Best Writing Scholarships in 2024

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.

The American poet Amy Lowell died in 1925. Her will established an annual scholarship to support travel abroad for gifted American-born poets. Any poet of American birth, who is able and willing to spend one year outside the continent of North America, shall be eligible.

This program will support the award of a scholarship and a travel stipend to attend the IFA Annual Convention. Scholarship candidates must have a major or primary focus in one or more of these areas: business, finance, marketing, food service, hospitality, franchising, or entrepreneurship. Applicants must submit a business plan up to 10 pages on a business concept to qualify.

The Walsh scholarship honors Bill Walsh, author, blogger, and longtime copy editor at the Washington Post. The Walsh scholarship will be awarded to an applicant who demonstrates the talent and passion for language that Bill had, and who aspires to pursue the craft of editing the news.

The Aubespin scholarship honors Merv Aubespin, a former president of the National Association of Black Journalists who greatly helped inspire the creation of ACES. Applicants should have a commitment to a career in the editing of written materials.

The Leadership Essay Contest focuses on the roles of leadership and character in America's Sea Services. Junior officers (LCDR/Major and below) from the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, and U.S. Coast Guard are eligible to take part in this contest, and may write on the related topic of their choice. Essays should be 2,500 words maximum.

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

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

This award seeks to stimulate interest in the Westminster Shorter Catechism by challenging Presbyterian Church members, who are juniors or seniors at a Presbyterian college or university, to memorize and recite the catechism. To further demonstrate understanding of the Westminster Shorter Catechism, each applicant will write a 2,000-word essay on an assigned topic related to the catechism. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and will be read by a panel of chaplains.

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.

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.

The Portfolio Awards, made possible by generous individual donors and other supporters, provide 16 Gold Medal Portfolio recipients with $10,000 scholarships and 30 Silver Medal with Distinction Portfolio recipients with $1,000 scholarships. Note that deadlines for all Scholastic Art & Writing Awards vary depending on your state.

The Many Voices Fellowship is intended to support early career playwrights of color and Indigenous playwrights who demonstrate artistic potential and a commitment to a year-long residency in Minnesota. Fellowships provide an $18,000 stipend and $2,500 in play development funds.

Provide a short written response to the following question: "Imagine a historical figure is brought back to life. Who is it? What‘s their favorite mobile app?” Response should be limited to 250 words or less.

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