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U.S. Creative Writing Awards Scholarship

Offered by Penguin Random House

Reviewed by Lisa FreedlandLast updated Oct 30, 2023
Multiple awards worth up to

$10,000

Grade level

High School Senior

Application deadline:

January 16, 2024

Scholarship Overview

Are you a college-bound high school senior with a love for the written or spoken word? If so, consider applying for the U.S. Creative Writing Awards Scholarship! The scholarship is open to college-bound high school seniors who create and submit an original piece of written fiction, drama, poetry, a memoir/personal essay, or a spoken word piece. Penguin Random House, a multinational polishing company, funds the program. They focus on encouraging the next generation of authors and promoting diverse stories. Thus, since 1993, this program has empowered and celebrated young writers each year with more than $2.8 million awarded in scholarships. Each year, five recipients (one winner per category) earn up to $10,000 to go towards their college expenses. If you are passionate about writing and are looking to pay for tuition, we encourage you to apply!

Eligibility information

The program is open to current high school seniors planning to attend a two-or four-year institution and who create an original piece of written fiction, drama, poetry, a memoir/personal essay, or a spoken word piece. Applicants must also meet the below eligibility requirements.

Grade Level

High School Senior

Citizenship

US Citizens, Canadian Citizens, Permanent Residents, DACA, Other

Minimum GPA

No GPA requirement

Miscellaneous

Applicants with an interest in Creative Writing are also eligible

Application information

To apply for this scholarship, students must submit an online application and the below application materials.

Essay

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Scholarship FAQ

Who should I contact with any questions about this scholarship?

For any questions regarding this scholarship application, please contact Penguin Random House at creativewriting@penguinrandomhouse.com.

Is this scholarship open to international or DACA students?

No, this scholarship is open to U.S. Citizens, Permanent Residents, and DACA recipients.

Where can I find help writing my scholarship essay?

For help writing the essay component of this scholarship application, check out our guides How to Write a Winning Scholarship Essay and How to Start a Scholarship Essay (With Examples).
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