College has gotten expensive—you know that, I know that, and even my dog knows it! With costs rising every year, scholarships are becoming more important than ever, and you can no longer wait until after applying to all of our colleges to start looking for scholarships.
Just like everything else in the college application process, you have to start early. Did you know that there are some scholarship apps that are due before you even finish your junior year of high school? Did you know that at many colleges, you have to apply by an earlier deadline to be eligible for merit scholarships? What about microscholarships? Understanding the different types of funding available can significantly help in securing scholarships for high school juniors.
There is so much more to scholarships than most people know, and in this post, we are going to cover what you can be doing junior year to get started on your scholarship application plan!
Finding Scholarships for High School Juniors
There are many ways to find scholarships for juniors in high school. One is to simply ask your high school counselor. Many local scholarship providers will send information about their opportunities to high school counselors to disseminate. Another, very popular option is to use a scholarship matching website.
These sites allow you to put in your personal information—location, activities, major of interest, family income, etc—and it matches you with scholarships you may be eligible for based on that information. Some of the most popular sites to use for this are GoingMerry, Scholarships.com, Bold.org, and FastWeb.
Scholarships for High School Juniors with Early Deadlines
Some of the most prestigious (and largest) scholarships have much earlier deadlines since their application processes take more time to complete. Some of the most well-known scholarships for high school juniors that fall into this category are:
- Coolidge Scholarship. Due in December of junior year; covers room, board, and expenses for 4 years at any US university
- VFW Youth Scholarships. Due October 31 any year of high school; win up to $35,000 to use at any US university
- Coca Cola Scholars Program. Due October of senior year; win one of 125 $20,000 scholarships
- Gates Scholarship. Due September of senior year; covers full cost of college not already covered by other aid
Also check out the lists here and here for more scholarships due sooner than later!
Microscholarships for High School Juniors
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 early junior 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. Just 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 program, 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?
Priority Deadlines for College Merit Scholarships
Many colleges have scholarships that you can automatically earn based on your GPA and test scores (if applying with them). The catch is that many colleges require that you apply by a certain date to be considered for these scholarships and it is not always obvious. If a school has an early action deadline, it often aligns with that.
Other schools, like the University of Houston, have other priority deadlines for merit scholarships. While UofH does not have early action, they do require that you apply by November 1st for priority consideration for scholarships. As you are creating your college list and planning out your submission dates, be sure to check if the school has a priority deadline for you to meet so that you do not miss out on money!
Conclusion
Scholarship applications are not just for seniors. There are plenty of options for you right now and some great options you might miss if you do not act now. Plus, since not everyone is aware of these early scholarships, you might even have less competition! Starting early will give you the best chance at a significant payout.
We at HelloCollege recommend starting early on all aspects of your college process. Let our team of expert counselors, tutors, and essay coaches guide you through this wild and crazy ride. To learn more, set up a consultation with one of our advisors today.
