Writing Scholarships

Most scholarships applicants who apply for scholarships have good writing skills. Without basic writing and communication skills, it would be difficult to make it through high school, let alone go to college. It would definitely be impossible to score well on the ACT, SAT, or the college application process without good writing skills. When applying for scholarships that involve essays or writing of any sort, do not doubt your chances of winning. Though many students can write well, not many applicants put in the effort to do so. Because of this, applications that involve writing or are purely essay-based are excellent scholarship opportunities for students who are diligent enough to write a scholarship worthy essay.

Winning scholarships is possible and students' chances are increased when they invest time and effort into their applications. Scholarships are often awarded based on basic criteria of written and verbal ability. When writing scholarship essays, be mindful of spelling, grammar, essay structure, and content. Provide a clear and concise introduction and conclusion, with one main idea per paragraph. Make sure the theme of your essay clearly addresses the topic provided on the application, and use sources if necessary. Have a clear writing style, and avoid being generic unless an essay contest states otherwise. Check out our other resources on writing scholarships for more tips on how to pay for college with the help of your writing skills.

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

Dan Klepper Memorial Scholarship
Application Deadlines: February 01, Annually
To support the next generation of communicators, the Texas Outdoor Writers Association offers the Dan Klepper Memorial Scholarship. The professional communicators of the Texas Outdoor Writers Association are dedicated to maintaining and improving skills in the written and spoken word, radio and television, photography, illustration, and electronic media. TOWA fosters fellowship among its members [...] More

Helen McCloy Mystery Writers of America Scholarship
Application Deadlines: February 28, Annually
The Helen McCloy/MWA Scholarship for Mystery Writing seeks to nurture talent in mystery writing - in fiction, nonfiction, playwriting, and screenwriting. The scholarship is open to U.S. citizens or permanent residents only. Membership in Mystery Writers of America is not required to apply. The McCloy Scholarship is intended for serious aspiring mystery writers who wish to improve their writing [...] More

Holland & Knight Young Native Writers Essay Contest
Application Deadlines: April 15, Annually
The Young Native Writers Essay Contest is a writing contest for Native American high school students and is designed to encourage young Native Americans to write about the progress their tribal communities have made and how their tribal communities can keep moving forward.

The contest is designed to encourage young Native American writers to explore their heritage while becoming positive [...] More

L. Ron Hubbard Writers of The Future Contest
Application Deadlines:
The L. Ron Hubbard Writers of The Future Contest is an ongoing merit competition for new and amateur aspiring writers. Run on a quarterly basis, an eligible entry is any previously unpublished short story or novelette (under 17,000 words) of science fiction or fantasy.

There shall be three cash prizes in each quarter: a first prize of $1,000, a second prize of $750, and a third prize of $500. [...] 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

Michigan Remembers 9-11 Essay Contest
Application Deadlines: October 05, Annually
High school juniors and seniors from schools in Michigan (public, private, and home schools) are encouraged to submit an original essay on their reflections and research on the impacts of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in New York City, Washington D.C., and Flight 93 in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

Submission Requirements:
-Essays can be no more than 1,000 words. Titles, citations, [...] More

New York Financial Writers' Association Scholarship
Application Deadlines: April 15, Annually
The New York Financial Writers Association Scholarships are for journalism students in the New York City metropolitan area who wish to pursue a career in business or financial journalism.

Scholarship process:
-Complete the application providing your present address and telephone number and, if different, your permanent home address and telephone number. Applications should be available at [...] More

NRA Civil Rights Defense Fund
Application Deadlines: December 31, Annually
The NRA Civil Rights Defense Fund sponsors a scholarly writing contest for grades K-12. The theme for the essay is "What Does The Second Amendment Mean to You?"

Essays will be judged in two categories: Senior (grades 9-12) and junior (grades 8 and below), with separate cash prizes awarded to the winners in each category. First place cash prizes are $1,000, $600 for second place, $200 for third [...] More

Patriot's Pen Competition
Application Deadlines: November 01, Annually
Patriot's Pen is an essay writing contest sponsored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). It is open to middle school students in grades 6 through 8, who are enrolled in a public, private, or parochial high school or home study program in the United States and its territories. This year's theme is "The America I Believe In."

Essays must 300-400 words, typed and must be in English with no [...] More

PunditWire Political Communication Fellowship
Application Deadlines: April 30, Annually
PunditWire, political commentary website for speechwriters sponsored by the School of Communication at American University, is seeking a graduate student fellow to serve as editor of the site. This unique opportunity will allow the student to get involved with a consequential political publication and connect with some of the top communicators and speechwriters in the country. The fellow will [...] More

WIIT Charitable Trust Scholarship Program
Application Deadlines: July 15, Annually
The WIIT Charitable Trust is a 501(c)(3) organization. It was created in 2001 to fund charitable, scientific, and educational activities in international trade. Its mission is to promote public knowledge and understanding of international trade and international business and strengthen the role of women therein by being a valued source of information and by globally sponsoring research, [...] More

Write A Play! New York City Playwriting Contest
Application Deadlines: March 01, Annually
WRITE A PLAY! NYC, the New York City School Playwriting Contest, is open to all NYC students. Plays are judged in three categories: elementary, middle, and high school. All entrants receive a Certificate of Merit, a written evaluation of the play and an invitation to the annual Awards Ceremony.

Guidelines:
-Plays must be submitted by students, not teachers
-There are no restrictions on [...] More