Best 15 Creative Writing Scholarships 2023 | APPLY NOW

A creative writing degree in college is fun, especially if you are on a scholarship. There are a good number of scholarships for creative writers who are in high school or college pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree.

Creative Writing goes beyond becoming a writer; therefore, let nobody tell you otherwise. Everyone needs to be a creative writer to excel. Why is Creative Writing a great discipline to study in college?

Every workplace needs creative writers to sell their brand/product to their audience or help their publicity. Also, big organizations are hiring creative writers to write, develop, and direct quality adverts for their firms and products. A creative writer is just needed everywhere.

So, why can’t a creative writer get scholarships to hone his college skills? No reason at all! Thus, for this reason, we have researched scholarships that will make your life in college worth it.

This post will share scholarships reflecting most kinds of writing you hope to sp

List of Creative Writing Scholarships in 2023

Let’s drive straight into business. You are studying creative writing in school or planning to study creative writing in college once you graduate from high school. The question you are asking yourself now is, are there scholarships for creative writers in college?

Yes, there are, and a good number of them at that. However, a good deal may not worth your time. Therefore, we bring you the best fifteen (15) scholarships out there for creative writers. They are as follows (in no particular order):

• The Horror Writers Association (HWA) Scholarship
• Student Arts Scholarship
• Michael Steinberg Fellowship for Creative Nonfiction
• Lycoming College Creative Writing Scholarship
• Hope College Creative Writing Award
• Helen McCloy Mystery Writers of America Scholarship
• GRCF Ladies Literary Club Scholarship
• Norma Ross Walter Scholarship
• Bobette Bibo Gugliotta Memorial Scholarship for Creative Writing
• Beyoncé Formation Scholars Scholarship Program
• Barbaras Caras Memorial Scholarship for Film Studies
• Alabama Student Grant Program
• Against the Grain Artistic Scholarship
• Barbara Odom-Wesley Spirit of Achievement Scholarship
• Richard G. Zimmerman Scholarship

#1 The Horror Writers Association (HWA) Scholarship

The Horror Writers Association (HWA) organizes The Horror Writers Association (HWA) Scholarship. This creative writing scholarship for horror writers aims to assist in the professional development of its members as horror writers.

There is no restriction in the application of this scholarship. It is open to all applicants. Being a Horror Writers Association (HWA) member is not required for this scholarship program application. However, the story you must submit for the scholarship application must be of the horror genre.

The HWA Scholarship is worth $2500, which you can apply to an approved writing education over the two years following the granting of the scholarship.

Application Deadline: August 01, 2023.

Apply

#2 Student Arts Scholarship

This scholarship is available to students seeking their first undergraduate degree in an arts-related field. This creative writing scholarship applies to students who wish to gain college or university education anywhere. However, the art student must be a resident of Region 7W.

You can apply the scholarship fund to education costs charged directly to the institution, such as tuition, room and board, books, lessons. The value of the scholarship is $1,500. However, in a lifetime, students can receive up to four Student Arts scholarships.

Meanwhile, to be eligible for this art scholarship which can apply to creative writers, the student must plan to attend an accredited institution full-time and to major in an arts-related field. Furthermore, you must be a Benton, Sherburne, Stearns, or Wright County resident at the time of application. Of course, you must also be US Citizens or hold a permanent resident alien status.

Application Deadline: February 28

Apply

#3 Michael Steinberg Fellowship for Creative Non-fiction

The Michael Steinberg Fellowship for Creative Non-fiction Fellowship is available to a creative non-fiction writer starting the Solstice Low-Residency MFA in Creative Writing Program during the winter residency/spring semester.

Fellowship recipients will receive a $1,000 award towards their first semester’s tuition. The recipient of this creative writing fellowship receives the award based on the quality of their writing sample.

However, apply early for this fellowship opportunity. Also, the scholarship board will send notification letters to the winners’ mail in November. Awards should follow acceptance, and application must come toward the winter residency/spring semester.

Application Deadline: October 28

Now that you’re here check out these Top 17 Art Colleges in Florida

#4 Lycoming College Creative Writing Scholarship

In order to be eligible for the Lycoming creative writing scholarship, you must major in creative writing and submit five poems and/or a short story that is not to exceed ten pages.

Also, the scholarship recipients must enrol in ENGL 240 (freshman year) and maintain a minimum grade of at least an ‘A‘-. For scholarship renewal after the first year of enrollment, a recipient must enroll in a creative writing workshop(s) and maintain a minimum grade of at least an ‘A‘-. The value of the Lycoming College scholarship for creative writers is up to $3,000.

Application Deadline: March 15

Apply

#5 Hope College Creative Writing Award

Hope College Creative Writing Award is a Distinguished Artist Award in Creative Writing for high school seniors who intend to register at Hope College the fall of their first year at college. To be qualified for this scholarship, however, you have to be in your graduating year of high school. It is unnecessary to be an English major or minor. However, winners of this award must enrol in at least one creative writing class per academic year and maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA.

Meanwhile, the application process for this creative writing scholarship will involve the submission of a 500-word essay, a letter of recommendation, and 10 typed pages of your creative writing.

Application Deadline: January 7.

Apply

#6 Helen McCloy Mystery Writers of America Scholarship

There’s talent in mystery writing (in fiction, nonfiction, playwriting, and screenwriting), and this scholarship seeks to nurture it. However, the scholarship for creative writers is only open to U.S. citizens or permanent residents.

Also, the application for this scholarship is not restricted to membership in Mystery Writers of America. This scholarship is for aspiring mystery writers who wish to improve their writing skills.

However, the association mandates applicants to select a specific writing class/workshop/seminar for which they can use the scholarship. The scholarship awards $3,000 to the winners.

Application Deadline: February 28

Apply

If you’re more interested in Poetry, these 15 Best Poetry Scholarships for Creative Students are just for you

#7 GRCF Ladies Literary Club Scholarship

Grand Rapids Community Foundation (GRCF) awards hundreds of scholarships yearly, primarily to Kent County students bound for or in college, or those pursuing a technical career.

So, to be eligible for this scholarship, you must be a resident of Kent, Muskegon, Ottawa, Allegan, Montcalm, or Barry counties in Michigan. You must also major in literary arts at any accredited Michigan college or university, show a financial need, and hold a minimum GPA of 3.0.

Application Deadline: March 01

Apply

#8 Norman Ross Walter Scholarship

The Norman Ross Walter Scholarship provides financial help to female graduates of Nebraska high schools who plan to enrol as English majors in accredited colleges or universities. The English student may apply this scholarship to a creative writing course.

However, only female high school seniors are eligible for this scholarship. They must also be prospective first-year college students and plan to continue their education as English majors in accredited colleges or universities. Meanwhile, you must show intellectual promise, creativity, and character for the scholarship board to select you.

The scholarship is in memory of Norman Ross Walter, a Navy Wave during the World War and a career newspaper editor in California. This English and creative writing scholarship award $2,500 to the winner, $1,750 to the second place, and $1,250 to the third place.

Application Deadline: January 31, every year.

Apply

#9 Bobette Bibo Gugliotta Memorial Scholarship for Creative Writing

The Bobette Bibo Gugliotta Memorial Scholarship for Creative Writing was created in 1995 in honour of the late Bobette Bibo Gugliotta. She authored several books, which includes Katzimo; Pigboat 39, about a World War II submarine; Mysterious Mesa, and Women of Mexico: The Consecrated and the Commoners, 1519-1900.

In 1930, at 11, Mrs Gugliotta wrote a story about a mouse who became Mickey afterwards. So, if you are a fan of Mickey Mouse and wish to do something grander, this scholarship is for you. Meanwhile, to be eligible for this scholarship, you must be passionate about creative writing. You will provide two writing samples in your scholarship application which will display how creative you can be.

Also, you should currently be a graduating senior or graduate of a public or private high school in San Mateo County or Santa Clara County. You should plan to enrol or be enrolled in a four-year college or university as a full-time student. And, of course, the scholarship is for United States citizens or eligible non-citizen (including legal U.S. residents and AB 540 students)

Application Deadline: February 20

Apply

#10 Beyoncé Formation Scholars Scholarship Program

Beyoncé Knowles-Carter’s Formation Scholars Scholarship Program encourages and supports young women who are unafraid to be daring, conscious, creative, and confident. The scholarship began with celebrating the first anniversary of her album, Lemonade. 

The program awards four scholarships, one per college, to female incoming, current or graduate students pursuing studies in creative arts, music, literature or African-American studies. However, you must attend or plan to attend selected schools to be eligible for this scholarship. They are Berklee College of Music, Howard University, Parsons School of Design, and Spelman College.

You will get all necessary details and application deadlines directly from any of these colleges.

Application Deadline: Varies

Apply

You can easily complete your Master’s degree in Literature with these 25 Masters Degree Scholarships for Literature Students

#11 Alabama Student Grant Program

The Alabama Student Grant Program is a state student help program. It is open to residents of the State of Alabama and designed to provide financial help to these residents for undergraduate study in any discipline, including creative writing.

However, to be eligible for this grant, you must provide a certificate of graduation from a secondary school or have the recognized equivalence of such graduation. Also, you must be an Alabama resident as defined in Alabama Study and Grant Program Act 90. You should be a citizen of the United States or become a citizen of the United States.

Also, you must not be enrolled and not intend to enrol in the course of study leading to an undergraduate degree in theology, divinity, or other fields of preparation for a religious vocation.

Application Deadline: Varies

Apply

#12 Against the Grain Artistic Scholarship

This financial assistance program promotes Asian-American college students pursuing a major in performing, visual arts, journalism and mass communications. Successful Against the Grain Artistic Scholarship applicants will be eligible to attend the organization’s annual charity event, Fashion for a Passion, which takes place in the fall in Dallas, Texas.

However, you must be citizens of the US, national or permanent legal resident of at least 50% Asian and/or Pacific Islander ethnicity to be eligible for the scholarship.

Also, you must be a high school senior or college student currently enrolled full-time at an accredited U.S. vocational, junior college, or four-year college/university. You must also be a full-time, degree-seeking student by the upcoming academic calendar year, pursuing a major in the visual/performing arts (film, theatre, fashion, mass communications, photography, graphic design, dance, music, journalism, etc.)

Application Deadline: May 06

Apply

#13 Barbara Odom-Wesley Spirit of Achievement Scholarship

The Barbara Odom-Wesley Spirit of Achievement Scholarship honors the chartering president of the Xi Theta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.,  Barbara Odom-Wesley.

The scholarship is available to any two-year or four-year college or university student. Note, however, that Trade, Technical, and Cosmetology schools are not eligible for this scholarship.

Also, the scholarship board will heavily test applicants based on financial need. Meanwhile, part of the eligibility requires applicants to be African-American female high school seniors currently attending classes in the Arlington and Tarrant County area.

Applicants must also have a 2.5 GPA and over, as this is the minimum requirement.

The Barbara Odom scholarship provides $3,000 each to the scholarship award winners.

Application Deadline: February 16

Apply

#14 Richard G. Zimmerman Scholarship

This scholarship is in memory of Richard G. Zimmerman, a long-time member of the National Press Club who died in 2008. Thus, the Richard G. Zimmerman Scholarship awards extraordinary graduating high school seniors planning to pursue a journalism, English, or communications major. These are branches of Arts where your creative writing skills will come into play and niches; you can take a job as a creative writer in the future.

The scholarship awards $5,000 annually to successful applicants. However, it is a non-renewable scholarship. To be eligible for the scholarship, candidates must carry a minimum overall GPA of 3.0, be accepted at an accredited U.S. university, and show financial aid.

Also, applicants will 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 while applying for the scholarship.

Application Deadline: March 1st, annually.

Apply

Other Scholarships for Creative Writing 2023

Didn’t we tell you that there was an endless list of scholarships for creative writers? Here is a list of additional scholarships for creative writers, which we’re sure you will love.

• Apprentice Ecologist Open Space Initiative
• Pepsi-Cola Bottling of Eastern Oregon Scholarship
• New York Financial Writers’ Association Scholarship

#15 Apprentice Ecologist Open Space Initiative

This scholarship is available to middle school, high school, or undergraduate college/university students between the ages of 13 and 21. Students who participate in or lead an environmental stewardship project to benefit any lands managed or co-managed by the Open Space Division can apply.

To be eligible for this scholarship, applicants must write an essay about their project and its meaning. The essay is to comprise 750 to 1,500 words. Also, they are to take a few digital photos of their project in action.

Application Deadline: December 31

Apply

#16 Pepsi-Cola Bottling of Eastern Oregon Scholarship

The Pepsi Cola Bottling scholarship is available to high school seniors pursuing a two- or four-year degree in any major except agricultural education, hospitality or other non-age related. However, only residents of Baker, Malheur, Union, or Wallowa counties in Oregon can apply for the scholarship.

For students to be eligible to apply for this scholarship, they must have taken part in community service and must have a minimum 3.5 GPA and over on a 4.0 scale.

Application Deadline: February 01

Apply

The Prestige Award for Excellence in Creative Writing is another scholarship that will make your creative writing education blissful.

#17 New York Financial Writers’ Association Scholarship

The New York Financial Writers’ Association scholarship is open to journalism students in the New York City metropolitan area who wish to pursue a business or financial journalism career. 

While completing the application for this writing scholarship, applicants will present their address, telephone number, and, if different, their permanent home address and telephone number. The application is available in your school’s Financial Aid department or the NYFWA website. However, for those who do not have access to an application, they are to send a cover letter with the information.

Also, applicants will send an essay explaining why they pursue a business and financial journalism career. They are to include a current resume, relevant personal information, list any other scholarships they are recipients of, and samples of their financial writing and clippings.

Application Deadline: April 15

Apply

We Also Recommend:

• Prestige Award for Excellence in Creative Writing
• Stanford University Wallace Stegner Creative Writing Fellowships
• ABC | DISNEY Writing Program
• Fully Funded Loeries Creative Future Scholarship for South Africans
• EssayPRO Writing Contest Scholarship
• Joyce Nield Scholarship in Creative Writing, the UK
• Berlin School of Creative Leadership-DLD Executive MBA Scholarship in Germany
• Top 20 Mass Communication Scholarships for Undergraduate students
• Future Innovators Summit in Linz, Austria
• Swedish Institute Creative Force Grants Program

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