How To Get a Scholarship in Middle School  

AtYoung Scholars, we believe that it’s never too early to plan for your future. It’s a big world out there, and there are more opportunities to learn and grow than you might expect. These opportunities aren’t just for high school seniors and college freshmen; some are even tailored for students in middle school as well. If you dream of one day going to college, we encourage you to give some thought to how you might one day fulfill that goal. That is why we have put together a helpful guide of four great ways to get a scholarship in middle school. Take a look below at how you can plan for your future today. 

Call on Your Community  

The first way to get a college scholarship in middle school might be closer to home than you think. No matter where you live, whether you live in a more rural area or in a larger city, chances are that your school and local libraries offer lots of chances for you to begin work on a scholarship.

These scholarship opportunities usually come through volunteer work, with the expectation being that you will write an essay on your volunteer experience afterwards and submit that to a scholarship committee. And the best part about that is just how many volunteer opportunities there are out there!

Whether you work for a plant conservancy, a local kids’ theater playhouse, in the children’s department at your local library, or maybe even at a nearby senior citizen home, there’s always a place that needs helpful young minds to help them grow. What’s more, it’ll help you grow. You won’t just spend a few hours helping out somewhere—you’ll meet people you never would have met at school and learn lessons you never expected. It’s a fantastic way to build experience both personally and professionally. Now, speaking of those scholarship communities, let’s break down what those are below. 

Become an Internet Sleuth 

Scholarships come in many shapes and sizes. Some of the bigger brand-name companies, such as Coca-Cola and Hershey, give out annual scholarships to kids of all ages. But there are also plenty of smaller, local companies in your city and state that do the same thing. All it takes is time and effort to go online and search for the scholarship which best fits you.

It may seem obvious, but it’s worth noting that you should apply only to scholarships you’re truly invested in. For instance, if your passion is musical theatre, you should not spend time applying for marine biology or computer programming scholarships. Once you have found the scholarships you want, be sure to read the instructions carefully and have the required materials ready to submit.

This is where those essays on your volunteer work come into play. If you stick to the scholarships, you want most and approach them with dedication and determination, chances are you’ll get great results. All it takes is time, trust, and maybe a helping hand. Now let’s take a look at ways you don’t have to do it alone.

Partner with Your Student 

As a parent or guardian, you play an important role in helping your child explore scholarship opportunities—especially at the middle school level, when students are still learning how applications work. While your child should take the lead where possible, your guidance can make the process far less overwhelming and much more manageable.

Parents can help by researching age-appropriate scholarships, keeping track of deadlines, and reviewing requirements alongside their child. You may also be the extra set of eyes that helps proofread an essay, organize volunteer hours, or ensure application materials are submitted correctly and on time. These small check-ins can make a big difference in helping your child feel supported and confident.

At the same time, it’s important to strike a balance. Scholarships are ultimately your child’s achievement, so encouraging independence while offering structure is key. By working together, you can turn the scholarship process into a valuable learning experience—one that builds responsibility, communication skills, and confidence that will carry into high school and beyond.

Think Outside the Box 

Sometimes in life, even when we do exactly what we were told to do, we don’t get the results we want. Whenever that happens, it’s always best to not let the frustration get the better of you. If your child really wants to get a college scholarship in middle school, and you can’t seem to find the right one, or maybe you’ve found the right one but now you can’t find the right volunteer position in your community, that’s when it’s best to start thinking outside the box. 

Let’s say you and your student have spent two long weeks looking for a middle school scholarship online for musical theater majors, yet you keep coming up empty. That’s when it’s best to look up local theaters in your area and start asking about any scholarships they might know of. The reality is that this still might not result in what you and your student want, at least not right away, but you can never predict what answers or solutions someone might provide.

Now let’s flip it around. Perhaps you’ve found the perfect middle school scholarship for a future marine biologist, and your student has everything they need except that summer of volunteering. That’s when it’s time to get on the phone and contact the nearest local marina, aquarium, or even community zoo. If that fails, then perhaps you could reach out to family members or family friends who live closer to an aquarium and potentially work out a schedule to be picked-up and dropped-off for volunteer hours. There is never a perfect solution to every problem, but there almost always is a solution somewhere. 

Closing Thoughts

At Young Scholars, we understand that earning a scholarship in middle school isn’t easy. Younger students face more limitations and fewer opportunities than those in high school or college, which can make the process feel challenging at times. However, by encouraging your child to explore scholarships early, you’re helping them build confidence, resilience, and initiative—skills that matter just as much as the award itself.

Supporting your child through this process shows them that effort and persistence are worth valuing, even when results aren’t immediate. If you’re looking for more guidance on scholarships, academic planning, time management, or other educational milestones, explore our blog for practical tips and encouragement to help your child work toward a bright future.