Top 5 scholarships for college sophomores overall
We went through every scholarship for college sophomores and hand-selected the opportunities below based on three criteria:
- The scholarship is from a well-known organization that has been offering the opportunity for several years
- The award amount is substantial
- The eligibility information is not too narrow, so many students can apply
Here are our picks for the overall top 5 scholarships for current college sophomores:
- Collegiate Inventors Competition – For college students who submit an original invention. Worth up to $10,000
- Generation Google Scholarship – For HS seniors, college, and grad students who plan to study computer science or engineering. Worth $10,000. Preference given to women and ethnic minorities
- Ayn Rand Institute Novel Essay Contest (Atlas Shrugged) – For students who submit an essay about the novel Atlas Shrugged. Worth $25,000
- Stokes Scholarship Programs – For students pursuing fields relevant to work in the CIA. Worth $25,000
- Create-A-Greeting-Card Scholarship Contest – For high school and college students who submit a greeting card of their own creation. Worth $10,000
Top 3 scholarships for Black college sophomores
- Regions Riding Forward Scholarship Contest – For Black high school seniors or college students, worth $8,000
- Scholar Dollars Essay Scholarship for Black Students – For Black high school upperclassmen, college students, and graduate students. Worth $500
- Generation Google Scholarship – For HS seniors, college, and grad students who plan to study computer science or engineering. Worth $10,000. Preference given to women and ethnic minorities
Top 3 scholarships for Hispanic college sophomores
- La Unidad Latina Foundation National Scholarship – For Latino/Hispanic undergrads with a minimum 2.8 GPA. Worth $1,000
- El Cafe Del Futuro Scholarship – For undergraduate and graduate students attending Hispanic-Serving Institutions in the US. Worth $5,000
- Generation Google Scholarship – For HS seniors, college, and grad students who plan to study computer science or engineering. Worth $10,000. Preference given to women and ethnic minorities
How to win scholarships for college sophomores
Now that you’ve got a list of opportunities to apply for, let’s get into how to make your applications successful. With so many applications coming in for each opportunity, it’s important to stand out from the crowd.
Essays are a great way to let your unique qualities shine through in your application. To make sure you’re writing the most effective essay you can, try out our “Show, Don’t Tell” essay primer. After that, check out our guides for 250 and 500 word essays. We also have a guide to writing about yourself, a skill that many students struggle with. And to help you get that first word on the page, check out our guide on how to start a scholarship essay, which includes examples to help inspire you!
Also see: How to win local scholarships
Tips for college sophomores
Put your coursework first
One of the highest priorities for any sophomore in college is keeping their grades up. Remember, you are in a unique position to be learning from knowledgeable professors, and you are surrounded by talented peers.
Make sure you are taking advantage of this by going to class, trying your best on your coursework, and taking advantage of additional academic opportunities. If your teachers offer office hours or tutoring, these are great resources to gain a better understanding of your material and can even lead to research or teaching assistant jobs.
Start considering grad school
Sophomore year is still early, but it’s a good time to start considering whether you may want to go to grad school. Try visiting your school’s career offices and talking to upperclassmen in your field to see whether it might be a good fit for you. If you already have your eyes set on grad school, do some research to find out what courses are necessary for your desired program and make sure you are taking them.
Consider a part-time job in your field and/or summer programs and internships
One of the best ways to complement your college education is through first-hand work experience. This can come from part-time jobs during the school year, full-time internships in the summers, and/or summer programs.
Check out our guide on finding an internship and how to get a job in college as a first step. You can also contact your school’s career offices or talk to people in your department to see whether your school offers any internships or opportunities.
Frequently asked questions about scholarships for college sophomores
Can you apply to scholarships once you’re already in college?
Yes, you can! All of the scholarships above are open to applicants who are currently in college. Whether you are applying for funding for your remaining years of undergrad or to stock up a fund for grad school, there are opportunities out there for you.
Will applying to scholarships in college affect my financial aid?
The answer to this question varies on a case-by-case basis and depends heavily on the policies at your school. If you already receive need-based aid, it’s a good idea to reach out to your financial aid office before applying to any scholarships. Ask them how these scholarships might impact your financial aid.
Some schools will end up reducing your financial aid by the amount that you won in scholarships. If this is the case, you’re better off spending your time working a job than applying for scholarships, as they will not end up helping you in the long-run. However, many schools will accommodate scholarships without reducing need-based aid, or only reducing it by a fraction of the scholarship earned.
Besides scholarships, how else can I finance my education?
While scholarships are a great source of educational funding, they are not the only option out there. You can also seek out government grants; just by filling out the FAFSA, you will be able to see whether you are eligible for the Pell Grant. Aside from grants, you can take out student loans, apply for work-study, or find another job on campus.
Explore these other scholarship categories
- Top scholarships for college students
- Top scholarships for women
- Easy scholarships to apply for
- Top writing and essay scholarships
- Top scholarships for Black students
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