College students often have very strong opinions about local, national and global politics. There is a variety of essay contests that allow students to express their opinions on many topics such as political ones, and earn scholarship money to help offset the cost of a college education.
Atlas Shrugged Essay Contest
Students can compete to win up to $10,000 in scholarships as part of the Atlas Shrugged Essay Contest (http://essaycontest.aynrandnovels.com/AtlasShrugged.aspx?theme=blue). The contest requires that students read the novel “Atlas Shrugged” by Ayn Rand and respond to one of three essay questions related to the book and its take on global and political issues. Essays must be 800 to 1,600 words in length and can be submitted online.
HAMSA Dream Deferred Essay Contest
The Hands Across the Mideast Support Alliance (http://www.hamsaweb.org/essay/) offers an essay contest each year inspired by the poem “A Dream Deferred” by Langtson Hughes. Topics are given on the organization’s website and relate to American and Middle Eastern relations and Middle Eastern civil rights. Students can win up to $2,000 in prize money for a 600 to 1,500 word essay.
NFWL/NRA Bill of Rights Essay Contest
The National Foundation for Women Legislators (NFWL) and National Rifle Association (NRA) sponsor an annual Bill of Rights Essay contest (http://www.womenlegislators.org/events/scholarship-program.php) which gives students the opportunity to win $3,000 in scholarship money to the annual NWFL conference. The essay topic changes every year and previous topics include “The Impact of the First Amendment on Women Leaders and Social Media” and “Freedom and Civic Virtues.” Essays should be 400 to 600 words in length.
George Watt Prize
Students interested in the Spanish Civil War are invited to submit an essay to compete for the George Watt Prize (http://www.alba-valb.org/participate/essay-contest), sponsored by the Abraham Lincoln Brigade Archives. Essays must be written as part of a course or degree requirement in an undergraduate or graduate program and must be 3,500 to 7,500 words in length. Two $500 awards are given each year for winning
