Literacy is a crucial tenet of education, communication, and nearly every skill we implement throughout our lives. While there is concern over declining literacy rates in some areas – particularly among vulnerable, underprivileged communities – overall global literacy has improved immensely over the last 55 years. From 1960 to 2015, the literacy rate more than doubled, increasing from 42% to 86%, according to analytics provided by Our World In Data.
According to the World Population Review, developed nations collectively have an astounding 99.2% literacy rate. The enormous progression of academia in such a relatively short time span is undoubtedly impressive, and several scholarship providers want to honor those accomplishments. If you’re a current or rising college student with literary talents of your own, the following list of essay scholarships will give you some avenues to obtain extra funding for your education.
Don’t Text and Drive Scholarship
Despite the warnings about the dangers of using a cellphone while driving, 88% of drivers still text and talk on the phone when they are behind the wheel. Raising awareness about the consequences of these actions is at the forefront of the Don’t Text and Drive Scholarship, which aims at helping others understand the risks of texting and driving. One in every four car accidents is caused by this simple act, and 21% of teenagers have been involved in fatal accidents because they were distracted by their phones. This scholarship gives teenagers the opportunity to educate themselves and others about the dangers of texting and driving.
High school students, current college undergraduates, current graduate students, and homeschooled students are all eligible for this scholarship, which will award $1,000 to one winner. Applicants must be a U.S. citizen or legal resident, and there is no age limit to apply.
To apply, students must fill out and submit this form and include a 140-word paragraph about texting and driving. From those applications, 10 finalists will be chosen and asked to write a 500- to 1,000-word essay. The winner will be chosen based on creativity.
The deadline for the Don’t Text and Drive Scholarship is Sept. 30, 2020, which is also No Texting While Driving Day.
JonesTshirts.com “Love Your Career” Scholarship
As one of the biggest online apparel vendors in the United States, JonesTshirts.com is looking to award $1,000 to one scholarship recipient. As the name of the scholarship implies, the company wants a thorough written response (between 1,000 and 3,000 words) about loving your career. Applicants also need to provide the following:
- An essay that includes contact information, three steps you plan to take in the next year toward a career you love, and an interview with a professional asking three questions provided by JonesTshirts.com
- Scanned proof of enrollment copy
These files should be emailed to scholarship@jonestshirts.com.
The scholarship is conducted twice a year, with an annual winter (Jan. 7) and fall (Sept. 10) due date. Recipients will be notified within two to four weeks of the deadline.
To learn more and evaluate official eligibility requirements and contest rules, click here.
Center for Alcohol Policy Essay Contest
The Center for Alcohol Policy is seeking essays from anyone over the age of 18 who is passionate about alcohol policy reform. To enter, applicants must submit an essay (double spaced, 12-point Times New Roman, not exceeding 25 pages) responding to a CFAP writing prompt on or before the Jan. 17 deadline. Three recipients will be awarded cash prizes of $5,000, $2,500, and $1,000, respectively.
Applicants can share their work via the official submission form here.
WIIT Scholarship Program
The Association of Women in International Trade promotes the professional development of women who have careers in international trade and business, as well as raises awareness about the importance of these industries to our economy. To do this, the organization offers many professional development and networking opportunities, as well as educational offerings, including scholarships. 
This is a merit-based scholarship that is awarded twice per year in the amount of $1,500. Selected winners also receive one full year of personal mentorship by a WIIT Trust or WIIT Member and a one-year membership to WIIT. Applicants must identify as female and be currently enrolled at an accredited U.S. university or college. Full- and part-time juniors or seniors enrolled in undergraduate school, as well as students enrolled in graduate studies, are eligible to apply.
To enter, students must write a 1,000-word essay about one of the two prompts listed here. The winners will be selected based on quality and demonstrated interest in international trade.
The deadlines are April 1 and Oct. 1, and winners will be notified by May 15 for the spring semester and Nov. 15 for the fall.
Scooter Inside Scholarship
This review blog of two-wheeled rides is looking for applicants to enter its annual twofold $1,200 essay scholarship before the annual March 15 deadline. Applicants must be incoming undergraduate or graduate college students, and they must email two submissions to scholarship@scooterinside.com. The first submission must be a 700-plus-word essay on the scooting experience, while the second must be a 1,500-word maximum essay response to the following questions:
- How important is social media marketing for small businesses?
- How is social media changing customer acquisition?
- How can SEO (search engine optimization) help local businesses to get more clients?
Visit their scholarship page for a more thorough overview.
Blades of Green Scholarship Fund
Blades of Green is a company dedicated to producing eco-friendly lawn care products. They want to honor students with environmentally conscious ethos with an annual $1,000 essay scholarship. Applicants must submit an official application form, transcript, and 300-500 word letter of intent on or before the annual March 15 deadline. Applications should be mailed to:
Attn: Angela Hieronimus
B.O.G. Pest Control
645 Central Ave E #200
Edgewater, MD 21037
Learn more about the official application procedure here.
