ESSAY LENGTH:
Minimum 500 words; Maximum 800 words
DATES OF THE CONTEST:
May 1, 2022 to June 30, 2022. You can submit your essay anytime between these dates, and all essays must be submitted by 11:59 PM EASTERN TIME on Thursday, June 30, 2022. Contest dates also relevant for determining age and student status eligibilities.
AGE ELIGIBILITY:
Age 17 to 26 at some point during the contest period (May 1, 2022 to June 30, 2022).
(FOR THOSE AGE 17):
Permission from a Parent or Guardian if age 17 on the date you submit the essay.
STUDENT STATUS:
All applicants must be either:
1) a Full Time Student (High School; College; University; Vocational Education/Training; Graduate Education) at any point during the contest period (May 1, 2022 to June 30, 2022).
OR
2) a Forthcoming Full Time Student who has been accepted at a High School, College, University, or Vocational Education/Training Institution for the upcoming school year.
*NOTE: 2022 graduates ARE eligible for this contest - even if they submit their essays after graduation.
AMERICAN CITIZEN OR DACA RECIPIENT:
If selected for prize, proof of American Citizenship or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) receipt.
ONE ESSAY PER PARTICIPANT
NO EDITING AFTER SUBMISSION
NONDISCRIMINATION CLAUSE:
There is no advantage or disadvantage to being a member of DFLA, of gender, of citizenship/DACA, or being affiliated with a political party. These factors will be immaterial to the contest and hidden from the judges.
ESSAY PUBLISHING:
The DFLA Education Fund will publish prize-winning essays to our website after August 8, 2022. The DFLA Education Fund will ask permission to publish the contestants' names with winners' essays.
SELECT INELIGIBILITY:
Employees of DFLA and the DFLA Education Fund, and their immediate family members are not eligible for this contest. The contest winner will not be eligible for prizes in subsequent contests.