Key Takeaways

• The SolidEssay Scholarship Essay Contest is run by SolidEssay.com and it awards three scholarships: $1,000 for first place, $700 for second place, and $500 for third place.
• Entrants write a 600 to 800 word essay on one of three official topics and email it to SolidEssay.com as a Microsoft Word or Google Docs attachment, because an essay pasted into the body of the email is disqualified.
• The current SolidEssay Scholarship Essay Contest closes on June 9, 2027, and SolidEssay.com notifies the winners by email no later than July 9, 2027.
• The current topics are "My Goals for the Next Ten Years," "How I Hope to Make a Positive Impact," and "The Skill That Will Matter Most in the Future."
• SolidEssay.com checks every entry with plagiarism software and disqualifies plagiarized essays, requires entrants to follow SolidEssay on Facebook and Instagram, and may publish winning essays or use them in marketing materials.
• The Harvard Crimson Global Essay Competition is a separate contest run by The Harvard Crimson and Crimson Education, with a $15 early-bird registration fee and essays of up to 500 words.

Current Solid Essay Contest Topics

Participants choose one of three topics:

1. My Goals for the Next Ten Years

Describe your personal, academic, or professional goals for the next decade and explain how your current education will help you achieve them.

2. How I Hope to Make a Positive Impact

Discuss a way you hope to contribute to your community, profession, or society in the future. Explain what inspires you and how education will help you achieve that goal.

3. The Skill That Will Matter Most in the Future

What do you believe will be the most important skill for future generations? Explain why and how students can develop it today.

Essays must be 600-800 words, and submissions are due by June 9, 2027. Participants email their essay to solidessay@gmail.com as a Microsoft Word or Google Docs attachment, and the first page shows the participant’s name, email address, and chosen topic number. SolidEssay.com notifies the three winners by email no later than July 9, 2027, and publishes their names on its website and social media channels.

Previous Years' Competition Topics

Here are the solid essay scholarship essay questions over the past few years:

Most Recent Published Winners

The most recent winners listed on the SolidEssay.com winners pages come from the 2024-25 contest. The three winners were:

• Li Wei ($1,000)
• Nathan Thompson ($700)
• Luka Novak ($500)

Tips for Winning the Solid Essay Contest

Winning the Solid Essay Contest is not just about meeting the word goal or responding to the prompt with the given criteria. Here are some tips to increase your chances of success:

1. Be Original

Your essay should add something new or approach the topic in a way that haven't seen before. Judges love new thoughts. They also check for plagiarism, so beware of copying someone else's work.

2. Provide a Clear Structure

All good essays are structured to make sense to readers. You make some point, then you make another related point to back up the first, then your third point, and so on, before summarizing your argument in your conclusion.

3. Do Research 

Back up each point with a piece of supporting information — such as a fact, anecdote, or quote — that will help the reader understand why you think it's important. Research helps you develop exciting project ideas that can support your work.

4. Pay Attention to Detail 

It’s surprising how often sloppy things get through editing. Take the time to proofread or have someone else do it for you. A polished essay stands out. 

5. Engage the Reader

Strong essays captivate readers with thoughtful insights, vivid descriptions, and a clear sense of purpose.

Enhance Your Writing with Research 

If you want to enter more than one writing contest, you may also consider the Harvard Crimson Global Essay Competition (HCGEC). The Harvard Crimson and Crimson Education host the competition online for students aged 10 to 18 worldwide, and Crimson Education is a university admissions consultancy. Early-bird registration costs $15, and students write an essay of up to 500 words in a creative, argumentative, or journalistic category.

In each of the three categories, first place wins $1,000, second place wins $750, and third place wins $500, paid as gift cards, vouchers, or educational grants equal to the cash value. Winners also receive Crimson Mentorship credit, a place on the Harvard Crimson Summer Journalism Course, and publication of their essays on the HCGEC website.

Learn more about the competition and register.

Other Writing Contests for High School Students

The Solid Essay Contest is one of many writing contests for high school students. Indigo Research’s guide to writing contests for high school students describes more writing contests that students can consider alongside this one.

Participating in scholarship essay contests for high school students will give you a chance to demonstrate your writing capabilities, put you on the map, and win a scholarship on the side. The benefits go beyond the immediate rewards, as you will also gain critical thinking and communication skills vital for academic and job excellence. Remember to be authentic, organized, and ready to research the theme in detail.