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.

Youth Art Contest
Sponsor: Debbie’s Dream Foundation: Curing Stomach Cancer
Amount: UP to $200
Closing Date: October 28, 2022
Description: Contest is open to students 18 years of age or younger who are directly or indirectly affected by cancer. Applicant must submit an original piece of artwork or photo.

George Montgomery/NRA Youth Wildlife Art Contest
Sponsor: National Rifle Association of America (NRA)
Amount: Up to $1,000
Closing Date: October 31, 2022
Description: Contest is open to students in grades 1-12, including home-schooled students. Student must submit a piece of art on a given topic related to North American game birds or animals that may be legally hunted or trapped.

Patriot’s Pen Competition
Sponsor: Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States
Amount: Up to $5,000
Closing Date: October 31, 2022
Description: Competition is open to students in grades 6-8 in the United States, its territories and its possessions. Applicant must submit an essay on the following theme: “My Pledge to Our Veterans.”

Zombie Apocalypse Scholarship
Sponsor: Unigo
Amount: $2,000
Closing Date: October 31, 2022
Description: Scholarship is open to students 13 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 no later than the fall of 2027) in an accredited post-secondary institution of higher education. Applicant will need to submit a short response to a given prompt.

Congressional App Challenge
Sponsor: Internet Education Foundation
Amount: Varies
Closing Date: November 1, 2022
Description: Challenge is open to U.S. students in middle school or high school who live in a Congressional district that is participating (check website for details). Applicant must create any type of app they like on any platform they like.

Save the Frogs! Art Contest
Sponsor: Save the Frogs!
Amount: $100
Closing Date: November 1, 2022
Description: Contest is open to anyone, regardless of age, with a talent for art. Applicant must submit a cool frog piece of art.

Prudential Spirit of Community Award
Sponsor: Prudential Financial, Inc.
Amount: Up to $5,000
Closing Date: November 3, 2022
Description: Award is open to all young people in grades 5-12 who live in the 50 United States and Washington, D.C., and have conducted a volunteer service activity within the past year.

Maryknoll Student Essay Contest
Sponsor: Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers
Amount: Up to $1,000
Closing Date: November 14, 2022
Description: Contest is open to students enrolled in grades 6-12 who are residents of one of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia, or a province of Canada (except Quebec). Applicant must submit an essay on the topic: “What is your dream for a better community and world?”

Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award
Sponsor: From the Top
Amount: Up to $10,000
Closing Date: November 15, 2022
Description: Award is open to classical instrumentalists, vocalists, and composers between the ages of 8 and 18 who have not yet entered college during the 2022-2023 academic year. This is the deadline for high school seniors. Younger students may still apply. Deadline III is April 15, 2023.

Education Matters Scholarship
Sponsor: Unigo
Amount: $5,000
Closing Date: November 30, 2022
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 and are currently enrolled (or will enroll in the future) in an accredited post-secondary institution of higher education. Applicant will need to submit a short response to a given prompt.

Rubincam Youth Award
Sponsor: National Genealogical Society
Amount: $500
Closing Date: December 15, 2022
Description: Award is open to students in grades 7 through 12. Applicants must submit a genealogical project.

Carson Scholars
Sponsor: Carson Scholars Fund
Amount: $1,000
Closing Date: December 16, 2022
Description: Scholars program is open to students in grades 4-11 who excel academically and are dedicated to serving their communities. Applications must be requested by school officials. Applicant must have at least a 3.75 GPA.

Apprentice Ecologist Initiative Youth Scholarship Program
Sponsor: Nicodemus Wilderness Project
Amount: Varies
Closing Date: December 31, 2022
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 2022.

NRA Civil Rights Defense Fund Essay Contest
Sponsor: NRA Civil Rights Defense Fund
Amount: Up to $1,000
Closing Date: December 31, 2022
Description: Contest is open to all students enrolled, or who will be enrolled, in an elementary, junior high or high school during the 2021-2022 academic year, including homeschooled students in an equivalent grade level. Applicant must submit an essay on the theme, “What Does the Second Amendment Mean to You?”

Poetry Card Contest
Sponsor: Blue Mountain Arts
Amount: Up to $350
Closing Date: December 31, 2022
Description: Contestant must submit an original poem.

Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award
Sponsor: From the Top
Amount: Up to $10,000
Closing Date: April 15, 2023
Description: Award is open to classical instrumentalists, vocalists, and composers between the ages of 8 through high school juniors.

Shout It Out Scholarship
Sponsor: Unigo
Amount: $1,500
Closing Date: September 30, 2023
Description: Scholarship is open to students 13 years of age or older who are legal residents of the 50 United States or the District of Columbia and are currently enrolled (or will 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.