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Find details about every creative writing competition—including poetry contests, short story competitions, essay contests, awards for novels, grants for translators, and more—that we’ve published in the Grants & Awards section of Poets & Writers Magazine during the past year. We carefully review the practices and policies of each contest before including it in the Writing Contests database, the most trusted resource for legitimate writing contests available anywhere.

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Writing Contests, Grants & Awards

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The Writing Contests, Grants & Awards database includes details about the creative writing contests—including poetry contests, short story competitions, essay contests, awards for novels, and more—that we’ve published in Poets & Writers Magazine during the past year. We carefully review the practices and policies of each contest before including it. Ours is the most trusted resource for legitimate writing contests available anywhere.

Lost Horse Press

Idaho prize for poetry.

A prize of $1,000, publication by Lost Horse Press, and 20 author copies is given annually for a poetry collection by a U.S. poet. Using only the online submission system,...

Ploughshares

Emerging writer’s contest.

Three prizes of $2,000 each and publication in Ploughshares are given annually for a poem or group of poems, a short story, and an essay. Each winner also receives a...

Pittsburg State University

Cow creek chapbook prize.

A prize of $1,000, publication by Pittsburg State University, and 25 author copies is given annually for a poetry chapbook. Traci Brimhall will judge. Submit a manuscript of 15...

American Poetry Review

Stanley kunitz memorial prize.

A prize of $1,000 and publication in American Poetry Review is given annually for a single poem by a poet under the age of 40. The editors will judge. Submit up to three...

National Book Foundation

National book awards.

Four prizes of $10,000 each are given annually for books of poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and young people’s literature written by U.S. writers and published in the United...

DIAGRAM/New Michigan Press

Chapbook contest.

A prize of $1,000, publication by New Michigan Press, and 25 author copies is given annually for a chapbook of poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, or hybrid-genre work. Ander...

Trio House Press

Aurora polaris creative nonfiction award.

A prize of $1,000, publication by Trio House Press, and 20 author copies will be given annually for a book of nonfiction by a writer living in the United States. The editors...

Regal House Publishing

Fugere book prize.

A prize of $1,000 and publication by Regal House Publishing is given annually for a novella. The editors will judge. English translations of works originally written in another...

Academy of American Poets

Lenore marshall poetry prize.

A prize of $25,000 is given annually for a poetry collection by a living poet published in the United States during the previous year. The winner also...

James Laughlin Award

A prize of $5,000 is given annually for a second book of poetry by a living poet to be published in the next calendar year. The winner also receives an all-...

Leeway Foundation

Transformation awards.

Awards of $15,000 each are given annually to women, transgender, and gender-nonconforming poets, fiction writers, and creative nonfiction writers in the Philadelphia area who...

Crook’s Corner Book Prize Foundation

A prize of $5,000 is given annually for a debut novel set in the American South. The author may live anywhere, but eligible novels must be set primarily in Alabama, Arkansas,...

Poetry Book Prize

A prize of $1,500 and publication by Gaudy Boy, an imprint of the New York City–based literary nonprofit Singapore Unbound, is given annually for a poetry collection by a...

New Letters

Literary awards.

Three prizes of $2,500 each and publication in New Letters are given annually for a poem, a short story, and an essay. Using only the online submission system, submit up...

Great Lakes Colleges Association

New writers awards.

Three prizes are given annually for first books by a poet, a fiction writer, and a creative nonfiction writer. The winners each receive an all-expenses-paid trip to several of...

Livingston Press

Changing light prize.

A prize of $500, publication by Livingston Press, and 20 author copies will be given annually for a novel-in-verse. Eleanor Boudreau will judge. Submit a manuscript of 90 to...

Bridport Arts Centre

Bridport prizes.

Two prizes of £5,000 (approximately $6,383) each and publication in the Bridport Prize anthology are given annually for a poem and a short story. A second-place prize of £1,000...

John D. Voelker Foundation

Robert traver fly-fishing writing award.

A prize of $2,500 and publication in American Fly Fisher as well as on the John D. Voelker Foundation and the American Museum of Fly Fishing websites will be given...

University of Georgia Press

Flannery o’connor award for short fiction.

A prize of $1,000 and publication by University of Georgia Press is given annually for a collection of short fiction. Lori Ostlund will judge. Using only the online submission...

Michigan Quarterly Review

James a. winn prize.

A prize of $1,500 and publication in Michigan Quarterly Review will be given annually for an essay or a work of nonfiction in hybrid form. Elizabeth Goodenough will...

BOA Editions

Short fiction prize.

A prize of $1,000 and publication by BOA Editions is given annually for a story collection. Peter Conners will judge. Submit a manuscript of 90 to 200 pages with a $30 entry...

The Center for Fiction

Susan kamil emerging writer fellowships.

Nine fellowships of $5,000 each, a one-year membership to the Center for Fiction in New York City, and a year of access to the Writers Studio writing space are given annually...

Anhinga Press

Anhinga prize for poetry.

A prize of $1,000, publication by Anhinga Press, and 25 author copies is given annually for a poetry collection. Using only the online submission system, submit a manuscript of...

Southern Poetry Review

Guy owen prize.

A prize of $1,000 and publication in Southern Poetry Review is given annually for a single poem. Submit three to five poems totaling no more than 10 pages with a $20...

PEN America

Pen/jean stein grants for literary oral history.

Two grants of $15,000 are given annually for nonfiction works-in-progress that “use oral history to illuminate an event, individual, place, or movement.” Using only the online...

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Best Writing Contests in 2024

Showing 356 contests that match your search.

The Reedsy Prompts Contest

Genres: Fiction and Short Story

Every Friday, Reedsy sends out five writing prompts. Enter your response within a week for a chance at $250. Winners may also be included in a future issue of Reedsy’s literary magazine, Prompted.

Additional prizes:

$25 credit toward Reedsy editorial services

💰 Entry fee: $5

📅 Deadline: December 31, 2024

Red Hen Press Women's Prose Prize

Red Hen Press

Genres: Fiction, Non-fiction, Short Story, Essay, Memoir, and Novel

Established in 2018, the Women’s Prose Prize is for previously unpublished, original work of prose. Novels, short story collections, memoirs, essay collections, and all other forms of prose writing are eligible for consideration. The awarded manuscript is selected through a biennial competition, held in even-numbered years, that is open to all writers who identify as women.

Publication by Red Hen Press

💰 Entry fee: $25

📅 Deadline: February 28, 2024 (Expired)

Queen Mary Wasafiri New Writing Prize

Genres: Fiction, Poetry, and Short Story

The 2024 Queen Mary Wasafiri New Writing Prize, the fifteenth edition of the prestigious prize, is open from 1 February to 1 July 2024. Exceptionally international in scope, the prize supports writers who have not yet published a book-length work, with no limits on age, gender, nationality, or background. The winners of each category will receive a £1,000 cash prize and publication in Wasafiri magazine.

Publication

💰 Entry fee: $15

📅 Deadline: June 30, 2024

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Fish Short Memoir Prize

Fish Publishing

Genres: Memoir, Non-fiction, and Short Story

Everyone has a memoir in them. Go for it! Write a piece of your life, send it to Fish. Qian Julie Wang, author of her memoir Beautiful Country, will select 10 short memoirs to be published in the Fish Anthology 2022, which will be launched during the West Cork Literary Festival.

2nd: Writing Course (online) + €300 | 3rd: €300

💰 Entry fee: $18

📅 Deadline: January 31, 2024 (Expired)

Debut Dagger

Crime Writer's Association

Genres: Fiction, Mystery, Novel, Novella, Suspense, and Thriller

The Debut Dagger is a competition for the opening of a crime novel by a writer who isn’t represented by an agent by the time the competition closes, and who has never had a traditional contract for any novel of any length, or who has never self-published any novel of any length in the last 5 years. Writers submit their opening 3,000 words and a 1,500 word synopsis. Entries from shortlisted writers are sent to UK literary agents and publishers. Every year, authors find representation this way.

💰 Entry fee: $41

📅 Deadline: February 29, 2024 (Expired)

Autumn House Poetry Contest

Autumn House Press

Genres: Poetry

For the 2023 contest, the Autumn House staff as well as select outsider readers serve as the preliminary readers, and the final judge is Toi Derricotte. The winner receives publication of a full-length manuscript and $2,500.

Book publication | $1,000 honorarium | $1,500 travel/publicity grant

💰 Entry fee: $30

Britain vs The World: Flash Battle 2024

Genres: Flash Fiction

The Top 5 Flashes from Team Britain and Team World will duke it out for prizes, glory – and points. The higher you rank, the more points you get for your team. 1st, 2nd and 3rd place will get a host of cash prizes. The team with the most points will win additional prizes.

2nd: £50 | 3rd: £25

💰 Entry fee: $6

📅 Deadline: April 30, 2024 (Expired)

Lune Poetry Contest

FanStory.com Inc.

A Lune is a 5-3-5 contest. That means the first line has five syllables. The second line of your poem will have three. And the final line will have five again. Your poem can rhyme. Write about anything. Cash prize!

💰 Entry fee: $10

📅 Deadline: April 07, 2024 (Expired)

Nature & Environmental Poetry 2023

Write the World

In his groundbreaking course on ecopoetry, writer and professor Craig Santos Perez focuses on how to use poetry as a voice for the planet. This month, write a poem about what you know and love from the natural world. Your poem may focus on an element of the environment under threat, explore changes in nature, or honor the planet we call home.

Runner up: $50 | Best peer review: $50

💰 Entry fee: $0

📅 Deadline: September 25, 2023 (Expired)

WOW! Women On Writing Quarterly Creative Nonfiction Essay Contest

WOW! Women On Writing

Genres: Non-fiction and Essay

Seeking creative nonfiction essays on any topic (1000 words or less) and in any style--from personal essay and memoir to lyric essay and hybrid, and more! The mission of this contest is to reward bravery in real-life storytelling and create an understanding of our world through thoughtful, engaging narratives. Electronic submissions via e-mail only; reprints/previously published okay; simultaneous submissions okay; multiple submissions are okay as long as they are submitted in their own individual e-mail. Open internationally.

2nd: $300 | 3rd: $200 | 7 runner-ups: $25 Amazon Gift Cards

💰 Entry fee: $12

Short Story Contest

Writers' Mastermind

You’ve got something special. We want to get it out into the world. The Writers’ Mastermind is holding a short story contest for writers of all levels and all genres. 1K-5K words. Previously published work is accepted.

Publication and social media promotion, 6 months free membership to the Writers' Mastermind

📅 Deadline: September 01, 2021 (Expired)

Genre Smash Short Story Challenge

Genres: Crime, Fantasy, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Horror, Mystery, Romance, Science Fiction, Short Story, Thriller, and Young Adult

For this short story challenge, all participants will be randomly assigned a genre pairing. As soon as you receive your ‘smashed’ genres you'll have until the closing time to write and submit a short story of any length up to 5,000 words, that perfectly and seamlessly combines both genres into one amazing short story.

💰 Entry fee: $11

📅 Deadline: October 23, 2023 (Expired)

Crossings Travel Writing Competition

Intrepid Times

Genres: Non-fiction, Short Story, and Travel

Write an original, factual, first-person travel story that centers on a crossing of some kind. Your travel story should, as always, grow around the context of a place or experience; we want to see the theme being used in a way that enhances both. Editors will be looking for originality, voice, and a satisfying story arc that captures attention and makes use of imagery to pull the reader along at every step.

Publication in Intrepid Times

Annual Student Essay Contest

Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum

Genres: Essay and Non-fiction

For this year’s Essay Contest, we are asking students to think about why the story of the Oklahoma City bombing is important today.

📅 Deadline: March 04, 2024 (Expired)

The Daphne du Maurier Award For Excellence in Mystery/Suspense Unpublished Division

RWA Kiss of Death Chapter

Genres: Mystery, Suspense, Romance, and Thriller

The Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery/Suspense is named for Daphne du Maurier, the author of Rebecca, a suspense novel with romantic and gothic overtones and a precursor to today’s romantic suspense. The writing contest is for unpublished authors of mystery, suspense, and thrillers with or without romantic subplots.

📅 Deadline: March 15, 2024 (Expired)

AWP Prize for the Novel

Association of Writers & Writing Programs

Genres: Fiction and Novel

AWP sponsors the Award Series, an annual competition for the publication of excellent new book-length works. The competition is open to all authors writing in English regardless of nationality or residence, and is available to published and unpublished authors alike.

Publication by New Issues Press

Blue Lynx Prize for Poetry

Lynx House Press

The annual Blue Lynx Prize for Poetry awards $2000 plus publication for a full-length poetry collection. The Prize is awarded for an unpublished, full-length volume of poems by a U.S. author, which includes foreign nationals living and writing in the U.S. and U.S. citizens living abroad. Lynx House Press has been publishing fine poetry and prose since 1975. Our titles are distributed by the University of Washington Press.

💰 Entry fee: $28

📅 Deadline: June 16, 2024

Letter Review Prize for Short Stories

Letter Review

The Letter Review Prize for Short Stories (1000-3000 words) is open to writers from anywhere in the world and has no theme or genre restrictions. Winners are published and every entry is considered for publication. 20 entries are Longlisted.

$1000 prize pool

2nd: $250 | 3rd: $150

💰 Entry fee: $20

The Betty Award

Genres: Children's

As one of the few competitions for elementary and middle school students, The Betty Award grants cash prizes for written pieces below 1,000 words. The Betty Award has both a Spring & Fall contest.

📅 Deadline: May 04, 2024 (Expired)

The Killer Nashville Claymore Award

Killer Nashville

Every year, the Killer Nashville Claymore Award assists new and rebranding English-language fiction authors get published, including possible agent representation, book advances, editor deals, and movie and television sales. While we cannot guarantee that winners and finalists of this award will receive publication, dozens of winners & runners-up of the Claymore award have gone on to find great success in their careers and many of them attribute that success to this award.

Publishing contract

Discounted admission to Killer Nashville, introductions to agents/editors

💰 Entry fee: $40

📅 Deadline: April 01, 2024 (Expired)

The Christy Award

Genres: Christian, Fantasy, Novel, Novella, Romance, Science Fiction, Short Story, and Young Adult

The Christy Award® was established in 1999 to acknowledge the value and impact of the novel of faith in contemporary culture. Since that time, the Christys have been a focal point for the writers and publishers in our community.

💰 Entry fee: $175

📅 Deadline: March 31, 2024 (Expired)

Hastings Book Festival - Poetry

Hastings Book Festival

Genres: Poetry and LGBTQ

Hastings Book Festival writing competition is open to writers from anywhere in the world writing in English on any theme. We invite poems up to 40 lines. We have additional prizes for LGBT+ writers and writers resident in Sussex.

A 3-day creative retreat at Starcroft Farm Cabins

💰 Entry fee: $8

📅 Deadline: July 07, 2024

4th Annual Wine Country Writers' Festival Writing Contest

Wine Country Writers' Festival Society

Genres: Fiction, Non-fiction, and Poetry

Welcome to the 4th Annual Wine Country Writers' Festival (WCWF) writing contest. Three Categories and Over $1800 total value in cash and prizes to be awarded. Opens April 01/24 and Closes June 02/24 (1159pm PST--Vancouver/Seattle time). Enter your short fiction or nonfiction (2000 words max) or up to 48 lines of poetry. Or purchase the 2 for $25 and enter a poem and a short story or two stories... You decide. Judged blindly by professional writers. Profiles on the website. Winning entries will be published in the 4th Annual WCWF Anthology. Winners will receive a copy. No previously published or winning works. No AI.

$200 CAD per category

Free registration package to the Wine Country Writers' Festival

📅 Deadline: June 02, 2024

Reader Views Literary Awards

Reader Views

Genres: Crime, Fantasy, Fiction, Horror, Humor, Memoir, Non-fiction, Novel, Novella, Poetry, Romance, Science Fiction, Science Writing, Short Story, Thriller, and Young Adult

The Reader Views Literary Awards program helps level the playing field for self-published authors, recognizing the most creative and exciting new books in the industry. Our awards program is recognized industry-wide as one of the top literary awards programs for independent authors.

Several marketing prizes (e.g. book review)

💰 Entry fee: $89

📅 Deadline: December 15, 2024

The Bath Novel Award

The Bath Novel Awards

Genres: Fiction, Novel, and Young Adult

The Bath Novel Award is a £5,000 international prize for emerging writers of adult fiction. Submit the first 5,000 words plus a one-page synopsis of your novel for adults or young adults. Shortlisted entrants will receive feedback on their full manuscript and all listees will receive editorial director feedback on their extract and synopsis.

£1800 for one longlistee

💰 Entry fee: $38

📅 Deadline: May 31, 2024

42 Miles Press Poetry Award

42 Miles Press

The 42 Miles Press Poetry Award was created in an effort to bring urgent and original voices to the poetry reading public. The prize is offered annually to any poet writing in English, including poets who have never published a full-length book as well as poets who have published several. New and Selected collections of poems are also welcome.

📅 Deadline: June 15, 2024

Fabula Press Short Story Contest

Fabula Press

Fabula Press’ annual short story competition has two segments – a free section, and a paid section. At least 3 submissions from the free section will be selected for publication in the Fabula Press Anthology and on the Fabula Press website; for paid submissions, at least twelve entries will be included in the anthology on the website. There is no theme for our contests; also, barring a few exceptions, we are flexible about genre

2nd: $250 | 3rd: $100 | Stories selected for publication: $75

📅 Deadline: June 07, 2024

International Welsh Poetry Competition 2024

International Welsh Poetry Competition

The first Welsh Poetry Competition was set up by poet & writer Dave Lewis in 2007. Officially launched on St David’s Day at Clwb-Y-Bont, Pontypridd, 2007 the aim is to encourage and foster the wealth of creative writing talent that we know exists in Wales but currently languishes in the doldrums. The aim is to inspire people to capture life in the present day and to give a voice to a new generation of poets and writers. We are not interested in purely academic types of literature but would much rather see pure raw passion burst onto the creative writing scene in Wales.

2nd: £250 | 3rd: £100 | 17 runners-up: commended entries and future publication in anthology

💰 Entry fee: $7

The Moth Poetry Prize

The Moth Poetry Prize is one of the biggest prizes in the world for a single unpublished poem. The prize is open to anyone, as long as the poem is previously unpublished, and each year it attracts thousands of entries from new and established poets from over 50 countries worldwide.

3x runners up: €1,000 | 8x further prizes of €250 | Publication online in Irish Times

💰 Entry fee: $16

📅 Deadline: December 31, 2023 (Expired)

True Story Flash

Genres: Flash Fiction and Non-fiction

Share your flash fiction story. But for this contest we aren't looking for fiction. Rather share your true story with only 100 words. Cash prize!

The Restless Books Prize For New Immigrant Writing

Restless Books

Genres: Fiction and Non-fiction

The Restless Books Prize for New Immigrant Writing was created in 2016 to honor outstanding debut literary works by first-generation immigrants, awarded for fiction and nonfiction in alternating years. The winner receives $10,000 and publication by Restless Books.

Publication by Restless Books

📅 Deadline: May 31, 2025

The Selah Awards

Blue Ridge Mountains Conference

Genres: Christian

The Selah Awards are open to all published authors whose books were published between December 16, 2020 and December 15, 2021 with either traditional or nontraditional publishers.

💰 Entry fee: $45

Poetry International Prize 2024

Poetry International

POETRY INTERNATIONAL is one of the oldest and most respected literary journals dedicated to publishing poetry from around the globe. Each issue of the print journal brings together poems, portfolios, and prose representing a rich diversity of countries and languages. In addition to the print journal, PIOnline also features global conversations about books, poetry, and poetics and an archive of international poets and poems.

Publication in Poetry International

📅 Deadline: May 01, 2024 (Expired)

Jim Duggins, PhD Outstanding Mid-Career Novelist Prize

Lambda Literary

Genres: Fiction, LGBTQ, and Novel

Dedicated to the memory of author and journalist Jim Duggins, this prize honors LGBTQ-identified authors who have published multiple novels, built a strong reputation and following, and show promise to continue publishing high quality work for years to come.

📅 Deadline: February 16, 2024 (Expired)

Gulf Coast Writers Association Writing Contest

Gulf Coast Writers Association

Genres: Flash Fiction, Non-fiction, and Poetry

The Gulf Coast Writers Association is a twenty-nine year old association which was founded to promote writing and writers in Southwest Florida. Its annual contest is open to anyone from anywhere. The entries are judged blind by experienced members of the association and esteemed members of the local community. Entry fees are $20 for the first submission and $10 thereafter, with discounts for GCWA Members. Winners will be notified in June of 2024. Prose has a 1,500 word limit and poetry must be 40 lines or less. Send us your bravest work.

2nd: $75 | 3rd: $50

Discover the finest writing contests of 2024 for fiction and non-fiction authors — including short story competitions, essay writing competitions, poetry contests, and many more. Updated weekly, these contests are vetted by Reedsy to weed out the scammers and time-wasters. If you’re looking to stick to free writing contests, simply use our filters as you browse.

Why you should submit to writing contests

Submitting to poetry competitions and free writing contests in 2024 is absolutely worth your while as an aspiring author: just as your qualifications matter when you apply for a new job, a writing portfolio that boasts published works and award-winning pieces is a great way to give your writing career a boost. And not to mention the bonus of cash prizes!

That being said, we understand that taking part in writing contests can be tough for emerging writers. First, there’s the same affliction all writers face: lack of time or inspiration. Entering writing contests is a time commitment, and many people decide to forego this endeavor in order to work on their larger projects instead — like a full-length book. Second, for many writers, the chance of rejection is enough to steer them clear of writing contests. 

But we’re here to tell you that two of the great benefits of entering writing contests happen to be the same as those two reasons to avoid them.

When it comes to the time commitment: yes, you will need to expend time and effort in order to submit a quality piece of writing to competitions. That being said, having a hard deadline to meet is a great motivator for developing a solid writing routine.

Think of entering contests as a training session to become a writer who will need to meet deadlines in order to have a successful career. If there’s a contest you have your eye on, and the deadline is in one month, sit down and realistically plan how many words you’ll need to write per day in order to meet that due date — and don’t forget to also factor in the time you’ll need to edit your story!

For tips on setting up a realistic writing plan, check out this free, ten-day course: How to Build a Rock-Solid Writing Routine.

In regards to the fear of rejection, the truth is that any writer aspiring to become a published author needs to develop relatively thick skin. If one of your goals is to have a book traditionally published, you will absolutely need to learn how to deal with rejection, as traditional book deals are notoriously hard to score. If you’re an indie author, you will need to adopt the hardy determination required to slowly build up a readership.

The good news is that there’s a fairly simple trick for learning to deal with rejection: use it as a chance to explore how you might be able to improve your writing.

In an ideal world, each rejection from a publisher or contest would come with a detailed letter, offering construction feedback and pointing out specific tips for improvement. And while this is sometimes the case, it’s the exception and not the rule.

Still, you can use the writing contests you don’t win as a chance to provide yourself with this feedback. Take a look at the winning and shortlisted stories and highlight their strong suits: do they have fully realized characters, a knack for showing instead of telling, a well-developed but subtly conveyed theme, a particularly satisfying denouement?

The idea isn’t to replicate what makes those stories tick in your own writing. But most examples of excellent writing share a number of basic craft principles. Try and see if there are ways for you to translate those stories’ strong points into your own unique writing.

Finally, there are the more obvious benefits of entering writing contests: prize and publication. Not to mention the potential to build up your readership, connect with editors, and gain exposure.

Resources to help you win writing competitions in 2024

Every writing contest has its own set of submission rules. Whether those rules are dense or sparing, ensure that you follow them to a T. Disregarding the guidelines will not sway the judges’ opinion in your favor — and might disqualify you from the contest altogether. 

Aside from ensuring you follow the rules, here are a few resources that will help you perfect your submissions.

Free online courses

On Writing:

How to Craft a Killer Short Story

The Non-Sexy Business of Writing Non-Fiction

How to Write a Novel

Understanding Point of View

Developing Characters That Your Readers Will Love

Writing Dialogue That Develops Plot and Character

Stop Procrastinating! Build a Solid Writing Routine

On Editing:

Story Editing for Authors

How to Self-Edit Like a Pro

Novel Revision: Practical Tips for Rewrites

How to Write a Short Story in 7 Steps

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How to Write Dialogue: 8 Simple Rules and Exercises

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After you submit to a writing competition in 2024

It’s exciting to send a piece of writing off to a contest. However, once the initial excitement wears off, you may be left waiting for a while. Some writing contests will contact all entrants after the judging period — whether or not they’ve won. Other writing competitions will only contact the winners. 

Here are a few things to keep in mind after you submit:

Many writing competitions don’t have time to respond to each entrant with feedback on their story. However, it never hurts to ask! Feel free to politely reach out requesting feedback — but wait until after the selection period is over.

If you’ve submitted the same work to more than one writing competition or literary magazine, remember to withdraw your submission if it ends up winning elsewhere.

After you send a submission, don’t follow it up with a rewritten or revised version. Instead, ensure that your first version is thoroughly proofread and edited. If not, wait until the next edition of the contest or submit the revised version to other writing contests.

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Top Ten Online Colleges

The top 10 best online colleges in all majors and degrees., 30 scholarship essay contests.

Pursuing a college education can be expensive. But there are many ways to help pay for college. Students can look into grants, financial aid, student loans, and more. But scholarships are some of the best ways to fund your college education.

There are thousands of scholarships up for grabs each year. Each has its own eligibility requirements. One of the easiest kinds of scholarships to win are essay scholarships. These scholarships are perfect for those who enjoy writing. 

But what if you don’t particularly like to write? You can still win some cash for school if you consider yourself a decent writer. Spending an hour or two writing a scholarship essay can pay off big! We’ve even included an easy guide to writing scholarship essays at the end of this article to help you out. 

There are many scholarship essay contests available each year. The scholarship winners can take home prizes anywhere between $100 to $10,000 or more. So if college seems unaffordable right now, below is a list of 30 scholarship essay opportunities worth trying.

Related: 30 Writing Scholarships

ESSAY SCHOLARSHIPS

1. better business bureau ethical torch essay scholarship.

The Better Business Bureau offers high school students the annual Ethical Torch Essay Scholarships. The main goal of the essay scholarships is to award young individuals for making ethical decisions. High school students can apply for this scholarship by writing an essay about themselves. In it, they must describe different ways they have used ethics and integrity in their own lives. 

The essay scholarships contest is open only to high school students in three regions. These include San Diego and Imperial County, Orange County, California, and Greater Arizona.

Five individuals will be awarded scholarships for their essays. Prizes range from $1,500 (first place) to $500 (fifth place).

2. Bird Dog Foundation Annual College Scholarship Essay Contest

The Bird Dog Foundation offers annual essay scholarships to high school seniors pursuing higher education. They are awarded to several deserving high school seniors. This scholarship essay aims to create admiration among young people for field and outdoor sports like hunting and fishing. It is only open to high school students in the 12th grade who are getting ready to go to college.

Students must be residents of Arkansas, Tennessee, or Mississippi. And they must be affiliated with a bird dog club or field trial association in any U.S. state. The first-place winner will receive $2,000. The second-place winner will receive $1,500. And the third-place winner will receive $1,000. Each scholarship award will be paid to the college or university where the student is registered to attend.

3. Center for Alcohol Policy Essay Contest

The Center for Alcohol Policy offers three essay scholarships. They are for individuals who need assistance paying for their college tuition. The essay topic is typically based on American court cases regarding alcohol policy. The writer must compile an essay on what they think is necessary to resolve the case. The three winners will receive $5,000, $2,500, and $1,000 toward their tuition. In addition, all three winners will be invited to the Center for Alcohol Policy’s Alcohol Law and Policy Conference. At the conference, they will be presented as speakers, where they will read their essays aloud to the attendees.

4. Fleet Reserve Association Americanism Essay Contest

Each year, the Fleet Reserve Association features an essay contest. This one is for junior high and high-school participants. Students are required to write 350 words on Americanism and patriotism. The essay scholarships aims to stimulate young people’s pride and support of America. Students will compete locally, regionally, and nationally. 

Each grade has three national winners, with one grand national winner among all grades. The top national winner will receive $5,000. In addition, the first-place winner in each grade will be awarded $2,500. The second-place winner in each grade will be awarded $1,500, and the third-place winner in each grade will be awarded $1,000.

5. Abraham Lincoln Brigade Archives Essay Contest, George Watt Prize

Since 1998, the Abraham Lincoln Brigade Archives has offered a yearly essay contest celebrating George Watt. Mr. Watt was a great writer and activist who helped create the Abraham Lincoln Brigade Archives. Students around the globe are eligible to participate in this contest. The topics to write about can change periodically. However, the most popular essay topics include various aspects of the Spanish Civil War. The contest is open to both undergraduate and graduate students.

There will be three pre-college winners, one undergraduate winner, and one graduate winner. All winners’ essays of the essay contest scholarships will be published. The pre-college winners will receive $250. The college students will receive $500, and the graduate winner will receive $1,000.

6. American Backflow Prevention Association ABPA Harrington-Arthur Memorial Scholarship Essay

The American Backflow Prevention Association has an annual essay scholarship contest. The organization founded this opportunity more than two decades ago. The name of the competition is the ABPA Harrington-Arthur Memorial Essay . The award is aimed at students interested in managing cross-contamination and preventing backflow. This helps to minimize the risks of dangerous bacteria and chemicals moving into the water. The essay topic changes yearly, but the goal is to educate individuals and bring attention to maintaining safe and pure drinking water. The contest is open to high school students only. The winner will be presented with $1,500 toward their college tuition.

7. Herrman & Herrmann Innovation Scholarship Essay

Herrman and Herrmann provides an Innovation Scholarship Contest annually. Students are encouraged to be creative and to send their entries in as poems, essays, art pieces, videos, or songs. The topic is on a community service project that brought positive changes to your community. It must have inspired your growth or altered your future plans and goals in some way. After finishing the creative piece, individuals must also write a 300-word essay. The topic will be about a teacher who inspired their creativity. 

High school students in 11th and 12th grades may apply for these essay scholarships. Undergraduate college students in the United States may also apply for this scholarship. Graduate students are not eligible. There will be three winners in Texas and three winners across the country. First place essays will be awarded $2,500. Second place essays will be awarded $1,500, and third place essays will be awarded $1,000. In addition, the teachers featured in the first-place winners’ essays will also receive $1,000.

8. Invensis Young Thinker Scholarship

Invensis offers the Invensis Young Thinker Scholarship . Invensis is a global outsourcing services company. Students in the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia may compete for this scholarship. Topics may change each year. However, the most recent topic was “How robotic automation is shaping the future of business process outsourcing.” Each applicant will be required to write at least 600 words or more. The contest is open to undergraduate students from ages 18 to 26. Graduate students are not eligible for this contest. The winner will receive $500. And their essay will be featured on the company’s website, social media, and blog.

9. John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum Profile in Courage Essay Contest

The Profile in Courage Contest is conducted by the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum . These essay scholarships are meant for high school students in the United States. Students will write about the political bravery of an American elected official during or after 1917. Incidentally, this was John F. Kennedy’s birth year. The winner will be awarded $10,000, and the second-place runner-up will be awarded $3,000. In addition, five finalists will receive $1,000, and the eight semifinalists will each receive $100.

Scholarship Website

10. Margaret Mary Missar/John Carroll Society Scholarship

The John Carroll Society has provided essay scholarships since 1997. Students can be freshmen, sophomores, or high school juniors. Applicants for these essay scholarship contests must be enrolled in Catholic high schools of the Archdiocese of Washington, D.C. proper. Applicants must write an essay about a topic chosen by the John Carroll Society. Typically, the focus is on a subject that requires the student to give deeper consideration to their faith. 

The first-place winner will be granted a scholarship of $2,000. The second-place winner will be awarded a scholarship of $1,000. Finally, there will be two or three third-place winners chosen. They will receive scholarships of $500 each. In addition, ten applicants will receive mentions for their essays and scholarships of $100 each. The first-place winner’s essay will be published in the Catholic Standard.

Related: Do Online Colleges Usually Require an Admissions Essay?

11. Asbestos.com Essay Scholarship

Asbestos.com is an organization of The Mesothelioma Center . They provide $5,000 in scholarship money for essays. Students must be willing to write and bring awareness to the issue of cancers caused by asbestos. Applicants will be required to write an essay with 750-1,500 words on the topic of mesothelioma. The winner’s essay will be presented on the asbestos.com scholarship page and social media accounts. 

The first-place winner will be awarded $3,000 toward their tuition, and the second-place winner will be awarded $2,000 toward their education. In addition, each winner must be able to show an official college transcript from their school. These scholarships essay contests are for college students 18 years of age or older who are enrolled in a full-time U.S. institution. This also applies to high school students getting ready to attend college.

12. Negative Population Growth Essay Scholarship

Negative Population Growth awards essay scholarships every year. Only high school students and undergraduate college students can earn these essay scholarships. Essay topics are generally about a population-related challenge. The applicant must provide a recommendation on how they would solve the specific challenge. The grand prize winner will receive $5,000 toward tuition, and the second-place winner will receive $2,500 toward tuition. In addition, several other applicants will receive $1,000 and $1500 scholarships.

13. Optimist International Essay Contest

Optimist International offers an annual essay scholarship contest. It is open to individuals under the age of 19 who are not yet college students. The scholarship’s objective is to spark young people’s interest in writing about the world they live in. Each applicant can write about their own experiences, the experience of the country they reside in, or a piece of history that relates to the topic. 

Topics are different each year. The most recent topic was “How Does an Optimistic Mindset Change My Tomorrow?” Each essay submission will compete at the club level first. They will then move onto the district level if their essay is considered one of the top. The district-level winner will be awarded a scholarship of $2,500.

14. Regions Riding Forward Scholarship Essay

Regions.com features an annual scholarship essay competition. These essay scholarships aim to help provide financial assistance to individuals planning to pursue a college education. However, it is also open to those who are already college students. The essay topic recognizes black history month. It can be about any African American who was inspirational to your life, experiences, and goals. The word count is 500 words or less. 

High school seniors who live in a state with a Regions branch may be awarded a $5,000 scholarship if they win. And college students who live in a state with a Regions branch may be awarded a scholarship of $3,500 if they win. There will be 15 high school seniors and 15 college students who will receive scholarships.

15. Ayn Rand Institute Essay Contest

The Ayn Rand Institute is dedicated to the remembrance of Ayn Rand, a best-selling Russian American writer. For over three decades, the institute has provided a contest for students to win scholarship money for college. The essays are typically based on Ayn Rand’s novels, and the main goal is to encourage students to learn about her wisdom, knowledge, and writing. 

There are different essay topics for high school students and college students. Both undergraduate and graduate students are eligible. With these ssay scholarships, you may be able to win between $25 and $25,000.

16. Vegetarian Resource Group Essay Scholarship

The Vegetarian Resource Group offers essay scholarships for high school seniors in the United States. The contest is for students who have encouraged their schools or communities to engage in vegetarianism. There will be two $5,000 scholarships and one $10,000 scholarship awarded. If your essay wins, it will become the Vegetarian Resource Group’s property. And your name will be given to the media to acknowledge your outstanding work.

17. Veterans of Foreign Wars Patriot’s Pen Youth Essay Contest

The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) offers a Patriot’s Pen Youth Essay Contes t. These essay scholarships aim to inspire young people to look at the history of America. Plus, it helps them reflect on their personal experiences in the modern-day society of America. VFW will choose a specific topic related to patriotism, and applicants will be required to write between 300 to 400 words. The current topic is “My Pledge to Our Veterans.” 

These essay scholarships are only available for high school students and middle school students. Each submission will compete at the state level and may go on to the national level. Middle school students can win $5,000, and high school students can win $30,000.

18. Bill of Rights Institute We the Students Essay Contest

Once a year, the Bill of Rights Institute offers a We the Students Essay Contest . Applicants for these essay scholarships are required to write about what civil discourse means to them. The goal is to encourage individuals to write essays about their own experiences and ideas. The Bill of Rights Institute seeks essays containing creativity, engagement, and examples. 

First-place winners will be awarded $7,500 and a scholarship to the Constitutional Academy. In addition, five runners-up will be chosen and awarded $1,500 each. Plus, eight individuals will also be acknowledged for their essays and receive $500 each.

19. Unigo College Review Scholarship

Unigo offers a unique College Review Scholarship every year. This contest is open to current college students or those that have previously attended a college. Applicants are required to write a short, 250-character essay about a college listed on Unigo’s website.

The winner of this essay scholarship will be awarded $1,000. The funds will go toward tuition for the school they attend or plan to attend. The essays will be evaluated based on writing ability, originality, creativity, and overall quality.

20. The Christopher W. Keyser Scholarship

Keyser Law, P.A. offers the annual Christopher W. Keyser Scholarship . It is designed to provide financial assistance to students pursuing an education related to the law field. Acceptable majors include criminal justice, pre-law, English, history, political science, and journalism. Communications, sociology, and a Bachelor of Individualized Studies are also acceptable. 

Applicants can choose between three topics and must write between 2,000 and 3,000 words. Only current college students and students entering college are permitted to apply for these essay scholarships. The writer of the winning essay will receive a scholarship worth $1,500.

See also: 25 Full Tuition Scholarships

21. Learncurious Phyllis F. McCarthy Scholarship for Excellence in Writing

Learncurious features three annual essay scholarships. It is called the Phyllis F. McCarthy Scholarship for Excellence in Writing . There are three topics for applicants to write about, and essay submissions must be 3,000 words or less. The first-place winner will receive a scholarship of $1,000, and the two runners-up will receive $50 each. All winners and their essays will be showcased on the Learncurious website and blog. Only high school seniors and high school juniors are permitted to write an essay for this scholarship. Those who are already undergraduate and graduate students are not eligible.

22. The Lincoln Forum Platt Family Scholarship Prize Essay Contest

The Lincoln Forum offers essay scholarships through the Platt Family Essay Contest . Each year, students are given a topic about Abraham Lincoln to write about. This essay contest is only open to undergraduate students pursuing college courses at a school in the United States. Graduate school students do not qualify. There are several creative writing scholarships. The grand first-place winner will receive a scholarship of $1,500, and the second-place winner will receive a scholarship of $750. The third-place winner will receive a scholarship of $500. The winners will also be featured on the Lincoln Forum Platt’s website. Entries must be between 1,500 and 5,000 words. 

23. Writer’s Digest Annual Writing Competition

Writer’s Digest has been hosting a writing competition for almost 90 years. This essay scholarship contest is for helping new and budding writers win money for college. It is also designed to feature students’ work for others to read. 

Each year, around 500 winners are chosen for several different essay scholarships. The grand prize winner will receive $5,000, an interview with Writer’s Digest, and a free trip to the annual conference. The first through tenth place winners are awarded between $25 to $1,000. Winners will also receive a subscription to Writer’s Digest magazine. Submissions will be published on the website. Plus, they will receive discounts on all purchases through the website.

24. Maryland Criminal Defense Group Outstanding Citizen Scholarship

Every year, the Maryland Criminal Defense Group sponsors an essay scholarship. It’s named the Oleg Fastovsky Outstanding Citizen Scholarship. This essay contests scholarship was created to help students pay for their college expenses. Applicants must write about being a good citizen and participating in community service projects. Individuals must also show they possess the qualities of an outstanding citizen in this 500-word essay. The award for these creative writing scholarships is $1,000. High school seniors, undergraduate, and graduate students are eligible. The winner must show proof of enrollment or a current transcript.

25. The Branson Shows Inspired Scholarship

BransonShowTickets.com offers an essay scholarship called the Branson Show Inspired Scholarship . This essay scholarship aims to inspire and encourage individuals to chase their dreams and pursue their goals. Students entering the competition must write about their own personal and professional ambitions. The winner will secure a scholarship for $1,000. Students between 16 and 19 who live in the United States can enter this competition. If you are already affiliated with BransonShowTickets.com, you may not apply.

26. American Bullion Scholarship

American Bullion, Inc. provides annual scholarship opportunities to assist students in paying for their college tuition. This essay scholarship aims to help students gain knowledge about valuable assets, such as gold. Students will write an essay between 500 to 1,000 words on a given subject. Applicants must be American citizens and currently enrolled in a full-time program at a college or university. The winner will receive $1,000 toward their tuition. Graduate school students also qualify for this contest.

27. Galvanize the Future Richard L. Brooks Memorial Scholarship

The American Galvanizers Association offers an annual essay scholarship. It is called the Galvanize the Future Richard L. Brooks Memorial Scholarship essay contest. This contest was developed to offset tuition costs for students in civil engineering and related programs of study. The scholarship is available to part-time and full-time students. Undergraduate and graduate students are welcome to apply for these creative writing scholarships. Students must be enrolled in or planning to enroll in an accredited college in North America. The essay must be between 1,000 to 2,000 words. A topic will be provided. 

28. International Bipolar Foundation High School Essay Contest

The International Bipolar Foundation provides an essay competition each year. It is designed for young people who desire to raise awareness of mental health issues. These essay scholarships are open to high school students, and three winners are announced annually. The grand prize winner will receive $1,000. The second-place winner will receive $500, and the third-place winner will receive $250. In addition, all three winners will be featured on the International Bipolar Foundation’s website. Undergraduate and Graduate school students do not qualify.

29. IvyPanda Annual Essay Writing Contest Scholarship

Each year, IvyPanda.com awards $1500 in essay scholarships to talented students who demonstrate the art and skill of essay writing. Scholarships are given to two winners. The first-place winner will receive $1,000, and the runner-up will get $500. Essays must be between 500 to 700 words. A list of potential topics is provided. This scholarship essay is open to high school or college students from any country. 

30. Alzheimer’s Foundation of America Teens for Alzheimer’s Awareness 

Annually, the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America features an essay competition. It is titled the Teens for Alzheimer’s Awareness College Scholarship Essay Contest. These essay scholarships are meant for high school seniors who are getting ready to go to an accredited college directly after graduation. All essays must be between 1,200 to 1,500 words and express how Alzheimer’s affects your personal life, family, and community. In addition, you should write about what you have learned about managing the disease. The top essay will receive $5,000. There will also be several runners-ups chosen and awarded for their excellent work.

How To Write the Perfect Scholarship Essay

Applying to college can be trying. There are exams to pass, forms to fill out, and plenty of other challenging tasks. It’s a time-consuming process. Because tuition is so costly, most students try to do everything possible to save money on their education.

There are numerous ways to offset the cost of college, including financial aid, student loans, and grants. But, of course, applying for financial assistance also requires a lot of effort and—you guessed it—more paperwork!

Additionally, students may be eligible for scholarships. Some of these are a breeze to apply for. Others require students to work a little bit for their free cash. Such is the case with essay scholarships.

You may also like: How do I Write a Good College Application Essay?

Essay Scholarships

Essay scholarships are special essays that students write as a supplement to a scholarship application. All scholarships require students to fill out an application form of some type. But a vast majority of those applications require an essay. It might be a short, three or four hundred-word answer to a question. Or it could be a longer paper requiring several thousand words. Either way, when an essay is required, it’s usually the most crucial part of a scholarship application. 

Essay scholarships can make or break your chances of winning a scholarship, so you’ll want to be sure to get them right. Essays give the scholarship committee a chance to know you better. And a good essay will make your application shine. Organizations want to know they are awarding scholarships to the most worthy applicants. So your scholarship essays will give them a sense of who you are and your educational goals. Essay-required scholarships are your chance to prove you are deserving of a particular scholarship. 

There are many variables with essay scholarships. For example, some organizations request a lengthy piece of content with a specific writing prompt. Others only require a short paragraph or two on a general topic. But no matter what the requirements, there are some common tips for doing them right. Here’s a rundown of the most essential considerations for essay scholarships:

1. Get Started!

Getting started on your scholarship essay is often the most challenging part of the process. And if you’re a born procrastinator, the struggle is real. However, the sooner you dig in, the better off you’ll be. 

Be sure to verify all deadlines and give yourself plenty of time to finish your essay. Don’t wait until the last minute to get started. No matter what level of writing skills you have, creating a winning essay takes time. So don’t expect you can complete a masterpiece overnight!

2. Write an Introduction and an Outline

Staring at a blank screen will keep you stuck, so just dig in. Read through your prompt and start writing whatever comes to mind. You can perfect your thoughts later on. But for now, you need to get something “on paper” to get your creativity flowing.

Once you’ve written a rough introduction, create an outline. An outline can help you structure your essay in a way that makes it easy to read. 

Here’s a great tip: Most annual scholarship program web pages publish the essays of previous winners. Read them. Looking over the winning essays can give you some much-needed inspiration. Plus, it will give you a better idea of what the organization is looking for .

3. Write the Body of Your Essay

This will take up the bulk of your time when completing your scholarship essay, so be sure to schedule it well in advance. It’s a good idea to plan on working on the main part of your essay over several days. This way, you can write for an hour or so each day and not get too burned out.

Remember that your goal at this stage is to persuade the organization to award you the scholarship. So you will need to convince them they should give you their money. Think about why you feel you deserve the scholarship. List your accomplishments and the traits that distinguish you from other students. Think about obstacles you have overcome and your goals for the future. Then, work these into your essay topic in a natural way.

4. Follow Instructions Carefully

You would be surprised how many students miss out on perfect scholarship program opportunities because they did not follow directions. Dont be like these unfortunate applicants. Instead, read through the instructions before, during, and after you write your essay. 

Follow every step precisely. You can be creative in your essay, but when it comes to the instructions, dont showcase your personality by trying to “do things your own way.” For example, if the instructions say to use Times New Roman, don’t deviate and use Arial instead. Be respectful and follow the guidelines exactly.

5. Conclude With Something Memorable

Final impressions are important. To stand out from the crowd, craft a conclusion the committee will remember. Focus on some final thoughts demonstrating your personal growth in overcoming obstacles. And conclude by honing in on the future. For example, tell the committee how you plan to use those lessons at college over the coming years. 

6. Proofread Like Your Life Depends on It

Do you know what happens to students who don’t thoroughly proofread their scholarship essays? Nothing. That’s because they don’t win. Are you serious about winning the scholarship? Then be doubly serious about checking your essay for spelling and grammar mistakes. Use a proofreading app like Grammarly to review your paper multiple times. Then, go over it again for good measure. 

Before you submit the essay, sleep on it. Chances are, you’ll find a few more typos after you take a break for a bit. It wouldn’t hurt to have a teacher or another student also go over it. 

See Also: 5 Tips for Obtaining Scholarships to Online Colleges

Qualifying for 30 Scholarship Essay Contests

What are the qualifications for essay scholarships? Several factors can qualify you for a college scholarship program. Here are the most common ones.

Academic Achievements

One of the most common qualifications organizations look for in scholarship applicants is academic achievements. Therefore, many scholarship providers want to know about your classes, GPA, and standardized test scores. These numbers indicate your ability to meet the academic requirements of college. 

You may also like: ONLINE COURSES SCHOLARSHIPS

Like academic achievements, merit is another common requirement for scholarships. Merit is subjective and depends on the organization giving out the award. For example, the committee may be looking for students with strong leadership skills or volunteer experience. Or they may want to see your involvement in student government or athletics. Merit means that you have exceptional abilities in a particular area.

Financial Need

Some scholarships are need-based. They are awarded primarily on your financial circumstances. Unless they are independently wealthy, the majority of students qualify for some type of need-based financial aid. You can check out the EFC formula guide to find out more about what constitutes financial need. 

Age and Grade Level

Scholarships are typically awarded to college students, but this is a broad cross-section of people. For example, one essay scholarship program may only be open to those under 18. But for another, only graduate students are eligible. In addition, some common age and grade level requirements may include:

• Middle school students
• Current high school students
• Junior high students
• Students in grades 7-12
• Students ages 13 to 25 (Or other age ranges)
• Graduating high school seniors
• Graduate students
• Undergraduate students
• Undergraduate and graduate students
• High school students already accepted to college
• Current college students
• Previous college students
• First-year students, sophomores, juniors, and high school seniors (or any combination thereof)

As you can see, the age and grade requirements can vary widely. So it’s essential to read the fine print before you even begin your scholarship essay. After all, you dont want to do all that work and find out you’re not even eligible!

With some scholarship programs, you only need a stroke of luck to win. These scholarships are like the lottery. If your name or number is randomly drawn, you win! If you don’t possess other scholarship qualifications, luck-based scholarships might help. That’s because each student who enters has the same chance to win. So be sure to apply to every luck-based scholarship opportunity you can. You never know when a windfall is coming your way!

Related: 25 Scholarships for Average Students

Combination Requirements

The truth is that most scholarships have a combination of requirements. For example, you might be eligible for a scholarship based on financial need plus a winning essay. Or you may be eligible to win an essay contest only if you are a low-income senior in high school. Some scholarships with essays only have one specific requirement. But with most scholarship contests, you will need to meet more than one of the criteria to be eligible. 

When Should You Start Applying for Scholarships?

Each scholarship is different, with deadlines falling throughout the year. There are no standard dates like with college applications, so it depends on the cutoffs for an individual scholarship. However, in some cases, you must apply as early as one year before starting college. Remember, you’ll want plenty of time to work on the scholarships that require essays.

High school juniors and high school seniors who plan to attend college should start looking for scholarships as early as possible. Missing a scholarship deadline means losing out on free money for your education.

Some students like having a notebook and calendar handy to keep their scholarship and deadline information organized. That way, they can refer back to it regularly to ensure they don’t miss any crucial scholarship opportunities. Remember, you can apply for as many scholarships as you want. Millions of dollars in scholarships are up for grabs every year, so keep filling out those applications!

Closing Thoughts

Scholarships are one of the first types of financial assistance to consider, as they are a gift that does not need to be repaid. Additionally, students can earn more than one scholarship. Earning multiple essay scholarships can help current or prospective college students pay for college. Provided by various generous organizations, essay scholarships are ideal for those with a knack for writing. 

The outstanding scholarship opportunities mentioned on this list can help fund your college education. And if you are willing to put in the effort, you may be able to win one of these scholarship contests.

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Top 34 Creative Writing Scholarships in May 2024

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.

Learn about our editorial policies

These creative writing scholarships are the best way to work on your writing without breaking the bank. Whether you want to study fiction, non-fiction, or poetry writing, we’ve got your back with these vetted opportunities. Remember to apply early and often to creative writing scholarships, because you never know which application reviewer your writing will stand out to!

Why choose Scholarships360

We helped over 4 million students find scholarships in 2023

We've spent over 4,000 hours reviewing 3,000 scholarship programs

13+ years of experience helping students make smart education decisions

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.

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Do you fancy yourself a wordsmith? If you value creative writing as a form of communication, we encourage you to apply for the Pen to Paper Scholarship for Storytellers! This scholarship is open to high school juniors and seniors (graduating class of 2024 or 2025), undergraduate, and graduate students who enjoy crafting stories and expressing ideas through the arrangement of words on paper. Whether you’re interested in poetry, short stories, novels, or screenplays, we want to hear from you. To apply for this scholarship, students must submit a 250-word piece of original creative writing. See the “Application Information” section below for details regarding essay prompts. Please note that applicants will be reviewed based on both the quality of their essay and quantity of scholarships applied for on the Scholarships360 platform. Scholarships360 users who are more active on the platform will be given higher consideration. Happy writing! Show Less

$40,000 Build a College List Scholarship This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

Offered by The College Board

Create a college list with six schools you're considering - no minimum GPA or essay required!

Francis D. Lyon Graduate Fellowship For Film Students

Offered by Phi Delta Theta Foundation

Lights, camera, action! The Francis D. Lyon Graduate Fellowship for Film Students is the ultimate opportunity for graduate students in the film industry or related… Show More

Lights, camera, action! The Francis D. Lyon Graduate Fellowship for Film Students is the ultimate opportunity for graduate students in the film industry or related fields such as theater/drama, writing, or entertainment. This prestigious award is given annually to one lucky recipient who will receive financial support to further their education and career. Don't miss out on this chance to shine in the spotlight! Phi Delta Theta membership is not required, so all eligible graduate students are encouraged to apply. Show Less

Niche $25,000 “No Essay” Scholarship This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

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!

Phyliss J. McCarthy Scholarship for Excellence in Writing

Offered by Learncurious.com

Are you a high school junior or senior with a love for creative writing? If so, consider applying for the Phyliss J. McCarthy Scholarship for… Show More

Are you a high school junior or senior with a love for creative writing? If so, consider applying for the Phyliss J. McCarthy Scholarship for Excellence in Writing! Each year, the scholarship awards up to $1,000 to the three applicants who submit the best responses to one of the "Narrative", "Meta", or "Wacky" prompts. As these prompts change each year, we recommend checking out the Learncurious.com website before applying. If you're a college-bound, high school upperclassman with a love for writing, we encourage you to apply! Keep on reading to learn more. Show Less

HSLDA Contests

Offered by Home School Legal Defense Association

The HSLDA Contests are funded by the Home School Legal Defense Association, an organization dedicated to protecting parents' rights to homeschooling and providing homeschooling families… Show More

The HSLDA Contests are funded by the Home School Legal Defense Association, an organization dedicated to protecting parents' rights to homeschooling and providing homeschooling families with the necessary resources. Each year, the Home School Legal Defense Association Contests award scholarships of varying amounts to multiple homeschooled students aged 7-19 (2nd graders through high school seniors) who create and submit original pieces of artwork, videos, or writing. The contests are split into six types: Poetry, Video, Photo, Short Story, Art, and Essay. Each year, the Poetry and Video Contests run from February 1 - April 1, the Photo and Short Story Contests run from June 1 - August 1, and the Art and Essay Contests run from October 1 - December 1. If this scholarship sounds like a fit for you, keep on reading for more application details! Show Less

$25k “Be Bold” No-Essay Scholarship This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

Offered by Bold.org

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

Scholastic Art & Writing Awards

Offered by Alliance for Young Artists & Writers

Are you a middle or high school student with a love for creative writing or artwork? If so, consider applying for the Scholastic Art &… Show More

Are you a middle or high school student with a love for creative writing or artwork? If so, consider applying for the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards! The contest is broken up into 28 separate categories/competitions, each with its own age requirements and prompts. Winners will receive between $500 and $12,500, depending on the category. The awards are offered by the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers, a nonprofit organization with a mission to “identify students with exceptional artistic and literary talent and present their remarkable work to the world through the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards.”  If you’re a middle or high school student who’s been wanting to put their creative skills to work, this may be a great opportunity for you. We encourage you to apply! Show Less

Rover Scholarship

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$10,000 CollegeXpress Scholarship This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

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Women Leading Kentucky Undergraduate Scholarship

Offered by Women Leading Kentucky

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Walgreens Expressions Challenge This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

Offered by Expressions by Walgreens

Are you a high school student in the U.S. passionate about any social or societal issue? Further, would you be interested in sharing your thoughts… Show More

Are you a high school student in the U.S. passionate about any social or societal issue? Further, would you be interested in sharing your thoughts on such matters through art? If so, consider applying for the Walgreens Expressions Challenge! The Challenge invites high school students to submit art in one of four categories (Spoken Word, Visual Arts, Media Art, or Creative Writing) on a social or societal topic they feel strongly about. Possible topic ideas include: the impact of social media, cyber bullying, mental health, gun violence, social justice, etc. If you're a high schooler passionate about art and using it for the greater good, we encourage you to apply! Keep on reading to learn more. Show Less

$1,000 Appily Easy College Money Scholarship This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

Offered by Appily

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This easy scholarship from Appily is open to U.S. high school students (Class of 2025, 2026, 2027) and college transfer students. One scholarship will be awarded each month. Show Less

Alyssa Sandmeier Foundation Creative Writing Scholarship Competition

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Are you a college-bound, Nebraskan high school senior with a passion for creative writing? If so, consider applying for the Alyssa Sandmeier Foundation Creative Writing Scholarship Competition! Each year, the scholarship awards $1,000 to the applicant who submit the best original piece of creative writing. Acceptable forms include, but are not limited to, poetry or song lyrics, short fiction, play/movie/television scripts, speeches, memories or diary entries, biographies, or personal essays. The scholarship was created in honor of Alyssa Sandmeier, a young girl whose passion for writing inspired her to write even while battling Leukemia complications. If you're a college-bound, Nebraskan high school senior with a passion for creative writing, we encourage you to apply. Keep on reading to learn more and carry on Alyssa's legacy today. Show Less

Bobette Bibo Gugliotta Memorial Scholarship for Creative Writing

Offered by Silicon Valley Community Foundation

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The Bobette Bibo Gugliotta Memorial Scholarship for Creative Writing is open to students majoring in the creative writing field who have demonstrated creative writing ability. To be eligible, applicants must demonstrate a passion for creative writing, be graduating high school seniors or be graduates of a public or private high school in San Mateo County or Santa Clara County, and be planning to enroll or be currently enrolled in a four-year college or university as a full-time student. United States citizens and eligible non-citizens may apply. If you're a Northern Californian high school senior or soon-to-be graduate with a passion for creative writing, we encourage you to apply! Keep on reading to learn more. Show Less

$5,000 Christian Connector Scholarship This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

Offered by Christian Connector

Students applying to the $5,000 Christian Connector Scholarship must be current high school students (Class of 2025, 2026, or 2027) interested in attending a Christian…

Students applying to the $5,000 Christian Connector Scholarship must be current high school students (Class of 2025, 2026, or 2027) interested in attending a Christian university or college.

Lantos Activist Artist Scholarship

Offered by Lantos Foundation for Human Rights & Justice

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The Lantos Activist Artist Scholarship recognizes and supports the work of activist artists in New Hampshire who tell human rights stories in unique, inspiring, and significant ways. Applicants are challenged to examine the influence of a particular activist artist or create their own piece of activist art. Acceptable forms of media include film, writing, theater, dance, music, painting, poetry, and drawing.  While two runners-up will be awarded $2,500 each, two first-place winners will be granted $5,000 each. If you're an artist from New Hampshire passionate about expressing raw emotions that can provoke attention and action on human rights crises, we encourage you to apply! Show Less

Archibald Rutledge Scholarship Program

Offered by South Carolina Department of Education

The Archibald Rutledge Scholarship Program offers twelfth-grade students (enrolled in a public school in South Carolina) the opportunity to compete for a scholarship in creative… Show More

The Archibald Rutledge Scholarship Program offers twelfth-grade students (enrolled in a public school in South Carolina) the opportunity to compete for a scholarship in creative writing, dance, music, theater, or visual arts. Students must be U.S. citizens and have attended public school in South Carolina for the past two years. Students planning to attend an out-of-state college or university are ineligible to apply. Entries produced in collaboration with others are not eligible for this competition. Students may compete in one arts area only. If you're a South Carolinian high school senior passionate about the arts, we encourage you to apply! Show Less

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• Writing Tips

7 Essay Writing Contests to Look Out For in 2023

• 7-minute read
• 28th December 2022

Essay contests are not only a great way to exercise your essay-writing skills but also an awesome way to win cash prizes, scholarships, and internship or program opportunities. They also look wonderful on college applications as awards and achievements.

In this article, you’ll learn about 7 essay writing contests to enter in 2023. Watch the video below, or keep reading to learn more.

1. Tom Howard/John H. Reid Fiction & Essay Contest 

Deadline: Now–April 30, 3023

Who may enter:

This is an international contest for people of all ages (except for residents of Syria, Iran, North Korea, Crimea, Russia, and Belarus due to US government restrictions).

Contest description:

●  The contest is organized by Winning Writers, located in MA, USA.

●  They accept stories and essays on any theme, up to 6,000 words each. This contest defines a story as any short work of fiction and an essay as any short work of nonfiction.

●  Your stories and essays must be submitted in English.

●  You may submit published or unpublished work.

Entry fee: USD 22 per entry

●  Story: First Prize is USD 3,000.

●  Essay: First Prize is USD 3,000.

●  10 Honorable Mentions will receive USD 300 each (any category).

●  The top 12 entries will be published online.

Official website

Please visit the competition’s official website for more information on judges and submissions.

2. 2023 Calibre Essay Prize 

Deadline: Now–January 15, 2023, 11:59 pm

Who may enter: All ages and any nationality or residency are accepted.

●  This contest is hosted by the Australian Book Review.

●  Your essay must be between 2,000 and 5,000 words.

●  You may submit nonfiction essays of all kinds, e.g., personal, political, literary, or speculative.

●  You may enter multiple essays but will need to pay separate fees for each one.

●  Your essay must be unpublished.

Entry fee: AU 30 for non-members

Prize: AU 7,500

Official website:

For more information on this contest, please visit its official website.

3. John Locke Institute Essay Competition 

Deadline: June 30, 2023

●  Students from any country.

●  Students aged 15 to 18 years by the competition deadline.

●  Students aged 14 years or younger by the competition deadline are eligible for the Junior prize.

●  The contest is organized by the John Locke Institute.

●  Your essay cannot exceed 2,000 words.

●  There are seven subjects or categories for essay submissions: Philosophy, Politics, Economics, History, Psychology, Theology, and Law.

Entry fee: Free to enter

●  The best overall essay winner receives an honorary John Locke Fellowship, which comes with a USD 10,000 scholarship to attend one or more summer schools or gap year courses.

●  There is also a prize for the best essay in each category. The prize for each winner of a subject category and the Junior category is a scholarship worth USD 2,000 toward the cost of a summer program.

●  All winning essays will be published on the Institute’s website.

For more information about this competition and the John Locke Institute, please visit the official website . Also, be sure to check out our article on all you need to know about this contest.

4. The American Foreign Service Association 2023 Essay Competition 

Deadline: April 3, 2023

●  Students in grades 9–12 in any of the 50 states, DC, the US territories, or if they are US citizens or lawful permanent residents attending high school overseas.

●  Students attending a public, private, or parochial school.

●  Home-schooled students.

●  Your essay should be 1,000–1,500 words.

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●  You will select a country or region in which the United States Foreign Service has been involved at any point since 1924 and describe how the Foreign Service was successful or unsuccessful in advancing American foreign policy goals – including promoting peace – in this country or region and propose ways in which it might continue to improve those goals in the coming years.

●  Your essay should follow MLA guidelines.

●  Your essay should use a variety of sources.

●  The first-place winner receives USD 2,500, a paid trip to the nation’s capital from anywhere in the U.S. for the winner and their parents, and an all-expense-paid educational voyage courtesy of Semester at Sea.

●  The runner-up receives USD 1,250 and full tuition to attend a summer session of the National Student Leadership Conference’s International Diplomacy program.

Please visit the American Foreign Service website for more information.

5. The Jane Austen Society of North America (JASNA) 2023 Essay Contest 

Deadline: Mid-February 2023–June 1, 2023

Who may enter: High school (including homeschooled), college, and graduate students worldwide.

●  The 2023 essay contest topic is marriages and proposals.

●  High school students may focus on Pride and Prejudice only or bring in other Austen works.

●  Undergraduate and graduate students should discuss at least two Austen novels of their choice.

●  Your essay must be in MLA format and 6 to 8 pages (not including your Works Cited page).

●  Your essay must be written in English.

●  First place wins a USD 1,000 scholarship.

●  Second place wins a USD 500 scholarship.

●  Third place wins a USD 250 scholarship.

●  Winners will also receive one year of membership in JASNA, publication of their essays on this website, and a set of Norton Critical Editions of Jane Austen’s novels.

For more information and submission guidelines, please visit JASNA’s official website .

6. 2023 Writing Contest: Better Great Achievements by EngineerGirl

Deadline: February 1, 2023

●  Students in Grades 3–12. If international or homeschooled, please select your grade level based on if you were attending a public school in the U.S.

●  This contest is organized by EngineerGirl.

●  Students should write a piece that shows how female or non-white engineers have contributed to or can enhance engineering’s great achievements.

●  You should choose one of the 20 Greatest Engineering Achievements of the 20th Century as a topic and explore the technologies developed in the last century and the new ones being developed today. Make sure to follow the specific guidelines for your grade level.

●  Essays should be 650–750 words based on your grade level.

●  Please visit the contest’s website to see specific requirements based on your grade.

Winners in each grade category will receive the prizes listed below:

●  First-place winners will be awarded USD 500.

●  Second-place entries will be awarded USD 250 .

●  Third-place entries will be awarded USD 100 .

For more information and submission guidelines, please visit the official website .

7. World Historian Student Essay Competition

Deadline: May 1, 2023

Who may enter: Students enrolled in Grades K–12 in public, private, and parochial schools and home-study programs worldwide.

●  Your essay must address the following issue: In what way has the study of world history affected my understanding of the world in which I live?

●  Your essay should be 1,000 words.

Prizes: USD 500

For more information and submission requirements, please visit the contest’s official website.

Essay contests are a great way to expand your writing skills, discuss a topic that is important to you, and earn prize money and opportunities that will be great for you in the long term. Check out our articles on writing thesis statements, essay organization, and argumentative writing strategies to ensure you take first place every time.

If you need help with your essays and would like to make sure that every comma is in place, we will proofread your first 500 words for free !

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Scholarships

Best Essay Writing Scholarships – 2024 [With Application Tips]

Written by Medha Pandey

Whether you’re a seasoned writer or just starting, essay competitions offer an exciting opportunity to express your thoughts, refine your writing skills, and potentially win recognition and prizes.

Besides, participating in an essay writing competition may be an exciting and intimidating experience. Knowing the ins and outs of essay writing is essential for success, regardless of experience level. 

In this guide, we’ll explore a curated selection of the best essay competitions to apply for in 2024. We’ll cover a wide range of categories, from personal narratives to persuasive arguments, so there’s something for everyone.

We will explore the essential elements of essay writing that can distinguish your work, from comprehending the theme to expressing your ideas clearly. Thus, this tutorial is your go-to resource for finding the best suitable essay writing contest for yourself and winning it!

 Here are the best essay writing scholarships to apply for in 2024:

1. Scholastic Art &Writing Awards

Home | Scholastic Art and Writing Awards

Competition’s Overview

It is a non-profit organization presented by an alliance for young Artists and writers. They aim to recognize young talents and showcase their talent, thought processes, and views to the world. 

Eligibility Criteria

Students of middle school and high school from grades 7 to 12 can enter this competition. There are 28 different categories of art and writing to get yourself enrolled in.

Evaluation Criteria

The judges are either a leading figure in visual and literally arts or are Scholastic awards alumni. They judge an essay based on originality, skillful writing, and how well the writer can voice their vision to the readers. 

Prizes and Recognition

• The winner’s scholarship award amount may be up to $12500. 
• Students’ work gets published in the annual art catalog and writing anthology publications . 
• National medallist work gets published in the yearbook . 

2. Wiingy Future STEM Leaders Scholarship

Home | Wiingy Future STEM Leaders Scholarship

Wiingy is a 1-on-1 online tutoring platform that delivers personalized, quality, and affordable tutoring to school as well as university students. It started in 2021 to make STEM learning accessible to everyone with better learning facilities. 

• Applicants must be currently enrolled as a school or college student in a recognized institution.
• Applicants must be majoring in or intending to major in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) subject.

To apply for the scholarship, students must write and submit an original essay on the topic of the month. Scholarships will be awarded based on the following criteria:

The essay should be well-written and informative. It should clearly and concisely explain the essay topic of the month.

• Creativity :

The essay should be original and thought-provoking. It should demonstrate the applicant’s ability to think critically and creatively about STEM education.

• Grammar and style :

The essay should be free of grammatical errors. It should be written in a clear, concise, and engaging style.

• Scholarship Amount of up to $1200. 
• Publication of the winner’s essay and bio on their official site.
• Even if your essay didn’t make the winning list, Wiingy features its choicest essays on its official page!

3. Bennington Young Writers Awards

Young Writers Awards | Bennington College

Bennington College launched the Young Writers Award to celebrate the literary legacy. It has 12 Pulitzer Prize winners. Three U.S laureates and many New York time bestsellers. High school students can participate and get recognized for their skillful writing.

Each year students from 9 to 12 grade participate in any one category of poems, non-fiction, or fiction. There is no entry fee.

The work submitted by the students should be approved and sponsored by the teacher who is from high school. In case of any queries, the sponsored teacher is questioned. For homeschooled children, their tutors (online or offline) or mentors must approve of the submission.

• Scholarship Amount of up to $1200
• Second place wins $500. 
• The third-place winner gets $250.
• Also, students are eligible for scholarships at Bennington College.

4. Youth Scholarships- Patriot’s Pen

Youth Scholarships – VFW

The VFW offers scholarships for high school and middle school students interested in promoting patriotism and investing in the future generation.

Middle and high school students can participate in this essay writing scholarship. A student can write an essay of 300-400 words on the given by VFW. The 2023 to 2024 theme is “How Are You Inspired By America?” and “What Are the Greatest Attributes of Our Democracy?”

The Essay is marked on the knowledge they have about the topic. They get 30 points for that.

How well they have written the essay revolving around the thesis gives them 35 points.

Finally, the creativity and clarity in concepts and ideas have more than 35 points.

• $500 is the prize for a winner who comes first at the state level. 
• $5000 for the winner at the national level.
• Get published as the winner of the session you participate in.

5. The Adroit Journal

The Adroit Prizes – The Adroit Journal

It is a non-profit organization founded in 2010 by Peter Laberge. Notable works of authors such as Rita Dove, Ocean VOung, Sarah Kay, and many such authors’ work have been shown on the pages of the journal.

The students in secondary and undergraduate can participate in the competition. International students who have passed a year earlier can also participate.

• Creativity and originality: Present the article that has new ideas and unique concepts. 
• Voice and style: Your writing style should be clear, concise, and engaging for the readers. It should voice out strong opinions.
• Content and development: The structure of the content should be well maintained. Support your essay with facts, statistics, and quotes from reliable resources.
• Mechanics and grammar: Check your work before submission. It should be correct grammatically.
• The winners get an award of $200. 
• The work of the winner and the runner-up from the secondary and undergraduate categories is published in the Androit Journal.

⭐Graduating soon? Discover opportunities with the Best Scholarships for High School Seniors .

6. John Locke Institution

Essay Competition | John Locke Institute

This institution is named after the seventh-century Oxford philosopher and writer John Locke. It is a private educational Institution. It aims at inspiring students towards educational excellence.

Entry Requirements and Guidelines

Students from around the world can participate in this competition. You can apply for this competition between April and May. Entry is free. The essay must be related to any one subject category as per the rules. It should not exceed more than 2000 words.

The essays are judged by the seniors and members from the Oxford and Princeton Universities . The essays are selected from each subject category junior and subject category. Out of which the overall best essay is selected.

• The prize for the Junior category and subject category is a scholarship of $2000 for attending any John Locke Institution program.
• For receiving the prize the winners are called for an academic conference and an award dinner. But these are paid.
• An e-certificate is given to the winners who are unable to attend. Others who attend the ceremony get a signed copy of the certificate. 
• The overall best essay winner gets a fellowship with US $10,000 for attending summer school for a year or more or getting courses for the year.

7. We the Student’s Essay Contest

Student Hub – Bill of Rights Institute

The Bills of Rights Institution is a non-profit educational organization, founded in 1999.

It aims at teaching the students civics. The meaning and importance of freedom, justice, and equality in our society.

U.S.-based citizens and students who study in middle or high school from 13-19 years of age can participate in this competition. The essay submission must be done from MyImpact Challenging’s online portal only. The past winners cannot participate in this again.

The essays are judged on how strongly you voice out your views and opinions to the audience. Keep your essay grammatically right. The essay is also judged on how clearly have you stated the civic virtue from the Bills of Rights institution principle and virtue.

Prizes and Recognition  

The winners receive monetary payments as rewards. It is not limited to any usage. The essays that are submitted according to the guidelines receive a Civis Achievement Award digital badge.

✏️Wish to get ample room to exhibit art skills? Find out the Best Art Scholarships .

8. Jane Austen Society Essay Contest

Essay Contest » JASNA

The Jane Austen Society of North America was formed to remember the great work and geniuses of Jane Austen. It is a non-profit organization. They aim to instill the young students with great work and Jane Austen.

The essay must be on the current topic as given for the contest. Submit the essays through the official essay contest website and the official entry form only. To mention the mentor’s name is optional. While submitting the essay stating that it is the original work of the student is important.

Judgment is made based on the originality of the work. The general audience must be addressed in the essay. Jane Austen’s work should be taken for inspiration and communicating your message to the audience.

• The award for the first-place winners is a $1000 scholarship. 
• The first-place winners also get free registration along with two nights lodging for the Annual General Meeting.
• The second-place winner gets a $500 scholarship.
• The winner who stands 3rd gets $250 as a scholarship.
• Along with these prizes, the winners get a membership in JASNA. Their essays are published on the institution’s website too.

9. SPJ/JEA High School Essay contest

SPJ/JEA High School Essay Contest – Journalism Education Association

Sigma Delta Chi Foundation was founded by the Journalist Education Association and the Society of Professional Journalists. Here, they state the importance of media in our daily lives.

There is a $5 entry fee for each essay submission. Students from 9-12 grade studying in private or public schools in the US can participate. The essay should be approximately 300-500 words. The original work should be submitted before the deadline.

There is a panel of qualified judges who judge these essays. They give you points in the following:

• Material and The originality of your work and quality of writing from research and reliable resources get 40 points.
• Vocabulary and Style- The style you use to express your views and ideas. With good vocabulary holds-30points
• Grammmer- The fewer grammatical errors are there in your writing the more points you get. If your essay is grammatically correct you get 20 points.
• The neatness of your work holds points
• Format- The correct format of essay writing will give you more than 5 points.
• The first-prize winner gets-$1000 a scholarship
• The second-prize winner gets-$500 scholarship
• The third prize winner gets a scholarship of $300.
• Winners’ names are posted on the association’s website.

10. New York Times Editorial Writing Contest

Our Eighth Annual Student Editorial Contest – The New York Times (nytimes.com)

It is led by the New York Times. The essay writing focuses on the issues that inform the reader of the present times. 

Write an essay of about 450 words on a topic that will be appreciated by the audience at large. Submit the essays before the deadlines. Middle school and high school students can participate in this competition.

The work is read and judged by the New York Times journalist, Learning Network Staff members, and US educators.

The prize for the winners is the publication in Learning Network. If the work is extraordinarily outstanding then it gets published in the New York Times too.

🎗️Pursuing higher education? Read Best Scholarship for College Students .

How to win essay writing scholarships?

Good writing skills, understanding the topic, and doing thorough research can help you to win an essay competition. Here we will discuss some tips in which you can excel in an essay competition.  While maintaining a good GPA serves well, there are more crucial tips to win an essay writing competition.

Crafting a compelling thesis statement

Your thesis statement is the topic name. Generally, platforms that host essay contests, provide option(s) of topics you’re supposed to write. Ensure your essay heading or topic name clearly states its main argument and provides a roadmap for the reader.

For that matter, you should: 

• First, understand the topic clearly. 
• Research as deeply as possible without deviating from the main topic. Gather comprehensive information on the topic using reputable sources like academic journals, books, and websites, taking notes and tracking sources for proper citation in your essay. The researched facts should support your argument.

Structuring and organizing the essay effectively

Mark the flow, the plot, the events, and the characters that come into play in your essay. Everything should be well-organized to create the desired impact on the reader. 

What is the word limit? What is the topic? What story do you have? What’s your storyline? How do you plan to begin and end your story? All these questions are important.

For better performance, you should:

• Have matter in your story. What is the essence of your write-up? What does the reader take along with them at the end? That’s the essence of your essay; make sure it’s worth the time and effort of the reader.
• Next, have an outline. This outline is a mindmap where you cover all the important topics, This helps in writing the essay. This outline helps you to structure your essay so that you don’t miss out on the important points. 

Writing a top-notch essay

If you’re good till here, kudos! Next, comes the writing part. Always remember to create an original piece of art. Do not weave too fake-to-believe stories. Keep your story unique yet relatable. You want the maximum audience to be able to relate to the story you’re narrating. They should also find your story interesting. 

Make sure to: 

• Keep your work is plagiarism-free. Avoid jargon. Don’t use terms that are not easy to understand. Use relatable words.
• Never beat around the bush. Be clear and concise in your writing style. You can uplift your writing by adding statistics, facts, and quotes from reliable sources. 

Polishing and editing for excellence

After you have written your essay, reviewing is the next step. All the grammatical errors, spelling, and sentence-forming errors need a fix. 

You should: 

• Rectify your grammatical errors, punctuation mistakes. Check your spelling. Reread to see whether your work is error-free and smooth. You can use grammar correcting tools, but make sure your grammatical fundamentals are strong. 
• Proofread again after correction. Yes, read until you’re satisfied with the message conveyed via your statement. 

Submit your essay on time!

All the hard work goes wasted if you delay the submission. To make sure you submit your essay on time make sure to:

• Set a reminder on your phone about the deadline or submission date. You can ask your friends and family to keep you reminded or make a sticky note (noticeable enough).
• Plan to complete your work one to two days before the actual deadline. The sooner you complete essay-writing the better. You will have maximum time to edit and proofread.

💡Read the December 2023 winning essay of Wiingy’s Future STEM Leaders Scholarship Program and find the top student essays for reference.

🌞Planning a productive summer? Uncover the Best Scholarships for Summer Programs .

Are essay competitions worth it?

Participation in essay writing contests is a great way that lead to self-recognition. You get inspired through different ideas and start developing and polishing your skills. Here are the benefits of participating in an essay writing scholarship:

💲You earn scholarship amounts

Most essay competitions have a prize money award. The scholarship amount can help you pay for your educational needs, savings, and more.

✨You get inspired to write better 

Writing contests are a great way to inspire you with different and new ideas. Throughout the contest, you hone both your abilities and skills. 

📺Your write-up gets published

Some competitions award the writers by publishing their essays in a newspaper or a magazine, or the official websites of the platforms. This is a fantastic method to get recognized and appreciated for your skills, plus you a get solid material to add to your resume and make it stand out.

🫡You get professional exposure

The competition is judged by official writers and authors who have extended experience and knowledge in their fields. You get a good exposure for your work.

🏆Achieving academic excellence? Navigate the Best Merit-based scholarships .

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the most prestigious essay competition.

The John Locke Institute , named after the seventh-century Oxford philosopher and writer, just hosted a 2023 essay competition. Students from around the world can apply for the competition, which is free and requires essays related to any subject category. The top essay will be selected from each category. The winner will receive a $2000 scholarship for attending any John Locke Institution program, an e-certificate, and a $10,000 fellowship for attending summer school or taking courses.

Jane Austen Essay Contest by JASNA is another prestigious essay competition. The contest requires essays on the current topic and submission through the official website and entry form. Judging is based on originality and general audience appeal, with Jane Austen’s work as inspiration. First-place winners receive a $1000 scholarship, free registration, and lodging for the Annual General Meeting. Second-place winners receive $500, and third-place winners receive $250.

Is there any essay writing competition?

Yes, we have Wiingy’s Future STEM Leaders Scholarship Program for high school and college STEM aspirants.  Students pursuing a variety of STEM fields are eligible to apply, including but not limited to computer science, biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, computer science, environmental science, engineering, statistics, aerospace, and artificial intelligence.

By participating in our scholarship contest:  Win up to $1200 scholarship amount. We value your efforts in creating a masterpiece. Hence, we publish top-grade write-ups on our official website page, even if your name didn’t make the winning list!

Do writing contests help you get published?

Yes. Many contests award the writers through the publication of their work. This gives the winners great recognition as writers. It lays a platform for his/her future writings. The names of such great writers get in front of those who judge their work. Winning a writing contest can also be used as a publishing credit.  Wiingy’s Future STEM Leaders Scholarship Program appreciates the work you put into making a masterpiece. Thus, Wiingy posts its choicest essays on its official website page, even if your name didn’t make the winning list!

Is it worth it to submit to writing contests?

Essay writing contests understand your skills better, and provide further skill development. They offer scholarships, work publications, and professional recognition. Prize money awards can help cover educational expenses and savings. Getting your essay published on an official website helps build your resume. The competition is judged by professional writers, providing more exposure to your work. If your requirements and expectations align with these benefits, yes essay competitions are worth it!

Do writing contests look good on college applications?

Yes, if you’ve participated in and won an essay writing contest, you must mention it in your college application. It especially looks impressive when the topic of the essay aligns with your college disciplines.

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Connect with us, scholarship opportunities.

Girls Write Now mentees have earned scholarships including Posse, Questbridge, Capstone, CAGNEY, Ascend Educational Fund, Samuel H. Scripps, the Presidential Scholarship and many more—including awards directly through the colleges they attend! Pro tip: Call colleges and ask what kind of funding they provide. You can still get scholarships after you’ve matriculated and started college.

Scholarship Essay Writing & Tips

• Learn how to write a scholarship essay here
• Tips on finding and getting scholarships
• Students and Financial Literacy

Scholarships for High School Students

• Ojeda Multi-County Youth Scholarship : This scholarship aims to assist inner-city high school students so they can afford the costs of their tuition and books. Applicants must be of Hispanic or African American origin, and have a minimum 2.9 GPA to apply for this scholarship. ( Applications closed)

For undocumented students with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status who are not eligible for federal student aid funds, but may be eligible for financial aid from the state government or the college, depending on where they live or go to school. Play close attention to eligibility requirements.

• The Dream National Scholarship : For highly motivated undocumented students with significant, unmet financial need, enrolled or intending to enroll in a bachelor’s degree program. Must have graduated or will graduate high school by the end of 22-23′ academic year. (Applications closed)
• Hispanic Scholarship Fund : For graduating high school senior and undergraduate students of Hispanic heritage planning to enroll full-time in university. Applicants must be U.S. citizens, permanent legal residents, or DACA recipients (Applications closed)
• The HOPE Scholarship with Bard High School Early College : Offers financial assistance towards the cost of tuition and books at the transfer school of the BHSEC student’s choice.
• DREAM Act Application for CUNY and SUNY
• Guide for Undocumented Students
• BestColleges Guide for DACA and Undocumented Students
• Undocumented Student Tuition Overview
• “Be Bold” No-Essay Scholarship : The $25,000 “Be Bold” Scholarship is a no-essay scholarship that will be awarded to the applicant with the boldest profile. Open to students of all ages. (Applications closed)
• Ayn Rand Fountainhead Essay Contest : For 11th and 12th grade students worldwide (November 6, 2023)
• Elevate Mental Health Awareness Scholarship (November 30, 2023)
• Love Your Career Scholarship : Open to any student who will be enrolled in a college or University at the time of the next deadline (Applications for Winter semester due January 10, applications for Fall semester September 10)
• Scholastic Scholarships : Multiple arts-based scholarships of varying award amounts for high school students. (Fall deadline— specific to region)
• High School Scholarship : Graduating high school seniors are invited to apply for the Dedalus Foundation Scholarships awarded for artistic excellence. The scholarship money must be used for school expenses. (Application closed)
• Mary Bowman Arts in Activism Award : These $5,000 awards are intended to support young artivists (27 years of age or younger) each year who exemplify Mary’s passion for the arts as the vehicle for their own HIV/AIDS and/or health and social justice community activism and expression. (Applications closed)
• Singhaus Scholarship for the Performing Arts : The Singhaus Scholarship for the Performing Arts provides financial assistance to elevate young talent in their pursuit of a career in theatre: performance, technical, creative, costume design. This scholarship is designed to support members of the Central Florida LGBTQ+ community and their allies. (Applications closed)
• Atlas Shrugged Essay Contest : The Atlas Shrugged Essay Contest is open to high school seniors, undergraduate, and graduate students. You must write an essay of between 800 and 1,600 words on one of the three topics listed on the sponsor’s website to be considered for this award. ( Application Deadline: November 6, 2023 )
• Beacon Scholarship for Rural America : The Beacon Scholarship for Rural America is intended for applicants who are college-bound graduating high school seniors, current college students, or adult learners with a GPA of 3.0 or higher (high school or college) and who are planning to enroll in an accredited college program. Applicants must also reside in a rural area and meet low-income criteria. ( Application Deadline for Spring 2024: November 30, 2023 )
• Accelerated Study in Associate Programs (ASAP Program) with CUNY Community Colleges
• Education Opportunity Program (EOP) with SUNY
• New York Ramblers Scholarship : For student athletes grade 12 or higher pursuing an undergraduate education who self-identify publicly as LGBTQ+ or demonstrated and committed straight allies. (Applications open January 1, 2024)
• Scholarships for LGBTQ Students : Study.com has compiled a list of scholarships for LGBTQ+ students.
• Community Pride Scholarship : This scholarship aims to support LGBTQIA+ high school seniors who are pursuing careers in public service so they have the encouragement necessary to achieve their dreams. (Applications closed)
• Scholarships and Resources for LGBTQIA+ Students

Among the most competitive, and largest, scholarships

• Cameron Impact Scholarship : For high school juniors. (Applications available in February, early decision deadline in early May, regular decision deadline in early September)
• Posse Scholarship : High School students must be nominated.
• Stamps Scholarship : Apply through their partner universities/colleges.
• Excelsior Scholarship (CUNY and SUNY)
• Amherst College (Private)
• Berea College (Private)
• Brown University (Private)
• Columbia University (Private)
• Macaulay Honors College at CUNY
• Princeton University (Private)
• Stanford University (Private)
• Swarthmore College (Private)
• Webb Institute (Private)
• University of Pennsylvania (Private)
• Vanderbilt University (Private)
• Dr. Jack G. Shaheen Media Scholarshi p : The Dr. Jack G. Shaheen Media Scholarship is available to college junior, senior, and graduate students of Arab American heritage. You must be studying mass communications, journalism, radio, television, and / or film, be a U.S. citizen, and have a minimum 3.0 GPA to be eligible for this award.
• Immerse Education Blog Competition : This competition provides the opportunity for students aged 13-18 to write a blog about a pre-set topic relating. Four winners will receive a 100% scholarship to our Online Insights virtual summer program, with runner-up prizes also awarded. (Application closed)
• Nicholas J. Bartilucci Environmental Scholarship : For high school students living in New York Enrolled full-time in a B.S. or B.E. degree program with an emphasis on public service. (Applications close February 28, 2024)
• Princeton Prize in Race Relations : For high school students who have undertaken significant efforts to advance racial equity and understanding in their schools and communities. Winners will receive an award of $1,000 and are invited to participate in a Symposium on Race . (Applications closed)
• CodeWizardsHQ Educational Scholarship : Priority given to students applying to STEM programs. Must be a high school senior or incoming college freshman. (Applications close May 1, 2024)
• Share Your Poetry Scholarship : The Share Your Poetry Scholarship will support students of any educational level who write poetry, encouraging their future in writing. (Application closed)
• G2 Overachievers Student Grant : To be considered, you must submit a 1,000 – to 2,000 – word handwritten essay explaining how you (or the person you are nominating) make a difference in the world around you and why you deserve to be recognized for these efforts. (Application Deadline: December 15, 2023)
• Sustainability Essay Contest : The Sustainability Essay Contest is open to high school students. You must submit an essay on a sustainable construction – related topic to be considered for this award. (Application Deadline: November 3, 2023)

For students who are New York residents attending a school in New York.

• Macaulay Honors College Scholarship
• NYS Aid to Native Americans
• NYS Scholarships for Academic Excellence
• Capital Preparatory Charter Harlem Charter School : No fee charter schools with a mission of social justice in the heart of Harlem.

Scholarships for College Students & Young Professionals

• Growing Up In America Art, Essay, Video Contest | AACI, NBC Bay Area Hosted by AACI and in partnership with NBC Bay Area, Growing Up in America (GUA) is an annual art, essay and video contest that reaches hundreds of Bay Area students in kindergarten through 12th grade. Founded 25+ years ago by Lance Lew of NBC Bay Area, GUA gives a unique platform for young people to creatively explore and celebrate their cultural identity through the lens of civic engagement. 2024’s Contest Theme is “I Choose My Future” participants are prompted to reflect on their vision of their future self and their future community. The Submission form will be open from March 1st until March 15, 2024.
• Single Mother’s Education Scholarship : This scholarship is for low-income Asian or Latino undergraduate students who have at least a 3.0 GPA. Children of single moms may apply but single mothers are preferred. (Applications closed)
• Scholarship for Indigenous STEM Students : An academic award of $1,000 will be provided to an indigenous STEM student by Study.com. Increasing access to education is at the heart of Study.com’s mission and we hope to aid indigenous students pursue higher education in STEM through this scholarship. ( Applications closed )
• Pearson Scholarships guide for people of color
• The Dream National Scholarship : For highly motivated undocumented students with significant, unmet financial need, enrolled or intending to enroll in a bachelor’s degree program at a Partner College in your state in the Fall of 2023 or Spring of 2024. ( Applications open November 1, 2023)
• Hispanic Scholarship Fund : For graduating high school senior and undergraduate students of Hispanic heritage planning to enroll full-time in university. Applicants must be U.S. citizens, permanent legal residents, or DACA recipients. ( Applications closed )
• Davis Putter Scholarship Fund : Need-based scholarships awarded to students who are able to do academic work at the college or university level or are enrolled in a trade or technical program and who are active in the progressive movement. ( Applications closed )
• BestColleges Guide for Undocumented Students
• Love Your Career Scholarship : Open to any student who will be enrolled in a college or University at the time of the next deadline ( Applications for Winter semester due January 10, applications for Fall semester September 10 )
• Elevate Mental Health Awareness Scholarship (Applications close November 30, 2023)
• P.E.O. Program for Continuing Education ( PCE ) : A need-based grant program providing one-time financial assistance of up to $3,000 to women whose education has been interrupted and who find it necessary to return to school to complete a degree or certification that improves their marketable skills for employment to support themselves and/or their families.
• New York Ramblers Scholarship : For student athletes pursuing an undergraduate education who self-identify publicly as LGBTQ+ or demonstrated and committed straight allies. (Applications open January 1, 2024)
• LGBTQ+ STEM Scholarship : Any LGBTQ+ student pursuing their undergraduate college degree in a STEM field can apply. Study.com offers a $1,000 academic award. Study.com’s mission is to make education accessible. (Applications closed)
• Thomas J. Watson Fellowship : For graduating college seniors at a Watson partner institution who wish to conduct research abroad for a year following graduation. (Ask your institution for their specific deadline)
• National Institutes of Health (NIH) Undergraduate Scholarship Program (UGSP) : For students from disadvantaged backgrounds who are committed to careers in biomedical, behavioral, and social science health-related research. Must be enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a full-time student at an accredited 4-year undergraduate institution located in the United States of America. ( Applications open January 2024)
• CodeWizardsHQ Educational Scholarship : Priority given to students applying to STEM programs. Must be a high school senior or incoming college freshman. ( Application deadline is May 1, 2024 )
• Lockheed Martin STEM Scholarship : Each year, the STEM Scholarship Program awards $10,000 to 200 recipients studying engineering or computer science at a 4-year college or university. Recipients may renew the scholarship up to three times for a total potential value of $40,000 per student. ( Applications open in 2024 )
• BHW Women in STEM Academic Scholarship : Women who are pursuing an undergraduate or master’s degree and are majoring in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics during the 2024 school year are eligible. ( Applications open January 2024 )
• 2024 ISF Scholarship | Islamic Scholarship Fund 
• $3,000-$10,000  Students who are Muslim or active members of the Muslim community may apply for the Islamic Scholarship Fund. The ISF awards multiple scholarships each year ranging from $3,000-$10,000, though the amounts and number of recipients will vary. Students must submit applications including essay questions, work samples, and letters of recommendation, and must also be majoring in an ISF-supported field related to media or politics. Deadline: March 21, 2024
• NYC Women’s Fund for Media, Music and Theatr e : The NYC Women’s Fund for Media, Music and Theatre (“Women’s Fund”), administered by the New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA) in partnership with the City of New York Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment (MOME), is a signature initiative that addresses the underrepresentation of women in the entertainment industry. The Fund provides grants to encourage and support the creation of content that reflects the voices and perspectives of all who identify as women. ( Applications close: November 1, 2023 at 11:59 PM ET )
• Women in Technology Scholarship Program ’23 : Orangesoft offers a scholarship dedicated to female college or university students pursuing STEM, or other technology-related studies and careers. As an Orangesoft Scholar, you will receive new financial opportunities and a chance to participate in the IT industry development. ( Application deadline: November 15, 2023 )
• $1,500 Annual Video Contest Scholarship | IvyPanda :  Each year IvyPanda awards creative and talented students that make movies with up to scholarships $1,000 total. Scholarships are given to two winners: the winner receives a $1,000 scholarship; the runner-up prize is $500. ( Application Deadline: October 31, 2023 )
• Excelsior Scholarship
• NYS Memorial Scholarship

Big-Time Scholarships

• QuestBridge College Prep Scholarship : For Academically outstanding high school juniors from families earning less than $65,000/year for a family of four. ( Applications opens in February of your junior year and are due in March )
• Cameron Impact Scholarship : For high school juniors. (A pplications available in February, early decision deadline in early May, regular decision deadline in early September )
• Thomas J. Watson Fellowship : For graduating college seniors at a Watson partner institution who wish to conduct research abroad for a year following graduation.
• National Institutes of Health (NIH) Undergraduate Scholarship Program (UGSP) : For students from disadvantaged backgrounds who are committed to careers in biomedical, behavioral, and social science health-related research. Must be enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a full-time student at an accredited 4-year undergraduate institution located in the United States of America. (Applications open January 2024)
• Davis Putter Scholarship Fund : Need-based scholarships awarded to students who are able to do academic work at the college or university level or are enrolled in a trade or technical program and who are active in the progressive movement. (Applications open January 2024)

More Scholarship Opportunities

• Not Consumed $1000 Scholarship Program : The Not Consumed scholarship provides a one-time reward of $1,000 to pay for tuition, books, computers, room and board, or any education-related expense. There’s no GPA requirement and no application forms.
• Dayspring Pens Scholarship : The Dayspring Pens scholarship provides a one-time award of $1,000.00 to offset the costs of tuition, books, computers, room, or any other education-related expense for both undergraduate and graduate students. There are no GPA requirements or application forms.
• The Rise Challenge : The Rise Challenge program provides Global Winners ages 15 to 17 with scholarships, mentorship, access to career development opportunities, and funding, as they work toward solving humanity’s most pressing problems. ( Applications open end of September )

ASAP, EOP, HEOP, TAP & SEEK Programs (NY-Based and for NYS Residents)

Provide academic and financial assistance to students who are financially and academically disadvantaged. Students must also be New York residents and attend college in New York.

• Arthur O. Eve Higher Education Program (HEOP) with NY-Private Colleges
• Search for Education, Elevation, and Knowledge (SEEK) with CUNY
• Tuition Assistance Program (TAP)

Online Financial Aid, Scholarship & Federal Grants Resources

• Bankrate 5 best scholarships for Latino students
• Best Colleges Financial Aid Opportunities for Students of Color
• Best Colleges Financial Education Resources
• Best Colleges Scholarships for Hispanic and Latino/a Students
• Collegexpress.com
• College Board BigFuture Scholarship Search
• Daughters of the American Revolution Scholarships
• fedmoney.org
• fastweb.com
• GoodCall Scholarship Search Engine
• Myscholly.com
• Niche Scholarships
• NYS Higher Education Services – Types of Financial Aid
• Peerlift.org
• Scholarshipmonkey.com
• Study.com First Generation College Student Guide
• Study.com Guide for Community College Scholarships
• Study.com Need-Based Scholarships: What Are They & How to Apply
• Study.com Ultimate Guide to Student Loans & Student Loan Repayment
• Study.com Comprehensive Scholarship Guide
• Study.com Scholarship Resources for Students of Color
• Study.com Student Scholarships
• Scholarships.com
• 2020 Porch Skilled Trade & Technology Scholarships
• Williams College All-Grant Financial Aid Program

Don’t forget to call colleges and ask what kind of funding they provide. You can still get scholarships after you’ve matriculated and started college.

Explore More College & Career Resources

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ScholarshipS FOR HIGH SCHOOL & COLLEGE STUDENTS

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Scholarships & Essay Contests for International Students

As an international student, you may be eligible for a variety of scholarships and essay contests that can reduce the cost of studying in the US. Learn more in this guide!

Studying in the US gives you many opportunities to work toward your personal and professional goals. However, your tuition and cost of living can be costly without financial aid . Fortunately, there are ways to reduce this cost, such as essay contests for international students that can award you with a scholarship!

Read on to learn more about writing contests for college students, essay-based scholarships, international contests for students, scholarship essay websites, and more!

Writing Contests for International College Students

There are many types of international contests for students that award scholarships, and international essay competitions for university students are just one option! Writing contests for college students require you to write and submit an essay or report on a specific topic. Your submission — along with other students’ — will then be reviewed and evaluated. Depending on the number of applicants, quality of submissions, and available funding, you have the chance to earn a scholarship or even a cash award. 

Topics for scholarship essay contests depend on the sponsoring organization and may cover history, foreign affairs, STEM, business, and even creative writing. 

The first step toward applying to essay writing contests for scholarships is to find opportunities where you are eligible and qualified. Here is where to look. 

Where to Find Scholarships and Essay Opportunities

A variety of institutions offer scholarships, and each will have their own eligibility requirements, funding amounts, and due dates. Research specific foundations, nonprofit organizations, corporations, and even your school itself, as many may have scholarships and/or essay writing contests for scholarships. You may find many opportunities in your home country as well, or even through Shorelight!

Shorelight Universities that Have Essay Contests for International Students

Shorelight universities give you opportunities to access a variety of scholarships, including essay-based scholarships, both through the school itself and through local organizations in the US. Speak with your Shorelight advisor to explore options at these universities and find the right opportunity that suits your academic and professional goals for studying in the US!

Your advisor can also provide a variety of exclusive student services , such as essay-writing tips , campus transition programs , and academic support , in addition to offering guidance for English programs . 

Beyond funding through Shorelight universities, you may also be able to access a variety of scholarships funded by the US government, international organizations, or even private institutions. 

US Government Sponsored Scholarships

The US government provides multiple scholarship opportunities for university students that can reduce the cost of tuition at their university. While many opportunities are mainly available to American students, the US government also helps in funding several international-focused scholarship opportunities. Let’s take a closer look.

Fulbright Foreign Student Program

The Fulbright Foreign Student Program aims to help graduate students, young professionals, and artists study and conduct research in the US, and nearly 4,000 students from around the world receive this scholarship every year. The scholarship is available to a variety of study fields, including interdisciplinary fields.

Requirements

Student eligibility for the Fulbright Foreign Student Program varies from country to country, so it is important to check your local requirements for application guidelines and eligibility criteria. Usually, eligible students are required to apply through specific Fulbright commissions, the Fulbright Foundation, or through the US Embassy in the applicant’s home country. Check your eligibility via the program’s website .  

For 2022, applications may be submitted from February to October. Exact timelines may vary depending on your country’s requirements.

Scholarship Amount

Fulbright funding covers tuition, airfare, health insurance, and a living stipend for the duration of your study program. The exact value of the scholarship will depend on your country, so be sure to check with your local US Embassy or Fulbright Commission and/or Foundation. 

Humphrey Fellowship

The Humphrey Fellowship program gives international students the opportunity to participate in an exchange of knowledge between your home country and the US. It is important to note that eligible students cannot choose which university they will attend; recipients will be placed at a participating university based on the institution most appropriate for their interests.

To be eligible for a Humphrey Fellowship, you must have:

An undergraduate degree

At least five years of full-time work experience

Limited or no prior experience in the United States

Demonstrable leadership qualities 

A record of public service 

Proficiency with English 

Keep in mind that only certain fields of study are eligible for this scholarship, including: 

Agricultural and Rural Development

Communications/Journalism

Economic Development

Educational Administration, Planning and Policy

Finance and Banking

For a full list of eligible fields, please visit the Humphrey Fellowship website .

Applications for 2022 are accepted between April and September, and all applications must be submitted before October 1, 2022.

While the exact value of a Humphrey Fellowship varies based on the institution and field of study, the program covers a wide range of student costs, including:

Payment of tuition and fees at the assigned host university

Pre-academic English-language training, if required

A maintenance (living) allowance, including a one-time settling-in allowance

Accident and sickness coverage

A book allowance

A one-time computer subsidy

Air travel (international travel to and from the US for the program and domestic travel to required program events)

A professional development allowance for professional activities, such as field trips, professional visits, and conferences

If you want to take a broader look at available funding for international students, many other global institutions also support international education through exclusive scholarships. 

International Institutions that Fund Scholarships for Study in the US

Many types of international institutions administer scholarships that help international students study in the US , and can range from international governing bodies to private companies and organizations. This variety means you can access a much wider variety of scholarships that may match your personal goals and objectives once enrolled at university. Here are a few of international scholarships that may be worth a closer look.

World Bank Scholarship

The Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program (JJ/WBGSP) is available to students from developing countries who are applying for a master’s degree program in a development-related field of study. This scholarship is primarily meant for individuals who have developed relevant professional experience and have previously participated in supporting the development efforts of their home country. 

The JJ/WBGSP offers scholarships for 26 participating programs, giving you the chance to study at universities around the world, including in the US. To be eligible to apply to JJ/WBGSP, you must:

Be a national of a World Bank member country

Not hold dual citizenship in any developed country

Be in good health

Have a bachelor’s (or equivalent) degree at least three years before the application deadline

Have three or more years of development-related work experience after earning a bachelor’s (or equivalent) degree

Be employed in development-related work in a paid full-time position when submitting your scholarship application

Additionally, to be eligible for the JJ/WBGSP, you cannot be a staff member of the World Bank Group or a close relative of a staff member. 

When you apply, keep in mind that you must have received unconditional admittance (except for your tuition cost) for an upcoming academic year at an institution, located outside your home country, participating in the JJ/WBGSP. You are required to upload your letter of admission before submitting your scholarship application. 

Usually, the JJ/WBGSP has two windows for application submission every year, with specific participating programs available during each period. For 2022, the windows are as follows: 

Application Window #1 — January 17 to February 28, 2022, at noon Washington time. Participating programs can be viewed here .

Application Window #2 — March 29 to May 27, 2022, at noon Washington time. Participating programs can be viewed here .

The exact JJ/WBGSP amount depends on the participating program. The scholarship provides tuition, a monthly living stipend, round-trip airfare, health insurance, and travel allowance.

AAUW International Fellowship

The American Association of University Women (AAUW) International Fellowship aims to support women around the world who want to pursue research or full-time study opportunities in the US. With the fellowship, you can pursue your degree at an accredited US institution with a large part of your tuition funded by the AAUW. 

Before you apply for the AAUW International Fellowship, check your eligibility by confirming that you:

Are a citizen of a country other than the US or possess a non-immigrant visa if you live in the US. (If you are currently, or are expecting to be during your fellowship year, a US citizen, US permanent resident, or dual citizen with the US, you are not eligible.)

Have earned a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) before the application deadline. 

Plan to study full time during the fellowship year.

Intend to return to your home country to work toward a professional career after completing your program.

Are proficient in English with the necessary test scores, such as a TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score or an equivalent.

It is important to note that if you are a postdoctoral applicant, you must provide proof of your doctorate degree, have a doctorate classified as a research degree (e.g., PhD, EdD, DBA, DM) by the application deadline, and specify where you plan to conduct your research. Additionally, if you are a master’s, professional degree, or doctoral applicant, you need to be enrolled in an accredited US institution during your fellowship year.

If you have previously received a AAUW national fellowship or grant, you may not be eligible to apply for future AAUW international fellowships. 

The AAUW International Fellowship accepts applications annually, with the next cohort beginning July 1, 2022. You can visit the AAUW website for the latest updates on the next application period and more information about the International Fellowship.

With the International Fellowship from the AAUW, you can access three opportunities depending on your program:

Master’s/first professional degree: $18,000

Doctoral: $20,000

Postdoctoral: $30,000

Aga Khan Foundation Scholarship

Through the Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship Programme , students from developing countries can access scholarship opportunities for specific postgraduate programs. Scholarships apply to any university except for institutions in Austria, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and the UK.

While the foundation does prioritize requests for master’s-level programs, applications for PhD programs are also considered if your professors highly recommend you for a doctoral program and a PhD is required to meet your career goals.

As the Aga Khan Foundation scholarships aim to support students from developing countries, applications will only be accepted if the applicant is a national of one of the following countries:

Afghanistan

Applications from Canada, France, Portugal, UK, and the US are also accepted if you are originally from the above list of developing countries.

Additionally, the Aga Khan Foundation specifies the following conditions must be met before applications are submitted:

The student consistently achieves excellent academic results

There is a genuine financial need with no other options available

The desired admission is to a highly reputable university or program

The field of study must be relevant to the Aga Khan Development Network’s focus areas

As part of the eligibility evaluation process, applicants must take part in an interview with the foundation’s local Scholarship Committees. This committee will inquire about your financial situation, academic performance, extracurricular achievements, and your career plan.

The Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship Programme accepts applications annually. The 2022-2023 application deadline is March 31, 2022.

Note that these scholarships are 50% grants, 50% loans, which means half of the funding must be paid back over five years with an annual 5% service charge. Funding specifically covers recipients’ tuition fees and living expenses; cost of travel is not included. 

Additionally, for PhD programs, students will receive funding for only two years of study. If there are additional years for your program, alternative funding sources will be needed. 

The Civil Society Leadership Awards

Students looking for scholarships that fully fund their master’s program may want to apply for the Civil Society Leadership Awards. Since the 1980s, Civil Society Leadership Awards have funded more than 20,000 international students in the US studying fields such as:

Culture, History, and Society

Communications, Journalism, and Media

Development Studies

Education Management and Leadership

Human Rights

Politics and International Studies

To be eligible for a Civil Society Leadership Award, you may have to:

Hold citizenship from an eligible country  

Have a bachelor’s degree 

Show professional experience in your chosen field

Demonstrate flexibility, maturity, and leadership skills

Be proficient in English 

Hold the appropriate US student or work visa

The annual application deadline is May 15, but this may vary depending on your home country. 

Civil Society Leadership Awards provide a monthly stipend covering living expenses, tuition and mandatory university fees, program-related travel, and other required educational materials. The exact amount can vary depending on your program.

Scholarship Websites Online

Want to find even more scholarships and funding sources? Go online! Researching essay contests for international students, scholarship essay contests, and other writing contests for college students can be done on an ongoing basis with just your computer or smartphone. Look for the latest opportunities on scholarship essay websites and carefully review your options. If you have flexibility in your study plans, knowing when ongoing opportunities are available (e.g., annual scholarships) can give you time to prepare your applications well in advance.

International Student Scholarships

The International Student Scholarship website is a collection of scholarship programs offered around the world to students planning to study abroad. Opportunities include:

MPOWER Global Citizen scholarship — Scholarships for female students in STEM programs

Bonner Scholarship — Scholarships for students studying finance 

Rector’s Scholarship — Academic excellence scholarships

Create a free account to search for scholarships based on location, subjects, award name, or country of origin. Once your account is set up, you can contact the awarding organizations directly and apply for scholarships.

While the exact requirements for each scholarship depend on the programs you choose, the website highlights key requirements to help you prepare your applications. 

Application deadlines will vary by program. It’s a good idea to contact each scholarship organization to confirm the latest due dates.

Scholarship amounts and coverage details are listed under each award’s specification details. Other information related to repayment fees, loans, living expenses, and air travel cost may also be included. Scholarship amounts awarded may vary on a case-by-case basis or even depending on country of origin, so having a conversation with the relevant advisors can provide greater clarity about requirements, eligibility, and more.

With any scholarship program, make sure you are well aware of the expenses covered. You may speak to representatives from the scholarship organization or you can get in touch with Shorelight advisors to get more details.

As an international student, you may have several questions regarding essay contests for international students, scholarship essay contests, or any other scholarship opportunities. Here is how to get the answers you need!

Questions About Essay Scholarships for International Students?

If you need support finding essay contests for international students, essay scholarships for international students, or scholarship essay contests, Shorelight advisors are always ready to help. Your advisor can help you explore scholarships for international students so that you can choose the most appropriate scholarship that meets your personal goals.

There may be particular scholarships that interest you. To find out more about these programs, the best source is a spokesperson or contact from the institute offering the scholarship. This allows you to access first-hand information from the source and get the most accurate, up-to-date information. As each scholarship opportunity is likely offered by a different organization or institute, it is important to be aware that points of contact and preferred outreach methods (e.g., phone, email, etc.) will vary. 

Remember, your advisor can always guide you toward the information you are looking for and is ready to support you. With the right scholarship opportunity, you can work toward your dreams of studying in the US!

Reach out to a Shorelight advisor today >

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Winners Announcement for IvyPanda’s Annual $1,500 Essay Writing Contest Scholarship

Hello everybody!

Today’s August 1, so it’s time to name the winners of our $1,500 Annual Essay Writing Contest Scholarship!

As usual, before the announcement itself, let’s first review some statistics.

Of the 503 submissions we received, 436 were evaluated. Unfortunately, a small number of works could not advance to the next stage for various reasons. Some of them lacked proper formatting, featured unrelated subjects, or contained plagiarism.

We appreciate each and every entry and your interest in our competition!

The following criteria were used to determine the points awarded to submissions that made it to the evaluation stage:

• Organization – 20 points;
• Use of Language and Style – 30 points;
• Content and Ideas – 20 points;
• Grammar, Punctuation, and Spelling – 20 points;
• MLA Referencing – 10 points.

All 436 applications received an average grade of 61.5 points. Quite an impressive outcome!

Ok, enough chatting, it’s time to see who won the prizes.

Our Essay Writing Contest Scholarship Winners are:

Leila Seyidova with the essay “The Jenga Balance of Education” received 92 points and takes the $1,000 prize.

The Jenga Balance of Education Presently, the education system resembles a Jenga tower while the global climate tests its balance. One of those tests, Covid-19, questioned the future of the education system and the effectiveness of e-learning. While our globalized world cannot avoid virtual schooling, in-person education remains one of the most effective ways to learn. In this essay, I will argue that a complete transition to e-learning cannot and will not constitute the future of the education system, especially for children and those who need hands-on experience. In contrast, virtual learning creates limitless educational opportunities outside of time and space constraints. In other words, while the future of education cannot eradicate in-person learning, virtual classes alleviate some of its physical restrictions. During the pandemic, as all teachers, I taught my kids online, which turned into babysitting sessions. Vedechkina and Borgonovi note that children pay attention to the medium (computer screen) instead of the content, which means that they do not notice changes to the content, so long as the medium remains stable (4). Children’s (pre-adolescents) attention span is already close to non-existent as it. When left to their own devices to stare at a screen, they focus more on ways to entertain themselves than listen to their teacher’s explanation. Moreover, kids learn from birth and pick up on ques passed on only through contact. As Piaget’s Stages of Cognitive Development reveal, for children from birth, “All of the most basic facts about the world are first discovered through physical means” (Tranquillo, 2). Education is no different. Children depend on human touch to effectively learn. So long as kids’ behaviours remain unchanged, the future of virtual classes will only hinder their learning. Similar to the young generation that suffers from e-learning, those who need real life practice struggle as well. My brother, as a science student, started university in the heat of the pandemic. All of his labs were cancelled and instead he had to watch a video of someone else conducting the experiment he should have experienced. In the future, outside of Covid-19, certain skills must be taught, learned, and practiced in person. For instance, we will not trust a surgeon who has not held a scalpel enough times. Furthermore, when it comes to learning styles, “Kinesthetic learners may account for as much as 45% of the population” (Tranquillo, 2). Kinesthetic learners “acquire information fastest when participating in a science lab [etc]” (Tranquillo, 2). A mastery of any skill demands hands-on experience to solidify learned theories. While theoretical knowledge does not require in-person assistance and can be taught online, practical one begs for in-person learning. Despite the limitations of online instruction mentioned above, it has its benefits. E-learning has the potential to create a more educated and knowledgeable society. Knowledgeable in the sense of knowing general information, rather than having a grasp of a specific sphere. The age of globalization and the internet has made accessing information effortless. We can certainly question the accuracy of that data, but we can agree that our trusted friend Google can answer most peculiar queries. This abundance of easily accessible information enables a society to be aware and mindful of its surroundings. Additionally, e-learning grants access to people all over the world to learn from one another. For example, I can teach students in Saudi who plan to immigrate to Canada, and help thousands of people through online courses that they can watch whenever and wherever they like. Employees can advance their skills online while remaining employed (Appana, 8). The ability to learn any given subject without having time and place restrictions enables one to learn at their pace and in ways that they find most effective. Consequently, e-learning creates a tightly knit ecosystem that is boundless in its power, as it operates outside any physical constraints. The global pandemic, in all its ruthlessness, showed us a glimpse into the future of the education system. E-learning may cause more harm than good to young students and those in need of practical knowledge. However, virtual education does not confine to time nor space, which enables it to assist those who need flexibility. In education, as in a stable Jenga tower, a balance between virtual and in-person learning rests vital for survival. Works Cited Appanna, Subhashni. (2008). “A Review of Benefits and Limitations of Online Learning in the Context of the Student, the Instructor and the Tenured Faculty.” International Journal on E-Learning , vol. 7, 2008. Mcleod, Saul. “Jean Piaget’s Theory and Stages of Cognitive Development.” Jean Piaget’s Theory and Stages of Cognitive Development | Simply Psychology , 7 Dec. 2020. Tranquillo, Joe. “Kinesthetic Learning in the Classroom.” 2008 Annual Conference & Exposition Proceedings , 2008. Vedechkina, Maria, and Francesca Borgonovi. “A Review of Evidence on the Role of Digital Technology in Shaping Attention and Cognitive Control in Children.” Frontiers in Psychology , vol. 12, 2021.

Shayla Dang with the essay “Isolation and Its Damaging Cost on Health” received 89 points and takes the $500 prize.

Isolation and Its Damaging Cost on Health Luckily for most, isolation is a choice. Many people isolate themselves to reflect, to calm, or to heal. For instance, transcendentalist Henry David Thoreau decided to isolate himself for two years in the wilderness. In Walden , he wrote of the amazing learning experience he obtained from isolation; he learned how to live simply and independently and how to live a fulfilled life. However during the COVID-19 pandemic, the world’s isolation was not a choice. It did not provide the same positive fulfillment Thoreau achieved at Walden Pond. The quarantine, with almost 2 years of isolation, we all faced left many of us depressed, alone, unmotivated, and fatigued. We know the experience of isolation all too well because of the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. The pandemic changed our lives in many ways, especially our human nature. Humans are meant to interact and depend on each other (WebMD). As opposed to baby birds that leave their nests at only 3 weeks old, human babies need to be nurtured and cared for years before being separated and independent from their parents. This inherent dependability and need for communication and care makes socializing crucial to human living. Quarantine changed the environment we lived in; thus, the social determinants of our health, all the conditions in which humans live including social and economic conditions, were changed (Holt-Lunstad). We lacked the social and community determinant of health during isolation. Without the interactions necessary to stay happy, mental health depletes drastically. Similarly, “loneliness increased 20 to 30 percent” while “emotional distress tripled” (Holt-Lunstad). People felt unworthy to live because they felt no one cared for them while alone. In June 2020, depression rates in the US were four times greater than rates in 2019. Suicidal thoughts also doubled as a result of COVID-19 isolation (CDC). The abrupt social isolation caused by the pandemic took a huge toll on people’s mental health. The lack of talking, laughing, and sharing resulting from staying stuck at home left many quiet, sad, alone, and desperately finding a reason to wake up the next day. Not only does isolation affect mental health, but also affects physical health. It is known that emotions affect behaviors: when you are angry, you slam the door or break something. Loneliness and depression caused by isolation affect behaviors with increasing drinking and eating, which can cause premature deaths. Drinking rates increased 21% during quarantine resulting in an estimated 8,000 deaths from alcohol liver disease and 18,700 deaths from liver failure (Brown). The changes in behavior due to the mental toll of isolation can drastically affect one’s health. Emotions not only affect behaviors but also the body. Emotional distress can cause headaches, fatigue, sleep problems, and more (Mayo Clinic). According to the CDC, there is a correlation with loneliness and increased risk of heart disease and stroke. Additionally, social isolation caused a 50% increase in the risk of dementia (CDC). Because humans are born to socialize, eliminating communication is like eliminating food. Humans need energy to live as well as interactions to thrive. Isolation takes away that source of surviving, and it shows through its effects on human physical health. No one can argue that isolation has harmed us all. From anxiety to insomnia, lack of social interaction negatively affects both mental and physical health. Nevertheless, coming out of quarantine back into almost normal life has been so fulfilling. I and everyone else are so happy being able to talk, laugh, and share in our regular social determinants of health. Although the isolation was awful, it was indeed a learning experience just like Thoreau expressed. We all learned to appreciate our loved ones—our family and friends. We learned to cherish the small talks we take for granted. That small interaction with a “Hi, how are you?” can boost your well-being. Works Cited Brown, Noah. “Alcohol Consumption during the COVID-19 Pandemic Projected to Cause More Liver Disease and Deaths.” Massachusetts General Hospital , https://www.massgeneral.org/news/press-release/alcohol-consumption-during-the-covid-19-pandemic-projected-to-cause-more-liver-disease-and-deaths. Holt-Lunstad, Julianne. “The Double Pandemic of Social Isolation and Covid-19: Cross-Sector Policy Must Address Both: Health Affairs Forefront.” Health Affairs , 22 June 2020, https://www.healthaffairs.org/do/10.1377/forefront.20200609.53823/. “How Social Isolation Impacts Mental Health and How You Can Cope.” WebMD , WebMD, https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/social-isolation-mental-health. “How Stress Affects Your Body and Behavior.” Mayo Clinic , Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 24 Mar. 2021, https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/stress-symptoms/art-20050987. “Loneliness and Social Isolation Linked to Serious Health Conditions.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 29 Apr. 2021, https://www.cdc.gov/aging/publications/features/lonely-older-adults.html. Thoreau, Henry David. Walden . DRAGON CLASSICS, 2020.

Congratulations!

As always, if you didn’t win this time, don’t worry—there will be more competitions in the future! Keep up with new announcements on our writing contest and video contest pages!

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Choose Your Test

Sat / act prep online guides and tips, the 17 best writing contests for high school students.

Other High School

If you're a writer—fiction, non-fiction, or fanfiction—you can put those skills to work for you. There are tons of writing contests for high school students, which can award everything from medals to cash prizes to scholarships if you win .

Not only will a little extra money, whether cash or scholarships, help you when it comes time to pay for college, but the prestige of a respected reward is also a great thing to include on your college application.

Read on to learn more about what writing contests for high school students there are, how to apply, and what you could win !

Writing Contests With Multiple Categories

Some high school contests accept entries in a variety of formats, including the standard fiction and non-fiction, but also things like screenwriting or visual art. Check out these contests with multiple categories:

Scholastic Art and Writing Awards

• Award Amount: $1,000 to $12,500 scholarships
• Deadline: Varies between December and January, depending on your region
• Fee: $10 for single entry, $30 for portfolio

The Scholastic Art and Writing Awards celebrate art by students in grades seven through twelve (age 13 or older) on a regional and national scale. These awards have a huge number of categories and styles, including cash prizes or scholarships for some distinguished award winners . Categories include science-fiction and fantasy writing, humor, critical essays, and dramatic scripts, among others.

Deadlines vary by region (but are mostly in December and January), so use Scholastic's Affiliate Partner search to find out when projects are due for your area.

Scholastic partners with other organizations to provide prizes to winners, so what you can win depends on what you enter and what competition level you reach. Gold medal portfolio winners can earn a $12,500 scholarship, and silver medal winners with distinction can earn a $2,000 scholarship , as well as many other options in different categories.

The Scholastic Art and Writing Awards are open to private, public, or home-schooled students attending school in the US, Canada, or American schools in other countries. Students must be in grades seven through twelve to participate. Eligibility varies between regions, so consult Scholastic's Affiliate Partner search tool to figure out what applies to you .

The Scholastic Art and Writing Awards have a $10 entry fee for individual submissions and $30 for portfolio submissions, which may be waived for students in need . These fees may vary depending on location, so be sure to check your local guidelines .

Ocean Awareness Contest

• Award Amount: Scholarships up to $1,500
• Deadline: June 13, 2023 (submissions open in September)

The Ocean Awareness Contest asks students to consider the future of a coastal or marine species that is under threat from climate change. Submissions are accepted in a variety of art forms, but all must consider the way that climate change impacts ocean life .

Submissions for all categories, including art, creative writing, film, interactive and multimedia, music and dance, and poetry and spoken word are due in June, although the exact date varies slightly each year.

Winners may receive prizes of up to a $1,500 scholarship , depending on which division they fall into and what prize they win.

The contest is open to all international and US students between the ages of 11 and 18.

River of Words

• Award: Publication in the River of Words anthology
• Deadline: January 31, 2023

The River of Words contest asks students to consider watersheds—an area that drains into the same body of water—and how they connect with their local community. Students can explore this concept in art or poetry, with winners being published in the annual River of Words anthology .

Entries in all categories must be submitted by January 31, 2023. 

The River of Words contest is primarily for recognition and publication, as the website doesn't list any prize money . The contest includes specific awards for certain forms, such as poetry, some of which may have additional prizes .

The contest is open to International and US students from kindergarten to grade 12 (ages 5 through 19). Students who have graduated from high school but are not yet in college are also eligible.

Adroit Prizes

• Award Amount: $200 cash award
• Deadline: Typically April of each year

Sponsored by the Adroit Journal, the Adroit Prizes reward high school students and undergraduate students for producing exemplary fiction and poetry. Students may submit up to six poems or three works of prose (totaling 3,500 words) for consideration. Submissions typically open in spring .

Winners receive $200 and (along with runners-up) have their works published in the Adroit Journal . Finalists and runners-up receive a copy of their judge's latest published work.

The contest is open to secondary and undergraduate students, including international students and those who have graduated early . The Adroit Prizes has a non-refundable fee of $15, which can be waived.

YoungArts Competition

• Award Amount: Up to $10,000 cash awards
• Deadline: October 15, 2022; application for 2024 opens June 2023

Open to students in a variety of disciplines, including visual arts, writing, and music, the YoungArts competition asks students to submit a portfolio of work. Additional requirements may apply depending on what artistic discipline you're in .

Winners can receive up to $10,000 in cash as well as professional development help, mentorship, and other educational rewards.

Applicants must be 15- to 18-year-old US citizens or permanent residents (including green card holders) or in grades 10 through 12 at the time of submission . There is a $35 submission fee, which can be waived.

Fiction Writing Contests for High School Students

Many contests with multiple categories accept fiction submissions, so also check out the above contests if you're looking for places to submit original prose.

EngineerGirl Writing Contest

• Award Amount: $100 - $500 cash prize
• Deadline: February 1, 2023

This year's EngineerGirl Writing Contest asks students (though the name of the organization is "EngineerGirl," students of any gender may participate) to submit a piece of writing that shows how female and/or non-white engineers have contributed to or can enhance engineering’s great achievements. Word counts vary depending on grade level.

At every grade level, first-place winners will receive $500, second-place winners will receive $250, and third-place winners will receive $100 . Winning entries and honorable mentions will also be published on the EngineerGirl website.

Students of any gender from third to 12th grade may submit to this contest. Home-schooled and international students are also eligible.

Nonfiction Contests for High School Students

Like fiction, non-fiction is often also accepted in contests with multiple categories. However, there are quite a few contests accepting only non-fiction essays as well.

The American Foreign Services Association Essay Contest

• Award Amount: $1,250 to $2,500
• Deadline: April 3, 2023

The American Foreign Services Association sponsors a high school essay contest tasking students with selecting a country or region in which the United States Foreign Service has been involved 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 in this country/region and propose ways in which it might continue to improve those goals in the coming years .

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

Entries must be from US students in grade nine through 12, including students in the District of Columbia, US territories, or US citizens attending school abroad, including home-schooled students.

John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Contest

• Award Amount: $100 - $10,000
• Deadline: January 13, 2023

The John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage contest tasks students with writing an essay between 700 and 1,000 words on an act of political courage by a US elected official serving during or after 1917 , inspired by John F. Kennedy's Profiles in Courage . Each essay should cover the act itself as well as any obstacles or risks the subject faced in achieving their act of courage. Essays must not cover figures previously covered in the contest, and should also not cover John F. Kennedy, Robert F. Kennedy, or Edward M. Kennedy.

One first-place winner will receive $10,000, one second-place winner will receive $3,000, five finalists will receive $1,000 each, and eight semi-finalists will win $100 each.

The contest is open to students in grades nine through 12 who are residents of the United States attending public, private, parochial, or home schools . Students under the age of 20 in correspondence high school programs or GED programs, as well as students in US territories, Washington D.C., and students studying abroad, are also eligible.

SPJ/JEA High School Essay Contest

• Award Amount: $300 - $1,000 scholarships
• Deadline: February 19, 2023 (submissions open in November)

The SPJ/JEA high school essay contest , organized by the Society of Professional Journalists and the Journalism Education Association, asks students to  analyze the importance of independent media to our lives (as of now, the official essay topic for spring 2023 is TBD) . Essays should be from 300 to 500 words.

A $1,000 scholarship is given to a first-place winner, $500 to second-place, and $300 to third-place.

The contest is open to public, private, and home-schooled students of the United States in grades 9-12 .

Playwriting Contests for High School Students

For those who love the stage, playwriting contests are a great option. An original play can earn you great rewards thanks to any of these contests!

VSA Playwright Discovery Program Competition

• Award: Participation in professional development activities at the Kennedy Center
• Deadline: January 4, 2023 (Application opens in October)

The VSA Playwright Discovery Program Competition asks students with disabilities to submit a ten-minute script exploring their personal experiences, including the disability experience . Scripts may be realistic, fictional, or abstract, and may include plays, screenplays, or musical theater.

All entries are due in January. Scripts may be collaborative or written by individuals, but must include at least one person with a disability as part of the group .

One winner or group of winners will be selected as participants in the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival. Winners will have access to professional assistance in developing their script as well as workshops and networking opportunities.

This contest is open to US and international students in ages 14 to 18 . Groups of up to five members may collaborate on an essay, but at least one of those students must have a disability.

Worldwide Plays Festival Competition

• Award: Professional production in New York
• Deadline: March (official 2023 deadline TBD)

In the Worldwide Plays Festival Competition , students from around the world can submit an eight-minute script for a play set in a part of a neighborhood —specifically, at a convenience store, outside a character's front door, or at a place where people convene. Each play must have roles for three actors, should not have a narrator who isn't also a character, and should not contain set changes.

Entries are due in February. Winners will have their play produced by professionals at an off-Broadway New York theater . Scholarships are also available for winners.

Any student, including US and international, in first through 12th grade may submit work for consideration.

• Award Amount: $50 - $200 cash prize
• Deadline: 2023 deadline TBD (application opens January 2023)

Students may submit a one-act, non-musical play of at least ten pages to YouthPLAYS for consideration . Plays should be appropriate for high school audiences and contain at least two characters, with one or more of those characters being youths in age-appropriate roles. Large casts with multiple female roles are encouraged.

One winner will receive $250, have their play published by YouthPLAYS, and receive a copy of Great Dialog , a program for writing dialog. One runner up will receive $100 and a copy of Great Dialog.

Students must be under the age of 19, and plays must be the work of a single author.

The Lewis Center Ten-Minute Play Contest

• Deadline: Spring of each year

Students in grade 11 may submit a ten-minute play for consideration for the Lewis Center Ten-Minute Play Contest . Plays should be 10 pages long, equivalent to 10 minutes.

One first-prize winner will receive $500, one second-prize winner will receive $250, and one third-prize will receive $100.

All entries must be from students in the 11th grade .

Poetry Writing Contests for High School Students

For those who prefer a little free verse or the constraints of a haiku, there are plenty of poetry-specific contests, too.

Creative Communications Poetry Contest

• Award Amount: $25
• Deadline: December

Students in ninth grade or below may submit any poem of 21 lines or less (not counting spaces between stanzas) for consideration in the Creative Communications Poetry Contest .

Students may win $25, a free book, and school supplies for their teacher .

Public, private, or home-schooled US students (including those in detention centers) in kindergarten through ninth grade may enter.

Leonard L. Milberg '53 High School Poetry Prize

• Award Amount: $500-$1500
• Deadline: November 

Students in 11th grade may submit up to three poems for consideration in the Leonard L. Milberg '53 High School Poetry Prize . Submissions are due in November .

One first-prize winner will receive $1500, one second-prize winner will receive $750, and a third-prize winner will receive $500. Poems may be published on arts.princeton.edu. All entrants must be in the 11th grade.

Nancy Thorp Poetry Contest

• Award Amount: $500 - $5,000 renewable scholarship, $350 cash prize
• Deadline: October 31, 2022

Women poets who are sophomores or juniors in high school may submit two poems for consideration for the Nancy Thorp Poetry Contest .

One first-place winner will receive a $350 cash prize, publication in and ten copies of Cargoes , Hollins' student magazine, as well as a renewable scholarship of up to $5,000 for Hollins and free tuition and housing for the Hollinsummer creative writing program. One second-place winner will receive publication in and two copies of Cargoes, a renewable scholarship to Hollins of up to $1,000, and a $500 scholarship to attend Hollinsummer.

Applicants must be female students in their sophomore or junior year of high school .

What's Next?

If you're looking for more money opportunities for college , there are plenty of scholarships out there— including some pretty weird ones .

For those who've been buffing up their test scores , there are tons of scholarships , some in the thousands of dollars.

If you're tired of writing essays and applying for scholarships, consider some of these colleges that offer complete financial aid packages .

Melissa Brinks graduated from the University of Washington in 2014 with a Bachelor's in English with a creative writing emphasis. She has spent several years tutoring K-12 students in many subjects, including in SAT prep, to help them prepare for their college education.

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BGSU senior earns national award for innovative essay on AI in healthcare

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Paige Rothlisberger uses research to examine how healthcare leaders can prepare for AI-related innovation

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By Nick Piotrowicz

As Bowling Green State University senior Paige Rothlisberger began researching AI in physical therapy for an essay, she thought there was too much to be said to focus on only one area of healthcare. 

AI has the propensity to usher in big changes, so the topic is something healthcare administrators should be discussing thoroughly across multiple healthcare-related fields, she said. 

During Rothlisberger’s research, she came to the conclusion that, even with the possibility of processes changing, one thing should remain the same: Patients have to be at the center. 

As with any new introduction of technology, Rothlisberger said patients’ needs are the most important consideration.

“The patient truly has to be your first priority, so that was a light bulb moment for me to realize that AI and patient-centered care have to go together,” Rothlisberger said. “Everything I read about AI was all about processes and streamlining processes, how we can make something more efficient. Really, it all boils down to whether the patient comes first.”

The conclusions Rothlisberger, a native of Arlington, Ohio, who is graduating at Spring 2024 Commencement, made in her essay, “AI Powered Patient-Centered Care: A Call to Action for Innovation,” resonated with healthcare administrators. 

Her essay won first place in the undergraduate division of the nationwide Richard J. Stull Student Essay Competition, after which she was invited to Chicago to speak at the American College of Healthcare Executives’ 2024 Congress on Healthcare Leadership. 

Rothlisberger worked closely with Dr. Phillip Welch, an associate professor in the Department of Public and Allied Health , to apply classroom learning to healthcare administration as she crafted her essay.

Welch said Rothlisberger’s curiosity helped her work through several drafts of what became an essay that was honored on a national level. 

“Paige, like most people drawn to a university, is intelligent and inquisitive,” Welch said. “But she stepped outside her comfort zone, took extra initiative to enter the essay contest and was rewarded for doing so. This experience taught Paige the value of taking a chance. 

“The essay competition made Paige a stronger scientific writer, reinforced the importance of consulting academic literature when faced with problems and honed critical thinking skills.”

Due to the broad nature of AI, Rothlisberger said one of her goals for the essay was to spur discussion about how AI can work in healthcare, as its implementation will not happen overnight. 

“It’s just so complicated because you can’t just implement AI and have it all figured out — there are a lot of things that go into it, so these are conversations you have to have,” Rothlisberger said. “I went into the essay knowing that AI in healthcare is going to be implemented in stages and it is going to be very important to understand the details in each stage.”

Rothlisberger said AI has many possibilities within healthcare, but one way in which it could truly help patients is to streamline options after a diagnosis to help cater treatment to a patient’s unique needs and wants. 

“When you’re diagnosed with something, you have so many different options,” she said. “Maybe you have the option of something less invasive, the medication route or maintenance. One of the things I examined was using AI to filter what a diagnosis might look like along with the patient’s preferences and previous data to get a more tailored outcome for the patient rather than a one-size-fits-all solution.”

Through completing the paper and attending the Congress on Healthcare Leadership, Rothlisberger said the experience affirmed that she has found her career path.

“I just felt really proud to be a future healthcare administrator,” she said. “It’s definitely a rewarding field where people band together and it’s not competitive. Everybody wants to help each other out because that means you all go back to help your communities get better outcomes. This really established for me where I was going.”

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Media Contact | Michael Bratton | [email protected] | 419-372-6349

Updated: 04/29/2024 11:29AM

Participate in the 2024 International Essay Contest for Young People!

The Goi Peace Foundation, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan (MEXT), is pleased to announce the commencement of the 2024 International Essay Contest for Young People. This prestigious competition invites Kenyan youth to share their narratives on the theme "My Experience of Overcoming Conflict."

The contest aims to foster a global culture of peace and sustainable development by encouraging young minds to reflect on their personal encounters with conflict and how they have navigated through adversity. Through this platform, participants have the opportunity to inspire and be inspired, showcasing resilience and innovative perspectives that contribute to positive change.

To participate, interested individuals are encouraged to visit https://www.goipeace.or.jp/en/ for detailed guidelines and submission requirements. The deadline for submissions is 11:59 pm (EAT), Saturday, 15th June, 2024.

This is an exceptional chance for Kenyan youth to voice their stories and insights on overcoming conflict, contributing to a world where peace and understanding prevail. Don’t miss this opportunity to make your mark on the global stage and inspire others with your experiences.

For more information and to submit your entry, visit https://www.goipeace.or.jp/en/     https://www.goipeace.or.jp. Let your story be heard and celebrated as we work together towards a brighter, more harmonious future.

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