How Can I Find Scholarships for 9th Graders?

I'm currently in 9th grade and trying to get a jump start on college planning, specifically in terms of finding scholarships I might qualify for. Are there any scholarships out there that are open to students as young as 9th grade, or is it mostly for upperclassmen? If there are any, where's the best place to start looking? I want to make sure I'm not missing out on any opportunities to start saving up for college early.

While it's fantastic that you're already thinking ahead to college and scholarships in 9th grade, it's also true that the majority of scholarships are geared towards upperclassmen in high school. However, that doesn't mean there aren't opportunities available for younger students, including those in 9th grade.

Most of these earlier-stage scholarships focus on essay contests, art competitions, or science fairs. For instance, the Doodle for Google competition is open to K-12 students across the U.S, including 9th graders, with the top prize being a $30,000 scholarship. Similarly, the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards accept submissions from students in grades 7–12 and provide both recognition and potential scholarships.

Definitely check out any local opportunities as well. Your school counselor might know about regional or community-sponsored contests that come with a scholarship prize. Local organizations, nonprofits, and companies may also offer awards and scholarships for high school students.

Also, while you should certainly take advantage of early scholarship opportunities when you can, remember that your main focus in 9th grade should be laying the groundwork for success in high school and beyond. That means taking rigorous courses, getting good grades, developing strong study habits, and exploring extracurricular activities that you'll want to continue throughout high school. These are all things that will help you earn larger scholarships later on.

As for where to find these scholarships, there are plenty of online resources available. Websites like Fastweb and Cappex, for instance, let you create a profile and notify you about scholarships that match your criteria, including your grade level. Similarly, CollegeBoard's Big Future website has a scholarship search feature where you can filter results by grade level to find opportunities relevant to you.

Remember, though, that your eligibility for many scholarships will grow as you get older and accomplish more in high school. Even though there may be fewer scholarship opportunities open to 9th graders, by starting early and staying proactive, you're setting yourself up for a successful scholarship search when you become a junior or senior. Good luck!