College Scholarships for High School Sophomores: There are numerous scholarships available for college students and just a few for high school sophomores. I believe you must have at some point asked if there are scholarships for high school sophomores. Today, I will be sharing with you, the top 6 scholarships for high school sophomores.
6 Scholarships for High School Sophomores
1. Profile in Courage Essay Contest
The John F. Kennedy book Profiles in Courage, which profiled eight U.S. senators who put the country’s interests before their own, serves as the inspiration for the Profile in Courage essay high school sophomore competition. Students are required to conduct research and write an essay about a U.S. public politician who served in or after 1917 (Kennedy’s birth year) and emulated the political bravery of those senators. Articles about John F Kennedy, Robert F Kennedy, or Edward M Kennedy cannot be written. Rewards comprise $10,000 for first place, $3,000 for second place, $1,000 for each of the 5 finalists and $100 for each of the 8 semi-finalists.
- Amount: $10,000
- Deadline: January 15
- Eligibility: Grades 9-12
- Application Requirements: 700- to 1,000-word essay with five listed sources
2. Cancer Unwrapped Teen Writing Contest
Sadly, cancer affects a lot of high school students either directly or indirectly through a loved one. You must tell your cancer story in order to win this prize. All kinds of stories, from triumph to adversity to defeat, have previously been victorious, but they all share the trait of being intimate, sincere, and passionate.
- Amount: $1,000
- Deadline: March 14
- Eligibility: Grades 9-12
- Application Requirements: 500- to 1,000-word essay
3. Ayn Rand “Anthem” Essay Contest
This essay high school sophomore competition, supported by the Ayn Rand Institute, asks young readers to write an essay about Anthem, Ayn Rand’s dystopian novella concerning individualism vs. collectivism. Three themes are provided to students, and they can choose one of three awards:
- Amount: $2,000
- Deadline: April 29
- Eligibility: Grades 8-12
- Application Requirements: 600- to 1,200-word essay
4. Centene Institute Youth Impact Award: Vaping Prevention
Students interested in all facets of video production are best suited for this high school sophomore competition. Entrants must create an original concept, film, and edit a 30- to 60-second video that educates peers on the dangers of vaping and e-cigarettes in order to be considered for this prize. Participants may enter as a team; in this case, the prize money is split equally among the members of the winning team.
- Amount: $5,000
- Deadline: April 16
- Eligibility: Ages 14 to 19
- Application Requirements: 30- to 60-second video message intended to spread awareness and educate people about e-cigarettes and vaping.
5. Sphinx Competition (Junior Division)
Young Black and Latinx string musicians in four categories—violin, viola, cello, and double bass—have the chance to play with a professional orchestra, give concerts, and be featured on a nationally syndicated radio show through the Sphinx Competition, which offers more than just a cash prize. The qualifications for the high school sophomore repertoire vary by category. Rewards comprise:
First-place honours include a $10,000 cash award, solo concerts with prominent orchestras, participation in the Honors Concert with the Sphinx Honors Orchestra, and a national radio appearance on From the Top.
Second-place honours include a $5,000 cash reward and a performance by the Sphinx Honors Orchestra.
Performance with the Sphinx Honors Orchestra and a $3,000 cash prize for third place.
- Amount: $10,000
- Deadline: October 20
- Eligibility: Ages 17 and under who identify as Black or Latinx
- Application Requirements: Video audition, current biography, repertoire list, and a high-resolution headshot
6. Leaders Save Lives Scholarship Program
By organizing a blood drive, applicants are eligible for this amazing high school sophomore scholarship, which also looks great as an extracurricular activity. Scholarship amounts are based on how much blood is collected, and they are linked to the success of your event.
- 25-59 pints: $1,000 (6 winners)
- 60-99 pints: $1,500 (2 winners)
- 100+ pints: $2,500 (2 winners)
Additional rewards include gift cards connected to the amount of blood donated at the event for event coordinators who raise more than 25 pints of blood at their functions.
- Amount: $1,000 to $2,500
- Deadline: May 31
- Eligibility: Grades 9 and up
- Application Requirements: Host a blood drive and collect at least 25 pints
FAQ
It’s never too early to begin looking for and submitting scholarship applications for college. You can start applying for financial aid in the form of scholarships as early as your sophomore year of high school by entering essay, video, and other scholarship contests.
Federal Student Aid advises students to begin their scholarship hunt the summer following their junior year of high school. Even before that, if you have the time and the motivation, you should begin. Every scholarship has a unique set of guidelines and submission dates.
If you’re still in high school, you should start looking into and applying for sophomore scholarships during the summer between your junior and senior years because some deadlines are as early as a year before the start of college.