[Page 7] The 210 Best Essay Scholarships in September 2026

This scholarship honors Deena Collins by supporting female-identifying high school, undergraduate, and graduate students in Kansas or Nebraska with a 3.0+ GPA who are pursuing healthcare (including mental health) careers, with preference for those planning to practice in rural areas.

This scholarship supports Black/African American rising undergraduate freshmen who completed high school or their GED in 2026 and live in Metro Atlanta, Georgia (Fulton, DeKalb, Clayton, Cobb, Gwinnett, Douglas, or Henry County).

This scholarship supports Puerto Rican heritage, first-generation-college-bound high school seniors pursuing a two- or four-year degree in social work, psychology, sociology, political science, international relations, or criminal justice.

This scholarship honors Rose M. Jackson by supporting Detroit Public Schools Community District high school seniors as they pursue a two- or four-year college degree.

This scholarship supports first-generation undergraduate students at HBCUs who plan to pursue a career in music.

This scholarship honors Henry Walker Sr by supporting African American undergraduate students with financial need who attend an HBCU, maintain a 2.8+ GPA, and have volunteering experience.

This scholarship honors public health nurse Evelyn Blackwood by supporting nursing students in a four-year Bachelor's program at a university in Washington or Idaho.

This scholarship supports high school seniors and undergraduates who have personally overcome or are working to overcome a mental health challenge and are pursuing a degree in a mental health-related field like psychology, counseling, or social work.

This scholarship honors Jennifer Geisler by supporting undergraduate parents in Western Pennsylvania as they balance pursuing their education with raising their children.

This scholarship seeks to support and uplift Black girls who demonstrate academic promise, leadership potential, and financial need as they pursue education and career pathways in S.T.E.A.M.

This scholarship aims to support students who have had to overcome obstacles in order to pursue a college education.

This scholarship supports undergraduate or trade school students who are the children of a U.S. military veteran as they pursue higher education.

This scholarship supports undergraduate students majoring in Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies who hold at least a 3.0 GPA, encouraging them to pursue their diverse interests while serving their communities.

This scholarship supports female high school, undergraduate, and graduate students pursuing fashion business, fashion design, merchandising, styling, marketing, entrepreneurship, or another fashion-related field.

This scholarship honors Edith Scarbrough by supporting Head Start teachers (high school graduate through graduate level) with at least one year of work experience who are pursuing further studies in education or child development, with preference for Michigan applicants.

This scholarship supports Maryland and Virginia undergraduates with at least a 3.2 GPA who have lost a parent, guardian, or caregiver to cancer and are pursuing a service-oriented career.

This scholarship honors Henry Respert by supporting undergraduate students pursuing medical research, biomedical science, neuroscience, or psychology, with preference given to Michigan State University students.

This scholarship honors Dickinson L. Howell by supporting University of New Hampshire undergraduate and graduate students pursuing STEM majors, with a preference for engineering students.

This scholarship aims to continue Terry Masters’ legacy of giving by inspiring others to paint outdoors and to honor his memory through excellence in the arts for years to come.

This scholarship honors Dr. Steve Aldana by supporting undergraduate students pursuing wellness, employee wellness, or public health.

This scholarship supports undergraduate golfers with a 2.5+ GPA at select universities.

This scholarship seeks to honor the life and lasting impact of Equan Bedenfield by supporting students who share her ambition.

This scholarship aims to honor the memory of Ellen Randolph by supporting undergraduate and graduate nursing students who demonstrate financial need.

This scholarship supports female-identifying undergraduate students (associate or bachelor's) pursuing their dreams of higher education.

This scholarship aims to honor the memory of Sharon L. Smartt by supporting students who are pursuing the humanities.

This scholarship aims to honor the life of Dr. Shuqiao by supporting students who are pursuing their ambitions in psychology and psychiatry.

This scholarship honors the memory of Bre Hoy by supporting high school seniors and undergraduate students with a 3.2+ GPA who play softball.

This scholarship seeks to support students who are pursuing careers as special education teachers so they can provide the incredible care and guidance that the next generation of students needs to succeed.

This scholarship supports Christian undergraduate and graduate students from Western Illinois who are pursuing pastoral or evangelistic ministry studies.

This scholarship honors Andrew Tipikin by supporting trade school students who have experienced foster care, adoption, or being orphaned or parentless.