Matter to Matter Scholarship
$300, awarded monthly, to a student who taught themselves something that matters to them.
We think one the most interesting things about students is what they chase when no one is grading them. The Matter to Matter Scholarship recognizes students who learn for their own reasons.
Terms & Conditions ↗
REQUIREMENTS
Citizen / Eligible Noncitizen
You must be either: (i) a citizen or permanent resident of the U.S.A. or Canada; or (ii) a holder of a valid F1 I-20 or J1 DS-2019 visa for the U.S.A. or Canada.
Enrolled Student
You must be enrolled or registered at an accredited elementary school, middle school, high school, community college, university or graduate school for the current or upcoming semester / quarter.
3.0 GPA or Higher
You must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 (or its equivalent) or higher for the current or previous academic year.
Original Written Essay
You must write and submit an original essay in response to the following prompt: What's something you taught yourself, and why? Tell us about a skill, subject, or idea you pursued on your own, outside of school. What pulled you in? Walk us through one specific moment where it got hard, and what you did about it. What's changed, either for you or someone else, because you stuck with it?
• 300-600 words.
• One submission per applicant, per month.
Show Your Work (Optional)
Within your essay, provide a link to anything that backs up your essay: a photo, a blog post, an Instagram account, a screenshot, or a video of a finished project.
Submission Deadline
To be eligible for any month's scholarship, your submission must be uploaded by 11:59 p.m. PT on the 20th of that month.
Acceptance / Notification
If you are notified by email that you have been selected as a scholarship recipient, you must confirm acceptance by return email within five (5) days of being notified. If no response is received within five (5) days, another winner will be selected. Scholarship applicants who have not been selected will not be notified.
scholarship@matter.education
PHONE
+1 (424) 222-8411
2025—2026
Scholarship Recipients
Matter is proud to honor prior recipients of the Matter to Matter Scholarship.
Fatih K
Granada Hills, CA
Read essay ↗
Micah P
Simi Valley, CA
Read essay ↗
Cleo K
Los Angeles, CA
Read essay ↗
Gia O
San Ramon, CA
Read essay ↗