Rover Scholarship
Scholarship Sponsored by Rover.com
Introduction
College — a time when due dates pile up and budgets shrink. We want to help ease the financial strain. Submit a short essay (400–500 words) for a chance to win a $2,500 scholarship.
About Rover
Rover.com is the country’s largest marketplace connecting pet parents with dependable, caring pet sitters and dog walkers. Use Rover to find, book, and manage tailored care for dogs — from in-home pet sitting and dog walking to home boarding and dog day care. Built on the belief that everyone should be able to enjoy the companionship of a dog, Rover works to make life simpler and more joyful for pet parents and their pets.
How to Enter
1. Write a response in English, 400–500 words, to the prompt below.
2. Put your essay in a Google Doc and include your full name and your year in school at the top (high school seniors are eligible).
3. Complete and submit our entry form.
4. Turn in your entry by May 1, 2026.
Essay Prompt (400–500 words)
How did having a pet in your life while you were growing up — whether your own, a family member’s, or a friend’s — influence who you are today? Include personal stories, original insights, and reflections on how that animal shaped your character, values, or choices.
Who May Apply (Eligibility)
- You must be a resident of the United States.
- Eligible applicants: graduating high school seniors and students currently enrolled as college freshmen, sophomores, or juniors pursuing an associate’s, bachelor’s, or master’s degree. We may verify your high school graduation date and/or college enrollment.
- GPA requirements: If you are a graduating high school senior, you must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher. If you are an undergraduate college student, your GPA must be 3.0 or above. Graduate students must either have a 3.0+ GPA or a “Pass” if graded on a Pass/Fail system.
- You are not eligible if you are related to any Rover employee. You may, however, be related to a Rover pet sitter or dog walker.
Official Rules and Use of Entries
All submissions are governed by the official rules and conditions; you can review them here. By entering, you grant Rover permission to republish and otherwise use your entry materials, and to use your name and likeness, for promotional purposes on behalf of Rover or its partners.
Selection Criteria and Prize
One winner will be chosen and awarded a check for $2,500.
Essays will be evaluated on:
- 50% — Thoughtfulness of response
- 30% — Relevance to the prompt
- 15% — Quality of composition
- 5% — Grammar and mechanics
Good luck — we look forward to reading how the animals in your life helped shape who you are.