Scholarships for Writers to Apply For in 2024

With the Fall 2022 semester quickly approaching, many students are looking for scholarships to help with their tuition for the upcoming college semester. If you are a student who is a writer or is planning on majoring in English, creative writing, or journalism to pursue a writing career, here is the perfect guide to finding the best scholarships for writers to apply to in 2022.

Best Writing Scholarships to Apply to

Scholarships are one of the best ways for students to pay for college. While there are so many scholarships for different people and situations, it’s difficult to distinguish which scholarships are legit or best for you and your situation, especially when searching online. Finding the best scholarships to apply for can be challenging for students who are writers or interested in a career in the writing field. We’ve made it easier by selecting the top scholarships for writers to apply to this year.

About Writing Scholarships

Writing scholarships are financial awards given to students based primarily on written work, though other factors are usually considered. They are often aimed at students majoring in English, journalism, creative writing, or any field related to reading and writing. Most creative writing scholarships involve a prompt or series of prompts to which applicants must respond.

Many scholarships reward students who excel in sports or are majoring in psychology, STEM, or education. However, there aren’t too many scholarships specifically designated for writers, although you may find some journalism and creative writing scholarships. While many scholarships require applicants to compose an essay, they don’t necessarily favor students majoring in writing or who have a writing sample to show off their talents.

What Are Writing Scholarships?

Writing scholarships are scholarships awarded to students based on their creative writing skills and abilities. They aim to help aspiring writers pay for their undergraduate or graduate studies. Scholarships for writers assist students who consider writing an intricate part of who they are and how they express themselves. If you have a passion for writing and the skills to show for it, there is an award for you. Whether you already have excellent writing skills or are studying to become a better writer, you can qualify for a writing scholarship.

What Qualifies as a Writing Scholarship?

Most scholarship 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 college. Without good writing skills, it would be impossible to score well on the ACT or SAT or set yourself apart during the college application process. Be confident in yourself when applying for scholarships that involve essays or any other sort of writing. Though many students can write well, not many applicants put in the necessary effort. 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.

Your chance of winning a scholarship increases when you invest time and effort in your applications. Scholarships are often awarded based on essential criteria that judge 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 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.

Types of Writing Scholarships Available

Since there are so many scholarships available, you may be unaware of the different types of scholarships. Scholarships are divided into categories to appeal to specific demographics of students who are more likely to win the award. Various scholarships list particular criteria students must meet, such as a challenging financial situation or excellent academic performance. It’s important to know which type of scholarship you’re applying for so you know which ones you have a higher chance of winning. 

Here are six types of scholarships that might interest aspiring writers. 

Merit-Based Scholarships

Merit-based scholarships are scholarships awarded to those who show exceptional academic performance. They are based on the student’s level of success and do not consider financial status. Test scores and GPA are the most common way to assess merit, but not merit-based scholarships are always limited to grades. Some scholarship providers consider co-curricular talents, including athletic or musical skills. Merit-based scholarship awards go towards tuition and other fees.

University Scholarships

Colleges or universities distribute university scholarships to help students fund their studies. Many of these are entrance scholarships, so students don’t need to apply to be considered for the award. Your admission into the university or college, by default, makes you eligible.

Country-Specific Scholarships

Country-specific scholarships are awarded to students to encourage students from developing countries to pursue higher education. Many private institutions grant scholarships to students from these countries.

Government Scholarships

With government scholarships, different agencies register with the government and offer scholarships for students. Governments may offer scholarships for international students to study in their country.

Private Scholarships

Private scholarships are scholarships funded by individual donors or privately-owned businesses. Many companies and community organizations sponsor study abroad scholarships. Scholarships from these organizations are called outside/external/private scholarships. Individual donors set up a private fund for students who need financial aid. Depending on the donor, these scholarships are awarded based on academic merit or financial need. However, most private scholarships have strict eligibility requirements, such as being from a developing country or only for minorities in specific areas of study.

Financial Scholarships/Bursaries

Also known as bursaries or need-based scholarships, financial scholarships are a form of aid to enable students who require financial assistance to attend colleges or graduate schools. If the student receives financial support from their parents, the scholarship provider will analyze the parents’ income and ability to pay the tuition fees. They may also look at factors such as citizenship and residence status, tax statements, or employment. If the student is self-funded, the scholarship provider will assess their income. Financial scholarships are independent of merit scholarships. In some cases, students may qualify for both merit-based and need-based scholarships depending on the program or university.

How to Find Writing Scholarships to Apply For

If you have already applied to the creative writing scholarships listed above or are looking for more writing scholarships, there are plenty of ways to find additional creative writing scholarships. You can conduct a quick Google search on fellowships for writers or check out reputable scholarship platforms such as Bold.org. 

It’s essential to conduct additional research to ensure any website or scholarship you discover is legit and accepted by the school or university you want to attend or are currently attending. You could also contact your school’s financial aid office to see if they offer any relevant internal scholarships.

Tips For Winning Writing Scholarships

Each year, educational institutions offer various scholarships for students who are writers. These fellowships, scholarships, and grants are the best opportunities for aspirants to receive a high-quality professional education without debt. Unfortunately, there is no guarantee that you will be able to secure every scholarship. Brushing up on some best practices can enhance your chance of securing top writing scholarships.

Firstly, apply to as many scholarships as possible, as long as you meet the eligibility criteria. Many educational institutions offer scholarships with diverse attributes, such as grants, fellowships, athletic scholarships, government-funded scholarships, etc. Have a look at the requirements before applying to any fully-funded program. The more applications you submit, the higher your odds of success. Don’t be afraid to take advantage of how many scholarships are out there!

It’s helpful to practice and improve your skills in writing scholarship essays. Many scholarships require personal essays for an applicant to be considered. Scholarship selection committees use these writing samples to get to know you better and discover what makes you unique. Even if you already consider yourself a great writer, there’s no harm in practicing and improving your skills. Knowing how to impress the judges with these skills can make you stand out and potentially win the award.

Additionally, ensure you have the proper documents to apply for the scholarship. To avoid mishaps, make a checklist of required documents for specific scholarships. This can include letters of recommendation, transcripts, and even language certifications.

When applying for scholarships, give your best effort. Hard work pays off, and you need to be willing to go the extra mile to reach your goals. For creative writing scholarships, the writing award you won in grade school isn’t enough to qualify you to succeed. There are countless other applicants with similar skills, so you need to be able to prove what makes you stand out and what makes you worthy of being declared the winner.

Frequently Asked Questions About Writing Scholarships

Here are some frequently asked questions about writing scholarships that aspiring writers tend to be curious about.

Are Writing Scholarships Legit?

Yes, writing scholarships are legit. Many colleges and universities offer scholarships for students who have exceptional writing skills. However, be aware of scholarship scams when applying to external writing scholarships found via an online search. Keep an eye out for any scholarship that looks suspicious or charges an application fee. It’s worth conducting additional research to ensure the scholarship you apply for is genuine and not a scam to obtain personal information.

How Can I Improve My Chances of Winning Writing Scholarships?

As mentioned previously, the best way to improve your chances of winning writing scholarships is to be prepared and confident. Take time to research the scholarship to ensure it’s valid and that you match all of the qualifications the scholarship sets out. Turn your full attention towards the essay and any other tasks you must complete. Lastly, be confident and don’t allow potential rejection to get to you. There are many scholarships out there, and while applying may be exhausting, it can be well worth it in the long run.

How Many Writing Scholarships Can You Get?

There’s no limit to how many writing scholarships you can be awarded. Getting a “full ride” (which means your entire tuition is paid off in scholarships or by the university) is possible. After all, it’s money you earned. So even if you have applied to a few already, don’t hesitate to apply for more scholarships!

Are Writing Scholarships Taxable Income?

Scholarships, including scholarships for writers, are not taxable income. According to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), scholarships are not taxable if they are only used for educational expenses, such as tuition, fees, books, or other supplies. Scholarships become taxable if you use them for non-educational expenses, such as vacations or shopping. Remember, scholarships are awards to help you pay for an education, not extra money to spend elsewhere.

What’s the Best Way to Apply For Writing Scholarships?

The best way to apply for writing scholarships is by finding relevant opportunities online or contacting your high school or college guidance office. Remember, patience and perseverance can go a long way, and we wish you the best of luck in your academic career.