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Planning to secure a scholarship in your high school sophomore is one of the most important plans for future academic endeavors. This gives a student more time to research and prepare to meet most of the scholarships’ eligibility requirements which include, good academic performance, track records of academic awards, and extracurricular activities. While there are scholarships for Masters, MBA, and PhD, there are also available scholarship opportunities specifically for high school sophomores. We will be discussing these scholarships in this article.
Types Of Scholarships For Sophomores
1. Merit-Based Scholarships
A merit-based scholarship is a scholarship that is awarded to students who demonstrate excellence in some ways, such as academic achievements, participating in extracurricular activities, and good leadership skills. Merit-based scholarships usually come from Colleges, Universities, and private or Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs). Example of merit-based scholarship includes the MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program, Erasmus Mundus Scholarship, Coca-Cola Scholars Program, National Merit Scholarship, etc. Each of these scholarships has its specific requirements, therefore, one is advised to research to see which one you are eligible for.
2. Essay Competition
Some scholarships subject you to write an essay on a specific topic to win. This is to encourage students to display their skills in writing, knowledge of a particular topic, and critical thinking. Unlike the merit-based scholarship, if you are a good writer and researcher you are good to go. Examples of these scholarships include the Profile in Courage Essay Contest by the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship, and the Elks National Foundation Most Valuable Student Scholarship.
3. Need-Based Scholarship
A need-based scholarship is a type of scholarship that is awarded to students who need financial aid. This type of scholarship will require you to submit proof of family income information or guardian’s estimated monthly income and proof of being an orphan (if both parents are deceased). Examples of these scholarships include Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG), the QuestBridge College Prep Scholars Program, the John Anaigwu Foundation Scholarship, the Stanbic IBTC University Scholarship, The Bridge Scholarship, etc.
4. Community Service Scholarships
Community service scholarships are scholarships (mostly offered by private organizations) awarded to students who actively participate in community services. This type of scholarship is to promote the spirit of altruism in student to give back to their community. Examples of community service scholarships include the Nsukka Inborn Annual Scholarship Application, the Prudential Spirit of Community Award, the Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes, and the Newman Civic Fellowship etc.
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Sources Of Scholarships
There are several places where you can find scholarships and they include;
1. Online Search Tools
Online searching is one of the best places to get scholarships. There are many scholarships posted every day across social media groups, pages, and channels. A few examples of this include scholarship region, opportunity circle, scholarship tab, scholarship for all, and so on. A lot of high school sophomore scholarships are available on the above-listed platforms.
2. Local Organization
The local organization is one of the sources of scholarships. A lot of community groups, charity organizations, and businesses offer scholarships for students, most especially within their locality. Scholarships for high school sophomores are also provided in this way. An example includes Niger Delta Undergraduate Scholarship for Niger Delta indigenes.
3. High School Counselors
As a high school student, your school counselor is well-updated with scholarship information and can guide you through the rigorous application process. High school sophomores can also reach out to them for available scholarships.
Conclusion
For sophomores in high school, scholarships are essential to setting them up for future academic success. Students can lessen the financial load of a college education and concentrate on reaching their academic and career goals by actively looking for these possibilities. For sophomores and beyond, the secret to maximizing scholarship chances is to start early, stay organized, and apply wisely.
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