Best Personal Essay Writing Scholarships in 2024

Life Happens sponsors the annual Life Lessons Scholarship Program for college students and college-bound high school seniors. Qualified entrants who submit essays or videos about how the death of a parent impacted their lives are eligible for scholarship money. The total of scholarships for this year's program is $200,000.

The Outdoor Writers Association of America (OWAA) has established the John Madson Fellowship as part of its commitment to improve the professional skills of outdoor communicators. Each year, the OWAA will award up to $3,000 to selected individuals seeking to enhance their journalistic abilities. Applicants must include an explanation of their need and proposal for continuing education, an itemized budget of miscellaneous expenses, and include a sample of their work

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.

Awarded to a student pursuing a career in television journalism. Funded by a grant from CBS News in honor of longtime correspondent Mike Wallace. Students must complete the online application, including a personal essay and samples of their work.

This scholarship is awarded to daughters of career-commissioned officers in the United States armed services. Applications are due by March 15 of the student’s senior year in high school. The application process includes: an essay, a secondary school report, a letter of recommendation from a member of the applicant’s community, and a Student Aid Report (SAR).