Essay scholarships let high school students to win money for college by writing on specific topics. Many organizations offer scholarships based on the quality and thought put into essays written about a subject or theme related to the organization or ideas that help define it. Scholarships range from small cash awards to tens of thousands of dollars that help significantly with the rising cost of education.
Ayn Rand
The Ayn Rand Institute awards more than $80,000 in scholarships to hundreds of students from the eighth grade through the senior year of high school, as well as home-schooled high school students. Essay topics are typically center on the works of the author Ayn Rand. The essay scholarship contests require clear, articulate and logical writing between 800 and 1,600 words. The essays are judged on the ability of the student to grasp the philosophy of the novel.
Scholarship essays address the novels "Anthem," "The Fountainhead" or "Atlas Shrugged." Cash prizes are awarded to hundreds of students each year. Top prizes for "The Fountainhead" and "Atlas Shrugged" are $10,000, while the "Anthem" essay contest's top prize is $2,000. Smaller cash prizes go to those finishing as semi-finalists or better, beginning at $30 for "Anthem" and $50 for the other two essay topics.
Second Amendment
The NRA Civil Rights Defense Fund sponsors an essay scholarship contest for students in high school focused on the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. This amendment refers to the right to keep and bear arms. Essays must be around 1,000 words, neatly written or typed, and should include credible citations and an original approach to the topic. The theme of all essays is "The Second Amendment to the Constitution: Why it is important to our nation."
The senior-level contest is open to all students enrolled in grades 10 through 12 and offers a top scholarship prize of $1,000 in U.S. savings bonds. Ninth graders and below can compete for the junior-level scholarship. Home-schooled students are also eligible. This scholarship is highly competitive and the NRA Civil Rights Defense Fund receives a large number of submissions each year.
National Peace Essay Contest
More than 1,000 students enter the National Peace Essay Contest each year in hopes of winning scholarships and a five-day trip to Washington, D.C., for an awards program where the winners learn about international peacekeeping efforts. One top essayist from each participating state is chosen for the trip, with all expenses for travel, accommodations and meals furnished by the United States Institute of Peace.
Scholarship prizes include $10,000 for first place, $5,000 for second and $2,500 for third. One thousand dollar scholarships go to the top student from each state. The essay scholarship contest is open to students in ninth through twelfth grades, including home-schoolers. Essays should focus on the discussion of international peace and conflict resolution.
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