[Page 5] The 210 Best Essay Scholarships in May 2026
Updated: May 25, 2026
Written by:
4.9/5 by 20506 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.
LIVE
May 28
,,
Awarded to Bold.org users
Why trust Bold.org?
100% free.Drake 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, 20266 days left!Education LevelHigh School, UndergraduateTakes minutes121Thomas 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, 20268 days left!Education LevelHigh School, Undergraduate122YOU 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, 20268 days left!Education LevelHigh School, Undergraduate123Lily 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, 20268 days left!Education LevelAnyTakes minutes124Bio-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, 20269 days left!Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes125Bio-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, 20269 days left!Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes126Bio-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, 20269 days left!Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes127Bio-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, 20269 days left!Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes128Bio-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, 20269 days left!Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes129Marilynn 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, 202611 days left!Education LevelGraduateTakes minutes130Christopher 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, 202611 days left!Education LevelHigh School, UndergraduateTakes minutes131John 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, 202611 days left!Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes132SBJ 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, 202611 days left!Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes133Maria'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, 202611 days left!Education LevelHigh School, UndergraduateTakes minutes134Mark 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, 202612 days left!Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes135Marshall 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, 202612 days left!Education LevelHigh School, UndergraduateTakes minutes136James 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, 202612 days left!Education LevelUndergraduate, Graduate137Gregory 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, 202613 days left!Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes138Madelynn 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, 202613 days left!Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes139Emerging 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, 202613 days left!Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes140Hacia 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, 202613 days left!Education LevelUndergraduateTakes minutes141Ryan 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, 202613 days left!Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes142Dinakara 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, 202613 days left!Education LevelUndergraduateTakes minutes143Fuerza de V.N.C.E. Scholarship
Funded byJavier SegoviaThis scholarship aims to support underserved students who are paving a new path in their families by pursuing a college education.Amount$500Deadline:Jun 11, 202614 days left!Education LevelUndergraduateTakes minutes144Cheryl 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, 202614 days left!Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes145Raymond 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, 202614 days left!Education LevelUndergraduate, GraduateTakes minutes146Janisse 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, 202614 days left!Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes147“I Matter” Scholarship
Funded byThe O’Neal FamilyThis scholarship seeks to support minority students and students with financial need so they can afford to pursue higher education.Amount$1,000Deadline:Jun 12, 2026Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes148CJM Rampelt Family Legacy Scholarship
Funded byCheryl RampeltThis scholarship seeks to support underserved students with financial limitations who want to attend college.Amount$5,000Deadline:Jun 12, 2026Education LevelHigh School, UndergraduateTakes minutes149Gladys Ruth Legacy “Service“ Memorial Scholarship
Funded byAngela KingThe Gladys Ruth Legacy “Service” Memorial Scholarship was made to support an African American student who is unapologetically themselves and supports others through acts of service.Amount$1,000Deadline:Jun 12, 2026Education LevelUndergraduateTakes minutes150
