Fall & Winter Scholarships
Common Knowledge Scholarship Foundation
CKSF scholarship competitions consist of one or more quizzes with topics ranging from general "common knowledge" to specific academic subjects, books, websites, and even movies. Scores are based on a combination of time and accuracy. Students with the highest scores at the end of the competition win. There are no essays or long applications to complete and a single CKSF registration is good from high school all the way through college and graduate school.
Competitions are ongoing!
L. Ron Hubbard Writers of the Future Contest
The L. Ron Hubbard Writers of The Future Contest is an ongoing merit competition for new and amateur aspiring writers. Run on a quarterly basis, an eligible entry is any previously unpublished short story or novelette (under 17,000 words) of science fiction or fantasy. Three prizes are awarded each quarter: 1st Place $1000, 2nd Place $750, 3rd Place $500. The four 1st Place stories undergo a separate judging process each year to determine the Grand Prize winner of $5000. There is a limit of one entry per entrant per quarter, entrants retain all rights in their stories, no entry fee is required, and all judging is by professional writers only. Hard copy guidelines are strongly recommended and are obtainable by sending an SASE to the Contest address or submitting full name and mailing address via email.
The Contest has four quarters, beginning on October 1, January 1, April 1 and July 1. The year will end on September 30th each year.
Coca Cola Scholars Foundation
The Foundation awards 150 four-year $20,000 scholarships and 200 four-year $10,000 scholarships for use at accredited colleges and universities within the US. Rewards leadership and excellence as exemplified through academic achievement and extracurricular activities, including commitment to community service.
Deadline: October 31, 2022
Diller Teen Tikkun Olam Awards
Based on the concept of Tikkun Olam or “Repair the World”, the Diller Teen Tikkun Olam Awards seek to recognize teens who are exceptional role models in their communities and beyond. Up to ten teens, five from California and five from other communities across the country, will be acknowledged for their visionary actions with an award of $36,000 to be used to further their philanthropic work or their education. See Website for nomination process.
Deadline: January 5, 2023
The Gen and Kelly Tanabe Scholarship
This is a merit-based program that helps students fulfill their dreams of a higher education. The scholarship is named for Gen and Kelly Tanabe, best-selling authors on education, whose generous donations fund this program. This is open to all high school students! One essay is required. A personal statement can be used. The application is simple and the winner is selected based on only the essay. The winner receives a $1,000 scholarship.
August 1 – December 31, 2022
Burger King Foundation
Academic achievements, Participation in school and community activities, Length of employment (enrichment awards only), Work experience (James W. McLamore "WHOPPER" Scholarship only), Financial information (James W. McLamore "WHOPPER" Scholarship only)
Deadline: December 15, 2022
John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Essay Contest
The annual John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Essay Contest invites high school students from across the nation to write an original essay about an elected official who has demonstrated political courage. Winning essayists will receive awards totaling up to $10,000. The first-place winner will be invited to accept the award at the Profile in Courage Award Ceremony hosted each May by Caroline Kennedy and Senator Edward M. Kennedy at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum in Boston. Students may register and submit essays for the 2022-23 Profile in Courage Essay Contest beginning September 1, 2022.
Deadline: January 13, 2023
AES Engineering Solutions
You do not need to be an engineering student to enter this one! Students must submit an essay of no more than 1000 words in answer to: When you look back on your life in 30 years, what would it take for you to consider your life successful? What relationships or accomplishments will be important on this journey?
Award: $500.00
Deadline: October 8, 2022
College JumpStart Scholarship Program
The College JumpStart Scholarship is an annual, merit-based competition -- financial need is not considered -- that is open to 10th-12th graders, college students and non-traditional students. The main requirement is that you are committed to going to school and can express your goals for getting a higher education. First Place: $1,500 scholarship. Second Place: $750 scholarship. Honorable Mentions: $250 scholarships.
Deadline: October 17, 2022
Bennington College – Vermont Young Writer’s Award
Open to students in the 10th, 11th and 12th grades during the current academic year.
You may choose from 3 different styles of writing: Poetry (3 separate poems), Fiction (short story or one act play), or Nonfiction (personal or academic essay). Carefully follow the requirements for submissions (length, format, spacing)
Each page must have the authors name clearly printed on it. First-prize winner in each category- $500, second-prize winner in each category-$250, third-prize winner in each category-$100. Notes: All entries must be original work and sponsored by a high school teacher. Winning entries are published on the Bennington College website by April 15th.
Deadline: November 1, 2022
Equitable Excellence Scholarships
Equitable will award renewable scholarships worth $5,000 per year ($20,000 total over 4 years) to 100 recipients as well as provide an additional 100 one time awards of $2,500. The application will open in October 2022. Applicants will be asked to submit an essay describing how they exhibit courage in pursuing what’s possible, display strength in managing challenges and share wisdom with others.
Deadline: December, 2022
The Ayn Rand Institute
The Atlas Shrugged Essay Contest is open to high school seniors, college students, and graduate students. It provides annual cash awards for short, original, unpublished essays on the philosophic themes in Ayn Rand's novel, Atlas Shrugged. The first prize is $25,000. There are three 2nd place prizes of $2,500 and five 3rd place prizes of $500. There are fifty finalist awards of $100.
Deadline: TBD Fall 2023
Spring & Summer Scholarships
Hillel International Handeli First-Year Student Scholarships
$4,000 scholarships for incoming college freshmen who self-identify as Jewish and have a record of leadership and/or volunteer work in any area of their communities.
The application includes a short essay response. The application for the 2022-23 school year will open in January 2023.
Deadline: March 1, 2023
Executive Women International
EWISP is an annual, competition-based program which awards more than $200,000 in college scholarship money each year to qualifying high school seniors. Judges select winning students based on their scholastic achievement, leadership qualities, good citizenship and extra-curricular activities. Applicants compete at the local Chapter level where award levels vary. Chapter level winners are submitted to the Corporate level for a chance to win one of multiple scholarships. Scholarship Awards range between $1,000 and $5,000.
Deadline: TBD
United States Institute for Peace
USIP is proud to partner with the American Foreign Service Association (AFSA) on the annual National High School Essay Contest. The contest each year engages high school students in learning and writing about issues of peace and conflict, encouraging appreciation for diplomacy’s role in building partnerships that can advance peace building and protect national security. The first place winner receives a $2,500 cash prize and a trip to Washington, DC to meet with US Department of State leadership and the second place winner receives a $1,250 cash prize.
2023 topic:
In 2024, the United States Foreign Service will celebrate its 100th birthday. The Foreign Service is an important element of the American approach to peacebuilding around the world. Over the last century, our diplomats have been involved in significant events in history – decisions on war and peace, reacting to natural disasters and pandemics, facilitating major treaties, and more.
As AFSA looks back on their century-long history, we invite you to do the same. This year students are asked to explore a topic that touches upon this important history and sheds light on how vital it is for America to have a robust professional corps focused on diplomacy, development, and peace in the national interest.
In your essay, you will select 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 – including promoting peace – in this country/region and propose ways in which it might continue to improve those goals in the coming years
Deadline: April 3, 2023
Abbott and Fenner Business Consultants
The A&F Scholarships are available to all high school juniors and seniors as well as all students currently registered in any accredited post secondary institution. To apply for this scholarship you will need to write an essay on the topic below. The essay should be between 500 and 1000 words. Your submissions must be sent to us by email at: scholarships@abbottandfenner.com
AWARD VALUE: $1,000
Topic: Describe your educational career and life goals. Explain your plan for achieving these goals. Include your degree/major, why you selected it, and how this degree/major will help you achieve your goals.
Deadline: June 10, 2023
I Have A Dream Scholarship
Submit an online written response to the question:
We want to know... what do you dream about? Whether it's some bizarre dream you had last week, or your hopes for the future, share your dreams with us for a chance to win $1,500 for college.(250 words or less)
Deadline: January 31, 2023
The Morris J. and Betty Kaplun Foundation, Inc
The Morris J. and Betty Kaplun Foundation seeks to encourage young people to treasure their Jewish heritage, reflect on Jewish values, and better understand our contribution to civilization and culture. To this effort, the Foundation sponsors an annual essay contest open to both junior high and high school students. The Foundation also issues grants to a wide variety of educational, scientific and charitable institutions whose humanitarian goals are in keeping with the objectives of the Foundation. The Foundation does not, however, honor individual requests for assistance.
There are separate essay topics for Grades 7,8,9 and Grades 10,11,12.
2023 topics:
Grades 7-9: The reward for fulfilling the fifth of the Ten Commandments is very great, as stated in the Torah: "Honor your father and your mother, that you may long endure on the land that the Eternal your God is assigning to you." (Exodus 20:12) Describe a time when you found it especially difficult to honor your father or your mother. What made it so hard? What did you do? Looking back now, would you have behaved differently? Why?
Grades 10-12: Describe an incident of anti-Semitism or anti-Zionism that occurred recently on a college campus. How did the Jewish/non-Jewish students/administration react? What would you have done in the immediate situation and later?
Deadline: March 12, 2023
The Ayn Rand Institute
The Anthem Essay Contest provides annual cash awards for short, original, unpublished essays on the philosophic themes in Ayn Rand's novel, Anthem. There are separate contests for students in grades 8/9/10 and 11/12. First prize is $2,000. There are three second place prizes of $250, five third place prizes of $100 and fifty finalist prizes of $50.
Deadline: April 27, 2023
The Fountainhead Essay Contest is open to high school juniors and seniors. It provides annual cash awards for short, original, unpublished essays on the philosophic themes in Ayn Rand's novel, The Fountainhead. The first prize is $10,000. There are three 2nd place prizes of $2,500 and five 3rd place prizes of $1,000 and fifty finalist prizes of $500 . There are fifty finalist prizes of $50
Deadline: April 27, 2023
Credit Union Scholarships
A majority of credit unions have scholarship programs, and they're not always widely publicized. Scholarships are most often available only to credit union members and their children.
Affinity Plus scholarship program
(membership is open to U of M grads and their families and others)
The application will open in April and close on May 31, 2023.
**A good search term for Google and other engines is: "Minnesota/Illinois/name of city or state credit union scholarships" This brings up a list of area credit unions that currently offer scholarships.
Journalism Scholarships
Quill and Scroll Scholarships
Quill and Scroll was organized April 10, 1926, by a group of high school advisers for the purpose of encouraging and recognizing individual student achievement in journalism and scholastic publication. Since its founding, charters have been granted to more than 14,267 high schools in all 50 states and 44 foreign countries.
National winners in the International Writing, Photography and Multimedia Contest, Blogging Competition or the Yearbook Excellence Contest are eligible as seniors to apply for Quill and Scroll scholarships – the Edward J. Nell Memorial, or the George and Ophelia Gallup awards. The new Richard P. Johns award is available to all Quill and Scroll seniors, including those who did not enter contests. Scholarships can be used for tuition, room and board at any college or university that offers a major in journalism or related areas of communications such as multimedia, broadcast, graphic design, strategic communications, and photography.
If you are a winner in one of the two contests and a senior, an application is automatically sent to you. If you were a past winner please email your high school's name, the year you were a winner, and your home address, and an application will be sent to you.
Completed applications are due May 15, 2023
SPJ/JEA High School Essay Contest
All students enrolled in grades 9-12 in U.S. public, private and home schools within the United States. Students must submit original work.
The essay should be 300-500 words. Entries may be typed or handwritten but must be double-spaced.
Each submission to the High School Essay Contest must be accompanied by a $5 entry fee. Entrants submitting online must use a credit card, and entrants submitting by mail may pay by check or credit card and should indicate the preferred payment option on the entry form. Checks should be made out to the Journalism Education Association. Entries submitted without the required entry fee will be disqualified.
2023 topic: While consumers are drawn toward tweets and sound bites, how can journalists tell more of the story without losing readers’ interest?
Award recognition:
First Prize- $1,000 scholarship
Second Prize- $500 scholarship
Third Prize- $250 scholarship
Send mailed entries to:
Journalism Education Association
ATTN: SPJ/JEA High School Essay Contest
105 Kedzie Hall
828 Mid-Campus Dr S
Manhattan, KS 66506
Postmark/upload deadline: Feb. 19, 2023, 11:59 p.m. Central time/9:59 p.m. Pacific time.
JEA National High School Journalist of the Year
Sister Rita Jeanne Scholarships, named for JEA's long-time treasurer, recognize some of the top high school journalists in the country. The contest begins at the state level. Winning portfolios from the state High School Journalist of the Year competitions are sent to the national level. Portfolios are judged and winners announced at the spring JEA/NSPA national convention.
Applicants must be a graduating high school senior; be planning to study journalism or mass communications in college and to pursue a journalism career; have at least a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale; have participated in high school journalism for at least two years; submit a portfolio; be a state Journalist of the Year winner and a student of a JEA member adviser.
The National High School Journalist of the Year receives a $5,000 scholarship; four runners-up each receive a $2,000 scholarship. More detailed information, an application and a portfolio checklist are on the JEA Web site.
Deadlines:
Mail your entire portfolio package to your state contest coordinator. You must contact your state director to determine your specific deadline
MN: hansenl@stillwaterschools.org
Secure the name and address of your JEA State Director. For a list of state directors, please visit: http://www.jea.org/contact/statedirectors.html
Do not mail your entry to JEA Headquarters. The contest coordinator must send the winning state entry to be received at JEA by March 15.
Check website for your state's deadline
Wikoff Scholarship for Editorial Leadership
$1,000 award given to high school senior on staff of a NSPA member newspaper. Must have a minimum GPA of 3.5 and be on staff of a NSPA high school newspaper.
Contact: Wikoff Scholarship National Scholastic Press Association, 2221 University Ave. SE, Suite 121, Minneapolis, MN 55414
Deadline: March 3, 2023
**Click on contests/critiques, then Wikoff Scholarship.