11 Top High School Sophomore Scholarships

College is two years away, but did you know you can start applying for scholarships already? These high school sophomore scholarships are specifically for students in their second year of high school!

Don’t miss out on applying because going to college debt-free is AMAZING.

Why? Because I have a full-ride to college and it saves you so much stress and there are so many perks!

There is a variety of scholarships so there’s at least one that will suit you!

This post is all about high school sophomore scholarships.

High School Sophomore Scholarships

National Merit Scholarship

Since SAT is not required by many colleges and universities, some students may not take it. Less competition and more chances for you to score high on the tests. 

Did you know that there are scholarships if you score high on the PSAT and SAT?

Get recognized and score multiple scholarships by taking the test and getting high scores.

Deadline: Before senior year

Award: $2500

Eligibility:

• Take the PSAT/NMSQT in the specified year of the high school program and no later than the third year in grades 9 through 12
• Enrolled as a high school student (traditional or home-schooled) and planning to accept admission to college no later than the fall after completing high school
• Attend high school in the United States, the District of Columbia, or the U.S. commonwealth and territory

Application Requirements: 

• Psat/nmsqt 

The Saint Robert Bellarmine Fund

If you are planning to attend a catholic school, then this scholarship is perfect for you to apply for. 

You can receive up to $8,000 per year and renewable for up to four years!

Deadline: January 31, 2024

Award: $8,000/per year

Eligibility:

• Must be a graduating high school senior
• Must be aiming to pursue an undergraduate degree
• Must be planning to attend a Newman Guide School or a school approved by the St. Robert Bellarmine Fund

Application Requirements: 

• Essay (3 paragraphs):
  • Prompt: why do you feel it is important to attend a faithful Catholic college and what you plan to do for the Church and for society with the catholic education and formation you will receive.

Bayar Fellowship Award

If you enjoy business and /or understand business, this fellowship is for you.

Not only are there mentors who guide you, but there is also a $200 grant to help you on your journey.

Deadline: May 30, 2024

Award: $200

Eligibility:

• Must be a high school student
• Interested in using business principles to improve your community

Application Requirements: 

• Essay:
  • Prompts (pick one to write about):
    • 1. How significant of a role do you think business and/or public service play in your community?
    • 2. When was a time your actions had a positive impact on other people?

Ethical Torch Essay Scholarship

Have you ever been faced with ethical decisions in your life?

How did you overcome or go through these decisions?

You could win a scholarship for discussing how you dealt with ethics in school or your everyday life.

Deadline: Fall 2024 (for San Diego and Imperial County Students)

Fall 2024 (for orange county students)

September 24, 2024 (for Greater Arizona students)

Award: $1,500 – 1st

$1,250 – 2nd

$1,000 – 3rd

$750 – 4th

$500 – 5th

Eligibility:

• Students in grades 9-12 (graduating classes of 2023-2026)
• Residing and enrolled in schools in Apache, Coconino, Gila, Imperial, La Paz, Maricopa, Mohave, Navajo, Orange, Pinal, San Diego, Yavapai, or Yuma

Application Requirements: 

• Write an essay
  • Prompt: write an essay on “The Importance of ‘Ethics and integrity in our Community”
    • 5 points for the inclusion of personal viewpoints and/or examples (5 points)
    • 5 points for relevance to the theme
    • 5 points for readability and clarity
    • 5 points for spelling and grammar

Bow Seat Ocean Awareness Contest

Are you passionate about environmental issues? 

If so, apply for this contest that uses art to raise awareness about climate change and its impact on the ocean.

Deadline: June 10, 2024

Award: $1,500

Eligibility:

• Juniors: Must be aged 11-18
• Seniors: Must be aged 15-18
• May participate as an individual or as a club, class, or group of any size
• Must provide contact info. for an adult sponsor (teacher, parent, mentor, etc.)

Application Requirements: 

• Submit an art piece:
  • Prompt: research and choose an inspirational scientist, activist, artist, educator, or other hero who are working to solve climate change issues. Create a piece of art, writing, or media that highlights their efforts, organizations, and/or positive impacts.
  • Accepted submission forms:
    • Visual art
    • Poetry & spoken word
    • Creative writing
    • Film
    • Performing arts: music & dance
    • Interactive & multimedia

Interested in more scholarships? Check out 11 Amazing Scholarships for Transfer Students

Annual DNA Day Essay Contest

If you are interested in concepts related to genetics, then this essay contest is for you!

Deadline: March 1, 2024

Award: $1,000 – 1st

$600 – 2nd

$400 – 3rd

$100 – 10 honorable mentions

Eligibility:

• Students enrolled in grades 9-12

Application Requirements: 

• Submit a 750-word essay
  • Prompt: Many human diseases have a genetic component. Some diseases result from a change in a single gene or even multiple genes. Yet, many diseases are complex and stem from an interaction between genes and the environment. Environmental factors may include chemicals in the air or water, nutrition, microbes, ultraviolet radiation from the sun and social context.
    • Provide an example of how the interplay of genetics and environment can shape human health

Artist Series Concerts Competition

Do you love singing and live in Florida? If so, apply for this competition which can help you win money for college!

Deadline: March 15, 2024

Award: $2,000 – 1st

$1,500 – 2nd

$1,000 – 3rd

Eligibility:

• Must be aged 17-22

Application Requirements: 

• Submit a video performance including the required repertoire, a current resume listing educational background and performing experience, proof of Florida residency, proof of age (photocopy of driver’s license or birth certificate), and the form
• One song from each category is required, performed by memory in its entirety:
  • A classical art song
  • An American or British art song
  • An operatic or oratorio aria, or song from musical theater

Create Real Impact 

Get involved with raising awareness and promoting safe driving among your friends and community by joining the just drive contest.

A group of high school students collaborating with a teacher or advisor are eligible to win an educational grant for their school by creating a social media campaign. 

Deadline: April 25, 2024

Award: $10,000 – 1st

$7,500 – 2nd

$5,000 – 3rd

Eligibility:

• Register your high school no later than April 25, 2024, 11:59 P.M. (ET)
• Open to fifty United States or the District of Columbia
• Must be ages 14-22

Application Requirements: 

• Create a campaign action planning process and include:
  • At least one 30-second PSA video
  • At least five social media posts
  • A press release you share with at least one local news outlet or community information organization
• Submit an entry into one of two categories: video or graphic design

Rau for Art Scholarship

This scholarship is for promoting the talent of emerging artists at the high school level.

If you have a passion for art and reside in certain locations, you will be able to participate!

Deadline: February 2, 2024

Award: $7,000 (with the option to study in Italy) plus $500 to your school’s art department – 1st

$3,000 – 2nd

$1,500 – 3rd

$1,000 – 4th

Eligibility:

• Open to all students in the 10th-12th grades
• Must be in Orleans, Jefferson, St. Bernard, St. Tammany, St. Charles, and Plaquemines Parishes
• Must be your original work created this school year

Application Requirements: 

• All works must be 2-dimensional
• Paintings and drawings are accepted in the following media: oil, acrylic, watercolor, gouache, graphite, colored pencil, pen and ink, pastel, and charcoal
• Layered artwork (collage) is allowed as long as all materials used are produced by the artist
  • Cannot exceed .125” in depth
  • Use of found materials (newsprints and magazine clips, 3D objects) will not be accepted
• Submit a short artist statement along with artwork to explain the ideas behind your piece and the interpretation of this year’s theme

Hearts for Community Scholarship

This is an amazing scholarship for students who volunteer within their communities. 

If you volunteer within your local community and soon to be or enrolled in higher education, then you should definitely apply for this opportunity!

Deadline: July 31, 2024

Award: $5,000

Eligibility:

• Must be student residents from the following Warrick Dunn Charities markets: Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Wisconsin
• Have a minimum GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 grading scale

Application Requirements: 

• Submit (2) letters of recommendation showing proof of volunteer community service (should be written by someone from an organization for which you currently volunteer or have previously volunteered with)
  • An email address and direct phone number for each reference must be included
• Write a 500 word essay on all of the following:
  • How was the volunteerism to your community had an impact on your life?
  • Describe how you are of service and the positive impact it has made on your community.
  • How will this scholarship assist in furthering your education?
  • What does the opportunity to receive a post-secondary education mean to you?
• Proof of enrollment in a post-secondary institution
• Proof of residency (driver’s license or government-issued ID) in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, or Wisconsin
• A copy of your most recent transcript

AlphaOne Powering Education Scholarship

If you have a disability and wish to pursue post-secondary education, then this scholarship is for you.

Deadline: April 1, 2024

Award: $2,000

Eligibility:

• Have a documented disability (as defined by The World Health Organization), whether that be visual, hearing, mobility, cognitive, speech, or other disability
• Be a current student or past graduate at a high school within the state of Maine
• Have a B average or equivalent GPA
• Have received an acceptance letter from a post-secondary institution

Application Requirements: 

• Complete a 500-1000 word essay:
  • Prompt: how your disability has helped shape your view of the world and you as a person
• Letter of recommendation
  • Can be from a teacher, guidance administrator, coach, clergy, etc.
• High school transcript
• Complete application form 

This list of high school sophomore scholarships will keep you busy.

If you want to check out more scholarships, keep updated by joining the mailing list or regularly looking through the scholarships tab on this blog!

This post was all about high school sophomore scholarships.