Top 980 Writing & Essay Scholarships ✍️ in March 2026

Do you fancy yourself a wordsmith? If you value creative writing as a form of communication, we encourage you to apply for the Pen to Paper Scholarship for Storytellers! Whether you’re interested in poetry, short stories, novels, or screenplays, we want to hear from you. This scholarship is open to high school, undergraduate, and graduate students who enjoy crafting stories and expressing ideas through the arrangement of words on paper. To apply for this scholarship, students must submit a 250-word piece of original creative writing. Please note that applicants will be reviewed based on both the quality of their essay and quantity of scholarships applied for on the Scholarships360 platform. Scholarships360 users who are more active on the platform will be given higher consideration. Happy writing! This scholarship is due on October 31, 2026 (11:59PM EST) to mark the closure of NaNoWriMo! Even if you don't have a full novel in you, try to find the time for this 250-word essay!Show Less

The Scholarships360 $10,000 “No Essay” Scholarship is open to all students who want some extra help paying for their education. Whether you are a high school student who hopes to go to college, a graduate student who’s in a master’s program, or an adult learner who wants to return to school, you are eligible for our no essay scholarship. This scholarship will be awarded to students who get the most out of Scholarships360 scholarships and content. You will be a strong applicant if you apply to scholarships with the Scholarships360 platform. Finalists for this scholarship will be interviewed about their process for funding their education. This scholarship has rolling monthly application deadlines. Students applying earlier will have a greater chance of winning. The final application date for the 2026 cycle is June 30, 2026; the winner of the $10,000 No-Essay Scholarship will be announced by July 31, 2026 on our scholarship winners page.Show Less

Ok, so first question–why is this scholarship named the “Gutsy” Graduate Student Essay Scholarship? If you are enrolled in graduate school or have heard stories from those enrolled, you already know! “Gutsy” means courageous and determined, which nearly all successful graduate students are. The "Gutsy" Graduate Student Essay Scholarship aims to help lessen the financial burden for a passionate graduate student who is actively looking for ways to fund their higher education journey. This scholarship is open to both current graduate students and college seniors planning to enroll in a graduate program in the coming academic year. Students seeking master’s and doctorate degrees as well as graduate certificates are welcome to apply. Please note that applicants will be reviewed based on both the quality of their essay and quantity of scholarships applied for on the Scholarships360 platform. Scholarships360 users who are more active on the platform will be given higher consideration. Good luck on your educational journey, and we hope to read your application! Applications for this scholarship are due on June 30, 2026 (11:59PM EST).Show Less

The "College Here I Come" Scholarship for Class of 2026 is open to high school seniors in the US graduating class of 2026. Here at Scholarships360, scholarships are our passion–we know that you can never have enough of them! After all, scholarships are essentially “free money” to help fund your education. We want to help out a lucky high school senior who is just starting out on their higher education journey and actively looking for ways to fund it. Please note that applicants will be reviewed based on both the quality of their essay and quantity of scholarships applied for on the Scholarships360 platform. Scholarships360 users who are more active on the platform will be given higher consideration. We hope that you apply and look forward to reading your application! This scholarship is due on May 31, 2026 at 11:59pm EST.Show Less

Are you a woman in high school, college, or graduate school enrolled during the 2025-26 academic year? If so, let us help you! Our $1,000 “Making Waves” Scholarship for Women aims to help women cover the costs of pursuing their dreams. Whether that dream is starting a business, learning a foreign language, or running for office, the scholarship will cover those costs and make your journey a little easier. No matter your goals, we want to help out a woman who is passionate about their higher education journey and actively looking for ways to fund it. In order to apply, simply write an essay about an inspirational femal figure in your life. Please note that applicants will be reviewed based on both the quality of their essay and quantity of scholarships applied for on the Scholarships360 platform. Scholarships360 users who are more active on the platform will be given higher consideration. We encourage you to apply and look forward to reading your essay. Good luck! This scholarship is due on March 31, 2026 (11:59PM EST) to mark the end of Women's History Month!Show Less

Our $1,000 “Tuition Solution” Scholarship is open to all currently enrolled high school, undergraduate, and graduate students who are looking for ways to fund their postsecondary education in STEM. In order to apply, you must write an essay about which area of science, technology, engineering, or math most excites you, and what have you done to explore or pursue that interest. No matter which STEM field ignites your interest, we look forward to reading your essays. Please note that applicants will be reviewed based on both the quality of their essay and quantity of scholarships applied for on the Scholarships360 platform. Scholarships360 users who are more active on the platform will be given higher consideration. Apply today - it’s time to cell-e-brate you! Applications are due on November 8, 2026 (11:59PM EST) in honor of National STEM Day!Show Less

The "Follow Your Own Path" Scholarship aims to support all current students planning to pursue higher education. Thus, no matter your own unique educational path, we hope you apply for this $1,000 scholarship. Please note that applicants will be reviewed based on both the quality of their essay and quantity of scholarships applied for on the Scholarships360 platform. Scholarships360 users who are more active on the platform will be given higher consideration. We look forward to reading your application! This scholarship is due on August 31, 2026, at 11:59 PM EST.Show Less

Community college, also known as two-year college, is a golden opportunity for many students. These schools offer an affordable education to a diverse range of students in a wide range of majors. If starting your postsecondary education at a community college is right for you, we have a scholarship just for you! The “Commencing at Community College” Essay Scholarship aims to financially support community college students who are passionate about their higher education journeys and actively looking for ways to fund it. In order to apply for the “Commencing at Community College” Essay Scholarship, students must submit an essay explaining how earning their degree or certificate at community college will help them achieve their educational and career goals. Please note that applicants will be reviewed based on both the quality of their essay and quantity of scholarships applied for on the Scholarships360 platform. Scholarships360 users who are more active on the platform will be given higher consideration. We look forward to reading your application! Applications for this scholarship are due on January 31, 2027 (11:59PM EST).Show Less

The U.S. is home to over 2,000 four-year universities offering bachelor’s degrees. However, attending such universities can sometimes come with hefty costs that can deter students from attending. With the $1,000 “Outstanding Undergraduate” Essay Scholarship, we aim to help out a lucky undergraduate student who is passionate about their higher education journey and actively looking for ways to fund it. The scholarship is open to any U.S. citizen who is a high school senior or currently enrolled as an undergraduate at a four-year university in the U.S. In order to apply, submit an essay explaining how earning your bachelor’s degree will help you achieve your educational and career goals. Please note that applicants will be reviewed based on both the quality of their essay and quantity of scholarships applied for on the Scholarships360 platform. Scholarships360 users who are more active on the platform will be given higher consideration. We look forward to reading your application! This scholarship is due on November 30, 2026 (11:59PM EST).Show Less

This scholarship is open to high school juniors (graduating Class of 2027) who are proactive about broadening their horizons. To broaden your horizons means to expand your range of knowledge and experiences. It means putting yourself out there, trying new things, and meeting new people. To apply for this scholarship, tell us about one thing you have done in the past year to broaden your horizons. Whether you picked up a new hobby, learned a new skill, traveled to a new place, or spent time with different people – we want to know what you’re doing to foster growth in your life. See the “Application Information” section below for details regarding the short answer response. Please note that applicants will be reviewed based on both the quality of their response and quantity of scholarships applied for on the Scholarships360 platform. Scholarships360 users who are more active on the platform will be given higher consideration. We look forward to reading your application! This scholarship is due on May 31, 2026 at 11:59PM EST.Show Less

The "Moving Mountains" Scholarship is open to currently enrolled Hispanic/Latino high school, college, and graduate students who have moved mountains in their life. To move mountains means to achieve something incredibly difficult. It means overcoming obstacles, persevering in the face of adversity, and achieving success against all the odds. Whether it’s passing a difficult class, completing a rigorous project, or excelling in sports, we all have our own way of moving mountains. We want to know about yours. Please note that applicants will be reviewed based on both the quality of their essay and quantity of scholarships applied for on the Scholarships360 platform. Scholarships360 users who are more active on the platform will be given higher consideration. We look forward to reading your application! This scholarship is due on October 15, 2026 (11:59PM EST) in honor of the end of Hispanic Heritage Month.Show Less

The French artist Henri Matisse once said, “another word for creativity is courage.” Releasing art into the world involves overcoming fear and self-doubt. Even the most successful artists grapple with questions like “am I good enough?” or “will people like this?” If you’re a creative student who has ever struggled with these questions, we encourage you to apply for this scholarship! The "Creativity Takes Courage" scholarship is open to students studying any form of visual and/or performing arts who write an essay on an important piece of art in their lives. This could be a song that moves you, a building in your community, a poem, a video game, a piece of clothing, a family recipe, or something you've created yourself. Get creative! Please note that applicants will be reviewed based on both the quality of their essay and quantity of scholarships applied for on the Scholarships360 platform. Scholarships360 users who are more active on the platform will be given higher consideration. We look forward to reading your application! This scholarship is due on April 15, 2026 (11:59PM EST) in honor of World Art Day!Show Less

The “Making the Leap” Scholarship is open to undergraduate students who are transferring to another educational institution in pursuit of a bachelor’s degree. We know that getting from point A to point B isn’t always straightforward, and that sometimes there are twists, turns, and unexpected detours along the way. If you’re a transfer student making the leap to another school, you probably know what we’re talking about. Switching educational institutions can be challenging, which is why we’re offering a $1,000 scholarship to help one outstanding transfer student. Please note that applicants will be reviewed based on both the quality of their response and quantity of scholarships applied for on the Scholarships360 platform. Scholarships360 users who are more active on the platform will be given higher consideration. We look forward to reading your application! Applications for this scholarship are due on January 31, 2027 (11:59PM EST).Show Less

In recognition of the invaluable service that nurses provide to our communities, we’re offering a $1,000 "Caretakers on the Climb" scholarship to one outstanding student pursuing a career in nursing. Nurses are the heart and soul of our medical system. They treat the sick and injured, look after our elderly, and provide much-needed support during public health crises. They are true caretakers. If you’re a “caretaker on the climb” who could use some help paying for school, we encourage you to apply for this scholarship! Please note that applicants will be reviewed based on both the quality of their essay and quantity of scholarships applied for on the Scholarships360 platform. Scholarships360 users who are more active on the platform will be given higher consideration. We look forward to reading your application! Applications for this scholarship are due on May 31, 2026 (11:59PM EST) in honor of National Nurses Month.Show Less