creative writing full ride scholarships

Find Local & Niche Scholarships You Can Win

👉 Looking for winnable scholarships ? 🏆 Get new scholarships sent to:

As seen on:

Scholarships by Major

Scholarships by County

Scholarships by State

Scholarships by Country

Scholarships by Degree Type

Scholarships by Grade Level

Scholarships by Award Amount

Scholarships by Disability

Scholarships by Medical Condition

Scholarships by Religion

Scholarships by Identity

Niche Scholarships

Scholarships by GPA

Scholarships by SAT Score

Scholarships by ACT Score

Scholarships by Age

© 2024 Scholarships That Work . All rights reserved.

Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms and Privacy Policy .

• Current Students
• International Students
• Faculty & Staff
• Visitors & Community
• Request Info
• Degrees & Programs
• Admission, Cost & Aid
• Campus & Community
• Program Finder
• Ministry & Human Services
• Academic Resources

What does Belhaven offer? More than 80 programs for all kinds of students. Build your career from this haven.

• Apply to Belhaven
• Financial Aid

How do you make this happen? We have the details--everything you need to win admission to Belhaven and manage your costs.

• Virtual Tour
• Campus Calendar
• Campus Life
• Alumni Success
• Career & Calling
• Student Care
• Services for Online Students
• Commencement

Why Belhaven? Because this is your haven. You can call on Belhaven people on the smooth days--and the rough ones.

• Angie Thomas Scholarship

Creative Writing

• Alumni Awards and Achievements

Belhaven University is proud to offer the Angie Thomas Writer's Scholarship program to freshmen as candidates for the BFA in Creative Writing.

The program provides one student with a four-year, full-ride scholarship covering tuition, room, and board. Additional scholarships—and designations as Angie Thomas Scholars—will be offered to all other applicants. All portfolios submitted by the deadline date will be considered for scholarships.

These scholarships are named in honor of Belhaven alumna Angie Thomas (BFA 2011), author of the New York Times best-selling novels The Hate U Give, On the Come Up, and Concrete Rose . In 2018, The Hate U Give premiered as a major motion picture from Fox 2000 starring Amandla Stenberg. Angie has received many awards and accolades for her writing, including the William C. Morris Award, the Coretta Scott King Award, and nomination for the National Book Award.

The Angie Thomas Writer's Scholarship is open to incoming freshmen who wish to major in Creative Writing. Students who utilize Belhaven’s Double Major Promise are also eligible if they choose Creative Writing as one of their majors.

Angie Thomas Writer's Scholarship

Learn how to become an Angie Thomas Writer's Scholar. This scholarship is open to incoming freshmen who wish to major in Creative Writing. Begin working on your portfolio today as it is due November 16, 2023. We can't wait to welcome our new Angie Thomas Scholars in the fall of 2024!

Scholarship and Portfolio Instructions:

For your portfolio to be reviewed and to be considered for the Angie Thomas Writer's Scholarship you must provide the following:

• Twelve to fifteen pages of your best creative writing. You may include the following genres in your application portfolio: poetry, fiction, plays, and creative nonfiction. All of your portfolio may be from one genre or a mix of genres.
• What would you most like others to know about you and your community?
• How have reading and writing shaped your sense of place and purpose in the world?
• What would you most like to accomplish as a writer?
• Include examples that help the reader know you, your community, and your calling as a writer.
• A cover letter with the following information: name, home address, email address, telephone number, high school, and how you heard about the Angie Thomas Writer's Scholarship.
• A completed application for admission to Belhaven University and declare Creative Writing as a major.
• When available, a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Belhaven's FAFSA code is 002397.

All materials are due by November 16, 2023. Applications will be reviewed, and winners will be selected on December 15, 2023. These submissions should be sent to the Office of Admission at [email protected] .

If you have questions about the scholarship or the application process, contact the Office of Admission at 1-800-960-5940 or [email protected] .

If you have questions about the creative writing program, please contact the department chair, Dr. Randy Smith, at 601-968-8996 (work) or 601-832-7639 (cell) or [email protected] .

NYT Bestseller

2023 scholarship, advice from angie, scholarship, congratulations, angie thomas.

Verse of the Year

God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him.

Philippians 2:13

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.

Explore your training options in 10 minutes Get Started

• Graduate Stories
• Partner Spotlights
• Bootcamp Prep
• Bootcamp Admissions
• University Bootcamps
• Coding Tools
• Software Engineering
• Web Development
• Data Science
• Tech Guides
• Tech Resources
• Career Advice
• Online Learning
• Internships
• Apprenticeships
• Tech Salaries
• Associate Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree
• University Admissions
• Best Schools
• Certifications
• Bootcamp Financing
• Higher Ed Financing
• Scholarships
• Financial Aid
• Best Coding Bootcamps
• Best Online Bootcamps
• Best Web Design Bootcamps
• Best Data Science Bootcamps
• Best Technology Sales Bootcamps
• Best Data Analytics Bootcamps
• Best Cybersecurity Bootcamps
• Best Digital Marketing Bootcamps
• Los Angeles
• San Francisco
• Browse All Locations
• Digital Marketing
• Machine Learning
• See All Subjects
• Bootcamps 101
• Full-Stack Development
• Career Changes
• View all Career Discussions
• Mobile App Development
• Cybersecurity
• Product Management
• UX/UI Design
• What is a Coding Bootcamp?
• Are Coding Bootcamps Worth It?
• How to Choose a Coding Bootcamp
• Best Online Coding Bootcamps and Courses
• Best Free Bootcamps and Coding Training
• Coding Bootcamp vs. Community College
• Coding Bootcamp vs. Self-Learning
• Bootcamps vs. Certifications: Compared
• What Is a Coding Bootcamp Job Guarantee?
• How to Pay for Coding Bootcamp
• Ultimate Guide to Coding Bootcamp Loans
• Best Coding Bootcamp Scholarships and Grants
• Education Stipends for Coding Bootcamps
• Get Your Coding Bootcamp Sponsored by Your Employer
• GI Bill and Coding Bootcamps
• Tech Intevriews
• Our Enterprise Solution
• Connect With Us
• Publication
• Reskill America
• Partner With Us

• Resource Center
• Bachelor’s Degree
• Master’s Degree

How to Get a Creative Writing Scholarship

A degree in creative writing can sharpen your writing skills and improve your chances of becoming a successful writer. However, the rising cost of the already expensive higher education system in the US is a major hurdle in many students’ career goals. Luckily, many creative writing scholarships are available for talented students.

In this article, we’ve put together a list of ten creative writing scholarships for high school students, undergraduate students, and graduate students, their eligibility criteria and deadline for the academic session 2022 to 2023. We’ve also listed some tips on how to get a creative writing scholarship and lower the weight of your student loans.

Find your bootcamp match

What is a creative writing scholarship.

A creative writing scholarship is a form of financial aid offered to students who demonstrate exceptional writing skills and academic prowess. Creative writing scholarships ease the financial burden taken on by talented students by providing them with financial support to pay for the creative writing classes they take in university.

An aspiring creative writer can apply for many different scholarships. Some colleges award scholarships in the form of monthly stipends while a very select few even offer fully-funded scholarships covering tuition fees, monthly expenses, and sometimes even airfare.

Common Creative Writing Scholarship Requirements

• GPA. Students must have a good grade point average (GPA) and an excellent academic background to be eligible for most creative writing scholarships. Many scholarships require a GPA of 3.0 or higher. An incoming student seeking scholarships should work hard to improve their grades before applying.
• Academic Excellence. Students who plan on qualifying for scholarships must have an excellent educational background. While creative writing scholarships usually don’t have degree requirements, taking AP courses throughout 11th and 12th grade can be beneficial.
• Creative Writing Sample. While filling out scholarship applications, students must showcase their artistic excellence through a selection of writing samples. A writing sample can come from the student’s published work or any other writing experience they are proud of. Although published work isn’t a mandatory requirement, especially for incoming undergraduates, it significantly improves the chances of being selected.
• US Citizenship. Many colleges award creative writing scholarships exclusively to US citizens or permanent residents. You might need to submit a valid identity card to confirm your citizenship before the selection process can begin .
• Letter of Recommendation. When applying to scholarship programs, students will be asked to submit two or three letters of recommendation. These letters of recommendation can be written by school professors or mentors. Letters of recommendation are mandatory for just about all scholarships.
• Personal Essay. Eligible students will have to write a 500-word essay about their personal experiences and thoughts in relation to writing. Students should ask for feedback on personal essays from professors, fellow students, and family members to improve their chances.

How to Find Creative Writing Scholarships

There are multiple ways creative writing students can find scholarships. Whether you are a graduate or undergraduate student, you can contact your school’s financial aid office for help. You can also look online using dedicated scholarship search engines. Regardless of whether you want to focus on creative nonfiction, original poetry, or journalism, there are plenty of creative writing scholarships.

Contact Your School’s Financial Aid Office

You can start researching scholarship programs by reaching out to the financial aid office of your school. The financial aid office can help you by providing you with a list of all the scholarships that the school offers and helping you figure out if you could be one of the qualified recipients based on your technical merit.

Sign Up for Scholarship Finder

Another way to find out about scholarships is by using an online scholarship search engine. You can sign up for the US Department of Labor’s free Scholarship Finder tool. Alternatively, you can search Google to find thousands of scholarships, grants, and fellowship opportunities. You can even filter your search based on the deadline for submissions, acceptable majors of applicants, and academic requirements.

Check Ethnicity-based organizations

Most states in the US have several ethnicity-based organizations that offer a wide range of scholarships to promote diversity and inclusivity in higher education. Some scholarships they offer might be specific to a particular region. Consider reaching out to local organizations near you.

Tips to Find Creative Writing Scholarships for High School Students

Reach out to your school counselor.

An excellent way to find scholarship programs is by reaching out to your high school counselor. Counselors will help you find scholarships that fit your goals, academic standing, and other qualifications. They might also suggest other financial support opportunities.

Start As Early As Possible

Creative writing scholarships are highly competitive, so you should start planning your applications to scholarship programs as early as possible. The first thing you should do is choose which college you want to attend. Then, you can visit the school’s official website to find out more about the financial aid they offer.

Explore a Broad Range of Scholarships

Students who are seeking creative writing scholarships should also explore other scholarships. There are scholarships for creative writing majors that are offered with specific stipulations. Sometimes these stipulations make you eligible for a broader range of scholarships such as scholarships for women, racial minorities, people with exceptional hardships, or community volunteers.

10 Best Creative Writing Scholarships in 2022: Overview

Top 10 creative writing scholarships: in detail, 1. patricia cornwell creative writing scholarship.

• Awarded by: Davidson College
• Deadline: January 2023

Davidson College offers a $35,000 scholarship to young writers who demonstrate an exceptional passion for writing. It is an annual scholarship awarded to one first-year student. The scholarship can be renewed every year as long as the scholarship recipients maintain good grade point averages.

2. University of Michigan-Dearborn Writing Awards

• Awarded by: Outdoor Writers Association of America
• Deadline: May 2022

The University of Michigan-Dearborn offers $7,500 in scholarships to students enlisted in undergraduate degree programs. The awards are granted in the Poetry, Bill Linn Fiction Prize, Researched Writing, Creative Nonfiction, Writing Through Image and Sound, Writing in the Public Sphere, First-Year Writing, Honors Writing, and Scientific/Technical Writing categories.

3. NSHSS Creative Writing Scholarship

• Awarded by: National Society of High School Scholars
• Deadline: October 2022

Every year, the National Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS) offers three scholarships worth $2,000 for fiction and three scholarships worth $2,000 for poetry. Applications open in July and close in October. All high school students graduating in 2023, 2024, or 2025, as well as recently graduated students, are eligible. Students are required to submit an original writing piece in both categories.

4. The Reedsy National Creative Writing Scholarship

• Awarded by: Reedsy
• Deadline: April 2022

The Reedsy Creative Writing Scholarship is a biannual scholarship that rewards aspiring novel writers with a $1,000 cash incentive which is directly transferred to the recipient’s educational institute. Reedsy also considers these recipients for further sponsorship as they become novel writers. Applicants must be studying at an accredited college or university and must submit a 1,500-word to 7,500-word original chapter of an unpublished novel.

5. Bobette Bibo Gugliotta Memorial Scholarships for Creative Writing

• Awarded by: Silicon Valley Community Foundation
• Deadline: February 2023

The Silicon Valley Community Foundation offers $1,000 in scholarships to aspiring creative writing students. Only US citizens or A.B 540 students are allowed to apply. Applicants must be current graduating seniors or graduates of a high school in San Mateo or Santa Clara County. Moreover, they must be admitted to a four-year degree program as a full-time student. The application closes in February.

6. Writing the Future Scholarship

• Awarded by: DiBella Law Offices PC

DiBella Law Offices PC offers a $1,000 one-time, non-renewable scholarship for post-secondary education. Any graduate or college student enrolled in a four-year university can apply. Moreover, students admitted to a two-year college or who have earned a high school diploma can also apply.

7. Ray Bradbury Award for Science Fiction & Fantasy

• Awarded by: Alliance for Young Artists & Writers
• Deadline: December 2022

If you love writing about supernatural, magical, futuristic, scientific, and technological themes, you should consider applying for the Ray Bradbury Award. It’s open to residents of the United States and the selected qualified applicant will receive a $1,000 cash award. The deadline to apply for this scholarship is December 1.

8. $1,500 Video Contest Scholarship for Students Who Enjoy Writing

• Awarded by: Cool Club

If you like writing stories or making videos, you should consider this scholarship by Cool Club. This scholarship offers a $1,000 scholarship prize to the winner and $500 to the runner-up. Applicants must be high school, university, or community college students. IvyPanda also offers a similar scholarship.

9. Dever Award for Freshman Writing

• Awarded by: Boston College
• Deadline: December 1, 2022

Boston College is one of the few colleges to offer essay scholarships to first-year students in writing. The Department of English at Boston College awards two students with a cash prize for possessing incredible essay writing skills. Boston College also has other scholarships like the Doherty Honors Project Award and English Language Learner Essay Award, which are open to all first-year students.

10. Eleanor M Wolfson Memorial Scholarship

• Awarded by: First Community Foundation Partnership of Pennsylvania
• Deadline: Not specified

This scholarship is designed for Montoursville Area High School seniors who want to study creative writing at Yale University. ​​Applications need a Student Aid Report (SAR) from FAFSA and an acceptance letter from the university. They also need to submit an essay, a resume, a letter of recommendation, and their school transcripts.

Should I Apply for a Creative Writing Scholarship?

Yes, you should apply for a creative writing scholarship. A creative writing scholarship can immensely impact your career by letting you finish your studies with less student debt. The creative writing field is projected to grow by nine percent by 2030 according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The BLS also reports that writers and authors have an annual median wage of $67,120.

Creative Writing Scholarships FAQ

The most common types of scholarships include merit-based scholarships, community-service scholarships, academic scholarships, and need-based scholarships.

You can start by creating an outline where you list all the points you want to include in it, then expand upon each point. You can take inspiration from examples on the Internet, but remember that your essay should be original. Once you finish your essay, you can show it to your friends, parents, or teacher for review. Feedback can significantly improve your essay.

If you are thinking of applying for a scholarship, make sure you reach out to the program coordinator. Also, remember that you don’t have to pay anything to qualify for a scholarship. Scholarships are financial aid designed to support talented students.

An excellent way to establish a career in creative writing is to practice every day. You can earn a degree in creative writing or you can enroll in online creative writing courses to hone your skills. Online courses are extremely flexible, meaning you can do while studying other subjects.

About us: Career Karma is a platform designed to help job seekers find, research, and connect with job training programs to advance their careers. Learn about the CK publication .

"Career Karma entered my life when I needed it most and quickly helped me match with a bootcamp. Two months after graduating, I found my dream job that aligned with my values and goals in life!"

Venus, Software Engineer at Rockbot

What's Next?

Get matched with top bootcamps

Ask a question to our community, take our careers quiz.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

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

Elisa Troncoso

Previous winners.

Alex Gast 2022

Serene Almehmi 2022

Luisa Peñaflor 2021

Jenna Gartland 2020

Cecelia Tucker 2019

Grace Morse and Savannah Bradley  2018

Samuel gee 2017, mckenna ritter 2016.

Other Thomas Wolfe Scholars: Hayley Sigmon 2015, Diana Mellow 2014, Maddie Norris 2013, Heather Wilson 2012, Anna Faison 2011, Jordan Castelloe 2010, Maria Isabelle Carlos 2009,  Jenna Hall 2008, Denise Rickman and Maria Devlin 2007, Nate Lumpkin 2006, Kendra Fish 2005, Andrew Chan 2004, Hannah Poston 2003, Caitlin Doyle 2002

Application Information

The Thomas Wolfe Scholarship will accept applications for its 23nd national search   beginning September 1st, 2023 .

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, 2023 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, 2023 (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
• 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.
• Must be on letterhead and must be submitted separately from the application by each recommender
• Please submit letters as PDF or WORD document only. We are unable to open SharePoint, OneDrive, or Google Doc files.
• The letter must be submitted by 11:59 pm on November 15, 2023 using this link: Thomas Wolfe Scholarship Recommendation Form

** 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 and the 3 Letters of Recommendation,   must be received by 11:59 pm on November 15, 2023  at Thomas Wolfe Scholarship Application   and at Thomas Wolfe Scholarship Recommendation Form . 

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 citizen or resident of 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 campus for further interviews. 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] .

Try searching for

• Concerts and Events
• Employment / Jobs
• Faculty and Staff

Applications are still open for Arts Camp and Arts Academy. Programs fill quickly—submit your app today!

Creative writing students invited to apply for full-ride scholarship.

The Virginia B. Ball Creative Writing Competition is open to students in grades 8-11 with a talent for creative writing.

Applications are now open for the Virginia B. Ball Creative Writing Scholarship. The contest invites young students in grades 8-11 to submit their best work and be considered for a full-ride scholarship as a creative writing major at Interlochen Arts Academy.

“This is an incredible opportunity for young writers who dream of publishing their work someday,” says Brittany Cavallaro , bestselling young adult novelist and Instructor of Creative Writing at Interlochen Arts Academy. “The mentorship our students receive at the Academy helps them hone their personal style and produce professional-quality work. I would encourage any aspiring young writer to apply for this scholarship.”

Contestants are asked to provide samples of their work in at least two of the following genres: poetry, fiction (including novel excerpts), personal essay/memoir, screenwriting, playwriting, hybrid genre, experimental/unclassifiable writing, and comics. The deadline for submissions is November 15, 2023, at 11:59 p.m. The winners will be notified and announced in March 2024, with the first place winner earning a full-ride scholarship to Interlochen Arts Academy. Second and third place winners will also be recognized.

First held in 2000, the Virginia B. Ball Creative Writing Competition has allowed over a dozen gifted young writers to attend Interlochen Arts Academy. The competition is made possible by generous grants from the Edmund F. and Virginia B. Ball Foundation. Last year’s winner was Lucy Lombardo , an eighth grader from Honeoye, New York.

Previous recipients of the Virginia B. Ball Creative Writing Competition Scholarship have gone on to earn degrees from Cornell, Yale, Princeton, and the University of Michigan. They have won or been shortlisted for numerous awards including the Norman Mailer Award for Fiction, the PEN/Robert J. Dau Short Story Prize, Juxtaprose's Short Fiction Contest, Wigleaf's Top 50 (Very) Short Fictions, and the Pushcart Prize. They have published books and have been featured in a variety of publications including Driftwood Press, Black Warrior Review, Kudzu House Quarterly, Broadly, Entropy , and more.

Established in 1975, Interlochen Arts Academy’s acclaimed creative writing program provides expert instruction for high school writers in a supportive, nurturing environment. The Academy’s dedicated faculty of published authors provide individualized mentorship in a variety of career development topics, including building portfolios, submitting to contests, applying to colleges, and honing performance skills. Academy students enjoy regular reading and publishing opportunities and routinely excel in the nation’s finest competitions for young writers, including the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards and the YoungArts competition.

Learn more about Creative Writing at Interlochen Arts Academy and apply for the Virginia B. Ball Creative Writing Scholarship . 

More Like This

April 12, 2024

April 8, 2024

March 18, 2024

February 20, 2024

Looking to publish? Meet your dream editor, designer and marketer on Reedsy.

Find the perfect editor for your next book

1 million authors trust the professionals on Reedsy. Come meet them.

Best Novel Writing Writing Scholarships in 2024

Showing 14 scholarships that match your search.

Creative Writing Award

The winner will be offered the opportunity to occupy during her or his first academic year the residence room where J. D. Salinger lived; and Leadership standing in the Ursinus writing community. The winner will be expected to join the previous award winners in reading subsequent creative portfolios, and will help the Office of Admission in selecting the next winner. Award winners are also expected to be prominent members of Ursinus’ Literary Society, The Lantern, and the creative writing community.

Categories: Novel Writing

Organization: Ursinus College.

Deadline: January 15, 2025.

Categories: Novel Writing.

Apply now →

Unpublished Writer's Award

The winner of this award receives $1,000, an invitation to accept the award at our annual awards ceremony, promotion on our website, and a feature of their work in our Magajournal and quarterly newsletter. Applicant must email an original, unpublished fiction work (short story or novel excerpt) not to exceed 2,000 typed words on double-spaced pages

Organization: Go On Girl! Book Club.

Deadline: March 31, 2025.

Additional awards: Invitation to awards ceremony, promotion through website and publications.

Dark Poetry Scholarship

The Dark Poetry scholarship is designed to assist in the professional development of Horror and/or Dark Fantasy Poets. This scholarship is worth $1250, which may be spent on approved writing education over the two years following the granting of the scholarship.

Organization: Horror Writers Association.

Deadline: August 01, 2024.

Dennis Etchison Young Writers Scholarship

The Dennis Etchison Young Writers scholarship will be open to students in grades 10-12 (or the equivalent, if home schooled), with an interest in writing horror/dark fiction. Students must provide a selection of their work, at least one letter of reference by their instructor(s), and a description of their goals with an education plan for use of the stipend. The recipient will have 2 years to utilize the funds.

Additional awards: Horror author JG Faherty will mentor the winner for 6 months..

Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley Scholarship

It is clear to the HWA that there are unseen, but real, barriers limiting the amount of horror fiction being published by women. This scholarship, named after the great female horror writer, aims to encourage more female writers to enter our genre and to aid in the development of those already working within it.

Horror Writers Association Scholarship

The Horror Writers Association Scholarship will be open to all horror writers (HWA membership is not a requirement). Scholarship is designed to assist in the professional development of horror writers.

TalNexus Scholarship for a Master in Fine Arts Degree

The TalNexus Scholarship for a Master in Fine Arts Degree offers grants of up to $4,000 for storytellers (writers and filmmakers) pursuing degrees in Masters in Fine Arts. The award recognizes applicants of demonstrated talent in their craft and a commitment to exploring themes of individuality, community and innovation – broadly imagined – in their works.

Organization: Taliesin Nexus.

Deadline: September 01, 2024.

Additional awards: Multiple grants will be given. Winners will also be accepted into the TalNexus Writers Workshop and can receive travel stipends..

YoungArts' National Arts Competition for Writing

YoungArts’ signature program is an application-based award for emerging artists ages 15-18 or in grades 10-12 from across the United States. YoungArts winners receive valuable support, including financial awards of up to $10,000, professional development and educational experiences working with renowned mentors, and performance and exhibition opportunities at some of the nation’s leading cultural institutions.

Organization: National YoungArts Foundation.

Deadline: October 08, 2024.

Additional awards: Multiple awards of varying amounts will be given.

New York Life Award

The National New York Life Award, sponsored by the New York Life Foundation, provides six students whose works explore personal grief, loss, and bereavement with $1,000 scholarships. Additional state scholarships of $500 are available to two students from select states. Note that deadlines for all Scholastic Art & Writing Awards vary depending on your state.

Organization: Scholastic Art & Writing Awards.

Deadline: December 01, 2024.

Additional awards: 10 additional scholarships of $500 each (restrictions apply).

Civic Expression Award

The Civic Expression Award, sponsored by the Maurice R. Robinson Fund, provides six students whose works best promote responsible participation in civic life with $1,000 scholarships. This award is part of the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, the nation’s longest-running and most prestigious recognition program for creative teens. Note that deadlines for all Scholastic Art & Writing Awards vary depending on your state.

Deming Fund Grant

We award small artist support grants ($500 – $1,500) to individual feminist women in the arts who are citizens in the U.S and Canada. We welcome applications from women artists and writers who exhibit high quality and originality, use feminism as their central interpretive lens, and validate and express intersectional views.

Organization: Barbara Deming Memorial Fund, Inc..

Deadline: January 31, 2025.

Davidson Fellows Scholarship in Literature

The Davidson Fellows Scholarship awards $50,000, $25,000 and $10,000 scholarships to extraordinary young people, 18 and under, who have completed a significant piece of work. Application categories are Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, Literature, Music, Philosophy and Outside the Box. Literature applicants must submit a 60- to 75-page portfolio displaying a number of literary styles and genres.

Organization: Davidson Institute.

Deadline: March 10, 2025.

Additional awards: 8 fellowships of $25,000 each, 8 fellowships of $10,000 each.

Helen McCloy Scholarship

The Helen McCloy/MWA Scholarship for Mystery Writing seeks to nurture talent in mystery writing — in fiction, nonfiction, playwriting, and screenwriting. Applicants must submit a package of materials, including a writing sample and a brief personal statement explaining their interest in mystery writing. The scholarship may be used for writing workshops and seminars, in addition to university/college-level writing programs.

Organization: Mystery Writers of America.

Deadline: February 28, 2025.

Iowa Scholarship for the Arts

Apply for funding to pursue a post-secondary education in the arts. The Scholarship for the Arts provides support to Iowa high school seniors who excel and demonstrate a commitment to pursuing an arts-related major at an Iowa college or university. Each applicant must submit five artistic work samples that best represent the quality and type of artwork the applicant creates.

Organization: Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs.

Deadline: March 01, 2025.

Additional awards: Multiple awards will be given.

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
• How to Stop Procrastinating and Build A Solid Writing Routine
• What is Creative Nonfiction? Memoirs, Literary Journalism, and More!
• How to Write a Memoir: Tell Your Amazing Story in 9 Steps
• How to Write a Fantastic Short Story In 7 Steps
• How to Self-Edit Your Manuscript Like a Pro
• 700+ Creative Writing Prompts to Inspire You
• 100+ Creative Writing Exercises for Authors

Join a community of over 1 million authors

Reedsy is more than just a blog. Become a member today to discover how we can help you publish a beautiful book.

Save your shortlist

Enter your email address to save your shortlist so that you don't lose it!

By continuing, you will also receive Reedsy's weekly publishing tips and access to our free webinars.

We sent over your shortlist. Thank you for using Reedsy's Writing Scholarships Directory, happy publishing! 🙌

Bring your stories to life

Our free writing app lets you set writing goals and track your progress, so you can finally write that book!

1 million authors trust the professionals on Reedsy. Come meet them.

Enter your email or get started with a social account:

15 Best Creative Writing Scholarships

A creative writing degree in college is fun, especially if you have a scholarship. There are a good number of scholarships for creative writers who are in high school or college and pursuing undergraduate or graduate studies.

Creative writing goes beyond becoming a writer, so don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. Everyone needs to be a creative writer to excel. Why creative writing is a wonderful discipline to study in college?

Every workplace needs writers who are creative enough to sell their brand/product to their audience or help their advertising. Additionally, large organizations are hiring creative writers to write, develop, and direct quality advertisements for their companies and products. It just takes one creative writer everywhere.

So why then can’t a creative writers get scholarships to hone their skills in college? For no reason! So, for this reason, we have researched scholarships that will make your life at university worthwhile.

In this post, we will share with you scholarships that reflect most of the types of writing you hope to major in. You will find the application deadline for these scholarships, the organization or institutions that offer them, and links that direct you to the application page.

List of Creative Writing Scholarships in 2023

Let’s get straight to business. You are studying creative writing in school or plan to study creative writing in college once you graduate from high school. The question you are asking yourself now is: are there scholarships for creative writers in college?

Yes, there are, and a good number of them. However, a good deal may not be worth it. Therefore, we bring you the best fifteen (15) scholarships for creative writers. They are as follows (in no particular order):

• The Horror Writers Association (HWA) Scholarship
• Student Art Scholarships
• Michael Steinberg Fellowship for Creative Nonfiction
• Lycoming College Creative Writing Scholarship
• Hope College Creative Writing Award
• Helen McCloy Mystery Writers of America Scholarship
• GRCF Ladies Literary Club Scholarship
• Norma Ross Walter Scholarship
• Bobette Bibo Gugliotta Memorial Scholarship for Creative Writing
• Beyoncé Formation Scholars Scholarship Program
• Barbaras Caras Memorial Scholarship for Film Studies
• Alabama Student Scholarship Program
• Against Grain Art Grant
• Barbara Odom-Wesley Spirit of Achievement Scholarship
• Richard G. Zimmerman Scholarship

#1  The Horror Writers Association (HWA) Scholarship

The Horror Writers Association (HWA) organizes the Horror Writers Association (HWA) Scholarship. This Creative Writing Scholarship for Horror Writers aims to assist in the professional development of its members as horror writers.

There are no restrictions in applying for this  scholarship.  It is open to all applicants. Being a member of the Horror Writers Association (HWA) is not a requirement for this scholarship program application. However, the story you must submit for the scholarship application must be from the horror genre.

The HWA scholarship is worth  $2,500 , which you can apply toward an approved writing education within two years of the scholarship being awarded.

Application deadline : August 01, 2023.

#2 arts scholarship for students

This scholarship is available to students seeking their first  undergraduate  Bachelor’s degree in an arts-related field. This creative writing scholarship applies to students who want to pursue college or university education anywhere. However, the art student must be a resident of Region 7W.

You can apply the scholarship fund to education costs charged directly to the institution, such as tuition, room and board, books, and lessons. The value of the scholarship is $1,500. However, throughout their lifetime, students are eligible to receive up to four  Art Scholarships .

Meanwhile, to be eligible for this Creative Writers Art Scholarship, a student must plan to attend an accredited institution full-time and major in an arts-related field. Additionally, you must be a resident of Benton, Sherburne, Stearns, or Wright County at the time of application. Of course, he must also be a US citizen or have permanent resident alien status.

Application Deadline:  February

#3  Michael Steinberg Creative Nonfiction Fellowship

The Michael Steinberg Scholarship for Creative Nonfiction Fellowship is available to a creative nonfiction writer commencing Solstice’s low-residency Creative Writing Master’s program during the winter residency/spring semester.

Fellowship recipients will receive an award of $1,000 for their first-semester tuition. The recipient of this creative writing scholarship receives the award based on the quality of their writing sample.

However, please apply early for this scholarship opportunity. In addition, the scholarship board will mail notification letters to winners in November. Awards must follow directly upon acceptance and the application must come towards the winter/spring semester residency.

Application Deadline : October 28, 2023.

#4  Lycoming College Creative Writing Scholarship

To be eligible for the Lycoming Creative Writing Scholarship, you must be majoring in creative writing and must submit five poems and/or a short story not to exceed ten pages.

In addition, fellows must enroll in  ENGL  240 (first year) and maintain a minimum grade of at least an ‘  A’-  . To renew the scholarship after the first year of enrollment, the recipient must enroll in a creative writing workshop and maintain a minimum grade of at least an ‘A’-  . The value of the Lycoming College Scholarship for Creative Writers depends on  $3,000.

Application deadline:  March 15, 2023.

#5  Hope College Creative Writing Award

The Hope College Creative Writing Award is a Distinguished Artist in Creative Writing Award for high school seniors who intend to register at Hope College in the fall of their freshman year in college. However, to qualify for this scholarship, you only need to be in your graduating year from high school. You do not need to be an English learner major or minor. However, winners of this award must enroll in at least one creative writing class per academic year and must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0.

Meanwhile, the application process for this creative writing scholarship will involve the submission of a 500-word essay, a letter of recommendation, and written 10 pages of your creative writing.

Application deadline:  January 7.

#6  Helen McCloy Mystery Writers of America Scholarship

There is talent in mystery writing (in fiction, non-fiction, playwriting, and screenwriting) and this scholarship seeks to nurture it. However, the Creative Writers Scholarship in 2023 is only open to US Citizens or Permanent Residents.

Also, the application for this scholarship is not limited to membership in the Mystery Writers of America. This scholarship is for aspiring mystery writers who want to improve their writing skills.

However, the association obliges applicants to select a specific writing  class/workshop/seminar  for which they can use the scholarship. Scholarship awards  $3,000  to the winner’s

Application deadline:  February 28, 2023.

#7  GRCF Ladies Literary Club Scholarship

The Grand Rapids Community Foundation (GRCF) awards hundreds of scholarships annually primarily to Kent County students bound for or in  college , or those pursuing a technical career.

Therefore, to be eligible for this scholarship, you must be a resident of Kent, Muskegon, Ottawa, Allegan, Montcalm, or Barry counties in Michigan. You must also major in literary arts at any accredited Michigan college or university and demonstrate financial need and have a minimum GPA of 3.0.

Application deadline:  March 01, 2023.

#8  Norman Ross Walter Scholarship

The Norman Ross Walter Scholarship provides financial assistance to female Nebraska high school graduates who plan to enroll as an English majors at accredited colleges or universities. The English student can apply this scholarship to a creative writing course.

However, please note that only high school senior females are eligible for this scholarship. They must also be prospective college freshmen and plan to continue their education as English learners at accredited colleges or universities. In the meantime, you must show intellectual promise, creativity, and character to be selected by the scholarship board.

The scholarship is in memory of Norman Ross Walter, who was a Navy Wave during the World War and a career newspaper editor in California. This English and Creative Writing Scholarship Award  $2,500  to the winner  $1,750  to the second place, and  $1,250  to the third place

Application deadline:  January 31, every year.

#9  Bobette Bibo Gugliotta Memorial Scholarship for Creative Writing

The Bobette Bibo Gugliotta Memorial Creative Writing Scholarship was created in 1995 in honor of the late Bobette Bibo Gugliotta. She is the author of several books, including Katzimo; Pigboat 39, about a World War II submarine; Mysterious Table, and Women of Mexico: The Consecrated and the Common, 1519-1900.

In 1930, at age 11, Mrs. Gugliotta wrote a story about a mouse that later became Mickey. So if you are a fan of Mickey Mouse and have a desire to do something greater, this scholarship is for you. Meanwhile, to be eligible for this scholarship, you must be passionate about creative writing. You will provide two writing samples on your scholarship application that will show how creative you can be.

Additionally, you must currently be a senior or graduate of a public or private high school in San Mateo County or Santa Clara County. He must plan to enroll or must be currently enrolled in a four-year college or university as a full-time student. And of course, the scholarship is for United States citizens or eligible non-citizens (including legal residents of the US and AB 540 students)

#10 Beyoncé Formation Scholars Scholarship Program

The Beyoncé Knowles-Carter Training Scholarship Program encourages and supports young women who are not afraid to be bold, conscientious, creative, and confident. The scholarship began with the celebration of the first anniversary of her album, Lemonade. 

The program awards four scholarships, one per university, to  female  incoming, current, or graduate students pursuing studies in creative arts, music, literature, or  African  -American studies. However, you must attend or plan to attend selected schools to be eligible for this scholarship. These are Berklee College of Music, Howard University, Parsons School of Design, and Spelman College.

You will get all the necessary details and application deadlines directly from any of these universities.

Application Deadline  Varies

#11 Alabama Student Scholarship Program

The Alabama Student Scholarship Program is a state student aid program. It is open to residents of the state of Alabama and is designed to provide financial assistance to these residents for undergraduate study in any discipline, including creative writing.

However, to be eligible for this scholarship, you must provide a certificate of graduation from a high school or you must have obtained the recognized equivalency of such graduation. Additionally, you must be a resident of Alabama as defined in Alabama Tuition and Scholarship Program Act 90. You must be a United States citizen or become a United States citizen. In addition, you must not be enrolled and not intend to enroll in a course of study leading to a bachelor’s degree in theology, theology, or other fields in preparation for a religious vocation.

Application Deadline:  Variable

#12 Artistic Scholarship Against the Grain

This is a financial assistance program that promotes Asian-American college students majoring in performing arts, visual arts, journalism, and/or mass communications. Successful Against the Grain Arts Scholarship applicants will be eligible to attend the organization’s annual charity event, Fashion for a Passion, held in the fall in Dallas, Texas.

However, you must be a US Citizen, Legal National, or Permanent Resident who is at least 50%  Asian  and/or Pacific Islander ethnicity to be eligible for the scholarship.

In addition, you must be a high school or college senior currently enrolled full-time at an accredited four-year, junior, or vocational college. You must also be a full-time degree-seeking student for the upcoming academic calendar year and seeking a major in visual/performing arts (film, theater, fashion, mass communication, photography, graphic design, dance, music, journalism, etc. )

Application deadline:  May 06, 2023

#13  Barbara Odom-Wesley Spirit of Achievement Scholarship

The Barbara Odom-Wesley Spirit of Achievement Scholarship is in honor of Barbara Odom-Wesley, founding president of the Xi Theta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

The scholarship is available to any two- or four-year college or university student. However, please note that trade, technical, and cosmetology schools are not eligible for this scholarship.

Additionally, the scholarship board will largely screen applicants based on financial need. Meanwhile, part of the eligibility requires applicants to be African-American high school seniors currently attending classes in the Arlington and Tarrant County area.

Applicants must also have a 2.5 GPA and above, as this is the minimum requirement.

The Barbara Odom Scholarship provides $3,000 each to winners of scholarship awards.

Application Deadline : February 16, 2023.

#14  Richard G. Zimmerman Scholarship

This scholarship is in memory of Richard G. Zimmerman, a member of the National Press Club who died in 2008. Thus, the Richard G. Zimmerman scholarship awards extraordinary high school seniors who are planning to pursue a major in journalism. English or communications. These are branches of the arts where your creative writing skills will come into play and niches where you can take a job as a creative writer in the future.

The scholarship awards $5,000 annually to successful applicants. However, it is a non-renewable scholarship. To be eligible for the scholarship, candidates must have a minimum overall GPA of 3.0, be accepted to an accredited US university, and show financial aid.

Additionally, applicants will submit three copies of their application with three letters of recommendation, a high school transcript, a FAFSA form, proof of acceptance, and three work samples when applying for the scholarship.

Application Deadline : March 1st, annually.

Other scholarships for creative writing 2023

Didn’t we tell you that there is an endless list of scholarships for creative writers? Here is a list of some additional scholarships for creative writers that we are sure you will love too.

• Environmental Apprentice Open Space Initiative
• Eastern Oregon Scholarship Bottled Pepsi-Cola
• New York Financial Writers Association Scholarship

#15  Open Space Initiative for Green Trainees

This scholarship is available to middle school, high school, or undergraduate/university students who are between the ages of 13 and 21. Students participating in or directing an environmental stewardship project for the benefit of lands managed or co-managed by the Division of Open Space may apply.

To be eligible for this scholarship, applicants must write an essay about their project and what it meant to them. The essay will consist of 750 to 1,500 words. Additionally, they should take some digital photos of their project in action.

Application Deadline : December 31, 2023.

#16  Eastern Oregon Scholarship Bottled Pepsi-Cola

The Pepsi Cola Bottling Scholarship is available to high school seniors seeking a two- or four-year degree in any major except agricultural, hospitality, or other non-age-related education. However, only residents of Baker, Malheur, Union or Wallowa counties in Oregon can apply for the scholarship.

For students to be eligible to apply for this scholarship, they must have participated in community service and must have a minimum GPA of 3.5 and above on a 4.0 scale.

Application Deadline : February 01, 2023

#17  New York Financial Writers Association Scholarship

The New York Financial Writers Association Scholarship is open to  journalism  students in the New York City metropolitan area who wish to pursue a career in business or financial journalism. 

When completing the application for this writing scholarship, applicants will submit their address and phone number and, if different, their permanent address and phone number. The application is available from your school’s financial aid department or on the NYFWA website. However, for those who do not have access to an application, simply submit a cover letter with the information.

Additionally, applicants will submit an essay explaining why they are pursuing a career in financial and business journalism. They should include a current resume, relevant personal information, a list of any other scholarships they have received, and samples of their writing and financial clippings.

Application Deadline : April 15, 2023.

Related Articles

Need-Based Scholarships: How to Apply and Where to Find Them

How can I get 100% free scholarship in United States?

Fully Funded Masters Scholarships for Microbiology Students

20 Best MHA Programs in 2024 | Complete Student Guide

One comment.

I want to learn computer because I have no or my way is to learn computer my hope will be to reach the level insha allah

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Full Ride Scholarships: What They Are and How They Work

ASO Staff Writers

Contributing Writer

Learn about our editorial process .

Updated September 20, 2023

AccreditedSchoolsOnline.org is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.

Turn Your Dreams Into Reality

Take our quiz and we'll do the homework for you! Compare your school matches and apply to your top choice today.

With the average cost of college  reaching $34,740 in the 2017-18 school year, students and parents are looking for ways to reduce the cost of higher education. While most scholarships and grants can chip away at the total cost, there's usually some left to be covered – unless you've earned a full ride scholarship. Full ride scholarships cover the cost of tuition and more, removing the difficulty from paying for an education. These scholarships are available to all types of students, too, and there are plenty of full ride opportunities available.

Understanding Full Ride Scholarships

The term “full ride scholarship” gets tossed around a lot, but many people don't know what it entails. To help clear things up, we've addressed some common questions students and parents have about full ride scholarships below.

What is a full ride scholarship?

A full ride scholarship is an award that covers all expenses related with college. This includes tuition, books, fees, room and board, and possibly even living costs. The goal is to remove any need for additional financial aid .

What are the different types of full ride scholarships?

Anyone can be eligible for a full ride scholarship, depending on their background, skills and expertise. Most students earn full ride scholarships because of their academic history, athletic prowess, leadership or merit. But other types of these scholarships can be offered by schools for different reasons, and they can be offered by the school, state or federal government or by private organizations.

State-Sponsored

Merit-based, financial need based, additional options, do all schools offer full ride scholarships.

Not all schools offer full ride scholarships, but many do. Also, because some full ride scholarships come from different areas, students could end up studying at any institution without having to worry about the cost of education.

What's the difference between full ride and full tuition scholarships?

Full tuition scholarships usually only cover the cost of education, which includes tuition, book fees and other education fees. However, these scholarships likely don't offer help with room and board, living costs or travel costs.

Can transfer students earn full ride scholarships?

Yes, even if they're transferring from a community or two-year college. Each school will have their own process for transfer students having the chance to land a full ride scholarship, so it's best to check in with your school of choice.

How hard is it to get a full ride scholarship?

Less than 1 percent of students get full ride scholarships, showing just how difficult it is to earn one. However, with the right background, proper planning and by knowing where to look, your chances of landing a full ride scholarship can increase.

5 Expert Tips to Winning Full Ride Scholarships

Finding a full ride scholarship without any help can be difficult. Fortunately, there are experts who have plenty of experience connecting students to the right scholarship opportunities. Here are some tips from Veronica Schofield, an academic success coach:

Look at your heritage

Some scholarships don't require academic or athletic success. Your heritage or any other affiliation can lead to private full ride scholarships that are accepted at any accredited institution.

All athletics can count

While Division I sports only offer full ride scholarships to 6 sports, private organizations also offer full ride scholarships for athletics. “I know of a Bowling League that offers a full-ride scholarship!” —Veronica Schofield

Keep applying!

Each application is a chance to practice, and the more you apply to, the stronger your applications will become.

Be creative

Many students are eligible for full ride scholarships — they just haven't found the right scholarship to apply to yet.

Always apply

If you think you have a chance at earning a full ride scholarship, then apply.

“Students shouldn't make the mistake of not applying because they don't think they'll win — they'll never know if they don't apply.”

—Veronica Schofield

16 Full Ride Scholarships to Help Pay for College

We've covered what full ride scholarships are and how to find them. To let you know what some of the full ride scholarships available are, here are some specific examples.

Schools that Offer Full Ride Scholarships on Merit

Merit can mean different things, but generally a merit-based full ride scholarship requires excellence in academics, leadership or service. Some schools recognize merit by offering full ride and full tuition scholarships.

Boston University: Trustee Scholarship

Available to students with exceptional academic credentials, most of the Trustee Scholarship recipients have a perfect 4.0 GPA in high school. Students who earn this scholarship also demonstrate creativity, experience and achievement. This scholarship is offered to about 20 students each year and is renewable for four years.

Deadline: Early December

Loyola Marymount University: Trustee Scholarship

Available to all incoming freshmen, the trustee scholarship is offered to ten students over four years. Included in the scholarship is full tuition and room and board. This scholarship is awarded based off academic scholarship.

Deadline: Early February

Texas Christian University: Chancellor's Scholars Program

Along with being offered a full tuition scholarship, Chancellor's Scholars are invited to special retreats, luncheons and dinners, social activities and more. There are no minimum requirements, but students who earn this scholarship generally have SAT and ACT scores of 2150 and 33, respectively.

Vanderbilt University: Cornelius Vanderbilt Scholarship

Named after the founder of the school, the Cornelius Vanderbilt Scholarship offers full tuition as well as a one-summer stipend for immersion, such as studying abroad. This is awarded to students who show a combination of academic and leadership achievement.

Wake Forest University: Nancy Susan Reynolds Scholarship

The Nancy Susan Reynolds Scholarship covers tuition and room and board, as well as offering $3,400 annually for personal expenses. This award is offered to students that take the hardest courses available and have among the best GPA and/or test scores in the nation. Each year, up to five recipients are selected.

Deadline: Mid-November

Washington University in St. Louis: John B. Ervin Scholars Program

The John B. Ervin Scholars Program combines intellectual, leadership and service achievement with Washington University's commitment to diversity. This scholarship offers full-tuition as well as a $2,500 stipend, and it is renewable each year.

Schools that Offer Full Ride Scholarships on Financial Need

With the rising costs of college, financial need-based full ride scholarships are becoming more common. Some schools, like Harvard and Yale , even offer full ride scholarships to all students from low income households. For other schools, here are some financial need-based full ride scholarships:

Agnes Scott College: Goizueta Foundation Scholarship

Focused primarily toward Hispanic/Latina women who demonstrate significant financial need, the Goizueta Foundation Scholarship has a four-year value of $208,000 – more than enough to cover tuition, room and board. Preference is also given to students that show academic and/or leadership achievement.

Deadline: Mid-January

Davidson University: Charles Scholarship

Covering everything from tuition to personal expenses, the Charles Scholarship is awarded to up to three students each year. These are available to academically excellent graduates of Chicago public schools who demonstrate significant financial need.

Deadline: Early January

Soka University: Soka Opportunity Scholarship

Covering up to the cost of tuition, the Soka Opportunity Scholarship covers any additional costs of education after other grants and scholarships are taken into consideration. This scholarship is for students whose families make less than $60,000 per year and have never gone to college.

Deadline: Late March

University of Miami: George W. Jenkins Scholarship

Awarded to students that have overcome adversity to succeed, the George W. Jenkins Scholarship places an emphasis on financial need. The scholarship covers tuition, room and board, health insurance, a meal plan and a laptop stipend, as well as the potential for additional stipends for books, transportation and personal expenses.

University of Rochester: Alan and Jane Handler Endowed Scholarship

Students that have shown academic excellence and strong character are considered ideal candidates for the Alan and Jane Handler Endowed Scholarship. Given to students with financial need, this scholarship covers all costs of college, down to travel and personal expenses.

Private Full Ride Scholarships and Awards

Full ride scholarships are available privately as well. These scholarships often require students to study in a specific state or specific school and may require students to study in a specific field.

Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation: Gates Millennium Scholars Program

Students who want to study in computer science , education, engineering, math, public science or health are eligible for the Gates Millennium Scholars Program. A 3.3 minimum GPA is required, and applicants must be diverse. This award covers all costs of tuition, including graduate school .

Deadline: Late November

Flinn Foundation: Flinn Scholarship Program

Students that plan to attend a public university in Arizona are eligible for the Flinn Scholarship. The program covers tuition and room and board, as well as any study abroad experiences students are interested in. Students must be Arizona residents – beyond that, all students are welcome to apply.

Deadline: Late October

Jack Kent Cooke Foundation: College Scholarship Program

While the award varies from student to student, the goal of the College Scholarship Program is to cover most or all the cost of education. Applicants must have a 3.5 GPA or higher, and family income must be lower than $95,000.

JP Morgan: Thomas G. Labrecque Smart Start Program

The Smart Start Program gives New York City high school seniors a full ride scholarship to school, along with a paid internship at JP Morgan. Applicants must be from New York City, and they should have an interest in a career at a financial services firm.

The Society for Science: Regeneron Science Talent Search

There are multiple awards offered through the Regeneron Science Talent Search, and the top award is $250,000 – more than enough to cover education. Applicants must compete in the Regeneron Science Talent Search to be eligible.

Deadline: Varies

Other College Costs to Consider

A scholarship may be described as “full ride,” but that doesn't always mean that every expense will be covered. Here are other costs you should consider even if you get a full ride scholarship:

Books and supplies

Book fees and studying supplies can add up quickly. You may be required to get a dozen books a year, or even a new computer for studying and writing.

Room and board

Your scholarship might pay for all, some or none of your room and board. In some areas (like New York or California), the cost of living can be incredibly high, meaning you'll need to budget for this.

Personal expenses

While students go to college to learn, they'll need money for personal expenses, like buying new clothes or going to the movies. Full ride scholarships are rarely going to cover these expenses.

Travel Costs

Many students leave their home city and state to pursue an education. Visiting their families for the holidays or during the summer means travelling, and plane tickets can add up.

Alternative Ways to Pay for College

Students don't need to rely on a full ride scholarship to be able to afford a college education. There are other ways students pay for college, all of which can be easier than depending on the chance of a full ride. Here are some alternative ways students afford college:

Popular Resources

Whether you’re looking to earn your online degree or you’re a parent looking for answers, you can find all of your questions covered here. Explore these resources to help you make informed decisions and prepare for whatever is thrown your way.

Shape your future with an online degree

Connect with a community of peers, and find a program that will allow you to continue your education in a fast and flexible way.

Create profile

Like courses

Apply direct

Create your IDP profile

To continue your research, create your profile with IDP. Your profile allows you to:

• Apply direct to courses and receive a response within the same day
• Shortlist and save courses
• Get the AI course recomendations
• Access our cost of living calculator

Match with universities

Now create a profile

Create a profile and start liking courses. We’ll show you recommendations that match what you’re looking for.

Your password must include

• One upper case letter
• One lower case letter
• One special character
• At least 8 characters
• IDP Education
• Scholarships

Creative Writing scholarships for Global students

Filter scholarship (2) Start a new search

Subject area, specific subject area 1 selected.

• Film and TV production
• Creative Writing
• Other Media and Communication
• Broadcast Media
• Media Studies
• Media Theory
• Photography
• International Relations
• Corporate Communications
• Public relations (PR)
• Digital Marketing
• Audio Visual Studies
• Other Marketing, Media and Communication
• Digital Communications and Multimedia

Study destination Any

• United Kingdom
• United States

Study level Any

• Postgraduate

Undergraduate

Institution Any

• Macquarie University
• University of Guelph
• Trinity College Dublin, the University of Dublin
• Royal Holloway, University of London
• Northumbria University
• Manchester Metropolitan University
• University of Exeter
• University of Glasgow
• University of Edinburgh
• Lancaster University
• University of East Anglia
• Oxford Brookes University
• University of Dundee
• Birkbeck, University of London
• City, University of London
• Regent's University London
• Colorado State University
• San Francisco State University
• Full Sail University

Select subject area Selecting a new subject will reset your search and filters

• Agriculture Sciences
• All Accounting
• All Geography
• All Human Welfare Studies And Services
• All Pharmacy
• Art and Design
• Biological and life Sciences
• Building and Architecture
• Computing and IT
• Engineering
• Environmental Science
• Health and Medicine
• Hospitality and Tourism
• Information Science and Librarianship
• Language and Culture
• Law and Legal Studies
• Marketing, Media and Communication
• Mechanic and Repair Technologies
• Multidisciplinary Studies
• Performing Arts and Music
• Political and Social Sciences
• Teaching and Education

Emerging Asia Award

Glasgow , United Kingdom

Qualification

Funding Type

Free products/services

60th Anniversary Scholarship

Norwich , United Kingdom

03 May 2024

Bright Futures Postgraduate Scholarship

Fee waiver/discount

28 Jun 2024

University of Glasgow Caribbean Excellence Award

Postgrad solutions study bursary.

30 Sep 2024

British Marshall Scholarships

University of glasgow chancellor's award.

Haddad Fellowship

Dublin , Ireland

Degree - Masters

University Of Glasgow College of Arts and Humanities South Asia Award

Postgraduate access scholarship.

Showing 1-10 of 110 courses

• 1 (current)
• Film and TV production
• Other Media and Communication
• Broadcast Media
• Media Studies
• Media Theory
• International Relations
• Corporate Communications
• Public relations (PR)
• Digital Marketing
• Audio Visual Studies
• Other Marketing, Media and Communication
• Digital Communications and Multimedia
• Doctorate Creative Writing
• Postgraduate Creative Writing
• Undergraduate Creative Writing
• Creative Writing scholarship in Australia
• Creative Writing scholarship in Canada
• Creative Writing scholarship in Ireland
• Creative Writing scholarship in United Kingdom
• Creative Writing scholarship in United States
• Search for courses
• Find a university
• Find a scholarship

Please select a level of study

Enter subject, choose from the list or hit search

Start typing, choose from the list or hit search

Enter subject, choose from the list or or hit search

Please type and select an institution

Type 3 characters of a university name and select from the list

Enter a university or school name and select from the list

Got any ideal countries in mind?

No Event Found.

Let’s get started

Sign up or login in with one click, sign up or login to save your courses, let's get started with "shortlist".

Your profile page will have the liked courses.

has been saved to your shortlist

View your shortlist or close this box to continue researching.

• Courses for you

• Search All Scholarships
• Exclusive Scholarships
• Easy Scholarships to Apply For
• No Essay Scholarships
• Scholarships for HS Juniors
• Scholarships for HS Seniors
• Scholarships for College Students
• Scholarships for Grad Students
• Scholarships for Women
• Scholarships for Black Students
• Scholarships
• Student Loans
• College Admissions
• Financial Aid
• Scholarship Winners
• Scholarship Providers

Student-centric advice and objective recommendations

Higher education has never been more confusing or expensive. Our goal is to help you navigate the very big decisions related to higher ed with objective information and expert advice. Each piece of content on the site is original, based on extensive research, and reviewed by multiple editors, including a subject matter expert. This ensures that all of our content is up-to-date, useful, accurate, and thorough.

Our reviews and recommendations are based on extensive research, testing, and feedback. We may receive commission from links on our website, but that doesn’t affect our editors’ opinions. Our marketing partners don’t review, approve or endorse our editorial content. It’s accurate to the best of our knowledge when posted. You can find a complete list of our partners here .

What is a Full-Ride Scholarship?

Gabriel Jimenez-Ekman is a content editor and writer at Scholarships360. He has managed communications and written content for a diverse array of organizations, including a farmer’s market, a concert venue, a student farm, an environmental NGO, and a PR agency. Gabriel graduated from Kenyon College with a degree in sociology.

Learn about our editorial policies

Bill Jack has over a decade of experience in college admissions and financial aid. Since 2008, he has worked at Colby College, Wesleyan University, University of Maine at Farmington, and Bates College.

Maria Geiger is Director of Content at Scholarships360. She is a former online educational technology instructor and adjunct writing instructor. In addition to education reform, Maria’s interests include viewpoint diversity, blended/flipped learning, digital communication, and integrating media/web tools into the curriculum to better facilitate student engagement. Maria earned both a B.A. and an M.A. in English Literature from Monmouth University, an M. Ed. in Education from Monmouth University, and a Virtual Online Teaching Certificate (VOLT) from the University of Pennsylvania.

When it comes to college admissions and financial aid, there’s not much more you can ask for than a full-ride scholarship. You’ve probably seen this term many times, but you may not be entirely sure what it means. In this article, we’ll give you a firm definition of full-ride scholarships and go on to guide you through some ways to find and apply for them. We’ll also clear up the differences between full-ride and full-tuition. Let’s get into it!

Also see: Scholarships360’s free scholarship search tool

What is a full-ride scholarship?

A full-ride scholarship covers all of the expenses associated with your college education. That includes tuition, room and board , books, fees, and more. Oftentimes, they come with a college stipend to pay for the expenses that can’t be easily cataloged. These can include paying for internet, transportation to and from school, and similar expenses.

So, essentially, with full-ride scholarships, you are completely taken care of financially. You will not have to worry about making ends meet. This is the best financial situation you can be in in college. You probably won’t need a job on campus, unless your family needs you to send money home to them, or if you need to pay for your own housing over the summers and breaks.

Also see: How to pay for college if you don’t have money

Ways to earn a full-ride scholarship

You can earn a full-ride scholarship through a variety of avenues. Here are some of the most common ways students earn them:

• Demonstrated leadership
• Academic merit
• Financial need
• State-sponsored programs
• Athletic skill

Oftentimes, students can earn a full-ride scholarship through a combination of these factors. If a school finds you to have shown impressive academic merit and athletics, and they see that you have financial need, they are more likely to offer you a full-ride to ensure that you attend their school.

Full-ride vs full-tuition scholarships

Full-ride and full-tuition scholarships may sound similar, but there is a big difference between them. While full-ride scholarships cover all the costs of college, full-tuition scholarships do not. They only cover tuition, leaving the student responsible for room and board, books, and other expenses. Over the course of your four years those things can seriously add up.

This is not to say that full-tuition scholarships are not impressive. They will save you a huge amount of money, and you can use them in conjunction with other scholarships to help pay for other expenses. However, the difference is very significant; full-ride scholarships are highly preferable to full-tuition.

Institutional vs private full-ride scholarships

Full-ride scholarships may be offered by both education institutions and private organizations or companies. While the source of the scholarship may differ, the result will be the same; they will pay for all of your educational expenses. So, it’s a good idea to pursue both institutional and private full-ride scholarships. It’s true that the scholarships are rare and can be hard to earn. But the chances will always be better if you take advantage of every opportunity out there. You miss all the shots you don’t take!

Other ways to go to college for free

Full-ride scholarships are an amazing opportunity to improve college accessibility and remove any financial stressors for your education. However, they are extremely rare, but don’t fret – there are other ways to go to college for free . And, while it’s not completely free, there are tuition-free schools out there. We have a list of schools in the US that do not charge tuition , as well as schools abroad that charge little to no tuition . Good luck in your search, and we hope that you secure a full ride!

Also see: Top full-ride scholarships for high school students

Key Takeaways

• Full-ride scholarships cover all the expenses associated with your college education, which includes things like tuition, room and board, books, and even stipends at times
• You can earn a full-ride scholarship through financial need, academic merit, athletics, government programs, or a combination of the above
• Full-tuition scholarships do not cover expenses beyond tuition, but full-ride ones do
• Both institutions and private organizations and nonprofits offer full-ride scholarships
• If you are looking to go to college for free , you can also investigate attending tuition-free colleges in the US or abroad

Start your scholarship search

• Vetted scholarships custom-matched to your profile
• Access exclusive scholarships only available to Scholarships360 members

Frequently asked questions about full ride scholarships

How rare is a full ride scholarship, what gpa can get you a full ride scholarship, what sat score will get you a full ride scholarship.

Apply to vetted scholarship programs in one click

Scholarships360 recommended.

Top 67 No Essay Scholarships in April 2024

Top 259 Scholarships for High School Juniors in April 2024

$20k in Exclusive Scholarships from Scholarships360

Trending now.

Top 51 Easy Scholarships✅ to Apply For in April 2024

Top 1,300 Scholarships for High School Seniors in April 2024

Top Scholarships for Current College Students in April 2024

3 reasons to join scholarships360.

• Automatic entry to our $10,000 No-Essay Scholarship
• Personalized matching to thousands of vetted scholarships
• Quick apply for scholarships exclusive to our platform

By the way...Scholarships360 is 100% free!

Scholarships

Our offer of admission is our greatest recognition of an applicant’s remarkable academic and personal power, and our belief that they will contribute greatly to our community.

As a small institution, Davidson is fortunate to attract a talented and vibrant applicant pool each year from which we enroll an incoming class of approximately 530 students. Through the generosity of our alumni and friends, we are pleased to be able to offer a limited number of scholarship awards to approximately 4% of an incoming class. The scholarship selection process is completed in March and all winners and alternates are notified prior to the release of Regular Decision admission decisions.

All Davidson scholarships are renewable for your remaining three years at Davidson, provided established grade point average and progress toward degree requirements are met, and you participate fully and vigorously in the life of the college.

Read about the scholarships we offer, find important forms, learn how to apply and more.

Ranging in value from comprehensive cost to full cost of attendance plus special study opportunity stipends, these scholarships are some of our most competitive. Candidates must be nominated for consideration.

Candidates are automatically considered by way of their admission application and selected from the applicant pool based on a number of factors that Davidson values.

These scholarships require additional application materials for consideration. Areas of focus include the arts, service, academic achievement, and more.

The Davidson Trust meets 100 percent of calculated financial need of accepted students through a combination of grants and campus employment.

Scholarship Spotlight The Belk Scholarship

The John M. Belk Scholarship provides comprehensive funding (tuition, fees, food, and housing) plus $6,000 in special opportunity stipends. Candidates must be nominated for consideration.

Information & Selection Process

In this section