Bennington Young Writers Awards Guide for Aspiring Writers

Updated: 19.05.2025

Read time: 3 min read

What Is the Bennington Young Writers Awards?

High school students submit original poetry, fiction, or nonfiction to this writing competition, which recognizes outstanding literary achievement; entries are judged for merit, and winners receive recognition and awards. The competition is organized by Bennington College.

Where Is the Bennington Young Writers Awards Held?

The competition accepts online submissions from high school students in grades 9–12 worldwide. Winners are announced online.

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About Bennington College: Nurturing Literary Talent and Creative Expression

Bennington College, located in southwestern Vermont, is renowned for its commitment to fostering creativity and intellectual exploration. Established in 1932, the college has distinguished itself as a vanguard institution within American higher education, particularly in the arts and humanities. Its unique educational model emphasizes individualized study, integrating academic rigor with real-world experience. Bennington’s literary legacy includes twelve Pulitzer Prize winners, three U.S. poet laureates, four MacArthur Fellows, and numerous New York Times bestsellers .

In celebration of this legacy, Bennington College established the Young Writers Awards to promote excellence in writing at the high school level. This annual competition invites students in grades 9 through 12 to submit original works in poetry, fiction, or nonfiction. Entries are reviewed by a panel of judges, including Bennington College faculty and students .

The competition is open to both U.S. and international students, with no entry fee required. Awards include cash prizes up to $1,000 and scholarships for winners and finalists who choose to enroll at Bennington College. Finalists receive a $10,000 annual scholarship for four years, while winners receive $15,000 annually for four years .

Through the Young Writers Awards, Bennington College continues to inspire and support the next generation of writers, providing them with opportunities to showcase their talents and pursue their literary aspirations.

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Key Details

Subjects: Poetry, fiction, nonfiction

How to Enter: Submit original work in one of the three categories online.

Age Range: High school students in grades 9–12

Competition Format: Submit original work in poetry, fiction, or nonfiction; entries are judged for literary merit.

Recognition: Cash prizes and publication for winners and finalists.

Sample Task: Write a short story (up to 1,500 words) exploring the theme of “transformation.”

Our Tips for Succeeding in the Young Writers Awards

Read widely in your chosen genre and write regularly to develop your voice. Choose a topic or story that matters to you, and draft, revise, and edit your work carefully. Seek feedback from teachers or peers, and proofread for grammar and style. Follow submission guidelines and deadlines closely. Originality, authenticity, and strong writing are the keys to impressing the judges.

FAQs

How Competitive is the Bennington Young Writers Awards?

The Bennington College Young Writers Awards are moderately competitive, open internationally to high school writers, with winners selected for literary merit.