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[Page 4] The 210 Best Essay Scholarships in May 2026

Updated: May 4, 2026

Written by:Elise
4.9/5 by 20513 students

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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  1. Miguel Bisono – State Farm Good Neighbor Scholarship

    Funded by
    Bisono Insurance and Financial Services Inc
    This scholarship seeks to support graduating seniors who show leadership, responsibility, and a strong commitment to giving back to their community.
    Amount
    $2,000
    Deadline:
    May 12, 20265 days left!
    Education Level
    High School
    Takes minutes
    91
  2. Elijah Espy Memorial Scholarship

    Funded by
    Lorrie Espy
    This scholarship aims to honor the life of Elijah by supporting students who are interested in learning a trade and furthering their education.
    Amount
    $1,000
    Deadline:
    May 12, 20265 days left!
    Education Level
    High School
    Takes minutes
    92
  3. Kathryn Graham "Keyport's Mom" Scholarship

    Funded by
    Thomas Antonucci
    This scholarship seeks to honor the legacy of Kathryn Graham by supporting a high school senior in New Jersey going onto pursue post-secondary education
    Amount
    $1,000
    Deadline:
    May 12, 20265 days left!
    Education Level
    High School
    Takes minutes
    93
  4. Edna McGrowder Memorial Scholarship

    Funded by
    Ferguson
    This scholarship seeks to honor the life of Edna McGrowder by continuing her mission of helping the next generation pursue their academic dreams.
    Amount
    $2,500
    Deadline:
    May 13, 20266 days left!
    Education Level
    High School
    Takes minutes
    94
  5. Faye Hilgart Women in Mathematics and Math Education Scholarship

    Funded by
    Hilgart Family
    This scholarship seeks to encourage girls and women in Wisconsin and Minnesota who wish to pursue a career in mathematics or mathematics education.
    Amount
    $1,000
    Deadline:
    May 13, 20266 days left!
    Education Level
    High School
    Takes minutes
    95
  6. Norman's Scholarship

    Funded by
    Sukhanov-tran
    This scholarship aims to support students who are passionate about special education and making an impact on students.
    Amount
    $2,500
    Deadline:
    May 13, 20266 days left!
    Education Level
    Undergraduate
    Takes minutes
    96
  7. Pangeta & Ivory Nursing Scholarship

    Funded by
    Ferguson
    This scholarship aims to honor the lives of Pangeta and Ivory by supporting students who are pursuing degrees in nursing.
    Amount
    $7,500
    Deadline:
    May 14, 20267 days left!
    Education Level
    Undergraduate
    Takes minutes
    97
  8. Jeune-Mondestin Scholarship

    Funded by
    Eronel Mondestin
    This 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
    $500
    Deadline:
    May 14, 20267 days left!
    Education Level
    Undergraduate
    Takes minutes
    98
  9. Thadford Dickerson and Paula Schuman Scholar Award

    Funded by
    Temel Dickerson and Nadja Vielot
    This scholarship aims to honor the lives of Thadford Dickerson and Dr. Paula Schuman by supporting students who are pursuing public service careers.
    Amount
    $1,000
    Deadline:
    May 14, 20267 days left!
    Education Level
    Undergraduate
    Takes minutes
    99
  10. Bryent Smothermon PTSD Awareness Scholarship

    Funded by
    Bryent Smothermon
    To honor the legacy of Bryent Smothermon, this scholarship exists to support military veterans or military family members who have suffered from PTSD.
    Amount
    $1,000
    Deadline:
    May 14, 20267 days left!
    Education Level
    Undergraduate, Graduate
    Takes minutes
    100
  11. Gilbert Tonkin Memorial Scholarship

    Funded by
    Tonkin Family
    This scholarship aims to honor the memory of Gilbert Tonkin by supporting students who are preparing to embark on their lives.
    Amount
    $2,000
    Deadline:
    May 14, 20267 days left!
    Education Level
    High School
    Takes minutes
    101
  12. C. Burke Morris Scholarship

    Funded by
    Morris Mountaineer
    This scholarship seeks to support students who are preparing to transition to college so they have the resources necessary to succeed.
    Amount
    $5,000
    Deadline:
    May 14, 20267 days left!
    Education Level
    High School
    Takes minutes
    102
  13. Selective Mutism Step Forward Scholarship

    Funded by
    Bell Family
    This scholarship seeks to support students with selective mutism who are pursuing higher education in spite of the obstacles they face.
    Amount
    $500
    Deadline:
    May 14, 20267 days left!
    Education Level
    Any
    Takes minutes
    103
  14. Siv Anderson Memorial Scholarship for Education in Healthcare

    Funded by
    Anderson
    This scholarship aims to honor the life of Siv Anderson by supporting students who are passionate about pursuing careers in healthcare.
    Amount
    $500
    Deadline:
    May 15, 20268 days left!
    Education Level
    High School
    Takes minutes
    104
  15. Diana Wagner Memorial Scholarship

    Funded by
    Wagner Family
    This scholarship aims to honor the legacy of Diana Wagner by supporting students from her local community who share her passion for helping others.
    Amount
    $2,000
    Deadline:
    May 15, 20268 days left!
    Education Level
    High School
    Takes minutes
    105
  16. Peter T. Buecher Memorial Scholarship

    Funded by
    Samantha Norton
    This scholarship exists to support high school seniors or undergraduate students from Minnesota who swim, dive and/or synchronized swim.
    Amount
    $1,000
    Deadline:
    May 15, 20268 days left!
    Education Level
    High School, Undergraduate
    Takes minutes
    106
  17. Curtis Holloway Memorial Scholarship

    Funded by
    Lesley Holloway
    This 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
    $2,000
    Deadline:
    May 15, 20268 days left!
    Education Level
    High School, Undergraduate
    Takes minutes
    107
  18. Grover Scholarship Fund

    Funded by
    Deep Grover
    This scholarship seeks to support students who are pursuing trade school programs by reducing the burden of tuition or other costs.
    Amount
    $2,500
    Deadline:
    May 15, 20268 days left!
    Education Level
    High School, Undergraduate
    Takes minutes
    108
  19. John D. Sherman Scholarship

    Funded by
    Friends and Family of John D. Sherman
    This scholarship aims to honor the legacy of John D. Sherman Jr. by supporting students in Vermont who have MS or a physical disability.
    Amount
    $12,000
    Deadline:
    May 15, 20268 days left!
    Education Level
    High School, Undergraduate
    Takes minutes
    109
  20. Michele L. Durant Scholarship

    Funded by
    Heidel
    This scholarship aims to monetarily assist women of color in pursuing higher education to free up their time and resources and allow them to focus on obtaining leadership roles and effecting necessary change.
    Amount
    $2,000
    Deadline:
    May 15, 20268 days left!
    Education Level
    Undergraduate, Graduate
    Takes minutes
    110
  21. Donna Davis Memorial Scholarship

    Funded by
    Davis
    This 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
    $10,000
    Deadline:
    May 15, 20268 days left!
    Education Level
    High School
    Takes minutes
    111
  22. Maureen C. Pace Memorial Nursing Scholarship

    Funded by
    The Pace Family
    This 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
    $2,500
    Deadline:
    May 15, 20268 days left!
    Education Level
    Undergraduate, Graduate
    Takes minutes
    112
  23. Kyle Rairdan Memorial Aviation Scholarship

    Funded by
    Rairdan
    This scholarship aims to honor the life of Kyle Rairdan by supporting students who are pursuing degrees in aviation.
    Amount
    $4,000
    Deadline:
    May 15, 20268 days left!
    Education Level
    Any
    Takes minutes
    113
  24. Lee and Elizabeth Mockmore Scholarship

    Funded by
    Mockmore
    This scholarship aims to support students who are living with transverse myelitis and demonstrating resilience and optimism.
    Amount
    $3,000
    Deadline:
    May 16, 20269 days left!
    Education Level
    Any
    Takes minutes
    114
  25. Dr. Tom Farrell Future Leaders of Maine Scholarship

    Funded by
    The Future Leaders of Maine Foundation
    This scholarship seeks to honor the life of Dr. Tom Farrell by supporting students who share his passions and skills.
    Amount
    $15,000
    Deadline:
    May 16, 20269 days left!
    Education Level
    High School
    Takes minutes
    115
  26. Commitment to Excellence Scholarship

    Funded by
    The Natale Foundation Inc
    This scholarship aims to honor Joseph’s life by providing financial relief to qualified students who need help financing their pursuit of higher education.
    Amount
    $4,000
    Deadline:
    May 17, 202610 days left!
    Education Level
    High School
    116
  27. Kindness in Action Scholarship

    Funded by
    Anand Kumar
    This scholarship aims to honor a wonderful aunt’s optimistic outlook on life by supporting students who are pursuing higher education.
    Amount
    $1,000
    Deadline:
    May 17, 202610 days left!
    Education Level
    Undergraduate
    Takes minutes
    117
  28. Legacy of Selfless Care Scholarship

    Funded by
    Anand Kumar
    This scholarship aims to honor an incredible legacy and the vital role nurses play in our communities by supporting students who demonstrate a strong commitment to service, empathy, and patient care.
    Amount
    $1,000
    Deadline:
    May 17, 202610 days left!
    Education Level
    Undergraduate
    Takes minutes
    118
  29. Jon Cook Work Hard and Go Forth to Serve Scholarship

    Funded by
    Jon Cook Family
    This 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
    $2,000
    Deadline:
    May 17, 202610 days left!
    Education Level
    High School, Undergraduate
    Takes minutes
    119
  30. DK Memorial Sports Broadcasting Scholarship

    Funded by
    Friends of DK
    The community that loved DK aims to honor DK by supporting undergraduate and graduate students pursuing Sports Broadcasting or Sports Journalism.
    Amount
    $2,500
    Deadline:
    May 17, 202610 days left!
    Education Level
    Undergraduate, Graduate
    Takes minutes
    120