📘 De Jure Legacy Scholarship Starter Guide

This guide is here to remind you: money is out there, and your story matters. Scholarships aren't just for 'perfect' students — they're for bold ones. Let's get started.

3–5 fast tips to set students up for scholarship success:

• Start early — and stay organized. Use a calendar or app to track due dates.

• Reuse your best essays. Save personal statements and tweak as needed.

• Apply even if you’re unsure. You miss 100% of the scholarships you don’t apply for.

• Look local first. Community orgs and state programs are often less competitive.

• Ask for help. You don’t have to do this alone . Build a support team.

Scholarships to Watch

• Point Foundation Flagship Scholarship

  • This need-based award supports undergraduate and professional students who are part of, or connected to, the LGBTQ+ and ally community.

  • Award: Up to $12,000

  • Deadline: November 20, 2025

• David Malcom Scholarship

  • This scholarship is for students who’ve pushed through obstacles- whether personal, family, or situational- and are determined to keep chasing their education. Open to high school seniors and college students who’ve already shown perseverance on the path to a degree.

  • Award: $2,500

  • Deadline: November 30, 2025

• Carrot-Top Beacon Scholarship

  • College-bound graduating high school seniors who can demonstrate commitment to helping their rural community.

  • Award: $1,000

  • Deadline: November 30, 2025

• DoD STEM Scholarship Program

  • This scholarship is for high school seniors and incoming college freshmen who will be pursuing a bachelor’s degree. It awards full tuition support, a stipend, hands-on internships and a pathway into a civilian career with the U.S. Department of Defense.

  • Award: Full Tuition

  • Deadline: December 1, 2025

• Webstaurant Store Scholarship

  • For students interested in going into the restaurant or culinary industry. Must be attending a culinary school or attending college with a restaurant management major. Must have worked in the restaurant industry for at least 2 years.

  • Award: Up to $5,000

  • Deadline: December 1, 2025

• Congressional Essay Contest

  • The NSCDA invites high school students (grades 9–12) to participate in the Congressional Essay Contest for a chance to win a scholarship to the Congressional Seminar in Washington, D.C., scheduled for June 22–26, 2026.

    Essay Topic:

    “Describe the principles in the Declaration of Independence you believe are most important in lifting the human condition and explain how they have helped this country meet evolving challenges over our 249 years.”

  • Award: Full Tuition

  • Deadline: December 1, 2025

• JP Morgan Chase Hardship Scholarship

  • Open to all majors, U.S. citizens, and permanent residents, the award supports tuition and fees with a single fall disbursement. The application—featuring a short video about your academic drive—is open through December 1, 2025 (or until funds run out).

  • Award: $2,500

  • Deadline: December 1, 2025

• The Ron Brown Scholarship

  • The Ron Brown Scholarship supports intellectually gifted, community-oriented African American high school seniors. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents, demonstrate strong academics, leadership, community service, and financial need. Scholars also join a lifelong network with mentorship, leadership development, and service opportunities.

  • Award: $40,000 (Spread out over 4 years)

  • Deadline: December 1, 2025

• Sage IT Scholarship

  • Sage IT is offering a scholarship in the U.S. for college/university students through an article contest on the theme: “Zero Trust in the Age of AI: Rethinking Identity and Access Management for the Next Decade.” The entry must be 1,000–1,500 words in a Word document, original, and unpublished. Eligible applicants are U.S. citizens or legal residents aged 17–30 enrolled in a U.S. college.

  • Award: 41,000

  • Deadline: December 7, 2025

• The Coolidge Scholarship

  • Four-year presidential scholarship run by the Calvin Coolidge Presidential Foundation that covers tuition, room, board, and other expenses at any accredited U.S. college. It’s awarded based mainly on academic excellence, but also looks for humility, service, leadership, and a passion for public policy—values inspired by President Coolidge. Applicants apply in their junior year of high school; finalists are flown to Vermont for interviews.

  • Award: Full Ride

  • Deadline: December 16, 2025

• Profile in Courage Essay Contest

  • U.S. high school students are invited to write a 700–1,000 word essay about an elected official (from 1917 or later) who showed true political courage—someone who risked their career or reputation to stand up for what’s right. It’s all about digging deep, telling a powerful story, and honoring real bravery in leadership.

  • Award: Up to $10,000

  • Deadline: January 12, 2026

• St. Gallen Symposium Global Essay Competition

  • This Competition invites graduate-level students born in 1996 or later to submit an original essay (max 2,100 words) on this year’s theme—“Disruption in Tech + Politics + Demography: What happens when they collide?” Winners join the Symposium in Switzerland, compete for prize money, and gain life-changing global networking opportunities. (The participation in the symposium is free for all Leaders of Tomorrow. Moreover, expenses for travel, board and lodging are covered by the ISC.).

  • Award: $8,000 (Plus all travel and accommodations for competition)

  • Deadline: February 1, 2026

🧠 Essay Prompts + Ideas

Common scholarship questions and sentence starters:

"Describe a time you overcame a challenge." (general)

• “When my family had to…”

• “This experience taught me that I am…”

• “Even when I wanted to give up…”

“What kind of legacy do you want to leave and how will you build it?”

• “For me, legacy isn’t just about what I achieve. It’s about who I uplift along the way. Through education, I plan to…”

“Describe a challenge you’ve faced and how it shaped your sense of purpose.”

• “Growing up, I didn’t always see people who looked like me succeeding. But one moment that changed how I saw myself was…”

“Tell us about a time you took initiative to solve a problem or support your community.”

• “I didn’t wait to be called a leader. When I saw ____________ happening in my community, I decided to…”

“Why are YOU the right person to receive this scholarshp? How will you use the opportunity?”

• “This scholarship wouldn’t just support my future, it would strengthen the mission I’ve already started: to…”

📬 Bonus – Free Scholarship Tracking Template

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📥 Grab your Scholarship Tracker now — designed to help you stay on top of deadlines, requirements, and wins.

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