Regions Riding Forward Scholarship Essay Contest*

Thank you for your interest in the Contest. The Contest ended 2/28/18, and the 2018 winners have been selected.

I am a living legend.

In honor of Black History Month and those who changed history, Regions gave students an opportunity to embrace their own legacies. By telling us about an African-American who inspired them, they entered the Regions Riding Forward® Scholarship Essay Contest, for a chance to earn a $5,000 or $3,500 college scholarship.

Col. Charles E. McGee, USAF Retired
Member of the groundbreaking Tuskegee Airmen, 1941

Col. Charles McGee and his fellow airmen made history as the first African-American aviators in the United States Armed Forces. They were among more than 14,000 members of the African-American U.S. Army Air Corps, all pioneers who overcame tremendous odds and barriers. With the support of these men and women, the Tuskegee Airmen earned a reputation for being some of the most highly respected fighter pilots and aviation crews of World War II. Their success – through courage, dedication and ingenuity – also paved the way for full integration of the U.S. military.

Who inspires you?

Is there a particular African-American who inspires you?

This year's applicants wrote about an African-American who has inspired and motivated them for the chance to earn a $5,000 or $3,500 scholarship. Their essays, in 500 words or less:

  1. Addressed how an African-American has been an inspiration in their lives
  2. Discussed the contributions of the African-American individual who has served to inspire and motivate them.

High School Seniors

Regions awarded $5,000 scholarships to 15 high school seniors who live in states with Regions branches and will attend an accredited college in the U.S. during the 2018-2019 academic school year.

College Students

Regions awarded $3,500 scholarships to 15 freshmen, sophomores or juniors who permanently reside in, or currently attend an accredited college in, states with Regions branches and will attend an accredited college in the U.S. during the 2018-2019 academic school year.

2018 Regions Riding Forward® Scholarship Winners - High School

2018 Regions Riding Forward® Scholarship Winners - College

Regions has awarded almost $900,000 in Regions Riding Forward scholarships to over 200 high school and college students.

How to Enter

NOTE: The 2018 Regions Riding Forward Scholarship Essay Contest is officially closed, and winners have been selected. The rules below apply to those who entered the Contest before February 28, 2018.

1. Complete an online application

Enter the Regions Riding Forward Scholarship Essay Contest between January 15, 2018, and February 28, 2018. Complete and save all requested information.

2. Write your essay

Choose the African-American you want to write about. It could be someone famous, a relative or a person you know. Just make sure the individual inspires and motivates you. For guidance, review the “How to Enter” instructions and the “Contest Judging Criteria” in sections 4 and 5 of the Official Rules, and be sure your essay is 500 words or less. You can write your essay directly in the application or you can copy and paste it into the appropriate area in the application form.

3. Review and submit

Review your information, check your essay for spelling and submit your entry by 11:59:59 p.m. Central Time on February 28, 2018.

4. Await notification

Winning essays are selected by an independent panel of judges who are not affiliated with Regions. If your essay was selected, you will need to respond to ISTS with the required information. Scholarship checks will be awarded by July 31, 2018.

Eligibility

NOTE: The 2018 Regions Riding Forward Scholarship Essay Contest is officially closed, and winners have been selected. The eligibility criteria below apply to those who entered the Contest before February 28, 2018.

High school seniors:

  • Be a legal U.S. resident of either Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee or Texas
  • Be age 13 or older
  • Be enrolled in 12th grade in a public or private school (or home school) located in one of the states listed above
  • Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0
  • Plan to attend an accredited college in the U.S. during the 2018-2019 academic school year

College students:

  • Either be a legal U.S. resident of one of the following states or a legal U.S. resident (of one of the 50 United States or D.C.) currently attending an accredited college located in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee or Texas
  • Be age 16 or older
  • Be currently enrolled as a full-time college undergraduate freshman, sophomore or junior at an accredited college in the U.S. and have least one year (or 18 credit hours) remaining before graduation
  • Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0
  • Plan to attend an accredited college in the U.S. during the 2018-2019 academic school year

EverFi Partnership

Regions is sponsoring a unique digital course that brings African-American history to life for high school students, in partnership with EverFi, a leading education technology company.

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Charles McGee name, images and references used with the express permission of Charles E. McGee. Tuskegee Airmen name and marks used with the express permission of Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. All rights reserved. *NO PURCHASE OR BANKING RELATIONSHIP REQUIRED. PURCHASE OR BANKING RELATIONSHIP WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. The 2018 Regions Riding Forward Scholarship Essay Contest begins on 01/15/18 and ends on 02/28/18 at 11:59:59 PM CT and is open only to certain High School Students and College Students who meet the eligibility requirements described in the Official Rules. At time of entry, (a) a High School Student must be a legal U.S. resident of one of the Eligible States and be enrolled in 12th grade in a public or private school (or home school) located in one of the Eligible States, and (b) a College Student must be a freshman, sophomore or junior currently enrolled in an accredited college in the U.S., and either (i) a legal U.S. resident of one of the Eligible States or (ii) a legal U.S. resident (of one of the 50 United States or D.C.) enrolled in an accredited college located in one of the Eligible States. (For purposes of Contest, the “Eligible States” are defined as the states of AL, AR, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KY, LA, MS, MO, NC, SC, TN and TX.) Visit regions.com/ridingforward for complete Contest eligibility and essay requirements, Contest details and Official Rules. Eligible entries will be grouped according to student's status (High School Student or College Student) and associated Eligible State, and judged by a panel of independent, qualified judges. Fifteen (15) High School Student Prizes (one per Eligible State) will be awarded consisting of a check in the amount of $5,000 made out to winner's accredited college. Fifteen (15) College Student Prizes (one per Eligible State) will be awarded consisting of a check in the amount of $3,500 made out to winner's accredited college. Sponsor: Regions Bank, 1900 Fifth Ave. N., Birmingham, AL 35203.