Are you a student passionate about writing poems? Your dream of becoming a poet is a reality. We provide you with the best poetry scholarships for high school students you can take advantage of.
Poetry scholarships for high school students allow students to showcase their talent while also giving them the opportunity to have their poem(s) published. It could also be a stepping stone to greater success.
There are a number of poetry scholarships available. These scholarships provide excellent opportunities for students to showcase their creativity by writing poems.
Scholarships can help you achieve your big dream without having to spend a lot of money. It doesn’t stop there; you can also gain national, international, or global recognition for yourself and your poems.
What is Poetry?
Poetry, as a universal art, does not have a universal definition.
It is a branch of literature that is very vast and as old as history and religion.
A significant characteristic that sets poetry aside from other forms of literature is its economy of language.
Poetry employs the aesthetic and often rhythmic qualities of language, such as phonaesthetics, sound symbolism, and meter, to elicit meanings in addition to, or instead of, a prosaic ostensible purpose.
It is simply a literary work in which the expression of feelings and ideas is given intensity by using a distinctive style and rhythm.
Poets are very critical in the way they render words on a page. They make sure to go beyond word minimization. And they consider a word’s emotive qualities, its backstory, its musical value, its double-or triple-entendre, and even its spatial relationship on the page.
Also, poets pay particular attention to their choice of words.
We can therefore say that poetry is a way of expressing oneself.
Poetry, in simple terms, is the intensive expression of feelings/thoughts that arouse emotions through rhythmic words arranged in lines and stanzas.
Why do poetry and apply for poetry scholarships for high school students?
People enjoy sitting down in a serene environment and listening to poetry, and so, in its way, poetry fetches a source of income for the poets.
There is a tremendous level of acceptance of poetry in society. This is felt in the level of financial support given to poets, students, and writers. These are usually through poetry slams, poetry chapbook competitions, poetry scholarships and writing competitions for high school students.
To be a good poet, you must be creative. Because a poem’s impact on the readers is determined by how strong/imaginative it is. This is to say, the higher your sense of creativity and originality, the higher your chances of receiving any of these poetry scholarships for high school students.
Poetry writing competitions for high school students play a vital role in developing their literal skills.
Poetry Writing Competition for High School Students
Numerous colleges and universities offer scholarships to poets and creative writers.
This competition allows you to express yourself and write down your deepest thoughts. You have the opportunity to share your feelings, distinguish yourself from other poets, and describe what your poetry means to you and the world at large.
You simply need to ensure your eligibility and basic requirements, as well as your poetry writing talent.
Poetry Scholarships for High School Students
The following are the lists of poetry scholarships for high school students that are currently available:
1. Learn Between the Lines Scholarship Slam
This Poetry Scholarship is open to current or former high school students in the United States between the ages of 13 and 25. The scholarship is worth $1,000 and is given out once a year to help with college expenses.
A panel of judges selects the eligible poems, and a winner is chosen at random from the top five.
Apply for the Learn Between the Lines Scholarship Slam here
2. The Narrative Prize
The value of this poetry scholarship is $4,000. The Narrative Prize is awarded annually for the best short story, novel excerpt, poem, one-act play, graphic story, or work of literary nonfiction published by a new or emerging writer in the narrative.
The Narrative is a nonprofit organization that aims to encourage good literary work.
The yearly deadline for submissions for the award is June 15, and the prize is announced each September.
As noted, the prize is given to the best work published each year in Narrative by a new or emerging writer, as judged by the magazine’s editors.
For More Information About the Narrative Prize, Click Here.
3. The Ruth Lilly and Dorothy Sargent Rosenberg Poetry Fellowships
The Ruth Lilly and Dorothy Sargent Rosenberg Poetry Fellowship program was established in 1989 by Ruth Lilly, the last surviving heir to the fortune amassed by pharmaceutical magnate Eli Lilly, her great-grandfather.
There are five of these fellowships, which were increased from $15,000 to $25,800 each and are distributed annually by the Poetry Foundation.
Among the largest awards offered to young poets in the United States, the $25,800 prize is intended to encourage the further study and writing of poetry and is open to all US poets between 21 and 31 years of age.
Apply for the Ruth Lilly and Dorothy Sargent Rosenberg Poetry Fellowships Here
4. The Amy Lowell Poetry Travelling Scholarship
This Poetry Scholarship is an opportunity open to any American poet willing to spend a year outside North America. The award does not have to be used for college tuition but can be used for travel and expenses.
The American poet Amy Lowell died in 1925. Her will established an annual scholarship to support travel abroad for gifted American-born poets.
The scholarship is administered by the Trustees under her will at the law firm of Choate, Hall & Stewart in Boston, Massachusetts.
The Trustees welcome applicants from all ethnic backgrounds to apply as they strive to support and encourage a diverse group of poets.
The scholarship is an award of $59,000.
Applicants for this creative writing scholarship must complete an application form and provide a CV.
Apply for the Amy Lowell Poetry Travelling Scholarship Here.
5. 1800wheelchair.com Scholarship
This Poetry Scholarship is available to undergraduate, graduate, and high school seniors with a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
The value is $500. The award is administered annually to one or two poets by 1800wheelchair.com.
Every year, a new theme for the contest guides applicants to produce a visual poem and essay.
6. Just Poetry Scholarship (National High School Poetry Contest)
This Poetry Scholarship is available to U.S. high school students as well as American High School Poetry teachers.
Just Poetry administers the scholarship on a quarterly basis in January, March, June, and October.
The poetry contest is divided into three categories:
- The $500.00 “Easterday Poetry Award.”
- The four “Best of Issue” Winners ($500 scholarship prize: one selected each quarter)
- And the four Editor’s Choice Selections ($100 scholarship prize: one selected each quarter).
The total value of this poetry scholarship is $1,100.
The runners-up will have the opportunity to be published in one of their Topical Anthologies.
They currently publish the following anthology titles (i.e., topics) at various times throughout the year:
- Of Faith & Inspiration
- Of Love & Dedication
- Inside of Me
- and My World.
Please read the “Official Rules and Entry Procedures” below before entering.
Submissions are accepted 24 hours a day, seven days a week. And only one submission per poet will be accepted quarterly.
There are deadlines for each quarter, as presented below:
- June 30th (fall issue)
- September 30th (winter issue)
- December 31st (spring issue), and
- March 31st (for the summer issue).
The winner of the Easterday Poetry Award will be announced in August and will appear in the fall issue.
The Just Poetry Scholarship is open to high school students.
Or click www.justpoetry.org/justpoetry1.pdf for more information.
7. Morton Marr Poetry Prize
This award is given to current undergraduate or graduate students.
Entrants must be at least 18 years old at the time of application and have a passion for writing poetry.
Southwest Review administers the prize annually. The value is $1,500 – $1,000 for the winner and $500 for second-place winners.
The award is non-transferable. And the winning poems will also appear in the ‘Southwest Review.’
This award is open to both domestic and international students.
Apply for the Morton Marr Poetry Prize here
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8. The University of Canberra Vice-Chancellor’s International Poetry Prize
The University of Canberra Vice Chancellor’s International Poetry Prize is a poetry contest open to entrants aged 18 and over.
The scholarship for poetry has been administered by the University of Canberra annually since 2014.
Its total value is $20,000. The winner will receive $15,000, while the runner-up (second-placed poem) will receive $5,000.
Entries are accepted from any place in the world, and you don’t have to be a previously published poet to enter.
Useful Links for the University of Canberra Vice-Chancellor’s International Poetry Prize
9. Autumn House Poetry Contest
Autumn House Poetry Contest is administered annually by Autumn House Poetry. It is open to all poets.
The Autumn House staff, as well as select outsider readers, serve as preliminary readers for the 2023 contest, and Toi Derricotte serves as the final judge.
The winner will receive the publication of a full-length manuscript as well as $2,500 in prize money.
Submission begins on January 1, 2023, and ends on May 31, 2023.
The contest finalists and winners will be announced by October 15, 2023.
Note the following about the Autumn House Poetry Contest:
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The prize package includes book publication, a $1,000 honorarium, and a $1,500 travel/publicity grant to promote the winner’s book.
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The publication of all finalists will be considered.
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Poetry submissions should be between 50 and 80 pages long.
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Every new poem should begin on a new page.
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Illustrations are strictly prohibited.
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The fee for reading is $30. (Submission fee will be waived for those experiencing financial hardship or living on a fixed income. Please read the full statement and instructions before contacting Autumn House to request a fee waiver. The fee will not be waived if the guidelines are not followed.)
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The book should have never been published before.
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Please do not include your name anywhere on the actual manuscript; if it appears in the text, please omit it or black it out (first name is fine, but last name must be omitted)
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Submittable allows you to include a brief bio in the “cover letter” section.
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There should be no bio or acknowledgments page in the manuscript.
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Include a table of contents if desired (This does not count a part of your final page count)
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Submissions can be made at the same time.
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Friends, family members, and former students of the judges or Autumn House editors are not permitted to enter the competition.
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Interactions with students during short-term residencies or fellowships are not included.Former Autumn House employees, including interns, are not eligible to enter the competition.
10. A. Poulin, Jr. Poetry Prize
This is a prize for U.S. citizens or legal residents who are at least 18 years old. The entrant must be passionate about writing poetry and have not yet published a full-length poetry book.
The prize for this poetry scholarship is administered annually by BOA Editions, Ltd. and is non-renewable. The grand total is $1,000.
The winning author’s book will also be published by BOA Editions, Ltd. He or she will be offered a standard book contract with a royalty rate.
Apply for the A. Poulin, Jr. Poetry Prize Here
11. Norman Mailer College Poetry Award
If you are a full-time student at a community college, four-year college or technical school, you can earn $ 2,500 and a trip to New York through this contest.
You can submit a maximum of 10 pages of poetry for consideration.
12. Pablo Neruda Prize for Poetry
The Pablo Neruda Prize for Poetry is open to high school, undergraduate, and graduate students.
You do not have to be a student at the University of Tulsa to win the Pablo Neruda Prize for Poetry.
The University of Tulsa sponsors the Pablo Neruda Prize for Poetry. The value of the prizes is $2,000 (first-place prize) and $1,000 (second-place prize).
13. The Unicorn Press First Book Contest
Poetic manuscripts in book form that have never been published before are accepted for the Unicorn Press First Book Contest.
The winner receives a $250 cash prize. And his book will be published by Unicorn Press.
Students of all ages are eligible to participate in this competition.
14. Colorism Poetry Contest
This contest seeks to help those hurt by colorism and raise awareness about this form of discrimination.
Three prizes ranging from $100 to $250 are available.
Any US student aged ten years or over can apply.
Do you know that colorism is a prejudice against people based on the lightness or darkness of the skin, hair texture or other features compared to others of the same breed? Now you know.
15. Thomas Merton Sacred Concurso Poetry
Thomas Merton’s Sacred Concurso Poetry is another to consider. The Institute of Contemplative Practice offers four awards annually through this poetry contest.
The value of the prizes is $100 and $500 each.
The inscriptions should have a religious, prophetic or contemplative tone.
Students of any age can enter.
