Best Writing Scholarships in 2025

The Marguerite Young Endowment Fund was established at The Pittsburgh Foundation to provide scholarships for students who plan to study theology. Candidates must be attending a Protestant seminary as a master of Divinity candidate, preparing for full-time ministry and/or be a seminary intern at a Protestant Church. Application must includes proof of this, as well as a personal essay.

The Dr. Yoji Kondo Scholarship may be awarded to a candidate of any gender majoring in engineering, math, biological or physical sciences, or “science fiction as literature” as an eligible field of study. Applicants must submit a 500-1,000 word essay on one of several scientific topics. Winners are announced on July 7th each year.

The Bennett Place Support Fund, Inc. will award this $1000 scholarship to a deserving student who is a current senior of an accredited high school in North Carolina. To apply, students must write three short essays (400-600 words each) on topics related to the historic site of Bennett Place.

This scholarship, named in honor of Sigma Tau Delta's Executive Director, recognizes academic excellence and outstanding service to the Society at the local, regional, and/or national level. This scholarship requires applicants to submit, in addition to the application information and scholarship essay, a paper originally submitted as coursework and a declaration of authorship.

Sigma Tau Delta offers the Graduate Scholarship in honor of Edwin L. Stockton, Jr., Past-President, who served for 18 years. Applications should demonstrate both academic achievement and campus, community, or chapter service; applicants should explain the relevance of their program of study to fostering the discipline of English, including literature, language, writing, and literacy.

Sigma Tau Delta offers the Senior Scholarship in honor of Elva Bell McLin, past Southern Regent and Historian for the Society. Applications should demonstrate both academic achievement and campus, community, or chapter service; applicants should explain the relevance of their program of study to fostering the discipline of English, including literature, language, writing, and literacy.

This scholarship is intended to assist current student or alumni members in furthering their education on a part-time or non-degree-seeking basis in areas of study. Examples of eligible areas of study include teacher certification, summer coursework, publishing institutes, and professionalization opportunities. Applicants will describe current or past academic scholarship and campus, community, or chapter service, as well as context for their part-time or non-degree-seeking student status.

Sigma Tau Delta offers the Junior Scholarship in honor of E. Nelson James, long-time Executive Secretary for the Society. Applications should demonstrate both academic achievement and campus, community, or chapter service; applicants should explain the relevance of their program of study to fostering the discipline of English, including literature, language, writing, and literacy.

Since its inception, NDS has recognized the importance of laying a foundation for the future in the form of students. This scholarship is awarded to a freshman majoring in Dairy/Animal Science with a Communications emphasis or Agricultural Journalism with a Dairy/Animal Science emphasis. Application includes personal and analytical essays on the dairy industry.

The NYFWA offers scholarships to enrolled undergraduate or graduate journalism students in the tri-state New York area who are seriously interested in pursuing a career in business and financial journalism. Applications should contain a personal essay explaining why you are pursuing a career in business and financial journalism, as well as 3-5 samples of your financial writing.

Five Ruth Lilly and Dorothy Sargent Rosenberg Poetry Fellowships in the amount of $27,000 will be awarded to young poets through a national competition sponsored by the Poetry Foundation, publisher of Poetry magazine. Established in 1989 by the Indianapolis philanthropist Ruth Lilly, the fellowships are intended to encourage the further study and writing of poetry.

The Bird Dog Foundation, Inc. has established a scholarship fund to promote interest in hunting, wildlife conservation, the rich outdoor heritage of the United States, and other related subjects. This annual essay contest and scholarship is open only to high school seniors who are preparing to enter their freshman year at an accredited college or university.

The INCIGHT scholarship is open to students in Washington, Oregon, and California who have a documented disability. Applicants must complete two detailed essay responses (video essays also welcome) in order to be eligible. The number of awards and total amount awarded will be determined during the selection process, and winners will be notified in June. INCIGHT Scholars are required to complete either 30 hours of community service or volunteer at one INCIGHT event.