Top Scholarships for California High School Sophomores (10th Grade) in 2025

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Scholarships for California High School Sophomores

Finding scholarships is very important for all students. This article covers important topics that all High school students should know about scholarships and what to do beforehand to create their application. 

Scholarships for High School Sophomores in California

Why Scholarships for Sophomores Matter

Scholarships are important because:

  • They are a way to earn recognition for your hard work.
  • They help cover college tuition and even extra costs.
  • Scholarships boost your morale and motivation to work hard.
  • They can lead to summer programmes that help build your portfolio. 

Scholarships for 10th Graders in California (2025)

  1. Scholarship Name: BBB Ethical Torch Essay Scholarship Contest
  • Provider or Organization: Better Business Bureau 
  • Eligibility: Resident of California, Grade 9-12
  • Award Amount: $1,500
  • Deadline: August 11th, 2025 – September 8th, 2025 (Depending on your county)
  • Website Link
  1. Scholarship Name: Mike Mikhail Memorial Scholarship
  • Provider or Organization: The California Foundation for Private and Postsecondary Schools (CAPPS)
  • Eligibility: Nominated by (CAPPS), Must be a recent immigrant or first generation American. 
  • Award Amount: Varies
  • Deadline: August 1st, 2025
  • Website Link
  1. Scholarship Name: San Diego Section PECG Scholarship
  • Provider or Organization: Professional Engineers in California Government- San Diego Section
  • Eligibility: Resident of California, Program is open only to PECG section member
  • Award Amount: $1,000
  • Deadline: August 8, 2025
  • Website Link

Websites to Find More Scholarships

Here is a list of websites that provide scholarship details as well:

How to Prepare as a Sophomore

Here are ways to prepare for college as a sophomore student:

  1. Maintain a high GPA. Your GPA is a very important part of your college application, having a high GPA enables you to apply for scholarships that have minimum requirements for merit or GPAs. These scholarships are highly funded and are a good source to fund your college tuition. 
  1. Create a strong portfolio with extracurriculars. You should start building a portfolio that represents your interests and relates to the degree you want to apply for in college. You should also volunteer not just for your portfolio but to bring positive change to this world as a young student.
  1. Start practicing how to write your personal statement. A personal statement (also called a college essay) is very important for your application and opens up scholarship opportunities for you. Writing a college essay takes a lot of time and effort so beginning early or being prepared beforehand will only benefit you. 
  1. Save your certificates and awards. Almost all colleges require you to upload evidence of your achievements. Hence, keep copies of your achievements and certificates scanned or in a document to protect them and for easier access. 

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Here are some common mistakes that you should avoid as a sophomore student:

  1. Waiting till 12th grade to seek scholarships. You can start earning scholarships from grade 10 for your future. 12th grade is hectic with classes and maintaining grades, having a plan beforehand helps you sail through the storm safely. 
  1. Not being prepared and checking deadlines on time. Students oftentimes procrastinate on checking deadlines and miss solid opportunities that they could have applied to.  
  1. Not getting in touch with your high school counselors or teachers that help with scholarships. Your teachers and counselors know a lot more than you assume, always get in contact with them before 12th grade, create a professional relationship with them so they can help you to their best capabilities.
  1. Using the same essay for all colleges that you apply to. Although you can have a solid essay, different colleges have different aspects that they seek in a student. While your essay could be good for one college, the second one might not be interested in that aspect. 
  1. Ignoring scholarships that are smaller in value, these scholarships although seem minimal to you, most of the time scholarships can be stacked and earning small valued scholarships can help with the cost of college. 

Conclusion 

You should always aim big but never forget to work hard and take on every opportunity you get to polish yourself and enhance your studies and skills. It is also important to remember that early effort pays off so starting in 10th grade you will have a solid base to begin with. Do not hesitate to ask your teachers or guidance counselors for help, they are here to support you and your college journey. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

Can I apply for national scholarships even if I’m a student from California?

Yes, you are eligible for national scholarships no matter where you’re from as a student in the USA. 

Where can I get help with my applications?

You can get help with your application through contacting your high school guidance counselor or teachers. Other sources can also provide external admission counselling like:
The Princeton Review, College Essay Guy, College Board

Do the scholarships I earn go directly to colleges or to me?

The scholarships you earn directly go to college and cover the cost of your college.

Do I require straight A’s to qualify for a scholarship?

No, you do not necessarily need to be a straight A student to qualify for scholarships. Many scholarships are:

Financial need-based scholarships. These scholarships are based on your financial need and cover many costs. Maintaining good grades enhances your chance of earning high financial aid scholarships, but you can still qualify for many based primarily on your financial need (without your grades).

Extracurricular activities. Sports or art scholarships are widely available for students and mostly don’t require grades but instead your performance in the field of the scholarship. 

Essay based scholarships. These scholarships rely on your college essays or extra essays to grant scholarships Your writing style and voice is the most important factor in earning this scholarship, not your grades.