10 Math Scholarships for Middle School Students
- Stephen Turban
- Oct 3
- 8 min read
Math scholarships can be a game-changer for middle school students, opening doors to opportunities that go far beyond the classroom. These programs not only reward talent but also provide early exposure to advanced academics, real-world problem-solving, and the kind of mentorship that helps students thrive in high school and beyond. Unlike costly private programs, many math scholarships are fully funded, making them accessible to families who want rigorous enrichment without heavy financial strain. Beyond academics, you also gain practical skills, industry exposure, and connections with peers and professionals who share their passion for mathematics.
For students who are serious about math, earning a scholarship can be both a recognition of their ability and a springboard toward future success. From building confidence through competitions to joining tight-knit communities of other high-achieving scholars, the benefits extend well past the award itself. To help students and families find the right opportunities, we’ve narrowed down a list of the top math scholarships for middle schoolers, programs that are highly rigorous, often fully funded, offer strong networking opportunities, and are backed by prestigious organizations with selective acceptance rates. These are the scholarships that truly stand out for young mathematicians aiming to push their potential.
10 Math Scholarships for Middle School Students
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies, financial aid available
Program dates: 8 weeks in the summer
Application deadline: Varies by the cohort
Eligibility: Students in grades 6–8
The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program is an online mentorship-based research experience tailored for middle school students who want to create an academic project in a field they’re passionate about. You’ll work closely with a mentor (often affiliated with prestigious institutions like MIT, Harvard, or Stanford) who supports you throughout the research and project development process. Throughout the program, you learn to conduct independent investigations, think critically, and complete a final project that reflects your area of interest. The program balances academic challenge with scheduling flexibility, featuring multiple application rounds during the year.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective. Information on the size of the application pool and exact cohort size is not available.
Location: Jack Kent Cooke Foundation, Lansdowne, VA.
Cost: Fully funded, with financial support for enrichment activities, summer programs, and internships.
Program Dates: Five-year scholarship beginning in 8th grade through high school graduation.
Application Deadline: February 5.
Eligibility: Open to 7th grade students in the U.S. with strong academic performance and demonstrated financial need.
The Cooke Young Scholars Program is one of the most prestigious math scholarships for middle school students, offering comprehensive academic advising, financial support, and enrichment opportunities throughout high school. Selected students receive guidance in choosing rigorous coursework, support for summer and extracurricular programs, and access to a nationwide network of high-achieving peers. Scholars also participate in Cooke-sponsored summer programs, year-round community activities, and personalized academic and career planning. This program emphasizes both academic growth and personal development, equipping you to thrive at top-performing colleges and beyond.
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies, financial aid available
Program 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: Varies by the cohort
Eligibility: Students in grades 6-8
The AI Trailblazers program by Veritas AI is a virtual course for middle school students in grades 6 through 8 who want to learn the fundamentals of artificial intelligence and machine learning. Over 25 hours, you’ll study Python programming and explore topics like data analysis, regression, image classification, neural networks, and AI ethics. The program includes live lectures and small-group mentoring sessions with a 5:1 student-to-mentor ratio.
You’ll work on a group project with three to five peers, applying what you’ve learned to build real AI models. Past student projects have included classifying music genres and creating algorithms that recommend educational resources based on user input. You can choose between two formats: 25 hours over 10 weekends or 25 hours over two weeks during summer break.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective. Information on the size of the application pool and exact cohort size is not available.
Location: Davidson Institute, Reno, NV.
Cost: Fully funded; awards of $25,000, $50,000, or $100,000.
Program Dates: Fellows are announced annually; program runs year-round with recognition events.
Application Deadline: Opens in Fall; deadline in February.
Eligibility: Students 18 or younger who have completed a significant piece of work in mathematics, science, technology, or another recognized category.
The Davidson Fellows Scholarship is recognized as one of the most prestigious awards for young scholars in the United States, offering up to $100,000 to students who have completed a significant project. Middle schoolers who demonstrate advanced ability and innovation in mathematics may apply, provided they meet the program’s rigorous standards. Awardees join an elite community of Fellows celebrated for their contributions across STEM and other fields. This scholarship not only provides substantial financial support but also national recognition for academic excellence and creativity.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective. Information on the size of the application pool and exact cohort size is not available.
Location: Global competition (virtual submission).
Cost: Free to enter.
Program Dates: Submission period runs June–September; winners announced in November.
Application Deadline: September 30.
Eligibility: Open worldwide to students aged 13–18; middle schoolers 13+ may apply.
The Breakthrough Junior Challenge is an international science and mathematics video competition founded by Julia and Yuri Milner. Applicants create and submit a short video (under three minutes) that illustrates a complex concept in math, physics, or the life sciences in an engaging and creative way. Submissions undergo peer-to-peer review, expert judging, and a popular vote to select finalists and winners. Top winners receive a $250,000 college scholarship, a $50,000 teacher prize, and a $100,000 science lab for their school. The challenge emphasizes both mastery of content and the ability to communicate ideas effectively, rewarding students who combine deep knowledge with creativity.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; exact number of awards not published.
Location: Brighterly, Las Vegas, NV (online program).
Cost: No application fee; scholarship winners receive $500 and six months of free one-on-one math tutoring.
Program Dates: Tutoring runs for six months after award notification.
Application Deadline: December 12.
Eligibility: Open to U.S. students in grades 1–8 (ages 6–14). Requires an essay, a recommendation letter, and a statement of financial need.
The Brighterly Math Equity Scholarship supports young students passionate about mathematics by pairing financial assistance with personalized learning. Winners receive a $500 cash award along with six months of online math tutoring from expert instructors, helping you strengthen fundamentals and build confidence in the subject. Applicants must submit a 400–500 word essay on their interest in math, challenges faced, and goals for improvement, as well as a recommendation letter and a brief statement of financial need. This scholarship emphasizes not only academic ability but also genuine motivation and commitment to learning. Awardees benefit from interactive, one-on-one instruction and access to Brighterly’s structured, skill-building curriculum.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; hundreds of thousands of students participate annually, with only top scorers advancing to state and national levels.
Location: National program, held across the U.S. with local, state, and national competitions.
Cost: Registration fee varies by school; early bird and group discounts available.
Program Dates: Runs throughout the school year, culminating in the National Competition each spring.
Application Deadline: Registration typically closes in November; check the MATHCOUNTS site for the exact date.
Eligibility: Open to U.S. students in grades 6–8.
The MATHCOUNTS Competition Series is one of the most prestigious math enrichment programs for middle schoolers, combining problem-solving with the excitement of in-person, “bee”-style contests. Students begin at the school or chapter level and advance through rigorous rounds to compete at the state and national stages. The problems challenge participants to think critically, apply advanced math concepts, and develop quick reasoning skills under timed conditions. Beyond competition, you will gain exposure to a nationwide community of math enthusiasts and recognition that stands out in future academic pursuits. The program fosters teamwork, resilience, and confidence in tackling complex mathematical challenges.
8. MathPath
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; details not published.
Location: Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley, MA.
Cost: Need-based financial aid available up to full tuition.
Program Dates: June 29–July 27.
Application Deadline: Not listed; applications currently closed.
Eligibility: Advanced middle school students ages 11–14.
MathPath is a four-week residential summer program for mathematically inclined middle schoolers who want depth, challenge, and a true math community. You’ll spend your days in problem-solving–driven classes, lectures, and workshops that go far beyond the standard curriculum. The program emphasizes mathematical thinking and proof, exposing you to topics like number theory, combinatorics, geometry, and more. Outside class, you will join a like-minded peer cohort for dorm life, recreation, and informal math circles. The camp operates on a college campus and follows state health/licensing requirements. Need-based aid can cover up to the full cost, making the program accessible to strong applicants regardless of finances.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Very selective; ~25 students per regional cohort.
Location: Partner schools in cities including Baltimore, Miami, New York City, and New Jersey (expanding to Rockville, Dallas, San Antonio, Santa Fe, San Francisco, Santa Ana, and Sacramento Valley).
Cost: Normally $2,000/year; scholarships cover 90–100%, leaving at most $2/hour.
Program Dates: Classes run throughout the school year; two one-hour sessions per week.
Application Deadline: Rolling; nominations and applications accepted through partner schools.
Eligibility: Primarily 6th graders at partner schools (exceptional 5th and 7th graders may be considered).
The LIVE Math Scholarship, founded by Carnegie Mellon professor and former USA Math Olympiad coach Po-Shen Loh, offers motivated middle schoolers access to high-level math coaching at minimal cost. You’ll learn competition math aligned with prestigious contests like MATHCOUNTS, AMC 8, and Mathleague.org, taught by high school "star coaches" who are top performers in national STEM competitions. With added performance training from professional actors and comedians, classes are engaging, collaborative, and fun. Cohorts are organized regionally to build strong community ties, and accepted students receive transformative preparation for advanced math and competitions. Scholarships are donor-funded, making this opportunity highly selective and prestigious for young math talent.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective. Information on the size of the application pool and exact cohort size is not available.
Location: AlphaStar Academy (online, U.S. nationwide).
Cost: Fully funded; need-based aid covers 90–100% of tuition.
Program Dates: September 2025 – May 2028 (three years, 32 weeks per year, 2 hours weekly one-on-one sessions).
Application Deadline: Early decision January 31; final deadline May 15.
Eligibility: Incoming 6th graders in the 2025–26 school year from low-income backgrounds (e.g., free/reduced lunch or HUD status) with advanced test scores, gifted identification, or placement in the 97th percentile of IQ/state exams.
The Carina Scholarship Program is a long-term opportunity that identifies and develops mathematically gifted middle schoolers from underserved backgrounds. Selected students receive three years of intensive one-on-one mentorship with Olympiad-trained coaches, gaining mastery in advanced problem-solving, computer science, and competition math. The curriculum is closely aligned with prestigious contests like the USA Computing Olympiad (USACO), AMC 8, and MATHCOUNTS, providing a head start in both mathematics and programming. By combining rigorous academics with dedicated mentorship, the program empowers students to break barriers, excel in national competitions, and pursue elite STEM pathways.
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a PhD 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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