Congressional Essay Contest

About the Contest

Started in the 1960s, the Congressional Essay Contest is an annual writing competition run by NSCDA corporate societies across the United States. High school freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors submit essays for a chance to win a scholarship for the Workshop Foundation’s renowned Congressional Seminar in Washington, D.C. The 2025 Congressional Seminar is scheduled for June 23-27.

Winners of the contest will receive full tuition and support for travel to our nation’s capital for the Congressional Seminar, a highly interactive, civics-focused workshop. The scholarship also provides university campus housing and meals, access to world class museums, tours, and more!

Download the 2025 Congressional Essay Contest Poster

Sample Itinerary

To participate in the Congressional Essay Contest, each applicant must:

• Be a high school freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior*
• Be 16 years of age or older by the start of the seminar the summer after the application deadline
• Write a compelling 750-word essay

Note: While children and grandchildren of active NSCDA members are encouraged to submit essays and may participate in the Seminar as Legacy Scholars at their family’s expense, they are not eligible for scholarships awarded to Congressional Essay Contest winners.

Legacy students, the children and grandchildren of active NSCDA members, are ineligible for scholarships to the Congressional Seminar, but legacies are welcome participants in the program.  See below for more information. Registration for Legacy Scholars closes on March 1st.

Legacy Information

Legacy Registration

• Additional Testimonials

  • CEC Testimonial
  • Workshops Foundation