[Page 7] The 210 Best Essay Scholarships in May 2026
Updated: May 18, 2026
Written by:
4.9/5 by 20511 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.
LIVE
May 19
,,
Awarded to Bold.org users
Why trust Bold.org?
100% free.Ryan 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 minutes181Madelynn 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 minutes182Emerging 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 minutes183Gregory 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 minutes184Dinakara 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 minutes185Cheryl 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 minutes186Janisse 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 minutes187Fuerza 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 minutes188Raymond 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 minutes189CJM 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 minutes190“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 minutes191Gladys 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 minutes192Peter 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 minutes193Ethel 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 minutes194Route 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 minutes195Rose 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 minutes196Minority 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 minutes197CollectaBees, 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 minutes198Hot 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 minutes199Cheryl 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 minutes200Audrey 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 minutes201Hank 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 minutes202Reach Higher Scholarship
Funded byReach3EThis scholarship seeks to make higher education more affordable and available to motivated students so they can fulfill all of their dreams.Amount$500Deadline:Jun 15, 2026Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes203New Light: Illuminating Your Future Scholarship
Funded byAnonymousThis scholarship seeks to support students who have left the Jehovah’s Witness faith and are seeking higher education as they carve their own path ahead in this world.Amount$1,000Deadline:Jun 15, 2026Education LevelAnyTakes minutes204Chris Jones Innovator Award
Funded byMosby Memorial Baptist ChurchThis scholarship seeks to honor the life and legacy of Chris Jones by supporting students who share his passions.Amount$1,000Deadline:Jun 15, 2026Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes205Natalie Joy Poremski Scholarship
Funded byAnthony PoremskiThis scholarship aims to honor the short life of Natalie Joy Poremski by supporting students pursuing careers in law, medicine, or political science.Amount$1,000Deadline:Jun 15, 2026Education LevelUndergraduate, GraduateTakes minutes206Lisa M. Hamilton Memorial Scholarship
Funded byAdvanced Software Products Group, Inc. [ASPG, Inc]This scholarship seeks to honor the legacy of Lisa M. Hamilton by supporting deserving young women who are passionate about technology and business.Amount$1,000Deadline:Jun 15, 2026Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes207Amos Hargrave Memorial Scholarship
Funded byMichele BergmanThis scholarship seeks to honor the memory and skill of Amos Hargrave by supporting students who share his passion for the craft of violin making.Amount$1,000Deadline:Jun 15, 2026Education LevelHigh School, UndergraduateTakes minutes208DAC Rugby Scholarship
Funded byRA Beck Sports & Entertainment DAC Coaching ServicesThis scholarship seeks to support student-athletes who are pursuing rugby alongside their educational endeavors.Amount$500Deadline:Jun 15, 2026Education LevelHigh School, UndergraduateTakes minutes209Albert Law Class of 2007 Scholarship for John F. Kennedy High School
Funded byAlbert LawThis scholarship aims to support students at John F. Kennedy High School by helping them get ready for and excel in higher education.Amount$10,000Deadline:Jun 16, 2026Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes210
