1. Ayn Rand Essay Contest

If you haven’t read any of Ayn Rand’s thought-provoking novels, now is the time! 8th, 9th and 10th graders are eligible to write essays on one of several topics on the book Anthem.

Prizes: 1st place: $2,000, 2nd place: $500, 3rd place: $200, Finalists: $50, Semifinalists: $30.

Deadline is March 29th, 2017

2. NRA Civil Rights Defense Fund Essay Contest

The NRA Civil Rights Defense Fund sponsors a scholarly writing contest for grades K-12. The theme for the essay is “What Does The Second Amendment Mean to You?”

Prizes: 1st place: $1,000, 2nd place: $600, 3rd place: $200, 4th place: $100.

Deadline is December 31st.

3. Fleet Reserve Association Essay Contest

FRA sponsors an annual essay contest to promote the spirit of Americanism and patriotism among our country’s youth. FRA’s Americanism Essay Contest is open to all students, grades 7 through 12, including those who are home schooled.

Students can enter to win one of 18 prizes ranging from $1,000-$5,000 by submitting an essay of no more than 350 words on “The Bill of Rights and Me.”

Deadline is December 1st.

4. Visionary Scholarship Program

Applicant currently enrolled as a High School Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, or Senior can apply to receive a maximum prize of $5,000. Financial need is NOT considered; all income levels are encouraged to apply. Applications must consist of a completed application, a copy of the student’s most recent report card, and a 500-word, double-spaced essay on “Why College is Important to Me.”

Deadline is May 1, 2017.

5. H&R Block Budget Challenge

H&R Block awards $200,000 in scholarships throughout the competition to the students who demonstrate they are the most real-world ready. 10 opportunities for student scholarships of $20K and incentives during gameplay.

The H&R Block Budget Challenge is a free teen financial literacy program in the form of an online game that simulates real life as an adult: paying bills, managing expenses, saving money, investing in retirement, paying taxes and more. Participants play classroom against classroom and students against students in this learning-by-doing simulation to win college scholarships.

Budget Challenge is open to students 14 years of age or older, enrolled full-time in grades nine through 12. Teachers must register classrooms to play Budget Challenge. Students may play one simulation per semester (Fall and Spring) but they are only eligible for prizing on their first attempt.

6. Doodle 4 Google

Students in grades K-12 are invited to take part in the 2016 Doodle 4 Google contest, and create a doodle that tells the world “What I see for the future.” From crayons to clay, graphic design, or even food, young artists can utilize any materials to bring their creation to life. Like all Google Doodles, each doodle must incorporate the letters G-o-o-g-l-e. One national winner will also receive a $30,000 college scholarship. The contest is open for entries from September 14, 2016 to December 2, 2016.

7. Auto-Pets™ “Out-Of-The-Box-Thinking” Scholarship

High school students enrolling 2017 are eligible to enter Out-of-the-Box Thinking Scholarship.

• – Grand Prize $1,500 Scholarship
• – Second Place $1,000 Scholarship
• – Third Place $500 Scholarship

AutoPets will accept applications from February 1, 2017 until August 1, 2017 for the 2017 year.

8. Create-A-Greeting-Card Scholarship Contest

• Submit original photo, artwork or computer graphics for the front of a greeting card.
• Contest submissions accepted from: May 31st, 2016 – March 2nd, 2017.
  Winner will be announced May 1st, 2017.
• Age Eligibility: Must be 14 years or older at time of entry and be enrolled in High School, College, University or Homeschool.

9. Young American Patriotic Art Contest

Each year, more than 3,500 high school students from across the country participate in the VFW Auxiliary’s Young American Creative Patriotic Art Contest. Any student in grades 9-12 who is enrolled in a public, private or parochial high school or home study program in the United States. The first-place winner from each state competes for national awards totaling $21,000. Deadline: March 31st.

10. AOPA Student Pilot Scholarship

In the past 20 years, WAI has disbursed more than $10 million to its members to help them reach their goals and advance into the aviation and aerospace careers they have always dreamed about.

11. Marine Band Concerto Competition

“The President’s Own” United States Marine Band, in conjunction with the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation, is pleased to announce its annual concerto competition for high school musicians. The winner will appear as a guest soloist with the U.S. Marine Band and receive a $2,500 scholarship from the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation. The runner up will receive a $500 scholarship.

The final round of the competition will take place at 2 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 11, 2017 at John Philip Sousa Band Hall at the Marine Barracks Annex in southeast Washington, D.C. The final round is presented as a recital and is open to the public. The winner will perform in concert with the Marine Band at 2 p.m., Sunday, April 9, 2017 in the Washington, D.C. area.

12. Technology Addiction Awareness Scholarship

Young people spend an average of 7.5 hours a day consuming media–and this doesn’t include computer use for schoolwork–according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. With technology always at the ready at your fingertips, it can be a challenge to unplug. But taking a break from technology is healthy for both the mind and body. The purpose of this scholarship is to help you understand the negative effects of too much screen time.

You must be a high school freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior or a current or entering college or graduate school student of any level. Home schooled students are also eligible. There is no age limit.

The top 10 applications will be selected as finalists. The finalists will be asked to write a full length 500- to 1,000-word essay about technology addiction.
Deadline: January 30, 2017

Awards: The winner will receive a $1,000 scholarship.

13. Niche “No Essay” Scholarship

Open to all high school and college students. Simply log in or create a free account to apply. A winner is chosen each month to receive $2,000. Deadline is the last day of each month.

14. Cappex $1,000 Easy College Money Scholarship

$1,000 Cappex Easy College Money Scholarship! Any high school student who registers and completes a profile at cappex.com will be entered into a drawing to receive $1,000. Application deadline is Nov 30, 2016, One award will be granted.

15. Top Ten List Scholarship

This unique scholarship gives you the chance to show us what’s truly special and different about you. Any US student age 13 or older can apply for the chance to win a $1,500 scholarship. Applicants must respond to the following statement in no more than 250 words: “Create a Top Ten List of the top ten reasons you should get this scholarship.”

Deadline December 31st.
AWARD AMOUNT: $1,500

16. I HAVE A DREAM SCHOLARSHIP

Submit an online short written response (250 words or less) for 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.”

Deadline: April 30, 2017.
AWARD AMOUNT: $1,500

17. FIFTH MONTH SCHOLARSHIP

One is the loneliest number. Three is a crowd. Then there is five. What’s so special about five? Well, for starters, this lucky number could help you win a $1,500 scholarship. Submit an online short written response (250 words or less) for the question: “May is the fifth month of the year. Write a letter to the number five explaining why five is important. Be serious or be funny. Either way, here’s a high five to you for being original.”

Deadline: May 31, 2017
AWARD AMOUNT: $1,500

18. MAKE ME LAUGH SCHOLARSHIP

Submit an online short written response (250 words or less) for the question:
“OMG… finding and applying for scholarships is serious business, but it’s time to lighten things up a little. We don’t want to know why you deserve $1,500 or how great your grades are, we simply want to LOL. Describe an incident in your life, funny or embarrassing (fact or fiction), and make us laugh!”

Deadline: November 30, 2017
AWARD AMOUNT: $1,500

19. ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE SCHOLARSHI

Submit an online short written response (250 words or less) for the question:
“Imagine that your high school or college has been overrun with zombies. Your math professor, the cafeteria ladies, and even your best friend have all joined the walking dead. Flesh out a plan to avoid the zombies, including where you’d hide and the top-five things you’d bring to stay alive.”

Deadline: October 31, 2017
AWARD AMOUNT: $2,000

20. SUPERPOWER SCHOLARSHIP

Have you ever wondered where you’d go if you could fly around downtown? Or maybe you daydream of secretly taking over the world – to each his own. For all of those hero lovers and villain enthusiasts, this super scholarship can give you the power to win free college money.

Submit an online short written response (250 words or less) for the question:
“Which superhero or villain would you want to change places with for a day and why?” Deadline: June 30, 2017.
Award amount: $2,500

21. UNIGO $10K SCHOLARSHIP

Is college worth it? You invest your time, money, and energy into getting a college degree. The return could be your education, experiences, relationships, a career, a sense of purpose, or something else entirely. Weighing the expected investment and return, is college worth it for you? In 250 words or less, tell us why. Submit an online short written response (250 words or less) for the question:
“Weighing the expected investment and return, is college worth it for you? Why?

Deadline: December 31, 2016
AWARD AMOUNT: $10,000

22. EDUCATION MATTERS SCHOLARSHIP

Submit an online short written response (250 words or less) for the question:

“What would you say to someone who thinks education doesn’t matter, or that college is a waste of time and money? ”
As a scholarship seeker, you’re probably already well-aware of the importance of an education. But, what about the naysayers? Have you come across someone who’s tried to talk you out of college, saying that it’s not worth it?

Deadline: November 30, 2016
AWARD AMOUNT: $5,000

23. Meriwest Annual Essay Competition

Applicants must be in grades 9 to 12, have an average GPA of 2.0, and live in one of the following California counties: Santa Clara, San Mateo, Alameda, Contra Costa or San Francisco. Students who live in Arizona’s Pima County are also eligible. Students who live outside these counties can still enter if they are members of Meriwest Credit Union.

24. Optimist International Essay Contest

​US students under eighteen can submit an essay on the topic of “Chasing Optimism in the Face of Challenges.” Club winners advance to the District contest to compete for a $2,500 scholarship. Deadline is early February. Interested students must contact their local Optimist Club. They need to submit an essay on the pre-assigned topic. To find out a contact, please e-mail the Programs Department at programs@optimist.org.