[Page 7] The 210 Best Essay Scholarships in May 2026
Updated: May 11, 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.No Essay Scholarship by Sallie
Funded byBold.orgThis exclusive no-essay scholarship is for anyone thinking through how to pay for college.Amount$10,000Deadline:May 31, 2026Education LevelAnyTakes minutes181SCFU 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, 2026Education LevelUndergraduate, GraduateTakes minutes182Wagner and Young Scholarship Opportunity
Funded byWagner and YoungThis scholarship aims to support students who are pursuing higher education so they can overcome the challenges they have faced in life and create the futures of their dreams.Amount$500Deadline:Jun 1, 2026Education LevelAnyTakes minutes183Frederick and Bernice Beretta Memorial Scholarship
Funded byBeretta FamilyThis scholarship seeks to honor the memories of Frederick and Bernice Beretta by supporting students who are trying to better themselves through education.Amount$5,000Deadline:Jun 1, 2026Education LevelHigh School, UndergraduateTakes minutes184Margot 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, 2026Education LevelUndergraduate, GraduateTakes minutes185Margot 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, 2026Education LevelUndergraduateTakes minutes186Women in Healthcare Scholarship
Funded byLive it UpThis scholarship aims to support and empower female students pursuing degrees in healthcare so they can afford to complete their education and shape the future of healthcare.Amount$3,000Deadline:Jun 1, 2026Education LevelAnyTakes minutes187Deborah Ann Parsons Memorial Scholarship
Funded byAnonymousThis scholarship aims to honor the life of Deborah Ann Parsons by supporting students who are passionate about pursuing higher education.Amount$2,500Deadline:Jun 1, 2026Education LevelHigh School188Community Health Ambassador Scholarship for Nursing Students
Funded byLive it UpThis scholarship seeks to lower the financial burden of college in order to encourage and empower nursing students to make a difference not only in healthcare institutions, but also within their local communities.Amount$3,000Deadline:Jun 1, 2026Education LevelAnyTakes minutes189Greg Lockwood Scholarship
Funded byKen LockwoodThis scholarship seeks to honor the life of Greg Lockwood by supporting queer students seeking higher education.Amount$1,100Deadline:Jun 1, 2026Education LevelHigh School, UndergraduateTakes minutes190Minorities 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, 2026Education LevelHigh School, UndergraduateTakes minutes191Janice 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, 2026Education LevelHigh School, UndergraduateTakes minutes192Vernardo 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, 2026Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes193Patricia 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, 2026Education LevelHigh School, UndergraduateTakes minutes194Patricia 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, 2026Education LevelHigh School, UndergraduateTakes minutes195Drake 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 minutes196YOU 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, Undergraduate197Lily 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 minutes198Thomas 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, Undergraduate199Bio-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 minutes200Bio-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 minutes201Bio-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 minutes202Bio-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 minutes203Bio-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 minutes204Maria'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 minutes205John 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 minutes206SBJ 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 minutes207Christopher 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 minutes208Marilynn 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 minutes209James 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, Graduate210
