Check out a few of the top scholarships for history majors. You can use the scholarships to pay for school and living expenses as you earn a degree in history.
National High School Essay Contest
Deadline: March 15
Awards vary
The U.S. Institute of Peace (USIP) partnered with the American Foreign Service Association to bring back the Essay for Peace contest. This award is meant to encourage youth to learn about peace and conflict and to encourage an appreciation for peacebuilding actions through diplomacy. The 2016-17 essay prompt asked students to closely examine the refugee crisis. The first place winner of the contest receives a $2,500 commitment-free cash prize, a fully paid trip to Washington, D.C., and a fully covered study abroad opportunity with the program Semester at Sea when the student does enroll in a university. The second place winner gets a $1,250 cash prize and a scholarship from the National Student Leadership Conference to pay for an International Diplomacy Program.
Lucinda Beneventi Findley History Scholarship
Deadline: February 10th
$2,000 awarded annually to 2 high-school students
Each year, the Daughters of the American Revolution award this scholarship to two high school students that show outstanding interest in the study of American history and is consistently able to maintain a GPA of 3.25. This is a one time award. and applicants must plan to work full time toward a bachelor’s degree in history at an accredited university once they graduate from high school to be considered eligible.
The Dr. Aura-Lee A. and James Hobbs Pittenger American History Scholarship
Deadline February 15th
$2,000 annually for up to four years
The Daughters of the Revolution has many great opportunities for graduating high school students entering college. The Dr. Aura-Lee A. and James Hobbs Pittenger American History Scholarship is awarded to students who are planning to pursue an undergraduate degree in American History or American Government. You can receive this grant continually by maintaining a GPA of at least 3.25 and completing at least 24 credit hours of classes focusing on American History and American Government to finish your undergraduate degree.
Bill of Rights Essay Scholarship Contest
Deadline: July 15th
$3,000 awarded annually to 6 female high school juniors or seniors plus an all expense paid trip
This high school scholarship is for females only. The National Foundation for Women Legislators and the National Rifle Association fund this scholarship. Along with the award money, high school students get to travel to The National Foundation for Women Legislators Annual Conference where the six winners will be presented awards.
The Arkansas Community Foundation
Deadlines: vary depending on the program
Awards vary depending on the program
If you are a high school student in the state of Arkansas focusing on any major, including but not limited to history, you have access to many grants and scholarships through The Arkansas Community Foundation. For most of these opportunities, you must be a resident of Arkansas to qualify. Just to name a few: The Marie and Bob Marshall Republican Party of Arkansas Scholarship Endowment awards $500 annually to high school students that are active members of the Republican Party of Arkansas. The Political Animals Club Scholarship Fund offers $3000 to all graduating seniors in a number of Arkansas counties. Check to see if your area qualifies. A great opportunity for graduating Arkansas students who are planning to go into public service is the Senator Dale Bumpers Scholarship Endowment that awards $1500 yearly.
National WWII Museum Essay Contest
Deadline: December
$1000 awarded to the winning essay and national recognition
The National WWII Museum in New Orleans challenges students to write a compelling and historically interesting response to prompts involving the history of World War II. The winning essays will be published on the National WWII Museum website and receive national attention. Papers will not be judged on the amount of research done, so much as the student’s ability to stay focused the current year’s theme, their historical accuracy, creativity, and good grammar.
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