What is an Essay Scholarship?
Essay-based scholarships are a common avenue for students seeking financial aid for their higher education journey. While they may seem daunting, essay scholarships offer valuable opportunities for students to earn money. Unlike no-essay scholarships, which are easier in terms of application time and effort, essay scholarships generally attract fewer applicants, providing higher chances of success. The essay prompt typically revolves around personal experiences or goals, allowing applicants to showcase their unique qualities.
These scholarships cater to students of all ages and academic levels, encouraging them to add personality and detail to their essays. While some prompts may seem more suited to college students, high school students should still apply if eligible. The goal of essay scholarships is to give donors a deeper understanding of applicants, making personalized and detailed essays crucial for standing out. So, whether serious or light-hearted, essay scholarships provide an opportunity for students to shine.
Consider this example:
John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Essay Contest
Amount: $10,000
Deadline: January 12, 2025
Awards Available: 25
Eligibility: high school students (9 to 12 grade)
Types of Essay Scholarships:
1. Academic Achievement Scholarships:
These scholarships celebrate the exceptional academic accomplishments of high school students. Examples include the National Merit Scholarship and the Coca-Cola Scholars Program, which recognize students for their academic excellence, leadership, and community service involvement.
2. Creative Writing Scholarships:
Geared towards aspiring writers in fiction, poetry, or screenwriting, these scholarships provide both financial support and acknowledgment. Notable examples include the Helen McCloy Scholarship and the Janelle Gray Preyer Scholarship, requiring applicants to demonstrate their passion for creative writing through writing samples and personal statements.
3. Career-Specific Scholarships:
Aimed at underrepresented groups pursuing specific career paths, these scholarships offer targeted support. For instance, the Indigenous Education Scholarship assists Indigenous students across various disciplines, while the Patsy Takemoto Mink Education Foundation Scholarship aids single mothers seeking vocational training or higher education. Similarly, opportunities like the Gates Millennium Scholars Program support students of color in science, mathematics, teaching, engineering, or healthcare careers.
4. Diversity and Inclusion Scholarships:
These scholarships promote diversity and inclusion by supporting students from marginalized communities. Examples include TheDream.US scholarship for undocumented students and the Point Foundation Scholarship for LGBTQIA+ individuals. These scholarships aim to provide financial assistance and opportunities for underrepresented students to pursue their educational and professional aspirations.
5. Entrepreneurial Scholarships:
Targeting students with innovative ideas and entrepreneurial spirit, these scholarships encourage creativity and leadership. Recipients may receive funding and mentorship to support their entrepreneurial ventures. Examples include the Thiel Fellowship and the Davidson Fellows Scholarship, which recognize young innovators and entrepreneurs with promising ideas and projects.
6. Global Citizenship Scholarships:
These scholarships aim to empower students committed to making a positive impact on global issues. They support initiatives such as community development, sustainability, and social justice. Examples include the Rhodes Scholarship and the Fulbright Scholarship, which provide opportunities for students to pursue graduate studies or conduct research abroad while fostering cross-cultural understanding and collaboration.
Essay scholarships available right now in USA (MAY 2024)
This table includes some of the latest top essay scholarship around USA including deadline and requirements.
SL No | Name | Amount | Deadline | Qualification |
01 | $2,500 | Mid 2024 | Undergrad and (high school seniors) | |
02 | NRF Foundation Next Generation Scholarship
| $25,000 | May10,2024 | juniors or seniors enrolled,minimum 3.0 GPA |
03 | $1,000 | May10,2024 | graduating senior | |
04 | $2,500 | May24,2024 | high school senior from Ventura County,cgpa>=2.0 | |
05 | ACAA Educational Foundation Scholarship
| $5,000 | June 7, ,2024 | currently-enrolled graduate and undergraduate students |
06 | $5,000 | May 24, 2024 | college juniors or seniors ( 1 full semester left) | |
07 | $5,000 | coming Soon | sophomores at accredited, senior colleges in Pennsylvania | |
08 |
FRA Americanism Essay Contest Scholarships
| $1,000, $1,500, $2,500, and $5,000 | Dec , 2024 | Get sponsored by an FRA member or local branch, junior or senior high in grades 7-12 |
09 | $1,008 | May 24, 2024 | high school seniors from Maryland and Washington, D.C. | |
10 | $4,000 | May 25, 2024 | Permanent resident of Illinois,Majoring or planning to major in hotel and/or hospitality
| |
11 | $1,000 | May 30, 2024 | women pursuing a bachelor's, master's, or Ph.D degree in journalism, creative writing, or literature at a recognized post-secondary institution. | |
12 | $1,000 | May 31, 2024 | students who have lost a parent to alcohol, drug or prescription drug abuse. Enrolled in college or university | |
13 | $5,000 | May 31, 2024 | undergraduate student, minimum 2.75 GPA |
Requirements of essay scholarships
- Length of the Essay: 500 to 1000 words, some asks from 3000 to 4000 words.
Page length also can be considered instead of word counts.
- Essay Topic:
Adherence to Prompt: Write your essay based on the given prompt or question. Stay on topic and address all parts of the question.
Originality: Your essay should be unique and original. Plagiarism is strictly prohibited and can disqualify you.
- Reusing Essay : Can be done, but it isn't highly appreciated.
How to have the best Essays
- Understand the Prompt: Make sure you fully understand what the prompt is asking. Break it down into parts if necessary and ensure you address each aspect.
- Plan and Outline: Before writing, create an outline to organize your thoughts and structure your essay logically.
- Be Authentic: Use your own voice and personal experiences. Scholarship committees are looking for genuine, heartfelt responses.
- Provide Examples: Use specific examples to illustrate your points. Personal anecdotes can be powerful and memorable.
- Stay Focused: Stick to the main topic and avoid unnecessary tangents. Every paragraph should support the main thesis of your essay.
- Edit and Revise: Write multiple drafts. Editing and revising your essay can help you refine your ideas and improve clarity.
- Follow Instructions: Carefully read and follow all instructions provided by the scholarship provider. Missing a crucial detail can result in disqualification
A demo for an Essay Scholarship
Describe a significant challenge you have faced and how you overcame it. How did this experience shape your future goals and aspirations? (within 500 words)
>Sample Essay Response
Title: Overcoming Adversity: My Journey to Becoming a Leader
Essay:
Growing up in a small rural community, I faced numerous challenges, but none was more formidable than the lack of access to quality education and extracurricular opportunities. Our local school, underfunded and understaffed, struggled to provide the resources necessary for students to thrive. However, it was this very adversity that fueled my determination to succeed and fostered my passion for education and leadership.
In eighth grade, I encountered a particularly significant challenge. Our school’s only science teacher left due to budget cuts, leaving us without a science program for the year. As someone who dreamed of becoming an engineer, I felt devastated. I could not afford private tutoring, and online resources were limited by our unreliable internet connection.
Rather than succumbing to frustration, I decided to take matters into my own hands. I approached the principal with a proposal to start a student-led science club. With his reluctant approval and the support of a few dedicated classmates, we began meeting twice a week in the library. We pooled our knowledge, borrowed textbooks from the public library, and used my father’s old laptop to watch science lectures on YouTube.
The journey was far from easy. Organizing the club, preparing materials, and teaching my peers required tremendous effort and time management. Yet, this experience taught me invaluable lessons in leadership, resilience, and resourcefulness. I learned how to communicate effectively, delegate tasks, and inspire others to share my vision.
By the end of the year, our club had not only managed to cover the entire science curriculum but also participated in a regional science fair, where we won second place for our group project on renewable energy. This achievement was a turning point for me. It validated my belief that with determination and creativity, we can overcome even the most daunting obstacles.
This experience shaped my future goals and aspirations profoundly. It ignited a passion for advocating for educational equity and innovation. I am now pursuing a degree in education with a minor in public policy, aiming to become an educational leader who can influence positive changes in underfunded and underserved schools.
Moreover, it inspired my long-term goal of establishing a non-profit organization dedicated to providing resources and support to rural schools. I envision programs that offer teacher training, student mentorship, and access to modern educational technology, ensuring that every student, regardless of their geographic location, has the opportunity to succeed.
In conclusion, overcoming the challenge of inadequate educational resources not only reinforced my commitment to my own academic and career goals but also instilled a deep-seated drive to help others facing similar struggles. I am determined to make a difference, just as I did with my science club, by turning obstacles into opportunities for growth and success.