The Ayn Rand Institute awards over $80,000 every year to adults and high school students that write an essay about one of Ayn Rand's novels. Two of these contests are open to high school juniors, one based on the novel The Fountainhead, and one based around any Ayn Rand novel of the essayist's choosing. More information can be found at the Ayn Rand Institute website, located at aynrand.org.
Every year, Penguin Books awards five high school students a $1,000 scholarship. Students must complete an essay based on a specific book chosen by Penguin. There are usually several topics to choose from. Interested students should visit the Signet Classics Essay Contest website at us.penguingroup.com.
The National Rifle Association Civil Rights Defense Fund sponsors an annual writing contest for high school students. There are several scholarships available of up to $1,000. Winners are chosen based on a 1,000-word essay demonstrating the importance of the Second Amendment of the United States Constitution. Interested high school juniors can find more information at nradefensefund.org.
The American Planning Association sponsors an essay contest every year that is open to both high school juniors and seniors. The awards are based on essay submissions written about a specific topic that varies from year to year. Several scholarship of $5,000 are awarded. More information is available at planning.org.
The Live Poets Society of New Jersey sponsors an annual poetry contest for high school students who submit a poem of 20 lines or less. Twelve scholarships are awarded each year, with prizes that range from $150 to $1,000. More information is available at highschoolpoetrycontest.com.