We’re looking for original, thoughtful, provocative student voices to answer this question: How has your education been compromised by budget cuts and tuition hikes? Essays should not exceed 800 words and should be original, unpublished work that demonstrates fresh, clear thinking and superior quality of expression and craftsmanship. We’ll select five finalists and two winners—one from college, one from high school. Each winner will be awarded a $1,000 cash prize and a Nation subscription. The winning essays will be published and/or excerpted in the magazine and featured at TheNation.com. The five finalists will be awarded $200 each and subscriptions, and their entries will be published online. Entries (only one per student) will be accepted from May 15th through June 30th, 2010. A winner will be announced by September 15. Please send entries to studentprize@thenation.com.

  Eligibility

The contest is open to all matriculating high school students and undergraduates at American schools, colleges and universities as well as those receiving either high school or college degrees in 2010. Submissions must be original, unpublished work (the writing can have been published in a student publication). Each entrant is limited to one submission. Entries will be accepted through June 30, 2010. Submissions can be e-mailed to studentprize@thenation.com. Please include the essay in the body of the e-mail. All e-mailed submissions will be acknowledged. Each entry must include author’s name, address, phone number, e-mail and short biography and school affiliation—and say “student essay” in the subject line. Please email studentprize@thenation.com for questions.

Read previous winners:

The Natural Order of a Small Town Jim Miller: 2009

Transcending Trauma Victor Lopez: 2008

Leave us Alone Ryan Thoreson: 2007

Project Corpus Callosum Sarah Stillman: 2006