Top 16 Poetry Scholarships in August 2026

The YoungArts Competition is funded by YoungArts, an organization that identifies exceptional young artists, amplifies their potential, and invests in their lifelong creative freedom. Every year, their YoungArts Competition awards up to $10,000 to multiple high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors passionate about dance, music, design, film, jazz, photography, theater, visual arts, singing, or writing who submit a written piece or video showcasing their talents. If this scholarship sounds like a fit for you, keep on reading for more application details.Show Less

Attention US high school and college students! The California Freethought Day High School Limerick Scholarship awards $100 to five students who submit the best limericks related to the theme "One Nation, Indivisible: Liberty and Justice for All." Students from anywhere in the United States can even participate by posting their poems on Twitter and TikTok. Share your limerick in a public tweet or video, tag @FreethoughtDay and use the hashtag #ScholarshipLimerick, and you could be one of the five winners! Don't miss out on this opportunity to showcase your creativity and win some cash.Show Less

Are you an 11–18 year old passionate about the creative arts and/or the environment? Consider applying for Bow Seat's Ocean Awareness Contest! The 2026 Ocean Awareness Contest – "Your Story, Our Ocean: How Our Ocean Sustains, Protects, and Inspires Us" – encourages students to "explore the many ways our ocean sustains, protects, and inspires us." Applicants are asked to share how "the ocean has shaped their story" through works of visual art, creative writing, poetry, spoken word, music, dance, film, and more for a chance to win cash awards of up to $1,000 and to join the world’s largest environmental youth community for the creative arts!Show Less

Do you have a beloved pet that has made a difference in your life? Each year, the Rover Scholarship awards $2,500 to the high school senior or university student who writes the most thoughtful essay about how a pet has shaped who they are today. If you love your pet and want to put those feelings (and most cherished memories) into writing, we would encourage you to apply to this amazing op-paw-tunity!Show Less

Are you a college-bound, Nebraskan high school senior with a passion for creative writing? If so, consider applying for the Alyssa Sandmeier Foundation Creative Writing Scholarship Competition! Each year, the scholarship awards $1,500 to the applicant who submit the best original piece of creative writing. Acceptable forms include, but are not limited to, poetry or song lyrics, works of fiction, play/movie/television scripts, and fictional monologues or memoirs. The scholarship was created in honor of Alyssa Sandmeier, a young girl whose passion for writing inspired her to write even while battling Leukemia complications. If you're a college-bound, Nebraskan high school senior with a passion for creative writing, we encourage you to apply. Keep on reading to learn more and carry on Alyssa's legacy today.Show Less

Introducing the Ruth DeYoung Kohler Scholarship for Artistic Excellence - an amazing opportunity for graduating seniors from Sheboygan County! Applicants must have a passion for the arts and be attending high school in Sheboygan County (Wisconsin) or be homeschooled and residing in Sheboygan County. This incredible opportunity awaits those who dream of pursuing a career in writing, theater, music (both instrumental and vocal), music composition, visual arts, dance, and more. The Kohler Foundation values exceptional talent above all else, not placing emphasis on grades or test scores. With awards of up to $100,000 for private or top 20-ranked out-of-state public institutions, or up to $50,000 for any other public institution over four years, the possibilities are endless. If you're an artistic, college-bound high school senior from Sheboygan County, Wisconsin, we encourage you to apply! Don't miss out on this chance to unleash your artistic potential.Show Less

Are you a high school sophomore or junior interested in entering an essay contest? If so, consider applying for the Achievement Awards in Writing! The awards are open to nominated students who submit a piece of creative/argumentative writing. The National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE), a nonprofit professional association of educators, offers the contest to recognize students’ talents and achievements. The NCTE focuses on improving the teaching and learning of English and the language arts at all levels of education. Each year, multiple winners are chosen and receive a certificate. Additionally, winners of the “First Class Award" will have their name and their school’s name appear on the NCTE website. If you are passionate about writing, we encourage you to apply! While the scholarship cycle does not open until mid-November of each year, students are encouraged to start thinking of and preparing their first drafts early.Show Less

The National Writers Association Foundation Scholarships exist to enhance the future of writers by fostering continuing education through awarding scholarships, and providing low or no cost workshops and seminars. All interested writers are eligible to apply, so long as they complete the application and detail their writing goals and how they plan to use the reward to achieve their writing goals. Applicants must also submit an example of their best work (not to exceed 20 double-spaced pages) and a transcript if they are still students. Each year, four (4) applicants will be chosen to earn between $250 and $1,000 each. If you're an aspiring writer, we encourage you to apply! Bear in mind that applications are accepted from October 1st to December 31st of each year.Show Less

Are you a middle or high school student with a love for creative writing or artwork? If so, consider applying for the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards! The contest is broken up into 28 separate categories/competitions, each with its own age requirements and prompts. Winners will receive between $500 and $12,500, depending on the category. The awards are offered by the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers, a nonprofit organization with a mission to “identify students with exceptional artistic and literary talent and present their remarkable work to the world through the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards.” If you’re a middle or high school student who’s been wanting to put their creative skills to work, this may be a great opportunity for you. We encourage you to apply!Show Less

The Pharos Poetry Award aims to encourage medical school students to write meaningful poetry related to health or medicine. To qualify, applicants must be enrolled in medical schools that have an active Alpha Omega Alpha Chapter or Association, but need not be members of Alpha Omega Alpha. However, if an applicant is a member of Alpha Omega Alpha, he/she must have active status. The poem may be on any subject related to health or medicine. The winning entries will be published in The Pharos. Plus, up to five (5) authors will win a $1,500 award. We recommend visiting the scholarship provider's website for more information on formatting your submission. Happy writing!Show Less