Underclassmen ( Grades 9-11 ) Scholarships
Scholarship
Brief description / requirements
Website Amount Deadline
October
November
Prudential “Spirit of Community “Award
Grades 9-12
spirit.prudential.com
Self -initiated community service
2 state winners get trip to Wash, DC
$1000- 5000 11/5
UNA-Oregon’s High School Essay Competition on the United Nations
250-500 word essay
Grades 9-12
una-oregon.org/essay_info.htm
2014 prompt:
TBA
$50-200 Nov. --check back in fall for details
VFW Voice of Democracy
3-5 min audio essay
Grades 9-12
www.vfw.org
2013 prompt:
“Why I’m Optimistic About our Nation’s
$1000 – 30,000
11/1
Future”
Bennington Young Writers Competition
Poetry, fiction ( short story, 1 act play ) , nonfiction
Grades 10-12
bennington.edu/youngwriters
competition.aspx
Ist $500
2nd $250
11/1
We The Students Scholarship Contest
Bill of Rights Institute
Grades 9-12
http://billofrightsinstitute.org/programs-events/students-programs-events/scholarship/
Must answer 3 essay questions related to the principles of the Constitution and the relevance of the Constitution today
$500-4000 Nov. check back in Sept. for contest details
Free Speech Essay Contest
FIRE- Foundation for Individual Rights in Education
800-1000 words
Grades 11-12
www.thefire.org
Prompt:
Why is free speech important at our nation's colleges and universities?
$1000-10,000
1/1
First Freedom Student Essay Competition
Essay: 750-1450 words
Video : 5-7 mins
www.firstfreedom.org
Past Topic: International Religious Freedom Act and Universal of Human
$2500 11/18
online registration
11/25
( up to 4 teammates )
Grades 9-12
Rights
1. Should the advancement of freedom of religion be a part of U.S. foreign policy? If so, why? If not, why not? What challenges might the United States face in trying to advance religious freedom internationally? (Please support your arguments with academically respected sources that consider differing views.)
2. Does religious oppression half way around the world affect you and other citizens? If so, how? If not, why not?
3. How does Eleanor Roosevelt's statement that universal human rights begin in "small places, close to home - so close and so small that they cannot be seen on any map of the world" apply to you and the impact that you and your generation can have on the advancement of freedom of religion and conscience now and in the future, at home and abroad?
Essay/video due
December
AFA Teens for Alzheimer’s Awareness Video Competition
Length <= 2 minutes
Grades 9-12
www.afateens.org/competition_video.html
Create an artistic or documentary (non-fiction) video of two minutes or less that conveys the following: - A moment in relation to Alzheimer’s disease ,your understanding of the disease, caregiving , or community
$250-500 Dec. --check back in fall for details
volunteer/activist
Love Your Body Poster Contest
NOW= National Association of Women
Grades 9-12
loveyourbody.nowfoundation.org/
posters/contest.html
Challenge media’s use of narrow, unrealistic, negative images of women that profit from women’s dissatisfaction with their bodies
The poster must include “2013 Love Your Body Campaign” website address, www.nowfoundation.org.
Artists can submit multiple posters
$150 12/2 -- Double Check deadline
Music Student Scholarship Essay Contest
SBO Magazine
Member of band/orchestra
Essay: 250 words
http://www.sbomagazine.com/essay-contest/
2014 Prompt:TBA
$1000
merchandise awarded to schools
Dec. --check back Sept. 1st for new topic and deadlines
Grades 9-12
Better Business Bureau
“Students of Integrity “ Scholarship
Essay : 1000 words
GPA 3.5+
Grades 11-12
alaskaoregonwesternwashington.bbb.org/
scholarship
Which one of BBB’s standards of trust do you value most in businesses? Why”
$2500 award to Oregon student
Dec. --check back in fall for details
January
Rose Festival Court Scholarship Program
GPA 3.0+
Female
Grades 11- 12
rosefestival.org/events/rosecourt/
apply.shtml
Minimum of 20 hours of community service at time of application
$3500 +
Mentorship from Pacific Power
Jan.--check back in fall for details
Optimist International
Essay and Oratorical
Contests
Essay: 700-800 words
Speech : 4-5 minutes
Grades 9-12
http://www.optimist.org/e/member/
scholarships3.cfm
Students must first compete at local club level.
$2500 to
District winner in essay and speech categories
4/15
Young Playwrights Inc National Playwriting Competition
Grades 9-12
www.youngplaywrights.org/
national-competition
10 national winners
1/ 2 -- Double Check deadline
Carson Scholars www.carsonscholars.org/scholarships/important-dates-and-deadlines
$1000 Jan. check back in fall for
GPA 3.75+
Grades 9-11
Community service+ academics.
One nomination/school
details
Follow link to website to request application form
JFK Profile in Courage Essay Contest
1000 words
Grades 9-12
Jfklibrary.org/Education/Profile-in-Courage-Essay-Contest.aspx
Describe political courage by a U.S. elected official that occurred during or after 1956 (publication date of Profiles in Courage), addressed at the local, state, or national level.
$500- 10,000
+ trip to Kennedy Library
⅙ -- Double Check deadline
Scholastic Writing and Arts Awards
11 writing categories
$5 /submission
Grades 9-12
www.artandwriting.org
Categories: dramatic script, flash fiction, humor, journalism, novel writing, personal essay/memoir, persuasive writing, poetry, portfolio ( seniors only $ 20 )
Regional: Key award; National:
Metal;
Jan. check back in fall for details
Letters About Literature
Center for the Book- Library of Congress
writing contest; Grades 9-10
lettersaboutliterature.org
Readers write a personal letter to an author, living or dead, how that author's work changed the student's way of thinking about the world or themselves. see web site for guidelines
State Winners
$50-100
National Winners: $1000
12/10 -- Double Check deadline
Annual Create- A Greeting- Card Scholarship Contest
Grades 9-12
www.gallerycollection.com/
greeting-cards-scholarhship.htm
Contest to create a holiday card, birthday card, or all occasion greeting card
Photo, artwork, or computer graphic for front of greeting card.
$10,000 1/15
C-Span Student Cam
Student Documentary Competition
Grades 9-12
www.studentcam.org
2014 theme: What’s the most important Issue Congress should consider in 2014?
$250-5000 1/20 check website
Gulen Institute Youth Platform Scholarship Contest
1500-2000 word essay
Referenced
Grades 9-12
gulenyouthplatform.org
Previous Prompt:
What role should state and non-profit agencies play in the education of disadvantaged youth who are not realizing their potential?
$50-3000+
Trip to DC
National ACT High School Poster Concept Contest
www.actstudent.org/postercontest
Original poster answering the
$1000-5000 Jan. , check back in fall for
On CD-R or DVD-R or scannable;
Grades 11-12
question: “Why Take the ACT? “
Should promote the theme of attending college and taking the ACT
details
Association for Women in Math Essay Contest
500-1000 words
Grades 9-12
awmath/programs/essay-contest/
contest-rules
Essay should be based primarily on an interview with a woman currently working in a mathematical career
Prize + essay published online at the AWM web site.
1/31
Dupont Challenge Science Essay Award
700-1000 words
Grades 9-12
thechallenge.dupont.com
Prompt:TBA
$100-3000 Jan. 2014, check back in fall for details
February
National Peace Essay Contest
Grades 9-12
usip.org/ed/programs/npec
2014 Prompt: How does security sector reform contribute to sustainable peace?
State wins: $1000 + trip Wash DC
National: $2500-10,000
2/3/2014
The Christopher’s Poster Contest for High School Students
Grades 9-12
www.christophers.org/page.aspx?pid=274
Create a poster interpreting the theme:
“It’s better to light one candle than to curse the darkness”
Must be 15X20 inches in size- see website for details
$100-1000 2/21/2014
Best Buy Scholarship
GPA 2.5+
Grade 9-12
bestbuy-communityrelations.com
Community service or work experience
$1000
1100 scholarships given nationally
Feb. check back in fall for details
Chinese American Citizens Alliance National Essay Contest
Chinese ancestry
Grades 9-12
www.cacanational.org/essay-contest
Local : cacaportland.org
Contact Portland host to register- see web site for details
Timed essay contest- 2 hours to write 500 word essay on day of contest ( March )
$100-1000
( national )
Also local prizes
Feb. check back in fall for details
March
Kohl’s Kids Who Care
Scholarship
Grades 9-12
www.kohlskids.com $1000-9000
Regional
National
3/14
Dr. Ethel Simon-McWilliams
Scholarship
Black United Fund of Oregon
Grade 11 ONLY
bufor.org/index.php/site/
programs –and-services
GPA must be in range : 2.5-2.85
2 page essay
Up to $2500
x 4 yrs
4/1
Young Naturalist Award
(American Museum of
Natural History )
Grades 9-12
amnh.org/learn-teach/
young-naturalist-awards
Research-based science competition for students to promote participation and communication in science.
$1000-2500+
trip to DC
March, check back in fall for details
Westpoint Bridge Design Contest
Grades 9-12
bridgecontest.usma.edu
Engineering competition involves
Designing truss bridges
Enter alone or team of 2
$5000-10,000
+ Dell computers
March , check back in winter for details
Zonta Club’s Young Women in zontaportland.org/?pay_ID=2 $1000 at March, check
Public Affairs Award
Grades 11-12
Portland and district levels
back in winter for details
Portland Farmers Market Bag Design Contest
Willamette Valley –area high schools
Grades 9-12
www.countryfarmersmarkets.com
Select Portland- follow links to contest
2013 theme: Sprouts in the City
Design will be on thousands of reusable canvas bags
$500-1000 March 2014, check back in winter for details
Doodle 4 Google Art Competiton
Grades 9-12
www.google.com/doodle4google
2014 Theme : TBA
50 state finalists win trip to NYC
National winners:
$5000-30,000
March, check back in winter for details
NewsCurrents Student Editorial Cartoon Contest
Grades 9-12
newscurrents.com/intro/edcartoons/
carcon2.html
Entrants must submit original cartoons on any subject of national or international interest.
US savings bonds
March,check back in winter for details
Annual Kaplun Essay Contest
Level 1: Grade 9
250-1000 words
www.kaplunfoundation.org/upload/essay.html
Level 1 ( Grade 9 ): What person of importance to the Jewish people would you like to meet and why?
$750-1800 March, check back in winter for details
Level 2: Grades 10-12
250-1500 words
Level 2 ( Grades 10-12 ) : Are the Ten Commandments still the cornerstone of civilization’s moral code? Why or why not?
Engineer Essay Contest
Boys and Girls
Max 1500 words
Grades 9-12
www.engineergirl.org
2014 prompt:
TBA
$100-500 March 2014, check back in winter for details
American Legion Oratorical Contest
8-10 min speech+
3-5 min assigned topic
Grades 9-12
www.legion.org
Speech aspect of the U.S. Constitution, emphasis on the duties and obligations of citizens to our government
2013 Assigned topics:
http://www.legion.org/oratorical/topics
Up to $18,000
Top 4 state winners receive award
March, check back in winter for details
Hays Kirby Memorial Scholarship Essay Contest
( Joe Foss Institute )
Minimum of 1500 words; Grades 9-12
www.joefoss.com/programs/scholarship-program
2014 Prompt:TBA
$250-5000 March check back in winter for details
The Youth Film Project- Multnomah Bar Association
www.theyouthfilmproject.org Prizes+ screening at
March, check back in winter
Length : 5 mins ( max )
Grades 9-12
2013 Theme: Realizing the Dream: Equality for All.
5 Topics to choose from : We The People, Equality in the Future, Influential person/group/event, I Have a Dream, Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere
Hollywood Theater may 2,2013
for details
DNA Day Essay Contest
American Society of Human Genetics
750 word essay
Grades 9-12
www.ashg.org/education/
dnadaycontest.shtml
2014 Prompt:
TBA
$100-1000 March, check back in winter for details
National DDay Museum Online Essay Contest
Max 1000 words
Accept first 500 entries;
www.ddaymuseum.org
2014 Prompt
$500-1000
March 2014, check back in winter for details
Grades 9-12 TBA
Ayn Rand Institute Essay Contests
Reading- writing contests
600-1200 words
aynrandnovels. org
See web site deadlines - different each novel
Anthem – Atlas Shrugged –The Fountainhead
$30-10,000 Deadlines:
4/20
9/17
4/26
Jiffy Lube Teen Drive Scholarship Program
500 words
Current licensed high school drivers
yourturn2apply.com $500 to Oregon student
March, check back in winter for details
“State Fish” Art Contest
Artwork+ 1 page essay, story or poem
Grades 9-12
www.wildlifeforever.org/contest
May select any official state fish to illustrate.
See website for list of fish and contest details.
3 state winners- Art Show awards in several categories
March, check back in winter for details
Young American Creative Patriotic Art Brochure
VFW Ladies Auxiliary
Combine art with patriotic vision
Grades 9-12
www.ladiesauxvfw.org/
images/stories/PatArt2012.pdf
Enter contest through local Ladies Auxiliary of VFW
Art must be on paper or canvas. Digital art not accepted. See website for more details.
$500-10,000 3/3. Check website
Greenfield Peace
Writing Contest
Essays, poems or fiction
Max 600 words
Grades 11-12
www.oregonpsr.org
Oregon Physicians for Social Responsibility
2014 prompt: TBA
$500-1000 March, check back in winter for details
Listen to a Life
Essay Contest
300 word story
Grades 9-12
http://www.legacyproject.org/
contests/ltalform.html
Interview with grandparent or “grandfriend” 50 years or older
( not parent )
Prizes: Computer+ clock
March,check back in fall for details
April
Tiffany Wang Arts Scholarship
Must be ¼ Chinese
GPA 3.0+
Grades 9-11 (no seniors )
www.cacaportland. org
Money for summer arts program in art , photography, dance, vocal, instrumental
$500
To use towards a summer
arts program
April, check back in fall/winter for details
Annual Signet Classics Student
Scholarship Essay Contest
Essay: 2-3 pages
Submitted by English teacher
Grades 11-12
http://www.us.penguingroup.com
/static/pages/services-academic/essayhome.html
See web site for essay questions
Pick one of the 6 topics
2014: Beowulf
$1000 4/14 Check web
The Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes
Grades 9-12
barronprize.org/about-prize
Leader of service project that helped your community or the environment
$2500 April, check back in fall/winter for details
Trimet Safety Video Contest
Length: 30-90 seconds
Grades 9-12
trimet.org/safetyvideocontest or
facebook.com/trimet
Videos should demonstrate safe behavior around buses and trains. Videos can be made in groups as a class project, or can be made by individual students.
$550
Plus movie+ Ticketmaster
tickets
April , check back in fall/winter for details
The National Student Poetry Contest ( The America Library of Poetry )
www.libraryofpoetry.com
poem no longer than 20 lines- any
$500 plus random drawings for laptop
4/30
Grades 9-12
subject computers
May
Taco Bell Live Mas Scholarship
- must be legal resident of U.S.
- 16-24 years of age- on track to apply for
accredited post high school program
https://www.livemasscholarship.com/#home
Looking for the next generation of creators, innovators and dreamers - submit video of 2 minutes or less
$2,500-$25,000
Most likely May but check back often
Brower Youth Awards For
Environmental Leadership
Grades 9-12
www.broweryouthawards.org
Student environmental activist/social justice leaders -must be leader of project
$5000 May check back in fall/winter for details
Oregon State Bar OSB
New Lawyers Division Essay
500-750 words
Grades 9-12
osbar.org/onld/essay/essaycontest.html
Prompt: essay of 500-750 words, using information found in packet: constitutional amendment, case law.
$250-500 May check back in fall/winter for details
AAPT High School Physics Photo Contest
Photo + essay :250 words max describing physics in the photo
www.aapt.org/Programs/contests/
photocontest.cfm
$50-100
+ photo in
May 2014, check back in fall/winter for details
Limit: 15 photos/school
Grades 9-12
3 categories: Natural photos, contrived photos, and photos with multiple images
calendar
National History Day
( Oregon Historical Society- local partner )
5 categories include: paper ( 1500-2500 words ), web sit , documentary ( 10 mins limit ) , exhibit, performance
Grades 9-12 senior division
www.nhd.org/Oregonpage.htm
www.nhd.org/Contest.htm
State coordinator :
Email: [email protected]
2013 Theme: Turning Points in History: People, Ideas, Events
Historical research competition: choose a historical topic related to the annual theme and conduct primary+secondary research
National level:
$250-1000
May, check back in fall/winter for details
Samsung Super Hero
Video Contest
Digital video 1-3mins ( camera phone OK quality OK )
Grades 9-12
www.samsungsuperhero.com
Students are to portray their favorite historical character on video
$500
+ SANCAM 760 for school
May
Winter/spring deadline:
November 30,
June
Abbott and Fenner Annual Award Essay
500-100 words
Grades 11-12
abbottandfenner.com/
scholarship.htm
2014 prompt: TBA
$1000 6/14
Donna Foss Scholarship Essay Contest ( Joe Foss Institute )
1500- 2000 words
Grades 9-12
www.joefossinstitute.org
2014 Prompt: TBA
$1000-5000 June, check back in fall/winter for details