It’s amazing how many ways you can turn your passions and hobbies into scholarship money for college. Here are five exciting scholarship contests!
Scholastic Art & Writing Awards
Award: Varies
Deadline: TBD for 2021 (Opens September 2020)
The Scholastic Art & Writing competition covers a large variety of creative works. In fact, students can compete in certain competitions as early as seventh grade. Creative students graduating should check out the Portfolio Scholarships. Around 16 graduating seniors will receive $10,000 each for their work, and 30 will receive $1,000. Additionally, there’s a large amount of flexibility with these awards concerning what categories you can work in. However, you have to follow the regional guidelines and deadlines, found by typing your school’s zip code.
FIRST Robotics Competition and Scholarships
Award: Varies
Deadline: Varies
The FIRST Robotics Competition is a great challenge for high school students to work with their peers. Generally, team registration is in the fall (deadlines and costs vary by region). After the Kickoff ceremony in January, teams have six weeks to build an industrial-sized robot to complete tasks. Teams of ten or more students with two adult mentors compete. Even if students have no technical or engineering skills, any and all are welcome to participate.
Overall, there is something for everyone. This competition opens the doors to a lot of scholarships that only students who have participated in the FIRST Robotics Competition or FIRST Tech Challenge. For example, universities and colleges, corporations, organizations, and professional associations offer these scholarships. Deadlines and requirements vary by scholarship. Additionally, awards can range anywhere from a one-time award of $1,000 to full tuition.
UncommonGoods Art Scholarship
Award: $1,000
Deadline: July 15th, December 15th
This is a bi-annual art competition sponsored by UncommonGoods. Generally, they give two scholarships a year, one for the fall semester and one for the spring semester. This competition is for art and design undergraduates.
Signet Essay Contest
Award: $1,000
Deadline: April 15, 2020 (postmarked), received by April 22, 2020
The Signet Essay Contest is sponsored by Penguin. Each year, they choose a classic work of literature. For example, one year was The Tempest by William Shakespeare Another year was Incidents in the Life of Slave Girl by Harriet Jacobs. High school juniors and seniors can select one of the five topics to write about concerning the work. Five awards of $1,000 will go to the essayist the judges choose. Each winner’s school or public library will also receive a Signet Classics Library, so it’s a great competition for your community as well.
Create-A-Greeting-Card Contest
Award: $10,000
Deadline: March 2, 2020
Creative students should check out the Create-A-Greeting-Card Contest. Each year, The Gallery Collection hosts the contest. Winners get their artwork featured on a greeting card. Along with the $10,000 scholarship, the winner’s school also receives $1,000.
Want to find more scholarship contests? In that case, look through the internet! Or, ask your high school counselor. Generally, there are tons of scholarships out there!
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| Lender | Rates (APR) | Eligibility | |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
5.50%-16.12%* Variable
3.99%-15.61%* Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT CITIZENS |
|
|
5.54% - 15.70% Variable
3.99% - 15.49% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT SALLIE MAE |
 |
4.63% - 17.99% Variable
3.49% - 17.99% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT CREDIBLE |
 |
6.00% - 13.75% Variable
3.99% - 13.75% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT LENDKEY |
 |
5.66% - 14.72% Variable
3.69% - 14.56% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT ASCENT |
 |
3.70% - 8.75% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT ISL |
 |
5.62% - 16.85% Variable
3.69% - 16.49% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT EARNEST |
 |
5.00% - 14.22% Variable
3.69% - 14.22% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT ELFI |
