Best high school scholarships to apply for now?

Trying to get a head start on scholarship apps as a high school junior. What are some of the best scholarships available for high school students, and how do I identify ones that I'm eligible for?

Firstly, it's great that you're starting early on searching for scholarships. There are a multitude of scholarships for high school students out there, it just takes some time and research to find the ones that suit you best.

High merit scholarships, such as National Merit Scholarship Program, Coca-Cola Scholars Program, and Burger King Scholars Program, are a great starting point. These are highly competitive, but they offer substantial financial rewards, hence why they can be of big help if you are selected.

Local scholarships are often overlooked, but since they tend to draw fewer applicants than national scholarships, the chances of winning could be higher. Look into offerings by local businesses or community organizations in your area.

Interest/Academic Subject-based scholarships may be available to students who have demonstrated exceptional talent or commitment to a certain area. For instance, the Davidson Fellows Scholarship rewards high school students who have completed noteworthy projects in STEM and Humanities fields.

Finally, you have scholarships specifically for juniors. Examples include the Coolidge Scholarship, which is a full-ride that covers a student's tuition, room, board, and expenses for four years of undergraduate study and is open to high school juniors.

In order to identify scholarships you're eligible for, you need to consider factors like your academic standings, extracurricular involvement, career aspirations, cultural background, financial status and more. Also, online scholarship databases like Fastweb, Appily or Peterson's can come in handy. You can create a profile, and they'll match you with scholarships that align with your qualifications. Be mindful, though, to double-check the eligibility requirements and guidelines and ensure that the scholarship is legitimate.

Remember to put in the effort in your applications, as crafting a compelling personal statement and seeking strong letters of recommendation can go a long way! Best of luck with your scholarship search.