Getting a scholarship to a good college is quite possibly the only way to make it affordable for many high schoolers these days. Finding scholarships for high school juniors is rare since searching is usually a task left for high school seniors, but the fact is that you should not wait until your last year of high school to start grabbing scholarships to different schools. Not all scholarships are created for juniors, but there are some great scholarships that might be within reach with a little bit of effort.
Key Club International Scholarship
One of the most popular categories of scholarships for high school juniors is the Key Club International scholarships. These scholarships are given to Key club members who have proven themselves worthy by fundraising for various charities. Depending on which scholarship you choose to apply for (there are plenty to choose from), you might have to write an essay, do community service, or get references from teachers. The deadlines for these scholarships vary, so it’s important to ask ahead of time in order to get the most out of your scholarship search.
Dell Scholars Program
Another very good bunch of scholarships for high school juniors come from the Dell Scholars Program. Dell, the maker of favorite PC computers among programmers, has created a program that offers a grand total of $5 million in scholarships for students that show that they are serious about their studies. You need to be participating in an AVID program in order to apply for one of the 250 scholarships that are being doled out by Dell.
Private Scholarships for High School Juniors
Many schools offer their own private scholarships for high school juniors that have shown interest in attending their colleges. Most of the time, you will have to enter a college-sponsored competition such as a science fair, quiz bowl, or even sports group, in order to get one of these scholarships before your senior year. The only issue that these scholarships have is that they are usually school-specific, so if you are not sure that you want to attend a particular college, these might not be a good idea to pursue.
Some of the scholarships for juniors in high school are very specific about the groups that they target. For instance, Ayn Rand fans can try their luck at the Fountainhead Essay Contest, a scholarship contest that is completely and totally geared towards children who have read the Fountainhead by Ayn Rand. Each scholarship that this foundation gives is worth $10,000 towards the school of your choice, making it one of the most worthwhile choices for students who love Ayn Rand, and also love the idea of going to college.
The key to finding great scholarships at any grade level is to look for organizations that appreciate the things that interest you. Having a goal when it comes to your college studies and acting towards that goal will always help you get the most out of your scholarship hunt. Since many businesses, nonprofit organizations, and communities appreciate all that college can offer a person, you should never run out of options when looking for scholarships for high school juniors.