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Scholarship Essay Contests

Not everyone can boast an amazing GPA, a scroll of extracurricular activities, and top marks on their standardized tests. That doesn’t mean you’re at a disadvantage when it comes to applying for – and winning – scholarships. It only means you have to be a little more creative.

If you’re a good writer who is able to come up with essays on a variety of topics, a scholarship essay contest could be a natural option for you. While some scholarship essay contests will still ask you to describe those qualities mentioned above as part of the application process, even if they’re not weighted heavily among the judges of that award, many more only ask that you produce a thoughtful, well-crafted essay based on a topic of that scholarship provider’s choice. Some will ask you to get political, some will challenge you to come up with workable solutions to problems facing the country, and some will ask you to describe your passion for a particular field of study or potential career. Luckily for you, even if you’re struggling to get going on a topic, we have a number of resources to help you come up with a winning, effective scholarship essay.

We’ve come up with a list of scholarship essay contests below. They’re not necessarily targeting the average" student, and will require some work on your part as you come up with that winning essay. But they could feel all the more rewarding once you land one to help you fund that college education, because you put in that added effort. For more examples of scholarship essay contests and awards based on other criteria and interests, conduct a free scholarship search.

ALBA George Watt Memorial Essay Contest
The Abraham Lincoln Brigade Archives (ALBA) is pleased to announce the continuing annual competition for the George Watt Memorial Essay prizes. ALBA awards prizes for the best essays about the Spanish Civil War, the global anti-fascist political or cultural struggles of the 1920s and 1930s, or the lifetime histories and contributions of the Americans who fought in support of the Spanish Republic from 1936-1938. At least two prizes of $500 each will be awarded each year, one to the best undergraduate student work and one to the best graduate student work on one or more of the above topics. More

Bird Dog Foundation Essay Contest
The Bird Dog Foundation, Inc. sponsors an annual college scholarship essay contest for all high school seniors from public, private, cdc and home schools. Students must reside in either Tennessee, Mississippi or Arkansas to be eligible to enter. There are no charges or fees required to enter this annual contest. The Bird Dog Foundation, Inc. has established a Scholarship Fund to promote interest in wildlife conservation and related subjects. An annual College Scholarship Essay Contest sponsored by the Bird Dog Foundation, Inc. More

John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Essay Contest
The John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award® is the nation's most prestigious honor for elected public servants. The Award was created in 1989 by members of President Kennedy's family to honor President John F. Kennedy and recognize and celebrate the quality of political courage that he admired most. The Profile in Courage Essay Contest invites high school students to consider the concept of political courage by writing an essay on a U.S. official who has chosen to do what is right, rather than what is expedient. More

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Scholarship News

Milton Fisher Scholarship for Innovation and Creativity
Mon, 15 Mar 2010 15:28:31 +0000
If you’re someone who “thinks outside of the box” and has led some kind of a project to prove it, you could be a good fit for awards that recognize students’ innovations and drive to better their communities. This week’s Scholarship of the Week is the Milton Fisher Scholarship for Innovation and Creativity from the Community [...]
National Business Association Scholarship Program
Mon, 08 Mar 2010 16:47:02 +0000
More and more students are considering majoring in business now that the GRE is accepted in lieu of the GMAT at many business schools, and the job market has been looking a little better for business school graduates as the economy finally starts to pick up. This means business scholarships are even more common, as [...]

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