Bennington College is accepting submissions from students nationwide for its 2020-21 Young Writers Awards.
The college has a unique literary legacy, including 12 Pulitzer Prize winners, three U.S. poet laureates, four MacArthur Fellows, countless New York Times bestsellers, and two of Time magazine's 100 Most Influential People.
In celebration of this legacy, Bennington's Young Writers Awards promote and recognize excellence in writing by high-school students. Each year, more than 2,000 students submit poetry, fiction, and nonfiction to the competition.
The competition, which accepts entries in poetry, fiction, and nonfiction, is free to enter and open to all students in grades 9-12. A first-, second-, and third-place winner is selected in each category and awarded prizes ranging from $125 to $500.
YWA finalists who apply, are admitted, and enroll at Bennington will receive a $10,000 scholarship every year for four years. Winners receive a $15,000 scholarship every year for four years.
Submissions will be accepted through Nov. 1, with winners announced in spring 2021. More information can be found at bennington.edu/events/young-writers-awards.