Are there scholarships for college undergrads?

As a high school junior, I'm curious about what kind of scholarships are available for undergraduates. How early should I start applying, and can I apply for these before even starting college?

Absolutely, there are a multitude of scholarships available for undergraduate students. They come in all shapes and sizes, from those based on academic merit to ones for specific fields of study, and from scholarships for students from certain regions to ones for students with unique hobbies or interests.

Starting your scholarship search early is a great idea. In fact, many scholarships are open to high school juniors and even younger students. So, you certainly don't need to wait until you're in college to start applying. That being said, a lot of scholarships are open specifically for students who are in their senior year of high school, so you'll definitely have a lot more options once you reach that point.

To find these scholarships, you can use various online scholarship search platforms, such as Appily, or the scholarship database on the U.S. Department of Labor's website. Additionally, you might want to check out the websites of any colleges you're considering, as they may offer scholarships for incoming students.

Also, don't underestimate local opportunities. Sometimes, smaller scholarships offered by local businesses or community organizations have less competition. Lastly, once you're in college, you may find additional scholarship opportunities through your school's financial aid office or individual academic departments.

Remember to begin as soon as possible, stay organized, and keep a close eye on application deadlines. Good luck with your scholarship search!