The Best College Junior Scholarships with Upcoming Deadlines in 2026

College junior scholarships

About college junior scholarships

No matter the grade level, scholarships are available to assist students with easing the burden of paying for their college education. As a college junior, you might find yourself needing extra financial aid, whether it be to match the rising cost of higher education or to meet extra expenses that you'll accrue throughout the academic year. 

In some cases, the price tag of a bachelor's degree may total $400,000, leading university students to seek out more financial aid. During the 2019-2020 academic school year, average tuition and fees rose 19% for public institutions compared to 2010-2011 ($36,700 vs. $31,000).

Along with the rising cost of university, college juniors may find that they're in need of more financial assistance than in previous years due to changed circumstances. More family members in college, a drop in total household income, and unforeseen extra expenses may cause undergraduate students to seek out more scholarships and grants. In 2020, for example, the median household income dropped 2.9% from the previous year.

Student debt has also become a greater concern for those seeking a college degree. Students who graduated in 2021 have an average of $31,100 in student loan debt at graduation, a little over the mean average of student loan debt for the past decade: $30,000. A great benefit of scholarships is that they can be applied to any type of educational expense — textbooks, tuition, course fees, etc. — and do not need to be repaid.

College juniors might also change their minds and transfer to a different university — about 2.1 million college students transferred to a different institution in the academic year 2020-2021. Attending a new institution might mean more expenses, which can take the form of transportation, tuition, books, personal expenses, etc. 

Scholarships can bring students great financial relief if they find themselves transferring, especially if they're transitioning from an in-state college to an out-of-state school. Similarly, high school seniors who choose to attend community college also oftentimes do so with the intention of transferring to a four year institution for their junior year. Annually, scholarships and grants pay for 25% of educational expenses, and 63% of all undergraduate students receive at least one grant or scholarship to help pay for their education, making scholarships a popular option for college students.

Some scholarships require applicants to be a certain grade level, including scholarships for college juniors. Scholarships have become a great source to alleviate paying for college expenses and 1.7 million are awarded each year.

Whether it's your first time looking for a scholarship or you're a seasoned veteran, there are many financial aid options for college juniors and Bold.org has exclusive opportunities for students currently enrolled in their third year of undergraduate studies.

Can you apply for scholarships as a college junior?

Although it may seem like scholarships are geared more towards high school seniors and incoming college freshmen, students in their junior year of college can still apply for scholarships! Many scholarships require applicants to be enrolled full-time in a four-year college and will specify which grade levels are eligible to apply. Similarly, there are other scholarships for community college students who may soon be transferring to a four year institution.

Scholarships also look for students who demonstrate a certain degree of academic excellence, so as long as you meet the requirements you are eligible as a college junior to apply for a scholarship.

Academic institutions accept scholarships at any grade level, meaning all college students should take advantage of scholarship opportunities, and will require you to report any scholarship you receive during your junior year. Some scholarships are renewable and will ask you to provide your GPA or another form of academic excellence if that is a scholarship requirement.

How to apply for college junior scholarships

Once you've found a scholarship for college juniors that you'd like to apply for, you can create a free account on Bold.org and get started! Scholarships may be categorized by education level, major, and/or location, so be sure to adjust the filters as needed. In addition to your Bold.org profile, some scholarships will require an essay prompt or other submission as part of the application.

There are also some scholarships that are specifically “no-essay” scholarships. Bold.org’s own “Be Bold” No-Essay Scholarship is an example of one of these opportunities, solely asking for applicants to stand out through the boldness of their profiles.

Make sure to check the deadlines and requirements for every type of scholarship. Some scholarships require you to live in a certain state or school district to apply, or you might have to identify with a specific demographic or identify to be eligible. For instance, one scholarship might be for minority college students attending community college, while another might be for high school seniors hoping to pursue biology.

When it comes to applying, it's also suggested to put aside a sufficient amount of time to prepare any materials and information that the scholarship asks for. Thoroughly answer the questions on your profile to help make yourself stand out, and be sure that all of your listed information is up to date.

If you are looking for more advice on applying to scholarships for college juniors, you can also consider speaking with a counselor or financial advisor at your school. Undergraduate and graduate students alike have access to resources like advisors and financial aid offices, and these can be very useful.

Best college junior scholarships

To combat rising college costs, Bold.org offers an extensive list of scholarships available to current college juniors. In addition to broad scholarships open to all students, including high school students and graduate students, there are plenty of narrow scholarships for college juniors who are interested in particular fields, such as STEM, education, or healthcare.

The GIST Women's Sports Business Scholarship

This scholarship aims to support students who are interested in working in sports or the business of sports, specifically women's sports. As a female-founded and led company, the GIST is hoping to change the face of the sports industry and award $1,000 to applicants with a passion for making an impact in the sports world. All applicants will be automatically subscribed to the GIST's sports biz newsletter, and the scholarship will have monthly rolling deadlines.

Denise K. Emberton Scholarship

This scholarship aims to support a graduating high school senior or undergraduate student with a desire to teach low-incidence or Autistic children. The $1,500 scholarship honors Denise K. Emberton, a beloved wife who spent her life helping Autistic students. Students who are pursuing a degree in special education and have a minimum grade point average of 3.5 may apply for this scholarship by July 15, 2022.

Silverback Scholarship

This scholarship aims to support two junior undergraduate collegiate athletes who demonstrate exemplary leadership and passion, both in and outside of the game. The scholarship will be awarded to one male and one female student with a grade point average of 3.0 or higher. Eligible students may apply for this opportunity by July 30, 2022.

HRCap Next-Gen Leadership Scholarship

Undergraduate or graduate students who are AAPI and/or pursuing Asian American studies or Asian language courses are eligible for this scholarship. Empowering the next generation of multicultural leaders, this scholarship will award the first-place winner $1,500, two second-place winners will receive $1,000 each, and three third-place winners will receive $500. The application deadline for this opportunity is August 1, 2022.

Calvin C. Donelson Memorial Scholarship

Named after Calvin C. Donelson, a Master Craftsman in carpentry, this $1,000 scholarship aims to support a student pursuing a career in skilled trades. Students with an interest in carpentry or barbering are preferred, but any trade school student is eligible to apply by August 30, 2022.

Aircraft Mechanics for Aircraft Mechanics Scholarship

This scholarship aims to support two low-income or underrepresented minority students who are pursuing a degree or certificate in aircraft maintenance. Each individual will be awarded $1,000 to fund their undergraduate education. Interested individuals need to describe why they're interested in a career in aircraft maintenance in an essay and may apply by September 1, 2022.

Show your Mettle - Women in STEM Scholarship

This scholarship aims to support female representation in the IT and STEM fields, which are largely male-dominated. Hoping to support gender diversity in the workplace, the $1,500 scholarship asks that applicants identify as female and be pursuing careers in IT or STEM. Applicants may apply for this opportunity by September 1, 2022.

Students for Animal Advocacy Scholarship

This scholarship aims to support and uplift students who are passionate about animal advocacy. $500 will be awarded to a student who demonstrates continued dedication to bettering the well-being of animals. High school and undergraduate students with experience at a non-profit organization for animal advocacy or volunteer experience at an animal shelter are encouraged to apply by September 1, 2022.

Ida Nickelson 104 Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship aims to support low-income, female high school students or college students who live in New York and demonstrate financial need. Named after Ida Nickelson, a beloved philanthropist and nurturer, this $500 opportunity will honor her life by helping a student fund their education. The application deadline for this scholarship is September 1, 2022.

Catherine Gipson Scholarship

This scholarship aims to support a Black or African American undergraduate student in their pursuit of higher education. Named after San Francisco native Catherine Gipson, this opportunity seeks to boost diverse representation in career fields and close the wealth gap. $500 will be awarded to a Black or African American student who is currently enrolled at an HBCU (Historically Black College or University), and applicants may apply by September 15, 2022.

Wieland Nurse Appreciation Scholarship

This scholarship aims to support the next generation of high school seniors and college students dedicated to making a difference in the healthcare field. High school seniors, undergraduate and graduate students are encouraged to apply for this $1,000 scholarship, and applicants must be pursuing a nursing degree in order to qualify. Students may apply for this opportunity by October 1, 2022.

Catrina Celestine Aquilino Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship aims to support a first-generation student in a university or graduate school who is pursuing a degree in law or healthcare. Named after lawyer Catrina Celestine Aquilino, who passed away due to triple-negative breast cancer, this $1,000 financial opportunity will help assist a first-generation college student who hopes to help the world through a career in medicine or law. Full-time students are encouraged to apply by October 12, 2022.

Elevate Women in Technology Scholarship

This scholarship aims to support female students at any educational level and field of study, especially those who are involved in entrepreneurship and STEM fields. The $500 scholarship is a part of a long list of scholarships dedicated to empowering the next generation of women leaders in STEM. Current college students and graduate students may apply by October 12, 2022.

Pride in Diversity Scholarship

This scholarship aims to support a student who belongs to the LGBTQ+ community and is pursuing a STEM degree. The $2,500 scholarship will be awarded to an undergraduate student with demonstrated financial need, whether it be due to discrimination, medical costs related to transitioning, or financial hardship. Applicants are asked to submit a short video of 1-2 minutes and may apply by October 12, 2022.

Servela Theodore Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship aims to support low-income, female high schoolers or college students who are pursuing a career in human services. Named after Servela Theodore, a mother who devoted her life to helping others, this $700 scholarship will assist a student of Caribbean descent with paying for their education. Eligible applicants may apply by November 1, 2022.

Even more college junior scholarships can be found here!

Frequently asked questions about college junior scholarships

How to find college junior scholarships

Finding scholarships for college juniors begins with a quick search on Bold.org's website. As previously mentioned, scholarships can be found by entering a keyword, or filtering by education level or category. Once you find a scholarship you qualify for, simply click "apply now" and follow the instructions.

In addition to looking specifically for college junior scholarships, another recommendation is to sort scholarships by degree type or career goals. If you're a college junior majoring in the arts or STEM, narrowing down your search by major could work as well. There is no limit to how many scholarships you can apply for or win on Bold.org, so start applying now!

If you're feeling stuck or don't know where to start, Bold.org has several ready-made scholarship categories and popular searches that students can browse through to find the best scholarship opportunities.

When can I start applying?

As a college junior, you're almost at the finish line of your college career. It is recommended that you apply for scholarships as soon as possible and stay on top of deadlines early in the school year. High school students and high school seniors usually apply the summer before their incoming year.

College juniors should follow a similar schedule and start applying in the summer before the semester begins to get a jump on their applications. It is important to gather the necessary materials and information early on to avoid becoming overwhelmed - especially once the school year starts.

If you are unable to find scholarships that early, don't worry! There are deadlines all throughout the year so there will be many scholarships still available outside of that window.

How do I know if I'm eligible for a scholarship?

Scholarships will have specific requirements that college juniors will have to meet in order to apply. The majority of scholarships require students to demonstrate that they're in good academic standing, which could require you to provide your transcript or GPA. For some scholarships, a minimum GPA is required and you might be asked to maintain a certain GPA for the entirety of a school year or all four years.

Grade level is another factor that scholarships may be limited by. College juniors may not be eligible for every scholarship for undergraduate students, as some may be exclusively for seniors or underclassmen, but the scholarship provider will usually specify which applicants can apply.

Applying to scholarships with narrower requirements may increase your likelihood of success since there will be fewer applicants. So if you are looking for scholarships for college juniors but are a community college student who is about to transfer, you may find that a scholarship for college juniors who are transferring may be a good option for you. This applies to all scholarship applicants, be they high school seniors or graduate students.

Be sure to carefully read the eligibility requirements of your scholarship of choice so that you do not mistakenly apply for a scholarship for high school seniors or graduate students when you do not fit these criteria.

Can college juniors still apply for federal aid?

Yes, college juniors are still eligible to apply for federal aid. In addition to scholarships, grants from the federal student aid program are another great way to pay for college each year. The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) annually grants roughly $112 billion in financial aid to students, and the application can be submitted each year that you're enrolled as a student, whether you are one of the many graduating high school seniors about to enter a university, or a college student of any year. Students will be asked to provide demographics and financial information for themselves and their parent(s), so be sure to have both ready at the time of application.

Filling out the FAFSA is completely free and the application can be found at studentaid.gov. 

What are the easiest scholarships to apply to?

No-essay scholarships are the easiest to apply to because they require less time than other scholarships. However, the applicant pool is normally larger than it is for essay scholarships because of how simple the application process is. Many no-essay scholarships are open to all or most students and are especially enticing due to the quick application process, so you'll be up against more competition as a result. 

By contrast, scholarships that require applicants to identify with a certain race or ethnicity and be pursuing a specific major will have a smaller applicant pool, which will give you a better chance of winning.

Bold.org has its own library of "no-essay" scholarships, which can be found here.

How do college juniors receive scholarships?

Most scholarship funds are sent directly to the college, however, the terms of use vary depending on the scholarship provider. In some cases, students may receive the funds directly as a check. When you are awarded the scholarship, the provider will usually describe how you will receive the funds so you can apply them to your expenses. On Bold.org, scholarship money will be sent to the financial aid office of your school by check.

The scholarship provider will also detail how the aid will be distributed. Sometimes scholarship money will be divided by semester and you could receive part of the scholarship at the beginning of the school year, and the rest months later. Scholarships won on Bold.org can be applied to any semester in which you're enrolled in school, giving you flexibility in determining how the money will be used.

Are scholarships counted as income?

Scholarships are generally not considered income so, in most cases, you won't have to pay taxes on the scholarships you receive. However, there are exceptions to this rule so always be sure to check with your scholarship provider. For example, if the funds are used for qualified college costs, including tuition, course fees, and books, the money generally will not be taxed. 

In contrast, if the money is used to pay for college-related costs like room, board, and travel, or if the money was given in the form of a teaching assistantship, then it may be taxed. Additionally, if you receive scholarship money that is worth more than your total educational costs, the excess may be taxed.