You may be just starting your high school career. Yet, now is a great time to start thinking about available scholarships for a high school freshman. Doing so could put you ahead of other students who are also looking for access to scholarships for 9th graders.
Can High School Freshman Apply for Scholarships?
Not all college scholarships are available to a high school freshman, but some programs open up at this time. Scholarships for 9th graders may be available to students through some programs and offers. Some organizations begin to offer scholarships to these young students to help guide them in taking courses that may benefit them specifically later in college. Other times, the scholarship programs are available to students at any age in high school. So, can high school freshmen apply for scholarships? The answer is often yes.
Why Should High School Freshman Scholarships Be a Priority?
Once a student decides they may wish to pursue college, they may wish to start considering scholarships. Applying to them early may allow students to get in some practice. It also allows them more time to apply for scholarships, which may take a great amount of time and research. For students that want to take advantage of any opportunities available to them, there’s no reason to put off getting a look at available options.
10 Scholarships for High School Freshman 2024
Take a look at these 10 scholarships for high school freshman. You may be able to apply to them now to use them for college later.
This is a $2,500 non renewable scholarship. Students in grades 8 thru 12 are eligible for the scholarship and need to provide a full portfolio as part of the application.
This is a one time $30,000 scholarship for students in grades 9 thru 12 and under 19 years old. Students need to submit a written essay and record themselves reading it as well.
This is a $1,000 one time scholarship available to 4 different students. The students need to be in grades 7 thru 12 and need to be a citizen of the US or Canada.
This scholarship varies in value from $500 to $2,000. Students need to be at least 13 and have a 2.5 GPA to be eligible, as well as finish an application and service project.
This scholarship has a value of $1,000 as a one time award. Applicants need to be in high school, undergrad, or grad school and provide a short response and application.
This scholarship has a $2,000 award for a high school student age 13 and over. To be eligible, the student needs to submit a service project either in writing or video.
This scholarship is for $1,000 for one time and is available to all high school students as well as college freshmen and sophomores. The student needs to be interested in teaching, art or owning their own business.
This scholarship is for $1,000 for one student and is non renewable. Students need to be between 13 and 19 years old and submit a project or an innovation that revolves around technical or scientific creativity.
Three students will each receive $500 for a scholarship for one year as long as they are in grades 9 thru 12. Students need to submit a proposal for a new idea that involves engineering, science, or technology.
When Should You Apply for High School Freshman Scholarships?
Students may wish to begin applying for scholarships for high school freshman as soon as they are eligible for them. Many scholarship providers outline the specific requirements based on grade level, age, or other factors. It may be a great idea for students to start looking at their options throughout their freshman year.
Tips for Applying for Scholarships for 9th Graders
Scholarships for high school freshman may be intense. It helps to have a few tips to help you to navigate this process with success.
Read through all of the content provided by the scholarship provider. Following the rules are a big factor when it comes to submitting these scholarships. A simple mistake could cost you.
Don’t apply early if you do not meet the age or grade level requirements. Seek out specific scholarships for a high school freshman and not just any scholarship out there.
Always have someone else proofread your essays and the application. That second set of eyes may help you catch simple mistakes that could cost you the scholarship.
Don’t overlook the benefit of applying for high school freshman scholarships. Even though college seems far away now, you may want all the chances available to secure this opportunity.
List of 2024 Scholarships for High School Freshmen
There are awards worth below. Apply now to our list of scholarships.
The Equal Pay Day Chicago Student Journalism Contest is available for high school students in Chicago who submit an essay on the topic of equal pay and existing pay disparities in the United States. Click here to learn more and to apply today!
This essay contest is open to U.S. and international students who are in first grade through graduate school. Contest winners may be asked to attend the awards banquet in California at their own cost to receive their prize.
This award is for U.S. and Canadian high school and college students who are between the ages of 16 and 25 as of the application deadline date. Students must have a grade point average of 2.5 or higher.
The 1,000 Dreams Scholarship Fund is available for high school women in the U.S. who wish to pursue additional lessons, activities, or projects beyond the normal scope of the class room.
The DISTCO Digital Storytelling Contest is available to U.S. and international students currently enrolled in high school and planning to attend North American College in Houston, TX.
U.S. students aged 14 through 19 in grades 8 through 12 are eligible to enter this essay contest. Students must write an essay of no more than 800 words on the Bill of Rights.
This award is for young people aged 8-18 who have completed an extraordinary service project. Applicants should be between the ages of 8 and 18, and permanent residents of the United States or Canada. The Barron Prize does not discriminate against its applicants based on race, color, ethnicity, and etc.
This cash award is available for students in grades 9-11 who are of Norwegian ancestry and reside in Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, Kendall, McHenry, or Will counties in Illinois. Students must write an essay on any topic regarding Norway.
As an athlete and student, Alan Bowman is no stranger to the stressors and pressure that often come with navigating college and extracurricular responsibilities, and how all of these factors can have a negative impact on student mental health.
Mental health is a topic that seems to be overlooked by society today, especially for men and athletes. There’s a stigma that all men must be strong and tough not only physically, but also emotionally; we’re taught to bottle our emotions and not openly discuss problems that we’re going through.
Like many other students, I have dealt with mental health issues throughout my college career, and I’m so grateful for the support from the amazing people in my corner. Because of that, I urge you not to walk alone on your journey. I’m here to help break this stigma and prove that sometimes it’s okay to not be okay. The more we talk about what we’re going through, the easier it becomes to recognize we need help and utilize resources to do just that.
I am super excited to be partnering with Access Scholarships to award a $1,000 scholarship to a student who recognizes the importance of speaking up about mental health, and is an advocate in their community for encouraging others to do the same. Together, we can Sack the Stigma!
Current high school, college and graduate students of all years are encouraged to apply below.
The Species on the Edge 2.0 challenge invites high school students to work in teams on a video project with a chance to win a cash prize. Entry forms are due on March 1, 2024. Projects are due by April 5.
This challenge will help students learn how to protect and preserve rare and at-risk wildlife that live, breed, and migrate through New Jersey. You will be surprised to learn how many species are currently “on the edge” and endangered here in the nation’s most densely populated state. This fun and engaging project will allow you to collaborate with your peers as you journey together to create real-world solutions to keep wildlife safe. This year, students will work in teams and, when presented with several different scenarios, will select a role such as research scientist, citizen scientist, engineer, policy maker, investigative reporter, college professor, director of a non-profit organization, or environmental artist. Students will construct a video to bring awareness and educate the public about endangered species and their environments.
The contest also helps students develop skills in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics (STEAM), environmental advocacy, design thinking, social and emotional learning, teamwork, critical thinking, and project management. Entry to the contest is free and offers students and facilitators the opportunity to win cash prizes!
