Literature Scholarships

You’ve never written a paper that’s received lower than an A. You’d rather curl up with a good book than watch television. Your friends regularly come to you for writing advice. Sound familiar? If so, you’ve probably already considered majoring in English or journalism when you enter college but have you added literature to that list? Given your interests, you definitely should!

Literature majors must take a wide variety of classes but typically focus their coursework on a specific topic, like Irish literature or the work of 18th-century authors. Those interested in studying comparative literature – or the literature of at least two cultures or languages – will also have to take a number of foreign language, history and anthropology classes to broaden their understanding. Creative writing is another popular concentration because it allows students to study works of fiction, nonfiction, poetry and screenwriting, to name a few. And the career opportunities after college are just as varied as the subject matter studied: Literature majors have gone on to hold careers in library science, advertising, politics and law.

To complete these studies, access to financial aid is a necessity and there are plenty of places to find it. Start with your school: Michigan State University provides access to some excellent literature scholarships (including opportunities abroad), as do the University of Utah, San Jose State University, San Diego State University and George Washington University. Professional organizations like the Children’s Literature Association and the American Comparative Literature Association are also great places to look for literature scholarships, as there are many membership perks. And of course there’s Scholarships.com! We’ve posted several literature scholarships below but there are plenty more in our database that you will also be eligible for (think: essay scholarships to showcase your excellent writing skills) so complete a free scholarship search today!

AAAS Minority Science Writers Internship
Application Deadlines: February 01, Annually
This program places minority students interested in journalism as a career and who want to learn about science writing at Science Magazine for 10 weeks over the summer. Interns experience what it's like to cover the scientific and technological issues that shape our global community.

The internship is open to any minority undergraduate with a serious interest in science writing. Preference [...] More

ALBA George Watt Memorial Essay Contest
Application Deadlines: July 15, Annually
This annual essay competition was established in 1998 to honor Lincoln vet George Watt, a writer and lifelong activist central to the creation of ALBA.

Students from anywhere in the world are invited to submit an essay or thesis chapter about any aspect of the Spanish Civil War, the global political or cultural struggles against fascism in 1920s and 1930s, or the lifetime histories and [...] More

Davidson Fellows Scholarship
Application Deadlines: February 10, Annually
The Davidson Fellows Scholarship awards prestigious 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. Davidson Fellows are honored every year in Washington, D.C. with Congressional meetings and a special reception. [...] More

GRCF Ladies Literary Club Scholarship
Application Deadlines: April 01, Annually
Grand Rapids Community Foundation awards hundreds of scholarships annually primarily to Kent County students bound for or in college, or those pursuing a technical career.

To be eligible for the Ladies Literary Club Scholarship, students must be a resident of Kent, Ottawa, Muskegon, Allegan, Montcalm or Barry counties in Michigan majoring in literary arts at any accredited Michigan college [...] More

Hope College Creative Writing Award
Application Deadlines: February 15, Annually
Application requirements: Writing sample, completed application, 500-word essay (topic provided by the English Department), and letter of recommendation.

Eligibility: It is not necessary to be an English major or minor.

Submission materials:
-A 500-word essay
-A letter of recommendation
-10 typed pages of your creative writing

To retain scholarship: students are expected to maintain [...] More

Hope College Distinguished Artist Awards - Theatre
Application Deadlines: January 15, Annually
Each year at Hope College, up to 60 Distinguished Artist Award (DAA) scholarships are given to students with strong academic records and outstanding creative abilities in art, dance, music, theatre or creative writing. Renewable for four years, the DAA's provide eligible students with $2,500 each year toward their college costs. DAA recipients also take part in a variety of opportunities set up [...] More

Iowa Scholarships for the Arts
Application Deadlines: February 01, Annually
At the time of application, student applicants must be enrolled at the senior class level in an Iowa high school and display proven artistic ability in the areas of music, dance, visual arts, theater or literature.

Scholarship funds are awarded contingent upon recipients being accepted as full-time undergraduate students at a fully-accredited Iowa college or university. For more information [...] More

ISI Henry Salvatori Fellowship
Application Deadlines: January 16, Annually
The ISI Salvatori Fellowship seeks to further an understanding and appreciation of the principles held by the American Founding Fathers and the culture that formed their values and views.

The Salvatori Fellowship is granted to current graduate students in a field related to the American Founding. Eligible applicants are:
-Members of the Intercollegiate Studies Institute
-Engaged in graduate [...] More

Lycoming College Creative Writing Scholarship
Application Deadlines: March 15, Annually
Eligibility:
-Major in creative writing
-Submit five poems and/or a short story not to exceed ten pages
-Scholarship recipients must enroll in ENGL 240 (freshman year) and maintain a minimum grade of at least an A-
-To renew after the first year of enrollment, a recipient must enroll in creative writing workshop(s) and maintain a minimum grade of at least an A-

For more information or to [...] More

Nellie Martin Carman Scholarship Fund
Application Deadlines: March 01, Annually
Founded in 1949, the Nellie Martin Carman Scholarship is available to graduating seniors from public high schools in King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties in Washington state. Application forms are only available through these high schools and candidates for the scholarship are nominated by their school each year. Awards range from $500 to $2,000 a year, and scholarships are renewable for four (4) [...] More

RTDNF Lou and Carole Prato Sports Reporting Scholarship
Application Deadlines: May 31, Annually
Louis F. Prato has dedicated more than 30 years to RTDNA and RTDNF. Lou served as secretary of the RTDNF Board of Trustees, and for more than 20 years he was treasurer of the RTDNA Board of Directors. Lou has worked as a sports broadcaster, news director, a journalism professor. Lou and his wife Carole live near his alma mater, Penn State University. He is the author of several books on Penn [...] More

The R.L. Gillette Scholarship
Application Deadlines: April 01, Annually
The American Foundation for the Blind removes barriers, creates solutions, and expands possibilities so people with vision loss can achieve their full potential.

All applicants must be U.S. citizens or naturalized citizens. All applications must include the following items, without exception:
-Completed online application including all sections of the essay
-Official transcripts
-Two [...] More

The Sharon Olds Fellowship for Poetry
Application Deadlines: September 19, Annually
The Sharon Olds Fellowship for Poetry is offered once annually to a poet starting the Solstice Low-Residency MFA in Creative Writing Program during the winter residency/spring semester. Fellowship recipients will receive a $1,000 award toward their first semester's tuition.

Fellowships are awarded based on the quality of the applicant's writing sample.

Fellowship applicants are strongly [...] More

Thomas G. Labrecque Smart Start Scholarship Program
Application Deadlines: January 01, Annually
Each year, 10 high school graduating seniors across New York City become part of the Thomas G. Labrecque Smart Start Scholarship Program. Since 1992 the Scholarship program has had an impact on over 450 students throughout the five boroughs of New York City by providing education, work-related and financial benefits.

Eligibility:
-Be a high school senior
-Be a NYC resident who attends a [...] More