Last Minute Scholarships

Here are some scholarships with late deadlines suitable for last-minute applicants. If you're hoping to scrape together a couple of extra bucks before you head off to school, look no further.

The Charles Shafae Scholarship Fund Papercheck Essay Contest ($500)
Deadline: March 1, 2009
Essay: Select another visually interesting city, describe 3-5 of its unique features, and explain their origin. Use sources, whenever possible, and MLA format throughout.

Patricia M. McNamara Memorial Scholarship ($1000)
Deadline: May 31, 2009
Essay: Describe your goals as you were growing up and how or if those goals have changed as you prepare for college.

American Spirit Publishing Portrait of America Scholarship Contest ($1000)
Deadline: June 1, 2009
Photo: How do you see America? Share an original photograph or photo of your artwork that conveys a sense of "America" as you see it.

OP Loftbed $500 Scholarship Award ($500)
Deadline: July, 31, 2009
Essay: Short answers to questions like: If you could send a postcard back to yourself 3 years ago, what would you say? If you were a fashion doll or action figure, what would be in the accessories package and why? If you were going to get a tattoo of any company or product logo, what would it be?

Ayn Rand Institute's Atlas Shrugged Essay ($10,000)
Deadline: Sept 17, 2009
Essay: Hank Rearden does not apply the same philosophy to his personal life that he applies to his business. In what way does this contradiction harm him psychologically and practically? What is the central error that he makes? How does correcting his error improve his life?

Akademos/TextbookX.com 2009 Scholarship ($2,000)
Deadline: October 31, 2009
Essay: Should there be a death penalty? Defend your position on practical, philosophical or ethical grounds.

MamasHealth.com Scholarship Award ($900)
Deadline: November 30, 2008
Essay: You must volunteer 30 hours at an animal shelter or with an animal rescue group and write an essay about the experience. The essay should be between 200 and 400 words.

MoneyMatters101.com 2008 Fall Scholarship Award ($300)
Deadline: December 31, 2008
Essay: With banks collapsing, soaring gas prices, companies filing for bankruptcy, people losing their homes, uncertainty in the stock market, rising unemployment figures, and the war in Iraq and Afghanistan, what are your thoughts on the current economic conditions?