By the Scholarship editorial desk · Last updated 25 June 2026 · Verified against official program sources · 4 min read
The Gen and Kelly Tanabe scholarship is one of the easiest legitimate awards to enter: a single short essay, no financial-need test, and a wide eligibility net that runs from ninth grade through graduate school. It is named for two best-selling authors on college admissions who fund it themselves.
Core eligibility and award details
The first-place award is $1,000, with two recipients selected across the cycles. The essay can be on why you deserve the award, your academic or career goals, or any topic of your choice, and you may reuse an essay written for a class or another application. Funds are merit-based and the award is not renewable, but you may apply again.
| Key detail | What to know |
|---|---|
| Award | $1,000 first place |
| Number | 2 recipients |
| Requirement | One essay of 250 words or less |
| Eligibility | Grades 9 to 12, college, or graduate; U.S. residents |
| Need-based | No, merit only |
| Renewable | No, but you may reapply |
The scholarship is funded personally by Gen and Kelly Tanabe, authors of eleven books on college admissions and scholarships, which is part of why the application is so light. It is open to home-schooled students and adult learners as well as traditional students, and you may be studying abroad as long as you remain a U.S. resident. Only online applications are accepted, and you receive both an on-site and an email confirmation.
Deadlines and timeline
The scholarship runs on a fixed twice-yearly schedule, with deadlines on 31 July and 31 December every year. Only online applications are accepted, and you receive a confirmation on the site and by email. Because the dates are fixed, you can plan both entries well ahead.
| Stage | When |
|---|---|
| Summer deadline | 31 July |
| Winter deadline | 31 December |
| Confirmation | On site and by email after submitting |
| Winner notified | By the program after review |
How to apply, step by step
- Confirm you are a U.S. resident student in grade 9 to 12, college, or graduate school.
- Choose your essay angle: why you deserve it, your goals, or a free topic.
- Write or adapt an essay of 250 words or less, leading with a strong hook.
- Submit the online application before the 31 July or 31 December deadline.
- Check for the on-site and email confirmation, and reapply next cycle if needed.
Required documents
- Online application form
- One essay of 250 words or less
- Basic student and residency details
Selection criteria and renewal conditions
A committee selects winners based primarily on the personal statement, so the quality of those 250 words is everything. There is no need analysis, no transcript, and no recommendation letters. Open the essay with a hook, make it specific to you, and proofread carefully. If you are not selected, you can apply again in the next cycle with the same or a revised essay.
Because the committee decides almost entirely on the 250-word statement, spend your effort on a strong opening line that makes a reader stop. You can reuse an essay written for class or another scholarship, and if you do not win you can resubmit the same or a revised piece in the next cycle, so treat it as a repeatable entry.
Official source and application link
Always apply through the official source below and confirm current-cycle dates there before you submit.
Apply on the official Gen and Kelly Tanabe scholarship site
Supporting trust and usability notes
This is a verified, contactable program with a clear mailing address, which is why it passes the basic safety checks for legitimate scholarships. It pairs naturally with other low-effort, essay-only awards such as the Flavor of the Month scholarship. If you want a platform to find more of these quickly, see the ScholarshipOwl review, and STEM students should add the GeneTex scholarship program.
