[Page 6] The 210 Best Essay Scholarships in May 2026
Updated: May 18, 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.Christopher 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, 2026Education LevelHigh School, UndergraduateTakes minutes151Maria'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, 2026Education LevelHigh School, UndergraduateTakes minutes152John 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, 2026Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes153SBJ 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, 2026Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes154Mark 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, 2026Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes155James 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, 2026Education LevelUndergraduate, Graduate156Marshall 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, 2026Education LevelHigh School, UndergraduateTakes minutes157Hacia 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, 2026Education LevelUndergraduateTakes minutes158Ryan 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, 2026Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes159Madelynn 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, 2026Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes160Dinakara 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, 2026Education LevelUndergraduateTakes minutes161Gregory 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, 2026Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes162Emerging 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, 2026Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes163Janisse 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, 2026Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes164Raymond 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, 2026Education LevelUndergraduate, GraduateTakes minutes165Cheryl 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, 2026Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes166Fuerza 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, 2026Education LevelUndergraduateTakes minutes167CJM 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 minutes168“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 minutes169Gladys 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 minutes170Peter and Nan Liubenov Student Scholarship
Funded byLiubenovThis scholarship will help support a BIPOC high school senior with volunteer or work experience.Amount$1,000Deadline:Jun 13, 2026Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes171Ethel Hayes Destigmatization of Mental Health Scholarship
Funded byDr.Terence O. Hayes Sr.The Ethel Hayes Destigmatization of Mental Health Scholarship will support the academic endeavors of one student who has struggled with or has been impacted by someone who struggles with mental health.Amount$8,095Deadline:Jun 13, 2026Education LevelAnyTakes minutes172CollectaBees, LLC Golden Hive Gallery Art Scholarship
Funded byCollectaBees, LLCThis scholarship seeks to help kids who have an artistic side get a leg up in becoming self-sustaining professional artists.Amount$500Deadline:Jun 14, 2026Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes173Audrey Sherrill & Michael D'Ambrisi Music Scholarship
Funded byThe Sherrill Family and FriendsThis scholarship seeks to honor the lives of Audrey Sherrill and Michael D’Ambrisi by supporting students who are pursuing musical careers.Amount$10,500Deadline:Jun 14, 2026Education LevelUndergraduateTakes minutes174Hot Jazz Jubilee Music Scholarship
Funded byHot Jazz Jubilee IncThis scholarship aims to support students who are passionate about playing music and learning more about it.Amount$6,000Deadline:Jun 14, 2026Education LevelHigh School, UndergraduateTakes minutes175Route Tree Performance Higher Education Scholarship
Funded byRoute Tree Performance LLCThis scholarship aims to support students who have worked hard to achieve multidimensional success in high school and will continue doing so in college.Amount$500Deadline:Jun 14, 2026Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes176Minority Women in STEM Financial Need Scholarship
Funded byDonald HuschleThis scholarship will support BIPOC women in STEM at the specific universities in Texas.Amount$15,000Deadline:Jun 14, 2026Education LevelUndergraduateTakes minutes177Hank Anderson Memorial Scholarship
Funded byAnderson FamilyThis scholarship seeks to assist students in obtaining the necessary training and skills to excel in the automotive industry so they can follow in the footsteps of Hank Anderson.Amount$1,000Deadline:Jun 14, 2026Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes178Rose Ifebigh Memorial Scholarship
Funded byAdaora IfebighThis scholarship aims to support female immigrants so they can overcome the obstacles they face and complete their college degrees.Amount$2,000Deadline:Jun 14, 2026Education LevelHigh School, UndergraduateTakes minutes179Cheryl W. Goo-Rego Memorial Scholarship
Funded byAnonymousThis scholarship aims to honor the life of Cheryl W. Goo-Rego by supporting students who demonstrate resilience, responsibility, and strong character.Amount$1,000Deadline:Jun 14, 2026Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes180
