Every 12 months we award one $500 scholarship to a college or university student who writes a clear, original essay on permanent life insurance. This page is the 2026 application — not a 2020 leftover.
Current cycle deadline: September 1, 2026 (and September 1 each year after). One student is selected at the end of the year based on the writing.
Who can apply
You must meet all of these:
- Currently enrolled at a college or university in good standing
- GPA of 3.0 or higher (attach an official transcript)
- One letter of recommendation on official letterhead from a professor or counselor at your school
- Original 500-word essay on permanent life insurance (see topics below)
If you are not enrolled, or you cannot provide the letter and transcript, wait until you can. We do not award based on a social-media pitch.
Award
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Amount | $500 (one recipient per 12-month cycle) |
| Basis | Creative, original writing — not GPA alone |
| Use | You decide (tuition, books, rent). We do not restrict the check beyond selecting one winner. |
| Publication | We may publish the winning essay (or an excerpt) on the Top Whole Life blog. If you need it anonymous, say so in the email. |
Essay (500 words)
Write 500 words on permanent life insurance. Original work only. Stats and quotes need a source.
Topic prompts (pick one, or a close cousin):
- Why protecting income matters more than a viral “insurance is a scam” thread
- A personal story about a death benefit, a policy loan, or a family that skipped coverage
- How the tax treatment of cash-value life insurance actually works (and what it does not do)
Do not paste a carrier brochure. We read for whether you understood the product well enough to explain it to a classmate.
How to apply
Email one message to quotes@topwholelife.com.
Subject line (required): Top Whole Life Scholarship – 2026 – Your School Name
Attach or include:
- First and last name, phone, and email
- Official GPA transcript
- Letter of recommendation on official letterhead
- The 500-word essay (attachment or in the body)
Applications after September 1, 2026 wait for the next cycle.
Questions about the program (not a quote): same inbox, same subject line with QUESTION at the end.
FAQ
When is the deadline?
September 1 each year. For this cycle: September 1, 2026.
Who wins?
One enrolled student. We pick based on the essay, after confirming eligibility (enrollment, 3.0 GPA, letter of recommendation).
Is my information public?
Application emails stay confidential. We may publish the winning essay on the blog; we will not release your transcript, phone number, or recommendation letter. One school and one student are awarded per cycle.
Can high-school students apply?
No. You must be currently enrolled at a college or university.
Need a whole life quote instead of the scholarship? That is a different form: get a quote.