USA Scholarships
Partial Funding Undergraduate Pre-University the USA

JumpStart Love of Learning Scholarship 2027

Deadline 31 December 2026 104 days left · Hosted by College JumpStart Scholarship Fund · Published

The College JumpStart Love of Learning Scholarship 2027 is a $1,000 merit award from the College JumpStart Scholarship Fund. You write one personal statement of 250 words or fewer about the idea or subject you are most passionate about, or any topic you choose if the passion prompt does not fit. High school students in grades 10 through 12, current undergraduates, and applicants who will start college within the next twelve months may enter. You must be a US citizen or legal resident planning to attend an accredited US two-year, four-year, community, vocational, or trade program, including online degrees. Judges score content, not polish, and they ignore GPA, test scores, and financial need. The Love of Learning cycle closes 31 December 2026.

One award per cycle
$1,000
Or college within 12 months
Grades 10-12 + college
Love of Learning deadline
31 Dec 2026
Accredited US schools
US citizens & residents
How to apply Am I eligible? Official website

What is the College JumpStart Love of Learning Scholarship?

College JumpStart built its brand around perseverance and curiosity, and the Love of Learning Scholarship is the December installment of that story. You are not uploading a transcript or chasing recommenders. You write 250 words about what sparks you, or you pick another topic if the passion question feels forced, and judges score the idea itself.

Eligibility is broad on purpose. Sophomores in high school compete with college juniors and adults returning to school, as long as everyone is a US citizen or legal resident headed to an accredited US program. Online degrees count, which helps rural students and working parents. Because GPA and test scores stay out of the rubric, a student with uneven grades but a sharp essay can win over a perfect transcript with nothing to say.

The calendar is simple: submit by 31 December 2026 for this cycle, then watch the JumpStart winners page after review. If you miss December, the same organization runs Show Grit, Gratitude, and Pay It Forward scholarships later in the year with fresh prompts.

Pair this entry with other essay-heavy awards like the Education Matters Scholarship 2026 or the Pay It Forward Scholarship 2026. Apply directly on the Love of Learning application page.

Who can apply

Eligibility

Your progress 0 / 6
  • ✓
    US citizen or legal resident
    You must be a US citizen or legal resident at the time of application. International students on F-1 visas and undocumented applicants without legal resident status are outside the published rules.
  • ✓
    High school sophomore through college student
    Current high school students in grades 10, 11, or 12 may apply, as may students already enrolled in college. You may also apply if you will enter an accredited US institution within the next twelve months.
  • ✓
    Accredited US postsecondary plans
    You must attend or plan to attend an accredited two-year, four-year, community, vocational, or trade school in the United States. Online programs qualify according to the official application page.
  • ✓
    Commitment to education
    College JumpStart expects you to use higher education to better your life and your family or community. Your essay should show genuine curiosity rather than a generic resume recap.
  • ✓
    No GPA or test score requirement
    Financial need, grades, and standardized test scores are explicitly not considered. A 250-word statement carries the entire academic merit review.
  • ✓
    250-word personal statement
    Answer the passion prompt or write on a topic of your choice within 250 words. Judges evaluate substance over writing style, so pack specific examples into tight sentences.
What you get

Benefits

  • Cash award $1,000
  • Number of winners 1 per Love of Learning cycle
  • Merit-only review No GPA, tests, or need scoring
  • School types covered 2-year, 4-year, trade, online accredited US
  • Renewable each year Not automatic - reapply in future cycles
  • Room and board guarantee Not separately promised
  • International students Not eligible
What to prepare

Document checklist

Documents gathered 0 / 6
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    College JumpStart online application
    Complete the Love of Learning form at jumpstart-scholarship.net. Select your school from the list or choose School Not Listed if your college is missing.
  • ✓
    250-word personal statement
    Paste your response into the application field. Pick either the passion question or your own topic, and stay at or under the word limit.
  • ✓
    Contact and enrollment details
    Provide accurate name, email, phone, and school information. Winners are announced on the JumpStart site, so use an inbox you check weekly.
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    Educational goals selection
    Choose the goal category that best matches your degree plan inside the form. This helps organizers report outcomes but does not replace the essay.
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    Certification statement
    Certify that your answers are complete and correct and that you will use any award only for US higher education expenses, as the form requires.
  • ✓
    No transcript or recommendations
    Unlike many $1,000 awards, this cycle does not ask for transcripts, FAFSA, or recommendation letters. Do not attach extra files unless the live form adds them.
Step by step

How to apply

Decide whether the passion prompt fits. If not, choose your own topic, but keep the focus on one idea you can explain with a vivid example in 250 words.
Follow the site quote from Thomas Jefferson: avoid filler. Cut adjectives, name the subject, and show one moment that proves you care.
Go to jumpstart-scholarship.net/application-love-of-learning-scholarship and start the form before holiday travel season slows you down.
Select your current or planned college from the dropdown or use School Not Listed. Pick the educational goal category that best matches your major path.
Count words manually or with a processor set to exclude the prompt text. Typos will not disqualify you, but unclear sentences hurt substance scoring.
Check the certification box and submit once. Save a screenshot of the confirmation page in case you need proof of timely filing.
College JumpStart posts winners on its site after review. If you win, follow disbursement instructions so the $1,000 reaches your school account.
When

Deadline and timeline

Application deadline
31 December 2026
104 days left
Sep - Dec 2026
Love of Learning application open on jumpstart-scholarship.net.
Nov 2026
Draft and revise the 250-word personal statement.
31 Dec 2026
Love of Learning Scholarship deadline.
Jan 2027
Organizers review entries on content and commitment to learning.
Spring 2027
Winner announced on the College JumpStart site.
2027 academic year
$1,000 applied toward accredited US study expenses.
Questions

FAQ

What is the College JumpStart Love of Learning Scholarship?

It is a $1,000 merit scholarship from the College JumpStart Scholarship Fund. Applicants submit a 250-word personal statement about a passion or another topic of their choice. One winner is selected for the December cycle.

Who can apply for the Love of Learning Scholarship?

High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors, current college students, and anyone entering an accredited US college within twelve months may apply. You must be a US citizen or legal resident.

Does the Love of Learning Scholarship require a GPA?

No. The official application states that grades, test scores, and financial need are not considered. Judges focus on the content of your 250-word statement.

What is the Love of Learning essay prompt?

You may answer what idea or subject you are most passionate about and why, or you may write on any topic you choose. Keep the response at 250 words or fewer.

When is the Love of Learning Scholarship deadline?

The December cycle closes on 31 December 2026 according to the live application page. College JumpStart runs additional $1,000 awards in March, June, and September for other essay themes.

Can community college students apply?

Yes. Accredited two-year, four-year, community, vocational, trade, and online US programs all qualify. Select your institution in the form or choose School Not Listed.

How much is the College JumpStart Love of Learning Scholarship?

The award is $1,000 for one winner in the Love of Learning cycle. It is partial funding meant to offset tuition, fees, or related educational costs at your accredited US school.

How is the Love of Learning Scholarship different from other JumpStart awards?

College JumpStart offers four $1,000 scholarships each year with different essay themes: Love of Learning in December, Show Grit in March, Gratitude in June, and Pay It Forward in September. Eligibility rules are similar, but prompts and deadlines differ.

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