USA Scholarships
Top Ten List Scholarship 2027 - $1,500 Unigo Essay
The Top Ten List Scholarship from Unigo asks you to write a top ten list of reasons you should win, in 250 words or less, for a $1,500 award paid to your accredited college, university, or trade school after proof of enrollment. Legal U.S. residents who are at least 14 and live in any of the 50 states or the District of Columbia may apply if they are enrolled now or enroll no later than fall 2031. The current cycle accepts applications from December 31, 2025 through December 31, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time. One entry per person is allowed, and Unigo judges weigh writing ability, creativity, originality, and overall excellence at 25 percent each.
What is the Top Ten List Scholarship?
Unigo built its Top Ten List Scholarship for students who would rather brainstorm bullet points than draft a five-page personal statement. The prompt is fixed: list the top ten reasons you deserve this scholarship, and keep the whole piece under 250 words. One winner earns $1,500, which Unigo sends to your accredited college, university, or trade school after you prove enrollment.
Residency rules mention both the fifty states and the District of Columbia, so D.C. students qualify on the same footing as applicants in Texas or Oregon. CareerOneStop sometimes tags the award with a D.C. filter because the rules text names the district alongside the states, but the scholarship itself is national. You still need to be a legal U.S. resident, at least fourteen, and on track for postsecondary study by fall 2031.
Treat the word cap seriously. Unigo rejects substitutions after you submit, and obscene or off-topic lists are disqualified. Past Unigo contests show that crisp humor and specific details beat generic praise. Read the rules about essay ownership before you enter, because Unigo retains rights to publish winning entries. When your list is ready, file once through the official Unigo page before the Pacific Time deadline on December 31, 2026.
Eligibility
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✓Legal U.S. resident age 14 or olderYou must be at least 14 on the day you apply and a legal resident of the United States per Unigo official rules.
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✓Resident of a state or the District of ColumbiaEligibility covers residents of all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The award is not limited to D.C. alone; students nationwide may apply.
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✓Enrolled or enrolling in accredited postsecondary studyYou must be enrolled in an accredited college, university, or trade school now, or enroll no later than fall 2031 according to the published rules.
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✓One application per personUnigo accepts only one application per individual. You cannot submit corrected drafts after the original entry.
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✓Original English response within 250 wordsYour top ten list must be original, unpublished, in English, with correct spelling and grammar, and no longer than 250 words.
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✓Not a Unigo employee or immediate familyEmployees, officers, directors, and agents of Unigo and related companies, their immediate families, and household members are ineligible.
Benefits
- Scholarship amount $1,500
- Payment method Check payable to your accredited school
- Selection criteria Writing, creativity, originality, excellence
- Application fee Free Unigo form
- Cash paid directly to student Institutional check only
- Renewable annual award Single non-renewable prize
Document checklist
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✓Online Unigo Top Ten List applicationComplete the form at unigo.com/our-scholarships with name, contact information, background details, and academic details.
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✓250-word top ten list essayAnswer the prompt: create a top ten list of the top ten reasons you should get this scholarship. Stay within the word cap.
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✓Accurate school and contact dataEnter enrollment information exactly as requested so Unigo can verify the winner and mail the institutional check.
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✓Proof of enrollment after winningWinners must submit proof of enrollment to Unigo on or before December 31, 2027 before the $1,500 check is sent to the school.
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✓No separate transcript upload requiredUnigo does not list GPA minimums or mandatory transcripts for this creative writing contest on the scholarship page.
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✓Parent or guardian forms if under 18Minors who win may need parental signatures on affidavits and releases described in the full Unigo rules.
How to apply
Deadline and timeline
FAQ
What is the Unigo Top Ten List Scholarship prompt?
You write a top ten list explaining the top ten reasons you should get the scholarship. The response must be original, in English, and 250 words or less.
How much is the Top Ten List Scholarship?
Unigo awards one winner $1,500 per cycle. The prize is paid as a check to the accredited postsecondary institution after the winner verifies enrollment.
Is the Top Ten List Scholarship only for Washington, D.C. students?
No. Official rules cover legal residents of all 50 states and the District of Columbia. D.C. residents qualify, but so do students in every other state.
When is the Top Ten List Scholarship deadline?
Applications close at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time on December 31, 2026 for the current cycle that opened December 31, 2025.
Does the Top Ten List Scholarship require a GPA?
Unigo does not publish a GPA minimum for this contest. Judges score your short written response rather than your transcript.
Can high school students apply for the Top Ten List Scholarship?
Yes, if you are at least 14, a legal U.S. resident, and enrolled or planning to enroll in accredited postsecondary study by fall 2031.
How does Unigo pick the Top Ten List winner?
A qualified panel rates writing ability, creativity, originality, and overall excellence at 25 percent each. Ties break on the overall excellence score.
Where do I apply for the Top Ten List Scholarship?
Apply through https://www.unigo.com/scholarships/our-scholarships/top-ten-list-scholarship during the open entry period.
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