Scholarship Essay Examples

With college tuition costs climbing every year, many students apply for merit scholarships to make higher education more affordable. But since these scholarships can be competitive, that’s where our scholarship essay examples come in handy. By checking out these examples, you’ll get a clear idea of what makes an award-winning essay.

Scholarships are a fantastic way for students to ease the burden of tuition. Most merit-based scholarships require a short application, usually including one or more essays. Below, we’ve gathered our best scholarship essay examples to guide you.

Reading successful essays—especially those about yourself—can kickstart your writing process. By studying these examples, you’ll learn how to craft a compelling essay and understand what scholarship committees look for in applications.

In this Scholarship Essay Examples guide, you’ll find:

Tips on writing a standout essay
Various scholarship essay examples about yourself
A strong “Why I Deserve This Scholarship” essay sample
Scholarship essay examples about financial need

We’ve included school-specific examples (like UC Berkeley) and program-based ones (like the SHPE scholarship). Plus, we’ll break down different types of scholarships you might encounter.

But before diving into the examples, let’s talk about how scholarships help fund your education.

What Is a Scholarship Essay?

A scholarship essay is part of your merit-based scholarship application. It’s similar to a college essay in structure, so the format should feel familiar.

The best scholarship essays highlight who you are and why you deserve financial aid. Prompts may ask about your background, achievements, or reasons you’re a strong candidate.

A well-written, persuasive essay can help you win significant funding. But not all scholarship essays are the same—later, we’ll review different winning scholarship essay examples to show the variety you might encounter.

Types of Scholarships

There are many scholarship types out there. You can find them on scholarship search websites—the sooner you start looking, the more opportunities you’ll find.

Some scholarships are open to all, while others have strict eligibility rules. Always check the requirements before applying.

Here are a few common scholarship types:

Academic scholarships (based on grades)
Merit scholarships (for achievements in academics, sports, arts, etc.)
Essay competitions (awarded for strong writing)
Community service scholarships (for volunteer work)
Military scholarships (for service members or their families)

Prompts vary in length and complexity, but our winning scholarship essay examples will give you a sense of what to expect.

Merit-Based Scholarships

Most scholarships in this guide are merit-based, meaning they reward academic excellence, leadership, or talent.

Need-based scholarships, on the other hand, focus on financial circumstances. If you’re applying for aid, check out our scholarship essay examples about financial need.

To qualify for merit scholarships, committees look at:

Grades
Extracurriculars
Test scores
Leadership roles

Some well-known merit scholarships include:

National Merit Scholarship
Gates Scholarship
Jack Kent Cooke Scholarship
Robertson Scholarship

For more details on these, check out our dedicated guides. Even though prompts differ, the scholarship essay format stays fairly consistent.

Finding Scholarships

In this guide, we’ll highlight some great scholarships, but you should also explore other resources.

A few notable ones:

QuestBridge Scholarship (for low-income students at elite colleges)
Park Scholarships (for NC State University students)
SHPE Scholarship (for Hispanic students in STEM)

Our financial need essay examples can help if you’re applying for aid-based programs.

You can also use scholarship search engines like Sallie Mae’s portal to find more opportunities.

How to Write a Scholarship Essay

While prompts vary, most scholarship essays follow a similar format.

Here’s what Sallie Mae (a student loan provider that also offers scholarships) suggests for a winning essay:

1. Organization

Start with a clear structure.
Open with a strong introduction.
Present supporting points logically.
End with a solid conclusion.

2. Content

Clearly explain why you deserve the scholarship.
Back up your points with evidence.
Be original and honest.
Keep the tone positive and inspiring.

3. Editing

Get feedback from teachers, counselors, or advisors.
Proofread for grammar and spelling errors.

Next, let’s look at real scholarship essay examples to see these tips in action.

Scholarship Essay Examples About Yourself

Scholarship prompts vary, so always answer the question fully. Some may ask:

How will this scholarship help you?
What contributions have you made to your community?

Here’s an example for the Phi Sigma Rho Scholarship (STEM-focused):

Essay Excerpt:
*”On campus, I promote Phi Sigma Rho and STEM through my involvement in the Women in Engineering Program (WEP) and Society of Women Engineers (SWE). These groups have taught me how to build a supportive network for women in engineering. As a sophomore orientation leader (Envoy), I mentored first-year students and shared my passion for Phi Rho. In SWE, I’ve held leadership roles focused on member engagement—helping female engineers connect and grow. I also volunteer with Engineering Ambassadors, where I introduce K-12 students to STEM through hands-on activities. Phi Sigma Rho has given me the confidence to inspire the next generation of female engineers, and I strive to embody its values in everything I do.”*

This essay clearly highlights the writer’s leadership, passion, and alignment with the organization’s mission.

“Why I Deserve This Scholarship” Essay Example

Some prompts directly ask: Why do you deserve this scholarship?

Here’s a response from a Park Scholarship applicant:

Essay Excerpt:
“Growing up in a Venezuelan family, I’ve always connected with Spanish speakers in my community. This inspired me to create ‘Spanish in the Spring’—a program teaching kids introductory Spanish and cultural appreciation. I designed lessons, organized activities, and even saw parents express interest in learning. Though scheduling paused the program, I plan to relaunch it, encouraging families to learn together. This experience taught me the power of language in bridging cultures—and I want to keep making an impact.”

This essay shows initiative, community impact, and future goals—exactly what committees look for.

UC Berkeley Scholarship Essay Example

Many schools, like UC Berkeley, offer scholarships to offset tuition. Here’s an excerpt from a winning essay:

Essay Excerpt:
“Volunteering at Buddyball Sports (for kids with disabilities) and local hospitals has shaped my perspective. But a trip to India—where I saw extreme poverty—changed everything. Though I couldn’t fix systemic issues there, I channeled that energy into organizing ‘Make a Difference Rockland,’ a fair connecting locals with volunteer opportunities. Bringing nonprofits together showed me how small efforts create big change—and I want to keep that spirit alive in college.”

This essay balances personal growth with community impact, making it compelling.

Final Tips for Scholarship Essays

Be Personal – Share real stories, not just facts.
Tell a Story – Hook the reader with a strong narrative.
Follow the Prompt – Don’t reuse essays without tailoring them.
Stay Authentic – Write as yourself, not who you think they want.
Proofread! – Errors can hurt your chances.

Wrapping Up

We hope these scholarship essay examples help you craft a winning application. Remember:

Start early and research scholarships.
Use specific examples to stand out.
Edit carefully before submitting.