Although College Hippo is mainly a site for graduate and doctorate students, our research recently led us to some interesting data for high school students. If you are a teen with a passion for writing, there are many scholarship competitions you can enter. Even better, these scholarships are portable, meaning you can apply them to any university you decide to attend.
Scholarship Competitions:
1. Voice of Democracy Scholarship Competition
- For this scholarship students compete for the award by writing and recording an audio essay on a patriotic theme.
- The first place winner receives a grand prize of $30,000. Winners also receive an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C.
- A total of $154,000 in awards is given out annually.
- This competition is open to all students in grades 9-12.
2. The Fountainhead Essay Contest
- For this scholarship, students compete for the award by writing an essay on one of three topics related to Ayn Rand’s The Fountainhead.
- The first-place winner receives a grand prize of $10,000. Runner-ups also receive prizes. A total of around $20,000 is given out annually.
- The competition is open to students in grades 11-12
3. Atlas Shrugged Essay Contest
- For this scholarship students compete for the award by writing an essay that relates to Ayn Rand’s Atlas Shrugged.
- The first-place winner receives $25,000. Three students receive second-place prizes of $2,500. Five students receive third-place prizes of $500, and fifty finalists are awarded $100.
- The competition is open to high school seniors, college students, and graduate students.
4. American Legion National High School Oratorical Contest
- This scholarship based on public speaking and writing skills. Students compete for this award by preparing and performing a 3-5 minute oration on some aspect of the US Constitution.
- The first place winner receives an award of $18,000, second place receives $16,000, and third place receives $14,000. There are also smaller awards for state winners. In total, annual awards amounts can be over $138,000.
- The competition is open to American high school students under 20 years of age.
Good luck in your college applications, and happy writing!