Table of Contents
What Is the Don’t Text and Drive Scholarship?
The don’t text and drive scholarship is a $1,000 annual award given to students who demonstrate a strong commitment to road safety by pledging not to text while driving. The don’t text and drive scholarship is offered by Digital Responsibility, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting responsible technology use. The don’t text and drive scholarship is open to high school and college students across the United States, and it is currently open for applications each year with a deadline of September 30, timed to coincide with National No Texting While Driving Day.
If you are looking for the don’t text and drive scholarship, here is the direct answer: it is a legitimate, annually awarded $1,000 scholarship. To enter the don’t text and drive scholarship, you write a 140-character personal statement completing the prompt, “I pledge not to text and drive because…” The don’t text and drive scholarship selects 10 finalists from those submissions, who are then asked to write a 500–1,000 word essay. One winner receives $1,000. No GPA requirement. No income requirement. No transcripts needed.
Who Offers the Don’t Text and Drive Scholarship?
Digital Responsibility is the primary organization behind the flagship don’t text and drive scholarship. It is a nonprofit that runs four ongoing scholarship programs each year:
- Don’t Text and Drive Scholarship — $1,000, focus on distracted driving
- Digital Privacy Scholarship — $1,000
- E-Waste Scholarship — $1,000
- Technology Addiction Awareness Scholarship — $1,000
All four follow the same format: a 140-character statement followed by a 500–1,000 word essay for finalists. The don’t text and drive scholarship from Digital Responsibility is the most well-known and widely covered of the four. Their official website is digitalresponsibility.org.
Eligibility Requirements
One of the most attractive features of the don’t text and drive scholarship is how inclusive its eligibility criteria are. Unlike most scholarships, there is no minimum GPA, no financial need requirement, and no transcript requirement.
You are eligible if you are:
- A U.S. citizen or permanent resident
- A high school student (freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior) OR
- A college or graduate school student at any level (including homeschooled students)
- At least 13 years of age at the time of application
- Genuinely committed to safe, distraction-free driving
The scholarship is truly merit-neutral — it is awarded based on the quality and creativity of your writing, not your grades or financial situation. This makes the don’t text and drive scholarship one of the most accessible scholarships available to American students today.
Award Amount
The don’t text and drive scholarship awards $1,000 to one winner each year. Ten finalists are selected annually, each of whom submits a full-length essay. From those 10 finalists, one winner is chosen based on the content and creativity of their essay.
Note: The scholarship is not renewable, meaning you can apply each year but cannot receive it twice.
Application Deadlines
The don’t text and drive scholarship deadline falls on September 30 each year, strategically timed to align with National No Texting While Driving Awareness Day in September.
Here is the general annual timeline:
| Phase | Timing |
|---|---|
| Application Opens | Typically August each year |
| 140-Character Statement Deadline | September 30 annually |
| Finalists Notified | Shortly after the deadline |
| Essay Submission (Finalists Only) | Within weeks of notification |
| Winner Announced | Later in the fall |
Pro Tip: Do not wait until September. Applications open in August each year, and submitting early gives the selection team more time to review your entry carefully.
How to Apply: Step-by-Step
Applying for the don’t text and drive scholarship is a straightforward process. Here is exactly what you need to do:
Step 1: Visit the Official Website Go to digitalresponsibility.org/dont-text-and-drive-scholarship to access the official application form. Do not apply through third-party aggregators — always apply directly.
Step 2: Complete the Online Application Form Fill in your basic personal and academic information. No transcripts or recommendation letters are required at this stage.
Step 3: Write Your 140-Character Statement This is the heart of your application. You must complete the prompt: “I pledge not to text and drive because…” in 140 characters or fewer. Note: this is 140 characters, not 140 words.
Step 4: Submit and Wait After submission, 10 finalists are selected based on the quality of their 140-character statements.
Step 5: Write Your 500–1,000 Word Essay (Finalists Only) If selected as a finalist, you will be asked to expand on your statement in a full-length essay. This is where the winner is ultimately determined.
Step 6: Winner Announced One winner receives the $1,000 scholarship. Results are published on the Digital Responsibility website.
How to Write a Winning 140-Character Statement
The 140-character statement is your gateway to becoming a finalist. Every word counts — literally. Here is how to craft a statement that stands out:
Be Personal and Specific Generic statements like “because it is dangerous” will not stand out. Judges are looking for authentic, personal reasons. Reference a real experience, a real emotion, or a real stake.
Be Emotional and Memorable The best statements trigger an emotional response. Think about what texting and driving means to you — have you lost someone, nearly been in an accident, or seen the aftermath of distracted driving?
Use Concrete Language Avoid vague language. Instead of “it is risky,” say “because five seconds of looking down is a football field of blindness.”
Check Your Character Count Use a free character-counting tool to make sure your statement is 140 characters or fewer. Spaces count as characters.
Example of a Strong 140-Character Statement: “I pledge not to text and drive because my mom was rear-ended by a distracted driver. I refuse to become someone else’s tragedy.” (Character count: 139 ✅)
How to Write a Winning 500–1,000 Word Essay
If you are selected as a finalist, your 500–1,000 word essay determines whether you win the don’t text and drive scholarship. Here is how to write one that wins:
Open with Your Personal Story Do not start with statistics. Open with a scene — a moment when distracted driving became real to you. Let the reader feel it before you explain it.
Use Statistics as Support, Not as Your Core Data strengthens your argument but should support your story, not replace it. For example, research from the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute found that texting while driving makes a driver 23 times more likely to be involved in a safety-critical event. That is the kind of statistic that adds weight to your narrative.
Show Your Commitment to Change Winners do not just describe the problem — they describe what they are doing about it. Have you talked to younger students about safe driving? Created awareness content? Taken a pledge? Include it.
End with a Call to Action The strongest essays end by calling on others to take the same pledge. It demonstrates leadership and awareness beyond your personal story.
Proofread Ruthlessly Have at least two other people read your essay before submitting. Grammatical errors and unclear writing can cost you the scholarship even if your story is compelling.
Top Don’t Text and Drive Scholarships
There are multiple organizations offering scholarships tied to distracted driving awareness each year. Here is a full comparison to help you apply strategically:
| Scholarship Name | Sponsor | Award Amount | Who Can Apply | Format | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Don’t Text and Drive Scholarship | Digital Responsibility | $1,000 | HS & College Students (U.S.) | 140-char statement + essay | September 30 annually |
| Project Yellow Light | Campbell Soup / Ad Council | Up to $10,000 | HS & College Students (U.S.) | Billboard, video, or radio PSA | Annually (Oct–May) |
| Getting Real About Distracted Driving | Comedy Defensive Driving | $1,500 | College Students (U.S.) | Advertisement design | December 31 annually |
| AZ Don’t Text & Drive Scholarship | Goldberg & Osborne | $1,000 | Arizona residents (college/trade) | Pledge form (random draw) | Twice yearly |
| Don’t Text & Drive Undergrad Scholarship | Rosen Justice Injury Lawyers | $500 x 2 | PA college students | Advertisement design | August 15 annually |
Key Takeaway: The Digital Responsibility don’t text and drive scholarship is the most accessible because it has no GPA requirement, no income requirement, and is open to students nationwide. Apply for all of them each year to maximize your chances of winning financial aid.
5 Other Distracted Driving Scholarships to Apply For
Beyond the flagship don’t text and drive scholarship, here are five additional opportunities you should have on your radar every year:
1. Project Yellow Light Sponsored by the Campbell Soup Company in partnership with the Ad Council, Project Yellow Light is a creative scholarship competition where students design billboards, videos, or radio ads discouraging distracted driving. Winners can receive up to $10,000, and top entries may be featured nationally on billboards, TV, and iHeartRadio. The contest opens annually around October 31 and winners are announced in June.
Apply at: projectyellowlight.com
2. Getting Real About Distracted Driving Scholarship Offered by Comedy Defensive Driving, this $1,500 scholarship asks students to design a creative advertisement — billboard, PSA, commercial, radio ad, or poster — that raises awareness about distracted driving. There is no GPA requirement. Applicants simply email their advertisement to the scholarship team. The deadline is December 31 each year.
3. Goldberg & Osborne AZ Don’t Text & Drive Scholarship This $1,000 scholarship is offered twice annually to Arizona residents attending college or trade school. The entry process is a simple pledge not to text and drive — the winner is chosen by random electronic selection. Because entries are drawn randomly, you can increase your odds by pledging monthly.
4. Don’t Text & Drive Undergrad Scholarship (Rosen Justice) Pennsylvania college students can apply for this $500 scholarship by submitting a creative advertisement about the dangers of distracted driving. Two winners are selected each year. The deadline is typically August 15 annually.
5. NHTSA Safe Driving Awareness Programs While not a scholarship per se, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) runs annual awareness campaigns where students can get involved, build their portfolios, and strengthen their scholarship applications. Taking a pledge through NHTSA can also serve as a credible reference point in your essays.
Learn more at: nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/distracted-driving (
What People Also Ask
These are real questions people are searching on Google related to the don’t text and drive scholarship. Here are clear, direct answers:
Q: Is the Don’t Text and Drive Scholarship legit? Yes. The Don’t Text and Drive Scholarship is a legitimate, annually awarded scholarship offered by Digital Responsibility, a registered nonprofit organization. Past winners are listed publicly on the Digital Responsibility website, confirming the award is real and has been distributed consistently each year.
Q: How much is the Don’t Text and Drive Scholarship worth? The scholarship award is $1,000, paid directly to the winner. Only one scholarship is awarded each year through Digital Responsibility’s program.
Q: When is the Don’t Text and Drive Scholarship deadline? The annual deadline is September 30, which coincides with National No Texting While Driving Day in September. Applications typically open in August each year.
Q: Who can apply for the Don’t Text and Drive Scholarship? Any U.S. citizen or permanent resident who is a high school student (freshman through senior), an undergraduate student, or a graduate student is eligible to apply. There is no minimum GPA requirement, no income threshold, and no age limit beyond being at least 13 years old.
Q: Is the Don’t Text and Drive Scholarship renewable? No. The Don’t Text and Drive Scholarship is not renewable. However, you can apply each year as long as you remain a student and meet the eligibility requirements.
Q: What do I write in the 140-character statement? You must complete the prompt: “I pledge not to text and drive because…” in 140 characters or fewer. The best entries are personal, specific, emotional, and memorable. Judges look for authenticity and creativity over generic statements.
Q: Do I need a high GPA to win the Don’t Text and Drive Scholarship? No. There is no GPA requirement for this scholarship. You are evaluated entirely on the quality and creativity of your writing — your 140-character statement and, if selected as a finalist, your 500–1,000 word essay.
Q: Are there other scholarships for not texting and driving? Yes. In addition to the Digital Responsibility scholarship, other annual opportunities include Project Yellow Light (up to $10,000), the Comedy Defensive Driving Getting Real Scholarship ($1,500), the Goldberg & Osborne AZ Scholarship ($1,000), and the Rosen Justice Undergrad Scholarship ($500 x 2).
Q: Can graduate students apply for the Don’t Text and Drive Scholarship? Yes. Graduate students at any level are eligible to apply. The scholarship is open to high school students, undergraduates, and graduate students alike.
Q: Is the Don’t Text and Drive Scholarship only for U.S. students? Yes. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents. International students are not eligible for this particular scholarship.
Pro Tips to Maximize Your Chances
These strategies will help you stand out from hundreds of other applicants:
Apply Early Submitting your application at the start of the application window, rather than at the last minute, shows initiative and gives reviewers more time with your submission.
Read Past Winner Statements Digital Responsibility publishes scholarship winners on their website. Read the winning entries each year to understand the tone, depth, and style that resonates with the judges.
Write Multiple Drafts of Your 140-Character Statement Do not submit your first draft. Write 10 different versions of your statement, then select the most powerful one. Have someone else read them and pick their favorite.
Be Genuine, Not Performative Judges have seen thousands of applications. They can tell the difference between someone who genuinely cares about this issue and someone going through the motions for money. Let your real voice come through.
Apply to Multiple Scholarships Simultaneously The essay you write for the Digital Responsibility scholarship can often be adapted for Project Yellow Light’s written component, the Comedy Defensive Driving scholarship, and others. Build your base essay once, then customize it for each application.
Use the NHTSA’s Statistics Research from the NHTSA and Virginia Tech Transportation Institute provides powerful data that can strengthen your essay. Cite real figures to show you have done your homework.
Read the official NHTSA distracted driving facts: nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/distracted-driving
Related Scholarship Guides on LicensureHub
If you found this guide on the don’t text and drive scholarship helpful, explore these related resources on LicensureHub to continue building your scholarship strategy:
- QuestBridge Scholarships: The Ultimate Guide to Win a Full Ride to 55 Top Colleges — A comprehensive breakdown of the QuestBridge full-ride scholarship for low-income, high-achieving students. Updated annually.
- Ultimate Guide to the Coolidge Scholarship: Full-Ride Merit Award — Everything you need to know about one of the most prestigious merit scholarships in the U.S., including selection criteria and tips to win.
- Gates Millennium Scholarship: 7 Powerful Steps to Win — A deep dive into the fully funded Gates scholarship for minority students with demonstrated financial need and leadership.
- Morehead-Cain Scholarship: The Ultimate Guide — How to Apply — Discover how to win America’s first full-ride merit scholarship at UNC-Chapel Hill.
- Mike Rowe Scholarship: How to Win Up to $20,000 for Trade School — A complete guide for students pursuing skilled trades and vocational programs.
Final Verdict: Should You Apply for the Don’t Text and Drive Scholarship?
Absolutely — and you should apply every year until you win.
The don’t text and drive scholarship is one of the most accessible scholarships in the United States. There is no GPA cutoff, no financial need form, and no complex application. The entire entry process requires a single 140-character statement, and if selected as a finalist, a short essay. The award is $1,000, offered annually, and the competition — while real — is far less intense than GPA-based or need-based scholarships.
Beyond the money, applying for the don’t text and drive scholarship builds your essay-writing skills, strengthens your awareness of a critical public safety issue, and positions you as someone who cares about community safety — a quality that is valuable on college applications, job applications, and beyond.
The deadline comes around each year on September 30. Set a reminder. Start your statement in August. Apply early. And remember — the life you save by pledging not to text and drive may not just be someone else’s. It could be your own.
Quick Reference Summary
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scholarship Name | Don’t Text and Drive Scholarship |
| Offered By | Digital Responsibility |
| Award Amount | $1,000 |
| Annual Deadline | September 30 |
| Eligibility | U.S. HS & College Students (13+) |
| GPA Required | No |
| Income Requirement | No |
| Application Format | 140-char statement + essay (finalists) |
| Renewable | No |
| Official Website | digitalresponsibility.org |
Latest update: This article is maintained on an evergreen basis. All details — including deadlines, award amounts, and eligibility — are verified annually. Always confirm the latest information directly at the official Digital Responsibility website before applying.
