For DonorsFor Applicants

1989 (Taylor's Version) Fan Scholarship

Funded by
$1,989
1 winner$1,989
Awarded
Application Deadline
Oct 31, 2024
Winners Announced
Oct 31, 2024
Education Level
Any

We are in the last couple of months of 2023, and one can easily say this was the year of Taylor Swift. Near the end of 2022 came her tenth studio album, "Midnights." And this year came her iconic Era's Tour and her movie, which have both shattered records. She won multiple awards at the Grammys, MTV, iHeartRadio, and more, all while taking the internet by storm.

Our previous Taylor Swift scholarship was a fan-favorite after many of you voted for 1989 as your favorite album during our March Madness competition. And guess what? It's back! We are so excited for the release of 1989 (Taylor's Version), and we wanted to open another scholarship worth $1989. We are stoked to commemorate this moment with one of Taylor Swift's best albums to date—and we hope you are too!

Taylor Swift's iconic "1989 (Taylor's Version)" has not just been a musical experience but an emotional journey for many. From its soulful songs to its upbeat pop anthems, the album has resonated with fans from all walks of life.

This scholarship is tailored (pun intended) for those who have been moved, inspired, or simply can't stop jamming to "1989 (Taylor's Version)". Any student at any education level with any GPA is eligible to apply for this scholarship. The only requirement is that you are a fan of Taylor Swift!

To apply, just tell us about any 1989 (Taylor's Version) song(s) that has resonated with your 2023 so far. Feel free to cite specific lyrics from Taylor's music and write about how they speak to you. 

**Note: this scholarship runs on a rolling deadline, but it's best to apply the earliest you can!**

Selection Criteria:
Ambition, Drive, Impact
Rolling Deadline. This scholarship has rolling monthly application deadlines. Students applying earlier will have a greater chance of winning. It'll be awarded on October 31, 2024.
Published October 27, 2023
Essay Topic

If your year so far had a soundtrack, what song (or songs) from 1989 (Taylor's Version) would be on it and why?

400–600 words

Winning Application

JoAnna Hefton
Oklahoma State University-Main CampusMounds, OK
From the 1989 (Taylor's Version) album, I would have to say that "Shake It Off" is a song for my year so far. As an incoming college freshman for the 2024 fall semester at Oklahoma State University, a new setting that I am still trying to adapt myself to has had an impact on my life (not in a good way). I've been told that freshman year is the hardest because you will be experiencing independence, managing responsibility, and social pressure when making friends in a school of 25,000 students, and financial issues. All of these experiences so far have worsened my anxiety and made me have doubts about whether or not I should continue this journey. But as the great Taylor Swift has said in her song, I just need to SHAKE IT OFF! Taylor Swift's music has been such an influence on me, I have been there since her country music era listening to "Our Song" on repeat with my mother since the age of 5. When Taylor first started playing at small events, I assumed that she had doubts about whether she was going to make it into the big music world. What I admire about Taylor is that she did not give up on her dream, she got stopped in her tracks along the way but she got back up and made it to where she is today. I dream of having Taylor's ambitions to get me through my next 4 years in college. I want to keep myself going without having doubts about giving up and looking at other options, I want to believe in myself that I can do this just like Taylor does in her music career. Another song that I would add to my soundtrack for the year is "Welcome to New York". The song is about moving to a new place and how it can impact your life. I would rename this song as "Welcome to OK State" for my soundtrack. As I stated in my previous paragraph stating how I am an incoming college freshman, I am experiencing a new setting/atmosphere as things start to change all around me like being more independent and learning to have fun/being active in my community. During my next four years here at my college, I hope to expand myself personally and physically in my new setting by trying new things and to help me start my dream career by working as an Imagineer at Walt Disney World Studios.

FAQ

When is the scholarship application deadline?

The application deadline is Oct 31, 2024. Winners will be announced on Oct 31, 2024.