[Page 4] The 210 Best Essay Scholarships in May 2026
Updated: April 27, 2026
Written by:
Elise


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Writing scholarship essays shouldn’t feel like homework. Bold.org essay scholarships reward authenticity and creativity. Here, we rank top options by award amount, deadline, and eligibility so you can apply with confidence.
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100% free.Mikey Taylor Memorial Scholarship
Funded byAmber DavisThis scholarship will support first generation college students who have overcome mental health challenges.Amount$500Deadline:May 11, 20268 days left!Education LevelHigh School, UndergraduateTakes minutes91Harold S. Vincent Alumni Association Scholarship
Funded byHarold S.Vincent Alumni AssociationThis scholarship aims to support high school seniors by helping them manage the significant expenses associated with higher education.Amount$500Deadline:May 11, 20268 days left!Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes92Sam Stoy "Captain America" Scholarship
Funded byStoy FamilyThis scholarship seeks to honor the life of Sam Stoy by supporting students who demonstrate leadership and are enthusiastic about making a difference for fellow students.Amount$2,000Deadline:May 11, 20268 days left!Education LevelUndergraduateTakes minutes93Elijah Espy Memorial Scholarship
Funded byLorrie EspyThis scholarship aims to honor the life of Elijah by supporting students who are interested in learning a trade and furthering their education.Amount$1,000Deadline:May 12, 20269 days left!Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes94Christina Taylese Singh Memorial Scholarship
Funded bySingh FamilyThis scholarship seeks to honor the memory of Christina Taylese Singh by supporting students who are following in Christina’s footsteps.Amount$1,000Deadline:May 12, 20269 days left!Education LevelUndergraduate, GraduateTakes minutes95Kathryn Graham "Keyport's Mom" Scholarship
Funded byThomas AntonucciThis scholarship seeks to honor the legacy of Kathryn Graham by supporting a high school senior in New Jersey going onto pursue post-secondary educationAmount$1,000Deadline:May 12, 20269 days left!Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes96Miguel Bisono – State Farm Good Neighbor Scholarship
Funded byBisono Insurance and Financial Services IncThis scholarship seeks to support graduating seniors who show leadership, responsibility, and a strong commitment to giving back to their community.Amount$2,000Deadline:May 12, 20269 days left!Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes97Edna McGrowder Memorial Scholarship
Funded byFergusonThis scholarship seeks to honor the life of Edna McGrowder by continuing her mission of helping the next generation pursue their academic dreams.Amount$2,500Deadline:May 13, 202610 days left!Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes98Faye Hilgart Women in Mathematics and Math Education Scholarship
Funded byHilgart FamilyThis scholarship seeks to encourage girls and women in Wisconsin and Minnesota who wish to pursue a career in mathematics or mathematics education.Amount$1,000Deadline:May 13, 202610 days left!Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes99Norman's Scholarship
Funded bySukhanov-tranThis scholarship aims to support students who are passionate about special education and making an impact on students.Amount$2,500Deadline:May 13, 202610 days left!Education LevelUndergraduateTakes minutes100Thadford Dickerson and Paula Schuman Scholar Award
Funded byTemel Dickerson and Nadja VielotThis scholarship aims to honor the lives of Thadford Dickerson and Dr. Paula Schuman by supporting students who are pursuing public service careers.Amount$1,000Deadline:May 14, 202611 days left!Education LevelUndergraduateTakes minutes101Gilbert Tonkin Memorial Scholarship
Funded byTonkin FamilyThis scholarship aims to honor the memory of Gilbert Tonkin by supporting students who are preparing to embark on their lives.Amount$2,000Deadline:May 14, 202611 days left!Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes102Jeune-Mondestin Scholarship
Funded byEronel MondestinThis scholarship seeks to honor the life of Jeune-Mondestin by supporting students who are passionate about making a difference in the world through health.Amount$500Deadline:May 14, 202611 days left!Education LevelUndergraduateTakes minutes103Bryent Smothermon PTSD Awareness Scholarship
Funded byBryent SmothermonTo honor the legacy of Bryent Smothermon, this scholarship exists to support military veterans or military family members who have suffered from PTSD.Amount$1,000Deadline:May 14, 202611 days left!Education LevelUndergraduate, GraduateTakes minutes104C6 Scholarship
Funded byCorrêaThis scholarship seeks to honor and support Gold Star families by uplifting students who are preparing to finish high school and pursue further education.Amount$2,500Deadline:May 14, 202611 days left!Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes105Pangeta & Ivory Nursing Scholarship
Funded byFergusonThis scholarship aims to honor the lives of Pangeta and Ivory by supporting students who are pursuing degrees in nursing.Amount$7,500Deadline:May 14, 202611 days left!Education LevelUndergraduateTakes minutes106Selective Mutism Step Forward Scholarship
Funded byBell FamilyThis scholarship seeks to support students with selective mutism who are pursuing higher education in spite of the obstacles they face.Amount$500Deadline:May 14, 202611 days left!Education LevelAnyTakes minutes107C. Burke Morris Scholarship
Funded byMorris MountaineerThis scholarship seeks to support students who are preparing to transition to college so they have the resources necessary to succeed.Amount$5,000Deadline:May 14, 202611 days left!Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes108Kyle Rairdan Memorial Aviation Scholarship
Funded byRairdanThis scholarship aims to honor the life of Kyle Rairdan by supporting students who are pursuing degrees in aviation.Amount$4,000Deadline:May 15, 202612 days left!Education LevelAnyTakes minutes109John D. Sherman Scholarship
Funded byFriends and Family of John D. ShermanThis scholarship aims to honor the legacy of John D. Sherman Jr. by supporting students in Vermont who have MS or a physical disability.Amount$12,000Deadline:May 15, 202612 days left!Education LevelHigh School, UndergraduateTakes minutes110Curtis Holloway Memorial Scholarship
Funded byLesley HollowayThis scholarship seeks to honor the life of Curtis Holloway by supporting a student who has lost a parent or lives in a single-parent household.Amount$2,000Deadline:May 15, 202612 days left!Education LevelHigh School, UndergraduateTakes minutes111Diana Wagner Memorial Scholarship
Funded byWagner FamilyThis scholarship aims to honor the legacy of Diana Wagner by supporting students from her local community who share her passion for helping others.Amount$2,000Deadline:May 15, 202612 days left!Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes112Peter T. Buecher Memorial Scholarship
Funded bySamantha NortonThis scholarship exists to support high school seniors or undergraduate students from Minnesota who swim, dive and/or synchronized swim.Amount$1,000Deadline:May 15, 202612 days left!Education LevelHigh School, UndergraduateTakes minutes113Grover Scholarship Fund
Funded byDeep GroverThis scholarship seeks to support students who are pursuing trade school programs by reducing the burden of tuition or other costs.Amount$2,500Deadline:May 15, 202612 days left!Education LevelHigh School, UndergraduateTakes minutes114Donna Davis Memorial Scholarship
Funded byDavisThis scholarship seeks to honor the life and passions of Donna Davis by supporting students from her district as they prepare to pursue their collegiate dreams.Amount$10,000Deadline:May 15, 202612 days left!Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes115Maureen C. Pace Memorial Nursing Scholarship
Funded byThe Pace FamilyThis scholarship aims to honor the incredible life of Maureen C. Pace by supporting the next generation of change-making nurses as they pursue higher education.Amount$2,500Deadline:May 15, 202612 days left!Education LevelUndergraduate, GraduateTakes minutes116Dr. Tom Farrell Future Leaders of Maine Scholarship
Funded byThe Future Leaders of Maine FoundationThis scholarship seeks to honor the life of Dr. Tom Farrell by supporting students who share his passions and skills.Amount$15,000Deadline:May 16, 202613 days left!Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes117Lee and Elizabeth Mockmore Scholarship
Funded byMockmoreThis scholarship aims to support students who are living with transverse myelitis and demonstrating resilience and optimism.Amount$3,000Deadline:May 16, 202613 days left!Education LevelAnyTakes minutes118DK Memorial Sports Broadcasting Scholarship
Funded byFriends of DKThe community that loved DK aims to honor DK by supporting undergraduate and graduate students pursuing Sports Broadcasting or Sports Journalism.Amount$2,500Deadline:May 17, 202614 days left!Education LevelUndergraduate, GraduateTakes minutes119Jon Cook Work Hard and Go Forth to Serve Scholarship
Funded byJon Cook FamilyThis scholarship aims to honor the life of Jon Cook by supporting self-sufficient students pursuing ongoing education in the healthcare field who have work experience as a CNA, paramedic, EMT, firefighter, home health caregiver, personal care attendant at a nursing home, or with home health and emergency services.Amount$2,000Deadline:May 17, 202614 days left!Education LevelHigh School, UndergraduateTakes minutes120