Financial Aid
A limited amount of financial aid is available each year for the Poetry Workshop. Much of the financial aid is granted in the form of tuition waivers and scholarships, which are funded by donations from our past participants, staff and friends. Any scholarship funds awarded generally reduce the cost of tuition for the attendee. All financial aid, including scholarships, is granted on the basis of merit + need. See below for more information on specific scholarships available. Most financial aid awards are in the form of partial tuition waivers.
How do I apply for Financial Aid?
Requests for financial aid must be made during the online application process. In the application’s financial aid section, please indicate the minimum amount of aid you would need in order to attend. Financial aid decisions are made after admission decisions. If an applicant is accepted, but we don’t have enough aid available, we will still issue an invitation in the hope that other means of support may be found by the applicant. Likewise, if an applicant has requested a certain amount of aid, but we can’t provide the full amount, we will grant what we can.
Scholarships
Each applicant for financial aid will be considered for all our tuition waivers and general scholarships. However, a few scholarships are designated for talented writers and poets from specific populations.
To apply for financial aid, you do not have to apply for a specific scholarship. Simply indicate your need on the Poetry Workshop application form.
Scholarships for the Poetry Workshop for Specific Populations
Note: Please review the list of scholarships below to see if any of these scholarships apply to you. If you feel you qualify for one or more of these, please indicate that on your Financial Aid form, which is part of the online application. If you are not awarded that particular scholarship, you will still be considered for general financial aid and other scholarships.
The Cave Canem Scholarships
The Cave Canem Scholarships are funded by donations from friends, alumni, and staff. These scholarships assist Cave Canem Fellows who need financial aid to attend the Poetry Workshop. Please refer to specific scholarship requirements.
Donate
The DREAMer Scholarship
Funded by donations from alumni, staff, and friends of the Community of Writers, this scholarship is established to provide undocumented participants an opportunity to attend summer workshops. For new participants only. Please refer to specific scholarship requirements.
Donate
The Parent Scholarship
Funded by donations from alumni, staff, and friends of the Community of Writers, this scholarship is established to provide writers who are also parents, an opportunity to attend summer workshops. For new participants only.
The Lambda Literary Scholarship
The Community of Writers is delighted to announce one scholarship for a Lambda Literary fellow who needs financial assistance to attend the Community of Writers this summer in Poetry. Participation will be confirmed with Lambda. Please refer to specific scholarship requirements.
The Letras Latinas Scholarship
Established in 2018, the Letras Latinas Scholarship will be awarded to a Latinx poet (or poets) who would not otherwise be able to attend the Poetry Workshop. This scholarship was named for and was established with the support of Letras Latinas, the literary initiative at the University of Notre Dame’s Institute for Latino Studies, which strives to enhance the visibility, appreciation and study of Latinx literature. Donate
Lucille Clifton Scholarship
The Lucille Clifton Scholarships will provide funding for one or more activist poets of color who need financial aid to attend the Poetry Workshop. Please indicate your interest in this scholarship on your application form. Donate
Alexander Cushing Memorial Scholarship for Locals
This scholarship has been established to help creative writers living within a 50-mile radius of Olympic Valley to attend the Community of Writers Poetry Workshop. After residency, qualification for the scholarship is based on financial need and the quality of work submitted.
The Hillary Gravendyk Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship honors the memory of Hillary Gravendyk, a gifted poet, scholar, and teacher, who attended the Community of Writers in 2010. The scholarship is reserved for a first time poet who shows exceptional talent in poetry, especially experimental poetry. This scholarship was started by her “Jeffery House” housemates as a way of remembering and honoring her. Learn more about Hillary and giving to this scholarship here.
The Maat Scholarships
Funded by donations from alumni, staff, and friends of the Community of Writers, this scholarship will be awarded to writers of color. To apply, simply request it in the “Special Scholarships” field in the application form. Donate
The Burnett Miller Memorial Poetry Scholarship: This scholarship is reserved for a poet who has not previously attended who lives within 20 miles of Sacramento.
PEN “Emerging Voices” Scholarship
The Community of Writers is delighted to announce one scholarship for a participant or alum of the PEN “Emerging Voices” program to attend the Community of Writers this summer in Poetry. Participation will be confirmed with PEN. Please refer to specific scholarship requirements.
The Veteran’s Poetry Scholarship
This scholarship is reserved for a poet who has not attended previously, who has served in the armed forces, and who would not be able to attend without financial assistance.
Donate
The W.S. Merwin Scholarship
This scholarship is for a poet who engages with eco-poetics or another topic relevant to the poetry of W.S. Merwin. The ideal candidate is someone who represents a historically underpublished community, however all are welcome to apply.
