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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!

Davidson Fellows Scholarship

  • Application Deadline: 2/12/2021
  • Amount: $50,000
  • The Davidson Fellows Scholarship awards 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. Applicants [...] More

GRCF Ladies Literary Club Scholarship

  • Application Deadline: 3/1/2021
  • Amount: Varies
  • 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 or university. Applicants must also have financial need and a minimum 3.0 GPA. For more information or to apply, please visit the scholarship provider's [...] More

Hope College Distinguised Artist Awards- Creative Writing

  • Application Deadline: 1/6/2021
  • Amount: $12,000
  • The Distinguished Artist Award in Creative Writing is for high school seniors who intend to register at Hope College the fall of their first year at college. It is not required to be an English major or minor, but ward winners must enroll in at least one creative writing class per academic year and maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA. For more information or to apply, please visit the scholarship [...] More

Hope College Distinguished Artist Awards - Theatre

  • Application Deadline: Varies
  • Amount: $12,000
  • Graduating seniors in high school that are considering minoring or majoring in theatre at Hope are encouraged to apply for the Distinguished Artist Awards - Theatre. Winners are notified the first week of March. For more information or to apply, please visit the scholarship provider's website. [...] More

Iowa Scholarships for the Arts

  • Application Deadline: 3/1/2021
  • Amount: $1,500
  • Iowa Scholarship for the Arts is a $1,500 scholarship to help support student's future arts education. Applicants must be outstanding Iowa high school seniors who excel and demonstrate a commitment to pursuing an education and career in the arts. Applicants must also plan to attend college in Iowa and major in the fine arts. For more information or to apply, please visit the scholarship [...] More

ISI Henry Salvatori Fellowship

  • Application Deadline: 2/1/2021
  • Amount: Varies
  • 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. Eligible applicants must: be members of the Intercollegiate Studies Institute; and, pursuing graduate studies for the purpose of teaching at the collegiate level. Pre-professional students (medical, law, [...] More

Marjorie Stonehill English Journalism and Creative Arts Scholarship

  • Application Deadline: 2/26/2021
  • Amount: $750
  • CFBC administers a vast array of scholarship funds. These scholarships are funded by donors who believe in the young people of Boone County and want to support their pursuit of higher education. The Marjorie Stonehill Scholarship is offered to students majoring in English, Journalism and Creative Arts. Applicants must be residents of Boone County, graduates of a Boone County High School, and have [...] More

Nellie Martin Carman Scholarship Fund

  • Application Deadline: 3/1/2021
  • Amount: $2,000
  • The Nellie Martin Carman Scholarship is available to graduating seniors from public high schools in King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties in Washington state (and a US citizen). Application forms are only available through these high schools and candidates for the scholarship are nominated by their school each year. Scholarships are renewable for four years of college in the state of Washington. [...] More

Ruth Lilly Poetry Fellowships

  • Application Deadline: 4/30/2021
  • Amount: $25,800
  • Five Ruth Lilly and Dorothy Sargent Rosenberg Poetry Fellowships will be awarded to young poets in the U.S. 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. Applicants must reside in the U.S. or be [...] More

The Jacqueline Woodson Fellowship for a Young People’s Writer of African or Caribbean Descent

  • Application Deadline: 11/4/2020
  • Amount: $1,000
  • The Jacqueline Woodson Fellowship for a Young People’s Writer of African or Caribbean Descent is offered once annually to applicants during the winter residency/spring semester. Awards must be applied toward the winter residency/spring semester directly following acceptance; fellowships cannot be deferred or applied toward a summer residency/fall semester start. For more information or to apply, [...] More

The R.L. Gillette Scholarship

  • Application Deadline: 4/1/2021
  • Amount: $1,000
  • 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

Thomas G. Labrecque Smart Start Scholarship Program

  • Application Deadline: 1/1/2021
  • Amount: Varies
  • To be eligible for the Thomas G. Labrecque Smart Start Scholarship Program, applicants must: be a high school senior residing and attending school in New York City; demonstrate financial need; plan to major in business, communications, computer science, engineering, liberal arts, or social science (life science majors are not eligible); attend eligible colleges/universities (see website); and, be [...] More

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