Available Scholarships + Contests
Scholarships & Contests:
The Optimist Club of St. Paul, as part of Optimist International, sponsors three scholarship contests for students to earn money to pursue opportunities in higher education:
Essay Contest - Due February 13, 2026 Now Closed
Oratorical - Writing/Speech Contest - Due March 31, 2026 Now Closed
Communications Contest for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (CCDHH) - Due April 8, 2026
How to Enter: Interested students must contact their local Optimist Club, the Optimist Club of St Paul (optimist.stpaul@gmail.com), with the completed application before designated due date.
Optimist International - Essay Contest
This Contest is now Closed. Watch for the 2026-2027 Contest information to be posted Fall 2026
Thank you to all the students, teachers and family members who help their student compete in this years contest
The Essay Contest is sponsored to give young people the opportunity to write about their own opinions regarding the world in which they live. The approach can encompass a young person’s personal experience, the experience of their country or a more historical perspective. Topics vary by year, for the 2025-2026 school year the topic is: "How My Acts of Service Help Me Understand What My Community Means to Me”
The students first compete at the Club level awards of (1st $300, 2nd $200 & 3rd $100). Club winners advance to the District contest to compete for a $2,500 college scholarship
Application and rules for Optimist Club of St Paul Contest
Submission deadline – February 13, 2026
Optimist International - Oratorical / Speech Contest
This Contest is now Closed. Watch for the 2026-2027 Contest information to be posted Fall 2026
Thank you to all the students, teachers and family members who help their student compete in this years contest
The contest is designed for youth to gain experience in public speaking, perfect self-expression, gain self-assurance, improve communication skills, and provide them with the opportunity to compete for a college scholarship. Each contestant shall prepare their own speech. The contestant may receive advice in the preparation of the speech and may make minor changes or improvements in the speech at any time. Topics vary by year, for the 2025-2026 school year the topic is: "The Moment I Realized I Belonged — My Definition of Community”
The winners at the Club level receive medallions and Club level awards of (1st $300, 2nd $200 & 3rd $100). Zone winners receive a plaque. Districts have the opportunity to provide a first place scholarship of $2,500, a second place scholarship of $1,500, and a third place scholarship of $1,000.
Application and rules for Optimist Club of St Paul Contest
Guidelines for Oratorical Contest Participants
Submission deadline – March 31, 2026
Club Contest is set for Saturday, April 11th, 10am to 12 noon, First Floor Meeting Room at the Highland Park Library, 1974 Ford Pkwy, St Paul, MN 55116. For more information contact Oratorical Chairperson at optimist.stpaul@gmail.com
Optimist International
Communication Contest for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (CCDHH)
This Contest is now Closed. Watch for the 2026-2027 Contest information to be posted Fall 2026
This contest offers an opportunity for children who are deaf or hard of hearing to present their thoughts in the community, gaining skills which can only come from signing or speaking to a large audience. Patterned after the Optimist Oratorical Contest, the Communication Contest For the Deaf and Hard of Hearing offers hearing impaired youth the chance to compete in speech or sign language. Topics vary by year, for the 2025-2026 school year the topic is: "The Moment I Realized I Belonged - My Definition of Community"
The Club sponsors students to the District Level winner receives a Plaque and a $2,500 scholarship for use at a college, university, or trade school only.
Communication Contest for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (CCDHH)
Application and rules for Optimist DMM Contest - St Paul
Dakotas Manitoba Minnesota (DMM) District 35 Contest Information
Speech and Application Submission deadline – April 8, 2026
DMM District CCDHH Contest will be held Saturday, April 25th at 9am to noon at Metro Deaf School, 1125 Energy Park Dr., St. Paul. MN 55108
For more information Contact Jeri Gorman jeri.gorman@gmail.com
Other Scholarship Opportunities
Other Scholarship resources are available from these sources:
College Board: https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/pay-for-college/scholarship-search
Fast Web: https://www.fastweb.com/
Sally Mae: https://www.salliemae.com/
Scholarship America: https://scholarshipamerica.org/what-we-do/students-parents/
See also The Friend of Youth Foundation Scholarships.
Questions? Email Optimist Club of St. Paul optimist.stpaul@gmail.com.