Niche $25,000 No Essay Scholarship
Cara Goldstone Image Written By: Cara Goldstone | Edited By: Alyssa Schulz | Updated: June 4, 2026

Scholarships for High School Sophomores

Key takeaways:

  • There are many scholarships open to high school sophomores, especially those which are contests or competition-based.
  • The earlier you start your scholarship search, the more likely you are to win money for college.
  • Requirements for high school sophomore scholarships vary depending on the award.

Most high school students wait until junior or senior year to start thinking about college, let alone scholarships. However, beginning your scholarship search as a sophomore in high school can open up countless opportunities to fund your education. Continue reading for a list of the top scholarships for high school sophomores and answers to all your scholarship questions.

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The 25 Best Scholarships for High School Sophomores with Approaching Deadlines in 2026

  • 1

  • Bow Seat Ocean Awareness Contest

  • Amount$1,000
  • DeadlineJune 8, 2026

The annual Ocean Awareness Contest empowers young people to explore environmental issues through artistic expression and creative communication. This global contest invites students to create works in various categories, including visual art, creative writing, film, interactive & multimedia, performing arts (music & dance), and poetry & spoken word Scholarship Details Open to students

  • 2

  • Live Poets Society of New Jersey - National High School Poetry Contest

  • Amount$500
  • DeadlineJune 30, 2026

The Live Poets Society of New Jersey hosts the National High School Poetry Contest each year, with submission options and scholarship awards offered each quarter. The Poet of the Year will win $500; 20 to 30 quarterly winners will be selected for scholarships, and hundreds of topical winners will receive publication of their work. Scholarship Details Financial need not required

  • 3

  • Desire to Inspire Scholarship

  • Amount$2,000
  • DeadlineJuly 12, 2026

The 2026 Desire To Inspire Scholarship is a one-time financial award. First place is $2000, second place is $1000, and third place is $500. This scholarship is dedicated to recognizing young individuals from historically underrepresented minority groups who are interested in a career in healthcare and are making a determined effort to inspire others. Scholarship Details 1st place: $2,000,

  • 4

  • Tony Regalado Memorial Scholarship

  • Amount$8,000
  • DeadlineJuly 13, 2026

The Tony Regalado Memorial Scholarship honors the extraordinary life of Tony Regalado—a proud Dexter, NM native whose life was deeply and passionately rooted in athletics. Scholarship Details Awarded to New Mexico high school student-athletes Emphasis on students who embody Tony Regalado's spirit of dedication and community service Financial need considered as a secondary

  • 5

  • Minecraft Scholarship

  • Amount$2,000
  • DeadlineJuly 31, 2026

Apex Hosting is dedicated to supporting education and the positive impact of Minecraft in learning. We are excited to offer a scholarship for students passionate about this unique educational tool. Scholarship Details $2,000 scholarship towards college tuition. Annual scholarship with drawings in early August. Eligibility Criteria U.S.

  • 6

  • U.S. Naval Intelligence Essay Contest

  • Amount$5,000
  • DeadlineJuly 31, 2026

This year’s naval intelligence essay contest invites applicants to propose a course for naval intelligence to adapt, inform, and shape the Navy and nation. Awards will be given to the top three submissions. Scholarship Details $5,000, $2,500, and $1,500 prizes awarded. Winners will be recognized at the Naval Intelligence Professionals' Annual Meeting. Essays have the potential

  • 7

  • American Red Cross - Leaders Save Lives Scholarship

  • Amount$2,500
  • DeadlineSeptember 7, 2026

Sign up to host a blood drive while school is out of session and join the impressive group of youth across the nation who are helping save lives with the American Red Cross! You could earn leadership skills, volunteer hours, a gift card and be entered to win a scholarship. Scholarship Details Program encourages high school and college students to host American Red Cross blood drives

  • 8

  • Breakthrough Junior Challenge

  • AmountFull-Tuition
  • DeadlineSeptember 15, 2026

The Breakthrough Junior Challenge invites individuals aged 13 to 18 to participate in a scholarship opportunity that explores complex scientific concepts through creative videos. Your film can take any form you like: animation, talking head, documentary, dramatic reconstruction, whatever. It’s worth keeping in mind that video is a dynamic visual medium – using diagrams, simulations, physical

  • 9

  • ConnectHER Film Festival

  • Amount$5,000
  • DeadlineOctober 1, 2026

The ConnectHER Film Festival welcomes submissions that focus on issues that affect the lives of women and girls with a special emphasis on amplifying BIPOC voices. Films, be they animated, documentary or narrative, must be related to any of the following themes, all centered around women’s issues: refugees/IDPs, war and conflict, political enfranchisement and power, gender inequality, ending

  • 10

  • The Explorers Club Student Grants

  • Amount$3,000
  • DeadlineOctober 8, 2026

The Explorers Club takes pride in championing the scientific fieldwork of trailblazing explorers worldwide. With grantees spanning 6 continents and 24 countries, the club has a rich history and an unwavering commitment to fostering new ideas and avenues of exploration. As part of its dedication to public service, the club provides exploration grants across distinct categories, supporting the

  • 11

  • Singing for Scholarships

  • Amount$1,000
  • DeadlineOctober 11, 2026

At the Annual National Shrimp Festival, the Coastal Alabama Business Chamber awards up to $1,000 to high school students in their Singing for Scholarships competition. Scholarship Details Event Date: Saturday, October 11th, during the Annual National Shrimp Festival One student per Baldwin County high school (public, private, city school, or home-schooled) will compete Top three

  • 12

  • Music Center Spotlight Program

  • Amount$5,000
  • DeadlineOctober 13, 2026

The Spotlight competition provides cash scholarships and artistic development to empower high school students by emphasizing preparation, courage, critical thinking and perseverance while providing an invaluable opportunity for students to hone their performing skills! Southern California High School students of ALL skill levels are encouraged to apply for free. Scholarship Details Over

  • 13

  • Annual Sphinx Competition

  • Amount$50,000
  • DeadlineOctober 20, 2026

The Sphinx Competition, held every year in Detroit (MI), is a national competition for string musicians, that transforms lives by celebrating the artistic talent, providing career advancement opportunities and addressing systemic obstacles within Black and Latino communities. Scholarship Details Senior Division (ages 18–30): 1st place receives $50,000 and concert engagements Junior Division

  • 14

  • NCWIT Award for Aspirations in Computing

  • Amount$500
  • DeadlineOctober 28, 2026

The NCWIT Award for Aspirations in Computing (AiC) honors 9th-12th grade students who self-identify as women, genderqueer, or non-binary for their computing-related achievements and interests, and encourages them to pursue their passions. Applicants must be thirteen years or older, attend school in the U.S., Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, or on a U.S. overseas military base, and to

  • 15

  • VFW Voice of Democracy Competition

  • Amount$35,000
  • DeadlineOctober 31, 2026

Since 1947, the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) has dedicated itself to fostering patriotism and nurturing the potential of the future generation. The Voice of Democracy audio-essay program, initiated by the VFW, provides a remarkable platform for high school students (grades 9-12) to express their thoughts on democratic and patriotic themes through recorded essays. Scholarship

  • 16

  • Americans United Student Contest

  • Amount$1,500
  • DeadlineNovember 3, 2026

AU’s annual contest encourages students to reflect on why religious freedom and church-state separation are important to them and their communities—and what they can do to ensure religious freedom is a shield that protects the rights of everyone to practice religion according to their own beliefs, or not practice at all, as long as they don’t harm others. Scholarship Details Open to

  • 17

  • Marine Band Concerto Competition for High School Musicians

  • Amount$2,500
  • DeadlineNovember 15, 2026

“The President’s Own” United States Marine Band, in conjunction with the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation, is pleased to announce its Concerto Competition for High School Musicians is now open. All application materials are due Nov. 15th. The winner will appear as a guest soloist with the Marine Chamber Orchestra during the following concert season and receive a $2,500 scholarship from the Marine

  • 18

  • Florida Farm to School Essay Contest

  • Amount$3,000
  • DeadlineNovember 17, 2026

Whether you have an interest in agriculture, are passionate about nutrition or simply love to write, we invite you to enter the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) Division of Food, Nutrition and Wellness’s (FNW) first-ever Florida Farm to School Essay Contest. This Farm to School Month, submit an original essay responding to one of our three topics – each designed to

  • 19

  • The Earth Prize Competition

  • Amount$100,000
  • DeadlineNovember 30, 2026

The Earth Prize is a $100,000 environmental sustainability competition open to teenage students worldwide. It recognizes and awards students who develop the best solutions to accelerate positive change towards environmental sustainability. Scholarship Details Open to students ages 14-20 $100,000 in prizes awarded Winners selected by The Earth Prize Adjudicating Panel Eligibility

  • 20

  • FRA Americanism Essay Contest

  • Amount$1,500
  • DeadlineDecember 1, 2026

FRA sponsors an annual essay contest to promote the spirit of Americanism and patriotism among our country’s youth. FRA's Americanism Essay Contest is open to all students, grades 7 through 12, including those who are home schooled. Students are invited to submit a 350-word essay through an FRA member or local FRA branch before the December 1st deadline. Local winners are forwarded for

  • 21

  • Military Child of the Year Award

  • Amount$10,000
  • DeadlineDecember 2, 2026

The Military Child of the Year Award reflects the positive impact that these impressive young people have made on their military families, their schools, and their communities. Scholarship Details The annual awards acknowledge outstanding young individuals aged 13 to 18 in military families. Recipients will be selected to represent various branches of the armed forces, including the

  • 22

  • Take Care of Texas Video Contest

  • Amount$2,500
  • DeadlineDecember 5, 2026

The Take Care of Texas Video Contest is a way for Texas high schoolers to learn about protecting the environment and come up with creative ways to share this knowledge with others. Students will create a video that portrays positive ways Texans can help keep air and water clean, conserve water, save energy, or reduce waste. Scholarship details 30-second video Shows positive ways to

  • 23

  • Michigan American Legion High School Oratorical Contest

  • Amount$25,000
  • DeadlineDecember 5, 2026

The American Legion Oratorical contests can be financially as well as educationally rewarding. High School students who are U. S. citizens or lawful residents can hone their speaking skills while learning about the U.S. Constitution. Department level scholarship awards range from $1,000 to $2,000, with Zone runner-ups receiving $500 and runner-ups receiving $200. At the National level, they range

  • 24

  • Kemper Human Rights Education Foundation Essay Contest

  • Amount$5,000
  • DeadlineDecember 10, 2026

The Kemper Human Rights Education Foundation (KHREF) is offering scholarships to high school students who submit the best essays addressing the prompts provided. There are two contests, one for high school students in the U.S. and another for students who are citizens and residents of other countries. This is an excellent opportunity for students to engage in critical thinking about human rights

  • 25

  • Texas Legion State High School Oratorical Contest

  • Amount$2,000
  • DeadlineDecember 14, 2026

The Oratorical Contest in Texas offers high school students a chance to compete for scholarships, with a grand prize of $20,500. The competition begins in October, allowing participants to showcase their oratory skills. The process involves local, district, division, and department-level contests, culminating in the Department Finals in February. Scholarship Details Grand prize: $25,000 in

Can you apply for scholarships as a sophomore in high school?

You can apply for all kinds of scholarships as a sophomore in high school. While it’s true that the majority of scholarships are targeted towards high school seniors, many scholarship organizations offer awards for younger students to encourage them to begin thinking about college early.

The different kinds of scholarships open to high school sophomores vary. Many of these awards take the form of contests, which typically have fewer requirements and a less-involved application process than traditional scholarships. Most contests only require submission of an essay or an art piece and may have an age range rather than a school year requirement.

Beginning your scholarship search in your sophomore year of high school or earlier is a great way to get a head start on your college preparation process. Starting early will help you build up the skills you’ll need when it’s time to apply to college and ensure that you don’t miss out on any opportunities.

Where to find the best scholarships for high school sophomores

Typically, the best scholarship for any student depends on their own particular life circumstances. The scholarships with the narrowest criteria have the lowest number of applicants and are thus much easier to win, so high school sophomores should look for specific awards in order to find the best ones for them.

When you sign up for a free account on Scholarships.com, we’ll match you with every scholarship for which you are eligible using your basic demographic and academic information. This means that if you are a sophomore in high school, all your scholarship matches will be open to sophomores, and you will also automatically fit any other qualifications they may have.

You can also use our Scholarship Directory to see every scholarship in our database that is open to high school sophomores. These scholarships may have additional qualifications to meet in order to be eligible to apply, such as minority status, GPA parameters, or geographic requirements. If you are unsure of any scholarship’s application criteria, you should contact the scholarship committee directly.

How to apply for high school sophomore scholarships

Once you have signed up for Scholarships.com and received your scholarship matches, the application process is simple. You can click on any scholarship in our database to read its description and details, including a full list of eligibility criteria and the exact steps you need to take to apply.

Always make sure to follow the instructions provided to you when you are applying for scholarships. Fill out your application completely and stay within the guidelines you are given; include all the additional information and documents you may be required to send in. Keep track of all your application deadlines and submit everything on time.

Frequently asked questions about scholarships for high school sophomores:

How old do you have to be to apply for scholarships?

Many scholarship applications require students to be in a certain grade in order to apply; however, there are also some scholarships that provide an age range rather than, or in addition to, a school year requirement. While it is true that most are aimed at students between the ages of 17 and 19, there are some awards open to younger students as well.

Most scholarships that are open to younger groups will aim to encompass multiple grade levels in their age requirements. For this reason, many of these awards will have a minimum age requirement of around 13 years old, which includes high school sophomores, freshmen, and some middle schoolers.

However, there are also scholarships open to even younger students. For instance, the $1,000 Bow Seat Ocean Awareness Contest, which is judged based on applicants’ art submissions, accepts entries from students as young as 11. The contest is broken up into different age categories to ensure all submissions are judged fairly.

Do you have to know your major to apply for high school sophomore scholarships?

Most scholarship organizations who offer awards for high school sophomores do not expect applicants to be sure of what their college major will be or where they will attend college. Instead, they award scholarships based on general life circumstances, academic performance, or interests.

One example of an interest-based scholarship that is open to high school sophomores is the Poetry Out Loud Scholarship Contest. Applicants must advance through several rounds of extracurricular poetry recitation competitions to have a chance at winning this $22,000 award, but there is no requirement that students must aim to study poetry in college in order to participate.

What are the best art scholarships for high school sophomores?

High school sophomores who are interested in art have thousands of opportunities available to them in terms of scholarships and contests. To have the best chance of winning the highest amount possible, these students should apply to as many local scholarships with specialized criteria as they can.

For instance, high school sophomores residing in Northeast Georgia with an interest in visual arts can apply to the Classic Center Cultural Foundation Visual Arts Scholarship. The award is worth $2,000 and is considered a low-competition award because of the specificity of its criteria; for this reason, eligible students might find it is their best option.

This does not mean that you should totally avoid competitive awards, though. For example, the highly-competitive Doodle for Google Scholarship can be life-changing; any student above the age of 13 may enter an art piece that aligns with Google’s specifications to have a chance at winning up to $55,000 towards their education, plus additional funds for their school of attendance and Google-sponsored hardware.

What are the best essay scholarships for high school sophomores?

If you are a high school sophomore with an interest in writing, your best scholarship option may be an essay scholarship. Essay scholarships for younger students tend to take the form of contests; they can either be national or local. It’s a good idea to look into local opportunities to build up your essay-writing skills before applying to more competitive scholarships.

Texas students, for example, can enter the $1,500 Dedman Distinguished Scholars Essay Competition. To qualify, you must either be a sophomore or junior at a high school in Texas respond to the provided essay prompt in under 800 words. If you apply as a sophomore and do not win, you can use what you learned to apply with a new essay when you are a junior.

Do you have to have financial need to apply for high school sophomore scholarships?

Typically, scholarship providers use the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to assess their applicants’ financial need; however, most students don’t fill out the FAFSA until their senior year of high school. For this reason, there are fewer need-based scholarships for high school sophomores than merit-based scholarships. If you do intend to apply for a need-based scholarship as a younger student, make sure you submit all financial documents that you are required to.

One example of a solely merit-based scholarship for high school sophomores is the Baldwin County Shrimp Festival’s Singing for Scholarships competition. High school students in Baldwin County, Alabama can win up to $1,000 based on their performance in the singing competition. There are many merit-based scholarships like this one for high school sophomores across the United States.