College Scholarships for College Junior Students (2025 - 2026)

Overview of Scholarships & Grants for College Juniors

College juniors are at a pivotal stage in their academic journey—deeply engaged in their major, preparing for internships, and often considering graduate or professional school. Fortunately, there are many scholarships and grants available specifically for juniors to help fund tuition, research, study abroad, or career development opportunities. These awards recognize academic excellence, leadership, and future potential, making them ideal for students ready to take the next step in their college careers.

Whether you’re pursuing STEM, business, education, healthcare, or the arts, scholarships for college juniors can significantly reduce your financial burden and open doors to advanced study or post-graduation opportunities. This guide covers everything from nationally recognized fellowships and major-specific scholarships to programs for non-traditional and minority students—helping you find funding that fits your academic goals and personal story.

Are There Scholarships for College Juniors?

Yes, many scholarships are available specifically for college juniors. At this stage, scholarships often support students in completing their degrees, funding undergraduate research, or preparing for graduate or professional programs. These awards may be merit-based, need-based, or tied to a student’s academic major or future career goals.

Examples of scholarships for college juniors include:

• Barry Goldwater Scholarship: Provides up to $7,500 per year for juniors and seniors planning research careers in natural sciences, engineering, or mathematics. Highly competitive and research-focused.
• Harry S. Truman Scholarship: Awards up to $30,000 for juniors committed to public service or government careers. Includes leadership training and graduate school funding.
• Gilman International Scholarship: Offers up to $5,000–$8,000 for students (including juniors) receiving Pell Grants who want to study abroad or participate in international internships.
• State-Specific Junior-Year Scholarships: Some states, like California and Florida, offer junior- or upperclassmen-specific scholarships through local education foundations or state education departments.

Tip: Junior year is a great time to apply for scholarships that are renewable into senior year or tied to graduate school prep.

How Can College Juniors Find Scholarships?

College juniors can find scholarships using a combination of online platforms, campus resources, and professional organizations in their field of study. At this point in your academic career, you’re also more likely to qualify for scholarships that require a demonstrated track record of academic achievement or extracurricular leadership.

Where to search for scholarships:

• CollegeWhale.com: A free database with thousands of scholarships searchable by year in school, major, and interests.
• University Financial Aid Office: Many institutions offer upperclassmen awards or departmental scholarships for juniors who’ve declared a major and maintained academic progress.
• Your Academic Department: Many majors (e.g., biology, history, business) offer scholarships for juniors who’ve shown academic promise or interest in undergraduate research.
• Career Services & Internship Coordinators: Some scholarships are tied to specific internships, fellowships, or leadership programs that juniors are now eligible for.

Pro Tip: Ask faculty if they know of external scholarships related to your field. Many professors are connected to organizations that offer lesser-known but high-value awards.

Are There Scholarships for Juniors in Specific Fields?

Yes, many scholarships are targeted to juniors studying in specific academic or professional fields. These awards are often offered by professional associations, industry partners, or government agencies aiming to support future leaders in high-need or emerging careers.

Examples of field-specific junior scholarships include:

• Udall Undergraduate Scholarship: Offers up to $7,000 to college juniors studying environmental science, tribal public policy, or Native American health care. Requires a strong commitment to environmental or community service.
• SWE Scholarships: Provided by the Society of Women Engineers, these awards support women pursuing engineering, technology, or computer science. Juniors in ABET-accredited programs are eligible. Awards range from $1,000 to $15,000.
• Phi Kappa Phi Fellowships: For juniors preparing for graduate school. Awards range from $1,000 to $8,500 and often require membership in the Phi Kappa Phi honor society.
• National Science Foundation (NSF) REU Programs: While technically research internships, these often include stipends or tuition funding for STEM juniors working in lab or field-based projects.
• Business, Education, and Healthcare Scholarships: Many industry associations—like SHRM (HR), AOTA (occupational therapy), or NASFAA (financial aid)—offer junior-year funding to promote workforce development.

Tip: Be sure to check both national and regional professional organizations related to your major for scholarship and fellowship opportunities.

What Are Scholarships for Non-Traditional College Juniors?

Non-traditional students—such as those who are returning to college later in life, balancing school with work or family, or completing a degree after a break—can access scholarships designed to support adult learners. These awards often value work experience, personal resilience, and community involvement.

Top scholarships for non-traditional college juniors include:

• Osher Reentry Scholarship: Offers $1,000–$5,000 to students between 25 and 50 years old who experienced a 5+ year gap in their education. Available through participating colleges and universities.
• Patsy Takemoto Mink Foundation Scholarship: Awards up to $5,000 to low-income women with children pursuing higher education.
• Jeannette Rankin National Scholar Grant: Provides funding to women age 35+ pursuing a college degree. Awards can reach $2,000 or more per year and may be renewable.
• College-specific scholarships: Many institutions offer scholarships for adult learners, reentry students, or part-time juniors. Check with your school’s financial aid office or adult learning center.

Tip: Use search filters on platforms like CollegeWhale.com to target scholarships for students over age 25 or non-traditional paths.

Are There Scholarships for Minority College Juniors?

Yes, there are numerous scholarships available to support minority juniors pursuing degrees in a wide range of fields. These scholarships are designed to promote diversity in higher education and provide financial aid to students who have historically faced barriers to college access.

Examples of minority scholarships for juniors include:

• United Negro College Fund (UNCF): Offers hundreds of scholarships for Black students attending HBCUs or other accredited institutions. Awards range from $500 to $10,000+.
• Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF): Provides merit-based scholarships of $500–$5,000 for Hispanic students. Open to all college levels, including juniors.
• American Indian College Fund: Supports Native American students with tribal affiliation attending tribal or mainstream colleges. Awards vary by program and region.
• Thurgood Marshall College Fund: Offers scholarships, fellowships, and internship opportunities for students attending public HBCUs. Awards range from $500 to $6,000.

Tip: Many of these organizations also offer leadership development, mentoring, and job placement resources—making them valuable beyond just funding.

Can Juniors Apply for Fully Funded Scholarships?

Yes, juniors can apply for fully funded scholarships that cover tuition, fees, travel, and even living expenses. Many of these awards are geared toward students preparing for graduate school or research-focused opportunities after their undergraduate degree.

Examples of fully funded scholarships for juniors include:

• Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program (Stanford): Provides full funding for any graduate program at Stanford University, including tuition, housing, travel, and a personal stipend. Open to students from all backgrounds and countries.
• The Gates Scholarship: Covers 100% of unmet financial need for Pell-eligible minority students. While often awarded during senior year, qualified juniors can begin preparing to apply.

Tip: If you’re planning grad school, now is the time to prepare for these competitive programs—many require nomination or early pre-application work during junior year.

Can Juniors Apply for Graduate School Scholarships?

Yes, college juniors can begin applying for prestigious graduate school scholarships that fund postgraduate study in the U.S. or abroad. These programs often seek students with strong leadership potential, a history of academic achievement, and clear graduate school goals.

Top graduate school scholarships juniors can apply for:

• Rhodes Scholarship: Covers full tuition, housing, and travel for study at the University of Oxford. Juniors can begin the application process in spring for fall submission during senior year.
• Harry S. Truman Scholarship: Provides up to $30,000 for graduate school to juniors pursuing careers in public service, government, or policy. Requires campus nomination and strong leadership history.
• Marshall Scholarship: Funds postgraduate study in the U.K. for outstanding U.S. students. Includes tuition, travel, and living expenses.
• Pickering and Rangel Fellowships: Fully fund graduate study in international relations or foreign service, plus guaranteed internships and employment placement.

Tip: Many graduate fellowships require early preparation—start identifying recommenders, refining your resume, and planning your statement of purpose now.