Middle School students 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 middle school. 

MyImpact Challenge
Sponsor: Bill of Rights Institute
Amount: Up to $10,000
Closing Date: May 19, 2024
Description: Contest is open to students in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, American Armed Forces schools abroad, and students in U.S. territories who are in middle or high school and between the ages of 13-19. Student must submit a project report, an essay on how their project aligns with Civic Virtues, and photo/video documentation. This is the due date for most states. Students in Arizona and Missouri should have submitted their project by March 31, 2024 to be eligible.

$500 Easy Scholarship – Uncensored: Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month
Sponsor: DoSomething
Amount: $500
Closing Date: May 31, 2024
Description: Scholarship is open to students between the ages of 13 and 25 years of age who live in the U.S. (or are a U.S. citizen, but living abroad). Book bans have reached an all-time high! In 2023 alone, more than 4,000 unique titles were challenged in public libraries and school libraries, the most PEN America has recorded since they started tracking these bans. Read a book from DoSomething’s Uncensored: Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month booklist and share your personal reflections about the importance of the story and how you’ll advocate for culturally representative stories in your school. You’ll be eligible for the opportunity to earn a $500 scholarship.

$1,000 Easy Scholarship: Be An Advocate For STEM Education Funding
Sponsor: DoSomething
Amount: $1,000
Closing Date: May 31, 2024
Description: We know there are real equity gaps in STEM especially for marginalized students who don’t see themselves reflected in STEM professions and underresourced schools that don’t have funding to keep pace with how quickly the field is evolving. Take action by sending a letter to your state representative and urge them to invest in STEM education and programs!

$2,500 Easy Scholarship: Certified Bestie
Sponsor: DoSomething
Amount: $2,500
Closing Date: May 31, 2024
Description: Mental Health is a topic that can feel difficult to discuss. Only 46% of young people say they are comfortable talking to their friends about their mental health and less than one in five do so regularly. However, if you’re feeling the weight of the world on your shoulders, your friends may be experiencing it, too. Become a Certified Bestie by completing one (or both) of the free and easy Wellness Education Lab online training courses, and submit your certification(s) for the opportunity to earn a $2,500 scholarship.

$2,500 Easy Scholarship: Science Go Seek
Sponsor: DoSomething
Amount: $2,500
Closing Date: May 31, 2024
Description: Despite growth in STEM jobs outpacing other fields, young people, especially those without a college degree, are more likely to believe that STEM is not useful for their careers. Choose something that interests you and find a way that science, technology, engineering, or math explain how it works. You’ll then share this in a 60-90 second video. Once you’ve uploaded your video, you’ll be entered for the opportunity to earn a $2,500 scholarship!

Anthem Essay Contest
Sponsor: Ayn Rand Institute
Amount: Up to $2,000
Closing Date: May 31, 2024
Description: Contest is open to students in grades 8 through 12. Applicant must submit an essay on a given topic related to Ayn Rand’s “Anthem.” There is no citizenship requirements to apply.

Breakfast Battle Scholarship
Sponsor: CollegExpress
Amount: $1,500
Closing Date: May 31, 2024
Description: Contest is open to students 13+ who are legal residents of the United States. Applicant must answer the following prompt in just one sentence: “Which do you prefer, pancakes or waffles?”

Fifth Month Scholarship
Sponsor: Unigo
Amount: $1,500
Closing Date: May 31, 2024
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.”

Fourth Circuit Essay Contest
Sponsor: United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
Amount: Up to $2,000
Closing Date: May 31, 2024
Description: Contest is open to current students in grades 6 through 12 from Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia. Applicant must submit an essay on the following prompt: “Has the decision in Brown, viewed through the lens of 2024, achieved its purpose of ensuring equal opportunity in public education?”

Model A Youth Restoration Award
Sponsor: Model A Ford Club of America, Inc.
Amount: Up to $2,000
Closing Date: May 31, 2024
Description: Award is open to individuals between 12 and 22 years of age who own or possess a Model A or AA Ford and are restoring his or her Model A.

Ocean Awareness Student Contest
Sponsor: From the Bow Seat
Amount: Up to $1,500
Closing Date: June 10, 2024
Description: Contest is open to middle and high school students from around the world between the ages of 11 and 18 years of age. Applicant must focus on this year theme of “Tell Your Climate Story” and submit a piece of art, poetry, prose, film or music on this year’s theme.

Communication Contest for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (CCDHH)
Sponsor: Optimist International
Amount: $2,500
Closing Date: June 15, 2024
Description: Contest is open to young people through grade 12 in the United States and Canada, to CEGEP in Quebec and grade 13 in the Caribbean, who are educated in the United States, Canada or the Caribbean. Applicant must be deaf or hard of hearing. Closing date is the national closing date. Applicant should contact local Optimist Club for specific date.

Breakthrough Junior Challenge
Sponsor: Breakthrough Prize Foundation
Amount: Up to $250,000
Closing Date: June 25, 2024
Description: Competition is open to students between the ages of 13 and 18 years of age. Applicant must explain a big scientific idea in physics, life sciences or mathematics with a short video two minutes maximum).

Young Filmmakers Contest
Sponsor: One Earth Film Festival
Amount: Up to $1,000
Closing Date: June 25, 2024
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.

Flavor of the Month Scholarship
Sponsor: Unigo
Amount: $1,500
Closing Date: July 31, 2024
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 plan to enroll in an accredited post-secondary institution of higher education in the future. Applicant will need to submit a short response to a given prompt.

Girls Impact the World Film Festival Scholarship
Sponsor: Connecther
Amount: Up to $5,000
Closing Date: October 1, 2024
Description: Scholarship is open to middle school and high school students, as well as college undergraduates who are under the age of 25. Applicant must submit a 3-6 minute short film that raises awareness about critical issues affecting women and girls around the world OR propose solutions to critical challenges faced by women.

Apprentice Ecologist Initiative Youth Scholarship Program
Sponsor: Nicodemus Wilderness Project
Amount: Varies
Closing Date: December 31, 2024
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 in 2024.