The I Have a Dream Scholarship is an essay contest offering a $1,500 one-time award. It is open to all U.S. students who are legal residents of the 50 United States or the District of Columbia, are 14 years of age or older, and are currently enrolled (or plan to enroll no later than fall of 2027) in an accredited postsecondary institution of higher education. The application requires an online written response of 250 words or less answering: “We want to know… what do you dream about? The application deadline is January 31, 2026, with the winner notified around April 30th.
Unigo I Have a Dream Scholarship 2026 Summary Table
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Program Name | I Have a Dream Scholarship |
| Host Organization | Unigo |
| Category | Creative Contest / General Scholarship |
| Eligible Countries | U.S. Residents Only |
| Program Level | All Levels (High School to Graduate) |
| Reward Value | $1,500 (One-time award) |
| Essay Word Limit | 250 words or less |
| Application Deadline | January 31, 2026 |
I Have a Dream Scholarship: $1,500 Dream Essay Contest Details
The I Have a Dream Scholarship offers a $1,500 award to the student who can best articulate their dreams—whether those are reflections of personal goals and hopes for the future, or even reflections on interesting literal dreams. This contest emphasizes creativity and self-expression, providing an accessible route to college funding without relying on GPA or financial background.
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Unigo Scholarships Program Benefits and Award Structure
The award is designed to be a direct financial contribution to the winner’s college expenses, rewarding a compelling and creative short essay submission.
Tier 1: One-Time Financial Award ($1,500)
This is the central award amount provided directly to the scholarship winner.
- Award Amount: The winner receives a $1,500 one-time scholarship specifically for college expenses.
- Purpose: The funds are intended to help the winner pursue their academic dreams at an accredited postsecondary institution.
Tier 2: Focus on Personal Vision and Creativity
The scholarship encourages students to delve into their personal aspirations or imaginative experiences, differentiating it from traditional application essays.
- Essay Theme: The prompt is highly flexible, allowing applicants to discuss career goals, community aspirations, personal growth, or even recent unusual dreams.
- Concise Communication: The 250-word limit challenges students to be both creative and articulate in sharing their vision quickly and effectively.
Tier 3: Flexibility in Enrollment Timing
This tier highlights the flexible timeline for the winner’s college enrollment, making it suitable for both current students and those planning for the near future.
- Enrollment Window: Applicants must be currently enrolled, or planning to enroll no later than fall of 2027, in an accredited postsecondary institution.
- Notification: The scholarship winner will be notified by email or phone on or around April 30th following the application deadline.
Eligibility Requirements for I Have a Dream Scholarship
Eligibility is straightforward, focusing on U.S. residency, age, and future enrollment plans.
- Academic/Leadership:
- No minimum GPA or academic requirements specified.
- Study Status:
- Must be a U.S. student (currently enrolled or planning to enroll by Fall 2027).
- Enrollment must be in an accredited postsecondary institution of higher education.
- Visa Status:
- Must be a legal U.S. resident.
- Must be a resident of one of the 50 United States or the District of Columbia.
- Program Admission:
- Must be 14 years of age or older at the time of application.
- Must submit an online written response (essay) that meets the required criteria.
How to Apply for I Have a Dream Scholarship (Step by Step)
The application process requires creating an account and submitting the short essay response online.
- Get Started & Sign Up: Navigate to the scholarship page and sign up or log in to the Unigo platform (using Google or email).
- Draft Essay Response: Write your essay response to the question: “We want to know… what do you dream about?” Ensure the response is compelling, creative, and strictly adheres to the 250 words or less limit.
- Submit Online Response: Submit your completed essay through the online application portal.
- Await Notification: Wait for the winner notification date (on or around April 30th).
Application Deadline: January 31, 2026
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is the amount of the I Have a Dream Scholarship award?
The scholarship provides a one-time award of $1,500 to the single winner.
2. What is the specific essay question for this scholarship?
The question is: “We want to know… what do you dream about? Whether it’s some bizarre dream you had last week, or your hopes for the future, share your dreams with us for a chance to win $1,500 for college.”
3. What is the maximum word count for the essay submission?
The essay must be 250 words or less. Responses exceeding this limit may be automatically excluded.
4. When is the final application deadline for the contest?
The final application deadline is January 31, 2026.
5. Must I be currently enrolled in college to apply?
No. You must be currently enrolled or plan to enroll no later than fall of 2027 in an accredited postsecondary institution.
6. Are there any GPA or academic requirements to be eligible?
No, the scholarship is a general contest based on the creativity and quality of the written response, not on academic performance.
7. What is the minimum age required to apply for the scholarship?
Applicants must be 14 years of age or older at the time of application.
8. Is this scholarship open to residents of Puerto Rico or U.S. territories?
No. Applicants must be a legal U.S. resident and a resident of one of the 50 United States or the District of Columbia.
9. When will the scholarship winner be officially notified?
The winner will be notified by email or phone on or around April 30th following the application deadline.
10. Can I write about a literal dream (something I dreamed last night) or only about my future goals?
You can write about either! The prompt explicitly states, “Whether it’s some bizarre dream you had last week, or your hopes for the future, share your dreams with us.”
