English scholarships support students pursuing degrees in English, literature, creative writing, or related humanities fields. These awards are funded by universities, literary foundations, and professional organizations to recognize academic excellence and creative talent in writing, analysis, and literary research.
Yes, graduate students earning master’s or doctoral degrees in English, literature, or creative writing can apply for competitive scholarships and fellowships, such as:
These programs often fund thesis research, dissertation writing, or teaching assistantships.
Yes, several organizations offer scholarships to promote diversity and inclusion in English and the humanities. Examples include:
These scholarships help underrepresented students build successful literary and academic careers.
Yes! Many scholarships specifically support creative writing in poetry, fiction, nonfiction, or playwriting. Popular examples include:
Most creative writing scholarships require a strong portfolio of original work or published pieces.
The Academy of American Poets Prize is a distinguished award recognizing exceptional talent in poetry at the collegiate level. It is offered at more than 200 participating institutions across the United States and typically managed by English or creative writing departments.
The Norman Mailer College Writing Award celebrates excellence in creative nonfiction, literary journalism, and storytelling. Sponsored by the Norman Mailer Center, it encourages college and graduate students to develop strong literary voices and tackle meaningful topics.
The Ruth Lilly and Dorothy Sargent Rosenberg Poetry Fellowship is one of the nation’s most prestigious awards for emerging poets. Offered by the Poetry Foundation, it provides time and resources for young poets to advance their craft.
The Writer’s Digest Annual Writing Competition is a well-known contest open to students and independent writers of all genres. It offers broad opportunities for recognition and professional exposure.
The Sigma Tau Delta Scholarship supports members of the International English Honor Society who demonstrate academic excellence and leadership in literary studies.
Reviewed by CollegeWhale Editorial Team on November, 2025. Content is updated regularly to reflect current scholarship deadlines and verified data from official sources.
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| Scholarship | Award | Deadline | Est. Time | Renewable |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Just Poetry!!! National High School Poetry Scholarship | $500 | December | Low (~13 min) | No |
| Writers of the Future Scholarship | $5,000 | December | Low (~13 min) | No |
| Michael Jackson Scholarship | $5,000 | March | Low (~20 min) | No |
| Alliance for Young Artists & Writers Scholarships | $10,000 | December | Med (~38 min) | No |
| Ruth Lilly and Dorothy Sargent Rosenberg Poetry Fellowships | $27,000 | April | Low (~13 min) | No |
| National Society Daughters of the American Revolution Scholarship Application | — | January | Med (~86 min) | No |
| National Society of Arts and Letters (NSAL) Literature Award | $5,000 | March | Med (~58 min) | No |
| PEN America Writing for Justice Fellowship | $10,000 | September | Low (~23 min) | No |
| Academy of American Poets Prize | $1,000 | Rolling | Med (~38 min) | No |
