Scholarships
Speech and debate skills can help with several aspects of transitioning to college, including writing a great application and demonstrating readiness for college-level work. If you plan to continue speech and debate competition after high school, you can also explore one of many scholarships available for college participation!
College Scholarships
Would you like to submit a scholarship or request a change to a current listing?
NSDA Scholarships
The National Speech & Debate Tournament provides more than $100,000 in scholarships to student competitors.
What is a Letter of Recommendation?
A letter of recommendation is a way for someone who knows you well (such as a teacher, speech and debate coach, mentor, or supervisor) to share your character, work ethic, and accomplishments with colleges, scholarship committees, or other programs. These letters give readers a sense of who you are beyond grades, test scores, trophies, and transcripts. By the end of the letter, the reader should have a clear picture of your strengths and growth.
Letters of recommendation are often required for college or scholarship applications, and unlike other parts of your application, you don’t write or edit them yourself. Instead, you ask a trusted adult who can speak authentically about your skills and experiences to write the letter on your behalf. Usually, the recommender sends it directly to the school or program, so you don’t see it.
Choose Recommenders Carefully
Pick recommenders who know you well and can share specific examples of your skills and growth. Choose people who understand your strengths and can explain them clearly. Recommenders should be professional relationships—no family members or friends.
Ask Thoughtfully
Reach out four to six weeks before the earliest deadline to show respect for their time. Share what you’ve learned from them, how they’ve seen you grow, or why their perspective matters. This helps them understand why their letter will be meaningful.
Provide Complete Information
Share everything they might need to write a strong letter. This typically includes:
- Information about you:
- Your resume or activities list.
- Context about your goals and priorities—for example, the programs you’re applying to, your intended major, and why they’re important to you.
- Key traits or characteristics you’d like emphasized, such as leadership, resilience, critical thinking, collaboration, or intellectual curiosity.
- Specific anecdotes or achievements that illustrate your skills and contributions, especially ones your recommender may not remember in detail.
- Where and how they should submit the letter(s), such as forms, links, app, website, school portal, email, etc.
- Exact deadline(s)
| If the Requester Says “No” | If the Requester Says “Yes” |
|---|---|
| Sometimes, a potential recommender may decline because of time constraints, workload, or other reasons. This is normal and not a reflection on you or your abilities. Respond professionally and express gratitude for their time. You might say something like, “Thank you so much for considering it. I completely understand, and I really appreciate your support in other ways.” | Say Thank You Right Away A prompt thank you message matters. Even a short reply shows appreciation and professionalism. Check In Send a single polite reminder about one or two weeks before the deadline. Update them if anything changes. If you add a school, change a deadline, or no longer need a letter somewhere, let them know as soon as possible. Send a Final Thank You Note After letters are submitted, or at the end of the application season, send a thank-you note. Let them know where you decide to attend. |
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