[Page 5] The 210 Best Essay Scholarships in May 2026
Updated: April 27, 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.Commitment to Excellence Scholarship
Funded byThe Natale Foundation IncThis scholarship aims to honor Joseph’s life by providing financial relief to qualified students who need help financing their pursuit of higher education.Amount$4,000Deadline:May 17, 202614 days left!Education LevelHigh School121Kindness in Action Scholarship
Funded byAnand KumarThis scholarship aims to honor a wonderful aunt’s optimistic outlook on life by supporting students who are pursuing higher education.Amount$1,000Deadline:May 17, 202614 days left!Education LevelUndergraduateTakes minutes122Legacy of Selfless Care Scholarship
Funded byAnand KumarThis scholarship aims to honor an incredible legacy and the vital role nurses play in our communities by supporting students who demonstrate a strong commitment to service, empathy, and patient care.Amount$1,000Deadline:May 17, 202614 days left!Education LevelUndergraduateTakes minutes123Tinkerer’s Path Scholarship
Funded byAnand KumarThis scholarship seeks to support students who enjoy tinkering, building, and experimenting, and who want to use those skills to help others.Amount$1,000Deadline:May 17, 202614 days left!Education LevelUndergraduateTakes minutes124Duane & Diane Whitmire Scholarship
Funded byHeather McGannonThis scholarship aims to honor the memories of Duane and Diane Whitmire by supporting the students they cared so much about.Amount$2,000Deadline:May 17, 202614 days left!Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes125Project Climbing Everest Scholarship
Funded byProject Climbing EverestThis scholarship will support a high school senior pursuing a career in the mental health field.Amount$500Deadline:May 18, 2026Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes126Jason David Anderson Memorial Scholarship
Funded byKate SansoneThis scholarship seeks to keep the memory of Jason David Anderson alive by supporting students who are pursuing higher education in order to help people who struggle with addiction.Amount$500Deadline:May 18, 2026Education LevelHigh School, UndergraduateTakes minutes127Coach August and Jodi Reich Scholarship
Funded byAugust Gabriel ReichThis scholarship seeks to support motivated students pursuing careers in business, sales, education, or entrepreneurship.Amount$500Deadline:May 18, 2026Education LevelHigh School, UndergraduateTakes minutes128Dr. Hassan Homami Memorial Scholarship
Funded byNadereh HomamiThis scholarship seeks to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Hassan Homami by supporting first-generation immigrants who are pursuing their academic dreams.Amount$3,240Deadline:May 19, 2026Education LevelGraduateTakes minutes129Evan T. Wissing Memorial Scholarship
Funded byKaty UhlThis scholarship aims to honor the memory of Evan Wissing by supporting students who are hoping to improve their lives through education.Amount$1,000Deadline:May 19, 2026Education LevelHigh School, UndergraduateTakes minutes130Williams Foundation Trailblazer Scholarship
Funded byWilliams FoundationThis scholarship seeks to recognize and celebrate young trailblazers who are forging their own paths in life.Amount$1,000Deadline:May 19, 2026Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes131Clasen 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, 2026Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes132Issa Foundation HealthCare Scholarship
Funded byGeorge IssaThis scholarship seeks to support students who are passionate about medicine, not for prestige, but out of a genuine desire to serve others.Amount$1,000Deadline:May 19, 2026Education LevelGraduateTakes minutes133Dr. Connie M. Reece Future Teacher Scholarship
Funded byNathan AllenThis scholarship aims to continue the legacy of Dr. Reece by supporting budding teachers who will educate the next generation.Amount$500Deadline:May 19, 2026Education LevelUndergraduate, GraduateTakes minutes134Medford Volunteer Ambulance Aspiring Healthcare Hero’s Scholarship
Funded byMedford Volunteer Ambulance, IncThis scholarship seeks to support students in New York who are pursuing careers in healthcare so they have the necessary resources to achieve their goals.Amount$1,500Deadline:May 19, 2026Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes135Change 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, 2026Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes136Marlene 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, 2026Education LevelHigh School, UndergraduateTakes minutes137Prince 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, 2026Education LevelAnyTakes minutes138Tanner 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, 2026Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes139Scholarship 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, 2026Education LevelUndergraduate, GraduateTakes minutes140Alexis 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, 2026Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes141Jennifer 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, 2026Education LevelHigh School, UndergraduateTakes minutes142Honorable 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, 2026Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes143Clayton 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, 2026Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes144John 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, 2026Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes145Dental 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, 2026Education LevelUndergraduateTakes minutes146Abigail 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, 2026Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes147Minority 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, 2026Education LevelAnyTakes minutes148William 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, 2026Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes149Lewis 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, 2026Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes150
