Scholarships available for middle class students?

So, I'm a high school junior and I feel like I'm in that weird 'middle class' spot where my family makes too much to qualify for need-based aid, but not nearly enough to cover college costs comfortably. Are there scholarships out there specifically for students in my situation? If so, how do I find them and what kinds of things do I need to prepare for the applications? This is kinda stressing me out, so any advice would be awesome!

You're not alone in feeling this way, and it's commendable that you're looking into this already. First of all, a large number of scholarships are merit-based, meaning they consider factors like academic achievements, talents, or extracurricular involvement, and not income. Finding these scholarships takes a bit of research, but various online platforms can aid in this process.

You'll want to seek out local scholarships first. Frequently, regional and local businesses, organizations, or clubs offer scholarships to local residents or students attending local schools. In this case, the pool of applicants is often smaller than national scholarships, making them easier to get.

Similarly, don't overlook smaller scholarships. These awards may not cover full tuition but can add up and help to pay for textbooks, student fees, or other smaller expenses.

Merit scholarships offered directly by colleges are also worth investigating. These scholarships often recognize academic or athletic achievement and can cover a large portion of tuition costs. You can usually find information about these scholarships on the college's website or by contacting their financial aid office.

If you want a list of some of the most prestigious merit scholarships out there, I'd check out this blog post from CollegeVine, which is focused on full-ride merit scholarships: https://blog.collegevine.com/50-colleges-with-full-ride-scholarships/. Do be aware that full-ride scholarships are generally extremely competitive, for obvious reasons, but hopefully this gives you a good starting point!

Aside from the financial aspect, scholarships typically require the same components as a college application. Past transcripts, letters of recommendation, essays or personal statements, and evidence of extracurricular activities are standard requirements. It's important to keep an organized portfolio of these materials that you can easily access when you're ready to start applying.

Applying for scholarships often feels like a part-time job. Keep a calendar of deadlines and requirements to ensure you don't miss out on any opportunities. And remember that every little bit helps!

Finally, you should never have to pay to apply for a scholarship. Be cautious of potential scams and only apply through reputable sources.

One last thing: even if you don't think you'll qualify, applying for need-based aid never hurts. Especially since tuition costs are continuing to climb, you may end up being eligible for at least some assistance, even if you also need to apply for scholarships.

Good luck!