scholarship essay in accounting

Fourteen Scholarship Essay Examples That Won Thousands 2024

Winning a big scholarship can be life-changing, particularly for those with financial need.

BUT people often forget that winning lots of small scholarship applications can be life-changing too. The scholarship essay examples (and our strategy) below can take you from planning your college plans and career goals to living them.

A common problem soon-to-be college students face: Paying for college. They qualify for many scholarships but are daunted by the task of writing five to ten to fifteen (or more) essays. It can be a struggle to even start writing, particularly for those “why I deserve the scholarship” prompts.

One solution for how to write a scholarship essay for many topics at once: Pick topics that have overlapping subject matter and write an essay or two that fit lots of these essays at once. Below, we’ve given some more information about how to successfully earn scholarship opportunities with this technique and how to end a scholarship essay.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• Kang Foundation and Legal Scholarship
• New York University Scholarship
• North Coast Section Foundation Scholarship
• Fund for Education Abroad Scholarship 1
• Questbridge Scholarship
• Change a Life Foundation
• Millennium Gates Last Dollar Scholarship 1
• Millennium Gates Last Dollar Scholarship 2
• Millennium Gates Last Dollar Scholarship 3
• Millennium Gates Last Dollar Scholarship 4
• National Association of University Women Scholarship 1
• National Association of University Women Scholarship 2
• Fund for Education Abroad Scholarship 2
• Local School District Scholarship

What Makes These Examples So Great

These scholarship winners earned thousands in financial aid from writing these essays.

The key to many of these essays is that they describe a story or an aspect of the student’s life in a way that is dynamic: It reflects many of their values, strengths, interests, volunteer work, and life experiences. 

Many of these essays also demonstrate vulnerability. Scholarship committees reading your responses will want to know who this money will benefit and why it’s important that you receive this money. In other words, they want to better understand how your values, qualities, and skills will flourish in college--and how good your writing skills are. In fact, we’ve written a guide to what colleges look for that can help you skillfully write vulnerable scholarship essays.

Whether it’s a scholarship essay about yourself , a creative writing scholarship, or an essay about why you deserve the scholarship, the sample scholarship essays below can help you better understand what can result from following a scholarship essay format or applying tips for how to write a scholarship essay. 

But first! If you’re an international student (not from the United States) applying to scholarships, don’t forget to consider some common mistakes international students make when applying to college .

How to Save Time By Combining Essays

Want to save a lot of time during the process?

Write a great college essay and re-use it when writing scholarship essays for similar prompts. Why? Combining essay prompts will not only save you time, it’ll actually result in a better essay.

We sometimes like to call these “Super Essays” because the added benefit of writing a multi-purpose essay is that it makes the essay stronger overall. We have a whole guide for how to do that here . 

This makes scholarship essays similar to supplemental essays because many supplemental essays also overlap. We know many students will be writing both types of essays at once! To help, we’ve put together a supplemental essays course on how to tackle the daunting supplemental essays, including many skills that help with writing those “Super” scholarship essays too.

Scholarship Essay Example #1

Kang Foundation Scholarship ($1000), Kingdom Dreamer Scholarship Fund Scholarship through Sarang Church ($2000), and the national contest from the Lamber Goodnow legal team ($1000) by Peter Kang.

Prompt: Open topic.

Fedora? Check. Apron? Check. Tires pumped? Check. Biking the thirty-five minutes each evening to the cafe and back to work a six-hour shift was exhausting, but my family’s encouragement and gratitude for the extra income was worth it. A few years earlier, my family of nine had been evicted from the home we had been living in for the past ten years. With nowhere else to go, we moved into our church’s back room for three months, where I shamefully tried to hide our toothbrushes and extra shoes from other church members. Right then I made a commitment to my family to contribute financially in whatever way I could. My sacrifice translated to a closer bond with my siblings and deeper conversations with my parents, helping me understand the true meaning of a unified family and the valuable part I play in that. With the financial stability that my part-time jobs provided my mother could stay home to raise seven children, my learning-disabled older sister could attend college, my younger sister could go on a mission trip to Korea, and my twin siblings could compete in national math competitions. I’ve seen that even as a high school student, I have so much potential to impact my family and beyond -- how one small act can go a long way. Through the successes of my efforts, I also realized that poverty was just a societal limitation. I was low-income, not poor. I was still flourishing in school, leading faith-based activities and taking an active role in community service. My low-income status was not a barrier but a launching pad to motivate and propel my success. To additionally earn more money as a young teen, I began flipping bicycles for profit on craigslist. Small adjustments in the brake and gears, plus a wash, could be the difference between a $50 piece of trash and a $200 steal. Seeing how a single inch could disarrange the lining of gears not only taught me the importance of detail but also sparked my fascination with fixing things. When I was sixteen I moved on to a larger project: my clunker of a car. I had purchased my 2002 Elantra with my own savings, but it was long past its prime. With some instruction from a mechanic, I began to learn the components of an engine motor and the engineering behind it. I repaired my brake light, replaced my battery, and made adjustments to the power-steering hose. Engineering was no longer just a nerdy pursuit of robotics kids; it was a medium to a solution. It could be a way to a career, doing the things I love. I was inspired to learn more. Last summer, to continue exploring my interest in engineering, I interned at Boeing. Although I spent long hours researching and working in the lab for the inertial navigation of submarines, I learned most from the little things. From the way my mentors and I began working two hours earlier than required to meet deadlines, I learned that engineering is the commitment of long hours. From the respect and humility embodied within our team, I learned the value of unity at the workplace. Like my own family at home, our unity and communal commitment to working led to excellent results for everyone and a closer connection within the group. What most intrigues me about engineering is not just the math or the technology, but the practical application. It is through engineering that I can fix up my car... and facilitate submarine navigation. Engineering, in fact, is a lifestyle --  instead of lingering over hardships, I work to solve them and learn from them. Whether the challenge is naval defense or family finances or even just a flat tire on my bike before another night shift, I will be solving these problems and will always be looking to keep rolling on.   Success is triumphing over hardships -- willing yourself over anything and everything to achieve the best for yourself and your family. With this scholarship, I will use it to continue focusing on my studies in math and engineering, instead of worrying about making money and sending more back home. It will be an investment into myself for my family.

Scholarship Essay Example #2

New York University College of Arts and Science $39,500 Scholarship by Ana

Prompt: Explain something that made a big impact in your life.

“If you can’t live off of it, it is useless.” My parents were talking about ice skating: my passion. I started skating as a ten-year-old in Spain, admiring how difficulty and grace intertwine to create beautiful programs, but no one imagined I would still be on the ice seven years and one country later. Even more unimaginable was the thought that ice skating might become one of the most useful parts of my life. I was born in Mexico to two Spanish speakers; thus, Spanish was my first language. We then moved to Spain when I was six, before finally arriving in California around my thirteenth birthday. Each change introduced countless challenges, but the hardest part of moving to America, for me, was learning English. Laminated index cards, color-coded and full of vocabulary, became part of my daily life. As someone who loves to engage in a conversation, it was very hard to feel as if my tongue was cut off. Only at the ice rink could I be myself; the feeling of the cold rink breeze embracing me, the ripping sound of blades touching the ice, even the occasional ice burning my skin as I fell—these were my few constants. I did not need to worry about mispronouncing “axel” as “aksal.” Rather, I just needed to glide and deliver the jump. From its good-natured bruise-counting competitions to its culture of hard work and perseverance, ice skating provided the nurturing environment that made my other challenges worthwhile. Knowing that each moment on the ice represented a financial sacrifice for my family, I cherished every second I got. Often this meant waking up every morning at 4 a.m. to practice what I had learned in my few precious minutes of coaching. It meant assisting in group lessons to earn extra skating time and taking my conditioning off-ice by joining my high school varsity running teams. Even as I began to make friends and lose my fear of speaking, the rink was my sanctuary. Eventually, however, the only way to keep improving was to pay for more coaching, which my family could not afford. And so I started tutoring Spanish. Now, the biggest passion of my life is supported by my most natural ability. I have had over thirty Spanish students, ranging in age from three to forty and spanning many ethnic backgrounds. I currently work with fifteen students each week, each with different needs and ways of learning. Drawing on my own experiences as both a second language-learner and a figure skater, I assign personal, interactive exercises, make jokes to keep my students’ mindset positive, and never give away right answers. When I first started learning my axel jump, my coach told me I would have to fall at least 500 times (about a year of falls!) in order to land it. Likewise, I have my students embrace every detail of a mistake until they can begin to recognize new errors when they see them. I encourage them to expand their horizons and take pride in preparing them for new interactions and opportunities. Although I agree that I will never live off of ice skating, the education and skills I have gained from it have opened countless doors. Ice skating has given me the resilience, work ethic, and inspiration to develop as a teacher and an English speaker. It has improved my academic performance by teaching me rhythm, health, and routine. It also reminds me that a passion does not have to produce money in order for it to hold immense value. Ceramics, for instance, challenges me to experiment with the messy and unexpected. While painting reminds me to be adventurous and patient with my forms of self-expression. I don’t know yet what I will live off of from day to day as I mature; however, the skills my passions have provided me are life-long and irreplaceable.

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Scholarship Essay Example #3

North Coast Section Foundation Scholarship for $1000 by Christine Fung

As a child of immigrant parents, I learned to take responsibilities for my family and myself at a very young age. Although my parents spoke English, they constantly worked in order to financially support my little brother and I. Meanwhile, my grandparents barely knew English so I became their translator for medical appointments and in every single interaction with English speakers. Even until now, I still translate for them and I teach my grandparents conversational English. The more involved I became with my family, the more I knew what I wanted to be in the future. Since I was five, my parents pushed me to value education because they were born in Vietnam and had limited education. Because of this disadvantage, I learned to take everything I do seriously and to put in all of my effort to complete tasks such as becoming the founder of my school’s Badminton Club in my sophomore year and Red Cross Club this year. Before creating these clubs, I created a vision for these clubs so I can organize my responsibilities better as a leader. The more involved I became, the more I learned as a leader and as a person. As a leader, I carried the same behavior I portrayed towards my younger cousins and sibling. My family members stressed the importance of being a good influence; as I adapted this behavior, I utilized this in my leadership positions. I learned to become a good role model by teaching my younger family members proper manners and guiding them in their academics so that they can do well. In school, I guide my peers in organizing team uniform designs and in networking with a nonprofit organization for service events. Asides from my values, I’m truly passionate in the medical field. I always wanted to be a pediatrician since I was fourteen. My strong interest in the medical field allowed me to open up my shell in certain situations— when I became sociable to patients in the hospital as a volunteer, when I became friendly and approachable to children in my job at Kumon Math and Reading Center, and when I portrayed compassion and empathy towards my teammates in the badminton team. However, when I participated in the 2017 Kaiser Summer Volunteer Program at Richmond Medical Center, I realized that I didn’t only want to be a pediatrician. This program opened my eye to numerous opportunities in different fields of medicine and in different approaches in working in the medicine industry. While I may have a strong love for the medical field, my interest in business immensely grew as I soon discovered that I didn’t only have to take the practical approach in the medical field. With this interest, I plan to also become a part of a medical facility management team. In the future, I hope to pursue my dream of becoming a doctor by attaining an MD, and to double major in Managerial Economics. I intend to study at UC Davis as a Biological Sciences major, where I anticipate to become extremely involved with the student community. After graduation, I plan to develop a strong network relationship with Kaiser Permanente as I’ve started last year in my internship. By developing a network with them, I hope to work in one of their facilities some day. Based on my values, interests, and planned future, I’m applying for the NCS Foundation scholarship because not only will it financially help me, but it can give motivation for me to academically push myself. I hope to use this scholarship in applying for a study abroad program, where I can learn about other cultures’ customs while conducting research there.  

Scholarship Essay Example #4

Fund for Education Abroad Rainbow Scholarship $7,500 by Steven Fisher

Prompt: The Fund for Education Abroad is committed to diversifying education abroad by providing funding to students who are typically under-represented in study abroad. Please describe how you and/or your plans for study abroad could be viewed as under-represented.

“Oh well look at that one,” my uncle leans over and says about my brother-in-law in the living room wearing a dress. “I’d always had my suspicions about him,” he jokes with a disapproving sneer and leans back in his chair, a plate of Southern-style Christmas dinner in his hand. I was hurt. Why would my own uncle say that like it’s such a terrible thing that my brother-in-law is wearing a dress? That it was the worst thing in the world if my brother-in-law were gay or effeminite. “I think he looks beautiful,” my oldest brother Ethan chimes in. At that moment, I wish I could have hugged Ethan. No, not because he was defending my brother-in-law (who actually isn’t gay, as my uncle was suggesting), but because Ethan was defending me. My uncle has no idea that I recognized earlier this past year that heterosexuality wasn’t meeting all of my needs for intimacy with other people and that I’ve come to define myself as queer. It all started when I took a hard look at how my upbringing in Miami had taught me that the only way that boys are supposed to connect with others is by having sex with “beautiful” girls – that intimacy with other guys or “ugly” girls isn’t as meaningful. After freeing up that block in my brain that told me that I shouldn’t look at guys in a certain way, I could embraced the fact that I’m attracted to men (and people in general) in a lot of different, new ways. My growth as a person was exponential. I rewrote so many areas of my life where I didn’t do things I wanted because of social conditioning. Within two months, my world expanded to include polyamory. I looked back on my past relationship with my girlfriend and realized that I wasn’t jealous (angry, yes. hurt, yes. But not jealous) when she cheated on me. I realized that people’s needs — whether they are for sex, someone to talk to, someone to engage intellectually — don’t necessarily all have to be met with one person. It can be easier sometimes with one person, absolutely. But that’s not the only way. As someone who is both polyamorus and queer, I feel like parts of my family and large parts of my community marginalize me for being different because society has told them to. I want to change that. Since I will be studying for an entire year in Prague, I will have the opportunity to attend the annual Mezipatra, an international film festival in November that screens around a hundred top-ranking films on lesbian, bisexual, transsexual and queer themes. I feel really connected to going to this event because I crave being in an environment of like-minded people who strive to do that same thing I want to: balance the images of people typically portrayed through cliché and stereotype. When I came out to my sister-in-law, she told me that people who are really set in their ways are more likely to be tolerant to different kinds of people after having relationships with these people. If my uncle can learn to love me, to learn to love one queer/poly person, he can learn to love them all. If I can be an example to my family, I can be an example to my classmates. If I can get the opportunity to travel abroad, I can be an example to the world. Not just through my relationships, but through my art. Give me a camera and a screen and I will carry the message of tolerance from the audiences of Mezipatra in Prague to my parent’s living room. Fade in: Two men with thick beards kiss – maybe for once they aren’t wearing colorful flamboyant clothing. Fade in: A woman leaves her house to go to her male best friend’s house and her husband honestly tells her to enjoy herself. Fade in: A college student wanting to study abroad tells his conservative parents the truth…

Working on your scholarship essay or personal statement?

Get help from my free guide, scholarship essay example #5.

Questbridge Finalist essay earning $3,000 in application waivers plus $3000 in local scholarships by Jordan Sanchez

Prompt: Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.

Recall the most cherished memory with your father figure. For some it may be when he taught you how to ride a bike, for others it may be memories of him taking you out for pizza when mom said the family has to eat healthy, for others it’s the ability to confide in somebody that won’t judge or stop loving you because of the mistakes you have made. When a child is born, he or she is given a birth certificate, which provides information such as name, date and place of birth, but most importantly it provides the names of the parents of the child. On my birth certificate I have the name the name of my beloved mother Lurvin, but right above her name is an empty space where my father’s name should be. As a child I would often compare my life to my peers; I would often go through all of these hypothetical scenarios in my mind thinking, “If my dad were around I could be like all of the other boys.” As the years went by I always had a sense of optimism that one day I would meet him and he would tell me “I love you and I’ll never leave your side again.” But when the time came and I met him on January 2014 I learned that a man can reject his only son not once, but twice. My father left when I was one year old and I will soon be turning 17; I did the math and found that for about 5900 days he has neglected me. He was able to sleep 5900 nights without knowing whether or not I was dead or alive. Even though he’s been gone for 5900 days,  my life did not get put on hold. In those 5900 days I learned how to walk, talk, and I became a strong young man without the provider of my Y Chromosome because he is nothing more to me than that. In the past I believed that my father was necessary to rise but instead I found that false hope was an unnecessary accessory and now I refuse to let the fact that I am fatherless define the limits of the great things that I can accomplish. It’s said that boys learn to be a man from their fathers, that they learn what it means to be a man that has values and can stand up for what’s right. I, however, have found that grit can come from anywhere. When I was in middle school I was overweight and many other boys would call me names, and even after going to administration several times nothing changed and for several years I kept myself at bay because if I had done anything in return I would be no better than those guys who bullied me. I previously had this perception that somebody else would come to my rescue, that somebody else would provide the mental strength to combat the hardships that were sent my way. But as time passed I grew tired of waiting for help that was never going to come so I had to become my own hero. Since making that decision I have been liberated from the labels that previously confined me and I took back control of my own life. My ability to be self motivated has assisted me in becoming a leader in several of my extracurricular activities. I was one of the 4 male students of my school district that was selected as a delegate by the American Legion to participate at the Boy’s State program and I am also the captain of my group in the Young Senator's Leadership Program that is run by California Senator Tony Mendoza. I also developed skills on the wrestling mat.  On one occasion I wrestled the person who was ranked the 9th best wrestler in the state and although I did not win there was not a single second that I was afraid to fail because I knew I gave it my all. Similarly I have put the same effort into becoming a successful. My father’s name is not on my birth certificate, but it is MY birth certificate. My origins are not the brightest but I was given a life that is mine to live and because “Life is made of two dates and a dash..” I have to “...Make most of the dash.” I am not going to live forever but if I were to leave this world today I would feel content with the person I see in the mirror. I know the difficulty that latinos face in this day and age I can envision assisting other young latinos achieving their dreams. I believe the most valuable thing in this world is opportunity because sometimes all it takes for someone to be successful is a chance to do so. Consequently I would like to be part of that chance that can foster the growth of future success.

Scholarship Essay Example #6

Change a Life Foundation Scholarship Essay Examples by Isabella Mendez-Figueroa

Prompt: Please explain a personal hardship or catastrophic life event that you have experienced. How did you manage to overcome this obstacle? What did you learn and how did you grow from it? This answer is critical to your application as Change a Life Foundation’s vision is to assist individuals who have persevered and overcome a hardship/catastrophic life event.

Filling out this application, and my college applications, has forced me to face head on the realities that I've grown up in. Looking back and describing my life I see all the ways in which I am disadvantaged due to my socioeconomic status. But I think it's important to note that I wasn't fully aware of any of it growing up. I knew that my parents couldn't buy me everything, but I also knew that they hardly ever said no. I was a very normal child, asking for chicken nuggets and looking at mom and dad any time I was scared or unsure of something. As I've grown I've learned to fight my own monsters but I now also battle the ones that frighten my parents, the monsters of a world that they weren't born into. Monsters of doubt and disadvantage that try to keep them stuck in a cycle of poverty; thriving in a world that casts them to the side and a society that, with its current political climate, doesn't welcome them with the warmest hello. The baby sitter, the house keeper, the driver, it's taken my dad 10+ years of night shifts to attain financial stability, and become an asset to his workplace. He's been one of the millions of people who has been laid off in the last couple of decades and has had to start over multiple times. But each time he's re-built himself with more resilience. I've grown up living in section 8 housing because my parents often found themselves living paycheck to paycheck, not by choice, but by circumstance. They've endured bankruptcy over credit card debt, have never owned a home, or been given access to resources that allow them to save. Every time we've readapted, we get struck by a new change. I currently live in Manchester Square, a ghost town, byproduct of the Los Angeles Airport expansion project. The 16 steps I have always known, soon to be demolished. My neighbors are empty lots, enclosed by fences. Homeless people’s pitch tents, under the roar of airplanes. My home is soon to become an accommodation to an airport, soon to be nonexistent. Knowing that my family has to relocate as I'm applying to college makes me feel a tad guilty, because of my lack of resources, I fear it will become a barrier into my transition to college. My parents finances are not a secret, I know their struggles as I hear about them day after day. My parents now deal with the burden of relocating, no longer having subsidized housing and again, struck by yet another need to readjust and reassemble. Relocating a family of 5 in an area plagued by gentrification of stadiums and demolition is no simple task as rent prices are as high as mortgages. It's odd they don't want me to stress or have it become my problem but I know it is, and I want to do whatever I can to help. My older sister is the first in my family to go to college. I was always the shyer one. She's taught me through her efforts that the only limits you have are the ones you place on yourself. With my sister's example I have followed in the footsteps of never letting money become a reason why I can't or won't do something. If my sister can do it, I can do it. I see the leadership characteristic is genetic and it runs in my entire family. I witness my parents be leaders everyday as they tackle cultural obstacles in a country that wasn't the one they were born into, speaking a language that is not their own, and raising children to succeed in a system of higher education; one they never had the privilege to be part of. My family and I are one. We stack our efforts, and obstacles on top of each other to further our successes as a whole. When I think back to my family's story I'm amazed to think that my grandpa came to the US in the midst of WW2, a bracero, leaving his family to help feed millions of Americans in time of war. My grandpa, a man of the fields, paved the way so I could defy the odds with my prosperity. At home, the teacher role often switches within my family. I am responsible for translating documents to my parents and explaining procedures and concepts as I, myself, am learning them. I have had the responsibility of helping assist my younger sister who has a mild case of Cerebral Palsy. Due to her pre-existing condition, she is a slow learner. I have dedicated a lot of time this past year, helping her with her transition from elementary to middle school and helping her adapt to such a drastic change. Sometimes, I only sleep 4 hours as I wake up and rush out the door in order to make it on time to 6am tutoring. Having to manage my schoolwork and home responsibilities has been difficult but I've managed to maintain high academic achievement by managing my time correctly and being persistent. If I truly want something, I need to go after it, and I will get it done. Sometimes being tired isn't an option.

Scholarship Essay Example #7

Millennium Gates Last Dollar Scholarship and $3,500 in Outside Scholarship Essay Examples by Famyrah Lafortune

Prompt: “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” - Nelson Mandela. Describe a change you would like to make in the world. Tell us about how you would plan to make that change, and what obstacles you might encounter along the way. * (No more than 400 words)

Nothing is more important to me than ending racial inequality and discrimination in America, as I do not want my younger siblings to face the discrimination Black people continue to face in our present society. After winning our fight to freedom and provoking the passage of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, why do Black teens face higher poverty rates than Whites and are still four times more likely to be incarcerated? “That was such a long time ago. You really need to get over it,” my White peers say when referring to racial inequalities. But, why then, in 7th grade, after winning Nazareth Academy’s Spelling Bee competition, did my fellow White classmate state with a heavy dose of surprise, “You know…when I first saw you, I didn’t think you were going to be smart?” I hope to contribute to ending racial discrimination by utilizing our present interconnectivity and running a social media campaign titled #It’sNotOver. #It’sNotOver aims to oppose the widespread misconception that, because racial inequality was legally outlawed, de facto racial inequality does not still persist in our society. Our recent presidential election may have brought life to a ‘Divided America,’ but it also exposed how influential social media is. By raising awareness of racial disparities that occur everywhere, I might encourage a new wave of change in our country like that of the present Time’s Up movement. Furthermore, if I can access the influence of celebrities in my #It’sNotOver campaign, like that of Time’s Up, I might similarly capture the attention of millions of people and inspire action against this issue across the globe. I know that social media can only do so much in addressing these issues as not everyone can afford the luxury of having internet access. However, I hope that my campaign can inspire all those who do have access to take it upon themselves to be the change by being inspired by the fact that we are globally united in this issue. Although I expect negativity and criticism from people who either do not believe that this issue exists or do not believe in our cause, I am willing to encounter it if it means our society as a whole irrevocably can grow to accept each other’s differences.

Scholarship Essay Example #8

Prompt: “It is very important to know who you are. To make decisions. To show who you are.” – Malala Yousafzai. Tell us three things that are important to you. How did you arrive at this list? Will these things be important to you in ten years? Why? * (No more than 400 words)

The three things that are important to me are my family, being successful, and leaving a legacy. As a result of my past, I keep these three crucial things at the forefront of my mind every day to help myself be successful. Above all, my family is the most important thing in my life. The meaning of family may differ for everyone, but for me, my family is life. I almost died in the 2010 Haitian earthquake, as Jacmel was one of the worst damaged areas, had it not been for my grandmother and my mom. Later, if it was not for my uncle, my mom would not have been able to come to America to give me a better life. Without my family, I wouldn’t be here. I am forever indebted to their sacrifices, and I am so grateful that I have their eternal love and support. Success is also very important to me. I hope to accomplish many things in my life, but most importantly, I would like to make my family proud so that they know that all of their sacrifices were worth it. Success to me is having a career that I love and allows me to help my family members financially. I hope to no longer experience hardships such as homelessness, poverty, and economic difficulties, as I had in my young life. Ultimately, however, I would like to grow into someone who is loved and remembered by people who aren’t my immediate family members and my friends. I do not wish to be glorified, but I want to be more than a nonentity in this big, vast world. I hope that if I can inspire the change that I want to make, I can leave a legacy that continues to influence and shape the landscape that follows me. After coming to the epiphany that if I died today, nothing would change except for the lives of those extremely close to me, I find myself unwilling to be just another Jane Doe. I want to leave a part of myself behind, whether it is a building or a popular hashtag, that is meaningful and permanent once I die.

ANOTHER GREAT READ: HOW TO COMBINE YOUR COLLEGE ESSAY PROMPTS (TO SAVE 20+ WRITING HOURS)

Scholarship essay example #9.

Prompt: “Preservation of one's own culture does not require contempt or disrespect for other cultures.” - Cesar Chavez. What does it mean to you to be part of a minority community? What challenges has it brought and how have you overcome them? What are the benefits? * (No more than 400 words)

Being part of a minority is very conflicting for me as I feel both empowered as a part of a Haitian minority community but also disconnected from my non-immigrant peers. Coming from a background of poverty in Haiti, I knew that, even at a very young age, I had to be a good student in order to succeed. This work ethic--found throughout my Haitian community--has been very beneficial in my life as we all came here to pave ourselves a better future. As my mom held two jobs, went to college, and was temporarily homeless just to secure me a better future, I feel invigorated to be part of such an indefatigable community. And, it is because of this strong work ethic, central to my community’s core values, that I am now the salutatorian of a class of 679 students. As I was so young when I came to the US, I didn’t know how American society functioned, specifically elementary school. I was the only immigrant in a class of forty, barely spoke English, and had no friends because of these limitations. Every day of those first few years, I felt an almost physical divide between my peers and myself. I never experienced a sense of belonging, despite my efforts. Already a double minority as a woman and a Black person, I tried to relinquish my language and culture in favor of American language and values to better fit in the crowd. By doing this, however, I almost completely lost my cultural identity as both a Haitian and an immigrant, and also my language. It was in the halls of my first high school, International Studies Charter High School, that I realized the enormity of what I had lost. Where my peers retained their cultural identities and language, I had almost lost mine. It was there, I learned to embrace a part of me that was virtually buried inside, as I was encouraged to be more open: speaking Creole with my Haitian math teacher and peers. As a senior, I now volunteer weekly helping Haitian ESOL students with their homework. I am both a teacher and a student in that small classroom as I help them with their homework, and, in return, they help me in perfecting my use of Creole. They are my daily reminder of what unites us as Haitians—our ability to triumph in the face of adversity.

Scholarship Essay Example #10

Prompt: “The secret of our success is that we never, never give up.” - Wilma Mankiller. Tell us about a time when you failed at something. What were the circumstances? How did you respond to failure? What lessons did you learn? * (No more than 400 words)

I’ve danced ballet since I was seven-years-old. But, even after almost eight years, I could still barely extend my legs as high as my peers nor could do as many pirouettes as them. My flexibility was incredibly subpar and I easily wore out my Pointe shoes, making them unwearable after a couple of months. Where the average lifespans of my peers’ pointe shoes extended into months, mine could barely last ten classes. I was the weakling of my class at Ballet Etudes, and I was too absorbed in my insecurities to do anything to better myself to become the dancer I aspired to be. After a humiliating recital, wherein my pointe shoe ribbons untied in the middle of our group performance, I all but gave up on dance. I was in the middle of doing a Changement de Pieds (Change of feet jumping step) when I glanced down in horror to see my beautiful ribbons untied as I forgot to tape them with clear tape as I usually did before my performances. Glancing to my right, I saw that my ballet teacher backstage had also taken note and was rushing me to get off the stage, her hands beckoning me in a frantic manner. After berating me for not having properly tied my laces, I was not allowed to finish my part. Later, I could barely get back on stage that evening for our final performance as I didn’t want to fail myself and my team again. But, because of my move to Port Saint Lucie in the summer before sophomore year, I was able to rekindle my passion for ballet and pointe at South Florida Dance Company. South Florida Dance Company was my saving grace, a place where I was able to restart my experiences in dance and renew the joy I once felt in my art. It was an incredible feeling regaining my confidence and surety in my abilities, as a result of the additional help that I received from my dance teacher, Ms. Amanda. Presently, I always remind myself to be the best that I can be and to positively use my dance role models, like Misty Copeland, as encouragement to be a better dancer. From this experience, I learned that to overcome personal failures, I needed to move forward and think positively because change doesn’t happen when you sit still.

Scholarship Essay Example #11

National Association of University Women Scholarship Essay Examples by Isabella Mendez-Figueroa

Prompt: Please explain how your experience volunteering and participating in community service has shaped your perspective on humanity. Elaborate on how these experiences have influenced your future ambitions and career choice.

I didn’t really understand my community until I was forced to see it from the outside; sort of like when you see a picture of yourself someone else took that you weren’t aware of. It took a 3,000 mile flight for me to gain a different perspective of the world, of my world. When I landed in Maine it was nothing like the place I called home. There was no traffic, there were lots of trees, and absolutely no spanish to be heard anywhere. I missed my people, my home, and my community the most as I saw the ways in which other communities fostered creativity, advocacy, and community involvement. I talked about my community every chance I got, writing a public backlash to Donald Trump and reading out to the group of parents to show them my unique struggle. The election of Donald Trump has forced me to come to terms with the harsh realities of this world. The lack of respect he has for women, minority groups, and factual evidence are alarming. This presidency makes me want to prove wrong all of his perceptions of people like me, the poor, the immigrant, the woman. I left people in awe, leaving me empowered. I had people come up to me and explain that they can relate to my poem about not fitting in, being Mexican American and not feeling like you can consider yourself American or Mexican because you’re both. I emphasized that I, like many others, am in between and we have the same platform that anyone else does to succeed. I explained that many of us, hold this pressure of first generation children of immigrants to prove that we are the proof that our parents sacrifices of restarting in a new country was worth it. I was the visible representation of a first generation child of immigrants, branching out into a new environment despite where I had come from and shocking everyone with my prosperity. If I was the only visible representation available, I was going to use my voice to echo the feelings of my entire community and make it known that we are all here-- all of our struggles, our efforts, and our passions, are not absent from places where we are not seen. Maine helped me branch out in my own community now as a Student Ambassador. From this experience, I’ve learned that I can represent my high school and have the responsibility to assist staff at events for prospective students and organize presentations for parents. I spend a lot of time interpreting for parents at meetings and explaining the current events that are ongoing and new educational opportunities that students should take advantage of. I have had the privilege to work alongside office staff and the Principal, where I get to positively dedicate my time to parents who have general questions regarding the schools upcoming events. By dedicating my time as a Student Ambassador, I have allowed myself to excel at communicating with others and improving my customer service skills. I want my education to change the negative stigmas surrounding my community, by showing that it's possible to expand your access to the world and allow you to leave, by choice, through receiving a post-secondary education. I am someone who has grown up in an area with limited resources fostering limited mindsets. My neighborhood has 4 elementary schools, 2 high schools, and a strip club feet away from a library. What message does that send to children? It's normal in my community to have pregnant classmates in high school. People aren't aware of the world outside, they aren't encouraged to ever leave. Through my experience as a volunteer that communicates a lot with parents, I have learned that the American Dream does not simply belong to first generation students like myself. I have found that our accomplishments are stacked upon the sacrifices of our parents. I used to think that growing up was like the passing of a baton where you’re the next runner and it’s your turn to run your best race, but I now see that this is a team effort, as you expand your horizons your family also gets to experience the benefits. I want to demonstrate to my community that there can be a female, bilingual, Latina doctor. I want to showcase that one's zip code, doesn't determines one's success. One of the most common questions I get at these parent meetings is “what’s better college or university”? This question didn’t make sense to me at first then I realized that parents wanted to know the difference between community college and a four year. Concepts like financial aid, grants, loans, are all foreign concepts as most of our parents never went to college. They want to be able to help but do not know where to begin. As a student ambassador I helped bridge that gap. We often held meetings where we explained to parents within our community what resources were out there and available and what the difference were among the different options for each student. Being the student face for Animo, I’ve learned that I as a student and daughter, can provide assistance to my own community through the knowledge that I have gained. I am the communication that is needed in my community that’s necessary for further successes by using my personal knowledge and experience to help uplift and educate others in similar situations.

Scholarship Essay Example #12

Prompt: Discuss in your essay any challenges or obstacles you have dealt with and overcome in life and how this will help you succeed in college and beyond. Describe how volunteer, community service or extra-curricular activities have shaped who you are today and what it has taught you. May also include future educational plans and career goals. [250-500 Words]

I have encountered an emotional barrier making it difficult to manage my schoolwork, extracurricular activities and family responsibilities. I have had to deal with being viciously raped by a peer during my sophomore year, resulting in severe depression. I am no longer allowed to be alone for a long period of time, as I’ve attempted to commit suicide twice, but I do not regard those as true attempts to end my life. I just wanted someone to know how I felt and how much I needed help. My past has only made me more resilient, as I choose to prove to myself and those around me that I am more than the barriers I’ve encountered–but overcome. It took a 3,000- mile flight for me to gain a different perspective of my world. Landing in Maine was nothing like home. There was no traffic, lots of trees, and absolutely no Spanish to be heard anywhere. I was a 10th grader when I found myself at Coastal Studies for Girls, a marine science and leadership school; I would be there for a whole semester. I was surrounded by strangers who looked different, sounded different, and could recite tide pool specifics in casual conversation. I was the visible representation of a first-generation child of immigrants, branching out into a new environment. An environment where I wanted to prove wrong all perceptions of people like me, the poor, the immigrant, the brown woman. I used my voice to echo my community and make it known that, we, are here–all of our struggles, our efforts, and our passions, are not absent from places where we are not seen. Returning home, I had the privilege to work alongside school administrators as a student ambassador. I got to positively dedicate my time to parents who have general questions regarding the school and help translate information. I have learned that the American Dream does not simply belong to first generation students like myself, but I now see it is a team effort, as you expand, your family also gets to experience the benefits. One of the most common questions at parent meetings is “what’s better college or university”? This question did not make sense to me, I then realized that parents want to know the difference between community college and a four year. Concepts like financial aid, grants, loans, are all foreign concepts as most of our parents never went to college. As a student ambassador, I help bridge that gap. We often hold meetings where we explained resources available and different options for each student. I have learned, that as a student, I can provide assistance to my own community through my knowledge. I am the communication necessary for further successes, using my personal knowledge and experience to help uplift and educate others in similar situations. My pursuit is to not only go to college but thrive and come back ready and able to help students like myself that have to fight for their seat in the lecture hall.

Scholarship Essay Example #13

Prompt: The Rainbow Scholarship is awarded to a deserving LGBTQ student who aims to participate in a high-quality, rigorous education abroad program. If you would like to be considered, please explain why you would be a strong candidate for the Rainbow Scholarship. What will this scholarship enable you to achieve for yourself and your LGBTQ community?

It is my life goal to make films that will change the way society see groups of people typically defined by stereotype and cliché. By immersing myself in Prague’s culture through the American Institute of Foreign Study year-long program, I will gain the cinematic and philosophic tools to create films that will help others to better understand the LGBTQ community. I’ve been making movies since I was old enough to hold a camera, but now I’d like to take it a step further. While abroad, I’ll visit the Film and TV School of the Academy of Performing Arts (FAMU) in Prague. The Hollywood Reporter puts FAMU at the top of the list of best film schools in Europe. I put it at the top of my list of prospective graduate schools because it was the center of Czech filmmakers’ during communist rule in the 1960s. FAMU was where rebellious film makers broke the bonds of censorship by creating films that depicted the perspectives of marginalized people. I want to do the same thing today. I ask: What can the Czechoslovak New Wave filmmakers and their struggle for social equality teach me about making films that will help to free the LGBTQ members in my own community? I will find my answers here: In November, the international film festival held in Prague called the Mezipatra will screen around a hundred top-ranking films on lesbian, bisexual, transsexual and queer themes. What better place for a queer filmmaker obsessed with Czech New Wave film to meet people to learn and collaborate with? I’d also like to volunteer to work on a photography project at the Lobkowicz Palace and Nelahozeves Castle, 15km from Prague, where I will find one of the world’s largest private collections of world-famous artworks, artifacts, and a library of over 65,000 volumes. I hope to hone my skills with a camera and take a zoomed-in look at the Prague history. I’m going to wear my Canon t2i like a glove. And finally, I hope to better understand Czech culture as it pertains to film making by studying at Charles University and taking classes like “Central European Film: Search for Identity” and “Hollywood and Europe”. I will get more in touch with the performance and character elements of film by taking the theater class “Prague Theater Scene: Performance Analysis.” Finally, I’ll learn to better listen to what my community in Prague has to say (literally and figuratively) by taking Czech language classes in a two-week intensive course that includes two language-focused events where students engage with the local area. Through traveling abroad in Prague, I give myself to a new perspective and open myself up to influence. I want to use my experience to create films that will convince others to do the same—as a representative of the LGBTQ community, I want to send the message of acceptance and tolerance to the world, from the screens of Mezipatra in Prague to my conservative parents’ television sets.

Scholarship Essay Example #14

$1,000 local school district scholarship by Amani Davis.

Last February, I partook in a Divas in Defense workshop. Within this class, our group met a woman who was a survivor of domestic violence. She was also close to becoming a victim of sex trafficking. From this I learned that intimate partner violence is the leading cause of female homicide and injury-related deaths during pregnancy. Although it is not a common hot topic, many people go through it everyday. These people are not only women but men and children, too. Therefore, domestic violence is an issue that is under-discussed, yet extremely important. Every 1 in 4 women will be a victim of severe violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime. This means our mothers, sisters, grandmothers or even daughters can be victims of domestic violence. We have to be the ones willing to initiate the conversation because many victims are scared. Everyday more people are speaking up about their own stories. Celebrities such as Bill Clinton, Rihanna, and Halle Berry have spoke about their personal accounts with domestic violence. Through these views, people are seeing domestic violence as a bigger issue and an issue that needs to be opened up about. All in all, domestic violence is all around us. Additionally, abuse can hurt people physically, mentally, and financially. Physical abuse results in injuries that cost money in order to be fixed. Many remain in or return to an abusive relationship because they lack the financial resources to live on their own. Also, children who grow up around domestic violence are 15 times more likely to be physically and/or sexually abused than the national average. In short, abuse can have various effects on those involved. To surmise, domestic violence is often kept quiet within minority communities. As a whole, we have to be proactive and reactive in order to fight the current problem with abuse. Nevertheless, we have to be the change we want to see.Ultimately, domestic violence is not an issue that can be completely rid of, but we can make a true difference through education and prevention. Some issues have to be dealt with in house before we see a major turn around.

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Scholarships for Accounting Students

Ashley Reid

Contributing Writer

Learn about our editorial process .

Updated September 27, 2024

Lauren Mastbaum

Reviewed by

Mark Kantrowitz

Contributing Reviewer

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Are you ready to discover your college program?

Scholarships are a type of free financial aid that helps students cover tuition and the cost of books, equipment, and fees — no repayment required. Anyone can apply for scholarships, but many scholarships focus on individual majors, like accounting.

According to the U.S. Department of Education (ED), accounting ranked as one of the top 20 associate degrees with the highest median student loan debt in 2022. Students who held a bachelor's or master's in accounting reported a median debt of over $24,000 and $28,200, respectively.

Accounting scholarships can help reduce this debt and make an undergraduate or graduate accounting degree more accessible. Organizations, schools, and businesses — usually those involved in the accounting profession — offer awards ranging from $500 to $15,000. Some scholarships cover the certified public accountant (CPA) or certified management accountant (CMA) exam fees.

These scholarship programs typically select recipients based on financial need, academic achievement, identity, or location — or a combination of these factors, as shown in the list of accounting scholarships below. Explore more than 30 scholarships for accounting students at all degree levels, and learn how to apply.

Tips for Finding and Applying for Accounting Scholarships

Start early, make a list, consider all scholarship options, prepare materials, customize applications, check your work, types of scholarships for accounting students.

Because scholarships break down into different categories, students can improve their searches and organize their applications by dividing scholarship programs into groups based on their classifications and requirements. Many scholarships may fall into multiple categories. Read about some of the major categories below.

• Collapse All

Accounting Concentration

Some organizations and private donors establish scholarships to promote specific fields within accounting, such as management accounting, financial accounting, cost accounting, and forensic accounting. These scholarship programs may require applicants to specialize in these disciplines or pursue careers in their respective fields.

Degree Level

Students at all levels can access scholarships, but many programs limit applications to learners pursuing specific types of degrees. Whether students pursue accounting certificates, associate degrees, bachelor's degrees, master's degrees, or Ph.D.s in accounting, they can find scholarships for their education level.

Enrollment Status

Most scholarship programs' requirements are based on enrollment status. Some require applicants to attend school full time, while others support part-time and nontraditional students. Online students and distance learners may find scholarship programs created specifically for them.

Diverse Populations

Many organizations, companies, and associations offer scholarships for underrepresented populations like women and people of color. These scholarship programs often look for students in specific programs to increase representation in these fields.

• Consider applying for identity-based scholarships offered by groups like the Hispanic Scholarship Fund .
• Some organizations, such as the National Association of Black Accountants (NABA) and the Educational Foundation for Women in Accounting (EFWA) offer identity-based awards exclusively for accounting majors.

Read More Scholarships for Women Scholarships for Underrepresented Groups

Military scholarships typically support current and veteran military professionals in their pursuit of higher education. Some of these programs look to recruit future service professionals by providing financial aid to promising students in military-related disciplines.

Read More Scholarships for Military and Veterans

School-Specific

Students can also apply for school-specific scholarships to help fund their education. Similar to the categories above, many school-specific scholarships have additional requirements that focus on certain groups of candidates. For example, some universities might offer aid specifically for accounting students. Look on the financial aid page and, if applicable, the business school website. A few examples include:

• Michigan State University
• Pace University
• North Carolina State University
• University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Corporations

Many corporations set up scholarship programs to help current and aspiring students fund their education. These programs often award scholarships to students pursuing degrees in specific fields.

• Contact nearby accounting firms to inquire about scholarship opportunities. Some, like McKonly & Asbury, offer scholarships to accounting students at local colleges and universities.
• The Deloitte Foundation partners with schools nationwide to provide accounting scholarships.

Nonprofit Organizations

Groups like the Teachers of Accounting at Two-Year Colleges (TACTYC) and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) award scholarships to undergraduate and graduate accounting students.

National and International Accounting Organizations

Organizations and associations offer many scholarship opportunities to reward promising applicants in their respective fields. In many cases, applicants must become association members. These groups often award multiple scholarships each year.

• For example, the National Society of Accountants (NSA) and the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants (AICPA) offer several scholarship programs, most with multiple winners.
• The Institute of Management Accounts (IMA) awards grants and scholarships to students worldwide.

Government-Specific

Some organizations offer finance and accounting scholarships for students interested in entering the public sector. For example, the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) awards scholarships to finance, business administration, public administration, economics, and accounting students preparing for careers in state or local government.

Location-Based

Geographical scholarships can come from several sources, such as specific chapters of organizations or professional associations. Private donors can establish these programs for local students. State or local governments also may create their own scholarships. Applicants may need to graduate from schools in the region, currently reside in the area, or attend schools in that location.

• Connecticut Society of CPAs
• Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants
• Georgia Society of Certified Public Accountants
• Illinois CPA Society
• Kentucky Society of CPAs
• Louisiana CPA Education Foundation
• Maryland Association of CPAs
• Massachusetts Society of CPAs
• Michigan Accountancy Foundation
• Missouri Society of Certified Public Accountants
• New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants
• North Carolina CPA Foundation
• New Mexico Society of CPAs
• New York Society of CPAs
• Oklahoma Society of CPAs
• Pennsylvania Institute of CPAs
• South Dakota CPA Society
• Tennessee Society of CPAs
• Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants
• Virginia Society of CPAs
• Washington Society of Certified Public Accountants
• City-Based Organizations: Look for local accounting organizations and student support groups that offer scholarships. For example, the Atlanta Alliance of Black Accountants offers accounting scholarships to local high school and college students. The Chicago Scholars program also awards the Marcum Scholarship to aspiring CPAs.

Accounting Scholarship Directory

The directory below contains a list of accounting scholarships. Click on the scholarship links to learn more about the program and application details for each award.

Academic Research Grant Program

As part of the IMA Research Foundation, the Academic Research Grant Program funds research projects related to management accounting topics such as planning and decision support. Applicants must present a complete proposal that includes a cover letter, primary content including objectives and methodology, timeline expectations, and the researcher's background. Upon approval, grant recipients must become IMA members within 60 days.

• Applicants must meet these requirements: Be a full-time faculty member at an accredited institution or industry practitioner with applicable research experience, certification, or credentials; have an innovative research proposal
• Award: Varies

AICPA Foundation CPA Exam Scholarship

Funded by the Controllers Council, this AICPA scholarship helps address the CPA shortage by covering some licensure costs. Applicants must provide a copy of the exam's Notice to Schedule and any proof of purchase for preparatory courses and materials. The AICPA awards 75 students up to $1,000 in reimbursements for these expenses.

• Applicants must meet these requirements: Be an AICPA member ready to take the CPA license exam; be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident; supply a copy of Notice to Schedule for the CPA exam; express financial need
• Award: Up to $1,000
• Deadline: Sept. 30

AICPA Foundation Fellowship for Accounting Doctoral Students

This fellowship opportunity combines three prior AICPA Foundation awards: the AICPA Fellowship for Minority Doctoral Students, the William Ezzell Scholarship, and the Accounting Doctoral Students program. The AICPA selects multiple awardees annually, prioritizing applicants from historically underrepresented ethnic groups. Recipients may be able to renew the $15,000 fellowship for up to three consecutive years by showing program progress and proof of enrollment.

• Applicants must meet these requirements: Be a current or potential enrollee in Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)-accredited accounting doctoral program; be a full-time student with at least one year left in their program; hold a CPA license; express written intent to work in academia; express financial need; be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
• Award: $15,000
• Deadline: June 15

AICPA Foundation Scholarship for Future CPAs

The AICPA awards this nonrenewable scholarship to 26 aspiring CPAs, primarily full-time undergraduate and graduate students. Part-time enrollees completing the CPA license work experience requirements can still apply, but they must meet two extra requirements: a letter of recommendation from an accounting professor and proof of employment. All candidates must complete the free AICPA Student Affiliate registration and present transcripts that show completion of 30 college credits, including at least six accounting credits.

• Applicants must meet these requirements: Be a full-time undergraduate or graduate accounting student pursuing a CPA license; maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA; express financial need; be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident; be an AICPA Student Affiliate member
• Award: $3,000-$10,000
• Deadline: March 15

AICPA Foundation Two-Year Transfer Scholarship

Since 2013, the AICPA has offered the Two-Year Transfer Scholarship to support the different paths to CPA licensure. The program awards scholarships to 40 students who want to transfer from a two-year program — not necessarily in accounting — to a bachelor's degree program in accounting or a related field and pursue CPA licensure. Applicants must join the AICPA as Student Affiliate members to qualify for this nonrenewable scholarship.

• Applicants must meet these requirements: Be a full-time student in a two-year program; declare intent to switch to a four-year accounting or accounting-related program and pursue a CPA license; maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA; be an AICPA Student Affiliate member; be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident; express financial need
• Award: $5,000

AICPA/PCPS George Willie Ethnically Diverse Student Scholarship

The AICPA Private Companies Practice Section (PCPS) and the AICPA Foundation jointly offer this scholarship to 10 students annually in honor of George Willie, an advocate for ethnically diverse business students. Applicants must identify as part of a historically underrepresented ethnic group in the accounting industry and plan to become a CPA. While open to both undergraduate and graduate accounting students, candidates must have completed 30 college credits, including six in accounting.

• Applicants must meet these requirements: Be a full-time undergraduate or graduate accounting student pursuing CPA licensure; maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA; identify as part of a historically excluded ethnic group; be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident; be an AICPA Student Affiliate member; express financial need
• Award: $10,000

AICPA Scholarship for Minority Accounting Students

The AICPA created this scholarship in 1969 and has since awarded over $14.6 million to help increase representation in the accounting profession. Each year, 60 students from historically underrepresented ethnic groups receive awards of up to $10,000. Candidates must maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA, especially if interested in renewing the scholarship.

• Applicants must meet these requirements: Be a full-time undergraduate or graduate accounting student pursuing CPA licensure; maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA; identify as part of a historically excluded ethnic group; be an AICPA Student Affiliate member; be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident; express financial need

American Dream Scholarship

The American Dream Scholarship offers a one-year award to a woman currently attending a two-year community college and hoping to transfer to a four-year college to enter an accounting program. Candidates of any ethnicity can apply, but the EFWA created this scholarship mainly to support women from Latina, Black, and Indigenous American populations. The award includes mentoring support.

• Applicants must meet these requirements: Be a female student enrolled in a two-year community college and hoping to transfer to a four-year college to enter an accounting program; be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident; have demonstrated accounting and business aptitude; express financial need
• Award: $1,000
• Deadline: March 30

Carol Markman, CPA Accounting Scholarship

In honor of Carol Markman, its prior president, the National Conference of CPA Practitioners (NCCPAP) offers $1,000 to current student members or lineal descendants of active members. Candidates must submit proof of enrollment in an accounting or accounting-related program and a minimum 3.0 GPA. The NCCPAP also requests two recommendation letters from professors and a short personal essay.

• Applicants must meet these requirements: Be an upper-class or graduate accounting student; be an NCCPAP member or descendent of an NCCPAP member; maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA; be a U.S. citizen or resident

CMA Doctoral Scholarship Program

The IMA accepts applications to its CMA Doctoral Scholarship Program year-round. Candidates must create an IMA account and prove enrollment in an accounting doctoral program with a concentration in management accounting or financial management. This scholarship does not require U.S. citizenship, instead welcoming applications from students in any globally accredited program. Recipients receive a benefits package that financially supports them on the path to becoming a CMA.

• Applicants must meet these requirements: Be a doctoral accounting student pursuing a concentration in management accounting or financial management
• Award: Coverage for CMA exam registration and entrance fees, exam support package, and three-year IMA student membership
• Deadline: Ongoing

CMA Scholarship Program

The IMA has awarded over 29,000 CMA scholarships globally, supporting high-achieving accounting and business students as they prepare for the CMA exam. Candidates cannot apply for the scholarship; instead, their school's faculty must nominate them. Accredited colleges and universities can nominate up to five bachelor's or master's degree program enrollees per academic year.

• Applicants must meet these requirements: Be a full-time undergraduate or graduate student in an accredited accounting or business program
• Award: Coverage for CMA exam registration and entrance fees, exam support package, review materials, and three-year IMA student membership

Deloitte Foundation Accounting Scholars Program

The Deloitte Foundation's Accounting Scholars Program covers one year of tuition costs for graduate accounting students enrolled in one of the 24 participating schools listed on the scholarship website. Eligible degree programs include a fifth-year master of accounting program, master of tax, and master of accounting. The program accepts but does not require concentrations in advisory, tax, and audit. Candidates must apply to their school of choice and then apply for the scholarship through the school.

• Applicants must meet these requirements: Be an enrollee in a master of tax or accounting program at a participating school; maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA
• Award: One year of tuition

Doctoral Scholars Program

The IMA Research Foundation created the Doctoral Scholars Program to boost the number of management accounting professors. It offers three levels of funding: Stage I (up to $2,000), Stage II (up to $3,000), and Stage III (up to $10,000). Doctoral students can apply for each funding stage as they progress through their coursework and research. IMA prioritizes applications from students who have previously received funding.

• Applicants must meet these requirements: Be an accounting doctoral student seeking research funding; provide an explanatory letter from the student and a recommendation letter from the director of the graduate program; supply a research proposal or working paper; provide a detailed funding request (for Stage III applicants)
• Award: Up to $10,000

EFWA Global Undergraduate Scholarship

All EFWA awards require U.S. citizenship — except the Global Undergraduate Scholarship. This one-year award caters exclusively to non-U.S. citizens studying accounting at an accredited U.S. school. Eligible candidates include women either entering their first year in a bachelor's degree program or returning to school to complete a degree program.

• Applicants must meet these requirements: Be a emale first-year accounting student or returning adult learner in a bachelor's degree program; be a non-U.S. citizen; have proven accounting and business aptitude; express financial need
• Award: $1,500

EFWA Graduate Scholarship

Women enrolled in an advanced accounting degree program can apply for the one-year EFWA Graduate Scholarship. Applicants must prove financial need and an ongoing commitment to becoming a finance or accounting professional. To strengthen their applications and prove accounting aptitude, students can submit transcripts, resumes, and evidence of professional accounting goals.

• Applicants must meet these requirements: Be a female student in a graduate accounting degree program; demonstrate financial need; have proven business and accounting aptitude and goals; be a U.S. citizen

EFWA Undergraduate Scholarships

Women beginning a bachelor's degree in accounting, either as first-year students or returning adult learners, can apply for this one-year scholarship. The EFWA offers three awards each year to applicants dedicated to becoming a finance or accounting professional. Applicants must attend an accredited U.S. school and explain their personal and professional goals.

• Applicants must meet these requirements: Be a female first-year accounting student or returning adult learner in a bachelor's degree program; have proven accounting and business aptitude; express financial need; be a U.S. citizen

Frank L. Greathouse Government Accounting Scholarship

The GFOA established the Frank L. Greathouse Government Accounting Scholarship in 1987 to promote governmental accounting careers. Only upper-level undergraduate and graduate accounting students can apply for this nonrenewable scholarship. The GFOA does not require prior work experience but requests a recommendation letter that proves the applicant's dedication to the public sector. Recipients cannot reapply for the scholarship or any other GFOA awards.

• Applicants must meet these requirements: Be a full-time, upper-level undergraduate or graduate accounting student; express interest in the public sector; be a U.S. or Canadian citizen or permanent resident
• Deadline: Dec. 30

IMA Century Scholarship Award

The IMA offers its Century Scholarship Award to two active student members with leadership and volunteering experience. Awardees receive funding and a CMA exam benefits package, which includes coverage of fees and review materials. Since applicants must sit for at least one part of the CMA exam before finishing their degree, the IMA only offers the scholarship to undergraduate seniors and graduate students. Candidates must submit a recommendation letter from a professor, a resume, transcript, and two short essays.

• Applicants must meet these requirements: Be an active IMA member and part- or full-time graduate student or undergraduate senior in an accounting program; maintain a minimum 3.5 GPA; demonstrate leadership experience; express interest in financial management, management accounting, or information technology; plan to take CMA exam
• Award: $7,500 plus CMA exam registration and entrance fee reimbursement, exam support package, review materials, and three-year IMA student membership
• Deadline: March 29

IMA Graduate Scholarship

In partnership with the IMA, the EFWA offers a one-year scholarship to a woman working toward an advanced accounting degree. The award combines the standard $1,500 cash award from the EFWA graduate scholarship with the CMA exam package offered by the IMA. Recipients must use the CMA exam entrance and registration funds within two years.

• Applicants must meet these requirements: Be a female student pursuing a graduate accounting degree; be a U.S. citizen; have proven business and accounting aptitude; express professional accounting goals and financial need
• Award: $1,500 plus one-year IMA student membership and coverage for CMA exam entrance and registration fees

IMA Incubator Grant Program

The IMA Incubator Grant Program funds proof-of-concept projects that explore management accounting research ideas. The grant helps both entry-level researchers — like Ph.D. students — secure initial funding and experienced researchers complete feasibility investigations. At the end of the year-long project, recipients must complete a 3,000-word report. They can request extra funding through other IMA Research Foundation grants.

• Applicants must meet these requirements: Be a researcher from a variety of backgrounds (doctoral students, experienced researchers, accounting practitioners, etc.); provide a preliminary research proposal
• Award: Up to $5,000
• Deadline: Jan. 31

IMA Undergraduate Scholarships

The IMA funds these two EFWA scholarships, available exclusively to women enrolled in a bachelor's degree program in accounting. In addition to the cash award of either $1,500 or $2,000, awardees receive the IMA's CMA scholarship. This package includes exam preparation materials and fee reimbursements available for up to two years.

• Applicants must meet these requirements: Be a female undergraduate accounting student in a bachelor's degree program; have proven accounting and business aptitude; express financial need; be a U.S. citizen
• Award: $1,500 or $2,500, plus one-year IMA student membership and coverage for CMA exam entrance and registration fees

Laurels Scholarship

Founded in 1978, the Laurels Scholarship offers one-year awards to women pursuing a Ph.D. in accounting. The EFWA distributes funds, selecting recipients based on financial need, volunteer experience, and academic and research achievements. Applicants should submit transcripts, a resume, any published articles or case materials, a personal statement, and two recommendation letters. Scholarship recipients may be asked to attend accounting conferences.

• Applicants must meet these requirements: Be a female student in a doctoral accounting program; express financial need; have proven volunteer or service experience; show proof of academic and research achievements
• Award: $3,000
• Deadline: April 15

NABA Foundation Scholarships

The NABA Foundation aims to remove barriers that aspiring Black business leaders face. It awards around 150 scholarships to its student members annually through opportunities like the Barry C. Winters, CPA Memorial Scholarship and several region-specific awards. Applicants must submit a transcript, online application, and a 250-word essay. NABA expects scholarship recipients to attend its national convention to receive the award in person.

• Applicants must meet these requirements: Identity as African American or Black; be an active NABA member; be enrolled in an accredited two- or four-year university; display academic excellence
• Award: $1,000-$10,000

NSA Educational Tree Scholarship

The NSA offers its two Educational Tree Scholarships annually to lineal descendants of current NSA members, including children, stepchildren, grandchildren, and step-grandchildren. Alternatively, applicants can use their own membership to qualify. The $500 award goes to a student in an associate degree program, while the $1,000 scholarship goes to a bachelor's degree enrollee. All recipients must have completed the first year of their accounting or business program.

• Applicants must meet these requirements: Be a full-time accounting or business student in a certificate, associate, or bachelor's degree program; be an NSA member or a lineal descendant of an NSA member who has been a member for at least five years
• Award: $500 or $1,000
• Deadline: April 30

NSA Scholarship Foundation Program

Besides its two awards exclusively for members and member relatives, the NSA offers several general scholarship opportunities for undergraduate accounting students. These nonrenewable awards can help pay for tuition, books, equipment, and fees at any accredited nonprofit two- or four-year school. The NSA considers work experience, student goals, community involvement, academic achievement, and financial need when selecting scholarship recipients. Applicants must have completed their first year of a bachelor's degree program or first semester of an associate degree program.

• Applicants must meet these requirements: Be a part- or full-time undergraduate accounting student; maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA; be a U.S. or Canadian citizen (or a permanent resident in Arizona)
• Award: $500-$2,000

PCAOB Scholars Program

The PCAOB offers this merit-based scholarship program to support potential auditors, especially those with financial need and those who are members of historically underrepresented populations. Eligible institutions — generally those with regional and AACSB accreditation — can nominate high-achieving accounting students at the undergraduate or graduate level. Recipients may use the funds for tuition, fees, equipment, and books.

• Applicants must meet these requirements: Be an enrollee in an undergraduate or graduate accounting degree program at an approved institution; demonstrate high ethical standards and an interest in auditing; hold a minimum 3.3 GPA or be in the top third of their class; express financial need; may not be a PCAOB employee or employee's relative

Stanley H. Stearman Award

In honor of its retired executive vice president, the NSA offers the Stanley H. Stearman Award to relatives of active or retired NSA members. Applicants must major in accounting and have completed at least one year of study (or one semester, for associate degree program students). Awardees can renew the scholarship annually, not to exceed three years, even if they move into a graduate program.

• Applicants must meet these requirements: Be an undergraduate accounting major and relative of active or retired NSA member who has been a member for at least one year
• Award: $2,000 annually for up to three years

Stuart Cameron and Margaret McLeod Memorial Scholarship

Sponsored by the Stuart Cameron McLeod Society, this scholarship celebrates one IMA member's academic merit and personal integrity. Applicants must submit a one-page resume, transcript, two 300-word essays, and a recommendation letter with their online application. The award recipient must remain proactively involved in the IMA and present a transcript to receive second-semester funds.

• Applicants must meet these requirements: Be an IMA student member; be a part- or full-time student in an accounting program at an accredited institution; maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA; express interest in financial management, management accounting, or information technology; plan to take CMA exam
• Award: $5,000 plus two free conference registrations, up to $1,000 toward travel and lodging for either or both conferences, and mentorship opportunities

TACTYC Scholarships

TACTYC helps promote accounting education through various initiatives, like its scholarship opportunities. While the number of awards varies each year, TACTYC typically offers $1,000 scholarships in two award categories. One is intended for accounting students in a two-year community or technical school, while the other supports accounting enrollees transferring from a two-year school to a four-year institution.

• Applicants must meet these requirements: Be an accounting major at a two-year or technical school
• Deadline: March 1

Women-in-Need Scholarship

The EFWA created this scholarship to support women pursuing a bachelor's in accounting while providing financially for their families (including children or other dependents). Candidates can apply for this two-year award during their second year of study. They must resubmit transcripts with proof of a minimum 3.0 GPA to renew the scholarship for a second year.

• Applicants must meet these requirements: Be a female second-year accounting student in a bachelor's degree program; be the primary financial provider for the family; maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA; express financial need and accounting goals; be a U.S. citizen
• Award: $10,000 over two years

Women-in-Transition Scholarship

Women who are the primary source of income for their families can apply for this EFWA scholarship. The award amount depends on the type of accounting degree: Awardees in a bachelor's degree program receive $8,000 over two years, while those in an associate degree program get $4,000. The EFWA requests recipients maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA to receive the second fund dispersal.

• Applicants must meet these requirements: Be a female first-year accounting student in an associate or bachelor's degree program; be the primary financial provider for the family; maintain a 3.0 minimum GPA; express financial need and accounting goals; be a U.S. citizen
• Award: $4,000 or $8,000 over two years

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Accounting by Jessica

Jessica's entry into Varsity Tutor's June 2020 scholarship contest

Accounting by Jessica - June 2020 Scholarship Essay

Accounting is an essential part in the world of business helping keep financial records organized and managed in a plethora of ways. I am planning on majoring in accounting at Penn State under the Smeal School of Business. After being accepted into the Schreyer Honors Program I knew I could go in depth within my courses as well get a chance to research accounting through the required honors thesis (I am planning research diversity in accounting and its impact on businesses especially small or minority owned would). I would also like to further my Spanish by studying business Spanish providing practical applications for the Spanish world of business and learning terms beneficial to my translation. After finishing my master’s degree at Penn State, I will become trained reaching the levels of a certified public accountant. I was younger, I never knew what I wanted to further my education with. I found myself joining clubs and community groups to find my interest and get involved. I ended up joining the LISTO program (a set of learning sessions held at my Latino Community Center about team building, decision making, conflict resolution, life skills, career pathways, and leadership concepts). During the program I got paired with a Mexican American mentor, who worked in business. Before the experience I could never picture myself as someone who would become an accountant, but after learning about the profession I found that I was thoroughly interested in the career.   As a Mexican American woman, I can understand the importance of representation in all fields of careers. In America diversity is continuously growing day by day. This is represented as new and upcoming business owned by minorities and women continue to grow. The same cannot be said regarding the accounting field. Minorities and women have been under represented in the accounting field. Having a diverse group of people can offer so much help to the growing small businesses, especially new businesses that are owned by minorities and women. With representation, people can find support that works for them and helps their business financially. Being able to grow the representation within the accounting career is essential for so many people. I know this from personal experience. Growing up, I was constantly helping translate for my parents who were not confident in their English language. Having translation was helpful in many situations, including financial documents. My parents have consistently relied on the support of a Spanish-speaking workers to help them file their taxes. Making a change in the environment of the accountant field is a big dream of mine. When working in the accounting firm I will partake in making the community a better place for current and future accountants. This includes in initiatives like difficult conversations about diversity, encouraging training that eliminates bias and make the workspace comfortable for everyone. While working as an accountant. I hope to use the skills I have learned throughout high school to help me mentor the following generation of accountants. I took part in the Leadership Enterprise for a Diverse in America. The intensive summer program held at Princeton working to support the higher education of students who are under-represented in top universities or from under resourced backgrounds. While participating they focused on many standardized test prep, leadership training (through courses including an aspects of leadership where we discussed issues as first generation and low-income students). This was a life changing experience. This entire experience has really inspired me to work, to become a leader beyond just college and to continue making a change into my career. I hope I can help mentor the future generation of accountants. I would not have made it where I was today had it not been for the mentors I had supporting me throughout the entirety of my high school experience. I also would have never become familiar with the field of accounting. Learning and becoming associated with the field was what inspired me, and I hope I can help become that spark in the future as well as support and teach students working to becoming accountants. With that also comes support. Not as much support comes to accounting students in terms of scholarship as other fields, so I would like to financially help students like me who working hard to become accountants. I always knew I wanted to work hard in school. Growing up with parents from a small ranch, they didn’t have the same opportunities awarded to them. My father had to work as soon as he was old enough to support his family. He never even started schooled. My mother could never finish school ending at what would be considered 8th grade in America. I also knew I would work hard because of my brother. Having a younger brother who was diagnosed with Autism and Apraxia (making him nonverbal) I knew he would need my support in the future. I also do it for myself. As someone who struggled with school as a child and was born with a genetic disorder (Turner Syndrome meaning I was born with a single X chromosome) I never saw myself as anything special and gave up on myself. Through education and my voice I have found in leadership I have been able to become the best version of myself possible.

ACCA Scholarships Explained: Essay Tips & How to Apply [2024 Update]

The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) is one of the most respected qualifications in the field of finance and accounting, wiith a global presence in over 180 countries. To ease some of these financial burdens, ACCA provides the Simpson Scholarship for which the student is financially taken care of. This scholarship also involves Annual Subscription and Membership Admission examination fees and unlimited notes from ACCA’s Approved Content Providers. In this blog, you will be informed the step-by-step procedure of applying for the ACCA Simpson Scholarship in 2024-2025. If you are a new ACCA member or already under your exam progression, this guide will contain all the need to know knowledge to help you to increase your chances of gaining this prestigious scholarship.

What is ACCA?

ACCA is a leading international accountancy body that offers the Chartered Certified Accountant qualification. Recognized in over 180 countries, ACCA provides a pathway to a successful career in finance, accounting, and management . The qualification is designed to equip students with in-depth knowledge and skills , making them highly sought after by employers worldwide.

For a comprehensive overview of the ACCA course, read – Your Complete Guide to ACCA Course Details

About the ACCA Simpson Scholarship

The ACCA Simpson Scholarship is one of the most prestigious scholarships available to ACCA students. It was established to support students who demonstrate outstanding academic performance and commitment to their ACCA studies.

The scholarship covers all ACCA exam fees, annual subscription fees, and membership admission fees , along with study materials from ACCA’s Approved Content Providers. This scholarship is a valuable opportunity for students to complete their ACCA qualification without the burden of financial constraints.

The ACCA Scholarship Fund honors the commitment and excellence of the top 5 students who excel in their ACCA exams each year. Selection is based solely on merit, recognizing those who demonstrate outstanding performance.

Eligibility Criteria for the Simpson Scholarship

To be eligible for the ACCA Simpson Scholarship, applicants must meet the following criteria:

ACCA Registration

• You must be a registered ACCA student.

Fee Payment

• Your fees for the upcoming year must be paid in full, with no outstanding payments.

Academic Performance

• Achieved an average of 80% or more in the Applied Knowledge and Corporate & Business Law (LW) exams at the first attempt.
• If exempted from Applied Knowledge exams, you must have scored 66% or more in at least two Applied Skills exams on your first attempt.

How to Apply for the ACCA Simpson Scholarship

Once you’ve confirmed that you meet the eligibility criteria, the next step is to apply to ACCA. As part of the application, you’ll need to write an essay on the topic, ‘How will the award of a scholarship help me realize my full potential?’

Here’s a comprehensive guide:

Access the Application Form

• Begin by visiting the official ACCA website and logging into your account to access the application form for the Simpson Scholarship.

Fill in Personal and Academic Details

• Accurately input your personal information, including your ACCA registration number.
• Ensure all academic details, such as exam scores, are correctly listed.

Prepare a 1,000-Word Essay

Format Requirements:

• Type : Use MS Word or a similar word processing package.
• Word Count : Maximum of 1,000 words.
• Font : 12-point, black font.
• Spacing and Margins : Double line-spaced with a 1-inch (2.5 cm) margin on all sides.
• Page Size : A4.
• Header Information : Include your student registration number, date, and page number at the top of each page.
• Language : The essay must be written in English.
• Content : Be clear, concise, and relevant. Tables and figures should be used judiciously, with six figures counting as one word. Handwritten submissions are not accepted.

Essay Focus

Certain key points you can include in your essay about how the scholarship will benefit you:

• How It Will Positively Impact Your Career .
• How It Will Benefit the Community in Which You Live .
• How It Will Positively Influence the Accounting Profession in Your Country .
• How It Will Support Your Journey to ACCA Membership .

Upload Supporting Documents

• Exam Results : Provide official ACCA exam results.
• Proof of Fee Payment : Ensure you have documentation showing that your fees for the upcoming year have been paid in full.
• Additional Documents : Include any other relevant documents, such as letters of recommendation or additional qualifications that could support your application.
• Review Your Application : Before submitting, thoroughly review your application to ensure all information is correct. Check that your essay adheres to the formatting requirements and is free of errors.
• Submit the Application : Once satisfied, submit your application through the ACCA portal before the deadline. Double-check the submission to avoid any last-minute issues.

Key Dates and Deadlines

Understanding the key dates for the ACCA Simpson Scholarship is crucial to ensure your application is submitted on time and reviewed without any issues. Here are the important dates to mark on your calendar:

• Opening Date for Applications: 15 April 2024
• Closing Date for Receipt of Applications: 21 June 2024
• Selection of Scholarship Winners: 9 August 2024
• Announcement of Scholarship Winners: 23 August 2024

What Happens After You Apply?

Once you’ve submitted your application for the ACCA Simpson Scholarship, the process moves into the review and evaluation stage. Here’s what to expect:

Application Review Process

• Your application, including the essay, academic records, and supporting documents, will be reviewed by a panel of ACCA professionals.
• They assess your eligibility, the quality of your essay, and your overall commitment to ACCA.
• Each applicant submits their unique perspective in this essay. The judging panel is responsible for selecting the top 5 essays that best demonstrate how the scholarship would significantly impact the applicant’s journey.

Notification of Results

• If you are selected, you will receive an official notification via email.
• This will include details about how to accept the scholarship, what is covered, and any further steps you need to take.

Fee Adjustments:

• The scholarship will cover your ACCA exam fees, annual subscription fees, and membership admission fees.
• You may also receive study materials from ACCA’s Approved Content Providers. ACCA will coordinate these benefits directly with you.

Tips for Winning an ACCA Scholarship

Winning the ACCA Simpson Scholarship is highly competitive, but with the right approach, you can enhance your chances. Here are some tips to help you stand out:

Be Authentic:

• Show genuine passion and authenticity in your application. Judges can tell when an applicant is truly dedicated to their ACCA journey.

Highlight Your Academic Achievements:

• Demonstrate consistent excellence in your ACCA exams. Mention any significant academic accomplishments that align with the scholarship criteria.

Demonstrate Financial Need (If Applicable):

• If the scholarship considers financial need, be transparent about your financial situation and explain how the scholarship will alleviate your burdens.

Other Types of ACCA Scholarships

ACCA offers a range of scholarships designed to support students in specific regions or educational institutions. Here are two primary types:

1. Country-Specific Scholarships

• Certain ACCA bodies in different countries provide scholarships tailored to meet the needs of regional students.
• These scholarships often address local financial challenges and aim to support more students within the country.
• They are designed to ensure that students from various backgrounds have access to ACCA qualifications, regardless of their financial situation.

University-Specific Scholarships

• Universities that offer ACCA courses may partner with ACCA to provide scholarships specifically for their students.
• These scholarships can include tuition discounts, exam fee waivers, or additional financial support.
• They are typically awarded based on academic performance, financial need, or a combination of both, and are designed to encourage students to pursue ACCA qualifications as part of their university education.

The ACCA Simpson Scholarship is a golden opportunity for aspiring accountants to alleviate the financial pressures of their ACCA journey. By meticulously preparing your application, meeting the eligibility criteria, and crafting a compelling essay, you stand a strong chance of being selected. This scholarship not only covers essential costs but also recognizes your commitment and potential in the field of finance. This is the perfect opportunity for career enhancement without the hindrance of financial concerns . Begin preparing early enough, have a clear vision and ensure your passion is reflected in your ACCA application process. It could be the step towards making the rest of your dreams in the accounting and finance field come true.

Frequently Asked Question

It’s a scholarship that covers ACCA exam fees, subscription fees, and membership admission fees for selected students.

Registered ACCA students who have passed exams with high scores and have no outstanding fees.

Complete the application form, submit a 1,000-word essay, and provide required documents.

The application deadline for 2024 is June 21, 2024.

Five scholarships are awarded each year.

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Scholarship Essay Examples

With college tuition costs rising each year, many students apply for merit scholarships to help make college more affordable. However, merit scholarships can be competitive—and that’s where our scholarship essay examples come in. By reading our scholarship essay examples, you can learn what it takes to write an award-winning essay. 

Scholarships are an excellent opportunity for students to lessen their college tuition costs. Most merit scholarships require a brief application, usually including one or more essays. Below, we’ve rounded up our best scholarship essay examples.

Reading winning scholarship essay examples, especially scholarship essay examples about yourself, can help you begin the scholarship essay process. By reviewing essay examples, you can learn how to craft a strong essay. You’ll also get a better sense of what scholarship committees look for when they review applications.

In this guide to Scholarship Essay Examples, you’ll find tips on how to write the best scholarship essay, as well as:

• Various scholarship essay examples about yourself
• A strong scholarship essay sample about why I deserve the scholarship
• Scholarship essay examples about financial need, and more!

We’ve included scholarship essay examples specific to schools, including UC Berkeley, as well as specific programs, like the SHPE scholarship. We’ll also discuss the different types of scholarships you’ll find on your scholarship search. 

Now, before we jump into our essay examples, let’s learn more about getting scholarship money for college.

What is a scholarship essay?

A scholarship essay is an essay you’ll include in your merit scholarship applications. In many ways, your scholarship essays might resemble your college essays. So, the scholarship essay format should seem familiar. 

The best scholarship essays will highlight who you are and why you deserve money for college. Scholarship essay prompts will ask you to include various information, from details about your background to explanations of why you deserve a scholarship.

Crafting a compelling, well-written essay can help you win substantial financial awards to help cover your college tuition costs. However, not all scholarship essays are the same. Later on, we’ll review different winning scholarship essay examples to show you what kind of essays you’ll write in your application process.

Types of Scholarships

There are many different types of scholarships available to students. You can find a variety of scholarship opportunities on scholarships websites. The earlier you start your scholarship search, the more scholarships you’ll find. 

While some scholarship applications accept applicants of all backgrounds and abilities, some have very specific eligibility guidelines. So, you may not be eligible for every scholarship. If you’re not sure whether or not you’re eligible, you can find eligibility information on most scholarships websites. 

Here are a few different scholarship types you may come across in your scholarship search:

• Academic scholarships
• Merit scholarships
• Essay competitions
• Community service scholarships
• Military scholarships

Scholarship essay prompts will differ across programs. As you’ll see in our winning scholarship essay examples, the prompts can vary in word count and complexity. We’ll provide you with descriptive essay examples to help you get an idea of what to expect.

Merit-Based Scholarships

Most scholarships we’ll highlight in this article are merit-based scholarships . A merit-based scholarship is money awarded by a college or community organization based on your academic achievements. 

In contrast, a need-based scholarship is awarded based on a student’s financial need. If you are applying for financial aid, be sure to check out our scholarship essay examples about financial need. You’ll find both merit- and need-based scholarships on your scholarship search.     

To qualify for a merit-based scholarship, you generally must meet specific criteria. Scholarship committees look at your grades, academic achievements, extracurriculars, and even test scores. Need-based scholarships can have similar requirements, but they’re primarily concerned with your family’s financial status.

There are many merit-based scholarships available to help students afford college, including:

• National merit scholarships
• Gates Scholarship
• Jack Kent Cooke Scholarship
• Robertson Scholarship

Check out our guides on these popular merit-based scholarships for more details. There, you’ll find tips on how to write a winning essay. Our descriptive essay examples can also help prepare you to apply to these programs After all, while prompts vary, the scholarship essay format remains fairly standard. 

Finding scholarships

In this guide, we’ll highlight some scholarships you may be eligible for. However, make sure to check out the rest of our resources to help you approach the scholarship search. 

Some scholarships we’ll discuss include:

• QuestBridge scholarship : helps low-income students attend elite colleges
• Park scholarships : for students attending NC State University
• SHPE scholarship : offers financial assistance for Hispanic students interested in STEM degrees. 

Scholarship essay examples about financial need will help you prepare for your scholarship applications. For instance, if you apply for the SHPE scholarship, you’ll include a lot of details about your background. 

You can also use scholarship search portals or scholarships websites to find other scholarships you may be eligible for. 

How do you write a scholarship essay?

While scholarship essay prompts may differ, you’ll usually stick to the same general scholarship essay format. 

One resource that can help you write the best scholarship essays and find money for college is Sallie Mae. Sallie Mae is a private lender offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional student loans. They also grant scholarships and provide aspiring college students with a scholarship search portal on their scholarships websites. Here’s what they have to say about having a winning scholarship essay format.

Organization

When writing a scholarship essay, it’s best to start with a scholarship essay format that organizes your thoughts. This will allow you to follow a plan that clearly and concisely gets your points across. You should begin your essay with a solid introduction. Then, introduce your supporting arguments and add an appropriate conclusion. 

A good scholarship essay clearly states why you deserve to win money for college with evidence to back up your argument. You’ll see how to do this in our scholarship essay sample about why I deserve the scholarship. The best scholarship essays will be original and honest. It should be written in an inspirational and positive tone, highlighting your strengths and capabilities. 

When you feel like you have put your best foot forward, you should ask others for their feedback. This can be from a teacher, counselor, or one of our advisors here at CollegeAdvisor! Proofread your final essay and make sure you’ve caught any spelling and grammatical errors before submitting your application.

Up next, we’ll get into our descriptive essay examples and the different scholarship essay prompts they responded to. 

By looking at scholarship essay examples, you can learn what exactly makes a good essay. So, let’s look at some descriptive essay examples written by students looking to secure money for college. 

First, we will walk you through scholarship essay examples about yourself. Then, we’ll look at a scholarship essay sample about why I deserve the scholarship. Lastly, we will provide you with scholarship essay examples about financial need. Remember to keep these scholarship essay examples in mind when writing essays of your own!

Scholarship Essay Examples About Yourself

Let’s take a closer look at some scholarship essay examples about yourself.

Scholarship essay prompts vary quite a bit, so make sure you understand what the prompt really asks of you. That way, you can answer the question or address the prompt in its entirety.

Some scholarship essay prompts may ask how the scholarship will make a difference for you. They may also ask about any contributions you have made to your community. 

Ready to look at some winning scholarship essay examples? Check out these scholarship essay examples below.

The first of our scholarship essays is for Phi Sigma Rho. Here’s the prompt: 

How do you promote Phi Sigma Rho and STEM on your campus or in your community? (300 words Max)

Phi sigma rho scholarship essay.

In my campus and community, I strive to promote Phi Sigma Rho and STEM by promoting Phi Rho’s values and sharing my experiences and passion for Phi Rho.

My involvement in the Women in Engineering Program (WEP) and Society of Women Engineers (SWE) has allowed me the opportunity to promote Phi Rho and STEM. These activities have given me insight into how to successfully create a network that will support and encourage women in engineering to continue their careers. 

Within WEP, I served as a sophomore orientation leader (Envoy), mentoring first-year women and assisting with program logistics. As an envoy, I was able to promote Phi Rho ideals of friendship and encouragement. I was also able to informally recruit for Phi Rho by sharing my experiences and passion for the sorority.

Within SWE, I was the Internal Relations Chair my freshmen year and am the Director of Member Engagement this year. Both roles are related to member engagement, allowing me to promote friendship within engineering. Member engagement is important for creating a community among female engineers. Similar to my envoy position, my leadership within SWE has allowed me to share my love for Phi Rho.

Additionally, my volunteer experience with Engineering Ambassadors (EA), a STEM outreach group, has allowed me to promote STEM in the community. In EA, I give presentations on engineering, speak on panels, and lead hands-on activities for K-12 students. EA has taught me strategies to promote STEM to children and teenagers.

Because of Phi Sigma Rho, I have the confidence to inspire and encourage the next generation of female engineers. I hold the values of scholarship, friendship, and encouragement in the highest regard and strive to embody those in every leadership position and volunteer role. Through SWE, WEP, and EA, I have promoted Phi Sigma Rho, its values, and STEM as a whole in both my campus and community.

This is, in many ways, a scholarship essay sample about why I deserve the scholarship. The writer clearly highlights how they’ve engaged with Phi Sigma Rho and how their values align with those of the organization. The writer also provides specific examples of their leadership positions, skills, and accolades. 

The next two of our scholarship essay examples about yourself are for the SHPE scholarship. Here they are: 

SHPE Scholarship essay example #1

Essay prompt:.

Summarize your life experiences and any challenges that have impacted your path to higher education. (250 Words) 

Essay Example:

I vividly remember the first day of First Grade because I didn’t know the Pledge of Allegiance like the rest of my classmates. Growing up in a Hispanic household, I had never learned what the pledge was. This was the beginning of several years of disconnect. 

From receiving weird looks when I told classmates my family opened Christmas gifts at midnight, to my parents’ confusion when I didn’t want them to speak Spanish in public, both sides of my life never understood the other. As a result, I always felt out of place in school, like I was behind in some way because I didn’t share the same upbringing as my classmates. In contrast, academics felt like a level playing field, something we were all learning together in the same way.

While I couldn’t tell you who won the super bowl, I could do mathematics or read just as well, if not better, than my classmates. Socially, I always felt out of place, but academically I was always comfortable, and as a result, I tried to excel in that area of my life. That desire to succeed created the relentless work ethic I have today and the appreciation I have for education.

Despite the lack of emphasis from my parents on schoolwork, I developed this sense of responsibility and persistence to pursue an education. Although my family’s Hispanic culture made my life difficult when I was younger, it made me a more resilient person.

More scholarship essay examples

Shpe scholarship essay example #2.

Discuss your educational and career aspirations as well as your ability to complete and achieve these goals. (250 words)

Using a degree in engineering, I hope to work on improving sustainability and efficiency in the aerospace industry by creating cheaper, safer, and more environmentally-conscious options.

Recently, Pratt and Whitney designed an engine that is 16% more efficient and will release 3600 less metric tons per airplane per year. Excitingly, it also greatly reduces the noise footprint of an airplane. Innovations like these will allow the aerospace industry to evolve and improve while reducing negative environmental impact. I hope to work at the forefront of this innovation, pushing the boundaries of improved engine performance and efficiency. 

Last semester, I started working in the Experimental and Computational Convection Laboratory on campus to learn more about turbines. Some current projects in the lab involve new turbine cooling techniques and additive manufactured heat exchangers. Throughout the course of my undergraduate career, I hope to learn more about the barriers facing improved engine and turbine efficiency. Following undergraduate, I plan to attend graduate school to gain a deeper knowledge of these topics. Following graduate school, I may go into industry working on turbines and jet engines. Due to beginning research early, I believe graduate school is an attainable educational goal.

The potential ability to make a difference in the environmental impact of the aerospace industry is exciting. To accomplish this, I know studying Mechanical Engineering will give me the skills necessary to fulfill my career goals.

Both of these scholarship essay examples use specific details to highlight the writer’s strengths, experiences, and accolades. In reading these winning scholarship essay examples, we get a sense of who the writer is both as a person and as a student. 

Scholarship Essay Sample about “Why I deserve the scholarship”

Another scholarship essay prompt you may come across is “why I deserve this scholarship.” A good scholarship essay clearly highlights why you deserve to win the scholarship and provides evidence to support your argument. 

Below, you’ll find scholarship essay samples about why I deserve the scholarship. You can use these as a guide to help you tackle your own scholarship essays. 

Here’s the first of our scholarship essay examples, which was used for the Park Scholarship: 

The Park Scholarship is an investment in the potential of young people. It prepares scholars to make lifelong contributions to communities, states, nations, and the world. Tell us a story that illustrates your potential to make these lifelong contributions. (What have you done that should compel us to invest in you?) (Max. 3,990 characters including spaces.)

Park scholarship essay example.

Coming from a Venezuelan family, I have always been able to connect with total strangers through Spanish. Whether I’m eating at a restaurant or volunteering, I am constantly stumbling upon other Spanish speakers. The ability to converse in their language allows me to bond with them in a way I couldn’t in English, something I do not take for granted. 

Because of my experience, I believe that learning a foreign language is an incredibly important skill. Being able to speak in a second language allows a person to understand another community and reach out to people within that community. Additionally, speaking a second language assists in appreciating other cultures. This appreciation is important for fostering open-mindedness, something America as a whole struggles with today. 

In my school district, foreign language classes are not offered until late middle school. Once in high school, many students drop the class. In addition, those who stay in the class often find that the classes provide little more than a basic understanding of the language and then become discouraged in their learning. On a larger scale, this issue affects America as a whole. Second language programs often come second in terms of funding and planning and are not encouraged as rigorously as other academic courses. As a result, many Americans are ignorant to the benefits of bilingualism and are unable to understand the viewpoint of those who are multilingual.

After my freshman year of high school, my frustration with my community’s lack of priority for second language learning culminated in my desire to take some sort of action to promote foreign language education. In my sophomore year, a classmate and I created and ran an introductory Spanish program, Spanish in the Spring, at my local library for young children in the district. I spent hours at home creating lesson plans, activities, themes, and advertisements for the program. I placed heavy emphasis on cultural aspects and the importance of the Spanish language in America and the world as a whole.

My purpose for this program was to introduce children at a young age to learning a foreign language, so their desire to learn would continue throughout their life. Through the program, I was also able to share my belief of the importance of learning a second language with the children, as well as their parents. After the final day of the program, I was thrilled when one parent mentioned their desire to learn a foreign language program themself. I felt that if I made an impact on one person or family, the entire program was worthwhile. 

Unfortunately, this past spring I was unable to continue the Spanish in the Spring program due to library scheduling restraints. However, I hopefully plan to offer the program again this spring with some changes that will improve and expand the experience. One of these changes will include the immersion of parents into the experience to encourage foreign language education as a family activity.

While this program was only offered once, the impact was immeasurable, for the children, for the cause of foreign language education, and for me.

This is another scholarship essay sample about why I deserve the scholarship. In it, the writer clearly and directly answers the prompt—that is, they highlight their potential to make a lifelong impact on members of their community. 

Ready for another scholarship essay example? Here’s the next one: 

How will a ScholarSHPE impact your life and education? (200 Words)

Shpe scholarship essay example.

Receiving a ScholarSHPE will give me the gift of time and opportunities. My parents are unable to support me financially throughout college due to large amounts of accrued debt. A ScholarSHPE will reduce my financial stress and allow me to improve my overall health as a result. It will also prevent the need to work several hours a week at a part-time job to pay for tuition, books, and living expenses, which will limit what I can do academically and outside of class. A ScholarSHPE will allow me to spend more time on research pursuits, engineering extracurriculars, volunteer work, and school work, instead of long hours at a part-time job. 

This essay sample is fairly straightforward. In it, the writer follows a clear scholarship essay format, explicitly answering the prompt. 

UC Berkeley Scholarships essay examples

Let’s look at some school-specific merit scholarship essay examples. 

At the University of California – Berkeley , students can apply for a variety of merit scholarships. These scholarships can help offset the cost of UC Berkeley tuition. 

Below, we’ve included various scholarship essay examples for the UC Berkeley scholarships. These UC Berkeley scholarships can help students cover their college tuition costs. This can make the UC Berkeley tuition less of a barrier for students hoping to attend. 

You’ll find a variety of UC Berkeley scholarships that can help you afford UC Berkeley tuition. Available UC Berkeley scholarships include: 

• Berkeley Undergraduate Scholarship
• Fiat Lux Scholarship
• Middle Class Scholarship
• Regents’ and Chancellor’s Scholarship

These are just a few ways to cover the cost of UC Berkeley tuition. UC Berkeley students also receive more than $10 million per year in outside scholarships to cover college tuition costs. If you are interested in exploring non-UC Berkeley scholarships, check out this list of outside scholarship resources . 

To help you get started, check out our winning UC Berkeley scholarship essay examples. The authors of these scholarship essay examples about financial need all won money to help cover their UC Berkeley tuition.

UC Berkeley scholarship essay examples

I am grateful to realize how fortunate I am today. All the loved ones around me and their acts of kindness have given me such a great life. I also realize the sacrifices that those around me have had to give up in order for me to succeed. It is because of this that I have realized what “paying it forward” truly means. I have been given the opportunity to make an impact in my community and I have fully taken advantage of this opportunity. I have been a volunteer for the Buddyball Sports Organization, which is a non-profit sports organization dedicated to providing the opportunity for children with developmental disabilities to play sports.

Growing up, watching and playing sports has been one of my greatest pleasures of life, so teaching these less fortunate kids has been something I have enjoyed doing every single weekend. On top of this, I am also both a volunteer at the South Orangetown Ambulance Corps and the Nyack Hospital. With the desire to pursue a career in the medical field, volunteering at these places has given me a great idea of what my career could look like in the near future. While all of these volunteer activities have had a significant impact on me, little did I know that this summer would truly make a lasting difference in my life. 

This past summer, my family decided to go on a vacation to India to visit my relatives. This was the first time in my life that I was going to India and this was only because my grandmother came down with Parkinson’s disease and was extremely sick. Little did I know at that time that my visit to India would be a life-changing experience. Never could have I imagined such a filthy village. Everywhere I looked, there was garbage and to make matters worse, no one seemed to do anything to try to ameliorate the repugnant image of my home country.

While I realized on my flight home that I was not going to be able to make a difference and help my community back in India, there was nothing stopping me from doing so right here in Rockland County, New York. When I was told that I would have the opportunity to help organize and direct “Make a Difference Rockland,” I joyfully accepted! Make a Difference Rockland is a free public meet and greet for all local non-profits and other government agencies in an attempt to promote different community service opportunities within the public. By gathering all the local non-profit organizations and giving them a chance to present themselves, people learn more about all of the local community service opportunities that are available to them. This way, the community will be able to recruit volunteers and will not have to suffer through calamitous conditions.

As one of the people in charge of organizing, it was my responsibility to adequately contact, invite and help prepare for hundreds of people. Once I gathered their contact information, I had to ask each one of these places if they would be interested in joining the fair. If interested, I had to also prepare a table for them to present themselves at the fair. The feeling of bringing all of these community service groups together brought me a feeling of happiness that I will never forget. 

The best scholarship essays will teach the reader about who the writer is, what they care about, and why they deserve a scholarship. The essay above does just that—it highlights the writer’s background and describes how they give back to their community. 

Next, let’s dig into a few more scholarship essay examples. 

If you’re interested in more descriptive essay examples, keep reading. 

Reading a ton of winning scholarship essay examples is a great way to pick up on what makes them winners. Over time, you’ll start to notice how the details, tone, and flow all work together to tell a story.

Below, you’ll find a few more scholarship essay examples. Our first one is from the NC Parks Scholarship. Here’s the prompt:

What do you do to serve your community? Why do you do the service that you do? What impact have you made? What challenges or insights have your service contributions given you? (Max. 3,990 characters including spaces.) 

Community-focused scholarship essay example #1.

“What are the boys like in high school?” “Is it easy to get a boyfriend?” Sighing, the other frustrated leaders and I look at each other as we read the questions posed by the younger girls. Every year at Girls’ Night Out (GNO), a program that introduces and prepares eighth-grade girls for high school, the girls question the leaders about relationships and dating ad nauseum, irritating other leaders to the point of ignoring the questions. 

Giving each question a careful and deliberate answer is often difficult, but instead of disregarding the issue, I try to offer my most sincere and honest advice. Originally, when I began as a group leader in the program I would give the same response, “You shouldn’t worry about boys. Instead, enjoy your friends, and do things you enjoy.” While that advice is true, it is often not the answer that will satisfy the girls. Through many years in the program, I have learned that advice is not “one size fits all”; it must be individualized to the person’s needs. Now, when faced with a question about dating, I respond with more questions before giving “words of wisdom”.

Many times I am able to understand the perspective of the middle school student, allowing me to give advice accordingly. Supplying proper advice about sensitive topics is one of the most impactful parts of GNO. As a role model and positive influence for the girls, I largely impact their ideas and perception of the environment when entering high school. In addition to teaching the students valuable lessons, volunteering at GNO has taught me that various perspectives may present themselves identically. To better understand those around me, it is important that I look beyond the surface for the other person’s viewpoint.

Beyond understanding other viewpoints from GNO, I have learned from other service that understanding a person’s situation is essential for providing exceptional assistance. Through Key Club, I volunteer many times a year at the local food pantry. As a volunteer, I help the recipients “shop” at the small grocery store using a point system. The process takes up a lot of time because shoppers do not always know what they want. Originally I  thought this was a poor design. I believed it would be much more efficient to just hand out the food rather than giving out points and shopping with the food pantry recipients.

Upon expressing my opinion to one of the adult food pantry staff, he explained to me that the grocery store aspect of the store taught the recipients life skills. Additionally, by giving them autonomy over what food they “bought”, they retained a sort of independence, an important skill to have if they find themselves above the income level required to use the food pantry.

The next time I volunteered I took note of the skills presented. Budgeting of points, deciding whether or not they needed something, determining the quality of the fruit, and decision-making of choosing extra food or toiletries, were all skills that those above the poverty line have ingrained. For those who have been using food pantries and other assistance for prolonged periods of time, these skills are not so natural. As a result, teaching the people means after they no longer need the services of the food pantry, they have valuable skills necessary for their independence.

From this experience, I learned an important lesson: helping people is not just giving them what they need at the moment, but understanding what they will need in the future and providing that as well. After realizing this, I emphasize the abilities that the food pantry teaches whenever I dedicate my time. By doing that, I am positively affecting the development of those skills. 

When reflecting on the various ways I have served my community, one thing stands out to me: I always understand another viewpoint or gain a new perspective afterwards. For me, the ability to look at something from different angles is an unparalleled talent, and one of the most important skills a person can have.

Describe your volunteer or community experience with SHPE or other organizations and any internships you have held.  (250 Words)

Community-focused scholarship essay example #2.

In SHPE, I have been involved in planning the Penn State College of Engineering STEP-UP (Student Transition Engineering Program at University Park) Program as a chair. The STEP-UP program helps students from Penn State branch campuses smoothly transition to the University Park campus through a 3-day program in the spring. The program introduces them to engineering resources, other engineering students, and provides professional development. Due to COVID-19, this year it was held virtually. 

Within the Society of Women Engineers and the Women in Engineering Program, I have volunteered at different STEM events in the community for elementary school students. I am also currently serving as an Envoy (a mentorship and logistical position) for the Women in Engineering Program Orientation. Additionally, I participate in many of SWE’s service events, such as donating and collecting donations, cleaning up areas on and around campus, and visiting nursing homes.

On campus, I am also involved with Engineering Ambassadors (EA), a group that does STEM outreach around Pennsylvania from the elementary school to high school level. EA goes virtually or in person to schools, does engineering presentations and activities, and answers questions.

Prior to COVID-19, I had secured an internship with Pratt and Whitney, however, they had to cancel their internship program. As a result, I was fortunate enough to obtain a Process Quality Engineering internship at Brentwood Industries for summer 2020.

Both of these scholarship essay examples highlight how the writers have given back to their communities. These winning scholarship essay examples highlight the writers’ strengths. In doing so, they highlight why these writers deserve help with college tuition costs. 

Reflecting on scholarship essay format

As important as the content of your essay is, your scholarship essay format is equally important. As you write, be sure to adhere to the scholarship essay format guidelines provided to you. 

However, there are some things all of the best scholarship essays have in common. Here are some general tips, tricks, and outlines to help you in your own writing process.

Three scholarship essay writing tips:

• Word counts are hard to adhere to, but the other applicants must adhere to them, too. Make sure every word counts. 
• When you write a solid essay, you can repurpose some of your key points, including specific anecdotes and details, in other scholarship applications.
• Writing a good essay helps you solidify who you are and what you want. This sets you up for success in the scholarship application process and beyond. 

Three essential elements to include in your essay:

• State your goals. Scholarship committees are investing in your future and your potential. To take a chance on you, they need to know your plan and what you want to do with your award. 
• Establish an implicit or explicit link between your goals and the scholarship you are applying for. Describe to the committee how the specific scholarship will help you attain your goals. Give them a tangible reason as to why you deserve their investment. 
• Share your story. Use personal details about your experiences that highlight your identity and objectives. How have you pursued your goals and prepared for your future? How will the scholarship help you going forward? Get personal and be honest.

Storytelling in your essay

Some of the best scholarship essays utilize good storytelling strategies. You should share the details of your personal story in a narrative, using a logical order. Remember, telling personal details about yourself and your goals does not mean simply restating your resume!

By the end of the essay, the scholarship committee should have an in-depth sense of why you applied. You should reveal:

• When and how you arrived at your future goals
• Your motivations to accomplish these objectives
• What traits or skills you have developed along the way
• The meaningful experiences that drive you to your goals
• Any personal challenges you have faced and how you have overcome them
• What has shaped you and your worldview

These details humanize you and show your complexity as a person and an applicant. It’s helpful to use anecdotes and personal experiences to give life to facts and details about yourself. Sharing real-life experiences will help make your essay more interesting and more fun to read.

Creating your scholarship essay format

Once you have thought about what you want to say, start thinking about your scholarship essay format. You may start by making a list of what your reader may be interested in:

• How you spend your time
• Your accomplishments
• What your passions are, etc.

Start by brainstorming everything you may want to include in your essay. Then, think about whether the stories you include support your arguments. Ask yourself, “What did I learn?” or “How did this get me closer to my goals?”. These reflections help the reader connect to your purpose for writing. 

Make sure to organize your thoughts in a narrative order. However, there isn’t just one way to write an essay. So, don’t limit yourself to one version of your story. You may find yourself writing multiple drafts before you get to your final scholarship essay format.

Editing and proofreading your essay

When you think you have finished, be sure to proofread and edit to ensure it’s ready to be submitted. Check that you’ve adhered to all the scholarship essay format guidelines (like the word count). 

Reviewing also includes getting input from others! An outside reader’s opinion can help you confirm your essay effectively communicates your ideas.

Tips for scholarship essays

You may notice some similarities between the scholarship essay examples about yourself we’ve provided. That’s because the authors of the best scholarship essays all use similar strategies to make their essays great. 

Here are 5 tips from U.S. News to help you make all of your scholarship essays stand out:

Tips for writing stand-out scholarship essays

1. get personal and be specific.

The best scholarship essays will share an authentic story with impactful details. The key is to be yourself and not shy away from personal details. The more the committee gets to know about you, the more likely they are to invest in your future. You want your essay to offer a genuine, in-depth look into who you are as a person.

2. Tell a story

Your essay should be more than a collection of facts—it should tell a story. That means having a solid introduction that grabs the reader’s attention from the very start. Then, you should include a logical flow of experiences or details. By the end of your essay, you want your reader to have learned something valuable about you.  

3. Tailor the scholarship essay to the prompt

Some of your scholarship essay prompts may be similar across different scholarship applications. However, it’s important that your essay is specific to each prompt and answers the question entirely. While you can repurpose an essay you’ve already written as inspiration or a starting point, be extra attentive when doing so.

4. Don’t tailor yourself to the reader

Many students fall into the trap of telling a story they think scholarship foundation committees want to hear. Instead, stay true to yourself as you craft your scholarship application essays. Don’t tell your reader what you think they want to hear—just tell them who you are. 

5. Follow directions

This final tip may arguably be the most important. Above all else, students should follow instructions. This means adhering to the scholarship essay format guidelines and word count. It also means answering the essay prompt in its entirety. Application readers can be easily frustrated by a student’s failure to follow directions. This could reflect poorly on you and your essay in the long run. 

Use these tips to guide you as you approach the scholarship essay format. 

Scholarship Essay Examples – Final Thoughts

We hope our roundup of scholarship essay examples has shown you how to approach your scholarship applications. With rising college costs, scholarships should be a part of your college financial planning process. Take the time to do your own scholarship search based on your specific interests. You can find plenty of scholarships to apply to on scholarships websites and college financial aid pages. There are many different scholarships websites to help you with your search. 

Save this guide

Feel free to save this guide and review our scholarship essay examples about yourself and about financial need. You can always look back on our scholarship essay sample about why I deserve the scholarship when writing your own essay. 

Start with an outline that organizes your thoughts. Then, make sure your essay is clear and concise. Be original and honest, and include personal details and anecdotes when appropriate. State why you deserve to win the scholarship. Then, support your claim in a way that makes a scholarship committee invested in your future. 

We’re here to help

Don’t forget to proofread your essay and ask others for their feedback. When in doubt, reach out to our advisors at CollegeAdvisor. Our team is always here to help support you find and apply for scholarships!

This article was written by Bailey Bennet. Looking for more admissions support? Click here to schedule a free meeting with one of our Admissions Specialists. During your meeting, our team will discuss your profile and help you find targeted ways to increase your admissions odds at top schools. We’ll also answer any questions and discuss how CollegeAdvisor.com can support you in the college application process.

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