11 Writing Contests for High School Students with Cash Awards

Calling all high school student writers! If you’re looking for scholarships or ways to fund your future education, look no further than writing contests. 

If you are a talented writer, you can find plenty of contests that will allow you to submit your writing for consideration. Many of them offer cash prizes and/or scholarships. 

Below are 11 writing contests for high school students, but you can find plenty of other contests, both niche and general, by searching online.

1. Scholastic Art and Writing Awards

The Scholastic Art and Writing Awards celebrate art created by students age 13 and older in grades 7 through 12 on both a regional and national scale. You can submit in a huge variety of categories and styles, and you can enter awards that have cash prizes or scholarships.

Categories include science fiction and fantasy writing, critical essays, humor, dramatic scripts, and more.

Prizes vary as well. Gold medal portfolio winners can earn a $10,000 scholarship, and silver medal winners with distinction can earn a $1,000 scholarship, and there are more options for various categories. Fees to apply also vary by region, but the fee is generally $7 for a single entry and $25 for a portfolio entry.

Since these contests vary, you can use Scholastic’s Affiliate Partner search to find out when projects are due for your specific area.

2. Young Lions Fiction Award

To apply for this award, sponsored by the New York Public Library, any writer age 35 or younger may submit a novel or collection of short stories.

Each year, a reading committee of Young Lions members, writers, editors, and librarians select five finalists, and a panel of judges selects the winner.

The winner of this award will receive a $10,000 scholarship.

The deadline to apply is usually in September of the scholarship year, and it’s free to apply.

3. Ocean Awareness Contest

Students ages 11 through 18 from around the world are invited to participate in the Ocean Awareness Contest by submitting work in the form of visual art, creative writing, film, interactive and multimedia, performing arts, and poetry and spoken word.

The Junior Division is for students ages 11 through 14, and the Senior Division is for students ages 15 through 18.

In the Junior Division, the Gold Award is $1,000, Silver $750, Bronze $250, and Honorable Mention $50. In the Senior Division, the Gold Award is $1,500, Silver $1,000, Bronze $500, and Honorable Mention $100.

The 2021 theme is WATER RISING, and students can choose from five different prompts to which they will respond through their choice of submission.

4. The Adroit Prizes for Poetry and Prose

Each year, the Adroit Prizes awards  two students who must be in high school or studying at the undergraduate level. 

Submissions may include up to six poems (maximum of ten pages single-spaced) and/or up to three works of prose (combined word limit of 3,500 words). Students may submit excerpts of longer works if they choose. 

Simultaneous submissions are also accepted, as long as students acknowledge in their cover letter that the work has been submitted elsewhere. Students may only submit one work per genre, per year, but they may submit entries to both the poetry and prose categories in a given year.

The submission fee is $13, but students can fill out a form if they need financial assistance.

All submissions will be considered for publication in the Adroit Journal , and winners will be awarded $200. 

The deadline for this prize is typically in April each year.

5. NSHSS Creative Writing Scholarship

High school students of all ages are eligible for this creative writing scholarship, sponsored by the National Society of High School Scholars. Students can submit work (that has not been previously published) in one or both categories: poetry and fiction. 

In the poetry category, students may submit their original poetry in any style, from formal verse to free verse and experiment. The poem should be formatted as you wish it to appear in publication.

In the fiction category, students may submit a piece of short fiction, no more than 5,000 words and not single-spaced. The student may choose any genre, including graphic novel or short story.

A prize of $2,000 will be awarded to one student winner in each category.

Though the submissions are closed for the 2020 scholarship, the 2021 scholarship applications will be open, likely sometime in the spring of 2021.

6. YoungArts Competition

Emerging artists ages 15 through 18, or grades 10 through 12, are invited to apply for this award in various disciplines, including visual arts, writing, and music, by submitting a portfolio of work. The winner is selected through a blind adjudication process conducted by an independent panel of highly accomplished artists. 

There is a $35 application fee, but it can be waived.

Winners of the YoungArts Competition receive financial awards up to $10,000, creative and professional development experiences with renowned guest artists, and eligibility for a nomination as a U.S. Presidential Scholar in the arts. 

The application for the 2021 competition is closed, but the 2022 YoungArts application will open in the summer of 2021. By visiting the website, you can sign up for application news and updates.

7. The American Foreign Services Association Essay Contest

US students grade 9 through 12, as well as students in the District of Columbia, U.S. territories, or US citizens attending school abroad or at home are welcome to submit an essay identifying the United States’ strengths and weaknesses in establishing peace in foreign countries. The essay must be between 1,000 and 1,250 words and answer three questions about US foreign policy and national security.

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

The deadline to apply is April 5, 2021, and there’s no application fee.

8. The Lewis Center Ten-Minute Play Contest

Students in the eleventh grade (or international equivalent) are eligible for this annual playwriting contest. Each year, the jury consists of members of the Princeton University Program in Theater faculty.

Applicants may submit only one play of 10 pages maximum. 

The award for first prize is $500, second prize $250, and third prize $100.

Entries for the 2021 prize are due by March 31, 2021 at 11:59 pm EST.

9. We the Students Essay Contest

This contest, run by the Bill of Rights Institute, asks students to answer the question, “What are the essential qualities of a citizen in your community in 21st century America?” in an essay between 500 and 800 words. 

Students must be US citizens or legal residents between the ages of 14 and 19 attending public, private, charter, or religious schools in the U.S., U.S. territories or districts, or Armed Forces schools abroad to apply. Home-schooled students and those enrolled in correspondence or GED programs are also eligible to apply.

One national winner will receive a $5,000 cash prize and a scholarship to Constitutional Academy. 6 runners-up will receive $1,250 each, and eight honorable mentions will receive $500 each. 

The deadline to enter is April 15, 2021 at 11:59 pm PST.

10. Young Writers Awards

To promote excellence in writing at the high school level, Bennington College invites submissions from students in grades 9 through 12 for this annual award.

Students may submit work in three different categories:

  • Poetry: a group of three poems
  • Fiction: a short story (1,500 words or fewer) or a one-act play (no more than 30 minutes of playing time)
  • Nonfiction: a personal or academic essay (1,500 words or fewer)

A first, second, and third place winner is selected in each category. First place winners are awarded $500, second place $250, and third place $125.

There is no fee to enter this competition, which typically runs from September 3 to November 1 each year, with winners posted on the website in mid-April.

11. YouthPLAYS

Students under the age of 19 may submit a one-act, non-musical play of at least ten pages for consideration. The play submitted should be the work of a single author, appropriate for high school audiences, and contain at least two characters, with one or more of those characters being youths in age-appropriate roles. The contest encourages large casts with multiple female roles.

One winner will receive $200, have their play published by YouthPLAYS, and receive a copy of Great Dialog, a program for writing dialog. One runner-up will receive $50 and a copy of Great Dialog.

The deadline to apply is May 1, 2021.

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45 Scholarships Worth $1,000 for High School Students

51 Scholarships Worth $1,000 for High School Students

With hundreds of scholarships available to high school students, it can quickly become overwhelming trying to decide which ones are worth submitting an application. While eligibility requirements automatically narrow your list, that still leaves tons of scholarships to choose from. Afterall, with school, college applications, and the excitement of senior year, motivation to complete dozens of scholarship applications and essays can be hard to find. That’s why we’ve created this list of high stakes scholarships, all with at least $1,000 awards. These scholarships are the biggest bang for your buck and definitely worth setting aside time to work on applications. Apply for free money in the most efficient way possible with these $1,000 scholarships just for highschool students! 

Want to find more scholarships? Check out our other scholarship lists !

Our Top Scholarship Pick

The $25,000 “be bold” no essay scholarship.

Rolling monthly application deadlines

Award: Awards $25,000

Overview: The $25,000 “Be Bold” Scholarship is a no-essay scholarship that will be awarded to the applicant with the boldest profile. No-Essay Scholarship in just a few clicks! Fund your education with verified new scholarships, available only on Bold.org. New scholarships are added daily, and membership is 100% free for students.

Imagine Dragons Origins Scholarship

Deadline: Sep 15, 2021

Award Amount: $10,000 4 winners, $2,500 each

Overview: In their decade of touring the world, Grammy-winning band Imagine Dragons saw firsthand that music knows no boundaries. It’s a universal language that connects people from all walks of life, backgrounds, and cultures.

Unfortunately, many of those who come to America from other countries face incredible educational and financial challenges. In an effort to honor the unifying spirit of music, the band’s scholarship supports and amplifies their voices, knowing that diversity makes us all stronger.

The Imagine Dragons Origins Scholarship will help four refugee, immigrant, or first-generation American students to achieve their educational dreams with $2,500 each.

Bubba Wallace Live to Be Different Scholarship

Deadline: May 31, 2021

Award Amount: $10,000

Holy Family University content ad

Overview: Bubba and Live To Be Different’s mission is to encourage the next generation to be better and more inclusive than every generation before it so that they can achieve anything they put their mind to, just as Bubba has done in his journey standing up for racial justice while trailblazing as one of NASCAR’s most successful African-American drivers.

In doing so, Live To Be Different strives to empower and support disadvantaged individuals with educational, medical, social, or other types of assistance needed to help make their dreams reality.

To enter, please share an experience of a time when you encountered adversity, and what you did to overcome it.

Breanden Beneschott Fire Memes Scholarship

Deadline: October 1, 2021

Award Amount: $1,000

Overview: The Breanden Beneschott Fire Memes Scholarship exists to support the creative souls of the world who dream up and make memes that spread truth, humor, and ideas.

The scholarship is open to anyone in school and anyone with student debt. To enter, all you need to do is:

  • Submit your favorite memes. Bonus points for originality.
  • Share a short caption for the meme(s), including your Instagram handle.
  • Follow the Fire Meme Scholarship Instagram at @fire.student.memes and like/comment on your favorite memes.The best submissions will get featured on The Fire Meme Scholarship Instagram. Winners will be chosen in part based on the popularity of their submissions!

3LAU “Everything” Scholarship

Deadline: June 20, 2021

Award Amount: $14,770

Overview: We all have goals and dreams, but it takes a special system of motivation and support to chase them every day and to work towards being the best versions of ourselves. It can be our families, friends, loved ones, creative talents, academic pursuits, and artistic passions. We all have something that drives us.

Who or what is your everything?

The 3LAU “Everything” Scholarship is open to any high school or undergraduate student who has big dreams and a passion for life and expressing themselves.

JuJu Foundation Scholarship

Deadline: Jun 30, 2021

Award Amount: $20,000 4 winners, $5,000 each

Overview: Pittsburgh Steelers and former University of Southern California WR JuJu Smith-Schuster is dedicated to giving his all on the field for his teammates, and off the field for his community. In 2019, he created The JuJu Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to the support of youth initiatives and lifting the spirits of those in need.

Today, JuJu and his foundation are partnering with Bold.org to help students achieve their educational dreams. The JuJu Foundation Scholarship will help four students who are facing economic hardship to pay for their education with $5,000 each. All current high school and undergraduate students studying in the US who face financial challenges in paying for their education are welcome to apply.

Hustle Tech & Business News No-Essay Scholarship

Overview: This scholarship will be awarded to applicants who get the most out of The Hustle Daily. You will be a strong applicant if you:

  • Read The Hustle every day
  • Share The Hustle with your friends
  • Apply what you learn to accelerate your education and career

Finalists to this scholarship will be interviewed about how they applied what they learned from The Hustle Daily to their education and career!

While the scholarship will be awarded on May 31, 2021, the scholarship will have rolling monthly application deadlines. Students applying within earlier application windows will have a greater chance of winning the award.

HomeCare.com Nursing Scholarship

Deadline: April 29, 2021

Award Amount: $8,000 4 winners, $2,000 each

The HomeCare.com Nursing Scholarship is designed to provide equitable opportunities for prospective Black nurses to excel in their studies. All prospective nursing majors, LPNs, or RNs are eligible to apply for this scholarship.

To apply, please submit a 400-600 word essay sharing who or what inspires you in your nursing career, and how you will apply your motivation to serve the public through your practice.

Lewis University Launch Your Career Scholarship

Overview: The Lewis University Launch Your Career Scholarship is designed to supply the next generation of Lewis University students with the tools to make an impact and succeed even before setting foot on campus to start their adventure as a Lewis University student.

All current high school seniors or undergraduate students who have Lewis University as a college of interest and are interested in attending are eligible to apply!

Ayn Rand “The Fountainhead” Essay Contest 

Award Amount: $5,000 for 1st place

Overview: Have you read one of Ayn Rand’s thought-provoking novels? Now’s the time! Enter an Ayn Rand Institute essay contest for your 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. This year we will award over 230 prizes, totaling more than $70,000.

Allwork Scholarship 

Deadline: March 22, 2021

Award Amount: Up to $10,000

Overview:  This merit-based scholarship supports architecture students with demonstrated financial need. Students must be nominated by the dean or chair of the school of architecture in which they are currently studying in order to apply for this award.

Morning Brew Tech & Business News Scholarship

Overview:  This scholarship will be awarded to applicants who get the most out of Morning Brew. You will be a strong applicant if you:

  • Read Morning Brew every day
  • Share Morning Brew with your friends

Finalists to this scholarship will be interviewed about how they applied what they learned from Morning Brew to their education and career!

Diversity in Music Education Scholarship

Deadline: Sep 30, 2021

Award Amount: $6,000 3 winners, $2,000 each

Overview: The Symphonic Distribution Art Student Debt Scholarship exists to support students from a minority background who are looking to take their career in the arts to the next level. This scholarship is open to all minority students who are interested in, already enrolled in, or are recent graduates with a degree in the arts. To apply, applicants must submit a short video about why music and the arts are important to culture and how they can be used to promote cross-cultural inclusion.

Zippia’s Teacher Dream Job Scholarship

Deadline: December 31, 2021

Overview: Tell us in 500 words or less, why you want to be a teacher. Describe your dream job to us and tell us WHY this is your dream job. Send your essay in the body of the email (no attachments) to [email protected] with the subject line: “My Teacher Dream Job Scholarship Contest Entry”.

Diller Teen Awards 

Deadline: APPLICATIONS FOR THE THE 2022 AWARDS WILL OPEN IN AUGUST, 2021

Award Amount: $36,000

Overview:  The Diller Teen Tikkun Olam Awards recognize Jewish teens in the United States who have demonstrated remarkable leadership and initiative in projects that embody the values of  tikkun olam , “repairing the world.”

Soo Joo Park Scholarship for Asian American Women

Deadline: Sep 1, 2021

Award Amount: $2,000

The Soo Joo Park Scholarship for Asian American Women exists to uplift and support the voices of individuals from Asian American background who have faced challenges big or small to make a difference in their own lives and their community. The scholarship is open to Asian American women ages 16 and up from immigrant backgrounds in any field of study and educational level.

Skimm Money No-Essay Scholarship

Award Amount: Up to $1,000

This scholarship will be awarded to applicants who get the most out of Skimm Money. You’ll be a strong applicant if you:

  • Read Skimm Money regularly
  • Check out articles on theskimm.com/money for more ways to take control of your money
  • Finalists to this scholarship will be interviewed about how they applied what they learned from Skimm Money to their lives.

This scholarship will have rolling monthly application deadlines. Students applying within earlier application windows will have a greater chance of winning the award.

Next Young Leaders Program Scholarship

Deadline: July 15, 2021

Overview: To contribute to the advancement of leadership for the future, the Next Young Leaders Program Scholarship will be awarded to one very ambitious and impactful student who has stellar leadership qualities and displays excellence in and out of the classroom. The Next Young Leaders Program is a program led by Agha Haider, who is focused on providing high school seniors with an opportunity to navigate the college process, receive a virtual mentorship, and a scholarship towards their college education. All high school juniors (2022) are eligible to apply for this scholarship. To apply, please describe an example of your leadership and write about what being a leader means to you.

Dashanna K. McNeil Memorial Scholarship

Deadline: July 1, 2021

Award Amount: $9,008 6 winners, $1,501 each

The Dashanna K. McNeil Memorial Scholarship exists to honor her life and to encourage those who share her commitment to healing and continue in their studies and pending careers.

To apply, please answer the essay question below:

If you’re a high school senior : As a graduating high school student, why do you want to become a nurse, and is there a specific area of nursing you would like to pursue?

Endeavor Design Scholarship

Deadline: Jun 18, 2021

Award Amount: $1,865

The Endeavor Design Scholarship is offered in support of creating racial equity in the fields of Fashion/Footwear, Industrial, and Graphic Design.

Requirements:

  • Scholarship reserved for Black High School students, Massachusetts residents only
  • Must be a High School Senior/Student who plans to enroll in a full-time undergraduate study at an accredited two- or four-year college, university, or CEGEP institution for the entire academic year
  • Pursuing a design-related degree; majors include: Fashion Design, Footwear Design, Industrial Design, Graphic Design, or related fields.

To apply, submit 5-7 photos of your portfolio. Write a brief statement about what design means to you and how a career in design would be transformational for you.

Teen Entrepreneur Scholarship

Deadline: Aug 31, 2021

Award Amount: $3,000

The Teenage Entrepreneur Society is announcing the Teen Entrepreneur Scholarship with the aim of providing support for young entrepreneurs in need of funding for either their education or furthering their business. All high school entrepreneurs are eligible to apply for this scholarship.

To apply, please talk about a support system in your life and how they’ve given you the tools to be successful in your entrepreneurship ventures.

HerCampus x Pocket: The Future Connection College Scholarship Competition

Award Amount: $5,000

Overview: Living in the digital age can mean something different to everyone, and we want to hear what it means to you. To enter, answer the following prompt in 300-500 words: “What does it mean for you to come of age in a hyper-online, always-connected world?” Get creative, have fun with your essay, and don’t be afraid to let your personality shine. You can read the full official rules here .

3Wishes Women’s Empowerment Scholarship

Deadline: Nov 30, 2021

Overview: At the core of 3Wishes is the support, upliftment, and encouragement of women past systemic and social barriers. The 3Wishes Women’s Empowerment Scholarship is designed to support one special woman in achieving her dreams in and out of the classroom.

All women planning to attend college sometime in the next two years are eligible. To apply, please write about how you think society can most effectively empower women.

While not required, applicants who have volunteer experience, express financial need, and/or are women of color are encouraged to apply.

AMPLIFY No Code Scholarship

Deadline: Jul 1, 2021

Award Amount: 1,000

Overview: As creators that have benefited directly from the “no-code movement”, we’re excited to give back to this community and empower a creator in this space. The funds can be used to invest in no-code education or to invest in the software required for your no-code project.

To apply, please share a 500-word essay, describing your project aspirations and how no-code would allow you to accelerate progress toward your goals.

Davidson Fellows Scholarship

Deadline: The 2021 application deadline has passed. The 2022 application will be available this fall.

Award Amount: $50,000

Overview: The Davidson Fellows Scholarship awards $50,000, $25,000 and $10,000 scholarships to extraordinary young people, 18 and under, who have completed a significant piece of work. Application categories are Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, Literature, Music, Philosophy and Outside the Box. Davidson Fellows are honored every year in Washington, D.C. with Congressional meetings and a special reception. For more information or to apply, please visit the scholarship provider’s website.

WCEJ Thornton Foundation Low-Income Scholarship

Award Amount: $5,000 5 winners, $1,000 each

Overview: As one small way to make higher education more accessible to low-income students, the WCEJ Thornton Foundation Low-Income Scholarship will be awarded to five students in any field of study who have an exemplary academic record, but are in need of financial assistance to pursue their dreams in higher education.

To apply, you must be a high school senior, someone returning to school, or already enrolled in a post-secondary education program. please write about your greatest achievement, what it taught you about yourself, and what you hope to achieve in the future.

One Earth Young Filmmakers Contest

Deadline: January 9, 2022

Overview: The One Earth Young Filmmakers Contest is open to students who are no more than 25 years of age. You must submit a video between three and eight minutes that shares and highlights solutions to the issues discussed in the chosen sustainability topic(s) chosen from the list on the sponsor’s website. The film entry’s theme must be solution – based. The film should talk about an environmental / sustainability problem and then discuss what could be a potential solution to this problem. Videos may be submitted by either an individual or a group and animated videos of no more than 45 seconds will also be considered.

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Cat Zingano Overcoming Loss Scholarship

Deadline: Oct 5, 2021

Award Amount: $10,020

Overview: Cat Zingano is an inspiration to many for the fight she displays in all aspects of her life. The Cat Zingano Overcoming Loss Scholarship will be awarded to a student who is fighting through their own loss of a close family member, legal guardian or loved one, and is in need of financial support for their education as they move forward.

Brandon Zylstra Road Less Traveled Scholarship

Deadline: Aug 1, 2021

Award Amount: $10,640 2 winners, $5,320 each

Overview: To support an ambitious and determined Black student who may not have the financial backing to pursue their dreams, the Brandon Zylstra Road Less Traveled Scholarship will be awarded to two Black high school students who plan to attend college.

To apply, please write about what you’re passionate about, what steps you plan to take toward a career involving this passion, and one time when you overcame tremendous adversity to excel despite the odds.

All Black students studying in the US are eligible to apply for this scholarship!

DAR Good Citizen Scholarship

Deadline: The portal will reopen for application submissions on November 1, 2021.

Overview: The DAR Good Citizen Scholarship is open to high school seniors who demonstrate the qualities of dependability, service, leadership and patriotism. You must submit a personal statement and essay to be considered for this award.

Women in Music Scholarship

Deadline: Aug 15, 2021

Overview: As one part of supporting women in music, the Women in Music Scholarship will support women who are passionate about playing/creating music and would like to pursue a career in the industry.

The scholarship is open to all women from any field of study who are interested in or already engaged with a career in the music industry, which includes being a producer, DJ, publicist, blogger, are anything related to music and the overall industry.

Austin Kramer Music-Maker Scholarship

Deadline: Jun 28, 2021

Let’s make some music!

I think music is the key to life. Without it, we’d be lost! I was thinking of that this year on my birthday and wanted to encourage students to…create music!

  • Sing me an original song idea. Send me your beat.
  • Whistle a hook. Play a few notes. Hum the melody.
  • A few notes or a complete arrangement.
  • Any instrument, length, or style. Any major.

I’m looking for your newest musical thought. You don’t have to be a professional musician or music-major, just someone who has a passion for creating music.

Northern Illinois University advertisement

To apply, upload to Soundcloud and share the link. Or share a Spotify link if you’re ahead of the game and have already released it.

Finally, tell me how you came up with it in a few sentences or more.

Abran Arreola Latinx Scholarship

Award Amount: $2,000 2 winners, $1,000 each

Overview: With many Latinx students today being the first in their families to attend college, finances can often be a burden in the educational journey. This leads to fewer Latinx individuals with degrees and fewer employment opportunities, perpetuating the cycle of poverty that is seen more often in Latinx households.

Taking inspiration from my mentors, I’d like to pay it forward with the Abran Arreola Latinx Scholarship. This scholarship will be awarded to two Latinx students who are pursuing higher education and who believe in the power of community.

To apply, please tell us about an important experience in your life. How has that experience shaped your understanding of yourself, the world, and your community?

Scholarship Guidebooks: The Good, the Bad, and the Best of the 21st Century

Spirit of Giving Scholarship

Deadline: July 31, 2021

Overview: The Spirit of Giving Scholarship is available to high school seniors and current college students. You must submit an essay of between 500 and 750 words on one of the following three topics in order to be considered for this award: How have you advanced the spirit of giving in your community or abroad either through service or in giving? How has the spirit of giving affected you personally? How will your college or post-secondary education allow you to be of service to others or give to others?

Take Flight With Embry-Riddle Scholarship

Overview: To encourage and drive innovation for prospective ERAU students, the Take Flight With Embry Riddle Scholarship is designed to support ambitious students interested in aviation, aeronautics, astrophysics, engineering, or a related field with funds to help with their studies and pursuit of a meaningful career.

While the scholarship will be awarded on March 1st, 2022, the scholarship will have rolling monthly application deadlines. Students applying within earlier application windows will have a greater chance of winning the award.

A Heroes Family Scholarship

Overview: As one small way to help the families of first responders, the A Heroes Family Scholarship exists to provide financial support for a student who has lost a parent or spouse to an on-duty tragedy of a first responder.

The scholarship is open to students in any field of study who are pursuing a 2 or 4-year degree, which can include a traditional college program, trade or vocational school, or professional certificate program.

The only requirement is that you are a surviving child or spouse of a first responder.

Fleming Law College Scholarship

Overview: As a way to support students and allow them to express their experiences in the smartphone era, the Fleming Law College Scholarship exists and will be awarded to one high school senior or undergraduate student in any field of study at a 2 or 4-year college.

To apply, please write about your experience with smartphones, How you think they impact your day-to-day life, and how you think it impacts your actions behind the wheel.

Nervo “Revolution” Scholarship

Overview: To amplify women and all their strength and courage, mulit-talented DJ duo, Nervo, will award their “Revolution” Scholarship to one ambitious and influential young woman who wants to change the world.

Female students in the US at all levels of study are eligible to apply for this scholarship. To apply, please tell us about your greatest ambition and how you hope to bring that vision to reality.

Travel Is Education Scholarship

Deadline: We have extended our 2021 contest through 2022. The postmark deadline for submission is January 31, 2022.

Overview: The Travel Is Education Scholarship is open to U.S. students in grades 6 through 12. You must submit two-dimensional artwork, photos or a writing (maximum one page) on the theme of “Becoming a Global Citizen”. Sample topics are available on the Web site provided. The contest is open to students aged 11-20 traveling on an ACIS tour from October 15, 2020 through October 14, 2022.

ABC Humane Wildlife Academic Scholarship – Women In STEM

Overview: At ABC Wildlife, we believe diversity is critical in every scientific field from biology to chemical engineering. While women represent 48% of the American workforce, they make up only 13% of engineering professionals and a mere 7.2% in the field of mechanical engineering. Overall, women are critically underrepresented in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.

National Center for Learning Disabilities Scholarships

Deadline: June 15, 2o21

Award Amount: $2,500

Overview: NCLD offers annual scholarships and awards that celebrate the work and achievements of those students and leaders working to improve the lives of the 1 in 5 with learning and attention issues.

Rho Brooks Women in STEM Scholarship

Deadline: Jul 31, 2021

Award Amount: $1,500

Overview: Across the country, women are largely underrepresented in STEM because they lack support from their peers, colleagues, and mentors.

As a way to shift this cultural paradigm, the Rho Brooks Women in STEM Scholarship exists to support and incentivize young women to pursue a degree in STEM. The scholarship will be awarded to one female high school senior or undergraduate student who will be attending a college or university in the fall of 2021.

To apply for this scholarship, please tell us a bit about yourself, the biggest influence in your life, and how it’s shaped your career aspirations.

Autism Scholarship Contest

Deadline: December 10, 2021

Overview: The Kelly Law Team (KLT) is delighted to announce that for the fourth year since 2016, it is offering an educational scholarship. This year, as in 2015 and 2017, the scholarship will be open to those with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) who wish to continue their education. The award will be applied to offset tuition at the educational institution chosen by the applicant. Our firm believes that because ASD may have a profound impact on a person’s education, tuition assistance can have a positive influence on an individual’s desire and ability to pursue their educational goals.

Writing With a Purpose Scholarship

Award Amount: $1,605

Overview: The Writing With a Purpose Scholarship exists to inject hope and encouragement into African American college students looking to break into the field of journalism. The winner will receive a $1,000 award, and the runner up will receive a $500 award.

You must be a high school senior or an undergraduate African American student looking to get into journalism.

To apply, from a journalist’s perspective, please conduct a short case study on yourself. Describe a defining moment in your life and highlight its significance for your audience in this journalistic case study.

55 Scholarships Anyone Can Apply For

Vegetarian Resource Group Scholarships

Deadline: February 20, 2022

Award Amount: One award of $10,000 and two awards of $5,000

Overview: Due to the generosity of an anonymous donor, The Vegetarian Resource Group each year will award $20,000 in college scholarship money to graduating U.S. high school students who have promoted vegetarianism in their schools and/or communities. Vegetarians do not eat meat, fish, or fowl. Vegans are vegetarians who do not use other animal products such as dairy or eggs.

Ethel Hayes Destigmatization of Mental Health Scholarship

Deadline: Jun 13, 2021

Award Amount: $7,001

Overview: In honor of my wonderful mother, the Ethel Hayes Destigmatization of Mental Health Scholarship exists to support more open and honest dialogue about the millions of people who are struggling with mental health and those people who have loved ones who are struggling with mental health.

The scholarship is open to all students who have had challenges with mental health or who have had loved ones who have struggled with mental health.

To apply for the scholarship, you will be asked to write a short essay about how your journey with mental health has impacted your beliefs, relationships, and aspirations.

Nitro Pay For College No-Essay Scholarship

Overview: Nitro is a leading financial aid and loan resource platform, guiding you on everything from the FAFSA to best practices for federal and private loans.

By applying, you’ll automatically get registered for Nitro, setting you up for success in funding your education in the most effective way.

It will be awarded to applicants who get the most out of the Nitro platform.

While the scholarship will be awarded on Sep 30, 2021, the scholarship will have rolling monthly application deadlines. Students applying within earlier application windows will have a greater chance of winning the award.

Undiscovered Brilliance Scholarship for African-Americans

Deadline: May 16, 2021

Overview: In the spirit of organizations like The Hidden Genius Project that find and nurture promising young Black students who may not otherwise receive sufficient support, the Undiscovered Brilliance Scholarship for African-Americans aims to support a brilliant Black student with ambitious dreams.

It will be awarded to a talented Black student at any level of education or field of study on the basis of their ambition, talent, and drive, as well as on the impact that additional support would have for them.

Penny Hoarder Smart Money No-Essay Scholarship

Deadline: September 15, 2021

This scholarship will be awarded to applicants who get the most out of The Penny Hoarder Daily. You will be a strong applicant if you:

  • Read The Penny Hoarder Daily every day
  • Share The Penny Hoarder Daily with your friends
  • Apply what you learn to accelerate your personal finances

Finalists to this scholarship will be interviewed about how they applied what they learned from The Penny Hoarder Daily to their personal finances!

CollegeXpress No-Essay Scholarship

We’ve partnered with CollegeXpress to create this exclusive scholarship for high school students who are interested in college resources.

By applying, you’ll also receive:

  • Rankings on the top colleges by academics, desired major, student life, cost, and more.
  • Standardized test resources and tips.
  • A variety of other resources geared towards high schoolers preparing for college!

While the scholarship will be awarded on Apr 1, 2021, the scholarship will have rolling monthly application deadlines. Students applying within earlier application windows will have a greater chance of winning the award.

Earnest Scholarship Fund

Deadline: June 30, 2021

Award Amount: $5,000 each to 50 winning applicants

Overview: At Earnest, we believe in helping people realize their hopes and dreams through further education. To help more students get to school, we created the Earnest Scholarship as a way to award 50 students who best articulate how their education will enable their dreams. To maintain the Earnest Scholarship, we put a percentage of each loan we refinance into our scholarship fund.

More Helpful Guides:

What to Do If You Run Out of Financial Aid?

Work-Study or Part-Time Job—Is One Better Than the Other?

The Big Question: How to Fund College

8 Tips for Writing a Winning Scholarship Essay

Disclaimer : This article contains affiliate links to products and services. We may receive commissions for purchases made through these links.

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15 Writing Competitions for High School Students

Whichever field you’re passionate about, being able to write well can help you make an impact. Be it in research, for a college application, in an assignment, or simply to express yourself, writing is essential to communicating your thoughts. The ability to write well can set you apart! This is why every year, organizations around the world host competitions to celebrate this skill in students. Participating in and doing well at these competitions does more than just make your college application look good - several writing competitions also offer the chance to win cash prizes and scholarships to summer programs! Writing contests often offer multiple levels of recognition, so you do not have to be the top winner to earn a title that will recognize your work and look good on applications! In this article, we bring to you 15 writing contests that offer high school students the chance to showcase their talent, and exercise their creativity through writing.

Here are 15 Writing Competitions for High School Students:

1. National Council of Teachers of English Achievement Awards

The National Council of Teachers of English hosts these awards every year to encourage high school students who write. Students submit one themed essay based on a specified prompt and one composition in any genre of their choice which displays their best work. A certificate and a letter are given to students who are assessed to have exceptional writing skills. Their names can be seen on the NCTE website as well. Juniors in high school who have been nominated by their English department are eligible to compete.

2. National Scholastic Art and Writing Awards

This contest accepts entries in a variety of genres, including critical essays, dramatic screenplays, flash fiction, personal essays, and short stories, and begins regionally and advances to the national level.

Regional competitions are held by local organizations, and the winners are sent to the national level for consideration. There is a $5 per entry or $20 per portfolio submission charge, however it can be waived for those who apply and meet the criteria for financial aid.

Students get Honorable Mentions, Silver or Gold Keys, or Nominations for the American Visions and Voices Medals at the regional level. Gold and Silver Medals, as well as the American Visions and Voices Medal, which acts as a "Best in Show" award for each region, are awarded to regional Gold Key winners. National award winners are invited to Carnegie Hall in New York City for a National Ceremony and Celebration. At the national level, there are various sponsored monetary rewards that vary by genre and sponsor, and certain National Medal winners will also be picked for college scholarships or summer programs.

Students in grades 7 through 12 in the United States are able to participate.

3. Princeton University Contests

Princeton University hosts two contests for high school juniors. One is a poetry contest judged by members of the Princeton University Creative Writing faculty. The other is a Ten-Minute Play Contest judged by members of the Princeton University Program in Theater faculty. Each contest has a first place prize of $500, second place prize of $250, and third place prize of $100.

4. The Bennington Young Writers Awards

This tournament is open to students in grades 10 through 12, and the judging panel includes faculty and students from Bennington College. Seven Pulitzer Prize winners, three US poet laureates, and a slew of New York Times bestsellers are among the college's graduates. Poetry, fiction, and nonfiction are all acceptable forms of submission (personal and academic essays). Each category's first-place winner receives $500, while second-place winners receive $250.

5. YoungArts

In 1981, the National YoungArts Foundation was established with the goal of identifying and supporting the next generation of artists in the artistic, literary, and performing arts. Each year, thousands of students apply, and the winners are selected to attend weeklong programs in Los Angeles, New York, and Miami. Students participate in workshops with master artists as part of these programs. A $35 application fee is required, however cost exemptions are available for those who qualify. Honorable Mentions from each region are asked to attend regional workshops. Finalists are invited to National YoungArts Week, where they will have the opportunity to meet with the judges and compete for cash prizes of up to $10,000. Finalists are also eligible for a nomination as a US Presidential Scholar in the Arts. Students in grades 10th to 12th are eligible to apply.

scholarship contests for high school students 2021

6. AFSA's National High School Essay Contest

The American Foreign Service Association (AFSA) and the United States Institute of Peace (USIP) collaborate to host this annual contest, which aims to "engage high school students in learning and writing about issues of peace and conflict, encouraging appreciation for diplomacy's role in building partnerships that can advance peacebuilding and protect national security." One winner will receive a $2,500 cash prize, an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C., and a full scholarship to the Semester at Sea Program for one semester upon admission at an accredited university. One runner-up will receive a cash reward of $1,250 as well as a full scholarship to the National Student Leadership Conference's International Diplomacy Program. Students whose parents are not in the Foreign Service are eligible to participate if they are in grades nine through twelve in the USA.

7. We the Students Essay Contest by Bill of Rights Institute

This essay contest, sponsored by the Bill of Rights Institute, encourages students to think critically and creatively about people's rights and how they affect society. One grand prize winner will earn $5,000 in addition to a Constitutional Academy scholarship. Six runners-up will each receive $1,250, and eight honorable mentions will each receive $500. Citizens or legal residents of the United States between the ages of 14 and 19 are eligible.

8. Profile in Courage Essay Contest by JFK Presidential Library

This competition is based on JFK's book Profiles in Courage, which told the tales of eight U.S. senators who showed political courage by standing up for a larger good while sacrificing their careers in the process. Entrants must describe and analyze an act of political courage in the form of a similar profile for the competition. The first-place reward is $20,000 in this competition. Twenty-five smaller cash prizes ranging from $100 to $1,000 are also available.

The competition is open to high school students in the United States in grades nine through twelve.

9. VFW Voice of Democracy

Our Voice of Democracy audio-essay program, which began in 1947, gives high school students the opportunity to express themselves through a democratic and patriotic-themed recorded essay. Nearly 64,500 school kids from grades 9 to 12 from across the country join each year, for a chance to earn a piece of the more than $2 million in educational scholarships and incentives provided via the program. All student entries must be submitted to a local VFW Post that is supporting the event. Students in grades 9 through 12 are eligible to compete. 10. SPJ/JEA High School Essay Contest

This contest, sponsored by the Society of Professional Journalists and the Journalism Education Association, urges students to consider the role of the press in American society. Essays should be between 300 and 500 words long.

The first-place winner receives a $1,000 scholarship, second-place receives $500, and third-place receives $300. The competition is accessible to students in grades 9 through 12 in the United States. The registration fee for the competition is $5.

11. Jane Austen Society Essay Contest

High school students can win up to $1,000 by entering an essay on a specified topic related to Jane Austen novels. In addition, each winner will receive a year of membership to the Jane Austen Society of North America (JASNA) and a collection of Norton Critical Editions of Jane Austen's novels. The winning pieces appear on the JASNA website as well. The theme of the 2022 Essay Contest is based on Jane Austen's first published novel, Sense & Sensibility. Students from all around the world are welcome to enter, however all contributions must be written in English.

scholarship contests for high school students 2021

12. Engineer Girl Annual Essay Contest

Engineer Girl hosts an essay contest every year that focuses on the impact of engineering on the world. Prize money of up to $500 is available to students. This competition is a great way to combine English language writing with STEM research. Students can send in their submissions via the internet. The contest is open to individual girls and boys in the following three competition categories: Elementary School students (grades 3-5), Middle School students (grades 6-8), or High School students (grades 9-12). The word limit for submissions varies depending on the grade level.

13. Rachel Carson Intergenerational Sense of Wonder / Sense of the Wild Contest

Entries for this writing contest must be submitted by a team, consisting of at least two people, representing different generations (for example, a student and a teacher or a teenager and her grandmother). Submission categories include poetry and essays, along with optional photographic elements. Annual topics for the contest are tied to nature. Winners receive a certificate from the Rachel Carson Landmark Alliance, and have their winning entry posted on the RCLA website.

14. World Historian Student Essay Competition

The World Historian Student Essay Competition is an international competition open to students enrolled in grades K–12. Winners receive $500 and a one year membership in the World History Association. Each competitor submits an essay that addresses the issue: "In what way has the study of world history affected my understanding of the world in which I live?"

15. John Locke Essay Competition

The John Locke Essay Competition is hosted by the John Locke Institute, a non-profit educational organization based in Oxford, United Kingdom. The John Locke Institute promotes young people to develop the qualities that make great writers: independent thought, depth of knowledge, clear reasoning, critical analysis, and persuasive style. Senior professors from the University of Oxford assess the submissions. The judges select their favourite essay from each subject group, as well as an overall "best essay" from all seven subjects.

Bonus entry: Atlas Shrugged novel Essay Contest

The Atlas Shrugged novel essay contest is open to all students globally. Atlas Shrugged is a heroic mystery novel written by Ayn Rand. Choose a prompt and write an 800-1,600 word essay in English. First prize: $10,000; 3 second prizes: $2,000; 5 third prizes: $1,000; 25 finalists: $100; 50 semifinalists: $50. Entry is free!

Learn the art of academic writing with the Lumiere Research Scholar Program

If you are interested in a selective, structured research program, consider applying to the Lumiere Research Scholar Program , a selective online high school program for students founded by Harvard and Oxford researchers. The program pairs you with a full-time researcher to develop your own independent research project, in any discipline of your choice. Last year over 1500 students applied to 500 slots in the research program! You can find the application form here.

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Top 35 Scholarships for High School Juniors 2023

Scholarships for high school juniors

Introduction: Scholarships for High School Juniors

For most high school students, junior year is a year of big-time transitions, studying, and decisions, because it's generally the time where students start to think about all things college-related.

When you're a junior, hopping on this college journey includes things like taking the PSAT (and even the SAT or ACT ), researching colleges (maybe even going on some tours), preparing for college applications, and speaking with your family and guidance counselor about what options might be right for you. 

Since this is the year where you're discussing college (and likely also discussing how to pay for it), leaving scholarships out of the picture would be doing yourself a disservice!

It's important to know that it is almost NEVER too early to begin applying for scholarships. There are tons of great scholarships for high school juniors to apply for.

In this post, we have highlighted some of the best scholarships for high school juniors to apply for in 2021. 

Top Scholarships for High School Juniors 

Niche no essay $50,000 scholarship.

Award Amount : $50,000

Scholarship Deadline : December 14

Open to high school, college, and graduate students of all years who are residents of the US.

CollegeVine No Essay $2,000 Scholarship

Award Amount : $2,000

Scholarship Deadline : December 31

Open to high school students of all years who are residents of the US.

Smart Owl No Essay $1,000 Scholarship

Award Amount : $1,000 (4 awards per month)

Scholarship Deadline : Last day of each month

ScholarshipPoints $2,500 Scholarship 

Award Amount : $2,500

Scholarship Deadline : Monthly

Each quarter of the year, Scholarship Points awards one $10,000 to a lucky student - enter each quarter for a greater chance at winning!

  • Christian Connector $2,500 Scholarship 

The Christian Connector scholarship is open to high school juniors and seniors who are interested in or planning to enroll in a Christian college or university .

CampusReel $2,000 No Essay Scholarship 

Scholarship Deadline : Monthly 

The CampusReel No Essay Scholarship is awarded monthly and all you have to do is sign up on their website. It's that easy!

Perseverance Is Key Scholarship

Award Amount: $4,000 (4 awards, $1,000 each)

Scholarship Deadline: December 15

Eligibility:

-Open to high school and college students of all years studying in the US

-No transcript required to apply!

-Special consideration will be given to minority students, students who have experienced foster care, and students who are or will be the first in their family to attend college

Sack the Stigma Scholarship

Amount:  $1,000

Deadline:  December 31

-Open to high school students of all years

CollegExpress Monthly Scholarship 

Award Amount : usually $1,000 - $2,000

CollegExpress offers monthly scholarships to students ages 13+, centered around various topics. By entering their monthly scholarship, you're also automatically entered for their quarterly $10,000 scholarship as well!

Niche $2,000 No Essay Scholarship

Amount:  $2,000

Deadline: Monthly

Eligibility: Open to high school juniors - no essay required!

Appily Easy Money Scholarship

Award Amount : $1,000

Scholarship Deadline : Continuous   

The Cappex Easy Money Scholarship is open to all students - no minimum GPA or essay required.

Be Bold $25,000 No Essay Scholarship 

Award Amount : $25,000

Scholarship Deadline : Rolling

Bold.org has a lot of great scholarships, but while you're there, make sure you enter to win this $25,000 scholarship they have going on!

Nitro $2,000 No Essay Scholarship 

The Nitro No Essay Scholarship is awarded monthly and all you have to do is sign up on their website. Doesn't get any easier!

  • Too Cool to Pay for School Scholarship

Scholarship Deadline : Quarterly

The Too Cool to Pay for School Scholarship is our own contribution to helping students fund their higher education. Simply fill in some easy info about yourself and you're entered to win!

Humanity Rising Scholarships 

Award Amount: $500 - $2,000

Scholarship Deadlines: Rolling

Humanity Rising awards scholarships to high school students who tell their stories with community service through a video.

Survey Junkie Brand Influencer No Essay

Award Amount : Varies

Scholarship Deadline : Rolling 

Survey Junkie invites students to share their opinions on topics they care about, with the potential to earn big rewards $.

  • Distinguished Young Women Scholarship 

Award Amount : Varies 

Scholarship Deadline : Continuous 

The Distinguished Young Women Scholarship program is for female high school juniors and seniors.

  • United States Senate Youth Program

Award Amount : $10,000

Scholarship Deadline : Varies by state

The United States Senate Youth Program is a scholarship open to high school juniors and seniors holding elected student offices. Two students are selected from each state.

  • National "Don't Wait to Reach Your Potential" Scholarship

Award Amount : $500 - $1,000

Scholarship Deadline : January 6

The "Don't Wait to Reach Your Potential" Scholarship is open to high school students in the US and does not require test scores, GPA, or class ranking.

  • Live Más Scholarship

Award Amount : $5,000 - $25,000

Scholarship Deadline : January 11

The Live Mas Scholarship is Taco Bell's contribution to helping students achieve their higher education goals. It's not a full-ride, but it's certainly something! To apply, students must submit a video telling the story of their real, true passion.

  • Carson Scholars Program

Scholarship Deadline : January 13

The Carson Scholars Program is a merit-based scholarship program that is open to high school students who excel academically and are committed to serving their communities.

  • Profile in Courage Essay Contest

Award Amount : $500 - $3,000

The Profile in Courage Essay Contest is open to all high school students. Essays will be judged on the overall originality of the topic and the clear communication of ideas through language.

Hamilton Award/Scholars Program for High School Juniors

Scholarship Deadline : January 25

The Hamilton Award is open solely to underserved high school juniors in the US. Students do not need to be US residents.

Technology Addiction Awareness Scholarship 

Scholarship Deadline : January 31

The Technology Addiction Awareness Scholarship is designed to help you understand the negative effects that technology and too much screen time can have on our lives. Open to high school and college students, along with graduate school students .

EngineerGirl Essay Contest

Award Amount : $500

Scholarship Deadline : February 1  

The EngineerGirl Essay contest is open to high school students and asks for an essay discussing the vital contribution of engineers in responding to the pandemic.

Americanism Essay Scholarship 

Award Amount : $100 - $1,200 

Scholarship Deadline : First Friday in February  

The Americanism Essay Scholarship is open to Illinois high school students and requires an essay on Americanism and good citizenship.

Coolidge Scholarship

Award Amount : Full-ride !

Scholarship Deadline : February 23

The Coolidge Scholarship is a full-ride scholarship that covers a student’s tuition, room, board, and expenses for four years of undergraduate study.

  • Be the Boss Scholarship

Scholarship Deadline : March 15

The "Be the Boss" Scholarship is designed to empower entrepreneurial women to give their business ideas a go!

Fountainhead Essay Contest 

Scholarship Deadline : April 29

The Fountainhead Essay Contest is for high school students in their junior and senior years and has three essay prompt options.

  • E-Waste Scholarship 

Scholarship Deadline : April 30 

The E-Waste Scholarship, sponsored by Digital Responsibility, challenges students to learn about the impact of e-waste and what can be done to minimize it.

Think for Yourself Scholarship 

Award Amount : up to $5,000

This scholarship, open to all high school students in the US, asks students to consider the value of free speech, curiosity, and open mindedness in their everyday lives.

Stuck at Prom Scholarship

Award Amount : up to $10,000

Scholarship Deadline : June 9

The Stuck at Prom Scholarship is open to high school students in the US and Canada who are 14 and older.

Prudential Emerging Visionaries Award

Amount:  up to $15,000

Deadline:  November 4

Eligibility:  Open to young leaders ages 14-18 who are bringing powerful vision and real change to their communities. Must be legal residents of the US or Puerto Rico.

Around the Corner from College Scholarship

Scholarship Deadlines:  December 31, June 30

This is another one of Access Scholarship's ways of giving back! The Around the Corner from College Scholarship is an easy opportunity that is open to all high school students, including international students who are planning to attend college in the US.

  • National High School Poetry Contest
  • Gen & Kelly Tanabe Scholarship

Scholarship Deadline : December 31 and July 31

The Gen and Kelly Tanabe Scholarship is a merit-based program that helps students fulfill their dreams of higher education.

  • Cirkled In’s “No Sweat” Scholarship
  • WiseGeek Mental Health Well-Being No-Essay Scholarship

The WiseGeek Mental Health Well-Being Scholarship is meant to provide awareness to mental health challenges and assist those who have had to face those issues with a $500 award to help pay their tuition.

Quick Links - Scholarships for High School Juniors

  • Technology Addiction Awareness Scholarship
  • ScholarshipPoints $10,000 Scholarship 
  • CollegExpress Monthly Scholarship  
  • Be Bold No Essay Scholarship 
  • Survey Junkie Brand Influencer No Essay Scholarship
  • Direct Textbook Photo Essay Scholarship 
  • DoSomething.org Go There Greener Scholarship
  • Cappex Easy Money Scholarship
  • Courage to Grow Scholarship
  • Scholarship Owl “You Deserve It!” Scholarship
  • Fountainhead Essay Contest
  • Fire Memes Scholarship
  • Nitro No-Essay Scholarship
  • GE-Reagan Foundation Scholarship Program
  • Flavor of the Month Scholarship

Frequently asked questions about scholarships from high school students

What is a scholarship.

A scholarship is, to put it simply, free money that you can earn to put towards paying for college.

Unlike other types of financial aid (aka, loans), money that you earn from scholarships doesn't ever need to be repaid!

Can juniors in high school even apply for scholarships?

As you can see from the scholarships listed above, high school juniors certainly can apply for scholarships!

If you're a junior and you haven't started yet, don't worry, because you're definitely not too late. In fact, you're quickly approaching one of the prime times to be applying, since junior year is the time where lots of scholarships tend to become available for high school students.

One major pro of starting to apply for scholarships as a high school junior is that, by the time senior year rolls around, you will already be familiar with the process, and ready to go out there and submit applications for even more opportunities.

Where can I find scholarships for juniors to apply for?

In addition to this post and the entire  Access Scholarships  platform, there are tons of other places and resources you can check out to help you search for scholarships for juniors.

You'll want to start by heading over to the website(s) run by your state that outlines  state-based financial aid  and scholarship opportunities.

Then, you'll want to reach out to your school counselor (and do research on Google) to learn about local scholarship and merit scholarship opportunities.

Another more unique way to find potential scholarship opportunities that are specific to you is actually through utilizing social media (Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, even Pinterest!). You can follow hashtags on Instagram such as # TexasScholarships (if you live in Texas) so that anytime an organization posts a relevant scholarship with that hashtag, you can see it and apply if you're interested!

How do I make my scholarship applications stand out?

One of the best ways that you can stand out through your application is through the extra requirements that you submit.

Whether it's an essay , a video, letters of recommendation, or other additional submissions, these are all places where you will want to dedicate extra time and effort to make sure that what you're sending in is authentically YOU, unique, eye-catching, and memorable.

Applying for scholarships while juggling high school and extracurriculars is a lot of work. Is it worth it?

In my opinion, ABSOLUTELY! While the process can be a long one, it can certainly pay off if you are able to earn a few thousand dollars (or even more!) in scholarships to help you pay for school. Think about how many hours of time you'd have to work at a part-time job to earn a few thousand dollars. Probably quite a lot!

Additionally, not only is the process a humbling one (mostly everyone who applies will get rejected from at least one scholarship at some point) but it also helps you to refine key skills along the way, such as organization, essay-writing, and professional communication.

For more tips on navigating the process of writing essays for scholarships, check out our blog post on How To Write a Winning Scholarship Essay .

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

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

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

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

Student-centric advice and objective recommendations

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

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

Top 1,058 Scholarships for High School Seniors in December 2023

scholarship contests for high school students 2021

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

Learn about our editorial policies

scholarship contests for high school students 2021

Gabriel Jimenez-Ekman is a content editor and writer at Scholarships360. He has managed communications and written content for a diverse array of organizations, including a farmer’s market, a concert venue, a student farm, an environmental NGO, and a PR agency. Gabriel graduated from Kenyon College with a degree in sociology.

With all the hustle and bustle of senior year, it’s easy to forget to apply for some scholarships for high school seniors. However, it’s a good idea to make some time in between your college applications, extracurriculars, and schoolwork to apply for scholarship opportunities.

Whether you are applying for merit-based or need-based scholarships, there are a lot of opportunities out there for high school seniors. Whether you are looking for opportunities in the fall, winter, spring, or summer, many organizations will be accepting applications.

Read on for our comprehensive list of scholarships for the class of 2023! No matter your intended major, location, or background, you’ll find a wealth of great scholarship matches ahead.

Join for exclusive scholarships, personalized matching, and application tracking. 0% Spam, 100% Free.

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“College Here I Come” Essay Scholarship for High School Seniors

“College Here I Come” Essay Scholarship for High School Seniors

Offered by Scholarships360

The "College Here I Come" Scholarship for High School Seniors is open to just who you think: high school seniors (graduating class of 2024)! Here…

The "College Here I Come" Scholarship for High School Seniors is open to just who you think: high school seniors (graduating class of 2024)! Here at Scholarships360, scholarships are our passion–we know that you can never have enough of them! After all, scholarships are essentially “free money” to help fund your education. We want to help out a lucky high school senior who is just starting out on their higher education journey and actively looking for ways to fund it. Thus, this scholarship will be awarded to students based on both the quality of their essays and quantity of scholarships applied for on the Scholarships360 platform. We hope that you apply and look forward to reading your application!

Eligibility information

Grade Level: High School Senior

Citizenship: US Citizens, Permanent Residents

Check your eligibility through the Scholarships360 app.

“Commencing at Community College” Essay Scholarship

“Commencing at Community College” Essay Scholarship

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

Community college, also known as two-year college, is a golden opportunity for the right student. These schools offer an affordable education to a diverse range of students in a wide range of majors. If starting your postsecondary education at a community college is right for you, we have a scholarship just for you! The “Commencing at Community College” Essay Scholarship aims to financially support community college students who are passionate about their higher education journeys and actively looking for ways to fund it. Thus, this scholarship will be awarded to students based on both the quality of their essays and quantity of scholarships applied for on the Scholarships360 platform. In order to apply for the “Commencing at Community College” Essay Scholarship, students must submit an essay explaining how earning their degree at community college will help them achieve their educational and career goals. 

Grade Level: High School Seniors & College Underclassmen

$10,000 “No Essay” Scholarship

$10,000 “No Essay” Scholarship

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

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

Grade Level: All Grade Levels

Minimum GPA: No GPA requirement

$2,000 Sallie Mae Scholarship

$2,000 Sallie Mae Scholarship

Offered by Sallie Mae

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

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

Grade Level: HS Upperclassmen, College & Graduate Students

Citizenship: US Citizens, Permanent Residents, DACA

Niche $50,000 No Essay Scholarship

Niche $50,000 No Essay Scholarship

Offered by Niche

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

Easy scholarship open to all high school and college students, as well as anyone looking to attend college or graduate school in the next year. Niche is giving one student $50,000 to help pay for tuition, housing, books and other college expenses — no essay required!

$25k “Be Bold” No-Essay Scholarship

$25k “Be Bold” No-Essay Scholarship

Offered by Bold.org

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

Science Ambassador Scholarship

Science Ambassador Scholarship

Offered by Cards Against Humanity

The Science Ambassador Scholarship is funded by Cards Against Humanity, an adult party card game company that supports charity efforts with its profits. Every year,…

The Science Ambassador Scholarship is funded by Cards Against Humanity, an adult party card game company that supports charity efforts with its profits. Every year, their Science Ambassador Scholarship awards full tuition to one female high school senior or undergraduate student who submits a three-minute educational video on a STEM topic they're passionate about. If this scholarship sounds like a fit for you, keep on reading for more application details.

Grade Level: High School Seniors & College Students

Academic Interest: Agribusiness, Agriculture, Food Science/Nutrition, Horticulture/Floriculture, Natural Resources, Environmental Science, Paper and Pulp Engineering, Architecture, Urban and Regional Planning, Landscape Architecture, Computer Science, Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Nuclear Science/Engineering, Marine/Ocean Engineering, Construction Engineering/Management, Surveying, Drafting, Biology, Entomology, Oncology, Marine Biology, Neurobiology, Math, Statistics, Science, Technology, and Society, Behavioral Science, Natural Sciences, Archaeology, Sports/Exercise Science, Physical Sciences, Meteorology/Atmospheric Science, Earth Science, Hydrology, Oceanography, Materials Science, Psychology, Fire Science/Firefighting, HVAC Mechanics, Aviation/Aerospace, Transportation, Radiology, Environmental Health, Animal/Veterinary Sciences, Insurance/Actuarial Science, Cybersecurity, Chemistry, Medicine, Film/Video Production

Other Category: Women

Burger King Scholars Program

Burger King Scholars Program

Offered by Burger King Foundation

Are you a graduating high school senior living in the U.S, Puerto Rico, Guam, or Canada? If so, consider applying for the Burger King Scholars…

Are you a graduating high school senior living in the U.S, Puerto Rico, Guam, or Canada? If so, consider applying for the Burger King Scholars Program! The scholarship is open to college-bound high school seniors who plan to enroll in college full-time for the upcoming academic year. The scholarship is funded by Burger King Foundation, a non-profit organization and a leader in education that aims to create brighter futures by empowering individuals and feeding potential through education and emergency relief. Awards worth between $1,000 and $50,000 will be granted to help winning students pay for college costs. If you’re passionate about your postsecondary education, we encourage you to apply! Bear in mind that the Burger King Scholars Program typically accepts applications from mid-October to mid-December, every year.

Citizenship: US Citizens, Canadian Citizens, Permanent Residents, DACA

Minimum GPA: 2.0

Equitable Excellence Scholarship

Equitable Excellence Scholarship

Offered by Equitable Foundation

Are you a college-bound high school senior who displays strength and courage in approaching challenges, and enjoys sharing wisdom with others? If so, consider applying…

Are you a college-bound high school senior who displays strength and courage in approaching challenges, and enjoys sharing wisdom with others? If so, consider applying for the Equitable Excellence Scholarship! Each year, the scholarship offers 100 students $5,000 scholarships that can be renewed for up to four years (for a total of $20,000 per recipient)! The scholarships are provided by the Equitable Foundation, an organization dedicated to helping people “pursue what’s possible” through their grants, partnerships, and volunteerism. If you display courage in handling challenges, enjoy helping others, and are looking for some help to pay off college, we encourage you to apply!

Minimum GPA: 2.5

Taco Bell Live Más Scholarship

Taco Bell Live Más Scholarship

Offered by Taco Bell

Do you have a strong, driving passion which you’re currently on the path to pursuing? Further, can you illustrate or discuss this passion in video…

Do you have a strong, driving passion which you’re currently on the path to pursuing? Further, can you illustrate or discuss this passion in video form? If so, you might consider applying for the Taco Bell Live Más Scholarship! Each year, the scholarship offers awards ranging from $5,000 - $25,000 to dozens of lucky students who make a video about their passions and how they plan to use them to make positive changes in their own communities and beyond. The scholarship is offered by the Taco Bell Foundation, an offshoot of Taco Bell that is dedicated to “educating and inspiring the next generation of leaders.” Anyone between the ages of 16 and 26 is welcome to apply to the Taco Bell Live Más Scholarship. If you fit the criteria and have a passion that motivates you day in and day out, we encourage you to apply!

Grade Level: HS Sophmores, Juniors, Seniors, College & Grad Students

Other Category: Adult

GE-Reagan Foundation Scholarship Program

GE-Reagan Foundation Scholarship Program

Offered by Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation & Institute

Are you a college-bound high school senior displaying exemplary leadership, drive, integrity, and citizenship? Further, do you anticipate that you’ll need financial assistance to attend…

Are you a college-bound high school senior displaying exemplary leadership, drive, integrity, and citizenship? Further, do you anticipate that you’ll need financial assistance to attend college? If so, we may have the perfect opportunity for you: the GE-Reagan Foundation Scholarship Program! Each year, the program awards multiple $10,000 scholarships that can be renewed for up to three more years (for a total of $40,000 per recipient)! These can be used to pay for winning applicants’ tuition costs, books, supplies, room and board, and more. The scholarship is offered by the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation & Institute, an organization created to honor the legacy of the 40th president of the United States.  If you’re a high school senior with drive, integrity, and financial need, we encourage you to apply for the GE-Reagan Foundation Scholarship Program!

Citizenship: US Citizens

Minimum GPA: 3.0

JFK Profile in Courage Essay Contest

JFK Profile in Courage Essay Contest

Offered by John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum

Are you a U.S. high school student with a love for U.S. history? If so, we may have the perfect opportunity for you: the JFK…

Are you a U.S. high school student with a love for U.S. history? If so, we may have the perfect opportunity for you: the JFK Profile in Courage Essay Contest! Each year, the contest awards up to $10,000 to winning applicants who submit 700 - 1,000 word essays following the year’s prompt. Each year's prompt relates to U.S. history, with this year’s being: “Describe an act of political courage by a U.S. elected official who served during or after 1917, the year John F. Kennedy was born.” The scholarship is offered by the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum in Boston, Massachusetts. If you love U.S. history and want to put your writing skills and history knowledge to the test, we encourage you to apply!

Grade Level: High School Students

Academic Interest: Political Science

U.S. Creative Writing Awards Scholarship

U.S. Creative Writing Awards Scholarship

Offered by Penguin Random House

Are you a college-bound high school senior with a love for the written or spoken word? If so, consider applying for the U.S. Creative Writing…

Are you a college-bound high school senior with a love for the written or spoken word? If so, consider applying for the U.S. Creative Writing Awards Scholarship! The scholarship is open to college-bound high school seniors who create and submit an original piece of written fiction, drama, poetry, a memoir/personal essay, or a spoken word piece. Penguin Random House, a multinational polishing company, funds the program. They focus on encouraging the next generation of authors and promoting diverse stories. Thus, since 1993, this program has empowered and celebrated young writers each year with more than $2.8 million awarded in scholarships. Each year, five recipients (one winner per category) earn up to $10,000 to go towards their college expenses. If you are passionate about writing and are looking to pay for tuition, we encourage you to apply!

Citizenship: US Citizens, Canadian Citizens, Permanent Residents, DACA, Other

Academic Interest: Literature/English/Writing

Gucci Changemakers North America Scholarship

Gucci Changemakers North America Scholarship

Offered by Gucci

Are you a current or incoming college student planning to major in design, marketing, art, film, communications, or another creative field? If so, consider applying…

Are you a current or incoming college student planning to major in design, marketing, art, film, communications, or another creative field? If so, consider applying for the Gucci Changemakers North America Scholarship! The scholarship is open to diverse students pursuing an undergraduate degree in a creative field. The scholarship is offered by the leading Italian fashion brand Gucci in order to increase inclusion and diversity within the fashion industry as well as across communities and cities. Since March 2019, the fund has aimed to support and empower a new era of diverse artists looking to gain experiences across the fashion industry. Each year, recipients earn up to $20,000 to help pay for tuition, educational expenses, as well as room and board costs. If you are passionate about a career in design, art, or other creative areas and are looking for some help with college expenses, we encourage you to apply!

Citizenship: US Citizens, Canadian Citizens, Permanent Residents

Academic Interest: Visual & Performing Arts, Fashion Design, Graphic Design/Printing, Film/Video Production, Music, Business

Davidson Institute Fellows Scholarship

Davidson Institute Fellows Scholarship

Offered by Davidson Institute

Are you a K-12 student who has created a significant piece of work in the field of STEM, literature, music, or philosophy? The Davidson Institute…

Are you a K-12 student who has created a significant piece of work in the field of STEM, literature, music, or philosophy? The Davidson Institute Fellows Scholarship may be a good fit for you! The Davidson Institute Fellows Scholarship is a life-changing $50,000 scholarship opportunity for any student in the United States who is under 18. Scholarships are awarded on the basis of significant work. This means any work or accomplishment that experts in the field recognize as meaningful and has the potential to make a positive contribution to society. This typically comes in the form of a project completed by the student(s). That’s right, student(s)! You can apply to the Davidson Institute Fellows Scholarship in a group of two! There are also multiple scholarship categories you can choose to apply within, including Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, Literature, Music, Philosophy, and Outside of the Box. 

Academic Interest: Agribusiness, Agriculture, Food Science/Nutrition, Horticulture/Floriculture, Natural Resources, Environmental Science, Paper and Pulp Engineering, Architecture, Urban and Regional Planning, Landscape Architecture, Computer Science, Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Nuclear Science/Engineering, Marine/Ocean Engineering, Construction Engineering/Management, Surveying, Drafting, Biology, Entomology, Oncology, Marine Biology, Neurobiology, Math, Statistics, Science, Technology, and Society, Behavioral Science, Natural Sciences, Archaeology, Sports/Exercise Science, Physical Sciences, Meteorology/Atmospheric Science, Earth Science, Hydrology, Oceanography, Materials Science, Psychology, Fire Science/Firefighting, HVAC Mechanics, Aviation/Aerospace, Transportation, Radiology, Environmental Health, Animal/Veterinary Sciences, Insurance/Actuarial Science, Cybersecurity, Chemistry, Medicine, Literature/English/Writing, Philosophy, Visual & Performing Arts, Music

American Chemical Society (ACS) Scholars Program

American Chemical Society (ACS) Scholars Program

Offered by American Chemical Society

Every year, the American Chemical Society Scholars Program awards renewable scholarships to high school seniors and college undergraduates from historically underrepresented groups. Well-informed about the…

Every year, the American Chemical Society Scholars Program awards renewable scholarships to high school seniors and college undergraduates from historically underrepresented groups. Well-informed about the costs of hefty university tuition fees and funds needed to acquire appropriate lab equipment, the American Chemical Society aims to alleviate some of these expenses for a few lucky students each year. Applicants to the program must be currently planning or intending to study the chemical sciences in college and pursue chemistry-related careers. If you plan on studying chemistry and want a solution to heavy college costs, we encourage you to apply! Bear in mind that this scholarship runs from December 1st to March 1st every year.

Race/Ethnicity: Asian/Pacific Islander, Black/African, Hispanic/Latino, Native American

Academic Interest: Chemistry

Create-A-Greeting-Card Scholarship Contest

Create-A-Greeting-Card Scholarship Contest

Offered by The Gallery Collection

Are you over 14 years of age, enrolled in high school or college, and enjoy making original artwork? If so, the Create-A-Greeting-Card Scholarship Contest may…

Are you over 14 years of age, enrolled in high school or college, and enjoy making original artwork? If so, the Create-A-Greeting-Card Scholarship Contest may be the perfect opportunity for you! Each year, the contest awards $10,000 to the applicant who submits the best holiday, greeting, or all-around holiday card. While the top ten finalists will be decided by a public vote, the final winner will be decided by a panel of judges. The contest is offered by The Gallery Collection, the “leading business-to-business online and mail order publisher of premium quality personalized Christmas, Holiday, and Everyday greeting cards in the United States.” If you’re a student aged 14 or older who wants to put their card-making skills to the test, we encourage you to apply!

Academic Interest: Visual & Performing Arts, Graphic Design/Printing

Fontana Transport Inc. Scholars Program

Fontana Transport Inc. Scholars Program

Offered by Fontana Transport, Inc.

The Fontana Transport Inc. Scholars Program is funded by Fontana Transport, Inc., an organization that helps future leaders in their community pursue a higher education…

The Fontana Transport Inc. Scholars Program is funded by Fontana Transport, Inc., an organization that helps future leaders in their community pursue a higher education degree. Each year, the Fontana Transport, Inc. Scholars Program awards up to $5,000 to multiple underrepresented, high school seniors who will be first-generation college students and want to help their families and communities. If this scholarship sounds like a fit for you, keep on reading for more application details.

Minimum GPA: 3.5

Race/Ethnicity: Black/African, Hispanic/Latino, Native American

Academic Interest: Environmental Science, Architecture, Engineering, Biology, Math, Psychology

Other Category: Low Income, First-Generation Student

Horatio Alger Targeted Scholarships

Horatio Alger Targeted Scholarships

Offered by Horatio Alger Association

Are you a high school senior with critical financial need and perseverance in overcoming adversity? Further, will you be enrolled in a U.S. college or…

Are you a high school senior with critical financial need and perseverance in overcoming adversity? Further, will you be enrolled in a U.S. college or university the fall after graduation? If so, consider applying for some of the many Horatio Alger Undergraduate Scholarships! These scholarships aim to help U.S. citizens with financial need attend college at a lower cost, awarding between $10,000 and $52,000 each. The scholarships are offered by the Horatio Alger Association, an organization with a mission to “fund need-based college scholarships for low-income youth to pursue their dreams through higher education.” As each scholarship has differing criteria, there are bound to be some you meet the criteria for. We recommend giving them a look-through and applying if you meet the criteria! Bear in mind that this scholarship runs from December 1st to March 15th annually.

Other Category: Low Income

Young American Creative Patriotic Art Contest

Young American Creative Patriotic Art Contest

Offered by VFW Auxiliary

Are you a high school student interested in making art? If so, consider applying for the Young American Creative Patriotic Art Contest! The contest is…

Are you a high school student interested in making art? If so, consider applying for the Young American Creative Patriotic Art Contest! The contest is open to students grades 9-12 who submit a two-dimensional art piece depicting patriotism. This scholarship is offered by VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States) Auxiliary, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing services for veterans and honoring them and their families. They started the contest in 1979 to encourage patriotism in youths and recognize their artistry. Every year, the scholarship offers multiple awards totaling $34,000 to the first-place winners from each state. If you want to make art about patriotism and are looking for a scholarship opportunity, we encourage you to apply!

Academic Interest: Visual & Performing Arts

How to win scholarships for high school seniors

Most scholarships receive a large amount of applications, so it’s important that your applications stand out! One of the most important parts of the scholarship application process is the essay, which allows the scholarship committee to learn more about you as a person. 

To get started, you can check out guide on how to start a scholarship essay, as well as our guide on how to write an essay about yourself.   Many essays will also have a word count limit, so you can also check out our articles on how to write a 250 word essay and how to write a 500 word essay.   As a final step in the essay writing process, students should be sure to have someone proofread their scholarship essay!

Some competitive scholarships might also require students to do an interview with the scholarship committee. This offers applicants another opportunity to stand out and share more about their goals, experiences, and interests. If you are prepping for a scholarship interview, you should spend some time reflecting on common scholarship interview questions so you can go into the interview well-prepared.

Also see: The ultimate guide to finding and winning scholarships

College merit scholarships for high school seniors

While outside scholarships are offered by private companies, non-profits, and foundations, college merit scholarships are offered by individual colleges. Merit scholarships are awarded to students with demonstrated achievement in academics, extracurriculars , and leadership, but the primary factors are grades and tests scores. Merit scholarships are strong sources of financial aid because they generally are renewable for four years of college.

To apply for merit scholarships, students will need to follow each college’s specific scholarship application process. At some colleges, there will be a separate merit scholarship application and deadline, while at other colleges, all students will be considered for merit scholarships. To get started on your merit scholarship search, you can check out our top merit scholarships guide.

Tips for high school seniors applying for scholarships

  • Ask for your letters of recommendation early. The last thing you want to do is rush your teachers when they are helping you out by writing you a letter. The earlier you ask, the more time they’ll have and the better they’ll make their letters.
  • Apply for local scholarships . These scholarship programs typically have a lower award amount but they have far fewer applicants, so you have a much better chance of winning than national scholarships. A great place to start looking for local scholarships is your high school guidance counselor. Many local organizations like Elks Club and church communities offer scholarships to students in the area.
  • Apply to a wide range of safety schools . These safety schools will have a better chance of awarding you merit scholarships that could cover a substantial part of your tuition.
  • Before you start your applications, do some informal reflection. Talk to family members, friends, and trusted adults about your goals for the future and your strengths and weaknesses. Think about where you want to be in 10 years and write down the results of your brainstorming on a piece of paper. You can use bullet points or any type of notation that is easy for you. Then come back to this paper as you fill out your applications. It should give you good material to base your essays on and make the whole process much easier.
  • Apply to at least one in-state public school. With in-state tuition rates, these typically end up being substantially cheaper than other options.

Frequently asked questions

Is it too late to apply for scholarships as a high school senior, should high school seniors fill out the fafsa, are student athletes eligible for scholarships, does financial need affect scholarships for graduating high school seniors, are there scholarships for african-american seniors in high school, explore these other scholarship categories.

  • Top full ride scholarships for high school students
  • Top scholarships for women
  • Easy scholarships to apply for
  • Top scholarships for Black students
  • Top scholarships for nurses

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14 Scholarships for High School Sophomores

14 Scholarships for High School Sophomores

Sophomore year isn’t too early to think about college scholarships. In fact, it’s a great time to start your scholarship search. If you get started now, you’ll be incredibly organized by the time you’re applying to the major scholarships of junior and senior year. Plus, you’ll wind up with a treasure trove of essays you can repurpose for your college applications.

Have we convinced you yet? Here are 14 scholarships for high school sophomores to apply to now.

1. Rubicam Youth Writing Competition

Deadline : December 15, 2021 Eligibility : High school students in grades 9-12 at the time of submission. Requirements : Submit a genealogy in a biographical narrative format for one family line, including four generations. See the submission requirements for detailed instructions. Scholarship Amount : One winner will receive $500 and a one-year NGS membership.

2. Spotless Cleaning Chicago Scholarship  

Deadline : December 30, 2021 Eligibility : High school, college, and graduate school students. Requirements : Create a 2-4 minute video explaining why you think education is the key to a brighter future, and how you can shape society. Scholarship Amount : One winner will receive $1,000. 

3. Cedar Lending Because College Is Expensive Scholarship 

Deadline : December 31, 2021* Eligibility : High school sophomores, juniors, seniors, current college students, and anyone planning to attend college or graduate school within 24 months. Requirements : No essay needed! Just fill out the registration form. Winners will be drawn randomly. Scholarship Amount : One winner will receive $500.

*Note: This scholarship is offered four times per year, so if you miss the December deadline, you’ll have more opportunities to apply. 

4. Delete Cyberbullying Scholarship  

Deadline : December 31, 2021 Eligibility : Current high school or college student. Requirements : Answer one of the following questions in 500 words or less: “Why is it important to work to delete cyberbullying?” or “How has cyberbullying personally affected you?” Scholarship Amount : One winner will receive $1,000. 

5. Apprentice Ecologist Awards

Deadline : December 31, 2021 Eligibility : Students between the ages of 13 and 21. Requirements : Conduct your own environmental stewardship project and submit an essay about it (along with photos of the project in action). Scholarship Amount : One first place winner receives $1,000. Second and third place winners receive $500 and $250, respectively. 

6. Gene and Kelly Tanabe Scholarship

Deadline : December 31, 2021 Eligibility : All high school, college, and graduate students. Requirements : 250 word essay describing why you deserve the scholarship, OR your academic/career goals, OR a topic of your choice. Scholarship Amount : One first place winner receives $1,000. 

7. Profile in Courage Essay Contest

Deadline : January 14, 2022 Eligibility : High school students in grades 9-12. Requirements : Write a 700-1,000 word essay in response to this prompt: “Describe and analyze an act of political courage by a US elected official who served during or after 1917.” See the contest requirements for detailed instructions. Scholarship Amount : One first place winner - $10,000. One second place winner: $3,000. Five finalists - $1,000. Eight semi-finalists - $100. 

8. Digital Responsibility Technology Addiction Awareness Scholarship

Deadline : January 30, 2022 Eligibility : All high school, college, and graduate students. Requirements : Submit a 140-character statement in response to the prompt, “Instead of spending time with technology, I’d rather…”. If you’re selected as one of 10 finalists, you’ll be asked to submit a 500-1,000 word essay about technology addiction. Scholarship Amount : One winner will receive $1,000.

9. National Ag Day Essay & Video Contest

Deadline : January 31, 2022 Eligibility : High school students in grades 9-12 in the 2021-22 school year. Requirements : Submit either a 450 word written essay or a two minute video essay in response to the theme “American Agriculture: Growing a Climate for Tomorrow.” Scholarship Amount : One written essay winner and one video essay winner will each receive $1,000. 

10. DNA Day Essay Contest

Deadline : Early March 2022* Eligibility : Students in grades 9-12. Requirements : Submit an essay up to 750 words in response to a prompt about genetics. Scholarship Amount : First place (1): $1,000; second place (1): $600; third place (1): $400; honorable mention (10): $100. 

*Note: The submission site will open in early January 2022. The exact deadline will be available at that time.

11. Anthem Essay Contest

Deadline : April 28, 2022 Eligibility : Students in 8th-12th grade. Requirements : Write a 600-1200 word essay in response to one of three prompts about Ayn Rand’s novel Anthem . Scholarship Amount : First Prize (1): $2,000; Second Prizes (3): $500; Third Prizes (5): $100; Finalist Prizes (25): $50; Semi-finalist Prizes (50): $25

12. Digital Responsibility E-waste Scholarship

Deadline : April 30, 2022 Eligibility : All high school, college, and graduate students. Requirements : Submit a 140-character statement about why we should care about e-waste. If you’re selected as one of 10 finalists, you’ll be asked to submit a 500-1,000 word essay about e-waste. Scholarship Amount : One winner will receive $1,000.

13. Jane Austen Society of North America Essay Contest (High School Division)

Deadline : June 2, 2022 Eligibility : All students enrolled at the high school level during the contest year. Requirements : Submit a 6-8 page essay about family relations in Sense and Sensibility. “Essays can focus on relations between siblings or pairs of siblings, between mothers and their offspring, or perhaps on characteristics (apart from sense and sensibility) embodied by a related or unrelated pair.” Scholarship Amount : One first place winner will receive $1,000 and free registration/lodging at JASNA’s Annual General Meeting. Second and third place winners will receive $500 and $250 respectively.

14. Student Research Fund Community Contribution Scholarship  

Deadline : July 26, 2022 Eligibility : All high school students. Requirements : Submit an essay of up to 1,000 words describing a project you led in order to solve a problem in your community. Scholarship Amount : First place (1 winner): $7,000; second place (1 winner): $5,000; third place (1 winner): $3,000; fourth place (7 winners): $1,500.

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Stanford Center on Longevity Design Challenge for Worldwide Students

Stanford Center on Longevity Design Challenge for Worldwide Students

The sooner you start the better. The Stanford Center on Longevity Design Challenge attracts student designers to make solutions that contribute in the direction of the optimization of health span at any age. Applicants who aspire to design products and services that optimize long life have a chance to win this global competition. The program …

CouponBirds Help to Save Scholarship for Worldwide High School and College Students

CouponBirds Help to Save Scholarship

Saving money is always worth the effort. Hence, CouponBirds is launching the “Help to Save” Scholarship for high school and college students of all nationalities who need help with their tuition fees. Join the CouponBirds scholarship contest to win $500 – $1,500 to fund education. This great chance helps students to continue studying to relieve …

Commonwealth Short Story Competition for Citizens of Commonwealth Countries

Commonwealth Short Story Competition for Citizens of Commonwealth Countries

The Commonwealth Writers Organisation is pleased to announce its Commonwealth Short Story Prize 2023 for promising international writers. Applications can be made in the ongoing academic year 2022-2023. The competition program established by the Commonwealth Writers is free to participate in and available to any citizen of a Commonwealth country aged 18 and over. The …

Creative Writing International Competition, 2021

scholarship contests for high school students 2021

If you are interested in the art of creative writing and also want to show your skills, then you can apply for this KANAC Creative Writing Competition. The competition seeks to create healthy forums for the synergy of thoughts, skillfulness, and art that can be driven to solve many of our times in a positive …

SolutionInn Essay Writing Contest for International Students, 2020

scholarship contests for high school students 2021

Interested aspirants are invited to become a part of the SolutionInn Essay Writing Contest for the academic session 2020/2021. The selected students will receive an award amount of $100 each. The purpose of arranging this essay writing contest is to promote self-thinking. This contest is awarded to students from all around the world. SolutionInn is …

Essay Writing Scholarship Program for Domestic and International Students in the USA

Essay Writing Scholarship Program for Domestic and International Students in the USA

Studying in a world-renowned country is a massive investment in the future of students, but earning such an education can be costly. Therefore, 5Estimates.com is providing an outstanding scholarship to support the study for the students. The program seeks to attract those students who are currently studying at or have been accepted to an accredited …

Adelman Travel Agency Scholarship

Adelman Travel Agency Scholarship

Adelman Travel Group is awarding a $500 award through its Travel Agency Scholarship program. The Adelman scholarship is essay-based and open to all US students who are enrolled full-time in any fields of study in an accredited school of the United States. Adelman is a travel agency that has been around for over 30 years, …

Spring Essay Writing Contest Scholarship 2020

Spring ‘Essay Writing Contest’ Scholarship 2020

No matter where you are and what you study, you can win a $1000 award by accepting a challenge to take part in the Spring Scholarship Essay Contest. Create a durable paper and receive an excellent reward. All graduate, undergraduate, and high school students are invited to participate in the essay writing contest. The goal …

“Teens for Alzheimer’s Awareness” Scholarship Essay Competition

“Teens for Alzheimer’s Awareness” Scholarship Essay Competition

Alzheimer’s Foundation of America is pleased to announce the 2019 “Teens for Alzheimer’s Awareness” Scholarship Essay Competition in the United States. All college-bound high school seniors across the country have a chance to earn money for college by applying for this annual essay contest program and write about How Alzheimer’s Has Impacted Their Lives. The …

Hit The Books Scholarship

Hit The Books Scholarship

At CoffeeForLess.com, they are introducing the semi-annual “Hit The Books Scholarship” as the way of helping the future leaders of the business world meet their educational goals. The program is open to all students of aged 18 to 25 and enrolled in an accredited college or university to support their cost of study books and …

Sweet and Simple Scholarship

Sweet and Simple Scholarship

Sometimes sweet & simple things can make a real difference in our lives. Students who are looking for an accessible scholarship towards the college education can apply for Sweet and Simple Scholarship. The contest is open for legal residents of the fifty United States or the District of Columbia presently enrolled in an accredited post-secondary …

VFW Scholarships

VFW Scholarships

If you are a democracy-loving high school student or a patriotic middle school student, you can win a Youth Scholarship. The Voice of Democracy Competition is a Patriotic Audio Essay Competition offered by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Organization. Through the educational VFW program, high school students have a unique opportunity to express themselves in …

NASA Human Exploration Rover Challenge for International Students

NASA Human Exploration Rover Challenge for International Students

It’s never too early to think about your future. If you are interested in developing your international learning and understanding, you will enjoy being a part of the NASA Human Exploration Rover Challenge in the U.S. The program is an engineering design challenge designed to engage worldwide high school and college students in the next …

Scholarship Competition for Students from Ukraine, 2019

scholarship contests for high school students 2021

Highly skilled candidates from Ukraine have a beneficiary opportunity to apply for the Scholarship Competition for International Students in Ukraine. The program is open for paid tuition for full-time and part-time students studying on a budget form of study and facing crises in their studies. This scholarship is a cash grant contest for students organized …

Partial Tuition Scholarship Essay Competition in Ukraine, 2019

scholarship contests for high school students 2021

If you are a Ukrainian student, then you have a golden opportunity to take part in the Partial Tuition Scholarship Essay Competition in Ukraine. The program is open for supporting those highly skilled candidates from Ukraine who have a knowledgeable in economics and wants to put his knowledge into practice. The scholarship is a grant …

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10 Financial Education Scholarships and Competitions for Students

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You’ve taken a personal finance course. And passed with flying colors. Now what? Don’t waste your newly acquired money knowledge. What if you could win scholarship money and other prizes? The good news is you can!

Apply to financial education scholarships and competitions. 

Improve your financial literacy knowledge and receive scholarship money and other rewards. Win-win. Literally. To flex your financial knowledge, start with these 10 opportunities.

No. 1: OppU Achievers Scholarship

Award: $2,500

Deadline: Quarterly

How to apply: Submit an essay to the OppU Achievers Scholarship

Eligibility: High school seniors, undergraduate, and graduate students

That’s us! OppU is a free standards-aligned financial curriculum that supports students' education via the OppU Achievers Scholarship. Recipients must demonstrate their achievements in creating opportunities for themselves and others by submitting a personal essay.

No. 2: Credit Sesame Financial Literacy Scholarship

Deadline: Twice annually

How to apply: Submit an application for the Financial Literacy Scholarship

Eligibility: Undergraduate and graduate students

Credit Sesame is empowering people to take charge of their credit and loans to help them reach their financial goals. Through promoting financial literacy for students, the company offers two chances each year for students to fund their academic futures. Check the website for the next deadline in 2021.

No. 3: SIFMA Foundation’s Stock Market Game

Award: Various awards and prizes

Deadline: Annually in the spring

How to apply: Register for the Stock Market Game

Eligibility: Elementary, middle, and high school students

The SIFMA Foundation is an educational nonprofit that is dedicated to fostering knowledge of financial markets. SIFMA hosts the Stock Market Game, which is an online simulation of the global capital markets for students in grades 4-12. Students are given hypothetical investment portfolios to manage. Teachers can enter their entire class for the competition.

No. 4: SIFMA Foundation’s InvestWrite

Award: Various awards and prizes, like laptops, trips, and pizza parties

How to apply: Register for InvestWrite

InvestWrite is a national essay competition. It was created as a culminating activity for SIFMA’s Stock Market Game — offered exclusively to teacher and student participants. 

No. 5: BankMobile Foundation Annual Financial Empowerment Scholarship

Award: $1,500

Deadline: Annually in July

How to apply: Submit an application to the BankMobile Foundation

This BankMobile Foundation scholarship recognizes students devoted to financial empowerment. Financial empowerment can better someone’s life and ultimately lead to financial freedom. The prize is awarded to student trailblazers who are increasing financial opportunities for others in their community.

No. 6: PNC Student Lending Scholarship

Award: $2,000

Deadline: Annually June 1 and December 1

How to apply: Register for the Student Lending Scholarship

Eligibility: Undergraduate students

In order to enter for a chance to win the PNC Education Loan Center Achiever Scholarship, students must create a financial literacy account. That’s it! Applications are eligible for the two subsequent drawings within 12 months of registering. After entering, take a look at the free personal finance tools and resources.

No. 7: AdvancePoint Capital’s Financial Literacy Scholarship

Award: $1,000

Deadline: Annually in August

How to apply: Submit an essay to AdvancePoint

AdvancePoint Capital is urging students to take their financial life seriously. The only requirement for the Financial Literacy Scholarship is the submission of a 1000-word essay exploring the student’s financial experiences. Applicants must answer the following questions:

  • Why is it important to be a financially literate student? 
  • What is your plan to prepare for student costs? 
  • How will the scholarship aid your studies?

No. 8: U.S. Bank Student Union Scholarship

Award: $20,000

Deadline: Annually in October

How to apply: Register for the U.S. Bank Student Union Scholarship

The more students learn, the more they’ll be rewarded. That’s the premise behind the U.S. Bank Student Union Scholarship. There are increasing award levels for completing financial literacy lesson plans. Check the website for the 2021 deadline, once it’s available.

Three lessons – enter to win up to $5,000

Six lessons – enter to win up to $10,000

Nine lessons – enter to win up to $20,000

No. 9: Active Life Scholarship for Financial Literacy

Deadline: Annually in December

How to apply: Submit an application for the Active Life Scholarship

Eligibility: College students 

The Active Life Scholarship rewards financial literacy knowledge. The award is designed to encourage students to adopt positive financial behaviors — in college and beyond. Applicants must be current undergraduate or graduate students or adult learners. To apply, submit an application and briefly answer a few questions.

No. 10: Youth Financial Literacy Foundation Scholarship Program 

Award: $5,000-$30,000

How to apply: Submit an application for the YFL Scholarship

Eligibility: High school seniors and first-year college students 

The Youth Financial Literacy Foundation provides financial education across the nation. The YFL Scholarship Program rewards students for their financial knowledge and skills. Each year, the program awards more than $600,000 in scholarships. Applicants must complete essay prompts and a quiz. Students with the highest exam scores and strongest essays will receive a tiered scholarship, ranging from $30,000 to the first place winner to $5,000 to the 65th place winner.

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USIP ANNOUNCES THE 2023 WOMEN BUILDING PEACE AWARD RECIPIENT

PÉTRONILLE VAWEKA OF THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO

United States Institute of Peace

National high school essay contest.

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

Wilson King Photo

The winner of the contest receives a $2,500 cash prize, an all-expense paid trip to Washington, D.C. to meet U.S. Department of State and USIP leadership, and a full-tuition paid voyage with Semester at Sea upon the student’s enrollment at an accredited university. The runner-up receives a $1,250 cash prize and a full scholarship to participate in the International Diplomacy Program of the National Student Leadership Conference. 

2023 National High School Essay Contest

The American Foreign Service Association’s national high school essay contest completed its twenty-third year with over 400 submissions from 44 states. Three randomized rounds of judging produced this year’s winner, Justin Ahn, a junior from Deerfield Academy in Deerfield, Massachusetts. In his essay, “Mending Bridges: U.S.-Vietnam Reconciliation from 1995 to Today,” Ahn focuses on the successful reconciliation efforts by the Foreign Service in transforming U.S.-Vietnam relations from post-war tension to close economic and strategic partnership.

Ahn will travel to Washington, D.C. to meet with a member of the Department of State’s leadership and receive a full tuition scholarship to an educational voyage with Semester at Sea.

Niccolo Duina was this year’s runner-up. He is currently a junior at Pulaski Academy in Little Rock, Arkansas. Duina will be attending the international diplomacy program of the National Student Leadership Conference this summer.

There were eight honorable mentions:

  • Santiago Castro-Luna – Chevy Chase, Maryland
  • Dante Chittenden – Grimes, Iowa 
  • Merle Hezel – Denver, Colorado
  • Adarsh Khullar – Villa Hills, Kentucky
  • Nicholas Nall – Little Rock, Arkansas
  • Ashwin Telang – West Windsor, New Jersey
  • Himani Yarlagadda – Northville, Michigan 
  • Sophia Zhang – San Jose, California

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

2023 National High School Essay Contest Topic

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

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

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

Contest deadline: April 3, 2023

Download the study guide for the 2023 National High School Essay Contest. This study guide provides students with a basic introduction to the topic and some additional context that can assist them in answering the question. It includes the essay question, prizes and rules for the contest; an introduction to diplomacy and peacebuilding; key terms; topics and areas students might explore; and a list of other useful resources.

Learn more about the contest rules and how to submit your essay on the American Foreign Service Association’s contest webpage .

2022 National High School Essay Contest

Katherine Lam, a freshman from University High School in Tucson, Arizona, is the 2022 National High School Essay Contest winner. In her essay, “Competition and Coaction in Ethiopia: U.S. and Chinese Partnerships for International Stabilization,” Lam focuses on how the Foreign Service has partnered with other U.S. government agencies, nongovernmental organizations and — most notably — China to promote peace and development in Ethiopia. Lam will travel to Washington, D.C., to meet with a member of the U.S. Department of State’s leadership and gain full tuition for an educational voyage with Semester at Sea.

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

The 2022 honorable mentions were: Josh Diaz (Little Rock, AR); Grace Hartman (Bethlehem, PA); Elena Higuchi (Irvine, CA); Ovea Kaushik (Oklahoma City, OK); Evan Lindemann (Palm Desert, CA); Percival Liu (Tokyo, Japan); Alexander Richter (San Jose, CA); and Gavin Sun (Woodbury, MN).

USIP congratulates all the winners of the 2022 National High School Essay Contest.

Partnerships for Peace in a Multipolar Era

The current multipolar era poses challenges for U.S. foreign policy but also provides new opportunities for partnership across world powers—including emerging great powers like China and Russia—to build peace in conflict-affected countries. Describe a current situation where American diplomats and peacebuilders are working with other world powers, as well as local and/or regional actors, in a conflict-affected country to champion democracy, promote human rights, and/or resolve violent conflict.    A successful essay will lay out the strategies and tactics U.S. Foreign Service Officers and American peacebuilders are employing to build successful partnerships with other world and regional powers and with local actors in the chosen current situation.  The essay will also describe specific ways that these partnerships are helping to promote stability and build peace.

Contest deadline: April 4, 2022

Download the study guide for the 2022 National High School Essay Contest. This study guide provides students with a basic introduction to the topic and some additional context that can assist them in answering the question. It includes the essay question, prizes, and rules for the contest; an introduction to diplomacy and peacebuilding; key terms; topics and areas students might explore; and a list of other useful resources.

Learn more about the contest rules and how to submit your essay on the American Foreign Service Association’s contest webpage.  

2021 National High School Essay Contest

Mariam Parray, a sophomore from Pulaski Academy in Little Rock, Arkansas, is the 2021 National High School Essay Contest winner. In her essay, “Diplomats and Peacebuilders in Tunisia: Paving the Path to Democracy,” Ms. Parray focuses on how the Foreign Service partnered with other U.S. government agencies and NGOs to effect a peaceful democratic transition in Tunisia. She emphasizes the importance of multifaceted approaches as well as the importance of bringing marginalized groups into the fold. Mariam will travel to Washington to meet with a member of the Department of State’s leadership and will also gain a full tuition to an educational voyage with Semester at Sea. Harrison McCarty was this year’s runner-up. Coincidentally, he is also a sophomore from Pulaski Academy in Little Rock, Arkansas. Harrison will be attending the international diplomacy program of the National Student Leadership Conference this summer. The 2021 honorable mentions were: Louisa Eaton (Wellesley, MA); Samuel Goldston (Brooklyn, NY); Lucy King (Bainbridge Island, WA); Haan Jun Lee (Jakarta, Indonesia); Khaled Maalouf (Beirut, Lebanon); Madeleine Shaw (Bloomington, IN); Allison Srp (Austin, MN); and Daniel Zhang (Cortland, NY).

USIP congratulates all the winners of the 2021 National High School Essay Contest. 

Diplomats and Peacebuilders: Powerful Partners

What characteristics lead to a successful effort by diplomats and peacebuilders to mediate or prevent violent conflict? 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.  

Contest deadline: April 5, 2021

Download the study guide for the 2021 National High School Essay Contest. This study guide provides students with a basic introduction to the topic and some additional context that can assist them in answering the question. It includes key terms in conflict management and peacebuilding and examples of peacebuilding initiatives, with reflection questions for independent learners to dig more deeply or for teachers to encourage class reflection and discussion. We hope this study guide will be a useful resource for educators and students participating in this contest, and for educators who want their students to learn more about this year’s contest topic.

2020 National High School Essay Contest

Jonas Lorincz, a junior from Marriotts Ridge High School in Marriottsville, MD, is the 2020 National High School Essay Contest winner. In his essay, “Verification, Mediation, and Peacebuilding: The Many Roles of the U.S. Foreign Service in Kosovo,” Mr. Lorincz focused on the importance of interagency cooperation in mediating the crisis in Kosovo – primarily looking into how diplomats and other civilian agencies engaged in peacebuilding throughout the conflict.

Claire Burke was this year’s runner-up. She is a junior at Mill Valley High School in Shawnee, KS. 

The 2020 honorable mentions were: Grace Cifuentes (Concord, CA), Grace Lannigan (Easton, CT), Seryung Park (Tenafly, NJ), Vynateya Purimetla (Troy, MI), David Richman (Norfolk, VA), Madeleine Shaw (Bloomington, IN), Sara Smith (Fargo, ND), and Jack Viscuso (Northport, NY).  USIP congratulates all the winners of the 2020 National High School Essay Contest. 

2020 National High School Essay Contest Topic

Why Diplomacy and Peacebuilding Matter

How do members of the Foreign Service work with other civilian parts of the U.S. Government to promote peace, national security and economic prosperity?

Qualified essays focused on a specific challenge to U.S. peace and prosperity and included one example of the work of the Foreign Service and one or more examples of collaboration between America’s diplomats and other civilian (i.e. non-military) U.S. Government agencies or organizations.

2019 National High School Essay Contest

In its 21st year, the American Foreign Service Association (AFSA)’s National High School Essay Contest encouraged students to think about how and why the United States engages globally to build peace, and about the role that the Foreign Service plays in advancing U.S. national security and economic prosperity.

For the second year in a row, the National High School Essay Contest focused on an important aspect of operating in countries affected by or vulnerable to violent conflict: effective coordination of the many different foreign policy tools the United States has at its disposal. Whether you were addressing the prompt for a second year or new to the contest, the contest will have challenged you to expand your understanding of the role of the Foreign Service and other actors in foreign policy, identify case studies, and provide a sophisticated analysis in a concise manner.

The essay prompt and a helpful study guide are included below; you can find out more information about the rules and how to submit by checking out AFSA’s essay contest page .

2019 Essay Question

The United States has many tools to advance and defend its foreign policy and national security interests around the world—from diplomatic approaches pursued by members of the Foreign Service, to the range of options available to the U.S. military. In countries affected by or vulnerable to violent conflict, peacebuilding tools are important additions to the national security toolkit.

In such complex environments, cooperation across agencies and approaches is challenging, but it can also blend knowledge and skills in ways that strengthen the overall effort to establish a lasting peace. On the other hand, lack of coordination can lead to duplication of effort, inefficient use of limited resources and unintended consequences.

In a 1,000-1,250-word essay, identify two cases—one you deem successful and one you deem unsuccessful—where the U.S. pursued an integrated approach to build peace in a conflict-affected country. Analyze and compare these two cases, addressing the following questions:

  • What relative strengths did members of the Foreign Service and military actors bring to the table? What peacebuilding tools were employed? Ultimately, what worked or did not work in each case?
  • How was each situation relevant to U.S. national security interests?
  • What lessons may be drawn from these experiences for the pursuit of U.S. foreign policy more broadly?

Download the study guide for the 2019 AFSA National High School Essay Contest

2018 National High School Essay Contest

Jennifer John from Redwood City, CA is the 2018 National High School Essay Contest winner, surpassing close to 1,000 other submissions. Her essay examined to what extent U.S. interagency efforts in Iraq and Bosnia were successful in building peace. Aislinn Niimi from Matthews, NC was the runner up.

The 2018 honorable mentions were: Alex, DiCenso (North Kingstown, RI),Alexandra Soo (Franklin, MI), Caroline Bellamy (Little Rock AR), Colin LeFerve (Indianapolis, IN), Elizabeth Kam (Burlingham, CA), Emma Singh (Tenafly NJ), Emma Chambers (Little Rock AR),  Francesca Ciampa (Brooksville, ME), Greta Bunce (Franktown, VA), Isaac Che (Mount Vernon OH), Isabel Davis (Elk River MN), Katrina Espinoza (Watsonvile, CA), Molly Ehrig (Bethlehem, PA), Payton McGoldrick (Bristow, VA), Rachel Russell (Cabin John, MD), Sarah Chapman (Tucson, AZ), Shalia Lothe (Glen Allen VA), Sohun Modha (San Jose CA), Suhan Kacholia (Chandler, AZ), Supriya Sharma (Brewster, NY), Sydney Adams (Fort Wayne, IN), Tatum Smith (Little Rock AR), and William Milne (Fort Wayne, IN).  

2017 National High School Essay Contest

Nicholas Deparle, winner of the 2017 AFSA National High School Essay Contest, comes from Sidwell Friends School in Washington DC. A rising senior at the time, Mr. Deparle covers the Internally Displaced Persons crisis in Iraq and potential ideas to help resolve the issue.  Read his winning essay here . Mr. Manuel Feigl, a graduate of Brashier Middle College Charter High School in Simpsonville, SC took second place.

This year there were twenty honorable mentions: Mohammed Abuelem ( Little Rock, Ark.), Lucas Aguayo-Garber (Worcester, Mass.), Rahul Ajmera (East Williston, N.Y.), Taylor Gregory (Lolo, Mont.), Rachel Hildebrand (Sunnyvale, Calif.), Ryan Hulbert (Midland Park, N.J.), India Kirssin (Mason, Ohio), Vaibhav Mangipudy (Plainsboro, N.J.), William Marsh (Pittsburgh, Penn.), Zahra Nasser (Chicago, Ill.), Elizabeth Nemec (Milford, N.J.), David Oks (Ardsley, N.Y.), Max Pumilia (Greenwood Village, Colo.), Nikhil Ramaswamy (Plano, Texas), Aditya Sivakumar (Beaverton, Ore.), Donovan Stuard (Bethlehem, Penn.), Rachel Tanczos (Danielsville, Penn.), Isabel Ting (San Ramon, Calif.), Kimberley Tran (Clayton, Mo.), and Chenwei Wang (Walnut, Calif.).

2017 Essay Contest Topic

According to the United Nations, 65 million people worldwide have left their homes to seek safety elsewhere due to violence, conflict, persecution, or human rights violations. The majority of these people are refugees or internally displaced persons (IDPs).

Imagine you are a member of the U.S. Foreign Service —– a diplomat working to promote peace, support prosperity, and protect American citizens while advancing the interests of the United States abroad – and are now assigned to the U.S. embassy in one of these four countries.

  • Turkey (Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs)
  • Kenya (Bureau of African Affairs)
  • Afghanistan (Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs)
  • Iraq (Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs)

Your task is to provide recommendations to address the refugee/IDP crisis facing the country in which you are now posted. Using the resources available to you as a member of the Foreign Service, write a memo to your Ambassador outlining how the United States might help address the current unprecedented levels of displacement. You may choose to address issues related to the causes of refugee crisis, or to focus on the humanitarian crisis in your host country.

A qualifying memo will be 1,000-1,250 words and will answer the following questions:

  • How does the crisis challenge U.S. interests in the country you are posted and more broadly?
  • Specifically outline the steps you propose the U.S. should take to tackle the roots or the consequences of the crisis, and explain how it would help solve the issue or issues you are examining. How will your efforts help build peace or enhance stability?
  • How do you propose, from your embassy/post of assignment, to foster U.S. government interagency cooperation and cooperation with the host-country government to address these issues?  Among U.S. government agencies, consider U.S. Agency for International Development, the Foreign Commercial Service and the U.S. Institute of Peace.

Memo Template

TO: Ambassador ______________________

FROM: Only use your first name here

RE: Think of this as your title, make sure to include the country you are writing about

Here you want to lay out the problem, define criteria by which you will be deciding the best steps the U.S. could take, and include a short sentence or two on your final recommendation. Embassy leadership is very busy and reads many memos a day —– they should be able to get the general ““gist”” of your ideas by reading this section.

Background:

This section should provide any background information about the crisis or conflict relevant to your proposed policy. Here, you should mention why the issue is important to U.S. interests, especially peace and security.

Proposed Steps:

This is where you outline your proposed policy. Be specific in describing how the U.S. might address this issue and how these steps can contribute to peace and security. Include which organizations you propose partnering with and why.

Recommendation:

This is where you write your final recommendations for embassy leadership. Think of this as a closing paragraph.

Companion Guide for the 2017 National High School Essay Contest

It is no easy task to jump into the role of a diplomat, especially when confronted by such an urgent crisis. USIP, in consultation with AFSA, developed a guide to provide a basic introduction to the topic and some additional context that can assist you in answering the question, while still challenging you to develop your own unique response. As such, this guide should be used as a starting point to your own research and as you ultimately prepare a compelling memo outlining recommendations the U.S. government should follow to respond to the refugee and IDP crisis.

In the guide you will find: insights into the role of the Foreign Service; country, organization, and key-term briefs to provide a foundational understanding; and a list of other useful resources. Download the Companion Guide for the 2017 National High School Essay Contest (.pdf).

2016 National High School Essay Contest

USIP first partnered with AFSA for the 2016 contest and was pleased to welcome winner Dylan Borne to Washington in August. His paper describes his role as an economic officer in the U.S. Agency for International Development’s Bureau for Democracy, Conflict and Humanitarian Assistance. He writes about promoting education for girls in Afghanistan through on-line courses and dispersal of laptops. Read his winning essay (.pdf).

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 The Horatio Alger Association offers 105 National Scholarships from at $25,000 each, and more than 500 State Scholarships at $10,000 each.

Their goal is to support students across the United States who remain resilient in the face of adversity and are experiencing critical financial need. This is why they go beyond the scholarship award to provide  scholarship recipients with additional financial support, and a range of holistic care, including mental health services, mentorship opportunities, and one-on-one academic and financial counselling.

The deadline to submit a completed application is March 15th, 2023.   SEE SCHOLARSHIP DETAILS HERE

To be eligible to apply for a Horatio Alger National or State Scholarship, applicants must meet the following criteria:

Be enrolled full time as a high school  junior  in the United States

Exhibit a strong commitment to pursue and complete a bachelor’s degree at an accredited non-profit public or private institution in the United States

Demonstrate critical financial need ($55,000 or lower adjusted gross family income is required)

Be involved in co-curricular and community service activities

Display integrity and perseverance in overcoming adversity

Maintain a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0; and

Be a United States citizen APPLY HERE BY MARCH 15TH! FYI:  ***IN 2017 A STUDENT FROM THE POTTSVILLE AREA HIGH SCHOOL WON THE HORATIO ALGER SCHOLARSHIP FOR $10,000.00!!! Although this is a national scholarship, it truly can be worth while to apply!!!

Upcoming Scholarship Deadlines FOR CURRENT COLLEGE, HIGH SCHOOL AND IN SOME CASES, YOUNGER STUDENTS (ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE)

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Grants and scholarships make it possible for many people to attend college who otherwise would not be able to afford the steep costs of higher education. Unlike student loans, you do not become indebted by these types of financial aid. There are a wide variety of sources for grants and scholarships in Pennsylvania.  SEARCH HERE

  Find Your NICHE here   FIND COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS

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Pennsylvania Scholarships

Millions of Scholarships, personalized results

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Imagine America Foundation

This new feature makes it simple for students to browse their options for career training and quickly request information from those schools. And from there, they can submit their Imagine America scholarship application right away.

Since 2006, we’ve processed over 12,000 scholarship applications from students in PA.  Visti us at:   https://www.imagine-america.org/high-school-scholarships-trade-schools-pennsylvania/

10+ College Scholarships You Can Apply for Today Remember, the more you apply for, the better your odds are of winning a scholarship.    The Fastweb Team, March 01, 2020   CLICK HERE

The Mega List of Scholarships You Should Apply For | Class of 2022-2023

There are lots of scholarship opportunities out there, but it can be hard to know where to start looking. Some might even find it too intimidating to begin looking at all! That’s where we come in. We at  Colleges of Distinction  have compiled a list of scholarships for 2022 to help get the ball rolling. 

There’s no denying it: things like textbooks, tuition, supplies, housing, and dues add up quickly when you get to campus. Luckily, a lot of companies and organizations want to help students like you pave the way to education by offering various grant and scholarship opportunities for different interests, talents, and backgrounds. More than  $49 billion  in scholarship money was awarded to first-time college students in 2011—and that doesn’t even account for the more than $100 million in unclaimed scholarships that nobody applied to!

Don’t let your up-front costs scare you; with the right planning and resources, you have the potential to take your college bills down a few thousand dollars a semester. Here is a mega list of some of the best scholarships for college provided by companies, organizations, and foundations so that students can focus less on their financial aid and more on their future!

Looking for something more specific? Check out our other  scholarship lists  in our  Advice Column  (along with other resources to guide you on your college journey).

For updates on when we add more scholarships to the list, join our  Monthly Newsletter here !

EXPLORE HERE!!!!!

Stephen J. Brady Stop Hunger Scholarships

Overview:  A program recognizes student innovation and youth-led solutions to fight hunger in the U.S. These young people are creating awareness and mobilizing peers in their communities to be catalysts for change. The scholarship awardees comprise a wide variety of students, ages 5 to 25, who are recognized at the national and regional level and hail from across the country. A program that recognizes students who are driving awareness and mobilizing youth to be catalysts for innovative models that provide solutions to eliminate hunger in the U.S. Scholarship winners receive a $5,000 scholarship and a $5,000 grant for their hunger-related charity.

Deadline: December 7, 2023 (Application Opens: October 5, 2023)

Award Amount: $5,000

     

Writing Scholarships

It might seem that writing-focused scholarships are reserved only for those who have a passion for reading and writing, but anyone can take a shot at writing an essay in order to win these specially curated awards. The scholarships below are those for writers or anyone who wants to tell a story through their own written words. They are for students who are eager to write while also demonstrating the essay-writing skills they learned throughout high school. These scholarship essays could be the first step in dealing with the struggle and worry of  paying for college ; writing is an easy way to earn free money that could pave the way for a student’s future education and future success. 

Writers know how to create new life in the world we live in. They have the ability to open up our eyes to new perspectives. These writing scholarships give writers (or anyone else) the chance to show the scholarship judges their own perspectives and ideas, which could lead to their chance of earning free college money. Use your writing skills in order to make it all the more possible to enter a world of new college experiences.

Ayn Rand “The Fountainhead” Essay Contest 

Deadline: May 28, 2023 

Award Amount: $10,000

Overview:  Have you read one of Ayn Rand’s thought-provoking novels? Now’s the time! Enter an Ayn Rand Institute essay contest for your 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. This year we will award over 230 prizes, totaling more than $70,000.

Southwest Review Poetry Scholarship

Deadline: May 31, 2023

Award: Up to $1,000

Overview:  It is hard to describe SwR’s preference in poetry in a few words. We always suggest that potential contributors read several issues of the magazine to see for themselves what we like. But some things may be said: we accept both traditional and experimental writing; we place no arbitrary limits on length; we have no specific limitations as to theme. Please limit your submission to six poems.

Annual Writing Competition

Deadline: June 5, 2023

Award: Up to $5,000

Overview:  Writer’s Digest has been shining a spotlight on up and coming writers in all genres through its Annual Writing Competition for more than 80 years. Enter our 89th Annual Writing Competition for your chance to win and have your work be seen by editors and agents! Almost 500 winners will be chosen.

AFSA High School Essay Contest

Deadline: April 6, 2023

Award Amount: Up to $2,500

Overview:  The AFSA High School Essay Contest is open to high school students. To be considered, in a 1000 – to 1250 – word essay, you must identify how members of the foreign service work with other civilian parts of the U.S. government to promote peace, national security, and economic prosperity.

Ayn Rand Institute “Anthem” Scholarship

Deadline: April 30, 2023

Award Amount: $2,000

Nelson Cabinetry Scholarship

Deadline: April 15, 2023

Award: $1,500

Overview:  Recipients of our business, interior design, and architecture scholarship will receive $1,500 to use towards expenses related to education including tuition, books, campus housing, and more.

Wergle Flomp Humor Poetry Contest

Deadline: April 1, 2023

Award: $2,250

Overview:  Now in its 19th year, this contest seeks today’s best humor poems. No fee to enter. Submit published or unpublished work. $2,250 in prizes.

Creative Scholarships

A creative mind can give a student the opportunity to create beauty in the world around them, whether that be through art or music or dancing. There is so much value to creativity, so it’s no surprise that scholarship accolades are not limited to academics, but can also award the creative aspects of a student’s life. A creative scholarship gives a student the freedom to use their talents in order to give themselves the chance to earn money to help them pay for college. The special quality of a creative scholarship is students with all kinds of talents can earn money to help pay for college, submitting applications with art that ranges from music or film to painting or creating  résumés  for fictional characters. 

When applying for a creative scholarship, you should be prepared to submit a portfolio or a sample of your work to show off your abilities for the scholarship judges. In order to win, you’ll have to put forth your best creative effort, impress the judges, and shine brighter than the other applicants. If you have the ability to create, take advantage of the opportunity of generating something that you love in order to potentially earn money for college.  

Two Ten Higher Education Footwear Design Scholarships

Award Amount: Up to $3,000

Overview:  Two Ten provides scholarship opportunities to any student who is studying design with a focus on footwear. Applicants are evaluated by financial need and design potential. Unlike our traditional college scholarships, the Footwear Design Scholarship is available to any student who is studying design with a focus on footwear.  This program was created in 2003 to assist students with a demonstrated interest and skill in pursuing a career in footwear design. Applicants are evaluated by design potential and financial need. Awards of up to $3,000 annually are renewable for up to four years of undergraduate study.

Penguin Random House Signet Essay Contest

Deadline: April 22, 2023

Award Amount: $1,000

Overview:   We are proud to host our twenty-fourth annual Signet Classics Student Scholarship Essay Contest, in which five high school juniors or seniors (or home-schooled students aged 16-18) can each win a $1,000 scholarship award to be used toward their higher education plus a Signet Classics library for their school or public library! Respond to one of the essay prompts about this year’s novel,  Wuthering Heights.

ResumeCompanion Annual Scholarship

Deadline: July 15, 2023

Overview:  Staff at Resume Companion remember the hardship of being a student so want to make this scholarship available to as many students as possible! As such, we do not require any sort of minimum GPA, and both domestic and international students may apply. Create a resume based on the life of any fictional or non-fictional character, from TV, history, literature or myth. The resume SHOULD NOT be about yourself. Again, do NOT make a resume about your own experiences. Resumes should be no longer than two pages.

scholarship contests for high school students 2021

Build U. Scholarship

Overview:  Great companies are built on a shared set of values. Over time, those values may evolve and grow, but the underlying message stays the same: create a great product that customers love.

Award: $2,500 scholarship Each Semester

Axon Optic’s “Migraine Story” Scholarship

Deadline: November 30, 2023 

Overview:  Any current, full-time student of an accredited two-year or four-year American university or college is welcome to apply. There is no age or specific major requirement. To enter, applicants must submit either 1) an essay (maximum of 300 words), 2) a video (less than 1 minute), or 3) an image (photograph, drawing, etc).

Fifth Month Scholarship

Overview:  It would take more than just one hand to count all the reasons why the number five is important – and we want to know what you think! What is it about the number five that’s so significant to you? One great reason is that May is the fifth month – which just so happens to be a great time to apply for fun scholarships. Help us bring awareness to the fifth month and the number five.

Chick and Sophie Major Memorial Duck Calling Contest

Overview:  High School seniors may compete for college scholarships totaling $4,250 at the Chick and Sophie Major Memorial Duck Calling Contest.  During its 43-year history, the renowned contest has awarded more than $73,000 in scholarships to young duck callers attending 32 different colleges and universities in 13 different states.

Deadline: Check Website for 2023 Deadline

Collegiate Inventors Competition

Overview:  The Collegiate Inventors Competition® (CIC) is your opportunity to bring national attention to your work, gain valuable feedback from our National Inventors Hall of Fame® Inductees and compete for cash prizes. This unique invention competition drives innovation and entrepreneurship at the collegiate level. Their judges, including National Inventors Hall of Fame® Inductees, provide invaluable feedback and guidance as we reward the country’s most innovative university students.

Since 1990, with the help of our sponsors, they have awarded more than $1 million to students nationwide.

Deadline:   Next entry period will begin in the early-spring of 2020

AIGA Worldstudio Scholarships

Deadline: April 15, 2023 

Overview:  AIGA Worldstudio Scholarships benefit underrepresented and economically disadvantaged students who are studying photography, illustration, and design disciplines in colleges and universities in the United States. Scholarships are awarded annually to encourage social and environmental responsibility and cultural awareness in the next generation of artists and designers.

Gordon Hay Scholarship

Deadline: April 3, 2023

Award: $5,000

Overview:  The Gordon Hay Scholarship Fund is a merit-based scholarship established in memory of Gordon Hay, an organizational development professional, who was passionate about transformational change through authentic engagement of people’s hearts and minds in the strategic work of business. He believed passion and fire from within fueled exceptional results.

Road to Safety Scholarship

Overview:  Metzger Wickersham’s scholarship program encourages students to take a stand against dangerous driving. The Road to Safety Scholarship Contest provides high school seniors with the opportunity to submit a creative project about the dangers of drunk driving or distracted driving for the chance to win college scholarship money. The ultimate goal of the contest is to help spread the message to drive with safety in mind all the time!

The Artist’s Magazine Annual Art competition

Deadline: May 1, 2023 (Early Bird Deadline: April 2, 2023)

Award Amount: $24,000

Overview:  Artists Magazine’s Annual Art Competition wants to honor your most outstanding work. If your art is deserving of being celebrated in the pages of Artists Magazine, this competition is for you! $24,000 in cash prizes plus publication in Artists Magazine.

ASID Scholarships & Grants

Deadline: April 15, 2021

Award Amount: See Website

Overview:  At ASID, we know education matters. That’s why the ASID Foundation, in partnership with our ASID Industry Partners, provides a number of annual scholarships and grant opportunities available to expand research and knowledge around the impact of interior design on behavior, health, and well-being.

Footwear Warriors Higher Education Scholarship

Deadline: April 1, 2021

Award amount: $4,000 – $5,000

Overview:  Two Ten Footwear Foundation has established scholarship programs to assist Footwear employees and dependent children of Footwear employees and/or applicants that demonstrate an interest and commitment to a career in footwear design who plan to continue their education in college, vocational-technical or nursing school programs.

Print and Graphics Scholarship Foundation

Award Amount: $1,000 – $5,000 

Overview:  Scholarship awards vary in amount from $1,000 to $5,000 per academic year, in most cases, for up to four years. In addition, all current recipients are given an honorary membership in the Printing Industries of America for the duration of their studies. Thus, they receive the same benefits that other Educational Members receive, such as discounts on Printing Industries of America products. PGSF students may post their résumés on  printworkers.com  for those who are seeking internships, part-time, or full-time employment. The Scholarship Selection Committee of PGSF will determine the amount of each scholarship. The amount of the scholarship is not made public. The award will be paid in a lump sum directly to the college financial aid office, in the student’s name. The college will be authorized to draw upon the grant for payment of tuition and other fees.

Ron Hubbard Writers of The Future Contest

Deadline: March 31, 2021

Award Amount: Up to $1,000

Overview:  L. Ron Hubbard’s Writers of the Future Contest is an opportunity for new writers of science fiction and fantasy to have their work judged by some of the masters in the field and discovered by a wide audience.

WJA Student Scholarship

Deadline: April 30, 2021

Award Amount: $1,000 – $7,000

Overview:  The WJA Foundation provides scholarships to female-identifying students enrolled in jewelry or metalsmithing programs at an accredited college, university, or training school between August 1, 2020 and July 31, 2021. Recipients are selected by a jury in early June and are awarded scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $7,000.

Team Type 1 Scholarship

Overview:  Team Type 1 is funding scholarships in order to recognize young, talented athletes with type 1 diabetes who demonstrate an ability to balance both academic and sporting commitments, promote good health with successful management of their diabetes through exercise, and support families already burdened with additional expenses associated with diabetes care.

Pretty Lightroom Presets Scholarship Program

Award Amount: $500

Overview:  Pretty Lightroom Presets recognizes the importance of higher education and the role it plays in our personal and professional fulfillment.   That’s why we are so excited to continue our Pretty Presets for Lightroom $500 annual scholarship. This ongoing scholarship provides college and university students an opportunity to earn money to further their education and achieve their goals!

John L. Dales & George Heller Memorial Scholarships

Award Amount: Up to $3,500

Overview:  The SAG-AFTRA Foundation John L. Dales Scholarship Fund was created in 1973 in honor of the legacy Screen Actors Guild (SAG) longtime Executive Secretary. Since its creation, the John L. Dales Scholarship has awarded more than $7.5 million in scholarships to over 2,000 SAG-AFTRA members and their dependents. 

The Howard Chapnick Grant

Deadline: April 30, 2021 

Overview:  In 1996 the W. Eugene Smith Memorial Fund established the Howard Chapnick Grant, to encourage and support leadership in fields ancillary to photojournalism, such as editing, research, education and management. The Grant was established to honor the memory of Howard Chapnick, and to acknowledge the value of his enormous contribution to photography. 

The UncommonGoods Spring 2020 Scholarship

Deadline: December 15, 2021 (Opens September 1, 2021)

Overview:  We know it isn’t always easy when you’re just starting out in a creative field of study. So, we’re offering a scholarship to help hardworking student-artists out, because hey—you might be gracing our assortment with your work someday!

Embracing Our Differences Contest

Deadline: October 7, 2021

Overview:  Art is a powerful tool to evoke social change. Without uttering a single word, artists can enlighten, educate and affect change around the world. Embracing Our Differences invites you to participate in creating a world where differences are embraced and individuality is celebrated. Become a part of this exciting change through your visual art submission to the annual Embracing Our Differences international juried competition.

BEF Scholarship of the Arts

Deadline: May 15, 2021

Overview:  Calling all CF artists! BEF’s Scholarship of the Arts is an annual award promoting communication through creativity. Artwork in the form of video, painting, sketching and sculpturing is considered. 

Pearlie Roberson Annual Scholarship Award

Deadline: May 1, 2021

Overview:  Pearlie Roberson was an African American artist and art therapy client. This scholarship award was created in 2000. The award honors Ms. Roberson’s request to “remember me” and supports efforts to “explore, express, connect…” to enhance the multicultural aspects of the therapeutic experience.   

Science without Borders® Challenge

Deadline: April 20, 2021

Award: $500

Overview:  The theme for this year’s Science Without Borders® Challenge is “Take Action: Conserve Coral Reefs.” Throughout the world, coral reefs are rapidly declining and threatened by a variety of factors—both natural and man-made. If nothing is done to save them, many coral reefs will no longer exist as functioning ecosystems by the end of the century. For this year’s contest, the Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation is asking students to use their artistic talents to create a piece of art that illustrates one or more of the different actions that can be taken to preserve coral reefs.

Illustrators of the Future Contest

Deadline: March 31, 2021      Award: Up to $5,000

Overview:  L. Ron Hubbard’s Illustrators of the Future Contest is an opportunity for new science fiction and fantasy artists worldwide to have their work judged by some of the masters in the field and discovered by a wide audience. Entries in the Illustrators of the Future Contest are judged only by professional artists. Three prizes of $500 (a total of $1500) are awarded each quarter. From the twelve quarterly winners each year the judges select a grand prize winner to receive the L. Ron Hubbard Golden Brush Award and an additional $5000 cash prize.

Harpo Foundation Grants for Visual Artists

Deadline: April 17, 2021       Award: See Website

Overview:  The Harpo Foundation was established in 2006 to support emerging visual artists. The foundation seeks to stimulate creative inquiry and to encourage new modes of thinking about art. We view the definitions of art and artist to be open-ended and expansive.

The 3×3 International Illustration Show

Deadline: March 27, 2021

Award: Up to $1,500

Overview:  3×3 is the first publication devoted entirely to the art of contemporary illustration. Published in the United States and distributed worldwide, our sole interest is in sharing what’s shaping international illustration.

Future Generation Art Prize

Deadline: May 2021

Award: Up to $100,000

Overview:  The biannual Future Generation Art Prize is the only prize for the young generation of artists with a global dimension and guided by an open, free, and democratic application process (online). Supported by an eminent board, distinguished jury, and outstanding selection committee, the Prize brings together the best of the art world to champion a new generation of artists. Together with its award of $100,000 and commitment to commission new works, the Prize sustainably supports artists around the globe.

Design Scholarships

2021 promotional poster design competition.

Deadline: April 10, 2021

Overview:  Each year PGSF awards 200+ college level scholarships ranging in value from $2,000 to $5,000 and we turn to our student community to help us promote these scholarship programs. We are asking students to design a poster promoting our scholarship programs. The winning posters will be displayed in schools across the United States in the 2020-2021 school year. The winning entrant will receive a $500 check, an award certificate, and will be honored in a national news release, on the PGSF website, and on social media platforms.

T-shirt Design Competition

Award: See Website

Overview:  The Print and Graphics Scholarship Foundation (PGSF) is proud to announce our first-ever Promotional T-shirt Design Competition. The t-shirt will be used to promote the careers possible in graphics, availability of scholarships through PGSF, and/or how graphic communications fit into today’s world. The winning design will be placed into production during the  Printing United show in Atlanta  this coming October.

Tricia LeVangie Green/Sustainable Design Scholarship

Overview:  The Tricia LeVangie Green/Sustainable Design Scholarship was established by the New England Chapter to honor the late Tricia LeVangie, an active and committed IFDA New England member. The scholarship is for an undergraduate student focusing on the evolving green/sustainable field of study. Sustainable design is the development of innovative ways to create living spaces that are energy efficient and feature green/sustainable materials, fabrications and products. The student applying for this scholarship is planning to become an educated participant in the green movement. Paying equal attention to both sustainability factors and design aesthetics, the student should be demonstrating creative use of green products and eco-friendly furnishings in class projects. The student is familiar with current information in the green/sustainable field, is applying this knowledge in class work and has a goal of seeking a future LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) accreditation. The recipient of this scholarship must be enrolled for the fall semester following the March 31st application deadline, in order to receive this scholarship.

Krylon Clear Choice Art Scholarship

Deadline: May 31, 2021

Award: $1,000

Overview:  Today’s art students are tomorrow’s fine artists. Krylon Products Group is proud to invest in the future of art by awarding scholarships to help promising art students with rising tuition costs. Krylon Products Group Clear Choice Art Scholarships are available to high school seniors (graduating before June 30, 2020) and college freshmen and sophomore students in the U.S. and Canada. Students must be enrolled or accepted and seeking a degree at a U.S. or Canadian university, college or art school as a declared major in a visual arts program such as painting, drawing, sketching (excluding graphic design, fashion design, interior design, film, music or the performing arts). 

Hazing Prevention Organization Poster Contest

Award: Up to $250

Overview:  HazingPrevention.Org ™ is a national organization dedicated to empowering people to prevent hazing, by providing education and resources, advocating on hazing prevention, and building partnerships with others. Major initiatives of the organization include National Hazing Prevention Week™,  HazingPrevention.Org  Institute and Academy™ and  Prevent.Zone ™ educational online courses that touch the lives of thousands of individuals, organizations, campuses and communities.

  

Future Designer Scholarship

Deadline: November 1, 2021

Award Amount: $2,500

Overview:  At CardsDirect our job is to capture a moment that resonates with our customers and present it through our greeting cards. We want your help designing our next top-selling holiday card – and are proud to offer our scholarship program. The winner of our Future Designer Scholarship will receive a $2,500 scholarship to a secondary institution of their choice and will have their designs featured as products on our site. Applicants must be at least 17 years old and already accepted or enrolled in this educational organization. One entry per person. Click here for official rules and details.

Graham Foundation Grants to Individuals

Deadline: September 15, 2021

Award Amount: Up to $20,000

Overview:  These grants assist individuals with the production-related expenses that are necessary to take a project from conceptualization to realization and public presentation. These projects include, but are not limited to, publications, exhibitions, installations, films, and new media projects.

Graphic Design Degree Hub Creativity Scholarship 

Deadline:  July 31, 2021 

Award Amount: $1,500

Overview:  GraphicDesignDegreeHub.com  is pleased to offer its Creativity Scholarship, which is designed to promote study in graphic design and related disciplines through a monetary scholarship.

Military/Public Service Dependent Scholarships

Military and public service jobs require a lot of sacrifice, but a college education does not have to be another one of those sacrifices. With these duties come plenty of organizations and resources looking to give back to those who have already given so much. Whether you’re active duty, retired, or a dependent, there are so many scholarships opportunities that can help you accomplish your career goals. To show our gratitude to soldiers and public servants, we have dedicated a list of scholarships just for them. This list offers scholarships for government employees and all branches of the military to make their scholarship search easier. Thank you for your service!

Military/Public Service Dependent Scholarships

Marine Corps CTE Scholarship

Overview:  We’re committed to supporting Marine children in pursuit of their educational goals and there’s no more versatile educational path than through Career and Technical Education (CTE). From health sciences to finance, IT to manufacturing, CTE professionals are on the cutting edge of today’s most hands-on careers. This scholarship is for students planning to attend a non-degree certificate program or vocational training that is  12 months or less  at a community college or private career school listed on  College Navigator .

Deadline: Applications processed on a monthly basis

Freedom Alliance Scholarship Fund

Overview:  The mission of the Freedom Alliance Scholarship Fund is two-fold. First, it helps offset the high cost of a college education for the sons and daughters of American heroes. Second, it is a reminder to the recipient that their parents’ sacrifice will never be forgotten by a grateful nation.

Deadline: See Website

Children of Fallen Patriots Scholarship

Overview:  The vision of Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation is to ensure that every child of a fallen patriot receives all necessary college funding. We are dedicated to serving the families of servicemembers from all branches of the armed forces who have died as a result of combat casualties, military training accidents, service-related illnesses, suicide, as well as other duty-related deaths as ruled by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Deadline: See Website  

Keller Scholarship

Overview:  The CWO John A. Keller, Chief Warrant and Warrant Officers Association Scholarship Grant (hereinafter “Grant”) is established to financially assist dependent children of members in good standing or who were members in good standing of the CWOA, United States Coast Guard at the time of their death. The assistance shall be a monetary grant for an accredited institution of higher learning.

Colona Scholarship

Deadline: June 1, 2023

Award: $4,000

Overview:  The CWOA LT Art and Eleanor Colona Scholarship Grant was established by the Colona Family to financially assist dependent children of enlisted members of the United States Coast Guard (active, retired, or reserve). Seeking a meaningful way to celebrate the 30 years which LT Colona devoted to the Coast Guard, the Colona family established this scholarship fund to remain in perpetuity with the CWOA. Each year, one or more Colona scholarship recipient(s) will be awarded a 4000 dollar scholarship dispersing 1000 dollars a year over four years of undergraduate studies.

Scholarships for Military Children Program

Overview:  Commissaries are an integral part of the quality of life offered to service members and their families. The Scholarships for Military Children Program was created in recognition of the contributions of military families to the readiness of the fighting force and to celebrate the role of the commissary in the military family community. It is the intent of the program that a scholarship funded through contributions be awarded annually for each commissary operated by the Defense Commissary Agency worldwide.

Award: A total of 500 scholarship grants, each $2,000.

Deadline: Applications close February, 2021

Athletic Scholarships

Many students throughout the country go to a college or university on an athletic scholarship. Paying for and attending college is not an easy feat, let alone trying to succeed while also attending practices and training as a student-athlete. A thletic training itself can be a full-time job , so any amount of help toward your college expenses can give you less to worry about. These athletic scholarships award money based on a student’s ability to excel in or contribute to a particular sport. The tennis scholarship, for example, seeks those planning on earning their degree in Professional Tennis Management, while the men’s and women’s golf awards are given to those committed to golf. 

An athletic scholarship encourages a student’s passion for sports, all while giving them a little help in paying for college. If you are a student-athlete and need assistance paying for college, you may be able to take the first step toward success and prevent student loans from hovering over your head when you graduate. Apply for an athletic scholarship today!

Athletic Scholarships for Students Going to College

Deadline: December 9, 2021

Award Amount: Awards Vary

Overview:  The Achieving Competitive Excellence (ACE) Grant provides financial assistance to young men and women who aspire to earn a college golf scholarship through competitive junior golf.

Scholarships For Students With Illnesses or Disabilities

No matter one’s disability or illness, a student may be able to receive aid that is reserved for people with their unique set of circumstances. Disability scholarships, as well as scholarships for particular illnesses, have grown in number with the hefty cost of higher education in mind. Medical bills for therapy, treatment, and trips to the hospital add up quickly and can make the extra expense of college seem unattainable. Thankfully, scholarships like the ones shown below minimize the amount of bills that already come with being a person with an illness or disability.

The scholarship donors want to give students with disabilities the same chance for education that anyone else has as well as the ability to delve into any career they desire. Take advantage of the amazing opportunities presented through disability and illness scholarships to take financial burdens and worry off of your shoulders in order to reach your educational and career goals.

Wells Fargo Scholarship Program for People with Disabilities

Overview:  In honor of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) has committed $1 million over the next four years to Scholarship America to implement a special scholarship program to help people with disabilities obtain the education or training necessary to succeed in the career path of their choice.

This program is administered by Scholarship America®, the nation’s largest designer and manager of scholarship, tuition assistance and other education support programs for corporations, foundations, associations, and individuals. Awards are granted without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sexual orientation, age, gender, disability, or national origin.

Only the first 700 applications submitted will be considered for scholarship evaluation.

Deadline: Reopens in October 2020.

Award: If selected as a recipient, the student will receive a $2,500 award for full-time study or a $1,250 award for half-time study.  

National Federation of the Blind Scholarships

Award Amount: $3,000-$12,000

Overview:  The National Federation of the Blind’s annual scholarship program is the largest of its kind in the nation. Every year, we award more than $120,000 to blind scholars across the fifty states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico in recognition of their achievements and professional aspirations. All scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic excellence, community service, and leadership. 

OAR Scholarship Program

Overview:  In 2008, OAR introduced the Schwallie Family Scholarship to support the post-secondary, undergraduate education of qualified individuals with an autism spectrum diagnosis. Schwallie Family Scholarships are supported through generous gifts from the family of former Board member, Ed Schwallie. In 2013, we announced the Lisa Higgins Hussman Scholarship Program, an expansion of our scholarship program that benefits students attending any of the types of institutions that fall under the Schwallie Family Scholarship Program criteria, as well as any of the growing number of certificate and life skills/transition programs in the country. Board member and Scholarship Committee chairwoman, Lisa Hussman, championed the initiative, which is supported through a generous gift from the Lisa Higgins Hussman Foundation. As of December 1, 2017, we have awarded a total of $815,500 to 268 students from across the country.

Their scholarship program provides $3,000 scholarships to students across the autism spectrum.

Deadline: May 4, 2021 at 11:59 PM ET

Award:   Award: $3,000  

Sweepstakes Scholarships

Need money to help you pay for your college expenses, but don’t have the time to fill out those long scholarship applications? Sweepstake scholarships may be the best choice for you. These scholarships are a quick, easy way to collect money with little to no effort required. They usually don’t require any essays or information about academic achievements and financial needs. All you need to do is fill out a form—some even let you submit multiple times! Start applying to the sweepstakes scholarships below today. The more you apply to, the more chances you have to win some money. Good luck!

Huntington’s College Scholarship Sweepstakes

Deadline: June 30, 2021

Award Amount: $4,000

Overview:  Scholarship contest for college-bound students. Simply submit this Official Entry form by the deadline posted in the Official Rules and you could win a $4000 College Scholarship!

Music/Tune Scholarships

Students who decidedly want to pursue a career in music know that the competition is steep and the prices are high. Take advantage of music scholarships, made especially for you, and use them to pave your way through college and to the career of your dreams. The talent for music can begin at any age. Whether you took piano lessons in elementary school, you were in the band in middle school, or you decided to learn how to play the guitar in high school, there’s bound to be something out there to help pay your college expenses. 

Fund for the Advancement of Musical Arts

Award: Varies

Overview:  FAMA grants are designed to support a specific music education/outreach project. They are non-renewable and are not intended to support ongoing projects. New grant applicants will receive priority over previous grant recipients, and preference will be given to community projects that strengthen music education/music appreciation in the United States. All decisions of the committee are final.

Women Band Directors Scholarships

Deadline: Application opens September 1, 2021

Overview:  WBDI COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS are given annually to women enrolled in a university music curriculum pursuing a degree in music education with the intention of becoming a band director. 

Over the Rainbow Scholarship

Overview:  Alex G. Luttrell, gained his wings in a car accident on October 15, 2017. During his time in this life, Alex became a very accomplished musician, singer and actor. He was involved in Band, Chorus and Drama at his beloved South Paulding High School. During his time at school he participated in Fall and Spring musicals and in his Junior year he played the role of the Spartan Warrior King in the Marching Band’s halftime show “Spartan Odyssey.” He also appeared in the “Ant-Man and the Wasp” movie and on TV. Those around him were infected by his charismatic spirit and entertained by his hilarious antics. Alex was known for his hair flips, nicknames and alter egos. Caring about others was in his bones and the Alex G. Luttrell Over the Rainbow Foundation will carry on this legacy by providing scholarships to performing arts students. 

There is a wide range of scholarships that are waiting for you to scoop up! After you finish going through our list, continue searching for more scholarships. The more you apply, the more you have a chance to get money that can help you during college. Good luck!

Scholarships by Collegeboard     CHECK THESE OUT  

Scholarships Available for your Students

College tuition and fees continue to increase at rates higher than inflation each year and it can be a problem for many of your students as to how to fund that college education. Luckily, there are many great scholarships available to help cover some of those costs.

Oneclass.com  has put together a nice list of scholarships available on a national basis.

College Scholarships with Large Awards

Rather than going after several smaller awards, you could focus on high-dollar opportunities. These are some of the biggest grants and scholarships for 2021, but keep in mind that the competition can be intense.

  • Burger King Scholars : Top award winners receive $50,000, with 3,400 students awarded various amounts each year.
  • Cameron Impact Scholarship : About 10 to 15 winners receive full tuition and expenses for the four years of their degree.
  • Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation:  Each year, about 150 college students receive tuition assistance of $20,000.
  • Dell Scholars:  Recipients receive multi-faceted support for college, including a $20,000 financial award.
  • Elks National Foundation Most Valuable Student:  Each year, 500 students receive awards up to $50,000.
  • Microsoft Scholarship Program:  Students in STEM majors can be awarded full tuition.
  • National Eagle Scout Association STEM Scholarship:  Each year, an Eagle Scout majoring in a STEM subject is awarded $50,000.
  • Rose Scholars:  The top award winner receives $25,000 per semester (up to $200,000) toward a college degree.

Need-based Scholarships

Some opportunities are focused specifically on students who need financial assistance to attend college. Here are the noteworthy need-based awards for 2021:

  • Dream.us Scholarship:  The national awards program provides full tuition assistance and is renewable each year.
  • Gates Millennium Scholars Program:  Each year, 1,000 students of color receive an average award of $12,785.
  • Horatio Alger National Scholarship Program:  One hundred students with “critical financial need” receive a $25,000 award.
  • Jack Kent Cooke Foundation’s Scholarship:  Recipients receive up to $40,000 per year for four years of college.

Merit-based Scholarships

For students who have good grades, awards based on academic achievement can help you get free money for college tuition. There are typically requirements that you keep your GPA up during college, so be prepared to study hard, using online resources such as  OneClass  to help. Here are our top academic scholarships for 2021:

  • Davidson Fellowship:  Students who’ve completed a significant academic project can be awarded up to $50,000.
  • GE-Reagan Foundation Scholarship:  Recipients receive $10,000 per year for four years.
  • Google Scholarships:  Several programs are available providing awards up to $10,000.
  • National Merit Scholarship Program:  Awards of $2,500 are given to students to achieve the top 3 percent of PSAT scores.
  • Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society Scholarships:  Over 250 undergraduate students receive awards up to $30,000.
  • SMART Scholarship Program:  It’s short for Science, Mathematics and Research for Transformation, and full tuition stipends of $25,000 to $38,000 per year are awarded with the expectation that students complete one year of employment at the Department of Defense after graduation.

E-sports Scholarships

There’s a growing pool of money available for esports competitors, with available funds increasing five-fold in the past four years. Award rates average  $4,800 per year  or up to 50 percent off tuition. Below are some of the major programs to consider. Check NACE’s complete  list of colleges that offer esports  to see which team you might want to join.

  • Gamers Helping Gamers:  College scholarships are funded directly by the gaming community, and the  NYT  reports that awards can be $5,000 per year.
  • NYU Game Center Evo Scholarship:  When the esports program kicked off in 2014, the first recipient received  $20,000  toward an MFA in competitive game design.
  • Riot Games:  Nearly $500,000 in scholarship funding is distributed to the esports teams at the Big Ten schools.
  • University of California – Irvine:  The esports program at  UC-Irvine  is one of the best, and varsity players can receive $6,000.

School-based Scholarships

The school that you’re attending may offer its own set of awards that have been funded by alumni, local businesses, or other partners. Your application for these awards will likely begin with a FAFSA application for federal student aid. The FAFSA results will initiate your school’s internal financial aid awards process to identify your eligibility.

Scholarships Specific to Your Major

Does your area of study have a leading professional organization? If so, it could be a great source for noteworthy funding opportunities in your area of study.

For example, the  IEEE  had funded several awards for students majoring in computational and technical degrees. In another case, marine biology students could benefit from the  Marine Technology Society’s  listings.

Additionally, these opportunities have a potential secondary benefit of providing access to postgraduate fellowships or networking events, helping you fuel your career before it’s even begun.

Billions of dollars are awarded each year to student athletes, but only 2 percent of high school athletes are recruited to play college sports, according to the  NCAA .

Keep in mind that athletes who keep their grades up may have more academic security, making them eligible for merit-based opportunities if their team’s funding changes or they suffer an injury. There are many ways to get the  perks of being a college athlete , even when you’re not on the team.

OneClass  also put together a list of  nine top scholarship directories  to search for additional opportunities.

University HQ is your #1 resource for finding top-rated colleges and scholarships.   Scholarships for Seniors resource:  https://universityhq.org/paying-for-college/scholarships/#k12

Turn your efforts into scholarships.

The College Board is investing $25 million in a new scholarship program, with students earning $5 million in scholarships each year, beginning with the class of 2020. Be the first to know when it launches later this year.

  • https://opportunity.collegeboard.org/?SFMC_cid=EM87919-&rid=47686788

Scholarship Contests & Sweepstakes https://www.unigo.com/scholarships/contests-and-sweepstakes

What college major is right for you, https://www.mymajors.com/college-major-quiz/, scholarships for  art students.

 The Art Career Project will be awarding creators, makers, and emerging artists with scholarships, grants, and start-up capital to help fund their education, start a new business, or pursue the artistic careers of their dreams. Whether you are a student, entrepreneur, or experienced artist, we want to support you.

 Don’t forget to check us out and “ Like ” us on our Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/schuylkillareacommunityfoundation

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