Advertiser Disclosure

Many of the credit card offers that appear on this site are from credit card companies from which we receive financial compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). However, the credit card information that we publish has been written and evaluated by experts who know these products inside out. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers that are on the market. See our advertising policy here where we list advertisers that we work with, and how we make money. You can also review our credit card rating methodology.

    Annual Upgraded Points Student Scholarship

    Alex Miller's image

    We may be compensated when you click on product links, such as credit cards, from one or more of our advertising partners. Terms apply to the offers below. See our Advertising Policy for more about our partners, how we make money, and our rating methodology. Opinions and recommendations are ours alone.

    2016 Winner: Our winner is Maria V. D., who is attending San Diego State University – Congratulations! [$1,000]

    2017 Winner: The winner for 2017 is Van S. who is going to college in Philadelphia in August 2018 – Congrats on the $1,000!

    2018 Winner: The winner of our $1,000 scholarship for 2018 is Tanner F, who is currently studying at Oregon State University and will graduate in Spring 2022. Well done!

    2019 Winner: The winner goes to Nina M. who is a graduating high school senior, attending Brevard College. We loved reading your submission!

    2020 Scholarship: CLOSED. 


    Annual Scholarship Details:

    Hard work, business savvy, and a passion for traveling the world has earned us a successful business and a means of flying in style. We know first-hand how difficult it can be to pay for the education you need for the life you dream about.

    That’s why we’ve decided it’s time to give back to our dedicated readers who are pursuing higher education.

    If you’re interested in earning a scholarship worth $1,000, then keep reading to find out how you can win this prize!

    How to Apply for Our Annual Scholarship

    Title:

    Upgraded Points Journey Scholarship

    Essay Topic:

    “Travel makes one modest. You see what a tiny place you occupy in the world.” – Gustave Flaubert

    How has your outlook on life changed as a result of travel or a journey you’ve embarked upon? How is this new outlook influencing your future?

    Please briefly include: If you had enough airline points/miles to visit a new city or country (i.e. travel for only the cost of taxes and fees), where would you go and why?

    *Strict limit of 1,000 words.

    Scholarship Eligibility

    To qualify, you are a current student planning to attend/enrolled in higher education:

    • graduating high school senior with college acceptance
    • current undergraduate student
    • current graduate student

    When you’ve finished your essay, please email* it to scholarship@upgradedpoints.com and include the following information:

    • Name
    • School you’re attending/have been accepted to attend
    • Major/planned major
    • Expected graduation date
    • Phone number
    • Email address

    This scholarship is open to candidates from the U.S. only. Please keep in mind that because we receive so many applications, we are not able to respond to each and every submission and will not do so unless you are the winner of the scholarship.

    Please refrain from emailing us asking if we received your application.

    Thank you!

    *Please ensure the attached essay can, in fact, be opened by Upgraded Points.  If you’re sending this via a google doc format and we are not given access to the file, we will not be able to consider your essay.

    Advertisement

    Privacy Statement

    By providing us with the information required for the scholarship, you consent to letting us use the information you provided solely for the purpose of offering a scholarship, should you be chosen to receive it.

    Your information will not be used for any other purpose than to award the scholarship and report to the proper tax authorities.


    Students!

    For those looking to understand and build your credit score as you finish college and start your careers, we suggest looking over our detailed credit building guide for students.

    If your credit score is already healthy (700+) and you wish to travel, then we recommend you start collecting Chase Ultimate Rewards points.

    Many of you will understandably (and sensibly!) want to keep your expenses to a minimum, which makes no annual fee credit cards an even more attractive offer.

    One of the best low-annual-fee credit cards to start off with is the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, but take a look at our other travel reward credit cards too. And of course, when you travel you’ll want to ensure that you have a credit card that has no foreign transaction fees.

    For those of you who have that entrepreneurial spirit, there are a number of business credit cards on the market – many of which are very rewarding.

    All these cards will help you not only to improve your financial position (when used correctly), but they’ll help you to earn valuable points to begin traveling.

    Once you have accrued enough points, it’s time to use your points and that’s where the fun begins! Delve into our airline guides and award booking guides for lots more info and helpful tips.

    Alex Miller's image

    About Alex Miller

    Founder and CEO of Upgraded Points, Alex is a leader in the industry and has earned and redeemed millions of points and miles. He frequently discusses the award travel industry with CNBC, Fox Business, The New York Times, and more.

    INSIDERS ONLY: UP PULSE

    Deluxe Travel Provided by UP Pulse

    Get the latest travel tips, crucial news, flight & hotel deal alerts...

    Plus — expert strategies to maximize your points & miles by joining our (free) newsletter.

    We respect your privacy. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA. Google's privacy policy  and terms of service  apply.

    Deluxe Travel Provided by UP Pulse

    We Recommend

    Platinum Card® from American Express

    • You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
    • Get more for your travels with 5X Membership Rewards® points on all flights and prepaid hotel bookings through American Express Travel®, including Fine Hotels + Resorts® and The Hotel Collection bookings. You earn 5X points on flights purchased directly from airlines or through American Express Travel® on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year.
    Show more
    • More Value! With over 1,550 airport lounges - more than any other credit card company on the market* - enjoy the benefits of the Global Lounge Collection®, over $850 of annual value, with access to Centurion Lounges, 10 complimentary Delta Sky Club® visits when flying on an eligible Delta flight (subject to visit limitations), Priority Pass Select membership (enrollment required), and other select partner lounges. * As of 07/2025.
    • More Value! $200 Uber Cash + $120 Uber One Credit: With the Platinum Card® you can receive $15 in Uber Cash each month plus a bonus $20 in December when you add your Platinum Card® to your Uber account to use on rides and orders in the U.S when you select an Amex Card for your transaction. Plus, when you use the Platinum Card® to pay for an auto-renewing Uber One membership, you can get up to $120 in statement credits each calendar year. Terms apply.
    • More Value! $300 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $25 in statement credits each month after you pay for eligible purchases with the Platinum Card® at participating partners. Enrollment required.
    • More Value! $600 Hotel Credit: Get up to $300 in statement credits semi-annually on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection* bookings through American Express Travel® using the Platinum Card®. *The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
    • New! $400 Resy Credit + Platinum Nights by Resy: When you use the Platinum Card® to pay at U.S. Resy restaurants and to make other eligible purchases through Resy, you can get up to $100 in statement credits each quarter with the $400 Resy Credit benefit. Plus, with Platinum Nights by Resy, you can get special access to reservations on select nights at participating in demand Resy restaurants with the Platinum Card®. Simply add your eligible Card to your Resy profile to book and discover Platinum Nights reservations near you, enrollment required.
    • More Value! $209 CLEAR® Plus Credit: CLEAR® Plus helps get you to your gate faster by using unique facial attributes to verify you are you at 50+ airports nationwide. You can cover the cost of a CLEAR Plus Membership* with up to $209 in statement credits per calendar year after you pay for CLEAR Plus with the Platinum Card®. *Excluding any applicable taxes and fees. Subject to auto-renewal.
    • $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees, such as checked bags and in-flight refreshments, are charged by the airline to the Platinum Card® Account*. American Express relies on airlines to submit the correct information on airline transactions to identify incidental fee purchases. If you do not see a credit for a qualifying incidental purchase on your eligible Card after 8 weeks, simply call the number on the back of your Card. Qualifying airlines are subject to change. See terms & conditions for more details.
    • Start your vacation sooner, and keep it going longer. When you book Fine Hotels + Resorts® through American Express Travel®, enjoy noon check-in upon arrival, when available, and guaranteed 4PM check-out.
    • New! $300 lululemon Credit: Enjoy up to $75 in statement credits each quarter when you use the Platinum Card® for eligible purchases at U.S. lululemon retail stores (excluding outlets) and lululemon.com. That’s up to $300 in statement credits each calendar year. Enrollment required.
    • $155 Walmart+ Credit: Receive a statement credit* for one monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) after you pay for Walmart+ each month with the Platinum Card®.*Up to $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Plus Ups not eligible.
    • $100 Saks Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases at Saks Fifth Avenue or saks.com on the Platinum Card®. That’s up to $50 in statement credits from January through June and up to $50 in statement credits from July through December. No minimum purchase required. Enrollment required.
    • Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
    • $895 annual fee.
    • Terms Apply.
    DMCA.com Protection Status