10 Scholarships for Middle School Students in California
- Stephen Turban
- 3 days ago
- 8 min read
Scholarships for middle school students in California are more than just financial awards, they’re an early gateway to advanced learning, mentorship, and skill-building. At this stage, students can begin exploring programs that introduce them to college-level academics, research, and creative challenges in a structured yet inspiring environment. These opportunities often provide exposure to professional fields, hands-on projects, and valuable connections with mentors and peers, all without the high costs typically associated with private enrichment programs. Beyond academics, scholarships also cultivate essential life skills such as time management, collaboration, and critical thinking.
For ambitious students eager to challenge themselves, these programs can be a stepping stone to future achievements in high school and beyond. Each scholarship listed here has been carefully chosen for its rigor, selectivity, and overall impact, whether through research mentorship, creative exploration, or leadership development. Our curated list highlights the most prestigious scholarships for middle school students in California, programs that combine competitive selection, strong mentorship, and exceptional learning experiences in one transformative package.
10 Scholarships for Middle School Students in California
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 1:1 with a PhD mentor from 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; approximately 60–70 students selected annually
Location: Jack Kent Cooke Foundation, Lansdowne, VA (open to students across the U.S., including California)
Cost: Fully funded; covers academic expenses, summer programs, and enrichment activities
Program Dates: Five-year pre-college program beginning after 7th grade
Application Deadline: Opens February 5; closes in early May
Eligibility: Open to 7th-grade students in the U.S. with financial need, strong academic records, and community engagement
The Cooke Young Scholars Program is a comprehensive, multi-year scholarship for high-achieving students with limited financial resources. It combines personalized academic advising with financial support for school tuition, extracurricular activities, and summer enrichment programs. Selected scholars receive mentorship to identify rigorous high school options, plan academic goals, and prepare for admission to top colleges. You’ll engage in annual Cooke-sponsored summer experiences, year-round enrichment events, and networking with peers nationwide. The program’s long-term support and structured development model make it one of the most prestigious scholarships available to middle school students in the U.S.
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; a small group of global winners chosen annually
Location: Action For Nature, San Francisco, CA
Cost: Free to apply; winners receive up to $1,000 in cash prizes
Program Dates: Awards announced each fall; ongoing applications accepted until February 28
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: Open to students aged 8–16 who have completed an independent environmental project
The International Young Eco-Hero Awards recognize young environmental activists who have led impactful, self-initiated projects focused on conservation, advocacy, or environmental health. Applicants submit documentation of their projects, which are evaluated for originality, depth of research, and measurable community impact. Winners receive a certificate of achievement, media recognition, and up to $1,000 in prize money, along with access to the Eco-Hero alumni community. Projects can range from habitat restoration to climate advocacy, provided they demonstrate meaningful, long-term commitment. Managed by the nonprofit Action For Nature, the program encourages California students to lead tangible environmental change within their communities and beyond.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 25 winners chosen annually from across the U.S. and Canada
Location: Young Heroes Project, Boulder, CO (open to students in California and nationwide)
Cost: Free to apply; winners receive a $10,000 award and recognition gifts
Program Dates: Applications open January 7–April 15; winners announced in September
Application Deadline: Pre-application closes March 15; full application closes April 15
Eligibility: Open to U.S. and Canadian students aged 8–18 who have led a significant service project benefiting people or the planet
The Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes honors young leaders who have demonstrated courage, compassion, and initiative through community or environmental projects. Applicants must have independently designed and led an activity that delivers measurable social or ecological impact. Each year, 25 winners receive $10,000 in prize money, public recognition, and access to a nationwide network of young changemakers. Projects are evaluated based on originality, long-term dedication, and the ability to inspire others to make a difference. This program highlights youth who transform ideas into action, making it one of the most respected service-based scholarships for middle schoolers.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; limited number of full and partial awards granted each cycle
Location: Francisco Gella Dance Works, based in Los Angeles, CA
Cost: Scholarships cover 25%–100% of tuition; non-refundable deposit of $95 required for award confirmation
Program Dates:
Summer Program Deadlines: February 15 (Early), April 30 (Late)
Fall Program Deadlines: September 10 (Early), October 15 (Late)
Application Deadline: Varies by season; early deadlines strongly recommended for higher consideration
Eligibility: Open to dancers aged 7–22 with at least two years of technical training and three hours of weekly ballet; financial need and merit are equally considered
The Joan Myers Brown Equity Scholarship Fund promotes access to elite dance education for motivated students facing financial barriers. To apply, you need to submit a dance video, personal essay, financial statement, and recommendation letter to be considered for tuition assistance to Francisco Gella Dance Works programs such as Ballet+, New Century Dance Project, or Seattle Dance Advance. Awards range from partial to full tuition coverage, recognizing both talent and need. The selection committee evaluates applicants on artistic potential, technical ability, and dedication to professional dance training. Through this initiative, the program honors the legacy of Joan Myers Brown, fostering diversity, equity, and opportunity in pre-professional dance education.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Extremely selective; approximately 20 students recognized annually nationwide
Location: Davidson Institute for Talent Development, Reno, NV (open to students across the U.S., including California)
Cost: Free to apply; winners receive $25,000–$100,000 in scholarship funds
Program Dates: Applications open in Fall; winners announced by July 15
Application Deadline: February 12
Eligibility: Open to U.S. students aged 18 or younger who have completed a significant original project in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, Literature, Music, Philosophy, or an interdisciplinary “Outside the Box” category
The Davidson Fellows Scholarship honors exceptionally gifted students who demonstrate advanced ability through original, high-level work in academic or creative fields. Projects must show depth, innovation, and potential societal impact, with submissions judged by domain experts. Selected Fellows receive $25,000, $50,000, or $100,000 awards, joining a national network of young innovators recognized by Forbes and U.S. News as among the country’s top youth scholars. Submissions undergo a rigorous review process emphasizing originality, independent work, and mastery of subject matter. For California students passionate about research, innovation, or the arts, this program represents one of the highest distinctions available before college.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; over 42,000 participants to date with limited annual awardees
Location: Bow Seat Creative Action for Conservation, Boston, MA (open to students worldwide, including California)
Cost: Free to enter; winners receive cash prizes up to $1,000 and global recognition
Program Dates: Submissions open annually; 2026 Contest closes June 8
Application Deadline: June 8
Eligibility: Open to students aged 11–18; Junior Division (11–14) and Senior Division (15–18)
The Bow Seat Ocean Awareness Contest invites young artists, writers, filmmakers, and performers to use creative expression to promote ocean and climate awareness. Participants explore the theme “Your Story, Our Ocean” through original works in categories like visual art, creative writing, poetry, film, and multimedia. Winning entries receive up to $1,000 in scholarships, publication opportunities, and international recognition in exhibitions and campaigns. The contest emphasizes environmental advocacy through art, helping you strengthen storytelling, critical thinking, and ecological literacy. For middle schoolers in California interested in combining creativity with sustainability, this program offers an ideal blend of learning and impact.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; approximately 150 prize-winning documentaries selected annually
Location: C-SPAN Education Foundation, Washington, DC
Cost: Free to enter; multiple cash prizes awarded
Program Dates: Submissions accepted until January 20
Application Deadline: January 20
Eligibility: Students in grades 6–12 (individuals or teams of 2–3); entries must include relevant C-SPAN clips and a balanced exploration of viewpoints
StudentCam is a national documentary competition challenging students to produce a 5–6 minute film responding to an annual civic theme. Participants research primary sources, integrate C-SPAN video, and present multiple perspectives while maintaining clear citations (end credits or works cited). Middle school entrants develop evidence-based storytelling, interviewing, scriptwriting, and non-fiction editing skills aligned with media-literacy standards. Teams or solo filmmakers can submit, with prize funds split among team members. Winning entries are recognized publicly and showcased on C-SPAN platforms, offering strong portfolio material for future academic opportunities.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; 100 finalist teams recognized annually
Location: Project Paradigm, Los Angeles, CA
Cost: Free to enter; prizes up to $100,000 awarded to top entries
Program Dates: New challenge announced annually; entry period typically open year-round
Application Deadline: Varies by project cycle (announced on official site)
Eligibility: Open to students aged 4–18 worldwide; middle schoolers (ages 9–13) compete in their own division
The Paradigm Challenge invites young innovators to use creativity, collaboration, and STEM skills to solve pressing global issues, from fire safety to waste reduction and biodiversity. Participants can join as individuals or in teams to develop actionable solutions that improve lives and the planet. Top entries win scholarships up to $100,000, mentorship opportunities, and a trip to Los Angeles for an award ceremony at a red carpet event. Entries are judged on innovation, feasibility, and social impact, and all finalists receive recognition for their problem-solving abilities. This competition offers California middle schoolers a rare opportunity to combine scientific thinking with community-oriented innovation on a global stage.
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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