10 Best Summer Scholarships of 2021

Sun. Picnics. Bike rides. Summer is known for many things.

But how about scholarships?

With classes over, summer break is actually a great time to nail down funding for the coming year. Students can research scholarships that match their qualifications. They can take the time to craft winning essays. They can even have fun — many scholarships feature creative contests that go well beyond the standard application process.

Ready to get started? Here are 10 of the best scholarships accepting applications in summer 2021.

No. 1: Ocean Awareness Student Contest

Award: $1,500

Deadline: June 14, 2021

How to Apply: Enter a creative submission to the Ocean Awareness Student Contest

Eligibility: Students ages 11-18 worldwide

The student contest hosted by Bow Seat Ocean Awareness Programs is a great opportunity to add to the global climate change conversation. The contest theme for 2021 is “Water Rising.” 

Students must create a piece or pieces that speak to the theme in one of the following media: art, film, interactive and multimedia, music, poetry, or prose. In addition, a written reflection of the creative piece must be included, totaling 100-250 words. Tap into your creative side this summer and apply.

No. 2: Scholarship Points $10,000 Giveaway

Award: $10,000

Deadline: June 15, 2021

How to Apply: Become a member of the Scholarship Points $10,000 Giveaway 

Eligibility: U.S. residents who are at least 13 years of age

The ScholarshipPoints membership program awards more than $100,000 in scholarships to current and future college students each year. Score a scholarship in three easy steps — earn points, enter drawings, and win scholarships. 

The only catch is that you have to become a member by filling out the student profile form. As an added benefit, joining automatically gives you one entry into the $10,000 giveaway. Once your membership is secured, you can continue racking up points for additional entries by taking surveys, following social media accounts, solving puzzles, and more.

No. 3: Delete Cyberbullying Scholarship

Award: $1,000

Deadline: June 30, 2021

How to Apply: Submit an application to the Delete Cyberbullying Scholarship

Eligibility: High school and college students 

The Delete Cyberbullying mission is to educate students and parents about cyberbullying and work toward its eradication. The scholarship is a way to encourage students to commit to the cause.

For entry, students must complete a form and include an essay response to one of two prompts in 500 words or less. Recipient selection is based on the written essay with a focus on creativity, content, and a commitment to the cause of ending cyberbullying.

No. 4: The John Galt Scholarship for Future Supply Chain Leaders

Award: $10,000

Deadline: June 31, 2021

How to Apply: Submit an application to the John Galt Scholarship for Future Supply Chain Leaders

Eligibility: Current college students who are able to show how their field of study is related to a career in supply chain

John Galt Solutions founded this scholarship to help support the next generation of expert forecasters, demand planners, and supply chain leaders. Applicants must fill out a submission form and detail their qualifications for the scholarship.

Recipients are chosen based on their passion for supply chain, financial need, and dedication to personal growth. The scholarship is distributed in the form of a check made out to the recipient’s educational institution of enrollment.

No. 5: Solar Scholarship

Award: $1,000

Deadline: July 1, 2021

How to Apply: Email your submission to the Solar Scholarship committee 

Eligibility: Full-time students with a minimum 3.2 GPA

Solar Action Alliance is a group of environmentalists who want to spread the word about the sun — the most clean, reliable, and abundant source of renewable energy.

Submit a 500-1,000 word essay answering the following question: What excites you most about the future of solar?

No. 6: Stuck at Prom Scholarship Contest

Award: $10,000

Deadline: July 21, 2021

How to Apply: Submit your creation to the Stuck at Prom Scholarship Contest

Eligibility: Open to U.S. citizens ages 14 and older

Sponsored by Duck® brand duct tape, this competition requires contestants to design prom wear completely out of tape. Each applicant must create and wear prom attire consisting of either a dress or a tuxedo and accessories made using Duck® brand duct tape and/or Duck® brand crafting tape. At least one photo of the ensemble must be submitted along with the application. 

Submissions will be judged in the following categories: workmanship, originality, use of colors, and use of Duck® Brand Duct Tape. Start taping!

No. 7: SBB Research Group STEM Scholarship

Award: $5,000

Deadline: August 31, 20221

How to Apply: Submit an application to the SBB Research Group STEM Scholarship

Eligibility: Full-time students pursuing a degree in one of the following fields: science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) with a minimum GPA of 3.5

SBB Research Group is a Chicago-area investment management firm founded in 2010. This scholarship encourages and empowers students to pursue higher learning through interdisciplinary combinations of science.

Applicants submit an essay that responds to the following question in 500 words or less: What have been your most significant experiences in STEM and how will you use STEM principles to improve the world?

No. 8: The ExpressVPN Future of Privacy Scholarship

Award: $5,000

Deadline: August 31, 2021

How to Apply: Submit an application to the ExpressVPN Future of Privacy Scholarship

The ExpressVPN Future of Privacy Scholarship was created to raise awareness of internet privacy and security.

To enter, students write a 600- to 800-word essay discussing how to approach the needs of public health versus those of individual privacy with the emergence of Covid-19. The winner will be featured on the company’s communication platforms.

No. 9: Leaders Save Lives Scholarship Program

Award: $2,500

Deadline: August 31, 2021

How to Apply: Find entry information for the Leaders Save Lives Scholarship Program

Eligibility: High school and college students

Partner with the American Red Cross to save lives by coordinating a summer blood drive in your community. Form a recruitment committee and invite friends, family, and community to donate. 

To enter the scholarship drawing, your drive needs to bring in at least 25 pints of donated blood. You will automatically score an Amazon gift card of at least $50 for donating over 25 pints. This opportunity is a rewarding way to put your free time to good use this summer.

No. 10: Niche “No Essay” College Scholarship

Award: $2,000

Deadline: End of every month

How to Apply: Create an account for the Niche “No Essay” College Scholarship

Eligibility: High school and college students

Niche is a leading tool to research U.S. colleges, schools, neighborhoods, and companies. Create an account on their website to enter to win their monthly “No Essay” College Scholarship. Could it be any easier? 

The winner is selected by random drawing and can use the funds towards any education-related expenses.