Niche College Scholarship
Updated: March 19, 2024

Scholarship Essay Contests

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

Continue reading the article below the scholarship list.

25 Scholarship Essay Contests with Approaching Deadlines

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

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