[Page 5] The 210 Best Essay Scholarships in May 2026
Updated: May 4, 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.Prince Justice Memorial Scholarship
Funded byCole FamilyThis scholarship aims to honor the memory of Prince Justice Williams by supporting students who are facing health struggles but continuing to work towards their goals.Amount$1,000Deadline:May 19, 20269 days left!Education LevelAnyTakes minutes121Clasen Scholarship
Funded byAurora DentistryThis scholarship aims to support students looking to pursue higher education in order to go on to careers in the medical arts.Amount$1,000Deadline:May 19, 20269 days left!Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes122Marlene Manning Scholarship
Funded byManningThis scholarship seeks to honor the life of Marlene Manning by supporting students from her home state as they pursue higher education.Amount$1,000Deadline:May 19, 20269 days left!Education LevelHigh School, UndergraduateTakes minutes123Change of Heart Scholarship
Funded byJessica ThomasThis scholarship seeks to support students who are preparing to finish high school and pursue their callings through higher education.Amount$1,400Deadline:May 19, 20269 days left!Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes124Tanner Morse Memorial Scholarship
Funded byPam BlassThis scholarship aims to honor the memory of Tanner Morse by supporting passionate students who are pursuing their dreams on and off the court.Amount$500Deadline:May 20, 202610 days left!Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes125Jennifer D. Hale Memorial Scholarship
Funded byHaley burrowThis scholarship aims to honor the memory of Jennifer D. Hale by supporting students who are pursuing their dreams in the field of nursing.Amount$1,000Deadline:May 21, 202611 days left!Education LevelHigh School, UndergraduateTakes minutes126Alexis Mackenzie Memorial Scholarship for the Arts
Funded byMartha R. AriasThis scholarship seeks to support underrepresented women who are in need of financial support to pursue their artistic dreams.Amount$2,750Deadline:May 21, 202611 days left!Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes127Scholarship for US/Algerian and US/Palestinian Community Members
Funded byAnonymousThis scholarship aims to support students who plan to spend their lives changing the world for the better and working towards peace and justice.Amount$2,000Deadline:May 21, 202611 days left!Education LevelUndergraduate, GraduateTakes minutes128John 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, 202612 days left!Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes129Dental 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, 202612 days left!Education LevelUndergraduateTakes minutes130Abigail 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, 202612 days left!Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes131Clayton 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, 202612 days left!Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes132Honorable 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, 202612 days left!Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes133William 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, 202613 days left!Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes134Minority 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, 202613 days left!Education LevelAnyTakes minutes135MSGT & 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, 202614 days left!Education LevelHigh School, UndergraduateTakes minutes136Lewis 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, 202614 days left!Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes137Minority 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, 2026Education LevelUndergraduate, GraduateTakes minutes138Ojeda 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, 2026Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes139Strong 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 minutes140Gloria 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 minutes141Lando 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 minutes142Dulce 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 minutes143Women 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 minutes144Harry 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 minutes145Forever90 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 minutes146Betty 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 minutes147Special 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 minutes148Bob 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 minutes149Scott 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 minutes150
