Best Critical Essay Writing Scholarships in 2025

For this year's competition, please write an essay (1,500 words or less) exploring one legal argument defending the constitutionality of Montana's "No Aid" provision, or rebutting one argument that the clause is unconstitutional. The Cornelius Vanderbrook Essay Competition is open to all ongoing law school students attending a North American law school.

The Seattle Public Library Foundation is pleased to host the Stimson Bullitt Civic Courage Scholarship competition. High school seniors and undergraduate students who live, work, or attend school in Seattle are invited to participate. The competition asks students to write an essay about an individual or group of individuals from Washington state who have demonstrated civic courage on an issue of importance to the community at great personal, political or professional risk.

The Outdoor Writers Association of America (OWAA) annually sponsors the Bodie McDowell Scholarship program to support tomorrow’s communicators. Ideal candidates are talented communicators with outdoor interests who can demonstrate a record of accomplishment in and commitment to the fields of outdoor communications.

For more than three decades, the CBCF in partnership with CBC Spouses has awarded scholarships to talented and deserving students. Each year, we award more than 300 scholarships to students that demonstrate leadership ability through exemplary community service and academic talent. Our programs support current or upcoming college students across a variety of disciplines.

The Dr. Yoji Kondo Scholarship may be awarded to a candidate of any gender majoring in engineering, math, biological or physical sciences, or “science fiction as literature” as an eligible field of study. Applicants must submit a 500-1,000 word essay on one of several scientific topics. Winners are announced on July 7th each year.

The Dr. Jerry Pournelle Scholarship may be awarded to a candidate of any gender majoring in engineering, math, biological or physical sciences, or “science fiction as literature” as an eligible field of study. Applicants must submit a 500-1,000 word essay on one of several scientific topics. Winners are announced on July 7th each year.

The Bennett Place Support Fund, Inc. will award this $1000 scholarship to a deserving student who is a current senior of an accredited high school in North Carolina. To apply, students must write three short essays (400-600 words each) on topics related to the historic site of Bennett Place.

This scholarship, named in honor of Sigma Tau Delta's Executive Director, recognizes academic excellence and outstanding service to the Society at the local, regional, and/or national level. This scholarship requires applicants to submit, in addition to the application information and scholarship essay, a paper originally submitted as coursework and a declaration of authorship.

This award is offered annually to students of Italian ancestry who are majoring in journalism or media communications. Award is $2,000 and is available only to residents of the Chicago metropolitan area. All applicants must submit a typewritten essay of 500 words on a topic related to the Italian-American experience, portrayal in the media, and/or history.

Have you read Ayn Rand’s Anthem? Enter this Ayn Rand Institute essay contest for your chance to win one of countless scholarship prizes! To apply, submit a 600-1,200 word essay on one of three designated topics related to Anthem. Entrants must be in high school at the time of the contest deadline and are limited to one entry per student per contest.

The mission of AEL is in its strong belief in "American exceptionalism", i.e., that our country is exceptional in the history of the world. This essay contest is an opportunity for undergraduate students to express their equally strong belief in American exceptionalism. Essay should be between 1,500-2,000 words, including any footnotes or bibliographic citations.

The purpose of the James B. Boskey Student Essay Competition is to create greater interest in the field of dispute resolution among law students. The essay may address any aspect of dispute resolution practice, theory or research that the contestant chooses. Essays must be limited to 15-30 typewritten pages, including footnotes or endnotes.

Have you read Ayn Rand’s The Fountainhead? Enter this Ayn Rand Institute essay contest for your chance to win the top prize of $25,000! To apply, submit an 800-1,600 word essay on one of three designated topics related to The Fountainhead. The contest is open to all middle & high school students worldwide, ages 13 and older.

Have you read Ayn Rand’s Atlas Shrugged? Enter this Ayn Rand Institute essay contest for your chance to win the top prize of $25,000! To apply, submit a 800-1,600 word essay on one of three designated topics related to Atlas Shrugged. Entrants must be in 12th grade or college at the time of the contest deadline and are limited to one entry per student per contest.

Phi Alpha Theta awards six prizes annually for outstanding papers written by members of the honor society. The essays should combine original historical research on significant subjects, based on source material and manuscripts if possible, with good English composition and superior style. Papers should not exceed 25 double-spaced pages in length and must be submitted by mail.