[Page 5] The 210 Best Essay Scholarships in May 2026
Updated: May 11, 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.Abigail O. Adewunmi Memorial Scholarship
Funded byAbby's CornerThis scholarship seeks to honor the legacy of Abigail O. Adewunmi by supporting students who are preparing to attend college.Amount$2,000Deadline:May 22, 202611 days left!Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes121Honorable Shawn Long Memorial Scholarship
Funded byUnited Disabilities Services FoundationThis scholarship will honor Shawn Long by supporting a high school senior in Pennsylvania.Amount$20,000Deadline:May 22, 202611 days left!Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes122Dental Hygiene Basics Scholarship
Funded byDental Hygiene BasicsThis scholarship seeks to support the next generation of dental hygienists by making college more affordable.Amount$1,000Deadline:May 22, 202611 days left!Education LevelUndergraduateTakes minutes123John F. Rowe, Jr. Memorial Scholarship
Funded byRowe FamilyThis scholarship will support a high school senior from New York who has overcome adversity and has an interest in pursuing a career in public service.Amount$3,500Deadline:May 22, 202611 days left!Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes124Clayton James Miller Scholarship
Funded byMiller FamilyThis scholarship seeks to recognize students who demonstrate meaningful extracurricular involvement, leadership, and social responsibility.Amount$3,000Deadline:May 22, 202611 days left!Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes125William Smith Scholarship
Funded bySmith FamilyThis scholarship aims to honor the life of William Smith by supporting students who are passionate about music.Amount$3,000Deadline:May 23, 202612 days left!Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes126Minority Single Mother Scholarship
Funded byPeggy Meyerhoff Pearlstone FoundationThis scholarship aims to support deserving single mothers who struggle to afford to pursue their dreams without financial help.Amount$7,500Deadline:May 23, 202612 days left!Education LevelAnyTakes minutes127Lewis Rural Opportunity Scholarship
Funded byLewis FamilyThis scholarship aims to help reduce financial barriers and provide students with the opportunity to build skills that can create long-term success for themselves and a positive impact in their rural communities.Amount$1,000Deadline:May 24, 202613 days left!Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes128MSGT & DET Bridgette Rochelle Horn Memorial Scholarship
Funded byPam YoungerThis scholarship aims to honor the memory of Bridgette Rochelle Horn by supporting students who share her calling to help others.Amount$1,000Deadline:May 24, 202613 days left!Education LevelHigh School, UndergraduateTakes minutes129Ojeda Multi-County Youth Scholarship
Funded byGeanette Rodriguez-OjedaThe Ojeda Multi-County Youth Scholarship will be awarded to two deserving inner-city high school students to help pay for tuition and books.Amount$500Deadline:May 25, 202614 days left!Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes130Minority Women in STEM
Funded bymartha bodeThis scholarship seeks to support and encourage female and minority students to pursue STEM majors in college or tech schools so that they can focus on their studies rather than worrying about the costs of attendance.Amount$10,000Deadline:May 25, 202614 days left!Education LevelUndergraduate, GraduateTakes minutes131Dulce Vida First Generation Scholarship
Funded byThe Dulce VidaThis scholarship seeks to support first-generation students so they can continue to go after their dreams despite their financial limitations.Amount$1,000Deadline:May 26, 2026Education LevelUndergraduateTakes minutes132Lando Young Memorial Scholarship
Funded byAllen WattsThis scholarship aims to honor the life and legacy of Lando Young by supporting students who are from Jefferson High School in Texas.Amount$1,500Deadline:May 26, 2026Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes133Strong Leaders of Tomorrow Scholarship
Funded byLeaders ScholarshipsThis scholarship aims to support students with special needs who are pursuing their dreams of higher education so they can achieve all of their goals for the future.Amount$1,000Deadline:May 26, 2026Education LevelUndergraduate, GraduateTakes minutes134Gloria Rickett Memorial Scholarship
Funded byRickettThis scholarship aims to honor the memory of Gloria Rickett by supporting students who are preparing to begin college.Amount$15,000Deadline:May 26, 2026Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes135Women in Nursing Scholarship
Funded byDavid M. Gabrielsen FoundationThis scholarship aims to support women who are passionate about pursuing careers in nursing and making an impact on their patients.Amount$10,000Deadline:May 27, 2026Education LevelUndergraduateTakes minutes136Harry B. Anderson Scholarship
Funded byDavid M. Gabrielsen FoundationThis scholarship aims to honor the incredible life of Harry B. Anderson by supporting students who are pursuing careers in STEM.Amount$20,000Deadline:May 27, 2026Education LevelUndergraduateTakes minutes137Betty Joe Conner Memorial Scholarship
Funded byJames ConnerThis scholarship seeks to honor the life of Betty Joe Conner by supporting students who are pursuing higher education.Amount$1,500Deadline:May 27, 2026Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes138Forever90 Scholarship
Funded byMary and House of Love, Inc.This scholarship aims to honor the legacy of Mrs. Marion Makins by supporting students who exemplify academic excellence, leadership in their communities or churches, and a passion for service.Amount$1,000Deadline:May 27, 2026Education LevelHigh School, UndergraduateTakes minutes139Special Needs Advocacy Inc. Teresa Politano Memorial Scholarship
Funded bySpecial Needs Advocacy IncorporatedThis scholarship seeks to honor the life of Teresa Politano by supporting students as they pursue their dreams in journalism.Amount$2,500Deadline:May 28, 2026Education LevelUndergraduate, GraduateTakes minutes140Special Needs Advocacy Inc. Kathleen Lehman Memorial Scholarship
Funded bySpecial Needs Advocacy IncorporatedThis scholarship aims to honor the life of Kathleen Lehman by supporting students who are hoping to make a difference in the special needs community.Amount$3,500Deadline:May 28, 2026Education LevelUndergraduate, GraduateTakes minutes141Leo J. Landry Memorial Scholarship
Funded byTom LandryThis scholarship seeks to honor the memory of Leo J. Landry by supporting students who wish to dedicate their lives to service in order to make a difference in the world.Amount$1,000Deadline:May 28, 2026Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes142Scott A. Ross Memorial Automotive Scholarship
Funded byRossThis scholarship seeks to honor the legacy of Scott A. Ross by supporting the next generation of automobile technicians.Amount$1,000Deadline:May 28, 2026Education LevelAnyTakes minutes143Dental Hygiene Basics Bachelor's Completion Scholarship
Funded byDental Hygiene BasicsThis scholarship aims to reduce financial barriers while uplifting motivated professionals who are committed to growth, service, and leadership.Amount$1,000Deadline:May 28, 2026Education LevelUndergraduateTakes minutes144Bob Bartnett Memorial Scholarship
Funded byBartnett FamilyThis scholarship aims to honor the memory of Bob Bartnett by supporting students who share his passion for selfless service.Amount$2,500Deadline:May 28, 2026Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes145Tawkify Meaningful Connections Scholarship
Funded byTawkify, Inc.This scholarship seeks to support the next generation of leaders who understand and champion human connection as they pursue higher education.Amount$4,000Deadline:May 28, 2026Education LevelAnyTakes minutes146Salt Lick on Salt Creek Dream Big Scholarship
Funded bySalt Lick on Salt Creek, LLCThis scholarship aims to support students who dream big and are passionate about their creativity and future careers.Amount$1,000Deadline:May 29, 2026Education LevelUndergraduateTakes minutes147Deborah Stevens Pediatric Nursing Scholarship
Funded byDeborah StevensThis scholarship seeks to support nursing students who are interested in pursuing careers in pediatric nursing.Amount$3,000Deadline:May 29, 2026Education LevelUndergraduateTakes minutes148Enders Scholarship
Funded byShaun EndersThis scholarship aims to support students who have lost a parent(s) to violence, drugs, or alcohol so they can better their lives and heal through meditation.Amount$7,500Deadline:May 29, 2026Education LevelAnyTakes minutes149Ray W Bausick Green Industry Memorial Scholarship
Funded byKevin KossThis scholarship seeks to honor the life of Ray W Bausick by supporting high-achieving students who are pursuing careers in the green industry.Amount$8,000Deadline:May 29, 2026Education LevelHigh School, UndergraduateTakes minutes150
