Best Writing Scholarships in 2026

Each year we award one $1,000 scholarship to an upperclass student at the University of Oklahoma. Applicants should be enrolled full-time during the current school year in a journalism, communication, advertising or equivalent degree program, with plans to pursue a newspaper career upon graduation. Applicants must attach resumé and describe why you are eligible for this need-based scholarship.

The Vegetarian Resource Group each year will award $30,000 in college scholarship money to graduating U.S. high school students who have promoted vegetarianism in their schools and/or communities. To apply, please submit an essay addressing how you promoted vegetarianism in your high school and/or community, including your successes, challenges, etc.

This $1,000 award will be given to a high school senior on the staff of an NSPA member newspaper with a minimum 3.5 grade point average on a 4.0 scale or equivalent. In addition to the entry form, applicants must submit three published editorials and a brief recommendation from the adviser.

Applicants must demonstrate passion for creative writing, and be a graduating high school senior or graduate of a public or private high school in San Mateo County or Santa Clara County

The Davidson Fellows Scholarship awards $50,000, $25,000 and $10,000 scholarships to extraordinary young people, 18 and under, who have completed a significant piece of work. Application categories are Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, Literature, Music, Philosophy and Outside the Box. Literature applicants must submit a 60- to 75-page portfolio displaying a number of literary styles and genres.

The Porter Fleming Literary Competition honors the memory of Porter Fleming, one of Augusta, Georgia’s leading citizens and foremost philanthropists. The Porter Fleming Literary Competition consists of four categories — fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and one-act play — and awards $7,000 in cash awards, distributed evenly across these categories.

Arts for Life! annually awards $1,000 scholarships to 25 graduating high school seniors in Florida who demonstrate excellence in creative writing, dance, drama, music or visual art. To apply, students must submit a completed application, a brief essay explaining “how the arts have positively influenced my life,” and a portfolio of work in creative writing, dance, drama, music, or visual art.

One high school junior from each state and Washington, D.C., with an interest in journalism will be selected for an all-expenses-paid program on June 21-26, 2026, featuring panel conversations with journalists and multimedia storytellers, newsroom visits, networking events, a chance to meet news industry leaders, and unique tours of our nation’s capital. Includes a $1,000 college scholarship and ongoing support from more than 1,700 alumni. Build your skills, grow your network and get a head start on your future.

HIAS Immigration & Citizenship Scholarships are offered in multiple categories for both undergrad and graduate students. Applicants must identify as Jewish and have a connection to the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society of Chicago. Each application involves three essay questions on topics including volunteerism, Jewish community engagement, and your/your family's immigration history.

Receive up to $15,000 in funding and join a community of more than five hundred alumni now teaching in higher education. Applicants must submit all required materials including personal statements, academic writing samples, and an essay responding to the question: "What is the relationship between liberal education and a free society?”

The purpose of the Norma Ross Walter Scholarship is to provide financial assistance to female graduates of Nebraska high schools who plan to enroll as English majors in accredited colleges or universities. Applicants must be female high school seniors who are prospective first year college students and plan to continue their education as English majors.

The AAJA Sports Task Force offers a scholarship of up to $2,000 to current college students interested in pursuing sports journalism/media as a career through the Al Young Sports Journalism scholarship. Applicants must submit a resume, cover letter, and essay on the assigned topic.

Since 1970, RTDNF has awarded more than $1 million in scholarships and fellowships to more than 500 young journalists. Scholarships are open to college students pursuing careers in radio, television, or digital journalism. To apply, students must complete an online form for each scholarship including their cover letter, resume, and 3-5 work samples.

We award small artist support grants ($500 – $2,000) to individual feminist women in the arts who are citizens in the U.S and Canada. We welcome applications from women artists and writers who exhibit high quality and originality, use feminism as their central interpretive lens, and validate and express intersectional views.

We want to know…what do you dream about? Whether it's some bizarre dream you had last week, or your hopes for the future, share your dreams with us for a chance to win $1,500 for college. Response should be limited to 250 words or less.