Are you looking for a scholarship that rewards your story and helps pay for college? The Regions Riding Forward Scholarship Contest gives eligible students the opportunity to earn an $8,000 college scholarship by sharing how someone in their community has inspired them.
Unlike scholarships that focus mainly on grades, this contest asks you to tell a meaningful story about a person who has made a difference in your life. You can enter with a written essay or a video essay, provided your submission follows the official contest rules.
The 2026 contest has four quarterly entry periods, giving eligible students multiple opportunities to participate throughout the year. If you are planning to apply, understanding the eligibility requirements, application process, essay rules, and deadline is essential.
In this guide, we explain how the Regions Riding Forward Scholarship Contest works, who can apply, how much you can win, and how to submit your entry.
Important update: The fourth-quarter contest runs from October 1 through December 31, 2026. The deadline is 11:59:59 p.m. Central Time on December 31, 2026. Always check the official Regions Riding Forward Scholarship Contest page before submitting your application.
Regions Riding Forward Scholarship Contest at a Glance
| Scholarship detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scholarship name | Regions Riding Forward Scholarship Contest |
| Sponsor | Regions Bank |
| Award amount | $8,000 per winner |
| Number of awards | Four awards per quarterly contest |
| Entry format | Written essay or video essay |
| Essay topic | A person you know personally who lives in your community and has inspired you |
| Written essay limit | 500 words |
| Video essay limit | 3 minutes |
| Minimum age | 16 years old |
| Minimum GPA | 2.0, or good standing if the school does not provide a GPA |
| Eligible locations | 16 specified U.S. states |
| Q4 2026 deadline | December 31, 2026, at 11:59:59 p.m. Central Time |
| Official application | Apply through Regions Bank |
The scholarship is competitive, and meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee an award. Read the official contest rules for the complete conditions.
What Is the Regions Riding Forward Scholarship Contest?
The Regions Riding Forward Scholarship Contest is a college scholarship competition sponsored by Regions Bank. It recognizes people who positively influence their communities while helping eligible students pay for undergraduate education.
To participate, you choose someone you know personally who lives in your community and explain how that person has inspired you in an extraordinary way.
Your chosen person might be a teacher, parent, coach, mentor, community leader, neighbor, or another individual whose actions have made a meaningful difference in your life.
The contest gives you two submission options:
- Written essay: Share your story in 500 words or fewer.
- Video essay: Tell your story in a video no longer than three minutes.
For 2026, Regions organizes the competition into four separate quarterly contests. Each quarter has its own application period, deadline, and winners.
How much is the Regions Riding Forward Scholarship worth?
Each winner receives an $8,000 scholarship. Four awards are offered through each quarterly contest, with two awards for written essay entries and two for video essay entries.
That means eligible students can compete in different quarters if they meet the rules, but each person may win only one scholarship through the 2026 contest.
The award is intended for tuition and other qualifying undergraduate college expenses at an accredited college. It cannot be used for graduate-school tuition or other post-undergraduate program expenses. The official rules also specify when the funds must be used.
Regions Riding Forward Scholarship Eligibility Requirements
Before you begin your application, check whether you meet the official Regions Riding Forward Scholarship eligibility requirements.
For a 2026 quarterly contest, you must meet the following conditions at the time of entry.
1. Live in an eligible state
You must be a legal U.S. resident of one of these 16 states:
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- Florida
- Georgia
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- North Carolina
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Texas
Students living outside these states are not eligible under the 2026 contest rules, even if they attend an eligible college elsewhere.
2. Be at least 16 years old
You must be 16 or older when you enter the contest.
This requirement makes the opportunity available to eligible high school students and college students who meet the remaining conditions.
3. Have enough undergraduate study remaining
You must have at least one year or 18 semester hours remaining before completing your undergraduate college degree.
If you have not started college, you must begin your freshman year no later than the start of the 2027–2028 college academic school year.
4. Meet the academic standing requirement
Your cumulative GPA from your most recent school enrollment period must be at least 2.0.
If your school does not provide a GPA, you must be in good standing or the equivalent according to the official rules.
5. Submit your own original essay
Your entry must be your own original work, created solely by you and without the use of artificial intelligence. It must also meet the official rules for the format you choose.
Important: Do not submit an AI-generated or AI-written essay or video script as your contest entry. Use the scholarship information in this guide to understand the requirements, then create your submission independently in accordance with Regions’ rules.
Quick eligibility checklist
Before applying, confirm that:
- You are a legal resident of one of the 16 eligible states.
- You are at least 16 years old.
- You meet the remaining undergraduate study requirement.
- You meet the minimum GPA or school-standing requirement.
- Your story is about someone you know personally who lives in your community.
- Your submission follows the original-work and format requirements.
- You can submit your application before the quarterly deadline.
If you are unsure about any requirement, consult the official rules before entering.
Regions Riding Forward Scholarship Amount and Benefits
The Regions Riding Forward Scholarship Contest offers an $8,000 award for each winner.
The money can help reduce the cost of attending college, including qualifying tuition and other undergraduate education expenses.
Here are some potential benefits:
- Financial support: An $8,000 award can help cover a portion of your college expenses.
- Two ways to enter: You can choose a written essay or video essay.
- Multiple quarterly entry periods: Eligible students can enter different quarters, subject to the rules.
- Recognition for your story: The contest provides a platform for sharing the positive impact another person has had on your life.
Keep in mind that this is a contest, not an automatic tuition benefit. You must meet the eligibility requirements, submit a valid entry, and be selected by the independent judging panel.
Regions Riding Forward Scholarship Deadline 2026
The Regions Riding Forward Scholarship Contest has four separate deadlines in 2026.
| Quarterly contest | Entry period | Deadline | Approximate winner announcement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 | January 1–March 31, 2026 | March 31, 2026 | May 31, 2026 |
| Q2 | April 1–June 30, 2026 | June 30, 2026 | August 31, 2026 |
| Q3 | July 1–September 30, 2026 | September 30, 2026 | November 30, 2026 |
| Q4 | October 1–December 31, 2026 | December 31, 2026 | February 28, 2027 |
All deadlines are at 11:59:59 p.m. Central Time on the final day of the applicable quarter.
As of October 12, 2026, the Q1, Q2, and Q3 entry periods have closed. The Q4 2026 contest is the current opportunity to enter.
You must submit a separate application for each quarterly contest you enter. The rules limit you to one entry per person per quarter and one scholarship win through the contest.
Do not wait until the final evening to submit. Give yourself time to review your information, check your essay or video, and confirm that your entry has been received through the official website.
How to Apply for the Regions Riding Forward Scholarship Contest
The application process involves completing the online application and submitting a qualifying written or video essay.
Step 1: Visit the official scholarship website
Go to the Regions Riding Forward Scholarship Contest page.
Read the current contest information and official rules before starting. Make sure you are applying for the correct quarterly contest.
Step 2: Complete the quarterly application
Follow the application link and enter the requested information.
Use RidingForward as the program key when completing the application, as directed by the official instructions.
Complete all required fields carefully. Check your contact information and other details before proceeding.
Step 3: Choose someone who has inspired you
Your essay topic must be an individual you know personally who lives in your community.
Think about someone whose actions have changed your perspective, encouraged you to pursue your goals, helped you overcome a challenge, or inspired you to make a positive difference.
The strongest story for you will be one you can tell truthfully and in your own words.
Step 4: Choose your submission format
You may enter with either a written essay or a video essay.
Written essay requirements
- Maximum of 500 words.
- Must be written in English.
- Must be your original work, created without AI assistance.
- Must explain how the person you selected has inspired you in an extraordinary way.
You can write the essay directly in the application or paste it into the appropriate field.
Video essay requirements
- Maximum length of three minutes.
- Maximum file size of 1 GB.
- Must be in an accepted format: MP4, MPG, MOV, AVI, or WMV.
- Must be uploaded directly through the application.
- Must not include music or prohibited material.
- Must be your original work and follow all contest rules.
Check the official rules for additional restrictions and submission requirements.
Step 5: Review your application
Before submitting, verify that:
- Your application is complete.
- You selected the correct quarterly contest.
- Your essay addresses the required topic.
- Your written essay is within the word limit or your video meets the time and file requirements.
- Your work is original and follows the rules.
Step 6: Submit before the deadline
Submit your completed application and essay through the official website before the applicable quarterly deadline.
Do not assume that saving a draft means you have entered the contest. Follow the final submission instructions and retain any available confirmation for your records.
Step 7: Watch for winner notifications
Entries are reviewed by an independent panel of judges. If selected as a potential winner, you may need to respond to the contest administrator and provide the requested documentation within the stated timeframe.
Read the official rules so you understand what happens after submission.
Tips for Preparing a Strong Scholarship Contest Entry
The Regions Riding Forward Scholarship Contest asks you to explain how another person has inspired you. Your goal is to tell a clear, honest story that addresses the prompt.
Consider these tips as you prepare your own submission.
Focus on a specific experience
Instead of only describing someone as kind, hardworking, or inspiring, think about a particular moment that shows why you admire them.
What did the person do? What challenge were they facing? How did their actions affect you?
Explain the impact on your life
The contest is about the person who inspired you, but your explanation should also make clear why that person’s actions matter to you.
Describe what you learned, how your thinking changed, or what you did differently afterward.
Keep your story personal
You do not need an extraordinary celebrity or a famous community leader as your subject. The official prompt asks about someone you know personally who lives in your community.
A sincere story about a teacher, family member, mentor, or neighbor may be more meaningful to you than a broad description of someone you do not know.
Follow every technical requirement
For a written essay, remain within the 500-word limit. For a video, stay within three minutes and use an accepted file format.
An otherwise meaningful submission can be disqualified if it fails to meet the contest rules.
Create your submission independently
The official rules prohibit using AI to create your contest essay. Write your own essay or develop your own video submission without AI assistance. Do not copy someone else’s story or reuse another person’s work.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Regions Riding Forward Scholarship
1. Is the Regions Riding Forward Scholarship Contest open in 2026?
Yes. The contest has four quarterly entry periods in 2026. As of October 12, the Q4 entry period is open from October 1 through December 31, 2026.
2. How much money can I win?
Each winner receives an $8,000 scholarship. Four awards are offered in each quarterly contest: two for written essays and two for video essays.
3. What is the Regions Riding Forward Scholarship deadline for 2026?
The remaining 2026 deadline is December 31, 2026, at 11:59:59 p.m. Central Time for the Q4 contest.
4. Who is eligible for the Regions Riding Forward Scholarship?
Applicants must be legal residents of one of the 16 eligible states, at least 16 years old, meet the undergraduate study requirements, and have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 or be in good standing if their school does not provide a GPA.
5. Can high school students apply?
Yes, provided they meet all the eligibility conditions. Applicants who have not started college must begin their freshman year no later than the start of the 2027–2028 college academic school year.
6. Can I submit a video instead of a written essay?
Yes. The contest accepts written essays of up to 500 words and video essays of up to three minutes. Each format has its own technical requirements.
7. What should my Regions Riding Forward Scholarship essay be about?
Your essay must explain how an individual you know personally, who lives in your community, has inspired you in an extraordinary way. Choose a real person and describe the impact they have had on you.
8. Can I use AI to write my scholarship essay?
No. The official contest rules require your submission to be your own original work, created solely by you and without AI. Prepare your entry independently and follow the current rules.
9. Can I enter more than one quarterly contest?
You may submit a separate application for each quarterly contest, subject to the official rules. You are limited to one entry per person per quarter and can win only one scholarship through the contest.
10. Do I need to be a Regions Bank customer?
No. The official contest rules state that no purchase or banking relationship is required to enter or win.
11. When will Q4 2026 winners be announced?
The official schedule gives February 28, 2027, as the approximate winner announcement date for Q4. Check the contest website for updates.
12. Where can I apply for the Regions Riding Forward Scholarship?
Visit the official Regions Riding Forward Scholarship Contest website to review the rules and access the application.
Final Thoughts
The Regions Riding Forward Scholarship Contest offers eligible students a chance to win $8,000 toward undergraduate college expenses by sharing how someone in their community has inspired them.
Before applying, confirm your state of residence, age, academic standing, remaining undergraduate study, and essay eligibility. Choose the format that works for you, follow the official originality rules, and submit your application before the quarterly deadline.
If you qualify and plan to enter in 2026, the next deadline to keep in mind is December 31, 2026, for the Q4 contest.
Official resource: Regions Riding Forward Scholarship Contest — application, eligibility, deadlines, and official rules
Editorial note: Scholarship terms and contest dates can change. Confirm the latest information with Regions Bank before applying.