Bennington Young Writers Awards – Big Prizes for Teens

One of the largest events is the bennington young writers awards. It honors the incredible literary talents of high school students. Its main sponsor is Bennington College, Vermont. The competition has a deep literary heritage. It is an excellent platform for young authors to get noticed.

What is the Bennington Young Writers Awards (YWA)?

The YWA is a yearly, highly esteemed contest. It is available for students of high school from all over the world. The main purpose is to identify the upcoming generation of brilliant writers. The judges review the submitted works on the basis of literary merit, originality, and skill. Winners get money awards and scholarships. Such recognition makes it a coveted prize.

• Host: Bennington College, Vermont.
• Purpose: To recognize exceptional writing by high school students.
• Scope: Open to students in grades 9-12 worldwide.

Categories for Submission

The students are allowed to submit their writing in one of the three most common genres. The three genres presented cover a wide range of creative writing. Just make sure to pick the category that suits your writing style the most.

Creative Writing Submission Categories:

• Poetry: Applicants need to present a collection of three (3) poems. The total word count should not exceed 1,500 words.
• Fiction: The submitted work has to be a short story or a one-act play. The word limit is strictly 1,500 words or less.
• Nonfiction: This can be a personal or an academic essay. The word limit should not be more than 1,500 words.

Each and every submission has to be the original creation of the participant(s). The works have to be sponsored and approved by a high school teacher.

Big Prizes: Cash and College Scholarships

The Bennington Young Writers Awards does offer substantial prizes. The recognition and the rewards go far beyond the simple acknowledgment of the talent. They can definitely be of great help to the winners in their future educational endeavors.

Money Awards (for each category):

• First Place: $2,000
• Second Place: $1,000
• Third Place: $500

Distinguished Writer Awards are also accompanied by $250.

Undergraduate Scholarships

Probably, this is the biggest reason why someone would want to participate in the Bennington College competition. Winners and finalists can enjoy a generous four-year scholarship.

• If the winner decides to study at Bennington College, he/she will be granted a Full-Tuition Scholarship for four years (valued at over $60,000 per year).
• Distinguished Writers are allowed to a Half-Tuition Scholarship for four years (valued at over $30,000 per year).
• Finalists are entitled to a \mathbf{\$ 25,000} annual scholarship for four years (\mathbf{\$ 100,000} in total).

This makes the Bennington Young Writers Awards one of the major stepping stones of talented students with an artistic mindset who are planning on going to college.

How to Enter the Bennington Young Writers Awards

One must be well prepared in order to participate in this prestigious competition. If you are late in submitting your work for the current contest, you can start preparing for the 2026-2027 competition.

A Simplified Submission Process:

• Meet Eligibility: Make sure you are in grades 9-12. Students from other countries are welcome.
• Choose a Category: Decide whether you want to submit a poem, a piece of fiction or a work of nonfiction. You cannot submit in more than one category.
• Write and Edit: Come up with a new piece that is in line with the 1,500-word limit. Give your work a thorough edit.
• Find a Sponsor: Acquire the approval and sponsorship of a high school teacher. Homeschoolers, on the other hand, must find a mentor.
• Submit Online: Deliver your work through the official Bennington College submission portal. Twelfth-grade applicants might first need to create a Common or Coalition Application account.
• Check the Deadline: Always be sure of the exact deadline of the Bennington Young Writers Awards that can be found on the college website.

The Bennington College Literary Legacy

The college is widely known for its literary tradition. This is one of the reasons why the Young Writers Awards are of great importance. Among Bennington alumni are some of the most influential literary figures of the world.

Some of the notable Bennington alumni are:

• Donna Tartt (Pulitzer Prize winner)
• Bret Easton Ellis
• Kiran Desai
• Jonathan Lethem

Winning or being named a finalist situates your work in a highly prestigious environment. It also links you with an amazing circle of literary geniuses.

Why the YWA is Important

The Bennington Young Writers Awards is not just a simple contest. It gives a huge platform to high school writers to show their work to a wider audience. It is also a valuable experience for young writers to submit their works for the judgment of professionals. Moreover, it is a great morale booster for teen creative writers. If you are a student and are serious about a career in writing or your college application writing, then this award is worth a shot. You should start preparing your entry for the next annual cycle right ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌away!