We had a scholarship write-in this week and to celebrate we compiled this handout with Tips for Writing Scholarships, Mistakes to Avoid in the scholarship writing process,and over $11,000 in Scholarships to check out!
Here are some of the scholarships in the PDF handout created by Lori Danley and Mike Turner (which you can easily download and carry with you on your adventures):
$2,500 Superpower Scholarship, D: Mar 31, 2025 (Essay or Video)
$1,000 Courage to Grow Scholarship, D: Mar 31, 2025 (offered monthly)
$1,000 Three Sentence Scholarship (Return2College Scholarship), D: Apr 30, 2025
$3,000 All About Education Scholarship, D: Apr 30, 2025 (Essay or Video)
$1,000 Freddie L. Brown Sr. Scholarship, D: May 5, 2025
$2,000 RonranGlee Literary Scholarship, D: June 17, 2025; 5 winners
And if you read to the end of this blog post, here is another scholarship not in the handout:
$1,000 Delete Cyberbullying Mental Health Awareness Scholarship, D: June 30, 2025
Prompt: Answer ONE of the following questions in one paragraph. Option 1: “Why is mental health important to you personally?” Option 2: “Why is it important to delete cyberbullying and its impact on mental health?”
I am often asked, “Can I get a scholarship if ___________?” Fill in the blank with whatever condition or state you wish, such as if I have below a 2.0 or if I have a 3.0 or I don’t write well.
The answer is, “It depends.”
Every scholarship has different criteria:
Some don’t require a GPA, such as the Do Something Scholarships, for “between the ages 13 and 25 years old and live in the U.S. (or are a U.S. citizen, but living abroad” and encourage positive social action)
While others require a GPA of some kind, such as the minimum GPA of 2.0 [you can have a higher GPA] for the Shawn Carter Foundation Scholarship (opens Apr 1, closes Apr 30; US Citizen of Permanent Resident; 25 years or younger; demonstrated financial need [adjusted gross income (AGI) of $75,000 or less; pursuing your first undergraduate degree).
Even others such as the $8,000 Regions Riding Forward Scholarship require you to have a 2.0 minimum GPA (or if no GPA is provided at school, be in “good standing” or the equivalent thereof in school) and be a U.S. legal resident of one of the following states: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas.
Four prizes are awarded, two for videos and two for essays (500 words or less) and the upcoming deadline for the first quarter is March 31, 2025.
You can apply once in each quarter, which means there are three more chances in 2025.
Some scholarships are to help adopted children to pay for college, like the $40,000 Umps Care All-Star College Scholarship, deadline May 1, 2025. People applying for this scholarship must be “children adopted at after the age of 13 (or who have exited foster care to permanent guardianship).
This student will be eligible to receive up to $10,000 annually to go towards tuition, books, and other college-related expenses.
Other money goes toward opportunities outside normal tuition, something like the 1,000 Dreams Fund Scholarship, Deadline March 31, 2025, “The 1,000 Dreams Scholarship provides one-time educational assistance for currently enrolled high school, college-aged or graduate school women throughout the United States.”
Other scholarships may go toward those who have been “treated for dermatologic conditions,” such as the Ortho Dermatologics Aspire Higher Scholarships, up to $10,000 each, three for students pursuing undergraduate or vocational/technical degree, and three for students pursuing graduate degrees. This scholarship opens March 14, 2025, and the deadline is June 11, 2025.
Shortcut Guide:
If you didn’t want to read all the above, here are quick links:
Ortho Dermatologics Aspire Higher Scholarships, Deadline: June 11, 2025
Note: the above has some embedded links. I couldn’t figure out how to convert them to just text links. I got tired of trying.
Writing Help at the TSU Writing Center for Scholarships
or Any Writing Concern
As a Tennessee State University student, faculty/staff member, or alumni, if you need help with scholarship applications, essays, or any other writing concern, know that the Writing Center at Tennessee State University is here for you!
Spring 2025 hours are Monday-Friday, 8:00 am-4:30 pm and Sunday, 6:00 pm-7:30 pm, 615.963.5102.
Writing assistance is available in person in the Writing Center, relocated to room 229, TSU library, 2nd floor, or available online.
If you already have an account, log in and make an appointment.
If you don’t have an account, register for an account by clicking on “Register an Account” next to FIRST VISIT? and schedule your appointment!
For assistance with finding scholarships, sign up for Mr. Turner or Ms. Danley. For help with any writing concern including resumes, applications, or essays for scholarships or internships, you can sign up for any available writing tutor (Ms. Kavan, Dr. Carroll, Ms. Danley, or Mr. Turner).
I discovered several scholarships, and I will highlight one that is against cyberbullying; then, I will provide the link and the description to some food science scholarships.
Finally, I will show you where I found these scholarships.
$1,000 Delete Cyberbullying Social Media Scholarship, D: Feb 28, 2025
$1,000 Delete Cyberbullying Social Media Scholarship, D: Feb 28, 2025
Selected criteria from webpage:
“In an effort to get students committed to the cause of deleting cyberbullying, we are offering the Delete Cyberbullying Social Media Scholarship for high school and college students to help cover educational expenses.
We want to raise awareness that much of cyberbullying takes place on social media. Those who spend more time on social media are more likely to be cyberbullied so it’s important for students to be aware of the signs of cyberbullying.
How to Apply:
To apply, you must be a high school student (9th-12th grader), college student or graduate student attending or planning to enter an accredited U.S. college or university.
Selection is based on the written statement and focused on creativity, content and commitment to the cause of deleting cyberbullying.
Short Essay
Answer ONE of the following questions in one paragraph. Option 1: “Why is it important to work to delete social media cyberbullying?” Option 2: “How has social media cyberbullying personally affected you?” ”
Food Science Scholarships and How to Find More Scholarships
I found the above scholarship and the food science scholarships on JLV College Counseling’s blog.
The Food Science scholarships’ deadlines are Feb 28, 2025, and the scholarships vary from $1,500 to $5,000 or more ($25,000 for the Dr. Elwood F. Caldwell Graduate Fellowship).
To read more Scholarship Saturday entries, click on Blog once you are there.
Writing Help at the TSU Writing Center for Scholarshipsor Any Writing Concern
As a Tennessee State University student or faculty/staff member, if you need help with scholarship applications, essays, or any other writing concern, know that the Writing Center at Tennessee State University is here for you!
Spring 2025 hours are Monday-Friday, 8:00 am-4:00pm and Sunday, 6:00 pm-7:30 pm, 615.963.5102.
Writing assistance is available in person in the Writing Center, relocated to room 229, TSU library, or available online.
If you already have an account, log in and make an appointment.
If you don’t have an account, register for an account by clicking on “Register an Account” next to FIRST VISIT? and schedule your appointment!
For help with any writing concern including resumes, applications, or essays for scholarships or internships, you can sign up for any available writing tutor. This includes brainstorming ideas or creating scripts for videos.
For assistance with finding scholarships, sign up for Mr. Turner or Ms. Danley.
Many scholarships that don’t require a GPA may require some type of creative work, such as a written essay, piece of art, video, or poem. Strongly consider such scholarships when pursuing a college debt free education.
$2,000 Annual Drug Rehab USA—Mental Health Scholarship, D: Dec 1, 2025
Please click on the link above to learn all about this scholarship, including the creative work of the 2024 Scholarship winner.
Selected from webpage:
“About This Mental Health Scholarship
Welcome to the Drug Rehab USA Mental Health Scholarship, a beacon of support for aspiring mental health professionals dedicated to making a positive impact on individuals and communities. This scholarship, valued at $2,000, aims to recognize and reward students pursuing degrees in mental health fields. We believe in the transformative power of education and the profound influence mental health professionals can have on the well-being of society.
Eligibility: The Drug Rehab USA Mental Scholarship is open to students enrolled in any mental health degree program, including but not limited to psychology, counseling, social work, psychiatric nursing, and other related fields. Applicants must be committed to making a difference in the field of mental health and demonstrate a passion for improving the lives of others.
You must have an @.edu email to enter.
Application Process:
To apply for The Drug Rehab USA Mental Scholarship, interested candidates must submit a compelling piece of content that explains why they are pursuing a mental health degree and outlines the difference they aspire to make in the future. This content can take various forms, including an essay, video, artwork, or any creative medium that effectively communicates the applicant’s story and vision.
Submission Guidelines:
Length: Essays should be between 500-800 words, while videos should not exceed 5 minutes.
Creativity: Applicants are encouraged to express their passion creatively and authentically.
Relevance: The content should clearly address why the applicant has chosen a mental health degree and how they envision contributing to the field.
Current Student: Must be a current student at any University in The Unites States.
Student Email: You must use your student email to be eligible for this scholarship.”
$1,000 “Pen to Paper” Scholarship for Storytellers, D: June 30, 2025
Selected criteria from webpage:
“This scholarship is open to high school juniors and seniors (graduating class of 2025 or 2026), 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!
U.S. Citizens, Permanent Residents
Essay Prompt
[Note: Please only respond to 1 of the following 3 prompts]
1. If you were a superhero, what would your superpower be? What would be your weakness?
2. Write a short story using the following three words as a foundation – (1) friendship, (2) abrupt,
(3) repair
3. Describe a day in the life of an inanimate object.
I am signed up for this newsletter that is sent out every Saturday by JLV College Counseling. Jessica Velasco also posts them on her blog. The newsletter for Feb 8, 2025, has 60 scholarships listed.
In celebration of the TSU Writing Center Open House, located in room 229 at the TSU library, 2nd floor, here are $10,000 worth of scholarships that don’t require a GPA.
You can ask about the following scholarships from Mr. Mike Turner, or just click on the links below to discover their details.
1. Ask about the $5,000 Never Satisfied Scholarship?
Writing Help at the TSU Writing Center for Scholarships
or Any Writing Concern
As a Tennessee State University student or faculty/staff member, if you need help with scholarship applications, essays, or any other writing concern, know that the Writing Center at Tennessee State University is here for you!
Spring 2025 hours are Monday-Friday, 8:00 am-4:00pm and Sunday, 6:00 pm-7:30 pm, 615.963.5102.
Writing assistance is available in person in the Writing Center, relocated to room 229, TSU library, or available online.
If you already have an account, log in and make an appointment.
If you don’t have an account, register for an account by clicking on “Register an Account” next to FIRST VISIT? and schedule your appointment!
For help with any writing concern including resumes, applications, or essays for scholarships or internships, you can sign up for any available writing tutor. This includes brainstorming ideas or creating scripts for videos. For assistance with finding scholarships, sign up for Mr. Turner or Ms. Danley.
Scholars & Dollars available for 99 cents as a Kindle book
Ben Kaplan, who won a little over $90,000 to go to Harvard virtually debt free, has released his new book, Scholars & Dollars: How to Get Admitted, Win Scholarships, and Jump-Start Your Future.
It is available for 99 cents in the Kindle store today, and I have already bought a copy. I don’t own a Kindle; I read it on my phone or my computer using the Kindle app that I downloaded for free.
Exclusive Scholarships Found at Bold.org
Scholarships offered by Bold.org are established by people who wish to commemorate individuals and/or address problems they see in the world. Here are three varied scholarships I discovered administered by Bold.org.
It is good to click on the link to read all the information about each scholarship.
$2,000 Security Insurance Corp. Scholarship, D: Feb 28, 2025
High school seniors or undergraduate students, Latin American background – Hispanic, Latino, or Brazilian; Field of study: Business, finance, or economics degree
From web page:
“This scholarship aims to support the next generation of students so they can be equipped with the knowledge and problem-solving skills they need to tackle the pressing insurance crises affecting our nation.
Any Hispanic, Latino, and/or Brazilian high school senior or four-year undergraduate student who is pursuing a degree in business, finance, or economics may apply for this scholarship opportunity.
To apply, write a short essay in response to one of the prompts below.
1. What importance does insurance and insurance agency have in our everyday life? How does it impact our lives in a positive way? What are the downsides?
2. For the past few years, some states, like Florida, California, and Texas, have been experiencing an exodus of insurance companies from their States due to disasters like hurricanes, floods, and fires. As a result, premiums have increased for the homeowners’ insurance, to the point it becomes unaffordable for some folks, especially retirees, and single parents. What solution do you suggest that would solve the insurance crises in these (and other) states in a way that would be good for the insured, the insurance companies and what can an Insurance agency do in the process? (400–600 words)”
$5,000, $2,500, $1,000 and $500 Lyndsey Scott Coding+ Scholarship, D: April 15, 2025
Major: Computer Science; Education Level: High school senior and undergraduate; Identification: LGBTQIA+, Women, and/or BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color)
From web page:
“The Lyndsey Scott Coding+ Scholarship will support the next generation of multi-faceted computer scientists, with a special focus on coders, by providing financial assistance for their degree. The goal is to uplift a diverse group of students who want to combine computer science with their other passions to pave a unique path towards enriching our world and its technology.
LGBTQIA+, Women, and/or BIPOC students who are majoring in computer science and are also pursuing other interests may apply. To apply, write about your computer science goals, your non-computer science goals, and how you might combine these goals in the future.
Essay Topic: Tell us about your computer science goals, non-computer science goals, and how you might combine these goals in the future. (400–600 words)”
$1,000 Jean Ramirez Scholarship, D: Apr 30, 2025, five winners
High school, undergraduate, and graduate students
From web page:
“To commemorate the legacy of Jean Ramirez, this scholarship seeks to provide financial support to students who are immediate family members that have experienced the loss of a loved one to suicide.
Undergraduate and graduate students who are immediate family members of a suicide victim are eligible to apply. In your application, please answer the following essay question.
Essay Topic: Reflect on your journey as a suicide loss survivor, discussing the challenges you’ve faced, the lessons you’ve learned, and how you’ve found resilience and hope in the face of tragedy. (400–600 words)”
You can browse thousands of exclusive scholarships at Bold.org by state, major, or academic year.
Writing Help at the TSU Writing Center for Scholarships
or Any Writing Concern
As a Tennessee State University student or faculty/staff member, if you need help with scholarship applications, essays, or any other writing concern, know that the Writing Center at Tennessee State University is here for you!
Spring 2025 hours are Monday-Friday, 8:00 am-4:00pm and Sunday, 6:00 pm-7:30 pm, 615.963.5102.
Writing assistance is available in person in the Writing Center, relocated to room 229, TSU library, or available online.
If you already have an account, log in and make an appointment.
If you don’t have an account, register for an account by clicking on “Register an Account” next to FIRST VISIT? and schedule your appointment!
For help with any writing concern including resumes, applications, or essays for scholarships or internships, you can sign up for any available writing tutor. For assistance with finding scholarships, sign up for Mr. Turner or Ms. Danley.
$500 Global Girls in STEM Scholarship, D: Feb 8, 2025, three winners
You are involved with STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math); have non-profit and volunteering experience, high school senior or first-year undergraduate student, underrepresented minority student, and female-identifying
$5,000 Whataburger Feeding Student Success Scholarship, 120 students, D: Feb 14, 2025, or “when 1,000 applications are received—whichever comes first.”
From webpage: “Whataburger is proud to offer $600,000 in scholarships for the 2025-2026 academic year through our Whataburger Feeding Student Success program. This opportunity is available to eligible students across our 16-state footprint, including both our Guests and our Family Members (employees).
120 students will each receive a $5,000 scholarship, which can be used for tuition, books, housing, or other educational expenses. The scholarships are open to students attending any college, university, or not-for-profit vocational school.”
ETS Full-Tuition Presidential Scholarship for HBCUs, D: Mar 17, 2025
From webpage:
“The ETS Presidential Scholarship for HBCU Students offers financial assistance to outstanding students attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Eight scholars (four from a private HBCU and four from a public HBCU) will be selected to receive a full tuition-only need/merit scholarship for the 2025–2026 academic school year.
Here are the key details for the 2025-2026 academic year:
Who is eligible to apply?
Any HBCU student who:
• is enrolled full time as a junior or senior during the 2024–2025 academic school year
• has a current grade point average of 3.5 or higher
• demonstrates leadership abilities
• demonstrates a financial need
• is a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident with valid permanent resident card or passport stamped I-551
Timeline:
Application Portal Opens: January 13, 2025.
Application Deadline: March 17, 2025.
Notification: Scholarship recipients will be notified in June 2025”
$20,000 a year Undergraduate Scholarship Program (UGSP) at the National Institutes of Health, D: Mar 26, 2025
Selected criteria from website:
Up to $20,000 per year for “tuition, educational, and reasonable living expenses. Scholarships are awarded for one year and can be renewed for up to four years.”
“This program is for students from disadvantaged backgrounds who are committed to careers in biomedical, behavioral, and social science research.”
“To apply for UGSP, you must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. In addition, you must:
Be enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a full-time undergraduate student at an accredited four-year college or university.
Have a grade point average of 3.3 or greater on a 4.0-point scale, or rank within the top five percent of your class.
Demonstrate exceptional financial need certified by your undergraduate institution’s financial aid office.
You must also be able to pass a federal background check.”
$2,000 RonranGlee Literary Scholarship, D: June 17, 2025; 5 winners
Close reading scholarship, high school seniors, undergraduate students
Essay topic: “Please select a paragraph of your choosing (provide a copy of the paragraph in your response), preferably from an ancient literature or philosophy book, and write a short essay expounding your understanding of the writer’s underlying meaning of the text.
Avoid summarizations and vague language that wanders from your central thesis that should be stated at the beginning of your essay. (600-2000 words)”
$5,000 POET Never Satisfied Scholarship, D: Feb 14, 2025
POET, founded in 1987, is the “world’s largest producer of biofuel and a global leader in sustainable bioproducts.”
And the company offers an interesting scholarship.
Selected criteria from the scholarship description:
“Applications are accepted through our website and consist of three essay-formatted questions. POET offers 15 $5,000 scholarships after several rounds of an internal reviewing process and one final round of Zoom interviews with the top 20 finalists.
Applications for the Never Satisfied Scholarship close on February 14, 2025. Winners will be announced via email and POET social media accounts on April 18, 2025.
Students enrolled in any accredited two- or four-year post-secondary school, regardless of major or GPA are eligible to apply.
The POET Never Satisfied Scholarship Program awards $5,000 scholarships to students who are Never Satisfied with “good enough” and share POET’s mission to create a brighter future. Never Satisfied Scholars also receive hands-on networking and learning opportunities with members of the POET team.
Scholarships are only offered to those located in the United States.
High school seniors who will be attending a two- or four-year postsecondary school the following fall are eligible.
International students attending school in the U.S. are eligible; however, there may be withholding requirements.”
Must be currently enrolled at an accredited two- or four-year postsecondary school
Must be a freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior status
Must be pursuing an applicable degree or course of study
Must be in good academic standing within your majors and overall at your university
POET internships are available in Sioux Falls, Wichita, and at several POET bioprocessing locations (locations and positions are subject to change). Internships begin in mid- to late May and typically last 10 to 12 weeks, allowing ample time to complete a substantial project and make a significant contribution to our organization.”
Community Foundation Locator—Here you can put your zip code in and find out if any community foundations near your permanent residence offers scholarships; I found one foundation with a scholarship deadline of March 15, 2025, so I would check.
TMCF/McDonald’s Black and Positively Golden Scholarship ($15,000 for the 2025-2026 academic year)—Opens November 11, 2024-Deadline: April 25, 2025 (11:59 pm EST)
All applicants attending an HBCU with a GPA of 2.7 or higher must upload a professional image in your school logo and/or school colors and answer the following video question (2 mins max): “What unique perspective, passion, or curiosity drives your academic interests? How do you envision it shaping your future as a scholar and leader in your field?”
Regions Riding Forward Scholarship ($8,000) Deadline for Quarter 1 contest: March 31, 2025; there are three more opportunities throughout 2025
More criteria can be found at the link above, including the requirement of a GPA of 2.0 or above (and if no GPA is provided by the school, be in “good standing”) and being a legal US resident of one of the eligible states: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas.
More Scholarships and How to Find More Money to Pay for School Handout in the
Blog post from January 10, 2025
If you wish to find more information about more scholarships and how to find more money to pay for school, go to the January 10, 2025 blog post and download the 18 page handout, “Scholarship and Funding Opportunities for Undergraduate and Graduate School.”
Writing Help at the TSU Writing Center for Scholarships or Any Writing Concern
As a Tennessee State University student or faculty/staff member, if you need help with scholarship applications, essays, or any other writing concern, know that the Writing Center at Tennessee State University is here for you!
Spring 2025 hours are Monday-Friday, 8:00 am-4:00pm and Sunday, 6:00 pm-7:30 pm, 615.963.5102.
Writing assistance is available in person in the Writing Center, relocated to room 229, TSU library, or available online.
If you already have an account, log in and make an appointment.
If you don’t have an account, register for an account by clicking on “Register an Account” next to FIRST VISIT? and schedule your appointment!
For help with any writing concern including resumes, applications, or essays for scholarships or internships, you can sign up for any available writing tutor. For assistance with finding scholarships, sign up for Mr. Turner or Ms. Danley.
You can contact Rhonda Kavan, Writing Center Coordinator at Tennessee State University, at rkavan@tnstate.edu; Michael Turner, Writing Instructor/ Tutor at mjturner@tnstate.edu; Lori Danley, Writing Instructor/Tutor at ldanley@tnstate.edu; and Shiloh Carroll, Writing Instructor/Tutor at scarroll@tnstate.edu.
On Wednesday, January 8, 2025, I gave the following Zoom workshop for the 2025 Writing Hub Bootcamp, “Scholarship and Funding Opportunities for Undergraduate and Graduate School Through Scholarships.”
You will find more than $80,000 worth of scholarships and programs to tap into to fund a more money, less debt college degree.
In this 18-page handout, you can find some of the following opportunities:
How to Prepare for the TSU Foundation scholarships
Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee scholarships, Deadline: Feb 1, 2025
How to Find Other Community Foundations to See If There Are Opportunities Tied to Your Permanent Address
$20,000 Sean Carroll’s Mindscape Big Picture Scholarship, D: Jan 20, 2025, two winners; winners announced Feb 20, 2025; this involves writing an essay.
TMCF/McDonald’s Black and Positively Golden Scholarship ($15,000 for the 2025-2026 academic year)—Opens November 11, 2024-Deadline: April 25, 2025 (11:59 pm EST)
Scholarship Tigers--Students Helping Each Other Find Money for College 