essay on scholarship need

• Applying For Scholarships

Financial Need Scholarship Essay Examples (2023)

Jennifer Finetti Oct 2, 2022

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Many scholarships are awarded based on financial need. In order to win these scholarships, you must explain the nature of your financial need. In the guide below, we’ll explain how to write these types of essays to increase your chances of winning. Check out these scholarship essay examples for financial need scholarships.

How to write financial need scholarship essays

Here are some tips for writing financial need scholarship essays:

• Maintain a positive tone throughout the essay . You do not want to come across as self-pitying. Focus on ways you learned and grew from past experiences – how they made you stronger.
• Do not diminish other people’s suffering. This is a competition, but that doesn’t mean you should belittle your competitors. In fact, it would be better to say “I know there are many worthy candidates for this scholarship, but…” than to say “I have suffered far more than…” Show respect in everything you write.
• Frame your essay around a specific event. You may add other details if you have space to, but use one experience as the thesis for your essay.
• Avoid controversial statements and opinions. When discussing events from your past, do not belittle someone else or talk negatively about a group of people. You never know who will be reading your essay.
• Tell your story with honesty. Do not fabricate any details to make yourself sound needy. Your past and present circumstances will speak for themselves.
• Don’t try to sound philosophical. Some students will do this because they think it makes them seem smarter, but it rarely has that effect. Focus on proofreading and writing solid content. That is enough intelligence on its own.
• Discuss your career goals, if possible. You may not have room for this if the essay is short. If you do have room though, discussing your career goals will indicate a plan for the future. Review boards reward determination.

You know why you need financial aid. Tap into the key elements of your circumstances and use them to craft the perfect essay.

Many scholarships are awarded based on financial need. In order to win these scholarships, you must explain the nature of your financial need. In the guide below, we’ve provided examples of scholarship essays for financial need scholarships, along with some tips to help you write your own essay.

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Example 1: “Provide a statement of financial need”

Some scholarships will simply ask for a statement of financial need. There are no parameters to follow. You’re left to write whatever you want. Typically, a statement of financial need is two or three small paragraphs. This will come out to roughly 150-200 words, but it could be slightly longer. Think of this as a cover letter for your scholarship application, highlighting the key elements of your financial need. Don’t build up to the thesis. Get directly to the point.

I am the first person in my family to graduate high school, and thus the first to attend college. Both of my parents dropped out of school when they were teenagers. Because of their limited education, they have always worked in entry-level positions, earning barely enough to put food on the table. My first job I got was at the age of 12 delivering papers, and I have worked hard ever since to relieve pressure from my family. I enrolled in Mississippi’s HELP program during my senior year, which covers tuition and fees at select colleges in the state. I also have a Federal Pell Grant to cover my housing. However, I still need funding for books, supplies, and transportation to campus as needed. I am an engineering student, and our classes come with high fees. My parents cannot contribute to my college expenses, and I cannot work much while I’m in school. This scholarship would help me avoid costly student loans that could take years to repay.  

Example 2: “Describe your financial need in 100 words”

This essay is even shorter than the financial need statement. It may be one of several short answer questions you need to fill out. Working with 100 words is tricky. That only leaves room for about 7-10 sentences, depending on length. Make compelling statements using the fewest words possible.

Also note that grammar errors and misspellings will be much more noticeable in this short essay. Carefully proofread your writing before submitting the scholarship application.

I got pregnant and dropped out of high school when I was 15. By the age of 20, I had two more children, and we all shared a one-bedroom apartment. I worked three jobs to pay the bills, but I never earned much. When my oldest started high school, I did the same. I got my GED at 29 and enrolled in nursing school. My financial status has improved now with a GED, but I’m still a single mom with three kids. I want to become a registered nurse to give my children a stable future. I appreciate your consideration.

Word Count: 100

Example 3: “Explain your financial need in 500 or more words”

This scholarship essay prompt is the opposite of the one above. You have much more room to discuss your circumstances. Talk about your family life, your income, and other restraints that contribute to your financial aid . Try not to throw too much in the essay though. You want the information to flow together seamlessly. Edit carefully, and give the readers a full view of your situation.

My name is Brandon Noviello. I am a sophomore on track to earn my Bachelor of Arts in Sociology. I need financial aid because I do not have a family to contribute to my education. I was in foster care for two years before I aged out of the system, and now I am pursuing a degree completely on my own. I was raised by a wonderful woman who didn’t always have a wonderful life. My mother got pregnant after a sexual assault, but she was determined to raise a smart, successful man. She went through an accelerated program to graduate high school before I was born. She devoted the rest of her life to supporting me, both financially and emotionally. My mother’s family cut ties with her the moment she became pregnant. Life wasn’t easy for us, but I never wanted for anything. She always found a way to keep me fed, dressed, and in school. Unfortunately, she lost a long-term battle with depression when I was 16, and I was put into the foster system until I reached adulthood. I did not have a positive experience with foster care, but I admit, I had no desire to. My mother’s passing weighed heavily on my mind, and I felt an overwhelming sense of anger, regret, and frustration. There was one gleam of hope in my experience though. I had a great social worker. I fought her decisions every step of the way, and she still managed to find a family to get me through high school. My social worker was the only person I invited to my graduation ceremony.  She helped me realize how much one person’s efforts can make a difference in the lives of others. I was only one of countless children she had helped over the years. I researched how to become a social worker so I could help other children like me. My plan is to work with the Department of Human Services in the foster care and adoption division after I graduate. In order to make my dreams a reality, I need financial aid. I am working as a server to pay for food, utilities, and basic necessities, but I do not earn enough to pay for college as well. I go to school during the day and work at night. Furthermore, I have a maximum Pell Grant to cover most of my tuition, but I still need help with other expenses. I did not do well in high school as a result of my mom’s passing, but I have done well in college. I have a 3.25 cumulative GPA, and I have never made less than an A in a degree-related course. As such, I am committed to being successful despite my circumstances, and I want to help young people find that motivation within themselves. I look forward to working with children and teens in the foster system, so I can be the hope that someone else was for me.

Word Count: 498

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• Scholarship Essay

Jennifer Finetti

As a parent who recently helped her own kids embark on their college journeys, Jennifer approaches the transition from high school to college from a unique perspective. She truly enjoys engaging with students – helping them to build the confidence, knowledge, and insight needed to pursue their educational and career goals, while also empowering them with the strategies and skills needed to access scholarships and financial aid that can help limit college costs. She understands the importance of ensuring access to the edtech tools and resources that can make this process easier and more equitable - this drive to support underserved populations is what drew her to ScholarshipOwl. Jennifer has coached students from around the world, as well as in-person with local students in her own community. Her areas of focus include career exploration, major selection, college search and selection, college application assistance, financial aid and scholarship consultation, essay review and feedback, and more. She works with students who are at the top of their class, as well as those who are struggling. She firmly believes that all students, regardless of their circumstances, can succeed if they stay focused and work hard in school. Jennifer earned her MA in Counseling Psychology from National University, and her BA in Psychology from University of California, Santa Cruz.

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• How to Write a Scholarship Essay | Template & Example

How to Write a Scholarship Essay | Template & Example

Published on October 11, 2021 by Kirsten Courault . Revised on May 31, 2023.

A good scholarship essay demonstrates the scholarship organization’s values while directly addressing the prompt. If you plan ahead , you can save time by writing one essay for multiple prompts with similar questions.

Table of contents

Apply for a wide variety of scholarships, make a scholarship tracker spreadsheet, tailor your essay to the organization and the prompt, write a focused and relevant personal story, scholarship essay example, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about college application essays.

Scholarships are a type of student financial aid that don’t require repayment. They are awarded based on various factors, including academic merit, financial need, intended major, personal background, or activities and interests.

Like college applications, scholarship applications often require students to submit their grades, standardized test scores, letters of recommendation, and an essay.

A scholarship essay shares your values and qualities in the context of a specific question, such as “How does technology affect your daily life?” or “Who has had the greatest impact on your life?”

Be wary of scholarship scams

While some applications may not require an essay, be wary of scholarship scams that do the following:

• Guarantee you scholarship money for a fee
• Claim scholarship information is exclusive to their company
• Ask for your bank or credit card information to hold the scholarship

Some legitimate companies do charge for releasing comprehensive scholarship lists or creating a tailored list of scholarship opportunities based on your profile.

However, you can always discover scholarship opportunities for free through your school counselor, community network, or an online search.

Many students focus on well-known, large scholarship opportunities, which are usually very competitive. To maximize your chance of success, invest time in applying for a wide variety of scholarships: national and local, as well as big and small award amounts. There are also scholarships for international students .

In addition to charitable foundation and corporate scholarships, you should consider applying for institutional scholarships at your prospective universities, which can award money based on your application’s strength, your financial situation, and your demonstrated interest in the school.

Check with your guidance counselor, local organizations, community network, or prospective schools’ financial aid offices for scholarship opportunities. It’s a good idea to start applying as early as your junior year and continue throughout your senior year.

Choose the right scholarships for you

Choose scholarships with missions and essay topics that match your background, experiences, and interests. If the scholarship topic is meaningful to you, it will be easier for you to write an authentic and compelling essay.

Don’t shy away from applying for local scholarships with small dollar amounts. Even a few hundred dollars can help you pay for books.

Local scholarships may be more tailored to your community, background, and activities, so they’re likely more relevant to you. Fewer students apply for these scholarships, so you have less competition and a higher chance of success.

Some places to look for local scholarships include

• Civic organizations, such as the Rotary Club, Lions Club, etc.
• Your church, mosque, synagogue, or place of worship
• Community groups, such as the YMCA
• Ethnicity-based organizations
• Your local library or local small businesses
• Organizations related to your intended major
• Your city or town
• Your school district
• Unions, such as SEIU, the Teamsters, CWA, etc.
• Your employer or your parents’ employers
• Banks, credit unions, and local financial institutions

Prevent plagiarism. Run a free check.

While researching scholarship opportunities, create a scholarship tracker spreadsheet to keep track of the following:

• Scholarship amounts
• Required application materials

You can use our free Google Sheets template to track your scholarship applications.

Scholarship application tracker template

You can also include scholarship essay prompts in your college essay tracker sheet . By grouping or color-code overlapping essay prompts, you can plan to write a single essay for multiple scholarships. Sometimes, you can also reuse or adapt your main college essay .

Even if you’re adapting another essay, it’s important to make sure your essay directly addresses the prompt, stays within the word count limit , and demonstrates the organization’s values. The scholarship committee will be able to tell if you reuse an essay that doesn’t quite respond to the prompt, so be sure to tailor it to the questions asked.

Research each organization

Before writing, research the scholarship organization’s mission and reason for awarding the scholarship. Learning more about the organization can help you select an appropriate topic and relevant story.

While you should tailor your essay to the organization’s values, maintain your authentic voice. Never use false or exaggerated stories. If the organization’s values don’t align with yours or you can’t brainstorm a relevant story for the scholarship, continue searching for other scholarship opportunities to find a more appropriate one for you.

After researching the organization, identify a specific personal experience that embodies its values and exemplifies why you will be a successful student.

Choose a story with the following criteria:

• Responds to the prompt
• Demonstrates the organization’s values
• Includes an authentic story
• Focuses on you and your experience, not someone else’s

A good scholarship essay is not

• A resume of your achievements
• A lengthy opinion piece about the essay topic
• An essay featuring a negative tone that puts down others

If appropriate, you can briefly address how the scholarship money will help you achieve your educational goals. You should also end with a brief thank-you.

Take a look at the full essay example below. Hover over the underlined parts to read explanations of why they work.

Prompt: Describe how working for Chelsea’s Chicken restaurant has developed leadership skills that will help you succeed in college. Give specific examples of leadership characteristics that you have exhibited during your employment with us.

As a nervous 16-year-old, I walked into Chelsea’s Chicken for my first day of work determined to make enough money to put gas in my car and buy pizza on the weekends. My only previous job was mowing my neighbors’ lawns when they were on vacation, so I had no idea what to expect. I was a bit intimidated by my new responsibilities, especially handling money and helping disgruntled customers.

However, it didn’t take me long to learn my way around the cash register and successfully address customer complaints. One day, Roger, the store manager, asked me if I wanted to join Chelsea’s Chicken Leadership Training Initiative. He said he saw leadership potential in me because of my attitude with the customers and my enthusiasm for learning new job responsibilities. It surprised me because I had never thought of myself as a leader, but I quickly agreed, and Roger handed me a three-ring binder that was thicker than my math and science textbooks put together! He told me to take it home and read over it during the following week.

In that binder, I discovered that being a leader means taking the initiative, especially when the job is undesirable. One week later, I got to practice that idea when a little kid threw up in the bathroom and missed the toilet. It smelled terrible, but I stepped forward and told Roger that I would clean it up. My coworkers thought I was crazy, but I started to believe in my leadership potential.

That night as we closed the store, Roger pulled me aside in the parking lot and told me that he could tell that I had been studying the manual. He wanted to give me more responsibility, along with a dollar-per-hour pay raise. I was surprised because I had been working there for only a couple of months, but his encouragement helped me make a connection: good leadership helps other people, and it often is rewarded. I was determined to experience more of both.

Within a month, I was ready to take the Team Leader exam, which mattered because I would receive a promotion and a much bigger raise if I passed. But, when I got to work, two of the scheduled team members had called in sick. We were noticeably short-handed, and our customers weren’t happy about it.

I walked back to the lockers, put on my vest and hat, and took my place behind an open register. Customers immediately moved into my line to place their orders. Roger looked at me with surprise and asked, “Did you forget that you’re testing tonight?” I responded, “No, sir—but what’s the use of taking a leadership test if you aren’t going to lead in real life?” Roger smiled at me and nodded.

He stayed late that night after we closed so that I could leave early and still take the test. I noticed that Roger was always staying late, helping employees learn new skills. His example taught me that leaders take the initiative to develop other leaders. He gave me a clear picture of what shared leadership looks like, making room for others to grow and excel. When I asked him where he learned to do that, he said, “From the same leadership manual I gave you!”

Chelsea’s Chicken has offered me so much more than a paycheck. Because of Roger’s example, I have learned to take the initiative to care for my family and friends, such as being the first to do the dishes without my mom asking or volunteering to pick up my friend for our SAT prep course. Now, as I prepare to enter college, I have confidence in my leadership ability. I know I’m signing up for a challenging major—Biology, Pre-Med—yet I also know that Chelsea’s Chicken has helped me to develop the perseverance required to complete my studies successfully.

If you want to know more about academic writing , effective communication , or parts of speech , make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples.

Academic writing

• Writing process
• Transition words
• Passive voice
• Paraphrasing

 Communication

• How to end an email
• Ms, mrs, miss
• How to start an email
• I hope this email finds you well
• Hope you are doing well

 Parts of speech

• Personal pronouns
• Conjunctions

A scholarship essay requires you to demonstrate your values and qualities while answering the prompt’s specific question.

After researching the scholarship organization, identify a personal experience that embodies its values and exemplifies how you will be a successful student.

Invest time in applying for various scholarships , especially local ones with small dollar amounts, which are likely easier to win and more reflective of your background and interests. It will be easier for you to write an authentic and compelling essay if the scholarship topic is meaningful to you.

You can find scholarships through your school counselor, community network, or an internet search.

You can start applying for scholarships as early as your junior year. Continue applying throughout your senior year.

Yes, but make sure your essay directly addresses the prompt, respects the word count , and demonstrates the organization’s values.

If you plan ahead, you can save time by writing one scholarship essay for multiple prompts with similar questions. In a scholarship tracker spreadsheet, you can group or color-code overlapping essay prompts; then, write a single essay for multiple scholarships. Sometimes, you can even reuse or adapt your main college essay .

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Scholarship Essay Examples

With college tuition costs rising each year, many students apply for merit scholarships to help make college more affordable. However, merit scholarships can be competitive—and that’s where our scholarship essay examples come in. By reading our scholarship essay examples, you can learn what it takes to write an award-winning essay. 

Scholarships are an excellent opportunity for students to lessen their college tuition costs. Most merit scholarships require a brief application, usually including one or more essays. Below, we’ve rounded up our best scholarship essay examples.

Reading winning scholarship essay examples, especially scholarship essay examples about yourself, can help you begin the scholarship essay process. By reviewing essay examples, you can learn how to craft a strong essay. You’ll also get a better sense of what scholarship committees look for when they review applications.

In this guide to Scholarship Essay Examples, you’ll find tips on how to write the best scholarship essay, as well as:

• Various scholarship essay examples about yourself
• A strong scholarship essay sample about why I deserve the scholarship
• Scholarship essay examples about financial need, and more!

We’ve included scholarship essay examples specific to schools, including UC Berkeley, as well as specific programs, like the SHPE scholarship. We’ll also discuss the different types of scholarships you’ll find on your scholarship search. 

Now, before we jump into our essay examples, let’s learn more about getting scholarship money for college.

What is a scholarship essay?

A scholarship essay is an essay you’ll include in your merit scholarship applications. In many ways, your scholarship essays might resemble your college essays. So, the scholarship essay format should seem familiar. 

The best scholarship essays will highlight who you are and why you deserve money for college. Scholarship essay prompts will ask you to include various information, from details about your background to explanations of why you deserve a scholarship.

Crafting a compelling, well-written essay can help you win substantial financial awards to help cover your college tuition costs. However, not all scholarship essays are the same. Later on, we’ll review different winning scholarship essay examples to show you what kind of essays you’ll write in your application process.

Types of Scholarships

There are many different types of scholarships available to students. You can find a variety of scholarship opportunities on scholarships websites. The earlier you start your scholarship search, the more scholarships you’ll find. 

While some scholarship applications accept applicants of all backgrounds and abilities, some have very specific eligibility guidelines. So, you may not be eligible for every scholarship. If you’re not sure whether or not you’re eligible, you can find eligibility information on most scholarships websites. 

Here are a few different scholarship types you may come across in your scholarship search:

• Academic scholarships
• Merit scholarships
• Essay competitions
• Community service scholarships
• Military scholarships

Scholarship essay prompts will differ across programs. As you’ll see in our winning scholarship essay examples, the prompts can vary in word count and complexity. We’ll provide you with descriptive essay examples to help you get an idea of what to expect.

Merit-Based Scholarships

Most scholarships we’ll highlight in this article are merit-based scholarships . A merit-based scholarship is money awarded by a college or community organization based on your academic achievements. 

In contrast, a need-based scholarship is awarded based on a student’s financial need. If you are applying for financial aid, be sure to check out our scholarship essay examples about financial need. You’ll find both merit- and need-based scholarships on your scholarship search.     

To qualify for a merit-based scholarship, you generally must meet specific criteria. Scholarship committees look at your grades, academic achievements, extracurriculars, and even test scores. Need-based scholarships can have similar requirements, but they’re primarily concerned with your family’s financial status.

There are many merit-based scholarships available to help students afford college, including:

• National merit scholarships
• Gates Scholarship
• Jack Kent Cooke Scholarship
• Robertson Scholarship

Check out our guides on these popular merit-based scholarships for more details. There, you’ll find tips on how to write a winning essay. Our descriptive essay examples can also help prepare you to apply to these programs After all, while prompts vary, the scholarship essay format remains fairly standard. 

Finding scholarships

In this guide, we’ll highlight some scholarships you may be eligible for. However, make sure to check out the rest of our resources to help you approach the scholarship search. 

Some scholarships we’ll discuss include:

• QuestBridge scholarship : helps low-income students attend elite colleges
• Park scholarships : for students attending NC State University
• SHPE scholarship : offers financial assistance for Hispanic students interested in STEM degrees. 

Scholarship essay examples about financial need will help you prepare for your scholarship applications. For instance, if you apply for the SHPE scholarship, you’ll include a lot of details about your background. 

You can also use scholarship search portals or scholarships websites to find other scholarships you may be eligible for. 

How do you write a scholarship essay?

While scholarship essay prompts may differ, you’ll usually stick to the same general scholarship essay format. 

One resource that can help you write the best scholarship essays and find money for college is Sallie Mae. Sallie Mae is a private lender offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional student loans. They also grant scholarships and provide aspiring college students with a scholarship search portal on their scholarships websites. Here’s what they have to say about having a winning scholarship essay format.

Organization

When writing a scholarship essay, it’s best to start with a scholarship essay format that organizes your thoughts. This will allow you to follow a plan that clearly and concisely gets your points across. You should begin your essay with a solid introduction. Then, introduce your supporting arguments and add an appropriate conclusion. 

A good scholarship essay clearly states why you deserve to win money for college with evidence to back up your argument. You’ll see how to do this in our scholarship essay sample about why I deserve the scholarship. The best scholarship essays will be original and honest. It should be written in an inspirational and positive tone, highlighting your strengths and capabilities. 

When you feel like you have put your best foot forward, you should ask others for their feedback. This can be from a teacher, counselor, or one of our advisors here at CollegeAdvisor! Proofread your final essay and make sure you’ve caught any spelling and grammatical errors before submitting your application.

Up next, we’ll get into our descriptive essay examples and the different scholarship essay prompts they responded to. 

By looking at scholarship essay examples, you can learn what exactly makes a good essay. So, let’s look at some descriptive essay examples written by students looking to secure money for college. 

First, we will walk you through scholarship essay examples about yourself. Then, we’ll look at a scholarship essay sample about why I deserve the scholarship. Lastly, we will provide you with scholarship essay examples about financial need. Remember to keep these scholarship essay examples in mind when writing essays of your own!

Scholarship Essay Examples About Yourself

Let’s take a closer look at some scholarship essay examples about yourself.

Scholarship essay prompts vary quite a bit, so make sure you understand what the prompt really asks of you. That way, you can answer the question or address the prompt in its entirety.

Some scholarship essay prompts may ask how the scholarship will make a difference for you. They may also ask about any contributions you have made to your community. 

Ready to look at some winning scholarship essay examples? Check out these scholarship essay examples below.

The first of our scholarship essays is for Phi Sigma Rho. Here’s the prompt: 

How do you promote Phi Sigma Rho and STEM on your campus or in your community? (300 words Max)

Phi sigma rho scholarship essay.

In my campus and community, I strive to promote Phi Sigma Rho and STEM by promoting Phi Rho’s values and sharing my experiences and passion for Phi Rho.

My involvement in the Women in Engineering Program (WEP) and Society of Women Engineers (SWE) has allowed me the opportunity to promote Phi Rho and STEM. These activities have given me insight into how to successfully create a network that will support and encourage women in engineering to continue their careers. 

Within WEP, I served as a sophomore orientation leader (Envoy), mentoring first-year women and assisting with program logistics. As an envoy, I was able to promote Phi Rho ideals of friendship and encouragement. I was also able to informally recruit for Phi Rho by sharing my experiences and passion for the sorority.

Within SWE, I was the Internal Relations Chair my freshmen year and am the Director of Member Engagement this year. Both roles are related to member engagement, allowing me to promote friendship within engineering. Member engagement is important for creating a community among female engineers. Similar to my envoy position, my leadership within SWE has allowed me to share my love for Phi Rho.

Additionally, my volunteer experience with Engineering Ambassadors (EA), a STEM outreach group, has allowed me to promote STEM in the community. In EA, I give presentations on engineering, speak on panels, and lead hands-on activities for K-12 students. EA has taught me strategies to promote STEM to children and teenagers.

Because of Phi Sigma Rho, I have the confidence to inspire and encourage the next generation of female engineers. I hold the values of scholarship, friendship, and encouragement in the highest regard and strive to embody those in every leadership position and volunteer role. Through SWE, WEP, and EA, I have promoted Phi Sigma Rho, its values, and STEM as a whole in both my campus and community.

This is, in many ways, a scholarship essay sample about why I deserve the scholarship. The writer clearly highlights how they’ve engaged with Phi Sigma Rho and how their values align with those of the organization. The writer also provides specific examples of their leadership positions, skills, and accolades. 

The next two of our scholarship essay examples about yourself are for the SHPE scholarship. Here they are: 

SHPE Scholarship essay example #1

Essay prompt:.

Summarize your life experiences and any challenges that have impacted your path to higher education. (250 Words) 

Essay Example:

I vividly remember the first day of First Grade because I didn’t know the Pledge of Allegiance like the rest of my classmates. Growing up in a Hispanic household, I had never learned what the pledge was. This was the beginning of several years of disconnect. 

From receiving weird looks when I told classmates my family opened Christmas gifts at midnight, to my parents’ confusion when I didn’t want them to speak Spanish in public, both sides of my life never understood the other. As a result, I always felt out of place in school, like I was behind in some way because I didn’t share the same upbringing as my classmates. In contrast, academics felt like a level playing field, something we were all learning together in the same way.

While I couldn’t tell you who won the super bowl, I could do mathematics or read just as well, if not better, than my classmates. Socially, I always felt out of place, but academically I was always comfortable, and as a result, I tried to excel in that area of my life. That desire to succeed created the relentless work ethic I have today and the appreciation I have for education.

Despite the lack of emphasis from my parents on schoolwork, I developed this sense of responsibility and persistence to pursue an education. Although my family’s Hispanic culture made my life difficult when I was younger, it made me a more resilient person.

More scholarship essay examples

Shpe scholarship essay example #2.

Discuss your educational and career aspirations as well as your ability to complete and achieve these goals. (250 words)

Using a degree in engineering, I hope to work on improving sustainability and efficiency in the aerospace industry by creating cheaper, safer, and more environmentally-conscious options.

Recently, Pratt and Whitney designed an engine that is 16% more efficient and will release 3600 less metric tons per airplane per year. Excitingly, it also greatly reduces the noise footprint of an airplane. Innovations like these will allow the aerospace industry to evolve and improve while reducing negative environmental impact. I hope to work at the forefront of this innovation, pushing the boundaries of improved engine performance and efficiency. 

Last semester, I started working in the Experimental and Computational Convection Laboratory on campus to learn more about turbines. Some current projects in the lab involve new turbine cooling techniques and additive manufactured heat exchangers. Throughout the course of my undergraduate career, I hope to learn more about the barriers facing improved engine and turbine efficiency. Following undergraduate, I plan to attend graduate school to gain a deeper knowledge of these topics. Following graduate school, I may go into industry working on turbines and jet engines. Due to beginning research early, I believe graduate school is an attainable educational goal.

The potential ability to make a difference in the environmental impact of the aerospace industry is exciting. To accomplish this, I know studying Mechanical Engineering will give me the skills necessary to fulfill my career goals.

Both of these scholarship essay examples use specific details to highlight the writer’s strengths, experiences, and accolades. In reading these winning scholarship essay examples, we get a sense of who the writer is both as a person and as a student. 

Scholarship Essay Sample about “Why I deserve the scholarship”

Another scholarship essay prompt you may come across is “why I deserve this scholarship.” A good scholarship essay clearly highlights why you deserve to win the scholarship and provides evidence to support your argument. 

Below, you’ll find scholarship essay samples about why I deserve the scholarship. You can use these as a guide to help you tackle your own scholarship essays. 

Here’s the first of our scholarship essay examples, which was used for the Park Scholarship: 

The Park Scholarship is an investment in the potential of young people. It prepares scholars to make lifelong contributions to communities, states, nations, and the world. Tell us a story that illustrates your potential to make these lifelong contributions. (What have you done that should compel us to invest in you?) (Max. 3,990 characters including spaces.)

Park scholarship essay example.

Coming from a Venezuelan family, I have always been able to connect with total strangers through Spanish. Whether I’m eating at a restaurant or volunteering, I am constantly stumbling upon other Spanish speakers. The ability to converse in their language allows me to bond with them in a way I couldn’t in English, something I do not take for granted. 

Because of my experience, I believe that learning a foreign language is an incredibly important skill. Being able to speak in a second language allows a person to understand another community and reach out to people within that community. Additionally, speaking a second language assists in appreciating other cultures. This appreciation is important for fostering open-mindedness, something America as a whole struggles with today. 

In my school district, foreign language classes are not offered until late middle school. Once in high school, many students drop the class. In addition, those who stay in the class often find that the classes provide little more than a basic understanding of the language and then become discouraged in their learning. On a larger scale, this issue affects America as a whole. Second language programs often come second in terms of funding and planning and are not encouraged as rigorously as other academic courses. As a result, many Americans are ignorant to the benefits of bilingualism and are unable to understand the viewpoint of those who are multilingual.

After my freshman year of high school, my frustration with my community’s lack of priority for second language learning culminated in my desire to take some sort of action to promote foreign language education. In my sophomore year, a classmate and I created and ran an introductory Spanish program, Spanish in the Spring, at my local library for young children in the district. I spent hours at home creating lesson plans, activities, themes, and advertisements for the program. I placed heavy emphasis on cultural aspects and the importance of the Spanish language in America and the world as a whole.

My purpose for this program was to introduce children at a young age to learning a foreign language, so their desire to learn would continue throughout their life. Through the program, I was also able to share my belief of the importance of learning a second language with the children, as well as their parents. After the final day of the program, I was thrilled when one parent mentioned their desire to learn a foreign language program themself. I felt that if I made an impact on one person or family, the entire program was worthwhile. 

Unfortunately, this past spring I was unable to continue the Spanish in the Spring program due to library scheduling restraints. However, I hopefully plan to offer the program again this spring with some changes that will improve and expand the experience. One of these changes will include the immersion of parents into the experience to encourage foreign language education as a family activity.

While this program was only offered once, the impact was immeasurable, for the children, for the cause of foreign language education, and for me.

This is another scholarship essay sample about why I deserve the scholarship. In it, the writer clearly and directly answers the prompt—that is, they highlight their potential to make a lifelong impact on members of their community. 

Ready for another scholarship essay example? Here’s the next one: 

How will a ScholarSHPE impact your life and education? (200 Words)

Shpe scholarship essay example.

Receiving a ScholarSHPE will give me the gift of time and opportunities. My parents are unable to support me financially throughout college due to large amounts of accrued debt. A ScholarSHPE will reduce my financial stress and allow me to improve my overall health as a result. It will also prevent the need to work several hours a week at a part-time job to pay for tuition, books, and living expenses, which will limit what I can do academically and outside of class. A ScholarSHPE will allow me to spend more time on research pursuits, engineering extracurriculars, volunteer work, and school work, instead of long hours at a part-time job. 

This essay sample is fairly straightforward. In it, the writer follows a clear scholarship essay format, explicitly answering the prompt. 

UC Berkeley Scholarships essay examples

Let’s look at some school-specific merit scholarship essay examples. 

At the University of California – Berkeley , students can apply for a variety of merit scholarships. These scholarships can help offset the cost of UC Berkeley tuition. 

Below, we’ve included various scholarship essay examples for the UC Berkeley scholarships. These UC Berkeley scholarships can help students cover their college tuition costs. This can make the UC Berkeley tuition less of a barrier for students hoping to attend. 

You’ll find a variety of UC Berkeley scholarships that can help you afford UC Berkeley tuition. Available UC Berkeley scholarships include: 

• Berkeley Undergraduate Scholarship
• Fiat Lux Scholarship
• Middle Class Scholarship
• Regents’ and Chancellor’s Scholarship

These are just a few ways to cover the cost of UC Berkeley tuition. UC Berkeley students also receive more than $10 million per year in outside scholarships to cover college tuition costs. If you are interested in exploring non-UC Berkeley scholarships, check out this list of outside scholarship resources . 

To help you get started, check out our winning UC Berkeley scholarship essay examples. The authors of these scholarship essay examples about financial need all won money to help cover their UC Berkeley tuition.

UC Berkeley scholarship essay examples

I am grateful to realize how fortunate I am today. All the loved ones around me and their acts of kindness have given me such a great life. I also realize the sacrifices that those around me have had to give up in order for me to succeed. It is because of this that I have realized what “paying it forward” truly means. I have been given the opportunity to make an impact in my community and I have fully taken advantage of this opportunity. I have been a volunteer for the Buddyball Sports Organization, which is a non-profit sports organization dedicated to providing the opportunity for children with developmental disabilities to play sports.

Growing up, watching and playing sports has been one of my greatest pleasures of life, so teaching these less fortunate kids has been something I have enjoyed doing every single weekend. On top of this, I am also both a volunteer at the South Orangetown Ambulance Corps and the Nyack Hospital. With the desire to pursue a career in the medical field, volunteering at these places has given me a great idea of what my career could look like in the near future. While all of these volunteer activities have had a significant impact on me, little did I know that this summer would truly make a lasting difference in my life. 

This past summer, my family decided to go on a vacation to India to visit my relatives. This was the first time in my life that I was going to India and this was only because my grandmother came down with Parkinson’s disease and was extremely sick. Little did I know at that time that my visit to India would be a life-changing experience. Never could have I imagined such a filthy village. Everywhere I looked, there was garbage and to make matters worse, no one seemed to do anything to try to ameliorate the repugnant image of my home country.

While I realized on my flight home that I was not going to be able to make a difference and help my community back in India, there was nothing stopping me from doing so right here in Rockland County, New York. When I was told that I would have the opportunity to help organize and direct “Make a Difference Rockland,” I joyfully accepted! Make a Difference Rockland is a free public meet and greet for all local non-profits and other government agencies in an attempt to promote different community service opportunities within the public. By gathering all the local non-profit organizations and giving them a chance to present themselves, people learn more about all of the local community service opportunities that are available to them. This way, the community will be able to recruit volunteers and will not have to suffer through calamitous conditions.

As one of the people in charge of organizing, it was my responsibility to adequately contact, invite and help prepare for hundreds of people. Once I gathered their contact information, I had to ask each one of these places if they would be interested in joining the fair. If interested, I had to also prepare a table for them to present themselves at the fair. The feeling of bringing all of these community service groups together brought me a feeling of happiness that I will never forget. 

The best scholarship essays will teach the reader about who the writer is, what they care about, and why they deserve a scholarship. The essay above does just that—it highlights the writer’s background and describes how they give back to their community. 

Next, let’s dig into a few more scholarship essay examples. 

If you’re interested in more descriptive essay examples, keep reading. 

Reading a ton of winning scholarship essay examples is a great way to pick up on what makes them winners. Over time, you’ll start to notice how the details, tone, and flow all work together to tell a story.

Below, you’ll find a few more scholarship essay examples. Our first one is from the NC Parks Scholarship. Here’s the prompt:

What do you do to serve your community? Why do you do the service that you do? What impact have you made? What challenges or insights have your service contributions given you? (Max. 3,990 characters including spaces.) 

Community-focused scholarship essay example #1.

“What are the boys like in high school?” “Is it easy to get a boyfriend?” Sighing, the other frustrated leaders and I look at each other as we read the questions posed by the younger girls. Every year at Girls’ Night Out (GNO), a program that introduces and prepares eighth-grade girls for high school, the girls question the leaders about relationships and dating ad nauseum, irritating other leaders to the point of ignoring the questions. 

Giving each question a careful and deliberate answer is often difficult, but instead of disregarding the issue, I try to offer my most sincere and honest advice. Originally, when I began as a group leader in the program I would give the same response, “You shouldn’t worry about boys. Instead, enjoy your friends, and do things you enjoy.” While that advice is true, it is often not the answer that will satisfy the girls. Through many years in the program, I have learned that advice is not “one size fits all”; it must be individualized to the person’s needs. Now, when faced with a question about dating, I respond with more questions before giving “words of wisdom”.

Many times I am able to understand the perspective of the middle school student, allowing me to give advice accordingly. Supplying proper advice about sensitive topics is one of the most impactful parts of GNO. As a role model and positive influence for the girls, I largely impact their ideas and perception of the environment when entering high school. In addition to teaching the students valuable lessons, volunteering at GNO has taught me that various perspectives may present themselves identically. To better understand those around me, it is important that I look beyond the surface for the other person’s viewpoint.

Beyond understanding other viewpoints from GNO, I have learned from other service that understanding a person’s situation is essential for providing exceptional assistance. Through Key Club, I volunteer many times a year at the local food pantry. As a volunteer, I help the recipients “shop” at the small grocery store using a point system. The process takes up a lot of time because shoppers do not always know what they want. Originally I  thought this was a poor design. I believed it would be much more efficient to just hand out the food rather than giving out points and shopping with the food pantry recipients.

Upon expressing my opinion to one of the adult food pantry staff, he explained to me that the grocery store aspect of the store taught the recipients life skills. Additionally, by giving them autonomy over what food they “bought”, they retained a sort of independence, an important skill to have if they find themselves above the income level required to use the food pantry.

The next time I volunteered I took note of the skills presented. Budgeting of points, deciding whether or not they needed something, determining the quality of the fruit, and decision-making of choosing extra food or toiletries, were all skills that those above the poverty line have ingrained. For those who have been using food pantries and other assistance for prolonged periods of time, these skills are not so natural. As a result, teaching the people means after they no longer need the services of the food pantry, they have valuable skills necessary for their independence.

From this experience, I learned an important lesson: helping people is not just giving them what they need at the moment, but understanding what they will need in the future and providing that as well. After realizing this, I emphasize the abilities that the food pantry teaches whenever I dedicate my time. By doing that, I am positively affecting the development of those skills. 

When reflecting on the various ways I have served my community, one thing stands out to me: I always understand another viewpoint or gain a new perspective afterwards. For me, the ability to look at something from different angles is an unparalleled talent, and one of the most important skills a person can have.

Describe your volunteer or community experience with SHPE or other organizations and any internships you have held.  (250 Words)

Community-focused scholarship essay example #2.

In SHPE, I have been involved in planning the Penn State College of Engineering STEP-UP (Student Transition Engineering Program at University Park) Program as a chair. The STEP-UP program helps students from Penn State branch campuses smoothly transition to the University Park campus through a 3-day program in the spring. The program introduces them to engineering resources, other engineering students, and provides professional development. Due to COVID-19, this year it was held virtually. 

Within the Society of Women Engineers and the Women in Engineering Program, I have volunteered at different STEM events in the community for elementary school students. I am also currently serving as an Envoy (a mentorship and logistical position) for the Women in Engineering Program Orientation. Additionally, I participate in many of SWE’s service events, such as donating and collecting donations, cleaning up areas on and around campus, and visiting nursing homes.

On campus, I am also involved with Engineering Ambassadors (EA), a group that does STEM outreach around Pennsylvania from the elementary school to high school level. EA goes virtually or in person to schools, does engineering presentations and activities, and answers questions.

Prior to COVID-19, I had secured an internship with Pratt and Whitney, however, they had to cancel their internship program. As a result, I was fortunate enough to obtain a Process Quality Engineering internship at Brentwood Industries for summer 2020.

Both of these scholarship essay examples highlight how the writers have given back to their communities. These winning scholarship essay examples highlight the writers’ strengths. In doing so, they highlight why these writers deserve help with college tuition costs. 

Reflecting on scholarship essay format

As important as the content of your essay is, your scholarship essay format is equally important. As you write, be sure to adhere to the scholarship essay format guidelines provided to you. 

However, there are some things all of the best scholarship essays have in common. Here are some general tips, tricks, and outlines to help you in your own writing process.

Three scholarship essay writing tips:

• Word counts are hard to adhere to, but the other applicants must adhere to them, too. Make sure every word counts. 
• When you write a solid essay, you can repurpose some of your key points, including specific anecdotes and details, in other scholarship applications.
• Writing a good essay helps you solidify who you are and what you want. This sets you up for success in the scholarship application process and beyond. 

Three essential elements to include in your essay:

• State your goals. Scholarship committees are investing in your future and your potential. To take a chance on you, they need to know your plan and what you want to do with your award. 
• Establish an implicit or explicit link between your goals and the scholarship you are applying for. Describe to the committee how the specific scholarship will help you attain your goals. Give them a tangible reason as to why you deserve their investment. 
• Share your story. Use personal details about your experiences that highlight your identity and objectives. How have you pursued your goals and prepared for your future? How will the scholarship help you going forward? Get personal and be honest.

Storytelling in your essay

Some of the best scholarship essays utilize good storytelling strategies. You should share the details of your personal story in a narrative, using a logical order. Remember, telling personal details about yourself and your goals does not mean simply restating your resume!

By the end of the essay, the scholarship committee should have an in-depth sense of why you applied. You should reveal:

• When and how you arrived at your future goals
• Your motivations to accomplish these objectives
• What traits or skills you have developed along the way
• The meaningful experiences that drive you to your goals
• Any personal challenges you have faced and how you have overcome them
• What has shaped you and your worldview

These details humanize you and show your complexity as a person and an applicant. It’s helpful to use anecdotes and personal experiences to give life to facts and details about yourself. Sharing real-life experiences will help make your essay more interesting and more fun to read.

Creating your scholarship essay format

Once you have thought about what you want to say, start thinking about your scholarship essay format. You may start by making a list of what your reader may be interested in:

• How you spend your time
• Your accomplishments
• What your passions are, etc.

Start by brainstorming everything you may want to include in your essay. Then, think about whether the stories you include support your arguments. Ask yourself, “What did I learn?” or “How did this get me closer to my goals?”. These reflections help the reader connect to your purpose for writing. 

Make sure to organize your thoughts in a narrative order. However, there isn’t just one way to write an essay. So, don’t limit yourself to one version of your story. You may find yourself writing multiple drafts before you get to your final scholarship essay format.

Editing and proofreading your essay

When you think you have finished, be sure to proofread and edit to ensure it’s ready to be submitted. Check that you’ve adhered to all the scholarship essay format guidelines (like the word count). 

Reviewing also includes getting input from others! An outside reader’s opinion can help you confirm your essay effectively communicates your ideas.

Tips for scholarship essays

You may notice some similarities between the scholarship essay examples about yourself we’ve provided. That’s because the authors of the best scholarship essays all use similar strategies to make their essays great. 

Here are 5 tips from U.S. News to help you make all of your scholarship essays stand out:

Tips for writing stand-out scholarship essays

1. get personal and be specific.

The best scholarship essays will share an authentic story with impactful details. The key is to be yourself and not shy away from personal details. The more the committee gets to know about you, the more likely they are to invest in your future. You want your essay to offer a genuine, in-depth look into who you are as a person.

2. Tell a story

Your essay should be more than a collection of facts—it should tell a story. That means having a solid introduction that grabs the reader’s attention from the very start. Then, you should include a logical flow of experiences or details. By the end of your essay, you want your reader to have learned something valuable about you.  

3. Tailor the scholarship essay to the prompt

Some of your scholarship essay prompts may be similar across different scholarship applications. However, it’s important that your essay is specific to each prompt and answers the question entirely. While you can repurpose an essay you’ve already written as inspiration or a starting point, be extra attentive when doing so.

4. Don’t tailor yourself to the reader

Many students fall into the trap of telling a story they think scholarship foundation committees want to hear. Instead, stay true to yourself as you craft your scholarship application essays. Don’t tell your reader what you think they want to hear—just tell them who you are. 

5. Follow directions

This final tip may arguably be the most important. Above all else, students should follow instructions. This means adhering to the scholarship essay format guidelines and word count. It also means answering the essay prompt in its entirety. Application readers can be easily frustrated by a student’s failure to follow directions. This could reflect poorly on you and your essay in the long run. 

Use these tips to guide you as you approach the scholarship essay format. 

Scholarship Essay Examples – Final Thoughts

We hope our roundup of scholarship essay examples has shown you how to approach your scholarship applications. With rising college costs, scholarships should be a part of your college financial planning process. Take the time to do your own scholarship search based on your specific interests. You can find plenty of scholarships to apply to on scholarships websites and college financial aid pages. There are many different scholarships websites to help you with your search. 

Save this guide

Feel free to save this guide and review our scholarship essay examples about yourself and about financial need. You can always look back on our scholarship essay sample about why I deserve the scholarship when writing your own essay. 

Start with an outline that organizes your thoughts. Then, make sure your essay is clear and concise. Be original and honest, and include personal details and anecdotes when appropriate. State why you deserve to win the scholarship. Then, support your claim in a way that makes a scholarship committee invested in your future. 

We’re here to help

Don’t forget to proofread your essay and ask others for their feedback. When in doubt, reach out to our advisors at CollegeAdvisor. Our team is always here to help support you find and apply for scholarships!

This article was written by Bailey Bennet. Looking for more admissions support? Click here to schedule a free meeting with one of our Admissions Specialists. During your meeting, our team will discuss your profile and help you find targeted ways to increase your admissions odds at top schools. We’ll also answer any questions and discuss how CollegeAdvisor.com can support you in the college application process.

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• Writing Tips

​How to Write a Scholarship Essay (With Examples)

• 6-minute read
• 22nd August 2022

Writing a scholarship essay can seem like a daunting task. For many students , higher education isn’t possible without financial aid, and scholarships are especially valuable because the money awarded doesn’t have to be paid back.

Even though the stakes are high, there are a few manageable steps you can take to ensure you write a great essay to submit with your scholarship applications. We have a few top tips to help you get started, along with writing examples to demonstrate some key points. Check out our guide below to learn more.

A scholarship essay is a great opportunity to present yourself and your accomplishments in an impactful way. It is, therefore, essential to be aware of each scholarship deadline so you can allow sufficient time for the writing process, which typically includes the following:

·   Read the essay prompt and brainstorm ideas.

·   Create an outline covering the key points you want to address.

·   Write a draft and seek feedback from trusted teachers, family, or friends.

·   Make any necessary revisions and proofread before submitting your final draft.

Scholarship review committees will be able to tell if you rushed through your essay, so give yourself the best chance of winning an award by staying organized and on schedule!

Who and What?

Researching the scholarship provider and diligently reviewing the essay prompts can help you write an essay that makes you stand out as a top candidate.

1. Who are you writing to?

Learn more about the organization offering the scholarship and why the scholarship fund was created.

For instance, a scholarship may honor its organization’s founder, and the founder’s qualities (e.g., integrity, good citizenship, and leadership) might be the same values guiding the scholarship program as a way to continue the founder’s legacy.

If you identify with any of the same qualities, you can incorporate those keywords into your essay to demonstrate your shared values. Remember to remain authentic, though!

2. What are you writing about?

You must read the essay prompt carefully to identify precisely what you need to accomplish with your essay.

Some prompts ask about your career goals and how you plan to achieve them or your achievements and the challenges you overcame to reach them.

You’ll write about common topics across multiple scholarship applications – some may even be similar to your college admission essay – so you can repurpose your essays as long as you’re diligent about tailoring each one to its prompt.

Your application will likely require other items such as transcripts and test scores, but the essay is your chance to offer something entirely unique. Write about key experiences that highlight who you are and what you’ve accomplished, or you could mention something you’re passionate about.

Remember to follow any specific instructions regarding length and formatting, and be sure to answer all questions listed in the prompt. It can hurt your chances if you’re unable to show the committee that you’re detail-oriented and can follow directions.

Structuring Your Essay

Your essay should follow a standard format that includes a clear beginning, middle, and end. Typically, you should:

·   Establish your main idea in the introduction.

·   Include a separate body paragraph for each key point that supports your main idea.

·   Draw it all together and revisit your main idea in the conclusion.

Scholarship committees read thousands of essays each year. And often, there are hundreds of applicants for an award that can only go to a select few candidates. Writing a powerful introduction and conclusion gives you a chance to make a lasting impression.

1. Introduction

Write an introduction that hooks the reader and encourages them to stay engaged till the end of your essay. Don’t be afraid to add personal, tangible details and an anecdote .

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For example, if you’re writing about your career goals, demonstrate why you’ve chosen that career:

It was the biggest game of the season, and the stands were packed despite the bitter cold. My heart was beating louder than all of the cheers, and I was filled with the anticipation that one more run into the end zone would give us the championship. Everything went silent during that run when the tackle shattered both my leg and my dreams.

My world has always revolved around being an athlete – until one day it couldn’t. I spent many frustrating months rehabilitating, but I got through it because of my dedicated physical therapist, who helped me recover both physically and mentally after a devastating loss. And it was that profound experience that led me to pursue a career in the exercise sciences.

2. Conclusion

The conclusion is the last thing your reader will see, so it’s another opportunity for you to make your essay memorable.

Rather than summarizing with a general statement such as “this is why you should award me a scholarship,” perhaps explain what the financial assistance will help you achieve:

My parents never had the opportunity to go to college, and neither did their parents. I watched them work hard every day just to make ends meet, and I often questioned whether I could achieve anything more. Nevertheless, I spent four years working as hard as I saw my parents work, and I beat the odds by getting accepted to college. A scholarship could be invaluable for me, as it would allow me to attend and be successful without having to worry about finances.

Persuasive Writing

While you don’t want your scholarship essay to be overly informal, you’re certainly allowed to add some creativity and personal details to help persuade your readers.

One of the best ways to do so is by writing with the modes of persuasion ; that is, ethos, pathos, and logos.

Demonstrate your credibility. Use your real-life experiences and interesting details to establish, for example, how you’ve contributed to your community:

I saw how much bullying was impacting so many students at my school, so I founded my high school’s first anti-bullying club and organized campaigns to bring attention to the harm that people can cause one another.

Evoke an emotional response. The “show, don’t tell ” writing technique, which involves using descriptive words when discussing actions and emotions, can be especially useful here:

During one of our first awareness assemblies, the theater was completely silent as I read aloud anonymous stories from students about the scars bullying had left on their lives. Tears were stinging in my eyes as I described the struggles my classmates were facing, but I persevered to give a voice to those who didn’t have one.

Convey your point with reason and facts. Use statistics to demonstrate what you’ve accomplished:

In the first year alone, our club improved students’ feelings of safety and acceptance at our school by 53%.

Proofreading and Editing

Don’t forget the importance of proofreading your essay, as spelling and grammar mistakes can leave a bad impression on your reader. Our expert editors can help ensure your writing is clear, concise, and error-free. Give yourself a better chance at impressing scholarship committees by submitting a free trial document today!

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How to Write a Scholarship Essay: Complete Guide + Examples

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Common questions about scholarships, the top 10 most common scholarship essay prompts:.

• Tell us about you.
• Why do you want to study/pursue [X]?

Tell us about a time you failed and what you learned from it.

Why do you deserve this scholarship?

How will this scholarship help you?

In this guide, I’ll share with you a series of step-by-step mini-guides to answering the top 10 most common scholarship essay question prompts. 

How do I know these are the most common scholarship prompts? Because they’re based on a random sample of about 700 scholarship essay prompts analyzed by my friends at the scholarship site Going Merry . 

First, we’ll get into questions like: 

Where do I find scholarships?

What are colleges and organizations looking for in a scholarship essay?

How do I write a creative scholarship essay that stands out?

Can I re-use scholarship essays as college essays (i.e. personal statement or supplemental essays)—and, if so, how?

After that I’ll break down how to write each prompt.

Here are the top 10 most common scholarship essay prompts:

Tell us about you. (Or another very generic bio request)

What impact has sports had on your life? (Or some other athletics-related question)

How have you contributed to your community, or what community service have you provided?

Why do you want to study/pursue [X]? 

How are you unique? 

What are your academic and/or career goals?

Tell us about a time when you had a belief or idea challenged.

Let’s do this.

Where do you find Scholarships?

I love both College Greenlight and Going Merry . They both have great search engines. In fact, try them both!

Broadly speaking, colleges want to know what skills/qualities/values/interests you’ve developed that will contribute to a college campus. Organizations (i.e. not colleges) are still curious about the skills/qualities/values/interests you’ve developed, but in many cases they’re looking for you to share about those in the context of a specific question—how sports have helped you develop those values, for example, or how those qualities are relevant to your future career or goals. I’ll get into more detail for each type of essay in a moment.

First, let’s get organized. 

Chances are you’re not applying for just one or two scholarships; you’re applying for a bunch, right? And if you’re not applying for a bunch—or you aren’t yet—go over to College Greenlight or Going Merry to see what you qualify for. Then come back.

Why should you apply for a bunch of scholarships? Because a) MORE FREE MONEY, b) it’s relatively easy, as I’ll explain in a second, d) it can improve the quality of your essays, and d) another reason that I’ll explain at the very end of this post. 

Once you’ve got a big list of scholarship essay prompts, you’ll want to...

Step 1: Create Your Scholarship Essay Tracker (10 min.)

This is basically a big list of all your scholarship essays organized by prompt, due date, word limit, etc. Why do this? Because it’ll save you tons of time and improve your essays.

Click here for a downloadable scholarship tracker you can download and customize.

Once you’ve created your tracker, you might notice something: Some of these prompts look alike. You might also notice that you’ve already written an essay that could work for one or more of these prompts.

So ask yourself:

Could I re-use any essay(s) I’ve already written for college applications?

Could I write an essay that works for multiple prompts?

Wait: I can do that? I can use an essay I’ve already written or write one that works for lots of different scholarships and then just submit the same essay? 

Yes, you totally can. In fact, I’m going to recommend doing so because not only is it going to save you time, but it’ll improve your essays. I call this…

A Super Essay is one that’s written on a topic you know well and that works for several different prompts. As a quick example, notice how you could write one essay that answers all these questions:

Tell us about you (or some other very generic profile/bio request).

How are you unique? (Discuss your background, identity, interest, or talent) [Similar to Common App prompt #1]

Don’t believe one essay could answer all these prompts? 

Check out the essay called “With Debate” at this link. 

The essay tells us about: who the author is (Prompt 1), how she is unique (Prompt 2), how she failed and learned from the experience (Prompt 3), and even her academic and career goals (Prompt 4). 

And get this: if she’d wanted to answer the prompt that asks her to “Tell us about a time when you had a belief or idea challenged,” she could simply have added something like “I didn’t believe I’d ever find my voice/be able to speak up for myself… but I learned I was wrong—that I did have a voice”). 

So here’s my first bit of advice: 

Write an essay that works for multiple prompts.

The short version: put all of your prompts in your essay tracker and color code them based on which prompts seem similar. Here’s an example of this that a former student created for his college essays. Next, copy and paste prompts of the same color at the top of a blank page and brainstorm topics that might work for each group of prompts. As you create your outline and begin your draft, keep the different prompts in mind.

Click here for more details on this technique, including a step-by-step guide to writing a Super Essay (with examples).

But wait: that doesn’t really answer how to write each of the prompts above. So let’s take a deep-dive into each one, shall we? 

The "Tell us about you" scholarship essay

This scholarship prompt is wide open. And by that I mean you can pretty much do anything you want with it. Given that, I’d strongly recommend doubling this with another prompt, which is to say that you can answer this question at the same time that you’re writing an essay for another scholarship prompt. 

You’ll also notice that this could easily double with your personal statement, so if you’ve written a great personal statement you really like, you might be able to submit that for this prompt. But if you haven’t written a personal statement, here’s a free guide to writing a great personal statement .  Prefer a YouTube video? Here’s my crash course in writing a personal statement.

Below is a great example essay for the “Tell us about you” prompt. You’ll notice it could’ve also worked for a lot of the other top 10 prompts.

What Had to Be Done

At six years old, I stood locked away in the restroom. I held tightly to a tube of toothpaste because I’d been sent to brush my teeth to distract me from the commotion. Regardless, I knew what was happening: my dad was being put under arrest for domestic abuse. He’d hurt my mom physically and mentally, and my brother Jose and I had shared the mental strain. It’s what had to be done. Living without a father meant money was tight, mom worked two jobs, and my brother and I took care of each other when she worked. For a brief period of time the quality of our lives slowly started to improve as our soon-to-be step-dad became an integral part of our family. He paid attention to the needs of my mom, my brother, and me. But our prosperity was short-lived as my step dad’s chronic alcoholism became more and more recurrent. When I was eight, my younger brother Fernando’s birth complicated things even further. As my step-dad slipped away, my mom continued working, and Fernando’s care was left to Jose and me. I cooked, Jose cleaned, I dressed Fernando, Jose put him to bed. We did what we had to do. As undocumented immigrants and with little to no family around us, we had to rely on each other. Fearing that any disclosure of our status would risk deportation, we kept to ourselves when dealing with any financial and medical issues. I avoided going on certain school trips, and at times I was discouraged to even meet new people. I felt isolated and at times disillusioned; my grades started to slip. Over time, however, I grew determined to improve the quality of life for my family and myself. Without a father figure to teach me the things a father could, I became my own teacher. I learned how to fix a bike, how to swim, and even how to talk to girls. I became resourceful, fixing shoes with strips of duct tape, and I even found a job to help pay bills. I became as independent as I could to lessen the time and money mom had to spend raising me.  I also worked to apply myself constructively in other ways. I worked hard and took my grades from Bs and Cs to consecutive straight A’s. I shattered my school’s 1ooM breaststroke record, and learned how to play the clarinet, saxophone, and the oboe. Plus, I not only became the first student in my school to pass the AP Physics 1 exam, I’m currently pioneering my school’s first AP Physics 2 course ever. These changes inspired me to help others. I became president of the California Scholarship Federation, providing students with information to prepare them for college, while creating opportunities for my peers to play a bigger part in our community. I began tutoring kids, teens, and adults on a variety of subjects ranging from basic English to home improvement and even Calculus. As the captain of the water polo and swim team I’ve led practices crafted to individually push my comrades to their limits, and I’ve counseled friends through circumstances similar to mine. I’ve done tons, and I can finally say I’m proud of that.  But I’m excited to say that there’s so much I have yet to do. I haven’t danced the tango, solved a Rubix Cube, explored how perpetual motion might fuel space exploration, or seen the World Trade Center. And I have yet to see the person that Fernando will become.   I’ll do as much as I can from now on. Not because I have to. Because I choose to.

Here’s a quick step-by-step guide to writing the “Tell us about you” essay: 

Create Your Scholarship Essay Tracker and check to see what other topics this prompt might overlap with.

Create an outline that works for all the potential overlapping prompts.

Write a draft using the resources linked above, in particular the free guide . 

Revise your essay using this exercise .

Use the Great College Essay Test to see how your essay might be improved, then revise as needed until your essay is solid. 

Share it with 1-2 people you trust and revise again, as needed.

Submit your essay and any other required documents before the deadline. 

Click here for more great examples of essays that tell us a lot about their authors and were written using the resources linked above.

The “What impact has sports had on your life?” Essay

Heads-up: this prompt won’t always be phrased precisely like this, but the mini guide I’m about to share will work for most any sports-related prompt.

Here, you’re basically writing an extracurricular essay and the secret to doing it well, IMHO, is making uncommon connections. Here’s what I mean: 

I believe the difference between a boring essay and a stand-out essay is this:

Boring essay: 

common topic

common connections

common achievements

common language

Stand-out essay: 

un common topic

un common connections

un common achievements

un common language

Quick definitions:

Topic : Certain sports (like basketball) are more common than others (like indoor skydiving). That doesn’t mean you can’t write a great basketball essay, but it’s harder to stand out. More details in a sec.

Connections : These are values that people don’t normally or immediately associate with your sport. Students often write about the values of “discipline” or “hard work,” but finding uncommon connections (AKA insights) can make for a more interesting essay.

Achievements : Some accolades (like winning a local or state tournament) are more common than others (like being the only female on your wrestling team, for example, or playing for a national team).

Language : Some phrases (like “we learned what being a team is really all about” are pretty common).

And I know what you’re thinking: What if the sport I play is super common, or I can’t come up with any uncommon connections or don’t have any uncommon achievements, or don’t know what you mean by uncommon language?

Don’t worry. Stay with me.

How to Stand Out on Your Sports Essay If Your Topic and Achievements Are Common

If you don’t play an uncommon sport and don’t have uncommon achievements to write about, a great way to stand out is by making uncommon connections. Why? With a common topic that makes common connections and uses common language (i.e., “Basketball taught me hard work and discipline”), you’re likely to blend in. Instead, you want to generate insights others won’t have thought of. How? There’s a game for that:

The UC* Game  

*Uncommon Connections

First, pick a cliché topic that you might use for an essay. In fact, maybe it’s the sport you’re considering writing about for a scholarship essay.

Take football, for instance. (And by the way this applies to other typical extracurricular activities—like the classic “mission trip” essay—so let’s do that one too, so you can maybe use this for other essays too.)

Step 1: Brainstorm the cliché version of your essay. 

First, tell me what the typical football or mission trip essay will focus on. How? Take a look at this list of Values and think of a few cliché values that you think the typical essay would focus on.

A cliché connection for [football] might be [teamwork, responsibility, hard work, etc.] 

A cliché connection for a [mission trip] might be [helping others, hard work, passion, etc.].

You get the idea. 

Step 2: Come up with 3-4 uncommon values.

Next, brainstorm values that might not normally be associated with football or a mission trip.

Examples: 

An uncommon connection to [football] might be [resourcefulness, healthy boundaries, critical thinking, etc.].

An uncommon connection to [a mission trip] might be [serenity, accountability, practicality, etc.].

If you can find one uncommon connection you can find two, if you can find two you can find three, and if you can find three then you have enough content for a whole essay. Here’s how to develop your content:

Step 3: Tie the value to a specific example from your life.

Describe one specific example of how you’ve developed or explored that value through your activity … and maybe even applied it to other areas of your life.

Example: Football has made me a better reader.

As a cornerback, I meticulously and systematically scan the offense, looking for nuances in formation before the quarterback snaps the ball, all in a matter of seconds. It’s not unlike annotating a novel. Finding the subtle complexities in my rival teams’ spread offense has not only led me to intercepting a pass, but has given me the skills to fully digest, for example, Dostoevsky’s Crime and Punishment , where the smallest, and at first glance, almost unnoticeable details, add to an intricate story that I wouldn’t appreciate in the same way had I not been able to notice those details in the first place.

See how that makes for a more interesting football essay? 

Uncommon Value (critical thinking) + Application Elsewhere (English class) = Win.

After doing this, you should have a list of 3-4 uncommon values and examples of how they’ve manifested in your life. This may take you a little while, but be patient and stick with it. It’s worth it and will make up the bulk of your essay content.

Step 4: Decide on an order for your details and write a draft.

I recommend chronological order, as it’ll make transitions easier. Then try a draft. It doesn’t have to be perfect the first time, just get something down on paper.

For a more comprehensive guide that explains how to write an extracurricular activity essay that can work for other college essay and scholarship prompts, click here. 

The “Why do you want to study/pursue [X]" Essay

This is basically what they call a “Why major” essay. Here’s a step-by-step approach: 

Step #1: Imagine a mini-movie of the moments that led you to your interest and create a simple, bullet point outline:

Why Biology?

Elementary school: Getting my first dinosaur toy and reading dinosaur books

Middle school: Visiting museums, seeing water under a microscope

High school: Doing online research, getting internship where we analyzed brainwaves and dissected a stingray

Step #2: Put your moments (aka the “scenes” of your mini-movie) in chronological order, as it’ll help you see how your interests developed. It also makes it easier to write transitions.

Pro Tip: If you’re writing a shorter essay (e.g., 100-150 words), try writing one scene per sentence. If you’re writing a medium-length (e.g., 250-300 word) essay, try one scene per short paragraph. If you’re writing a longer essay, you can build a montage that uses your major/career as a thematic thread.

Step #3: Decide if you want to include a specific thesis that explicitly states your central argument—in this case what you want to study and why. This thesis can be at the beginning, middle, or end of your essay.

Three “Why Major” Essay Examples 

Here’s a short essay that puts the thesis at the beginning: 

Why Electrical Engineering?

My decision to major in Electrical Engineering was inspired by my desire to improve security through technology. When I lived in Mexico, my father’s restaurant security system lacked the ability to protect our property from robbers, who would break in multiple times a year. Thanks to the influence of my cousin, who now studies Autonomous Systems, I developed an interest in electrical engineering. I am inspired to not only improve my father’s security system, but contributing to security innovations for larger companies and perhaps, one day, national security. (89 words)

Outline - Why Electrical Engineering?

Thesis: I want to improve security through technology

Robbers broke into dad’s restaurant

Cousin taught me about Autonomous Systems

In the future: work with large companies or on national security

Here’s a medium-length example with the thesis at the end:

Why Gender and Sexuality Studies?

My interest in Gender and Sexuality Studies was sparked in my eighth grade Civics class when we studied topics pertaining to sexual equality. I went into the class knowing I believed women had a right to make choices for their own bodies and that view remained the same, but I discovered the complexity of abortion debates. I challenged myself by thinking about the disparity between actual and potential personhood and the moral rights of unconscious lives. If pregnancy had the same consequences for men as it does women, how might the debate be different? Would this debate even exist?  A year later, I shadowed an OB/GYN at a nearby hospital. On my first shift, I watched an incarcerated woman receive a postpartum exam after giving birth in her cell toilet with just Advil, and the issues discussed in Civics suddenly became urgent and real. My school projects have often focused on reproductive rights. I’ve spent numerous hours delving into summaries of Supreme Court cases on abortion and contraception, and am even known as the “Tampon Fairy” at school because I frequently restock the school bathrooms with tampons and condoms.   I’m interested in exploring how Gender and Sexuality Studies connect to Public Health and Reproductive Biology, as well as Public Policy and Law. The interdisciplinary nature of this major will allow me to investigate many other areas of study and create a more nuanced understanding of how this particular field interacts with our world and society. (246 words)

Outline - Why Gender and Sexuality Studies:

Eighth grade Civics class conversations

Shadowing OB/GYN at a nearby hospital and seeing woman receive postpartum exam

Being the school “tampon fairy” (restocking school bathrooms with tampons and condoms)

School projects on reproductive rights

Thesis: name my major and briefly say why

You can also use a hook to grab your reader’s attention. Here’s a medium-length example that does this:

Why Neuroscience?

Imagine all the stars in the universe. The brain has a thousand times the number of synapses, making neurological errors a near certainty. I learned this fact firsthand as a 14 year-old, when I suffered from sleepless nights because of an uncomfortable, indescribable feeling in my leg. It took months of appointments and tests to be told it was a condition called cortical dysplasia. Even after the diagnosis, there is no cure. I am lucky. My condition does not severely affect my quality of life. However, I know this is not the case for everyone. After this experience, I took AP Biology and attended a neuroscience program, which reinforced the subject as my future calling. One of the most impactful lectures discussed the plight of healthcare in developing nations. Newborns with extreme neurological deficits are common, but finding treatments is not. Without prenatal care, this is becoming a growing epidemic, leaving millions of children helpless. With a degree in neuroscience, I will gain a strong understanding of neural tube development and neuronal migration in infants. I will then become a neurologist, specializing in pediatric care. I hope to work for humanitarian organizations, such as Doctors Without Borders, in Africa, where HIV and polio are rampant, as are numerous other diseases.  Imagine the stars once more. From across the world, I will look at the same stars in the future, as I help children secure the ability to not only look at the stars, but do much more. (247 words)

Outline - Why Neuroscience:

Hook: Connect number of stars to number of connections in brain (and maybe mention cortical dysplasia)

AP Bio + neuroscience program: learning about healthcare in developing nations

Thesis: say why neuroscience (get specific) and what I’ll do with degree

Return to opening (stars) and look to future

What to Do If You’re Unsure of Your Major or Choosing “Undecided” on Your Application:

Even if you’re unsure of your major, you might still research and select 1-3 areas of interest and describe why you chose each one. If possible, connect them. 

If you’re choosing “undecided” on your application, that’s okay! Describing 1-3 areas of interest is still a good idea. It shows  your intellectual curiosity and demonstrates your ability to make connections across a range of academic disciplines. 

The “How have you contributed to your community/community service?” Essay

When it comes to writing about a community service project, you’ll either be describing a challenge or series of challenges you’ve encountered, or you won’t. I’ve developed a structure that works for each case.

The first is called the “Uncommon Connections” approach and works well for students who are not writing about a challenge. It’s basically the one I described in the mini guide to writing the “What impact has sports had on your life?” essay above.

The second is what I call the “Powerwall” approach and it works well for students who have addressed or overcome a challenge through their community service project. It works like this:

The Narrative Approach (aka The powerwall Exercise)

This structure was inspired by an article by Andy Raskin in which he analyzes a pitch Elon Musk gave on the Powerwall. Here’s Raskin's take on Musk’s pitch:

“Musk’s delivery isn’t stellar. He’s self-conscious and fidgety. But at the end, his audience cheers. For a battery. That’s because Musk does five things right that you should emulate in every pitch you ever make to anybody.”

While reading Raskin’s article, I realized (because I’m the College Essay Guy and this is where my brain is half the time) Musk’s approach could easily be applied to a wide range of extracurricular essay topics, so I adapted the structure, added a step, and created an approach that will help you map out a challenge-based extracurricular essay in about ten minutes. 

Step 1: Identify the problem. 

Describe the challenge you were (or are currently) facing. The problem could be something global, like an environmental issue, or something more local, like a lack of creative opportunities in your high school.

Step 2: Raise the stakes. 

Help us understand: Why was (or is) overcoming this challenge important? What might happen if this problem went (or goes) unchecked? 

Step 3: Describe what you did. 

Tell us the specific things you (or you and your team) did to solve the problem.

Step 4: Clarify your role. 

Describe your particular involvement. Why were (or are) you crucial to the project or club’s success?

Step 5: Share the impact you had, lessons you learned, or values you gained. 

Provide specific evidence that gives us a sense that your work mattered. I’ll show you some ways to do this in a minute.

Think that’s too much to do in one essay? 

The Catalyzing Creativity Club

I live in the suburb of Los Angeles, California, known to its residents as the bubble. It has the perfect weather, location, and schools. As amazing as it sounds, however, growing up in La Cañada Flintridge has its drawbacks: the community pressures adolescents to achieve success through mainly academic means. While this approach isn’t necessarily wrong, it can be difficult, particularly in my high school, to thrive in a creative and imaginative way. Sophomore year, my friends and I began to wonder, What if the teenagers of La Cañada had greater opportunities to express themselves. To pursue their creativity. To follow their dreams. That’s when we decided to start the Catalyzing Creativity Club.  Founded two years ago, the Catalyzing Creativity Club (C3, for short), provides students in our community the opportunity to pursue their passion and aspirations outside the classroom.  Some of our opportunities include: a yearly music festival for our community’s young aspiring musicians that showcases local talent to the masses and scouts; a technology expo, which allows students to be rewarded with funding and demonstrate their coding abilities to prospective companies; recording sessions for aspiring musicians, photo-publishing competitions, and a variety of guest speakers ranging from nineteen-year-old college seniors to millionaire entrepreneurs. In addition, we have a blog for aspiring writers to publish their work and are holding a shoe drive for underprivileged athletes.  As vice president of finances for C3, I work to ensure we can fund these activities. I handle our bank account, fundraising, and organize the event planning. Moreover, I make sure that C3’s activities and finances are approved by and follow the guidelines of my high school. This role is crucial, as we work to achieve non-profit status.  Even though C3 is only a few years old, I believe it is already making an impact in the community. As we grow and the opportunities we provide become more popular, our hope is to inspire our peers to follow their dreams and burst the La Cañada Flintridge bubble. (332 words)

Brief Notes and Analysis:

I love how direct the tone is in the third paragraph. It’s basically a straightforward listing of the club’s accomplishments. This was pulled directly from the bullet points of his BEABIES exercise. It works.

Notice how specific he gets in the fourth paragraph where he clarifies why he was essential to the club’s success. Doing this helps us understand that he was more than just a passive member  who showed up to meetings. 

Another potential use of your extracurricular essay is to expand on something you only mentioned briefly in your personal statement. In this case, the author mentioned in his personal statement that he’s “a numbers guy” and, in the fourth paragraph of this essay, expands upon why numbers are meaningful to him. 

If he’d had more room, he could have potentially expanded on the club’s impact in the final paragraph, describing specific ways the community changed, or personal lessons learned. But again, not every essay has to be perfect (and not every element has to be included) in order for this structure to work. 

The “How are you unique?” Essay

This prompt (and those like it) ask students to discuss their backgrounds, identities, interests, or talents and tell the reader why these are meaningful to them. They’re usually some variation on the Common App prompt #1: Some students have a background, identity, interest or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story. 

So guess what? You can totally use the resources linked above, in particular the free guide .

Why am I sending you to those links instead of spelling it out here? Because there isn’t, as far as I can tell, a short and simple way to describe to you how to express your uniqueness ... besides the process that I’ve spent the past 15 years developing and have summarized in neat, bite-sized chunks at the links above . (And if you’re not sure which guide I mean, it’s this one .) Plus, if I’d listed all that content here it would’ve made this blog post like 2-3 times as long and it’s already pretty long.

Here’s a great example of a student who wrote a personal statement that shows their uniqueness: 

I’m no stranger to contrast. A Chinese American with accented Chinese, a Florida-born Texan, a first generation American with a British passport: no label fits me without a caveat.  But I’ve always strived to find connections among the dissimilar. In my home across the sea, although my relatives’ rapid Mandarin sails over my head, in them I recognize the same work ethic that carried my parents out of rural Shanghai to America, that fueled me through sweltering marching band practices and over caffeinated late nights. I even spend my free time doing nonograms, grid-based logic puzzles solved by using clues to fill in seemingly random pixels to create a picture. It started when I was a kid. One day, my dad captured my fickle kindergartner attention (a herculean feat) and taught me Sudoku. As he explained the rules, those mysterious scaffoldings of numbers I often saw on his computer screen transformed into complex structures of logic built by careful strategy. From then on, I wondered if I could uncover the hidden order behind other things in my life. In elementary school, I began to recognize patterns in the world around me: thin, dark clouds signaled rain, the moon changed shape every week, and the best snacks were the first to go. I wanted to know what unseen rules affected these things and how they worked. My parents, both pipeline engineers, encouraged this inquisitiveness and sometimes tried explaining to me how they solved puzzles in their own work. Although I didn’t understand the particulars, their analytical mindsets helped me muddle through math homework and optimize matches in Candy Crush. In high school, I studied by linking concepts across subjects as if my coursework was another puzzle to solve. PEMDAS helped me understand appositive phrases, and the catalysts for revolutions resembled chemical isotopes, nominally different with the same properties. As I grew older, my interests expanded to include the delicate systems of biology, the complexity of animation, and the nuances of language. Despite these subjects’ apparent dissimilarity, each provided fresh, fascinating perspectives on the world with approaches like color theory and evolution. I was (and remain) voracious for the new and unusual, spending hours entrenched in Wikipedia articles on obscure topics, i.e. classical ciphers or dragons, and analyzing absurdist YouTube videos.  Unsurprisingly, like pilot fish to their sharks, my career aspirations followed my varied passions: one day I wanted to be an illustrator, the next a biochemist, then a stand-up comedian. When it came to narrowing down the choices, narrowing down myself, I felt like nothing would satisfy my ever-fluctuating intellectual appetite.  But when I discovered programming, something seemed to settle. In computer science, I had found a field where I could be creative, explore a different type of language, and (yes) solve puzzles. Coding let me both analyze logic in its purest form and manipulate it to accomplish anything from a simple “print ‘hello world’” to creating functional games. Even when lines of red error messages fill my console, debugging offered me the same thrill as a particularly good puzzle. Now, when I see my buggy versions of Snake, Paint, and Pacman in my files, I’m filled paradoxically with both satisfaction and a restless itch to improve the code and write new, better programs. While to others my life may seem like a jumble of incompatible fragments, like a jigsaw puzzle, each piece connects to become something more. However, there are still missing pieces at the periphery: experiences to have, knowledge to gain, bad jokes to tell. Someday I hope to solve the unsolvable. But for now, I’ve got a nonogram with my name on it. 

Some quick tips and ideas based on this essay: 

This author first brainstormed her content using the 21 Details exercise and the "Everything I Want Colleges to Know About Me" List .

As she did that, she noticed that some parts of her seemed to contradict. She decided to use this as a thematic thread for her essay, and brainstormed other specific details that showed other contrasts.

Initially she couldn’t find an ending, but when she realized she also would have to write an essay explaining her career interests, she decided to focus the essay on the contrasts that helped her develop qualities that would serve her in the future (intellectual curiosity, solving puzzles), and use this essay for both. Yup, like a Super Essay.

Then she focused on one smaller theme/value per paragraph (culture for first paragraph, finding connections among the dissimilar for the second paragraph, etc.).

Here’s a quick step-by-step guide to writing your own “How are you unique” essay: 

Write a draft using the resources linked above. 

Submit your essay (and any other required documents) before the deadline. 

For more essays by students who expressed their uniqueness well in their essays, click here.

The “Tell us about a time you failed and what you learned from it” Essay

This is the type of challenge-based essay I discuss in the free guide , and which I call the Type A and Type C essays. What’s the difference between those? Simply that Type A essays do talk about a career at the end, while Type C essays don’t . 

Want the short version of the guide? Complete this 15-min exercise and you’ll have your outline.

Want the even shorter version? Here are six questions to answer in your essay: 

What was the failure you experienced?

What was the impact on your life (not emotions, which come next, but external effects)?

How did you feel? 

What were the needs underlying your feelings?

What did you do to meet those needs?

What did you learn from the experience? 

Not sure how these six questions can lead to an essay? Watch the Feelings and Needs video , as it’ll walk you through those questions and lead you to an outline.

Here’s an essay that describes a failure (which I’ve highlighted in bold below so you won’t miss it) that was written using the resources above: 

Does every life matter? Because it seems like certain lives matter more than others, especially when it comes to money. I was in eighth grade when a medical volunteer group that my dad had led to Northern Thailand faced a dilemma of choosing between treating a patient with MDR-TB or saving $5000 (the estimated treatment cost for this patient) for future patients. I remember overhearing intense conversations outside the headquarters tent. My dad and his friend were arguing that we should treat the woman regardless of the treatment cost, whereas the others were arguing that it simply cost too much to treat her. Looking back, it was a conflict between ideals—one side argued that everyone should receive treatment whereas the other argued that interventions should be based on cost-effectiveness. I was angry for two reasons. First, because my father lost the argument. Second, because I couldn’t logically defend what I intuitively believed: that every human being has a right to good health. In short, that every life matters. Over the next four years I read piles of books on social justice and global health equity in order to prove my intuitive belief in a logical manner. I even took online courses at the undergraduate and graduate level. But I failed to find a clear, logical argument for why every life mattered . I did, however, find sound arguments for the other side, supporting the idea that society should pursue the well-being of the greatest number, that interventions should mitigate the most death and disability per dollar spent. Essentially, my research screamed, “Kid, it’s all about the numbers.”  But I continued searching, even saving up pocket money to attend a summer course on global health at Brown University. It was there that I met Cate Oswald, a program director for Partners in Health (PIH), an organization that believed “the idea that some lives matter less is the root of all that is wrong with the world.” It was like finding a ray of light in the darkness. Refueled with hope, I went back to find the answer, but this time I didn’t dive into piles of books or lectures. I searched my memories. Why was I convinced that every life mattered?   When the woman with MDR-TB came to our team, she brought along with her a boy that looked about my age. Six years have passed since I met him, but I still remember the gaze he gave me as he left with his mother. It wasn’t angry, nor was it sad. It was, in a way, serene. It was almost as if he knew this was coming. That burdened me. Something inside me knew this wasn’t right. It just didn’t feel right. Perhaps it was because I, for a second, placed myself in his shoes, picturing what I’d feel if my mother was the woman with MDR-TB.  Upon reflection, I found that my answer didn’t exist in books or research, but somewhere very close from the beginning—my intuition. In other words, I didn’t need an elaborate and intricate reason to prove to myself that health is an inalienable right for every human being—I needed self-reflection. So I ask again, “Does every life matter?” Yes. “Do I have solid, written proof?” No. Paul Farmer once said, “The thing about rights is that in the end you can’t prove what is a right.” To me, global health is not merely a study. It’s an attitude—a lens I use to look at the world—and it’s a statement about my commitment to health as a fundamental quality of liberty and equity. - - - 

This author decided to use a compelling question as his hook. And get this: he didn’t know the answer to the question. That’s part of what makes it a compelling hook and what keeps us interested throughout the essay.

He describes the many steps he took (and he did a lot!) to try to answer the question. This shows his tenacity. But, again, he never fully answers it. This demonstrates vulnerability. Why? Many essays tie things up in a neat little bow. In this case, there is no bow. Instead, the author explores the complexities surrounding this question, which shows his ability to embrace nuance. The key here was finding a compelling question. And you don’t of course have to use this “start with a question” technique for a failure essay; it’s just one way.

For the ending, the author knew what he wanted to study so, when he couldn’t come up with a conclusion, he decided it might be neat to find a way to connect this failure to his future career. It works, plus allowed him a chance to name a few other values that were important to him: health, liberty, and equity.

Here’s a quick step-by-step guide to writing the “Tell us about a time you failed and what you learned from it” essay: 

Watch the Feelings and Needs Exercise , and use it to...

Create your outline.

Write your first draft. 

The “What are your academic goals and your career goals?” Essay

Both the Type A and Type B essays I mention in the free guide would answer this prompt. The difference is that a Type A essay describes how your challenges helped you develop skills/qualities/values that will one day serve you in your career. On the other hand, the Type B essay still shows how you’ve developed skills/qualities/values that will one day serve you in the future without explicitly referencing a challenge. In both cases, though, you’ll want to be sure the academic or career goal is clear, and you may want to do this near the end.  

Here’s a great Type A essay (i.e., one that demonstrates how challenges helped shape the author’s career interest). Again, I’ve highlighted in bold the academic and career goal so you don’t miss the connection to the prompt. 

It was Easter and we should’ve been celebrating with our family, but my father had locked us in the house. If he wasn’t going out, neither were my mother and I. My mother came to the U.S. from Mexico to study English. She’d been an exceptional student and had a bright future ahead of her. But she fell in love and eloped with the man that eventually became my father. He loved her in an unhealthy way, and was both physically and verbally abusive. My mother lacked the courage to start over so she stayed with him and slowly let go of her dreams and aspirations. But she wouldn’t allow for the same to happen to me. In the summer before my junior year I was offered a scholarship to study abroad in Egypt. Not to my surprise, my father refused to let me go. But my mother wouldn’t let him crush my dreams as well. I’d do this for myself and for my mothers unfulfilled aspirations. I accepted the scholarship. I thought I’d finally have all the freedom I longed for in Egypt, but initially I didn’t. On a weekly basis I heard insults and received harassment in the streets, yet I didn’t yield to the societal expectations for women by staying indoors. I continued to roam throughout Egypt, exploring the Great Pyramids of Giza, cruising on the Nile, and traveling to Luxor and Aswan. And before I returned to the U.S. I received the unexpected opportunity to travel to London and Paris. It was surreal: a girl from the ghetto traveling alone around the world with a map in her hands And no man or cultural standards could dictate what I was to do. I rode the subway from Cambridge University to the British Museum. I took a train from London to Paris and in two days I visited the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Notre Dame Cathedral, and took a cruise on the Seine. Despite the language barrier I found I had the self-confidence to approach anyone for directions. While I was in Europe enjoying my freedom, my mother moved out and rented her own place. It was as if we’d simultaneously gained our independence. We were proud of each other. And she vicariously lived through my experiences as I sent her pictures and told her about my adventures. Finally, we were free. I currently live in the U.S with my mother. My father has gradually transformed from a frigid man to the loving father I always yearned for. Life isn’t perfect, but for the moment I’m enjoying tranquility and stability with my family and are communicating much better than ever before. I’m involved in my school’s Leadership Council as leader of our events committee. We plan and execute school dances and create effective donation letters. I see this as a stepping-stone for my future, as I plan to double major in Women’s Studies and International Relations with a focus on Middle Eastern studies . After the political turmoil of the Arab Spring many Middle Eastern countries refuse to grant women equal positions in society because that would contradict Islamic texts. By oppressing women they’re silencing half of their population. I believe these Islamic texts have been misinterpreted throughout time, and my journey towards my own independence has inspired me to help other women find liberation as well . My Easter will drastically differ from past years. Rather than being locked at home, my mother and I will celebrate outdoors our rebirth and renewal.

The author uses as her hook a compelling challenge, which raises a few questions, including, “ Will she be okay?” and “What will she do?” And she doesn’t fully answer either of them until close to the end of the essay, which keeps us engaged.

Her essay follows this simple structure: a) What challenge did you face? b) What did you do about it? c) What did you learn? If you are writing about challenges, you can use this simple structure as well.

This essay also follows pretty closely the Feelings and Needs structure. The main need this author identified was freedom , and she highlights this theme in the beginning (when she describes feeling trapped), middle (when she describes exploring Europe), and end (when she describes her desire to work for the liberation of herself and others).

Here’s a quick step-by-step guide to writing the “What are your academic goals and your career goals?” essay:

If you ARE writing about a challenge...

Watch the Feelings and Needs Exercise and make sure you do the final, seventh column.

Write a draft. 

If you are NOT writing about a challenge…

Read this essay then do this exercise , which will help you...

Create your outline. 

The “Tell us about a time when you had a belief or idea challenged” Essay

This prompt is similar to Common App prompt #3: Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?

The essay example for the “failure” prompt (above) would have worked great for this prompt as well, as that author had his belief—that “every life matters”—challenged.

Some quick tips and ideas for this essay: 

Like the authors in the essays above, you might begin with a question that you will explore for the rest of the essay. This question keeps us engaged.

Make sure to clarify the specific idea that was challenged … and how it was challenged … This may seem obvious, but I often find that students working on this prompt can get a bit foggy with what the specific idea or belief was. 

Getting super clear on the specific idea or belief that was challenged can help give your essay a structure. One possible structural approach to outline your essay:

a) (Briefly) describe the experience/s that led my initial belief.

b) Describe the experience/s that challenged this belief,

c) Describe what happened + what I learned as a result.

Make sure your insights at the end aren’t super obvious (i.e., “I learned that it’s important to challenge my own beliefs”). You can do this by asking yourself “so what” until you come up with an idea that feels uncommon (scroll up to the “sports” essay guide for more on “uncommon connections”). 

You don’t need to tie things up with a neat little bow. Nuance and complexity can show your ability to wrestle with big ideas.

Here’s a quick step-by-step guide to writing the “Tell us about a time when you had a belief or idea challenged” essay:

Watch the Feelings and Needs Exercise to explore in more depth the idea or belief that was challenged. Use the results of that exercise to...

Create your outline. It may be the simple three-part structure I mentioned above: 

What led you to develop your initial belief(s)?

What specific experience challenged that/those belief(s)?

What happened? What did you learn?

The “Why do you deserve this scholarship?” Essay

I want to make this one simple for you. 

Don’t just tell them why you deserve this scholarship ... show them. 

How? Tell them your story. 

You can do this by sharing some of the challenges you’ve been through, or not.

Watch the Feelings and Needs Exercise and use it to...

Side note: Often, scholarships have corporate sponsors, and it doesn’t hurt to understand the mission of the company/organization and ham it up a bit. An example that comes to mind is  this scholarship essay by Emily Trader .  Here the organization is a group of life insurance companies, and their prompt specifically tells you to mention their mission. But even if it didn’t, it would probably be wise to give a nod to the importance of insurance in your essay.

Here’s a great example of an essay by a student who describes the challenges she faced and how she worked to overcome them:

The Little Porch and a Dog

I t was the first Sunday of April. My siblings and I were sitting at the dinner table giggling and spelling out words in our alphabet soup. The phone rang and my mother answered. It was my father; he was calling from prison in Oregon. My father had been stopped by immigration on his way to Yakima, Washington, where he’d gone in search of work. He wanted to fulfill a promise he’d made to my family of owning our own house with a nice little porch and a dog. Fortunately, my father was bailed out of prison by a family friend in Yakima. Unfortunately, though, most of our life savings was spent on his bail. We moved into a rented house, and though we did have a porch, it wasn’t ours. My father went from being a costurero (sewing worker) to being a water-filter salesman, mosaic tile maker, lemon deliverer, and butcher. Money became an issue at home, so I started helping out more. After school I’d rush home to clean up and make dinner. My parents refused to let me have a “real” job, so on Saturday afternoons I’d go to the park with my older brother to collect soda cans. Sundays and summertime were spent cleaning houses with my mother. I worked twice as hard in school. I helped clean my church, joined the choir, and tutored my younger sister in math. As tensions eased at home, I returned to cheerleading, joined a school club called Step Up, and got involved in my school’s urban farm, where I learned the value of healthy eating. Slowly, life improved. Then I received some life-changing news. My father’s case was still pending and, due to a form he’d signed when he was released in Yakima, it was not only him that was now in danger of being deported, it was my entire family. My father’s lawyer informed me that I’d have to testify in court and in fact our stay in the US was now dependent on my testimony. The lawyer had an idea: I had outstanding grades and recommendation letters. If we could show the judge the importance of my family remaining here to support my education, perhaps we had a chance. So I testified. My father won his case and was granted residency. Living in a low-income immigrant household has taught me to appreciate all I’ve been given.  Testifying in court helped me grow as a person, has made me more open-minded and aware of the problems facing my community. And my involvement in the urban farm has led me to consider a career as a nutritionist. Though neither of my parents attended college, they understand that college is a key factor to a bright future and therefore have been very supportive. And though we don't yet have the house with the small porch and the dog, we're still holding out hope. I believe college can help.

If this student doesn’t deserve a scholarship, I don’t know who does.

Again, this author uses the following simple structure: 

What was the challenge you faced? 

What did you do about it? 

What did you learn through this experience? 

By starting with the problem/question/challenge to be solved and not resolving it ‘til the end she keeps us engaged.

By showing us all the work she did to overcome this challenge we see all the strengths, skills, and qualities she’ll bring to a college campus (and there are many: leadership, perseverance, helping others, awareness of health, etc.). 

By ending with her career we get a sense of where she is headed. Tip: You can list your current dream even if you change your mind later. No application reader is going to reference your essay later and say, “But you said you were going to become a nutritionist” if one day you decide to do something else. It just needs to make sense given the experiences you’ve described.

She takes a unique approach at the end by emphasizing the hope she feels, and putting it on the reader “I believe college can help” to invite them into her journey. In other words: “I believe you [person who is determining my college/scholarship acceptance] can help.” So smart.

Having said this, if you are NOT writing about a challenge for this prompt…

Either: 

If you know your future career, read this essay then do this exercise .

If you don’t know your future career, read through the “Type D” essay guide that starts on page 21 of this Google doc .

The “How will this scholarship help you?” Essay

Two ways you can go with this: 

Approach #1: Use the resources above to write a great essay that spells out your big dreams, then end with 1-3 sentences describing specifically how you’ll use the scholarship money. (We’ll call this the “I have big dreams and you can help” approach.)

Approach #2: Explain your financial situation in detail, then end with 1-3 sentences saying how you’ll use the scholarship money. (We’ll call this the “Financial Details” approach.) 

The difference: Approach #1 describes you + your dreams for 75-95% of the essay, then describes where the money will go for 5-25% of the essay, whereas Approach #2 describes financial details for 75-95%, then describes where the money will go for the last 5-25% of the essay.

Let’s look at examples for each.

Approach #1: “I have big dreams and you can help”

This one’s pretty simple. Take any of the great essays above and add 1-3 sentences explaining where the money will go. 

Example A: The “Easter” Essay

The ending of that essay reads: 

I ’m involved in my school’s Leadership Council as leader of our events committee. We plan and execute  school dances and create effective donation letters. I see this as a stepping-stone for my future, as I plan to double major in Women’s Studies and International Relations with a focus on Middle Eastern studies. After the political turmoil of the Arab Spring many Middle Eastern countries refuse to grant women equal positions in society because that would contradict Islamic texts. By oppressing women they’re silencing half of their population. I believe these Islamic texts have been misinterpreted throughout time, and my journey towards my own independence has inspired me to help other women find liberation as well. My Easter will drastically differ from past years. Rather than being locked at home, my mother and I will celebrate outdoors our rebirth and renewal. But it could have been easily revised to fit this prompt if the author chose to simply include a couple details describing how she’d use the scholarship funds. Like this, for example:  I’m involved in my school’s Leadership Council as leader of our events committee. We plan and execute  school dances and create effective donation letters. I see this as a stepping-stone for my future, as I plan to double major in Women’s Studies and International Relations with a focus on Middle Eastern studies. While I have received a full scholarship to attend Georgetown, my financial aid package does not include money for my airfare, school supplies, or books. The funds from this scholarship would help cover those costs. My Easter will drastically differ from past years. Rather than being locked at home, my mother and I will celebrate outdoors our rebirth and renewal.

Example B: The “Little Porch and a Dog” Essay

The ending of that essay (which is also above) reads: 

Though neither of my parents attended college, they understand that college is a key factor to a bright future and therefore have been very supportive. And though we don't yet have the house with the small porch and the dog, we're still holding out hope. I believe college can help. But she could add just three words to make the connection to the prompt super clear (and I’ve bolded them below so you don’t miss them). That might look like this: Though neither of my parents attended college, they understand that college is a key factor to a bright future and therefore have been very supportive. And though we don't yet have the house with the small porch and the dog, we're still holding out hope. I believe college and this scholarship can help.

Simple, right?

And while tweaking an essay you’ve already written can be efficient (while showing a lot about who you are), it’s not the only way to demonstrate how you’d use scholarship funds.

Approach #2: The Financial Details Approach

The letter below takes a different angle from the approach above by explaining in more detail her family’s current financial situation and why she needs the money. Take a look:

I am so excited to have been admitted to University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) this year, as it was my number one choice. There is a problem, however, and it is a financial one.  I’d love to attend UCLA—it’s near home, which would allow me to be closer to my family, and the Bio department is phenomenal. But, as a low-income Hispanic student, I simply don’t feel I can afford it.  Here are some more details of my financial situation. Currently, my father works as an assistant supervisor for American Apparel Co. and he is the only source of income for my family of five, while my mother is a housewife. The income my father receives weekly barely meets paying the bills. My family’s overall income: Father’s average weekly gross pay: $493.30 Father’s adjusted gross income: $27,022 Our household expenses: Rent: $850 Legal Services: $200 Car payment: $230.32 My parents cannot afford to have medical insurance, so they do not have a medical bill. My father’s average monthly income is an estimate of $1,973.20 (see attached pay stub). When household expenses such as rent, car payment, legal services, gas bill, and electricity bill are added together the cost is of $1,402.70. Other payments such as the phone bill, internet bill, and groceries also add to the list. But in order to make ends meet my father usually works overtime and tailors clothes for people in our neighborhood. My family is on an extremely tight budget and unfortunately cannot afford to pay for my schooling. I have worked my way up and was recently awarded Valedictorian for the class of 2014. My goals and my aspiration of becoming a nutritionist have helped me push forward. I appreciate your time in reconsidering my financial aid award.  I’m looking forward to becoming a Bruin, but without additional financial support, that may not be possible. This scholarship could change my life.

This approach still answers the prompt. And if you’re not sure which approach the scholarship provider is looking for or would prefer, don’t be afraid to reach out to them and ask. (Your readers are nice people and they want to help you submit a great application!) 

Side note: this approach also works well for a financial aid appeal letter—like, if you don’t get the money you need from a college. You’ll find more on how (and why) to write a financial aid appeal letter at this link .

Final Words

Get this: Going Merry let me know in a recent conversation that more than 15% of the scholarships on their site went unclaimed last year. 

That’s basically free money that just sat there … because no one tried to win it.

What’s the lesson?

You miss out on 100% of the scholarships you don’t apply for. 

So get on it.

WANT HELP writing YOUR SUpplemental Essays? CHECK OUT A TRIAL OF MY STEP-BY-STEP VIDEO COURSE.

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By submitting my email address. i certify that i am 13 years of age or older, agree to recieve marketing email messages from the princeton review, and agree to terms of use., writing a winning college scholarship essay.

If you need more money to pay for college, chances are you will be applying for several college scholarships . A great scholarship essay helps the scholarship provider understand the real person behind the application and can be the key to winning the award (assuming you meet the other scholarship criteria).

Scholarship Essays vs. College Essays

Scholarship essays are very similar to your college application essays in terms of strategy. Many scholarship hopefuls will share the same grades, test scores, and ambitions: the essay is your chance to shine (and grow that dream college fund!).

How to Write a Scholarship Essay

When you’re drafting your scholarship essay, here are some helpful tips to keep in mind:

1. Start the essay writing process early.

Leave yourself plenty of time to produce a well thought-out entry. Take the time to brainstorm your ideas, create an outline, and edit your entry as you would for any essay writing assignment for your English class.

Read More: How to Craft an Unforgettable College Essay

2. Understand the scholarship provider’s overall mission and purpose.

Each scholarship provider is looking for students who meet certain criteria. Consider writing about an experience or interest that highlights your strong ties to the organization’s mission. Genuine passion and enthusiasm for your topic will show through in your essay writing.

3. Follow the scholarship essay instructions.

Make sure to follow all of the necessary steps and review them before submitting your scholarship essay. Trust us, some of the brightest students have missed out on the chance to earn scholarships dollars all because they neglected to follow instructions. You don’t want to fall into that category!

4. Steer clear from essay topics that focus on negativity or pessimism.

Scholarship committees would rather see how you overcame hardships and succeeded despite the obstacles in your path (or what you learned from the times you failed).

Read More: 200 Colleges That Pay You Back

5. Don’t be afraid to get personal.

Share something about who you are. This is your chance to elaborate on elsewhere on your application you wouldn’t have had the opportunity to do so. Telling your story makes an essay genuine and ultimately more memorable to the scholarship committee.

6. Seek out writing advice and feedback.

Asking teachers, counselors, family members, or trustworthy friends for feedback on your essay will result in a better final product.

7. Yes, spelling and grammar matter.

Scholarship committees do notice grammar mistakes . Eveny tiny errors can distract a reader from your overall message. Before you submit your application make sure you take the time to proofread your essay from beginning to end.

8. Don’t give up!

When you’re tired, take a break, but don’t throw in the towel! Our online essay writing tutors are here for you anytime you get discouraged. We can help with everything from brainstorming and outlining to revising the final draft.

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Scholarship Essay Writing

Scholarship Essay Examples

Winning Scholarship Essay Examples for Students: Tips Included

37 min read

Published on: Mar 14, 2021

Last updated on: Jan 31, 2024

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Many students face financial barriers when it comes to pursuing higher education. The rising costs of tuition, books, and other educational expenses can be overwhelming. 

This is why the scholarships offer a lifeline by providing financial aid to students, but the competition is fierce. 

That's where CollegeEssay.org comes in. 

In this blog post, we are providing scholarship essay examples that will inspire and guide you in creating your own exceptional essay. 

These examples serve as beacons of success, offering valuable insights into the art of scholarship essay writing. 

So, without further ado, let’s get started. 

On This Page On This Page -->

Scholarship Essay Examples Financial Need

Why This Scholarship Essay Worked

This scholarship essay example effectively conveys the applicant's financial need and their determination to overcome the challenges associated with it. Here's why this essay worked:

• Personal Storytelling: The essay begins with a personal anecdote that establishes a connection between the applicant's background and financial constraints. This helps create empathy and demonstrates the genuine impact of financial challenges on their educational journey.
• Resilience and Resourcefulness: The applicant showcases their resilience and resourcefulness in navigating financial hardships. They highlight their proactive approach to seeking part-time employment and actively pursuing scholarships.
• Academic Commitment: Despite the financial strain, the applicant emphasizes their commitment to academic excellence by maintaining a high GPA. This showcases their dedication and ability to prioritize their studies amidst challenging circumstances.
• Community Involvement : The essay also highlights the applicant's involvement in community service. This demonstrates their desire to give back and make a positive impact.
• Connection to Scholarship: The applicant clearly articulates how receiving the scholarship would benefit them. This demonstrates a strong alignment between their goals and the purpose of the scholarship.

Want more examples, check out these winning scholarship essay examples.

Financial Aid Scholarship Essay

Scholarship Essay for Financial Need

Scholarship Essay Examples About Yourself

Why this Essay Worked

This scholarship essay worked for several reasons, such as:

• It effectively showcases the applicant's passion for mathematics, community engagement, and resilience.
• It compellingly conveyed the applicant's dedication, ambition, and potential for making a positive impact. This makes them a deserving candidate for the scholarship.
• Clear connection to the scholarship's goals and how it would further the applicant's educational journey and impact.

Here are some scholarship essay examples about yourself; get an idea from them, and create a successful essay.

Scholarship Essay Example About Yourself

Scholarship Essay About Yourself

Scholarship Essay Examples for Nursing

Why This Essay Worked

This essay worked due to its compelling portrayal of the applicant's genuine passion for nursing, coupled with their unwavering dedication to making a positive impact in patient care.

The essay effectively demonstrates the applicant's well-rounded preparation for a nursing career and their clear alignment with the goals and mission of the scholarship, making them a strong candidate for consideration.

Below are some more examples of scholarship essays for nursing.

Nursing Scholarship Essay

Scholarship Essay for Nursing

Scholarship Essay Examples About Career Goals

This essay worked for the following reasons:

• Clear and Specific Career Goals: The essay effectively outlines the applicant's career goal of becoming a clinical psychologist specializing in mental health support. The clarity and specificity of the goal demonstrate a well-defined path and a strong sense of purpose.
• Demonstrated Preparation and Commitment: The essay showcases the applicant's comprehensive preparation for their career goals. It also demonstrates their readiness and dedication to excel in the field.
• Alignment with Scholarship Objectives: The essay effectively highlights how the scholarship will contribute to the applicant's career aspirations. This includes attending conferences, workshops, and advanced training programs.

If you find difficulty writing the scholarship essay about career goals, get help from the below-mentioned examples, and submit a well-written essay.

Scholarship Essay Examples About Leadership

Three reasons why this essay worked are:

• Demonstrated Leadership Experience : This essay effectively highlights the applicant's practical experience in leadership roles, showcasing their ability to lead teams, organize events, and coordinate volunteers.
• Commitment to Personal Growth : The essay demonstrates the applicant's proactive approach to leadership development by seeking formal training and participating in workshops focused on honing their skills. 
• Emphasis on Collaboration and Empowerment: The essay emphasizes the applicant's belief in collaborative leadership. It promotes inclusivity and empowers team members to contribute their unique perspectives. 

Here we gather some good scholarship essay examples about leadership that help in your writing.

Leadership Scholarship Essay Example

Paper Due? Why Suffer? That's our Job!

Scholarship Essay Examples About Community Service

Here are the reasons:

• Genuine Passion and Commitment: The essay effectively conveys the applicant's genuine passion for community service, highlighting their long-standing involvement and the transformative impact it has had on their life. 
• Integration of Service with Education: The essay demonstrates the applicant's proactive approach to integrating their passion for community service with their educational pursuits.
• Aspiration for Social Change: The essay goes beyond personal experiences and highlights the applicant's aspirations for broader social change.

Here is an excellent community service scholarship essa y that can help you write for community college.

Scholarship Essay Example about Community Service

High School Scholarship Essay Examples

• Clear and Convincing Goals: The essay effectively communicates the applicant's strong desire to pursue higher education despite financial constraints.
• Demonstrated Leadership and Well-Roundedness: The essay showcases the applicant's involvement in extracurricular activities. It highlights their ability to balance academic responsibilities with active participation in clubs, sports teams, and community service initiatives.
• Emphasis on Giving Back and Community Engagement: The essay not only focuses on the applicant's personal aspirations but also highlights their commitment to giving back to their community.

The following are the best high school scholarship essay examples, use this for your help, and write an attention-grabbing essay.

Scholarship Essay Example for High School

Scholarship Essay for High School

Scholarship Essay Examples for University

Why This Essay Works

Three reasons why this essay works are:

• Strong Personal Motivation: The essay effectively communicates the applicant's unwavering commitment and determination to pursue a university education.
• Articulation of Long-Term Goals and Social Impact: The essay goes beyond highlighting the applicant's academic achievements and financial needs. It emphasizes the applicant's desire to contribute to their community and make a positive impact on society.
• The connection between Scholarship and Applicant's Potential: The essay effectively illustrates how receiving the scholarship would directly address the financial burden. Plus, it will enable the applicant to fully embrace the university experience.

Here are some excellent scholarship essay examples for university students that help you in writing the essay.

Scholarship Essay Example for University Students

Scholarship Essay Examples for Engineering

This essay worked because of the following reasons:

• Passion and Commitment: The essay effectively conveys the applicant's deep passion for engineering. It also shows their genuine commitment to making a positive impact in this field.
• Alignment with Scholarship Objectives: It clearly establishes the connection between the scholarship and the applicant's goals in engineering.
• Future Impact and Growth: It also communicates the applicant's aspiration to contribute to the field of engineering and make a positive difference in the world.

The following is another scholarship essay example that can help you in creating the perfect essay on your own.

Scholarship Essay Examples for Masters

This essay worked for several reasons:

• Clear Purpose and Goal: The essay effectively conveys the applicant's clear purpose and goal of pursuing a master's degree. It highlights the transformative impact that a master's degree can have on personal and professional growth.
• Financial Need and Scholarship Alignment : The essay addresses the financial challenges associated with pursuing a master's degree. It demonstrates the direct alignment between the scholarship and the applicant's needs.
• Impact and Giving Back : The essay goes beyond personal aspirations and emphasizes the applicant's intention to make a broader impact on their community and society.

Here is an example that you can use as a guide and write a perfect scholarship essay.

Why Should You Receive this Scholarship Essay Examples

Three brief reasons why this essay worked are:

• Clear and Convincing Arguments : The essay presents concise and compelling arguments to support the applicant's case for receiving the scholarship.
• Personal Connection : It demonstrates how receiving the scholarship would directly impact the applicant's academic journey
• Gratitude and Future Commitment : It expresses sincere gratitude for the opportunity and emphasizes the applicant's commitment to making the most of the scholarship.

Here is an example, take help from them for your scholarship essay.

Why Should You Receive this Scholarship Essay Example

Why I Deserve This Scholarship Essay Examples

• Compelling Personal Story: The essay effectively presents the applicant's personal story and highlights their dedication and commitment to their education
• Addressing Academic Excellence and Financial Need : The essay successfully addresses both academic excellence and financial need, which are two crucial aspects considered by scholarship committees.
• Commitment to Making an Impact: The essay goes beyond the applicant's personal goals and emphasizes their dedication to making a positive impact in their community. 

Here’s another example for this scholarship essay below:

Why I Deserve This Scholarship Essay Example

Tips for Writing the Effective Scholarship Essay

When it comes to writing an effective scholarship essay, there are several key tips to keep in mind. 

By following these guidelines, you can maximize your chances of standing out and impressing scholarship selection committees. 

Here are some essential tips to help you craft a compelling scholarship essay:

• Understand the Prompt

Take the time to thoroughly understand the essay prompt or topic provided by the scholarship provider. Pay attention to any specific instructions or guidelines given.

• Research the Scholarship

Familiarize yourself with the organization or institution offering the scholarship. Understand their values, mission, and objectives. This knowledge will help you align your essay with their goals and demonstrate your fit for the scholarship.

• Tell Your Unique Story

Use the essay as an opportunity to showcase your personal experiences, like obstacles you might encounter, achievements, and aspirations. Highlight what sets you apart from other applicants. Be authentic and genuine in conveying your story, like overcoming personal failures.

• Start with a Compelling Introduction

Grab the reader's attention from the beginning with a strong and captivating introduction. Consider starting with a compelling anecdote, a thought-provoking question, or a powerful statement.

• Structure Your Essay

Organize your essay into a clear and logical structure. Start with an introduction, followed by body paragraphs that support your main points, and end with a concise and impactful conclusion.

• Be Concise and Specific

Scholarship essays often have a word or character limits, so make every word count. Be concise in your writing and avoid unnecessary fluff. Focus on providing specific examples and details that support your claims.

• Showcase Your Achievements

Highlight your academic accomplishments, extracurricular involvements, community service, leadership roles, or any other relevant achievements. Link them to the values and goals of the scholarship.

• Address the Selection Criteria

Ensure that your essay addresses the selection criteria specified by the scholarship provider. If they are looking for specific qualities or skills, tailor your essay to showcase how you possess those attributes.

In conclusion, writing an effective scholarship essay is a crucial step in securing the financial aid you need for your education. 

By following the tips outlined here, you can enhance your essay-writing skills and create a compelling narrative that captivates scholarship selection committees.

Be authentic, concise, and specific in your writing. Tailor your essay to align with the values and objectives of the scholarship provider. And above all, believe in yourself and your potential to make a difference through education.

If you're seeking further guidance and support in your scholarship essay writing journey, consider partnering with our AI essay writing tools !

We also have a team of experienced and professional essay writers who can provide personal essay writing service with valuable insights. 

Hire our college paper writing service  today and take the next step towards securing the financial aid you deserve.

Barbara P (Literature, Marketing)

Barbara is a highly educated and qualified author with a Ph.D. in public health from an Ivy League university. She has spent a significant amount of time working in the medical field, conducting a thorough study on a variety of health issues. Her work has been published in several major publications.

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5 Best Financial Need Scholarship Essay Examples

Many students face the challenge of financing their studies when pursuing higher education. Scholarships can be a lifeline, providing financial support to deserving individuals. However, students must submit a compelling essay explaining their financial need to secure these scholarships.

In this blog post, we will explore what makes a good statement of financial need, how to describe your financial need effectively, tips for writing a strong financial need essay, and provide five outstanding financial need scholarship essay examples. By the end, you’ll have valuable insights to help you stand out in scholarship applications .

What is a Good Statement of Financial Need?

A good statement of financial need is a clear and compelling narrative that effectively conveys your financial situation and explains why you require financial assistance for your education. When writing a statement of financial need, it’s important to create a well-structured and honest document that resonates with scholarship committees or financial aid providers. Here are the key elements that make a statement of financial need effective:

• Honesty and Transparency: Be open and honest about your financial circumstances. Scholarship committees appreciate genuine narratives. Provide accurate and verifiable information about your financial situation, including details about your family’s income, expenses, assets, and any outstanding debts.
• Clarity: Use clear and concise language to explain your financial need. Avoid jargon or overly complex terms that may confuse the reader. Make your statement easy to understand.
• Relevance: Ensure that your statement directly relates to the scholarship or financial aid program you are applying for . Tailor your statement to address the scholarship provider’s specific goals, values, or criteria.
• Specific Figures: Use specific figures and examples to illustrate your financial need. Include numbers representing your financial situation, such as annual income, expected educational expenses, and outstanding debts. This helps scholarship committees understand the magnitude of your need.
• Explain Changes: If your financial situation has recently changed due to unexpected circumstances (e.g., job loss, medical expenses, family changes), explain these changes and how they have affected your ability to pay for education.
• Financial Independence: If you are financially independent from your parents or guardians, clarify this in your statement. Mention any responsibilities or financial obligations you have that affect your ability to pay for college .
• Impact on Education: Explain how your financial need directly impacts your pursuit of education. Describe the challenges or obstacles you face in financing your education, such as tuition costs, textbooks, housing, or other educational expenses.
• Efforts to Cover Costs: If you are taking steps to cover educational costs, such as working part-time, applying for other scholarships, or seeking financial aid options, mention these efforts to show your commitment to funding your education.
• Personal Impact: Discuss how receiving financial assistance or a scholarship positively impacts your life and academic or career goals. Explain how it would alleviate the financial burden and enable you to focus on your studies.
• Gratitude and Determination: Express gratitude for the opportunity to apply for the scholarship or financial aid program. Convey your determination to succeed in your educational pursuits despite financial challenges.

Remember that scholarship committees or financial aid providers want to support students who genuinely need assistance and are committed to their educational goals. Craft your statement of financial need with sincerity and clarity, ensuring that it aligns with the specific requirements and objectives of the scholarship or financial aid program you are applying to.

How to Describe Your Financial Need for a Scholarship

Describing your financial need for a scholarship effectively requires clear and concise communication of your financial situation and challenges. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to describe your financial need in a scholarship application:

• Before you start writing, gather all relevant financial information, including details about your family’s income, expenses, assets, and any outstanding debts. Having concrete figures will help you provide accurate information.
• Honesty is key. Provide truthful and transparent information about your financial situation. Scholarship committees value authenticity.
• Use specific numbers to illustrate your financial need. Include annual income, expected educational expenses (tuition, books, housing), and outstanding loans or debts. Specific figures add credibility to your statement.
• If there have been recent changes in your financial situation, such as a job loss, medical expenses, or other unexpected events, explain them. Describe how these changes have affected your ability to pay for education.
• If you depend on your parents or guardians, clarify their financial situation and any limitations they face in supporting your education. If you’re financially independent, explain your circumstances and responsibilities.
• Describe the specific educational expenses you face, including tuition costs, textbooks, supplies, housing, transportation, and other relevant costs. Highlight the financial burden these expenses place on you and your family.
• If you are taking steps to cover educational costs , mention them. For example, explain these efforts if you are working part-time, applying for part-time jobs, seeking other scholarships, or exploring financial aid options. It shows your commitment to funding your education.
• Articulate how your financial need directly affects your pursuit of education. Discuss the challenges or obstacles you face in financing your education and how they may impact your ability to focus on your studies.
• Express gratitude for the opportunity to apply for the scholarship. Convey your determination to succeed in your academic or career goals despite financial challenges. Emphasize how receiving financial assistance would positively impact your life.
• While providing detailed information is important, avoid including irrelevant or excessive details. Keep your statement focused on the specific financial need related to your education.
• After writing your financial need statement, ask trusted individuals, such as teachers, mentors, or counselors, to review and provide feedback. They can help ensure clarity and effectiveness.
• Carefully proofread your statement for grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors. Ensure that your statement is clear and well-organized.

Remember that scholarship committees are looking for deserving candidates who genuinely need financial assistance and are committed to their educational goals. By effectively describing your financial need clearly, honestly, and well-structured, you increase your chances of standing out and securing the scholarship you’re applying for.

How to Write a Financial Need Essay

Writing a compelling financial need essay requires a combination of honesty, transparency, and a clear understanding of the scholarship’s criteria. Here’s a step-by-step guide to crafting an effective financial need essay:

• Gather Information and Understand the Prompt: Before you start writing, gather all relevant financial documents, such as income tax returns, pay stubs, and scholarship or grant records. Carefully read the scholarship essay prompt or guidelines to understand the specific criteria they are looking for.
• Create an Outline: Develop an outline that structures your essay logically and is organized. Consider the following points:
• Introduction: Briefly introduce yourself and state your financial need.
• Body Paragraphs: Elaborate on your financial situation, providing specific examples and quantifiable figures.
• Impact of Financial Need: Describe how your financial constraints have affected your education and life.
• Efforts to Reduce Burden: Highlight any steps you have taken to manage your finances or reduce reliance on external support.
• Connection to Goals: Explain how overcoming financial challenges has motivated you and how the scholarship would enable you to achieve your goals.
• Conclusion: Restate your financial need and emphasize your potential to impact positively.
• Narrate Your Financial Situation: Instead of simply listing financial limitations, weave your story around your financial need. Share personal anecdotes that illustrate how your financial constraints have affected your educational pursuits, but also emphasize how you have managed to persevere despite these obstacles.
• Quantify Your Financial Need: Provide concrete figures to support your claims. Mention your family’s income, tuition and living expenses, and any outstanding debts or financial obligations.
• Highlight Efforts to Reduce Burden: Demonstrate that you have taken proactive steps to manage your finances and reduce reliance on external support. Mention any part-time jobs you hold, scholarships you have applied for, or cost-saving measures you have implemented.
• Emphasize the Impact on Your Education: Explain how your financial constraints have impacted your ability to participate in your education fully. Describe any missed opportunities, sacrifices, or limitations you have faced due to your financial situation.
• Connect Your Financial Need to Your Goals: Frame your financial hardship as a motivator rather than a barrier. Explain how overcoming financial challenges has strengthened your resolve to succeed and how the scholarship would enable you to achieve your educational and career aspirations.
• Maintain a Positive and Optimistic Tone: Avoid dwelling on negative aspects or portraying yourself as a victim of circumstances. Instead, focus on your resilience, determination, and the positive impact you plan to make with the support of the scholarship .
• Proofread and Seek Feedback: Ask a trusted friend, mentor, or teacher to review your essay and provide constructive feedback. Ensure your essay is well-organized, grammatically correct, and free of any errors that could detract from your message.

Now, let’s explore five exceptional financial need scholarship essay examples:

Example 1: Overcoming Financial Hardship

Growing up in a low-income household, I witnessed firsthand the struggles of making ends meet. My parents worked multiple jobs to provide for our family, but it was never enough. We often had to choose between buying groceries or paying rent. Despite these challenges, my parents never gave up on their dreams for me. They instilled the importance of education and encouraged me to pursue my goals, no matter the obstacles.

My financial hardship has shaped me into the determined and resilient individual I am today. I have always been a hard worker, taking on part-time jobs and maintaining a high GPA despite the distractions and limitations of my environment. I have also actively participated in extracurricular activities, such as the debate team and the community service club, where I developed my leadership skills and dedication to serving others.

My financial situation has not only impacted my personal life but also my academic pursuits. Due to financial constraints, I often had to forgo purchasing textbooks or attending essential conferences. However, I have never let these limitations hinder my desire to learn. I have sought alternative resources, such as online libraries and public lectures, to expand my knowledge and enhance my learning experience.

Receiving this scholarship would alleviate the financial burden of pursuing my education and be a powerful affirmation of my potential and aspirations. It would provide me with the resources and opportunities to fully immerse myself in my studies, engage in cutting-edge research, and prepare myself to make a meaningful contribution to society.

Example 2: The Impact of Limited Resources

The limited financial resources available to my family have had a profound impact on my educational opportunities. Growing up, I often had to choose between buying textbooks or paying for essential school supplies. Due to the associated costs, I have also had to forgo extracurricular activities and social events. Despite these constraints, I have always been determined to maximize my education.

I have consistently maintained a high GPA, taking challenging courses and excelling in my studies. I have also sought out opportunities to expand my knowledge beyond the classroom, participating in research projects and attending seminars on topics that interest me. My passion for learning has driven me to overcome the limitations imposed by my financial situation.

My financial need has shaped my academic journey and influenced my personal growth. I have learned to be resourceful, find creative ways to manage my finances, and maximize my limited resources. I have also developed a strong sense of empathy and compassion, understanding the challenges faced by others who struggle with financial hardship.

Receiving this scholarship would give me the financial support I need to realize my academic and personal potential fully. It would allow me to purchase the necessary resources for my studies, participate in extracurricular activities, and pursue research opportunities to enhance my learning experience.

Example 3: Finding Creative Solutions

Despite facing significant financial challenges, I have found creative solutions to overcome my limitations and advance my education. I have secured scholarships and grants through hard work and academic dedication. I have also worked part-time to supplement my income and contribute to my educational expenses. I have also sought affordable educational options, such as attending community college for the first two years of my undergraduate studies.

My financial need has motivated me to be resourceful and proactive in managing my finances. I have developed a strict budget and have learned to prioritize my spending. I have also explored cost-saving measures, such as utilizing public transportation, cooking meals at home, and seeking out secondhand textbooks.

My financial situation has shaped my financial habits and influenced my academic choices. I have carefully considered the financial implications of each academic decision, such as selecting in-state schools and pursuing majors with strong career prospects. I have also sought out mentorship from individuals who have faced similar financial challenges and have learned valuable strategies for success.

Receiving this scholarship would provide me with the financial freedom to focus on my studies and pursue my academic passions without the constant burden of financial worries. It would allow me to engage fully in my academic journey, participate in research opportunities, and explore potential career paths.

Example 4: A Vision for a Brighter Future

Despite financial hardship, I have always clearly envisioned a brighter future. I am driven by a strong desire to succeed and make a positive impact on the world. I aspire to pursue a career in [your field of interest], where I can contribute to groundbreaking research, develop innovative solutions, and make a tangible impact on the lives of others.

My financial situation has not diminished my ambition or determination. It has instead fueled my desire to achieve my goals and overcome any obstacles that may arise. I have learned to be adaptable and resilient, facing challenges head-on and finding creative ways to overcome them.

I believe that education is the key to unlocking my potential and achieving my dreams. Receiving this scholarship would provide me with the financial support I need to pursue my educational aspirations fully and significantly contribute to society. It would allow me to attend a top-tier institution, engage in cutting-edge research, and prepare myself to become a leader in my field.

I am confident that my academic achievements, research experience, and demonstrated leadership skills make me a strong candidate for this scholarship. I am eager to continue my education and dedicate myself to pursuing my passion in [your field of interest]. I envision a future where I can utilize my expertise to [describe how you plan to make a positive impact]. I am committed to collaborating with others, sharing my knowledge, and contributing to the collective pursuit of a better future.

Example 5: Making a Difference Despite Limitations

Despite my financial limitations, I have always been driven by a strong desire to impact my community positively. I believe that everyone has the potential to make a difference, regardless of their circumstances. I have actively participated in community service throughout my life, volunteering my time and skills to organizations that support underserved communities.

I have volunteered at the local homeless shelter, providing meals and assistance to those in need. I have also participated in tutoring programs, helping children from low-income families succeed in their studies. These experiences have instilled a deep sense of empathy and compassion and strengthened my commitment to social justice.

My financial need has not only shaped my personal values but also influenced my academic choices. I have chosen to pursue a major in [your field of interest] because of its potential to address pressing social and environmental challenges. I am particularly interested in [describe a specific area of interest within your field].

Receiving this scholarship would provide me with the financial support I need to pursue my educational goals and make a meaningful contribution to society. It would allow me to attend a university with a strong emphasis on social responsibility and engage in research that addresses real-world problems. I am committed to using my education and skills to make a positive impact on the lives of others.

Recommendations:

• SARAO Scholarship 2024 Application, Requirements, and Deadline
• SPU Scholarship 2024 | Online Application, Requirements, and Last Date
• Clinic Plus Scholarship 2024 | Application, Eligibility, And Last Date
• Dhirubhai Ambani Scholarship 2024 | Online Application, Eligibility and Last Date

When writing a financial need scholarship essay, these five essay examples demonstrate the importance of honesty, transparency, and a clear connection between financial need and personal goals. By effectively conveying your financial situation and its impact on your educational pursuits, you can increase your chances of receiving the support you need to achieve your academic and personal aspirations.

Crafting a compelling financial need scholarship essay requires honesty, clarity, and a persuasive narrative. Following the tips outlined in this blog post and drawing inspiration from the provided scholarship essay examples, you can create an essay that effectively communicates your financial need, aspirations, and determination to pursue higher education. Remember that scholarship committees appreciate authenticity, so share your story sincerely. Best of luck with your scholarship applications!

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6 Awesome Scholarship Essays That Worked

When it comes to paying for college, scholarships are the best form of financial aid, since they offer students free money that never needs to be repaid. But let’s face it: completing scholarship applications, especially the essays, can feel overwhelming. The scholarship essay is arguably the most important part of the application and should be well-thought-out. In this article, we’ll walk  through five scholarship essay examples and explain why they worked, so that you can write your own winning scholarship essays .

Here are 6 winning scholarship essay examples that worked:

Why this scholarship essay example worked:, how could this essay have been better , want more resources on writing your scholarship essay, get started with your scholarship essay.

The essay is your chance to let your personality and life experiences shine through, giving you the opportunity to stand out from other applicants.

The best way to get an idea of what scholarship committees are looking for is to look over scholarship essay examples from past winners. Take some time to analyze the writing style, think about the strong points, and consider how you can improve. Below, we’ll show you just how you might dissect a scholarship essay.

1. Going Merry Scholarship Success Story by Gabby DeMott

What’s a winning scholarship essay look like? Check out this Going Merry success story with Gabby DeMott.

ESSAY PROMPT: Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.

“There were only a few minutes to go and our eyes were glued to the screen. On the edge of our seats, clutching whoever happened to be next to us, we watched as the referee blew his whistle and the German players took their free kick. The ball was hit with precision and skill; it flew up over the Swedish players, past their goalie, and was caught safely in the back of the opposing team’s net. We all jumped up and screamed, a mixture of German and English, of excitement and relief, of pride and anticipation.

We stood, enraptured, for the last several minutes of the game as Germany kept its 2-1 lead over Sweden. The horde of us, Germans and Americans alike, hugged and cheered and made our way out onto the balcony, where we chanted “Deutschland! Deutschland! Deutschland!” for the whole village, the whole country, the whole world to hear. Never have I felt so accepted while being an outsider, so proud of a country that isn’t even mine, so part of something I didn’t really belong to.

My German friends didn’t care that we were from different countries; they didn’t care that we would only be staying for three weeks. They accepted us into their homes and their daily lives, their traditions and their celebrations. In watching that World Cup game, it didn’t matter that we were from different places; we were all cheering for the same team. The acceptance I felt in Germany extended beyond that living room. I came to the country on a three week exchange with ten other students from my school.

We each stayed with host families and attended the Wildermuth Gymnasium, which was surprisingly accommodating to a gaggle of loud American teenagers. The teachers were friendly and welcoming, the students treated us like ordinary peers, and even the people I interacted with in public were understanding.

Before coming to Germany I feared judgment based on my level of the language (which is nowhere near as good as the German students’ English) and American politics. It was intimidating to be in a country with limited knowledge of the language and the customs, even though everyone was welcoming. People did ask myself and the other students about the US’s political climate, but no one blamed us for it. They recognized that we were outsiders, that the place we came from had flaws, and they accepted us anyway.

Since that trip, I’ve found myself trying to provide that acceptance to people in my own country. For example, I work at a canoe livery and we receive a lot of visitors with limited English. Some of my coworkers will avoid such customers because they don’t want to take the time to explain things, to exercise patience with someone who may not understand them. If people had done this to me in Germany, my time there would have been much less enjoyable; in fact, I would have been offended.

So now when someone walks up to me at the livery and asks a question in English that isn’t perfect, I smile and welcome them. I take my time to make sure they understand, that they can have a good time, and that they feel accepted. It’s a small action, but I know firsthand that it can make a big impact, at my place of work and in the world. “

• It shares a personal story of realization. Gabby’s essay throws us right in the middle of the action in her story, from her perspective. She paints a clear picture of where she is, how she feels, and what her goals were in that moment. She then goes on to explain the unity of the German and American students to introduce other people in the essay. LESSON TO TAKE : When including additional people in an essay, introduce them early on so you can continue telling your story in an organic way.
• She reflects on her previous fears and explains how she’s moved past those to grow. In the fifth paragraph, Gabby shares how she feared judgment due to her level of the German language and American politics. As Gabby became more familiar with the host families and her German friends, she realizes they accepted her, and she relaxes. LESSON TO TAKE: Sharing a story in sequential order can help illustrate personal growth and how your character changed for the better.
• She answers the prompt and demonstrates how she’ll put her newfound knowledge in action. Once Gabby realized her German friends and host family accepted her, regardless of her fears, that sparked a realization for her when she returned home to America. Gabby concludes her essay by explaining how she’s providing that same acceptance she received in another country to acquaintances and people in her country, to be patient, help them enjoy themselves, and to welcome them.  LESSON TO TAKE : Consider concluding your essay with a wrap-up of what you learned, and how you plan to apply that lesson in your life.

2. Who is a “Good” Doctor? by Joseph Lee

Below is a winning essay from Joseph Lee, Rush Medical College for the Giva Scholarship.

ESSAY PROMPT: Who is (or what makes) a good doctor?

“Had you asked me the same question one year ago, my answer would have been vastly different to the one I will give today. In the summer of 2012, with my first year of medical school completed, I embarked upon my last official summer vacation with two things in mind: a basketball tournament in Dallas and one in Atlanta. My closest friends and I had been playing in tournaments for the past 10 summers, and it was a sacred bond forged together in the name of competition. However, two weeks before our first tournament, I became instantly and overwhelmingly short of breath. Having been born to Korean immigrant parents, I was raised to utilize the hospital in emergency cases only, and I knew this was such a case. A few scans later, doctors discovered numerous pulmonary emboli (PE), caused by a subclavian deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and just like that, I was lying in a bed of a major hospital for a life threatening condition.

Fast forward a few months, and I am lying in a similar bed to treat the underlying cause of the subclavian DVT: a first rib removal. There is little that can adequately prepare someone physically, emotionally or spiritually to undergo surgery; and my thoughts continued to race in the days following. In addition to the expected physical pain, isolation, fear and frustration were a few of the emotions I experienced in the four day ordeal. The procedure went according to plan thanks to a skilled surgeon and his team, but the attributes that made the doctor “good” went far beyond his ability to operate.

“Wow. I’m glad you are feeling better” and “I can’t believe you went through that” are common reactions people have when they see the scars on my upper chest. Quite frankly, the past nine months have been difficult, literally full of blood, sweat and tears. But through it all, I have been able to maintain my positivity and gratitude knowing that I have gained the invaluable experience of being a patient and discovering the vulnerability and trust that patients give their doctors. Patients indulge information to doctors that they may have never told anyone in their life and in doing so, place a great deal of trust and responsibility in the hands of a doctor. Many patients will not understand the mechanism of disease behind their condition and anticipate that the doctor will explain to them and their family why it is that they are feeling the way they are and ultimately heal them. And that is precisely what my surgeon understood: the privilege of being able to care for patients and the intimacy of the doctor-patient relationship. And as I awoke to the care of my worried parents, the first thing they wanted to discuss was the details of the procedure that was methodically and patiently explained to them by my “good” doctor.

In study after study, patients have reported dissatisfaction with their medical care, not because of lack of knowledge or health outcome, but because their doctors did not show enough warmth in the encounter or listen to the patient’s questions and concerns. There are few times where a patient and their loved ones are more vulnerable and in need of compassion than when dealing with a hospitalization. And for some doctors, a patient may be another item on a checklist, but that patient is someone’s mother or father, son or daughter, sister or brother. My “good” doctor understood this and would often say “If you were my son…” when discussing treatment options, reflecting on the type of care he would want for his family and treating me similarly. Such ideals are rooted in love and compassion for patients, not as clients in the health care system, but as fellow human beings striving to make something of themselves and the world around them (I).

Unfortunately, the ordeal of living with a chronic illness or undergoing a major operation extends beyond the confines of the hospital. Whether it is creditors harassing patients for medical bills, prescriptions that need to be refilled, or lifestyle modifications that need to be made, the health care experience doesn’t end when a patient walks out of the hospital doors. It often takes merely a minute, as in the case of the “good” doctor who told me that as a student I could apply to get the procedure financially covered by the hospital. Such foresight in anticipating financial concerns and directing me on the next steps to be taken provided relief in the surmounting stress.

Lastly, the “good” doctor understands that as our patients are human, so are we. This means we will make mistakes, some of which can result in life-threatening consequences. With that said, the “good” doctor practices humility and honesty, apologizing and sharing as much information with patients as possible. Although no one strives to make mistakes, they will happen, and how one reacts to them is a distinguishing feature of the “good” doctor (II).

Of all the qualities I tried to explain in what makes a “good” doctor, there was no emphasis on skill and knowledge. And while being able to fulfill the duties of making the correct diagnosis and appropriate treatment plans is expected, the intangibles of love, compassion, foresight and honesty is what makes a doctor, “good”. I learned such lessons in the purest manner possible, by being a patient myself, and will use them to guide me in all future patient encounters, as I strive to be a “good” doctor.”

• It tells a captivating story. This essay immediately pulls the reader in, immersing the audience right in the story. . We want to know how Joseph’s definition of a good doctor changed and why it did so. Hooking your reader from the first sentence of your essay or even the first paragraph is a surefire way to keep your reader engaged in the story you’re telling. The story itself is also told really well, with good pacing and just enough detail to elicit empathy without causing boredom. (He could have easily given too much scientific/medical detail!)  LESSON TO TAKE : When telling an anecdote, consider how much detail is the right amount, to make it engaging.
• It’s a list, without you realizing it’s a list. After the first 2 paragraphs (which are mostly story-telling), the rest of the essay is effectively a list of ways that doctors are “good”: they recognize the intimacy and trust involved in the doctor-patient relationship (paragraphs 3-4), they anticipate future sources of patient stress (paragraph 5), and they exercise humility (paragraph 6). Joseph could have easily structured the essay simply by saying “There are 3 main things that make a doctor good” and then explaining each idea. However, that would have been much more boring! Instead, he expertly hides the list format, by couching it in an engaging story. LESSON TO TAKE: Not all list-type essays need to feel like lists.
• It’s personal and believable. Joseph takes a negative personal experience, shows what he learned from it and how it caused him to grow as a person. Sometimes essays about singular, defining moments or experiences can seem blown out of proportion and thus not credible. This one feels right: a big ordeal in his life that has therefore shifted his perspective.  LESSON TO TAKE : Consider which personal stories to tell, and make sure the “size” of the story feels right.

3. Life Happens Scholarship by Emily Trader

Here is an example of a moving scholarship essay on the topic of family loss by Emily Trader for the Life Happens award.

ESSAY PROMPT: How has the death of a parent or guardian impacted your life financially and emotionally? Be sure to describe how the loss of your parent/guardian impacted your college plans, and explain how the lack of adequate (or any) life insurance coverage has impacted your family’s financial situation.

“When I was seventeen years old, my father lost his battle with kidney failure and cardiovascular disease. As long as I shall live, I do not believe that I will ever forget the first moment I saw my father’s once vibrant face in that cold and unforgiving casket. I won’t forget his lifeless and defeated hands, or how his pale lips would never utter another joke or speak to his grandchildren. Even though the day of his funeral was undoubtedly the worst day of my life, I wish I could relive it just to be with him one more time. Since that moment, I have felt as if all of my grief and longing resides underneath my skin with nothing to relieve the pressure. On September 8th, 2016, I lost my voice of reason, my confidant, my cheerleader, and my best friend.

Unbeknownst to me at the time, I had lost so much more. Upon my father’s passing, he left us with funeral and medical expenses that his insurance would not cover. Because he did not have any form of life insurance, the financial burden of his death was now the responsibility of my mother and me. Even though my mother works night shifts as a neonatal nurse and her commute is nearly two hours, she was forced to pick up extra shifts to support my family. Though I already had a job and I worked about ten hours a week, I now work anywhere from twenty-five to thirty-five hours a week, and I am also a full-time high honor student. Even though the death of my father forced me to realize the importance of cherishing time with my family, I do not see them very often because of our busy schedules. I also sacrificed my social life and the joy that every senior in high school should experience. Instead of football games and homecoming, I had to deal with mourning and the possibility that I would not attend college because of my family’s financial troubles.

If my father had a life insurance policy, we would not have to work ourselves to the bone and sacrifice our physical and emotional well-being to keep up with expenses. I would not have to worry so intensely about the future of my education on top of the crippling grief that I have felt over the last five months. If this devastating experience has taught me anything, it is this: financial planning for these situations is absolutely invaluable. I will not soon forget the stress and despair that I have experienced, and I now realize that to have a life insurance policy is to throw your surviving family members a crucial lifeline. Though no one can ever prepare you for the trauma of losing a parent, life insurance allows you to grieve without the constant stress of financial burden, and for that reason, it is an absolutely essential precaution.

I love and miss you so much, Dad. Thank God I will see you again.”

• She answers the prompt . It would be easy to write an essay that just spoke to her grief, or to what her father was like and how much he meant to her. But the essay prompt asks applicants to reflect on how the loss has affected the student emotionally and financially. Emily does a great job of this, by connecting the financial parts (she and her mother needing to pick up extra hours of work), with the emotional (due to the work schedule, the family not being able to spend as much time together). She also addresses how this might affect her college plans. LESSON TO TAKE : 
• She provides (beautiful) detail. The first paragraph immediately pulls the reader in because of the detailed description she provides (“ his lifeless and defeated hands”, “pale lips” ). Similarly, the specificity of how her family is shouldering the financial burden (e.g. her working 25-to-35-hour weeks) make it feel more real rather than generic.  LESSON TO TAKE : Use details and descriptions to make something feel more emotional and tangible.
• She knows her audience . This scholarship is funded by Life Happens, an organization formed by seven leading insurance providers, in order to educate the public about important insurance planning topics. Clearly Emily researched the provider and understood that an essay that spoke to the importance of insurance planning would be well-received by the essay readers. LESSON TO TAKE : Research the scholarship provider and adjust your content to fit the organization’s or company’s mission statement (or business model).

4. Going Merry Scholarship Success Story by Jesus Adrian Arroyo-Ramirez

Jesús Adrian Arroyo-Ramirez wrote a winning scholarship essay (and video!) that he submitted on Going Merry . He earned an outstanding $40,000 through the Golden Door Scholarship.

ESSAY PROMPT: What differentiates you from the hundreds of DACA students who apply to our scholarship? Use one of those opportunities to tell us something else we cannot see just by looking at your grades, test scores, and transcripts.

“I always knew I was different than my friends in some way. Growing up, I struggled to speak English while everyone else had little to no problems. I needed extra help in school while my friends coasted by with ease. My friends would hop on planes and travel all around the world while I had to stay at home. At the age of 13 all of my friends started driving while I still couldn’t.

I built up the courage and asked my mother why I did not have access to the simple liberties everyone else did. My name Is Jesus Adrian Arroyo-Ramirez, and I was illegally brought to this country when I was just six years old. At the time I had no clue that I was breaking any laws, and I did not realize the fact that my life was going to change forever. Growing up with a different citizenship situation than my peers was and still is the biggest challenge I have to face in my life.

Looking back there is not a single thing that I would change. Knowing that I had to work harder than everyone else lead me to be the person that I am today. I took that fire inside of me, pushed myself, graduated first in my class with a cumulative 4.0 GPA, became a Kansas Scholar, and graduated High School with a semester’s worth of college credit. In November of 2016, everything began to look up for me. I received a work permit and a social security card all thanks to the DACA program. I was finally able to get my license, get a job, and most importantly attend college.

I plan to continue my success in the classroom and do everything to the best of my ability as I know that under my current circumstances it can all be ripped away from me at any moment. Growing up with my situation has taught me to not take advantage of a single opportunity. There has been continued support around me past and current and I know there are people out there rooting for my success. I will strive to be the first generation in my family to graduate from an American University and I will set a stepping stone for my future family so they will not have to struggle as I did. My citizenship is not a setback, it is a mere obstacle that I will always learn to work around if it means giving my future children a better life, just like my mother did for me.”

• He shares how hardships made him who he is today. Right off the bat, Jesus sets the tone for his essay by sharing how he struggled to speak English and that he was not given the same opportunities as his peers. He shares his mother’s explanation on why he lived a different life, along with his honesty in the challenges of growing up with a different citizenship situation than the teens around him. LESSON TO TAKE : Share personal details (as you feel comfortable), and consider including a defining memory or conversation hat contributes to your story. This can help paint a picture of your beginnings or your inspirations.
• He includes emotional details. Although Jesus grew up with hardships, he persevered and mentions he wouldn’t change anything. It may have taken a little longer than his peers to get his license, but he also excelled in school, pushed himself to graduate first in class, and take college courses on top of all that. LESSON TO TAKE : Tell your story with details, feelings, thoughts and emotions to explain where you came from and where you are now.
• He plans for the future . Jesus shared his personal story with us, and then explains how he plans to continue his success without letting anything get in the way of his path. He goes on to say his citizenship is not a setback, and that he works to provide a better life for himself and for his future children. LESSON TO TAKE : Include your plan at the end of the essay. Consider how you’ve grown and how you will bring these lessons learned with you to help your future.

5. Why College Is Important to Me by Nicole Kuznetsov

Here’s an example of a simple yet creative and heartfelt essay on the popular prompt, Why is college important to you?

ESSAY PROMPT: Why do you want to go to college? Why is it important to you?

“As a child, my life had structure. Coloring books had lines, letters took on very specific shapes, and a system of rules governed everything from board games to the classroom. I found comfort in the fact that my future had an easy-to-follow template: elementary, middle, and high school, college, job, family retirement, “happily ever after” ending. When I graduated from elementary school I was told I completed 25% of my education. During my middle school graduation, I was told I was halfway there and I know I’ll be told I’m 75% done when I throw my cap in the air this June. College was always factored into the percentage and the overall formula for life. And I never questioned its importance. I always figured it is important because it is necessary.

Going to college makes sense. From helping my parents land stable jobs after coming to America to giving my brother the chance to gain work experience at some of the top financial firms, college educations have shown their worth in my family. Yet I didn’t think about what actually goes on inside the magical universities until I entered high school. Applying to the Academy for Math, Science, and Engineering was the first time I had actively made a decision in my education. With the encouragement of my parents and favorite science teacher who recognized that I would excel in the challenging environment of like-minded students, I applied. Four years later, I can confidently say they were right.

My class of twenty-six has shown me the benefits of a collaborative rather than a competitive environment, especially the impact that camaraderie with my peers has on our collective learning experience. Each student has an inspiring level of passion and motivation that made me excited to learn, work on projects, and participate in discussions both in and out of the classroom. I used my education to gain skills and open doors for myself such as an internship at my local hospital. I gained confidence in my abilities to communicate with individuals from strangers my age to practicing professionals. I was thinking longer and harder than I ever had before to solve individual problems and large-scale challenges. In all honesty, I was having fun.

Looking back on my years at the Academy I realize how big of an impact the school made on how I view education. I wasn’t coming to school to mark another day off my calendar and inch closer to finishing the next 25%. I came to school to learn and question and push myself. Now, as a senior, I’m excited. I’m thankful for the sample that my high school gave me of what learning is supposed to be like and thankful that it left me wanting more. I’m entering college in August with a new understanding of its importance. It is important because it is what I want for my future.”

• It finds structure through chronology . This essay is basically structured like a chronological timeline: As a child, I believed this. Then I applied to this high school (my first active academic decision). Then the high school changed me. Now I’m a senior and I believe this. Not all stories are best told in time order, but the simplest stories often are. And simple stories provide structure, which scholarship committees love. LESSON TO TAKE: Consider structuring your essay like a timeline, emphasizing the milestones along the way that have led you to where you are today. 
• It is simply told . While the essay is descriptive, it doesn’t try to get fancy with overly flowery language or unnecessarily long SAT words. And that’s the strength of it. For instance, this passage [“ College was always factored into the percentage and the overall formula for life. And I never questioned its importance. I always figured it is important because it is necessary” ] explains her child’s logic in a really clear and well-written way. 
• It’s got (mostly) great topic sentences . We here at Going Merry love a good topic sentence– that is, a sentence at the beginning (or end) of a paragraph that summarizes the rest of the paragraph. It helps “signpost” the most important parts of your essay. Here, three of the four paragraphs (1, 2, and 4) have strong and concise topic sentences. “As a child, my life had structure” sets up the rest of the paragraph to explain what these structures and unquestioned rules were. “Going to college makes sense” sets up why college made sense to her parents. 

6. Financial Literacy for Hispanic Women by Rosaisha Ozoria

The inaugural Founder’s Scholarship supported by the New York Women’s Bond Club in honor of Michaela Walsh goes to two New York City public high school students who won an essay competition writing about their hopes for the future of women and girls worldwide . Winners of this scholarship won a trip to accompany Women’s World Banking to Amman, Jordan for their biennial gathering of WWB network members.

PROMPT: Write about your hopes for the future of women and girls worldwide.

WINNING ESSAY:

“Twice a week I head down to volunteer at the Los Sures Social Services office, situated next to the local senior citizen home, to help at the food pantry. We distribute food to people in my neighborhood. Many are familiar faces. Many are middle-aged Hispanic women with children dangling from their hips like grass skirts. These women are there as a result of their culture and lack of financial knowledge. In our Spanish culture, patriarchy prevents women from preparing for themselves as much as they should. This leads to Hispanic women having little or no money management skills. Financial illiteracy is a major issue in my neighborhood, and that is why I hope to give Hispanic women a chance for a better future through financial education.

While I was volunteering I met a woman who happened to live in the same building as my aunt. Unemployed with two young children, and a husband earning minimum wage at a fast food restaurant, she struggled to get by every day. I thought to myself – many in my community are just like her. Then I realized I could do something to help. How? I can start a financial literacy program, which teaches Hispanic women to earn and manage money. Once a woman becomes financially literate, she is capable of making good personal and professional decisions, empowering her to improve her family’s financial well-being. Moreover, such a program will help Hispanic women become competitive employees, even in a slow recovering economy such as the one we are experiencing now.

Participating in the 2013 Women’s World Banking Global Meeting in Amman, Jordan gives me access to invaluable resources that will help me achieve this goal. I hope to find mentors from a roomful of inspiring, experienced leaders who will offer me their guidance. Also, meeting accomplished women from other countries means access to new ideas and unique perspectives. And if I am lucky, I may even come across individuals who can provide financial support to jumpstart my financial literacy program for Hispanic women. Lastly, I will tell my idea to everyone I meet in Jordan, a baby step to help Hispanic women rise from poverty.

The world continues to change rapidly, especially with globalization. It is about time that Hispanic women strive for gender equality. Thus, it is essential that Hispanic women increase their roles and knowledge in finance. The women in my neighborhood shall no longer be left out. I will task myself to help these women become better, stronger and most importantly, take control of their lives. I want to be involved so that they can save themselves from any unforeseen financial crisis. This is a tremendous goal, but for me, it is an opportunity to make a difference – in my neighborhood and for my Spanish community.”

• There is clear structure . Right off the bat, the introduction summarizes what the reader can expect to find in the body of the essay. In particular, the closing line of the first paragraph (“ Financial illiteracy is a major issue in my neighborhood, and that is why I hope to give Hispanic women a chance for a better future through financial education”) works as an effective topic sentence, tying together the anecdote and the reason she’s interested in networking with the scholarship provider, Women’s World Banking. The last 2 paragraphs also serve clear, independent purposes: the penultimate one establishes what she would do with the scholarship (the trip to Amman), and the final paragraph explains why her particular interest is important for the larger Hispanic community. LESSON TO TAKE: Clear structure helps the reader follow your point better (especially if they’re skimming, which scholarship essay readers almost definitely are!) So include a summarizing topic sentence at the beginning or end of your first paragraph, and make sure each subsequent paragraph serves a purpose that moves forward your argument or story. 
• The author’s passion shines. Rosaisha, the scholarship winner, is clearly passionate about serving her Hispanic community of women.  And rather than simply saying that, she shows us how she cares by using personal examples from her volunteer work. LESSON TO TAKE : Show, don’t tell. Use specific personal examples, and don’t be afraid to show your emotions.
• She stays positive.   Even though Rosaisha discusses what might be considered a  difficult and personal topic, she keeps the tone light and inspirational. She expresses hope and her desire to make a change in the world, answering the essay in a positive tone.  It’s important to make sure your essay is not too depressing to read. (Essays about personal trauma are a bad idea.) This is a scholarship provider, not a therapist! 

While this was a winning essay, we note that it did have two points of weakness: 

• The second paragraph lacks a bit of structure. Her point ends up feeling a bit generic, and it’s unclear what she is thinking versus planning or actually doing . For instance, she realized she could start a financial literacy program. Did she then do so? It’s unclear. 
• The last paragraph is again a bit general. Often scholarship committees want to see what concrete steps will be taken, using the scholarship award. Here she speaks in lofty terms about what goals she hopes to accomplish, without explaining ways she might accomplish this goal. 

For more information on writing a killer scholarship essay, check out our list of helpful tips .

Also check out these related blog posts: 

• 6 tips for writing scholarship essays about academic goals
• How to write the best personal statement, with examples
• How to write an awesome essay about your career goals

You can start writing your winning scholarship essay today and submit it to thousands of scholarship applications, all in one place. Sign up for Going Merry today to put your pro scholarship essay writing skills to practice. Going Merry is your one-stop scholarship shop to search and apply for scholarships to get you on the right foot for funding your future.

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The Ultimate Guide To Writing a Winning Scholarship Essay

Stand out from the rest.

With the cost of higher education skyrocketing in the last few decades, it’s no surprise that many students seek out scholarships to help cover tuition. As a result, it’s a very competitive endeavor, which is why students need to find ways to stand out. We’ve put together this resource to help write a scholarship essay that will get the application committee’s attention.

How To Find Scholarships

Many students know that they want to apply for scholarships but don’t know where to find them. Honestly, this can be the most difficult and intimidating part of the process for students! Here are some suggestions for where to start. 

Ask a Guidance Counselor

One of the best resources for high school students is their guidance counselor. They are prepared to help students make academic and career plans and should be aware of scholarship opportunities to align with your needs and goals. 

Talk to the College or University

Already have a college or university picked out? Reach out to the school’s financial aid department. In addition to the many scholarships you can find online, they may offer information about funding offered directly through the school. 

Submit a FAFSA Application

Even if a student isn’t planning to accept student loans, they should definitely consider completing a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Not only will the resulting report inform them of any financial assistance for which they qualify, but many scholarship committees require applicants to submit a FAFSA. 

Search Scholarship Websites

There are many scholarship websites where students can find awards and applications. Sites such as Scholarships.com and Scholarship 360 allow you to use filters to narrow down your search results based on your needs and interests. 

We’ve also put together the following guides:

• How To Get a Full-Ride Scholarship
• Best Merit-Based Scholarships  
• Excellent Scholarships for High School Seniors
• Great Scholarships for Black Students
• Scholarships for Women
• Best Scholarship Opportunities for Future Teachers

Do an Internet Search

Head to a search engine, social media platform, or sites like Reddit to look for scholarships. You can even create posts inviting other users to share suggestions.

Ask an Employer

Some workplaces offer tuition benefits or other financial assistance for higher education. If a student is employed, it’s an option to reach out to someone in the HR department to see if they offer any programs or scholarships. 

The Dos and Don’ts of Writing a Scholarship Essay

Do: know the rules.

The most important thing anyone can do before writing a scholarship essay is this: Read all of the rules and guidelines and then reread them! Students can even ask someone else to read them too, to make sure they fully understand what they need to do. Failing to follow the rules is one of the main reasons why students are unsuccessful in getting scholarships. 

Do: Set Aside Plenty of Time

Start working on scholarship essays right away. Do not wait until a week (or day!) before the deadline. This gives students time to write several drafts of the essay if needed. Also, you never know when a technology-related issue might strike, so having a little extra time can save you from disaster. 

Do: Research the Scholarship Provider

Dig deep when applying for a scholarship. Find out who is funding the award and spend some time researching the provider. Do they have a vision or mission statement? Do they support any specific causes or types of students? Is there any way that applicants can make themselves more attractive candidates for the specific audience? Students should use this information to their advantage! 

Do: Brainstorm

Students should take some time to think about what they’ve learned about the scholarship essay guidelines and the provider. Then, brainstorm about what they want to say and share and why. Here are some questions to ask as they pertain to education and career goals:

• Who are you? Think of yourself but also your background.
• What makes you who you are?
• What have you done?
• What do you want to do?
• How are you going to get there?
• Why do you need a scholarship?
• How will it make a difference?
• Are you a first-generation college student?
• Do you have any unique qualities or needs?
• What makes you proud?
• What lessons have you learned?

These are heavy questions, but finding the answers to at least some of them will help provide the substance needed to write a truly effective scholarship essay. 

Do: Find Ways To Stand Out

Many, many students are applying for scholarships. They have to find a way to stand out from the rest. Students should think of the things they learned when they researched the scholarship provider. Are there any ways they can appeal to that audience? If so, focus on those areas. 

Do: Be Honest

Do not lie on a scholarship application. Let’s say that again: Do not lie on a scholarship application. Students should remind themselves that they are worthy on their own. If an applicant is discovered to be dishonest, it can really hurt them in the long run. 

Do: Stay on Topic

When reading the guidelines for the scholarship and doing brainstorming, be sure to keep the topic of the essay in mind. Everything students share and communicate should be related to the topic. 

Do: Be Professional

Students should use their very best skills when writing a scholarship essay. They should not use slang, casual language, unconventional fonts, emojis, or texting abbreviations. 

Do: Proofread and Edit Multiple Times

It’s a good idea to prepare to write this essay at least three times. First, there’s a rough draft that should be carefully proofread. Students can ask a teacher or other professional to also look at their paper. Then students should repeat this process once or twice more until they’re happy with the results. They shouldn’t just write it and submit it all at once! 

Don’t: Brag

While students want to highlight their strengths and accomplishments, they should not brag. They also don’t want to put down other candidates or people to make themselves look good. Tell a story without embellishments. 

Don’t: Reuse a Scholarship Essay

Students put a lot of effort into writing scholarship essays, but please don’t reuse them! 

Scholarship Essay Sample Outline

Ready to get started? Having a solid outline provides a road map for the journey. Here are some suggestions for making it easier to write a scholarship essay! 

Introduction

Students should explain who they are and try to make it engaging. Hook readers by sharing a few details that will be elaborated on in the body of the essay. 

Educational and Career Goals

Students should share what they want to study and hope to gain by getting an education, as well as how it will prepare them for their future career. They should be passionate! 

Who Are You?

Student should briefly explain their background, which can include details about family, personal values, and how they got to where they are today. 

Why Are You a Good Candidate for the Scholarship?

This is where students need to really think about what they learned about the scholarship provider. What are they looking for in a candidate? Students should do their best to not only shine as a good student and leader, but also find solid ways to connect with the scholarship provider’s mission. After including some teasers or breadcrumbs in the introduction to hook the reader, this is a good place to share the rest of the story. 

To wrap up a scholarship essay, students should reiterate their commitment to their education and career. Restate how the story shared demonstrates a readiness for college and how winning the scholarship can help the applicant follow their dreams. Best of luck!

Do you have tips on how to write a scholarship essay? Share them below! Plus, check out  The Ultimate Guide to College Scholarships!

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10 Winning Scholarship Essay Examples From Real Students

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Tips and strategies for crafting an outstanding scholarship essay.

Scholarship essays are an essential part of many scholarship applications. They provide an opportunity for you to showcase your personality, goals, and achievements to scholarship committees. Crafting a winning scholarship essay requires time, effort, and attention to detail. In this comprehensive guide, we will provide you with tips and strategies to help you write a compelling and successful scholarship essay that sets you apart from the competition.

From understanding the prompt to drafting your essay and polishing the final draft, we will walk you through each step of the process. You will learn how to identify key themes, structure your essay effectively, and highlight your strengths and experiences in a way that resonates with the scholarship committee. Whether you are a high school student applying for a local scholarship or a college student seeking a national award, this guide will equip you with the tools you need to create a standout scholarship essay.

The Importance of Scholarships

Scholarships play a crucial role in helping students achieve their educational goals. They provide financial assistance to deserving individuals who may not have the means to fund their education on their own. This support can make a significant difference in a student’s ability to pursue higher education and achieve their dreams.

Furthermore, scholarships not only alleviate the financial burden on students and their families but also promote academic excellence. By incentivizing students to strive for academic success, scholarships encourage individuals to work hard, stay motivated, and excel in their studies. This can lead to a more educated and skilled workforce, benefiting society as a whole.

In addition, scholarships can open doors to opportunities that would otherwise be out of reach for many students. They can provide access to top-tier universities, prestigious programs, and valuable experiences that can shape a student’s future and career prospects. Scholarships empower individuals to reach their full potential and pursue their passions without the constraints of financial limitations.

Overall, scholarships are not only important for individuals seeking to further their education but also for society as a whole. By investing in scholarships, we invest in the future of education, innovation, and progress. Scholarship recipients have the opportunity to make a positive impact on their communities and the world, thanks to the support and opportunities provided by scholarships.

Why You Should Apply

Applying for scholarships is a smart and strategic move for students looking to further their education. Here are a few reasons why you should take the time to apply:

• Financial Support: Scholarships offer a valuable source of funding that can help offset the cost of tuition, books, and other educational expenses.
• Merit Recognition: Winning a scholarship is a testament to your hard work, dedication, and academic achievements. It can boost your confidence and open up new opportunities.
• Reduced Debt: By securing scholarships, you can reduce the need for student loans and graduate with less debt, giving you a stronger financial foundation after graduation.
• Networking Opportunities: Many scholarship programs provide networking opportunities with other scholars, mentors, and industry professionals, helping you build valuable connections for the future.
• Personal Growth: The process of applying for scholarships forces you to reflect on your goals, achievements, and aspirations, fostering personal growth and self-improvement.

Overall, applying for scholarships is a worthwhile investment in your education and future success. Don’t miss out on the chance to secure the financial support and recognition you deserve!

Benefits of Winning

Winning a scholarship can offer numerous benefits to students, both academically and personally. Some of the key benefits include:

• Financial Assistance: Scholarships provide financial support for tuition, books, and other educational expenses, reducing the financial burden on students and their families.
• Recognition and Prestige: Winning a scholarship can enhance a student’s academic resume and demonstrate their merit to future employers and academic institutions.
• Opportunities for Growth: Scholarships often come with additional opportunities such as internships, networking events, and mentorship programs, which can help students develop their skills and build connections in their field.
• Increased Confidence: Achieving a scholarship can boost a student’s confidence and motivation, encouraging them to aim higher in their academic and personal goals.
• Debt Reduction: By receiving a scholarship, students can decrease their reliance on student loans and minimize the amount of debt they accumulate during their education.

Overall, winning a scholarship can have a transformative impact on a student’s educational journey, opening doors to new opportunities and providing valuable support along the way.

Key Elements in Scholarship Essays

Scholarship essays are crucial for securing financial aid for your education. To craft a winning scholarship essay, you must include key elements that showcase your unique qualities and experiences. These elements include:

1. Personal Story: Share a personal story that highlights your values, goals, and aspirations. This will help the scholarship committee get to know you better.

2. Relevance: Make sure your essay is relevant to the scholarship you are applying for. Tailor your essay to fit the requirements and objectives of the scholarship program.

3. Clear Structure: Organize your essay with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. Use transitions to connect your ideas smoothly.

4. Strong Thesis: Present a strong thesis statement that outlines the main point of your essay. This will guide your writing and keep your essay focused.

5. Unique Voice: Use your unique voice and perspective to stand out from other applicants. Avoid clichés and generic statements.

6. Proofreading: Proofread your essay carefully to eliminate errors in grammar, punctuation, and spelling. A polished essay shows your professionalism and attention to detail.

By incorporating these key elements into your scholarship essay, you can increase your chances of winning financial aid for your education.

Understanding the Prompt

One of the most crucial aspects of writing a winning scholarship essay is understanding the prompt. Take your time to carefully read and analyze the prompt provided by the scholarship committee. Pay attention to the key points and requirements outlined in the prompt, such as the essay topic, word limit, formatting guidelines, and any specific questions that need to be addressed.

Create a table or list to break down the prompt into manageable sections. Highlight the main themes or keywords that you should focus on in your essay. By understanding the prompt thoroughly, you can ensure that your essay directly addresses the criteria set by the scholarship committee and increases your chances of success.

Highlighting Your Achievements

When crafting a scholarship essay, it is crucial to highlight your achievements in a way that showcases your skills, talents, and accomplishments. Be sure to emphasize your academic achievements, extracurricular activities, community service involvement, leadership roles, and any awards or recognition you have received. Use specific examples and anecdotes to demonstrate the impact of your achievements and how they have shaped you as a person. By highlighting your achievements, you can effectively communicate your potential to the scholarship committee and increase your chances of receiving the scholarship.

Tips for Writing a Standout Essay

When it comes to crafting a winning scholarship essay, there are several key tips to keep in mind to ensure your essay stands out from the crowd:

Showing Your Unique Voice

When crafting a scholarship essay, it’s important to remember that you are the only person who can truly tell your story. Don’t be afraid to let your personality and voice shine through in your writing. This is your chance to stand out from the crowd and show the scholarship committee why you deserve to win.

Whether it’s through a unique storytelling style, a powerful personal anecdote, or a quirky sense of humor, find a way to make your essay memorable and engaging. Your essay should reflect who you are as a person, not just your accomplishments and achievements.

Use your own words and express your ideas in a way that is authentic and genuine. Your unique voice is what will make your essay memorable and resonate with the scholarship committee. Be yourself, and let your personality shine through in every word you write.

Structuring Your Essay Effectively

When it comes to crafting a winning scholarship essay, the structure is just as important as the content. Here are some tips on how to structure your essay effectively:

1. Introduction: Start your essay with a strong hook that grabs the reader’s attention. Introduce yourself and provide some background information about your achievements and goals.

2. Body paragraphs: Divide your essay into several paragraphs that each focus on a specific point or idea. Make sure to provide clear examples and evidence to support your arguments.

3. Conclusion: Summarize your main points and reiterate why you are the ideal candidate for the scholarship. End with a strong closing statement that leaves a lasting impression on the reader.

4. Editing: Before submitting your essay, make sure to proofread and edit it carefully. Check for grammar and spelling errors, as well as clarity and coherence in your writing.

By following these tips, you can structure your scholarship essay effectively and increase your chances of winning that coveted award!

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How To Write A Scholarship Essay - Scholarship Essay Examples

Published: 30 Jun 2020 Scholarship Application 123,664 views

Looking for how to write a good scholarship essay for your scholarship application? This article contains all you need to know with scholarship essay examples.

Hey folks. How are you doing? So today we are going to hit the road on the journey of composing a stellar scholarship essay. Do you know why? Writing a scholarship essay is a capital stage of the scholarship application process. With a well – constructed essay, you would introduce yourself to the university in question as an adept applicant who is fit for a scholarship award and a tenacious candidate who would make the best out of his/ her studies. So it’s time to learn, apply and win!

These are the following sub-topics of the article:

• What is a scholarship essay
• The Perfect guide to scholarship essay
• How to structure and format a scholarship essay
• How to tailor your scholarship essay to the topic given
• Three winning scholarship essay examples
• Different types of scholarship essay
• 4 reasons why you should use a scholarship template
• Tips for using a scholarship essay template
• Scholarship essay Dos’ and Donts’
• How to use a scholarship essay

WHAT IS A SCHOLARSHIP ESSAY?

A scholarship application essay is a statement that aims at persuading the university, a high school or a college that you deserve the scholarship. As simple as that! It is a stage where you explain the reasons for choosing to study a particular course in college. You express your intentions, your struggles, your motivation, your career drive, your purpose and the impact that the course of study would have on your personal and professional goals. You are also entitled to purport your reasons for a financial aid. They say that while the scholarship application is cold and informs, the scholarship essay is heartwarming and persuades. In essence, YOU TELL YOUR STORY. Now, there are thousands of scholarship essays that are religiously screened by the university board. How can you make your winning scholarship application essay exceptional, mind -  captivating and impossibly irresistible?

THE PERFECT 8 – STEP GUIDE TO WRITING A WINNING SCHOLARSHIP ESSAY

Plan and know your audience in advance.

A menacing mistake that you have to avoid as an applicant is to wait for the last minute before you proceed with applying for scholarship. If you fall into that trap, there is an immense possibility that the quality of your essay would be poor and would ruin the chance of gaining an admission to a higher institution. Instead of committing this error, why don’t you set up a calendar for each scholarship you applying for before the deadline? In that way, you ensure a professionally written scholarship application essay.

As you plan for the process, you also need to be abreast of what the board is looking for in suitable candidates. Conduct a research in the strengths, achievements or awards of the university and the competencies of past winning candidates. Find ways in which you can tailor your strengths with the assets that the board is looking for.

Follow the Instructions and choose the topic that interest you the most

Don’t peruse or read the scholarship essay outline in a haste. Ensure that you are circumspect in following the directions given. If details, such as word count, are neglected, then you may impair your chances of getting an admission in the institution of your choice.

From the scholarship essay outline, choose the topic that interests you the most. A topic that you are passionate about will serve as an enabler to give your very best at the writing scholarship essay that thrills.

Keep a good structure and create a strong introduction

Make sure that your thoughts and ideas pertaining to the topic you have chosen are penned down. When constructing your scholarship application essay, your sentences shouldn’t be in disarray. Rather, they should follow a logical order that can carry the reader along. Also, your introductory sentences should be impactful. They are the first to be read so they own the strongest part of the scholarship application essay. Which of the following invites you the most?

A : I started high school when I was just 10 years old and the faces in class were so unfamiliar.

B: I was just 10 years old when I cowardly stepped into the first class of the high school. Who would have thought that the faces marked the most defining part of my life!

Which of the previous sentences appealed to you the most? That’s right! Unlike the A sentence, the B sentence made you wonder why and how the faces in class defined an important part of the writer’s life. That’s exactly how the university board should feel about your essay. Make them wonder “why” and “how”! 

Show Emotions

One unique way in which the reader connects with the writer is by understanding the emotions that are delineated. Express your weaknesses, your soft spots and narrate how your experiences challenged you to become a better you. The university board wants to know about your vulnerabilities and how you can overcome them. This would depict self awareness – a quality that is highly appreciated by the universities.

Share Real – life examples

What would make your scholarship application essay even more delectable is using real life examples. In the process of writing your scholarship essay, dramatize the scenes of your experience in a way that convey suspense, adventure or empathy. Writing a scholarship essay in that manner will encourage the reader to stay glued to your essay.

Write a conclusion that leaves much to be desired.

Writing a scholarship essay is one thing but keeping your readers inspired is another. While other applicants would compose a conclusion that seems to be the summary of the entire essay, decorate the concluding part with attention - grabbing sentences or leave a question unanswered!

Edit and Proofread

As much as we want to believe that we have completed an essay unerringly, you have to be very cautious with your work. Read and proofread as much as possible. Seek for the assistance of your family and friend to read the essay out loud and detect errors (if any) on the tone or style of the essay.

Make Good use of the Available Scholarship Essays Online

There are copious examples of winning scholarship essay outlines that can guide you further in writing a scholarship essay in a decorous way. As this article progresses, you would encounter some examples of scholarship essays that are worth looking up to.

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HOW TO STRUCTURE AND FORMAT THE SCHOLARSHIP ESSAY

Now that you have the perfect guide to composing an essay, it’s time to structure your format. What is a format? A format is a way of formally arranging and developing ideas. A format can help you to organize your scholarship essay by checking to see if and how ideas connect to each other and whether some points need more support.

• Identify the topic :  As it was earlier mentioned, choose a topic that interests you the most. When you do so, you will be able to express your ideas appropriately
• Figure out the main points : When you are done, it would be wise to deliberate on the ideas. Ask yourself: Why is this topic important? Did the scenes around this topic make me recount ebullient or demoralizing thoughts? This is where you have to be more specific
• Arrange the main points in a logical order and use them in the outline: Depending on the progress of the essay, the order can be changed later
• Create sub – points beneath each major idea : There should be at least two sub - points for each main idea. In that way, you can maintain a savory flow for your essay
• Evaluate the format : Give your structure one more glance. Are your ideas or points properly arranged? Can they guide you to well - established paragraphs? Do they sound equivocal?

HOW TO TAILOR YOUR SCHOLARSHIP ESSAY TO THE TOPIC GIVEN?

Writing a scholarship essay can quite daunting! So you may choose to compose an essay and employ it for every scholarship you apply for! But remember – the judges at the university board are willful at digging out the students’ passion. A generic essay will only decimate your efforts. So you have to tailor your essay with the topic chosen from the scholarship essay outline. How?

If your topic is concerned with community service, construct your essay in a way that shows how appreciative you are and how you are using the scholarship as a means of giving back to the community. If the essay prompt requires you to express how important education is to you be veracious and relate the challenges you had to overcome to be able to apply for a scholarship. You can express that you are so vehement that you could never throw in the towel on education.  Do you get the idea?

DIFFERENT TYPES OF SCHOLARSHIP ESSAYS (WITH EXAMPLES)

Interesting fact! There are diverse types of scholarship essays. Some essay prompts will require you to express how a scholarship would be a means to your career advancement. These would be in the category of scholarship essay examples about career goals. Various essay prompts will request that you relate the ways through which a scholarship would serve your educational goals. These would be in the category of college scholarship essay. Others will allow you to write an essay that describes your finanacial needs. Another type is the college scholarship essay. That's the financial need essay The most common essay prompt is the “Tell us about yourself” essay. Let’s start with that.

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Tell us about yourself (with examples)

This is an open – ended question with lots of gaps to fill in. You might ask: What should I tell about myself? Are they asking about my passion, my strengths, my education. Well although the question may sound tricky, you can be guided with the following areas that might interest your scholarship committee. They may include your current degree (as it applies to your overall goals), your short term and long term professional goals, your past experiences that sparked your passions or something about you that relate to the institution.

Well, of course you are not expected to share information in all the aforementioned areas of discussion. But this would serve as a manual in choosing the elements that best fit the scholarship.

These essays are usually short scholarship essays. For example ( scholarshiptab.com ):

“ My name is David Luis. I am a high school senior who will be attending the University of Oxford. I am getting a degree in Marketing so I can become a digital marketer. My goal is to work for Amazon, Google, Huffington Post, or another company that has a strong online presence. The internet is already where most people shop, and the industry will be even bigger by the time I graduate. Getting a degree in marketing with a focus on digital marketing will set me up for a fulfilling, fast-paced career fit for the future.”

See? Simple. Concise. Understandable!

Here is a medium scholarship essay of a “Tell us About yourself” essay prompt

My name is Joy, and I spent the better part of my childhood on the wrong medication. I am a survivor of a common problem in clinical psychology – misdiagnosis. From antiquated testing methods to limited education, there are many reasons why professionals provide inaccurate diagnoses. I want to help change that. Therefore, I am pursuing a Ph.D . in Clinical Neuropsychology so I can open my own psychological testing facility.

I was diagnosed with ADHD as a child because I had trouble focusing in school. My doctor prescribed medication to improve my symptoms, but all it did was make me numb to the world around me. I couldn’t think or process emotions, and most of the time, I had no emotions at all. I went through this for several years until my parents finally decided to get a second opinion.

They took me to someone who specialized in psychological testing for children. Her evaluation showed that I didn’t have ADHD at all, just a combination of dyslexia and dysgraphia (difficulties with reading and writing). She put us in touch with a therapist who helped me learn how to work around my conditions, and my life improved tremendously. I went from being a lifeless student with barely passing grades to an honor roll student full of joy and excitement.

Unfortunately, my story is not one of a kind. There are countless children in America who are put on mind-altering medications that do not adequately address their needs. I cannot help all of those children, but I can provide a better alternative for the ones in my area. Through proper education, funded by financial aid, I can learn about psychological evaluations and provide the most accurate diagnoses possible.

Simple. Convincing. Narrative

Statement of financial need essay

This is the type that required you to write an essay describing your financial need. In this case you are expected to relate the nature of your financial need. It is advisable that you maintain a positive tone throughout the essay, not self - pity. While composing your essay, don't be dismissive of other people's financial deficiency. Show respect in everything you write while you are writing an essay describing your financial need. Furthermore, ensure that you tell your story with honesty. Don't use a tone that will make you sound needy. Rather, if you have a room for further disclosure, you can discuss your career goals. Want a scholarship essay sample on financial need?

Here is an example of a short scholarship essay on financial needs essay

I am the first person in my family to graduate high school, and thus the first to attend college. Both of my parents dropped out of school when they were teenagers. Because of their limited education, they have always worked in entry-level positions, earning barely enough to put food on the table. My first job I got was at the age of 12 delivering papers, and I have worked hard ever since to relieve pressure from my family.

I enrolled in Mississippi’s HELP program during my senior year, which covers tuition and fees at select colleges in the state. I also have a Federal Pell Grant to cover my housing. However, I still need funding for books, supplies, and transportation to campus as needed. I am an engineering student, and our classes come with high fees. My parents cannot contribute to my college expenses, and I cannot work much while I’m in school. This scholarship would help me avoid costly student loans that could take years to repay.

Writing an essay describing your financial need may be tasky. However you know why you need some financial assistance. Tap into your circumstances and construct a perfect essay

Scholarship essay examples about career goals:

In your scholarship application essay, you may be asked to explain your career goals. Why? Well, it is logical that a scholarship committee would want to know how investing in your education will help your goals. What can you do to win their hearts?

This may be like college scholarship essay examples. Tie in the career goals with your scholarship. See how you can relate the two. Be precise about your career goals and discuss how your education will help you achieve your career goals. Below you will see scholarship essay examples about career goals

Here is a short scholarship essay on career goals:

My name is Julie Peters, and I am currently a sophomore at Texas Tech University. I am currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Companion Animal Science to complete my Pre-Vet qualifications. After undergraduate school, I plan to transfer to Texas A&M to earn a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine.

My goal is to become a veterinarian, primarily serving rescue organizations and animal shelters. I was born and raised in the south, where it is common for people to abandon animals in rural areas. Those animals then go into a rescue – emaciated, frightened, and confused. I want to work with rescues to provide affordable veterinary medicine to the animals they save. This scholarship would help me continue my education and potentially save thousands of abandoned animals in the future.

Another medium sized scholarship essay for career goals is the following

My name is Patrick Holden and I am a first-year freshman at the University of Michigan. I am studying the field of Linguistics with the goal of become a high school English teacher. I will either major in English and minor in Linguistics or major in Linguistics with a minor in English. After I have completed my core courses in college, I will be able to take more classes related these fields and narrow down my degree decision.

I did not always want to be an English teacher. I always saw myself in some sort of corporate office, perhaps as an executive assistant or a loan officer at a bank. My father works in the finance office for a car dealership and my mother works at a call center. I assumed I would follow a similar, albeit boring, path in life.

In my junior year of high school, everything changed. My English teacher inspired me in ways I could have never imagined. She got me to love writing, literature, etymology, and everything about the English language. She made me want to be a better student in all of my classes, and she helped me see the value of education. I decided then that I wanted to inspire other students just as she did for me.

Since both of my parents are working-class citizens, they do not have much money to contribute toward my college expenses. I have earned a tuition scholarship based on my ACT score, but I still need additional funding for books and supplies. English majors have particularly high book costs because we have to purchase multiple books for each class. With the help of this scholarship, I could afford to continue my degree and become an English teacher.

There are a lot more types, eg college scholarship essay examples. These are all found on the Internet.

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REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD USE A SCHOLARSHIP ESSSAY TEMPLATE

The guide and scholarship essay format earlier mentioned in this article can serve as a scholarship template. Now, you might believe that there is no need to compose an essay that is structured in a specific way. But hey! You have to impress the scholarship board, right? So why don’t do so in the right way? Here are four reasons why you should use a scholarship essay template on a college scholarship essay, for instance.

1. It helps you plan properly . If you don’t have a structured scholarship essay, you may not plan for it as appropriately as you should be. And that’s definitely not a time saver. But a scholarship essay template will help in composing an essay in an amazing manner and promptly.

2. Some scholarships use the same essay prompts. As you have seen in the previous section of the article, most essay prompts are being repeated. Statement of purpose for scholarship, financial needs essays, college scholarship essay or scholarship essay examples with career goals can be asked many times from various scholarship boards. Having this mind, a template would give a hitch on what to write and how to express it.

3. You may go out of point. Remember, we said that you should choose a topic that you are most passionate about (for example, statement of purpose for scholarship). Well, for the same reason you have a zest for the topic in question, you may pour your thoughts openly without a coordinated manner. Simply put, you may not know when to stop. So a scholarship template will definitely save you from all that stress and help you keep a coherent content.

4. A template may help you in following the instructions . A scholarship outline is always given for the candidates to follow. Now templates such as that of the scholarship with career goals or high school scholarship essay will have similar instructions embedded in order to keep you on track. These templates will give you a great scholarship essay help.

DO'S AND DONT'S FOR SCHOLARSHIP ESSAYS

We want you to get that scholarship and study in the place you desire. That's why we want you to be extra chart with your essay. There are some things you can do and there are some things you just have to avoid. So here is an extra scholarship essay help.

DO'S for a scholarship essay

Do be original: While you make sure that your essay is magnetizing, don't lose your identity in the process. In writing a statement of purpose for scholarship, write boldly, be original. Don't be afraid about telling your story. Be humble and bold

• Do Talk about your Achievement: Before you gave the scholarship a try, you must have had some worthwhile accomplishments. Relate them. Make sure you keep that humble tone and relate them with the topic
• Do write in a captivating way: Your message should be clear, concise, concrete and compelling

Dont's for your scholarship essay

• Don't start every sentence with “I”: This may be quite tempting. Keep in mind, though, you have an audience (the scholarship committee). Explain how awarding you for a scholarship would be benefit the school
• Don't get too complex: Your scholarship doesn't have to be verbose. For instance in a scholarship essay sample on financial need Try to use a professional, polished top e but at the same time, compose it in a way that is simple and understanding
• Don't be too generic: Get specific and be unique. Don't beat around the bush. Constructively detailed experiences are a great way to win the hearts of the committee.

HOW TO USE A SCHOLARSHIP ESSAY TEMPLATE

If you are still wondering, how to use a scholarship essay template, then we have included copious of them in this article. Since a scholarship essay could be that thing you need to make your scholarship hunting process a successful one, then creating a selling scholarship essay becomes really important. Writing an impressive scholarship essay such as writing an essay describing your financial need for the first time could be really challenging, but using a template makes it easy for you to edit and personalize your scholarship essay. Check out The Perfect 8 – Step Guide to Writing Scholarship and Different Types of Scholarship Essays sections. Use the tips in this article to write the perfect scholarship essay that can help you stand out from other applicant.  For example, there are scholarship essay example on financial need and college scholarship essay examples

THREE WINNING EXAMPLES ON SCHOLARSHIP ESSAYS

We can't leave you without some real life examples of thrilling Scholarship Essays. So here are some of them to give you an idea of what the scholarship committee is looking for.

1.  Scholarship Success  by Gabby DeMott

ESSAY PROMPT : Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.

“ There were only a few minutes to go and our eyes were glued to the screen. On the edge of our seats, clutching whoever happened to be next to us, we watched as the referee blew his whistle and the German players took their free kick. The ball was hit with precision and skill; it flew up over the Swedish players, past their goalie, and was caught safely in the back of the opposing team’s net. We all jumped up and screamed, a mixture of German and English, of excitement and relief, of pride and anticipation.

We stood, enraptured, for the last several minutes of the game as Germany kept its 2-1 lead over Sweden. The horde of us, Germans and Americans alike, hugged and cheered and made our way out onto the balcony, where we chanted “Deutschland! Deutschland! Deutschland!” for the whole village, the whole country, the whole world to hear. Never have I felt so accepted while being an outsider, so proud of a country that isn’t even mine, so part of something I didn’t really belong to.

My German friends didn’t care that we were from different countries; they didn’t care that we would only be staying for three weeks. They accepted us into their homes and their daily lives, their traditions and their celebrations. In watching that World Cup game, it didn’t matter that we were from different places; we were all cheering for the same team. The acceptance I felt in Germany extended beyond that living room. I came to the country on a three week exchange with ten other students from my school.

We each stayed with host families and attended the Wildermuth Gymnasium, which was surprisingly accommodating to a gaggle of loud American teenagers. The teachers were friendly and welcoming, the students treated us like ordinary peers, and even the people I interacted with in public were understanding.

Before coming to Germany I feared judgment based on my level of the language (which is nowhere near as good as the German students’ English) and American politics. It was intimidating to be in a country with limited knowledge of the language and the customs, even though everyone was welcoming. People did ask myself and the other students about the US’s political climate, but no one blamed us for it. They recognized that we were outsiders, that the place we came from had flaws, and they accepted us anyway.

Since that trip, I’ve found myself trying to provide that acceptance to people in my own country. For example, I work at a canoe livery and we receive a lot of visitors with limited English. Some of my coworkers will avoid such customers because they don’t want to take the time to explain things, to exercise patience with someone who may not understand them. If people had done this to me in Germany, my time there would have been much less enjoyable; in fact, I would have been offended.

So now when someone walks up to me at the livery and asks a question in English that isn’t perfect, I smile and welcome them. I take my time to make sure they understand, that they can have a good time, and that they feel accepted. It’s a small action, but I know firsthand that it can make a big impact, at my place of work and in the world.“

Comments? It shares a personal story of realization. Gabby paints a clear picture of where she is, how she feels, and what her goals were in that moment. She then goes on to explain the unity of the German and American students to introduce other people in the essay. She reflects on her previous fears and explains how she’s moved past those to grow.

2. Who is a “Good” Doctor? by Joseph Lee

ESSAY PROMPT : Who is (or what makes) a good doctor?

“Had you asked me the same question one year ago, my answer would have been vastly different to the one I will give today. In the summer of 2012, with my first year of medical school completed, I embarked upon my last official summer vacation with two things in mind: a basketball tournament in Dallas and one in Atlanta. My closest friends and I had been playing in tournaments for the past 10 summers, and it was a sacred bond forged together in the name of competition. However, two weeks before our first tournament, I became instantly and overwhelmingly short of breath. Having been born to Korean immigrant parents, I was raised to utilize the hospital in emergency cases only, and I knew this was such a case. A few scans later, doctors discovered numerous pulmonary emboli (PE), caused by a subclavian deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and just like that, I was lying in a bed of a major hospital for a life threatening condition.

Fast forward a few months, and I am lying in a similar bed to treat the underlying cause of the subclavian DVT: a first rib removal. There is little that can adequately prepare someone physically, emotionally or spiritually to undergo surgery; and my thoughts continued to race in the days following. In addition to the expected physical pain, isolation, fear and frustration were a few of the emotions I experienced in the four day ordeal. The procedure went according to plan thanks to a skilled surgeon and his team, but the attributes that made the doctor “good” went far beyond his ability to operate.

“Wow. I’m glad you are feeling better” and “I can’t believe you went through that” are common reactions people have when they see the scars on my upper chest. Quite frankly, the past nine months have been difficult, literally full of blood, sweat and tears. But through it all, I have been able to maintain my positivity and gratitude knowing that I have gained the invaluable experience of being a patient and discovering the vulnerability and trust that patients give their doctors. Patients indulge information to doctors that they may have never told anyone in their life and in doing so, place a great deal of trust and responsibility in the hands of a doctor. Many patients will not understand the mechanism of disease behind their condition and anticipate that the doctor will explain to them and their family why it is that they are feeling the way they are and ultimately heal them. And that is precisely what my surgeon understood: the privilege of being able to care for patients and the intimacy of the doctor-patient relationship. And as I awoke to the care of my worried parents, the first thing they wanted to discuss was the details of the procedure that was methodically and patiently explained to them by my “good” doctor.

In study after study, patients have reported dissatisfaction with their medical care, not because of lack of knowledge or health outcome, but because their doctors did not show enough warmth in the encounter or listen to the patient’s questions and concerns. There are few times where a patient and their loved ones are more vulnerable and in need of compassion than when dealing with a hospitalization. And for some doctors, a patient may be another item on a checklist, but that patient is someone’s mother or father, son or daughter, sister or brother. My “good” doctor understood this and would often say “If you were my son…” when discussing treatment options, reflecting on the type of care he would want for his family and treating me similarly. Such ideals are rooted in love and compassion for patients, not as clients in the health care system, but as fellow human beings striving to make something of themselves and the world around them (I).

Unfortunately, the ordeal of living with a chronic illness or undergoing a major operation extends beyond the confines of the hospital. Whether it is creditors harassing patients for medical bills, prescriptions that need to be refilled, or lifestyle modifications that need to be made, the health care experience doesn’t end when a patient walks out of the hospital doors. It often takes merely a minute, as in the case of the “good” doctor who told me that as a student I could apply to get the procedure financially covered by the hospital. Such foresight in anticipating financial concerns and directing me on the next steps to be taken provided relief in the surmounting stress.

Lastly, the “good” doctor understands that as our patients are human, so are we. This means we will make mistakes, some of which can result in life-threatening consequences. With that said, the “good” doctor practices humility and honesty, apologizing and sharing as much information with patients as possible. Although no one strives to make mistakes, they will happen, and how one reacts to them is a distinguishing feature of the “good” doctor (II).

Of all the qualities I tried to explain in what makes a “good” doctor, there was no emphasis on skill and knowledge. And while being able to fulfill the duties of making the correct diagnosis and appropriate treatment plans is expected, the intangibles of love, compassion, foresight and honesty is what makes a doctor, “good”. I learned such lessons in the purest manner possible, by being a patient myself, and will use them to guide me in all future patient encounters, as I strive to be a “good” doctor.”

Comments? It's a captivating story. It's personal and believable. He composed an essay in a way that showed how a big ordeal in his life shifted his perspective.

3. Life Happens Scholarship by Emily Trader

ESSAY PROMPT: How has the death of a parent or guardian impacted your life financially and emotionally? Be sure to describe how the loss of your parent/guardian impacted your college plans, and explain how the lack of adequate (or any) life insurance coverage has impacted your family’s financial situation.

“When I was seventeen years old, my father lost his battle with kidney failure and cardiovascular disease. As long as I shall live, I do not believe that I will ever forget the first moment I saw my father’s once vibrant face in that cold and unforgiving casket. I won’t forget his lifeless and defeated hands, or how his pale lips would never utter another joke or speak to his grandchildren. Even though the day of his funeral was undoubtedly the worst day of my life, I wish I could relive it just to be with him one more time. Since that moment, I have felt as if all of my grief and longing resides underneath my skin with nothing to relieve the pressure. On September 8th, 2016, I lost my voice of reason, my confidant, my cheerleader, and my best friend.

Unbeknownst to me at the time, I had lost so much more. Upon my father’s passing, he left us with funeral and medical expenses that his insurance would not cover. Because he did not have any form of life insurance, the financial burden of his death was now the responsibility of my mother and me. Even though my mother works night shifts as a neonatal nurse and her commute is nearly two hours, she was forced to pick up extra shifts to support my family. Though I already had a job and I worked about ten hours a week, I now work anywhere from twenty-five to thirty-five hours a week, and I am also a full-time high honor student. Even though the death of my father forced me to realize the importance of cherishing time with my family, I do not see them very often because of our busy schedules. I also sacrificed my social life and the joy that every senior in high school should experience. Instead of football games and homecoming, I had to deal with mourning and the possibility that I would not attend college because of my family’s financial troubles.

If my father had a life insurance policy, we would not have to work ourselves to the bone and sacrifice our physical and emotional well-being to keep up with expenses. I would not have to worry so intensely about the future of my education on top of the crippling grief that I have felt over the last five months. If this devastating experience has taught me anything, it is this: financial planning for these situations is absolutely invaluable. I will not soon forget the stress and despair that I have experienced, and I now realize that to have a life insurance policy is to throw your surviving family members a crucial lifeline. Though no one can ever prepare you for the trauma of losing a parent, life insurance allows you to grieve without the constant stress of financial burden, and for that reason, it is an absolutely essential precaution.

I love and miss you so much, Dad. Thank God I will see you again .”

Comments? He shares how hardships made him who he is today. He includes emotional details and  at the same time plans for the future. He confirms that his citizenship isn't a bottle neck but he strives to provide for his family.

As you can see, scholarship essay is an inexhaustible topic. Yet, with so many tips, guide, Dos and Dont's, we are confident that you will do a great job in creating an exceptional story on college scholarship essay examples. The aforementioned examples on scholarship essay sample on financial need are also available to give a taste of what a committee is looking for. If you need help on scholarship essay, it's more than available. We have the perfect scholarship essay help

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Financial Need Essay: Examples & Writing Guide

Unfortunately, not everyone striving for education can afford it. Some courses are so expensive that even well-to-do citizens need financial assistance. They can write a scholarship application letter or refuse the undertaking. In such a case, students are supposed to submit a financial need essay.  

Funding authorities cannot assist each student. That is why you need to assure them in your statement of financial need that you deserve the scholarship more than anyone else. This article by Custom-Writing experts provides you with a clear structure. Besides, you will see an accurate statement of financial need essay sample.

• ✅ What to Include
• 🚫 Mistakes to Avoid
• 👀 Essay Sample

🔗 References

✅ statement of financial need: what to include.

This type of writing is a statement of a student’s life circumstances . But there is a limited number of aspects that you need to include. Otherwise, the committee will reject your request for financial aid as it will not look persuasive enough. Follow the next five steps to write a scholarship-winning essay. If you will still be unsure of how to write this kind of paper, explore the example in the next section.

• Introduce yourself. Your readers learn about you for the first time. It is polite to tell them who you are . Stress that you are the first person in your family who will attend a college. If you pertain to an ethnic group that may be underrepresented at the college, mention it.
• Explain how you’re now paying for college. Are you working to pay for your studies? Does this work take the time you could spend learning?
• Justify your financial need. Explain why you need assistance and the difficulties you meet in paying for your studies.
• Describe how you would benefit from the scholarship. Will you have to drop out if you are not given the scholarship? What will happen when you receive it? Explain that you will be able to study more if there is no need to work after classes.
• Make a closing statement . Do not beg and avoid being too emotional. Your essay should sound professional. Thank your readers for taking the time to consider your request.

Here, you can read about other secrets of scholarship essay writing .

🚫 Financial Need Essay: Mistakes to Avoid

There are several big mistakes that students can make in their scholarship essays.

👀 Statement of Financial Need: Essay Sample

We hope that this short, but comprehensive guide will get your essay going! Good luck and be sure to check out our blog for more writing tips.

✏️ Financial Need Essay FAQ

There is no universal way to justify why you need money. Every situation is unique. Every person might have their life circumstances. Typically, students apply for scholarships because they can’t work full-time yet. Thus, they cannot afford the desired program.

Two key strategies to ask for scholarship money are those below.

1. Write an impressive motivation letter mentioning your tight budget,

2. Write an application letter describing your tough life circumstances (especially if you have incomplete family, etc.).

For additional details, check examples of such papers online and in books.

Applying for a scholarship implies proving why you deserve this assistance. Demonstrate your strong motivation, your real passion for learning, describe your educational background. If you want to be chosen for the program, take a look at examples and templates available online. You need to highlight your strengths and motivation .

It’s probably a bad idea to begin with the statement of financial need itself. Instead, demonstrate your strong motivation and even passion first. Briefly describe your background and highlight relevant educational and work experience. Acknowledge that financial assistance would help you to develop further.

• Writing a Winning College Scholarship Essay | The Princeton Review
• 5 Ways to Make Your Scholarship Essay Stand Out – U.S. News
• How to Write a Scholarship Essay – Maryville University Online
• How Aid Is Calculated | Federal Student Aid
• Definition of need | Student Financial Aid | University of Missouri
• How need is determined | Student Financial Aid (UWashington)
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Thank you for the financial need essay writing tips you have posted. They are very helpful! I’ll return to this blog for more useful guidelines for writing papers!

Ha, fully posting! How to ask for money? Yeah, it is a great idea to write a financial need essay in a humorous manner.

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The Top Essay Scholarships for Students

This scholarship list showcases 19 unique writing opportunities worth more than $75,000.

Shawna Newman

September 25, 2023

Sustainability Essay Contest

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Scholarships & Internships for LGBTQ+ Students, Allies

This scholarship list for LGBTQ+ students totals more than $30,000 in scholarship opportunities.

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Essay Scholarships

When you apply for a scholarship, certain factors like your GPA and test scores are already established and cannot be changed at that moment. Similarly, the strength of your recommendation letters is largely determined by your academic performance and participation up to that point. However, one area you do have control over is the essay you submit with your scholarship application.

Continue reading the article below the scholarship list.

25 Essay Scholarships with Approaching Deadlines

Twins days festival twins scholarship.

• Amount $1,000
• Deadline July 5, 2024

Each year the Twins Days Festival Committee honors a set of twins, who are graduating seniors, who exhibit exceptional efforts in both school and community service, and share their experience being a twin”, and what effect, if any, it will have on your career choice. The Twins Days Festival makes available a scholarship to help a set of qualified twins with upcoming college expenses. One set of

Mike Molino RV Learning Center's Scholarship Program

• Amount $2,500

To be eligible for the Mike Molino RV Learning Center's Scholarship Program, applicants must: be accepted into a four-year college or university as a rising sophomore, junior or senior college undergraduate student; have a 2.8 or better GPA and a minimum of a 1040 SAT score or 22 ACT score; demonstrate ability and willingness to fund a portion of their education expenses on their own; and be

The Korea Defense Veterans Association Impact Scholarship

• Amount $5,000
• Deadline July 8, 2024

The KDVA Impact Scholarship Program provides scholarships to KDVA members and their spouses, children, grandchildren (including stepchildren) to help them attain their educational goals so they can continue contributing to the ROK-U.S. Alliance and supporting our Veterans. Scholarships are awarded only for coursework from accredited, tertiary institutions (colleges and trade

Baron & Budd Mesothelioma Cancer Victims Memorial Scholarships

• Deadline July 10, 2024

To be eligible for the Baron & Budd Mesothelioma Cancer Victims Memorial Scholarships, applicants must: be accepted to a US-based four-year university or college for any field of study (scholarship funds will be dispersed directly to their school); provide two letters of recommendation that both specifically name the Baron & Budd Mesothelioma Cancer Victims Memorial Scholarship; submit either a

MFMA Academic Scholarship

• Deadline July 12, 2024

The Maple Flooring Manufacturers Association (MFMA) offers five scholarships annually in the amount of $1,000 each for secondary, advanced, or trade school education. Applicants will be considered based on academic achievement, field of study, and written essay responses. At the end of the form, there will be a request to attach a file up to 10MB Criteria for scholarship: Academic

Kevin L. Allen Memorial Scholarship

• Deadline July 15, 2024

The Kevin L. Allen Memorial Scholarship is open to any graduating student or college student who is a resident of the state of Georgia. Applicants must be enrolled in an automotive industry or aviation program at a technical school or university as a full-time student. Recipients will be chosen based on their automotive or aviation interest. The selection committee's decision will be final.

ScholarshipPoints $2,500 Scholarship

ScholarshipPoints $2,500 Scholarship ScholarshipPoints awards a $2,500 scholarship every month of the year exclusively to members. There is no essay required. Simply sign up to be automatically entered into the scholarship. ScholarshipPoints will also be awarding three separate $1,000 Scholarships each month. That means we give out over $5,500 in scholarships every single month! Applicant

Foundation for Seminole State College of Florida Scholarship

• Amount Varies

All enrolled students at Seminole State College, except for dual-enrolled or transient students, are eligible to apply for Foundation scholarships. The Foundation has over 200 scholarship funds; each scholarship specifies its own criteria which can include academic achievement, financial need, GPA, academic program, residency, and a variety of other requirements. Students are strongly encouraged

AAMA Student Essay Competition

You are eligible to enter if you are enrolled in and have completed at least one quarter or semester at a college-level medical assisting program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES). Applicants must submit an essay in response to the prompt: "What are three personal characteristics

Jeff Sein Kwan Yang Memorial Scholarship

The Jeff Sein Kwan Yang Scholarship is available to graduating high school seniors who meet the following requirements: reside in or attend school in the San Gabriel Valley area; are an immigrant or child of an immigrant; and are committed to serving the immigrant community in some aspect. We look at the following criteria: 1) past community service and commitment to the immigrant community; 2)

LASF Scholarship

• Deadline July 19, 2024

To be eligible for the LASF Scholarship, applicants must: be of Laotian descent who has graduated from high school for the current year; have applied to and will be attending a college, university or trade school; and reside within Western New York State. The application review criteria will include completeness of application, quality of essay, and high school achievements at both the academic

Walkin’ Pets Veterinarian & Rehab/Vet Tech Scholarships

• Deadline July 31, 2024

Walkin’ Pets is dedicated to providing the best products to serve aging, disabled, and injured pets. Each year Walkin’ Pets sponsors a scholarship program to honor tomorrow’s miracle workers and the future impact they will make in the veterinary community. A $1,000 scholarship will be awarded to the doctoral student entering or currently enrolled in veterinary school in the current year. And a

Niche $10,000 "No Essay" Summer Scholarship

• Amount $10,000

Niche is offering this scholarship for high school seniors to win a $10,000 scholarship you can apply toward tuition, housing, books, and any other college expenses. No essay is required, so it is quick and easy to apply! Scholarship Details $10,000 scholarship Apply in minutes No essay requirement Eligibility High school or college students may apply Currently

U.S. Naval Intelligence Essay Contest

Conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East offer real-world case studies in modern technology applied to enduring conflicts. Militaries around the globe are working to gain insights from these conflicts and apply them to their own situations and national interests. At the same time, U.S. Navy leaders aspire to double down on technological change in the face of meager resources and institutional

Annie Ibok Scholarship

The Annie Ibok Scholarship is a one-time award given primarily to underserved students to offset the rising costs of undergraduate studies at Historically Black Colleges & Universities(HBCUs). This scholarship honors the late Mrs. Annie Ibok, a loving wife, mother, and RN from the Bay Area with a deep passion for supporting her community. Eligibility Be a rising college freshman

Adam Charles Ports Foundation Scholarship

To be eligible for the ACP Foundation College Scholarship, you must have completed at least one year of training in any style of Martial Arts and be a resident of the State of Ohio or an undergraduate with a permanent address in Ohio. Evaluation criteria will include: Academic Achievements; Leadership Qualities; Extra Curricular Activities; Community Involvement; Martial Arts Accomplishments;

Emily’s Light CF Foundation Scholarship

• Amount $3,000

All applications are reviewed by an independent committee comprised primarily of individuals who knew Emily or are connected with cystic fibrosis treatment or research. Applications are scored on essay answers, achievements in school and extra-curricular activities, and quality of writing. The two top scoring applicants will be notified in late August on their chosen award, with funds sent

$2,000 Sallie Mae Scholarship

• Amount $2,000

Sallie Mae is offering a straightforward monthly scholarship opportunity, awarding $2,000 to eligible entrants. No essays or account sign-ups are required—just a simple scholarship for individuals seeking financial assistance for their education. Scholarship Details Monthly award of $2,000. No essay or account sign-ups needed. Eligibility Criteria Open to individuals seeking financial

$25,000 Be Bold No-Essay Scholarship

• Amount $25,000

This is your chance to win the $25,000 "Be Bold" Scholarship, a no-essay scholarship designed for individuals with bold profiles. Designed for students like you, who are pushing yourselves to succeed and educate yourselves, this scholarship celebrates determination and ambition. By joining the platform, you can spotlight your goals, accomplishments, and drive directly to scholarship panels

HUSTLE Hearts Foundation Scholarship

HUSTLE Hearts Foundation Scholarships are awarded in July for the fall semester, and checks will be distributed to the college by August 22nd. Scholarship recipients will be recognized at a special social in December as part of HUSTLE Hearts Foundation. Three scholarships in the amount of $1,000 & $500 will be awarded. Applicants must submit their high school transcript, two letters of

Niche $2,000 No Essay Scholarship

The $2,000 No Essay Scholarship is open to high school student all the way up to, and including, graduate school students. Scholarship Details $2,000 No Essay Scholarship for tuition and any other college-related expenses No essay requirement. Eligibility High school, college or grad school students. Specific criteria can be found in the official scholarship

PACIM Polanie Legacy Scholarship

The Polanie Legacy Scholarship, established in 2014 through a generous bequest from the Polanie Organization, supports studies at a secondary or post-secondary institution, including colleges, universities, technical schools, and vocational schools. All application materials must be submitted by July 31. Applicants must be of Polish descent. Submit a short biographical statement, including a

SWING Scholarship

• Amount $500
• Deadline August 1, 2024

SWING Scholarship Applicants must complete and submit a SWING Scholarship application; be female; be a woman of color and submit proof of current enrollment status as a full-time student at an accredited institution of higher education (i.e. college, university, or technical institute) for the upcoming school year. This can be a screenshot of your class schedule with your name, date, and a number

We Art Scholarship

• Deadline August 3, 2024

Applicants must submit a short video presenting their talent along with an essay on the topic “Why I’m passionate about my career”. The essay must be 3-5 pages in length with a format 12-point Times New Roman font and Double Space (no single spacing anywhere and no extra spacing anywhere.)Projects must be filmed and posted via social media with our brand tag #WeArtScholar. The video must be 2

Essay and Art Contest on Civil and Human Rights

• Deadline August 15, 2024

Are you passionate about social change and have a talent for writing or art? We have an exciting opportunity for you! Hindus for Human Rights and Dalit Solidarity Forum are hosting an art and essay contest on the topic of "Which South Asian social justice activist do you admire and why.” Applicants can submit either a piece of art or an essay to demonstrate their creativity. Artwork must consist

The scholarship essay is your opportunity to showcase who you are as a student, your unique qualities as well as your passions and interests. Fortunately, there are numerous essay scholarships available. The essay component is not just a formality, it is a chance to write a winning piece that highlights your best qualities. Below, you'll find guidance on how essay scholarships work, where to find them, and tips for crafting an essay that stands out.

What is an essay scholarship?

An essay scholarship is exactly what it sounds like; it is a scholarship that includes an essay component. A lot of scholarships will require at least one essay, but some may ask for two or possibly three.

Topics for essay scholarships can be serious, like describing the most difficult experience you’ve ever had, or light-hearted, like detailing how to survive a zombie apocalypse . Essay scholarships can give students a chance to sway the scholarship committee, even if they don't have the most impressive GPA or standardized test scores.

Even students who don’t like writing should consider applying for scholarships that require an essay because they represent such a large percentage of the scholarships for which they are going to be eligile. If you don’t enjoy writing, you may be tempted to use AI tools to write your essay. You should be aware that the scholarship judges may run your essay through an AI detection tool, which could cause you to be disqualified.

How to apply for an essay scholarship

You can find dozens or even hundreds of essay scholarships through our Scholarship Directory . There are dozens of different kinds of essay scholarships with various requirements. To apply for an essay scholarship, make sure you understand all of the components, not just the essay part. Start working on the application several weeks before it’s due, which should give you enough time to write a thoughtful and convincing essay.

To write a winning essay, read through the prompt and brainstorm all the points you want to make in your piece. Then, outline the essay in a clear format. After the outline is done, you can start writing the essay. Once you have a rough draft, share it with one or two adults you trust. Even if you're a stellar writer, you should still have someone else look at your essay before submitting it. Another person can point out ways to strengthen each draft.

Ideally, you should ask an English teacher, but a high school college counselor, another teacher or perhaps a coach can provide useful guidance. Make sure to give them enough time to read through the piece and provide feedback, preferably a couple of weeks or more. Implement their advice in your next essay. Then, have another person read it to make sure it’s better. If you make any more revisions, ask someone else to read the essay to check for typos and mistakes.

Types of Essay Scholarships

Academic achievement scholarships.

High school students can apply for Academic Achievement Scholarships to get financial support in recognition of their remarkable academic achievements. These scholarships are intended especially for students who have excelled academically throughout their high school careers. As they set out on their journey towards higher education, school students might investigate a number of scholarships that are available.

• The National Merit Scholarship is one such grant given to pupils who perform exceptionally well on the PSAT. Based on their academic performance, students who place in the top percentile are eligible to receive this distinguished grant.
• The Coca-Cola Scholars Program , which honors students for their leadership abilities, academic distinction, and community service, is another noteworthy scholarship. Students pursuing higher education at recognized institutions or universities are eligible to apply for scholarships under this program.
• The Gates Scholarship is a highly competitive award that offers low-income minority school students who demonstrate exceptional academic achievement complete financial support. The recipients of this scholarship have proven to be dedicated to community service, have great leadership abilities, and achieve well academically.

Students must complete certain requirements and meet particular criteria in order to be eligible for these scholarships. This could entail submitting recommendation letters, writing an essay, taking part in extracurricular activities, and maintaining a minimal grade point average.

Organizations hope to encourage academic achievement and assist school students in their pursuit of higher education by offering these scholarships. These programs provide high-achieving high school students recognition for their hard work and effort in addition to cash help.

Creative Writing Scholarships

Students who want to work in fiction, poetry, or screenwriting can apply for a number of creative writing scholarships. The Helen McCloy Scholarship from Mystery Writers of America (MWA) is one such award. The purpose of this fellowship is to assist prospective mystery fiction writers who show promise in the field.

Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents and enrolled in an authorized 4-year college or university in the country in order to be eligible for the MWA Helen McCloy Scholarship. They must also be majoring in creative writing, English, or a related subject, be in their junior year or higher, and be really interested in creating mysteries or thrillers. In addition, candidates must submit a statement of intent outlining their writing objectives and why they ought to be given consideration for the scholarship, as well as a sample of their mystery fiction writing.

Additional grants for creative writing are offered by the Janelle Gray Preyer Scholarship, which helps deserving students majoring in creative writing or English, and the Academy of American Poets Prize, which recognizes exceptional undergraduate poets. These scholarships offer young authors who are following their passion for fiction, poetry, and screenplay both cash support and recognition. To improve their chances of getting financing for their artistic endeavors, students who are interested in these scholarships should thoroughly understand the qualifying conditions and scholarship application procedures.

Career-Specific Scholarships

Several career-specific scholarships are available for Indigenous students, single moms, persons of color, undocumented students, and LGBTQIA+ students, according to the background information that was provided. The purpose of these scholarships is to assist members of underrepresented groups who want to work in particular industries.

The Indigenous Education Scholarship is a well-liked choice for Indigenous students. Indigenous students pursuing jobs in a range of disciplines, such as healthcare, teaching, engineering, and more, can apply for this award to receive financial support. For Indigenous students interested in STEM fields, the American Indian Science and Engineering Society also provides a number of scholarships.

Scholarships such as the Patsy Takemoto Mink Education Foundation Scholarship are beneficial for single mothers who wish to work in particular industries. This fellowship is intended to assist low-income women who want to pursue vocational training or higher education, particularly single mothers.

For persons of color, there are other scholarships tailored to specific careers, including the Gates Millennium Scholars Program. Undergraduate students from minority backgrounds who intend to work in science, mathematics, teaching, engineering, or healthcare are eligible to apply for this prize and move forward with their career goals.

Scholarships like TheDream.US , which give undocumented high school graduates the chance to continue postsecondary education in a variety of subjects, can help undocumented students.

LGBTQIA+ students with a focus on particular professions can look into scholarships such as the Point Foundation Scholarship. LGBTQIA+ students interested in careers in the arts, business, healthcare, STEM, and other fields are supported by this scholarship.

In conclusion, students who identify as LGBTQIA+, Indigenous, single mothers, persons of color, or lack legal status can apply for a range of career-specific awards. The goals of these scholarships are to help underrepresented people succeed financially and to open doors for them to do so.

Field-of-Study Specific Scholarships

Area of study Grants given to both high school and undergraduate students studying a particular field of study are known as specialized scholarships. These scholarships, which offer financial support to people who aspire to succeed in a particular field of interest, are quite pertinent to the subject.

Field-of-study scholarships, in contrast to general scholarships, are designed to meet the particular requirements of students pursuing undergraduate degrees in specific fields including engineering, medicine, the arts, and sciences. These scholarships are intended to foster and develop the abilities of students who are enthusiastic about a particular subject, acknowledging the value of doing so.

It is crucial to remember that field-of-study scholarships could have further requirements in addition to the GPA and essay, including extracurricular activities or certain courses pertaining to the chosen field of study. Scholarships for the arts may require the submission of a portfolio of the applicant's creative work, whereas scholarships for engineering students may require applicants to show competency in math and science.

Students who apply for field-of-study scholarships stand to win recognition for their commitment to and enthusiasm for their chosen field in addition to receiving financial aid for their education. These scholarships help students realize their goals and make a positive impact on their particular sectors by providing a method of advancing their academic and professional aspirations.

Frequently asked questions about essay scholarships

What are the best essay scholarships.

There are many essay scholarships that provide generous rewards with simple-to-understand requirements. The John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Essay Contest awards $10,000 to students who describe political courage using several primary and secondary sources. The essay should be between 700 and 1,000 words, not including citations.

The Umps Care All-Star College Scholarship gives out $5,000 per semester to students attending a four-year institution. To qualify, you must have been adopted at age 13 or later, or have been in foster care since the age of 13. Scholarship winners will also receive support from a Major League Baseball umpire and their family.

How long are essay scholarships?

Word requirements vary wildly depending on the scholarship provider, but are often between 500 and 1,000 words. However, some popular essays may have longer requirements. For example, the Elie Wiesel Prize In Ethics Essay Contest asks for an essay between 3,000 and 4,000 words.

Some scholarships will ask for a certain page length instead of a specific word count. Make sure to read through the word count or page requirements before starting. If an essay has a broad range, try to write closer to the max. Be sure never to exceed the maximum number of pages or words. Some scholarship providers may disqualify you altogether for going over the word count, even if it is only by 5 or 10 words. Follow the instructions to the letter to be on the safe side.

Can I use the same essay for multiple scholarships?

While it’s unlikely that a scholarship provider will find out if you’re reusing an essay, you should not just copy and paste one essay to another scholarship form. Make sure that the old essay fits the current prompt; you may have to make adjustments before submitting. If you’re using a recycled essay, have someone else look at the prompt to see if it still works. You may be able to keep some of the same parts and only have to write a small portion from scratch.

Are you seeking one-on-one college counseling and/or essay support? Limited spots are now available. Click here to learn more.

100 Great College Scholarships for High School Seniors – 2024

June 25, 2024

Our list of the 100 best college scholarships for high school seniors is intended to guide you toward a wide range of opportunities in the world of private scholarships. These include no essay scholarships as well as offerings for those pursuing specific majors like nursing or education as well as members of minority groups.

At the same time, we want to remind all prospective college students not to spend an excessive amount of time in pursuit of private scholarships, particularly at the expense of more fruitful avenues. In one recent year roughly $234 billion in total student aid was awarded to undergraduate students. The overwhelming majority of student aid comes from the federal government and institutional aid from colleges and universities is the second largest source, accounting for $71 billion; state governments give just $12 billion of total aid. Only 7% of the total aid handed out comes in the form of employer and private scholarships, a number that doesn’t quite support all of the hype

Focus on Merit Aid Directly from Colleges

In an effort to boost attendance and meet enrollment targets, many colleges have devoted an increasing share of their budgets to attracting desirable students via the offering of merit-based (i.e., non-need-based) financial aid. Using merit scholarships to lure high-achieving or high-scoring students can improve a college’s ranking and eventually its desirability, ultimately fueling enrollment. And because “high-achieving” and “desirable” are relative terms, students don’t have to be academic superstars to earn merit money. A number of reputable schools now offer sizable merit awards to “B” students.

Don’t Forget to Fill Out a FAFSA/CSS Profile

For those with significant financial need, the federal government continues to be the largest source of student aid. Each year, roughly 40 billion dollars, money that comes in the form of Pell Grants, work-study programs, and educational tax breaks is awarded to families. Additionally, the feds loan out close to 85 billion with a far more favorable terms than private lenders. That’s over 125 billion dollars handed out each year for higher education, a sum greater than the Gross National Product of all but 58 countries in the world. The bottom line is that there is a substantial amount of federal money available, so filling out a FAFSA is certainly worth your time.

100 Best College Scholarships for High School Seniors – 2024

No essay scholarships.

Looking for scholarships that you can apply for in less time than it takes to brush your teeth? Here are some legitimate entities that offer regular no essay scholarships that allow real students to take home cash for college.

1) Niche No Essay Scholarship

Niche is giving one student $2,000 to put toward tuition, housing, books or other college expenses — no essay required.

• Value: $2,000

2) Scholarships 360 No Essay Scholarship

The Scholarships 360 $10,000 “No Essay” Scholarship is open to all students who want some extra help paying for their education.

• Value: $10,000

3) Sallie Mae Scholarship

Takes less than 2 minutes to enter. New winners drawn monthly.

College Scholarships for High School Seniors (Continued)

4) collegexpress no essay scholarship.

Those with an account on this site are automatically entered to win.

5) Be Bold No Essay Scholarship

The scholarship will be awarded to the student whose profile is most bold, according to these characteristics. Earnest, Determined, and Moving.

• Value: $25,000

6) Scholarship Owl No Essay Scholarship

50 winners per year. You’ll need to sign up for an account. 1/140,000 chance of winning.

• Value: $1,000

7) CollegeVine No Essay Scholarship

All students enrolled in high school or looking to attend college next year who apply by the deadline will qualify for the scholarship. The winner of the scholarship will be chosen based on a lottery system and notified via email.

8) US Bank Scholarship

Complete free, in-app lessons about personal finance topics. The more modules you finish, the more scholarship money you could win.

• Value: $20,000

9) Unigo No Essay Scholarship

This $10,000 Unigo Scholarship is open to any applicant who is 14 years of age or older and is a legal resident of the 50 United States or the District of Columbia.

10) College Board No Essay Scholarship

The $10,000 “No Essay” Scholarship is available to students who are seeking a postsecondary education, including returning adult learners. U.S. citizens and permanent residents are welcome to apply.

Merit-Based Scholarships – College Scholarships for High School Seniors

11) coca-cola scholarship .

The Coca-Cola Scholars Program scholarship is an achievement-based scholarship awarded to students in their final year of high school. Students are recognized for their capacity to lead and serve, as well as their commitment to making a significant impact on their schools and communities. Visit our blog on How to Win a Coca-Cola Scholarship for more details. 150 Students are selected for a $20,000 award per year.

12) Equitable Excellence Scholarship

Equitable will provide 100 $5,000 annual scholarships that will be renewed to award recipients each academic year for four years, for a total of $20,000 per recipient.

13) Davidson Fellows Scholarship

We award $50,000, $25,000 and $10,000 scholarships to gifted and high-achieving students, 18 years old or under, who have completed a significant piece of work.

• Value: $10,000-$25,000

14) National Honor Society Scholarship

Each year, scholarship recipients are selected based on their demonstration of the four pillars of NHS: Scholarship, Service, Leadership, and Character.

• Value: $3,200-$25,000

15) The Elks Foundation – Most Valuable Student 

The Elks National Foundation will award 500 four-year scholarships to the highest-rated applicants in the 2025 competition.

• Value: $1,000-$7,000

16) The Gates Scholarship 

This prestigious scholarship program is based on evidence that by eliminating the financial barriers to college, a last-dollar scholarship can enable high-potential, low-income minority students to excel in their coursework, graduate college, and continue to be leaders throughout their lives.

• Value: Full Cost of Attendance

17) Burger King Scholars Program

Offers a track for the general public as well as employees.

• Value: $1,000-$50,000

18) QuestBridge Match Scholarship 

Dream  big  and apply for full four-year scholarships to over 50 top colleges through QuestBridge.

• Value: Over $325,000

19) Cameron Impact Scholarship 

The Cameron Impact Scholarship is a four-year, full-tuition, impact-driven undergraduate scholarship awarded annually to 10-15 exceptional high school students who have demonstrated excellence in leadership, community service, extracurricular activities, and academics.

20) Jack Kent Cooke Scholarship Program

Open to students who intend to pursue research careers in the natural sciences, mathematics and engineering.

• Value: Up to $55,000

Scholarships for African American Students – College Scholarships for High School Seniors

21) hbcu sustainable communities initiative scholarship.

Scholarship applications are open to students from eligible HBCUs majoring in STEM, business, and sustainability-related disciplines.

• Value: $5,000 (renewable)

22) APA Foundation Diversity Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded annually to students intending to pursue careers as practicing planners who will diversify the profession and who can demonstrate a genuine financial need.

• Value: $5,000

23) Lee Aca Thompson Performing Arts Scholarship

Any BIPOC undergraduate or graduate student who is pursuing the performing arts may apply for this scholarship.

24) HM Family Scholarship

This scholarship seeks to support ambitious BIPOC students who are exploring educational and professional STEM opportunities.

25) Endeavor Design Scholarship

The Endeavor Design Scholarship is offered in support of creating racial equity in the fields of Sportswear/Active Apparel Design, Fashion Apparel/Accessories Design & Footwear Design.

• Value: $1,865

26) Jerzee Foundation Scholarship

Any African American high school senior or undergraduate student with a minimum 2.5 GPA who is attending or will attend an HBCU may apply for this scholarship.

27) PlayStation Career Pathways Scholarship

PlayStation Career Pathways is a multi-year career readiness program that elevates the next generation of business, creative and technical talent, bridges the opportunity gap, and removes financial barriers to higher education. Pathways Scholars get access to scholarships, mentorships and insider gaming industry expertise.

• Value: Up to $30,000

28) CATALYSTS Scholarship

Black/African American undergraduate students are eligible to apply if they have a GPA of 2.8 or higher and have internship or work experience regarding social impact.

29) Anderson Engineering Scholarship

Any BIPOC undergraduate student who is pursuing engineering may apply for this scholarship opportunity, but applicants who are enrolled in co-op engineering programs are preferred.

• Value: $7,000

30) ESOF Scholarship

This scholarship seeks to support minority students who need monetary support to pursue higher education at a Historically Black College or University (HBCU).

• Value: $1,500

Scholarships for Hispanic Students – College Scholarships for High School Seniors

31) overcoming adversity carino scholarship.

Any Latinx high school senior student from the state of Washington who has a history of overcoming adversity may apply.

32) Futbol is Life Scholarship 

This scholarship seeks to celebrate and reward exceptional Hispanic students who exhibit outstanding academic performance and actively participate in a competitive soccer team.

• Value: $4,000

33) The Alliance/Merck Ciencia (Science) Hispanic Scholars Program

Open to students of Hispanic heritage who are seniors attending a high school in Brownsville, TX; Elizabeth, NJ; or Los Angeles, CA.

• Value: $2,000-$42,000

34) Se Vale Sonar Scholarship

This scholarship is to help and encourage first-generation, Latino/a, low-income high school students with academic success in pursuing a higher education.

35) Barreir Opportunity Scholarship 

Any high school senior or undergraduate student of Hispanic heritage who is from a single-parent, low-income household and displays academic potential and commitment to community service may apply for this scholarship opportunity.

36) Cybersecurity & The Latinx Community Scholarship

This scholarship aims to support Latinx students who are pursuing higher education in cybersecurity.

37) Hispanic Climb to Success Scholarship 

This scholarship is specifically designed to provide support to low-income Hispanic and Latinx students in New York,

38) El Café Del Futuro Scholarship

Each year, they offer multiple $5,000 scholarships to college students at institutions that are members of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU).

39) Prospanica Foundation Scholarships

Prospanica is proud to offer a select number of scholarships for qualified undergraduate and graduate business students committed to making a positive change through their contributions to society.

• Value: Up to $5,000

40) Hispanic Heritage Youth Awards

Open to Latino high school seniors who excel in the classroom and community and for their excellence in various categories including: Business & Entrepreneurship, Community Service, Education, Healthcare & Science, Media & Entertainment, and Technology & Engineering.

• Value: $3,500

Scholarships for First-Generation Students – College Scholarships for High School Seniors

41) ifsa first generation college student scholarship.

Designed to give first-generation college students a chance to benefit from the life-changing experience of studying abroad.

• Value: $2,500

42) Dorrance Scholarship

The Dorrance Scholarship is a need-based award that aims to instill college-going traditions in future generations of Arizona families.

• Value: $12,000

43) I’m First! Scholarship

Students must demonstrate financial need and also show a strong interest in their communities through volunteer work.

• Value:$2,000

44) NFA First Generation in College Scholarship

The First Generation in College Scholarship is a merit-based, one-time monetary award granted to a flutist currently enrolled in or accepted to attend an accredited college, university or conservatory in the United States.

45) Golden Door Scholars Program 

Golden Door Scholars provides DACAmented & undocumented students with the financial aid and support needed to invest in their education and define their futures.

• Value: $40,000

46) StudySoup First in Family Scholarship

The winning student will be able to clearly demonstrate leadership qualities, commitment to their education, and a capacity to triumph over challenges.

47) UNCF Coca-Cola First Generation Scholarship

The Coca-Cola First Generation Scholarship is available to students who are the first in their family to attend a 4-year college or university.

48) Florida FGMG

Be a Florida resident and a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen. A student’s residency and citizenship status are determined by the postsecondary institution.

• Value: Varies

49) Sallie Mae and Hispanic College Fund First in My Family Scholarship

Applicants must be Hispanic and a U.S. citizen or permanent resident of the United States. They need to have a minimum GPA of 3.0 and be an undergraduate attending school full-time in the United States or Puerto Rico.

• Value: $500-$5,000

50) Smith Scholarship Foundation

Applicants must be Alabama residents who are graduating high school seniors, have a minimum 2.3 GPA, and have taken or plan to take the SAT or ACT.

Scholarships for Women in Stem – College Scholarships for High School Seniors

51) engineering and technical science achievement scholarship.

Engineering and Technical Science Achievement Scholarship provides financial assistance to women who are working on an undergraduate degree in a field of engineering or technical science are eligible to apply.

• Value: Awards Vary

52) Palantir Women in Technology Scholarship

They hope to encourage women to pursue computer science, engineering, and technical studies, and to become leaders in these fields.

53) Virginia Heinlein Memorial Scholarship

The “Virginia Heinlein Memorial Scholarship” is dedicated to a female candidate majoring in engineering, math, or biological or physical sciences.

54) BHW Women in STEM Scholarship

Women who are pursuing an undergraduate or master’s degree and are majoring in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics.

• Value: $3,000

55) Women at Microsoft Scholarship

The Women at Microsoft Scholarship is dedicated to supporting high school senior women and non-binary individuals who are targeting a career in STEAM fields.

56) Aysen Tunca Memorial Scholarship

Awarded to a female undergraduate student majoring in a STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) field, excelling in her studies, and demonstrating significant potential.

57) UPS Scholarship for Female Students

58) michigan council of women in technology undergraduate scholarship.

Our scholarship program encourages talented female students (high school seniors and current college/university students) to continue their higher education and ultimately help Michigan become the No. 1 state for girls and women in technology.

• Value: $1,000-$5,000

59) Learner Education Women in Mathematics Scholarship

To be eligible for this scholarship, applicants must be enrolled in an undergraduate mathematics or related fields degree program at a 4-year, 2-year, vocational, or technical institution in the United States OR a graduating high school senior who has plans to study mathematics or related fields.

60) SNC Women in STEM Scholarship

This scholarship program is designed to encourage women to pursue careers in currently underrepresented fields and industries.

• Value: $7,500

Scholarships for Native American Students – College Scholarships for High School Seniors

61) cherokee nation higher education scholarships.

Cherokee Nation scholarships are available for eligible tribal citizens residing within the Cherokee Nation reservation and contiguous boundaries or citizens who are eligible for the Pell grant and live outside those areas. Eligible high school juniors and seniors may also qualify for concurrent college classes.

• Value: Awards vary.

62) Minnesota Indian Scholarship Program

Minnesota Indian Scholarship Program provides postsecondary financial assistance to eligible Minnesota resident students who demonstrate financial need for an award.

63) Chickasaw Nation Scholarships

This program provides a wide variety of higher education grants, scholarships and incentives to Chickasaw college students each semester.

• Value: Up to $4,500

64) Hopi Tribe Grants and Scholarships Program

Their goal is to provide quality services to the Hopi people by enhancing a full range of educational opportunities.

65) Catching the Dream Program

Catching the Dream has three separate scholarship programs, the MESBEC, NALE, and TBM program.

66) American Indian College Fund Scholarship

The American Indian College Fund has a close relationship with the  35 accredited Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCU) . Students attending TCUs are eligible for all the different merit-based scholarship programs we offer.

• Value: $2,000-$3,000

67) Cobell Scholarship Program

Providing elevated opportunities for high achieving, community involved Native college students with leadership experience through empowering them with an impactful scholarship experience designed to support their success in higher education.

• Value: Up to $6,000

68) Ke Ali’I Pauahi Foundation

Many awards may be determined based on merit, while some are restricted for students who demonstrate financial need or for students applying from specific geographic regions.

69) Association on American Indian Affairs Scholarships

Be enrolled with your respective Tribe, either federally recognized or non-federally recognized Native Nation, from the continental US or Alaska and possess a minimum GPA of 2.5.

70) American Indian Services Scholarships

The AIS Scholarship program is to help  undergraduate Native American students  with financial support to attend college, maintain enrollment, and graduate.

Scholarships for High School Seniors – Education Majors

70) teach grant.

The TEACH Grant Program provides grants of up to $4,000 a year to students who are completing or plan to complete coursework needed to begin a career in teaching.

71) Epsilon Sigma Alpha Scholarship

The ESA Foundation has awarded  more than $3 million  in scholarships and continues to award numerous scholarships annually. You  do not have to be an ESA member to apply for a scholarship, and our application process is 100% online.

72) James F. Reville Scholarship

The James F. Reville Scholarship is presented to an individual who intends to pursue a career related to the field of intellectual or other developmental disabilities such as behavioral sciences, social work, nursing, healthcare administration and management or psychology.

• Value:$3,000

73) Early Childhood Educators Scholarship Program

The T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood Pennsylvania Scholarship Program offers early learning professionals a debt-free higher education, supporting them while they work to become stronger teachers and earn thriving wages.

• Value: Up to $4,500 per semester

74) Mrs. Prindables Future Educator Scholarship

Open to any incoming freshman or current student majoring in education.

75) Underwood-Smith Teacher Scholarship

The Underwood-Smith Teaching Scholars Program is a competitive scholarship for recent high school graduates with a passion for teaching and a history of high academic achievement, community service, and active involvement in extracurricular activities while in high school.

• Value: $10,000 (renewable)

76) Middle Class Scholarship

The Middle Class Scholarship is for undergraduates and students in California pursuing a teaching credential with family income and assets up to $217,000.

77) Barbara Lotze Scholarship for Future Physics Teachers

The AAPT Board of Directors offers scholarships for future high school physics teachers. Undergraduate students enrolled, or planning to enroll, in physics teacher preparation curricula and high school seniors entering such programs are eligible.

78) Next Generation Hoosier Educators Scholarship

The Next Generation Hoosier Educators Scholarship provides high-achieving high school and college students interested in pursuing a career in education the opportunity to earn a renewable scholarship of up to $10,000 each year for four academic years. In exchange, students agree to teach for five years at an eligible Indiana school or repay the corresponding, prorated amount of the scholarship.

• Value: $10,000 (renewable each year)

79) Teacher Education Scholarships

Every year, the American Montessori Society awards teacher education scholarships to aspiring Montessori teachers in support of their professional growth.

80) Charles Butt Scholarship for Aspiring Teachers

The Charles Butt Scholarship for Aspiring Teachers was designed to encourage and support Texas’ most promising students to pursue a career in teaching through one of the state’s best university-based teacher preparation programs.

• Value: $8,000-$10,000 per year

Scholarships for High School Seniors – Nursing Students

81) emergency nurses association foundation scholarships.

To further advance emergency nursing, the ENA Foundation proudly offers educational scholarships annually. Offerings include academic scholarships, available to members and nonmembers seeking to further their education with degrees ranging from associates to doctoral degrees.

82) National CPR Association

The National CPR Association invite you to join our Healthcare Training Scholarship Plan to aid you in your endeavors to become a qualified professional in your chosen field.

83) GoodRx Nurses for Change Scholarship

Be a current, enrolled student pursuing a healthcare or allied healthcare career at an accredited program recognized by the student’s state. Have a minimum grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (or its equivalent). Self-identify as a person from an underrepresented population in the healthcare field.

• Value: $5,000 (renewable for four years)

84) Philippe Forton Scholarship

The Philippe Forton Scholarship aims to honor Philippe by supporting high school seniors pursuing nursing in post-secondary education.

85) Kansas Nursing Service Scholarship

The Kansas Nursing Service Scholarship is designed to encourage enrollment in LPN or RN nursing programs by Kansans committed to practicing in Kansas. Recipients sign an agreement/promissory note with the State of Kansas to practice nursing at a specific facility one year for each year of scholarship support.

• Value: $4,500 (renewable each school year)

86) Nursing Foundation of Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania nursing students at all levels of study are eligible to apply, provided they are matriculated in an accredited nursing school in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania by the upcoming Fall semester. This includes students in their final year of high school who plan to pursue a nursing degree.

87) Hurst Review Services AACN Nursing Scholarship

Hurst Review and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) are partnering to offer this scholarship program that recognizes and rewards entry-level nursing students for outstanding academic performance. All applicants must already be enrolled in an AACN member institution and maintain at least a 3.2 grade point average in their current program or last school attended.

88) Gender-Inclusion Scholarship

The applications will be evaluated on a weighted scale using the following categories, listed with the areas of highest emphasis first: Personal statement, financial need, volunteer/community service history, professional associations, reference letter, academic status, honors/awards, resume, certifications, and workload.

89) Jane Delano Student Nurse Scholarship

The Jane Delano Nursing Student Scholarship which promotes nursing as a career and encourages new nurses to get involved with the Red Cross. A limited number of scholarships are awarded each year.

90) Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium Board of Directors Scholarship

The Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium (ANTHC) awards 10 competitive $5,000 scholarships to qualified Alaska Native and American Indian students. This scholarship is open statewide

Scholarships for High School Seniors – Psychology Majors

91) jake thomas williams memorial scholarship.

For a high school senior majoring in social work, therapy, or psychology and planning a career in mental health or suicide prevention.

• Value: $2,750

92) David L. Burns Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship aims to provide assistance to students in Missouri who are dedicated to supporting individuals grappling with addiction. It is open to students entering professions aimed at aiding individuals during their most challenging moments. Eligible fields include nursing, counseling/mental health, social work, and related careers.

93) Psi Chi Undergraduate Scholarships

The Psi Chi Undergraduate Scholarships help defray the direct educational costs (e.g., tuition, institutional fees, required textbooks) of exceptional Psi Chi undergraduate students.

94) Sharon Stephens Brehm Undergraduate Psychology Scholarships

Each year, their Sharon Stephens Brehm Undergraduate Psychology Scholarships award $5,000 to seven outstanding undergraduate psychology students who demonstrate financial need.

95) Inez Beverly Prosser Scholarship for Women of Color

This scholarship serves as a mechanism to empower women of color to complete their educational journey and pursue an advanced degree in psychology, and take a step toward supporting representation and impact of women of color in psychology, this scholarship will help defray the direct educational costs.

96) National Institutes of Health (NIH) Undergraduate Scholarship

A college scholarship program for undergraduate students committed to careers in biomedical, behavioral, and social science research.

97) Workforce Shortage Student Assistance Grant Program

To be considered for the Workforce Shortage Student Assistance Grant you must be a Maryland resident. If you are a dependent student, your parent must also be a Maryland resident. You must also enroll at a two-year or four-year Maryland college or university each semester.

98) Aya Healthcare Future Travel Nurse Scholarship

Scholarships are available to students with a 3.0 and an interest in becoming a traveling nurse.

99) Bethesda Lutheran Communities Scholarship

Supports Lutheran students pursuing undergraduate degrees and seminarian and post-graduate students that will prepare them for ministry (such as pastor, pre-seminary and deaconess studies, deaconess, director of Christian education, or special-needs teacher),

100) Bilingual School Psychologist Scholarships

Applicants are evaluated on their leadership, work experiences, and passion to transform the bilingual speech-language pathology field.

• Value: $7,000-$9,000

College Scholarships for High School Seniors – Additional Blogs of Interest

• 26 Most Expensive Colleges in 2024
• Automatic Scholarships Based on SAT/ACT Scores
• Best Scholarships for California Scholarships 
• Most Common Scholarship Interview Questions
• How to Win Merit Scholarships 
• National Merit Scholarship PSAT Score Cutoff by State
• How to Write a Scholarship Essay
• Costs & Financial Aid

Dave Bergman

Dave has over a decade of professional experience that includes work as a teacher, high school administrator, college professor, and independent educational consultant. He is a co-author of the books The Enlightened College Applicant (Rowman & Littlefield, 2016) and Colleges Worth Your Money (Rowman & Littlefield, 2020).

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The 5 best scholarships for college students.

Key takeaways

Using multiple search engines can help you find a wide variety of scholarship opportunities

Stay organized as you apply to avoid missed deadlines or incomplete submissions

Browse social media websites and popular hashtags to find options not listed on scholarship search engines

With student loan debt continuing to affect borrowers for years, even decades, after graduation, it’s more important than ever for college students to lower their tuition bill. Scholarships, or college aid that never has to be repaid, are one way to reduce education-related costs. They offer students the chance to showcase unique skills, backgrounds and perspectives to earn money for college.

Scholarships aren’t limited to high school seniors; there are plenty of scholarships for current college students. The best scholarships to apply for are ones that you qualify for and win. To get an idea of what scholarships are out there, here are some great options to consider — and some tips on how to find the perfect scholarship for you.

Where to find undergraduate scholarships worth applying for

One of the best ways to find college scholarships is to utilize scholarship search engines that compile scholarship opportunities for undergraduate students. These include:

CollegeScholarships.org

College Board

Going Merry

ScholarshipOwl

Scholarships.com

On these sites, you can usually filter scholarships by the deadline, grade level, amount awarded and more. Most sites let you create a profile to receive email alerts when a new scholarship matching your parameters pops up.

But don’t limit your search to just these sites. Look for specific scholarships on Google using keywords that apply to you. For example, if you’re studying journalism, search for “journalism scholarship” to find relevant opportunities.

You can also follow scholarship hashtags like #scholarship, #scholarships, #scholarshipopportunities and #collegescholarship on Instagram and X (formerly known as Twitter). When you click on a post with one of these hashtags, scroll down to find other relevant hashtags and follow those too.

5 scholarships for current college students worth applying for

There are hundreds of college scholarships out there, and the best way to find ones you qualify for is to use a search engine. However, these five scholarships are a good place to start.

1. U.S. Bank Student Scholarship Program

The U.S. Bank Scholarship Program is a unique way for current students to gain financial literacy while entering to win scholarships. Instead of submitting an essay, college students download an app and complete free lessons on personal finance topics. The scholarship award increases as students complete more modules. For example, students who complete 25+ modules will be entered to win up to $2,500, while students who complete 150+ modules will be entered to win up to $20,000.

Applicants are required to register on the U.S. Bank scholarship site and then follow instructions to download the U.S. Bank version of the Zogo app, where they complete the learning modules. As you complete modules, you’ll be entered to win different scholarship amounts.

Amount: $2,500-$20,000 Application deadline: June 30 and October 30, 2024 Apply here: https://www.usbank.com/about-us-bank/community/student-scholarship.html

2. Cat Zingano Overcoming Loss Scholarship

Cat Zingano is an MMA fighter passionate about helping students fight through hardships in daily life and after tragedies. The Cat Zingano Overcoming Loss Scholarship is specifically offered to students who have experienced a loss in their families. The winner is selected based on a 200- to 800-word essay on the topic “How has the loss of a close family member or loved one caused you to focus on what matters most in your life and what you want to ‘fight’ to achieve?”

Amount: $10,000 Application deadline: July 20, 2024 Apply here: https://bold.org/scholarships/cat-zingano-scholarship/

3. Employment BOOST College Scholarship

Employment BOOST College Scholarships are awarded quarterly to high school students accepted to college and current college students. Employment BOOST offers two awards: one scholarship for students in any major (including those undecided) and one for students majoring in business or STEM.

Applicants must submit a letter of reference and a 500- to 1,000-word essay. The topic of the essay is either a response to an Allen Ginsberg poem or a description of how technology will change the applicant’s way of life in 15 years — the essay topic depends on the applicant’s major. Students must also have a GPA of at least 3.6 to qualify.

Amount: $1,000 Application deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis Apply here: https://employmentboost.com/scholarship

4. Sallie Mae Scholarship

The Sallie Mae scholarship is an easy way for current college students to potentially win tuition money as Sallie Mae’s goal is to help students successfully navigate financing college. As a current college student, the only requirement is that you are enrolled in an accredited college or university in the U.S.

The award is given monthly. Applicants will need to submit the short entry form on Sallie Mae ‘s website. If a submission is received after the current deadline, it will be considered for the next one.

Amount: $2,000 Application deadline: Awarded on a monthly basis Apply here: https://www.salliemae.com/scholarships/2k-scholarship/

5. Clubs of America Scholarship Program

The Clubs of America Scholarship Program was created to help current college students achieve their career aspirations. Any current college student of an accredited U.S. college or university with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher is eligible. Applicants have to write an essay of at least 600 words detailing their career aspirations and how their current studies will help. Students have the option of submitting a YouTube video as well.

Amount: $1,000 Application deadline: August 31, 2024 Apply here: https://www.greatclubs.com/scholarship/

Bankrate insight

While scholarships are a great way to pay for your education, having a budget is also important for your financial health. Check out our college student budget calculator to help you plan out the year.

Applying for multiple scholarships can get confusing, especially when juggling different requirements and due dates. The key is to stay organized and create a system for managing scholarships.

Many scholarships have similar requirements, so keep digital copies of important documents, like your most recent transcript, a reference letter and a list of your extracurricular activities. To stay organized, use a spreadsheet to track deadlines and set calendar reminders a week before the application is due. Keeping all this information in one place will make it easier to apply for more awards. The more scholarships you apply for, the easier it will be to find the money for school and help reduce the amount of federal or private student loans you take out, so try to apply for as many as you qualify for.

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Student-centric advice and objective recommendations

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California College Promise Grant: What It Is and How to Apply

Cece Gilmore is a Content Writer at Scholarships360. Cece earned her undergraduate degree in Journalism and Mass Communications from Arizona State University. While at ASU, she was the education editor as well as a published staff reporter at Downtown Devil. Cece was also the co-host of her own radio show on Blaze Radio ASU.

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Maria Geiger is Director of Content at Scholarships360. She is a former online educational technology instructor and adjunct writing instructor. In addition to education reform, Maria’s interests include viewpoint diversity, blended/flipped learning, digital communication, and integrating media/web tools into the curriculum to better facilitate student engagement. Maria earned both a B.A. and an M.A. in English Literature from Monmouth University, an M. Ed. in Education from Monmouth University, and a Virtual Online Teaching Certificate (VOLT) from the University of Pennsylvania.

California can be an expensive state for students in terms of cost of living and tuition. However, if you are a California resident you could be eligible for the California College Promise Grant that allows you to attend community college in California for free! Keep reading to learn more about the California College Promise Grant! 

What is the California College Promise Grant? 

The California College Promise Grant allows eligible California residents to have community college enrollment fees waived including tuition. However, you will still have to pay for textbooks and the cost of fees such as parking fees and health fees. 

Also see: Top California scholarships

Who is eligible for the California College Promise Grant? 

In order to be eligible for the California College Promise Grant you will need to meet the following criteria: 

• Lived in California for at least one year as a resident or AB 540 eligible student
• Demonstrate financial need on the FAFSA
• Meet academic standards by maintaining a GPA of 2.0 or higher and completing more than 50% of your coursework 

What schools qualify for the California College Promise Grant? 

Most California community colleges ! Be sure to double check with your community college’s particular rules for enrollment in order to ensure they offer the program and that you qualify for the California College Promise Grant.

Related: Top reasons to attend a community college

How do I apply for the California College Promise Grant?

In order to apply for the California College Promise Grant you must complete the following steps: 

• Submit the FAFSA or CADAA
• Submit your community college application at CCCApply.org

It is important to note that the application opens during the summer semester of each academic year and must be completed every year. 

The application itself is quite simple (especially in comparison to the FAFSA application!). It is a two-page application in which you provide information about yourself and your parents if you are a dependent student . 

What about the remaining fees I need to pay? 

The California College Promise Grant only covers tuition and certain fees. Therefore, you may be wondering about how to pay for the other expenses such as books or room and board . Luckily, a lot of community colleges in the California area offer their own promise grants in addition which can cover those types of expenses. For example, some colleges will offer book vouchers, counseling services and priority class registration in addition to free tuition. 

The application process for the school-specific promise grants varies based on the specific school. Therefore, be sure to research schools you are interested in to find out eligibility criteria as well as how to enroll in these programs. 

Also see: Which states offer tuition-free community college?

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Frequently asked questions about the California College Promise Grant

Do i have to pay back the california college promise grant, do i only need to apply once, how long can i receive the california college promise grant.

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More From Forbes

Harvard business school announces 3 new application essays.

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Harvard Business School.

Harvard Business School announced a surprising departure from its single, open-ended application essay to three short essays with specific prompts. The HBS website sums up the kind of applicant the school is seeking: “We are looking for future leaders who are passionate about business, leadership, and growth.”

The prompts for the class that will begin in fall 2025 instruct applicants to address each topic in turn.

• Business-Minded Essay : Please reflect on how your experiences have influenced your career choices and aspirations and the impact you will have on the businesses, organizations, and communities you plan to serve. (up to 300 words)
• Leadership-Focused Essay : What experiences have shaped who you are, how you invest in others, and what kind of leader you want to become? (up to 250 words)
• Growth-Oriented Essay : Curiosity can be seen in many ways. Please share an example of how you have demonstrated curiosity and how that has influenced your growth. (up to 250 words)

The prompts ask applicants to go beyond simply asserting their allegiance to the ideals of business, leadership and growth. Each of the three questions asks for evidence: “experiences,” “experiences” and “an example,” respectively.

The prompts do not expect a straightforward list of what happened in the past. Rather, they encourage reflection on how these experiences affected present realities and future goals.

Applicants are asked to reflect on past, present and future as an ongoing process of becoming who they are now and who they wish to become. Even the “Business-Minded Essay” is about past choices and future impact; it also assumes you “plan to serve.” The “Leadership-Focused Essay” does not ask applicants to recite a list of titles, but to discuss who they are and how they relate to others; not what title they aspire to, but “what kind of leader you wish to become.”

Perhaps the most surprising essay prompt is No. 3, which asks about curiosity. It opens the door for applicants to discuss a more personal aspect of their candidacies. The prompt asks not about end result, but about the process of change. Once again, the emphasis is on “growth.”

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In short, the prompts ask about person and process.

How The 3 New Prompts Differ From Last Year’s Single Question

This year’s prompts give applicants more direction than the previous open-ended instruction, which was: “As we review your application, what more would you like us to know as we consider your candidacy for the Harvard Business School MBA program?”

Applicants may find it easier to follow these more detailed instructions and to stay on topic. They no longer need to face an open question and a blank page.

Another aid is the shorter word limit. The essay on being business-minded has a limit of 300 words, and the essays on leadership and growth through curiosity are limited to 250 words each.

A third difference is the specific inquiry about business. Last year’s prompt allowed candidates to choose anything they thought would be important for HBS to consider. Some applicants struggled to decide whether to focus on business or something beyond work. While the “Business-Minded Essay” is still personal, it does ask applicants to reflect on their careers.

One might also speculate that the new, more directive prompts makes it easier for the admissions committee to compare essays across applications, while still leaving room for considerable variation in how applicants choose to address the essay prompts.

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Guest Essay

How to Get Voters the Facts They Need Without a Trump Jan. 6 Trial

By Andrew Weissmann

Mr. Weissmann teaches at the New York University School of Law and is a co-host of the podcast Prosecuting Donald Trump.

The Supreme Court’s belated decision this week regarding presidential immunity is a defeat for presidential accountability, leaving Donald Trump, the only former president for whom the question of criminal immunity has been pushed this far, escaping legal consequences before the general election for his actions involving efforts to overturn the 2020 election.

The decision carves out absolute immunity for core presidential functions, including ominously questionable interactions with the Justice Department alleged to be illegal in the indictment from the special counsel Jack Smith. The court also creates a presumption of immunity for other official actions alleged in the Smith indictment.

By not deciding the case more than six months ago, when Mr. Smith first raised the issue to the court, it has also provided Mr. Trump de facto immunity. The court clearly believed that it had to weigh in on the scope of criminal immunity for a former president. But it could have weighed in then; the court has kept the criminal case on hold since December.

But all is not lost. A trial might not happen, but a legal proceeding that will give voters some of what they want and need could still take place.

A full trial before the general election in November is surely off the table, but Judge Tanya Chutkan of U.S. District Court in Washington is now authorized to hold, in short order, an evidentiary hearing, replete with important witness testimony. That hearing would not replace a full trial and verdict — but at this point it is the best and last means to make public crucial evidence for voters to hear before Election Day.

With the stay lifted by the Supreme Court, Judge Chutkan can hold a prompt hearing on the key issues left open by the ruling: what allegations in the indictment are core official functions entitled to absolute immunity and which are not.

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