Earning scholarships is a great way to keep your college costs down. The more scholarships you are awarded, the less you’ll have to pay. If you are about to enter your sophomore year of college and some of your freshman year scholarships are nonrenewable, then it’s time to apply to some scholarships for college sophomores.
If you’re scrambling to pay for your next year of school and don’t want to take out another student loan, don’t worry, there are many scholarship opportunities for college students entering their sophomore year.
In this guide, we will list some of the best grants and scholarships for college sophomores that are open to students entering their second year of college.
Scholarships for College Sophomores
If you’re looking for ways to help lower your sophomore-year tuition costs, below are some scholarships for college sophomores that might appeal to you.
Annual Black Entrepreneur Grant – $2,000
The Annual Black Entrepreneur Grant is for African-American students who are either currently working on building their own company or aspire to do so. This grant is open to both undergraduate and graduate students.
Candidates will present their business idea to the foundation and explain how receiving additional financial support will impact their business. The grant is awarded to the individual with the best idea.
Jones T-Shirts “Love Your Career” Scholarship – $1,000
The Jones T-Shirts “Love Your Career” Scholarship is for ambitious students who are passionate about their future field of employment. This scholarship is for students who are either entering or already attending college. To apply, you must submit a 1,000- to 3,000-word essay that outlines how you plan on launching your career in three steps.
These steps should describe how you have started planning your career path, which passions you think could eventually turn into your career, and any business ideas that you may have in mind.
Scholarship America Dream Award – $5,000 – $15,000
The Scholarship America Dream Award is for students who are already in a higher education program and are in desperate need of financial support. It is open to students who are enrolled full-time in a four-year institution. To apply, students must prove they are academic achievers, leaders in their community, and in great financial need.
The scholarships are awarded in four categories:
- General scholarships
- STEM scholarships
- World Journal Award for Chinese-American Students
- Midwest Scholars
These scholarships are renewable for three years or until you receive your bachelor’s degree, and the amount will increase by $1,000 each year.
CRA Outstanding Undergraduate Researcher Awards – Up to $1,500
The Computer Research Association Outstanding Undergraduate Researcher Awards are for students who show potential in computing research. Applicants will be considered based on their past research and their involvement in school clubs, leadership activities, and extracurriculars.
Students must submit a letter of recommendation, an essay describing their research project, and other research-related documents.
PixelPlex Bi-Annual STEM Scholarship – $2,000
The PixelPlex Bi-Annual STEM Scholarship is given to students who have a strong interest in STEM, business, technology, science, and engineering. Students are judged upon the strength of their essay, which must be on one of four topics: Blockchain, Internet of Things, Artificial Intelligence, or Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality.
(ISC)² Information Security Undergraduate Scholarship – Up to $5,000
The (ISC)² Information Security Undergraduate Scholarship is for students who are pursuing a degree in information security with a focus on cybersecurity or information assurance. Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.3 to qualify.
Students will also need to include a letter of recommendation, an essay explaining why they need the scholarship, why they chose their major, any work they have done in cybersecurity or information security, and their future career goals.
Winners are chosen based on their passion for their chosen field and their financial need.
‘Be Bold’ No Essay Scholarship – $10,000
The “Be Bold” No Essay Scholarship is for students at any education level, GPA, or school that draws attention to their profile on the student scholarship website Bold.org. Since there is no essay required, students will create a profile on Bold and update it to showcase their achievements and goals. The student who has the best profile will win.
WayUp Dream Job No-Essay Scholarship – $1,000
The WayUp Dream Job Scholarship is for students who are searching for internships and jobs, and who are making the most of the WayUp platform. When you sign up for WayUp, you will get access to millions of jobs and internships. The winner will be selected based on the quality of their profile and how many jobs they have applied for.
Unigo Flavor of The Month Scholarship – Up to $1,500
The Unigo Flavor of the Month Scholarship puts a fun twist on applying for financial support. This scholarship requires you to write an essay about your favorite ice cream flavor and how it reflects your personality. The essay must be 250 words or less, so make it sweet and simple to win $1,500.
Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship – $2,000
The Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship is for minority students in financial need who are majoring in criminal justice and who follow the philosophies of Martin Luther King, Jr. To qualify for this award, students must write a 250-word essay on the ideals and philosophies of Martin Luther King, Jr. and how they have affected their own lives.
WomenIn Scholarship – $2,500
There are thousands of scholarships out there just for women. The WomenIn scholarship is specifically for those who are pursuing a career in video game production. If you are a woman trying to break into video game design, animation, art, marketing, business administration, then you qualify for this scholarship.
To apply, you must submit two letters of recommendation, an essay explaining what you are learning and how you will contribute to the video game industry, and a letter that describes your leadership abilities and financial need.
Conclusion: Never End Your Search for Scholarships
In this guide, we listed 11 of the best scholarships for college sophomores. It’s a good idea to apply to as many scholarships as you can to increase your chances of winning one. Writing essays and filling out applications may be a tedious process, but it will pay off in the end.
Applying for scholarships will help you make sure you can afford your college education without taking on extra loans or working 40 hours per week. You should also be on the lookout for scholarships in your city or state that are exclusively for local students.
If you happen to be working a part-time job while studying, you should also check with your employer to see if they offer tuition assistance. Employers such as Best Buy, Chipotle, and McDonald’s offer forms of tuition assistance to help their employees pay for school.
If this guide was helpful and you want to search for more scholarship programs, here are the best websites to visit as you continue your search.
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Scholarships for College Sophomores FAQ
Can I apply for scholarships in my sophomore year of college?
Yes. Throughout your college career, the scholarship search never ends. You can apply to as many scholarships as you want to help lower tuition costs.
What can I get a scholarship for?
Anything. There are millions of scholarships available, ranging from generic, merit-based ones to those for students in specific majors, and even awards for members of different religions and ethnicities.
What if my scholarship ends this year?
You should apply for another one. It is best to apply for as many scholarships as you can.
Should I work part-time while in school?
It is up to you whether you get a part-time job to help pay for college. If you have a part-time job, it is a good idea to ask your employer if they offer tuition assistance to help you pay for school.
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