USA Scholarships
Partial Funding Undergraduate Masters the USA

NING Scholarship 2027 - $500 Essay Award

Deadline Around 30 September 2027 376 days left · Hosted by Ning Interactive Inc. · Published

The NING Scholarship is a small essay contest Ning Interactive Inc. has used to spotlight students who think creatively about online communities and digital culture. NING.com builds tools for private social networks, and the scholarship historically paid $500 to the top writer plus $300 and $200 to second and third place. You need to be at least 18, hold US citizenship or permanent resident status, and study toward a bachelor''s or master''s degree at an accredited US institution. Judges look for originality, strong grammar, and skillful writing rather than a fixed prompt every year. Submissions traditionally go to [email protected] as a convincing essay attached to an email. CareerOneStop and scholarship directories still list a September 30 deadline, but NING has not always promoted the contest on its homepage in recent years. Treat September 2027 as the expected window only after you confirm the cycle is live.

Three tiered prizes
Up to $500
Accredited US enrollment
Bachelor / master's
Traditional deadline
~30 Sep 2027
Age 18 or older
US citizens & LPRs
How to apply Am I eligible? Official website

What is the NING Scholarship?

Ning Interactive Inc. built its brand helping organizations launch private social networks, and the NING Scholarship was a way to celebrate students who think creatively about community and technology. The prizes are modest compared with full-tuition national awards, yet three students still walk away with cash when the contest runs.

The rules that appear in federal scholarship databases are straightforward: age eighteen, US citizenship or a green card, accredited US study at the bachelor or master level, and an essay emailed to [email protected]. Judges reward originality and clean writing more than résumé padding.

If you are planning for September 2027, start by confirming the cycle is live. NING’s marketing today focuses on platform subscriptions, not student grants, so a quick email to the scholarships inbox saves you from polishing an essay for a dormant program. When the contest is active, treat it as a low-stakes writing exercise that can still fund textbooks or software for your next semester.

Who can apply

Eligibility

Your progress 0 / 5
  • ✓
    US citizen or permanent resident
    Applicants must be US citizens or lawful permanent residents. NING does not describe F-1 or other visa categories as eligible in published scholarship finder records.
  • ✓
    At least 18 years old
    You must be 18 or older when you apply. High school students who have not reached that age need to wait for a later cycle or choose a different award.
  • ✓
    Enrolled in a US bachelor's or master's program
    Enrollment in an accredited US college or university bachelor's or master's track is required. Doctoral-only students are outside the published level-of-study wording.
  • ✓
    Original essay submission
    You write a convincing essay and send it by email. Entries are judged on originality and uniqueness, grammatical correctness, and skillful use of language.
  • ✓
    Confirm the current cycle before applying
    Because NING focuses on its community platform business, the scholarship may not run every year. Email [email protected] or watch ning.com for an official announcement before the September window.
What you get

Benefits

  • First place $500
  • Second place $300
  • Third place $200
  • Number of awards Three per cycle when run
  • Tuition paid to your bursar Paid to student per sponsor rules
  • Renewable multi-year funding One-time contest prizes
  • Travel or housing Not covered
What to prepare

Document checklist

Documents gathered 0 / 5
  • ✓
    Essay responding to the published theme
    Prepare a polished essay that shows creative thinking. Past cycles emphasized opinions and originality rather than a long list of achievements.
  • ✓
    Email submission to [email protected]
    Send the essay and your contact details to [email protected] using the subject line and instructions NING publishes for the active year.
  • ✓
    Proof of enrollment if requested
    Have a current transcript or enrollment verification ready in case NING asks you to confirm accredited US study after shortlisting.
  • ✓
    Citizenship or permanent resident documentation
    Keep a copy of a passport, birth certificate, or green card in case the sponsor verifies eligibility before releasing funds.
  • ✓
    Contact information in the email body
    Include your full name, school, program level, and a reachable email address so judges can reply without hunting through attachments.
Step by step

How to apply

Search ning.com and email [email protected] early in 2027. If no reply or announcement appears by late summer, the contest may be paused.
Pick a fresh angle tied to community building, technology, or another theme NING highlights that year. Avoid recycled personal statements from other scholarships.
Judges explicitly score language skill. Read the essay aloud, fix typos, and ask a friend to spot awkward sentences before you send it.
Attach or paste the essay according to the instructions NING provides. Use a professional greeting and include enrollment details in the message body.
Keep the sent email in your archive. Historical cycles named winners roughly a month after the September deadline.
If NING confirms the contest is inactive, redirect your essay work toward other partial-funding awards listed on USA Scholarships.
When

Deadline and timeline

Application deadline
Around 30 September 2027
376 days left
Spring 2027
Check ning.com and email [email protected] to learn whether the essay contest will run.
Summer 2027
Draft and revise your essay once the theme or instructions are confirmed.
September 2027
Traditional submission window ending around September 30 when the sponsor operates the program.
October 2027
Historical winner announcements have landed about one month after the deadline.
After notification
Winners complete any verification steps NING requests before prize money is sent.
Questions

FAQ

What is the NING Scholarship?

It is a small essay contest from Ning Interactive Inc., the company behind NING.com community websites. When active, it pays $500, $300, and $200 to the top three US student writers.

Who is eligible for the NING Scholarship?

Published rules target US citizens or permanent residents who are at least 18 and enrolled in an accredited US bachelor's or master's program. Doctoral-only enrollment is not described in the standard listing.

How much is the NING Scholarship worth?

The first-place award is $500, with $300 for second place and $200 for third place. All three prizes are one-time payments, not renewable tuition grants.

When is the NING Scholarship deadline?

CareerOneStop and scholarship directories list September 30 as the recurring deadline. Confirm the exact date each year because NING may pause the program.

How do you apply for the NING Scholarship?

You traditionally email a convincing essay to [email protected]. Follow any subject-line or formatting rules NING posts for the active cycle.

Is the NING Scholarship still available?

The contest was widely advertised around 2019 and may not appear on ning.com today. Email the scholarships inbox or watch for a fresh announcement before you apply for the 2027 window.

What does NING look for in essays?

Judges emphasize originality, uniqueness, grammatical correctness, and skillful language. Generic essays that could fit any sponsor rarely place.

Can international students on F-1 visas apply?

Published eligibility specifies US citizens or permanent residents only. F-1 students should look at nationwide awards with explicit international eligibility instead.

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Always verify scholarship details on the official source before applying. Information on this page may change.

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