Apply to our $10,000 No Essay Scholarship! →

  • Scholarship Database
  • Middle School Scholarships
  • Scholarships for High School Freshmen
  • Scholarships for High School Sophomores
  • Scholarships for High School Juniors
  • Scholarships for High School Seniors
  • Scholarships for College Freshman
  • Scholarships for College Students
  • Scholarships for Transfer Students
  • Community College Scholarships
  • Graduate Student Scholarships
  • Easy Scholarships
  • No Essay Scholarships
  • Essay & Writing Scholarships
  • Merit Scholarships
  • Full Ride Scholarships
  • Nursing Scholarships
  • STEM Scholarships
  • Scholarships for Women
  • Scholarships for Black Students
  • Scholarships by State
  • College Admissions
  • Scholarships
  • Student Loans
  • Financial Aid
  • College Essay Database
  • Financial Aid Award Letter Comparison Tool
  • GPA Conversion Tool
  • Student Loan Calculator
  • Student Loan Payoff Calculator
  • Student Loan Refinancing Calculator

Student-centric advice and objective recommendations

Higher education has never been more confusing or expensive. Our goal is to help you navigate the very big decisions related to higher ed with objective information and expert advice. Each piece of content on the site is original, based on extensive research, and reviewed by multiple editors, including a subject matter expert. This ensures that all of our content is up-to-date, useful, accurate, and thorough.

Our reviews and recommendations are based on extensive research, testing, and feedback. We may receive commission from links on our website, but that doesn’t affect our editors’ opinions. Our marketing partners don’t review, approve or endorse our editorial content. It’s accurate to the best of our knowledge when posted. You can find a complete list of our partners here .

Top 65 Writing & Essay Scholarships in February 2023

best essay scholarship contest

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.

Jump ahead to:

Frequently asked questions about writing scholarships

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!

Top 68 Writing & Essay Scholarships in March 2023

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

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.

$10,000 “No Essay” Scholarship

Scholarships360 Exclusive

Easy scholarship open to all US-based high school, college, community college and graduate students.

$2,000 Nitro College Scholarship – No Essay

Easy scholarship open to all high school, college, community and graduate students.

$25,000 No Essay Scholarship

Open to high school and college students, as well as anyone looking to attend college or graduate school in the next year.

Kaplun Essay Contest

Offered by The Morris J. and Betty Kaplun Foundation

Open to students who write an essay that reflects on their values and Judaism’s contribution to civilization and culture

Leonard M. Perryman Communications Scholarship for Racial Ethnic Minorities

Offered by The United Methodist Church

Open to United Methodist ethnic minority students interested in a journalism or communications undergraduate program.

Sigma Tau Delta Junior Scholarship

Offered by Sigma Tau Delta

Open to college juniors who are passionate about community service, the discipline of English, and its literature.

Ayn Rand Institute Novel Essay Contest (Fountainhead)

Offered by Ayn Rand Institute

Open to high school juniors and seniors who write an essay on Ayn Rand's The Fountainhead.

Ayn Rand Institute Novel Essay Contest (Anthem)

Open to students grades 8-12 who submit an essay on a prompt regarding Ayn Rand's Anthem.

Rover Scholarship

Offered by Rover

Open to students who submit essays incorporating personal stories and thoughts about how pets have helped shape who they are today.

Greater than Gatsby Annual Scholarship

Offered by Greater than Gatsby

Open to students majoring in photography or another creative, arts, or design related field.

$25k “Be Bold” No-Essay Scholarship

Easy scholarship open to high school students, college students, community college students, and graduate students.

JASNA Essay Contest (Jane Austen Society of North America)

Offered by Jane Austen Society of North America

Open to all students who submit an essay on family relations in Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility.

HelpTeaching.com Scholarship

Offered by HelpTeaching.com

Open to high school & college students who submit a short story or informational article for children.

Ocean Awareness Art Contest

Offered by Bow Seat Ocean Awareness Programs

Open to middle and high school students who create an unconventional art/think piece addressing climate change.

Delete Cyberbullying Scholarship

Offered by Delete Cyberbullying

High school seniors, college students, community college students, and graduate students who write an essay about cyberbullying.

Spirit of Giving Scholarship

Offered by Wine Country Gift Baskets

Open to high school seniors and college/graduate students who write an essay on the spirit of giving.

Minecraft Scholarship

Offered by Apex Hosting

Open to high school and college students who write an essay on how Mincraft can positively impact education and career development.

Global Perspectives Scholarship

Offered by Rustic Pathways

Open to high school seniors & college students who write an essay about a global impact project that is most important to them.

$10,000 CollegeXpress Scholarship

Annual $10k scholarship from CollegeXpress open to high school students in the class of 2024, 2026, and 2026.

Chartr Business & Technology No Essay Scholarship

Open to college and graduate students who are interested in business and technology. By applying, you’ll subscribe to Chartr and receive the latest insights in business, tech and society.

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:

Cancer Unwrapped Teen Writing Contest

YouthPLAYS New Voices One-Act Competition for Young Playwrights

National High School Poetry Contest

The Narrative Prize

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.

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.

Do I have to major in English to earn a writing or essay scholarship?

Explore these other scholarship categories:.

Scholarships360 Recommended

best essay scholarship contest

Top 22 Easy Scholarships to Apply For in March 2023

best essay scholarship contest

Top 60+ Scholarships for College Students in January 2023

best essay scholarship contest

Top 451 Scholarships for High School Seniors in February 2023

Trending now.

best essay scholarship contest

Apply to the $10,000 "No Essay" Scholarship

This easy scholarship is open to all US-based high school, college, and graduate students!

best essay scholarship contest

Popular scholarships

What's Trending

Scholarships

The Top Essay Scholarships for Students

This scholarship list showcases 16 unique writing opportunities worth more than $55,000.

Shawna Newman

October 19, 2022

The Top Essay Scholarships for Students

Elie Wiesel Prize In Ethics Essay Contest

Optimist international essay contest, president gerald r. ford student writing challenge, galvanize the future: richard l. brooks memorial scholarship, create real impact contest, iei annual scholarship essay contest, atlas shrugged essay contest, pulse of perseverance scholarship, the washington advocates scholarship, american legion national high school oratorical contest, alert scholarship, george s. and stella m. knight essay contest, samsung american legion scholarship program, you might also like.

$5,000 DiscoverÂź Student Loans Scholarship

Quick and Easy to Apply

$50,000 ScholarshipOwl No Essay Scholarship

Nitro College

$2,000 Scholarship – No Essay

best essay scholarship contest

It’s Back: Fastweb’s $1,000 Scholarship Success Sweepstakes

Find out why this EASY-ENTER scholarship opportunity can help you recharge your scholarship goals.

x Fastweb makes finding scholarships a breeze.

Become a member and gain exclusive access to our database of over 1.5 million scholarships.

By clicking, I agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy .

DOWNLOAD OUR APP

Copyright © 2023

TRUSTe

Top Ten Online Colleges

Top Ten Online Colleges

The top 10 best online colleges in all majors and degrees., 30 scholarship essay contests.

30 Scholarship Essay Contests

Pursuing a college education can be expensive. But there are many ways to help pay for college. Students can look into grants, financial aid, student loans, and more. But scholarships are some of the best ways to fund your college education.

There are thousands of scholarships up for grabs each year. Each has its own eligibility requirements. One of the easiest kinds of scholarships to win are essay scholarships. These scholarships are perfect for those who enjoy writing. 

But what if you don’t particularly like to write? You can still win some cash for school if you consider yourself a decent writer. Spending an hour or two writing a scholarship essay can pay off big! We’ve even included an easy guide to writing scholarship essays at the end of this article to help you out. 

There are many scholarship essay contests available each year. The scholarship winners can take home prizes anywhere between $100 to $10,000 or more. So if college seems unaffordable right now, below is a list of 30 scholarship essay opportunities worth trying.

Related: 30 Writing Scholarships

ESSAY SCHOLARSHIPS

1. better business bureau ethical torch essay scholarship.

The Better Business Bureau offers high school students the annual Ethical Torch Essay Scholarships. The main goal of the essay scholarships is to award young individuals for making ethical decisions. High school students can apply for this scholarship by writing an essay about themselves. In it, they must describe different ways they have used ethics and integrity in their own lives. 

The essay scholarships contest is open only to high school students in three regions. These include San Diego and Imperial County, Orange County, California, and Greater Arizona.

Five individuals will be awarded scholarships for their essays. Prizes range from $1,500 (first place) to $500 (fifth place).

2. Bird Dog Foundation Annual College Scholarship Essay Contest

The Bird Dog Foundation offers annual essay scholarships to high school seniors pursuing higher education. They are awarded to several deserving high school seniors. This scholarship essay aims to create admiration among young people for field and outdoor sports like hunting and fishing. It is only open to high school students in the 12th grade who are getting ready to go to college.

Students must be residents of Arkansas, Tennessee, or Mississippi. And they must be affiliated with a bird dog club or field trial association in any U.S. state. The first-place winner will receive $2,000. The second-place winner will receive $1,500. And the third-place winner will receive $1,000. Each scholarship award will be paid to the college or university where the student is registered to attend.

3. Center for Alcohol Policy Essay Contest

The Center for Alcohol Policy offers three essay scholarships. They are for individuals who need assistance paying for their college tuition. The essay topic is typically based on American court cases regarding alcohol policy. The writer must compile an essay on what they think is necessary to resolve the case. The three winners will receive $5,000, $2,500, and $1,000 toward their tuition. In addition, all three winners will be invited to the Center for Alcohol Policy’s Alcohol Law and Policy Conference. At the conference, they will be presented as speakers, where they will read their essays aloud to the attendees.

4. Fleet Reserve Association Americanism Essay Contest

Each year, the Fleet Reserve Association features an essay contest. This one is for junior high and high-school participants. Students are required to write 350 words on Americanism and patriotism. The essay scholarships aims to stimulate young people’s pride and support of America. Students will compete locally, regionally, and nationally. 

Each grade has three national winners, with one grand national winner among all grades. The top national winner will receive $5,000. In addition, the first-place winner in each grade will be awarded $2,500. The second-place winner in each grade will be awarded $1,500, and the third-place winner in each grade will be awarded $1,000.

5. Abraham Lincoln Brigade Archives Essay Contest, George Watt Prize

Since 1998, the Abraham Lincoln Brigade Archives has offered a yearly essay contest celebrating George Watt. Mr. Watt was a great writer and activist who helped create the Abraham Lincoln Brigade Archives. Students around the globe are eligible to participate in this contest. The topics to write about can change periodically. However, the most popular essay topics include various aspects of the Spanish Civil War. The contest is open to both undergraduate and graduate students.

There will be three pre-college winners, one undergraduate winner, and one graduate winner. All winners’ essays of the essay contest scholarships will be published. The pre-college winners will receive $250. The college students will receive $500, and the graduate winner will receive $1,000.

6. American Backflow Prevention Association ABPA Harrington-Arthur Memorial Scholarship Essay

The American Backflow Prevention Association has an annual essay scholarship contest. The organization founded this opportunity more than two decades ago. The name of the competition is the ABPA Harrington-Arthur Memorial Essay . The award is aimed at students interested in managing cross-contamination and preventing backflow. This helps to minimize the risks of dangerous bacteria and chemicals moving into the water. The essay topic changes yearly, but the goal is to educate individuals and bring attention to maintaining safe and pure drinking water. The contest is open to high school students only. The winner will be presented with $1,500 toward their college tuition.

7. Herrman & Herrmann Innovation Scholarship Essay

Herrman and Herrmann provides an Innovation Scholarship Contest annually. Students are encouraged to be creative and to send their entries in as poems, essays, art pieces, videos, or songs. The topic is on a community service project that brought positive changes to your community. It must have inspired your growth or altered your future plans and goals in some way. After finishing the creative piece, individuals must also write a 300-word essay. The topic will be about a teacher who inspired their creativity. 

High school students in 11th and 12th grades may apply for these essay scholarships. Undergraduate college students in the United States may also apply for this scholarship. Graduate students are not eligible. There will be three winners in Texas and three winners across the country. First place essays will be awarded $2,500. Second place essays will be awarded $1,500, and third place essays will be awarded $1,000. In addition, the teachers featured in the first-place winners’ essays will also receive $1,000.

8. Invensis Young Thinker Scholarship

Invensis offers the Invensis Young Thinker Scholarship . Invensis is a global outsourcing services company. Students in the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia may compete for this scholarship. Topics may change each year. However, the most recent topic was “How robotic automation is shaping the future of business process outsourcing.” Each applicant will be required to write at least 600 words or more. The contest is open to undergraduate students from ages 18 to 26. Graduate students are not eligible for this contest. The winner will receive $500. And their essay will be featured on the company’s website, social media, and blog.

9. John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum Profile in Courage Essay Contest

The Profile in Courage Contest is conducted by the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum . These essay scholarships are meant for high school students in the United States. Students will write about the political bravery of an American elected official during or after 1917. Incidentally, this was John F. Kennedy’s birth year. The winner will be awarded $10,000, and the second-place runner-up will be awarded $3,000. In addition, five finalists will receive $1,000, and the eight semifinalists will each receive $100.

Scholarship Website

10. Margaret Mary Missar/John Carroll Society Scholarship

The John Carroll Society has provided essay scholarships since 1997. Students can be freshmen, sophomores, or high school juniors. Applicants for these essay scholarship contests must be enrolled in Catholic high schools of the Archdiocese of Washington, D.C. proper. Applicants must write an essay about a topic chosen by the John Carroll Society. Typically, the focus is on a subject that requires the student to give deeper consideration to their faith. 

The first-place winner will be granted a scholarship of $2,000. The second-place winner will be awarded a scholarship of $1,000. Finally, there will be two or three third-place winners chosen. They will receive scholarships of $500 each. In addition, ten applicants will receive mentions for their essays and scholarships of $100 each. The first-place winner’s essay will be published in the Catholic Standard.

Related: Do Online Colleges Usually Require an Admissions Essay?

11. Asbestos.com Essay Scholarship

Asbestos.com is an organization of The Mesothelioma Center . They provide $5,000 in scholarship money for essays. Students must be willing to write and bring awareness to the issue of cancers caused by asbestos. Applicants will be required to write an essay with 750-1,500 words on the topic of mesothelioma. The winner’s essay will be presented on the asbestos.com scholarship page and social media accounts. 

The first-place winner will be awarded $3,000 toward their tuition, and the second-place winner will be awarded $2,000 toward their education. In addition, each winner must be able to show an official college transcript from their school. These scholarships essay contests are for college students 18 years of age or older who are enrolled in a full-time U.S. institution. This also applies to high school students getting ready to attend college.

12. Negative Population Growth Essay Scholarship

Negative Population Growth awards essay scholarships every year. Only high school students and undergraduate college students can earn these essay scholarships. Essay topics are generally about a population-related challenge. The applicant must provide a recommendation on how they would solve the specific challenge. The grand prize winner will receive $5,000 toward tuition, and the second-place winner will receive $2,500 toward tuition. In addition, several other applicants will receive $1,000 and $1500 scholarships.

13. Optimist International Essay Contest

Optimist International offers an annual essay scholarship contest. It is open to individuals under the age of 19 who are not yet college students. The scholarship’s objective is to spark young people’s interest in writing about the world they live in. Each applicant can write about their own experiences, the experience of the country they reside in, or a piece of history that relates to the topic. 

Topics are different each year. The most recent topic was “How Does an Optimistic Mindset Change My Tomorrow?” Each essay submission will compete at the club level first. They will then move onto the district level if their essay is considered one of the top. The district-level winner will be awarded a scholarship of $2,500.

14. Regions Riding Forward Scholarship Essay

Regions.com features an annual scholarship essay competition. These essay scholarships aim to help provide financial assistance to individuals planning to pursue a college education. However, it is also open to those who are already college students. The essay topic recognizes black history month. It can be about any African American who was inspirational to your life, experiences, and goals. The word count is 500 words or less. 

High school seniors who live in a state with a Regions branch may be awarded a $5,000 scholarship if they win. And college students who live in a state with a Regions branch may be awarded a scholarship of $3,500 if they win. There will be 15 high school seniors and 15 college students who will receive scholarships.

15. Ayn Rand Institute Essay Contest

The Ayn Rand Institute is dedicated to the remembrance of Ayn Rand, a best-selling Russian American writer. For over three decades, the institute has provided a contest for students to win scholarship money for college. The essays are typically based on Ayn Rand’s novels, and the main goal is to encourage students to learn about her wisdom, knowledge, and writing. 

There are different essay topics for high school students and college students. Both undergraduate and graduate students are eligible. With these ssay scholarships, you may be able to win between $25 and $25,000.

16. Vegetarian Resource Group Essay Scholarship

The Vegetarian Resource Group offers essay scholarships for high school seniors in the United States. The contest is for students who have encouraged their schools or communities to engage in vegetarianism. There will be two $5,000 scholarships and one $10,000 scholarship awarded. If your essay wins, it will become the Vegetarian Resource Group’s property. And your name will be given to the media to acknowledge your outstanding work.

17. Veterans of Foreign Wars Patriot’s Pen Youth Essay Contest

The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) offers a Patriot’s Pen Youth Essay Contes t. These essay scholarships aim to inspire young people to look at the history of America. Plus, it helps them reflect on their personal experiences in the modern-day society of America. VFW will choose a specific topic related to patriotism, and applicants will be required to write between 300 to 400 words. The current topic is “My Pledge to Our Veterans.” 

These essay scholarships are only available for high school students and middle school students. Each submission will compete at the state level and may go on to the national level. Middle school students can win $5,000, and high school students can win $30,000.

18. Bill of Rights Institute We the Students Essay Contest

Once a year, the Bill of Rights Institute offers a We the Students Essay Contest . Applicants for these essay scholarships are required to write about what civil discourse means to them. The goal is to encourage individuals to write essays about their own experiences and ideas. The Bill of Rights Institute seeks essays containing creativity, engagement, and examples. 

First-place winners will be awarded $7,500 and a scholarship to the Constitutional Academy. In addition, five runners-up will be chosen and awarded $1,500 each. Plus, eight individuals will also be acknowledged for their essays and receive $500 each.

19. Unigo College Review Scholarship

Unigo offers a unique College Review Scholarship every year. This contest is open to current college students or those that have previously attended a college. Applicants are required to write a short, 250-character essay about a college listed on Unigo’s website.

The winner of this essay scholarship will be awarded $1,000. The funds will go toward tuition for the school they attend or plan to attend. The essays will be evaluated based on writing ability, originality, creativity, and overall quality.

20. The Christopher W. Keyser Scholarship

Keyser Law, P.A. offers the annual Christopher W. Keyser Scholarship . It is designed to provide financial assistance to students pursuing an education related to the law field. Acceptable majors include criminal justice, pre-law, English, history, political science, and journalism. Communications, sociology, and a Bachelor of Individualized Studies are also acceptable. 

Applicants can choose between three topics and must write between 2,000 and 3,000 words. Only current college students and students entering college are permitted to apply for these essay scholarships. The writer of the winning essay will receive a scholarship worth $1,500.

See also: 25 Full Tuition Scholarships

21. Learncurious Phyllis F. McCarthy Scholarship for Excellence in Writing

Learncurious features three annual essay scholarships. It is called the Phyllis F. McCarthy Scholarship for Excellence in Writing . There are three topics for applicants to write about, and essay submissions must be 3,000 words or less. The first-place winner will receive a scholarship of $1,000, and the two runners-up will receive $50 each. All winners and their essays will be showcased on the Learncurious website and blog. Only high school seniors and high school juniors are permitted to write an essay for this scholarship. Those who are already undergraduate and graduate students are not eligible.

22. The Lincoln Forum Platt Family Scholarship Prize Essay Contest

The Lincoln Forum offers essay scholarships through the Platt Family Essay Contest . Each year, students are given a topic about Abraham Lincoln to write about. This essay contest is only open to undergraduate students pursuing college courses at a school in the United States. Graduate school students do not qualify. There are several creative writing scholarships. The grand first-place winner will receive a scholarship of $1,500, and the second-place winner will receive a scholarship of $750. The third-place winner will receive a scholarship of $500. The winners will also be featured on the Lincoln Forum Platt’s website. Entries must be between 1,500 and 5,000 words. 

23. Writer’s Digest Annual Writing Competition

Writer’s Digest has been hosting a writing competition for almost 90 years. This essay scholarship contest is for helping new and budding writers win money for college. It is also designed to feature students’ work for others to read. 

Each year, around 500 winners are chosen for several different essay scholarships. The grand prize winner will receive $5,000, an interview with Writer’s Digest, and a free trip to the annual conference. The first through tenth place winners are awarded between $25 to $1,000. Winners will also receive a subscription to Writer’s Digest magazine. Submissions will be published on the website. Plus, they will receive discounts on all purchases through the website.

24. Maryland Criminal Defense Group Outstanding Citizen Scholarship

Every year, the Maryland Criminal Defense Group sponsors an essay scholarship. It’s named the Oleg Fastovsky Outstanding Citizen Scholarship. This essay contests scholarship was created to help students pay for their college expenses. Applicants must write about being a good citizen and participating in community service projects. Individuals must also show they possess the qualities of an outstanding citizen in this 500-word essay. The award for these creative writing scholarships is $1,000. High school seniors, undergraduate, and graduate students are eligible. The winner must show proof of enrollment or a current transcript.

25. The Branson Shows Inspired Scholarship

BransonShowTickets.com offers an essay scholarship called the Branson Show Inspired Scholarship . This essay scholarship aims to inspire and encourage individuals to chase their dreams and pursue their goals. Students entering the competition must write about their own personal and professional ambitions. The winner will secure a scholarship for $1,000. Students between 16 and 19 who live in the United States can enter this competition. If you are already affiliated with BransonShowTickets.com, you may not apply.

26. American Bullion Scholarship

American Bullion, Inc. provides annual scholarship opportunities to assist students in paying for their college tuition. This essay scholarship aims to help students gain knowledge about valuable assets, such as gold. Students will write an essay between 500 to 1,000 words on a given subject. Applicants must be American citizens and currently enrolled in a full-time program at a college or university. The winner will receive $1,000 toward their tuition. Graduate school students also qualify for this contest.

27. Galvanize the Future Richard L. Brooks Memorial Scholarship

The American Galvanizers Association offers an annual essay scholarship. It is called the Galvanize the Future Richard L. Brooks Memorial Scholarship essay contest. This contest was developed to offset tuition costs for students in civil engineering and related programs of study. The scholarship is available to part-time and full-time students. Undergraduate and graduate students are welcome to apply for these creative writing scholarships. Students must be enrolled in or planning to enroll in an accredited college in North America. The essay must be between 1,000 to 2,000 words. A topic will be provided. 

28. International Bipolar Foundation High School Essay Contest

The International Bipolar Foundation provides an essay competition each year. It is designed for young people who desire to raise awareness of mental health issues. These essay scholarships are open to high school students, and three winners are announced annually. The grand prize winner will receive $1,000. The second-place winner will receive $500, and the third-place winner will receive $250. In addition, all three winners will be featured on the International Bipolar Foundation’s website. Undergraduate and Graduate school students do not qualify.

29. IvyPanda Annual Essay Writing Contest Scholarship

Each year, IvyPanda.com awards $1500 in essay scholarships to talented students who demonstrate the art and skill of essay writing. Scholarships are given to two winners. The first-place winner will receive $1,000, and the runner-up will get $500. Essays must be between 500 to 700 words. A list of potential topics is provided. This scholarship essay is open to high school or college students from any country. 

30. Alzheimer’s Foundation of America Teens for Alzheimer’s Awareness 

Annually, the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America features an essay competition. It is titled the Teens for Alzheimer’s Awareness College Scholarship Essay Contest. These essay scholarships are meant for high school seniors who are getting ready to go to an accredited college directly after graduation. All essays must be between 1,200 to 1,500 words and express how Alzheimer’s affects your personal life, family, and community. In addition, you should write about what you have learned about managing the disease. The top essay will receive $5,000. There will also be several runners-ups chosen and awarded for their excellent work.

 Scholarship Essay Contests

How To Write the Perfect Scholarship Essay

Applying to college can be trying. There are exams to pass, forms to fill out, and plenty of other challenging tasks. It’s a time-consuming process. Because tuition is so costly, most students try to do everything possible to save money on their education.

There are numerous ways to offset the cost of college, including financial aid, student loans, and grants. But, of course, applying for financial assistance also requires a lot of effort and—you guessed it—more paperwork!

Additionally, students may be eligible for scholarships. Some of these are a breeze to apply for. Others require students to work a little bit for their free cash. Such is the case with essay scholarships.

You may also like: How do I Write a Good College Application Essay?

Essay Scholarships

Essay Scholarship Contests

Essay scholarships are special essays that students write as a supplement to a scholarship application. All scholarships require students to fill out an application form of some type. But a vast majority of those applications require an essay. It might be a short, three or four hundred-word answer to a question. Or it could be a longer paper requiring several thousand words. Either way, when an essay is required, it’s usually the most crucial part of a scholarship application. 

Essay scholarships can make or break your chances of winning a scholarship, so you’ll want to be sure to get them right. Essays give the scholarship committee a chance to know you better. And a good essay will make your application shine. Organizations want to know they are awarding scholarships to the most worthy applicants. So your scholarship essays will give them a sense of who you are and your educational goals. Essay-required scholarships are your chance to prove you are deserving of a particular scholarship. 

There are many variables with essay scholarships. For example, some organizations request a lengthy piece of content with a specific writing prompt. Others only require a short paragraph or two on a general topic. But no matter what the requirements, there are some common tips for doing them right. Here’s a rundown of the most essential considerations for essay scholarships:

1. Get Started!

Getting started on your scholarship essay is often the most challenging part of the process. And if you’re a born procrastinator, the struggle is real. However, the sooner you dig in, the better off you’ll be. 

Be sure to verify all deadlines and give yourself plenty of time to finish your essay. Don’t wait until the last minute to get started. No matter what level of writing skills you have, creating a winning essay takes time. So don’t expect you can complete a masterpiece overnight!

2. Write an Introduction and an Outline

Staring at a blank screen will keep you stuck, so just dig in. Read through your prompt and start writing whatever comes to mind. You can perfect your thoughts later on. But for now, you need to get something “on paper” to get your creativity flowing.

Once you’ve written a rough introduction, create an outline. An outline can help you structure your essay in a way that makes it easy to read. 

Here’s a great tip: Most annual scholarship program web pages publish the essays of previous winners. Read them. Looking over the winning essays can give you some much-needed inspiration. Plus, it will give you a better idea of what the organization is looking for .

3. Write the Body of Your Essay

This will take up the bulk of your time when completing your scholarship essay, so be sure to schedule it well in advance. It’s a good idea to plan on working on the main part of your essay over several days. This way, you can write for an hour or so each day and not get too burned out.

Remember that your goal at this stage is to persuade the organization to award you the scholarship. So you will need to convince them they should give you their money. Think about why you feel you deserve the scholarship. List your accomplishments and the traits that distinguish you from other students. Think about obstacles you have overcome and your goals for the future. Then, work these into your essay topic in a natural way.

4. Follow Instructions Carefully

You would be surprised how many students miss out on perfect scholarship program opportunities because they did not follow directions. Dont be like these unfortunate applicants. Instead, read through the instructions before, during, and after you write your essay. 

Follow every step precisely. You can be creative in your essay, but when it comes to the instructions, dont showcase your personality by trying to “do things your own way.” For example, if the instructions say to use Times New Roman, don’t deviate and use Arial instead. Be respectful and follow the guidelines exactly.

5. Conclude With Something Memorable

Final impressions are important. To stand out from the crowd, craft a conclusion the committee will remember. Focus on some final thoughts demonstrating your personal growth in overcoming obstacles. And conclude by honing in on the future. For example, tell the committee how you plan to use those lessons at college over the coming years. 

6. Proofread Like Your Life Depends on It

Do you know what happens to students who don’t thoroughly proofread their scholarship essays? Nothing. That’s because they don’t win. Are you serious about winning the scholarship? Then be doubly serious about checking your essay for spelling and grammar mistakes. Use a proofreading app like Grammarly to review your paper multiple times. Then, go over it again for good measure. 

Before you submit the essay, sleep on it. Chances are, you’ll find a few more typos after you take a break for a bit. It wouldn’t hurt to have a teacher or another student also go over it. 

See Also: 5 Tips for Obtaining Scholarships to Online Colleges

Best Scholarship Essay Contests

Qualifying for 30 Scholarship Essay Contests

What are the qualifications for essay scholarships? Several factors can qualify you for a college scholarship program. Here are the most common ones.

Academic Achievements

One of the most common qualifications organizations look for in scholarship applicants is academic achievements. Therefore, many scholarship providers want to know about your classes, GPA, and standardized test scores. These numbers indicate your ability to meet the academic requirements of college. 

You may also like: ONLINE COURSES SCHOLARSHIPS

Like academic achievements, merit is another common requirement for scholarships. Merit is subjective and depends on the organization giving out the award. For example, the committee may be looking for students with strong leadership skills or volunteer experience. Or they may want to see your involvement in student government or athletics. Merit means that you have exceptional abilities in a particular area.

Financial Need

Some scholarships are need-based. They are awarded primarily on your financial circumstances. Unless they are independently wealthy, the majority of students qualify for some type of need-based financial aid. You can check out the EFC formula guide to find out more about what constitutes financial need. 

Age and Grade Level

Scholarships are typically awarded to college students, but this is a broad cross-section of people. For example, one essay scholarship program may only be open to those under 18. But for another, only graduate students are eligible. In addition, some common age and grade level requirements may include:

As you can see, the age and grade requirements can vary widely. So it’s essential to read the fine print before you even begin your scholarship essay. After all, you dont want to do all that work and find out you’re not even eligible!

With some scholarship programs, you only need a stroke of luck to win. These scholarships are like the lottery. If your name or number is randomly drawn, you win! If you don’t possess other scholarship qualifications, luck-based scholarships might help. That’s because each student who enters has the same chance to win. So be sure to apply to every luck-based scholarship opportunity you can. You never know when a windfall is coming your way!

Related: 25 Scholarships for Average Students

Combination Requirements

The truth is that most scholarships have a combination of requirements. For example, you might be eligible for a scholarship based on financial need plus a winning essay. Or you may be eligible to win an essay contest only if you are a low-income senior in high school. Some scholarships with essays only have one specific requirement. But with most scholarship contests, you will need to meet more than one of the criteria to be eligible. 

When Should You Start Applying for Scholarships?

 Scholarship Essays

Each scholarship is different, with deadlines falling throughout the year. There are no standard dates like with college applications, so it depends on the cutoffs for an individual scholarship. However, in some cases, you must apply as early as one year before starting college. Remember, you’ll want plenty of time to work on the scholarships that require essays.

High school juniors and high school seniors who plan to attend college should start looking for scholarships as early as possible. Missing a scholarship deadline means losing out on free money for your education.

Some students like having a notebook and calendar handy to keep their scholarship and deadline information organized. That way, they can refer back to it regularly to ensure they don’t miss any crucial scholarship opportunities. Remember, you can apply for as many scholarships as you want. Millions of dollars in scholarships are up for grabs every year, so keep filling out those applications!

Closing Thoughts

Scholarships are one of the first types of financial assistance to consider, as they are a gift that does not need to be repaid. Additionally, students can earn more than one scholarship. Earning multiple essay scholarships can help current or prospective college students pay for college. Provided by various generous organizations, essay scholarships are ideal for those with a knack for writing. 

The outstanding scholarship opportunities mentioned on this list can help fund your college education. And if you are willing to put in the effort, you may be able to win one of these scholarship contests.

Copyright © 2023 | Top 10 Online Colleges

The Best Essay Writing Contests of 2023

Writing competitions curated by Reedsy

Manage a competition? Submit it here

best essay scholarship contest

Bring your short stories to life

Fuse character, story, and conflict with tools in the Reedsy Book Editor. 100% free.

Showing 59 contests

Narratively's 2023 profile prize.

Narratively

Narratively is looking for profile pieces that tell the story of ordinary people or communities doing extraordinary things. The grand prize winner will receive $3,000, and the two finalists will receive $1,000 each. Guest judges are renowned journalists Gay Talese, Lisa Lucas and Rebecca Traister.

Additional prizes

$1000 for two other finalists

Entry requirements

Deadline: April 14, 2023

Essay, Non-fiction

Bacopa Literary Review

Bacopa Literary Review is an annual international print journal published by the Writers Alliance of Gainesville. Our Bacopa Literary Review Editors’ blog shows the quality of writing we seek by highlighting work we respect from previous Bacopa issues as well as other sources.

ÂŁ200 in 6 categories

$100 Honorable mention in 6 categories

Deadline: April 16, 2023

Fiction, Non-fiction, Poetry, Short Story, Essay, Flash Fiction, Humor

Young Sports Journalist Competition 2023

Pitch magazine

Pitch magazine is pleased to announce the launch of the Young Sports Journalist competition 2023! We are seeking well-argued articles from students aged 14-24 for this competition.

ÂŁ150 in each category

Publication | Work experience at The Times and FIPP

💰 Fee: FREE

Deadline: April 07, 2023

Geminga: $250 for Tiny Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, or Art

Sunspot Lit

Geminga is a neutron star so small it was difficult to detect. It was named, in part, for a transcription of gh’ù minga, meaning “it’s not there.” With Geminga: $500 for Tiny Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, or Art, Sunspot Lit honors the power of the small. No restrictions on theme or category. Word limit is 100 for fiction and nonfiction. Micropoetry is limited to 140 characters. Graphic novelsshould be 4 pages or less.

Publication in digital and print

Deadline: March 31, 2023

Crime, Essay, Fantasy, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Horror, Humor, Memoir, Mystery, Non-fiction, Poetry, Romance, Science Fiction, Script Writing, Short Story, Thriller, Young Adult

King of Essay

To all TV shows nerds: we're incredibly excited to announce a competition for the best essay based on the TV series you are keen on. This is a new challenge for folks who may be under budget and interested in winning subscriptions on streaming services (Netflix, Amazon, Hulu, Disney).

Netflix, Amazon, Hulu, or Disney+ subscription for 6 months

Deadline: May 15, 2023

Crime, Essay, Fantasy, Horror, Humor, Mystery, Romance, Science Fiction, Short Story, Thriller, Young Adult

Write By The Sea Writing Competition

Write By The Sea

Flash Fiction (700 words), Short Story (2,500 words), Poetry (40 lines) Memoir/Personal Essay (1,000 words). The winner of each category will receive a cash prize of €500, a beautiful hand-crafted WBTS 2023 Writing Competition trophy and a free weekend pass to Write By The Sea festival 2023. All four winning pieces will be published on the Write By The Sea website.

2nd: €200 | 3rd: €300

Deadline: June 04, 2023

Essay, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Memoir, Poetry, Short Story

Aurora Polaris Creative Nonfiction Award

Trio House Press

We seek un-agented full-length creative nonfiction manuscripts including memoir, essay collections, etc. 50,000 - 80,000 words.

Publication

Deadline: August 31, 2023

Essay, Memoir, Non-fiction

100 Word Writing Contest

Tadpole Press

100 words per entry. Submit as many entries as you’d like. All ages. All genders. All nationalities. All writers welcome. This year's theme is the power of words. The words we write, the words we say, the words we keep to ourselves. They make a difference in the lives of those around us. How can you use your words to instill a sense of calm, of hope, of community? To remind one another of the beauty of diversity. To encourage us to support, love, and inspire one another.

2nd: writing coach package 3rd: developmental or diversity editing package.

Deadline: April 30, 2023

Essay, Fantasy, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Humor, Memoir, Mystery, Non-fiction, Science Fiction, Science Writing, Thriller, Young Adult

Southword Literary Essay Competition

Munster Literature Centre

The competition is open to original, unpublished, personal essays between 2500 ‒ 5000 words. We’re looking for personal, confessional essays which border on memoir ‒ gripping essays full of memories and feelings. The best indicator of the kind of thing which interests us is what we have published in past issues; essays by Kim Addonizio, Sandra Beasley, Simon Van Booy, Carlo GeblĂ©r, Thomas Lynch, Anthony Walton, Helen Mort and Kim Moore.

8 Runners-Up: €500

Deadline: February 28, 2023 (Expired)

Eco Friendly Writing Contest

Howard's New Beginnings

The aim of the contest is to share eco-friendly ideas. Tell us something you think helps make the planet become more eco-friendly such as an eco-friendly product or packaging, a recipe for a natural product, or a waste-management tip. Up to 500 words. Any writer from anywhere can submit an entry. Contest deadline is April 22 2023, Earth Day.

Deadline: April 22, 2023

Essay, Non-fiction, Science Writing

The 2023 Bloom Writing Contest

The European Society of Literature

The 2023 Bloom Writing Contest is a writing competition that seeks to find hidden talent in the literary scene. The contest will place heavy emphasis on works of deep meaning, aesthetic beauty and literary quality—just as Harold Bloom did. The 2023 Bloom Writing Contest accepts submissions of all types, whether it be an essay, a poem, a short story.

Deadline: May 01, 2023

Essay, Fiction, Memoir, Novel, Poetry

Atlas Shrugged Essay Contest

Ayn Rand Institute

The Atlas Shrugged novel essay contest is open to all students globally. Atlas Shrugged is a heroic mystery novel written by Ayn Rand. Choose a prompt and write a 800-1,600 word essay.

2nd: $2,000 (x3) | 3rd: $1,000 (x5) | 25 finalists: $100 | 50 semifinalists: $50

Deadline: November 06, 2023

Essay, Fiction, Mystery, Novel, Thriller, Young Adult

Great American Think-Off

New York Mills Regional Cultural Center

The Great American Think-Off, now in its 30th year, is an exhibition of civil disagreement between powerful ideas that connect to your life at the gut level. People of all ages and backgrounds are encouraged to submit an essay of no more than 750 words for a chance to win one of four $500 cash prizes and participate in the live debate to ultimately answer the question, determined by audience vote.

Participation in live debate

Deadline: April 01, 2023

Annual Student Essay Contest

Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum

Essay contest open to all students in the following four divisions: 5th – 6th grade, 7th – 8th, 9th – 10th, and 11th – 12th (or equivalent ages/school years). This is an excellent opportunity for young people to comment on the current world as they see it and make the case for a democratic society.

Deadline: February 27, 2023 (Expired)

Brink Literary Journal Award for Hybrid Writing

The Brink Literary Journal Award for Hybrid Writing will be administered to the winner of a literary contest designed to champion innovative hybrid and cross-genre work.

Deadline: February 15, 2023 (Expired)

Essay, Fantasy, Fiction, Humor, Memoir, Non-fiction, Poetry, Science Writing, Short Story

Hispanic Culture Review Contest 2022-2023

Hispanic Culture Review

As the Uruguayan writer Eduardo Galeano once said, "the best that the world has is in the many worlds that the world contains." Therefore, this year we invite you to reflect on the following questions: How do you or your community celebrate these connections? How do you value those experiences with those people who leave a mark on your life? 1 work will be awarded in each category: 1) photography & visual arts, 2) poetry, and 3) narrative/essay/academic investigation.

$100 for photography, poetry, and essay winners

Deadline: February 01, 2023 (Expired)

Essay, Fiction, Non-fiction, Poetry, Short Story, Flash Fiction

swamp pink Prizes

From January 1st to January 31st, submit short stories and essays of up to 25 pages or a set of 1-3 poems. Winners in each genre will receive $2,000 and publication.

Deadline: January 31, 2023 (Expired)

Essay, Fiction, Non-fiction, Poetry, Short Story

AIIRA Writing Contest

AI Institute for Resilient Agriculture

We invite contestants to submit writing that imagines the world in the year 2050 and explores the relationship between humans, technology, and their food: what will food look, taste, and feel like; where will it come from; who will produce and transport it; and how will we access and consume it? The world you bring to light should be believable and probe the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in the future of agriculture. Your submission can be fiction or creative non-fiction, but keep in mind that the strongest submissions will use research to support the reality described. Contestants must be undergraduate students to submit to this contest.

2nd: $1,500 | 3rd: $1,000

Deadline: December 31, 2022 (Expired)

Essay, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Non-fiction, Science Writing, Short Story

Medical Student Essay Contest

Hektoen International Journal of the Medical Humanities

Students currently enrolled in a medical school or program are encouraged to submit to our Medical Student Essay Contest. Essays can be on any topic as it relates to medicine. Art, history, and literature topics are preferred.

Runner-ups: $2,500

Deadline: March 15, 2023

Essay, Memoir

The Goldilocks Zone

Inspired by the search for Goldilocks Zone planets, Sunspot Lit is looking for one short story, CNF, artwork, poem, graphic novel, or script that combines excellence with appeal. Literary and genre works accepted; feedback available.

Deadline: December 19, 2022 (Expired)

Crime, Essay, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Horror, Humor, Memoir, Mystery, Non-fiction, Poetry, Science Fiction, Science Writing, Script Writing, Short Story, Thriller, Young Adult

Creative Writing Contest-CWC11

Dharma Inc. Intl.

What are the changes you would like to see, to make the world a better place?  Our world is seeing a lot of changes. What are the beneficial ones, which ones are harmful? Which changes, from what you have seen, will make things better?

2nd: $300 | 3nd: $100

Deadline: December 04, 2022 (Expired)

National Essay Contest

U.S. Institute of Peace

The U.S. Institute of Peace (USIP) partners with the American Foreign Service Association (AFSA) on the annual National High School Essay Contest. The contest engages high school students in learning and writing about issues of peace and conflict, encouraging appreciation for diplomacy’s role in building partnerships that can advance peacebuilding and protect national security.

Runner-up: $1,250

Deadline: April 03, 2023

The Nervous Ghost Press Book Prize

Nervous Ghost Press

The 2021 Nervous Ghost Press Book Prizes are open to outstanding works of poetry and prose by anyone living in the United States of America. ​All work and all writers, from any point in their careers, are welcome to submit their work and get a chance of publication. Please submit a completed a manuscript (50,000-100,000 words for prose, 48-128 pages for poetry).

Publication and a Californian reading tour

Essay, Fiction, Memoir, Non-fiction, Novel, Poetry, Humor, Young Adult

Climate Change Writing Competition

Write the World

This month, dear writers, ahead of COP27, help us raise the voices of young people in this urgent fight. In a piece of personal narrative, tell the world’s leaders gathering in how climate change impacts you. How has this crisis changed your environment, your community, your sense of the future? Storytelling, after all, plays a critical role in helping us grasp the emergency through which we are all living, igniting empathy in readers and listeners—itself a precursor to action.

Runner-up: $50

Deadline: October 18, 2022 (Expired)

Leiby Chapbook Contest

The Florida Review

A prize of $1,000 and publication by Florida Review is given annually for a chapbook of short fiction, short nonfiction, or graphic narrative. Submit a manuscript of up to 45 pages with a $25 entry fee by December 31. All entries are considered for publication. All entrants receive a 1-year subscription. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

Essay, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Humor, Memoir, Non-fiction, Novella, Short Story

Inception 2022: $250 for Best Opening

Beginnings weight one moment with a particular power. A poem handles this differently than flash fiction, a novel, a graphic novel or an art series. Send your best opening. No restrictions on theme, category, or the length of the piece or collection from which the excerpt comes. Publication will be offered to runners-up and finalists.

Publication in digital and print editions

Deadline: October 09, 2022 (Expired)

Crime, Essay, Fantasy, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Horror, Humor, Memoir, Non-fiction, Novel, Novella, Romance, Science Writing, Short Story, Thriller, Young Adult

World Historian Student Essay Competition

World History Association

The World Historian Student Essay Competition is an international competition open to students enrolled in grades K–12 in public, private, and parochial schools, and those in home-study programs. Membership in the World History Association is not a requirement for submission. Past winners may not compete in the same category again.

Children's, Essay

Annual Contest Submissions

So to Speak Journal

So to Speak seeks work by writers who want to challenge and change the identity of the “canonical” writer. Our mission is to amplify voices of BIPOC, people with disabilities, LGBTQ+ people, women, neurodivergent people, people of different religions or none, migrants, refugees & immigrants (regardless of citizenship), and incarcerated writers. Free submissions for Black and Indigenous Writers.

Publication for winner and runner-up

Deadline: November 14, 2022 (Expired)

Essay, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Memoir, Non-fiction, Poetry, Short Story

Lazuli Literary Group Writing Contest

Lazuli Literary Group

We are not concerned with genre distinctions. Send us the best you have; we want only for it to be thoughtful, intelligent, and beautiful. We want art that grows in complexity upon each visitation; we enjoy ornate, cerebral, and voluptuous phrases executed with thematic intent.

Publication in "AZURE: A Journal of Literary Thought"

Deadline: February 22, 2023 (Expired)

Essay, Fiction, Poetry, Short Story, Flash Fiction, Non-fiction, Novella, Script Writing

Youth Voices Contest

Strategies For Youth

Today about 52% of public schools in the United States employ a full-time School Resource Officer (SRO). In the aftermath of the Uvalde massacre, once again, many people are questioning the value and purpose of having SROs in school. For almost 20 years, research has documented that students of color are disproportionately arrested by SROs, and many students of color say they do not feel safe in the presence of SROs. As a student between the ages of 12-18 years old we want to know about your experiences with, and thoughts about, having SROs in your school. Please respond to one of the following questions in your essay.

Deadline: January 06, 2023 (Expired)

Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Award

Killer Nashville

The Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Award is committed to discovering new writers, as well as superlative books by established authors and, upon discovery, sharing those writers and their works with new readers. There are a large number of both fiction and non-fiction categories you can enter.

Deadline: June 15, 2023

Crime, Essay, Fantasy, Fiction, Humor, Memoir, Mystery, Non-fiction, Novel, Poetry, Science Fiction, Script Writing, Short Story, Thriller

ScienceQuest NextGen Science Literary Writing Competition

Zoomcatchers

Established to recognize and encourage creative writing and provide a platform for publication, this science literary competition is open to original and previously unpublished short stories in the English language by a writer of any nationality, living anywhere in the world. Writing samples submitted must be from the genres of: Science fiction, Dystopian, Futuristic, Fantasy, Paranormal ​​ We accept essay, short story, and novel submissions up to 15 pages in length, double-spaced.

Consultation with literary agent Leticia Gomez

Deadline: September 05, 2022 (Expired)

Essay, Fantasy, Novel, Science Fiction, Science Writing, Short Story, Young Adult

Editor's Prize - Work Anthology

Unleash Press

Writers are invited to submit creative interpretations on Work for an upcoming anthology and the chance of winning the editors' prize. Essays, fiction, drama, and poetry interpretations of the theme will be accepted. Submissions should have a total word count of no more than 5,000 words. All authors chosen for the anthology will receive a paperback copy of the book. Only one editor’s prize will be selected.

Publication in anthology

Deadline: December 30, 2022 (Expired)

Crime, Essay, Fantasy, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Horror, Humor, Memoir, Mystery, Poetry, Science Fiction, Science Writing, Short Story, Thriller

Seven Hills Literary Contest and Penumbra Poetry and Haiku Contest

Tallahassee Writers Association

The Seven Hills Literary Contest and Penumbra Poetry and Haiku Contest (collectively, “the Contest”) is sponsored annually by the Tallahassee Writers Association. The contest is open to English-language entries from around the world. For the first time, we are open to published entries as well as unpublished entries.

Published in the Seven Hills Review

Deadline: September 30, 2022 (Expired)

Children's, Crime, Essay, Fantasy, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Horror, Humor, Mystery, Non-fiction, Novel, Poetry, Romance, Science Fiction, Science Writing, Short Story, Thriller, Young Adult

MacQ-15 Ekphrastic Writing Challenge: "The Question of Questions"

MacQueen's Quinterly

For our tenth themed writing challenge, MacQueen’s Quinterly is calling for literary works in multiple genres: flash and micro-fiction, nonfiction, poetry, prose poetry, and poetic hybrids. Each piece entered must include one “q” word and must address the theme described in our contest guidelines and publisher's commentary.

Publication in Issue 15 of MacQueen's Quinterly online

Deadline: August 21, 2022 (Expired)

Essay, Flash Fiction, Memoir, Non-fiction, Poetry, Science Writing

Find the perfect editor for your next book

Over 1 million authors trust the professionals on Reedsy, come meet them.

1 million authors trust the editors on Reedsy, come meet them.

1 million authors trust the professionals on Reedsy, come meet them.

Enter your email or get started with a social account:

best essay scholarship contest

Ayn Rand Essay Contests

Enter one of our contests today for a chance to win up to $10,000!

Participating Students

$2,200,000+

Prize Money Awarded to Date

Program Founded

Essay Contests

For nearly four decades, the Ayn Rand Institute has hosted annual student essay contests on Ayn Rand’s novels. These contests encourage students to seriously engage with Rand’s ideas through reflection on her profound and influential novels. Students who participate will need to read the book they have selected carefully, grapple with its complex themes, and push the boundaries of their writing ability. By doing so, we hope students will achieve a deeper appreciation for Rand’s literary works and develop a curiosity for the philosophy that underlies them.

best essay scholarship contest

Open to all 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students worldwide.

Deadline to enter is  April 27, 2023

best essay scholarship contest

The Fountainhead

Open to all 11th and 12th grade students worldwide.

best essay scholarship contest

Atlas Shrugged

Open to all 12th grade, college, and greaduate students worldwide.

Deadline to enter is  November 6, 2023

Read an Ayn Rand novel

Select the book according to your level of education, and begin reading. Pay attention to the themes and character motivations, and be thinking about how you might answer the essay topic questions.

Write an essay on the book

As you start to write, be thinking about how to answer the essay question you have chosen to write on. Be sure to give yourself enough time to construct a coherent outline, find supporting evidence, and revise your draft a couple times.

Submit for grading

Submit your essay online using ARI’s application portal. Be sure to check that the information you provide in your application is correct, and that your essay satisfies our requirements.

Wait for the results

Grading for all submissions begins once the deadline has passed. Essays go through three separate grading stages, and the final results are announced approximately three to four months after the entry deadline.

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 the novel.

Organization

Understanding.

Students can receive free digital copies of all of Ayn Rand’s novels at aynrand.org/freebooks . All you have to do is say a few words about who you are and why you want to read the book, and we’ll send you a copy within one business day—no strings attached. If you would prefer to read a physical copy, you may purchase them via the links on our website. They are also likely available at your local bookstore or library.

You may participate if you are in a lower grade than what is listed, but not if you are in a higher grade. Please email us at [email protected] if you have any questions about your eligibility status. (Note: Students must be at least 13 years of age or older in order to participate. We make no exceptions to this rule.)

Yes, please cite the page number(s) and place quotation marks around any material you choose to include from the novel you are writing on. A bibliography is only necessary if you choose to include secondary source material in your essay.

No. You may submit one essay per contest, per year—provided you meet the grade-level requirements and are eligible to enter.

Yes! You are more than welcome to enter multiple contests, provided you do not exceed any of the grade-level restrictions.

Yes, as long as you still meet the eligibility requirements for the contest and were not previously a first-place winner. In fact, some students have won prizes multiple years in a row!

No. All awards are cash prizes. We place no restrictions on how the prize money is spent by recipients.

No, this will have no effect on your chances of winning. Judges look for writing that demonstrates a clear understanding of the novel, not whether the student agrees with it.

Have a different question?

Write to us at  [email protected] . We typically respond within two to five business days.

Start Your Essay Today!

The Ayn Rand Institute has hosted annual essay contests on Ayn Rand’s fiction since 1985, awarding over $2.2 million in total prizes to students worldwide. 

best essay scholarship contest

Updates From ARI

Copyright © 1985 – 2023 The Ayn Rand® Institute (ARI). Reproduction of content and images in whole or in part is prohibited. All rights reserved. ARI is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Contributions to ARI in the United States are tax-exempt to the extent provided by law. Objectivist Conferences (OCON) and the Ayn Rand Institute eStore are operated by ARI. Payments to OCON or the Ayn Rand Institute eStore do not qualify as tax-deductible contributions to the Ayn Rand Institute. Ayn RandÂź is a registered trademark and is used by permission.

facebook_pixel

PrepScholar

Choose Your Test

Sat / act prep online guides and tips, the 17 best writing contests for high school students.

author image

Other High School

feature_write

If you're a writer—fiction, non-fiction, or fanfiction—you can put those skills to work for you. There are tons of writing contests for high school students, which can award everything from medals to cash prizes to scholarships if you win .

Not only will a little extra money, whether cash or scholarships, help you when it comes time to pay for college, but the prestige of a respected reward is also a great thing to include on your college application.

Read on to learn more about what writing contests for high school students there are, how to apply, and what you could win !

Writing Contests With Multiple Categories

Some high school contests accept entries in a variety of formats, including the standard fiction and non-fiction, but also things like screenwriting or visual art. Check out these contests with multiple categories:

Scholastic Art and Writing Awards

The Scholastic Art and Writing Awards celebrate art by students in grades seven through twelve (age 13 or older) on a regional and national scale. These awards have a huge number of categories and styles, including cash prizes or scholarships for some distinguished award winners . Categories include science-fiction and fantasy writing, humor, critical essays, and dramatic scripts, among others.

Deadlines vary by region (but are mostly in December and January), so use Scholastic's Affiliate Partner search to find out when projects are due for your area.

Scholastic partners with other organizations to provide prizes to winners, so what you can win depends on what you enter and what competition level you reach. Gold medal portfolio winners can earn a $12,500 scholarship, and silver medal winners with distinction can earn a $2,000 scholarship , as well as many other options in different categories.

The Scholastic Art and Writing Awards are open to private, public, or home-schooled students attending school in the US, Canada, or American schools in other countries. Students must be in grades seven through twelve to participate. Eligibility varies between regions, so consult Scholastic's Affiliate Partner search tool to figure out what applies to you .

The Scholastic Art and Writing Awards have a $10 entry fee for individual submissions and $30 for portfolio submissions, which may be waived for students in need . These fees may vary depending on location, so be sure to check your local guidelines .

Ocean Awareness Contest

The Ocean Awareness Contest asks students to consider the future of a coastal or marine species that is under threat from climate change. Submissions are accepted in a variety of art forms, but all must consider the way that climate change impacts ocean life .

Submissions for all categories, including art, creative writing, film, interactive and multimedia, music and dance, and poetry and spoken word are due in June, although the exact date varies slightly each year.

Winners may receive prizes of up to a $1,500 scholarship , depending on which division they fall into and what prize they win.

The contest is open to all international and US students between the ages of 11 and 18.

River of Words

The River of Words contest asks students to consider watersheds—an area that drains into the same body of water—and how they connect with their local community. Students can explore this concept in art or poetry, with winners being published in the annual River of Words anthology .

Entries in all categories must be submitted by January 31, 2023. 

The River of Words contest is primarily for recognition and publication, as the website doesn't list any prize money . The contest includes specific awards for certain forms, such as poetry, some of which may have additional prizes .

The contest is open to International and US students from kindergarten to grade 12 (ages 5 through 19). Students who have graduated from high school but are not yet in college are also eligible.

Adroit Prizes

Sponsored by the Adroit Journal, the Adroit Prizes reward high school students and undergraduate students for producing exemplary fiction and poetry. Students may submit up to six poems or three works of prose (totaling 3,500 words) for consideration. Submissions typically open in spring .

Winners receive $200 and (along with runners-up) have their works published in the Adroit Journal . Finalists and runners-up receive a copy of their judge's latest published work.

The contest is open to secondary and undergraduate students, including international students and those who have graduated early . The Adroit Prizes has a non-refundable fee of $15, which can be waived.

YoungArts Competition

Open to students in a variety of disciplines, including visual arts, writing, and music, the YoungArts competition asks students to submit a portfolio of work. Additional requirements may apply depending on what artistic discipline you're in .

Winners can receive up to $10,000 in cash as well as professional development help, mentorship, and other educational rewards.

Applicants must be 15- to 18-year-old US citizens or permanent residents (including green card holders) or in grades 10 through 12 at the time of submission . There is a $35 submission fee, which can be waived.

body_pinecone

Fiction Writing Contests for High School Students

Many contests with multiple categories accept fiction submissions, so also check out the above contests if you're looking for places to submit original prose.

EngineerGirl Writing Contest

This year's EngineerGirl Writing Contest asks students (though the name of the organization is "EngineerGirl," students of any gender may participate) to submit a piece of writing that shows how female and/or non-white engineers have contributed to or can enhance engineering’s great achievements. Word counts vary depending on grade level.

At every grade level, first-place winners will receive $500, second-place winners will receive $250, and third-place winners will receive $100 . Winning entries and honorable mentions will also be published on the EngineerGirl website.

Students of any gender from third to 12th grade may submit to this contest. Home-schooled and international students are also eligible.

body_laptop-7

Nonfiction Contests for High School Students

Like fiction, non-fiction is often also accepted in contests with multiple categories. However, there are quite a few contests accepting only non-fiction essays as well.

The American Foreign Services Association Essay Contest

The American Foreign Services Association sponsors a high school essay contest tasking students with selecting a country or region in which the United States Foreign Service has been involved at any point since 1924 and describe, in 1,500 words or less, how the Foreign Service was successful or unsuccessful in advancing American foreign policy goals in this country/region and propose ways in which it might continue to improve those goals in the coming years .

One winner will receive $2,500 as well as a Washington D.C. trip and a scholarship to attend Semester at Sea . One runner-up receives $1,250 and a scholarship to attend the International Diplomacy Program of the National Student Leadership Conference.

Entries must be from US students in grade nine through 12, including students in the District of Columbia, US territories, or US citizens attending school abroad, including home-schooled students.

John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Contest

The John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage contest tasks students with writing an essay between 700 and 1,000 words on an act of political courage by a US elected official serving during or after 1917 , inspired by John F. Kennedy's Profiles in Courage . Each essay should cover the act itself as well as any obstacles or risks the subject faced in achieving their act of courage. Essays must not cover figures previously covered in the contest, and should also not cover John F. Kennedy, Robert F. Kennedy, or Edward M. Kennedy.

One first-place winner will receive $10,000, one second-place winner will receive $3,000, five finalists will receive $1,000 each, and eight semi-finalists will win $100 each.

The contest is open to students in grades nine through 12 who are residents of the United States attending public, private, parochial, or home schools . Students under the age of 20 in correspondence high school programs or GED programs, as well as students in US territories, Washington D.C., and students studying abroad, are also eligible.

SPJ/JEA High School Essay Contest

The SPJ/JEA high school essay contest , organized by the Society of Professional Journalists and the Journalism Education Association, asks students to  analyze the importance of independent media to our lives (as of now, the official essay topic for spring 2023 is TBD) . Essays should be from 300 to 500 words.

A $1,000 scholarship is given to a first-place winner, $500 to second-place, and $300 to third-place.

The contest is open to public, private, and home-schooled students of the United States in grades 9-12 .

body_play

Playwriting Contests for High School Students

For those who love the stage, playwriting contests are a great option. An original play can earn you great rewards thanks to any of these contests!

VSA Playwright Discovery Program Competition

The VSA Playwright Discovery Program Competition asks students with disabilities to submit a ten-minute script exploring their personal experiences, including the disability experience . Scripts may be realistic, fictional, or abstract, and may include plays, screenplays, or musical theater.

All entries are due in January. Scripts may be collaborative or written by individuals, but must include at least one person with a disability as part of the group .

One winner or group of winners will be selected as participants in the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival. Winners will have access to professional assistance in developing their script as well as workshops and networking opportunities.

This contest is open to US and international students in ages 14 to 18 . Groups of up to five members may collaborate on an essay, but at least one of those students must have a disability.

Worldwide Plays Festival Competition

In the Worldwide Plays Festival Competition , students from around the world can submit an eight-minute script for a play set in a part of a neighborhood —specifically, at a convenience store, outside a character's front door, or at a place where people convene. Each play must have roles for three actors, should not have a narrator who isn't also a character, and should not contain set changes.

Entries are due in February. Winners will have their play produced by professionals at an off-Broadway New York theater . Scholarships are also available for winners.

Any student, including US and international, in first through 12th grade may submit work for consideration.

Students may submit a one-act, non-musical play of at least ten pages to YouthPLAYS for consideration . Plays should be appropriate for high school audiences and contain at least two characters, with one or more of those characters being youths in age-appropriate roles. Large casts with multiple female roles are encouraged.

One winner will receive $250, have their play published by YouthPLAYS, and receive a copy of Great Dialog , a program for writing dialog. One runner up will receive $100 and a copy of Great Dialog.

Students must be under the age of 19, and plays must be the work of a single author.

The Lewis Center Ten-Minute Play Contest

Students in grade 11 may submit a ten-minute play for consideration for the Lewis Center Ten-Minute Play Contest . Plays should be 10 pages long, equivalent to 10 minutes.

One first-prize winner will receive $500, one second-prize winner will receive $250, and one third-prize will receive $100.

All entries must be from students in the 11th grade .

body_poetry-1

Poetry Writing Contests for High School Students

For those who prefer a little free verse or the constraints of a haiku, there are plenty of poetry-specific contests, too.

Creative Communications Poetry Contest

Students in ninth grade or below may submit any poem of 21 lines or less (not counting spaces between stanzas) for consideration in the Creative Communications Poetry Contest .

Students may win $25, a free book, and school supplies for their teacher .

Public, private, or home-schooled US students (including those in detention centers) in kindergarten through ninth grade may enter.

Leonard L. Milberg '53 High School Poetry Prize

Students in 11th grade may submit up to three poems for consideration in the Leonard L. Milberg '53 High School Poetry Prize . Submissions are due in November .

One first-prize winner will receive $1500, one second-prize winner will receive $750, and a third-prize winner will receive $500. Poems may be published on arts.princeton.edu. All entrants must be in the 11th grade.

Nancy Thorp Poetry Contest

Women poets who are sophomores or juniors in high school may submit two poems for consideration for the Nancy Thorp Poetry Contest .

One first-place winner will receive a $350 cash prize, publication in and ten copies of Cargoes , Hollins' student magazine, as well as a renewable scholarship of up to $5,000 for Hollins and free tuition and housing for the Hollinsummer creative writing program. One second-place winner will receive publication in and two copies of Cargoes, a renewable scholarship to Hollins of up to $1,000, and a $500 scholarship to attend Hollinsummer.

Applicants must be female students in their sophomore or junior year of high school .

What's Next?

If you're looking for more money opportunities for college , there are plenty of scholarships out there— including some pretty weird ones .

For those who've been buffing up their test scores , there are tons of scholarships , some in the thousands of dollars.

If you're tired of writing essays and applying for scholarships, consider some of these colleges that offer complete financial aid packages .

author image

Melissa Brinks graduated from the University of Washington in 2014 with a Bachelor's in English with a creative writing emphasis. She has spent several years tutoring K-12 students in many subjects, including in SAT prep, to help them prepare for their college education.

Student and Parent Forum

Our new student and parent forum, at ExpertHub.PrepScholar.com , allow you to interact with your peers and the PrepScholar staff. See how other students and parents are navigating high school, college, and the college admissions process. Ask questions; get answers.

Join the Conversation

Ask a Question Below

Have any questions about this article or other topics? Ask below and we'll reply!

Improve With Our Famous Guides

The 5 Strategies You Must Be Using to Improve 160+ SAT Points

How to Get a Perfect 1600, by a Perfect Scorer

Series: How to Get 800 on Each SAT Section:

Score 800 on SAT Math

Score 800 on SAT Reading

Score 800 on SAT Writing

Series: How to Get to 600 on Each SAT Section:

Score 600 on SAT Math

Score 600 on SAT Reading

Score 600 on SAT Writing

Free Complete Official SAT Practice Tests

What SAT Target Score Should You Be Aiming For?

15 Strategies to Improve Your SAT Essay

The 5 Strategies You Must Be Using to Improve 4+ ACT Points

How to Get a Perfect 36 ACT, by a Perfect Scorer

Series: How to Get 36 on Each ACT Section:

36 on ACT English

36 on ACT Math

36 on ACT Reading

36 on ACT Science

Series: How to Get to 24 on Each ACT Section:

24 on ACT English

24 on ACT Math

24 on ACT Reading

24 on ACT Science

What ACT target score should you be aiming for?

ACT Vocabulary You Must Know

ACT Writing: 15 Tips to Raise Your Essay Score

How to Get Into Harvard and the Ivy League

How to Get a Perfect 4.0 GPA

How to Write an Amazing College Essay

What Exactly Are Colleges Looking For?

Is the ACT easier than the SAT? A Comprehensive Guide

Should you retake your SAT or ACT?

When should you take the SAT or ACT?

Stay Informed

best essay scholarship contest

Get the latest articles and test prep tips!

Looking for Graduate School Test Prep?

Check out our top-rated graduate blogs here:

GRE Online Prep Blog

GMAT Online Prep Blog

TOEFL Online Prep Blog

Holly R. "I am absolutely overjoyed and cannot thank you enough for helping me!”

best essay scholarship contest

Scholarship Essay Writing Contest

Do you have a zest for exploring new ideas and innovative thoughts? If you do, this scholarship essay writing contest is for you. Put your innovative thinking to the test by producing instinctive and novel ideas that will carve a path to helping us find the next Shakespeare. We are eager to hear your brilliant thoughts and encourage you to enter our contest. You can find details of this in the below sections.

Vision for the essay writing contest

We are looking to explore the innovative minds of today’s youth in the field of Literature and Technology. As every person is different and has their own unique voice, the same can be said for their powerful imagination.

Mission of the essay writing contest

Use BeeStudent scholarship essay contest to demonstrate your talents and bring your imagination to life. Your essay will be evaluated based on innovation, originality and rationality. While we strongly believe that your thoughts, ideas and innovation cannot be measured by prizes, we are offering various options as an incentive to participate and as an acknowledgement of your work.

Eligibility

Our scholarship essay writing competition is open to secondary and tertiary students from various countries across the world. Some of the core topics fo rthe contest include:

Topic 1: How would you classify the study habits?

Topic 2: Describe the effect of a teacher, parent, or friend on your life.

Topic 3: What are the effects of illiteracy? Please describe.

Contest Deadline

Submit your completed essay by August 18, 2023 as the announcement for the final results will be done by August 24 th , 2023. The winners will be contacted via email and an announcement will be posted on the scholarship page of our website. Our judges’ decision is final and we are unable to accommodate individual essay review requests once the contest is closed.

The top three participants will receive cash prizes according to the following:

Guidelines for BeeStudent scholarship essay competition

Jury & Judges

Our judges are comprised of pioneer academics who work at colleges and universities in the United States of America. We hope you exceed expectations and excel in this scholarship essay contest.

Good luck and happy writing!

August 2021 – August 2022 Winners

Stay in touch

BeeStudent.com provides professional, original and high-quality assignment writing services that are aimed at helping students with their research and writing needs.

Perhaps you are a brilliant writer, or maybe you're just going for the most efficient way to rack up the college scholarship money . Either way, you’ve decided that the key to funding your education lies in winning scholarship essay contests . Essay scholarships are awarded in numerous fields to students of varied backgrounds. Some essay scholarships have requirements in addition to the essay, such as GPA or financial need, whereas others are judged solely on the merit of the writing submitted. No matter what the criteria are, essay scholarships are a great way to use those writing skills you’ve been practicing to help pay for school .

The scholarship application process for essay scholarships is much the same as for other scholarship opportunities —you need to fill out the scholarship application, gather all your materials, double-check that you've met all requirements, and then submit your completed application packet before the deadline. With essay scholarships, especially, you should start this process early and leave yourself plenty of time to formulate an effective strategy and write a brilliant entry. Make sure you closely follow instructions and go through the entire writing process , from brainstorming to outlining to editing. If you really want to win essay scholarships, you can't just throw your response together in 30 minutes and send it on its way. While this strategy may have worked for you in English class, chances are $5,000 wasn't riding on whether you got an A on any of your papers. Take your time writing and revising. If you plan far enough ahead, you'll be able to get plenty of feedback from your family, friends, and teachers, as well. The more people who see your essay, the better it will be. Outside help goes beyond proofreading. If possible, ask for advice on the content of your essay, as well as the style and the flow. All of these are important factors in writing effective scholarship essays .

Last Reviewed: March 2023

Explore Scholarships.com

Facebook

Copyright © 1998 - 2023 Scholarships.com Scholarships.com All Rights Reserved Scholarships.com Publisher www.scholarships.com Do Not Sell My Personal Information

Scholarship Story

These 11 Essay Contests with Generous Prizes Will Change Your Life

Table of Contents

Please enable JavaScript

Essay Contests

There are several essay contests that are valid for students of all levels of education regardless of nationality. As long as you meet the specified requirements, you may register for one or more of the following essay contests.

1. FIRE Free Speech Essay Contest

FIRE is an organization that aims to defend and sustain individual rights at America’s colleges and universities. These rights include freedom of speech, legal equality, due process, religious liberty, and sanctity of conscience—the essential qualities of individual liberty and dignity.

In this contest, you will be asked to write an essay or persuasive letter in 700 to 900 words on the theme of current events, historical examples, your personal experiences, and other resources posted on the FIRE website. Registration for this contest closes on December 31 st , 2020 at 11:59 a.m. EST.

Open to juniors and seniors in U.S. high schools, including home-schooled students, as well as U.S. citizens attending high school overseas.

What are the prizes of this contest?

2. Ayn Rand Institute Essay Contests

Have you ever read one of Ayn Rand’s thought-provoking novels? Now’s the time! Enter an Ayn Rand Institute essay contest and you’ll have a chance to win thousands of dollars in scholarship prize money.

You must sign up as a member of the ARI website to find out the deadlines for the contest.

Who should apply?

Total prizes to be awarded to the winners are $30,000.

3. AFSA National High School Essay Contest

Successful essays will identify, in no more than 1,250 words, a situation where diplomats worked on a peacebuilding initiative with partners from the country/region in question, nongovernmental organizations, and other parts of the U.S. government, and then go on to analyze what characteristics and approaches made the enterprise a success.

The deadline for essay submission is April 5 th , 2021 at 11:59 p.m. EDT.

Students whose parents are not in the Foreign Service are eligible to participate if they are in grades nine through twelve in any of the fifty states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. territories, or if they are U.S. citizens/lawful permanent residents attending high school overseas.

$2,500 will be awarded to the writer of the winning essay, in addition to an all-expense-paid trip to the nation’s capital from anywhere in the U.S. for the winner and his or her parents, and an all-expense-paid educational voyage courtesy of Semester at Sea. Runner-up receives $1,250 and full tuition to attend a summer session of the National Student Leadership Conference’s International Diplomacy program.

4. JASNA Essay Contests

Jane Austen Society of North America (JASNA) conducts an annual student essay contest to foster the study and appreciation of Jane Austen’s works in new generations of readers.

The 2021 Essay Contest topic is tied to the theme of our upcoming Annual General Meeting: “Jane Austen in the Arts.” It encompasses a wide variety of arts, including fine arts, performance arts, decorative arts, and crafts.

The deadline for the essay submissions is June 1 st , 2021.

Students and home-schooled students enrolled at the high school level during the contest year, students enrolled in at least six credit hours of course work at a junior college, college, or university during the contest year, and students enrolled during the contest year in at least three credit hours of graduate course work at a college or university leading to an advanced degree are encouraged to apply.

Membership in JASNA is not required to enter the contest.

JASNA awards scholarships to winners in each of the three divisions:

Winners and their mentors each receive a one-year JASNA membership. Besides, each winner receives a set of Norton Critical Editions of Jane Austen’s novels.

5. The Immerse Education Essay Competition

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. The essay questions are pre-defined according to your age group and preferred subject. You are encouraged to tailor your essay response to reflect your interest in your chosen subject.

The application for the competition will be closed on January 5 th , 2021.

The essay contests are available to students of all nationalities who will be aged 13-18 during the summer of 2021.

First-place winners will be awarded a 100% scholarship to study their chosen subject with Immerse. There will be 10 first place winners across the Immerse Education Competitions. Runners up will be awarded partial scholarships of up to 70% to study their chosen subject with Immerse.

6. Fraser Institute Student Essay Contest

Showcase your ideas on public policy and the role of markets by entering this essay competition. Construct an essay exploring the importance of Joseph Schumpeter’s concept of creative destruction in understanding entrepreneurialism and economic progress in today’s world. You may choose to analyze a particular industry or business (during any time-period) as a case study to bolster your essay.

The essay submission for the contest will be closed on June 1 st , 2021.

This essay contest is open to high school, undergraduate, and postgraduate students.

$9,000 in cash prizes will be awarded $3,000 of this designated just for high school students. Winning essays may be published in Fraser Institute journals and authors will have the opportunity to experience the peer-review process.

7. Optimist International Essay Contests

This essay contest is sponsored by Optimist International to give young people the opportunity to write about their own opinions regarding the world in which they live. The approach can encompass a young person’s personal experience, the experience of their country, or a more historical perspective.

In addition to developing skills for written expression, participants also have the opportunity to win a college scholarship. The topic for the academic year of 2020-2021 is “Reaching your Dreams by Choosing Optimism”. All essay contests are held by early February.

Youth under the age of 19 as of October 1 st , 2020 (and is not enrolled as a degree seeking student of a post-secondary institution) in the United States, Canada, or the Caribbean are eligible for entry. There is no minimum age.

Winners have the opportunity to receive scholarships of up to $2,500.

8. 2021 We the Students Essay Contest

We the Students Essay Contest expects the participants to explore the relationship between equality and justice in an essay with 500 to 800 words. Applicants are encouraged to bring emotion, creativity, specific examples, and well-researched facts into what they write. The deadline for entry is April 15 th , 2021 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

Students in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, American Armed Forces schools abroad, and students in United States territories are eligible to participate in the contest. In addition to going to school in a contested state, you must be in grades 8-12 and between the ages of 14-19.

A total of $7,500 will be awarded to the first winner. The second winner and honorable mentions will receive $1,500 and $500, respectively.

9. Student Essay Contest Sponsored by AWM and Math for America

To increase awareness of women’s ongoing contributions to the mathematical sciences, the Association for Women in Mathematics (AWM) and Math for America co-sponsor an essay contest for biographies of contemporary women mathematicians and statisticians in academic, industrial, and government careers.

The essays will be based primarily on an interview with a woman currently working in a mathematical sciences career. Essay submissions are open from December 1 st to February 1 st .

Participation is open to middle school, high school, and undergraduate students.

The winners (including honorable mentions) receive a monetary prize, a membership in the AWM, a certificate, and their name and affiliation published in the Newsletter for the AWM. Also, all of the essays are published online and the essay of the Grand Prize winner is published in the AWM Newsletter.

10. Civics Education Essay Contest

Every year, in honor of Law Day, NCSC hosts a Civics Education Essay Contest. The goal of the contest is to get students engaged and ponder the importance of civics at home and in the classroom. The contest question is based on the American Bar Association’s annual theme. ABA’s 2021 Law Day theme is “Advancing the Rule of Law Now.”  Submissions are due by 11:59 p.m. EST on February 26 th , 2021.

Students from grades three through twelfth are invited to enter these essay contests.

For the 9th-12th grade winners:

For the 6th-8th grade winners:

For the 3rd-5th grade winners:

11. St. Gallen Symposium Global Essay Competition

Compete in this Global Essay Competition and be one of the top 100 contributors to qualify for all-expenses covered participation as a Leader of Tomorrow in the world’s premier opportunity for cross-generational debates: The St. Gallen Symposium. Submissions are due by  February 1 st , 2021, 11:59 p.m. last time zone (UTC-12).

However, if you are not a fan of essay contests, then this no-essay scholarship might interest you: Bold No Essay Community Scholarship: Easy Scholarship to Enter in 2020 .

To be eligible, you must be enrolled in a graduate or postgraduate program (master level or higher) in any field of study at a regular university and born in 1991 or later.

Win prize money of CHF 20,000 split amongst the three winners.

Concordia Presidential Scholarship in Canada for Undergraduate Students

Scholarship application: the right time to apply for a scholarship.

Standar Testing Service (STSI) Laptops and Scholarships

Standar Testing Service (STSI) Laptops and Scholarships

IITA Research Fellowships

IITA Research Fellowships

Awaji Youth Federation Fellowship Offers Working and Learning Opportunity in Japan

Awaji Youth Federation Fellowship Offers Working and Learning Opportunity in Japan

best essay scholarship contest

Scholarship Essay Competition

Scholarship Essay Competition

We pride ourselves in employing only the best writers, with Bachelor’s through Ph.D. degrees in all academic disciplines, so that we can serve any student need. As students use our service, and receive original, custom academic writing, they are able study those pieces and become better writers themselves.

Best Essays Education  has created a scholarship essay competition to encourage students to produce their own great essays and have the opportunity to win a sizeable financial award to help with their own educational expenses. Below, you will find all of the details. If you meet our entry requirements and are ready to craft that perfect essay, we urge you to enter.

Who is Eligible?

To apply, you must be a student at an accredited college, university, community college, oct-tech certificate program, or any graduate or equivalent professional program. High school students who have just enrolled in college, are certainly eligible.

Essay Prompts

Entrants must choose one of the following three prompts:

Should students have the right to evaluate their teachers? Why or why not? If so, how should this be done?

What new innovations promise to significantly change your life in college? How will they change your life?

Of all of the environment threats, which do you see as the most dangerous right now?

1. The entry is free, but a student may only enter one time 2. The essay has a word maximum of 1,000 words and must be in English  3. Essays must be submitted through our application form or as a Word attachment, sent to [email protected], with the subject line “Scholarship Essay Contest.”  4. Once the essay is submitted, entrants must access their  Facebook ,  Twitter ,  Flipboard  or  Stumbleupon  page and repost this page. Help us to spread the word about the scholarship to as many students as possible. 5. Entrants must also “Like” our Facebook page and “follow” us on Twitter.  6. No offensive, harassing, or incendiary, defaming content may be used.  7. By submitting an essay, the student is certifying that the content in fully original. 8. Entry automatically constitutes agreement on the part of the entrant to all of the Terms and Conditions listed below.  9. Entrant’s full name, email, and social media account ID’s should appear on a separate page and submitted with the essay.

Methods of Judging

All eligible essays will be evaluated by a panel of Best Essays Education writers and editors. The following criteria will be used:

The panel shall determine the top three winners, based upon a scored rubric, and will then publish those winner names on its site, and social media pages, as it deems appropriate. Winners will receive notification via email and will be required to reply to those emails. Should a winner fail to respond to the email or, for any reason, refuse the prize award, the award will be provided to the entrant who is next in line.

Deadline for entries is 30 November, 2017.

Terms and Conditions :  By submitting an entry to Scholarship Contest, the entrant automatically agrees to be bound by these Terms and Conditions. Entrants attest that any entry submitted to the  Best EssaysEducation.com  scholarship essay contest will be fully original and is one that has never been submitted or published anywhere else. We reserves the right to subject every entry to a plagiarism-scan, in order to verify originality. Once an entry is submitted, entrant agrees that all ownership rights to that essay are transferred to BestEssaysEducation.com, and all copyright laws protect ownership by BestEssaysEducation.com. Entrant understands and agrees that s/he may not reproduce, transfer, share, republish, or otherwise use or distribute the entry essay in any way, without express written permission. Entrant agrees that the company may use his/her name in publishing the contest entrants and/or winners. BestEssaysEducation.com shall protect all other personal information of every contestant and shall not provide that personal information to any third party.

Interesting Essay Topics for Students in 2020

2022 Essay Scholarship Contest

The submission period is now closed. , winners will be announced online at www.npg.org by july 12, 2022.  .

To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.

Ideas, Inspiration, and Giveaways for Teachers

We Are Teachers

The Best Student Writing Contests for 2022-2023

Help your students take their writing to the next level.

WeAreTeachers Staff

When students write for teachers, it can feel like an assignment. When they write for a real purpose, they are empowered! Student writing contests are an easy and inspiring way to try writing for an authentic audience—a real panel of judges—and the possibility of prize money or other incentives. We’ve gathered a list of student writing contests below. From poetry to plays, essays to science fiction, there is something for everyone. See if any of them suit your curriculum, and get prepared to see some motivated students!

1.  The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards

With a wide range of categories—from critical essays to science fiction and fantasy—you’ll find something for nearly every student. Each category has its own rules and word counts, so be sure to check out the options  before you decide which one is best for your students.

How to Enter

Students in grades 7-12, ages 13 and up, may begin submitting work in September by uploading to an online account at Scholastic. There are entry fees, but those can be waived for students in need.

2.  YoungArts’ National Arts Competition

This ends soon, but if you have students who are ready to submit, it’s worth it. YoungArts offers a national competition in the categories of creative nonfiction, novel, play or script, poetry, short story, and spoken word. Student winners may receive awards of up to $10,000 as well as the chance to participate in artistic development with leaders in their fields.

YoungArts accepts submissions in each category through October 14. Students submit their work online and pay a $35 fee (there is a fee waiver option).

3.  American Foreign Service National High School Essay Contest

If you’re looking to help students take a deep dive into international relations, history, and writing, look no further than this essay contest. Winners receive full tuition to the Semester at Sea program as well as a trip to Washington, DC, to meet with a leader at the Department of State.

A new prompt is published each September. The deadline to enter is the first week of April.

4.  John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Essay Contest

This annual contest invites students to write about a political official’s act of political courage that occurred after Kennedy’s birth. The winner receives $10,000 as well as a trip to Boston to accept the award.

Students must submit 700-to-1,000-word essays between September and January. The essays must feature more than five sources and a full bibliography.

5. Bennington Young Writers Awards

Bennington College offers competitions in three categories: poetry (a group of three poems), fiction (a short story or one-act play), and nonfiction (a personal or academic essay). First-place winners receive $500. Grab a poster for your classroom here .

The contest runs from September 1 to November 1, so stay tuned to the website  for information about how to submit entries.

6. The Princeton Ten-Minute Play Contest

Looking for student writing contests for budding playwrights? In this competition, judged by the theater faculty of Princeton University, students submit short plays in an effort to win recognition and cash prizes of up to $500. ( Note: Only open to 11th graders. )

Eleventh-grade students submit one 10-page play script online or by mail. The deadline is the end of March. Contest details will be published this fall.

7. Princeton University Poetry Contest for High School Students

The Leonard L. Milberg ’53 High School Poetry Prize recognizes outstanding work by student writers in 11th grade. Prizes range from $100 to $500.

Students in 11th grade can submit their poetry. Contest details will be published this fall.

8.  Nancy Thorp Poetry Contest

The deadline for this contest is the end of October! Sponsored by Hollins University, the Nancy Thorp Poetry Contest awards prizes for the best poems submitted by young women who are sophomores or juniors in high school or preparatory school. Prizes include cash and scholarships. Winners are chosen by students and faculty members in the creative writing program at Hollins.

Students may submit either one or two poems.

9.  The Patricia Grodd Poetry Prize for Young Writers

The Patricia Grodd Poetry Prize for Young Writers is open to high school sophomores and juniors, and the winner receives a full scholarship to a  Kenyon Review Young Writers Workshop .

Submissions for the prize are accepted electronically from November 1 through November 30.

10. Jane Austen Society Essay Contest

High school students can win up to $1,000 by entering an essay on a specified topic related to Jane Austen novels.

Details for the 2023 contest will be announced in November. Essay length is from six to eight pages, not including works cited.

11. Rattle Young Poets Anthology

Open to students between 15 and 18 who are interested in publication and exposure over monetary awards. Submissions can come through teachers or directly from students.

Submit up to four poems electronically. The deadline is November 15.

12. The Black River Chapbook Competition

This is a chance for new and emerging writers to gain publication in their own professionally published chapbook.

There is a $17 entry fee, and submissions are made online.

13. YouthPlays New Voices

For students under 18, the YouthPlays one-act competition is designed for young writers to create new works for the stage. Winners receive cash awards and publication.

Non-musical plays between 10 and 40 minutes long can be submitted electronically. The website has more details about guidelines.

14. The Ocean Awareness Contest

This unique competition invites students to use their creativity to make a difference for our planet. As the creators share on their website, “Our contest is a call for young artists, conservationists, makers, thinkers, and activists who are concerned about the future of our blue planet.” Students are eligible for a wide range of monetary prizes.

Students may submit work in the categories of art, creative writing, poetry and spoken word, film, interactive and multi-media, or music and dance, accompanied by a reflection. The deadline is June 13.

15. EngineerGirl Annual Essay Contest

Each year, EngineerGirl sponsors an essay contest with topics centered on the impact of engineering on the world, and students can win up to $500 in prize money. This contest is a nice bridge between ELA and STEM and great for teachers interested in incorporating an interdisciplinary project into their curriculum. The new contest asks for pieces that show how female and/or non-white engineers have contributed to or can enhance engineering’s great achievements. Check out the educator’s page  for more information about how to support this contest at your school.

Students submit their work electronically. Check out the full list of rules and requirements here .

16. NCTE Student Writing Awards

The National Council of Teachers of English offers several student writing awards, including Achievement Awards in Writing (for 10th- and 11th-grade students), Promising Young Writers (for 8th-grade students), and an award to recognize Excellence in Art and Literary Magazines.

Deadlines range from February 15 to July 31. Check out the rules for more details.

17. See Us, Support Us Art Contest

Children of incarcerated parents can submit artwork, poetry, photos, videos, and more. Submissions are free and the website has a great collection of past winners.

Students can submit their entries via social media or email by October 23.

18. The Adroit Prizes for Poetry & Prose

The Adroit Journal, an education-minded nonprofit publication, awards annual prizes for poetry and prose to exceptional high school and college students. Adroit charges an entry fee but also provides a form for financial assistance.

Sign up at the website for updates for the next round of submissions.

19. National PTA Reflections Awards

The National PTA offers a variety of awards, including one for literature, in their annual Reflections Contest. Students of all ages can submit entries on the specified topic to their local PTA Reflections program. From there, winners move to the local area, state, and national levels. National-level awards include an $800 prize and a trip to the National PTA Convention.

This program requires submitting to PTAs who participate in the program. Check your school’s PTA for their deadlines.

20. World Historian Student Essay Competition

The World Historian Student Essay Competition is an international competition open to students enrolled in grades K–12 in public, private, and parochial schools, and those in home-study programs. The $500 prize is based on an essay that addresses the issue: In what way has the study of world history affected my understanding of the world in which I live?

Students can submit entries before May 1.

21. NSHSS Creative Writing Scholarship

The National Society of High School Scholars awards three $2,000 scholarships for both poetry and fiction. They accept poetry, short stories, and graphic novel writing.

Apply online by October 31.

Whether you let your students blog, start a podcast or video channel, or enter student writing contests, giving them an authentic audience for their work is always a powerful classroom choice.

If you like this list of student writing contests and want more articles like it, subscribe to our newsletters !

Plus, check out our favorite anchor charts for teaching writing..

The Best Student Writing Contests for 2022-2023

You must be logged in to post a comment.

best essay scholarship contest

best essay scholarship contest

best essay scholarship contest

Optimist Leaders - Login

Optimist international - search.

Optimist International Essay Contest The 2014-2015 Optimist International Essay Scholarship Contests are now closed. --> Topic for the 2022-2023 school year is: "Who is an Everyday Hero that Brings Out the Optimism in You?” Who: The contest is open to contestants under the age of 19 as of October 1st of the current Optimist International contest year (October 1 – September 30) and who have not yet completed secondary school or its equivalent, including CEGEP students in QuĂ©bec, Canada. There is no minimum age. Students must enter in the District in which they reside. U.S. students attending school on military installations outside the U.S. are eligible to enter in their last home of record. How To Enter: Interested students must contact their local Optimist Club. They need to submit an essay on the pre-assigned topic. To find out a contact, please e-mail the Programs Department at [email protected] . The Essay Contest planning pages are intended for use by Optimist Clubs in organizing and conducting a contest in their Club. They contain no information on entering the contest and are of no use to students wishing to enter the contest. Students must contact their local Optimist Club. When:

Club Essay Planning Guide

District Essay Planning Guide

Certificate for Club level

Certificate for Region/Zone level

Certificate for District level

Essay Contest - Prior to event (.doc)

Essay Contest - Prior to event (.pdf)

Essay Contest - After event (.doc)

Essay Contest - After event (.pdf)

District Essay Contest - After event (.doc)

District Essay Contest - After event (.pdf)

Club Planning Guide

District Planning Guide

Essay Contest Application

Fourteen Scholarship Essay Examples That Won Thousands

Fourteen Scholarship Essay Examples That Won Thousands

Learn how to write a scholarship essay, personal statement essay, or supplemental essay for college with these top examples of essays that won thousands of dollars in 2018.   How was your college application journey? Let us know over at collegeessay


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

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

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

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

TABLE OF CONTENTS

What Makes These Examples So Great

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

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

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

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

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

How to Save Time By Combining Essays

Want to save a lot of time during the process?

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

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

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

Scholarship Essay Example #1

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

Prompt: Open topic.

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

Scholarship Essay Example #2

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

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

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

best essay scholarship contest

ARE YOU A STUDENT FROM A LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLD, HAVE A GOOD GPA, and are looking for free college essay and application coaching?

Learn more about the matchlighters scholars program & apply today..

Matchlighters banner-min (1).jpg

Scholarship Essay Example #3

North Coast Section Foundation Scholarship for $1000 by Christine Fung

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

Scholarship Essay Example #4

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

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

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


Working on your scholarship essay or personal statement?

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

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

Prompt: Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.

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

Scholarship Essay Example #6

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

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

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

Scholarship Essay Example #7

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

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

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

Scholarship Essay Example #8

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

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

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

Scholarship essay example #9.

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

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

Scholarship Essay Example #10

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

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

Scholarship Essay Example #11

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

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

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

Scholarship Essay Example #12

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

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

Scholarship Essay Example #13

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

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

Scholarship Essay Example #14

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

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

Ethan photo

Want help on your college essays?

The CEG mission is to bring more ease, purpose, and joy to the college application process via our library of free resources (much like this blog post).

CEG also offers one-on-one essay help to students who need a little extra support. Learn more about our comprehensive one-on-one essay coaching right here . And we’re proud to be a one-for-one company, which means that for every student who pays, we provide free support to a low-income student. If you identify as low-income, click here .

Want more amazing essay examples?

26 Outstanding College Essay Examples 2020/2021

12 Outstanding Personal Statement Examples + Analysis for Why They Worked

10+ Outstanding Common App Essay Examples

17 UC Essay Examples (AKA Personal Insight Questions)

How to Write a College Essay Step-by-Step: The Ultimate Guide

College Essay Guy will only ever recommend the best, most useful resources, services and products. This post may contain links to resources and services and College Essay Guy may receive a small commission when you click, at no extra cost to you, dear reader.

best essay scholarship contest

Jump to navigation Skip to content

Search form

Find details about every creative writing competition—including poetry contests, short story competitions, essay contests, awards for novels, grants for translators, and more—that we’ve published in the Grants & Awards section of Poets & Writers Magazine during the past year. We carefully review the practices and policies of each contest before including it in the Writing Contests database, the most trusted resource for legitimate writing contests available anywhere.

Find a home for your poems, stories, essays, and reviews by researching the publications vetted by our editorial staff. In the Literary Magazines database you’ll find editorial policies, submission guidelines, contact information—everything you need to know before submitting your work to the publications that share your vision for your work.

Whether you’re pursuing the publication of your first book or your fifth, use the Small Presses database to research potential publishers, including submission guidelines, tips from the editors, contact information, and more.

Research more than one hundred agents who represent poets, fiction writers, and creative nonfiction writers, plus details about the kinds of books they’re interested in representing, their clients, and the best way to contact them.

Trying to get your work published can feel like wandering in a maze. If you are running into one dead end after another, not sure which way to turn, Poets & Writers can demystify the process and help you reach your destination—publication.

Every week a new publishing professional shares advice, anecdotes, insights, and new ways of thinking about writing and the business of books.

Stay informed with reports from the world of writing contests, including news of extended deadlines, recent winners of notable awards, new contest announcements, interviews with winners, and more.

Since our founding in 1970, Poets & Writers has served as an information clearinghouse of all matters related to writing. While the range of inquiries has been broad, common themes have emerged over time. Our Top Topics for Writers addresses the most popular and pressing issues, including literary agents, copyright, MFA programs, and self-publishing.

Our series of subject-based handbooks (PDF format; $4.99 each) provide information and advice from authors, literary agents, editors, and publishers. Now available: The Poets & Writers Guide to Publicity and Promotion, The Poets & Writers Guide to the Book Deal, The Poets & Writers Guide to Literary Agents, The Poets & Writers Guide to MFA Programs, and The Poets & Writers Guide to Writing Contests.

Find a home for your work by consulting our searchable databases of writing contests, literary magazines, small presses, literary agents, and more.

Subscribe to Poets & Writers Magazine for as little as $1.67 per issue

Poets & Writers lists readings, workshops, and other literary events held in cities across the country. Whether you are an author on book tour or the curator of a reading series, the Literary Events Calendar can help you find your audience.

Get the Word Out is a new publicity incubator for debut fiction writers and poets.

Find information about venues that host readings and author events, including bookstores, bars, cafes, libraries, literary arts centers, and more. The Reading Venues database includes details about how to schedule your own reading, admission fees, audience size, parking and transit information, and more.

Research newspapers, magazines, websites, and other publications that consistently publish book reviews using the Review Outlets database, which includes information about publishing schedules, submission guidelines, fees, and more.

Well over ten thousand poets and writers maintain listings in this essential resource for writers interested in connecting with their peers, as well as editors, agents, and reading series coordinators looking for authors. Apply today to join the growing community of writers who stay in touch and informed using the Poets & Writers Directory.

Download our free app to find readings and author events near you; explore indie bookstores, libraries, and other places of interest to writers; and connect with the literary community in your city or town.

Let the world know about your work by posting your events on our literary events calendar, apply to be included in our directory of writers, and more.

Find a writers group to join or create your own with Poets & Writers Groups. Everything you need to connect, communicate, and collaborate with other poets and writers—all in one place.

Find information about more than two hundred full- and low-residency programs in creative writing in our MFA Programs database, which includes details about deadlines, funding, class size, core faculty, and more. Also included is information about more than fifty MA and PhD programs.

Whether you are looking to meet up with fellow writers, agents, and editors, or trying to find the perfect environment to fuel your writing practice, the Conferences & Residencies is the essential resource for information about well over three hundred writing conferences, writers residencies, and literary festivals around the world.

Discover historical sites, independent bookstores, literary archives, writing centers, and writers spaces in cities across the country using the Literary Places database—the best starting point for any literary journey, whether it’s for research or inspiration.

Search for jobs in education, publishing, the arts, and more within our free, frequently updated job listings for writers and poets.

Poets & Writers Live is an initiative developed in response to interviews and discussions with writers from all over the country. When we asked what Poets & Writers could do to support their writing practice, time and again writers expressed a desire for a more tangible connection to other writers. So, we came up with a living, breathing version of what Poets & Writers already offers: Poets & Writers Live.

Establish new connections and enjoy the company of your peers using our searchable databases of MFA programs and writers retreats, apply to be included in our directory of writers, and more.

Bring the literary world to your door—at half the newsstand price. Available in print and digital editions, Poets & Writers Magazine is a must-have for writers who are serious about their craft.

View the contents and read select essays, articles, interviews, and profiles from the current issue of the award-winning Poets & Writers Magazine .

Read three decades of essays, articles, interviews, profiles, and other select content from Poets & Writers Magazine .

View the covers and contents of every issue of Poets & Writers Magazine , from the current edition all the way back to the first black-and-white issue in 1987.

In our weekly series of craft essays, some of the best and brightest minds in contemporary literature explore their craft in compact form, articulating their thoughts about creative obsessions and curiosities in a working notebook of lessons about the art of writing.

The Time Is Now offers weekly writing prompts in poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction to help you stay committed to your writing practice throughout the year. Sign up to get The Time Is Now, as well as a weekly book recommendation for guidance and inspiration, delivered to your inbox.

Every week a new author shares books, art, music, writing prompts, films—anything and everything—that has inspired and shaped the creative process.

Watch videos, listen to audio clips, and view slideshows related to articles and features published in Poets & Writers Magazine .

Ads in Poets & Writers Magazine and on pw.org are the best ways to reach a readership of serious poets and literary prose writers. Our audience trusts our editorial content and looks to it, and to relevant advertising, for information and guidance.

Start, renew, or give a subscription to Poets & Writers Magazine ; change your address; check your account; pay your bill; report a missed issue; contact us.

Peruse paid listings of writing contests, conferences, workshops, editing services, calls for submissions, and more.

Read select articles from the award-winning magazine and consult the most comprehensive listing of literary grants and awards, deadlines, and prizewinners available in print.

Each year the Readings & Workshops program provides support to hundreds of writers participating in literary readings and conducting writing workshops. Learn more about this program, our special events, projects, and supporters, and how to contact us.

Find information about how Poets & Writers provides support to hundreds of writers participating in literary readings and conducting writing workshops.

Writing Contests, Grants & Awards

The Writing Contests, Grants & Awards database includes details about the creative writing contests—including poetry contests, short story competitions, essay contests, awards for novels, and more—that we’ve published in Poets & Writers Magazine during the past year. We carefully review the practices and policies of each contest before including it. Ours is the most trusted resource for legitimate writing contests available anywhere.

Dayton Literary Peace Prize Foundation

Literary awards.

Two prizes of $10,000 each are given annually for a book of fiction and a book of nonfiction (including creative nonfiction) published in the previous year that “foster peace,...

Persea Books

Lexi rudnitsky editor’s choice award.

A prize of $2,000 and publication by Persea Books is given annually for a poetry collection by a U.S. poet who has published at least one book of poetry. Using only the online...

National Endowment for the Arts

Creative writing fellowships.

Around 35 grants of $25,000 each are given annually in alternating years to poets and prose writers to “enable the recipients to set aside time for writing, research, travel,...

TulipTree Publishing

Wild women story contest.

A prize of $1,000 and publication in  TulipTree Review  is given annually for a single poem, a short story, or an essay “whose main characters embody the Wild Woman spirit...

Selected Shorts

Stella kupferberg memorial short story contest.

A prize of $1,000 and tuition for a 10-week writing class through New York City’s Gotham Writers Workshop is given annually for a short story. The winning work will be...

James Jones Literary Society

First novel fellowship.

A prize of $10,000 is given annually for a novel-in-progress by a U.S. writer who has not published a novel. The first runner-up will receive $3,000 and the second runner-up...

Bellingham Review

Three prizes of $1,000 each and publication in Bellingham Review are given annually for works of poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction. The 49th Parallel Award for...

The Word Works

Washington prize.

A prize of $1,500 and publication by the Word Works is given annually to a U.S. or Canadian poet for a poetry collection. Submit a manuscript of 48 to 80 pages with a $25 entry...

Robinson Jeffers Tor House Foundation

Poetry prize.

A prize of $1,000 is given annually for a single poem. Juan Felipe Herrera will judge. Submit up to three poems of no more than three pages each with a $10 entry fee by March...

National Poetry Series

Open competition.

Five prizes of $10,000 each and publication by participating trade, university, or small press publishers are given annually for poetry collections by U.S. poets. The 2023...

Lorian Hemingway Short Story Competition

A prize of $1,500 and publication on the competition website is given annually for a short story by a writer whose fiction has not appeared in a nationally distributed...

Prairie Schooner

Raz-shumaker book prizes.

Two prizes of $3,000 each and publication by University of Nebraska Press are given annually for a poetry collection and a story collection. Kwame Dawes will judge. Submit a...

TomaĆŸ Ć alamun Prize

A prize of $1,000 and publication by Factory Hollow Press is given annually for a poetry chapbook. The winner will also receive a monthlong residency in summer 2024 in a...

Hidden River Arts

Eludia award.

A prize of $1,000 and publication by Sowilo Press is given annually for a first book of fiction by a woman writer over the age of 40. Works translated into English are eligible...

Fourth Genre

Steinberg memorial essay prize.

A prize of $1,000 and publication in Fourth Genre is given annually for an essay. Debra Gwartney will judge. Using only the online submission system, submit an essay of...

The Center for Fiction

First novel prize.

A prize of $15,000 is given annually for a debut novel published in the United States by an American citizen during the current year. Six finalists will receive $1,000 each....

Arts & Letters

Arts & letters prizes.

Three prizes of $1,000 each and publication in Arts & Letters are given annually for a group of poems, a short story, and an essay. Rodney Jones will judge in poetry...

Prime Number Magazine Awards

Two prizes of $1,000 each and publication in Prime Number Magazine are given annually for a poem and a short story. Felicia Mitchell will judge in poetry and Dennis...

Lascaux Review

Lascaux prize in poetry.

A prize of $1,000 and publication both online and in the print edition of Lascaux Review is given annually for a single poem. Previously published and unpublished...

Indiana Review

Poetry and creative nonfiction prizes.

Two prizes of $1,000 each and publication in Indiana Review are given annually for a single poem and an essay. Submit up to three poems of any length or a work of prose...

Banipal Trust for Arab Literature

Saif ghobash banipal prize for arabic literary translation.

A prize of ÂŁ3,000 (approximately $3,665) is given annually for a book of poetry or fiction translated from Arabic into English and published for the first time in English...

Laura Boss Poetry Foundation

Laura boss narrative poetry award.

A prize of $5,000, publication by New York Quarterly Books, and 25 author copies will be given annually for a manuscript of narrative poetry. The winner and finalists are...

Winter Story Contest

A prize of $2,500 and publication in Narrative is given annually for a short story, a short short story, an essay, or an excerpt from a longer work of fiction or...

Iowa City UNESCO City of Literature

Paul engle prize.

A prize of $20,000 is given annually to a writer “who, like Paul Engle, represents a pioneering spirit in the world of literature through writing, editing, publishing, or...

Black Lawrence Press

Hudson prize.

A prize of $1,000, publication by Black Lawrence Press, and 10 author copies is given annually for a collection of poems, short stories, essays, or hybrid work. Collections...

logo

PickAScholarship.com

logo

2023 ICRC Red Cross Essay Contest

Be the first to know about a new scholarship.

Don't miss any Scholarship deadline, sign up for our FREE Scholarships email notifications.

best essay scholarship contest

Scholarship details

Area of study, country of the scholarship, scholarship valid until (year), type of scholarship, scholarship amount given, type of scholarship administrator, mode of scholarship (online/offline), applier's country, expenses covered, scholarship contact details.

ICRC Red Cross Essay Contest 2023  is now available for all residents of Pakistani high school students,  college students,  or other professional groups who can participate in this essay contest.

There is no age limit and people from all walks of life and professions can enter the competition.

The ICRC represents the International Committee of the Red Cross. This contest has three cash prizes.

ICRC Pakistan presents the 6th edition of the annual bilingual essay  writing contest. The selection committee selects the 3 best essays and the winners receive cash prizes. The first prize is Rs. 80000/-, the second prize is 60000/- and the third prize is 40000/-.

About the sponsor: International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Pakistan 

The International Committee of the Red Cross   is a humanitarian institution based in Geneva, Switzerland,  and a three-time Nobel Laureate.

The ICRC’s work is based on the 1949 Geneva Conventions, their Additional Protocols, their Statutes, those of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, and the resolutions of the International Conferences of the Red Cross.

The ICRC is an independent and neutral organization that guarantees humanitarian protection and assistance for victims of war and armed violence. It acts in response to emergencies and promotes respect for international humanitarian assistance,  law,  and its application in national legislation.

They launched an endangered healthcare program in Pakistan in 2015 and have since conducted a series of surveys and studies to address the threat of persistent violence against staff and institutions.   These resources are made available on the public website and participants are encouraged to apply.

Red Cross Contest 2023  is available for a  high school program.

Host Nationality

The  Red Cross Contest 2023  is to be hosted by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Pakistan.

Eligible Nationality

The  Competition  is available to residents of  Pakistan High Schools Students, College Students, or any professional body.

Also, read if you want to study outside your country Simple and detailed answers on how to apply and win a scholarship.

What is the value of this competition?

The  Red Cross Essay Contest  is worth the various cash prizes.

Eligibility for the ICRC essay contest

Rules governing the ICRC Red Cross essay contest

Rules you must follow for this competition:

How to apply for the 2023 ICRC Red Cross essay contest

CLICK HERE FOR OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS Red Cross Advertising Contest 2023

Deadline for the 2023 ICRC competition

The last date to apply for the 2023 Essay Contest is April 26, 2023. .  Submit your essay before or on   April 26, 2023.  The application procedure is given below as well as the advertisement is also given below.

best essay scholarship contest

Scholarship Link

We also recommend reading the following:.

Search for more Scholarships

Youth Opportunities

International Essay Contest for Young People 2023

best essay scholarship contest

This annual essay contest is organized in an effort to harness the energy, creativity and initiative of the world’s youth in promoting a culture of peace and sustainable development. It also aims to inspire society to learn from the young minds and to think about how each of us can make a difference in the world.

* This program is an activity within the framework of UNESCO’s Education for Sustainable Development: Towards achieving the SDGs (ESD for 2030).

Theme “Youth Creating a Peaceful Future”

The following awards will be given in the Children’s category and Youth category respectively:

* Additional awards (Best School Award, School Incentive Award) will be given if applicable. * All prize winners will be announced on October 31, 2023 (Japan time) on this website. Certificates and gifts will be mailed to the winners in December 2023. * They are unable to answer individual inquiries concerning contest results.

Eligibilities

Essays may be submitted by anyone up to 25 years old (as of June 15, 2023) in one of the following age categories:

Application Process

Application Deadline: June 15, 2023 (103 Days Remaining)

Watch to Learn about week's most popular opportunities!

best essay scholarship contest

Gratitude Fellow Application 2023

best essay scholarship contest

Commonwealth Shared Scholarship programme 2022-23

best essay scholarship contest

The German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS) Scholarship

best essay scholarship contest

EPSRC Scholarship 2023

Keep connected.

Get it on Google Play

Youth Opportunities is the largest opportunities discovery platform for youth across the globe.

© 2023 Youth Opportunities

Youth Opportunities

Log in with your credentials

Login With Google

Forgot your details?

American Foreign Service Association

National High School Essay Contest

You are here, in this section, applications are now open for the 2023 essay contest.

Apply at https://afsascholarships.communityforce.com

The application deadline is 11:59 p.m. EDT on April 3, 2023

best essay scholarship contest

2023 Essay Contest Topic

In 2024, the United States Foreign Service will celebrate its 100th birthday. The Foreign Service is an important element of the American approach to peacebuilding around the world. Over the last century, our diplomats have been involved in significant events in history – decisions on war and peace, reacting to natural disasters and pandemics, facilitating major treaties, and more.

As AFSA looks back on their century-long history, we invite you to do the same. This year students are asked to explore a topic that touches upon this important history and sheds light on how vital it is for America to have a robust professional corps focused on diplomacy, development, and peace in the national interest.

In your essay, you will select a country or region in which the United States Foreign Service has been involved at any point since 1924 and describe, in 1,500 words or less, how the Foreign Service was successful or unsuccessful in advancing American foreign policy goals – including promoting peace – in this country/region and propose ways in which it might continue to improve those goals in the coming years.

For more information on Essay Contest Rules and Guidance please visit this page . For additional resources click here .

AFSA Announces the Winner of the 2022 High School Essay Contest

The American Foreign Service Association’s national high school essay contest completed its twenty-third year with nearly 300 submissions from 40 states.

Three randomized rounds of judging produced this year’s winner, Katherine Lam, a freshman from University High School in Tucson, Arizona. In her essay, “ Competition and Coaction in Ethiopia: US and Chinese Partnerships for International Stabilization ,” In her essay Ms. Lam focuses on how the Foreign Service has partnered with other U.S. government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and most notably China to promote peace and development in Ethiopia. Katherine will travel to Washington to meet with a member of the Department of State’s leadership, gain a full tuition to an educational voyage with Semester at Sea.

Olivia Paulsen was this year’s runner-up. She is a currently a junior receiving a home-schooled education in Concord, Massachusetts. Olivia will be attending the international diplomacy program of the National Student Leadership Conference this summer.

There were eight honorable mentions:

Congratulations! We thank all students and teachers who took the time to research and become globally engaged citizens who care about diplomacy, development, and peacebuilding.

If you are not graduating this year, please consider submitting another essay for next year’s contest. The new prompt will be published in fall 2022.

PRIVACY POLICY:

AFSA collects your information for this contest and for AFSA partners. You may be signed up to receive updates or information from AFSA and our partners. You will receive confirmation from AFSA that your submission has been received and a notification if you are the winner or an honorable mention in June . You may also receive a message from our sponsor regarding their program offerings.

PLEASE NOTE:

best essay scholarship contest

Students whose parents are not in the Foreign Service are eligible to participate if they are in grades nine through twelve in any of the fifty states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. territories, or if they are U.S. citizens attending high school overseas. Students may be attending a public, private, or parochial school. Entries from home-schooled students are also accepted. Previous first-place winners and immediate relatives of directors or staff of the AFSA and Semester at Sea are not eligible to participate. Previous honorable mention recipients are eligible to enter. $2,500 to the writer of the winning essay, in addition to an all-expense paid trip to the nation’s capital from anywhere in the U.S. for the winner and his or her parents, and an all-expense paid educational voyage courtesy of Semester at Sea. Note: Due to COVID-19, not all prizes may be immediately claimable.

The winner's school also receives a donation of 10 copies of AFSA's Inside a U.S. Embassy: Diplomacy at Work

best essay scholarship contest

The Fund for American Diplomacy is AFSA's 501(c)(3) charitable organization that supports AFSA’s outreach goals. AFSA National High School Essay contest is AFSA’s main outreach initiative to high school students. We appreciate your willingness to contribute. Rest assured that your contribution will be put to good use. Donations to the FAD are fully tax deductible.

Contest Information

best essay scholarship contest

Scholarship Contests & Sweepstakes

Millions of Scholarships, personalized results

Are you looking for ways to reduce the cost of college? If so, scholarship contests & sweepstakes may be worth considering! And they can be great options! There may be a variety of scholarships and contests available, with different eligibility requirements and prize amounts. It may be tough to figure out which ones are the perfect fit for you, so we’ve put together this list of some of the best scholarship contests and sweepstakes out there. 

How to apply for scholarship contests & sweepstakes  

Before you begin applying for scholarships, it’s important to understand the difference between a contest and sweepstakes. A scholarship contest usually requires some kind of skills on your part, whether it’s writing an essay, submitting a video, or something else. A sweepstakes, on the other hand, is a game of chance where everyone who enters has an equal chance of winning. With that in mind, here are a few tips to help you increase your chances of winning scholarship contests and sweepstakes: 

By following these simple tips, you may be able to increase your chances of winning scholarship contests and sweepstakes. 

Contest & Sweepstakes Requirements  

The scholarship opportunities available through sweepstakes and contests are some of the easiest ways to land money for college. They typically don’t require much academic achievement, standardized test scores, or an essay – sometimes all you have to do is fill out a form with your contact information! This means that there may be plenty of chances at winning big bucks without having much work required on your end. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1- when should i start applying for college scholarships .

Answer: In most cases that depends on each scholarship deadline. Many deadlines for scholarships occur a year before college starts, so if you’re currently in high school, use the summer between your junior and senior years to research and apply for scholarships.

Q2- Do you have to pay back a scholarship?

Answer: Essentially, these are funds that you don’t have to repay like traditional student loans. In general, students do not have to pay back these awards for which the scholarship was given – so long as there are no specific repayment terms included in your agreement when accepting it!  

Q3- Can I get a full scholar with a 3.0 GPA?

Answer: Yes! Several scholarships have a minimum GPA that applicants must meet to be eligible. Thankfully with a 3.0 GPA, you are eligible for many of them. In fact, some students might even be able to cover their full college tuition through these scholarships!

Things to keep in mind!  

Be careful of scholarship scams! You should never have to pay a fee for your weighted-to-win scholarships. Scholarship scams are becoming more and more common, so it’s important to be aware of the signs of a scam. One of the most common scams is charging a fee for “winning” a scholarship. Be wary of any organization that asks for a fee to apply for a scholarship or guarantees that you will win a scholarship. You should also be careful of organizations that promise easy money with little effort required. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is! There are many legitimate scholarships out there, but be sure to do your research before applying to any. A little bit of extra effort now might save you a lot of money and headaches down the road. 

Conclusion  

Applying for scholarships and sweepstakes may be a perfect way to help fund your education or get your hands on some extra cash. However, it’s important to remember that there are specific requirements you often must meet in order to be eligible, and not all contests are created equal. By following the tips we’ve outlined in this blog post, you may be able to increase your chances of winning big! So what are you waiting for? Apply now! 

No Essay Scholarships

Are you tired of going through the essay writing process when applying for scholarships? Browse this directory of No Essay scholarships and find the perfect one for you!

Scholarship Contests

A scholarship contest can be an easy way to win money for college. Instead of taking all that time filling out applications, writing essays, and meeting the high-achieving academic standards of most awards, scholarship contests typically ask you to simply apply. Check out these easy scholarship contests to start improving your odds of winning.

Sweepstakes Scholarships

Feeling lucky? These scholarship sweepstakes leave it all to chance. Entering is usually quick and easy, all you need to do is make sure you meet the requirements. If you want to increase your odds of winning money for college, knock out a few scholarship applications with this list of scholarship sweepstakes.

Scholarships

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

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

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

Sponsored Meaning Explained

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

LAFCU essay contest to award four $5,000 scholarships; students must apply by March 31

LANSING, Mich. — LAFCU is now accepting submissions for its 2023 Write to Educate Essay Contest. The contest awards four high school seniors a total of $20,000 and donates $2,000 to local charities on their behalf.

Each winner will receive a $5,000 scholarship to an accredited Michigan college or university and will designate another $500 from LAFCU to a local charity. Entries must be submitted online by March 31.

“This contest is an incredible opportunity for high school seniors to not only earn money to help fund their college education, but also to reflect on their high school experience and successes, as well as their future plans,” said Kelli Ellsworth Etchison, LAFCU chief marketing officer and chief diversity officer.

A one-page essay will be used to determine the winners. Academic performance and financial need are not considered in the selection process. Michigan high school students can enter regardless of whether they are members of LAFCU. Additional information is available at www.lafcu.com/writetoeducate.

"This contest is also extremely unique in that winners are chosen not on the basis of their income or grades, but rather on their ability to effectively share their personal experience and story,” said Ellsworth Etchison. “The charitable donations and contributions made on behalf of these exceptional students support the credit union philosophy of ‘people helping people’ and demonstrate the importance of supporting the next generation of professionals and leaders.”

Winning essays will be published in the Lansing State Journal, community sponsor of the contest.

The 2022 winners include Aanchal Jain and Berelian Karimian, Okemos; Gavin Isles, Bannister; and Mori Rothhorn, Lansing. Their selection was based on a one-page essay that examined their experiences during the coronavirus pandemic.

- Will you write my paper for me? - Yes, we will.

What we offer:, let’s write a paper for you in no time, follow these 4 simple steps and solve you problem at once.

Provide details such as your topic, the number of pages, and extra requirements, and we’ll do a paper for you in no time!

Log in to your personal account to know the current status of your paper(s). You can also turn to our support team for the same purpose. Enjoy your life while we're working on your order.

As soon as we write the paper(s) for you, check it for correctness, and if everything is good to go, just download it and enjoy the results.

Our customers’ feedback

Still hesitant just look: others have already used our services and were pleased with the results.

Thank you guys for the amazing work! I got an A, and my professor was impressed. You have done the impossible, and I will never forget your help! The best service ever!

I ordered my paper two weeks ago and received it on time. The quality is very good, much better than other companies provide. My support agent is a pro, fast and simple explanations. Thanks!

I am firmly convinced that you will never disappoint me because you haven’t done it before. Amazing approaches and solutions at perfect prices! Please continue working the way you do!

I’ve been using WritePaperFor.me for about five months, and I have nothing to complain about. Excellent quality, perfect grammar, delivery on time, nice support team, pleasant prices, amazing results.

This service helped me focus on my job, and I will never forget the support I received. I’ve got a promotion in the end! Thanks a lot for everything you do for people like me!

I have to admit that searching for a reliable and professional service was a tough quest. Nevertheless, I am happy that I managed to find writepaperforme! Everything is much better than I expected!

The best bargain is just a few clicks away!

Get an original paper that doesn’t cost a fortune!

​​Still have questions?

Contact our support agents and let them help you!

Is it time to write a paper for you? Contact us and relish the highest academic performance! 

Our professionals will do their best!

You’ll write my paper for me, won’t you? We certainly will!

So tired of writing papers that you’re starting to think of your professor’s demise? Relax, we’re only joking! However, even a joke is woven with the thread of truth, and the truth is that endless assignments are constantly nagging at you and keeping you up all night long.

‘Writing my papers is unbearable!’ you may think But you’re not alone
 What if we told you that we know a magical place where professionals can write your essays so perfectly that even professors’ most sophisticated requirements will be met? You’ve probably already guessed that we’re talking about WritePaperFor.me — the most delightful, facilitating, and destressing custom paper-writing service!

We are not going to be shy about our wish to see you as our steady customer. As a result, we aren’t twiddling our thumbs but permanently improving our services; we carefully select writers who always bone up on their subjects and disciplines, and we won’t rest unless you’ve gotten your ideal paper(s). All your wishes become our unshakable rules!

Why would I ask you to write paper for me?

Despite the obvious and even natural resistance to the idea of paper writing in principle that may occur with any student, you may also ask yourself, ‘Why would I need you to help me write my paper?’ The answer to this question lies in the spectrum of your routine actions. It’s not surprising that studying becomes part of our lives, but sometimes we’ve just got too much going on!

When you write an essay or academic paper, you just do one of the numerous things you face daily or weekly. This part of your life consumes lots of energy and time, so how can you possibly get around to doing other things like having fun, working, playing sports, helping relatives, and spending time with friends?

People are social creatures, and it’s only natural of us to request help from experts.. That’s why we ask doctors, electricians, or plumbers to help us! They’re all specialists. Who writes essays for you better than you do? Right, people who write numerous essays every day. We are experts in academic writing, aimed at satisfying all your needs related to education.

You just hire a professional to get a paper written, like you normally do in other situations. Our team of writers know everything about writing your paper and can cope with assignments of any complexity and academic level. Well-researched and expertly-written papers are what we do for our customers, and we always do our work professionally so that you could kick back and enjoy your life to the fullest.

The undeniable benefits of our custom paper-writing service

Apart from a paper written in accordance with the highest standards, we provide a wide range of contributory advantages to make your life easier. Let’s take a closer look at them.

Round-the-Clock Support. Our paper-writing service works day and night to help you with all current issues. Our friendly support team is available whenever you need them, even if it’s the middle of the night. They will gladly guide you and answer all your questions on how to order customized papers or consult you about the matters at hand. Feel free to share your questions or concerns with them and get comprehensible answers.

High-Class Quality. ‘Will you write a paper for me that meets all requirements?’ This question is frequently asked by many students, and we always answer in the affirmative. Our main goal is to deliver a perfectly written paper the meets the highest possible writing standards. We don’t rest unless you are satisfied with our work. If you hire a paper writer online, we guarantee you that you get 100% original and plagiarism-free assignments of high quality.

Complete Anonymity. We value your privacy and use modern encryption systems to protect you online. We don’t collect any personal or payment details and provide all our customers with 100% anonymity. ‘Can you write a paper for me and let me stay anonymous?’ Of course, we can! We are here to help you, not to cause problems.

Fast Delivery. We completely understand how strict deadlines may be when it comes to writing your paper. Even if your paper is due tomorrow morning, you can always rely on us. Our writers meet all set deadlines unequivocally. This rule is ironclad! The offered range is wide and starts from 6 hours to 2 weeks. Which one to choose is totally up to you. On our part, we guarantee that our writers will deliver your order on time.

Free Revisions. Our mission is to hone your paper to perfection. That’s why we offer you free revisions to make everything ideal and according to your needs. Feel free to ask for revisions if there is something you would like to be changed. That’s how our paper writing service works.

Money-Back Guarantee. You can get up to a 100% refund if you are dissatisfied with our work. Nevertheless, we are completely sure of our writers’ professionalism and credibility that offer you hard-core loyalty to our guarantees.

Comprehensible Explanations. ‘Can someone write my paper for me and provide clarifications?’ This question arises from time to time. Naturally, we want you to be totally prepared for the upcoming battle with your professor. If you need to fill the gaps in your knowledge, you can always ask for clarifications related to your paper. Moreover, when you order ‘write my paper for me’ service, you can always turn to our support agents for assistance. They will be glad to provide you with the necessary information and comprehensible explanations.

Fast and Customer-Focused Solutions. ‘Is it possible to do my paper for me so that I don’t worry about it at all?’ It certainly is! We offer all-encompassing solutions to all your academic problems by defining issues, determining their causes, selecting proper alternatives, and ultimately solving them. You are free to do your favorite activities while we are taking care of ongoing matters. You can always rely on us when it comes to essay-writing online and taking an individual approach to every case.

Who will write my paper when I order it?

Another crucial advantage of our service is our writers. You may have asked yourself, ‘I’d like to pay someone to write a paper for me, but who exactly will that person be?’ Once you order a paper, our managers will choose the best writer based on your requirements. You’ll get a writer who is a true expert in the relevant subject, and a perfect fit is certain to be found due to our thorough procedure of selecting.

Every applicant passes a complex procedure of tests to become one of our permanent writers. First of all, they should provide their credentials.  We need to make sure that any prospective writers we hire have the proper experience.. The next step resides in passing a series of tests related to grammar, in addition to subject and/or discipline. Every paper-writer must pass them to prove their competency and their selected field of expertise.

One more step includes writing a sample to prove the ability to research and write consistently. Moreover, we always set our heart on hiring only devoted writers. When you ask us to write your essay or other academic works, you can be sure that they always do their best to provide you with well-structured and properly-written papers of high quality.

The final chord is related to special aspects of academic paper-writing. It means that every writer is prepared to cite properly, use different styles, and so on, so you don’t have to be worried about formatting at all.

‘So, can they write an ideal paper for me?’ We answer in the affirmative because we select only the best writers for our customers. Approximately 11% of all applicants can pass the whole set of tests and are ready to help you. All writers are fully compensated for their work and are highly motivated to provide you with the best results.

We are online 24/7 so that you could monitor the process of paper-writing and contact us whenever necessary. Don’t forget that your satisfaction is our priority. Our writers fully focus on your order when it comes to the ‘write my paper’ procedure. Our managers will immediately send all the information to your writer if any corrections are required.

It’s time to write my paper! What should I do?

‘I am ready to pay to have a paper written! Where do I start?’ Our team hears these words every day. We really believe that every student should be happy. That’s why we offer you to look at the simple steps to make the process even more convenient.

Every paper we can write for you is expertly-researched, well-structured, and consistent. Take a look at some types of papers we can help you with:

Questions like ‘I would like you to write a paper for me without destroying my reputation. Can you promise to do so?’ or ‘Can you write my paper for me cheap and fast?’ often arise, and we take pride that these options are included in the list. Your safety and anonymity are parts of our common priority, which is to make you fully satisfied with all offered services.

Moreover, our pricing policy is flexible and allows you to select the options that totally suit your needs at affordable prices. You will be pleased with the results and the amount of money spent on your order. Our managers and writers will do the rest according to the highest standards.

Don’t hesitate and hire a writer to work on your paper now!

We believe that students know what is best for them, and if you suppose that it is time to ‘write my paper right now,’ we will help you handle it. ‘Will you do my paper without any hesitation?’ Of course, we will. Our service has all the necessary prerequisites to complete assignments regardless of their difficulty, academic level, or the number of pages. We choose a writer who has vast experience and a breadth of knowledge related to your topic.

Our ‘write my paper for me’ service offers a wide range of extra features to make the ordering process even more pleasant and convenient. Unlike lots of other services, we provide formatting, bibliography, amendments, and a title page for free.

‘When you write my paper for me? Can I monitor the process?’ Naturally, you can. We understand that you may want to ensure that everything is going well. Furthermore, there may be situations when some corrections are needed. We believe that a tool like this can come in handy. The assigned writer will strictly follow your and your professor’s requirements to make sure that your paper is perfect.

‘Is it possible to write my essay from scratch?’ We don’t do just proofreading or editing. Our goal is to fully carry your burden of writing. When this or similar questions appear, we always assure our customers that our writers can do whatever they need. Apart from writing from scratch or editing and proofreading, our experts can effortlessly cope with problem-solving of all kinds;even sophisticated software assignments!

Our ‘write my paper for me’ service is good for everyone who wants to delegate paper-writing to professionals and save precious time that can be spent differently and in a more practical way. We want you to be happy by offering the great opportunity to forget about endless and boring assignments once and forever. You won’t miss anything if your papers become the concern of our professional writers.

Don’t waste your precious time browsing other services. We provide you with everything you need while you are enjoying yourself by doing things you really enjoy. ‘Write my paper then! Do my paper for me right now!’ If you are ready to exclaim these words with delight, we welcome you to our haven, a place where students spend their time serenely and never worry about papers! It’s your turn to have fun, whereas our mission is to provide you with the best papers delivered on time!

Questions our customers ask

Can someone write my paper for me.

Yes, we can. We have writers ready to cope with papers of any complexity. Just contact our specialists and let us help you.

Who can I pay to write a paper for me?

We will help you select a writer according to your needs. As soon as you hire our specialist, you’ll see a significant improvement in your grades.

Can I pay someone to write a paper for me?

Yes, you can. We have lots of professionals to choose from. We employ only well-qualified experts with vast experience in academic paper writing.

What website will write a paper for me?

WritePaperFor.me is the website you need. We offer a wide range of services to cover all your needs. Just place an order and provide instructions, and we will write a perfect paper for you.

Is it safe to use your paper writing service?

Our service is completely safe and anonymous. We don’t keep your personal and payment details and use the latest encryption systems to protect you.

What are you waiting for?

You are a couple of clicks away from tranquility at an affordable price!

This website uses cookies to provide you with the most relevant information. Please accept cookies for better performance. Read more »

Scholarship Essay Topics

As an undergraduate student, you certainly know the difficulty earning scholarship points. However, with our bright scholarship essay topics, you will easily forget about your troubles. Now you can learn how to write a scholarship essay . You can also learn how to best follow the required scholarship essay format. So, if you are in dire straits of academic writing and don’t know how to start a scholarship essay, our topics will save you from troubles. We understand that few students are lucky to receive research grants or obtain scholarship from the university of their dreams. However, no one says that you cannot accomplish the same task! Time has come for you to become a real success. Use our 25 scholarship paper topics to improve your scholarship chances and pursue an excellent academic career.

Check Your Price

25 Unmatched Topics for a Scholarship Essay

IMAGES

  1. LEAP Annual Scholarship Essay Contest

    best essay scholarship contest

  2. Scholarship Essay Writing Competition

    best essay scholarship contest

  3. How to Write a Winning Scholarship Essay: 30 Essays That Won Over $3 Million in Scholarships

    best essay scholarship contest

  4. Essay Scholarships Examples

    best essay scholarship contest

  5. 5th Annual Scholarship Essay Competition

    best essay scholarship contest

  6. Essay Topic for Spring Scholarship Contest Announced

    best essay scholarship contest

VIDEO

  1. Sheriff's Office Holds Scholarship Contest

  2. Writing an essay for university #shorts #studywithme #university

  3. Watch Branigan Robertson's Winning Video, "Discovering Inspiration"

  4. Tomorrow's Leaders Essay Contest Winners

  5. "We The Students" Scholarship Essay

  6. Scholarship Essay Workshop

COMMENTS

  1. Top 65 Writing & Essay Scholarships in February 2023

    Charlotte Susan Roth Memorial Fund Essay Contest Offered by Melton Center for Jewish Studies Open to college and graduate students at Ohio State who write an essay about any aspect of Jewish Studies. Multiple awards worth up to $500 Deadline Feb 27, 2023 Check Eligibility Learn More The NYWICI Scholarships

  2. The Top Essay Scholarships for Students

    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 in order to be considered for this award. Pulse of Perseverance Scholarship Deadline: Rolling Award Amount: $1,000

  3. The Ultimate List of Writing Scholarships in 2023 ‱ Apply Today

    Dr. Jerry Pournelle Scholarship 💰Top award: $2,500 to 1 recipient 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.

  4. 2023 Essay Scholarship Contests

    2023 Essay Scholarship Contests. Please choose the contest below that fits your student status for the Fall 2023 semester. If you are a high school senior or a freshman, sophomore, or junior in college - you must choose High School & Undergraduate contest. If you are a college senior or have achieved your Bachelor's Degree, you must enter the ...

  5. 30 Scholarship Essay Contests

    ESSAY SCHOLARSHIPS 1. Better Business Bureau Ethical Torch Essay Scholarship The Better Business Bureau offers high school students the annual Ethical Torch Essay Scholarships. The main goal of the essay scholarships is to award young individuals for making ethical decisions.

  6. Best 56 Essay Writing Contests in 2023

    The Atlas Shrugged novel essay contest is open to all students globally. Atlas Shrugged is a heroic mystery novel written by Ayn Rand. Choose a prompt and write a 800-1,600 word essay. Top prize $10,000 Additional prizes 2nd: $2,000 (x3) | 3rd: $1,000 (x5) | 25 finalists: $100 | 50 semifinalists: $50 Entry requirements 💰 Fee: FREE

  7. Essay Contests

    Start Your Essay Today! The Ayn Rand Institute has hosted annual essay contests on Ayn Rand's fiction since 1985, awarding over $2.2 million in total prizes to students worldwide. Enter one of our contests today for a chance to win up to $10,000!

  8. Scholarship Essay Contests

    a scholarship essay contest could be a natural option for you. While some scholarship essay contests will still ask you to describe those qualities mentioned above as part of the application process, even if they're not weighted heavily among the judges of that award, many more only ask that you produce a thoughtful, well-crafted

  9. The 17 Best Writing Contests for High School Students

    A $1,000 scholarship is given to a first-place winner, $500 to second-place, and $300 to third-place. The contest is open to public, private, and home-schooled students of the United States in grades 9-12. If you're a playwright, there're contests for you, too. Playwriting Contests for High School Students

  10. Scholarship Essay Writing Contest

    Guidelines for BeeStudent scholarship essay competition. Your essay should be between 600-800 words, however, we will accept a deviation of 10% of the final word count (not including the title of the essay). Plagiarism will result in a disqualification of your essay and participation in the contest. If direct quotes are used in your essay ...

  11. Essay Scholarships

    DFLA Education Fund Scholarship Essay Contest. Application Deadline: 6/30/2023 Amount: $2,500 In order to apply for the DFLA Education Fund Scholarship Essay Contest, applicants must submit a 500-word to 800-word essay based on the year's prompt.

  12. These 11 Essay Contests with Generous Prizes Will Change Your Life

    These 11 Essay Contests with Generous Prizes Will Change Your Life Table of Contents 1. FIRE Free Speech Essay Contest 2. Ayn Rand Institute Essay Contests 3. AFSA National High School Essay Contest 4. JASNA Essay Contests 5. The Immerse Education Essay Competition 6. Fraser Institute Student Essay Contest 7. Optimist International Essay Contests

  13. Scholarship Essay Competition

    Best Essays Education has created a scholarship essay competition to encourage students to produce their own great essays and have the opportunity to win a sizeable financial award to help with their own educational expenses. Below, you will find all of the details.

  14. 2022 Essay Scholarship Contest

    2022 Essay Scholarship Contest. ... To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and ...

  15. The Big List of Student Writing Contests for 2022-2023

    Jane Austen Society Essay Contest High school students can win up to $1,000 by entering an essay on a specified topic related to Jane Austen novels. How to Enter Details for the 2023 contest will be announced in November. Essay length is from six to eight pages, not including works cited. 11. Rattle Young Poets Anthology

  16. Scholarship Contests

    A scholarship contest can be an easy way to win money for college. Instead of taking all that time filling out applications, writing essays, and meeting the high-achieving academic standards of most awards, scholarship contests typically ask you to simply apply. Check out these easy scholarship contests to start improving your odds of winning.

  17. Optimist International

    The deadline for Clubs to submit their winning essay to the District Chair is February 28, 2023. The deadline for Districts to submit their winner's information to Optimist International is April 15, 2023. Club winners advance to the District contest to compete for a $2,500 college scholarship.

  18. 14 Scholarship Essay Examples That Won Thousands

    Scholarship Essay Example #1 Kang Foundation Scholarship ($1000), Kingdom Dreamer Scholarship Fund Scholarship through Sarang Church ($2000), and the national contest from the Lamber Goodnow legal team ($1000) by Peter Kang. Prompt: Open topic. Fedora? Check. Apron? Check. Tires pumped? Check.

  19. Writing Contests, Grants & Awards March/April 2023

    The Writing Contests, Grants & Awards database includes details about the creative writing contests—including poetry contests, short story competitions, essay contests, awards for novels, and more—that we've published in Poets & Writers Magazine during the past year.

  20. 2023 ICRC Red Cross Essay Contest

    The Red Cross Essay Contest is worth the various cash prizes. Cash rewards. 1st Prize: Rs 80,000. 2nd Prize: Rs. 60,000 3rd Prize: Rs 40,000 Eligibility for the ICRC essay contest There is no template and submissions can follow any appropriate format.

  21. International Essay Contest for Young People 2023

    Benefits. The following awards will be given in the Children's category and Youth category respectively: 1st Prize: Certificate, prize of 100,000 Yen (approx. US$740 as of Feb. 2023) and gift 
 1 entrant. 2nd Prize: Certificate, prize of 50,000 Yen (approx. US$370 as of Feb. 2023) and gift 
 3 entrants. 3rd Prize: Certificate and gift ...

  22. National High School Essay Contest

    The Fund for American Diplomacy is AFSA's 501 (c) (3) charitable organization that supports AFSA's outreach goals. AFSA National High School Essay contest is AFSA's main outreach initiative to high school students. We appreciate your willingness to contribute. Rest assured that your contribution will be put to good use.

  23. Scholarship Contests and Sweepstakes, Enter a Contest to Win

    Contest & Sweepstakes Requirements. The scholarship opportunities available through sweepstakes and contests are some of the easiest ways to land money for college. They typically don't require much academic achievement, standardized test scores, or an essay - sometimes all you have to do is fill out a form with your contact information!

  24. LAFCU essay contest to award four $5,000 student scholarships

    LAFCU essay contest to award four $5,000 scholarships; students must apply by March 31. Lansing State Journal. 0:06. 0:57. LANSING, Mich. — LAFCU is now accepting submissions for its 2023 Write ...

  25. Essay Scholarship Contest

    Essay Scholarship Contest | Best Writers. Grab these brilliant features with the best essay writing service of PenMyPaper. With our service, not the quality but the quantity of the draft will be thoroughly under check, and you will be able to get hold of good grades effortlessly. So, hurry up and connect with the essay writer for me now to write.

  26. 25 Popular Scholarship Essay Topics for Any Students

    Scholarship Essay Topics. As an undergraduate student, you certainly know the difficulty earning scholarship points. However, with our bright scholarship essay topics, you will easily forget about your troubles. Now you can learn how to write a scholarship essay. You can also learn how to best follow the required scholarship essay format.