Finding scholarships as a sophomore in high school?

I'm a sophomore in high school, and I'm trying to plan ahead for college. Are there scholarships available for sophomores, or should I wait until I'm older? Any guidance on where to look or how to prepare would be great.

Absolutely, there are scholarships available even for high school sophomores. While it's definitely more common to find scholarships geared towards juniors or seniors, there's no reason for you not to start early. Getting a head start would not only ease your financial burden down the line, but it's also an excellent exercise in application writing.

A few scholarships that traditionally accepted applications from sophomores include:

1. The American Legion National High School Oratorical Contest

2. The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards

3. The Christopher Columbus Community Service Awards

In terms of tools to search for scholarships, you might try using online scholarship databases such as Fastweb, Chegg Scholarships, or Appily (formerly known as Cappex). These enable you to create a profile and match you with scholarships that best fit your profile.

In terms of preparation, here are a few tips:

1. Keep track of your accomplishments: Start creating your resume now so you can easily reference it when you need to provide information about your extracurricular activities. List out any leadership positions, community service activities, or awards you've received.

2. Improve your writing: Most applications will require an essay, and writing is a skill that can always be improved. Work on creating compelling narratives and clearly communicating your thoughts.

3. Develop your passions: Many scholarships are aimed at students who have a particular interest or passion. If you have an area that you are particularly passionate about, deepen your knowledge and involvement. This will not only improve your applications but also give you a clear narrative about who you are and what matters to you.

I hope this helps, and remember, persistence is key. The scholarship search process can be time-consuming but don't get discouraged, your efforts would eventually pay off. Good luck!