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. 

BMI Student Composer Awards
Sponsor: BMI Foundation, Inc.
Amount: Up to $5,000
Closing Date: January 15, 2026
Description: Award is open to citizens of a country in the Western Hemisphere who is engaged in the study of music with a recognized and established teacher (other than a relative). Applicant must be 27 years of age or younger as of the submission deadline. Applicant must submit one composition.

C-SPAN’s StudentCam Documentary Competition
Sponsor: C-SPAN
Amount: Varies
Closing Date: January 20, 2026
Description: Competition is open to students in grades 6-12. Student must create a short documentary video on the following theme: “America’s 250th Anniversary” Exploring the American Story through the Declaration of Independence”

Appily Easy College Money Scholarship
Sponsor: Appily
Amount: $1,000.00
Closing Date: January 31, 2026
Description: Scholarship is open to students 13 years of age or older who will be attending college in the future. Applicant must create a Appily profile (if they don’t have one already), share about their extracurricular, leadership, and volunteer activities, and then search Appily for scholarships.

Travel Scholarship Contest
Sponsor: ACIS
Amount: Up to $2,500
Closing Date: January 31, 2026
Description: Travel scholarship is open to U.S. students aged 11-20 interested in educational travel. Scholarship will be in the form of a travel scholarship certificate (ACIS travel voucher for money off a 2026-2027 tour).

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.

Civics Challenge
Sponsor: Sandra Day O’Connor Institute for American Democracy
Amount: $500.00
Closing Date: February 27, 2026
Description: Challenge is open to U.S. students in middle school and high school. Applicant must submit a video, original song, or written essay on one of the following topics: 1. Justice Sandra Day O’Connor; 2. American 250: Which Founding Father inspires you the most and why?; 3. Legislative Branch; 4. Executive Branch; 5. Judicial Branch; 6. Citizenship; Rights & Responsibilities.

$250 Easy Scholarship: Ripple Effect
Sponsor: DoSomething
Amount: $250.00
Closing Date: March 31, 2026
Description: Most of the pollution impacting our waterways originates in our very own communities, due to improper trash disposal. And, 80% of our litter can actually be found on our coastlines. When trash isn’t disposed of correctly, it can be carried by rainwater into storm drains and eventually into rivers, lakes, and oceans, where it pollutes water, harms wildlife, and disrupts ecosystems. By creating and submitting your very own Ripple Effect PSA, you’ll become eligible for the opportunity to earn a $250 scholarship.

$500 Easy Scholarship: Street Sweep
Sponsor: DoSomething
Amount: $500.00
Closing Date: March 31, 2026
Description: When trash and pollutants, like plastic bags, food wrappers, cigarette butts, and other discarded items are left on streets or in public areas, they often get washed into storm drains during rain. Participate by organizing a Street Sweep event with your own Sweep Squad, or join a community cleanup hosted by other DoSomething members, to collectively remove trash before it enters our waterways. By participating in Street Sweep, you’ll earn 10 volunteer credit hours and become eligible for the opportunity to earn a $500 scholarship.

No Sweat Scholarship
Sponsor: Cirkled In
Amount: $2,500.00
Closing Date: March 31, 2026
Description: Scholarship is open to students 13 years of age or older who are legal residents of the United States or the District of Columbia. Applicant must create a free Cirkled in account.

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.