Each year the American Mensa Education and Research Foundation awards cash scholarships to individuals pursuing higher education. Both Mensa members and nonmembers may enter the scholarship competition.
Orange County Mensa actively participates in this program by judging local entries. Our educational fund, administered through the Mensa Foundation, includes both the Art Mattson Memorial Scholarship (formerly the Orange County Mensa Scholarship) and the Larry Grannis Memorial Scholarship.
2024-2025
Mensa Scholarship Essay Competition
The Orange County Mensa Board of Directors is pleased to announce the following scholarships:
Art Mattson Memorial Scholarship: $3,500
Larry Grannis Memorial Scholarship: $2,000
Both scholarships are open to applicants who reside in a zip code assigned to Orange County Mensa.
Both Mensa members and nonmembers are eligible.
Other scholarships are also available through the Mensa Foundation.
Students must attend or plan to attend college or graduate school for the 2025 – 2026 academic year.
Although this year’s application period has ended, it’s never too early to prepare for next year’s opportunities.
How to Apply for a Mensa Scholarship
The Foundation’s college scholarship program bases its awards totally on essays written by the applicants. Consideration is not given to grades, academic program or financial need.
Essays must be uploaded between September 15 and January 15.
Essays should explain the applicant’s academic and professional goals and how their personal experiences will help them to accomplish those goals. The essays are judged on content, grammar, organization, and craftsmanship.
Note: Essays are restricted to a maximum of 550 words and must include a minimum of two paragraphs.
Be sure to read all requirements, rules, and guidelines on the Mensa Education and Research Foundation website before submitting your application.
Applicants: submit essays online here between September 15 and January 15.
ELIGIBILITY for Mensa scholarships
- Applicant must be enrolled in a degree program in an accredited American institute of post-secondary education (or intend to enroll for the following academic year).
- While some of the scholarships are for specific areas of study, most are for students in any major.
- Applicant need not be a member of Mensa nor qualified for Mensa.
- However, there may be additional awards for Mensa members and/or their dependents.
- All general awards are unrestricted as to age, race, gender, level of post-secondary education or financial need.
- To be eligible for the Art Mattson Memorial Scholarship or the Larry Grannis Memorial Scholarship, applicants must reside in a zip code assigned to Orange County Mensa.
- More information is on the Mensa Education and Research Foundation website.
Mensa Member Scholarships
- Additional scholarships may be available for Mensa members (and IRS dependents)
- Only a single application/essay is required.
Questions?
The answers to Frequently Asked Questions about the Mensa Foundation Scholarship Program are available from the Mensa Foundation.
Or, you may contact our OCM Scholarship Chair.
Past Winners
You can see the list of winners for recent years and read sample essays from selected past scholarship winners here.
If you plan to enter your own essay in the competition, look these essays over first to see what our judges have liked in the past. Whether you’re a contestant or not, you’ll enjoy reading some excellent writing from some scholars of high intelligence.
Volunteer to Be a Scholarship Judge!
We need judges to read and evaluate essays submitted by students who have applied for a Mensa scholarship. Please consider this opportunity to give back to the community by volunteering as a scholarship judge.
About Judging
- Judges may be:
- Mensa members or non-Mensa members.
- College age or older.
- Judging will occur in late January through February/March.
- Time commitment estimate: 10 – 20 hours.
- All judging will be done electronically, from the comfort of your computer.
- Each judge will receive 50 essays and have the option of requesting additional essays.
- Each essay will be read by 3 – 5 judges.
- Full instructions and scoring guidelines will be provided.
Sign up now using the link below. You will be contacted in January before judging begins.
Click here to sign up as a Scholarship Judge.
For more information, contact our Scholarship Chair, at scholarship@ocmensa.org.
Help support Our Scholarship Funds!
You can make a donation to the Art Mattson Memorial Scholarship and/or the Larry Grannis Memorial Scholarship.
Your donation may help us increase the dollar amount of the scholarships we are able to award.
Because our scholarships are administered by the Mensa Foundation, your donation may be tax-deductible, but please consult your tax adviser. Note that you do not need to be a member of Orange County Mensa, nor reside within Orange County, to make a donation. If desired, your donation can be anonymous.
To donate online: You may donate online on the Mensa Foundation website. In addition, send an email to to the Foundation Director with “Orange County Mensa Scholarship Fund” in the subject line as described at the top of the donation page. (Note: using the dropdown in the Recognition section of the donations page is not sufficient to apply your donation to Orange County Mensa’s Scholarship Fund. You must also send an email.)
To send a check: Make your check payable to Mensa Foundation. On the memo line designate “Orange County Mensa Scholarship Fund.” Mail to Mensa Foundation, 1315 Brookside Dr, Hurst TX 76053.
IMPORTANT: When you donate, please specify that you want your donation to benefit the Orange County Mensa Scholarship Fund.
