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Last updated on November 18, 2024

The Best Poetry Scholarships with Upcoming Deadlines in 2024

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SCHOLARSHIPS FEATURED BY:
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27 SCHOLARSHIPS
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  1. Matt Preziose Creative Scholarship

    Funded by
    Gisela Delgado
    This scholarship aims to honor the life of Matt Preziose by supporting students studying art.

    Eligibility Criteria:

    • Education Level: Undergraduate student
    • Field of Study: Arts
    • State: NY
    Amount:$1,000
    Deadline is Approaching! 2 days left
    One Click Apply
    1
  2. Valorena Publishing & Cocoa Kids Collection International Scholarship

    Funded by
    Valorena Publishing
    This scholarship seeks to support BIPOC and multicultural women who are pursuing studies related to the creation of children’s picture books.

    Eligibility Criteria:

    • Education Level: High school, undergraduate, or graduate student
    • Gender: Female-identifying
    • Field of Study: Literature, poetry, writing, editing, publishing, etc.
    • Race: BIPOC/Multicultural
    Amount:$500
    Deadline:Mar 24, 2025
    One Click Apply
    2
  3. Bear Fan Scholarship

    Funded by
    Bold.org
    This scholarship seeks to support fans of "The Bear" who have a vision for the characters' futures!
    All students are eligible
    Amount:$500
    Deadline is Approaching! 11 days left
    One Click Apply
    3
  4. NYT Connections Fan Scholarship

    Funded by
    Bold.org
    This scholarship seeks to support avid players of The New York Times' "Connections" puzzle who have an idea for their own puzzle!
    All students are eligible
    Amount:$500
    Deadline is Approaching! 11 days left
    One Click Apply
    4
  5. Love Island Fan Scholarship

    Funded by
    Bold.org
    This scholarship aims to support students who are fans of "Love Island" and are invested in the stories on screen.
    All students are eligible
    Amount:$500
    Deadline is Approaching! 11 days left
    One Click Apply
    5
  6. Team USA Fan Scholarship

    Funded by
    Bold.org
    This scholarship aims to encourage students to root for Team USA and share their appreciation for their favorite athletes!
    All students are eligible
    Amount:$500
    Deadline is Approaching! 11 days left
    One Click Apply
    6
  7. LeBron James Fan Scholarship

    Funded by
    Bold.org
    This scholarship seeks to support students who are fans of LeBron James and have been inspired by his career.
    All students are eligible
    Amount:$500
    Deadline is Approaching! 11 days left
    One Click Apply
    7
  8. CREATIVE. INSPIRED. HAPPY Mid-Career Writing Scholarship

    Funded by
    CREATIVE. INSPIRED. HAPPY
    This scholarship seeks to support aspiring writers so they can go on to professional writing careers and find happiness.

    Eligibility Criteria:

    • Field of Study: Writing
    • Background: Experience in the workforce
    Amount:$2,000
    Deadline:Dec 31, 2024
    One Click Apply
    8
  9. Bookworm Scholarship

    Funded by
    Dror Liebenthal
    This scholarship supports the next generation of readers in the belief that they will lead, create, and strive with empathy, imagination, and ambition.

    Eligibility Criteria:

    • Resident: United States
    Amount:$1,000
    Deadline:Dec 31, 2019
    One Click Apply
    Scholarship is awarded to
    1 winner
    9
  10. Giving Thanks Scholarship

    Funded by
    Bold.org
    The Giving Thanks Scholarship exists to celebrate gratitude and will be awarded to a Bold.org member who genuinely exemplifies their appreciation for someone important in their lives through their photo submission and story about them.
    All students are eligible
    Amount:$2,000
    Deadline:Nov 22, 2020
    One Click Apply
    Scholarship is awarded to
    1 winner
    10
  11. "What Moves You" Scholarship

    Funded by
    Finesse Your Education
    This scholarship exists to allow students to reflect on their favorite quote and how that quote has changed the way they live their lives.
    All students are eligible
    Amount:$870
    Deadline:Jun 14, 2021
    One Click Apply
    Scholarship is awarded to
    1 winner
    11
  12. Bold Wise Words Scholarship

    Funded by
    Bold.org
    This scholarship exists to to allow students to reflect on the wise words they’ve been told.
    All students are eligible
    Amount:$500
    Deadline:Jun 12, 2022
    One Click Apply
    Scholarship is awarded to
    5 winners
    12
  13. Olivia Woods Memorial Scholarship

    Funded by
    Angela Darling
    This scholarship will support low income students who are passionate about reading.

    Eligibility Criteria:

    • Education Level: Any
    • Background: Low-income
    Amount:$1,050
    Deadline:Mar 01, 2023
    One Click Apply
    Scholarship is awarded to
    1 winner
    13
  14. Freddie L Brown Sr. Scholarship

    Funded by
    Freddie L Brown Jr.
    This scholarship is for witty, fun high school or undergraduate students with original stories, poems, drawings, etc. to share.

    Eligibility Criteria:

    • Education Level: High school and undergraduate
    Amount:$1,000
    Deadline:Mar 30, 2023
    One Click Apply
    Scholarship is awarded to
    1 winner
    14
  15. Literature Lover Scholarship

    Funded by
    wiseGEEK
    This scholarship will support a student majoring in English.

    Eligibility Criteria:

    • Education Level: Any
    • Major: English
    Amount:$500
    Deadline:Nov 15, 2022
    One Click Apply
    Scholarship is awarded to
    1 winner
    15
  16. Alicea Sperstad Rural Writer Scholarship

    Funded by
    Judith Avers and Frances Southwick
    This scholarship aims to support women who are interested in becoming writers so they have the financial resources necessary to achieve their dreams.

    Eligibility Criteria:

    • Education Level: High school senior, 2/4-year undergraduate, or graduate student
    • Gender: Female
    • Field of Interest: Writing
    Amount:$500
    Deadline:Apr 18, 2024
    One Click Apply
    Scholarship is awarded to
    1 winner
    16
  17. Share Your Poetry Scholarship

    Funded by
    Pablo Aznar
    This scholarship will support a student who expresses themselves through poetry.

    Eligibility Criteria:

    • Education Level: Any
    • Major of Interest: Writing
    Amount:$500
    Deadline:Mar 15, 2023
    One Click Apply
    Scholarship is awarded to
    1 winner
    17
  18. Artists and Writers in the Community Scholarship

    Funded by
    Conner Cowan
    This scholarship seeks to encourage artists and writers to complete their degrees and pursue their creative passions.

    Eligibility Criteria:

    • Degree of Interest: Wants a BA or MFA degree
    • Career of Interest: Artist or writer
    • Experience: Has a creative portfolio
    Amount:$500
    Deadline:Mar 31, 2022
    One Click Apply
    Scholarship is awarded to
    1 winner
    18
  19. Gregory Chase Carter Memorial Poetry Scholarship

    Funded by
    Carter Family
    This scholarship aims to honor the memory of Gregory Chase Carter by supporting students who share his talent for poetry.

    Eligibility Criteria:

    • Education Level: High school senior
    • Identity: Underrepresented minority
    Amount:$500
    Deadline:May 14, 2024
    One Click Apply
    Scholarship is awarded to
    1 winner
    19
  20. Taylor J. Paul Arts and Media Scholarship

    Funded by
    Davis family
    This scholarship will support LGBTQ+ students pursuing a career in arts or media.

    Eligibility Criteria:

    • Education Level: Undergraduate
    • Major: Arts or Media
    • Identity: LGBTQ+ community
    Amount:$1,000
    Deadline:Jan 28, 2023
    One Click Apply
    Scholarship is awarded to
    1 winner
    20
  21. Pamela Branchini Memorial Scholarship

    Funded by
    Dan Branchini, Bruce Ewing, Barbara Bell, and the Glitter Team at Community Lutheran
    This scholarship seeks to honor the life of Pamela Branchini by supporting students who are pursuing degrees in the fine arts.

    Eligibility Criteria:

    • State: Nevada
    • Field of Study: Fine arts
    Amount:$2,000
    Deadline:Nov 15, 2024
    One Click Apply
    Scholarship is in review
    21
  22. Patricia Lea Olson Creative Writing Scholarship

    Funded by
    Sherri Faye
    In loving memory of Patricia Lea Olson, this scholarship will help a creative writing student on their journey to share their words with the world.

    Eligibility Criteria:

    • Degree: Creative Writing
    Amount:$1,100
    Deadline:Dec 08, 2021
    One Click Apply
    Scholarship is awarded to
    1 winner
    22
  23. Nick Huffman Memorial Scholarship

    Funded by
    Melanie Mccummiskey
    This scholarship will support high school students from Illinois who plan to pursue a career in television/radio communications or creative writing.

    Eligibility Criteria:

    • Education Level: High school
    • State: Illinois
    • Career of Interest: Television/radio communications or creative writing
    Amount:$500
    Deadline:Apr 01, 2023
    One Click Apply
    Scholarship is awarded to
    1 winner
    23
  24. Wanda Moore Luttrell Memorial Scholarship

    Funded by
    Jennifer Luttrell and Leah Luttrell
    This scholarship will honor the memory of Wanda Moore Luttrell and help support a student who is pursuing a writing degree.

    Eligibility Criteria:

    • Education Level: Undergraduate
    • State: Kentucky
    • Major: Writing
    Amount:$4,200
    Deadline:Jan 01, 2023
    One Click Apply
    Scholarship is awarded to
    1 winner
    24
  25. Mia Noflin Goes to Broadway Scholarship

    Funded by
    Karis Noflin
    To honor the life of Mia Noflin and to support students looking to express themselves in the arts, this scholarship will be awarded to one high school senior (2022) applying to college for performing arts.

    Eligibility Criteria:

    • Major of interest: Performing arts related field
    Amount:$726
    Deadline:Apr 02, 2022
    Scholarship is awarded to
    1 winner
    25
  26. Lisa Seidman Excellence in Writing Scholarship

    Funded by
    Affordable College Prep
    This scholarship seeks to honor Lisa Seidman by supporting students following in her footsteps by pursuing careers in writing.

    Eligibility Criteria:

    • Education Level: High school senior or undergraduate student
    • GPA: 3.0 or higher
    • Gender: Female
    • Major: English or writing
    Amount:$500
    Deadline:Sep 01, 2022
    One Click Apply
    Scholarship is awarded to
    1 winner
    26
  27. Herbert Osei “Dream Big” Writing Scholarship

    Funded by
    Kingsley Osei
    To honor the late Herbert Osei, this scholarship exists to encourage African-American students to continue the pursuit of their biggest dreams in literature, no matter where their circumstances have placed them.

    Eligibility Criteria:

    • Location: Bronx
    • Field of Study: Creative Writing, Literature, Journalism, or a related field
    Amount:$500
    Deadline:May 13, 2021
    One Click Apply
    Scholarship is awarded to
    1 winner
    27

Poetry Scholarships

Good news for high school writers and college poets everywhere: you can get scholarships for writing poetry!

It seems too good to be true, but it isn't: you can apply for poetry scholarships to fund your college education.

If you’re new to the world of scholarships, let’s review the basics: Unlike federal student loans or private student loans, scholarships offer students debt-free funds to apply toward college tuition and other education-related costs. Most students apply for scholarships in their senior year of high school, but you can actually apply for scholarships throughout high school and college. For more information about the many types of scholarships, browse our scholarship categories at bold.org

What can you get a scholarship for? Most people think of two main types of scholarships. One is need-based scholarships, which offer funds to students from low-income students. The other is merit scholarships, which reward all those long hours of studious toil in high school with sweet, sweet college money. 

But did you know there are scholarships specifically for poetry? If you’ve got a talent for verse, poetry scholarships can help turn your passion into real financial support. Whether you’re writing sonnets, free verse, or spoken word, your creativity can help pay for your education. And the best part? There’s no limit to how many poetry scholarships you can apply for, giving you multiple chances to receive funding.

A few minutes spent creating a free bold.org profile will quickly match you to scholarships you qualify for. At Bold.org, we’ve compiled a list of scholarships for everyone, so you can find a poetry scholarship perfect for you and start funding your future with your words.

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Best Poetry Scholarships to Apply For

Scholarships for Writing

Creativity can take many forms: some ideas want to be poems, while others work better as short stories, plays, or more experimental forms of creative writing like graphic novels. Some scholarships are open to writers of creative writing more generally. If you write both poetry and prose, consider applying for these scholarships!

Many scholarships are designed for students pursuing a specific major. You can browse our collection of scholarships by major to find scholarships for English majors, creative writing, or other literary-minded subjects.

Scholarships for English Majors

According to Stephen King, “If you want to be a writer, you must do two things above all others: read a lot and write a lot.” If you’re a writer, you’ll benefit from reading widely and deeply, too. Check out scholarships for English majors and other types of literature lovers. 

Not finding the scholarship that you were hoping for? Keep in mind that new scholarships are getting funded all the time, and the rotation of available scholarships will change as the application deadlines come and go. For the latest and most relevant information about scholarships, follow our scholarship blog at Bold.org. We’ll comb through the scholarship updates and deadlines so you have one less thing to worry about during application season. 

Scholarships By State

If you’re a student poet looking for financial support, start your search with state-specific scholarships. Many states have local arts councils and literary organizations eager to nurture young talent. Be sure to check what’s available in your state!

Find scholarships in your state.

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Scholarships By Major

Choosing a major in English, Creative Writing, or Literature? Great choice if you’re passionate about poetry! If poetry is your passion, don’t miss out on these opportunities!

See all our scholarships by major.

Scholarships for College Students

For college students who love poetry, scholarships are a wonderful way to get financial support while focusing on what you love most—writing. Whether you’re an undergrad just getting started or a grad student deep into your creative work, poetry scholarships can help with tuition and other costs.

Check out our full list of college scholarships.

William Morgan Poetry Award

The William Morgan Poetry Award, established in 2003 by William Morgan, is presented annually by Illinois State University's Department of English. It recognizes both undergraduate and graduate students who demonstrate excellence in writing original poetry. In years without a clearly deserving applicant, the award may not be given.

If you attend or graduated from an accredited high school, you might qualify for these high school scholarships. Learn more!

Who Is Eligible to Apply for a Poetry Scholarship?

Eligibility requirements for poetry scholarships vary, but they typically target high school and college students who have a passion for poetry. Some scholarships may be open to all students, while others might be restricted to specific educational levels (e.g., high school seniors, undergraduates), writing majors, or students with specific demographic backgrounds.

Looking for more poetry scholarships or scholarships of any major? Check out our scholarships for undergraduate students today.

How Can Young Poets Build Their Writing Careers?

Poetry doesn’t just live inside the classroom. While you’re researching scholarships that you qualify for and working on your application essays, consider non-academic venues for your work, too. Follow national poetry magazines and publications to see the latest artistic developments. Try submitting your work to student publications and poetry magazines. Many high schools and colleges publish literary magazines that welcome students’ creative writing. 

You can also search for poetry contests and other writing competitions for student writers. Look for state and national writing contests as well as contests specific to your school or university. For example, the creative writing faculty at Princeton University awards the Leonard L. Milberg ’53 High School Poetry Prize every year to an 11th-grade student.

Once you’ve collected a portfolio of your poetry, you can also apply to poetry fellowships such as the Ruth Lilly and Dorothy Sargent Rosenberg Poetry Fellowship. The Poetry Foundation awards the fellowship prize to U.S. poets between the ages of 21 and 31. If you’re a college junior or senior committed to your poetry career, take this one seriously: it’s one of the largest poetry grants available to young poets! 

You don't need to be a famous poet to talk with other writers and build your network. Try looking for a writing conference or meetup group in your area.

Of course, one of the best ways to grow your poetry network is to attend college and meet professors and visiting poets who can mentor you and help grow your career. Make your college education more affordable by creating a free bold.org profile today and see how you can get there.

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Additional Resources for Poetry Students

Academy of American Poets

The Academy offers several resources, including a large collection of poems, educational materials, and information on poetry events. They also sponsor the University & College Poetry Prizes, recognizing outstanding student poets across the U.S.

Poetry Out Loud

A national recitation contest that encourages high school students to learn about great poetry through memorization and performance. Participating can enhance your appreciation of poetry and improve public speaking skills. Poetry Out Loud culminates in a national awards ceremony, where winners of regional and state competitions gather to perform and receive recognition.

The Poetry Foundation

Publisher of Poetry magazine, the foundation offers resources including articles, podcasts, and a vast archive of poems. They also provide information on poetry events and fellowships.

Tulsa's Nimrod International Journal of Prose and Poetry

If you’re a poetry student searching for scholarships, don’t overlook the impact that literary journals like Tulsa's Nimrod International Journal can have on your journey. Based at The University of Tulsa, Nimrod is a renowned publication that has been a platform for emerging and established poets since 1956.

Eligible students are encouraged to apply for multiple scholarships as they're not limited to just poetry scholarships. Browse our blog today to learn more about scholarships, resources, and college application tips!

Frequently Asked Questions