250 word essay scholarships

Best Essay Scholarships to Apply for in 2024

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

Thomas Mashig Foundation Scholarship

Eligibility criteria:.

• Education Level : High school or current/future trade school student
• Financial Status : Financial Need

Anthony McPherson Memorial Automotive Scholarship

• Field of Interest : Automotive
• Education Level : High school or undergraduate student

Ashanti McCall Life & Legacy Scholarship

• Background : Has a parent who is/was incarcerated

Fishers of Men-tal Health Scholarship

• Field of Study : Mental health
• Education Level : Undergraduate or graduate student
• Background : Religious and/or spiritual

Matthew E. Minor Memorial Scholarship

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

Grassroot Heroics Scholarship

Joseph a. monachino memorial scholarship.

• Financial Status : Financial need
• Education Level : High school student
• State : Nevada

Dr. Edward V. Chavez Athletic Memorial Scholarship

• Background : Has lost one or both parents
• Passion : Sports

Harvest Achievement Scholarship

• Gender : Female-identifying

Boatswain’s Mate Third Class Antonie Bernard Thomas Memorial Scholarship

• Background : Military service member, police officer, or family of military or police

Brandon M. Greber Memorial Scholarship

• Education Level : High school junior or senior or undergraduate student
• Background : Plans to enter the military

Slater Miller Memorial Fund

• Education Level : Trade school student
• Financial Status : Low-income
• Background : Non-profit or volunteering experience

Chris Struthers Memorial Scholarship

• Education Level : High school, undergraduate, or graduate student
• Field of Study : Graphic design

Next Chapter Scholarship

• Education Level : Community college or trade school student
• GPA : 2.0 GPA or higher

Walking In Authority International Ministry Scholarship

• Education Level : High school senior or undergraduate
• Experience : Volunteering
• GPA : 2.5 or higher

Dr. C.L. Gupta Young Scholars Award

• Background : High standardized test scores

Nursing Student Scholarship

• Field of Study : Nursing

Jason David Anderson Memorial Scholarship

• State : New Jersey
• GPA : 3.0 GPA or higher
• Background : Has been affected by addiction (personally or through a loved one)
• Field of Study : Healthcare or rehabilitation

Sewing Seeds: Lena B. Davis Memorial Scholarship

• Education Level : High school or four-year undergraduate student
• Identity : Underrepresented minority
• Field of Study : Psychology, social work, counseling, or other mental health-related fields

Curtis Holloway Memorial Scholarship

• Background : Has lost a parent or lives in a single-parent household

Robert Lawyer Memorial Scholarship

• Education Level : High school, undergraduate, trade school, or graduate student
• Background : First-generation college student
• Identity : Non-traditional college student

Ken Larson Memorial Scholarship

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

Make Your "Truth" Your Own Scholarship

• Background : Former Jehovah’s Witness

AB Foundation Scholarship

• Education level : High school senior & undergraduates
• Background : Teen mom and/or child of a teen mom

Juanita Robinson English Book Scholarship

• Education Level : Undergraduate student
• School : Howard University

Joseph Lipovits Memorial Aviation Scholarship

• Field of Study : Aviation/flying

Billy Downey Memorial Agriculture Scholarship

• Field of Study : Agriculture
• Background : Volunteering experience

Reindeer Jill Memorial Scholarship for Veterinary Medicine Students

• Field of Study : Veterinary medicine

Dental Hygiene Basics Scholarship

• Field of Study : Dental hygiene

Jeff Stanley Memorial Scholarship

• Field of Study : Theater or performing arts

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.

• Applying For Scholarships

How to Write a Great 250-Word Essay

David Dec 14, 2017

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In college, there are many instances where you may be required to write a 250-word essay – your application, exam questions, small writing prompts, etc. A 250-word limit may seem like a novel to some, but others find it difficult to get their point across with so few words. In this guide, we will look at a 250-word essay example, along with tips on how to write a great 250-word essay.   Bonus: Need to write a longer essay? See this guide on how to write a 500-word essay

The Basic Format of a 250-Word Essay

All essays consist of the same three parts: an introduction with a thesis, a body paragraph or body paragraphs that support the thesis, and a concluding paragraph that summarizes the overall essay.

In 250 words, you will most likely have 3-4 paragraphs in total, each with 50-100 words. This will allow for 3-5 concise but detailed sentences per paragraph.

A Step-by-Step 250-Word Essay Example

To help visualize this process, let’s go ahead and write a simple 250-word essay.  You’ll see our writing sample in green and our explanation of what we did (and what can be done) with each section in normal text.

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Without further ado, let’s get started on our essay!

TOPIC:  How has your family upbringing influenced your educational goals?

Step 1 – Write Your Thesis

Your thesis is the first thing you should consider in your essay. Simply put, it’s the main idea of your essay that will control everything else you write. If you could summarize the question in just one sentence, how would you do it?

For our topic   How has your family upbringing influenced your educational goals?  our thesis will be:

My parents saw little value in a formal education. It was their lack of passion that led me to my educational goals.

Step 2 – Write Your Introduction

In the introduction, the first sentence can be a broad or general statement that sets the tone for the piece. It is usually supported by a second sentence that leads into the thesis. The optional third sentence may pose a question that the thesis aims to answer, or it may prompt the reader to think about the topic in a different light. The final sentence of the intro paragraph clearly establishes the thesis.

As a general rule of thumb, the introduction should go from broad to specific, sentence by sentence, gradually leading up to your thesis. Here’s a sample example of an introductory paragraph.

Parents are supposed to push you past your goals, or at least, that’s what I always believed. I was raised in the generation of “you can do anything if you put your mind to it.” My parents did not follow that philosophy, and they saw little value in a formal education. It was their lack of passion that led me to my educational goals.

Word count:  Introductory paragraph, 64 words.

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Step 3 – Write The Body Paragraph(s)

Next, we’ll continue with the body paragraph. Remember, body paragraphs should support the thesis and be about 3-5 sentences or 50-100 words long. In a short essay you may opt for only one body paragraph but in a longer one you may need more.

So how should your body paragraphs support your thesis? Think of each body paragraph as an argument that supports it.

Working with our thesis   “My parents never saw the value of formal education and that’s what lead me to my educational goals” , then each paragraph could be about   how not seeing the value of formal education led to the writer pursuing it.

For example, maybe the writer didn’t want to end up in the same work as their parents. Or maybe it was the parents’ lack of belief in the writer that pushed them to pursue a better future.

Let’s have a look at what a body paragraph can look like for our 250 word essay.

From as far back as I can remember, I knew I didn’t want to follow in the footsteps of my parents, at least not when it came to work. My father had worked on the family farm all his life and my mother had been a housewife since graduation. They were both content with the simplicity of their lives and wanted the same for me. I remember my father telling me that college was “expensive and a waste of four years”.  I knew however, that I wanted a career in the city that would be more challenging than simple farm life could provide. The only way to make that possible would be through formal education and a college degree. 

Word count:  Body paragraph 119 words. Total essay is now 181 words.

Step 4 – Summarize with a Conclusion

The final paragraph is the conclusion. You may start this paragraph with “To summarize,” “As evident by X, Y, and Z,”  or a similar statement that highlights the biggest points in your essay. Use the conclusion paragraph to sum up the main point of your essay using different words. The last sentence can be something broad that leaves the reader wondering. Let’s see how we can write a conclusion for our sample essay.

While my parents may not understand the value of formal education, I know it is essential for my future. This has helped me immensely, by making me realize that without strong parental support, I’m the only one who’s responsible for my own goals. In a way this has been the strongest source of motivation. And for that, I am forever grateful.  

Notice how we summarize the main point of the essay in the first sentence. We then connect the first sentence to the a conclusion we arrive at. Finally we end in an optimistic tone by stating how this has been helpful and we are grateful. Unlike the introduction paragraph, which flows from broad sentences to specific, a conclusion generally flows the opposite way, from specific sentences to broader concepts.

Word count: Concluding paragraph 61 words. Total essay is now 242 words. 

Sure, we came up 8 words short. But being that close should not be considered an issue. If for some reason you are required to write 250 words minimum, you can make the essay longer by sprinkling in a few extra words.

The Entire 250-word Essay  Altogether

Parents are supposed to push you past your goals, or at least, that’s what I always believed. I was raised in the generation of “you can do anything if you put your mind to it.” My parents did not follow that philosophy, and they saw little value in a formal education. It was their lack of passion that led me to my educational goals. From as far back as I can remember, I knew I didn’t want to follow in the footsteps of my parents, at least not when it came to work. My father had worked on the family farm all his life and my mother had been a housewife since graduation. They were both content with the simplicity of their lives and wanted the same for me. I remember my father telling me that college was “expensive and a waste of four years”.  I knew however, that I wanted a career in the city that would be more challenging than simple farm life could provide. The only way to make that possible would be through formal education and a college degree.  While my parents may not understand the value of formal education, I know it is essential for my future. This has helped me immensely by making me realize that without strong parental support, I’m the only one who’s responsible for my own goals. In a way this has been the strongest source of motivation. And for that, I am forever grateful.  

Should I Write More Than 250 Words or Less Than 250 Words?

When a professor or college entry application asks for a “250 word essay,” 250 words is generally a rough guide. No one is going to fail you if you go over or under the limit by a few words. We’d say a good gauge is plus or minus 50 words. As a general rule of thumb though, try to stay as close to 250 words as possible without going too far over or under.

Essay Writing Tips

Here are some quick tips for writing a great 250-word essay:

• Write the first draft from start to finish without any pauses. This will make the writing sound fluid, and you can make adjustments after that.
• Avoid over-editing your work. Ideally, you should take a long pause between editing sessions so you can clear your head and come back with a fresh perspective.
• Try not to think about the word count too much. Once you get in the habit of writing four 3-5 sentence paragraphs, you’ll find your words naturally get close to 250.
• Don’t throw fluff sentences in your essay. Professors see right through those. Instead, think of an additional sentence to enhance the support in your body paragraphs.
• If you feel like you have concisely and sufficiently answered the question below the word count, trust your gut. Most instructors will value quality over quantity.

The more 250-word essays you write, the easier they will become. Feel free to practice with free essay prompts online to train your brain to write with this rhythm. You’ll soon be able to whip out 250 words without checking your word count!

YOU SHOULD ALSO READ

How to Write a Great 500 Word Essay

Why I Deserve This Scholarship Essay Examples

Financial Need Scholarship Essay Examples

Scholarship Essay Examples – Career Goals

How to Write a Scholarship Motivation Letter

About Yourself Scholarship Essay Examples

• Scholarship Essay

David Tabachnikov is the CEO of ScholarshipOwl. Formerly at Waze and Google, David is an experienced CTO/R&D manager with over 10 years of experience of leading tech teams. David fervently believes that students should have greater access to education, and is passionate about using technology to help them achieve that goal.

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How to Write a 250-Word Essay: Length, Outline, & Example

A 250-word essay is a frequent task assigned to high school and college students. It’s a widely used format for scholarship applications and college admissions. However, mastering the art of concise yet impactful writing can challenge many students. If you feel overwhelmed by the task of condensing your ideas into 250 words—don’t worry; we have your back!

In this article, we’ll discuss the essential aspects of structuring and formatting a 250-word essay and provide examples. Prepare to discover the secrets that captivate and leave your readers in awe.

• 📝 250-Word Essay Template
• ✅ 250-Word Essay – Step by Step
• 🌟 Writing Prompts
• 📖 Essay Example
• 🤓 More Essay Topics

🔗 References

📝 what does a 250-word essay look like.

Most of the time, the challenge of beginning a 250-word essay stems from a lack of clarity on its structure and format. In this section, you’ll find outlines for various types of 250-word essays, highlighting their key components. With this valuable roadmap, you’ll be well-equipped to embark on your writing journey.

250 Word Essay Outline

A 250-word essay is a concise piece of writing that captures the essence of a topic within a restricted word count. It usually consists of an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each section plays a crucial role in shaping the essay’s overall length, making every word count.

• Introduction (about 50 words or 2-5 sentences). It should introduce the main idea, include a thesis statement, and catch the reader’s attention.
• Body (about 150 words for 2-3 paragraphs). The body should present your main points or arguments and provide evidence or examples.
• Conclusion (about 50 words). This part should summarize the main points discussed in the essay and include a rephrased thesis statement.

Now, let’s look at general outlines for different essay types.

Definition Essay

A definition essay explains the meaning of a specific term or concept. Usually, definition essay topics include questions like “Define X” or “What is an X?”.

Below is a typical outline for a 250-word definition essay.

Analytical Essay

An analytical essay answers questions like “Analyze X” or “What are the components of X?”. You may be required to analyze and interpret a piece of literature, artwork, or any other subject.

Here’s a typical outline for an analytical essay.

Cause & Effect Essay

A cause-and-effect essay explores the relationship between events or phenomena. Usually, it answers the questions like “What are the causes of X?” or “What led to X?”

The outline for a cause-and-effect essay looks as shown below.

Compare & Contrast Essay

A compare and contrast essay investigates the similarities and differences between two or more subjects. It aims to answer questions like “How does X differ from Y?” or “Compare X and Y.”

Check out the possible outline for a compare and contrast essay.

Process Essay

A process essay explains how to do something or how something works. It responds to prompts like “List the steps involved in X” or “Explain what happened in X.”

In a process essay, arranging your discussion in chronological order is a must. Here’s an example of an outline for this paper type.

Argumentative Essay

An argumentative essay presents a claim or argument on a controversial topic and supports it with evidence and reasoning. Usually, this kind of paper centers around a question like “A famous person said X. Do you agree or disagree?”

A typical outline for an argumentative essay looks as shown below.

250 Word Essay Format

Even though a 250-word essay is short, you should still format it according to the academic requirements. Here are the main ones:

• Font style. Avoid using fancy fonts, as they may be difficult to read. Instead, opt for standard fonts used in academic writing—Times New Roman or Arial. The default font provided by MS Word, Calibri, is also perfectly acceptable.
• Font size. It should be 11 or 12 points.
• Margins. Set margins to 1 inch (2.54 cm) on all sides.
• Line spacing. As a rule, professors expect papers to be double-spaced.
• Alignment. Your essay should be left-aligned: it looks neater than fully justified.
• Indents. Don’t indent the first line of your paragraphs.
• Reference List: Format the reference list according to your citation style requirements ( MLA , APA , Chicago, or Harvard).

250 Word Essay Length

A 250-word essay is approximately 1 double-spaced or 0.5 single-spaced pages. However, the essay’s length can vary depending on the margins, font size, and spacing. If you’re unsure about your paper’s formatting requirements, it’s better to consult your professor.

✅ How to Write a 250-Word Essay

At first, writing a 250-word essay may seem challenging, but following these steps can help you effectively organize your thoughts and create a concise and compelling paper.

1. Plan the Structure

Read and analyze the essay prompt or question carefully. Identify the central theme or idea you need to address in your essay. Then create an outline —it’s an essential step when writing such a concise paper. Decide on the main points you want to discuss and the order in which you will present them

2. Write the Introduction

Start with a hook that captures readers’ attention and then briefly review the topic and its significance. Introduce the key terms or concepts you will be discussing in your essay. Finally, develop a thesis statement —a sentence that contains the main idea of your writing.

3. Write the Body

Develop your main points in separate paragraphs. It’s best to start each with a topic sentence that expresses the paragraph’s main idea. Use evidence, examples, or research data to support your points. If you refer to any sources in your body paragraphs, remember to cite them properly to avoid plagiarism.

4. Conclude Your Essay

Summarize all the main points and emphasize the importance of your topic. Remind the readers of the thesis statement by paraphrasing it in the concluding paragraph. You can end your essay with a thought-provoking message, a call to action, or a suggestion for further research or exploration.

5. Revise and Proofread

Review your essay for clarity, coherence , and grammar errors. Ensure your ideas are well-organized and your writing is concise and to the point. Check for any repetitive or unnecessary information and remove it. Make sure your essay adheres to the formatting guidelines provided by your teacher.

🌟 250 Word Scholarship Essay: Writing Prompts

A 250-word writing is a standard format for scholarship and college application essays. For your inspiration, we collected some 250-word essay scholarship examples that you can check out below!

📃 250-Word Essay on Why I Deserve a Scholarship

In a 250-word essay on why you deserve a scholarship, you can focus on highlighting your achievements, goals, and aspirations that make you a deserving candidate for financial support. Here are some points you can include in the body paragraph:

• Academic achievements. Discuss your academic performance, including honors, awards, or other achievements.
• Personal accomplishments. Share any personal achievements that demonstrate your character, leadership skills , or commitment to making a positive impact.
• Future impact. Explain how the scholarship will enable you to contribute to society through research, innovation, community service, or other means.

📃 Why This College Essay: 250 Words Examples

In a “Why this college” essay, you explain why you are interested in attending a particular college or university. There are many points you can include in the body of your 250-word essay:

• Academic fit. Discuss how the college’s educational programs, majors, or courses align with your academic interests and goals.
• Campus culture and community. Explain why the college’s campus culture and student organizations resonate with you.
• Personal connection. Recount your own experiences or interactions with the college or its community. It may involve visiting the campus, participating in events, or engaging with current students or alumni.

📃 250 Word Essay on Why I Want to Be a Nurse

In a 250-word essay explaining your career choice, you should be authentic and sincere. Share personal experiences or realizations demonstrating your passion for a particular field. Here are some ideas you can use for a “Why I want to be a nurse” essay:

• Personal experiences. Discuss any personal experiences that have influenced your desire to become a nurse.
• Compassion and empathy. Highlight your natural inclination toward caring for others and your ability to empathize with those in need.
• Interest in healthcare. Share your interest in healthcare and how nursing aligns with your passion for promoting health and well-being.

📃 Life Changing Experience Essay: 250 Words

In a 250-word “life-changing experience” essay, you can focus on describing an event or series of events that impacted your life and changed your perspective, values, or goals. Here are some points you can include:

• Introduction. Introduce the event or experience you will discuss and explain its significance.
• Description. Describe the event or experience, focusing on your emotions and thoughts.
• Lessons learned. Share the lessons or insights you gained from the experience. What did you learn about yourself, others, or the world?

📖 Essay 250 Words: Example

If you’re still wondering how to write a concise but meaningful paper, check out our 250-word social media essay example.

The role of social media in spreading fake news and misinformation has become a significant concern in today’s digital age. With the increasing popularity of platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, information can spread rapidly, regardless of its reliability and accuracy. This essay will explore how social media contributes to disseminating fake news and misinformation. One of the primary reasons social media is a breeding ground for fake news is its ability to reach a vast audience within seconds. With minimal entry barriers, social platforms allow anyone to share information, regardless of its truthfulness, making it effortless for individuals with ill intentions to spread falsehoods among unsuspecting users. Additionally, social media algorithms play a significant role in amplifying fake news. It prioritizes content that receives high levels of engagement, such as likes, shares, and comments. As a result, controversial content tends to receive more publicity, even if it lacks credibility. In order to deal with the spread of false news on social media, platforms need to take accountability by enforcing stricter policies, implementing fact-checking measures, and prioritizing the promotion of reliable sources. It’s also essential to equip users with tools to authenticate information before sharing it to prevent the spread of misinformation on social media. Social media undoubtfully plays a significant role in spreading false news and misinformation due to its expansive reach, algorithmic biases, and echo chamber effect. It is crucial for individuals to be critical consumers of information and for social media platforms to take proactive measures to combat this issue.

🤓 250 Words Essay Topics

A 250-word essay can cover various topics, depending on the assignment’s purpose and requirements. Here we’ve gathered some interesting ideas you can use for your paper:

• How does social media influence people’s self-esteem?
• Obesity and its effect on human health.
• Is animal testing ethical?
• Vaccines for kids: pros and cons.
• How does motivation affect people’s life and success?
• The social significance of wearing school uniforms.
• How safe is GMO food?
• The history of hip-hop music.
• The importance of promoting fair labor policies.
• Ways to prevent domestic violence.
• Various forms of dance and their cultural significance.
• The cultural importance of Renaissance art.
• How does the family environment affect students’ academic success?
• Homeschooling: pros and cons.
• How would you define success?
• Best ways to deal with stress.
• Should kindergartens be more literacy-based or play-based?
• How does pop culture affect teenagers?
• How do physical exercises influence mental health?
• The importance of family values.
• The Principles of Inclusive Education.
• Osteoporosis: The Metabolic Bone Disease.
• The E-Commerce Case With Foodmart.
• The Reality in Drug Addiction Research: Ethnography.
• The Aging in Place Model: Role and Importance.
• Visual Learning and Ways to Apply It.
• Water Scarcity Issue and Environment.
• The Use of Data Collection: Personal Experiences.
• Haunted City: Ghosts of Berlin.
• The Importance of Water for the Body.
• Animal Research and Ethical Treatment.
• Medicare and Medicaid Role in Meeting Health Care Needs.
• The Consensus Model and the Advanced Practice Nurse’s Role.
• US Corporate Executive’s Cultural Shock in China.
• Benefits of Genetic Engineering.
• Standard of Care in Healthcare System.
• British Colonization of America.
• Information Assurance and the Role of Time.
• Urological Disorders in the Older Adult.
• The Ethical Side of Drug Patents.
• Non-Governmental Organization Committee on the Status of Women.
• On the Benefits of a Private Social Security System.
• The Work of a Journalist During Investigation.
• Note-Taking Styles of College Students.
• The Sin of Betrayal in Alighieri’s “Divine Comedy.”
• The Concept of the “War on Drugs.”
• Methods for Determining Body Fat.
• Postwar Economic Prosperity of Ordinary Americans.
• Mound Cultures of North America.
• Congestive Heart Failure: Nursing Diagnosis & Care Plan.
• Osteoporosis: Causes and Treatment.
• Research of Medical Professionals’ Cultural Competence.
• Vaccination and Its Economic Implications.
• Behavioral Disturbances in Dementia.
• Human Resource Planning and Return on Investment.
• Philosophical Thought and Its Levels in Nursing.
• Seamless Implementation of Electronic Medical Records.
• Serving Vulnerable Populations: Meals on Wheels.
• Probiotics Use by a Patient on Antibiotics.
• Hawaiian Mythology and Genealogy of Gods.
• From Medical Practice to Daily Life Study.
• Implementation of Evidence into Practice.
• The Issues of the Effectiveness of CPUs.
• Aspects of Capital Budgeting Practice.

❓250 Words Essay: FAQ

How many pages is a 250-word essay.

The number of pages in a 250-word essay can vary depending on the font size, spacing, and formatting. A 250-word paper is approximately one double-spaced page or half a single-spaced page. It’s important to remember that the focus should be on the quality and content of the essay rather than the number of pages.

How Long is a 250-Word Essay?

The number of paragraphs and sentences in a 250-word essay can vary depending on the writer’s style. However, as a general guideline, a 250-word essay will likely consist of 3-4 paragraphs . The introduction and conclusion are usually the same length and comprise 1-2 sentences, while the body paragraphs make up the main content of the essay.

How to Write a 250-Word Essay for a Scholarship?

When writing a 250-word scholarship essay, you should take your time, be authentic, and ensure your paper reflects your true self. Start as soon as possible to have enough time before the application deadline. When brainstorming ideas, review other scholarship essay examples. Don’t hesitate to ask other people for feedback and help with proofreading.

• Definition; Writing for Success | University of Minnesota
• Developing A Thesis | Harvard University
• Compare and Contrast Essays: The Ultimate Guide | Grammarly Blog
• Argumentative Essays | Purdue OWL, Purdue University
• Paragraphs | The Writing Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
• How Do I Write an Intro, Conclusion, Body Paragraph? | U-M LSA Sweetland Center for Writing
• Writing Concisely | George Mason University
• Make Your Essay Flow Using Transitions | ThoughtCo
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Your chance of acceptance, your chancing factors, extracurriculars, how to write an impactful 250-word scholarship essay.

Hey everyone, I need to write a 250-word essay on why I deserve a scholarship. I'm struggling to fit everything in so few words and make a compelling argument. Any tips or examples on how to write an effective scholarship essay within the word limit would be greatly appreciated!

Hey there! Writing a 250-word scholarship essay can be challenging, but with the right approach, you can create a strong impact. Here are some tips to help you craft a powerful essay within the limit:

1. Focus on a single point or story: Choose a specific personal experience or accomplishment that demonstrates why you deserve the scholarship. This will help you avoid trying to squeeze in too many details. For example, focus on a specific club meeting where you demonstrated leadership rather than trying to describe your leadership over the course of a year.

2. Be concise and clear: Use simple language and phrases to express your point. Avoid jargon and unnecessary words to stay within the limit without sacrificing clarity. Some students overuse a thesaurus to sound more 'professional', but it's far better to speak in your usual tone.

3. Use a strong opening: Start with a sentence that grabs the reader's attention. A thought-provoking question or a surprising fact can work well in this context. It should be short and sweet to create anticipation without taking up too much space.

4. Show, don't tell: Instead of just stating your achievements, use examples and anecdotes to illustrate your point. This will make your essay more vivid and engaging.

5. End with a call to action or a powerful closing thought: Leave the reader with a memorable impression by either stating your future goals or reiterating the reason you deserve the scholarship.

For example, if you're writing about your volunteer work, focus on a particular project or situation where your efforts made a difference. Describe the challenges you faced and end by connecting your experience to the scholarship's purpose.

Best of luck with your essay!

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CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.

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The 10 Easiest Scholarships to Apply For

Financial Aid

Scholarships are awesome resources if you're checking out different ways to pay for college. It's free money after all—what's not to love?

As it turns out, most scholarship programs have application processes that aren't exactly lovable. Students generally have to submit a lot of information about themselves: transcripts, GPAs, test scores, resumes, community service activities, and so on. There might even be a few essays and grade requirements thrown in as well. You don't want to complain—because, again, free money—but these applications sure are tedious when you're working on college apps, high school courses, and financial aid applications all at the same time.

The following easy scholarships have application processes that are a bit more manageable. Some ask you to write short essays, while others don't require any essays at all! The awards might not be as large as some other scholarships out there, but when the application process is so easy, you really don't have much to lose. I'll start off with some words of warning before getting into the good stuff: essay and no-essay scholarships that are so easy to apply for, you might end up applying to all of them!

Caveat: If a Scholarship Seems Too Good to Be True ...

Unfortunately, there aren't too many legitimate "easy" scholarships out there. If a scholarship application sounds too good to be true, be cautious—you don't want to fall victim to a scholarship scam!

Here are some things to look out for:

• A scholarship application that asks for personal information that isn't relevant to the award: Many top scholarship programs ask for personal information (transcripts, SAT/ACT scores, and even financial information for need-based scholarships); however, this info is all relevant to candidate evaluation. If you're ever uncomfortable providing personal info for a scholarship program, dig deeper. Can you verify that the program is legitimate? Does it have its own website, or can you only find info about it through a third party? Try Googling "[award name] scam" to see whether anything suspicious pops up.
• A scholarship that asks you to make payments to enter or win: Scholarship programs are in the business of giving money to students, not taking it. A scholarship program is likely just a scam if the application asks you to make a payment—especially if it asks you to enter credit card information.

Now that we've got that out of the way, it's time to get to the good stuff: all the best easy essay and non-essay scholarships and how to win them!

Essay Scholarships

The scholarships in this section ask students to submit short essays with their applications. Even though you'll have to write an essay, the rest of the application (and the essay itself) should be easy and manageable for all these awards. In fact, most of these applications shouldn't take more than one to two hours to complete.

Bachus & Schanker, LLC Scholarship

This scholarship program is a bit different from most of the other awards included in this post—it's funded by a private law firm in Colorado. Students compete for a $2,000 award by writing an essay (at least 800 words) about the 7th Amendment and how it affects their lives. Scholarships are awarded twice a year, to be paid toward tuition for the upcoming semester.

• Eligibility: High school seniors who have been accepted to a four-year university and university students with a minimum 3.0 GPA
• Deadline:  July 30 (to win a scholarship for the fall semester) and November 30 (to win a scholarship for the spring semester)

Courage to Grow Scholarship

This $500 award is given out to one lucky student every month. To compete for the award, applicants must explain in 250 words why they think they deserve the scholarship, intended to support students who found “courage to forge ahead when sometimes it would be easier to give up.” Past recipients’ essays have discussed overcoming obstacles from bullying to breast cancer.

• Eligibility: US high school juniors and seniors and college students with a minimum 2.5 GPA
• Deadline: Last day of every month 

Odenza Marketing Group Scholarship

Odenza Marketing Group gives away two $500 scholarships each year, once in the spring and again in the fall. To compete for this award, applicants must like the Odenza Facebook page and write two short essays of about 500 words each. Each scholarship must have a clear thesis statement, offer supporting evidence in paragraph format, and be grammatically correct. In other words, these essays should follow the argumentative essay format you've learned in English class.

• Eligibility: Current high school students (US or Canadian citizens) aged 16-25 or students who have at least one year of college remaining. Applicants must also have a minimum 2.5 GPA.
• Deadline March 30 for spring, November 15 for fall

Some of these applications won't take you longer than a few minutes.

No-Essay Scholarships

When it comes to easy applications, you can't get much easier than the following scholarship programs. You'll still have to submit some information about yourself (and, in some instances, complete some brief activities or tasks), but you won't have to write any essays to qualify.

AFSA High School Scholarship

For this scholarship, all you need to do is complete an entry form and answer an eight-question quiz. Five $1 ,000 awards are given out each year. Winners are randomly selected by a computer-generated drawing. Your odds of winning are based on the total number of entries received. Essentially, it’s a scholarship raffle, and you get one ticket per “draw.”

• Eligibility: Current high school seniors (US citizens or legal residents)
• Deadline: June 30, 2023

Too Cool to Pay for School Scholarship

This scholarship has one of the easiest applications out there: just fill out a few questions, and you're done! A $1,000 scholarship is awarded every three months. Winners are selected randomly.

• Eligibility: Current high school, college, and graduate students studying in the US
• Deadline: The last day of every March, June, September, and December

The Annual Haiku Society of America Haiku Award in honor of Harold G. Henderson

This scholarship program gives out three prizes of $200, $150, and $100 , but the application process is fun and easy. Students qualify by simply writing and submitting up to five original haikus. If you win, your haiku also gets published in an anthology and on the HSA website! Note: There is a small fee to apply, but the site is indeed reputable.

• Eligibility: All students in grades 7-12
• Deadline: Open June 1 - July 31

"No Essay" College Scholarship

This $2,000 award is given out monthly. To apply for this scholarship, submit an application that includes basic identifying information, your GPA, and your SAT/ACT scores. Winners are randomly selected, and you can submit a new application every month.

• Eligibility: High school students, adults heading back to school, current college students, and anyone else looking to attend college or graduate school within the next year

Stuck at Prom Scholarship Contest

Do you have a creative side and an eye for fashion? Students can compete for the grand prize of $10,000 (one each for the dress and tux categories) by designing and wearing prom outfits made out of duct tape. Check out the website for fun pictures of past winners!

Eight $500 prizes are given to runners-up (four for dresses and four for tuxes).  Applicants can enter as individuals or as part of a couple. Submissions that get the most votes win prizes, so be sure to recruit your friends to vote for you!

• Eligibility: High school students in the US and Canada (excluding certain states and territories—refer to the official rules for details)
• Deadline: The submission window is generally open from March through June, and winners are announced in July. Check the website for exact dates. 

U.S. Bank Student Union Scholarship

Multiple awards are available through this scholarship. To qualify, you'll need to create an account and complete learning modules about financial education. The more modules you complete, the more money you're eligible to earn. 

One first prize winner and one second prize winner are randomly selected during each of two entry periods. Winners can receive up to $20,000 , depending on how many learning modules they complete 

• Eligibility: Current US undergraduate students
• Deadline: Spring and fall of each year. Check website for more details.

Because College is Expensive Scholarship

This $500 scholarship is awarded to one student four times a year (March, June, September, and December) .If you want to enter, all you have to do is fill out the form on the Cedar Lending website.

• Eligibility : High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors; current college students; anyone else looking to attend college or grad school
• Deadline : March 31st, June 30th, September 30th, and December 31st. One winner is selected by the 15th of each month. 

3 Tips for Winning Easy Scholarships

Just because a scholarship is easy to apply for, that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s easy to win. Since these scholarship applications are so simple to complete, you'll probably have a lot of competition. Here are some strategies to help you submit your best applications possible:

#1: If you have to write an essay, you'll have a better shot at success if your views align with those of the organization awarding the scholarship. To prepare, do some research about the company or charity's mission statement. For instance, don't write an essay about how much you love fossil fuels if the scholarship is offered by an environmental organization! 

#2: Make sure your application is polished. You won't have the opportunity to make more than a first impression (remember, these apps are short and sweet!), so double-check for any grammar, spelling, or punctuation errors.

#3: Last but not least, be sure that your application is complete and on time!

What's Next?

These scholarships are excellent options if you want to churn out as many applications as possible. As you might've noticed, though, the award amounts are a bit underwhelming (though keep in mind that several smaller awards can be just as helpful as one big award!). Larger scholarships and grants are often available through colleges directly and applying for financial aid using the FAFSA .

You'll have to spend more time on your applications if you're gunning for a top scholarship, but the payoff can be more than worth it. To learn more about some of the best scholarships out there, check out our guides to the top scholarships for high school juniors and seniors .

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21 Easy Scholarships for Busy Students

For high school students, balancing coursework and applying to college can feel like a full-time job. The last thing you want to worry about is filling out lengthy scholarship applications. Plus, the more time you spend applying for college scholarships, the fewer scholarship applications you’ll have time to submit. Ultimately, that leaves you unable to win as many awards.

Applying for a bunch of “easy scholarships” is one way to maximize your chances of winning free money to put toward your tuition. Another is to sign up for a platform that can help you streamline your scholarship application process.

With Going Merry, you can keep all your application materials in one place, get matched to scholarships , reuse documents, learn about financial aid , and apply to multiple scholarships at once. Added bonus: You can even switch on “auto-apply,” and we’ll automatically submit an application to any future No-Essay scholarships you’re eligible for. One of the best parts of Going Merry is that we only feature free scholarships, so it’ll never cost you even a dollar to apply.

Sign up to simplify your scholarship search.

21 Easy scholarships for higher education

From no-essay scholarships to scholarships with easy application processes, these 21 awards are quick and painless to apply for. None require long essays, and very few require test scores, community service hours, or letters of recommendation. So take a look, find the ones you’re eligible for, and start applying with just a few simple clicks. 

1. Burger King James W. McLamore Whopper Scholarship Award

Amount: Up to $60,000

Provider: Burger King Foundation

Eligibility Requirements:

• Minimum GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale
• Planning to enroll as a full time freshman to a four-year accredited, college or university that is located in the United States or Canada
• Graduating high school senior 
• Must be a U.S. Citizen
• Demonstrate an active leadership role in community service, athletics, and/or similar co-curricular activity (such as student government, team sports, fraternal life, etc); and
• Demonstrate substantial work experience and financial need

Application Requirements: Transcript, relevant work experience, and list of extracurricular activities

Each year, the Burger King James W. McLamore Whopper Scholarship Award gives out over $7 million in free money to academically qualified college students across the United States. Winners can receive between $1,000 and $60,000. The scholarship application is straightforward and takes very little time — you only have to list your previous work experience and community involvement.

2. Doodle for Google

Amount: Up to $55,000

Provider: Google

• Enrolled in kindergarten through twelfth grade 
• Must be a U.S. Citizen or a permanent legal U.S. resident 

Application Requirements: Essay, drawing

If you’re a student with artistic flair, the Doodle for Google scholarship program could send you to college with money in your pocket. This scholarship competition includes multiple tiers, which means one winner gets the grand prize of $55,000, a $50,000 supplies and tech package for their school or non-profit organization, and five national finalists receive awards of $5,000. To apply, you’ll need to create a creative, original doodle to be featured on Google.com. Incorporate the Google logo in a unique way, then write a few sentences about what you’ve drawn. 

3. VFW – Voice of Democracy National Audio Essay

Amount: Up to $35,000

Provider: Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)

• Enrolled in high school

Application Requirements: Audio essay

All high school students are eligible to apply for the VFW – Voice of Democracy National Audio Essay scholarship competition. It’s an award created by Veterans of Foreign Wars, the oldest U.S. organization supporting U.S. vets. To apply, record a three- to five-minute audio file that speaks to the scholarship’s annual theme. Applicants will be judged based on originality, content, and clarity. 

4. “Be Bold” No Essay Scholarship

Amount: $25,000

Provider: Bold.org

• Enrolled or planning to enroll in a college or university

Application Requirements: None

An organization dedicated to fighting student debt, Bold.org created the “Be Bold” No Essay Scholarship giveaway for students who demonstrate boldness and determination. All you need to do to apply is create a profile on Bold.org and explain what makes you unique. This scholarship fund is available to students of all grade levels. There are monthly scholarship deadlines, so check back frequently and re-enter as needed. 

5. Taco Bell Live Más Scholarship

Provider: Taco Bell

• Enrolled in an accredited post-secondary educational program located in the United States or D.C. (including accredited two- and four-year colleges, universities, vocational-technical, and trade schools) and in good academic standing
• Between 16 and 26 years old 
• Not an employee of Taco Bell
• U.S. Citizen or U.S. Permanent Resident (Green Card)

Application Requirements: Video essay

Do you love making TikTok videos? Are you passionate about something? If you answered yes to both questions, check out the Taco Bell Live Más Scholarship . This scholarship award has one simple application step: create a video. Use your film to express your passion and explain how you plan to utilize it to improve your community. Also be sure to describe how higher education will help you achieve your goals. The video can be no longer than two minutes, so keep your answers short and sweet.

6. National GEM Consortium Fellowships

Amount: $16,000 minimum stipend + full tuition and fees 

Provider: The National GEM Consortium

Eligibility Requirements: 

• Minimum GPA of 2.8 on a 4.0 scale
• Graduate student
• Declared study in engineering or computer science 
• Availability to intern with the sponsoring company for two summers

Application Requirements: Transcript, resume, recommendation letters, statement of purpose

The National GEM Consortium Fellowships are for graduate students pursuing engineering or computer science degrees. Unlike many graduate school scholarship applications, this one is pretty simple. The selection committee wants to see your grades and previous work history. This generous award includes coverage of full tuition and fees. Scholarship winners are also offered internships with a sponsoring company for two summers, which means it could lead to future job opportunities, too. 

7. Sprout Social UNCF Scholarship Program

Amount: Up to $11,000

Provider: Sprout Social

• Minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
• Black/African American
• College senior
• Declared field of study in computer or information science or engineering

Application Requirements: Transcript, resume 

The Sprout Social UNCF Scholarship Program is a fantastic option for Black college seniors. All you need to do to apply is submit your transcript and resume. On your resume, be sure to list your extracurricular activities, awards, and level of proficiency in different programming languages. Winners will also get the chance to apply and interview for a full-time position at Sprout Social upon graduation. Students can attend any university in the U.S., but Sprout Social gives some preference to applicants from Howard University, North Carolina AT&T, and Georgia Tech.

8. For A Bright Future STEAM Scholarship

Amount: Up to $10,000

Provider: For A Bright Future Foundation

• Asian American, Black/African American, Hispanic/Latinx, and/or Native American
• Declared field of study in a STEAM-related field 

Application Requirements: Transcript, essay, tax return

The For A Bright Future STEAM Scholarship is a prestigious scholarship fund that supports students of color pursuing undergraduate degrees. The award is merit-based but also takes financial need into account. That means you’ll need to submit your family’s financial information to apply. Otherwise, the only application component is a short, 250- to 500-word essay. Write about overcoming adversity and how education will help you give back to your community. (To take your essay to the next level, check out some of Going Merry’s helpful tips .)

9. Unigo $10K Scholarship

Amount: $10,000

Provider: Unigo

• 14 years old or older

Application Requirements: Essay

To apply for Unigo’s $10k Scholarship opportunity , you’ll need to write a 250-word essay answering this question: Would you rather be funny, smart, or rich? Unigo wants to hear what skill you prioritize and how it can help you in your future. The selection committee will judge your application based on the quality of your answer as well as your creativity and originality, so have fun with it.

10. Scholarship4Moms

Provider: Scholarships4Moms

• 18 years old or older
• A mother or an expectant mother

If you’re a mother or expectant mother with plans to pursue higher education, Scholarship4Moms has an application that’s easy enough to squeeze into your busy schedule. While this award is a bit niche, the sweepstakes occur five times per year and the only requirement is your contact information. This is one of the easiest scholarships to apply for on our list, and winners can use the cash for any education-related expenses. 

11. No Essay Smart Owl Scholarship

Amount: $1,000

Provider: ScholarshipOwl

• Enrolled or planning to enroll in a high school, college, or university
• 16 years old or older 
• Residing in any state except for Rhode Island or Michigan

The ScholarshipOwl platform helps students apply for many scholarships at once. It charges a fee for this service, but its scholarship sweepstakes is totally free. To apply for the No Essay Smart Owl Scholarship, applicants must register for the ScholarshipOwl website. Anyone who registers is automatically entered into the scholarship contest, which chooses winners at random. The only fine print is that Rhode Island and Michigan residents are not eligible for this award. 

12. Stephen J. Brady Stop Hunger Scholarship

Provider: Stop Hunger Foundation

• Enrolled or planning to enroll in a primary school, secondary school, or college or university
• Between ages 5 and 25 

Application Requirements: Community service history

Named for the passionate founder of the Stop Hunger Foundation, the Stephen J. Brady Stop Hunger Scholarship rewards students committed to community service. To apply, you must demonstrate that you’ve been doing unpaid volunteer work for a minimum of twelve months. If you win, you’ll also get free money for a nonprofit of your choice. Winners receive $10,000 to put toward education-related expenses and a $5,000 grant to the hunger-related charity of their choosing in their local community. 

13. ABA Diversity Scholarship

Amount: $5,000

Provider: American Bus Association

• You must demonstrate your diversity (this includes varying cultures, socioeconomic backgrounds, nationality, minorities, age, race, or ethnicity)
• You must be a freshman, sophomore, junior, senior, or graduate student at an accredited University (4-year university/college or junior college).
• Declared field of study in tourism or hospitality

This easy scholarship application is open to undergraduate and graduate students alike. Sponsored by the American Bus Association — which supports the bus and travel industries — the ABA Diversity Scholarship is for students from underrepresented groups interested in pursuing a career in the tourism industry. To apply, write a 500-word essay about how you hope to advance the future of travel and tourism. If this scholarship sounds niche, don’t discount yourself: the travel industry encompasses everything from hospitality to transportation. 

14. Christian College Scholarship

Provider: The Christian Connector, Inc.

• Planning to enroll in a Christian college or university
• 13 years old or older

The Christian Connector assists students around the U.S. as they explore Christian colleges. To help combat the rising cost of student loans, the organization has sponsored the Christian College Scholarship , which awards multiple $5,000 prizes via a random drawing. All you have to do to apply is fill out a short survey about your college aspirations. 

15. Future Designer Scholarship

Amount: $1,500

Provider: CardsDirect

• 17 years old or older 
• U.S. Resident

Application Requirements: Piece of art

If you’re the kind of student who always finds yourself doodling in the margins, the Future Designer Scholarship could put those artistic skills to use. CardsDirect is on the hunt for its next best-selling holiday card design. All you have to do to apply for this scholarship program is submit one piece of original artwork and the name of the college or university where you’re enrolled or planning to enroll. 

16. Zombie Apocalypse Scholarship

Amount: $2,000

Do you love science fiction? Have you ever fantasized about surviving a zombie apocalypse?? If so, Unigo wants to hear about it. The Zombie Apocalypse Scholarship will award one lucky applicant $2,000 to help pay their college tuition. Just write a 250-word essay about how you’ll creatively escape a zombie takeover, and you’ll be entered for a chance to win.

17. Wizeprep USA High School Scholarship 

Amount: $500

Provider: Wizeprep

• Enrolled in high school 

The Wizeprep USA High School Scholarship is open to high school students of all ages, and it has one of the easiest scholarship applications on our list. To apply, just create a profile on Wizeprep, an online education platform, and fill in some basic contact information. That’s it! You’ll be entered to win a $500 scholarship you can use to help pay for any education-related expenses, including tuition, textbooks, and school supplies.

18. Going Merry Refer-A-Friend Scholarship

Provider: Going Merry

Application Requirements: Email addresses

The Going Merry Refer-A-Friend Scholarship has two perks. First, it’s a super easy scholarship to apply for. Second, scholarship winners get to share the wealth with a friend. This scholarship contest works like a raffle, which means winners are selected at random. To apply, you just have to refer a friend to Going Merry and encourage them to sign up. Once they do, you and your bud each receive an entry into the scholarship drawing. This competition is open to high school and current college students alike.

19. CareerFitter Scholarship

Provider: CareerFitter

• Minimum GPA of 2.4 on a 4.0 scale
• Enrolled or planning to enroll full-time in a college or university

Application Requirements: Transcript, essay

The CareerFitter Scholarship is open to both undergraduate and graduate students — and all you have to do to apply is write a 700-character essay about your dream career. Not sure what your dream career is? Try CareerFitter’s career test. The quiz isn’t required for your application, but it could help spark some good ideas.

20. Don’t Text and Drive Scholarship

Provider: Digital Responsibility

Application Requirements: Personal statement

Texting while driving is extremely dangerous and extremely common. To help raise awareness of its risks, Digital Responsibility created the Don’t Text and Drive Scholarship . To apply, students must write a 140-character statement about texting and driving. This contest is open to students from high school to graduate school. If you’re selected as a finalist, you’ll be asked to expand on your original statement. 

21. Perfecting The Craft Annual Scholarship

Provider: Red Label Abrasives

• Enrolled or planning to enroll full-time in a college, university, or trade school in the U.S.
• U.S. Citizen

Application Requirements: Transcript and video or written essay

This scholarship application is another fun and easy one. Fintech Abrasives wants to help students in their journey to pursue higher education through its Perfecting The Craft Annual Scholarship . To win this scholarship money, you’ll need to get creative: The selection committee wants to hear about your passion for your craft in whatever way you want to share it. Feel free to submit a written essay, video, artwork, or whatever format fits your expertise.

Get more easy scholarships on Going Merry 

Applying for scholarships doesn’t have to be overly time-consuming. In fact, there are a ton of easy scholarships out there (like those listed above) that don’t require test scores, letters of recommendation, or super long essays. Some have application processes that take as few as five minutes. The only trick is finding them — which is where Going Merry comes in.

Unlike other scholarship websites , Going Merry makes it easy to apply for scholarships like these. We help students fill the gap between financial aid and student loans with lucrative, high-quality scholarships. With an extensive database, you can also find niche scholarships with less competition to give you a greater chance of winning free scholarships. Going Merry takes the legwork out of the scholarship search process: The platform automatically matches you with relevant awards. All you have to do is create a profile, and we’ll generate a personalized list of scholarship opportunities you’re eligible for.

If you want to win free money to help you pay for your higher education, sign up for Going Merry and complete your profile today. 

Disclaimer: This blog post provides personal finance educational information, and it is not intended to provide legal, financial, or tax advice.

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Scholarship Essay Examples

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What is a scholarship essay?

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

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

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

Types of Scholarships

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

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

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

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

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

Merit-Based Scholarships

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

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

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

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

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

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

Finding scholarships

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

Some scholarships we’ll discuss include:

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

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

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

How do you write a scholarship essay?

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

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

Organization

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

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

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

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

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

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

Scholarship Essay Examples About Yourself

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

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

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

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

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

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

Phi sigma rho scholarship essay.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SHPE Scholarship essay example #1

Essay prompt:.

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

Essay Example:

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

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

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

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

More scholarship essay examples

Shpe scholarship essay example #2.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Scholarship Essay Sample about “Why I deserve the scholarship”

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

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

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

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

Park scholarship essay example.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Shpe scholarship essay example.

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

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

UC Berkeley Scholarships essay examples

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

UC Berkeley scholarship essay examples

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Community-focused scholarship essay example #1.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Community-focused scholarship essay example #2.

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

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

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

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

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

Reflecting on scholarship essay format

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

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

Three scholarship essay writing tips:

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

Three essential elements to include in your essay:

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

Storytelling in your essay

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

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

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

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

Creating your scholarship essay format

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

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

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

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

Editing and proofreading your essay

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

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

Tips for scholarship essays

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

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

Tips for writing stand-out scholarship essays

1. get personal and be specific.

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

2. Tell a story

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

3. Tailor the scholarship essay to the prompt

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

4. Don’t tailor yourself to the reader

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

5. Follow directions

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

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

Scholarship Essay Examples – Final Thoughts

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

Save this guide

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

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

We’re here to help

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

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

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Easy Scholarships That You Can Apply to Right Now!

Last updated August 1, 2024

Here's our ultimate list of easy scholarships you can apply to now! We selected these scholarships based on a few criteria: Do they require a long essay? Do they have a minimum GPA requirement? Do they have an extensively long application process?

Disclaimer: Some scholarship websites or organizations found on this list may sell your personal information to third parties, including (but not limited to): your name, email address, home address, and phone number. While we aim to share scholarships and scholarship websites that do not sell any student data, we know that those with larger money scholarships may. We encourage you to always be intentional about the scholarships you apply to and the information you share with them.

Looking for more? We have lots of resources to help you in your scholarship search!

• Use our free scholarship application requirements tracker .
• Text #Scholarships to 33-55-77 with any scholarship-related questions.
• Submit your scholarship essay for free review.
• Use Get Schooled’s brand new Scholarship Finder to gain access to over 16,000 scholarships just for YOU!

BigFuture College Scholarships //  College Board

Amount: Varies

Deadline: Varies

BigFuture by College Board regularly gives scholarships to students who are in the process of applying to college and navigating financial aid for the first time. They award scholarships for things like  completing your FAFSA ,  searching for scholarships ,  practicing for the SAT , and more.

Niche + Tallo Scholarship // Niche + Tallo

Amount: $1,000

Deadline: Monthly; deadlines vary.

Niche and Tallo are partnering to bring monthly scholarship awards of $1,000! All you have to do is create a profile with Tallo and click this link to apply .

Easy Money Scholarship // Cappex

To apply, all you have to do is create a Cappex profile and tell them what you like to do in your free time. Easy, right?

School Survey Scholarship // Niche

Deadline: Monthly; Upcoming deadline August 31, 2024

To apply for this scholarship, all you need to do is take a short survey about your high school. The scholarship is open to current high school students, parents, and recent alumni.

Nitro Scholarship // Nitro

Amount: $2,000

To apply for this scholarship, all you need to do is fill out 5-question application. 

$2,000 No Essay Scholarship // Niche

To apply for this scholarship, high school and college students only need to create a free Niche account. 

SuperCollege Scholarship // SuperCollege

The SuperCollege Scholarship is open to all students — high school students, college students, grad students, or adults planning on going back to school. It’s an easy scholarship that only requires you to fill out a simple application.

C.I.P. Scholarship // College is Power

Deadline: August 31, 2024

Students ages 17 years or older who plan to start a program of higher education within the next 12 months or who are currently enrolled in a program of higher education are eligible to apply for this scholarship. Applicants must be citizens or residents of the U.S. and write a 150-word statement answering the following prompt: "What is your primary goal for going to school?"

Be Bold No-Essay Scholarship // Bold.org

Amount:  $25,124

Deadline: September 1, 2024

This scholarship will be awarded to the student with the "boldest" Bold.org profile. Students at any education level, state, field of study, and GPA will be considered.

Be the Boss Scholarship // GoSkills

Deadline: September 15, 2024

This scholarship was created for a female student who wants to start her own online business. Financial need and academic performance will not be considered when applying.

Education Matters Scholarship // Unigo

Amount: $5,000

Deadline: November 30, 2024

Does your education matter? Yes, it does! Unigo is awarding one applicant $5,000 if they can answer the prompt, "What would you say to someone who thinks education doesn't matter, or that college is a waste of time and money?"

Top Ten List Scholarship // Unigo

Amount: $1,500

Deadline: December 31, 2024

Why do you deserve this scholarship? Tell Unigo the top ten reasons why you deserve this scholarship in 250 words or less and you'll be entered in to win!

Unigo $10,000 Annual Scholarship //  Unigo

Amount:  $10,000

To apply for this scholarship, all you have to do is answer a simple question in 250 words or less: "Would you rather be smart, funny, or rich? Why?"

Superpower Scholarship //  Unigo

Amount: $2,500

Deadline: March 31, 2025

Having superpowers is cool, but which superhero or supervillain would you want to swap places with for one day? Tell Unigo your answer in 250 words or less to be considered for this scholarship!

Fifth Month Scholarship // Unigo

Deadline: May 31, 2025

This scholarship is open to U.S. citizens and residents 14 years or older. Applicants must submit a maximum 250-word essay answering the following prompt: "May is the fifth month of the year. Write a letter to the number five explaining why five is important. Be serious or be funny. Either way, here's a high five to you for being original."

Missed the deadline on any of these scholarships? That’s okay! We’ll save this list so you can apply next year.

Brown girls do college scholarship // brown girls do ballet.

Deadline: June 30, 2024

This scholarship is available to full time college undergraduate students across any field of study. Must write a 500 word essay on first-generation status (if applicable), plan for completing your undergraduate degree, and how dance has impacted your life. You don't need to be a dancer to qualify for this scholarship.

Career & Technical Scholarships // Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans

Amount: Up to $10,000

Deadline: June 17, 2024

Eligibility requirements for these scholarships may vary.

LGBTQ+ Student Scholarship //  Study.com

Deadline: May 31, 2024

LGBTQ+ students who are accepted to or enrolled in a college or university in the U.S. are eligible to apply for this scholarship. Financial need will not be considered.

WayUp Dream Job No-Essay Scholarship // Bold.org

Deadline: May 16, 2024

This scholarship will be awarded to the student who makes the most of the WayUp platform, including creating a profile and applying to jobs and internships.

National Scholarship // National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Clubs

Deadline: March 29, 2024

This scholarship is open to African American high school seniors who have a GPA of 3.0 and above and submit a typed essay of no less than 300 words on the topic: “Explain the Benefits You Have Gained through the Contributions of Two (2) Trailblazers of African Descent within the past twenty (20) years, and How It Has Benefited You as a Person.”

McDonald’s HACER National Scholarship //  McDonald's

Amount:  $5,000-$100,000

Deadline:  February 13, 2024

High school seniors who have at least one parent of Hispanic heritage and have a minimum 2.8 GPA are eligible to apply for this scholarship. DACA recipients are eligible to apply.

Rise to Legacy HBCU Scholarship //  Get Schooled

First-gen trailblazers scholarship // get schooled, reach for your peak scholarship (washington & oregon only) // get schooled, minority/women in stem scholarship //  bold.org.

Amount: 5 winners, $1,000 each

Deadline: November 15, 2023

Any BIPOC and/or female high school senior or undergraduate who is a first-generation, low-income student interested in STEM may apply for this scholarship. Applicants must write a 400-600 word-essay answering the following prompt: “What are some challenges you've had to overcome while pursuing your education and how do you plan on making a positive impact on the world through your STEM education?”

Hustle Tech & Business News No-Essay Scholarship // Bold.org

Amount: $500

Deadline: November 1, 2023

This scholarship will be awarded to students who read The Hustle, a free daily newsletter aiming to change how young professionals consume news, and can apply what they've learned to accelerate their education and career.

I Can Do Anything Scholarship // The Scholarship Collective

Deadline: October 1, 2023

Any high school junior or senior or undergraduate college student may apply for this scholarship. To apply, write one sentence telling the Scholarship Collective about your dream version of your future self.

Advocates Law Scholarship // The Advocates Injury Attorneys

Deadline: June 30, 2023

This scholarship is open to current and incoming students currently enrolled in an accredited college in the United States. Applicants must submit a 300-500-word essay answering the following prompt: “What are some of the problems we face on the roads? How can you contribute to improving road safety? What laws (if any) could be changed to accomplish the goal of making streets safer for everyone?”

Community Champions Scholarship // Ascent

Deadline: June 15, 2023

To apply for this scholarship, all you need to do is follow @AscentFunding on Instagram, like the Instagram post linked on their site, and leave a comment sharing what success means to you. Be sure to end your comment with #AscentSponsored.

Study.com Scholarship for Latin American Students // Study.com

Deadline: May 1, 2023

Graduating high school seniors with plans to attend college in the fall of 2023 and current undergraduate college students in any field of study are eligible to apply for this scholarship. Applicants must be of Latin American descent and be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.

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Articles & Advice > Financial Aid > Articles

The Ultimate List of Easy Scholarships to Apply for Now

No long essays. No recommendation letters. Just lots of scholarships that are easy to apply to and practically anyone can win. Updated for 2024!

by CollegeXpress

Last Updated: Aug 13, 2024

Originally Posted: Jan 22, 2020

These are the easiest-to-win college scholarships out there right now. Most take only a couple minutes to enter, with super simple applications and minimal writing. Awards that require 500+ word essays, letters of recommendation, intense projects, etc. are not included. We’re talking  easy  scholarships ,  people! Many of the scholarships are open to anyone ,  and most winners are chosen totally at random.

Now, before you dive into this list, remember: your scholarship search shouldn’t end here! There are  so many scholarships out there. Also, just because a scholarship isn’t advertised as “easy” doesn’t mean applying for it is hard. It can take a lot of time to find all the awards that fit you and fill out those applications, but it’s so worth it in the end. So enjoy this ultimate (and up-to-date!) list of easy college scholarships—and apply to as many as you can. Yes, they get a lot of entries because they’re so easy to apply to, but you have nothing to lose by trying. After all, somebody has to win these awards. Why not you?

CollegeXpress Easy One-Question Scholarships

Amount: Varies Awarded: Monthly Deadline: Last day of the month How to win: New and currently registered users on CollegeXpress just have to answer one question to enter this monthly scholarship contest. That's it! The question changes month to month; for example, in previous months, we’ve asked, "What is a good book you'd recommend to a friend for the summer?" and "What is your favorite subject in school?" Check out our Easy Scholarship Winners blog to see winners from each month this year and learn about the current month's opportunity. 

CollegeXpress $250 Refer-a-Friend Contest

Amount: $250 Awarded:  Monthly Deadline:  Last day of the month How to win:  Anyone in the CollegeXpress community can win this monthly contest, including parents and counselors! For every person who creates a free CollegeXpress account using your unique referral link, you'll get one entry in our monthly $250 Refer-a-Friend contest . Winners are then chosen at random. There’s no limit to how many entries you can get or how many times you can enter. (We’ve had people win more than once!) Just make sure your referrals complete their free registration so you can earn entries; only sharing and/or clicking the link doesn't count.

CollegeXpress Scholarship for Students of Color

Amount: $1,500 (plus $500 donated to a charity of your choice) Awarded: Quarterly Deadlines: March 31, June 30, September 30, December 31 How to win: If you're a Black, Indigenous, or Person of Color (BIPOC) student who's a US citizen and 13 years or older, you're eligible for the  CollegeXpress Scholarship for Students of Color . To apply, just create a free CX account (or log back in) and submit your answer to this question in one sentence: What is your dream career? The winner will be chosen randomly every quarter, and finalists will be contacted via email.

10 Words or Less Scholarship

Amount:  $500 Awarded:  Annually Deadline: April 15 How to win: For the 10 Words or Less Scholarship , you just need to explain why you should get this award in 10 words or fewer. They even let you post it as a comment on their Facebook page, for cryin’ out loud. You’re also required to “like” their Facebook page. In addition, you need to be between the ages of 14–25 and attending college in the fall.

1 st Financial Bank Financial Goals Scholarship

Amount: $2,000 Awarded: Monthly Deadline: Last day of each month How to win: This is a monthly scholarship opportunity sponsored by 1 st Financial Bank and is open to US residents who are 18 or older and planning to enroll or are currently enrolled in a college degree program. This is a random drawing, but it does require you to submit a short essay of 500 words or fewer on pursuing your educational and financial goals. 

Americanism Essay Contest

Amount: Up to $1,500 Awarded:  Annually Deadline:  December 1 How to win:  Every year, the Fleet Reserve Association awards the Americanism Essay Contest scholarship based on a single patriotic theme. They do require an essay, but it’s only 350 words. Last year’s theme was “What Freedom of Speech Means to Me.” In addition to the $1,500 grand prize, there are awards for first, second, and third place ($1,000, $750, and $500, respectively). This scholarship is open to students in grades 7–12.

Ascent Shining Stars Scholarship

Amount: $1,000  Awarded:  Monthly Deadline: First day of the month How to win:  Like many of the scholarships you’ll find on this list, most of the process to enter the Ascent scholarship sweepstakes involves filling out a form and following them on social media. Just complete the short form with your contact information, school, and a few other questions to create an account on their partner website, Kaleidoscope, and log in to finalize your entry. You also have to follow Ascent on one social media platform and tag them in a comment with the hashtag #AscentSponsored, plus be at least 18 years old to enter.

Barbizon’s $100,000 College Tuition Scholarship

Amount: $100,000 Awarded: Once every four years Deadline: December 31, 2024 How to win: As an effort to assist students outside of the classroom, Barbizon Modeling and Acting awards the College Tuition Scholarship to one lucky winner to make their college dreams a reality. Applicants have a full two years to get entries every time the new scholarship cycle opens. The most recent cycle opened in January of 2023 and will be closing in December of 2024, with winners announced sometime the following year. All students have to do to enter is complete the application, and the winner will be chosen by random drawing. 

“Be Bold” No-Essay Scholarship

Amount: $25,000+ Awarded: Annually Deadline: March 1 How to win: The  “Be Bold” No-Essay Scholarship offers $25,000 to bold students. Bold, by their definition, means earnest, determined, and moving. To win, you simply have to build your platform on the website to showcase your goals and achievements. The bolder your profile, the higher the chance you have to win. Although you can only enter once, the earlier in the year you do so, the better your chance to win. 

CampusReel Student-Led Virtual Tours

Amount: $2,000 Awarded: Annually Deadline: December 31 How to win:  CampusReel is all about encouraging students to get to know schools through campus tours, even if they can't make it to campus in person. Applicants just have to make a free account on CampusReel's website and watch one student-led virtual tour to enter. This opportunity is a win-win! Enter a great scholarship opportunity  and learn more about potential colleges to apply to. 

College Is Power Scholarship

Amount:  $1,000 Awarded:  Annually Deadline: May 31 How to win:  Whether you’re a full- or part-time student, whether you’re going to school online or in person, you could snag the College Is Power Scholarship (CIP). You need to be at least 17 years old and a US citizen, and you need to be attending school within the next 12 months. The only application requirements include a short form and a 150-word statement about your primary goal for going to school.

Christian College EDGE Scholarship

Amount:  $1,000 Awarded:  Annually Deadline: May 31 How to win:  Just create an account with this Christian college search site to be entered into the Christian College EDGE Scholarship . You’ll then have a chance to get information from Christian colleges and universities. It’ll enter you in their drawing and help you get recruited by those schools! This is different from their $5,000 Christian College Scholarship Drawing; see below.

Christian College Scholarship Drawing

Amount: $5,000 Awarded:  Annually Deadline: May 31 How to win:  You need to complete the registration form for the Christian College Connector to be entered into their Christian College Scholarship Drawing . Then winners are chosen at random, but they must be planning to enroll as full-time, first-year college students at a “Christ-centered Christian college or Bible college” within 16 months of winning.

Courage to Grow Scholarship

Amount:  $500 Awarded:  Monthly Deadline:  Last day of the month How to win:  The monthly Courage to Grow Scholarship is awarded to high school juniors, seniors, and college students with a minimum 2.5 GPA. And the only thing you need to do to win is to submit a short 250-word statement about why you deserve the money.

Create-A-Greeting-Card Scholarship Contest

Amount:  $10,000 Awarded:  Annually Deadline: March 1 How to win:  You’re already Snapchatting and Instagramming beautiful shots. Put your skills to work by creating a winning greeting card image for the  Create-A-Greeting-Card Scholarship Contest ! It could snag you $10,000, which is almost as good as getting a bajillion likes. To apply for this scholarship, you also need to be a US citizen and at least 14 years old.

Discover ®  Student Loans Scholarship Award

Amount:  $5,000 Awarded:  Monthly Deadline:  Last day of each month How to win:  Sign up to receive handy college money tips from Discover (you know, the credit card people) and you’re entered to win the monthly Discover® Student Loans Scholarship Award ! Plus, you can earn bonus entries by sharing the giveaway on social media. One winner will be chosen at random each month, but participants may only enter once per year for the overall one-year sweepstakes period. You also need to be a high school or college student at least 16 years old, and you have to go to an eligible college or university (although parents of eligible students can also enter on their behalf).

Doodle for Google

Amount: Up to $55,000 Awarded:  Annually Deadline: March 14 How to win:  Who knew your doodles could earn you tons of scholarship money and money for your school,  plus  get you featured on Google for a day? The Doodle for Google contest is open to all US students from kindergarten to seniors in high school. This year’s theme is “I show kindness by…” You have to include the Google logo, but you can make your doodle using any medium (hand drawn, painted, using software, etc.). The grand prize is a $55,000 scholarship, and the organization will award your school or a charity $50,000 in resources. There are also four national prizes of $5,000—still a lot of money for college!   

DoSomething.org Easy Scholarships

Amount:  Up to $22,000 Awarded:  Varies Deadline:  Varies How to win:  Okay, this isn’t a particular scholarship. That’s because DoSomething.org offers  a lot  of easy scholarships . And they move pretty quickly, with many lasting only a month. But, man, they are fun, creative, and fast. You typically sign up, complete a simple task, and upload a picture proving you did it. Then the winners are chosen at random. No essay, GPA, etc. The best part? These scholarships help you do some good in the world! So check the easy scholarships page at DoSomething.org to see what’s new.

Dr Pepper Tuition Giveaway

Amount:  Up to $100,000 Awarded:  Annually Deadline: January 15 How to win:  To enter Dr Pepper’s Tuition Giveaway  scholarship contest, you need to do a few things. First, describe how you’ll change the world in 350 characters or fewer. Next, get your friends to vote for your entry. If you get 50 or more votes, you’ll need to create an inspiring video. Then comes the crazy part: If you’re a finalist, you’ll compete during a Big Ten, SEC, PAC-12, or ACC football championship game. Yup, it doesn’t get much bigger than that—but neither does the prize: up to $100,000 in tuition money. Talk about the big show. 

Equal Opportunity No-Essay Scholarship

Amount: $500 Awarded: Annually Deadline: March 31 How to win:   As a small way to help create a more equal playing field for disadvantaged students, the Equal Opportunity scholarship supports two motivated high school, undergraduate, or graduate students who want to improve their lives and the lives of the people around them. Just complete an application and you're entered. Students from any field of study who have a 2.0 GPA or higher are eligible to apply.

Forget Your Student Debt No-Essay Grant

Amount: $500 to multiple winners Awarded: Annually to all winners in December Deadline: The first day of each month (rolling deadlines until December 1) How to win: Bold.org offers anyone with student loan payments the  Forget Your Student Debt No-Essay Grant to cancel some of their college debt. The only requirement is to be a student carrying student debt. That’s it! Much like the other scholarships offered by Bold.org, the sooner you apply in the year, the better chance you have to win.

HeadSetPlus.com College Scholarship

Amount:  $1,000 Awarded:  Annually Deadline: December 31 How to win: All you have to do is record a short video talking about who you are, what you’ve achieved, why college is important, and what motivates you. Yeah, that seems like a lot, but since you need to fit it into a video that’s no longer than five minutes, you’ll fly through “applying” for the HeadSetPlus.com College Scholarship ! You need to be at least 16 years old and a high school senior or current college or grad student with a minimum 3.0 GPA to enter.

keep going forward No-Essay Scholarships

Amount: $1,500 Awarded:  Annually Deadline: April 28, August 31, October 30 How to win: The organization keepgoingforward.org sets out to increase opportunities and foster connection by fundraising for disadvantaged youth, advocating for sustainable travel, and amplifying other philanthropic organizations. Students can apply for all three scholarships throughout the year, as there are no set requirements for grade level or academic field. In fact, one of the scholarships doesn't even require applicants to be current students, as long as they are applying for the money with the intent to move forward with something new in life.

Let Grow: Think for Yourself Scholarship

Amount:  Up to $5,000 Awarded:  Annually Deadline: April 30 How to win:  Okay, the  Let Grow: Think for Yourself Scholarship   does require an essay, but they give you nine options, it only has to be between 500-800 words, and it encourages you to speak your mind. What’s easier than sharing your opinion? For instance, one of your options is, “Please write a thank-you note to a jerk you listened to… and learned something from (although perhaps you didn’t think so at the time.” There are a lot of fun places to go with that. And even if you don’t win the big $5,000, three people are chosen for $1,000 runner-up scholarships.

Make Me Laugh Scholarship

Amount:  $1,500 Awarded: Annually Deadline: August 31 How to win:  What if you could win money just by making someone laugh? Well, you can with the Make Me Laugh Scholarship ! Unigo sponsors a $1,500 scholarship where all you have to do is describe a story (in 250 words or fewer) about a funny or embarrassing incident in your life to make them laugh. We all have plenty of stories that come to mind… As long as you’re at least 14 years old, get going on this one!  

New Mexico Legislative Lottery Scholarship

Amount:  Varies  Awarded:  Varies Deadline:  Varies How to win:  If you graduated from a New Mexico high school, you’re continuing your education in New Mexico, and you earned at least a 2.5 GPA your first semester in college, you’ve got New Mexico Legislative Lottery Scholarship in the bag.  There isn’t even an application!  You just need to contact your college or university and ask them about it. It’s that easy. Really!

Nicholas A. Virgilio Memorial Haiku Competition

Amount:  $100 Awarded:  Annually Deadline: March 27 How to win:  $100 may not seem like much against your college tuition payments, but every little bit helps, and the  Nicholas A. Virgilio Memorial Haiku Competition is a pretty fun and fast scholarship. High school students in any grade can submit up to three haikus. A panel of judges will then select six winning poems each year.

Nitro Monthly Scholarship

Amount:  $2,000 Awarded:  Monthly Deadline:  Last day of the month How to win:  Nitro is another college search website that gives away annual scholarships every month . Just complete a short entry form about which college you’ll be attending and when you anticipate graduating. This application even allows parents to enter for their children. As long as you're at least 17 years old, you should apply! 

No Essay CollegeVine Scholarship

Amount:  $2,000 Awarded: Annually Deadline: March 31 How to win:  All high school students have to do to enter for a chance to win this award is create a free CollegeVine account and complete their profile. That's all you have to do! After that, the winner of the scholarship will be chosen based on a lottery system and you'll notified via email if you are the lucky recipient.

No Essay College Scholarship™

Amount:  $2,000 Awarded:  Monthly Deadline:  Last day of the month How to win:  Just create a free profile with Niche to enter their  No Essay College Scholarship™ . And if you already have one, all you need to do is log in each month for a chance to win! One winner is chosen at random every month. The contest is open to all high school and college students (though there are other eligibility requirements). The money can be applied toward any education-related expenses.  

Odenza Marketing Group Scholarship

Amount:  $500 Awarded:  Twice a year Deadline: March and November How to win:  Okay, this might not seem like the simplest scholarship in the world because you technically have to write  two  essays. But they both only call for a maximum of 500 words. So you could write 250 for each prompt—of course, you’d need to really knock them out of the park. The first essay is about where you would go to further your career, and the second is about why you deserve to win the Odenza Marketing Group Scholarship . You also need to be between 16–25 and have at least a 2.5 GPA. Oh, and you need to like their Facebook page too, but that’s easy enough. This scholarship is awarded twice a year in the spring and fall.

Sallie Mae $2,000 Scholarship Sweepstakes

Amount: $2,000 Awarded:  Monthly Deadline:  Last day of the month How to win: Sallie Mae offers a monthly $2,000 Scholarship Sweepstakes that both students and parents can enter each month. This contest is open to legal residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia, or any US Territory who are age 17 or older at the time of entry. To learn more about the rules and policies for this award, you can view their eligibility page here . 

ScholarshipPoints Scholarship Giveaways

Amount: $10,000 and $2,500 Awarded:  Quarterly and monthly Deadline:  Varies How to win:  The “points” in ScholarshipPoints come from completing activities like taking surveys, reading emails, and playing games. Then you can use those points to enter scholarship drawings and improve your chances of winning. Pretty sweet deal, right? Well, in addition to all that pointy goodness, they randomly choose a registered user for a $2,500 scholarship each month and  $10,000 each quarter. Yes, please!

Scholarships 4 Moms

Amount:  $10,000 Awarded:  Five times a year Deadline: Varies (multiple drawings throughout the year) How to win:  Are you or are you about to become a mother? You could win $10,000 for educational purposes with  Scholarships 4 Moms , and all you need to do is register on their site. It’s quick, easy, and free—which is good because goodness knows you have your hands full if you’re a mom! You also need to be 18 years or older and a US citizen.

School Survey Sweepstakes

Amount:  $1,000 Awarded:  Monthly Deadline:  Last day of the month How to win:  Niche gathers reviews for all kinds of schools, from K-12 institutions to colleges and universities. They reward students, parents, and recent alumni for leaving those reviews by offering a $1,000 School Survey Sweepstakes . All you have to do is leave a (legit!) review to be entered. And you know you have lots of feelings about your school anyway.

School Band and Orchestra Magazine Scholarship

Amount:  $1,000 Awarded: Annually to 10 winners Deadline: March 31 How to win:  Do you play in your high school band or orchestra? Can you write 250 words about a music-related essay prompt? (You totally can.) Then you should apply for the School Band and Orchestra  Magazine Scholarship . Sure, learning how to play the clarinet wasn’t easy—but applying for this scholarship is.

ServiceScape Scholarship

Amount:  $1,000 Awarded:  Annually Deadline:  November 30 How to win:  The ServiceScape Scholarship  contest is open to students who are attending or who will attend an accredited college, university, or trade school. Applicants should fill out the application form and submit a super-short statement (no more than 300 words) on the following topic: "How does writing impact today's world?"

Student-View Scholarship

Amount: Up to $10,000 Awarded:  Annually Deadline: April 23 How to win:  No essay. No GPA or test scores. No application, even. All you need to do is complete a 15–25-minute online survey about colleges in your area. Then winners are chosen at random for the Student-View Scholarship . Yes, that’s "winners"— plural . In addition to the $10,000 top prize, two $1,000, and five $500 scholarships are handed out. In terms of scholarships awarded at random, those are pretty good odds!

Tallo Scholarships

Amount:  Varies Awarded:  Monthly Deadline:  Varies How to win:  Tallo is a website that aims to help students network with colleges and employers. To enter the Tallo Scholarship Contests , simply create a profile on their website, go to "Opportunities" and search for "Tallo" under "Organization Name." Several opportunities will be listed, including easy monthly scholarships and their $1,000 Invite-a-Friend Scholarship. Just follow the instructions and answer the questions to be entered!

The $1,000 SuperCollege Scholarship

Amount:  $1,000 Awarded:  Monthly Deadline:  Last day of the month How to win:  Okay, here’s how to enter the $1,000 SuperCollege Scholarship : Fill out their online application. Hit “Submit.” End of instructions. Yup—it’s that easy. It’s open to high school seniors, college students, grad students, and adult learners, and winners are chosen at random.

UNIGO $10K Scholarship

Amount:  $10,000 Awarded:  Annually Deadline: December 31 How to win: For the Unigo 10K Scholarship , you just need to submit an online written response (in 250 words or fewer) to this prompt: Would you rather be smart, funny, or rich? Why? You also need to be a legal resident of the US, at least 14 years old when you apply, and enrolled in an accredited post-secondary institution. 

You Deserve It! Scholarship

Amount:  $1,000 Awarded:  Monthly Deadline:  Last day of the month How to win:  The You Deserve It! Scholarship  only requires you to register on a website to enter. Plus, it’s kind of a meta award. It’s from Scholarship Owl, and creating an account with them also helps you apply to a lot of other scholarships with a single form, so you don’t need to complete a bunch of separate scholarship applications!

Related: Easy No–Essay Scholarships You Need to Know About Right Now

We’ll keep adding to this list as we discover more easy scholarships. (If you have any that we missed, let us know on Twitter  @ CollegeXpress  so we can make this the best and most up-to-date list of easy scholarships anywhere!) Reminder:  Always double-check the scholarship rules and regulations before starting an application. Some of these awards move pretty fast, particularly the monthly scholarships and things like eligibility requirements or deadlines might change.

Find even more scholarships you're eligible for on CollegeXpress using our Scholarship Search tool !

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“Outstanding Undergraduate” Essay Scholarship This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

Offered by Scholarships360

1 award worth

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Application deadline:

January 31, 2025

Scholarship Overview

The U.S. is home to over 2,000 four-year universities offering bachelor’s degrees. However, attending such universities can sometimes come with hefty costs that can deter students from attending. If you’re in a situation similar to this, we may just have the perfect scholarship opportunity for you: the “Outstanding Undergraduate” Essay Scholarship! With this scholarship, we aim to help out a lucky undergraduate student (enrolled during the 2024-25 academic year) who is passionate about their higher education journey and actively looking for ways to fund it. The scholarship is open to any U.S. citizen who is enrolled as an undergraduate at a four-year university in the U.S. during the 2023-24 academic year. In order to apply, submit an essay explaining how earning your bachelor’s degree will help you achieve your educational and career goals. Please note that applicants will be reviewed based on both the quality of their essay and quantity of scholarships applied for on the Scholarships360 platform. Scholarships360 users who are more active on the platform will be given higher consideration. We look forward to reading your application!

Eligibility information

This scholarship is open to undergraduates at four-year universities in the U.S. who are enrolled during the 2024-25 academic year. Applicants must also meet the below eligibility requirements.

U.S. Citizens, Permanent Residents

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$2,000 No Essay CollegeVine Scholarship

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Arabic and Islamic Studies Minor Scholarship

Arabic Studies at Indiana University Indianapolis explores the contributions and impact of Arabic cultures in local and global perspective. Arabic cultures have shaped the history of art, food, medicine, math, philosophy, poetry, politics, religion, and more both in Indiana and around the world. The recipients will be undergraduate students pursuing a minor in Arabic and Islamic Studies (or its equivalent) enrolled in the IU School of Liberal Arts at IU Indianapolis. Recipients must have taken or be enrolled in a course related to the study of Arabic and Islam. The Arabic Studies program will offer six (6) $4,000 scholarships ($1,000 per year up to four years) provided that the recipient continues to meet the criteria and has received the recommendation of the Scholarship Committee for renewal. Note: You must apply each academic year to be eligible for renewal.

Selection Criteria

To be eligible for the scholarship, students (1) must have declared their minor in Arabic and Islamic studies and (2) must successfully complete at least three credits per year from the program’s approved list of courses on the Indiana University Indianapolis campus or courses approved by the director to maintain the scholarship.

Students who already possess an Arabic and Islamic studies scholarship are eligible to renew the scholarship for an additional year for a maximum renewal up to three (3) additional years. The scholarship can be renewed each year (for a total of four years) so long as the student takes one course in the minor per year and applies.

New applicants should write an essay discussing (1) why Arabic and Islamic studies interests them and (2) how any previous experience studying topics related to Arabic and Islam have been important to them. New minors must submit proof of their minor declaration. (Approx. 250-500 words).

For current scholarship recipients interested in being considered for renewal, applicants should discuss their participation in the Arabic and Islamic studies minor on campus, by submitting an essay (Approx. 250-500 words) that addresses the following (1) what they have learned in all their minor courses in the past year and (2) what they have gained from participating in extra-curricular activities related to Arabic and Islamic studies in the past year.

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Visit our scholarship application website to apply for this scholarship and others.

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• Amount: $1,000
• Deadline: February 1
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25 Easy Scholarships to Help You Pay for College

Tell me if you disagree with the below 5 statements:.

• Everybody can use some help when it comes to paying for college.
• There are A LOT– maybe too many— scholarships out there. Too many options means not knowing where to start, which means not starting at all.
• Too many students are eligible for scholarships but don’t know about them until they’re crying about the money they don’t have.
• When applying for scholarships, doubt kicks in: “What are the chances?!”
• The chance of you winning that scholarship money is higher than 0% , which is the case if you don’t apply at all.

Here are 25 scholarships that all students should apply to!

If you missed the first deadline, don’t worry! The following awards are offered several times a year– some monthly, some quarterly, and some biannually!

[alert-success]Get this  step-by-step scholarship guide that helped a student win over $100,000 for college![/alert-success]

➯ General Scholarships with Multiple Deadlines

1. Unigo Scholarships

Unigo offers a ton of fun scholarships throughout the whole school year! Get your creative hat on and start applying!

2.  College Survey Scholarship

Fifteen survey responses will earn you an entry into the monthly $1,000 College Survey Scholarship. You can enter every month, so make sure to come back each month!

3.  DoSomething Scholarships

Take action with DoSomething.org to make social change and enter to win up to $10,000 in scholarship!

4.  “No Essay” College Scholarship

This monthly $2,000 “No Essay” Scholarship is open to all students, including those planning to enroll within the next 12 months. Winners will be determined by random drawing and contacted directly. One entry per person, but you can come back each month to try again.

5.  SuperCollege Scholarship

Complete the online application for a random drawing. This $1,000 scholarship is open to any students currently enrolled or planning to go to college. The money can be used to pay for tuition, books, computers, room and board or any education-related expense. 

➯ General Scholarships with Single Deadlines

[alert-announce]Want to win scholarship money? See this  step-by-step scholarship guide ![/alert-announce]

6. Hunting Bow Scholarship

Fill out a form with your information. Then write 350-500 words about the health benefits of archery for a chance to win $500. The deadline is August 15.

7. Zombie Apocalypse Scholarship

Write a short response outlining your zombie apocalypse survival plan for a chance to win $2,000! Deadline is October 31.

8.  Unigo $10K Scholarship

In 250 words or less, describe the biggest challenge college students are facing today and offer a solution! Deadline is December 31.

9.  Top Ten List Scholarship

With so many awards based on grades and extracurricular activities, this unique scholarship gives you the chance to tell– not show– what makes you oh-so great. Get creative or be serious, but whatever you do, you only have ten reasons to convince the judges why you deserve this scholarship, so make each one count. Deadline is December 31.

10.  I Have a Dream Scholarship

Whether it’s some bizarre dream you had last week, or your hopes for the future, share your dreams in 250 words or less for a chance to win $1,500 for college. Deadline is January 31.

11.  Sweet and Simple Scholarship

Think back to a time when you received a sweet and simple gift. In 250 words or less, explain why that gift was/is so significant. Deadline is February 28.

12.  Superpower Scholarship

Submit an online short written response (250 words or less) for the question: “Which superhero or villain would you want to change places with for a day and why?” for a chance to win $2,500 towards education. Deadline to apply is March 31.

13.  All About Education Scholarship

Finances can be a serious hinderance to education. In 250 words or less, explain how this $3,000 scholarship can make a difference in your education life. Deadline is April 30.

14.  Fifth Month Scholarship

Does the number 5 have any significance or meaning to you? Apply for this fun scholarship and you just might win $1500 towards college! Be funny or serious– that’s up to you, but the deadline is May 31.

15.  Do-Over Scholarship

“If you could get one ‘do-over’ in life, what would it be and why?” Don’t let “applying for this scholarship” be that do-over moment for you! It’s your chance to win $1,500! Deadline is June 30.

16.  Make Me Laugh Scholarship

Not all scholarships have to be serious. Relax and have fun with this $1,500 scholarship and you could be laughing your way to the bank! Deadline is August 31!

17.  Shout it Out Scholarship

Shout out whatever is in your mind. The “loudest” applicant will receive the $1,500 Shout It Out Scholarship reward. APPLY BY SEPTEMBER 30!!!!!!!

18.  Education Matters Scholarship

“What would you say to someone who thinks education doesn’t matter, or that college is a waste of time and money?” Speak up for education and help yourself pay for it by winning this $5,000 scholarship. Deadline is November 30.

➯ Scholarships for specific majors, skills, ethnicities, or circumstances

19. Study Abroad Award 

Thinking of studying abroad? This scholarship can get you one step closer to that goal! Just write a 150-250 word essay on the prompt listed. The deadline is November 1.

20. Nitro Parent Scholarship

Nitro is offering parents the opportunity to earn a $2,018 scholarship for their child! All you have to do is complete a short survey and answer 2 short answer questions (50-250 words each.) The deadline is monthly.

21.  ACS Scholars Award

African American, Native American, and Hispanic/Latino students (high school seniors, college freshmen, sophomores or juniors, and community college students) planning to pursue full-time study in a chemically-related field and a career in the chemical sciences can apply for this $2,500-$5,000 scholarship. Deadline for the next academic year is March 1. Transcripts, standardized test scores, two recommendation letters and a copy of the Student Aid Report (SAR) are required.

22.  Life Lessons Scholarship Program

Submit either a 500-word essay OR a 3-minutes video discussing how the death of your parent or guardian affected your life financially and emotionally. You can win up to $15,000. Apply by March 1.

23. ShearComfort Scholarship

In 300-600 words, answer the following question: In your opinion, what will be the largest technological development in the automotive industry within the next 5-10 years and how do you plan to be a part of it?  There are two deadlines: October 15 and April 15.

24. Personal Injury Lawyer Scholarship Fund

All you have to do is full out a short online application form in order to be entered! The deadline is July 31.

25.  Matinée Multilingual Scholarship

Submit a 250-500 word blog post on the following topic: How does video enhance the user experience on a webpage? Then, fill out a short online application for a chance to win $1,000 with Matinée Multilingual! The deadline is January 5.

Applying to scholarships may seem like a daunting task, but it’s not that difficult if you plan it out well.  Set a time or a day in the week to apply for scholarships &   mark the deadlines on your calendar  so you never miss a date!

Free money doesn’t come to those who procrastinate but to those who actively participate! :p

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