246 College Scholarships for College Junior Students (2026 - 2027)

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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.

Compare Top College Junior Scholarships (Scholarship FastFind™)

The CollegeWhale Scholarship FastFind™ makes it easy to discover the best College Junior scholarships — fast. Filter by award amount, deadline month, and estimated time to apply, then instantly download your personalized list. No sign-ups, no personal info, no spam — just real, verified scholarships.

1

Uloop $1,000 Dorm Survey Scholarship

The $1,000 Dorm Survey Scholarship from Uloop offers an easy opportunity for students to earn financial support simply by completing a brief survey about their dorm experience, student housing preferences, or campus living environment. This scholarship is designed to gather

Award: $1,000 Deadline: November Est. Time: Med (~33 min)
2

Trinity Thomas Uplifting Others Scholarship

Trinity Thomas' Uplifting Others Scholarship recognizes students who demonstrate exceptional character, leadership, and a genuine commitment to making a positive difference in their communities. Created to honor the spirit of encouragement, resilience, and mentorship, this scholarship uplifts young individuals who

Award: $1,000 Deadline: August Est. Time: Med (~63 min)
3

Create Real Impact Scholarship

The Create Real Impact Scholarship recognizes students who use their creativity, leadership, and communication skills to address the very real dangers of reckless and distracted driving. This scholarship encourages young people to speak out on the issue by creating original

Award: Varies Deadline: April Est. Time: Med (~58 min)
4

Technology Addiction Awareness Scholarship

The Technology Addiction Awareness Scholarship is designed to encourage students to reflect on how technology influences their daily lives and how it affects society as a whole. Sponsored by a student-focused advocacy organization, this scholarship awards $1,000 to a high

Award: $1,000 Deadline: January Est. Time: Med (~63 min)
5

Too Cool to Pay for School Scholarship

The Too Cool to Pay for School Scholarship provides a simple opportunity for students to receive financial support for their educational goals without completing an essay or lengthy application. Designed for high school and college students across the United States,

Award: $1,000 Deadline: March Est. Time: Med (~33 min)
6

The Ayn Rand Institute Essay Contests

The Ayn Rand Institute (ARI) sponsors three major annual essay contests based on Ayn Rand’s classic novels: Anthem, The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged. These contests are designed to engage students with Rand’s themes of individualism, independence, personal responsibility and philosophical

Award: $50 Deadline: April Est. Time: Med (~43 min)
7

Triple V $5,000 No Essay Storyteller Scholarship

The Triple V $5,000 No Essay Storyteller Scholarship is designed for students who want a simple, stress-free scholarship application experience. Instead of submitting an essay, project or academic portfolio, applicants only need to answer a brief prompt about their personal

Award: $5,000 Deadline: April Est. Time: High (~93 min)
8

College Raptor $2,500 Scholarship

The College Raptor Scholarship supports students in making informed college choices while helping them pay for educational costs. Each quarter, one student will be awarded a $2,500 scholarship. To apply, students must create a College Raptor account, use the College

Award: $2,500 Deadline: September Est. Time: Med (~40 min)
9

Tau Sigma National Honor Society Scholarship

The Tau Sigma National Honor Society Scholarship is exclusively available to members of Tau Sigma, the national honor society that recognizes academic excellence among transfer students. Established in 1999 at Auburn University, Tau Sigma promotes leadership, service, and community involvement

Award: $500 Deadline: October Est. Time: Low (~13 min)
10

CJ Pony Parts Scholarship

The CJ Pony Parts Scholarship Video Contest is offered by CJ Pony Parts, one of the nation’s largest Mustang parts retailers, to support students planning to enroll in U.S. post-secondary education. The scholarship encourages creative video submissions related to Ford

Award: $500 Deadline: April Est. Time: Med (~38 min)
11

Don’t Text and Drive Scholarship

The Don’t Text and Drive Scholarship is offered by Digital Responsibility to raise awareness about the dangers of texting while driving. It rewards students who deliver outstanding messages on safe driving through a two-stage essay competition. Eligibility criteria include: Enrollment:

Award: $1,000 Deadline: September Est. Time: Med (~51 min)
12

SparkForce (FMA Foundation) Scholarship

The SparkForce Scholarship, administered by the Fabricators & Manufacturers Association Foundation (formerly NBT Foundation), provides support to students pursuing postsecondary education in manufacturing-related fields. The foundation aims to address the skilled labor shortage by investing in students preparing for careers

Award: $2,000 Deadline: September Est. Time: Med (~58 min)

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