Scholarships for Middle School Students: Opportunities for Students 14 Years Old & Younger

Updated on September 26th, 2024

We have all heard the phrase, “The early bird gets the worm,” and the same holds true for college scholarships. Did you know students don’t need to wait until their junior or senior year in high school to start searching, researching, prep, applying, and securing scholarships? It’s true!

There are several scholarship opportunities for students who are in elementary and middle school. This not only helps in saving money for future education but also familiarizes them with the application process. Although your student may not be able to use the scholarship money immediately, it’s a great start to help cover college tuition when the time comes. Remember – it’s never too early to start saving money and begin planning now for college!

Here’s a look at why it’s best to start early, as well as 12 scholarships for students ages 14 years old and younger.

If you are curious as to how we found these, check out our free training on how to uncover legitimate scholarships, “6 Steps to Quickly Secure Scholarships for College.” This training is geared towards teaching parents what they need to know about paying for college so that they can help their child avoid student loan debt.

Why Finding Scholarships Early Is Best

Many students (and parents) may wonder why searching for scholarships for middle school or elementary school students is worthwhile. After all, your student has years before they have to start thinking about the college they’ll attend or the major they’ll pursue.

In reality, the cost of college is continually rising. Even with savings options like 529 savings plans, getting enough money together to cover the cost is challenging. And it’s hard to predict what financial aid will be available by the time your student reaches college age, particularly if you want your student to avoid student loan debt.

The most significant reason students should find scholarships as early as possible is that it makes funding their education easier. Students will have money available before they even start reviewing their college options. That eliminates a significant source of stress and could make more expensive colleges an option more students take when they wouldn’t be otherwise. Essentially, every dollar secured today through scholarships is one less dollar students need to find later.

Plus, there’s less competition for middle school scholarships and those geared toward younger children, including those in elementary school. Primarily, that’s because most students in younger grades don’t start looking for scholarship funds until they’re well into high school. By focusing on awards that welcome younger students, your student may have an easier time standing out and securing awards, making planning for the cost of college down the road easier.

In some cases, the requirements for multiple awards are also easier for students to navigate when the awards are geared toward younger students. For example, awarding organizations don’t expect the same level of essay as they would from high schoolers, as they know younger students are still learning. As a result, this potentially makes submitting applications less stressful, as the standards are set based on the applicant’s age and not what’s expected of soon-to-be college students.

WHY FINDING SCHOLARSHIPS FOR 8TH GRADERS (AND YOUNGER STUDENTS) IS OFTEN CHALLENGING

While the answer to the question, “Can you get a scholarship in the 8th grade?” is a resounding “yes,” finding scholarships for 8th graders entering high school and younger students comes with challenges. One reason it’s more difficult is the federal privacy laws involved.

The Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act of 1998 (COPPA), Children’s Privacy Protection Final Rule, and other similar regulations play a role when families look for scholarships for eighth graders and younger students. Mainly, they prevent websites from offering scholarship matching features to middle school and elementary school students. The reason is that these types of regulations require “verifiable parental consent” before information is collected on children below the age of 13. Obtaining that consent isn’t easy, so scholarship databases generally omit scholarships for 7th graders or students near or below that grade level, focusing instead on awards for older students where acquiring parental consent isn’t required.

For students and their families, that means tracking down scholarships for middle school students becomes trickier. There generally aren’t scholarship databases focused on scholarships for kids, making the process of finding 8th grade scholarships or awards for similar age groups more manual.

That’s why The Scholarship System built this list. Since The Scholarship System isn’t collecting any information on students or their families when offering information on scholarships for elementary school or middle school students, this site is able to provide information while adhering to relevant regulations.

Want to learn more about the scholarship process and how to find easy scholarships for middle school students? Attend our free webinar! This training is designed for parents and students to learn exactly what they need to know about scholarships. Reserve a spot today at http://thescholarshipsystem.com/freewebinar!

12 MIDDLE SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIPS FOR STUDENTS 14 YEARS OLD & YOUNGER:

1. VFW VOICE OF DEMOCRACY

https://www.vfw.org/PatriotsPen/

• Award: Up to $5,000
• Eligibility:
• Competition is open to students in grades 6-8 in the United States, its territories, and its possessions.
• GPA Requirement: No GPA Requirement
• Requires Essay

2. MARYKNOLL STUDENT ESSAY CONTESTS

https://maryknollsociety.org/publications/essay-contest/

• Award: Up to $1,000
• Eligibility:
• The contest is open to students enrolled in grades 6-12 for the 2018-2019 school year who are residents of one of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia, or a province of Canada (except Quebec).
• GPA Requirement: No GPA Requirement
• Requires Essay

3. EDUCATION MATTERS SCHOLARSHIP

https://www.unigo.com/scholarships/our-scholarships/education-matters-scholarship

• Award: $5,000
• Eligibility:
• Scholarship is open to students age 13 years of age or older who are legal residents of the 50 United States or the District of Columbia and are currently enrolled in an accredited post-secondary institution of higher education.
• GPA Requirement: No GPA Requirement
• Requires Essay

4. STOP HUNGER SCHOLARSHIPS AND GRANTS

http://us.stop-hunger.org/home/grants.html

• Award: $5,000
• Eligibility:
• Scholarship is open to students in kindergarten through college or graduate school (ages 5-25) who have demonstrated an ongoing commitment to their community by performing unpaid volunteer services impacting hunger in the United States within the last 12 months.
• GPA Requirement: No GPA Requirement
• Requires Volunteer Services

5. NATIONAL GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY RUBINCAM YOUTH WRITING COMPETITION

https://www.ngsgenealogy.org/competitions/rubincam-youth-award/

• Award: $250
• Eligibility:
• Award is open to students in grades 6 through 12.
• GPA Requirement: No GPA requirement
• Requires Genealogical Project

Want to learn how to find more scholarships like these or tips on navigating the scholarship process? Join us for our next free training. This training is designed for parents and students to learn exactly what they need to know about scholarships. Families have used this process to secure over $1 million so far. Reserve your spot today at https://thescholarshipsystem.com/freewebinar!

6. NICODEMUS WILDERNESS PROJECT APPRENTICE ECOLOGIST INITIATIVE

http://www.wildernessproject.org/volunteer_apprentice_ecologist.php

• Award: Varies
• Eligibility:
• Open to students between the ages of 13 and 21 who are candidates for a degree/diploma at a primary (middle school students), secondary (high school students), university or accredited post-secondary educational institution from any country around the world
• Applicant must conduct their own environmental stewardship or environmental health project.
• GPA Requirement: No GPA requirement
• Requires Environmental Stewardship Project

7. ONE EARTH FILM FESTIVAL YOUNG FILMMAKERS CONTEST

https://www.oneearthfilmfest.org/contest-details/

• Award: Up to $1,000
• Eligibility:
• Open to school students in grades 3 through college (ages 8 and up) from the United States.
• GPA Requirement: No GPA Requirement
• Requires Creating a Film

8. SWEET AND SIMPLE SCHOLARSHIP

https://www.unigo.com/scholarships/our-scholarships/sweet-and-simple-scholarship

• Award: $1,500
• Eligibility:
• Applicant must be 14 years of age or older, be a resident of the 50 United States or the District of Columbia
• GPA Requirement: No GPA requirement
• Requires Essay

9. SUPERPOWER SCHOLARSHIP

https://www.unigo.com/scholarships/our-scholarships/superpower-scholarship

• Award: $2,500
• Eligibility:
• Scholarship is open to school students 14 school years of age or older who are legal residents of the 50 United States or the District of Columbia
• GPA Requirement: No GPA requirement
• Requires Essay

10. ALL ABOUT EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP

https://www.unigo.com/scholarships/our-scholarships/all-about-education-scholarship

• Award: $3,000
• Eligibility:
• Scholarship is open to students 14 years of age or older who are legal residents of the 50 United States or the District of Columbia
• GPA Requirement: No GPA Requirement
• Requires Essay

11. FIFTH MONTH SCHOLARSHIP

https://www.unigo.com/scholarships/our-scholarships/fifth-month-scholarship

• Award: $1,500
• Eligibility:
• Scholarship is open to students 14 years of age or older who are legal residents of the 50 United States or the District of Columbia
• GPA Requirement: No GPA Requirement
• Requires Essay

12. GLORIA BARRON PRIZE FOR YOUNG HEROES

https://barronprize.org/apply/

• Award: $10,000
• Eligibility:
• Be between the ages of 8 and 18
• Permanent resident (or currently residing in) the US or Canada
• Qualifying service project (either current or within the past 12 months)
• Leading service work
• GPA Requirement: None
• Requires Essay
• Requires Project Summary
• Requires a Lead Reference Letter and Recommendations

SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION PROCESS

The scholarship application process for middle school students typically involves several key components. Students usually need to submit an application form, which may include essays, transcripts, and letters of recommendation. Some scholarships might also require students to complete a project or participate in a competition, such as a national geography bee or an inspiring service project. While the specific requirements can vary depending on the scholarship, most organizations provide clear instructions and guidelines to help students through the process. By understanding these requirements early, middle school students can prepare effectively and increase their chances of success.

SCHOLARSHIP DEADLINES AND TIMELINES

Scholarship deadlines and timelines can vary widely depending on the organization and the specific scholarship. Some scholarships may have deadlines as early as the fall of the student’s 6th-grade year, while others might be due in the spring of their 8th-grade year. It’s crucial for students and parents to research and review the deadlines and timelines for each scholarship to ensure they don’t miss any opportunities. Keeping a well-organized schedule and tracking system can help manage these deadlines effectively, ensuring that students can apply for as many scholarships as possible without feeling overwhelmed.

TIPS FOR FINDING SCHOLARSHIPS FOR 14 YEAR OLDS AND YOUNGER STUDENTS

Whether you’re looking for scholarships for 6th graders, scholarships for 5th graders, or awards for any other middle school or elementary school grade, there are things students and parents can do to make the process easier.

First, it’s best to come up with a simple tracking system. A spreadsheet or similar option can work well. Students and parents can add information about any scholarships they find – including the name, awarding organization, due date, and application link – to the spreadsheet, ensuring nothing falls through the cracks.

Plus, the tracking system allows families to gather information about scholarships worth considering in the future. For example, if you’re looking for scholarships for 12 year olds based on your student’s current age but find scholarships for 13 year olds during your search, you can track the information. Then, when your student turns 13, you have a list of scholarships they can apply for without having to locate them again.

It’s also wise to save copies of anything written or gathered to complete the scholarship application processes. For example, letters of recommendation, essays, transcripts, and similar documentation are potentially reusable, allowing families to speed up future applications.

Finally, while it’s wise to start the scholarship process when children are young, make sure it isn’t overwhelming to your student. The goal is to make progress without burning them out, ensuring they feel excited about applying for scholarships as they get older. That way, they’ll remain dedicated long-term, making it easier to continue with the process throughout middle school and high school.

NOT SURE HOW TO WRITE A GREAT ESSAY FOR THESE SCHOLARSHIPS? NO WORRIES – WE’VE GOT YOUR BACK THERE TOO.

DOWNLOAD OUR FREE 3-STEP WRITING GUIDE BELOW.

And if you’d like some help with these applications to increase the likelihood of being selected, here are a few more posts that can help.

Suggested articles:

• 5 Steps to Negotiate College Tuition & Save Thousands of Dollars
• How to Make Scholarship Essays Stand Out
• 10-Point Checklist to Help Your Child Secure Money for College
• 75 Easy Ways to Save Money in College

FAQS

What’s the Youngest Age Students Can Get Scholarships?

Every scholarship has its own requirements, including the minimum and maximum age or grade level students can be and still qualify. Generally, scholarships for high school and college-aged students are the most common. However, there are plenty of awards for younger students, too.

In some cases, you may find scholarships for children as young as 4 years old, though awards targeting preschool or elementary school-aged children are relatively rare. Scholarships for middle schoolers are more common, so parents can usually find some solid options once their student falls in that age group.

How Much Are Middle School Scholarships Worth?

Scholarships can award different amounts of money to recipients. Some may contribute a few hundred dollars to a student’s college education, while others may provide thousands. Additionally, awards may limit the use of any funds to specific costs – like tuition and fees – or allow students to apply the money to a wide array of costs.

While it may seem like focusing on scholarships with large awards is best, there’s a critical thing to remember: small scholarships add up! Students can potentially cover the entire cost of their education with smaller scholarships if they secure enough of them. As a result, it’s never a bad idea to consider any scholarship a student can potentially win, as they all make it easier to cover the cost of a college education. 

Do Scholarships Expire?

Scholarships usually have a timeframe associated with the award. If the student doesn’t enroll in college and apply the funds to their education within the award’s timeline, the scholarship may functionally expire.

However, it’s critical to note that scholarships for younger students know that the award recipient isn’t starting college for at least several years. As a result, the timeline for using the funds reflects a longer timeframe than you may find with scholarships focused on high schoolers or current college students.

Typically, any timelines for using the award are spelled out by the scholarship committee. As a result, it’s easy to find out when the scholarship would expire before completing an application.

How Do You Make Sure That a Scholarship Is Legit?

While many scholarships are legitimate, scams do exist. Usually, the best defense is to research the awarding organization, allowing you to focus on scholarships offered by reputable ones.

Additionally, be wary of any scholarship that requires a payment to apply or asks for financial details like credit card or debit card numbers and bank account numbers. Similarly, a scholarship that requires a Social Security Number as part of the application is a red flag.

However, those are just some of the warning signs of potential scholarship scams. For more information about how students can separate the legit scholarships from the scams, check out our Ultimate Guide to Scholarship Scams.