Last Updated: July 2026 | Reading Time: 7 Minutes | Category: Unique & Fun Scholarships
Not every scholarship needs a perfect GPA or a stack of test scores. Some just need you to know your ice cream flavor — and mean it.
The Flavor of the Month Scholarship, run by Unigo, is exactly that kind of award. It is fun, low-pressure, and open to almost every US student.
This guide covers everything: the requirements, the exact essay prompt, the deadline, how past winners approached it, and how to actually apply today.
What Is the Flavor of the Month Scholarship?
The Flavor of the Month Scholarship is an annual $1,500 award from Unigo, a scholarship platform that has awarded over $610,000 to students since 2007.
Unlike most scholarships, this one has nothing to do with grades. It rewards personality, creativity, and a genuinely fun answer to a genuinely fun question.
It is timed around July, which is National Ice Cream Month in the United States — the entire scholarship exists because of that one small seasonal detail.
The prize is a one-time, non-renewable award of $1,500, paid directly to the accredited college or university the winner attends.
Flavor of the Month Scholarship Requirements
The eligibility requirements for this scholarship are refreshingly simple compared to most competitive academic awards.
- Must be 14 years of age or older at the time of application
- Must be a legal resident of one of the 50 U.S. states or the District of Columbia
- Must be currently enrolled in, or planning to enroll in, an accredited post-secondary institution
- Eligible institutions include two-year colleges, four-year colleges, and trade or technical schools
- Open to high school freshmen through graduate students — there is no upper age or grade limit
This scholarship is strictly for U.S.-based applicants. International students, including those applying from Nigeria or elsewhere in Africa, are not currently eligible.
Flavor of the Month Scholarship at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
| Award Amount | $1,500, non-renewable, paid to your school |
| Application Deadline | Friday, July 31, 2026 |
| Winner Announced | On or around October 31, 2026 |
| Essay Word Limit | 250 words or fewer |
| Eligible Age | 14 years or older |
| Sponsor | Unigo.com |
| Applications Per Person | Limit of one |
Source: Official Unigo Flavor of the Month Scholarship page
How to Apply for the Flavor of the Month Scholarship
The application process is quick and entirely online. Here is exactly what it involves, step by step.
Step 1: Confirm You Meet the Basic Requirements
Check that you are 14 or older, a legal U.S. resident, and either enrolled in or planning to enroll in an accredited post-secondary institution.
Step 2: Create a Free Unigo Account
Visit the official Flavor of the Month Scholarship page and create a free account if you do not already have one.
Step 3: Fill in Your Background and Academic Details
You will be asked for basic contact information, your school details, and your academic background. This part takes only a few minutes.
Step 4: Answer the Essay Prompt
Submit a short, original, previously unpublished written response of 250 words or fewer to the official scholarship question, detailed in the next section.
Step 5: Proofread and Submit Before the Deadline
Applications must be submitted online by 11:59 PM Pacific Time on July 31, 2026. No new drafts or corrections are accepted after submission, so proofread carefully first.
The Official Essay Prompt
Every applicant answers the exact same question, and the entire scholarship hinges on how creatively you approach it.
“Summer and ice cream go hand-in-hand. In fact, July is National Ice Cream Month, and that’s the inspiration behind this award. We think people are very similar to ice cream; some are nutty, others a little exotic, while some are very comforting. If you were an ice cream flavor, which would you be and why?”
Your response must be written in English, with correct spelling and grammar, and must not exceed 250 words. No exceptions are made for late edits after submission.
Tips for Writing a Standout Response
Because this scholarship attracts a very high volume of applicants, a genuinely original and specific answer matters more than a technically perfect one.
- Pick a flavor that actually reflects something true about you, not just your favourite dessert
- Use a small, specific memory or moment rather than a general personality description
- Keep the tone playful and warm — this scholarship rewards personality, not formality
- Stay well within the 250-word limit; going over risks disqualification
- Proofread twice, since no corrections are accepted after you submit
Flavor of the Month Scholarship Winners
Unigo publishes selected past winning responses on its official winners page, and the range of approaches is genuinely inspiring.
One recent winning essay opened with a warm childhood memory of riding on a grandfather’s motorcycle to buy ice cream during a hot afternoon in Indonesia — using the flavor itself as a doorway into a much bigger story about family and comfort.
The strongest winning entries tend to share one quality: they use the ice cream flavor as a way into a real story, rather than treating it as the whole point of the essay.
Reading past winners before you write is one of the best ways to understand the tone and depth the judges respond to most.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a high GPA to apply for this scholarship?
No. This scholarship does not consider grades, test scores, or academic transcripts at all. It is based entirely on your written response.
Can international students apply?
No. This scholarship is restricted to legal residents of the 50 U.S. states or the District of Columbia.
How many times can I apply?
You are limited to one application per person per year. Submitting multiple entries will not improve your chances.
When will I find out if I won?
Winners are typically notified by email or phone on or around October 31, 2026, several months after the application deadline.
Is this scholarship legitimate?
Yes. It is sponsored directly by Unigo.com, a scholarship platform that has been operating since 2007 and has awarded hundreds of thousands of dollars to students.
The Flavor of the Month Scholarship proves that not every path to funding your education requires a perfect transcript.
Sometimes it just requires knowing yourself well enough to explain it through a scoop of ice cream — and $1,500 is a very real reward for a very short essay.
If you meet the requirements, the deadline is Friday, July 31, 2026. Visit the official Unigo application page today and start drafting your response.