Ms. Rhonda Kavan, Writing Center coordinator; Dr. Shiloh Carroll, Writing Consultant; Ms. Lori Danley, Writing Consultant; and Mr. Mike Turner, Writing Consultant
You can also set up a scholarship coaching session (either online or in person) with Mr. Mike Turner, mjturner@tnstate.edu, where we look for scholarships and other money tailored to your major and your situation.
Question: “OMG… finding and applying for scholarships is serious business, but it’s time to lighten things up a little. We don’t want to know why you deserve $1,500 or how great your grades are, we simply want to LOL.
Describe an incident in your life, funny or embarrassing (fact or fiction), and make us laugh! (250 words or less)”
Here are some general guidelines for all of Unigo scholarships: “This award is for U.S. students. Must be a legal U.S. resident. Must be a resident of one of the 50 United States or the District of Columbia. Must be 14 years of age or older at time of application.”
$5,000 Bick First Generation Scholarship, D: Sept 9, 2026, six awarded
Winners announced Oct 10, 2026
First-generation college students who are in high school or enrolled in college or trade school.
To get a good overview of the scholarship and Marcia Bick Herman who inspired the scholarship, click on the link above.
Essay Topic: “To apply, tell us in 500 words or less what being a first-generation student means to you, how you’ve faced and overcome challenges, and how this scholarship would help you move closer to your goals.
Tell us about your dreams, what drives you, and how this scholarship would help you continue your journey. We’re not looking for perfection – we’re looking for honesty, heart, and a clear sense of purpose and determination. (300–500 words)”
$1,000 Building Bridges Scholarship, D: Sept 30, 2026
Selected criteria from web page:
“Each year NPVA (National Parent Volunteer Association) offers merit-based scholarships for students who are committed to volunteering and making a difference in their communities. Our scholarships are open to students pursuing undergraduate and graduate degrees.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must:
Be currently enrolled or plan to be enrolled part-time or full-time in an accredited U.S. college or university. Vocational/technical, two-year, four-year, or graduate institutions are eligible.
Be a high school junior or senior, undergraduate student, or graduate student
Have a grade point average of 2.5 or above on a 4.0 system
Recipients must provide an official transcript confirming their reported GPA and proof of enrollment. No transcript or proof of enrollment is required until after students are selected as winners.
Please write an essay of 150 words or fewer describing how you are involved in your community. You may describe any community of which you are a part including school, neighborhood, ethnic, or other.”
$1,000 Courage to Grow Scholarship, D: Sept 30, 2026
Applicants must be current high school juniors, seniors, or college students with a minimum GPA of 2.5. U.S. citizenship is required. Answer the scholarship question of why you deserve this scholarship in 250 words or less.
More than $5,000 in Scholarships that Require More Writing But Help You Grow as a Writer
The following two scholarships are more involved, which means fewer people will apply. Consider taking the time to see what is required and trying them out.
You could make appointments in the TSU Writing Center to help you plan out and go over various parts of the essay as you write them.
Also, you can see previous winners of these competitions and see what they wrote.
$1,000 to Help You Discover More About a Career You Love
$1,000 JonesTshirts.com “Love Your Career” Scholarship, D: Sept 10, 2026
Students attending college or university in the 50 U.S. states.
Write an essay between 1,000-3,000 words where you “outline at least 3 steps that you plan to take in the next year to start a path towards having a career that you love” and “interview a professional in the field that you are looking into” with at least three years or more experience and ask him or her at least three questions from a designated list of questions.
A.I. generated essays are disqualified.
This essay has strict essay and submission requirements, so follow them to the letter.
Note: This scholarship essay has the potential to lead to greater knowledge about yourself and the field you wish to major in. Consider that you win even if you don’t receive the scholarship.
$6,000 in Foreclosure.com and Housing Market Scholarships
$4,000 and $1,000 Foreclosure.com Scholarship, D: Dec 15, 2026
From webpage:
“2026 essay topic: “The Great Housing Reset (2026)” – How is the real estate market shifting?
Low housing inventory and mortgage rates have buyers getting creative shopping for a home, but many are waiting for the real estate market to transition to a more balanced environment. Describe how you expect to see the market shift in the coming year.
Requirements: Here are the text requirements
Minimum 800 words–Maximum 2,000 words
Must have a title for the essay
Essay must be in English
No AI generated essay submission partial or entirely will be accepted
Essay submissions must be sent in as a word documentor PDF documen
Awards: Three winners will be selected
Top prize $4,000
Second and third place will receive $1000 each”
Sign Up for Blog Posts
To receive these posts with active links (including any PDF handouts), go to the Scholarship Tigers blog, scroll down on the right side of the page until you find Email subscription.
Enter your email address, and click the button that says, “Sign me up!”
You should get an email with a link to confirm your subscription. If you don’t see it in your inbox, look for the email in your junk or spam folder.
Online and In-Person Writing Center Appointments Available
The AARC Writing Center at TSU assists students, faculty, staff, and alumni of Tennessee State University.
We can help you with scholarship essays, resumes, applications, or any other writing project.
Ms. Rhonda Kavan, Writing Center coordinator; Dr. Shiloh Carroll, Writing Consultant; Ms. Lori Danley, Writing Consultant; and Mr. Mike Turner, Writing Consultant
You can also set up a scholarship coaching session (either online or in person) with Mr. Mike Turner, mjturner@tnstate.edu, where we look for scholarships and other money tailored to your major and your situation.
“Submit an original entry—your own artwork, photo, essay, or video—depicting what YOU hope to achieve in your personal and professional life after college”
$1,000 Altruism + All Good Deeds Scholarship, D: May 31, 2026
High school junior or senior, undergraduate student, or graduate student. 2.5 or above GPA. Enrolled now or in the future as part-time or full-time in college.
$10,000 Women in STEM Hyundai Scholarship, D: June 30, 2026; five awarded
High school seniors and college undergraduates who identify as female, reside in the United States, and wish to pursue a STEM-related field of education.
$1,000 Courage to Grow Scholarship, D: June 30, 2026
Applicants must be current high school juniors, seniors, or college students with a minimum GPA of 2.5. U.S. citizenship is required. Answer the scholarship question of why you deserve this scholarship in 250 words or less.
Up to $10,000 Aspire Higher Scholarships, opens Mar 13, 2026, closes June 10, 2026
Selected criteria from webpage:
3 Undergraduate Scholar Awards—for students pursuing undergraduate or vocational/technical degrees
3 Graduate Scholar Awards—for students pursuing graduate degrees
You may only apply within one category. Students pursuing technical/vocational degrees or certificates may be eligible.
The Ortho Dermatologics ASPIRE HIGHER Scholarship Program recognizes persons in the United States who have been diagnosed with and treated for a dermatologic condition (such as acne, rosacea, eczema, atopic dermatitis, or actinic keratosis) who are pursuing higher education.”
The AARC Writing Center at TSU assists students, faculty, staff, and alumni of Tennessee State University.
We are temporarily located for Spring 2026 in the Brown-Daniel Library, room 229, 2nd floor, near the elevator, from 8:00 am-4:30 pm, M-Th, 8:00 am-4:00 pm F.
Ms. Rhonda Kavan, Writing Center coordinator; Dr. Shiloh Carroll, Writing Consultant; Ms. Lori Danley, Writing Consultant; and Mr. Mike Turner, Writing Consultant
If you want to reach out to me personally, Mr. Mike Turner, mjturner@tnstate.edu, for help, or to look for scholarships and other money tailored to your major and your situation (called a scholarship coaching session), feel free to do so.
$1,000 “Making Waves” Scholarship for Women, D: Mar 31, 2026
Women from all grade levels, U.S. Citizens, and Permanent Residents who answer a question about a female who “has most inspired you on your educational journey? (Maximum 250 words)
$1,000 Courage to Grow Scholarship, D: Mar 31, 2026
Applicants must be current high school juniors, seniors, or college students with a minimum GPA of 2.5. U.S. citizenship is required. Answer the scholarship question of why you deserve this scholarship in 250 words or less.
Scholarships for the Future
I will be writing some of these scholarships up (hopefully) in more detail, but you can have a first glance at them below.
$10,000 (for students in the U.S.) and $5,000 (for students in Canada) BMO Capital Markets Equity Through Education Scholarship, D: Apr 7, 2026
From webpage: “Lime Connect is pleased to be an Equity Through Education partner of BMO Capital Markets to provide scholarships for students with disabilities. Launched in 2005, Equity Through Education helps people achieve their dreams by getting the opportunity to develop themselves through education, and the program builds a diverse workforce.”
$1,000 Row Zero Data Analytics Scholarship, D: May 31, 2026
From webpage: “Row Zero is looking to award its scholarship to a student enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program that develops their analytical skills and with a passion for spreadsheets.”
$25,000; $10,000, and $5,000 Taco Bell Live Mas Scholarship, D: Jan 6, 2026 by 5 pm Pacific, 6 pm Mountain, 7 pm Central, 8 pm Eastern
Video or short essay, no GPA requirement, ages 16-26 as of deadline (Jan 6, 2026; 5:00 Pacific Time), legal resident of the 50 U.S. States or and the District of Columbia (“D.C.”) located within the United States or D.C., or the dependent child of an active-duty member of the U.S. military
Note: I met a student last semester attending TSU who had received the Taco Bell Live Mas Scholarship. It can be done! Apply even if you have doubts.
$1,000 Technology Addiction Scholarship, D: Jan 30, 2026
From webpage: “This scholarship helps you understand the negative effects of too much screen time.
Who may apply: You must be a high school freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior or a current or entering college or graduate school student of any level. Home schooled students are also eligible. There is no age limit. You must also be a U.S. citizen or legal resident.”
$1,500 I Have a Dream Scholarship, D: Jan 31, 2026
$5,000 Education Matters Scholarship, D: Nov 30, 2026
$10,000 Unigo 10K Scholarship, D: Dec 31, 2025
Eligibility: “Must be 14 years of age or older at time of application. Must be a legal U.S. resident. Must be a resident of one of the 50 United States or the District of Columbia. This award is for U.S. students.”
Finding Help with Your Writing or Finding Scholarships at TSU
The AARC Writing Center at TSU is returning Jan 5, 2026, so the best way to reach out to us is by email and phone.
We assist students, faculty, staff, and alumni of Tennessee State University.
We can help you with scholarship essays, resumes, applications, or any other writing project.
Any of our writing consultants can assist you: Mr. Mike Turner, mjturner@tnstate.edu; Ms. Rhonda Kavan, rkavan@tnstate.edu; Ms. Lori Danley, ldanley@tnstate.edu; and Dr. Shiloh Carroll, scarrol4@tnstate.edu.
If one person doesn’t get back to you within a day or two or if you are having problems, feel free to email Mr. Mike Turner, mjturner@tnstate.edu.
You can also set up a scholarship coaching session (either online or in person) with Mr. Mike Turner, where we look for scholarships and other money tailored to your major and your situation.
Since this post will also go out for those signed up to receive posts as they are published, find more scholarships at https://scholarshiptigers.com/
Sign Up for Blog Posts
To receive Scholarship Tigers blog posts with active links (including any PDF handouts), go to the Scholarship Tigers blog, scroll down on the right side of the page until you find Email subscription.
Enter your email address, and click the button that says, “Sign me up!”
You should get an email with a link to confirm your subscription.
If you don’t see the confirmation email in your inbox, look for it in your junk or spam folder.
$2,000 Zombie Apocalypse Scholarship, D: Oct 31, 2025
$5,000 Education Matters Scholarship, D: Nov 30, 2025
$10,000 Unigo 10K Scholarship, D: Dec 31, 2025
$1,500 Top Ten List Scholarship, D: Dec 31, 2025
Eligibility: “Must be 14 years of age or older at time of application. Must be a legal U.S. resident. Must be a resident of one of the 50 United States or the District of Columbia. This award is for U.S. students.”
Open Scholarships for the 2025-2026 (Emergency scholarships to help pay for the 2026 semester) and the 2026-2027 School Year from the Thurgood Marshall College Fund
$2,500 with a maximum of $30,000 per academic year; Scarlett Family Foundation Scholarship, D: Dec 15, 2025
Graduated from a Middle Tennessee high school or be homeschooled in the area, pursuing a Business, Education (including teacher certification at the bachelor’s level), and STEM degree, GPA of 2.5 or higher
Description: “Students can apply by submitting either: A 500+ word essay OR
A 2-minute video. Your submission should introduce who you are and share what excites you about the heavy equipment industry. Show us your passion and why you’re pursuing this field!”
Possibly open to such majors that deal with civil engineering, automotive technology, construction management, diesel technology, or heavy equipment operation.
The above website are places where you can find more scholarships.
The AARC Writing Center at TSU is temporarily located in the TSU Library, 2nd floor, room 229, near the elevator. We hope to be moving back to our original location in Spring 2026, the 3rd floor of the Student Success Center.
We assist students, faculty, staff, and alumni of Tennessee State University.
If you are a TSU student, faculty member, or staff, log into EAB-Navigate and make an appointment to see any of our writing consultants (in person or online) [Ms. Lori Danley, Ms. Rhonda Kavan, Dr. Shiloh Carroll, Mr. Mike Turner] with help with scholarship essays or any other writing project.
If you are having problems, feel free to email Mr. Mike Turner, mjturner@tnstate.edu
You can also set up a scholarship coaching session (either online or in person) with Mr. Mike Turner, where we look for scholarships and other money tailored to your major and your situation.
