The John F. Kennedy Library Foundation invites U.S. high school students to describe and analyze an act of political courage by a U.S. elected official who served during or after 1917, the year John F. Kennedy was born.
Scholarship Details
- Essay Contest: High school students are invited to describe and analyze an act of political courage by a U.S. elected official.
- Word Limit: Essays must be between 700 and 1,000 words in length, excluding citations and bibliography.
- Original Work: Essays must be the original work of the student.
- Minimum Sources: Essays must include a minimum of five sources to support the essay subject.
Eligibility Criteria
- Contest Deadline: The deadline for essay submissions is January 12th at 11:59 PM (EST).
- Educational Level: Open to high school students in grades nine through twelve, including students in correspondence/GED programs and U.S. citizens attending schools overseas.
- Previous Winners: Past winners and finalists are not eligible to participate.
- Employment Restrictions: Employees of John Hancock Financial Services and their families are not eligible to participate.
Application Process
- Prepare your essay describing an act of political courage by a U.S. elected official who served during or after 1917.
- Ensure your essay is between 700 and 1,000 words in length and includes a minimum of five sources.
- Submit your essay online before the contest deadline of January 12th at 11:59 PM (EST).
The Profile in Courage Essay Contest challenges students to write an original and creative essay that demonstrates an understanding of political courage as described by John F. Kennedy in "Profiles in Courage". The maximum word count is 1,000 with a minimum of 700, not including citations and bibliography. Use at least five varied sources such as government documents, letters, newspaper articles, books and/or personal interviews. Applications run from September until the due date.