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Top 12 Scholarships for Middle School Students in May 2022
One of the most common questions we get from students and parents is “are there any scholarships for middle school students?”
After all, some students want to start their scholarship search as early as possible and fear that all of the great scholarships are for high school students.
There is some truth to this as the majority of scholarships are for high school, college, and graduate students. However, we have found a number of great scholarships that are open to more students, including middle school students in 6th, 7th, and 8th grade.
Jump ahead to:
- Top Middle School Scholarships in 2022
- Frequently asked questions
- Upcoming scholarships
- Explore these other scholarship categories
Keep on reading to learn more about some of the scholarships that middle school students may be eligible for. If you are looking for more scholarships and advice, you can join the Scholarships360 newsletter for free!
Top Middle School Scholarships in 2022
$2,000 “No Essay” College Scholarship – No Essay
- Eligibility: High school and college students
- Amount: $2,000
- Deadline: May 31, 2022
“Be Bold” No-Essay Scholarship
- Eligibility: Open to all high school students, college students, community college students, and graduate students.
- Amount: $25,000
- Deadline: May 31, 2022
Jack Kent Cooke Young Scholars Program
- Eligibility: This scholarship program is for high-achieving 7th graders with demonstrated financial need.
- Amount: Varies
- Deadline: May 9, 2022
Ocean Awareness Contest
- Eligibility: Students ages 11 to 18 who create a work of art in their chosen genre, including visual art, film, music, poetry, prose, and interactive and multimedia
- Amount: Scholarships worth from $100 to $1,500
- Deadline: June 13, 2022
Breakthrough Junior Challenge Scholarship
- Eligibility: Students ages 13 to 18 who create a physics, life sciences, or mathematics video project
- Amount: $250,000
- Deadline: June 25, 2022
Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award
- Eligibility: Full-time students between the ages of 8–18
- Amount: $10,000
- Deadline: September 1, 2022, November 15 , 2022, February 1, 2023, April 15, 2023
*High school seniors must apply by Nov. 15, 2022.
Patriot’s Pen Essay Contest
- Eligibility: High school students in grades 6-8
- Amount: $500 to $5,000
- Deadline: October 31, 2022
Rubincam Youth Award
- Eligibility: Middle school students in grades 6–8 at the time of submission
- Amount: $250 cash prize, a plaque, and a one-year NGS membership (non-print)
- Deadline: December 15th of each year
Apprentice Ecologist Initiative Youth Scholarship Program
- Eligibility: Students ages 13 to 21 who conduct an environmental stewardship project and submit an essay about it
- Amount: $1,750
- Deadline: December 31, 2022
Scholastic Art & Writing Awards
- Eligibility: Students ages 13 and up in grades 7 through 12 are eligible for awards
- Amount: $500 to $10,000
- Deadline: Late December/early January 2023, but start creating now!
Young American Creative Patriotic Art Contest
- Eligibility: Any student in grades 9-12 in the United States
- Amount: Up to $31,000
- Deadline: March 31st of each year
Paradigm Challenge Scholarship
- Eligibility: Students aged 4 to 18 (as of May 1) around the world are invited to enter the Paradigm Challenge individually or as teams of any size
- Amount: Up to $100,000
- Deadline: May 1, 2023
Frequently asked questions about middle school scholarships
What is the youngest age you can qualify for scholarships?
You are never too young to qualify for scholarships! Scholarships are available for students of all ages, and some students even go to preschool on need-based scholarships and grants. Many private high schools and grade schools offer scholarships, and other organizations like the Children’s Scholarship Fund help pay for private education.
Although most college scholarships are available for students who are high school aged or above, there are some available for students of any age. For example, the Action for Nature EcoHero Award is meant for students aged 8 – 16.
Can 6th graders apply for scholarships?
6th graders can apply for any scholarships for which they meet the age requirement. Doodle for Google, Paradigm Challenge, and the Young Filmmakers Challenge are three great options open to students in 6th grade. While the majority of scholarships are meant for students who are high school age and above, there are also many scholarships that cater strictly to younger students.
It’s a smart move to apply to scholarships as early as middle school — most students don’t think to do this, and so these scholarships often don’t get as many applicants. Applying to lesser-known scholarships improves your chances at earning one.
Why should I apply to scholarships in middle school?
As a middle school student, it may seem like college is a long way off. Some people may think that applying for scholarship in middle school is unnecessary. However, it’s never too early to begin planning to finance your education. Applying for middle school scholarships can help you put money aside early on so you’re not scrambling later. It also gets you used to the application process and may bring more success in the future.
Scholarship applications are not the only part of college planning that you should start in middle school. Middle school parents should begin putting money aside for college. For most families, a 529 Savings Plan is a great way to grow your savings over time in preparation for college. It comes with unique tax breaks that help you get the biggest bang for your buck.
Related: How much to save for college
Are there scholarships for elementary school students?
There are many scholarships for elementary school students! If you are considering attending a private elementary school, you should check their website and reach out to an administrator to find out about scholarship opportunities. You can also check out external organizations such as the Children’s Scholarship Fund, which helps pay for young students’ education regardless of which school they choose.
Elementary school students can also begin applying for college scholarships. Many of these opportunities are listed on this page, such as the Engineer Girl Writing Contest and the Stephen J. Brady Stop Hunger Scholarships. Younger students will probably need some help from their parents, but applying for college scholarships early is a great way to get used to the application process and start saving money.
Do private high schools offer scholarships?
Many private high schools offer scholarships to students. These are typically a mix of need-based and merit-based aid. You can find private high school scholarships by investigating the website of a school that you’re considering. Another way of finding private high school scholarships is through external organizations.
Regional organizations such as Great Philly Schools in Philadelphia and HighSight in Chicago compile scholarship opportunities for private high schools and even offer their own. If you’re looking for private high school scholarships, try to find a similar resource in your locality.
Also see: How to win local scholarships
Upcoming scholarships
Action for Nature Eco-Hero Award
- Eligibility: Students from 8 to 16 years old
- Amount: $500
Doodle for Google Scholarship
- Eligibility: This scholarship is open to all students in grades kindergarten to Grade 12
- Amount: $5,000 to $30,000
Engineer Girl Writing Contest
- Eligibility: 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)
- Amount: $250 to $500
Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes
- Eligibility: U.S. or Canadian residents between 8 and 18 years of age who have worked on an “inspiring service project” within the past year
- Amount: $10,000
Kaplun Essay Contest
- Eligibility: Students who are in grades 7 through 12 who submit an essay about their Jewish faith
- Amount: $500 to $1,800
Prudential Spirit of Community Awards
- Eligibility: Student volunteers in grades 5-12 as of November 5 who are legal residents of the US
- Amount: $1,000 to $11,000
- Opens: September 2022
Scholastic Art & Writing Awards
- Eligibility: Students ages 13 and up in grades 7 through 12 are eligible for awards
- Amount: $500 to $10,000
Stephen J. Brady Stop Hunger Scholarships
- Eligibility: Applicants ages 5-25 who demonstrate an on-going commitment to their community by performing unpaid volunteer services impacting US hunger within the last 12 months
- Amount: $1,000 to $5,000 (and an additional $5,000 for charity of winners’ choice)
- Opens: October 2022
We the Students Essay Contest
- Eligibility: Students must be in grades 8 through 12
- Amount: $7,500
Young Filmmakers Contest
- Eligibility: Students in grades 3 up through age 25 who submit films of 3 to 8 minutes about our earth and sustainability
- Amount: $200 to $2,000
