, I’ve gathered this list of scholarships for high school juniors to help you prepare early!
The money is there for the taking (or earning). Don’t be like others who let 100 million dollars in scholarships go unclaimed annually!
Best 50 Scholarships for High School Juniors
Amount: Full-ride
Deadline: January 18th, 2024
Eligibility Details: This full-ride scholarship is open to all US high school juniors who intend to enroll in an accredited four-year university or college for the first time the following fall. Students are chosen based on merit and two letters of recommendation are required.
Amount: $50,000
Deadline: February 14th, 2024
Eligibility Details: Must be a US citizen and permanent resident under the age of eighteen. However, there is no minimum age for eligibility so, feel free to apply as early as you want.
Amount: $40,000
Deadline: Monthly (Next: February 29th, 2024)
Eligibility Details: Open to all students in the US who are at least 13 years old with a College Board account.
Amount: $35,000
Deadline: October 31st, 2024
Eligibility Details: Available to students in grades 9-12. This scholarship allows you to express yourself in a patriotic-themed recorded essay.
Amount: $25,000
Deadline: February 1st, 2024
Eligibility Details: Open to students in high school, college, or recent graduates.
Amount: $25,000
Deadline: January 3rd, 2024
Eligibility Details: Students between the ages of 16 and 26 can submit a video about their life’s passion for a chance to win. Taco Bell isn’t only good for their tacos!
Amount: $25,000
Deadline: Varies
Eligibility Details: Students in grades 9-12 must prepare an oration (formal speech) about some aspect of the constitution with an emphasis on civic responsibility.
Amount: $25,000
Deadline: November 30th, 2023 (check back for 2024 dates!)
Eligibility Details: Members of the National Honors Society in good standing who are planning to pursue a degree at an accredited US university or college.
Amount: $20,000
Deadline: February 23rd, 2024
Eligibility Details: Available to high school students in the US or UK. Must be a member of their school’s M3 Challenge team. Ask a teacher at your school about participating as a coach.
Amount: $20,000
Deadline: May 15th, 2024
Eligibility Details: For students who have found a unique, creative solution to a problem that’s worth sharing. So, get your thinking cap on!
Amount: $20,000
Deadline: December 1st, 2024
Eligibility Details: Open those who are enrolled in a Century Scholar school. Must maintain an overall 2.75 GPA.
Amount: $15,000
Deadline: November 2nd, 2023 (check back for 2024 dates!)
Eligibility Details: Any citizen or permanent resident of the US who has completed a significant amount of volunteer work.
Amount: $15,000
Deadline: March 31st, 2024
Eligibility Details: Minnesota and Iowa students who are full dependents of a worker who has been injured or killed in a workplace accident.
Amount: $15,000
Deadline: April 15th, 2024
Eligibility Details: Students who are over age 15, in grades 9-12, and have completed a water-science research project can apply.
Amount: $11,500
Deadline: April 1st, 2024
Eligibility Details: Iowa high school students who design a public service project on their own. Must also submit two letters of recommendation.
Amount: $10,000
Deadline: April 15th, 2024
Eligibility Details: Must be between the ages of 8 and 18 residing in the US or Canada. Also, current involvement in an inspiring service project or related participation within the last 12 months.
Amount: $10,000
Deadline: June 8th, 2023 (check back for 2024 dates!)
Eligibility Details: Any fashion designers out there? Create an original prom outfit using Duck brand Duct Tape and submit a photo. May the best ensemble win!
Amount: $10,000
Deadline: January 12th, 2024
Eligibility Details: If you’re confident in your writing skills, consider submitting an essay about an act of political courage by a US-elected official who served during or after 1917.
Amount: $10,000
Deadline: December 4th, 2023 (check back for 2024 dates!)
Eligibility Details: This award is for students facing the unique challenges of being part of a military family and demonstrating outstanding leadership, academic, and humanitarian excellence.
Amount: $10,000
Deadline: Varies
Eligibility Details: Any junior or senior high school student with exceptional leadership ability currently serving in some sort of leadership position at their school.
Amount: $10,000
Deadline: December 31st, 2023 (check back for 2024 dates!)
Eligibility Details: These are scholarships for high school juniors and seniors who write an essay about the first amendment.
Amount: $10,000 (up to $2,500 per quarter)
Deadline: Expires each quarter
Eligibility Details: US students over the age of thirteen can enter each quarter! No essay required.
Amount: $8,000
Deadline: April 1st, 2024
Eligibility Details: Applicants must create a PSA (public service announcement) video to encourage their peers to develop safe driving habits.
24. Smart Owl No-Essay Scholarship
Amount: $7,000
Deadline: Expires on the 28th and 29th of each month
Eligibility Details: Available for all high school and college students over the age of 16.
25. George S. and Stella M. Knight Essay Contest
Amount: $6,000
Deadline: February 15th, 2024
Eligibility Details: Students must submit an 800 to 1,200-word essay about the American Revolution.
26. AMS Freshman Undergraduate Scholarship
Amount: $5,000
Deadline: February 3rd, 2024
Eligibility Details: This scholarship is for students pursuing a degree in atmospheric, oceanic, or hydrologic science.
Amount: $5,000
Deadline: June 15th, 2023 (check back for 2024 dates!)
Eligibility Details: Students must create short films about issues that affect women. Remember to check out the organization’s list of approved topics before you start your project.
28. Golden Key Undergraduate Achievement Award
Amount: $5,000
Deadline: December 15th, 2023 (check back for 2024 dates!)
Eligibility Details: Students must demonstrate academic excellence with a minimum GPA of 3.5.
29. Korean American Scholarship Foundation – Northeastern Regional Chapter
Amount: $5,000
Deadline: June 30th, 2024
Eligibility Details: Students must be of Korean origin and reside in the Northeastern region of the US (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont).
30. NFWL Essay Student Scholarship Contest
Amount: $5,000
Deadline: August 1st, 2023 (check back for 2024 dates!)
Eligibility Details: Young women in the US currently attending high school or college in South Carolina.
31. Chris Jackson Computer Science Education Scholarship
Amount: $5,000
Deadline: March 1st, 2024
Eligibility Details: Open to high school students who intend to pursue a degree in computer science. Essay submission on why you chose this career path is required.
32. Manny and Sylvia Weiner Medical Scholarship
Amount: $5,000
Deadline: December 1st, 2024
Eligibility Details: Must demonstrate financial need, intend on becoming a medical doctor, and submit an essay explaining why you chose this career path.
33. Think for Yourself Scholarship
Amount: $5,000
Deadline: April 30th, 2024
Eligibility Details: This scholarship is open to all US students. They are to write an essay expressing the importance of curiosity and open-mindedness in everyday life.
34. Cirkled In’s “No Sweat” Scholarship
Amount: $2,500
Deadline: March 31st, 2024
Eligibility Details: This scholarship is very easy to qualify and apply for. Be over age 13, enrolled in school (grades 8-12), make a free student account, create a portfolio, and you’re all set!
35. Christian Connector Scholarship
Amount: $2,500
Deadline: May 31st, 2024
Eligibility Details: This scholarship is open to freshman, sophomore, and junior high school students who plan on attending a Christian college or university.
36. Be the Boss Scholarship by GoSkills
Amount:$2,000
Deadline: September 15th and March 15th
Eligibility Details: Any female high school or college student who wants to start her own online business.
37. Nitro $2,000 Scholarship Sweepstakes
Amount: $2,000
Deadline: January 31st, 2024
Eligibility Details: Open to high school and college students age 17 or older and a legal US resident. If not of age, you can also have a parent enter on your behalf.
38. Humanity Rising Scholarship
Amount: $2,000
Deadline: Awards given on an ongoing basis
Eligibility Details: Humanity rising awards scholarships for high school juniors who make an impact through community service. Students can apply by uploading a 60-second video about their service story or they can choose to put it in writing.
39. CollegExpress Monthly Scholarship Giveaway
Amount: $2,000
Deadline: Monthly
Eligibility Details: Create a free CollegExpress account and share a link with your friends to be entered to win as much as $2,000.
40. Niche No-Essay Scholarship
Amount: $2,000
Deadline: January 31st, 2024
Eligibility Details: Available to all US students in high school or college. Simply create a free account to apply.
41. Ayn Rand Anthem Essay Contest
Amount: $2,000
Deadline: April 25th, 2024
Eligibility Details: Open to students in grades 8-12 worldwide. Must submit a 600 word minimum essay. Find an approved writing topic at the scholarship link above.
Amount: $1,800
Deadline: March 12th, 2024
Eligibility Details: Open to students in grades 7-12. Must submit a short essay focused on Jewish heritage and its contribution to civilization and culture.
43. Apprentice Ecologist Initiative Scholarship
Amount: $1,750
Deadline: August 31st, 2024
Eligibility Details: Students must conduct their own environmental stewardship project, submit pictures, and an essay explaining what the project was and what it meant to you.
44. Bow Seat Ocean Awareness Contest
Amount: $1,500
Deadline: June 10th, 2024
Eligibility Details: Open to international students ages 11-18 in middle school or high school. The focus is to bring awareness to environmental issues through art.
45. Scorenavigator Financial Literacy Scholarship
Amount: $1,000
Deadline: July 13th, 2024
Eligibility Details: High school juniors or seniors from a low-income background with a 3.0 GPA or higher.
Amount: $1,000
Deadline: June 30th, 2024
Eligibility Details: Available to any student who opens a Scholarships360 account. Must have parent or guardian’s consent if under 18 years old.
Amount: $1,000
Deadline: January 14th, 2024
Eligibility Details: Scholarships for juniors in high school who excel academically and are committed to serving their communities. Must attend an accredited K-12 school in the US, have a minimum GPA of 3.75, and be nominated by a teacher at your school.
Amount: $1,000
Deadline: July 31st, 2024
Eligibility Details: Open to US students in grades 9-12 enrolled in high school, college, or graduate school.
Amount: $500
Deadline: The 20th of each month
Eligibility Details: Must be a US or Canadian citizen enrolled in high school, college, or graduate school and maintain a GPA of 3.0. Submission includes an essay covering an innovative project you designed to help others.
50. Learner Math Lover Scholarship
Amount: $500
Deadline: June 30th, 2024
Eligibility Details: Any student with an interest in mathematics.
Commonly Asked Questions About Scholarships for High School Juniors
Scholarships for High School Juniors Class of 2024
The best scholarships for high school juniors graduating in 2024 are the Coolidge Scholarship and the National Honor Society Scholarship. Both offer high payouts and will look impressive on your resume!
College Scholarships for Juniors in High School
The best scholarships for high school juniors are the Coolidge Scholarship and the Davidson Fellows Scholarship. Both are competitive and require students to apply early. The Coolidge Scholarship gives students a chance to earn enough money for a full-ride! The Davidson Fellows Scholarship is for $50,000!
What is the Youngest Age to Get a Scholarship?
Scholarships are available to children as young as four. However, most people don’t begin thinking about college until they’re teens. If you want to get an early start, I recommend the Bow Seat Ocean Awareness Contest or the Carson Scholars Fund. Both focus on community service, which looks amazing on college applications!
What are the Best High School Scholarships?
The best scholarships for high school juniors are the Coolidge Scholarship and the Davidson Fellows Scholarship. Both are among the highest value scholarships and are sure to impress college admissions officers!
What is the Easiest Scholarship to Get?
The Be Bold No-Essay Scholarship and Niche No-Essay Scholarship are the easiest to apply for because they don’t require essay submissions. Although, this is the same reason no-essay scholarships can be considerably more competitive. Which is why I recommend applying for both no-essay and essay-required scholarships.
Full Ride Scholarships for High School Juniors
The Coolidge Scholarship is a full-ride scholarship available to all high school juniors in the US who intend to enroll in an accredited four-year university or college for the first time.
Best Scholarships for High School Juniors
The best scholarships for high school juniors are the Coolidge Scholarship and the Davidson Fellows Scholarship because they offer the highest payout amounts.
Scholarships for High School Juniors in California
The LA Tutors 123 Innovation in Education Scholarship is a California-based scholarship available for high school juniors. Students must maintain a GPA of 3.0 and submit an essay detailing an innovative project they designed to help others.
Scholarships for High School Juniors in Texas
The Texas A&M University’s Century Scholars Program is a Texas-based scholarship available to high school juniors who graduate from a Century Scholar school and maintain an overall GPA of 2.75.
Scholarships for Female High School Juniors
The ConnectHER Film Festival, NFWL Essay Student Scholarship Contest, and Be the Boss Scholarship by GoSkills scholarships are all excellent options for female high school juniors as they promote women empowerment and entrepreneurship.
