Scholarships For Creative Writing Students
Creative writing students face a unique set of challenges as they pursue their passion for writing. The cost of education, coupled with the need to develop their craft, can make it difficult to afford tuition, books, and writing materials. Fortunately, there are many scholarships available to help ease the financial burden and support aspiring writers. Below is a list of scholarships that can help creative writing students fund their education and pursue their literary dreams.
1. The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards
The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards is one of the most prestigious and widely recognized competitions for young writers. It provides scholarships for high school students interested in creative writing, including poetry, fiction, and drama.
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- Eligibility: Open to U.S. students in grades 7–12 who are enrolled in a school.
- Details: Students can win cash prizes, including scholarships, for their work in categories such as short story, poetry, and personal essays. Winners may receive awards ranging from $1,000 to $10,000.
2. The Kenyon Review Young Writers Workshop Scholarships
The Kenyon Review offers scholarships to young writers who wish to attend their summer writing workshops. These workshops are known for fostering the development of aspiring writers in various genres of creative writing, including fiction and poetry.
- Eligibility: Open to high school students who are interested in writing fiction or poetry.
- Details: Scholarships cover the full cost of tuition, room, and board for the workshop. The Kenyon Review aims to provide the opportunity to young writers who demonstrate talent and passion for writing.
3. The James Jones First Novel Fellowship
The James Jones First Novel Fellowship offers a $10,000 grant to an emerging writer working on their first novel. The fellowship is designed to support writers with the time and resources to complete their manuscript.
- Eligibility: Open to U.S. citizens who are working on their first novel. Applicants must submit a portion of their work to be considered.
- Details: The fellowship awards $10,000 to help with writing expenses. This scholarship is ideal for students pursuing a career in fiction writing and those who need financial assistance to complete a first novel.
4. The Tina B. Carroll Scholarship for Creative Writers
This scholarship is designed to support undergraduate students majoring in creative writing. The Tina B. Carroll Scholarship encourages students who are passionate about the art of writing to pursue their educational goals.
- Eligibility: Open to undergraduate students enrolled in a creative writing program at an accredited U.S. institution.
- Details: The scholarship provides up to $2,000 to support students in their creative writing studies.
5. The University of Iowa Writers’ Workshop Scholarships
The Iowa Writers’ Workshop is one of the most prestigious graduate writing programs in the country. The university offers several scholarships and fellowships to help students pursuing an MFA in creative writing.
- Eligibility: Open to graduate students who are accepted into the MFA program in creative writing.
- Details: The program offers substantial funding to its students, including scholarships, fellowships, and teaching assistantships that cover tuition and provide a stipend.
6. The Creative Writing Scholarship at Westminster College
Westminster College offers a scholarship for students majoring in creative writing. This scholarship is designed to help cover tuition and encourage students to develop their writing talents.
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- Eligibility: Open to incoming students who have been accepted into the creative writing program at Westminster College.
- Details: The scholarship provides up to $2,000 for creative writing students based on their writing portfolio and academic achievements.
7. The Margaret Reid Poetry Scholarship
The Margaret Reid Poetry Scholarship is designed to support creative writers who focus on poetry. The scholarship is awarded annually to help students pursue their passion for poetry writing.
- Eligibility: Open to students pursuing a degree in creative writing with a focus on poetry.
- Details: The scholarship offers a cash award, and winners are selected based on the quality of their poetry submission.
8. The Mary Wollstonecraft Scholarship
This scholarship supports women writers pursuing a degree in creative writing. It encourages female writers to hone their craft and provides them with financial assistance to achieve their academic goals.
- Eligibility: Open to female students who are enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate creative writing program.
- Details: The scholarship awards $1,000 to female students demonstrating financial need and academic excellence in the field of creative writing.
9. The David Wong Fellowship in Creative Writing
The David Wong Fellowship is designed to help students in the field of creative writing who are working on significant literary projects. The fellowship is ideal for writers with a clear vision for their creative work.
- Eligibility: Open to students who are currently enrolled in an MFA or creative writing program and have a strong portfolio.
- Details: The fellowship provides a cash award, and recipients also benefit from mentorship opportunities with established writers.
10. The Red Hen Press Scholarship for Creative Writers
Red Hen Press, an independent publishing house, offers scholarships to aspiring creative writers. This scholarship is designed to support writers who are committed to developing their skills in fiction, poetry, and other genres of writing.
- Eligibility: Open to undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in creative writing programs.
- Details: The scholarship offers a stipend to help cover tuition and writing-related expenses. Red Hen Press also offers opportunities for students to submit their work for publication.
11. The Ploughshares Emerging Writer’s Award
Ploughshares, a literary journal, offers a scholarship to emerging writers who are working on their first book or literary project. The award is intended to help writers who are at the early stages of their careers.
- Eligibility: Open to writers who have not yet published a full-length book but have demonstrated talent and commitment to their craft.
- Details: The award offers $1,000 in cash and publication opportunities in Ploughshares, which provides exposure to a broader audience of literary readers.
12. The McKnight Fellowships for Writers
The McKnight Fellowships provide funding for writers who are working on creative projects. It is open to writers in various genres, including fiction, nonfiction, and poetry.
- Eligibility: Open to U.S. writers who have published at least one book or have a substantial body of work in literary magazines.
- Details: The fellowship awards $25,000 to support the recipient’s creative writing project, as well as the opportunity for mentorship and professional development.
13. The Writer’s Digest Annual Writing Competition
Writer’s Digest hosts an annual writing competition with various categories, including creative writing, fiction, and poetry. This competition is ideal for students who want to showcase their work and receive recognition for their writing talent.
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- Eligibility: Open to students, emerging writers, and professionals in the field of creative writing.
- Details: The competition offers cash prizes, publication in Writer’s Digest, and other writing-related benefits. Winners in the creative writing category may also receive a scholarship.
14. The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Writing Awards
The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Writing Awards offer scholarships to writers who are working on projects that aim to make a significant contribution to the field of creative writing.
- Eligibility: Open to graduate and undergraduate students pursuing a degree in creative writing.
- Details: The scholarship awards up to $5,000 to help support students in their creative writing endeavors, particularly those writing in the areas of fiction and nonfiction.
How to Find Additional Scholarships
- University Financial Aid Offices: Many universities offer their own creative writing scholarships, so it’s important to reach out to your institution’s financial aid office for information.
- Writing Conferences and Workshops: Look for scholarships offered by writing conferences and workshops, as these can offer financial aid as well as valuable networking opportunities.
- Literary Journals and Publishing Houses: Many literary journals and independent publishers offer scholarships, fellowships, and writing competitions. These often have a specific focus on supporting emerging writers.
Creative writing scholarships provide essential financial assistance to students who are dedicated to developing their writing talents.
