[Page 6] 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.Dental Hygiene Basics Bachelor's Completion Scholarship
Funded byDental Hygiene BasicsThis scholarship aims to reduce financial barriers while uplifting motivated professionals who are committed to growth, service, and leadership.Amount$1,000Deadline:May 28, 2026Education LevelUndergraduateTakes minutes151Special 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 minutes152Bob 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 minutes153Leo J. Landry Memorial Scholarship
Funded byTom LandryThis scholarship seeks to honor the memory of Leo J. Landry by supporting students who wish to dedicate their lives to service in order to make a difference in the world.Amount$1,000Deadline:May 28, 2026Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes154Scott 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 minutes155Tawkify Meaningful Connections Scholarship
Funded byTawkify, Inc.This scholarship seeks to support the next generation of leaders who understand and champion human connection as they pursue higher education.Amount$4,000Deadline:May 28, 2026Education LevelAnyTakes minutes156Special Needs Advocacy Inc. Kathleen Lehman Memorial Scholarship
Funded bySpecial Needs Advocacy IncorporatedThis scholarship aims to honor the life of Kathleen Lehman by supporting students who are hoping to make a difference in the special needs community.Amount$3,500Deadline:May 28, 2026Education LevelUndergraduate, GraduateTakes minutes157Enders Scholarship
Funded byShaun EndersThis scholarship aims to support students who have lost a parent(s) to violence, drugs, or alcohol so they can better their lives and heal through meditation.Amount$7,500Deadline:May 29, 2026Education LevelAnyTakes minutes158Larry Jackstien Jazz Piano Community Impact Scholarship
Funded byJill Jackstien AngerbauerThis scholarship aims to honor the life of Larry Jackstien by supporting young jazz pianists and inspiring them to create lifelong positive impacts in their communities through performances, education, and mentorship.Amount$6,000Deadline:May 29, 2026Education LevelAnyTakes minutes159Heather Brown Sports Information Scholarship
Funded byHodgson and Brown FamilyThis scholarship seeks to honor the memory of Heather Brown by supporting students who share her interest in sports information.Amount$2,000Deadline:May 29, 2026Education LevelHigh School, UndergraduateTakes minutes160Eddie L. Smith Sr. Memorial Scholarship
Funded bySmith FamilyThis scholarship will support high school seniors in Louisiana who want to make a positive impact on the world through their career.Amount$500Deadline:May 29, 2026Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes161Ray W Bausick Green Industry Memorial Scholarship
Funded byKevin KossThis scholarship seeks to honor the life of Ray W Bausick by supporting high-achieving students who are pursuing careers in the green industry.Amount$8,000Deadline:May 29, 2026Education LevelHigh School, UndergraduateTakes minutes162Tom LoCasale Developing Character Through Golf Scholarship
Funded byLoCasale Family and FriendsThis scholarship seeks to honor Tom LoCasale’s life by supporting students who have learned valuable life skills through the sport of golf.Amount$3,000Deadline:May 29, 2026Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes163Sgt. Albert Dono Ware Memorial Scholarship
Funded byUnited African OrganizationThis scholarship seeks to honor the life of Sgt. Albert Dono Ware by supporting students who share his commitment to helping others.Amount$10,000Deadline:May 29, 2026Education LevelUndergraduateTakes minutes164Deborah Stevens Pediatric Nursing Scholarship
Funded byDeborah StevensThis scholarship seeks to support nursing students who are interested in pursuing careers in pediatric nursing.Amount$3,000Deadline:May 29, 2026Education LevelUndergraduateTakes minutes165Tammurra Hamilton Legacy Scholarship
Funded byTam’s Beautiful ButterfliesThis scholarship aims to honor Tammurra Hamilton's legacy of prioritizing her education by supporting both high school and college students pursuing higher education.Amount$500Deadline:May 29, 2026Education LevelHigh School, UndergraduateTakes minutes166Salt Lick on Salt Creek Dream Big Scholarship
Funded bySalt Lick on Salt Creek, LLCThis scholarship aims to support students who dream big and are passionate about their creativity and future careers.Amount$1,000Deadline:May 29, 2026Education LevelUndergraduateTakes minutes167Woodbridge VA State Burner's MC College Scholarship
Funded byWoodbridge VA State Burner's MCThis scholarship seeks to support students who are preparing to graduate from high school and pursue their dreams of higher education.Amount$1,000Deadline:May 30, 2026Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes168Pastor Thomas Rorie Jr. Christian Values Scholarship
Funded byFamily and Friends of Pastor Thomas Rorie Jr.This scholarship seeks to honor the life of Pastor Thomas Rorie Jr. by supporting students who share his strong sense of faith.Amount$2,000Deadline:May 30, 2026Education LevelAnyTakes minutes169Sharra Rainbolt Memorial Scholarship
Funded byShred Cancer AssociationThis scholarship seeks to support students who have been personally impacted by cancer so they can continue working toward their dreams.Amount$25,000Deadline:May 30, 2026Education LevelUndergraduate, GraduateTakes minutes170Jeffrey J. Douglas First Amendment Scholarship
Funded byFree Speech CoalitionThis scholarship seeks to honor the work of Jeffrey J. Douglas by supporting students who share his interest in First Amendment law.Amount$5,000Deadline:May 30, 2026Education LevelUndergraduate, GraduateTakes minutes171Stuart Air Show IDOT Scholarship in Memory of Steve Bednarz
Funded byStuart Air ShowThis scholarship seeks to honor the incredible life of Steve Bednarz by supporting students who share his passion for STEM and aviation.Amount$3,000Deadline:May 30, 2026Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes172Jacob Goodfriend Memorial Scholarship
Funded byJana BrownThis scholarship aims to honor the life and memory of Jacob Goodfriend by supporting students who are preparing to embark on their futures.Amount$1,000Deadline:May 30, 2026Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes173Homeschool Students Service Scholarship
Funded byMichelle MooreThis scholarship seeks to support students who are homeschooled but planning to continue their education through college.Amount$500Deadline:May 30, 2026Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes174Zachary Scheppat Memorial Science Scholarship
Funded byScheppatThis scholarship seeks to honor the memory of Zachary Scheppat by supporting students who want to become research scientists and/or science teachers.Amount$6,000Deadline:May 30, 2026Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes175Harold Lee Treadway Memorial Scholarship
Funded byTreadwayThis scholarship seeks to support students who will carry forward Harold Lee Treadway’s values in their own journeys and honor his legacy of Christian love, resilience, and compassion.Amount$500Deadline:May 30, 2026Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes176Trudgers Fund
Funded byC.Louis GableThis scholarship will support undergraduate students who have struggled with addiction and are currently sober.Amount$1,000Deadline:May 30, 2026Education LevelUndergraduateTakes minutes177Let Your Light Shine Scholarship
Funded byAshley ThackerThis scholarship seeks to support motivated students who dream of becoming entrepreneurs after completing their college education.Amount$1,000Deadline:May 30, 2026Education LevelHigh School, UndergraduateTakes minutes178Anderson Women's Rugby Scholarship
Funded byHeather AndersonThis scholarship aims to help women’s rugby players pay for college so they can afford the costs of higher education.Amount$25,000Deadline:May 30, 2026Education LevelAnyTakes minutes179Scorenavigator Financial Literacy Scholarship
Funded byScoreNavigator IncThis scholarship will support high school junior and senior students from low-income backgrounds, who have a 3.0 GPA or higher.Amount$7,500Deadline:May 30, 2026Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes180
