College can be super expensive. From tuition, books, and living expenses, it can feel like you’re constantly shelling out money. This is why scholarship contests are amazing! They’re basically free money to help you pay for college, and there are tons of them out there for all sorts of students.
These scholarships are offered to students who can prove their mettle through writing, creative thinking, painting, and so many other creative contests, and they are primarily available for anyone interested.
Our article will explore scholarship contests that you could win, how to access them, and how much they’re worth.
No matter what your strengths are, there’s bound to be a contest out there that’s perfect for you! So, keep reading to find out how you can score some free cash for college!
Table of contents
- Why Would Anyone Need a Scholarship?
- 14 Electrifying Scholarship Contests For College Students in 2024
- #1. Immerse Education
- #2. Creative Writing Award
- #3. The Sub Pop Loser Scholarship
- #4. Islamic Scholarship Fund Program
- #5. BBB Torch Talk Scholarship
- #6. Frame My Future Scholarship Contest
- #7. CollegeNet Scholarship Contest
- #8. Wells Fargo Scholarship Sweepstakes
- #9. Dr. Pepper Scholarship $1,000,000 Tuition Giveaway
- #10. Create A Greeting Card Easy Scholarship Contest
- FAQs
Why Would Anyone Need a Scholarship?
Scholarships play a significant role in education and have several important benefits. Here are some reasons why scholarships are essential:
- Access to Education: Scholarships provide financial support to students who might not be able to afford the cost of education. They enable students from diverse backgrounds, including those with limited financial means, to access higher education and pursue their academic goals.
- Promoting Merit and Excellence: Scholarships are often awarded based on merit, recognizing academic achievements, talents, skills, and other exceptional qualities. By rewarding excellence, scholarships encourage students to strive for academic and personal growth, promoting a culture of achievement and fostering a competitive spirit.
- Reducing Financial Burden: Education can be costly, including tuition fees, books, accommodation, and other related expenses. Scholarships help alleviate the financial burden on students and their families, allowing them to focus on their studies without worrying about financial constraints. This can reduce the need for part-time jobs or excessive student loans, enabling students to dedicate themselves fully to their education.
Other Reasons people need scholarships
- Encouraging Diversity and Inclusion: Scholarships often target underrepresented groups, such as students from low-income backgrounds, minority communities, or individuals with disabilities. By providing financial assistance to these individuals, scholarships promote diversity and inclusion within educational institutions, fostering a more inclusive learning environment and supporting social mobility.
- Supporting Research and Innovation: Many scholarships support research endeavors and innovative projects. By funding these initiatives, scholarships advance knowledge, scientific discoveries, and technological breakthroughs. They enable students to explore their interests, pursue original research, and make meaningful contributions to their fields of study.
- Building Networks and Opportunities: Some scholarships allow students to engage in networking events, mentorship programs, internships, or study abroad experiences. These experiences can broaden students’ horizons, enhance their personal and professional networks, and open doors to new opportunities and career paths.
- Recognition and Prestige: Receiving a scholarship marks distinction and achievement. It recognizes a student’s potential, dedication, and accomplishments, which can boost their self-confidence and motivation. Moreover, scholarship recipients often become part of a prestigious community of scholars, which can enhance their academic and professional reputation.
Read: 15 Best Duke Undergraduate Majors in 2024
14 Electrifying Scholarship Contests For College Students in 2024
#1. Immerse Education
💰Top award: $7,141 to 10 recipients
Experience Scholarship Contests For College Students: The Immerse Education Essay Competition invites students aged 13-18 to submit thought-provoking essays on a specific topic within their chosen field.
Winners of this contest will be awarded 100% scholarships, while runner-up prizes are also available. Grab the opportunity to win a full scholarship for prestigious summer schools in Cambridge, Oxford, Sydney, and London through the Essay Competition.
Organization: Immerse Education.
Deadline: September 12, 2024.
Additional awards: Runner-ups: 50% of scholarship.
Categories: Critical Essay
Read: Questions You Should Ask in a College Interview | 2024 Updated
#2. Creative Writing Award
💰Top award: $40,000 to 1 recipient
The scholarship recipient will have the exclusive chance to reside in the room previously occupied by renowned author J.D. Salinger during their first academic year. Additionally, they will gain a prestigious leadership position within the Ursinus writing community.
As part of their responsibilities, the winner will be involved in reviewing creative portfolios of future contestants and assisting the Office of Admission in selecting the next deserving recipient.
Furthermore, award winners are expected to actively contribute to Ursinus’ esteemed Literary Society, The Lantern, and foster a vibrant creative writing community. If you think you have what it takes to win this writing scholarship contest for college students, submit your entry now.
Organization: Ursinus College.
Deadline: January 15, 2025.
Categories: Critical Essay, Journalism, Nonfiction, Novel Writing, Personal Essay, Playwriting, Poetry, Portfolio, Research, Screenwriting, and Short Fiction.
#3. The Sub Pop Loser Scholarship
💰Top award: $7,000 to 1 recipient
Sub Pop Records takes immense pride in providing $15,000 in college scholarship funds to three deserving high school seniors. This is why it’s on our Scholarship Contests For College Students list.
To be considered, applicants must submit a one-page essay utilizing our provided questions as inspiration (or showcase their unique, creative ideas). Eligible candidates must be residents of Washington or Oregon and firmly commit to pursuing higher education.
Organization: Sub Pop Records.
Deadline: March 19, 2024.
Additional awards: Second place scholarship of $5,000, third place scholarship of $3,000.
Categories: Personal Essay.
#4. Islamic Scholarship Fund Program
💰Top award: $10,000 to 10 recipients
The Islamic Scholarship Fund (ISF) welcomes applications from Muslim students or those actively involved in the Muslim community. ISF grants multiple scholarships annually, ranging from $3,000 to $10,000, though the specific quantities and individual recipients may vary.
To apply, students must submit a comprehensive application package, including essay responses, work samples, and letters of recommendation. Additionally, applicants should be pursuing a major in a field supported by ISF, specifically related to media or politics.
Organization: Islamic Scholarship Fund.
Deadline: March 21, 2024.
Additional awards: Multiple awards of varying amounts will be given.
Categories: Personal Essay.
See this: University of California-Berkeley College Majors Data
#5. BBB Torch Talk Scholarship
💰Top award: $2,000 to 6 recipients
The BBB Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization committed to consumer education, is pleased to offer this scholarship opportunity as part of its mission. High school students attending schools in Alaska, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, or Western Wyoming are eligible to apply. This is why it’s on our list of scholarship contests for college students and prospective college students.
Applicants must submit a 500-word essay on one of the provided topics, which will be featured in BBB’s online magazine, Torch Talk. Through this scholarship, the BBB Foundation aims to foster awareness and understanding of various marketplace issues among students in the designated regions.
Organization: Better Business Bureau.
Deadline: March 16, 2024.
Categories: Personal Essay.
#6. Frame My Future Scholarship Contest
Application Deadline entries accepted from October – March
Award Amount $1,000 to 5 winners and $1,000 to the grand prize winner’s school
Are you a creative individual seeking a scholarship opportunity? Look no further! The Frame, My Scholarship Contest, is tailored just for you. Express your creativity by submitting an original photo, drawing, painting, or poem to this exciting online contest.
Open to students enrolling in a 2-year college, 4-year college, or graduate school in the upcoming fall semester, this contest offers a chance to showcase your artistic talents.
Read this: Liberty University Acceptance Rate 2024
#7. CollegeNet Scholarship Contest
Application Deadline winner selected each week
Award Amount of $5000 to the winner
The College Net Scholarship Contest is another scholarship opportunity encouraging students to visit their website and actively engage in discussion forums. It is particularly suitable for students who enjoy participating in online discussions and contributing positively. Please refer to the link below to obtain more information about the College Net Scholarship Contest.
#8. Wells Fargo Scholarship Sweepstakes
Application Deadline August each year
Award Amount 8 awards of $5,000 selected randomly
High school students and undergraduates are all eligible for this college scholarship sweepstakes. Enroll early to increase your chances, as drawings are held each quarter. Currently, there’s no opening for this scholarship contest, hence the unavailability of the deadline.
Please check back to see when the application link opens. For more information about the Wells Fargo Scholarship, click the link below.
Wells Fargo Scholarship Sweepstake
#9. Dr. Pepper Scholarship $1,000,000 Tuition Giveaway
The Dr. Pepper scholarship offers a prize of $2500 and an opportunity to participate in a football game sponsored by Dr. Pepper. Contestants can enter a tuition contest with a chance to win $100,000. The winners of this contest have a maximum of five years to utilize the $100,000 award for four consecutive years of education at a college, university, or vocational school in the United States. There will be a total of 25 grand prize winners.
The Dr. Pepper scholarship is an excellent opportunity for college-bound individuals passionate about creating videos. By participating in this free online contest, you can showcase your skills and compete for a chance to win $2500.
The video contest winners will be invited to attend a college championship football game, where they can win a $100,000 scholarship for college.
To secure this scholarship, participants must throw the most footballs through a two-foot hoop within a 30-second. To be eligible for the $2500 award, participants must be US citizens or legal residents aged 18 or older.
For the $1,000,000 Tuition Contest, participants must be between 18 and 24. Please visit the link below for more detailed information about the Dr. Pepper Scholarship Contests and Tuition Giveaway.
See this: 15 Best Photojournalism Colleges 2024 for All Students
#10. Create A Greeting Card Easy Scholarship Contest
Application Deadline open Mar to Jan each year
Award Amount $10,000 plus $1000 for your high school or college
Design a greeting card for this accessible scholarship for high school seniors and college students. Submit your photo, artwork, or computer graphic for the front of a greeting card. Designs such as birthday or Christmas cards should be appropriate for business and consumer use. The image must be your original work.
This is one of the easy scholarship contests for artistic students! Open to high school, college, and university students and armed forces members. Must be a legal resident or have a student visa to attend school in the USA and be at least 14 years old. The scholarship winner will be notified on May 15.
For more information on the Create a Greeting Card Scholarship Contest, visit the link below.
FAQs
Eligibility criteria vary widely depending on the scholarship, but common factors include academic achievement, financial need, extracurricular involvement, and sometimes specific demographic criteria.
Legitimate scholarship contests do not require an entry fee. Be cautious of any contest that asks for payment to participate, as it may be a scam.
Follow the contest guidelines carefully and include all required materials, such as essays, transcripts, letters of recommendation, or creative projects. Tailor your submission to showcase your strengths.
Conclusion
Scholarship contests provide a unique avenue for students to pursue their educational aspirations and receive financial support. These contests offer a means to fund their studies, promote healthy competition, recognize merit, and encourage personal and academic growth.
Students can showcase their talents, skills, and achievements by participating in scholarship contests, ultimately increasing their chances of accessing higher education and realizing their full potential.
Moreover, scholarship contests contribute to advancing knowledge and innovation by supporting research and rewarding exceptional ideas and projects. They play a crucial role in creating a more inclusive and diverse educational landscape by reaching out to underrepresented groups and providing equal opportunities.
Scholarship contests catalyze educational excellence, empowering students and shaping their future success.
References
- blog.reedsy.com – Best Writing Scholarships in 2024
- scholarship-positions.com – Competition Scholarships
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