Hello, dear scholarship seekers! This week, I’ve got the $2,500 Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes, the $10,000 Tylenol Scholarship for students of health care, and the $2,500 Sir John M. Templeton Fellowships Essay Contest.
Earlier this week I received an email from a junior high school student asking if it was too early to start looking for scholarships! Way to go, kiddo! The answer is: It’s almost never too early to start looking. Whether you are still in elementary school, already in college, or about to start your PhD, there are millions of dollars in scholarships out there just waiting to be won. In fact, this week, the Gloria Barron prize is for young heroes, ages 8-18. If you win the prize at the tender age of eight, you sock away the money for 10 or so years. Just think of all that compounded interest!
Do you want to learn more about how to win college scholarships — regardless of how old you are? Please visit the Financial Aid Finder’s college scholarship section. We’ve got information explaining how to navigate the scholarship application process, what it takes to write a killer scholarship essay, and where to find the best free scholarship search engines are.
1. The Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes: $2,500
Do you know an outstanding young person who has made a significant positive impact on people and our planet? Why not nominate them for the $2,500 Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes. Nominees may range in age from 8 to 18 years old, and must have initiated a service activity while demonstrating a positive spirit and moral purpose. To nominate a young person, you must have solid knowledge of the individual’s heroic activities and not be related to him or her. Winners of the Gloria Barron Prize receive a $2,500 scholarship, along with the opportunity to be paired with an adult mentor who is passionate about and working in the winner’s area of interest. Nominations packets must be received by the deadline – see their website.
2. Tylenol Scholarship: Up to $10,000
The Tylenol Scholarship program is designed to assist students pursuing careers in the healthcare, life sciences, or related fields to manage the rising costs of education. Tylenol will award a total of $250,000 scholarships to applicants with combined leadership and academic excellence. Ten grand prize winners will receive $10,000 each, while thirty winners will earn $5,000 grants. Eligible candidates must be pursuing healthcare-related education at an accredited institution. See website for deadline and other scholarship information.
3. The Sir John M. Templeton Fellowships Essay Contest: $2,500
The annual Sir John M. Templeton Fellowships Essay Contest encourages college students from around the world to study the meaning and significance of economic and personal liberty. This year’s $2,500 grand prize will reward the best essayist on the topic of the Benjamin Franklin quote:
Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom. As nations become corrupt and vicious, they have more need of masters.
Applicants must write a 1,500 – 5,000-word essay describing the virtues they believe contribute the most toward achieving freedom, and explaining how the institutions of civil society can encourage the exercise of those virtues. In addition to one first prize winner, the contest will also select a second prize ($1,500) and third prize ($1,000) winner as well. The Templeton Essay Contest stands out among scholarship opportunities since it is open to students from around the world — and up to the age of 35. So non-traditional and non-American students should definitely apply! Additionally, students can be enrolled in any degree program (from associates to doctoral) and need not be studying full-time. See website for deadline.