With the cost of college rising annually and recent changes to the FAFSA decreasing the number of families that qualify for need-based aid, scholarships are becoming more important to college planning than ever before. At HelloCollege, we encourage starting early on many parts of the college research and application processes (testing, essays, etc.) to reduce stress down the road. So why not do the same with scholarships? Scholarships for high school sophomores can play a crucial role in this early preparation.
Why wait until your extremely busy junior or senior year to embark on a process that is quite time-consuming? Starting early gives you more time to find scholarships that fit your interests, avoids deadlines piling up later, and even builds confidence along the way. Scholarships for high school sophomores can be a great way to get started.
Yes, the majority of scholarships are typically for high school seniors, but there are plenty of scholarships for high school sophomores. You just have to know where to look!
Traditional Scholarships for High School Sophomores
When I say traditional scholarships, I mean those that have been around for generations where you complete an application, write an essay, hit submit, and cross your fingers. While most are not specifically targeted to high school sophomores, they are open to all high school students, sophomores included.
The best way to find scholarships for high school sophomores is to set up an account on a scholarship database website. These sites have you create a profile and will match you with scholarships you may be eligible for taking some of the search time out of the equation for you.
While there are many excellent database sites, some are better than others for finding the scholarships available to underclassmen. Two of the best in my opinion are Bold.org and Scholarships360.org. Because they are non-profit organizations, they have less spam and both clearly identify what grade levels are eligible for for each scholarship.
There are scholarships for everything, like Sunday Night Football fans, artists who are also social activists, or even people who love everything zombie apocalypse. This means you do not have to have been in every club and every sport your school offers. Participate in what you love and then find a scholarship for it!
When applying for scholarships, here are a few things to remember:
- No scholarship is too small. Multiple $500 awards can add up to major college savings.
- Don’t shy away from effort. Scholarships that require essays or extra materials often have fewer applicants—your chances may be better!
- Stay safe. If a scholarship asks for overly personal info like your Social Security number or requires payment to apply, it’s likely a scam. Always double-check the source.
Additional Scholarships for High School Sophomores
Here are a few other standout scholarships for high school sophomores:
Doodle for Google
Open to K–12 students, this creative competition asks you to design a Google Doodle based on an annual theme. Winners receive up to $30,000 in scholarship money and a tech package for their school.
VFW Voice of Democracy Essay Contest
High school students in grades 9–12 can compete by submitting a 3–5 minute audio essay on a patriotic theme. National winners can earn scholarships worth up to $35,000.
Ocean Awareness Contest (Bow Seat)
Students aged 11–18 are invited to submit artwork, poetry, film, or creative writing focused on ocean conservation or climate change. Prizes range up to $1,500.
Technology Addiction Awareness Scholarship
Students aged 13 and older can apply by writing a short essay about the impact of technology addiction. The award is $1,000, and the application is quick and simple.
YoungArts Competition
Open to students ages 15–18, this prestigious competition recognizes excellence in visual arts, writing, music, and more—with awards up to $10,000 and opportunities for national recognition.
The New World of Microscholarships
How would you like to earn a scholarship as a sophomore for just doing what you are already doing, like getting an A in math or playing on the varsity soccer team? That is totally a thing now!
Microscholarships award you for doing the things that will help you get into college down the road. As the name suggests, these are small scholarships (like $120 for an A in Algebra), but if you start early, like sophomore year, the microscholarships you earn could add up to a significant amount when it comes time to head off to college.
The most popular microscholarship site is RaiseMe. You simply create an account and start adding in your accomplishments. The only catch is that this money is only good at RaiseMe partner colleges, but there are lots of great colleges connected with RaiseMe, like Northeastern, the University of Iowa, Georgia Tech, and more!
Another similar option is through BigFuture, the College Board’s College planning program. Through this one, you do the steps of the college planning process, like taking a career quiz or building a college list, and get entered into monthly drawings for scholarships. The more you do, the more entries you get.
You are likely going to do all of these things anyway, so why not potentially get paid for them?
Conclusion
While we often think of scholarships as a “senior year thing,” if you really dive in, you’ll find numerous opportunities specifically for high school sophomores. From traditional merit-based scholarships to smaller, stackable microscholarships, there are real chances to start earning money for college early on. Taking advantage of these opportunities now—while your schedule may be more flexible—can ease the financial and time pressures that tend to pile up later. Trust us: your busy junior and senior self will thank you.
We at HelloCollege recommend starting early on all aspects of the college process—whether it’s researching schools, preparing for standardized tests, or crafting compelling application essays. Our experienced team of counselors, tutors, and essay coaches is here to guide you every step of the way. Set up a free consultation with one of our advisors today and let us help you build a plan with confidence.
