The American Legion Boys State program is the country's premiere summer youth camp designed to develop leadership and promote civic responsibility in young men. Held every June at Weber State University in Ogden. Let Ms. Regan know if you are interested in attending.

The Honors College at Westminster sponsors an annual essay contest for Utah high school students who want to engage in civil conversation about the crucial issues of our day. $2000 cash award for the best essay. Must be submitted by December 2, 2024. See link for application form and information.

The National Center for State Courts gives 3rd through 12th grade students the opportunity to understand and explain the importance of the United States government. Winners receive a total of $3000 in scholarship money. See link for essay prompt and entry form. Deadline March 21, 2025.

Grades 9–12 - Design a greeting card for the opportunity to win yourself a $10,000 scholarship and $1000 for your school. Plus, your winning entry will be made into a bona fide greeting card by The Gallery Collection. Entries due by March 3, 2025.

11th grade students may apply for this full-ride presidential scholarship covering tuition, room, board, and expenses for four years of undergraduate study and leadership training at any accredited American university. Application due December 11, 2024.

Students in grades K–12 have opportunities to create essays, films, songs, and more to celebrate and promote the US Constitution. Various cash prizes and scholarships. Due May 31, 2025.

Distinguished Young Women is a unique program that combines the chance to win college scholarships with a program that offers life skills training to prepare young women for the world after high school. Must be a junior in high school to participate.

The Doodle 4 Google Contest is open to students in grades K–12. To be considered, you must use your creativity to create your own interpretation of the Google logo. Your doodle must be based on the following theme: "I am strong because…". Winner will receive a $30K college scholarship. Entries due TBA.

Engineering State is a two day summer camp for high school juniors who are university bound, with a high interest in math, science, and technology. There are two sections of E-State, held on the USU Logan campus in June, where students will stay in dorms. You must have a 3.0 GPA to attend, and the cost is $150, which includes accommodations and meals. Register online beginning on January 1.

The Utah Chapter of Founding Forward will provide selected 11th graders the opportunity to attend the 2025 Spirit of America Youth Conference at Valley Forge, PA. The program also includes tours of Valley Forge, Independence Hall, and the Liberty Bell.

The Gen and Kelly Tanabe Scholarship is a merit-based program that helps students fulfill their dreams of a higher education. The scholarship is named for Gen and Kelly Tanabe, best-selling authors on education whose generous donations fund this program. Open to 9th–12th grade students. Rolling deadlines.

Girls State, held at Weber State University in Ogden every June, is a week-long program created with the purpose of educating Utah's youth about the duties, privileges, rights, and responsibilities of citizenship. Let Ms. Regan know if you are interested in attending.

For students who may want to attend Southern Utah University, this is a nine-day summer leadership and learning program for highly motivated students. Must have a 3.75 GPA to apply. The program costs $1300, but those who are selected and complete the program will earn six college credits and have a four-year scholarship to SUU. Application due March 3, 2025.

Sophomores: Leadership seminar designed to help high school sophomores recognize their leadership talents and apply them to become effective, ethical leaders in their home, school, workplace, and community. School will sponsor one boy and one girl. See Ms. Regan for application.

The High School Utah Entrepreneur Challenge (HS UEC), sponsored by the Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute at the University of Utah, is designed to encourage high school students to explore innovation and entrepreneurship and offers over $30,000 in cash and scholarship prizes. Deadline January 15, 2025.

The Horatio Alger Association assists students who have demonstrated integrity, determination in overcoming adversity, academic potential, and who aspire to make a unique contribution to society. Available to juniors and seniors. Application opens December 1, 2024, and is due March 15, 2025.

For Utah students 16–18 years old enrolled in high school during the 2024–2025 school year. Simply write your 500-word typed essay about what drives you now. One $5000 winner and one $1500 winner will be awarded. Due March 10, 2025.

The National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) invites all high school students (9th–12th grades) interested in the American Revolution to participate in the George S. & Stella M. Knight Essay Contest. To participate, students must submit an original 800–1200 word essay based on an event, person, philosophy, or ideal associated with the American Revolution, Declaration of Independence, or the framing of the United States Constitution. Essays will be judged based on historical accuracy, clarity, organization, grammar and spelling, and documentation. Essays due February 15, 2025.

Students in kindergarten through 12th grade can compete for one of eight $1000 my529 College Savings Account Scholarships. Submit an original design on the official entry form by September 30, 2024. See link for details.

Open to students in grades 9–12, contestants must produce a video on "American Agriculture: Why Food Security Equals National Security". Entries must be received by February 7, 2025.

Grades 9–12 - The Profile in Courage Essay Contest challenges students to write an original and creative essay that demonstrates an understanding of political courage as described by John F. Kennedy in Profiles in Courage. Essays are due January 17, 2025.

Grades 9–12 Utah High School students compete for financial rewards and the opportunity to speak at various Freedom Festival events. Submit a speech, essay, or short film on a topic related to freedom. Deadline March 1, 2025.

Prudential is accepting applications from young leaders ages 14–18 who are bringing powerful vision and real change to their communities. The program supports young people across the country who are making changes that focus on two categories: solutions to financial barriers and solutions to social issues. Applications due TBA.

Provides awards that equip outstanding low-income high school juniors with the knowledge necessary to compete for admission to top-ranked colleges. Full four-year college scholarships for seniors. Demonstrate academic excellence in the face of economic obstacles. Apply by March 20, 2025.

Grades 7–12 - The Team America Rocketry Challenge (TARC) is the world’s largest student rocket contest and a key piece of the aerospace and defense industry’s strategy to build a stronger U.S. workforce in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

Sophomores and juniors are invited to apply to become a student board member for the South Summit School Board. Students must submit a one-page essay explaining why they would be a good candidate, and two letters of recommendation. Board members will be expected to attend the board meeting on the second Thursday of each month and bring the student perspective to issues before the board. Successful applicants will be awarded a scholarship for college. Contact Dawn McMillan at the district office with questions.

StudentCam is C-SPAN's annual national video documentary competition that encourages students to think critically about issues that affect our communities and our nation. Students in grades 6–12 are asked to create a short (5–7 minute) video documentary on the 2025 competition theme, "Your Message to the President". Submission deadline January 20, 2025.

Juniors, now is the time to act! The West Point Summer Leaders Experience (SLE) provides rising high school seniors with a week-long immersion into the academic, military, and social life of a cadet. There is no fee to apply, and generous need-based scholarships are available. Standardized test scores are not required, but the ideal applicant has a strong academic background and participates in team sports and other extracurricular activities. Note: When you apply for SLE you are also submitting an admissions screening application.

Free eight-week program, where students graduating in 2026 or 2027 will learn how to conduct academic research, explore different types of engineering, and create a project for the Utah Science and Engineering Fair. Register by February 15, 2025.

Freshman, sophomores, juniors, and seniors are eligible to apply. The American College Foundation encourages an early start in planning for college. Write an essay on "Why College is Important to Me". Deadline December 1, 2024.

A civic engagement contest hosted by the Bill of Rights Institute, designed to foster a robust understanding of citizenship and get students active in their communities. For students ages 13–19, with prizes up to $10,000. Deadline May 18, 2025.

Scholarship Opportunities for Younger Students

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