Scholarships for High School Freshmen
While many people think of scholarships as being only for high school seniors, there are actually scholarships for high school freshmen. Applying for scholarships while you are in 9th grade is an excellent strategy to begin planning for funding your college education.
Dick Blick Linoleum Block Print Contest
Each year, Dick Blick sponsors a contest for block prints that are made exclusively from linoleum. There are three different divisions to this contest, including one that is for grades 7 through 9. Each division of the contest includes a first prize worth $400, a second prize of $250 and a third prize of $150. There are also two honorable mention prizes worth $50. The deadline to apply for this contest is March 15th.
Doodle 4 Google Scholarships for High School Freshmen
Students who enjoy doodling and art may wish to apply for the Doodle 4 Google competition to earn money for college. There are four different grade groups for this competition, including one specifically for grades 7 through 9. Each grade group will have a national finalist. The national winner will be awarded a $15,000 college scholarship as well as a trip to visit the Google office in New York, a laptop and a digital tablet. Additionally, the winner’s school will receive a $25,000 technology grant. All finalists receive a $5,000 scholarship, digital tablet and trip to visit Google. The deadline to apply for this scholarship is in early-March.
DuPont Challenge Science Essay Competition
DuPont Center for Collaborative Research and Education is sponsoring an essay competition in conjunction with General Learning Communication. There are two different grade divisions for this scholarship competition, including one that is open to grades 7 through 9. Applicants are asked to write an essay of between 700 and 1,000 words related to a development, theory or event in technological or scientific development. Topic areas may include earth sciences, physical sciences, life sciences, chemical sciences, space technology or environmental sciences. Within each grade division, there will be a first place winner who will receive a $5,000 U.S. Savings Bond award, a second place winner who will receive a $3,000 U.S. Savings Bond award and a third place winner who will receive a $2,000 U.S. Savings Bond award. There will also be several honorable mentions that will receive smaller bond awards. First through third place winners receive an additional expenses paid trip to visit the Space Center in Houston. The deadline to apply is mid-January.
National Marbles Tournament Scholarships for High School Freshmen
Students interested in scholarships for high school freshmen may also wish to apply for the annual National Marbles Tournament for the opportunity to win a scholarship award. The tournament is held annually each June. Two $2,000 scholarships are awarded along with two $1,000 sportsmanship awards.
CollegeInvest Early Achievers Scholarship for High School Freshmen
Formerly known as the College in Colorado Scholarship, this high school freshmen scholarship program is specifically for Colorado students who are in the 7th, 8th or 9th grades. Award winners may qualify to receive up to $1,500 per year for up to five years to attend an eligible college in Colorado. The deadline to apply is June 1st of your freshman or 9th grade year. To qualify, students must graduate with a minimum 2.5 GPA for all coursework during high school and complete the FAFSA and be eligible for the Federal Pell Grant. Students will also need to attend college at least half-time.
