Best Personal Essay Writing Scholarships in 2024

This scholarship is intended to assist current student or alumni members in furthering their education on a part-time or non-degree-seeking basis in areas of study. Examples of eligible areas of study include teacher certification, summer coursework, publishing institutes, and professionalization opportunities. Applicants will describe current or past academic scholarship and campus, community, or chapter service, as well as context for their part-time or non-degree-seeking student status.

Sigma Tau Delta offers the Senior Scholarship in honor of Elva Bell McLin, past Southern Regent and Historian for the Society. Applications should demonstrate both academic achievement and campus, community, or chapter service; applicants should explain the relevance of their program of study to fostering the discipline of English, including literature, language, writing, and literacy.

Sigma Tau Delta offers the Junior Scholarship in honor of E. Nelson James, long-time Executive Secretary for the Society. Applications should demonstrate both academic achievement and campus, community, or chapter service; applicants should explain the relevance of their program of study to fostering the discipline of English, including literature, language, writing, and literacy.

The foundation established this scholarship program to encourage and reward juniors, seniors and graduate students who have a burning desire to pursue some aspect of professional speaking as a career. To be considered for one of our six scholarships, please review and fill out the Scholarship Criteria and Application Form, which includes a personal essay about your career objective, your desire to be a professional speaker and how you will use your skills in oral communications.

The Bird Dog Foundation, Inc. has established a scholarship fund to promote interest in hunting, wildlife conservation, the rich outdoor heritage of the United States, and other related subjects. This annual essay contest and scholarship is open only to high school seniors who are preparing to enter their freshman year at an accredited college or university.

The Walt Disney Company UNCF Corporate Scholars Program aims to help create a diverse pipeline of college-educated professionals poised to assume fulfilling off-camera careers in entertainment, and to help increase the number of underrepresented minorities employed in the entertainment industry. Please note applications submitted for this program will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

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.

The Maxwell Foundation provides financial resources to student leaders from Washington state — up to $5,000 per year for freshmen starting at a four-year private college during the upcoming academic year. Requirements include a short essay, sufficient test scores, and financial need. The scholarship is renewable each year for a total of up to $20,000 over a four-year period.

At Signature Products, we honor the hard work and dedication of teachers who are critical to students’ success. Every year, we offer one $1,000 scholarship to help an aspiring teacher achieve his or her goal. To apply, please submit one 300-word essay about the teacher and/or event that inspired you to seek a degree in teaching, as well as a completed application form.

The Watts Humanitarian Scholarship Fund is a non-profit corporation that offers a $500 a year award, plus laptops, to recognize graduating seniors with potential for service and leadership. Applicants must write an essay about being a humanitarian, as well as their individual challenges and goals, and provide (2) letters of recommendation and transcripts.

Faith Hope and Love Jesus, Inc. is excited to offer an annual $500 college scholarship for students who have been affected by cancer and/or a blood disorder. The application essay can be on any topic or subject, as long as it's 500 words or more — so let the writing begin! The deadline for submission is every May 1st and we will announce our winner every August 1st.

Our organization seeks to honor Benjamin’s Hope for the Future by raising awareness & funding promising treatments with the hope for a cure for pediatric cancer. As part of this, we provide an annual scholarship to students who have been impacted by cancer and participated in community service (which should be the topic of the essay they submit).

Higher education: that magical time when deadlines are tight and budgets are tighter. That's why we at Rover would like to help fund your brain fuel for the coming school year. Just write a 400-500 word essay about caring for a pet for your chance to win $2,500!

The Against The Grain Artistic Scholarship provides financial assistance and promotion of Asian American college students pursuing a major in the performing, visual arts, journalism and/or mass communications. Multiple $1,000 awards will be given, to be applied toward school tuition and fees.

The Soozie Courter Hemophilia Scholarship Program is designed to inspire students living with hemophilia to achieve their educational goals. Scholarships will be awarded to applicants with hemophilia A or hemophilia B who present the best combination of a creative and persuasive essay, excellent recommendations, and superior academic standing.