How can I find fast scholarship opportunities?

I'm a junior in high school and just starting to look into scholarship options for college. I've heard that some scholarships are fast and easy to apply for, but I'm not sure where to start. I feel like I'm already behind on this, so I'm trying to find opportunities that don't have a super long application process. Does anyone know of any specific scholarships that have a quick turnaround or don't require tons of essays and paperwork? Any advice on resources or websites that list these kinds of scholarships would be super helpful. Thanks in advance!

Sure, it's wonderful that you're being proactive in your search for scholarship opportunities! You're definitely not behind - it's actually pretty common for students to start looking in their junior year.

In terms of scholarships with a quick turnaround, you might want to look at ones that require minimal essays or paperwork. These types of scholarships are often referred to as "no essay" scholarships or "sweepstakes" scholarships.

A good place to start is the College Board’s Scholarship Search tool which lists scholarships and information about eligibility criteria. Always remember to carefully read through the criteria and application instructions, as some may appear to have fast application processes but could have fine print requirements that you need to consider.

Furthermore, sites like Fastweb and Cappex can be good resources for finding a wide variety of scholarships, including those with simpler application processes. They can help you find scholarships that align with your individual interests, or with specific turnaround times that fit your schedule.

Just remember, while it's helpful to apply to scholarships with simpler application processes, those with more in-depth applications often have less competition and can sometimes offer larger reward amounts. It can be beneficial to balance your time between both types of scholarships.

Hope this helps and best of luck in your scholarship search!