[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.Dental 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, 202610 days left!Education LevelUndergraduateTakes minutes121Clayton 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, 202610 days left!Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes122John 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, 202610 days left!Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes123Abigail 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, 202610 days left!Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes124Honorable 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, 202610 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, 202611 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, 202611 days left!Education LevelAnyTakes minutes127MSGT & 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, 202612 days left!Education LevelHigh School, UndergraduateTakes minutes128Lewis 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, 202612 days left!Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes129Minority 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, 202613 days left!Education LevelUndergraduate, GraduateTakes minutes130Ojeda 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, 202613 days left!Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes 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, 202614 days left!Education LevelUndergraduateTakes minutes132Strong 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, 202614 days left!Education LevelUndergraduate, GraduateTakes minutes133Lando 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, 202614 days left!Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes 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, 202614 days left!Education 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. 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 minutes140Scott 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 minutes141Tawkify 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 minutes142Dental 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 minutes143Bob 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 minutes144Leo 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 minutes145Special 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 minutes146Enders 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 minutes147Larry Jackstien Jazz Piano Community Impact Scholarship
Funded byJill Jackstien AngerbauerThis scholarship aims to honor the life of Larry Jackstien by supporting young jazz pianists and inspiring them to create lifelong positive impacts in their communities through performances, education, and mentorship.Amount$6,000Deadline:May 29, 2026Education LevelAnyTakes minutes148Eddie L. Smith Sr. Memorial Scholarship
Funded bySmith FamilyThis scholarship will support high school seniors in Louisiana who want to make a positive impact on the world through their career.Amount$500Deadline:May 29, 2026Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes149Sgt. Albert Dono Ware Memorial Scholarship
Funded byUnited African OrganizationThis scholarship seeks to honor the life of Sgt. Albert Dono Ware by supporting students who share his commitment to helping others.Amount$10,000Deadline:May 29, 2026Education LevelUndergraduateTakes minutes150
