Colleges offer various programs for middle school students to undertake an exploration of different subjects. They also provide scholarships for such programs to ensure cost is not a barrier to participation. If you are interested in pursuing a college program to gain knowledge and build a skillset, you can participate in such programs.

College programs are a solid option to not only learn from classroom instruction but also network with faculty and industry professionals. Such programs typically incorporate practical and hands-on components to teach you real-world applications of theoretical concepts. Furthermore, securing a scholarship to college programs makes for a great addition to your profile. So, we have compiled a list of college scholarships to get you started.

10 College Scholarships for Middle School Students

1. Lumiere’s Junior Explorer Program

Location: Virtual

Cost: Varies; financial aid available

Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified

Dates: 8 weeks starting June 2 (Summer Cohort I) or July 14 (Summer Cohort II)

Application Deadline: Varies according to cohort

Eligibility: Middle school students

If you’re looking for an intensive and selective program, the Lumiere Junior Explorer Program may suit your requirements. In this program, you will complete independent research and develop practical research skills. You will receive personalized guidance from PhD mentors from top universities like Harvard, Columbia, and MIT. The research you undertake will be in a subject of your choosing, which can range anywhere from artificial intelligence to history. You will conduct research over 8 weeks to gain specialized knowledge. Thus, through this program, you build the confidence to think critically and innovate.

2. Science and Technology Entry Program (STEP)

Location: New York University, New York, NY

Cost/Stipend: $100; waivers available for students who are economically eligible

Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Competitive

Dates: Held on Saturdays throughout the semester

Application Deadline: To be announced

Eligibility: Students enrolled in grades 8–12 (7th graders may apply for the academic year cycle); must be New York residents with a B average in Math, Science, and English, and meet state-determined income criteria.

STEP is a state-funded program designed to improve your knowledge of math and science. The course includes supervised training in conducting research, standardized test preparation, college counselling, and career development. You will receive instruction in specific math and science subjects, such as Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, Pre-Calculus, Calculus AB, and Calculus BC. You will also take an English seminar to improve your communication and critical thinking skills. Afternoon elective classes are interdisciplinary and involve hands-on techniques to introduce you to careers in STEM subjects. 

3. Veritas AI’s AI Trailblazers

Location: Virtual

Cost: Varies; financial aid available

Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified

Dates: 25 hours over 10 weeks (on weekends) during the spring cohort, and 25 hours over 2 weeks (on weekdays) during the summer cohort

Application Deadline: Rolling deadlines

Eligibility: Students in grades 6–8

AI Trailblazers by Veritas AI is a virtual program for middle school students. You can expect to learn the fundamentals of artificial intelligence and machine learning in 25 hours of programming. The course covers diverse topics such as Python, data analysis, regression, image classification, neural networks, and AI ethics. The practical component requires you to apply your learnings and complete a project. Students have previously built a machine-learning model to classify music genres and created a machine-learning algorithm to provide a custom list of educational resources based on selected specifications.

4. Ulysses S. Grant Foundation

Location: Yale University, New Haven, CT

Cost/Stipend: $75; full scholarships available

Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: 7–14 students per class

Dates: June 23 – July 30

Application Deadline: February 26

Eligibility: Middle school students enrolled in public or parochial schools in New Haven, CT

This is a 6-week academic program for you to take up courses in the humanities and participate in investigations and electives. On a typical day, you will attend one core class on a humanities subject and an investigation class in the morning and an elective in the afternoon. The humanities classes cover art, writing, poetry, and philosophy, whereas the investigations include biology, chemistry, finance, and architecture. Taught by Yale undergraduate students, you will prepare for advanced academics in the various subjects. You will also partake in guest speaker sessions, theme days, and field trips.

5. Stanford Middle School Scholars Program

Location: Online

Cost/Stipend: Fully funded

Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified

Dates: 3 weeks in July and during the fall semester (mid-August–December)

Application Deadline: March 20

Eligibility: Low-income students in grades 6 or 7 who live in and attend school in the U.S., with a family income below $90,000

SMSSP is a fully funded program by Stanford. Middle school students can complete a rigorous curriculum in a subject of their choice. The topics available for study are Democracy & Dissent, History through Graphic Novels, and Real-Life Applications to Mathematics. The program begins in the summer where you will receive classroom instruction online. In the fall semester, you will participate in weekly meetings. In addition to the coursework, you will benefit from high school and college counselling, academic writing, and more. The program also introduces you to academic opportunities and selective programs.

6. Science of Smart Cities

Location: New York University, New York, NY

Cost/Stipend: Full scholarship

Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective

Dates: July 7 – August 1

Application Deadline: May 15

Eligibility: Rising 7th–8th graders who are residents of New York City

New York University offers a full scholarship for middle school students selected to the Science of Smart Cities program. In this program, you will learn coding and microcontroller programming and explore electronics and circuitry basics. In groups, you will develop projects that solve a real-world challenge and make cities sustainable and safer. Through this course, you will also learn about environmental and urban science. You can take this opportunity to consider a career in engineering, computer science and technology.

7. Purdue University’s Physics Inside Out

Location: Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN

Cost/Stipend: Fully funded

Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Limited spots

Dates: June 9 – 13

Application Deadline: April 17

Eligibility: Students in grades 7 and 8

Purdue University’s fully funded Physics Inside Out program is designed for middle school students. Combining classroom instruction with practical activities, you will get a holistic understanding of physics fundamentals and real-world applications. Purdue faculty and researchers introduce you to contemporary happenings as well as career options in the field. You will tour campus facilities and labs and understand the historical evolution of physics studies. You will also complete question surveys and research activities.

8. dynaMIT

Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA

Cost/Stipend: Fully funded

Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified

Dates: August 11 – 15 (for rising 6th–7th graders) and August 18 – 22 (for rising 8th–9th graders)

Application Deadline: February 10

Eligibility: Rising 6th–9th grade students

MIT’s dynaMIT is a fully funded program aimed at inculcating an interest in STEM subjects among middle schoolers. The program is designed and executed by MIT students. They act as mentors and guide you through activities and experiments. You will delve into science and engineering concepts during the week-long summer program. Students from low-income families who might not otherwise have access to STEM education can develop their interests through this program.

9. Morse Summer Music Academy

Location: Yale School of Music, New Haven, CT

Cost/Stipend: Fully funded

Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified

Dates: June 24 – July 19

Application Deadline: March (tentative)

Eligibility: Participants must be enrolled in New Haven Public Schools, be in good academic standing, participate in their school’s music program (where available), and have a recommendation from their school’s music teacher

Morse Summer Music Academy is a free and intensive music program for middle school students. Hosted by the Yale School of Music, you will spend a week developing your music skills. You will complete an audition as part of the selection process. You must be prepared to perform or sing a one-to-two-minute solo, play a significant scale, and sight-read a short excerpt. The program teaches you music theory and the basics of composition. You will also benefit from opportunities to perform in chamber and larger ensembles.

10. USCB Center for the Arts Broadway Bound Summer Camp

Location: University of South Carolina Beaufort, Beaufort, SC

Cost/Stipend: $275; limited scholarships available

Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified

Dates: June 16 – 27

Application Deadline: May 30

Eligibility: Students aged 8–12

University of South California Beaufort offers a summer camp for students interested in the performing arts. Although there is a cost to participate, scholarships are available. In this camp, you will encounter all aspects of musical theatre. You will learn basic acting skills, vocal instruction, and choreography. The camp aims to help you develop confidence and the ability to express yourself. At the end of the program, the cohort will put on an original show.

Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a Ph.D. student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.

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