creative writing scholarships

The Thomas Wolfe Scholarship

The Creative Writing Program and the Department of English of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill are pleased to announce the Thomas Wolfe Scholarship.

It offers full four-year financial support to one incoming student per year, including tuition, room and board, books, a new laptop, and a summer stipend.

The Thomas Wolfe Scholarship’s level of support is comparable to that of the University’s well-known Morehead Scholarships. Whereas the Morehead Scholarship places broad emphasis on a candidate’s exemplary leadership, community service, academic excellence, and physical vigor, the Thomas Wolfe Scholarship seeks to identify and reward students with exceptionally focused literary ability and promise.

Current Winner

Jonas Laukoter

Previous winners, application information.

The Thomas Wolfe Scholarship will accept applications for its 24th national search  beginning September 1st, 2024 .

Please note that our application process involves two separate steps and two different dates, and all applicants must take both steps and meet both deadlines, to wit: Thomas Wolfe Scholarship applicants must apply  to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill  by the University’s October 15th, 2024 EARLY admission deadline and must meet all academic requirements for EARLY admission; and 2) Scholarship applicants must also apply  to The Thomas Wolfe Scholarship , with the deadline for submissions to the Scholarship being November 15th, 2024 (submissions must be electronically submitted by that date).   These are two distinct application processes and require different forms and separate online submissions.

The Thomas Wolfe Scholarship award will be based largely on written work submitted by candidates.  Artistic merit is the chief criterion of selection.  Students who write poetry, fiction, plays, creative nonfiction (personal essays, memoir, travel and nature essays, literary journalism, and lyric essays) are eligible. Multiple genre submissions are also encouraged. Submissions are limited to one application per student.

The application process requires the submission of a portfolio containing between forty (40) and fifty (50) pages of original creative writing composed in English. This work may be in any genre, and it may also be a combination of genres (for example: a short story, a short memoir, and three poems). In addition to completing the application, candidates must submit a five-hundred-word personal essay entitled “Why I Write.”

The age of entering students under The Thomas Wolfe Scholarship shall not exceed twenty-two (22) years. The scholarship is not available to undergraduate college students seeking to transfer to UNC-Chapel Hill from other institutions. All applicants should either be citizens of the United States and/or should be residing in the United States at the time of application.

The Board of Advisors of The Thomas Wolfe Scholarship may award the scholarship to a new recipient annually. However, the Board of Advisors may decide not to award the scholarship in any given year due to financial constraints, the quality of applicants, or other sufficient reason, in the Board’s sole discretion. The decision of the Board of Advisors will be final. The submission of an application will constitute assent to all conditions and stipulations expressed herein.

Application Materials:

• We are introducing a new online application system this year, available at: Thomas Wolfe Scholarship Application . The application will be open from September 1 to November 15.
• In preparation for filling out the application, you may wish to preview the questions in advance, which are available here: Application Questions for The Thomas Wolfe Scholarship 
• In preparation for the Writing Sample, please gather the following materials onto a SINGLE WORD or PDF Document that is double-spaced, 12-point type, with every page numbered:
• A Personal Essay of no more than five hundred (500) words, in which you introduce yourself as a writer and reader, as someone who aspires toward the writing life, entitled “Why I Write.”
• A Table of Contents for the Writing Sample that consists of titles, genres, and page numbers.
• A Writing Sample that consists of anywhere from forty (40) to fifty (50) pages of original creative writing composed in English, and that is arranged in the order listed in the Table of Contents. This work can be in any genre (poetry, fiction, plays, and creative nonfiction such as memoir or literary journalism). You may send in several different works of various genres. If submitting an excerpt of a longer work, please include a brief synopsis of the project. Please note that all work must be double-spaced, in 12-point type, with every page numbered.
• ADDITIONALLY: Please gather contact information from three (3) references who are willing to comment on aspects of your creativity and ambition, including at least one teacher who is familiar with your writing and can verify the originality of your submission. Letters of recommendation will be requested for all candidates who advance in the scholarship search.

** PLEASE NOTE:: YOUR SUBMISSION MUST BE COMPLETE at the time you electronically submit it. Requests for additions, updates, revisions will not be honored. Incomplete submissions will automatically disqualify the applicant. The entire application, including the Writing Sample, must be received by 11:59 pm on November 15, 2024. **

Frequently Asked Questions:

• If I am selected as the Thomas Wolfe Scholar, do I have to take creative writing classes at UNC? It is assumed by our Advisory Committee that only students who are deeply committed to the written word, the love of literature, the art of writing will apply for the Wolfe Scholarship. If students are applying for a scholarship that honors writing talent, it is also assumed that students will want to continue their study of writing at the college level. Students may choose to  major  in any discipline, but the Wolfe Scholar must agree to  minor  in Creative Writing.
• What if I’ve started college elsewhere or taken classes after high school graduation that would count as college credit?   To qualify as a candidate for the Wolfe Scholarship, you must plan to enter UNC-CH as a  first year student . College credits accumulated elsewhere, if transferable, should not exceed six hours, exclusive of AP and IB credits. You will be required to take a minimum of 12 hours each semester and complete your degree in four years. Students must be no older than 22 years of age and either a U.S. citizen or someone currently living in the United States.
• I’m confused about the number of pages to send. If I am sending poems, for example, and one poem takes up half a page, should I begin the next poem on that same page, or should I write one poem per page?   One poem per page is fine. If you are a prose writer and a story or essay ends half-way down a page, you may begin your next story or essay on a new page.
• Is the Thomas Wolfe Scholarship judged separately from a regular UNC application?   Yes. The Thomas Wolfe Scholarship Program is altogether separate from UNC’s Office of Admissions. Our committee works with Admissions and often shares application information when it is in a candidate’s best interest. Candidates for the Wolfe Scholarship should plan to submit applications to the Office of Admissions by their  October 15th deadline. DO NOT send Admission materials along with your Wolfe application!  Admissions packets should be sent under separate cover to the  UNC  Admissions Office.  Applications/submissions for the Scholarship itself should be sent to The Thomas Wolfe Scholarship  by our November 15th deadline.
• When will I be notified about the status of my application?  This year’s deadline for materials is  November 15 . Your application will be read by several preliminary readers. You will receive notice in mid-to-late February indicating whether or not you have advanced as a semi-finalist. From the semi-finalist list, the Advisory Committee will select approximately 3-5 finalists who will be notified in early March of their status and invited to a Zoom interview. The new Wolfe Scholar will be named by mid-April.
• Am I at a disadvantage if I’ve never published anything or won a writing contest?   No. Many high school students who are excellent writers have never published their work. Your application will be evaluated on the basis of your giving evidence of genuine artistry.
• Should I send SAT scores and high school transcripts in my application?   No. Although we expect Wolfe Scholars to make good grades, our primary interest is in evaluating your writing skills.
• In my writing submission, are any subjects taboo?   There are no restrictions whatsoever placed on content. Censorship of manuscripts is prohibited by the Advisory Board.
• I have used profanity in some of my writing. When I apply, should I include or omit works that have “language”?   Applicants should not feel inhibited by the fact that what they deem superior work contains profanity. We can tell when an author, in being true to his or her characters, is letting them speak in their own voices, however profane and/or unsettling those voices may be from time to time, and when, on the other hand, an author is using profanity merely for sensational effect, in a simplistic attempt to engage the reader with shock value, rather than real wit and literary style.

For more information:

Please reach out to Gaby Calvocoressi and Stephanie Elizondo Griest, Co-Directors of The Thomas Wolfe Scholarship Program, at   [email protected] .

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The Scholarship System

Paying for college begins here

The Ultimate List of Scholarships for Writers

Scholarships & Financial Aid

Updated on August 23rd, 2024

If your student dreams of pursuing a career that allows them to focus on the written word, scholarships for writers can make their college journey more affordable. As with all scholarships, the money doesn’t have to be paid back, giving your student a chance to avoid burdensome student loan debt.

Scholarships for writers are pretty plentiful. Current college students can serve as valuable mentors in the college application process, helping others navigate various aspects such as application writing and scholarship searching. High school seniors should also consider applying for scholarships to secure funding for their further education. If your student is looking for scholarships for aspiring writers or opportunities that allow them to earn scholarship money for their undergraduate and graduate students’ writing abilities (that can be applied to other majors), here’s what you need to know.

If you and your student want to learn more about where to find scholarships for writers or other opportunities as well as how to land scholarships,  sign up for our free college scholarship webinar ! Head to https://thescholarshipsystem.com/freewebinar to reserve your spot today .

• 1 What Are Writing Scholarship Essays?
• 2.1 General Writing Scholarships
• 2.2 Poetry Scholarships
• 2.3 Creative Writing Scholarships
• 2.4 Journalism Scholarships
• 2.5 Play and Song Writing Scholarships
• 3.1 Can you get a scholarship in writing?
• 3.2 How do I start writing a scholarship?

What Are Writing Scholarship Essays?

Writing scholarships come in two primary forms. The first kind targets students who intend to pursue writing-related majors or careers. The second option allows anyone with writing skills to earn scholarship awards but doesn’t necessarily limit eligibility based on the student’s major or future career plans. Scholarships are available for both undergraduate and graduate school students, emphasizing the importance of finding financial aid to support education at various levels.

Scholarships for young writers can help your student pursue their dream while giving them a chance to avoid student loan debt. Since many writing careers don’t start with large salaries, this can make pursuing a career in that arena more affordable. There are also specific scholarship opportunities available for undergraduate students, which can significantly aid in funding their higher education journeys.

In most cases, scholarships for writers require applicants to submit some form of writing sample. This can be in addition to other essays or the only written component requirement.

It’s important to note your student needs to read the fine print on all of the scholarships for writers they consider. In some cases, the written pieces or scholarship essays they turn in become the property of the awarding organization, regardless of whether your student receives a scholarship. As a result, some only allow unique writing per the rules, so your student might not be able to submit the same piece repeatedly.

There is a slew of writing scholarships available. Some accept a wide variety of writing content during the application phase, even short fiction, while others focus on specific forms of writing, like poetry writing scholarships that only consider submissions that include a poem.

To ensure your student can find the right opportunities, this list of scholarships for writers is broken down into the most common categories for writing scholarship essays, as well as a general section for writer scholarships that are more flexible about submissions. High school students, especially those in their junior and senior years, should research and apply for writing scholarships early to enhance their educational opportunities in writing and related fields.

General Writing Scholarships

Some scholarships for writers have a range of categories, allowing undergraduate students and other students to choose one that best aligns with their preferred writing style. As a result, these can be a great starting point for nearly any student.

• ACES Scholarships
• Alliance for Young Artists & Writers’ Scholastic Art & Writing Awards
• Barbara Deming Memorial Fund Scholarship
• Family Travel Forum Teen Travel Writing Scholarship
• Go On Girl Book Club’s Aspiring Writer Scholarship
• KidGuard for Education Scholarship
• Marco Island Foundation for the Arts Scholarships
• Willa Cather Foundation Scholarship

Poetry Scholarships

If your high school student loves spending time creating poems, poetry writing scholarships may be an ideal option for them as they transition to becoming an undergraduate student. Not only can they flex their creative muscles, but they also have a chance to earn money to help pay for school.

• Amy Lowell Poetry Travelling Scholarship
• Dorothy Rosenberg Memorial Prize in Lyric Poetry
• Horror Writers Association Dark Poetry Scholarship
• Lycoming Creative Writing Scholarship
• Patricia Cornwell Creative Writing Scholarship
• Poetry Foundation’s Ruth Lilly and Dorothy Sargent Rosenberg Poetry Fellowships
• Power of Poetry Scholarships
• William Morgan Poetry Award

Creative Writing Scholarships

This category includes scholarships for creative writing majors as well as other writing awards, for those with creative writing talent who are going to focus on other subjects. These opportunities include short story scholarships, fiction writing scholarships, scholarships for creative writing majors, and more.

• Bobette Bibo Gugliotta Memorial Scholarship for Creative Writing
• Bodie McDowell Scholarship
• CFNEM Carl and Christine Huebner Scholarship
• CW Scholarship
• GRFC Ladies Literary Club Scholarship
• Gwaltney Scholarship
• Horror Writers Association Scholarship
• Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley Scholarship
• TalNexus Scholarship
• Unico National’s Ella T. Grasso Literary Scholarship
• Creative Writing Scholarship | Waldorf University

Journalism Scholarships

Journalism is still a popular major for college students, who enjoy writing and want to focus on recent happenings, current events, or investigative writing. There are a ton of journalism scholarships out there, helping students enter into this engaging field.

• Against the Grain Scholarship
• Bob and Marion Breeden Journalism Student Aid Fund Scholarship
• Chips Quinn Scholars Program for Diversity in Journalism (paid internship opportunity)
• GardenComm Scholarships
• Journalism Education Association’s Journalist of the Year Award
• Leroy F. Aarons Scholarship Award
• Lester G. Benz Memorial Scholarship for College Journalism Study
• Mike Reynolds Journalism Scholarship
• NABJ Scholarships
• New York Financial Writers’ Association Scholarships
• New York Women in Communications Scholarships
• Ohio News Media Association Scholarships
• Richard G. Zimmerman Scholarship

Play and Song Writing Scholarships

While there aren’t as many in this category, it is possible to find scholarships for writing plays and songs. Here are a couple of examples.

• Jerome Foundation Many Voices Fellowships
• John Lennon Scholarships

Ultimately, aspiring writers and those who just happen to have a talent for the written word can find scholarships to help them pay for school. Plus, there are tons of other scholarships out there for students interested in other topics, including opportunities for:

• Students with learning disabilities
• Military members, veterans, and their families
• Women and girls
• Native Americans

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you get a scholarship in writing.

Yes, you can! Many organizations, universities, and writing programs offer scholarships to writers. These can be awarded for your writing talent, academic achievements, or financial need.

Some are for specific genres like fiction, poetry, or journalism, and others for underrepresented voices or topics. To increase your chances, research scholarships that fit your writing style and goals, prepare a strong portfolio or writing sample, and make sure your application shows your passion and commitment to writing.

How do I start writing a scholarship?

Applying for a scholarship can be intimidating, but breaking it down into steps makes it manageable. First, read the scholarship guidelines carefully to know the requirements including eligibility, documents and deadlines. Research the organization so you can tailor your application to their values and expectations.

Next, brainstorm and outline your essay. Focus on your achievements, goals, and experiences that align with the scholarship’s purpose. Start with a hook that grabs attention, then expand on key points like your achievements and how the scholarship will help you achieve your goals. Remember, the most compelling essays are those that are genuine and reflect your true self.

As you finish, tell them why you’re the best. Revise for clarity and have someone else read it. Then, gather all required documents, check your application, and submit it on time. Apply early and give yourself time to revise, and you’ll submit a good application.

The Scholarship System also runs an annual scholarship to support students. Find out more here:  The Scholarship System Annual Scholarship Opportunity

If you and your student want to learn more about where to find scholarships for writers or other opportunities as well as how to land scholarships,  sign up for our free college scholarship webinar ! Head to https://thescholarshipsystem.com/freewebinar to reserve your spot today

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20 Great Scholarships for Creative Writing Degrees

• Published August 4, 2016
• Last Updated October 5, 2023

Bookworms wishing to turn their love of reading into a gratifying career can greatly benefit from scholarships for creative writing degrees.

Whether at the bachelor’s or master’s level, creative writing majors teach students how to successfully construct prose and poetry.

Creative writing students spend considerable time examining literary works and unleashing their own imagination onto paper. Creative writing graduates excel as published authors across diverse genres from children’s literature to science fiction.

• 10 Best Deals on Online MFA in Creative Writing Degrees

Gained skills can also be applied in:

• journalism, and more

According to the BLS, writers and authors bring home an average yearly salary of $69,130. Competition is strong though, so put your best manuscript forward by earning a creative writing degree.

The following 20 creative writing scholarships will allow you to study the intricacies of language.

1. Bobette Bibo Gugliotta Scholarship

Deadline: February 24th

The Bobette Bibo Gugliotta Scholarship honors the late author who penned several books, including Pigboat 39 and Mysterious Mesa. The fund awards $1,000 annually from the Silicon Valley Community Foundation. Eligible graduating seniors must:

• reside in California’s San Mateo or Santa Clara counties
• be accepted at an accredited four-year college
• have a passion for creative writing
• submit two writing samples

U.S. citizens, legal residents, and AB 540 students may apply.

Bobette Bibo Gugliotta Scholarship 1300 South El Camino Real Suite 100 San Mateo, CA 94402 (650) 450-5487 [email protected] Scholarship Link

2. Brady and Patrick Gallagher Scholarship

Deadline: March 1st

The Brady and Patrick Gallagher Scholarship is sponsored by the Kalamazoo Community Foundation. It grants up to $3,000 yearly to graduating high school seniors. They must exhibit sincere interest in the arts, such as:

• creative writing

Qualified applicants must:

• attend Kalamazoo Public Schools
• be enrolled full-time at an accredited four-year college
• actively participate in artistic activities
• have unmet financial need.

Brady and Patrick Gallagher Scholarship 402 East Michigan Avenue Kalamazoo, MI 49007 (269) 381-4416 [email protected] Scholarship Link

3. Dr. Julianne Malveaux Scholarship

The National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Clubs Inc. offers the Dr. Julianne Malveaux Scholarship. It annually awards $1,000 to African American women who are pursuing bachelor’s degrees in:

• public policy
• related fields

To apply, candidates must:

• be sophomores or juniors
• have U.S. citizenship
• attend an accredited four-year university
• have a cumulative 3.0 GPA
• write a 1,000-word essay about their career plans.

Dr. Julianne Malveaux Scholarship 1806 New Hampshire Avenue NW Washington, DC 20009 (202) 462-4206 [email protected] Scholarship Link

4. Florence Kahn Memorial Award

Deadline: January 15th

The National Federation of State Poetry Societies (NFSPS) hosts an annual college poetry competition to award scholarships for creative writing degrees. These include the $500 Florence Kahn Memorial Award. Eligible participants must be enrolled full-time in four-year, accredited U.S. universities. They must submit 10 original, unpublished poems no more than 80 lines each. Selected scholars will also receive:

• a chapbook of their poetry
• travel stipend for the NFSPS Convention
• free one-year membership.

Florence Kahn Memorial Award P.O. Box 1352 Los Lunas, NM 87031 (505) 235-6680 [email protected] Scholarship Link

5. From Failure to Promise Essay Contest

Deadline: July 31st

Annually, Dr. C. Moorer & Associates holds the From Failure to Promise Essay Contest. It awards $10,000 scholarships to high school seniors or college students attending accredited institutions in the United States or Canada. They must have a minimum 2.5 GPA. Creative writing majors must write an original, 1,500-word essay discussing the most important life lessons learned from Moorer’s inspiring book. Essays are judged on:

• research quality
• effectiveness of presentation.

From Failure to Promise Essay Contest 145 South Livernois Road Suite 336 Rochester Hills, MI 48307 (866) 996-8674 [email protected] Scholarship Link

6. Go on Girl! Aspiring Writer Scholarship

Deadline: March 15th

The National Chapter of the Go On Girl! Book Club presents the Aspiring Writer Scholarship. The $1,000 scholarship goes to African American women. They must be enrolling full-time as sophomores or juniors at historically black colleges and universities. They must be pursuing a bachelor’s degree in:

• closely related major

They must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5. Interested applicants must submit an 800-word essay discussing the “Power of the Written Word.”

Go on Girl! Aspiring Writer Scholarship P.O. Box 3368 New York, NY 10185 [email protected] Scholarship Link

7. Helen McCloy Mystery Writing Scholarships

Deadline: February 18th

Through the Mystery Writers of America, the Helen McCloy Scholarships award $1,000 annually. Eligible are U.S. citizens or legal residents. They must  exhibit financial need for attending college-level creative writing programs to improve their writing techniques. Applicants must be serious aspiring mystery writers, but have not received monetary compensation for novels or short stories. Online submissions must include:

• the writing class syllabus
• mystery writing sample
• 500-word essay outlining career goals.

Helen McCloy Mystery Writing Scholarships 1140 Broadway, Suite 1507 New York, NY 10001 (212) 888-8171 [email protected] Scholarship Link

8. Helen Steiner Rice Scholarship

Deadline: March 2nd

The Community Foundation of Greater Lorain County awards the Helene Steiner Rice Scholarship. The  $1,000 scholarship is for Ohioans who are pursuing creative writing or related literary majors. They must be at an accredited four-year institution in the United States. Eligible candidates must:

• have unmet financial need
• carry a minimum overall GPA of 2.0
• show active community involvement
• live within the Greater Cleveland area
• submit three writing samples

Preference is given to non-traditional, adult learners.

Helen Steiner Rice Scholarship 9080 Leavitt Road Elyria, OH 44035 (440) 984-7390 [email protected] Scholarship Link

9. Herb Alpert Scholarship for Young Artists

Deadline: Varies

Ranging from $2,500 to $40,000, the Herb Alpert Scholarship for Young Artists is one of the most lucrative scholarships for creative writing degrees available. Through the CSSSA Foundation, one-time awards are gifted to California high school seniors in seven categories:

• film production
• visual arts

Applicants must:

• have financial need
• exhibit extraordinary artistic talent
• be likely to succeed in an accredited four-year U.S. college.

Herb Alpert Scholarship for Young Artists 85 South Grand Avenue Pasadena, CA 91105 (626) 584-4055 [email protected] Scholarship Link

10. James R. Buescher Scholarship

The James R. Buescher Scholarship is named for an accomplished writer who died unexpectedly at age 34. The $500 annual award is for Pennsylvania residents pursuing collegiate study in:

Eligible candidates must:

• have graduated high school in Lancaster County
• attend an accredited U.S. institution full-time
• maintain a minimum 2.5 GPA
• exhibit financial need

Scholarships can be renewed for each undergraduate year.

James R. Buescher Scholarship 24 West King Street Suite 201 Lancaster, PA 17603 (507) 931-0414 [email protected] Scholarship Link

11. J.D. Salinger Creative Writing Award

Deadline: January 1st

As the Catcher in the Rye author’s alma mater, Ursinus College provides a lucrative, four-year J.D. Salinger Creative Writing Award. It’s for $33,000 annually. Winning this competitive award will require:

• satisfying freshmen admission requirements
• ranking in the top 25th percentile
• achieving a minimum 3.0 GPA
• submitting a portfolio of 10 creative works with outstanding originality

Chosen scholars will also live in the dorm occupied by J.D. Salinger and gain leadership in Ursinus’ writing program.

J.D. Salinger Creative Writing Award 601 East Main Street Collegeville, PA 19426 (610) 409-3200 [email protected] Scholarship Link

12. L. Ron Hubbard Writers Contest

Deadline: September 30th

The L. Ron Hubbard Writers Contest was started in 1983 It offers 12 annual scholarships for creative writing degrees ranging from $500 to $5,000. It’s for amateur writers specializing in science fiction and fantasy. Eligible U.S. college students must have not published a novel or more than three short stories in any literary medium. Contest participants must submit English works of prose up to 17,000 words, which will be judged by a panel of prominent sci-fi authors.

L. Ron Hubbard Writers Contest 7051 Hollywood Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90028 (323) 466-3310 [email protected] Scholarship Link

13. Leyla Beban Young Authors Scholarship

Deadline: February 1st

In partnership with Bluefire Productions, the Leyla Beban Young Authors Foundation gifts a $1,000 scholarship annually. It goes to high school students who show outstanding promise in the creative writing profession. Entrants must be U.S. or Canadian citizens who haven’t graduated from 12th grade and are already committed to becoming a published author. Entry applications must accompany a 1,000-word original, creative sample piece on any topic.

Leyla Beban Young Authors Scholarship P.O. Box 610005 Redwood City, CA 94061 (650) 262-3076 [email protected] Scholarship Link

14. Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley Scholarship

Deadline: December 31st

In honor of the English novelist who brought us Frankenstein, the Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley Scholarship is awarded by the Horror Writers Association. It goes to outstanding women who are enrolling in university-level creative writing courses. For the $2,500, applicants must:

• have current HWA membership
• exhibit unmet financial need
• be U.S. citizens or legal residents
• submit at least two written works
• show commitment to the honor genre.

Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley Scholarship P.O. Box 56687 Sherman Oaks, CA 91413 (818) 220-3965 [email protected] Scholarship Link

15. NEA Creative Writing Fellowships

Deadline: March 9th

The National Endowment for the Arts awards $25,000 Creative Writing Fellowships every other year. It goes to published creative writers in the United States who need financial assistance for professional development. This includes university-level writing programs. Interested authors can apply by submitting fiction and creative nonfiction prose or 20 pages of poetry. Competition is heated because only five percent of the 1,200 annual applicants are chosen.

NEA Creative Writing Fellowships 400 Seventh Street NW Washington, DC 20506 (202) 682-5034 [email protected] Scholarship Link

16. Positively Different Scholarship Program

Deadline: June 1st

The annual Positively Different Scholarship Program is funded by the Arts Foundation of Cape Cod. It awards $1,000 to five high school seniors who are pursuing arts-related bachelor’s degrees, such as:

• architecture
• reside on Cape Cod
• be graduating this June
• have been accepted into an accredited arts program
• exhibit outstanding talent

Creative writing majors must submit works in one of the following categories:

• short stories
• creative nonfiction prose
• dramatic scripts.

Positively Different Scholarship Program 232 Main Street Suite B Hyannis, MA 02601 (508) 362-0066 [email protected] Scholarship Link

17. Random House Creative Writing Competition

Deadline: February 5th

Since 1993, the Random House Creative Writing Competition has provided over $100,000 in scholarships for creative writing degrees. These go to New York City public school seniors who are entering accredited U.S. institutions. Participants must submit one original, typed literary composition providing 10 pages in one of the following:

• personal memoir

High-quality submissions are chosen based on:

• artistic expression
• storytelling
• character design
• technical merit

Random House Creative Writing Competition 1745 Broadway 14th Floor New York, NY 10019 (212) 782-8319 [email protected] Scholarship Link

18. Robert J. and Evelyn L. Conley Award

Deadline: February 3rd

The Cherokee National Foundation distributes the annual Robert J. and Evelyn L. Conley Award. The $2,000 goes to Native American students who are enrolled full-time in undergraduate and graduate programs for creative writing or English. Qualified recipients must:

• be tribal citizens of the Cherokee Nation
• have at least one-quarter Indian blood
• attend an accredited U.S. university
• have a minimum 3.0 GPA
• upload two writing samples
• plan to serve the Cherokee people.

Robert J. and Evelyn L. Conley Award 800 South Muskogee Tahlequah, OK 74464 (918) 207-0950 [email protected] Scholarship Link

19. Signet Classics Student Essay Scholarship

Deadline: April 14th

Full-time matriculated 11th and 12th graders attending high schools in the United States can apply for the Signet Classics Student Essay Scholarship. The scholarship is for $1,000 to help them earn their creative writing or English degree. To enter, candidates must submit a maximum three-page essay. It must address one of five writing prompts pertaining to this year’s book, such as The Tempest or My Fair Lady. Essay submissions are evaluated on:

• writing style
• originality
• idea articulation.

Signet Classics Student Essay Scholarship 375 Hudson Street New York, NY 10014 (212) 366-2000 [email protected] Scholarship Link

20. Woodbine Big Dreams Scholarship

Deadline: April 1st

The Winston-Salem Foundation grants the Woodbine Big Dreams Scholarship annually. The $1,000 award is for graduating high school seniors residing in the North Carolina counties of:

Eligible students must:

• be accepted into accredited in-state colleges
• maintain a minimum 3.3 GPA
• demonstrate outstanding community service
• plan a career in communication arts

Acceptable majors include:

• digital media
• public relations
• creative writing.

Woodbine Big Dreams Scholarship 751 West Fourth Street Suite 200 Winston-Salem, NC 27101 (336) 725-2382 [email protected] Scholarship Link

Crafting the written word into a riveting tale that engages readers page after page takes finesse. Completing a creative writing program can significantly improve your ability to shape characters and ideas into intriguing plots. Many scholarships are available to help the next Mark Twain or Jane Austen afford literary training. Unlike loans, scholarships are free gifts that provide tuition dollars without repayment. Consider these 20 great scholarships for creative writing degrees to reduce the financial burden of developing your pathway to publishing.

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Best Writing Scholarships in 2024

Showing 133 scholarships that match your search.

WIIT Scholarships

Our merit-based scholarships are awarded twice per year to support and encourage women studying International Trade and Global Development. Applicants must identify as female and be enrolled at an accredited U.S. college as a junior, senior, or graduate student. Awards will be based on the quality of the assigned essay and the applicant's demonstrated interested in international trade.

Categories: Critical Essay

Organization: The Association of Women in International Trade

Deadline: November 01, 2024

Additional awards: Multiple awards will be given each year; winners will also receive WIIT mentorship

Recipients: 1

Top award: $3,000

Apply now →

Americanism Essay Contest

​FRA sponsors an annual essay contest to promote the spirit of Americanism and patriotism among our country’s youth. FRA's Americanism Essay Contest is open to all students, grades 7-12, including those who are home schooled. Students are invited to submit a 350-word essay through an FRA member or local FRA branch before the December 1st deadline.

Categories: Personal Essay

Organization: Fleet Reserve Association

Deadline: December 01, 2024

Additional awards: Other winners will receive $1,000, $750, and $500

Top award: $1,500

New York Life Award

Underwritten by the New York Life Foundation, the New York Life Award offers $2,500 scholarships/travel stipends to ten students whose works explore death and personal grief. Sharing your story through art or writing can be a healing experience both for you and other teens who are grieving. Your creative work can help someone with similar experiences to you feel less alone.

Categories: Journalism, Personal Essay, Critical Essay, Short Fiction, Novel Writing, Nonfiction, Poetry, Screenwriting, Playwriting, and Portfolio

Organization: Scholastic Art & Writing Awards

Recipients: 10

Top award: $2,500

Portfolio Awards

The Portfolio Awards, made possible by generous individual donors and other supporters, offer $12,500 scholarships to Gold Medal Portfolio winners and $2,000 scholarships to Silver Medal Portfolio winners. All graduating seniors submitting a collection of six works with accompanying Artist or Writer Statements and Personal Statements (500 words or less) are eligible for this award.

Categories: Portfolio

Additional awards: $2,000 each for Silver Medal prizes

Recipients: 16

Top award: $12,500

Many Voices Fellowship

The Many Voices Fellowship is intended to support early career playwrights of color and Indigenous playwrights who demonstrate artistic potential and a commitment to a year-long residency in Minnesota. Fellowships provide a $25,000 stipend and $3,000 to support customized play development through workshops with professional directors, dramaturgs, and actors.

Categories: Playwriting

Organization: Jerome Foundation

Top award: $25,000

OPC Scholarships

The Overseas Press Club Foundation strives to improve the media's understanding of international issues and to raise the quality of news-gathering efforts in covering the world. This is achieved by offering scholarships to undergraduate and graduate students in American colleges and universities, who aspire to become foreign correspondents. All applicants to OPC scholarships must submit a cover letter, resume, and writing sample about an international issue or topic.

Categories: Journalism

Organization: Overseas Press Club Foundation

Additional awards: Multiple awards of varying amounts will be given

SPCA Mundy Scholarship

The Foundation awards a scholarship each year to a South Carolina college student interested in pursuing a newspaper career. The premier scholarship, worth $1,000 per academic year, is named for the Foundation’s first president, the late Frank R. Mundy of the Greenwood Index-Journal.

Organization: South Carolina Press Association

Deadline: December 02, 2024

Top award: $1,000

Unigo $10k Scholarship

The Unigo $10K Scholarship aims to help improve your education by offering a $10,000 prize to use towards school. "Would you rather be smart, funny or rich? Why?" In 250 words or less, submit an online written response to the question. Applicants must be 14 years of age or older and reside in the United States.

Categories: Short Fiction

Organization: Unigo

Deadline: December 31, 2024

Top award: $10,000

Delete Cyberbullying Scholarship Award

In an effort to get students committed to the cause of deleting cyberbullying, we are offering the Delete Cyberbullying Scholarship Award for high school, college and graduate student — a $1,000 scholarship to help cover educational expenses. To apply, write a short essay answering one of the following questions: "Why is it important to work to delete cyberbullying?" or "How has cyberbullying personally affected you?"

Organization: Delete Cyberbullying

The Walt Disney Company UNCF Corporate Scholars Program

The Walt Disney Company UNCF Corporate Scholars Program aims to help create a diverse pipeline of college-educated professionals poised to assume fulfilling off-camera careers in entertainment, and to help increase the number of underrepresented minorities employed in the entertainment industry. Please note applications submitted for this program will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Organization: UNCF

Deadline: January 01, 2025

Recipients: 100

WCF Scholarship for Student Research

The Willa Cather Foundation supports emerging scholars who increase our understanding and appreciation of the life and work of Willa Cather. As a part of this effort, we have designated three $400 annual scholarships to support upper-level students presenting original Cather research at non-Cather specific conferences. Applicants should submit their application at least four weeks prior to the conference.

Categories: Research

Organization: Willa Cather Foundation

Recipients: 3

Top award: $400

Islamic Scholarship Fund Program

Students who are Muslim or active members of the Muslim community may apply for the Islamic Scholarship Fund. The ISF awards multiple scholarships each year ranging from $3,000-$10,000, though the amounts and number of recipients will vary. Students must submit applications including essay questions, work samples, and letters of recommendation, and must also be majoring in an ISF-supported field related to media or politics.

Organization: Islamic Scholarship Fund

Unigo College Review Scholarship

Love your college? Hate it? Meh? Tell other students about your experience so they can make better decisions about college. You must currently attend (or have previously attended) the college that you review to be eligible.

Recipients: 5

Ursinus College Creative Writing Award

The Ursinus College Creative Writing Award is a $40,000 per year major scholarship for creative writers of outstanding originality and potential. The award winner will have the honor of living in the dorm room once occupied by J.D. Salinger, who attended Ursinus. In the spirit of Holden Caulfield and Catcher in the Rye, we are looking for an unusual perspective, for quirky brilliance, for a voice. Candidates must achieve admission to Ursinus.

Categories: Critical Essay, Nonfiction, Novel Writing, Personal Essay, Playwriting, Poetry, and Short Fiction

Organization: Ursinus College

Deadline: January 03, 2025

Top award: $40,000

Pride Foundation Scholarships

The Pride Foundation provides essential financial resources and community support to inspirational LGBTQ+ and allied student leaders across the Northwest. Applicants must be from Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, or Washington to be eligible. Applications open in October of each year and all 60+ scholarships may be applied for through the same application form.

Organization: Pride Foundation

Deadline: January 05, 2025

What are writing scholarships?

Writing scholarships are financial awards given to students based primarily on written work, though other factors are usually taken into consideration as well. Most writing scholarships involve a prompt or series of prompts to which applicants must respond. Some writing scholarships — especially those that award large amounts of money — require applicants to submit past writing samples, or even a full portfolio.

The good news is that, with so many writing scholarships to choose from, you don’t have to apply for any that are “out of your league.” Indeed, though most students have heard of writing scholarships, you may not realize just how many different varieties there are! Here are five of the most common types of writing scholarships, all of which you can find in this directory.

1. Personal essay scholarships

Personal essay scholarships involve writing on a topic related to your own experience. You’ll often see personal essay prompts like, “How have your experiences influenced your choice of major?” and “What are your career aspirations and how do you plan to achieve them?” Other prompts may ask you to write about a role model, a life-changing event, an aspect of your identity, etc. Suggested length is usually about 500-1,000 words, but varies depending on the level of detail requested and how many essay questions are provided.

Just about every scholarship these days has a personal essay component of some kind. This is because personal essay responses both demonstrate writing skills and give the judges a clear sense of each applicant’s goals. No one wants to throw away money on an aimless student — so if you’re applying for a personal essay scholarship, make sure to convey both your writing abilities and your ambitions in your work!

2. Critical essay scholarships

Critical essay scholarships are more in line with what students might consider  “academic” essays. The prompts typically ask applicants to analyze works of literature. However, unlike open-ended English class essays, most critical essay scholarships provide a very specific prompt (e.g. “Examine The Great Gatsby in the context of its World War II-era revival”).

Critical essay scholarships can also involve non-literary subject matter. Some may ask applicants to evaluate a historical event or figure; others may ask them to defend their stance on a political or legal issue. Though the line between critical and personal essays can sometimes blur, for the purposes of this directory, we define critical essays as those that use evidence from an external source to prove a point.

3. Short fiction scholarships

Short fiction scholarships include scholarships for short stories, one-act plays, poetry, and any other form of fiction that isn’t a novel or full-length script. Short fiction scholarships tend to be easier to find than long-form fiction scholarships, since most judging panels don’t have time to read more than a few thousand words per entry. Therefore, if you write fiction and you’re hoping to nab yourself a scholarship, this category is the way to go! (That said, if you’re a hardline novelist, some places will accept a sample chapter or two as short fiction entries.)

4. Journalism scholarships

Journalism scholarships are for students interested in pursuing a career in news, magazine, and/or online journalism. These scholarship applications almost always ask for writing samples to show the candidate’s interest. Depending on the organization, they may prefer topical news reports, informative articles, thinkpieces, or a mix. Some journalism scholarships provide a prompt and ask applicants to write a new article, but the focus is usually on samples. Speaking of which…

5. Portfolio scholarships 

Portfolio scholarships are the most rigorous kind of writing scholarship, requiring a substantial body of work from each applicant — usually 5-10 pieces of writing, if not more. The upside is that awards for portfolio scholarships tend to be pretty sizable, and may even cover your entire tuition!

If you decide to apply to a portfolio scholarship, make sure you have several strong pieces of work in your oeuvre, and consider writing a few new pieces as well. What you shouldn’t do is rush through a dozen new pieces to throw together as a portfolio. If you don’t have samples at the ready from previous assignments or projects, you’ll be better off applying to a less intensive writing scholarship.

Why apply to writing scholarships?

Applying to writing scholarships is a huge undertaking, especially if you’re pursuing multiple scholarships at once. It can sometimes feel like the effort isn’t worth it, or that you have little chance of actually winning any awards. But in truth, submitting to writing scholarships is one of the best investments you can make in your education, your creative writing skills, and your professional life.

Scholarships for larger amounts do attract more applicants, but that doesn’t mean they’re impossible to land — only that you have to work a little harder to stand out. And you can definitely sway the odds in your favor by applying to lots of small scholarships ($500 or less) for which you’ll have fewer competitors. Remember that every little bit helps! For example, if you plan on taking out student loans, even a $500 scholarship could save you much more in interest down the line.

Another compelling reason to apply to writing scholarships is that oftentimes, you’ve already done the work, or the work required is minimal. For scholarships that require writing samples, you’ll simply submit what you’ve already written in the past — and even for scholarships with specific prompts, you rarely have to write more than a couple of pages. If you were seriously committed, you could apply to a scholarship every day, spending a single concentrated evening on each application.

Jumping off that thought, as English majors love to say: the more writing scholarships you apply for, the better a writer you’ll become. Writing tons of scholarship essays will make you a much more creative and efficient writer. Not only will this help with your personal writing projects, but it will also be invaluable to your education and even your career! Writing is a crucial skill for every major — you’ll always have to write papers and emails to professors, after all — and even if you don’t plan to pursue a writing-based job, you'll still need writing skills to polish your résumé.

Finally, remember that there’s a writing scholarship out there for everyone, no matter what your interests or intended field. This directory includes plenty of creative writing scholarships, yes; but there are also personal essay scholarships for future doctors, lawyers, salespeople, and so much more. You have nothing to lose by giving it a shot, so why not start searching for your dream writing scholarship today? (And if you’re unsure about your writing skills, you might benefit from some of the resources below.)

Resources to strengthen your writing skills

• 20 Writing Tips to Help You Become A Better Writer Today. Click here to view
• How to Stop Procrastinating and Build A Solid Writing Routine. Click here to enroll
• What is Creative Nonfiction? Memoirs, Literary Journalism, and More! Check it out
• How to Write a Memoir: Tell Your Amazing Story in 9 Steps. Read more
• How to Write a Fantastic Short Story In 7 Steps. Find out more
• How to Self-Edit Your Manuscript Like a Pro. Enroll here
• 700+ Creative Writing Prompts to Inspire You. Click here to view
• 100+ Creative Writing Exercises for Authors. Learn more

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