Bennington College Young Writers Awards Open for High Schoolers

Young storytellers and poets across Bennington County can now share their original work globally. Bennington College has officially opened submissions for the 2026–2027 Young Writers Awards. This annual initiative gives local teenagers and international peers a free opportunity to showcase their craft.

The competition marks its 20th anniversary this year. For local writers in Bennington, Shaftsbury, Manchester, and neighboring towns, the event offers both creative recognition and serious financial support.

Students Get Ready!!!!

Bennington College has long anchored the cultural landscape of southwestern Vermont. Therefore, this literary competition directly connects students in our local school districts to a collegiate arts community. Area teens can earn regional acclaim, cash prizes, and substantial college funding without leaving home.

What is the bennington college writing competition?

The bennington college writing competition is a free international contest for high school students in grades nine through 12. Entrants submit original work in poetry, fiction, or nonfiction. In addition, the program awards cash prizes up to ,000 and publishes winning selections on the college website in spring 2027.

Students may enter only one of three distinct categories:

• Poetry: A collection of up to three original poems.
• Fiction: A single short story of up to 1,500 words, or one complete one-act play.
• Nonfiction: A personal or academic essay capped at 1,500 words.

Judges require entirely original student work. Furthermore, the college strictly bans generative artificial intelligence from all aspects of the submission process. Consequently, officials disqualify any entry that relies on machine generation.

How do students enter this high school writing contest bennington vt program?

Eligible students enter this high school writing contest bennington vt program online between Sept. 1, 2026, and Nov. 1, 2026. Younger pupils register directly through the competition portal. However, high school seniors must first submit a free, non-binding college application. Contest organizers will then announce the final winners in spring 2027.

Registration requirements vary slightly by academic grade:

• Grades 9 through 11: Students submit their work directly through the college online portal.
• Grade 12: High school seniors must first complete a free, non-binding Common Application or Coalition Application to Bennington College. This step requires no application fee and no supplemental essay. Completing it unlocks the competition portal before the Nov. 1 deadline.

Submissions close precisely at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on Nov. 1, 2026. Moreover, entrants pay no entry fees at any stage of the process.

What are the bennington college scholarships writing awards?

The bennington college scholarships writing awards combine immediate cash prizes with substantial undergraduate merit tuition aid. First-place winners receive $2,000 in cash. Meanwhile, second- and third-place winners receive $1,000 and $500, respectively. Enrolling winners can also receive merit scholarships worth up to full tuition, valued at over ,000 annually.

The competition distributes multiple levels of recognition across each category:

• First Place: $2,000 cash prize and eligibility for a full-tuition merit scholarship.
• Second Place: $1,000 cash prize and merit scholarship consideration.
• Third Place: $500 cash prize and merit scholarship consideration.
• Distinguished Submissions: $250 designation prize awarded across categories and grade levels.

Consequently, local families exploring college options can offset significant educational expenses through these merit awards.

How does the bennington young creators awards expansion work?

The college recently integrated the contest into the wider bennington young creators awards initiative to honor the program’s 20th year. This expanded platform accepts submissions across writing and four other creative areas. High school students can now enter projects in visual arts, music, science, and innovation alongside the traditional literary categories.

Because the initiative now encompasses multiple disciplines, students with diverse talents can take part. Still, the core literary rules and judging standards remain centered on student originality and rigorous inquiry.

What is the history of the Bennington College Young Writers Awards?

Bennington College founded the Young Writers Awards in 2007 to celebrate young authors and nurture creative talent. Over the past two decades, thousands of secondary students worldwide have entered the contest. In addition, the college maintains its commitment to free access so financial barriers never prevent young authors from submitting.

Finally, local students and educators can review submission details, formatting guidelines, and portal links through the official Bennington College website.

Sources

• https://www.bennington.edu/events/bennington-young-creators-awards
• https://www.bennington.edu/news
• https://www.bennington.edu
• https://thecollegeinvestor.com

This article was produced with the assistance of AI and reviewed by our editorial team.

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