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Top 10 Scholarships for Middle School Students 2024 – 2025

With math education declining in the US, many students and worried parents wonder if scholarships for middle school students are still an option. 

To some students, especially those from low-income and underrepresented populations, scholarships can be the only way to access quality education, tutors, and mentors, and there won’t be enough funding for everyone. Others fear that all of the great scholarships are for high school students, and they might as well just give up on the middle school scholarship search. 

These concerns are valid; however, there are actually a variety of easy scholarships to apply for in 2024 and grants specifically for middle school students, providing children with the support and opportunities they need. 

Here is a list of the top 10 scholarships for middle schoolers that help students gain a solid foundation in math, build confidence, and experience learning with top-tier math tutors.

Can you get a scholarship in middle school?

In short, yes, you can get a scholarship in middle school. There are a number of great middle school scholarships for students in 6th, 7th, and 8th grade, even though the majority of scholarships are usually designed for high school, college, and graduate students. If you’re one of the people who are constantly searching for ‘find scholarships for me’ on the Internet, keep reading this article to discover the list of scholarship programs for middle school students and get your chance to apply. 

How to get a scholarship in middle school?

In order to get scholarships for 11-12-13-14 year-olds, middle schoolers have to undergo several steps that can help them gain recognition, financial support, and even experience in fields like academics, art, sports, and community service. 

First and foremost, it’s important to conduct comprehensive research on available scholarships, including national, state, and local scholarships for 10 and 12-year-olds (and above). Developing a plan for whether you’re going for academic or extracurricular scholarships is also a crucial step. Your performance in these areas will determine your chances. 

Preparing a strong application is something that will set you apart. Complete all application requirements carefully — scholarship committees will look for diligent students who follow directions, meet deadlines, and put effort into their essays or portfolios. Applying for 6th, 7th, and 8th-grade scholarships can seem confusing at first, so don’t hesitate to ask for help from your parents, mentors, or teachers. 

Top scholarships for middle school students

If you wish to find scholarships to apply for in 2024 (and later), here’s the list of the most notable scholarships for middle school students. 

• Brighterly Math Equity Scholarship
• Joan Myers Brown Equity Scholarship
• The Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes
• Doodle 4 Google
• StudentCam 
• EngineerGirl Writing Contest
• Ocean Awareness Art Contest
• Rubincam Youth Award
• Population Education Video Scholarship
• Jack Kent Cooke Young Scholars Program

These scholarships focus on diverse skills and achievements, helping middle school students ease the financial burden of education. Academic excellence, leadership, creative skills, and community service are all the central points of the abovementioned middle child scholarships.

Scholarship for middle school students #1: Brighterly Math Equity Scholarship

Age Group: The scholarship is open to students aged 6-14 (grades 1-8).

About the scholarship: The Brighterly Math Equity Scholarship aims to support underrepresented low-income middle school students and emphasizes that math should be experienced as a gateway to success rather than a barrier. Brighterly Math tutoring platform believes that math is the key to unlocking a bright future and not just another boring subject. The Brighterly Math scholarship for elementary and middle school awards students with resources to help them gain a solid foundation in math, build confidence, and experience learning with top-tier Brighterly Math tutors. By providing equitable access to math education, Brighterly aims to help underrepresented students succeed in an increasingly STEM-focused world. In addition, the Brighterly Math program will provide students with free math worksheets to further support their math education. 

Eligibility: 

• The US students in grades 1-8.
• Statement of financial need from the family. 
• 400-500 word essay
• Recommendation letter from a teacher, school counselor, or mentor.
• Attendance of at least 80% of the lessons. 

Deadline: All applications must be uploaded by December 12, 2024.

Scholarship for middle school students #2: Joan Myers Brown Equity Scholarship

Age Group: The scholarship is open to students in grades 6-8 (typically ages 11-14).

About the scholarship: The Joan Myers Brown Equity Scholarship aims to support and empower young dancers from underrepresented communities who show promise and dedication in the field of dance. This middle child scholarship was established in 2020 and named after the founder of the Philadelphia Dance Company. If you wish to find scholarships that promote diversity, equality, and inclusion in dance, this might be your chance to apply. 

Eligibility: 

• Applicants must be US students currently enrolled in grades 6-8.
• Statement of financial need from the family. 
• Shown passion for dance either through regular training or participation in dance programs.
• Preference is given to students from underrepresented backgrounds in the arts.

Deadline: All applications are submitted typically in the spring semester (check the Philadanco website or local school counseling office for the exact date and further information). 

Scholarship for middle school students #3: The Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes

Age Group: The scholarship is open to students aged 11-18 (students in middle and high school). 

About the scholarship: The Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes scholarship is designed for young leaders who showed exceptional work and impact on their local communities and the environment. This scholarship for 8th graders (and any middle and high school grades) celebrates students who are trying to make the world a better place through their work with their local communities. Winners receive a generous cash award in order to support their future projects or further their education.

Eligibility:

• Applicants must be students between 8 and 18 years old. 
• Applicants must be permanent residents of the United States or Canada.
• Showed inspiring, positive service activity that impacted people, environment, or animals. 
• Applicants must initially lead projects submitted; school or club activity is not accepted. 
• Only individual work is eligible.

Deadline: All applications must be uploaded by April 15 each year.

Scholarship for middle school students #4: Doodle 4 Google

Age Group: The scholarship is open to students in grades K-12, with a separate category for middle school students. 

About the scholarship: The Doodle 4 Google scholarship offers an annual award in an art contest and invites students to create their own versions of the Google logo based on a specific theme. Awarded students will have their artwork featured on Google’s homepage, with a scholarship prize and other perks. The contest naturally has different age categories to ensure fair judging for each age group, with middle school students. If you’re searching for scholarships available for 2024 that focus on creativity, imagination, and self-expression, this is your sign to apply. 

Eligibility:

• The US students in grades K-12 enrolled in a public, private, or home school.
• Must submit an original doodle for the Google logo created on the official entry form.
• The contest theme of the year must be represented in the artwork. 
• One doodle per student is allowed.

Deadline: Submissions open in January and last until March. The exact date varies every year, though, so you have to check the Doodle 4 Google website for updates directly. 

Scholarship for middle school students #5: StudentCam 

Age Group: The scholarship is open to students in grades 6-12, with a separate category for middle school students. 

About the scholarship: The StudentCam 6th, 7th (and above) grade scholarship offers an annual award for a video documentary competition. Students have to create short documentary films based on the main political or social issues in the United States. A new theme is announced each year, where students can explore a topic in-depth, present diverse perspectives, and offer potential solutions. Awarded documentaries get scholarship financing and may be featured on C-SPAN’s website and television channel.

Eligibility: 

• The scholarship is open to students in grades 6-12 (typically ages 11-18), including homeschool students.
• Must create a documentary (5-7 minutes) on the given theme of the year.
• Can be submitted individually or in a group.

Deadline: All applications are typically submitted in January (check the C-SPAN StudentCam website office for the exact date and further information). 

Scholarship for middle school students #6: EngineerGirl Writing Contest

Age Group:  The scholarship is open to students in grades 3-12, with a separate category for middle school students. 

About the scholarship: This scholarship offers an annual award for an article about engineering-related topics. The main idea of the contest is to write an accessible-to-everyone essay exploring real-world engineering issues and the role of engineering in society. The contest aspires young writers to learn about engineering and its impact on everyday life. This is a great scholarship for your 8th graders (and other middle classes), as you can practice both science and writing.

Eligibility: 

• The scholarship is open to students in grades 3-12, with a specific category for each grade level. 
• Applicants must submit an original written piece that aligns with the contest theme. 

Deadline: Submissions typically open in January, with a submission deadline in early April (check the EngineerGirl website for exact dates).

Scholarship for middle school students #7: Ocean Awareness Art Contest

Age Group: The scholarship is open to middle and high school students.

About the scholarship: This scholarship for 5-7th graders (and above), hosted by Bow Seat Ocean Awareness Programs, is perfect for students who are fascinated by oceans and want to explore environmental issues, specifically ocean conservation. The Ocean Awareness Art Contest invites students to express themselves through visual art, poetry, film, music, and creative writing based on the theme chosen for the year. The scope of the contest is to raise awareness about environmental challenges. 

Eligibility: 

• The scholarship is open to students worldwide, ages 11-18. 
• Must address the topic of the year.
• Applicants must submit artwork, including poetry, prose, film, or music.
• If the work is submitted in a language other than English, it must be accompanied by an English translation.

Deadline: Submissions typically open in June (check the Ocean Awareness Contest website for the current year’s deadline)

Scholarship for middle school students #8: Rubincam Youth Award

Age Group: The scholarship is open to students in grades 6-12, with a separate category for middle school students. 

About the scholarship: This scholarship for 6th to 12th graders will be interesting to those who are fascinated by genealogy and family history research. This award encourages students to explore their family’s heritage and document their findings in a well-organized research project. Winners will receive a monetary award and a certificate. 

Eligibility: 

• The scholarship is open to students in grades 6-12.
• Applicants must submit a family tree project (at least 3 generations of their family).
• Supporting documents that accompany the project are a must. 
• Applicants must follow guidelines set by NGS. 

Deadline: December 15 each year. 

Scholarship for middle school students #9: Population Education Video Scholarship

Age Group: The scholarship is open to students in grades 6-12, with a separate category for middle school students. 

About the scholarship: This scholarship for 11-13-18-year-olds invites students to create informative videos related to the population crisis. Each year, students are presented with the possibility of exploring issues like sustainability, environmental impact, and social justice.

Eligibility:

• The scholarship is open to students worldwide, ages 11-18. 
• Applicants must create a 60-second video addressing a specific contest theme. 
• Individual and group work is eligible (three students max). 

Deadline: Submissions typically open in February (check the Population Education website for the exact date).

Scholarship for middle school students #10: Jack Kent Cooke Young Scholars Program

Age Group: Current 7th grade students.

About the scholarship: This scholarship program for middle school students focuses on a pre-college scholarship program and provides promising students with financial support for college. Scholars will receive individualized academic advising, college counseling, and financial support for their academic pursuits. 

Eligibility:

• Open to high-achieving 7th-grade students from low-income families. 
• Applicants must have strong academic records. 
• Applicants are evaluated based on financial need. 

Deadline: Submissions open in January and end in May of each year. 

Conclusion

Applying for scholarships in 2024 can be an exciting but stressful time for middle school students. Having this comprehensive list at hand, you’ll be able to tackle this task easily and apply for the scholarship that is perfect for you. 

In case you need additional help boosting your academic performance, Brighterly has your back with the best math tutoring on the market. 

Book a free demo lesson with Brighterly today and discover all the benefits it has to offer!