Where can I find good examples of college scholarship essays?

It's completely normal to feel unsure about your scholarship essays, especially since the prompts and expectations are a little different than what you'll find with general college applications. Luckily, there are some trustworthy sources for reading successful scholarship essays.

One good place to start is with the websites of actual scholarship programs. Organizations like the Gates Millennium Scholars, Horatio Alger Association, Jack Kent Cooke Foundation, and the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation sometimes feature winning essays or stories from recipients. For example, the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation website occasionally publishes recipient stories, including excerpts from the essays that helped them win.

Another helpful resource is university financial aid pages. Some colleges post advice and sample essays for students who are applying both internally and for outside scholarships. Looking for posts titled 'Winning Scholarship Essay Samples' or 'Scholarship Essay Guidance' on college-affiliated blogs can yield good results.

A third resource is books from reputable educational publishers, such as '50 Successful College Scholarships Essays' or 'How to Write a Winning Scholarship Essay.' While you might need to check your library or a bookstore, these tend to feature essays that have genuinely won money for students. Sometimes these essay collections are available as e-books for free through your library.

If you’re hoping for a more personal angle, asking recent scholarship winners at your school (or outreach from your school’s college advisor) can work, too. Some students are open to sharing their essays if you ask politely. For instance, one of my friends shared their essay for the Elks Most Valuable Student Scholarship, and it gave me a sense of how much detail and storytelling went into it—the winning essay focused on a small moment organizing a community meal during a storm, not just a summary of activities or achievements.

Also, online forums dedicated to college admissions (like r/scholarships) sometimes have threads where winners post their essays for others to read. Always double-check that the essays are authentic before relying on them as models.

When you're reading examples, pay attention to how these students structure their stories and highlight their impact. Scholarship essays should focus on how you’ve dealt with challenges, contributed to your community, or found unique ways to grow. There’s no substitute for your own voice, but seeing concrete examples does help clarify what works. Good luck—and don’t hesitate to reach out for feedback as you start drafting!