EXCITING NEWS! The 2026 versions of the How to Win College Scholarships ebooks are now available!
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20+ Smart Scholarships for Kids Under 13
Do college scholarships for kids under 13 and middle school students actually exist? Yes, they do!
To find scholarships for younger students, a little more research needs to be done, and parents can play a big role in locating them.
Helping younger students find and apply for scholarships is a great way to find awards with less competition and also to set the gears in motion within the family when it comes to the scholarship process.
Starting early will help students realize how important it is to do their part, give them lots of practice writing essays, and take the fear of the unknown out of applying for scholarships, well before most of their peers typically begin thinking about scholarships in their senior year of high school.
The end result is more scholarships applied for and a greater chance of winning college money, which is exactly what all parents and students are striving for!
If you have a younger student and are looking for scholarships for kids under 13, check out these awards.
Use the Scholarship Toolkit Organizer to store all important information.
If the deadline has passed, note the details and add them to your list of scholarships your student can apply for next year.
My #1 piece of advice to help your student win these awards is to do your research now on how students can impress the judges and submit stand-out scholarship applications. That is exactly what I do in the How to Win College Scholarships ebooks for Parents and Students.
From one of my readers:
All of my winning scholarship strategies are found right here >>
NOTE: If a student wins a college scholarship well before they are accepted into a school, the organization offering the award will either send a check to the student to save until they have a college tuition bill or hold the money and send it directly to the school in the student’s name when a bill is due.
Click on the title of each scholarship to be taken to the sponsoring websites.
SCHOLARSHIPS FOR KIDS UNDER 13
Do Something Awards – Amount Varies
Students can pick from a huge list of scholarships that require easy tasks such as taking pictures, distributing flyers, sending greeting cards, or collecting items for disadvantaged others in their communities.
The Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes – $10,000
Open to students aged 8-18 who are currently working on an inspiring community service project or have done so in the past 12 months.
Doodle for Google – $10,000 to $45,000
Students in Kindergarten through 12th grade submit drawings of what inspires them.
[Be sure to read: Scholarship Teamwork Makes the Dream Work]
Folds of Honor Scholarship – Up to $5000
Open to dependents of service members in grades K-12.
Club Z! Achievement Award – $500 to $2000
Aimed at students in grades 5-12 who have overcome obstacles, shown leadership in the classroom or on the field, or just simply demonstrated improvement and a positive attitude.
Here are several more scholarships for kids under 13:
Save this post, as I will keep adding scholarships for younger students as I find them.
NRA Civil Rights Defense Fund Youth Essay Contest
Stossel in the Classroom Essay Contest
Stossel in the Classroom Video Contest
Population Education Video Scholarship
Open to High School Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors! APPLY NOW HERE
Haiku Society of America Student Awards
Armed Services YMCA Art & Essay Contest
What Do You Want to Be When You Grow Up Art Contest
We the Future Scholarship Contest
EngineerTeen Writing and Design Contest
Association for Women in Mathematics Essay Contest (open to males and females)
Ocean Awareness Scholarship Contest
Americanism Elementary School Poster Contest
Maryknoll Student Essay Contest
Patriots Pen Youth Essay Contest
International Young Eco-Hero Awards
Tian Hong Cross-Cultural Youth Poem and Art Contest
Parents, you can help your students win college scholarships. I helped my son win over $100,000 in scholarships, and you can too!
Learn how to help your students apply using the SMART techniques right here >>
Smart Scholarships for Kids Under 13 - Save this list! Share on X
Monica Matthews is the author of How to Win College Scholarships. She helped her own son win over $100,000 in college scholarships and now shares her expertise with other parents and their students. She truly has “been there, done that” in regard to helping parents and students navigate the scholarship process.
Her method of helping students in finding college scholarships, writing unique and compelling scholarship essays, creating amazing scholarship application packets, and more have taught desperate parents to help their own students win thousands of scholarship dollars. She teaches them how to apply S.M.A.R.T. with outstanding results.
Monica’s scholarship tips have been featured on many prominent websites, and she has been dubbed the “Go-To” expert on college scholarships.
Who knew kids this young could get scholarships this great? Sharing.
Many people are surprised that there are scholarships for kids so young. Thanks for sharing, Carol! 🙂
I love that kids that aren’t quite college-aged are able to get a head-start on their saving for school. That’s really sweet
It’s sweet AND smart! 🙂
This information is great. One of my nephews won a 1000.00 scholarship when he was in 9th grade. The money is out there people just need to apply.
I love hearing about scholarship winners like your nephew, Jennifer! Congratulations to him!
I never realised that younger children could benefit for scholarships too! I like the community service challenges – great preparation for life in general.
So many people assume that scholarships are for older students. Thanks, Linda. I’m glad you found my scholarship blog! 🙂
This sounds like a great way to get experience and could be so beneficial to families as well. Who knew these were even available?? You offer a great service Monica!
Thank you so much, Debbie!
It pays to start early when it comes to saving for school
Yes, it does when done right. Thanks, Trudy! 🙂
This is so AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks! So is your enthusiasm. 🙂
I have a Question? May I ask?
Sure! What is your question, Alexus?
I go by Lexi to! So Is there a list of things I can do to help get a scholarship?
There are many things. Start here with learning how to write a compelling and memorable scholarship essay.
This is very insightful. I have three children who are very bright and Iam looking forward for their success in getting these scholarships in Jesus name. Amen
I am so glad, Arocha. Make sure your kids apply SMART for scholarships. Find out what that means here. 🙂
Wow surprised
So many people assume that college scholarships are only open to high school seniors and current college students. I’m glad you found my post! 🙂