Stossel in the Classroom Essay Contest
Offered by Stossel in the Classroom · Free to apply
This annual essay contest offers cash prizes to students in grades 5 through 12 who write an argumentative essay on one of four featured policy and economic topics. Awards range from $50 honorable mentions up to a $2,500 first-place prize in both middle school and high school divisions. Finalist entrants must complete a brief virtual interview discussing their essay.
Other deadlines near this one
How hard is the Stossel in the Classroom Essay Contest to win?
A large applicant pool chases this award. Apply if the student is a genuinely strong fit, but build the plan around better-odds awards first. No published applicant or winner counts exist for this award, so Solyo shows no odds figure.
- Odds
- no published selection data
- Paperwork
- ~5 hrs to file
What drives the odds here
Odds on a scholarship are mostly a question of how many students can enter. Each rule below changes the size of that field.
- More rivalsOpen nationwide, so the field is large
- Fewer rivalsA long essay is required, and most browsers never finish one
How Solyo estimates this: We model the applicant field from how narrow the eligibility rules are, then divide the awards available by that field. Requirements such as essays and recommendation letters improve a serious applicant’s odds, because most browsers never complete them. These are estimates derived from each award's published structure, not reported acceptance rates, which almost no scholarship provider discloses. Treat them as a way to rank where the hours go, not as a guarantee.
Who can apply for the Stossel in the Classroom Essay Contest?
These are the eligibility rules Solyo verified against the official award page, translated into plain English. Your student must meet each one.
- Open to high school freshmen, high school sophomores, high school juniors, and high school seniors
- Must be in grades 5-12 (ages 10-19) during the contest period.
- Must reside in the United States, Canada, or at a U.S. military address, and submit in English.
- Students who enter the 2026-27 AI Challenge are not eligible to enter the essay contest.
- Past first-place winners cannot win again unless competing in a different division or contest category.
- Submissions are due by 11:59 PM Eastern Time.
Personalized matching
Does your student actually qualify?
Not sure your student clears every rule above? Solyo checks 20+ criteria against their real profile: GPA, state, grade level, intended major, and more, across every award in this directory at once.
What the application takes
- Essay required, about 1,000 words.
Deadline and application cycle
The current deadline is March 12, 2027. This award runs on an annual cycle, with deadlines around March 12 each year. Applications typically open in September.
- Applications open
- September 2026
- Applications close
- March 12, 2027
Free to apply. Legitimate scholarships never charge a fee. We use your student's information only to build their plan.
Common questions about the Stossel in the Classroom Essay Contest
How much is the Stossel in the Classroom Essay Contest worth?
The Stossel in the Classroom Essay Contest awards $50 to $2,500.
When is the Stossel in the Classroom Essay Contest deadline?
The current deadline is March 12, 2027. This award runs on an annual cycle, with deadlines around March 12 each year. Applications typically open in September.
When do Stossel in the Classroom Essay Contest applications open?
Applications typically open in September, and close March 12, 2027.
Who is eligible for the Stossel in the Classroom Essay Contest?
Key requirements: Open to high school freshmen, high school sophomores, high school juniors, and high school seniors.
Does the Stossel in the Classroom Essay Contest require an essay?
Yes. The application requires an essay of about 1000 words. Expect to spend about 5 hours on it.
How hard is it to win the Stossel in the Classroom Essay Contest?
A large applicant pool chases this award. Apply if the student is a genuinely strong fit, but build the plan around better-odds awards first. No published applicant or winner counts exist for this award, so Solyo shows no odds figure. What is known: a long essay is required, and most browsers never finish one. Plan on about 5 hrs of work.
Is the Stossel in the Classroom Essay Contest free to apply?
Yes. The Stossel in the Classroom Essay Contest is free to apply. Legitimate scholarships never charge an application fee, and Solyo verifies every listed award against its official page.
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- American Legion High School Oratorical Scholarship Program$500 to $2,000 · due December 5, 2026
- American Legion Montana Government Essay Contest$150 to $400 · due March 1, 2027
Lists this award appears on
Award details are curated by Solyo and verified against the official scholarship page. Deadlines and requirements can change between cycles, so always confirm on the provider's site before applying.