When is the right time to start applying for college scholarships ?

You usually don't start applying for scholarships until your senior because a lot will ask for your GPA as well as test scores. For now you want to keep up your grades and aim for all A's and maybe some B's. Try to avoid any C's and definitely anything lower. If you think you can try to take advanced or AP classes, especially AP classes. If you take AP classes, study hard for the AP test and try to aim for a 3 or higher. Joining a sports team would be a good idea,but only if you're really good. You do want to join some clubs and try to be an officer like vice-president or president in them and actually be active. Do community service as much as you can to have the hours to put down. You basically want to stand out among others applying for the highest chance at winning a good scholarship. Study for the ACT/SAT and if you need to take it twice to aim for the highest score possible. I would suggest taking a class for it because many who take a class of some sort, score higher. You could maybe start the summer of your senior year but your GPA could change by the end. One thing to definitely do is apply for fafsa once you start your senior year. You could maybe apply for colleges that summer before and fall of senior year. Make sure to take a look at deadlines and if essays are involved, maybe you can get a headstart on writing such essays. Also once you are old enough to work a job, maybe you can try working part-time and saving while you are still in high school especially during your summers. Not only will you be saving for college but also gaining work experience and skills that will set you apart once you graduate with a degree because while the degree is nice, employers prefer those with actual work experience and skills you can only gain from working a job. Good luck to you. You are still a little far from having to do all this but high school will go by quicker than you think.

Still years away. Focus on doing well now. You're at least a couple of years away from applying to the first stage of college - looking at medical school you're at least 15 years from being a gyno.

Start looking for colleges near and far and within the ability of your family to pay tuition and room and board if you and your family can afford the college you want to go to. Then in the 11th grade apply to your favorite college and two others as back-ups in case your first choice turns you down. Good luck.