how to win scholarship essay contests

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The top 10 best online colleges in all majors and degrees., 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.

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 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

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. 

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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:

• Middle school students
• Current high school students
• Junior high students
• Students in grades 7-12
• Students ages 13 to 25 (Or other age ranges)
• Graduating high school seniors
• Graduate students
• Undergraduate students
• Undergraduate and graduate students
• High school students already accepted to college
• Current college students
• Previous college students
• First-year students, sophomores, juniors, and high school seniors (or any combination thereof)

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?

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.

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How to win a scholarship essay contest

You've found the ideal scholarship - amazing! But to get your hands on the funding you need to win the essay contest...

Winning a scholarship essay contest can be tough, but with the right tips it's definitely doable. Here are seven steps that will help you write an essay that stands out from the rest.

Understand the scholarship essay contest rules

If you want to win a scholarship essay contest, the first thing you need to do is understand the rules. Scholarship essay contests are not just about writing well; they're also about following the rules. So, before you start writing, take a few minutes to read over the guidelines and make sure you understand them. Once you've done that, you can start brainstorming ideas for your essay. Just remember to keep the rules in mind as you write; if you don't, you may find your essay disqualified. But if you play by the rules, you could be the next scholarship winner.

Brainstorm topics that would be interesting to write about

When wondering how to brainstorm topics that would be interesting to write about for your scholarship essay, consider the following tips. First, identify what you are passionate about. What are the things that you love to do? Why do you enjoy them? When you write about something that you are passionate about, your excitement will shine through, making your essay more interesting to read. Secondly, think about your unique experiences and perspectives. What sets you apart from other applicants? What life experiences have shaped who you are today? By writing about your unique experiences, you can give the scholarship committee a better sense of who you are as a person. Lastly, don't be afraid to be creative. Brainstorming is all about generating new ideas, so don't be afraid to think outside the box. By considering these tips, you can brainstorm topics that will make your scholarship essay stand out from the rest.

Start drafting your essay early

The best way to write a good essay is to start drafting it early. Do not procrastinate or leave it until the last minute. This will give you enough time to make sure that each sentence is well written and flows smoothly into the next. It will also allow you to revise and edit your essay, making it as strong as possible. Of course, starting early does not mean that you should try to write the perfect essay on the first try. It is perfectly normal to revise and edit your work as you go along. In fact, revision is an essential part of the writing process. So, if you want to write a good essay, start early and be prepared to revise and edit your work along the way.

Revise, revise, revise

After you write your first draft, put the essay away for at least 24 hours. This will give you some much-needed distance from your work, and when you come back to it you'll be able to see it with fresh eyes. Once you've taken a break, read through your essay carefully and make any necessary edits. Pay attention to flow and make sure that your ideas are clearly laid out. By taking the time to review and edit your work, you'll be able to turn in an essay that is sure to impress.

Get feedback from others

After you have spent some time alone with your work, it can be helpful to get feedback from other people. This can be tricky, because you don't want just anyone's opinion-you want constructive criticism from someone who knows what they're talking about. But if you can find a few trusted friends or family members who are willing to read your essay and give you honest feedback, it can be very helpful in improving your work. Of course, ultimately the decision of what to change (or not change) is up to you. But getting outside perspectives can help you see your work in a new light and make the revision process a bit easier.

Polish your essay until it's perfect

The final step in writing any good essay is putting the finishing touches on it. This means taking a last look at grammar, sentence structure, and organization. It also means making sure that your voice is coming through loud and clear. The best way to do this is to read your essay out loud. As you read, listen for any awkward phrases or choppy sentences. If you find any, take the time to revise them so that they flow more smoothly. In addition, pay attention to your tone of voice. Make sure that it's consistent throughout the essay and that it matches the overall tone of the piece. By taking care to polish your essay, you'll be sure to impress your readers and get the best possible grade.

Submit your entry on time

There is nothing worse than the sickening feeling you get in your stomach when you realize you've missed a deadline. Whether it's turning in a project for work or school, or submitting an application for a job or scholarship, missing a deadline can have serious consequences. That's why it's important to always make sure you submit your work on time. In the case of scholarships, even the best essay in the world won't win if it's submitted late. So if you're hoping to earn a scholarship, make sure you pay close attention to the deadline and submit your essay accordingly. With so much riding on the timely submission of your work, it's just not worth taking the risk of missing a deadline.

In order to submit your best work, it is important to start early and revise often. By taking the time to get feedback from others and polish your essay until it's perfect, you can be sure that your scholarship application will stand out from the rest. And don't forget-always make sure to submit your essay on time.

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Best Essay Writing Scholarships – 2024 [With Application Tips]

Written by Medha Pandey

Whether you’re a seasoned writer or just starting, essay competitions offer an exciting opportunity to express your thoughts, refine your writing skills, and potentially win recognition and prizes.

Besides, participating in an essay writing competition may be an exciting and intimidating experience. Knowing the ins and outs of essay writing is essential for success, regardless of experience level. 

In this guide, we’ll explore a curated selection of the best essay competitions to apply for in 2024. We’ll cover a wide range of categories, from personal narratives to persuasive arguments, so there’s something for everyone.

We will explore the essential elements of essay writing that can distinguish your work, from comprehending the theme to expressing your ideas clearly. Thus, this tutorial is your go-to resource for finding the best suitable essay writing contest for yourself and winning it!

 Here are the best essay writing scholarships to apply for in 2024:

1. Scholastic Art &Writing Awards

Home | Scholastic Art and Writing Awards

Competition’s Overview

It is a non-profit organization presented by an alliance for young Artists and writers. They aim to recognize young talents and showcase their talent, thought processes, and views to the world. 

Eligibility Criteria

Students of middle school and high school from grades 7 to 12 can enter this competition. There are 28 different categories of art and writing to get yourself enrolled in.

Evaluation Criteria

The judges are either a leading figure in visual and literally arts or are Scholastic awards alumni. They judge an essay based on originality, skillful writing, and how well the writer can voice their vision to the readers. 

Prizes and Recognition

• The winner’s scholarship award amount may be up to $12500. 
• Students’ work gets published in the annual art catalog and writing anthology publications . 
• National medallist work gets published in the yearbook . 

2. Wiingy Future STEM Leaders Scholarship

Home | Wiingy Future STEM Leaders Scholarship

Wiingy is a 1-on-1 online tutoring platform that delivers personalized, quality, and affordable tutoring to school as well as university students. It started in 2021 to make STEM learning accessible to everyone with better learning facilities. 

• Applicants must be currently enrolled as a school or college student in a recognized institution.
• Applicants must be majoring in or intending to major in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) subject.

To apply for the scholarship, students must write and submit an original essay on the topic of the month. Scholarships will be awarded based on the following criteria:

The essay should be well-written and informative. It should clearly and concisely explain the essay topic of the month.

• Creativity :

The essay should be original and thought-provoking. It should demonstrate the applicant’s ability to think critically and creatively about STEM education.

• Grammar and style :

The essay should be free of grammatical errors. It should be written in a clear, concise, and engaging style.

• Scholarship Amount of up to $1200. 
• Publication of the winner’s essay and bio on their official site.
• Even if your essay didn’t make the winning list, Wiingy features its choicest essays on its official page!

3. Bennington Young Writers Awards

Young Writers Awards | Bennington College

Bennington College launched the Young Writers Award to celebrate the literary legacy. It has 12 Pulitzer Prize winners. Three U.S laureates and many New York time bestsellers. High school students can participate and get recognized for their skillful writing.

Each year students from 9 to 12 grade participate in any one category of poems, non-fiction, or fiction. There is no entry fee.

The work submitted by the students should be approved and sponsored by the teacher who is from high school. In case of any queries, the sponsored teacher is questioned. For homeschooled children, their tutors (online or offline) or mentors must approve of the submission.

• Scholarship Amount of up to $1200
• Second place wins $500. 
• The third-place winner gets $250.
• Also, students are eligible for scholarships at Bennington College.

4. Youth Scholarships- Patriot’s Pen

Youth Scholarships – VFW

The VFW offers scholarships for high school and middle school students interested in promoting patriotism and investing in the future generation.

Middle and high school students can participate in this essay writing scholarship. A student can write an essay of 300-400 words on the given by VFW. The 2023 to 2024 theme is “How Are You Inspired By America?” and “What Are the Greatest Attributes of Our Democracy?”

The Essay is marked on the knowledge they have about the topic. They get 30 points for that.

How well they have written the essay revolving around the thesis gives them 35 points.

Finally, the creativity and clarity in concepts and ideas have more than 35 points.

• $500 is the prize for a winner who comes first at the state level. 
• $5000 for the winner at the national level.
• Get published as the winner of the session you participate in.

5. The Adroit Journal

The Adroit Prizes – The Adroit Journal

It is a non-profit organization founded in 2010 by Peter Laberge. Notable works of authors such as Rita Dove, Ocean VOung, Sarah Kay, and many such authors’ work have been shown on the pages of the journal.

The students in secondary and undergraduate can participate in the competition. International students who have passed a year earlier can also participate.

• Creativity and originality: Present the article that has new ideas and unique concepts. 
• Voice and style: Your writing style should be clear, concise, and engaging for the readers. It should voice out strong opinions.
• Content and development: The structure of the content should be well maintained. Support your essay with facts, statistics, and quotes from reliable resources.
• Mechanics and grammar: Check your work before submission. It should be correct grammatically.
• The winners get an award of $200. 
• The work of the winner and the runner-up from the secondary and undergraduate categories is published in the Androit Journal.

⭐Graduating soon? Discover opportunities with the Best Scholarships for High School Seniors .

6. John Locke Institution

Essay Competition | John Locke Institute

This institution is named after the seventh-century Oxford philosopher and writer John Locke. It is a private educational Institution. It aims at inspiring students towards educational excellence.

Entry Requirements and Guidelines

Students from around the world can participate in this competition. You can apply for this competition between April and May. Entry is free. The essay must be related to any one subject category as per the rules. It should not exceed more than 2000 words.

The essays are judged by the seniors and members from the Oxford and Princeton Universities . The essays are selected from each subject category junior and subject category. Out of which the overall best essay is selected.

• The prize for the Junior category and subject category is a scholarship of $2000 for attending any John Locke Institution program.
• For receiving the prize the winners are called for an academic conference and an award dinner. But these are paid.
• An e-certificate is given to the winners who are unable to attend. Others who attend the ceremony get a signed copy of the certificate. 
• The overall best essay winner gets a fellowship with US $10,000 for attending summer school for a year or more or getting courses for the year.

7. We the Student’s Essay Contest

Student Hub – Bill of Rights Institute

The Bills of Rights Institution is a non-profit educational organization, founded in 1999.

It aims at teaching the students civics. The meaning and importance of freedom, justice, and equality in our society.

U.S.-based citizens and students who study in middle or high school from 13-19 years of age can participate in this competition. The essay submission must be done from MyImpact Challenging’s online portal only. The past winners cannot participate in this again.

The essays are judged on how strongly you voice out your views and opinions to the audience. Keep your essay grammatically right. The essay is also judged on how clearly have you stated the civic virtue from the Bills of Rights institution principle and virtue.

Prizes and Recognition  

The winners receive monetary payments as rewards. It is not limited to any usage. The essays that are submitted according to the guidelines receive a Civis Achievement Award digital badge.

✏️Wish to get ample room to exhibit art skills? Find out the Best Art Scholarships .

8. Jane Austen Society Essay Contest

Essay Contest » JASNA

The Jane Austen Society of North America was formed to remember the great work and geniuses of Jane Austen. It is a non-profit organization. They aim to instill the young students with great work and Jane Austen.

The essay must be on the current topic as given for the contest. Submit the essays through the official essay contest website and the official entry form only. To mention the mentor’s name is optional. While submitting the essay stating that it is the original work of the student is important.

Judgment is made based on the originality of the work. The general audience must be addressed in the essay. Jane Austen’s work should be taken for inspiration and communicating your message to the audience.

• The award for the first-place winners is a $1000 scholarship. 
• The first-place winners also get free registration along with two nights lodging for the Annual General Meeting.
• The second-place winner gets a $500 scholarship.
• The winner who stands 3rd gets $250 as a scholarship.
• Along with these prizes, the winners get a membership in JASNA. Their essays are published on the institution’s website too.

9. SPJ/JEA High School Essay contest

SPJ/JEA High School Essay Contest – Journalism Education Association

Sigma Delta Chi Foundation was founded by the Journalist Education Association and the Society of Professional Journalists. Here, they state the importance of media in our daily lives.

There is a $5 entry fee for each essay submission. Students from 9-12 grade studying in private or public schools in the US can participate. The essay should be approximately 300-500 words. The original work should be submitted before the deadline.

There is a panel of qualified judges who judge these essays. They give you points in the following:

• Material and The originality of your work and quality of writing from research and reliable resources get 40 points.
• Vocabulary and Style- The style you use to express your views and ideas. With good vocabulary holds-30points
• Grammmer- The fewer grammatical errors are there in your writing the more points you get. If your essay is grammatically correct you get 20 points.
• The neatness of your work holds points
• Format- The correct format of essay writing will give you more than 5 points.
• The first-prize winner gets-$1000 a scholarship
• The second-prize winner gets-$500 scholarship
• The third prize winner gets a scholarship of $300.
• Winners’ names are posted on the association’s website.

10. New York Times Editorial Writing Contest

Our Eighth Annual Student Editorial Contest – The New York Times (nytimes.com)

It is led by the New York Times. The essay writing focuses on the issues that inform the reader of the present times. 

Write an essay of about 450 words on a topic that will be appreciated by the audience at large. Submit the essays before the deadlines. Middle school and high school students can participate in this competition.

The work is read and judged by the New York Times journalist, Learning Network Staff members, and US educators.

The prize for the winners is the publication in Learning Network. If the work is extraordinarily outstanding then it gets published in the New York Times too.

🎗️Pursuing higher education? Read Best Scholarship for College Students .

How to win essay writing scholarships?

Good writing skills, understanding the topic, and doing thorough research can help you to win an essay competition. Here we will discuss some tips in which you can excel in an essay competition.  While maintaining a good GPA serves well, there are more crucial tips to win an essay writing competition.

Crafting a compelling thesis statement

Your thesis statement is the topic name. Generally, platforms that host essay contests, provide option(s) of topics you’re supposed to write. Ensure your essay heading or topic name clearly states its main argument and provides a roadmap for the reader.

For that matter, you should: 

• First, understand the topic clearly. 
• Research as deeply as possible without deviating from the main topic. Gather comprehensive information on the topic using reputable sources like academic journals, books, and websites, taking notes and tracking sources for proper citation in your essay. The researched facts should support your argument.

Structuring and organizing the essay effectively

Mark the flow, the plot, the events, and the characters that come into play in your essay. Everything should be well-organized to create the desired impact on the reader. 

What is the word limit? What is the topic? What story do you have? What’s your storyline? How do you plan to begin and end your story? All these questions are important.

For better performance, you should:

• Have matter in your story. What is the essence of your write-up? What does the reader take along with them at the end? That’s the essence of your essay; make sure it’s worth the time and effort of the reader.
• Next, have an outline. This outline is a mindmap where you cover all the important topics, This helps in writing the essay. This outline helps you to structure your essay so that you don’t miss out on the important points. 

Writing a top-notch essay

If you’re good till here, kudos! Next, comes the writing part. Always remember to create an original piece of art. Do not weave too fake-to-believe stories. Keep your story unique yet relatable. You want the maximum audience to be able to relate to the story you’re narrating. They should also find your story interesting. 

Make sure to: 

• Keep your work is plagiarism-free. Avoid jargon. Don’t use terms that are not easy to understand. Use relatable words.
• Never beat around the bush. Be clear and concise in your writing style. You can uplift your writing by adding statistics, facts, and quotes from reliable sources. 

Polishing and editing for excellence

After you have written your essay, reviewing is the next step. All the grammatical errors, spelling, and sentence-forming errors need a fix. 

You should: 

• Rectify your grammatical errors, punctuation mistakes. Check your spelling. Reread to see whether your work is error-free and smooth. You can use grammar correcting tools, but make sure your grammatical fundamentals are strong. 
• Proofread again after correction. Yes, read until you’re satisfied with the message conveyed via your statement. 

Submit your essay on time!

All the hard work goes wasted if you delay the submission. To make sure you submit your essay on time make sure to:

• Set a reminder on your phone about the deadline or submission date. You can ask your friends and family to keep you reminded or make a sticky note (noticeable enough).
• Plan to complete your work one to two days before the actual deadline. The sooner you complete essay-writing the better. You will have maximum time to edit and proofread.

💡Read the December 2023 winning essay of Wiingy’s Future STEM Leaders Scholarship Program and find the top student essays for reference.

🌞Planning a productive summer? Uncover the Best Scholarships for Summer Programs .

Are essay competitions worth it?

Participation in essay writing contests is a great way that lead to self-recognition. You get inspired through different ideas and start developing and polishing your skills. Here are the benefits of participating in an essay writing scholarship:

💲You earn scholarship amounts

Most essay competitions have a prize money award. The scholarship amount can help you pay for your educational needs, savings, and more.

✨You get inspired to write better 

Writing contests are a great way to inspire you with different and new ideas. Throughout the contest, you hone both your abilities and skills. 

📺Your write-up gets published

Some competitions award the writers by publishing their essays in a newspaper or a magazine, or the official websites of the platforms. This is a fantastic method to get recognized and appreciated for your skills, plus you a get solid material to add to your resume and make it stand out.

🫡You get professional exposure

The competition is judged by official writers and authors who have extended experience and knowledge in their fields. You get a good exposure for your work.

🏆Achieving academic excellence? Navigate the Best Merit-based scholarships .

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the most prestigious essay competition.

The John Locke Institute , named after the seventh-century Oxford philosopher and writer, just hosted a 2023 essay competition. Students from around the world can apply for the competition, which is free and requires essays related to any subject category. The top essay will be selected from each category. The winner will receive a $2000 scholarship for attending any John Locke Institution program, an e-certificate, and a $10,000 fellowship for attending summer school or taking courses.

Jane Austen Essay Contest by JASNA is another prestigious essay competition. The contest requires essays on the current topic and submission through the official website and entry form. Judging is based on originality and general audience appeal, with Jane Austen’s work as inspiration. First-place winners receive a $1000 scholarship, free registration, and lodging for the Annual General Meeting. Second-place winners receive $500, and third-place winners receive $250.

Is there any essay writing competition?

Yes, we have Wiingy’s Future STEM Leaders Scholarship Program for high school and college STEM aspirants.  Students pursuing a variety of STEM fields are eligible to apply, including but not limited to computer science, biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, computer science, environmental science, engineering, statistics, aerospace, and artificial intelligence.

By participating in our scholarship contest:  Win up to $1200 scholarship amount. We value your efforts in creating a masterpiece. Hence, we publish top-grade write-ups on our official website page, even if your name didn’t make the winning list!

Do writing contests help you get published?

Yes. Many contests award the writers through the publication of their work. This gives the winners great recognition as writers. It lays a platform for his/her future writings. The names of such great writers get in front of those who judge their work. Winning a writing contest can also be used as a publishing credit.  Wiingy’s Future STEM Leaders Scholarship Program appreciates the work you put into making a masterpiece. Thus, Wiingy posts its choicest essays on its official website page, even if your name didn’t make the winning list!

Is it worth it to submit to writing contests?

Essay writing contests understand your skills better, and provide further skill development. They offer scholarships, work publications, and professional recognition. Prize money awards can help cover educational expenses and savings. Getting your essay published on an official website helps build your resume. The competition is judged by professional writers, providing more exposure to your work. If your requirements and expectations align with these benefits, yes essay competitions are worth it!

Do writing contests look good on college applications?

Yes, if you’ve participated in and won an essay writing contest, you must mention it in your college application. It especially looks impressive when the topic of the essay aligns with your college disciplines.

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The Ultimate Guide to Finding & Winning Scholarships

Cait Williams is a Content Writer at Scholarships360. Cait recently graduated from Ohio University with a degree in Journalism and Strategic Communications. During her time at OU, was active in the outdoor recreation community.

Learn about our editorial policies

Maria Geiger is Director of Content at Scholarships360. She is a former online educational technology instructor and adjunct writing instructor. In addition to education reform, Maria’s interests include viewpoint diversity, blended/flipped learning, digital communication, and integrating media/web tools into the curriculum to better facilitate student engagement. Maria earned both a B.A. and an M.A. in English Literature from Monmouth University, an M. Ed. in Education from Monmouth University, and a Virtual Online Teaching Certificate (VOLT) from the University of Pennsylvania.

Millions of scholarships award billions of dollars in financial aid every single year. We put together this scholarship guide using our decades of experience as college admissions and financial aid officers, first-generation college students, and financially savvy parents. This guide will cover:

Why scholarships matter

• When to apply for scholarships
• How to apply for scholarships
• The best strategy to win scholarships

Additional scholarship tips

• Additional financial aid options

Frequently asked questions

• Our scholarship directory

Let’s dive in!

Because scholarships do not have to be repaid, they are a great way for students to finance their college education when compared against options like taking out student loans. Of course, wherever there’s free money, there’s going to be a lot of competition. That means knowing how to find scholarships and apply to them in a timely manner is key!

For the remainder of this article, we’ll help you understand how you can do just that! So, let’s jump in and start by looking at the scariest part of this all, which is the cost of college.  Don’t get worried though, attending college is possible for you!  

Apply to these scholarships due soon

$10,000 “No Essay” Scholarship

$2,000 Sallie Mae Scholarship

$40,000 BigFuture Scholarship

Niche $10,000 “No Essay” Scholarship

$25k “Be Bold” No-Essay Scholarship

$10,000 CollegeXpress Scholarship

$1,000 Appily Easy College Money Scholarship

$5,000 Christian Connector Scholarship

$2,000 No Essay CollegeVine Scholarship

How does the average family pay for college.

There are actually dozens of factors that impact the final cost of an individual’s college education. In turn, each student and/or family pays for that education in their own unique way.  The average family uses a mix of scholarships, federal aid, personal savings and loans to pay for college. Factors like whether students choose in-state, out-of-state, public, or private schools all influence the bottom line. Some students choose to start at community college , and then transfer to a four year school. In the majority of states, students are offered no-cost commun i ty college tuition . Just as no two people are the same, neither is the way they pay for college. 

Chances are, if you’re reading this guide, you plan to use scholarships to pay for as much of your college as possible, which is great. Don’t forget to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Check out our FAFSA guide to guide you through the process. 

Also read: How to pay for college (a step by step guide)

What to know about loans

During the process of scholarships and filling out the FAFSA, student loans may begin to feel like the easier route to pay for college, but there are some key factors you should explore before deciding to take out loans. Let’s take a look at those factors together! 

Student loans are expensive

The first thing you should keep in mind about loans is that what you see is not what you pay. Taking out a loan for $20,000 may not feel like too much at the time, but depending on what the interest rate is, could end up costing you much more to pay back over the span of several years. 

This doesn’t mean loans should be entirely out of the question for you, but that thorough research into all other options should be done first. Check out our loan repayment article if you plan to take out loans. For now, let’s get started with “free money” scholarships!

Remember, some scholarships are more than money! 

While the primary benefit of scholarships is money, some scholarships will come with other benefits as well. The Bezos Scholars Program provides transportation, lodging, meals, and passes for the Aspen Ideas Festival. The QuestBridge College Prep Scholarship offers winners full scholarships to college summer programs at schools like Stanford, Yale, and Penn, among many other perks. 

Be sure to check out everything that some of these generous scholarships have to offer. Next, let’s look at when to begin the scholarship search process, and how to put together a winning application.

When should you start applying for scholarships?

The simple answer is as soon as you can! It is never too early to start applying for scholarships! Scholarship deadlines occur throughout the year, which means starting the search sooner will allow you to have ample time to work on your applications. 

While many scholarship deadlines are in the spring, we’ve seen plenty of programs with deadlines in the fall, winter, and even in the summer. In other words, any time of year is a great time to begin exploring scholarship opportunities!

How will I receive scholarship money?

Scholarships may either be directly deposited into your college student account or paid to you via check. Scholarships, regardless of amount, usually deposit straight into your student account in order to avoid having to provide any sort of banking information and to ensure the money is used directly toward educational expenses. You should always be aware of any scholarships that ask you to provide any kind of banking information! 

If you win a scholarship that pays out over a longer period of time (for example, a $10,000 scholarship that pays out $2,500 over your 4 years at school), keep an eye out for eligibility requirements. Some scholarship programs may ask you to submit your college transcript each year to make sure your GPA remains above a certain threshold. This usually doesn’t apply to smaller, one-time awards.

What you’ll need to apply

Applying to scholarships can be a lengthy process. They often require that applicants submit essays, letters of recommendation, and test scores. While the exact requirements vary between different scholarships, they’ll all mostly follow the same process. So, let’s look at the steps you can take to apply for scholarships! 

Finding scholarships

Finding scholarships is obviously the first step of the process. There are so many out there that knowing where to start can feel challenging. Your first step should be to identify what your profile looks like. You want scholarships to match your needs and not the other way around. Check out our scholarship search tool , which uses data-driven matching to find the best scholarships for you. 

Writing essays

Not all scholarships require you to write an essay, but some may, which means your next step is to write that essay. We won’t go into details about how to write your essay in this article, but our website has plenty of resources for you to check out. If you are a student who loves writing and plans to apply for scholarships, our list of  top writing and essay scholarship is a great place to start your search. 

Further reading: How to write a winning scholarship essay

Transcripts and academic information

Some scholarships will be pretty competitive, which means your test scores and GPA are important. Other scholarships may require you to prove that you are interested in a certain major or have taken certain classes by asking you to provide your transcripts. You should make it a point to have this information handy when filling out scholarships.

Letters of recommendation

Again, like essays and transcripts, this won’t always be necessary. Scholarships on the more competitive side will usually be more likely to ask for letters of recommendation. Keep a list of a few names in mind that you could call to ask for a letter of recommendation if it is needed. Check out our article about how to ask for a letter of recommendation for a few tips. 

Demonstration of need

Okay, the last thing we will mention is making sure you can demonstrate your financial need. Many scholarships ask a student to provide either tax forms or a self-reported form of income to show that a scholarship is needed or will help the student in addition to other forms of financial assistance. 

Note that while some of these application components may be required, different scholarship programs weigh different pieces of your application differently. The main thing to take away here is to be prepared to show financial need if asked for. 

What’s the best strategy to win a scholarship?

Winning scholarships is a numbers game–your goal should be to submit to as many scholarship contests as possible while keeping the quality of your applications high. Of course, time is money, and managing your time in the scholarship search and selection process is key.

Follow our 4-step strategy to increase your odds of winning scholarships without having this process consume all of your free time.

Step 1: Figure out your “profile”

When you begin your scholarship search, you’ll quickly realize there are scholarships for everyone , which is great news for the strategic scholarship applicant. The stricter the eligibility requirements are, the higher your chances of winning the scholarship.

Your first step involves figuring out all of the different categories you can possibly fall into. 

Identify common information about yourself 

• Academic year
• Potential major
• Type of college you plan to attend (Private, in-state, out of state, public, etc.)

Identify unique information about yourself

• What are your personal interests or extracurricular activities?
• Where do you live?
• Are you a member of a minority group?
• What colleges are you applying to? (for college-specific merit aid )

Step 2: Find scholarships that match your profile

Next, use a search tool like Scholarships360’s Scholarship Finder , or type these descriptions into Google by using a formula like “scholarships for [category].” Maybe you’ll look up “ Top scholarships for high school seniors ,” or perhaps “ scholarships for vegetarians .” Maybe even “ scholarships for potato lovers .” As we said, there are scholarships for everyone !

Spend an hour or two searching for scholarships that you’re eligible for, and drop all of these scholarships into a designated document.

Step 3: “Rank” your scholarships

Next, assess all of the scholarships that you qualify for on a few different levels. The levels below are just some of the ways you can rank them. The scholarships that matter most to you should go at the top of your list. Your goal should be to apply to as many scholarships as you can, without compromising the quality of your application. 

Eligibility criteria

The stricter the eligibility requirements, the better for you, since that means fewer people are eligible to apply.

Application requirements

Scholarships that require an essay or a custom letter of recommendation will take more time to apply to, which limits the time you’ll have to apply to other scholarships. Of course, this shouldn’t exclude a scholarship, but it’s worth taking into consideration.

This one’s easy–bigger scholarships are more worth your time!

Prioritize scholarships with upcoming deadlines.

Step 4: Apply!

With all of your scholarships sorted, it’s time to begin applying and working your way down the list!

To make life easier for yourself, keep all of your reusable scholarship application components (transcripts, test scores, resume, letters of recommendation) in one easily accessible folder on your computer. Additionally, try setting a goal of applying to one scholarship each week to stay on top of deadlines without feeling overwhelmed.

Okay, all of that was a lot. Let’s wrap up with the tips and tricks below for winning scholarship awards:

Start early

Begin your scholarship search and application process early. Writing essays and asking for letters of recommendation takes time, and it would stink to miss out on winning a scholarship just because you missed a deadline.

Think local

Look for smaller, local organizations that offer scholarship programs. These scholarships will naturally receive fewer applications compared to national contests, increasing your chances of winning. Some great ways to learn about local scholarships are through your school counselor, your place of worship, local newspapers, and through local nonprofits. 

Check if your parents’ workplace offers scholarships

Many companies and businesses award scholarships to the children and dependents of their employees . Make sure that you check with your parents or caretakers early in your scholarship search about whether any scholarships are offered. 

Tip from a scholarship winner

Brian geiger.

Scholarships360 co-founder

Recipient of the James R. Hoffa Memorial Scholarship

Check back next year

While many students focus on scholarships for high school seniors, there are scholarships available for students of all different ages. Set a goal to look for new scholarships at the start of every semester; you’ll be surprised by what you may find!

Negotiate merit scholarships

Sometimes you can negotiate merit scholarship aid . Not all colleges are open to this, but for colleges that offer a lot of merit aid and are lesser or moderately selective with acceptance rates at/above 40%, it’s worth the shot.

Other forms of financial aid

Scholarships are just one piece of the financial aid puzzle. Alternative options for financing a college education include grants, student loans and income share agreements (ISAs). 

Grants are a form of need-based financial aid. Check out our article on Pell Grants to better understand this piece of the financial aid puzzle.  

Federal and private loans

As discussed in the sections above, taking out student loans is a serious financial decision that should not be taken lightly. For more information on this complicated topic, check out our comprehensive guide on student loans .

Income share agreements (ISAs)

Last but not least, are income share agreements. The basic idea of the ISA is simple: instead of paying tuition or taking out loans, students are promising to pay back a future percentage of their salary. For more information, read our article about income share agreements .

What’s the difference between a scholarship and a grant?

Do all scholarships require an essay, do all scholarships require letters of recommendation, can scholarships impact my financial aid, are scholarships only for low-income students, how do i avoid scholarship scams.

• Language such as “guaranteed or your money back”
• Requests for Social Security Number, bank account information, or credit card information to “hold” a scholarship
• Notices that you’ve been selected as a finalist for a scholarship that you never applied to

College scholarship directory

Scholarships come in all shapes and sizes. There are opportunities for fulltime and part-time students already pursuing their bachelor degree, for high school students heading to community college, even for graduate students seeking funding. Check out some of our most popular scholarship categories pulled from our scholarship directory below, or head over to the Scholarships360 Search Platform to create a customized scholarship search.

Scholarships by academic year

• Scholarships for Middle School Students
• Scholarships for High School Freshman
• Scholarships for High School Sophomores
• Scholarships for High School Juniors
• Scholarships for High School Seniors
• Scholarships for College Freshmen
• Scholarships for College Sophomores
• Scholarships for Community College Students
• Scholarships for Transfer Students
• Scholarships for Graduate Students

Scholarships by deadline

• January Scholarships
• February Scholarships
• March Scholarships
• April Scholarships
• May Scholarships
• June Scholarships
• July Scholarships
• August Scholarships
• September Scholarships
• October Scholarships
• November Scholarships
• December Scholarships
• Summer Scholarships
• Autumn Scholarships

Scholarships by demographic

• First Generation Scholarships
• Need Based Scholarships
• Nontraditional Students
• Scholarships for Hispanic Students
• Scholarships for Single Moms
• Scholarships for Veterans
• Scholarships for people who wear glasses

Scholarships by interest

• Athletic Scholarships
• Art Scholarships
• Community Service Scholarships
• Computer Science Scholarships
• Culinary Scholarships
• Engineering Scholarships
• Law School Scholarships
• Nursing Scholarships
• STEM Scholarships
• Study Abroad Scholarships
• Weird Scholarships
• Writing Scholarships

Scholarships by type

• Easy Scholarships
• Local Scholarships

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• How to Write a Scholarship Essay | Template & Example

How to Write a Scholarship Essay | Template & Example

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

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

Table of contents

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

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

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

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

Be wary of scholarship scams

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Choose the right scholarships for you

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

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

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

Some places to look for local scholarships include

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

Prevent plagiarism. Run a free check.

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

• Scholarship amounts
• Required application materials

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

Scholarship application tracker template

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

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

Research each organization

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

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

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

Choose a story with the following criteria:

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

A good scholarship essay is not

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Academic writing

• Writing process
• Transition words
• Passive voice
• Paraphrasing

 Communication

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

 Parts of speech

• Personal pronouns
• Conjunctions

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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How to Win Scholarships for College: 20 Expert Tips

Scholarships are one of the best ways to help fund your college education. But unlike financial aid or grants, which award funding based on financial need, scholarships require a bit more work than just filling out a FAFSA. Most awards are merit-based, so even if you meet the eligibility requirements, you’ll still have to put in a bit of elbow grease to win over the selection committee. Fortunately, there are many ways to demonstrate merit — and plenty of opportunities to do so.

Education Data Initiative estimates that approximately 1.7 million scholarships are offered each year. And according to ThinkImpact , 30% of scholarship winners have GPAs from 3.0 to 3.4. That means you don’t necessarily have to be at the top of your class to win big. All you need is to think strategically, work hard, and be persistent. To help you do just that, we compiled this list of 20 strategies for how to win college scholarships.  

How to win scholarships: 20 top strategies 

Looking to supplement your financial aid? Here are 20 top strategies you can use to win scholarships to help pay for college.

1. Start the process as early as possible

If you want to increase your odds of winning a scholarship, giving yourself ample time to prepare and perfect your applications is critical. Like preparing for the SATs , it’s never too early to start your scholarship search. While many scholarship contests target high school juniors , seniors , and current college students, plenty of programs are open to applicants of all ages. Even if you’re not ready to enroll in college any time soon, you can still begin the research and organization process today.

2. Sign up for Going Merry

One of the most time-consuming parts of the scholarship application process is the search. With more than a million different awards out there, it can feel daunting to try and find the ones you’re actually eligible for. But when you sign up for Going Merry , you’ll get high-quality awards that fit your eligibility profile — all delivered directly to your inbox.

Once your profile is complete, a robust scholarship-matching software will connect you to a list of scholarships that are perfect for you. You can also apply to the majority of these awards directly through Going Merry. This means you won’t have to keep track of a bunch of different logins or re-upload your transcripts or documents each time you apply. Instead, it’s all in one place, poised and ready to send. 

3. Make a list of college scholarships  

On Going Merry and other scholarship websites , you can browse through tons of scholarship listings, but at a certain point, they may all start to blur together in your head. To streamline your application process and avoid wasting time, keep a running list of scholarship opportunities that you’re eligible for. (You can find the eligibility requirements listed alongside most scholarships. On Going Merry, you can also search scholarships by your personal criteria, be that gender, race, state of residence, or GPA.) Try to include a variety of scholarship types — national scholarships, merit scholarships, and local awards, too. At this stage, it’s great if your list is extensive.

4. Search for awards specific to you

In the beginning, you’ll likely add a lot of general scholarship opportunities to your list. However, it’s also important to seek out awards where you might have an edge. There are many types of scholarships , including programs for artistic students, student-athlete scholarships, awards for those pursuing specific majors , and even some super-niche scholarships . Think through your unique interests, then search for awards to match. 

5. Research local organizations 

As you continue building out your list, look into local organizations that might offer unique, area-specific scholarships. Going Merry collates a huge variety of awards, like national, local, and state-specific awards ( see no. 18 here ). But there are still many small businesses and nonprofits that offer under-the-radar local scholarships. These are usually designed to help local students offset the cost of college, either in their home state or beyond. The best part about these local opportunities is that they tend to have smaller applicant pools, which could boost your chances of winning.

6. Reach out to your chosen colleges

If you’re a student in your senior year of high school and already know the university you want to attend, consult the college financial aid office. Most universities offer their own specific scholarships, and you can add those to your list, too. If you’re still working on your college applications and/or don’t have a particular school in mind, reach out to your high school guidance counselor. They might know about some great scholarship opportunities you haven’t thought of.

7. Prioritize your scholarship list 

Once you’ve built your long list of scholarship opportunities, it’s time to create a game plan. First, organize your list into different categories. It might make sense to categorize them based on dollar amount, how likely you think you are to win, or the amount of time it’ll take you to complete the application. Many large national scholarships carry large prizes but also garner thousands of applications, making them more competitive. While local scholarships typically aren’t as lucrative, you could have a greater chance of winning. Don’t neglect either category. Make a list of your top ten awards, and include some of each.

8. Create a deadline calendar 

Missing a deadline is the easiest way to take yourself out of the running for a scholarship. Create a specific calendar, either on paper or on your computer. Then, record the due dates for each award on your top-ten list. Put your calendar on your bulletin board or save it to your desktop — any place where you’ll see it often. Also include some self-assigned deadlines. For example, you might aim to submit your letter-of-recommendation requests a month before the relevant scholarship’s due date, and have your essay’s first draft complete two weeks before the final deadline. All these mile markers should be clearly labeled on your calendar.

9. Apply to easy scholarships first 

If none of your deadlines are urgent, then the first awards on your to-do list should be the easy ones . These are the scholarship programs that don’t require too many specific documents, essays, or letters of recommendation. (There are even a number of free scholarships that are sweepstakes style , which means all you need to do is sign up to apply.) If you get these easy applications out of the way first, you’ll have less on your to-do list and more energy to focus on the more extensive applications. 

10. Apply to awards in bulk 

The more awards you apply for, the more you’re likely to win. And one of the best ways to maximize your application output is to apply in bulk. On Going Merry, you can apply to a number of scholarships with a single click. Simply look for scholarship “bundles,” which are similar awards with similar requirements, on the platform’s main search page. 

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11. Watch out for scholarship scams

Any time you waste applying for a scam award is time you could have spent applying for real scholarship money. For that reason, a key component to a smart scholarship search is learning to avoid scams . On reputable scholarship platforms (like Going Merry, for example) you can rest assured that every scholarship advertised is legitimate. On other websites, be sure to double-check the provider, the type of information they’re asking for, and whether or not they require payment. No scholarship application should come with a fee. If it does, stay away. 

12. Research the scholarship providers

An easy way to make your application stand out is to speak directly to an organization’s mission. As you get ready to write your essays, take the time to read up on the scholarship provider. If the award is sponsored by a climate-focused organization, be sure to write about that beach clean-up you attended or highlight the volunteer activities on your resume. Personalizing your essays will only take a few extra minutes and could make a huge difference in your chances of winning.

13. Write a resume

Make or update your resume before you begin the scholarship application process. It’s a required document on many applications, but that’s not the only reason it matters. A thorough resume can help your teachers and mentors write their l etters of recommendation , which will, in turn, help you get those letters back faster. 

Since letters of recommendation can be a huge bottleneck in the scholarship application process, anything you can do to streamline this step is a great way to boost your odds of hitting your deadlines — and therefore your chances of winning free money. There are a variety of resume templates you can use. Be sure to include your extracurriculars like sports, hobbies, and artistic endeavors, as well as your employment history, community service work, and any honors or awards you’ve received. 

14. Get amazing letters of recommendation  

Letters of recommendation are an opportunity to make your application shine. Be thoughtful about who you ask to write on your behalf. Great candidates are people like your guidance counselor, your homeroom teacher, a trusted coach or mentor. Ideally, the person writing your references can speak to your character and your academic ability. (Also check the application to see if it requests a specific type of letter. For example, if you’re applying to a STEM-related scholarship, it might require a letter from your science teacher.) Then, put together a packet of helpful information, including your resume, grades, test scores, and any personal essays or statements you’ve already completed for the scholarship. Most importantly: be sure to give your reviewers ample time to write their letters. Ask them at least one month before your application is due. If you’re already crunched for time, acknowledge that before you ask so your letter-writer knows what they’re getting into. 

15. Take the time to craft an outstanding essay

Particularly for competitive scholarships, the scholarship essay is of utmost importance. It can help your application shine and really give you a chance to demonstrate why you deserve this award. There are a number of different guides to help you start writing , but here are some of the most important tips to remember:

• Start early. Don’t let this wait until the last minute. Scholarship selection committees read thousands of essays. Don’t doubt their ability to pick out the one that was written 30 minutes before the deadline. 
• Read the question twice. Thoroughly read the essay question and make sure you understand it. 
• Do a little research. Read examples of other successful scholarship essays to learn more about the format and how to execute it well. You may also want to seek out templates to help you craft a solid outline. 
• Brainstorm . Write down a list of things that make you unique, and jot down some reasons you’re qualified for this award. Also brainstorm some things you’d like to say about the essay topic at hand. 
• Write a first draft. This doesn’t have to be anywhere near perfect; the most important thing is to get it done with plenty of time to edit. A few days later, re-read your essay to make sure you’ve answered the question. If you haven’t, add whatever’s missing. 
• Share your draft. Have a trusted friend, parent, or mentor read your first or second draft. Remember: The most time-consuming part of the writing process is rewriting. Listen to feedback and address it. If something about your essay isn’t working, don’t be afraid to go back to the drawing board. 

16. Practice your interview skills

For more competitive scholarships, you might be asked to schedule an interview as part of the application process. Even if this hasn’t yet been requested of you, it’s never a bad idea to prepare. Find a list of typical scholarship interview questions online and brainstorm your answers. When you think you’ve got a good one, write that answer down. They don’t need to be perfect, but having an idea of what you want to say will help you perform under pressure. Once you feel ready, ask a trusted friend or teacher to perform a mock interview with you. 

17. Proofread your application

So, you’ve gathered up all of your documents, you’ve written an amazing essay, and. you’ve collected your letters of recommendation. You’re probably feeling ready to smash that submit button. But take a step back. Go back through each of your documents (yes, even your address and contact info) and make sure it’s all correct. Keep an eye out for typos and anything that might cause a selection committee to reconsider.

18. Submit on time — or early

As you work on your college applications and scholarship essays, refer back to your calendar to ensure you’re on track to submit your applications on time. Even better, submit your applications early. Many scholarship programs take note of submission dates. Completing your application early is another way you can express your passion for a specific award and help your application stand out. Submitting early is also a great way to make sure you don’t run out of time to complete any aspect of your application. There’s nothing worse than going to submit on the due date and realizing you forgot about an essay. Avoid that stress by planning to apply with days or weeks to spare.

19. Clean up your online presence

In this day and age, so much of our lives are online. It’s amazing what you can learn from just a quick Google search. Before you submit your application, look through your online presence from the perspective of a college scholarship selection committee. It’s probably a good idea to delete those tweets about how much you hate writing essays, and get rid of any photos that might paint you in a negative light. When in doubt, less is more. You might even want to consider setting your accounts to private. Particularly for competitive scholarships, dubious posts of any kind could work against you. 

20. Write thank you notes

Whether it’s a teacher or a coach who wrote on your behalf or even a friend who proofreads your essays, be sure to thank them with a heartfelt note. This can be an email, but a handwritten card goes a long way. If you’re applying to a scholarship that includes an interview, you should also send your interviewer a note after the meeting to thank them for their time. This will ensure that you are perceived as professional, humble, and mature. 

Apply to more scholarships with Going Merry

College scholarships are a great way to beef up your resume, reduce the cost of college, and reduce (or eliminate) your student loan debt. To win them, though, you’ll need to be strategic, diligent, and willing to do some extra work.

Organization is particularly essential to a winning scholarship strategy. The more organized you are, the more awards you can apply for — and that increases your odds of winning. That’s where Going Merry comes in.

A powerful scholarship platform, Going Merry provides all the tools you need to organize your documents, transcripts, and scholarship deadlines all in one place. Sign up for a free profile, and we’ll also automatically match you with scholarship opportunities you’re already eligible for. It’s never too early to begin the scholarship application process. To get started, fill out your Going Merry profile today.

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