The Bennington College Young Writers Awards 2027 | Win up to $2,000 are open to high school students in grades 9–12 worldwide, with cash prizes, publication opportunities, and potential Bennington College scholarships.
About the Young Writers Awards
The Bennington Young Writers Awards recognize exceptional high school students whose writing demonstrates originality, curiosity, creativity, craft, and ambition.
The competition is open to students worldwide in grades 9–12 and is free to enter. Students can submit work in fiction, nonfiction, or poetry.
Who Can Apply?
The awards are open to high school students in grades 9–12 from around the world.
Students may submit work in one category:
- Fiction: One short story or standalone excerpt, up to 1,500 words.
- Nonfiction: One personal or creative nonfiction essay or standalone excerpt, up to 1,500 words.
- Poetry: 1–3 poems with a combined maximum of 1,500 words.
The word limit is strict.
Cash Prizes
The competition offers cash prizes in each category:
- First place: $2,000
- Second place: $1,000
- Third place: $500
- Distinguished Submission: $250
Distinguished submissions recognize particularly strong original work that does not receive one of the top three composition prizes.
Bennington College Scholarships
The awards can also provide significant scholarship opportunities for students who later enroll at Bennington College.
First-place winners who enroll at Bennington receive a full-tuition scholarship for four years.
Distinguished designation recipients who enroll receive a half-tuition scholarship for four years, while finalists who enroll receive a $25,000 annual scholarship for four years.
AI Policy
Applicants should pay close attention to the competition’s AI rules.
The supplied information states that AI tools may not be used to brainstorm, create, draft, revise or collaborate on submissions. Entries using AI will be disqualified from the Young Writers Awards.
Application Deadline
Submissions open on September 1 at 9:00 AM ET and close on November 1 at 11:59 PM ET.
The judging process takes place from November through January, with winners announced in spring.
How to Apply
Ready to submit your writing? Choose one category, prepare your original work according to the 1,500-word limit, and submit it through the appropriate Bennington College application portal before the deadline.
👉 Apply through the official Bennington College Young Writers Awards page: Bennington College Young Writers Awards
Submission deadline: November 1 at 11:59 PM ET
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can enter the Bennington Young Writers Awards?
High school students in grades 9–12 worldwide can enter.
Is there an entry fee?
No. The awards are free to enter.
What can students submit?
Students can submit fiction, nonfiction, or poetry.
What is the maximum word count?
The strict combined limit is 1,500 words.
How much can winners receive?
First-place winners receive $2,000, second-place winners receive $1,000, and third-place winners receive $500.
Can AI be used?
No. The supplied competition rules prohibit AI tools for brainstorming, creating, drafting, revising, or collaborating on submissions.
Can winners receive scholarships?
Yes. Eligible students who later enroll at Bennington College may receive scholarships depending on their award status.
Final Thoughts
The Bennington College Young Writers Awards 2027 provide high school students worldwide with an opportunity to have their original poetry, fiction, or nonfiction recognized. With cash prizes of up to $2,000, publication opportunities and potential college scholarships, students interested in writing should carefully review the submission requirements before entering.
Disclaimer: This article is for information purposes only. We are not affiliated with Bennington College and are only sharing this opportunity with our readers. Applicants should review the official competition rules before submitting their work.
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