Texas History Essay Contest
Direct application
$4,000
3 winners
Eligibility
Location
United States
Major
History
Education level
High school
Year of study
Final year
About this scholarship
Graduating high school seniors anywhere in the U.S. may submit an original essay on Texas history to the Sons of the Republic of Texas for this contest.
Three prizes are awarded: $4,000 for first place, $3,000 for second, and $2,000 for third. Essays must be 1,500 to 2,000 words in Chicago or Turabian style.
Mail six copies plus a flash drive; entries must be postmarked by January 31. The annual essay topic is posted on the sponsor community page. History, government, and English students are especially encouraged to participate.
Essay question
What else to submit
- Original Texas-history essay
- Completed application including academic information
- Original essay plus six photocopies
- CD or flash-drive copy of the essay
- Essay length: no fewer than 1500 words nor more than 2500 words (excluding endnotes and bibliography)
- Must follow the format of the Chicago Manual of Style or Turabian's Manual for Writers
- Computer generated, double spaced, on one side only of 8.5" x 11" paper
- Quotations from other writers must be acknowledged in bibliography; endnotes on one page, references cited on a separate page
- Information must come from reliable published sources (books/magazines); a maximum of two internet sources are acceptable
- Essays will be screened for plagiarism
- Submit an original plus six photocopies (seven total) for the judges, including a CD or Flash Drive copy with name, address, phone number and year of contest
- A completed application (including academic information: GPA, class rank, SAT/ACT) must be attached to each of the seven copies
- Eligibility: graduating high school seniors (any high school or home school)
- Deadline: entries must be postmarked on or before January 31, 2026
- Essay must address the annual Texas-history topic.
- Essay must follow Chicago or Turabian style.
- Essay must be computer-generated, double-spaced, and printed on one side of 8.5 by 11 inch paper.
- Cite quotations and provide endnotes and references as specified.
- Use reliable published sources; no more than two internet sources are permitted.
- Essays are screened for plagiarism.
- Description says 1,500 to 2,000 words, while the official 2025-2026 prompt says 1,500 to 2,500 words excluding endnotes and bibliography.