Grants for Teen Writers
To be a great writer requires talent and determination. If you are a teen with a dream to one day be a writer, there are numerous grants, mostly in scholarship form, available to help you achieve this goal. Some scholarships can have a general focus and invite all styles of writers to apply. Other scholarships are specific in nature and, for example, are only looking for those interested in poetry or starting a blog. Before looking at the various scholarships available, it is important to determine your writing strength and preference. Review your writing with a creative writing teacher at your school to help pinpoint your style and strengths. What type of writing you choose to focus on will dictate what types of scholarships and grants are available.
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General Scholarships
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Some organizations have cast a broad net to attract a wide array of writers. For example, the Alliance for Young Artists and Writers offers several scholarships and accepts numerous genres. The Alliance was established in 1923 to recognize youth talent. The Alliance considers works ranging from poetry to science fiction works to novels. There are four types of national level scholarships ranging in award from $500 to $1,000. There is also a $10,000 undergraduate tuition scholarship awarded to 15 graduating seniors. In addition to a monetary award, Alliance also publishes the winning entries.
Poetry Scholarships
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Poetry is a beautiful means of expression. There are numerous scholarships available to teens who excel in the art of poetry. For example, the Live Poets Society of New Jersey runs a national high school poetry contest with awards ranging from $100 to $500 in the 2010-2011 school year. The award also offers publication. Eligible poems must be 20 lines or less and unpublished and can be either emailed or mailed into the Society for consideration.
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Journalism Scholarship
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Journalism is an exciting career choice. From television and the Internet to newspaper and magazines, accurate and factual reporting of world events is important when broadcasting the news. If a teen has a knack for journalism, there are scholarships available to help develop this talent into a career. For example, Al Neuharth Free Spirit Scholarship and Journalism Conference, started in 2011, grants a $1,000 scholarship and the opportunity to attend a journalism conference in Washington, DC to high school seniors interested in journalism.
Blog Scholarships
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The blogosphere is a relatively new and dynamic means of communication. It is a means that many use to interact, get their news and employ as an outlet for creative expression. Teens who grasp this method of technology and are effective "bloggers" can win scholarship money. For example, the Family Travel Forum offers a Teen Travel Writing Scholarship. In 2010, 4,500 travel blogs were submitted by teens from 13 to 18 years old based on summer travel experiences. Three scholarships were awarded in 2010 for the top three stories. The amounts were $1,000 for first prize, $500 for second prize and $200 for third prize. The winners also won a one night stay with their family at a Homewood Suites Hotel.
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References
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- Photo Credit writing image by Anna Chelnokova from Fotolia.com
