Elementary school children may not know where they want to go to college or what they want to study, but thinking about paying for college can be intimidating for their parents. Below are scholarships and contests for students in elementary school.

Junior Duck Stamp Contest
Sponsor: United States Fish & Wildlife Service
Amount: Up to $1,000
Closing Date: February 1, 2026
Description: Contest is open to students in grades K-12 who attend public, private, or home schools in the United States and the U.S. territories. Contestant must draw, paint, or sketch a picture of an eligible North American waterfowl species. Deadline for Maryland only. All other states have a later deadline.

ExploraVision Science Competition
Sponsor: Toshiba/NSTA
Amount: Up to $10,000
Closing Date: February 3, 2026
Description: Competition is open to students in grades K through 12. Students must work in groups of 2-4 and select a technology that is present in the home, school, and/or community and explore what the technology does, how it works, and how or why it was invented.

First Catholic Slovak Ladies Association Annual Scholarship Program
Sponsor: First Catholic Slovak Ladies Association (FCSLA)
Amount: Varies
Closing Date: February 10, 2026
Description: Scholarship is open to members in good standing with the Association for at least three years prior to date of application. Applicant must also have a policy with the organization in his or her own name. Scholarships are open to students in grades 1-12, as well as college and graduate students. Award must be used towards tuition for the upcoming academic year.

Junior Duck Stamp Contest
Sponsor: United States Fish & Wildlife Service
Amount: Up to $1,000
Closing Date: February 15, 2025
Description: Contest is open to students in grades K-12 who attend public, private, or home schools in the United States and the U.S. territories. Contestant must draw, paint, or sketch a picture of an eligible North American waterfowl species. Deadline only for Massachusetts, Oklahoma, and Oregon. Deadline for Maryland has already passed, but all other states have later deadlines – see website for details.

Junior Duck Stamp Contest
Sponsor: United States Fish & Wildlife Service
Amount: Up to $1,000
Closing Date: March 1, 2026
Description: Contest is open to students in grades K-12 who attend public, private, or home schools in the United States and the U.S. territories. Contestant must draw, paint, or sketch a picture of an eligible North American waterfowl species. Deadline only for Idaho, Maine, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, Ohio, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wyoming. Deadlines have already passed for Maryland, Massachusetts, Oklahoma, and Oregon, but all other states have a later deadline – see website for details.

Junior Duck Stamp Contest
Sponsor: United States Fish & Wildlife Service
Amount: Up to $1,000
Closing Date: March 15, 2026
Description: Contest is open to students in grades K-12 who attend public, private, or home schools in the United States and the U.S. territories. Contestant must draw, paint, or sketch a picture of an eligible North American waterfowl species. Unfortunately deadlines for Idaho, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, Wyoming.