NRA Civil Rights Defense Fund Youth Essay Contest

First-time freshmen and transfer students enrolling full time in Fresno Pacific University's traditional undergraduate program who attend a Mennonite Brethren church may receive the Mennonite Brethren Scholarship. The award provides up to $4,000 per year for up to four years toward tuition only. The scholarship is applied before institutional need-based aid and cannot exceed tuition or demonstrated need. Apply and be admitted to FPU, submit an MB Church Membership or Attendance Form to Student Financial Services by July 15 for fall or December 1 for spring, and enroll full time. Students must notify SFS if MB church membership or attendance ends.

U.S. high school seniors from households with adjusted gross income of $125,000 or less who graduate from public high schools in rural counties (fewer than 50,000 residents) may apply for the nationwide Hagan Scholarship. Up to 1,500 recipients receive $2,000 for essential college items plus up to $7,500 per semester for up to eight consecutive semesters. Recipients also attend workshops, receive a Schwab brokerage account, and may access study-abroad opportunities. Applicants need a 3.5 GPA, minimum ACT 24 or SAT 1150, and must attend an eligible public four-year college or university in their home state. The Hagan Scholarship Foundation helps high-achieving rural students graduate debt-free.

First-year applicants to Vanderbilt University with outstanding leadership, character, academic achievement, and commitment to collaboration may apply for the Chancellor's Scholarship through MyAppVU by December 1. Recipients receive full tuition plus a one-time summer stipend for study abroad, research, or service after sophomore or junior year. Scholarships renew for up to eight semesters with a 3.0 GPA. Vanderbilt provides additional need-based aid when demonstrated need exceeds full tuition. Chancellor Joe B. Wyatt established the program in 1985 to recognize students who build inclusive communities and engage with issues of diversity, tolerance, and social justice.

First-year applicants to Vanderbilt University who combine strong academics with leadership and meaningful extracurricular involvement may apply for the Cornelius Vanderbilt Scholarship through MyAppVU. Recipients receive full tuition plus a one-time summer stipend for an immersive experience after sophomore or junior year. The award renews for up to eight semesters with a 3.0 GPA, and Vanderbilt may add need-based aid when demonstrated need exceeds full tuition. Apply via MyAppVU after submitting your admission application. The scholarship honors Commodore Cornelius Vanderbilt, whose 1873 gift founded the university to strengthen ties across the country.

Prospective first-year students at Vanderbilt University who plan to pair a professional career with lifelong civic service may apply for the Ingram Scholars Program through MyAppVU. Ingram Scholars receive full tuition, required fees, on-campus housing each year, and a stipend for a summer service project. Awards renew through senior year with a 3.0 GPA and ongoing service commitments. Additional need-based aid may cover costs beyond the scholarship package. Submit the Ingram Scholars application via MyAppVU. Selection weighs commitment to community service, entrepreneurial spirit, character, and leadership alongside your admission materials.

Full-time undergraduate engineering or pre-engineering students pursuing a bachelor's curriculum that prepares them for the HVAC&R profession, with at least a 3.0 GPA, may apply for the $5,000 Alwin B. Newton Memorial Scholarship through ASHRAE's Society undergraduate engineering scholarship application. Submit one ASHRAE application with three letters of recommendation by December 1. The same application covers multiple ASHRAE Society scholarships.