Hey everyone, I'm just a sophomore, but I want to start looking into scholarships now. Does anyone have advice on scholarships specifically designed for sophomores in high school?
Absolutely, there are definitely scholarships available that high school sophomores are eligible for. While it's true that many scholarships are geared towards juniors and seniors, starting early is a great idea. Scholarships catered specifically to sophomores may be rare, but there are definitely ones out there that sophomores are eligible for. Seeking them out will help you get a feel for the process and maybe even start racking up funds!
One example is the American Legion National High School Oratorical Contest, which grants awards for a prepared oration on the U.S. Constitution. Some scholarships also focus on creative talents, for example, the Doodle for Google contest, which invites you to create a Google Doodle and stand a chance to win a scholarship amount up to $30,000.
For students interested in science, the Bio-Rad Explorer Bioinformatics Science Award offers awards for high school students (of all levels) who conduct research projects in bioinformatics - that's the application of computer science in biological research.
Additionally, there are several essay competitions like the Ayn Rand Institute Essay Contests that cater to high school students from 8th grade onwards. Most of these contests require an essay or a similar submission, based on a variety of topics.
One valuable resource to find scholarships is CollegeVine's blog, which often provides detailed articles about scholarship opportunities. Also, use scholarship search engines such as Fastweb or College Board's Scholarship Search, which allow you to input your grade level (among other things) to find scholarships that you are eligible for. Always ensure to check the eligibility criteria and deadlines before you start your application.
Another piece of advice would be to approach your school counselor who may have information about local scholarships that could be worth exploring, as these can be less competitive than national ones.
Remember, start early, apply often, and best of luck!
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