[Page 5] The 210 Best Essay Scholarships in May 2026
Updated: May 25, 2026
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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.Deborah Ann Parsons Memorial Scholarship
Funded byAnonymousThis scholarship aims to honor the life of Deborah Ann Parsons by supporting students who are passionate about pursuing higher education.Amount$2,500Deadline:Jun 1, 20266 days left!Education LevelHigh School121Vernardo Book Scholarship
Funded byNikea VernardoThis scholarship seeks to support students who need financial assistance in order to rise above the barriers they face and thrive in higher education.Amount$1,000Deadline:Jun 2, 20267 days left!Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes122Patricia Lindsey Jackson Foundation - Eva Mae Jackson Scholarship of Education
Funded byPatricia Lindsey Jackson FoundationThis scholarship aims to help students who embody the values of Patricia Lindsey and Eva Mae Jackson and strive to make a positive impact.Amount$500Deadline:Jun 2, 20267 days left!Education LevelHigh School, UndergraduateTakes minutes123Patricia Lindsey Jackson Foundation-Mary Louise Lindsey Service Scholarship
Funded byPatricia Lindsey Jackson FoundationThis scholarship aims to recognize and empower students or community members who embody the spirit of service and compassion that Mary Louise Lindsey exemplified.Amount$500Deadline:Jun 2, 20267 days left!Education LevelHigh School, UndergraduateTakes minutes124Drake Wood Suicide Awareness Scholarship
Funded byWood LawThis scholarship aims to honor the memory of Drake Wood by uplifting students who have helped in some way to support suicide prevention.Amount$1,000Deadline:Jun 3, 20268 days left!Education LevelHigh School, UndergraduateTakes minutes125Lily Tantillo Scholarship
Funded byTantilloThis scholarship seeks to honor Lily Tantillo’s legacy of light by uplifting and supporting students who carry forward her dedication, courage, and heart for justice.Amount$500Deadline:Jun 5, 202610 days left!Education LevelAnyTakes minutes126Thomas Griffin Wilson Memorial Scholarship
Funded byWilson FamilyThis scholarship seeks to uplift underserved youth who otherwise might not have a chance to pursue higher education.Amount$20,000Deadline:Jun 5, 202610 days left!Education LevelHigh School, Undergraduate127YOU GOT IT GIRL SCHOLARSHIP
Funded byYGIGThis scholarship seeks to support female athletes who have overcome barriers in their life to pursue their dreams.Amount$1,000Deadline:Jun 5, 202610 days left!Education LevelHigh School, Undergraduate128Bio-Rad Irvine/Santa Ana Scholarship
Funded byBio-Rad LaboratoriesThis scholarship aims to support students who are preparing to pursue higher education in the fields of science and engineering.Amount$6,000Deadline:Jun 6, 202611 days left!Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes129Bio-Rad New Jersey Scholarship
Funded byBio-Rad LaboratoriesThis scholarship seeks to support students who are preparing to pursue higher education in the fields of science and engineering.Amount$2,000Deadline:Jun 6, 202611 days left!Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes130Bio-Rad Michigan Scholarship
Funded byBio-Rad LaboratoriesThis scholarship aims to support students who are preparing to pursue higher education in the fields of science and engineering.Amount$2,000Deadline:Jun 6, 202611 days left!Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes131Bio-Rad Washington Scholarship
Funded byBio-Rad LaboratoriesThis scholarship seeks to support students who are preparing to pursue higher education in the fields of science and engineering.Amount$2,000Deadline:Jun 6, 202611 days left!Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes132Bio-Rad Employee Dependent Scholarship
Funded byBio-Rad LaboratoriesThis scholarship aims to support students who are preparing to graduate from high school and pursue higher education.Amount$8,000Deadline:Jun 6, 202611 days left!Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes133Christopher K. Swartz Scholarship
Funded byJacqueline BretellThis scholarship aims to honor the memory of Christopher K. Swartz by supporting students attending Indiana University.Amount$5,000Deadline:Jun 8, 202613 days left!Education LevelHigh School, UndergraduateTakes minutes134Maria's Legacy: Alicia's Scholarship
Funded byJason BlytheThis scholarship seeks to honor Maria’s legacy by supporting students throughout their higher education journeys.Amount$1,000Deadline:Jun 8, 202613 days left!Education LevelHigh School, UndergraduateTakes minutes135Marilynn Walker Memorial Scholarship
Funded byMatlockThis scholarship seeks to honor the life of Marilynn Walker by supporting women who are pursuing business or international business.Amount$5,500Deadline:Jun 8, 202613 days left!Education LevelGraduateTakes minutes136SBJ Scholarship
Funded byJuanita ParkerThis scholarship seeks to support students who are preparing to finish high school and pursue careers related to the trades.Amount$500Deadline:Jun 8, 202613 days left!Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes137John F. Puffer, Sr. Smile Scholarship
Funded byPuffer FamilyThis scholarship seeks to honor the life of John F. Puffer, Sr. by supporting students in Massachusetts who exemplify S.M.I.L.E. (shine, motivate, inspire, lead, excel) in their daily lives.Amount$1,000Deadline:Jun 8, 202613 days left!Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes138Marshall and Dorothy Smith Music Scholarship
Funded bySmith FamilyThis scholarship seeks to honor the memories of Marshall and Dorothy Smith by supporting students who are passionate about music.Amount$10,000Deadline:Jun 9, 202614 days left!Education LevelHigh School, UndergraduateTakes minutes139James B. McCleary Music Scholarship
Funded byJames McClearyThis scholarship aims to support students who are majoring in music so they have the motivation necessary to thrive.Amount$1,000Deadline:Jun 9, 202614 days left!Education LevelUndergraduate, Graduate140Mark L. Williams Scholarship
Funded byWilliamsIn memory of Mark L. Williams, this scholarship aims to support hardworking high school students in California who are going to continue their education through college or trade school.Amount$2,000Deadline:Jun 9, 202614 days left!Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes141Hacia Delante! Scholarship
Funded byHacia DelanteThis scholarship seeks to support the Hacia Delante! mission by supporting students who are undocumented so they can achieve all of their goals.Amount$1,500Deadline:Jun 10, 2026Education LevelUndergraduateTakes minutes142Emerging Black Technologists Scholarship
Funded byTHG FoundationThis scholarship seeks to support the next generation of African American innovators entering the technology sector and help them make their voices heard.Amount$500Deadline:Jun 10, 2026Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes143Dinakara Rao Memorial Scholarship
Funded byDinesh PuppalaThis scholarship aims to honor the legacy of Dinakara Rao by supporting students who share his relentless drive to succeed in a complex world that often favors those with established privilege.Amount$832Deadline:Jun 10, 2026Education LevelUndergraduateTakes minutes144Ryan Murray Red Canyon Scholarship Award
Funded byMurray FamilyThis scholarship aims to honor the memory of Ryan Murray by supporting students as they prepare to leave high school and pursue higher education.Amount$500Deadline:Jun 10, 2026Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes145Madelynn Rouh Memorial Scholarship
Funded byRouh FamilyThis scholarship aims to honor the memory of Madelynn Rouh by supporting students who are preparing to finish high school.Amount$1,000Deadline:Jun 10, 2026Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes146Gregory Flowers Memorial Scholarship
Funded byChristopher FlowersThis scholarship seeks to honor the memory of Gregory Flowers by supporting underrepresented students in Virginia, New York, Connecticut and Ohio who are pursuing higher education.Amount$2,500Deadline:Jun 10, 2026Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes147Raymond W. Walsh Video Production Scholarship
Funded byMetro ProductionsThis scholarship seeks to commemorate the legacy of Raymond W. Walsh by supporting students who are pursuing careers in media.Amount$2,000Deadline:Jun 11, 2026Education LevelUndergraduate, GraduateTakes minutes148Cheryl Johnson-Watts Memorial Scholarship
Funded byJohnsonThis scholarship aims to honor the life of Cheryl Johnson-Watts by supporting students who plan to pursue higher education and build a better future in education roles.Amount$1,000Deadline:Jun 11, 2026Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes149Janisse Berry Memorial Scholarship
Funded byBerry-CandelarioThis scholarship seeks to honor the memory of Janisse E. Berry by supporting students and advancing educational equity.Amount$4,000Deadline:Jun 11, 2026Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes150
