For many students, driving is the first step to independence. The freedom to commute to
school activities, meet up with friends to
shop the latest deals or to grab a bite to eat—getting a driver’s license is a rite of passage for America’s youth.
Driving, however, comes with a lot of responsibility. Awareness and education are important pieces to keep drivers, passengers, and others safe. According to
DmvEdu.org, 34,000 Americans die each year from driving accidents. U.S. highway fatalities are often associated with careless driving.
To increase awareness, the National Driving and Traffic School is offering an essay scholarship opportunity that focuses on the importance of being a safe and educated driver.
Deadline: 3/31/2023
Available to: High School Students – Current College Students
Award Amount: $3,000
The Driver Education Initiative Award: In the Driver's Seat is open to current high school and college students. You must submit an essay of no more than 500 words.
In the Driver's Seat Scholarship Details
The National Driving and Traffic School sponsors three yearly awards, offering spring, summer, and fall scholarship opportunities.
To be eligible for the contest, submit your essay by one of the 2023 submission dates.
• Spring Round: January 3 - March 31
Round One winners will be announced on May 3.
• Summer Round: May 3 - August 1st
Round One winners will be announced on September 1.
• Winter Round: September 1 – November 30
Round Three winners will be announced on January 1, 2024.
Scholarship applicants should answer the following questions in their essay:
• What is the importance of driver education in reducing the number deaths as a result of driving?
• What steps can be taken to reduce the number of deaths related to driving?
• Have you ever had an experience of being in a car accident or have seen your friends or family members driving irresponsibly?
• What steps can you take to be a better and safer driver as well as help others become safer on the road?
Applicants should also include a photo to post along with the essay and application.
Voting for the In the Driver's Seat Scholarship Contest
There is a voting component to this scholarship contest. Two winners will be chosen for each contest—staff favorite and most voted for.
Essays for each contest round will be posted on dmvedu.org, where anyone can vote for their favorite scholarship essay. Voting ends on the date of the contest deadline.
Submissions for the current scholarship round are already being
posted and voting has begun!
More Scholarship Opportunities
If you enjoy applying for awareness themed scholarships, you may be interested in the following opportunities:
Kelsey’s Law Distracted Driving Awareness Scholarship
Deadline: 3/31/23
Available to: High School Juniors and Seniors
Award Amount: Up to $2,000
The Kelsey’s Law Distracted Driving Awareness Scholarship is open to 11th and 12th grade students attending any public or private Michigan high school who is a Michigan resident with a valid Michigan driver’s license. You must submit a persuasive message that shows how you would convince young drivers to reduce distractions while driving in order to be considered for this award. Messages may be in the form of a video, graphic or Tweet that resonates with teens and influences their driving behavior.
Technology Addiction Awareness Scholarship
Deadline: 6/30/23
Available to: High School Freshmen through College Graduate Students
Award Amount: Varies
The Technology Addiction Awareness Scholarship is available to high school, undergraduate, and graduate students. To be considered, you must submit a 140 - character statement that completes the following sentence: I'm taking responsibility for my digital profile by...
Cyberbullying Awareness Scholarship
Deadline: 8/31/23
Available to: High School Freshmen through College Graduate Students
Award Amount: $1,000
The Cyberbullying Awareness Scholarship is open to high school seniors planning to attend college, or anyone currently enrolled in an undergraduate, graduate, or law program at a college or university in the United States. You must be in good academic standing, have a minimum GPA of 3.0, and submit a 750-word essay in response to the prompt: "Discuss the role of parents, school administration, and the role YOU could play in cyberbullying awareness and prevention. How can these parties react to cyberbullying and what steps can they take to effectively prevent it?" in order to be considered for this award.
Mobility Disability Scholarship
Deadline: 9/1/23
Available to: Students Minimum Age 16
Award Amount: $500
The Mobility Disability Scholarship is available to students who have a mobility disability, and to those who have a regard for disability awareness in America. To be considered, you must submit an essay on the following theme: "Pick an experience from your own life and explain how it has influenced your development."
Ocean Awareness Contest
Deadline: 6/13/23
Available to: Students Maximum Age 18
Award Amount: $1,500
The Ocean Awareness Contest is open to students between the ages of 11 and 18. Students are invited to learn about the climate crisis and its impact on oceans; discover or imagine solutions at local, national, or global scales; and create work that explores hope in action. Submissions are accepted in visual art, creative writing, film, interactive and multimedia, music and dance, poetry, and spoken word.
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