As college costs keep going up, many students look for merit scholarships to help pay for school. But getting these scholarships can be tough. That’s where our scholarship essay examples come in handy. By checking them out, you’ll learn what it takes to write an essay that gets noticed by scholarship committees.
Scholarships are a great way for students to cut down on college expenses. Most of them just need a simple application, usually with one or more essays. Here are some of our best scholarship essay examples.
Looking at these winning essays, especially the ones about personal experiences, can give you a good idea of how to start writing your own. You’ll see what makes an essay stand out and what scholarship committees are looking for.
Let’s explore some helpful tips for writing outstanding scholarship essays, 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 for various colleges, like UC Berkeley, and specialized programs, such as the SHPE scholarship. Plus, we’ll discuss the different types of scholarships you can find during your scholarship quest.
But before we dive into our essay samples, let’s first discuss how to acquire a college scholarship.
What is a scholarship essay?
When you’re applying for scholarships based on your merit, your essay plays a big role. It’s kind of like your college essays in some ways. So, it’s important to understand how to structure your scholarship essay.
The best scholarship essays show who you are and explain why you need financial help for education. These essay prompts might ask for different details, like your background and why you deserve the award.
Writing a compelling, clear essay can help you get a lot of money for college expenses. But not all scholarship essays are the same. Later, we’ll check out other successful scholarship essays to see the different types you might have to write for your applications.
Types of Scholarships
There are lots of scholarships for students out there. Websites with scholarships offer many options. Starting your search early helps you find more scholarships.
Some scholarships are open to everyone, while others have specific requirements. You might not qualify for every scholarship. If you’re not sure if you’re eligible, most scholarship websites provide details.
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 topics change depending on the program. Our examples of winning scholarship essays have different lengths and levels of difficulty. We offer descriptive essay examples to show you what to anticipate.
Merit-Based Scholarships
This article mainly talks about scholarships that are based on your academic performance.
On the other hand, need-based scholarships are for students who need financial support. If you’re looking for help with money, take a look at our scholarship essay examples about needing financial aid. You’ll find both academic and financial need scholarships in your search.
To qualify for an academic scholarship, you need to meet certain requirements. Scholarship committees look at your grades, school achievements, activities, and sometimes test scores. Financial need scholarships may have similar rules, but they focus more on your family’s money situation.
There are many merit-based scholarships available to help students afford college, including:
If you need more information, check out our guides on the most popular merit-based scholarships. They offer helpful tips for writing a successful essay. You might also find our descriptive essay examples useful for getting ready for these opportunities. Remember, even though the topics may vary, the style for scholarship essays tends to stay the same.
Finding scholarships
In this article, we’ll talk about some scholarships you might qualify for. But don’t forget to check out our other tools to help you find more scholarships.
Here are a few we’ll discuss:
- QuestBridge scholarship: This helps low-income students go to top colleges.
- Park scholarships: These are for students at NC State University.
- SHPE scholarship: It gives money to Hispanic students studying STEM subjects.
Writing essays for scholarships based on financial need is important. For example, if you’re applying for the SHPE scholarship, you’ll need to share lots of details about your background.
Using websites to search for scholarships can also help you find more options that suit you.
How do you write a scholarship essay?
When it comes to scholarship essays, the prompts might differ, but the basic structure usually remains the same.
Sallie Mae is a great resource for writing top-notch scholarship essays and finding financial support for college. It’s a private lender that offers student loans for undergraduate, graduate, and professional studies. Plus, they also give out scholarships and have an easy-to-use tool on their website to help you find them. Here’s a glimpse into their advice on shaping a successful scholarship essay structure.
Organization
When writing a scholarship essay, it’s best to use a clear structure to organize your thoughts. This helps ensure that your ideas are communicated in a straightforward way. Start with a strong beginning, introduce your supporting points, and end with a fitting conclusion.
Content
Writing a great scholarship essay is essential for getting money for college. Our example essay on why I deserve the scholarship shows you how. Keep it honest and unique, and stay positive about your qualities and achievements.
Editing
Once you’re feeling good about what you’ve written, ask for feedback from someone else. This could be a teacher, counselor, or one of our expert at Essay Embassy! Before sending in your application, double-check your final essay for any spelling or grammar mistakes.
Now, let’s take a look at some examples of descriptive essays and the different scholarship essay questions they answered.
Scholarship Essay Examples
Checking out examples of scholarship essays is a smart move to understand what makes a great essay. Let’s take a look at some descriptive essay examples written by students aiming to secure funds for education.
First, we’ll go through some scholarship essays about yourself. Then we’ll look at one that explains why someone deserves the scholarship. Finally, we’ll share some essays about financial needs. These samples can be really helpful as you work on your own essays!
Scholarship Essay Examples About Yourself
Let’s explore these scholarship essay examples together.
Scholarship essay questions can vary a lot, so it’s important to understand exactly what they’re asking. This helps you give a good answer or response.
Some scholarship essay questions might ask how the scholarship will help you. Others might ask about ways you’ve helped your community.
Excited to see some great scholarship essay examples? Check out the ones below.
First up, let’s look at an essay about 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 essay explains why I deserve the scholarship. I show how I connect with Phi Sigma Rho and share examples of my leadership roles and accomplishments.
The next two essay examples 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
Essay Prompt:
Discuss your educational and career aspirations as well as your ability to complete and achieve these goals. (250 words)
Essay Example:
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.
These scholarship essay examples show us what the writer is good at, what experiences they’ve had, and what they’ve achieved. When we read them, we can really understand the writer’s personality and how well they’ve done in school.
Scholarship Essay Sample about “Why I deserve the scholarship”
If you come across the question “Why I deserve this scholarship,” it means you need to explain clearly why you should get the scholarship and give proof to back up your reasons.
Below are some examples of scholarship essays that explain why I deserve the scholarship. You can use them as a guide when writing your own scholarship essays.
Here’s the first of our scholarship essay examples, which was used for the Park Scholarship:
The Park Scholarship supports young people who want to make a difference. It helps students learn how to contribute to their communities and the world. Share a story about how you’ve made a positive impact. (Why should we invest in you?) (Maximum of 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.
Here’s another scholarship essay sample explaining why I deserve the scholarship. The writer responds clearly to the question, emphasizing their ability to have a long-term impact on their community.
Let’s look at the next scholarship essay example.
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 example is pretty simple. The writer sticks to a clear scholarship essay structure, directly answering the given prompt.
UC Berkeley Scholarships essay examples
Let’s explore some examples of merit scholarship essays tailored to specific schools.
At the University of California, Berkeley, students have the opportunity to vie for several merit scholarships, which can significantly alleviate the burden of tuition costs.
Here, we’ve curated a range of scholarship essay examples tailored specifically for UC Berkeley’s scholarship programs. These scholarships serve as invaluable resources for students seeking financial assistance to cover their college expenses, particularly tuition fees. By providing access to these scholarships, UC Berkeley aims to make higher education more accessible to motivated individuals.
UC Berkeley offers a plethora of scholarships designed to help ease the financial strain of tuition expenses. Among the diverse array of scholarships available at UC Berkeley are:
- Berkeley Undergraduate Scholarship
- Fiat Lux Scholarship
- Middle Class Scholarship
- Regents’ and Chancellor’s Scholarship
Here are a few ways to cover UC Berkeley tuition costs. UC Berkeley students also receive more than $10 million in scholarships from outside sources each year to help with college expenses. If you’re looking for scholarships outside of UC Berkeley, check out this list of external scholarship opportunities.
To help you get started, take a look at our successful UC Berkeley scholarship essay samples. These essays, which highlight financial need, were written by students who received financial aid to cover their UC Berkeley tuition fees.
More scholarship essay examples
Looking for more examples of descriptive essays? Keep reading.
Reading many successful scholarship essays is a great way to understand what makes them work. As you go through these essays, you’ll notice how the details, tone, and flow all come together to tell a compelling story.
Here are a few more examples of scholarship essays. Let’s start with one from the NC Parks Scholarship. The prompt is:
What do you do to help your community? Why do you do it? What positive impact have you had? What challenges or insights have you gained from your service? (Maximum 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.
Reflecting on scholarship essay format
Your scholarship essay format is just as crucial as its content. As you write, make sure to follow the scholarship essay format requirements provided to you.
However, there are some similarities among the best scholarship essays. Here are some general ideas, tricks, and outlines to aid you with your own writing process.
Three scholarship essay writing tips:
- Meeting word counts can be tough, but all applicants face the same challenge. It’s crucial to make every word count.
- Writing a strong essay enables you to incorporate key arguments and personal experiences into other scholarship applications.
- An outstanding essay not only showcases your identity and aspirations but also sets you up for success in both the scholarship application journey and your future endeavors.
Three essential elements to include in your essay:
- Share your goals. Scholarship committees want to know where you’re headed and what you hope to achieve. Make sure to tell them about your plans and how their support would help you get there.
- Connect your dreams to the scholarship you’re applying for. Explain how getting the scholarship would make a real difference in reaching your goals. Show them why you’re the right fit for their investment.
- Tell your story. Use personal experiences to show who you are and what you want to do. How have you worked towards your goals? What role does the scholarship play in your future? Be genuine and open about your journey.
Storytelling in your essay
Some of the best scholarship essays tell a good story. You should share your own story in a clear order that makes sense. Remember, when you talk about yourself and your goals, don’t just repeat what’s on your CV!
By the end of your essay, the people reviewing it should understand why you applied. You should talk about:
- When and how you decided on your future goals.
- What keeps you working towards those goals.
- The skills or qualities you’ve gained along the way.
- Important experiences that inspire you.
- Challenges you’ve faced and how you dealt with them.
- What has influenced your thinking?
These details make you seem more real and show that you’re a thoughtful person and a good candidate. Sharing stories and real experiences makes your essay more interesting and enjoyable to read.
Creating your scholarship essay format
These details make your essay more personal and show that you’re thoughtful as both a person and a candidate. Using stories and real-life examples helps to make your essay more interesting and easy to read.
- How you spend your time.
- What you’ve achieved.
- What you love doing, and so on.
Start by jotting down everything you want to talk about in your essay. Then, see if the stories you share back up what you’re saying. Ask yourself, “What did I learn?” like, “How did this help me reach my goals?” These thoughts help the reader see why you’re writing.
Make sure your ideas follow a logical order. But remember, there’s no one right way to write an essay. Don’t stick to just one version of your story. You might have to write a few drafts before you settle on the final format for your scholarship essay.
Editing and proofreading your essay
When you think you’ve completed, proofread and edit to ensure it’s ready for submission. Check that you followed all of the scholarship essay format rules (such as word count).
Reviewing also entails gathering feedback from others! An outside reader’s feedback can help you ensure that your essay successfully communicates your thoughts.
Tips for scholarship essays
You might notice some similarities in the scholarship essays we’ve shared about yourself. That’s because the authors of the best scholarship essays use similar strategies to make their essays exceptional.
Here are five tips from U.S. News to help you make your scholarship essays stand out:
Tips for writing stand-out scholarship essays
1. Get personal and be specific
Great scholarship essays tell a real story with important details. Just be yourself and don’t hesitate to talk about personal things. The more the selection committee knows about you, the more likely they’ll want to help you succeed. Your aim is to show your true self thoroughly in your essay.
2. Tell a story
Your blog should do more than just share facts; it should tell a story. Begin with an attention-grabbing introduction. Then, organize your information logically. By the end, you want your readers to have learned something meaningful about you.
3. Tailor the scholarship essay to the prompt
When you’re working on scholarship essay topics, you might find that certain questions pop up in multiple applications. However, it’s really important to make sure your essay fits each question perfectly and fully answers it. While you can take ideas or start from an essay you’ve already written, just be careful how you do it.
4. Don’t tailor yourself to the reader
Many students end up crafting stories they think scholarship committees want to hear. But it’s crucial to stay true to yourself when writing your scholarship essays. Instead of trying to impress the reader, just focus on sharing your genuine self.
5. Follow directions
This last tip is really important: just follow the directions. Stick to the scholarship essay format and word limit, and make sure to answer the essay prompt completely. If you don’t follow the instructions, the people reading your application might get annoyed pretty fast. And that wouldn’t be good for you or your essay in the long run.
Here are some tips to help you understand how to write a scholarship essay effectively.
Final Thoughts
We believe our collection of scholarship essay examples has shown you how to approach your scholarship application. Scholarships are essential for planning your college finances, especially with rising fees. Take the time to search for scholarships that match your interests on websites and portals.
Feel free to save this page and revisit our scholarship essay examples about personal experiences and financial need. You can always refer back to our sample essay on why I deserve the scholarship when writing your own.
Start with an outline to organize your thoughts. Then, make sure your essay is clear and to the point. Be genuine and include personal stories when relevant. Explain why you deserve the scholarship and support your claim in a way that captures the interest of the scholarship committee about your future.
Don’t forget to review your essay and get feedback from others. If you need help, reach out to EssayEmbassy. Our team is here to assist you in writing and editing your scholarship essays!
