Awards, prizes, and scholarships offer potential for a sparkling addition to any resume or application, as well as possible monetary rewards. More than just these tangible benefits, the process of applying is a great exercise for students pre-college who are looking to hone their writing abilities to better succeed with college applications. Many of these scholarships don’t take exponential amounts of time, just some reflection, effort, and persistence if the first one you try doesn’t result in an immediate win.
These awards can be geared towards certain age groups and individual identities, so check eligibility to make sure you are the right fit.
1. Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes
Eligibility: Ages 8-18, resident of the U.S. or Canada Deadline: Pre-application due March 15
This prize is great for hard working, self-starters who have initiated meaningful contributions in their community. To apply for this prize, the student must be working on an inspiring service project, or have done so in the last 12 months. Maybe the student is working on solving an issue in their community, like a food pantry, community garden, or providing educational or other resources for the betterment of those around them. Via this prize, these efforts could result in $10,000 toward the students’ future higher education, or the existing service project. It’s a two-for-one if you win, as your service and award are sure to be shining stars on your record.
2. Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Young Scholars Program
Eligibility: 7th grade (Program lasts five years, through high school) Opens: February 5, 2026
This prize requires some short essay questions, academic references, and submitting report cards, creating a merit-based scholarship specifically for students with financial needs. The program both supplies scholars with financial support as needed, as well as a counselor and networking opportunities to help prepare students for college. This program is a great option for helping guide promising younger students towards their ultimate potential.
3. Various Scholastic Scholarships
Eligibility: Varies Deadline: Varies
Scholastic has a proper handful of scholarships, most of which are aimed at artsy, creative students on their way to college. From their Portfolio Award, highlighting a young artist’s existing, cohesive body of work, to their New York Life Award, which seeks to award student art focusing on themes of grief, there are many interesting artistic scholarships here. Plus, many of them pay up to a few thousand dollars.
4. International Eco-Hero Award
Eligibility: Ages 8-16 Deadline: Feb 28, 2026
This award is catered to the students who really care about the environment, and have exemplified that care via tangible service work. The submission is a brief questionnaire asking about your project, and present and aspiring goals. The prize for this award is cash up to $1,000, a certificate from Action for Nature, and media recognition for your work.
There are tons more awards catered to even more niche interests, and our tutors would love to help you find the right matches, and assist in the application process.