How to write a winning scholarship essay - Gen Tanabe, Kelly Tanabe 2018

What is the purpose of your award?
Judges’ Roundtable: inside the selection process

Why are you giving away free money?

Georgina Salguero

Hispanic Heritage Awards Foundation

“Our mission is to promote and reward Hispanic excellence and to provide a greater understanding of the contribution of Hispanic Americans in the U.S. One way we do this is through identifying and rewarding outstanding youth who in turn will serve as the role models for other youth.

“In addition to a scholarship award, we also provide each winner with a $1,000 check to donate to an established nonprofit organization of the student’s choice. This is a way for the student to give right back to the community, to never forget who they are and where they came from. After all, how many 17-year-olds do you know who have a way to thank the community that has helped them get to where they are?”

Cathy Edwards

Discover Financial Services Inc.

“We wanted to structure a program that would not only demonstrate our commitment to education but also invest in our children’s futures.”

Ellen Frishberg

Johns Hopkins University

“The Hodson award goes to students who present the best credentials in our incoming class academically and in leadership. We’re looking not just for local leadership but leadership on a regional or national level.”

Brent Drage

Rotary International Ambassadorial Scholarship Program “Our scholarship program was started to further international understanding by providing money for students to study abroad. That’s why we call our winners ambassadors.

Recipients are expected to be ambassadors of good will.”

Tracey Wong Briggs

All-USA Academic Teams

“Our program is really an editorial project for USA Today. What we are trying to do is tell the stories about what outstanding students can do. We are looking to reward students who have a good story to tell about something they have accomplished either academically or extracurricularly.”

Marie M. Ishida

California Interscholastic Federation Scholar-Athlete of the Year “We want to acknowledge and recognize outstanding scholars who are also good athletes.”

Jacqui Love Marshall

Knight Ridder Minority Scholars Program

“We’re looking to find people early in their career planning who have an interest in newspapering, either journalism or working on the business side. We also want to raise interest and awareness about careers in newspapers among students.”

Corisa Moreno

The Music Center Spotlight Awards

“Our award is meant to encourage high school students in the visual and performing arts to continue to follow their passion by providing support.”

Wanda Carroll

National Association of Secondary School Principals “We administer several awards that have different goals. For example, the Prudential Spirit of Community Award seeks to identify and honor middle level high school students on the basis of their volunteer work. For Wendy’s High School Heisman Award we are looking to honor and promote both citizenship and athletic ability. For the Principal’s Leadership Award we want to recognize an outstanding student leader.”

Bob Murray

USA Funds

“Our scholarship program is aimed toward lower-income students in an attempt to narrow the gap in college attendance rates between lower-income and higher-income families.”