Scholarships for high school juniors: Where do I start?

As a current junior in high school, I'm eager to start the college application journey. Can anyone recommend scholarships that I should be applying for now or tips on where to find them? I'm a bit lost on where to begin!

Absolutely, your enthusiasm for starting the scholarship application process is commendable. It's certainly never too early to start!

Firstly, reach out to your school's guidance counselor. They often have a wealth of information about local scholarships specific to your area or your school, and these are generally less competitive than national scholarships because the applicant pool is smaller.

Secondly, look at what interests and experiences you have. There are many scholarships that are targeted towards specific groups, fields of study, extracurricular activities, or even unique aspects like being left-handed or being a vegetarian! These are sometimes called 'niche' scholarships.

Use scholarship search engines, like Scholarship.com or Appily. You can fill out your profile, detailing your interests, academic strengths, and future career goals, and the engine will match you with scholarships that fit your profile.

In addition to these online resources, consider reaching out to local businesses, religious organizations, and community groups. These organizations often offer scholarships for local students.

Furthermore, if you already have an idea of what colleges you might apply to, check out their websites as many offer merit-based scholarships that you might be eligible for.

Also, keep in mind to start early. The scholarship search process can be time-consuming, but starting now is a great step. Ensure you meet all the eligibility requirements and pay close attention to the deadlines.

Here are a few scholarships that juniors like yourself can apply to:

- The National Merit Scholarship program, which awards scholarships based on PSAT scores.

- The Coca-Cola Scholars Program Scholarship awards 150 students each year with a $20,000 scholarship and is open to all high school students.

- The Coolidge Scholarship is a full-ride, four-year, merit scholarship that can be used by recipients for undergraduate study at any accredited college or university in the U.S. High school juniors are eligible to apply.

Remember, applying for scholarships is a numbers game - the more you apply for, the better your chances of receiving some. Best of luck on your scholarship search!