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Niche $50,000 "No Essay" Scholarship

• Deadline December 31, 2024
• Amount $50,000
• Offered By Niche
• State National
• Description Help cover the cost of college without writing a single essay! Niche is giving one student $50,000 to help pay for tuition, housing, books and other college expenses — no essay required! High school seniors will also be eligible to receive acceptances (and scholarships!) from our Direct Admissions partner colleges. Fill out your Niche Profile with key details like your GPA and the high school you attend, and you’ll automatically be considered. Apply below for your chance to win so you can focus on your education, not your finances. Good luck!
• Essay Required :  No
• Recommendations Required :  No
• Minimum GPA :  None
• Major All majors
• Type Generic

GreenPal Scholarship for Tomorrow's Entrepreneur

• Deadline November 15, 2024
• Amount $2,000
• Offered By GreenPal Co.
• State Nationwide
• Description The purpose of The GreenPal Small Business Scholarship is to assist a motivated, driven student and future business leader. We believe that the generation of today's students are the future employers of tomorrow. The future of our county will be forged by the entrepreneurial spirit of today's generation.
• Essay Required :  Yes
• Minimum GPA :  3.5
• Major Sports Management, Marketing, Finance/Accounting, Economics, Business/Management

Sigma Kappa Service Scholarships

• Amount $750
• Offered By Sigma Kappa Delta
• Description Four $750 service scholarships are awarded to active SKD members who are actively involved in their chapter during the academic year of award. Award is provided by Sigma Kappa Delta (SKD), the two-year college English honor society.
• Recommendations Required :  Yes
• Major English

$ 2,000 Sallie Mae No Essay Scholarship

• Deadline November 30, 2024
• Offered By Sallie Mae
• Description Sallie Mae will award $2,000 each month to eligible entrants. No essay or account sign-ups, just a simple scholarship for those seeking help in paying for school.
• Minimum GPA :  No
• Find Student Loans

Craig and Galen Brown Foundation Scholarship

• Deadline December 1, 2024
• Amount Varies
• Offered By Texas A&M University
• Description The Craig and Galen Brown Foundation Scholarship is for students who qualify as a National Merit semifinalist.
• Major Engineering, Business, Biology, Chemistry
• Type Texas A&M University

Science, Mathematics And Research for Transformation (SMART) Scholarship for Service Program

• Amount Full Tuition
• Offered By U.S. Department of Defense
• Description The Science, Mathematics And Research for Transformation (SMART) Scholarship for Service Program is an opportunity for students pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines to receive a full scholarship and be gainfully employed upon degree completion.
• Major Veterinary Studies, Psychology, Pre-Medicine, Physics, Nutritional Science, Nursing, Mathematics/Statistics, Kinesiology/Exercise Science, Information Technology, Health Professions, Engineering, Earth Science/Geology, Dental Studies, Computer Science, Chemistry, Biology, Astronomy/Astrophysics

RISE Germany

• Deadline December 6, 2024
• Offered By German Academic Exchange Service
• Description RISE Germany offers undergraduate students from North American and British universities the opportunity to complete a summer research internship at top German universities and research institutions.
• Major Pre-Medicine, Biology, Chemistry, Astronomy/Astrophysics, Physics, Earth Science/Geology, Engineering

BPW/AZ Foundation Scholarships

• Deadline December 15, 2024
• Offered By Arizona Business & Professional Women's Foundation
• State Arizona
• Description This General scholarship provides funding for eligible women attending any Arizona community college.
• Major Any Major
• Type Female

North American Van Lines Logistics Scholarship

• Amount $1,000
• Offered By North American Van Lines
• Description North American Van Lines, one of the leading moving companies in the United States, is committed to supporting the community as well as the growth and development of the moving services and logistics industries. Five lucky qualified entrants will each win a $1,000 scholarship towards their degree in logistics or supply chain management at the college or university of their choice.

Delaware Engineering Society Scholarships

• Offered By Delaware Engineering Society
• State Delaware
• Description Open to all DE high school seniors who will enroll in an ABET-accredited college engineering program (in-state or out-of-state).
• Minimum GPA :  3.0
• Major Engineering

NEHS Scholarships

• Deadline January 8, 2025
• Offered By National English Honor Society for High Schools
• Description Annually, the National English Honor Society offers scholarships of varying amounts for NEHS graduating seniors planning on enrolling in two-year or four-year colleges/universities. Graduating seniors who hold membership in active chapters may apply for a one-year, non-renewing scholarship. Because these scholarship opportunities are offered exclusively to NEHS members, those members who take the time to submit a carefully crafted application have an increased chance of receiving an award.
• Recommendations Required :  Unknown

Jim McKay Scholarship

• Deadline January 9, 2025
• Amount $10,000
• Offered By National Collegiate Athletic Association
• Description Annually, one male and one female student-athlete are awarded a one-time $10,000 Jim McKay scholarship in recognition of outstanding academic achievement and their potential to make a major contribution to the sports communication industry.

Walter Byers Scholarship

• Amount $24,000
• Description Annually, one male and one female student-athlete are awarded a $24,000 Walter Byers postgraduate scholarship in recognition of outstanding academic achievement and potential for success in postgraduate study.

Clarkston Scholars Program

• Deadline January 15, 2025
• Offered By Clarkston Consulting
• State Pennsylvania
• Description Each year, the Clarkston Scholars Program provides one sophomore first-generation college student attending a four-year college or university undergraduate program in Pennsylvania, majoring in a life sciences related field of study, a $10,000 scholarship award ($5,000 per year for junior and senior year). In addition, the Clarkston Scholar will receive exposure to the life sciences industry through mentoring with Clarkston Consulting and participation in Pennsylvania Bio events over the course of the two-year scholarship award period.
• Minimum GPA :  3.75
• Major Pre-Medicine, Biology, Chemistry, NA

John E. Lobdell Undergraduate Scholarship

• Amount $1,500
• Offered By Alaska Anthropological Association
• Description The scholarship is designed to assist eligible students in their pursuit of an academic degree in anthropology, or a clearly related degree program/curriculum, or interdisciplinary degree that includes anthropology as a significant component. Students should have an interest in the anthropology of the north.
• Major Anthropology/Archaeology
• Type Alaska Anthropological Association Member

Washington Crossing Foundation Scholarship

• Offered By Washington Crossing Foundation
• Description The Board of Trustees is pleased to announce the annual National Washington Crossing Foundation Scholarship Awards for students completing twelfth grade (or final high school year) in 2023 who are planning careers in government service.
• Major History, Political Science, Legal Studies, International Relations, General Studies, Economics, Social Sciences

Haffizulla Family Scholarship

• Deadline January 19, 2025
• Offered By American Medical Women's Association
• Description This scholarship is meant to perpetuate the involvement of young leaders in disease prevention and national health and wellness. A maximum of two scholarships each in the amount of $1,000 will be awarded by Dr. Farzanna Haffizulla or her designee during the annual AMWA awards luncheon held at the annual meeting.
• Major Pre-Medicine, Biology, Health Professions, Nursing, NA

Barry Goldwater Scholarship

• Deadline January 31, 2025
• Offered By Barry Goldwater Scholarship Foundation
• Description The Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Program aims to provide a continuing source of highly qualified scientists, mathematicians and engineers by awarding scholarships to college students pursuing research in these fields.
• Minimum GPA :  3
• Major Astronomy/Astrophysics, Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Earth Science/Geology, Engineering, Information Technology, Mathematics/Statistics, Physics, Pre-Medicine

Nellie Love Butcher Music Scholarship

• Amount $5,000
• Offered By Daughters of the American Revolution
• Description The Nellie Love Butcher Music Scholarship as a one-time preferred amount of up to $5,000 which shall be given annually to a male or female music student who is pursuing an education in piano or voice.
• Minimum GPA :  3.00
• Major Music

Arts for Life! Scholarship

• Deadline February 1, 2025
• Offered By Arts for Life!
• State Florida
• Description Arts for Life! annually awards $2,000 scholarships to 25 graduating high school seniors in Florida who demonstrate excellence in creative writing, dance, drama, music or visual art.

Freshmen Art Scholarship

• Amount $2,500
• Offered By University of Southern Indiana
• State Indiana
• Description Incoming USI Freshman art or art education majors who are residents of Indiana or qualify for the IN-KY Reciprocal Tuition Program, and who submit a completed application by the first Friday in February are eligible for these scholarships.
• Major Visual Arts, Art, Fine Arts
• Type University of Southern Indiana

Best Essay Scholarships to Apply for in 2024

Apply below to essay scholarships with upcoming deadlines. Exclusive Scholarships found only in Bold.org!

Elevate Women in Technology Scholarship

Special delivery of dreams scholarship, eligibility criteria:.

• Education Level : Pursuing an associate degree, bachelors degree or trade school certificate

Jennifer and Rob Tower Memorial Scholarship

• Background : Must demonstrate significant contributions of kindness and generosity in their community or personal life
• Education Level : Open to students of all educational backgrounds and career interests

Across Cultures "Expand Your Horizons" Scholarship

Ethel hayes destigmatization of mental health scholarship, elevate mental health awareness scholarship, devin chase vancil art and music scholarship.

• Education Level : High School or Undergraduate Student
• Intended Major : Art or Music

Raise Me Up to DO GOOD Scholarship

• Education Level : High school senior, undergraduate, or trade school student
• GPA : 3.0 GPA or higher
• Background : From a single-parent or blended-family home

Matthew E. Minor Memorial Scholarship

• GPA : 3.0 or higher
• Education Level : High school senior

Khai Perry All-Star Memorial Scholarship

• State : Massachusetts
• Financial Status : Low-income
• Identity : Underrepresented minority student
• Education Level : High school, trade school, undergraduate, or graduate student

Expression in Medicine Scholarship

• Education Level : Undergraduate student
• Field of Study : Healthcare
• Background : Believes in the importance of free expression

Leela Shah "Be Bold" Womens' Empowerment Scholarship

• Education Level : Undergraduate, graduate, or trade school student
• Gender : Female-identifying
• Age : 18-30
• State : North Carolina or Texas

Dr. C.L. Gupta Young Scholars Award

• Education Level : Undergraduate or graduate student
• Background : High standardized test scores

Ken Larson Memorial Scholarship

• Education Level : High school senior or four-year undergraduate student
• Field of Study : Public services or law

Jason David Anderson Memorial Scholarship

• State : New Jersey
• Background : Has been affected by addiction (personally or through a loved one)
• Field of Study : Healthcare or rehabilitation
• Education Level : High school or undergraduate student

Make Your "Truth" Your Own Scholarship

• Education Level : High school, undergraduate, or graduate student
• Background : Former Jehovah’s Witness

Smith & Moore Uplift Scholarship

• State : Texas
• Field of Study : Majoring in education or a STEM field
• Education Level : High school student

Student Referee Scholarship

• Education Level : High school senior or undergraduate student
• Background : Referee or umpire

Ryan Yebba Memorial Mental Health Scholarship

• Education Level : High school junior or senior
• Field of Study : Mental health

F.E. Foundation Scholarship

Brad hinshaw memorial scholarship.

• Background : Has lost a parent to cancer

Arkansas Women in Accounting Scholarship

• State : Arkansas
• Field of Study : Accounting

Billy Downey Memorial Agriculture Scholarship

• Field of Study : Agriculture
• Background : Volunteering experience

Paula C. Collie Future Educators Scholarship

• Field of Study : Education
• State : Virginia
• Background : First-generation student

Dr. Christine Lawther First in the Family Scholarship

• Background : First-generation college student
• Education Level : Four-year undergraduate student

Christian E. Vines Scholarship

• Race : Black/African American

MexiDreams Scholarship

• Identity : Mexican heritage
• Financial Status : Lower-income bracket

Stewart Family Legacy Scholarship

• Field of Study : Science
• GPA : 3.0 or greater

Al Luna Memorial Design Scholarship

• Field of Study : Art or design

Etherine Tansimore Scholarship

• GPA : 2.5 or higher
• Background : Low-income
• Field : Medical

About essay scholarships 

Essay-based scholarships are the most common and traditional form of scholarships available to students pursuing higher education. Though essay scholarships may seem intimidating at first glance, this type of scholarship can be invaluable to students looking to earn money through scholarships. 

An essay scholarship is a financial aid opportunity that requires students to write a short statement in order to apply. No-essay scholarships, on the other hand, do not require written statements as part of the application process. 

Students tend to gravitate towards no-essay scholarships, as they are easier to apply to in regards to both time and effort. While no-essay scholarships are a great resource as well, students should consider applying to a mix of both no-essay and essay scholarships to have the best chances of winning. 

Since fewer students take the time to apply for essay scholarships, there is less competition for them. This means that students that do apply for essay scholarships will often have higher chances of winning money than students who exclusively apply for no-essay scholarships.

Though no-essay scholarships can save time in the application process, they typically attract a large number of applicants. Both college students and high school students will usually face more competition with this type of scholarship. 

In many cases, it isn’t as difficult to apply for essay scholarships as college students imagine. The written statement is often quite short and usually hovers around 400-600 words. That’s around a page of writing or even a little less. There are even many opportunities that require even shorter essays, such as 100-300 words!

If that still sounds daunting, remember that essay scholarships will provide a prompt to write on. Most scholarships will focus on a certain aspect of a student’s life. For example, a mental health awareness scholarship might ask students to write about their personal struggles with mental health and how they have overcome those challenges in pursuit of a better education. 

Similarly, major-based scholarships, like STEM or arts scholarships, often ask students to write about why they chose to study that particular field. Typically, no additional research needs to be done to write the essay portion of the application. In nearly all cases, donors simply want to hear about who the applicant is. 

To write the essay scholarship, students only need to draw on their personal experiences or life goals to show the donor who they are as a person. High school students might focus more on their goals for the future, while undergraduate and graduate students might talk about their current studies. 

Whatever the case, both high school students, as well as undergraduate and graduate students, should focus on showcasing their talents, goals, and personality in the essay. The more detailed and unique an essay is, the easier it is for the donor to feel a connection with you, making your application stand out from the competition.

Essay scholarships are available to students of all ages and all grade levels. College students and high school students alike can apply for essay scholarships. As long as the scholarship allows applicants of your grade level, you can apply.

Though some essay scholarship prompts may seem better suited towards one age group than another, students should still apply as long as they are eligible. For example, a scholarship that asks applicants to write about their major and why they chose it might seem easier to answer as a college student. 

However, if high school students are eligible, they can likely answer the prompt by writing about their intended major. Both high school students and college students should be able to write most scholarship essays.

The purpose of the essay scholarship is to allow the donor to get a better view of the applicant, so make sure to add personality and detail to your essays. You can also check out  this guide  on writing scholarship essays for exclusive tips!

Best essay scholarships

 The majority of scholarships available are essay-based, so there are plenty of opportunities to choose from. Each scholarship has its own benefits, so it's important to apply for a variety of scholarship opportunities. The highest-value scholarships can be the most helpful when paying your tuition, but they often receive the most competition as a result. To have the best chances of winning, consider smaller scholarships with fewer eligible applicants.

Essay scholarships for high school students

There are plenty of high school scholarships available for students of all grade levels. Additionally, high school students can apply for scholarships specific to their grade level.

Essay scholarships for high school freshmen 

Freshman year is the earliest students can begin applying for scholarships, meaning that applicants who start as high school freshmen can get ahead of the game. The earlier you start applying, the longer you'll have to earn college funding. The following scholarships are a great place for high school freshmen to begin their search!

• Bold Climate Changemakers Scholarship
•   M.R. Brooks Scholarship  
• "Equal Opportunity" Scholarship

Essay scholarships for high school sophomores

There are also plenty of scholarship opportunities for high school sophomores who are looking to get a jump on their scholarship applications. The scholarships below are a great way for sophomores to get started!

• Bold Community Activist Scholarship  
• CollegeXpress No-Essay Scholarship
• Bold Great Books Scholarship  

Essay scholarships for high school juniors

As upperclassmen, high school juniors have even more scholarships available to them than freshmen and sophomores. In addition to scholarships open to all high school students, juniors can also apply for scholarships exclusively open to juniors and seniors. Check out the list below and start applying!

• Cat Zingano Overcoming Loss Scholarship  
• Scorenavigator Financial Literacy Scholarship  
• Janey Mae Memorial Scholarship

Essay scholarships for high school seniors

Senior year of high school is one of the most popular times to apply for scholarships. As a result, there are many scholarships created specifically for high school seniors. Since other grade levels can't apply, there are often fewer eligible applicants for senior scholarships, giving you a better chance of winning! You can check out the scholarships below to begin applying. 

• MJM3 Fitness Scholarship  
• Michael Valdivia Scholarship
• Charlotte Emery Memorial Scholarship   

Essay scholarships for college students

While it's great to start securing scholarship funding in high school, it's never too late to apply! There are plenty of scholarships for those currently in college, such as those listed below.

• Live Your Dash Entrepreneurs Scholarship
• Dr. Sharyn First-Generation in Business Scholarship   
• Chris Jackson Computer Science Scholarship  

Essay scholarships for graduate students

Many graduate students aren't aware of all of the scholarships available to them, meaning that many miss out on available financial aid. If you're a graduate student, consider applying for the scholarships below!

• Jameela Jamil x I Weigh Scholarship
• Derrick Richardson Law Student Scholarship  
• Chang Heaton Scholarship for Music Excellence

Essay scholarships for international students 

International students are often left behind when it comes to earning financial aid. With fewer government resources available, international students pursuing their degrees in the US may have unmet financial needs. The following scholarships for international students in the US are a great place to start!

•   International Studies Scholarship
• Crenati Foundation Supporting International Students Scholarship   

Essay scholarships for women 

Many scholarship donors aim to help underrepresented or disadvantaged students, such as racial minorities, low-income students, LGBTQ+ students, or women. If you're a female student, consider applying for the following scholarships!

• Taking Up Space Scholarship  
• Indigenous Women in STEM Scholarship  
• Charlotte Emery Memorial Scholarship

Frequently asked questions about essay scholarships 

How do i win essay scholarships.

The most important part of the essay application is simply finishing it. Many high school students and college students won’t even bother to apply for essay scholarships. As a result, just turning in an application that meets all of the requirements and answers the prompt places you ahead of a good chunk of your peers. 

Still, it’s good to fine-tune your scholarship essays and make sure you turn in your best work. There are several steps students can take in order to take their scholarship essays to the next level. Click here to read our full guide on how to write a scholarship essay .

First, make sure your essay stays on topic and answers the prompt. Don’t get sidetracked by tangential experiences. Read the question carefully and make an outline of what you want to write before you start writing. This can help make sure your essay is focused and coherent. Make a list of what points you want to include in your answer and in what order. Then, make sure to stick to those points.

One important point is to make sure you maintain your basic writing skills. If grammar is something you struggle with on occasion, make a plan to catch any mistakes you might make. Using a tool like Grammarly or Microsoft Word’s spell check can be very helpful in making sure no minor errors are made. You can also try reading your essay out loud, or asking a friend to look it over. Sometimes two pairs of eyes are better than one. 

Another way to elevate your essay is to open with a hook. Perhaps you have a funny story about your academic experiences that relates to the question asked. Or, you could retell the moment you decided to pursue your current major. Any impactful experience you’ve had that relates to the question asked can be a good way to open your essay. 

Opening with a hook makes your essay more memorable and makes the reader want to keep reading. If your essay sounds generic or uninspired, the donor may pass you over for someone else. Making your essay personal and engaging is a key way to make an impact on your reader and stand out from other competitors. 

Most of the time, when a donor includes an essay question, it’s because they’re looking for a specific type of student. Many donors favor students that are driven, motivated, and willing to work hard to achieve their dreams. Look carefully at the prompt for hints on what qualities the donors are looking for. 

An essay question that asks about a student’s struggle with finances, for example, is likely looking for a high school student or college student that has worked hard to pursue education despite the challenges they faced. A prompt that asks students to talk about their chosen major is likely looking for a student that is inspired and has a special interest in their field. 

A mix of your personal experiences, academic interests, and goals for the future are usually good points to work into your essay. It’s important to both answer the question clearly and help the donor understand who you are as a person. 

How do I apply for scholarships? 

Applying for scholarships is not as difficult as it seems. Most applications give clear instructions and are easy to complete. A good place to start is finding a scholarship search resource that works for you. 

One easily accessible way to find scholarships is through your school. For high school students, the guidance office may be able to connect you with scholarship opportunities. College students, including graduate students, will want to talk to their financial aid office instead. 

The advantage of finding scholarships through your school is that the financial aid or guidance office may be able to find opportunities specifically made for your school. This means the competition pool will be much smaller as you will only be competing with your classmates. 

As for how high school students and college students can apply for these opportunities, the instructions will likely depend on that specific school’s process for applying. Administrators in the financial aid or guidance office will be able to guide students through the application process. 

An alternative is using online platforms to search for and apply for scholarships. High school students and college students alike will benefit from this method, as online platforms typically allow students to apply for multiple scholarships at once. Making a free profile with  Bold.org , for example, will allow high school students and college students to quickly apply with just one click to no-essay scholarships. 

Creating a profile with online scholarship platforms allows the site to submit applications on your behalf. In addition, the information stored in the profile can be used to help find more relevant scholarship search results for each student’s needs.

For example, high school students will automatically be barred from applying to scholarships that only look at college students, and vice versa. This can help save some time and ensure students don’t waste their efforts applying for scholarships that will not consider them. 

In order to apply for a scholarship on an online platform, students simply need to create a free profile and find the scholarships they want to apply for. Their information will be sent to the donors for review. 

If there is an essay requirement, students must prepare a written statement ahead of time. Students can then paste their essays into the application on the online platform. The essay will be submitted along with the student’s personal information from their profile. 

When can I start applying? 

High school students, as well as undergraduate and graduate students, can apply whenever they like. Very few scholarships exist for students below the high school level, and while some opportunities are available to recent college graduates, most are for those still in school. 

Students at any level between high school and graduate school can start to apply for scholarships at any time. High school seniors are the group of high school students that will likely have the easiest time finding scholarships they can apply for. Many donors looking to create opportunities at the high school level view high school seniors as the demographic most concerned with generating funding for college. 

Winning scholarship money while still in high school can help students in their college search. Getting an idea of how much money you will be able to spend on college is a good way to narrow down your search for the perfect school for you. In addition, winning scholarship money might make it possible for high school students to attend a college they previously thought would be too expensive. 

As a result, starting to apply for scholarships as a high school senior or junior would be a reasonable time to begin. 

Applying earlier is typically better than applying for scholarships later on. This is simply because starting to find and apply to scholarships earlier will allow students more time to apply, get their results back, and apply again. The more this cycle is repeated, the more money students typically make. 

Remember that not every scholarship you apply to will yield positive results. Therefore, applying to as many scholarships as possible will increase the possibility that a few of those applications will win. 

However, there’s nothing wrong with trying to find scholarships even before your senior year in high school. In addition, starting to apply as an undergraduate student or a graduate student is completely fine as well. There are many opportunities made specifically for college students, many of which include graduate students as well. 

It may seem counterintuitive to start applying for scholarships after committing to a college. However, winning scholarship money can help not just with creating a budget for college, but also with the expenses of continuing your college education. Each new semester means new textbooks and new school supplies, for example. 

In addition, college is a path to many educational opportunities that are usually not available to high school students. For example, many college students study abroad, whether as undergraduate students or graduate students. Saving up some scholarship money for the costs of continuing your education and taking advantage of college opportunities like studying abroad can be very helpful. 

How do I know if I’m eligible for a scholarship?

Every scholarship posting will clearly state its requirements, so be sure to read the entire description. Remember that your efforts may be wasted if you do not fit the criteria for a certain scholarship. No matter how much you excel in school, you cannot win a scholarship that you are not eligible for. 

Scholarships often tend towards very general requirements or more exclusive requirements. General scholarships are often open to students of any major and any grade level, meaning the vast majority of students will be able to apply.

Exclusive scholarships, on the other hand, are made for a more specific purpose. For example, the donor of an exclusive scholarship might want to use their money to uplift indigenous students in the medical field. As a result, the scholarship might only accept applicants that are indigenous students and focused on nursing or medicine. Students that do not match these criteria will not be considered. 

Some common restricting factors in exclusive scholarships are education level, demographic, income level, academic interest, and GPA. An exclusive scholarship might restrict the applicant pool by all or some of these criteria. 

Certain opportunities might be open to graduate students only, and not high school students or undergraduate students. Some scholarships might require students to study a particular major, such as graphic design. A more general scholarship might use an umbrella term, like the humanities, instead of a specific major. Whatever the case, be sure you have carefully read each of the requirements before applying. 

Many exclusive scholarships will be specific enough that most students will not be able to apply. For example, a scholarship open only to Asian American molecular biology graduate students will receive a lower volume of applications than a scholarship available to all STEM majors. 

However, there’s no need to get discouraged if you find it difficult to locate an exclusive scholarship that matches your needs. The multitude of scholarship opportunities available on sites like  Bold.org  means that there is a scholarship for everyone. New scholarships are created and added each day, meaning students who continuously look for and apply to scholarships are more likely to find relevant opportunities. 

In addition, it’s a good idea to apply for both general and exclusive scholarships. This helps students cast a wider net and hopefully increase their chances of winning money. 

What do I have to do to apply?

The application process for most scholarships is fairly simple, especially if students choose to apply through an online platform. 

Sometimes, the most difficult part of applying for a scholarship is simply qualifying, especially if there are many requirements. Once students find opportunities that match their needs, very little action is required.

Students will need to send some of their personal information to the donor to confirm they match the criteria listed. This is often done automatically through online platforms, or students may need to fill out a form through the appropriate school office if the scholarship is not listed online. 

If the scholarship does not require an essay, then that’s all you need to do. If the scholarship does require a personal statement, then that will be the second and final part of the application. 

The essay question, as we’ve covered, can appear intimidating but is usually answered in a page or less. Since donors simply want to hear about you as a person and your academic pursuits, staying honest and true to yourself is usually the best way to tackle the essay. 

It’s not necessary in most cases to do more research to answer the essay question. Sharing personal experiences that relate to the question can be a good way to start. Students should already have all the information they need to answer the question. The only thing left is presenting that information and any personal experiences in an orderly, coherent manner. 

To summarize, scholarships are relatively low-stress to apply to. Students will only need to submit their personal information and write a short personal essay about themselves to be considered.

Are scholarships counted as income? 

Typically, scholarships are not counted as income. 

Scholarships will remain tax-free as long as the scholarship money is used for necessary educational expenses. Necessary educational expenses include tuition fees, textbook and equipment fees, mandatory course fees, and mandatory enrollment fees. It’s important to note that housing and travel expenses do not count as necessary educational expenses. 

In other words, if failing to pay an expense would obstruct your ability to graduate with a degree, that expense likely qualifies as a necessary educational expense. 

In addition, the following requirements must be met for your scholarship money to be considered tax-free. First, the total money earned from all essay scholarships cannot be greater than the total amount your university or college charges you for your education. This rarely happens and is usually not a problem for most students. 

Secondly, the recipient of the essay scholarship money must be currently completing a degree at an accredited college or university. Third, the money cannot be given in exchange for a service or job provided. Scholarship money is not a payment or a salary; it is gift aid that is given to a student to help them pay for college. 

Lastly, the money cannot be marked for other expenses such as room and board (which are not necessary educational expenses). Typically, donors will not stipulate how the money should be spent, so this is rarely an issue. 

Frequently Asked Questions

The most important part of the essay application is simply finishing it. Many high school students and college students won’t even bother to apply for essay scholarships. As a result, just turning in an application that meets all of the requirements and answers the prompt places you ahead of a good chunk of your peers. Still, it’s good to fine-tune your scholarship essays and make sure you turn in your best work. There are several steps students can take in order to take their scholarship essays to the next level. Click here to read our full guide on how to write a scholarship essay.

Applying for scholarships is not as difficult as it seems. Most applications give clear instructions and are easy to complete. A good place to start is finding a scholarship search resource that works for you. One easily accessible way to find scholarships is through your school. For high school students, the guidance office may be able to connect you with scholarship opportunities. College students, including graduate students, will want to talk to their financial aid office instead.

High school students, as well as undergraduate and graduate students, can apply whenever they like. Very few scholarships exist for students below the high school level, and while some opportunities are available to recent college graduates, most are for those still in school. Students at any level between high school and graduate school can start to apply for scholarships at any time. High school seniors are the group of high school students that will likely have the easiest time finding scholarships they can apply for. Many donors looking to create opportunities at the high school level view high school seniors as the demographic most concerned with generating funding for college.

30 Great Essay Scholarships

Talented writers can receive free college financial aid by applying for the best essay scholarships. Essay scholarships require writing 250 to 2,000 or more words on an assigned topic. Since creating well-written essays takes awhile, these scholarships often provide bigger prizes. Some essay scholarship winners receive $20,000 or higher amounts to afford their university tuition. The following article lists 30 great essay scholarships where writing skills pay off.

Related resource: 50 Most Affordable Bachelor’s Degrees in Journalism Online

1. Lou Manzione Scholarships

Eligibility:

• Continue education beyond 12th grade
• Reside in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, or Delaware
• Participate in varsity high school hockey

The Atlantic Amateur Hockey Association (AAHA) honors the late Hudson Catholic High School coach by awarding two $1,000 Lou Manzione Scholarships each Spring. Interested applicants must submit an application, transcript, SAT score, coach recommendation, and college acceptance letter by February 1st. Registered USA Hockey members must also write a 500-word original essay about hockey’s positive effects on their personal development.

Scholarship Website

2. ABA Foundation Diversity Scholarship

• Be a traditionally underrepresented ethnicity, race, or age
• Enroll full-time at accredited U.S. undergrad or graduate schools
• Declare a hospitality or tourism-related major with GPAs over 3.0

Founded in 1926, the American Bus Association (ABA) Foundation offers the $5,000 Diversity Scholarship to empower minority and non-traditional students entering the travel industry. Preference is given to individuals working full- or part-time for ABA-member bus companies. Scholarship entries require a 500-word, well-written essay on how applicants’ career goals will advance tourism transportation. Essays are accepted from December 5th to April 2nd.

3. AEL Collegiate Essay Competition Scholarships

• Have native or naturalized United States citizenship
• Attend a regionally accredited, four-year U.S. university
• Be a college freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior

Located in Malibu, the Pepperdine University Libraries uses funding from the Americanism Educational Leaders (AEL) to run the Collegiate Essay Competition each Summer. Three essay scholarships worth $1,000, $1,500, and $2,500 are available. Entrants must craft a patriotic essay of 1,500 to 2,000 words about the meaningful ways diversity betters American life. Essays with a proper MLA- or Chicago-style citation bibliography are due on June 30th.

4. America’s 911 Foundation College Scholarships

• Be the child of an active paid or volunteer first responder
• Enroll at least part-time at U.S. postsecondary institutions
• Have a good understanding of English grammar and spelling

Since 2001, America’s 911 Foundation Inc. has conferred 15 College Scholarships for $2,000 apiece to aid the dependent children of first responders. Biological or adopted children of police officers, firefighters, paramedics, dispatchers, park rangers, and correctional officers qualify. Applicants must submit a 500-word, proofread essay on the importance of America’s 911 Foundation by March 9th. Writing in 12-point New Roman Times or Arial font is required.

5. Ashley Soulé Conroy Scholarships

• Be U.S. citizens enrolled in four-year bachelor’s programs
• Finish 30+ undergrad credits with minimum 3.0 GPAs
• Pursue a study abroad experience longer than 13 weeks

The Ashley Soulé Conroy Foundation has 1,761 donors worldwide who’ve funded 37 scholarships since 2006 to help college students study abroad across 27 countries. Each term, up to three $4,000 essay scholarship winners are announced on December 30th and August 1st. Applicants must submit a digital transcript, current resume, and signed FAFSA form. These accompany the 800-word autobiographical essay about a defining moment in one’s life.

6. BBB of Delaware Student Ethics Essay Scholarship

• Be graduating high school seniors in the “First State”
• Plan to continue education at an accredited U.S. college
• Exhibit academic and extracurricular excellence with GPAs over 3.0

Sponsored by M&T Bank, the Better Business Bureau Foundation of Delaware hosts the Student Ethics Essay Scholarship contest to provide two $2,500 prizes yearly. College-bound seniors must write a 500-word, single-spaced essay about how the BBB can compete in today’s digital age. Typed essays are objectively judged “blind” based on creativity and business acumen. Students must also submit a transcript and personal statement by January 9th.

7. CBC Spouses Visual Arts Scholarship

• Be African-American U.S. citizens or permanent residents
• Declare visual art majors full-time at accredited art schools
• Show leadership and academic aptitude with minimum 2.5 GPAs

The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation has an April 30th deadline to pursue the $3,000 CBC Spouses Visual Arts Scholarship. Black students who live in CBC members’ districts and pursue careers in fine arts, design, architecture, and video production should apply. Two brief, 250-word essays are required to discuss issues in the African-American community that art can solve. Entrants must upload five original artwork samples on Google Drive or DropBox too.

See also: 35 Great Scholarships for Design Majors

8. Clarkson Scholars Program

• Be sophomores at accredited, senior colleges in Pennsylvania
• Pursue bachelor’s majors in biology, chemistry, and other life sciences
• Maintain an overall, unweighted GPA of 3.0 or better

Clarkston Consulting funds the Clarkson Scholars Program to provide the best essay scholarships for STEM majors that are worth $5,000 annually for $10,000 total. Future scientists must apply during their second undergraduate year by January 15th. Applications must include a current university transcript, faculty or advisor recommendation letter, and two 500-word essays about the biotech industry. Finalists must attend an in-person Philadelphia interview.

9. Daughters of the Cincinnati Scholarships

• Be the daughter of a commissioned U.S. military officer
• Intend to attend college after high school graduation
• Exhibit both academic merit and unmet financial need

Incorporated in 1894, the Daughters of the Cincinnati is a group of female Revolutionary War descendants that offers a four-year, renewable essay scholarship for up to $20,000 total. By March 15th, interested essayists must write 500+ words about their experience being the child of a career Armed Forces officer. The society also requests a high school transcript, Student Aid Report (SAR), college acceptance letter, and recommendation form.

10. Don’t Mess With Texas Scholarships

• Be graduating high school seniors in the “Lone Star State”
• Plan to enroll at two- or four-year Texas colleges this Fall
• Lead school or community initiatives to reduce littering

Keep Texas Beautiful partners with iHeart Media and the Astros Foundation to present three Don’t Mess With Texas Scholarships each year for $3,000 to $5,000 apiece. These eco-friendly essay scholarships reward U.S. citizens in Texas for cleaning up littered waste. Since 1986, the program has selected winners based on 350-word essays about litter prevention solutions. Entrants must also submit photo documentation and a video interview about their project.

11. FRA Americanism Essay Contest Scholarships

• Get sponsored by an FRA member or local branch
• Be attending a U.S. junior or senior high in grades 7-12
• Promote the spirit of Americanism and patriotism

The Fleet Reserve Association (FRA) upholds its motto of “Loyalty, Protection, and Service” by holding the Americanism Essay Contest. Essay scholarships worth $1,000, $1,500, $2,500, and $5,000 plus achievement plaques are awarded to top contenders. Before December 1st, entrants must upload a 350-word essay about what voting will mean to them. Entry forms signed with parental consent must be submitted through a sponsoring FRA branch or unit.

12. Helen Gee Chin Scholarships

• Be full-time undergrads at accredited, four-year U.S. colleges
• Have practiced Chinese martial arts for five or more years
• Maintain an academically strong schedule with 3.0 or better GPAs

Since 2011, the Helen Gee Chin Scholarship Foundation has bestowed $100,000 to 49 recipients across 17 states to reward martial arts achievement. Current or incoming undergrads proficient in Kung Fu, Wu Shu, and Tai Chi can receive up to $3,000. Applications are due June 15th with an official transcript and instructor recommendation letter. Candidates also write 500-word essays about how martial arts has positively impacted their lives.

13. John Fischetti Scholarship

• Have at least one parent with 100 percent Italian ancestry
• Be accepted to or enrolled in a communications program
• Reside in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin metropolitan area

Named for a Pulitzer Prize-winning Chicago Sun Times editorial cartoonist, the John Fischetti Scholarship is granted by the Joint Civic Committee on Italian Americans. Each $2,000 award goes toward tuition for four-year bachelor’s in journalism, media, writing, broadcasting, and similar fields. Interested students must type up a 500-word essay about the portrayal of Italian Americans in media. Applications with a photo and transcript must arrive by April 30th.

14. Ora Lee Sanders Scholarship

• Have good academic standing with a minimum 2.5 GPA
• Demonstrate an ability to overcome barriers and obstacles

Founded by Reverend Jesse Jackson in 1975, the Rainbow PUSH Coalition delivers the $2,500 Ora Lee Sanders Scholarship to student members who excel despite adversity. Funding is renewable each August for up to five undergraduate years. Applicants submit two references, proof of enrollment, service-learning documentation, and a transcript by August 31st. Students are judged primarily on 500-word essays about their challenging pursuit of excellence.

15. Life Lessons Scholarship Program

• Be legal U.S. residents between 17 and 24 years old
• Register for college-level courses at universities or trade schools
• Have suffered the loss of a parent or legal guardian

From February 1st to March 1st each year, Life Happens runs the Life Lessons Scholarship Program to award $200,000 total to young adults who’ve faced adversity. Entrants write 500-word essays or record three-minute video essays about the impact of their parent’s death. Students must address the role of life insurance on their grieving family’s finances. Essays must be 100 percent original and submitted digitally to the Arlington-based nonprofit.

16. Mainely Character Scholarships

• Be graduating seniors at Maine high schools
• Commit to attending an accredited U.S. college
• Demonstrate concern, responsibility, integrity, and courage

Conceived by Arnold Bushner in 2001, the Mainely Character Scholarship Foundation grants great essay scholarships to “Pine Tree State” residents based on their moral character. The Foundation has awarded $161,000 overall to 49 recipients of scholarships worth $1,250 to $5,000 each. Interested Mainers can submit 500-word essays about their exemplary attributes until March 1st. Semi-finalists are contacted for an in-person or virtual interview.

17. Millie Brother Scholarships

• Be the hearing child of one or two deaf parents/guardians
• Attend an accredited U.S. undergraduate or graduate school

Children of Deaf Adults (CODA) International Inc. offers two $3,000 Millie Brother Scholarships each year to financially bolster the children of hearing impaired or deaf parents. Eligible entrants complete the online application process from May 1st to June 30th. The application checklist includes two recommendation letters and a high school or college transcript. Students also submit two-page, double-spaced essays in PDF format about their life experiences and goals.

18. Harvey Nudelman Scholarship

• Enroll full-time in an accredited bachelor’s or graduate program
• Pursue an interior design career in the hospitality industry
• Demonstrate financial need and merit with academic GPAs over 3.0

The Network of Executive Women in Hospitality (NEWH) partners with Fabricut Contract and FR-One to provide the $5,000 Harvey Nudelman Scholarship each Fall. It’s intended for aspiring hospitality interior designers who’ve completed at least 60 credits in postsecondary education. Applications received by October 3rd must have a two-page, double-spaced essay about students’ hospitality dreams. Winners also receive free trips to the HD EXPO in Las Vegas.

19. Regions Riding Forward Scholarships

• Be legal U.S. residents of 15 specified states over age 16
• Have at least one year remaining in full-time undergrad education
• Enroll in 12th grade or higher with a minimum 2.0 GPA

Regions Financial Corporation celebrates Black History Month by hosting the Riding Forward Scholarship Essay Contest with prizes worth $3,500 to $5,000. Entrants must live near Regions Bank branches in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, or Texas. Entrants of all ethnicities write 500-word essays about an African-American who inspires them by February 28th.

20. Bob Miller Memorial Scholarship

• Attend a California high school or college on the Central Coast
• Prepare for a wine industry career with viticulture or enology majors
• Demonstrate active Ag involvement and community service

For $500 to $1,000, the California Association of WInegrape Growers (CAWG) Foundation presents the Bob Miller Memorial Scholarship to future viticulturists. Preference is given to students at Alan Hancock Community College and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Qualifying entrants have until March 6th to write 500-word essays about their determination to succeed in winemaking. Online applications need a transcript, SAT/ACT score, and recommendation too.

21. Rosa Parks Scholarships

• Be graduating from a public or private Michigan high school
• Gain acceptance at a U.S. college for full-time studies this August
• Present a GPA above 2.50 and satisfactory SAT/ACT results

Opened by Detroit Public Schools in 1980, the Rosa L. Parks Scholarship Foundation has provided more than $2 million to nearly 1,200 essay scholarship winners. College-bound seniors across the “Wolverine State” can apply until March 1st. Entrants must write 200-300 words about a current social injustice they’re working to resolve as Rosa Parks would. Completed applications will also have an official transcript and two recommendations.

22. Samuel Robinson Awards

• Be active members of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
• Start the junior or senior year at a Presbyterian college
• Memorize and recite the Westminster Shorter Catechism

The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) bestows several Samuel Robinson Awards for $2,000 to $7,500 apiece to faithful congregants who excel in Biblical study. Only upperclassmen at Presbyterian institutions, such as Agnes Scott College, Rhodes College, and Whitworth University, can apply. Three deadlines of June 1st, September 1st, and December 1st are listed. Entries must include a 2,000-word theological essay to be reviewed by committee chaplains.

23. Selby Foundation Scholarships

• Be residents of Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte, or DeSoto County
• Pursue an accredited bachelor’s full-time with a minimum 3.0 GPA
• Have an expected family contribution amount under $12,000

Endowed for $73.1 million, the William G. & Marie Selby Foundation in Sarasota awards great essay scholarships to nearby Florida residents based on merit and need. Recipients who maintain “B” averages or better with 12+ credits per semester qualify for up to $7,000 annually. First-time Selby Scholars must apply between January 1st and April 25th to score the semi-finalist interview. Thoughtful, well-written essays about students’ personal values and goals are also read.

24. Native American Community Scholar Awards

• Be Native American members of federally-recognized tribes
• Pursue a research project pertaining to tribal communities
• Attend an accredited U.S. undergrad or graduate school

The Smithsonian Institution’s Office of Fellowships & Internships offers the Native American Community Scholars Awards to indigenous students undertaking field research projects. Recipients earn $175 daily for a maximum of 21 days and up to $3,675 in total. Unlike most essay scholarships, this program requires a two-page research proposal. Students must also submit a resume or curriculum vitae with two references by February 1st and October 1st deadlines.

25. Maxwell Foundation Scholarships

• Be graduating high school seniors in Western Washington
• Enroll as full-time freshman at private, four-year U.S. colleges
• Achieve a minimum SAT score of 1200 or ACT score of 26

Named for the late Blyth & Co. manager in 1968, the Edmund F. Maxwell Foundation provides renewable $5,000 scholarships to high-achieving high school seniors for $20,000 total. It’s reserved for “Evergreen State” residents in the Greater Seattle and Puget Sound areas. Entrants must file before May 15th with a 500-word autobiographical essay. Don’t forget to attach academic transcripts, test results, recommendations, and the financial aid worksheet.

26. Florence Madden Grady-Fasick Scholarships

• Attend an accredited, two- or four-year Pennsylvania college
• Have completed at least one semester of a nursing degree
• Show academic and vocational promise with a 3.0 or better GPA

The Nursing Foundation of Pennsylvania (NFP) bestows five $2,000 Florence Madden Grady-Fasick Scholarships annually to support the Keystone State’s future nurses. Currently enrolled students in diploma, associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral nursing programs can apply. Before March 30th, entrants must send signed applications with a transcript and two references. Answering two of four questions with typed, one-page essay responses is also mandatory.

27. Mike Molino College Scholarships

• Be a sophomore, junior, or senior at a four-year U.S. college
• Achieve a minimum 2.8 GPA, 1050 SAT, and 22 ACT mark
• Have current connections or future aspirations in the RV industry

Headquartered in Fairfax, the Recreation Vehicle Dealers Association (RVDA) awards the Mike Molino College Scholarships for $2,500 each Summer to empower the next generation. Students who aspire for full-time employment in the RV industry should file before July 7th. Applications are incomplete without a recent transcript, resume, FAFSA form, and digital photo. These essay scholarships require up to 500 words about candidates’ career objectives too.

28. Pinnacol Foundation Scholarships

• Be the dependent child of a worker injured or killed on the job
• Finish a high school diploma or GED for college preparation
• Maintain a cumulative GPA over 2.0 and have financial need

From November 1st to February 15th, the Pinnacol Foundation accepts applicants for college scholarships that average $4,700 apiece. Funding goes to the biological and adopted children of Colorado-based employees who were injured or killed while working. Entrants between 16 and 25 years old must write personal essays about the impact of their parent’s injury or death. Unofficial transcripts, FAFSA aid reports, and workers’ compensation documents are requested.

29. Vegetarian Resource Group Scholarships

• Abide by a vegetarian or vegan diet/lifestyle
• Be graduating from a U.S. high school or home school
• Promote vegetarianism in the community

The Vegetarian Resource Group is a Seattle-based nonprofit that provides one $10,000 and two $5,000 scholarships each Spring to healthy eating advocates. College-bound seniors who abstain from meat, fish, poultry, and other animal products are welcome to apply. Entry forms are due February 20th with a recent report card and 3+ recommendation letters. The VRG also lists 16 guiding questions for applicants to create a personal essay about vegetarianism.

See also: 30 Great Schools Promoting Healthy Living on Campus

30. Voice of Democracy Audio-Essay Scholarship

• Attend a public, private, or parochial U.S. high school
• Pursue a university or technical degree after 12th grade
• Get sponsored by the local VFW post

The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) allocates $1.9 million to run the Voice of Democracy Audio-Essay Scholarship contest for students in grades 9-12. High schoolers compete with nearly 52,000 other applicants for essay scholarships of $1,000 to $30,000. Students must apply by October 31st by writing an original essay about the country our Founding Fathers envisioned. Entrants record themselves reading the up to five-minute essay on a CD.

Applying for essay scholarships isn’t a quick endeavor that anyone can finish in 20 minutes. Take time to write, proofread, and edit scholarship essays. Winning scholarship essays are completely free of typos and syntax mistakes. Use software like Grammarly to double-check essay submissions. Ensure the essay focuses on the required topic with honesty and clarity. Dare to be different and share unique perspectives. Impress judges with real-life examples and cited sources. These tips will help earn the best essay scholarships and free tuition money.

See many more valuable scholarships here .

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• How to Find Scholarships With an Essay Portion (Current List)
• Scholarships

Literacy is a crucial tenet of education, communication, and nearly every skill we implement throughout our lives. While there is concern over declining literacy rates in some areas – particularly among vulnerable, underprivileged communities – overall global literacy has improved immensely over the last 55 years. From 1960 to 2015, the literacy rate more than doubled, increasing from 42% to 86%, according to analytics provided by Our World In Data . 

According to the World Population Review , developed nations collectively have an astounding 99.2% literacy rate. The enormous progression of academia in such a relatively short time span is undoubtedly impressive, and several scholarship providers want to honor those accomplishments. If you’re a current or rising college student with literary talents of your own, the following list of essay scholarships will give you some avenues to obtain extra funding for your education.

• Don’t Text and Drive Scholarship

Despite the warnings about the dangers of using a cellphone while driving, 88% of drivers still text and talk on the phone when they are behind the wheel. Raising awareness about the consequences of these actions is at the forefront of the Don’t Text and Drive Scholarship, which aims at helping others understand the risks of texting and driving. One in every four car accidents is caused by this simple act, and 21% of teenagers have been involved in fatal accidents because they were distracted by their phones. This scholarship gives teenagers the opportunity to educate themselves and others about the dangers of texting and driving.

High school students, current college undergraduates, current graduate students, and homeschooled students are all eligible for this scholarship, which will award $1,000 to one winner. Applicants must be a U.S. citizen or legal resident, and there is no age limit to apply.

To apply, students must fill out and submit this form and include a 140-word paragraph about texting and driving. From those applications, 10 finalists will be chosen and asked to write a 500- to 1,000-word essay. The winner will be chosen based on creativity. 

The deadline for the Don’t Text and Drive Scholarship is Sept. 30, 2020, which is also No Texting While Driving Day.

• JonesTshirts.com “Love Your Career” Scholarship

• An essay that includes contact information, three steps you plan to take in the next year toward a career you love, and an interview with a professional asking three questions provided by JonesTshirts.com
• Scanned proof of enrollment copy

These files should be emailed to scholarship@jonestshirts.com .

The scholarship is conducted twice a year, with an annual winter (Jan. 7) and fall (Sept. 10) due date. Recipients will be notified within two to four weeks of the deadline. 

To learn more and evaluate official eligibility requirements and contest rules, click here .

• Center for Alcohol Policy Essay Contest

The Center for Alcohol Policy is seeking essays from anyone over the age of 18 who is passionate about alcohol policy reform. To enter, applicants must submit an essay (double spaced, 12-point Times New Roman, not exceeding 25 pages) responding to a CFAP writing prompt on or before the Jan. 17 deadline. Three recipients will be awarded cash prizes of $5,000, $2,500, and $1,000, respectively. 

Applicants can share their work via the official submission form here .

• WIIT Scholarship Program

This is a merit-based scholarship that is awarded twice per year in the amount of $1,500. Selected winners also receive one full year of personal mentorship by a WIIT Trust or WIIT Member and a one-year membership to WIIT. Applicants must identify as female and be currently enrolled at an accredited U.S. university or college. Full- and part-time juniors or seniors enrolled in undergraduate school, as well as students enrolled in graduate studies, are eligible to apply.

To enter, students must write a 1,000-word essay about one of the two prompts listed here . The winners will be selected based on quality and demonstrated interest in international trade. 

The deadlines are April 1 and Oct. 1, and winners will be notified by May 15 for the spring semester and Nov. 15 for the fall.  

• Scooter Inside Scholarship

This review blog of two-wheeled rides is looking for applicants to enter its annual twofold $1,200 essay scholarship before the annual March 15 deadline. Applicants must be incoming undergraduate or graduate college students, and they must email two submissions to scholarship@scooterinside.com . The first submission must be a 700-plus-word essay on the scooting experience, while the second must be a 1,500-word maximum essay response to the following questions:

• How important is social media marketing for small businesses?
• How is social media changing customer acquisition?
• How can SEO (search engine optimization) help local businesses to get more clients?

Visit their scholarship page for a more thorough overview.

• Blades of Green Scholarship Fund

Blades of Green is a company dedicated to producing eco-friendly lawn care products. They want to honor students with environmentally conscious ethos with an annual $1,000 essay scholarship. Applicants must submit an official application form, transcript, and 300-500 word letter of intent on or before the annual March 15 deadline. Applications should be mailed to:

Attn: Angela Hieronimus B.O.G. Pest Control 645 Central Ave E #200 Edgewater, MD 21037

Learn more about the official application procedure here .

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Top Easy Scholarships for Students with Upcoming Deadlines

Imagine this: you’re aiming for a debt-free college experience but don’t want to spend countless hours crafting essays for scholarships. Good news— there are easy scholarships out there that require minimal effort and give you the financial support you need .

But what exactly makes a scholarship “easy”? These are opportunities where the application process is simple and quick, requiring little effort from the applicant. They’re often no-essay scholarships, and many require just a click of a button, while others may ask for an image or a simple sentence. This can make them quite enjoyable to apply for, making them not just easy but fun as well.

It’s no surprise scholarships are important for most college students; even partial scholarships can significantly reduce the financial burden of higher education. According to Bankrate , 61% of families relied on scholarships to help fund their education in the 2022-2023 school year, and 57% relied on grants. With tons of easy scholarship applications available online, students now have a greater opportunity to get free money for their college expenses.

After spending hours researching various scholarship sites, we found that Bold.org scholarships are the best choice for students . Bold.org is user-friendly and offers a wide range of scholarships at different education levels. To make your search easier, we’ve created a list of easy scholarships that take less than a few minutes to apply for, and many of them are available to students at any level of education. Whether you’re a high school student, undergraduate, or graduate student, there’s a scholarship for you!

This list is just a sample of some of the free, easy scholarships you can find. As you’re making plans to start or continue your college education, it’s important to continue to apply for scholarships and score financial aid. Minimizing the financial stress of college can ensure a better educational experience and help give you the foundation you need to achieve your goals.

What Qualifies as an Easy Scholarship?

Generally, an “easy” scholarship requires little effort to apply . These scholarships often have a straightforward application process, meaning you might just need to click “Apply now” instead of dealing with lengthy essays.

They usually come with minimal requirements, so you might not need to meet a high GPA or be involved in specific extracurricular activities to qualify. The application process is designed to be quick, often taking less than a few minutes to complete.

Easy scholarships are often open to a wide range of students, regardless of their background, academic performance, or field of study. This broad eligibility makes it simpler for many students to apply.

No Requirement to do Anything New

One of the best features of an easy scholarship is that you don’t have to go out of your way to do anything new . If the scholarship doesn’t require an essay, you won’t need to spend hours writing a paper or personal statement.

As a high school senior, you might already have experiences or achievements that fit a scholarship’s requirements. For instance, if you’ve already completed 50 hours of community service and have documented it, you can apply for a scholarship that requires this without needing to add any more to your plate.

A Minimal Application Process

A key feature of an easy scholarship is a minimal application process . Typically, you won’t need to submit a lot of paperwork or materials—most of these scholarships only ask for basic details like your name. In some cases, you might even get automatically entered just by creating a free profile on the organization’s website.

Some of these quick and easy scholarships are targeted at specific groups, such as students working toward a bachelor’s degree or those pursuing a career in culinary arts. For these, you might need to provide additional documentation, like proof that you meet the eligibility criteria.

The Award Is Available for What You’re Already Doing

Some easy scholarship applications may require you to submit other materials, such as a poem, video, or photograph. You might already have everything you need for the application .

If so, your current interests and hobbies might already give you a head start. By finding programs related to what you love, you can apply more easily and potentially get paid for pursuing your passions. Sounds like a win!

How to Apply for Easy Scholarships

In most cases, applying is very straightforward:

Find Scholarships

Seek out scholarships that are designed to be straightforward and hassle-free. Browse through scholarship websites, like Bold.org, educational websites, and your school’s resources to find these gems.

Confirm Your Fit

Double-check that you meet the basic requirements for these easy scholarships. They often have relaxed criteria, making it simpler to qualify.

Prepare Your Details

Gather all the basic details you’ll need for the application, such as your contact information and any relevant achievements or records you may need.

Submit With Ease

Fill out and submit the application form, which generally requires just a few key pieces of information and short answers, or simply just a click.

Tips for Winning Easy Scholarships

Here are some top tips for getting money to cover your education-related expenses.

Master the Timing

Keep an eye on scholarship deadlines, which can vary throughout the year. Although spring is typically the peak season, opportunities are available year-round. Set reminders so you don’t miss out on potential awards due to late submissions.

Read Every Detail

Even with straightforward applications, ensure you fully understand the instructions. This helps you avoid mistakes and guarantees you meet all eligibility requirements, reducing the risk of your application being rejected for missing information.

Stay on the Lookout

Scholarship opportunities pop up all the time, so it’s a good idea to search for new awards every month on the  best scholarship websites . Even after you’ve filled out your fall and spring applications, keep an eye open for some “late” awards with deadlines in the summer. Also, check your school’s scholarship resources for additional chances.

Cast a Wide Net

Apply for as many easy scholarships as you can. There’s no limit to the number of scholarships you can pursue, and since these typically involve quick applications, it’s worth applying to several to increase your chances of success.

Boost Your Academic Profile

While private tutoring might seem like a big investment, improving your overall academic performance can positively impact your scholarship applications. Stronger grades can make you a more appealing candidate for easy scholarships, even if the application itself doesn’t require a lengthy essay.

Graduate and undergraduate college students receiving financial support can focus more on their studies and extracurricular activities without the burden of financial stress. Apply today to help you relieve the stress of college costs!

How to Avoid Scholarship Scams

There are plenty of legitimate opportunities available, but there are also some fraudulent sites. Here are some tips for avoiding scholarship scams.

1. Watch for Phishing

Most easy scholarships require you to provide basic personal information: name, contact info, and date of birth. Be wary of sites that ask for a lot of sensitive details, such as old addresses, parental information, and bank account data. These types of questions are usually designed to facilitate identity theft.

2. Don’t Pay to Submit Your Application

Scholarship programs are all about giving money away, not taking it. If you have to pay a fee to submit your application, chances are it’s not a legitimate scholarship opportunity.

3. Keep Your Social Security Number Private

While it may seem like you have to write your SSN on a lot of different forms, you shouldn’t need to give it to most scholarship providers. If the application does ask for your Social Security number, be wary.

4. Avoid Companies That Offer to “Find” Opportunities for You

Along with fake awards, there are also fraudulent companies that make money by selling unnecessary scholarship “services.” No legitimate organization has access to programs you can’t find on your own. Don’t pay a fee to any company that says it can find and apply for “secret” scholarships that you can’t access yourself.

Are you in community college? We encourage community college students to apply for scholarships to reduce their educational costs!

Frequently Asked Questions About Easy Scholarships

How many scholarships should i apply for.

There is no limit to the number of awards you can apply for, so it’s wise to submit as many applications as possible. Maybe set aside time for a monthly scholarship application session.

How Can I Improve My Chances of Winning Easy Scholarships?

The best way to improve your chances of winning scholarships is to apply! There are countless prizes out there for eligible students. The more you can apply, the better your chances of winning.

Are No-Essay Scholarships Legit?

Yes. There are plenty of legitimate scholarships without essays. Some awards are as simple as a random drawing.

What Is the Best Strategy for Applying for Easy Scholarships?

Organization and efficiency are two critical strategies for applying for any scholarship. Once you have an idea of all the easy scholarships you want to apply for, make a list of the due dates so you can prioritize which ones to go for first.

Websites make it easy to use your time efficiently – with just a few clicks. You can apply for a lot of no-essay scholarship awards quickly. Sometimes, you can create a free account to apply for scholarships automatically.

How Easy Is It to Get a Scholarship?

It depends on the scholarship. To get a full-ride athletic or academic scholarship, you need to be at the top of your game or your class. However, scholarships without essays are easier to get because you don’t have to ace standardized tests or break state football records.

How to Find Easy Scholarships?

The internet is the best source of information on free money for college. Along with the awards you can find through an online search, it’s worth looking at a few other potential sources:

• Your employer
• Your parents’ employers
• Your church or religious community, especially if you plan to attend a Bible college
• Your chamber of commerce
• Local charities or community organizations
• State-funded scholarship programs

You can also contact your university directly to see if they have any  scholarships for high school seniors , current college students, or graduate students. Use the library to get information on local scholarship winners, like high school athletes or musicians.

Local scholarships are another great resource for students. Browse scholarships by state to find local opportunities near you.

Are Scholarships Taxable Income?

Scholarship money is usually tax-free if used for qualified education expenses such as tuition, required fees, and necessary textbooks or supplies at an accredited college or university. However, according to the IRS , it becomes taxable if used for non-qualified expenses.

For specific guidance, it’s always a good idea to consult a tax professional or refer to the IRS guidelines directly.

What’s the Difference Between a Grant and a Scholarship?

Both grants and scholarships are considered gift aid, which means that you don’t have to pay them back (unlike student loans). However, while many scholarships are usually based on merit, most grants are awarded based on financial need.

Are Scholarships Just for High School Seniors?

No, there are many scholarships for students at any education level, including undergraduate and graduate students. There are also many easy scholarships for high school students who are juniors, sophomores, and freshmen.

College scholarships help students afford higher education. Whether you’re in graduate school or trade school, apply for scholarships today!

Michael Anissimov

Michael Anissimov’s experience with scientific research foundations informs his work at Scholarship Institute, where he leverages his strong research background to provide valuable insights across various fields. Specializing in review articles on scholarships, particularly in STEM, he ensures that students receive well-informed content to effectively navigate their financial options.

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Writing Scholarships

Millions of Scholarships, personalized results

• scholarships
• writing scholarships

How Do You Win a Writing Scholarship?

Writing scholarships are unique since they ask you to use your words to win one. If you are an aspiring novelist, journalist or enjoy writing poems as a hobby, you may qualify.

Creative writing scholarships are about how you craft a story and develop characters. Essay contest scholarships often ask you to answer a question in a very original and clear way.

As such, each scholarship will have its own set of guidelines to follow. You may need to write a story for a specific topic and meet the word count limit. To apply for a writing scholarship, you’re going to have to write something original.

In some scholarships for writers, applicants must be literature or creative writing majors. Judges of these programs may want to see your transcripts and know about your academic goals along with a completed form.

For other essay scholarships, you might not have to be an English major at all. These can be sweepstakes where there is no essay required. Most of the time, anyone is eligible to enter these sweepstakes.

10 Writing Scholarships You Can Apply For Now

• Amy Lowell Travelling Poetry Scholarship
• Ayn Rand – Atlas Shrugged Essay Contest
• Profile in Courage Essay Contest
• Ayn Rand Fountainhead Essay Contest
• Optimist International Essay Contest
• Visionary Scholarship
• L. Rn Hubbard’s Writers of the Future Contest
• Ayn Rand Anthem Essay Contest
• Morton Marr Poetry Prize
• National Society of High School Scholars Foundation Scholarships

What Writing Scholarships Can Students Apply for?

There are writing scholarships for eligible students at all levels of education. As long as you meet the terms the provider sets, you may apply.

Writing Scholarships for High School Students

The Profile in Courage Essay Contest is open to eligible students in grades 9 to 12. This year’s topic is about political courage. To apply, you will write an essay of up to 1,000 words that has at least 5 sources. You can submit your essay online or by mail. Just make sure to follow the guidelines.

There are 15 awards in all. One first place winner receives $10,000 and one second place winner receives $3,000. Five finalists each receive $1,000 and eight semi finalists each receive $100.

Writing Scholarships for College Students

A writing scholarship for eligible college students is the Bobette Bibo Gugliotta Memorial Scholarship .

It is available from the Silicon Valley Community Foundation (SVCF). It was named to honor the author who created the idea for Mickey Mouse. There are up to two winners. Each winner receives a sum of up to $1,000.

DACA students, US citizens and legal permanent residents may be eligible. Applicants must live in Santa Clara or San Mateo County. To apply, you must send two writing samples. The other required documents are transcripts and grades, personal essay, letters of reference and proof of financial need.

What Creative Writing Scholarships Are Available to Students?

Creative writing scholarships are for eligible English majors and students who like to write a poem, script, fiction or play. You need to be very creative, imaginative and think outside of the box with the provider’s essay question.

Scholarships for Fiction Writers

Writer’s Digest offers Popular Fiction Awards . It is one of their oldest and most popular competitions. One grand prize winner receives $5,000 in cash. 10 other winners receive awards ranging from $25 to $1,000.

To apply, you need to be a US citizen or legal permanent resident and submit an entry fee. You also have to select a creative category. You can choose between spiritual, memoir, rhyming poetry, TV script, children’s fiction and more.

Scholarships for Creative Writing Majors

The Mystery Writers of America (MWA) offers the Helen McCloy Scholarship . It aims to nurture talent in mystery writing of all kinds. Writing topics may include fiction, nonfiction, play writing, and screenwriting.

Although you don’t need to be an MWA member, you do need to be a serious aspiring mystery writer. Applicants must also be a US citizen or legal permanent resident.

MWA will award $500 each to two winning writers. You may use the money to offset tuition and fees for writing workshops, seminars or college level writing programs.

How to Write a Winning Scholarship Essay?

To write a scholarship essay, you want to be creative and follow the essay instructions. Here are five helpful tips to write your next winning scholarship essay.

1. Understand the essay question

You can only write a solid essay answer if you understand the question. When the question is direct, be direct when you answer it. If not, judges will spot the confusion no matter how good your writing is. Here’s an example: What are you planning to study in college and why? “In college, I plan to major in writing because…”

2. Reel the audience in

Open your essay with a hook or clear beginning. This captivates the reader’s attention. It may help judges who have to read many essays remember yours better. Of course, once you have reeled your reader in, keep up the good work.

Don’t stray off topic. Use the rest of your essay for more in depth details and examples. Then, conclude your essay to tie up all of your points. This shows the judges you used an outline and organized your thoughts well.

3. Follow the scholarship guidelines

Judges often have hundreds of essays to score. So, most essay scholarships have guidelines to help them reach a decision. Word count is the most common guideline to meet. So, even very creative essays may get points deducted if they are too wordy.

4. Spell check and proofread your essay

Make sure to proofread a few times and spell check your entire essay before submitting it. Also, proofread for any grammatical errors.  If it helps, you may print out your essay and read it off screen. Spell check software does not pick up mistakes related to context. For instance, you may spell “their” correctly but intended to write “there”. Try to avoid these mistakes along with slang.  

5. Don’t copy anyone

Many scholarship providers do not tolerate plagiarism which is unethical. You should tell a story that resonates with your personal goals and experiences. Be original and write from the heart so that your essay stands out.

Why You Should Apply for a Scholarship?

Writing scholarships may be useful if you want to pay for college. The money can offset tuition, fees, books and other expenses. You may be able to use a scholarship along with federal grant money too. And, unlike loans, you don’t repay these funds.

According to the NCES , cost varies by type of school. Also, a four year degree in creative writing is on the rise. If you choose an in state public college, tuition is about $7,368. If you study at a private college for out of state students, tution costs $35,878. 

Many writing and essay scholarships are easy to apply for. They may also be less competitive than ones that assess your grades. A final point, if you win, you get to add it to your resume and list of accomplishments.

List of Writing Scholarships

Check out our list of writing scholarships below. We have 1,504 awards worth $58M.

Writing Scholarships 2024 List

Leadership essay contest.

Total:  $9000

Awards:  3

Deadline:  November 18

Unigo College Review $1,000 Scholarship

Total:  $1000

Awards:  1

Deadline:  November 30, 2024

TicketCity Annual College Scholarship Program

Total:  $3000

Deadline:  December 01

Hoggatt Injury Law Children of Injured Workers Scholarship

Deadline:  December 29, 2024

Derek Jeter/Hillsborough Education Foundation Scholarship

Total:  $24000

Awards:  2

Deadline:  January 15

Carlozzi Family Scholarship

Total:  $2500

Deadline:  January 24

Parker and Virginia Howell Scholarship Fund

Total:  $600

Deadline:  January 26

Helen McCloy/MWA Scholarship for Mystery Writing

Deadline:  February 28

IBPF High School Essay Contest

Total:  $1749

Deadline:  March 01

Iowa Scholarship for the Arts

Total:  $6000

Awards:  4

• Our Scholarships
• $1,500 – I Have a Dream
• $10,000 – Unigo $10K Award
• $1,500 – Sweet and Simple
• $2,500 – Superpower
• $3,000 – All About Education
• $1,500 – Fifth Month Scholarship
• $1,500 – Do-Over
• $1,500 – Flavor of the Month
• $1,500 – Make Me Laugh
• $1,500 – Shout It Out
• $2,000 – Zombie Apocalypse
• $5,000 – Education Matters
• $1,500 – Top Ten List

Scholarships

• Athletic Scholarships
• College-Specific Scholarships
• Company-Sponsored Scholarships
• Grants for College
• Merit-Based Scholarships
• Minority Scholarships
• Scholarship Contests & Sweepstakes
• Scholarships By Major
• Scholarships By State
• Scholarships By Type
• Scholarships For Graduate Students
• Scholarships For High School Students
• Scholarships For Undergraduate Students
• Weird Scholarships

Disclosure: Education Dynamics receive compensation for the featured schools on our websites (see “Sponsored Schools” or “Sponsored Listings” or “Sponsored Results”). So what does this mean for you? Compensation may impact where the Sponsored Schools appear on our websites, including whether they appear as a match through our education matching services tool, the order in which they appear in a listing, and/or their ranking. Our websites do not provide, nor are they intended to provide, a comprehensive list of all schools (a) in the United States (b) located in a specific geographic area or (c) that offer a particular program of study. By providing information or agreeing to be contacted by a Sponsored School, you are in no way obligated to apply to or enroll with the school.

The sources for school statistics and data is the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System.

This is an offer for educational opportunities that may lead to employment and not an offer for nor a guarantee of employment. Students should consult with a representative from the school they select to learn more about career opportunities in that field. Program outcomes vary according to each institution’s specific program curriculum. Financial aid may be available to those who qualify. The information on this site is for informational and research purposes only and is not an assurance of financial aid.

Sponsored Meaning Explained

EducationDynamics receives compensation for the featured schools on our websites (see “Sponsored Ad” or “Sponsored Listings” or “Sponsored Results”). So what does this mean for you? Compensation may impact where the Sponsored Schools appear on our websites, including whether they appear as a match through our education matching services tool, the order in which they appear in a listing, and/or their ranking. Our websites do not provide, nor are they intended to provide, a comprehensive list of all schools (a) in the United States (b) located in a specific geographic area or (c) that offer a particular program of study. By providing information or agreeing to be contacted by a Sponsored School, you are in no way obligated to apply to or enroll with the school. Your trust is our priority. We at EducationDynamics believe you should make decisions about your education with confidence. that’s why EducationDynamicsis also proud to offer free information on its websites, which has been used by millions of prospective students to explore their education goals and interests. close

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Best Critical Essay Writing Scholarships in 2024

Showing 30 scholarships that match your search.

New York Life Award

Underwritten by the New York Life Foundation, the New York Life Award offers $2,500 scholarships/travel stipends to ten students whose works explore death and personal grief. Sharing your story through art or writing can be a healing experience both for you and other teens who are grieving. Your creative work can help someone with similar experiences to you feel less alone.

Categories: Critical Essay

Organization: Scholastic Art & Writing Awards

Deadline: December 01, 2024

Recipients: 10

Top award: $2,500

Apply now →

Ursinus College Creative Writing Award

The Ursinus College Creative Writing Award is a $40,000 per year major scholarship for creative writers of outstanding originality and potential. The award winner will have the honor of living in the dorm room once occupied by J.D. Salinger, who attended Ursinus. In the spirit of Holden Caulfield and Catcher in the Rye, we are looking for an unusual perspective, for quirky brilliance, for a voice. Candidates must achieve admission to Ursinus.

Organization: Ursinus College

Deadline: January 03, 2025

Recipients: 1

Top award: $40,000

Norma Ross Walter Scholarship

The purpose of the Norma Ross Walter Scholarship is to provide financial assistance to female graduates of Nebraska high schools who plan to enroll as English majors in accredited colleges or universities. Applicants must be female high school seniors who are prospective first year college students and plan to continue their education as English majors.

Organization: Willa Cather Foundation

Deadline: January 31, 2025

Additional awards: $2,500 for second place, $2,000 for third place

Top award: $3,000

Deming Fund Grant

We award small artist support grants ($500 – $2,000) to individual feminist women in the arts who are citizens in the U.S and Canada. We welcome applications from women artists and writers who exhibit high quality and originality, use feminism as their central interpretive lens, and validate and express intersectional views.

Organization: Barbara Deming Memorial Fund, Inc.

Top award: $2,000

Go On Girl! Aspiring Writer Scholarship

The winner of this award receives $2,000, an invitation to accept the award at our annual awards ceremony, promotion on our website, and a feature of their work in our journal and quarterly newsletter. Candidate must submit a 5-to-10 page story or essay on one of the chosen topics. Candidate must also be entering the sophomore, junior or senior year in the fall at any HBCU in the US.

Organization: Go On Girl! Book Club

Deadline: February 01, 2025

Additional awards: Invitation to awards ceremony, promotion through website and publications

Intercollegiate Studies Institute Graduate Fellowship

Receive up to $15,000 in funding and join a community of more than five hundred alumni now teaching in higher education. Applicants must submit all required materials including personal statements, academic writing samples, and an essay responding to the question: "What is the relationship between liberal education and a free society?”

Organization: Intercollegiate Studies Institute

Deadline: February 09, 2025

Additional awards: Multiple fellowships will be given

Top award: $15,000

Antonette Willa Skupa Turner Scholarship

The purpose of the Antonette Willa Skupa Turner Scholarship is to provide financial assistance to graduates of Nebraska high schools who plan to enroll as English or history majors in accredited colleges or universities. Applicants must be high school seniors who are prospective first year college students and plan to continue their education as English or history majors

Deadline: February 28, 2025

Top award: $1,000

Ántonia Scholarship

The purpose of the Ántonia Scholarship is to provide financial assistance to graduates of high schools based in the U.S. who plan to enroll as English or history majors in accredited colleges or universities. Applicants must be high school seniors who are prospective first year college students and plan to continue their education as English or history majors.

Missouri Mayflower Society Scholarship

The Education Committee provides a scholarship program for high school seniors in the State of Missouri who are planning to attend a college or university. This contest requires an essay on a topic relating to the Mayflower Pilgrims. The scholarships presently offered include one-time awards of $1500, $1000, and $500, funded by member contributions and corporate matching grants.

Organization: Society of Mayflower Descendants In the State of Missouri

Deadline: March 01, 2025

Additional awards: $1,000 for second place, $500 for third place

Top award: $1,500

TACTYC Scholarships

Teachers of Accounting at Two Year Colleges (TACTYC) is pleased to announce several scholarships in the amount of $1,000 each for students majoring in Accounting. Applicants must provide a 1-2 page self-description, which includes academic and professional goals, and a 1-2 page essay answering the required question for the given case study.

Organization: Teachers of Accounting at Two Year Colleges

Additional awards: Multiple awards will be given

Recipients: 7

Alois and Marie Goldmann Scholarship

This scholarship was established by Mary and George Freund in honor of George’s grandparents, who perished during the Holocaust. To preserve the memory of the Goldmanns and other Holocaust victims, applicants are asked to write an essay or formal research paper on one specific aspect of the Holocaust. Applicants must be Idaho residents who plan to attend an institution of higher learning in Idaho.

Organization: Idaho Community Foundation

Stim Bullitt Civic Courage Scholarship

The Seattle Public Library Foundation is pleased to host the Stimson Bullitt Civic Courage Scholarship competition. High school seniors and undergraduate students who live, work, or attend school in Seattle are invited to participate. The competition asks students to write an essay about an individual or group of individuals from Washington state who have demonstrated civic courage on an issue of importance to the community at great personal, political or professional risk.

Organization: The Seattle Public Library Foundation

Deadline: March 15, 2025

Additional awards: 2 runner-up prizes of $2500 each

Top award: $5,000

Cornelius Vanderbrook Memorial Essay Competition for Law Students

For this year's competition, please write an essay (1,500 words or less) exploring one legal argument defending the constitutionality of Montana's "No Aid" provision, or rebutting one argument that the clause is unconstitutional. The Cornelius Vanderbrook Essay Competition is open to all ongoing law school students attending a North American law school.

Organization: Freedom From Religion Foundation

Additional awards: $3,000 for second place, $2,000 for third place, honorable mentions of $500 each

Top award: $4,000

Bodie McDowell Scholarship

The Outdoor Writers Association of America (OWAA) annually sponsors the Bodie McDowell Scholarship program to support tomorrow’s communicators. Ideal candidates are talented communicators with outdoor interests who can demonstrate a record of accomplishment in and commitment to the fields of outdoor communications.

Organization: Outdoor Writers Association of America

Deadline: March 30, 2025

Recipients: 3

Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Scholarships

For more than three decades, the CBCF in partnership with CBC Spouses has awarded scholarships to talented and deserving students. Each year, we award more than 300 scholarships to students that demonstrate leadership ability through exemplary community service and academic talent. Our programs support current or upcoming college students across a variety of disciplines.

Organization: Congressional Black Caucus Foundation

Deadline: March 31, 2025

Additional awards: Multiple awards of varying amounts will be given

What are writing scholarships?

Writing scholarships are financial awards given to students based primarily on written work, though other factors are usually taken into consideration as well. Most writing scholarships involve a prompt or series of prompts to which applicants must respond. Some writing scholarships — especially those that award large amounts of money — require applicants to submit past writing samples, or even a full portfolio.

The good news is that, with so many writing scholarships to choose from, you don’t have to apply for any that are “out of your league.” Indeed, though most students have heard of writing scholarships, you may not realize just how many different varieties there are! Here are five of the most common types of writing scholarships, all of which you can find in this directory.

1. Personal essay scholarships

Personal essay scholarships involve writing on a topic related to your own experience. You’ll often see personal essay prompts like, “How have your experiences influenced your choice of major?” and “What are your career aspirations and how do you plan to achieve them?” Other prompts may ask you to write about a role model, a life-changing event, an aspect of your identity, etc. Suggested length is usually about 500-1,000 words, but varies depending on the level of detail requested and how many essay questions are provided.

Just about every scholarship these days has a personal essay component of some kind. This is because personal essay responses both demonstrate writing skills and give the judges a clear sense of each applicant’s goals. No one wants to throw away money on an aimless student — so if you’re applying for a personal essay scholarship, make sure to convey both your writing abilities and your ambitions in your work!

2. Critical essay scholarships

Critical essay scholarships are more in line with what students might consider  “academic” essays. The prompts typically ask applicants to analyze works of literature. However, unlike open-ended English class essays, most critical essay scholarships provide a very specific prompt (e.g. “Examine The Great Gatsby in the context of its World War II-era revival”).

Critical essay scholarships can also involve non-literary subject matter. Some may ask applicants to evaluate a historical event or figure; others may ask them to defend their stance on a political or legal issue. Though the line between critical and personal essays can sometimes blur, for the purposes of this directory, we define critical essays as those that use evidence from an external source to prove a point.

3. Short fiction scholarships

Short fiction scholarships include scholarships for short stories, one-act plays, poetry, and any other form of fiction that isn’t a novel or full-length script. Short fiction scholarships tend to be easier to find than long-form fiction scholarships, since most judging panels don’t have time to read more than a few thousand words per entry. Therefore, if you write fiction and you’re hoping to nab yourself a scholarship, this category is the way to go! (That said, if you’re a hardline novelist, some places will accept a sample chapter or two as short fiction entries.)

4. Journalism scholarships

Journalism scholarships are for students interested in pursuing a career in news, magazine, and/or online journalism. These scholarship applications almost always ask for writing samples to show the candidate’s interest. Depending on the organization, they may prefer topical news reports, informative articles, thinkpieces, or a mix. Some journalism scholarships provide a prompt and ask applicants to write a new article, but the focus is usually on samples. Speaking of which…

5. Portfolio scholarships 

Portfolio scholarships are the most rigorous kind of writing scholarship, requiring a substantial body of work from each applicant — usually 5-10 pieces of writing, if not more. The upside is that awards for portfolio scholarships tend to be pretty sizable, and may even cover your entire tuition!

If you decide to apply to a portfolio scholarship, make sure you have several strong pieces of work in your oeuvre, and consider writing a few new pieces as well. What you shouldn’t do is rush through a dozen new pieces to throw together as a portfolio. If you don’t have samples at the ready from previous assignments or projects, you’ll be better off applying to a less intensive writing scholarship.

Why apply to writing scholarships?

Applying to writing scholarships is a huge undertaking, especially if you’re pursuing multiple scholarships at once. It can sometimes feel like the effort isn’t worth it, or that you have little chance of actually winning any awards. But in truth, submitting to writing scholarships is one of the best investments you can make in your education, your creative writing skills, and your professional life.

Scholarships for larger amounts do attract more applicants, but that doesn’t mean they’re impossible to land — only that you have to work a little harder to stand out. And you can definitely sway the odds in your favor by applying to lots of small scholarships ($500 or less) for which you’ll have fewer competitors. Remember that every little bit helps! For example, if you plan on taking out student loans, even a $500 scholarship could save you much more in interest down the line.

Another compelling reason to apply to writing scholarships is that oftentimes, you’ve already done the work, or the work required is minimal. For scholarships that require writing samples, you’ll simply submit what you’ve already written in the past — and even for scholarships with specific prompts, you rarely have to write more than a couple of pages. If you were seriously committed, you could apply to a scholarship every day, spending a single concentrated evening on each application.

Jumping off that thought, as English majors love to say: the more writing scholarships you apply for, the better a writer you’ll become. Writing tons of scholarship essays will make you a much more creative and efficient writer. Not only will this help with your personal writing projects, but it will also be invaluable to your education and even your career! Writing is a crucial skill for every major — you’ll always have to write papers and emails to professors, after all — and even if you don’t plan to pursue a writing-based job, you'll still need writing skills to polish your résumé.

Finally, remember that there’s a writing scholarship out there for everyone, no matter what your interests or intended field. This directory includes plenty of creative writing scholarships, yes; but there are also personal essay scholarships for future doctors, lawyers, salespeople, and so much more. You have nothing to lose by giving it a shot, so why not start searching for your dream writing scholarship today? (And if you’re unsure about your writing skills, you might benefit from some of the resources below.)

Resources to strengthen your writing skills

• 20 Writing Tips to Help You Become A Better Writer Today. Click here to view
• How to Stop Procrastinating and Build A Solid Writing Routine. Click here to enroll
• What is Creative Nonfiction? Memoirs, Literary Journalism, and More! Check it out
• How to Write a Memoir: Tell Your Amazing Story in 9 Steps. Read more
• How to Write a Fantastic Short Story In 7 Steps. Find out more
• How to Self-Edit Your Manuscript Like a Pro. Enroll here
• 700+ Creative Writing Prompts to Inspire You. Click here to view
• 100+ Creative Writing Exercises for Authors. Learn more

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Fourteen Scholarship Essay Examples That Won Thousands 2024

Winning a big scholarship can be life-changing, particularly for those with financial need.

BUT people often forget that winning lots of small scholarship applications can be life-changing too. The scholarship essay examples (and our strategy) below can take you from planning your college plans and career goals to living them.

A common problem soon-to-be college students face: Paying for college. They qualify for many scholarships but are daunted by the task of writing five to ten to fifteen (or more) essays. It can be a struggle to even start writing, particularly for those “why I deserve the scholarship” prompts.

One solution for how to write a scholarship essay for many topics at once: Pick topics that have overlapping subject matter and write an essay or two that fit lots of these essays at once. Below, we’ve given some more information about how to successfully earn scholarship opportunities with this technique and how to end a scholarship essay.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• Kang Foundation and Legal Scholarship
• New York University Scholarship
• North Coast Section Foundation Scholarship
• Fund for Education Abroad Scholarship 1
• Questbridge Scholarship
• Change a Life Foundation
• Millennium Gates Last Dollar Scholarship 1
• Millennium Gates Last Dollar Scholarship 2
• Millennium Gates Last Dollar Scholarship 3
• Millennium Gates Last Dollar Scholarship 4
• National Association of University Women Scholarship 1
• National Association of University Women Scholarship 2
• Fund for Education Abroad Scholarship 2
• Local School District Scholarship

What Makes These Examples So Great

These scholarship winners earned thousands in financial aid from writing these essays.

The key to many of these essays is that they describe a story or an aspect of the student’s life in a way that is dynamic: It reflects many of their values, strengths, interests, volunteer work, and life experiences. 

Many of these essays also demonstrate vulnerability. Scholarship committees reading your responses will want to know who this money will benefit and why it’s important that you receive this money. In other words, they want to better understand how your values, qualities, and skills will flourish in college--and how good your writing skills are. In fact, we’ve written a guide to what colleges look for that can help you skillfully write vulnerable scholarship essays.

Whether it’s a scholarship essay about yourself , a creative writing scholarship, or an essay about why you deserve the scholarship, the sample scholarship essays below can help you better understand what can result from following a scholarship essay format or applying tips for how to write a scholarship essay. 

But first! If you’re an international student (not from the United States) applying to scholarships, don’t forget to consider some common mistakes international students make when applying to college .

How to Save Time By Combining Essays

Want to save a lot of time during the process?

Write a great college essay and re-use it when writing scholarship essays for similar prompts. Why? Combining essay prompts will not only save you time, it’ll actually result in a better essay.

We sometimes like to call these “Super Essays” because the added benefit of writing a multi-purpose essay is that it makes the essay stronger overall. We have a whole guide for how to do that here . 

This makes scholarship essays similar to supplemental essays because many supplemental essays also overlap. We know many students will be writing both types of essays at once! To help, we’ve put together a supplemental essays course on how to tackle the daunting supplemental essays, including many skills that help with writing those “Super” scholarship essays too.

Scholarship Essay Example #1

Kang Foundation Scholarship ($1000), Kingdom Dreamer Scholarship Fund Scholarship through Sarang Church ($2000), and the national contest from the Lamber Goodnow legal team ($1000) by Peter Kang.

Prompt: Open topic.

Fedora? Check. Apron? Check. Tires pumped? Check. Biking the thirty-five minutes each evening to the cafe and back to work a six-hour shift was exhausting, but my family’s encouragement and gratitude for the extra income was worth it. A few years earlier, my family of nine had been evicted from the home we had been living in for the past ten years. With nowhere else to go, we moved into our church’s back room for three months, where I shamefully tried to hide our toothbrushes and extra shoes from other church members. Right then I made a commitment to my family to contribute financially in whatever way I could. My sacrifice translated to a closer bond with my siblings and deeper conversations with my parents, helping me understand the true meaning of a unified family and the valuable part I play in that. With the financial stability that my part-time jobs provided my mother could stay home to raise seven children, my learning-disabled older sister could attend college, my younger sister could go on a mission trip to Korea, and my twin siblings could compete in national math competitions. I’ve seen that even as a high school student, I have so much potential to impact my family and beyond -- how one small act can go a long way. Through the successes of my efforts, I also realized that poverty was just a societal limitation. I was low-income, not poor. I was still flourishing in school, leading faith-based activities and taking an active role in community service. My low-income status was not a barrier but a launching pad to motivate and propel my success. To additionally earn more money as a young teen, I began flipping bicycles for profit on craigslist. Small adjustments in the brake and gears, plus a wash, could be the difference between a $50 piece of trash and a $200 steal. Seeing how a single inch could disarrange the lining of gears not only taught me the importance of detail but also sparked my fascination with fixing things. When I was sixteen I moved on to a larger project: my clunker of a car. I had purchased my 2002 Elantra with my own savings, but it was long past its prime. With some instruction from a mechanic, I began to learn the components of an engine motor and the engineering behind it. I repaired my brake light, replaced my battery, and made adjustments to the power-steering hose. Engineering was no longer just a nerdy pursuit of robotics kids; it was a medium to a solution. It could be a way to a career, doing the things I love. I was inspired to learn more. Last summer, to continue exploring my interest in engineering, I interned at Boeing. Although I spent long hours researching and working in the lab for the inertial navigation of submarines, I learned most from the little things. From the way my mentors and I began working two hours earlier than required to meet deadlines, I learned that engineering is the commitment of long hours. From the respect and humility embodied within our team, I learned the value of unity at the workplace. Like my own family at home, our unity and communal commitment to working led to excellent results for everyone and a closer connection within the group. What most intrigues me about engineering is not just the math or the technology, but the practical application. It is through engineering that I can fix up my car... and facilitate submarine navigation. Engineering, in fact, is a lifestyle --  instead of lingering over hardships, I work to solve them and learn from them. Whether the challenge is naval defense or family finances or even just a flat tire on my bike before another night shift, I will be solving these problems and will always be looking to keep rolling on.   Success is triumphing over hardships -- willing yourself over anything and everything to achieve the best for yourself and your family. With this scholarship, I will use it to continue focusing on my studies in math and engineering, instead of worrying about making money and sending more back home. It will be an investment into myself for my family.

Scholarship Essay Example #2

New York University College of Arts and Science $39,500 Scholarship by Ana

Prompt: Explain something that made a big impact in your life.

“If you can’t live off of it, it is useless.” My parents were talking about ice skating: my passion. I started skating as a ten-year-old in Spain, admiring how difficulty and grace intertwine to create beautiful programs, but no one imagined I would still be on the ice seven years and one country later. Even more unimaginable was the thought that ice skating might become one of the most useful parts of my life. I was born in Mexico to two Spanish speakers; thus, Spanish was my first language. We then moved to Spain when I was six, before finally arriving in California around my thirteenth birthday. Each change introduced countless challenges, but the hardest part of moving to America, for me, was learning English. Laminated index cards, color-coded and full of vocabulary, became part of my daily life. As someone who loves to engage in a conversation, it was very hard to feel as if my tongue was cut off. Only at the ice rink could I be myself; the feeling of the cold rink breeze embracing me, the ripping sound of blades touching the ice, even the occasional ice burning my skin as I fell—these were my few constants. I did not need to worry about mispronouncing “axel” as “aksal.” Rather, I just needed to glide and deliver the jump. From its good-natured bruise-counting competitions to its culture of hard work and perseverance, ice skating provided the nurturing environment that made my other challenges worthwhile. Knowing that each moment on the ice represented a financial sacrifice for my family, I cherished every second I got. Often this meant waking up every morning at 4 a.m. to practice what I had learned in my few precious minutes of coaching. It meant assisting in group lessons to earn extra skating time and taking my conditioning off-ice by joining my high school varsity running teams. Even as I began to make friends and lose my fear of speaking, the rink was my sanctuary. Eventually, however, the only way to keep improving was to pay for more coaching, which my family could not afford. And so I started tutoring Spanish. Now, the biggest passion of my life is supported by my most natural ability. I have had over thirty Spanish students, ranging in age from three to forty and spanning many ethnic backgrounds. I currently work with fifteen students each week, each with different needs and ways of learning. Drawing on my own experiences as both a second language-learner and a figure skater, I assign personal, interactive exercises, make jokes to keep my students’ mindset positive, and never give away right answers. When I first started learning my axel jump, my coach told me I would have to fall at least 500 times (about a year of falls!) in order to land it. Likewise, I have my students embrace every detail of a mistake until they can begin to recognize new errors when they see them. I encourage them to expand their horizons and take pride in preparing them for new interactions and opportunities. Although I agree that I will never live off of ice skating, the education and skills I have gained from it have opened countless doors. Ice skating has given me the resilience, work ethic, and inspiration to develop as a teacher and an English speaker. It has improved my academic performance by teaching me rhythm, health, and routine. It also reminds me that a passion does not have to produce money in order for it to hold immense value. Ceramics, for instance, challenges me to experiment with the messy and unexpected. While painting reminds me to be adventurous and patient with my forms of self-expression. I don’t know yet what I will live off of from day to day as I mature; however, the skills my passions have provided me are life-long and irreplaceable.

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Scholarship Essay Example #3

North Coast Section Foundation Scholarship for $1000 by Christine Fung

As a child of immigrant parents, I learned to take responsibilities for my family and myself at a very young age. Although my parents spoke English, they constantly worked in order to financially support my little brother and I. Meanwhile, my grandparents barely knew English so I became their translator for medical appointments and in every single interaction with English speakers. Even until now, I still translate for them and I teach my grandparents conversational English. The more involved I became with my family, the more I knew what I wanted to be in the future. Since I was five, my parents pushed me to value education because they were born in Vietnam and had limited education. Because of this disadvantage, I learned to take everything I do seriously and to put in all of my effort to complete tasks such as becoming the founder of my school’s Badminton Club in my sophomore year and Red Cross Club this year. Before creating these clubs, I created a vision for these clubs so I can organize my responsibilities better as a leader. The more involved I became, the more I learned as a leader and as a person. As a leader, I carried the same behavior I portrayed towards my younger cousins and sibling. My family members stressed the importance of being a good influence; as I adapted this behavior, I utilized this in my leadership positions. I learned to become a good role model by teaching my younger family members proper manners and guiding them in their academics so that they can do well. In school, I guide my peers in organizing team uniform designs and in networking with a nonprofit organization for service events. Asides from my values, I’m truly passionate in the medical field. I always wanted to be a pediatrician since I was fourteen. My strong interest in the medical field allowed me to open up my shell in certain situations— when I became sociable to patients in the hospital as a volunteer, when I became friendly and approachable to children in my job at Kumon Math and Reading Center, and when I portrayed compassion and empathy towards my teammates in the badminton team. However, when I participated in the 2017 Kaiser Summer Volunteer Program at Richmond Medical Center, I realized that I didn’t only want to be a pediatrician. This program opened my eye to numerous opportunities in different fields of medicine and in different approaches in working in the medicine industry. While I may have a strong love for the medical field, my interest in business immensely grew as I soon discovered that I didn’t only have to take the practical approach in the medical field. With this interest, I plan to also become a part of a medical facility management team. In the future, I hope to pursue my dream of becoming a doctor by attaining an MD, and to double major in Managerial Economics. I intend to study at UC Davis as a Biological Sciences major, where I anticipate to become extremely involved with the student community. After graduation, I plan to develop a strong network relationship with Kaiser Permanente as I’ve started last year in my internship. By developing a network with them, I hope to work in one of their facilities some day. Based on my values, interests, and planned future, I’m applying for the NCS Foundation scholarship because not only will it financially help me, but it can give motivation for me to academically push myself. I hope to use this scholarship in applying for a study abroad program, where I can learn about other cultures’ customs while conducting research there.  

Scholarship Essay Example #4

Fund for Education Abroad Rainbow Scholarship $7,500 by Steven Fisher

Prompt: The Fund for Education Abroad is committed to diversifying education abroad by providing funding to students who are typically under-represented in study abroad. Please describe how you and/or your plans for study abroad could be viewed as under-represented.

“Oh well look at that one,” my uncle leans over and says about my brother-in-law in the living room wearing a dress. “I’d always had my suspicions about him,” he jokes with a disapproving sneer and leans back in his chair, a plate of Southern-style Christmas dinner in his hand. I was hurt. Why would my own uncle say that like it’s such a terrible thing that my brother-in-law is wearing a dress? That it was the worst thing in the world if my brother-in-law were gay or effeminite. “I think he looks beautiful,” my oldest brother Ethan chimes in. At that moment, I wish I could have hugged Ethan. No, not because he was defending my brother-in-law (who actually isn’t gay, as my uncle was suggesting), but because Ethan was defending me. My uncle has no idea that I recognized earlier this past year that heterosexuality wasn’t meeting all of my needs for intimacy with other people and that I’ve come to define myself as queer. It all started when I took a hard look at how my upbringing in Miami had taught me that the only way that boys are supposed to connect with others is by having sex with “beautiful” girls – that intimacy with other guys or “ugly” girls isn’t as meaningful. After freeing up that block in my brain that told me that I shouldn’t look at guys in a certain way, I could embraced the fact that I’m attracted to men (and people in general) in a lot of different, new ways. My growth as a person was exponential. I rewrote so many areas of my life where I didn’t do things I wanted because of social conditioning. Within two months, my world expanded to include polyamory. I looked back on my past relationship with my girlfriend and realized that I wasn’t jealous (angry, yes. hurt, yes. But not jealous) when she cheated on me. I realized that people’s needs — whether they are for sex, someone to talk to, someone to engage intellectually — don’t necessarily all have to be met with one person. It can be easier sometimes with one person, absolutely. But that’s not the only way. As someone who is both polyamorus and queer, I feel like parts of my family and large parts of my community marginalize me for being different because society has told them to. I want to change that. Since I will be studying for an entire year in Prague, I will have the opportunity to attend the annual Mezipatra, an international film festival in November that screens around a hundred top-ranking films on lesbian, bisexual, transsexual and queer themes. I feel really connected to going to this event because I crave being in an environment of like-minded people who strive to do that same thing I want to: balance the images of people typically portrayed through cliché and stereotype. When I came out to my sister-in-law, she told me that people who are really set in their ways are more likely to be tolerant to different kinds of people after having relationships with these people. If my uncle can learn to love me, to learn to love one queer/poly person, he can learn to love them all. If I can be an example to my family, I can be an example to my classmates. If I can get the opportunity to travel abroad, I can be an example to the world. Not just through my relationships, but through my art. Give me a camera and a screen and I will carry the message of tolerance from the audiences of Mezipatra in Prague to my parent’s living room. Fade in: Two men with thick beards kiss – maybe for once they aren’t wearing colorful flamboyant clothing. Fade in: A woman leaves her house to go to her male best friend’s house and her husband honestly tells her to enjoy herself. Fade in: A college student wanting to study abroad tells his conservative parents the truth…

Working on your scholarship essay or personal statement?

Get help from my free guide, scholarship essay example #5.

Questbridge Finalist essay earning $3,000 in application waivers plus $3000 in local scholarships by Jordan Sanchez

Prompt: 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.

Recall the most cherished memory with your father figure. For some it may be when he taught you how to ride a bike, for others it may be memories of him taking you out for pizza when mom said the family has to eat healthy, for others it’s the ability to confide in somebody that won’t judge or stop loving you because of the mistakes you have made. When a child is born, he or she is given a birth certificate, which provides information such as name, date and place of birth, but most importantly it provides the names of the parents of the child. On my birth certificate I have the name the name of my beloved mother Lurvin, but right above her name is an empty space where my father’s name should be. As a child I would often compare my life to my peers; I would often go through all of these hypothetical scenarios in my mind thinking, “If my dad were around I could be like all of the other boys.” As the years went by I always had a sense of optimism that one day I would meet him and he would tell me “I love you and I’ll never leave your side again.” But when the time came and I met him on January 2014 I learned that a man can reject his only son not once, but twice. My father left when I was one year old and I will soon be turning 17; I did the math and found that for about 5900 days he has neglected me. He was able to sleep 5900 nights without knowing whether or not I was dead or alive. Even though he’s been gone for 5900 days,  my life did not get put on hold. In those 5900 days I learned how to walk, talk, and I became a strong young man without the provider of my Y Chromosome because he is nothing more to me than that. In the past I believed that my father was necessary to rise but instead I found that false hope was an unnecessary accessory and now I refuse to let the fact that I am fatherless define the limits of the great things that I can accomplish. It’s said that boys learn to be a man from their fathers, that they learn what it means to be a man that has values and can stand up for what’s right. I, however, have found that grit can come from anywhere. When I was in middle school I was overweight and many other boys would call me names, and even after going to administration several times nothing changed and for several years I kept myself at bay because if I had done anything in return I would be no better than those guys who bullied me. I previously had this perception that somebody else would come to my rescue, that somebody else would provide the mental strength to combat the hardships that were sent my way. But as time passed I grew tired of waiting for help that was never going to come so I had to become my own hero. Since making that decision I have been liberated from the labels that previously confined me and I took back control of my own life. My ability to be self motivated has assisted me in becoming a leader in several of my extracurricular activities. I was one of the 4 male students of my school district that was selected as a delegate by the American Legion to participate at the Boy’s State program and I am also the captain of my group in the Young Senator's Leadership Program that is run by California Senator Tony Mendoza. I also developed skills on the wrestling mat.  On one occasion I wrestled the person who was ranked the 9th best wrestler in the state and although I did not win there was not a single second that I was afraid to fail because I knew I gave it my all. Similarly I have put the same effort into becoming a successful. My father’s name is not on my birth certificate, but it is MY birth certificate. My origins are not the brightest but I was given a life that is mine to live and because “Life is made of two dates and a dash..” I have to “...Make most of the dash.” I am not going to live forever but if I were to leave this world today I would feel content with the person I see in the mirror. I know the difficulty that latinos face in this day and age I can envision assisting other young latinos achieving their dreams. I believe the most valuable thing in this world is opportunity because sometimes all it takes for someone to be successful is a chance to do so. Consequently I would like to be part of that chance that can foster the growth of future success.

Scholarship Essay Example #6

Change a Life Foundation Scholarship Essay Examples by Isabella Mendez-Figueroa

Prompt: Please explain a personal hardship or catastrophic life event that you have experienced. How did you manage to overcome this obstacle? What did you learn and how did you grow from it? This answer is critical to your application as Change a Life Foundation’s vision is to assist individuals who have persevered and overcome a hardship/catastrophic life event.

Filling out this application, and my college applications, has forced me to face head on the realities that I've grown up in. Looking back and describing my life I see all the ways in which I am disadvantaged due to my socioeconomic status. But I think it's important to note that I wasn't fully aware of any of it growing up. I knew that my parents couldn't buy me everything, but I also knew that they hardly ever said no. I was a very normal child, asking for chicken nuggets and looking at mom and dad any time I was scared or unsure of something. As I've grown I've learned to fight my own monsters but I now also battle the ones that frighten my parents, the monsters of a world that they weren't born into. Monsters of doubt and disadvantage that try to keep them stuck in a cycle of poverty; thriving in a world that casts them to the side and a society that, with its current political climate, doesn't welcome them with the warmest hello. The baby sitter, the house keeper, the driver, it's taken my dad 10+ years of night shifts to attain financial stability, and become an asset to his workplace. He's been one of the millions of people who has been laid off in the last couple of decades and has had to start over multiple times. But each time he's re-built himself with more resilience. I've grown up living in section 8 housing because my parents often found themselves living paycheck to paycheck, not by choice, but by circumstance. They've endured bankruptcy over credit card debt, have never owned a home, or been given access to resources that allow them to save. Every time we've readapted, we get struck by a new change. I currently live in Manchester Square, a ghost town, byproduct of the Los Angeles Airport expansion project. The 16 steps I have always known, soon to be demolished. My neighbors are empty lots, enclosed by fences. Homeless people’s pitch tents, under the roar of airplanes. My home is soon to become an accommodation to an airport, soon to be nonexistent. Knowing that my family has to relocate as I'm applying to college makes me feel a tad guilty, because of my lack of resources, I fear it will become a barrier into my transition to college. My parents finances are not a secret, I know their struggles as I hear about them day after day. My parents now deal with the burden of relocating, no longer having subsidized housing and again, struck by yet another need to readjust and reassemble. Relocating a family of 5 in an area plagued by gentrification of stadiums and demolition is no simple task as rent prices are as high as mortgages. It's odd they don't want me to stress or have it become my problem but I know it is, and I want to do whatever I can to help. My older sister is the first in my family to go to college. I was always the shyer one. She's taught me through her efforts that the only limits you have are the ones you place on yourself. With my sister's example I have followed in the footsteps of never letting money become a reason why I can't or won't do something. If my sister can do it, I can do it. I see the leadership characteristic is genetic and it runs in my entire family. I witness my parents be leaders everyday as they tackle cultural obstacles in a country that wasn't the one they were born into, speaking a language that is not their own, and raising children to succeed in a system of higher education; one they never had the privilege to be part of. My family and I are one. We stack our efforts, and obstacles on top of each other to further our successes as a whole. When I think back to my family's story I'm amazed to think that my grandpa came to the US in the midst of WW2, a bracero, leaving his family to help feed millions of Americans in time of war. My grandpa, a man of the fields, paved the way so I could defy the odds with my prosperity. At home, the teacher role often switches within my family. I am responsible for translating documents to my parents and explaining procedures and concepts as I, myself, am learning them. I have had the responsibility of helping assist my younger sister who has a mild case of Cerebral Palsy. Due to her pre-existing condition, she is a slow learner. I have dedicated a lot of time this past year, helping her with her transition from elementary to middle school and helping her adapt to such a drastic change. Sometimes, I only sleep 4 hours as I wake up and rush out the door in order to make it on time to 6am tutoring. Having to manage my schoolwork and home responsibilities has been difficult but I've managed to maintain high academic achievement by managing my time correctly and being persistent. If I truly want something, I need to go after it, and I will get it done. Sometimes being tired isn't an option.

Scholarship Essay Example #7

Millennium Gates Last Dollar Scholarship and $3,500 in Outside Scholarship Essay Examples by Famyrah Lafortune

Prompt: “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” - Nelson Mandela. Describe a change you would like to make in the world. Tell us about how you would plan to make that change, and what obstacles you might encounter along the way. * (No more than 400 words)

Nothing is more important to me than ending racial inequality and discrimination in America, as I do not want my younger siblings to face the discrimination Black people continue to face in our present society. After winning our fight to freedom and provoking the passage of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, why do Black teens face higher poverty rates than Whites and are still four times more likely to be incarcerated? “That was such a long time ago. You really need to get over it,” my White peers say when referring to racial inequalities. But, why then, in 7th grade, after winning Nazareth Academy’s Spelling Bee competition, did my fellow White classmate state with a heavy dose of surprise, “You know…when I first saw you, I didn’t think you were going to be smart?” I hope to contribute to ending racial discrimination by utilizing our present interconnectivity and running a social media campaign titled #It’sNotOver. #It’sNotOver aims to oppose the widespread misconception that, because racial inequality was legally outlawed, de facto racial inequality does not still persist in our society. Our recent presidential election may have brought life to a ‘Divided America,’ but it also exposed how influential social media is. By raising awareness of racial disparities that occur everywhere, I might encourage a new wave of change in our country like that of the present Time’s Up movement. Furthermore, if I can access the influence of celebrities in my #It’sNotOver campaign, like that of Time’s Up, I might similarly capture the attention of millions of people and inspire action against this issue across the globe. I know that social media can only do so much in addressing these issues as not everyone can afford the luxury of having internet access. However, I hope that my campaign can inspire all those who do have access to take it upon themselves to be the change by being inspired by the fact that we are globally united in this issue. Although I expect negativity and criticism from people who either do not believe that this issue exists or do not believe in our cause, I am willing to encounter it if it means our society as a whole irrevocably can grow to accept each other’s differences.

Scholarship Essay Example #8

Prompt: “It is very important to know who you are. To make decisions. To show who you are.” – Malala Yousafzai. Tell us three things that are important to you. How did you arrive at this list? Will these things be important to you in ten years? Why? * (No more than 400 words)

The three things that are important to me are my family, being successful, and leaving a legacy. As a result of my past, I keep these three crucial things at the forefront of my mind every day to help myself be successful. Above all, my family is the most important thing in my life. The meaning of family may differ for everyone, but for me, my family is life. I almost died in the 2010 Haitian earthquake, as Jacmel was one of the worst damaged areas, had it not been for my grandmother and my mom. Later, if it was not for my uncle, my mom would not have been able to come to America to give me a better life. Without my family, I wouldn’t be here. I am forever indebted to their sacrifices, and I am so grateful that I have their eternal love and support. Success is also very important to me. I hope to accomplish many things in my life, but most importantly, I would like to make my family proud so that they know that all of their sacrifices were worth it. Success to me is having a career that I love and allows me to help my family members financially. I hope to no longer experience hardships such as homelessness, poverty, and economic difficulties, as I had in my young life. Ultimately, however, I would like to grow into someone who is loved and remembered by people who aren’t my immediate family members and my friends. I do not wish to be glorified, but I want to be more than a nonentity in this big, vast world. I hope that if I can inspire the change that I want to make, I can leave a legacy that continues to influence and shape the landscape that follows me. After coming to the epiphany that if I died today, nothing would change except for the lives of those extremely close to me, I find myself unwilling to be just another Jane Doe. I want to leave a part of myself behind, whether it is a building or a popular hashtag, that is meaningful and permanent once I die.

ANOTHER GREAT READ: HOW TO COMBINE YOUR COLLEGE ESSAY PROMPTS (TO SAVE 20+ WRITING HOURS)

Scholarship essay example #9.

Prompt: “Preservation of one's own culture does not require contempt or disrespect for other cultures.” - Cesar Chavez. What does it mean to you to be part of a minority community? What challenges has it brought and how have you overcome them? What are the benefits? * (No more than 400 words)

Being part of a minority is very conflicting for me as I feel both empowered as a part of a Haitian minority community but also disconnected from my non-immigrant peers. Coming from a background of poverty in Haiti, I knew that, even at a very young age, I had to be a good student in order to succeed. This work ethic--found throughout my Haitian community--has been very beneficial in my life as we all came here to pave ourselves a better future. As my mom held two jobs, went to college, and was temporarily homeless just to secure me a better future, I feel invigorated to be part of such an indefatigable community. And, it is because of this strong work ethic, central to my community’s core values, that I am now the salutatorian of a class of 679 students. As I was so young when I came to the US, I didn’t know how American society functioned, specifically elementary school. I was the only immigrant in a class of forty, barely spoke English, and had no friends because of these limitations. Every day of those first few years, I felt an almost physical divide between my peers and myself. I never experienced a sense of belonging, despite my efforts. Already a double minority as a woman and a Black person, I tried to relinquish my language and culture in favor of American language and values to better fit in the crowd. By doing this, however, I almost completely lost my cultural identity as both a Haitian and an immigrant, and also my language. It was in the halls of my first high school, International Studies Charter High School, that I realized the enormity of what I had lost. Where my peers retained their cultural identities and language, I had almost lost mine. It was there, I learned to embrace a part of me that was virtually buried inside, as I was encouraged to be more open: speaking Creole with my Haitian math teacher and peers. As a senior, I now volunteer weekly helping Haitian ESOL students with their homework. I am both a teacher and a student in that small classroom as I help them with their homework, and, in return, they help me in perfecting my use of Creole. They are my daily reminder of what unites us as Haitians—our ability to triumph in the face of adversity.

Scholarship Essay Example #10

Prompt: “The secret of our success is that we never, never give up.” - Wilma Mankiller. Tell us about a time when you failed at something. What were the circumstances? How did you respond to failure? What lessons did you learn? * (No more than 400 words)

I’ve danced ballet since I was seven-years-old. But, even after almost eight years, I could still barely extend my legs as high as my peers nor could do as many pirouettes as them. My flexibility was incredibly subpar and I easily wore out my Pointe shoes, making them unwearable after a couple of months. Where the average lifespans of my peers’ pointe shoes extended into months, mine could barely last ten classes. I was the weakling of my class at Ballet Etudes, and I was too absorbed in my insecurities to do anything to better myself to become the dancer I aspired to be. After a humiliating recital, wherein my pointe shoe ribbons untied in the middle of our group performance, I all but gave up on dance. I was in the middle of doing a Changement de Pieds (Change of feet jumping step) when I glanced down in horror to see my beautiful ribbons untied as I forgot to tape them with clear tape as I usually did before my performances. Glancing to my right, I saw that my ballet teacher backstage had also taken note and was rushing me to get off the stage, her hands beckoning me in a frantic manner. After berating me for not having properly tied my laces, I was not allowed to finish my part. Later, I could barely get back on stage that evening for our final performance as I didn’t want to fail myself and my team again. But, because of my move to Port Saint Lucie in the summer before sophomore year, I was able to rekindle my passion for ballet and pointe at South Florida Dance Company. South Florida Dance Company was my saving grace, a place where I was able to restart my experiences in dance and renew the joy I once felt in my art. It was an incredible feeling regaining my confidence and surety in my abilities, as a result of the additional help that I received from my dance teacher, Ms. Amanda. Presently, I always remind myself to be the best that I can be and to positively use my dance role models, like Misty Copeland, as encouragement to be a better dancer. From this experience, I learned that to overcome personal failures, I needed to move forward and think positively because change doesn’t happen when you sit still.

Scholarship Essay Example #11

National Association of University Women Scholarship Essay Examples by Isabella Mendez-Figueroa

Prompt: Please explain how your experience volunteering and participating in community service has shaped your perspective on humanity. Elaborate on how these experiences have influenced your future ambitions and career choice.

I didn’t really understand my community until I was forced to see it from the outside; sort of like when you see a picture of yourself someone else took that you weren’t aware of. It took a 3,000 mile flight for me to gain a different perspective of the world, of my world. When I landed in Maine it was nothing like the place I called home. There was no traffic, there were lots of trees, and absolutely no spanish to be heard anywhere. I missed my people, my home, and my community the most as I saw the ways in which other communities fostered creativity, advocacy, and community involvement. I talked about my community every chance I got, writing a public backlash to Donald Trump and reading out to the group of parents to show them my unique struggle. The election of Donald Trump has forced me to come to terms with the harsh realities of this world. The lack of respect he has for women, minority groups, and factual evidence are alarming. This presidency makes me want to prove wrong all of his perceptions of people like me, the poor, the immigrant, the woman. I left people in awe, leaving me empowered. I had people come up to me and explain that they can relate to my poem about not fitting in, being Mexican American and not feeling like you can consider yourself American or Mexican because you’re both. I emphasized that I, like many others, am in between and we have the same platform that anyone else does to succeed. I explained that many of us, hold this pressure of first generation children of immigrants to prove that we are the proof that our parents sacrifices of restarting in a new country was worth it. I was the visible representation of a first generation child of immigrants, branching out into a new environment despite where I had come from and shocking everyone with my prosperity. If I was the only visible representation available, I was going to use my voice to echo the feelings of my entire community and make it known that we are all here-- all of our struggles, our efforts, and our passions, are not absent from places where we are not seen. Maine helped me branch out in my own community now as a Student Ambassador. From this experience, I’ve learned that I can represent my high school and have the responsibility to assist staff at events for prospective students and organize presentations for parents. I spend a lot of time interpreting for parents at meetings and explaining the current events that are ongoing and new educational opportunities that students should take advantage of. I have had the privilege to work alongside office staff and the Principal, where I get to positively dedicate my time to parents who have general questions regarding the schools upcoming events. By dedicating my time as a Student Ambassador, I have allowed myself to excel at communicating with others and improving my customer service skills. I want my education to change the negative stigmas surrounding my community, by showing that it's possible to expand your access to the world and allow you to leave, by choice, through receiving a post-secondary education. I am someone who has grown up in an area with limited resources fostering limited mindsets. My neighborhood has 4 elementary schools, 2 high schools, and a strip club feet away from a library. What message does that send to children? It's normal in my community to have pregnant classmates in high school. People aren't aware of the world outside, they aren't encouraged to ever leave. Through my experience as a volunteer that communicates a lot with parents, I have learned that the American Dream does not simply belong to first generation students like myself. I have found that our accomplishments are stacked upon the sacrifices of our parents. I used to think that growing up was like the passing of a baton where you’re the next runner and it’s your turn to run your best race, but I now see that this is a team effort, as you expand your horizons your family also gets to experience the benefits. I want to demonstrate to my community that there can be a female, bilingual, Latina doctor. I want to showcase that one's zip code, doesn't determines one's success. One of the most common questions I get at these parent meetings is “what’s better college or university”? This question didn’t make sense to me at first then I realized that parents wanted to know the difference between community college and a four year. Concepts like financial aid, grants, loans, are all foreign concepts as most of our parents never went to college. They want to be able to help but do not know where to begin. As a student ambassador I helped bridge that gap. We often held meetings where we explained to parents within our community what resources were out there and available and what the difference were among the different options for each student. Being the student face for Animo, I’ve learned that I as a student and daughter, can provide assistance to my own community through the knowledge that I have gained. I am the communication that is needed in my community that’s necessary for further successes by using my personal knowledge and experience to help uplift and educate others in similar situations.

Scholarship Essay Example #12

Prompt: Discuss in your essay any challenges or obstacles you have dealt with and overcome in life and how this will help you succeed in college and beyond. Describe how volunteer, community service or extra-curricular activities have shaped who you are today and what it has taught you. May also include future educational plans and career goals. [250-500 Words]

I have encountered an emotional barrier making it difficult to manage my schoolwork, extracurricular activities and family responsibilities. I have had to deal with being viciously raped by a peer during my sophomore year, resulting in severe depression. I am no longer allowed to be alone for a long period of time, as I’ve attempted to commit suicide twice, but I do not regard those as true attempts to end my life. I just wanted someone to know how I felt and how much I needed help. My past has only made me more resilient, as I choose to prove to myself and those around me that I am more than the barriers I’ve encountered–but overcome. It took a 3,000- mile flight for me to gain a different perspective of my world. Landing in Maine was nothing like home. There was no traffic, lots of trees, and absolutely no Spanish to be heard anywhere. I was a 10th grader when I found myself at Coastal Studies for Girls, a marine science and leadership school; I would be there for a whole semester. I was surrounded by strangers who looked different, sounded different, and could recite tide pool specifics in casual conversation. I was the visible representation of a first-generation child of immigrants, branching out into a new environment. An environment where I wanted to prove wrong all perceptions of people like me, the poor, the immigrant, the brown woman. I used my voice to echo my community and make it known that, we, are here–all of our struggles, our efforts, and our passions, are not absent from places where we are not seen. Returning home, I had the privilege to work alongside school administrators as a student ambassador. I got to positively dedicate my time to parents who have general questions regarding the school and help translate information. I have learned that the American Dream does not simply belong to first generation students like myself, but I now see it is a team effort, as you expand, your family also gets to experience the benefits. One of the most common questions at parent meetings is “what’s better college or university”? This question did not make sense to me, I then realized that parents want to know the difference between community college and a four year. Concepts like financial aid, grants, loans, are all foreign concepts as most of our parents never went to college. As a student ambassador, I help bridge that gap. We often hold meetings where we explained resources available and different options for each student. I have learned, that as a student, I can provide assistance to my own community through my knowledge. I am the communication necessary for further successes, using my personal knowledge and experience to help uplift and educate others in similar situations. My pursuit is to not only go to college but thrive and come back ready and able to help students like myself that have to fight for their seat in the lecture hall.

Scholarship Essay Example #13

Prompt: The Rainbow Scholarship is awarded to a deserving LGBTQ student who aims to participate in a high-quality, rigorous education abroad program. If you would like to be considered, please explain why you would be a strong candidate for the Rainbow Scholarship. What will this scholarship enable you to achieve for yourself and your LGBTQ community?

It is my life goal to make films that will change the way society see groups of people typically defined by stereotype and cliché. By immersing myself in Prague’s culture through the American Institute of Foreign Study year-long program, I will gain the cinematic and philosophic tools to create films that will help others to better understand the LGBTQ community. I’ve been making movies since I was old enough to hold a camera, but now I’d like to take it a step further. While abroad, I’ll visit the Film and TV School of the Academy of Performing Arts (FAMU) in Prague. The Hollywood Reporter puts FAMU at the top of the list of best film schools in Europe. I put it at the top of my list of prospective graduate schools because it was the center of Czech filmmakers’ during communist rule in the 1960s. FAMU was where rebellious film makers broke the bonds of censorship by creating films that depicted the perspectives of marginalized people. I want to do the same thing today. I ask: What can the Czechoslovak New Wave filmmakers and their struggle for social equality teach me about making films that will help to free the LGBTQ members in my own community? I will find my answers here: In November, the international film festival held in Prague called the Mezipatra will screen around a hundred top-ranking films on lesbian, bisexual, transsexual and queer themes. What better place for a queer filmmaker obsessed with Czech New Wave film to meet people to learn and collaborate with? I’d also like to volunteer to work on a photography project at the Lobkowicz Palace and Nelahozeves Castle, 15km from Prague, where I will find one of the world’s largest private collections of world-famous artworks, artifacts, and a library of over 65,000 volumes. I hope to hone my skills with a camera and take a zoomed-in look at the Prague history. I’m going to wear my Canon t2i like a glove. And finally, I hope to better understand Czech culture as it pertains to film making by studying at Charles University and taking classes like “Central European Film: Search for Identity” and “Hollywood and Europe”. I will get more in touch with the performance and character elements of film by taking the theater class “Prague Theater Scene: Performance Analysis.” Finally, I’ll learn to better listen to what my community in Prague has to say (literally and figuratively) by taking Czech language classes in a two-week intensive course that includes two language-focused events where students engage with the local area. Through traveling abroad in Prague, I give myself to a new perspective and open myself up to influence. I want to use my experience to create films that will convince others to do the same—as a representative of the LGBTQ community, I want to send the message of acceptance and tolerance to the world, from the screens of Mezipatra in Prague to my conservative parents’ television sets.

Scholarship Essay Example #14

$1,000 local school district scholarship by Amani Davis.

Last February, I partook in a Divas in Defense workshop. Within this class, our group met a woman who was a survivor of domestic violence. She was also close to becoming a victim of sex trafficking. From this I learned that intimate partner violence is the leading cause of female homicide and injury-related deaths during pregnancy. Although it is not a common hot topic, many people go through it everyday. These people are not only women but men and children, too. Therefore, domestic violence is an issue that is under-discussed, yet extremely important. Every 1 in 4 women will be a victim of severe violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime. This means our mothers, sisters, grandmothers or even daughters can be victims of domestic violence. We have to be the ones willing to initiate the conversation because many victims are scared. Everyday more people are speaking up about their own stories. Celebrities such as Bill Clinton, Rihanna, and Halle Berry have spoke about their personal accounts with domestic violence. Through these views, people are seeing domestic violence as a bigger issue and an issue that needs to be opened up about. All in all, domestic violence is all around us. Additionally, abuse can hurt people physically, mentally, and financially. Physical abuse results in injuries that cost money in order to be fixed. Many remain in or return to an abusive relationship because they lack the financial resources to live on their own. Also, children who grow up around domestic violence are 15 times more likely to be physically and/or sexually abused than the national average. In short, abuse can have various effects on those involved. To surmise, domestic violence is often kept quiet within minority communities. As a whole, we have to be proactive and reactive in order to fight the current problem with abuse. Nevertheless, we have to be the change we want to see.Ultimately, domestic violence is not an issue that can be completely rid of, but we can make a true difference through education and prevention. Some issues have to be dealt with in house before we see a major turn around.

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