Vegetarian Resource Group Scholarships

Scholarship Sponsored by Vegetarian Resource Group

Overview
Thanks to anonymous donors, The Vegetarian Resource Group awards $50,000 in college scholarships each year to graduating U.S. high school students who have actively promoted veganism in their schools or communities. (Vegetarians avoid meat, fish, and fowl. Vegans also avoid animal products such as dairy and eggs.)

Awards
- One $10,000 scholarship
- Six $5,000 scholarships
- Additional runner-up prizes will also be awarded

Eligibility
- Must be a U.S. high school student graduating in SPRING 2026.
- Applicants should have a record of promoting veganism and demonstrate compassion, courage, and a commitment to a peaceful world through a vegan lifestyle.
- Scholarship funds are paid directly to the winner’s U.S.-based college.

Important notes
- Winners give permission for The Vegetarian Resource Group to release their names to the media.
- Applications and essays become the property of The Vegetarian Resource Group.
- Finalists may be contacted for additional information.
- Scholarship winners are contacted by e-mail or telephone—please check your e-mail regularly.

How to apply
You do not need a special form. A neatly typed document that includes the items below is an acceptable application. Use additional paper if necessary.

I. Personal and school information (include all of these)
- Full name
- Street address; City, State, Zip
- Email address
- Phone number
- Date of birth
- Expected high school graduation date (SPRING 2026)
- High school grade average
- Colleges applied to / accepted to (if known)
- Anticipated college major
- Parents’/Guardians’ names and address (City, State, Zip)
- High school name and address (City, State, Zip)
- High school principal’s name
- Name of one high school teacher (for reference)
- People in the vegetarian/vegan movement who know you (include contact info)
- Extracurricular activities (brief description)
- Favorite school subjects
- How you heard about this scholarship

II. Essay (address all of the following)
Please respond to each prompt clearly. You may use separate numbered sections.

1. How you promoted veganism in your high school and/or community
2. Your successes
3. Your challenges
4. What you learned and what you would do differently
5. How you expect to promote veganism in college and beyond
6. Your future goals
7. Your strengths
8. Your weaknesses
9. Your “perfect” life in five years
10. Why you should receive this scholarship
11. How you became vegetarian or vegan and why you are vegetarian or vegan
12. How you define “vegetarian” and “vegan”
13. Why vegetarianism and veganism are important to you
14. What else is important to you
15. What vegetarian foods you would recommend to a non-vegetarian
16. What restaurants you would recommend to a non-vegetarian

III. Attachments
- Transcripts or report cards for the past two years (photocopies are fine; official copies are not required)
- Three or more recommendation letters (at least one from a teacher)
- Documentation of your work promoting vegetarianism/veganism (photographs, newspaper articles, flyers, etc.)

Submission and follow-up
- Assemble your typed application, essay, and attachments and submit according to the instructions provided by The Vegetarian Resource Group (follow any submission address or portal directions they give).
- Keep copies of everything you send.
- If you are selected as a finalist, be prepared to provide additional information if requested.
- Watch your email and phone for notifications.

If you want, I can help you organize your application, edit your essay, or review your list of activities and recommendations.