High school sophomores are thinking about college. They may not know where they want to attend or what they want to study, but they know they are going to college. But, how will they pay for it? Here are scholarships open to high school sophomores.

Access College Early (ACE) Scholarship Program
Sponsor: Nebraska’s Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education
Amount: Varies
Closing Date: May 15, 2026
Description: Scholarship program is open to low-income high school students to enroll in college courses from Nebraska college or universities, either through dual-enrollment or early enrollment agreements with the institutions. Deadline is for Summer term classes.

Innovation in Education Scholarship
Sponsor: LaTutors
Amount: $500.00
Closing Date: May 20, 2026
Description: Scholarship is open to students currently enrolled in high school or college within the United States with at least 3.0 GPA. Applicant must be a citizen of, permanent resident, or hold a valid student visa in the United States or Canada. Applicant must have designed an innovative project that makes a difference in the lives of others and submit an essay describing the goal of the particular project and provide supporting documentation.

A Voice for Animals Contest
Sponsor: Humane Education Network
Amount: Up to $500
Closing Date: May 25, 2026
Description: Contest is open to students between the ages of 14 and 18 years of age. Applicant must submit an essay on a given topic related to animals.

Iowa Merit Awards for Dramatic Performance
Sponsor: Donna Reed Foundation for the Performing Arts
Amount: Up to $1,000
Closing Date: May 29, 2026
Description: Scholarship is open to Iowa high school students (grades 10-12) in good standing who are studying drama.

Catholic College Scholarship
Sponsor: Catholic College Info
Amount: $2,000.00
Closing Date: May 31, 2026
Description: Scholarship is open to students 13 years of age or older who plan on attending a Catholic college or university.

Fifth Month Scholarship
Sponsor: Unigo
Amount: $1,500.00
Closing Date: May 31, 2026
Description: Scholarship is open to students 14 years of age or older who are legal residents of the 50 United States or the District of Columbia who are currently enrolled (or will enroll in the future) in an accredited post-secondary institution of higher education. Applicant must “write a letter to the number five explaining why five is important.”

Protestant Faith Based College Scholarship Drawing
Sponsor: FaithBasedCollege
Amount: $2,000.00
Closing Date: May 31, 2026
Description: Scholarship drawing is open to students 13 years of age or older who will request Faith Based college or university information, as well as those planning or considering attending a Faith Based college or university are eligible for the drawing.

Robert J. Trace Scholarship
Sponsor: The American Legion – Department of Pennsylvania
Amount: $500.00
Closing Date: May 31, 2026
Description: Scholarship is open to students 15 to 18 years of age who reside within the state of Pennsylvania. Applicant must be a child or grandchild of a Pennsylvania Legionnaire, decease Pennsylvania Legionnaire, or a child of a Pennsylvania soldier who was killed as a result of the war on terrorism.

Scholarship Detective Launch Scholarship
Sponsor: Scholarship Detective
Amount: $1,000.00
Closing Date: May 31, 2026
Description: Scholarship is open to current students who are permanent residents of the United States. Applicant must fill out a short online application and share in 140 characters or less how they will use the scholarship.

We The Future Contest
Sponsor: Constituting America
Amount: Varied based on class standing
Closing Date: May 31, 2026
Description: Contest is open to K-12 students, college students, law school students, graduate schools students, adults 25 years of age and older, and seniors 65 years of age and older. Contest is about the U.S. Constitution. Each age group has different requirements, so applicants should visit website for details.

$500 High School Sophomore Scholarship
Sponsor: Niche
Amount: $500.00
Closing Date: June 1, 2026
Description: Scholarship is open to legal residents of the United States or international students with valid visa who are high school sophomores in the Class of 2028.

Young Filmmakers Contest
Sponsor: One Earth Film Festival
Amount: Up to $1,000
Closing Date: June 25, 2026
Description: Contest is open to students in grades 3 through college (ages 8 and up) from the United States. Student must create a film on one of many given topics (climate, energy, food, transportation, waste, water, Wildlife and Ecosystems) related to the Earth.

Huntington’s College Scholarship Sweepstakes
Sponsor: Huntington Learning Center
Amount: $4,000.00
Closing Date: June 30, 2026
Description: Sweepstakes is open to high school students and their parents or guardians who are legal residents of the United States.

Gen and Kelly Tanabe Scholarship
Sponsor: Gen and Kelly Tanabe
Amount: $1,000.00
Closing Date: July 31, 2026
Description: Scholarship is open to students in grades 9-12, college, or graduate school students who are legal U.S. residents. Applicant must submit an essay answering why they deserve the scholarship or their academic or career goals.

Apprentice Ecologist Initiative Youth Scholarship Program
Sponsor: Nicodemus Wilderness Project
Amount: Varies
Closing Date: August 31, 2026
Description: Scholarships are open to students between the ages of 13 and 21 who are candidates for a degree/diploma at a primary (middle school), secondary (high school), or accredited post-secondary educational institution from any country around the world. Applicant must conduct their own environmental stewardship project.

Tommy Tranchin Award
Sponsor: The Dallas Foundation
Amount: Up to $3,000
Closing Date: December 31, 2026
Description: Award is open to North Texas students in grades 8-12 who have a physical, emotional, or intellectual disability.