The We the Students Essay Contest is sponsored by the Bill of Rights Institute in Arlington, VA.

Who is eligible to apply for the We the Students Essay Contest?

The Contest is open to students no older than 19 and no younger than 14 as of the end of the contest period who:

• Attend school in the United States, one of its territories or districts, or an American Armed Forces School Abroad
• Are in grades 8 -12 attending public, private, religious, or charter schools
• Enrolled in a GED or correspondence school program
• Attend a home school program

How do I apply for this scholarship?

This is an essay scholarship, so submit your very best writing! For this year, the essay prompt asks, “What is the relationship between Equality and Justice? Make sure that you fully answer the prompt in a 500 to 800 word essay which you will submit directly online. Proper MLA in-text citations are required, as well as a works cited page. Of course, grammar and punctuation matter, so make sure that you take the time to proofread before you hit that submit button!

All essays will be judged by a panel of readers at the Bill of Rights Institute. The judges are looking for the personal response and depth of analysis of documents, originality, organization, and the writing styles of applicants.

How much is the We the Students Essay Contest award worth?

The winners of this year’s contest will receive:

1st Place – $7,500

Runners Up – Five prizes at $1,500 each

Honorable Mentions – Eight prizes at $500 each

When is the We the Students Essay Contest application due?

The deadline to apply is April 25, 2021 at 11:59 pm PT.

For all the contest rules and regulations, click here.

Still have questions? Contact scholarships@billofrightsinstitute.org for answers.