14 Examples Of Scholarship Essays That Have Won Thousands (2023)

Winning a great scholarship can be life changing, especially for those in financial need.

BUT people often forget that winning many small grant applications can also be life-changing. The following sample scholarship essays (and our strategy) can take you from planning your college plans and career goals to executing them.

A common problem for college students: college pay. They qualify for many grants but are intimidated by the task of writing five to ten to fifteen (or more) essays. It can be a struggle to even start writing, especially for the "why do I deserve the scholarship" prompts.

A solution forHow to Write a Scholarship Essay?for many themes at once: choose themes that have overlapping themes andWrite an essay or two that goes with many of these essays at once.Below is more information on how to use this technique to successfully pursue scholarship opportunities and how to complete a scholarship essay.

These grantees won thousands of dollars in financial support by writing these essays.

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

Many of these studies also show vulnerability. Scholarship committees reading your responses will want to know who is benefiting from this money and why it is important that you receive this money. In other words, they want to better understand how their values, qualities, and skills are thriving in college and how good their writing skills are. In fact, we wrote aGuide to what universities are looking forThat can help you to write endangered scholarship essays skillfully.

Whether it is a scholarship essayabout you, a creative writing grant, or an essay about why you deserve the grant, the following grant essay examples may help you better understand what can come out of a grant essay format or apply grant essay writing tips.

But first! If you are an international student (not from the United States) applying for scholarships, don't forget to consider a fewCommon mistakes made by international students when applying to a university.

Would you like to save a lot of time during the process?

Write a great college essay and reuse it when writing scholarship essays for similar indications. Because? Combining test prompts not only saves you time, it actually leads to a better test.

We sometimes like to call them "super essays" because the added benefit of writing a multipurpose essay is that it makes the essay stronger overall.We have a full guide on how to do it here..

This makes scholarship essays similar to supplemental essays in that many supplemental essays also overlap. We know that many students will write both types of essays at the same time! To help, we prepared oneadditional essay coursehow to tackle daunting supplemental essays including many skills that also help in writing those “super” scholarship essays.

Kang Foundation Scholarship ($1000), Kingdom Dreamer Scholarship Fund Scholarship through Sarang Church ($2000) and Lamber Goodnow Legal Team National Competition ($1000) by Peter Kang.

Note: open topic.

fedora? Check over. Apron? Check over. Inflated tires? Check over. Riding a six-hour shift every night for thirty-five minutes to the coffee shop and back to work 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 lived in for the past ten years. With nowhere else to go, we moved into the back room of our church for three months, where I embarrassingly tried to hide our extra toothbrushes and shoes from other church members. At that time, I made a commitment to my family to contribute as much financially as possible. My sacrifice led to a closer bond with my siblings and deeper conversations with my parents, which helped me understand the true meaning of a united family and the valuable role I play in it.

With the financial stability that my part-time jobs provided, my mother was able to stay at home and raise seven children, my older sister, who had learning disabilities, was able to attend college, my younger sister was able to go on a missionary trip to Korea, and my twin brothers were able to compete in national math competitions . I saw that even as a high school student I had so much potential to impact my family and beyond that, how a small act can make a big difference.

Through the success of my efforts, I also realized that poverty was just a social limitation. I was low income, not poor. He was still successful in school, led religious activities, and took an active role in community service. My low income was not an obstacle but a launch pad to motivate and drive my success.

To make more money on the side as a teenager, I started selling bikes on Craigslist for a profit. Minor adjustments to the brake and transmission, plus a wash, could mean the difference between a $50 piece of junk and a $200 bargain. Seeing how a single inch could mess up 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 turned to a bigger project: my junk car. I had bought my 2002 Elantra with my own savings, but it was past its prime. With some direction from a mechanic, I began to learn the components of an engine and the engineering behind it. I had my brake light fixed, replaced my battery and made adjustments to the power steering hose. Engineering was no longer just a nerdy hobby for robotics kids; it was a means to the solution. It could be a path to a career doing the things I love. I was inspired to learn more.

Last summer I did an internship at Boeing to further explore my interest in engineering. Despite spending many hours researching and working in the submarine inertial navigation lab, I learned more about the little things.

From the way my mentors and I started working two hours ahead of schedule to meet deadlines, I learned that engineering is a tedious commitment. Through the respect and humility embodied within our team, I have learned the value of unity in the workplace. Just like my own family back home, our unity and shared commitment to the work led to great results for everyone and a closer connection within the group.

What fascinates me most about engineering is not just the math or the technology, but the practical application. Engineering can fix my car... and make it easier to navigate underwater. Indeed, engineering is a lifestyle: instead of dealing with difficulties, I work to solve them and learn from them. Whether the challenge is naval defense or family finances or even a flat tire on my bike before another night shift, I will solve those problems and always try to keep going.

Success is conquering adversity - being willing to overcome anything and everything to achieve the best for you and your family. With this scholarship, I will use it to continue to focus on my math and engineering studies instead of worrying about making money and sending more home. It will be an investment in myself for my family.

New York University College of Arts and Sciences $ 39.500 Stipendiumfrom Anna

Question: Explain something that had a major impact on your life.

"If you can't make a living from it, it's useless." My parents talked about ice skating: my passion. I started skating when I was ten years old, in Spain, and admired how difficulty and grace intertwine to create beautiful programs, but no one would have guessed that seven years and one country later I would still be at the ice would stand. Even more incredible was the idea that ice skating could become one of the most useful parts of my life.

I was born in Mexico to two Spanish speakers; that's why spanish was my mother tongue. We then moved to Spain when I was six, before finally arriving in California around my thirteenth birthday. Every move came with myriad challenges, but the hardest thing about moving to the United States for me was learning English. Color-coded, vocabulary-filled, laminated flashcards became a part of my daily life. As someone who loves to start a conversation, it was very hard to feel like my tongue was cut out. Only on the rink could I be myself; The feel of the track's cold breeze hugging me, the ripping sound of blades touching ice, even the occasional ice burning my skin as I fell, those were my few constants. I didn't have to worry about mispronouncing "axel" as "aksal". Rather, I just had to slide in and take the plunge.

From their caring bruise counting competitions to their culture of hard work and endurance, ice skating provided the nurturing environment that made my other challenges worthwhile. Knowing that every moment on the ice was a financial sacrifice for my family, I cherished every second I had. Often this meant getting up at 4 a.m. every morning. M. to practice what I had learned in my precious few minutes of training. It meant helping out with group classes to earn extra ice skating and getting my condition off the ice by joining my high school's skating teams. Even as I started making friends and overcoming my fear of speaking, the track was my sanctuary. Ultimately, the only way to keep improving was to pay for more training, something my family couldn't afford. And then I started giving private lessons in Spanish.

Now the greatest passion of my life is supported by my most natural ability. I had over thirty Spanish students ranging in age from three to forty and from many ethnic backgrounds. I currently work with fifteen students each week, each with different needs and learning styles. Based on my own experiences as a second language learner and as a figure skater, I assign personal and interactive exercises, crack jokes to keep my students positive, and never give correct answers. When I first started learning my axel jump, my trainer told me that I would have to fall at least 500 times (about a year of falls!) to land. I also have my students accept every detail of a mistake until they can start spotting new mistakes when they see them. I encourage them to broaden their horizons and take pride in preparing them for new interactions and opportunities.

While I agree that I will never make a living, the education and skills I have acquired have opened countless doors for me. Ice skating has given me the resilience, work ethic and inspiration to grow as an English teacher and speaker. It improved my academic performance by teaching me rhythm, health and routine. It also reminds me that a passion doesn't have to make money to be of immense value. Ceramics, for example, challenges me to experiment with the messy and the unexpected. While painting reminds me to be adventurous and patient with my way of self-expression. I still don't know what I'm going to live on day-to-day as I mature; However, the skills my passions have given me are lifelong and irreplaceable.

ARE YOU A STUDENT FROM A LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLD, HAVE A GOOD GPA and are looking for free college essay and application training?

Stipendium der North Shore Section Foundationfor $1000 by Christine Fung

As the son of immigrant parents, I learned early on to take responsibility for my family and myself. Although my parents spoke English, they constantly worked to support me and my little brother financially. Meanwhile, my grandparents could barely speak English, so I became their translator for doctor's appointments and any interaction with English speakers. To this day I translate for them and teach my grandparents conversational English. The more I became involved with my family, the more I knew what I wanted to be in the future.

Since I was five years old my parents have been pushing me to value education because they were born in Vietnam and had limited education. Because of this disability, I've learned to take everything I do seriously and to devote all my effort to accomplishing tasks like starting my school's badminton club in my sophomore year and the Red Cross Club this year. Before I organized these clubs, I created a vision for these clubs so that I could better organize my responsibilities as a leader. The more I got involved, the more I learned as a leader and as a person. As a leader, I maintained the same behavior I showed towards my cousins ​​and younger brothers. My family members emphasized the importance of being a good influence; As I adapted this behavior, I used it in my managerial positions. I've learned to be a good role model by teaching the younger members of my family proper manners and guiding them through their studies to ensure they do well. At school, I guide my classmates in organizing team uniform designs and networking with a non-profit organization for service events.

In addition to my values, the medical field is really close to my heart. I've always wanted to be a pediatrician since I was fourteen. My strong interest in the medical field allowed me to open my shell in certain situations: when I came into contact with patients as a hospital volunteer, when I became friendly and approachable with children while working at the Kumon Math and Reading Center, and when I Showed compassion and empathy towards my teammates on the badminton team. However, when I participated in the 2017 Kaiser Summer Volunteer Program at Richmond Medical Center, I realized that I didn't just want to be a pediatrician. This program opened my eyes to numerous opportunities in different fields of medicine and different approaches to working in the medical industry. While I have a great love for the medical field, my interest in the business grew immensely when I discovered that I didn't just have to take a hands-on approach to the medical field. With this interest, I also plan to become part of a medical facility management team.

In the future, I hope to achieve my dream of becoming a doctor by earning an MD and a double degree in business administration. I intend to major in biology at UC Davis where I expect to be heavily involved in the student community. After graduation I plan to build a strong network relationship with Kaiser Permanente as I started my internship last year. By building a network with them, I hope to one day work at one of their facilities. Based on my values, interests and planned future, I am applying for the NCS Foundation Scholarship because it will not only help me financially but can also motivate me to advance academically. I hope to use this scholarship to apply for a study abroad program where I can learn about the customs of other cultures while doing research there.

Rainbow-Stipendium des Overseas Education Fund$7,500 from Steven Fisher

Note: The Fund for Education Abroad works to diversify education abroad by funding students who are typically underrepresented in study abroad. Describe how you and/or your plans to study abroad may be viewed as underrepresented.

"Oh look at that," my uncle leans forward and says of my brother-in-law in the dress in the living room. "I always had my suspicions about him," he quips with a disapproving grin, leaning back in his chair with a plate of Southern-style Christmas dinner in hand.

I was injured. Why would my own uncle say that like it's so awful that my brother-in-law wears a dress? That the worst thing in the world was that my brother-in-law was gay or feminine.

"I think it looks beautiful," chimes in my older brother Ethan. At that moment I wish I had hugged Ethan. No, not because I defended my brother-in-law (who is not actually gay, as my uncle claimed), but because Ethan defended me. My uncle has no idea that early last year I realized that heterosexuality doesn't meet all of my needs for intimacy with other people and that I now define myself as queer. It all started with me looking closely at how my upbringing in Miami had taught me that the only way kids should connect with others is through having sex with "beautiful" girls, that intimacy with other "ugly" ones “Boy or girl. it's not that significant.

After releasing that block in my brain that was telling me not to look at men a certain way, I was able to accept the fact that I'm attracted to men (and people in general) in many different and new ways. . My growth as a person has been exponential. I've rewritten so many areas of my life where I wasn't doing the things I wanted to because of social conditioning. Within two months my world expanded to include polyamory. I looked back at my previous 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 it's for sex, someone to talk to, or someone to engage with intellectually, don't necessarily have to be met by just one person. Sometimes it can be easier with just one person, absolutely. But that's not the only way. As someone who is polyamorous and queer, I feel like parts of my family and much of my community marginalize me for being different, because society has told them so. I want to change that.

As I will be studying in Prague for a whole year, I have the opportunity to take part in the annual Mezipatra, an international film festival in November that shows around a hundred top-notch films on lesbian, bisexual, transgender and queer subjects. I feel really compelled to go to this event because I long to be in an environment of like-minded people who strive to do the same thing I want to do: balance the images of people typically represented by clichés and Stereotypes are presented.

When I told my sister-in-law about it, she told me that people who really care about their own kind are more likely to be tolerant of different kinds of people after having relationships with those people. If my uncle can learn to love me, he can learn to love one queer/poly person, he can learn to love them all. If I can be a role model for my family, I can be a role model for my classmates. If I have the opportunity to travel abroad, I can be a role model for the world. Not just through my relationships, but through my art. Give me a camera and a screen and I'll take the message of tolerance from the Mezipatra audience in Prague to my parents' living room.

Fade in: Two men with thick beards are kissing; maybe for once they don't wear colorful and extravagant clothes. Fade in: A woman leaves her house to go to her best friend's house and her husband honestly encourages her to have a good time. Overlay: A student who wants to study abroad tells his conservative parents the truth...

Questbridge Finalist Essay Won $3,000 in application waiver plus $3,000 in local scholarships from Jordan Sanchez

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

Remember the most treasured memory with your father figure. For some it might be when he taught you to ride a bike, for others it might be memories of him taking you out for pizza when Mom said the family needs to eat healthy, for others it's the ability to trust someone who does not . Don't judge yourself and stop loving yourself for the mistakes you've made. When a child is born, they receive a birth certificate that includes information such as the name, date and place of birth, but more importantly, the names of the child's parents. On my birth certificate I have my beloved mother's name, Lurvin, but just above her name is a blank space where my father's name should be.

As a child, I often compared my life to that of my peers; I would often go through all these what-if scenarios in my head, thinking, "If my dad were there, I could be just like all the other kids." Over the years, I've always had a sense of optimism that I would meet him one day and he would tell me, "I love you and I will never leave your side." But when the time came and I met him in January 2014, I learned that a man can reject his only child not once, but twice.

My father left me when I was one year old and I'll be 17 soon; I did the math and found that he had been neglecting me for about 5900 days. He could sleep 5900 nights without knowing if he was alive or dead. Even though he's been gone for 5900 days, my life hasn't been put on hold. In those 5900 days I learned to walk, speak and became a strong young man without the provider of my Y chromosome because to me it is nothing else.

In the past I believed my father was necessary to ascend, but instead I believed false hope to be an unnecessary accessory, and now I refuse to let the fact that I don't have a father define the limits of the great things that happen I can reach.

It is said that boys learn from their fathers to be men, that they learn what it means to be a man who has values ​​and can stand up for what is right. However, I have discovered that sand can come from anywhere. When I was in high school I was overweight and bullied by a lot of other kids and even after going into administration several times nothing changed and for several years I kept myself in check because if I did something in return would it not have been better. Than the guys who bullied me I used to have the perception that someone else would come to my rescue, that someone else would give me the mental strength to face the difficulties that came my way. But over time I got tired of waiting for help that would never come, so I had to become my own hero. Since making that decision, I've broken free of the labels that used to lock me in and I've regained control of my own life.

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Winning Scholarship Writing Samples and Format I Use EduExamples of scholarship essays

My ability to motivate myself has helped me take a leadership role in several of my extracurricular activities. I was one of 4 male students from my school district who were selected as an American Legion delegate to attend the Boy's State program, and I am also the captain of my cohort in the Young Senator Leadership Program, which is directed by the California Senator. Tony Mendoza. I also developed skills on the wrestling mat. I once wrestled the person who was ranked as the ninth best wrestler in the state and while I didn't win, there wasn't a single second that I was afraid of failing because I knew I had given it my all. Likewise, I have made the same effort to become successful.

My father's name is not on my birth certificate, but it is MY birth certificate. My backgrounds aren't the brightest, but they gave me a life that's mine, and because "life is two dates and a dash..." I have to "...make the most of the dash". I won't live forever but if I left this world today I would be happy with the person I see in the mirror.

I know the difficulties Latinos face today and I can see myself helping other young Latinos achieve their dreams. I think the most valuable thing in this world is opportunity because sometimes it just takes the chance to do it for someone to be successful. Consequently, I want to be part of this opportunity that can foster the growth of future success.

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

Note: Explain a personal emergency or catastrophic life event you experienced. How did you manage to overcome this hurdle? What did you learn and how did you grow from it? This answer is critical to your application as the Change a Life Foundation's vision is to help people who have persevered and overcome a difficult life event/disaster.

Completing this application and my college applications has forced me to confront the realities I grew up in. When I look back and describe my life, I see all the ways in which I am disadvantaged because of my socioeconomic status. But I think it's important to note that I wasn't aware of any of this growing up. I knew my parents couldn't buy me everything, but I also knew they almost never said no. He was just a normal kid who would order chicken nuggets and look at Mom and Dad when he was scared or unsure about something. As I got older I learned to fight my own monsters, but now I also fight the ones that scare my parents, the monsters from a world they weren't born into. monsters of doubt and disadvantage trying to trap you in a cycle of poverty; thrive in a world that neglects them and a society that, with its current political climate, does not greet them warmly.

Nanny, housekeeper, driver, my father took night shifts for over 10 years to achieve financial stability and become an asset to his job. You were one of millions of people who have been laid off and had to start over multiple times over the past two decades. But each time it was rebuilt with more resilience. I grew up in Section 8 because my parents often lived paycheck to paycheck, not by choice but by circumstance. They've endured bankruptcy through credit card debt, never owned a home or had access to resources to save. Every time we adjust, we are surprised by a new change. I currently live in Manchester Square, a ghost town a product of the Los Angeles airport expansion project. The 16 steps I've always known will soon be demolished. My neighbors are vacant lots, fenced. Homeless tents, under the roar of airplanes. My house will soon be an airport accommodation, soon it will no longer exist. Knowing that my family will have to relocate while I apply for college makes me feel a bit guilty, due to my lack of resources I fear it will become an obstacle in my transition to college. My parents' finances are no secret, I know their struggles when I hear from them day in and day out. My parents are now faced with the burden of moving, no longer have any subsidized living space and are once again affected by a renewed need for adjustment and conversion. Moving a family of five to an area plagued by gentrification and stadium demolition is no easy feat with rental prices as high as mortgages. It's weird that they don't want me to stress or make it 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 shyest. She taught me through her efforts that the only limits you have are the ones you put on yourself. I've followed my sister's lead and have never let money become a reason I can't or won't do anything. If my sister can do it, I can do it too. I see that leadership is genetic and runs through my entire family. I see my parents at the forefront every day as they face cultural obstacles in a country that isn't where they were born, speak a language that isn't their own, and raise their children to be in be successful in a higher education system. one they have never had the privilege of being a part of. My family and I are one. We stack our efforts and obstacles to fuel our success as a whole. Thinking about my family history, it amazes me that my grandfather came to the United States as a bracero in the middle of World War II, leaving his family to help feed millions of wartime Americans. My grandfather, a country man, paved the way for me to defy all odds with my prosperity.

At home, the role of teacher changes often within my family. I am responsible for translating documents and explaining procedures and concepts to my parents while learning them myself. I had the responsibility of helping to care for my younger sister who has a mild case of cerebral palsy. Due to his pre-existing condition, he is a slow learner. I've spent a lot of time over the past year helping her transition from elementary to high school and helping her adjust to such drastic changes.

Sometimes I only get 4 hours of sleep when I wake up and rush to get to tutoring at 6am on time. It was difficult to keep up with my schoolwork and household chores, but I was able to maintain my high academic achievements through careful management of my time and perseverance. If I really want something, I have to strive for it, and I will. Sometimes being tired is not an option.

Millennium Gates Last Dollar Scholarship and $3,500 in Outside Scholarship Sample essays by Famyrah Lafortune

Question: "Education is the most powerful weapon you can wield to change the world." -Nelson Mandela. Describe a change you would like to make in the world. Please let us know how you intend to make this change and what obstacles you might encounter in doing so. * (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 that Black people continue to face in our society today. After winning our fight for freedom and passing the Civil Rights Act of 1964, why do black teenagers face higher rates of poverty than whites and are still four times more likely to be incarcerated? "It's been so long. You really need to get over it,” my white peers say when referring to racial inequalities. But why then, in seventh grade, after my classmate White won the Nazareth Academy spelling test, he said with a great deal of surprise, "You know...when I first saw you, I didn't think it would be you." elegant?

I hope to help end racial profiling by using our current connections and running a social media campaign called #It'sNotOver. #It'sNotOver aims to dispel the common misconception that racial inequality still does not actually exist in our society because racial inequality has been outlawed by law. Our recent presidential election may have brought a “divided America” to life, but it also demonstrated the power of social media. By raising awareness of racial differences that are everywhere, I could start a new wave of change in our country, like the current Time's Up movement, and by leveraging celebrity influence in my #It'sNotOver campaign like Time's Up could capture the attention of millions of people and inspire action to address this issue around the world.

I know that social media can only help to address these issues to a limited extent as not everyone can afford internet access. However, I hope that my campaign can inspire all who have access to take responsibility for change by being inspired by the fact that we are united on this issue globally. While I expect negativity and criticism from people who don't believe this problem exists or who don't believe in our cause, I'm willing to respond if it means that our society as a whole can irrevocably grow to make up for differences to accept the other.

(Video) Scholarship Essay Writing

Question: It is very important to know who you are. Make decisions. To show who you are. - Malala Yousafzai. Tell us three things that are important to you. How did you get on this list? Will these things matter to you in ten years? Because? * (No more than 400 words)

The three things that are important to me are my family, being successful and leaving a legacy. Because of my past, I keep these three crucial things in focus every day to help me succeed.

Above all, my family is the most important thing in my life. The meaning of family may be different for everyone, but to me, my family is life. I almost died in the 2010 Haiti earthquake as Jacmel was one of the worst devastated areas were it not for my grandmother and mother. Later, if not for my uncle, my mother could not have come to the United States to give me a better life. I wouldn't be here without my family. I am forever indebted to their sacrifices and am so grateful to have their undying love and support.

Success is also very important to me. I hope to achieve many things in my life, but most of all I want to make my family proud, so they know that all their sacrifices have been worth it. For me, success means having a job that I love and that allows me to help my family members financially. I hope that I will never again experience the hardships of homelessness, poverty and financial difficulties that I experienced when I was young.

Ultimately, however, I want to be loved and remembered by people other than my immediate family and friends. I don't want to be glorified, but I want to be more than nothing in this big and wide world. I hope that if I can inspire the change I want to make, I can leave a legacy that will continue to influence and shape the landscape that follows me. Having come to the revelation that if I died today nothing would change except the lives of those closest to me, I am not ready to be just another Jane Doe. I want to leave behind a part of me, whether it's a building or a popular hashtag, that will be meaningful and lasting after I die.

MORE BIG READING:HOW TO COMBINE YOUR COLLEGE EXPOSURE TESTS (TO SAVE OVER 20 HOURS OF WRITING)

Question: "Preserving 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? What challenges did it bring and how did you overcome them? What are the advantages? * (No more than 400 words)

Being part of a minority is very contradictory for me as I feel empowered to be part of a minority Haitian community but also separate from my non-immigrant peers. Coming from a poor background in Haiti, he knew that to be successful he had to be a good student from an early age. This work ethic found throughout my Haitian community has proven very beneficial in my life as we all came here to build a better future for ourselves. Because my mom worked two jobs, went to college, and was temporarily homeless just to ensure a better future for me, I feel empowered to be a part of such a hard-working community. And because of that strong work ethic, which is central to the core values ​​of my community, I am now the salutator to a class of 679 students.

Since I was very young when I came to the US, I didn't know how American society worked, especially elementary school. I was the only immigrant in a class of forty, spoke little English, and had no friends because of these limitations. In those early years, I felt an almost physical disconnection between myself and my peers every day. Despite my best efforts, I have never felt a sense of belonging. As a woman and already a double minority as a black person, I tried to give up my language and culture in favor of American language and values ​​in order to blend in better with the crowd. However, as a result, I almost completely lost my cultural identity as a Haitian and immigrant and also my language.

Walking the halls of my first high school, International Studies Charter High School, I realized the outrageousness of what I had lost. Where my peers retained their cultural identity and language, I almost lost mine. There I learned to embrace a part of me that was practically buried inside me, while being encouraged to be more open: speaking Creole with my Haitian math teacher and my peers. As a senior, I now help Haitian ESOL students with their homework on a weekly basis. I am both a teacher and a student in this small classroom as I help them with their homework and in return they help me perfect my use of Creole. They are my daily reminder of what unites us as Haitians: our ability to thrive in the face of adversity.

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

I've been dancing ballet since I was seven years old. But even after nearly eight years, I could barely stretch my legs as high as my peers or spin as many times as them. My flexibility was unbelievably low and I wore my pointe shoes quite a bit to the point that after a few months they became unwearable. While the average lifespan of my classmates' pointe shoes lasted for months, mine barely lasted ten hours of class. I was the weakling of my class at Ballet Etudes, too absorbed in my insecurities to do anything to improve myself and become the dancer I wanted to be.

I almost gave up dancing after a humiliating lecture that left my pointe shoes unlaced in the middle of our group performance. I was in the middle of a changement de pieds when I looked down in horror and saw that my beautiful ribbons were untied because I had forgotten to put them on like I used to before my performances. Looking to the right, I saw that my backstage ballet teacher had also taken notice and was pushing me off the stage, her hands frantically waving at me. After berating myself for not tying my shoelaces properly, I was not allowed to finish my part. Later that evening I was hardly able to go on stage for our last performance because I didn't want to let myself and my team down again. But because I moved to Port Saint Lucie the summer before my sophomore year, I was able to rekindle my passion for ballet and pointe with the South Florida Dance Company. South Florida Dance Company was my salvation, a place to restart my dance experiences and renew the joy I once found in my art. It was an amazing feeling to regain my confidence and security in my abilities as a result of the extra help I received from my dance teacher, Ms. Amanda.

These days I always remind myself to be the best I can be and positively use my dance role models like Misty Copeland as encouragement to become a better dancer. From this experience I learned that in order to overcome personal mistakes I have to move forward and think positively, because change doesn't happen if you stand still.

Examples of National Association of University Women Scholarship Essays by Isabella Méndez-Figueroa

Question: Explain how your experiences of volunteering and participating in community service have shaped your view of humanity. Explain how these experiences influenced your future aspirations and career choices.

I didn't really understand my community until I was forced to see it from the outside; sort of like when you see a photo of yourself that someone else took that you weren't aware of. It took me a 3,000 mile flight to get a different perspective on the world, on my world. When I landed in Maine, it wasn't like the place I called home. No traffic, lots of trees and absolutely no Spanish to be heard. I missed my people, my home, and my community more as I saw how other communities nurtured creativity, advocacy, and community involvement.

I spoke about my community at every opportunity, wrote a public response to Donald Trump, and read to the parent group to show them my unique struggle. The election of Donald Trump has forced me to accept the harsh realities of this world. His lack of respect for women, minorities and factual evidence is alarming. This presidency leads me to prove wrong all your perceptions about people like me, the poor, immigrants and women. I have left people in awe and left myself empowered. I had people come up to me and explain that they can relate to my poem about not belonging, being Mexican-American and not feeling like you could call yourself American or Mexican because you are both. I have stressed that like many others, I fall in the middle and have the same platform as everyone else to be successful. I explained that many of us keep up this pressure from first-generation immigrant children to show that we are proof that our parents' sacrifices to start over in a new country have paid off. I was the visible representation of a first-generation immigrant child who, despite my background, ventured into a new environment and surprised everyone with my wealth.

If I were the only visible representation available, I would use my voice to reflect the sentiments of my entire community and make it known that we are all here: all our struggles, our efforts and our passions are not absent. from places where we won't be seen.

Maine helped me expand into my own community now as a student ambassador. From this experience I learned that I can represent my high school and have the responsibility of supporting the staff at events for prospective students and organizing presentations for parents. I spend a lot of time interpreting for parents at meetings and explaining current events and new educational opportunities that students should take advantage of. I have had the privilege of working with the office staff and the principal where I can positively devote my time to parents who have general questions about upcoming school events. By spending my time as a Student Ambassador, I've allowed myself to excel in communicating with others and honed my customer service skills. I want my education to change the negative stigmas surrounding my community and show that it is possible to expand your access to the world and allow you to leave voluntarily by receiving a post-secondary education. I'm someone who grew up in an area of ​​limited resources that encourages limited ways of thinking. In my neighborhood there are 4 elementary schools, 2 high schools, and a strip club just a few yards from a library. What message does this send to children? In my community, it's normal to have pregnant classmates in high school. People are unaware of the outside world, they are never encouraged to leave it.

Through my experience as a volunteer who communicates extensively with parents, I've learned that the American Dream doesn't just belong to first-generation students like me. I have found that our achievements are based on the sacrifices made by our parents. I used to think that coming of age was like passing a baton where you're the next runner-up and it's your turn to do your best race, but now I see that it's a team effort as you broaden your horizons, so does you family. You can experience the benefits. I want to show my community that there can be a bilingual Latina doctor. I want to show that the zip code does not determine success. One of the most common questions I get at these parent meetings is, "Which is better, college or university?" This question made no sense to me at first, then I realized parents wanted to know the difference between a community college and a four-year program. Concepts like financial aid, scholarships, loans are all foreign words since most of our parents never went to college. They want to be able to help but don't know where to start. As a student ambassador, I have helped fill this gap. We often held meetings where we explained to parents in our community what resources were available and what the difference was between the different options for each student. Being the student face of Animo has taught me that as a student and daughter I can help my own community through the knowledge I gain. I am the communication needed in my community, necessary for continued success, using my knowledge and personal experience to help uplift and educate others in similar situations.

Prompt: In your essay, discuss any challenges or obstacles you have faced and overcome in life and how it will help you succeed in college and beyond. Describe how volunteer work, community service or extracurricular activities have shaped you today and what you have learned from it. It may also include future educational plans and career goals. [250-500 words]

I've encountered an emotional barrier that's making it difficult for me to manage my schoolwork, extracurricular activities, and family commitments. In my sophomore year, I had to deal with a brutal partner rape that left me severely depressed. I can't be alone for long periods of time anymore as I've attempted suicide twice, but I don't see them as real attempts to end my life. I just wanted someone to know how I feel and how much I need 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 have encountered but overcome.

It took me a 3,000 mile flight to get a different perspective on my world. Landing in Maine wasn't like a homecoming. No traffic, lots of trees and absolutely no Spanish to be heard. I was in tenth grade when I found myself in Coastal Studies for Girls, a marine science and leadership school; I would stay there for a whole semester. He was surrounded by strangers who looked different, sounded different, and could rattle off specifics about the tides in light-hearted conversation.

I was the visible representation of a first-generation immigrant child branching out into a new environment. An environment in which I wanted to show that all perceptions of people like me, the poor, the immigrant, the brown woman, were wrong. I used my voice to reflect my community and to spread the word that we are here, all our struggles, our efforts and our passions are not lacking in the places where we are not seen.

After returning home, I had the privilege of working with the school administration as a student ambassador. I was able to spend my time positively with parents who have general questions about the school and help translate the information.

I've learned that the American Dream doesn't just belong to first generation students like me, but now I see it's a team effort as it expands and your family experiences the benefits too.

One of the most common questions at parents' evenings is "which is better college or university"? This question made no sense to me, then I realized parents want to know the difference between a community college and a four-year program. Concepts like financial aid, scholarships, loans are all foreign words since most of our parents never went to college. As a student ambassador, I help to close this gap. We often host meetings where we explain the resources available and the different options for each student. I learned that as a student I can use my knowledge to help my own community. I am the communication necessary for future success, using my personal knowledge and experience to uplift and educate others in similar situations. My goal is not just to go to college, but to thrive and be willing and able to help students like me who are struggling for their place in the classroom.

Fund for Education Abroad Rainbow Stipendium $7.500 von Steven Fisher

Note: The Rainbow Scholarship is awarded to a deserving LGBTQ student who wishes to enroll in a quality, rigorous educational program abroad. If you would like to be considered, please explain why you would be a good candidate for the Rainbow Scholarship. What can you achieve for yourself and your LGBTQ community with this scholarship?

My goal in life is to make films that change the way society sees groups of people typically defined by stereotypes and clichés. By immersing myself in the culture of Prague through the American Institute of Foreign Studies year-long program, I gain the cinematic and philosophical tools to create films that help others better understand the LGBTQ community. I've been making films since I was old enough to hold a camera, but now I want to take it a step further.

During my stay abroad I will attend the Film and Television School of the Academy of Performing Arts (FAMU) in Prague. The Hollywood Reporter places FAMU at the top of the list of the best film schools in Europe. I put it high on my list of possible graduate schools because it was the center for Czech filmmaking during communist rule in the 1960s. FAMU was where rebellious filmmakers broke the shackles of censorship by creating films which showed the perspectives of fringe groups. I want to do the same today. I ask: What can Czechoslovak New Wave filmmakers and their struggle for social equality teach me about how to make films that contribute to the liberation of LGBTQ members in my own community? Here I find my answers:

In November, the Mezipatra International Film Festival in Prague shows around a hundred first-class films on lesbian, bisexual, transsexual and queer subjects. What better place for a queer filmmaker obsessed with Czech new wave cinema to meet people to learn and collaborate with?

I would also like to volunteer for a photography project at Lobkowicz Palace and Nelahozeves Castle, 15km from Prague, where I will find one of the world's largest private collections of world-famous artworks and artifacts and a library of over 65,000 volumes I look forward to looking forward to improving my camera skills and getting a glimpse of Prague's history with zoom. I will wear my canon t2i like a glove.

And finally, I hope to better understand Czech culture related to filmmaking by studying at Charles University and taking courses like Central European Cinema: Search for Identity and Hollywood and Europe. I get closer to acting and the elements of the film characters through the acting course "Prague Theater Scene: Performance Analysis". Finally, I will learn to better listen to what my community in Prague has to say (literally and figuratively) by attending Czech classes in a two-week intensive course that includes two language-related sessions where students interact with the environment.

Traveling abroad in Prague gives me a new perspective and opens me up to influence. I want to use my experience to create films that convince others to do the same. As a representative of the LGBTQ community, I want to send a message of acceptance and tolerance to the world, from the Mezipatra screens in Prague to my curator. parental televisions.

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

Last February I attended a Divas in Defense workshop. In this class, our group met a woman who had survived domestic violence. He also came 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. While it's not a common hot topic, many people go through it every day. These people are not only women, but also men and children. Therefore, domestic violence is a little-discussed but extremely important issue.

One in four women experiences severe violence from an intimate partner in her lifetime. This means that our mothers, sisters, grandmothers or even daughters can become victims of domestic violence. We have to be the ones willing to start the conversation because many victims are afraid. Every day more people are talking about their own stories. Celebrities like Bill Clinton, Rihanna and Halle Berry have spoken out about their personal accounts of domestic violence. These views make people see domestic violence as a bigger problem and an issue that needs to be exposed. Yet domestic violence is all around us.

In addition, abuse can harm people physically, mentally, and financially. Physical abuse leads to injuries that cost money to repair. Many remain in or return to an abusive relationship because they lack the financial means to live alone. In addition, children growing up surrounded by 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.

Domestic violence is often kept secret in minority communities. Together we must be proactive and reactive in tackling the current abuse problem. However, we must be the change we want to see. Ultimately, domestic violence isn't a problem we can completely eliminate, but we can really make a difference through education and prevention. Some issues need to be resolved internally before we see a major change.

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