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[Page 6] The 210 Best Essay Scholarships in May 2026

Updated: April 27, 2026

Written by:Elise
4.9/5 by 20513 students

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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  1. Jason David Anderson Memorial Scholarship

    Funded by
    Kate Sansone
    This 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
    $500
    Deadline:
    May 18, 2026
    Education Level
    High School, Undergraduate
    Takes minutes
    151
  2. Coach August and Jodi Reich Scholarship

    Funded by
    August Gabriel Reich
    This scholarship seeks to support motivated students pursuing careers in business, sales, education, or entrepreneurship.
    Amount
    $500
    Deadline:
    May 18, 2026
    Education Level
    High School, Undergraduate
    Takes minutes
    152
  3. Project Climbing Everest Scholarship

    Funded by
    Project Climbing Everest
    This scholarship will support a high school senior pursuing a career in the mental health field.
    Amount
    $500
    Deadline:
    May 18, 2026
    Education Level
    High School
    Takes minutes
    153
  4. Dr. Hassan Homami Memorial Scholarship

    Funded by
    Nadereh Homami
    This scholarship seeks to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Hassan Homami by supporting first-generation immigrants who are pursuing their academic dreams.
    Amount
    $3,240
    Deadline:
    May 19, 2026
    Education Level
    Graduate
    Takes minutes
    154
  5. Clasen Scholarship

    Funded by
    Aurora Dentistry
    This scholarship aims to support students looking to pursue higher education in order to go on to careers in the medical arts.
    Amount
    $1,000
    Deadline:
    May 19, 2026
    Education Level
    High School
    Takes minutes
    155
  6. Prince Justice Memorial Scholarship

    Funded by
    Cole Family
    This 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
    $1,000
    Deadline:
    May 19, 2026
    Education Level
    Any
    Takes minutes
    156
  7. Williams Foundation Trailblazer Scholarship

    Funded by
    Williams Foundation
    This scholarship seeks to recognize and celebrate young trailblazers who are forging their own paths in life.
    Amount
    $1,000
    Deadline:
    May 19, 2026
    Education Level
    High School
    Takes minutes
    157
  8. Marlene Manning Scholarship

    Funded by
    Manning
    This scholarship seeks to honor the life of Marlene Manning by supporting students from her home state as they pursue higher education.
    Amount
    $1,000
    Deadline:
    May 19, 2026
    Education Level
    High School, Undergraduate
    Takes minutes
    158
  9. Change of Heart Scholarship

    Funded by
    Jessica Thomas
    This scholarship seeks to support students who are preparing to finish high school and pursue their callings through higher education.
    Amount
    $1,400
    Deadline:
    May 19, 2026
    Education Level
    High School
    Takes minutes
    159
  10. Issa Foundation HealthCare Scholarship

    Funded by
    George Issa
    This scholarship seeks to support students who are passionate about medicine, not for prestige, but out of a genuine desire to serve others.
    Amount
    $1,000
    Deadline:
    May 19, 2026
    Education Level
    Graduate
    Takes minutes
    160
  11. Dr. Connie M. Reece Future Teacher Scholarship

    Funded by
    Nathan Allen
    This scholarship aims to continue the legacy of Dr. Reece by supporting budding teachers who will educate the next generation.
    Amount
    $500
    Deadline:
    May 19, 2026
    Education Level
    Undergraduate, Graduate
    Takes minutes
    161
  12. Medford Volunteer Ambulance Aspiring Healthcare Hero’s Scholarship

    Funded by
    Medford Volunteer Ambulance, Inc
    This 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
    $1,500
    Deadline:
    May 19, 2026
    Education Level
    High School
    Takes minutes
    162
  13. Evan T. Wissing Memorial Scholarship

    Funded by
    Katy Uhl
    This scholarship aims to honor the memory of Evan Wissing by supporting students who are hoping to improve their lives through education.
    Amount
    $1,000
    Deadline:
    May 19, 2026
    Education Level
    High School, Undergraduate
    Takes minutes
    163
  14. Tanner Morse Memorial Scholarship

    Funded by
    Pam Blass
    This scholarship aims to honor the memory of Tanner Morse by supporting passionate students who are pursuing their dreams on and off the court.
    Amount
    $500
    Deadline:
    May 20, 2026
    Education Level
    High School
    Takes minutes
    164
  15. Jennifer D. Hale Memorial Scholarship

    Funded by
    Haley burrow
    This scholarship aims to honor the memory of Jennifer D. Hale by supporting students who are pursuing their dreams in the field of nursing.
    Amount
    $1,000
    Deadline:
    May 21, 2026
    Education Level
    High School, Undergraduate
    Takes minutes
    165
  16. Alexis Mackenzie Memorial Scholarship for the Arts

    Funded by
    Martha R. Arias
    This scholarship seeks to support underrepresented women who are in need of financial support to pursue their artistic dreams.
    Amount
    $2,750
    Deadline:
    May 21, 2026
    Education Level
    High School
    Takes minutes
    166
  17. Scholarship for US/Algerian and US/Palestinian Community Members

    Funded by
    Anonymous
    This scholarship aims to support students who plan to spend their lives changing the world for the better and working towards peace and justice.
    Amount
    $2,000
    Deadline:
    May 21, 2026
    Education Level
    Undergraduate, Graduate
    Takes minutes
    167
  18. Dental Hygiene Basics Scholarship

    Funded by
    Dental Hygiene Basics
    This scholarship seeks to support the next generation of dental hygienists by making college more affordable.
    Amount
    $1,000
    Deadline:
    May 22, 2026
    Education Level
    Undergraduate
    Takes minutes
    168
  19. Clayton James Miller Scholarship

    Funded by
    Miller Family
    This scholarship seeks to recognize students who demonstrate meaningful extracurricular involvement, leadership, and social responsibility.
    Amount
    $3,000
    Deadline:
    May 22, 2026
    Education Level
    High School
    Takes minutes
    169
  20. Honorable Shawn Long Memorial Scholarship

    Funded by
    United Disabilities Services Foundation
    This scholarship will honor Shawn Long by supporting a high school senior in Pennsylvania.
    Amount
    $20,000
    Deadline:
    May 22, 2026
    Education Level
    High School
    Takes minutes
    170
  21. John F. Rowe, Jr. Memorial Scholarship

    Funded by
    Rowe Family
    This 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
    $3,500
    Deadline:
    May 22, 2026
    Education Level
    High School
    Takes minutes
    171
  22. Abigail O. Adewunmi Memorial Scholarship

    Funded by
    Abby's Corner
    This scholarship seeks to honor the legacy of Abigail O. Adewunmi by supporting students who are preparing to attend college.
    Amount
    $2,000
    Deadline:
    May 22, 2026
    Education Level
    High School
    Takes minutes
    172
  23. William Smith Scholarship

    Funded by
    Smith Family
    This scholarship aims to honor the life of William Smith by supporting students who are passionate about music.
    Amount
    $3,000
    Deadline:
    May 23, 2026
    Education Level
    High School
    Takes minutes
    173
  24. Minority Single Mother Scholarship

    Funded by
    Peggy Meyerhoff Pearlstone Foundation
    This scholarship aims to support deserving single mothers who struggle to afford to pursue their dreams without financial help.
    Amount
    $7,500
    Deadline:
    May 23, 2026
    Education Level
    Any
    Takes minutes
    174
  25. MSGT & DET Bridgette Rochelle Horn Memorial Scholarship

    Funded by
    Pam Younger
    This scholarship aims to honor the memory of Bridgette Rochelle Horn by supporting students who share her calling to help others.
    Amount
    $1,000
    Deadline:
    May 24, 2026
    Education Level
    High School, Undergraduate
    Takes minutes
    175
  26. Lewis Rural Opportunity Scholarship

    Funded by
    Lewis Family
    This 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
    $1,000
    Deadline:
    May 24, 2026
    Education Level
    High School
    Takes minutes
    176
  27. Minority Women in STEM

    Funded by
    martha bode
    This 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
    $10,000
    Deadline:
    May 25, 2026
    Education Level
    Undergraduate, Graduate
    Takes minutes
    177
  28. Ojeda Multi-County Youth Scholarship

    Funded by
    Geanette Rodriguez-Ojeda
    The Ojeda Multi-County Youth Scholarship will be awarded to two deserving inner-city high school students to help pay for tuition and books.
    Amount
    $500
    Deadline:
    May 25, 2026
    Education Level
    High School
    Takes minutes
    178
  29. Lando Young Memorial Scholarship

    Funded by
    Allen Watts
    This scholarship aims to honor the life and legacy of Lando Young by supporting students who are from Jefferson High School in Texas.
    Amount
    $1,500
    Deadline:
    May 26, 2026
    Education Level
    High School
    Takes minutes
    179
  30. Gloria Rickett Memorial Scholarship

    Funded by
    Rickett
    This scholarship aims to honor the memory of Gloria Rickett by supporting students who are preparing to begin college.
    Amount
    $15,000
    Deadline:
    May 26, 2026
    Education Level
    High School
    Takes minutes
    180