[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.Margot Bogner Memorial Scholarship
Funded byMargot Marie Pickering Bogner Memorial Scholarship FundThis scholarship will support a female student attending Kansas State University.Amount$5,000Deadline:Jun 1, 202613 days left!Education LevelUndergraduateTakes minutes151Janice Louise Olach Scholarship
Funded byLynn GreeneThis scholarship aims to honor the memory of Janice Louise Olach by supporting students from her community who are pursuing higher education.Amount$1,000Deadline:Jun 1, 202613 days left!Education LevelHigh School, UndergraduateTakes minutes152SCFU Scholarship for HBCU Business Students
Funded byThe Social Change Fund UnitedThis scholarship seeks to support Black students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) pursuing business-related degrees.Amount$40,000Deadline:Jun 1, 202613 days left!Education LevelUndergraduate, GraduateTakes minutes153Minorities in STEM Scholarship
Funded byAE CaresThis scholarship seeks to further diversity and inclusion in the world of STEM in order to invest in the future of the field.Amount$10,000Deadline:Jun 1, 202613 days left!Education LevelHigh School, UndergraduateTakes minutes154Margot Pickering Aspiring Attorney Scholarship
Funded byMargot Marie Pickering Bogner Memorial Scholarship FundThis scholarship will support passionate students currently in law school, or planning to attend law school.Amount$2,500Deadline:Jun 1, 202613 days left!Education LevelUndergraduate, GraduateTakes minutes155Patricia Lindsey Jackson Foundation - Eva Mae Jackson Scholarship of Education
Funded byPatricia Lindsey Jackson FoundationThis scholarship aims to help students who embody the values of Patricia Lindsey and Eva Mae Jackson and strive to make a positive impact.Amount$500Deadline:Jun 2, 202614 days left!Education LevelHigh School, UndergraduateTakes minutes156Patricia Lindsey Jackson Foundation-Mary Louise Lindsey Service Scholarship
Funded byPatricia Lindsey Jackson FoundationThis scholarship aims to recognize and empower students or community members who embody the spirit of service and compassion that Mary Louise Lindsey exemplified.Amount$500Deadline:Jun 2, 202614 days left!Education LevelHigh School, UndergraduateTakes minutes157Vernardo Book Scholarship
Funded byNikea VernardoThis scholarship seeks to support students who need financial assistance in order to rise above the barriers they face and thrive in higher education.Amount$1,000Deadline:Jun 2, 202614 days left!Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes158Drake Wood Suicide Awareness Scholarship
Funded byWood LawThis scholarship aims to honor the memory of Drake Wood by uplifting students who have helped in some way to support suicide prevention.Amount$1,000Deadline:Jun 3, 2026Education LevelHigh School, UndergraduateTakes minutes159YOU GOT IT GIRL SCHOLARSHIP
Funded byYGIGThis scholarship seeks to support female athletes who have overcome barriers in their life to pursue their dreams.Amount$1,000Deadline:Jun 5, 2026Education LevelHigh School, Undergraduate160Thomas Griffin Wilson Memorial Scholarship
Funded byWilson FamilyThis scholarship seeks to uplift underserved youth who otherwise might not have a chance to pursue higher education.Amount$20,000Deadline:Jun 5, 2026Education LevelHigh School, Undergraduate161Lily Tantillo Scholarship
Funded byTantilloThis scholarship seeks to honor Lily Tantillo’s legacy of light by uplifting and supporting students who carry forward her dedication, courage, and heart for justice.Amount$500Deadline:Jun 5, 2026Education LevelAnyTakes minutes162Bio-Rad Irvine/Santa Ana Scholarship
Funded byBio-Rad LaboratoriesThis scholarship aims to support students who are preparing to pursue higher education in the fields of science and engineering.Amount$6,000Deadline:Jun 6, 2026Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes163Bio-Rad Michigan Scholarship
Funded byBio-Rad LaboratoriesThis scholarship aims to support students who are preparing to pursue higher education in the fields of science and engineering.Amount$2,000Deadline:Jun 6, 2026Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes164Bio-Rad Washington Scholarship
Funded byBio-Rad LaboratoriesThis scholarship seeks to support students who are preparing to pursue higher education in the fields of science and engineering.Amount$2,000Deadline:Jun 6, 2026Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes165Bio-Rad Employee Dependent Scholarship
Funded byBio-Rad LaboratoriesThis scholarship aims to support students who are preparing to graduate from high school and pursue higher education.Amount$8,000Deadline:Jun 6, 2026Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes166Bio-Rad New Jersey Scholarship
Funded byBio-Rad LaboratoriesThis scholarship seeks to support students who are preparing to pursue higher education in the fields of science and engineering.Amount$2,000Deadline:Jun 6, 2026Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes167Christopher 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 minutes168John 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 minutes169Marilynn Walker Memorial Scholarship
Funded byMatlockThis scholarship seeks to honor the life of Marilynn Walker by supporting women who are pursuing business or international business.Amount$5,500Deadline:Jun 8, 2026Education LevelGraduateTakes minutes170Maria'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 minutes171SBJ 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 minutes172Mark 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 minutes173James 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, Graduate174Marshall 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 minutes175Gregory 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 minutes176Emerging 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 minutes177Hacia 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 minutes178Madelynn 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 minutes179Dinakara 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 minutes180
