Can juniors in high school apply for scholarships?

I'm currently a junior in high school and starting to think about college and how to fund it. I've heard a lot about scholarships, but most of the advice seems tailored to seniors. Can juniors apply for scholarships too, or is it mostly seniors who get to do that? If there are opportunities for juniors, what kind of scholarships should I be looking at or applying to right now? Any tips or resources would be much appreciated!

Absolutely, juniors in high school can and should start applying for scholarships. The earlier you start, the better, as it gives you plenty of time to find and apply to several opportunities. While a majority of scholarships are indeed targeted towards seniors, there are countless others available explicitly for juniors or even underclassmen.

You should start by identifying scholarships that align with your academic interests, personal background, and extracurricular activities. Look for opportunities provided by local organizations or businesses in your community, as these tend to be less competitive. You can also search for national scholarships based on your intended college field of study.

Competitive awards that juniors in high school can apply for include the PSAT/NMSQT, which can qualify you for the National Merit Scholarship. This is a well-known program that recognizes high-achieving students based on their PSAT scores.

Regardless of the scholarships you choose to apply for, make sure you begin the process knowing what each scholarship requires. Some scholarships may ask for letters of recommendation or specific documents which can take time to put together. Starting early and staying organized will keep you on track during the application process.

Remember, the more scholarships you apply for, the higher the chances of gaining financial support for your college education. Good luck with your scholarship search!