27 Scholarships for K-12 - Don't Wait Until Senior Year of High School to Apply for Scholarships
Christen Arafeh 
Students shouldn't wait until they are high school seniors before looking for scholarships. Scholarships are basically free money towards college tuition so the more scholarships you can get, the better. Students do not have to wait until they are in their last year in high school before looking and applying for scholarships so they have more opportunities to get scholarship prizes.
Can Younger Kids Get College Scholarships?
Due to federal privacy laws preventing websites from collecting information on children under age 13 without verified parental consent, scholarships for children under age 13 are harder to find since the scholarship matching websites cannot collect information and match scholarships to these younger children.
However, that doesn't mean that scholarship opportunities aren't available for younger kids. It just takes more time to search for these scholarships. But like we said, any scholarship kids can get means less college expenses. Starting early would allow you to find more college scholarships and collect more scholarship prize money. Usually once you become high school seniors, things become so hectic and even chaotic with all the graduation requirements, college planning and application and more. Thus, it's easier to apply for scholarships early on so you get experience applying for them earlier plus you have the chance to find more scholarship opportunities.
Scholarships for younger kids are available - from junior high school students, to middle school students, to elementary school students, and even for kids as young as 4 years old.
List of Scholarships for Younger Kids
To make things easier, we've compiled a list of scholarships that are available for younger kids.
Deadline: Varies
Award Amount: Up to $25,000
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.
Young orators earn some of the most generous college scholarships available to high school students. Over $203,500 in scholarships can be awarded each year. The overall national contest winner gets a $25,000 scholarship. Second place takes home $22,500, and third gets $20,000. Each department (state) winner who is certified into and participates in the national contest’s first round receives a $2,000 scholarship. Those who advance past the first round receive an additional $2,000 scholarship. The American Legion’s National Organization awards the scholarships, which can be used at any college or university in the United States.
Eligible participants must be citizens of or lawful permanent residents of the United States. All contestants must be bona fide students herein described as any student under the age of 20 years on the date of the national contest who is presently enrolled in a high school or junior high school (public, parochial, military, private or home school). The curriculum of the school must be considered to be of high school level, commencing with grade 9 and terminating with grade 12. Students must be enrolled in high school or junior high school during the time of participation at any level of The American Legion National High School Oratorical Contest. Contestants must either be legally domiciled within or attend an educational institution within the department that they enter competition. Contestants can enter competition through only one department.
Deadline: Varies
Award Amount: Varies
The AMVETS Americanism Program is a patriotic program the organization offers schools and youth organizations as a resource for teaching children in kindergarten through 12th grade about their American heritage, civics and citizenship. The program includes flag drawing, poster and essay contests that are grade specific and age appropriate.
All school age children, K-12. They may attend public, private, parochial schools or may be home schooled. Participants may also come through any youth group such as Scouting or from Church Sunday schools. Students in kindergarten–1st grade can enter the Flag Drawing contest. Students in 2nd–5th grades can enter the Poster contest. Students in 6th–12th grades can enter the Essay Writing contest.
Deadline: Varies
Award Amount: Varies
Know a student who has overcome obstacles, shown leadership in your classroom or on the field, or just simply demonstrated improvement and a positive attitude this year? Now is your chance to show them that you’ve noticed by nominating them for the Club Z! Annual Achievement Award. This Award allows students to showcase their talents and abilities for a chance to win cash to support their education!
Since 2004, Club Z! has awarded more than $250,000 to deserving students in grades 5 - 12 through its Annual Achievement Award. This scholarship is funded in partnership between the Club Z! corporate headquarters and its network of 450+ franchisees throughout North America, and generally awards $25,000 or more each year through its fall and spring award periods.
Teachers, counselors and coaches simply nominate any student they want via the website's application form, and Club Z! does the rest!
This award is open to students in grades 5-12.
Deadline: December
Award Amount: $1,000
This award honors one female student in grades 5–8, who is involved in or has a strong connection to science. The award has been established in honor of Gerry Wheeler, Executive Director Emeritus, and his outstanding dedication to NSTA and lifelong commitment to science education. The awardee will be honored at the Teacher Awards Banquet at NSTA's National Conference.
This award consists of a $1,000 US EE Savings Bond or Canada Savings Bond purchased for the equivalent issue price.
Any female student in grades 5–8 who is a resident of the United States, US Territories, or Canada, and is enrolled in full time public, private, or home school. NSTA employees, NSTA Board and Council members, award judges, and their immediate families are NOT eligible to apply.
Deadline: Varies
Award Amount: Up to $30,000
Doodles are meant to surprise and delight people when they visit Google.com. Past Doodles have celebrated some of the most brilliant, talented, and passionate people throughout history.
Doodle for Google is an annual art contest open to students in Kindergarten to Grade 12. Students are invited to create their own Google Doodle for the chance to have it featured on Google.com, as well as win some great scholarships and tech packages for their schools.
Read about How to Win the Google Doodle Scholarship Contest.
Deadline: Varies
Award Amount: Up to $3,000
Denny’s partners with leading non-profit minority advocacy organizations to launch anti-hunger programs across the United States. The Denny’s Hungry for Education Scholarships are awarded to deserving high school and college students for their ideas to help Denny’s fight childhood hunger.
Different scholarships under the The Denny’s Hungry for Education Program are available across the United States for US residents. College scholarships that are available range from recipients in Kindergarten to Grade 12, High School or College. The more specific requirements like GPA or state residence depend on the specific scholarship under the The Denny’s Hungry for Education Program you are applying for.
Deadline: January 30
Award Amount: $1,000
According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, young people spend an average of 7.5 hours a day consuming media–and this doesn’t include computer use for schoolwork. With technology always at the ready at your fingertips, it can be a challenge to unplug. But taking a break from technology is healthy for both the mind and body. The Technology Addiction Awareness Scholarship helps applicants understand the negative effects of too much screen time.
The applicant must be a high school freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior or a current or entering college or graduate school student of any level. Home schooled students are also eligible. There is no age limit. The applicant must also be a U.S. citizen or legal resident.
Deadline: May 31
Award Amount: $1,500
CatholicCollegeInfo.com provides an annual $1,500 scholarship which may be used at any Catholic college or university. Entry in the scholarship drawing is quick, and no essay is required. Students completing the free information request form for Catholic College info are automatically entered in the $1,500 Catholic College scholarship drawing.
Students must be at least 13 years old to join. Only students requesting Catholic college or university information, as well as those planning or considering attending a Catholic college or university are eligible for the drawing. The scholarship recipient must be enrolling for the first time as a full-time student at a Catholic college or university.
Deadline: May 31
Award Amount: $1,500
FaithBasedCollege.com offers a $1,500 annual scholarship which may be used at any protestant faith based college or university. Entry in the scholarship drawing is easy as no essay is required.
Students must be at least 13 years old to join. Only students requesting Faith Based college or university information, as well as those planning or considering attending a Faith Based college or university are eligible for the drawing. The scholarship recipient must be enrolling for the first time as a full-time student at a protestant faith based college or university.
Deadline: January 31
Award Amount: $1,000 + Princeton Trip
The Princeton Prize in Race Relations recognizes and rewards high school students who have had a significant positive effect on race relations in their schools or communities through their volunteer efforts.
Prize recipients receive a cash prize of $1,000 and an all-expenses-paid weekend to a Symposium on Race at Princeton University where they will meet and engage with other Prize recipients from across the country.
All high school students in grades 9 through 12 who live in the United States are eligible to apply.
Deadline: February 1st of every year
Award Amount: $100 to $500
Launched in 2001, Simil Raghavan and Mary Mathias started the Engineer Girl website in order to bring attention to the amazing opportunities open to women engineers. Every year, the EngineerGirl website sponsors a contest dealing with engineering and its impact on our world.
The contest is open to individual girls and boys in the following three competition categories: Elementary School Students (grades 3-5), Middle School Students in (grades 6-8), or High School Students (grades 9-12).
Deadline: February 16
Award Amount: $100 to $1,000
Founded in 1945, the Christophers are a nonprofit organization that use media to spread the idea that while you are one unique individual, you can make all the difference in our world. The Christophers’ motto is: “It’s better to light one candle than to curse the darkness” For creative students, the Christophers’ Poster Contest is the perfect opportunity to create, share your message, and win a scholarship. Break out the art supplies and start creating!
High school students in grades 9 through 12 living in the United States are eligible for this contest.
Deadline: March 2
Award Amount: $10,000
The Create-A-Greeting-Card Scholarship Contest is currently being offered by The Gallery Collection. If you are someone who is creative and/or loves a good greeting card, then this scholarship is for you! As with other artistic scholarships, this opportunity is based on creativity!
This scholarship is open to all high school, college, and university students. The only eligibility criteria is that students must be at least 14 years or older at the time of entry (so some middle school students may even be able to apply). Home-schooled students are also welcome apply.
Deadline: March 12
Award Amount: $500 to $1,800
The Morris J. and Betty Kaplun Foundation was established in 1955. The Foundation sponsors an annual essay contest open to both junior high and high school students. The Kaplun Essay Contest is offered annually to encourage all students, no matter their religion, to reflect upon Judaism’s contribution to civilization and culture.
New essay topics are posted in late September or early October each year.
Level I is open to students in grades 7, 8, and 9. Level II is open to students in grades 10, 11, and 12. This contest is open to any school, including home school, anywhere in the world and contestants do not have to be of Jewish religion.
Deadline: March 31
Award Amount: Up to $33,000
Each year, more than 4,000 high school students from across the country participate in the VFW Auxiliary’s Young American Creative Patriotic Art Contest. The contest began in 1979 to recognize up-and-coming artists and encourage patriotism in youth.
Open to any student in grades 9-12 who is enrolled in a public, private, or parochial high school or home study program in the United States. Student must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. national. Foreign exchange students, students age 20 or older, GED and adult education students, or national winners of previous Young American Creative Patriotic Art Contests are ineligible.
Deadline: March 31
Award Amount: $2,500
Have you ever wondered where you'd go if you could fly around downtown? Or maybe you daydream of secretly taking over the world - to each his own. For all of those hero lovers and villain enthusiasts, this super scholarship can give you the power to win free college money.
Use your imagination and become the superhero, or perhaps supervillain, you've always wanted to be. Would you live a life in a comic book universe or use your powers here in the real world? We want to know how you would use your super powers for good, or bad, even if it was just for the day.
While we can't give you the ability to walk through walls or read minds, our Superpower Scholarship can help increase your brainpower with $2,500 to use towards education.
This award is for U.S. students. The applicant must be a legal U.S. resident, be a resident of one of the 50 United States or the District of Columbia. The applicant must also be 14 years of age or older at time of application.
The essay topic is "Which superhero or villain would you want to change places with for a day and why?" (250 words or less).
Deadline: April 30
Award Amount: $1,000
This scholarship is sponsored by Digital Responsibility. The purpose of this scholarship is to help you understand the impact of e-waste and what can be done to reduce e-waste.
The applicant must be a high school freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior or a current or entering college or graduate school student of any level. Homeschooled students are also eligible. There is no age limit. The applicant must also be a U.S. citizen or legal resident.
Deadline: April 15
Award Amount: $10,000
The Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes, a program of the nonprofit organization Young Heroes Project, celebrates inspiring, public-spirited young people from diverse backgrounds all across North America. Established in 2001 by author T.A. Barron, the Barron Prize annually honors 25 outstanding young leaders ages 8 to 18 who have made a significant positive impact on people, their communities, and the environment.
The Barron Prize welcomes applications from public-spirited young people who are, on our April 15 deadline:
1. Between the ages of 8 and 18 (not yet age 19).
2. Permanent residents of and currently residing in the U.S.A. or Canada.
3. Currently working on an inspiring service project or have done so within the past 12 months.
4. Working as an individual to lead their service work. The Barron Prize does not accept applications from large groups of young people.
The Barron Prize does not discriminate against its applicants based on race, color, ethnicity, national origin, creed, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or disability.
Deadline: May 1
Award Amount: Up to $100,000
The Paradigm Challenge is an ongoing competition that invites students aged 4 to 18 around the world to use kindness, creativity, and collaboration to help solve real-life problems and make a difference.
Students aged 4 to 18 (as of the date the entry is submitted) around the world are invited to enter The Paradigm Challenge individually or as teams of any size. Project Paradigm will select no less than 100 entries as Paradigm Challenge Finalists. Finalists will be selected throughout the current Challenge as entries are submitted. A blue-ribbon panel of judges will evaluate Finalist entries based on effectiveness, feasibility, originality, presentation, and collaboration to determine the First, Second, Third, and Grand Prize winners.
The Challenge is open only to individuals who: (a) will be aged 4 to 18 years old on the date that a timely entry is submitted; (b) have their parents’/legal guardians’ permission to participate in The Challenge; and (c) are NOT residents of Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan, Syria, the Crimea Region, or any other United States sanctioned country.
Deadline: June 13
Award Amount: Up to $1,500
The 11th annual Ocean Awareness Contest is a platform for young people to learn about environmental issues through art-making and creative communication, explore their relationship to a changing world, and become advocates for positive change.
This is an international Contest and is open to students ages 11-18 who are enrolled in middle school or high school (or the homeschool equivalent) worldwide. Proof of age, identity, or eligibility may be required. Students who have started college or university are not eligible to participate in the Contest. Students ages 11-14 may enter the Junior Division. Students ages 15-18 may enter the Senior Division. Please enter the age division based on your age at the time of entry. Participants under the age of 13 must have a parent or legal guardian complete a Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) Parent/Guardian Consent Form with their submission. Entries may be submitted by an individual or group of unlimited size.
Deadline: June 14
Award Amount: Up to $3,200
The Ethel Hayes Destigmatization of Mental Health Scholarship exists to support more open and honest dialogue about the millions of people who are struggling with mental health and those people who have loved ones who are struggling with mental health. The scholarship is open to all students who have had challenges with mental health or who have had loved ones who have struggled with mental health.
This scholarship is open to students at every level of education. They will be asked to write a short essay about how their journey with mental health has impacted their beliefs, relationships, and aspirations.
Deadline: June 30
Award Amount: $1,000
The purpose of this scholarship is to help people understand why they should be cautious about what they post on the Internet.
Applicants will be asked to complete an application form which includes a 140-character message about digital privacy. The finalists will be asked to write a full length 500- to 1,000-word essay about digital privacy.
The applicant must be a high school freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior or a current or entering college or graduate school student of any level. Home schooled students are also eligible. There is no age limit. The applicant must also be a U.S. citizen or legal resident.
Deadline: July 31 and December 31 Annually
Award Amount: $1,000
The Gen and Kelly Tanabe Scholarship is a merit-based program that helps students fulfill their dreams of higher education. The scholarship is named for Gen and Kelly Tanabe, best-selling authors on education, whose generous donations fund this program.
Winners are chosen by committee, which bases its decision primarily on the submitted personal statement.
The scholarship is open to 9th-12th grade high school, college, or graduate students including home-schooled students and adult learners. The student may be studying abroad, but must be a legal resident of the U.S.
Deadline: July 31 and December 31 Annually
Award Amount: Up to $30,000 for the National Winner
The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) is dedicated to promoting patriotism and investing in our future generation. If you are a democracy-loving high school student interested in a $30,000 college scholarship or a patriotic middle school student interested in winning $5,000, these scholarships may be for you.
The Voice of Democracy Program is open to students in grades 9-12 enrolled by the Oct. 31 deadline in public, private, parochial school, or home study program in the U.S., its territories or its possessions. Dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools are also eligible to participate.
Deadline: September 30
Award Amount: $1,000
The purpose of this scholarship is to help you understand the risks of texting while driving.
Applicants will be asked to complete an application form which includes a 140-character message about texting while driving. The finalists will be asked to write a full length 500- to 1,000-word essay about texting while driving.
The applicant must be a high school freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior or a current or entering college or graduate school student of any level. Home schooled students are also eligible. There is no age limit. The applicant must also be a U.S. citizen or legal resident.
Deadline: March 15
Award Amount: Varies
As one of the nation's largest need-based college scholarship programs, the Horatio Alger Scholarship Programs specifically assist high school students who have faced and overcome great obstacles in their young lives. While many programs are directed primarily to recognizing academic achievement or leadership potential, the Horatio Alger Association seeks students who have exhibited determination, integrity, and perseverance in overcoming adversity, as well as have critical financial need.
Several State Scholarships and National Scholarships are available to high school juniors planning to pursue a bachelor's degree program in the future. The only requirements are they should be enrolled full time as high school juniors, be a citizen of the United States, and demonstrate financial need. The minimum GPA requirements vary.
Deadline: March 24
Award Amount: Varies
Applying to college can seem daunting, and the prospect of paying for it can seem even more overwhelming. But it doesn’t have to be. The College Prep Scholars Program equips high-achieving high school juniors from low-income backgrounds with the knowledge, confidence, and resources to apply to top colleges.
Why apply as a junior? Being a College Prep Scholar is a notable distinction that shows our college partners that you are a competitive candidate for admission. In addition, your application will automatically carry over for the National College Match when you’re a senior, giving you a head start on applying for a full four-year scholarship to our college partners. College Prep Scholars are nearly five times more likely than other applicants to receive full four-year scholarships through the National College Match.
Any high school junior, regardless of citizenship, currently attending high school in the U.S. is eligible for the College Prep Scholars Program. Additionally, U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents living abroad are eligible for the program. International students living outside the U.S. are not eligible.
Applicants must be high school juniors who are planning to apply to college during the fall of their senior year.
There are additional academic and financial criteria found in detail here but these aren't strict cut-offs.
Online Resource for Younger Kids to Find and Apply for Scholarships
Remember that scholarships are basically free money for college. Try getting as many of these scholarships for younger kids as you can. The earlier you start, the more opportunities you have to get scholarship cash awards. Most if not all of these scholarships that we listed above are available annually so if the deadline has expired, they reopen the following year.
If you're a high school junior or senior applying for college, or even a younger kid trying to get a scholarship, our 5 Day Scholarship Accelerator can help you both with how to apply for scholarships and how to find more scholarships to apply to. For students applying for college, our 5 Day Scholarship Accelerator also helps students create a resume, create requests for letters of recommendation, get copies of their transcripts, and write compelling essays. Make college and scholarship applications easier for just 5 days with advice from the expert on college scholarships.
About the Author
Christen is the founder of Hive Education. She is passionate about helping families navigate the college application and admissions processes. She helps students set goals to work towards their own debt-free degrees with her personalized scholarship searches, scholarship courses, and by sharing her scholarship strategies that won her over $900,000 in for her own college education. With four years of experience in higher education, two years working with teens in inner city high schools in New Orleans, and starting her first college consulting company during a pandemic in 2020 she strives to make college accessible for everyone, especially for first generation, low income, and minority students. In her spare time she loves to share her love for books with her daughters. You can find her on Facebook.
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