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Top high school junior scholarships for you
Find scholarships for high school juniors that can help you pay for college.
Here’s a scholarship you can apply for in minutes.
High school junior scholarships
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The Scholarships360 $10,000 "No Essay" Scholarship
Due: 5/31/26
|No essay
$10,000
4 days left!
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Eileen Kraus Scholarship
Due: 5/6/26
|No essay
|No Recommendations Required
|No min. GPA Required
|No Transcripts Required
$5,000
The Eileen Kraus Scholarship was established in 2016 in partnership with Kaman Corporation. The scholarship will be awarded to one outstanding Connecticut woman beginning her first year of college or university. Applicants must be recent high school graduates or in the final year of secondary school, intending to enroll in her first year of college or university. Current university or college students are not eligible. Please visit the scholarship's website for more information.
7 days left!
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Edmund F. Maxwell Foundation Scholarship
Due: 5/9/26
|No Recommendations Required
|No min. GPA Required
|No Transcripts Required
$5,000
The Edmund F. Maxwell Foundation Scholarship was established to assist high school seniors from Western Washington in obtaining a higher education. Applicants must have attended the last two years of high school (or homeschool) and lived in a location west of the Cascade Mountains. This award has the potential to be renewed for up to an additional three years of undergraduate education based on reasonable progress toward graduation. A simple renewal application is required each year. Applicants must be pursuing post-secondary education at a private college or university. Applicants must submit their transcript on May 23, 2025. It is optional for 2025 but highly recommended for students to also provide their Standardized Test Scores with their transcript. Scholarships will generally be limited to entering freshmen, with combined math and reading or writing SAT scores of 1200 or higher (or ACT composite scores of over 26). The Trustees of the Foundation, at their discretion, may consider students with lower scores. Please visit the scholarship's website for more information.
7 days left!
Apply now
Ambassadors of NSHSS Scholarship
Due: 5/9/26
|No min. GPA Required
$1,000
NSHSS Ambassadors are student leaders within their high schools who exhibit academic excellence and a strong commitment to community service. As role models, Ambassadors are encouraged to inspire their peers to explore new initiatives within their high schools and communities by organizing community service projects and gatherings with fellow members to support the vision of NSHSS. Ambassadors are responsible for playing a vital role in communicating with current and prospective members about how to make the most of membership in the Society through social media and their school network. NSHSS honors our high school members with this scholarship. Applicants must submit an educator recommendation letter and pictures, videos, or media showing their leadership in action. Please visit the scholarship's website or contact the National Society of High School Scholars for more information.
10 days left!
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Walter A. Hunt, Jr. Scholarship
Due: 5/12/26
|No min. GPA Required
$10,000
The Walter A. Hunt, Jr. Scholarship aims to promote and encourage the study of architecture by New York City public high school students through a two-year scholarship to supplement tuition and related costs during their freshman and sophomore years at a NAAB-accredited school of architecture in the U.S. Applicants must be current New York City public high school seniors who have been accepted to a 5-year Bachelor of Architecture program at a NAAB-accredited School of Architecture in the U.S. Students at NYC Charter High Schools are eligible. Students at private, parochial or other schools where tuition is charged are not eligible. Applicants are encouraged to submit the portfolio which had been previously submitted to the Bachelor of Architecture program they are pursuing, if applicable. The digital portfolio must consist of at least 3-4 pieces of the student's own visual art, design, or architecture work, though applicants may submit additional work if they feel it is relevant to their application. Projects may be 2-D or 3-D, and can be both finished and/or in-process projects. If a group project is submitted, the student must indicate their role in the project. Two letters of recommendation are required. Applicants are encouraged to submit the recommendation letters previously submitted to the Bachelor of Architecture program they are pursuing. One recommendation letter must be from a teacher in their high school; the second may be from an employer, person in the field of architecture or other adult. Please visit the scholarship's website for more information.
Patricia W. Edwards Memorial Art Scholarship
Due: 5/13/26
|No essay
|No Recommendations Required
|No min. GPA Required
|No Transcripts Required
$500
The Patricia W. Edwards Memorial Art Scholarship will be awarded to high school freshmen, sophomores, and juniors. Young Rhode Island artists seeking to take an art class at a Rhode Island institution are eligible to apply. Please visit the scholarship's website or contact the Rhode Island Foundation for more information.
Desert Legacy Scholarship
Due: 5/15/26
|No Recommendations Required
Varies
The Desert Legacy Scholarship was created in order to help those who have encountered and overcome some sort of personal challenge or adversity. Applicants must be graduating high school seniors in AZ. Please visit the scholarship's website or contact the Arizona Community Foundation for more information.
Techie Homeschool Scholarship
Due: 5/15/26
|No Recommendations Required
|No min. GPA Required
|No Transcripts Required
$500
Techie Home School Mom is proud to announce a homeschool scholarship for all high school seniors who plan on furthering their education or starting a business. This scholarship isn't major specific and any high school senior currently homeschooling is encouraged to apply. If you are enrolled in a dual credit program, you must have been homeschooled in the year prior to enrolling for dual credits. Before the scholarship is awarded, the winner is required to provide proof of post-high school education or business ownership plans. Please visit the scholarship's website for more information.
Marian Wood Baird College Scholarship
Due: 5/15/26
|No Transcripts Required
$15,000
The Marian Wood Baird College Scholarship is available to high school seniors who have excelled academically, demonstrated achievements in leadership and participated extensively in an organized community tennis program (such as USTA School Tennis, USTA National Junior Tennis League (NJTL), USTA Team Tennis or USTA High Performance or other such qualified programs as determined by the Scholarship Committee). Applicants must demonstrate sportsmanship on and off the court. The scholarship will be awarded over a term of four years. The Student Aid Report (SAR) from the FAFSA must be submitted. Two letters of recommendation are also required. One must be from a teacher or guidance counselor and one must be from a tennis mentor. Please visit the scholarship's website or contact the United States Tennis Association Foundation for more information.
Dwight Mosley Scholarship Award
Due: 5/15/26
|No Transcripts Required
$80,000
The Dwight Mosley Scholarship Award is available to high school seniors of ethnically diverse heritage who have excelled academically and participated extensively in an organized community tennis program. Applicants must demonstrate sportsmanship on and off the court. The scholarship will be awarded for over four years and administered directly to the college or university in which the student is enrolled. The Student Aid Report (SAR) from the FAFSA must be submitted. Two letters of recommendation are also required. One must be from a teacher or guidance counselor and one must be from a tennis mentor. Please visit the scholarship's website or contact the United States Tennis Association Foundation for more information.
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Key takeaways about high school junior scholarships
- Yes, you can apply for scholarships as a high school junior—and you should.
- Starting early gives you more time to build strong applications and avoid deadline stress.
- Many scholarships are open to juniors, including no-essay and major-specific awards.
- Knowing common requirements helps you prep smarter and avoid rookie mistakes.
- Use tools like Scholly Scholarships and Scout College Search to find your best-fit scholarships.
What are scholarships for high school juniors?
Scholarships for juniors are financial awards you can apply for before senior year. They’re designed to help you get ahead on college planning and reduce future tuition costs. These scholarships come in all shapes—academic, athletic, creative, and even quirky. Some are national, others are local. And yes, many are open to juniors only.
To learn more about scholarships, check out our Ultimate Scholarship Guide.
Why apply for scholarships as a high school junior?
Here’s the deal: applying early means less stress later. You’ll have more time to write essays, gather recommendations, and learn what makes a strong application. Plus, some scholarships are only open to juniors—so waiting until senior year means missing out.
Scholarships also help you build confidence and clarity around your college goals. They’re not just about money—they’re about momentum.
Explore the benefits of scholarships to see how they can shape your future.
Scholarship deadlines and application calendar
Deadlines vary, but many scholarships for juniors open in fall and close in spring. Create a calendar with key dates and set reminders. Some scholarships renew annually, so bookmark your favorites and check back often.
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Find scholarships that are right for you
Easily search through thousands of college scholarships based on your background, major, state you live in, and more.
Hot tip! Smaller scholarships may have less competition, increasing your odds of winning.
How to find scholarships as a high school junior
Use trusted tools like Scholly Scholarships to match with scholarships based on your profile. You can also search by type, major, or state on our scholarship overview page.
Don’t forget to ask your school counselor, check local organizations, and explore niche scholarships—like those for women, LGBTQ students, or specific interests.
Essay tips for scholarship applications
Keep it real. Scholarship essays should reflect your voice, values, and goals. Here’s how to stand out:
- Answer the prompt directly
- Share a personal story or challenge
- Show growth and future plans
- Proofread (seriously—typos matter)
For step-by-step help crafting a standout essay, check out our full guide on how to write a scholarship essay and get started with confidence.
Scholarship myths and mistakes to avoid
Let’s bust a few myths:
Myth: You need a perfect GPA.
Truth: Many scholarships value leadership, creativity, or community service.
Myth: Scholarships are only for seniors.
Truth: Tons are open to juniors—don’t wait!
Mistake: Missing deadlines.
Fix: Use a calendar and apply early. Check out our list of common scholarship requirements to prep smarter.
Scholarship strategies for college planning
Think of scholarships as part of your college strategy. They can influence where you apply, what you study, and how much debt you take on. Use them to explore majors, build your resume, and connect with opportunities.
Ready to start? Use Scout College Search to find schools that match your goals—and your scholarship potential.
Frequently asked questions
These tips can help as you get ready to apply for high school junior scholarships.
When are scholarship application deadlines?
There’s no standard deadline for scholarship applications. Each scholarship has its own deadline, so be sure to keep track of dates and make sure you don’t miss any deadlines of scholarships that you want to apply to.
Do you need to know which college you’re attending?
You don’t need to know which college you’re going to attend before applying for most scholarships. However, once you’re awarded scholarships, some of them may ask for eligibility verification—which can include proof of college enrollment.
Is there a limit on how many scholarships you can apply for?
Absolutely not, so apply for as many as you can to increase your chances of winning free money. Want to find more types of scholarships? There are so many, check them out!
Pro tip: Apply for scholarships each year you’re in college.
Does every scholarship application require an essay?
Not every scholarship will ask you to submit an essay—different scholarships have different requirements. If you’re applying for a scholarship with an essay and need help writing yours, get tips for writing scholarship essays.
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Tips for writing scholarship essays
Get tips for writing scholarship essays. Learn what makes a good scholarship essay.
Find scholarship resources
Explore our scholarship resources, articles, and guide to get all the tips and tricks to help pay for college.
Fill out the FAFSA®
Learn when and how to apply for the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) to maximize your chances of getting federal student financial aid. Get tips now.
No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited. Odds of winning depend on number of entries received. See Official Rules and Entry Periods on each scholarship page.
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