This page provides information specifically for the John F. Kennedy Scholarships. Check below for more scholarships to apply for as a high school student, based on your grade.
For students eager to explore the complex interplay of politics, leadership, and moral courage through thoughtful writing, the John F. Kennedy Essay Scholarships, officially titled the Profile in Courage Essay Contest, provide an exceptional opportunity to merge creativity with civic understanding. Inspired by John F. Kennedy’s Pulitzer Prize-winning book, Profiles in Courage, this scholarship invites high school students in grades 9 through 12 to write a 700 to 1,000-word essay exploring the acts of bravery and principles of U.S. elected officials who demonstrated political courage while confronting challenges since 1917.
The awards range from $1,000 to $10,000, with smaller prizes of $100 for honorable mentions. Beyond the monetary rewards, finalists gain recognition at a national level and receive accolades that could enhance their academic portfolios. Additionally, the contest emphasizes critical thinking, creativity, and originality - key components in its evaluation process. Essays are judged on their ability to engage readers with compelling narratives, well-researched evidence, and articulate expression of ideas.
While participants are encouraged to select any elected official since 1917, they are advised to avoid commonly chosen figures listed on the contest’s website to showcase unique perspectives. For early high school students, this contest presents an excellent opportunity to hone essay-writing skills, potentially paving the way for success in larger scholarships later in high school.
We’ve heard from students who shared their experiences participating in this contest. One winner highlighted how the essay challenged her to explore the nuanced decisions behind a historic policy change, deepening her understanding of civic duty. Another finalist noted that the research process inspired her to become more involved in local government and public service. Many have shared that crafting their essays gave them a new appreciation for political courage and its role in shaping history.
The contest opens annually with specific guidelines and deadlines detailed on the official website. For students passionate about storytelling, history, and civic engagement, the John F. Kennedy Essay Scholarships stand as an opportunity to reflect on the enduring importance of integrity in leadership while earning substantial recognition for their writing talents.
Email: education@jfklibrary.org
Website: https://www.jfklibrary.org
Address: John F. Kennedy Library Foundation, Columbia Point, Boston, MA 02125
Tel: 1-617-514-1600
The scholarships provided in the following pages are organized by grade level in high school; there is, thus, no longer any need to go through thousands of resources to find those applicable to you. Having been prepared with high school students in mind, highscholarships.com makes the task rather easy for you.
On this page, you will find numerous scholarships that are specifically for high school seniors. This is when you qualify the most number of scholarships! Do not wait longer!
SHOW ME ↓This page is dedicated to scholarships that are for high school juniors, of which there are plenty. Some of these can be applied for by high school seniors as well.
SHOW ME ↓Here, you can find scholarships for high school sophomores, although some of them are available also to high schoolers at other levels. Start early!
SHOW ME ↓There are also scholarships are for high school freshmen! These are not as many in number as other grade levels, but provide a reason to start early.
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