Essay Scholarships

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

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

Avar Press Literary Essay Scholarships for College Students
Avar Press is seeking to recognize, encourage, and reward scholarship in college students by offering the Avar Press Literary Essay Scholarships. Topic: all essays must be non-fiction and original work, analyzing any single aspect of D.J. Solomon's Xen: Ancient English Edition, ISBN 0976066009, Avar Press, 2004. The use of the essay as part of the writer's routine school work in any capacity is permitted. Eligibility: the Scholarship is open to all college students who are matriculated at the time of entry. More

Holocaust Remembrance Project
The Holocaust Remembrance Project is a national essay contest for high school students that is designed to encourage and promote the study of the Holocaust. Participation in this project encourages students to think responsibly, be aware of world conditions that undermine human dignity, and make decisions that promote the respect and value inherent in every person. The project serves as a living memorial to the millions of innocent victims of the Holocaust. The Holland & Knight Charitable Foundation recognizes the moral imperative of teaching young people about this watershed event and the central importance of passing on to future generations a profound understanding of the consequences of the Holocaust and a sense of responsibility to the human community. More

Legacy of Life Essay Contest
Washington Regional Transplant Consortium is offering high school seniors in the District of Columbia, Northern Virginia and suburban Maryland the opportunity to receive scholarship money for college by writing an essay on organ, eye and tissue donation. WRTC's Donor Family Council is sponsoring this special project of financial assistance to area college-bound students. The scholarships are endowed from the Leslie Ebert Memorial Fund. The fund is in remembrance of Leslie Ebert, a young WRTC staff member who passed away in 2001, and in remembrance of all donors who have given the gift of life. More

Oakseed Ministries Essay Contest: Compassion and the Imprisoned Child
Oakseed Ministries International is hosting their sixth annual essay contest for youth on the topic Compassion and the Imprisoned Child. Through this topic, students are invited to explore the issues facing children in prison and to offer innovative ideas to help these children. First place, second place and honorable mention prizes will be awarded for the amounts of $1000, $500, and $250. There are eight awards total in two age categories: 17 & Under and 18-22. The deadline for the essay contest is May 1. More

The National WWII Museum's Annual Essay Scholarship
This spring The National WWII Museum will present a special exhibit, Fighting the Fires of Hate: America and the Nazi Book Burnings. This exhibit focuses on how the book burnings became a potent symbol during World War II in America’s battle against Nazism, and concludes by examining their continued impact on our public discourse. The National WWII Museum invites you to tell us, in your own words, Is censorship ever justified? Here are some questions to consider: Can ideas threaten a nation? Should society be able to dictate what is available to the public? Can books be weapons? Use WWII, the Nazi Book Burnings and the American response as a starting point and base your answer in part on examples you find in this history. More

Young Native Writers Essay Contest
The Young Native Writers Essay Contest is a writing contest for Native American high school students and is designed to encourage young Native Americans to think about the critical issues impacting their tribal communities today. We urge all Native American High School students who are actively involved with their heritage to participate. The voices that emerge from this program honor the legacy of every Native American who has ever lived. Add your words to the thousands submitted through this project - all writers receive a Certificate of Honor for their submissions, top 5 winners receive a trip to Washington DC to tour the National Museum of the American Indian and Cultural Resource Center. More

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