scholarship essay contests for middle school students

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Scholarships for Middle School Students and Younger Children

By Mark Kantrowitz

November 4, 2022

Don’t wait until your child hits their senior year in high school to start searching for scholarships. There are many scholarships that children can win in younger grades, especially during their middle school years.

If a young child wins one of these scholarships, the scholarship provider will hold the money in escrow until the student sends proof of enrollment in a college or university. Some scholarship providers are contributing the scholarship funds to a 529 college savings plan in the student’s name instead of setting up an escrow account.

Why Look for Scholarships During Middle School

Planning and saving isn’t the only way that families can prepare for college costs early. Aside from getting good grades to qualify for future academic scholarships, children can apply for some scholarships in elementary and secondary school. This is often a good time to apply because there are a lot of opportunities without a lot of competition.

Remember, every dollar you save or win is a dollar less you’ll have to borrow . Scholarships can also expand college choice, enabling a student to enroll at a more expensive college than they could otherwise afford.

Types of Scholarships for Middle School Students

Middle school students can earn access to a lot of different types of scholarships before the majority of students start worrying about college. While high school scholarships are competitive and elementary scholarships are limited, earning a scholarship during middle school can be just right for you. 

You can earn a scholarship for writing an essay, such as the I Have a Dream Scholarship. You can earn a scholarship for science and technology work or even one for a specific skill such as drawing. Middle school students tend to be more developed and have skills that allow a lot more variety in scholarship options than younger children. 

Types of Scholarships for Younger Children

Many of the scholarships for elementary school students involve art. The most famous examples are Doodle 4 Google and the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards . There are also many local art scholarships where children are asked to draw a poster for a worthwhile cause, such as public safety, national arbor day and education.

Many 529 college savings plans schedule scholarship competitions for May 29 (5/29 Day).

College scholarships for younger children are sometimes confused with school voucher programs, such as the Children’s Scholarship Fund , which provides grants to help families pay for private K-12 education.

List of Scholarships for Younger Children  in Elementary or Middle School 

This list provides links to three dozen scholarships for younger children.

• American Legion National High School Oratorical Scholarship (grades 9-12)
• AMVETS National Americanism Program (grades K-12)
• Angela Award from NSTA (grades 5-8)
• Ayn Rand Insitute Essay Contests (grades 8-12)
• Club Z Annual Achievement Award (grades 6-12)
• Courage in Student Journalism Award (grades 7-12)
• Davidson Fellows Scholarships (age 18 or younger)
• Do Something Scholarships (age 13-25)
• Doodle 4 Google (K-12)
• Eco Hero Awards from Action for Nature (Age 8-16)
• eCYBERMISSION (grades 6-9)
• Gedenk Award for Tolerance (grades 7-12)
• Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes (age 8-18)
• Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (grades 9-12)
• Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Young Scholars Program (grades 8-12)
• Jesse Brown Memorial Youth Scholarship from DAV (age 21 and younger)
• L. Ron Hubbard Writers & Illustrators of the Future (grades 9-12)
• Letters about Literature (grades 4-12)
• MATHCOUNTS (grades 6-8)
• National Geographic GeoBee (grades 4-8)
• National History Day Competition (grades 6-12)
• National Marbles Tournament (age 7-14)
• National Spelling Bee (grades 1-8)
• New York Times Student Contest Calendar
• Nicholas A. Virgilio Memorial Haiku and Senryu Competition (grades 7-12)
• Paradigm Challenge (age 4-18)
• Patriot’s Pen Writing Contest from VFW (grades 6-8)
• Prudential Spirit of Community Awards (grades 5-12)
• River of Words (age 5-19)
• Scholastic Art & Writing Awards (grades 7-12)
• Stephen J. Brady Stop Hunger Scholarships (age 5-25)
• Team America Rocketry Challenge (grades 7-12)
• Toshiba/NSTA ExploraVision (grades K-12)
• Utah Arbor Day Poster Contest (grades K-6)
• Voice of Democracy from VFW (grades 9-12)

Privacy Rules  Can Block Scholarship Matching for Children under Age 13

You won’t find these scholarships in any of the free scholarship matching databases because of the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), which bans the online collection of personal information from children under age 13. Instead, elementary and middle school students must rely on scholarship web pages that list the scholarships without matching them against student profiles, like this one.

The Bottom Line

Scholarships are a great way to reduce the total amount of money that your child will have to pay to go to school. The more you can earn, the less your child may have to borrow. Once you’ve done everything you can to save through a 529 plan , earning scholarships is the next best thing you can do to help your child prepare financially for college. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Scholarships

What is the youngest age at which you can get a scholarship.

Scholarships vary quite widely and the ages at which you can qualify do also. The youngest typical age for scholarship opportunities begin at age 4, but there are some opportunities for newly born babies as well. They are just a lot rarer to find.

What scholarship is the easiest to get?

There is no universal easy scholarship to earn for everyone. How easy a scholarship is to earn is going to depend on what your child’s skills are, the story they have to share, and how many other people also apply to earn it. 

How do I find scholarships for me?

You can use our list above to find scholarships for you, but you can also use the Department of Labor’s free scholarship search tool . 

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40+ Scholarships for Middle School Students in the US and UK

Young students have many desires, passions, and ambitions for their future, and some of them are now dreaming of college. Even though they are excited about their education, especially when they are in the right school, some parents – perhaps most – are worried about their kids’ educational expenses. 

Similar to high school Christian scholarships or even Catholic awards , there are lots of scholarships for middle school students that help to fund recipients’ fees, and in some cases, other expenses. Some of these scholarships might not completely fund their fees, but they will surely help to reduce the expenses, which will also help to reduce the financial burden.

Moreover, if you’re a single mom, there are some government help that you can receive that won’t only cover your kids’ education but their feeding, and help you with some extra funds too.

Table of Contents

Scholarships for Middle School Students in the U.S

1. davidson institute – fellows scholarship.

Davidson Institute is awarding $50,000, $25,000, and $10,000 scholarships to gifted and high-achieving students who are 18 years old or under, who have completed a significant piece of work. Applicants need to be citizens of the U.S. residing in the United States, or Permanent Resident of the United States, or be stationed overseas due to active U.S. military duty.

2. The NJHS Outstanding Achievement Award

This is among the scholarships for middle school students provided by the National Junior Honor Society, which is awarded for their commitment to the five pillars of NJHS: scholarship, service, leadership, character, and citizenship. The 500 NJHS students selected for the Outstanding Achievement Award receive a $500 college savings plan to support their educational aspirations.

3. Broadcom MASTERS  

Thanks to the generous support of Broadcom Foundation, a non-profit organization that advances equitable access to STEM education and promotes coding as a 21st-century skill, the Society for Science could provide STEM competition for Middle School Students. Since 2010 Society for Science has been running Broadcom MASTERS® (Math, Applied Science, Technology, and Engineering for Rising Stars).

4. Jack Kent Cooke Young Scholars Program

Jack Kent Cooke provides scholarships for middle school students who are both academically outstanding and in financial need. It won’t only provide financial support to recipients, but also comprehensive academic, college advising, Cooke-sponsored summer programs, internships, and other learning enrichment opportunities for 7th-grade students.

Applicants must be in 7th grade or entering 8th grade.

5. Come Study USA – Scholarship Opportunities for International Students

If you’re between the ages of 13 to 18 and want to study in the United States with a scholarship, here is your opportunity. You can acquire this scholarship to a minimum of 2 schools that cover 25% of tuition and board.

Preference will be given to students who are either athletes, gifted in the Arts, or have strong academic scores. Your kid must be mature enough to overcome the challenges of adapting to another culture and communicating in a foreign language.

6. International Young Eco-Hero Awards

This scholarship is awarded by Action for Nature, a Nonprofit Organization that encourages young people to take personal action to better their environments and to foster love and respect for nature. The $500 award is provided to environmental activists between the ages of 8 – 16 who have completed a substantial project to help sustain our planet.

Scholars will also be publicly recognized, and be awarded with certificates of achievement.

7. Doodle for Google Contest

The Doodle for Google Contest is an annual art contest open to students in grades K-12. Students are invited to create their own Google Doodle for the chance to have it featured on Google.com, as well as win some great scholarships and tech packages for their schools.

The winner will receive a $30,000 college scholarship, and a $50,000 tech package for his/her school, four runners-up will also receive a $5,000 college scholarship.

8. Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heros

The Gloria Barron Prize easily fits into our list of scholarships for middle school students in the United States due to its availability to all races, colors, ethnicities, creeds, religions, genders, and even those who are disabled. The prize awards outstanding young leaders between the ages of 8 to 18 who have made a significant positive impact on people, their communities, and the environment.

Each winner will receive an award worth $10,000 that can be used at their higher education, or their service project. They also receive a recognition certificate, young Heros materials, networking opportunities, and media coverage.

9. Ocean Awareness Contest

This is an annual contest provided for young people to learn about environmental issues through art-making and creative communication. Students from around the world between 11 years old to 18 are invited to this contest.

Winners will be awarded cash prizes of up to $1,000 plus other privileges. The contest is all about sharing your unique story about our Climate.

10. My Impact Challenge

At My Impact Challenge, applicants will need to write an essay of up to 1,200 words on a topic provided by the organizers. Applicants must be US citizens and US-based young people who are between the ages of 13 and 19 and enrolled in middle or high school.

11. The Paradigm Challenge

This is among the scholarships for middle school students between the ages of 4 to 18 who will need to use their kindness, creativity, and collaboration to make a difference in the world. They offer up to $100,000 to the top 100 entries, where the winner will receive $10,000, the second place will receive $2,000, the third place $1,000, and the 91 finalists will receive $200 each.

12. VFW’s Patriot’s Pen

To qualify for this contest you need to either be in 6th, 7th, or 8th grade. More than 68,800 students compete to have a chance to win their share of nearly $1 million in state and national awards. 

Each first-place state winner receives a minimum of $500 at the national level, and the national first-place winner wins $5,000.

13. Maryknoll Student Essay Contests

This contest for middle school students awards up to $500 to the winners per division. To be eligible students need to be in grades 6-8 (Division I) and grades 9-12 (Division II) who are currently enrolled in a Catholic school, Catholic religious education program, or Catholic youth ministry program.

14. Stephen J. Brady Stop Hunger Scholarships

This is one of the scholarships for middle school students provided by the Stop Hunger Foundation to students between the ages of 5 to 25 who are recognized at the national level and hail from across the country. National Scholarship winners will receive a $7,500 scholarship and a $5,000 grant for their hunger-related charity plus other privileges.

15. Education Matters Scholarship

UNIGO is providing a $5,000 worth of scholarship to 14 and above years old U.S. students. Applicants will need to write an essay on a topic provided by the organizers.

16. National Genealogical Society Rubincam Youth Writing Competition

This competition is annually open for both high school and middle school students. Winners in grades 6 to 8 will receive a $250 cash prize, a plaque, and a one-year NGS membership.

17. Sweet and Simple Scholarship

This scholarship is another of UNIGO’s on our list for middle school students and above. The scholarship is meant to appreciate students who take a little time to appreciate the small things.

18. One Earth Film Festival Young Filmmakers Contest

This contest is provided to young filmmakers in grades 3 up through age college (age 25) in the United States. Winners will receive up to $1,000.

19. DoSomething – Easy Scholarships

DoSomething provides various scholarship opportunities to students between the ages of 13 and 25 years old who live in the U.S. (or are U.S. citizens, but living abroad). Their scholarship price varies.

20. MathCounts Competition of Middle Schoolers

This National Middle School Mathematics Competition provided by MathCounts helps to build problem-solving skills and foster achievement through four levels of fun contests.

Scholarships for Grammar School Students in the UK

21. bristol grammar school.

BGS provides scholarships to students in year 7 through sixth form, and these scholarships are mostly awarded for their artistic, sporting, or academic prowess.  

22. Brentwood School Bursaries and Scholarships

Brentwood School offers several means-tested bursaries and scholarships at Year 7 (11+) and Year 12 (16+). Their awards are categorized into academic and specialist scholarships.

23. Year 7 Arthur Ransome Scholarships  

This is among the scholarships for middle school students provided by Ipswitch High School to pupils excellent in Academics, Art, Dance, Drama, Music, or Sports.

24. The Mount School York Scholarships, Bursaries, and Discounts

Just like some other Grammar School Scholarships in the UK, we have, this school also provide scholarships to students entering Year 7, Year 9, and Year 12 who are excellent in Academic, Art, Drama, Music, Performing Arts, or Sport.

25. Taunton School Scholarships

Taunton School also awards scholarships to year 7 students who are either academically excellent, or good in Sports, Art, Music, Dance, Drama & Design, or Technology. Students are allowed to apply for up to two categories of Scholarships.

26. STAHS Scholarships

Candidates in year 7 who have good entrance assessment are invited by St Albans High School for Girls to the Academic Scholarship assessment day.

27. The Abbey Scholarships

This is another scholarship for grammar school students that considers female pupils who are competent in their academics, art, music, drama, or sport. Their academic scholarships provide a 10% discount per year on fees.

28. Rossall School Scholarships

Rossall School’s scholarships are awarded to pupils entering Years 7, 9, and 12, with outstanding talent in the relevant areas, and are categorized as Academic, Sporting, Performing, and Creative Arts Scholarships.

29. Farringtons School Scholarships

This school provides several scholarships worth up to 30% tuition deduction annually (with the potential exception of the Sixth Form academic scholarship) to exceptional students entering year 7.

30. Long Close School Scholarships

This school offers scholarships to pupils applying for Year 7 entry who demonstrate excellence in their specific field and also display a proactive attitude towards school life as a whole.

31. Wolverhampton Grammar School – Scholarships at Year 7

This school provides both Jenyns Scholarship and Music Scholarship to students entering new to year 7, while current students have Junior School Scholarships, Music Scholarships, and Head’s Awards to choose from.

32. Leicester Grammar School Scholarships and Bursaries

Leicester Grammar School provides some scholarships for middle school students which are worth 5 to 10% of the termly fee. While bursaries may be for any amount up to 100% of the termly fee, depending on parental income.

33. Kingston Grammar School Scholarships

Kingston Grammar School is among the schools that provide different academic, art, music, and sports scholarships to outstanding enrolling and current students.

34. Kirkham Grammar School Scholarships and Bursaries

Their academic scholarships are awarded to candidates on entry to the Senior School at 11+ and entry to the Sixth Form at 16+.  Drama, Music, and Sports scholarships are also available at 11+ and 16+.

35. The Peterborough School Scholarships

Some of the scholarships available for students entering year 7 include;

• The Helen Belgion Memorial Scholarship
• The Hannah Warner Scholarship for Creativity
• Music Scholarships
• Sports Scholarship
• Woodard Scholarships

36. Claremont Independent School Scholarships & Bursaries

This school provides scholarships for Students entering year 7, year 9, and Sixth Form who demonstrate outstanding potential in one or more of the following areas: Sports, Creative and Performing Arts, Equestrian, and Academic subject areas.

37. Roedean School Scholarships

Roedean School made their scholarships for middle school students available for both candidates residing in the UK and International Students. Scholars will receive a £2500 fee remission annually.

38. Harrow School Scholarships

Scholarships provided by Harrow School are highly competitive and worth a value of 5% of their school fees. These scholarships are meant to acknowledge boys’ achievements.

39. St. Paul’s School Academic Scholarships

St. Paul’s School provides scholarships to their 13+ Students admitted to the school, and those that accept the offer will take a scholarship exam held annually in May.

40. Embley Hampshire

This school provides competitive scholarships to students entering Years 7, 9, and Sixth Form (Year 12) to recognize and reward outstanding achievement and potential in a range of areas that are important to the school.

41. Cranbrook School Scholarships

Applicants at 13+ who successfully enrolled in this school need to apply for the Subject Scholarship Programme if they exhibit a real passion and skill in a subject.

42. Rendcomb College Scholarships

This school provides a number of Scholarships (Academic, Art, Music, Drama, and Sport) each year at Year 7, Year 9 and Lower Sixth entry. Their Noel Wills Scholarship is awarded to a pupil joining Year 7 which is fully funded.

You’ll notice that scholarships for middle school students in the United States are mostly provided as contests and scholarships, while those in the United Kingdom are provided by individual schools to award excellence in academic or other extracurricular activities.

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10 Winning Scholarship Essay Examples From Real Students

Make your application shine.

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

Tips for Writing a Scholarship Essay

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

Carefully read the rules

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

Start early

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

Get to know the provider

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

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

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

Be professional

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

One last tip

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

Scholarship Essay Examples

Afc visionary scholarship essay by nicole kuznetsov.

Award Amount: $5,000

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

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

North Coast Section Foundation Scholarship Essay by Christine Fung

Award Amount: $1,000

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

The Bill Browning Scholarship Essay by Gabby DeMott

Award Amount: $10,000

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

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

Life Happens Scholarship Essay by Emily Trader

Award Amount: $15,000

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

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

Change a Life Foundation Scholarship Essay by Isabella Mendez-Figueroa

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

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

Giva Scholarship Essay by Joseph Lee

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

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

New York University College of Arts and Science Scholarship by Ana

Award amount: $39,500 

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

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

The Fund for Education Abroad Rainbow Scholarship Essay  by Steven Fisher

Award amount: $7,500

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

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

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

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

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

The Millennium Gates Last Dollar Scholarship Essay by Famyrah Lafortune

Award amount: $3,500

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

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

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

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

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21st Annual SBO Essay Contest

“How has playing an instrument changed for you during the pandemic?” was the theme of SBO’s 21st annual scholarship essay contents. Nearly 2000 entries were submitted by students competing for ten, $1,000 scholarships. The awards are being given to five students in grades 4 to 8 and five students grades 9 to 12 and their respective school music programs received a matching award of music products from co-sponsors NAMM, Alfred Music Publishing, Sabian Ltd., and Yamaha Corporation of America.

Since its inception, the scholarship program has awarded $360,000 in funds and matching music products to the winners and their schools. The students and schools will be notified this month, and SBO will arrange for their local school music dealer to present their scholarship checks to the winners.

Congratulations to all of this year’s winners, and we encourage all students to enter again next year.

Carson Quick

Grade 5 , Age 10

Instrument: Flute

Zionsville West Middle School | Zionsville, Indiana

This is my first time playing an instrument… Playing the flute is crazy, and confusing. This pandemic makes me feel like I am caged up, and alone. Being in a band makes me feel more together and included. It is just like the pandemic in ways, and very different than the pandemic in others. Flute, you are stressing, just like the pandemic. Flute, are you there? Flute, you make me calm. Flute, sometimes you are stressing and anger me. Flute, sometimes you are too hard. Sometimes I just want to quit. ‘Suddenly, I feel like one with my flute.’ Flute, where are you? Flute, I am going to be patent. Flute, I am waiting. Waiting while others are being taught. Thinking about my Flute, the bond with my Flute and me. Flute, I see you! Flute, why are you running? Flute, I’ve caught you! Flute, should I play you? Flute, let’s play “Hot Cross Buns” Flute, why not? Flute, are you sure? Flute, are you ready? Flute, I lost you again! Flute… I hear music coming from my flute, is that you? I can always feel calm and relaxed around you. Like I am in my own flute world. I spin away from the world, yet I am still playing my own instrument. Dancing in and out of the holes in my flute. Really, my fingers are the ones dancing. I remember the times with my flute… ~ I am playing with the group; My flute is there. I am sitting in PE; My flute is there. I am eating garlic dip; My flute is there. My flute has always been there for me. Always playing in my mind, playing solo, or with the rest of the band, my flute is there. ~Flute, I’ve found you again! I realized I have not only found my flute… but I have found myself as well. Playing a flute makes me speechless, and it ends my words.

Grade 4, Age 9

Margaret A. Neary Elementary School | Southborough, Mass.

In 4th grade at Neary school, students can sign up for band or string instruments. I chose flute because I like the sound that it makes. My teacher, Ms. Sherman, was so nice that she lent me a flute from the school. When I first started flute, it was hard because I’ve never met my teacher before. Also, it was difficult to start a new instrument during the pandemic because my teacher cannot see everything that I am doing over Zoom. At my first lesson, I learned three beginning notes: Bb, C, and D. Bb and C were a breeze, but D was very tricky. I couldn’t get the sound right at first. The problem was I didn’t hold the keys down hard enough. I kept trying and was elated when I finally got it. I learned perseverance and to never give up. At my second lesson, I was good at the note D, but a song called Snail Snail was not easy for me. It had eighth notes, and the notes didn’t sound right because I was playing too fast. Eventually, I figured out that I was rushing through the notes. I slowed down and was finally able to play the song. This taught me that I need to be patient to learn music. During the pandemic, everyone was quarantined and stuck in their house, but music helps to unite people together. Starting an instrument during this time has helped me learn perseverance and patience, which builds my character.

Meredith Lima

Grade 7, Age:12

Instrument: Alto Saxophone

St. Gabriel the Archangel | St. Louis, Missouri

Music is the universal language that all souls will connect to, even if it’s in different ways a language I am versed in that I have only recently begun to share with other ears freely. My instrument to speak this language is the alto saxophone which I’ve played for 3 years now with instruction, and as with anything I have to practice it outside of the initial activity itself. The dark & slightly dank basement of my house is where I practice — there’s a door near the general area where I practice and it leads to the backyard, which leads to the alley where people tend to walk by a lot. That door always used to be closed because I just wanted the melodic words to myself, being afraid of what would happen if people heard my somewhat faulty speaking. Not caring what people think is one of the hardest life lessons to learn; it is now one I would like to say that I have learned. Let them all condemn my flat-sounding notes if they so choose. Now when it’s not too hot or cold, I open the basement door and let the pitches I play tiptoe their way out into the world and the ears of the passersby, so that they may hopefully enjoy something extra that day. When I used to hoard, I now let it all go, neatly tumbling out. After all, in this pandemic we should share with the less fortunate what we can.

Grade 4, Age 8

Instrument: Piano

Playing an instrument has changed for me over the pandemic because it relieves me from this horrible time. I get a little stressed out from the many people that die and playing an instrument relieves me from the world. I have been playing the piano more than usual because it helps me. When I play piano I don’t think of anything else other than playing. Especially during this pandemic, I have been very stressed and sad of the many people that died Since I can’t be that social it gives me time to play, and I think of my piano as a friend. Many times, I would ask my parents when I could meet my friends but always got the same answer which I didn’t know. Whenever they said that I would play the piano and feel much better. It is amazing what music can do to you. I know I love it and my family does too. I encourage all to learn an instrument whether young or old because it will help you get through this horrible pandemic.

Grade 8, Age 14

I’ve been playing the guitar and piano for quite a while now, but I rarely practiced playing the piano or the guitar. I felt that practicing was a dull and tedious task, and I would only play my instruments once or twice a week three times at most. My parents would always nag me about this topic almost every single day, going on and on about how I barely touched the piano and the guitar and how it was such a waste. When the pandemic began to impact my state, everything changed within me in what felt like a couple of seconds. Everything was either cancelled or virtual. I was thrown into a whirlwind of confusion, stress, and boredom. With so much time on my hands and not much to do, I turned to music. Music became a way for me to cope with my feelings. Every time I played the piano, I felt like my fingers were flying across the keys, weaving stories filled with emotion and magic. Every time I plucked the guitar strings, I felt as if I was throwing stars into the night sky to twinkle like diamonds. As I started writing songs about my feelings and my thoughts, I started to see the joy and beauty that music produces, and the happiness it brought me. Through this experience, I discovered that music is an incredible, astonishing, and valuable gift that can help myself explore my creativity.

Dylan Flores

Grade 12, Age 17

Instrument: Percussion

Winston Churchill High School | San Antonio, Texas

Ever since joining the marching band freshman year, it has become a big part of my high school career. While practicing 12 hours a week was sometimes overwhelming along with my schoolwork, I still enjoyed playing on the drumline every Friday night on the football field during halftime. As a percussionist, I was required to learn a variety of different instruments and be able to excel at all of them. Even during the holidays, we were expected to come in and practice because most of the percussion students do not own the instruments we play, and because of the limited number of instruments, we could not take them home. In March of this year, when we were all sent home, we were just preparing for our next season. As a percussion student, the only way for me to practice at home is to drum with sticks and a drum pad. I could no longer practice any mallet instruments such as marimba and timpani, because I do not own these instruments and could not rent them. This led to finding alternative ways to continue practicing without having to go into school to practice. After finding the measurements, I found that I could construct a marimba out of cardboard. When it came to timpani, I figured out that using sticks to play on pillows creates a similar effect to timpani.

Instrument: Violin

North Broward Preparatory School | Coconut Creek, Florida

The violin is one of my life’s great joys. I’ve always loved how every performer adds their own personal interpretive touch to a given piece, throwing in technical virtuosity and passionate push-and-pull of the rhythms. To share this joy, since 6th grade, I’ve volunteered with the Florida Youth Orchestra (FYO), a group of over 400 students who perform at charity concerts to help the underprivileged access music. Due to COVID-19, our concerts are no longer possible. Additionally, many young musicians disproportionately affected by the pandemic can no longer take lessons. To address both of these issues, my friends and I co-founded FYOCares to give a free virtual music education to the less fortunate. Remote lessons have been a challenge because posture is one of most difficult aspects of music for beginners, and teaching it is greatly aided by physically helping students or demonstrating proper technique in-person. By funding instruments and lessons for those who cannot afford them, we have impacted dozens of students. During 2020, I’ve learned how to teach music when the crucial artistic medium of proximity is absent. Becoming extremely aware of everything I’m doing when guiding my students has also changed how I approach playing the violin, bringing out my personal flair when I perform. Additionally, I’ve realized just how much flexibility and ingenuity is required to virtually teach young students with different learning styles. The pandemic has taught me an important lesson about how creative all teachers dealing with COVID-19 have to be!

Emma Grimmius

Grade 12, Age 18

Instrument: Cello

Pine Lake Preparatory | Mooresville, North Carolina

Can I borrow your rosin?” “Wait, the stand is too far away for me to see.” “Scoot over.” My stand partner and I met in orchestra class, and although we often teased each other, there was a mutual respect for the other person’s talents and strengths. Now, from the empty rooms of my house, the silence sounds so loud in contrast to the bustling music room we once played in. As the sweet notes of my cello echo through the air, the memories come pouring back. I play Mozart, and I remember the day of my freshman year when the entire cello section scrambled over spilt coffee in the middle of a rehearsal. I play “The Monster Mash”, and I remember when my stand partner came to school dressed up for Halloween in a banana suit. I play “Carol of the Bells”, and I remember instruments screeching wildly out of tune due to the first cold day of the year as we laughed and cringed at the sounds. I am transported to the long walk up the stairs, I recall the strange smell as I enter our cramped classroom. I can see the mysterious stains on the carpeted floor, hear the laughter of the entire orchestra as we fumble through a sight reading piece. But I open my eyes, and I am alone again, in my empty house, bunkered down in fear of the pandemic. So, I play another piece, hoping it takes me back to before March 13th.

Caroline Gao

Grade 10, Age 15

West Albany High School | Albany, Oregon

Is this…how it’s supposed to look?” I asked the question through a flute face mask that encircled my head like a too-large tube top, leaving jowls of cobalt fabric pooled on my shoulders. As my fellow flutists turned to view my lopsided PPE, their eyes crinkled into smiles. Our band’s first sectional in eight months wasn’t the reunion I’d imagined, but I was still endlessly grateful to see my friends. It was a moment of light amidst a tumultuous, often lonely journey during the pandemic of rediscovering my relationship with playing the flute. The first few months of shutdown were hardest. Without performances and competitions, I struggled finding motivation to play. Days, even weeks, slipped between practice sessions. However, the time-sludge of COVID-19 also allowed me to reevaluate why I picked up an instrument in the first place: not just for showcasing skills and winning accolades, but also to create joy and refuge for myself. This new approach to my music prioritized what I needed over what others wanted. Sometimes, that meant replacing a soul-killing double-tonguing exercise with comfort songs like Ode to Joy. Other times, it meant letting myself skip a practice session when the weight of living felt overwhelming. Most of all, it meant finding the will to work tirelessly to create beauty even if no audience will ever hear it, because no matter how ugly the outside world is, the escape, hope, and healing I find in music can’t ever be taken away from me.

Noelle Treacy

Instrument: Trumpet

Benet Academy | Illinois

Playing an instrument has changed for me during the pandemic as band has become a family to lean on, not just a group I play music in. When my musical was shut down two shows in, our company still zoomed to talk and continue our close knit community, even when we could not meet in person. My band may not be able to play in person right now, but we still reach out to one another to keep good mental health during these trying times. When making music together was removed due to the pandemic, love and community persisted. Not even a pandemic could stop my music family from being together. Over Zoom, google meets, outside rehearsals, etc. we have grown closer over these months, even without music rehearsals to pull us together. As I approach the end of my high school years, I have been blessed with an amazing group of performers and directors. This pandemic shifted my mindset. This strong community was always there, but it was not until it was put through a test of separation, that I realized how wonderful and loving this community was. In conclusion, playing an instrument has changed for me during the pandemic as I realized the community I had found of musicians could withstand even pandemics and was really all about love and togetherness, not just playing music. Is not music at its core love and community? Thanks to the pandemic, it is clear to me that music is love.

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Essay Scholarships offer students an opportunity to stand out based on their writing. You are evaluated by how you put your thoughts on paper and not on your GPA or community service. The essay competition represents an opportunity for creative students, those with good ideas and those capable of in depth research to stand out.

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Deadlines change, please check the sponsor’s website for specific dates.

Cancer Survivor Scholarship - This program is no longer being offered. Deadlines varies by state The American Cancer Society has many local divisions that ask cancer survivors to write essays about their experiences.

AES Engineering Solutions Scholarship Deadline is in early October AES Engineering offers scholarships to students to help them pay for their education. Students will be judged on their essay.

Williams-Mystic Essay Contest in Honor of Joseph Conrad Deadline is in mid October Create an essay about the ocean or any major body of water (fiction or nonfiction) using 1000 to 5000 words and submit it for consideration. The essay can be a great story or it can deal with the environment, political activism, history or nature.

Bennington Young Writers Competition Deadline is in early November High school students in grades 10 through 12 can submit their writing to the Bennington Young Writers Competition.  Over 2000 students have submitted poetry, fiction and nonfiction in past years to be eligible for the $500 first place prize and the $250 second place awards.

Voice of Democracy Audio Essay Deadline is in early November Can you write? Do you have strong opinions about certain subjects?  The Voice of Democracy Program is an audio essay contest for students in grades 9 through 12.  If you are enrolled in a public, private or parochial high school or home study program in the United States and its territories you are eligible to participate.

First Freedom Student Competition Deadline is in mid November The First Freedom Student Competition is open to 9th to 12th grade high school students. You are required to submit an essay or video commenting on the history and current-day relevance of religious freedom in our country.

Americanism Essay Contest Deadline is in early December The Fleet Reserve Association Essay Contest asks 7th through 12th grade students to write an essay up to 350 words on a different topic every year. The best essay will get a prize of a $10,000 U.S. Savings Bond, with $5,000, $3,000 and $2,000 Savings Bonds awarded to the first, second and third place winners in each grade category. All regional winners are judged at the national level and receive a certificate of recognition.

Being an American Essay - This program is no longer being offered. Deadline is in mid December In 1000 words or less, you need to answer the question: How does the Constitution establish and maintain a culture of liberty?

Foot Locker Scholar Athletes Deadline is in mid December  The Foot Locker Scholar Athletes program honors high school athletes who engaged in leadership activities in their communities.

To compete you need to answer three essay questions (between 200 and 350 words each) and obtain two non-family recommendations.

George S. & Stella M. Knight Essay Contest Deadline is in late December  To participate in the George S. & Stella M. Knight Essay Contest you must do research and write an essay that deals with: an event, person, philosophy, or ideal associated with the American Revolution, the Declaration of Independence, or the framing of the United States Constitution.

Apprentice Ecologist Initiative Deadline is in late December  An $850 educational scholarship will be awarded annually to the authors of the top Apprentice Ecologist essay in the Apprentice Ecologist Initiative™. This tax-free and merit-based scholarship is available to any full or part-time student (aged 13 to 21) who is a candidate for a degree/diploma at a primary, secondary, or accredited post-secondary educational institution from any country around the world.

Profile in Courage Essay Contest Deadline is in early January  Students are asked to write a Profile in Courage, an essay of no more than 1,000 words about an act of political courage by a U.S. elected official that occurred during or after 1956, the publication date of Profiles in Courage.  The official may have addressed an issue at the local, state, or national level.

GE-Reagan Foundation Scholarship Program Deadline is in early January GE has created a scholarship program to award 20 students a year a $10,000 renewal scholarship (the maximum scholarship is $40,000).

Washington Crossing Foundation Scholarship Awards Deadline is in mid January In order to compete in the Washington Crossing Foundation Scholarship Awards, students are asked to write a one-page essay indicating why they are interested in a career in government service.  Include in the essay any inspiration to be derived from the leadership of George Washington in his famous crossing of the Delaware.

National MS Society Scholarship Program Deadline is in mid January The National MS Society Scholarship Program was established to help highly qualified students who have been diagnosed with MS or who have a parent with MS achieve their dreams of going to college.

American Mensa Educational & Research Foundation Scholarship Deadline is in mid January If you’re looking for a college scholarship that is based solely on your ability to write here it is. The American Mensa Education & Research Foundation college scholarship program is based on essays written by you, no grades, academic programs or financial need issues are considered.

Union Plus Scholarship Deadline is in late January The Union Plus Scholarship Program is offered through the Union Plus Education Foundation. To be eligible you must the child of a union member or a union member.

DuPont Challenge Science Essay Deadline is in late January The DuPont Challenge© Science Essay Competition encourages students in grades 7 through 12 to express their enthusiasm for science by writing an essay. The essay must be at least 700 words and no more than 1000 words and it must be submitted online.

National Peace Essay Contest Deadline is in early February The Academy for International Conflict Management and Peacebuilding runs the National Peace Essay Contest. They believe that questions about peace, justice, freedom, and security are vital to civic education. Over 1,100 students submit entries to the essay contest annually.

Optimist International Essay Contest Deadline: Varies by district The Optimist International Essay Contest is sponsored by Optimist International. You must enter the contest through your local Optimist Club (each club has their own deadlines, however, all club contest are done by early February).

National Co-op Scholarship Program Deadline is in mid February Several colleges that provide cooperative education for their students are participating in the National CO-OP Scholarship . They are offering over 100 scholarships ranging up to $30,000 ($6,000 per year up to 5 years).

AFA Teens College Scholarship Deadline is in mid February The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA), a national nonprofit organization, has established a college scholarship to encourage teens to express their thoughts about Alzheimer’s disease and to engage the younger generation in this cause.

Vegetarian Resource Group Scholarship Deadline is in mid February The $5,000 Vegetarian Resource Group Scholarship is awarded to two high school seniors who have promoted vegetarianism in their schools and/or communities.

Spirit of Anne Frank Awards Deadline is in early March The Anne Frank Center is looking for high school seniors that have played a leadership role in their community. The Spirit of Anne Frank Award will go to a student who has exhibited some of the principles and ideals of Anne Frank.

EngineerGirl! Food Engineering Essay Deadline is in early March Every year the EngineerGirl Essay Contest asks boys and girls to write an essay about a different subject. The competition is run by the National Academy of Engineering.

Kaplun Essay Contest Deadline is in early March The Kaplun Essay Contest is broken up into two levels. Level 1 is for 7th through 9th graders, they get one essay. Level 2 - Is for 10th through 12th graders, they get another essay.

Society of Professional Journalists Freedom of the Press High School Essay Contest Deadline is in late February The Society of Professional Journalists believes that the American people need to understand and be informed about the issues in order to make decisions that impact their lives. Journalists provide this information in an accurate, comprehensive, timely and understandable manner.

Young Naturalist Awards Deadline is in early March The Young Naturalist Award is a research-based science competition for students in grades 7-12 to promote participation and communication in science. The student needs to plan and conduct a scientific investigation, one that will include observations, questions, predictions, trips into the field to gather data, and analysis.

DNA Day Essay Contest Deadline is in mid March The American Society of Human Genetics (ASHG) sponsors Annual DNA Day Essay Contest.  Students in grades 9-12 are eligible to participate.  The contest asks students to think about the important concepts of genetics.

Sylvia K. Burack Writing Award Competition - This program is no longer being offered. Deadline is in mid March The Sylvia K. Burack Writing Award is a writing contest for juniors and seniors made in memory of Sylvia K. Burack, an editor and publisher of The Writer magazine.

PFLAG National Scholarship Program Deadline is in mid March The PFLAG National Scholarship Program is sponsored by Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) a national non-profit organization. In addition to the National Scholarship Program, there are many local programs, see below for more information.

Ayn Rand Institute "Anthem" Essay Contest Deadline is in mid March Anthem is a short novel written by Ayn Rand.  It takes place in the future when the world has entered a dark age.  Written in pre-war (1937) England, it talks about a period of time when the concept of individuality no longer exists and the word "I" has disappeared from the language.

Youth Scholarship Program Deadline is in late March The Electronic Security Association maintains the Youth Scholarship Program, which will award scholarships to two children of active-duty police officers and firefighters. The first place winner will receive $7,500 to put toward their college education and the second place winner will receive $2,500. Awards are based on a combination of academic achievement, national test scores, extracurricular participation and an essay titled, “What it means to me to have my parent or guardian involved in securing our community.”

American Foreign Service Association - National High School Essay Contest Deadline is in mid April The American Foreign Service Association has an essay competition open to 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th graders who are required to write an essay of 1000 to 1250 words.  

Signet Classics Student Essay Contest Deadline is in mid April Read a Signet Classic and write an essay. Each English teacher can only submit one junior and one senior essay.  See the Penguin Books Website for more details about how the essays must be submitted.  Students must be between the ages of 16-18.

Holocaust Remembrance Project Essay Contest Deadline is in mid April The Holocaust Remembrance Project is a writing contest about the Holocaust.  Participants should study the holocaust and then, in an essay of no more than 1,200 words: (a) analyze why it is so vital that the remembrance, history and lessons of the Holocaust be passed to a new generation; and (b) suggest what they, as students, can do to combat and prevent prejudice, discrimination and violence in our world today.

Toby Nussbaum Contest Jewish Heritage- Writing Contest Deadline is in early May To celebrate Jewish Heritage Week the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York is sponsoring The Toby Nussbaum Jewish Heritage Writing Contest for students in the New York City school system.  To enter you must write 250 to 300 words about the current year's theme.

NPG Essay Scholarship Contest Deadline is in mid April Negative Population Growth (NPG) is a national membership organization whose goal is to educate the American public and political leaders about the detrimental effects of overpopulation on our environment, resources and quality of life.  One of the ways they do this is with their Annual Scholarship Contest.

Ayn Rand Institute "Fountainhead" Essay Contest Deadline is in late April The Fountainhead is a novel written in 1943 by Ayn Rand. It was an early literary success for her.  Over 6.5 million copies of the book have been sold worldwide.

It is the story of Howard Roark, is a young architect who acts on principal and works in obscurity rather than changing his artistic and personal vision.  His fight is to practice modern architecture as opposed to more traditional work.  More information about the essay contest can be found on the Ayn Rand Institute Website.  Submitted essays must be no fewer than 800 and no more than 1,600 words.

Young Native Writers Essay Contest Deadline is in late April The Young Native Writers Essay Contest is open to Native American high school students with a relationship with a Native American tribal community.

Skandalaris Family Foundation Scholarship Deadline is in early May The Skandalaris Family Foundation is an independent, non-profit foundation that awards scholarships to students characterized by their special talents, leadership skills, unselfish ways, strong values, and commitment to excellence. The majority of their scholarships will be granted to residents of the State of Michigan, but the scholarship is not limited to Michigan residents.

We the Living Essay Contest - This program is no longer being offered. Deadline is in early May The essay contest asks high school students in the 10th through 12th grade to write about the book in an essay of 700 to 1500 words.

BP Community Scholarship Program Deadline is in mid May The BP Scholarship Program is sponsored by BP employees and dealers in the New York and New Jersey area.

James Beard Foundation Scholarship Program Deadline is in mid May Whether you’re interested in baking, pastry, culinary arts or some other aspect of food or hospitality management, the James Beard Foundation School Scholarships may be for you.  Fourteen US and international schools are participating in this culinary scholarship and each program is somewhat different in both the amount of tuition waiver and what programs of study are eligible.

JASNA Essay Contest Deadline is in mid May The Jane Austen Society of North America (JASNA) Essay Contest celebrates the life and work of the author. Students at the high school, college and even graduate level are encouraged to enter. This essay contest is open to students worldwide.

Dream Deferred Essay Contest Deadline is in late May The Dream Deferred Essay Contest was inspired by a 1951 Langston Hughes poem, What happens to a dream deferred? Just as the Langston Hughes poem helped inspire the civil rights movement, the contest sponsors feel that essay contest will also be regarded as an opportunity for American and Middle Eastern youth to unite over the issue of advancing civil liberties in the Middle East.

Samsung Techwin America Scholarship - This program is no longer being offered. Deadline is in mid May The Samsung Techwin America Scholarship is for high school students. To enter applicants must submit a 300 word essay on: How will technology enable the collaboration process in the future?

Big Dig Scholarship - This program is no longer being offered. Deadline is in early June Make your grandchildren rich, at least in theory.  This essay scholarship asks you imagine that you could bury something in your backyard that would make your heirs wealthy.

Automotive Hall of Fame Scholarship Deadline is in late June The Automotive Hall of Fame Scholarship is for high school seniors and college students with an interest in the automotive field and financial need. In addition to the eligibility requirements listed below, you need to write an essay describing your career goals and objectives for the next five years.

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David McCullough Essay Prizes

Programs & events, student opportunities.

David McCullough at Trinity School in Manhattan, October 15, 2019

The Gilder Lehrman Institute is now accepting submissions for the 2024 David McCullough Essay Prizes. The contest has been recently overhauled, and will recognize fourteen outstanding high school student research and interpretive essays with cash prizes of up to $5,000. This contest is named in memory of David McCullough (1933–2022)—a Pulitzer Prize–winning historian and Gilder Lehrman Life Trustee—and honors his career telling America’s stories and examining its histories. Learn more about his life and legacy here .

High school students attending schools in our Affiliate School Program are eligible and encouraged to participate. (Email [email protected] if you are not sure whether your school is an Affiliate School.) They are invited to submit an original essay, written independently or for a 2023–2024 class, that has been revised, expanded, and adapted to conform with the new McCullough Prize specifications. The two essay categories are as follows:

Research Essay: Students are invited to submit a research essay incorporating primary and secondary sources on a topic in American history from 1491 to 2001.

Interpretive Essay: Students are invited to submit an interpretive essay focusing on close reading and analysis of one primary source from American history, 1491 to 2001, in the Gilder Lehrman Collection of more than 85,000 historical documents.

More requirements for both essay categories can be found in these updated David McCullough Essay Prizes 2024 Rubrics .

All participants will receive a certificate of participation suitable for framing. Prize winners in each of our two categories—research essays and a new interpretive essay category—will receive cash awards as follows:

• 1st Prize: $5,000 (plus a $500 prize awarded to the school)
• 2nd Prize: $1,500 (plus a $500 prize awarded to the school)
• Five 3rd Prizes: $500 each

To be considered for the David McCullough Essay Prizes, students, or their teachers or parents, can submit the student entry by 8:00 p.m. ET on Friday, June 28, 2024 . A panel of Gilder Lehrman master teachers will choose the pool of finalists, from which a jury of eminent historians will choose the winners. Essays will be evaluated for their historical rigor, the clarity and correctness of their style, their use of evidence, and their qualities of empathy and imagination. Winners will be notified and announced no later than Friday, September 13, 2024.

Submit Essay

General Requirements

Font and Page Style: Papers should be submitted in 12-point, Times New Roman font with one-inch margins at the top, bottom, and sides. Essays should be free of teacher commentary or other notes.

Organization: Top essays have an introduction, body, and conclusion and a clearly stated, well-developed thesis statement with supportive historical evidence.

Essay Topics: Essays can be on any topic related to American history from 1491 to 2001. Essays in the interpretative category must feature a primary source (letter, broadside, art, political cartoon, speech, etc.) from the Gilder Lehrman Collection .

Past Winners

Read the winning essays submitted by previous years’ contestants.

2023 Contest Winners 2022 Contest Winners 2021 Contest Winners 2020 Contest Winners

Follow in the steps of these Past Winners and submit your entry today!

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Top Ten Online Colleges

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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These 11 Essay Contests with Generous Prizes Will Change Your Life

Table of Contents

Essay contests are unusual because to win them you have to use your words. If you are a student who aspires to become a journalist, novelist, or poet, then these essay contests are a stepping stone for you to make that dream a reality.

Essay contests often ask participants to answer a question in the most original and obvious way. However, each contest will have its own rules and regulations to fulfill. You may have to write an essay on a specific topic and meet word count limits. To enter an essay contest, you must have the ability to write something fresh.

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

1. FIRE Free Speech Essay Contest

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

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

Who should apply?

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

What are the prizes of this contest?

One $10,000 first-place prize, one $ 5,000 second-place prize, three $1,000 third-place prizes, and four $500 prizes will be awarded.

2. Ayn Rand Institute Essay Contests

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

ARI has held worldwide essay contests for students on Ayn Rand’s fiction for more than thirty years, awarding over $2 million in total prize money! To enter this contest, choose one of the three works of Ayn Rand fiction below and decide what theme you will cover in your essay by answering one of the questions posed on the essay contests web page.

• The Fountainhead
• Atlas Shrugged

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

These essay contests are available for students who are interested in Ayn Rand’s work ranging from grade eight students to postgraduate students. Please note that, however, the eligibility for each contest is different.

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

3. AFSA National High School Essay Contest

The United States Foreign Service—often referred to as America’s first line of defense—works to prevent conflict from breaking out abroad and threats from coming to our shores. Peacebuilders work on the ground to create the conditions for peace and resolve conflicts where they are most needed.

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

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

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

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

4. JASNA Essay Contests

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

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

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

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

Membership in JASNA is not required to enter the contest.

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

• First Place: $1,000 scholarship and free registration and two nights’ lodging for JASNA’s upcoming Annual General Meeting,
• Second Place: $500 scholarship,
• Third Place: $250 scholarship.

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

5. The Immerse Education Essay Competition

The Immerse Education Essay Competition provides the opportunity for students aged 13-18 to submit essay responses to a pre-set question relating to their chosen subject. The essay questions are pre-defined according to your age group and preferred subject. You are encouraged to tailor your essay response to reflect your interest in your chosen subject.

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

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

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

6. Fraser Institute Student Essay Contest

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

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

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

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

7. Optimist International Essay Contests

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

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

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

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

8. 2021 We the Students Essay Contest

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

10. Civics Education Essay Contest

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

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

For the 9th-12th grade winners:

• One (1) First Place: $1,000
• One (1) Second Place: $500
• One (1) Third Place: $250

For the 6th-8th grade winners:

• One (1) First Place: $400
• One (1) Second Place: $200
• One (1) Third Place: $100

For the 3rd-5th grade winners:

• One (1) First Place: $300
• One (1) Second Place: $150

11. St. Gallen Symposium Global Essay Competition

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

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

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

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

Concordia Presidential Scholarship in Canada for Undergraduate Students

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

GSIS Scholarship Requirements And Amount

Scholarship America Login and Renewal

DSWD Scholarship 2024 Application Form

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Atlas Shrugged Essay Contest

Students      >      Essay Contests      >     Atlas Shrugged

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

Annual Grand Prize

June 14, 2024

Summer Entry Deadline

Book Length

Interested in participating?

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

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

What is Atlas Shrugged?

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

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

How It Works

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

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

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

Challenging Essay Topics

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

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

Questions? Write to us at [email protected] .

• Summer Prompt
• Fall Prompt
• Winter Prompt

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

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

Grand Prize

Master our grading standards.

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

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

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

Organization

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

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

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

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

Learn from Past Winners

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

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

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

Jacob Fisher

Graduate Student

Stanford University

Stanford, California

United States

Mariah Williams

Regis University

Denver, Colorado

Nathaniel Shippee

University of Illinois

Chicago, Illinois

Samuel Weaver

St. John’s College

Annapolis, Maryland

Patrick Mayles

Graduate student

Universidad Nacional de Colombia

Christina Jeong

College Student

University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, Indiana

Improve Your Writing Skills

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

The Atlas Project

Writing: a mini-course.

Sign Up for Contest Updates!

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

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

Great! Let's get you a copy of the book.

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

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

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Please enter your password below, either to create a new account or to sign in to your existing account for the contest. Once you're logged in to your account, you'll be able to save your entry progress and return later to complete it.

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

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Rotary reveals essay contest winners, three mms students honored.

Marshall Middle School sixth graders Kelsey Cowden, Maria Jose and Hailey Tallam took a photo with members of the Marshall noon Rotary club at Wednesday’s award ceremony for the winners of the Four-Way Test essay contest. Cowden won third place, Jose won second place, and Tallam won first place in the contest.

MARSHALL — There was an atmosphere of excitement as sixth-grade students gathered in the Marshall Middle School auditorium on Wednesday. Everyone was waiting to hear who the winners of this year’s Rotary Four-Way Test essay contest would be.

“We were excited to pick some winners, and this was not easy,” Marshall Public Schools Superintendent and Rotary member Jeremy Williams told students. “It’s not like there was just one or two good essays, there were a lot of good essays to pick from.”

One by one, Williams announced the names of Kelsey Cowden, Maria Jose and Hailey Tallam as the third place, second place and first place winners of the contest.

Classmates cheered for each of the winners, as Williams shook their hands and presented them each with a certificate and a cash prize. As the grand prize winner, Tallam was also invited to visit an upcoming meeting of the Marshall noon Rotary, Williams said.

The essay contest is an annual event organized by Marshall Rotarians. Kids are asked to write about how the Rotary’s Four-Way Test applies to their own lives.

“That’s something that the Rotary group uses every day,” Williams explained. “Every time we meet, we recite this Four-Way Test. We think about, how does this apply to what we’re doing in our community?”

The test has four questions Rotary members apply to the things they say or do, club members said. Those questions are: “Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build goodwill and better friendships? Is it beneficial to all concerned?”

“Those are good things to think about every day in the classroom, or when you’re going through your school day,” Williams told students. “That’s what you wrote essays about. And you had some really good things you wrote about in those essays.”

In addition to recognizing this year’s top three essay writers, Wednesday’s awards ceremony also called up students for classroom awards from MMS language arts teachers.

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