Pursuing a college education can be expensive, and it’s not always easy to come up with the money to pay for tuition, books, and other expenses.
Fortunately, there are several poetry scholarships available that can help reduce the financial burden of college.
In this blog post, we will provide an overview of seven scholarship opportunities for poetry lovers who are looking for help paying for college.
We’ll discuss the requirements for each scholarship, the amount of money available, and how to apply.
Read on to learn more about these great opportunities to fund your college education.
1) Academy of American Poets Laureate Fellowship
The Academy of American Poets Laureate Fellowship program provides an annual award of $50,000 to one U.S. poet laureate for the purpose of supporting their work in the public sphere and the literary community.
This fellowship is offered in partnership with the Library of Congress and is meant to honor a distinguished body of work and to provide support for a project that furthers the poet’s creative development and service to the broader literary community.
The Laureate Fellowship also provides the laureate with an opportunity to participate in various activities at the Library of Congress such as readings, lectures, seminars, and symposia.
Eligible poets must be living in the United States, have published at least three books of poetry or four chapbooks, and have at least five years of professional experience in poetry.
Applications are accepted annually from June 1 – August 1.
2) Kenyon Review Fellowships
The Kenyon Review Fellowship program is a fantastic opportunity for aspiring poets and writers.
Each year, the program awards writers who have shown promise in their field of writing.
The awards are given out to poets, fiction writers, creative nonfiction writers, and playwrights. These fellowships provide writers with the opportunity to spend up to two years working at Kenyon College in Ohio.
During their fellowship, writers can work on their craft, attend lectures and seminars, and even teach classes if they choose.
This experience provides writers with a great opportunity to gain invaluable experience, hone their skills, and even make valuable contacts in the publishing world.
If you’re looking for an amazing opportunity to further your writing career, the Kenyon Review Fellowship is an excellent choice.
3) National Endowment for the Arts Creative Writing Fellowships
The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) offers Creative Writing Fellowships to poets and fiction writers.
These fellowships provide a $25,000 award and additional resources to advance a writer’s career.
Writers of all ages, from any background, and from any area of the country can apply for these fellowships.
Applicants must have published at least one book or collection of writing in either poetry or fiction.
Those who are selected for the fellowships will be evaluated on their artistic merit and the potential of the project they plan to work on during the fellowship year.
4) Rona Jaffe Foundation Writers’ Award
The Rona Jaffe Foundation Writers’ Award is an annual award given to six female writers of fiction, creative nonfiction and poetry.
The award provides each recipient with a $25,000 grant. Eligible applicants must be women writers who demonstrate exceptional talent and are in need of financial assistance.
Applicants must be citizens or permanent residents of the United States, and should not have previously published more than one book.
Recipients are chosen based on their writing sample and a personal statement.
The application period for the Rona Jaffe Foundation Writers’ Award usually runs from May 1st to July 15th each year.
5) Wallace Stegner Fellowship
The Wallace Stegner Fellowship is a two-year award program offering twelve fiction and nonfiction writers the opportunity to pursue their craft in the supportive environment of Stanford University’s Department of English.
Every year, up to twelve writers will receive a stipend of $26,000 for the academic year, along with tuition and fees.
In addition, each fellow will receive an annual travel/research grant of $1,500.
Fellows will also have access to the university’s resources, such as the libraries and other research materials.
Each fellowship is intended to provide time and financial assistance to those writers who demonstrate an exceptional talent and ability to write in any genre.
The fellows are provided with a community of peers, and the university provides a stimulating intellectual environment.
Wallace Stegner Fellows are expected to take part in a number of activities including public readings, open mics, workshops, and classes.
Applications for the Wallace Stegner Fellowship are accepted once a year. The deadline for submission is typically in late December.
6) Whiting Awards
The Whiting Awards are an annual set of prizes given to emerging writers of exceptional talent in the categories of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and drama.
They are funded by the Whiting Foundation and administered by the Whiting Writer’s Program at Columbia University.
Recipients receive a $50,000 grant for their work in the literary arts. Previous winners include Tracy K. Smith, Tyehimba Jess, and Maggie Nelson.
Eligible applicants must be citizens or permanent residents of the United States, hold a Bachelor’s degree or higher, and have published no more than two books.
To apply, applicants must submit samples of their work, along with a list of publications and awards, letters of recommendation, and a statement of purpose.
The deadline for applications is usually early April each year.
Bottom Line
Poetry scholarships can provide invaluable financial support to college students.
With six different poetry scholarships available, there are many ways for students to apply and receive the funding they need to pursue their studies.
Whether you’re looking for a fellowship or an award, these options provide a great way to make college more affordable.
Take the time to research the scholarships that are available to you, and apply today!
