college scholarship essay contest

The Mensa Foundation Scholarship Program

The Mensa Foundation Scholarship Program awards more than $200,000 in assistance every year to college-bound students around the globe. Scholarships are awarded based solely on 550-word essays expressing applicants’ academic and professional goals and how their personal experiences will help them to accomplish those goals.

The U.S. scholarship program relies on approximately 450 dedicated volunteers around the country, with support from the Foundation’s office staff. U.S. applicants need not be Mensa members. However, college-bound Mensa members and their dependents may also be eligible for one of several $2,500 scholarships awarded each year through the Mensa Member Scholarship Program. Scholarship winners are notified in mid-June by mail and email.

The International Scholarship Program is open to international Mensans (other than American Mensa). One scholarship, which also includes dependents of international Mensa members, is for those attending college in the United States. The other scholarships are for international Mensans attending college other than in the U.S.

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College freshman scholarships - Dec '24

Apply below to the best College freshman scholarships for December 2024 .

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$1,000 Too Cool to Pay for School Scholarship

High school • Freshmen • Sophomores • Juniors • Seniors • Graduate Students

The Too Cool To Pay for School Scholarship awards $1,000 to eligible students in the US. Apply online to qualify.

December 31, 2024

Courage To Grow Scholarship

High school • Freshmen

The Courage to Grow Scholarship offers $500 for high school juniors/seniors and college students with a 2.5 GPA. Apply with an essay.

$1,000 Scholarship Monthly Sweepstakes

Age • High school • Freshmen • Sophomores • Juniors • Seniors

Enter the $1,000 Scholarship Monthly Sweepstakes by College Ave for a chance to win funds for college tuition each month.

$2,000 Sallie Mae Scholarship

Age • High school • Freshmen • Sophomores • Juniors • Seniors • Graduate Students

Apply for the $2,000 Sallie Mae Scholarship for U.S. students aged 17+ attending high school or college. Easy online application!

Clean Catalog Scholarship

Seniors • Freshmen • Juniors • Sophomores

The Clean Catalog Scholarship awards two $500 scholarships annually to eligible students who submit an essay.

Scholarship Detective Launch Scholarship

Freshmen • Sophomores • Juniors • Seniors

Apply for the Scholarship Detective Launch Scholarship for a chance to win $1,000 by answering a simple question in 140 characters.

Return 2 College Scholarship

Graduate Students • Seniors • Juniors • Freshmen

The Return 2 College Scholarship offers $1,000 to U.S. students aged 17+ with a simple essay requirement.

January 31, 2025

SmarterCollege Scholarship

Age • Freshmen • Sophomores • Juniors • Seniors

The SmarterCollege Scholarship offers $2,000 to US residents 17+ with a simple application form.

Training HQ's Scholarship

Freshmen • Sophomores • Juniors • Seniors • Graduate Students

Vocational Training HQ offers annual scholarships: $1,500 for 1st, $1,000 for 2nd, and $500 for 3rd place. Apply with an essay.

Brazos $1,000 No Essay Scholarship

Texas • Age • Freshmen • Sophomores • Juniors • Seniors

The Brazos $1,000 No Essay Scholarship is for Texas residents aged 18+ attending a four-year university.

Ted & Holly Rollins Scholarship

Ted & Holly Rollins Scholarship awards $5,000 to high school seniors with compelling life stories and career aspirations.

Appily's $1,000 Monthly Scholarship

Age • Sophomores • Juniors • Seniors • Graduate Students • Freshmen

Appily offers a $1,000 monthly scholarship for US students aged 13+. Apply online as a registered user.

Design Thinking Scholarship

Film • Graphic Design • Game Design • UX/Technical Design • Interior Design • Design/Visual Communications • Urban Design • Freshmen • Sophomores • Juniors • Seniors

The Design Thinking Scholarship offers $1,000 to students passionate about design thinking and digital design tools through an essay application.

CareerFitter Scholarship

Juniors • Seniors • Sophomores • Graduate Students • Freshmen

The CareerFitter Scholarship awards $1,000 to students with a 2.4 GPA or higher. Open to all students, including undocumented.

Michael Moody Fitness Scholarship

Athletic & Related • Psychology • Kinesiology/Physical Therapy • Nursing • Medicine • Dentistry • Mental Health • Health Education • Sports Management • Healthcare-Related • Freshmen • Sophomores • Juniors • Seniors • Graduate Students

The Michael Moody Fitness Scholarship offers $1,500 to students pursuing health and fitness careers, recognizing leadership and achievement.

August 1, 2025

HireAHelper Skilled Trade & Technology Scholarship

The HireAHelper Scholarship offers $2,000 for students pursuing trades or technology with a 3.4 GPA or higher.

Rover Scholarship

Freshmen • Juniors • Sophomores • Seniors

The Rover Scholarship offers $2,500 to U.S. students with a 3.0 GPA pursuing higher education. Essay required for application.

May 31, 2025

Worthy Women Scholarship

For Women • Age • Graduate Students • Freshmen • Sophomores • Juniors • Seniors

Worthy Women Scholarship provides up to $2,500 for women returning to school. Apply with an essay to pursue your passions.

April 1, 2025

Foreclosure.com Scholarship

Apply for the Foreclosure.com Scholarship for undergraduates. Write an essay to win up to $4,000.

December 15, 2024

Reach For Your Peak Scholarship

Oregon • Washington • High school • Freshmen

The Reach For Your Peak Scholarship offers 8 scholarships of $2,500 for Oregon and Washington high school juniors and seniors.

December 8, 2024

CollegeXpress $2,000 Winter Wonderland Scholarship

Age • Freshmen • Sophomores • Juniors • Seniors • Graduate Students

Apply for the $2,000 Winter Wonderland Scholarship by answering one question about the holidays. Open to U.S. residents aged 13+.

WonderMom Scholarship

Family • Freshmen • Sophomores • Juniors • Seniors • Graduate Students

WonderMom Scholarship awards $1,000 for high school seniors and $2,000 for college students who are single parents. Apply online.

Scholarships360's $10,000 “No Essay” Scholarship

Sophomores • Juniors • Seniors • Freshmen

Apply for Scholarships360's $10,000 'No Essay' Scholarship with a simple form. Open to all students seeking financial aid.

June 30, 2025

Kitchen Cabinet Kings Entrepreneur Scholarship

Economics • Operations Management • Marketing • Management • Business Administration • Business (MBA) • Accounting • Finance • Freshmen • Sophomores • Juniors • Seniors • Graduate Students

The Kitchen Cabinet Kings Entrepreneur Scholarship awards $2,500 to college students for an essay submission. Apply now!

December 23, 2024

Shape The Future Scholarship

Shape The Future Scholarship awards $2,500 to students passionate about Travel and Business with a 2.0 GPA. Essay required.

Varsity Tutors College Scholarship Contest

Enter the Varsity Tutors College Scholarship Contest for a chance to win a $200 prize by submitting an essay. Open to US residents aged 16+.

The Branch Out Scholarship

The Branch Out Scholarship provides $1,000 for students with a 2.5 GPA or higher. Apply with a personal statement on education commitment.

AFSA National Scholarship Contest

AFSA National Scholarship Contest offers $1,000 for high school seniors and home-schooled students in the USA. Apply online.

January 1, 2025

The Clubs of America Scholarship

The Clubs of America Scholarship awards $1,000 to undergraduates with a 3.0 GPA or higher who submit an essay on career aspirations.

August 31, 2025

The RevPart STEM Scholarship

Geological & Earth Sciences • Health/Medical Technology • Industrial Engineering • Information Sciences • IT/Information Technology • Kinesiology/Physical Therapy • Materials Science • Mathematics • Mechanical Engineering • Nuclear Engineering • Physics • Science • STEM • Technology • Aerospace • Agricultural Science • Animal Sciences • Astronomy • Meteorology • Aviation/Aeronautical • Biology • Chemical Engineering • Chemistry • Civil Engineering • Climate Sciences • Computer Engineering • Computer Science • Digital Communications/Media • Electrical Engineering • Electrical/Electronics • Energy • Engineering • Environmental Engineering • Environmental Science • Food & Nutrition • Food Sciences & Technology • Freshmen • Sophomores • Juniors • Seniors • Graduate Students

The RevPart STEM Scholarship offers up to $2,000 for undergraduate or graduate STEM students at accredited colleges.

The Mensa Foundation Scholarship Program

The Mensa Foundation offers scholarships for U.S. citizens and residents enrolled in accredited colleges, starting at $250.

January 15, 2025

Got a Spine Scholarship

The Got a Spine Scholarship offers $500 for full-time US or Canadian college students with a 2.5 GPA and an essay requirement.

May 2, 2025

CampusReel Scholarship

Apply for the $2,000 CampusReel Scholarship by watching a virtual tour and completing a short form.

Healthcare Leaders Scholarship

Dentistry • Emergency Medical Services/Paramedic • Health Education • Healthcare Administrative • Healthcare Assistant • Health/Medical Technology • Healthcare-Related • Kinesiology/Physical Therapy • Medical/Biomedical Engineering • Medicine • Mental Health • Nursing • Nursing Assistant • Pre-Dental • Pre-Med • Pre-Nursing • Public Health • Age • High school • Freshmen • Sophomores • Juniors • Seniors

The Healthcare Leaders Scholarship awards $1,500 to eligible nursing or medicine students. Apply now if you meet the criteria!

"A Bold Life" No-Essay Scholarship

High school • Freshmen • Sophomores • Seniors • Juniors • Graduates • Graduate Students

"A Bold Life" No-Essay Scholarship awards $500 to students and non-students dedicated to overcoming fear and pursuing fulfillment.

March 30, 2025

$5,000 Christian College Scholarship

Age • High school • Freshmen

Apply for the $5,000 Christian College Scholarship for students 13+ enrolling in Christian colleges. Complete an online form to qualify.

Women in Healthcare Scholarship

Childcare • Counseling • Dentistry • Emergency Medical Services/Paramedic • Health Education • Health/Medical Technology • Healthcare Administrative • Healthcare Assistant • Healthcare-Related • Kinesiology/Physical Therapy • Medical/Biomedical Engineering • Medicine • Mental Health • Nursing • Nursing Assistant • Pharmacy • Pre-Dental • Pre-Med • Pre-Nursing • Psychology • Public Health • Social Work • Veterinary • For Women • Freshmen • Sophomores • Juniors • Seniors • Graduate Students

The Women in Healthcare Scholarship offers $1,000 to female students pursuing healthcare. Share your passion and impact in the field.

July 2, 2025

Because College is Expensive Scholarship

Apply for the $500 Because College is Expensive Scholarship for high school and college students. Random drawing for winner.

I Have a Dream Scholarship

The I Have a Dream Scholarship offers $1,500 to a U.S. resident aged 14+ to support their educational aspirations.

Pumpkin Spice Fan Scholarship

Freshmen • Sophomores • Juniors • Seniors • Graduate Students • High school

The Pumpkin Spice Fan Scholarship awards $500 to students passionate about pumpkin spice, regardless of GPA or education level.

December 16, 2024

Advocates Law Scholarship

The Advocates Law Scholarship offers $1,000 to students for a 300-500 word essay. Open to current and prospective college students.

Autumn Davis Memorial Scholarship

Counseling • Nursing • Psychology • Social Work • Freshmen • Sophomores • Juniors • Seniors • Graduate Students

The Autumn Davis Memorial Scholarship awards $500 to students pursuing mental health careers. Open to students with a 3.0 GPA or higher.

March 2, 2025

AmericanMuscle Student Scholarship

Automotive • Engineering • Freshmen • Sophomores • Seniors • Juniors

Apply for the $2,500 AmericanMuscle Student Scholarship for automotive degree students. Submit an essay to qualify.

June 15, 2025

Scholarships4Moms.net Scholarship

For Women • Family • Age • Freshmen • Sophomores • Juniors • Seniors • Graduate Students

Win a $10,000 scholarship for mothers or expectant mothers enrolled in U.S. colleges. Apply now!

Diva of Halo Legacy Scholarship

For Bisexual students • For Gay students • For Lesbian students • For Queer students • For Transgender students • Community Service • High school • Freshmen • Sophomores • Juniors • Seniors • Graduate Students

The Diva of Halo Legacy Scholarship awards $2,500 to LGBTQIA+ students with a passion for community service. Apply now!

Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame Scholarship

Arkansas • High school • Freshmen

The Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame Scholarship offers ten $1,000 awards to high school senior student-athletes in Arkansas.

Concrete Rose Scholarship Award

For Black and/or African American students • For Hispanic and/or Latino students • For Native American / American Indian students • For Pacific Islander students • For Women • High school • Freshmen • Sophomores • Juniors • Seniors

The Concrete Rose Scholarship offers $500 to first-gen BIPOC women in high school or college with a 2.0 GPA. Apply by sharing your story.

AlvaradoSmith Raymond G. Alvarado Scholarship

Orange County • Law • Legal • For Hispanic and/or Latino students • Freshmen

Eisner Foundation Scholarship offers $4,000 for students active in Goals, applicable for fees or tutoring.

January 17, 2025

Simon Strong Scholarship

For Black and/or African American students • For Hispanic and/or Latino students • For Native American / American Indian students • For Pacific Islander students • Sophomores • Juniors • Seniors • Graduate Students • Freshmen

The Simon Strong Scholarship awards $500 to BIPOC students with volunteer experience and a 2.5 GPA. Essay required on overcoming adversity.

March 16, 2025

SolidEssay Scholarship Essay Contest

Graduate Students • Freshmen • Sophomores • Juniors • Seniors

Enter the SolidEssay Scholarship Contest for a chance to win up to $1,000 by submitting a 600-800 word essay on a chosen topic.

June 9, 2025

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Pivotal Essay Contest

About the scholarship.

The Pivotal Essay Contest is open to all high school students in the U.S. Students are recommended to read 'What We Owe The Future" by William MacAskill and must answer the essay prompts provided to be considered for this contest.

• Essay Required : No
• Need-Based : No
• Merit-Based : No
• Resident of the U.S.
• High school freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior
• Aged 13 to 19
• Country : US