English and Creative Writing Scholarships

Finding good English and creative scholarships is the key to turning your passion for reading and love for crafting interesting story lines into a successful career.

Creative writing degrees are typically reserved for students seeking to enter the competitive publishing arena to write and/or edit fiction novels, children's books, poetry, biographies, and fanciful nonfiction stories. English programs take a more broad-based approach to preparing students with a range of critical thinking, writing, communication, and problem-solving skills that can be applied in virtually any career.

See: Top 10 Cheap Online Master's in English and Creative Writing Degree Programs

Among the most in-demand careers for English majors include technical writing, public relations, broadcasting, web development, human resources, marketing, and IT services. First, you'll have to invest in at least four years of post-secondary education though, which can get very expensive. Luckily, the following are 20 scholarships for English and creative writing students to overcome financial barriers to studying the intricacies of language.

1. ACES Merv Aubespin Scholarship

Deadline: November 15th

In honor of the former chairman, the American Copy Editors Society (ACES) has created the Merv Aubespin Scholarship to award $1,000 to $2,500 to five outstanding college students majoring in English, journalism, creative writing, or communications for a career in copy editing. Eligible candidates must have at least junior standing, attend an accredited U.S. institution, be taking on a full-time copy editing job or internship, and maintain academic achievement. Applications must include a resume of copy editing experience, two letters of recommendation, five to ten original headlines, and a 750-word personal essay.

Contact

ACES Merv Aubespin Scholarship
155 East Algonquin Road
Arlington Heights, IL 60005
(847) 427-4624
k.org

2. Anne Trabue Scholarship Fund

Deadline: May 15th

Created by the Women's Southern California Golf Association (WSCGA) in 1954 to celebrate the legacy of its founding mother and noted journalist who wrote extensively about golf with gracious charm, the Anne Trabue Scholarship Fund is available annually. Qualified recipients must be female graduating high school seniors, play varsity golf, reside in Southern California, be accepted at an accredited U.S. university, carry a minimum overall GPA of 3.2, and plan to enroll full-time for a bachelor's degree in English or journalism. Selection will be based on applicants' athletic talents, extra-curricular involvement, and academic goals.

Contact

Anne Trabue Scholarship Fund
402 West Arrow Highway Suite 10
San Dimas, CA 91773
(909) 592-1281 ext. 212

Scholarship Link

3. Bob and Marion Breeden Scholarship

Deadline: February 20th

Since 2006, the Oklahoma Press Association has awarded the Bob and Marion Breeden Scholarship every year for $1,000 to memorialize the accomplishments of the editor and co-publisher at The Cleveland American who was elected to Oklahoma State Senate. To qualify, candidates must be entering their senior year, be pursuing a bachelor's degree in journalism or English, attend the University of Oklahoma full-time, and have plans to start a newspaper career upon graduation. Applications won't be complete without a resume of writing experience, an official transcript, one letter of recommendation, and a one-page personal goals statement.

Contact

Bob and Marion Breeden Scholarship
3601 North Lincoln Blvd.
Oklahoma City, OK 73105
(405) 499-0026

Scholarship Link

4. Bobette Bibo Gugliotta Memorial Scholarship

Deadline: February 22nd

Administered by the Silicon Valley Community Foundation (SVCF), the Bobette Bibo Gugliotta Memorial Scholarship is named in honor of an accomplished author who created the idea for Mickey Mouse. For this $1,000 annual ward, applicants must be graduating high school seniors residing in San Mateo County or northern Santa Clara County in California who will be enrolling full-time in an accredited college to study creative writing. Interested students must submit an application, two letters of reference, official transcripts, a signed personal statement, and two creative writing samples.

Contact

Bobette Bibo Gugliotta Memorial Scholarship
2440 West El Camino Real Suite 300
Mountain View, CA 94040
(650) 450-5487

Scholarship Link

5. Bodie McDowell Scholarship

Deadline: March 2nd

Ranging in value from $1,000 to $5,000 annually, the Bodie McDowell Scholarship is granted through the Outdoor Writers Association of America (OWAA) for three or more college students who have declared a major in communications, English, journalism, broadcasting, photography, or creative writing. Qualified undergraduate or graduate applicants must achieve at least junior-level status, attend an accredited U.S. school, display academic achievement, have firsthand outdoor knowledge, and be committed to a career in outdoor communications. Applications should include one recommendation, an official transcript, samples of outdoor writing work, and a two-page personal essay stating career goals.

Contact

Bodie McDowell Scholarship
615 Oak Street Suite 201
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 728-7434

Scholarship Link

6. Carl and Christine Huebner Scholarship

Deadline: April 1st

As part of the Community Foundation for Northeast Michigan (CFNEM), the Carl and Christine Huebner Scholarship is presented annually for up to $3,000 to graduating high school seniors or home-schooled students who are planning to major in music, creative writing, visual arts, or the performing arts. Eligible applicants must reside in Michigan's Iosco County, be accepted at an accredited four-year undergraduate institution, possess a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.6, and show outstanding artistic talent. Along with the application, students must submit three letters of recommendation, high school transcripts, a personal cover letter, and proof of enrollment.

Contact

Carl and Christine Huebner Scholarship
P.O. Box 495
Alpena, MI 49707
(989) 354-6881

7. Dorothy Sargent Rosenberg Poetry Fellowship

Deadline: April 30th

Initiated in 1989 by the Poetry Foundation to encourage advanced study in writing poetry, the Dorothy Sargent Rosenberg Poetry Fellowship is awarded annually for $25,800 to five young poets who are enrolling full-time in a master's degree program for English, literature, poetry, creative writing, or related literary arts. Eligible students must have U.S. citizenship, be between 12 and 31 years of age, attend an accredited U.S. graduate school, display outstanding writing talent, and maintain good academic standing. For consideration, applicants must send a 250-word personal introduction, 10 pages of poems, and a list of poetry publications.

Contact

Dorothy Sargent Rosenberg Poetry Fellowship
61 West Superior Street
Chicago, IL 60654
(312) 787-7070

Scholarship Link

8. Go on Girl! Aspiring Writer Scholarship

Deadline: March 15th

As a spirited group of women who love a good read, the Go on Girl! Book Club offers an Aspiring Writer Scholarship for $1,000 to full-time college freshmen, sophomores, or juniors who are pursuing an undergraduate degree for English, creative writing, or a related field. Qualified candidates must be U.S. citizens of African descent, attend a historically black college or university (HBCU), achieve a minimum overall GPA of 2.5, write an 800-word compelling essay titled "The Power of the Written Word." Recipients will also be given an all-expenses paid trip to New York City for the awards ceremony.

Contact

Go on Girl! Aspiring Writer Scholarship
P.O. Box 3368
New York, NY 10185

Scholarship Link

9. Jeanne Robertson Scholarship

Deadline: May 22nd

In honor of the renowned humorist and past president of the National Speakers Association (NSA), the Jeanne Robertson Scholarship is granted annually for $5,000 to full-time undergraduate or graduate students who have declared a major in English, communications, journalism, or public speaking. Eligible students must attend an accredited U.S. institution, portray an entrepreneurial spirit, be committed to a career with the spoken word, have at least junior-level standing, and maintain full-time enrollment. Applications should be accompanied by a 500-word career aspirations essay, one recommendation letter, an official college transcript, and video footage of a speech or presentation.

Contact

Jeanne Robertson Scholarship
1500 South Priest Drive
Tempe, AZ 85281
(480) 968-2552

Scholarship Link

10. Kathleen Fisher Memorial Scholarship

Deadline: December 1st

Through the Garden Writers Association (GWA), the Kathleen Fisher Memorial Scholarship is awarded annually for $500 to deserving college students across the United States who are majoring in journalism, English, creative writing, horticulture, or plant science. Qualified students must be enrolled at least part-time, carry a minimum overall GPA of 3.0, be completing undergraduate studies, show responsible citizenship, attend an accredited college, and wish to pursue a career in garden media communications. Applicants must submit one faculty letter of support, an official college transcript, and at least two published or unpublished writing works.

Contact

Kathleen Fisher Memorial Scholarship
7809 FM 179
Shallowater, TX 79363
(806) 832-1870

Scholarship Link

11. Lambda Iota Tau Literature Scholarships

Deadline: May 31st

As one of several scholarships for English majors offered through America's collegiate literature honor society, the Lambda Iota Tau Literature Scholarships will award $1,000 for two to four student members who are majoring in literature, English, or creative writing. Eligible recipients must have graduated from high school, be currently attending an accredited U.S. college full-time, be nominated by a chapter sponsor, have U.S. citizenship, and rank in the top 35 percent of their class. Graduate students who have completed one semester with a minimum GPA of 3.0 are also qualified.

Contact

Lambda Iota Tau Literature Scholarships
2000 West University Avenue
Muncie, IN 47306
(765) 285-8370

Scholarship Link

12. Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley Scholarship

Deadline: December 31st

In the amount of $2,500, the Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley Scholarship is presented every year by the Horror Writers Association (HWA) for deserving female student members in good standing who are pursuing a degree or certificate related to creative writing. Eligible women must be enrolling in an accredited writing in America, showcase broad interests in the horror gene, demonstrate financial need, display potential in written work to date, and attend at least one horror writing convention annually. Recipients can use their financial support to cover tuition, textbooks, online courses, writing guides, or certain subscription fees.

Contact

Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley Scholarship
244 5th Avenue Suite 2767
New York, NY 10001

Scholarship Link

13. Norma Ross Walter Scholarship

Deadline: January 31st

Established in 1987 in honor of a Navy Wave during World War II who led an illustrious career as a California newspaper editor and frequently visited Red Cloud, the Norma Ross Walter Scholarship is presented through the Willa Cather Foundation for $500 to $2,000 annually. To qualify, candidates must be female high school seniors, plan to continue their education as English majors, be accepted at an accredited college in Nebraska, showcase intellectual promise, and display outstanding creativity. Applications need to have a high school transcript, three letters of recommendation, and an original 1,500-word essay in MLA style.

Contact

Norma Ross Walter Scholarship
413 North Webster Road
Red Cloud, NE 68970
(402) 746-2653

Scholarship Link

14. Reader's Digest Foundation Scholarship

Deadline: Varies

In collaboration with the America's most popular family magazine, the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) has created the Reader's Digest Foundation Scholarship to grant $5,000 to African American college students who are pursuing a bachelor's degree in communications, English, journalism, or creative writing. Eligible candidates must be juniors or seniors, attend a UNCF-member university full-time, carry a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0, submit a published writing sample, and be pursuing a career in print journalism. Other UNCF scholarships for undergraduate English majors include the Retha M. Ford Scholarship and Michael Jackson Scholarship.

Contact

Reader's Digest Foundation Scholarship
1805 7th Street NW
Washington, DC 20001
(404) 302-8623

Scholarship Link

15. Richard G. Zimmerman Scholarship

Deadline: March 1st

Named for a long-time member of the National Press Club who died in 2008, the Richard G. Zimmerman Scholarship is designed to award $5,000 annually to extraordinary graduating high school seniors who are planning to pursue a major in journalism, English, or communications. For this non-renewable award, candidates must carry a minimum overall GPA of 3.0, be accepted at an accredited U.S. university, and demonstrate unmet financial aid. Applicants are required to 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.

Contact

Richard G. Zimmerman Scholarship
529 14th Street NW 13th Floor
Washington, DC 20045
(202) 662-7500

Scholarship Link

16. R.L. Gillette Scholarship Fund

Deadline: May 31st

Sponsored by the American Federation of the Blind (AFB), the R.L. Gillette Scholarship Fund is available to provide $1,000 to two women who are enrolling in a four-year bachelor's degree program to study literature, English, music, or creative writing. Qualified applicants must attend an accredited college in the United States, be legally blind with corrected visual acuity of 20/200 or less in their better eye, maintain full-time enrollment, and have good academic standing. To apply, interested students must submit a completed application online with official transcripts, two letters of recommendation, a writing sample, and proof of legal blindness.

Contact

R.L. Gillette Scholarship Fund
1000 Fifth Avenue Suite 350
Huntington, WV 25701
(800) 232-5463

Scholarship Link

17. SCBWI Student Writer Scholarship

Deadline: April 15th or November 2nd

Twice each year, the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) offers the Student Writer Scholarship for full-time college students who are enrolled full-time in an accredited higher learning institution to obtain a degree in creative writing, English, literature, or a related field. Eligible applicants must be at least 18 years old, have U.S. citizenship, be unpublished writers, have no binding contracts, and be pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree. For consideration, aspiring writers must submit a short cover letter, five-page sample of their manuscript, letter of recommendation, and copy of their student ID.

Contact

SCBWI Student Writer Scholarship
4727 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 301
Los Angeles, CA 90010
(323) 782-1010

Scholarship Link

18. Signet Classics Student Scholarship Contest

Deadline: April 21st

As one of the most prestigious creative writing scholarships offered worldwide, the Signet Classics Student Scholarship Content is hosted annually by Penguin Books USA to present $1,000 to five high school students pursuing higher education. Eligible 11th and 12th grade full-time matriculated students in the United States must submit a two to three-page typed essay addressing one of six available topics on Pygmalion and My Fair Lady. Submissions will be judged based on their style, content, grammar, originality, organization, and opinion on key literary themes. Recipients will also be given a Signet Classics Library for their school.

Contact

Signet Classics Student Scholarship Contest
275 Hudson Street
New York, NY 10014
(212) 366-2000
Scholarship Link

19. Wikoff Scholarship for Editorial Leadership

Deadline: February 28th

Presented annually by the National Scholastic Press Association (NSPA), the Wikoff Scholarship for Editorial Leadership will give $1,000 to graduating high school seniors who plan to pursue a bachelor's degree in English, journalism, communications, writing, or another closely related field in higher education. Qualified applicants must work on an NSPA member newspaper, maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5, and be pursuing a career in editorial leadership. Entry forms must be submitted before the deadline with photocopies of three published editorials or columns, an official transcript, and one letter of recommendation from their newspaper advisor.

Contact

Wikoff Scholarship for Editorial Leadership
2221 University Avenue SE
Minneapolis, MN 55414
(612) 625-8335

20. William C. Johnson Distinguished Scholarship

Deadline: March 21st

The William C. Johnson Distinguished Scholarship is one of several graduate English scholarships awarded through the Sigma Tau Delta Honor Society to provide $5,000 each year to full-time students earning a master's degree in English or literature. Successful candidates must have society membership, maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5, be actively involved in community service, organize one or more significant chapter activities, and attend an accredited U.S. institution. Nominated students must submit their college transcripts, two letters of recommendation from the English Department, and a well-organized, revised critical essay.

Contact

William C. Johnson Distinguished Scholarship
711 North First Street
DeKalb, IL 60115
(815) 981-9974

Scholarship Link

Whether you're looking to write the next great American novel, become a famous magazine editor, or publish powerful newspaper articles addressing our world's humanitarian crises, an English or creative writing degree could be the perfect fit. Although these degrees are often given a bad reputation for poor job outlook, a survey from Millennial Branding found that 30 percent of employers are looking to hire liberal arts majors for their "soft" skills. After all, graduates who've extensively studied English know how to communicate, organize ideas logically, create strong arguments, conduct research, and add a spice of creativity. Apply for some of these great English and creative writing scholarships to reap the best degree ROI and unleash your imaginative potential.