Regions Riding Forward Scholarship Contest 2026: Win $8,000

Have you ever had someone in your life whose belief in you changed everything? Maybe a grandparent who stayed up late helping with homework, a coach who pushed you to be stronger, or a neighbor who always asked about your dreams. Now imagine turning that story into an $8,000 worth of scholarship.

The Regions Riding Forward Scholarship Contest gives you the platform to honor someone from your own community who has inspired you, and with a chance to win significant funding for your education while celebrating that person’s impact on your life.

For 15 years, Regions Bank has awarded over $1.5 million in total scholarships to high school and college students through this program . The 2026 contest is bigger than ever, offering four separate opportunities to win throughout the year. Whether you prefer writing or speaking on camera, this scholarship meets you where your talents shine.

In this guide, I will walk you through everything you need to know about the Regions Riding Forward Scholarship Contest 2026. You will discover who qualifies, how much you can win, when to apply, and most importantly—how to write an entry that stands out.

Let us begin this journey together and turn your story of inspiration into educational opportunity.

What Is the Regions Riding Forward Scholarship Contest?

The Regions Riding Forward Scholarship Contest is a quarterly scholarship program sponsored by Regions Bank, a bank which has its headquarter in Birmingham, Alabama, with branches across 15 states . The contest asks students to submit either a written essay or a video essay about someone they know personally—a person living in their community—who has inspired them in an extraordinary way.

The theme, “Their Story. Your Voice,” captures the essence of this opportunity. You are not writing about historical figures or celebrities. Instead, you are celebrating the everyday heroes in your own life who have shaped who you are becoming.

Here is what makes this contest particularly special: it runs four separate times in 2026, giving you multiple chances to enter and win . Each quarterly contest awards four $8,000 scholarships, meaning 16 students will receive funding through the program this year

Is the Regions Riding Forward Scholarship Contest Legit?

This is perhaps the most important question any scholarship seeker should ask. Our clear and confident answer is yes! this opportunity is absolutely legitimate.

Here is why you can trust this opportunity:

It is sponsored by Regions Bank, a major financial institution with headquarters in Birmingham, Alabama, and branches across 15 states . The bank has been in operation for decades and is a member of the FDIC.
It has a 15-year track record. The official Regions website states clearly: “Regions believes in supporting the students whose passion and actions every day will continue to make stories worth sharing. That’s why for 15 years we have awarded over $1.5 million in total scholarships to high school and college students” .
The application process is transparent. You apply through the official Regions website, and the contest rules are published clearly, including eligibility, deadlines, and judging criteria .
No purchase or banking relationship is required. The official rules explicitly state: “NO PURCHASE OR BANKING RELATIONSHIP REQUIRED. PURCHASE OR BANKING RELATIONSHIP WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING” . This is a hallmark of legitimate scholarship programs.
An independent panel judges the entries. Winners are selected by judges who are not affiliated with Regions Bank, ensuring impartial evaluation .

When you combine these factors—an established corporate sponsor, 15 years of history, transparent rules, and independent judging—you have all the hallmarks of a genuine scholarship opportunity.

How Much Is the Regions Riding Forward Scholarship?

Each winner of the Regions Riding Forward Scholarship receives a whooping sum of $8,000 per winner .

Yes, you read that correctly. Each quarterly contest awards four scholarships of $8,000, bringing the total annual award pool to $32,000 . The funds are made out as a check directly to your designated accredited college or university. Therefore, the funds must be used for tuition and other undergraduate college-related expenses .

A quick but important note to make is that these scholarships cannot be used for graduate school expenses. The funds must be fully utilized by the end of the 2027–2028 college academic school year

Who Can Apply for the Scholarship Contest?

Before you invest time in crafting your essay or video, let us make sure you qualify. The eligibility requirements are specific, so read carefully.

Geographic Eligibility

You must be a legal U.S. resident of one of the following 15 states :

Alabama
Arkansas
Florida
Georgia
Iowa
Illinois
Indiana
Kentucky
Louisiana
Mississippi
Missouri
North Carolina
South Carolina
Tennessee
Texas

If you do not live in one of these states, you are not eligible for this contest. However, if you are an international student currently studying in the U.S. and you reside in one of these states, you may qualify .

Age Requirement:

You must be 16 years or older at the time of entry .

Academic Standing:

You need a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 (or be in “good standing” if your school does not provide GPAs) .

College Enrollment Status:

You must meet one of these conditions :

If you are already in college: Have at least one year (or 18 semester hours) remaining before you graduate from your undergraduate program.
If you are not yet in college: Begin your freshman year no later than the start of the 2027–2028 academic school year.

Additional Important Notes

You may enter one application per quarterly contest .
If you win in one quarter, you cannot win again in a later quarter .
Previous winners of any Regions Riding Forward Quarterly Contest are not eligible .

How Many People Apply for the Regions Riding Forward Scholarship?

While Regions Bank does not publish exact application numbers, historical data from previous years indicates that approximately 7,000 entries are received annually . With 16 winners selected each year (four per quarter), this means your odds are competitive but far from impossible.

Remember that entries are divided into two categories: written essays and video essays. Within each quarterly contest, two winners are selected from the written essay group and two from the video essay group . This means you are competing primarily against others who choose the same format as you.

Do not let the numbers discourage you. A well-crafted, authentic entry that genuinely reflects your personal story can absolutely stand out among thousands.

Submission Deadlines for 2026

One of the best features of this contest is that it runs four times throughout the year. If you miss one deadline or do not win, you can try again in the next quarter.

Here are the complete deadlines and announcement dates for 2026 :

Quarterly Contest	Entry Period Opens	Entry Period Ends	Winners Announced
Q-1 Contest	January 1, 2026	March 31, 2026	May 31, 2026
Q-2 Contest	April 1, 2026	June 30, 2026	August 31, 2026
Q-3 Contest	July 1, 2026	September 30, 2026	November 30, 2026
Q-4 Contest	October 1, 2026	December 31, 2026	February 28, 2027

Notice that winners are announced approximately two months after each deadline. This gives you a predictable timeline for when to expect results.

How to Apply for the Regions Riding Forward Scholarship?

Now that you understand the basics, let us walk through the application process step by step. Follow these instructions carefully to ensure your entry is complete and eligible.

Step 1: Complete the Online Quarterly Contest Application

Visit regions.com/ridingforward to access the application portal . You will need to complete a separate application for each quarterly contest you enter. When completing your application, use the program key: “RidingForward” .

The application will ask for your basic information and require you to specify whether you are submitting a written essay or a video essay. Follow the directives accordingly

Step 2: Prepare Your Written Essay or Video Essay

Your essay topic must focus on an individual you know personally who lives in your community . Your submission must address how this person has inspired you in an extraordinary way.

Critical Requirements for All Submissions :

Your submission(s) must be in English
It must be your own original work, created solely by you
No use of artificial intelligence (AI) is permitted
Must be your exclusive property

Written Essay Requirements :

Your essay must be 500 words or less
You can write directly in the application or copy and paste your essay
Proofread carefully for spelling and grammar errors

Video Essay Requirements :

No more than 3 minutes in length
No larger than 1 GB
Accepted file formats: MP4, MPG, MOV, AVI, WMV
No music of any kind allowed
Must not contain illegal, explicit, or inappropriate material
Must not be password protected or require login to view
Upload directly to the application (do not mail physical copies)

Step 3: Review and Submit

Before clicking submit, double-check everything :

Verify that your written essay meets the word count
Ensure your video file meets all technical requirements
Confirm that you have not accidentally included any prohibited content
Check spelling and grammar one last time

Submit your entry by or before 11:59:59 PM Central Time on the applicable quarterly deadline.

Step 4: Await Notification

After submission, the waiting begins. Winners are contacted approximately two months after each deadline. If selected, respond promptly to ISTS with any requested information

You may also like: Scholarships for Hispanic Students 2026

How Will I Know If I Won the Regions Riding Forward Scholarship?

After submitting your entry, you will naturally wonder how and when you will hear back. Here is what you need to know.

If your entry is selected as a quarterly contest winner, you will be contacted by ISTS (International Scholarship and Tuition Services) which is the organization managing the contest. You will need to respond promptly with any required information to claim your award.

Winners are announced approximately two months after each quarterly deadline, as shown in the table above . If you have not heard anything by the announcement date for the quarter in which you applied, you can assume you were not selected for that cycle.

Remember that you can reapply in future quarters if you do not win. Because many successful scholarship recipients apply multiple times before winning.

Action Plan for Your Application

You now have all the information you need to pursue this opportunity. Let me help you create a personalized action plan based on which quarter you are targeting.

If You Are Applying for Q-1 (Deadline March 31, 2026)

Today – One Week Before Deadline:

Brainstorm who in your community has inspired you most
Decide whether you will write an essay or create a video
Draft your essay or outline your video script
Gather any equipment you need for video recording

One Week Before Deadline:

Revise your essay based on feedback from trusted mentors
Record and edit your video (do multiple takes if needed)
Ensure your video meets all technical requirements (file size, format, length)
Test the online application system

Day Before Deadline:

Submit your application through the official portal
Use program key “RidingForward”
Double-check that all materials uploaded correctly
Submit before 11:59 PM CT

If You Are Applying for Future Quarters

Use the extra time to prepare thoughtfully. The same timeline applies, just shifted toward your chosen deadline.

Regardless of Your Timeline

Start early – Rushed submissions rarely reflect your best work
Be authentic – Genuine stories resonate more than polished perfection
Honor your subject – Remember that you are celebrating someone who matters to you
Proofread everything – Errors distract from your message
Apply even if you doubt yourself – Your story matters, and you never know what judges will love

Final Thoughts

We have shared many scholarships with readers, but few are as meaningful as this one. The Regions Riding Forward Scholarship Contest asks you to do something beautiful: reflect on the people who have shaped you and share their impact with the world. In doing so, you not only compete for funding—you also honor someone who deserves recognition.

The $8,000 prize can make a real difference in your educational journey. It can cover textbooks for a year, contribute significantly to tuition, or ease the burden of educational expenses. But beyond the money, the process of reflecting on your community and your inspirations has value that lasts far longer than any scholarship check.

At Opportunity Hook, we believe that every student has a story worth telling. Therefore, your experiences, your relationships, and your dreams matter. Share your stories and get rewarded with the Regions Riding Forward Scholarship .

The deadlines are approaching, and your story is waiting to be told. Start today. Reflect on who has inspired you. Write your essay or record your video. Submit your application. You have nothing to lose and $8,000 to gain.

Have you applied for the Regions Riding Forward Scholarship before? Share your experience in the comments below—your journey might inspire another student! Subscribe to our newsletter for more scholarship opportunities, application tips, and educational resources delivered straight to your inbox.