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52 verified programs · 7 categories · compiled July 2026

The verified K-12 student scholarship directory

52 verified scholarship programs for K-12 students across 7 categories — arts, theatre & music; athletics & activities; civic, essay & service; merit & general; need-based & first-generation; STEM & computing; and younger students (K-8). Sourced from official program websites, July 2026. Research reference only.

Scholarship.Network is an independent directory — not a scholarship provider, not a scholarship guarantee, and not affiliated with any program listed. Appearing here is not an application or an endorsement.

Deadlines change. Award amounts, eligibility requirements, and application dates are sourced from official pages at compile time (July 2026) and may have changed since. Always confirm current details on the official program page before a student invests application time.

Parent/guardian action required. Programs where a parent or guardian must consent, co-sign, provide tax documentation, or accompany the student are flagged individually on each program card.

Arts, Theatre & Music Athletics & Activities Civic, Essay & Service Merit & General Need-Based & First-Generation STEM & Computing Younger Students (K-8)
52verified programs
7scholarship categories
34programs flag parent/guardian action
23carry a verify-details badge

Start here

What Scholarship.Network is — and what it is not

This is a reference directory. It lists K-12 student scholarship programs, points you at each program’s official page, and gets out of the way. It is a place to look things up — not a place to apply, not a service you sign into, and not an organization that hands out money.

What it is

  • An independent, read-only directory of 52 verified programs across 7 categories.
  • A research starting point for students, families, and school counselors and advisers.
  • A hand-off: every card links straight to the sponsor’s own official page.
  • Compiled and verified from official program pages in July 2026.

What it is not

  • Not an application portal. You never apply here.
  • Not a scholarship provider. This directory awards nothing and funds nothing.
  • Not affiliated with any sponsor, foundation, or program listed.
  • Not a paid service. There is no fee, no payment step, and no upsell.
  • Not a data collector. Browsing collects nothing and sets no cookies.

Workflow

Browse, learn, then apply on the program’s own site

Three steps — and the application always happens somewhere else.

  1. Browse. Filter by one of the 7 categories, or scroll the full list of 52 programs. No account, no sign-in, nothing to fill out.
  2. Learn. Each card shows the sponsor, award amount, eligibility, current deadline, and whether a parent or guardian has to act. Details that could not be fully confirmed carry a Verify details badge so you know to double-check.
  3. Apply on the official site. Follow the Official page link to the sponsor’s own website and apply there, under their rules and their privacy policy. Scholarship.Network never takes an application and never touches a fee.

Because award amounts, eligibility, and deadlines change between cycles, always confirm the current details on the official page before a student invests application time.

Scope

What the directory does today — and what is still on the way

Everything under “Available now” is live on this page. Everything under “Planned” is honestly not built yet. And a few things we will never build, because they would mean collecting data.

Available now

  • 52 programs verified against official pages (July 2026).
  • 7 browsable categories, each with its own crawlable /scholarship/<category> page.
  • Per-card parent/guardian action flags for minor applicants.
  • Verify-details badges on programs with an unconfirmed detail.
  • Cross-listing: multi-category programs show an “Also in” badge.
  • A direct official-page link on every single card.

Planned — not yet live

  • Additional categories (trade and vocational awards, state-specific programs) as they are verified.
  • A printable one-page summary a counselor can hand out.
  • A scheduled re-verification pass between application cycles.

Deliberately not built: no accounts, no saved lists, and no email alerts. Each of those would require collecting something about you, and this directory collects nothing.

Who it is for

Built for students, families, and the counselors who guide them

Students

Browse on your own, with no account and nothing to fill out. See at a glance which programs fit your grade, what they award, when they close, and which ones need a parent or guardian to sign off before you can accept.

Counselors & advisers

Scan a whole category in one pass. Parent/guardian action flags and verify-details badges surface the caveats you would otherwise chase one program at a time, so you can point a student at the right official page with the right warnings attached.

Families

Every program that needs a parent or guardian to consent, co-sign, supply tax documents, or travel with a minor winner is flagged on its own card — so you know exactly where your involvement is required before your student starts.

Category 1 of 7

Arts, Theatre & Music

9 programs in this category

The Kennedy Center (Access/VSA) · $3,000 financial stipend per winning artist; one submitted piece selected for a national touring exhibition starting at the Kennedy Center

Access/VSA Emerging Young Artists Program

Grade level: 11-12 (program age band 16-25; only ages 16-17 fall within K-12)

Eligibility: Ages 16-25 as of the deadline; must have a disability as defined by the ADA and be comfortable publicly identifying as an artist with a disability; must reside in and have the right to work in the U.S. (50 states, DC, PR, and territories); visual arts

Deadline: 2026 cycle deadline was November 16, 2025 (past); winners notified by January 9, 2026. 2027 cycle not yet announced

Parent/guardian action required. Parent/guardian release form required for applicants under 18

Verify details Official page →

The Kennedy Center (Access/VSA) · Financial stipend — exact dollar amount UNKNOWN (official page cites stipends but does not publish the figure)

Access/VSA International Young Musicians Program

Grade level: 9-12 (program age band 14-25; only ages 14-17 fall within K-12)

Eligibility: Ages 14-25 at the application deadline; must have a disability (visible/physical/sensory or less-visible such as anxiety, ADHD, chronic illness, PTSD, dyslexia, neurodivergence); any instrument or genre; soloists or ensembles of 2-5 members (at least one member with a disability); international

Deadline: 2026 cycle deadline was January 7, 2026 (past); DC residency July 23-27, 2026. 2027 cycle not yet announced

Parent/guardian action required. Parent/guardian consent expected for applicants under 18 — confirm current terms on the official page

Verify details Official page →

Educational Theatre Foundation (Educational Theatre Association / International Thespian Society) · Named scholarships $1,000-$2,000 each (Hasija $1,000; Mark Drum $1,250; Future Theatre Educator $1,500; Gai Laing Jones up to $2,000; Board Leadership $1,000); more than $40,000 in educational and training opportunities awarded annually

EdTA / Educational Theatre Foundation Thespian Scholarships

Grade level: High school (graduating seniors; inducted Thespians)

Eligibility: Must be an inducted Thespian (member of a registered International Thespian Society troupe at the school); most scholarships target graduating high school seniors, some open to current undergraduates; named tracks for BIPOC and Asian/Pacific Islander applicants and future theatre educators

Deadline: Applications open February 1 - April 1 annually; winners announced in May

Parent/guardian: Students apply directly; no parental co-signature requirement stated

Official page →

Journalism Education Association (JEA) · $4,000 (national winner); $1,200 each for up to five finalists

JEA Journalist of the Year Scholarship

Grade level: High school seniors

Eligibility: High school seniors (or equivalent for international schools); the applicant’s adviser must be a current JEA member; portfolio must be a state Journalist of the Year award winner; photojournalism is eligible within a journalism portfolio

Deadline: National deadline March 15 (11:59 p.m. CDT); state deadlines vary by affiliate

Parent/guardian: No parental requirement stated

Official page →

Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) · National base cash award UNKNOWN (not published); named prizes at National Finals (Chopin prize, Ebony Music prize, award for best performance of a work by a Black composer)

MTNA Performance Competitions — Junior Division

Grade level: Through end of high school

Eligibility: Junior Division (through high school; category age cutoffs vary); must study with an MTNA Active Member teacher or pay the $200 nonmember teacher fee; must be a U.S. citizen or hold a valid U.S. visa/green card and reside in the U.S. Categories: Piano, String, Woodwind

Deadline: 2026-2027 registration deadline September 9, 2026, 3:00 p.m. ET; National Finals April 2-6, 2027, St. Louis

Parent/guardian action required. Entered by the teacher; parental registration/consent involved

Verify details Official page →

National PTA · Award of Excellence: $200 Young Artist Scholarship + Silver Medal; Outstanding Interpretation: $800 Young Artist Scholarship + Gold Medal + $200 to the local PTA; Merit: Bronze Medal/Certificate. Entry is free

National PTA Reflections Arts Program

Grade level: PreK-12

Eligibility: Any PreK-12 student enrolled in a school with an active PTA/PTSA unit; U.S. only; categories: Dance Choreography, Film Production, Literature, Music Composition, Photography, Visual Arts

Deadline: Local and state deadlines vary (fall through winter); 2025-2026 theme ‘I Belong!’ — national winners announced May 1, 2026; 2026-2027 cycle next

Parent/guardian action required. Entry runs through the local PTA; release/permission forms required for minors at the finalist level

Official page →

Alliance for Young Artists & Writers (with Scholastic) · National scholarships range $500-$12,500; Gold Medal Portfolio includes a $12,500 scholarship; Silver Medal Portfolio $2,000; plus Scholastic Awards Summer full-tuition summer-program scholarships. Entry fee $10 per work / $30 per portfolio (fee waivers available)

Scholastic Art & Writing Awards

Grade level: 7-12 (grades 7-8 fall in the younger-students band)

Eligibility: Grades 7-12, ages 13+, residing in the U.S., U.S. territories/military bases, or Canada; 29 categories including Photography (Experimental Photography new for 2026)

Deadline: Entries open October 1; regional deadlines fall Dec 1 - Jan 6 (vary by affiliate). 2026 cycle complete (National Awards Week June 9-11, 2026); 2026-2027 cycle opens ~October 2026

Parent/guardian action required. Release forms required at national level; parental consent required for minors at registration; entry via a regional affiliate (Canadian students also eligible, not U.S.-only)

Also in: Younger Students (K-8) Official page →

Sphinx Organization · Junior Division: 1st place $10,000 plus solo appearances with major orchestras; 2nd place $5,000; 3rd place $3,000

Sphinx Competition — Junior Division

Grade level: Age 17 and under (through grade 12)

Eligibility: String musicians only (violin, viola, cello, double bass); must identify as Black or Latino; age 17 and under; U.S.-based

Deadline: 2027 application opens spring 2026 (2026 deadline was October 20, 2025); competition held annually in Detroit

Parent/guardian action required. Parent/guardian permission required for minors to accept prizes

Official page →

National YoungArts Foundation · Cash prizes between $250 and $10,000 (amount varies by award level); cash is taxable income

YoungArts National Arts Competition

Grade level: 10-12 (ages 15-18)

Eligibility: Grades 10-12 or ages 15-18 as of December 1 of the application year; U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or legally able to receive taxable income in the U.S. (SSN required); 10 disciplines including Classical Music, Jazz, Voice, Theater, Dance, Film, Design, Writing, Visual Arts, and Photography

Deadline: 2027 application opens July 21, 2026; 2027 closing deadline not yet published (2026 cycle closed October 8, 2025)

Parent/guardian action required. Award is taxable income; parental co-signature and tax documentation required for winners under 18

Official page →

Category 2 of 7

Athletics & Activities

5 programs in this category

Entertainment Software Association (ESA) Foundation · $5,000 to $10,000 per recipient; Foundation aims to award ~30 scholarships for 2026-2027 (shared across its esports and game-arts scholarships)

ESA Foundation Esports Scholarship

Grade level: High school senior through college junior

Eligibility: Women and members of minority groups who compete on or manage a college esports team/club; must be U.S. citizen/resident, seeking a bachelor’s degree, enrolled full-time at a 4-year U.S. college, and demonstrate financial need; must be competing on a college esports team/club or confirmed to compete at the collegiate level in Fall 2026. High school seniors, freshmen, sophomores, or juniors may apply.

Deadline: Applications opened April 1, 2026 and closed April 30, 2026 (11:59 p.m. PT). 2026-27 cycle CLOSED as of 2026-07-06; annual/recurring.

Parent/guardian action required. HS-senior applicants may be minors; acceptance documentation requires parental consent. Application collects financial-need and demographic data.

Official page →

Foot Locker Foundation, Inc. · Twenty scholars each receive $20,000 in college scholarship money

Foot Locker Scholar Athletes

Grade level: 12 (graduating high school senior)

Eligibility: Graduating high school senior entering an accredited 2- or 4-year college in the fall; currently involved in high school sports, intramural sports, or community-based sports; minimum 3.0 GPA; U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident; household 1040 required (need considered).

Deadline: UNKNOWN for the current cycle — official application site was inaccessible; aggregators report conflicting spring dates (April 1 vs. May 31). Program is annual; as of 2026-07-06 the 2026 cycle deadline has already passed.

Parent/guardian action required. Applicant is typically 17-18; a parent/guardian 1040 tax return is required and scholarship acceptance for a minor requires parental documentation/co-signature.

Verify details Official page →

Friends of DCI (Drum Corps International) · Up to ten (10) scholarships of $2,500 each, applied toward corps tuition. Related named awards: two (2) Richardson’s Scholarships and two (2) Peth Scholarships at $3,000 each.

Friends of DCI Scholarship

Grade level: High school senior or current college student (participation-gated)

Eligibility: Current member in good standing of an Open or World Class DCI corps in the 2026 season; plans to pursue higher education; demonstrated financial need; interest in the marching arts.

Deadline: Application period opened 1/1/2026 and closed 3/15/2026. 2026 cycle CLOSED; next cycle opens January 2027.

Parent/guardian action required. DCI corps members are frequently minors (14+); corps enrollment already requires parental consent and a minor’s application/award acceptance requires parental co-signature.

Official page →

Sponsors of Musical Enrichment (S.O.M.E. Inc.), affiliated with Drum Corps International · $5,000, granted for a one-year period

Jim Ott Scholarship

Grade level: High school senior or college student

Eligibility: Member of a World or Open Class drum & bugle corps; graduating high school senior OR student currently attending an institution of higher learning (enrollment certification required); majoring in / planning to major in music.

Deadline: 2026 application window: deadline reported as 7/1/2026 by third-party listings / no later than July 15 per S.O.M.E. (the official administrator). Verify current dates on the official page.

Parent/guardian action required. HS-senior applicants may be minors; award acceptance requires parental involvement. Administered by S.O.M.E., not DCI directly.

Official page →

Music for All Foundation (includes Fred J. Miller Family Scholarship and Yamaha Corporation of America Scholarship) · Three scholarships, each between $1,000 and $2,000

Music for All Foundation Scholarship (Bands of America)

Grade level: 12 (high school senior)

Eligibility: College-bound high school senior; pursuing a degree in music education; planning to enroll in college within one year of high school; minimum 3.0 GPA; has performed or will perform at a Bands of America Regional, Super Regional, or Grand National Championship in the current year.

Deadline: UNKNOWN — no open cycle at time of verification; expected to reopen approximately September 2026 based on prior cycles.

Parent/guardian action required. HS-senior applicants may be minors; band director recommendation and parental acceptance typical. Participation-gated to BOA-competing schools.

Verify details Official page →

Category 3 of 7

Civic, Essay & Service

9 programs in this category

The American Legion · National 1st: $25,000; 2nd: $22,500; 3rd: $20,000. Each Department (state) winner certified into the national first round: $2,000; those advancing further: an additional $2,000. More than $203,500 awarded annually.

American Legion National High School Oratorical Contest

Grade level: 9-12 (under age 20)

Eligibility: Students under age 20 on the date of the national contest, enrolled in a U.S. high school or junior high school (public, parochial, military, private, or home school); must be U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents.

Deadline: 2026-2027 cycle: local contests begin fall 2026 (local deadlines from November 2026); state winners certified to the national round in spring 2027; national finals in May 2027.

Parent/guardian: Live public-speaking competition; student self-enters and competes independently. No parental co-signature noted in official rules.

Official page →

Carson Scholars Fund (founded by Dr. Ben Carson and Candy Carson) · $1,000 college scholarship.

Carson Scholars Fund

Grade level: 4-11

Eligibility: Students in grades 4-11 enrolled at an accredited U.S. school; minimum 3.75 GPA on a 4.0 scale; must demonstrate outstanding community service beyond school requirements; may not be a previous Carson Scholar recipient. Students must be nominated by an educator at their school.

Deadline: 2026 cycle closed (nomination form available Oct 15, 2025; application & recommendation deadline Jan 11, 2026). 2026-2027 nominations expected to open ~October 2026.

Parent/guardian: Serves elementary-through-junior-year minors (as young as grade 4). An EDUCATOR must nominate; students cannot self-nominate.

Verify details Official page →

Elks National Foundation (Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks) · 500 four-year scholarships awarded annually, ranging from $1,000/year to $12,500/year. The top 20 scholars attend a Leadership Weekend in Chicago and receive $30,000 toward a four-year education; the other 480 scholars receive $4,000 each. Elks membership not required.

Elks National Foundation Most Valuable Student (MVS) Scholarship

Grade level: 12 (high school seniors)

Eligibility: High school seniors who are U.S. citizens, enrolling full-time in a four-year undergraduate program at a U.S. college/university. Judged on scholarship (academics), leadership, and financial need.

Deadline: 2027 cycle: applications available August 1, 2026; must be submitted (to a local Elks Lodge) by November 12, 2026.

Parent/guardian: Applicant seniors may be minors; application is submitted through a local Elks Lodge. No parental co-signature noted.

Also in: Merit & General Official page →

T. A. Barron (independently endowed; no corporate sponsor) · 25 winners honored annually; top winners each receive $10,000 in support of their service work OR higher education (winner’s choice).

Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes

Grade level: Ages 8-18 (elementary through high school)

Eligibility: Applicants ages 8-18 (not yet age 19) on the April 15 deadline; must be permanent legal residents of the U.S. or Canada currently residing in the 50 U.S. states, District of Columbia, or Canada; must have made a significant positive difference to people and/or the environment.

Deadline: 2026 cycle closed (pre-application due March 15, 2026; full application due April 15, 2026). 2027 cycle: full application deadline April 15, 2027.

Parent/guardian action required. Youngest-eligible program here (age 8). Two-step gated application; parental consent required for applicants under 16, and a guardian must execute prize documents for a minor winner.

Verify details Official page →

John F. Kennedy Library Foundation · First place: $10,000; second place: $3,000; three finalists: $1,000 each; fifteen honorable mentions (cash amount UNKNOWN / not published). The first-place winner’s nominating teacher receives a $500 John F. Kennedy Public Service Grant plus paid travel/lodging to the JFK Library in Boston.

John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Essay Contest

Grade level: 9-12

Eligibility: U.S. high school students in grades 9-12 attending public, private, parochial, or home schools; U.S. students under age 20 in a high school correspondence/GED program; and U.S. citizens attending schools overseas.

Deadline: 2025-2026 cycle closed January 12, 2026. 2026-2027 cycle expected to open ~September 2026 with a ~January 2027 deadline — UNCONFIRMED; verify at jfklibrary.org.

Parent/guardian: Student submits independently via the SMApply portal; no parental co-signature noted.

Verify details Official page →

Optimist International · $2,500 college scholarship awarded at the District level. Club-level winners advance to the District contest; no cash is awarded at the club level.

Optimist International Essay Contest

Grade level: Under age 19 / pre-secondary-completion (typically K-12)

Eligibility: Open to students under age 19 as of October 1 of the current contest year who have not yet completed secondary school or its equivalent (including CEGEP students in Quebec, Canada). No minimum age. Entry requires a participating local Optimist Club.

Deadline: 2025-2026 cycle closed (club deadline Feb 28, 2026; District deadline April 15, 2026). 2026-2027 cycle deadlines not yet posted — expected to return in early 2027; check optimist.org in fall 2026.

Parent/guardian: Student must engage a local Optimist Club to enter; no national portal. Club administers judging locally.

Verify details Official page →

Prudential Financial (in partnership with Ashoka) · 25 winners receive $5,000 each; one Financial Solutions Grand Prize winner receives an additional $10,000 (up to $15,000 total); one Prudential Employees’ Choice Award of an additional $5,000; two Early Entry Awards of $1,000 each. Winners also receive an all-expenses-paid trip to Prudential HQ (Newark, NJ) with a parent/guardian plus Ashoka coaching.

Prudential Emerging Visionaries

Grade level: High school (ages 14-18)

Eligibility: Individuals ages 14-18 when applying and not older than 18 by the end of the entry period; legal residents of the United States or Puerto Rico; project must have started on or before June 1 of the application year.

Deadline: November 2, 2026 (2026 cycle currently open and accepting applications)

Parent/guardian action required. All applicants are minors or near-minors; winning minor is accompanied by a parent/guardian on the HQ trip. Parental co-signature at application not confirmed on the official page — verify in the FAQ before any student-facing use.

Official page →

Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States (VFW) · National first place: $5,000 scholarship. Each VFW Department (state) first-place winner: minimum $500. Nearly 68,800 students compete annually for more than $1.4 million in state and national awards.

VFW Patriot’s Pen

Grade level: 6-8

Eligibility: Students in grades 6-8 enrolled in a U.S. public, private, parochial, or home school.

Deadline: October 31, 2026 (essay submitted to a local VFW Post; 2026-2027 cycle)

Parent/guardian: Middle-school minors; student submits a 300-400 word written essay to a local VFW Post. No parental co-signature required.

Official page →

Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States (VFW) · National first place: $35,000 scholarship (paid to the recipient’s U.S. college/university or vocational/technical school). Other national scholarships range $1,000-$21,000; nearly 40,000 students compete for ~$2.1 million in scholarships and incentives.

VFW Voice of Democracy

Grade level: 9-12

Eligibility: Students in grades 9-12 enrolled in a U.S. public, private, parochial, home, or overseas dependent/military school. Foreign exchange students and students age 20+ are ineligible.

Deadline: October 31, 2026 (entries turned in to a local VFW Post by midnight; 2026-2027 cycle)

Parent/guardian: Student submits an audio essay in their own voice through a local VFW Post; no parental co-signature required. Recording is a minor’s voice — handle per consent rules if referenced downstream.

Official page →

Category 4 of 7

Merit & General

12 programs in this category

Elks National Foundation (Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks) · 500 four-year scholarships awarded annually, ranging from $1,000/year to $12,500/year. The top 20 scholars attend a Leadership Weekend in Chicago and receive $30,000 toward a four-year education; the other 480 scholars receive $4,000 each. Elks membership not required.

Elks National Foundation Most Valuable Student (MVS) Scholarship

Grade level: 12 (high school seniors)

Eligibility: High school seniors who are U.S. citizens, enrolling full-time in a four-year undergraduate program at a U.S. college/university. Judged on scholarship (academics), leadership, and financial need.

Deadline: 2027 cycle: applications available August 1, 2026; must be submitted (to a local Elks Lodge) by November 12, 2026.

Parent/guardian: Applicant seniors may be minors; application is submitted through a local Elks Lodge. No parental co-signature noted.

Also in: Merit & General Official page →

Bryan Cameron Education Foundation · Four-year full tuition, fees, and books at any accredited U.S. college; 15 scholars/year

Cameron Impact Scholarship

Grade level: High school senior

Eligibility: HS Class of 2027; U.S. citizen; min 3.7 cumulative unweighted GPA; demonstrated leadership, community service, and extracurricular excellence

Deadline: Class of 2027 cycle CLOSED — deadline was May 1, 2026, or upon reaching 3,000 completed applications. Next cycle (Class of 2028) not yet announced as of July 2026.

Parent/guardian: Student self-applies; finalist interviews conducted at the applicant’s own high school

Verify details Official page →

Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation · $20,000 scholarship; 150 scholars selected each year

Coca-Cola Scholars Program

Grade level: High school senior

Eligibility: High school seniors graduating during the 2026-2027 academic year, enrolled in a U.S. high school; U.S. citizen/national/permanent resident/refugee/asylee; minimum 3.0 GPA

Deadline: Application window August 3 - September 30, 2026, 5 PM ET (Class of 2027)

Parent/guardian: Student self-applies; no parental action required

Official page →

Calvin Coolidge Presidential Foundation · Full-ride: tuition, room, board, and expenses for four years; three to five scholars selected annually

Coolidge Scholarship

Grade level: High school junior

Eligibility: Current high school JUNIORS only, intending to enroll full-time for the first time in fall 2028; U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents; need-blind; no stated GPA minimum

Deadline: 2026-27 cycle deadline not yet published as of July 2026 (prior cycle closed December 16, 2025; expect ~mid-December 2026 — verify at coolidgescholars.org in fall 2026)

Parent/guardian: Student self-applies during junior year

Verify details Official page →

Davidson Institute for Talent Development · $100,000, $50,000, or $25,000 (tier assigned by judges)

Davidson Fellows Scholarship

Grade level: Age-based (any grade, 18 or younger)

Eligibility: Age 18 or younger as of the deadline (no minimum age); U.S. citizen or permanent resident residing in the U.S. (or stationed overseas on active U.S. military duty); must submit a substantial completed work in STEM, literature, music, philosophy, or ‘outside the box’; two-person teams allowed

Deadline: 2026 cycle CLOSED (deadline was February 18, 2026); 2027 application opens Fall 2026 (deadline ~mid-February 2027)

Parent/guardian action required. Both applicant and a parent/guardian must sign a commitment to attend the Washington, DC award reception if named a Fellow

Verify details Also in: STEM & Computing, Younger Students (K-8) Official page →

Equitable Foundation / Scholarship America · $5,000 per year, renewable up to 4 years ($20,000 total); 100 recipients/year

Equitable Excellence Scholarship

Grade level: High school senior

Eligibility: High school seniors; residents of 50 states + DC + Puerto Rico; min 2.5 GPA; demonstrated financial need; enroll full-time at an accredited 2-year or 4-year U.S. college

Deadline: 2026 cycle CLOSED (recipients announced); next cycle expected to open November 2026 (verify at reopening)

Parent/guardian: Student self-applies; no parental action required

Verify details Official page →

Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans · National Scholarship $25,000; 105 National awards. (Association also runs separate state scholarships $10,000 with their own criteria; combined programs award 600+ annually.)

Horatio Alger Association National Scholarship

Grade level: High school senior (juniors eligible via separate junior deadline)

Eligibility: High school seniors (juniors eligible via a separate junior deadline); critical financial need with household adjusted gross income of $100,000 or lower; integrity and perseverance in overcoming adversity; plan to enroll full-time at a U.S. college; awarded across all 50 states, DC, and Puerto Rico

Deadline: Seniors: application open December 1, 2025 through February 15, 2026 (annual; 2026 senior cycle has passed). Confirm current dates on the official page.

Parent/guardian action required. Student self-applies; requires household income documentation; parental-data consent applies

Also in: Need-Based & First-Generation Official page →

Jack Kent Cooke Foundation · Up to $55,000 per year (last-dollar funding after institutional aid), renewable up to 4 years; includes advising and a graduate-school funding pathway

Jack Kent Cooke Foundation College Scholarship Program

Grade level: High school senior

Eligibility: High school seniors; min 3.75 cumulative unweighted GPA; must submit SAT/ACT/AP/IB scores; max household gross income $95,000/year; intend to enroll at an accredited 4-year college beginning fall 2027

Deadline: Application open August 19 - November 11, 2026 (Class of 2027)

Parent/guardian action required. Student self-applies; parental income documentation required; parental-data consent applies

Also in: Need-Based & First-Generation Official page →

National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) · NMSC-funded award $2,500 (one-time); plus college-sponsored and corporate-sponsored Merit Scholarships (amounts vary widely)

National Merit Scholarship Program

Grade level: High school junior (entry) / senior (finalist)

Eligibility: Take the PSAT/NMSQT in 11th grade at a U.S. high school; U.S. citizen or permanent resident; high school principal endorsement required to become a Finalist; plan full-time enrollment at a U.S. 4-year college

Deadline: Entry automatic via PSAT/NMSQT (October of junior year); Semifinalists notified September of senior year; Finalist materials due fall of senior year

Parent/guardian: School principal endorsement required (not parent); student self-applies for Finalist stage

Verify details Official page →

QuestBridge · Full four-year scholarship (full cost of attendance: tuition, room, board, and fees) at one of 50+ partner colleges; value varies by institution

QuestBridge National College Match

Grade level: High school senior

Eligibility: High school seniors from low-income backgrounds; households typically earning under $65,000/year (family of 4) with minimal assets, reviewed holistically with no absolute cutoff; U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or DACA students

Deadline: Application due September 30, 2026 (11:59 p.m. PT); Match Rankings/Match Agreement Forms due October 16, 2026; Match notifications December 1, 2026.

Parent/guardian action required. Student self-applies; requires parental income/tax documentation; parental-consent handling of a minor’s financial data applies

Also in: Need-Based & First-Generation Official page →

Society for Science (sponsored by Regeneron) · Top award $250,000 (1st place); top 10 finalists $40,000-$250,000; remaining 30 finalists $25,000 each; 300 Scholars receive $2,000 each (+$2,000 to their school). More than $1.8 million awarded in top honors.

Regeneron Science Talent Search

Grade level: High school senior

Eligibility: 12th grade / final year of secondary school; residing in the U.S. or listed territories (or U.S. citizen at select overseas schools); applicants 13+; under-18 require parental/guardian consent; original independent scientific research project required; self-submit (no school nomination)

Deadline: November 5, 2026, 8 PM ET

Parent/guardian action required. Parental/guardian consent required for applicants under 18; if named a Finalist, both student and a parent/guardian must attend Finalist Weekend in Washington, DC

Also in: STEM & Computing Official page →

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation · Last-dollar full cost of attendance not covered by other aid (tuition, fees, room, board, books, transportation, personal expenses); ~300 scholars/year

The Gates Scholarship

Grade level: High school senior

Eligibility: High school seniors; U.S. citizen/national/permanent resident; Pell-eligible; min 3.3 GPA; must be African American, Hispanic American, American Indian/Alaska Native (tribal-enrollment proof), or Asian & Pacific Islander American; plan to enroll full-time at accredited U.S. institution

Deadline: Opens July 15, 2026; closes September 15, 2026

Parent/guardian action required. Student self-applies; requires parental financial data; parental-consent handling applies

Also in: Need-Based & First-Generation Official page →

Category 5 of 7

Need-Based & First-Generation

8 programs in this category

Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans · National Scholarship $25,000; 105 National awards. (Association also runs separate state scholarships $10,000 with their own criteria; combined programs award 600+ annually.)

Horatio Alger Association National Scholarship

Grade level: High school senior (juniors eligible via separate junior deadline)

Eligibility: High school seniors (juniors eligible via a separate junior deadline); critical financial need with household adjusted gross income of $100,000 or lower; integrity and perseverance in overcoming adversity; plan to enroll full-time at a U.S. college; awarded across all 50 states, DC, and Puerto Rico

Deadline: Seniors: application open December 1, 2025 through February 15, 2026 (annual; 2026 senior cycle has passed). Confirm current dates on the official page.

Parent/guardian action required. Student self-applies; requires household income documentation; parental-data consent applies

Also in: Need-Based & First-Generation Official page →

Jack Kent Cooke Foundation · Up to $55,000 per year (last-dollar funding after institutional aid), renewable up to 4 years; includes advising and a graduate-school funding pathway

Jack Kent Cooke Foundation College Scholarship Program

Grade level: High school senior

Eligibility: High school seniors; min 3.75 cumulative unweighted GPA; must submit SAT/ACT/AP/IB scores; max household gross income $95,000/year; intend to enroll at an accredited 4-year college beginning fall 2027

Deadline: Application open August 19 - November 11, 2026 (Class of 2027)

Parent/guardian action required. Student self-applies; parental income documentation required; parental-data consent applies

Also in: Need-Based & First-Generation Official page →

QuestBridge · Full four-year scholarship (full cost of attendance: tuition, room, board, and fees) at one of 50+ partner colleges; value varies by institution

QuestBridge National College Match

Grade level: High school senior

Eligibility: High school seniors from low-income backgrounds; households typically earning under $65,000/year (family of 4) with minimal assets, reviewed holistically with no absolute cutoff; U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or DACA students

Deadline: Application due September 30, 2026 (11:59 p.m. PT); Match Rankings/Match Agreement Forms due October 16, 2026; Match notifications December 1, 2026.

Parent/guardian action required. Student self-applies; requires parental income/tax documentation; parental-consent handling of a minor’s financial data applies

Also in: Need-Based & First-Generation Official page →

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation · Last-dollar full cost of attendance not covered by other aid (tuition, fees, room, board, books, transportation, personal expenses); ~300 scholars/year

The Gates Scholarship

Grade level: High school senior

Eligibility: High school seniors; U.S. citizen/national/permanent resident; Pell-eligible; min 3.3 GPA; must be African American, Hispanic American, American Indian/Alaska Native (tribal-enrollment proof), or Asian & Pacific Islander American; plan to enroll full-time at accredited U.S. institution

Deadline: Opens July 15, 2026; closes September 15, 2026

Parent/guardian action required. Student self-applies; requires parental financial data; parental-consent handling applies

Also in: Need-Based & First-Generation Official page →

Michael & Susan Dell Foundation · $20,000 (paid over time, roughly $5,000/year), plus a laptop, textbook credits, and ongoing support; ~500 awards/year.

Dell Scholars Program

Grade level: HS senior (grade 12)

Eligibility: Minimum 2.4 GPA; U.S. citizen or permanent resident; demonstrate financial need and be Pell-eligible in first year; participate in an approved college-readiness/college-access program in grades 11 and 12; plan to enroll in a bachelor’s program the fall immediately after HS graduation.

Deadline: February 15, 2026 (annual cycle; 2026 deadline has passed; program recurs annually).

Parent/guardian action required. Applicants typically 17-18 (some minors). Requires FAFSA/financial documentation; parental-data consent applies.

Official page →

Ron Brown Scholar Program · $40,000 total ($10,000/year for 4 years); 20 scholars selected annually.

Ron Brown Scholar Program (Signature Scholarship)

Grade level: HS senior (grade 12)

Eligibility: Black/African American; U.S. citizen or permanent resident; current high school senior at time of application; assessed on academics, leadership, writing, community service, and financial need.

Deadline: 2026 application window is open; deadline January 9, 2027.

Parent/guardian action required. Applicants typically 17-18 (some minors). Financial-need review involves family income; parental-data consent applies.

Official page →

The Sallie Mae Fund (administered by Thurgood Marshall College Fund) · Up to $10,000 each; 30 awards per cycle (total up to $300,000). Funds paid to the school in equal disbursements for up to two semesters.

Sallie Mae Fund — Bridging the Dream Scholarship for High School Seniors

Grade level: HS senior (grade 12)

Eligibility: Pell-Grant-eligible high school seniors planning to attend an accredited two- or four-year college or an eligible certificate/technical program.

Deadline: 2026 cycle deadline was April 24, 2026 (CLOSED as of the July 2026 verification date); program recurs annually.

Parent/guardian action required. Applicants typically 17-18 (some minors). Pell eligibility uses FAFSA/parental income; parental-data consent applies.

Official page →

The Posse Foundation · Full-tuition scholarship at a Posse partner college/university (value varies by partner institution).

The Posse Foundation Scholarship

Grade level: HS senior (grade 12)

Eligibility: U.S. high school seniors nominated by their high school or a partner community-based organization (no self-application; no minimum GPA/test score). Recruitment is geographically restricted to Posse’s 20+ cities.

Deadline: Nominations open as early as second semester of junior year; accepted in spring/summer before senior year; exact dates vary by city — contact local Posse office.

Parent/guardian: Applicants typically 17-18 (some minors). Nomination is initiated by a school or community-based organization, not the family.

Verify details Official page →

Category 6 of 7

STEM & Computing

7 programs in this category

Davidson Institute for Talent Development · $100,000, $50,000, or $25,000 (tier assigned by judges)

Davidson Fellows Scholarship

Grade level: Age-based (any grade, 18 or younger)

Eligibility: Age 18 or younger as of the deadline (no minimum age); U.S. citizen or permanent resident residing in the U.S. (or stationed overseas on active U.S. military duty); must submit a substantial completed work in STEM, literature, music, philosophy, or ‘outside the box’; two-person teams allowed

Deadline: 2026 cycle CLOSED (deadline was February 18, 2026); 2027 application opens Fall 2026 (deadline ~mid-February 2027)

Parent/guardian action required. Both applicant and a parent/guardian must sign a commitment to attend the Washington, DC award reception if named a Fellow

Verify details Also in: STEM & Computing, Younger Students (K-8) Official page →

Society for Science (sponsored by Regeneron) · Top award $250,000 (1st place); top 10 finalists $40,000-$250,000; remaining 30 finalists $25,000 each; 300 Scholars receive $2,000 each (+$2,000 to their school). More than $1.8 million awarded in top honors.

Regeneron Science Talent Search

Grade level: High school senior

Eligibility: 12th grade / final year of secondary school; residing in the U.S. or listed territories (or U.S. citizen at select overseas schools); applicants 13+; under-18 require parental/guardian consent; original independent scientific research project required; self-submit (no school nomination)

Deadline: November 5, 2026, 8 PM ET

Parent/guardian action required. Parental/guardian consent required for applicants under 18; if named a Finalist, both student and a parent/guardian must attend Finalist Weekend in Washington, DC

Also in: STEM & Computing Official page →

Conrad Foundation / Space Center Houston · Category champions (‘Pete Conrad Scholars’): medallion, certificate, Dell Latitude laptop, patent lawyer services valued at $20,000, a New Product Market Feasibility Study valued at $1,500, $2,500 to attend the Leangap summer entrepreneurship program, plus connections to grant funding.

Conrad Challenge

Grade level: Ages 13-18 (roughly grades 8-12)

Eligibility: Students ages 13-18 competing on 2-5 student teams; teams may compete from anywhere in the world; each team must have a coach over 18 years old. Five tracks: Aerospace & Aviation; Cyber Technology & Security; Energy & Environment; Health & Nutrition; Innovation & Exploration.

Deadline: 2025-26 season concluded (Innovation Summit April 2026). 2026-27 season dates not yet published as of July 2026 (historically opens August/September).

Parent/guardian action required. Minors require an adult coach (18+); international travel to the Summit requires guardian authorization.

Verify details Official page →

The Actuarial Foundation (with the Institute of Competition Sciences) · Approximately $60,000 total scholarship pool. First place cited at $25,000 (individual placement amounts not fully re-confirmed in this pass).

Modeling the Future Challenge (MTFC)

Grade level: Grades 11-12

Eligibility: U.S. high school juniors and seniors taking junior/senior-level math (statistics, probability, pre-calc, calculus, or similar). Submissions may be the work of one to five students (individual or team).

Deadline: 2025-26 season concluded spring 2026. Registration re-opens August 2026 for the new season; one source cites a November 9, 2026 deadline (verify on the official site).

Parent/guardian action required. Minor competitors; standard parental consent expected (not separately confirmed).

Verify details Official page →

National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT) · UNKNOWN — primarily a recognition award (national/regional tiers, tech prizes, community access) rather than a defined cash scholarship. Specific cash amounts not published on the program page.

NCWIT Aspirations in Computing (AiC) High School Award

Grade level: Grades 9-12

Eligibility: 9th-12th grade students in the AiC Community, 13 years of age or older (with parent/guardian approval, or 18+), attending a school in the U.S., Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, or a U.S. overseas military base.

Deadline: 2025-26 deadline was October 28, 2025. 2026-27 cycle expected to open ~September 2026 with an ~October 2026 deadline (not yet posted).

Parent/guardian action required. Requires parent/guardian approval for applicants under 18 by the approval deadline.

Verify details Official page →

Society for Science (title sponsor Regeneron Pharmaceuticals) · More than 600 individual and team awards; more than $7 million total (2026). Category grand awards: $6,000 / $2,400 / $1,200 / $600 in each of 22 categories.

Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF)

Grade level: Grades 9-12

Eligibility: Students in grades 9-12 who have not reached age 20 by May 1 of the competition year. Projects limited to 12 months of continuous research.

Deadline: No direct application. Students must first win advancement at an ISEF-affiliated local/regional/state/national fair (typically held January-April); each affiliated fair sends a pre-determined number of projects. 2026 ISEF concluded May 2026; 2027 qualifying fairs run in the 2026-27 school year.

Parent/guardian action required. Human-subject, biohazard, and vertebrate projects require documented adult/IRB-level review and parental consent before research begins.

Official page →

Society of Women Engineers (SWE) · $1,000 to $2,000 for the Emerging First Year award (SWE awards $1.5M+ annually across all scholarship programs).

SWE Scholarship — Emerging First Year Scholars

Grade level: High school seniors (graduating / incoming college freshmen)

Eligibility: Incoming college freshmen (women/female-identifying) planning full-time enrollment in an ABET-accredited engineering or computer science program, with at least a 3.5 unweighted high school GPA. One application considers the applicant for all SWE scholarships they qualify for.

Deadline: Emerging First Year application typically opens in February. Verify the national deadline on the official page each cycle.

Parent/guardian: Applicants are graduating seniors (often 18); minimal minor-data exposure, but standard consent applies.

Verify details Official page →

Category 7 of 7

Younger Students (K-8)

11 programs in this category

Alliance for Young Artists & Writers (with Scholastic) · National scholarships range $500-$12,500; Gold Medal Portfolio includes a $12,500 scholarship; Silver Medal Portfolio $2,000; plus Scholastic Awards Summer full-tuition summer-program scholarships. Entry fee $10 per work / $30 per portfolio (fee waivers available)

Scholastic Art & Writing Awards

Grade level: 7-12 (grades 7-8 fall in the younger-students band)

Eligibility: Grades 7-12, ages 13+, residing in the U.S., U.S. territories/military bases, or Canada; 29 categories including Photography (Experimental Photography new for 2026)

Deadline: Entries open October 1; regional deadlines fall Dec 1 - Jan 6 (vary by affiliate). 2026 cycle complete (National Awards Week June 9-11, 2026); 2026-2027 cycle opens ~October 2026

Parent/guardian action required. Release forms required at national level; parental consent required for minors at registration; entry via a regional affiliate (Canadian students also eligible, not U.S.-only)

Also in: Younger Students (K-8) Official page →

Davidson Institute for Talent Development · $100,000, $50,000, or $25,000 (tier assigned by judges)

Davidson Fellows Scholarship

Grade level: Age-based (any grade, 18 or younger)

Eligibility: Age 18 or younger as of the deadline (no minimum age); U.S. citizen or permanent resident residing in the U.S. (or stationed overseas on active U.S. military duty); must submit a substantial completed work in STEM, literature, music, philosophy, or ‘outside the box’; two-person teams allowed

Deadline: 2026 cycle CLOSED (deadline was February 18, 2026); 2027 application opens Fall 2026 (deadline ~mid-February 2027)

Parent/guardian action required. Both applicant and a parent/guardian must sign a commitment to attend the Washington, DC award reception if named a Fellow

Verify details Also in: STEM & Computing, Younger Students (K-8) Official page →

3M + Discovery Education · $25,000 grand prize + title ‘America’s Top Young Scientist’; 10 finalists each receive a summer mentorship with a 3M scientist and a trip to the 3M Innovation Center; State Merit Winner recognition.

3M Young Scientist Challenge

Grade level: Grades 5-8

Eligibility: Grades 5-8 enrolled in a U.S. school (public, private, charter, home) in the 50 states + DC; legal U.S. residents; former finalists ineligible. Entry is a short video pitch of an original idea.

Deadline: Annual. 2026 video submission deadline was April 30, 2026 (passed); 10 finalists announced July 6, 2026; final competition October 12-13, 2026 in St. Paul, MN.

Parent/guardian action required. Parent/guardian consent required for minor entrants; students apply directly (no school nomination).

Official page →

Google LLC · National winner: $55,000 college scholarship + $50,000 technology package for the winner’s school/non-profit; National Finalists: $5,000 scholarship + Google hardware.

Doodle for Google

Grade level: K-12 (younger bands K-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9 are primary)

Eligibility: Grades K-12 enrolled in a U.S. school (public, private, or homeschool), including Puerto Rico, Guam, USVI; must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. Judged in five grade bands: K-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9, 10-12.

Deadline: 2026 cycle submission deadline was April 30, 2026 (now passed). Recurring annual; 2027 cycle expected to open ~January 2027.

Parent/guardian action required. Parent/guardian must co-sign each minor’s entry.

Verify details Official page →

Institute for Excellence in Writing (IEW) · Per age level (A: 8-10; B: 11-13; C: 14-18): 1st place $400 cash (student) + $400 IEW gift certificate (parent/teacher); 2nd place $200 + $200; 3rd place $100 + $100. International winners receive IEW gift certificates in lieu of cash.

IEW Writing Contest

Grade level: Ages 8-18 (Levels A and B cover younger students)

Eligibility: Open to writers ages 8-18 regardless of experience with IEW’s method; open internationally (cash to U.S. winners, gift certificates to international winners).

Deadline: Annual. 2026 deadline was April 30, 2026, 11:59 PM CT (passed); winners published in the July Magnum Opus e-newsletter. 2027 cycle expected to open ~March 2027.

Parent/guardian: Students may enter independently or with parent/teacher help; the gift-certificate portion goes to the parent/teacher. No school nomination required.

Official page →

National History Day, Inc. · National category awards: 1st place $1,000, 2nd $500, 3rd $250 (per category); plus more than a dozen special prizes worth $250-$10,000 from partner organizations.

National History Day

Grade level: Grades 6-8 (Junior Division) and 9-12 (Senior Division)

Eligibility: Grades 6-12, competing in Junior Division (grades 6-8) and Senior Division (grades 9-12); students enter individually or in teams through an NHD-affiliated program. 2027 theme: ‘Innovation in History: Impact, Influence, Change.’

Deadline: Annual, tiered (school/district → affiliate/state → national in June). 2026 national contest concluded; 2026-27 cycle underway under the 2027 theme.

Parent/guardian action required. Students submit their own work; parental consent handled at school/affiliate level. No direct national application — advance from school/district.

Verify details Official page →

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · No monetary prize. National winners receive a Presidential plaque; qualified applicants receive a certificate of recognition.

President’s Environmental Youth Award (PEYA)

Grade level: K-12 (K-5 category fits this lane)

Eligibility: Grades K-12; two categories, Grades K-5 and Grades 6-12; project must include an environmental stewardship component with activity in the prior calendar year; each applicant/team represented by at least one adult sponsor who submits the application.

Deadline: Annual. 2025 project-cycle applications were due January 16, 2026 (now passed). The 2026-2027 award opportunity is not yet open as of July 2026.

Parent/guardian: An adult sponsor (educator/education professional) is mandatory — students cannot self-apply.

Verify details Official page →

Saint Mary’s College of California — Center for Environmental Literacy · UNKNOWN — no cash prize confirmed on official sources. Grand Prize winners receive publication and recognition; finalists published. Recognition-based.

River of Words Youth Poetry and Art Contest

Grade level: K-8 bands (Cat I-III) are primary younger-students fit

Eligibility: Ages 5-19 / Pre-K through grade 12; four bands: Cat I K-Gr.2 (ages 5-7), Cat II Gr.3-5 (8-11), Cat III Gr.6-8 (11-14), Cat IV Gr.9-12 (14-19); environmental theme; free to enter; open internationally.

Deadline: Annual. 2026 deadline was January 31, 2026 (passed). 2027 deadline expected January 31, 2027.

Parent/guardian action required. Parent/guardian submits for students under 18; families/teachers submit directly (no school nomination).

Verify details Official page →

MATHCOUNTS Foundation (RTX title sponsor) · National Champion: $20,000 Donald G. Weinert Scholarship; Countdown Runner-Up: $7,500; two Countdown Semifinalists: $3,000 each; Written Competition Champion: $2,500; four 1st-place team members: $2,000 each.

RTX MATHCOUNTS Competition Series

Grade level: Grades 6-8

Eligibility: Grades 6-8 in U.S. schools (50 states, DC, Guam, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands); public, private, charter, and home schools eligible.

Deadline: Annual. Schools register ~November-January; school/chapter (February), state (spring), national (May). 2026 national competition completed May 2026; 2027 series registration opens fall 2026.

Parent/guardian action required. School registers the team; parental consent handled via school registration. No individual direct entry to nationals.

Official page →

The E.W. Scripps Company · 2026 national champion received $50,000 cash prize + Scripps Cup/engraved trophy, $2,500 savings bond, Merriam-Webster reference library, Britannica Online Premium lifetime membership, and a Universal Orlando trip.

Scripps National Spelling Bee

Grade level: Grade 8 or below, under 15

Eligibility: Speller must not have completed grade 8 or an international equivalent on or before August 31 of the qualifying year, and must not have reached their 15th birthday on or before August 31 of the qualifying year; must not have previously won an SNSB national competition; must qualify through an SNSB-sanctioned regional bee.

Deadline: Annual. Regional bees run roughly February-May; national finals late May/early June. 2026 national bee concluded May 2026.

Parent/guardian action required. Parent/guardian or school official registers the speller; entry only via a sanctioned regional partner (no self-entry to nationals).

Official page →

Society for Science + Thermo Fisher Scientific · Top education award: $25,000. All 30 finalists receive a cash prize and an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C. (finalists collectively earned $100K+); top 300 semifinalists: $125 (DoD STEM) + subscriptions; $1,000 STEM grant to each finalist’s school.

Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge (JIC)

Grade level: Grades 6-8

Eligibility: Grades 6-8 attending a U.S.-based Society-affiliated science fair; the affiliated fair nominates its top 6th-8th grade participants; U.S. residents.

Deadline: Annual. Fair nominations/entry in spring; 300 semifinalists then 30 finalists; national finals expected October 2026 (2026 cycle active).

Parent/guardian action required. One parent/guardian accompanies each finalist on the D.C. trip; students cannot self-nominate — the affiliated fair must nominate them.

Official page →

Privacy

Browsing this directory collects nothing

Scholarship.Network is a read-only reference directory. Browsing it collects no names, email addresses, grades, test scores, or any other personal information. No cookies are set on the directory pages. No tracking pixels are used. No data is sold or shared. Students can browse this directory without creating an account or providing any information.

There is nothing to log into, no saved list tied to your identity, and no alert that would need an email address. The directory looks the same for everyone who opens it, and nothing you do here is recorded. “Collects nothing” is meant literally, not as a marketing line.

If you choose to reach us through the contact or demo form, you provide only what you type there (such as an email address so we can reply). That is a message to our team — never a scholarship application — and it is never sold or shared.

Scholarship programs listed here have their own privacy policies and data practices. Always review the official program’s privacy terms before a student submits an application.

About this directory

Reference only — not a scholarship provider

Every program listed here is sourced from the official sponsor or program website at compile time (July 2026). Award amounts, eligibility requirements, and deadlines change — always confirm the current details on the official page before a student invests application time. Appearing in this directory is not an application, an endorsement, or a guarantee of any award outcome.

Programs marked Verify details had a key detail — amount, deadline, or eligibility — that could not be fully confirmed at compile time. Programs where a parent or guardian must take required action (consent, co-signature, tax documentation, or accompanying the student) are flagged on every affected card.

Scholarship.Network is an independent directory. We are not affiliated with any sponsor, foundation, association, or program listed here. We have no commercial relationship with any program shown. We do not award scholarships, collect applications, or charge fees.

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Status

Directory status — a July 2026 snapshot

This directory is a point-in-time snapshot, not a live feed. Every program was checked against its official page in July 2026. Programs whose current-cycle deadline had already passed are still listed with that status noted, because most of them recur on an annual cycle and the eligibility and format carry over.

  • Published: 52 programs across 7 categories, each with an official-page link.
  • Snapshot date: verified July 2026 from official sponsor and program pages.
  • Honest-off: no accounts, no fees, no payment step, no notifications, and no application intake. None of those exist here, by design.
  • Between cycles: deadlines and amounts move; the official page is always the source of truth.

Where the 52 programs sit

The chart below is drawn from the same list the directory renders — not a summary someone typed next to it. If a program is added, re-categorised or dropped, the bar moves in the same edit.

Programs listed per category: Merit & General 12; Younger Students (K-8) 11; Arts, Theatre & Music 9; Civic, Essay & Service 9; Need-Based & First-Generation 8; STEM & Computing 7; Athletics & Activities 5.CATEGORYPROGRAMS LISTEDMerit & General12Younger Students (K-8)11Arts, Theatre & Music9Civic, Essay & Service9Need-Based & First-Generation8STEM & Computing7Athletics & Activities5
Figure 1 Programs listed per category, July 2026. The bars total 61 rather than 52 because 9 programs belong to more than one category and are listed in each. A student browsing by category should find it either way.

What “verified” means here, as a proportion

Verification here is not a badge this directory hands itself. It is a check against the sponsor’s own page, and where a check came back inconclusive the card says so. These are the proportions as of the snapshot date.

None of these figures are outcomes, and none of them are ours. They describe the state of this reference list — how much of it was confirmable in July 2026 — and nothing about a student’s chance of an award.

FAQ

Common questions

Does it cost anything to use this directory?

No. There is no fee to browse, no subscription, and no payment step anywhere on this site. Some individual programs charge their own application fees (and many offer fee waivers) — that is set by the sponsor and paid on the sponsor’s site, never here.

Do you collect my information?

No. Browsing the directory collects nothing and sets no cookies. There is no account to create and no form standing between you and a listing. If you separately message our team through a contact form, you share only what you type, and it is never a scholarship application.

Are you affiliated with these scholarship programs?

No. Scholarship.Network is independent and has no commercial relationship with any sponsor, foundation, association, or program listed. Appearing here is not an endorsement in either direction.

Can I apply for a scholarship here?

No. You apply on the sponsor’s own official website, under their rules. Every card links there directly. This directory never accepts an application.

Why are some deadlines shown as already passed?

Because the directory is a July 2026 snapshot and most programs recur annually. A closed cycle is still useful: it tells a student what to expect and roughly when the next window is likely to open. Always confirm the current dates on the official page.

How do I know a listing is accurate?

Each program was verified against its official page in July 2026. Where a detail could not be fully confirmed, the card carries a Verify details badge. Details change; the official page is always the source of truth.

In plain terms

What this page is and is not claiming

It is claiming: that these 52 programs existed and read as described on their official pages in July 2026, and that this is an honest, independent starting point for a student’s own research.

It is not claiming: that any student will receive an award, that the listed details are still current, that Scholarship.Network is affiliated with or endorsed by any program, or that browsing here does anything on a student’s behalf. This directory awards nothing, collects nothing, and charges nothing. The official program page is always the final word.

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