College Writing Scholarships
Find all Types of Writing Scholarships from Creative to Professional
Many students seeking scholarships dread the writing part of the application process the most - the essay. Writers, however look forward to that part where they can put their skills up against thousands of others hoping their essay will touch the judges the most. For those writers there are unique scholarship opportunities. We've selected just a few.
Scholarships Funded by Publications and Organizations
The Scholastic Art and Writing Awards, administered by The Alliance for Young Artists and Writers awards more than one million dollars annually to students in grades 7-12. Scholarships are awarded based on 10 writing categories and 16 art categories. Among other awards, five writers will receive cash grants of $10,000. The Alliance for Young Artists and Writers has been rewarding young talent for decades including Joyce Carol Oates in 1956.
The Sweet Sixteen Scholarship is an annual writing contest open to girls 13-18 years of age. Manuscripts must be factual, unpublished personal stories of a memorable or life-changing experience written in the first person up to a maximum of 1600 words. Top scholarship prize is $16,000, second place is $10,000, third place $5,000 and fourth place $2500. Manuscripts can be submitted via snail mail or email.
College Scholarships
Best-selling crime novelist Patricia Cornwell, alumna of Davidson College in Davidson, NC awards two annual scholarships of $20,000 each to two outstanding writers who are entering students at Davidson and show promise and ability and are actively pursuing a degree relative to writing.
The annual Kate Herzog Scholarship award for promising writers awards not only modest college scholarships but arranges for the winners to have a consult with an agent, editor or film producer. These awards are for writers in the Pacific Northwest. Winners will be invited to attend the Willamette Writers Conference in Portland, Oregon. High school seniors, and college freshmen and sophomores are eligible to enter. Submit a previously unpublished writing sample of no more than 1000 words, a cover letter with a paragraph that includes the student's goals as a writer, and a letter of recommendation from an instructor in the current academic year. First place is a $500 college scholarship, second through fourth places $250 scholarship and 5th place is a pass to attend the Willamette Writing Conference.
Scholarships from Writer's Leagues
Many regions have their own writer's leagues. Such organizations are devoted to nurturing developing writers including students and many either sponsor or advertise current contests and scholarships.
The Writer's League of Texas sponsors two writing scholarships:
- Bess Whitehead Scott Journalism Scholarship is a $1,000 annual award presented to a junior or senior university student pursuing a degree in Journalism or a related field. Applicant must be currently enrolled in one of the following universities: Baylor University, Sam Houston State University, Texas A&M University, Texas State University, University of Mary Hardin-Baylor or the University of North Texas. Applicant must demonstrate financial need. Applicant must complete and print the online application and submit along with essay questions stated on application.
- Scribes Scholarship: The Bess Whitehead Scott Scholarship for Older Adults $1,000 annual award presented to a male or female age 40 and over who is pursuing work, study, or a degree in journalism, writing or a related field. Applicant must be a current resident of the state of Texas and demonstrate financial need. Applicant must complete and print online application and mail along with the answers to essay questions printed on application.
Many colleges and universities across the United States offer writing scholarships to students who are either currently enrolled or planning to attend that particular institution. Check scholarship information for the schools in your area or any schools you may be interested in attending.
