essay scholarships for high school students 2023

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Top 64 Writing & Essay Scholarships in April 2024

Will Geiger is the co-founder of Scholarships360 and has a decade of experience in college admissions and financial aid. He is a former Senior Assistant Director of Admissions at Kenyon College where he personally reviewed 10,000 admissions applications and essays. Will also managed the Kenyon College merit scholarship program and served on the financial aid appeals committee. He has also worked as an Associate Director of College Counseling at a high school in New Haven, Connecticut. Will earned his master’s in education from the University of Pennsylvania and received his undergraduate degree in history from Wake Forest University.

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Writing is an extremely important part of success in high school, college, and life in general. For some students, writing is also an intricate part of who they are and how they express themselves. If you are someone who loves English class and is genuinely excited about a new creative writing assignment, then you should keep reading! Writing scholarships, creative writing scholarships, and essay scholarships are great ways to put your talent to use.

Whether you are planning on attending community college, a four-year program, or graduate school, we’ve got opportunities for you. Keep on reading to learn about the top scholarships for writers and creative writers including eligibility, award amounts, and deadlines!

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We helped over 4 million students find scholarships in 2023

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The Scholarships360 Research Team reviews all scholarships individually and strives to exclude any scholarship where any of the below applies:

• The scholarship requires a fee to apply
• The scholarship provider’s privacy policy allows for the misuse of student data
• The scholarship requires paid membership in an organization (with certain exceptions for reputable trade organizations and others)
• Student are required to sign up for a site or service to apply*
• The scholarship seems primarily used for lead generation** or idea harvesting purposes***
• The scholarship website has many grammatical errors and/or advertisements
• The scholarship or scholarship providing organization seem untrustworthy
• There is no evidence the scholarship was previously awarded
• The scholarship has not been awarded in the past 12 months
• There is no available contact information

If you believe a scholarship has been published in error, please reach out to [email protected] and we’ll take a look!

* There are certain exceptions to this, for example if the sponsoring organization is a major corporation or nonprofit with its own scholarship application system. ** Lead generation scholarships will require students to sign up for an app or website and require minimal (if any) application requirements. ***Idea harvesting scholarships will require students to submit blog posts or other materials that companies may use for marketing purposes.

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RECENT SCHOLARSHIPS360 WINNERS

Danielle Emretane

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Morgan Breitschuh

Winner of the “Follow Your Own Path” Scholarship

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Winner of the “Outstanding Undergraduate” Scholarship

$10,000 “No Essay” Scholarship This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

Offered by Scholarships360

The Scholarships360 $10,000 “No Essay” Scholarship is open to all students who want some extra help paying for their education. Whether you are a high… Show More

The Scholarships360 $10,000 “No Essay” Scholarship is open to all students who want some extra help paying for their education. Whether you are a high school student who hopes to go to college, a graduate student who’s in a master’s program, or an adult learner who wants to return to school, you are eligible for our no essay scholarship. This scholarship will be awarded to students who get the most out of Scholarships360 scholarships and content. You will be a strong applicant if you apply to scholarships with the Scholarships360 platform. Finalists for this scholarship will be interviewed about their process for funding their education. Show Less

$2,000 Sallie Mae Scholarship This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

Offered by Sallie Mae

Sallie Mae will award $2,000 each month to eligible entrants. No essay or account sign-ups, just a simple scholarship for those seeking help paying for…

Sallie Mae will award $2,000 each month to eligible entrants. No essay or account sign-ups, just a simple scholarship for those seeking help paying for school.

“Mom to Scholar” Scholarship for Mothers This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

Offered by Maria Geiger

The “Mom to Scholar'' Scholarship for Mothers is open to mothers who want to begin or resume their journey towards earning a technical or college… Show More

The “Mom to Scholar'' Scholarship for Mothers is open to mothers who want to begin or resume their journey towards earning a technical or college degree. This scholarship is funded by Scholarships360’s own Maria Geiger, who started her journey toward a B.A. at the same time that her oldest son Will started college. Maria knows firsthand how challenging it is to raise a family, have a job outside the home, and attend college, but would not change the way she did things for the world. Mothers who have a desire to earn their college degree bring unique perspectives that greatly enhance their learning experiences; for some, motherhood is a vocation that enlightens like no other. If you are a mother over the age of 35 who feels that the time is right to begin your academic or career journey, please apply! 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! Show Less

Niche $25,000 “No Essay” Scholarship This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

Offered by Niche

Easy scholarship open to all high school and college students, as well as anyone looking to attend college or graduate school in the next year!

“Gutsy Graduate Student” Essay Scholarship This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

Ok, so first question–why is this scholarship named the “Gutsy” Graduate Student Essay Scholarship? If you are enrolled in graduate school (during the 2024-25 academic… Show More

Ok, so first question–why is this scholarship named the “Gutsy” Graduate Student Essay Scholarship? If you are enrolled in graduate school (during the 2024-25 academic year) or have heard stories from those enrolled, you already know! “Gutsy” means courageous and determined, which nearly all successful graduate students are. Why else would one continue on with rigorous academics while often living on a shoestring? The rewards of graduate school are numerous, especially the more focused and advanced level of specialized study in your chosen field. Learning with like-minded people who share your passion is fulfilling, and the networking is awesome. The flipside of graduate school is the costly student loans to fund it. With this in mind, the "Gutsy" Graduate Student Essay Scholarship aims to help out a passionate graduate student who is actively looking for ways to fund their higher education journey. 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. Good luck on your educational journey, and we hope to read your application!  Show Less

$25k “Be Bold” No-Essay Scholarship This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

Offered by Bold.org

Open to high school students, college students, community college students, and graduate students.

“College Here I Come” Essay Scholarship for High School Seniors This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

The "College Here I Come" Scholarship for Class of 2024 is open to just who you think: high school seniors graduating in the class of… Show More

The "College Here I Come" Scholarship for Class of 2024 is open to just who you think: high school seniors graduating in the class of 2024! Here at Scholarships360, scholarships are our passion–we know that you can never have enough of them! After all, scholarships are essentially “free money” to help fund your education. We want to help out a lucky high school senior who is just starting out on their higher education journey and actively looking for ways to fund it. 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 hope that you apply and look forward to reading your application! Show Less

“Making Waves” Scholarship for Women This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

Are you a woman in high school, college, or graduate school enrolled during the 2024-25 academic year? If so, let us help you! Our $500… Show More

Are you a woman in high school, college, or graduate school enrolled during the 2024-25 academic year? If so, let us help you! Our $500 “Making Waves” Scholarship for Women aims to help women cover the costs of pursuing their dreams. Whether that dream is starting a business, learning a foreign language, or attending college on the path to fulfilling your dream, the scholarship will cover those costs and make your journey a little easier. No matter your goals, we want to help out a woman who is passionate about their higher education journey and actively looking for ways to fund it. In order to apply, simply write an essay about how the $500 “Making Waves” Scholarship for Women will help you fulfill your dreams. 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 encourage you to apply and look forward to reading your essay. Good luck! Show Less

$10,000 CollegeXpress Scholarship This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

Offered by CollegeXpress

Annual $10k scholarship from CollegeXpress open to all high school freshmen, sophomores, and juniors.

“Tuition Solution” Scholarship for STEM Students This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

Do you like figuring out solutions to difficult problems? Well, if you’re a current or aspiring STEM major, we have one for you! Our $500… Show More

Do you like figuring out solutions to difficult problems? Well, if you’re a current or aspiring STEM major, we have one for you! Our $500 “Tuition Solution” Scholarship is meant for high school juniors and seniors (graduating class of 2024 or 2025), as well as undergraduate and graduate students enrolled during the 2023-24 academic year who are looking for ways to fund their postsecondary education in STEM. In order to apply, you must write an essay about how your passion for STEM started and how the scholarship will help you fulfill your dreams. No matter which STEM field ignites your interest, we look forward to reading your essays. 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. Apply today - it’s time to cell-e-brate you! Show Less

“A Helping Hand” Scholarship This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

At Scholarships360, we know how hard it can be to pay off the hefty costs of a college tuition. Oftentimes, this is even more difficult… Show More

At Scholarships360, we know how hard it can be to pay off the hefty costs of a college tuition. Oftentimes, this is even more difficult for students coming from low-income backgrounds or for those who demonstrate financial need. This is where our “A Helping Hand” Scholarship comes in! We're offering a $500 scholarship to help out a low-income student who is passionate about their higher education journey and is actively looking for ways to fund it. This award is open to high school juniors and seniors (graduating class of 2024 and 2025), as well as undergraduate and graduate students enrolled during the 2024-25 academic year. In order to apply, students should submit an essay detailing how winning the scholarship would help you fulfill your dreams. 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! Show Less

$1,000 Appily Easy College Money Scholarship This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

Offered by Appily

This easy scholarship from Appily is open to U.S. high school students (Class of 2025, 2026, 2027) and college transfer students. One scholarship will be… Show More

This easy scholarship from Appily is open to U.S. high school students (Class of 2025, 2026, 2027) and college transfer students. One scholarship will be awarded each month. Show Less

“Follow Your Own Path” Essay Scholarship This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

At Scholarships360, our mission is to help students find and fund their postsecondary education. We know that students have a variety of educational and career… Show More

At Scholarships360, our mission is to help students find and fund their postsecondary education. We know that students have a variety of educational and career interests and aspirations. That is why we are offering the “Follow Your Own Path” Essay Scholarship. This scholarship aims to support all current postsecondary students, regardless of the type of education they are pursuing. Thus, no matter your own unique educational path, we hope you apply for this $500 scholarship. In order to apply for the “Follow Your Own Path” Essay Scholarship, students must submit an essay about their career ambitions. 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! Show Less

“Commencing at Community College” Essay Scholarship This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

Community college, also known as two-year college, is a golden opportunity for the right student. These schools offer an affordable education to a diverse range… Show More

Community college, also known as two-year college, is a golden opportunity for the right student. These schools offer an affordable education to a diverse range of students in a wide range of majors. If starting your postsecondary education at a community college is right for you, we have a scholarship just for you! The “Commencing at Community College” Essay Scholarship aims to financially support community college students who are passionate about their higher education journeys and actively looking for ways to fund it. In order to apply for the “Commencing at Community College” Essay Scholarship, students must submit an essay explaining how earning their degree at community college will help them achieve their 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!  Show Less

$5,000 Christian Connector Scholarship This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

Offered by Christian Connector

Students applying to the $5,000 Christian Connector Scholarship must be current high school students (Class of 2025, 2026, or 2027) interested in attending a Christian…

Students applying to the $5,000 Christian Connector Scholarship must be current high school students (Class of 2025, 2026, or 2027) interested in attending a Christian university or college.

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

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… Show More

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! Show Less

Ocean Awareness Art Contest

Offered by Bow Seat Ocean Awareness Programs

Are you an 11 - 18 year old who has a passion for saving the environment and/or the ocean? Additionally, would you like to make… Show More

Are you an 11 - 18 year old who has a passion for saving the environment and/or the ocean? Additionally, would you like to make a statement about the impact of climate change through writing, artwork, or even dance? You might consider applying for the Ocean Awareness Art Contest! Dedicated to encouraging the next generation to get involved in ocean conservation (and environmentalism as a whole), the contest asks its applicants to create a piece of artwork that reflects an impact/aspect of the current environmental crisis and its effect on the ocean. Each year has a specific theme to focus on, with this year being climate change. If you would like to make a statement about climate change’s impact on the ocean through art, we encourage you to apply! Show Less

$2,000 No Essay CollegeVine Scholarship This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

Offered by CollegeVine

Easy scholarship open to current high school students and college applicants. A free CollegeVine account with a completed chancing profile required to enter.

Ayn Rand Institute Novel Essay Contest (Atlas Shrugged) This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

Offered by Ayn Rand Institute

Are you a high school, undergraduate, or graduate student with a passion for reading, writing, and Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand? If so, we may… Show More

Are you a high school, undergraduate, or graduate student with a passion for reading, writing, and Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand? If so, we may just have the perfect opportunity for you: the Ayn Rand Institute Atlas Shrugged Essay Contest! Each year, the contest asks its applicants to write an 800 - 1,600 word essay in which they analyze and make an argument about an aspect or plot point of the novel Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand. Nine prizes of varying amounts are awarded each year, with a grand prize of $25,000! If you’re familiar with Atlas Shrugged, can make a convincing argument, and want to make some cash, we encourage you to apply! Show Less

Minecraft Scholarship

Offered by Apex Hosting

Are you a high school or college student with a love for Minecraft? If so, we may just have the perfect opportunity for you: the… Show More

Are you a high school or college student with a love for Minecraft? If so, we may just have the perfect opportunity for you: the Minecraft Scholarship! Each year, the scholarship offers $2,000 to one applicant who best writes about how Minecraft can positively influence one’s education and career development. The scholarship is offered by Apex Hosting, a Minecraft server provider dedicated to supporting both new and experienced server administrators. If you’re a high schooler or college student with a love for Minecraft, it’s time to put your passion to good use and apply to the Minecraft Scholarship! Show Less

Top 10 essay scholarships in 2024

Our editors hand-picked the following 10 essay scholarships with an eye for large awards, prestigious organizations, and scholarships that are open to a wide variety of students. Apply with confidence to the following essay scholarships:

• Jack Kent Cooke College Scholarship – For high school seniors with financial need, worth up to $55,000 per year
• Questbridge College Match – For high school seniors with financial need, offers a full ride to college
• The Gates Scholarship – For low-income minority high school seniors, offers a full ride to college
• Tylenol Future Care Scholarship – For students enrolling in medical, nursing, or pharmacy school, worth $5,000-$10,000
• Regeneron Science Talent Search – For high school seniors interested in pursuing an individual STEM research project. Worth anywhere between $2,000 and $250,000
• Blacks at Microsoft Scholarship – For high school seniors pursuing a bachelor’s degree in engineering, computer science, computer information systems, or a business field. Worth up to $20,000
• Horatio Alger National Scholarships – For high school juniors with high financial need, worth $25,000
• Amazon Future Engineer Scholarship – For high school seniors with high financial need who plan to study computer science in college. Worth $10,000 per year
• Ron Brown Scholarship – For Black high school seniors who plan to study global entrepreneurship and/or community engagement. Worth $10,000 per year
• Dream.US Opportunity Scholarship – For undocumented high school seniors and college freshmen with high financial need living in a state where public colleges do not offer in-state tuition to undocumented students. Worth $20,000 per year

Creative writing scholarships

Are you a writer who loves fiction, poetry, and screenplays? If so, you can put those talents to use by applying for creative writing scholarships.

Creative writing scholarships are a subset of writing scholarships that support students who enjoy writing poetry, fictional stories, plays, and generally using their imagination to guide their writing.

Here are the top creative writing college scholarships that you can apply for:

HelpTeaching.com Scholarship

• Eligibility: High school and college students who submit a educational short story or informational article (400-800 words) for young students
• Amount : $1,000
• Deadline: June 1st of every year

Cancer Unwrapped Teen Writing Contest

• Eligibility: Teens aged 9-12 who write about their own cancer journey or a family member in a maximum of 1,500 words.
• Deadline: Late March

YouthPLAYS New Voices One-Act Competition for Young Playwrights

• Eligibility: Students 19 years old or younger who submit an original one-act play between 10-40 minutes in length (10-page minimum). Multiple winners may receive up to $250 and publication by YouthPLAYS.
• Amount: $250 and publication by YouthPLAYS
• Deadline: Early May

National High School Poetry Contest

•   Eligibility:  U.S. high school students who submit a poem 20 lines or less that is unpublished, the sole work of the entrant, and not entered in any other concurrent contest.
• Amount: Up to $500.
• Deadline:  Rolling

The Narrative Prize

• Eligibility: Students who submit a short story, novel excerpt, poem, one-act play, graphic story, or work of literary nonfiction.
• Amount: $4,000
• Deadline:  Mid-June

Also see:  Top writing summer programs for high school students

College-specific creative writing scholarships

Some colleges and universities may also offer specific scholarships and financial aid to students with a talent in creative writing! Check with the colleges on your list for these college-specific creative writing opportunities!

Note that some of these scholarships may have requirements for winning students that stipulate that they take a certain number of creative writing classes when enrolled in the college.

Kenyon Writing Award

High school seniors can apply for this scholarship program at Kenyon College which offers up to $15,000 per year of merit based aid. It is based off of your portfolio and does not take into account financial need, high school GPA , or other factors. Submissions typically have to be in by January of your senior year.

Related:  How to answer scholarship essay questions about your career goals

Barbara Caras Memorial Scholarship for Film Students

The scholarship is open to students in Sarasota or Manatee County, Florida who have completed at least one full year at an accredited Florida College and are majoring in Film, Computer Animation, Creative Writing, Motion Design, or Illustration. Five recipients will earn a $2,000 award. The application deadline is July 31st of the current year.

Lycoming College Creative Writing Scholarship

The scholarship is open to students majoring in Creative Writing at Lycoming College, Williamsport, PA and must submit five poems and/or a short story not to exceed ten pages. Six recipients will be selected and can earn up to $3,000. The scholarship deadline for the Fall 2023 Class is March 1, 2023.  

Arkansas Tech University Gwaltney Scholarship

The scholarship is open to ATU students who submit individual works of fiction to the Department of English. Recipients earn a one-time cash award every year. The deadline to submit your entry is 2 weeks before the end of the spring semester.

Lake Forest College Carnegie English Essay Contest

The contest is open to first-year students of Lake Forest College who plan to study English either through the literature or creative writing track and submit an essay, between 500 and 1,000 words answering a designated prompt. Four winners will be awarded $2,500 annually. Submission deadline is March 1, 2023.

Austin Peay State University Creative Writing Scholarships

The scholarships are open to undergraduate and incoming APSU students who email a 10-20 page manuscript of fiction, poetry, or creative non-fiction, to Lakota Withrow at [email protected] . Awards are for $600 or $1,200. The deadline to apply is March 18th.

Scholarship essay resources

When it comes to writing and essay scholarships, your writing skills will be put to the test. You’ll have to adapt your writing to specific styles in order to effectively and succinctly communicate your ambitions and potential. We have a host of resources to help you perform well in this arena and stand out from the crowd.

• How to start your scholarship essay (with examples)
• How to write a “why do you deserve this scholarship?” essay
• What’s the best scholarship essay format?
• How to write a 250 word essay
• How to write a 500 word essay
• How to write an essay about yourself

Frequently asked questions about writing scholarships

Do i have to major in english to earn a writing or essay scholarship, where can i get help proofreading my scholarship essays, how much should i write if there is no word limit on the application, explore these other scholarship categories:.

• Scholarships for English majors
• Easy scholarships
• Top scholarships for high school seniors
• Top creative writing scholarships
• Top scholarships for journalism students
• Top short story scholarships

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Best Writing Scholarships in 2024

Showing 159 scholarships that match your search.

Immerse Education

The Immerse Education Essay Competition provides the opportunity for students aged 13-18 to submit essay responses to a pre-set question relating to their chosen subject. 10 winners will receive a 100% scholarship, with runner-up prizes also awarded. 100% Scholarship Award For Cambridge, Oxford, Sydney & London Summer School Essay Competition.

Categories: Critical Essay

Organization: Immerse Education.

Deadline: January 04, 2025.

Additional awards: Runner-ups: 50% of scholarship.

Categories: Critical Essay.

Apply now →

Creative Writing Award

The winner will be offered the opportunity to occupy during her or his first academic year the residence room where J. D. Salinger lived; and Leadership standing in the Ursinus writing community. The winner will be expected to join the previous award winners in reading subsequent creative portfolios, and will help the Office of Admission in selecting the next winner. Award winners are also expected to be prominent members of Ursinus’ Literary Society, The Lantern, and the creative writing community.

Categories: Critical Essay, Journalism, Nonfiction, Novel Writing, Personal Essay, Playwriting, Poetry, Portfolio, Research, Screenwriting, and Short Fiction

Organization: Ursinus College.

Deadline: January 15, 2025.

Categories: Critical Essay, Journalism, Nonfiction, Novel Writing, Personal Essay, Playwriting, Poetry, Portfolio, Research, Screenwriting, and Short Fiction.

The Sub Pop Loser Scholarship

Sub Pop Records is extremely proud to offer a grand total of $15,000 in college scholarship money to three eligible high school seniors. To apply you must submit a one-page essay using any combination of our questions as a guide (or write something completely your own, be inspired and creative!). Applicants must be residents of Washington or Oregon in pursuit of higher education.

Categories: Personal Essay

Organization: Sub Pop Records.

Deadline: March 23, 2025.

Additional awards: Second place scholarship of $5,000, third place scholarship of $3,000.

Categories: Personal Essay.

Islamic Scholarship Fund Program

Students who are Muslim or active members of the Muslim community may apply for the Islamic Scholarship Fund. The ISF awards multiple scholarships each year ranging from $3,000-$10,000, though the amounts and number of recipients will vary. Students must submit applications including essay questions, work samples, and letters of recommendation, and must also be majoring in an ISF-supported field related to media or politics.

Organization: Islamic Scholarship Fund.

Deadline: March 21, 2025.

Additional awards: Multiple awards of varying amounts will be given.

BBB Torch Talk Scholarship

BBB Foundation is a 501(c)3 organization dedicated to educating consumers on a variety of marketplace issues; this scholarship is in pursuit of that goal. Applicants must attend high school in Alaska, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington or Western Wyoming, and will submit a 500-word essay for BBB’s online magazine Torch Talk on one of the given topics.

Organization: Better Business Bureau.

Deadline: March 16, 2025.

Flag House Scholarship Award

Do you know of an unsung history-maker in your community? Is there an organization in your community working to keep the legacy of a historically significant, but often overlooked, individual alive and relevant? Identify a person living or from the past whose professional work, activism, or personal story has made a significant impact on you or your community. Describe why their story is unique and explain how they have changed history. Response should be limited to 350 words.

Categories: Research and Critical Essay

Organization: The Star-Spangled Banner Flag House.

Deadline: March 26, 2025.

Categories: Research and Critical Essay.

Unpublished Writer's Award

The winner of this award receives $1,000, an invitation to accept the award at our annual awards ceremony, promotion on our website, and a feature of their work in our Magajournal and quarterly newsletter. Applicant must email an original, unpublished fiction work (short story or novel excerpt) not to exceed 2,000 typed words on double-spaced pages

Categories: Short Fiction and Novel Writing

Organization: Go On Girl! Book Club.

Deadline: March 31, 2025.

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

Categories: Short Fiction and Novel Writing.

Christine B. Dexter Scholarship

The Christine B. Dexter Scholarship was established in honor of Christine B. Dexter after her passing from stomach cancer in 2008. This scholarship awards undergrad students a $2,000 scholarship towards their fall tuition. All recipients demonstrate a history of community service and resilience through their cancer journey.

Organization: Christine B. Foundation.

Incight Scholarship

The INCIGHT scholarship is open to students in Washington, Oregon, and California who have a documented disability. Applicants must complete two detailed essay responses (video essays also welcome) in order to be eligible. The number of awards and total amount awarded will be determined during the selection process, and winners will be notified in June.

Organization: INCIGHT.

Deadline: April 01, 2025.

Marguerite Young Endowment Fund

The Marguerite Young Endowment Fund was established at The Pittsburgh Foundation to provide scholarships for students who plan to study theology. Candidates must be attending a Protestant seminary as a master of Divinity candidate, preparing for full-time ministry and/or be a seminary intern at a Protestant Church. Application must includes proof of this, as well as a personal essay.

Organization: The Pittsburgh Foundation.

The AAF-Greater Evansville Scholarship

The AAF-Greater Evansville awards scholarships to deserving high school and/or college students yearly in April. To be eligible, students must plan to pursue a career in advertising, marketing, public relations or graphic design. Application varies yearly but includes various education details and personal statements.

Categories: Journalism

Organization: American Advertising Federation of Greater Evansville.

Categories: Journalism.

Aspiring Literary Scholar Award

The winner of this award receives $1,000, an invitation to accept the award at our annual awards ceremony, promotion on our website, and a feature of their work in our Magajournal and quarterly newsletter. Candidate must submit an essay not to exceed 800 words on the topic "The Power of The Written Word."

Dr. Jerry Pournelle Scholarship

The Dr. Jerry Pournelle Scholarship may be awarded to a candidate of any gender majoring in engineering, math, biological or physical sciences, or “science fiction as literature” as an eligible field of study. Applicants must submit a 500-1,000 word essay on one of several scientific topics.

Categories: Research, Personal Essay, and Critical Essay

Organization: The Heinlein Society.

Categories: Research, Personal Essay, and Critical Essay.

Dr. Yoji Kondo Scholarship

The Dr. Yoji Kondo Scholarship may be awarded to a candidate of any gender majoring in engineering, math, biological or physical sciences, or “science fiction as literature” as an eligible field of study. Applicants must submit a 500-1,000 word essay on one of several scientific topics.

Jack & Julie Narcolepsy Scholarship

Project Sleep’s Jack & Julie Narcolepsy Scholarship is a national scholarship program to support students with narcolepsy and idiopathic hypersomnia. Students must complete an application form that includes a response to the esssay question: "If you could go back in time and speak to yourself on the day you were diagnosed, what would you say? Write a letter to yourself on that day."

Organization: Project Sleep.

What are writing scholarships?

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

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

1. Personal essay scholarships

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

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

2. Critical essay scholarships

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

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

3. Short fiction scholarships

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

4. Journalism scholarships

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

5. Portfolio scholarships 

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

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

Why apply to writing scholarships?

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

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

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

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

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

Resources to strengthen your writing skills

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

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Best Essay Scholarships to Apply for in 2024

Overcoming Adversity Cariño Scholarship

Eligibility criteria:.

• State : Washington
• Education Level : High school student
• Ethnicity : Latinx

Sloane Stephens Doc & Glo Scholarship

• Education Level : Must be a current high school senior or undergraduate student
• Schooling : Either studying healthcare or attending an HBCU
• GPA : 2.5 or higher

Ryan T. Herich Memorial Scholarship

• Field of Study : Political science, cultural anthropology, geography, or history
• Education Level : High school senior or 2 or 4-year undergraduate

Ethel Hayes Destigmatization of Mental Health Scholarship

Trees for Tuition Scholarship Fund

• Education Level : High school senior or undergraduate
• State : Georgia (Atlanta preferred)

Concrete Rose Scholarship Award

• Gender : Women
• Race/Ethnicity : BIPOC
• Education Level : High school senior or Undergraduate

Jennifer Gephart Memorial Working Mothers Scholarship

• Background : Mother

Russell Koci Skilled Trade Scholarship

• Education Level : Trade school student or high school seniors interested in trade schools

TEAM ROX Scholarship

• Education Level : Undergraduate student
• GPA : 3.0 or higher
• Background : Volunteering experience

Rebecca Hunter Memorial Scholarship

• Education Level : Any
• Parental Status : Single parent

God Hearted Girls Scholarship

• Education Level : High school senior
• Gender : Female
• Religion : Christianity

Dimon A. Williams Memorial Scholarship

• Family : Single-parent household
• Education Level : High school or undergraduate student

Women in Healthcare Scholarship

• Education Level : High school senior, undergraduate, or graduate student
• Citizenship Status : U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident
• Gender : Female-identifying
• Field of Study : Healthcare

Rainbow Futures Scholarship

• Education Level : High school senior or undergraduate student
• Identity : LGBTQ+
• Background : Financial need

Frank and Patty Skerl Educational Scholarship for the Physically Disabled

• Background : Has a physical disability

Ventana Ocean Conservation Scholarship

• Education Level : High school senior, undergraduate, or graduate
• Major : Ocean conservation, marine science, environmental science, marine biology, etc.

Joseph A. Monachino Memorial Scholarship

• Financial Status : Financial need
• State : Nevada

Dr. Edward V. Chavez Athletic Memorial Scholarship

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

Tam and Betsy Vannoy Memorial Scholarship

• State : West Virginia
• Education Level : High school senior, undergraduate, post- secondary trade school

Frederick J. Salone Memorial Basketball Scholarship

• Background : Plays basketball

Lemon-Aid Scholarship

• Financial Status : Low-income

Patriots Path Scholarship

• Involvement : ROTC or JROTC

Walking In Authority International Ministry Scholarship

• Experience : Volunteering

Skylar's Hope Scholarship

• Education Level : High school senior, undergraduate, or trade school student
• Desired Career : First responder (firefighter, police, EMT, etc.)

Brinley Heckermann Empowering Spirit Scholarship

• Background : Cheerleader and/or stunt-athlete

Jean Ramirez Scholarship

• Education : High school, undergraduate, or graduate
• Background : Immediate family of suicide victim

Robert F. Lawson Fund for Careers that Care

• Field of Interest : Healthcare, social work, government, education or a related field

Alexis Mackenzie Memorial Scholarship for the Arts

• Education Level : High school student accepted to a two or four-year college or an arts institute
• Race/Ethnicity : Black or Latina
• Background : Financial Need

Hamiltonville Farm Scholarship

• Education level : High school senior or trade school
• Field of Interest : Automotive or Diesel repair

Pearlie M. Westbrooks Memorial Scholarship

• State : Mississippi
• Background : Community service involvement

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. 

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.

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Girls Write Now mentees have earned scholarships including Posse, Questbridge, Capstone, CAGNEY, Ascend Educational Fund, Samuel H. Scripps, the Presidential Scholarship and many more—including awards directly through the colleges they attend! Pro tip: Call colleges and ask what kind of funding they provide. You can still get scholarships after you’ve matriculated and started college.

Scholarship Essay Writing & Tips

• Learn how to write a scholarship essay here
• Tips on finding and getting scholarships
• Students and Financial Literacy

Scholarships for High School Students

• Ojeda Multi-County Youth Scholarship : This scholarship aims to assist inner-city high school students so they can afford the costs of their tuition and books. Applicants must be of Hispanic or African American origin, and have a minimum 2.9 GPA to apply for this scholarship. ( Applications closed)

For undocumented students with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status who are not eligible for federal student aid funds, but may be eligible for financial aid from the state government or the college, depending on where they live or go to school. Play close attention to eligibility requirements.

• The Dream National Scholarship : For highly motivated undocumented students with significant, unmet financial need, enrolled or intending to enroll in a bachelor’s degree program. Must have graduated or will graduate high school by the end of 22-23′ academic year. (Applications closed)
• Hispanic Scholarship Fund : For graduating high school senior and undergraduate students of Hispanic heritage planning to enroll full-time in university. Applicants must be U.S. citizens, permanent legal residents, or DACA recipients (Applications closed)
• The HOPE Scholarship with Bard High School Early College : Offers financial assistance towards the cost of tuition and books at the transfer school of the BHSEC student’s choice.
• DREAM Act Application for CUNY and SUNY
• Guide for Undocumented Students
• BestColleges Guide for DACA and Undocumented Students
• Undocumented Student Tuition Overview
• “Be Bold” No-Essay Scholarship : The $25,000 “Be Bold” Scholarship is a no-essay scholarship that will be awarded to the applicant with the boldest profile. Open to students of all ages. (Applications closed)
• Ayn Rand Fountainhead Essay Contest : For 11th and 12th grade students worldwide (November 6, 2023)
• Elevate Mental Health Awareness Scholarship (November 30, 2023)
• Love Your Career Scholarship : Open to any student who will be enrolled in a college or University at the time of the next deadline (Applications for Winter semester due January 10, applications for Fall semester September 10)
• Scholastic Scholarships : Multiple arts-based scholarships of varying award amounts for high school students. (Fall deadline— specific to region)
• High School Scholarship : Graduating high school seniors are invited to apply for the Dedalus Foundation Scholarships awarded for artistic excellence. The scholarship money must be used for school expenses. (Application closed)
• Mary Bowman Arts in Activism Award : These $5,000 awards are intended to support young artivists (27 years of age or younger) each year who exemplify Mary’s passion for the arts as the vehicle for their own HIV/AIDS and/or health and social justice community activism and expression. (Applications closed)
• Singhaus Scholarship for the Performing Arts : The Singhaus Scholarship for the Performing Arts provides financial assistance to elevate young talent in their pursuit of a career in theatre: performance, technical, creative, costume design. This scholarship is designed to support members of the Central Florida LGBTQ+ community and their allies. (Applications closed)
• Atlas Shrugged Essay Contest : The Atlas Shrugged Essay Contest is open to high school seniors, undergraduate, and graduate students. You must write an essay of between 800 and 1,600 words on one of the three topics listed on the sponsor’s website to be considered for this award. ( Application Deadline: November 6, 2023 )
• Beacon Scholarship for Rural America : The Beacon Scholarship for Rural America is intended for applicants who are college-bound graduating high school seniors, current college students, or adult learners with a GPA of 3.0 or higher (high school or college) and who are planning to enroll in an accredited college program. Applicants must also reside in a rural area and meet low-income criteria. ( Application Deadline for Spring 2024: November 30, 2023 )
• Accelerated Study in Associate Programs (ASAP Program) with CUNY Community Colleges
• Education Opportunity Program (EOP) with SUNY
• New York Ramblers Scholarship : For student athletes grade 12 or higher pursuing an undergraduate education who self-identify publicly as LGBTQ+ or demonstrated and committed straight allies. (Applications open January 1, 2024)
• Scholarships for LGBTQ Students : Study.com has compiled a list of scholarships for LGBTQ+ students.
• Community Pride Scholarship : This scholarship aims to support LGBTQIA+ high school seniors who are pursuing careers in public service so they have the encouragement necessary to achieve their dreams. (Applications closed)
• Scholarships and Resources for LGBTQIA+ Students

Among the most competitive, and largest, scholarships

• Cameron Impact Scholarship : For high school juniors. (Applications available in February, early decision deadline in early May, regular decision deadline in early September)
• Posse Scholarship : High School students must be nominated.
• Stamps Scholarship : Apply through their partner universities/colleges.
• Excelsior Scholarship (CUNY and SUNY)
• Amherst College (Private)
• Berea College (Private)
• Brown University (Private)
• Columbia University (Private)
• Macaulay Honors College at CUNY
• Princeton University (Private)
• Stanford University (Private)
• Swarthmore College (Private)
• Webb Institute (Private)
• University of Pennsylvania (Private)
• Vanderbilt University (Private)
• Dr. Jack G. Shaheen Media Scholarshi p : The Dr. Jack G. Shaheen Media Scholarship is available to college junior, senior, and graduate students of Arab American heritage. You must be studying mass communications, journalism, radio, television, and / or film, be a U.S. citizen, and have a minimum 3.0 GPA to be eligible for this award.
• Immerse Education Blog Competition : This competition provides the opportunity for students aged 13-18 to write a blog about a pre-set topic relating. Four winners will receive a 100% scholarship to our Online Insights virtual summer program, with runner-up prizes also awarded. (Application closed)
• Nicholas J. Bartilucci Environmental Scholarship : For high school students living in New York Enrolled full-time in a B.S. or B.E. degree program with an emphasis on public service. (Applications close February 28, 2024)
• Princeton Prize in Race Relations : For high school students who have undertaken significant efforts to advance racial equity and understanding in their schools and communities. Winners will receive an award of $1,000 and are invited to participate in a Symposium on Race . (Applications closed)
• CodeWizardsHQ Educational Scholarship : Priority given to students applying to STEM programs. Must be a high school senior or incoming college freshman. (Applications close May 1, 2024)
• Share Your Poetry Scholarship : The Share Your Poetry Scholarship will support students of any educational level who write poetry, encouraging their future in writing. (Application closed)
• G2 Overachievers Student Grant : To be considered, you must submit a 1,000 – to 2,000 – word handwritten essay explaining how you (or the person you are nominating) make a difference in the world around you and why you deserve to be recognized for these efforts. (Application Deadline: December 15, 2023)
• Sustainability Essay Contest : The Sustainability Essay Contest is open to high school students. You must submit an essay on a sustainable construction – related topic to be considered for this award. (Application Deadline: November 3, 2023)

For students who are New York residents attending a school in New York.

• Macaulay Honors College Scholarship
• NYS Aid to Native Americans
• NYS Scholarships for Academic Excellence
• Capital Preparatory Charter Harlem Charter School : No fee charter schools with a mission of social justice in the heart of Harlem.

Scholarships for College Students & Young Professionals

• Growing Up In America Art, Essay, Video Contest | AACI, NBC Bay Area Hosted by AACI and in partnership with NBC Bay Area, Growing Up in America (GUA) is an annual art, essay and video contest that reaches hundreds of Bay Area students in kindergarten through 12th grade. Founded 25+ years ago by Lance Lew of NBC Bay Area, GUA gives a unique platform for young people to creatively explore and celebrate their cultural identity through the lens of civic engagement. 2024’s Contest Theme is “I Choose My Future” participants are prompted to reflect on their vision of their future self and their future community. The Submission form will be open from March 1st until March 15, 2024.
• Single Mother’s Education Scholarship : This scholarship is for low-income Asian or Latino undergraduate students who have at least a 3.0 GPA. Children of single moms may apply but single mothers are preferred. (Applications closed)
• Scholarship for Indigenous STEM Students : An academic award of $1,000 will be provided to an indigenous STEM student by Study.com. Increasing access to education is at the heart of Study.com’s mission and we hope to aid indigenous students pursue higher education in STEM through this scholarship. ( Applications closed )
• Pearson Scholarships guide for people of color
• The Dream National Scholarship : For highly motivated undocumented students with significant, unmet financial need, enrolled or intending to enroll in a bachelor’s degree program at a Partner College in your state in the Fall of 2023 or Spring of 2024. ( Applications open November 1, 2023)
• Hispanic Scholarship Fund : For graduating high school senior and undergraduate students of Hispanic heritage planning to enroll full-time in university. Applicants must be U.S. citizens, permanent legal residents, or DACA recipients. ( Applications closed )
• Davis Putter Scholarship Fund : Need-based scholarships awarded to students who are able to do academic work at the college or university level or are enrolled in a trade or technical program and who are active in the progressive movement. ( Applications closed )
• BestColleges Guide for Undocumented Students
• Love Your Career Scholarship : Open to any student who will be enrolled in a college or University at the time of the next deadline ( Applications for Winter semester due January 10, applications for Fall semester September 10 )
• Elevate Mental Health Awareness Scholarship (Applications close November 30, 2023)
• P.E.O. Program for Continuing Education ( PCE ) : A need-based grant program providing one-time financial assistance of up to $3,000 to women whose education has been interrupted and who find it necessary to return to school to complete a degree or certification that improves their marketable skills for employment to support themselves and/or their families.
• New York Ramblers Scholarship : For student athletes pursuing an undergraduate education who self-identify publicly as LGBTQ+ or demonstrated and committed straight allies. (Applications open January 1, 2024)
• LGBTQ+ STEM Scholarship : Any LGBTQ+ student pursuing their undergraduate college degree in a STEM field can apply. Study.com offers a $1,000 academic award. Study.com’s mission is to make education accessible. (Applications closed)
• Thomas J. Watson Fellowship : For graduating college seniors at a Watson partner institution who wish to conduct research abroad for a year following graduation. (Ask your institution for their specific deadline)
• National Institutes of Health (NIH) Undergraduate Scholarship Program (UGSP) : For students from disadvantaged backgrounds who are committed to careers in biomedical, behavioral, and social science health-related research. Must be enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a full-time student at an accredited 4-year undergraduate institution located in the United States of America. ( Applications open January 2024)
• CodeWizardsHQ Educational Scholarship : Priority given to students applying to STEM programs. Must be a high school senior or incoming college freshman. ( Application deadline is May 1, 2024 )
• Lockheed Martin STEM Scholarship : Each year, the STEM Scholarship Program awards $10,000 to 200 recipients studying engineering or computer science at a 4-year college or university. Recipients may renew the scholarship up to three times for a total potential value of $40,000 per student. ( Applications open in 2024 )
• BHW Women in STEM Academic Scholarship : Women who are pursuing an undergraduate or master’s degree and are majoring in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics during the 2024 school year are eligible. ( Applications open January 2024 )
• 2024 ISF Scholarship | Islamic Scholarship Fund 
• $3,000-$10,000  Students who are Muslim or active members of the Muslim community may apply for the Islamic Scholarship Fund. The ISF awards multiple scholarships each year ranging from $3,000-$10,000, though the amounts and number of recipients will vary. Students must submit applications including essay questions, work samples, and letters of recommendation, and must also be majoring in an ISF-supported field related to media or politics. Deadline: March 21, 2024
• NYC Women’s Fund for Media, Music and Theatr e : The NYC Women’s Fund for Media, Music and Theatre (“Women’s Fund”), administered by the New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA) in partnership with the City of New York Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment (MOME), is a signature initiative that addresses the underrepresentation of women in the entertainment industry. The Fund provides grants to encourage and support the creation of content that reflects the voices and perspectives of all who identify as women. ( Applications close: November 1, 2023 at 11:59 PM ET )
• Women in Technology Scholarship Program ’23 : Orangesoft offers a scholarship dedicated to female college or university students pursuing STEM, or other technology-related studies and careers. As an Orangesoft Scholar, you will receive new financial opportunities and a chance to participate in the IT industry development. ( Application deadline: November 15, 2023 )
• $1,500 Annual Video Contest Scholarship | IvyPanda :  Each year IvyPanda awards creative and talented students that make movies with up to scholarships $1,000 total. Scholarships are given to two winners: the winner receives a $1,000 scholarship; the runner-up prize is $500. ( Application Deadline: October 31, 2023 )
• Excelsior Scholarship
• NYS Memorial Scholarship

Big-Time Scholarships

• QuestBridge College Prep Scholarship : For Academically outstanding high school juniors from families earning less than $65,000/year for a family of four. ( Applications opens in February of your junior year and are due in March )
• Cameron Impact Scholarship : For high school juniors. (A pplications available in February, early decision deadline in early May, regular decision deadline in early September )
• Thomas J. Watson Fellowship : For graduating college seniors at a Watson partner institution who wish to conduct research abroad for a year following graduation.
• National Institutes of Health (NIH) Undergraduate Scholarship Program (UGSP) : For students from disadvantaged backgrounds who are committed to careers in biomedical, behavioral, and social science health-related research. Must be enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a full-time student at an accredited 4-year undergraduate institution located in the United States of America. (Applications open January 2024)
• Davis Putter Scholarship Fund : Need-based scholarships awarded to students who are able to do academic work at the college or university level or are enrolled in a trade or technical program and who are active in the progressive movement. (Applications open January 2024)

More Scholarship Opportunities

• Not Consumed $1000 Scholarship Program : The Not Consumed scholarship provides a one-time reward of $1,000 to pay for tuition, books, computers, room and board, or any education-related expense. There’s no GPA requirement and no application forms.
• Dayspring Pens Scholarship : The Dayspring Pens scholarship provides a one-time award of $1,000.00 to offset the costs of tuition, books, computers, room, or any other education-related expense for both undergraduate and graduate students. There are no GPA requirements or application forms.
• The Rise Challenge : The Rise Challenge program provides Global Winners ages 15 to 17 with scholarships, mentorship, access to career development opportunities, and funding, as they work toward solving humanity’s most pressing problems. ( Applications open end of September )

ASAP, EOP, HEOP, TAP & SEEK Programs (NY-Based and for NYS Residents)

Provide academic and financial assistance to students who are financially and academically disadvantaged. Students must also be New York residents and attend college in New York.

• Arthur O. Eve Higher Education Program (HEOP) with NY-Private Colleges
• Search for Education, Elevation, and Knowledge (SEEK) with CUNY
• Tuition Assistance Program (TAP)

Online Financial Aid, Scholarship & Federal Grants Resources

• Bankrate 5 best scholarships for Latino students
• Best Colleges Financial Aid Opportunities for Students of Color
• Best Colleges Financial Education Resources
• Best Colleges Scholarships for Hispanic and Latino/a Students
• Collegexpress.com
• College Board BigFuture Scholarship Search
• Daughters of the American Revolution Scholarships
• fedmoney.org
• fastweb.com
• GoodCall Scholarship Search Engine
• Myscholly.com
• Niche Scholarships
• NYS Higher Education Services – Types of Financial Aid
• Peerlift.org
• Scholarshipmonkey.com
• Study.com First Generation College Student Guide
• Study.com Guide for Community College Scholarships
• Study.com Need-Based Scholarships: What Are They & How to Apply
• Study.com Ultimate Guide to Student Loans & Student Loan Repayment
• Study.com Comprehensive Scholarship Guide
• Study.com Scholarship Resources for Students of Color
• Study.com Student Scholarships
• Scholarships.com
• 2020 Porch Skilled Trade & Technology Scholarships
• Williams College All-Grant Financial Aid Program

Don’t forget to call colleges and ask what kind of funding they provide. You can still get scholarships after you’ve matriculated and started college.

Explore More College & Career Resources

InternshipS FOR YOUNG PROFESSIONALS

ScholarshipS FOR HIGH SCHOOL & COLLEGE STUDENTS

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Atlas Shrugged Essay Contest

Students      >      Essay Contests      >     Atlas Shrugged

✓    Open to all high school, college, and graduate students worldwide.

Annual Grand Prize

June 14, 2024

Summer Entry Deadline

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Interested in participating?

Fill out the contact form below, and we’ll email you with more information about this year’s contest—including instructions on how to enter.

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We’ll email you more information about this year’s contest—including instructions on how to enter. In the meantime, please let us know at [email protected] if you have any questions. We’re happy to help.

What is Atlas Shrugged?

The astounding story of a man who said that he would stop the motor of the world—and did.

Tremendous in scope, breathtaking in its suspense, Atlas Shrugged is unlike any other book you have ever read. It is a mystery story, not about the murder of a man’s body, but about the murder—and rebirth—of man’s spirit.

How It Works

Every three months there is a new seasonal entry round, with its own unique essay prompt. You may compete in any or all of these entry rounds.

The top three essays from each season will be awarded a cash prize. The first-place essay from each season will advance to compete for the annual grand prize.

The first-place essay from each season will be eligible to contend for the annual first-place title, with the opportunity to secure a grand prize of $25,000.

Challenging Essay Topics

Each entry round features a unique topic designed to provoke a deeper understanding of the book’s central themes and characters.

Essays must be written in English only and be between 800 and 1,600 words in length.

Questions? Write to us at [email protected] .

• Summer Prompt
• Fall Prompt
• Winter Prompt

The essay prompt for our fall entry period has not yet been determined. We will post it here as soon it’s available.

The essay prompt for our winter entry period has not yet been determined. We will post it here as soon it’s available.

Grand Prize

Master our grading standards.

Essays are judged on whether the student is able to justify and argue for his or her view, not on whether the Institute agrees with the view the student expresses. 

Our graders look for writing that is clear, articulate, and logically organized.  Essays should stay on topic, address all parts of the selected prompt, and interrelate the ideas and events in the novel. 

Winning essays must demonstrate an outstanding grasp of the philosophic meaning of Atlas Shrugged .

Organization

Understanding, contest timeline, discover the power of atlas shrugged.

Atlas Shrugged  is a mystery novel like no other. You enter a world where scientists, entrepreneurs, artists, and inventors are inexplicably vanishing—where the world is crumbling.

And what you discover, by the end, is an uplifting vision of life, an inspiring cast of heroes, and a challenging new way to think about life’s most important issues.

Learn more and request a free digital copy of the book today.

Learn from Past Winners

Curious to know what makes for a winning essay in the Atlas Shrugged   contest? Check out some of the essays written by our most recent grand-prize winners. 

To varying degrees, they all display an excellent grasp of the philosophic meaning of Atlas Shrugged .

Click here to see the full list of 2022 contest winners.

Jacob Fisher

Graduate Student

Stanford University

Stanford, California

United States

Mariah Williams

Regis University

Denver, Colorado

Nathaniel Shippee

University of Illinois

Chicago, Illinois

Samuel Weaver

St. John’s College

Annapolis, Maryland

Patrick Mayles

Graduate student

Universidad Nacional de Colombia

Christina Jeong

College Student

University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, Indiana

Improve Your Writing Skills

Other than endorsing perfect punctuation and grammar in English, the Ayn Rand Institute offers no advice or feedback for essays submitted to its contests. However, we do recommend the following resources as ways to improve the content of your essays.

The Atlas Project

Writing: a mini-course.

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Want to stay up-to-date on any new developments to the contest? Sign up to our email list below.

We’ll send you periodic reminders about the contest deadlines, as well as helpful resources to ensure you get the most out of your experience reading and writing about Ayn Rand’s  Atlas Shrugged .

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Atlas Shrugged is a mystery novel like no other. You enter a world where scientists, entrepreneurs, artists, and inventors are inexplicably vanishing—where the world is crumbling.

What you discover, by the end, is an uplifting vision of life, an inspiring cast of heroes, and a challenging new way to think about life’s most important issues.

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Then, when you're ready to submit your essay, just return to our platform. Your saved entry will be right where you left off. So, why wait? Take the first step, and start your entry today.

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10 Winning Scholarship Essay Examples From Real Students

Make your application shine.

Writing a scholarship essay can be intimidating. The competition is fierce and the stakes are high, so students are bound to feel the pressure. It may be helpful, therefore, to look at essays that were successful. What did those students do to impress the committee? These scholarship essay examples will give you a better idea of how to make an application shine! 

Tips for Writing a Scholarship Essay

We’ve put together a whole guide for how to write a scholarship essay , so if you haven’t read it already, definitely give it a look! In addition, here are some quick tips to help students get started. 

Carefully read the rules

The last thing you need is to be disqualified from winning a scholarship because you didn’t do the right thing. 

Start early

Don’t wait until the last minute to start researching and applying for scholarships. Give yourself plenty of time to work through the process. 

Get to know the provider

Think of the scholarship provider as your target audience. You want to tailor your essay to impress them, so do your research. What kinds of candidates are they looking for? What causes do they support? Dig deep for the information you need!

Think about who you are, what you want to say, and how to appeal to the scholarship committee. Write everything down and then choose the best ideas. 

The scholarship committee will be reviewing many applications. How can you make yours unforgettable? Highlight your strongest assets, share hard lessons if they showcase your growth as a person and/or student, and be honest. Never lie in a scholarship essay!

Be professional

Consider this the most important academic paper you’ve ever written. Don’t use slang or casual language. Submit a properly formatted essay that’s been well-edited and proofread by multiple people.

One last tip

Don’t reuse scholarship essays! Yes, it’s time-consuming, but students need to put the same effort into every application. Use the same process and it will get faster and easier every time!

Scholarship Essay Examples

Afc visionary scholarship essay by nicole kuznetsov.

Award Amount: $5,000

Essay prompt: Why do you want to go to college? Why is it important to you?

Why it was successful: The  beauty of this essay is that it’s well-organized and simple. Nicole Kuznetsov chose to outline her story by using chronology and provided a clean, concise story following a linear path.

North Coast Section Foundation Scholarship Essay by Christine Fung

Award Amount: $1,000

Why it was successful: Christine Fung masterfully shared how her upbringing instilled strong values, a love for education, and a passion for medicine .

The Bill Browning Scholarship Essay by Gabby DeMott

Award Amount: $10,000

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

Why it was successful: Gabby DeMott shared her experiences with personal growth and overcoming fears in Germany. She also appealed to the very human feeling of wanting to belong in a way that was inspiring. 

Life Happens Scholarship Essay by Emily Trader

Award Amount: $15,000

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

Why it was successful: Emily Trader fully addressed the prompt in honest, beautiful detail. She knew her audience and tailored her essay to appeal to them while telling her compelling story. 

Change a Life Foundation Scholarship Essay by Isabella Mendez-Figueroa

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

Why it was successful: Isabella Mendez-Figueroa shared an empowering story about her parents overcoming financial adversity so that she and her sister could be the first in their family to go to college. 

Giva Scholarship Essay by Joseph Lee

Essay prompt: Who is (or what makes) a good doctor?

Why it was successful: Joseph Lee offered a captivating , personal story that was essentially a list of things that make someone a good doctor without it feeling boring or calculated. 

New York University College of Arts and Science Scholarship by Ana

Award amount: $39,500 

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

Why it was successful: Ana discussed how early experiences w ith learning difficult things has contributed to her passion for teaching and supporting students. 

The Fund for Education Abroad Rainbow Scholarship Essay  by Steven Fisher

Award amount: $7,500

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

Why it was successful: Steven Fisher’s powerful essay   connected his realizations about his own sexual identity with embracing the beautiful diversity found all around the world. 

Women’s World Banking Founder’s Scholarship Essay by Rosaisha Ozoria

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

Why it was successful: Rosaisha Ozoria   focused on a very specific topic , financial literacy for Hispanic women, and emphasized its importance and relevance to her own life. 

The Millennium Gates Last Dollar Scholarship Essay by Famyrah Lafortune

Award amount: $3,500

Essay prompt: Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” —Nelson Mandela Describe a change you would like to make in the world. Tell us about how you would plan to make that change, and what obstacles you might encounter along the way.

Why it was successful: Famyrah Lafortune starts with a strong statement about ending racial inequality and then details the steps she’ll take to make it happen. 

Do you have any great scholarship essay examples? Share them below!

Plus, check out  the ultimate guide to college scholarships, want more suggestions be sure to subscribe to our newsletters ..

You Might Also Like

60+ College Essay Prompts From Actual 2023-2024 Applications

Ideas to inspire every college applicant. Continue Reading

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How to get scholarships for college in high school.

Your goal is to attend the college of your dreams, but you’ve started to discover all the expenses you’ll be responsible for when you do . College tuition, living expenses, books, supplies, the list can go on and on and can be overwhelming.

Scholarships are essentially gifts. For the most part, they don't need to be repaid. Many of them are out there, offered by schools, employers, individuals, private companies, nonprofits, local community organizations, religious groups, and professional and social groups.

And there are many scholarships for students to apply for as early as their freshman year of high school.

Read on to learn more about how to get scholarships in high school.

Can high school students apply for college scholarships?

Many scholarship opportunities are available for high school students to start applying for to help pay for college. A scholarship might cover the entire cost of tuition, or it might be a one-time award of a few hundred dollars. Either way, they’re worth applying for, because any amount will help reduce the cost of your education.

Most scholarship deadlines are between September and May, although some scholarships allow you to apply throughout the year. This makes applying on breaks and off time easier so it doesn’t interfere with homework and studying.

Making the scholarship search a part of your high school routine will go a long way as far as possibly securing scholarships and will help to ensure you don’t miss deadlines.

College scholarships for high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors

There are many college scholarships sophomores, juniors, and seniors in high school are eligible to apply for. Here’s how to begin your search:

Online scholarship databases

There are plenty of online scholarship databases you can use to begin your search. We recommend exploring several as a starting point for your search. Use them to narrow down the scholarships that are out there so that you can then research a list of scholarships further.

School counselors

Contact your high school and college counselors and let them know you’re looking for scholarships. They’ll help you narrow down what kind of scholarships you may qualify for and where to look for them.

Teachers and coaches

If you’re interested in continuing any specific academic or athletic pursuits in college, reach out to teachers and coaches at your high school for help. Even if they don’t know of any specific scholarships, they’ll be able to help you present yourself well on scholarship applications.

Special interest organizations

Organizations that serve specific hobbies, pursuits, or demographics will also have information about relevant scholarships. A huge number of scholarships are available nationwide for specific interests, activities, and communities.

State scholarships

Contact your state’s education agency for more information about their merit and need-based scholarship programs.

Never hesitate to do a web search for a specific scholarship you’re hoping may exist. You’ll be surprised at the depth and breadth of what you’ll find.

Scholarship application tips

Every scholarship has a different application process, but many of the requirements overlap. While some local organizations may ask that you fill out a physical application, most applications are filed online.

Typical academic-based scholarships will require proof that you meet the eligibility conditions and an essay based on a given topic or prompt. Athletic and talent-based scholarships will also often ask you to provide evidence of your skill, which could mean a live performance, a portfolio, or a video of your athletic achievements.

Scholarship essay writing tips

When writing a scholarship essay, it’s best to start early. Make sure your essay fits the requested topic and do plenty of research. Ask a teacher you trust to look at your essay and offer critiques.

The essay is your chance to set yourself apart from the rest of the candidates. Do everything you can to make sure it stands out.

Final thoughts

The earlier you start applying for scholarships, the better your chances of receiving aid. Stay ahead of deadlines to ensure you’re putting your best foot forward when applying for scholarships. Good luck with your search!

Local News | Kingston Library offers two scholarships to…

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Local news | kingston library offers two scholarships to kingston high seniors.

KINGSTON, N.Y. — The Kingston Library Martin Laforse Memorial Scholarship Fund will offer two $1,000 scholarships to college-bound Kingston High School seniors, according to an announcement.

Students who wish to apply for the scholarship can receive an application at the school’s Guidance Office. Applicants are required to submit an essay in 500 words or less, reflecting on how a reading or library experience affected their life.

According to the announcement, scholarships will be awarded based not only on the quality of the essay but on the applicant’s current academic standing, as well as financial need and a letter of recommendation. Scholarship recipients will be announced during an award ceremony at Kingston High in early June.

The scholarship was formed in 2007 after the death of Martin Laforse, a long-time professor and trustee of the Board of Directors at Kingston Library.

Applications are due no later than Friday, April 12.

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$2,000 No Essay Scholarship

Help cover the cost of college without writing a single essay!

Niche is giving one student $2,000 to put toward tuition, housing, books or other college expenses — no essay required.

Apply below for your chance to win so you can focus on your education, not your finances. Good luck!

Min 7 characters

By proceeding you acknowledge and agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use .

By proceeding you acknowledge and agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use and  Scholarship Rules .

Who Can Apply

All high school and college students, as well as anyone looking to attend college or graduate school in the next year. Please note: Not everyone is eligible for this scholarship. Niche sponsored scholarships and sweepstakes are for people with US citizenship or a valid Visa/US passport only. Read the scholarship rules for full eligibility requirements.

How It Works

The $2,000 “No Essay” Scholarship is an easy scholarship with no essay required! Only one entry allowed per person. The winner will be determined by random drawing and then contacted directly and announced in Niche's email newsletter and on the Scholarship Winners page.

About Niche scholarships

We believe cost shouldn’t keep anyone from pursuing a higher education, so we connect students with thousands of scholarships — many of which don’t require an essay — to help them afford college. In 2023 alone, we offered over $285,000 in Niche scholarships. Read more about Niche scholarships here or visit our FAQs .

What are your chances of acceptance?

Calculate for all schools, your chance of acceptance.

Your chancing factors

Extracurriculars.

28 Super Easy Scholarships to Apply for in 2023

What’s covered:, 28 easy scholarships to apply for, strategies for applying to easy scholarships.

Applying for scholarships is an important part of preparing for college. Given how expensive higher education is, these awards can relieve lots of anxiety and provide students with unique opportunities. Unlike loans, scholarships do not have to be paid back.

That said, after a grueling college application process, the thought of completing more applications can feel overwhelming to many students. Fortunately, there are plenty of easy scholarships you can apply for in under an hour. Some don’t even require essays. We’ve rounded up X super-quick scholarships with applications you’ll complete in no time at all.

1. CollegeVine Scholarships

Amount: $2,000

Deadline: Quarterly

Eligibility: High school student and US resident

Application Requirements: Create a free CollegeVine account or fill out your chancing profile if you already have an account

CollegeVine provides a quarterly, no-essay scholarship of $2,000. All you have to do is sign up for a free account, which allows you to see your chances of acceptance at 1,600+ schools, get your essays reviewed by a peer, ask questions in our community forum, and more. If you already have an account, just make sure your chancing profile is filled out.

Awards will be paid out directly to students to help them cover any educational costs. Learn more about the CollegeVine scholarships .

2. Because College Is Expensive Scholarship

Amount: $500

Deadline: End of each quarter at 11:59 pm EST

Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors, college students, and graduate students

Application Requirements: Simple online form

Cedar Education Lending gives out the aptly-named Because College Is Expensive Scholarship once per quarter. All you need to do to apply is complete a simple form, and you’ll be entered into a $500 random drawing.

3. I Have a Dream Scholarship  

Amount: $1,500

Deadline: January 31, 2024

Eligibility: Must be a legal U.S. resident; must be at least 14 years old at the time of application

Application Requirements: Short answer question

For this scholarship, applicants will submit an online written response to the following prompt in 250 words or fewer:

“We want to know… what do you dream about? Whether it’s some bizarre dream you had last week, or your hopes for the future, share your dreams with us for a chance to win $1,500 for college.”

4. SmarterCollege Scholarship

Amount: $2,500

Deadline: Recurring (next deadline is June 30, 2023)

Eligibility: Must be at least 17 years old; must be a US resident

All you have to do to apply for this scholarship is complete a 5 question application! You can apply each month.

5. Cappex Easy Money Scholarship

Amount: $1,000

Deadline: The end of each month

Eligibility: Must be a registered Cappex user; must be at least 13 years old; must be a US resident; must be planning to enroll in an accredited post-secondary institution of higher learning within 4 years

In order to enter this scholarship contest, sponsored by Cappex, all you need to do is complete the online registration form. Perhaps that’s why it’s called “Easy Money!”

6. “No Essay” College Scholarship

Deadline: Monthly (next deadline is May 31, 2023)

Eligibility: High school students, college students, and others planning to attend college or graduate school within the next year ( additional eligibility requirements )

As noted in the name, this scholarship requires no essay to enter. The recipient is selected by a random drawing, and you can enter once per month. If you win, you can use the award for education-related expenses, such as tuition, housing, and books.

7. No Essay Smart Owl Scholarship

Deadline: May 29, 2023

Eligibility: Must be at least 16 years old and a U.S. resident in any state, territory, or the District of Columbia, except for Rhode Island and Michigan; must be enrolled in a U.S. high school, college, or university

When you create an account on Scholarship Owl on or after April 30th, 2023, you’ll automatically be entered to win the scholarship. You can then enter again once every seven days during the Sweepstakes Period. 

8. Make Me Laugh

Deadline: August 31, 2023

Here’s one for the comedians out there. This is not only an opportunity to win $1,500 in scholarship money but also a chance to showcase your comedy set. In 250 words or fewer, respond to this prompt:

“OMG… finding and applying for scholarships is serious business, but it’s time to lighten things up a little. We don’t want to know why you deserve $1,500 or how great your grades are, we simply want to LOL. Describe an incident in your life, funny or embarrassing (fact or fiction), and make us laugh!”

9. ScholarshipPoints Scholarship

Deadline: Monthly

Eligibility: Legal residents of the U.S. who are at least 13 years old; must sign up as a member of ScholarshipPoints.com

This simple online form secures $2,500 scholarships for randomly selected students each month. Completing the form means you will be automatically entered.

10. Flavor of the Month Scholarship

Deadline: July 31, 2023

I don’t know about you, but I love ice cream. The premise of this scholarship is simple: you just need to talk about your favorite flavor of the (objectively) best dessert out there. In 250 words or fewer, respond to this prompt:

“Summer and ice cream go hand-in-hand. In fact, July is National Ice Cream Month, and that’s the inspiration behind this award. We think people are very similar to ice cream; some are nutty, others a little exotic, while some are very comforting. If you were an ice cream flavor, which would you be and why?”

11. Courage to Grow Scholarship

Eligibility: Must be a high school junior or senior or a college student with a minimum GPA of 2.5 and a U.S. citizen

This scholarship is awarded once per month. To enter, you just need to describe in 250 words or fewer why you believe you should receive the scholarship.

12. College Is Power Scholarship

Deadline: May 31, 2023

Eligibility: Must be at least 17 years old and plan to start college within the next 12 months or already be enrolled; must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident

Full- or part-time students may apply for this easy scholarship. Judging is mainly based on your response to the following prompt, which you should address in 150 words or fewer:

“What is your primary goal for going to school?”

13. Nitro Scholarship

Eligibility: Must be at least 17 years old and a high school senior or college student, parent of a high school senior or college student, or loan-paying college graduate or parent of a graduate; must be a legal U.S. resident

This scholarship, open to both students and their parents, is offered once per month. All you need to do is complete a short form to enter the competition.

14. SuperCollege Scholarship

Deadline: May 31, 2023 

Eligibility: High school seniors, college or graduate students, or adults planning to enroll in college or university; must be a permanent U.S. resident; Employees, officers, and directors (and their relatives) of SuperCollege and its affiliates are not eligible

To enter the SuperCollege Scholarship drawing, you just need to complete this form . Winners are chosen at random and may apply the award to education-related expenses.

15. Tallo + Niche Scholarship

Eligibility: Must be 13 years of age

Application Requirements: Create a profile and short answer questions

You don’t need to write an essay for this scholarship—you just need to create a profile on the sponsoring site, click “Opportunities,” and enter “Niche” in the keyword field. From there, you can apply by answering very brief questions:

“What’s your next step after school? Is there a company you have your eye on? Tell us! Just answer a few questions—no essays, we promise—and you’ll be entered to win!”

16. $40,000 BigFuture Scholarships

Eligibility: High school students, college students, community college students, and graduate students

Application Requirements: Make account and complete simple steps

The College Board offers scholarships with easy requirements—advance your college application process. You get entries into their drawing for things like building your college list, practicing for the SAT, exploring scholarships, strengthening your college list, completing the FAFSA, and applying to colleges.

17. Book Recommendation Scholarship

Amount: $1,300

Eligibility: N/A

Application Requirements: Simple online form and short answer question

All you have to do to get entered to win this scholarship is register and answer the following question in one sentence:

“What is a good book you’d recommend to a friend for the summer?”

18. $5,000 Christian Connector Scholarship

Amount: $5,000

Eligibility: Must request Christian college, university, and/or Bible college information; must be enrolling for the first time as a full-time student at a Christ-centered Christian college, university, or Bible college

Students planning to attend a Christian college can fill out a simple online form to submit for this online drawing, which will surely draw fewer students than others on the list. 

19. $2,000 CampusReel Virtual Tour Scholarship

Deadline: June 30, 2023

Eligibility: Open to all high school, college, community and graduate students

Application Requirements: Watch a video

Students can easily get their name entered into this lucrative drawing by watching a student-led virtual tour!

20. Annual Catholic College Scholarship

Eligibility: Must be at least 13 years old

To submit to this drawing, students must complete a form to receive information from Catholic colleges and universities.

21. Community Champions Scholarship

Eligibility: Must have applied to or be enrolled in a degree program; or the parent or legal guardian of a person who has applied to or who is enrolled in a degree program; Must be legal resident of the US; Must be age 18 or older

Application Requirements: Social media engagement and a simple online form

To be entered in this drawing, students must follow @AscentFunding on Instagram,“like” a specific post, tag two friends in a post with a specific hashtag, save the post, and complete a contact form.

22. Shining Stars Scholarship

To be entered in this drawing, students must follow @AscentFunding on Instagram,“like” a specific post, leave a comment about mental health with a specific hashtag, save the post, and complete a contact form.

23. Zombie Apocalypse Scholarship

Deadline: October 31, 2023

Eligibility: Students age 14 or older; Must be planning to enroll in a postsecondary institution sometime before the Fall of 2027

This application asks you to respond to a specific prompt in 250 words or less:

“ Describe your escape plan if there were a zombie outbreak at your school.”

24. Education Matters Scholarship

Deadline: November 30, 2023

Eligibility: Must be U.S. student; Must be 14 years of age or older; Must be a legal U.S. resident

To submit to this competition, students must respond to the following prompt in 250 words or less:

“What would you say to someone who thinks education doesn’t matter, or that college is a waste of time and money?”

25. Top Ten List Scholarship

Deadline: December 31, 2023

“Create a Top Ten List of the top ten reasons you should get this scholarship.”

26. Unigo $10k Scholarship

Amount: $10,000

“Would you rather be smart, funny or rich? Why?”

27. Too Cool to Pay for School No Essay Scholarship

Deadline: Quarterly (next deadline is June 30, 2023)

Eligibility: Must be high school, college, or graduate school student; Must be currently enrolled full time (in high school or at an accredited university) or planning on enrolling within 24 months

This easy online form submits you for a drawing that will happen four times this year.

28. Around the Corner from College Scholarship

Deadline: June 30th, 2023

Eligibility: Open to current high school students (freshman, sophomores, juniors, and seniors)

This drawing requires filling out a quick and simple online form.

1. Apply to as many easy scholarships as possible. 

Given that many of these scholarships are lottery-based, it’s easy to apply. Even those that have short essays require minimal time to complete the application process, so they won’t eat up too much of your day. You can maximize your chances of winning one by applying to as many as possible.

Additionally, many of these scholarships you can apply to every month. Make a schedule and fill out the simple online forms for each drawing.

2. Balance easy scholarships out with more specific ones.

You shouldn’t focus solely on “easy” scholarships since your odds of winning are much lower. Because applying to these scholarships takes minimal effort, they draw a high number of entrants. This means your odds of winning are lower than they are for scholarships with a more rigorous application process. 

If you apply to scholarships that are tailored to your profile and require more of a time commitment to enter, you will increase your award potential. That might mean entering scholarship contests for people who share your background or demographics or for students intending to study a certain discipline. Find more opportunities on the scholarship section of our blog .

3. Apply to schools with generous merit scholarships.

Most scholarship money comes from schools themselves and not external providers. Many schools consider students for merit scholarships just based on their application, so it’s no extra work; in fact, many schools have automatic scholarships based on SAT/ACT scores . Applying to schools where you’re in the top 75th percentile or above in terms of grades and test scores can maximize your chances of getting merit scholarships.

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Regions Riding Forward® Scholarship Contest

Their Story. Your Voice.

Your voice is your own. But it's also been impacted by others. Who, we wonder, has inspired you? Let us know by entering the Regions Riding Forward Scholarship Contest. 

You could win an $8,000 college scholarship

For the opportunity to win an $8,000 scholarship, submit a video or written essay about an individual you know personally (who lives in your community) who has inspired you and helped you build the confidence you need to achieve your goals.

The details

The 2024 Regions Riding Forward Scholarship Contest consists of four (4) separate Quarterly Contests - one for each calendar quarter of 2024. Regions is awarding four $8,000 scholarships through each Quarterly Contest.

Each Quarterly Contest has its own separate entry period, as provided in the chart below.

The entry deadline for each Quarterly Contest is 11:59:59 PM Central Time on the applicable Quarterly Contest period end date (set forth in the chart above).

No purchase or banking relationship required.

Regions believes in supporting the students whose passion and actions every day will continue to make stories worth sharing. That’s why we have awarded over $1 million in total scholarships to high school and college students.

How to enter, 1. complete an online quarterly contest application.

Enter the Regions Riding Forward Scholarship Contest by completing a Quarterly Contest application.  The second Quarterly Contest runs from April 1, 2024 through June 30, 2024. Complete and save all requested information. 

2. Prepare your Written Essay or Video Essay

For each Quarterly Contest, the topic of your Written Essay or Video Essay (your “Essay Topic”) must be an individual you know personally, who lives in your community. Your Written Essay or Video Essay must address how the individual you have selected as your Essay Topic has inspired you and helped you build the confidence you need to achieve your goals.

Written Essay and Video Essay submissions must meet all of the requirements described in the contest Official Rules. Your Written Essay or Video Essay must be (i) in English, (ii) your own original work, created solely by you (and without the use of any means of artificial intelligence (“AI”)), and (iii) the exclusive property of you alone.

Written Essays must be 500 words or less. You can write your Written Essay directly in the application, or you can copy and paste it into the appropriate area in the application form.

Video Essay submissions must be directly uploaded to the contest application site. Video Essays must be no more than 3 minutes in length and no larger than 1 GB. Only the following file formats are accepted: MP4, MPG, MOV, AVI, and WMV. Video Essays must not contain music of any kind nor display any illegal, explicit, or inappropriate material, and Video Essays must not be password protected or require a log-in/sign-in to view. You must upload your Video Essay to the application, and you may not submit your Video Essay in DVD or other physical form. (Video Essays submitted via mail will not be reviewed or returned.)

Tips to Record Quality Videos on a Smartphone:

• Don’t shoot vertical video. Computer monitors have landscape-oriented displays, so shoot your video horizontally.
• Use a tripod. Even small movements can make a big difference when editing.
• Don’t use zoom. If you need to get a close shot of the subject, move closer as zooming can cause pixilation.
• Use natural lighting. Smartphone lighting can wash out your video.

3. Review and submit your Quarterly Contest application

Review your information on your Quarterly Application (and check the spelling of a Written Essay) and submit your entry by 11:59:59 p.m. Central Time on the applicable Quarterly Contest period end date. The second Quarterly Contest period end date is June 30, 2024.

4. Await notification

Winning entries are selected by an independent panel of judges who are not affiliated with Regions. If your entry is selected as a Quarterly Contest winner, you will need to respond to ISTS with the required information.

Eligibility

For purposes of this contest:

• The “Eligible States” are defined as the following states: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas.
• An “accredited college” is defined as a nonprofit, two- or four-year college or university located within one of the fifty (50) United States or the District of Columbia.

To be eligible to enter this contest and to win an award in a Quarterly Contest, at the time of entry, you must:

• Be a legal U.S. resident of one of the Eligible States.
• Be age 16 or older.
• Have at least one (1) year (or at least 18 semester hours) remaining before college graduation.
• If you are not yet in college, begin your freshman year of college no later than the start of the 2025 – 2026 college academic school year.
• As of your most recent school enrollment period, have a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 in school (and if no GPA is provided at school, be in “good standing” or the equivalent thereof in school).

View Official Rules

NO PURCHASE OR BANKING RELATIONSHIP REQUIRED. PURCHASE OR BANKING RELATIONSHIP WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. The 2024 Regions Riding Forward Scholarship Contest (the “Contest”) consists of four (4) separate quarterly contests (each a “Quarterly Contest”): (1) the “Q-1 Contest;” (2) the “Q-2 Contest;” (3) the “Q-3 Contest;” and (4) the “Q-4 Contest.” The Q-1 Contest begins on 02/01/24 and ends on 03/31/24; the Q-2 Contest begins on 04/01/24 and ends on 06/30/24; the Q-3 Contest begins on 07/01/24 and ends on 09/30/24; and the Q-4 Contest begins on 10/01/24 and ends on 12/31/24. (For each Quarterly Contest, entries must be submitted and received by 11:59:59 PM CT on the applicable Quarterly Contest period end date.) To enter and participate in a particular Quarterly Contest, at the time of entry, you must: (a) be a legal U.S. resident of one of the Eligible States; (b) be 16 years of age or older; (c) have at least one (1) year (or at least 18 semester hours) remaining before college graduation; (d) (if you are not yet in college) begin your freshman year of college no later than the start of the 2025 – 2026 college academic school year; and (e) as of your most recent school enrollment period, have a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 in school (and if no grade point average is provided at school, be in “good standing” or the equivalent thereof in school). (For purposes of Contest, the “Eligible States” are defined as the states of AL, AR, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KY, LA, MS, MO, NC, SC, TN and TX.) Visit regions.com/ridingforward for complete Contest details, including eligibility and Written Essay and Video Essay requirements and Official Rules. (Limit one (1) entry per person, per Quarterly Contest.) For each Quarterly Contest, eligible entries will be grouped according to form of entry (Written Essay or Video Essay) and judged by a panel of independent, qualified judges. A total of four (4) Quarterly Contest Prizes will be awarded in each Quarterly Contest, consisting of two (2) Quarterly Contest Prizes for the Written Essay Entry Group and two (2) Quarterly Contest Prizes for the Video Essay Entry Group. Each Quarterly Contest Prize consists of a check in the amount of $8,000 made out to winner’s designated accredited college. (Limit one (1) Quarterly Contest Prize per person; a contestant is permitted to win only one (1) Quarterly Contest Prize through the Contest.) Sponsor: Regions Bank, 1900 Fifth Ave. N., Birmingham, AL 35203.

© 2024 Regions Bank. All rights reserved. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender. Regions and the Regions logo are registered trademarks of Regions Bank. The LifeGreen color is a trademark of Regions Bank.

2023 Winners

High school:.

• Amyrrean Acoff
• Leon Aldridge
• Kharis Andrews
• Colton Collier
• Indya Griffin
• Christopher Hak
• Aquil Hayes
• Jayden Haynes
• McKenna Jodoin
• Paris Kelly
• Liza Latimer
• Dylan Lodle
• Anna Mammarelli
• Karrington Manley
• Marcellus Odum
• Gautami Palthepu
• Melody Small
• Lauryn Tanner
• Joshua Wilson
• Mohamed Ali
• Kayla Bellamy
• Lauren Boxx
• Alexandria Brown
• Samuel Brown
• Thurston Brown
• Conner Daehler
• Tsehai de Souza
• Anjel Echols
• Samarion Flowers
• Trinity Griffin
• Kristina Hilton
• Ryan Jensen
• Miracle Jones
• Shaniece McGhee
• Chelby Melvin
• Lamiya Ousley
• Kiera Phillips
• Gabrielle Pippins
• Ethan Snead
• Sydney Springs
• Kirsten Tilford
• Tamira Weeks
• Justin Williams

2022 Winners

• Paul Aucremann
• William Booker
• Robyn Cunningham
• Kani'ya Davis
• Oluwatomi Dugbo
• Lillian Goins
• Parker Hall
• Collin Hatfield
• Gabrielle Izu
• Kylie Lauderdale
• Jacob Milan
• Jackson Mitchell
• Carmen Moore
• Madison Morgan
• Kaden Oquelí-White
• Kaylin Parks
• Brian Perryman
• De'Marco Riggins
• Brianna Roundtree
• Sydney Russell
• Carlie Spore
• Morgan Standifer
• Ionia Thomas
• Ramaya Thomas
• Jaylen Toran
• Amani Veals
• Taylor Williams
• Alana Wilson
• Taryn Wilson
• Aryaunna Armstrong
• Hannah Blackwell
• T'Aneka Bowers
• Naomi Bradley
• Arianna Cannon
• Taylor Cline
• Catherine Cummings
• Margaret Fitzgerald
• Chloe Franklin
• Camryn Gaines
• Thomas Greer
• Kayla Helleson
• Veronica Holmes
• Logan Kurtz
• Samuel Lambert
• Jaylon Muchison
• Teresa Odom
• Andrew Payne
• Carey Price
• Emily SantiAnna
• Curtis Smith
• Jered Smith
• Mariah Standifer
• Maura Taylor
• Anna Wilkes

ASUI sponsors three candidates for the upcoming city council election

ASUI introduces four new bills, and senate elections are in full swing

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