Spring Break, But Make It Profitable

Scholarships Due Before March 23

Olivia Fanjoy, Copy Editor/Social Media Manager • March 12, 2026

Published: March 9, 2026

Create-A-Greeting-Card Scholarship

Award: $10,000
Who It Is For: Students interested in art, illustration, or graphic design
Deadline: March 23
Apply: https://www.gallerycollection.com/greeting-card-scholarship.htm

National Scholarships

Horatio Alger National Scholarship

Award: Up to $25,000
Who It Is For: Students who have overcome adversity and demonstrate financial need
Deadline: March 15
Apply: https://scholars.horatioalger.org/scholarships/

Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes

Award: $10,000
Who It Is For: Students who have created impactful community service or environmental initiatives
Deadline: March 15
Apply: https://barronprize.org/apply/

Innovation in Education Scholarship

Award: $500
Who It Is For: Students who have created innovative projects that help others learn
Deadline: March 20
Apply: https://www.latutors123.com/scholarships/innovation-in-education/

Scholarships for Specific Backgrounds

UCB Family Epilepsy Scholarship

Award: Up to $10,000
Who It Is For: Students living with epilepsy or seizure disorders
Deadline: March 14
Apply: https://www.epilepsy.com/ucb-scholarship

Catching the Dream Scholarship

Award: Up to $5,000
Who It Is For: Native American students pursuing higher education
Deadline: March 15
Apply: https://catchingthedream.org/scholarships/

Quick Spring Break Scholarship Strategy

If you are currently in “spring break mode,” here is a simple strategy:

Open a document titled “Scholarship Essays I Will Reuse Forever.”
Write one strong personal statement about your goals, challenges, and achievements.
Adapt that essay slightly for multiple applications.

Many scholarships ask very similar questions. With a little editing, one essay can carry you through several applications.

In other words, one hour of writing could be worth thousands of dollars. That is a better hourly rate than almost any campus job.

So whether your spring break plans include travel, sleeping until noon, or staring thoughtfully at your ceiling while contemplating life, consider adding one more activity to the list: applying for scholarships.

Your future self (and your bank account) will thank you.

Volume 57 Issue 13

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About the Contributor

Olivia Fanjoy, Editor-in-Chief

Olivia Fanjoy is a clarinetist, writer, and the Co-Editor-in-Chief of The Free Press for the 2026–2027 academic year at the University of Southern Maine. She is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Music. Her interest in journalism grew out of a fascination with ideas, institutions, and the ways people communicate with one another. At The Free Press, she is especially interested in stories surrounding higher education, campus culture, the arts, and the growing role of technology in everyday life. She believes student journalism should challenge people to think critically while still remaining deeply connected to the community it serves. Outside of the newsroom, Fanjoy studies clarinet with Dr. Thomas Parchman and performs with the Osher School of Music Wind Ensemble and the Southern Maine Symphony Orchestra. She has also performed in numerous pit orchestras for musicals and opera productions, including productions of Urinetown, Heathers, Fiddler on the Roof, and Gianni Schicchi. Fanjoy also works at Great Waters Summer Concerts, where she has developed experience in nonprofit arts management, marketing, and community engagement. As a visually impaired musician, she is passionate about accessibility, creative expression, and building environments where people feel encouraged to participate, question, and grow.